FF - Togetherness Again - Epilogue & A letter from NK Updated Page - Page 8

Originally posted by: Saabi45

what a beautiful story this is. Sorry, i'm late, but have been as much as swept away by your lyrical prose. They are so so special.. I guess we are all better off in the NeiRa FF world than anywhere else.

Pls continue soon..

Originally posted by: poetic

Now coming back to the original update.👍🏼

The word that I would use is Magnificent. This is such a beautiful update, rich in emotions and feelings.

Thank you so very much Rachna. 😊

The flashbacks are indeed helping us in putting things into perspective, now that we know that Nachiket and Ragini were friends to begin with. I wonder why he left her though when she came forward with her feelings for him . Am sure there is going to be so much in the next updates.

Yes, Nachiket had some reasons to deny her proposal. In the upcoming updates you'll know why.

Their chance meeting at the Toy Store has brought forth an avalanche of memories and feelings in both of them.

Doesn't it happen often? We meet someone accidentally then we tend to remember the last meet or good times together. Here they both loved each other so they have vast memories that resurfaced all over again. And you just cannot let them be when you recollect them. Sometimes we do it very fondly!

And those interactions of Ranbir with Nachiket ... so innocent and so pure. 😊
Yes, thats the best thing of kids - their innocence. 😊

Looking forward to read some more.

Reminds me of an old time show on Doordarshan - Kshitij Yeh Nahin

Had never heard of it. I just checked the synopsis, I understand why you say so 😊

Thanks a lot !

Originally posted by: metoyou

Pat 3

This story is getting better and better. Nachiket and Ragini meeting in college and becoming friends was such a nice surprise. I love the way you have described their personalities back then. They must have changed throughout the years, but some old habits never die.

You write so well, what a natural flow of words you have! Thank you!😳

Okay..chapter 4 coming up 😉

Originally posted by: poojadas77

Grt going curious. Each emotions are perfectly written. Waiting for todays's update buddy.

Part 5

Two days Later

It was a busy morning at the Malhotra residence, Ragini had taken an off from work as she had to perform a havan in the temple along with her in-laws. It was Aman, Ragini's husband's death anniversary and as a ritual they performed a havan every year in the temple for his soul to rest in peace. As per the social norms, it's the son who should be performing this, but considering Ranbir's young age and his ignorance about the worldly facts such as life and death he was preferred to be sent to school.

While the elder couple arranged for their visit to the temple, Ragini dressed Ranbir for school hastily and sprinted along with him towards the bus stop. They reached the stop earlier than usual and so waited for the bus to arrive. While Ranbir wandered nearby aimlessly Ragini sat on the bench to catch some breath.

The otherwise talkative Ranbir was a little quieter today, which puzzled Ragini. She was used to answering his endless questions through the day and would often enjoy a hearty laugh and admire his quirky comments, but to see him so confined to himself Ragini was worried. She reckoned that something was disturbing him and that urged Ragini to ask him about his limited talking today.

She watched him carefully for a while; he was lost in some thoughts. She was not sure what the possible reason could be so she asked him generally, 'Why is Ranbir so quiet today?' Ranbir looked up at his mother absent-mindedly. Looking at his blank eyes and still not finding any answer she asked again, 'Upset with mamma?'. She fixed his hair while she waited for him to answer.

Ranbir remained quiet for a minute and suddenly quizzed his mother, 'Dada, Dadi and you are all going to the temple today to pray for papa right?'

Ragini looked back at him stupefied. How did she fail to notice the same question in his eyes? She could feel her eyes glisten, a sudden inexplicable urge to cry. She composed herself and kneeled in front of him and spoke, 'Yes! Beta'. Her voice choked as she tried to suppress her tears and kissed his tiny hands.

'I shall pray too. I know God listens to small children's prayers, he shall listen to mine and send my father soon.', he declared confidently and hugged his mother.

The horn of his school bus caught his attention and he sped off to board the bus. He cheerfully waved at his mother from the window and the smile that was missing on his face reappeared once again which touched the mother's heart. She pondered over Ranbir's words as she made way towards home.

She reached the elevator of the building and pressed the 20th floor button. While she was alone in the elevator Ranbir's words repeated in her thoughts. She was amazed with the patience and hope the child lived with. She sighed heavily and walked out of the elevator when it reached the floor. The door to her flat was open; she walked in and saw her mother-in-law packing some food to be given to the children near the temple. She saw how grim her otherwise chirpy mother in law looked. Ragini shuddered just with the thought of losing her child Ranbir and that is when she realized her loss was nothing compared to her mother -in law. Not wanting to ponder much she went straight to her room to take a shower.

The pujari commenced once the family was ready. Ragini and her in-laws sat across it with serious faces each reminiscing moments with Aman differently. The pujari chanted various hymns and shloks one after another and kept adding some ghee to keep the flames of the havan alive. Ragini's head was neatly covered with a duppatta while she sat with folded hands in front of the havan kund. She stared at the flames without blinking, remembering the last glimpses of Aman, he lay still and lifeless on the pyre, slowly burnt into flames and eventually was reduced to ashes.

