Tum Se Hi

INTIMACY

*Mature Content Ahead*

Abhishek' POV

My baby's offer letter feels like my personal win. The fact that I get to see and be a part of her Bollywood journey from the beginning, fills my heart with joy and pride. I continue to hug her till Umran taps on my shoulder saying he sees some people coming through the entrance and that we shouldn't be getting any unwanted attention.

We sit at the breakfast table in the hotel when Sara and Shubman join us and we give them the news about Ishita's debut. Everyone is extremely happy and excited for her but we ask them to not spread the news yet as we want her to sign the contract and let the Luv Films Production officially announce it. After breakfast, Ishita and I decide to have a zoom call with both the families and cast it to the TV so we can see everybody's zoomed in reactions. Thankfully, we manage to get a hold of everyone (except my niece Amayra who went to school) and greet them.

My saasu ma: Kya hua? Tum dono ka rishta pakka karna hai kya??
Everyone starts laughing. Ishita and I look at each other with our eyebrows raised and slightly nod (a sign to tell our families about our relationship since the topic came up anyways and we feel bad about having to lie to them about it)
We smile at them and shyly nod our heads. Everyone looks at us with eyes and mouths open wide.
Komal: Really? Tum log hume bewakoof to nahi bana rahe na?
I (Abhishek): Usko kya bewakoof banana jo already hai (waah kya mast line maari hai maine)
(Ishita stares at me but I see her trying to suppress her laughter)

My dad: Sacchi? Arre Ishita beta aisa kya hai iss gadhe mein jo ye tujhe pasand aagaya?
(Ishita giggles)
My sasur ji: Main Ishita ke baare mein yahi baat Abhishek ko bolne wala tha
(I laugh and virtually high five my pyaare sasur ji)
Sonia Di: Dil khush kar dia yaar tum dono ne
My jijaji: Sach mein. You still have your game on Chote, niceee
My mom: Meri prayers ka asar ho hi gaya finally.
Yug: Dekha Abhishek jiju maine aapko bola tha na Ishita ko bahot time se aap pe crush hai.
(Ishita panics and glares at Yug through the screen who shuts his video mode off out of fear. She keeps her head down in embarrassment, looking extreme cute, and I just smile.)
My sasu ma: Chalo ji bahot badhia news di tum dono ne.

I (Abhishek): Arre Sasu Ma, abhi ek aur good news hai.
Everyone's reaction on me calling her Sasu Ma is very sweet to watch but the way they shift their reactions to shock afterwards is confusing.
Ishita instantly says: Arre nahi vo wali good news nahi. Kya yaar Abhishek tu kuch bhi bolta hai.
(And I realize what I just did because technically good news = pregnancy. I get shy as my imagination kicks in. Ishita shares her screen and shows them the offer letter)

We get very high sounds of them screaming with joy that hit right at our eardrums. All 4 of our parents have teary eyes and the others look at Ishita with so much pride.
I (Abhishek): Arre sab emotional mat ho jao ab. Ishita abhi abhi roke chup hui hai usko fir se rula doge aap sab.
Everyone giggles.
Komal: Hum sabko pre screening ki VIP tickets chahiye okay?
Ishita: Arre aap tension mat lo poora theatre book kar lenge.

We take blessings and wishes from everyone as we hang up. We discuss how it's not very normal for families to be so supportive of relationships and love but in our case, our families bonded well together and in fact wanted us to be together. We feel so grateful to be blessed with such families.

THIRD POV
After their dance videos from last night going viral, Ishita, Abhishek and Shubman are invited for an interview.
Interviewer: Welcome to our channel, #IAS trio! Did you guys know your fans gave you this tag?
Shubman: We had no idea but it's so exciting how the videos are going viral overnight.

Interviewer: I know right! Coming to the rising celebrity, how do you feel about all the attention you're getting from all over the nation, Ms.Ishita?
Ishita: It definitely feels surreal! When I moved from the US, all I wanted was Bombay to treat me with just a little bit of love so I stay motivated but the fact that my journey is going so so great makes me feel overwhelmed. This is just the first step though. I have a very long way to go but I am very thankful to all the people who are showering their love and support for me.