Short story series - Part 2

Part 2:

Ishi spoke to her mom (Nandini) abt Ivaan's call. Nandini was losing hope..is she not going to be around when her daughter needs her? So, asked Nandini, 'what have you decided?' Ishi looked at her mom and this time she could clearly make out the wrinkles on her face. She was trying to see if her mom was hurt after their conversation. But Nandini's face was unusually calm, which was very unlike her. Calm but intense. It seemed as if she had held her breath till she heard Ishi's answer. Ishi was getting uncomfortable as she had never seen her mother so calm before. She did not know wat to reply, but she smiled at her mom and said, 'Its ok mom, leave it to me. I knw how I can convince Ivaan.' Her mom heaved a sigh of relief, a small curve at the end of Nandini's lip enuf to show that she was happy to hear this.

You need to complete 4 months before you can fly Mrs.Poojary, said the gynaecologist after the check up. As of now you just need to continue with these medicines and take good care of urself. Only then can I guarantee you to leave the country, ok? Ishi smiled and not even for once she felt bad that she was away from Ivaan. She realised this and wondered why? Did she not love Ivaan? Oh maybe because of the argument we had yesterday.

Nandini who was sitting next to her looked a bit nervous and asked the gynaec a couple of questions.
Ishi just moved out of the cabin and looked around. Suddenly she started giggling and everyone around stared at her. She laughed at the thought of being surrounded by many pregnant women and imagined herself with a big belly, n her mom holding her hand! Soon she became aware of the current scene and blushed. Ishi left the corridor silently mouthing sorry. She again was surprised that how come she did not think of Ivaan holding her hand? 'You should have waited for me Ishi, why did you come out all alone?' Ishi turned back to see her mom and she felt like a kid again. The way she used to come out of the shops all alone and her mom used to panic searching for her...

'Where are you lost?', Nandini asked Ishi, busy keeping the prescription in the bag and reminding herself to buy medicines..Ishi's eyes moistened. She was never a cry baby but after marriage she seems to have become like one of the characters in Ekta Kapoor serials..She smiled at herself on this joke and wrapped her hands around her mother's and rested her head on Nandini's shoulder. 'Mom, lets have Pav Bhaji at Kahu galli, please?' Nandini was surprised but she wanted her daughter to keep smiling and so she said yes provided you drink the whole glass of milk and eat one whole apple in the night.' Ishi winced but said yes. They both called for a cab and left for Kahu galli.

Ishi opened the door to find her mobile ringing, 'oops, I forgot to carry my mobile, must be Ivaan'. She rushed to answer the call. 'Where on earth have you been Ishi? I hv called you 7 times, dint you knw that I might call you?' said Ivaan. He sounded a little low just like a child crying for attention. Ishi smiled at this cuteness and replied,'Sorry baba, had gone for the check up and doc has given me strict instructions to stay at home, so cant come to Zambia!' No way! Ivaan sounded like a child whose ice cream just fell on the road! But I miss u baby!' Hmm If the doc has asked u to be there then do what she says. I have informed my parents and they will be at your place in a day or two.' Mom was very excited to hear the news. Why dont you speak to her?' Ishi replied, 'patidev I did call up our mother in the morning and they r reaching here day after 2mrw, ok?'

Ishi was disturbed from her thoughts as she heard her child crying. She wiped her tears went to the kid and lifted Adi, her son. My bundle of joy, she thought and smiled. Adi looked like Ivaan Jr. and he loved his mom like every 3 yr old did. Mumma bhukku! mum mum. Ishi realised she hadn't prepared Adi's food and rushed to the kitchen. After her chores she n Adi got ready and went out of the house to a nearby garden. Adi seemed excited and he was shrieking with joy! He ran off to play with other kids as Ishi watched him smiling and waving out to him. Did Ivaan really not care? Is he the same Ivaan she knew? No he had changed. From past few months, he was behaving wierd. He dint compliment her or ask her what she did the entire day. He would not even notice her new hairdo or that Adi had spoken a new word. He seemed so involved in himself that he hardly bothered. Is Ivaan having an affair?

'Mrs Poojary, Adi is looking so cute but getting naughtier by the day.' Ishi looked up from the bench she was sitting on, it was Mrs Kapoor. Very friendly neighbor, whom Ishi could always trust. 'What are you thinking? whether Ivaan is having an affair?' Ishi was startled to hear this and looked shocked. 'How did you knw Mrs Kapoor?

- To be continued...