Chapter 6
In no time all of them entered shopping mall, and Seema and Kalpi headed towards women's clothing section in huge mega mart, while Raghav and Sammy kept on looking around scanning through stuff for themselves, however Raghav had set his eye on Kalpana and wished for one opportunity to speak to her alone. Sammy too continued stealing glances at Seema. Seema blushed, and tried showing him few dresses she held and asked for his approval while his replied using his facial expression.
Soon enough Seema finalized her dresses with Sammy's consent and turned to Kalpana, "Kalpi, I am going to go and try these out!" she informed with a smile. Kalpana nodded back with same smile, and Seema left. As if Raghav was just waiting for this moment, he decided to speak to Kalpana and apologize for his behaviour previous evening.
Kalpana turned around and something, or rather someone caught her attention and she started walking in that direction, which headed outside the shop in the mall. Raghav's gaze followed her as she moved trying to figure out, as he too took steps towards direction, "Hey Raghav!" he heard his brother's voice from behind, "Which tie looks better? Red or Blue?" he asked looking at both ties in his hands, "Both!" he said and quickly turned back, before waiting for his reaction, while Sammy looked up to find him heading outside, and he was left behind confused.
Raghav reached outside mall and tried looking for Kalpana but couldn't see her around. Disappointed he turned back towards shop but stopped at sight of woman whom he had been looking for. He looked on could see she was smiling and apparently talking to someone. "Whom she talking to?" wondered Raghav and made his way towards her. He stopped seeing her talking to his business rival in city, "Mr. Prem Kapoor!" He just saw her smiling and speaking to Prem, while he stood there confused, "Whaat? How ..?? How does she know him?" were some questions running through his mind, as he looked on to Prem and Kalpana talking. Soon he realized Prem got a call and excused himself, while Kalpana too decided to turn back and leave. She bid him bye and he made his way out. Before he picked up call, he turned back, "Kalpana?" he called while she turned, "Let's meet up for dinner tonight, we can catch up then!" he suggested. Kalpi smiled and accepted his invite gladly. Raghav was shocked to see them talking, though he couldn't really hear what they spoke about.
Kalpana turned back, "I know Prem, my talking about Pakhi did remind you of her, and you love her alot, she is your sister. I will convince you to talk to her tonight. Because somewhere I know that is the reason you decided to meet up!" were some thoughts of Kalpana, after talking to Prem. Prem's words kept ringing in her ears,
Prem: "Yeah, and how is your bestie?" he had asked,
Kalpi: "Very well Prem, and so is his sister or my collegue I can say!" replied Kalpana chirpily.
Prem: "Please Kalpana, I didn't ask you about her!"
Kalpi: "Stop lying to yourself Prem! You know you love her!"
Prem: "I am not..." his words were cut
Kalpi: "Yes you are!" she said smiling.
Prem: sighing and then smiles, "You know dad will never accept them!"
Kalpi: "Time will heal everything, and Pakhi too misses..."
before she can complete her sentence, they were disturbed by his ringing phone... and they decided to take a leave.
Kalpana was still in her thoughts when she felt a strong pull on her arms, and being dragged into a place before she can realize anything. It was dimly lit small closed room like that of trial rooms in shop, and was shocked to see being held by Raghav. He held her by upper arm, "How do you know Prem?" asked Raghav angrily! Kalpi once again tried pulling herself out from his grip, "that's none of your buisiness!" replied Kalpi. and pushed him little, but he didn't budge, "It is! He is buisiness rival of Singhaniya, who is partnered with Jadhvas!" came reply from Raghav. "Your buisiness and your rivalry, has nothing to do with my life," she replied angrily, and stepped on his foot, making him scream in pain, and leave her. She quickly opened the door and stepped outside, passing one angry glare at Raghav.
Kalpi quickly joined Seema leaving helpless Raghav behind. Kalpana and Seema finalized on their clothes, and before leaving Kalpi decided to have a look at some traditional men's ware for Parth for when he comes to India. She picked up one, which was noticed by Raghav, and he was left confused. He wanted answers from her and he will get it anyhow. He was determined enough now.
All of them reached home and Kalpana quickly changed and decided to speak to Parth about her new shopping. She took out some pictures of her new dresses and sherwani she brought for Parth and show it to him. She messaged him images, and was happy to find pleant smileys in replies. But before she can reply, her phone rang, "Parth! I need to tell you something..." she said, "I met Prem today in mall.." Parth cuts her, "You have for change bought good things!" he said, Kalpana rolled her eyes, "Parth come on, I am talking about your brother not your enemy!" she said. "You know I consider them to be one," replied Parth. Kalpana spoke, "I spoke to him about Pakhi and am meeting him today evening! Trust me Parth, everything will be set soon!" she assured him again. Parth smiled, "Chalo, I will leave for now, have some work..." he said, and added, "loads of love baby..." Kalpana smiled at his words, knowing he wasn't too convinced with her. But she decided to set out things in their life, like they have helped her.
