Short story series - Part 5 - climax

Ishi was feeling sick. Mrs Kapoor handed her a cup of coffee and said, 'Last night must have scared u off, dear. I knew u will need me here so here I m at ur service. You had not even locked your front door!' She stroked Ishi's hair affectionately. 'My poor girl you look horrible, hope the coffee makes u feel better.' Ishi smiled, she could smell the coffee, it was strong and hot. The coffee relaxed her nerves and she felt a lot better. It had milk and was very sweet. Usually she never preferred a very sweet coffee. But today this was doing its work to calm her down. She looked at the clock, it was 10 AM! Ivaan, 'how come he has not come yet?'. She was depressed but thankfully she was not feeling panicky n nervous. Maybe its the coffee she thought, its working. She got up and saw Adi sleeping, she rushed to get ready.

She was all ready. She heard the doorbell ring and rushed to the living room. She had thought it was Ivaan and had already begun to say, 'Is this the time to come home?' She looked up and saw Mr Kapoor instead. She gave her usual half smile and feeling embarassed. Mr Kapoor did not smile back. He seemed worried or upset with some matter. 'Is Alala fine, Mr Kapoor? Wat did the doc say?'

'Hmm..she is fine he replied and then whispered something into Mrs Kapoor's ears and left immediately. Mrs Kapoor now looked worried. She then saw Ishi starin at her, and she changed her expressions and gave her a big reassuring smile which Ishi thought was very fake. 'Wat hppnd Mrs Kapoor, is everything fine?' Arre nothing! By the way why dint Ivaan come home last night? Ishi's face drooped like a dead flower. 'I dont knw where he is. We could not talk properly the phone got disconnected.' Then she looked up with hope and asked Mrs Kapoor, 'Has he called you guys?' Mrs Kapoor went close to Ishi, placed her hand on Ishi's face and looking into her eyes, told her that Mr Kapoor saw Ivaan at the hospital yesterday night. Mr Kapoor wanted to talk to him but then he saw a pregnant woman with Ivaan holding her hand. When he went to meet him, Ivaan had tried to avoid Mr Kapoor's questions and even after hearing what had happened here, all he said was I will come home today and then we can talk about it.

Ishi went cold. She felt numb, not knowing how to react. She just looked Mrs Kapoor in her eyes and asked her, 'I hope you are not joking this time, Mrs Kapoor?' Mrs K shook her head in denial and told her that she had seen Ivaan with that lady before too. Look dear I am not trying to infuse wrong thoughts into your mind but do you know this woman? Ishi shook her head, 'No I know nothing of her'. Well if there is nothing between them then y did Ivaan not tell you abt her?' Tears started clouding Ishi's eyes. flowing onto her face. 'Maybe she isn't that important at all, Mrs Kapoor', why is she trying to defend Ivaan, when she knew that somewhere deep down inside she knew that there was something wrong!
She hated herself for this! Mrs K can I b alone for some time. Can you please take Adi along?' Mrs K nodded and lifted a sleeping Adi and left for her home. Ishi started pacing up n down the hall. Pregnant woman? Who could she be? Is she pregnant with Ivaan's...no no....this cant happen. No matter Ishi always had doubts that if she had loved Ivaan, it was always obvious to her that Ivaan had loved her a lot. He always wanted her to be happy, never yelled at her or misbehaved with her. He never used to do anything to irritate her. But what abt the last few months??? Ivaan was not being himself from past few months...She had wondered wat had changed him!!! Was it this woman??
Since wen was all this going on?

'Ishi if you love me then trust me', Nandini said to her daughter. I knew you would not have concentrated on your studies if you had come to know that I was unwell. So I did not tell you. Ishi had cried that day, she had blamed her mom that she had been cheated. You had an operation and all dad tells me is you hv gone to Naani's house!!! How could you, mom? What if something bad wud hv happnd? Wat if I wud not hv seen u ever again? I will never ever trust you mom! She ran to her bedroom. Nandini followed her and lifted Ishi's head and placed on her lap. She stroked her hair, wiped her tears and spoke softly to her. I am your mother Ishi and I love you very much. My intention was not to hurt you but to help you. I dint want you to miss your exams for me. You had out in so much effort in studying this year...you wud hv lost a whole year. And I knew the operation was a simple one! Appendix operation is very common my dear, nothing to worry. You know Ishi, there are certain times in Life wen you hide something very important from the person who is most important to us. Its not because the person who hides is not trustworthy but its probably just because he/she loves you and cant see u hurt. But if 'you' love that person and u know he/she loves u too then be patient and just trust him/her.

