Hello!
Following it up with the epilogue. This winds up the FF here :)
I know a lot of you were expecting some romance but the FF was meant to bring them together and end. 😳
I don't want to promise and fall short but if I have disappointed any of you then I'll try and make up for it in some other story :)
Thank you for your love and patience. 😊
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Epilogue:
6 weeks Later
Hotel Taj,
Nachiket and Ragini's wedding was a small affair as per Ragini's wish. She wanted a simple court marriage that was attended by Karan, Dimpy, Nachiket's father Kailashnath Khanna and Pam along with Ragini's in-laws. Respecting her wish Nachiket agreed for a simple ceremony in a temple and then the court marriage, but he insisted to throw a small party for his close friends. A small reception was held in Hotel Taj for Ragini's and his closed family members and friends.
Nachiket and Ragini thanked the guests who wished them with abundant love and happiness.
'Congratulations Mr and Mrs. Khanna!!', Karan said cheerfully and hugged Nachiket.
'Thanks Yaar', Nachiket said and looked at Ragini, she blushed and addedThank you so much Karan. You and Dimpy have been a big support always'.
'No thanking...bhabhi, just a dinner invitation and specifically your handmade Chole should do', Karan said.
'Bhabhi?', Dimpy interrupted.
Ragini too laughed along with Nachiket at Dimpy's confusion, but Karan turned to Dimpy and spoke in a very serious tone, 'Of course, Nachiket is like brother and now Ragini is his wife.'He looked at Ragini and said, 'I was waiting for the day when you both would get married and I would address you as Bhabhi'. Thank you for coming back into Nachiket's life and making it beautiful.'
'Yes Ragini, you and Nachiket are made for each other and are meant to be together', Dimpy said holding Ragini's hand.
'Thank you Dimpy', Nachiket said and enveloped her in a brotherly hug.
Ronit and Ranbir came running to them and Ranbir called out, 'Papa, look what Ronit is saying.' Nachiket picked him up and asked, What is he saying?'
'He says his name is Ronit Karan Kapoor because Karan uncle is his papa. Then will my name change to Ranbir Nachiket Khanna from Ranbir Malhotra?
Nachiket chuckled at his strange discoveries and proudly answered, 'Yes beta, you will be Ranbir Nachiket Khanna hereon...You like it?'
Ranbir hugged Nachiket and said excitedly, 'I love it papa'.
Ragini caressed Ranbir's head lovingly while her eyes were arrested with Nachiket's. He winked, making her conscious and smiled as she blushed instantly.
'May this togetherness again last forever', Karan said and they all clicked pictures to capture and frame this fantastic memory forever.
***
18 months later
It seemed like it was just yesterday Nachiket and Ragini got married, but it was over a year already. No one realized how happily the duo settled into a very happy married life filled with love, laughter, fights, teases, care and affection.
Nachiket and Ragini had shifted to Mumbai after their marriage while Mr and Mrs.Malhotra continued to live in Bangalore as they preferred the climate there. They did feel all alone after Ragini and Ranbir left to stay with Nachiket but with time they got used to their absence. Despite a lot of insistence by Nachiket to move to Mumbai and stay with them, they refused and continued to live in Bangalore.
Nachiket had instructed Karan and Dimpy to regularly visit them and ensure they were taken care in their absence. Both Nachiket and Ragini too would try to visit them at least once a month. But since Ragini had declared the good news about the arrival of their bundle of joy, Nachiket preferred to stay with Ragini and would try harder to not travel and leave her and Ranbir alone.
One evening, Shopping Mall, Mumbai
'Papa, I want to take those little toys for the baby, let's go and get them', Ranbir said and slipped his tiny hand into Nachiket's and tried to pull him along towards the toy section in the mall while Ragini looked at the two and smiled. She continued to pick the items as she'd noted down in her list one after another.
'Baby, we will get lots of them, but not today, we need to help mumma buy other things right?', Nachiket told Ranbir but he sulked and slowly replied, 'Okay'.
