Connected: A YHM Story (COMPLETED) - Page 18

Part 19

Iyer/Bhalla Residence - A few days later, Sunday August 5th, 11 am

“And that would be… checkmate!” Vishwa made his last winning move on the chess board with a triumphant smile.

“Kya Iyer saab, aap to phir jeet gaye!” Omprakash exclaimed.

Both of them had set up camp in the living room of the Bhalla house playing chess on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Ever since Omprakash found out about Vishwa’s expertise in chess, he had been eager to play with him. And now that he did, he regretted it, for Vishwa was exceptional at the game. Nevertheless, both played with great sportsmanship, chuckling over losses and sharing anecdotes of their lives. Ishita came by with a tray of tea and snacks and set it on the coffee table beside the chess board.

“Yeh lijiye, Appa, Papaji. Aap dono ke liye chai aur kuch naashta.”

“Ishita, tumhare Appa ko harana to namumkin hai! Kya champion hai chess ke!” her father-in-law applauded.

“Haa Papaji, Appa hamesha se board games mein expert rahe hain. Chaahe woh chess ho, monopoly ho, ya phir…”

Sudden screams and screeches cut Ishita’s sentence short. They came from across the hall, both very familiar voices. Ishita would recognize them in her sleep. 

“Yeh Ruhi aur Shravu bhi na,” she sighed. “Jab dekho tab jhagadte hi rehte hai dono.”

“Koi ni puttar, bacche hain. Aur upar se bhai behen. Ladna to aam baat hain dono ke liye,” Omprakash quipped. “Yeh Raman, Romi, Simi aur Rinki bachpan mein kitna ladte the, main bata bhi nahi sakta.” 

“Haa Ishu, aur tujhe yaad hai? Tum, Vandu, aur Mihika kitna ladte the? Baat baat pe jhagda hota tha. Kabhi kisi dress ko leke, to abhi tumhare pyaare aam ko leke, aur pata nahi kya kya.” Vishwa added. 

“Appa! Kya aap bhi?!” Ishita whispered, embarrassed at having her childhood memories uncovered in front of her father-in-law. Her embarrassment did not last long however, for the shouting across the hall was amplified with two new voices. Her mother and mother-in-law had joined in on the fight between the children.

“Aiyyo murugan, ab Amma aur Mummyji ko kya hua? Main zara dekh kar aati hoon.”

Ishita left her father and father-in-law to their chess game and left the house to mediate the fight between her mother and mother-in-law.

“Kya matlab hai tera Punjaban?! Aiyyo, tune aisa bola kaise?!” Madhu boomed. 

“Kyun na bolu?! Sahi to kaha to maine!” Toshi hollered. 

Ishita came running in to find Toshi and Madhu engaged in war with Vandu and Mihika trying their best to break the fight but to no avail.

“Kya hua akka? Itna jhagda kis baat pe ho raha hai?” she asked.

“Arey, pehle to Ruhi aur Shravu ka jhagda ho raha tha kyunki dono ko ek hi toy se khelna tha aur share nahi kar rahe the. Amma aur Aunty un dono ka jhagda suljhaane aaye aur khud ladne lage,” Vandu replied.

“Par kaise?”

“Akka, woh Auntyji Ruhi ko samjha rahi thi ki Punjabiyon ka to bada dil hota hai isiliye use apne toys share karne chahiye, to Amma ne jawaab diya ki Ruhi Punjabi nahi Tamilian hai. Aur phir woh baat itni badh gayi,” Mihika explained. 

“Aiyyo Murugan…” Ishita groaned. Breaking this fight would be a herculean task. Both of them were very possessive of their grandchildren, especially Ruhi. 

“Amma, Mummyji, suniye toh!” Ishita intervened and got their attention with much difficulty. “Aap dono kyun itna bahais kar rahe ho? Ruhi to Tamilian aur Punjabi dono hui na? Half-Tamilian, half-Punjabi? Haina?” 

After a solid five minutes of negotiation, the three Iyer sisters managed to break the fight between their elders only to be confronted by Ruhi and Shravu’s fight once again. They were back to fighting over their toy.

“Mujhe chahiye ye toy!” Ruhi screamed.

“Nahi, yeh toy mera hai!” Shravu shrieked in return. 

Vandu and Ishita held onto their respective children to stop them from tearing each other's faces off, even as they scolded them for their behavior.

