Silent Commitment:- Part 5 on pg 16 completed - Page 7

Part-4

Raghav stood frozen at his place. He didn't know how to react...her presence resurfaced the pain he had gone through when they broke up. He certainly was not in the mood to see her even if she is the last person on this earth. The hurt, the pain he has gone through was something he never let anybody know. His expressions changed when he felt the touch of someone's hand on his shoulder. He looked beside and saw Kalpi smiling at him. A smile which said she is with him.

"Wow its so good to see you after a long gap. But one thing is for sure I never expected you with this silent film." Immediately his expressions changed. He wanted to answer her back but before that she continued "You know Kalpi I actually expected you to be here but I thought the kind of girl you are you must be accompanied with your husband and one or two kids but then you are such a silent film, who will marry a girl who speaks so less." She grimaced looking at her indirectly mocking at her.

"Maya what is this girl doing in our wedding!!! See if Kappi gets annoyed and leaves from here then you are going to face my wrath for sure." "Sammy that was one group invitation...I didn't expect her to show up in our wedding...but I guess this model doesn't leave a chance to grab eyeballs." On the other hand Raghav wanted to retort but soon he got to see a new side of Kalpi. The girl in question didn't utter a single word till Pakhi got over but yes what she said left him astounded.

"Whooo Pakhi you are too good too good I must say." She smiled on listening her appreciation but soon it faded seeing the suppa confidence in Kalpana's eyes. "You know what few years back even I used to think that I shall be the first one to open the marriage club like you said but see you answered your question yourself who will take the risk of marrying a silent movie." Pakhi's face turned pale but Kalpana continued "But I was right... I knew you will be single till now and see YOU are." She smirked while Pakhi was shocked. Raghav was watching her in complete amazement. She speaks less but she definitely speaks strong. Maya and Sammy smiled inwardly. She walked past her and stopped in mid and turned "Pakhi someone told me girls who speak less are mystery and guys love to solvey mystery." She looked at Raghav and then back at Pakhi and winked at her and said " You are good but I am better" and went towards Maya and Sammy.

Pakhi stood there dumbfounded while Raghav couldn't stop himself to smile. He too walked away but unlike Kalpi he went straight towards his room feeling disappointed. Pakhi too walked out angrily. No body has ever dared to speak to her so harshly yet in such a sweet tone.

"Hey guys" she started excitingly "Hey Kappi you really gave a befitting reply to that snob. Really God knows how come Raghav fell for her." He stopped in mid on realising what he said. "I am sorry I am not judging him but the sensible guy he is it really doesn't go down well inside me that he fell for that model." Kalpi turned to look at Raghav to know his response and found him missing. She knew he was hurt. "Guys you meet rest of the gang I'll freshen up." "OK but come fast and yes do bring Rags with you alright i know he is hurt and must have confined himself to his room, bring him down please we all are waiting at garden. There's a small get together before we pep up for the wedding rituals since tomorrow the relatives will also start arriving." She nodded in affirmative and Sammy and Maya headed towards garden area to meet all.

Kalpi looked at the staircase and finally after thinking on how to convince him she took the stairs. Raghav was sitting on the couch switching the channels. He had no idea what he was doing he was lost in the thoughts of the incident that happened few minutes ago. He was angry on himself now. She after these years still affected him but now not in a way she used to. He still does not have the capacity to face her and thats bothering him. Now that others will come in a short while she is definitely going to narrate the incident adding her own spices to it...till now his friends wonder how he fell for her and today his dull attitude towards her will add more.

"Ouchhh" the sound broke his thoughts and he rushed towards balcony and found Kalpana struggling to come into his balcony. "What exactly are you trying to do!" Raghav asked with a straight face. "Don't you see I am trying to invade your privacy. Give me your hand and help me out after all I am not as flexible as you...no gyming and all na" Raghav shook his head in irritation and lift her in his arms and brought her in his room. As soon has Raghav lifted her something changed in her. She was looking at him, her gaze was soft something that pleases you from inside but Raghav was too much lost in bringing her safely inside his room.

After putting her down he asked "What was that?" "Aaa...I just thought why to come and try to knock your door and see a do not disturb card and then return disappointed. So I thought to take the short cut but I am not good like you." She frowned. "Are you mad" she thought for a while and shook her head in negative. He growled on seeing her expression "Kalpana you could have hurt yourself... " "But I was trying hard to invade your privacy... You know when you came into my balcony like this I thought its a child play.. But...but...but its very hard. How did you manage to pull it so well. By the way I hope I am not disturbing you." Raghav looked at her with puzzled expression and finally after digesting her utter stupidity of coming through balcony he asked "Are you trying to imitate me Kalpana Sharma???" "Arrre wah you understood... You know just now Pakhi called me silent film...I thought may be others...your friends will think about me in the same way...so I just decided I'll behave coolly just like you...may be then they won't think about me like this."

