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

Pihu Industries:

Raman, Ishita and Adi arrive together. Adi heads straight to his cabin, shouting out pleasant good mornings to the staff as he continues to walk but Ishita stops and speaks briefly to most of the people as she makes her way towards her cabin. Raman remained next to Ishita the entire time following her closely and once again he was taken aback by her kindness and compassion for everyone as she took her time to not just exchange a quick good morning with everyone but she also asked of the welfare of their family members. So lost was Raman in observing Ishita that he did not even realise that he had followed her all the way to her cabin.

Ishita looked at Raman with an amused smile before she spoke to him with a glint of mischief in her eyes.

Ishita: Mr. CEO Bhalla! Yeh mera cabin hai. Aapki to abhi mere sath koi appointment bhi nahi hai phir aap yaha mere peeche peeche kyun aa gaye?

Raman finally looked away from her and a swift glance around the room made him quickly realise that he had indeed followed his wife into her cabin. When he looked back at her, he noticed her trying to stifle a laugh and look at him with a serious and stern expression.

Raman (pretending to be annoyed): Yeh Mr. CEO Bhalla kya hai?!? Pati hun mai tumhara to tumhare cabin mein bina appointment ke aa sakta hun right!

Ishita: Ya lekin abhi aap pehle CEO hai and mere pati baad mein. Just like abhi mai bhi pehle Pihu Industires ki investor hun aur aapki patni baad mein. Isliye Mr. CEO Bhalla aapko bina appointment ya bina kisi kaam ke mere cabin mein hona nahi chahiye!

Raman frowns at her in mock annoyance while Ishita is struggling hard to keep a straight face and not burst out into a fit of giggles! Ishita then happens to notice the time on the wall clock in her cabin and at once her fun expression changes into a more serious one.

Ishita: Acha ab mazak bahut hua. Raman seriously ab aap jao. Mera din aaj bahut jam packed hai. Yaha ka sab dekh ke mujhe Ashok ke office bhi jana hai thodi der ke liye phir Dr. Batra ke clinic mein ek appointment scheduled hai aur uske baad ghar ja ke Pihu ko sambhalna hai aur Holi ki tyari bhi karni hai. Agar hum aise hi baatein karte rahe to mai kahin bhi time se pahuch nahi paungi.

Raman nods in agreement and turns to walk out of her cabin. He is almost at her door when he stops and turns back.

Raman: Waise Madam Investor, apne is busy schedule mein humara appointment bhul mat jana...

Ishita looks at Raman confused.

Ishita: Kaisa appointment?

Now it is Raman's turn to pull her leg a little so he looks at her with mischievous eyes and a teasing smile.

Raman: Lagta hai meri sangat ka kuch zada hi asar ho raha hai tumpe tabhi toh ab tum bhi baatein bhulne lagi ho! Are abhi ghar pe nikalne se pehle hamare lunch date ka appointment fix kiya tha maine. Kahin aap appointment cancel karne ke mood mein toh nahi hai Madam Investor?

Ishita looks at Raman with a slight smile. She pretends to flip through the calendar on her phone before she replies.

Ishita: Wo kya hai Mr. CEO, mere sare official appointments mere phone ke calendar mein entered hote hai but aapka yeh appointment toh mujhe dikh nahi raha phir yeh appointment finalise kab aur kaise hua?

Raman: Who pehle hota hoga ab system thoda change ho gaya hai.

Ishita (confused): Change... matlab... kaise?

Raman (smiling mischievously): Madam Investor... jis din aapne mujhse shaadi ki us din se by default aapki life ki appointment diary mere pass aa gai kyunki phir mai aapka pati jo ban gaya. Us dairy ko khol ke zara check kar lena, usme aapko is lunch date ki appointment zaroor mil jayegi.

Raman laughs a little before he turns to leave and call out as he walks out.

Raman: See you at our Appointment then!

Ishita smiles as she watches him walk away through her glass door.

Ishita (self-musing): Kash aapko yaad hota Raman ki apne life ki appointment dairy mein maine kai saloon pehle apne sare appointments aapke naam kar diye the.

Ishita shakes her head and mumbles to herself.

Ishita: Come on Ishita. Focus! Aur bhi bahut kaam hai aaj! Kaam pe lag jao!

Ishita turns on her laptop and immediately gets to work, though every now and then her mind keeps going back to her conversation with Raman and although she won't admit it, she is feeling butterflies in her stomach in anticipation of this lunch date not because she is expecting something fancy but because she gets to spend some alone quality time with Raman.

Raman's Cabin:

Raman is distracted from studying his file by a knock at the door. He looks up and signals the person standing outside to come in. Raman puts up a smile as he stands up to shake hands and exchange pleasantries however his insides are squirming for he does not like this person. Actually Raman feels that he does not know him well enough to like or dislike him or so he thinks. It is not this person's nature or personality that bothers him but it is the fact that he is Ishita's confidant that does not sit well with him. If only Raman had his memory intact he would have understood that it isn't just that but it is their past history that is the real reason he is uncomfortable with this person.

Raman: Sorry maine aapko itne urgently and achanak yaha bulaya.

Ashok: It's ok Mr. Bhalla. Main ek client se milne yaha pass mein hi aya tha so it was no problem stopping by.

Raman: Thanks for coming anyway.

Ashok: Ummmm.... Ishita kaha hai?

Raman presses his lips together trying to supress his frown and stab of annoyance as he hears Ishita's name.

Raman: Like I said on the phone Ishita ko is meeting ke bare mein nahi pata and jab tak hamari baat puri nahi ho jati I would like to keep it that way.

Ashok: Ok. Lekin aisi kya baat hai jo aap Ishita ke samne nahi kar sakte? She is my partner and I would prefer ki wo har meeting mein present ho.

Raman presses his lips together again, a little harder than last time coz the urge to frown at hearing this comment was stronger than the previous time. Raman never understood why but he always felt uncomfortable about Ishita's association with Ashok even though he knew it was mainly professional but Ishita being the kind of person she is has also developed a sort of friendship with Ashok over time.

Raman: Baat actually Ishita ke bare mein hai.

Ashok now gets a little concerned and his mind automatically goes to Simmi and Param.

Ashok: Kya hua Ishita ko? Ghar pe Simmi ne phir kuch kiya kya. Main ek call karunga aur woman commission wale wapas uski khabar lene pahuch jayenge.

Raman (annoyed and irritated, no longer suppressing his frown): Relax Mr. Khanna. Mere ghar pe kya ho raha hai is not of your concern. Main Ishita ka pati hoon. I can take care of her and Simmi ko bhi handle kar liya hai maine.

Ashok: Toh phir baat kya hai?

Raman: Ishita... main nahi chahta ki Ishita ab aapke office aa ke kaam kare.

Ashok is completely taken aback hearing this. Of all the reasons he had imagined behind this meeting he had not expected this. He opens and closes his mouth a few times not knowing what to say as he processes Raman's absurd request.

Ashok: Ummm... look Mr. Bhalla I am sorry lekin aisa nahi ho sakta. Ishita is my business partner. Main uske sath kaam karna band nahi kar sakta. It will be bad for me and for our investments too. Ishita mere business mein 51% ki partner hai uske bina... it's not possible Mr. Bhalla. And main kya Ishita khud is baat ke liye nahi manegi.

Raman is about to speak when he notices Ishita walk out of her cabin carrying a few files. Luckily for Raman, Ishita is in a hurry so she does not look in the direction of Raman's cabin instead she heads straight to the conference room. But Raman knows it is too risky to have this conversation here for Ishita can come out any moment and notice Ashok sitting in his cabin.

Raman: Ummm... Mr. Khanna... neche ek coffee shop hai. Kya hum waha chal ke is discussion ko continue kar sakte hai.

Ashok gets even more confused at this absurd request.

Ashok: Lekin yaha baat karne mein kya problem hai?

Raman: Yaha we will keep on getting interrupted and yeh baat bahut important hai so we have to talk without interruptions. Please...