“Shravu! What is this behavior ha? Apni choti sister ke saath koi aise baat karta hai? Use toy de do na?” Vandu chided her son.

“Ruhi! Aise kyun baat kar rahe ho aap? Good girls aisa karte hain kya? Thodi der Shravu ko toy de do phir baad mein aap khelna. Sharing is caring, right?” Ishita admonished her daughter. 

Unfortunately, both mothers were unable to knock any sense into their kids. As a last resort, Mihika took the toy from both of them and hid it on top of the fridge.

“Ab jab tak aap dono phir se friends nahi ban jaate tab tak kisi ko toy nahi milega, ok?”

At the very next moment, Bala walked through the door as a savior to take Shravu for a swim, as promised. The boy jumped up with excitement at the prospect of swimming with his father, instantly forgetting his fight with Ruhi. As he left hand-in-hand with Bala, Ruhi looked on with a certain wistfulness, hoping to one day be just as close to her own father. The longing in her eyes did not escape Ishita’s notice, and she desperately tried coming up with a distraction.

“Ruhi, aapne Vandu Periamma ko apni ballet dikhayi hai?” she asked her.

“Nahi mumma. Main dikhau?” Ruhi asked, bouncing with excitement. She loved dancing like Barbie did in the movies. 

“Haan haan please dikhao!” all three sisters exclaimed in unison. 

Once they were settled on the couch, Ishita played the instrumental theme of Ruhi’s favorite Barbie movies, and Ruhi danced wholeheartedly to the classical melodies, twirling her dress. Her performance was received with a thunderous round of applause from Vandu, Mihika, and Ishita. 

“Akka, kyun na hum bhi aaj thoda dance karein?” Mihika suggested. “Hum sabne bachpan mein kitne classes liye the Bharatnatyam ke, par kabse practice chut gayi. Kyun na aaj woh yaadein taza ki jaaye?”

Vandu and Ishita were slightly hesitant so Mihika turned to her secret weapon. “Ruhi, aap ko Mumma ka dance dekhna hai?”

“Yes! Yes! Please Ishimaa! Aap bhi dance karo na?!” Ruhi begged.

There was no way Ishita could refuse her darling daughter’s request, especially when she showed her puppy dog eyes. Mihika turned on the soundtrack for classical Bharatnatyam, and Ishita and Vandu got on the dance floor -- or evidently, the living room floor. For the first time in years, they danced to their heart’s content, correcting each other on their mistakes and mudras, reminiscing their childhood memories. 

“Mujhe bhi aisa dance karna hai!” Ruhi exclaimed. 

“Aisa dance to kisi guru ke paas seekhna padta hai, bacche. Aap ko seekhna hai?” Ishita asked her.

“Haan Ishimaa!”

“Thik hai to phir, hum aapki classical dance ki classes jald se jald shuru karwaayenge. Thik hai?”

“Yay!!”

Tired from their dancing, Vandu, Mihika and Ishita were seated on the couch now with Ruhi cradled in Mihika’s lap. 

“Akka, aaj aap aur Ruhi aaye to kitna mazaa aaya. Aur Vandu akka ne chaar chaand laga diye. Par jab aap sab apne apne ghar pe hote ho na, toh main kitni akeli ho jaati hoon. Vandu akka se toh door rehne ki aadat ho gayi hai, par aap aur Ruhi ke bina to mera king size bed bhi itna soona lagta hai,” Mihika expressed. “Chutku, aap ko pata hai Chitti aapko kitna miss karti hai?” she said to Ruhi playfully hugging her tight. 

“Aww Chitti… koi baat nahi. Aapko jab meri yaad aaye aap mujhse milne papa ke ghar aa jaana!” Ruhi said, returning Mihika’s hug. 

“Miku, ab meri aur Ishu ki to shaadi ho gayi, bacche bhi hain, to hum to busy honge hi. Par tujhe company dene ke liye Mihir hai na? Bahot jald to tera king size bed bhi soona nahi lagega, dekhna. In fact, kya pata woh chota lagne lage?” Vandu winked at her cousin.

“Akka! Read the room! There are kids around here!” Mihika gasped as she quickly covered Ruhi’s ears. Vandu and Ishita giggled uncontrollably seeing Mihika’s mortified look, while a clueless Ruhi tried figuring out what was so funny.

“Aap sab itna has kyun rahe ho? Kya hua?”