Nachiket hated to see Ranbir dejected and unhappy. So to cheer him up, he lifted him up in one go and said, 'My baby is feeling low? Let's get him an ice cream?'
Ranbir immediately cheered up, 'Yay! Chocolate for me!'
Nachiket laughed and said, 'Yes, chocolate for you and for me too', he turned to Ragini and said, 'Ragini, I'll just be back, take care and stay here'.
'Yes', she assured and she answered her phone that buzzed in the purse.
'Hello'
'Ragini, how are you beta?', Mrs.Malhotra asked
'I'm fine mummyji. How are you and Daddyiji?', she asked and picked a carton of milk and put it in the trolley.
'Yes mummyji, I hav been resting all day and no Ranbir does not trouble me, he is a very good boy and is very excited to know that he is going to have a kid brother or sister soon.', Ragini said and laughed.
She walked slowly towards the opposite section gently pushing the trolley along.
'Okay mummyji, take care and bye', she said and hung up. She put her phone back into the purse and skimmed through the shelves for the cupcakes. Ranbir loved them and she looked for his favorite which were on the top most shelf.
'Ah, here it is', she spotted the black current cupcakes on the last shelf. She struggled to reach the upper shelf and get the last packet that remained there, but her hand could not reach. She looked around for help but found nobody so she rose a little on her toes and stretched her hand to grab the pack but she pushed it hard and it fell down.
'Oh no!', Ragini sighed and looked around helplessly for help. This was the last packet that she just dropped and she was heavily pregnant to bend and pick it up. She took a deep breath and tried to squat slowly to pick it up but was unable to do so. She tried once again but gave up and sighed in frustration. Just then a lady picked it up and handed it to her and said, Here you go, don't you stress dear'.
Ragini turned to face the lady who helped her and smiled and said, 'Thank you so much. That was very kind of you.' The lady closely observed Ragini and a big smile appeared on her face and she asked excitedly, 'You are Ragini, correct?'
Ragini was surprised to know that the lady recognized her while she didn't even know her. She smiled hesitantly and answered, 'Yes, but how do you know me?'
'Nachiket was right, you are indeed very beautiful and, touch wood you are glowing at the moment', she spoke in admiration.
Ragini was still unable to recognize her and asked, 'How do you know my husband?'
'Because she is Rupali', Nachiket said and joined Ragini. He was still carrying Ranbir in his arm and he held Ragini's shoulder with the other and spoke, 'Ragini, meet Rupali, the lady who I promised that I will complete my love story, who I promised to bring you back in my life!'
'Oh!'
'Hi, so good to finally meet you, I had only heard about you', Ragini smiled a little awkwardly and greeted her.
'I had seen a picture of yours that Nachiket showed it to me and today when I saw you I immediately recognized it to be you', Rupali said.
There was a silence for half a minute till Rupali spoke again, 'Trust me Nachiket, today I am so happy to see you both together. You both make a wonderful couple and I'm thankful to god that he has blessed you this togetherness again.'
Nachiket and Ragini looked at one another and smiled. Ragini turned to Rupali and said, 'Thanks Rupali, it's only because of well wishers like you that Nachiket and I are together today'.
Nachiket hesitantly asked, 'How is life treating you Rupali? I hope you are seeing the brighter side of life too.'
Just then a gentleman turned up and stood next to Rupali and asked, 'Are we done shopping dear?' Rupali turned to him and held his hand and said, 'Nachiket, meet my husband Abhishek, he is the reason for the brighter side of my life.'
'Hello', Nachiket said and shook hands with Abhishek and continued, 'So good to see you settled Rupali, best wishes to both of you from Ragini and me'.
'Thanks Nachiket, you remember I told you I've some decisions to correct. This is the decision I made for me.' She looked at Abhishek and back to Nachiket and said, ''I learnt to fall in love with Abhishek because we can learn to love someone but can't teach someone to love. I'm very happy in my life, but what makes me happy is to see you both together.'
'Good things happen to good people Rupali, and you are a wonderful human being', Ragini said and hugged her. She cupped her face and said, 'All the best!'
