11 July 2018, Monday
Mamanucas, Fiji
Raman and Ishita's villa
5pm

It was two hours later. Ishita looked absentmindedly into the distance as she gently caressed her sleeping daughters back. Her babies had insisted on jumping into the sea with their bhaiya and didi as soon as they arrived, and the end result had been two very exhausted babies, now fast asleep in the large king sized bed in one of the two master bedrooms. There was a small bedroom just opposite the master bedroom where two cots had been set up along with a single bed, but Ishita had wanted to keep her babies close to her, and had brought them into her bed when they started to grumble sleepily.

Mihika and Mihir had the other master bedroom, and Mihika, tired out easily these days, was also taking a nap.

The two older children had dumped their things all over the floor in the fourth bedroom after their swim, and had gone off to play snooker with the Mehta girls. So only Ishita was awake in the house when her husband got back to the Island.

He waved goodbye to the cheerful driver who dropped him off in a golf cart, before walking with some trepidation to the door. He had been on the island for over an hour now, but the resort manager had waylaid him as soon as he had arrived, with a hundred issues about logistics for the final party for the opening celebrations, in two days time , and he had been unable to get away until now.

He noticed the shoes at the door and knew she must be inside. But everything was so quiet.

He headed first towards the babies bedroom but saw that it was empty. The door to the master bedroom, their room, was slightly ajar, and he hesitated for a second, his hand on the doorknob, before pushing the door open. The first sight that greeted his eyes were his two angels, sprawled in the middle of their parents bed, fast asleep. And his wife was sitting on the bed, her back ramrod straight not looking back as the door opened.

She had to know it was him. Her reaction told him that he had been right to be worried.

'Ishita" he called out softly as he approached the bed, his heart almost bursting with love at the sight of his babies and his wife.

She still did not turn around, still did not say anything.

His heart sunk and he touched her tentatively on her shoulder.

"Ishita?" His voice held a question.

She flinched at his touch and then turned around slowly to face him.

He saw the angry tears in her eyes first and then the paper that was crumpled in her lap. A paper with the photo of Gina Shah with him at the Resorts grand opening ceremony, Gina's arm proprietarily around his waist as she greeted Fiji's Prime Minister, a fixed smile on his face, a beaming one on hers.

"Ishita, I can explain..."

She stood up swiftly, giving him a warning glance as she gestured at the twins, and then walked out of the room. He looked longingly at his sleeping babies, and then followed his wife out of the bedroom, closing the door softly behind him.

He found her out on the deck, staring unseeingly at the sea, hugging her arms around her, as though she was feeling cold in the blazing sun. She had lost so much weight since the twins had been born, since all her time was spent running around after two very active toddlers, and he realized with a pang just how fragile, how defeated she looked.

"Ishita" he walked up to her, standing before her, forcing her to look at him. "I can explain everything."

"Are you her lover?"

Her voice was steady but there was a world of pain behind it. He stared at her in shock, swearing under his breath, his heart hammering at her accusation.

"Ishita for Gods sake, what sort of...."

"It's what the media is saying Raman. It's all over the press. So are you? Have you slept with her? Batao mujhe. Tell me Raman"

It hurt so much to hear her ask him that, but he knew that it must hurt her so much more to have to ask. He saw the pain in her beloved face, and his voice softened.

"Ishita, I've never slept with another woman since the day I fell in love with you, since New Zealand."

"You were ready to though" her eyes clouded with remembered pain. "That woman.... she came to us in Shimla....she....."

"I had lost my memory then Ishita" his eyes blazed, his voice rising. "I certainly haven't lost it now. Do you really think I came out here to have an affair with some movie star? I literally had to beg you to join me, I wanted you all here so much. To do what? To witness me having an affair? Itna gira hua hoon kya mein? Tumhe yahan bulaoonga tumhari tamasha banane ke liye?" (Am I really such a bastard? That I would call you all the way here to make a joke out of you?)

