The Marriage Story: Ragna FF; Part-23, Part-24(Edited) Pg-131, 31/10 - Page 62

PART-16

It was one week since Raghav's promise to Kalpi, and he had kept his word. He respected Kalpi too much to break it. "I don't know though for how long I can exercise this control effectively" he thought as he waited for Kalpi outside her colony's main gate as per his daily routine. This was the only part in the whole day when he felt truly happy; he always tried to steal some private moments during this time. "Wish Kalpi wears some nice western wear today" he thought as Kalpi had been wearing Indian suits since past one week. Even though she knew Raghav would keep his promise, but she felt it would help them both in up keeping the promise.

"Good morning Raghav" Kalpi said as she opened the front door of the car and sat beside him on the passenger seat. "Nice" he observed as Kalpi finally reverted back to some western wear. She was wearing black trousers with peach coloured shirt tucked inside. She smiled "Thanks".

They drove to some distance until Raghav found a road which had less traffic than others. "Come, time to continue with your lesson" he said as they exchanged their seats, with Kalpi on the driving seat and Raghav on the passenger one. Raghav had been giving Kalpi some driving lessons since past one week "I'd learnt driving once in a driving school, with the money I earned by giving tuitions. But could not practice it later on" she'd told him in response to his question if she would like to learn driving. So here they used to meet one hour in advance now, so that Raghav could work on Kalpi's driving skills.

"You know Sonal Ma'am was saying you are acting a bit too tough with me, with such long working hours" she chuckled as she started the car. "Hmm...I enjoy being tough with you" he replied as he touched Kalpi's arms and hands which were now on steering wheel on the pretext of helping her. She let out a small breath, controlling her reactions to his touch "Not now Kalpi, you are on driver's seat" she told herself.

She gave a look to Raghav, as if was telling him to behave himself. "What?" he asked innocently "This is neither our office, nor official working hours. I can do whatever I want with my wife".

"No Raghav you cannot do whatever you want with me. Remember my driving is as bad right now as your mood is in office these days" she said as the car jerked back to a stop as Raghav kissed on her neck.

"I can" he said "I know when it is safe to romance with you and when not" he said as he held her hand lovingly. "As for my mood in office, you cannot blame me for that. I am always good with you and Sammy". Kalpi chuckled "Yes I know the reason behind it" she said teasing him as she was aware that it was the frustration of slow progress with punishing Kapoors and physical separation from Kalpi together, which had started taking a toll on Raghav. Even a minor mistake by anyone was bound to attract Raghav Singhania's ire on the concerned employee. Other than Sammy & Kalpi no one else was spared. Now Kalpi and Raghav's lunch-meetings were fixed for only two days a week, on weekends. Even then Raghav knew they would only focus on work.

"Kalpi you..." Understanding her teasing lines he leaned in to kiss her, only to be stopped by her. "Okay, okay I am sorry. Let's focus back on driving" she said as she kept her hand on his mouth, aware that things would become serious if he kissed her now; she knew she wouldn't be able to resist him.

Raghav: "Fine".

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"Beautiful ring, are you engaged?" Shalini, Raghav's PS asked Kalpi, as she held Kalpi's left hand ring finger, when Kalpi came to take Raghav's lunch box from the girl. It was her and Raghav's lunch meeting today so she had a good excuse to take Raghav's lunch box along with her.

Kalpi: "Umm...well...yes...kind of" she mumbled.

Shalini: "Oh wow...Congrats Kalpana. Who is the lucky guy?"

Kalpi: "Well, you'll know about it soon" she said.

Shalini: "Is he by chance related to that peon who works at Raghav Sir's house?"

Kalpi: "What? Why? I mean...yes, Dada knows him".

Shalini: "Oh, okay. I was asking because he had called you Bhabhi' sometime. So I was curious, anyhow I understand now" she said as she got back to her work before congratulating Kalpi once more "And Congrats again Kalpana. Don't forget to call us on your marriage, okay?"

"Yeah sure" Kalpi replied and went back to her cabin in hurried steps before the girl found a reason to change her mind.

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"Pookha, baby where are you going?" Neetu asked when she saw Pakhi going out with a lunch box in her hand.

"Can't you see that I have lunch box in my hand? But still for your information, I made Pasta today especially for Raghav. So I thought to have lunch with him today. I am going to his office, to give him surprise. I hope he'll be happy".

"Why won't he be happy baby? You are his wife. Of course he will be happy".

"I hope so. Ok if I keep talking to you, I'll get late. Let me go, okay? Bye..."

An hour later she was standing in front of Raghav's chamber. It was just before lunch-time but the meeting light was already on. "Now what do I do?" she thought "Does this mean Raghav is busy?" She saw Raghav's PS Shalini's small cubicle, and decided to ask her about the same. "Oh it is Kalpana and Raghav Sir's scheduled weekend meeting. They were to meet in lunch" the girl told Pakhi.

"Oh, okay. Thanks yaar" Pakhi said "that means I can safely go inside. It is only Raghav and Kalpana. They won't mind my entry" and thinking so she walked towards Raghav's chamber and was about to open it when Sammy stopped her, sensing her intentions.

