NOTE: I INTEND TO MAKE SOME CHAPTERS PRIVATE AS THE CONTENT IS SUITABLE FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY. TO READ, YOU WILL NEED TO FOLLOW ME AND RELOAD THIS BOOK.

Friday 25 September 2015 - 7.20 am
Raman Bhalla's Room

"Sir, please" Raman Bhallas nurse looked at her patient in exasperation. "You just woke up, we have to wait for the Doctor to check you out, I can't let you out of bed now, please, I'm not taking off your canula or the drip."

Raman had woken up and discovered himself in a hospital bed with a drip stuck up his left hand, his right swathed in bandages.

That bloody Ashok Khanna, he recalled. The bastard had a gun. Well, at least he had managed to break his teeth and reset his face before Ashok got to use the gun. But now he had to get out of here. He needed to reassure his family, personally drag that Khanna to jail, and before all that, above all, he had to see his Ishita. Find out how she was.

Raman sat up in the high hospital bed, his feet over the side. His mouth tasted of steel and he reached over for a glass of water. The nurse was instantly at his side, holding a glass out to him, helping him to rinse. He finished and leaned back against the headboard. He felt lightheaded, but he was a man on a mission.

He smiled at the young nurse, his grin making his stubbled face even more attractive.

"Nurse" he drawled. "Naam kya hai aapka?"
(Nurse, what's your name?)

"Supriya" the young woman smiled back cautiously.

"Nurse Supriya, beautiful name, can I call you Su? So Su, when is this Doctor expected here?"

"I've paged her sir. She should be here within half an hour"

"Half an hour? Toh aap ko lagta hai ki mein chup chaap yahan baith kar aap ki doctor ka intezaar karoonga ? Now either you take this drip off Su, or I am going out with it."
(Half an hour? And you think I'm going to sit here quietly and wait for this doctor of yours? Now either you take this drip off Su, or I am going out with it)

"But sir, where do you want to go? Your family is outside, wait I"ll just call someone"

The nurse gave a nervous smile to Raman and backed away to the door. She was just at the door when the sounds of a commotion reached her. She hesitated and then tentatively pushed the door open.

*********************************************
Outside Raman's Room
5 minutes earlier

Mihika had supported Ishita on the short walk from her room to Raman's, Ishita's scandalized nurse walking behind them, protesting.

"Ms Iyer" she was saying. "This is highly irregular. You can't do this. You must get back into bed straight away. Doctor will be very upset."

But Ishita was beyond caring, and for once Mihika was on her side. The cousins continued steadfastly on their journey. As they turned the corner into the corridor, Ramans room came into sight.

All the Bhallas were sitting on benches outside the door. Papaji, mummyji, Simmi, Romi and Rinki. Mihir and Bala jeeju were also with them. Bala saw Ishita and Mihika first, and jumped up, rushing to them.

"Ishita, you're up, thank God. Mihir told us. Amma and appa should be here in minutes, they were already on their way when Mihir called. But what are you doing here? You should be in bed"

"Jeeju" Ishita held out her hand to Bala. "Raman, Raman kaise hai? Mujhe..." Her lips wobbled and tears again coursed down her cheeks. "Mujhe unse milna hai please"
(Jeeju. Raman, how is Raman? I...I need to see him please)

The Bhallas had all stood up by now and were looking at Ishita curiously. All except Rinki, who walked over to Ishita and put her arms around her. "Bhai hasn't woken up yet, but the doctor says he will be fine. Aap please worry mat kijiye. You should be in bed."
(Bhai hasn't woken up yet, but the doctor says he will be fine. So please don't worry. You should be in bed)

"Rinki" Ishita grasped her young sister in laws hands. Her head was throbbing and she felt as if she would faint any moment, but she needed to see her husband. "I need to see him please"

"Abhi woh kisi ko nahi dekhne de rahe hai, we are all waiting. Aap yahan baithiye" Rinki could see the strain on Ishita's face and she tried to get her to sit on the bench they had just vacated.
( They haven't let anyone see him yet. We are all waiting. Please, just sit here)

"No" Ishita insisted through her tears. "Mujhe Raman ko dekhna hai. Just for a minute, please." 
( No, I have to see Raman. Just for a minute. Please)

She turned her entreaty filled eyes back to Bala and Mihir, then slowly looked at Mr & Mrs Bhalla. "Please" she whispered.