"Are you crazy...I mean you are trying to imiate me because you are wondering what others will think about you. You want to change yourself just to gt a better image in others eye. Wow!!! Why the hell do you care what others will think of just be what you are." "Exactly!!!"she exclaimed showing in full her infectious smile marking her victory in explaining the thing that was bothering him for a long time.

"Rags...people make fun of those who put up the attitude of being rightful to deserve one. If you will stop bothering yourself of what your so called friends think of you then mark my words nobody will ever dare to bring up this topic time and again. If they are truly your friends they will never ever judge you by what she will say. They know you, they respect you and moreover friends never judge...they just help you and stand besides you through your thick and thin." Raghav looked at her with a glint. His eyes were lil moist but he controlled himself so as to not break down before her.

"Rags my friend if you won't get over with your past, if you won't settle with your past you will never be able to enjoy your present. And its just present that we have...we don't know what's kept in future but we can definitely rectify mistakes of our past and settle it once for all. If you believe that Pakhi is not the right person for you then just forget the fact that you had ever fallen in love with her. Move on...you deserve better. Just the way you didn't judge me by my nature no body will judge you by your college romance. " "hmmm" Finally a small smile came on his lips and his face and body language were now a lil relaxed and calm. "Who kya kehte Punjabi mei mmm...mmm...haan jhappi pa" he looked at her with confusingly and that made her a lil nervous...has she taken it a lil over board..."I mean Maine filmon mei suna hai jhappi..was I wrong" He laughed looking at her nervousness and she screamed "Rags...you are too much" and they both hugged each other.

Let's order something I am hungry" "So soon" "Soon...you know we went for this hotel darshan and like a perfect drama queen you confined yourself to this bedroom so that you can actually think what others will think about you on this incident and inorder to not face them you had actually kept that DND on the door. You know how much efforts I had put in to come through your balcony" she exaggerated her efforts and that amused Raghav easing his pain further. "Okie what would you like to eat." "Mmm on a second thought lets try local markets...may be we can try some delicacies there." "Not a bad idea Chalo."

Raghav wanted to stay away from all for a while to loose himself and indulge in some mouth watering pleasures. Kalpi messaged Sammy and informed him about their absence which he readily accepted since he knew Raghav needed space.

Pakhi had done what was exactly expected from her. But like Kalpi said those who are friends know us and won't rely on somebody's plain talk. Avinash, Manjri, Medha and Gautam rolled their eyes on listening her non stop blabber. While others did pay attention but knowing Raghav very well it was bit difficult for them to digest but they heard her and went ahead.

Here Raghav and Kalpi went to nearby market to explore their local dishes. They were having a gala time in each others company.

The pleasant sun rays were soothing them. They sat down at a dhabha and waited for their dishes. They remembered their school days. How they after school time gets over used to eat at the nearby hawkers with their gang. Sometimes guys used to compete each other while gals used to cheer for themwith Kalpana mostly being mute spectator. The aroma of Pau-Bhaji broke their trance and they looked at each other first and then at food and attacked on it just old times.

On the other hand due to Raghav's absence Pakhi got suspicious. "Is something going on in between Raghav and Kalpana?" she tried to figure it out with Sammy but of no use...he was too smart for her. Maya didn't bother to listen to her saying she is busy with her own life right now. "Darling...did you just see that why all of a sudden Pakhi is taking so much of interest in Rags." "True...I just hope Raghav quickly gets over ith his past with her. She is really looking suspicious." "I know...but on the other hand I trust Raghav's instinct...I am sure he will be more careful now...after all he is an established businessman who is able to read intentions behind action." "Thats correct Maya" and Sammy kept his fingers crossed while Maya was tensed. One wrong move by Pakhi and her marriage life will start at a sour note which she really didn't want.

Raghav and Kalpana were done with their delicious lunch taking in everything from Pau Bhaji to Bhajiyas to pulav and what not. They were almost more than full and both had already decided to escape dinner. While Raghav was paying bill sound of barking caught Kalpana's attention. She immediately freaked out and caught Raghav's arm tightly. Raising his eyebrow he asked "What???" "My jaani dushman...DOG" she was petrified and her expressions said it all. Raghav remembered the childhood incident where Kalpana was bitten by a dog and had to undergo a small operation. She had got stitches and on top of it pain of injections. From that day Kalpana had developed phobia against dogs.

Raghav hid her behind himself and shooed away the dog. In the whole process Kalpana had tightly held Raghav's shirt and her eyes were shut. When the dog ran away from there he slowly moved and looked at her. The fright was still visible. The people around were laughing at her but Rags had concern. He held her shoulders and very gently said "he ran away." She didn't respond...he said it again "Kalpi...he is gone" After her ears registered his words she opened her eyes. She was met with people who were laughing at her and the hullabaloo she created but when her eyes with Rags she saw only and only concern for her. She hugged him tightly and he took her in his arms.

"No person should be judged unless and until you know his story, you have gone through his pain and struggle. You have right to judge them only when you step into their shoes and live their journey."