Today has been one epic Saturday...its raining updates 😳
So as promised here is the last but one update. This is a prelude of sorts to the finale update 😆
Will post the last part tomorrow and also the epilogue.
Thank you for all the love guys. The silent members - a big thank you to you too guys. *****************************************************************************************
Part 17
Ragini's Apartment
If silence could kill then Ragini's silence had killed Nachiket thousand times in every passing minute after she left the man standing all alone amidst his friends and her family.
Along with Nachiket, Ragini's in laws and Dimpy and Karan were equally shocked with what transpired few minutes back.
Karan immediately came forward and held Nachiket's hand and comforted him and said, ''Nachiket let's leave at the moment, I think Ragini needs some time.'
Mrs.Malhotra came forward and patted his shoulder and said, 'Have faith in your love and don't lose hope. I will talk to her.'
'No, aunty please don't...I mean let's not force her', Nachiket said in a low voice.
'Trust me Nachiket, I know she loves you too, there is something else to this. I will talk to her, Karan, please take him home. Mrs.Malhotra nodded in assurance.
'He is flying to Mumbai tomorrow aunty,' Karan informed.
'Oh, Carry on Nachiket with your travel, be optimistic. Leave the rest to me and I promise if nothing else I will at least make sure that you get one chance to talk to her.'
Nachiket held Mrs.Malhotra's hand in his and tried to compose himself and said, 'I sincerely love her aunty, I made a mistake 4 years back by letting her go when she confessed her love because I did not want to lose her forever...today I don't want to make any mistake and lose her again.'
Mrs.Malhotra had guessed it right that Nachiket and Ragini indeed had something that was not new or recent. It was love that lived through the years. She nodded to assure Nachiket and said, 'Take care Beta and wait to hear from me'.
Nachiket looked at Ranbir who was unusually quiet as he was confused about everything that happened and walked to him and kneeled in front of him and said, 'Ranbir, I'm going to Mumbai tomorrow for some work and I will be back very soon. Till then promise me you will be a very good boy and take care of Mumma, dadu and dadi.'
Ranbir was disheartened to know that Nachiket was leaving, but the boy had a very deep respect for his Nachiket uncle now papa, so without looking much perturbed, he said in a dejected voice, 'I promise Papa...er..Nachiket uncle.'
'No Ranbir, its papa...no matter what...I shall always love you as your papa.' Nachiket said and hugged Ranbir tightly as he never wanted to let go of him. He got up and kissed Ranbir on his forehead and smiled warmly before he turned around to say namaste' to Mr and Mrs. Malhotra.
'Don't lose hope, young man!', Mr.Malhotra said and smiled encouragingly at Nachiket.
Nachiket nodded in affirmation and left along with Karan and Dimpy.
***
Ragini heard a sudden sound of a vessel that Mrs. Malhotra dropped accidentally in the kitchen. Only with the sound it occurred to her that she was in the shower for almost an hour. She turned off the shower and quickly reached for a towel and within few minutes she changed into her night clothes and stepped out.
She experienced an unusual silence in the house.
She quietly went into the kitchen to help her mother in law, but noticed that it was all done, the cleaning up of after the party. Mrs. Malhotra warmly placed her palm on her cheek and said, 'Ragini, you need rest beta...go and sleep.'
'Ranbir?', Ragini asked softly, her eyes teary and tired.
'I've put him to bed...so you go and take some rest; I suggest you take an off tomorrow from work', Mrs.Malhotra said.
Ragini nodded lightly and went back to her room. She felt very weak and tired both physically and mentally. Unable to sleep, she stood in the balcony of her bedroom overlooking the parking for a long time recollecting all her interactions with Nachiket over the few days but she wasn't able to conclude anything out of her thought process. Feeling cold, she returned to her room and tried to sleep. After several attempts to keep her mind away from wandering back into the past, the exhaustion took over her and she drifted off to sleep.
***
Nachiket's Study
'I...I don't think I have anything to say', Ragini's words in a dejected tone echoed in Nachiket's ears as he stood in his study near the window holding his scotch in one hand.
'Nachiket, stop worrying, will you?' Karan said after almost 20 minutes since they came back.
Nachiket looked back at Karan and said, 'I still don't understand what happened to her overnight? She looked so happy yesterday with me and I...' he trailed off.
'Ragini is a sensible lady Nachiket, there must be something that is bothering her...talk to her again.' Karan spoke.