This time its Ashok's turn to frown. He studies Raman silently for a moment then sighs and stands up to go to the coffee shop. Raman too gets up and silently follows him but even as Ashok is leaving he has already made his decision: nothing Raman says can convince Ashok to agree to Raman's demands!

Ishita's Cabin:

Ishita has been in a meeting in the conference room for over an hour. The meeting took longer than anticipated and as she rushes back to her cabin carrying multiple files in her hand she realises that she is already running late.

Ishita enters her cabin still looking down at the pile of files in her hand. She walks directly to her desk, slams the files on the table and is about to sit when she looks up and sees Ashok sitting on the chair on the other side of her desk looking glum with a serious expression. Ishita gets momentarily startled as she had not noticed him earlier!

Ishita: Ashok! Tumne to mujhe ek second ke liye dara hi diya! Tum waise aye kab? Aur tumne mujhe aane ke baad inform bhi nahi kiya? Main meeting se bahar aa jati- Adi mere badle mein manage kar leta. Waise main aaj hamare office aane hi wali thi afternoon mein. Bahut time ho gaya mujhe aaye hue. Tumne aane se pehle mujhse baat kar liya hota toh phir tumhe yaha aane ki zaroorat nahi hoti. Anyway ab aa hi gaye ho toh accha hai hum baad mein sath office chal sakte hai. Tum bahut der se wait kar rahe ho kya? Tum coffee piyoge?

Ashok smiles a little at Ishita.

Ashok: Es saas mein sari baatein kar logi kya? Pehle tum khud toh baitho. Yeh tumhara hi cabin hai.

Ishita smiles a little as she sits but she can't help but notice Ashok's serious expression in spite of his smile.

Ishita: Ashok tum kuch pareshan lag rahe ho. Sab theek toh hai na?

Ashok sighs and looks at Ishita intently.

Ashok: Thodi pareshani wali baat toh hai ab akele kaam karne ki adat jo nahi rahi.

Ishita (confused): Akele?

Ashok: Hmmmm....

Ishita: Matlab kya hai tumhara?

Ashok: Matlab yeh Ishita aaj se tum mere I mean hamare office mein kaam karne nahi aaogi. Waha main akele sab manage karunga.

Ishita looks at Ashok in mild disbelief for a second then she starts laughing softly.

Ishita: Accha! Ab mere samajh mein aya! Main itne din se us office nahi aai isliye tum ab meri khichai kar rahe ho! But main kya karti Ashok- pehle meri tabyat kharab ho gai, phir Raman aur phir Ruhi. Itne dino se kuch na kuch chal raha hai ki main chah ke bhi nahi aa pai. But maine kaha na aaj thodi der mein chalte hai.

Ashok: Ishita main mazak nahi kar raha. Tum aaj ke baad office nahi aaogi.

Ishita looks at Ashok intently and as she realises that he is not joking. The smile on her face fades away and she looks at him with concern and worry.

Ishita: Ashok lekin kyun? Kya problem hai? Simmi aur Param ne kuch kiya kya? Mujhe hamesha se dar tha ki jab Simmi aur Param ke pass mujhe pareshan karne ke ideas khatam ho jayenge toh woh tumhare sath kuch gadbad karne ki koshish karenge. Lekin tum pareshan mat ho, unhone jo bhi kiya hai use hum mil ke handle kar lenge.

Ashok: Ishita, Simmi aur Param ne kuch nahi kiya hai.

Ishita: Toh phir tum aisi baat kyun kar rahe ho?

Ashok: Actually yeh Raman ka idea tha. Pehle toh mujhe bhi thoda ajeeb laga lekin phir uski puri baat sunne ke baad mujhe laga ki woh sahi keh raha hai aur main maan gaya.

Ishita looks at him aghast!

Ishita: What?!? Raman! How could he?!?

Ashok: Ishita calm down! Meri puri baat toh sun...

Before Ashok has a chance to explain Ishita storms out of her cabin in anger, heading straight for Raman's cabin.

Raman's Cabin:

Ishita storms into Raman's cabin fuming with anger, not even bothering to knock. Raman looks up from his computer screen and his eyes see Ishita looking positively furious. Raman automatically smiles at her.

Raman: Madam Investor! Hamari appointment thodi der baad hai phir aap yaha kya kar rahi hain? Lagta hai aapse intezaar nahi ho raha!

Ishita (almost shouting): Raman! Please mazak band karo aap! Yeh aap kar kya rahe ho? Aapne Ashok se kaha ki ab main uske saath kaam nahi karungi! Aap jante ho na ki main uske business mein partner hoon. Phir aap yeh kaise? How could you?!? No actually HOW DARE YOU?!? Aap mere husband ho iska matlab yeh nahi hai ki aap mere life se related sare decisions mujhse puche ya discuss kiye bina le sakte ho. Aur aapne Ashok ko aisi kya patti padhai ki wo bhi maan gaya?

Raman: Ishita please calm down!

Raman offers her a glass of water which Ishita refuses to take.

Raman: Ishita thoda pani pi lo and phir ek baar meri puri baat toh sun lo.

Ishita is about to yell some more at Raman when his cabin door opens and Ashok walks in.

Ashok: I'm sorry Raman. Isse pehle ki main Ishita ko puri baat samjhata woh yaha chali aai.

Raman: Tum dono business partners ek sath itna successful business chala kaise rahe ho meri samajh mein nahi aata?!? Tum bhi aadhi baat sun ke overreact karte ho aur Ishita toh tumse bhi char kadam aage hai is mamle main phir tum dono ke business decisions itne sahi kaise hote hai?!?

Ashok and Raman both laugh a little and Ishita looks at them annoyed and confused.

Ishita: Yeh ho kya raha hai, koi samjhayega mujhe?

Raman once again offers her a glass of water.

Raman: Pehle tum pani piyo aur thoda shaant ho jao warna gusse se phat jaogi!

Reluctantly Ishita takes a few sips of water, sits on the chair opposite to Raman's desk and Ashok too sits on the vacant chair next to her.

Raman: Ishita maine yeh kab kaha ki tum Ashok ke saath kaam nahi karogi. Maine toh bus itna kaha ki tum Ashok ke office mein kaam nahi karogi.

Ishita: What do you mean, in dono batoon mein difference kya hai?

Ashok: Ishita main bhi pehle samajh nahi paya ki Raman kehna kya chah raha hai. But phir jab tum meeting mein thi tab Raman ne mujhe samjhaya.

Ishita: Kya samjhaya?

Flashback to Raman and Ashok talking at the Coffee Shop.

Raman and Ashok are sitting in the coffee shop. The waiter has just taken their coffee order. They sit in silence for a few moments, both of them processing their thoughts. The waiter quickly comes back, places two cups of coffee on their table and silently leaves. Ashok speaks first breaking the uncomfortable silence between them.

Ashok: Look Mr. Bhalla main aapke sath yaha aa toh gaya lekin iska matlab yeh nahi hai ki main aapki baat man gaya hun ya aap mujhe convince kar payenge. Aapko nahi lagta ki aap jo chahte hai woh unreasonable hai?!?

Raman: Mr. Khanna aap meri baat samjhe hi nahi.

Ashok: Aap chahte hai ki main aur Ishita ek saath kaam nahi kare. Main uske saath apni partnership tod doon. Isme ab aur samajhne ko bacha kya hai?!?

Raman: Maine aapse kaha tha ki "main nahi chahta ki Ishita ab aapke office aa ke kaam kare." Maine aisa toh kabhi nahi kaha ki Ishita aapke saath kaam hi na kare.

Ashok: Mr. Bhalla mere liye yeh dono baatein ek jaisi hi hai.

Raman: Ok. I shall explain it properly then coz in dono batoon mein zameen asmaan ka fark hai. I know Ishita is your business partner and main khud nahi chahta ki aap uske sath apni partnership tod de.

Ashok: Phir aap chahte kya hai?

