Here is the next chapter. Haven't edited it so please ignore errors.
******************************************************************************************
Part 10
2 Days later
Bishop Cotton School, Bangalore
'Mrs.Malhotra you don't have to worry about Ranbir, he is a very bright student and I must tell you he is a lovely child just that he is a little naughty', Mrs. Grace , Ranbir's teacher said in a pleasant tone looking at Ranbir.
'Ranbir?', Ragini looked at her little monster and eyed him a little angrily but immediately broke into an endearing smile. Ranbir just shrugged generally and made decent attempts to escape his mumma's eyes.
Ragini looked pleased with good feedback about Ranbir and said, Thank you Mam, that's very convincing and am relaxed about Ranbir as I know he is in safe hands.' She signed his progress report card after she had briefly looked into his terminal exam answer sheets. She mentally made a note of the subjects Ranbir needed some more attention and discussed the syllabus and other holiday activities with his teachersas the school was closing down for winter vacation. After thanking the other teachers, Ragini went one last time to meet Mrs.Grace again.
'Thank you for everything Mrs. Grace, next time I will ensure Ranbirwill not be naughty', Ragini convinced and rose to leave but was stopped by Mrs. Grace. She looked at Ranbir and said in a casual tone, 'Ranbir, why don't you say goodbye to your other friends mean while I shall have a quick chat with your mumma?'
'Sure mam', Ranbir said and sprinted away within seconds.
Ragini looked tense and before she could ask anything Mrs. Grace calmed her, 'Don't worry Mrs. Malhotra, I just did not want to talk about this in front of Ranbir so I sent him out. There is nothing to worry so please relax. Ragini gave a cursory smile and pretended to relax. Mrs.Grace then spoke in a very soothing tone, Mrs. Malhotra, I wanted to tell you that we have noticed a very positive change in Ranbir.'
The words played their magic and Ragini was reassured that indeed there was nothing to worry. She smiled wider instantly and asked, 'Really? And what is it?'
'Ranbir is more cheerful and happy now. I have seen him depressed and disinterested in extracurricular activities many a times before and I always wondered what worried the little child. I spoke to you about this once and you mentioned that you would talk to him about it.'
Ragini nodded as she recollected that she had promised to talk to Ranbir despite knowing the reasons about Ranbir's quiet and indifferent behavior about which she never spoke to his teacher.
'But I have noticed that for some time now, Ranbir is appearing to be more active and happy. He is more participative and his interaction with the other boys has increased too. God bless my boy!!', Mrs. Grace finished and smiled.
'That's wonderful!', Ragini said looking very pleased.
'Has he made any new friends or has something changed in some time?', Mrs.Grace asked curiously. Ragini immediately negated saying, 'No...nothing has changed and I don't think...' she paused abruptly. She recollected glimpses of Ranbir and Nachiket's first meet in the mall also remembered Ranbir's narration of their joint win in the game, she realized that Ranbir indeed had found a new friend in Nachiket and was very fond of him.
'You were saying something Mrs.Malhotra?,' Mrs. Grace's voice interrupted Ragini's thoughts.
'Huh...umm...well...yes, a new friend it is!', Ragini responded thoughtfully.
'That's good. Then I suggest you encourage Ranbir's friendship with his new friend as I see it is positively influencing him.'
'Sure! Thank you for everything,' Ragini smiled and stood up to leave.
'You are welcome.'
Ragini took small steps towards the exit as she realized how she failed to notice this change herself in Ranbir. He was indeed more joyous and chirpy. He had stopped complaining about her being away when he wished to play as he had begun to enjoy playing with other kids. In fact, he had sorted his differences with Goggi and he had become his good friend. They both bonded like never before and all this was because of Nachiket. She could not deny that Nachiket's arrival had definitely brought some change in her and Ranbir's life.
'Hey Ragini!', Dimpy called out when she saw Ragini coming out of Ranbir's class.
Ragini looked up immediately and saw Dimpy waving at her. She waved back and joined Dimpy who had come to collect Ronit's results.
'How are you Ragini?,' Dimpy asked in her typical animated chirpy tone and without waiting for Ragini to answer she flooded her with many more questions about Ranbir's results, her in-laws, her work etc.
