Note: Not proof-read. Apologies in advance for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes and typos.

Hi Everyone,

It's been a while but finally I am back with a fresh update to "Hamari Adhroori Kahaani". I hope you missed me and my story while I was away! 🤷🏻‍♀️😉

Like I mentioned, the break was inevitable as my health and commitments at work needed to take priority but now I am back and I shall try my best  to write and post more frequently but it will still be a while before I can start posting weekly like I used to before.

Anyway, since I was gone for long, here is a quick bullet-point recap just in case you have forgotten where the story is at during the last few months:

· Ruhi tripped and fell down the stairs while doing a workout with Pihu for her sports day and for some reason she is worried about something ever since she met with this accident. 

· Raman's memory is getting worse as he is now forgetting things that have happened hours before, which is the result of Simmi having increased his medicine dose twice since he got married to Ishita again.

· Adi throws a surprise party for Raman and Ishita to celebrate their wedding.

· Shagun helps Raman realise the depth of his feelings for Ishita while Simmi once again tries to create a rift between Raman and Ishita however Raman follows his heart and does not get influenced by Simmi.

· Raman makes a speech for Ishita and he also dances with her- their bond is growing stronger and they are slowly but surely coming closer in spite of  Simmi and Param's multiple efforts to stop this from happening.

· Ishita is still clueless as to how Simmi is giving Raman the medicine but is more determined than she was ever before to get to the bottom of this. 

Also while I want to write and publish updates more regularly going forward, I doubt there will be weekly updates but I shall try my best to post more frequently going forward. So with the hope that I shall be back with more updates in 2019 let me take this opportunity to wish you all A Very Happy New Year! I hope in the New Year you are surrounded by loved ones and that 2019 is filled with all things good for you, your family, loved ones and friends! 

Anyway, you all have waited long enough for this update so let's get right to it.

Enjoy!

Love and Hugs,
A.S.

=============================

Bhalla House:

The house party to celebrate Ishita and Raman's wedding has finally come to an end and most of the guests have left. Apart from the residents of the Bhalla house which includes Simmi and Param, only the Iyers, Shagun, Mani and Ashok have stayed behind for a bit. Everyone is gathered around the drawing room and most of the people present are all in happy and joyful moods except Simmi and Param who look utterly miserable but like Param had explained to Simmi for appearance sake it was important that they be part of all the drama that was going on even though reluctantly.

Amidst the chatter and happy talks going on Ishita's eyes suddenly goes to the wall clock and she lets out an audible gasp and everyone pauses and looks at her.

Adi: Kya hua Ishimaa?

Ishita: Batton batton mein mera time pe dhayan hi nahi gaya. Kal Pihu ka school hai aur woh abhi tak jagi hui hai. Pihu beta chalo jaldi sab ko goodnight bolo aur sone jao.

Pihu makes a sad pout and looks at her as she is having too much fun to leave.

Pihu: Please thodi der aur Ishimaa. Itna maza aa raha hai sab ke saath. Itne time baad hum sab ek saath itni masti kar rahe hai.

Ishita: Pihu masti toh phir kabhi sab ke saath kiya ja sakta hai, lekin agar ab tum sone nahi gai toh phir kal tum time se uthogi nahi aur phir school ke liye late ho jayega aur sabse pehle aapko teacher se daat padegi. Isliye ab no excuses ab chalo sab ko good night bolo and apne room mein jao.

Pihu makes a sad face and looks around at everyone for help but no one comes to her defense as they all know Ishita is right. So reluctantly Pihu gets up, says goodnight to everyone, stomps her feet as she sulkingly starts to walk towards her room.

Bhalla Ji notices her and feels bad, as any loving grandfather would.

Bhalla Ji: Pihu aise dukhi man sone nahi jate. Acche sapne nahi ayenge.

Pihu: Dadu toh aap Ishimaa ko bolo na mujhe sone ko nahi bheje. Waise bhi hum sab aise saath mein kabhi itna enjoy nahi karte hain. Mujhe nahi sona!

Bhalla Ji: Lekin Pihu Ishita ki baat toh sahi hai. But mere pass ek idea hai jise sun ke tum bahut khush ho jaogi.

Pihu: Kaisa idea Dadu?

Bhalla Ji: Abhi tum hi ne kaha ki hum sab saath mil ke enjoy nahi karte. Toh kyun na ek aur plan banaya jaye aise ek saath hone ka lekin is baar din mein so that tumhe koi sone ko na bhej de.

Pihu: Din mein toh mera school hota hai Dadu aur sab ka office bhi.

Bhalla Ji: Haan Puttar. Lekin do din baad kuch special hai isliye koi school aur office nahi jayega.

Everyone looks at Bhalla Ji and each other confused.

Bhalla Ji: Sab mujhe aise kya dekh rahe ho? Aap sab bhul gaye kya ki parson Holi hai? Aur maine decide kiya hai ki is saal hum Holika Dahan aur Holi dono bahut dhoom dham se manayenge woh bhi sab ek saath.

Pihu claps excitedly and everyone except Simmi and Param are very thrilled with the announcement.

Simmi: Lekin Papa Ji, humne toh ghar mein kai salon se tyohar manana chod diya tha.

Bhalla Ji: Haan. Yaad hai mujhe. Ananya ke jane ke dukh ke samne.... kisi ka man nahi manta tha. Woh dukh toh aaj bhi hai aur hamesha rahega lekin zindagi toh kisi ke liye nahi rukti. Isliye maine faisla kiya hai ki aaj se is ghar mein dobara pehle ke tarah sare tyohar manaye jayenge.

Simmi: Lekin Papa Ji...

Bhalla Ji: Simmi pichle saal humne ghar mein Christmas Party rakhi thi  aur phir is saal humne sab ke saath mil ke apartment mein Lodhi manai thi...

Simmi bites her lips as the only reason she allowed for the Christmas party to happen in the house was because she had hoped it would give her and Param the opportunity to sneak into the Iyer house.

Simmi: Haan Papa Ji. Christmas party toh isliye tha kyunki Pihu ke councilor ne kaha tha ki uske liye accha hoga. Waise bhi Christmas kaun sa hamara festival hai. Aur Lodhi apartment mein manai gai thi ghar mein nahi...