Ishi got up from the settee in the living room and wiped off her tears and smiled. 'Yes mom, this is what I will do, she said to herself. I will trust Ivaan! She was hurt, jealous and insecured but somewhere her heart wanted to trust Ivaan. Which means...she loved him! Yes she was getting jealous that Ivaan was with some other woman, she was still ready to trust him...!!! and was eagerly waiting for him. She had been thinking of Ivaan the whole day, every minute, every second of the day!!! She was distracted suddenly by the clock ringing. It was 11AM. She then happened to notice the calendar nearby!! 30th May....it was her wedding anniversary!!! and Adi's birthday!!! She remembered how excited she was and she wanted Adi to be born on the same day! Ivaan had saidsmiling, it would be best Anniversary gift for me!!!

Ishi rushed to her bedroom and changed her clothes. She took out a beautiful red saree with velvet black roses imprinted on it. It had sequins of the same color on the border and it was Ivaan's favourite! But she never wore it saying that no one wore saree here other than Mrs K and she dint want to look like an aunty! I will wear this today! She had a matching red haulter neck blouse. A set of accessories in black and lovely pair of shoes! She happened to see the perfume which Ivaan had got for her some 7-8 months back. Escada! She wore her perfume and saw herself in the mirror. A little makeup and that would make her look irresistible!!! While doing all this she realised that she had never done these thing for her husband. She felt bad, she looked at the mirror and applied blush on her cheekbones wondering if its not too late.

She then picked up the phone to check when the phone rang. She answered the call. It was Ivaan. I will be coming home in some time, hope you are fine. Ishi was overwhelmed to hear his voice! It was like she could not speak, as words dint come to her! hmmm, I'm waiting. He then disconnected the phone.
She then called up Mrs K to check if Adi was fine. Mrs K said she will look after Adi the whole day and that Ishi first needs to take care of her husband and sort out things with him. Ishi could agree no more. Adi was the biggest joy in her and her mom's life. It was Ivaan who had given her this joy and so Ivaan deserved all the attention and love he needs!

She looked around and realised that the house is in a mess! Oh no I need to clean up before Ivaan reaches. She rearranged things in the room. Changed the cushion and sofa covers. Opened the windows to let fresh air in. The breeze hit her face and it smelled good. She could smell the wet earth, the flowers in her garden and the leaves too. She closed her eyes and recollected the day when Ivaan had brought her here to show the garden . He had closed her eyes and had taken her into the lawn. She could smell the flowers and couldnt wait to see. She was so happy to see it! Ivaan knew Ishi loved gardening. They had a big garden at her mom's house in Mangalore and it was Ishi who had decorated it!

Growl! oh! Ishi winced. God I m soo hungry and so must be Ivaan. She ran into the kitchen and made herself a veg sandwich and a tuna sanwich for Ivaan. She finished cooking in the kitchen. She knew she must be looking horrible again after all this work. So she left the kitchen to get ready again when the doorbell rang.

