ALWAYS THERE

Part 13

Ishita was beautifully dressed in a simple white saree with golden border and golden dangler earrings. She had decorated the house just the way Raman loves- with scented candles and flowers. She had made it a point that the food was according to Raman's choice. She had prepared every cuisine herself not letting the househelp do any job. There was Palak Paneer, Butter Chicken and all of Raman's favourite dishes laid out on the table.

S: Wow, Ishu, kya preparations kiye hain!

I: Achhe lag rahe hain na? Sab Raman ke liye!

S: Good going! Ab main chalta hoon. Mere ek friend ke ghar aaj main dinner pe ja raha hoon kyunki mujhe kabab mein haddi nahi banana.

I: (laughing lightly) Okay, bye.

Subbu left and within a couple of minutes, Ishita could sense that Raman had arrived. She didn't feel the need to turn around and confirm his presence for no one else could make her heart beat that fast and turn her world upside down, all at once.
She had been through the worst. But, now was a new dawn for her. A new chance to start her life afresh with her loved ones. She just wanted to hear it from Raman once that he wanted her back in his life. And in no time, she would run to him, never to leave him ever again.

Raman walked up to her where she was standing with her back facing him.

R: Hi Ishita!

I: (slowly) Raman, aap aa gaye!

R: Of course, tumne bulaya aur main aa gaya!

I: Aapko kuchh batana hain...

R: Lekin usse pehle mujhe tumhe kuchh dikhana hain...

She turned around to see a beautiful, young girl walking in wearing a pretty blue onepiece dress. She was truly an epitome of elegance, Ishita thought. Her generous smile made Ishita return it with equal courteousness.
But what stood ahead was a storm which Ishita could not have imagined about in the worst of her nightmares.

R: Meet Ms. Sana Malhotra, Mr. Chhabra ki cousin sister.

I: Hi! But yeh yahan...?

Sana: Actually, my brother, Mr. Chhabra, I am sure you know him, wants us to get married.

Ishita was shell shocked would be an understatement.

I: (almost shouting) Lekin Raman ki shaadi ho chuki hain!

S: I know, but his wife left him 2 years ago. And who doesn't deserve another chance. Raman is a great man, so, we can certainly give it a try. And I am sure that woman must be a jerk to have left Raman. She didn't value both Raman and their marriage.

R: (looking at Ishita) Sana, you are absolutely right. Kuchh logon shaadi aur relationships ke maayne samajh hi nahi paate. Bas yuhin chhod kar chale jaate hain.
And by the way, Ishita, Mr. Chhabra asked me to take her out on a date. And you invited me for dinner. So, I thought, why not convert it into a double date. Tumhare ghar mein hain, so obviously you and Subbu and me and Sana!

Ishita could see her world been torn down right in front of her eyes and fell absolutely numb. She just wanted the earth to open up and take her in. That was the only way she could save herself from the pain she felt. Those two years full of invasive treatments on her, the excrutiating pain of leaving her loved ones back and meeting Raman the night before as strangers at a party felt nothing as compared to the thorns of Raman's actions hurting her.

I: (tearfully) Enough Raman, just stop it!

R: Galat kya kaha maine? Aur tumhare aankhon mein aansoo kyun hain?

S: Haan Ishita, why are you crying? I know you and Raman already know each other but there's nothing to worry about. Ab Raman aage badhna chahta hain, and I will always be there for him.

I: (angrily) You don't need to be!

Saying so, she stormed to her room while Raman kept looking at her with eyes full of inscrutable emotions.

R: (self talk) Ishita, tumne mere saath bohot galat kiya. You wronged me for no mistake of mine. Ab dekho, main kya karta hoon...