Ragini admired Dimpy as she was very down to earth and was always very warm and welcome. Over the period of time she had found a very good friend in her although she never got a chance to speak much as she would often end up listening to her speaking about almost anything under the sun.
'Wait a minute, you've flooded me with questions madam', Ragini pointed out and laughed along with Dimpy.
'Oops! am Sorry.' Dimpy apologized, 'Let's go home and catch up over a cup of coffee?'
Ragini gave a thought for a minute and recalled that she had nothing important to attend to as her in-laws were to attend a party at Lions club so she decided to spend some time with Dimpy and agreed, 'Okay! That sounds good.'
Dimpy and Ragini happily drove off to Dimpy's place along with highly excited Ronit and Ranbir who were more than happy with the thought of playing together and that the vacations finally began.
***
'Both of you stop being naughty and go and play inside...go!',Dimpy instructed Ronit and Ranbir as they entered the house. She hung the keys on the key holder on the wall and walked towards the dining table to put away the grocery she bought on their way home.
'Ragini, make yourself comfortable, I'll just be back with some coffee for us and cookies for the kids,' Dimpy said and disappeared into the kitchen.
After a tiring day, Ragini found some solace in Dimpy's quiet house. She slumped on the couch and sat comfortably and relaxed. Ronit and Ranbir's laughter echoed in the house as they played one of their favorite games on Ronit's play station.
Ragini had been to Dimpy's place a lot of times before but never noticed the numerous pictures hung on the wall in the living room. She got up to take a look at them. There were so many pictures some in black and white and some in color all in different sizes. They were framed memories from Dimpyand Karan's courting days, their wedding, Ronit and Ria's birth, a family picture on a vacation and so on. Ragini closely observed each picture and was overwhelmed to see a perfect family. She turned around to go back to the couch and her eyes fell on a large frame that had a beautiful picture of Karan and Dimpy, they were on a cruise. She picked up the frame and ran her fingers over the cold metal as if feeling the moment.
'Coffee!', Dimpy declared as she reappeared with two large mugs of coffee.
Ragini turned around and smiled as she took one mug from Dimpy and both sat on the couch. Dimpy saw the frame in Ragini's hand which Ragini handed it her. She looked at it for a while, a residual smile lingering on her lips while recollecting the moment and spoke, 'This was taken when Karan proposed to me, we had been to Goa with friends and I was surprised as it was unexpected.' She giggled in between as she recounted the entire incident to Ragini.
'It's so pretty and you both complement each other so much, truly a made for each other couple', Ragini said and took the frame from her and put it back to its place.
'Awww ...thanks!, By the way, Karan is my first and last love', Dimpy blushed and winked to which Ragini giggled and as both sipped their coffee.
'Love is such a wonderful feeling! It just makes everything around you so beautiful', Dimpy stated gleefully. She looked at Ragini for approval but saw her smile fading. Ragini definitely knew what a wonderful feeling it was to be in love but she had experienced the bitterness of a heart break too and worse, a betrayal. Dimpy placed a comforting hand on Ragini and decided to not talk anything further on this.
'But only the blessed ones like you get to live with the love of their life,' Ragini said looking at nothing in particular. She still could not forget the day when Nachikethad refused her proposal. She truly loved him but regretted that her love was not accepted and reciprocated then and today she wasn't sure if what she senses is really the warmth she always searched for in his eyes.
Dimpy perceived there was definitely someone in particular Ragini was thinking about. 'True love never fades Ragini! You may not be destined to be together or at times one may take time to realize it but once realized it can never be forgotten.'
'True...It ...It is too late now!,' Ragini murmured to herself.
Before Dimpy could ask anything further Ranbir called out, 'Mumma' and came running to Ragini from Ronit's bedroom and planted himself besides Ragini on the couch and asked excitetedly, 'Mumma, can we go to the picnic too?'
Ragini cuddled him and asked surprisingly, 'Picnic? With who and where?'
'Mumma, Ronit said his papa promised to take him for a picnic, even Goggi is going, I want to go with them mumma please'. Ranbir persuaded.
'Dimpy, what picnic is he talking about?,' Ragini asked Dimpy who was quietly waited for Ranbir to finish his story.
