Five Months Later

Raman and Ishita
"Adi bhaiya, may I have the soup please"

Adi passed the tureen of water to his little sister and then watched keenly as she carefully ladled the liquid into her soup dish.

She looked towards him for encouragement and then sipped delicately from the side of the soup spoon as he had instructed, as he clapped in encouragement, a wide smile lighting up his face.

Ishita was standing at the stove, busily stirring the steaming pot in front of her and watching the two childrens antics with a smile when her husband walked in the front door. He looked every inch the successful businessman, briefcase in hand, shrugging off his jacket as he tossed both it and the briefcase onto the nearest sofa.

"Water, Ruhi?" He asked quizzically as he walked behind his children, ruffling Adi's hair and planting a kiss on Ruhi's head. "Are you on a diet beta?"

"Uff ho, no papa" Ruhi turned around in her chair to glare at her father, who had by now reached his wife. "Adi bhaiya is teaching me table manners."

"Adi bhaiya is very brave then" Raman said with a laugh, as he grinned at his daughter. "But I'm glad that you two haven't had dinner yet, because I have ordered pizza for you, and after that, Romi chachu and Rinki bua are going to take you both out for ice cream."

"Raman, no, why pizza? Mein khana bana rahi hoon" ( Im cooking dinner already) Ishita protested even as the children started to cheer, their table practice forgotten as they jumped up to hug their father.

"Adi, careful" Raman cautioned, not wanting his son to put too much pressure on his newly healed ankle. "Now go and get ready for dinner you two, pizza is almost here" He watched lovingly as his children disappeared down the hall, before turning to face his irate wife.

"Ramannn" she protested with a scowl.

"Stop frowning madrassan" her incorrigible husband said in response. "You and I are going out to dinner, so go and get ready. And listen, zara sexy sa kuch pehena please, apni kanjeevaram kapde ki thaan nahi." (And listen, wear something a little bit sexy please, not your usual Kanjeevaram material)

"But Raman, dinner kyun? Mein ne kaha na khana bana rahi hoon na." (But Raman, why dinner? I told you I'm cooking already)

"Haan toh khana baaki sab khayenge" Raman moved closer to his wife, his voice lowered so that his parents and siblings watching tv could not hear. "Woh pizza aur sambar khayenge aur hum dinner par jayenge. Aaj hamari anniversary hai yaar, tum bhul gayi." (Yes, so everyone else can eat what you're making. They can have this food and pizza, while you and I go out. It's our anniversary, you've forgotten)

"Kaisi anniversary Raman?" (What anniversary Raman?) Ishita looked at him quizzically. "It's not February"

"Hamari suhaag raat ki six month anniversary" he whispered into her ear. "Aur mujhe aaj repeat performance chahiye. Ab jaldi se jaa kar taiyaar ho jao, Rinki and Neelu yahan kaam sambhal lenge." (Its the six month anniversary of our consummation. And I want a repeat performance tonight. Now go and get ready, Rinki and Neelu can finish up here)

Ishita blushed as she stared at her smirking husband. "Raman, kya..."

"Go" he repeated. "Before I tell everyone else the reason"

"Rinki" he raised his voice, as his blushing wife withdrew in confusion. "Come and help Neelu. Your bhabhi and I have to go out."

*********************************
An hour later at the Casa Bianca
"Why did we have to come here, Raman" Ishita hissed at her husband, as yet another waiter graced their table to show her his teeth. "I'm so embarrassed."

"Shall I order champagne?" he smiled at his wife's red cheeks. " To relax you like last time? Aur embarrassed kyun ho yaar? Yeh sab toh sirf tumhe thank you keh rahe hai. Kuch aur karne ki himmat toh kare koi, mein Unke saare daat hathon mein na de doon" (And why are you embarrassed? They are just thanking you baby. If they dared to do anything else, I would gift them their teeth in their hands.)

"Ramann" Ishita protested. "No champagne. Aur aap jaante hai kisi ko mujh se galat baat karne ki himmat nahi hogi jab aap aise ghur rahe hai" (And you know no one would dare to say anything wrong to me with you glaring like that)

Raman sat back and laughed out loud, enjoying his wife's blushes. She looked absolutely stunning tonight and he had brought her here, to the Casa Bianca, on purpose, wanting to show off the most beautiful woman in the world to the fashionable society crowd that habituated the best restaurant in town. Her long hair cascaded down her back, the sheer sleeves of her blouse the same pinkish hue as her cheeks, the cream and pink chiffon sari elegantly draped on her slim body, hugging her curves and driving him wild with longing. His laughter died down as he continued to stare at her.