Bhalla Ji looks intently at Simmi for a few moments and then makes up his mind to deal with her with politeness for now as many people are present so he talks to her calmly even though he is annoyed hearing her illogical arguments just to get her way.

Bhalla Ji: Jab tu Raman aur Mihika ki shaadi kara rahi thi tab toh tune khud is ghar mein tyoharon wali raunak bhar di thi. Tab tujhe in sab baton ka khayal nahi aya toh ab rongon ke tyohar ko manane mein kya problem hai?

Simmi: Papa woh baat alag thi. Woh toh main...

Bhalla Ji: Woh sab tu is ghar ki khushiyon ke liye kar rahi thi hai na?

Simmi: Haan Papa Ji lekin...

Bhalla Ji: Lekin kya Simmi? Jab shaadi ke time is ghar mein tyohar wala mahool aa sakta hai toh tyohar ke time khushiyon ka mahol kyun nahi? Isliye hum Holika Dahan aur Holi dono khub dhum dham se manayenge aur aap sab ko aana hoga.

Everyone nods in agreement. Pihu comes and hugs Bhalla Ji excitedly.

Pihu: Wow Dadu! Kitne time ke baad main aap sab ke saath Holi khelungi. Aap mere liye badi wali pichkari laoge na?

Bhalla Ji: Haan Puttar. Tu jo kahegi woh launga lekin uske liye tujhe abhi sone jana hoga aur time se kal school bhi jana hoga warna parson ki sari Holi party cancel kar dunga main.

Pihu: Nahi Dadu! Aap please kuch cancel mat karna! Main chali sone. Good night everyone!

And like a bolt of lightning Pihu runs into her room excitedly.

Simmi glares at Bhalla Ji, then looks at Toshi with fake tears in her eyes before she silently walks away to her room and Param sighs a fake yet audible sad sigh before he too follows Simmi into their room.

Toshi: Bhalla Ji! Aise tyohar manane ka kya fayda jiske khayal se bhi hamari bacchi ke aakh bhar aaye?!? Mujhe nahi lagta aapka yeh faisla sahi hai.

Bhalla Ji: Sahi ya galat, hoga wahin jo main keh raha hun. Holi khub dhoom dham se manai jayegi aur sab milke kal raat ki Holika Dahan aur parson ki Holi ki tayari karenge.

Toshi: Lekin Bhalla Ji...

Bhalla Ji: Bus Toshi Ji! Ab is baat ko aap yahin khatam karo. Jaisa main keh raha hun waisa karo aap. Waise toh hume yeh sab bahut pehle shuru kar dena chahiye tha. Aaj Adi, Aliya, Ruhi aur Pihu ne yeh party organise kar ke mujhe ehsaas dilaya ki jo khoya uske dukh mein hum aur kitna kuch kho baithe the. Waise bhi khushiyan jitni milti hai bator leni chahiye. Dheere dheere do dooni chaar karke khushiyan ayengi toh us dukh ka dard kam ho jayega jisse hum aaj tak nikal nahi paye.

Romi: Haan Mummy Ji! Papa Ji bilkul sahi keh rahe hain! Ananya ke jane ka dukh hum sab ko hai lekin zindagi tham toh nahi jati.

Bhalla Ji: Romi kal raat ki aur parson ki sari tayari ki zimmedari teri aur Mihika ki hai aur haan baki sab ki bhi help lena har kaam mein.

Mihika: Don't worry Papa Ji. Hum aisi yadgaar Holi plan karenge ki iske charche agle kai salon tak honge!

Ashok: Ishita, main bhi ab chalta hun.

Ishita: Ok Ashok. Lekin tumne suna na Papa Ji ne kya kaha. Tumhe kal Holika Dahan ke liye aur parson Holi pe bhi aana hoga.

Ashok: Zaroor. But abhi ke liye main nikalta hun. Good night everyone.

Ashok gets up, says his goodbyes to everyone and leaves.

Vishwa: Madhu, humein bhi ab chalna chahiye. Pihu ke school ke sath sath kal Shitija ka bhi school hai.

Kiran: Haan Appa, chaliye chalte hain.

Vishwa, Madhavi, Bala and Kiran head out and as they are leaving Ruhi, Adi and Aliya thank them for all the help in planning the party. Ishita gets emotional hearing that her family too helped in making this evening special for both of them so she decides to go see them off till their home so that she can have a moment with them and thank them in her own way so she too accompanies them out of the house.

Bhalla Ji: Toshi Ji, raat ho gai hai. Aap bhi chal ke thoda aram kar lo.

Toshi who is angry at her husband, because she thinks he has intentionally tried to hurt their daughter, walks off with a scowl on her face in complete silence. Bhalla Ji watches her go, then says goodnight to everyone and leaves to pacify his wife.

Mani: Shagun, hum bhi chale?

Mihika: Shagun tumhe mera ek bracelet chahiye tha na. Ek bar room mein chal ke dekh lo kaun sa chahiye?

Shagun: Mani main bus abhi ayi phir chalte hai.

Mani: Ok.

Shagun and Mihika leave and Mani too excuses himself to go to the washroom, and Romi too gets busy winding up things in and around the house. Only Adi, Aliya, Ruhi and Raman are left in the drawing room.

Raman: Adi, Ruhi, Aliya... Thank you!

Adi: Thank you kyun Papa. Apne Papa ke liye kya hum itna nahi kar sakte. Hum bus aapke aur Ishimaa ke face pe ek badi si smile lana chahte the.

Ruhi: Ya Papa. But ulta humein aapko thank you bolna chahiye.

Raman: Mujhe kyun Beta?

Ruhi: Aise toh hum aapko surprise dena chate the but actually surprise aapne hum sab ko de diya: Ishimaa ke liye itni acchi speech di phir unke saath dance bhi kiya. Yeh toh unke saath saath hum sab ke liye bhi best surprise tha isliye thank you!

Raman comes and sits next to Ruhi and looks at her feet.

Raman: Tumhari chot kaisi hai Ruhi?

Ruhi: Bahut better hai Papa. Holi tak puri tarah se theek bhi ho jaungi.