"Ishita" Mrs Bhalla looked at her with a puzzled and concerned look on her face. "Puttar, tu ne hamaari Ruhi ki jaan bachaayi. Tera bahut bahut thank you. Lekin tu yahan is tarah se kyun aa gayi? Tumhari tabiyat theek nahi hai, Aur hum sab hai na, Raman ke liye, Raman ki family."
(Child, you saved our Ruhi's life. Thank you very much for that. But why did you come here like this? You are not well, and we are all here for Raman, we are his family)

Mr Bhalla was also looking at Ishita, but there was no puzzlement on his face, only the rekindling of a barely expressed hope. He was just turning towards her when Mrs Iyers voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Ishu kanna" Mrs Iyer came running up, throwing her arms around her daughter. "Thank you Murugan, Thank you. But Ishu, why are you here? Tum ko bed mein hona chahiye. Chalo chalo"
(Ishu, dear. Thank you Lord, thank you. But Ishu, why are you here? You should be in bed. Come, let's go)

"Yes Ishu" Mr Iyer added. "You are not well beta, aise kyun uth gayi,"
(Yes Ishu. You are not well dear. Why did you get up?)

"Amma appa" Ishita turned her teary eyes to her parents. She realised that they did not know her truth, that now was not the best time or place to break this news to them, but nothing and nobody was going to stop her from seeing her Raman. "I'm fine. Mein theek hoon. And I'm not going to bed. Mujhe Raman ko dekhna hai"
(Amma, appa, I'm fine. And I'm not going to bed. I have to see Raman)

Mrs Iyer looked at Ishita in surprise, her eyes narrowing. "Raman ko? But why kanna? Kyunki uske hi kaaran tumhara yeh haal hua hai. Lekin tum baad mein usko confront kar lena. Abhi woh bhi injured hai. Abhi tum chalo."
(You want to see Raman? Why? Because you got injured because of him. You want to confront him? But he is injured too. You talk to him later. Come now)

Ishita shook off her mother's well meant comforting arm. Her voice rose, her eyes still moist. "No amma, mujhe Raman ko confront nahi karna hai. Mujhe toh usse... Amma agar Raman ko kuch ho gaya toh mein mar jaaongi. 
(No Amma, I don't want to confront him. What I want...Amma, if anything happens to Raman, I'll die)

She turned again towards Mihika " Jeeju, Mihika, Rinki. You know. please, just let me go in"

"Ishita" Mrs Iyer exclaimed in horror, her mouth falling open. "Yeh tum kya keh rahi  ho. Vishwa, yeh kya...?"
(Ishita, what are you saying? Vishwa, just what...)

Mr Iyer was also looking at Ishita in disbelief, as his wife's voice rose in anger.

"Ishita" she was shouting now. "Tum paagal ho gayi ho kya? You are confused, tum ko nahi pata tum kya keh rahi ho. Tumhari shaadi ho rahi hai Abhi ke saath. Woh Raman Bhalla mare ya jiye, tum ko kya? 
(Ishita, have you gone mad? You are confused, you don't know what you are saying. You are getting married to Abhi. Why do you care if Raman Bhalla lives or dies?)

"Oye" Mrs Bhalla yelled out. "Mere bete ke baare mein aisa kehti hai"
(Oye, don't talk about my son like that)

Ishita clutched onto Rinki helplessly as their mothers both continued their shouting. And in the midst of this commotion the door to Raman's room opened.

*******************************************
The two mothers stopped shouting as the door opened.

Nurse Supriya stood on the threshold.

"Please" she said severely. "Be quiet. The patient is awake. He ..."

She was unable to finish her sentence as the waiting Bhallas and Iyers  barged into the room. Ishita clung to Rinki and Mihika as they followed the others in. Raman was awake. Her Raman was awake.

**********************************************
Mrs Bhalla reached the bedside first and flung her arms around her son.

"Puttar, tu theek hai na. Tu baitha kyun hai?"
(Son, are you okay? Why are you sitting up?)

"Ma, I'm fine. Aap sab yahan ho, too Ruhi kahan hai? "
(Ma, I'm fine. If you're all here, then where is Ruhi?)

"Raman" Bala called out. "Ruhi is fine. She's with Vandu"

Raman patted his mother's shoulders gently, freed himself, and then looked gratefully at Bala.
"Bala yaar, get the doctor to come and release me. I need to see Ishita now"

Ishita was standing behind the wall of Bhallas, Rinki and Mihika supporting her, her parents to the side.

She could not see Raman but she could hear his voice. Her tears had been falling unchecked and when she heard him take her name, she could not contain herself any longer.

"Raman" she called, all her longing, her desperation, her fear and relief evident in her voice.

He heard her above his mother's fevered thanks to Matarani, above the babble of his family's voices, the beeping of the medical equipment. There could have been a thousand voices in the room and he would still have heard her. He could feel her, sense her.

"Ishita" he called out.

