RagNa SS: Demons [Last Part, Page 41 updt Dec. 16th] - Page 26

We're very sorry for such a long delay. We started writing this part over the thanksgiving break and we've just finished writing it. Of course, it's a very very long part. So, we've decided to break part 9 into part a and b. We're still in the process of going back and making changes to part b, even though we're done with the part itself. We're not entirely satisfied with it yet so please give us time for part b. For now, this is part 9(a). We really hope you enjoy it. Since EMA has ended, we've just been so busy and just sorta lost inspiration to write. Hopefully this story still seems interesting to you all!

It all started with a strange, and a very unexpected, moment when Sammy was attempting (and somewhat failing) to engage Pakhi in a discussion that wasn't entirely related to work.

"Did you know that Prem used to have a crush on Kalpi when we were kids?" Pakhi had said out of nowhere.

Sammy blinked in surprised and looked at her, but she only looked at the blank document on her laptop. She squinted for a second more, looking at the laptop, but, then she paused to turn towards Sammy since she hadn't heard him utter a word in reply to that.

When Sammy had finally gotten those dark brown eyes on him, he didn't know exactly how to respond. He felt her looking at him expectantly for a reaction. He only looked at her aghast.

"Please don't tell me that you said what I think you just said," he asked wearily.

"And why is that so hard to believe that Prem was sporting a crush on Kalpi?" she said defensively, as if offended on Kalpi's behalf, "Kalpi is a beautiful girl, Prem! How can you even speak like that about her--"

Before she could say anything further, however, Prem interrupted her rant. "No, no! That's not at all what I meant Pakhi! I just can't believe that his crush goes way back from his childhood. I never thought Prem was that type, you know?"

Pakhi sighed, exasperated. "I know what you mean. Prem may always seem like a brat but he has his heart on the right place when it counts. They used to be friends and I still remember teasing him about always following Kalpi around when we were kids. Then, something happened. Still not sure what. But they stopped talking. Eventually, things got worse and Prem became this arrogant little snot that even I couldn't stand!"

She paused for a bit, as if whatever Prem had said to her before finally hit her. "Wait a minute! What do you mean that his crush goes way back?" After few seconds of deliberate silence, "NO! No way! You knew?"

Sammy shrugged. It wasn't exactly a secret that Prem was so far gone on Kalpi. Even a ten foot pole could easily tell and flicker its light in affirmation.

"And you're ok with it?" Pakhi asked cautiously, as if still trying to guess what Sammy really felt.

Sammy cocked his head in confusion. "Why wouldn't I be? Wait, you don't think that I had feelings for her, do you? I mean, I don't. Just letting you know. She's amazing woman but she already has her heart set on someone else." He rushed to finish. Of course, that was also when he regretted saying the last bit out loud. Crap! He probably should not have said that out loud. Ugh, Pakhi. Why did she make him so scatterbrained?

Pakhi's eyes widened - just as he expected - and she completely abandoned any pretense of doing work on her laptop. "Raghav?" she asked resignedly. "It's him, isn't it Sammy? And please don't lie to me.." her tone when she finished off was so feeble that he couldn't bring himself to come up with a lie to cover his previous sentence up.

He exhaled a long breath and nodded stiffly. He knew how Pakhi had felt about Raghav. It may just be a crush, but it was still not entirely easy to head the one person you want to be family with falling for the same crush.

"It's okay! Don't look at me like that, Sammy. I am not going to break that easily. For a while, I have had this feeling that Raghav wasn't interested and he only took me out because he felt sorry for me. At first, I thought he just wasn't looking to settle down yet, but then I noticed the tension between him and Kalpi for the past month," she smiled wistfully as she slumped in her chair.

"It's fine really. I like the idea of them together. Raghav is really intense when he needs to be and Kalpi is a good match for him because she can withstand it unlike other people. That includes me too. I like Raghav, don't get me wrong. But I don't think I am what he needs. So, don't feel sorry for me. I have already accepted it," her eyes softened. "Thank you, though, for telling me the truth," she smiled warmly at him.

