Desire ✔️

Part 4 : Itefaaq ( Coincidences)

"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine"
- Casablanca

Ishita remained in the reclining position he had put her into, her mouth open in shock. With her hoodie down, her long hair cascaded around her face, framing that perfect oval which was coloured pink by the cold.

Raman had stilled the moment he saw her face, realised who she was. One hand was still on her hair, his face so close to hers that he could feel her quickened breathing.

"I..I mean aap" she said, slightly louder this time. "Yahan? (Here?) What...what are you doing in New Zealand?"

Raman jerked his hand away and stood up abruptly, disturbed at the effect she was having on him. It was always this way, right from their first meeting. Whether she was screaming at him; or telling him how mean and nasty and unethical he was; or lecturing him on how to be a better father- her presence always left him uneasy, as though there was some past connection he needed to explore, some bond he couldn't find a name for. Hate, it was hate. He had told himself that countless times.

He looked down at her now, her breath agitated as she stared up at him.

"I could ask you the same question" he retorted. " what are you doing here? Are you stalking me?"

"Stalking you?" she shrieked as she sat up, feeling at a disadvantage with him towering over her.

The sudden movement made her dizzy, and she clutched at her head, thoughts of a screaming match with her nemesis disappearing.

Raman looked at her in contrition and quickly knelt beside her.

"Ishita, I'm sorry, take it easy. You were in an accident, you were knocked out and you may have concussion. Look, I'm here with Mihir to meet a client, I'm sure you have a perfectly good reason too. We can talk about that later. Just rest for now."

"Mihir?" Ishita asked weakly. "But Mihika said Mihir had gone to Singapore. And Ruhi said you had gone to America. And where is Mihir?"

"Oh Lord, the interrogation starts again" Raman mumbled inaudibly, then raising his voice " Ruhi thinks overseas means America, because all she wants to do is to go to Disneyland. And we did go to Singapore, but then the company Chairman wanted us to meet him here, so we came here. And Mihir is in Christchurch. And now if that answers your questions, I want you to rest while I make us some hot tea."

And so saying, he stalked off to the kitchen, leaving a bemused Ishita behind.

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Raman filled up the hot water jug, frowning as he opened the cupboards looking for tea and sugar. These years of enforced bachelorhood had at least taught him how to look after the basics for himself, but he hoped that they weren't going to be snowed in here, because he was damned if he would cook and clean for any injured female, especially that female.

The sound of his mobile phone interrupted his preparations, and he quickly pulled it out of his pocket. MIHIR - the display read.

"Bhai" Mihirs excited voice came down the line as Raman pressed the screen to accept the call. "Are you okay? Are you in the house? Aap theek toh hai na Bhai? ( You're all right, aren't you Bhai?) "

"Yes Mihir, I'm fine, but there's a massive snow storm here. Where are you?"

"Bhai, I'm in Christchurch. All flights to the West Coast have been cancelled, and the Lake Matheson Local Area Council just called Mr Mehta's properties manager. They were checking to see whether anyone was at the chalet. Bhai, the area is totally snowed in. The road to Lake Matheson is closed, it's un passable now. I should have let you come to Christchurch with me Bhai. I'm so sorry."