Ishita:Nikita: A tale of two loves Chap 79-83 Page 76.... - Page 5

Chapter Five

Three Weeks Later

Ishita and Aditya were putting together their stuff given it was time and the Bhallas were in the living room waiting for them. There was nothing much for them to take but Ishita just needed to reassure her Aditya that everything was going to be alright.

'Ishi...'' He started

'Aditya... Everything is going to be fine. I promise alright... Now where is that stupid toy you like so much...'' Said Ishita as she began looking around

'I already put it in the bag...'' he said

'Alright... Come on let us go...'' Said Ishita and she took his hand walking out

When she got to the living room, Sham was handing an envelope to Ishita's uncle while taking a bunch of papers from him. Ishita should have been more inquisitive as to what that was about but she knew better than to ask and she let it go.

'Alright... I guess that was that... ' Said Bhalla Senior

'Nice doing business with you...'' Said her Uncle

'I hope we never see each other again...'' Said Khushi

'I highly doubt that, this is filled with is much bad luck that you will bring her back. But I have to tell you whatever is I this envelop is non-refundable...'' Said her Uncle before he got up and left

'Come here honey...'' Said Khushi as she put her hand out for Aditya but he instead stood behind Ishita refusing to move

'Sorry he is not used to being around strangers...'' Said Ishita

'No... It is fine I get it...'' Said Khushi

'Alright then, Shall we leave then...'' Said Bhalla Senior and they all walked out

It was a very quiet ride that seemed maybe longer than it should have been. Ishita was nervous and it was evident but she was doing the best she could to try and be Aditya's strength. God knows he needed her now more than ever. They have been driving for an hour or so when the car suddenly came to a halt. Ishita looked out the window only to realize they were at a hospital

'Is everything okay...'' She asked

'Yeah everything is fine...'' Said Sham

'IS the man am marrying sick? Is he dying ...'' Said Ishita and Sham frowned bit taken back by her comment before he replied

'Uhh No, we just came here to have your checkup done''

'Me... Why...'' She said

'Well... We have to make sure you're healthy and all. You are marrying into the Bhalla Family...'' Said Sham

'Hang on... Is this checkup just for me...'' Said Ishita and Bhalla Senior who had made it to where their car was opened the door for her saying

'Why do you ask...''

'Well... I am as healthy as they get. I would rather Aditya gets this medical checkup instead of me. I will find a way to get mine later and I will get you the results...'' She said looking at Bhalla Senior

'Well...'' He began

'I promise I will...Please Sir...'' She begged

'Both of you are getting their checkup done. It is okay...'' Said Khushi

'Really... I mean... Thank you...'' Said Ishita turning to Aditya

'Come on...'' she Added and Aditya obliged

They were taken to the VIP wing of the hospital and they were given thorough checkup making sure no stone was left unturned. Sham as always took care of the paperwork while Khushi watched Aditya and Bhalla Senior talked to the doctors.

'Uhh... Excuse me Mam...'' Said Ishita

'Please, call me Dadiji...'' Said Khushi

'Uhh Dadiji... If you do not mind my asking, what is the matter with the person I am marrying'' Said Ishita

'What do you mean'' Said Khushi

'No... I mean I want to be prepared mentally for this. So is he like old, or ill, or crazy... Like what is the matter with him'' Said Ishita causing Khushi to smile a bit as she said

'Apart from being really spoilt and a workaholic, there is nothing wrong with him...'' Said Khushi

'Ohh... But that is not so bad...'' Said Ishita scratching her head a bit before she added

'Hang on then why am I here ...''

'We want you to get married to one of our grandsons...'' Said Khushi

'I got that part but they seem like they are well and capable of getting really worthy women to marry them, why did you look for me...Is this punishment to them, I can see how that would work'' She asked

'No it's... You're worthy too...'' Said Khushi but Ishita looked at her with a blank expression before she threw her head back laughing

'Your funny, I will give you that...'' She said and she sat back again

'Looks like I will have to figure this out myself...'' She added

Khushi looked at her and her eyes welled up a bit. She was hoping that everything she and her husband were planning somehow panned out and this poor woman would finally have her life back on track. It was 10 years too late but they hoped they would try and do right by her. God knows they took a lot from her.

