Hi guys... My last update... From tomorrow no updates for 2 weeks. I shall try to make this a long one.
I will respond to comments... During the 2 weeks as I shall not be updating the ff.
Chapter 16
Once alone Ragav turns to face Kalpi, his gaze softening for he is no longer angry. Seeing her bruised lips, he tries to hold back his smile, unsuccessfully. Kalpi seeing this fumes even more, says, "what are you smiling at?" Ragav folds his arms and continues looking at her. Unable to contain her anger, she lashes out, "damn it! I am too young to get married. I have exams and assignments. I should be focusing on my studies... Not..." She sighs deeply, trying to keep her tears at bay.
Feeling guilty for placing her in this position Ragav looks away, his mind working on overdrive, trying to think of how to avoid the marriage when a voice within asks, "do you really want to stop this marriage?" Immediately another voice within replies, "no." Stunned, Ragav freezes. He turns towards Kalpi, who is muttering and crying silently and thinks, "I don't know her. Why do I want to marry her? What the hell is going on. How can I want to marry her right now when I know nothing about her... Her likes... Her dislikes... What makes her tick... Omg... I can't marry her..." His heart racing as he tries to contain his panic.
He stares at Kalpi when he hears part of her muttering, "... Don't want to marry him. I don't care. I am not going to marry him. I better pack my bags and leave. If prem can't find me, he can't bully me into marrying him." Ragav gets angry hearing Kalpi's rejection, he says, "too bad, you are going to marry me tonight." Startled by the ferocity in his tone, she glares at him and says, "like hell I will. I am not going to marry you." "This is all your fault," Ragav says, "the least you can do is accept the consequences." Sputtering, Kalpi says, "my fault. My fault! How is it my fault? You kissed me." Grinning Ragav says, "well you should not have kissed me back... And it is your fault... For having such kissable lips... Totally your fault." And quickly walks out of the room before she reacts. Kalpi states after him in disbelief, thinking, "huh!" As her fingers automatically graze her lips. Curious, she goes to the mirror to study those kissable lips. Flushing, she says aloud, "what nonsense!"
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Priya watches prem pace up and down the landing. She asks him, "why do you want them to marry tonight?" Closing his eyes in anguish as her words sink in, he opens them, stares at her sorrowfully and asks, "how are you handling this? He left you and went straight to her." Priya looks away and says softly as she tries to keep the hurt away, "I am coping. And Kalpi didn't break anything that was not already broken." nodding, prem says, " you know Ragav. He can be quite ruthless when he goes after what he wants. He is obviously interested in her and I don't want him to mess with her education and to..." Priya completes his sentence, "you don't want Kalpi standing where I am several years later." Embarrassed for his thoughts, prem looks away. Priya places her hand on his and says reassuringly, "I am glad she has you... But you don't have to worry. I doubt Ragav will ever leave her."
Clearing her throat she says, "I better go." She walks away only to stop and turns back. She hesitates for a split second, then asks, "why don't you want maya and Sammy to be here?" Flushing prem replies, "I don't want my inlaws to be present should something unpleasant happen. Gosh I haven't thought this through." "I think it is a good idea. Better safe than sorry," Priya says and leaves.
Prem watches Priya walk away then says, "you can come out now." Flushing with embarrassment for having been caught, Pakhi comes out of the room that is partially closed, says, "bhai I did not mean to eavesdrop." Shaking his head, prem replies, "it is okay. Forget about it." Looking at her, he says, "ask what you want to ask." Hesitantly Pakhi asks, "bhai are you doing the right thing?"
Sighing deeply, he looks at Pakhi, his gaze filled with worry, he replies, "I don't know if what I am doing is right or wrong. I just know that Ragav always sticks to his commitments and responsibilities. I know that once he marries Kalpi, he will never leave her. I also know that Kalpi has some feelings for him and she is a gem of a person so I am not worried about Ragav. He is getting a good deal. I am worried about Kalpi. How she will take it. She is going to be so angry. I know she is young, that she wants a career... And I know Ragav, he will let her grow up and won't stop her from doing what she wants. He is good for her in the long run." "But bhai," Pakhi says when prem interrupts her, "let it be. I am not going to change my mind. We were lucky that this time the pregnancy alarm was false. We might not be this lucky always."
