FF - PS. I Love You - Part 4 Updated Page 19 [18 Oct] - Page 9

She sat on the foot of Nishi's bed and closed her eyes. Hiding her face with her hands Ragini cried silently.

The room's door knocked and someone entered. Ragini was too lost she didn't hear the footsteps. Someone put a hand on her shoulder.

"Nachiket..." She whispered.

Chapter 3

Nirmala Devi Hospital

Nachiket paused at the door.

How will I handle this, he thought to himself. Please God, give me the strength to face it. He composes himself and knocks the door.

The inside sight of the room horrified him. Nishi laid almost lifeless on the hospital bed and Ragini sitting at the foot of the bed, crying silently making no sound. But Nachiket could hear her cries. He composed himself again and walked to her.

When he put a hand on her shoulder, he heard her whisper his name.

Ragini opened her eyes and stood straight turning towards him. She instantly hugged him and let the tears flow.

Nachiket hugged her back. He tried hard not to break down but he couldn't help himself. Tears started flowing from his eyes too and they both poured their hearts out in the form of tears.

There they both found the solace in each other's arms. The inside war they both were going through after finding about their daughter's suicide was coming to an end.

"Nachiket Nishi..." Ragini said breaking the hug after a while.

"Kuch nahin hoga humari Nishi ko." Nachiket assures her looking at Nishi.

They both sit on the bed, settling themselves on either side of Nishi. The worry visible on their faces.

"Doctors ne kya kaha hai?" Nachiket spoke breaking the silence.

"She's out of danger. Blood loss ziada hua hai so she needs plenty of rest."

Nachiket sighs looking at Nishi and then he looks back at Ragini who seems a little restless to him.

"Ragini?" He couldn't help but ask her.

Ragini looks up at him, "Agham aur Ranbir?" She says in a weak voice.

He had forgotten about Agham-Ranbir and everyone else the moment Ragini informed him about Nishi. But how could he forget Ragini was a mother..

Nachiket just blinks assuring her they are fine. They sit in silence again.

The door is knocked and Ashaben enters.

"Arey Nachiket beta tum agaye?" She is excited to see him.

Nachiket gets up from the bed and touches her feet. Ashaben hugs him.

"Nishi ab behtar hai, tum dono pareshan mat ho. Kuch nai hua hai meri Nishi ko." She says patting his cheek.

Nachiket smiles.

"Tum sidhe idher aye ho?" Ashaben asks him looking at his dress. He was wearing the same suit which he didn't bother to change before flying to Mumbai.

"Ma, aap ko tou pata hai na.." Nachiket explains looking down.

"Koi baat nahin. Tumhara samaan kidher hai? Lekar bhi aye ho?"

"Haan woh meine baahir ek doctor ko diya, she said she's Ragini's friend and she will take care of it."

"Devika?" Ragini asks.

"Yes, Dr. Devika. Uske pass hai."

"Acha hai. Chalo ab tum jao fresh hojao. Ragini tum lejao isko aur restroom dikhado."

"Idher??" Nachiket asked surprised.

"Haan, tum abhi abhi pohnche ho pehle fresh hojao. Ragini bhi kal se yahin hai. Tu bhi fresh hoja Ragini. Nishi ke pass mein hoon. Tum dono jao fresh hokar kuch kha lo."

Ragini looks at Nachiket signaling him let's go'. They both walk out of the room and towards Ragini's cabin.

"Yeh tumhara cabin hai?" Nachiket asks as he enters the room after her.

Ragini nods and finds his bag. She looks at him but he looks a little confused taking in everything around him. Keenly observing her cabin.

She opens his bag,

"Konsi shirt doon yeh wali ya phir yeh wali?" She asks him holding his two Tees.

"Yeh wali dedo." Nachiket points towards one of the Tees.

"Yeh lo. And where's the towel?"

"Hoga naa wahin kahin. Rakha tha meine."

Ragini finds it and gives it to him when they both realize and feel awkward.

"I am sorry woh...tum thode confuse..lagrahe the" Ragini stammers guiltily and steps aside.

"It's OK." Nachiket closes his briefcase.