'Okay then... Seems like everything is alright... The rest of the results will be sent over to Delhi. Aditya is doing alright at the moment but we have been asked to take him see a specialist just to make sure...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'Thank God...'' Said Khushi who was genuinely worried for them and Ishita could see it

'Thank you both so much...'' She said

'Stop saying that, we are family after all...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Okay... Since we have some time from here to the airport, I suggest we discuss the plan over before we get to Delhi'' Said Bhalla Senior

'So there is a plan... See...'' Said Ishita and Khushi chuckled

'It isn't whatever your thinking'' She said and Ishita sat back quietly

Mr. Bhalla went over what was expected of her and what she was supposed to do when she got to the mansion. According to them, they were securing a future for their company by getting a daughter in law who understood what was expected of their family and only lived by those rules. It did not make sense to Ishita, all she seemed to hear was them speaking a bunch of gibberish trying to justify them imposing themselves in the lives of their grandchildren but she was not here to judge, she had a job to do.

'So hang on a minute, throughout all this, where am I supposed to stay...'' Asked Ishita

'Oh you are moving into the mansion. It will be like a trial marriage sort of thing...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'So am supposed to do what exactly...'' Said Ishita

'Survive... Santosh is the crazy one...'' Said Khushi

'And that would be...'' Asked Ishita

'My daughter in law ...'' Said Khushi

'Okay... I take it you two do not get along...'' Said Ishita

'In a few words you can say that...'' Said Khushi

'How are you going to convince him to marry me then...'' Said Ishita and Khushi turned to her husband in a low voice and said

'Last wish...''

'What does that mean...'' Said Ishita

'Nothingyou need to worry yourself with...'' Said Bhalla Senior holding Khushi's hand something that did not go unnoticed by Ishita but she knew better than to pry so she let it go but she could tell, this was something they had been planning for a while

********

Flash Back: A month earlier

'I need you to understand that this is very risky surgery. It may even kill you. The tumor has grown bigger and the longer we wait the harder it will be to operate... You have to know that this tumor...'' The doctor began

'I know you tell me this everyday... So I know...'' Said Khushi

'Then why are you not agreeing to this surgery... Whatever it is you want to do am sure it cannot be more important than your life...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'No...I need to wait for Bhalla first... Is he here yet...'' Said Khushi

'Yeah he is on his way... Am not even sure he will accept to do this... It is so bizarre and I am not sure he will accept this...'' Said Sham

'He has to... I need to make sure that if I die, I did right by them. For all the wrongs I have done, this is the one thing I want to make right. You should have seen her state Sham... I put her there... We didn't do the right thing and we put her there...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'You can't put this on you... You can't be responsible for ...'' Said Sham

'If not me then who,'' Said Khushi

'What if she doesn't even want to do this? Has that occurred to you...'' Said Sham

'She kind of has no choice...'' Said Khushi

'Meaning...'' Said Sham

'All we have to do is pay her Uncle...'' Said Khushi just turned putting the oxygen mask over his nose

'Is she that worth it...'' Said Sham

'I do not know, I just know I need to make it right...'' Said Khushi

End of Flash Back

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Chapter Six

Raman had just got back from Goa and he had received news of his grandfather's health getting worse which made him livid. This was the third time that month that he had been rushed to the hospital because of his seizures and they feared the inevitable was near. Raman did not understand why he was being so stubborn neglecting his health.

He loved his grandparents especially grandfather who practically raised him. His father passed away when he was still very young and his mother who had spoilt them to bits couldn't handle him anymore. He became a bit of a problem child and his mother had decided to take him to his grandparents when he was 15 years old and that was how he ended up being there until he joined college a few years later.

