I previously posted this and other stories on Wattpad & India Forums. I have used both Hindi & English dialogues so the stories can be read and understood by everyone. Hindi is not a language I know well. Have picked bits up from watching too many movies and serials!! Apologies for any errors.
Ad-Ven-Ture 2 – A RuMan Story – a collaboration story
Part 1 by Amina (@Sparkleamina)
Story starts from after the court case when Ishita decided to not ask for Ruhi’s custody back from Shagun. Adi is with IshRa and Ruhi is with Shagun.
The Bhalla family have come back home with Adi and are all trying to make him feel comfortable and happy. Ishita is resting her room thinking of Ruhi.
Adi – “Daadu I don’t understand why Ishita Aunty did not ask for Ruhi’s custody from mumma?”
Papaji – “Adi Puttar, tu fikar na kar, sab kuch teek hoga. Ishita or Raman ne sab kuch samal lenge, tu dekh, kuchi din mein hum sab ek saat honge, hamesha ki liye”
Papaji – “Adi Puttar, don’t you worry, everything will be ok. Ishita and Raman will take care of everything, you’ll see, in a few days we will all be together, forever”
Adi looked teary eyed at his Daadu, ran to him and hugged him tight
“Yeh sab meri vaje se horaha hain, maine Papa ko kaha main Mumma ki pass jaongi, ussne kyun nahi suna, mein samaj nahi pa raha hoon, woh dono aisa kyun kiya….” Adi sobbed.
Adi – “This is all happening because of me, I told Papa I will go back to Mumma, why didn’t he listen, I don’t understand why they are doing this…”
Papaji patted him on his head and tried to calm him down, just then Raman came in, Raman signalled to Papaji asking what was going on.
Papaji – “Chal Adi Puttar tu ja teri kamre main or aram kar, main abhi aata hoon, Romi, tu ja Adi ki saat…ja Puttar…” He led Adi to Romi who took him by his hand and walked towards Adi’s room.
Papaji – “Come on Adi Puttar, you go to your room and rest, I’ll come in a moment, Romi you go with Adi, go Puttar..”
Papaji – “Aree acha hua tu aa gaya, yeh sab kya ho raha hain? Ishita ne court me aisa kyun kiya?”
Papaji – “Aree, it’s good you are back, what is all this, what’s happening? Why did Ishita do this in court.”
Raman – “I know Papaji, main bi shocked hua when Ishita said no to taking Ruhi’s custody back from Shagun. She made the decision I wasn’t brave enough to do, all for Adi.”
Raman – “I know Papaji, I was shocked too when Ishita said no to taking Ruhi’s custody back from Shagun. She made the decision I wasn’t brave enough to do, all for Adi.”
Raman sat down on the couch and Papaji came and sat beside him.
Papaji – “Yeh sab teek hain, par ab kiya hoga. Dono baachi toot chuki hain, or Ishita bi.”
Papaji – “That’s all fine, but what’s going to happen now? Both the children are devastated so is Ishita.”
Raman put his head in his hands and bowed down, he had no idea what to do, everything was all over the place. His hopes for having Adi back with him and finally moving towards happiness in his life were all shattered by the tricks of the woman who ruined his life 7 years ago.
He was not the same person he was at that time, he was much stronger and more ruthless but at that moment he couldn’t think clearly, he was worried for Adi, Ruhi and Ishita. His thoughts pondered on Ishita, they were on the brink of taking their relationship to the next level and everything went wrong.
He got up suddenly and rushed to their room, “Papaji, I have to be with Ishita, she needs me…”
When Raman entered the room, it was all dark except for the bedside table lamp. Ishita was sitting on the bed with a hand on her head and looking at a picture with a teary smiled face.
Raman slowly went and sat beside her, he smiled when he saw the picture she was looking at.
Raman – “That’s the first picture of Ruhi and Hercules together isn’t it? Ruhi looks so tiny and adorable in that picture, can’t believe how much she has grown up the last 6 months”
Ishita nodded, wiping tears from her face. “I remember that day so clearly, it was a day full of surprises…”
Raman put his arm around Ishita and kissed her forehead, Ishita put her head his shoulder and closed her eyes, remembering the day that Hercules arrived into their lives….
