Desire ✔️

Part 43: Itti Si Hasee ( A Little Laughter)

Friday 11 September 2014
6.00am
Iyer Residence

Ishita woke up early on Friday morning.

The anxiety which festered deep within her had led to a restless night. She knew Raman would be in the same boat. After seeing Shagun on Wednesday, seeing the way Ruhi had reacted to her, Ishita wholeheartedly shared Raman's conviction that Ruhi needed to be kept as far away from Shagun as possible.

Thursday had passed by in a blur.

Raman had been busy with the Mehta project, and they had reassured each other by phone but had not been able to meet.

Ishita had been to Ruhi's school at lunch time and had spoken to her teacher, but Mrs Khan had reassured her that Ruhi was fine and not disturbed.

At least that had been a relief, and yet, the anxiety remained, lingered.

What would the court decide today? Would the Judge order a hearing? Or would she ask them to settle the case, based on the case workers report?

"Please Murugan" she whispered, running a nervous hand over her hair as she stepped out of bed. "Please let everything be just fine today."

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9.00 am
Bhalla Residence

Raman stood in front of the little mandir in his home, his head bowed. He did not pray often, in fact, since Shagun had left him, he had rarely prayed at all. God had stopped answering his prayers a long time ago, but since Ishita had come into his life, a little spark of belief, of faith, had reawakened.

He opened his eyes to see his parents standing close by, looking at him with concern.

"Raman, puttar, hum bhi chalte hai na court" (Raman, son, we will come to court with you too)

His mothers voice was laced with the anxiety he could see in his fathers eyes.

"Ma, aaj sunwai nahi hai. Yeh sirf judge ke saamne pehli case conference hai, settlement explore karne ke liye. Agar...agar sunwai hui, toh aap sab zaroor aayenge, lekin abhi sirf Ruhi ki parents se court milna chahti hai" (Ma, the hearing isn't on today. It's just a case conference to explore settlement. If...if a hearing does take place, then you all will definitely come. But at the moment, the court just wants to meet Ruhi's parents)

"Lekin puttar, hum wahan aa toh sakte hai na, tumhe support karne ke liye" (But son, at least we can be there for you, support you)

Raman hugged his mother briefly, then shook his head.

"Aap mujhe support kar rahe ho na Ma, Ruhi ki itni achi tarah se parwarish karke. Aap dono ke bina yeh paanch saal mein kya karta? Lekin, aaj court mat aaiye . Aap sab rahoge toh Ruhi anxious ho jayegi. Aap jaanti hai na Ma, aap kitna drama karti hai. Rinki hai, who Ruhi ke saath rahegi."
(You are supporting me Ma, by bringing up Ruhi so well. What would I have done without you these past five years? But don't come to court today Ma. Ruhi will get more anxious if she sees you all there. You have to admit Ma that you do create a lot of drama. Rinki will be there with Ruhi, let it be)

"Theek hai Raman" Mr Bhalla said in a resigned voice. "Jaisa tum chaho" (Okay Raman. Whatever you want)

"Ten o clock ki time hai papa, hum chalte hai" (We need to be there at 10.00 papa. We'll take your leave now)

Raman bent down and touched his parents feet. Then calling Ruhi and Rinki, he straightened his shoulders and his usual mask slid over his face. He needed to hold it together, but soon she would be with him. And she would be his anchor.