'Hey Daadaji am here...'' Said Raman as he walked into the room

'Raman good you are here, I have something important that I need to talk to you about...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'Daadaji you can tell me after surgery...'' Said Raman

'I wouldn't be postponing if you came in time like I asked you too...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'I couldn't leave Goa earlier as I had hoped and I am sorry...'' Said Raman worried

'I know you're a busy but you know why this couldn't wait... I still need your answer...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'Daadaji, please... I am not ready to get married... Besides I will get my own wife once I am ready...'' Said Raman

'When I got you out of that hurdle 10 years ago I told you there would be a day I will call in this favor... I am calling it in...'' Said Bhalla Senior and Raman not believing it slumped back in the chair as he remembered

'Dadaji please, I am sorry... You gotta help me... They came out of nowhere...'' Said a clearly distraught Raman

'Who came... Just calm down and tell me what you are talking about...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'I think they are dead... I think I killed them ... Please you gotta help me... I don't want to go to jail...'' Raman cried

'What happened...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'I ran over them... I didn't mean to...'' He cried

'Where is the car...? Tell me where you left it...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'By the road side... I ran out of their... I didn't know what to do...'' Cried Raman

'Come on show me where you left it...'' Said Bhalla Senior as they ran out

'You cannot possibly hold that against me...'' Said Raman shocked

'Hold it against you... Are you serious...? You left a little girl with no parents because you decided to go on a joy ride with a couple of friends to show off to some girl... Believe me I am going to hold it against you...'' Said Bhalla Senior seemingly losing his breath

'Calm down Sir...'' Said Sham as he put back the oxygen on his mouth

'But... Daadaji I am not interested in her'' He added

'And who are you interested in if I may ask... Shagun'' Said Bhalla Senior

'Uhh No...And that is not the point'' Said Raman

'You better not be and if I am to recall you were trying to impress her the day you run that family off the road...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'So you're punishing me...'' Said Raman

'No... I am actually thinking of your future. Plus she is a good woman, I wouldn't be telling you to do this if I knew it wasn't the right choice...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'I don't even know the woman I am supposedly going to marry... What if I don't like her' Said Raman

'Love grows... You will grow to like her...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'Come on Dadaji... Where is she from...? Who is she...? Which family does she come from...? Will Mom accept her...'' Said Raman

'Your mother will have to get over it...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'I don't even know this girl...'' Said Raman frustrated

'Well I do... I found her and she is living in Goa with her Maternal Uncle... You are going to go there and marry her. Everything is set and they expect you there tomorrow. You are marrying this girl...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'This is marriage we are talking about... It is not a car or luggage or a pair of shoes that if you do not like it, you will take it back. This is my life...'' Raman began not believing his grandfather's reasoning

'2 days... Come back here married to her and then I will get that surgery otherwise... No...And my death will be on your head. After everything I have done for you, this is the least I can do'' Said Bhalla Senior much to Raman's annoyance because he couldn't believe what his grandfather was saying

'Unbelievable...'' Said Raman angrily

Bhalla Senior was always the reasonable one in that family. He was the understanding one but something had happened even Raman could see that he was acting this way for a reason. It didn't make sense that he was asking her to marry some random girl from nowhere.

But he was still insisting and had vehemently refused to go ahead with that surgery which could have potentially saved his life and Raman knew the only way he would do that was if he agreed. So he angry and pissed at his grandfather reluctantly agreed and off to Goa they went.

Sham had gone with him to Goa to meet the so called bride to be and her family so Raman found no reason to be interested in knowing anything about her; in fact Sham seemed more interested than him. There was some money given to the guys that were waiting at the gate before the she was allowed to come out. They negotiated some more before she was finally allowed to leave.

Raman all the while just kept on staring at his phone holding his breath that he didn't receive a call room the hospital. He was so immersed in his own world that he failed to notice the little things around him, like where they were, why they were paying off police officers and why he so called bride to be was coming from a motel, not an apartment. His deciding not to concentrate and find out what was happening around him would come back to haunt him.