'Her silence is killing me Karan, had she spoken up what is bothering, I would have taken the bitter truth of her denial as my fate but she...' Nachiket sighed in frustration.
Karan stood up and went by his side and said, 'Look Nachiket, knowingly or unknowingly you have hurt Ragini in the past...she too would have felt the same when you walked out on her...and... .'
'But Karan I did all that to save her...You think it was easy for me to let go off her?', Nachiket interrupted.
'YOU know it Nachiket, I know it...she? She doesn't know it...You should have spoken about it first Nachiket...'
Silence filled the room with just the sound of the clock on the wall ticking.
'Very rarely one gets a second chance in life and that second chance too lives for a short while...', Karan said and patted Nachiket's shoulder before he left Nachiket in his own company.
'Ragini, give me a chance to explain everything...just once', Nachiket spoke to himself and sipped the remains of the scotch.
***
Next Morning
Bangalore Airport
It was 6 in the morning and Nachiket was all set to fly to Mumbai for his business meeting. He did not have the heart to leave Ragini this way and go, but he understood there was a need to distance him from her for a while as it was necessary to give some time to both Ragini and him. But he did want to listen to her once before he went. He dialed Ragini's number a couple of times, but it was not reachable. While he disconnected the call nth time he saw Karan running to him.
'Hey Nachiket, great you aren't gone. I thought I'd miss meeting you', Karan said, panting for breath as he came running to him.
'Karan, why did you have to come?'
'To say that I'm with you always and will look forward to seeing you soon', Karan reassured and hugged him.
'Thanks Karan! Take Care', Nachiket said and strode towards the terminal after the final announcement for the passengers was made.
'Nachiket, I'm positive your wait is not going to be long.' Karan said to himself while he stood there watching Nachiket's retreating figure.
***
Morning breakfast at Malhotras was a silent affair. Mr. Malhotra left home early to visit a friend since he wanted Mrs. Malhotra to talk to Ragini in person. Ragini woke up at her usual time, but did not hurry to finish her chores as she'd taken an off from work. The doorbell rang bringing in some sound into the otherwise quiet house. Ranbir scampered to the door and smiled at the postman who handed him a registered envelope.
'Ranbir, bring that here to me', Ragini said and put down the newspaper she was reading.
Ranbir curiously held the colorful envelope in his hand and tried to read what it read, but was able to read only two names, Shekhar weds Nidhi'. He took it to Ragini at the dining table and handed it to her and asked, what is it Mumma?'
Ragini took the envelope from Ranbir and smiled as she read the names again and said, It's an invitation card baby, Mumma's school friend Nidhi is getting married, so she has sent this invitation.'
'Wow, Mumma are we going to attend the wedding?', Ranbir asked excitedly.
Ragini smiled and wiped the traces of milk on his lips and said, 'No beta, you have school, don't you?
Ranbir immediately sulked and said, 'Oh yes!'
Mrs. Malhotra joined Ragini and Ranbir at the dining table and said, 'That is so nice Ragini...Where is the wedding?'
'Matheran, mummyji', Ragini answered and put the wedding card back into the envelope after she'd read it.
Ranbir heard the name and curiously asked, 'Where is Matheran Mumma?'
'It's in Maharashtra...closer to Mumbai', Ragini explained and sipped the steaming coffee from the mug. Ranbir stopped eating his bread and said excitedly, 'Oh, so that is closer to where Papa has gone?'
Ragini stopped drinking her coffee and put the mug down when she heard Ranbir say papa' and looked at him angrily and said, 'Ranbir, listen to me carefully, Nachiket is NOT your papa, you understand?'
'But he said he IS my papa...' Ranbir argued.
'No more arguments over this Ranbir, finish your breakfast and leave for your school', Ragini shouted at Ranbir. He was taken aback as he'd never heard his mother raise her voice on him.
'Ragini!'
'Stop it...', Mrs. Malhotra glared at her.
'Ranbir, come baby let me help you with your bag', Mrs.Malhotra said and wiped his tears and held his finger and walked him to Neeraj's house to accompany him to the bus stop.
Ragini hid her face in her palms and cried, 'I'm sorry Ranbir, Mumma is very bad! Mumma is very, very bad... '
Mrs.Malhotra was back and she lovingly caressed Ragini's head and said, 'No Ragini, you are not bad...'