At the same time across the other side of Delhi, Ruhi was looking at her photos on her iPad, she was crying at the same time as smiling.
Ruhi self talk – “Ishimaa aap mujhe kyun Shagun Mumma ke saat wapas bhej diya? Aap mujse pyaar nahi karti kya?”
Ruhi self talk – “Aap ki bina mera kya hoga, main Shagun Mumma ki saat nahi reh sakti hamesha ki liye, woh muje daant thi hain or meri pasand na pasand nahi jaanti. Aap kaise apka Ruhi ko akela chor diya…?”
Ruhi – “Ishimaa why did you send me back with Shagun Mumma. Don’t you love me? What will happen to me without you, I can’t stay with Shagun Mumma forever, she always shouts at me, she doesn’t know what I like and don’t like. How can you leave your Ruhi all alone…?”
Ruhi sobbed her heart out to herself, no one was there to comfort her. Shagun was slumped on the couch in the other room, she had a headache and had drunk herself into a stupor and told Ruhi to not disturb her and go to bed.
Ruhi couldn’t sleep so she sat looking at photos of her with her Papa and Ishimaa. She came across a photo which made her laugh out loud, at the same time a Skype call came in from Shravu….
Shravu – “Hey Ruhi Chuwi tum kiya kar rahi ho?”
Shravu – “Hey Ruhi Chuwi, what are you doing?”
Ruhi wiped her tears, “Kuch nahi, just looking at photos. Tum kiya kar rahi ho?”
Ruhi – “Nothing, just looking at photos. What are you doing?”
Shravu could see Ruhi had been crying but didn’t want to make her more sad. His Paati had suggested he Skype Ruhi as she was probably feeling sad and alone.
Shravu – “Main to bas TV dekh rahi ti and thought I would say hi to you, what photos are you looking at, muje bi dekna hain”
Shravu – “I am just watching TV and thought I would say hi to you, what photos are you looking at, I want to see to”
Ruhi added some of the photos to a message so Shravu could see them.
Shravu looked at the photos and smiled, he saw the photo of Ruhi and Hercules and laughed out loud.
Shravu – “Haha, I remember this one, this was the first day you met Hercules right Ruhi Chuwi?”
Ruhi knew exactly which photo he meant as she had had the same reaction seeing the photo.
Ruhi – “Huh, that is such a funny photo, that was such a funny day, I remember it so clearly…..”
Flashback to 6 months ago…..both IshRa and Ruhi/Shravu are remembering the same day….
Raman – “Ruhi beta aap ab tak ready nahi hui kya, hum late ho jayenge, come quickly. Main car main wait karti hoon.”
Raman – “Ruhi beta, you are not ready yet, we are going to be late. Come quickly. I will wait by the car for you”
Raman walked out the house with his car keys whilst Ruhi hurried getting ready. Raman and Ruhi were off to visit the carnival that was in town, Ishita was at her clinic and would join them later.
Ruhi – “Offo Simmi Bua, main late ho rahi hoon, Papa neeche wait kar rahi hain…”
Ruhi -“Oh no Simmi Bua, I’m getting late, Papa is waiting downstairs..”
Simmi was just finishing braiding Ruhi’s hair as Ruhi jumped up grabbed her bag and ran out the door.
Simmi – “Yeh ladki meri jaan ka jahenge ek din! Pagal!” Simmi smiled at Ruhi rushing out the door to meet her Papa.
Simmi – “This girl will eat me alive one day! Pagal!”
Ruhi – “Papa main aa gaya, sorry Simmi Bua ne hume late karvaya!”
Ruhi – Papa, I’m here, sorry Simmi Bua made late!”
Raman looked at his princess all dressed up ready to spend the day at the carnival. He relished days like this when he got to spend all his time with his cutesy little girl. He grabbed her in his arms and kissed her cheeks.
Raman – “Let’s go, it’s time to have some fun!”
He put her in the front seat and put the seat belt around, shut the door and got in on his side. Ruhi was so excited to be going to the carnival,especially as she would be spending time with her Papa, he was always so much more chilled out than Ishimaa and would let her try all the fun things and join in with her too!
When they arrived at their destination, Ruhi was stunned at the sight. There were so many things going on and she was trying to figure out what to do first.