'Raman... Raman ...'' Sham called him

'What...'' He said

'Grab this and take it to the car...'' Said Sham giving him a bag

'Okay given the time constraint we have, we are going to the court house, have you two married and we will be on our way back home. We can't have a ceremonial wedding as we do not have time...''Sham said

'And am not interested in one either...'' Said Raman irritated as he walked out

He waited in his car for a woman he barely knew to put her luggage in the back. It was so strange that the entire time Sham seemed to be talking about his future all he could think about was his grandfather and also his family. He had a lot of explaining to do once he got back home especially to his mom, especially to Shagun.

She got into the car sitting in the back seat with him and that is when he realized that she wasn't coming alone

'Uhh what is going on...'' He said turning to her

'Sorry Sir...'' She said as she pulled in the little boy who seemed scared

'Why are you...'' He said turning to Sham as he said

'Why is she coming with a little boy...''

'The only way they allowed her to marry you was if she came with him... That is her son I mean it made sense...'' Said Sham

'Why would you imagine I want to marry a woman who already has children...'' Said Raman

'Not children, a child...'' Said Sham

'I do not care, why, would I take a haggard thing...'' Raman began but Sham cut him off

'Raman... Behave yourself... She is right there and she can hear you...'' Said Sham

'I don't care... This is ridiculous I am not interested in this... Look...'' Said Raman sitting forward

'We can just go with her and tell Dadaji we already got married such that he can have the surgery and once it is all done... We can tell him the truth and take her back to her parents...'' Said Raman

'No... I work for your grandfather and I intend on seeing this through... Besides look outside'' Said Sham and Raman obliged

'They have a truck following us to ensure we actually get her married before we leave. You really think they will allow that...'' Said Sham and Raman sat back angry

'Sorry... He is a bit cranky... ' Said Sham looking Ishita but she, just kept quiet pulling her veil over her head not saying a thing

'I am not cranky am pissed...'' Said Raman rumbling

They got to the and after about an hour or so of waiting, Sham led them in to a judge who married them off with Sham as a witness and also one of the men who came following them in the truck.

Raman signed the papers pushing them aside for her and she signed her part as well. Sham thanked the judge and spoke some more but Raman just walked out and tried to get in touch with the person he knew he was betraying but he couldn't get through which only made him even more irritated. He and Shagun has their issues but what he was doing to her in that moment made him an asshole, she did not deserve that, he may have been uncertain about his feelings for her but he cared about her.

He hoped that it was worth it, he hoped that his grandfather would be okay and would now accept to have the surgery. He hadn't thought this through completely but he just wanted to save his grandfather.

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Chapter Seven

Three days had gone by and they had finally made it back to Delhi. All Raman wanted to do was see his grandfather. He had received a call from his brother that his grandfather seemed like he was in a lot of pain and he was worried sick. He ran into the hospital making it into his grandfather's room. He an IV in and oxygen tube through his nose.

'Why are you so stubborn...'' Said Romi

'I am waiting for Raman...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'He will be here in a while, you won't if you don't get this surgery...'' Said Santosh his mother

'Raman... Thank God you're here...'' Said Khushi his grandmother turning everyone's attention

'How is he...'' Said Raman

'Being stubborn... I swear your grandfather...'' Said Santosh

'Hey Raman... Where have you been'' Said Shagun as she walked in with bottles of water for everyone

'Am sorry I had some stuff to handle...'' He said as he leaned in and hugged her completely forgetting his new wife

'Daadaji...'' Said Raman as he went to where his grandfather holding his hand causing him to wake up

'Did you do what I asked...'' He said

'Dada...'' Raman began

'Did you do what I asked...'' He asked again seemingly losing his breath

'What the hell did he ask you to do...'' Said Santosh

'Yeah... I did... She is coming in with Sham...'' Said Raman in a low tone but they had heard him

'Who is coming...'' Asked Shagun but Raman just kept quiet

'We are here... We had to make a stop, the child needed to go to the bathroom...'' Said Sham as he walked in

Everyone turned to look at the person he had come with and none of them could quite make out what it was she was doing their, why she was important to Bhalla Senior and why it was important that they sent for her. She was a complete stranger and it was only fair that they were inquisitive as to why Bhalla Senior has put his life on faith of her showing up.