"Hey Pakhi, how are you? So you finally remembered your old office huh?"

"Thank you Sammy Sir. Actually I thought to give Raghav a surprise".

"Oh, okay. But Pakhi, Raghav is in a meeting right now with Kalpana. I don't think he'd be happy to be interrupted" silently praying that Pakhi agrees to him. "No-no Sammy Sir, I am sure Raghav Sir wouldn't say anything to me. Then its lunchtime now, I am sure they'll not mind me then" And before Sammy could stop her, she had already opened the door, and Sammy covered his eyes with the expectation of seeing something which he was not supposed to; and which would put Raghav in trouble.

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Inside Raghav's office, his desk was full of files, laptop and lunch which was being shared by Raghav and Kalpi in one plate. It was an amusing scene with both of them feeding each other and Raghav continuing with explaining to Kalpi the necessary things with regard to their work. "Raghav I told you na, you can't do both things at the same time. First finish lunch then we can discuss work, okay? This way health is affected".

"You don't know Kalpi what effects I am feeling with my promise to you. It's either that or this. Either you be ready to be pulled in my lap for lunch, or bear my workaholic attitude in lunchtime. Okay?" he said with a smile.

Kalpi stared at him stunned, she was thinking what to reply to him when suddenly the door opened and Pakhi came inside.

"Hi Raghav, Hi Kalpi, look what did I bring with me for lunch? I made..." By this time Sammy had opened his eyes and was relieved to see that Raghav and Kalpi were seemingly discussing work along with lunch. But one look at Raghav's face and he understood its trouble.

Raghav: "What are you doing here Pakhi?" he asked her in anger.

But Pakhi could not understand the warning tone in Raghav's voice and continued with her blabber.

Pakhi: "Actually I planned a surprise for all of us today for lunch, so I..."

Raghav: "I said what are you doing here in my cabin Pakhi? Who allowed you to enter inside, huh? Couldn't you see the meeting light was on outside" he said loudly, leaving Pakhi stunned as she had not expected this response from Raghav. "But Raghav, I..."

Raghav: "I said Out Now. I am busy in discussing some important things with Kalpana right now". This was enough for Pakhi to turn around & go outside with tears ready to spill her eyes.

Sammy who was still there tried to console her "Pakhi, please don't mind yaar. These days Raghav does not remain in best of his moods".

"I understand Sammy Sir. But I had only intended to make him happy", "anyway, it's okay. I think I should be going back. Bye Sammy sir".

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"I am sorry Kalpi" Raghav was trying to pacify a sulking Kalpi since lunch time. Kalpi was angry with Raghav after the way he behaved with Pakhi. So he'd somehow managed to stop Kalpi on the pretext of some office work for some more time, waited for other staff to leave and then while dropping her back home he had stopped the car at a lone beach.

"Raghav, you yourself gave her the impression of her having every right on you; and she made use of that only. Then why scold her alone?"

"I know Kalpi but still she was not right in entering my office without prior approval when I was in a meeting clearly. Would you have done the same Kalpi, tell me? You are my rightful legal wife; still you follow every office rule when you don't need to. This time she was wrong. Now can we please forget Pakhi for some moments? I am dying to see the lovely smile of my wife" he said turning her towards him and giving her one of his killer smiles, which Kalpi couldn't resist. She smiled back at him and hugged him "happy?" she asked him looking up at him.

"Very happy" he replied and covered her tiny frame in his arms again.

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Raghav had just talked to Kalpi on phone for almost one hour, and was now planning to call Pakhi when he received call from 'DGP Mr.Khanna'.

DGP: "Hello Mr.Singhania? DGP Khanna here".

Raghav: "Hello Mr.Khanna. How are you?"

DGP: "I am fine Mr.Singhania. Hope you are doing well too", he paused a little and then continued "Mr.Singhania I guess you know the reason of my call. It is in the connection with the case of death of your father Mr.Singhania".

Raghav: "Yes, yes Sir. I know; any progress in that matter?"

DGP: "Yes, on your request I am planning to get that case re-opened. Luckily for us as the case had never progressed to trial stage, we can continue with the investigations part of the case again. During my inquiry I found out that at first this case was handled by Inspector Khan, but later on he was transferred from that jurisdiction police station. Thus, the investigations later on were done by his successor Inspector Mudgal. Inspector Khan is now an officer of ACP Rank and I shall be meeting him soon. As for Inspector Mudgal, he is no more now as fifteen years ago he had died in an accident. So we have only old records of this case and ACP Khan's help for now to start with. I called you because I wanted you to be present when I meet ACP Khan, I'll be meeting him sometime this week. He is not in Mumbai at present".

Raghav: "oh, that'll be great Sir. Thank you so much. I'll be there surely". This call gave Raghav much needed peace and boost to his confidence, as far as his plans for Kapoors' were concerned; and he thought it would be befitting now if Pakhi makes her next move as per his wish.

"Time to say sorry to you Pakhi, let me make amends for my mistake earlier in the day" he said and dialed Pakhi's number.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction using characters from the show "Ek Mutthi Aasmaan" on "Zee TV". The characters are owned by creators and owners of the show.