FF | Back To life | Chapter-2 and 3_page-14 Feb|09 - Page 10

Going to Him

Aditya had a tough time dealing with his father's crankiness and his own confused conscience regarding the emotion the man driving the car was having for his mother! His constant glances were making Raman nervous. If he would ask something, he is going to slap him; Raman mentally prepared. How he planned things secretly but...! A flinching gasp escaped Aditya's mouth when he saw his father hitting the steering furiously, as if to suppress his apprehensions. "Papa..." He called him out, as calmly as he could.

"Adi!" Raman groaned, in reply that zipped his lips up in no time. The car stopped near their apartment complex, making both of them relieved, to save their soul from the extremely awkward situation. "Tell Shagun that I'll pick up Pihu." Raman informed coldly.

"Kyun papa?" Aditya mumbled quizzically and saw Raman gawking him nonchalantly. His father does not like his biological mother for reasons no one knows. She has changed. She is looking after Pihu, from when she was born. She has drastically changed and there was days when his grandparents wished if his father would marry her, consider her worthy of sharing the rest of his life with. All those days, he had expressed his grudge towards nuptial bond, but not the love that he was suppressing deep inside, that was overwhelming for his real mother, Ishima! If his mother is facing his father's anger, the other woman has never faced anything but coldness! Aditya looked on when Raman drove past.

"We're not going anywhere!" Ishita threw her vanity bag and shouted. Abhimanyu creased his eyebrows; a fear engulfed him. He had always faced rejection, and loss, when it comes to Ishita. He had been head over heels in love with her, professed it, and collected his broken heart when she repeatedly chose someone else; be it Subramaniam at first; or be it Raman Kumar Bhalla, who seemed to be having her heart forever. He does not want her to accept his love but be with him the way she is doing. However, her ex-husband, her real kids, nothing is going to go as per his wish anymore; he clinched.

"Ishu what's wrong? Why are you getting hyper?" Abhimanyu came forward, to touch her shoulder but she stepped back and looked over her shoulder, indicating him to ask Aaliya. "Aaliya?" He queried calmly.

"Appa... Amma's ticket got cancelled, don't know how. Then Aditya came there. So, amma, she decided to stay back. She doesn't want to miss him..." Aaliya managed that much and gulped in the part of Raman. She does not want to hurt her appa, does she?

"That's not it all!" Ishita quipped wiping her tears those were falling incessantly. "How dare him! How dare him Mani!" She sat in the couch, looking down. Depressed; Raman does not feel any kind of happiness on watching her alive but anger! She better should have died other than facing this day in her life! After venting out all that has happened in the airport, she gazed Abhimanyu into his weary eyes. "He can't stop me from meeting my kids. They are my kids. I don't care how others will react but I'm moving there." She finalized.

"Moving?" Abhimanyu gasped. "To Bhalla house?" He could not compress his shock.

"Who am I to move into Bhalla house? I'm no more a Bhalla legally! Raman Bhalla got nothing to do with Ishita Iyer anymore. So I'm moving to some other apartment in the same complex, from where I can meet my kids whenever I want. He's no one to stop me! He's going overboard!" She was determined when she walked in her bedroom, leaving the luggage in the living room, as she wanted to take some rest before arranging her residence.

"Should we go with amma, appa?" Aaliya was confused.

"Let her decide..." Abhimanyu trailed off, as he does not know if he has any rights to go accompany her without her permission.

"Aaliya... I want to be alone for some time baba..." Ishita hugged her. She so badly wanted to have some space. It is true that she loves this girl like her own, but still, her personal life was never attached to her. There was always a responsibility before one could name it love. Abhimanyu was in bed past the seven years, just because of her; he should have let her die, was another accusation she still has in her heart for him. Looking after him, her, Ishita Bhalla completely turned to Ishita Iyer, as seven years has passed away. Now she is single; the feeling was excruciating, as she never had wished to take off his name from hers. She needed some time away from complications...!

"Amma...as you wish..." Aaliya was much understanding, even so, she could not cope the fact that she and her appa has no place in her life more than the boy whose single tear made her mother drop the idea of leaving India. Is not she crying from an hour or so? She could see her mother has much affected by her teary face. She could feel her agony in leaving her alone and trouble in taking her along. No one cannot blame her if she acts insane in losing her mother; Aaliya thought. "You'd be back to me amma. Because you're mine. I don't want to lose you." She said hoping her mother would promise her like she did to Aditya Bhalla. She realized she was insecure.