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Bhalla House (Ishita and Raman’s bedroom) - later that day, dinner time

“Ruhi, aap saari sarees ko kyun unfold kar rahe ho? Agar khelna hai to kisi ek saree se khelo.”

“Ok Ishimaa, mujhe yeh purple wali chahiye.”

Ruhi chose her mother’s purple saree to wrap around herself to play pretend. Ishita collected the rest of her sarees and began folding and organizing them in her closet. Just then, Raman walked into the room.

“Papa! Main kaisi lag rahi hoon Ishimaa ki saree mein?” Ruhi swayed the edge of the saree hanging off her shoulder as she displayed her new look to her father.

“Tum to apni Ishimaa se bhi zyada pretty lag rahi ho!” Raman exclaimed. 

“Nahi papa, Ishimaa hi sabse pretty lagti hai saree mein.” Ruhi crossed her arms in disagreement. 

“Thik hai baba. Tumhari Ishimaa hi sabse sundar lagti hai sarees mein, thik hai?” he said, putting his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “Ajeeb problem hai yaar. Taarif karo to dikkat, na karo to bhi dikkat. Lagta hai yeh madrasan ka asar meri beti pe hone laga hai,” he mumbled to himself.

Getting bored of playing with the saree, Ruhi threw it on the bed and ran towards the door. 

“Are ruko baba. Yeh Rajdhani express ki tarah kahan chal di? Papa se thodi baatein to karo. Aaj kya kya kiya aapne?” Raman grabbed Ruhi her shoulders and placed her on his lap. Ruhi’s smile widened from ear to ear. Her father wasn’t privy to giving such attention; she loved it. 

“Papa, aaj maine sabse pehle Dadu aur Dadi ke saath breakfast kiya, phir Rinki bua ke saath khela, phir main Shravu ke saath kheli. Aur pata hai, mera usse fight bhi ho gaya.”

“Arey baap re. Aisa kya hua?”

“Woh mere saath toys share nahi kar raha tha.”

“To phir baad mein kya hua?”

“Woh Bala Periappa ke saath swimming karne gaya aur maine Mumma, Vandu Periamma, aur Mihika Chitti ke saath dance kiya!”

“Really?” Raman glanced over at Ishita who was now busy organizing the dressing table. He never knew she was a dancer. “Tum dance bhi karti ho?” he asked her.

“Maine, Mihika, aur Vandu akka ne bachpan mein Bharatnatyam ke classes li thi. To hum sab ko thoda thoda classical dance aata hai,” she replied.

“Impressive.” He wondered what she must look like as a Bharatnatyam dancer. The classical dance form always intrigued him and imagining his wife in the various poses and mudras that could enhance her voluptuous curves sent a thrill down his spine. 

What is wrong with you Raman? This is Ishita we’re talking about, the mad madrasan. She is off limits in every way possible. Get this nonsense out of your head. 

“Papa, mujhe bhi Ishimaa jaisa dance seekhna hai,” Ruhi demanded, bringing Raman’s mind back to the present to his utmost gratitude. 

“Aapko dance classes join karni hai?” he asked.

Ruhi nodded.

“To aapko kaunsa dance seekhna hai? Bharatnatyma, ballet, ya aur kuch?”

“Bharatnatyam. Nahi ballet. Nahi bharatnatyam. Nahi… Mujhe dono hi seekhna hai!” Ruhi giggled.

“Kyun na hum pehle bharatnatyam se chalu kare, phir ballet kare. Hmm?”

“Haan ok. Waise papa, aap kahan the aaj? Maine aapko kitnaaaaa miss kiya?”

“Beta, main Mihir Chachu aur Romi Chachu ke saath ek business meeting pe gaya tha. Humari company ko bahot bada contract mila hai, to isiliye humare investors se milna tha.”

“Not fair, papa.” Ruhi climbed down from Raman’s lap and crossed her arms in disappointment with her back facing her parents. “Weekend pe kabhi mumma clinic jaati hain, aur kabhi aap office jaate ho. Par weekend pe to family saath mein hoti hain na? Main aap dono se baat nahi kar rahi hoon. Hmph.”

Raman and Ishita looked at each other. They were in big trouble now. Ruhi was as stubborn as it gets, and pacifying her was no easy task. 

“Papa, Ruhi sahi keh rahi hai,” Ishita spoke up. “Weekend pe to hume Ruhi ke saath hi hona chahiye, haina?” Ishita took a seat on the bed beside Raman.

