Part 15C
Jhoot Bole Kauwa Kaate
Tuesday 2 September 2014
4.00pm
Lodhi Garden
"Hey"
"Hmmm?"
"What are you thinking?"
Ishita twisted around in Raman's arms to face him, lifting a hand to slowly caress his face.
"Yahi, that I love you"
"Is that right? Well, then you'd better show me just how much" He grinned wickedly and lowered his head towards hers, only to have Ishita cover her face with her hands.
"Raman, no, not here"
"Areh yaar, biwi ho meri, shaadi ki hai. Haq banta hai mera" {You're my wife. I've married you. It's my right}
"Woh haq aap baad mein exercise karna. Yahan nahin" and she turned around again, leaning back on him as he again protectively ensconced her in his arms. {Exercise that right in some other place. Not here}
They were sitting in a shady nook in Lodhi Gardens, that sanctuary for Delhi's lovers. The 3-4 hours since their wedding had been spent in the company of their fellow conspirators, but now they were finally alone. Ruhi had been dropped off at school, changed back into her uniform; Rinki had headed off home, ostensibly from college; Neel and Mihir had gone off to their respective offices and Bala jeeju, well Bala jeeju had departed with the cryptic comment that he was off to prepare to "settle Abhi" that night, and that Ishita should not forget to be home by 7.00 and follow his lead.
"Raman, what do you think jeeju is planning?" Ishita asked Raman, snuggling comfortably into her husband's arms. She had changed back into the salwar suit she had left home in that morning, removed her jewellery except her rings and one choodi on each hand, and yet she still had that unmistakeable bridal glow on her face.
"Yaar, mein kya janoo tumhare perfect jeeju ke plans kya hai." {What do I know what your Perefct jeeju's plans are}
"Ramannn"
"Waise, your jeeju's lunch idea was good, I have to say. I didn't know you madrassi's knew how to have fun."
"Raman jeeju ke liye aise mat kahiye. Agar woh nahi chahte na, toh yeh shaadi kabhi hota nahi. But haan, lunch was fun na." {Raman, dont say such things about Jeeju, if he didn't want it, our wedding would not have happened. But yes, lunch was fun}
They had all lunched together at the "Do It Yourself Dosa", Delhi's latest hippest vegetarian restaurant, where diners could book private room where the chef would roll dosas on their table. Ruhi had particularly enjoyed the flamboyant antics of their personal chef - the artistic stretching of the dough, throwing the dosa in the air, flinging it with unerring accuracy onto plates held by each diner, the colourful array of chutnies and curries.
"Aap ki tummy theek toh hai na?" {Your stomach is okay, isn't it}
"Yes of course. Kya samajhti ho mujhko?" {Yes of course. What do you take me for ?}
"Raman, I know that aap Ruhi ki Kiddies Special Low Spice curries kha rahe theh. Dekha tha mein ne." {Raman, I know you were eating Ruhi's Kiddies Special low spice curries. I saw you}
"Ya, so what yaar. Intelligent hoon, mujhe apni wedding night bathroom mein nahi bitana hai."{Ya, so what yaar. I'm intelligent, I didn't want to spend my wedding night in the bathroom}
Ishita coloured at his mention of their wedding night, then pulled herself out of his arms.
"Hey, what's wrong biwi?" Raman flicked a finger under her chin and turned her face towards his.
