Fated to love you - ch 7 pg 16 - Page 4

"Dadi, Arjun calls out as he runs into the house, followed by his parents. Surprised Sanjana stands up, opens her arms to accept her grandson's hug as she looks questioningly at Aadarsh and Parineeta, says, "I thought you were to come next week.

Greeting his mum, Aadarsh replies, "we were missing you all.

Laughing, Pakhi says teasingly, "ha ha... you mean the groom swap got you rushing back.

Sarla slaps Pakhi sharply on her shoulder and says sternly, "behave.

Rubbing her shoulder, pakhi says sulkily, "it hurts Dadi.

Parineeta comes forward to greet Sarla, with a smile placed on her lips, she replies, "nothing of the sort Pakhi. Turning to her mother inlaw, she adds, "Mum was feeling better, hence we shortened our stay.

"I don't believe it, pakhi says with a huff, adding, "am I supposed to believe that you are happy bhai got married again. Priya was your sister! Pakhi ends exclaiming.

With a tight smile, Parineeta replies, "I am happy that Ragav has chosen to move on. I am sure Priya is happy to, may God rest her soul. I am only sad that Ragav did not feel the need to inform me first.

Ragav stares bleakly at Pareenita, he lowers his gaze guiltily, unable to meet hers, not wanting to see his betrayal etched on her features. He had hurt her. Not able to ignore her successfully, Ragav looks up and says guiltily, "bhabhi it's not...

Parineeta stops him by interrupting him, "not now Ragav. We shall talk later. His gaze pleading, "bhabhi please let me explain. Shaking her head, Parineeta reiterates, "later Ragav. Let me settle Arjun in first.

Neetu hugs her daughter tight, not wanting to let go, the red mark on her maang, clearly stating that her daughter was no longer only hers. Laughing, Kalpi says, "mum, if you hug me any tighter I shall faint."

Pulling away from her mum, she adds, "my God! I was just gone for one night. Less than twenty four hours!" Shekhar walks in, saying, "wait until you become a mother."

Shrieking, Kalpi says, "no ways," chuckling as she tries to imagine having a child with Ragav. Looking around the room, she asks, "where is dida ?" Neetu replies smiling, "she went to the temple."

Watching Parineeta feed Arjun his lunch impatiently. Anxious, not able to wait anymore, Sanjana pulls Parineeta towards her room, calling out to her older son, "Aadarsh feed Arjun.

Closing her room door, her expression distraught, Sanjana says, "I am so sorry... Alarmed, Parineeta places her hands on her mother in laws shoulders and guides her to sit on the edge of the bed.

Kneeling next to her, she takes her mother in laws hands into hers and says, "mummy stop. Please don't apologise. I am happy that Ragav is married. I am happy that he has finally moved on. Five years is too long to live with the past. It is unhealthy. Tears eyed Sanjana listens to Parineeta.

Parineeta looks up, silent tears falling down her cheeks, she adds, "I am just hurt that you and Ragav didn't tell me directly. Tears fall down Sanjana's cheeks as Parineeta adds, "Mum, I thought our relationship was such that you and Ragav could tell me anything.

Sanjana lifts her hands, wipes Parineetas tears, leans forward and kisses her forehead lightly, then hugs her tightly and says emotionally, "I don't know what good I did in this world to deserve both you and Priya.

Breaking the hug, Parineeta adds lightly through her tears, for it hurt to say the words, "you mean three of us Mum. Me, Priya and now Kalpi.

Both look at one another with smiley eyes filled tears running down their faces. Parineeta laughs and says, "mum we are both a mess... crying in happy times as they wipe each other's tears.

Sarla walks in at that moment, worry etched on her wrinkled features. Seeing the lovely moment shared between her daughter inlaw and grand daughter inlaw, she demands aloud, "and where is my hug.

Moments later Parineeta says, "let me go look for Ragav, he must be worried.

Watching her leave the room, Sanjana turns towards her mother inlaw once they are alone and breaks down. Crying she places her head on her mother in laws lap and says, "Mum I am so lucky. I don't know what I have done to deserve her.

Sarla caresses her daughter inlaws head and says with a smile, "I see you in Parineeta. A girl who has always spread love and unity in the family... always full of positivity... always caring... Thank you for being my daughter inlaw.

Neetu frowns at shekhar, her gaze filled with concern, worry, she whispers, "what does it mean that Ragav was married? Shekhar replies, "shhh... Kalpi doesn't know."