Raman: Look jab Ishita bimar thi toh Dr. Mehta ne mujhse kaha tha ki zada stress uske liye accha nahi hai. Aap khud sochyee- Ishita ab mere teeno bachoon ko ghar pe dekhti hai. Yaha Pihu Industries mein kitna kuch manage kar rahi hai and then of course aapke sath bhi uske kai projects and meetings hote rehte hai and phir woh Dr. Batra ke clinic bhi jati hai. Agar uska schedule aise hi roz chalta raha toh exertion ke wajah se woh phir se bimar pad jayegi. Isliye main chahta hun ki use roz at least aapke office nahi jana pade. Uska clinic toh hum yaha la nahi sakte warna main woh bhi kar deta. Main yeh bhi nahi keh raha ki Ishita ki jo responsibilities hai as a partner woh kum honi chahiye. All I am saying is hum cheezein aise orgainse kare ki use aapke office roz na jana pade. Once in a while its fine but not everyday.

Ashok: Hmmm... Ok. But yeh sab manage hoga kaise?

Raman: Jab Ishita bimaar thi usne ghar reh ke video conferencing ke through meeting attend ki thi. She can do the same from here. Daily meeting woh via video conference attend kar sakti hai. And baki I am sure can be managed on phone and email.

Ashok: Hmmm... that's actually a good idea. I am sure we can work out the details so that Ishita apne sare kaam bina exertion ke manage kar le.

Raman: Matlab you are fine with this?

Ashok: Of course. Mujhe koi problem nahi hai and I am sure Ishita ko bhi problem nahi hoga. Waise mujhe dekh ke accha laga ki aap meri dost cum business partner ke bare mein itna sochte hai aur uska itna khayal bhi rakh rahe hai.

Raman frowns a little again before he speaks with a sense of authority and ownership.

Raman: Aapki dost and business partner se pehle woh meri Patni hai Mr. Khanna. Uske comfort and khayal ke bare main agar main nahi sochunga toh aur kaun sochega.

Ashok: Of course. Waise kal ke reception party mein hi dikh gaya tha mujhe ki shaadi ke baad aap dono ke rishte ne ek bahut hi khoobsorat mod le liya hai and I am very happy about that.

Raman observed Ashok intently for a moment, and for the first time he did not feel annoyed at Ashok even though he was speaking of Ishita for his words seemed earnest and sincere and for the first time Raman let his guard down and relaxed a bit in front of Ashok.

Raman: You're happy?!?

Ashok: Bilkul. I'm happy for Ishita. Wo aisa sath aur care deserve karti hai and I am glad she is getting what she deserves.

Raman did not say anything but nodded silently.

Ashok: Kya hua? Aapko yakeen nahi aa raha ki mai aapke liye khush hoon. I mean ab Ishita ki Khushi aapse aur apne bachoon se hai so indirectly if I am happy for her I am happy for you too.

Raman: Ummm... nahi... I mean...

Ashok: It's ok Mr. Bhalla. I know hamara ajeeb sa rishta raha hai starting se, but waqt ke sath sath insaan, halaat aur rishtey sab badal jate hai. Ishita aur main jab pehle mile the toh hum ek dusre ko jante tak nahi the, hamare khayal zara bhi nahi milte the aur us time main imagine bhi nahi kar sakta tha ki aage chalke hum kabhi business partners and phir dost ban payenge. But dekhye waqt ke sath main badla, halaat badle aur ab Ishita meri sabse acchi aur shayad ek lauti dost hai.

Raman: Really?!?

Ashok: Bilkul.

Raman: In that case I think kyun na hum dono bhi apne is ajeeb se rishte ko thoda normal banane ki koshish kar sakte hain.

Ashok: Woh kaise?

Raman: Dost banke. Ho sakta hai hum utne acche friends nahi bane jaise aap aur Ishita hain lekin hum koshish toh kar sakte hai.

Ashok: Sure. But suddenly yeh kyun?

Raman: Ishita ne mere pure family ko jaise woh hai bilkul waise apna liya. Usne mujhe bhi meri bhulne ki bimari ke sath apna liya mujhse shaadi kar ke. Ab mera bhi toh farz banta hai ki main uske life mein jo log important hai unko janne ki, unse apne level pe bond karne ki koshish karu and itna toh mai janta hun ki aap un important logon mein se ek hai so why not!

Ashok smiles, nods and leans forward to shake Ramans hand.

Ashok: Mujhe bahut accha lagega agar hum dost ban payenge aur waise mere dost mujhe Ashok bullate hai- Mr. Khanna nahi!

Raman: Fine Ashok so aaj se main bhi Raman hoon Mr. Bhalla nahi.

Flashback ends.

Ishita looks from Raman and Ashok and then back to Raman again.

Ishita: Matlab yeh plan aap dono ne mil ke banaya??

Ashok: Well plan toh Raman ka hi hai. I am just helping make it possible.

Ishita: Par iski kya zaruat hai? I can manage everything. Pehle bhi toh kar rahi thi toh abhi yeh sab changes lane ki kya zarurat hai?

Raman: Pehle aise paglon ki tarah kaam kar rahi thi tabhi uske baad bimaar pad gai thi! And hum mein se koi nahi chahta ki tum dobara stress ya overexertion ki wajah se bimar pado isliye yeh changes zaroori hai and Ishita agar kabhi koi emergency wali situation hogi toh tum chali jana but jab sab kaam normal chal raha hai toh tum sab kuch phone, email and Skype ke through acche se manage kar logi.

Ashok: Raman bilkul sahi keh raha hai Ishita. Waise bhi main toh apne office hamesha ke tarah roz jaunga hi so one of us will be there in person and tum remotely humein support karogi. Waise bhi jab se hum Budapest se wapas aye hain tum mainly toh Pihu Indistires ke investiment ko manage kar rahi ho and baki sub main manage kar raha hun. So I think this arrangement is perfect!

Ishita: Lekin...

Ashok: Ishita, lekin wekin kuch nahi. It is decided ki aaj se tum yahin se Pihu Industries ka bhi kaam dekhogi aur Khanna and Co. ko bhi support karogi.

Ishita: Ok fine. Trail basis pe abhi kar ke dekhte hai lekin agar mujhe laga ki it is not working out toh phir main pehle ki tarah dono offices ke beech shuttle karungi.

Raman nods in agreement, relieved that Ishita has agreed and resolves to make this arrangement work so that Ishita does not have to commute to Ashok's office not just because he wanted her to take care of her health, which he obviously did but also because the more time she is around here the more excuses he would have to spend time with her!

Simmi-Param Bedroom:

Param is sitting on the sofa, as always busy working on his laptop. Simi comes into the room looking visibly annoyed, slams the door shut and sits on the edge of the bed.

Param: Kya hua Simmo? Itne gusse mein kyun hai?

Simmi: Param Ji... sab ki himmat toh dekho!

Param: Arey par hua kya?

Simmi: Pehle jab Ishita is ghar mein nahi thi tab yeh uske chamche, uske bacche sab humse dare dare rehte the, hamare control mein the. Lekin ab unki so called "Ishimaa" kya wapas aa gai in sab ke toh par hi nikal aye hain!

Param: Par kiya kya unhone?

Simmi: Param Ji hum aaj office kyun nahi gaye? Isliye na kyunki hum chahte the ki hum Mummy Ji ko thoda aur Ishita ke khilaf bhadkaye so that at least woh puri tarah se hamare side pe ho.

Param: Haan toh ja na Mummy Ji se baat kar.

Simmi: Wahin toh nahi ho pa raha Param Ji!

Param looks at Simmi confused.

Param: Kyun? Mummy Ji bahar gai hain kya Holi ke liye shopping karne?

Simmi: Nahi woh ghar pe hai. Shopping karne Papa Ji gaye hain!

Param: Simmo yeh toh bilkul perfect mauka hai Mummy Ji se baat karne ka. Tu yaha mujhse baat karke apna time waste mat kar! Neeche ja aur kaam pe lag ja!

