In love?

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

The whole house was gushing with happiness to see Adi gelling well with them. He was treating Ruhi nicely and interacting respectfully with other members. Though he was a bit awkward with Ishita, she handled him with patience. She extended a hand of friendship which Adi expected. He slowly began sharing his things with Ruhi and was becoming friendlier with Ishita.

One afternoon, Ishita received Raman's message that he wanted her to come at a specific spa. When she reached there, she was welcomed like a princess giving a bouquet of white lilies and a note. It was a note from Raman-
Madrasan, kaisa laga surprise? I am sure achha hi laga hoga. So have a relaxing spa session! Love you!!
Raavan Kumar.
(Madrasan, did you like the surprise? I am sure you did! So have a relaxing spa session! Love you!!
Raavan Kumar.)

After the massage, the attendant gave her a parcel. It was a beautiful pink saree, again with a note-
Dearest Jhansi ki Rani, I love you in your kapdon ki thaan! Toh jaldi se yeh pehno aur tayyar ho jao. Aur haan, makeup karte waqt jyada blush mat lagana, today you will know what is natural blush!
Raavan Kumar.
(Dearest Jhansi ki Rani, I love you in your sarees. So get ready fast. No need to use a blush-on while doing the makeup. Today you will know what is a 'natural blush'.
Raavan Kumar)

I: (self thought) Yeh Raman ka chal kya raha hain! Mujhe laga tha ki sirf spa ka surprise hain... par yeh toh... Oh God! Main toh abhi se blush kar rahi hoon!
(Oh God! What's Raman up to? I thought the surprise is just about the spa. But all this is indeed making me blush.)

She gets ready with minimal makeup, ling earrings and open, flowing hair. Sticking to being 'Ishima', she called up Mummyji to ask about Adi and Ruhi's day and other household details. Just then, the spa attendant came to tell her that a car was waiting for her. She was pretty sure it was Raman and ran out to the parking only to find his driver in the car and not him.

D: Madamji, sahab ne kaha hain aapko pick karne ko.
(Sir has instructed me to pick you.)

I: (irritated) Achha? Kyun, sahab nahi aa sakte the?
(Ohh! And why couldn't your sir come for this?)

D: Woh toh pata nahi.
(No idea ma'am.)

As she sat in the car, she found another gift wrapped packet. She was sweetly surprised and overwhelmed to see a collage of pictures of every important day of their life. It had Ruhi's memories, Adi's comeback, sweet moments with the whole family-Iyyers and Bhallas. In the centre, there were pictures of Raman and Ishita together- wedding pictures, pictures from many parties and events. And the note attached to it said-

Hey Ishita,
Just wanted to say that I love you!
Mujhe pata hain ki tumhe pick karne ke liye main nahi aaya isliye kos rahi ho tum mujhe, par kehte hain na, save the best for the last!
Yeh saari jo tasweeren hain, yeh woh pal hain jo tumhari wajah se bohot khaas huye hain. Reminisce them before we meet. Kyunki aaj jab hum milenge, toh we won't ponder over our past. Sirf unki khoobsoorat yaadein lekar chal padenge, uss kal ki oar jahan sirf hum, humare bachhe, humare khushhaal parivaar, humari khushiyan aur bohot saara pyaar hoga.
Come fast dear! Tum nahi jaanti tumhara khayal bhi meri dhadkane kitni tej karta hain!
Love you!
Yours, only yours, and forever yours,
Raman.
(Hey Ishita,
Just wanted to say 'I love you'.
I know you must be very irritated to know that I have not come to pick you up, but save the best for the last.
These pictures portray the bond of love you have with everyone in our family. I am blessed with these lovely moments only because of you. So, reminisce them before we meet. Because once we meet today, we are not going to ponder on our past, but walk towards a beautiful life full of love, joy and happiness.
So come fast dear, the wait is getting tougher for me.
Love you!
Yours, only yours, and forever yours,
Raman.)

Her eyes were brimming with tears while she hugged the frame and the note to her heart.

Soon, they reached a secluded area where there was a place setup for a perfect romantic date. It was decorated with red roses, lilies, aromatic candles, and a bottle of champagne.

Ishita was mesmerized to see the arrangements when a pair of hands blindfolded her and led her to the centre. She was about to speak something when a soothing voice said 'I love you' and there started a shower of rose petals on her. She opened her eyes only to see Raman standing before her in his hot black tuxedo, perfectly gelled hair and his enticing fragrance.

I: Raman...

R: (smiles) Kaisa laga?
(Did you like it?)

I: (smiling and blushing) Beautiful!!! Yeh itna sab kyun?
(Beautiful! But what was the need of all this?)

R: Tumhe batane ke liye ki main tumse kitna pyaar karta hoon.
(Because I wanted to let you know how much I love you.)

I: Raman... I know... and I love you too!

R: Ishita, thank you! Thank you for coming in my life. (kissed her right cheek)
Thank you for making Ruhi so happy and bringing her close to me. (kissed her left cheek)
Thank you mujhe mere past ke saath itne caringly and lovingly accept karne ke liye. (kissed her nose)
Thank you for being the best bahu to my family, best friend to Adi and best mother to Ruhi. (kissed her forehead)
And thank you for loving me and accepting my love. Thank you for making me live my life again and for making me realize the meaning of love in every true sense. Meri zinadagi mein pyaar, roshni aur jaan lane ke liye, thank you!
Saying so, he claimed her lips. The kiss was soft, soothing and full of love, care, trust for each other.

I: Thank you Raman, meri zinadagi mein aakar mujhe itni khushiyan dene ke liye.
(Thank you Raman, for giving me all the happiness of my life.)

R: (keeps a finger on her mouth) Shhh... Aaj ka thank you ka silsila ab bas.
(Shhh... Now let's put this thanksgiving ceremony to rest.)

Both smile and Raman led Ishita to the table and served food for the both of them. It had all of Ishita's favourite cuisines. Before starting to have food, he brought a cake which they cut together and fed each other. After the meal, he opened the bottle of champagne and poured it in two glasses.

I: Raman, main peeti nahi...
(Raman, I don't drink.)

R: Ishita, tum pee chuki ho.
(Ishita, you have drunk earlier.)

Both laugh remembering old incidents when Ishita had accidently got drunk.

I: Aur meri haalat bohot kharaab hoti hain.
(And my inebriated state is too bad.)

R: Toh main sambhal loonga. Itna toh bharosa kar sakti ho na mujh pe?
(In that case, you can trust me for handling you well.)

I: (with a serious expression) Main aap pe bhagwan se bhi jyaada bharosa karti hoon. Aur ab mujhe koi shaq nahi hain, kisi bhi baat ko leke.
(I completely trust you and so, now I don't have any inhibitions regarding anything.)

R: (realizing what she was trying to say) Matlab...?! Ab tum...
(You mean...)

I: I am ready. I want to become yours in every sense. Toh uss din adhoora chhut gaya, use main ab poora karna chahti hoon.
(I am ready. I want to become yours in every sense. I want to complete something that I had left incomplete the other day.)

R: Aur main sirf aur sirf tumhara hoon aur tumhara hi kehlana chahta hoon. I want to be Ishita's Raman.
(And even I want to become yours in every sense. I want to be Ishita's Raman.)

Both hugged each other and Raman picked up Ishita walking to a room which promised happiness, togetherness for eternity.