"So, you're the admin head here?" Nachiket asks to avoid the awkwardness.

"Hmm." Ragini answers. "Chalen?"

"Sure."

They both freshen up and have a quick meal at the cafeteria eating in silence.

After the meal, Nachiket goes to Nishi's room and Ragini walks to her cabin. As she enters her cabin she hears Dr. Aman's voice, calling her.

"Ragini, who mein yeh batane aaya tha ke Nishi will get discharged tomorrow." He informs Ragini.

"Really? That's great! Thank you Aman."

"Oh, no problem. Btw, where is Dr. Neil K? Meine suna who achuke hain."

"He's in Nishi's room. Abhi dekh kar aayi hoon mein unko ander." Devika joins them in Ragini's cabin. "Btw Ragini, he's so handsome. I wonder tumne kaise unko chod diya" Devika winks.

"Devika tum bhi naa. Aisi situation mein bhi." Ragini says unbelievingly.

"Oh come on, Ragini. Tum tou aise kehrahi ho as if his presence doesn't affect you. Anyways, Aunty just told me that you have two more kids who are living with Dr. Neil?" Devika asks her shocked.

"What?! Ragini you have two other kids too? You never told us." Aman is shocked as well.

Ragini feels embarrassed, "woh bas.." she stammers, "I didn't want to talk about my past."

"I'm so sorry Ragini, I shouldn't have brought this up now. Anyways, I've to go. Thoda kaam hai then I will leave. Mein subah jaldi ajaungi. Tum please dekh laina if there's any emergency call me. Take care. Good night." Devika hugs her and leaves the room.

Aman wishes her good night too and turns to leave.

Ragini sits on her chair and let out a sigh.

"Btw Ragini, how long were you two married?"

She looks up and sees Aman standing in the door away.

Ragini looks at him surprised. "About six and a half years. Why?"

"Nothing. Bas, I was just wondering..6 years and 4 kids. Impressive." Aman smiles and leaves.

Ragini finds herself smiling too and goes back in time.

Flashback

She sat on the wall, feeling the cool sea breeze. Letting the wind play with her hair she closed her eyes. The sound of waves crashing against the rocks filled Ragini's ears. She let herself relax and live in the moment.

It was much needed after her busy schedule; shopping and studies. Nachiket and she were going to get married in a week. With all the marriage preparations and her exams, she barely had time for him. Though they met daily, Nachiket would pick up and drop her at her college and shopping malls but they were dating after a week.

Ragini had many reservations regarding the marriage. But there sitting on the wall at her favorite Marine Drive she decided to free herself from all the fears and let herself flow with the wind. Her heart knew it was the right decision. She followed her heart that day.

Ragini had her eyes shut when she felt Nachiket's presence. She didn't open her eyes. Nachiket stood above her. He was awestruck. Looking at her face; relaxed and carefree, he fell in love with her all over again. It seemed like the sea breeze was washing away all her stress and worries and he became relieved that he insisted a date on the beach.

Ragini could feel his stare and when Nachiket didn't speak anything, she opened her eyes. She saw Nachiket smiling wide at her. He held the tea cup out to her,

"Here madam, aap ki chaye." He said and sat beside her with zero space between them.

"Thank you" Ragini smiled.

She slid her arm in his and took a sip. Nachiket couldn't help but stare at her without blinking his eyes.

"Yahan kitna sukoon hai naa. Samader ki thandi hawa..aur lehron ki ye awaaz.. Thank you Nachiket for bringing me here." She said looking at him lovingly.

Nachiket smiled. He grabbed her by her waist and squeezed her closer. Ragini didn't protest but Nachiket could see her cheeks turning red. He utilized the opportunity and snaked both his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him so that her back was against his chest and he rested his chin on her shoulder. Ragini relaxed herself in his embrace.

They sat there silent for some time; Ragini enjoying the sea and Nachiket enjoying the silent company of the love of his life.

"Ragini?" He broke the silence.

"Hmm.." She replied without looking at him.

"Aaj kese maan gayi tum?"

Nachiket was surprised that she agreed to meet at the Marine drive. This was their first date at the beach.

