Part 15
By Fabulous Pookhiđ
Raghav was trying to contact Kalpi in every possible way; through email, by phone, and Facebook.
He had gotten a call from Sammy just two days ago saying that Kalpana had gone missing.
When Kalpi had not turned up to the office the next day, Paakhi had went to Kamla's house to inquire about her. There she had met with a devastated Kamla who kept on crying out things like, "She has brought us all shame." or "She escaped from her window."
Paakhi had felt a little sad that Kalpana had left her house and hadn't even bothered to inform her or their circle of friends. Paakhi felt a sudden surge of anger at Kamla, as she kept on cursing Kalpana.
Immediately, she had thought it best to inform Sammy who in return informed Raghav. That is how it was. Kalpana was gone. Where? Who knew?
Raghav frustratedly hit the "end call" button and threw his phone on the bed.
Running his hand over his untidy hair he murmured, "Kalpi..where are you?"
"Where is that wad of money that I had saved up?" the girl kept mumbling to herself. She squeezed the bench tightly. "I'll have to get myself a room at a hotel or something.
She lifted up her leg and started tying her shoe so that she could carry on walking. It wasn't that she didn't know where she was going. She had done a bit of research before her "escape". She had even booked a spot at a hotel. It was however night and difficult for her to get to her hotel.
"Is this as easy I think it will be?" Kalpana muttered to herself.
"I don't know..how shall I find Kalpana.."
"Bhai, you are going crazy for that girl Kalpana, aren't you? Even after she rejected you?" Tanya asked her brother.
"Tans," Raghav said. "I love Kalpana truly, trust me, and simply because she rejects me doesn't mean that I will stop loving her."
Tanya put a hand on his shoulder. "I understand" she said knowingly.
Kalpana smiled nervously as they passed the dark streets of Mumbai.
"Is it this creepy at night all the time?" she asked the driver, relaxing a bit when the light of a car passed by her.
"No mam" the driver replied. "It is night after all, so it is bound to be dark."
"Hm.." Kalpana replied back.
"Mam, may I ask you a question?" the driver asked as he took a right turn.
"Ji boliye" Kalpana responded a bit too quickly.
"You seem to be new here, any special reason for visiting Mumbai?"
"Yes" Kalpana responded matter-of-factually. "I have come to make my dreams come true."
Kalpana was surprised to hear the driver chuckle and mumble, "That's what they all say."
Just as the rikshaw turned into the parking lot of their destination, Kalpana rummaged through her handbag and fished out a few rupees to hand to the driver.
"Thank you for the ride bro."
As the woman gave Kalpana the directions to her room, Kalpana found the hotel quite disturbing. As she looked around, she saw that everyone was there with someone and no one was alone.
Once Kalpana was safely in her room, she put the suitcase down and dropped back into her bed. It was a long and tiring day for her.
Aaji responded, "That was bound to happen, I knew from the start that you had no control over your own daughter." "What can I do?" Kamla asked her Mother-In-Law. "The best you can do to save your nose is forget about her, from now on she is dead for us" Aaji replied cruelly. "But Ma, I can't deny, she is my daughter and maybe she will become something.."
"I have seen many girls like her Kamla" Aaji replied. "They have left for Mumbai thinking they would become famous movie starts but in the end they neither had an acting career nor a home to call their own."
Kamla stayed quiet for a moment. "You understand what I am saying Kamla?" Aaji asked of her; making sure that Kamla was absolutely against Kalpana.
"Yes I understand" Kamla replied through pursed lips. "Good" Aaji said before hanging up.
Inside his room, Pakhya put down the phone. He and his father had been eavesdropping on Kamla and Aaji.
"These women aren't showing any signs of changing" Vitthal told his son with folded arms.
The next few days, Kalpana spent going to the gym and getting strong. She had saved up quite a bit of money from the job of being "businesswoman". More than enough to get herself a gym membership.
Though she was already in good shape, she realized that she would have to stay fit. Well, that was what she had heard actors did at least.đ
First day at the gym she just sat there experimenting with all the tools she had around her. In the end she just jogged on the treadmill. She took out her Ipod and plugged in the headphones.
As the song 'Tum Hi Ho' came on, flashes of Raghav came into her mind. She remembered their times as "friends". But if they were really friends then why was she remembering him when the song 'Tum Hi Ho' was on? Why hadn't she felt it right to take the help of Raghav and his sister Tanya?