Raman: I am sorry Ruhi. Tumhe itni chot lagi thi aur aaj main pure din tumhe ek baar dekhne tak nahi aya, tumhara hal tak nahi pucha maine.

Ruhi: Kya bol rahe ho Papa! Adi Bhaiya ne mujhe bataya tha ki aap office se jaldi ana chahte the mere saath time spend karne ke liye. Lekin yahan pe sari tayari chal rahi thi isliye humne Romi Chachu se kaha tha ki woh aapko busy rakhein. 

Adi: Waise Papa aapko surprise kaisa laga?

Raman: It's the best surprise ever. Mere pass words nahi hai batane ko ki mujhe in sab ke peeche tum charon ka thought kitna zada accha laga.

Aliya: Waise Papa is thought ka credit sirf aur sirf Adi ko jata hai, yeh sara thought isi ke dimag mein paka tha. Humne toh bus uski thodi help kar di us thought ko reality banane mein.

Raman goes and hugs Adi.

Raman: Idea chahe jiska bhi raha ho use pura toh tum sab ne mil ke kiya tha which is what is important.

Adi: Papa, aapke aur Ishimaa ke liye itna toh hum itna kar hi sakte hai na.

Raman: Haan Adi. But kaisa Papa hun main joh aaj tak apne bachon ke liye kuch kar nahi paya.

Ruhi: Aap kya bol rahe ho Papa?

Raman: Sahi toh bol raha hun. I don't deserve this. Kaisa Papa hun main jo apne bachon ko bhul gaya. Mujhe toh tum charon shayad kabhi yaad bhi nahi aate agar Ishita hamare life mein nahi aai hoti.

Adi: Aap aisa mat bolo Papa. Aapne jan buch ke toh humein nahi bhulaya tha.

Ruhi: Ya Papa. Please aisi baatein mat karo.

Raman: Nahi Ruhi meri baat sun lo. Agar kal ko main dobara tum sab ko bhul gaya toh?

Adi: Toh hum aapko dobara yaad dila denge Papa. Itni asani se hum aapko humne bhulne nahi denge aur agar by chance aap bhul bhi gaye toh Ishimaa hai na. Woh dobara aapko yaad dila dengi!

Raman for some reason is feeling very upset so he nods, hugs Adi, Ruhi and Aliya one last time and silently walks back to his room.

Aliya: Yeh Papa ko kya ho gaya achanak? 5 minute pehle tak bilkul khush the aur sab ke jate hi aisi baatein kyun karne lage? Unhe achanak kyun lag raha hai ki woh dobabra hum sab ko bhul jayenge?

Ruhi: Ya it's very strange.

Adi: Kuch strange nahi hai. Unko shayad hum sab ko aaj sath mein khush dekh ke laga hoga ki kahin woh dobara sab bhul na jaye.

Just then Shagun and Mihika come back. Shagun is carrying a small jewelry box in her hand.

Shagun: Sab kaha chale gaye?

Adi: Appa washroom gaye hai. Aate hi honge.

After a few minutes the main door opens. Ishita comes back in. She joins them in the drawing room and looks around.

Shagun: Raman ko dhoondh rahi ho Ishita?

Ishita: Nahi Shagun. Mummy Ji kaha hai? Woh Papa Ji ki baatein sunkar upset lag rahi thi.

Shagun: Ishita! Come on! Tum bhi kaun si baatein le kar pareshan hone lagti ho. Tum janti ho Mummy Ji abhi bhi Simmi ke influnce mein hai isliye woh aise behave kar rahi hain.

Ishita: Haan woh toh hai. Par Papa Ji mein suddenly itna change dekh ke main bahut surprised hun aur khush bhi. Aaj jab unhone mujhe gale lagaya toh mujhe woh time yaad aa gaya jab main shaadi karke is ghar mein aai thi aur Papa ji ne mujhe kitne pyaar se apnaya tha. Aur yeh sab possible hua hai mere in bachoon ki wajah se so really thank you very much to all of you.

Adi: Waise Ishimaa sach sach batao aapko kis baat se zada khushi hui- Dadu ke aapko gale lagane se ya Papa ne jo aapke liye speech diya use sunke?

Ishita knows everyone is pulling her leg so to save herself she looks at Shagun.

Ishita: Actually sabse special toh mere liye Shagun ka gift tha! Really Shagun it was...

Shagun: Ishita jhoot bolna hi hai toh kum se kum aisa bolo ki sunne wale ko do second ke liye yakeen bhi aa jaye!

Everyone laughs and Ishita frowns at them with mock annoyance.

Ishita: Accha Ruhi chalo main tumhe kamre mein chod deti hoon aur aaj bhi main tumhare saath sone wali hoon.

Ruhi: Koi zaroorat nahi hai Ishimaa. Main khud manage kar lungi.

Ishita: Lekin Ruhi...

Shagun: Ishita tum Ruhi ke room mein soti ho?

Ishita: Arey no Shagun... not like that... abhi Ruhi chal phir nahi sakti isliye... agar use raat ko kisi cheez ki zaroorat hui toh...

Aliya: Amma aaj raat Ruhi ke saath main so jaungi.

Ishita: Nahi Aliya it's ok...

Shagun looks at Ishita in mild disbelief then she recalls how Raman and Ishita are yet to be as close as they used to be before so she steps in trying to talk some sense into Ishita.

Shagun: Aliya bilkul theek keh rahi hai Ishita. Abhi thodi der pehle Raman ne itna accha speech diya tumhare liye. Tumhe abhi uske pass rehna chahiye...shayad use kuch aur yaad aa jaye.

Hearing Shagun's words Ishita's smile instantly fades away.

Shagun: Kya hua Ishita? Tumhara chehra kyun murjha gaya...

Ishita: Kuch nahi Shagun.

Shagun: Kuch toh baat hai Ishita. Pehle party jab shuru hui Raman pareshan sa tha aur ab achanak tum. Please batao baat kya hai. Tum share nahi karogi toh hum tumhari phir help kaise karenge?

Adi: Haan Ishimaa. Kya hua bolo na please.

