RagNa TS: At Last I See The Light Last Part UPD 08/02 - Page 3

Chapter 3

Them

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And at last I see the light

And it's like the fog has lifted

Kalpi's heart started beating a mile per second as she heard her name drop from his lips. She had felt something familiar about him from the minute she held his hands and now she knew why. He was no stranger, he was her best friend, her lover and her Prince Charming. How could she forget how he fulfilled her wish on her 15^th birthday?

"You will see him today, Kalpi... I promise..."

Kalpi chuckled to herself at her best friend's antics. She really didn't want to see her Prince, but she was excited to see what her best friend would do for her. She loved asking him for impossible things just to get his surprises.

Kalpi was angry. It was already evening and time for the party and her stupid best friend was missing from morning. He had not even bothered to pick her calls. She stood in the garden adjoining her room pouting at the moon when she felt someone's hands over her eyes. She was about to scream when a soft voice reached her ears.

"Happy Birthday my Princess..."

She knew by instinct that it was Raghav. She quickly pushed him away and turned to face him ready to scold him for being late when her jaw dropped open at the sight in front of her. For there stood a well-built young man in a royal attire with a mask on his face. He slowly knelt before her.

"Dear Princess, will you dance with me and come away with me to be my queen? I will gladly place the sun and the moon at your feet if you would come with me."

Kalpi gave a smile and pulled away his mask.

"Aaah... Kalpi, why did you spoil the surprise?"

"I knew it was you the moment you entered... Why didn't you answer my calls?"

"Well... you wanted your Prince Charming... I needed to do some research... So..."

"So..???"

"Sorry. I really wanted to surprise you and all I managed to do was to muddle my plans and spoil your mood..."

Kalpi looked at his downcast face and gave him a hug.

"Raghav... Thank you... I really loved your surprise."

"You did?"

"Of course... And I love your fancy dress..."

Raghav laughed.

"Can you imagine? I read every silly fairy tale to perfect my attire."

"Hey... Fairy tales are not silly..."

"Of course they are not only silly but also stupid..."

"Hey... Don't you dare..."

And their banter continued till Kalpi's Mom called her down for the party.

That day, he had looked exactly like the cool guy from her dreams but she had been too busy being angry and fighting with him to notice that. And now, after all those lonely long years she had heard him utter those exact same words. She looked up excitedly at him only to see him lost in thoughts. Her eyes misted as she realized he had not recognized her yet. As if on cue, her subconscious mind reminded that he was dating and was probably engaged. She turned away to hide the tell-tale tears that started making their way down her face.

And at last I see the light

And it's like the sky is new

"Sir... your lanterns."

Raghav looked up shaken from his chain of thoughts. With a smile he received the lanterns and turned around to see the girl. He was shocked to see that she was missing. He was about to go and look for her when something sparkling on the ground grabbed his attention. It was an anklet. It didn't take him long to recognize its owner.

"Kalpi..."

"Hmmm?"

"Thank you once again for the charm bracelet."

"Raghav... from when did you become so formal? What is it that's cooking in your mind?"

Raghav smiled warmly at her.

"Well... you promised and you gave me a token of your promise, but I did not give you anything."

"I don't need anything unless you already have brought me a present and this is your twisted way of saying you want to give me something."

Raghav looked offended.

"You always like to spoil my surprises, don't you?"

Kalpi gave a laugh and punched him.

"Come on, Raghav. Stop sulking and give me the present."

"Close your eyes."

Kalpi closed her eyes. He quickly bent down and took her feet in his hands and placed the anklet. Kalpi opened her eyes at his command and tears filled her eyes as she saw the anklets.

"Raghav... these?"

"Keep it, Kalpi... I know you will keep it safe..."

"But they belong to you mother... And you never part with it..."

"I know..."

Kalpi bent down and quickly unhooked one of the anklets and gave it to him. Raghav looked confused.

"Raghav, I promise that we will meet again. I don't want you to miss Ma till we meet. So, keep this with you, I will give the other one back to you when I meet you. Till then I will wear this."

"But won't it look odd if you wear only one anklet?"