“Baat to sahi hai,” Raman joined. “Par ab Ruhi humse naraz hai. To use manayein kaise?”

“Kyun na, hum next month ke first weekend pe picnic pe jaayein? Mumma, papa, aur Ruhi? Kyun bacche? Kya bolte ho?”

Ruhi’s face lit up with joy at the idea. She turned around towards her parents.

“Sach mein mumma?!”

“Haa zaroor. Main apne clinic se proper chutthi loongi. Aur papa, aap bhi office ka saara kaam chod doge do din ke liye. Ok?”

“Pakka promise. Aaj August 5th haina? To September ke first weekend pe hum teeno picnic pe jaayenge.”

“Yayy! Next month picnic chalenge! Yayy!” Ruhi bounced with delight. She ran out of the room in the midst of squeals of excitement to announce their picnic plans to every member of her family, leaving Ishita and Raman alone in their bedroom.

“Khaana taiyyar hai?” Raman asked Ishita.

“Haan, sabzi, dal aur rice ready hai. Neelu bas rotiyaan bana rahi hai. Thodi der mein khaana lag jayega.”

“To aaj sabzi kisne…”

“Don’t worry. Aaj saara khaana maine mummyji ki nigraani mein banaya hai. Aur unhone har dish chakh li hain. Sab kuch barabar hain.”

“Thank god.”

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Part 20

By the time dinner was ready, Ruhi had announced to the entire household that she and her parents were going on a picnic next month. Everyone was pleasantly surprised to see Raman willing to take off work. Toshi and Omprakash were especially happy that their son was changing back to the way he used to be. Their upcoming picnic was pretty much the sole topic of conversation at the dining table.

“Puttar, tum log agle mahine kyun jaa rahe ho? Agle hafte hi kyon nahi?” Toshi asked.

“Mummy, Ishita ko chutti ki arzi dene ke liye waqt chahiye hoga,” Raman replied. “Aur mere office ka kaam bhi accordingly hi schedule karna padega. Isiliye weekend picnic ka plan banne mein time lagega.”

“Bhai, to phir main bhi phir se yaad dila du aapko,” Rinki intervened, “ki agle hafte mera graduation hai. Aap aaoge na?”

“August 11th ko na? Haan, maine schedule mein daal diya hai. Main puri koshish karunga ki main attend kar saku.”

“Thanks bhai,” Rinki replied. She hoped her brother could make it, but she didn’t mind if he didn’t. They had all gotten used to his absence at important family functions.

“Rehne de Rinki, zyada ummeed rakhne ka koi faayda nahi hai,” Romi scoffed. “Pichle paanch saal mein unhe humara khayal nahi aaya, to ab kyun aayega?”

Romi was opening an uncomfortable can of worms. Toshi tried her best to stop him, but to no avail.

“Oye Romi, yeh sab baatein abhi nahi. Chup chaap khaana kha.”

“Nahi Toshiji,” Omprakash interjected. “Ab baat khul hi rahi hai to khul jaane do na. Kab tak sab kuch apne andar dabaate rahenge.”

“Aap dono kehna kya chahte ho? Romi? Papa?” Raman was utterly perplexed. 

Romi dropped his spoon and ran a palm down his face trying to contain his frustration. But alas, all the anger he had bottled up over the years came bursting out in one go. 

“Hum yeh kehna chaahte hain ki paanch saal tak aap humse door the! Aur sirf door hi nahi the, aap to hume bhul hi gaye the! In paanch saalon mein aapne ek bhi birthday, ek bhi anniversary, ek bhi award function, ya ek bhi special event attend kiya hai? Diwali pe bhi Mummy ko force karke bulana padta tha. Lekin woh bhi kuch saalon baad band ho gaya. To phir kaise ummeed rakhe hum ki Rinki ke graduation par aap aayenge?! Kaise aap se koi bhi ummeed rake?! Aap ko kabhi hum sab ka khayaal aaya bhi hai?!” 

Raman was shocked to the core. In all these years, he had been trying to protect himself and his family from the darkness in his soul. There was no way he could find in himself to love again, and so he distanced himself from his loved ones so as not to infect them with his doom and gloom. But he never stopped caring for them. 

