Six months later...
It was Sammy's birthday.Maya had decided to host a party for him.Sammy had asked her if it would be okay with her to invite Raghav.Kalpi was touched.She knew the bond between the two,yet for her sake...She had to be strong,for Sammy. By preventing Raghav from being invited,she would be selfish.For her happiness,she would come between two friends.After all,she moved with his friends ...she could not continue avoiding him.She had to smile for their sakes.Had they not stood by her? Had they not been there for her when she was alone? Were they not putting her happiness before theirs? All these were a first for her. She was always used to sacrificing,she was always second best ...now the tables had turned.
Kalpi knew that no matter what Kamala had justified that day,Paaki was always herfavourite. She still recollected that incident of near drowning. She knew that her mother had made no attempt to reach out to her. She had quietly accepted what her mother had told her ,out of her love and respect for her. She knew that her mother would now be moving heaven and earth to make the marriage work,for paaki's happiness. But ,more than a fleeting pain,these thoughts did not cause an ache. She had long since accepted that she would never be the best in her mother's eyes...she had learnt not to dwell on issues that brought her pain. She had started counting her blessings...if only , she could convince her mind about Raghav,as she had done about Kamala...But there was a difference said her inner voice. Aayi always chose paakhi ,of her own free will. But raghav still loves you. He did it for his mother. And all that you have today,is because of him. So do not equate him with your aayi ,said her consience
She played with the black thread around her neck. She had never removed it since Raghav had tied it . In her mind, she was a married woman.
Raghav was the first to arrive at Sammy's house. He was eager to see kalpi. He was fed up of lurking at the malls or waiting at her office to catch a glimpse of her. He felt like a stalker. But she had told him not to meet her and he was honouring her request. He had not honoured any other, had he?
Their eyes met amidst the sea of people. It was as if their hearts knew exactly where the other was. Raghav pushed his way through the throng and caught her hand,dragging her out to the terrace.Maya was reassured when Kalpi lifted her hand signalling not to worry.
He ran his fingers through his hair and gave her a hopeless look. He caught her face in his palms. The pain in their minds was reflected in the other's eyes.With the pain,was mixed their love. Even in this silence their love was palpable. The loneliness of the past months,their anguish at being separated ,their hopelessness was visible even without any words. Both Sammy and Maya brushed aside their tears as they walked away.They could not bear to see their best friends in pain.
A third pair of eyes was also watching this.Paaki had overheard Raghav telling his mother about the party. She thought this would be the perfect occasion .She would win the admiration of the crowd by her beauty and make Raghav proud. She would not be gatecrashing . After all, Sammy was her friend too,wasn't he? Raghav would also publicly acknowledge her as his wife...this would be her first step to winning him over.
Kelpi turned away,her back to Raghav.her hands gripped the railing.One glimpse of him and she had gone all weak kneed. She must be strong,she told herself. But at the feel of Raghav's hand on her shoulder,all her resolve crumbled. They were in each others arms ,hugging each other so tightly ,as if there was no tomorrow. Raghav loved the way she fitted into the contours of his body. It was as if she was made for him. just this one moment of togetherness was suffice to erase the pain of the past few months,he thought. That was the magic of Kalpi.He ran his hands across her back,caressing her hair,constantly whispering her name, as though to derive strength from it. Kalpi played with his hair, it felt so good to feel those toned muscles of his back again,to smell that twang of aftershave...paaki, yet again ,the nightmare played before her eyes and she pushed him away. It was as if the image had been etched in her mind. She could never get it out.
" kalpi,I missed you. I thought i could not love you more then. But I was wrong. My love for you keeps growing everyday. It is what keeps me alive. It is the elixir that bestows life on me. It gives me strength to carry on my miserable life. You are my life, kalpi. You are my everything. I just wish I could forget everything and drown myself in you, never let you go."
Never ever had Raghav looked at her like that,leave alone speak to her in that tone or hug her.Paaki felt her heart shatter into a thousand pieces. This was a Raghav she had never seen. He was a different man. He seemed energised even in his pain ,by Kalpi's presence. She turned and ran away.
" Then do something,Raghav.Why are you living in hell and putting me through the same torture?", screamed Kalpi, tears flowing freely down her eyes...tears which she did not try to stop,tears at the hopeless situation life had placed them in. Raghav too, was crying unashamedly ,as he took her in his armsThat was all they could do ,could n't they... Cry at the cruel hand of fate which had lured them with the promise of happiness ,only to take it all away.
Paaki decided to end her life...no, why should she? She would win Gauri on her side first,she thought. No matter what, Raghav was his mamma's boy. her wedding was proof enough. he placed his mother above Kalpi. What better way to win sympathy than to attempt to take your life, threaten to end your miserable existence? As she ran into the house,her mangalsutra caught in the door knob and was yanked away. It lay scattered on the floor,the beads here and there. Was it an omen of things to come?
She knocked on Gauri's door and informed her that she had swallowed the whole bottle of sleeping pills . She was going to die , thereafter they would all be free of her. The doctor in Gauri set to work immediately. Inducing vomiting ,she made her bring out all the pills. She then informed Raghav.Paaki looked up at her and smiled." Thank you,mom. I knew that there was a fondness for me in some corner of your heart. By saving me today,you have only proved it."
" get the misconception out of your dumb head,my girl,"Gauri barked." If you die,where do I have my instrument of revenge? That is the only reason I saved your life. For me you always will be the enemy's daughter, nothing else. there is no redemption for your family in my eyes." As she walked away,Paakhi felt miserable. But wait, at least Raghav would now come to her. He would have to.
Kumkum Bhagya
Cricket
Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani
