That night, Raman and Ishita did not consummate their marriage. They just slept together holding hands. But the feeling of togetherness, security, affection and most importantly love was impeccable. The next morning was bright and full of love. Raman hugged Ishita and wished a good morning. That made the butterflies in her stomach dance. She had never experienced this feeling of comfort and lifelong commitment. Although she was seeing Subbu, he never accepted her completely including her flaws. But on the other side was Raman who stood tall by her in all tough and happy times. He embraced her disability to have a child with utmost care. And now the icing on the cake was that he loved her back! Ishita was on cloud nine.
I: (blushing) Good morning.
R: Itna pheeka-pheeka? (So plain?)
I: (hits him playfully) Stop teasing me.
Saying so, she kissed him on his cheek. Raman was happily surprised.
R: Kya baat hain Madrasan, kaafi bold ho gayi ho! But, on a second thought, why just the cheek always? Hum aage bhi toh badh sakte hain!
(Wow! You are turning really bold! But, on a second thought, why just the cheek always?)
I: (again blushes) Haan, haan... Woh sab baad mein... (We will do the rest afterwards.)
R: Kyun abhi kyun nahi? (Why not now?)
I: Kyunki abhi aap ko pick karna hain Adi ko hospital. Uska discharge karwana hain. (Because now you are going to the hospital to pick Adi up as he is getting discharged.)
R: Oh! Yaa! How could I forget, maine toh jagat-maata se shaadi ki hain! Par tum bhi chal rahi ho mere saath. And you know what, that's what I love the most about you! In fact, I love you yaar!
(Oh! Yaa! How could I forget,I have married everyone's God mother! But I am not going alone. You are accompanying me. And you know what, that's what I love the most about you! In fact, I love you dear!)
I: (smiling) I love you too!
After some time, Raman and Ishita reach the hospital. Adi was sitting alone in the room. Though he was feeling good to see Raman-Ishita, he was sad as he was anticipating Shagun.
R: Good morning Adi. Feeling better?
A: Yaa, much better.
R: Shagun kahan gayi? (Where's Shagun?)
A: Woh mumma ko kal raat apne kisi friend ka call aaya tha that she is unwell. So she has gone to help her. (Yesterday night mom got some friend's call that she was unwell. So she has gone to help her.)
Just then Raman's phone beeped with a message from some social media account. Raman showed Adi the picture.
R: Adi beta, yeh Roshni mumma ki friend hain na? (Roshni is Shagun's friend, right?)
A: Yaa, woh kal unhi ke paas gayi thi. (Yaa, she had gone to her place yesterday.)
R: (shows the picture) Iss liye? (For this?)
It was a picture of Shagun partying with her friends. Adi was extremely disheartened to see his dear mumma partying when her own son was lying on hospital bed. Ishita kept her hand on Adi's shoulder.
I: It's okay Adi, shayad mumma ka wahan jaana jaroori hoga. Come on champ! Dekho main breakfast mein kya layi hoon. All of your favourite oil-free Punjabi dishes jo tum abhi kha sakte ho.
(It's okay Adi. Let it be. Come on champ! See I have brought all of your favourite oil-free Punjabi dishes for your breakfast which are allowed for you right now.)
Adi smiled faintly.
A: Wow! Thank you Ishita aunty. Lekin aap ko kaise pata yeh sab mujhe pasand hain? (But how did you know about it?)
I: Tumhare papa ne bataya. Raman ne. (Your dad- Raman told me.)
A: (to Raman) Aap ko yaad tha? (You remember this?)
R: Mere bete ki pasand main bhool sakta hoon kya kabhi? (Of course I remember. I won't ever forget my son's likings.)
Ishita and Raman's good nature and affection got Adi thinking. He naturally compared them to Shagun.
Raman and Ishita went to Ashok's place to drop Adi. As soon as they entered, Shagun came out shouting.
S: Raman Bhalla, tumhari himmat kaise huyi uske khilaaf police complaint karne ki. (How dare you get Ashok arrested?)
