Short story series - Part 3

Part 3:

Mrs Kapoor was laughing now! Mrs Poojary, you really hv a grt sense of humor!!! I thought I 'd pull your leg but tussi bhi na, mere hi naal mazzaak kar rahe ho ! Now I knw where did Adi get his naughtiness from! Ishi was feeling all squirmy right now,she gave a forced and unwanted or rather an embarassed smile. She had almost let Mrs Kapoor know what she was thinking!! Phew! Thnk God it was a joke!!!' Mrs Kapoor started talking abt her party which she was planning next week and asked for Ishi's help! Tussi Mangloreans bada achha fish banaate ho! Will you make your spl fish curry for my party?'
Surely, Mrs Kapoor anything for you, Ishi said still uncomfortable and upset with herself. She grabbed Adi from the garden and walked back to the house. Adi had begun to cry.. he wanted to play more.

@ home she asked the maid to look after Adi while she went out to her kitchen garden. She stepped into the garden at the backside of the house. There were many veggies there. Personally Ishi preferred vegeterian food but Ivaan loved fish! 'Mom I am not going to fry fish for my husband, no no' cried Ishi when her mom had asked her to learn the recipe and cook along with her. Nandini had laughed then, 'Let your husband come and we will see'. This was before the marriage.

She picked up some fresh iceberg lettuce leaves from the garden, 'I will make some salad today' she said to herself. Plucked 2 avocados,' I will make chutney it tastes good.' She then went to her kitchen to prepare the dinner. Placed the cooker with rice and some vegetables and sat on the kitchen table to chop veggies for salad.

As soon as Ishi had completed her 4th month, Ivaan had come down to India. He wanted to take her back to Zambia. But Ishi who was happy all this while started developing cold feet. She kept thinking is it mom or is it Ivaan? Ivaan had surprised her with the news that they wud take her mother along and he has arranged everything to be done, so she cud be happy. She hugged him, hearing this and with teary eyes kissed him all over his face. 'Love you sweets', with a huge grin on her face.

Adi was tiny wen he was born, underweight and weak. Ishi was scared and nervous but the docs said, ur son's a fighter lady, he will grow up to be a fine guy! She had smiled with a sigh of relief and her mom hugged her. It was when he was 6 months old that Nandini decided to go back to India. 'But mom why cant you live with me? Who is there with you in India?' Nandini smiled at her and replied, 'I have fulfilled my duties dear, it is now upto you to handle your family and move on with your own life. I will always be there for you, praying for you and wishing your happiness, but that is how life is my dear...we cant be together for ever!' You have to take care of your husband and your child all by yourself, take care.

Ishi had cried like a 5 yr old sobbing aloud, she held on to her mom's pallu at the airport. Ivaan tugged at her sleeve and asked her to control. The following day, she was frustrated, angry or upset? Well she dint know exactly. Mrs Kapoor used to drop at her place now n then. 'Mrs Poojary I made some samosas for you, ye oil free hainji, khaa lena'. In the beginning Ishi used to get irritated with Mrs Kapoor, but slowly she realised that the lady truly cared abt her just like her mom used to.

Living with Ivaan was a bit awkward to Ishi. They both shared the house, food, things,and yes the bed too, but Life??? Did they actually share their life with each other? Ivaan rarely spoke to her about his office or ppl at his workplace, never got anyone home nor used to take her along for office parties. He had very few friends or no friends.. Well she did not knw exactly. 'We have a child but we still dont knw abt each other, it feels wierd mom', she had said to Nandini. 'Then try knowing him, its never too late you see', nandini had answered her doubts.

Ouch! She shrieked out in pain! The cooker had whistled and Ishi had cut her finger. She looked at the wound, it hurted for a few seconds, Ishi kept looking, the blood was oozing out and all she wanted was to feel the pain. The maid came runnin to her and took the knife from her hands and made her wash the wound. She put a bandage and got down to work again....

'Why do u keep bugging me Ishi? What else do you want me to do? Why dont you understand I hv loads of work and reporting to do within the deadline and you always keep complaining. Why dont you go to the party alone? I really cant make it!' Ivaan sounded really upset. But Ishi was not going to hear this all over again. She yelled back at Ivaan, 'Oh yes, I am supposed to be going to all social events all by myself like a fool! You never come with me or take me anywhere! Am I so bad that you can't take me along where you go?' Ivaan screamed, 'Those are business parties Ishi and I cant hv you and a screaming and crying Adi at those parties!' Oh so now even Adi is a big trouble for you; snapped back Ishi with tears in her eyes and her voice cracking.' She had never thought that Ivaan wud say such things abt their li'l angel!

Madam, wud you like me to stay longer or can I leave? Ishi was brought back to the present. She stared the maid for a few seconds. The maid Alala was tall, thin with a large set of teeth and a big fat nose and beady eyes. Adi had cried when he saw her the first time. But now he loves her company. She was not an attractive lady for sure but was very sweet and she loved Adi. She helped Ishi with things other than her normal job. 'Alala, wat does your name mean?' Ishi had asked one day. 'It means the lost one, madam.' The lost one, Ishi had wondered that wat a strange name. Ishi felt that this name suited her more as she was completely lost and was unaware what she has to do next. Ivaan and Ishi had been arguing over petty things these days. There was no romance left in the marriage n that was for sure, but Ishi felt there was no care and concern left too. Was this because she had not loved Ivaan? Was there no true love between us, she always wondered. But y did she just blame herself? It could be tht Ivaan no longer loved her. It must hv been months since he touched her forget abt kissing her. He never bothered to look into her eyes like he used to.

The washing machine beeped and Ishi took out the clothes n handed them to Alala. She checked on Adi and found him asleep among his toys. She loved to watch him wen he slept. It was just 6 pm but it had become dark. The phone rang, Ishi picked up the cordless to answer the call. 'Hello.....

-To be continued...