Flashback
4 Years back

Mrs Malhotra, your husband's car collided a divider and crashed into a bus. He is rushed to the Holy Christ Hospital.', a soft female voice spoke on the other side of the phone.

What?!'

Yes! And please hurry up...he may not pull through...', the voice said and hung up.

***

She breathed heavily and tears rolled down her cheek as she took small steps to walk into the ICU. She neared him and gasped at the miserable sight in front of her as she saw him lay still and bleeding. He was in pain and counting his last breath when Ragini visited him at the hospital.

'Ragini, I apologize for whatever that happened to you...intentionally or unintentionally I've hurt you and am paying for it today.'' Aman spoke with folded hands intermittently breathing heavily. His words were not clear as he spoke through the oxygen mask, lying on the hospital bed fighting for his life.

To see her husband for six months apologizing on his death bed was not a believable sight for her. She was too shocked to utter even a word.

Two and half months of their marriage and Ragini learnt that Aman loved someone else and was even married to her. He blamed himself for being cowardly and not disclosing the facts to his parents and her. His father's words meant command which he did not dare to override it. She had nothing to say and wasn't even capable enough to question him the reason for the betrayal.

Soon after he rejected her proposal, Nachiket walked out of Ragini's life, leaving her heartbroken and aimless. Within a month he had announced his wedding while he was in the US. He was to marry Rupali, his father's high profile socialite friend's daughter who was soon to be their business partners.

It came as a surprise to Ragini too, as she knew Nachiket was strictly against such people and their lifestyle and above all he never mentioned anything about a wedding all the while they were together.

Suddenly there seemed to be an absence of any reason to live and move on in life for Ragini. Nachiket's exit from her life was a huge loss and her incapacity to accept the emptiness put her in depression. She felt sick and dead as if she was stabbed deep within brutally and nothing could nurse her broken heart.

Amidst this, her father, in an attempt to encourage her to speak her heart out and move on in life, insisted she marry his childhood friend's son Aman. At that moment all he wanted was Ragini's happiness and to fill up the empty space in her life. He found her marriage to Aman a suitable option. It was a big compromise for Ragini with her life. She married Aman to keep up her ailing father's word, but little did she know that she was edging closer to yet another woeful phase of life...

'You are one of the finest human beings I ever met Ragini but unfortunately we were never meant to be together...I know am responsible for all wrong done to you and I don't stand a chance to even be forgiven.''Aman struggled to speak.

Ragini just wept in response. She did not know if she should walk out and assume that she never knew him like he did to her or should she stay and be by his side during his last moments. Ragini was tough, but not tough enough to see a dying man and ignore him that to the man being her legally wedded husband.

'Nivedita, my wife, is no more Ragini, but am sure she would have apologized too. I don't have much time left so listen to me carefully.'', he paused.

He took another sharp breath and continued, 'I have a diary in my cupboard which I want you to read. Didn't realize when I wrote it that shall be read by you, but it has everything I wish for. Consider it as my last wish and try to fulfill them please. I shall be grateful to you forever.'

Ragini listened to him patiently and something within her pushed her to speak up finally, I can't promise but I shall try...'

***

Mrs. Malhotra gently caressed Ragini's head and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. Ragini looked back at her teary eyed and placed her hand on hers. The havan continued and Ragini dutifully sat through it as Aman's widow.

They had returned from the temple after the havan after they had donated some money and food to the poor and prayed for Aman's soul to rest in peace.

***

'Cancel all my appointments for the afternoon', Nachiket instructed his secretary in an irritated tone.

It had been two days since he met Ragini and he was still unable to get her out of his thoughts. He wished the destiny gave yet another chance and he'd apologize this time. He wanted to unburden and rid himself from the guilt of breaking her heart. The thought that Ragini lived as a single parent to Ranbir and was a widow hurt Nachiket all the more. He recollected how her eyes mirrored her state of mind - painful, lonely and distraught.

He desperately wanted to do something for her, something to make her happy, make her smile and cheerful like he'd last seen her. To make her alive. Had he not promised to be by her side all her life as a friend?

But, how? He didn't even know about her whereabouts.

'Soon...if are destined to meet...'. He remembered Ragini's words. He trusted that fate would definitely give him one more chance.

***

Ranbir was back from his school and noticing his mother unusually quiet went to her side. He lifted her chin and pecked her on the cheek gently, earning a smile from her.

Mamma, I prayed in the chapel today. I am sure god will send my papa soon. Please don't worry, until then Ranbir will look after you', he said innocently.

Ragini forced a smiled and nodded. She pulled him closer for a warm hug and closed her eyes, letting stubborn tears roll down her cheek silently. She held onto him silently thanking God to have blessed her with Ranbir' who was her only hope for survival.



To be Contd...