"They better not." he said huskily, biting his lip as she colored again under his intense gaze. "Baaki dekh toh sakte hai, lekin meri Jhansi ki Rani ko kuch kehne ki ya chune ki izzazat toh sirf mujh ko hai" (Others can look but only I can say anything to or touch my Jhansii ki rani)

"Ramann" Ishita whispered, her lips quivering at the naked passion in her husband's eyes and voice.

His dark eyes were clouded with passion as he leaned forward, taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips. "It drives me crazy when you say my name like that Ishita. Say it again."

She shook her head mutely, eyes sparkling. "No" she whispered.

"Oh yes" he countered. "You'll say it and you'll say it over and over very soon. Now eat up, I've got a booking at the Taj."

"But Raman...."

"No buts" he released her hand and picked up his fork. "I told you we have an anniversary to celebrate."

*********************************
At the other end of the Restaurant
Shagun and Ashok

Ashok Khanna's new associate grinned lasciviously at Mrs Shagun Khanna.

"You look stunning, Shagunji" his eyes strayed to the generous display of cleavage that her skimpy blouse afforded. "Absolutely stunning."

Shagun gave a bored look at Mr Gupta, then winced as Ashok pinched her sharply on the arm. She briefly turned her flashing angry eyes on her husband before a fake smile settled on her face.

"Thank you Mr Gupta" she drawled huskily. "You're too kind." She continued to smile at the fawning businessman before pushing back her chair. "I'll just be back. Excuse me."

Mr Gupta jumped up to pull back her chair, only sitting down after she had swanned away to the powder room.

"Your wife is beautiful Mr Khanna" he declared to the bored looking Ashok.

Ashok gave a calculating glance at the eager middle aged and decidedly rotund businessman from Mauritius. He may be fat and balding and decidedly unsophisticated, but Mr Gupta was absolutely rolling in money. And Ashok Khanna needed money. Since his marriage to Shagun, it seemed as though bad luck had come as dowry with his unwanted bride. His new business venture had failed spectacularly, and the interest payments alone on the loans he had taken to finance that deal were now eating up all his income. His shady business partners had disappeared back into the shadows, somehow getting wind of his carelessness in letting Shagun collect evidence against him. He suspected Suraj, knowing that his brothers loyalty was to money rather than to filial ties. Mr Gupta was Ashoks best source of ready money at the moment, and Mr Gupta had taken a very obvious shine to his dearest wife.

"Well Mr Gupta, I'm glad you think so. Shagun was so eager to meet you, and if you decide to invest with us, there will be many more opportunities for you to get to know her....even better."

Mr Gupta's eyes almost popped out of his head. "Mr Khanna" he stammered. "I hope you don't think...."

"We're men of the world Mr Gupta" Ashok responded smoothly and the grin returned to Guptas face, coupled with a new insolence, as he took the measure of Ashok's desperation and lack of morals. "Are we business partners too?"

"Oh yes, Mr Khanna" Gupta took the hand Ashok was proferring. "With an inducement like that, how can I refuse?"

*********************************
Twenty Minutes Later
Raman held on tightly to his wife's hand, his head lowered to her as he hummed softly, his eyes drinking in her blushes and her sweet smiles.

"Tumse milke aisa laga tumse milke armaan hue puray dil ke..."

They were standing at the lobby of the restaurant, waiting for the valet to bring their car. Raman had been teasing his wife all evening, but his patience was at its limits now. All he wanted to do was to get to the Taj and book into the room he had reserved, to throw her onto the bed and to ravish her beauty the entire night through. It was what he wanted to do every single night, but what with their busy work schedules, their family commitments and his daughter's recent spate of nightmares which meant she insisted on sleeping with them every night, his private time with his wife had been severely restricted. Well, all that would change tonight, and he could not wait.

"Teri meri, meri teri, ek jaan hai..." He continued to hum

"Well well well, it's Raman Bhalla. And Ishitaji."

The song died on his lips as Raman stiffened, then turned around slowly. Ashok was standing just behind him, Shagun clinging to his arm, with a rotund, expensively dressed and extremely drunk man pressing closely to her on the other side.

"Ashok" He said formally, nodding at the other man. "Shagun, how are you?"