Ishita: Shagun tum yahan Raman ko purani baatein yaad aa jaye, iski umeed lagai baithi ho lekin yahan toh ulta ho raha hai.

Mihika: Ulta matlab kya hai aapka Akka?

Ishita: Purani baatein yaad aane ki umeed hum tab kar sakte hai jab Raman ko abhi ki baatein yaad rahengi. Lekin pata nahi achanak kya ho gaya. Raman toh ek din pehle hue baatein bhulne lage hain.

Shagun: Are you sure Ishita?

Ishita: Absolutely. Raman ki short term memory bhi weak hoti ja rahi hai. Meri toh samajh mein nahi aa raha ki achanak aisa kyun ho raha hai. Pehle seizure attack out of nowhere aur ab itni jaldi baatein bhul jana. Aisa kyun ho raha hai?

Shagun: Ishita mujhe lagta hai tum galat ho.

Ishita: Kyun? Tumhe aisa kyun lagta hai?

Shagun: Jab maine tumhe tumhara gift diya tab Raman use aise dekh raha tha ki ek second ke liye mujhe laga ki use kuch yaad aa raha hai but usi time Adi ne cake cutting ke liye bula liya. Uske baad main usse puchna chahti thi but phir hum kisi aur important topic pe baat karne lage aur phir Raman ka speech, tum dono ka dance- in sab mein mauka hi nahi mila usse puchne ka but I think usko earrings dekh ke kuch yaad aya tha.

Aliya: Kaun si earrings Amma?

Shagun: Woh actually Ishita ke hi the. Galti se mere pass aa gaye the but woh the itne special ki main kisi khas mauke ka wait kar rahi thi use wapas karne ke liye aur isse khas din aur kya ho sakta tha.

Ishita: Pata nahi Shagun. Kabhi kabhi mujhe bhi lagta hai sab theek ho raha hai. Raman aur mera rishta bhi pehle ki tarah... lekin jaise hi mujhe lagta hai hum ek kadam aage badhe hai uske agle pal lagta hai halat ne humein wapas do kadam peeche kheech liya hai.

Shagun: Ishita lekin abhi toh Raman ne apna kadam tumhari taraf badhaya hai right. Us speech ke through woh wahi karne ki koshish kar raha tha. Ab tum apne kadam badhao aur uske pass jao. Use itna comfortable karo ki agli baar use tumse apne dil ki baat kehne ke liye ek house party aur speech ka sahara nahi lena ho. Dekho Ishita jitna woh tumhare sath wapas comfortable hoga utna tum uske aas pass reh paogi aur tabhi Simmi ko Raman ko medicines dene mein aur mushkil hogi aur woh zaroor panic kar ke koi galti kar jayegi jisse hume pata chal jayega ki aakhir woh Raman ko abhi tak medicine de kaise rahi hai.

Ishita: Ya you are right. Ashok bhi mujhse yahi keh raha tha ki mujhe apna nazariya badalna hoga tabhi main is medicine ke raaz tak pahuch paungi.

Shagun: Ashok sahi keh raha hai. But nazarya badalne ke sath sath tumhe Raman aur apne sath ko pehle ki tarah bhi banana hai. Isliye Ruhi ki chinta chodo. Aaj raat Adi aur Aliya use beech beech mein ja ke check karte rahenge tum Raman ke pass jao.

Ruhi: Uski bhi zarorat nahi padegi. Mere pass phone hai. Agar mujhe kuch chahiye hoga toh main raat mein Aliya ko call kar lungi aur woh 2 second mein mere room mein aa jayegi.

Aliya: Arey nahi Ruhi! Main aaj tumhare sath tumhare room mein soungi. Isi bahane hum Holi ki bhi kuch planning aaj raat ko hi kar lenge kyunki bus kal ka hi din hai sari tayari karne ke liye.

Adi: Don't worry Aliya. Aaj ke baad toh hum sab ek din mein party planning expert ho gaye hai. Ab Holi Party bhi dhamakedaar hogi.

As the discussion is coming to an end, Romi and Mani also come and join them.

Shagun: Mani ab hum bhi chale.

Mani: Yes. Kal sham ko toh ab waise bhi dobara yahin milna hai.

Shagun and Mani say goodbye and leave. Ishita insists on accompanying Ruhi to her room. She makes sure that Ruhi is settled in to bed and it is only after numerous assurances from Aliya that Ishita finally leaves the two of them alone and heads back to her room.

Raman-Ishita Bedroom:

Ishita walks into the bedroom with a slight smile on her face, encouraged by all little motivational talk she got from her family downstairs a few moments ago but as soon as she spots Raman her smile fades away instantly for he is sitting in front of her on the bed lost in thought and  looking deeply troubled. Raman is so lost in his thoughts that he does not even notice Ishita walk into the room and then come and sit next to him on the edge of the bed. He finally takes notice of her when she taps him gently on his shoulder bringing him back to reality.

Ishita: Raman kya hua? Aap kya soch rahe ho?

Raman blankly stares into Ishita's eyes for a few moments not saying a word. At first Ishita assumed he is just thinking some random thoughts but as soon as he looks into her eyes she senses that something is not right and immediately gets concerned.

Ishita: Raman aap aise chup kyun ho? Bolo na kya hua? Aap pareshan kyun ho?

Raman: Kuch nahi Ishita.... main bus aise hi... tum so jao... raat bahut ho chuki hai. You must be tired.

Ishita looks at Raman with a slight frown on her face. Raman tries to get up so that he can walk away from her and escape her prying eyes but she places her hand on his shoulder stopping him from getting up so he is left with no choice but to stay where he is but even as he sits there he does everything in his power to avoid his gaze.

Ishita: Raman mujhe saaf dikh raha hai ki koi baat aapko pareshan kar rahi hai. Aap mujhse share nahi karoge kya?

Raman: Ishita aisa kuch nahi hai. I'm just tired. Main change kar ke aata hoon.

Ishita: Raman please baat share karne se ho sakta hai aapka man bhi halka ho jayega aur jo bhi problem hai use hum milke solve kar sakte hai.

Raman sighs as he knows Ishita won't let the matter go until she does not get to the bottom of it, but since he is feeling awkward and embarrassed in sharing this with her when he does speak he does so without looking at her.