Smiling Kalpi looks around her old room, thinking, "hello room. I miss you. Maya follows behind her, curious, "spill. What happened? Why did Ayaan play invisible man?

Kalpi sits on the edge of her bed and update Maya on what had happened.

"Wow, maya says, "what are you going to do now? Are you going to go back to Ayaan?

"Are you even hearing yourself, Kalpi scolds, "I am married. I asked Ragav to marry me. Are you seriously expecting me to jump from one brother to the other!

Shrugging her shoulders maya says nonchalantly, "you did yesterday.

"Well I wasn't married then, Kalpi replies dryly, "I am married now. So no jumping. I made my bed, I just gotta lay in it.

"Wow, day one of marriage and my Kalpi has become so mature, maya teases, adding, "thank God you didn't marry Ayaan. I don't care what you say. It wasn't love. Teasing she adds, mimicking a priest, "and your arshirward balika is you got to marry the hotter Singhania.

Hearing this, Kalpi chases after maya laughing and screaming, "I am going to kill you. Come here.

Shekhar welcomes Ragav and says, "I hope you will stay for dinner." Turns to Neetu and says, "where is Kalpi? Tell her Ragav is here." Smiling Neetu replies, "she..." Stops mid sentence as they hear Kalpi's voice thought the closed bedroom door. At first all are alarmed, wondering what is going on, Kalpi rarely got angry. All straining their ears as they try to make sense of the muffled words.

"... Can't believe... Kill him... Marriage... Divorce... Not going back..." Trying not to burst out laughing, Ragav says, "I think that is my cue" and walks towards Kalpi's room.

Maya looks pleadingly towards Kalpi, says, "please keep your voice down. Mum and dad will hear you. Who called earlier?

Meeting silence, maya wonders who could it have been, she pleads again for the nth time, "please Kalpi, talk to me. Why are you so angry? Who was it? What did he or she say? It's been over an hour... I have never seen you this angry.

Ragav walks into the room, Kalpi turns around, glares at him with fury, grabs the first thing that comes into her hand and throws it at him. Maya watches in horror as her hair brush sails through the air and hits Ragav on his left shoulder.

"Ouch," Ragav yelps reflexively, his reactions slow for he had not expected Kalpi to attack him. "You are being childish," he admonishes calmly, annoying her further.

Kalpi looks around for something else to throw at him. Prepared for another attack Ragav strides over, grabbing her hands and twisting them behind her back before she can do any real damage.

Turning to Maya, he says, "leave us." Nodding, Maya rushes towards the door. He calls out, "Maya," stopping her at the door, waits for her to turn, then adds, "not a word outside." Nodding, she opens the door and quickly closes it behind her.

Locking her hands behind her back Ragav teases, "you could have at least waited until we were alone. Now the family will come to know you are a husband beater," he ends, chuckling.

Getting no response from Kalpi, he asks, "have you calmed down? You won't attack me if I let you go, right?" Releasing her, he asks patiently, filled with concern, "why are you so angry? What happened?" His eyes searching hers as he tries to understand her extreme reaction.

Her hands free, Kalpi attacks again, but this time Ragav is prepared. He has her pinned to the bed before she could blink, his body covering hers, ensuring that she is unable to harm him by kicking. Her arms, above her head, held tightly by his hands. Their faces inches apart, Kalpi says furiously, "I have had a bad day. I am not in the mood to entertain your tantrums. Stop with this childish behavior."

Affronted, Kalpi shrieks, "childish behavior? Childish behavior! I shall show you childish behavior." Saying so she leans forward, lifting her head off the bed... Shocked, Ragav pulls his face away, says with disbelief, "you bit me." His hand automatically rubbing his bruised right cheek. Shaking his head, as he tries to process what just happened, he stares into satisfied eyes and says, "you are crazy."

Oozing with satisfaction that she got one up him, her gaze challenging him, Kalpi retorts, "you wanted childish... You got childish." Staring into challenging eyes, Ragav stops himself from reacting instinctively, instead admonishes her by saying, "this is what happens when one bottles up their emotions... It spirals out of control."

Releasing her, he steps away, needing to keep his distance for every fiber in him wanting to accept her challenge... Wanting to make her submit. Her behavior stiring his primal instinct.

