RagNa SS: Demons [Last Part, Page 41 updt Dec. 16th] - Page 16

Here we are again with the next part! Before I go onto the next part, I just wanted to thank everyone who took their time to give feedbacks and to let us know to continue because you mean so much! Don't worry, we weren't thinking of discontinuing this SS but we were just wondering if people would still want to read in light of recent events of the show. Thank you again for letting us know of your interest. We shall hope to never disappoint all the love you guys give us! Alright, hope you enjoy the next one!

Sammy had always been a survivor. He had been a survivor when he realized that he had to keep a low profile in order to live at home, in peace. He had been a survivor when he realized that he needs to keep away from the attention-seeking crowd so as to not raise any suspicion to himself in school. He had been a survivor when his friends had taunted him and bullied him about his unconventional home-life. He had been a survivor when he went away to another country and tried to make something of himself, despite not having his family's support. He had been a survivor at every step of the way. And he had learned one very important lesson - it's not important to have many friends but it is important to have few who he could trust blindly (and were preferably powerful in their own rite) because they will become his support in his dark times. And few they were, who he dearly cared and looked out for without fault because they became his bridge to the outside world, his shield from the people who did nothing but count his follies.

Everyone always thought that Sammy was a mischievous soul who liked getting a rise out of everyone. They were wrong. Samar Raizaada was a much much more mischievous to the point that his notorious wit was not given as much credit as it deserved. Not only was he always finding ways to get a laugh, his brain was also very observant. This little fact was, of course, hidden by mostly everyone because he liked the advantage of being the smart one in the room, while playing the mere loyal right hand to Raghav. That was true as he was very loyal, but was he just a mere right hand? He was definitely more than that. However, that was also something people didn't need to know. What people really should know and learn by now would be the little fact that he never did anything without a reason - a reason that he so passionately held close to his heart. It was as if he believed in keeping his cards close to his chest.

His gift was, as already mentioned, a gift but also a curse at times. He had already realized the complexity and the burden that came with his gift when he was merely a teen. He hadn't been the greatest student in his class, nor was he the best child in his parents' eyes. He could've been if he had wanted. He just chose not to be. This was mostly because his dad had really wanted him to be a doctor (much like the other Indian parents that he knew of) and his mother had wanted him to be a tennis player (because that was potentially the only thing he didn't mind excelling at as a kid). He hadn't wanted to be either. That's why he had chosen to remain average, so he could stay away from the prying eyes of the Pre-Med recruitment programs and the enthusiastic vigor of the sports coaches. The reason had always been rather simple, if anyone really wanted to get a closer look - he hadn't ever been emotionally invested no matter how much he tried. Nothing had interested him, ever.

The only interest he had growing up was to finish his high school education and go abroad for college, and that was only so he could be away from the everyday fights of his parents. Yes, he has always known that his home wasn't really the most normal' home that people would come across but that was the only one he got. He couldn't really do anything about them, other than to try and live with them. After trying for almost 18 years of his life, and failing miserably see things from his family's perspective, he had finally decided to make his goal to go to someplace where he would be away from the everyday drama (and hopefully things would calm down between his parents because most of their fights were regarding him).

So, he did just that. He remained locked in his room, and studied for hours in order to get a scholarship abroad.

His life, after coming abroad, wasn't the most ideal but he hadn't really hoped for that (especially seeing as his life had already taught him some really grave lessons very early on). He still remembered that his first two years were miserable. He had tried to make friends, but the University was so competitive that he didn't really have time to follow through with the friendship. Because of this very reason, he hadn't made any friends and gave people an unintentionally false impression that he had only been friends with them to reap the benefits of study group and grades. Of course, that didn't really bother him because he had bigger goals in mind. Alas, that had been the very reason he had started to get bullied from some guys who he refused to study with because they usually just talked during the study groups (without actually getting any work done).

