CHAPTER EIGHTY
'Here you should try it...'' She said as she took a piece and put it in his mouth
'This is... 'He said as he took a napkin and spat it out
'Wow that is horrible... It is really bad it tastes like... Who am I kidding I has no taste.'' He said his face filled with disgust. Ishita threw her head back laughing at his reaction.
'What were you intending on making...'' she asked still laughing
'Pancakes... I wanted to make them and sine I have seen you do it a couple of times for the kids I figured... Wow this is really bad.'' He said as he took the plate from her and handed her the juice instead
'I love you Raman but please never cook again, for all our sakes...'' she said laughing
'We'll order something...'' he said as he grabbed the phone calling one of the restaurants near by
'Hahahaha You really thought by just seeing me do it you would cook...'' Said Ishita
'Well yeah... I figured, how hard could it be...'' he said as he joined in on her laughing
'How bad is my kitchen right now...'' she said
'It is... Let's just say I called someone to take care of it'' he said just before his phone begun buzzing
'Hey I will just go freshen up while you take that...'' said Ishita as she got up from the bed walking to the bathroom still giggling that he really tried to cook
'Don't take too long...'' he said as he turned to pick his call
'Hello...'' He said but the person at the other end of the line didn't say anything
'Hello... Is anyone there...'' He said
'Hello...'' Came the reply which shocked Raman to the core because he knew that voice all too long but it couldn't be.
'Raman...'' Said the person at the other end of the line but he just hang up
This was not happening, he wasn't letting this happen. He knew something was off that would justify why this person was calling him. He had to admit that the person had some audacity to even try such nonsense with him. He flinched, his hand in a fist, as the memories all came flashing back and his blood begun to boil
'Raman...'' Ishita called out causing him to turn and look at her
'Is everything okay...'' She asked with concern
'Yeah everything is fine...'' He said as he turned to look at her hiding the barrage of emotions he was going through
'You don't seem fine to me...'' She said
'It is work, someone messed up and now I have to start picking up the pieces that's all...'' he lied
'Your sure...'' she said as she came and sat next to him
'Yes this is all work. Come on no worrying this weekend...'' He said as he pulled her into his arms
'If it is important maybe we should go back...'' she said
'No it I fine besides Romi can take care of that...'' he answered as he kissed her nose
'You're sure that is all...'' she asked again
'Yeah that is all. Stop worrying so much...'' he said
'I am sorry I can't help it...'' She said as she hugged him and he understood that
'You know I haven't even said Thank you yet...'' He said
'Yes you did and there is no need for that...'' She replied as she sat up and looked at him
'Actually I do and I also want to say thank you for last night too...'' he said and she smiled shying away saying
'You really don't need to thank me for that too...''
'I can only imagine how hard that was to just block it all and just be. I was so worried by the way that I stayed up until you slept'' he said
'What...'' she said surprised
'Yeah I was so worried that maybe I would trigger something again or you would just you know... Hate me for what I did...'' He said
'I am so sorry for making you feel that way. I would never hate you Raman, trauma or not, that is something even in my crazy insane state I could never contemplate.'' She said to which he smiled saying
'You know last night was a perfect a night as we have had since you got back. I was worried that maybe the nightmares would be back but nothing. I got up this morning and you were so sound asleep that I had to listen to your heart beating just to make sure that you were still here but then I heard that annoying silly snore of yours and I realized you were okay...'' he said to which she chuckled saying
'I don't snore...''
