What do you want from me, Nachiket?' shouted Ragini, a few seconds after the door was shut by Suhani, on her way out.
'What do I want from you? Why don't you tell me what YOU want from ME? You want me to turn a blind eye to everything that happens around here? You want me to ignore the fact that Aman is going to be your top priority always? Or you want me to forget that our kids and I will always be second to you?' shouted back Nachiket.
'I WANT YOU TO LISTEN TO ME FOR ONCE!' shrieked Ragini, unable to suppress her frustration anymore. 'I made the mistake of not listening to you and it broke us. I do not want YOU to repeat my mistake!'
'Maine koi..'
'Listen to me for god's sake, Nachiket! At the hospital, I wanted you to accompany me in meeting Dr. Aman. The day you got drunk and were busy smashing glasses on the floor, I wanted you to come with me to the hospital! You've been accusing me of not giving you or the kids enough time, while you never offered to stay with me in the hospital!'
'I asked you to go home and told you I'd stay!! Do not lie, Ragini!' roared Nachiket.
'I didn't want to go home! I wanted you to stay there with me. Hold me! Tell me it would be all right! Tell me that you were in this with me! Tell me that I was not doing it all alone! I could not go home, Nachiket! Why do you not understand this? I am indebted to Dr. Aman for life! He is the reason I could raise Nishi and Aarav! He is the person who helped me keep Badi Nani and Maa healthy and alive! My job, my confidence, it's all because of him and his hospital! He was the one who helped me in freeing Suhani from the kidnappers! Doesn't matter how much I thank him, I can never repay him! And when he needed me because he was going through a trauma, not helping him was not an option! Nachiket, I hoped that you, of all people who understand this! He is the person who helped us during the investigation! We are together because of him! Yes, he isn't perfect and he's made mistakes, but I can not just forget his every good deed!'
Ragini didn't like talking about the years they were not together. The feelings, the memories that it brought were painful to say the least. The struggle, the loneliness, everytime she talked about that time, it all came back to her and then she had difficulty grasping the reality. The reality seemed too good to be true. Now, again, she felt the pain of reliving those moments. The words seemed to drain Ragini of all the energy. She slumped to the floor, with the head in her hands.
'You should have talked to me,' said Nachiket after a few silent minutes.
'So that you could go to US much earlier even though your presence required there was optional?' said Ragini. Nachiket could feel her eyes boring into his. 'Kya bolu main tumhe? I am afraid I'd say something wrong and you'll leave me. And your actions are legitimising my worst nightmares!'
'I didn't know Aman meant this much to you,' said Nachiket. Ragini looked up at him at his words. She was trying to understand the emotion behind it. His tone wasn't accusing anymore.. It was as if he had just understood what Ragini meant, and it made all sense, like it was the most obvious thing.
'I didn't know Aman meant this much to you because you never told me,' said Nachiket, and he came to sit beside her on the floor. 'I can not stand that man. I just cannot, Ragini. And I am not even going to try anymore. I have tried in the past and I have failed miserably. However, you are more important to me than him. Not ever again, will he be the reason of any argument, any misunderstanding between us. I assure you that.'
Neither of them spoke for a long time. The silence was communicating. It wasn't uncomfortable. It was calm. It was understanding. It gave them the time to process what the other had said. And also, why had they not understood the other before. This conversation had brought to fore a part of their relationship that they didn't know exist. They knew each other but still, there was so much left to be explored.
After what seemed like hours, Ragini broke the silence.
'I don't think this is the last time this is happening' she said.
Nachiket nodded. Pam's words came back to his mind. She always said that Ragini and him were two strong-headed individuals. How they could love each other was beyond his sister. She had never met two people like them who were this mad in love with each other. She said that they were alike on all the wrong points.
'I think we will always be work-in-progress,' said Nachiket.
Now, Ragini nodded in agreement. She didn't say anything. She didn't have to. He didn't expect her to.
'You'll have to talk to Aagham and Suhani,' said Nachiket. Ragini let go of an audible sigh. Their faces came to her mind when she had asked them to leave the apartment. She sighed again. She had to do it herself. They wouldn't be satisfied until and unless she talked to them.
'Are you going to US tomorrow?' she asked. Again, no emotion. But it didn't feel odd this time.
'No' said he. The answer 'no' came out as a reflex. He didn't even have to think. Like the decision was taken long back.
'Puja starts in an hour. Talk to them before. I'll go see if Pandit Ji needs anything,' said Nachiket and left the apartment.
Current Affairs
Real Estate
