Arranged Love ~ A RaNtara FF [Ch1 updated at Pg 9] - Page 6

Thanks for the compliment as well as the comment buddy!

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Thanks for commenting buddy!!

I am glad that you liked the characters as well as the way I presented the Characters Sketch.

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Thanks once again.😃

I am glad that u liked the cs, this much, including the characters i choosed.

Thanks for commenting.

Will continue soon.😃😃

I am glad that u liked it.

Thanks for commenting.

Will update, Chapter 1 soon.😃😃

Thanks for commenting buddy!!

I am glad that u liked the cs.

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" And the ' Most Successful Businessman Of The Year' award goes to, Mr. Raghuveer Singh Rathore. " Mr. Dasgupta announced followed by a huge round of applause.

Raghu stood up and went towards the stage to grab his award...his. Dressed in a navy blue Armani suit, Raghu was looking handsome and dashing, as ever. The way he walked, his style, everything spoke class and status. He went towards Mr. Dasgupta, who stood holding the award...his award. For Raghu, this was the most boring moment, because, it was very common for him now. Grab the awards, the thanks giving speech and most importantly, the fake smile. But he had to do this, though unwantedly but still, he has to maintain a status and reputation. He spoke a few words of thanks and then without acknowledging anyone, Raghu left the place.

Home-sweet-Home, is it really that sweet? ...Just when Raghu was going to enter inside, his phone rang. Even without looking at the name flashing on the phone screen, he was sure that who could be calling him at this hour.

" Khaana khaya ya nahi..." the caller questioned.

" Woh...main busy tha, bas abhi abhi hi ghar pohoncha hoon. Ek baar fresh ho jaun, phhir khana bhi kha lunga." Raghu entered the house, closing the door, he made his way towards his room.

" Jo bhi karna hai, baad mein kijiye ga. Pehle jayie aurr khana kha lijiye, humme Suszy ne bataya, ki aapne subah se kuch bhi nahi khaya, bas hawa par hi jee rahe hain. Ab chup chap khaana khaiye, phhir hi humm aapse baat karenge. Samjhe... " the caller ordered.

" Acha ji..jaisa aap kahaen..." Raghu rubbed his forehead.

" Abhi toh humme kuch kaam hai, issi liye aapse zyada baat nahi karpayenge. Aap khana kha kar, so jayiega, agar humme pata chala ki aap raat bhar jaag kar office ka kaam karte rahe, toh humse bura aurr koi nahi hoga." the caller scolded slightly.

" Badi Maa...aap kabhi buri ho hi nahi sakti aurr aap toh jaanti hain na..." Raghu tried to argue but failed.

" Haan haan hum jaante hain, ki aapka kaam aapki zindagi hai, aap kaam kiye bina jee nahi sakte vagehra vagehra..." Badi Maa interrupted and Raghu rolled his eyes. " Chaliye, ab jaakar khana kha lijiye. " Badi Maa ordered.

" Ji...waise Badi Maa, aap kal kab tak aayengi, mera matlab hai, ki aapki flight kitne baje ki hai? Aap bata dijiye, mein apna schedule, ussi tarah se arrange kar loonga. " Raghu took out his Samsung Galaxy Note Tab and opened his next day schedule, to make the edits.

" Kal subah 11 baje, humaari flight Mumbai mein land ho jayegi. Agar aapka koi zaroori kaam hai toh, aap mat aayiga, driver ko bhej dijiyega, humm..." Badi Maa said but was interrupted by Raghu.

" Main kal 10:30 A.M. airport pohonch jaaonga, aurr ab iss topic par koi arguement nahi hoga! Ab aap jaakar, apni bhatije ( nephew ) ki shaadi enjoy kijiye." Raghu replied firmly.

" Theek hai, jaisi aapki iccha...arre iccha se yaad aaya, yahaan shaadi mein humme ek ladki milli, uska naam Iccha hai, badi hi susheel..." Badi Maa continued only to be interrupted by Raghu.

" Susheel hai, sanskaari hai, sundar hai..blah..blah..blah...!" Raghu spoke Badi Maa's words." Badi Maa aap jaanti hain na ki mujhe in sab baaton mein koi interest nahi hai, phhir bhi aap.." Raghu argued.