Ragini immediately hugged her waist and cried. Mrs. Malhotra let her cry out as much as she wished; she needed to unburden herself from all that she kept pent up within her.
'Ragini, whom are you trying to convince beta? Today you will scold Ranbir and stop him from saying so, but does that change anything? What about you?'
'Mummyji, I don't know why all this happens to me?', Ragini said in a shaky voice. She was trembling as she was still crying. After Ashwin's death this was the first time Ragini cried her heart out. Mrs. Malhotra was disturbed too to see Ragini so weak and vulnerable.
'It's because you are god's special child beta...what is life without any hardships? I know you've had a larger share of them, but that's because god trusts that you are capable of living through any situation without looking back.' Mrs. Malhotra reasoned and Ragini heard her silently.
'God never does injustice Ragini, if he gives you pain he also gives you the happiness immediately. It's like if you don't taste aything bitter how would you know what sugar tastes like? My mother always told, distress, pain or suffering is always a sign that prosperity is to come. Just be optimistic about it.' Mrs.Malhotra said.
Both sat in silence for a while and then hesitantly Mrs. Malhotra asked again, 'Ragini...what is the matter beta? Nachiket, he is such a wonderful man and has mingled so well with Ranbir and if am not wrong, you both have strong liking for each other...then why didn't you say yes to Nachiket's proposal last night?'
Ragini expected this question from her, but she did not know how to answer her. There were a lot of things that she'd have to say and explain and her confused state of mind at the moment would definitely not let her speak the right things. She remained silent with her face hidden in her palms and did not for once look at Mrs. Malhotra.
'Mummyji...' Ragini began to speak hesitantly, but Mrs. Malhotra stopped her and said, 'No problem beta, if you need some time, you should well have it...
'No mummyji...', Ragini said, but her phone buzzed to life and she answered, Hello'
'Hi Ragini, Nidhi here', the voice spoke.
Ragini very pleased to hear from her childhood friend, wiped her tears and said, 'Hi Nidhi, how are you?'
'All good here Ragini, just busy with the marriage preparations. I called in to check when are you leaving for the wedding?'
'Nidhi, firstly many congratulations dear, but I am sorry, I won't be able to make it to the wedding', Ragini denied politely.
It suddenly clicked to Mrs. Malhotra that this was the right opportunity to get Nachiket and Ragini talk to one another. She waited for Ragini to finish her call and talk to her.
'I know Nidhi, it's a big day for you and earnestly I wish I could be with you, but Ranbir has schools and I can't let him skip school.' Ragini said.
'Ragini, I know it's not Ranbir or his school because you've skipped his school before too when I was unwell and hospitalized...come on Ragini, am not going to get married again...', Nidhi insisted.
Ragini felt guilty to lie and also to break her best friend's heart, she was her biggest strength throughout her tough times. She kept quiet for a while with her eyes closed just then Mrs. Malhotra took the phone from her and spoke, 'Hi Nidhi, congratulations beta!'
'Oh Namaste auntyji'
'Beta don't you worry, Ragini will definitely attend the wedding, I'll take care of Ranbir', Mrs. Malhotra spoke warmly. Ragini looked up at her and shook her head as she did not want to go, but Mrs.Malhotra did not listen to her.
'Thank you so much Auntyji, I wish you all could make it too', Nidhi replied.
'We all coming is going to be very hard, but Ragini shall definitely be a part of your happiness and participate in all the functions of the wedding, Ragini will let you know the details. God bless you both beta', Mrs. Malhotra assured.
'Thank you Auntyji'
She handed the phone to Ragini and encouraged to speak to her. Ragini took the phone from her and spoke very calmly, 'Yes, Nidhi'
'So Ragini, I'm not listening to anything else, I want you with me for my mehendi tomorrow', Nidhi insisted.
'Umm...Nidhi, I think I'll attend the wedding directly, I guess keeping Ranbir away from me for too long is not a good idea.' Ragini requested.
'Okay, fine, I understand. I am happy that you will at least make it to the wedding. I am booking you in the resort, the venue for the wedding. Please be there, I shall send my driver to pick you up from Mumbai airport.' Nidhi said.
'Okay! Take Care and See you soon', Ragini said and hung up.
She put down her phone and looked at Mrs. Malhotra and said, 'Thank you mummyji'. Mrs. Malhotra held her hand and said, You need some time off to sort out a lot of things. Don't worry about Ranbir; I'll take care of him till you are back.'
