Two weeks later
Friday 10 October 2014

The sounds of shehnai hung in the air, competing with the vigorous bhangra beats emanating from the opposite flat.

It had been like this for the past two weeks. Both Mrs Iyer and Mrs Bhalla had taken to the wedding preparations as if this were a personal battle for the supremacy of their respective cultures, with the Akash Ganga Society their battlefield, their maidan e jung.

Mrs Iyer had the upper hand of course, with the actual wedding ceremony to be held in the Shivaswaram temple according to Tamil rites. Mrs Bhalla however, had fought for and secured the rights to hold the reception "Punjabi ishtyle".

Both Raman and Ishita had kept out of their mothers plans and preparations. They both considered their court wedding to be the moment when they had trothed their selves to each other, their vows sealed by their night of passion in Rajasthan.

That passion was but a distant memory now alas, with Raman determined to keep to his promise to the Iyers that Ishita would be his only after their temple wedding. He had tried to keep his frustration at bay with work and with Adi's custody issue.

All papers had been signed and Adi was to come to them as soon as his school term ended, three weeks after the wedding. Raman considered that timing would give Ishita and him a chance to spend some time together, alone, and give Ishita the chance to adjust to life in the Bhalla melee before the next big change in their lives. He was under no illusions.

The transition for Adi from life with the Khanna's to life in the Bhalla family would be difficult. Aid had been spoiled with material things, but ignored emotionally. He was starved of love, and yet he did not know it. His mother professed to love him, but she had not hesitated to give him up in return for her husband's freedom. He would be devastated when he came to know of his mother's perfidy and Raman was determined to be there for his son, to make him see how much he was loved.

Shagun and Ashok had left for the Carribean as soon as he had been released on bail. The case would now wind on, but with Raman giving a statement that the gun had gone off by accident, and Ashoks goons paid off well to develop amnesia regarding their boss, Ashok would get off scot free.

It had pained Raman to participate in this travesty, but the pay off had been the exclusion of Shagun and Ashok from his children's lives. And that, as far as Raman was concerned, was a good exchange.

Ishita had not been quite as lucky as Raman in being able to subdue her passions with work. The first week after the accident had been spent at home, recuperating. The second week, when she had insisted and returned to work, her mother had shown up at her clinic most days, dragging her away to chose a saree or jewellery, or calling her back home to seek her opinion about one thing or another, and then forcing her to lie down and rest.

Her pleas that she was fine had fallen on deaf ears and in her enforced inactivity, her thoughts had returned time and time again to Raman. She missed him. She missed him with every pore of her being.

They had been unable to spend any time alone - his visits every evening being conducted under amma's hawk eyed gaze, her plans to slip away to his office from hers thwarted by amma every day. Ishita knew that her ammas overprotectiveness was borne out of love, but it still irked her so much.

And Raman had been so determined to conform to amma's dictate that she had been unable to spend any time alone with him. She craved for his touch, his lips on hers, his breath warming her face, his fingers caressing her.

Tomorrow was their wedding for the world to see, but for her, it was simply a renewal of the vows she had already taken. And before that renewal, she was determined to see her husband alone for a little while, to reassure him and seek reassurance for the journey ahead of them.

"This is your chance Ishita" she told herself, as amma, appa, Bala, Vandu and the assorted relatives who had descended on their homes departed to the temple with decorations. They would be gone for a few hours and luckily Mihika, who was supposed to stay with her, had just texted to say she was held up at the office. She pulled out her phone and quickly dialled Ramans number.

**************************************************
Raman's Office

Raman looked at the caller ID on his phone and signalled the overexcited staffer who had been presenting a concept to continue, stepping out of the boardroom.

"Ishita" his husky voice sent shivers down her spine.

"Raman" the sound of that huskiness, the suppressed passion in his voice reduced her to silence as always these days. She whispered his name then stayed silent, listening to his even breathing

"Kya hua?" his voice sounded amused. (What's the matter?)

She snapped back into alertness.

"Raman, I need to see you. Mujhe milna hai aap se..."

"Aaj?" He chuckled. "Kal se toh mere paas hamesha rahogi na?"
(Today? But you will be with me forever from tomorrow won't you?)

"Haan " she whispered. "Lekin mujhe aap ko kal ke liye batana hai. Aap ko maloom nahi na, temple mein sab kuch..."
(Yes, but I need to tell you something today. About the temple, you don't know...)

"Hmmm but Bala briefed me already" he responded, the smile apparent in his voice.