R: Shagun, tumhe pata bhi nahi hain ki usne kya kiya tha Mihika ke saath. (Shagun, you don't even know what Ashok did to Mihika.)
S: Oh just shut up! I don't even want to know. Mere Ashok ko to main police se chhuda ke rahungi. (I will get my Ashok released from jail.) By hook or by crook!
I: You are simply ridiculous Shagun.
Adi who was witnessing all this spoke.
A: Kya hua hain Ashok dad ko? Unhone kya kiya Mihika aunty ke saath?
(What did Ashok dad do to Mihika aunty?)
R: Adi beta, yeh badon ke beech ki baat hain. Hum suljha lenge. You don't worry.
(Adi, this is an elders' topic. You don't need to worry about it.)
I: Yaa Adi. Aap upar apne room mein jao and take rest. Aur dawaiyan lo time pe. (Yaa Adi, you go to your room and take rest. Have medicines on time.) And if you need any help, we are just a call away.
S: (shouts) Enough Ishita. Adi beta, go to your room. (Adi goes) Mujhe apne bete ka khayal rakhna aata hain. (I know how to take care of my son.)
R: By partying hard till late night when your son is admitted in hospital?
Shagun's face fell while Raman continued.
R: Ashok ko toh main kisi haal mein bahar nikalne doonga nahi Shagun. Tum chahe jo karlo, woh apne hisse ki saja jaroor bhugtega. (I definitely won't let Ashok come out of the jail so easily. He has to get the punishment he rightly deserves.)
Saying so, Raman-Ishita left.
-At night, in Ishra bedroom.
I: Raman aap ne Adi ko kyun bataya Shagun ke party ke baare mein? (Why did you tell Adi about Shagun's lie regarding the party last night.) He was so heart broken.
R: Ishita, main Adi ko andhere mein nahi rakhna chahta. Main use dikhana chahta hoon ki jis Ashok aur Shagun par woh aankh band karke bharosa karta hain, asal mein woh galat hain. They are bad people and Adi should understand this. If his heart breaks seeing all this, then so be it. Probably, that's the only way leading him to truth.
(Ishita, I don't want to keep Adi in the dark and let Ashok and Shagun play games with his mind and heart. He should know that both of them are bad and wrong. If his heart breaks seeing all this, then so be it. Probably, that's the only way leading him to truth.)
I: I really hope woh sachhai dekhe aur aap ka pyaar bhi samajh jaaye. Aakhir aap hi ka beta hain, ek na ek din aap ke paas wapas aa hi jayega, I am sure.
(I really hope Adi understands the truth as soon as possible. Your son should come back to you.)
R: (in an irritated tone) Yeh kya aap ka beta-aap ka beta laga rakha hain. Adi humara beta hain, okay. Jaise Ruhi humari beti hain, bilkul waise hi. And look at the brighter side. Aaj Adi ne tum se bilkul badtameezi nahi ki. Uska ravaiyya badal raha hain.
(What's this new rant that Adi is my son. He is 'our' son just the way Ruhi is ours. Did you observe that today Adi was behaving so well with you. He did not snap at you or shove you away?)
I: I saw that and I was so happy. Bas Adi humare paas wapas aa jaye, phir toh humari family complete ho jayegi.
( I saw that and I was so happy. Our Adi should come back to our house and in our lives. Our family will be complete.)
R: Yes! Chalo, let's dream about it. (laughs) I mean chalo sote hain. (Yes. Come, let's go to sleep.) (after a pause) Humari life mein aur bhi bohot kuchh khoobsurat hona baaki hain waise.
(By the way, there is something even more beautiful coming our way, in our life.)
(winks at her)
Ishita blushed and Raman pulled her closer. He planted a soft kiss on her forhead.
R: I love you!
I: I definitely love you more!
Both laughed and smiled together, hugged each other happily.
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FanfictionIt is a story after the incident when Raman jokingly tells Ishita that he loves her just to give her a wrist massage without her attention.
