Friday 11 September 2014
6.00am
Iyer Residence

Ishita woke up early on Friday morning.

The anxiety which festered deep within her had led to a restless night. She knew Raman would be in the same boat. After seeing Shagun on Wednesday, seeing the way Ruhi had reacted to her, Ishita wholeheartedly shared Raman's conviction that Ruhi needed to be kept as far away from Shagun as possible.

Thursday had passed by in a blur.

Raman had been busy with the Mehta project, and they had reassured each other by phone but had not been able to meet.

Ishita had been to Ruhi's school at lunch time and had spoken to her teacher, but Mrs Khan had reassured her that Ruhi was fine and not disturbed.

At least that had been a relief, and yet, the anxiety remained, lingered.

What would the court decide today? Would the Judge order a hearing? Or would she ask them to settle the case, based on the case workers report?

"Please Murugan" she whispered, running a nervous hand over her hair as she stepped out of bed. "Please let everything be just fine today."

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9.00 am
Bhalla Residence

Raman stood in front of the little mandir in his home, his head bowed. He did not pray often, in fact, since Shagun had left him, he had rarely prayed at all. God had stopped answering his prayers a long time ago, but since Ishita had come into his life, a little spark of belief, of faith, had reawakened.

He opened his eyes to see his parents standing close by, looking at him with concern.

"Raman, puttar, hum bhi chalte hai na court" (Raman, son, we will come to court with you too)

His mothers voice was laced with the anxiety he could see in his fathers eyes.

"Ma, aaj sunwai nahi hai. Yeh sirf judge ke saamne pehli case conference hai, settlement explore karne ke liye. Agar...agar sunwai hui, toh aap sab zaroor aayenge, lekin abhi sirf Ruhi ki parents se court milna chahti hai" (Ma, the hearing isn't on today. It's just a case conference to explore settlement. If...if a hearing does take place, then you all will definitely come. But at the moment, the court just wants to meet Ruhi's parents)

"Lekin puttar, hum wahan aa toh sakte hai na, tumhe support karne ke liye" (But son, at least we can be there for you, support you)

Raman hugged his mother briefly, then shook his head.

"Aap mujhe support kar rahe ho na Ma, Ruhi ki itni achi tarah se parwarish karke. Aap dono ke bina yeh paanch saal mein kya karta? Lekin, aaj court mat aaiye . Aap sab rahoge toh Ruhi anxious ho jayegi. Aap jaanti hai na Ma, aap kitna drama karti hai. Rinki hai, who Ruhi ke saath rahegi."
(You are supporting me Ma, by bringing up Ruhi so well. What would I have done without you these past five years? But don't come to court today Ma. Ruhi will get more anxious if she sees you all there. You have to admit Ma that you do create a lot of drama. Rinki will be there with Ruhi, let it be)

"Theek hai Raman" Mr Bhalla said in a resigned voice. "Jaisa tum chaho" (Okay Raman. Whatever you want)

"Ten o clock ki time hai papa, hum chalte hai" (We need to be there at 10.00 papa. We'll take your leave now)

Raman bent down and touched his parents feet. Then calling Ruhi and Rinki, he straightened his shoulders and his usual mask slid over his face. He needed to hold it together, but soon she would be with him. And she would be his anchor.

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10.20 am
Family Court Delhi

Court no. 4
Khanna v Bhalla

Ishita looked at the names on the Court notice board and shivered. Neel had explained this was a case conference only, to explore settlement of the case, that nothing would be finalised today, but the anxiety wouldn't leave her.

Ever since Raman had picked her up from the around the corner to their building, she had been holding on tightly to Ruhi. The judge might want to talk to Ruhi separately, Neel had explained, and she had been trying to prepare her daughter for the meeting. Ruhi had nodded her head, but looked frightened, and when they arrived at the court, Raman had asked Rinki to take her for a walk to keep her busy.

Raman and Ishita were standing at the door to the court with Neel, waiting to be called. There was no sign of Shagun, Ashok or their lawyer. Suddenly, the door opened and the court usher came out and motioned to the trio.

"Bachi ko rehno do" he said. "Judge Sahiba ne sirf aap logon ko bulaya hai" (Leave the child here. The judge just wants to see you)

Ishita signalled to Rinki to stay where she was and then taking a deep breath, clutched her equally nervous husbands hand tightly as they walked into the courtroom behind Neel.

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A mere ten minutes later they were out of the court again, their eyes shining, smiles lighting up their faces.

Shaguns lawyer had been sitting inside when they entered the court and the Judge had informed them that the application was being withdrawn.

"In any event Mr Gupta" the stern faced Judge lectured the lawyer " I would not have made the orders sought by your client. I have had a very strong recommendation from the case worker that the child remain with her father and step mother, and there would need to be exceptional reasons for me to disturb that arrangement."

The Judge had then turned to Ishita and Raman.

"Mrs Khanna's application is being withdrawn Mr Bhalla. That means that there will be no change to the current arrangement. Since Mrs Khanna is not seeking access, I won't make any orders. I have read the case report and your daughter appears to be a very well brought up and loved child. All the best for the future".