Oh no! She had no time to touch up her make up or clean her saree or comb her hair again. She was confused... She dint want to keep Ivaan waitingat the door. Afterall she ahd been dying to get a glimpse of Ivaan. She opened the door ad Ivaan came in. He dint look at her directly, as if he had done something wrong. He came in and laid his bag across the table and took the bottle of water and drank water from it. Ishi closed the door, looked at him and realised how much she had loved him and how much she had been used to him. Just as Ivaan was about to go to the bedroom Ishi went up close to him and hugged him! Ivaan just stood there like a wall! He was all shocked to see her reaction. He knew Mr Kapoor(how he wasl), must have surely told her abt seeing him at the hospital. Or had he not? For ofcourse this is not women react! He had watched it in few of the movies and heard from his colleagues that how women react when they see their men with some other woman! He dint know wat to do. Ishi! Did Mr K tell you where I was last night? She did not answer him. She was holding him tight as if she wud not let him go. She looked up at him. And he noticed her for the first time in the past few months. He knew he had been hiding things from her and could never face her or look her in the eye. He had ignored her for so long. He had not touched her for so long that he had completely forgotten how it felt being in her arms. He felt as if he was melting away. He was going weak. Should he tell her the truth? Would she believe him or would she blame him? But he had to tell this! For how long can he keep this secret from her. Today it was Mr K tomorrow it wud be someone else. Its better he told her the truth than she comes to knw it from a third person. After all they were together for more than 3 yrs...wait a minute its been 4 yrs he thought and today is our anniversary! He felt guilty and disappointed.

He tried to separate from herembrace but was surprised to find that her hug was so tight that he cud hardly move his hands. 'Ishi' he called her, 'look at me please'. She released him and stood in front of him. He now looked at her top to bottom. Her hair was tied up shabbily but the few strands that fell on her face made her look so adorable that his heart skipped a beat. He saw her eyes, they looked a bit swollen and red different from the huge brown eyes he had always loved. Had she been crying the whole night? he wondered. Her face had the usual softness in it with her sharp features and her tiny mouth. Her lips were delicate and she had a dimpled chin. She had some flour on her face and forehead and also on the neck. Ivaan used love Ishi's delicate neck. He realised that she was wearing the same saree that he had bought for her and that she wudnt wear. She looked stunning in red. He was right. She had the saree's pallu tucked across her waist. He was staring at her as if he had never seen her. Ishi was getting concious that Ivaan was actually staring at her. It made her blush and her heart was banging on her chest. She dint want Ivaan to knw that. She thought her heart would rip apart her chest and come out in Ivaan's hands! She smiled and slowly adjusted her sari and wiped her face and neck with the pallu. She then opened her hair and then combed it with her fingers. And then she looked at Ivaan and said,' you must be hungry. I made you your favourite Tuna sandwich and Indian masala chai. The one with ginger..Go get fresh.

Ivaan ate the sandwich and had the tea Ishi had made for him. He loved her culinary skills and was proud of her. The sandwich was great, thanks, I was really very hungry.' They both sat across the kitchen table and it felt awkward to both of them. 'Ishi I need to talk to you.' Ishi stopped him, came close to him and sat in his lap with her arms across his neck. She smiled, one of those killing smiles for which Ivaan could even kill anybody! Kill??? Ivaan looked disturbed and disappointed. 'Where is Adi?' he asked. @ the Kapoors. Look Ishi wat I wanted to say was.... he cudnt talk as Ishi had kissed him. OMG!! he thought to himself...how could I be away from this woman all this while...how could I not tell her the truth. She deserves to know! He kissed her back passionately and held her close to him. He did not knw wat was happening to him. Tears flowed and they both hugged each other and cried. 'I am sorry Ishi, how could I do this to you...I am so so sorry sweetheart! I had put through so much pain in the last few months...I am not a good husband..' 'Shhh..'.Ishi shushed him, 'enuf we both hv hurt each other in the past but I now tell you that I Love you Ivaan and I trust you completely. I knw you must hv hidden some facts from me, but your intention was surely not to cheat me or hurt me, right?'

Ishi stood up and Ivaan held her by her waist feeling all guilty. He sobbed like a two year old! Ishi you are such a great wife. I love you Ishi and I am really sorry for what I did to you n Adi. I really care abt you both, its just that....I m sorry. Ishi felt bad she had never seen Ivaan like this and Ivaan pleading for forgiveness was too much for her! Tell me wat happened dear, I will be with you no matter what!
She kneedled down and took his teary face in her hand and listend to him.

