SS: Train Journey (Part 5 Pg. 13) - Page 4

Ragini moved up by his side and took his hand in hers as they walked. "Mujhe bhi tumse kuch kehna tha," she volunteered. "Aacha, pehle tum batao," said Nachiket. "Nai, tumne mujhe pehle poocha na; toh tum batao," protested Ragini. "Arrey, aise hi karti rahogi, toh baat hi nai ho payega," said Nachiket. "Pehle tum bolo." Ragini smiled, just like she did when they would have similar back-and-forths when they were younger.

"Actually Nachiket, mujhe tumhe thanks kehna tha. Woh, tum Aarav ke saat... You know what, Nachiket?" she said, turning towards him. "Jab bache chote the aur hum kahi bahar jaate the, tab main hamesha Aarav ke liye alag se khana lekar aati thi. Usse bahar ka khana bilkul nahi suit karta tha. I thought he's grown out of it, par aaj pata nai kyun..." she looked back, partly hoping to see Aarav alright and party consoling herself that he was fine now. "Anyway, Nachiket," she said, turning her attention back to him, "jab woh vomit karta tha, toh mein hamesha usse apne saath ladies' room mein jaane ke liye kehti. Aur woh mere saath nahi jaana chahta tha. Woh men's room ke andar bhaag jata tha aur mujhe itni chinta hoti thi ke..." She shook her head, as if to get rid of the memory forever. "Mein tumhe kya batau, Nachiket..." Ragini said with a sigh. "Akele maa ko ladke palna kitna mushkil hoti hai..."

Nachiket looked over at her tearing eyes. This is all my fault, he thought to himself. If I hadn't had such an ego...we both suffered so much over the years. "Main janta hoon, Ragini," Nachiket started, turning away from Ragini as he remembered his own struggles. "Suhani ke saath bhi yehi problem thi. Woh zidd karti thi amusement park jaane ki aur ek roller coaster pe beth te hi vomit karti thi. Aur woh bhi women's restroom me. Pam ko ye theme parks sab pasand nai tha, toh woh nai aati thi. Mujhe bhi bahut fikar hota tha Suhani ki...par kya kare...it was the only time we would spend together, as a family. If only I had been a more involved dad and less attached to my work..." Nachiket sighed heavily. My whole life seems to be a big if.' Ragini looked at him with pain. "Thank you Ragini."

"Thanks ki kya zaroorat hai, Nachiket? Suhani meri bhi beti hai na?" questioned Ragini, smiling to lighten the mood. Nachiket was taken slightly aback by the question, but refused to show it. "Aacha, toh Aarav mera beta nai hai, iss liye tum mujhe thanks keh rahi thi?" Nachiket asked playfully.

Ragini laughed. "Thik hai baba, I'm sorry! Aaj se Suhani ke saath mein bathroom ke andar jaoongi." "Aur mein Aarav ke saath." added Nachiket, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

"Ab ye toh batao ki kaha lekar jaa rahe ho mujhe?!" Ragini said, trying to change the topic. It was Nachiket's turn to smile. They had just exited the train station and Ragini was worried they would miss the train. He looked around and his eyes fell on a small restaurant. "Chalo, batata hoon," Nachiket said, moving towards the restaurant.

"Hum bahar kya kar rahe he, Nachiket? Train paanch minute me nikaal jayega! Please, vapas chalte hain!" cried Ragini. Nachiket ignored her and continued to walk towards the restaurant, dragging behind him. Ragini tried to pull him back towards the train station, but his tall, muscular stature was too much for her. She realized slowly that she wouldn't be able to stop him and silently hoped the train would be more than a few minutes late.

"Che roti aur ek aloo gobi ki sabzi." Nachiket ordered immediately. "Aur thoda jaldi banae ye, hume jana hai," he added, the urgency clear in his voice. "Ye kya kar rahe ho Nachiket?" Ragini asked, knowing his response. "This is going to take too long!"

"Aarav aur Suhani ko thodi na woh idli sambhar de sakte hai! Unke liye khana le raha hoon, Ragini!" Nachiket exclaimed, looking at her like she was Captain Obvious. "Tum bhi na, pata nai kaise kaise sawal puch thi ho!"