"Isheeeta" Shagun trilled, moving away from her husband and Gupta. "I wanted to talk to you about Adi. Come with me, will you?"

"Raman" Ishita looked at her husband, pulling at her hand until he released it and moved away with Shagun.

"Yes Shagun?" She asked, as Shagun stopped a few meters away. "Kya baat hai? Aur tum Raman aur Ashok ke saamne kyun nahi keh sakti thi? ( What is it, and why couldn't you speak in front of Ashok and Raman ?)

"Oh I just wanted to get away from that Gupta. He gives me the creeps." Shagun shuddered delicately. "Now listen, about Adi. We were supposed to be sharing custody, but he barely spends any time with me. He only comes one night in the weekends, that too every fortnight, and then he says he wants to go back to Bhalla house. We had a deal Isheeeta."

"I know Shagun" Ishita said slowly. "But Adi is concerned about his exams, he missed school when he got injured and I think he finds it less disruptive to stay at one place. Besides, hamare yahan Ruhi bhi hai, aur Adi aur Ruhi kitne acche dost ho gaye hai. Aur Romi aur Rinki bhi toh bilkul bache hi hai. Kitna masti karte hai saath mein. I think it's best for Adi that we let him decide when and where he wants to stay Shagun." (Besides, Ruhi is also with us and Adi and Ruhi have become such good friends. And Romi and Rinki are also just like kids. They all have such fun together. I think it's best for Adi that we let him decide when and where he wants to stay Shagun)

"Adi is my son Ishita" Shagun said angrily. "I don't need you to tell me what is best for him."

"But Shagun" Ishita replied softly. "Raman and I haven't stopped Adi from meeting you. He doesn't want to go to Khanna House himself. You can come and meet him at our place at any time you kn..."

She had not finished her sentence as her husband strode up to her, grabbing her hand. His mouth was set in a straight line and anger flashed in his eyes.

"Let's go Ishita" he said shortly. He stalked away, pulling his wife with him, before stopping abruptly and turning back to face Shagun. "Take my advice Shagun, and leave that man before he destroys you forever. Oh, and if you want to see my son, come to my house. Agreement or no Agreement, I am not sending Adi to that bastard Ashok Khanna's house ever again, and I am happy to go to court over this so don't try me."

"Raman" Ishita said urgently as her husband started walking again, still pulling her with him, ignoring Shagun's shrill voice behind them. "Kya hua baba?" (What happened baby?)

But he was silent.

*********************************
The Taj - an hour later
Raman and Ishita

Raman sat on the edge of the bed, a glass of whisky in one hand, the other ruffling through his hair. Ishita came out of the bathroom and sat next to him, one arm going around his back as she nestled her head on his shoulder.

"Raman, kya hua, mujhe batao na please baba" (Raman, what is the matter, tell me please baby)

Raman put down the glass with a sigh and drew his wife into his arms, hiding his face in her hair. "I don't want you to know Ishita" he said slowly. "Mujhe kehte hue bura lag raha hai, mein tumhare saamne aisi baat karna nahi chahta. Aur mujhe galat mat samajhna please. Woh mere liye sirf Adi ki ka hai, aur kuch nahi, lekin woh bhi ek aurat hai,.. aur ( I feel ashamed even to say such things to you. And don't misunderstand me, please She is Adi's mother and that's all she is to me, but she is still a woman, and...)

"Raman" Ishita pulled away and cupped her husband's face in her hands. "Mein aap ko kabhi misunderstand nahi kar sakti. Mujhe maloom hai woh aap ke liye sirf Adi ki maa hai. Mujhe koi insecurity nahi hai. Lekin baat kya hai, aap please mujhe bataiiye."( Raman, I can never misunderstand you. I know she is just Adi's mother to you. I don't have any insecurities. But what is the matter? Tell me please)

He smiled at her, covering her hands in kisses before sighing and looking at her in defeat.

"Theek hai. Phir suno." (Okay then. Listen)

"Flashback Starts"

Raman reluctantly let go of his wife's hand and watched as she walked away with Shagun.

"Very beautiful" Ashok's companions voice dragged his thoughts back to his present company.

"Excuse me?" he said, turning to the man, detecting a note of something offensive in his slurred tones. "Aap mujh se baat kar rahe hai?" (Are you talking to me?)

"Raman" Ashok interrupted. "Let me introduce you. Mr Shekhar Gupta, my new investor and business partner from Mauritius. Mr Gupta, this is Raman Bhalla, businessman extraordinaire aur mera dost."