Simmi: Wahin karne ki koshish kar rahi thi lekin...

Param: Lekin kya?

Simmi: Yeh Ishita ke chamche! Main janti hun yeh sab jaan buch ke kar rahe hai...

Param: Kya kiya unhone?

Simmi: Aliya Ruhi ko apne room se utha ke le aai hai aur woh waha dining table pe baith kar pure time Mummy Ji se baatein kar rahi hai aur Aliya aur Mihika ne toh Mummy Ji ko jaise gher kar rakh liya hai. Holi ki tayari ke bahane teno unko akela chod hi nahi rahe aur main kisi bahane kitchen me jake unki help karne ki koshish karti hun taki main Mumma ke pass ja ke unse baat kar saku toh Mihika mujhe bhaga deti hai waha se yeh keh ke ki kitchen woh sab sambhal rahe hai main aur koi kaam kar loon!

Param: Arey but kitni der chalega yeh? Thodi der mein tujhe mauka mil jayega. Tu bus unke ass pass reh.

Simmi: Param Ji thodi der mein Papa Ji ghar wapas aa jayenge phir toh main waise bhi Mumma se ek extra word nahi bol paungi.

Param: Tu kahe toh main Ruhi ko office ke kisi kaam ke bahane andar bula leta hoon. Koi chota mota kaam pakda dunga use.

Simmi: Arey nahi Param Ji. Ek ke chale jane se kya hoga. Aliya aur Mihika toh waha se hilengi nahi! But humein in teeno ka kuch karna hoga Param Ji! Kuch zada hi par nikal aaye hai inke!

Param: Tu pareshan mat ho Simmo! Ruhi ke liye toh humne waise bhi jaal bicha diya hai. Aur ab kitne din aur ghar mein chup ke bachegi. Aaj nahi toh kal use hamare jal mein phasna hi hai. Aur ek baar inme se koi bhi ek hamare jaal mein phas gaya toh baki sab ki bhi humse dobara punga lene ki himmat nahi hogi. Tu pareshan mat ho.

Simmi: Lekin Mummy Ji...

Param: Dekh abhi nahi toh aaj kal mein kabhi toh humein mauka mil hi jayega unse baat karne ka. Tu bus sahi mauke ka wait kar.

Simmi: Lekin tab tak agar Papa Ji ne Mumma se kuch keh diya toh?

Param: Woh abhi kuch nahi kahenge kyunki yeh Holi unhone khud plan kiya hai aur woh nahi chanenge ki ghar mein aisi koi bhi baat ho ki sabki Holi kharab ho jaye. Abhi kuch time hai hamare pass. Tu pareshan mat ho. Bazi abhi bhi hamare haath mein hai kyunki Ishita ko ek toh yeh nahi pata ki hum Raman ko medicine kaise de rahe hai aur dusri baat use yeh bhi nahi pata ki humne pichle kuch dino mein uske medicine ka dose badha diya hai! Jab tak yeh hatyar hamare pass hai woh chah ke bhi hamara zyada kuch nahi bigad sakti. Isliye tu tension mat le.

Simmi calms down a little and smiles.

Simmi: Yeh baat toh aapki bilkul sahi hai Param Ji! Jab tak Bhai ko medicine milta rahega tab tak Ishita hamara kuch nahi bigad sakti.

Param: Isliye keh raha hun Ishita ke chamcho ko yeh choti moti baazi mar lene de. Asli khel toh hum hi jeetne wale hai.

Raman's Cabin:

Raman is sitting on his desk, waiting rather impatiently for Ishita to come. His eyes keep going from the lunch box and plates lying on the table next to the sofa in his cabin to the glass door through which he can clearly see Ishita's cabin on the other end.

Raman (self-musing): Yeh pagal Madrasan ek din mein pure mahine ka kaam karegi kya?

Raman waited for another 5 minutes before he finally decided to go and get her when miraculously Ishita's cabin door opened and she hurriedly made her way to Raman's cabin once again entering without knocking. Normally Raman would get annoyed when anyone entered his cabin without knocking first but when it came to Ishita he did not mind it one bit, in fact he liked it a lot for it felt as if she doesn't feel the need to knock because she considers his office and everything in it, including him as her own, and of course one does not need to knock before entering a place that is their own.

Ishita: Sorry Raman, kaam itna sara hai ki main pehle nikal nahi pai. Mujhe toh bahut bhook lagi hai. I am sure aapko bhi bhook lagi hogi.

Without waiting for Raman to respond, Ishita sits on the sofa and immediately begins serving food on two plates for both of them and also continuously talking.

Ishita: Thodi der pehle Aliya ka phone aya tha, woh aur Ruhi Holi ko lekar itne excited hai ki main aapko kya bataun. Dono mil ke Mummy Ji ke sath ek ke baad ek dishes bana rahe hai. Waise toh Mihika bhi help kar rahi hai but I just hope Mummy Ji ko in sab ke excitement me zada thankan na ho jaye.

Raman just continues to stare at Ishita, soaking in her presence, secretly feeling pleased about the fact that she barged in and took charge of serving lunch to both of them. He also noticed how she only put the food he likes on his plate once again amused at how much she knows about him and how little he knows about her. Raman came and sat next to her without taking his eyes off her and Ishita oblivious to Raman's thoughts and gaze continued talking without skipping a beat.

Ishita: Asli toofan toh tab machega jab Pihu school se wapas ayegi. Aapne dekha tha na who kal raat se hi kitni excited hai. Uska bus chalta toh who aaj school hi nahi jati aur aaj se hi holi khelna shuru kar deti aur pure ghar mein colours phaila deti aur ganda kar deti. Waise aisa abhi bhi ho sakta hai uske ghar wapas aane ke baad.

Ishita pauses for a second and passes the plate of food to Raman. She takes a few hurried bites herself, before she resumes talking. Raman on the other hand is absentmindedly eating his food, not even noticing what it is that he is putting into his mouth for he is still lost and mesmerised by his wife.

Ishita: Waise Raman is mamle mein Pihu bilkul apne Papa pe gai hai. Aap bhi kabhi kabhi jab excited hote ho aapko bhi sambhalna mushkil ho jata hai. Aap hi se seekha hai usne isliye aap hi ko use sambhalna hoga. Waise toh main Dr. Batra ke yaha se jaldi nikalne ki koshish karungi. I don't think aaj ke appointments mein koi khas time consuming procedure hai so main jaldi free ho jaungi. Aap bhi jaldi ghar aa jana. Aap Pihu ko sambhal lena aur main Ruhi ko thoda dekh lungi. Pata nahi kyun mujhe lag raha hai who kisi baat ko le ke pareshan hai. Aapne bhi notice kiya kya? Aaj ghar jake usse acche se baat karungi. Maybe woh office ko le ke pareshan ho.

Ishita paused for a second and looked at Raman. Raman who had been lost in his own world and had not really paid any attention to what Ishita was saying just nooded at her not knowing what else to do. Fortunately for him she took it as a yes and continued talking away pausing every now and then to take a bite of food and then continuing.

As Raman is taking a bite of food suddenly everything goes blank and once again in rapid succession he gets a blurry vision.

The vision disappears within seconds and Raman starts wondering once again who is this other woman and why does he see blurry visons of her everything he is with Ishita! He instantly feels guilty as if he is involuntarily cheating on Ishita that too with blurry memories from him past with someone he cannot even remember clearly!

Raman's thoughts about the flashback and the woman in it are suddenly broken by Ishita's phone ringing. Ishita puts her almost empty plate down and grabs her phone, frowning for a brief second as she notices the caller's name and then answers it.

Ishita: Hello

Doctor Gauri: Ishita, I hope maine tumhe disturb nahi kiya?

Ishita: No Doctor Gauri. Not all all.

Doctor Gauri: Ishita mujhe tumse bahut zaroori baat karni hai...

Ishita gets a little tensed for she knows it must have something to do with Raman as Doctor Gauri is now helping Ishita with trying to cure Raman's memory loss.

