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Karan's Residence
'Hello Kids!' Nachiket said chirpily as he entered the house. The house was finely decorated with colorful paper ribbons and balloons and looked warm and welcome. Dimpy had lit some candles which made the house look homely, cozy and nice. The smiles on their faces brought a bigger one on Nachiket's face too.
'Happy Birthday beta', Nachiket wished Ronit and hugged him warmly. Karan's kids were always like his own and the kids were fond of this uncle too.
'Thank You uncle', Ronit thanked happily and soon ran away, grabbing the gift from Nachiket's hands.
'Go now kids, have fun and don't be naughty!' Dimpy warned before she shooed them away lovingly, letting them have some fun on their own.
Dimpy Kapoor, Karan's wife and Nachiket's well wisher. She was a chirpy, lively lady in her late twenties who was always full of life. Karan moved to Bangalore from Mumbai around 6 years back after his graduation and married his longtime girlfriend Dimpy. He was in touch with Nachiket until Nachiket one day suddenly declared that he would fly to US immediately after he graduated from the business school. But his return to India eventually brought back the long lost friends together to never be separated again. Nachiket would visit Karan often when he'd travel for work to Bangalore.
'Thanks for coming Nachiket', Dimpy said.
'When did you start being so courteous huh?' Nachiket chided.
'Oh..Just today! And It's only when I get a little emotional on seeing you. Anyway, please make yourself comfortable, Karan will be back in a while. He had to rush one of his colleague's mother to the hospital.' Dimpy said.
'Oh! Hope nothing serious?', Nachiket inquired. No, nothing he just called sometime back and said he is on his way back', Dimpy continued while she sat besides Nachiket on the couch.
Moments passed by and Nachiket sat quietly for a while when suddenly Dimpy asked worriedly, 'How long are you going to stay this way Nachiket?'
Nachiket looked up with empty eyes in response.
She sighed in slight frustration due to helplessness. 'You need to move on... I don't understand how can such a powerful man like you be so weak and so...so vulnerable?'
Yet again Nachiket remained silent. He sat on the edge of the couch slightly leaning forward with both his arms resting on his knees as he listened to her silently. He was half listening to her as Ragini's sudden appearance after so many years and her thoughts occupied his mind. There was so much going on within him, despite being a man with mighty powers that people only covet for, he felt suddenly powerless who could do nothing. He cursed and blamed himself for what he saw of Ragini. The guilt was known to him and none.
Running his hand roughly through his hair he laughed suddenly and looked up at Dimpy who was surprised and said, 'You know Dimpy, life is just not fair... it always takes away the most coveted thing of your life and when you start learning to live without it, it...', he paused and looked away from her. She did see his grief stricken eyes and the traces of the little smile long gone.
Dimpy could read pain and a mute plea in his eyes. She placed a comforting hand on his and sensed something different in Nachiket today, unlike every time she spoke to him about moving ahead in life. He would always be lost and confined to himself, but today something was different, he had voiced his feelings for the very first time. She felt as if someone had freshly stabbed again on those wounds that had healed long ago.
'Nachiket, What is the...', Dimpy stopped when her phone rang. She excused herself and moved towards her room to answer the call. Nachiket was left all alone amidst his sudden uproar of emotions. He could still not believe that fate actually brought Ragini in front of him finally. It was the moment he had been waiting for but why were his lips sealed? He thought. Why couldn't he utter even a single word out of all he wanted to say?' Had he not been looking for her all these years? Had he not wished that god would give him just one chance to meet her and apologize for what he did to her? Had he not always hoped that Ragini would understand him and would forgive him? What stopped him today?
Engulfed in so many unanswered questions and unable to fight his emotions he sighed and buried his face in his palms feeling choked. He felt as if his life suddenly reversed back and every moment with Ragini flashed in front of his eyes. The pleasant ones were many and each fresh in his mind as if they had occurred just yesterday.
Flashback
4 Years Back
'Ragini! I am still confused. Why aren't you quitting this work and joining this firm who is ready to offer twice the amount you are earning right now?'' Nachiket asked her.
Ragini had appeared again for another interview and cleared it too, this time the work profile matching her hers perfectly but she'd refused it yet again. Since her father's retirement, Ragini had taken up a programer's job at a small consultancy and had been working while she pursued her masters. She had insisted to work then as she wanted to support her family financially. Her younger brother worked too, but Ragini convinced her brother that he save his earnings for his future than spend it unnecessarily. Nachiket was very proud of her and respected that she did so much for her family. He knew she'd never take his financial help and so the least he did to help her was getting the best openings for jobs suiting her profile. She attended each and every interview that Nachiket had suggested only to keep up her word to him.