She got up and placed a hand on Sammy's shoulder. "But you still need to tell Raghav to hurry up and go for her. Prem has already made his move. I think he has already made his feelings clear to Kalpi. It may be too late but Raghav still needs to let Kalpi know of his feelings. I love Prem, I do. But even I see the way Raghav and Kalpi look at each other. Prem and Kalpi would definitely work if they were to marry, but why should they need to? Especially when there's already someone else Kalpi is waiting for? But she still shouldn't need to wait for too long. She may get tired of waiting..."

Sammy nodded, his throat suddenly feeling dry. So, Pakhi wasn't as oblivious as he had thought previously. Sammy only grew more worried listening to her. This wasn't exactly going according to his plan. Things seemed to have improved with Raghav, because he was finally realizing what he was about to lose to Prem. Sammy had guessed that Raghav had finally said something to Kalpi, especially with the way things were tensed between Raghav and Kalpi for the past two weeks (after their meeting with Prem at the property-owner). However, things weren't progressing as quickly as Prem's feelings for Kalpi. He had a bad feeling that things may get messier.

Before he could pursue those thoughts any further, he head Pakhi's phone ring. She quickly answered it, only to be alarmed by the person on the other end. She quickly ended the call and looked at him in panic.

"Sammy, tell Raghav that I am going to the hospital. Kalpi got into an accident!" she said a little hysterically as she moved to grab her car keys.

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Raghav halted in front of her hospital room. He could feel his heart thudding with dread. He took a deep breath and pushed the door open. When he peaked in, he saw Kalpi standing by the window of her hospital room. Why was she standing when she should be resting?!

He saw her turn towards him, her features brightening up upon seeing him. His mood quickly uplifted with joy and he began to take long strides in the room slowly. She completely turned towards him as well, and started to walk to him.

"Sir?" Before she could say anything further, however, he saw her swaying a little. His hands shot up to steady her, but before he could even get any further in the room, he saw Prem doing his work for him.

That was also when he noticed that there were other occupants in the room (like Kalpi's family), beside the three of them. Raghav's mood soured once again, as he watched Prem support Kalpi and lead her to her bed.

"Kalpi, what did I tell you? You aren't well again! You need to rest for a bit!" Prem chided Kalpi.

Raghav felt his nails digging in his palm as he fisted harder. Control! He reproached himself.

"Prem, can I talk to you for a second?" Raghav mentally patted himself for sounding so controlled. Prem nodded at him and started to follow him outside.

"Raghav sir?" Kalpi called him from behind and he abruptly stopped. He turned towards her and stood rooted by the vulnerable expression in her eyes.

Before he could register what he was doing, he moved towards her bed and sat down on the chair beside it.

"How are you feeling?" he whispered, as if not quite sure where they stood. The last time they spoke to each other, they had a fight in his car where he emotionally shut her out when she tried to reason with him.

"I am feeling fine. What are you doing here? Everything alright at the office?" her voice was hoarse from disuse.

His chest ached at the hollowness in her voice. Did she really think that was the only reason he would ever seek her out?

"No, everything is fine. I just came to see you, that's all." He tried to make his voice be void of any sentiments, only to be disappointed at how thick his voice sounded with emotions.

Kalpi seemed surprised to hear that. She slowly narrowed her eyes at him. "Why?" she asked.

Raghav widened his eyes at her and gestured towards her with his hand with a raised eyebrow, as if saying 'why do you think?'

She cocked her head to the side and stared at him curiously, "Raghav sir, do I sense some sort of care after all?" she mock-gasped at him and looked at him in horror as she clutched her chest for the dramatic effect.

Raghav raised his eyebrows at her. She clearly hung out with Sammy for far too long. He rolled his eyes and huffed silently. After a brief moment, he turned towards her and found a soft smile on her face. It had been far too long since he had last seen that particular smile and he had to pause to completely savor every bit of it, without coming off as strange. He cleared his throat and smiled back.

"I am glad you're feeling better now." Her eyes softened at him as her smile got serious.

"Listen, Kalpi. What I said two weeks ago about you and Prem, I am really sorry. You're right! It's seriously none of my business and Prem has clearly become someone trustworthy. I just wanted to make sure that--"

"Raghav sir.."