Mrs.Malhotra hugged Ragini and hoped that she would think rationally and let Nachiket speak his mind once. She mentally made a note to inform Nachiket about this.
***
Khanna Mansion, Mumbai
'Yes, Mr.Gupta, I shall see you in an hour', Nachiket spoke on the phone while he walked into Khanna Mansion.
There was a sudden hustle in the house with Nachiket's return after almost a month. The butlers and servants were on toes to get things right before the master ordered. Mohan Kaka, the supervisor who lived in Khanna Mansion for years promptly brought Nachiket some water and asked, 'Sir, how are you? It's been very long you were away this time.'
Nachiket smiled at the old man and said, 'I'm good Mohan Kaka, hope everything is fine here?'
'All good Sir, exactly the way you left things here', Mohan Kaka replied.
Nachiket quickly took the stairs and went straight to meet his father in his room on the first floor. He gently knocked on the door and entered as the door was ajar.
'Papa, how are you feeling now?' Nachiket asked politely.
'Nachiket! It's so good to see you my son! I'm perfectly fine'
'I'll come back and see you in a while, you please take rest, okay', Nachiket said and left from his room immediately.
He went to his room to freshen up before he left for work. The minute he stepped into his room his eyes fell on his mother's portrait that was hung on the wall. He went closer to it and looked at it closely and said, 'I miss you ma...I could do nothing to save you so I did all I could to save Ragini and now...' he paused. He stood silently in front of his mother's portrait as if she was saying something to him and he heard her carefully...
Just then his phone buzzed and it flashed Ragini's landline number. He immediately picked the call and answered, Hello'.
'Nachiket beta, how are you?' Mrs. Malhotra spoke.
'Auntyji, I'm good. Did Ragini talk to you?' Nachiket asked curiously and waited for the lady to talk.
'Beta, I tried talking to her, but she was too upset to talk, I assume she won't speak up to anyone but you. At this moment, she is still confused and is not able to conclude anything, so I guess you should talk to her and understand what is bothering her', she spoke.
Nachiket grew restless and felt miserable to hear about Ragini, he said Her silence is bothering me too; I wish I could talk to her, but now that I'm in Mumbai, I have to wait till I come back to Bangalore because I don't want to talk about this on the phone'.
'You don't have to wait till you come to Bangalore Nachiket, Ragini is going to be in Mumbai day after, it's her childhood friend's wedding in Matheran and I have insisted her to attend so that she could get some change and sort out her confusions. Maybe you could take an opportunity to meet her then?' Mrs.Malhotra spoke.
'Matheran? She is attending a wedding in Matheran?', Nachiket asked to confirm.
'Yes, her friend, Nidhi, I guess, is getting married there', Mrs.Malhotra answered.
'God definitely has given me a chance auntyji, I too am attending a friend's wedding in Matheran, day after, I assume Ragini is attending the same wedding. I guess this is going to be the right time to talk to her', Nachiket said cheerfully.
'God bless you my son, my best wishes to you', Mrs. Malhotra said and hung up the call.
Nachiket looked happy, he looked at his mother's portrait and said, 'I know it's you ma, you've always been by my side and have been a huge support in my difficult times. I promise to sort this out and bring Ragini home, to you'. He bowed in front of the portrait with folded hands and left with a smile and a lifted mood. Ragini's arrival was anxiously awaited.
***
Next Day
Since the time Nachiket spoke to Mrs.Malhotra, Nachiket kept himself extremely busy at work attending long business meetings. He wanted the time to pass quickly so that he could meet Ragini and talk to her, till then he did not want anyone or anything else to affect him.
Ragini too was trying her best to be normal and get over Nachiket and his absence, but her heart continued to miss him. She awaited to see him, talk to him, hear him once but her mind took over her heart every time and stopped her from even thinking about doing so.
Nachiket returned home late evening that day, he thought to spend some time in his study for a while before he retired to sleep but was stopped by Pam in the living room.
'Bhai, do you realize you have a sister too?', Pam said.
Nachiket stopped and turned to look at her and said, 'Of course, I do, why do you say so?'
Pam quietly walked to him with her hands folded across her chest. She looked a little upset and angry with Nachiket.
Nachiket lowered his eyes as he was guilty to have avoided her from the time he came and softly spoke, 'I'm sorry Pam, I didn't mean to...it's just that...'