'I missed it...the silly annoying snore, I weirdly missed it.'' He said and she could see he was getting emotional and so was she
'I really missed you and everything about you. And last night I felt like you were back. It wasn't even because of the sex, even though that was unbelievable amazing, I felt like it was you here with me nothing else. I can't even explain how that made me feel, how that makes me happy. So thank you for not giving up...'' He said
'Crap you going to make me cry...'' She said as tears begun to fill her eyes
'Sorry didn't mean to...'' He replied letting out a soft laugh as he wiped his tears that had begun to over flow
'Well I am glad you're happy and especially elated that you enjoyed last night...'' She said
'Oh I did trust me...'' he said as he came forward and kissed her
'Maybe we should try that again...'' He added as she leaned in and kissed him there was a buzz on the door
'Oh that must be breakfast...'' said an elated Ishita before she walked out of the room to go get the door but as she walked past the kitchen she yelled
'Oh My God were you fighting in here... Good God this is horrible... My poor kitchen...'' Raman heard her yell and he understood
'Sorry... ' he said
***********************************************
''Ohh this is bad, Raman won't like this... Forget Raman what about Ishita... I don't even think anyone told her about where all these...'' Romi said in a panic state
'Will you relax... Everything will work out plus I always say you guys don't give them enough credit they are the two strongest people that I know and their relationship is as solid as they get, and that is my professional opinion. If they survived the kidnap and what not, this will be a piece of cake'' Said Vidya
'I don't know... Maybe I should call Raman and give him head up...'' Said Romi
'You will do no such thing. They need this time together they deserve it. You spoiling it over something like this will just be a slap in the face. They don't need to be robbed of their moments. Let them enjoy them without worry.'' Said Vidya
'Vidya you don't know my brother. When it comes to his wife he gets a little crazy sometimes...'' Said Romi
'Are you scared of him...'' Said Vidya
'No I just worry what he will do when he finds out. You know what he did to the guy who leaked Ishita's news and her trauma to the press... Poor guy can't even get a job anywhere. You don't want to know what he will do when he finds out who f**ked up like this...'' Said Romi and Vidya knew that whatever he was saying was the truth
Romi told Vidya how Raman had a lot of guilt and no matter how much everyone kept on telling him that Ishita's kidnap wasn't on him, he thought it was a ripple effect that begun with him and caused her to get in such trouble.
He thought that his family, his ex-wife, his son at some point. All these people caused her so much pain and in all this he was the common denominate. When Ishita said she didn't want to see him at the hospital he went a tad crazy, he was a mess and it took a lot in him to try and stay sane in front of everyone.
Only Romi could testify to how bad it was because during that period he had come to see a part of his brother that he had never seen. He was vulnerable and broke and all his anger and regret he threw in finding every living thing that was responsible for that kidnap be it the driver of the car right to the last person who bought the rope that tied his wife and almost all of them were behind bars.
'He never told Ishita or any of her siblings or parents about this because in his mind this was his penitence that he needed to do alone. Last month is when he put it all to rest after finding Shlok.'' Said Romi letting out a sigh of relief almost as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders
'Feels good to finally tell someone about this...'' Romi added
'Whoa wait a minute you're telling me that Shlok is in prison...'' Said Vidya
'Something like that...'' Said Romi
'How the hell is this kind of news away from the press... Shlok Khanna is in prison?'' Said Vidya surprised as she looked at Romi but she could tell he was holding something back
'There is something else...'' She added
'Well Shlok is not necessarily in prison. Raman couldn't link anything to him so he found an alternative. That is why the press is not aware of this...'' Said Romi
'What do you mean an alternative...'' Said Vidya
'He is in an asylum under a different name being treated for excessive personality disorders and schizophrenia...'' Said Romi
'Wait but Shlok is not...'' Said Vidya before Romi interrupted
'Like I said I am not scared of him but what he will do when he finds out who f**ked up like this.''
'Oh My God... I don't know if I should be elated or scared right now. This is not right...'' Said Vidya
'It is if you ask me. Shlok deserves whatever he is getting...'' Said Romi as he grabbed his jacked
'What are you going to do?' Vidya asked
'I am going to call Kushan... We need to fix this before he finds out.'' Said Romi as he grabbed his phone and dialed
******************************************************
'Raman stop seriously... That is ticklish...'' Said Ishita who was lying on her back between Raman's legs who was kneeling down
'But it is so much fun...'' He said as he bet down and playfully with his mouth slid an ice cube down her spin to the dimples at the bottom of her spin.
