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

Originally posted by: NeiRaFreak

This is so beautiful 😳 ... loved reading it 😃... what an interesting and unique start and the turns of events ... WOW 👏

Thank God U did justice to Aman 😆 let him be there forever 😆

So our Nachiket can romance with Ragini peacefully 😳 😉

Waiting for tomorrow and the next update 😃

Originally posted by: d3c3nt

This is just wonderful. How well these 2 connected even in the dark without knowing each other.

Waiting for the next part

"It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped"

After several seconds that he took to infer what Nachiket just said, RK tried to cover up, 'Nachiket, what are you...'

Nachiket glanced fiercely, a glance that was reserved for such tense moments when he'd want to silence someone without uttering a word. RK gulped nervously and mustered the courage once again and said, 'Nachiket, do you know what you're saying?'

'Back off', Nachiket muttered raising his hand a little to warn him to refrain from speaking further. Running his fingers through his hair when he was nervous, he composed himself. He took a step closer to Ashaben who looked exhausted and confused with the sudden change of events and helped her up to her feet. He glanced at Keshavji once and forced a smile to assure him that he was well aware of what he was saying. Like a thorough gentleman he folded his hands in front of the old lady and said politely yet firmly, 'Mam, with your permission and of course your blessing I would like to marry your daughter Ragini at this very moment.'

Gasping now in shock Ashaben looked at Keshavji seeking explanation about the turn of events and about the gentleman who stood in front of her. Who was this young man who came of blue to step in and save her daughter's life? He most certainly looked educated and dignified and his mannerisms reflected his superlative upbringing.

Keshavji who was baffled to see Nachiket taking ownership of the problem to save him spoke rather very apologetically, 'Beta, do you realize what are you talking? You...you don't have to do this Nachiket. It's not a small commitment, but one that is for a lifetime. You don't know her ...I...I think you are being impulsive.'

Turning to face the old man who suddenly looked fragile, Nachiket replied very softly, 'No dadu, am not being impulsive. No couple knows each other in an arranged marriage. We have to discover each other with time and that is something you and my parents have done, isn't it?'

Looking at Ashaben he said further, 'And then being an older brother to a sister, I can very well understand what you must be feeling at this moment. Your apprehensions and your worries...everything... it is...it's so obvious.'

Then turning to look back at Keshavji he spoke, 'and when you chose her for Aman, it only means she must be a wonderful girl, it's just unfortunate to be cheated in this way. I am sure if you must choose a bride for me, you would prefer no one less compared to her if not more. So please be assured I am stepping in voluntarily and not by any force to marry her.'

Keshavji had nothing more to tell. He smiled affectionately at Nachiket and wiped his tears remorsefully. Nachiket put an arm around his shoulder and held him closer to him making him stand beside him while he turned to Ashaben and spoke further, 'I know mam this is really not the way such things should unfold but please let me humbly introduce myself for you to consider my proposal, which in no way is any form of favor or cover up for all that happened. Also, after I lost my parents and my grandfather in a car accident few years back, there is just my younger sister, Poonam in my family who is studying in US at the moment. So having no other elder member of my family here who should ideally be talking about my alliance I have to do this for myself. May I?'

Not getting any response at least that of objection from her, Nachiket drew a sharp breath and continued, 'I am Dr.Nachiket Khanna...a cardio...'

'The Cardiologist from Heart Plus hospital?', Ashaben interrupted feeling astonished on learning the information. She had heard about him several times from Keshavji but had never met him personally.

Nachiket nodded positively and noted her expressions softening a little, 'Yes Cardiologist, son of late Prakash Khanna, a doctor too. Dadu...I mean Keshavji and my grandfather, are old friends and that's how our families are still connected, but somehow I've never been friends with Aman, else I'd know about him...', he trailed off.

After a brief pause to let the intensity of moment sink into him, he spoke further, 'Mam...'

'Asha Patel...my name is Asha Patel', she said softly involuntarily sharing information about herself as if it's a must to do when considering a proposal for a daughter.

Nachiket gave a cursory smile to acknowledge and continued, 'Mrs. Patel, so I was saying, Keshavji is like my grandfather and so, on his behalf, I...I am really sorry for all this. This cannot be undone, but I willingly seek your daughter's hand in marriage if you find me appropriate for her.'

Ashaben was silenced and she didn't know what to think and do further. If she was grief stricken with all that happened, she was also thankful to God that there was a suitor, eligible in every sense and had expressed his wish to marry her daughter even after all the unpleasant things that marred her life a few minutes ago. She was very cautious as her trust had been just broken so ruthlessly. How could she trust her daughter's life with this rank stranger? So what if he was a well-known Cardiologist, so was Aman - a successful Urologist. So what if he came from a good family, so did Aman. So what if he appears to be kind and respectable, so did Aman.

'Don't compare Nachiket with my grandson Ashaben', Keshavji said calmly almost reading her mind.

