New SS: Love.... Pt33B pg143 13/07 - Page 96

Ishita unnoticed by others, quietly excited the hall. The incessant questioning by Mrs Behl and her coterie, the strangling smell of perfumes and the loud chatter got to her. Speedily, Ishita made her way to the other side of the house - the softly lit and tranquil, koi pond beckoned her. Muted sounds of shehani fell on her ears and the pleasant breeze teased her hair.

Settling on the overlooking bench, Ishita observed the fishes, quietly, dart through lotus stems and weeds. Want to trade places with me? Im drowning here!' she whispered to the sea life below her. The fishes darted away from her. Even the slowpoke tortoise dived off a rock it was resting on.

Good choice.' Deeply breathing in the cool air, Ishita embraced the calmness of the night.

Why? It's the belle of the ball herself!' Raman drawled emerging from the shadows. Surprised, Ishita choked on her breath and hacked loudly.

Raman, swiftly, closed the distance between them. He alternately parted and stroked Ishita's back.

Alarmed by Raman's nearness and the effect of his hand ishita was quick to get to her feet and scramble some distance away. What are you doing here?' she piped, on finally getting her voice back.

In case you haven't noticed, I do live here.'

Whatever!' Ishita mouthed stepping forward, intending to get back in the house. Eager to escape.

Raman moved in front, blocking her way.

What are you doing?' Ishita exclaimed, stepping back.

Why, the hurry to get inside... missing all the groupies?' Raman stepped closer, his eyes glittering.

I have no clue what you are talking about!' Ishita arched her brow, haughtily.

I am talking about the numerous silly women and their equally moronic sons, all fawning over you. Maybe you should pass out copies of your resume,' Raman jeered, lowering on the bench, Ishita had just been on. He stretched his legs out, effectively preventing her flight.

Good idea. Let me get working on that!' Ishita responded, flippantly. She attempted going around him.

Raman shot to his feet, this time too close for comfort. You like that Raghav chap, don't you? I saw you talking and giggling with him. He probably told you the size of his bank balance!' ishita's determined efforts of avoiding him infuriated Raman.

Raman listen to me -.

Slinging an arm around her waist, Raman tugged Ishita close, so close that their bodies touched. If you want, I could give him tips on how to make you purr!' he taunted.

Why bother? I am sure Mani is more of an expert than you!' Ishita blurted out. How dare Raman throw that part of our relationship in my face, she thought incensed.

How would you know? Is he, also, a part of your sordid past?' Raman snarled, tightening his grip on Ishita.

Stop it! Let me go!' Ishita screamed, wrestling to free herself. In the struggle, she lost her footing. Raman tried steadying her, instead, accidentally, bumped her on the shoulder. Ishita fell hard against the bench.

Damn! Are you alright?' Raman muttered, contrite. He reached out to help.

Don't touch me!' Ishita shrieked, slapping Raman's hands away. Feverishly, she got to her feet. Tears of anger stinging her eyes!

I am sorry!' Raman whispered, extending his hands out to touch her face.

Ishita smacked his hands hard. Possessed, she bellowed, 'you have achieved success and affluence more than one can imagine. The woman of your dreams is yours for taking! And from me you've exacted revenge. Then why the hell, cant you leave me alone? Why Raman?'

Raman had no smart wisecrack forthcoming this time. His eyes appeared muddled.

I have enough of your nonsense! I, too, have moved on, and you'll just have to deal with it.' Ishita brushed her tears away. Livid, she stepped around him and this time Raman did not come in her way.

Swiftly, Ishita went into the house. She did not stop there, only increased her pace. Through the house, into the driveway, she now ran. The need to increase the physical distance between her and Raman swarmed her. Once inside her room with the door bolted, only did Ishita pause.

Tossing her jewelry on the vanity, she rammed her nightdress over her head. The expensive traditional outfit lay in a heap on the floor. She then went onto scrub her face, clear it of every trace of makeup. Taking the weight off her shaky legs, Ishita final collapsed on the bed and made a call. ''Appa, its me---

Why are you calling me from your cell? Where are you?' Vishwa demanded.

I am at home! I am OKAY, but cant say the same about my dress. I spilled some food on them,' Ishita lied, keeping her voice light.