Aa zara mere humnashi
Tham le mujhe tham le

Ishita shrugged off Rinki and Mihika's arms and stumbled forward. The Bhallas turned as she advanced, and she was finally able to see her husband.

He was sitting on the bed. His face was pale and stubbled, his hair tousled, and he had bandages on one arm, drips and monitors attached to the other. But he was alive. He was awake.

Raman saw her stumble forward, her head bandaged, her face pale, tears coursing down her cheeks. The fear that had captured him loosened its grip and for the first time since he had received the call about Ruhi, a smile lit up his face. She was awake. She was fine. She was here.

He forwarded his left hand to her, his eyes suddenly awash with tears. "Ishita" he repeated, his voice husky, trembling, with relief, need and fear.

Zindagi se haar ke
Aaya hoon mein
Mujhe tham le

The next moment she was in his arms, her arms around his neck, her face hidden in his chest, her sobs muffled as he held her close, cradling her tenderly, uncaring of the pain in his arm, unaware of the roomful of spectators.

He buried his face in her hair, drinking in her essence, letting his tears fall, even as he soothed her. She tightened her arms around him, her heart beating wildly, it's thundering echoed by his own heartbeats.

"Ramann" her voice was distorted by tears and yet it was the sweetest sound he had ever heard. "Aap theek ho na, yeh kya ho gaya?" 
(Raman, you're okay, aren't you? How did all this happen?)

"Shhh Ishita, chup. Chup. I'm fine. I'm fine baby" He tightened his good arm around her even harder, pulling her into himself even tighter. "You scared me Ishita. Darr gaya tha mein yaar. Don't you ever do this to me again, you hear?"

She pulled away slightly from his chest, looking up at him through blurry eyes.

"Aur aap bhi" she hiccuped through her tears. "Mujhe chodkar mat jaana Raman. Mein mar jaoongi."
(And you too. Don't ever leave me Raman. I'll die without you)

"Kahin nahi jaaonga" he looked deep into her eyes, trying to calm her down. "Kahin nahi"
(I'll never leave you. Never)

Gairion ke dar se, tere sheher se
Hai kasam rishta todon na

"Aiyyo Ishita" the sound of Mrs Iyers cry sliced through the otherwise silent room, where some stood with open mouths, others with smiles of satisfaction.

Ishita heard her mother and hid her face in Raman's chest again. She couldn't deal with recriminations right now. She just wanted her Raman.

Raman couldn't deal with his hysterical mother in law right then either. He dropped a tender kiss on his wife's head, then looked at the stunned audience.

"Aap sab jaaiye" he said. "I'm sorry, aap buzurkh hai, mujhe shayad aap sab se iss tarah baat nahi karna chahiye lekin mujhe apni biwi ke saath kuch waqt chahiye. So please, everyone, just leave us alone"
(Everyone out. I'm sorry, you're our elders, I know I shouldn't talk to you all like this, but I need some time with my wife. So please, everyone, just leave us alone)

"Biwi" screamed Mrs Iyer and Mrs Bhalla in unison.

"Bhai" Simmi cried out, as Romi started to chuckle, looking at his brother in admiration.

Mr Bhalla looked shocked but happy while Mr Iyer was stupefied, standing as still as a statute, as Bala took his hand. "Chalo appa" he said quietly. "I'll explain"

"Mihir" Raman addressed his young friend. "Please"

Mihir sprung into action and the still protesting stunned crowd was ushered out, with the help of Mihika, who soothed and held on to her periamma, and Rinki, who did the same with her equally stunned mother.

The door was shut and Raman was finally alone with his Ishita.

Tera rastaa mein chhodoona
Tera rastaa mein chhodoona

*************************************************************************************************************
He leaned back against the headboard again, his uninjured arm still holding her close.

She snuggled into him and slid her arms down to his chest, craving the feel of his skin, his touch. She wanted to reassure herself that he was here, he was with her.

He cradled her head, her face, caressing her cheeks, frowning at the abrasive bandage. He pulled her face up, staring intently at her.

Agar yeh hai nahin toh phir jaane pyar kya hai
Meri jeet hai tu, kisse parwah haar kya hai

"Are you okay Ishita? Honestly? Tell me jaan"

"It just hurts a little Raman. Lekin aap. How did this happen Raman?"

"The bastard had a gun. But I beat him up good and proper before he managed to get at his gun. I won't leave him Ishita. He will go to jail for what he did, and I'll get my Adi back too."

"Bahut dard ho raha hai ?" she asked softly, seeing the pain etched in his face.
(Are you in a lot of pain?)

"Hmmm. Kiss me better"

She blushed and raised her face to his, pressing her soft lips to his.