'Thanks and you take care', Rupali said and then looked at Nachiket, Do let me know when your daughter is born. I am sure you are going to be blessed with a beautiful angel. I'll come to see her.'
Nachiket laughed recollecting his conversation with her and answered, 'Sure!'
The couples parted ways with good wishes for one another. Nachiket felt relieved to know that Rupali, whom he was grateful to had made a good life for herself too.
****
2 Months Later
Mother Care Hospital, Mumbai
Nachiket and Ranbir waited patiently in the waiting area to hear from the doctors. He paced the empty corridor restlessly and looked tensed all the while.
Mrs.Malhotra put a comforting hand on his shoulder and said, 'Don't worry beta, everything is fine. You will hear the good news shortly'.
Just then a nurse swiftly walked to them and announced happily, 'Congratulations Mr.Khanna, it's a baby girl!'
Nachiket's face brightened and he screamed joyously, 'Oh yes, Baby girl it is! Thank you so much' Nachiket rushed to Ranbir and picked him up and said, 'Ranbir, we are going to take home a sweet little sister for you.'
'Really papa?', Ranbir asked excitedly.
'Yes, beta', Mrs. Malhotra patted Ranbir's head and asked Nachiket, 'Happy my son?'
'Beyond the limits, I can't tell you how happy I am', Nachiket said cheerfully. He put Ranbir down and rushed towards the doctor and asked, 'How is Ragini?'
'Both the mother and child are perfectly fine, Mr.Khanna, you can meet your wife in a while', the doctor grinned.
Nachiket called up Karan and gave him the good news and after almost half an hour, Nachiket entered the ward where Ragini was moved. The nurse gently handed the baby to Nachiket. He anxiously held her in his large hands and tears of joy rolled down his cheek. He brought her close to him and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead and said, 'Thank you for coming into our lives, you mean the world to me my princess'.
He walked towards Ragini's bed and sat beside her and gave her to Ragini. Both of them silently watched the little life they had created together resting peacefully in their arms. Nachiket kissed Ragini's forehead as he said, 'Thank you so much Ragini. Thank you for filling up my life with immense happiness.'
Ragini looked pale and tired but holding her daughter in her hand, gave her all the reasons to smile. She kept looking at her child and placed her palm on her to feel her rhythmic heart-beat and said, 'She is just like you Nachiket, similar eyes, similar face, similar heartbeats so we'll name her Chavi, one who resembles and is similar to you'.
Just then Ranbir stepped into the room cautiously and walked slowly to Nachiket. He was fascinated to see a doll sized baby in his mother's hand and asked, 'Is she my sister?'
Nachiket smiled and picked him up and put him on his lap and said, 'Yes, your sister, Nishi .'
'Nishi?', Both Ragini and Ranbir repeated the name together.
'Yes, R for Ragini and R for Ranbir so N for Nachiket and N for...'
'Nishi'', Ranbir said cheerfully and clapped appreciatively loving the name and the idea.
'My son Ranbir will inherit, if I can humbly say, my qualities; but there should be someone to inherit your beauty too, so my princess will inherit her mother's beauty but my initials!' Nachiket explained earning a cheerful smile from Ragini.
Ranbir gently traced his finger on little Nishi's arm and slipped his finger into her tiny closed palm, she clutched it instantly bringing a big smile on Ranbir's face and he said, 'Mumma, she is mine, I'll not let anyone take her'.
Nachiket and Ragini laughed together and said, 'Alright! No one will take her'
The newest Khanna soon became the apple of everyone's eye including Ranbir's. He was too possessive about her and did not let anyone apart from his family to touch her. Suddenly Ranbir was the grown up boy and he showered all the love on his only sister. Despite the addition in the family, Ranbir was more pampered and loved by everyone in the family for he was the first child who gave birth to a mother in Ragini, a father in Nachiket and grandparents in Malhotras.
Nachiket and Ragini along with Ranbir and Nishi were a perfect family who lived happily ever after!!
END
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