Fine, so you are coming back after changing them?'

No Appa! I have had enough of Mrs Behl and the gang. I think ill all it a night.'

I saw the bevy of your admirers. Sadly, quite a few middle aged women!' Vishwa teased.

Ha ha ha! Anyway, just let amma know that im off to bed,' Ishita said.

Shall I send her over?' vishwa asked.

Ishita instantly, declined the suggestion. NO! please no! if amma comes here she will want to know, each little detail of every conversation that I had tonight.'

Fine! Then you go to bed. I'll be home soon, after the announcement of Raman's engagement.'

Cool! Goodnight appa.' Ishita ended the call. The hot tears burning behind her eyes trickled out.

An hour or so later, fireworks went off in the adjoining house. A drained Ishita heard them. Why does a breaking heart make no noise? Thinking, she closed her tired eyes.

Bhalla mansion: 4:01 am

SanToshi Bhalla tossed and turned on the bed,, any trace of sleep miles away. Questions ran amok in her mind. Why did Raman behave the way he did today? Maybe I should tell him everything?

Her thoughts stood interrupted, by the sound of soft footfalls on the staircase. A few minutes later, came the sounds of the front dorr opening and then quickly shutting.

Getting out of her bed, Toshi hurriedly donned her night gown. Opening the door of her room, she peered out. The whole house appeared shrouded in the darkness. Just then, she heard the garage open and a car purred on the driveway.

Toshi ran down the stairs and yanked open the front door, only to catch glimpse of Raman's Reveton Lamborghini (an engagement gift of Mihir and Mihika) exit the driveway.

Mystified, Toshi made her way to Raman's room and switched the lights on. The bed was empty; the door to the gigantic walk-in closet stood open.. his last night's suit lay on the floor.

Mrs Bhalla was about to exit the room to get Raman, when a large yellow post-it, stuck in the middle of the headboard distracted her to read, without her glasses.

It read:

I am going away for a few days, to straighten my head out. I will not be available to anyone.

Mom and Tanya - on my return, I shall quietly take all the verbal abuse, you both heap on me.

MB - simone has all the details of my meetings, video and con call, as well as the paperwork on the ongoing projects. Thank s in advance for filling in for me.

Bhabhi- you and your ten children should take ample rest ad stay away form the stairs.

Raman.

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Continued in next post

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Again, you have been crying?' Shagun, entering their shared office, next morning.

Nah! Just passed a sleepless night,' Ishita hedged. Shagun did not push her.

Even I didn't sleep well last night!' the other girl returned.

Shags, are you alright?' Ishita asked.

Ya, im fine. Why?'

You just accepted what I said at face value; no volleys of abuses and threats of total barbadi. Are you sure you are okay?'

I am fine kulta! Just a few cowebs ... all clear now,' Shagun responded, symbolically clawing the air in front of her. Where did you disappear proof to last night?'

I went home, because I spilled some food on my clothes. And the really didn't feel like coming back to the madness,' Ishita replied.

You do know the announcement of the engagement, did not happen as planned?' Shagun hummed.

You're kidding? I heard the fireworks!' Ishita said, surprised. I order to avoid her parents, pressing ice packs to her swollen lids, she had left the house, at an unearthly hour.

The inpending baby became the reason for all that noise and smoke pollution,' Shagun replied, dryly.

But why wasn't the engagement announced?' Ishita asked. MB had made grand preparations for the announcement. Gold-plated, lotus-shaped, cards were to be handed out to the guests with the date and venue of the engagement. Truckloads of finest champagne shipped and stored. After the fireworks, few Bollywood stars would do the unthinkable dance to their songs, for no apparent reason other than moolah.

Shagun's voice broke in. For the longest time no one could locate Raman. Finally, they found him... Completely sloshed, near the pool. Mihir and a few others actually carried him to his room.'

Oh wow!' Ishita breathed, stumped. Just then, her cell buzzed. The room was filled with the signature song of a form-over-content remake, of a content-over-form classic, Mujhko pehchaan lo mein hoon don!'

Yes mom?' Ishita answered. After mouthing, What?', How would I know?', Wow!' and I'll call you if I hear something!' she hung up.