"Hey" he whispered, as he tasted the tears that mingled with her sweetness. "I'm okay baby. Stop crying now"

Zinda hoon lekin woh baat nahi hai
Hathoon mein tera jo haath nahi hai

"Kuch ho jaata toh Raman? Aap wahan gaye hi kyun theh? You know what he is like. Aap ko koi haq nahi banta ki aap khud ko aise danger mein daale. I can't live without you Raman. I can't. Aur Ruhi? Ruhi ka nahi soocha?"
(What if something had happened to you Raman? Why did you go there? You know what he us like. You have no right to put yourself in such danger. I can't live without you Raman. I can't. And Ruhi? You didn't think about Ruhi?)

"Abhi bhi lecture? Ok madam, phir se aisa nahi karoonga. And who says you are going to have to live without me? Now the cat is out of the bag too, hmm."
(I can't believe you're giving me a lecture now? Ok madam, I won't do this again. And who says you are going to have to live without me? Now the cat is out of the bag too, hmm)

"Raman" Ishita pulled away slightly and looked at her husband. "Amma, mummyji, woh na jaane kaise honge. Humme ja kar unse baat karna chahiye."
(Amma, Mummyji, How will they be feeling? We should talk to them)

"Baat karenge" he whispered, pulling her back to him. "Just stay here like this for a little while longer. There's plenty of time to talk."

Ishq ka hai naam bada
Mein ne hai kiya kaam bada
Kar ke magar adha chhodoon na
Tere rukh se yeh chehra modoon na

Tera rastaa mein chhodoon  na
Tera rastaa mein chhodoon na

********************************************
In the corridor
Ten minutes later

"Mihir, tu hat darwaaje ke saamne se"
(Mihir, get away from the door)

"Sorry Mummyji, Lekin mein aap ko andar jaane nahi doonga. I promised bhai"
(Sorry Mummyji. But I can't let you go inside. I promised Bhai)

"Mihir, tu Mummyji ko mana kar raha hai"
(Mihir, you're talking back to Mummyji?)

"Sorry Simmi Di, just give bhai and bhabhi some privacy"

"Bhabhi. What bhabi? Aiyoo Murugan, what is this. Vishwa, Vishwa.."

"Madhu, calm down Madhu"

"Amma, please"

"Bala, you don't even talk to me. Tum sab, tum sab is conspiracy mein shamil theh. Mein nahi maanti koi shaadi waadi ko. Ishita ko bulao, right now."
(Bala, you don't even talk to me. You were all involved in this conspiracy. I don't recognise any such marriage. Call Ishita here now)

The babble of voices rose again, as Mihir, Mihika, Bala and Rinki looked on helplessly. It was into this cacophony that Dr Bhavna arrived, summoned by Nurses Supriya and Anusha, who stood on either side of the doctor as she surveyed the quibbling Bhallas and Iyers.

"Quiet, please, quiet"

For a petite young woman, the doctor had a loud voice when she chose to use it, and she chose to use it now.

"This is a hospital, not your home. Please just keep the noise down. Now my nurses tell me that two of my patients are in that room, one of them demanding to be discharged and the other who went walkabout without permission. So let me in"

This last remark was directed to Mihir who stood with his hands across the door, keeping all comers at bay.

Mihir stood his ground.

"Sorry doctor, but no. Bhai said he wants some privacy"

"Bhai said?" repeated the doctor. "And who is your Bhai? Salman Khan? Let me in or I'll call security and have you thrown out."

"Mihir" Bala signalled, "let the doctor go in. I think we've given them enough time"

Mihir grinned, then catching the look on Mrs Bhalla's face, hastily suppressed his smile. He stood aside, knocking loudly as he did.

"Bhai" he called out. "Sorry, but times up"

*************************************************************************************************************
Raman's Room

Doctor Bhavna stood in front of Ramans bed, flanked by the two nurses. She glared down at Raman, who still leant against the headboard, Ishita safely cocooned in his arms, staring up at the medical team with an eyebrow cocked.

"Well?" he drawled. "So you brought reinforcements, Nurse Supriya? Kyun yaar, I thought hamari understanding thi."
(What yaar, I thought we had an understanding)

"Mr Bhalla" Doctor Bhavna drew herself to her full height. "You've just had surgery, you've lost a lot of blood, what do you think you are doing? "

"What doctor? I just wanted to see my wife" Raman turned an injured expression to the doctor, causing Ishita to giggle. The next moment she winced as the movement caused  a throbbing pain in her temple.