"I love you Aaliya... You're my baby..." Ishita kissed her forehead. There was no promise. If she would promise Aaliya of getting back to her, she should break the one she has just given to Aditya. She prioritized her son over her; she was no Goddess!

In the evening, when Raman came over to Pihu's school, to pick her up, he got exasperated to find Shagun there. There was many things to discuss, decide, and proceed, could be between him and his daughter, Pihu Raman Bhalla! He always confides in her, found solace in her that no one else could give him. She was just like her mother; he could share his pain, sadness, and everything that she would wipe off by her kiss. It would always remind him of her mother's tender lips on him; oh, how he missed all that and when he found her again, he was unsure if she would ever kiss him, or he could ever be able to just...hug her once!

"Shagun, you?" Raman threw away the cigarette that he keeps in between his fingers without lighting it, like a habit. There was no addiction to the smoke but a need to get his attention to something, often a cigarette or sometimes a peg or two until he passes off, without inebriation overturning. Shagun was looking pale; she already knows he does not want her to come over there and she did the exact opposite; so typical of Shagun Arora! "I told you not to come here today. I want to spend time with my daughter. You better leave, will you?" He grunted dangerously. She kept back few strands of her hair behind, feeling nervy. She needed to lie, she did not know about the plan. "Cut it Shagun!" He groaned. "I know what you want. That's never going to happen. Stop wasting your time on me and my daughter!" He dismissed her very existence and turned towards the entrance.

"Papa...!" Pihu jumped from the first step to the third and ran into his arms. "Shagun mamma?" She looked confused and then to her father. "You said we're going out together papa. Then why Shagun mamma? I can take care of myself... Neelu aunty gave me this juice for evening na..." There was no difference between Neelu and Shagun to some extent for the little girl. Shagun was her brother Aditya's mother, and she respected the fact and bow-bowed the words, Shagun mamma! She knows this woman has a reputation in their family for being her siblings' mother and the one who get her to earth for her father and her late mother. She found good to be with her, having someone to take care of her every need before anyone would give the job to their maid.

"I didn't know Pihu!" Shagun stammered.

"It's okay Shagun mamma. You may go home, right papa?" She turned to her father.

"Yeah! She should!" He gritted looking at Shagun and walked off to his car with Pihu.

There was a complete silence when his daughter was relishing ice cream, sitting in the bench in the park. She did not wish to play, as she was already tired. Her father had mentioned he needed to tell her something when she woke up in the morning; she remembered and turned to him. He was calm, breathing normal that her father usually does not do. He would always breathe faster than normal, as if he is worried, troubled, he is running, someone is haunting him or something is scaring him, he is chasing someone, he is missing someone; maybe those erratic heartbeats were because of her mother. She curled her legs up and sat in his lap, forcing him to lick the left out ice cream. He giggled tasting it.

"Papa..." She called him lovingly. The tone always reminded him of the way Ishita used to call him Raman. His name sounded beautiful those days. This morning when she gasped his name in shock, he felt umpteenth happiness. He heard her calling him persistently, making him feel blessed. Did he ever think he would listen to her voice again? It felt like a dream!

"Pihu..." He held her hands after keeping the ice cream aside. "Listen to papa carefully..." Pihu's eyebrows knotted, as she looked on curiously. "Your Ishima, is alive..." He completed, sighing, and found his daughter's eyes glittering in happiness. The edges of her lips touched her ears when she gauged what her father has just divulged. Then questions clouded her little mind. Where was she all these years? Did not she miss me? Did not she wish to see me? Did not she ever love me? Did not she know how much she and her papa love her? "Papa doesn't want Pihu to forgive Ishima that easily. She left us, and hid from us. That's bad na...?" He needed his daughter to make Ishita weak by her negligence to some magnitude, not overboard.

"Ishima was hiding from us?" Her eyes welled up, on the verge of break down crying.

"Papa is angry on Ishima!" He looked away.

"Me too." She hiccupped.

"I won't talk to her!" He said again.

"Me too." She repeated.

"I'm going to torture her by fighting and ignoring her!" He fisted his palm.