And that was it. It was over.

They had skipped out of the court, their hearts close to bursting with the immense joy they felt inside.

Now, standing outside, Raman grabbed Ishita into his arms, crushing her to himself. Joy and relief jostled for space on his face, and happy tears threatened.

"It's over baby" he murmured against her hair, his hands crushing her to himself, his voice breaking. "Ruhi won't leave us. Our Ruhi won't leave us Ishita."

Ishita hugged him back tightly, unmindful of the public space they were in, her hands caressing his hair, her happy tears mixing with his. "Oh Raman" she whispered. "I'm so happy, so happy."

He dropped a kiss on her hair, his heart hammering as he released the fear that had been gripping him. "You don't know Ishita" he whispered. "I lost my Adi in this court. And I was so afraid I would lose Ruhi too. But this time you were with me, you held me together jaan. Warna tumhaare bina, Adi ki tarah mein..." (Or else without you, just like Adi, I would have....)

His voice trailed off, too afraid to voice the fear that had been in his heart.

She looked up at him lovingly, touched by his faith in her. "Mein hamesha aap ke saath hoon Raman. I'm always with you. And Adi will join us too. One day Adi will join us too"

He pulled away to look at her, his eyes shining

"When you say it, I almost believe it will happen" he whispered.

"Believe it Raman. We will make it happen" She touched his cheek lovingly, and he drew her back into his embrace.

"Ishima, papa" Ruhi's voice drew them out of their cocoon and they both turned toward her, Raman whooping with joy as he gathered her up and twirled her in the air.

"Come here my baby" he told her, as he covered her face with countless kisses, then held her towards Ishita who added her own kisses to the collection. For a moment, they clung together, the little family that had found each other against the odds, that had made it despite everything.

Ruhi looked at her parents in delight, their obvious joy transmitting to her. "Kya hua papa" her little little voice pipped up, her little hands cupping her father's chin. "Judge aunty ne kya kaha?" (What happened papa? What did the judge aunty say?"

"Judge aunty ne kaha ki hamari Ruhi itni achi hai, ki hum usko abhi ke abhi yahan se lekar jaaye aur khub saari ice-cream khilaye" There was a catch in his voice as he grabbed at one little hand, pressing it first to his lips, and then to his heart. (Judge aunty said our Ruhi is such a good girl that we need to take her away from here straight away and give her lots of ice-cream)

"Mujhe school nahi jaana hoga, papa?" (I don't have to go to school papa?)

"No, aaj no school. We are going to celebrate"

"Bhai, Bhabhi, I'm so happy" Rinki had come up and threw herself into the family hug, as Neel stood by grinning. Ruhi wriggled down from Raman's embrace and did a happy dance, twirling around, as her parents watched adoringly.

"Let's go celebrate, Rinki, Neel" Raman wanted to draw them all into his happiness, but was halted by his wife's hand on his arm.

"Kya hua Ishita?" He asked in surprise, as she drew him aside. (What's the matter Ishita)

"Raman" Ishita said quietly, clutching his hand. "Aap ki papa aur Ma bhi kitne khush hoge na? Aur Simmi aur Romi. Sab ke saath celebrate karte hai na?" (Your papa and Ma will be so happy too. And Simmi and Romi. Let's celebrate with them all)

"Lekin Ishita , phir tum?" Raman shook his head, knowing that her plan to include his family would mean she herself would be excluded. (But Ishita, then you...?)

She smiled tremulously. As always, his concern was for her, and as always, it touched and floored her.
"Aap apne neighbours ko bula sakte ho na?" (You can invite your neighbours can't you?)

"But Ishita..." He clutched her hand harder, and she caressed his fingers softly.

"Raman, we have to start bringing the families together now. Aisa kab tak chalega?" ( How long can we go on like this?)

"You're right." Raman sighed, and then cupped Ishita's face, dropping a light kiss on her hair. "We will celebrate at home tonight. I'll convince my mother to invite your mother. You convince your mother to accept. Deal?"

"Deal"

"Kahan jaa rahen hai papa?" Ruhi asked excitedly, interrupting them. ( Where are we going papa?)

"Aap school ja rahi hai. Aur papa aur mein office" Ishita said firmly, picking Ruhi up. (You are going to school. And papa and I to office)

"But Ishima, papa said..." Ruhi said pouting.

"I know baby, but change of plans. We'll celebrate tonight. With everyone."

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Itti si hansi
Itti si khushi
Itti si tukda chand ka
Khwabon ke tinko se
Chal banaye ashiyaan

Dabe dabe paon se
Aaye haule haule zindagi
Hothon pe ungli chada ke
Hum taale laga ke
Chal gumsum tarane chupke chupke gaayein
Aadhi aadhi baant lein
Aaja dil ki yeh zameen
Thoda sa tera sa hoga
Thoda mera bhi hoga
Apna yeh ashiyaan

Itti si hansi
Itti si khushi
Itti si tukda chand ka
Khwabon ke tinko se
Chal banaye ashiyaan