" Haan! Hum aapko aise hi pareshaan karte rahengae. Jab tak aap shaadi nahi kar letae, hum aise hi aapko ladkiyon k baare mein batatae rahengae. Arre kabhi aap bhi toh batayie ki aapko kaisi ladki chahiye!" Badi Maa replied.

" Aap jo bhi ladki pasand kar lengi, main ussi se shaadi kar loonga." Raghu replied disinterestedly. " Acha, toh phhir hum kal milte hain. Ab aap jakar shaadi enjoy kijiye aurr main ka..."

" Kaam nahi, khaana kha leta hoon." Badi Maa imitated Raghu.

" Ji..." Raghu replied and ended the call.

It was late, al-most 1:15 A.M. Raghu decided not to wake Suszy up, for the food. He himself went in the kitchen, heated the food in the microwave and was about to eat, when his phone rang.

"Yes, Raghuveer Singh Rathore speaking." Raghu answered in a typical businessman way.

" Hello sir, I am Aahana Sharma speaking. Actually i just called to conform that you're..." Aahana spoke nervously.

" Yes, I'm coming tomorrow for the interview. There was no need of conformation. It's Raghuveer Singh Rathore's promise, I'll surely come." Raghu replied.

" Ok..sir, I'm sorry that..I" Aahana stammered.

" Miss Sharma, if you'll stammer like this, then how are you gonna conduct the interview. I'll be ready for it, at sharp 8 o'clock, make sure that you are ready to interview me. Bye. " the attitude of Raghu spoke. Raghu ended the call and was about to eat, just then, his phone rang again.

" Yes, Mr. Roy...oh OK then, let me check once..." Raghu continued, stood up from the dinning table and proceeded towards the study. The food was long forgotten.

" Hush...this isn't happening."

" What happened John ? "

" Suszy, i feel bad for Raghu sir, he's so..so.." John tried to find the best word that could describe Raghu.

" Alone..just like you were! " Suszy answered placing her hand in Johns'.

" Yes...I wish, ki, just like you came in my life, Raghu sir ki life mein koi aisi ladki aaye jo unki zindagi aurr zindagi jeene ka dhang badal de...I wish, " John closed his eyes momentarily.

" I wish that too John...I wish that too" Suszy hugged John, rubbing his back lightly.

" uuumm...John.." Raghu who just came back from his study, muttered.

" Yes sir.." John came out of the hug and Suszy went inside her room.

" Actually, we have to leave at 7 in the morning, first is the interview, then we have to pick Badi Maa from the airport and then finally for office. So, just be ready at 7, is that clear." Raghu asked, keeping a hand over the phone.

" Yeah.." John answered and Raghu went towards his room still continuing talking on the phone.

Exactly 7 in the morning Raghu was ready to leave. Dressed in Dolce&Gabbana suit, Raghu sat in his car, along John and proceeded towards the channel studio. John...John Clark, he's the chief bodyguard of Raghu and his wife Suszy..she's the maid of the house. But both of them are more like family members to Raghu and Badi Maa. Exactly from 5 long years, John is with Raghu. Many bodyguard came, went away and some are still there, but John is the consistent one.

At 7:45 A.M. Raghu was there, seated on a single seater sofa, all ready for the interview. The interviewer, Aahna was busy in her face make-up, while Raghu was busy with his phone, his best companion. This was a live interview, here, the interviewer will not be the one to ask the questions, the audience sitting there in the studio, will ask the questions. At 8 o'clock, everything was set and the interview show started.

" Welcome and good morning to the viewers. It's 8 in the morning and I, Aahana Sharma, is back with a bang. Today, we have the most richest and the most eligible bachelor of the country, Mr Raghuveer Singh Rathore." Aahana spoke, directly looking into the camera.

" So guys, are you ready to question Mr Rathore? " Aahna turned towards the audience, in the studio, and asked.

" Yes!!!" the audience said in a chorus.

One by one, a person asked him a question and he answered it, with a fake smile, of course. And then, again the same question, " Are you planning to get married? " Oh..God, why the hell these people are interested in my marriage, ' thought Raghu.

" Well...actually, i am not planning anything, its just that, my Badi Maa is looking out for a nice girl. She will decide, who'll I marry." Raghu spoke disinterestedly.