Her eyes clouded with uncertainty. He was right. She hadn't wanted to come to Fiji without all the children, and Ruhi had wanted to go to her karate camp. He had insisted that she join him, had cajoled and persuaded Ruhi to come with them. Then having made all that effort to bring his family here, why would he do something like this? It would be totally out of character. It would not be the Raman she knew and loved, the father of her children, her dearest friend, her closest confidante, her love.

But the photos Ishita Her mind berated her wavering heart. What about those photos?

"Then explain these photos Raman" her own voice rose as she stared back defiantly at her husband. "Agreed, you didn't intend to come here to do anything, but you got thrown together with a very beautiful woman. And the way she...the way she looks at you in the photos, the way she was touching you, holding you, it's not as if she's some stranger to you.You ..you're the media guru Raman. You're always so careful about your privacy, you manage your image so well, so those photos didn't just get published. You allowed it to happen Raman. You allowed it. Why? You knew how much it would hurt me, so why?"

"She's a movie star Ishita" his words sounded unconvincing, even to him. "She only became the Resorts brand ambassador at the very last moment, when Dia had to opt out for personal reasons. She's starring in a movie Mr Mehta is financing and the Producers were able to request her to step in at the last moment. That's why we...we've had to be so attentive to her, look after her, she's doing Mr Mehta a favour and he asked me to make sure she doesn't want for anything... Those photos, Ishita, they were taken at the resort opening functions...she wanted me to be her escort for the functions, she insisted and so...."

"She certainly seems to want you. So have you been giving her everything she wants then, everything she insists on?" Tears choked her voice as she dropped her face into her hands, angry tears threatening to overcome her.

"No damn it. I've told you, there's never been anyone since you and I fell in love. Trust me Ishita."

He moved towards her, tried to pull her into his arms, but she jerked him away.

"All these years Raman... I've never felt this way.. you've never made me feel so unwanted....the way I felt when I saw those photos.....woh jis tarha se aap ko chuti hai aur aap...aap.... you let her Raman....aap jaise mere nahi, uske hai" (The way she touches you, and you...you let her Raman.. as if you are hers, and not mine)

She covered her face with her hands again, feeling her defenses slipping as the pain, the uncertainty threatened to engulf her.

He moved towards her again, touching her shoulders tentatively, trying to get her to look at him. "I'm sorry jaan... you know what the media is like...please baby, don't cry... come here Ishita....jaan, please"

"Papa"

A loud voice interrupted them and Ishita hastily moved away, wiping her eyes as Ruhi came bounding onto the deck.

"Papa, aap aa gaye? Kitna maza hai yahan. Lekin mujhe bhukh lag rahi hai aur Adi bhaiya sirf Meera didi ke saath snooker khelna chahte hai...aur mujhe burger chahiye....."
(Papa, you're here. It's so much fun here. But I'm so hungry and Adi bhaiya just wants to play snooker with Meera didi and I want a burger and ...)

"Bas bas bas meri toofan"
(Enough, Enough my hurricane)

Raman gave a last lingering look at his wife before bending down to grab his daughter into a bear hug, lifting her off her feet as she shouted in delight.

"It's almost 5pm" he glanced at his watch as he finally put his daughter down, having kissed her soundly on both cheeks. "Why don't we order a burger for you now, and then let's all go out for dinner once the babies wake up huh? What say mumma?"

Ishita finally turned around. She had wiped her tears, and there was a smile fixed on her face as she looked down at her excited daughter, extending a hand to her.

"Let's see what we can find in the kitchen first baby" she didn't look back at her husband as she entered the villa with her daughter, who was still loudly insisting on a burger. They re-entered the villa to the sound of the babies crying and she immediately moved towards the bedroom.

"Okay fine Ruhi, order your burger" she called out as she hurried away, ignoring her husband's entreaty filled glances.

She entered the bedroom to find her baby daughter sitting up in the middle of the bed crying, while her twin stared up at her, sleep still clouding his eyes.