She was nervous, Bhalla senior could tell given how she kept on fidgeting with her skirt and how hard she was holding her child. He put his hand up hailing her as he asked her to come forward which she obliged.

Everyone in that room looked attentively; curious as to what she was doing their or what Bhalla Senior was going to do. The woman got to where he was and touched his feet and he blessed her. He put his hand on her head and asked her to lean forward before he whispered something in her ear.

She then looked at him and whispered something back before she stepped away leaving him a bit teary.

'Is everything okay...'' Said Sham and the Ishita nodded in affirmation

'Okay then... Am guessing we are calling the doctor now...'' Sham added before he turned to Romi

'Get Dr. Rajesh for me please...'' Said Sham

'Sure...'' Said Romi as he turned

'Wait... ' Said Raman who noticed after his grandfather had a talk with that woman, something changed

'Hang on a minute... Why are you getting Rajesh ... Isn't Patel your doctor...? She is the one handling your case since the beginning...'' Said Raman

'Oh No... Dr. Patel is my doctor... ' Said Khushi calmly

'Okay am confused...'' Said Raman

'I think this is where I take my leave...'' Said Sham

'Stay right there...'' Said Raman angrily turning to his grandfather

'What is going on?'' he added

'What... What happened...'' Said Romi

'Can someone go out and find me that ... Oh speak of the devil...'' Said Raman as the doctor walked in

'Can you explain what is going on'' Said Raman

'Okay I am confused... Raman shouldn't you start your drama after your grandfather has had surgery...'' Said Santosh

'Does he look to your like he needs surgery right now...'' Said Raman bringing their attention back

Everyone was so worried that they neglected the obvious, their grandmother who most of the time become hysterical and completely crazy when any of them were having a cold, she was unusually calm. It was supposed to be the day Bhalla Senior got his surgery and yet she seemed fine and given how much their grandfather went out of his way with his games, something was off

'Ahh... Dadaji'' Said Romi sighing deeply as he held his chest

'This is not funny at all... This prank was not cool...'' He added

'Prank, what do you mean prank?'' Said Shagun as she looked on confused

'Shouldn't you be out there doing something... Shopping maybe ...'' Said Khushi

'Well... I was just...'' Shagun began to stammer

'If you do not have the name Bhalla or lawyer's credentials I suggest you leave...'' Said Bhalla Senior sitting up

'I... Raman ...'' Said Shagun as she took Raman's hand

'Just leave, I will call you later...'' He said and she grabbed her bag and walked out

'Why are you here then?'' Said Santosh

'Oh three days ago my appendicitis burst... I needed surgery so I did not lie. It was really painful...'' Said Bhalla Senior holding his belly

'Oh God everything is a game with you...'' Said Santosh shaking her head

'I have no idea what you mean'' Said Bhalla Senior

'Okay, can I know what this latest stunt was about...'' Said Raman who could sense something was off

'Sham, are you sure that...'' Bhalla Senior Asked

'Yes Sir, it is legally binding...'' Said Sham

'Alright... First ...'' He started but Santosh interrupted

'Why is she here...'' She asked turning to Ishita

'Why are you here?'' She added but Ishita instead grabbed Aditya's hand, veil still on her head

'Hey you... Excuse me... This is a private wing you can't be in here. Am sure you need his help with something but can't you come back some other time...'' Said Santosh

'Sorry Mam...'' Said Ishita

'And why are you dressed like you're going to a mandap for a wedding...'' Said Santosh looking at her head to toe again before adding

'A very cheap one though...''

