Tuesday 2 September 2014
4.00pm
Lodhi Garden

"Hey"

"Hmmm?"

"What are you thinking?"

Ishita twisted around in Raman's arms to face him, lifting a hand to slowly caress his face.

"Just that I love you"

"Is that right? Well, then you'd better show me just how much" He grinned wickedly and lowered his head towards hers, only to have Ishita cover her face with her hands.

"Raman, no, not here"

"Areh yaar, biwi ho meri, shaadi ki hai. Haq banta hai mera" (You're my wife. We are married now. It's my right)

"Woh haq aap baad mein exercise karna. Yahan nahin" (Exercise that right later, in some other place. Not here) 
She turned around again, leaning back on him as he again protectively ensconced her in his arms.

"Jhansi Ki Rani, sirf kaatne ko daudti hai " ( Warrior Queen, always ready for a fight) He grumbled even as he tightened his arms around her.

" I heard that, Raavan Kumar" And she dissolved into peels of laughter at the look on his face, secure in his love.

They were sitting in a shady nook in Lodhi Gardens, that sanctuary for Delhi's lovers.

The 3-4 hours since their wedding had been spent in the company of their fellow conspirators, but now they were finally alone. Ruhi had been dropped off at school, changed back into her uniform; Rinki had headed off home, ostensibly from college; Neel and Mihir had gone off to their respective offices and Bala jeeju, well Bala jeeju had departed with the cryptic comment that he was off to " settle Abhi" , and that Ishita should not forget to be home by 7.00 pm and follow his lead.

"Raman, what do you think jeeju is planning? About Abhi?" Ishita asked Raman as her laughter died down, snuggling comfortably into her husband's arms.

She had changed back into the salwar suit she had left home in that morning, removed her jewellery except her rings, her thali and one choodi on each hand, and yet she still had that unmistakeable bridal glow on her face.

"Yaar, mein kya janoo tumhare perfect jeeju ke plans kya hai." (What do I know what your perfect jeeju's plans are)

"Ramannn"

"Waise, your jeeju's lunch idea was good, I have to say. I didn't know you madrassis knew how to have fun."

"Raman, aap jeeju ke liye aise mat kahiye. Agar woh nahi chahte na, toh yeh shaadi kabhi hota nahi. But haan, lunch par kitna fun tha."
(Raman, dont say such things about Jeeju. If he didn't want it, our wedding would not have happened today. But yes, we had so much fun at lunch)

They had all lunched together at the "Do It Yourself Dosa", Delhi's latest hippest South Indian vegetarian restaurant, where diners could book private rooms and engage a chef to make personalized dosas for them, at their table.

Ruhi had particularly enjoyed the flamboyant antics of their personal chef - the artistic spreading of the ground rice mixture on the hot plate , flipping the dosa in the air, rolling and flinging it with unerring accuracy onto plates held by each diner, the colourful array of chutnies and curries.

"Aap ki tummy theek toh hai na?" (Your stomach is okay, isn't it)

"Yes of course. Kya samajhti ho mujhko?" (Yes of course. What do you take me for ?)

"Raman, I know that aap Kiddies Special Low Spice curries kha rahe theh, jo hum ne Ruhi ke liye order kiya tha. Dekha tha mein ne." (Raman, I know you were eating the Kiddies Special low spice curries that we ordered for Ruhi. I saw you)

"Ya, so what yaar. Intelligent hoon, mujhe apni wedding night bathroom mein nahi bitana hai."(Ya, so what yaar. I'm intelligent, I didn't want to spend my wedding night in the bathroom)

Ishita coloured at his mention of their wedding night, then pulled herself out of his arms.

"Hey, what's wrong biwi?" Raman flicked a finger under her chin and turned her face towards his.

"You said wedding night, but you know we can't meet tonight Raman, abhi bhala kaise... I have to go home soon, and then Ruhi's case is next week, so we have to be careful until that is settled, and... Raman" she pulled at her thalli, and flashed both it and her rings to Raman "mein yeh sab kaise chupaongi. Amma already engagement ring ke baare mein puch rahi thi. Aur ab yeh wedding ring and..." (You know we can't tonight Raman, how will it be possible... I have to go home soon, and then Ruhi's case is next week, so we have to be careful until that is settled, and Raman, how will I hide my thalli and rings? Amma has already been asking about the engagement ring, and now the wedding ring and...)

