OS : The Beginning ...

Ragini hastened her pace as she turned around the corner, after stepping out of the elevator. Nachiket had told her that his cabin was situated at the endmost section of the floor, to the left. He had requested her to come over to the Hospital, he had something important to share.

Ragini could almost feel the excitement in his voice, and she had smiled at his exuberance, while still over the phone. She wanted to meet him desperately; he had returned from US only 3 days before, and they had met only once at the Airport when she had gone to receive him. She had kept her visit to the Airport a surprise from him, and her heart had filled up with happiness when his entire countenance had changed on spying her there at the Arrival Section, his face beaming with joy and love. After he had exited, he had grasped her by her waist and pulled her into a warm hug, while plopping a kiss on her cheek, leaving her embarrassed, yet happy.

Nachiket had accepted the offer to join another Private Hospital in the city, even when he was still there in the US. He had however requested the management of the Hospital for a leeway of few weeks so that he could finish some important pending work, at his end. The management had accepted his request and now, he was back in India. To his Ragini.

As Ragini approached the room to the left, her heartbeat increased. She would be meeting him again after a gap of 2 days, which almost felt like years to her. Now that he was back in her life, she couldn't fathom how she had survived all those 15 years, without him. Every time she thought about it, she felt sick violently - it was as if somebody was stabbing at her heart with a stake.

She paused for a few brief seconds in front of the door - the nameplate read Dr Nachiket Khanna. She smiled. He was back to being Nachiket once again. Her Nachiket.

She knocked on the door hesitantly. All these seemed too new to her. Though pleasant. After a moment's hesitation, she opened the door to find Nachiket standing near the window, looking expectantly towards the door. Closing the door behind her, she threw her bag at the side counter and walked straight to him. Into his arms.

'Hmm' she thought 'He smells of coffee', as her arms wound their ways round his waist, her head resting on his chest. He had instinctively tightened his arms around her, his chin resting on the top of her head. She shifted slightly in his arms, so that his lips now rested over her right temple. She spied the cup of coffee on the table, and smiled. He and his Coffee. Inseparable.

'That's the second cup of the day, I swear' he whispered against her skin, as he gently rocked her, calming her down.

He continued 'I saw you coming into the Hospital'. He had indicated the window. Still ensconced in his arms, she had peered out. From the 12th floor window, she hadn't been able to distinguish people.

'How come you knew it was me? One couldn't make out anybody from such a height' she questioned him.

'I would always know you. Anywhere', he had answered, punctuating every word with a peck on her forehead.

Ragini realised how much she liked being in his arms. Sighing deeply, she reminded herself of how much she had missed him; missed having his arms around her which now evoked within her the feeling of finally belonging, of finally being at home.

After a while, she stepped out of his arms and looked around. It was a beautiful cabin, as beautiful as one could find in Hospitals. The decor suited his personality, she thought as she turned back to him. He was still standing near the window taking her in, his arms folded across his chest, the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up to his elbows. Sometime during the day, he had loosened the knot of his tie and it now lay limply across his neck.

Otherwise, he was immaculately dressed. She suddenly felt inadequate, she was wearing her plain orange cotton saree, with the contrast printed blouse in green. The same one she had been wearing when she had slipped and fallen into his arms, while she had gone for an inspection of the AC in his cabin at Dr Aman's Hospital. She smiled wryly remembering the incident.

As they simply stood there staring at each other, the silence between them was punctuated by the shrill ring of the telephone. Nachiket picked up the phone and spoke briefly, while his eyes remained fixated on her. Placing the receiver back in it's cradle, he came over to where she stood.

'I will be back in ten minutes, Ragini', he said.

She nodded her assent as she said 'I will wait'

...

Nearly half an hour later, Nachiket returned and locked the door behind him. He didn't want any further interruption. He had something very important to share with Ragini. Something as important as His life.

Ragini was looking out of the window, staring at the sky. She was partially perched on the corner of his desk, her right hand gripping the side of the desk.

Nachiket joined her by the desk and placed his hand on top of hers. Ragini turned towards him and waited expectantly.

Nachiket thought 'I have to tell her now. And go for broke. Whatever her answer be'.

Bending sidewards, Nachiket pulled the side drawer open and took out a Brochure. He was now clasping her fingers tightly.

He handed over the Brochure to her, urging her to open it. Pressing his hand once, she removed her hand from his grasp and opened the brochure.

Ragini's mouth opened in an O as she looked into the Brochure. Her eyes filled with tears as she realised what had gotten him so excited and exuberant over the past two days.

She was looking at the details and pictures of an amazing apartment, but her mind hardly registered anything. What was going on in a loop inside her head and heart was the fact that he was planning for a life together. With her. Their children.

She looked up at him, tears now rolling down her cheeks. He eased the Brochure out of her hands, and placed it on the desk. Taking both of her hands in his, he brought them up to his lips and kissed them.

He moved closer to her and looked into her eyes, as he continued

'I was looking for somebody to share my remaining life with. I was hoping that you would like to take me up on it and apply for the job'.

The deluge of tears now became insistent as she managed to nod her head in affirmation.

'Yes ... ' she whispered. Kiss me Nachiket'.

He needed no second urging as he moved closer to her, and cupped her face with his hands. He searched deep in her eyes to ensure that none of them were making any mistake. They couldn't afford to do one anymore.

But, all he could find was love and longing in her eyes.

He swooped down to cover her lips with his, as her arms went around his neck. He deepened his kiss, and as his lips fought for domination, his right hand sent all the folders on his desk flying across the room.

She pulled him closer as her fingers lodged themselves in the knot of his tie; he removed her hairpin and her hair tumbled down, all across her face. His fingers found their way to entangle themselves further in her hair so that he could angle her face for a better kiss.

A sudden knock on the door brought both of them back to their senses. They pulled away from each other quickly and looked at the door, while breathing heavily. Thankfully, it stayed locked. A flimsy envelope appeared under the door frame and they heaved a sigh of relief.

Turning towards each other, they started laughing as they realised how close they were to being caught. Their eyes danced merrily in excitement as they looked around at the scattered folders.

Nachiket's heart skipped a beat as he took in her appearance - she looked thoroughly kissed, and he was mighty glad that he was the one responsible for it. A sense of sadness pervaded him as he remembered the bitterness in her eyes when he first met her after 15 years. He was thankful to God for giving them this chance again. And he swore to God that he would not mess this one up. Never. For Ragini. For their children.

She tucked in a loose strand of hair behind her ear, as he picked up her hairpin.

'I need to go home now' Ragini said, as she glanced at her watch. 'Mom will be worried, Naani is not well'.

He held her by her chin lightly and looked into her eyes.

'I will come to meet your Mother tonight. I want you back Ragini. I need you. At the earliest.'

She nodded, and then turned around. Picking her bag up from the counter, she walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

He walked over to the window and looked down. She emerged out on the sidewalk, a tiny speck from his 12th floor window.

But that speck constituted his whole world.

...

As Ragini crossed the road, she could feel her heart ready to burst with love and happiness. She knew that she had a smile plastered on her face, but she couldn't care less.

She was determined to build a home for him this time around, a home that would withstand all the weathers of time.

So much so that she could turn around one day and sing to him 'In Your Love, I built a Home'.

...

The End