"What's wrong darling, come here" She reached down to pick her crying daughter up into her arms, while smiling at her sleepy son. "Ishaan, go back to sleep betu. It's all right. Choti is a little bit upset but amma will look after her. So jao beta, shhh." She caressed Ishaan's forehead until he closed his eyes and turned over and then she turned her attention back to her whimpering daughter, who was clinging to her, tears streaming from her eyes.

'Kya hua meri beti ko?" Koi bura sapna dekha meri beti ne?" (What's wrong with my little girl? Did she have a bad dream?)

"No mumma" sobbed Raashi.

"Then what's wrong my darling?" Ishita asked gently as she rocked the little girl, soothing her. Raashi nestled in her mother's arms but continued to whimper softly. Until there was a sound at the door.

"Papa" the crying stopped in an instant as her baby saw her father, chubby little arms extending toward him. "Papa"

Ishita handed over Raashi as Raman came into the room, watching as her daughters tears turned into smiles as she snuggled into her father's arms. So that was what the problem had been. Raashi had been missing her papa, but she hadn't wanted to upset her mother by saying so.

She saw the love in Raman's face as he gently kissed his baby's face, as he looked down on his sleeping son.

Maybe she was being unduly paranoid. Raman loved them all so much, she knew that. He loved them so much that his mind had chosen to forget they existed rather than accept the evidence of his eyes when he believed them dead. Raman Bhalla, the father, would not jeopardize his family for some fling, no matter how beautiful the woman was. She had always feared that he would get bored of her, that she would not be enough for a passionate man like him, but it wasn't just about her any more. He loved his family - and he was a good, decent man. He was a passionate lover, that was true, but he would not risk everything just for a few nights of passion. Surely she knew him that much. Surely she should trust him.

She took a deep breath, staring at the love, the infinite tenderness in her husband's face as he cuddled his daughter. This holiday had not started off right, but they could still make it memorable. She just needed to let go off her paranoia, her suspicions.

"Let's go into the kitchen" she said brightly. "Ruhi didi wants a burger." And then as her husband watched her hopefully, she walked back to her older daughter, trying to banish the fear that still held her in its thrall.

Later that evening @9.00pm
Wicked Walu Restaurant

The Mehta and Bhalla families were sitting together at a large seafacing table in the Resorts premier restaurant , with Mihir and Mihika making up the party.

They had just finished a delicious dinner, with the others enjoying the fresh seafood in abundance, while Ishita was served with specially made vegetarian versions of the various dishes. The twins were bouncing in their high chairs, happy with the attention they were receiving from their two new didi' s and from the entire resort staff, who kept coming up to their table and taking the babies away for hugs and kisses. Ishita had been nervous at first seeing yet another burly Fijian man holding her babies, but both Mr Mehta and Raman had assured her that the local people loved children and the babies would be fine.

Mr Mehta had also taken her aside before dinner to speak to her privately.

"Raashmi told me what happened Ishita" his voice was gentle. "No doubt Gina has taken a fancy to your husband, but you have nothing to worry about. Raman is an absolute professional, and he has done so much to make this event a success, even putting up with Miss Bollywood. And Gina is only here for two more days. The final opening party for local dignitaries is on Wednesday and she flies out on Thursday morning. Then you can have Raman and the island all to yourselves. I'll be leaving with my family for Australia on Wednesday night, so we will only be here for the first hour or so of the party. My jet will come back to fly you all back to India on Sunday. Until then, I want you to relax and to enjoy the island, and make Raman relax too. Your babies second birthday party is on Friday, right? Make it memorable for them, and don't worry about the nonsense the press writes my dear."

Ishita had nodded at Mr Mehta's words, embarrassed that her private fears were known to all, but reassured too, by the business tycoons fervent avowals that thee was Raman had been nothing but professional towards the movie star. He had said that Gina had taken a fancy to Raman, that was obvious in all the photos she had seen, but how could she hold her husband responsible for what someone else felt?