Ruhi – “Wow Papa, itne saree cheezain hain yaha, hume sab kuch kar paungi kiya?”
Ruhi – “Wow Papa, there’s so many things here, will we be able to do everything?”
Raman smiled to himself and felt so happy seeing Ruhi so excited.
Raman – “Of course beta, hum sab kuch karenge don’t worry…where shall we go first?”
Raman – “Of course beta, we will do everything don’t worry…where shall we go first?”
Ruhi looked around at the amazing sights and sounds of the carnival, there was so much going on. There were rides, animals, games, food stalls, a playground, a paddling pool and so much more!
Ruhi – “oh papa let’s go on that huge water slide, it looks like so much fun”
Ruhi ran towards the water slide and a Raman followed, he was willing to do anything as long it made his little princess happy.
Raman and Ruhi spent the next few hours doing everything at least twice or more depending how much Ruhi enjoyed it.
Raman was exhausted and thought it would be a good time to take rest and have some lunch, they sat down at a food stall and ordered some paranthas and pakoras. Whilst they were waiting for their food to arrive, Raman called Ishita to see when she would be coming.
Raman – “Hello, tum kab clinic se nikal rahi ho?”
Raman – “Hello, when are you leaving the clinic?”
Ishita – “actually I have already left, socha main Akka or Shravu ko pick karti hoon, woh log bi carnival aana chatein hain. Bas ab waha ja rahi hoon. Aap log kiya kar rahi ho? Bahot masti kar rahi hoga dono baap beti haina?”
Ishita – “Actually I have already left, I thought I would pick up Akka and Shravu, they want to come to the carnival too. That’s where I am going now. What are you two doing? Having lots of fun, both father daughter I bet?”
Raman smiled, Ishita knew him too well, she knew Ruhi was his weakness and that he loved spending time with her.
Raman – “well we have to have all the fun before you come, tum kitne boring ho, hamari masti pe always boring ka stamp lagati ho!”
Raman – “Well we have to have all the fun before you come, you are really boring, you always put the boring stamp on all our fun!”
Ishita – “huh, huh, aap ko sirf mujhe tang karne main maza aata hain, karlo aapka masti, main aade ghante main paunch jaongi phir dekhenge kaun boring hain, ab rakti hoon, bye Raavan Kumar!”
Ishita – “Yes, yes, you only find it fun to make fun of me, have your fun, I am coming in half an hour the we will see who is boring. I’m hanging up now, bye Raavan Kumar!”
Raman smiled again “Bye,mera Jhansi ki Rani!” He ended the call and said to himself “main besabrese wait karungi tumari liye. As much as I love spending time with my daughter, it’s always so much more fun with you around too, my darling!”
Raman – “Bye, my Jhansi Ki Rani, I will be waiting with great anticipation for you. As much as I love spending time with my daughter, it’s always so much more fun with you around too, my darling!”
The food arrived and Raman called Ruhi over, she had been playing with some new friends she had made in the queues for some of the rides.
Raman – “Are you having fun beta? You have made good friends with those children. Is that their dog you were playing with?”
Ruhi – “Nahi papa woh dog uss animal shelter ki Aunty ki hain. Isn’t he cute, let me introduce you to him…”
Ruhi – “No papa, he belongs to that Animal shelter Aunty. Isn’t he cute, let me introduce you to him..”
Ruhi ran over to the white boxer dog who was splashing around in the paddling pool with some of the children.
Ruhi – “Aunty, is it ok if I take Hercules to meet my papa, he wants to meet him?”
Aunty – “of course my dear, here is his lead”
The animal shelter lady handed the lead to Ruhi. Ruhi skipped to her Papa with Hercules following.
Ruhi – “come on Hercules come meet my papa he is the best..”
Ruhi – “Say hello to Hercules Papa, kitni cute haina?”
Ruhi – “Say hello to Hercules Papa, he’s so cute right?”
Ruhi – “Hercules this is papa, say hello…”
Hercules barked and held up his right paw as if bringing it towards Raman to shake his hand.
Raman was stunned to see such a reaction from a dog of all creatures, Ruhi’s puppy Mutthu was a naughty little pup and also very lazy so his experience of dogs wasn’t very positive. He went to shake Hercules’s paw.