'Actually Karan promised to take Ronit and Ria out for a picnic. I guess he was planning it for tomorrow. Goggi and his parents expressed to join us too.'
'Oh that's nice'
'Why don't you also join us? Ranbir will have fun.' Dimpy insisted.
Ragini as always being reserved was not interested to joining them, 'No...I think Ranbir can join you that's only if you are comfortable to take him along. It's difficult to manage children but still only if you are fine with it,' she requested.
'Of course Ranbir will join us but I think you and uncle aunty should join us too.'
'Mumma, please say yes!' Ranbir pleaded.
'Beta, you can go with Dimpy aunty ...', Ragini tried to convince Ranbir but he was in no mood to listen. He kept on pleading,
'Mumma, please!! It's going to be fun.'
'Come on Ragini, Ranbir is insisting so much, don't break his heart now.' Dimpy coaxed her.
'Okay! But I don't think mummyji and daddyji can join us. I mean how will we all travel?'
'You don't worry about that; leave that to Karan, he'll manage everything.' Dimpy chipped in happily.
'Yess!!',Ranbir jumped in excitement and ran along with Ronit to make their little plans of the picnic. Dimpy noticed that Ragini's mood was lifted up too.
The doorbell rang and it was Karan who'd come home. Ragini quickly looked at her watch and saw it was about time she left. She'd spent nearly two hours with Dimpy and did not realize about the time. Karan politely greeted Ragini and asked her about everyone at home before he excused himself to answer a call.
'I think I'll take your leave Dimpy.' Ragini said as she stood up to leave and picked up her bag.
'What's the hurry? Stay for a while.'
'No Dimpy, I need to get some veggies before I get home and it's late already, some other time. Thanks for the coffee,' she said and called Ranbir who sulkily agreed to go home as he wanted to spend some more time with Ronit but feared that his mother would get angry and call off the picnic about which he was super excited. Dimpy stood in the balcony along with Ronit and waved at them when she saw Ranbir suddenly ran towards someone who got off a car.
'Hey! How are you champ?', Nachiket asked cheerfully. He was surprised to hear someone call out his name but was overjoyed when he saw it was Ranbir running to him. He swiftly picked him up in one go.
'Ranbir wait!,' Ragini stopped him but he was gone and already picked up by the man standing by the car.
'I'm fine Nachiket uncle,' Ranbir answered politely. He looked excited and happy to see Nachiket. He noticed Ragini walking to them, 'Oops! Mumma,' Ranbir feared and bit his tongue. Ragini swiftly walked towards them and saw that Ranbir was with no one else butNachiket.
'Hi Ragini!', Nachiket greeted. He was excited to meet Ragini which was well understood from his tone and his eyes. Ragini smiled and responded, 'Hello.'
'What a pleasant surprise!,' Nachiket said and looked at Ranbir in his arms and back to Ragini. 'I was here to meet Karan actually..' he continued. Before Ragini could say anything Ranbir chipped in, 'Uncle, you know I scored 'A' grades in my terminals?'
'Really? Wow! That is so good. Congratulations Ranbir!! You are so smart', Nachiket complimented in the same tone of excitement matching Ranbir's.
There was an amazing connect between Ranbir and Nachiket. Ranbir was so comfortable and excited to share about his grades to him while Nachiket was equally patient to listen to everything Ranbir had to say.
Ranbir went on to tell about his vacation plans and the picnic plans to Nachiket who enjoyed to listen to everything he told while Ragini stood along and answered in between to Nachiket about Ranbir's school and his other activities. Both Nachiket and Ragini laughed in between at Ranbir's innocent but quirky comments. They looked like one happy family.
Dimpy was joined by Karan in the balcony and both had quietly witnessed the conversation from distance. Both were surprised and pleased equally, especially Dimpy, she had never seen Ragini smiling, laughing and enjoying someone else's company this much. It appeared as if she'd known Nachiket for long.
'Are you also thinking what I am thinking?,' Dimpy asked Karan. Their eyes still on Nachiket, Ragini and Ranbir who were so engrossed in talking that they did not realize they were standing in a building's parking and were watched by the onlookers.
'Yes Dimpy!' Karansaid and smiled.
