'Ragini, Ragini' RK's excited voice whispered into the room, as his face appeared in the chink that the door made as Asha Ben opened it, as a consequence to his incessant knocking.
His face broke into a beatific smile as Ragini turned around from where she was standing in front of the dresser, getting ready for her Sangeet ceremony. Excusing himself into the room, RK glanced apologetically at Asha Ben whose face now wore a marked frown, not at all pleased at this untimely intrusion.
RK walked over to Ragini and hugged her lightly, placing a kiss on her forehead.
'You look beautiful, my sweetheart. Nachi is one lucky man', he said as he looked down at the smiling face in front of him.
Ragini smiled back at him, her dimples deepening as the happiness spread across her being. RK's presence soothed her. She had now known him for only about 2 months, but the bond that they shared didn't escape anybody, much to Karan's consternation. RK was like the elder brother cum friend that she never had.
And now they were here in RK and Karan's farmhouse in Karjat, where Ragini was getting married to Nachiket, following a whirlwind romance - a romance that had swept her off her feet, into a world where spring reigned at all times, with all it's hues, fragrances and a warm fuzziness that enveloped her in it's warmth.
RK had insisted that all the celebrations be held at his farmhouse so that he could make arrangements himself, while representing the bride's side. Both Asha Ben and Ragini had been overwhelmed and they had acquiesced to the request.
As a result, both families and friends were now assembled in the sprawling farmhouse, which was presently a riot of colours and overflowing emotions. The chilly wintry weather added to the extra zing to the auspicious occasion.
'RK', Asha Ben said 'The sangeet begins in an hour. Ragini needs to get ready'
'No issues' RK smiled back at her. I just needed to steal her away for five minutes. There's a surprise we have all planned for her'
'Well that surprise better not involve Nachiket' Asha Ben stood her ground. 'The wedding is tomorrow, and as per our customs, the groom should not see the bride now. It's not correct.'
RK came over to Asha Ben and held her hand
'And it does not involve Nachiket. I don't know where he is actually.' He turned around, looked at Ragini and winked. Ragini was flabbergasted.
'No way' Asha Ben shook her head solemnly. RK knew that he was not going to win this one. However, he had a promise to keep.
Thinking hard, he mentioned
'I just wanted to show the Library to Ragini. She had wanted to see it the first day itself. I mean, she would not get time tomorrow and after that for some time at least, so I thought otherwise.'
A solemn expression on his face, he opened the door and walked out, but not before he told Ragini
'I have kept the Library open, in case you want to visit it'.
Message given and received.
...
And after twenty elaborate minutes, Ragini was able to scoot out of her room, unseen by her Mother, tiptoeing her way to the Library situated towards the back of the house, where there was no commotion of any kind, coupled with no guests. The Library room was RK's own refuge - a place which had limited access and was definitely off limits even during the Wedding.
She slowly pushed the door ajar, the lights from the hallway illuminating the room partially. Ragini looked inside - it was a medium sized room, it looked all warm and cozy. Book cases covered two of the walls of the room, while a heavy, teakwood desk established it's presence near the lone window in the room, dominated by two plush leatherback chairs on either side of the desk. A fire grate and a black marble top mantlepiece adorned the remaining wall of the room - a few simmering logs of wood keeping the room warm. Light from a single table lamp illuminated a quarter of the room, while the remaining three-quarters throbbed with the unbridled energy of the unknown. She was in heaven.
Ragini stepped inside, taking in the ambience. She waited for a brief moment, unsure of herself and was turning around to leave when a pair of hands grabbed her and pulled her away from the door. She knew very well that it was him, nobody else would have dared to do so - it had to be her Nachiket. But she couldn't stop herself from shrieking out, her heart beating erratically.
'Nachiket, what the hell do you think you are doing?' She pulled at her arm to free herself from his bear grasp.
A minute into the struggle Ragini knew that she could not win this battle; his arms enveloped her totally, leaving her with no fighting space. And then she hadn't wanted to win either - not with him. She preferred it this way.
'You know you are not allowed to look at the Bride a day before the wedding' Ragini said.