Holding Nachiket's hand and walking a step closer to her he said, 'Ashaben, I may sound unreasonable after what my Aman did, but I can confidently say that I haven't seen a man more trustworthy than Nachiket. Aman must have failed in his childhood or early youth to keep up his word to me or for that matter even today he has failed me, but this boy here has always honored his words right from his childhood. I have seen him grow up wisely taking after his grandfather. I am sure he will keep Ragini happy.'

The old man had tried his bit to convince Ashaben. While the others watched the unexpected scene with bated breath, she excused herself to consult the other elder members of the family who seemed to be very convincing and pleased with the proposal. They could not stop gushing over Ragini's fate. Despite the misfortune that lasted only briefly, it paved way for a better life for her that too with someone like Nachiket. It could only be her good deeds paying off now Ashaben thought to herself.

'Nachiket', Ashaben said softly to draw his attention.

'Yes mam...err...Mrs. Patel

Ashaben smiled warmly at the way he addressed her. Folding her hands that is customary while speaking to someone respectable in her society, she said courteously, 'I respect Keshavji a lot, so when he speaks well for you am assured that you deserve my daughter very well. So beta if you are willing, without any force or pressure, are certain that my daughter can be an ideal wife to you then I am more than happy to let you marry her. I trust you will keep your word and keep her happy.'

Nachiket smiled a little more comfortable this time and said, 'Of course I am certain about this decision and accept willingly but...'

'But?'

The fleeting moments arrested Ashaben's heart again. Was he going to demand something? Dowry? For marrying my daughter? No, my eyes can't read it wrong again. He seems to be a selfless man. She could sense it in his mature talks.' A number of such thoughts raced in her mind.

'...but only if she...I mean Ragini agrees to this marriage.' Nachiket said calmly bringing relief to everyone instantly. He'd earned a great amount of admiration already, this further added more members to the list of admirers and more respect from people who already had accepted him to a nobleman.

Ashaben heaved a sigh of relief and that moment it struck her that she'd totally forgotten about her daughter's will in all this. How stupid of her, she thought. Her worry for her blinded her so much that she took the decision in her interest without knowing HER interest. Worry lines reappeared on her face, she recollected that Ragini wasn't convinced with the idea of marrying Aman in first place, how would she agree to marry Nachiket? But if the wedding didn't happen today it might never.

Nachiket noted the fret lines on her face and said, 'It's not easy for any girl to accept another man as her groom so instantly. Just few hours ago, she was stringing dreams of her life with someone else now to replace the person, not just in dreams but in reality, in life is certainly difficult. So please talk to her and if she has any resentment we will call off this wedding.

'No...why will we call off the wedding? I will speak to her. Just give me some time.' Ashaben faltered fearing that the worst is yet to come. She took quick steps towards the bride's room praying all the gods she knew that her daughter agrees to this alliance.

Meanwhile, RK recovered from the trance and approached his friend and said, 'Nachiket all I want to say is that I am very proud of you my man. I have new found respect for you. And I repeat even if you disagree, I know you don't do things for yourself'.'

'Are you done with your drama already?', Nachiket joked and hugged him tightly.

Knowing Ragini very well, Keshavji feared a negative outcome of Ashaben's effort to talk to Ragini. He was aware that Ashaben had emotionally blackmailed her to agree for the wedding with Aman but he had dismissed her disapproval as apprehension of a young girl resenting marriage and thought that with time she would come to love Aman and live happily. The situation was different now. He was not too sure if Ashaben would be successful in convincing her to marry Nachiket after being deserted by Aman this way. Ragini was like his grandchild too. He knew that if there was anyone who could care for young Ragini like she deserves to be cared for after all the disaster then it was only Nachiket. After giving in a lot of thought Keshavji suggested Nachiket to go and talk to Ragini personally. He was certain that only he will be able to convince her for this wedding.

Nachiket was not sure if he wanted to face her already, but then he debated with himself that if he was thinking of spending his life with her then he must face her now. As he covered the distance he realized that the real challenge did not lie in declaring in front of a hundred people that he wanted to marry her but now to say so it to Ragini, in person.

He waited outside the room trying to catch his breath and regaining the cognition. His hand rested on the door knob which, when opened would let him into a world he never knew it existed until a couple of hours ago. His mind rehearsed the first conversation he'd have with her. Only he knew how dangerously his heart beats raced. He could hear a faint voice coming in from across the door, more so a monologue from Ashaben.

For the ten minutes he stood there he heard nothing from Ragini. Finally, when Ashaben opened the door to step out, the defeated look on her face made Nachiket even more nervous. He silently questioned if he could go talk to her, she nodded hopefully in approval. He took another deep breath and entered the room to find her standing at the far end of the room her back facing the door. Immobile she stood till she heard the soft click of the door closing. She sensed someone's presence in the room and before she could turn around to face him she heard the same voice again, 'Umm...Ragini...sorry Miss Patel.'

To be contd..

Originally posted by: poetic

I am dead

Originally posted by: iamcurious

😲 Nooo!! You can't.