OS: Humble request (update 6 last part on Page 6) - Page 2

Nachiket is standing on the terrace, leaning against the wall, looking over the front courtyard of the farmhouse, its mostly dark everywhere, except a dim light lit in the gazebo. The light kind of signified a small hope in all the darkness. that Gazebo was where they had danced a graceful romantic dance years ago. Nachiket stood there reminiscing those moments, constantly coming back to check if he could hear her coming.. . He was nervous and hopeful at the same time, unsure whether his request will be fulfilled. Numerous thoughts crossing his mind, making him more nervous..What if Dr Aman wanted to spend time with her that same night, then she will have to pick between him and Dr Aman, who would she pick?... his thoughts continued.. alternating between, good- imagining the moments he would be spending with her and bad- she not showing up...

He had already spent close to 2 hours in that state and had almost given up hope. I think Dr Aman did want her tonight, he said to himself... Suddenly, he could sense someone entering the terrace. His face brightened up, with just the thought that she was here, here only due to his ask and just for him. He turned around, while she approached him. She was clad in a beautiful red sari with black border, she had the red lipstick on her lips (something she did only for him, as he loved her red glowing lips).He couldnt help but stare at her, capturing her beauty in every step. Her graceful walk, her waving hair, her pallu being blown by the wind, the slight smile on her face..Capturing every moment of it. He was driven out of his senses as she walked to the wall and stood in front of him and said "Hi".

He composed himself back, and responded with another soft "Hi" and lowered his head immediately (replaying what he had just witnessed and realizing that it was completely wrong to do what he just did).

Then there was an awkward silence...Both not sure what to say next. both stealing glimpses of each other and looking elsewhere. He didnt want to look straight into her eye, as that would arouse all those suppressed desires in him which would definitely make her uncomfortable. He could not afford to loose the precious moments that lay ahead, at any cost.

Ragini.. earlier that evening, had decided that she would go meet him. "Aakhir pehli baar usne apne liye, dil se kuch manga hai.. for all that he has done for Nishi and me, It will not be fair not to go..". I will fulfil his request in exactly the way he has asked for, "pehle ki tahra", "forgetting all differences". I will meet him as a friend, long lost friend, who he can talk to and lighten his heart". She had prepared her mind, saying its going to be "Nachiket", but he needs a friend more than anything else... I am going to meet an old friend, who I am seeing after a long time. I will keep the mood light and joyful, so he feels at ease... creating just the right memories he has asked for. This would also make it easy for me to hide my feelings for him and my desires for him will not get in the way.

Finally, after a short while, Ragini broke the awkard silence with a playful.. "Bahot der hogayi na mujhe.."

N (in his usual good mood tone): "Haaan, per its ok, tum aayi toh. Thank you for coming, it means a lot. Kisi ne roka toh nahi na tumhe? bata kar aayi ho ya bin bataye?" .. questions mainly pointing to Dr Aman.

R: "Kitne sawal karte ho Nachiket..", "Thanks ki koi zaroorat nahi hai.. Main subko batakar aayi hoon, ke mai mere x-husband, yane tumhare saath, chchat pe, akele raat bitane waali hoon aur koi hame disturb naa kare"

N (shocked to death): "Seriously?????" With a super nervous look "Pam ko bhi bataya???" he had an.. are you drunk?, look on his face.."Unbelievable Ragini!! Sigh..", already thinking of how to face them all..they could come up any time...

R (after a short pause, after enjoying the look on his face and his mind rushing to think of all that could happen..started laughing out loud): "Pagal ho gaye ho kya.. mai mazak kar rahi thi, tumhara ye chehera..oh god.." holding her tummy and still laughing hard...

N (letting out a sigh of relief): "Raaagini..."

R (still laughing, but not as harder, trying to stop): "Ok ok.. Mai chupke se aa yi hoon re baba..."

N (Smiling and a little proud, but continuing the convo): "Kisi ne roka nahi tumhe?"

R: "Mai ready hoke ooper aarahi thi, tab Pam ne dekh liya... aur main seediyon pe jhat se palat gayi..