Ignoring her, Ragav studies his reflection in the mirror, checking the damage done, satisfied that the bite mark was faint. His gaze automatically seeks out kalpi's through the mirror. He thinks with reluctant admiration, "damn she is feisty," as she holds her head high.

Ignoring the horror that is quacking inside her, over her behavior, Kalpi meets Ragav's gaze through the mirror, boldly. There was no apology on her face over her action though her mind was numb with shock.

Turning around, studying her through new eyes, Ragav says, "the mark is faint. I think we shall get away with it. Do you want to stay for dinner? Exhausted after her attack, Kalpi says in a quiet voice, devoid of emotion, "I am not going anywhere with you."

Frowning Ragav slowly walks up to her, sits on the bed, several inches away from her, confused, he asks, "why? Has something happened?" Unable to control herself, tears fall silently down her cheeks as she replies, "I refuse to go anywhere I am not wanted." "You are crying," Ragav says in surprise. Wiping her tears roughly, Kalpi says angrily, "the credit doesn't go to you... I am just emotionally drained." Raising his hands up, a gesture of surrender, Ragav says softly, "okay. Explain what you meant with that statement."

Folding her arms across her waist, lips compressed, Kalpi glares at him defiantly. Exhausted with her antics, already annoyed with the day's events, Ragav says, "now is not the time for silence." Getting no response from her, having reached the limit of his patience, Ragav stands up and say, "fine. Stay here. Like I care." Kalpi bites out, "I know you don't care." Sits up, on her knees as she glares at him angrily, adding passionately, "I know you don't want me... And I, Kalpana Kapoor will never go where I am not wanted."

Ragav stares at Kalpi, stunned over her outburst... His mind trying to make sense of what she is saying... Does she want me to want her... Doesn't she love Ayaan... What the hell is going on in her head... Taking a deep breath, Ragav slowly walks towards her, knowing that he needs to tread carefully. Sitting by her side, not wanting to lie, he says, "Kalpi, it is true I don't want you in my life..." Seeing the pain reflecting in her eyes, he stops her from reacting by saying quickly, "let me finish. I am not done." He begins again, his voice soft, filled with empathy, " I may not want you in my life, but I don't, don't want you in my life. Isn't it the same for you?"

He sits inches away from her, patiently waiting for his words to sink in, relieved when the hurt in her eyes fade as understanding dawns. He adds calmly, stating the reality of their situation, "we are together not because we want to be together, but because we have to be together." Her voice husky from her emotional outburst, she asks, "then why did you betray me?" Taken aback, Ragav asks, "when did I betray you?"

"When we married, was not one of your conditions that you would be my present and future?" Kalpi asks.

Perplexed, Ragav answers, "yes it was."

"Was not another of your conditions that we would present a united front in front family and friends? That we would not let others see that our relationship is just on paper? Kalpi asks.

"Yes it was, Ragav answers.

"Then why did I hear you profess your love for someone called Priya and that you regretted marrying me and wished you could undo it! Kalpi says. Kalpi continues, "Why did you agree to marry me when you are so in love with another woman? "Damn it. You made me the other woman between you and the woman you love, She ends angrily.

Ragav opens and closes his mouth several times... no words coming out as Kalpi's words sink in. His mind a scramble as he realises that she had heard part of his conversation with Parineeta. He clears his throat and asks, "how...?

Sighing deeply as she thinks of the mess she created by putting him on the spot when she asked him to marry her, she says, "you butt dialled and did not realise, hence I got to listen in on part of your conversation. Curious about who knew the truth about their relationship, Kalpi asks, "who did you confide in? Who knows the truth about us?

Shaking his head, Ragav replies softly, "I am so sorry. Taking her hands in his, he repeats, "I am so sorry Kalpi. Forgive me. What happened today... I promise will not happen again.

Kalpi looks at Ragav skeptically, "and what of Priya? She asks. His gaze sad, Ragav replies with a heavy heart, "she is my past.

Knowing that it was agreed that his father inlaw would speak to his mother inlaw and that they would decide... his heart refused to keep Kalpi in the dark, he adds softly, "we were married. She passed away.

Surprised, Kalpi says, "you were married! Nodding, Ragav replies, "yea. I am a widower. I am sorry...

Kalpi interrupts, correcting him, "you were a widower. You are married now... it makes sense, she adds as she looks him up to down and down to up, her expression contemplative, adding, "at your age...