Ishita: Kya hua? Is everything ok?

Doctor Gauri: Actually Ishita I would prefer ki hum mil ke ek baar baat kar le.

Ishita: Ok. Kal toh Holi hai. Main parson aati hoon aapse milne.

Doctor Gauri: Actually Ishita baat thodi urgent hai. Please tum mujhse aaj hi milne aa jao, jitne jaldi ho sake.

Ishita: Sab theek toh hai na?

Doctor Gauri: Tum hospital aa jao phir hum baat karte hai.

Ishita: Ok main abhi aati hoon.

Ishita hangs up and looks at Raman only to realise, much to her relief, that Raman has perhaps not heard much of her conversation with Dr. Gauri as he is thinking about something else. Ishita gently places her hand on Raman's shoulder and he snaps out of his thought and looks at her.

Raman: Huh.... Ummm.... Kya hua Ishita?

Ishita looks at Raman concerned.

Ishita: Aapko kya hua Raman? Aap kya soch rahe the? Aap kisi baat ko le ke pareshan ho kya?

Seeing the concern in Ishita's eyes for him as always touches his heart but he still decides not to tell her what he was thinking about because he is feeling guilty that every time he is with Ishita he invariably starts getting some sort of recollection from his past life, in which he always assumes he is with some other woman, presumably the mother of his children and he fears that if he does tell Ishita this she might feel hurt and betrayed and ultimately end up leaving him which is deep down one of his biggest fears: that he will lose his family because of his illness all over again.

Raman: Main... main kuch nahi soch raha tha... main toh bus tumhare call ke finish hone ka wait kar raha tha. Kya hua? Kiska call tha?

Ishita: Are you sure Raman? Aap pure time chup baithe the. Aapne itne der se kuch kaha hi nahi.

Now Raman smiles at Ishita and his tone changes into a light and mischievous one.

Raman: Tumne kuch bolne ka mauka kaha diya. Tumhari baatein toh Rajdhani Express ko bhi piche chod de!

Ishita rolls her eyes at Raman while he silently laughs.

Ishita: Kuch bhi!

Raman: Waise phone kiska tha?

Ishita is about to tell Raman about Doctor Gauri but then she decides against it as she does not want to bother him unnecessarily.

Ishita: Woh... Dr. Barta.... Clinic mein ek emergency case hai so Dr. Batra ko use attend karna hai isliye who chahti hai main thode jaldi chali jaun aur unke normal appointments ko handle kar loon.

Raman: Oh.... Hmmmm....

Ishita: Raman waise bhi humara khana toh ho hi gaya hai so I think main nikalti hoon.

Without waiting for Raman to answer, Ishita hurriedly packs the containers back into the tiffin and within 2 minutes she rushes out of his cabin, quickly to her cabin for a few moments to grab her purse and other belongings and rushes out without even saying bye to Raman. Raman watches her walk away with a confused expression.

Raman (self musing): Yeh Ishita ko achanak kya ho gaya? Emergency case toh Dr. Batra handle kar rahi hain phir Ishita itne jaldi kyun chali gai? Kahin Ishita ne lunch pe notice toh nahi kar liya tha ki main kisi aur ke bare mein soch raha hoon?!? Kahin usne guess toh nahi kar liya ki main... ki shayad main Pihu ki Maa ke bare mein soch raha tha?!? I am sure yahin baat hogi. Nahi mujhe kuch to karna hoga. Aise toh Ishita mujhse door chali jayegi.... Nahi aisa dobara nahi ho sakta, aur Ishita ke samne toh bilkul nahi ho sakta.

Raman walks back into his cabin, shutting the door behind him.

City Hospital:

Ishita is pacing up and down anxiously, waiting for Dr. Gauri to get free as she is attending a patient. Ishita has no idea what is wrong but the urgency in Doctor Gauri's voice over the phone was enough to tell her that something was not right and then Ishita's mind also kept going back to the fact that Raman looked very lost and distracted at lunch. She could not help but wonder if he was feeling unwell but did not tell her because he did not want to worry her or something like that.

Finally after what seems like hours to Ishita, Dr. Gauri's cabin door opens and the patient walks out. Ishita does not even wait for two seconds before she enters and shuts the door behind her.

Dr Gauri: Ishita! Please sit. Sorry tumhe maine achank bula liya but baat bahut urgent hai.

Ishita: Who toh main aapke baton se hi samjah gai thi. But hua kya hai? Aapne phone pe bhi kuch nahi bataya.

Dr. Gauri: Main tumhe kuch dikhana chahti thi...

Dr. Gauri places 3 papers in front of Ishita, all of them are medical reports. Ishita looks at the name on the report: Mr. Raman Kumar Bhalla!

Ishita: Yeh toh Raman ke blood reports hai! Yeh jo aapne blood sample liya tha ghar mein uske reports hai kya?

Dr. Gauri: Ishita tumhare samne jo pehla blood report hai woh New Year's ke time ki hai jab Raman ko ghar pe attack aya tha aur who hospitalise hua tha. Yeh dusra blood report tab ki hai jab tum recently hospitalise hui thi. Tumhe tab blood ki zaroorat thi aur Raman tumhe blood dena chahta tha but use apna blood group yaad nahi tha isliye usne apna blood test karwaya tha. Aur yeh last report sabse recent hai, us blood sample ki jo maine tumhare ghar pe collect kiya tha.

Ishita looks at the reports briefly and then again at Dr. Gauri confused...

Ishita: Ok, lekin aap mujhe yeh sab kyun dikha rahi hai.

Dr. Gauri simply points at one of the lines on the first report.

Dr. Gauri: Yeh dekho Ishita, yeh us medicine ka level hai jo Simmi aur Param Raman ko de rahe hai. Jab Raman hospitalise hua tha tab level high tha but phir bhi utna high nahi tha ki use hud se zada nuksan ho. Ab is level ko baki dono reports main dekho.

Ishita studies both of the other reports and then looks up at Dr. Gauri her eyes wide in shock and horror!

Ishita: Yeh toh...

Dr. Gauri: Exactly Ishita! Har baar jab Raman ne uske baad apna blood test karaya hai is medicine ka level pichle baar se zada dikha raha hai. Jab maine yeh dekha toh mujhe ek second ke liye yakeen nahi hua. Mujhe laga reports mein kuch galat hai. Maine wapas check kiya but reports bilkul correct hai.

Ishita: Iska matlab...

Dr. Gauri: Matlab yeh hai Ishita ki jab se Raman hospitalise hua hai tab se ab tak Raman ke medicine ka dose at least 2 baar badhaya gaya hai!

Ishita: Oh my God! Itna bada dhoka! I am sure Simmi ne yeh mujhse badla lene ke liye kiya hai kyunki ab main us ghar mein aur Raman ki life mein wapas aa gai hun! I don't believe this.

Ishita once again stares at the reports in disbelief! She is still trying to recover from the shock of having received this news.

Dr. Gauri: Ishita ab toh pehle se bhi zada critical hai ki tum pata lagao ki Raman yeh medicines kaise le raha hai aur use yeh medicine lene se roko. Yeh kisi miracle se kum nahi hai ki itne high dose ke baad bhi Raman apne pairon pe khara hai, lekin uski body itna high dose zada time tak handle nahi kar payegi.

Ishita: Raman pe already is high dose ka asar ho raha hai Doctor. Ab who sirf purani baatein hi nahi, recent baatein bhi bhulne lage hai. Aur maine aaj khud dekha, morning mein woh bilkul theek the, mujhse hasi mayak kar rahe the but abhi jab main unke saath lunch kar rahi thi tab woh ekdum chup chap baithe hue the. Unhone kuch bhi nahi kaha aur pata nahi ajeeb sa behave kar rahe the jaise pata nahi kya ho gaya ho. Tab meri kuch samajh mein nahi aa raha tha but ab mujhe lag raha hai shayad woh medicine ki wajah se accha feel nahi kar rahe the tabhi woh aise chup chap baithe the aur main apni batoon mein itni uljhi hui thi ki pehle mera dhayan bhi nahi gaya. Woh toh aapse baat karne ke baad mujhe realise hua ki Raman kuch parshan lag rahe hai...

