FF - Togetherness Again - Epilogue & A letter from NK Updated Page - Page 12

Originally posted by: iamcurious

Haha! Thats kind of you. Will do it in some time. Some editing to do. 😊

Help Street Kids foundation

'Mrs. Malhotra, it's always a pleasure to have you with us. You have done so much for these deprived children. ' said Mrs.Shrinivas, head of Help Street Kids foundation. Ragini had been a part of this organization and had volunteered to participate in all the activities they organized to raise funds for the children. Even today she was there to attend a meeting for an event to be organized for the deprived children. A heath check drive for such children was being organized and Ragini was present to look into the arrangements.

'I think you along with Mrs. D'Souza can attend the meeting and finalize everything.' she added.

'Sure!' Ragini smiled, dignified like always and proceeded to the main hall for the meeting.

Ragini entered the room and one could read a surprise on her face when her eyes rested on the man she'd least expected to see.

'Nachiket?' Ragini murmured when she saw him standing at the doorway talking to someone.

Ragini's voice caught Nachiket's attention. His heart did a somersault when he saw her standing there looking back completely surprised.

'...Destined to meet!' he recollected Ragini's words and smiled joyously. Indeed the destiny gave Nachiket an opportunity he waited for, to meet Ragini and apologize.

'Oh! Hi Ragini, what a pleasant surprise!', Nachiket said chirpily and came forward, stretching out his hand, he gently shook hands with both Mrs.D'Souza and Ragini.

'Actually, Mr.Vivek Nair, the main trustee of the hospital was to attend the meeting but he had to rush at the last moment and so yours sincerely is here.' Nachiket humbly explained about his presence.

Ragini was pleased to see him actively participate in social service and more so for a cause she was a part of.

'Good to see you...again', she spoke to make small talks. Nachiket nodded humbly and led both the ladies to their seats.

After exchanging pleasantries the meeting began which continued to be a serious talk and as per the agenda the meeting ended with all the things finalized. The event was scheduled on the coming Sunday and accordingly the tasks were divided between the teams on both sides.

The meeting ended on a positive note and the other team members excused themselves one after another leaving just Nachiket and Ragini. An awkward silence persisted between them. Both walked silently towards the exit when Nachiket hesitantly asked, 'Coffee?'

Ragini looked back at him a little surprised. How things had changed they were being so formal to one another?', she thought. She was a little skeptical if she wanted to accompany him but finally she agreed, 'Sure!'

Pleased with Ragini's agreement, Nachiket proposed to go to the nearest caf. He chalked out a rough draft in his mind about what he wanted to tell her.

'There is a caf right across the road, mind if we walk to it?', Nachiket asked politely.

Ragini gave a cursory smiled and nodded in agreement.The two took to walking and made their way towards the main gate in silence. Nachiket observed Ragini intently; she was dressed plainly in pale colors as usual and appeared so bogged down and distant. To initiate a conversation he asked casually, 'So how is my new friend?'

'Ranbir?!', Ragini's face lit up asking the obvious and her eyes twinkled. He noticed how just the mention of Ranbir lifted her mood.

'He is doing fine! Just the same - chatterbox!', she laughed.

The two covered the distance towards the main road talking about Ranbir and Ragini was gradually being herself again while she spoke. Nachiket stopped and waited for the vehicles to pass by and then cross the road while Ragini absentmindedly kept walking further filling Nachiket on Ranbir's antics.

Nachiket spotted a bus speeding towards them which was not noticed by Ragini and she kept walking. RAGINIII,' Nachiket shouted and instantly grabbed her hand and pulled her back fiercely. With the sudden pull, Ragini lost her balance and fell in his arms, her hands clutched his arms for support and to prevent the fall.

Nachiket gently pulled her back further from the gathering traffic. Helping her to stand up straight he said in a tensed voice, 'Careful Ragini! Didn't you notice the bus coming?'

Ragini composed herself and stood steady despite the nervousness, 'I'm sorry! I didn't see it...Am sorry...' she apologized profusely and hastily released her grip on Nachiket's arm and looked away. She still felt his warm hands on her arm, holding her tightly. Goosebumps covered her hands when he gently stroked her cheek to tuck a hair strand behind her ear. Nachiket did it impulsively, but he noticed what his touch did to her. He quickly retrieved his hand that held her arm It's okay! Be careful now.'

Killing the urge to hold her hand while crossing, Nachiket walked closely along very and very cautiously. This time both glanced sideways together and carefully crossed the road. They reached the caf and Nachiket held the door open for Ragini to enter. He followed her and both preferred one of the corner tables. It was fairly crowded with teenagers and their chattering added to the already noisy surroundings.

Nachiket ordered coffee for both while Ragini called in her Mother in law to inform that she would be late and that Ranbir would reach return from school in a while too.

'I met Ranbir the other day at Ronit's place...It was his Birthday party!' Nachiket started the conversation again.

'Oh! How do you know Ronit?' Ragini inquired as she settled down comfortably on the couch and set her purse aside after she threw her phone into it.

'Actually, he is Karan's son; Karan, remember I once mentioned about him to you, my childhood friend?'

'Oh yes! Is he the same Karan?' Ragini asked a little astonished. 'What a small world!!' she smiled and continued.

Nachiket laughed noticing how she still spoke in a sing song tone when she found something fascinating. 'Yes! A small world indeed...See it brings you back in front of me after 5 long years!'

Ragini's smile began to fade and she looked apprehensive as she escaped his eyes. She did not know what to say further and their awkwardness lingered.

Nachiket drew a deep breath before he spoke. 'Am sorry Ragini!' Nachiket spoke softly with his eyes lowered on his hands rested on the table.