'What is bothering you bhai?', Pam asked. She waited for Nachiket to speak, but he remained silent. She looked at him carefully and noticed that her brother was disturbed with something more serious. She held his hand and made him sit on the couch beside her and asked, 'What is it Bhai? Can't you share your grief with me?'
'Ragini Patel', Nachiket said and looked at Pam.
'What! You found her? Where is she? How is she? How did you meet her? I want to talk to her...', Pam began to speak endlessly.
'Pam, listen. Quiet!! , Nachiket calmed her down.
Pam and Ragini were like sisters. Pam always looked up to Ragini for advice and respected her a lot. Ragini too treated Pam as her younger sister and would often be the caring, motherly figure to her in the absence of her mother Kamolika, who never bothered about her. Pam was positive about Nachiket and Ragini's relationship and eagerly waited for Ragini to be her sister in law and enter Khanna Mansion, but she too was equally heartbroken, when she heard her mother's condition that forced Nachiket to marry Niyati. She was threatened too by Kamolika to keep her mouth shut and not disclose anything to her father or Ragini about it. Unable to do much then Pam only prayed for her brother and a better life for him.
It took Nachiket hours to explain everything to Pam about Ragini and their meet and about Ranbir. He went on to tell her about his proposal to marry her and her denial.
He slumped back on the couch and said in a low voice, 'I just hope she would listen to me once'. Pam was shocked to hear the narration and was unable to react. She was extremely happy to know about Ragini's whereabouts, but was disheartened to know that the emotion of love and trust that connected Nachiket and Ragini was dwindling...
'I want to talk to her,' Pam said suddenly.
'No! Not now Pam, I need to talk to her first', Nachiket said. Pam was determined to talk to Ragini so she refused to listen to Nachiket and said, 'Trust me, I won't say anything that will cause any trouble'
Nachiket trusted his sister enough to let her talk to Ragini, he too wished to hear her voice so he dialed her mobile number but she disconnected the call. He called again, but Ragini refused to answer and she disconnected the call.
Ragini sat restlessly on the couch with her phone in hand. She did not want to talk to Nachiket, not on the phone at least. Just then the landline rang, she guessed it was Nachiket and so did not answer the call. Ranbir came running to pick up the call, Ragini tried to stop him, but he accidentally put the phone on speaker.
'Hello, Ragini!', Nachiket spoke
'Papa! Is that you?', Ranbir cried loudly.
'Hi Ranbir beta, how are you and...Mumma?', Nachiket asked. He was happy to hear Ranbir's voice. He could hear faint sounds and guessed Ragini was around.
'We are fine papa, Mumma...'
Pam took the call from Nachiket and spoke excitedly, 'Ranbir, this is Pam, your papa's sister'.
Ragini suddenly collapsed on the ground in front of the table and spoke in a shaky voice, 'Pam, is that you?' She tried to fight her tears but in vain.
'Yes Raginidi, it's me Pam...I...Please come back!', Pam said and cried. Though Pam was determined to talk, she was unable to do so after she heard her voice in so many years. Nachiket took the phone from her and said, 'Ragini...'
Ragini turned away and refused to talk. Ranbir was too confused and said, 'Papa, Mumma is crying and...'
'Ranbir, Papa misses you both', Nachiket said softly. Ragini heard that, she loved Nachiket so much that it hurt her to see Nachiket so much in pain.
Nachiket just heard her silent sobs and hung up.
***
Bangalore Airport
It was not difficult for Ragini to convince Ranbir that she would be away for a couple of days and he had to manage things on his own or maybe take a little help from dadi.
'Ranbir, be a good boy and don't trouble dadi okay', Ragini said and kissed Ranbir on his head.
Ranbir hugged Ragini and said, 'Yes Mumma, I am going to be a good boy'.
Ragini turned to her mother-in-law and hugged her. Mrs.Malhotra held her hand and said in a firm voice, 'Ragini, remember every coin has two sides, if you see only one face of the coin it does not mean the other doesn't exist. So try to look beyond what you see and look for the hidden face of the coin. I am sure you would want to rethink again on what you have already concluded.'
Ragini understood what her Mrs.Malhotra intended to speak. She nodded and smiled faintly before she turned to walk towards the terminal, to board her flight to Mumbai.
To be contd..
Kumkum Bhagya
