I had written this OS for another thread but this particular piece is close to my heart and hence I am posting it as a separate post. I dedicate this to my AT jaanis Anu (IshraDivan), Aishu (Aishu Divan), Poo (Pooja.Divani), Vasu (Vasukashlicious) and Anji (Yhmmylife) whom I have troubled more than enough when I wrote this OS. Thank you darlings for putting up with me.
ISHRA OS: EK PYAAR KE NAGMA HAI
He found himself staring at a beige card that spelled his name along with hers. The mere sight of her name made him feel butterflies in his stomach. This was for the nth time but he read those lines again
The best and the most beautiful thing in the world
Cannot be seen or even touched
They must be felt within the heart
We're getting engaged!
Ishitha Vishwanathan Iyer & Raman Kumar Bhalla
13th Feb 2015
It was a stormy night when Akash Ganga society witnessed the lives of two innocent souls getting shattered. A man who lost his lady love Shagun and their son Aditya to another man Ashok Khanna. He stood outside the gate of his apartment patting his wailing angel Ruhi to sleep. A long horn made the watchman open the gates of the apartment in a hurry, when an Ambassador car entered the society parking lot. A lady in late 20's got down the car. Smeared kaajal, pale lips, tear stained eyes and disheveled hair. She covered her mouth with her palm and ran in to her apartment only to find her parents yelling out "Ishu Ishu"...
Couple of weeks later she found him standing outside his house begging a woman with a young boy in tow. Even before he could even explain she was gone once and forever. He found his neighbor staring at him intently and he returned back her stare and shut the doors tight in front of her eyes. The very same day late in the evening she came all tired with puffy eyes only to hear a babbling of a baby. She walked towards the opposite house and picked the child in her hands. When both were cooing away to glory she heard someone speaking "Excuse Me". She could not help but curse her fate. After all she was facing him for second time today and he stood exposing his chest with his first few shirt buttons off. She handed over the little baby to him when both their hands met for the first time. They looked in to each other's eyes and withdrew themselves. Meeting each other across the door was a routine since then. They could not avoid each other after being neighbors. One such evening, she was resting her head on one of the benches inside their apartment with her eyes shut only to be approached by a touch on her shoulder. Spontaneously she wiped her tears only to find him standing with quizzical expression on his face. She would prefer shooing him off any other day but today the mere sight of him made her laugh. He sat near her frustrated and placed the bottle with a bang on the bench. You women are so stubborn was his next line.
Ishitha: Hawww.. What did we do?
Raman: She is 6 months and made me skip my meeting. Right now she is eating my head.
Ishitha: Excuse me! Ek bacchi hai wo... Dare you throw such tantrums about her?
Here you go then and he placed the bottle in her hands and stormed out of the place. She could not phantom anything that second but that small gesture out of his frustration gave her immense pleasure. There she sat on the same bench feeding the baby when he came out again.
Ishitha: I can't believe it's you again.
Raman: Oh Madarasan! I am not leaving my kid alone with anyone. I asked you to help me out, that does not mean you stay back with her.
Ishitha: Do you expect me to follow you
Raman: Pretty much
He was pulled back to the present with a beep on his phone and a smirk appeared on his face. He dialed her number immediately and a minute of silence existed between the two. It was her voice which brought him back to reality and he heard her speak "This is not a dream right" and replied her back "We are done with our nightmares, now it is time for us to dream together jaan" and both hanged the call.
It was her time to think and she travelled years behind. It was the first ever instance when both willingly walked out of the house on a Sunday. Early morning the sun was yet to tear out of the skies both walked down the streets only to stop by a park at vicinity. They sat on the lawns next to each other, staring at the green grass. Silence engulfed the two when she started "I can never become a mother. How much ever I try I can never be complete and this is the truth of my life. We were in a relationship for 5 long years and when you saw me for the first time that night I was supposed to get engaged to him. That was the day I came to know about my inability and that was the day I lost my love once and forever and she wiped her eyes which were full then. He looked at her keenly and wanted to assure her with his touch but he chose to speak out today. She took my son away from me for money and him. She filled my own son's ears against me. We are divorced now and with this divorce, I lost my son once and for all and he started sobbing. She did not hesitate a second nor she bothered about the people around her. All she did was move her shoulder towards his side and made him lean on her. She kept stroking his hair and felt him going calm. She heard him speak you will be a great mother and she replied I can only see others being a great mother but never see myself becoming a mother ever again. That was the minute when both found a leaning shoulder. Both felt their hearts light after pouring their darkest secret to a third person. Both called it for the morning and reached home when she was welcomed by her parents and he was welcomed by his ever smiling angel crawling towards him. Both their eyes met again before they could get on with their duty calls for the day. This was a regular routine which both of them enjoyed waking up to and it was them at the park alone or with Ruhi. Months passed together but they never over looked at their relation nor they wanted to define. They were happy with whatever they shared with Ruhi between them.
