Utterly disheveled and breathless, they glanced at the door. Ishita red-faced, Raman miffed.
Shagun stood there; an ear-splitting grin on her face, and a paper in the hand. I guess this excessive spit exchanging means you two are back together.'
Yes we are!' squealed Ishita, not budging an inch... not that she could! Raman possessively held her to his side. He sat on the desk pulling Ishita into him. Both of them faced Shagun.
Come in Ishita. I owe you big for the tip,' Raman said.
What did she do?' Ishita asked.
Shagun discreetly revealed your plan of resigning today,' Raman said, planting a kiss on the tip of her nose.
Oh, you did not!' Ishita responded, put on. Just like men, true love did not stop for directions. Happy conclusions were only do minute kaa raasta away!
I did no such thing like your boyfriend is suggesting. I think his PA eavesdropped on a very private conversation.' Shagun feigned indignation, but spoiled the effect by a last minute smirk.
A cheeky smile erupted on Ishita's face. How wonderful the word, boyfriend' sounded.
Whatever anyone was about to say was lost, as Ishita'c call buzzed loudly. She retrieved if from he crocheted case, slung around her wrist, Its Vandu! I have to take this one! Let go !' with some effort, she tugged herself from Raman's arms.
Keep it short!' Raman called out, tenderly, watching Ishita as she walked over to the other side of the room. He curtailed the urge to do cartwheels.
So everything is sorted, out in open?' Shagun quizzed, stopping next to Raman. She inserted the paper in the file; Ishita had just place in the tray.
Yup apologies made, explanations given.'
Good! Ishita has suffered enough in the last few years... without you. It broke my heart to see her go through all that, for no fault of hers,' Shagun conversed.
A sharp man, Raman knew this to be an opportune moment to keep quite and just murmur an all encompassing, Hmmm!'
Ishita probably told you that she did not even have the cell switched on, when you overheard her speak, all the crap about you and your family's Benjamin Franklins,' Shagun continued her chatter.
Really?' Raman rejoiced, appearing appropriately amused and incredulous.
A man of your intelligence should have dug deeper. How could you ever believe Ishu to be a money grabbing tramp?' Shagun quizzed, causally. The person in discussion blabbered animatedly on her cell. The two things, women tend to grossly underestimate - their mouths and their friend's mouth.
I guess at that time...' Raman cleared his throat, not sure what to say.
I can imagine, your head at that time was probably messed up by your father's untimely death,' Shagun sympathetically clucked. Had anyone else asked Ishita to break off her relationship with you, she would have probably fed that person, piece by piece to the sharks. But how could she refuse your mother - her Badi Maa... whom she never would say no to.' Shagun carelessly slipped the big cat out!
Raman, recoiled, as if kicked in the gut'. He straightened, shock written large over his face. Shagun gasped; reflectively she clasped a hand over her mouth. You didn't know! What have I done?' Raman please forget what you heard right now! Puhlease Raman! Ishita will kill me!' Shagun moaned.
Raman's mouth worked but no words came out.
What are you guys talking about?' Ishita asked, coming towards them.
Swiftly, Raman schooled his expression. Grabbing Ishita's arm, he barked, Lets go!'
Where?' Ishita asked, nervously, feeling some of his tension.
Feverishly, Raman cupped Ishita's face. Home, sweetheart home!' he murmured, planting a soft kiss on her lips.
Ishita chilled, Okay!'
We have to break the news to mom!' Raman declared, his eyes veiled.
Shagun grimaced. Lag gaayi lanka!' she croaked, under her breath. Ishita please remember how long we have been friends!' she called out, as Raman hauled Ishita out of his office.
Laughing, Ishita asked, What does shags mean by that?'
She knows that now your days and nights are completely booked,' Raman said, possessively. He stopped to caress her face.
Everybody will see... we're still in office.' Ishita moved away.
Let them! The sooner the better! You and I have waited for each other, far too long.'
Awww!' simone gushed, amazed at the difference in her boss. Now content, his face seemed to have shed years, love for the girl on his side, shinning all over him.
Raman glanced at simone, who became self-conscious. You are most definitely getting the raise he promised you,' Ishita said, impudently.
Coz you deserve every bit and also because Ishita said so,' Raman agreed preoccupied. Instead of taking the elevator, he abruptly tugged Ishita towards the fire exit. Bemused, she let him.
The second they stepped in the stairway, Raman pulled Ishita in his arms. Forgive me Ishita; forgive me for the crap I pulled on you in the past few weeks.'
Its okay RKB! Believe me all that is long forgotten,' Ishita reassured.
How can you forgive me so easily? How I blackmailed and terrified you--
Ishita burst in peals of laughter.
Whats so funny?' Raman asked, her laugh, as always elevating and arousing.
You silly, egocentric man! I am only terrified of bad karma, the weighing scale and Behl aunty and you are either of the three,' Ishita caressing Raman's face, corrected.
On seeing Raman's disbelieving expression, she continued, I always knew that you would never harm Bala anna and secondly, I could have gotten my hands on that document any time I wanted.'
Thank you for the vote of confidence but getting your hands on that document was next to impossible,' Raman replied.
Yeah sure! All I had to do, is say one word to Badi Maa or MB... and believe me sir, you would have handed that paper to me, on your knees,' Ishita poked her tongue at him.
Hmmm... well maybe you are right!' Raman conceded, smiling sheepishly.
Sobering, Ishita confessed, I am pathetic. Even when you fumed and frothed, at least you were close to me. So I let"
Whatever she was about to say was lost as Raman rushed her down the stairs. He thought Ishita did not catch the wetness in his eyes. Throughout their drive home, Raman growled, repeatedly, I love you Ishita.'
For the first, few times Ishita made the appropriate response - sighs, shy smiles and lingering kisses on Raman's cheeks, only - as she was against driving under intoxication.
Finally Ishita retorted, Please shut up, and let me enjoy the Lamborghini!'
Raman, like a broken record persisted.
---------------------------
Hey guys sorry for the late update.. you know right i was not feeling well...
anyway i thought of updating it on saturday but there was an Ice-breaking session with my juniors.. you see its awesome being a senior and sunday well first no net second when they say mall outing to an hostel student we leave everything including the net hehe...
so next update promise on wednesday i guess
sayonara
Sushma