"Sshh, hey sshh, come here" he pulled her back into his arms, cradling her as if she were a precious jewel. "I know biwi, thoda mushkil hoga, lekin abhi tak toh sab kuch theek ho raha hai na? Let's just be positive hmm? Now these rings, just thread them through your thalli and wear them around your neck, apne dil ke paas. And just keep the whole thing hidden under your tops. Ab amma itna bhi toh jasoosi nahi karegi, kyun? Yeh wala kaam toh sirf mera hai" He snuck his hand under the edge of her Kurta and she smacked it away.
(I know wifey, it won't be easy, but we've managed everything so far haven't we? Let's just be positive, hmm? Now these rings, just thread them through your thalli and wear them around your neck, next to your heart. And just keep the whole thing hidden under your tops. Now amma won't check to that extent will she? That's my prerogative, after all)

"Ramann, no. Not here."

"Ok, ok, I won't. Waise ek aur shaadi ki rasm toh hum ne kiya nahi, lekin usko chupana shayad namumkin hota." (There is one wedding ritual we haven't done, that would've been impossible to hide)

"Kya?" she asked with a frown. (What?)

"Yeh" he replied, running his fingers gently over the parting in her hair. "Tumhari maang bharna hai mujhe. Lekin woh ek baar kiya toh kabhi tumhe berang rakhne nahi doonga. Jis din tumhari maang bharongaa, us din sab ko bataenge. And listen baba, Ruhi ki case ki first hearing end of next week hai, who knows everything might get settled then. Zyaada intezaar nahi karna hoga, samjhi?"
(This. I have to apply sindoor. But once I do that, I'll never let you keep your forehead bare again. The day I apply sindoor, we will let everyone know. And listen baba, the first hearing of Ruhi's case is at the end of next week, who knows everything might get settled then. We may not have to wait too long, okay?)

Ishita blushed at the thought of Raman applying sindoor to her, the vermillion being the ultimate symbol of marriage for an Indian woman. He was right - the day he did that, marked her as his in that way, she would never be able to hide it. But they had shared so much today, made so many promises to each other, and they had to part now. Her wedding night would be just another night, with nothing to show for the momentous change that had happened in their lives today. She sighed and engulfed one of his hands in hers, smothering it in kisses.

"Aaj raat ko aap ko bahut miss karoongi Raman" (I'll really miss you tonight Raman)

Raman was touched by his Ishita's declaration. He knew that intimacy was not easy for her, he had seen it in her eyes when they were together - the struggle of the desire he awakened in her, with the innate conservatism she had been brought up with. He knew how much he had hurt her the other night, by pulling back when she had been ready to surrender to him. But there was no need for any such reservations now. No need to hold back, or to hold off. The only thing that stood in their way was his need to give her the perfect first night.

"I"ll miss you too baby." He said with a sigh. "You know that. But our first night, I want it to be perfect Ishita..."

"Aap honge na saath, toh perfect hi hoga. Perfect se bhi perfect. But you're right, aaj nahi mil sakte." (As long as you are with me, it'll be perfect. More perfect than perfect. But you're right, we can't meet tonight)

"But we can meet up tonight jaan. Thodi der ke liye hi sahi "  ( Even if just for a little while)

He looked at her quizzically, and Ishita pushed him away , a roller coaster of emotions welling up in her, confused by his wanting to meet, yet not, and not knowing what he meant.

"Raman, aap kehte ho ki aaj hum nahi mil sakte, kyunki sabkuch  perfect nahi hoga, phir kehte ho milenge. Aap na, just make up your mind. Ab chalo, mujhe meri car tak chod do" (Raman, you say we can't meet tonight, because everything won't be perfect, then you say we can meet for a little while. You need to make up your mind. Now come with me and leave me at my car)

She stood up and stared into the distance, not wanting to meet his eyes.

"Tumhe ab kaise chod doon?" ( How can I ever leave you now?) Raman got slowly to his feet, wanting to slap himself as he realised  that they had been talking at cross purposes. She simply wanted to spend time with him tonight, the first night of their married life, and he had been focused on their wedding night as their first night of love, of intimacy, of making love...

"Raman, mujhe ghar jaana hai." (Raman, I have to go home) Ishita's muffled tones interrupted his mental recriminations.

"No jaan, not yet. Stay with me."