So she had tried to enjoy her dinner, watching on fondly as her children bounced around, chatting happily with their father, while she herself made small talk with Mihika and Mrs Raashmi Mehta.

After dinner the men had played snooker and she had sat on the beach with the women, watching the children running around. By ten pm the twins had been falling asleep again, and she could also see the tiredness in Adi and Ruhi's faces, even though they were running around unceasingly.

"Mujhe bachhon ko sulana chahiye Raashmi ji" (I need to put the children to bed now Raashmi ji) she said politely, cuddling Ishaan in her arms while Mihika held the yawning Raashi.

"You're right Ishita" Mrs Mehta had responded. 'It's time the girls went to bed too." She had called her daughters over, and Ishita had called the reluctant Adi and Ruhi over too. And so they had walked over to the men, to let them know they would be going back to their villas.

They had found the men in deep discussion with the manager, poring over some documents, and Mr Mehta had requested the women to go on ahead.

"Im so sorry my dear" he said apologetically to his wife. " I know I promised I wouldn't work once you got here, but this won't take long. I hope you don't mind Ishita, Mihika" he had added, smiling at the sisters. "We just need to look at these layouts for a marketing campaign back in India. We need to email the proof back to meet the deadline. But it shouldn't take long. Raman and Mihir will join you soon."

And so she had returned to the villa with Mihika and the children, and her husband had remained behind.

10.30 pm
The Beach Outside the Bhalla/Arora villa

The children were all fast asleep. Ishita had left the intercom for the twins baby monitor with Mihika, who was sitting up in the living room reading and waiting for Mihir, and had stepped outside for a stroll on the beach.

The tide was out and the stars twinkled brightly overhead, the night lit up by an almost full moon. She could see distant  lights from the other villas, but there were no sounds except that of the crashing waves on the reef yonder. She kicked off her slippers, picking them up, loving the feel of the sand between her toes as she wandered along. The island was private, and there was nothing to fear, even in the darkness. So she wondered why anxiety clutched her heart, why fear danced in front of her.

It was because of her contretemps with Raman of course. They had not had the chance to resume their interrupted conversation after Ruhi had burst in on them. She had not told him that she believed him, they had not had the chance to hug, to hold each other. She had missed him so so much when he had been away, and they had never met after a trip with so much distance between them, without even a kiss, a hug.

She believed that he had never had anything to do with Gina Shah, he had assured her and she believed him. Her husband would not lie to her.But  now she needed to feel his arms around her, needed to feel the reassurance of his love.

She looked around her with a start as she realized she had walked quite a distance away, lost in her thoughts, and turned around to head back.

And then the stillness of the night was interrupted by voices. Raman and Mihir's voices. They must be walking back home. She was just about to call out to them, to make herself known, when she heard another voice.

"Raman" a woman's voice called out, a sexy sultry unmistakable voice, familiar from the movies, and television advertisements. Gina Shah's voice.

Ishita stood still, her own voice dying in her throat.

"Raman" she heard Gina call out again, and then in the dim light, she saw a tall, shapely woman, dressed in some clinging garment which outlined her voluptuous body,  approaching her husband and brother in law. They were mere meters away, but around a bend, a curve in the beach, and they had not seen her. But she could see them clearly, hear them clearly.

"Hi Gina" she heard her husband say. "We thought you were resting, since you didn't join us for dinner. Mr Mehta had wanted to introduce you to his family."

There was a tinkling laugh and as Ishita watched, Gina Shah reached her husband and Mihir, putting a proprietary hand on Raman's arm. "You know I have no interest in family get togethers Raman" her voice was seductive, tinged with laughter. "I'm far more interested in catching up with you. Alone. Can you leave us alone Mihir?"

Ishita stood frozen as she saw Mihir hesitate, glance at his bhai, then take a tentative step away.

