Tuesday 26 August 2014
6.30 pm - Raman Bhallas car

Ishita twisted the edge of her dupatta nervously as she sat beside Raman in the speeding car.

He turned his eyes away from the road for a moment and looked sideways at her, his gaze hidden by his dark shades.

"Nervous ho?" He asked with the hint of a smile.

Ishita shook her head in the affirmative.

"Thodi si" (a little bit)

"Tum toh hamesha kaatne ko daudti ho, Jhansi ki Rani ki tarah. Toh phir nervous kyun?"
(But you're always ready to fight like the Queen of Jhansi. So why are you nervous?)

"Raman, how will Ruhi react?"

"After what happened earlier, do you really need to ask that?"

"Yes, but..."

"Relax Ishita" He glanced briefly at her again, and then covered her hands with one of his, squeezing reassuringly. "Just relax. Ruhi will be as happy as her papa is"

"Happy ho aap?"
(Are you happy?)

"Of course. Aisa kyun puch rahi ho?" He looked at her in mild surprise.
( Of course, why would you even ask that? )

"Bas aise hi pucha. Mujhe achi tarah se dekh nahi rahe ho na. Socha shayad..."
(I'm just asking. You're not even looking at me properly, so I was wondering...)

He sighed. "Sach jaanena hai?" (Do you want the truth?)

"Haan, of course"

"I'm jealous. I can't bear to see you with him. Kuch ho jaata hai mujhe." (Something happens to me)

She pulled her hands away from his.

"Aap hi ne toh kaha hai ki kisi ko mat batao. Aap hi ki plan hai, rules hai. Phir mein kya karoon Raman? You're not being fair" (You're the one who said not to tell anyone. It's your plan, your rules, so what can I do Raman? You're not being fair)

He had been turning into the car park of the Mayur Vihar Sports Centre as she had been speaking. He parked the car carefully, and then snapped off his seatbelt, turning to her and pulling her into his arms.

"When did I say I would play fair, huh?" He dropped a quick hard kiss on her lips, before reluctantly releasing her. "Ab chalo, beti ki papa ki tarah tumhari beti bhi sulk kar rahi hogi. Chalo usse mana lo." (Let's go. Your daughter must be sulking too just like her father. We need to go and placate her now)

**********************************************************************************************************
...Flashback starts ...

Earlier that afternoon
Aakash Ganga Society, Mayur Vihar, Delhi

Ishita had just parked her car in the parking lot at the Aakash Ganga Society when she noticed Abhi's car parked in one of the visitors parks.

She sighed in exasperation.

It had been an unusually busy day at work and she had not had the opportunity to take any substantial breaks. She had glanced at her phone from time to time, and with rising guilt in her heart, had noticed an increasing accumulation of missed calls from Abhi.

She knew that she should call him back, but she had no idea what to say to him.

To refuse him now, to tell him the truth would create exactly the chaos that Raman and she were trying to avoid, but to see him, to talk with him without telling him the truth, to lead him on in the expectation that they could be married was something Ishita could not stomach either.

So she was simply being an ostrich and avoiding dealing with him at all.

Raman hadn't called. He had texted her early in the morning to let her know he would be in a conference all day and would call her when he was finished. She was grateful for his absence as well.

Although she longed for him, things were moving so fast between them that she felt overwhelmed.

Now that he had dealt with his fears, he was intent on making her his, but Ishita had had glimpses of the complexity of the man she had agreed to marry.

She knew that this marriage would not be easy, that the walls she had helped him knock down were only the ones he knew about, that there were darker and murkier waters that even he could not see, that he did not acknowledge.

She knew that together they would triumph, but she wished they could have had a more gradual progression in their journey together.

Ever since that fateful day in New Zealand, she had felt as if she were hurtling down a roller coaster, and while it was exhilarating, it was somewhat scary as well.

And now there was Abhi to deal with.

Lost in her thought, she hadn't realised she had reached her apartment. She gave herself a mental shake, and, taking a deep breath, opened the door.