Raman – “Nice to meet you Hercules, any friend if Ruhi’s is a friend of mine”
Hercules barked back as if acknowledging Raman’s words.
Ruhi – “See papa Hercules kitna intelligent hain.”
Ruhi – “See papa, Hercules is so intelligent right?”
Raman had to admit, the dog seemed to have something about him, his demeanour, behaviour all exuded intelligence. He was impressed.
The animal shelter lady came over and introduced herself (A.S Aunty)
“Hello sir, aap ki beti Hercules ki saat itna ghul mil gaya it’s amazing. Hercules doesn’t usually take to strangers. I was wondering if I could ask something of you?”
A.S.Aunty – “Hello sir, your daughter has become really close to Hercules it’s amazing. Hercules doesn’t usually take to strangers. I was wondering if I could ask something of you?”
Raman – “Sure, would you like a donation, I will be happy to donate.”
A.S Aunty – “Ruhi would you like to take Hercules for a walk around?”
Ruhi – “I would love to, is that ok Papa?”
Raman – “of course beta, but just stay where I can see you”
Ruhi skipped off with Hercules.
A.S Aunty – “Sir I wanted to ask if you would be willing to adopt Hercules?”
Raman was a little surprised.
A.S Aunty – “Hercules has been at our shelter since he was a pup and is well trained but we have no space for him. He doesn’t take to anyone when people are interested and we don’t know what to do, but he has bonded instantly with your daughter so I was hoping you would be willing to adopt him”
Raman didn’t know what to say, he loved dogs, he had never had one when he was a younger as MummyJi was afraid of them. They had Mutthu only because Ishita had persuaded MummyJi and he also stayed at Amma and Appa’s place a lot so didn’t bother her too much. But to have another dog in the house he wasn’t sure that would work.
But he was impressed with Hercules, there was something about the white boxer that caught his attention.
Raman thought a little more and said “We would love to adopt Hercules, just tell me what I need to do”
The animal shelter Aunty was overjoyed and in the excitement hugged Raman. This was the exact moment Ishita arrived to the carnival with Akka and Shravu.
Ishita – “Yeh ladki kon hain jo Raman ko hug kar rahi hain. And where is Ruhi, Raman itni irresponsible ho sakti ti maine nahi socha”
Ishita – “Who is that girl who is hugging Raman. Wher is Ruhi, I never thought Raman could be so irresponsible.”
Ishita stormed upto Raman just as the Animal Shelter Aunty broke out of the hug, she was embarrassed and turned to see a fuming woman walking towards her.
Raman could see his Jhansi ki Rani coming towards them with swords drawn.
Raman self talk – “Yeh bechari ko to bachana pade ga, Jhansi ki rani to hatiyar tayar ho ke iss taraf aa raha hain!”
Raman – “I have to save this poor girl, Jhansi Ki Rani is coming in this direction with her sword ready and drawn!”
Raman – “That’s brilliant thank you Ma’am, if you get the paperwork ready that would be great.” He said to the A.S Aunty shaking her hand, she rushed past Ishita to her stand to get the adoption paperwork ready.
Raman – “Aree tum log aa gaya, main to search party ko bhej ne soch kiya ta, itne der laga diya”
Raman – “Aree you have come, you were taking so long to come , I was thinking I need to send out a search party”
Ishita looked at the woman leaving in a hurry to what seemed like an animal shelter exhibition stand
Ishita – “don’t try and change the subject Raman, yeh aurat tumari itni kareeb kiya kar rahi ti or Ruhi kaha hain, aap ko koi responsibility nahi hain. Aap itni irresponsible kesey ho sakti?”
Ishita – “Don’t try and change the subject Raman, what was that woman doing being so close to you and where is Ruhi, you have no responsibility. How can you be so irresponsible?”
Raman – “tumari aankhen itne green kyun lag rahi hain?”
Raman – “Why are your eyes so green?”
Ishita didn’t find the situation funny, she was worried about Ruhi more than some random woman hugging her husband.
Ishita – “Ruhi kaha hain, Raman!”
Ishita – “Where is Ruhi, Raman!”
Shravu ran towards Ruhi and Hercules.
Shravu – “hey Ruhi Chuwi, yeh kiska dog hain?”