"Wait Mihir" Raman's voice was as cold as ice. He turned back to Gina. "There is nothing to talk about alone Gina. Its late and I need to get back to my family. Your official duties are over except for the party on Wednesday. Please relax and enjoy the island until then. If you need anything, the Manager will be more than happy to help, you just have to let him know. But I am off duty and I need to go to my family now."

"You know exactly what I need Raman" Gina's silky seductive tones cut through the stillness of the night. "And stop repeating that you need to go to your family . One word from me to your wife and your family will be out of here in a heartbeat. After all, I'm Gina Shah, and she's just some ordinary housewife, and what I want I get. Why are you being like this darling? You couldn't get enough of my body, and now you're acting all coy. Just  come back to my villa with me. Mihir can make some excuse for you. And Raman, you had better come or else I might just have to tell your wife the truth."

"Don't you dare" Ishita could hear the fear in her husband's voice, as her own body turned numb with shock. "It's over Gina, just accept it, please. I love my wife...I..."

He could not finish the sentence as just then, Mihir, perhaps uncomfortable at being witness to the scene unfolding before him, had walked a bit further away. And he saw Ishita.

"Bhabhi" Mihir called out in shock. "Aap yahan?" (Bhabhi. You,here?)

Ishita stood frozen to the spot, her slippers falling unheeded from her hands into the foaming surf at her feet. There was a buzz in her head, and something sharp, something hot and fiery was piercing through her body. She did not know what this pain was, she had never felt it before. But whatever it was, whatever this palpitating, incredible ache was, it left her gasping for breath, as hot tears blinded her eyes, and her husband's voice reverberated in her ears. "It's over Gina. It's over Gina. It's over Gina"

What was over? Raman had said there was nothing. But if nothing had started, then it would not be over. He had lied to her. Raman had lied to her.

"You couldn't get enough of my body" Gina's voice. Enough of her body? Raman and Gina? No. No. No.

She put her hands over her ears, wanting to block out the sounds, the sound of his voice, the sound of Gina's voice. Wanting to block out the realization of his betrayal.

And through her tears, she saw him approach her, his eyes full of fear, his face a picture of shock. She saw Mihir reach out a hand towards him, and then towards her, and she saw Gina Shah's smiling face, gloating at her.

And then she slumped onto the sand, and there was a merciful blackness.

Ek daur woh tha mujhse bhi jaada unko fikar thi meri
Kehthe theh mujhse rooksath na honge.... mil ke dobaara kabhi
Ab toh gairo se mera haal pucha jaata hain
Yahi darde dil mere dil ko roola tha hain
Wafa ne bewafaai bewafaai bewafaai ki hain
Wafa ne bewafaai

When i look into your eyes
Baby i am in paradise
We could take you to skies
We could make you and I

Meri aashqui ye rab ke hawale roothe yaar ko bas koi mana le
Yaadon ki suli mann mein ghar jaati hain
Viraaniyaa jab hadd se badd jaati hain
Ek daur woh tha mujhse bhi jaada unko fikar thi meri
Kehthe theh mujhse rooksath na honge mil ke dobaara kabhi
Ab toh gairo se mera haal pucha jaata hain
Yahi darde dil mere dil ko roola tha hain
Wafa ne bewafaai bewafaai bewafaai ki hain -
Wafa ne bewafaai

Kuch baatein aisi hoti hain
Jin ko bayan karana labzo mein naamoomkeen hota hain
Jab wafa bewafa hoti hain koi naa koi jawah hoti hain
Koi naa koi jawah hoti hain
Kyun faaslo mein nazadeekiyaan hain kyun zindagi mein tabdileeyaan
Kyun tanahaan dil ye mera mujhse kahen
Yeh silsila bas yuhi chalte rahein
Jaane kya huva hian jiski wajah se
Manjile juda si lag rahi
Anjaani raah pe di ye kyun khud ko paata hain
Yahi darde dil mere dil ko rulaata hain
Wafa ne bewafaai bewafaai bewafaai ki hain