'Nachiket! I agree this firm is paying me twice than what I am earning but the workplace is too far and...'', she trailed off as she looked away.
'And?'' Nachiket echoed her in a questioning tone.
She continued to look down playing with the pen in her hand and reasoned, 'I'll get tired with the traveling Nachiket.'
Nachiket remained silent for a while. Her reasoning did not convince him like it always would. He raised her chin with his finger and looked deep into her eyes and said, 'A girl who can travel to an orphanage 30 kms away every Sunday to only play with the small children there intending to bring some smile on their faces, can't travel 8 Kms for her own sake?''
Ragini was dumbfounded. How did this man read her mind, she wondered. She sighed as she knew she could not lie to Nachiket further. She finally gave in and explained, 'Nachiket, Inder Sir needs me... At this moment when his firm is in trouble post the breaking up of his partnership with Kushal Sir, he needs an experienced employee like me to cater to the kind of work he is trying to bring in to revive his firm.'
'But Ragini, what about you?'' Nachiket asked a little irritated.
Ragini smiled to see Nachiket so concerned for her. She knew all he said and did was for her good and she also knew that Nachiket would definitely understand what she meant to say.
'You asked me this question a year back and back then my answer had brought a big smile on your face and relief when I told you that I had joined Inder Sir. He helped me when I needed the most, when I knew these MNCs offering me twice my salary today would not even have considered my application as I had no masters degree then.''
She looked at him and noted his creased forehead now relaxing a little, his eyes still reflecting true concern. Holding his hand gingerly she said, 'I know you mean good for me, but I don't think you would approve of me being thankless to the person by moving out when he needs me the most. Had he not helped me then, I wouldn't have completed my masters today and most certainly would not have been holding this offer letter in my hand today. I am just being grateful and thankful to him for helping me at the time of need.''
Nachiket knew Ragini's generous nature very well and was always very fond of her thoughtfulness, but there was something else that Nachiket felt had touched his heart deeply that day. He kept looking at her and the smile after those words of wisdom remained etched in his mind forever.
It was the realization moment when Nachiket felt he'd lost his heart to Ragini. He felt something more for her and a feeling to have her in his life forever made way to his heart. THIS was the woman he knew he wanted to commit his life to and fulfill each and every aspect of the commitments. THIS was the woman he knew, whom he wanted to make happy and realize all her dreams to truth. THIS was the woman he knew, was desirable and he desired her companionship for all his life. THIS was the woman he'd lost his heart to.
'Where are you lost Mr. Nachiket Khanna?', Karan's voice interrupted Nachiket and he snapped out of his thoughts. Suddenly he could hear all the hooting and cheering and the ruckus the children made.
'Hi Karan! How have you been my friend?' Nachiket hugged his friend cheerfully.
Karan returned his warm hug and patted his shoulder lovingly. 'Am sorry! Am late...but all well!' Both of them sat and made themselves comfortable as Nachiket asked, 'When did you come?'
'When you were lost in some thoughts and this smile refused to leave your face', he said pointing at him. Karan just knew what or rather who was on his mind, the only person who, when crossed Nachiket's thoughts could bring this delightful smile. He had only heard about her, about Ragini Patel from Nachiket but had never seen her. She was gone from Nachiket's life when he first heard about her from Nachiket. Despite knowing things Karan never questioned Nachiket about it as it always brought disappointment to his friend and as ever, even today he did not want that to happen.
'You know it makes me so happy to be with Dimpy, you and children and today it being a special day for our junior Karan, I am happier than ever.' Nachiket said chirpily.
Both spent some quality time together chatting and catching up on their favorite topics one after another. Dimpy kept shuffling from being the birthday boy's mommy to a long lost buddy. Her complaint register against Karan was opened too which Nachiket laughed it off much to Karan's surprise. Karan had secured a very notable position in his company and shared about the progress on his work front with Nachiket.
'There can be nothing better than sitting with an friend with a drink and be nostalgic!' Karan stated cheerfully. Nachiket participated in the talks, but Ragini was constantly at the back of his mind. He could just not get her or her thoughts out his mind.
Karan excused himself to make another drink for the two, leaving Nachiket alone.
Flashback
4 Years Back
'I love you Nachiket and I can't think of my life without you'' Ragini declared in a serious tone.
And what followed this was a complete silence. Nachiket froze in his place. His heart fluttered and he kept looking at her. Neither of them winked even once. In the quieter part of the evening both stood still and speechless only their racing heartbeats audible. The soft wind blowing her dupatta was the only movement in that frozen moment.
