Valentines day OS contest voting closed note page 4

"Pakhi please drink your juice", Neetu's voice boomed in the palatial mansion.

A PINCH OF TOGETHERNESS

The meeting for the project was over and both Raghav and the project manager shook hands.. Thr project manager said,"Mr. Singhania.. I have to say... Your assistant is very intelligent.. She has made a wonderful presentation.." Raghav slightly smiled and looked at Kalpi, who was drinking water and was listening to Sammy talk... The project manager further continued,"Mr. Singhania.. There is a party happening today in the resort.. It will be really nice, if you and your team could join us. We can get to know each other." Raghav replied,"Sorry Mr. Mehra.. But we have to keep going.. We will be getting home late." Mr. Mehra said,"Come on Mr.Singhania.. Its a party.. We can discuss about the details about our project and decide on when to start the project." Raghav said,"Ok Mr. Mehra.. We will be there." Mr.Mehra went away and Raghav called Sammy, Kalpi and Maya,"Today, we are going to attend a party at the resort.. Mr. Mehra has invited us, we will be discussing about the details about the project." Kalpi said,"But Sir.. I have to go home.. Aayi would be so worried." Raghav said,"Miss. Jadhav. Aap dhood peeti bachi nahi hai.. Aap bade ho gaye hai... Nothing will happen to you." Kalpi nodded and went.. After Kalpi went, Raghav asked Sammy to call Kamla and tell her that they would be reaching Mumbai in the afternoon..

That evening, Kalpi was getting ready for the party. She did not have anything tpretty to wear, yet she looked beautiful in that simple black blue dress, with hair curled at the ends and a touch of eye-makeup. She looked mesmerising with her dark skin and black eyes.. She picked up her phone and thought,"I will call Aayi.. She must be worried." She called Kamla and it was Vitthal who picked up the phone. She said,"Hello Baba.." Vitthal answered,"Haan Beta.." Kalpi said,"Vo baba. I will be reaching home tomorrow only.. There is sum party going on in here." Vitthal replied,"Haan.. I know beta.. Raghav baba ne Sammy se kaha kihume phone karke bataaye." Kalpi asked,"Sach ?? " Vitthal said,"Haan beta.. Achaa ab tu jaa.. Party me jaa.. Bye.." Kalpi said,"Bye baba.". She cut tha call and thought"Kamaal hai.. Khadoos ne kaha.." Kya hai yeh ? Kabhi kabhi angel ki tarah behave karta hai.. Aur kabhi kabhi angel ki counterpart ki tarah behavekarta hai. Yeh mujhse nafrath karte hai yaa nahi.." Kalpi left for the party.. The party was a business-like one with some pleasant music.. Kalpi saw tht Raghav, Sammy and Maya were interacting wid sum business people who were all remote to her..

So she went to the garden and looked at the stars... She started smiling at them.. A guy came with a glass and stood beside her.. He asked,"The stars are beautiful, aren't they ?" Kalpi looked at the man and nodded.. He asked,"So why aren't you in the party ?" Kalpi replied,"I am not interested in them..The guy,"Then why don't you do something interesting ?" Kalpi asked confused,"I dnt understand you." The guy inched closer to Kalpi and touched her arm,"I meant, why don't we do something interesting ? You know, You are such a babe that no one can resist you. You can come with me." Kalpi shouted,"Don't try to come near me.. I will shout." The guy replied,"Shout.. No one is gonna hear you." Kalpi was cornered against the wall and they guy raised his hand to touch her when a hand grabs his hand. The guy turns around to see Raghav standing there with angry eyes.. Kalpi opens her eyes and sees Raghav there... Raghav slaps the guy two to three times and they guys pleads for forgiveness.. Raghav said,"Get out of here." The guy went away and Kalpi is relieved.. Raghav turns towards her and sees her but walks away.. As he is walking away, Kalpi asked,"Why Sir ? Why did you help me ?" Raghav asked," Why did I help you ? Wht question is this miss.Jadhav ?" Kalpi said,"Aap tho mujhse bohot nafrath karte ho n.. Tho phir kyun bachaaye the ?"