Raman: Ishita woh... I am sorry...

Of all the things Ishita had imagined Raman would say, an apology was nowhere on her mind so for a moment she is confused.

Ishita: Sorry kis baat ke liye Raman?

Raman: Aaj subah maine tumhare sath jaise behave kiya uske liye.

Ishita: Main samjhi nahi... aapne toh aaj aisa kuch kiya hi nahi jiske liye aapko sorry bolne ki zaroorat ho.

Raman: Nahi Ishita.. galti toh mujhse hui hai... aaj subah maine jaise behave kiya and tumse rudely baat ki mujhe waisa nahi karna chahiye tha.

Ishita: Aisa kuch nahi hai Raman...

Raman: Nahi Ishita... ek toh main baatein bhul gaya upar se jab tumne mujhe yaad dilane ki koshish ki to maine tumhari baat nahi suni aur upar se tumse theek se baat tak nahi ki...

Ishita suddenly feels relieved as if a huge weight has been lifted off her shoulders.

Ishita: Matlab... matlab aapko kal kya kya hua tha sab yaad aa gaya Raman?

Raman: Nahi Ishita.. maine bahut koshish ki... par mujhe phir bhi kuch yaad nahi aa raha. Wo toh tumne aaj subah mein bataya toh mujhe pata chala ki Ruhi ko chot lagi hai aur maine socha tha ki breakfast ke baad aur office jane se pehle main Ruhi se milke jaunga lekin pata nahi kaise main bhul gaya aur phir mujhe office ja ke dobara yaad aya. Aur phir Romi se batoon batoon mein pata chala ki hum dono ne bhi kal sham ko baatein ki aur hum walk pe bhi gaye the. Tum aaj mujhe yahi yaad dilane ki koshish kar rahi thi right. Lekin dekho mujhe toh abhi tak kuch yaad nahi aa raha.

Ishita: Aap itni si baat ko le ke itna pareshan kyun ho rahe ho Raman. Choti si baat...

Raman: Nahi Ishita yeh choti si baat nahi hai...aaj mujhe kal hui baatein yaad nahi hai... kal agar main dobara Adi, Ruhi aur Pihu ko bhul gaya, agar main hamari shaadi bhul gaya toh?

Ishita: Raman is baar main, hamare bacche aur puri family aapke sath hai. Hum aapko kuch bhulne nahi denge.

Raman: Tumhare kehne se mujhe sab yaad thodi rahega Ishita. I'm sure jab meri yeh bhulne ki bimari pehle bhi shuru hui hogi tabhi family mein sab ne koshish ki hogi ki mujhe cheezein yaad rahe lekin main phir bhi apne bachoon ko aur apne life ke jane kitne saal bhul gaya hun.

Ishita: Raman pehle ki baat alag thi. Aapki yeh bimari kisi ke samajh mein nahi aa rahi thi aur isliye koi sahi time pe kuch kar nahi paya. Lekin ab main hoon na aapke sath. Main aisa kuch nahi hone dungi. I promise. Aap bus please itna stress mat lo aur mujhpe bharosa rakho. I promise ab aap dobara kuch nahi bhuloge aur mujhe pura yakeen hai aap jaldi theek bhi ho jaoge.

Raman: Kash tumhari kahi har baat sach ho jaye Ishita par aaj mujhe jane kyun ajeeb si ghabrahat ho rahi hai aur pehli baar dar bhi lag raha hai...

Ishita: Bus Raman...

Ishita knows that no words of her will bring him any comfort right now so she simply leans forward and instinctively hugs him.

Raman's fear of forgetting and losing his loved ones had hit him with such intensity that in wake of it he was not able to see, think or feel anything else except this feeling that he would lose everything that mattered to him in an instant without even realising that he is losing it all. However even in this shattered state he could not help but notice how he felt comforted the instant Ishita hugged him. Trying to fight back his fears he too hugged her back and as they held each other for those few brief seconds he could not help but wonder if he would remember any of this hug, or his and Ishita's dance, or how Shagun helped him realise the depth of his feelings for Ishita or the fact that his children made what was supposed to be an ordinary evening like every other day so special for him and Ishita in a few hours from now.

Ishita is the first to pull out of the hug a few moments later and reluctantly Raman too shifts back a little and for some reason he isn't able to look her in the eye so he just stares blankly at the wall behind her avoiding her gaze completely.

Ishita: Raman aapko mujhse nazre churane ki zarrorat nahi hai aur na hi apne is dar ko chupane ki zaroorat hai. Aapke is dar ka samna hum milke karenge aur mujhe pura yakeen hai aap bahut jaldi theek ho jaoge. Main hoon na aapke saath isliye ab aap kisi baat ki chinta mat karo. Dekhna sab theek ho jayega.

Raman finally looks at Ishita and because he can't think of anything to say he just silently nods.

Ishita: Chalo ab aap so jao Raman. Thodi der pehle aap hi keh rahe the ki aap thak gaye ho so ab aapko rest karna chahiye.

Raman: Ishita sach kahu to mujhe sone se dar lag raha hai. Kahin kal subah main aaj ke is sham ko bhul gaya toh...

Ishita gets up of the bed, makes Raman lie down and as she is covering the duvet over him she addresses his fear.

Ishita: Raman pehli baat aisa kuch nahi hoga is baat ka mujhe pura yakeen hai. Aur by chance aage chalke aisa agar dobara kabhi hoga bhi toh I promise main aapko sab kuch yaad dilaungi lekin aapke zindagi se aur aapke yadoon se hum sab ko dobara gayab hone nahi dungi. Aapko mujhpe bharosa hai na.

Raman looks at Ishita and nods curtly and she smiles back at him.

Ishita: Toh ab aap aur kuch mat socho aur so jao.

Ishita sits next to Raman near the head of the bed and gently caresses his face and massages his hair softly as she watches him fall asleep. After a few minutes she notices that he is sound asleep and she looks around the room as she continues running her hand softly through his hair. 

