Nachiket sighed deeply and she could feel his tensed muscles relax...
After a long silence he continued.. "Ragini, this whole incident makes me think, that certain unpleasant truths of the past are better kept secret in a relationship, especially those that come back to haunt us, and we can do nothing but, stand helpless"
"Nah, Nachiket, I am really glad that you laid everything down, with no hesitation, its not your fault, you did the right thing Nachiket", she said softly, still resting her head on his chest and staring at the waves lapping on the shore.
Nachiket looked down at her, his eyes pleading to speak her mind out, he knew, that was the only thing that would ease her unrest.
"When I asked you the question, I guess, I wasn't prepared enough to hear the answer I received... even though, it was an expected one, as in those 15 years of separation, I would often think, that you would have re-married.", Ragini continued in the same melancholy tone.
"But today, having met the very woman.. my existence shook.. and I felt at loss.. again.. I can never ever imagine you with another woman Nachiket", she said sobbing, pointing her finger to his chest.
"You know that, you know it very well!!", she said amidst sobs stabbing her finger, to his chest.. "Mujhe kuch ho jata hai, pagalpan sa savaar ho jata hai..", she broke down, "I am sorry Nachiket.. Its not your fault..", she said weeping.
Nachiket rubbed on her shoulders, vigorously.. "Ragini, don't be so harsh to yourself...dont be.. its not your fault either...", he said trying to comfort her.
After a while, when the storm, in their minds, seemed to have subsided, Nachiket whispered, "Ragini"
Ragini looked up into his eyes. The sincerity, the honesty, the love.. It was all there. She could almost touch it. She could also very well see traces of tears in his eyes.
"Kuch khale?", he said looking into her eyes...
She smiled a half smile, to comfort him. He led her to the table where dinner was waiting. Silently, he picked up the spoon and started to feed her. She just stared into his eyes, while slowly chewing on the morsels he offered. She felt better.. but at times, her mind wandered into thinking, what he would have been going on in his mind when he was in bed with that other woman...
Next morning.
Nachiket and Ragini woke up to the loud knock on the door. Rubbing his eyes, Nachiket opened the door, only to be greeted the loudest "good morning", by his dear sister Pam.
"Kya, tum log, abhi bhi so rahe the?", she asked excitedly in a rather loud tone, as she entered the room, followed by RK, which made Ragini sit up instantly.
"Pam!! relax, its only 6.. RK, you should have shown her the beach before coming her..", Nachiket said in between yawns.
"Teri behen ko tu janta hai..", RK exclaimed shrugging his shoulders..
"Chalo chalo, get ready both of you.. we are supposed to have breakfast with my friend Ashley. Nachiket since you know her and you happen to be here, I promised to bring you both along. New York, ki friend hai, you remember right?", she asked decidedly, giving them little choice. Ragini and Nachiket looked at each other. Knowing, Ragini would be uncomfortable, he started to speak, against the proposal. But even before he could say anything, Ragini interrupted, and assured Pam that they will be there for the breakfast, leaving Nachiket quite surprised.
As Pam and RK left, with a "see you soon", Nachiket immediately turned to Ragini with questioning eyes. "I didnt want Pam to get any doubts, about what has happened these past few days", she answered calmly, before making her way to the bathroom.
When Ragini and Nachiket, came down to the cafe, Ashley was already seated with RK and Pam. Nachiket forced himself to appear as normal as possible, while Ragini, tried her best to forget the truth of who, the woman in front of her was. After the usual greetings, Pam introduced Ragini to Ashley.. "So you are Ragini?", Ashley exclaimed instantly, much to Ragini and Nachiket's surprise. Ragini simply nodded and they took their seat. RK and Nachiket went to order and get the food, leaving the girls alone. Pam for the choosy foodie she was, followed the boys...
After an awkward silence.. "how do you know me?", Ragini asked curiously. "Oh! I've only heard your name", she said reluctantly, trying to avoid the question. Sensing the hesitation, Ragini plainly declared, "I know about you and Nachiket.. he told me yesterday". Ashley turned around amazed, to look at her.. and sighed, before speaking, "I know your name from him. That one night, I managed to get to spend with him, I was excited. He was inebriated, hardly in his senses.. I was young and crazy about getting a night with the hottest guy I had every met. As I drew closer..". Ragini squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her fists tight, holding her breath, for what she was going to hear next.
"He wouldn't touch me at first, but I was determined.. I put his hands on me and immediately, he uttered Ragini. I didn't understand what he meant.. I continued, and he kept chanting Ragini, Ragini, the whole time". I remember it distinctly even today, as I have often wondered what he was saying. Today, I know!!. Now, that I think of it, that night, he didn't touch me, but he was touching you.. I had his body, but not his mind, not his heart, I was not even close.. How can you expect anything of a man who has devoted his soul to someone.. You own his very soul".
"And he owns mine..", Ragini said instantly, in a soft tone. "I consider myself lucky to have met you and to have witnessed, love at its purest", Ashley said with gratitude. Ragini smiled at her. Just when, the boys arrived with food. Ragini looked up at Nachiket and smiled heartily, much to his astonishment.
"I have so many plans for the next 4 days, we all should go visit the fort, tomorrow", Pam said excitedly as they were halfway through the breakfast.
"Oh Pam, we cannot come", Ragini said, without sparing a moment. Nachiket looked up from his plate. "Actually, we had pre-planned on spending the rest of the vacation on Grande island, that is just off the coast.", Ragini finished, before throwing a naughty glance at Nachiket, who was already staring at her with a raised brow, at her impromptu plan.😉
PS:
Italicized: credits to Loveleen
Edited by imagine43 - 9 years ago
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