After a long pause Nachiket broke the silence, I am sorry Ragini, I have always loved you as a friend and...' he stopped. He turned and looked away from her and tightly clutched the bars of the large swing that stood there. She could see him escaping her eyes. She flinched and feared as she saw his hold on the bars of the swing getting strong. His curled fists seemed like he was holding back his intense feelings than let it out as heart breaking words.
'...and?'' Ragini urged him to complete his sentence.
Nachiket hesitated, but composed himself and turned to see her again and said, 'I have always loved you as a friend and nothing more than that Ragini... I am sorry to break your heart, but it's better to clear your doubts than give you any false hopes'',he finished.
'...and nothing more than that Ragini...I am sorry!!''Nachiket's words kept echoing in her ears. Every time his words repeated in her mind it broke her into thousands of pieces...Such that they can never be gathered into one where love could reside ever again.
Nachiket could see her pent up emotions slowly break free and flow along with her tears.
It's unfortunate Ragini, that God chose me to break your heart!' Nachiket tried to comfort her. I respect your feelings, but am sorry I...I cannot reciprocate them...' he paused. The way you feel for me or the way I feel for you does not change our friendship at all... I was and I shall always be there as a friend for you, forever...'
'How ironical!', she thought. The one who broke my heart is the one who offers his shoulder too to cry on. She laughed softly and wiped her tears before she spoke, I know and I trust that too Nachiket. All I want is to see you happy...and if that means your happiness is with someone else but me... I am fine with it.
She took in a sharp breath and continued, 'All the best and remember there is one heart that shall always pray for your happiness.'
He could see it was not just her eyes, but even her heart wept!
That was the last he saw of Ragini who'd actually come to bid him goodbye. She chose that day to finally voice her feelings before he was gone. She expected him to stay, but eventually it was she who walked away not just from there, but from his life with a smile despite a broken heart. He knew she would never hate him for what he did to her, for she loved him more than that...
That moonlit night and the one sided voiced confessions of love became a life altering incident in his life. That changed the perspective of his life...
That night had been the most difficult one for both. While Ragini wept all alone, Nachiket shared his grief to the lonely moon who silently witnessed this unfortunate last exchange of words...some spoken and some unspoken...
That was the last he saw of Ragini who'd actually come to bid him good bye. She chose that day to finally voice her feelings before he was gone. She expected him to stay but eventually it was she who walked away not just from there but from his life with a smile despite a broken heart. He knew she would never hate him for what he did to her for she loved him more than that...
That moonlit night and the one sided voiced confessions of love became a life altering incident in his life. That changed the perspective of his life...
That night had been the most difficult one for both and Nachiket shared his grief to the lonely moon who silently witnessed this unfortunate last exchange of words...some spoken and some unspoken...
Suddenly a small pair of hands grasped Nachiket's suit and he felt someone hide behind him. The little kid distracted Nachiket's thoughts and before he could turn around and see who it was, the child ran from behind him towards the other kid and fell as he slipped.
Nachiket hurriedly went forward and helped the kid up. 'Be careful, my boy! Are you alright?' Nachiket asked and looked at the kid.
'Thank you once again buddy!', Ranbir smiled when he recognized the gentle hold on his hand.
'Hey Ranbir! What are you doing here?', Nachiket inquired. He most certainly was happy to see him once again.
'It's Ronit's birthday, he is my best friend and has invited me to celebrate his birthday, but what are you doing here?', Ranbir asked innocently.
'Well, I've come here for Ronit's birthday who is actually my best friend's son!' Nachiket quipped.
'Oh wow!! That means you and I both have best friends and so we both are friends too'.
'Yes!', Nachiket laughed and ruffled his hair before Ranbir was pulled in by Ronit to continue the game.
'Smart kid!' Nachiket commented as he joined Karan back on the couch.
Karan turned around to see who Nachiket was talking about. 'Ranbir? Oh yes, he is really smart!' Karan replied and sipped his favorite scotch from his glass.
'But sadly the child is not blessed like others...god has been very unfair to him...'
'Why so?' , Nachiket asked curiously.
'The little boy lost his father when he was just a year old. He doesn't even know his father is no more.' Karan replied with a hint of pity of in his voice.
Nachiket's fears turned true...Ranbir indeed lived a hope that his mother innocently gave him to not break his heart.
He was about to mention about Ranbir to Karan and tell him that Ranbir was Ragini's son. But after what he just heard he decided to remain quiet as it was not the right time yet to disclose that Ragini Malhotra was actually Ragini Patel he loves.
'He is actually our neighbor... His mother has brought him up so well...' Karan continued as he admired the little kid playing with his son.
'Ragini has had a hard life...', Nachiket murmured to himself adding more to his guilt and continued to sip his scotch in silence.
To Be Contd...
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