"You know we can't Raman, abhi bhala kaise... I have to go home soon, and then Ruhi's case is next week, na, so we have to be careful until that is settled, and... Raman" she pulled at her thalli, and flashed both it and her rings to Raman "mein yeh sab kaise chupaongi. Amma already engagement ring ke baare mein puch rahi thi. Aur ab yeh wedding ring and..." {You know we can't Raman, how will it be possible... I have to go home soon, and then Ruhi's case is next week, so we have to be careful until that is settled, and Raman, how will I hide my thalli and rings? Amma has already been asking about the engagement ring, and now the wedding ring and...}
"Sshh, hey sshh, come here" he pulled her back into his arms, cradling her as if she were a precious jewel. "I know biwi, thoda mushkil hoga, lekin abhi tak toh sab kuch theek ho raha hai na? Let's just be positive hmm? Now these rings, just thread them through your thalli and wear them around your neck, apne dil ke paas. And just keep the whole thing hidden under your tops. Ab amma itna bhi toh jasoosi nahi karegi, kyun? Yeh wala kaam toh sirf mera hai" He snuck his hand under the edge of her Kurta and she smacked it away. {I know biwi, it won't be easy, but we've managed everything so far haven't we? Let's just be positive, hmm? Now these rings, just thread them through your thalli and wear them around your neck, next to your heart. And just keep the whole thing hidden under your tops. Now amma won't check to that extent will she? That's my job, after all}
"Ramann, no"
"Ok, ok, I won't. Waise ek aur cheez toh hum ne kiya nahi, lekin usko chupana shayad namumkin hota." {There is one thing we haven't done, that would've been impossible to hide}
"Kya?" she asked with a sniffle. {What?}
"Yeh" he replied, running his fingers gently over the parting in her hair. "Tumhari maang bharna hai mujhe. Lekin woh ek baar kiya toh kabhi tumhe berang rakhne nahi doonga. Jis din tumhari maang bharongaa, us din sab ko bataenge. And listen baba, Ruhi ki case ki first hearing end of next week hai, who knows everything might get settled then. Zyaada intezaar nahi karna hoga, samjhi?" {This. I have to apply sindoor. But once I do that, I'll never let you keep your forehead bare again. The day I apply the sindoor, we will let everyone know. And listen baba, the first hearing of Ruhis case is at the end of next week, who knows everything might get settled then. We may not have to wait too long, okay?}
"Lekin aaj raat?" {But tonight?}
"What about aaj raat?" {What about tonight?}
"Aap hi ne toh kaha tha abhi, hamari wedding night hai" {You just said so yourself, it's our wedding night}
He grinned wickedly at her.
"What do you want to do Mrs Bhalla?"
"Kuch nahi, bas yunhi" she said shyly. {Nothing, I just mentioned it}
"Abhi mujhe caution kar rahi thi, ab do minute mein khud badal gayi? Yaar, jaan le lo gi mera."
{You were cautioning me just now, and then you yourself want to be with me? Yaar, you'll kill me like this}
"Aaj raat ko aap ko bahut miss karoongi Raman" {I'll really miss you tonight Raman}
"Yaar, if only there was a way. But our first night, I want it to be perfect Ishita..."
"Aap honge na saath, toh perfect hi hoga. But you're right, aaj nahi." {As long as you are with me, it'll be perfect. But you're right, not tonight}
"Ab phir mind change kar rahi ho? Yaar, ye kya...?" {Now you're changing your mind again? Yaar, what are you doing?}
Ishita pushed him away again and stood up.
"Toh kya karoon mein? Ab chalo, mujhe meri car tak chod do" {So what do I do? Now come, leave me at my car}
"Tumhe ab kaise chod doon?" He asked, getting slowly to his feet. {How can I ever leave you?}
"Raman, ghar jaana hai na." {Raman, I have to go home}
"No yaar, not yet. Stay with me."
"Please Raman. Please."
"Acha suno, raat ko call karoonga. Keep your phone with you. And don't argue when I call you, theek hai. Just do what I say."
"Kya karoge?" {What are you planning?}
"Wedding night hai yaar. Kuch der toh biwi ke saath guzarna hai." {it is our wedding night. I have to spend some time with my wife}
**********************************************************************************************************
5.00pm
Delhi School of Arts
"Yaar, Bala, you owe me big time"
"I know Vijay, I know, and I am so very grateful. But there's no other way."
"There is another way, na. Just tell the truth."
"I explained na, it's too complicated. They just need to buy some time to sort out the custody case, and hopefully try and win their families hearts too. And this Abhi complication, you know I need you to do this. And yaar, you are such an amazing actor, only you can pull this off"
"Theek hai, theek hai Bala, no need to lay it on too thick. But this outfit, I tell you. Come on let's go, the sooner we get this done, the better."
Bala grinned at his friend, reaching out to adjust his saffron robes for him. Vijay was his college friend, and a drama teacher at the Delhi School of Arts. He was also an amateur actor and he was part of Bala's plan to keep Abhi at bay.
Agreed, it was not a brilliant plan, and it's success depended on how well Vijay could act, as well as on keeping Vandu away from the scene. His wife knew Vijay too well to be taken in by his make up and get up. Thankfully, Vandu had called to bemoan the fact that she had an after hours meeting at the Ministry , starting at 5.00 and so his way was clear. He had dropped Shravan off with his pati and tata, and had then come rushing over to help Vijay with his make up and get up.
