Love Blissfully Arranged Part-7
Raghav was standing at the door, puzzled; how to seek permission from his father in law? He already had a tough time back at home when almost everybody laughed at him. Keshav had already told them about his confusion and when he tried to ask them about taking Kalpana out, they busted into laughter. He cursed his brother for not leaving a single chance to pull his leg and Keshav winked at him thus making him all the more furious.
"Raghav aap yahan?" The door opened and he was greeted by Dinesh, his father in law. "G...good Mo...Morning Uncle." He stuttered a bit on seeing him on the other side of door as he was still preparing himself. "Mornings...Please come inside" He stepped in and his eyes automatically started looking out for her. "She has left for NGO" Dinesh informed him. With frowned face he sat and waited for tea. After sometime when he felt it will look completely improper on his side to just sit there without any reason he mustered all the courage he had and asked "Uncle Can I take Kalpana out for a dinner today?" He could easily figure out the question was not well received. He lowered his head anticipating no in the answer. Dinesh and Shobha thought for a while and after few moments they replied in affirmative. "But you have to bring her back by 10" With the yes in answer Raghav gathered all that lost confidence which was now evident in his voice. "Sure Uncle I'll pick her up at 7 and will bring her back by 10" "Okay" He left the place all happy and started thinking about the evening.
"I cannot believe this! Papa said yes so easily." "I have asked him ya so you know" they both laughed on it. "Raghav where are we going?" "That's a surprise for you but I'll just make sure it's a beautiful evening for you." She blushed on listening his words. They were creating a magic on her. She was now waiting for this date with bated breaths.
During lunch office staff was invited at the auditorium on the ground floor. Curiosity was rising in everybody's mind to know the purpose of the meeting. When all of them were well seated Singhania's entered. Their happy faces were giving a guarantee of happy news but what was still unknown to them. Keshav addressed them on the dias. "Hello everyone" Gentle smiles adorned on everyone's face. "I know you all might be wondering what is so special and important that you all have been called here,in auditorium. Well yes the occasion is important and special..." He turned towards Raghav and after taking a pause for few moments he turned again to the staff people. "Raghav got engaged!" There was silence for a brief time. "When?" Ms. Chitra asked surprised by this sudden news. "Yesterday" "Raghav you always told me about how you always managed to escape such situations and now you got caught & you didn't tell your Chitra Aunty" She said faking anger and disappointment. "Sorry" he held his ears and she gave a flying kiss.
"Guys there is a party on Saturday and we will introduce you all to Kalpana." Keshav further addressed "You all have to be there. We want her to meet our extended family." "Kalpana that's the name." One of the employee said. "Imagination...beautiful imagination" another elder employee said. There were whispers and murmurings. The curiosity has already arisen amongst them to know how Kalpana looked? What is she like? What caught Raghav's attention and he said yes? Numerous questions ran through their minds. They were now waiting for Saturday.
At evening she started scanning her wardrobe and found an elegant sea blue color knee length one piece. She started getting ready and after almost an hour she looked at herself and with last touch up she waited for Raghav. Sharp at 7 Raghav reached her place. While leaving from her room her eyes felt on her camera and she felt like capturing those beautiful moments that were about to come in her life. He was waiting for her to come down. "We have got only 3 hours and in that three hours for last 15 minutes I am waiting downstairs and she is nowhere to be seen." He was looking at his wrist watch and thinking about how time was running so fast and Kalpana has not yet arrived! He looked up again and this time his gaze got fixed on the mesmerising site before him. Kalpana was descending the stairs. She had a clutch in one hand and a bag in another which he assumed was her camera. "Shall we leave Papa?" She asked. "Yes." When Raghav went ahead her mother stopped her and asked her to try to understand him. She nodded and went ahead.
During the drive there was an unusual silence. "Is something wrong? He didn't say a word about how I am looking? Is there any problem with my dressing style? But this is how I dress up? This is what I am? If he doesn't approve then? This is just one small thing there will be more things where our point of view might not match!" Raghav looked at her while she was lost in her own thoughts. "What is she thinking? Is she upset? She didn't even look at me at once! May be because I didn't give her a compliment. May be" he said to himself thoughtfully but this time too he said out loud.
