Chapter 4
Reading the discomfort in Kalpi's body language as she plays with her breakfast, Ragav leans towards her, whispers, "what is the matter? Is the breakfast not to your liking?" Kalpi leans towards him, whispering back, "this is very awkward." Stealing a glance around the table, not meeting anyone's gaze, continues, "asking you to marry me was obviously not a bright move on my part. I should have..." Ragav smiles, replying, "ah, the beauty of hindsight."
He sits back, a slight smile on his face, curious to see how she will handle the situation. Moments later, unable to see her anxious anymore, Ragav takes pity, leans forward and whispers, "you are forgetting something very important." Confused eyes looks into laughing eyes, thinking, "what is he talking about?" He continues, "as far as the family is concerned, we married because Ayaan deserted you at the mandap. We married for family, society, blah, blah..." Breaking into a smile as relief pours in, beamingly Kalpi exclaims slightly aloud, "oh gosh! I could hug you." Seeing the relief in her eyes, Ragav smiles, nods towards her plate, his eyes silently telling her to relax and enjoy her breakfast.
Smiling slightly, Ragav looks across the dining table. His smile falters as his gaze falls on Ayaan, who is watching Kalpi. Reading the pain, the betrayal in Ayaan's gaze, regret engulfs him momentarily over his part in separating them. His gaze then falls on Pakhi, any regret that he feels vanishes, strengthening his resolve and belief that he did no wrong... for him... his sister came first... and for her happiness... he was capable of doing anything.
The butler walks up to Neerav and says, "sir, Officer Dutta has come to see you." Surprised, yet curious, Neerav replies, "show him in." Ayaan get up from the dining table along with his father. Neerav gives him a questioning look, to which Ayaan replies, "I called the officer. I want him to arrest the people who are responsible for me missing my wedding."
Ragav freezes momentarily when he hears this, forcing himself not to react and remain nonchalant. Neerav looks towards his son, then Ayaan, mentally debating how to handle the situation, thinking, "I can't have the family, especially Ayaan find out about Ragav's involvement. I need to protect both my sons."
Kalpi looks up, surprised, doubt flickering in her eyes as Ayaan's words register, thinking, "was I wrong... did pakhi and Ayaan not prank me. Why was I so certain that Pakhi and Ayaan had planned it? Why did I not trust Ayaan? Turning to look at Ragav and then back at Ayaan, Kalpi thinks in horror , "oh no! What have I done?
Neerav turns towards the officer and says, "Officer Dutta, I would like to apologize for wasting your time. We are not going to pursue the matter. We will not be pressing charges. It is..." "But dad," Ayaan interrupts with disbelief. Neerav ignores him and continues, "it is regarding a girl's respect. I do not want it to become into a spectacle." He turns to Ayaan, softens his voice, saying, "should the media get hint of this, they will drag the girl's name and her family through mud. This is something I find unacceptable." Ayaan turns to Ragav, says " Bhai, please talk to dad. They should be held accountable for what they did. They held me against my will." Neerav turns to look at Ragav, curious to see what will he do.
Reading the pain,frustration in Ayaan's eyes, Ragav says with a heavy heart, knowing full well he was inviting trouble for himself, but he just couldn't disappoint Ayaan in his time of need, "dad, please reconsider. Ayaan does have a valid point."
Neerav's gaze softens, thinking, "you would invite trouble for yourself for Ayaan. I am glad you have not lost your conscience completely. I will keep my trust in you that you must have a good reason for doing what you did. Neerav turns back to the officer and continues in a strong voice. "This matter has been resolved. The family has apologised. It is the end of the matter."
Officer Dutta replies, "it is okay sir. I am glad that this matter is being tackled sensitively and that you have looked at the broader picture and have decided to let it go." Silently reprimanded for not considering the matter maturely, Ayaan turns to look at Kalpi with frustration.
Ragav walks into his room, stops mid stride. Seeing his belongings strewn everywhere, he exclaims, "what are you doing?" Kalpi turns around, smiles and says, "I am making room for my stuff. From now on we share everything... Half... Half." Shaking his head Ragav walks out of their room.
Ayaan walks into Kalpi and Ragav's room, looks about the room, taking in the mess, says in wonderment, "Kalpi it has not even been 24 hours and you have made this room into a tip." Kalpi looks up, surprised to find Ayaan here. Unsure on how to respond, she remains silent.