"Me too." She hugged him. "We won't talk to Ishima, papa!" She knows how to back her father. She was a lady Raman Bhalla after all. Having disappointment and tons of complaints in store, to pour on her mother when this strike would be over, she clung on to her father. She mentally noted everything, and pecked his cheek. Her father looked handsomer today, she bit his cheek. "Ouch!" He winced, grousing how she is just like her mother. She never queried if her mother bites him though! "So, what's the plan papa?" She put on a serious face and resumed before Raman could talk. "Ayyooo matarani, I'm so excited to meet her papa!" He shook his head at the way she exclaimed; classic of her mother and of course him; a mixture she sounded.

"Let's see Pihu. We're not going to be easy. We won't bring her home. We should show we don't need her!" He huffed, deep down, he feared, she would never come back to him, to his home. How would Pihu face that rejection? It was better Pihu herself grow to stay away from her mother, rather than be adamant to get her back when she has her own life to look after. That brought about the two faces; Abhimanyu Raghav and Aaliya! Who are they!? He wheezed annoyed and picked Pihu up in his arms, to leave for home.

Watching an extremely excited Pihu, Aditya knew what could have happened. Pihu was never this happy before. She would chirp around happily if she would get to hear a story of her mother, rather say, the love story of her parents. She would jump here and there like a bouncing ball, shouting out how her Ishima said, "I love you" to her father inside a wardrobe. Today, Pihu was too generous to everyone that she even kissed Neelu, making Shagun feel insulted as she thought it was just for her. "Pihu bhi na... I think they had so much fun in the park." Shagun faked a smile at Aditya who was watching her.

"Maybe Raman told her that Ishita puttar has returned." Om mused aloud, making Shagun's eyes pop out in utter shock. Ishita is alive? Her gut was right! She asked again, to make sure she heard it right. "Haan Shagun, she's alive. I hope everything comes back to normal." Om looked above, praying while Shagun held the edge of the couch, as she felt her knees giving away. Everything from under her feet was crumbling down, shattering her. Does she have something to lose? Nothing! She knows, but still, she regarded this family as her own and everyone there her beloveds; especially Raman and Pihu. She would admit callously that she never regarded Aditya and Ruhi as her own even when they have her blood; strange!

"What if Ishita throws me out of my house?" She was scared when she walked back and forth inside her bedroom. Her house; is she mocking herself? The happiness lingered in everything Pihu was doing made her realize her place. It was always about Ishita. That little girl always wished for her only, when she tried to impart that Shagun is and will always be there for her, as her mother, where Ishita could never come back. Then, it was not about physical presence; Ishita was everywhere that Raman made sure of, that he wanted Pihu to imbibe the qualities of Ishita, her actual mother.

"Uff!" Aditya hit his fist inside his palm, when he was edgily sitting in the bed. It was past eleven and he was on edges thinking of the day's upshots. Only if his father has not had his swear, he would have happily shared the news to the world. He stopped his mother from leaving, but for what? Why does not he call her back when everyone home knows how much he misses her? It was true, he never had expressed his pain or loss, but they know, he was dying each passing moment, and living just because of Pihu who made him feel Ishita was around him. What was stopping him from being himself? Aditya could not figure it out. "Ishima shouldn't have lied! But, did she have any other option? No. Papa made her helpless and he should understand that. Well, wait, if that's not the reason, what else?" He strained his brain, to end up in no conclusion.

Next day. Abhimanyu was about to walk inside Ishita's bedroom when she cleared her throat. She has seen him approaching and busied drinking her morning coffee, after plastering a smile at him. "Good morning Ishu." He said. "I've rented a flat for you where you exactly wanted it. Next to Bhalla house and obviously, your home as well." He smiled faking happiness for her. She was not smiling but mum and vacant. "Is everything okay Ishu?" There came his intervention that she shooed by nodding her head.

"I'll try taking Aaliya along, once I settle." She sighed.

"You don't need to take stress. We'll be alright..." He quipped, sounding modest but deep down, he wished if she would deny his statement and say she would take her with her one day.

"That's so sweet of you Mani. You always understand me." She smiled meekly, making Abhimanyu look on astounded. Shock should not overpower him when he plainly knows, Ishita has nothing important than her kids, and husband. Glad, Raman Kumar Bhalla no more is a part of her life. A rare respite, followed on the mere thought of her being away from Raman's life, encased him. She is no one for him as well and he could hardly understand why he was thinking this way. "Thank you so much for everything..." She hugged him. She was not comfortable from when he again broached the topic of his love for her, though she did it as a ritual. "Thanks..." That sounded formal which hurt him; she did not mind. She is not home!