*********************************************************************************************
"Ah, Ishita, aa gayi tum. Dekho Abhi aaya hai" Her amma greeted her affectionately.
(Ah, Ishita, you're here. Look Abhi has come to see you)

"Hello Abhi. I'm sorry, I couldn't return your calls, I was so busy today. Please, just give me five minutes, I just need to freshen up" Ishita knew she was babbling, but she couldn't meet either Abhi's eyes or her amma's.

Abhi had stood up at her entrance. He smiled now. "Take your time Ishita. I'm enjoying Madhu chitti"s coffee."

Ishita had escaped into her room, thankful to find it empty. Mihika must be working late, she reasoned, as she grabbed a towel.

Five minutes later, her face freshly washed, somewhat composed, but still clueless as to what to say to Abhi, how to avoid going out with him, she re-entered the living room.

Ruhi was sitting on the couch next to her amma, staring up at Abhi. She was wearing her Tae Kwon Do uniform and her hair was tied up in two little plaits that swung around her face.

Ishita felt a gush of love rush through her at the sight of the little girl.

She looked just like a carbon copy of her papa today, a frown on her serious little face, one hand stroking her chin as she stared solemnly at the smiling Abhi.

Ishita remembered her conversation of the previous day with Raman, his declaration that they would need to get Ruhi's permission for their marriage. "Ruhi's mumma" he had called her, and with that recollection, all her doubts and anxieties of the past few minutes seemed to wash away.

"Ru" she called softly.

"Ishita aunty" Ruhi's face lit up and she jumped up and ran to Ishita, clutching her around the waist tightly.

Ishita knelt down and embraced the little girl. "Ru, kya hua baccha?" she asked as she felt the little girls body trembling in her embrace.
(Ru, what's wrong my baby?)

Ruhi pulled away and stared solemnly at Ishita.

"Ishita aunty, yeh uncle keh rahe hai ki woh aap se shaadi karenge aur aap uske saath rehne jaoge. Kya yeh sach hai Ishita aunty? Kya aap bhi mujhe chod ke chali jaogi?"
(Ishita aunty, this uncle is saying he is going to marry you and you are going to live with him. Is that true Ishita aunty? Will you also leave me and go away?)

Ishita looked helplessly at Ruhi. She so wanted to tell Ruhi the truth, that she would not leave her, that she would in fact be closer to her than ever before. But they had an audience, and now was not the time for confessions.

"Ru..." She started in a halting voice as she reached out to Ruhi again.

Just then there was a sound at the door and Ruhi's sad eyes lit up. "Papa" Ruhi called, running to the door.

Raman stood, framed in the doorway his jacket draped over his arm and his tie loosened. He looked tired, and he looked grim, as he took off his dark sunglasses. He bent down and gathered Ruhi into his arms, his eyes locking with Ishita's as he did so.

Ishita stood up as Abhi, with an exclamation, came to the door.

"Raman?" He exclaimed, a question in his voice. "You are Ruhi's father? Meaning you are Ishita's neighbour? But you didn't say anything that day when I was introducing you"

"Ruhi, tu kahan chali gayi thi?"  (Ruhi, where did you go?)

Raman heaved a sigh of relief as his mother came bustling out of their apartment, her strident tones drowning out Abhi's voice. His relief was short lived, however, as his mother continued speaking.

"Tumse kaha tha na mai ne, in madrasiyon ke ghar mat jao" Toshiji continued, glaring at Ishita. "Waise hi kitni musibat.."
(I told you didn't I, not to go to those madrassi's house. They've already caused so much trouble...)