Ishita (self-musing): Bus ab bahut ho gaya. Ab to Raman ko bhi unki is so called bimari se dar lagne laga hai. Ab mujhe kuch bhi kar ke Simmi ko medicines dene se rokna hoga. Raman ka dar bilkul sahi hai, agar aise hi chalta gaya toh woh dobara jaldi jaldi baatein bhulne lagenge aur phir iska unke health pe aur bura asar hoga. Kuch bhi kar ke mujhe pata lagana hoga ki Simmi aakhir yeh sab kar kaise rahi hai lekin aisa kya karu ki sach khud mere samne aa jaye?!? Murugan please help me. 

Ishita sits in silence next to her sleeping husband as in her mind she is trying to think hard of whether she might have missed something which is why she isn't able to figure out how Simmi is giving Raman his medicine but her mind draws a blank. Frustrated she gets up and for what seems like the hundredth time she starts looking through their wardrobe thinking she might find something for she is convinced that Simmi has kept the medicine in their bedroom so that only Raman is able to access it. Raman stirs a little in his sleep and Ishita realises that her turing their room upside down will probably wake Raman up. Frustrated she stops and decides to resume her search the next day when she gets back from work.

The next morning, everyone is back to their normal routine. Ishita in particular is feeling upbeat as she shall be properly rejoining both Pihu Industries, as she still continues to be their investor and also Dr. Batra's clinic after her hospitalization which happened within 2 days of her most recent wedding with Raman.

Ishita woke up in the morning and without disturbing or waking Raman up she managed to get dressed. She first headed to Pihu's room. After waking her up and helping her get ready for school she sent Pihu to her and Raman's bedroom so that Pihu could distract Raman and keep him in a good mood as he gets ready for the day as she knew when he would get up in the morning he would once again start worrying about everything that was troubling his mind the previous night. The next thing Ishita did was check on Ruhi.

Ruhi's Bedroom:

Ishita quietly opens Ruhi's bedroom door and enters. The room is still dark, faintly illuminated by the morning sun creeping in through the corners of the window curtain which are still drawn. Ishita smiles as she sees Ruhi and Aliya sleeping peacefully. As tempted as Ishita is to wake them up, she decides to let them sleep in a little longer as they both must have worked a lot to organise everything for the party the previous night.

Ishita is at the door about to leave when she hears Ruhi speak out loud in a fearful voice.

Ruhi: Kaun.... kaun... kaun hai wahan?!?

Ishita turns around and walks towards Ruhi hurriedly. 

Ishita: Ruhi, main hoon! Lekin tum itna ghabrai kyun ho?

Ishita turns on the bed-side lamp and notices Ruhi's facial expressions relax though Ishita has a feeling that Ruhi is worried about something.

Ruhi: Ishimaa woh.... woh... haan... main neend mein thi... I think mujhe laga main koi sapna dekh rahi hoon.... isliye thoda ghabra gai thi...

Ishita: Are you sure Ruhi? Itne salon mein janee kitni baar aise hi tumhe uthane aai hun main lekin aaj se pehle to tumhe aise kabhi ghabrate nahi dekha hai maine neend mein. Sab theek to hai na? Kahin tumhara pain aur to nahi badh gaya hai?

Ruhi: Arey nahi Ishimaa. Maine kaha na ki main neend mein thi aur mujhe laga main koi  sapna dekh rahi hoon. Aur mujhe koi pain nahi ho raha.

Although Ruhi and Ishita were talking in hushed voices in order to not disturb Aliya she stirs around in bed a little, opens her eyes and sits up with a jerk looking concerned.

Aliya: Kya hua Ruhi? Tumhe kuch chahiye tha kya? Tum mujhe utha deti, Amma ko bulane ki kya zaroorat thi?

Ishita: Good morning Aliya! Main toh bus tum dono ko uthane aai thi.

Ruhi: Haan Aliya mujhe kuch nahi chahiye. Hum toh aise hi baatein kar rahe the. Sorry humne tumhe neend se jaga diya.

Aliya: Accha hua main uth gai. Adi bhi office jane ke liye ready ho raha hoga, tab tak main fresh hoke Neelu Didi ki kitchen mein thodi help kar deti hoon.

Ishita: Aliya breakfast ki tayari mein Neelu ki help main kar dungi. Tum ja ke dekho Adi ko kisi cheez ki zarurat to nahi hai. Morning mein waise bhi use har cheez ki jaldi hoti hai. 

Aliya: Theek hai Amma.

Aliya heads out of the room leaving Ishita and Ruhi alone.

Ishita: Ruhi are you sure tum theek ho?

Ruhi: Haan Ishimaa main bilkul theek hun but main soch rahi hoon aaj bhi ghar se hi kaam kar leti hoon. Actually kal Holi bhi hai toh aaj office mein bhi zada kaam hoga nahi toh yaha reh ke main laptop pe office se bhi connected rahungi aur Chitti aur Aliya ki kuch help bhi kar dungi. Itne time ke baad hamare ghar mein properly koi festival celebrate hoga.

Ishita: Not a bad idea. Waise bhi aaj rest karogi toh kal tak tum bilkul theek ho jaogi aur phir tum bhi acche se enjoy kar paogi sabke sath. Waise bhi aaj main office ja rahi hoon so waha main sab manage kar lungi but tum Ruhi koi bhag dor wala kaam nahi karogi samjhi. 

Ruhi: Haan Ishimaa don't worry. 

Ishita kisses Ruhi affectionately on her forehead and leaves to supervise the breakfast preparation in the kitchen but as she is leaving she can't seem to shake off this nagging feeling inside of her that Ruhi is worried about something. On the other hand Ruhi looks visibly relieved knowing that she gets to stay home for the day. 

Bhalla Dining Room:

Ishita, Neelu and Mihika are busy in the kitchen organising breakfast for everyone. Slowly one by one people start coming in and sitting on the dining table. Param and Simmi are the first to arrive, they both look in a foul mood, as if neither got much sleep the previous night. Mihika gently nudges Neelu in the kitchen, who in return nods and goes over to the dining table carrying some dishes with her for Simmi and Param. 

Simmi and Param start eating in silence without creating any drama for a change. Bhalla Ji comes in next. Mihika is about to go tend to him when Ishita stops her.