' Do you remember that I..- I had met with an accident?' Yes I do,Ivaan. But nothing happend to you. Yes Ishi nothing happnd to me. But the person in the other car almost got killed! I got so scared that instead of taking him to hospital, I ran away from the scene. Later I realised my mistake and went back to the accident spot only to find that the man had been taken to the hospital! I was so guilty and I just wanted to confirm if he was alive. I went to the hospital and came to know that the person is in coma as he the blood in his head clotted and he was not brought to the hospital on time! Ishi was shocked to hear this! She withdrew her hand and sat on the chair next to Ivaan. Then? There I saw this man's wife, they were Indians Ishi, like us and she was pregnant. She was all upset as she dint knw wat to do and the hospital authorities bothered her with the formalities. I went up to her and offerd help.
Since then I have been looking after needs and things like that. Yesterday I got a call from her saying that the doc informed her that her husband showed signs of waking up. I was scared of this Ishi. Had he seen me? Will he recognise me? I had not told his wife that I caused the accident. And then you came and wanted to celebrate Adi's birthday and our anniversary. I was so upset with myself Ishi that I took out all my anger on you. I never had the courage to tell you as I thought you would start hating me for this and I dint want to hurt you ro put u in any tension...but then it continued for 2-3 months.

' I am not interested in all this Ishi, why dont you leave me alone?' Ishi was angry, 'How can you say that Ivaan? Do you no longer care for us?' Ivaan just wanted to leave the house and so he left saying 'Yes! I m a loser! I dont care for anybody! I just Dont care!' and he slammed the door behind him. Ishi had recollected the previous day's incident. She then placed her hand on his and asked him to go on. Ishi yesterday I took his wife to the hospital and she suddenly had labor pain. I dint knw wat to do. So I waited with her. I had to also meet her husband's doc and see if his condition improved. She delivered a baby girl Ishi and this morning he came into his senses. He recognised me Ishi and I just came away from the hospital. I dint have the guts to face him Ishi'.

Ishi now smiled, 'Ivaan you are just like a kid at times'. Come lets go to the hospital and meet them. They need us now.' Ivaan looked at her as if she has gone nuts! but she was not going to listen and she pulled him by his hand and led him to the vehicle. Do you know what will happen Ishi? I could get caught by the police? We'll see, she said.

At the hospital, Ivaan led her to the victim's ward. She looked through the glass window on the door and saw him. She entered in and tok Ivaan along. The man stared at him and then looked at her. Where is my wife? he asked. Ishi smiled and told him, 'Congrats on being a father'. The man looked confused, happy and worried all together.. Wha??.. father..baby...my wife...when..where are they?
Ishi asked him to wait. She gestured to Ivaan for the lady's ward and she went. Few minutes later she entered the room with the baby in her hand and placed the baby next to him! He looked thrilled though he felt a bit dizzy with all the medicines and the fact that he had just woken up from coma, he had not had the sense of time. The docs had not spoken to him. They were waiting for Ivaan as he was the one who was running around for him all these days. ' N Ma wife ??' he mumbled. 'She needs some rest as she is very tired'. The doc entered and congratulated him and checked him, complimented the baby. Can I hold her he had asked. Well I dont think so the doc said I' afraid you need to wait atleast for a day as your body needs time to get back to function..He then looked at Ivaan questioningly and the doc told him how Ivaan had been looking after him and his wife day and night for the past 3 months. Ivaan walked upto him and took the baby in his arms and brought her close to the man's face. He kissed the baby with tears in his eyes. Ivaan was touched and he said 'I am sorry'. The man shook his head, 'No, I am. I dint realise that good ppl existed even today.'

The man then looked at Ishi and said, 'Ma'am you are lucky to have such a selfless husband!' Ishi came forward, held Ivaan's hand and said 'Yes, I am'. She then whispered in Ivaan's ears 'Loved the anniversary gift, dear!'

They excused themselves out of the hospital and on their way home, Ivaan told Ishi, well I have not got my gift as yet! and looked at her with a flirting smile! Ishi said, 'We need to get Adi home, dear. He must be missing me'. She looked a bit worried. Ivaan looked at her lvingly and said, 'Not as much as his father does. I think its time he gets some company...wat say???' he laughed and winked at her. He surely loved her and now he knew that she loved him too! Ishi blushed and laughed too...She was happy and yes she remebered what her mom used to say,

'Every good and bad thing has to come to an end, my dear. This is how Life is......'

The End