'Okay that is very offensive Ma...'' Said Romi

'Whatever...'' Said Santosh

'Dadaji...'' Said an impatient Raman

'Fine... First off, sorry for making everyone anxious and worried but I had no choice.'' Said Bhalla Senior

'What do you mean?'' Said Raman

'I have been asking you to do this for a year now and you never seemed to take me seriously so I took matters into my own hands...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'What do mean into your own hands'' Asked Raman

'Asking him to do what...'' Said Santosh confused

'So... Hang on... You do not need surgery...'' Said Romi

'No... He did need surgery but not the one you all thought'' Said Khushi

'But the doctor said he had a tumor in his brain...'' Said Romi

'No... You heard the doctor tell him someone needed to have surgery, you all just assumed it was him'' Said Khushi

'So if you do not have cancer who does then'' Said Romi

'That is not the point; you just screwed up my life over a technicality... Dadaji... Really ...'' Said Raman turning to Ishita

'Who the hell are you?'' He asked charging to where she was standing but Khushi stood in front of her

'You will treat her with respect...'' Said Khushi and Raman stepped back

'What is going on'' Asked Santosh but Khushi started to loss her balance causing Ishita to grab her

'Are you okay...'' Said Ishita

'Am fine...'' Said Khushi sitting down

'Can someone please tell me what is going on...'' Said Santosh nervously

'Khushi... We need to tell them'' Said Bhalla Senior

'Tell us what...'' Said Raman

'Hey guys come on you are starting to scare me...'' Said Romi anxious

'Fine... I am the one with the tumor, not your grandfather'' Said Khushi

'What...'' Said Raman

'I am the one about to have life changing surgery and not him. I asked him to tell Raman to do it as a last wish from me because I knew he would never listen to me...'' Said Raman

'To do what...'' Asked Romi

'Honey can you please give us a second...'' Said Khushi

'Sure...'' Said Ishita and she politely walked out

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Chapter Eight

Once Ishita got outside, it was like for the first time since she got into the car with Raman she could finally breathe. It was so suffocating given the whole thing was awkward even for her who had done this before. It was very clear and very evident that he hated her guts and she had her work cut out for her although she could not quite bring herself to understand why exactly the Bhallas insisted she married him.

'Ishima... What if they send us back'' Aditya said suddenly

'No one is sending us anywhere I promise'' Lied Ishita

'The lady of the house is scary and it seems the man you married doesn't like us either. I do not want to go back their... I do not want to go back to Goa'' Cried Aditya

'And I won't let you I promise you'' Said Ishita as she took the poor kid into her arms and hugged her consoling him

Bhalla Senior was now seating with his wife seated at the edge of the bed. It had been a good whole two months since they planned this and they were going to be damned than to let all that planning go to waste.

'Someone needs to start talking...'' Said Santosh anxious but no one seemed to what to go first

'Who is that woman with the child, is she the help or something...'' Said Santosh

'She is not a maid...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'Hold on what do you mean she is not a maid...'' Said Romi

'She isn't... Wait you didn't tell them...'' Said Bhalla Senior looking at Raman

'I just got back, thought you were dying so I had no time...'' Raman said

'Spill already what is going on...'' Said Santosh who was beginning to get nervous

'She is Ishita Iyer... Well now Ishita Kumar Bhalla... She is Raman's wife...'' Said Bhalla Senior

There was a sudden silence in the room as everyone assessed that information before Santosh threw her head back laughing as she said

'Dadaji and your jokes... I swear sometimes you're too much ...'' Said Santosh

'I am not joking... Ask him...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'Raman... This had better be one of those pranks you pull...'' Said Santosh

'I swear I didn't want to do this but he said...'' Said Raman turning to his grandfather

'Why... Wh ... Why would you do this to me'' He added

'What do you mean...'' Said Romi

'I didn't even want her... I know there is no way this marriage with her is going to last anyway...'' Said Raman

'I think it will be in your best interest that it works...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'I don't want her let alone want to be married. I tried telling you that but you had refused to get surgery unless I married this woman. I wanted to save your life so I did. Now you're telling me it was a hoax all along...'' Said Raman angrily

'It was not a hoax... You grandmother has indeed refused to het surgery...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'Hang on a minute... You are telling me that you are now a married man'' Said Romi

'Not for long, after this, I am done. I am annulling the marriage as soon as I leave this place... '' Said Raman