Pam: Tum oopra kahan jaarahi ho is waqt, wo bhi itna ready hoke?" Maine kaha, "Mai oopar nahi jaa rahi hoon Pam, ooper se neeche aarahi hoon paani lene.. Woh mai aur Dr Aman bahar gaye the abhi abhi aaye.. is leyi itna ready hoon.." phir pam chali gayi..."

Nachiket's face turned dull, full of guilt and jeleasy , thinking "I should not have called Ragini here, she belongs to Dr Aman, I have no right... But she went out with Dr Aman?? after I had asked her to meet.." Anyway he did not interrupt her and let her continue..

R (continued.): Phir Dr Aman aaye..

"Dr Aman: Ragini tum oopar jaarahiho is waqt?

R: "Haan Sir, woh thoda sar dard kar raha tha to maine socha khuli hava main jaoongi to better feel karoongi"

Dr Aman: Do you want me to come with you

R: Nahi sir, its ok, mild sar dard hai, thodi der akele khooli hava main rahoongi to theek ho jaye gi.. Aap jake soo jayiye sir..Raat bahot hogayi hai.

Dr Aman: Theek hai, per kuch davayi chahiye to mujhko kehna..

R: ok sir.. good night"

Nachiket's guilt further deepened, "She came even when she has an head ache??"

R (continued.): I had walked a few more steps when Sunny Tai noticed me..

"Sunny Tai: arrey Ragini Tai, is waqt, aisa tayyar hoke kahan jaarahiho?

R(with an aah Crap): Mai bahar gayi thi, abhi abhi aayi hoon.. sar dard kar raha he, isliye chchat pe jaarahihoon, thodisi hawa ke liye"

Sunny Tai: Lal lipstick laga kar? //with a suspicious look, as Sunny Tai knew when Ragini used the red lipstick.

R: Kya?

Sunny Tai: Kuch nahi Kuch nahi, mujhe pata hai laal lipstick ke saath aapka sar dard jhat se theek hojaye ga.." giggling walks away.

Ragini, with a "kuch bhi" expression and getting shy on the inside.. walks upstairs

R (back to current): Toh 2 logon ko pata hai ke main chchat pe hoon..

N (with guilt): Kya woh jo tumne Pam se or Dr Aman se kaha sach hai?

R (giggling): Sab jhoot hai..(laughing) mai to bas bahane banarahithi, yahan aane ke liye...

N (more settled down and guilt vanished): smiles and laughs with her.. "Tum bhi na Ragini, kitna jhoot bolti ho.."

R (in a normal tone): "Bilku pehle ki tarha"

N (smiling..looking at the front yard of the farmhouse): "Bahot Achcha lag raha hai mujhe.. tumse baat karne ke baad, maan halka hogaya..". He was experiencing exactly what he had imagined when he had asked Ragini to meet him. All his worries and tensions had magically disappeared, in her company..

N: Ek aur request kar sakta hoon?

R (in the same joyful mood): Ek aur? Ab phir jhoot bolna padega mujhe?

N: Ek huggie mil sakti hai?

R (laughingly, concealing all her desires to hug him behind that laugh, knowing very well, what a hug would do to them, ignoring the request with great difficulty): "Ab chalo bhi batao kya plan kiya hai aaj raat ke liye? kuch plan be kiya hai ya nahi? Poori raat yahee pe khade rehke baat karni hai kya?"

N: Nai.Naahi plan kiya hai na.. Ek Movie, with food and drinks.. drinks main sirf paani hai.. chale ga?

R (smiling.. capturing the innocence): "Doudega..", then as if she was super desparete to see what he had arranged for.. "Toh chalona.." dragging him towards the room holding his elbow..

Ragini had successfully gotten Nachiket in the light hearted mood. He had smiled and laughed with her, forgetting all this worries and tensions. They had completely left their differences behind them.. They were perfect as friends. Ragini, thought to herself, movie is perfect.. just one movie and I dont have to put up the show any more...". Her heart can go back to beating normally and she can end the hard battle, that she had been incessently fighting with her emotions and feelings every second she was with Nachiket. One movie seemed like something she could handle. The best part was, she didnt have to look into his eyes, didnt have to talk.. just watch the movie!!