Part 2:
"You have to be here and that's final Kalpi!" ordered Seema on phone. Kalpana silently just replied, "I will try!" and cuts the call, before her emotions take over her words and thoughts. Kalpi heaved the heavy sigh.
To distract herself, Kalpana headed to kitchen where Parth was still preparing food in boxer. Sniffing the aroma of something her favorite, she sat near the stove pane on platform, and Parth immediately covered the food, and Kalpana looked at him raising one of her brows, "What was that all about?" she questioned, to which Parth just ignored. Parth had silently been observing Kalpana, and had thought to lighten up her mood before convincing her to go to India for wedding. He was brought out from his thoughts, when Kalpana, snapped her fingers in front of him, "Why did you cover it that way? What have you made so delicious that you are trying to hide from me?" she said teasing him, and attempting to make things look normal. "Well, I don't want you to poison my food, hence I thought to cover it..!!" Kalpana opened her mouth wide and narrowed her eyes, "Youu!!" and Parth took a run... while Kalpana followed him running. Finally getting hold of him, "So, you think I am some murderer?" she questioned him... "Ohh I am sorry, I am sorry baba!" he pleaded as Kalpana began hitting him. "Chalo maaf kiya, tum bhi kya yaad rakhoge!" (Ok, I forgive you... You would have to remember this favour!) she exclaimed. Both settled down on sofa, and tried catching up with their breaths. Seeing Kalpana breathing more heavily, he offered her water from the jug in front. Kalpana took the sip and thanked him. Parth found this to be perfect time to talk serious.
Parth: "Do you still Love him so much that because of him, you won't even be part of happiness ..?" he questioned.
Kalpana stopped drinking water and looked up at him,
Kalpi (countering): "No ways! I do not have anything for him anymore!" she countered,
Parth:"Stop Lying"
Kalpi: "Why will I..." before she can continue arguing, Parth cuts her...
Parth: "Why are you letting your Happiness, your feelings of being satisfied to see your sister being married, being hindered merely by his presence?"
His question was indeed right enough to make Kalpana ponder over it... Something striked Kalpana as Parth turned back... when he heard Kalpana's word in fast forward mode, "Book my Ticket Parth!" she requested. Parth turns back with his victory smirk, "What? I didn't hear you...!" he teases her, she goes closer to him, and near his ear to scream out her words again, "Book my Ticket...!!" "Aaah..." shouted Parth, "Kalpi, You didn't have to do that...!!" he said irritatingly. Kalpana smirked, "Well, you didn't hear it when I said it in normal tone and from correct distance.. So thought to try it this way..." she snapped back and ran off to her bedroom and came back after having a warm water bath. Seeing Kalpana coming out, Parth tossed the phone on sofa, "Tickets Booked to India, you leave next week, A-21 window seat! Enjoy your time.." he informed her. Kalpana looked at him and followed him towards dining area, "And... And what about you? Aren't you joining in?" she questioned anxiously. Parth knowing Kalpana well, knew she was nervous, but he wanted her to face Raghav and show him on her own, hence denied the question saying he will join little later, maybe on Seema's wedding day. Kalpana, though not happy, had to agree, for Parth had convinced her with his own reasons of work, and how his brother Prem, will be needing some assistance in new project, which will soon be established in India, or say new industry, after success of construction industry in India. Anyways he will be there for same reason, but just little later.
Next whole week, Kalpana and Parth had been busy, with their own work there. Kalpana worked at nearby school and had been appreciated as center head of the school and managing it so well. Parth was parth of Kapoor's business in UK, and regularly attended office with his brother. Their gandfather (Uday Kapoor) had begun the company in India 4 decades ago, and their dad (Sahil Kapoor) had worked hard to bring it prestige and reputation. Prem was cunning one, where as Parth was most innocent among whole Kapoor gang. He had left his family, for the way Kapoors had treated his sister Pakhi, just because she fell in love with a man, who wasn't of their economical class. He had been by his sister like any supportive brother, while his whole family detested her for going against his wish and marrying someone like Ramu, who was mere clerk in their office. Today Ramu and Pakhi stay in UK at their own small house, and Ramu works as serve in popular food chain, and it was Pakhi has been great support for Kalpana in new city and being a girl, very close friend too. It is because of Pakhi that Kalpana had joined the school as a small time teacher, for basic earning but through her hard work and dedication has been promoted to become center head and supervisor in same school.
Just a day before leaving, Kalpana had to be very busy in school as she needed to distribute all the work and make sure things will work out in her absence. Parth had taken up the role of preparing her bags and keep it ready before her flight. Kalpana was indeed feeling lucky to have him in his life now. Parth made sure all that she needed was in house and shopped for. He packed up her bags and arranged it, along with it knowing her nature and not wishing to hurt her self-respect, he decided to hide some money beneath her clothes in case of emergency. After preparing the bags he headed to kitchen. It was almost evening and Parth was almost done with all the work. He just wanted her to be happy and relaxed as she left for her home next day, knowing her anxiety, nervousness, emotional marathon she must be in from other day.
As Kalpana entered house, she was surprised to find it dark and begun calling out for Parth, "Parth?" she called out roaming in, "Parth???" she called once again, "Are you at home?" she questioned, but as she walked in she saw faint ray of light coming from near terrace. She walked towards the terrace to find, relaxing ambiance of dinner for two. It was a perfect sight for candle light dinner, soon she felt someone closing her eyes from back, and she smiled knowing it can only be Parth, he took out his hands, and offered her flower and led her to the table. So here is your favorite, "fruity French toast with strawberries & black coffee,... and don't worry this is just snacks, we have dinner coming soon..." he said chirpily. Tension which Kalpana had been carrying home from her school, was instantly relieved by these small gestures of Parth, as duo settled down to have their candle light dinner!