Ragini smiled and went to take a seat a little ways away as they waited for the order to be filled. She knew that Nachiket would have brought her here even if the kids hadn't thrown up; he wasn't going to let her stay hungry. And his order had made it even more clear: she loved anything made with potatoes.

Nachiket arrived shortly with the hot food. "Chale?" Nachiket asked, "ya phir..." he leaned in as she stood. "Tumhe romance karni thi na...," he said in a whisper. Ragini's breathing quickened as she felt his breath on her skin. It took all of Ragini's self-control to push him away. "Shut up Nachiket! Time toh dekho!" Nachiket pulled away and pouted as he took a look at his watch.

He looked up at her in alarm. "Ragini! Two minutes to when the train leaves!" He grabbed her hand and started running towards the train station.

As they ran, Ragini noticed tens of pairs of eyes looking at them. She decided to ignore them and not look ahead; Nachiket would take care of her. She giggled under her breath as she watched the sweat collect on Nachiket's brow. I see the extent of your daily workout, Mr. Khanna.

They jumped into the train together, just as the clock struck 8. Ragini couldn't control her momentum (and partly didn't want to) as they entered the train and fell on Nachiket. What she didn't expect was that her momentum would knock him to the floor. Ragini placed her hands behind his head, cushioning his fall, as Nachiket wrapped his arms around her, protecting her from the inevitable blow.

Ragini grinned. She wanted this moment with Nachiket, but not on the floor. She looked up at him; Nachiket seemed surprised, not because of the fall, but because the train wasn't moving yet. Ragini loved when he was caught off-guard; the way he looked at her for confirmation always made her light up. She took his handkerchief from his shirt pocket and began wiping the sweat from his brow, eliciting a sweet smile from her darling.

"Mom! Da--" Agam stopped mid-sentence as he saw his parents on the floor. "Mein aap dono ko doond aaya tha, lekin looks like you are busy...Sorry, you guys continue, I'll just...," Agam said, turning away and trying with all his might to suppress a laugh, just as the train started moving.

Ragini's eyes widened and she stood up immediately. Nachiket was right behind her. "Chup kar Agam! Woh tumhari mom--"

"Haan haan, dad, mujhe saaab pata hai," laughed Agam, "Mom ki chehre ko dekhiye, she's blushing so much. Nachiket looked over at Ragini, who was as red as a tomato. He smiled inside. Blushing Ragini is the best Ragini.

"Woh...," Ragini stuttered, unable to find the words. "Hum khana lekar aaye hai! Aarav aur Suhani kaha hai?"

"Vahi, sab ke paas...aap chahte ho to mein yeh khana un dono tak poncha sakta hoon...you know, if you are busy..." Agam said and began humming a love song.

Nachiket turned Agam around and pushed him forward. "Chup chap chalo abhi," Nachiket said, walking towards everybody else. As Ragini turned to follow him, Nachiket turned and whispered to her, "Stop blushing so much; everyone will know we were up to something." Nachiket winked and Ragini tried hard to hide her blush. She couldn't.

"Tum dono kahan chale gaye the!," cried Pam.

"Hum khana lane ke liye gaye the," said Nachiket. "Aarav, Suhani, tum log ye khao," he added, holding the bag out for them.

"Ek minute, me deti hoon tumhe," said Ragini, taking the bag. She picked up three plates from on top of one of their suitcases, bent down, and began serving the roti and curry. Nachiket took a seat beside her and she gave him a death stare. No funny business this time.

As she handed two of the plates to Aarav and Suhani, Agam cried, "Oh! Aloo gobi! Meri favorite hai! Please, mujhe bhi ye khana hai Mom!" Ragini smiled and gave him the third plate, which she had originally put out for herself. "Ye lo, beta, kha lo," she said with a motherly smile. Nachiket looked at Ragini and she knew that he was not pleased. But neither mom or dad were going to ever take anything from their children. Ragini gave him a reassuring smile as she rose and moved into the next coupe to get some water for the kids.