She turned her head to look at him, "Woh meine socha ke kabse tum kehte arahe ho yahan aane ka. But mein hi mana kardeti thi har baar. Islie socha ke aaj tumhari bhi maan laiti hun."

"Accha. Aur tum hamesha kyun mana karti thi?" Nachiket buried his nose into her hair.

"Kyun ki tumhara bharosa nahin kahiin bhi shuru hojate ho. Public ho ya private place tumse control nahin hota" She said teasingly.

"Acchhaa.." He squeezed her closer and kissed her on the cheeks which were turning crimson red now. He could feel the shivers spiraling down her spine. Ragini's reaction always turned him on.

"Nachiket kya kar rahe ho?" Ragini said while attempting to free herself from his embrace.

"Kya kar raha hoon matlab? Apni hone wali biwi se pyaar kar raha hoon aur kya."

"Acha suno..next week humari shaadi hai. Tumhe darr to nahin lagraha?" Nachiket said playfully.

"Kaisa darr?"

"Shaadi ke baad 24X7 sirf mere saath.. Sirf tum aur mein akaile ghar mein. Aur koi nahin" He winked.

Ragini blushed at the thought of that. Her cheeks flustered. But she managed to answer him, "Aur kaam par kaun jayega, Mr. Nachiket Khanna"

"Jiski Mrs. Nachiket Khanna jaisi biwi ho woh kaam par kaise ja sakta hai. Meine to soch liya hai ek puri cricket team banaunga. Weise tum kya kehti ho kitne bacche hone chahiye?" He asked her curiously.

"Mujhe bas do bache chaiye"

"No way! Sirf do bache. Are you kidding me Ragini? At least 6 to honge." Ragini was a little surprised as Nachiket seemed serious.

"6 bacche Nachiket?! Log kya kahnge hum jaise educated couple ke 6 bacche." She emphasized on the word six.

"Humare educated hone ka bachon se kya jaata hai Ragini? As long as we can give them education and good life what's wrong with having six kids."

"You're right but No!" Ragini said firmly.

"Acha chalo 4 sahi hai. Dekho meine do kam kardiye. Please." Nachiket said showing her four fingers.

Ragini thought for a while, "Umm..chalo 3 kids."

"3 na baba. 4 hi bache honge!"

"3!" Ragini repeated.

"4"

"3"

"We will see, Ms. Patel" Nachiket winked and looked into her eyes.

He bent his face down, touching her nose with his. Ragini trembled. Nachiket smiled mischievously but didn't stop. He came closer, feeling her warm breath. His lips touched hers.

Ragini felt weak in the knees..but she pushed him harder and tried to get up,

"Nachiket chalo..bahut der hogayi hai. Maa pareshan horahi hogi."

"Kya Ragini, tum hamesha aisa karti ho." Nachiket said making a face.

Ragini stood up first with Nachiket's help and then she held out her hand to help him stand up.

Nachiket faked a pout but took her hand. When he was up, Ragini leaned in on him a little and poked his chest,

"Thoda sabar kariye, Mr. Nachiket Khanna. Ek hafte baad Miss Ragini Patel aap ki Mrs. Nachiket Khanna hojaengi." She winked and turned around.

Nachiket couldn't help but smile. They were now walking on the promenade with hands in hands.

"Nachiket, chalo na Chowpatty chal kar paani puri khaate hain." Ragini said excitedly.

"Ragini, abhi tumne kaha der horahi hai. Maa pareshan hogi. Aur ab baahir ki paani puri khaani hai tumhe?" Nachiket couldn't believe her.

"Haan to mein Ma ke liye bhi lekar jaungi naa." Ragini said innocently.

She was looking at him pleadingly.

"Uff Ragini..chalo! Tumhe idher lekar hi nahin ana chahiye tha mujhe." Nachiket said disapprovingly.

And they walked arm in arm, talking non-stop and laughing as if there was no one around.

Ragini was smiling remembering her romantic date at the beach. It was still fresh in her memory. She hears someone clear his throat. She looks up to see Nachiket smiling back at her.

To be continued..

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