FF: Only you... NEW START TO FF P18 - Page 4

Amma walked in and shouted at Radhika, 'You witch! Because of you my granddaughter was humiliated today! You witch!' she screamed.

'Leave it Amma!' Vishaka interrupted, 'don't you think Dev was so handsome?' she continued.

Radhika left, she was angry that Vishaka kept going on about this topic; she told Devaki that she will return home later and left the house'

Part 5

Radhika was wandering aimlessly around Vrindavan. She had come out to think to herself, but didn't manage to. She was too distracted with all the noise around her, so turned to head home.

'Radhika, beti?' a voice called out to her.

She turned around to see a distressed Vaishali and Bijru.

R- Yes?

V- Radhika... uh...umm...(she couldn't get her words out and she was extremely worried.)

B- Uh, Radhika, you are a doctor right?

R- Yes, why?

V- Ah! Thank goodness! Radhika you have to help us! We can't get a doctor and, and... and... Just come with us okay?

R- Yes, ok, but what happened?

B- First you come with us, and then we'll tell you.

Radhika rushed off into the car and went to the Purohit Mansion.

R- Now. Tell me, what is the matter?

B- Dev.... Dev bhaiyya....He whispered, struggling to get the words out.

R- What happened?!

Dadima- Oh, thank goodness you're here Radhika! Come with me!

Radhika followed Dadima upstairs and into a room and saw Mrinalini, Payal, Vivek and Purohitji all crowding around a bed.

Dadima- Everyone! Move out the way, let Radhika handle this....

Radhika was confused, what was going on?

Everyone moved out the way and she saw Dev. He was lying on the bed unconscious.

'Radhika, you can help him, can't you?' voices said to her, but she couldn't make out who said what. All she could see was Dev lying unconscious.

She ran towards the bed the minute she saw him.... she could help him right?

She snapped out of her confused, worried and dazed emotions and quickly started ordering.

R- I need towels, wet and dry and water! Quickly!

Mrinalini and Payal brought them.

Radhika hadn't got her proper equipment and couldn't make out anything. She decided that she would have to do whatever he could and checked his pulse on his wrist. The same shocking sensation came through her body when she touched him. She felt his hand move slightly too when she touched him.

His pulse was high when she touched him, and was irregular. She took the wet towel and placed it on his forehead to cool him down. She took some water and sprinkled it on him to try and get him conscious. His eyes fluttered and she sighed in relief as this was a good sign.

Mrinalini: He is okay?

R- Yes, it's nothing to worry about, he's just extremely tired. She said, still facing him.

As Radhika said this, Dev's eyes opened and he stared into Radhika's. He knew that whenever he was ill, he would see Radhika stressing over him. He smiled.

She smiled too. He was fine; there was nothing to worry about.

R- He should be completely fine by the evening, as long as he stays in bed.

She informed the family.

Dadima- Thank you Radhika! If you weren't here, who knows what we would have done.

Vaishali- Yes, thank you Radhika! Come, we'll drop you home.

R- No, it's fine. You stay here and look after him, I'll go home myself.

Dadima- No, Birju can drop you.... Birju?!

Radhika went home with Birju.

*****************************************************

Vaishali and Dadima were in the kitchen, talking.

V- Did you see how good Radhika was? She is very well-mannered! I like her very much....

D- Yes, she is a very good girl; we should spend some more time with her....

V- Yes, I know.... Next week it is Dev's 24^th Birthday, why don't we hold a party tomorrow night and invite the Shastri family. This way we can spend more time with Radhika and also have a celebration for Dev...

D- Yes that's a good idea' As long as Dev stays in bed today, then we can personally invite them tomorrow. We'll have to start making preparations....

Dadima and Vaishali started making preparations.

****************

The next day

***************

There was a knock on the door at 3pm in the afternoon, and Radhika went to open it. It was Vaishali, Dadima and Payal, come to see everyone.

'Please, come in! Namaste!' Radhika greeted them.

'Ji, Shastriji, we are holding a surprise party for Dev for his 24^th birthday, we would be delighted if all of you came! I know, we will come and pick you up at 4, ok?' Dadima explained to them.

'Ji why not? It would be our honour to come!' Shastriji replied.

Radhika's face lit up at the thought of seeing Dev, and also spending time with him for a long time. Payal noticed this sudden spark in Radhika's face and commented, 'Yes, Radhika, make sue you do come!' she hinted. Radhika's face reddened with embarrassment. 'Ok Shastriji, we will come to pick you up at 4.' Vaishali said and they all left.

Vishaka was the most excited. She, Radhika both planned to wear their best and to help each other in their make up.