" So, you'll marry a complete stranger, means an arrange marriage. Don't you love someone? " a girl from the audience asked, obviously hoping for a negative response, and she got what she wanted.

" No, I am not in love, and i am sure i'll never ever fall in love! And the girl i'll marry should understand one and the most important thing, that for me, my work is important and i can't love! " Raghu was on the verge of loosing his anger, as to why, these people especially these girls are so much interested in his personal life. don't they understand the meaning of a simple word, 'personal', thought Raghu.

" Haayyyeee...kitna handsome lag raha hai Raghuveer. "

" Arre, woh toh humesha hi handsome, dashing aurr charming lagta hai. "

" Kash...Raghuveer ki Badi Maa, mujhe choose kar leen, as Raghuveer's bride. Life set ho jayegi yaar."

" Wahi toh...pyaar ho na ho, money, fame and most importantly, itna charming person aapka husband ban jaye, toh lottery lag jaye."

" Arre Tara, tu kuch nahi kahegi..? Bata na, tujhe Raghuveer kaisa lagta hai ? "

* No Response *

" Arre Tara..bata na...! Dekh na Tanu, yeh kuch bol kyon nahi rahi hai! "

" Arre...Shreya, firstly remove those earphones. Here, we are talking about such an important thing and she...aaarrggghhh" Tanu whined.

Shreya removed the earphones, to which Antara whined and shouted, all of a sudden.

" What the hell is wrong with you guys? " Antara asked.

" Wrong with us! Take a break Tara. Humm yahan itne important topic par discussion kar rahe hain and you...you are listening to songs!" Tanu replied frowning.

" Important topic..seriously!" Antara asked to which both Tanu and Shreya nodded in positive.

" So will you guys tell me, what is so important about a guy being in love or married? " Antara raised her brows.

" A guy...Tara, he's just not a guy, he's Raghuveer Singh Rathore, The Raghuveer Singh Rathore. I'm sure, you too want to marry someone like that! He's every girls' dream man yaar..." Shreya spoke dreamily.

" I...in love..with Raghuveer Singh Rathore...Ohhh phhuulleezz...he's not my type! " Antara shrugged her shoulders.

" Not your type.." Shreya repeated, widening her eyes and in a shocked manner.

" Will you do the honors of telling us, who is exactly your types? " Tanu asked.

" Well, i don't need money and fame, what i need is trust, complete trust. Agar woh mujhe trust karega toh pyaar bhi kabhi na kabhi ho jayega. Arre woh mujhe pyaar se, ek stone bhi offer kare na aurr kahe, ' Antara, this is for you, only for you' tab main woh stone bhi khushi se accept kar lungi. Agar woh mujh par trust kare aurr khudh bhi trust worthy ho, then agar woh handsome na bhi ho, toh i'll adjust! " Antara told while closing her eyes momentarily.

" Bas bas, Sadhvi Antara Kaul ji, humm samajh gaye, aapko aurr kuch kehne ki zaroorat nahi hai!" Both Tanu and Shreya joined their hands, as if praying.

And the three of them laughed at this. They were still laughing, just then Antara's phone rang. Seeing the name flashing on the screen, Antara smiled widely.

" Hey Nikki Di, how are you and how's the preparations going on. So, excited about the wedding ? " Antara asked.

* No Response *

" Arre Di, main kal aa rahi hoon na, aurr phhir toh main aap logon k saath hi rahoongi na, toh phhir aap udaas kyon hain. " Antara sat in front of the dressing mirror.

* No Response *

" Di, what happened ? Aap kuch bol kyon nahi rahe ho ? " Antara frowned.

" Tara...* Sobbing *" Nikki tried to speak.

" Di...what happened? Aap ro kyon rahe ho? Di...? " Antara stood up, frowning hard.

" Tara...main.." Nikki stammered.

" Di..relax..tell me, exactly what is it ? " Antara asked.

" Tu toh jaanti hain na Tara, ki bachpan se main chahati thi, ki main Church Marriage karoon. The white gown, orchids, the vows and everything. Par ab, Mom-Dad, ne sab preparations kar li hain, everything is set, it's beautiful but it's not what I want. I need you Tara! Sirf tum hi, sab ko Church marriage k liye manna sakti ho. Please jaldi aa jao. Please! " Nikki spoke, still crying softly.

