Desire ✔️

Part 44: Aa Dekhe Zara

Aakash Ganga Society
5.00pm

It had been difficult. It had taken a great deal of cajoling on the part of both Raman and Ishita. But finally their mothers had agreed. Mrs Bhalla, to inviting the Iyers to celebrate Ruhi's custody win with them. And Mrs Iyer, to accepting the invitation.

"Sirf Ruhi ke liye" Mrs Bhalla had said huffily to her son.

"Only for Ruhi, Ishita" Mrs Iyer had unknowingly echoed her Punjabi neighbour.

The invitation itself had been made in the middle of the common space between their two apartments. No mans land, Ishita thought resignedly as she stood just outside her doorway, trying not to laugh at the looks on the faces of both her mother and mother in law. Still, they had agreed to spend time together, in one room, and that was a start.

Mihika had been a tougher nut to crack.

Ishita had called her at work soon after leaving court, and Mihika had immediately vetoed the idea of attending a function with " those crazy Bhallas", but once again, Ishita had used the emotional blackmail of Ruhi to get her to agree. And perhaps the knowledge that Mihir would be there too played a large role in Mihika's assent.

She had been suspicious though. " Why do you want to go akka? And why is this Rinki so chummy with you these days, huh?" For Ruhi, Ishita had responded. It was for Ruhi, and that's why she was friendly with Rinki, who was a lovely girl nonetheless, and why she wanted to attend her celebration. So Mihika had relented. Besides, Ishita suspected that her cousin was now ready to forgive her boyfriend for not taking her out with him the previous Sunday, after having kept up her one-sided estrangement with Mihir all week.

Raman's siblings had been busy at work in the Aakash Ganga community hall for much of the afternoon, decorating the room for Ruhi's celebration. Raman and Mihir had joined them after a brief sojourn at the office, Raman declaring that the occasion demanded a break from the humdrum of work. Ishita too had made the excuse of cancelled appointments to join in the preparations, happy to be around her little family.

Even Bala, informed about the wonderful news by Ishita, had come straight to Mayur Vihar after picking up Shravu from school, and had offered to help for a little while before leaving to pick up Vandita. And of course they would all attend tonight, Ishita, he had assured her. He would convince her Vandu akka.

Bala had joined Raman and the others in the hall, and although Simmi's baleful glare and caustic tongue had banished Ishita when she had gone over to enquire if she could help, Bala was made of stronger stuff and had disregarded Simmi. He was now busy with the decorations, hanging up enough pink balloons to gladden Ruhi's little heart.

Seeing Simi's hostility, and not wanting to do or say anything to blight this special day, Ishita had decided to stay outside with Ruhi and Shravu. She was now happily playing soccer with them, refereeing the two little combatants who seemed more interested in kicking each other than the ball.

Raman had stepped outside the hall to take a phone call when he noticed his wife, their daughter and her nephew at play. His responses to his client grew perfunctory as he watched them, his eyes misty with happiness.

Ishita was running after a giggling Ruhi, who had picked up the soccer ball in her hands, and the loudly whining Shravu. Her hair was flying around her face, her dupatta, tied around her slim waist, flapping as she ran. She looked beautiful, ethereal, and as he watched, she caught up with Ruhi and pounced on her, their giggles drowning out Shravu's complaints.

"Mr Ali, I'll call you back" Raman switched off the call and stared at his loves instead. "Thank you Matarani" he whispered. "Thank you"

"Papa" Ruhi had noticed him and called him over now, and he strolled over to join them.