FF - Destined to Love - Updated Part 4B - pg 14 - Page 2

Originally posted by: poetic

An alternate universe story. Enchanting indeed. And what a nice start to it. Completely riveting and such mature portrayal of characters.

Pl update soon. I am definitely curious.

Originally posted by: ZainabSidd

Wowwwieee 😳
Loved it.. Please write more.
Update soon
Will wait for your next update 😊

Originally posted by: iamcurious

Thanks Sukhi! You've always got encouraging words to say :)
Its a simple story I have in mind, hope you will like it further.

Originally posted by: NeiRaFreak

@imcurious... U always leave everyone CURIOUS ... what a captivating start 👏 couldn't stop reading it between two breathes... Plz update soon

Next Sunday plz come soon 😳

Originally posted by: ronitfan

now now now NOWWW :D

Originally posted by: iamcurious

Arre let me finish writing. I am not as fast and as creative as you guys are. Sochna padta hai thoda 😆

Part 2

"Destiny decides who you meet in life but its only your heart that can decide who gets to stay in your life"

After about 20 missed calls and 10 messages from RK asking about his whereabouts, Nachiket finally made his way down to the hall where the wedding was to take place. He looked visibly upset and totally disoriented after that unexpected emotionally charged brief meet with Ragini', he only knew her name, someone else's bride to be. His heartbreak years ago had made him a stone hearted man and since then he'd never felt this strongly for anyone. No one. Over the period of time Nachiket weaved a cocoon around himself such that he never let anyone come remotely close to him emotionally. His friends included only Karan - his childhood friend; a hotelier, Karan's wife Dimpy who was more like a younger sister to him and Karan's younger brother Ram Kapoor - RK as Nachiket fondly called him. RK was his soul mate who understood his silences unlike anyone and stood by him through his thick and thin times.

Today was different. Nachiket, who had once angrily vowed to never ever let any woman come into his life after his bitter experience in love, was unable to get this woman, about whom he knew nothing except her name, out of his mind. Her images of sitting dejected on the floor, her vulnerability, her question still resonating in his ears, reminded him of him, the Nachiket who had seen failure in love. How much he wanted to pour out his heart to someone and cry. How weak he felt then that his mind once even urged him to take away the life he loved dearly. His memories that were locked and buried deep within somewhere came rushing back, but this time evoking empathy for the woman he'd not seen but just heard her soft voice complaining about life. He wanted to protect her, care for her, just how he wanted someone to protect him then in his weak moments. He simply wanted to lend her that shoulder he once sought for. Suddenly fear engulfed him as his mind still processed the comparison of their emotional turmoil, he realized he was strong enough to get over his grief and start all over again but she was not that strong after all. Today he was able to save her from taking the drastic step, but what if she would be weak tomorrow once she begins her life that she dreaded so much? He wanted to be there to just rescue her and support her to overcome her fears and failures if any. He sighed heavily as he knew he could do nothing. He simply prayed for her well being quietly hoping against hope that he'd be around her somehow whenever she was in trouble.

Nachiket walked into the big hall where the wedding was about to begin. He barely took notice of surroundings and people around him, ignoring the polite greetings from his peers and batch mates. If Nachiket was one of the famous cardiologists in town, then Aman Malhotra the groom to be, his batch mate and once a good friend was a corrupt Urologist who was caught in a kidney stealing and selling scandal a couple of years ago. Though he was given a clean chit immediately given to aid from his influential corrupt friends, he continued practicing abroad. Unfortunately, his wrong doings were kept under wraps within his family, especially his grandfather -Keshav Malhotra who loved him dearly. Keshav Malhotra, a retired but renowned cardiologist now in his late seventies and Nachiket's grandfather Vishwas Khanna had old family ties. Nachiket respected Keshavji for he was extremely kind and helpful to him when he lacked financial support while he pursued his education due to sudden demise of his parents. Despite Nachiket's disapproval and hatred for Aman for several reasons, including a very strong personal reason, Nachiket agreed to attend his wedding only for his grandfather, Keshavji.

'Nachiket! Where the hell have you been? I've been calling you for so long', RK asked exasperatedly when he finally noticed Nachiket looking lost in the crowd of people.

Not getting any response from him, he struggled his way out along with Nachiket towards the exit when they both were surprised to see Keshavji, Aman's grandfather pleading and begging in front of the Police Inspector for forgiveness.