“Tu kehna kya chahta hai, Romi?!” Raman stood up from his chair and glared down at his brother. “Mujhe tum sab ki koi fikar nahi thi kya? Main jitne bhi paise kamata tha, usme se zyada se zyada yahaan bhejta tha. Mummy-Papa ke paas ghar ke kharche ke liye, tumhari aur Rinki ki college ki fees bharne ke liye. Yeh saara paisa jo main kamata hoon, woh tum logo ke liye hi to hai? Aur kiske liye hai?!”

The fight was beginning to get ugly and Ishita promptly sent Ruhi into her room. She had finished most of her dinner anyway, so it was better to spare her from seeing the unpleasant spectacle.

Romi shoved his plate forward and stood up to look Raman in the eye before replying. “We never wanted your money bhai! We wanted you! We needed you here with us! I needed you here! Mom and Dad have always had each other. Simi and Rinki are such close sisters that they have been practically joined at the hip. But what about me? All these years, you were my only brother! And when you chose to leave, you chose to leave me! You left your own brother behind, but who did you decide to take along with you? Mihir! The guy whose sister is the cause of all this!”

“Romi! Main Mihir ke khilaaf ek shabd nahi sununga! Tu kya chahta tha? Ki main uske jagah pe tujhe Mumbai le jaata apne saath? Teri padhai chal rahi thi, bhul gaya? Mihir ka MBA khatam ho gaya tha aur tera to abhi tak chal raha hai. Phir bhi tere last year mein tujhe internship de raha hoon apne office mein. You are so much luckier than him. He had to build an entire business with me from scratch! You are getting to work in an established office!”

“You really don’t get it, do you?” Romi taunted. “I’m not talking about the material things you’ve given me! I’m talking about your emotional support! In paanch saalon mein jab mujhe aapki sabse zyada zaroorat thi, tab aap the hi nahi! Aap to apne hi dukh mein itna doob gaye the ki aap yeh bhi bhul gaye ki aapki ek family hai! Aap itne selfish kaise ho sakte ho?!”

“Romi, how dare you…”

Before Raman could counter, Romi slammed his chair against the table and stormed to his room. Even Raman left his plate unfinished and charged into his bedroom. 

“Hey Bhagwan! Yeh kya ho gaya Bhalla ji?!” Toshi cried. “Dekha aapne, dono kis tarah lad rahe the?”

“Toshi ji, aap fikar na lo. Bahot saalon ka anban tha dono mein. Kabhi na kabhi to bahar aana hi tha. Dono ko thoda shaant hone dijiye. Phir unse baat karenge hum.”

“Hey mata rani, mere parivaar pe apni kripa banaye rakhna.”

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

After cleaning up the dinner table, Ishita proceeded to her bedroom only to see her husband angrily pacing back and forth. He could hear him muttering with rage and decided it was best to leave him alone. So she went to check on Ruhi. She had sent her to bed but she knew the poor girl must have been scared after seeing the fight. She gently knocked on Ruhi’s bedroom door and found her awake, just as she suspected.

“Ruhi? Aap thik ho bacche?” Ishita approached Ruhi’s bed and sat on the edge. Ruhi shot up from her bed and instantly ran into her mother’s embrace. 

“Mumma, papa aur chachu ka jhagda ho gaya kya? Ab woh dono friends nahi hai?”

“Aisa kisne kaha ki woh friends nahi hai?”

“Par un dono ne kitna fight kiya.”

“Dekho, papa aur chachu brothers hai na? To brothers aur sisters mein to fight hote rehte hain. Aap aur Shravu kitna fight karte ho. Haina? In fact, aapne aaj hi fight kiya na? Par aap dono abhi bhi best friends ho, right?”

Ruhi nodded.

“To bas, papa aur chachu ka bhi ek fight hua hai, par woh abhi bhi best friends hai. Kyunki woh brothers hai.”

“Lekin Ishimaa, jab mere aur Shravu ke beech katti ho jaati hai tab aap humari batti karwaate ho. Papa aur chachu ki batti kaise hogi?”

“Jaise saare bade log milke aapki aur Shravu ki batti karte hai, waise hum sab -- Mumma, Dadu, Dadi, Bua -- hum sab milke Papa aur Chachu ki bhi batti kar denge!”

“Promise mumma?”

“I promise mera baccha. Don’t worry.”

Ishita hugged Ruhi tight, assuring her that her family would not break apart at the slightest turbulence. 