Dr. Gauri: Ishita phir toh tumhe kuch bhi karke Raman ko yeh medicine lene se rokna hoga.

Ishita: Main ghar ja ke ek baar phir check karne ki koshish karungi ki Raman ko.... Akhir kaise...

The thought of something happening to Raman, makes Ishita very emotional and she immediately tears up a little.

Dr. Gauri: Ishita please sambhalo apne aap ko. I know tumhe bahut bada jhatka laga hai yeh sab jan kar but tum abhi kamzoor nahi pad sakti....

Ishita wipes the few tears that have spilled out of her eyes and takes a deep breath.

Ishita: Yes! Aap sahi keh rahi hai. Yeh time emotional hone ka nahi hai.

Dr. Gauri: Ishita ab finally tumhare pass proof hai. Tum chaho toh yeh sare reports ghar le jao aur sab gharwalon ko dikha do. Pihir toh sab ko yakeen karna hi hoga ki in sab ke peeche Simmi ka haath hai.

Ishita: Main aisa karne ke koshish kar chuki hoon pehle lekin Simmi aur Param ne ilzaam Mummy Ji pe dal diya tha and I am sure ab tak unhone koi naya target dhoond liya hoga, woh dono is ke liye pehle se tayaar honge. Waise bhi in reports se bus yahi pata chal raha hai ki Raman abhi bhi medicine le rahe hai lekin yeh toh hume abhi bhi nahi pata ki unhe yeh medicine diya kaise ja raha hai. Aur jab tak mujhe yeh pata nahi chalta main na Raman ko protect kar sakti hun aur na us insaan ko jo Simmi aur Param ka mohra hai, jispe aage jake agar yeh dono pakde gaye toh woh sara ilzaam dal denge.

Dr. Gauri: Theek hai Ishita. Shayad tum sahi keh rahi ho. Waise I think woh dono chahte nahi the ki tumhe medicine ke dosage badhne wali baat pata chale lekin dekho kaise kismat ne tumhara saath diya aur tumhe yeh baat pata chal gai. Waise hi koshish karte raho aur mujhe pura yakeen hai ki tum bahut jaldi hi is medicine ke raaz tak bhi pahuch jaogi. But Ishita tum khud doctor ho and you know ki ab yeh sab zada din nahi chal sakta warna Raman shayad kabhi theek nahi ho payega.

Ishita nods, takes the reports and walks out of Dr. Gauri's cabin still in shock when Dr. Gauri calls her from behind.

Dr. Gauri: Ishita, is last blood test ki payment reh gai hai. Jate time reception pe pay karte hue jana.

Ishita silently nods and walks away making her way to the reception and then she decides not to go to Dr. Batra's clinic but instead head home so that she can maybe try looking for some clue for the medicine.

Bhalla House:

Ishita walks in still reeling in shock of the most recent revelations, the shock had somewhat started to wear off a bit and was slowly being replaced by fear! Fear that she would not be able to find a solution quick enough to stop Simmi and Param from harming Raman. Fear that something will happen to Raman and this time even the doctors will not be able to save him. Fear that one false move on her part and her family will fall apart. Consumed by shock and fear Ishita walks into the Bhalla house with a heavy heart and she is momentarily taken aback as loud laughter and cheering hits her ears as soon as she walks in!

Ruhi is sitting on a sofa in the drawing room, resting her sprained ankle on a cushion that is lying on the floor. Pihu is running around the sofa with a water gun while being chased by Alia. Everytime Pihu would come in front of Ruhi she would take aim at her with the water gun and Ruhi would cover her face with a cushion lying on the sofa and Pihu knowing that she cannot spray on the cushion would not be able to drench Ruhi with water and she would start running around the sofa again chasing Alia trying to wet her but Alia would stand far away and run fast so that Pihu would not be able to take aim at her. Half way through chasing Aliya Pihu spots Ishita. She smiles at her mother with love but Ishita is still lost in her thoughts and at first does not see her daughter starting running towards her and aiming her water gun as she gets closer.

Pihu: Ishimaaaa.... Run!!!!!

Ishita snaps out of her thoughts and takes a few steps back as Pihu advances towards her feeling distracted and annoyed as her mind is too preoccupied.

Ishita (yells angrily): PIHU! STOP THIS!

Hearing Ishita's stern tone, Pihu stops immediately, and her smile fades away, instantly replaced by a sad expression.

Pihu: Ishimaa aap gussa kyun ho rahe ho? Aaj toh Holi hai.

Ishita looks at Pihu's sad face and speaks to her in a softer tone, not yelling anymore, but still speaks in a stern voice.

Ishita: Holi kal hai Pihu. Aur Holi ke din bhi ghar ke andar aise water gun se khelna allowed nahi hai. Tumhe toh sab pata hai phir bhi tum aisa kar rahi ho toh phir Ishimaa ko gussa ayega hi right?

Pihu: Mujhe pata hai Ishimaa. Main toh bus maraak kar rahi thi. Yeh water gun bhi empty hai but agar aap nahi chahte ho toh mai koi masti nahi karungi but aap please gussa mat ho.

Pihu lowers her gun and starts quietly walking back towards her room with a sad face. Ishita sighs and walks up to Pihu, stopping her from retreating into her room.

Ishita: Pihu! Maine aisa toh nahi kaha ki aap masti mat karo. Mere ghar ke andar ghuste hi maine tumhe apne taraf water gun ke saath ate dekha toh mujhe laga ki isme actually pani hai and main nahi chahti ki ghar ke andar gandagi ho warna Neelu ka kaam aur bhi badh jayega isliye main gussa ho gai.

Aliya: Haan Pihu, Amma ko kaise pata chalega ki water gun khali hai. Chalo ab itni choti baat pe apna mood spoil mat hone do. Accha tum ek kaam karo, tum ja ke apne room se sare organic colours le aao aur Amma ko dikhao. Amma check kar lengi ki woh actually organic hai ya nahi. Aaj kal bahut milavat hota hai in sab mein. Packet pe kuch likha hota hai aur andar kuch aur hota hai.

Pihu nods and leaves without saying another word. Ishita watches Pihu walk away and she knows her daughter is still upset.

Ishita: Maine bekar hi uspe kuch zada zor se chilla diya.

Aliya: It's ok Amma. Thodi der mein sab Holika Dahan ke liye ayenge toh khud hi uska mood theek ho jayega. Hum dono ko pata tha ki water gun mein kuch nahi hai lekin aapko kaise pata chalta.

Ishita nods, then looks at Ruhi and goes to her.

Ishita: Ruhi ab tum kaisa feel kar rahi ho?

Ruhi: Main theek hoon Ishimaa... but aapne apna face dekha? Aap pareshan ho ya aapki tabyat theek nahi hai?

Aliya: Haan Amma, aap itne jaldi wapas kaise aa gaye? Aap toh Dr. Batra ke clinic jane wale the right?

Ishita: Hmmm... woh clinic mein appointment cancel ho gai so maine socha main ghar aa ke Holi ki tayari mein help kar doon. Actually main kamre mein ja ke thoda araam kar leti hoon...

Before either Aliya or Ruhi can say anything, Ishita gets up and leaves. Both Aliya and Ruhi look on slightly confused as she walks away.

Ishita is crossing the kitchen, making her way to the staircase to go up to her room. Simmi and Toshi are in the kitchen cooking something on the stove and Mihika is standing right next to them. Mihika sees Ishita and calls her.

Mihika: Akka! Accha hua aap jaldi ghar aa gai. Aa ke dekho kitchen mein kya kya ban raha hai! Khushboo toh aap tak bahar hi pahuch gai hogi.

Ishita looks at them working in the kitchen, as soon as she spots Simmi, her blood boils with anger but she knows that she must not say anything or act like something is wrong for Simmi must not find out that Ishita knows about the increased medicine dosage.

