Part Twenty Two: Pyar Mujhse Jo Kiya Tumne Toh Kya Paoge

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Sunday - 8.30pm
Raman's Study

"Kya batana chahte ho puttar?"
(What do you want to tell us, son?)

Mr and Mrs Bhalla were seated across from their son, looking at him with frank curiosity.

Raman was an intensely private man, and even though he lived at his parents home out of respect for them, he lived his life according to his own rules, and was not much given to sharing  confidences. So Mr & Mrs Bhalla were both surprised at this turn of events.

Mrs Bhalla though was apprehensive as well as curious. She hoped that her suspicions weren't correct and Raman wasn't about to tell them that he was in a new relationship. Although she desperately wanted her son to be happy and settled, after Shagun and the effect of her betrayal on him, she was scared about the consequences of  another wrong choice on her beloved son. As successful as he was and as confident as he appeared, Mrs Bhalla knew that Raman was vulnerable in love. And she was scared that the wrong woman would make her son's life miserable. If her suspicions were correct, then this woman, whoever she was, had already caused her son to shed tears.

And so it was with apprehension that she asked him what he wanted to say, as Raman stared silently across the desk at his parents.

Raman knew that the next few minutes would not be easy. But he had to get started. He needed to go and see Ishita soon, to reassure her that things would be okay.  And he had promised her that he would tell his parents today, so he could not go to her without telling mummyji and papaji about her first.

He took a deep breath and started to speak.

He did not mince his words, nor did he hide anything from his mother and father. He was going to get married he told them. As soon as it could be arranged, perhaps as early as next week. Ishita was a wonderful woman, he continued, whom he had met a year ago in Shimla, and who had moved to Sydney for her postgraduate studies after the two weeks they had spent together. She had asked him not to contact her while she was in Sydney, he had added, ruefully, and so when she had found out that she was pregnant, she had come over to Delhi to tell him. Unfortunately, she had arrived at their home on the very day that Shagun and Adi had returned to live with them, had seen the decorations and preparations and had overheard some people talking, and had come to the mistaken conclusion that he had reunited with Shagun. She had told her parents about her pregnancy, who had cut off their relationship with her and she had then returned to Sydney. While in Sydney, she had lost their baby and she was all alone in the world except for her younger sister.

He had only found out all this yesterday, he told them, and he had asked her to marry him today and she had agreed. And the wedding would take place as soon as it could be arranged.

"Jaise hi Registry office se ijaazat mil jaaye" he said in conclusion. "Shayad isi hafte hi." (As soon as we get approval from the Registry. Perhaps as early as this week)

There was a stunned silence as his parents stared at him, open mouthed in shock. Moments ticked over as the silence in the room grew. Raman sighed and stood up, walking over to the sofa where his parents were sitting, kneeling by his mothers side.

"Ma, Ishita ki mere siwa aur koi nahi hai. Uski parents ne bhi uska saath chodh diya, mere kaaran, aur jab se miscarriage hua hai, woh bilkul tut si gayi hai. Mein usko phirse khush dekhna chahta hoon, saari zindagi usko khush rakhna chahta hoon. Mein...mein Ishita se bahut pyar karta hoon ma, aur woh mujhse. Kya aap mere liye Ishita ko hamare family mein jagah de sakti ho? Humme ashirwaad de sakti ho ma?
(Ma, Ishita doesn't have anyone else but me. Even her parents have disowned her because of me, and ever since she miscarried, she has been totally devastated. I want to make her happy again, keep her happy her entire life. I...I love her so much and she loves me too. Can you accept get into our family for my sake? Can you give us your blessings ma?)

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