She turned on hearing his voice. "Kuch kaha aapne." "N...no I didn't" She waa again turning to look outside the window when his voice caught her attention. "You are looking amazing! I mean different from what I have seen till now" She smiled shyly. Finally he said something for her. "Did you like it?" She asked. "Of course! Why wouldn't I?" "Woh... I mean... I thought you didn't like my dressing style." "Kalpana please don't ever think like this again. I am a very straight forward person. If I dislike something I just say it." She heaved a sigh of relief. She didn't want such petty issues to come in between their growing relationship. "Kalpana you can wear anything you are comfortable in when you are with me. I don't have any objections. You have lead your life with your own mindset. I cannot and I will not stop you from living your life the way you want. I know this much that you will strike a perfect and beautiful balance between the life you have led and the upcoming life you will lead. I know you know how to adjust. So just relax." His words touched her. She was smiling all through his talks and her heart felt at peace on listening to him.
They reached the surprise venue. It was a restaurant far away from the hustle bustles of the city. The place had many young couples dining. There was a music band which was playing soft romantic music. The ambience had romance in its core. They went ahead and soon the manager guided them to their reserved table. Kalpana was viewing the place with interest. She has never been to such kind of place before. It wasn't loud, just calm and soulful, a place where two hearts can talk properly.
" Raghav this place is...is something! I have never come across such a beautiful place!" Finally she voiced her thoughts. "You like it" "Like it...I just loved it." "My hard work paid off not fully but yet it did pay off. Come" He made her sit comfortably and took his chair. "Raghav can I ask you something?" "Anything" "How did you manage to find suchha beautiful place in suchha short span." "Well honestly I have heard about this place from my friend Samar remember I told you about him." "Yea...you did. He has a great choice." The happiness on her face was evident enough for Raghav to believe she liked the place.
"Kalpana" he gently took her hand in his. "You know I have rejected many girls...many. Until now I felt I rejected them because they were not fitting in the criteria I had set for my girl. But when I met you I realized it not all about criteria its about with whom your heart feels connected." Kalpana kept looking at him. His voice was sincere and his eyes showed the trueness of his words. He wasn't trying to initiate any conversation but was just saying what his heart felt when he said yes. "You know when I had seen your photograph the one thing that came to my mind was you are so simple and yet sooo beautiful. You came to meet me in the most simple manner unlike other girls that I have met before. I just couldn't stop myself from looking at you. And today also...you have dressed up like the way you want no pretence. I really don't think I need a reason to talk to you and that's the best part." He looked at her moist eyes which were looking at him with a certain amount of trust. After few moments she broke the eye lock and lowered her eyes but he could see her blushing. He smiled inwardly and kept looking at her.
"Tum kuch nai bologi? Why did you say yes? What was going in your mind when you said yes?" He asked with inquisitiveness to know her thoughts. She took a deep breath. This was new and shyness was taking over her. "Raghav I was thinking of going to US aftwr meeting you. My mind was ready for another rejection." He frowned on seeing her sad face. "You are a Singhania a big name. I was just wondering why are you guys coming to meet me! You must have met more beautiful and sophisticated girls than me. When I met Dadu and Dadiji I realized they value people and not status and that's you all were there. They were so humble to me. When I was with you I expected questions like I was asked before for which in have no answer. But you asked me simple things. I was scared but not because of you, my inner fears and assumptions were not allowing me to think straight and positive. The yes that you had said when I tripled I interpreted it as your answer. You didn't answer me when I asked you and I felt broken again. I was waiting for the answer when your Dadu said yes and that time I too realized Raghav that its all about heart." She looked up and he was smiling at her, a satisfactory smile.
The evening was going smoothly, they talked about their interests, hobbies and what mutual likes and dislikes they have. After a while the manager of the restaurant went towards the band. "Hello Ladies and Gentlemen!" Everybody's attention went on to him. "This place is known for romance. It everywhere in the ambience, music, menu and the people dining here. So why not make it more romantic! Any of you guy or gal is interested in music or feel they can do something special for their special ones can come ahead and create magic.