That was the most cryptic and one-sided, conversation I've ever heard. What was all that about?' Shagun demanded.

Seems Raman has gone off! All by himself to no one knows where,' Ishita shared, frowning.

Now I am sure, solid khichdi pakk rahi hai! You suddenly leave the party... Raman gets all drunk and now he lurks off into a self-imposed exile. Puke it out! What happened between the two of you last night?' Shagun grilled, positioning herself on Ishita's desk.

Few imperious raps on the door interrupted the two friends. Go away, who ever it is!' Shagun hollered. The door swung open, to reveal Tanya poised in all her finery.

Hi Tanya, do come in.' quickly, Ishita got to her feet.

I would like to speak to you... in private,' Tanya stiffly informed, still standing at the threshold.

Ishita glanced at shagun. Sure!' her friend muttered, heading out of her room. Childishly, she made a rude sign behind Tanya's back.

Have a seat,' Ishita warmly offered.

Tanya lowered herself. After taking in the cluttered cabin, her eyes settled on Ishita. Irked by the silent scrutiny, Ishita murmured, Is everything alright?'

You tell me?' Tanya riposted, like a B grade detective in a C grade movie. Ishita immediately knew that Tanya knew that Ishita knew. About what? About Raman's abrupt departure! (keep up people/)

I'm sure he'll be back and everything will be it was,' Ishita said, awkwardly

I am sure Raman will come back. However, there is something I would like to change. I don't like it as it is!' Tanya replied, firly.

As if her fiance wasn't enough, now this phirangi lalitha Pawar, will also have to be suffered?' Ishita's conscience, muttered.

What would you like to change?' Ishita asked, politely.

You!' Tanya simple answered.

Excuse me?'

I want you to change. Actually, not change, just stay away from Raman and his family,' tnaya asserted, leaning closer.

Even though I don't figure in any equation with Raman.'

Not just one crow but an entire nation of cows, will bite your backside off!' Ishita's conscience chuckled.

Shut up!' Ishita hissed. Tanya appeared indignant.

I'm sorry, that wasn't for you. Anyway, as I was saying, I can still understand why you desire to keep me and every other women away from Raman. But from his family?... why should I distance myself from them?'

Tanya sighed and spoke. I know about you and Raman. He told me of the fling he had with you.' Cooked truth, unlike cooked food, onlu burns, sooner or later. Tanya observed the hurt flit over Ishita's face.

Look Ishita, till you are around, Raman's mother and the rest of the family members, will somewhere on some level compare me with you. Don't get me wrong, im not scared of any competition. But why complicate our lives? As if, we women don't have enough to do already?'

confounded, Ishita shook her head. You're their DIL. I am no threat to you!'

giving her an irritated look, Tanya coldly stated, You are not the daughter of that house or merely a family friend. You are somewhere in between. Why would you want to be in these half-baked relationships, its not like you lack your own family?'

Because missy, the so-called, half-baked relations to you, are family to me! Ishita wanted to shout, however, she kept silent.

Moreover, in some vulnerable moment, I don't want Raman to ever reach out to you. I am sure you don't want to be considered a dish-on-the-side. You get my drift, don't you?' Tanya said, feigning innocence, she rambled.

Oh gosh, never!' Ishita agreed. Every word Tanya let loose, felt like a sledgehammer to her ears and heart, but there was biting logic in the girls words. Exhaling heavily, Ishita conceded, You are right! I never realized or thought that in was invading your space.'

No harm done! Unintentional mistakes happens all the time. Im just glad that we have now, reached an understanding?' Tanya altered her words into a question.

Yes! We have definitely reached an understanding,' Ishita vouched.

Well wonderful then! I should leave now; I have wasted enough of your time.' Tanya stood up, so did Ishita.

I'll walk with you to the door,' Ishita offered.

Please don't bother. You don't show one, out off their own office, now do you?' a tinkling laugh accompanied Tanya's rude words.

Ninety-nice percent of the time, it's the immediate children and grandchildren who are named in the wills. The DIL only gets joint accounts and sometimes not even that!' Ishita griped, once Tanya exited the room.

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will update tonight or maybe after 3-4 days... depends