In India,
Time in his room's digital clock flashed 3.45 AM. He was still up. Something in him didn't let him sleep, not just this night, it had been since last one week, when he realized, Seema opening up and organizing room which once belonged to Kalpi. Reason for her to do this was obvious now, and soon he did overhear a confirmation of her arrival day. "She will be here today! I mean tomorrow ..." he got off from bed, with an urge to go to her bedroom and just see it for once. It was same place where he has memories of several moments with her. But as he approached the room, he stopped seeing someone probably in the room with it's light lit. He continued approaching it slowly to find Gauri in the room sitting on the bed holding frame of Kalpana with tears in her eyes. Raghav lowered his eyes, he was lost, somewhere he knew he blamed her for Kalpana leaving them, and for she was the one to throw her out. But lately what he has observed is that not even Gauri has started showing sign of coldness towards him. "What's the point in crying now? Being a mother she threw her own daughter out, and now ..." thought Raghav with irritation. He didn't want to face her for now, and hence turned back to leave for his room.
Once in the room he opened his cupboard and took out one medium sized rectangle box, he opened it and took out the content which was light pink coloured lehenga, and opened it.. "I bought this one last week only for you Kalpi, .. I am hoping after seeing this your mood will lighten up and things will soon be normal again between two of us..." he said to himself, closing the box and hugging it, "I missed you so much Kalpana, I really missed you... I am soo eagerly waiting to meet you now!! Tomorrow is the day... and I will straight things right!" thought Raghav.
At London Airport,
Parth: "Kalpana, that's the gate!" exclaimed Parth point at the gate, and Kalpana smiled at him, "So all set to meet you family?" he asked, and soon enough corrected himself, "I mean, set to meet Siya!" Kalpi hugged him taking her passport and entry pass, "and that's the reason I love you so much Parth!" she said. "I love you too loads sweets! But do let me know once you reach home!" he said breaking the hug. Kalpana almost had tears in her eyes, "Thanks Parth, I am going home after an year, I don't know what would have I done without you around!" Kalpana told genuinely to Parth as she held the trolley with her bags in the direction. "Well ! Simply nothing of course, I am super star!" he said teasing her and she just pushed him slightly. He helped Kalpana through the gate, and seeing Kalpana enter the gate and waving him good bye, he raised his hand to say bye, and seeing her disappear after few minutes, couple of drops of tears left his eyes, "I will miss you to Kalpi... My sweetest buddy, I will be all alone for now..." thought Parth.
As she set in the plane, near her window sit, she began pondering about how Parth has been so sweet to her, and throughout one whole year, she has never felt left out after meeting him. They had been in same college as best friends and have continued being friends, who are rare to find. Kalpana smiled at her thoughts.
In India Raghav peeped in the room set for Kalpana and looked around, "Hmmm... Your sister has apparently done good job in setting up the room, but... she has missed something..!" he said smiling looking at empty vase near her dressing table. He had brought her favorite while lilies and rose bunch. He placed them in vase. He placed the light pink lehenga he had bought for her opened spread on the bed, so that Kalpana can wear it in function next day. "Now, your room is officially ready!" he thought and sneaked out from the room.
Few hours had passed by, Seema had arranged a driver, when Samar came by assuring his would be bride sometime together and that he would himself drive her to airport to pick up her sister. Seems blushed at these antiques of Samar, Raghav who watched them from far, did find these two so cute,
Flashback:
"Raghav!" Kalpana called out to him, "Can you please drive me to library in Kurla!" she requested hurrying up. Seeing this as an opportunity, he grabbed her hand, and brought to his lips, "Only on a condition!" Kalpana widened her eyes and pulled back her hands, "Raghav! you are so shameless.." she whispered to him. Raghav looked at her amused, "So? I am kissing "hands" of my fiance, and not any stranger," he replied with a smirk, and pulled her closer from her waist, while Kalpana looked around here and there and tried pushing herself away, "Please leave me Raghav! someone will see.." she said nervously. "Only after you give me kiss on my cheek," Kalpana once again looked at him in little shock, "Ra.. Ragh...Raghav.. " and soon enough she could see his face turned to side. She looked down shying ... but quickly placed a peck on his cheek, making Raghav smile with victory, as he opened the door of car!
Flashback ends
Kalpana's flight had landed in Mumbai, and as she came out from airport gate, with luggage, her face brightened up seeing her sister and would be jiju right there. She ran to her and sisters hugged each other swirling and screaming in joy!!! "OMG!! Dii... You are getting married, finally, you agreed to marry someone lucky!" saying gaze shifted to Samar.. Soon enough trio settled in the car for heading towards their home.
On reaching Singhaniya mansion, number of emotions once again ran through her... Her being asked to leave, her bags being thrown out, her mother's angry face, Raghav's smirking smile... She just wanted to run away once again, and never return here, "WHY ARE YOU LETTING YOUR HAPPINESS ... HAPPINESS OF SEEING YOUR SISTER GETTING MARRIED, be affected by people whom you do not really care about!" Parth's words rang in her ears and she turned back confidently and once again faced Singaniya mansion and turned to see her sister's worried face. She smiled and took her rolling bag's handle in hand.. and said "let's go!!" As she began rolling her bag and stood in front of main door.
Happy Diwali too all...sorry I'm late
Love u all khushi
Udne Ki Aasha