"Raman, why don't you want to see me? Last two weeks se mujhe avoid kar rahe ho aap. Roz sirf thodi der ke liye ghar aate ho, aur jab mein milne ke liye kehti hoon toh aap isi tarah avoid karte ho. I know I've gotten a little bit plump after the injury lekin aap kya sach mein mujhe nahi chahte ab? Toh phir yeh shaadi bhi kyun kar rahe ho?"
(Raman why don't you want to see me? You've been avoiding me for the last two weeks. You just come for a little while each day and when I ask you to meet, you make excuses. I know I've gotten a little bit plump after the injury but do you really not want me anymore? Then why are you getting married to me?)

"Bilkul paagal" he responded, cutting her short. "I've been staying away from you precisely because I can't keep my hands off you, you silly woman. And what do you mean shaadi kyun kar rahe ho? Shaadi ho gayi hai madam, this is just to please your parents. Biwi ho tum meri samjhi"
(Absolutely mad. I've been staying away from you precisely because I can't keep my hands off you, you silly woman. And what do you mean why am I getting married to you? We are already married madam, this is just to please your parents. You are my wife, understand)

A thrill ran down Ishitas spine at the possessiveness in his voice. "Can I come over?" She whispered softly. "Ghar par koi nahi hai aur I really need to see you Raman" (There's nobody at home and I really need to see you Raman)

He sighed, remembering his promise to Mrs Iyer.

"Ramann, please" she whispered, her voice silky, seductive.

He remembered that voice moaning his name in the throes of passion and he was lost.

"Come quickly" he replied.

***************************************************
An hour later

"This way ma'am" Ramans secretary gave a few covert glances at Ishita as she ushered her down the hallway to Ramans office.

She had seen the many women her boss had squired - they had all run to the same template - petite, stunningly attractive, throughly modern in dress and demeanour, always made up to the t with their immaculate coiffures and outfits.

This simple young woman with her long hair caught in a braid, minimal make up and plain salwar kameez was not what she had imagined her boss would fall for. There must be something about her, she reasoned, remembering the suppressed emotion in Ramans voice as he had instructed her to hold his calls and usher his wife straight in when she arrived.

"Lucky girl" she thought without rancour, as she knocked on Ramans door and gestured at Ishita to enter, closing the door behind her.

Ishita waited until the door clicked shut before looking up at Raman. He sat behind his desk, his hands spinning a paperweight, his eyes dark with suppressed emotion as they scanned her.

"So madam, kya baat karni thi?" (So madam what do you want to talk about?)

She blushed, then took a few steps forward.

"Woh, kal temple mein..." ( Just that, tomorrow, in the temple...) She mumbled as she stopped in front of his desk.

He gestured to her to sit. "I told you, Bala has briefed me. I know I have to wear a veshti, be at the temple at 4.00am, follow all of Balas instructions. What else do you have to tell me, Ishita?"

Ishita dropped down into a chair, clutching her dupatta nervously. "No, woh... Ruhi ...she'll stay with me tonight, then it'll be easier for me to get her dressed and ready in the morning."

"I know" he replied. "Ruhi has told me that a hundred times in the last week. Is that all?"

Ishita looked at her husband in frustration. He could be utterly maddening. She knew the longing inside her was also seething through him, could see it reflected in his eyes, in the banked up passion that his nonchalance could not quite hide.

He had not touched her for two weeks, after their discussion about Adi. He always came to see her when there were others present, sitting away from her in the living room, determined to keep his word to her mother. And that was driving her insane.

Before tomorrow, before the public ceremony that would give her entry into Bhalla house, she wanted just one more hint of the hidden passion that had marked their relationship so far.

Tomorrow their equations would change forever, but today, just once more, she wanted the thrill of being his secret inamorata, wanted the reassurance that she was desired, not out of duty, but out of passion.

She did not realise that her emotions were flashing across her face, too caught up in her own frustrations to see the darkening of his eyes, the shiver that ran through him.

"Raman" she pouted. "You know what I ..."

He pushed back his chair and stood up, combing his fingers through his short spiky hair, his other arm, now healed, pulling at his tie.

"Why are you tempting me like this hmmm?" He spoke softly as he moved around the desk, pausing in front of her chair.

Ishita closed her eyes, her face lifted in invitation. "I missed you" she said simply.

"Tomorrow" he growled, trying to hold on to his self control as her slightly opened lips beckoned to him, her lashes coal black against her fair cheeks, caressing her skin.

She opened her eyes and grabbed his tie, pulling him closer towards her.

"No" she whispered. "Now"

The next moment his hands were on her, pulling her up into his arms and crushing her to his chest.

"Damn it Ishita, I promised " he whispered, even as his lips settled on hers. Then speech became impossible as their lips became reacquainted, his hard and harsh against her softness. She strained against him, her hands deep in his hair, kneading his head, pulling him even closer, deeper within her. She sighed as she tasted him, her hunger growing as he ground his lips against hers, his hands sliding under her thin kurta to caress the bare skin on her back, pulling her harder against his chest.