Time had come for Ruhi's first birthday. Ruhi's attachment towards Ishitha knew no bounds at the same time Toshi was happy with the bond. She cared less for her inability but loved her more for what she was. Iyers were a bit apprehensive about the relationship she shared with the two but their daughter's happiness clouded all their worries. Inwardly they were happy for their children but the families never got along. It was one of these fights between the two families brought Raman and Ishitha lot more close. Raman had taken the initiative that day and asked Ishitha to stay with them for the night. His whole family was around and all their jaws dropped when they heard his bold wish. The person she was understood his intention. All he did was ask her to spend the night with Ruhi together. She obliged to his request and Toshi looked towards Mrs. Iyer with her scorching eyes.
Mrs. Bhalla: How dare you let your daughter stay at another person's house?
Mrs. Iyer: An Irked lady that she was replied her boldly, If your son had the guts to ask then my daughter knows her limits and she turned to walk out of their house trying to pull Ishitha with her.
A visibly angry Raman did not like his mother's approach and glared at her back which made her move back to her room muttering under her breath. Other side Ishitha resisted her mother's hold and moved a step towards the Bhalla house saying I can fend myself. Both spent the night together not sleeping a second but staring at the angel sleeping peacefully in sleep. That was the night both felt for one another. They did not know whether to curse their past or be glad about it but something had changed between them in that one night. The next day a grand birthday was not celebrated but a happy birthday was indeed celebrated. The two of them stepped out of the house with Ruhi for a dinner and it looked like a perfect picture walking out much to the annoyance of their respective mothers. That was the first night both sat facing each other looking in to each other's eyes and he held on to her hands for the first time. This calm moment between them was disturbed by her Ex-boyfriend. She did cringe at the sight in front of her. Her Ex with his hands behind the back of another lady. He smirked at her while she turned her attention towards the man and kid near her but her ex accused her to be an incomplete woman and walked out of the restaurant. Dinner was very much a silent affair and both headed back home with a sleeping Ruhi. When she was about to enter her house, she felt him tugging her wrist. She shook her head negatively and spoke "Not today" loud enough for him to hear and ran in to her room sniffing. He tried messaging her, called her a couple of times but there was no response from her whatsoever. Out of frustration he stepped in to his balcony only to find her staring in to the starry sky and her hands tightly clutched on to the railing. This was the first time he looked at her closely. There have been times when he had openly praised his Ex and found her listening to him patiently but today with her hair loose and in her green kurti. He could not help but imagine himself standing next to her hand in hand. Since the day he realized her attraction he tried limiting conversations with her and after that dinner she completely isolated herself from everyone. She did not make an attempt to spend time with Ruhi as well. All she did was attend patients and tried locking herself in her room making an attempt to get over her inability completely without anyone's help. The mother's did not know whether they should feel happy or sad about the whole issue. Ruhi was left alone as her father was busy with work and had moved to Mumbai. Ishitha was involved with the clinic and there was no looking back.