At first, it hadn't been that bad. It was one shove in the hallway or one kick when he was studying on the grass. Then, when he didn't reciprocate, it escalated to more severe routines. He suffered through that for eight months. He could've gone to help but he hadn't had the time or stamina to go through that trouble, so he took it all in. It came to a point that he would purposely get thrashed by them if he was having a really rainy day or if he felt a deep self-loathing due to some issue. It was a wonder that no one had really noticed. Then again, he had picked a really big university where he would just be a face in the crowd and nothing more. So, no one had noticed. And if they had, they hadn't said anything in his defense. All of which changed precisely two years, four months, and 19 days later (he wasn't really sure of the hour since it had been a pretty foggy day for him) when Raghav Singhania had decided that he would take it upon himself to defend the poor little Indian transfer student who was scared of his own voice (which was a very untrue rumor spread by a fellow student who probably really hated him but that story is for another time).

The main point was that Raghav Singhania, the new University heartthrob who gives off a mysteriously dark aura (which has all the girls and the not-so-straight guys swooning) - who also liked to remain alone and doesn't befriend anyone - had decided to bestow his kindness on Sammy. How had he known of Raghav when he heart Raghav's voice coming into his defense? Well, it was simple. He kept tabs on everyone noteworthy. That was the precise reasons why, despite not liking him that much, his bullies didn't do too much harm to him since they knew that they could need information of practically any sort from him in the future. That was his significance.

Anyways, Mr. Brooding Singhania had decided to come to his rescue. Sammy just sat easily on the grass and stared as he saw them look at Raghav with the strangely intimidated expression on their faces. He had seen them back away as Raghav had only walked towards them slightly and give them his famous death glare. He had seen them look at him in horror as the realization dawned on them that he knew someone like Raghav (which, at that point, wasn't true at all because he hadn't really known him personally).

Sammy had been far more amused than was normal for the person in his situation and had actually laughed at the event happening in front of him. Raghav had merely looked at him and frowned.

"Why don't you ever defend yourself?" he had titled his head and asked curiously.

"What makes you think I can?" Sammy had replied, feigning surprise.

Raghav had only raised his left eyebrow at him and looked at him. Then, he scanned Sammy's whole physique and smirked. After shaking his head in amusement, Raghav had walked off.

For the first time in Sammy's life, he had felt extreme shock. How was it possible for someone to realize that he was fully able to defend himself, if the need be, when he had made sure to disguise himself thoroughly well amid the baggy clothes (and overly deceiving get-up) to the point that no one had noticed yet? After being taken aback for several long minutes, he had collected himself and concluded that it was definitely going to be an entertaining year ahead of him.

Yes, it wasn't the smartest plan to dress himself as a defenseless [and arrogant] nerd but he had been curious to see if anyone would ever come to his defense. It was a thought experiment of sorts which he was going to stop when he got bored. This is to say that he wasn't bored yet with those bullies and still had use for their bullying, but things didn't really go that way after he got rescued by the strangely perceptive Raghav Singhania. The bullies had been afraid of him, and his classmates (who he was previously "friends" with) had also been only friends with him so they could get to Raghav which he could notice right off the bat. Unfortunately, he couldn't get any new bullies either because no one retaliated to his provocations for the fear of Raghav Singhania. Why were they so afraid of him? Well, there have been some really strange rumors flying around the university about his reasons to come abroad in the middle of the year, but that is entirely a story for another time.

The point was that no one wanted to be his friends, so he had decided to hound the very reason for his condition. He had finally decided to stalk Raghav Singhania.

Needless to say, Raghav wasn't very pleased with that situation, and he had merely looked up from his seat in the cafeteria and sent him a glare.

"Go away," he shooed at Sammy.

Sammy laughed a little and just decided to sit down on the chair opposite of Raghav (sitting face to face). Raghav had just sighed.

"I am guessing that you don't understand human language of any kind. How many times have I told you not to bother me? You're annoying me with your constant presence. Now, go away," he had pointedly stared at Sammy this time. Sammy had just shrugged.

"Are you really shooing me away after saving my honor from those guys? Tsk tsk Raghav," Sammy had smirked, "What would people say if I told them that you saved me from defiling my honor from those guys just so you can do it yourself? Tsk."