"You'll come back?" He could not hold back but ask. Her eyes widened. She could not fathom the meaning of his interrogation. "We, should be going back to Australia after the shoot." There came his reason.

"We?" She tilted her face enquiringly. She had been with him, just because she was the reason why he got paralyzed. She used to think of Aditya all those years when she nursed Abhimanyu. She should have thought about him once before taking that step to kill herself. Only if she was sane, that she no more was because of losing Ruhi, she could have been with her son, and these complications would never have had a place in her life. She was indebted but no more. Now he is alright and she is guilt-free; nothing binds her with him anymore; no more responsibilities left; she is free; she mused.

"You're not Raman Kumar Bhalla that I'll be with you forever for your daughter Mani! You should know who you are! You're just my friend and our relationship ends in that zone." She should not be saying that candidly, but she did. "I'm sorry if I sounded rude. I love Aaliya, but that's not enough to hold me back here. I always reminded you; once you'll be alright, my responsibility will be over. It was already over, but I was holding back for my own sanity. Now when my son needs me, I have no other priorities! You should be knowing it better than anyone else." She completed, making Abhimanyu clench his fist; he has no rights to cut her sentence off.

"I wasn't trying to..."

"It's okay Mani." She stopped him from going further. An apology was not needed. They owe each other nothing but support, which would always be there in trouble; she knows.

Aditya came flying to her, and took her luggage to her new house. "Ishima, don't feel bad, but I can't stay with you. Actually papa will feel bad if I... Ermm, I'm feeling bad that you'll be alone..." He said while walking towards the apartment. She did not mind, and she knows Raman does not even feel like letting Aditya meet her, then how would he deal with it if he moves in with her! She does not want headache. He has become too much arrogant than before; bickers too much; shouts too much; takes stress too much; raises his blood pressure unnecessarily. "Kud-kud Kumar!" She muttered. "Kya?" Aditya narrowed his eyes. "You said something Ishima?" He saw her getting nervous and evading eyes. It could be something about his father only; he thought and shrugged not to make her feel awkward.

She paused near the doorway to the Bhallas' when she noticed two bright dove-like eyes peeping through the door that was ajar; her daughter; her Pihu! She turned, feeling overwhelmed, on the brink, as she took a step forward to rush and take her in her arms. Aditya smiled and Pihu was indecisive; she should maintain her anger and support her father; she turned back and ran inside, leaving Ishita sob thinking her daughter does not recognize her, or maybe, she does not love her. "She knows you Ishima... She loves you so much. Maybe she's angry, like papa..." Aditya consoled her.

"She shouldn't be angry on me like her papa. I won't be able to bear it Adi..." Ishita broke into snivel, closing her mouth with her palms and ambled towards her house just some feet away. "Adi, the watchman will bring the rest of the stuffs. You don't need to do it." She said after collecting herself after the emotional breakdown. "But Ishima..." He tried denying. He wanted to do it himself, for his mother. "Adi..." Her eyes cross and straight when she beheld him strictly. His parents always shut him up by his name itself; he inwardly chuckled and nodded at her.

"Papa, mamma looks sooo...prettieee...!" Pihu exclaimed taking a place beside Raman, on the bed, as he was immersed in something in his laptop.

"Yes Pihu. She should look pretty, after all she spends all the time in spa!" He said disinterested in the talk. No matter how much Shagun would look pretty, even in this age, he is not going to get bowled over, like once he used to.

"Ayyo papa...!" Pihu smacked her own head, earning his eyes on her cute blushing face. "I'm talking about Ishima. Meri mamma!" She said dreamily, as her face heated up to a pink hue in extreme happiness.

"Ish..." He sighed and turned his complete focus on her.

"She's in a yellow saree...! Yellowwiieee!" Pihu stood on the bed and started describing her mother's beauty, as if she has seen a fairy, and yes, as if her father knows nothing about her splendor! "She has big eyes...! Her lipstick!"

"Lipstick?" Raman rolled his eyes, snickering at that howl.

"Strawberry color!" Pihu sighed as if she wishes to have the same shade.

"She's so pretty papa...! Her skin is so creamy... Glowy!" Pihu looked at Raman who was getting nervous by her words.

