Chapter 3 - Past....turmoil....
(The Bhalla family lived in a posh 5 BHK duplex apartment in South Delhi's Vasant Vihar)
Reaching home, Raman went inside his room and slammed the door behind him. He broke down completely, tears started flowing as his past was coming afresh in front his eyes. He had flashes of he and his wife having an ugly spat, how he had ended his previous marriage bitterly, how he could still not come out of it even after six years. He heard sounds of his unborn baby crying. It felt as though she was asking him why he did not bring her into this world??? why he hated her??? all these thoughts kept revolving inside his head. He shut his ears and eyes tightly to forget these memories but he could not as usual. He quickly walked to his wardrobe and picked a bottle of his favorite scotch.
(He usually hid such stuff in his wardrobe as these were his private collections and did not want to share with anyone. They are his sole companion post his disaster marriage.)
Outside in the living room, the senior bhallas who were witnessing all this, knew what exactly was happening inside Raman's room as this has been quite a routine in the last six years. They felt helpless.
Toshi (Raman's mother, as she is fondly called by her near and dear ones) crying to Bhalla ji "Kya haal kardiya ji uss wahiyat aurat ne mere beta ka"
Bhalla ji in an irritated tone, "Bas kijiye Toshi ji, cheh saal beet gaye aur aapka beta nahi bhool paya, khud ko to takleef de hi raha hai aur doosron ko bhi. Kabhi socha hai bhoode maa-baap par kya beetegi". Saying so, he left the place.
Toshi knew what she had to do now. All these years, she had been pressurizing Raman to get married again and have his own family and his answer was always a big NO. She knew he hated women, he did not want to love again, did not want go through all the pain again. But she being a mother, how can she let her son go through this all life. She now knew exactly what has to be done and how to convince him for a marriage.
At the NGO function hall, Ishita won an award in the individual category for taking active part in women and child welfare development and a group award along with her co-doctors for the "best CSR project". It had been an amazing night for the Iyer family and were extremely proud of their daughter's achievements. They were all returning home, when Mihir met Ishita personally and congratulated her.
(Mihir and Mihika are in a relationship for the last two years. They had met each other through a common friend and had an instant liking for each other. Ishita, knew about the same and also knew that Mihika had deliberately applied for MBA in Delhi to meet Mihir and to put an end to their long distance relationship.)
Ishita to Mihika (eyeing Mihir), "Mere saath ghar chal rahi ho yaa kuch aur iraada hai". Mihika turned red and said "No akka... I am coming with you." However, Mihir did not want to let go the opportunity of being with her. Their relationship was always under wraps because Mihir was scared of Raman and he knew that he would definitely not agree to this relationship and for Mihir, his acceptance is the most important. And tonight he was free from Raman and wanted to spend time as much as possible with Mihika. He turned to Ishita and told her,"Ishita ji, if you don't mind I want to take Mihika with me. Don't worry I will not make it late and will drop her home back."
Ishita looking at them both who were cutely waiting for her approval, "Actually I mind.....(laughs).... Amma, Appa hai saath mein toh poochenge Mihika ke baare if she does not come with us. But we can do one thing....(thinking).... tum hamare ghar tak pahuncho aur paas wale cafe mein tum dono mil lena. I will make up Amma, Appa by telling them something."
Both of them were so happy and hugged her. Mihir followed them until their home which was also in south Delhi's Vasant Vihar. On reaching their apartment, Mihika made excuses and went out to meet Mihir who was inside cafe next to their apartment. It was a beautiful romantic chatty session for the couple and Mihir had to unwillingly leave Mihika and go home. By now, Mihir knew everything about Mihika and her family especially about her Ishu akka. There was something that came into his mind after meeting Ishita for the first time and hearing about her.
The next morning's sun was going to bring in a lot of surprises for Ishita and Raman. A new beginning, a new journey of togetherness were awaiting them.
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