Raghav had only rolled his eyes at him and went back to work. This is exactly how their days went by, where he decided to continuously hound the broody male, who had decidedly lessen his snide remarks as the time went by. He still hadn't completely warmed up to Sammy, but Sammy could see that he was starting to trust him. The gestures to show this would be very subtle (like bringing Sammy over to his house, where Sammy was freely aloud to wander amidst the lavish rooms and where he was freely able to steal anything from. Or, like keenly observing everything Sammy said or did), but Sammy had eventually got on to it. He hadn't minded because he had known that there was a reason for Raghav's cautious behavior towards others. However, their relationship didn't solidify completely until he had decided to take a mini-break from university after hearing of his parents' divorce.

It hadn't really hurt as much as he thought. No, it hadn't hurt even a little bit because he had known this was coming. But that was it. It was the inevitability of it all that caught him off guard. He had realized how much he hated to always being right about people. That was the first time he had cursed his talent of observation (and good predictions). Because that meant that he had already known but had done nothing to stop it (except to run away for the fear that he may be the reason). Or that his subconscious mind had somehow willed it to happen. Either scenario hadn't looked so good, and he had felt a dull ache that made it absolutely mandatory for him to get drunk. No, he had never drunk before, nor was he curious to. But he had that day. That is why, when Raghav had found him (as surprising as it was for Sammy to believe since that was the one of the only unpredictable things happening in his life after the longest time), he had seemed drunk.

When he did come out sober, he was on Raghav's warm and comfortable bed, while his body felt like it was on fire. The doctor had said that it was just a side effect, alcohol interacting with his body at a very emotionally vulnerable state where his subconscious self was blaming him. How apt. He had never before thought him sentimental and so self-destructive until that moment. He had wanted to get up and leave but he had no strength to.

After he came about, he had half expected Raghav to throw him out immediately and yell at him for being such a bother. But Raghav had merely asked how he was feeling. He had made sure that Sammy was well taken care-of. That had warmed his heart so much that he had decided to always be there for Raghav's darkest times. It was young and silly. It was the high fever and high emotions talking. But it was what it was and Sammy had stood by Raghav from that day on (along with healthy teasing at the side of course).

He had always made sure that Raghav knew what he was doing, sticking to Raghav like a secretary. That's exactly what he had been and what he will gladly always be. His loyalties had been Raghav's. So, yes, shoot Sammy for being such a simple person but Raghav had won himself Sammy's friendship by being there when he needed someone the most.

That's the exact reason why Sammy had decided to help Raghav with his venture in India. Though Raghav had come for revenge, his mind had started being drawn to something else - someone else. He had wanted to befriend Pakhi (in order to carry out his revenge) but got drawn to Kalpi instead. It was a rather amusing battle to see. At first, he had only meant to help Raghav and made sure that Kalpi didn't get too close to him. This was until he saw the person Raghav turned into when Kalpi was near. So, he had decided to let it be and let fate do its part. Of course, he had never intentionally crossed their paths, but fate had a bigger sense of humor than Sammy (it seems) because they somehow ended up colliding into each other.

It was this and it was also the attraction that he had seen Raghav feel to Kalpi. It was strange to see, but he saw Raghav being drawn to her. He had never looked so helpless before in his life. That is why Sammy had decided to help him. He had talked to Raghav and tried dissuading him from revenge plan through Pakhi. Raghav, of course, had been relentless (like Sammy predicted) but Sammy had known that Raghav wouldn't be persuaded. He hadn't done that to actually persuade him. He had only done that to cause doubt in Raghav's heart for the revenge plan. The real persuasion (he hoped) would come from his heart (or brain, if we are not talking figuratively). Fortunately that is exactly what he had seen happening. After Raghav's attempt to get close to Pakhi (hence going on a date with her when she asked him), Raghav had decided to drop the plan. His reason was that Pakhi had found him an ungracious host and company and had never wanted to date him again. Of course, Sammy knew that Raghav could persuade Pakhi if Raghav had wanted but Sammy had only nodded and said nothing (not even a smile in case Raghav's keen senses caught onto his intentions). He was glad for the change of mind.

