FF - Togetherness Again - Epilogue & A letter from NK Updated Page - Page 24

Part 14 - A

'Dadu!', Ranbir ran to Mr. Malhotra with his trophy and jumped into his open arms. On hearing the banter Mrs.Malhotra came out of her bedroom.

'Congratulations my boy!', Mr.Malhotra patted Ranbir lovingly and proudly took the trophy from him to see it. A pleased Mrs.Malhotra sat beside Mr.Malhotra on the couch and admired the trophy the little boy won for himself. They were ecstatic to see Ranbir this happy.

Ragini smiled at the trio and brought some water for herself before she settled on the sofa opposite to them. It was late evening and she felt tired. She wanted to finish dinner early and retire to sleep as early as possible. She closed her eyes and relaxed with her head propped up on her hand and could hear Ranbir constantly filling up on the day's happenings. A small smile played on her lips as she recollected the day.

'Nachiket uncle and mumma solved all the puzzles quickly', Ranbir said excitedly. Ragini's eyes opened instantly when she heard Nachiket's name and blushed as she recollected their last exchange of words. She did not realize she was being watched by her mother -in-law but when their eyes met, she was startled to see her smiling warmly. It appeared as if she was reading her mind. She coyly got up and disappeared into the kitchen and busied herself in preparing dinner.

***

'Karan yaar, I understand what you are saying but...', Nachiket tried to defend.

'Oh please Nachiket, I know I told you to not hurry, but my friend it's time you speak up. Hope you are not expecting her to come up and say it again', Karan said a little angrily. Nachiket looked over at Karan sulkily and then to Dimpy who was all set to reprimand him.

'Of course not!' Nachiket retorted and looked away.

'I mean it's all in her eyes Nachiket! Whenever she looks at you she is so hopeful. Do you realize the battle she is fighting within her at the moment?' Dimpy narrated.

Nachiket sat in silence, thinking about Ragini. He had been waiting to speak his heart out to Ragini but he did not want to push her forcefully into it. He wanted to give some time, especially to Ranbir for it is important for him to accept Nachiket. He definitely had found a place in Ranbir's heart and was quite confident about it. He was lost in his thoughts when Dimpy spoke, What is it Nachiket? Please speak up!'

'Nothing!' he said and sighed.

***

After dinner Ragini retired early to her bedroom. She was in a pleasant mood and all of a sudden very lively and happy. She felt as if life just turned back few pages of her life and those beautiful days of her life with Nachiket were back. He was being so caring and affectionate to her and Ranbir. And his last statement made her all the more confident about it. Somehow she did not feel guilty or regret thinking about Nachiket. It was only he who always made her feel cared for and loved. Even today she felt the same. After Aman's death, she'd given up all hopes in life. All that mattered was Ranbir and he was her world. Despite several attempts by her in-laws, she never considered moving on in life but today with Nachiket's presence back in her life she felt alive, she felt her heart beating, she felt she should reconsider her opinion on living life for self. The darkness in her life had begun to fade after all giving place to Nachiket, her sunshine.

She changed into her night clothes and sat in front of the dressing table as she removed her earrings, bangles and set them aside. She saw her reflection in the mirror and realized that this Ragini was different, she wasn't the aloof woman disinterested in almost anything that did not concern Ranbir. She was the earlier Ragini, she was happy, she was smiling, she was alive. Nachiket restored life into her.

'...Move on Ragini', she recollected Aman's last words as she opened the first drawer and brought out a diary that belonged to Aman and carried it to her desk. She switched on the table lamp and pulled up a chair. After a minute's contemplation, she opened the diary and flipped through pages reading one after another and stopped at the page she'd read it many a times.


14th September 2008,

Life can't get better than this. My toddler, Ranbir said 'papa'' for the first time. His smile and gleeful eyes warm my heart. His innocent eyes want nothing, desire nothing and demand nothing but love and affection. Ranbir, the apple of his mother Nivedita's eye. When I look at him I realize he binds me and Nivedita further into a much stronger relationship. He completes our world and is our happiness. When I see him, I forget all my worries, all the trouble and pain, but when I see Ragini, I feel guilty...