Ishita: Ummm.... Mihika... main thoda fresh ho ke aati hoon. Phir main tumhari help kar dungi.

Mihika watches Ishita walk away and then excuses herself from the kitchen. She then goes to the drawing room where Aliya and Ruhi are sitting on the sofa and talking in hushed voices.

Mihika: Yeh Akka ko kya hua? Woh kuch khoi khoi si lag rahi thi...

Aliya: Chitti hum bhi wahi baat kar rahe the. Pata nahi kya ho gaya hai....

Mihika: Kahin unki tabyat toh kharab nahi hai?

Ruhi: I don't think so. I think woh pareshan hai. Ghar aate hi unhone pehle Pihu ko bahut zor se data phir humse kaha ki woh ghar jaldi aai hai Holi ki tayari mein sabki help karne aur phir dusre hi minute kaha ki woh apne kamre mein araam karne ja rahi hai.

Mihika: Aur unhone mujhse kaha ki who fresh hoke aa rahi hai.

Aliya: Office mein kuch hua hai kya? But aaj toh Simmi Bua aur Param uncle bhi ghar pe hai aur yaha se baithe baithe who office mein toh koi gadbad kar nahi sakte.

Mihika: Nahi office mein aaaj koi gadbad nahi hui hai. Romi ka message aya tha thodi der pehle. Ulta usne kaha ki Jiju ne toh sab ko jaldi ghar bhej diya aur khud bhi woh sab wapas ghar aa rahe hai. Abhi raste mein honge.

Ruhi: Toh phir hum chal ke Ishimaa se puch lete hai ki baat kya hai.

Mihika: Actually Ruhi, thoda ruk jate hai. Jiju ko aa jane do. I think Akka ka mood unse accha aur koi theek nahi kar sakta.

Raman-Ishita Bedroom:

Ishita shuts the door and leans back against the door, sighing, and then taking a few deep breaths, trying to push away the urge to break down into tears, which is quite overwhelming. She takes a few moments to fight her tear as she tries to push away the guilt of upsetting Pihu, especially when the little girl has been through so much mental trauma in the last few years, and was only starting to be her old self again and to add to this guilt was the ever lingering fear that any moment something would happen to Raman for she was failing, failing to get him out of this mess and failing to protect him.

Ishita tosses her handbag onto the couch as she starts walking around the whole room in circles, as if trying to bring order in all the chaos that has surrounded her. She looks around the room and starts mumbling and talking to herself.

Ishita: Nahi! Bus! Ab aur nahi! Bahut kar li Simmi ne apni manmani. Aise ab aur nahi chalega. Main aisa hone nahi dungi. Raman ko kuch nahi hoga. Mujhe malum hai medicine yahin hamara kamre mein chupa hai. Tabhi toh sirf Raman medicine le pa rahe hai aur baki sab safe hain. Hamare alawa is kamre mein aur koi kuch lene nahi ata. Mujhe medicine dhoondhna hi hoga.

Instinctively, she reached out for the first aid box in the room. She quickly checked each and every medicine in the box, as she has done numerous times in the last few days too, but as always everything is in order. None of the medicines are out of place. Frustrated she tosses the first aid kit on the bed and then opens the wardrobe and stares at the clothes, files and everything else lying in it as if she is determined to find something in them that will give her a clue!

Bhalla Drawing Room:

Ruhi, Aliya and Mihika are all trying to cheer up a sulking Pihu.

Mihika: Pihu.... Kal Holi hai aur aap hi aise sad rahoge toh kya hoga?

Ruhi: Exactly, kal jo sabse zada excited thi Holi ke liye wo hi ladki ab muh phula ke baithi hui hai.

Unnoticed by the three, Raman, Romi and Adi walk in.

Raman: Kya ho raha hai yaha? Holi ki planning chal rahi hai?

Pihu sees Raman, immediately goes to him, wrapping her arms around her waist and hugging him sadly. Raman hugs her back, strokes her back affectionately, then bends a little to kiss the top of her head.

Raman: Meri princess itni shant kyun hai? Mujhe toh laga tha ghar mein Holi ko le ke khub dhamal chal raha hoga.

Adi: Haan Papa! Main toh ready tha ki ghar ke andar ghuste hi Pihu apne pichkari ke saath ready hogi.

Pihu: Nahi! Mujhe ab Holi nahi khelna!

Raman looks at everyone in surprise. Ruhi gestures to indicate that nothing major has happened. Raman nods and looks down at Pihu, he sits on the vacant sofa, pulling Pihu along and makes her sit on his lap and then wraps his arms around her.

Raman: Hmmmm.... Aur Pihu Holi kyun nahi khelegi?

Pihu: Main naraaz hoon!

Raman: Tum Holi se naraaz ho! Beta Holi saal mein ek baar ek din ke liye aata hai. Isliye meri mano toh apne gusse ko side karo aur maze se holi khelo.

Pihu giggles a little, then remembers she is annoyed, so she makes a serious face at Raman.

Pihu: Holi se koi naraaz ho sakta hai kya?

Raman: Phir tum kisse naraaz ho?

Pihu: Ishimaa se.

Raman: Oh! Kyun kya hua? Tumhari Ishimaa abhi tak clinic se wapas nahi aai hai kya?

Pihu: Nahi woh aa gai aur unhone aate hi mujhe zor se data jab ki main kuch wrong bhi nahi kar rahi thi. Uske baad main apne colours lene gai unko dikhane ke liye but woh bina mere colours dekhe room mein chali gai aur ab sab mujhe unke pass jane bhi nahi de rahe aur woh wapas neeche bhi nahi aa rahi. Isliye ab main unse gussa hoon aur main ab kal Holi khelungi bhi nahi!

Raman: Aise kaise Ishimaa ne Pihu ko data! Unki khabar main leta hoon. Waise bhi Pihu, tum janti ho na ki tumhari Ishimaa ka dimag kabhi kabhi thoda ulta chalta hai. Tabhi who bina wajah ke kabhi kabhi gussa ho jati hai. Lekin isme Holi ki kya galti hai right? Isliye hum apni Holi bilkul spoil nahi karenge! Papa abhi ja rahe hai Ishimaa ko daatne aur tab tak tum apne colours and pichkari apne room se le aao aur yahin wait karo. Main tumhari Ishimaa ko le ke niche aata hun and phir hum sab neeche Holika Dahan ki tayari dekhne jayenge. Ok.

Pihu looks at Raman, nods first then smiles a bit, hops off from him lap and runs towards her room. Once she is out of sight, Raman looks at Mihika, Aliya and Ruhi and they know what he is asking so they immediately bring him up to date.

Mihika: Kuch nahi hua Jiju! Akka jaise hi ghar ke andar aai, Pihu unke taraf apna water gun le ke bhagne lagi aur Akka ko laga ki gun mein pani hai jab ki gun khali tha, isliye unhone Pihu ko thoda zor se daat diya.

Raman: Oh ok. Waise Ishita itne jaldi clinic se ghar aa bhi gai? Mujhe toh laga tha hum uske pehle pahuch jayenge.

Ruhi: Unki appointments cancel ho gai isliye who jaldi ghar aa gai.

Raman looks at Ruhi confused.

Raman: Are you sure? Ishita office se jaldi nikli thi kyunki use kuch extra appointments handle karne the. Aur phir sare appointments cancel ho gaye?!? Yeh sare daat todne wale dentists thode ulte dimag wale hai kya?

Mihika: Actually Jiju, Akka thodi pareshan lag rahi thi jab ghar wapas aai.

Adi: Kyun kya hua?

Aliya: Pata nahi Adi. Humein bus unhe dekh ke laga ki woh thodi pareshan hain.

Romi: Tum mein se kisi ne Bhabhi se pucha nahi ki who pareshan kyun hai?