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Bhalla House - the next morning, Monday August 5th

Romi shoved his books into his backpack and got ready for college. His mood was still off after last night’s fight, but his anger had certainly simmered down. Toshi noticed him from the open doorway of his room and came in for a chat. 

“Romi, tu thik hai?”

“Haan mummy, mainu ki hona hai?”

“Aise nahi bolte puttar. Main jaanti hoon tu naraaz hai. Aur teri naraazgi jaayaz hai.”

“Yeh baat koi Raman bhai ko kyun nahi samjhata?”

“Aisa nahi hai puttar. Tera bhai tujhse bahot pyaar karta hai. Par tu bhi jaanta hai woh kitne dard se guzra hai.”

“Aap to unki hi side loge na. Par kab tak woh usi dard mein fase rahenge?”

“Puttar, main kisi ki side nahi le rahi hoon. Main to bas yeh keh rahi hoon ki jhagda karne se baat nahi suljhayi jaati. Tu shanti se usse baat karne ki koshish kar, to sab thik ho jaana hai.”

“Bhai? Aur shanti se baat? Accha joke maraa mummy.”

“Tu bhi na?! Khotiya. Ab chal, chup chaap naasta karne chal.”

Toshi dragged Romi out of his room for breakfast. On the other hand, Omprakash had gone to talk with Raman. 

“Raman? Main andar aa jaaun?” Omprakash knocked at Raman’s bedroom door, while he was organizing his laptop bag and files for the day. Ishita was in Ruhi’s room getting her ready. 

“Haan papa, aayiye na. Boliye, kuch kaam tha?”

“Tu bhi jaanta hai main yahan kyun aaya hoon.”

“Papa, mujhe kal raat ke baare mein abhi koi baat nahi karni.”

“Abhi nahi to kab beta? Aur paanch saal baad?”

Raman gave out an audible sigh. There was no way to avoid the topic.

“Beta, kya tujhe sach much nahi lagta ki Romi ki baat mein kuch to dum hai?”

“Aap kehna kya chahte ho papa?”

“Raman, in paanch saalon mein tu humse bahot door ho gaya. Hum sab sirf chahte hai ki humein humara purana Raman wapas mil jaaye. Jo khud khush rehta tha aur dusro ko khush rakhta tha. Jo apna dil khol kar pyaar karta tha. Romi ne bhale hi gusse mein bahot zyada bol diya ho, par uski baat galat nahi thi. Sochna is baare mein, thik hai?”

“Hmmm.”

“Abhi chal, naashte ka waqt ho raha hai.”

Omprakash led Raman out of his room to the breakfast table. While Ishita served Ruhi’s plate, Toshi set up the rest of breakfast with Neelu’s help. Omprakash took a seat at the table. Raman and Romi were yet to be seated. They looked at each other, and newfound annoyance emerged in them. 

“Mujhe bhookh nahi hai,” both said in unison.

“Aise kaise? Kam se kam thoda sa kha kar jao dono,” Toshi insisted.

“Nahi maa, main office mein kuch manga lunga,” Raman said.

“Main bhi raaste mein kuch khaa lunga,” Romi added. 

They proceeded towards the door but were stopped by Toshi’s booming voice.

“OYE! Dono ek se badh ke ek hai, khotiye! Ek doosre ko attitude baad mein dikhana! Lekin abhi isi waqt chup chaap naashta karne baitho dono! Koi bahana nahi sunoongi main! Chalo, baitho!”

Meekly, Romi and Raman sat down and began nibbling on their parathas as they evaded each other’s eyes. Toshi huffed at her kids. All four of her children were stubborn as rocks, but she knew how to handle them. After all, they got it from her only. 

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

After breakfast, Omprakash left with Ruhi to drop her off at school. Raman went inside to collect his things before leaving, where Ishita was gathering her dental supplies for the day. Having heard an earful from his parents, Raman seemed mellower now, and Ishita thought it was worth trying to talk to him.

“Raman, aap Romi se bade hai, to aap hi jhagda khatam kijiye na?”

“Ab tum bhi shuru ho gayi?”

“Aur nahi to kya? Aap thoda badakpan nahi dikha sakte? Agar Romi ko bura laga hai, to maafi maang kar usse sulah kar lijiye.”

“Ek minute, tum chahti ho ki main maafi mangu? Seriously? Matlab tumhe bhi main hi galat lagta hoon?”