"So what? It may look odd but every time I look at this, I will remember that my best friend was willing to sacrifice everything for me. And that's all that matters."

They hugged each other.

A warm feeling flooded his thoughts as he realized that the girl he danced with was no stranger. It was her. His Kalpi, his best friend, his love and his only true dream. He looked around searching for her hoping against hope that she had not left when to his surprise he saw her walking towards him. His lips tugged up into a smile as she came closer to him and he decided then and there in his heart that he was not going to let her go again.

And it's warm and real and bright

And the world has somehow shifted

"What happened? I thought you had left."

"I had to use the washroom. Sorry, did you miss me?"

"Of course I did... For the last ten years."

"Huh?"

Kalpi's stomach did a flip flop as those words reached her ears.

"Did you miss me too?"

"Uh...I... uh... What do you mean?"

"Nothing... come its almost time. I would like to show you something."

Raghav took her hand in his and pulled her towards a gazebo far away from where the rest of the party people were standing. Kalpi looked a little shocked.

"Why did you bring me here?"

"I have something to give you."

Raghav went down on his knees before her and took out the anklet.

"I think you missed this."

He slowly placed the anklet on her foot, his hands grazing ever so softly on her foot. Kalpi closed her eyes and tried to swallow the lump that had suddenly gathered in her throat. The soft touch evoked strange feelings in her, feelings she had only dreamed of before. She didn't know what would happen in the future but she felt that this moment was just right. In fact, for the first time in 10 years, she felt content. Raghav looked to see up to see her eyes closed,

"You know... I guess that anklet deserves its pair now."

Her eyes fluttered open as she saw him take out the pair and place it at her left foot that had been empty for so long.

"But... won't you miss Ma?"

"How will I? I will have her with me all my life."

"But you just gave it to me?"

"Then I will have you, Kalpi..."

He slowly got up and grabbed his mask and threw it away.

"I guess... I don't need this now. Can I have the honor of seeing my princess's face?"

Kalpi smiled and gently removed her mask. She cast it away and looked at his hungry eyes ravishing her face and pulled him in a hug.

All at once everything looks different

Now that I see you

Raghav pushed her back gently and she looked surprised.

"Let me have another good look at you. You know... you should get a good photographer. None of your pictures that I saw in the internet compliment this lovely face."

She punched him and blushed.

"Stop teasing, Raghav."

He smiled and took her hands in his.

"Oh how I missed these hands... I almost forgot."

He took out the charm bracelet from his pocket and gently placed it in her hands. He bent down and gave a small peck on the bracelet and she shivered at his touch. He looked at her and gave a smirk.

"What? I have kissed you before. Haven't I?"

Kalpi looked down unable to meet his eyes.

"Yeah... but that was when we were just kids..."

Raghav laughed out loud at her reply and pulled her close to him. He bent his face so that his breath caressed her face,

"So... we have grown up, eh?"

Kalpi tried to pull back

"Raghav stop it, I feel... uh... ummm..."

"How do you feel, Kalpi?"

"I... Raghav... please..."

"Please... What?"

"Please...?"

"I don't want to lose you again... I just met you... I heard you were dating someone. Leave me before I do something that will make you throw me out of your life."

He saw at her eyes looking anxiously at him and fell in love with her all over again. He gently placed his lips on hers and held her tight as she tried pulling away from him. She reluctantly gave in. The kiss was slow and passionate as he poured all his feelings for her in that one kiss. He pulled away from her.

"Is this what you wanted to do?"

She blushed and looked away. He held her chin and made him look at her.

"I don't know what you heard. But let me make this clear to you. You are the only one I have loved, still love and will continue to love. You never have to fear losing me unless I am gone fore..."

She quickly shut his mouth with her hands and gave him a glare.

"Don't you dare talk such nonsense..."

He smiled at her and slowly removed her hand from his mouth,

"So? Have you met your dream Prince Charming, Princess? Or should I place the sun and the moon at your feet?"

She chuckled,

"I think I have..."

He raised one eyebrow at her and she pulled him a little closer to her,

"I know I have... And his name is Raghav Singhania."

With that she pulled him into another passionate kiss. And the stars that night shined a little brighter to celebrate their love.

~la fin~