"--you don't end up getting hurt, because I would never want that for Kamla Ma--"

"Raghav sir.." Kalpi tried again.

"--even though I know that you can take care of yourself. But I just can't help it! I get worried as well, and I had this feeling that he had some sort of ulterior motive. Which, of course, is absurd! He's not his father at all," Raghav wanted to continue further but the grim expression on Kalpi's face made him stop.

Kalpi's shoulders dropped and she said, "I understand."

"You do?"

Kalpi nodded. "I know that it's hard for you trust him. You're right. He's not his father or his mother. He's his own man but I know why you were protective. I am not sorry for what I said that night, but I am sorry for how I said it. That was completely unprofessional of me," she paused a bit. "Sir," she added belatedly towards the end.

Raghav sighed. If only he could tell her the real reason he was mad.

"But you're also not wrong when you said that Prem had a hidden agenda," Kalpi said it so quietly that Raghav almost missed it. He furrowed his brow in confusion, already ready to wring Prem's neck if the need be. That was also when he realized that the others (Kalpi's family and Prem) had left them alone in the room to talk in private.

"Prem.." he heard Kalpi continue and turned back towards her. "He, uhh. He sort of asked me something. Well, actually he asked my parents. I haven't said anything yet."

Raghav's heart sank as he heard what she was saying. He had a feeling he knew exactly what Prem had asked from her parents. He replayed his conversation with Prem from two weeks ago and a foreboding sense of dread started enveloping him.

"I mean, uggh," Kalpi clenched her teeth frustrated. "Okay, I know that this is stupid. I am not even sure why I am telling you. It's just...I don't know who to talk to at the moment. Sammy hasn't been by yet. And I just don't know what to do. Aai wants me to settle down. But..."

"But what?" Raghav asked, wincing at how hopeful he sounded at the sense of doubt in Kalpi's voice.

Kalpi noticed too and her head shot up to look at him. "But I don't know. I am not sure if he's..." she said as she looked at him pointedly. He could hear the inaudible I am not sure if he's someone I want to spend the rest of my life with.'

That was it! That was his chance to ask her to come to him. That was his chance to tell her that it was a terrible idea to marry Prem, or even think about it, because there was a perfectly willing Raghav Singhania beside her who would be willing to fight anyone for her.

"I can see why Kamla Ma would want you to consider him. He's decent guy," he stated matter-of-factly. Of course, he also wanted to bang his head in the wall as soon as the words were out of his mouth. What was he doing?! Digging his own grave? At this rate, he might as well give her hand in Prem's and bid adieu to ever seeing another one of her smile.

Apparently, he wasn't the only one who thought that that wasn't the smartest thing to say, looking at her thunderous expression. Perhaps, she was looking for something else from him?

"You're right, sir. I will consider him. After all, he's a decent guy who keeps my family happy. He doesn't even turn down any dinner invitations we extend towards him."

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, he knew that she was taking a jibe at him. Of course, she was still angry. Why wouldn't she be? What did he have to offer? Prem was clearly a better choice at this point. He was more carefree and easygoing, a similar shade of Kalpi's personality. They would get along tremendously well and make really beautiful babies too. Right then, he felt a sense of nausea as he tried to get rid of that last thought. He could feel his guilt eating at him, as he watched how Kalpi was slowly slipping far away.

"I am sorry.." he whispered guiltily, not knowing what else to say other than that. And he heard Kalpi sigh in resignation.

Before the conversation could go any further, they were interrupted by the nurse who came to inform them that Kalpi could go home by the evening. As soon as the nurse came in, her family came rushing back in as well.

Raghav kept on watching as Kamla Ma and Prem fussed over Kalpi's health. A perfect looking family! He swallowed a lump that was growing at the back of his throat and exited the room quietly.

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Please let us know what you thought about it! Don't worry, we're done with the next part and I will post it up in a day or so. I am having my finals next week but I will still try my best to post it up as soon as I've some time. We just didn't want you guys to keep on waiting so we decided to post up the first part today. Hope you guys liked it! Please do R&R.

Enjoy,

Shona