"Ma" Raman cut in, steel in his voice. "Mai ne kaha hai aapse, Ruhi ke saamne nahi"
(Ma, Ive told you. Not in front of Ruhi)

"Theek hai theek hai" Toshiji sniffed. "Chal Ruhi tere maarne peetne ki cilass ka time ho gaya, dadaji tumhe chod denge."
(Fine, fine. Ruhi, it's time for your hitting and fighting classes. Come, Your dadaji will take you)

"It's okay Ma" Raman tightened his arms around his daughter. " Mai Ruhi ko chod doonga" (I'll take Ruhi)

"Tum? Lekin Puttar tu abhi toh aaya hai, thaka hoga"
(You? But son, you just got home, you must be tired)

"It's fine Ma. Mai le kar jaata hoon Ruhi ko. Woh uski bag hai? Mujhe de dijiye". He reached out a hand to his mother and she handed him the pink barbie backpack she was carrying.
(Its fine Ma. I'll take Ruhi. Is that her bag? Give it to me)

"Abhi, excuse me" Raman nodded to Abhi and the Iyers and walked back down the stairs, Ruhi in his arms.

**************************************************************************************
Toshiji gave a loud sniff and retreated into her home, banging the door shut behind her.

Mrs Iyer did the same, followed by Ishita  and a puzzled looking Abhi.

"What's the matter Ishu?" He asked, as they sat down in the living room. "Is there some problem between you all and the Bhallas. Is that why you left his party that day?"

"Problem?" Mrs Iyer snorted.

Mrs Iyer then proceeded to tell Abhi the entire saga about Ruhi's illness, Ishita taking her to hospital, their arrest, the CEO interview which Ishita interrupted and the latest accusation by Mrs Bhalla that Ishita was thence responsible for Ruhi's custody being in jeopardy. Ishita tried to interrupt her mother, but her interjections were in vain.

"I'm surprised at Raman Bhalla" Abhi said when Mrs Iyer had finally run out of steam. "He has a very good reputation in the industry. I had heard some stories about his personal life, he has a bit of a reputation as a ladies man, but nobody has ever had a bad thing to say about his ethics and his integrity. So, his little daughter is a friend of yours Ishu?"

"Yes" Ishita answered simply. "I love Ruhi. She is very precious to me"

"Bechaari Ruhi" Mrs Iyer started another tirade. "Woh paagal logo ki yahan itni sweet girl kaise born ho gayi. Uss ki mother ab custody case kar rahi hai. I hope she gets custody. Mein usko help karoongi, sab information doongi."
(Poor Ruhi. How did such a sweet girl get born into that crazy family? Now that her mother is fighting for her custody, I hope she gets her. I'll help her mother, give her whatever information she needs)

"No amma, certainly not" Ishita said sharply. "You know nothing about the matter, so please, aap interfere mat kijiye." (Please dont interfere)

"Lekin Ishu..." (But Ishu)

"Listen Ishu" Abhi interrupted Mrs Iyer, noticing the dawning anger on Ishita's face. "I have to go. I just came to let you know that I'm going to Singapore for a few days, something came up suddenly. I should be back in the weekend. Have dinner with me when I get back, hmm?"

"Of course she will, Abhi ...jeeju" Mihika stood at the door and smiled at Ishita, who looked back at her in consternation.

Abhi laughed out loud as he moved to the door. " Well, it's certainly nice to be addressed as jeeju Mihika, the only problem is your akka hasn't said yes yet"

"Ask her then" the incorrigible Mihika said cheekily, as Ishita looked on in horror

"I will" Abhi replied, pausing in the doorway. "As soon as I get back from Singapore"

**************************************************************************************
Half an hour later

Ishita had just had her shower and had gone to help her amma and Mihika in the kitchen when she heard her mobile ringing. Her appa was sitting at the dining table engrossed in his account books.

"Raavan Kumar" the screen read. Ishita glanced at her mother, but she and Mihika appeared engrossed with their cooking.

"Hello" she hissed, hitting the accept button as she moved quietly into the balcony.

"I'm picking Ruhi from her classes in half an hour. You're coming with me."

"I can't" she whispered. "Everyone is at home, how can..."

"Tell them you have an emergency. Take your car and park it around the corner at Victoria Park. I'll be waiting there. At 6.20. We need to pick up Ruhi at 6.30."

"Raman, I can't "

"Make it happen, Ishita. Ruhi is very upset, she thinks you're marrying Abhi and leaving her. She was crying in the car when she thought I wasn't looking. I don't know how to comfort her. I need your help. We have to tell her the truth."

