Desire ✔️

Part 14 - Mein Tainu Samjhawan Ki (How Do I Explain To Thee)

Ishita woke up early the next morning.

Raman had told her that they would be making an early start, and she wanted to take a last look around before they left.

She dressed warmly and packed her few belongings in her shopping bag before she left the house.

It was close to seven am, but dawn was just breaking, and the vibrant pink hues of the clear Southern dawn soothed her soul.

As she looked back to the room, she thought again of the day before, and the aftermath of their kiss.

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Flashback - The Day Before

After the tumult of the kiss, she had fumbled with the coffees, finally making a brew she thought would do.

Taking a deep breath, and hiding her spiraling emotions behind a casual nonchalance, Ishita had gone back into the living room, just in time to see Raman return.

His eyes were downcast and he was looking everywhere but at her. Marveling at her own control, she had walked casually up to him, had handed him his coffee with a smile and had then retired to her room to change, and to give him the space she knew he wanted.

She had come out later to organise lunch and not finding Raman around, had left him a sandwich.

She had heard him later that afternoon, shouting again in his telephone, and wondered just which poor soul he was taking his frustrations out on.

For dinner she had made a proper South Indian meal, which after she had coaxed him away from his computer to the dining table, he had eaten with relish. She had noticed him casting surreptitious glances at her from time to time, and had simply smiled whenever he caught her eye.

She knew her behaviour must be puzzling him - he was probably expecting her to either demand marriage or beat him up, but she was so taken up by the discovery of her feelings that she did not want any confrontation with him.

She knew that if she spoke to him about their kiss, he would apologise and promise it would never happen again. And that she did not want.

So she pretended to be unaffected by him even though she longed to be in his arms again, longed to feel his hard body against hers, longed to continue from where they had left off, to explore further the maelstrom of emotions he had unleashed.

They did need to talk though - about Ruhi, and this was perhaps as good an opportunity as any.

"Raman" she said softly, after passing the dish of vaada to him. "Can I talk to you about something?"

"Hmm, kya hai Ishita?"  (What is it Ishita)  His voice was wary.

"What have you thought about Ruhi, Raman?"

"Ruhi?" He was startled, having expected something else. "What about Ruhi?"

"Ruhi is growing up Raman, and she needs your attention. I know your mother has brought her up, and that too wonderfully, but Ruhi needs her parent."

"I've told you about Shagun" his mouth was set in a grim line. " So how can you still say that she needs her?"

"I agree about Shagun, Raman, but I said parent. You are Ruhi's only parent and she needs you, she needs her papa."

"I'm doing the best I can Ishita, but I told you why..."

"I know Raman, but think from Ruhi's perspective. She loves you, she adores you. Try to spend a bit more time with her, do things with her."