Two weeks of abstinence had given their hunger an edge. She was as demanding as him, her mouth pushing against his with equal fervour, opening up to him, inviting him in. She slid her hands down his face, his neck, pulling at his collar as she tried to touch more of him.

She did not know how many minutes had passed, until the insistent knocking on the door caused him to pull away. He was breathing as hard as she was as he pushed her down into his chair, running his hand over his face, trying to compose himself. "Sit" he ordered, as he walked to the door.

It was Mihir.

"Sorry bhabhi, but Mihika says if you don't get home right now, then your amma will find out and she won't be able to save you. Mehendi aur sangeet hai na aaj sham ko. Tab bhai se jee bhar ke mil lijiye aap. Mihika says you left your car at home, so chaliye, I'll drop you."
( Sorry bhabhi, but Mihika says if you don't get home right now, then your amma will find out and she won't be able to save you. The mehendi and Sanger ceremonies are tonight, you can meet Raman to your hearts content then. Mihika says you left your car at home, so come, I'll drop you)

Mihir grinned at the mortified look on Ishitas face. "Sorry bhabhi" he repeated, holding his ears.

Ishita stood up, not able to meet Mihirs eyes. "I'll take a rickshaw, it's okay Mihir..."

"I'll take Ishita" Raman growled at Mihir. "Waise bhi Ma mujhe kab se ghar bula rahi hai. You finish up the teleconference with Dubai and then come over too. There's a lot to do."
(I'll take Ishita. Mum has been calling me to come back home for a while now. You finish up the teleconference with Dubai and then come over too. There's a lot to do.)

He took Ishitas hand in his and then smiled, his embarrassment at getting caught out subsiding into amusement. "Let's go Mrs Bhalla, before amma finds you missing and postpones our wedding."

"Bhai" Mihir called out as he moved towards the door. "Zara chehre se lipstick..."
(Bhai, take care of the lipstick on your face)

*********************************************
"Theek hai, we are home. I'll see you this evening hmmm."

Raman pulled into his parking spot, then pulled Ishita into his arms. She had been sitting with her face downcast throughout their journey, mortified at being caught out by Mihir and Mihika. He had tried to engage her in conversation, but then Mihir had called and most of the journey had been spent with his eyes on the road and his mind on his speakerphone. His embarrased wife had been sadly neglected.

"Raman, no, choddo na" she whispered now, as he nuzzled into her neck, his hands pushing aside her tresses and her dupatta as he buried his face in her soft creamy skin.

"Now it's choddo na? Half an hour ago you couldn't get enough of me and.."

She shivered and sighed, her fists flattening against his chest as she felt herself surrendering to his hot lips, his teeth nipping at her soft skin before his tongue soothed.

"Nooo..." She moaned. "Yahan...koi...dekh... Raman..."  ( Nooo.... somebody.... will ..... see..... Raman) Her arms tightened against him, pulling him closer even as she protested until a loud blast of music close by caused her to pull away again.

"Raman, no, let me go. I'm sorry, I'll see you this evening" she squirmed out of his arms and opened the door, running out and away.

Raman chuckled as he got out of the car. His sometimes shy sometimes bold wife was an enigma he just couldn't get enough of, and tommorow night couldn't come fast enough for him. He had survived the past two weeks by keeping her at bay, but she had ruined all that today. Well, thankfully, there was only this night to get through, before he would make her his again.

**********************************************
That evening
Mehendi and Sangeet

"Prasadam? Yeh kaisa prasadam hai?" (Prasadum? What kind of Prasadum is this?)

Mrs Iyer sniffed suspiciously at the fruit punch that Mihir and Romi were ladling out for the long line of guests that had come back for a second or third serve.

"Amma" Bala sidled up, summoned by Mihirs frantic grimaces in his direction. "I'll see. You go, Ishita is calling you, go, go."

Mrs Iyer gave one last suspicious look at the grooms party before stalking off to where Ishita was sitting. She knew those boys were upto no good and as for Bala, well after the way he had hidden the whole Ishita Raman marriage from her, she did not trust him an inch. But there was so much to do and... She paused as her daughter came into sight.

Ishita was the centre of a large group of young women, her beautiful deep pink kanjeevaram sari pulled up to her knees, her hands stretched in front of her, a soft smile on her face as she glanced down at the Mehendi being applied to her arms and legs. Her sisters and friends were teasing her about something and she was blushing, giggles escaping as she protested.

"Oye madrassan, tu ro kyun rahi hai?" (Oye madrassan, why are you crying?)