"Haan Pihu... She's..." He agreed as a yearning to go see her started squirming inside him. Her eyes; he have not had a close look into them these years. She still might be having that power over him, to make him lose his control, but he was afraid if he could affect her anymore when there is someone else in her life. Her lips; those were like strawberry, and the lipstick might have turned it even more edible; edible; he took a deep breath and taught his mind not to overwork on the feel of her glowing skin on him. Why is she so gorgeous! He wondered mentally and kept his laptop aside. "Let's go see her. But remember, we should be under control." He shook his forefinger in front of her, making her vigilant.

"Yes papa." She nodded seriously and they came out of their bedroom.

There they stood in the corridor, looking at the lady next-door; glaring her. She turned around to see them when the watchman asked them to stay aside, so that he could take the stuffs for Dr Ishita Iyer. Iyer; the surname seethed him with anger when he stood near a plant, along with Pihu, holding her hand. When the man kept the bags on the doorway, Aditya dragged them inside, ignoring his sister and father ogling at his mother. Ishita on the other side, was standing hypnotized for some trice, then walked towards Pihu, seeing Ruhi in her; her heart throbbed when she once again came facing the truth; she lost her Ruhi!

"Pihu, be strong." Raman held her hand tighter as he could feel that their daughter is on the threshold of letting go of their plan and run into her mother.

"I'm strong papa. I don't get distracted by her eyes!" Pihu managed to say while Raman's eyes apparently left Ishita's neckline to her eyes. What was he looking at; he could feel his every nerve crying to feel her warmth. Those eyes of hers have nothing for him; only if she looked at him, he could have deciphered something; maybe to investigate her heart to see if there is a pinch of love left for him, other than for their kids. Pihu squeezed her hand out when Ishita almost reached out to her.

"Pihu, control yourself." He should be saying that to himself.

"Everything's under control but she should not hug me papa." Pihu dreaded when Ishita stretched her arms. Raman stepped back, and turned away when Pihu jumped into Ishita's embrace.

😃

A Kiss

Her tiny hands went firmer around her neck, nuzzling her hair as she sighed dreamily. It was in her dreams that she has been in her mother's arms, this closer. It was the first time she felt that warmth. Even though Shagun has given her all her love, the tenderness was never perceptible in her presence. Cocooning her completely into her embrace was all that Pihu wanted right then. She wanted to eat her mother up in happiness; she was on top of the world; she got her mother back when she thought she could be finding consolation in memories that her father imparted in her.

"I'm sorry Ishima... Papa's angry on you. So I can't call you Ishima. I'll call you Ishima, only when papa permits me. Okay Ishima?" She proved to be smarter than what Raman thought of. His eyeballs came out when he realized he had made his daughter so into her mother that she exactly knows how to please everyone at a time; definitive, Ishita Bhalla's quality.

When Pihu broke the hug, Ishita's eyes went to Raman. His eyes were not on them, but she could say his red ears are trying to collect their talks. She felt grateful, as she never thought he would tell Pihu about her. He could have hidden it counting the extent of disappointment and hatred he has for her. He could have made her invisible in their daughter's life after how he accused that they lost Ruhi because of her, illogical though. Love, irrevocable that she could feel in her daughter's vibrancy, towards her, she felt he never had told her anything bad about her. If he could make her an angel in their daughter's life, by those good old memories, why could not he consider talking to her normally at least?

"I missed you so much..." Ishita mumbled cupping her face, and relished the way Pihu closed her eyes in bliss. What could be that her daughter might be thinking about all the events? How could she react so normal? Is Raman okay with her being alive? No, he might not be happy about it; she thought as her heart wrecked in pain. He had thrown her out of his life, mercilessly; he was clear about his decision back then and she knows he would never change! "I'm so happy that you know me..." She cried pecking her temple. "I love you so much..." She managed to mumble before rushing back home.

Pihu stood dazed. Recollecting those fairytales her papa told her, she thought she is a lucky princess who got her mother back because she prays inside her blanket; she believed. She turned to her father, standing blank and empty as he stared the way she left. Entwining her fingers in his, she shook him out of his reverie; "I'm sorry papa..." Her free hand pinched her ear, as her lips curled down to a sad puppy face. He chuckled, picking her up, and pulled her nose. "Ishima ki chamchi!" He groused walking inside. "You know papa's happy that you love Ishima so much. But papa can't be sweet like Pihu, hai na?" He queried and saw her nodding. Before he could continue, she tittered, "Ravan Kumar!"

"Oye!" He rolled his eyes.

"Oye-oye!" She did the same.

Her hand rung around his neck, as she rubbed her nose on his, then keeping his head on his shoulder, she faked an adorable snore. "Nautanki baccha!" He muttered taking her to his bedroom.