Ishita: Mihika, aaj mujhe Papa Ji ko omelette dene do. Kal jaise Papa Ji ne mujhe gale lagaya aisa laga ki wo meri taraf ek kadam badha rahe hai so ab meri bari hai.

Mihika: Good idea Akka! 

Ishita takes the plate from Mihika and goes towards where Bhalla Ji is sitting on the table.

Ishita: Good morning Papa Ji.

Bhalla Ji: Good morning. 

Ishita: Papa Ji aapka omelette. Banaya Neelu ne hai lekin aaj usne olive oil mein banaya hai. Aapke health ke liye accha hoga. Kha ke bataye kaisi bani hai.

As Ishita is serving the omelette on Bhalla Ji's plate Toshi walks in and almost instantly there is a huge frown on her face as she notices Ishita serving her husband.

Toshi: Neelu, teri tabyat kharab hai kya ki aaj dusron ko nashta parosna pad raha hai?

The smile on Ishita's face fades slightly while Simmi's eyes light up but before the situation gets out of hand Mihika comes carrying freshly made parathas for Toshi thus distracting her from Ishita.

Just then Adi and Aliya arrive hurriedly. Adi joins everyone on the dining table while Aliya makes her way to the kitchen. 

Adi: Good morning everyone.

Bhalla Ji: Good Morning Adi. Mujhe laga tum bacche aaj der se uthoge. Kal ki sari tayari mein thak gaye ho gaye sab. 

Adi: Nahi Dadu, jo thodi bahut thakan thi woh sab Ishimaa aur Papa ke chehre pe khushi dekh ke chali gai.

Simmi and Param frown at this but because they know that Bhalla Ji has lately become suspicious of them, they sit in silence and try to focus hard on their breakfast almost trying to block out listening to any cheerful conversation going on.

Bhalla Ji: Chalo acchi baat hai. Ab tum sab bacche kamar kas lo. Is baar ki Holi ko milke bahut yadgaar banana hai sab ke liye.

Adi: Haan Dadu, Holi celebrate karne ka idea sach mein bahut accha hai aur main tayari mein sab ki help bhi karna chahta hun but pata nahi office mein kitna time lagega aaj. Ruhi aaj bhi ghar pe rahegi aur...

Just then Ishita comes carrying some food for Adi and interrupts him.

Ishita: Adi don't worry sab manage ho jayega aur tumhe acche se Holi enjoy karne ka bhi time mil jayega. Ruhi office nahi ja rahi toh kya hua. Aaj main aur Raman office aa rahe hain. So hum sub milke jaldi jaldi sab kuch wrap up kar denge aur ghar aa jayenge. Waise bhi staff ko bhi aaj ghar jane ki jaldi hogi.

Adi looks at Ishita with mild concern.

Ishita: Kya hua Adi, tum mujhe aise kyun dekh rahe ho?

Adi: Ishimaa are you sure aap theek rahengi office mein? I mean aap chaho toh kuch din aur thoda rest kar lo.

Ishita: Adi main ab bilkul theek hoon. Waise maine Dr. Batra se bhi baat kar li hai. Aaj afternoon mein clinic bhi jana hai ek case ke liye aur ek baar mujhe Ashok ke office bhi ho ana chahiye. Itne dino se waha kya chal raha hai mujhe koi idea hi nahi. Aur Ashok kuch bata bhi nahi raha. Khud hi ja ke dekhna padega ki waha kya naya chal raha hai.

Adi: Ishimaa aap itni bhag dor kaise karoge? Aap bahut tired ho jaoge!

Ishita: Adi yeh sabhi kaam mere hi hai so mujhe toh karna hi padega. Aur kuch din pehle tak main teeno kaam ek sath manage kar rahi thi. Haan beech mein thodi bimaar pad gai thi but ab toh main theek hun.

Adi: Haan Ishimaa, kuch din ki baat hoti toh koi baat hi nahi thi. But har roz aap itni bhag daur aur itna sara kaam kaise karoge? Upar se aapki adat hai ghar aake aap ghar ke sare kaam, Pihu ki studies sab kuch dekhne lagte ho. Aise mein aapko khud ke liye time hi nahi milega.

Mihika: Haan Akka, Adi theek keh raha hai. Aap Ashok se baat kar ke dekho ek baar. Ho sakta hai kuch time ke liye aap waha jana aur uske company ka kaam avoid kar sako.

Ishita: Nahi Mihika, main aisa nahi kar sakti. I know Ashok mere bina bhi sab kuch bahut acche se manage kar lega lekin main uski Business Partner hoon aur meri bhi kuch responsibilities hai. Tum log sab please itne pareshan mat ho. Maine kaha na sab manage ho jayega.

Adi: Par Ishimaa...

Ishita: Adi ab is topic pe aur koi discussion nahi hoga. Jaldi breakfast finish karo aur phir office chalte hai.

Ishita hurries back to the kitchen and Adi reluctantly starts eating his breakfast in silent contemplation. Everyone was so busy in their own thing that no one realised when Raman had come down and overheard the entire discussion between Adi and Ishita. Before anyone notices him he quietly slips out of view and goes to the corner to make a call.

Raman (on the phone): Hi, Raman here. Sorry itni subah disturb karne ke liye. Actually kuch zaroori baat karni thi, kya hum thodi der mein Pihu Industries mein mil sakte hai? ..... Great! See you there.... please abhi ke liye Ishita ko hamare meeting ke bare mein kuch mat batana.... Thanks.... See you soon.

Raman hurriedly disconnects the call and goes to eat breakfast relieved that no one has heard him. On spotting Raman, Ishita comes to serve him breakfast. 

Ishita: Raman, Pihu kaha hai?

Raman: Apne room mein gai hai. Kuch pack karna bhool gai thi apne school bag mein.

A few minutes later Pihu arrives. She wishes everyone good morning and hurriedly starts stuffing her mouth with food.

Toshi: Pihu Puttar. Aram se khana kha aise gale mein atak jayega.

Pihu: Dadi aaj main sab kuch jaldi jaldi karne wali hoon.

Toshi: Jaldi kyun Puttar? Abhi toh tere school mein bhi time hai aur roz ki tarah tere Dadu tujhe drop kar denge. 