"No Raman. Now."

Ishita stalked on ahead of her husband, and Raman looked at her with concern mixed with amusement, as he hastened his steps to join her.  He needed to meet up with his Jhansi ki Rani tonight, and give her a short demonstration of just what he had meant by their wedding night. She was ordering him around with absolute authority right now, and he loved it, but he needed to let her know just what she had taken on, just what marriage to her demanding Raavan would involve.

"Ok Ma'am" he said with a smile, as they reached her parked car, pulling her to him, and holding her tightly until she relaxed in his arms. " Your wish is my command. But listen, there is one wish of mine you have to fulfill as well. And that is to meet me tonight, just for a little while. I'm sorry jaan. I know I'm confusing you, and I'm not making sense. But when I was talking about making our wedding night perfect, I wasn't talking about just spending time with you. I want to make love to you Ishita, all night long. And that night,  that night has to be perfect. And it will be, and very soon. But tonight, I do need to see you tonight. And I will. Keep your phone with you. And don't argue when I call you, okay. Just do what I say."

Ishita blushed as she looked at her husband.

"Kya karoge?" (What are you planning?)

"I'll plan something jaan. Don't you worry." And he took her into his arms.

**********************************************************************************************************

5.40 pm
Abhimanyu Raghav's Office

Bala sat in the waiting room of Abhimanyu Raghav's Delhi office, twiddling his thumbs nervously.

Although he had boasted to Ishita and Raman of a plan to "settle" Abhi, the truth was, he had no such plan. Abhi was a decent man, who did not deserve to have tricks played on him, and Bala did not want the complications in Raman and Ishita's lives to negatively impact an innocent third person.

No, Abhi deserved the truth, or if not the absolute truth, then he at least deserved not to be misled and be made to think that everything was okay when it wasn't. After all, he had lost his wife just over a year ago, and while he would obviously not stay single for long, now that he had decided to remarry, Bala could sense that Abhi had started to dream of a future with Ishita as though it were a settled thing.

Well, Bala needed to disabuse him of that notion, while at the same time, not do or say anything that might jeopardize Ruhi's custody case.

He did not know how Abhi would react to the truth. He might be upset enough to reveal everything to his own and Ishita's parents, and if that happened, well, amma would immediately see this as a plot of the Punjabis and create a ruckus that would destroy all of Raman and Ishita's plans of fighting for Ruhi's custody.

So no, he could not tell him the truth, but what could he say?

He was still nowhere closer to a solution when Abhi's secretary came out of the inner office, and smilingly motioned at him.

"Mr Bala? Mr Raghav will see you now."

Bala nodded to the smartly dressed young woman and taking a deep breath, he walked into Abhi's office.

Abhi stood up as Bala entered.

"How are you Bala?"

"I'm fine Abhi, just fine. How was your flight?"

"Good, good. I just got in at 1.00. Straight to work, as you can see. Bala, you said you had something important to share with me. Is everything alright? Ishu? Is she ok? She hasn't really responded to the texts I've been sending, just one word here and there. And I've been calling her since I got off the plane, but her phone appears to be switched off."

Bala heard the anxiety in Abhi's voice and his heart sunk. This poor man was almost certainly well on his way to being in love with Ishita. He would have to navigate these tricky waters carefully.

"Ishita is fine Abhi." Bala said slowly. " But she has asked me to speak to you about something. That's why I wanted to see you."

"What is it Bala? I was going to go over to Mayur Vihar anyway, at 7.00. Why didn't she wait to speak to me then?"

"Well you see Abhi, it's like this. Ishu isn't sure about her feelings, about marrying you. Her amma and appa obviously want nothing more than to see her happily settled, and they consider you to be perfect for Ishu. And so Ishu has agreed to accept your proposal, but in her heart, she is neither sure nor happy about this. But she can't say no without devastating her amma and appa. So she is going along with all this. But the reality is, the reality is that she needs time Abhi."

Abhi looked at Bala with dismay. He had set his heart on marrying Ishita since he had seen her again, but he had sensed a hesitation on her part. He had tried to dismiss that hesitation as nervousness, as mere anxiety at a new start in life, but to have it confirmed now, by her jeeju, as a possible refusal to marry him at all, was the worst possible scenario.

"She should have told me Bala" he said slowly. "After all, we are old friends. If she didn't want to marry me, she could have told me."