Antara slapped her forehead lightly, for once she was really tensed that Nikki might be in a serious problem, but this...ohhh God...it sounds simple and the wedding is bound to happen in any way but how will she make her Mom-Dad and the rest of the family agree to this. But one thing, Antara was sure of, was that, Nikki needs her and she has to go, though its not a huge matter, shaadi toh hokar hi rahegi, but still it's Nikki's dream wedding and Antaracan't let Nikki's dream to shatter. So let it be!

" Fine Di...! I'm coming. " Antara declared and ended the call.

" Guys..i need to go back..now! " Antara announced, all of a sudden and started removing her clothes and accessories out of the closet.

" But Tara, how? I mean , tumhaari toh kal ki flight hain na, and aaj aurr abhi tickets arrange karna, it's quite difficult. " Tanu frowned lightly.

" I don't know anything other than that, Nikki Di needs me and I'm going. Kaise..mujhe nahi pata, but I'm leaving for Mumbai, just now! " Antara zipped up her bags.

" Bye guys.." Antara bided them and left to began her journey. From Delhi to Mumbai.

" Excuse me, can you please arrange a seat for me, in the next flight to Mumbai ?" Antara asked.

" I am sorry Ma'm, but there's no seat available. "

" Ok..then what about the next one? "

" Let me check" " I am really sorry Ma'm but there's no seat available, only if somebody cancel's their booking then only, we can provide you a seat. I am sorry."

" Ohhh God...ab main kya karun...?" Antara sat on the chair and rubbed her forehead.

" Kya hua beta, aap bohot pareshaan lag rahi hain. " an old lady asked, keeping her hand on Shilpa's shoulder.

" Kuch nahi aunty, bas aise hi..." Antara shrugged and then her eyes fell on the tickets in that old lady's lap.

" Aunty aap Mumbai jaa rahi hain..?" Antara asked.

" Haan..kya aapko bhi Mumbai jaana hai? " the old lady questioned.

Suddenly Antara hugged that lady and started crying and said, " Aunty...mera Mumbai jaana bohot zaroori hai, par mujhe ticket nahi mil rahi hai. "

" Arre beta, pehle shaant ho jayie. " they broke the hug and the lady wiped Antra's tears. " Ab batayie kya hua.." the lady asked.

" Kya hua.." Antara muttered and thought for few seconds..." Woh aunty, woh meri Dadi hain na, she's on her death bed aunty. Woh marne se pehle, mujhe aakhri baar dekhna chahati hain. lekin, mujhe flight ki ticket nahi mil rahi hai aurr ab meri Dadi ki aakhri iccha, mujhse milne ki iccha poori nahi ho payegi..." Antara cried some more.

" Acha..." the old lady frowned to which Antara nodded innocently.

" Theek hai, aap aisa kijiye, aap humaari ticket le lijiye. Hum to kal bhi Mumbai chale jayenge, par aapka jaana zaroori hai. Humaari jagah, aap Mumbai chale jayie. " the old lady handed her flight ticket to Antara and wiped some remaining tears.

" Thank you aunty. I wish, ki Kanha Ji, aapki sabhi wishes poori karein. " Antara clasped the lady's hands and went to the ticket counter.

" Kash aapki yehi dua humaare kaam aa jaye. " the old lady sighed.

Antara was more than happy while sitting in the plane. She felt guilty for cheating that lady and lying about her fit and fine Dadi's death but what to do, for her, her family is the top most priority. Nikki is her elder sister, her family and she need her. For Antara, the most important thing was to be with Nikki and support her decision. She could understand what Nikki's problem is but that lady couldn't. So what if she had to lie, there was no other way!

" Hey Kanha Ji, main jaanti hoon ki maine jhoot bol kar galat kiya, but aurr koi raasta bhi toh nahi tha. Nikki Di ko meri zaroorat hai,

so i had to lie! Bas ab jis kaam k liye, maine yeh sab kuch kiya hai, woh poora ho jaye." Antara prayed silently.

" What...! Aap mujhe yeh keh rahi hain, ki aap aaj nahi aa rahi hain...ki aapne, apni ticket kissi aurr ko de di." Raghu asked Badi Maa on phone.