I feel guilty for having kept her unaware of my marriage to Nivedita, I feel guilty for having kept my parents in the dark, I feel guilty to keep my son Ranbir away from his family, I feel guilty for failing to keep up my promises to Nivedita. Only because I was a coward and wasn't able to speak up I brought trouble in so many people's lives.

It's so difficult to look into Ragini's longing eyes and admit that I have indeed betrayed her, that I have hidden the fact that am married and have a son. I wish I had gathered enough courage to break the news of my marriage with Nivedita to my parents immediately, without fearing about their approval or rejection. At least I would have saved Ragini of all the grief I brought her unknowingly.

She is such a wonderful girl. Her sincerity in accepting me fills me with more shame. All she expects is love from me which unfortunately I cannot reciprocate.

I am sorry Ragini I couldn't say anything, only because I had to keep up my word to my father. He is my weakness and I could not say no to him. I wish at times life was a little less complicated and gave a chance to redo things...

Perhaps I would wipe out all the miseries from your life Ragini and see you happy with a man who deserves you, who would not break your heart like I did. I sincerely wish you move on in life Ragini and chose to be with the one who loves you and care for you in true sense.

Perhaps I would stand up for Nivedita and our relationship and she would be called my legally wedded wife.

Perhaps, I would see Ranbir be accepted as the son of the family, be loved by his grandparents as their grandson.

Perhaps..

Aman



Ragini shut the diary as a lone tear escaped her eye. She'd read this page numerous times and every time she would shed tears in despair and shut the diary with no thoughts in her mind. But today while she read it Nachiket's face flashed in front of her eyes. She recollected the golden days when she met and understood Nachiket. She remembered Aman mentioning about his last wishes on his death bed. She did not promise him then to fulfill them, but she'd made up her mind to definitely consider them.

Years back when she first read the diary, she was shattered dreadfully. She did not know whether to curse him for his betrayal or forgive him for his honesty in accepting his mistake. Her heart went out to the little boy who lost his parents and was rightfully the son of the family. She traced the local address of Nivedita's nani from the diary and found Ranbir. When she first held him, she knew she'd found her reason to survive. She hugged him and promised Aman to take Ranbir home, to his grandparents. Though she adopted Ranbir with an intent to fulfill one of his last wishes, but she accepted Ranbir into her life not for Aman but for her...

With Ranbir coming into her life, she never thought about moving on in her life with someone else. After separating from Nachiket and betrayal from Aman, she was shattered hopelessly. Love was the last thing she'd expected in life. She successfully convinced her in laws to accept Ranbir but they were not able to convince her to think of settling down once again.

But today, after so many years Nachiket's return in her life had brought in some hope. Her love had returned and all her buried feelings for him resurfaced. She did not refrain from pondering on Aman's words to move on in life. She was certain that Nachiket was back in her life, not just for her but for Ranbir too. She drifted to sleep with these thoughts and that night she dreamt of a happy family life with Nachiket.

Next Morning

Ragini woke up early with Nachiket in her thoughts. She stepped out into the balcony to get some fresh air. She was unusually happy and contented. While she stood there lost in her thoughts Ranbir hugged her waist and startled her.

'Good Morning Mumma!', Ranbir said cheerfully.

'Ah! Good morning my baby', Ragini said and picked him up. She kissed him affectionately and stepped inside the room. She put him on her bed and began to tidy her room and asked, 'Why are you up so early? It's Sunday don't you want to sleep a while more?'

Ranbir gave a pleasing smile and crawled on the bed to the other side where Ragini stood and said, 'Its party time mumma.'

'Party time?', Ragini asked a little confused as she folded her blanket and set aside.

Ranbir lay on the bed with his arms behind his head and crossed legs and said, Ranbir Malhotra won the competition yesterday, Nachiket uncle promised a party to celebrate'.

'Really? A party for winning?' Very nice', Ragini asked laughing at her son's dramatical dialogue.

'Mumma give me your mobile I want to know when is he coming', Ranbir got up and said.