Shravu – “Hey Ruhi Chuwi, who’s dog is this?”
Raman walked towards Ruhi grabbing Ishita’s hand as he went.
Raman – “yeh Hercules hain or aaj se yeh hamari family ka naya hissa hain”
Raman – “This is Hercules and from today he is a part of our family”
Ruhi – “Saachi Papa?”
Ruhi – “Really Papa?”
Raman nodded his head, turned to Ishita who was trying to get out of Raman’s grip.
Raman – “Next time accuse karne se pehle tum kiss pe iljam laga rahi ho woh sochi ye, I am not as irresponsible as you think I am Ishita. Especially when it comes to our daughter!”
Raman – “Next time before you accuse someone think about who you are accusing, I am not as irresponsible as you think I am Ishita. Especially when it comes to our daughter!”
He let go of her hand and went towards Ruhi and Hercules.
Raman – “That’s right beta, ab Hercules humare ghar main rehenge. Or Ishimaa apki Daadi ko manoaenge iss baat ke leke, ye iski punishment hain”
Raman “That’s right beta, from now Hercules will love in our house. And Ishimaa will make Daadi agree to this, this is her punishment”
He looked at Ishita and winked.
Ishita – “I am sorry Raman, aap jaanti ho ki main Ruhi ki liye always hyper hoon. I didn’t mean what I said”
Ishita – “I am sorry, you know who I always get hyper about Ruhi. I didn’t mean what I said”
She went over to the father daughter duo and bent down to meet Hercules.
Ishita – ” nice to meet you Hercules, welcome to the family!”
She held out her hand to fake hand shake with the dog and was surprised when Hercules barked and put his paw in hers.
Ishita – “Wow what an intelligent dog you are”
Ishita shook the paw and smiled.
Ruhi – “Yay, Hercules hamari ghar main aaenge, hooray!” Ruhi jumped up and down, grabbed Shravu and danced up and down with him.
Ruhi – “Yay, Hercules is coming home with us, hooray!”
Raman looked at Ishita “it’s your job to make MummyJi agree, do you think you’ll be able to do it. Woh to Punjabi Sherni hain, maanane itni aasaan nahi hain. Tum kar paugi?”
Raman – “It’s your job to make MummyJi agree, do you think you’ll be able to do it. She is a Punjabi Lioness, making her agree isn’t that easy. Will you be able to do it?”
Ishita – “Aap mujhe challenge kar rahi hain? Of course I can, ek chutki main karongi, you just see!”
Ishita – “you are challenging me? Of course I can, I’ll do it just like that, you just see!”
Raman smiled, he loved it when his Jhansi Ki Rani was on a mission, it brought out her naughty side.
Raman – “Vandita, you ok to watch the kids, I have something I have to show Ishita”
He grabbed Ishita’s hand and led her towards the other side of the carnival, he couldn’t lose this moment, it was know or never.
They walked up to a ride called ‘The tunnel of love’.
Ishita looked at Raman bewildered and wondered what was going on in the head of her Raavan Kumar.
He pulled her into the ride and they sat in a floating chair….it drifted along the perfume filled pink river through a gate of fluffy hearts into the tunnel. Raman knew this was cheesy but he had wasted enough time and now he needed to tell his Jhansi Ki Rani his feelings and this tunnel of love was the perfect place, just the two of them with no disturbances. Which has always been the reason he never got to say what he felt in his heart but nothing was going to stop him today.
He looked into those deep dark eyes, held Ishita’s hands, brought them up to his lips and kissed them both gently.
Ishita whispered – “Raman, yeh aap ko kiya hogaya”
Ishita – “Raman, what happened to you”
Raman let go of her hands and brought his finger to her lips “Shh ab tum chup rahogi or main bolungi, ok?”
Raman – “Shh, now you will be quiet and I will talk ok?”
Ishita nodded her head, she liked this Ravaan Kumar avatar of her husband, actually she loved it, she looked into his sparkling eyes and waited with bated breath.