“Baat sahi-galat ki nahi hain. Baat pehel karne ki hain. Aap ke liye aapka aur Romi ka rishta zyada important hai ya aapka ego? Agar rishta important hai, to maafi maangiye, shanti se usse baat kijiye aur matter ko solve kar dijiye.”

“Mere paas time nahi hai tumhare lectures sunne ka. Main office jaa raha hoon.”

“Fine, jo karna hai karo. Mujhe bhi clinic jaana hain. Mere paas bhi koi faltu ka time nahi hain.” 

Both Ishita and Raman went out the door and into the parking lot, to their respective cars. While Raman drove off, Ishita stalled for a bit, as she spotted Romi by his bike. She was reminded of a statement that Romi made last night which particularly bugged her, and she decided to address it. Besides, talking to Raman had been futile, but maybe Romi would be more sensible.

“Romi! Romi! Suno to.”

“Bhabhi, please. Ab aap bhi Raman bhai ki side mat lijiye.”

“Arey, main kyun kisi ki side loongi? Mujhe sirf do minute baat karni thi.”

“Kya?”

“Kal raat tumne Mihir ke liye bhi naraazgi jatayi. Woh baat mujhe samajh mein nahi aayi, kyunki shaadi se pehle tumne hi mujhe Mihir aur Raman ke rishte ke baare main bataya tha. Mujhe kabhi pata nahi chala ki tumhe Mihir se problem thi.”

“Mujhe Mihir se koi problem nahi hai bhabhi. Mujhe is baat se problem hai ki Bhai mujhse zyada uske kareeb hai aur us par bharosa karte hain.”

“Yeh baat tumhe Mihir ya Raman ne bataayi kya? Ya tum hi aisa samajh rahe ho?”

“Isme batana kya hai? Kisi ko bhi dikh jaayega yeh.”

“Romi, main tumhe woh hi advice doongi jo tumne mujhe shaadi se pehle isi parking lot mein di thi. Kisi bhi insaan ya situation ke baare mein tab tak raay mat banao jab tak puri baat na jaan lo. Tum ek baar Mihir se pucho is baare mein. Kyunki jahaan tak main Raman ko jaanti hoon, woh Mihir ke bhi itne zyada kareeb nahi honge. Hmm?”

“Bhabhi, mujhe college ke liye late ho raha hai. Main niklu?”

“Thik hai baba, tum niklo. Main tumhe shaam ko milti hoon.”

Romi sped off on his bike, and Ishita proceeded towards her car. Damn, these Bhallas could be stubborn. She finally understood where Ruhi got it from. Oh well, she couldn’t ponder on it further. She had teeth and smiles to attend to. 

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Raman’s office - the next day, Tuesday August 6th, lunchtime

Raman and Romi had been giving each other the cold shoulder for two days now and neither seemed to budge. Yesterday, Raman was busy in his office, while Romi stayed late at college, meaning neither of them had a real chance to speak to each other. But today, Romi was interning at Raman’s office for the day and everyone could feel the blasts of cold air they were giving each other. 

“Romi, tere aur Raman bhai ke beech koi jhagda hua hai kya?” Mihir asked Romi as soon as the lunch break started. He had been observing them throughout the day and the tension between them was unmissable.

“Haa, woh thoda sa fight hua tha humara Sunday ko.”

“Tabhi bhai ka mood kal bhi kharaab tha.”

“Mihir, ek baat bata. Tum aur bhai bahot close ho na?”

“I guess so… I mean, woh mera bahot khayal rakhte hain. Main apni har problem unse share karta hoon. Par woh zyadatar apni pareshaaniyan mujhe nahi batatein. I hope that answers your question.”

“Phir bhi, tum dono khaafi close huye na. I mean, woh tumhe apne saath Mumbai leke gaye aur itne saalon se tum dono saath ho to…”

“Woh mujhe apni marzi se thodi na leke gaye the? Maine hi bahot zid ki thi. Shagun jab Ashok ke paas gayi to maine usse aur apni maa se rishta tod diya tha. Phir Raman bhai ke alawa mera koi nahi tha. Aur Shagun ne unhe itna dukh diya tha, main to sirf itna hi chahta tha ki unke saath rehke unki madad karu. Aur kuch nahi.”