As arched her back a little as she broke out in soft fits of laughter before she turned around and looked at him saying
'You realize we need to at least gut up and go out. We have been in this house for two days...'' Said Ishita
'Why do we need to go anywhere... I for one love it here...'' Said Raman
'We need to stretch a little bit, it is healthy'' Said Ishita as Raman leaned in and kissed her neck
'Well I can think of a way that is healthy and could count as exercise...'' he said as he kissed her neck some more before he kissed her lips
'We have been doing... that all morning, all day... five minutes ago... I need rejuvenation...'' Said Ishita as she kissed him back before she slightly pushed him
'Okay I get that...'' he answered laying on top her with his hands on her chest where he was resting his chin as he looked at her
'What do you suppose we do...'' He said to which she cheekily smiled and said
'I don't know, May be go out...'' she said kissing his nose before she added
'You know you and I have never actually gone out. Like on a date or just for lunch or dinner or ice-cream. Just the two of us with no kids and family''
'Really...'' he said surprised to the realization
'Yup... I always imagined you never really wanted to take me anywhere and since I never really wanted to be out there, it was okay..'' she said
'Oh wow married for over three years and we have never gone on a date together...I have even never really thought of it that way. Wow that needs to change'' he said
'Well speaking of the three years... I didn't get to give you this on our anniversary because of unavoidable circumstances but better late than never...'' she said as she got up from the bed and walked over to one of the drawers
She pulled out a blue beautiful velvet box and turned around to look at Raman much to his surprise
'It is really hard gifting someone who has everything and I really wanted to do something that was unique. I got this round about Aditya's birthday as he bought you yours...'' Said Ishita
'Bought me what...'' said Raman who was curious
'I am sure in his time he will give it to you...'' answered Ishita
'Wait is it the same thing Ruhi was talking about on his birthday...'' He asked
'Mother son code... I am not talking...'' said Ishita
'Ishita come on...'' Said Raman desperately
'No way... Anyway this particular thing you don't have and you should have in my opinion so I figured I get you this. Now being you and you stylish self...'' she said letting out a soft laugh before she said
'I wanted it to be amazing so took it back to be customized and Abhi thank God for him, managed to do it for me. I really hope you like it...'' she added as she handed him the box
Raman was so anxious to just open and see what was in it already. When he finally laid eyes on what was in it, his jaw dropped. There was this beautiful Lathbridge Daytona watch that was dipped in Diamond-Like Carbon Coating in Distinctive Chocolate Brown. It looked unbelievably stylish and gorgeous, it was him
'Oh God where did you...'' He tried to speak but was at a loss of words
'Turn it around...'' she said as she looked at him biting her lower lip anxiously
When he did there was this beautiful engraved message that said
My man,
My life,
My love
'How the hell did you even... Oh My God...'' he said
'By the way there is just 20 pieces of that watch in the whole world. Unique na...'' she said smiling but he just kept on staring at her amazed at how someone could love him this much
'Come on there is a little something as well which you may or may not wear that is entirely up to you...'' She said
He looked in the box and there was a pendant that was silver and less extravagant like the watch that had an engraving that said I'm with you. When he read it he turned and looked at her at a loss for words
'So you like them...'' she said but he just walked over to where she was and kissed her before he said
'I absolutely loved them thank you so much. This isn't fair I didn't get you anything...'' he said as he tried to hide the tears that had filled in his eyes
'Well I didn't give them expecting anything in return. I just did something nice for you because a) I love you and b) you deserve it...'' she answered as she hugged him one more time before she added
'Okay enough of that... I say today we have dinner out, there has to be a restaurant nearby right. It will work as our first date...''
'Uhhh Yeah I am sure there is. That is not actually a bad idea...'' he said clearing his throat because he was beginning to chock up with tears
'Great let's get dressed and go because I am starving and given that marathon of the last few hours, I need to rejuvenate...'' she said teasingly causing him to smile as she walked heading to the bathroom as Raman watched her leave
She all of a sudden
It didn't matter how low Ishita tried to play this, it was a big deal. This gift, this place, the decorations of the house, this pendant, it was all a very big deal and Raman knew it. This was her way of letting him know she was here, this was her way of telling him finally she was leaving by their vows, till death do us part, this was her way of trying to curb the insecurity he had that maybe, just maybe she would leave someday.
If she wanted to reassure him then it had worked immensely and he was impressed because she had put a lot of thought and care into getting him these gifts, into the whole weekend. She was finally his; she was finally his Ishita Kumar Bhalla, His Wife. There were no more mirages, no more hesitations, it was just as is, she was his wife and him hers just as the writing on the watch stated he was her man, her life, her love and it was na honor he was going to carry with pride till the day he died.