Mrs Iyer had not realised that tears were coursing down her cheeks until then. She wiped her face quickly, looking down at Mrs Bhalla.

"No, no, kuch nahi. Bas aise hi..." (Nothing, just like that) She mumbled, not wanting to give her feuding neighbour any ammunition against her.

To her surprise, Mrs Bhalla's smile and words were without rancour.

"Dekh madrassan, teri meri banti nahi hai. Lekin hamare bachon ko pyar ho gaya hai. Aur meri tujh se jo bhi piroblem hai, woh mein teri beti pe nahi nikalne wali. Woh hamare ghar mein bahu nahi beti ban kar rahegi."
(Listen madrassan I know we don't get along, but our children have fallen in love. Now our issues will stay between us. Don't worry about your daughter, she will be my daughter, not my daughter-in-law)

Mrs Bhalla glanced over to where Raman was sitting, noticing the way his eyes strayed constantly to Ishita, the smile that softened his eyes every time they lit upon her.

"Kabhi nahi socha tha ki uske chehre pe phir se yeh muskaan dekhoongi. Teri beti ne toh koi jaadu hi kar diya jaise."
(I never thought I'd see this smile on his face again. Your daughter has worked some kind of magic)

"Jaadu toh tere bete ne kar diya" (Its your son who is the magician) Mrs Iyer mumbled, watching as Ruhi came running up to Ishita, launching herself at her mother.

Her eyes filled with tears as she saw how Ishita settled her daughter in her lap, Ruhi's comfort more important then the Mehendi, even as the Mehendi artist and her sisters scolded her.

"Theek hai madrassan, theek hai. Tu itni shanti mental mat ho. Ab dekh, bhangra shuru ho rahi hai, tu complain mat karna samjhi." ( Ok, ok madrassan don't be so sentimental. Now look the bhangra is starting and don't you complain)

And Mrs Bhalla stalked away to hide her own tears.

************************************************
"Kya hua Ru? " Ishita asked her little daughter as she snuggled deeper into her mother's lap. "Woh dekho na kitni achi dance hai" (What's the matter Ru? Look at the dancing)

"Papa aap ko bulla rahe hai" (Papa is calling you.)
Ruhi finally delivered the message her father had entrusted her with.

Ishita looked up at Raman, meeting his eyes for the first time that evening.

She had been avidly conscious of him in his deep blue sherwani. He was easily the most handsome man in the room and his swagger made him the sexiest. She coloured as she locked eyes with him, noticing the way he touched his lips as he stared at her, his intentions unmistakeable. He gestured to the empty seat next to himself and she shook her head, holding up her hennaed hands towards him, gesturing at her decorated feet.

She gasped as he jumped up from his chair, striding purposefully toward her.

"Ruhi where are you going?" she cried as Ruhi chose that moment to jump out of her lap and run away after Shravan.

"Come sit with me" his voice was a command as he stopped in front of her seat, putting a hand out to her.

"Raman. Mehendi" she mumbled showing him her freshly painted hands, again gesturing toward her feet, even as Mihika, Vandu, Rinki and the others set up a chorus of giggles and comments.

"Fine" he responded. And then before she knew it, before she could protest, he had scooped her up into his arms, striding with her to their specially decorated seats. She blushed and hid her face in his chest, emerging only when he had settled her into her chair.

The next moment he was on the stage with Romi and Mihir, serenading her as she sat blushing, drinking in her fill of him.

Laung da lashkaara
O baby tera jaan se pyara
O baby yeh chamka dil saada
O baby deke gaya pyar yeh patialvi

O jabse dil haara
O badla mein saara ka saara
O baby ji ve gabru dildaara
O baby tera pyar ye patialvi

Patiala peg lagake nachoonga nachoonga
Patiala dhol bajake keh doonga keh doonga
Heere meri zulfen teri
Meri hathon ki yeh lakirein banti hai

Laung da lashkaara
O baby tera jaan se pyara
O baby yeh chamka dil saada
O baby deke gaya pyar yeh patialvi

Patiala peg lagake kenda hai kenda hai
Kamli milo toh chup yeh renda hai renda hai
Channa mere chaddo pare
Mishri se mithi gud se baatein yeh Kenya hai

Aisa kabhi socha na tha
Dil yunhi kho ke hi taqdeere milti hai

Laung da lashkaara
O baby tera jaan se pyara
O baby yeh chamka dil saada
O baby deke gaya pyar yeh patialvi

He came back to join her, laughing and grabbed her hand, unmindful of her Mehendi, and of their families. He had kept his word, and tomorrow, she would be his forever.

The music played on, the dancers danced on, as they sat side by side, lost in each other and the promise of the day to come.