It's been a long time since that night. When I told everything to dadi, she legitally pulled my ears and ordered me to apologize to Ishita. I know my reaction wasn't legit, and I did wrong to her. This is what I was most scared of, my anger.
For the person who hasn't yelled when he should have, I have started shouting as my coping mechanism. That's why I am going for therapy. My past shouldn't affect my present.
It's good that we weren't living in our apartment. Otherwise, the things would have gone the other way. Of course, dadi would have handled the situation, but what surprised me was how Mrs. Bhalla took the stand for Ishita. Never in the past had she said even a single thing to me.
She came to my room that night while Ishita was with dadi. It was her to whom Ishita told her heart out. It's really surprising. The way she took the stand for Ishita, I was myself amazed. But I really had hurt my precious soul.
The next day, even Simmi confronted me and gave me a good lecture for how to be a good husband and how I must treat her bhabhi.
Had Ishita not intervened, then Simmi would have surely gone on saying stuff, which could be turned into a podcast, titled as, 'How to act in your marriage?'
I was thinking of all such things, and then Mihir came to my cabin and informed me, "All the bookings are done. These are the printouts of the tickets." He gave me the tickets. After checking them, I affirmed.
"Thank you, yaar."
"There is no need to say that. In fact, I am thankful to you that you are finally taking bhabhi for the honeymoon."
I glared at him.
We didn't have such a bond between us for going for trips. Now I know that she is comfortable with me.
"It's just a staycation."
He shrugged his shoulders and muttered, "Workaholic ass can't even go for his honeymoon."
"I heard you."
"You were supposed to." He retorted back. "Come on, bhai, you have worked your ass off for your entire life. At least take a little bit of rest and enjoy with bhabhi."
"It's not about my work. Hers as well. I am not interfering in her work life. That's why I am taking her out this weekend."
"You know you are her boss. You can approve her leaves."
"I can, but I can't."
"Huh! What do you mean?"
"She won't appreciate it. Ishita has strictly asked me not to interfere in her professional life. And I respect her this decision."
He smiled.
"What?"
"Finally, you are respecting someone's decision. Hamari baat ko kabhi nhi mani aapne. Biwi aatein hai, joru ke gulaam bann gye."
"So what? Adhering to my wife's decision doesn't makes me Joru ka Gulaam. Instead, it makes me a good husband who respects his wife."
"And love? What about it bhai?"
"I don't know yet. I won't deny the fact that I like her, but love isn't in the picture yet. Moreover, I don't know whether she even likes me or not?"
"Looking at you guys, obviously you both are into each other."
"It might look so because we are married, and both of us respect our relationship. Neither of us wanted to marry each other. She has her own insecurities. I know that she is hiding something from me. I am just waiting her to trust me enough, to open her heart. About me, I wouldn't have married her to be just married. Both of us are learning and adapting each other's lifestyle. That's why we both are taking it slow."
He nodded.
"I think she likes you too bhai."
"Maybe or maybe not."
"Believe me she does likes you."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Everyone except you could see that she likes you."
"I still don't believe you."
He chuckled and said, "You will know soon. I hope this staycation brings both of you more closer." Not waiting for my reply, he left my cabin.
Love huh? How do I know whether I love you or not? Of course, you are 24*7 in my mind, but does this hearts yearns for you?
Later that evening, I gathered the family in the living room. Dadi, Dadaji, Simmi, Mrs. Bhalla, and Ishita were all there.
"I have an announcement," I began. "Ishita and I are going away for the weekend. A little staycation to spend some time together."
Dadi beamed with approval. "That's wonderful, beta. You both need this time together."
Simmi nudged Ishita playfully. "Enjoy, bhabhi! And make sure bhai takes a proper break."
Mrs. Bhalla smiled warmly. "Ishita, if you need anything, just let me know."
I looked at Ishita, who seemed surprised but pleased. "Thank you, everyone," she said softly.
As we went upstairs, I could see a hint of relief in her eyes. It was a small step, but it was a step forward.
Ishita's POV
"And love? What about it bhai?"
"I don't know yet. I won't deny the fact that I like her, but love isn't in the picture yet."
These words had been ringing in my mind. I had overheard Mihir Sir speaking to Raman. While I was about to knock, I heard their conversation.
Who is "her"?
Is someone else in his life?
No, it can't be anyone else. I know he didn't date anyone.
Then is it me?
If it's me, then does he not love me?
Of course, he doesn't. He didn't want this marriage either. Then obviously love couldn't be anywhere in this picture.
Ahh! My heart aches with this realization. As if someone had broken it into several pieces. He doesn't love me. But I do. I love him a lot. I don't know when I fell for him, but I cannot help myself from falling for him.