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The priest looks at Gauri in disbelief and says, "asambhav! There is nothing ready for the marriage to take place" as he looks around the lounge. Ragav sits up and says, "panditji nothing is impossible. Everything is arranged out in the backyard. Shall we go." He looks at Kalpi who is dressed in jeans and a top, her arms folded in front of her as she looks at him defiantly. Standing up, he mutters sarcastically,"let the circus begin", loud enough for Kalpi to hear.
The priest turns to Gauri and asks, "where is the bride?" Gauri hesitantly answers, "here she is" and gestures towards Kalpi. Stunned the priest stares at Kalpi for several seconds then says, "she is dressed in jeans!" Ragav chuckles and says, "yes she is... A girl after my heart... We are modern... Both bride and groom are dressed in jeans." Prem scowls at both Ragav and Kalpi and says, "panditji please follow me."
Pakhi runs down the stairs and calls out, "Gauri masi here are the things you asked for." Gauri masi smiles and says, "prem... Ragav... Please go out with panditji... We girls will be right over." Taking the red chunri which is heavily sequenced, Gauri masi smiles and says fondly, "I had worn this veil when I married Ragav's father." She then proceeds to tuck one end into the side of Kalpi's jeans and pins the chunri on to Kalpi. Once Gauri masi is satisfied, she and Pakhi guide Kalpi outside.
Seeing a small fire in the backyard, Kalpi stops walking, she says softly, "please go ahead. I need a moment alone." Her gaze focused on Ragav she remembers last night. She thinks, "I danced with him last night under the stars and today I am marrying him under the same stars." Wondering why she stopped, Ragav looks towards her, his heart racing wildly thinking that she has never looked so beautiful before. He gets up and walks towards her, raises his hand towards her. Kalpi nervously places her hand in his as she stares into his eyes. Reading the anxiety in then, he gives her a reassuring smile and guides her to the group.
As they walk around the fire hand in hand... Their gaze locked to one another... Lost in one another... Both hypnotised... They take a short trip down memory lane... Firelight... Moonlight... Starlight... And the ocean for music... Arm in arm... Ragav whispers, "after last night I never thought you could look more beautiful. I am glad I was wrong." Blushing, Kalpi looks down as the priest interrupts the prayer to chastise Ragav, by saying, "no talking" then continues with the prayer.
Ragav then places his mother's mangalsutra round Kalpi's neck and fills her maang with sindoor. Seeing the panic creeping into her eyes, he whispers, "too late Mrs Kalpana Ragav Singhania" then adds, "I never knew your name is Kalpana. It is a beautiful name. I like it." Seeing the horror in her eyes as tears whelp up, Ragav curses himself for reminding her that they did not know each other well enough to marry.
He looks towards prem who is standing several feet away and says, "prem some help here please... I seem to be suffering from foot and mouth syndrome", he ends wryly. Seeing Kalpi's tears, prem walks towards her with concern and regret. He hugs her tightly first, then wipes her tears and says, "Kalpi do you trust me." Too overwhelmed with emotions Kalpi responds by noting her head affirmatively. Smiling he adds, "i am right here. I will never let harm befall you. Trust me... All will end well."
Prem places a hand on Ragav's shoulder and says, "you remember what we discussed." His gaze hard, Ragav looks at him and says, "I promised didn't I?" Feeling reassured, prem nods affirmatively and walks away. Unable to contain her curiosity as she wonders what Ragav and prem are talking about, she asks ragav, "what did you promise?" Ragav softens his gaze, smiles and says, "now is not the right time. Come let us take blessing from mum."
Gauri masi hugs Kalpi and says laughingly, "looks like I no longer need to adopt you daughter." Kalpi bursts out laughing as she hugs her back, saying, "so true... I shall have to cancel the adoption application." Ragav who is conversing with prem and Pakhi, looks up at the sound of laughter, curious and happy to see his mother and wife bonding well.
Once the priest leaves, Gauri masi says, "The four of you need to leave. Don't worry, I shall get everything cleared up here."
P.S: Next update after two weeks.
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