Bala looked at Abhi with compassion.

"She isn't sure Abhi. That's why she needs time."

"Time for what Bala?" Abhi retorted. "If she doesn't want to marry me, then that's that. I can't force her. But I need to go back to Turkey in a fortnight and I'll be away for three months. And I had thought we could finalise things before I go, so we could get married as soon as I return for good. I have children Bala, and my parents want me to bring a mother home for them. I need a definite answer. If not Ishita, then my parents need to start looking for another rishta (proposal) for me. So I don't have time to wait around. If it's a no, then let's finalise it today. I can tell chitti and uncle that I've changed my mind, if that will help Ishu."

Bala looked thoughtfully at Abhi and then shook his head, calculating the date of Ruhi's custody application.

"Two weeks Abhi" he said finally. "You said you will leave in two weeks. Well, how about you start meeting other girls, but don't say anything yet to Ishu's parents. At the end of the two weeks, if you still want to marry Ishu, and she has made up her mind to marry you, then that's okay. Otherwise, if either of you say no, if you have met someone you would prefer to be with, or if Ishu is still unsure, well, than you can both say no, and end things there."

"But Bala...."

"Please Abhi. Things are complicated enough in Ishita's life right now. If you tell her parents now, it will make her life very difficult. Just hold off for two weeks."

Bala knew he was pleading, but he was doing it for Ishita, for her happiness. She and Raman needed a little bit of time to get Ruhi's custody sorted, to gain acceptance with each other's family - if Abhi insisted on a decision now, if he insisted on either an engagement or a clean break now, the cat would be out of the bag, and Bala knew that Ishita would never forgive herself if any scandal or family dispute impacted Ruhi's custody negatively. Two weeks was not long, but at least it gave them some respite, and he could sense Abhi would not wait any longer.

Bala impulsively took Abhi's hand.

"Abhi, I know Ishita will be very grateful to you if you can do as I've asked. There's just no way she can get engaged to you now, and well, your support will mean a lot to her. Just hold off from anything for two weeks."

"Okay" Abhi said slowly, reluctantly." But Chitti and uncle, and my parents are expecting an engagement tonight. We are supposed to come over later this evening. In just an hour or so, in fact. What do I say about why we can't make a decision for another two weeks, if you don't want me to tell anyone that it's because Ishita isn't sure?"

Bala thought quickly, coming up with an idea he knew would satisfy his traditional mother -in-law

"Kundali" he said, with a grin. "Just tell amma and appa your Guru says this is not the right time to propose. The mahurat is not right."

"What?" Abhi looked at Bala in astonishment. "I don't believe in all this nonsense. Kundalis and Gurus and mahurats and what not.Besides, my parents won't believe me."

"I know Abhi, and I respect that. But you can tell your parents that you need time to see other girls, consider other options. And just come over by yourself tonight. I know it's a lot to ask of you, but I also know that Ishu is your friend. So please Abhi. For Ishu."

"Fine Bala" Abhi said in resignation. "I'll do it. Only for Ishu. And only so that she is happy and comfortable about our future together. If we are going to have a future that is. But I need a definite answer Bala. If Ishu is still not sure in two weeks, then she needs to tell me, and I will move on."

"Thank you Abhi." Bala said with sincere gratitude. " Thank you so much"

Two weeks, he thought again to himself. Two weeks was no time at all, but at least Ruhi's case would get started, and then they could think of something else.

**********************************************************************************************************
7.30 pm
Iyer Apartment

"Theek hai Abhi beta, waise I didn't realise ki tum in saare baaton mein maante ho, lekin, if you are sure..."
(Alright son. I didn't realise you believe in these things, but if you are sure...)

Mr Iyer looked at Abhi with dismay, as Mrs Iyer clutched at his hand nervously.

"Uncle, like I said, my guru ji is adamant that nothing get finalized until the muhuratam is right. So I thought, it's just two weeks, so why take any chances. I will come over again in two weeks and if Ishita want to marry me, then we can get engaged."

Abhi squirmed as he parroted the lines that Bala had fed him. He had been extremely sceptical about what Bala had proposed, but he still had hopes that a postponement might get Ishita to accept his proposal, and so he had agreed to tell Ishita's family that he needed the engagement postponed because of his new found Guruji's forecast. To his own family, he had simply said that he needed more time, and had convinced his parents not to accompany him to the Iyer's that evening.

