I Never Searched, But I Found You

Part 27

The next morning

Raman woke up from his son"s babbling . He looked around and remembered last night. He must have fallen asleep. Then he saw Ishita lying next to him, sleeping.He had slept peacefully tonight for the first time since Ishita left.

R: Shhh , We don't want to wake Munma, my boy.
Adi smiled.
Raman got up and picked Adi up. Then he went to the changing table to change Adi's diapers. After that he quietly left the room with Adi in his arms. Amma stood in the kitchen and Appa sat at the table and read his newspaper.

A: Raman, you here ?
R: Good Morning Amma, Good Morning Appa
A: AP: Good Morning
R: I made Adi fall asleep, last night and I guess, I fell asleep myself

Amma looked at him questioningly

R: I saw Ishita standing with Adi on the balcony and wanted to say good night to him.
A: Where is Ishita ?
Raman was a bit embarrassed
R: She is still sleeping

Mihika came out of her room
M: Good Morning, Jeeju ? what are you doing here so early ? Did you sleep in your suit ?
Amma smiled
A: Sit down Raman I make you breakfast and bring you coffee. Mhika, are you preparing Adi"s baby milk?
M: Yes

Amma and Mhika were busy in the kitchen. Raman and Appa were sitting at the table. Adi whined, he was hungry.

Ishita woke up and she looked to the other side of the bed. " Adi"! She got up quickly and ran out of the room.

Everyone was sitting at the table at breakfast and looked at her. She looked at Raman who fed Adi with baby milk. She murmured a "good morning" and went back into the room.

M: What's going on here ?
A: Eat your breakfast

After Ishita brushed her teeth, she came back. She gave Raman his phone.
R: I've already searched
I: It was in bed, she muttered

M: One second, did you sleep here Jeeju?
R: Yes, with my son
M: And Akka
I: He fell asleep and I wanted to sleep with you, but your room was locked. Why are you locked your room ?
M: That was your luck

Ishita gave Mhika a warning look. Mihika smiled sweetly.

Adi is ready fed
R: My boy is already so big and strong

Ishita gets Mani's call and asks Raman will he have toast and butter.  He sees Mani's call and gets angry. She says she is giving breakfast to Raman, "message me if its important". Raman looks on seeing his value down. In between all this, she is getting texts after texts from Mani.

Raman kisses Adi and hands him to Ishita
R: I'm not hungry, Thanks Amma for the coffee. I'll go now and get ready for the office. Raman left

M: Akka, I think Jeeju was not very happy, because of Mani
Ishita smiled in amusement
I: I know
********************************************
Raman came in

Mrs.B : Where have you been all night ? You did not say anything. You know, that we worry, if we do not hear from you.
Mr.B :  We tried to reach you, but your phone was off. Mihir said he brought you home and your car is parked.

R: Maa, Papa calm down, I was with Adi, I fell asleep

Mrs.B and Mr.B looked at each other and smiled. Raman went upstairs to get ready for the office.

When he was in the shower, he thought of Ishita and this Mani. Mani's phone calls and messages to his wife disturbed him enormously. ...
********************************************
Raman sat with Mihir in his  office.
MH: Bhai, Whats wrong, You look so annoyed.
R: I swear, I'll break this mani's face.
MH: Are you talking about Ishita Bhabhi's friends ?
R: Yes, He goes out for dinner with her, he calls her and writes her messages.
MH: You are jealous!

Raman looked at Mihir silently

MH: Your wife is a young attractive woman, so it goes without saying, that men are interested in her.
R: But she is my wife and no other man has the right to show interest in her.
MH: Why are you separated then ? I know you married her because of the child, but I think you have fallen in love with your wife.

R: I do not know, I've never been in love.
MH: Maybe you need a while to realize it and hopefully it will not be too late.

Raman felt a sense of loss
********************************************
When Raman came back from the office .He saw Adi with his parents.
R: My boy is here
Adi laughed with joy. Mrs.Bhalla handed Adi to Raman and he cuddled with his son.
A little later there was a knock on the door and Raman opened it. It was Ishita who wanted to pick up Adi .

She was very nicely dressed and looked adorable.
Mrs.B : Puttar back so early? I would have brought Adi to your mother.
R: Back ? Where have you been ?
I: I was in the coffee shop with Mani

Raman got angry
R: Maa, please bring Adi to Amma. Ishita and I have something to talk about.

He grabbed Ishita by the arm and went outside with her. When they arrived downstairs,he turned her to himself.

R:How dare you ?!
he said loudly
R: You are still my wife and I don't allow you, to meet another man.
I: You do not allow me?
R: Yes, what does this Mani think about going out with a married woman ? What does he want from you?
I: Oh, I see
R: What ?
I: Your ego, your ego does not allow it

Raman was so angry, that he felt his blood was boiling.

R: Listen, Ishita, I don't like it when you meet another man
I: This is just Mani, my childhood friend
R: Still another man, and I do not like him
I: I like him

Raman grabbed Ishita by both arms and pulled her close

R: does not irritate me !
I: You hurt me

He noticed that he was holding her tight and let her go.

I: You don't  want me, but nobody else can have me ?
R: Ishita look
I: My and Mani's relationship to each other is friendship. I have no interest in another man. But don't think that I'll wait for you all my life.!

With that she let him stand and went into the building, before he saw her tears.

Raman stood there and thought "is she right"?

R: I don't want her, but I don't want anyone else to have her ? Is Mihir maybe right ? Did I fall in love with my wife ?
But  Why Does It Hurt So Bad ?!

To be continued