Taking the longer route, all the way around the golf course, the manicured gardens, the gigantic pool and barbecue area, Raman finally reached the gazebo. It loomed in front; wherein visible were two figures, seated beyond the white, trellis fence.
Raman stopped, drinking in the sight. The weary parched traveler finally saw his oasis. His hungry eyes drank in the beautiful girl adorned in peach coloured traditional ensemble.
The beautiful, black hair, through which Raman longed to run his hands, rustled gently in the wind. Mesmerized, Raman gazed at the pure line of rosy cheeks, the pert nose that crinkled a little at the top when she smiled.
God, she is all I ever need, how could I have been so friggin blind?' Raman voiced his regret, for the time wasted.
The breeze seemed to carry his words. Ishita lifted her head, shiftily slightly to peer at the slope, near the gazebo surged from the heart to the eyes.
Ishita and Raman's eyes met, and the rest of the world just fell away. For what seemed like an eternity, they shared at each other... eventually Ishita looked away, flustered and breathless.
Raman grinned, the smile spilling out of his face. With arms outstretched in true Bollywood style he wanted to run to her
However, he forced himself to saunter... at full tilt. Unfortunately, they were not alone.
Oh Gish!' Ishita whispered, cupping warm cheeks with cold trembling hands. Why is Raman looking at me like that? Crap, he knows, he saw it in my face, she panicked.
Are you alright?' Subbu the prospective groom, concerned, came closer. He felt her forehead.
Raman controlled the raging jealousy. Everything alright?' he asked, entering the gazebo.
Oh hi! You are Raman Bhalla?' the other man put his hand forward.
Ten on ten, but who are you?' Raman reluctantly, shook the proffered hand.
I am Subbu, SubRamanium Iyer. I am here to meet Ishita,' Subbu spoke the last part, glancing at Ishita with a sense of ownership.
Bh@#%! Yeh toh pakka mara!' Raman decided. However, all that was trivial.
I am gone for merely two months and you are ready to get yourself married off?' Raman softly accused, feasting his eyes on Ishita, the decided love of his life.
Ishita could not bring herself to look at Raman. Even her voice was gone, so made no response.
Ishita!' Raman took her name softly, almost like a caress. He was completely lost to that face.
Ishita! Ishita!' Subbu called out jarringly, forcing himself between her and Raman. I dont think she is feeling alright. Anyway, we are done; I have asked her whatever I needed to.'
Ishita's bent head, jerked up. Raman flashed a wicked smile, thinking, good going jackass! He languidly flopped on the marble bench, all set to enjoy the show.
In a marriage, the woman and the man are equal; it is not a contract between an employer and a slave,' scowling, Ishita said, emphasizing on every spoken word.
What do you mean?' Subbu asked, taken aback by the tone and expression.
What do you mean by "we are done, I have asker her whatever I needed to"? this is not all about you, I have few questions too.' Ishita got up, ticked off by the apparent chauvinism.
Subbu sputtered, I just meant...'
What did you mean?' Ishita heckled.
Ya dude! What did you mean?' Raman egged.
You please stay out of this!' Ishita pointedly told Raman off.
Everything you say!' Raman spoke lightly, but there was nothing light about the way he stared at her. Ishita experienced sudden shortness of breath; with extreme effort, she moved her eyes to Subbu.
I don't know what you are upset about? I came here to see you -
Ishita cut Subbu off, You came here to see me. What am i? the eighth wonder of the world?'
All I was trying to say is that traditionally the boy...' Subbu stammered, red faced.
Oh please! Traditions? Sure! Who made these stifling traditions? Men like you! If a woman can give birth, feed her child from body parts and provide for her family, she is no way less than man... if not more!' Ishita declared, righteously.
Subbu gave a stifled laugh; it sounded more like the squeal of a slaughtered pig. But you need man to have a child.'
You need women to provide you womb and obviously you haven't heard of sperm backs,' was Ishita's disdainful reply. Raman with some effort killed the cackle, tripping his throat.
Ishita continued, This is a meeting between two individuals, with equal rights to questions and decision. In fact, my first and only decision as far as you are concerned is that this,' she pointed fingers at Subbu and herself, is ending right here, right now!'
Stomping her foot, Ishita huffed off in the general direction of the house.
Subbu, bewildered, gawked after her. What did I say?' he mumbled, siting down next to Raman.
Raman clucked in fake sympathy, for his gender brethren. understanding this species is like solving the mystery of Bermuda triangle or the Yeti. No one can do!'
You heard what I said. Where did I go wrong?' Subbu quizzed, rubbing his head.
I didn't see anything wrong with what you said. Maybe it's the time of the month for her, who knows?' straight-faced, Raman offered. Anyway, best of lyck with the next one.' He stood up.
Do you think she'll say no? maybe I should meet Ishita, again, to make her understand my POV. You don't come across such a beautiful girl everyday.'
A twenty-one-gun salute went off in Raman's head. Manner conspiring, he said, What a shrew! Imagine waking up to that every morning.'
I know! Imagine waking up to that every morning,' Subbu almost drooled repeating Raman's words.
What the f*** is wrong with you? The lady has made herself clear. Get off my property and stay away from Ishita. I mean it!' Raman shouted at the other man. Subbu appeared apoplectic.
Raman, too, headed inside, winding back to the area where his mother and the other women sat. he spied Ishita there; she was speaking softly to the match mongers, emphatically shaking her head.
Raman murmured, The ducks are lined, time to make my move before some other idiot comes along.'
At that precise moment, Ishita looked up and potted him. Raman gazed at her, his eyes devouring her face. Instantly she mellowed. Ishita broke the eye contact; her already flushed cheeks tinged warmer.
Raman leaned against the adjoining wall, continuing to gaze at Ishita, his look intent, a soft smile on his lips.
Magnetically, or because of some pull yet undiscovered by science, Ishita again glanced at him. Raman gently brought his lips close and blew Ishita a kiss.
The soulful eyes widened, briefly, and then Ishita hastily averted her face, not before Raman saw the nervous smile.
What is happening?' Ishita whispered, anxiously. Her heart raced, breath rushing out in short gasps. Some strong emotion was taking over, forcing her in Raman's direction. Ishita could not help but peek again but Raman was gone. Disconcerted, she looked around, her eyes searching the milieu of people.
Just then, the buzz of the cell distracted Ishita. She glanced down, crazy cow' flashed across the screen. Excuse me, excuse me.' Ishita repeated repeatedly, as she parted the crowds to reach the sanctuary of the house.
Shags hold on! I have to talk you. Give me a minute. Are you there' Ishita asked, her voice rose because of the din.
I am here, but cant say the same for my ears. Your yelling scared the off.'
Sorry, there are too many people here. Hold on.' Ishita slipped in one of the guest rooms on the first floor. She glanced around; it appeared unoccupied. Ishita closed the door after her. Shags, there is something really weird going on!'
You said yes to that Subbu or what?' Shagun asked.
Urgh! Please! He was quite a sad, totally zit ridden, rotten apple,' Ishita denounced. Standing near the window, she scanned the crowds below.
So then what's the big deal?'
He's back!' Ishita squeaked.
Who's back?' Shagun shot back, puzzled.
Ishita's voice became a whisper. He, shags. He! The man himself and he is behaving sun-rose-in-the-west kind of strangely.' Ishita happened to glance over her shoulders, the words died in her mouth. Super canary shit!
An amused, Raman stood at the threshold.
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Yiy!!! 100+ pages i m dancing!!!
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