Part 7
The next few weeks were very awkward for Raj and Naina. They both had a lot to say but didn't know where to start.. Finally Raj broke the impasse.
Raj: I am sorry Naina. I wasn't in control of my emotions that day. I..
Naina: Raj please stop. The person who should apologise is me! I spoke too much. I shouldn't have accused you of hurting Naveen Bhaiya deliberately. I have known you long enough to realise that he meant the world to you... maybe almost as much as he meant to us!
Raj: Naina, I could never hurt him deliberately. Till my last breath I will regret the fact that my actions lead to his death directly or indirectly...
Naina: Raj, I don't know if I can ever forgive you completely or if things can go back to the way they were. But, I don't want things to remain as bad as they have been. I want to start afresh. Can we try and be friends again?
Raj: No!
Naina was surprised and a bit hurt by his response.
Raj: No. There is no question of being friends again. We were, are and will always be friends.
Naina started laughing and hit Raj playfully. Her laughter was music to his ears. He vowed to make it appear on her face more often.
Naina: I wanted to share my findings with you. I have been gathering information on everyone. And my research is pointing fingers at two people.
Raj: Who, Naina?
Naina: The first person is Dr. Ritu. She clearly hates us well at least me. Of course a major reason for that is that she was in love with your or at least attracted to you and our marriage threw water over her plans..
Raj: Naina. What are you saying?
Naina: Stop blushing Raj. She looks at you with pure lust in her eyes. Trust me, you are lucky we are married! God only knows what she would have done to sleep with you.
Raj: NAINA SINGH DO YOU HAVE NO FILTER?
Naina chuckled but stopped pulling his foot.
Naina: But seriously, she behaves very oddly every time she hears Naveen bhaiya's name. She seems on a persona; mission to establish that bhaiya was a traitor.
Raj: You are right Naina. I have had my doubts on Dr. Ritu right since the beginning. We need to double down on her. Who's the second person?
Naina: Raj, I... umm...
Raj: Come on Naina, don;t you trust me?
Naina: Raj actually you are very good friends with that person.
Dr. Shalini.
Raj: Naina that's not possible. Doc is one of the nicest persons I know..
Naina: I know Raj. BBut there's something odd about her. There's very little information on her [personal life. And she always gets overwhelmed when she takes bhaiya's name.
Raj: Hmm. I understand what you are saying... But...
Naina: Raj, I am not saying she had something to do with this. But we need to investigate her further, don't we?
Raj: You are right. But enough fot roday. It's very late and you still need to take rest.
They got ready for bed. Raj hadn't felt this light hearted since Naveen's death. His Naina was coming back to him. Maybe she wold forgive him one day. Maybe.. one day they could truly be husband and wife.
Naina: Raj, are you asleep?
Raj: No. Are you feeling ok? Should I turn on the lights.
Naina: No. I am perfectly fine. Raj did you have feelings for Dr. Ritu? Did this marriage come in your way? I mean...
Raj: No Naina. I wasn't in love with Dr Ritu or anyone else..
Naina: Good. Raj, if you do fall in love with someone before this marriage is annulled, don't feel any restiction. This marriage means nothing.. And I want you to get all the happiness in the world. Anyways good night for now.
Raj: Good night.
Raj was glad that it was dark. The darkness hid the pain and anguish he felt. This marriage meant noting to Naina. But it meant everything to him. They had been married for just over a month and yet Naina was his life partner for him. He rebuked himself for being delusional about their relation.
Raj (to himself): I am sorry Naina. I got carried away. I don't have any expectations from you. But all my happiness rests in your happiness.
Next morning Raj got ready for his classes. He let Naina sleep in. When Naina finally got up at 9.30 she realized that she'd be late for her meeting with Suriji. She got ready as quickly as possible.
She ran out of the room, slipped and was about to fall. A pair of strong hands steadied her.
Man; Clumsy as ever I see.
Even before she looked at the face, she recognized the voice and turned pale.
Man: You should be more careful, Naina. Or should I Mrs. Shekhawat. Moved on quite quickly and here I was cursing myself for not living up to our expectations.
Naina: Abhimanyu.. YOU...I...
Abhi: You owe me no explanations Mrs. Shekhawat. In fact I owe you belated congratulations!
14