Hello hello!
Back with an update. Thank you for your lovely comments appreciating the previous chapters. They really inspire me to keep writing and keep you guessing about whats going to happen next.. Lol! I still have a lot of people sending me buddy requests on this ID. Once again, if you would like PMs for the updates, please buddy Neet006. Thank you.
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Cheers,
Neet
Chapter 12
Ishita stepped into the bathroom and turned on the shower in full force. As the water glided over her skin, she couldn't help but remember the feel of Raman's lips against her skin. The grazing of his stubble, the smoothness of his lips - there wasn't an inch of her that he hadn't touched, kissed and loved. Her own body seemed like an imprint of him. Like she had been an empty canvas and he had painted her in his colors. In another time, in another place, Ishita knew she would have regretted what happened between them. But right here, right now, she did not regret anything. Except for maybe the fact that Raman did not know the whole truth. In a way, she had used him.. To get rid of her past, of her pain, to steal from life what was not in her destiny. Should she tell him? She wondered. Would he understand? Would it make a difference? No. They were here together only for a short while. Beyond here and now, like she'd just told him, they would go their own ways. Despite everything that happened between them, they were after all strangers in each others' lives. No, he need not know, she decided.
***
To say breakfast was awkward was an understatement. Raman kept gazing at her from beneath hooded eyes and Ishita looked anywhere but at him. She looked so gorgeous in that simple white Punjabi suit. Her damp hair framed her face and Raman had to fight down the urge to bury his face in her long tresses like he had done last night. Try as he might, he couldn't get last night out of his head. Memories kept playing in his head - the feel of her soft skin, the teasing smell of her fragrance, her artless abandon in giving herself up to him, the soft sighs of pleasure, that single tear from the corner of her eye when he'd buried himself in her. More than anything, the way he'd felt losing himself in her - the moment had been nothing like he'd ever experienced before.. He couldn't forget anything.
Ishita was aware of Raman's intense gaze on her and she focused all her attention on her sandwich. At least tried to. Her mind seemed hell bent on wandering to the events of the previous night. She had asked Raman to forget it all and move on, tried to sound casual about it but only she knew how difficult it was for her. Her first and last time being loved. How could one forget that? She wondered.
He couldn't just sit here and pretend everything was normal! He needed some fresh air. He needed to get away from her for a while so he could think clearly. That's when he remembered. He had to let Inspector Singh know about the phone call they made yesterday. He hadn't followed Abhi's instructions and if their security had been compromised because of it, Inspector Singh had every right to know. And it was the perfect excuse to get away from her. He pulled his chair back and got up. "I am heading over to the Singhs," he announced to no one in particular. Ishita simply nodded her head and watched him walk away.
***
"Raman! How could you do that? You could have at least talked to me about it. I would have gotten you a phone with a private number that cannot be traced!" Mr. Singh exclaimed. "I am sorry. I didn't think you would agree. Ishita.. She was so upset.." Raman replied. Mr. Singh shook his head and sighed, "I can understand. Its very difficult to watch the one you love in pain. You only did what any loving husband would do. Don't worry. I won't tell DGP sir about this. I'll add extra personnel for your security right away, okay?" "Thank you," Raman replied.
Just then, Mrs. Singh came in with a tray of tea and refreshments. "Raman, why didn't Ishita come with you? You should have brought her along too," she said as she placed the tray on the coffee table and handed Raman his tea. "Oh silly me! Ishita is the one who likes masala chai, right? You drink black coffee. Ishita had told me about it. Somehow I got it messed up and brought you masala chai. Wait a minute. I'll bring you coffee," Mrs. Singh said as she started to take away the tea cup. "No Mrs. Singh! Its.. Its fine. I'll have masala chai," Raman took the tea cup from her hand. "Are you sure? It won't take me more than two minutes to make you coffee," Mrs. Singh asked. "Yes I am," he said. "Would you like some sugar?" she asked.
Masala chai. Two teaspoons of sugar.