Once he placed Pihu in the bed, again diverted to look up to the truth; she is not with them anymore; Ishita! Weaving his fingers through the long silky hair of his daughter, he harked back to the scene coursed a while ago. Pihu is right; her mother has become prettiest! He opened his laptop and surfed through some of his wife's pictures. She looked gorgeous and he used to deck her up the way he wished to ravish, and admired her in her sleep, every night. After seven years, she turned even more beautiful that he could not believe those years were there. Is it because of his absence or the other man's presence that she has become a breathtaking piece of work God has made?

How would he even think of another woman when all that he did these years is finding solace in her remembrance! She was everywhere; giving fragrance to his life, even so the loss and pain was haunting him. Did she ever think about him past these times? Once? She would never! He knows. Why would she think about the one gave her utmost pain; humiliated her; badmouthed her; called her a barren; the worst mother and stepmother; a killer; and what not. He would never even feel like thinking about the one if he were in her; he could not complain if his place in her life is no more the same. It must be of nothing but he himself would loath.

Then what does he want by making her stay back? Was it all about his kids, to let them meet their mother? No, it was not! He could not figure out what he wants. He knows Ishita has moved on in her life; she has Abhimanyu and Aaliya to live for. She is here, near, just for Aditya and Pihu. Was that all he needed? He could not grasp his own behavior. He does not want to interfere in her life, but how would he hold back. He wanted to shout at her, hurt her someway so that he could feel good, pointing how she left him for his stupid words. Those were indeed idiotic; he sighed. She faked her death; he once again clenched his fist obstinately; he is going to trouble her in every ways possible until he would be at peace.

Aditya saw his mother dropping on the couch crying relentlessly; he knows why. Kneeling in front of her, he held her hands, she gazed into his pacifying eyes as her tears stroked down ceaselessly. "Ishima..." His voice soothed her as she smiled through her tears. "She's my Raman's dream Adi..." She whispered weakly and the only thing Aditya noticed was, her mother regards his father as hers, even after the utmost hurt he caused her. "Pihu..." She lagged hiccupping. "She's his dream...!" She stressed once again. "Now when I held his dream close to my heart... I feel complete..." She giggled showing her hands, while Aditya looked on happily. "I haven't thought I'd be able to see her, touch her, kiss her, and mainly, I haven't thought I'd ever be able to give this happiness to him..." She mumbled sobbing again.

"You can't even imagine how much you made papa happy, Ishima. There was not a day he would not say about you to Pihu. Pihu is the proof that he loves you unconditionally. If he hated you, she would never have known about you." Aditya pointed emotionally.

"Maybe..." Ishita shrugged and held Aditya's hands, securing them close to her heart. "I'm so sorry baba..." Her showing contrite made him narrow his eyebrows. "You know Adi, the only mistake I done was ignoring you and Pihu. I wasn't in a frame of mind to think about anything. Deep inside, my heart was throbbing thinking about you both, but...what overpowered me were two people I lost; Ruhi, and Raman. It was just their faces in front of me and I...I could hardly think sane. I lost them...and I felt done in. I thought to end everything, my life, because your papa...he was my breath. I admit, I should have thought about you at least, but I'm so sorry Ishima wasn't able to... Maybe your papa is right, I'm not a good mother, or maybe stepmother could always be bad..." She trailed off.

"Shut up Ishima!" Aditya scolded her and sat in the couch, beside her, looking away as he could seldom stand the repletion of his father's words. His mother's hand was patting his back and trying to hold him back into her embrace; he was angry. "Hey...chotu..." She turned his face and caressed his cheek that was inside her palm. "I wanted to come back to you Adi... But I couldn't, because of Mani. He needed me, or maybe, I owed my life to him..." She apologized.

"I know Ishima... Mihika chitthi told me everything. In fact, I'm happy about your decision." Aditya supported her as he touched her hands affectionately. "When you died because of papa, you were alive because of Mani uncle. I'd never be able to pay his gratitude Ishima." He expressed.

There was silence, only for Raman. He had walked over to the new Iyer's residence, in the pretext of calling his son back. He would get to have a shouting match with her, or maybe some cold glares; he thought when he approached the main doorway. However, all that he listened to was Aditya's words! He is happy about his mother's decision to be with Abhimanyu Raghav! Raman could not believe his ears. Does not he feel any kind of mercy towards his father who has been cutting his days in her memories and never thinking of moving on? He sprinted back home, on the verge of breaking down crying.