'Not now beta he must be sleeping, you can talk to him in a while, okay?', Ragini tried to convince him, but Ranbir was not quite convinced and so to lift his mood up she said, 'Mumma was thinking of making Pasta for breakfast, but I don't think Ranbir is in a mood to eat it'.

Ranbir's eyes brightened up on listening Pasta for breakfast. He instantly got on his knees and slipped his tiny arms around her shoulder and pleaded, 'Please mumma you make the best pasta in the world.'

'But only if you brush your teeth', Ragini replied.

'Yay!' Ranbir screamed and jumped out of the bed and dashed to his room to freshen up. 'Get going Ragini, your son wants Pasta!', Ragini smiled and murmured to herself.

***

'Mummyji, give it to me, I'll do it', Ragini said and took the big bowl of bundis her mother-in-law made for laddus. Laddus were being made to celebrate Ranbir's win. Mrs. Malhotra handed over the vessel to Ragini and smiled pleasantly. She adored Ragini like her own daughter and Ragini too gave her more and more reasons to love her.

While Ragini sat on the couch making laddus out of the bundis, humming a song lightly, Mrs. Malhotra took a quick shower and joined her. She sat besides her and helped in making laddus and watched Ragini closely. She looked different, in fact she was glowing. She guessed the reason to be Nachiket, but preferred to stay quiet untill Ragini spoke about this. She was very happy to see her happy. Suddenly a thought crossed her mind that she thought would help her know about her feelings. She tried hard to maintain a straight face before she spoke.

'Ragini'

'hmm...?'

'I was thinking about the guest list for Ranbir's birthday.' Mrs.Malhotra said in a simple tone. Ragini looked up surprised and said, What about it? It's going to be the same as last year, the kids from our building, Ranbir's school friends and Karan and Dimpy'.

Mrs. Malhotra was quite convinced that Ragini wasn't aware that she was prying. She cleared her throat and spoke further, Ya right, but how about inviting the Singhs and Guptas? We all had such good time in the picnic, it will be fun.'

'Oh yes...you are right. New friends are always welcome mummyji!', Ragini said and continued making the laddus.

Mrs. Malhotra was slowly heading to hit the nail. She did not want to fluster Ragini by asking about Nachiket directly so she was weighing her words carefully.

'How about Ranbir's new friend and your old friend?', Mrs. Malhotra asked hesitantly stressing on Ranbir's new friend.

Ragini registered her words and understood that her mother-in-law was talking about Nachiket. She bit her lip to avoid smiling and trying hard not to grin she said, 'It's Ranbir's birthday he can invite any of his friends. Mrs. Malhotra smiled tongue in cheek to her reply and said, 'Oh Right! But I suppose Ranbir won't remember to invite him after all he is a child, your papaji and I can't invite because it's not our birthday. So lets just leave it..'

Mrs.Malhotra laughed and Ragini realized that she just blurted out Nachiket's name unknowingly. She was about to ask her further, but just then the doorbell rang. Mrs. Malhotra stood up to answer the door. Ragini sighed in relief and thanked her stars for having saved her.

'Hello Aunty!', came Dimpy's chirpy voice. 'Hi beta', Mrs.Malhotra answered her and closed the door behind her and walked into the living room.

'Hello Ranbir's mommy!', Dimpy said and hugged Ragini and sat beside her. She spontaneously picked one laddu and popped it and savored the taste.

''Yummy!'

Ragini giggled at Dimpy's comic reactions and asked, 'What brings you here in the morning?'

'Arre? Can't I come visiting my friend casually?', Dimpy said a little irritated, but Ragini immediately calmed her down, Of course you can, just that I don't get see you on weekdays but here you are here at my place on a Sunday so asked.'

'Karan has gone with Nachiket for a game of Golf at Golf club and shall stay over for brunch. Ronit is here playing with your darling son so I thought might as well spend some time with you', Dimpy said.

'It's always a pleasure to have you home Dimpy, you girls sit and talk I'll get some coffee for us', Mrs.Malhotra said and excused herself and disappeared into the kitchen.