Radhika went into her bathroom, took a warm shower and got ready in as beautiful turquoise, green-blue anarkali. She washed her hair also, but since that was naturally straight, she left it open. She wore a big set of bangles in her left hand and a watch on her right. She put on her make up, heels, long dangling earrings, a tikka, and went to help Vishaka get ready.

'Vishaka! It's 3.45! They are coming in 15 minutes and you are not ready yet!' she exclaimed. 'Yes, Radhika what should I wear? This blue long outfit, or this blue long outfit?' Vishaka asked, pointing at two very similar lenghas. 'Umm' This blue one' Radhika pointed out, not really caring. (Vishaka's outfit was very ugly compared to Radhika's.)

Soon it was 4, and the Purohit family arrived to pick everyone up. 'Wow, Radhika, you look very beautiful!' Dadima, Vaishali and Payal commented. Payal started giggling and on her face was a huge grin.

As soon as Radhika stepped inside the Purohit mansion, she gasped. She'd been here before, but this time everything was covered in roses, lights and candles. It was beautiful.

'The party starts at 6, but we thought that you should come early.' Purohitji explained.

The party started and all the guests were arriving. Radhika noticed that there were a lot of young girls at the party, and knew why. She sighed as she knew one of these was most likely to be Dev's girlfriend. She was helping Payal, when she bumped into Arjun, Dev's cousin. Arjun started at Radhika, and Radhika felt extremely awkward. 'Um, sorry'' she said whilst trying to get past him.

'I'll have to stay away from him'' she took a quick mental note.

Soon the lights all went off because Dev was arriving. Birju opened the door and told him to come in.

'Dadima, Mom?' Dev asked... 'Dad, Bhabhi? Vivek Bhaiyya?' he asked. But there was no answer.

It two seconds, the lights went on and everyone shouted surprise! Dev looked extremely surprised, but was even more when he glanced and saw Radhika there, with an extremely huge smile on her face. Her outfit complimented her curves, her eyes were amazing and she looked like an angel. 'My angel' Dev whispered to himself and went to take blessings from all the elders and went to meet all the other guests.

The first guest to welcome him was Vishaka, who stood eagerly waiting for him to compliment or flirt with her. 'Hey, Dev! You look great!' she told him, and he answered with his boyish smile. He walked away to find Radhika.

'Ughh! He didn't even notice me!' Vishaka moaned.

'Hey!' he said to her. She looked at him, but quickly looked away, she didn't want a repeat of what happened at the Mandir, or she would die of embarrassment!

'Hey!' She said to him, smiling, but was careful not to look at him. 'You look, well, you look beautiful!' he told her, but what he really wanted to do was to pick her up and twirl her around and tell her how much he loved her. It was love' wasn't it? Dev wasn't sure. 'Thanks, you look great too!' she commented.

'Well, um, are you enjoying yourself?' he asked, staring at her face, but she wouldn't look at him. Why won't she look at me? Does she hate me? Turn your head Radhika! Look at me! Look at me Radhika! Please!

She looked. The minute she did, she regretted it. She couldn't look away. She stared at his eyes, his face. He was extremely good looking, but she couldn't have him. Either he would marry another girl, or Vishaka. Radhika knew how much Vishaka loved him, and Amma would do anything to get Dev away from Radhika, she knew. But she couldn't look away. Neither could he.

Payal noticed and started giggling. She went over to them and said, 'Wow! You've broken your record! 40 seconds! Well done!' she said, but they continued to stare.

Finally Radhika returned to Earth and broke the glance. She was relieved that no one saw them, well except Payal. She reddened when she saw Payal laugh and say, 'Well, Radhika, what do you have that makes Dev Bhaiyya forget everything when he looks at you?' she asked. Dev smiled. He was about to say something, but then Radhika ran away.

She was breathing heavily. She experienced feelings of joy, nervousness, happiness yet sorrow. What was wrong with her? Dev couldn't be hers, even if she wanted him. She knew this but still allowed herself to get deeper and deeper into feelings for him; she knew that she would be crushed when she wouldn't be allowed to marry him. The closest he could ever be to her was Brother-in-Law. She sobbed silently.

Vishaka came and grabbed her by the wrist, 'You witch! You know what feelings I have for Dev, and yet you make him part of your plan and do these kinds of things. The closest you will ever get to him in relationships, Radhika, is Brother-in-Law! Never forget that! You witch!' she said acidly.

Radhika sobbed even more. She returned to the hall and saw Dev and Vishaka talking. She smiled, but was sad. Really she should be happy, Vishaka was happy and she was her older sister. Her happiness was Radhika's happiness, right? She freshened up in the closest bathroom and returned to the party. This time she saw Dev taking with lots of different girls. But he was not interested in them, which was good. That meant that he could care for Vishaka more. Good, right?