'They look like a perfect happy family!', Dimpysaid and leaned on Karan's shoulder. 'I don't know why but suddenly I have this feeling when I look at them,' she said further.
'Had Nachiket married 'his' Ragini back then...' Karan trailed off.
***
'So you are leaving already?', Nachiket asked when Ragini mentioned about going home. 'Mumma, can I please play for a while more with Nachiket uncle and then come home?' Ranbir asked.
Ragini rolled her eyes as she knew this was coming from Ranbir, 'But...'
'Don't worry Ragini, I will drop him home in an hour,' Nachiket offered.
Ragini recollected Mrs. Grace's words to encourage Ranbir's friendship with his new found friend which only helped Ranbir. She saw that Ranbir was keen on staying with Nachiket and so agreed, 'Okay! I hope it's not going to be a trouble for you Nachiket.'
'No trouble Ragini!', Nachiket assured.
***
Nachiket spoke to Ranbir all the time he carried him to Karan's place. Dimpy answered the door even before Nachiket knocked which surprised Nachiket. He teased her about his last visit to which Dimpy gave him a guilty smile and joined Karan, who was playing with Ronit in the living room. Seeing Ranbir back, Ronit sprang up on his toes from his father's lap and pulled Ranbir along with him for another round of their game.
Nachiket sat besideKaran and took the glass of water Dimpy brought for him. She sat opposite to them and joined in their general discussions.
'By the way Nachiket, how do you know Ragini?' Dimpy inquired with interest. Nachiket smiled at Dimpy and looked down. He did not speak but continued to smile which confused Dimpy and Karan. They had never seen Nachiket so happy and more so they had never seen him so coy and shy.
'Well, I am here actually to talk about her,' Nachiket finally spoke.
'You mean you know her?,' Karan asked in astonishment.
Nachiket studied his friends' confused faces and without wasting any time further he said, 'Karan, Ragini Malhotra IS my Ragini Patel'.
'What?!' Both Karan and Dimpy said together in disbelief and then suddenly they both hugged in excitement. Nachiket was bewildered with their reactions. 'Why are these two hugging each other?' he thought.
'Oh my god!Nachiket...I'm so happy', Dimpy clapped in excitement, it was a wish come true moment for her. Karan held her hand and made her sit and asked her to wait till Nachiket completed what he had to say.
Nachiket took a deep breath and narrated the entire story of how he met Ragini in college, about their friendship, Ragini's proposal, his denial. He explained about his denial toRagini, about Kamolika's cruel intentions, Rupali's support and their divorce, everything. Every little thing which probably Nachiket never told anyone he spoke about it to both Karan and Dimpy that day. They were moved when he finished his story and so touched. Dimpy felt sorry for him and Ragini and now she was able to relate to Ragini's statement about being unlucky in love that she discussed just some time back.
Nachiket went on to tell them about his first meeting with Ragini in Bangalore and how eventually he learnt about Ragini's marriage to Aman and Ranbir being Aman's son. Dimpy was stunned to hear about Ragini's past. She empathized with her and pondered over the last conversation she had with her. Karan too was left speechless and disturbed. He was disappointed with Nachiket that he never spoke about all this to him but at the same time, he was thankful to god that Ragini had reentered his friend's life finally.
'I want Ragini back in my life!,' Nachiket declared. He waited for them to respond but noticed they were too stunned to talk anything. 'It was my mistake that I let her go back then but now I will not repeat this mistake.'
Dimpywas teary eyed when she got up to give him a warm friendly hug and spoke, 'and we both are with you Nachiket'. Karan held Nachiket's hand and said, 'It's now or never and this time we will win!' Nachiket looked at Karan and Dimpy who nodded in approval. Nachiket's will to win Ragini back strengthened with his friends' support and encouragement. There was no looking back now.
'Ragini needs time Nachiket, I suggest you don't hurry in this situation!' Karan said in a concerned tone.
'I understand that Karan and I will not do anything to hurt her.'
The three fell silent as they tried to think of some suitable alternative to make ways for beginning this togetherness again. After a couple of minutes Dimpy spoke up excitedly, 'I have a super plan!'
'What?' Both Nachiket and Karan asked curiously.
'Nachiketji, get ready for a long drive!' Dimpy said and winked at them.
To be contd...
CID