'Dadaji everyone in this room knows the woman he is intending to marry and that has never changed...'' said Santosh

'I never said that either... Stop making assumptions about my life...'' Said Raman snapping at his mother

'Look at this idiot... Why didn't you tell me when all this started?'' Said Santosh

'Mom... there was no time... You were in Mumbai and I needed to do this fast because I thought he was dying...'' Said Raman

'Now that he isn't dying go back and take her back to where ever you got her from'' Said Santosh

'Then I will be the one not getting the surgery'' Said Khushi

'What is the matter with you people? Why do you take your life so lightly?'' Said Romi who was now getting pissed

'That girl is to stay in this family married to him otherwise...'' Said Khushi but she began losing her breath

'Calm down Khushi... He will have to do as I say. His opinion in this matter is irrelevant'' Said Bhalla Senior

'How about me, doesn't my opinion matter anymore? He is my son and you just married him off to some village hobo just so you can prove again how much of an insolent incapable mother I am...'' Said Santosh

'First of all... Watch your tongue he is my husband... Secondly, Raman needs to be thanking us otherwise he would have been in jail if it wasn't for that girl...'' Said Khushi

'You did this... This had nothing to do with you helping him. It had something to do with the fact that I refused to allow Mihir go away with that ingrate. I stopped him from seeing her and now you're punishing me. This is you punishing me. But why did you have to go and destroy my son's life like this...'' Cried Santosh

'Oh please, not everything has to be about you...You act like you cared anout Mihir'' Said Bhalla Senior who clearly didn't really like Santosh

'I did... Why wouldn't I... He grew up in my house'' Said Santosh

'Oh so by that analogy doe that make Mihir your son...'' Said Khushi

'No he it doesn't...'' Said Santosh

'Ma...'' Said Raman

'Dadaji this wasn't right and you know that and Raman... You couldn't tell me about this beforehand...'' Said Romi

'There was no time... If there was, you know I would have made sure I let you know...'' Said Raman

He loved his siblings more than anything and they all shared a bond so strong that the drama of their parents and grandparents never really mattered to them. It never affected them in anyway because they loved and understood each other. So him not telling Romi or Mihir he realized he had hurt them a lot. If Mihir got home and found out about this, he was going to be disappointed.

Santosh turned walking out as she tried to find Ishita. She who was still standing outside quietly with Aditya standing behind her nervous and Santosh became even angrier. Her son was going to be forced into fatherhood, married to a woman who already had a child with another man. That came with its complications and in her eyes that would have been avoided.

Every mother loves nothing more than to be there and see their son get married. Have a daughter in law they at least accept and approve of. This thing in that room right now was never going to be that for her. What were people going to say about them? What would people think when they heard that the Bhallas married off their son to some village hobo?

Angry, she grabbed Ishita's hand and dragged her back inside the room pulling her causing Ishita to stumble and fall at Raman's feet.

Santosh was a very superficial woman who put too much emphasis on all the wrong things. Reputation and status meant everything and that is why they never really saw eye to eye when it came to Raman. So there was no way this marriage was going to work for her, more than anything, there was the issue of the Aroras, Shagun was always thought to be the one Raman would marry not to mention, the issue of that night.

Santosh looked at her angrily almost as if she was sizing her up. She carefully looked at her and her child before asking

'Where does your family come from...''

'Uhh... Mumbai... My parents died and so I went to Goa to stay with my Uncle... ' She said humbly

'And you figured it was okay to meet your in laws dressed like that...''Said Santosh and Ishita just pulled her veil across her veil down almost not wanting to show her face

'Mom... Come on...'' Said Romi

'Look at her... ' Said Santosh

'Ma... Seriously ' Said Romi shaking his head

'What is her name Raman...'' Said Santosh as if talking to Ishita would somehow infest her

'Uhh... I don't... Sham said...'' He answered

'You do not even know her name...'' Said Santosh

'She is...'' Sham whom everyone had seemed too forget tried to speak but Santosh would not let him