Nachiket was startled to see the scene unfolding in front of him. Before he could think of asking or doing anything, the police rushed past him and dragged Aman out of the grandly decorated gazebo where he was seated for the wedding rituals to begin. He was handcuffed and taken along amidst the gasps, whispers and murmurs of people. The otherwise noisy wedding hall suddenly fell into deep silence and watched the drama in curiosity.

As they neared him, Nachiket jolted out of his confusion and despair. Holding up his hand he politely stopped the police, 'What? What is the matter Inspector?'

The inspector looked irritated to be interrupted. Had it not been Nachiket he would have not bothered to answer. Yet he answered politely, '23 poor people recovering in a private hospital in Bandra and Dr.Khanna you would be surprised to know that they all have one kidney missing.'

'Oh my god!', Nachiket sighed in disgust and in a beat continued,'But how is Aman...I mean Dr.Malhotra involved in all this?'

The inspector smirked and said sarcastically,'Sting Operation Dr. Khanna. We have recorded statements against him.'

'Oh!'

'Now would you please allow us to do our duty?'

Nachiket nodded and moved aside and let the police take Aman away who followed them defiantly. He scowled at Aman and looked disgusted.

As soon as Aman was taken away, there was a sudden commotion at the far end of the hall that distracted Nachiket. RK followed him closely behind as they swam past through people in the hall towards the noise.

'What is all this Keshavji? Why was all this hidden from us? Transparency is the least thing a girl's family demands. We may not be as rich as you are but we have our self-respect to protect... ,' bawled a mid-aged woman.

Keshavji stood silently in defense as he had nothing to say or tell. He was too shocked to let alone reply to accusations, but also react to the fact that his grandson was indeed arrested on the wedding day in front of the whole society who respected him immensely.

The lady continued to cry copiously. Suddenly the sorrow in her eyes added few more years to her age. She helplessly folded her hands in front of Keshavji and spoke with a very heavy gujrati accent, 'We are very small people Keshavji, we have nothing but only the little respect earned in so many years. I blindly trusted you and agreed to give away my daughter in marriage to your grandson simply because I have known you for several years. I am thankful to you for all the help you extended to me in my toughest times after I lost my husband but what way is this of seeking repayment for all that?'

Nachiket watched all this mutely feeling extremely sad to see Keshavji so shamefaced and helpless all because of his good for nothing grandson. He contemplated to speak up something in his defense, but was silenced when Keshavji took a small step towards the lady and folded his hands before her and said politely, 'Ashaben, trust me when I say this, I was in the dark as much as you were. I also learned the truth today and am still unable to come to terms with this revelation. I never expected Aman to do this.'

After pausing briefly as weighing his words he continued, 'I know it's not going to undo the damage, but I sincerely apologize for all the hurt I caused your family especially your daughter unknowingly.'

'Sorry? Keshavji what will saying sorry do? The damage is done, my daughters life is ruined forever', Ashaben cried further.

'Ashaben please compose yourself and listen to me', Keshavji tried to console the weeping lady. He was in such a fix not knowing how to offer her an apology, which he knew would not correct the situation.

Nachiket was dazed by the happenings one after another. He stood there without blinking witnessing such conversation for the first time unable to comprehend or think of what would happen next. As much as he wanted to step in and speak for Keshavji he couldn't gather the required courage to do so.

'How do you think I can compose myself Keshavji? You do know what happens to a girl in our society who is abandoned at the altar on her wedding? Do you think she can continue to live a normal life after this? Do you think she will be able to marry ever again, even though she is not at fault? Who will marry her? ', She cried further.

Her every question, her every accusation was correct. She demanded an answer from Keshavji but her piercing voice fanned the burning turmoil within Nachiket making him more and more restless. His eyes closed and his fists curled in frustration as he tried to keep a check on his rising temper coupled with frustration.

'Tell me Keshav ji, please tell me who will marry my daughter, my Ragini?', she asked helplessly and collapsed on the ground as a heap now sobbing uncontrollably.

'I will!', Nachiket blurted out impulsively. His words were spoken loudly in a single breath stunning everyone into deep silence and drawing everyone's attention.

'Ragini', it took only her name to blow the lid apart that kept all his emotions in check.

To be contd..

Originally posted by: poetic

Wow ! I now have goose bumps all over my body.

This is such an evocative and lovely story. Wow !

Thanks for taking me out of the gloom and doom scenario. I so want to believe in love, the kind of love that changes everything.

This is so beautiful.

I am now itching to read more.