Raghav turned towards her in shock and asked,"Kisne kaha kii mei tumse nafrat karta hoon ?" Kalpi said,"Aap jis tarah behave karte ho mere saath, mujhe tho aisa hii lag raha hai... Kyun Sir ?? Kyun aap mere saath aise behave karte ho ? " Raghav turns around and sees Kalpi in tears.. He is shocked to see her in tears... Kalpi continues,"Sir.. Jab bhi aap mujhse rude baat karte ho na, tab mujhe bohot hurt hota hai.. Jab aap ne kaha ki khaash aap Pakhi ko lekar aate, tab mujhe bohot hurt hua.. Mei tho soch rahi hoon ki mei kabhi kisi ki first priority kyun nahi ban sakti ? Hameshaa second priority hii rahi..." Raghav goes to Kalpi and makes Kalpi sit.. She wraps her arms around him and cries,"Mei kabhi kisi ki priority kyun nahi ban sakti ?? Kya mujhe vo right nahi hai ?" Raghav wraps his arms around her and says,"Nahi Kalpi... Mei khadoos isliye banaa, kyunki I dnt want you to go away from me.. Tht's y I behave rudely with you.. Sach tho ye hai kii I LOVE YOU.." Kalpi lifts her head up and asks,"Hw can you think tht I will leave you ? I will never leave you.." Raghav says,"Ab vishwaas ho gaya... You wnt leave me.. I wnt leave you either.." He hugs Kalpi close to his chest and pats her head,"Happy Valentine's Day." Kalpi asked,"Feb 14 tho kab ka khatam ho chukka hai.." Raghav replied,"Haan.. Lekin Valentine's Day ki month pe we accepted our feelings for each other.. Zaroori nahi ki V-Day ki din hii feelings ko accept karna padega." Kalpi laughs and said,"Happy Valentine's Day mera Raghav.."

His Oblivious Valentine

1 night prior V day

Since the day of the presentation and the realization that Kalpi meant so much to him, Raghav has openly accepted the truth. He loves Kalpi, truly and deeply. In fact, now that he ponders well, throughout all these years he's been away from her, no one has ever been able to reach the place he had set for her, involuntary for sure, in his heart. It has always been her, only her. Raghav was overjoyed and this new feeling was so potent. His Kalpi!

But a thought sobered him all of a sudden. Of his feelings, he is sure but what about Kalpi? Does she feel anything for him? If he confesses now, she will find it weird, or even think so wrong of him. One day he is blasting her, firing her and the next day, direct I love you! No, she will flee. Raghav sat down and frowned at his own image in a nearby mirror. No, Kalpi is mine. So what, if she doesn't have anything for me right now in her heart and mind, I'll kindle it for her. I can't lose her, not now. Just then, on the TV, they wished all viewers a Happy valentine's Day. Raghav smiled wickedly at the TV and said to an empty bedroom:

"Miss Jadhav, prepare yourself! because tomorrow will mark the first day of our love story, my love."

Valentine's day

Kalpi was running up the staircase to reach office on time. The lifts on the ground floor was stuck somewhere and now she had to climb six stairs. Talk about fitness! When she finally arrived at the office, she shot a glance at the huge clock and she was five minutes earlier in reporting to work. Thank God! Or else what another blasting she would have been targeted by that Khadoos boss!

She sat at her desk and tried to calm her breathings. She was panting and struggling to calm her speeding heart. The sudden buzz of the intercom made her startled. Raghav! He's already here! She quickly picked up the call.

"In my office, now!" she was about to reply a simple yes, sir but the line was cut. Kalpi rose from her seat, huffing and puffing and breathing hard and went to knock on his door.

"Yes, come in. Miss Jadhav, Maya has just called and said that at the Empire Mall, there will be a business meeting at five O'clock, sharp." Raghav said but without looking at her at all. He was busy with his phone, as usual.

"Yes, sir, I'll inform Paakhi, I mean, Miss Kapoor that she gets ready." Kalpi turned to leave when Raghav stopped her.

"The presentation was done by you and it has got no involvement of Miss Kapoor in it. So it's you who will be accompanying me to this meeting. Is that clear? Now, move fast, complete all your given tasks and by 3 30 pm and then report here again. Mind it, I hate lateness."

"I will be on time sir. Anything else?" asked Kalpi.

"yes, just why are you panting?" Raghav enquired looking at her.

Kalpi was stunned that he remarked that. Concern for her? Impossible!

"Yes, I had to take the stairs as the lifts were not working properly." Kalpi hurriedly rushed out of the room as it was suddenly feeling stifling in there. His eyes! What was that look he gave me? There was concern and another strong emotion that she couldn't read. She busied herself in her work till 3 30 pm, reported back to his office and they set off to the mall in his car.

"Is there a go slow today, sir?" asked Kalpi. They have been driving for so long and she was surprised that Mr. Raghav Singhania listens to music in his car, and that too, romantic tracks.

"No! Why? Oh, actually the way to Empire Mall is usually heavily jammed on these times. I'm taking a detour. You sit back and enjoy. Take it as a long drive, hmmm?" replied Raghav with a smile.

Long drive? Kalpi looked at Raghav to see if he was pulling her legs but that smile was genuine. She settled back in her seat more comfortably and hummed some lines from her favorite song airing on the radio. Raghav glanced her way and smiled inwardly to himself. Long drive with Kalpi-checked!

At last they arrived at the mall, Kalpi hurriedly got out of the car and waited at the entrance for Raghav to come as he went to park the car. Everywhere was red, white and gold. So many girls passed by her and were wearing red, some with roses in their hands. Kalpi was confused but all of a sudden, she remembered the date-14^th February! OMG! It's Valentine's Day. She was so happy at once. Lover's Day. Love!

