Where Have You Been All My Life

6|In His Lap

That evening proved frustrating as the two devils kept on teasing him, silently. It was unendurable but thanks to them for keeping it a secret between them. Raman has been feeling like a fool to end up acting like a lovesick and that did not get along with his mannerisms. Lovesick! He let out a chuckle.

"You want to meet bhabhi, right bhai?" Simmi asked winking at him.

He did not express what that simple question made to him. His heart was dancing and shouting at Simmi that he indeed wants to meet Ishita but his tongue did not bother to voice it out. He could not risk it now. Another reason for them to make a fool out of him is the last thing he wants. Therefore, he kept silence and glared Simmi.

On finding him like that, Simmi cleared her throat and smacked her own head saying, "Uffo bhai...!" She sat beside him and said how she has a plan to make him meet with Ishita. He did not give a damn to her plan of bringing Ishita to Bhalla house when everyone would be sleeping. He thought it is a flop. "You do whatever you want, Simmi. I just don't care!" He said in total indifference and minded only his business.

Toshi and Ishita were talking outside their apartment building. Both met unplanned as they were out for an evening walk. Toshi had asked Om to leave her with her daughter-in-law and the old man took Mihika along with him to give them privacy. Ishita surely did feel it awkward to face Toshi, after all they never had a good talk even though she is officially her mother-in-law.

She has a feeling that Toshi wants to say something important. Maybe the matter would be something grave. Maybe it is about her and Raman's marriage. After the past two days' incidents, her mother-in-law would have felt that this is an utter waste to have a daughter-in-law like her, who could not keep her husband's child with her or she would not be able to bear one, ever! She is somewhat proved barren for them in every sense, she mused.

Her thoughts were taking a toll on her and she blurted out before Toshi could say something. "I won't divorce Raman..., mummiji, I'm sorry."

Without waiting for her reply, she turned to leave but Toshi stopped her. A minute silence prevailed before Toshi broke down telling everything regarding Raman's past with Shagun, to Ishita, that tore her. She did not expect Raman Bhalla to be such a sweet soul, who was broken, still is. She was thinking that his mother is trying to create rifts between her and her husband but in reality, she is trying to mend things. She felt blessed to have such a gem as her mother-in-law; hugged her tight, expressing how happy she is in this relationship. She for once overlooked everything else; all that she could see is, she could be happy; they could be happy.

After getting to know about Raman, Ishita started rechecking her feelings and behavior towards him. She found herself shouting at her amma for badmouthing about Raman for throwing her out of the house. She found herself stressing to the fact that Raman is her husband! She had been feeling a tingling sensation in the pit of her stomach when she came face-to-face with the reality that her husband is soft at heart. Moreover, she found he has a heart, which itself was a huge thing; a great relief.

With all these thoughts in mind, she lied in the bed and tried to sleep. However, his thoughts were overpowering all her senses and she did not like to be like a lovesick. She had thrown away the pillow and looked around. At last, she occupied the place where he has sat in the morning while checking her out and drinking the tea. He is such a devil! A shy smile spread over her face at the thought.

On the other side, Raman was busy trying to sleep. It was not just Ishita but Simmi's words that killed his sleep. He should not have showed attitude to his sister. Only if he did not, he could be able to meet his wife by now. He cursed himself and pressed a pillow on his face to sleep without Ishita's face or thoughts disturbing him, in futile.