Her grimace did not go unnoticed, and Doctor Bhavna shook her head

"Ms Iyer" she said, addressing Ishita. "You need to be in bed, under observation. You have a head injury. Now you've seen your husband and your mothers are creating a filmy soap drama outside the door. So please, let Nurse take you back to your room. Anusha, take your patient"

Nurse Anusha stepped forward, and saw how Ishita snuggled even tighter into Ramans embrace, and how his good arm tightened around her. The nurse was a romantic young woman. Ishita's desperate track across the hospital, Raman's attempts to see her the previous night and then today, their families ignorance of their marriage - the romance of the drama had touched her heart.

She took the doctor aside and whispered. "Can't we move another bed in here doctor? If we force them apart it won't help their recovery. You said they just need observation for another day or so. Can't we keep them together?"

Doctor Bhavna pondered for a few seconds then nodded her head. She turned to Raman and Ishita and smiled.

"Mr Bhalla, Ms Iyer, you should both thank Nurse. We will move your bed in here Ms Iyer, but then I want you both to rest. I have other patients too, and the sooner you two get better and out of here, the sooner your family will too. Bahoot drama ho rahi hai."

Raman and Ishita both looked at the doctor in gratitude. "Thank you " Ishita whispered.  "Thank you so much.

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

A bed had been brought in, Ishita had been tucked in, and the doctor had departed after checking both patients and declaring herself satisfied with their progress.

Ishita had fallen asleep, the effects of sedation and the excitement of the past hour too much for her. Her hair fell across her bandaged head and face, and her breathing was even as she lay turned towards Ramans bed, his face her last view before her eyes had closed.

Raman was sitting up in his bed, staring across at his wife. He felt at peace having her so close to him, but he also knew how close they had been to losing each other. And he knew he could not live without her. His eyes brimmed with tears as they drank in the sight of her. Did she even know, he mused, just how much he loved her.

He started slightly as he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Nurse Anusha.

"She will be fine Mr Bhalla" the nurse said softly. "You need to rest too now"

Raman wiped his eyes and smiled gratefully at the nurse. "Thank you" he said, his voice husky with emotion. "For convincing the doctor to let Ishita stay here. I.. you just don't know, I love her so much, and I was so scared..."

His voice cracked and he found his eyes filling with tears again. The nurse smiled down at Raman. "Mr Bhalla, you don't need to thank me. You've been through a lot and It's better for both of you to be together. But please, don't upset yourself. Look, your wife is sleeping, so will you please just take a rest too."

Raman squeezed Nurse Anusha's  hand gratefully. "Thank you" he said again, as the nurse lowered the bed down to the sleeping position. "Remember, please no visitors until our daughter comes over in the afternoon."

"Don't worry, Mr Bhalla, I'll keep your mothers out" Nurse Anusha chuckled as she drew the sheets over Raman, then walked away to her chair in the corner.

Raman lay staring at his Ishita until sleep overcame him too. Soon, they would go home, and then, they would truly begin their lives together. Once the little problem of their families anger was resolved.

Chahat hai meri, kasoor nahi hai
Dil jasbati hai, majboor nahi hai
Sar ye bhala phoot gaya
Jism mera toot gaya
Khud se kiya waada toodoon na
Baandhoon sehra, qafan oodhoon na

*************************************************************************************************************
Meherbani nahi, tumhaara pyaar maanga hai
Tumhe manzoor hai, tabhi toh yaar maanga hai
Gairion ke dar se, tere sheher se
Hai kasam rishta todon na

Tera rastaa mein chhodoon na
Tera rastaa mein chhodoon na
Tera rastaa mein chhodoon na
Tera rastaa mein chhodoon na

Agar yeh hai nahin toh phir jaane pyar kya hai
Meri jeet hai tu, kise parwah haar kya hai
Tera rastaa chhodoon na
Chhodoon na, mein tera rasta chhodoon na

Zinda hoon lekin woh baat nahi hai
Hathoon mein tera jo haath nahi hai
Ishq ka hai naam bada
Mein ne hai kiya kaam bada
Kar ke magar adha chhodoon na
Tere rukh se yeh chehra modoon na

Tera rastaa mein chhodoon na
Tera rastaa mein chhodoon na
Tera rastaa mein chhodoon na
Tera rastaa mein chhodoon na

Chahat hai meri, kasoor nahi hai
Dil jasbati hai, majboor nahi hai
Sar ye bhala phoot gaya
Jism mera toot gaya
Khud se kiya waada toodoon na
Baandhoon sehra, qafan oodhoon na

Tera rastaa mein chhodoon na
Tera rastaa mein chhodoon na
Tera rastaa mein chhodoon na
Tera rastaa mein chhodoon na
Chhodoon na, mein tera rasta chhodoon na