He looked at Ishita now as he spoke, wondering what was going on in her mind. He did want to marry her, but he was her friend, and he also wanted her happiness. She looked ethereal tonight, he realised, with a pang in his heart. There was just something about her.

"If Ishita wants to marry you?" Mrs Iyer had pounced on his words, and she spoke now, with a worried frown, even as Ishita stayed quiet. "Of course she wants to marry you. Lekin agar tum yehi chahte ho Abhi, toh theek hai. Lekin two weeks mein engagement ho jaani chahiye, kitni delay ho rahi hai"
(Ok Abhi, if this is what you want. But the engagement should take place in 2 weeks, there's been so much delay already )

"Yes chitti." Abhi said, still staring at the unresponsive Ishita. "Please don't worry. There will be a decision in two weeks."

"Call me amma" Mrs Iyer smiled lovingly at Abhi

"Kahega na, amma" Bala butted in. "Bahut jald aap ko amma kehne wala dusra damad mil jayega"
(He will say it amma. Very soon, you will get a second son in law to call you amma)

"Woh toh aaj mil gaya, Bala" amma responded, smiling.
(That I got today Bala. I got my second son in law today)

Ishita looked from her mother to Abhi to her Bala jeeju. "You don't know amma" she thought silently, " but you're so right. You did get your second son in law today."

Raman's beloved face swam into her vision and she blushed, remembering the desperate intense kiss with which he had left her, after their mixed up discussion in the park, the way his body had strained against hers, as if imprinting her into memory through his touch.

"Look how akka is blushing" Mihika said with a laugh. "Waise akka , why are you wearing socks in this weather?"

"To hide my Mehendi," Ishita thought silently. "Nothing Miku, I just had a slight cold, that's all" she said aloud.

She looked up and saw Bala jeeju smiling at her. "Thank you" she mouthed silently. Whatever her jeeju had said to Abhi to get this respite for her, she and Raman would forever be grateful to him.

As for Abhi. She felt so guilty about lying to her old friend, about leading him on and deceiving him in this manner, that she could barely look at him, even though she knew his enquiring gaze was on her. She needed to take one day at a time, and at least she had a reprieve of two weeks now.

But more difficult times lay ahead now.

She was Raman's wife. Ruhi's mother. How was she to hide her feelings from the world? How could she stay away from him ? She wondered again about his plan. Would they really be able to meet tonight?

**********************************************************************************************************
8.00 pm
Bhalla Apartment

"Oi Rinki, kya kha liya tumne. Itni der se bathroom bhaag rahi hai?" (Oi Rinki, what have you eaten? You've been running to the bathroom for so long)

"Kuch nahi mumma. Woh mein..." (Nothing mumma. I...)

"Ma" Raman's loud voice interrupted the mother and daughters conversation.

"Kya hai puttar?" (What is it son?)

"Woh zara mujhe Buscopan dena. Pet theek nahi hai"
(Give me some Buscopan please. My stomach doesn't feel right...)

"Tumhe bhi? Kya ho gaya tum sab ko? Ruhi bhi complain shomplain kar rahi thi"
(You too? What's happened to all of you. Ruhi was complaining too)

"Aap hi ne kuch banaya hoga Ma" Raman said testily. "Ruhi theek hai ab?"
(It must've been something you cooked Ma. Is Ruhi allright now?)

"Haan, woh toh so gayi, Simmi ke paas. Aur dekh, mere cooking ka kuch mat kehna, lagta hai kisi ki nazar lag gayi mere bacho ko. Aise toh tum log sirf woh rasam sambar kha kar karte jo. Zaroor us madrassan ne kuch buri nazar kiya hoga"
(Yes, she's gone to sleep with Simmi. And listen don't say anything about my cooking. You people only react like this to rasam and sambar. I think that madrassan has cast a bad eye on my children)

"Ma" Raman said angrily. "Stop it, ok"

"Theek hai, mujhe kya? Ye loh tumhara Busk Kho fan" Mrs Bhalla sniffed as she handed him the antacid.
(Fine, whats it to me? Here, take your busk kho fan)

Raman took a dose of antacid and then sat back pensively.

Everything had gone fine today, but just how was he going to bring their two warring families together. How long would it take?

And in the meantime, how could he stay away from his Ishita? Especially tonight. He had to see her tonight.