He looked up to see Ragini and continued; 'I heard about Ranbir's father from Karan ...am very sorry about it...', he trailed off.

'It's...Its ok Nachiket!' her eyes moistened.

Nachiket kept watching her for a while without saying anything. Ragini felt his stare and so to divert him and to break the existing awkward silence she asked, 'What brings you to Bangalore?'

'Business!' Nachiket quipped and drank some water,...and you,' he completed in his mind.

Oh! Wonderful. You know I am not surprised at all that you are finally The Nachiket Khanna, the successful businessman you aimed to be. I always knew you would make a fine one', she said appreciatively.

'After post graduation I have been involved in nothing but business. And all these years I spent just being a fine one like you mentioned.'

A pretty young girl served them the coffee. Nachiket flashed his signature dimpled smile and thanked her for serving. The coffee set the right mood and within few minutes and after a couple of sips the duo got nostalgic. They recollected their college days and some of their best memories together. Ragini slowly began to feel comfortable and she was less awkward than before. Nachiket was relieved to see her relaxed and unwinding in his company. She was not the chirpy self she used to be but he was glad that she was still better and participative than when he first saw her in the mall.

Nachiket had waited earnestly for this moment. He wanted to apologize to her for what he did to her, but he wasn't sure if this was the right moment. He wanted to make her understand why he had rejected her proposal back then. He wanted to make her believe that like her even he waited to hear those magical words from her. He wanted to explain her everything and tell her why he took that unfortunate decision which changed both their lives so much so that Ragini today lived an unpleasant life of a widow. He felt guilty for having put both Ragini and him in such uncalled for situations. Had he ignored Kamolika's threats and fled with Ragini, things would have been different today, but he just couldn't take that decision!

'I can still change things', he thought. 'But Ragini has a child today. She has moved on in life. And why shouldn't she? Would she even want to hear what I have to say today, after so many years?' he wondered. 'What if I end up hurting her more now?'

Many questions floated in his mind while he sat opposite her. He was unable to judge what to do next. While he was still figuring out on how to bring up the topic, Ragini suddenly asked very curiously, 'How is Rupali?'

Nachiket remained quiet for a second. Ragini noticed his forehead crease a little and it seemed very clear that he wasn't interested in answering anything about her. He looked sideways and then back to her and said in a small voice, 'We got divorced!'

'What?!'

'Yes! It's been 4 years.'

Ragini opened her mouth to ask further, but words failed her as she inhaled to speak. She was taken aback as she never expected Nachiket of all people, who valued relationships, would choose to end his relationship with his wife and break free from one of the most important relationships in life.

She knew Nachiket too well to accept that he divorced her for some petty reason. There must be a very strong reason for him to take such a decision.'Four years back means the same year they got married!'she realized.

She wanted to know the reason for the divorce. What could go so wrong so drastically that led to it the same year they got married? Nachiket is a kind of person who would give relationships a chance before ending. So many theories boggled her mind. She always wished goodness and happiness for Nachiket and so was too disheartened to hear this.

'Won't you ask why or rather because of whom I did that?' Nachiket questioned in a sober tone. His eyes piercing her, seeking her attention.

For the first time, Ragini read something else in his eyes. Their eyes remained arrested for a minute. Nachiket's eyes appealing for an apology and longing while hers full of questions and condolence.

In those fleeting seconds she saw something else in his eyes that day and feared to decipher what he meant. She escaped his redeeming eyes lacking determination to know the truth.

Does he mean he loved me and so...then why did he deny...', she thought and almost immediately, it subconsciously occurred to her that this was not right and cursed herself to have any such thoughts, especially now when she is someone's widow.

'Or was it someone else?', she debated with herself further. She was inundated with a mixture of emotions and failed to understand which one was right. She remained mute and did not dare to ask him or say anything.

Ragini's inhibitions were back and slowly she retreated back into her invisible shell. Her eyes glistened with tears, the smile that existed a while ago disappeared from her lips and lines of worry creased her forehead. Nachiket did not fail to notice the sudden change in her. He feared initially, but his conscious told him to be strong at least this time and not be a coward again and trust what he did was right. He waited with bated breath to hear something from her. He could see confusion and disappointment in her eyes, but was scared to conclude anything. Seeing her restlessness, he quit his idea to bring up any past topics as he did not wish to push her further and forcefully encroach into her space. Especially the space where all the doors were tightly shut even to her. There may be her husband's fond memories behind the locked doors which she must have treasured and he felt they were best not disturbed.

They seemed quiet to the onlookers, but a long silent conversation occurred between the two. So much was said and heard, though neither of them voiced anything.

Originally posted by: sushmaArshi

Oh god...Yeh log apne aapse hi baat karte rahenge yaa ek dusre se baate share bhi carenge... I can't wait till next part... post next part asap...

Originally posted by: poetic

THud

Originally posted by: RaginiJoshi

Destined to be together Indeed yes..! The moment Nachiket thought this in his mind after seeing her, my heart literally skipped a bit! Such is their love..Such is their story!

This is growing more and more interesting day by day! Ragini fell in his arms..His warm touch on her arms😳 So you're romantic as well😆

Their small date was so beautiful. Their words said, and their inner thoughts were wonderfully described. How beautiful that line was 'Business.. And you, he completed in his mind'😳

Waiting for the story and their past to unfold. I am curious now😉

Originally posted by: iamcurious

😆 yahan ke sab praani romantic hi hai.

Thanks Ragini for reading. Their past is almost out...one more raaz to go and then its all present and future :)

Originally posted by: iamcurious

*chidkoes pani* Again! 😆