About 6 to 7 months later, Raman landed in Delhi and this time he was a changed man. His personality, aura everything had changed. He did visit Ruhi every weekend but never made an attempt to stay back. Ishitha was as usual in her room drowning in to some book when a strong smell distracted her. She walked to the kitchen to find everything was in place but the smell got stronger. Out of curiosity when she stepped out of the house, the doors of the Bhallas were wide open and it did not take minutes to guess the smell. She then entered the kitchen only to find little Ruhi meddling with the cylinder knob. By then Simmi and Toshi also entered the kitchen and they looked at Ishitha with Guilt in their eyes but they were more worried for an unconscious Ruhi in Ishitha's hands. All had rushed to the hospital but were later ensured by the doctor that the kid was completely fine which literally brought their lives back. For the next few hours it was just Ruhi and Raman inside the room and Ishitha sat outside peeping every now and then through the tiny viewer glass. That's when she noticed a caring father. She felt bad when he had left Ruhi behind to establish himself better in Mumbai but today behind all that smartness and personality she saw a vulnerable father. She rested her head behind on the wall and had her eyes shut. For once she really did not think about anything. Neither had he asked her to stay back nor she offered but before calling it a day she kissed Ruhi's forehead and walked out of the hospital. They were forced to meet each other often after that one particular incident she did get attracted to him for the kind of person he was and his deep buried attraction started resurfacing all over other. He gathered all his guts one fine day and sent her message
Coffee at 5?
She pondered over the message for a while and replied positively. She found him waiting for her restlessly and waved at him from far. He relaxed himself and both sat facing each other nervousness clear on their faces. After some random talks, beating around the bush, he stammered but started
Raman: As much as you know me I know you. I do not know if this is what you expected from me but staying away from family in particular Ruhi and he looked at her keenly to judge her but seeing her lips curve in to a smile after hearing Ruhi's name he continued lot more confidently, This cannot go on Ishitha. I want to share my beautiful moments with someone, my daughter's tiny little step with someone. She looked at him a bit baffled and heard him speak further I need you for that. If not for me, please be there for her.
She was trying to comprehend whatever he spoke over the last 5 minutes. How could she not predict the reason for his sudden message? She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and started
Ishitha: As much as it sounds like a fancy dream, I prefer staying in reality Raman. I can never be complete. I can neither satisfy the role of a wife, a daughter in law nor a mother. He looked at her perplexed.
Raman: what does that mean?
Ishitha: Don't feign innocence Raman. Do you really want to spit out my inability? At one point of time you will want another kid from me, your mother will want grandchildren and if I am going to accept all of this at some point of time Ruhi will want another sibling. Why would you prefer choosing such a life?
Raman: If this is what you are looking at your life with me is not easy. As far as I know about Shagun she will not spare me that easily. If you are becoming my life partner you will be the first person to go through a lot of emotional trauma.
Ishitha: These things will heal with time.
Raman: If these things can, then your inability is nothing big. Both of us have lost something precious. I have lost my son and you have and his voice choked.
Ishitha: My inability to conceive
Raman: We are imperfect alone we will be perfect together.
She spoke out his name "Ramannn" and he mouthed her name in return "Ishitha" and held his hand forward. A couple of minutes later, her shivering hands joined his only to be locked securely in his embrace.
Weeks ran faster than ever, both did not miss out on a single chance to spend with each other. They spoke about everything and everyone under the sky but them. On a humid summer night, she was craving for an ice cream close to midnight. She tiptoed out of the house with her car keys and tried starting her car when she was disturbed by a pair of headlights. The continuous dim and dip of headlight made her guess the person which made her to bite her tongue and bang her palm against the steering. She lifted her head when she heard a sudden knock on the window. She lowered the glass window and found him brooding at her
Raman: where are you going at this time of the day
She muttered under her breath "he has made my life a living hell"
Madarasan , I really have no time to hear your complaints to your murugan. Get down from the car Chup chap.
Ishitha: Did I ask you to do anything for me
Raman: Meri maa, Now if you are done with your lecture can we get back home.
Ishitha: I am going to get myself an ice cream. You can go back and she tried rising the window when he placed his hand in between the window and the edge. Abh kya hai ?
Raman: let's go in my car and that's final.
She found herself in the car traveling to an ice cream parlor and kept staring at her watch every 2 mins.
Raman: Your Amma will be happy to have some peaceful time without you. Spare that watch and smirked.
Ishitha: why am I with a khadoos like you at this time of the night and slapped her head
Raman: kyunki Iss khadoos ko Iss kadvi par pyaar aaya hai
Their eyes locked that moment and felt the world stopping around them. This was the first time he used the word "Pyaar" in more than a year and she was hearing someone using this word with so much passion and love. Needless to say their eyes spewed intimacy. Her unplanned ice cream craving trip turned out to be one of their memorable first ever date.
