New SS: Love.... Pt33B pg143 13/07 - Page 86

Iyer household

Ishita closed the door behind her, plunging the room in further darkness. The lines from Alanis Morrisette's song, Ironic- imagine meeting the man of your dreams and then his beautiful wife', strummed in her head.

Not switching the lights, she moved straight fro the beanbag in the corner. Flopping down, she dialed a number on her cell. Few rings later, someone answered it. Ishita immediately blurted, I just met his fiance.'

Describe her?' Shagun' tone was sympathetic.

Totally fugly!'

I knew it!' Shagun retorted and the ventured a soft, Really?'

Exhaling, Ishita confessed, Quite a stunner and sophisticated to the T. but her hindi is atrocious!'

Dang! How are you doing?'

Not too well!' Ishita whispered, as tears welled in her eyes. There was a comforting silence between old friends.

Maybe it is time, for you also to move on. You have to accept that Raman and you are not getting back.' Shagun, as she uttered the words.

Do I have to?' Ishita moaned.

Yes darling, why live in the murky past and overlook a future, which could be so bright?'

Don't BS me!' Ishita bawled.

I am not BSing and you know that. Just put yourself out there, and live your life you deserve. Are you still there?' Shagun asked.

I am here! Maybe you are right. This is not end of the world,' Ishita said, wiping her tears.

You are crying, aren't you?'

No more,' Ishita said, vehemently. You are right shags! I should now focus only on myself. I cant throw my life away and for what, someone who doesn't give a damn.'

Exactly! All those lofty claims of loving you? Well it did not take much for him to believe the worst of you. In fact, if I were you, I'd be thanking my stars that I escaped what could have been a worst mistake of my life!' Shagun spoke, like a true TV evangelist - blood curdling loud and forceful.

You are right! Its true; I may have actually been saved from the worst mistake of my life!' Ishita replied. Like a fanatic - zealous and brain dead.

Now keep saying that over and over till you fall asleep. And mark my words tomorrow you'll be like new,' Shagun bolstered.

I shall do just that. Thank you my friend.'

You go girl, you are now cured!' Shagun declared.

Yes! Yes! I agree, I am cured... totally and completely cured.' Ishita hollered. Charged, the two best friends ended the call.

Raman could have been the worst mistake of my life! Ishita chanted, as she brushed her teeth =, donned her night suit, applied the moisturizer and finally slipped in the bed. About to turn the bedside light off, her eyes fell on the crystal love birds at the nightstand.

Self-worth and Mata Shagun's gyaan went for a toss, as Ishita sobbing, threw herself in the pillow. The hot, scalding tears came in truckloads. Some minutes later, her cell buzzed. Ishita rolled over and picked it up.

Crying?' Shagun asked, softly.

Bawling,' was Ishita's drained reply.

Babes, it is over,' Shagun quietly reinforced.

You say that word once again and I swear I'll come to your house and personally strangle you.' Ishita whispered, hoarsely.

Her heart and spirit tanked to the centre of the earth, one could not go lower than that.

Shagun made a sound, please Ishu, be strong. Do you want me to come over? I can! And this time it is free of any ulterior motives.' Shagun was notorious for having Ishita drive her around, and do her errands on the pretext of spending quality time together.

I'll be fine. I promise! This is my last night of grieving,' Ishita assured, sniffling.

Bhalla Mansion

Raman glimpsed Tanya enter the room. He smiled, but went back to reading his emails.

So how come you didn't marry her>' Tanya lobbed at him.

Who are you taking about?' Raman questioned, faking ignorance.

Ishita?' Tanya asked her tone chirpy yet expression cagey.

Why... should i?' Raman turned the question into a challenge.

Well for one your family dotes on her, and she is not so bad in the looks department either.'

DO you think your looks, are the only reason that I'm marrying you?' Raman countered, suavely.

We aren't talking about me.'

Shouldn't we be? You want me to talk about other women?' Raman innocently egged.

Tanya flashed him a exasperated look. Why is it so hard to get a straight answer from you?'

Getting up, Raman walked over to window overlooking the garden. The light of the full moon bathed everything silver. Even the water in the fountains appeared sliver tipped as it frothed and bounced making tinkling noises.

Raman, are you going to say something?' Tanya was determined to get her answers.

Ishita and I, few years back, had a brief relationship.' Raman mouthed the words, he had already phrased. Women had sixth sense bout such things and nieghbour's house (pun intended).

So you had a fling with her?' Tanya gave Raman a way out.

Raman did not take it. No, it was a relationship!' the silence stretched between them.

Tanya spoke up. So what happened? Why did it end?'

Raman turned to face her, Dad passed away and soon I realized that Ishita was not the girl I thought her to be.'

Tanya tried closing the distance between them. Sidestepping her, Raman went to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a drink. His bitterness was better lfet with him. Shortly, we moved away. Ishita and I drifted apart till we completely lost touch.'

And then you came back and bought the company she works in?' Tanya honed.

Don't read too much into it. I just needed a place to work from,' Raman replied, observing the golden liquid swirling in the glass. And god's honest truth is that she and I keep out of each other's way.'

At least that part was true. It has been ten days since he had met or seen Ishita.

Work related travel and Tanya kept him busy. However, in the office, whenever he turned a corner and happened to hear her voice or smell her perfume, Raman forced his feet to tread in the other direction. However, his thoughts were harder to redirect, so he had given up.

I hope you are marrying me for the right reasons?' Tanya asked, moving in front of Raman. Her usual doting expression had disappeared.

The reasons couldn't be more right!'

Those better included love and insatiable lust,' Tanya grinned, but her eyes were wishful.

Raman's mouth, creased in a crooked smile. Come here and I'll prove it to you,' he voiced, putting the glass down on the mantle.

No ways! I am tired. But I promise you shall get a chance, soon!' Tanya said, moving towards the door. Please let Raman lunge across, bury me in his arms and kiss me senseless, Tanya prayed silently.

Whatever makes you comfortable?' Raman replied. Some of the tension left his shoulders.

Entering the lavish guest room she occupied, Tanya murmured, With me Raman is so placid, like a heart that never races or a river which never overflows... was he like that with Ishita too?'

-------------------------

thank u

sushma