This is what I was most scared about - loving someone who doesn't love me. It ultimately means that I am trapped in a loveless marriage.
I won't deny the fact that he likes me, which is also enough. He is always there by my side. He holds me at night when I get nightmares, buys me gajra, and lets me eat street food while going back home from the office. If this isn't love, then what is?
Maybe he is just doing these things because he feels obliged to. Moreover, he himself had said that he doesn't love me. It hurts badly, man. With the realization settling into me, my whole body is aching.
If he used to do such things just as a husband, then he shouldn't be doing it. I will step back.
But how the hell will he fall for me if we don't spend time together?
Despite my doubts, I decided to go along with the staycation. Maybe it would give us a chance to understand each other better. To heal and grow.
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Raman glanced at Ishita as they sat in the car, driving toward their weekend staycation. The air was thick with unspoken words, and he couldn't help but feel a knot in his stomach. He had noticed the change in her demeanor, the way her eyes avoided his, the forced smiles she offered. He knew something was wrong, but he wasn't sure how to address it.
They arrived at the quaint resort nestled in the hills, surrounded by lush greenery and the soothing sound of a nearby stream. As they checked in, Ishita quietly admired the serene beauty of the place, hoping it would provide some solace to her troubled heart.
Their room was cozy, with a balcony that offered a stunning view of the valley. Ishita busied herself unpacking, while Raman stepped out to the balcony, taking in the fresh air. He turned back to see Ishita standing by the window, lost in thought.
"Do you like it here?" he asked, breaking the silence.
"It's beautiful," she replied softly, her eyes not meeting his.
Raman sighed inwardly, knowing he had to make an effort to bridge the gap between them. "I thought we could explore the area a bit, maybe go for a walk?"
Ishita nodded, and they set off, walking side by side but with a noticeable distance between them. As they strolled through the resort grounds, they came across a small garden with blooming flowers and a bench under a large oak tree. They sat down, the silence between them growing heavier.
"Ishita, I... I know something's bothering you," Raman began hesitantly. "Please, talk to me."
She looked at him, her eyes reflecting the pain she felt. "It's nothing, Raman. I'm just... adjusting."
"Adjusting to what?" he pressed gently.
"To us. To this marriage," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Raman felt a pang of guilt. "I know I haven't been the easiest person to live with. My anger, my outbursts... I'm sorry for that. I'm trying to be better."
Ishita looked away, tears welling up in her eyes. "It's not just that, Raman. I overheard you talking to Mihir. You said you don't love me."
Raman's heart sank. "Ishita, I didn't mean it like that. I... I don't know what love is supposed to feel like. But I do care about you, more than I've ever cared about anyone."
Ishita wiped a tear from her cheek. "I care about you too, Raman. Maybe more than I should. And it hurts to think that you don't feel the same way."
Raman reached out and took her hand. "Ishita, please give me time. I'm trying to understand my own feelings. But I promise you, I'm not just going through the motions. You mean a lot to me."
Ishita looked at him, searching his eyes for sincerity. "I want to believe you, Raman. I really do."
He squeezed her hand gently. "We'll figure this out together. Let's not rush things. Let's enjoy this weekend and see where it takes us."
She nodded, a faint smile appearing on her lips. "Okay, let's try."
Over the next few days, they slowly began to open up to each other. They shared stories from their pasts, laughed at silly jokes, and found comfort in each other's presence. Raman started to see the layers of complexity in Ishita, her strength, her vulnerabilities, and the way her eyes lit up when she talked about her dreams.
One evening, as they sat by the fireplace in the resort's cozy lounge, a storm raged outside. The power flickered, and the room was cast in a soft glow from the fire. Raman looked at Ishita, her face illuminated by the flames, and felt a warmth spread through his chest.
"Ishita, there's something I want to say," he began, his voice steady. "I may not know if this is love yet, but I do know that I don't want to lose you. You make me want to be a better person."
Ishita's eyes filled with tears, but this time, they were tears of hope. "Raman, that's all I needed to hear."
He reached out and pulled her into an embrace, holding her close as the storm raged outside. In that moment, they both felt a sense of peace, knowing that they were on the right path, together.
As the weekend came to an end, they left the resort with lighter hearts and a renewed sense of commitment to their relationship. They knew there would be challenges ahead, but they also knew that they had each other to lean on.
For the first time in a long time, Raman felt a flicker of something more than just care for Ishita. It was a feeling he couldn't quite define, but it filled him with warmth and hope.
And Ishita, with her heart still tender but healing, felt the same. They weren't just Mr. and Mrs. Bhalla; they were two souls finding their way to each other, one step at a time.