"Wait " he said now, "Let me just check first where Abhi is."
**********************************************************************************************************
5.40 pm
Abhimanyu Raghav's Office
"Mr Bala? Mr Raghav will see you now."
Bala nodded to the smartly dressed young receptionist and stood up, preparatory to following her. "Wait here panditji" he said to Vijay for her benefit. Then taking a deep breath, he followed her to Abhi's office.
Abhi stood up as Bala entered.
"How are you Bala?"
"I'm fine Abhi, just fine. How was your flight?"
"Good, good. I just got in at 1.00. Straight to work, as you can see. Bala, you said you had something important to share with me. Is..is everything alright? Ishita? Is she ok? She hasn't really responded to the texts I've been sending, just one word here and there. And I've been calling her since I got off the plane, but her phone appears to be switched off."
"Ishita is fine Abhi. But she has asked me to speak to you about something. That's why I wanted to see you."
"What is it Bala? I was going to go over to Mayur Vihar anyway, at 7.00"
"Well you see Abhi, it's like this. Ishita has a guru, she got to know of him through yoga classes and she really respects what he says. But amma and appa don't approve. He's a North Indian guru, you see. Well, anyway, the guru has told Ishita that any relationship formed during this period, until the end of September, will never be successful. It's all in the stars, you see. But if Ishita tells amma and appa, they will get angry with her, and they will not agree to postponing your engagement. So Ishita asked me to speak to you."
"Ishita believes in all this, in gurus? I find that hard to believe"
"Abhi, after everything that's happened in her life, Ishu has become more spiritual. But there's this North South issue, you see, her amma really doesn't like or trust these North Indian gurus. Otherwise even amma has had your kundlis matched. Ishu really does believe in what her guru tells her, and she really believes that everything has to be postponed to the end of the month. That's also why she hasn't been responding to your texts and calls.She doesn't feel she can progress anything at the moment."
"The end of the month?"
"Yes, Abhi, just another 4 weeks."
"But I need to go back to Turkey in a fortnight. I'll be away for three months. And we need to finalise things before I go, so we can get married as soon as I return for good." Abhi spoke almost to himself, and Bala had to strain his ears to listen. He felt bad about lying to Abhi, who was a decent man, but he was doing it for Ishita, for her happiness. She and Raman needed this time to get Ruhi's custody sorted, to gain acceptance with each other's family - if Abhi insisted on an engagement now, the cat would be out of the bag, and Bala knew that Ishita would never forgive herself if any scandal or family dispute impacted Ruhi's custody negatively.
"Listen, maybe I can postpone my departure for another two weeks, so that Ishita and I can get engaged before I go. It will be tricky, but I can do it" Abhi was saying.
"Abhi, I know Ishita will be very grateful to you if you can. There's just no way she can get engaged to you now without compromising her values and beliefs, and well, your support will mean a lot to her."
"Okay then, I'll let Chitti and uncle know when I come over later this evening. In just an hour or so, in fact."
"Abhi, you can't let Amma and appa know that this is Ishu's idea. They have to think this is your request, from your Guru."
"What?" Abhi looked at Bala in astonishment. "I don't believe in all this nonsense. Kundlis and Gurus and mahurats and what not."
"I know Abhi, and I respect that. But Ishu does and if amma and appa find out that Ishu instigated this, they will never agree. But if they think it's your idea, they have to accept, never mind that the Guru is someone they don't like. Listen, Guruji is waiting outside. I had to plead with him to come here, but he has, just see him and then you will know what to tell amma and appa tonight. Please Abhi. For Ishu."
"Fine Bala" Abhi said in resignation. "Call in the Guru. I'll do it. Only for Ishu. And only so that she is happy and comfortable about our future together."
"And Abhi, one last thing. Please don't mention this to anyone, not even to Mihika or Vandu. Ishu will feel embarrassed. This is just between us, ok"
**********************************************************************************************************
7.30 pm
Iyer Apartment
"Theek hai Abhi beta, waise I didn't realise ki tum in saare baaton mein maante ho, lekin, if you are sure..." {alright son. I didn't realise you believe in these things, but if you are sure...}
"Uncle, I feel really bad about this, lekin precaution hai na, and listen I'm not going to leave until Ishita and I get engaged. Guruji kehte hai ki saare grah theek ho jayenge 30 September tak, toh 1st October ko hi engagement karte hai. Aap logon ko bhi preparation ka time mil jaayega." {Uncle, I feel really bad about this, but it's just a precaution. And listen, I'm not going to leave India until Ishita and I get engaged. Guruji says all the bad omens will be over by 30 September, so we can get engaged on 1st October. You'll also get time to prepare}
Abhi squirmed as he parroted the lines that Bala had fed him. He had been extremely sceptical about Vijay, who had been hamming a bit in his Guru role, but Bala's repeated mantra that this was what Ishu wanted had won him over, and he had agreed to tell Ishu's and his family that he needed the engagement postponed because of his new found Guruji's forecast.