" Arre beta, usska Mumbai pohonchana zaroori tha, humm toh kal aa sakte hain na. Par uss ladki ka aaj hi Mumbai pohonchana zaroori tha." Badi Maa explained.

" Yeah right..." Raghu rolled his eyes.

Antara was very excited as well as tensed to meet her family. excited, because she was going to meet them after 2 years al-most and tensed, that how the hell is she gonna convince her family on Nikki's Church marriage! But the thought of being with her family, excited her more, so she was literally running on her way out the airport.

On the other side Raghu was still busy, talking with Badi Maa on the phone, still arguing over the ticket issue. He was so lost in the conversation that he ignored a child, about 12 years of age running towards him, along his skateboard. When, all of a sudden, the 12 year old child collided with him, the boys' skateboard fell down and Raghu mistakenly stepped over it, resulting, Raghu lost his balance and tried to find something to hold for support.

Antara was still running, as if she thought that her running might help her reach her house an hour early. But there, there she spotted a manly figure, about to loose his balance and al-most fell down, al-most.

( In normal circumstances, it would have been Antara falling in Raghus' arms. But what actually happened was a bit different! ).

Now, Antara doubled her speed, in order to save that man from falling. She didn't knew why she was bothering, but the one thing she knew was that, the man, might get hurt.

Raghu lost his balance completely and was about to fall, he closed his eyes because of embarrassment and fear. He was still trying to hold something to gain support. Just when he lost all his hopes, a hand, actually a girls' hand held his manly one and her other arm, went around him, backwards, supporting his back.

So the scenario was, Antara holding on Raghus' hand, her arm around him, preventing him to fall and Raghu, he was there in Antara's arms, still his eyes closed. Lately, when Raghu was sure, that he didn't fall, somebody was there, to hold him, actually. Raghu slowly opened his eyes and saw a girl, a caramel brown eyed girl, dressed in a baby pink suit, just a typical girly look, with raised brows and a weird kind of expression on her face.

Antara was staring at the man lying, actually hanging in her arms, whose eyes were still closed. ' Ohhh...God...why the hell these guys are so heavy. But what the best part is, i gotta know, that how much stronger I am. Holding a Dara Singh types, He-Man is not an easy task.' Antara thought.

Slowly, when Raghu opened his eyes, the thing that grabbed Antara's attention the most, were the chocolaty brown..no..coffee brown..,,, no.na..chocholaty, ' arre color chahe jo bhi ho, but his eyes are most captivating ones' thought Antara.

And, Raghu, he too was staring at those big almond shaped, brown, no..actually caramel brown colored eyes. ' Never ever, I have had seen such a color of eyes...its beautiful.' thought Raghu, which was preceded by a mental slap on his forehead. Wantedly or Unwantedly, both of them were literally staring at each other, forgetting their surroundings.

As if, the interruption was God sent, a shrill sound of Antaras' phone ringtone, when fell on Antara's ears, she withdrew all her support to Raghu and what Raghu had feared of, actually happened. Without any support and lack of concentration, Raghu hit the tiled floor.

" Ouch..." Raghu rubbed the back of his head and neck.

" Hello...uumm..just wait a sec Di.." Antara said on phone.

Antara bended a little, to Raghu's level and said, " Sorry buddy, I need to go! Next time, be careful while walking. Ab har baar, main tumhe bachanae nahi aaungi. Bye.." she winked first, then grinned slightly and waved her hand in front of Raghu who was frowning hard, still sitting on the floor, and by this she went away.

" How..how..how dare she! " exclaimed Raghu.

" Arre uncle, ab saara din, yahin baithe rehne ka iraada hai kya ? " asked the same 12 year old boy.

" What the..." now Raghu realized that he was still sitting on the floor. Embarrassed, Raghu stood up, straightened his clothes and made his way out of the airport.

To be continued...

awesome part👏

i really like their first meet

thodi filmy thi bus hero ko heroine ne sambhala

thanks for the pm

luv it !

cont soon

and thnx for the pm :)

Thanks for commenting buddy!!!!😃

I wanted that Antra should save Raghu, from falling, that was so unlike.

thanks a lot for commenting