The two began to talk endlessly about the competition and about the children. Dimpy noticed that each time Nachiket was mentioned or talked about Ragini had this slight blush and would avoid looking into her eyes. She sensed some change in her demeanor and knew that Nachiket was indeed the reason for the change. She smiled to herself, feeling happy for Nachiket and Ragini.

'Ahem! Why is someone glowing?' Dimpy teased and waited for her to answer. Ragini flushed and immediately looked away. 'You were saying something about the new mall?' Ragini stammered as she tried to divert the topic. Dimpy smartly caught her shying and noticed her cheeks turn crimson. Ragini earnestly wished for some change in the topic, but as luck is Dimpy whispered, 'You are in love my friend!''

'Dimpy!', Ragini gasped out and her heart began to beat faster. She stopped making the laddus abruptly.

Dimpy gently took Ragini's hands in hers and looked into her eyes and said, 'don't be surprised Ragini, I haven't said anything new. I have just said what you are unable to tell yourself!'

A teary eyed Ragini smiled warmly and nodded without answering.

Their conversation was interrupted as Ragini's phone rang. It flashed 'Nachiket' as the caller's name. Ragini looked at Dimpy and showed her oily hands and requested her to pick up the call. Dimpy received the call and put it on loudspeaker.

'Hello', Ragini hesitantly answered

''Hi Ragini, how are you?' Nachiket spoke on the phone.

'I'm good, how about you?', Ragini replied and just then Mrs.Malhotra returned with three mugs of coffee. This made Ragini a little uncomfortable.

'Good. Actually, I had promised Ranbir to take him over for dinner, you know to celebrate. Umm...Why don't you all join? We'll have a quiet dinner together?', Nachiket suggested.

Ragini looked at her mother-in-law in confusion but Dimpy seemed quite excited with the thought. She looked at Ragini and winked.

Mrs. Malhotra instantly answered, That is very nice of you Nachiket but Beta Mr.Malhotra and I are going to the temple today and will probably stay for dinner so we won't be able to join but Ragini and Ranbir can come along.'

Ragini was taken aback because she didn't expect her mother-in-law to suggest this and moreover, she wasn't aware of any plan of theirs to go to a temple or stay out for dinner.

'Oh, hello aunty, how are you?' Nachiket greeted politely, he was surprised to hear her speak.

'I am good, beta, so hope you won't mind carrying on but don't cancel you plans, Ranbir is very excited', Mrs. Malhotra spoke.

Nachiket was elated and thrilled with the idea of dining with just Ragini and Ranbir but he tried to sound as sober as possible, 'No...no problems at all aunty, we will not disappoint Ranbir. So I shall come to pick them up at 7?

Mrs. Malhotra smiled and spoke further, 'Of course beta! Ragini you can confirm the time with him. I'll get some water''. Mrs. Malhotra smartly excused herself from the discussion and pretended to get some water from the kitchen.

Ragini looked confused all the time, Dimpy nudged her a little and whispered, 'Talk!'' to which Ragini nodded and spoke ,''umm...yes Nachiket. We will be ready... by... 7.'

'Great! See you in the evening. Bye', Nachiket said and hung up. He threw his fists in the air and took a deep breath and said, 'Tonight it is!'

He made some hurried calls to make arrangements for dinner that evening. And opened his closet and pulled out his best tuxedo for the evening. He was humming a song all the time and was kicked about the whole dinner. He couldn't wait for the clock to strike 7!

***

'Alright! I'll take your leave', Dimpy said excitedly. She walked to the door and stopped to speak to Ragini once again, I am going to call you tomorrow. All the best!' Ragini chuckled to see her excitement and waved at her before she shut the door.

Mrs.Malhotra attempted to keep away from Ragini to avoid asking or saying anything. She just prayed that the smile that had returned on Ragini's face was here to stay and never fade away.

To be contd..

Originally posted by: Tiana.Disney

Wow Wow Wow 👏 That was amazing ⭐️ Loved it thoroughly ❤️ I even felt sorry for Aman while the show's Aman just makes me 😡 . Beautifully written. Please update soon 😊