Raman – “Main kuchi din se ek baat kehene ki koshish kar rahi hoon par koi na koi disturbance aati hain ki main meri puri baat complete nahi hoti”
Raman – “I have been trying for many days to say something but some or other disturbance comes and I can’t complete what I want to say”
Raman inched closer, pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Bent forward and kissed her cheek, Ishita was just about sitting up straight, she felt a bump when the chair went down a slope, she landed on Raman’s chest and held on tight.
Raman – ” Don’t worry I got you sweetheart”
Raman lifted her chin and looked into her eyes
“Maine aaj tak tumari jaisi insaan nahi milli. Hum kitni ladti hain, par yeh ladrayi ke peeche hamari pyaar hain. Ishita main finally tumko yeh sab kehna chaata hoon jo meri dil main hain..”
Raman – “I have never met anyone like to. We fight so much but behind this fighting is hidden our love. Ishita I want to tell you all those things that are in my heart..”
Ishita waited holding her breath..
“I love….”
Raman didn’t get to finish his words as just at that moment Hercules saw them and jumped into their ride making the chair tip over and Raman fall into the river!
Hercules jumped into the river to save his new master and Raman got sucked in deeper!
Finally they both managed to get out, both Hercules and Raman were soaked to the bone and everyone was in fits of laughter. Shravu couldn’t let this Kodak moment pass and took lots of photos of his Chittappa and his new best friend hercules!
Raman – “Arree yaar, tu to meri side main thi, ab kiya hogaya? Meri plan to romance my wife failed because of you. Maybe I should change my mind about adopting you….”
Raman – “Aree yaar, you were on my side, what happened now? My plan to romance my wife failed because of you. Maybe I should change my mind about adopting you….”
Hercules came close to Raman and licked his face, then bent his face down waiting for Raman to forgive him.
Raman looked at this amazing creature and couldn’t help but smile, he patted him on his head.
Raman – “It’s okay, now I know you are part of the family as everyone ends up coming in between me and my pagal madrassan!”
Ruhi – “Papa aap or Ishimaa iss ride main thi? Kiya dekna iss ride main, maza aya tha apko?”
Ruhi – “Papa, you and Ishimaa went on this rideable? What is there to see in this ride? Did you have fun?”
Raman and Ishita looked at each other, they couldn’t remember what colour the chair they were sitting on was let alone what else was in the ride!
Raman – “Ok bahot hogaya carnival, ab hum ghar chalte hain. Come on Hercules let’s go home”
Raman – “Ok that enough of the carnival, let’s go home now. Come on Hercules let’s go home”
Raman grabbed Hercules’s lead and they all walked to the car leaving the fun of the carnival behind.
…..back to present day….
Ishita – “You looked so funny all wet from the drenching Hercules had given you!” Ishita was laughing out loud, Raman was happy seeing her cheerful, he missed his happy wife, in recent days all she had been doing was crying, so although it was at his expense it was good to see his wife laughing out loud. He hugged her tight and enjoyed this moment, tried not to think about what he needed to do to fix all that was wrong in their lives, just listening to his wife’s laughter brought a sense of peace to his mind that all will be well soon.
On the other side of Delhi…..
Shravu – “oh ho Chittappa looked so funny when Hercules pushed him into the river!” Shravu was laughing out loud, Ruhi also couldn’t help but laugh. She then suddenly went quiet, “I miss you all so much. I wish I was at home with Ishimaa and Papa”
Shravu – “Hey Ruhi Chuwi don’t be sad Chittappa and Chitti will fix everything soon, you will be back home before you know it. Now go to sleep, let me sing you a song, that will help you sleep”
Ruhi – “Aree nahi Shravu, your singing will keep me awake than get me to sleep, I will listen to Ishimaa’s song I have on my iPad and go to sleep to that. Don’t worry”
Shravu – “Ok then good night”
Ruhi – “Good night”
Ruhi closed down the Skype chat and opened the song playlist with Ishimaa’s lullabies on it, she had saved them on there when she was away on a dentist conference for a week a while ago, Ruhi had listened to them all the time Ishima was away, it was the only way she could get to sleep.
Ruhi lay down on her bed and closed her eyes, listening to her mothers voice and drifted off to sleep.
…to be continued….
I hope you all like the first part of this story….comments good and bad most welcome…
now it’s someone else’s turn to take the story forward….hey hey Domain gang or anyone else who’s next….? 🙂
sparkleamina 