Rocking her gently in his arms, Nachiket answered
'Not fair. The entire world can look at the Bride, but not the Groom? How is this a good thing?'
Ragini smiled
'It is an ancient custom Nachiket. What if you see me now and feel that you could have had gotten a much prettier bride for yourself? And you decide to call off the wedding?'
'Are you serious?' Nachiket replied in astonishment. Why would I on earth look at somebody else? Especially after all those rounds of proposals that I had to go through to win your love and get a YES from you?'
He looked at his fiancee in earnest. She looked happy and was glowing. And yes, she seemed at peace. It warmed his heart. Dressed in a deep red wine coloured heavily embroidered Anarkali, she looked ethereal - Nachiket thought.
'Nachiket, I have to go now. Mom will not be pleased to find me missing from the room. She has strictly asked me not to meet you today. I can't be caught with you, over here. Not today. Please let me go.'
'Ok, but not before you kiss me good luck. You Mom has decreed that this Sangeet is strictly gonna be an affair for women only and none of us would be allowed' , he cupped her face in his palm.
'No way, Nachiket' Ragini exclaimed. 'I have to go as in NOW. I am not going to kiss you here. What will people think?'
Even before he could respond, there were footsteps coming from the passage oiutside. Ragini started panicking and looked all around the room. There was no place to hide.
A minute later, they could hear Asha Ben's voice from outside
'Ragini where are you? Ab main kahan dhoondhu tumhein? Let me check the Library- the door is open. Maybe she is in there'
Nachiket pulled Ragini towards the other side of room, and they both crouched down behind the heavy teakwood desk. This part of the room being shrouded in darkness, Nachiket was sure that nobody from outside could make out any presence in the room, until and unless they actually came inside. He signalled Ragini to be quiet and they both waited in trepidation, as Ragini's Mom peered inside the room from the doorway.
Nachiket was busy enjoying this - this closeness to Ragini. His arms had her anchored to his chest, and one of her hands rested on the ground, supporting her weight. While her other hand was busy clutching onto his sleeve. As she peered sideways to look at her Mother, Nachiket realised that she was holding onto her breath. He leant in a bit and pulled her closer, kissing her earlobe in the process.
Ragini's eyes turned towards him in admonishment, but she couldn't utter a single word.
After a while, Asha Ben moved away from the doorway, convinced that Ragini was not inside the Library She went away seeking her daughter elsewhere.
Ragini struggled to regain her composure. She felt bad for her Mother, and then there was Nachiket. He steadfastly refused to let her move out of his arms. His grip was comforting but unyielding.
She looked up to him and asked innocently
'Nachiket, if I kiss you, will you please let me go?'
Even before Nachiket could respond, Ragini had leant forward and closed the distance between them, covering his lips with her own. This time around, Nachiket did not waste a milli second as he pulled her even closer and deepened the kiss. His mind went into an overdrive as his hands caressed her back and her hands went around his neck, in response. His back was pressed to one of the sides of the table, and he could feel the drawer handle pressing onto him. It was un comfortable to say in the least, but he was not going to let this moment pass, for nothing in the world.
And finally when they broke apart for much-needed air, his fingers reached out and touched her cheek. She leaned in to his touch, while her eyes held onto his gaze.
After a while, Ragini sighed deeply and got up from where they were seated behind the table. She tiptoed and gently kissed him on his cheek.
'I will see you soon Nachiket' she whispered as she glided out of the room.
Nachiket felt like his heart could burst with joy and happiness. He couldn't believe that it was only a matter of a day more, before Ragini would he his. And he would become Hers. For eternity.
Pushing the chair back to it's original position behind the desk, Nachiket started moving towards the door. He purposely waited for some more time so that nobody would see Ragini and him exiting the room, at around the same time.
He was about the exit the room, when a voice stopped him dead in his tracks.
'Nachiket Beta, I hope you are going to clean off those lipstick marks from your face. Right?'
Nachiket fled out of the room. Dadaji was the last person in the whole world who he had expected to find inside the Library.
He solemnly promised not to mention to Ragini about Dadaji being in the Library. Poor girl wouldn't be able to look Dadaji in his eyes ever.
...
The END
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