Alas, Raghav wasn't as predictable as Sammy had hoped him to be. He had hoped that Raghav did that to pursue his feelings for Kalpi but that had never happened. If anything, he saw Raghav distancing himself more and more from Kalpi - especially after he had paid an unexpected visit to Kalpi's dinner invite after profusely rejecting it in the first place. What had happened that night? He had really wanted to know but just hadn't been able to find out from either party. What he did realize was the fact that whatever happened (whatever was said or done) had broken the thick fog surrounding Raghav and made him realize the true impact of Kalpi's actions on him. He wasn't sure what exactly those actions were but he could tell that Raghav had intentionally limited his physical interactions (and his visits) with Kalpi. So, Sammy did what any best friend would do in this situation. He tried to comfort his best friend and pacify his best friend's girlfriend. That hadn't gone so well, seeing as Kalpi had seemed so mad at Raghav. No matter how much he had tried to pacify her, she had only grown bitter so he had decided to leave it that way.

Of course, he hadn't realized the consequences of his actions and he had heard the staff talking about them. He hadn't personally cared that much, but he was afraid for Kalpi. He had known that Raghav would believe him if he told Raghav the truth but he hadn't known how Kalpi would react. But she had surprised him by not caring that much. He had smugly smiled at her, while being so proud of how strong she was even facing silly comments and Raghav's taunt. That's why he had decided that he had really liked this girl. She was honest, dedicated, and so fully of love - everything that Raghav had always craved for but not gotten. He could tell that this was exactly why Raghav had been so drawn to her.

So, when he tried talking to Raghav about her, Raghav had only tried dismissing it. That's why Sammy never failed to put them in same room. He forced them to interact in hopes that they would patch up. It was a pity, however, that both of them were rather stubborn. Neither budged from their state of mind and things only got worse as both of them decided that their friendship (or subtle agreements) was things of the past and it was time for them to move on.

For the sake of his hard-headed (and now mostly oblivious and idiotic) best friend, he had decided to play on the only thing he could honestly work with - his jealousy. He hadn't originally meant to do it when the rumors about him and Kalpi had spread, but he had decided to use that to provoke Raghav. That's why he had invited Kalpi over for a date (in hopes that Raghav would follow them out of curiosity).

He had been waiting for over 15 minutes at their usual place, hoping that he would see Raghav's silhouette in the distance somewhere. It had proven futile because he hadn't spotted him anywhere.

He sighed again.

"Sammy, are you alright? What's wrong?" Kalpi asked in concern.

Sammy just looked at her and smiled as he just shrugged, "Never mind all that Kalpi. I've been noticing something. You've been down lately. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. Just the usual with Raghav," she replied as she sighed as well.

He uttered a hmm' and only smiled at her. "Don't you think that Raghav affects your mood a little too much?" he said with an amused expression on his face.

She looked at him like she was about to deny it but decided otherwise. "Of course he does. He's always so stubborn, even when I am just only helping him. I mean can you believe him? His hand was hurt and the guy kept on insisting that he had to work. I mean, seriously? This guy!" she uttered frustrated.

Sammy let out a chuckle. Ah, these two and their waltz when they should be tangoing together instead.

"Raghav is a rather complicated guy but he's not a bad person. You know that. It's hard for him to ask for help because --" Sammy was interrupted by Kalpi before he could finish that sentence.

"Because he has always been independent for all of his life," she grumbled, "I know that Sammy."

Sammy finally caught a familiar silhouette in the corner of his left eye and smirked. He leaned forward and put a comforting hand on Kalpi.

"Look Kalpi I understand that you're annoyed but you know him well enough already na?"

Kalpi looked up at him and nodded. "I know Sammy but I only wish that he depend on me a little more. I mean, on us. We're a team you know. If one person is not well then it's our responsibility to make sure that they're taken care of.."

Sammy could see the warmth in her eyes and he smiled mischievously. "Oh but Kalpi, how did Raghav get hurt? Especially on his knuckle? Such a weird place to get hurt."

Kalpi only looked at him, startled, and lowered her gaze to her coffee. He could see faint pink color climbing from her neck to her ear. She was either embarrassed on blushing. He smirked again.

"Woh actually. Umm. He was sort of attempting to save me. Only the problem was that he really didn't need to. And oh yea, I sort of didn't see where I was going so it wasn't really entirely his fault to begin with.." she ended her sentence reluctantly.

It was so amusing to see that even though she had been cursing him for not depending on them enough a little while ago, she was actually blaming herself for his wound. How typical of both of them. No wonder they both liked each other.