Mihika: Romi mujhe pata tha tum log sab ghar aa hi rahe ho toh mujhe laga sahi yahi hoga ki Jiju Akka se baat karein. Isliye hum bhi unke pass nahi gaye.

Raman: Fine. Pihu wapas aa jaye toh usko thoda distract karna and try to cheer her up. Main Ishita ko dekh ke aata hoon.

Raman-Ishita Bedroom

Raman comes up the stairs to their bedroom door and is surprised to find it shut. He quietly leans forward and rests his ear at the door trying to hear what is happening inside, but no sound comes across. Raman steps away and is about to knock the door when he remembers how Ishita was going in and out of his cabin without knocking at the door before entering. He smiles and thinks that he too has the same right after all this is the bedroom they share together and if she has the right to walk into his cabin without knocking, he certainly has the right to walk into the bedroom they share without knocking.

Raman opens the door and peeps inside, he had pretty much expected to find Ishita resting or maybe even asleep but the sigh that greets him is nothing what he had expected he would see and there was only one word to summarize it: CHAOS!

At first sight it seemed like a tornado had come and hit their bedroom moving everything out of place and leaving behind a complete mess. However the only Tornado that had attacked the room was Ishita who had turned everything inside out and upside down! As a bewildered Raman took a few more steps inside, shutting the door behind him, few more clothes come flying out of the wardrobe-some fall on the ground while the others fall on the small heap of already tossed away clothes lying on the bed.

For a second Raman is too shocked to react but then the silliness of it all hits him and he starts chuckling a bit as he speaks.

Raman (highly amused): Yeh kya ho raha hai?

Hearing Raman's voice Ishita turns around for a second and then without replying to him goes back to searching for whatever she is looking for in the wardrobe.

Raman (self-musing): Yeh ho kya gaya hai pagal Madrasan ko?

Raman clears his throat a little loudly once again to get her attention.

Raman (laughing slightly): Ishita tum kya kar rahi ho?

Ishita turns at him annoyed.

Ishita: Aap has kyun rahe ho?

Raman (self musing): Pagal Madrasan full form mein hai. Kuch kar beta warna neeche Pihu ki class lagai aur ab bina wajah teri class le legi.

Raman cautiously takes a step closer to the wardrobe and then speaks in a fake annoyed voice.

Raman: Oh Pagal Madrasan! Yeh kya haal bana rakha hai mere kamre ka? Thaka hara office se ghar aya hun. Socha tha apne kamre mein aaram karunga lekin yahan toh tumne raita phela rakha hai! Mere kamre ki band baja rakhi hai tumne!

Ishita stops emptying out the wardrobe and goes stands in front of Raman, equally annoyed.

Ishita: Mera kamra matlab?!? Hamari shaadi ho gai hai so yeh mera bhi kamra hai. And aapko dikhai nahi de raha main busy hoon. Phaltu ki batoon mein mera time mat waste karo please!

Raman: Lekin hua kya hai? Tum kar kya rahi ho. Aaj clinic mein jiska daat ukhad rahi thi usme tumhe ulta kaat khaya kya? Ghar aya toh Pihu se pata chala ki tumne use bhi bina wajah daat diya aur ab mujhpe bhi chadh rahi ho! Problem kya hai?!?

Ishita once again goes back to the wardrobe, turning her back towards Raman, wondering if she should tell him what is bothering her. Raman notices her mumbling to herself.

Raman: Ishita akele mein kya badbada rahi ho? Seedhe seedhe bol do na kya problem hai!

Ishita: Please Raman mujhe apna kaam karne do. Mujhe aapse koi baat nahi karni hai. Aap jao yaha se!

Raman: Ishita tum bewajah kyun itni hyper ho! Bata do na kya baat hai?!?

Ishita: Main kyun bataun, jab aap bhi mujhe kuch nahi batate ho?

Raman (confused): Maine tumhe kya nahi bataya yaar?!?

Ishita: Kuch bhi... jaise aap kya khate ho pure din mein... kuch bhi... like aapke din ke chote mote details... aap toh kabhi kuch batate nahi ho!

Raman now looks at her absolutely clueless coz everything she is saying is making no sense to him!

Raman: Yeh bakwaas band karo aur neend ki goli kha ke so jao!

Ishita: Aap jao na yaha se. Maine bola na....

Raman: Haan ja raha hun... yaha reh ke waise bhi tumhari bekar ki baatein sunne ka koi shauk nahi hai...Ishita... lekin ek baat kaan khol ke sun lo... kal Holi hai... jitna yeh natak karna hai aaj abhi kamre mein kar lo and get it out of your system! Aaj sham ko Holika Dahan ke function mein aur kal Holi pe mujhe koi natak nahi chahiye! Meri puri family bahut excited hai aur main nahi chahta ki tumhari wajah se kisi ka bhi mood kharab ho!

Ishita turns back and again talks to Raman face to face.

Ishita: Aapki family matlab... yeh meri bhi family hai and mujhee bhi unki khushi ka utna hi khayal hai. Pihu ko main dekh lungi! Ab aapka ho gaya toh aap jao yahan se!

Ishita glares at Raman and he finally gets a good look at her face, and he can tell she is worried about something. Raman exhales to cool himself down and get out of this nok-jhok mode. He gently grabs Ishita by her shoulder and speaks to her softly, his concern clearly visible in his voice.

Raman: Ishita... mujhe dikh raha hai ki tum pareshan ho.... please batao mujhe kya baat hai?

Ishita relaxes a bit as soon as Raman hold her and then before he can say anything else Ishita takes a step closer to him and hugs him. Raman too instantly wraps her in his arms, holding her close to him wishing that he can take away whatever it is that is worrying her. Together they stand in silence for a while and Raman closes his eyes savouring the moment, cherishing their closeness and the calmness that has swept over him and for the second time within a span of a few hours once again he gets similar kinds of blurry visions where he is arguing with a woman just like he and Ishita were arguing moments ago.

Raman lets go of Ishita in shock. Ishita also awkwardly pulls away and then notices Raman is sweating a bit.

Ishita (worried): Raman, aapko kya hua? Aapko achak paseena kyun aa raha hai? Aap theek toh ho? Aapki tabyat theek hai na?

Raman looks at Ishita all worried for him but he also remembers how she is already stressed about something and Dr. Mehta's warning that she should be kept away from stress.

Raman (causally): Mujhe kuch nahi hua hai infact yeh paseena bhi tumhari wajah se hai.

Ishita: Kya...

Raman (pointing at the ceiling): Pankha on tak nahi kya hai tumne toh paseena ayega hi!

Ishita hurriedly turns the fan on. Suddenly they are interrupted by a knock...

Ishita turns around and notices the door is shut.

Ishita: Kaun?

Mihika: Akka... woh actually Pihu neeche Jiju ka wait kar rahi hai...

Ishita: Mihika hum aa rahe hai. Bus 2 minutes.

Mihika: Ok Akka...

As they hear Mihika's retreating footsteps Ishita looks at the mess in the room avoiding Raman's eyes as she knows he will ask her what is bothering her and Raman too is avoiding Ishita's eyes as he is still dealing with the fact that he is having visions of him with another woman!

Ishita ( without looking at Raman): Raman yeh sab main baad mein theek kar dungi. Abhi main Pihu ko dekhti hoon. Don't worry uska mood theek ho jayega and ghar mein kisi ki bhi Holi kharab nahi hogi. Aap fresh hoke neeche aa jao.

Before Raman can say anything Ishita rushes out of the room.

Raman (self-musing): Lagta hai Ishita ne phir se notice kar liya ki main kisi aur ke bare mein soch raha tha aur is baar toh hum dono ek dusre ke itne kareeb the phir bhi main... nahi mujhe aisa nahi karna chahiye... agar aisa hi chalta raha toh Ishita mujhse kahin door na ho jaye!

Worried Raman picks up a kurta pajama from the pile of clothes lying on the bed and goes into the washroom to freshen up and get ready for the Holika Dahan function.

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

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 Ishita be able to enjoy Holi with her family or will Simmi 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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