"My age! Ragav exclaims, feeling affronted for being called old and at the same his heart lightens as she takes in the news positively.

Leaning forward, Kalpi caress his wounded check and says sheepishly, "I am sorry for my childish tantrum." His eyes bleak, guilt eating him, he stares silently at Kalpi drowning in her trust, warmth and acceptance of their situation.

Holding the hand that was gently caressing him cheek, Ragav pulls it away, staring at it for several seconds, looks back into eyes filled with warmth and says gruffly, "it's okay. Forget about it." Then adds cheekily, "and what off the hairbrush?"

Laughing, Kalpi teases, "I am not sorry about the the brush." Staring into smiling eyes, his gaze drops to her smiling lips, the urge to kiss her, strong. His heart races as he tries to control the unexpected passion she ignites in him. Oblivious of Ragav's thoughts, Kalpi says happily, "let's go home. Happy that she had not come between two lovers. Unnoticed, he continues staring at her with intensity as her words seep into his heart, filling it with warmth.

Neetu paces too and from outside the room, trying to eavesdrop... There had been muffled yelling... Then silence. Her heart was in her mouth ever since Maya had whispered in her ears that Kalpi had hit Ragav. Unable to handle the suspense of how Ragav has handled the attack any longer, she burst open the door, feverently praying, "please let him not hurt my baby." She stops, relief pouring in as she see Kalpi and Ragav siting next to one another... one's gaze filled with warmth and other's filled with passion... as they gaze into each other's eyes. Clearing her throat, embarrassed for having walked into a private moment.

Ragav turns towards the door, seeing Neetu, he drops Kalpi's hand like a ton of bricks, stands up and says hurriedly, "Kalpi, it is quite late. We need to get going." Acknowledging Neetu, Ragav walks out of the room.

Needing reassurance that all is well, Neetu walks towards Kalpi. Kalpi oblivious of the worry her mum has, smiles, hugs her mum and says, "I gotta run. It is quite late." And rushes past.

Coming to a quiet house, Kalpi says, "it is quite late. I think everyone is asleep. Kalpi walks into the kitchen, saying, "I don't know about you, but I am starving. Adding, "Why don't you go shower while I heat the food. Nodding in agreement, Ragav wastes no time and takes the stairs two at a time.

Towelling his damp hair as he walks out of the bathroom, Ragav stops and breaks into a wide smile, says, "ooh food... I am starving." Throwing his damp towel on the bed, he sits on the divan while Kalpi serves him dinner before serving herself. They eat in amicable silence, when Kalpi's attention falls on the damp towel on the bed. She scolds ragav as she gets up to take the towel. ragav says, "let it be. I shall pick it up." Ignoring him, she takes the towel, races to the clothes railing near the bathroom, places the towel and races back, saying, "done." And continues eating.

Kalpi asks, "why was your day bad?" Surprised, Ragav asks, "what makes you say, I had a bad day." Shrugging her shoulders, Kalpi says, "you mentioned it when we were arguing." "So, what made your day bad?" She asks. Not wanting to share, Ragav replies, "nothing in particular happened. Lots of things compiled together." "Such as?" Kalpi asks, curious. "Such as... Our arguement slash fight... first this morning then again this evening, Ragav replies, adding, "first day of marriage... Not a good start..." Frowning, Kalpi replies, "are you politely trying to equate me to bad... Because the common thing in both situations is me." "If the shoe fits," chuckling, Ragav teases. Laughing, Kalpi replies, "it fits."

Ragav sits back, watching Kalpi clear up, quietly admiring her forthright nature... Her lack of pretence was like a fresh breeze... Ragav sits up and says, "why don't you go shower and call it a night. I shall clear the rest." Kalpi's smiles, replies, "okay." Watching her walk towards the bathroom, he says in a quiet voice, "Kalpi," waits for her to turn, then adds, "you are no longer Kalpana Kapoor, but Kalpana Ragav Singhania."

The dishes all washed, Ragav switches off the kitchen light and heads up the stairs for his room. Reaching his room, he finds Kalpi fast asleep on the divan. He prepares for bed, occasionally chuckling as he revisits the events during their arguement. As he lay in bed, smiling, he rubs his bitten cheek, murmuring, "she is crazy." As he falls asleep. It was the first night in five years that Ragav fell asleep with a smile on his face... The first night in five years where he didn't mourn his lost love... The first night in five years where his past was nowhere in sight.