Later those flashbacks must've turned into hallucinations because she imagined Raghav jogging right besides her on the treadmill besides her.
As she finished up for the day, she sighed. Raghav was not there, and she had to admit it.
Raghav was deeply concerned about the Kalpana but at the same time had to face that life didn't end right there. He had to go for his daily shoots and gym workouts. He would have to get back on track. He was a famous actor and most eyes were on him, especially now that a new movie starring him was coming out soon.
"I have decided to move on.." he told his sister that evening. Tanya nodded slowly in response.
"But that doesn't mean I have stopped searching for Kalpana" he added quickly, to which Tanya shrugged, as if she had known all along.
That very day Raghav's ears perked up when he was informed of his co-star's absence. "She is extremely ill for this project" her driver had informed them.
Although,unaware of the fact where Kalpana was, Raghav was tempted to speak with his director. He suggested Kalpana as a replacement. The director had shook his head. "No Raghav beta." I understand your emotions but we can't accept a newbie."
Raghav shrugged. What could he do further. He offered to back out of the movie but the director managed to side away his request. "Our reputation will be at stake if a famous actor backs out, plus your father and I were friends." Raghav agreed to do the movie.
"Kalpi!!" Paakhi screamed through the phone. Kalpana's lips parted in an O and she brought the phone away from her ears until she was sure that Paakhi's screaming session was over.
"Paakhi look I'm very sorry" Kalpana tried to explain but Paakhi started scolding her friend again thus leading Kalpana to cut the call so that Paakhi would call her back when she had calmed down.
Apparently, five minutes later Paakhi's anger had converted into love, because as soon as she called back, she said, "IamsorryKalpibut tryto unerstandIloveyou" in a run-on sentence.
"Sorry, repeat that" Kalpana said with a huge smile on her face.
"I am sorry Kalpi, but you know I love you" Paakhi replied more calmly this time.
"I know you do and it is the same from my side" Kalpana told Paakhi. "But Paakhi, I had to take this step."
"Kalpi where are you?" Paakhi asked suddenly.
"Promise me you won't tell anyone, especially not Raghav" Kalpana told Paakhi.
"But-"
"No buts Paakhi, promise me" Kalpana told Paakhi.
"Ya..okay, I won't tell anyone where you are" Paakhi said.
"Paakhi, I am trying to make my dreams reality so I came here..to Mumbai" Kalpana informed her friend.
"Mumbai?" Paakhi repeated dumbfounded.
"Yes" Kalpi said.
"Okay" Paakhi said nervously, just having gotten a new piece of information.
"Love you Paakhi but I have to get going to bed.."
"Hey" Paakhi interrupted. "If you need any help ever, money or whatever, just call me. Know that your best friend is there for you."
Kalpana smiled at her friends words. "Thanks Paakhi but no thanks." "Right now I am good but if I ever need any help I will surely tell you."
"Okay.." Paakhi said. "Bye" Kalpana replied. "Good Night" Paakhi responded.
As Paakhi turned to exit her cabin, she was shocked to see Sammy standing there. "Mumbai?" he asked her with a smile on his face. "Let me inform Raghav! He's been eager.."
"No Sammy" Paakhi said scared of breaking her promise. "You aren't even supposed to know this, Kalpana told me not to tell anyone."
Sammy stared at intently at Paakhi for a few moments, before saying, "I can't betray my friend, just like you can't hurt Kalpi."
He looked at Paakhi, waiting for a response; though he had gotten her answer already as she stared back at him her look full of the same intensity he had in his eyes for his friend.
She knew what friendship was and what trust meant. He had permission to tell Raghav.
"Thank you Paakhi" Sammy said kissing the top of Paakhi's head.
Paakhi in return, closed her eyes and hugged Sammy. "I want Kalpi and Raghav to get together" she mumbled into his chest.
But with school starting and everything, it gets kind of hard.đ So hoping you guys won't mind.
I hope you guys enjoyed reading this update.
My two questions to you readers:
Was this update lousy?đ
What shall I improve??đ
Anyways moving on, I am dedicating this P A R T to one of my favorite readers Vasishna.đđ¤ You are truly awesome!!!đł
Thanksđł
Pookhiđ¤