He would not cry! He had cried twice; once when he lost her; he could not fathom the pain that shook him; then when she came back; he still cried, but with happiness of getting her back. He had sobbed lately, when he realized he did not get her back but just got to see she is alive. She was no more his, and he could never claim her; he sighed wretchedly. He sat beside Pihu, caressing her forehead. She was smiling even in her sleep, innocently; why could not he overlook the fact that she left him and love her like Pihu is doing? Does his love matter her anymore? No! A big no! Everything concerning to him does not matter her anymore; he wheezed.

The catastrophic day, when Mihika shouted at him that her sister died because of him; he provoked her to take that decision; he was agonized, but not this much. There was just accusation and own grief. However, now, he felt the pain doubled when he heard his son saying his mother was living because of another man! What has Abhimanyu done that Ishita chose him over Aditya and Pihu? He could not figure it out. Would he ask someone? He would never; why would he? Trying to ease himself, he lied next to his little princess and snuggled her closer, to have some sleep; he would always do this, whenever he would be disturbed by Ishita's thoughts.

Next day broke to the squeals of Pihu. She got up earlier than usual and had her tummy half-filled by the food made by her mother. When Raman woke up, freshened, and climbed down the stairs in all his mighty, she was waiting to be beside him, and have her breakfast to fill the left out space, to make her father happy. She always has been a pure non-vegetarian, apart from the fact that she would always prefer Chinese and South Indian to the rest. Raman smelled her once and calculated from where the smell of sambar masala would have come; he inwardly chuckled and carelessly fixed her tie with his right hand. Her lips reached her ears as she grinned, and fed him. "Yum-yum!" She appreciated the food; though she was not the one had had the bite, but her father.

"Papa, I'm going to drop Ishima at her clinic. Actually, she's resuming her practice." Aditya invaded their moment, earning a glare from Raman, but other than fear, his eyes popped out in surprise. His father was looking extra-ordinarily dashing today; Aditya gasped. Clean-shaven; so unlike him, as far as he knows him in these seven years. A dark green shirt, contrasting his milky skin, decking a cream waistcoat over, with the same shade of pants; he is his father; he beamed. "Papa..." He could not hold back the admiration in his voice. He is not this handsome like his father, but taller that would never count in front of Raman Bhalla's charm!

Raman did not talk but Pihu did. "Why don't we go together?" Raman widened his eyes at his daughter. She not only cheated him in his plan but also destroying his further intentions. "I mean, Adi bhayya... Ishima umm, mamma is going to the same route papa and me are going. So why not papa drop us? We both would get to spend time with mamma in the car!" She exclaimed.

"No Pihu. Adi bhayya will drop your Ishima." There came an unwanted statement. The trio looked at the direction and found Shagun smiling, walking towards them with Pihu's tiffin box. Their eyes went cold. No one wanted an outsider to judge their personal life so far.

"Why not Pihu! After all, she's your Ishima! Ishima means more than anything and anyone else does." Raman gritted, killing Shagun by his eyes. She flinched and pursed her lips up when the trio walked out. Maybe she provoked Raman to agree; Shagun thought. Aditya knew the truth; his father used the chance; he is smart enough to get things on his way.

Shagun slammed her bedroom door, furiously. Insecurity was eating her up. She needed to console herself and adapt to the new addition; Ishita Iyer. Ishita Iyer; the name was a relief. That woman has the same place in Raman's life like she does. They both are his ex-wives. "Ex!" She laughed devilishly and sat in the bed. Manic she felt; anyone would lock her up in a lunatic asylum only if they see her state. Disheveled, makeup smudged all over her face, and hairdo messed; she was a total mess, insane, from when Ishita has come back. "But Raman...he still loves her..." She sighed; realization hit her.

If she left Raman for Ashok, Ishita did for Abhimanyu. "What is the difference between me and her?" Shagun interrogated looking at her reflection in the mirror. "She's beautiful than me, I admit..." She thought as she found her neck wrinkled, reflecting her age. In fact, Ishita was much younger to her and still has the liveliness that used keep Raman's eyes just on her. "Why does Raman still love her?" She could not figure out, even though she had noticed Raman is holding his feelings back because of Abhimanyu! "He'd have brought her back if that Mani wasn't there?" Shagun could not believe her discovery.

