Chapter 7: Our hearts are connected!
She didn't want to stop. Her body ached but her heart wanted to dance in joy. After the hell of a day, and with so much that she had lost, she felt like she had won the biggest battle of her life. "How can I feel this way? I was just humiliated in front of every person I knew. I was slapped, pushed and stripped of my self-respect in every way, then why am I still happy?"
Kalpana looked at Raghav, who hadn't uttered a word since they had left the chawl. He had only instructed Sammy to go home, followed by a hug that was reserved for the best friend that he had been to him. Pain etched Raghav's face. He was tired, he was lost in such deep thoughts that he didn't notice the smile that had started to play on Kalpi's face.
The stark difference in their emotions was the result of what love had taught them. While it taught Kalpi how to smile at her fate and fight it with vengeance, Raghav had opened his heart to feelings that had been alien to him since forever.
Here was an example of love that carved it's way out from the toughest of the situations and had found it's place in the heart of the two people who were meant to be together.
Kalpana's soft voice filled the night air, she stopped and turned around at Raghav, "Kya hua sir? Aap khush nahi hai?"
This simple questions perplexed Raghav, he was so mesmerized in her words. "How Kalpi? How can I be happy... Our love has taken you away from your parents; the people who were your lifeline don't want to acknowledge your existence anymore. How can this make me happy?" The pain on Raghav's heart broke her heart. She knew that her loss made his heart ache, and her heart fluttered at the extent of love and concern Raghav had for her.
She took Raghav Sir's hands in her and led him to a desolate bench at the side of the road. The bench was illuminated with the moonlight which caste a beautiful halo on Raghav and Kalpi, making them look divine in each other's presence!
"Sir, meri taraf dekhiye, kya aapko mere chehre par ek bhi shikayat nazar aati hai? Sir, your love hadn't made me weak, in fact your love gave me the strength to stand up for myself. Sir, since the day I started dreaming, my only wish had been to fulfill my mom's wishes. In the race to do that, I kept losing myself. My dreams, my aspirations were seen from my mother's eyes. Thus today when she turned her eyes away from me, all my dreams broke. In an instant I was left alone without any pressure, without anything to look forward to. But when I look into your eyes, I see myself being what I am. Your love gives me strength to be what I am. Do what makes me happy, and really sir I have never felt this good about myself."
For the first time Kalpi was pouring her heart out to him. He could not help but stare at her. Those big, round eyes were filled with love, and love that was only his. His heart was over-flowing with emotions at seeing his Kalpana so strong, so happy and so much in love with him. He had wanted to see this love in her eyes since ages now!
Raghav enveloped her in his arms, he wanted to feel her! He wanted her to hear his heart beats, he wanted her to know that she is his, without any barrier. Raghav wanted to engulf her in his protection. That one moment could last them a lifetime, and a tear escaped Raghav's eyes. If the prize of all his losses in life was Kalpi, he was happy he had lost everything.
They sat there for the longest of the time, trying to drink in the love as much as they could. When they broke their hug, Kalpi looked at him with those puppy eyes and asked him, "Sir, hum ghar se nikalte toh gaye, par ab kya? Jaayenge kaha?"
Raghav smiled and took her hand in his, and made her to get up! With no words left to be spoken they walked into the darkness of the night once again, with the moonlight guiding them at every step.
They had barely walked a few steps when Kalpi lost balance, blackness engulfed her and the next thing she knew was a dark black hole that sucked all her senses. She was slipping away, and all she held onto was Raghav.
Kalpi's head hit the cold stone road and Raghav's heart broke a million pieces in just an instant.
** There is no regret, I had over-powered my fate, I was with Raghav, holding on to him like a breath holds on to a dying man! But had I really been successful in evading my black fate? Please God don't let him be hurt again. Hurt me but not him. But you know what's the funny part if I am hurt he will be hurt equally! That's the irony.**
------------------------TO BE CONTINUED------------------------------
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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