In evening as planned, Kalpana dressed up and got ready to meet Prem, and walked down. Raghav noticed it,
and quickly came to her, "Where are you going?" Kalpana ignored him and walked past him, but he held her wrist, "I asked you something!" he questioned her again. "I am not liable to answer any of your questions," she said loud enough to be heard and pulled away her hand. She turned back and continued on her way.
Prem picked up Kalpana from the place they had decided on phone and both got down outside restaurant. Unknowing to them followed pair of eyes, who followed and stalked Kalpana. He stood there shocked, as he saw Prem and Kalpana in a restaurant. His anger knew no bound. Without giving any second thought, he decided to follow them, but before he can get down, Raghav could hear honking sound, warning him to get aside from road. Raghav parked the car and made his way to restaurant, only to be stopped by someone, "Hey Raghav," called someone; making him turn, "Varun?" identified Raghav as he came closer and hugged his friend... Raghav tried to excuse himself but Varun got Raghav engaged in talks as he tried keeping track of Kalpana, but lost it soon, as he remained to his friend from college in London.
Kalpana and Prem settled down in restaurant. Hesitant Prem couldn't really start the conversation, but somehow Kalpana knowing Prem had begun, "Pakhi works in the school that I manage, in London. She is amazing as teacher." Prem smiled hearing it, "Woh toh hogi hi na, bachpan se usse lecture dene ka itna shauk jo hai, ab toh officially teacher ho gayi," (Of course she would be, she always had that habit of lecturing people, and now it's officially what she can do with her students!) funnily replied Prem. Kalpana smiled seeing him smiling, "Ramu too takes care of Pakhi very well," said Kalpana, on hearing his name, Prem's face dropped, "and he still loves Pakhi, no matter if she inherited Kapoor property or not" added Kalpana, making Prem even more uncomfortable. Kalpi placed her hand on his hand, "Prem, Pakhi will be fine! Rather she is fine, and guess what... Ramu, who had rented apartment has finally bought their own house... that too worth Pakhi's" added Kalpana to make Prem realize Ramu wasn't bad, even if he wasn't worth Pakhi, Ramu truely loved Pakhi. Unable to convince him further, she blurted out, "And Pakhi will soon give birth to Ramu's child, who will be proven to be their love's symbol!" Kalpana mentally cursed herself for such a big lie, but then not a bad way to give it a try, and definitely not, when she saw Prem looking up at her brighten eyes, and kalpana smiled back, "Yes Prem, You are soon gonna be Mama!" she said. Prem got up smiling and Kalpana too got up, as Prem came ahead and hugged her tight... "OMG! Kalpana... this is best ever news!" he said hugging her... making Kalpana feel guilty, and it was that moment when Raghav entered the restaurant to find Prem hugging Kalpana tightly. Prem broke the hug and picked her up to twirl, making Raghav fume even more, as he laughed and spend touched took Kalpana in his arms..!
Raghav clutched his fist, and as he put Kalpana back down, he tried to calm himself, as he knew speaking to Kalpi at the moment or speaking to Prem in front of Kalpi, would just add trouble for him, and that's exactly what he didn't want to invite for himself for now. Soon enough controlling his happiness, duo settled back down while Raghav just stood there looking at Prem and Kalpana, while they had their wonderful time, not knowing their discussion was on his beloved sister. Kalpana kept on feeling bad for a lie she has told, BUT... she kept consoling herself and her conscience, "No Kalpi, maybe lieing is bad, but your intentions aren't! And what you are doing is work of some Mahaan people (Great People).. You are reuniting their family... so such lies are ok.." she kept repeating to herself ... and added, "I hope.. after every thought of I am right!"
Prem and Kalpana soon got up, and made their way outside, Prem offered to drop her, but she refused saying her stay place is not on the way to his house and left in rickshaw. Before Prem can get into car, he came in face to face with his buisiness rival, Mr. Raghav Singhaniya, who angrily glared at him, "So Mr. Kapoor, had fun here?" he asked angrily. Prem smiled, "Gosh, Mr. Singhaniya, we better keep our competition and work life at bay and in such meetings, I am in happy mood for!" saying so he tried passing him, only to be stopped by Raghav again by shoulder, "How do you know Kalpana?" he asked, making Prem look at him. "Excuse me?" Prem replied, as Raghav repeated his question making Prem smile, "She is my would be sister-in-law,.." he paused, and laughed, "I mean, Kalpi is in relationship with my younger brother Parth, and works with my sister, so ..." he paused hearing Raghav, "Stop lying!" he shouted, and Prem rolled his eyes, "By the way, how do you know Kalpi?" he asked, and then continued, "Look dude, we are enemies maybe on site, but stay away from my family and personal lives! Don't you dare interfere in it!" Prem warned and passed by Raghav... But before getting into the car, "Oh yes! and Please, i don't care weather you believe me or not about Kalpi, but stay away from her, or else nor Parth nor I will spare you...!" said Prem making Raghav boil and Prem drove away. Prem smirked as his car passed Raghav.