So Mihir had to force Raman to take him along. The raging fire in Romi’s heart died down at this revelation. Raman hadn’t actively chosen him over his own brother. It made sense now. Romi had his parents and his sisters here, but Mihir had no one after Shagun and Raman’s divorce. No wonder Raman took him along with him. Romi rethought his allegations to Raman. Maybe he had gone too far on Sunday. Nevertheless, he was still mad at his brother. It didn’t change the fact that he had avoided them for years. 

In his cabin, Raman too mulled over his fight with his brother. He had to acknowledge his mistakes. There was no denying that him shutting his family out had hurt them for five long years. Just less than a week ago had he finally begun letting go of his pain. Romi was right to feel the way he did. Even so, how did it give him the right to say that Raman was selfish? That he didn’t love his family? Raman was the kind of man to give so much love that losing it ruined him. That was precisely why he closed off. And Romi had the audacity to say otherwise. 

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Akash Ganga Society - Tuesday evening, 5 pm

Raman’s car pulled into the parking lot. As he got off, he saw Romi chatting with one of the boys of the society. Their fight had gone on long enough and it was high time they sorted it out. He hated to admit it, but Ishita was right. He was older and he had to take the initiative. 

“Romi! Romi! Idhar aa!”

Romi saw his brother waving by his car and his heart fell into his stomach. They had been avoiding each other for two days but it seemed like he was about to get his behind handed to him on a plate. Slowly, he approached Raman.

“Kya hua bhai?”

“Idhar baith,” Raman said, pointing to a nearby bench.

“Nahi bhai, mujhe koi baat nahi karni.”

“Abey, puch nahi raha, bata raha hoon. Baith idhar! Warna maar khayega mere haath ki.” 

Soon enough, all of the fight left in Romi drained away. He quietly took a seat on the bench. Raman joined him.

“Dekh, sabse pehle to… main… maafi maangta hoon.” 

Romi’s ears shot up. His brother was apologizing? What?

“Kya?”

“Kya kya? Maafi maang raha hoon main. Isme itna kyun chauk raha hai?”

“Nahi, kuch nahi bhai.”

Raman placed his hand on Romi’s shoulder. “Dekh beta, I’m sorry ki tujhe itne saal maine akela choda. Woh mera intention nahi tha. Mujhe bas apne aap ko sambhaalna tha, aur main nahi chahta tha ki tum logon ko mere liye fikar karni pade ya meri wajah se aur dukh ho. Isiliye main chala gaya. Lekin yeh baat aage se kabhi mat bolna ki main tujhse ya is parivaar se pyaar nahi karta. Tum logon ke kaaran hi mujhme jaan baaki rahi hai.”

“I’m sorry too bhai. Main gusse mein bahot zyada bol gaya. Lekin main jaanta hoon ki aap humse bahot pyaar karte hain. Bas kuch waqt ke liye door ho gaye the. Lekin ab aap promise kijiye, ki kuch bhi ho jaaye, aap hume chod kar kahi nahi jaaoge.”

“Thik hai baba, I promise. Ab idhar aa.”

Raman opened his arms and gave a tight hug to his brother with a pat on the back. Romi returned the gesture wholeheartedly. After five years, his brother had finally come home. For good. 

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Both the parts were really good please update next part soon to know about their picnic 

Awesome!!! Update soon

Wonderful update

Both parts were nice

Ruhi and sharavan were fighting their grandmother came to solve the fight but started fighting themselves ishita and her sisters stopped the fight loved sisters moment raman was suprised hearing Ishita is trained dancer of bharatnatyam he was imagining her moves but realized what he is doing ruman scene was nice ishra decided to take ruhi to picnic she got too happy romi and raman had fight romi was not totally wrong ishita tried to make both of them understand but they were not listening romi asked mihir raman is too close to him mihir said he had insisted raman to take him to Mumbai with him romi realized his fault raman and romi talk was nice

Pls update soon

Super duper hit update

Pls show more of ishra

Will be waiting for your update

Thanks for quick updates, can we pls get more ishra scenes like brothers have patched up n they have a big dinner n then later ishra parts! Raman should overhear Romi thanking ishita for the advice n Raman feeling very proud of ishita. 

Both the updates were awesome. Loved the bond between the brothers. Please post your next update soon. Cheers

You are an awesome writer 

Please continue soon 

Just been reading .. read all 20 parts. Great story really enjoying how the relationships are being healed. can u please add me to your dm list. Want to read how the story progresses.

much love

P