She kept replaying every single memory of theirs and each memory had a uniqueness to it. This made their journey of love very special. She could not help but think of a special day which led to their engagement. She was standing on the terrace meddling with her phone and her back facing the terrace entrance. After searching for her all around her house and apartment complex, he finally found her. With the wind making her hair blow, her curvaceous waist and her tall structure which was exposed in her saree attracted him more. He rushed towards her side and hugged her from behind, she almost leaped forward across the wall in the jerk but was rightly caught by him. Her heart skipped beats and she spoke "You scared me Raman, I thought it was someone". He made her face him and spoke "Who else has the guts to come near you when I am around?" and she just nodded her head in negative. All along her head was bent and she felt her cheeks burning. This was the first time she was this close with him. I want to ask you something Ishitha ? And placed his left palm on her cheek. She was a mechanized doll in his hands. All she did was shake her head or mouth an hmmm. Another hmmm from her gave him the much needed boost and. He spoke in to her ears "Can we get married?" and she told him a yes with her smile. He moved further closing the distance between then when she placed her palm between both their lips. He dropped a long wet kiss on her palm and placed her palm on her other cheek. Her eyes shut tight refusing to open any soon. This was it. Whatever happened after that felt like a smooth sailing ship in a vast ocean. She was soon brought back to present when her Amma yelled out her name for dinner.
She woke up the next day morning earlier than usual only to feel an hour having 120 minutes. The entire morning she did not get to talk to him or even see him much. She did see him in the morning while fetching milk and paper but that meet was a very brief one. A tiny little smile and a word of confidence to each other. It was finally around 4 in the evening when her sisters pestered her to get ready in a parlor but she preferred playing it under and rejected their offer. She sat all by herself in the room staring at her Bluish Green Saree with a golden border. She could not help but think about her last engagement at the same time she couldn't wipe the smile off her face when she thought about him and Ruhi. She brushed aside her thoughts and started getting ready.
Around 6 in the evening she arrived at the venue with her parents and sisters. He was dressed in Blue kurta and she stood in front of him in her bluish green saree. She literally left him dry that evening. Both sat next to each other for the ring ceremony and he finally got hold of her hands. He held on to them tight and both looked in to each other's eyes when they felt no one was noticing them. After the rituals the ring exchanging ceremony was announced. He held on to her fingers and looked deep in to her eyes and slid the ring in to her finger. Not once did he look down. On the other hand she looked only at his fingers when she slipped the ring. His eyes looked too contagious for her to look in to them. Both were brought back from the trance they were in and only to perform a dance for all.
A song played in the background which only related to their past how much they have moved on with each other's support
He stood in front of her, bowed before her and took her hand and held on to her hands only to sway to the song played in the background
ek pyar ka nagma hai, maujon ki ravani hai
zindagi aur kuch bhi nahin teri meri kahani hai
She then thought about her past and how it all succumbed on the day of her engagement. His right palm reached her left cheeks only to wipe the tears that were threatening to flow from her eyes with her finger and looked in to her eyes assuring her for one final time.
kuch pakar khona hai, kuch khokar pana hai
jeevan ka matlab to ana aur jana hai
do pal ke jeevan se ek umr churani hai
He twisted her forward and moved behind her and placed a hand on her hips and she held on to his hands tightly turning her face sideways to look at him all lost in the song and living the moment. She rested her head on his chest and continued paring every step with him.
tu dhar hai nadiya ki, main tera kinara hoon
tu mera sahara hai, main tera sahara hoon
ankhon mein samandar hai, ashaon ka pani hai
A couple of twists and both came face to face. Both were hands on his shoulders and his hands on her hips moving yet standing at the same place and as the song reached its end he moved closer to her and mouthed I LOVE YOU ISHITHA, yet another bright smile appeared on her face and replied I LOVE YOU RAMAN only to receive a kiss on her forehead followed by a tight peck on her lips. With their family looking at them in awe.
toofan to ana hai, akar chale jana hai
badal hai yeh kuch pal ka, chhakar dhal jana hai
parchhaniyan reh jati, reh jati nishani hai
zindagi aur kuch bhi nahi, teri meri kahani hai
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
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