Meanwhile, Aditya brought Ishita to the parking lot. Her red car was there, still in condition; all thanks to her son. She touched it, as memories crossed her mind. In every single picture, there was Raman that she would never wish to wash off or replace. She smiled closing her eyes. "Not in this one, but papa's." Aditya broke her trance, and her eyes went huge. "No ways!" She denied right away. "Pihu and I want to..." He made a puppy face, knowing well that their mother would compromise with everything for them. Ishita smiled meekly and took measured steps towards Raman's car.

He opened the front door, signing her to be seated in the passenger seat beside Raman. Nervously, she agreed and smiled back at Pihu who has thrown her hands around her neck from behind, keeping her head on her right shoulder. "Thank you mamma..." She kissed Ishita's cheek, earning Raman's attention. The smooch was adorable, so was the sweet noise of her lips touching her pink skin. Nevertheless, it was not helping his heart as he accelerated the car. Aditya was enjoying Pihu's excitement, while she was going on talking, when the two minds were filled with lethal stillness and awkwardness.

When reached the school, Raman got down, so did Ishita. Aditya pecked Pihu before she came out of the car and held her parents hands, walking towards the entrance happily. It was the first time she was coming to her school along with both; she was euphoric. "Ritu, this's my mamma!" She jumped on a little girl of her age, leaving Raman and Ishita stand behind. Ritu checked Ishita out from top to toe in awe and whispered; "She's so pretty...!" Pihu felt like she has become six feet tall. "Because she's my mamma!" She shined throwing a do-not-eye-my-mommy look at Ritu.

"Pihu..." Raman called her while Ishita was adoring her baby's antics. He knelt and slanted his face to glance at Ishita. The moment his eyes fell on her without any hindrance or probably without any kind of spiteful emotion that used to rule his vision, she drew her gaze on him. He licked the edge of his lips, looking keenly at her cheek where Pihu had kissed her once before reaching the school; he was tasting her every bit by his eyes. She was going weak on her knees by the way he beheld, maybe stripped, tortured, pleasured, just by those devious eyes. He moved slowly towards Pihu's cheek, still his eyes have locked on hers, and kissed the little girl warmly.

"Ish...!" Ishita hissed touching her cheek consciously, and covered her action up by tugging a strand of her hair behind her ear. That was beyond embarrassing but she would admit she truly felt his hot lips on her, heating it up as her skin bloomed into goosebumps.

He knows how to seduce! He still has that effect on her; he felt proud of his action when he waved his hand at Pihu who ran inside the school. Ishita stood still under the effect of his move and came out of the moment only when he honked the car. He got inside; when? She wondered. He might not have noticed how smitten she was; she tried to relax herself. That lopsided grin, and the way he poked his tongue in his cheek, impishly, made her skip some beats, as she concluded, that was intentional; to torment her senses. This man is forgetting that she could also play the same card! But would she be able to affect him the way he does to her? After all, he hates her...!

The silence ended when the car decelerated in front of her clinic. She got down without looking at him, or saying thanks. She has not asked for his lending hand, so gratitude was never a question. When she came out, Aditya also dropped, telling his father that he would go to his friends and then home. He does not have college, he would probably assist his mother, rather than hanging out with friends; he mentally planned. Raman looked on when Ishita was facing his car, waiting for Aditya. She held his hand when he stood near her, turning her side to the ogling eyes those were not getting enough of her by just seeing. "Thank you Adi..." She meant it, as it was all because of Aditya that she could spend time with Pihu, and Raman, like a family; it is her family!

She held his cheek in her palm, while Raman was looking on blank or happy, he could not understand. His eyes were not leaving them; their bond was something he always cherished. A smile crept up his lips but it slowly became nervousness when she turned to him without a notice. He could hardly evade his eyes but face whatever would follow. Her lips parted a little, asking as if, "Raman, come and take me..." He tightened his hand on the steering while she pressed them on Aditya's forehead, lovingly. Raman felt his forehead being enchanted by her wet lips. He touched there in reflex and closed his eyes, turning his back to her, as his lips curled up lured by her. She swept him off his feet, once again; he realized.

I'll try posting my stories once my exams would be over and I'll be back to good health! Right now, I'd be updating only Where Have You Been All My Life and this one 😳 Btw, hope you all remember me 😆

Originally posted by: Kavya_P

Amazing chappies Akka

Loved them

Originally posted by: Kavya_P

Thanks for pm Akka