Somewhere she wanted him to play guitar for her but she couldn't voice her feelings. Hesitance of being new in this relationship and fear of hearing no stopped her. " Shall I do something for? What will se think I am getting over friendly? Will she like it? " he was thinking about what to do? Whether to do or not? "I think I should after all I have told her that this evening will be a memorable one for her and this effort of mine will make this evening memorable.
Kalpana was lost in her own thoughts when a voice drifted her attention. She looked towards the owner of the voice. " So Mr. Singhania whom are you doing it for?" Kalpana first loolws at the empty chair and then at Raghav who was standing with the Manager. "When did he go there? I was so lost!" She looked at him expectantly waiting what is he going to do? " This one is for you Kalpana" Raghav said with a wink. As soon as he touched the strings of guitar the emotions inside him started flowing again but this time he expressed it via singing.
Khwaabon bina, nigahen meri jee rahin thi
Koi nahin tha yeh akeli meri thi zindagi
Ohhh yehhh...
The crowd cheered loudly for him while few of them looked at Kalpana the lucky girl for whom he was singing. She was surprised would be an understatement, she was more than that. Here she was thinking of how to say and here he is on stage singing for her.
Khamosh tha honthon pe baatein nahin thi
Koi nahin tha yeh akeli meri thi zindagi
The lyrics meant all what is heart wanted to say. He never thought about fooling around with someone or just have a casual relationship. He was just alone surrounded with good people but no one to call special.
Tum mile toh mil gaya yeh jahaan
Tum mile toh har pal hai naya
Tum mile toh sabse hai... faasla
Tum mile toh jaadu chaa gaya
Tum mile toh jeena aa gaya
Tum mile toh maine paaya... hai khuda
The lyrics were reflecting his hearts voice. It felt special, content and secured because now it has someone who is special and for whom it is special. Now it is happy and satisfied because now it has the world with him. Kalpana is slooowly becoming his world.
She immediately picked out her camera and adjusted the lens's. She started taking his candid pics and he was more than happy to see her taking his pics. It showed she is happy with his efforts and at the same time she is also enjoying.
Kaise kahoon, kaise kahoon...
Kaise kahoon...kaise kahoon...
Kaise kahoon lamhe mujhe choo rahe hain
Aisa laga hain inmein tera hi toh ehsaas hai
Ohh hooo
Kaise kahoon dil mein nayi aahaten hain
Aisa laga hain inmein tera hi toh ehsaas hai
She kept clicking though she was completely glued to his singing and guitar but she wanted to capture this moment. Never someone has made her feel so special and she doesn't want to miss out in any moment. He surely made this evening the best ever evening she had ever imagined for herself.
At the end the crowd started clapping according to the tune and the manager came ahead and took her towards the stage. She stood beside him. Her eyes moist and his voice as sincere as it can be. He kept his gaze fixed on her and she too didn't break the contact or may be she was much into his singing that she couldn't take her eyes from his face which was showing the true meaning of the last few lines.
Tum mile toh mera dil gaya
Tum mile toh sab kuch mil gaya
Tum mile toh logon se kya vaasta
He stood up from the stool and went near her to complete the song.
Tum mile toh jaadu chaa gaya
Tum mile toh jeena aa gaya
Tum mile toh maine paaya hai khuda
There was sounding of claps and whistles while the two stood rooted to their place looking at each other wondering how in few days they became so special for each other.
"You don't need days to like someone. You may like a person when you already know he/she is a good humble person." Raghav and Kalpana are actually choices of their parents and hence there is not much room for suspicion. They know they are good for each other and hence after first meet itself they developed liking for each other and today this liking gave them strength to open up and tell what they mean for each other.
Please lemme know whether you liked the update or not. I am finding it below average. Again sorry for delay by a day. I was not well yesterday.
Thanks and Enjoy Reading😊
Edited by b.baheti - 8 years ago