'I am asking Raman...'' Said Santosh and Raman frustrated turned to Ishita

'Hey you... What is your name...'' Said Raman

'Ishita... Ishita Iyer ' She said

'Their...'' Said Raman sitting down

'And you... What is your name...'' Asked Romi looking at the boy she was with

'Aditya...'' he said softly before he held on to Ishita and for whatever reason Santosh just became even angrier

'I can't believe you did this and all this time I was thinking that...'' Santosh began tearing up

'Mom, listen...'' Said Raman but Santosh wasn't having it

'You manipulated him into doing exactly what you wanted him to do, again. Just like you did 10 years ago when you asked him to leave home and join the company'' Said Santosh

'Mom...'' said Raman who knew this may have been going out of hand

His mother and grandfather had never seen eye to eye on anything and since his father passed that relationship had been like that for as long as they could remember. The only problem was, or so they thought, the truth of what happened ten years earlier was something his mother did not quite have and that truth is the reason Raman opted to go join his grandfather.

'No...No... Let me say my piece... ' Said Santosh as she turned looking at her father in law

'Okay you all need to leave... Please...We can have this conversation some other time'' Said Khushi

'Am not leaving until he tells me why he did this...'' Said Santosh turning to Bhalla Senior

'And what about Shagun..? That poor girl has been turning down proposals knowing she was marrying Raman... Did you even think about her...'' She added

'She is not my concern and I do not apologize for what I did...'' Said Bhalla Senior standing his ground

'And what about the child... I imagine he has a family... How about when those problems creep up' Said Romi

'They won't...'' Said Bhalla Senior calmly

'What did you do? What do you have on us?'' Said Santosh as she charged where Ishita was but she instead pulled Aditya behind her and stood still

'Leave her alone...'' Said Bhalla Senior, Sham standing in front of Ishita

'You must be blackmailing them with something... What do you have on them...? Tell me you gold digging piece of garbage...'' Said Santosh as she began to cry

'Santosh behave ...'' Said Khushi

'No... Your husband has crossed all limits today... I can't believe he did this without my consent or even putting my opinion into consideration. He doesn't like me I get that but Raman is my son... My son... No matter what you say and as far as I am concerned he is marrying Shagun Arora and we are arranging for them to be married... Take this thing back from whatever pipe hole she crawled out from because there is no way she is my son's wife...'' Said Santosh

'Raman... Get up we are leaving...'' She added

Raman just stayed seated looking at his grandfather who didn't say a thing and he began feeling guilty. He didn't like that this was going to draw them apart even more but that didn't excuse what his grandfather had done.

'Since when are you dating Shagun?'' Asked Bhalla Senior looking at Raman ignoring Santosh

'Am not'' Raman said completely irriated

Shagun and Raman's relationship was never serious and Bhalla Senior never approved it. If it ever even came up he would lose his marbles. Santosh knew and to be fair encouraged it. Marrying an Arora meant new status for them, it would make them a powerful family and so Bhalla Senior's concerns were never important in that regard. Notwithstanding the fact that she needed to keep that secret within the family no matter what. She did not want her kids knowing what she had done, in order for that secret to stay hidden, she promised to marry off Shagun to Raman.

It was also a way Santosh saw that would mean they would come out of Bhalla Senior's shadow.

'What has that got to do with anything? I am his mother and therefore I have been arranging his engagement to her for the last year...'' Said Santosh

'He has a responsibility to Ishita now... He just can't leave her ...'' Bhalla Senior said

'Are you kidding me? Responsibility to her... What about Shagun... That poor girl has been by his side though all his drama and childishness...'' Said Santosh turning to Raman

'Again not my problem and to be honest not Raman's either. She was an idiot in believing I would ever allow her into this family...'' Said Bhalla Senior

'Raman...'' Yelled Santosh

'You don't understand... I can't send her back to Goa...'' Said Raman

'Why not...'' Said Romi

'I just can't...'' Said Raman looking at his grandfather

'Oh that is not good enough...'' Said Romi

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Chap 9-13