It had been sleepless night for Raghav, as turned and flipped time and again he flipped his side to sleep, however thoughts of Kalpana moving on with someone else in life had made him too restless to sleep. He didn't believe it, and somewhere knew this can't be true, but still, he wished to confirm it. He decided to wait till morning and calmly to talk to Kalpana this time. He will stay calm now with Kalpana and will try to sort out things.
As Sun came up shining next morning, Sammy and Raghav were forced to go to office little bit earlier for the meeting, hence Raghav couldn't speak to Kalpana before leaving, while Seema was equally upset for not being able to wish Sammy on their "First Confession" anniversary of their love. She sat quiet near the window pane, recalling those moments she had spend with Sammy, and blush appeared on her face, remembering how exactly one year back had Sammy proposed her to be his girlfriend, and today???????? Today is the day when she is officially his fiance and would marry him in couple of days. Her thoughts which made her blush red were tried to be hidden from her family, but Kalpana caught it no sooner she saw her sitting ideally with magazine held upside down. Kalpana laughed, making Seema look at her in confusion, "Are you missing Sammy jeejz so much?" she asked with naughty wink. Seema turned more red hearing her, but instantly her happiness seemed to have turned into frown, "You know Kalpana, Sammy was such a loving person 5 months back, but with this marriage and all around corner, he has just changed so much and out of no where became responsible man!" she complained, "and I don't like it... He didn't even wish me first anni..." she stopped, and closing her eyes, she bit her tongue, making Kalpana look at her with surprise smile, "What??? It's your first confession anniversary?" asked Kalpana all excited to know about it more. Seema tried changing topic, however finally ended up giving in to Kalpana and nodded in yes, "But see, that guy, doesn't even remember!" she said sadly... "Uffo di, then we are suppose to remind him, yeh apka haqq (it's your right to remind him!)" Kalpana said assuring.. "Ok do one thing, shyam takes tiffins to office right?" Kalpana confirmed and with her nod, Kalpana headed to kitchen with something in mind.
Before Seema could understand anything else, she found herself seated next to Kalpana in a car, while Kalpi was all set to drive, "But where are we going? and these??" she asked pointing to tiffins. "For your romantic date!" she said, and began driving, "What??" asked confused Seema. "Yes! Di, we are going to office, and you would today feed Sammy with your own hands... and I will sit in corner and see love birds!" she said with a wink. Seema rolled her eyes as if irritated, and tried stopping Kalpana, but somewhere in her heart she knew it was dancing.
Seema and Kalpana reached office, and entered Sammy's cabin without knocking, while Seema refused, but Kalpana stood in front of Sammy, "Kya jeejz, please tell di, as a would be wife she has right to come in cabin without knocking!" Kalpana commanded, while Seema worried, Sammy smiled at her antiques and held Seema's hand pulling her closer, "Of course she can! I have nothing to hide from her!" he said hugging her. "aww" was all Kalpana could feel seeing them, and that's when Seema's eye fell on another tiffin on table, she looked at Kalpana, "Umm.. this one..." she said pointing to tiffin, Kalpana quickly glanced it and picked it up, "This one is of Raghav!" she said and added, "I will give it to him, you both carry on!" she said looking at them dreamily. Seema looked at her with seriousness, Kalpana added, "Don't worry di, I don't mind, and as I said he doesn't affect me anymore, and I don't mind this... it all just helps me be stronger!" she said and turned to leave cabin to give love birds some time.
In Raghav's cabin,
Raghav was explaining female employee certain things. Meeting was over, and as his employee got up, she slipped due to two chairs next to each other and falling down she sprained her ankle. Shocked Raghav rushed to help her in getting up, and she complained about sprained ankle, Raghav immidietly called up to get First Aid box reach his cabin, and holding her he decided to held her walk till guest couch on other side.
Kalpana had reached cabin, and was about to go in, when she realized something and recalled how previously, she had seen secretary coming out with open buttons from his office, and she still didn't realize though she had minor doubt. But her way too much of trust on Raghav eliminated any doubt. She knocked on the door, Raghav who still was helping after almost reaching near couch woman in pain, thought it to be the person with first aid box, and shouted, "Come In". Female employee lost the balance and Raghav along with her fell on guest sofa. As Kalpana entered the cabin she was shocked to see the sight of Raghav cozily sitting with lady there.
Anupamaa
Real Estate