Pihu: Oh Dadi! Main jaldi jaldi isliye kar rahi ho kyunki aaj sham ke Holika Dahan ke liye main bahut excited hoon aur main chahti hun aaj ka din jaldi jaldi finish ho jaye so that shaam ki masti jaldi start ho jaye! Isliye sab kuch jaldi jaldi!

Everyone laughs at Pihu's excitement and innocence, even Simmi and Param join in for appearance sake. True to Pihu's commitment to do things in a hurry, she is the first one to finish her breakfast and she insists that Bhalla Ji drop her to school a little before time. Ishita walks with Pihu and Bhalla Ji till the house door and sees off a hyper and excited Pihu. Once she has left Ishita comes back towards the dining table, she notices Raman watching her intently, looks at him with a silent smile before she speaks.

Ishita: Aaj Pihu school mein chain se baithegi nahi aur wapas aake pure ghar ko sar pe chadha degi. 

Raman: Pihu jo karegi wo hum baad mein dekhenge, lekin Ishita agar tumne abhi isi waqt breakfast nahi kiya aur apne meedicines nahi liye toh main kya karunga yeh tum khud hi samajh lo!

Ishita looks at Raman in mock amusement before she sits down on the chair he has pulled up right next to his and starts helping herself to some food. Raman hurriedly excuses himself, goes to their bedroom and brings Ishita's medicines for her. 

Raman: Yeh lo tumhare breakfast ke baad wale medicines. Lunch ke baad jo medicines tumhe lene hai woh main apne pass rakh raha hoon.

Ishita: Meri samajh mein nahi aa raha ki Dr. Mehta ne itne sare medicines diye kyun hai jab mujhe koi bimaari hi nahi hai.

Raman: Tum dentist ho, doctor nahi! Isliye in sab mein apne dimag ko zada mat chalo and chup chap jo medicines doctor ne prescribe kiye hai woh time se lo! Neelu......

Neelu: Ji Bhaiya.

Raman: Ishita aur mera lunch saath mein pack karna.

Neelu: Theek hai Bhaiya.

Ishita: Saath mein kyun?!?

Raman: So that tum mere samne lunch karo aur phir main tumhe medicines bhi de dunga!

Ishita: Raman lekin mujhe din mein ek baar Ashok ke office bhi jana hai aur uske baad Dr. Batra ke clinic mein meri ek appointment bhi hai so hum saath lunch nahi kar payenge.

Raman: Oh!... No problem. Hum thoda early lunch kar lenge phir tum nikal jana.

Ishita: Lekin...

Raman: Lekin wekin kuch nahi!

Ishita: Raman mujhe ghar bhi wapas jaldi aana hai. Aaj raat ki aur phir kal Holi ki tayari mein help karna hai...

Toshi: Simmi, aaj aur kal ke functions ki tayari mere hisab se hogi aur main jise jo kaam dungi unhe woh karna hoga. Main nahi chahti koi jo is ghar ka na ho woh kisi bhi kaam mein apni taang adaye aur phir koi gadbad ho jaye. Bhalla Ji bade shauk se Holi manane ke mood mein hai isliye sab theek se hona chahiye.

Simmi who had virtually been sulking deep down inside even since the party from the previous evening finally cheered up a little, smirked in Ishita's direction before she replied to Toshi.

Simmi: Haan Mummy Ji! Jaisa aap chahoge waisa hi hoga. Waise bhi aapke hote hue koi Holi ke rang ko bhang thodi kar sakta hai! Hum mil ke sab manage kar lenge.

As soon as Ishita heard Toshi's remarks, she understood that Toshi was indirectly telling her to stay out of all the preparations for Holi. Once again she felt a stab of disappointment but as always she tries her best to hide her feelings and quietly resumes eating her breakfast. However Raman who by now had finally started understanding Ishita's silence correctly could tell that she was feeling a little hurt.

Raman: Haan Mummy ghar ke sare kaam aur Holi ki sari tayaari aap sab hi dekh lena. Ishita tum baki sab chodo aur bus Pihu ko sambhal lena!

Ishita looks up at Raman slightly confused.

Ishita: Pihu ko.... matlab...

Raman: Arey aaj kisi tufaan mail se kum nahi hogi Pihu. Waise bhi tumse accha use aur koi sambhal bhi nahi sakta. Holi ki tayaari toh koi bhi kar sakta hai lekin Pihu ke hyperness ko tumhare alawa koi handle nahi kar payega. 

Adi, Aliya and Mihika immediately understand that Raman is trying to cheer Ishita up so they too join in.

Mihika: Yeh toh aapne bilkul sahi kaha Jiju! Ek toh Pihu se waise bhi intazaar nahi ho raha tha but woh chahe jitni bhi jaldi kare shaam toh jaldi ayegi nahi. Isliye Akka aap hi aa ke dekhna apni beti ko.

Adi: Beti nahi chitti... betiyon ko kahiye... ek beti hyperness mein pure ghar mein daurti phiregi aur dusri chah ke bhi chal phir nahi sakti! Ishimaa aap bus in dono ko sambhal lena baki hum sub hai na. Dadi jo jo kahengi hum sub kar denge. Kyun Dadi sahi rahega na!

Toshi frowns a little for a brief second before she reluctantly nods in agreement. Ishita also feels a little better seeing Raman and everyone's attempt to cheer her up. 

Once breakfast is over Raman, Ishita, Adi head off to work. Simmi sends Param to office alone as she thinks it might be beneficial to stay back at home with Toshi in hopes on manipulating her however Mihika and Aliya very well understand her intentions and resolve to not give Simmi any opportunity to brainwash Toshi any more than she already has.  

=============================

Thank you for reading. Will Raman's short-term memory continue to fade away? Will Ishita be able to figure out the medicine mystery in time? Will Ruhi share with anyone the reason why she is worried? Will Ishita be able to manage all her work responsibilities and home without falling sick? Whom is Raman going to meet in office? Will Ishita be able to enjoy Holi with her family or will Simmi and Toshi create trouble for her?  Drop a comment to share your thoughts and stay tuned for all these questions and more will be answered in the upcoming chapters.

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