Ishita's heart lurched. She and Raman were adults, but Ruhi, Ruhi was just a little girl. A little girl who had already faced her share of heartache and desertion. She couldn't let her suffer for a moment longer.

"Theek hai" she whispered. "I'll be there"

She had made her excuses to her family ( "Another emergency Ishu?. Kya ho gaya tumhaare clinic mein ki sab log sirf raat ko apna daat dikhaane aate hai?" {Another emergency Ishu? What is happening at your clinic that all your patients want their teeth seen to at night only?}) and had driven her car to the secure parking building  at Victoria Park. Raman had been waiting for her as promised.

And he had barely looked at her, as though he was keeping a strong emotion in check.

...Flashback ends...

**********************************************************************************************************
Ishita stood nervously at the entrance to the Sports Centre, Raman by her side, his hand protectively clutching hers.

"Ruhi" Raman called out, as Ruhi came slowly down the stairs, her eyes downcast. Ruhi looked up in the direction of her fathers voice.

She started to walk towards them, then seeing Ishita, stopped.

"Ishita aunty, tum?" she looked at Ishita with her big brown eyes.

Ishita walked up to Ruhi and knelt beside her.

"Haan, aap ke papa aa rahe theh, toh mein bhi aagayi. Mujhe aap se kuch baat karna hai"
(Yes, your papa was coming to pick you, so I came too. I have to talk to you)

"Mujhe maaloom hai aap ko kya baat karna hai" Ruhi's big eyes were downcast.
(I know what you want to talk about)

"Accha, kya maloom hai?"
(I see. what do you know?)

"Yehi ki aap uss uncle se shaadi kar ke mujh ko chod kar chali jaogi" tears welled up in Ruhi's eyes.
(Just that you're going to marry that uncle and leave me and go away)

Ishita felt tears prickling her own eyes. This little girl had faced enough rejection in her life. She would make sure that she would give Ruhi enough love to make up for all her past hurts and disillusionments. She had reconciled herself to a childless life, but destiny had offered her the opportunity to be a mother. She would be the best mother she could be. She would make sure her child had enough love to face all the trials that life would throw at her.

She took a deep breath and pulled Ruhi into her embrace.

"Nahi beta, mein aap ko chod kar nahi jaongi. Kabhi nahi jaongi"
(No beta, I won't leave you and go anywhere. I'll never leave you)

"Lekin aap ki shaadi?" Ruhi's muffled voice asked
(But your wedding?)

Ishita wiped her tears and then got up with Ruhi in her arms. Raman had been watching them from a slight distance, but now walked up to them, his own eyes moist.

"Ruhi beta" Ishita said, smiling up at Raman as he joined them, leaning over to ruffle  Ruhi's hair, before he placed a hand on Ishita's arm. "Dekho papa bhi aa gaye. Mujhe na, aap se kuch poochna hai"
(Ruhi beta, look your papa is here too. I ... I need to ask you something)

"Kya, Ishita aunty?"
(What, Ishita aunty?)

"Ruhi, kya aap apne papa ko mere saath share karoge?"
(Ruhi, will you share your papa with me?)

"Papa ko share?"

"Haan beta. Kya hai, aap ke papa ... aap ke papa aur mein, hum shaadi karna chahte hai. Aur agar aisa hua, toh mein aap ki mumma bun jaongi na.  Kya mein aap ki mumma bun sakti hoon Ruhi?"
(Yes beta. You see, your papa...your papa and I want to get married. And if that happens, then I'll be your mumma. So can I be your mumma Ruhi?)

The tears she had been desperately trying to hold back were falling from her eyes unheeded. She was grateful for Raman's firm grip on her arm - she felt weak in her knees.

Society had called her barren, a baanj. Her fiance had left her without a second glance. She had never thought that this day would ever come. That she too would be a mother. A mumma. Mothers gave birth to children, she knew. But children also made ordinary women into the fiercest warriors, into nurturers and protectors, children made mothers. And today, this little girl would make her a mother.

Through her tears she felt Ruhi's little hands on her face, felt her soft lips kiss her gently.