Before they could say anything else to each other, he felt the familiar silhouette of Raghav Singhania standing up and leaving. He frowned at that. Had he pushed too far?

Kalpi finished her sandwich and looked up at him. She smiled and gestured that she was going to the restroom.

So, he just sat there wondering at the possible ways he could get Raghav Singhania to listen. That's when he heard Kalpi's enraged voice and looked up to see her having a heated discussion with Prem Kapoor.

"Prem, seriously, don't you have anything better to do?" Kalpi asked sounding pissed.

"No Kalpi. Because my favorite job of the day is to only walk by you, collide into you, and stare into your eyes. Please! It's not like I love interacting with you either. I am only here with some clients. And this was an accident ok? No need to act like the people in the chawl and start bickering all the time! At least act more civil now that you're out of that gutter," Sammy heard him say smugly.

Before either one of them could say anything anymore, he had intervened. "Is there a problem here?"

"No Sammy, no problem here. We were just leaving anyways. I don't want to ruin the rest of my day by interacting with people who have no respect or manners to talk to others. I already had my superficial dose of the day. Let's go," Kalpi had said before Prem could utter anything further

Sammy had been more than happy to be dragged away from Prem because he wasn't in the mood for any brawl of any sort. This was, of course, after he had noticed a brief flash of hurt on Prem's face at Kalpi's words. It was so brief that it was easy to miss but it was definitely there. Of course, Sammy tugged that in a corner of mind to ponder on later, because he had more pressing issues to deal with at the moment.

After dropping Kalpi off, he had gone home to Raghav. When he entered the house, it had been really dark. He had assumed that Raghav went to bed already (even though he was hoping that Raghav wouldn't be able to sleep due to the agony). He was just about to go to bed as well when he noticed the dim light in Raghav's room. He made his way and knocked on the door where he saw Raghav sitting on his sofa, head slightly slumped on his hands, hunching over in-between his legs. He knocked on the door and Raghav only looked to gesture him in.

"Yaar tu abhi tak soya nahi? Don't you usually sleep by 10 because you have to get up early for office?"

"Haan bas neend nahi aa rahi thi. Achcha forget about me. What about you? What took you so long?"

Sammy had only smiled at that, "Kalpi ko drop karne gaya tha. And then Kamla Ma stopped me to talk about something so that took long."

Raghav raised his eyebrow at him, "What did she want to talk to you about this late?"

Sammy slumped on the sofa and shrugged lazily. Raghav took a deep breath and kept his wine glass on the table. He then put his head back on the couch and closed his eyes.

"Sammy?" he whispered.

Sammy only grunted lazily.

"Are you serious about Kalpi?" he said.

Sammy paused for a moment, because well why not? If Raghav wanted to stretch this then why not make it dramatic?

"Why do you ask?" he simply asked without giving anything away.

Raghav didn't say anything for a brief moment and inhaled deeply.

"I just... Just make sure that this is what you want...what she wants," he paused a bit before continuing, "I just don't want either of you getting hurt because you are both very important."

Sammy smiled hearing that.

"I hadn't realize that Kalpi was that important to you.."

Raghav only shifted on the sofa slightly and replied, "She's Kamla Ma's daughter."

Sammy scoffed, "And so you keep telling me."

"--And someone I trust," Raghav finished off reluctantly as if saying something that he hadn't meant to make public.

Sammy had inhaled deeply, taking in the information and smiled. So, it hadn't completely worked but it had hit Raghav somewhere it hurts. He got up and looked at Raghav.

"Achcha yaar, it's getting late. I am going to hit the bed now. You should sleep too!" he exited the room without replying or saying anything about the previous conversation. No, not yet.

It's indeed very true when people say that a person sometimes gets brilliant idea right before going to sleep. Because that's the precise moment Sammy drew out that brief look of hurt on Prem's eyes at Kalpi's words, and smirked. Perhaps there was still some hope left.

---------------------------

We know this part had more of Sammy and Raghav interaction and not a lot with RagNa but we promise it would be a lot more of that in next part. Also, the next part will again be starting Raghav's perspective, because that was the original narration to begin with. Thank you so much for reading it and please do let us know what you thought of it because your feedbacks encourage us to update quicker. Sorry for any typos. Hopefully will meet you with next part shortly! =]