"Mein tera dost nahi hoon kamine " (I'm not your friend you bastard) Raman said shortly, as Gupta gave a delighted nod of recognition. "Of course, of course I've heard of Mr Bhalla" he said, seizing Raman's hand and shaking it vigorously.

"You were saying something to me Mr Gupta?" Raman asked again.

"Your wife?" Mr Gupta gestured drunkenly towards Ishita, not seeing that Raman's brows were knitting ominously. "She is very beautiful. Very beautiful."

"Thank you" Raman said shortly. "She is also a dentist and my children and I are very proud of her. If you'll excuse me."

He made to walk away, anger gathering in his heart at the way this uncouth boorish man had dared to look at his Ishita. But Gupta's next words stopped him in his tracks.

"Very sexy" Gupta leered. "If you need financing Mr Bhalla, I'm happy to give you the deal I gave Khanna here."

Raman clenched his fists and turned around.

"And what's the deal you gave Khanna?" his voice was a hiss, quiet, measured but deadly.

"My money for his wife" Gupta seemed to be oblivious of Raman's anger, his disgust. "Your wife is far sexier and younger than his. I'll pay double for her."

"You bastard" Raman's voice remained quiet, but his fist shot out, catching Gupta squarely in the jaw and causing him to fall backwards into Ashoks waiting arms.

"Raman, yeh kya kiya tum ne ?" (Raman, what have you done?) Ashok cried out, looking around to see whether anyone had noticed, before dumping the heavy Gupta into a nearby chair. "He is my financier. He's just a little drunk. You have no right"

Raman pointed a finger into the taller mans face, his voice shaking with rage. "You may think it's okay to let someone, drunk or not, insult your wife, but I don't. Not my wife, not yours, not any woman Ashok. Shame on you. Tum itna bhi gir sakte ho, yeh mein kabhi soch bhi nahi sakta. Shagun ka sauda kardiya tum ne ? You sold her?" (I can't believe you would stoop so low, that you would sell Shagun off like this)

Ashok was about to admit his deed with pride but the look on Raman's face stopped him. "It was just a joke Raman, just a joke" he said desperately, not wanting a punch to land on his face as well. "Gupta is drunk, he didn't mean it"

Raman hesitated, then shook his head and began to walk off to where Ishita was talking to Shagun. "I have betterthings to do tonight and I don't want to get into this further with you. But let it stay a filthy joke Ashok" he said as he walked away. "If I find out otherwise, you will regret it. And tell your disgusting friend the next time he takes my wife's name, he will not live another moment. Zinda gaad doonga usse bhi aur tumhe bhi" ( I'll bury both him and you alive)

"Flashback Ends"

Ishita looked at Raman in horror as he finished recounting his story.

"Raman" she whispered. "How can Ashok? Humme Shagun ko batana hoga. We have to tell her."

"I don't think she will believe us Ishita" he shook his head wearily. "Besides, she insisted on marrying him knowing exactly what he is. Who knows, maybe she even knows, maybe she is part of the whole sordid mess. But whatever Shagun knows or not, she is an adult. Adi isn't. And my son is not going back into that house. Ever."

"Aap theek keh rahe ho Raman" Ishita said softly. "Hum Adi ko wahan kabhi nahi jaane denge." (Youre right Raman. We will never let Adi go there)

She saw the change in her husband's expression, saw as the the anger was replaced by a sparkle, and let him draw her into his arms.

"Enough of them. Let's not waste another minute" he whispered as he pushed her down onto the bed, the urgency returning as he covered her mouth with his, his insistent tongue pushing her lips open. She smiled into his kisses and welcomed him just as eagerly. Her life had changed irrevocably the day she had married him, but six months ago was the day that the most profound change had happened. They had accepted their love, had become one in every sense. Shagun's scepter had loomed large on that day also, but they had not let Ashok and her sordid life taint their love then. They would not let it taint their love now.

"Love me darling?" He whispered an hour later as she lay snuggled in his arms, her body aching from his attentions, her heart full of his love.

She raised herself on an elbow and gazed at him.

"I love you my darling" she said softly, brushing a kiss over his lips, her hair fanning behind her as she subsided into his arms again. He played with her tresses, caressing them softly as she continued to rain soft kisses on his neck and chest, her arms going around him to pull him closer.

"I love you more" he whispered as sleep claimed him. "I love you more"