"Theek hai"amma said, with a worried frown. "Agar tum yehi chahte ho Abhi. Lekin 1st October ko engagement ho jaani chahiye, kitni delay ho rahi hai" {Ok Abhi, if this is what you want. But the engagement should take place by 1st October, there's been so much delay already }
"Yes chitti. Please don't worry."
"Call me amma" Mrs Iyer smiled lovingly at Abhi
"Kahega na, amma" Bala butted in. "1st October tak aapko amma kehne wala dusra damad mil jayega" {He will say it amma. By 1st October, you will get a second son in law to call you amma}
"Woh toh aaj mil gaya, Bala" amma responded, smiling. {I got my second son in law today Bala}
Ishita smiled shyly at her amma's words. "You don't know amma" she thought silently, " but you're so right. Aaj aap ka dusra damad mil gaya". {You got your second son in law today}
Raman's beloved face swam into her vision and she blushed, remembering the desperate intense kiss with which he had left her, the way his body had strained against hers, as if imprinting her into memory through his touch.
"Look how akka is blushing" Mihika said with a laugh. "Waise akka , why are you wearing socks in this weather?"
"To hide my Mehendi," Ishita thought silently. "Nothing Miku, I just had a slight cold, that's all" she said aloud. She looked up and saw Bala jeeju trying desperately to hide a grin. He looked at her and turned his smile into a cough and a frown.
"Thank you" she mouthed silently. Whatever trick her jeeju had played to get this respite for her, she and Raman would forever be grateful to him.
But the difficult times lay ahead now. She was Raman's wife. How was she to hide her feelings and desires from the world? How could she stay away from him?
**********************************************************************************************************
8.00 pm
Bhalla Apartment
"Oi Rinki, kya kha liya tumne. Itni der se bathroom bhaag rahi hai?" {Oi Rinki, what have you eaten. You've been runining to the bathroom for so long}
"Kuch nahi mumma. Woh mein..." {Nothing mumma. I...}
"Ma" Raman's loud voice interrupted the mother and daughters conversation.
"Kya hai puttar?" {What is it son?}
"Woh zara mujhe Buscopan dena. Pet theek nahi hai" {Give me some Buscopan please. My stomach doesn't feel right..}
"Tumhe bhi? Kya ho gaya tum sab ko? Ruhi bhi complain shomplain kar rahi thi" {you too? What's happened to all of you. Ruhi was complaining too}
"Aap hi ne kuch banaya hoga Ma" Raman said testily. "Ruhi theek hai ab?" {it must've been something you cooked Ma. Is Ruhi allright now?}
"Haan, woh toh so gayi, Simmi ke paas. Aur dekh, mere cooking ka kuch mat kehna, lagta hai kisi ki nazar lag gayi mere bacho ko. Aise toh tum log sirf woh rasam sambar kha kar karte jo. Zaroor us madrassan ne kuch buri nazar kiya hoga" {Yes, she's gone to sleep with Simmi. And listen don't say anything about my cooking. You people only react like this to rasam and sambar. I think that madrassan has cast a bad eye on my children}
"Ma" Raman said angrily. "Stop it, ok"
"Theek hai, mujhe kya? Ye loh tumhara Busk Kho fan" Mrs Bhalla sniffed as she handed him the antacid. {fine, whats it to me? Here, take your busk kho fan}
Raman took a dose of antacid and then sat back pensively. Everything had gone fine today, but just how was he going to bring their two warring families together. How long would it take? And in the meantime, how could he stay away from his Ishita? Especially tonight. He had to see her tonight.
**********************************************************************************************************
Part 16: Abhi Na Jao Chodh Kar - pg 27
Edited by Veeann - 10 years ago
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Hindi TV Shows
Indian Mythology
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
Marathi TV
Cricket
11