Desire ✔️

Part 89: Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka Naata Koi

7 am - The Next Morning
Ishita's Bedroom

"Turn around bhabhi, let me see"

Rinki cast a critical eye over Ishita as she pirouetted dutifully for her sister in law. She had come over ten minutes earlier with three of her shalwar suits and they had both agreed on the one that Ishita was to wear that day.

"Perfect Bhabhi" Rinki smiled and leaned back against the headboard of Ishita's bed, Ishaan in her arms. The baby also looked with appreciation at his mother, who was looking very much a conservative young corporate professional in Rinki's raw silk black and white shalwar, her hair pulled back into a ponytail, light nude makeup on her face. "Look Ishaan" Rinki smiled down adoringly at her nephew. "Doesn't your mumma look pretty?"

"Pretty different" Ishita said critically as she gave herself a last look in the dressing table mirror.

"Ga ga ga" her son called out, stretching his arms towards his mother. Ishita smiled tenderly at her baby, walking up to the bed and taking him from Rinki.

"Thank you Rinki, for the clothes and for the tips you gave me last night. I have no idea about the intricacies of marketing and public relations, but at least you've given me some ideas. I just hope Raman..." Her voice trailed off uncertainly, and she cuddled her son close to her. The previous night, after having convinced Mihir about what she wanted to do, Ishita had called Rinki over to get some ideas about how to tackle her new make believe role of Raman's Executive Assistant.

"Don't worry bhabi" Rinki got up from the bed and gave Ishita a sympathetic hug, before chucking Ishaan on his chin. "You'll do just fine. Shweta will help you, and besides, it's only for a few days. Just make bhai remember and then everything can get back to normal. We miss you three so much. I know you're just next door but it's not the same. Accha bhabi, I have to go and get ready for work. Call me anytime during the day, huh?"

Rinki gave a quick kiss to Ishaan and then walked out, as Ishita moved back towards the bed.

"If only it was that easy Rinki" she said softly to herself as she put Ishaan down on her bed. "I don't know how much I can achieve in a few days. But I have to try" She looked down at her wide eyed son, and then glanced at her little daughter, still fast asleep in her crib. They both looked so much like Raman, and they both reminded her so much of him. "For all our sakes" she whispered. "I have to try."

9 AM
@RKB Marketing Office

"Thank you for doing this Shweta" Ishita said nervously, as Raman's PA explained their filing system to her. "I mean, for coming in early, and explaining all this. It's so good of you, I...."

"Please don't say thank you ma'am" Shweta said sympathetically. "And don't worry. I will help you in any way I can, and so will all the others. I'll brief them all as they come in. We all just want Raman sir to get totally fine again."

Ishita nodded, gulping back sudden tears. She remembered how she had walked in on Raman and Shweta when she was pregnant, when Shweta had been trying to relieve Raman's muscle spasm, and all the drama that had followed. She had been so unreasonable and her Raavan had handled her with so much love. And now....

Shweta saw the play of emotions on Ishita's face, and realized that Mrs Bhalla was thinking of Mr Bhalla. 

"Sir has an external meeting with Mihir sir at 9.30 ma'am" she continued, hoping to distract Ishita. "They will go straight there but they should be back by eleven, so we have two hours to go through everything. I've asked the peon to set your desk next to mine, but I'll schedule you into all meetings that Mr Bhalla has, so you'll spend most of your time here. So if you'll just see here.." She motioned to the files she had taken out and Ishita blinked back her tears before giving Shweta her attention. Raman would be here by eleven. She had to be ready to face him.