Broken

Part Twenty Four: Thaare Jaisa Na Koi (Nothing Compares To You)

Wednesday 6 May 2017
3pm - The Retreat, Shimla

Ishita

Ishita looked around the luxuriously appointed room, and smiled at the eager looking young woman who had just ushered Mihika and her to their cottage.

"I hope you like it ma'am. It used to be the Managers cottage, so its bigger than the guest cottages. But all the guest cottages have been changed. They are super luxurious now, just like this. Well, all except one. Mr Bhalla wouldn't let the decorators change your cottage. The one where the two of you stayed. Even the furniture. He said to leave everything as it is. And he is staying there now. I'm so happy for you ma'am. I really cant believe it. It's just too romantic. And to imagine ma'am, that I introduced you. I mean I put you two together in the cabin, you didn't even know each other then...."

Ishita smiled again at Mona's enthusiasm, her smile changing to a puzzled look as she saw the incredulity on Mihikas face.

"Yes you did Mona" she said, turning her attention back to the girl. "And thank you so much for coming back here at such short notice to help with our wedding."

"Mr Bhalla has kept us all on salary ma'am" Mona replied happily. "We are all just waiting for the Retreat to open again. We were so happy that Mr Bhalla bought this place ma'am. So many people would have lost their jobs if he hadn't, and to imagine he's kept on paying us all, all these months while the refurbishment has been taking place. All the staff here just worship him. He is such a good man ma'am. You're so lucky."

"Yes, I am" Ishita said thoughtfully. "I am"

Jag ghoomeya thaare jaisa na koi

"I'll take your leave ma'am. Please call me if you need anything at all. We are doing the decorations for your mehendi and sangeet function now. Mr Bhalla's PA is organizing everything. She's super efficient ma'am. Ok ma'am. Bye ma'am'

Mona included Mihika in her smile and then departed, leaving the two sisters together.

"Miku, what's the matter?" Ishita looked at her sister curiously.

Mihika had been standing with her mouth agape for a while now, staring at her sister as if she had seen a ghost.

"Akka" she whispered. "What was that Mona shona saying? You met Mr Bhalla for the first time when you shared a cottage with him? Here? But that was barely 2 weeks before you went to Sydney? I thought you must have known him for a while, to have fallen in love with him, and to... you know. But.... but if you met him here, when you came to Shimla, that means you only knew him for two weeks and....You wouldn't even go on holiday with Subbu when he wanted you to, and you knew him for ten years. You told me before that no one forced you, but akka, how did you..."

Ishita looked at her sister in bemusement.

"Raman didn't force me into anything Miku. I may have only known him for two weeks but I fell in love with him. And I told you about what happened. Woh mandir mein. Mein usko apna sab kuch maan chuki thi. Subbu... I cant even remember Subbu. I thought I loved him, I cried so much when he left me, but Miku, its when I met Raman that I realised ... ki pyar kya hai. Mujhe kuch galat nahi lag raha tha. Raman ke saath cottage share karna toh majboori thi, koi alternative nahi tha, lekin uss ke baad jo bhi hua, I wanted it Miku. Kuch galat nahi tha."
( Raman didn't force me into anything Miku. I may have only known him for two weeks but I fell in love with him. And I told you about what happened in the temple. I considered myself married to him in my heart. Subbu... I cant even remember Subbu. I thought I loved him, I cried so much when he left me, but Miku, its when I met Raman that I realised just what love was. I didn't consider my actions to be wrong. Sharing a cottage with Raman was forced on me yes, there was no alternative. But I wanted everything that happened afterwards. I wanted it Miku. There was nothing wrong.)