But she sobered quickly when she saw Raghav coming towards her. She was amazed by his walking style. So sure of himself, confident and it was no surprise that some girls even while they were at the arms of their boyfriends, turned to give him an appreciative look. Kalpi started to feel hot. She just don't like the way these girls were ogling at him.

Raghav came to her and caught hold of her elbow "shall we?" he said and they moved in.

They were walking side by side and Kalpi was looking in the shops glittering windows when a gorgeous sari caught her attention. She stopped dead in her track. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the sari. Golden choli and deep crimson red sari.

Raghav noticed her and understood the situation very well.

" Miss Jadhav, see, this meeting is with delegates and all and I want you to be properly groomed for the occasion. Why not we buy a something for you. We are still in time for the meeting. Let's see...there! That sari. It's perfect for the occasion."

"oh no, sir. I'm perfectly dressed..." she was cut short by a Raghav who was already on his way in the shop. She had to run to match his pace.

"it will be very expensive and I..." Kalpi wasn't allowed to finish her sentence.

"Take it from Raghav group of Companies. It's for the interest of the work. That's all to it." Raghav went to the counter, gave several instructions, showed his cards and Kalpi was dragged along with the salesgirl to the trial room and minutes later, she emerged in the sari. A backless sari and she had to pin her hair up in a loose bun, with tendrils falling gracefully on one side of her neck. She was breathtakingly beautiful! Raghav kept on staring at her for God knows how long and its only when Kalpi said:

"Sir, if you find it too much, I'll change immediately." said a frowning Kalpi.

"No! You look fine. Let's make a move." Raghav offered her his arm and hesitating a lot, finally Kalpi settled her hand lightly on his offered arm and was quite surprised when he tucked her hand more comfortably.

They went to the top floor of the mall, where the meeting is planned. It was an exclusive restaurant, chic and desert. There was no one present, except a man who was doing a painting.

"You sure sir, the meeting is here?" asked a puzzled Kalpi. Raghav nodded and went to talk with the artist.

When he came back he was smiling like a kid does. He was very excited about something. Kalpi found it infectious and smiled back at him.

"Kalpi, that man there proposed to make a portrait of me. I've wanted it for so long. Finally got the chance. I really want to have it made now. Why don't you join me? We can have a portrait made for us both, together. Come!" Raghav dragged Kalpi to the artist. After trying different pose, Raghav finally held her in an embrace, her head tucked under his chin. The artist agreed for this pose and they stayed like that for two long hours!!!

Raghav thought to himself: portrait made-checked! Bonus: holding Kalpi for two hours. He chuckled to himself as he reviewed his luck.

When Kalpi checked her watch, she gasped at the time shown. It was past 6 pm and night has already fallen. She was so lost in being in Raghav's embrace that she forgot the notion of time.

"Sir, it's already six thirty pm already and Maya madam is not here yet. You sure the meeting is for today only?" asked Kalpi to a strangely fussing Raghav.

"Of course, maybe she's caught up somewhere. See, I'm feeling really hungry. This is one of the best restaurants I've ever eaten in. food is sumptuous. Let's start dinner and wait for Maya."

Raghav didn't give her time to agree or not. He called a waiter and soon, they were seated at a table for two and that too on the balcony. The stars were twinkling and it was a mesmerizing place to be. Kalpi felt like she was out of this world. Fresh air, stars in the sky, candles on the table, soft soothing music in the background and then, a 7 course meal was served, all delicious.

"Really sir, why did you order so much food!" asked Kalpi to a Raghav who was so interested in his food.

"That's how hungry I am. Have you tasted this? Delicious na?" Kalpi was surprised as Raghav leaned forward and popped a cherry in her mouth. She nodded and tried to keep her calm. Her heart was racing tens a mile. This is surreal. A dream, Kalpi. Candle lit dinner, with Raghav!

When the meal was over, Raghav excused himself to settle the bill and said to Kalpi that he wants to personally thank the chef for his work. Kalpi was still coming to terms with what happened to her during this crazy whole day when a waiter came to her table and handed her a huge bouquet of red roses. It was so beautiful.

"Compliments from the house, madam. Happy Valentine's Day." Said the grinning waiter and eclipsed from there.

Kalpi glanced around to see if other clients too received this complimentary gift but she saw none. She was unable to ponder much about that as Raghav came, decided to make a move as seemingly Maya madam cancelled the meeting and without making any comment on the huge bouquet she held.

She sat in the car and held her bouquet close to her. It smelled great and she didn't know why, but she felt that this bouquet was given to her by Raghav only. Silly Kalpi!

Raghav stared lovingly at Kalpi and said to himself: "my very first Valentine's Day, with the love of my life. One of the best days of my existence and she is oblivious to everything!"