"Aur aap phir kabhi humme chod kar nahi jaogi? Mujhe aur papa ko?"
(And you'll never leave us? Me or papa?)

"Kabhi nahi" Ishita whispered. " I love you both beta"
(Never. I love you both beta)

"I love you too, Ishita mumma" Ruhi said softly.

Hus ke boli ki mein hoon tera pyar
Mein tere dil mein thi hamesha se
Ghar mein ayi hoon aaj pehli baar

Ishita felt Raman's arms go around her and Ruhi as he pulled them both into his embrace, Ruhi sandwiched between them.

Her tears fell unabated as she clutched Ruhi to her heart. Everything she had ever wanted was within her arms, in her embrace. Her daughter, her fiancée, her loves.

**********************************************************************************************************
Twenty minutes later
Tutti Frutti Ice Cream Shop

Ishita held Ruhi tightly in her lap. She had refused to let her go since that magical moment when her daughter had called her mumma for the first time. She had clutched Ruhi close in the car, and was now sitting with her in her lap, Raman sitting opposite them, watching her bemusedly.

"Papa is feeling very ignored" he said with a mock frown.

"Aww papa" Ruhi leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"Acha, one of my girls still loves me. What about the other?" He smirked at Ishita, raising one eyebrow slightly.

Ishita blushed and shook her head.

"Come on Ishima, aap bhi papa ko kissi de do na" Ruhi piped up, giggling.
(Come on Ishima. You give papa a kiss too)

"Ishima?" Raman asked Ruhi quizzically

"Haan, Ishita mumma is very long na, toh mein apni mumma ko Ishima kahoongi. Kyunki yeh meri mumma bhi hai aur meri friend bhi. Is that okay Ishima?"
(Yes. Ishita mumma is too long so I'm going to call my mumma Ishima. Because she's my friend and my mumma. Is that okay, Ishima?)

Ishita's eyes filled with tears again. "Ok beta" she whispered.

"Ice cream" Ruhi yelled as a smiling waiter brought a tray of ice cream cups to their table.

"Raman" Ishita exclaimed. "Itni saari? Kya hai yeh?"
(Raman, so much? What is this?)

'Celebration" he replied with a grin. "Now Ruhi beta, aap ko yaad hai na, aap Ishima aur meri Shaadi ke baat abhi kisi ko nahi bata sakti"
(Ruhi you remember don't you, that you can't tell anyone about Ishima and my wedding)

"Haan papa. I remember. Aap pehle dadi aur Ishima ki mumma ka fighting fighting stop karoge, aur sab friends ho jaayenge, phir aap unko bataenge."
(Yes papa, I remember. First you are going to get dadi and Ishima's mumma to stop fighting, and everyone will be friends, then you'll tell everyone)

"Yeh hamari secret hai, hmm" He leaned over now and kissed his little daughters cheek. "Hum teeno ki" 
(This will be our secret. The three of us)

"Ruhi, Papa aur Ishima" Ruhi said happily, digging into her ice cream with glee.

Raman looked at the teary Ishita. He smiled and wiped her eyes gently, then kissed her cheek softly too. " Yes beta" he replied, as he gripped Ishita's hand tightly. "Ruhi, Papa aur Ishima"

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Mere ghar ayee ek Nanhi Pari
Chandani ki hasin rath pe sawaar
Mere ghar ayee

Uski batoon mein shahad jaisi mithas
Uski sasoon mein itr ki mehkaas
Hoonth jaise ki bheege bheege gulaab
Gaal jaise ki  bahke bahke anar

Mere ghar ayee

Uske aane se mere angaan mein
Khil uthe phool gungunaae bahaar
Dekh kar usko jee nahi bharta
Chahe dekhoon usse hazaron baar

Mere ghar ayee

Mein ne pucha usse ki kaun hai tu
Hus ke boli ki mein hoon tera pyar
Mein tere dil mein thi hamesha se
Ghar mein aayi hoon aaj pehli baar

Mere ghar ayee ek nanhi paree
Ek nanhi paree

From the movie Kabhi Kabhi