"Two teaspoons please," Raman said with a loving smile on his face. Mrs. Singh added sugar into his tea and Raman sipped at it. Good heavens! It was so sweet! How on earth did she drink this concoction? Raman wondered. And why the heck was he drinking it now? He was about to set his cup aside but then he saw the eager-to-please look on Mrs. Singh's face. He gulped down the tea in one go and smiled at her. "It was perfect," he complimented her. That brought a delightful grin on Mrs. Singh's face. "Would you like some more?" she asked. Raman shook his head in horror. "No, no.. I am.. I am good. I am going to head out. Ishita is alone at home," he said getting up quickly.
"But beta, you haven't even eaten anything. Wait, let me pack this up for you. Ishita and you can have it later," Mrs. Singh replied as she headed to the kitchen. "Like I said Raman, don't worry. I will have extra security for you arranged immediately, okay? And wait for a second," Mr. Singh said as he went inside. He was back a few moments later with a pager like device. "Here, keep this with you. I think it'll be useful for you. It's a new system that the Department is testing out for intra-department communication. I hear its already in use in the big cities. If and when you are in an emergency, press this red button once and then press and hold this button with three white dots till the device buzzes. It will automatically transmit your location to the control room. I will ask them to keep an eye out for messages from this device," he explained. "Wow, this looks like a pretty cool device," Raman said examining it. "Technology I tell you," Mr. Singh replied.
Just then, Mrs. Singh returned with the packed food. Raman quickly pocketed the device and smiled at her. "Raman, here you go," she said handing him the package. "Oh and I forgot to tell you. They are having the annual festival at the Jhula Devi temple tonight. Ishita and you should definitely come!" she added. "Jhula Devi Temple?" Raman asked curiously. "It's a locally legend. Long ago, the people here used to be troubled by wild animals like leopards, tigers and panthers. So the people of the area prayed to Maa Durga for their protection. It is said that Maa Durga appeared in a shepherd's dream. She was sitting on a swing and told him to that there was an ancient idol of Maa Durga buried at a certain spot. She asked him to find the idol and build a temple at that spot and she would forever protect the land and its people. The shepherd dug the spot that Maa Durga had mentioned and found her idol. A temple was built there and the idol there is placed on a swing. Hence, the name Jhula Devi," Mr. Singh filled Raman in on the history of the temple.
"Yes and the deity there is very powerful. Maa Jhula Devi grants you anything you ask of Her. Whenever a wish is fulfilled, you have to come back and tie a bell on the wall of the temple. All the walls of the temple are covered with bells. Every few months, the priests of the temple have to untie the old bells on one or more of the walls and make space for the new ones," Mrs. Singh added. "For such a small place, Ranikhet seems to be full of stories," Raman commented. "All of these are legends, passed down from generation to generation," Mrs. Singh said smiling. "So be ready by 4. We'll leave before sunset so that we can join in lighting the diyas around the temple. It's a beautiful sight to see the temple decked in the light of the diyas under the full moon light." Raman nodded his head and headed out.
***
"Ishita puttar, you are looking gorgeous today!" Mrs. Singh exclaimed later that afternoon when Ishita and Raman went over to the Singhs before heading over to the Jhula Devi Temple. Ishita smiled and looked away. Raman went to talk to the security guards and driver. Mrs. Singh took the opportunity to pull Ishita aside. "Ishita puttar, I hope you don't mind me saying this, but today.. Today you really look like a newly wed bride," she said excitedly. Ishita looked at her puzzled. "Ever since you came here, I've been searching for that.. for that glow on your face.. you know.. the glow of a newly wed, the glow of love. But somehow I always found it missing," she paused. "Don't get me wrong. I know both of you love each other a lot. But today, I can see it in the glow of your face, in that blush you are trying to hide." She pulled Ishita into a tight hug. "Something tells me that your love has found fulfilment and no one could be happier for you than I am." When she pulled away from the hug, both of them had tears in their eyes. "I am sorry if I am acting like an emotional fool. You remind me so much of my own daughter," Mrs. Singh said wiping away her tears. "No.. No.. Its.. Its alright. Please don't say sorry. If I haven't missed my Amma here, its because of you," Ishita said.
"Why are the two of you crying as if this is your last meeting or something?" Raman asked watching them from a few steps away. Mrs. Singh and Ishita stepped away and simply smiled at each other.
Women! Raman thought as they all sat in the jeep.
***
Anupamaa
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