Ayaan sakes his head, saying, "this is not what I came for." Looking at her imploringly, he says, "Kalpi I want to explain my absence. I owe you an explanation." Kalpi gives him a weak smile and says sincerely, "Ayaan you don't owe me any explanation. Let bygones be bygones. It's too late. I am married.
"I know that Kalpi, Ayaan says with sadness, adding, "and I won't come between you and bhai. It's just that... I just needed to tell you that I didn't desert you. He ends imploringly.Feeling guilty, for doubting him, for not trusting him, Kalpi lowers her gaze, says, "I am sorry. I am sorry for doubting you.
Hearing her words, pierced his heart, Ayaan replies, "I guess our love was not strong enough. Deep down He wanted to yell at her, "why didn't you trust me?, but then what was the use... she was already married and that too... to his brother. Smiling weakly, Ayaan brings his hand forward, ready for a handshake, says, "friends? With a lump in her throat, engulfed with guilt for doubting him, Kalpi replies meekly, "friends as she shakes his hand.
Ragav smiles with relief, happy that Ayaan and Kalpi had sorted it out. Deciding not to interrupt them, he turns around and heads back downstairs, thinking, "good. Now the awkwardness will diminish. Glad Ayaan has accepted it.
Kalpi races down the stairs, wanting to share the news with Ragav and inform him that there would be no more getting even. It was all a misunderstanding and that the fault was hers entirely... all because of her lack of trust.
Sanjana, seeing Kalpi come down the stairs, calls out with a smile, "Kalpi, look who is here.
Kalpi stops midstride, looks up, her face lights up, she calls out as she runs towards them, "dad. I missed you as she hugs him tight. Then turns to her sister, hugging her tight, "I missed you so much. I wish you could stay here with me.
Shekhar Kapoor looks towards Kalpi's in laws, Sarla and Sanjana and says, "Kalpi doesn't mean it. She is just caught up in the moment. Sanjana dismisses his worry and reassures him that they were not offended, instead says, "this is one of the things I like about her. Her clean heart. Dadi adds laughing, "very true Sanjana... what you see is what you get. She is a breath of fresh air.
Ragav watching the interaction from the study door, walks towards them, saying, "dadi, what you mean is that Kalpi has no stop sign... what she thinks, she says. Smiling, he greets his father in law. Kalpi, who had been basking at the compliments she had received, frowns and says, "that doesn't sound like a compliment! Maya looks at her sister with egsasperation and says, "duh! Of course it is not a compliment. Ragav is right... you have no brakes. "Whatever, Kalpi says dismissingly, adds as she pulls Maya towards the stairs, "come help me sort my room out. The sooner I finish, the sooner I can go see Mum.
Shekhar shakes his head with a sigh, thinking, "she is too immature to get have gotten married. He gives the inlaws another apologetic look and says, "her mother and I have spoilt her. Sanjana laughs and says, "don't worry bhaisaab. We shall continue to spoil her. Then with seriousness, she continues, "bhaisaab, Mum and I would like to have a private word with you. We would have preferred if Neetu was here too, but I feel we shouldn't wait. Shekhar reads the seriousness in both Sarla and Sanjana and wonders what it could be that they couldn't wait to have Neetu present... what was so urgent. He nods and follows them towards the study.
Sanjana stops at the door and says, "Ragav. Join us.
Shekhar looks at Sarla, Sanjana and Ragav... one at a time in silence. Too stunned by what they just told him. His Kalpi was married to a windower. How did this happen? Did they play us yesterday? Did they plan for Ayaan to not come? Doubts start hounding him.
"Calm down Shekhar, he tells himself, "let's not get ahead of ourselves. Didn't Neetu tell you that it was Kalpi's idea to marry Ragav. Let's calm down and think things rationally. Emotions won't do here.
"Does Kalpi know, Shekhar asks. Ragav shakes his head and says in a somber voice, "no. Wanting to clear the doubts she knew Shekhar would have, Sanjana says, "bhaisaab, please be rest assured, we never planned to swap grooms. In fact you can ask Kalpi. Ayaan had brought the cops home this morning, wanting to arrest the people who had... and she narrates the misunderstanding that took place yesterday and her husband's decision to not take the matter forward and his reasoning.
Quietly listening to all this, the reality of what he had done sinks in. "I have to make it up her, Ragav thinks, as he realises that marrying a widower was not what Kalpi had chosen. "Damn, how could I have been so consumed with Pakhi's pain.
Shekhar looks at them bleakly, he felt he had aged ten years in these few minutes, he says, "let us not tell Kalpi anything for now. I shall discuss this with Neetu.
Edited by angelpureness - 7 years ago
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