The house was completely deserted, as Ragini pottered around, from one room to another. She felt lonely. Aarav, Agham and Suhani were at their respectives colleges, Ranbir was at the Hospital with Nachiket, and Nishi was touring with Jignesh. She was accompanying Jignesh to a business tour, she planned to resume her studies once she returned.
Even Maa and Sunny Tai had gone to the market, and Ragini knew that they would be away for some time.
There was nothing left to do, but sleep, as she dozed off in front of the TV. She disliked this state of inactivity and loathed herself for taking this long a leave. She decided to return to work the next day, it was work that kept her sane and competent.
'Ragini, are you unwell?' his words were soft, his fingers even softer as they flitted over her forehead, checking for temperature.
Ragini sat up hurriedly, looking all around. Why and how was Nachiket sitting there in front of her now? Didn't he go to work?
'I used mine' he said, indicating towards his set of keys on the coffee table.
'I called you a couple of times, your phone went on ringing'
His voice was now laced with concern, she noticed.
'Oh' she said, as she pushed her hair back from her face.
'My mobile is charging in the other room.'
The clock hands showed that it was only 7 in the evening.
'You shouldn't have worried Nachiket' she said, as she got down from the sofa, pushing the comforter away.
'But I do ... ' his eyes were now on her retreating back, sad that she felt this way.
'Tea or coffee?' she asked, as she pulled her hair up in a bun.
'Coffee' he responded, as he got up and turned the lights on. Padding barefoot to the kitchen, he stood by the sink as she prepared coffee diligently.
'Ragini, we need to talk' he said
'We are Nachiket' she responded.
His hand on hers stopped her, she looked up at him
'Not like this, not like strangers.'
Her eyes were now fixed on his
'Strangers?'
'Maybe that's not the correct word' he tucked an erract lock of hair behind her right ear.
'But ... we are like two broken parts of the same heart, floating around in the vacuum'
She smiled
'Waxing eloquence Nachiket?'
He smiled back, as he moved back to get the coffee mugs.
'Let's go' he indicated towards the balcony, their refuge from all their problems.
He interlaced his fingers through hers as she sat down beside him.
'What do we do, Ragini?' he enquired.
'How come you are so early today?' she questioned him back.
He turned towards her
'I missed you'
His words were earnest in their simplicity and sh knew that he meant it.
Looking away from him, she picked up her mug
'I miss you too Nachiket. I have missed you for so long now, that sometimes I am not being able to process the feeling anymore.'
He looked at her dumbfounded. They sat in silence for a while, drinking coffee and staring out at the late evening sky.
'The children must have returned' Ragini said, after a while.
'Yes' he nodded. 'Am glad they have all adjusted so well to their lives here.'
'I so wish that ... that you were happier Ragini. I think I failed again'
He was dejected, she knew.
'That's not true Nachiket. We both have to make this marriage work' she clasped his fingers.
He shifted and was now facing her
'I want to see the happiness in your eyes when we are together. I don't see it, I don't want you to be sad.'
'Are you?' she asked.
He looked at her questioningly
She cupped his face
'Are you happy with me? Over here? Like this?'
Nachiket pulled her closer
'Always Ragini, always. I am always happy with you. Over here. Like this'
'Even when you don't trust me enough?' she asked.
He now wore a sheepish smile
'It was my fault, that was my jealousy and insecurity getting the better of me.'
'But, I want to be an ideal husband ...' he almost choked.
Ragini smiled,
'You don't have to be ideal Nachiket. Just trust me enough'
She leant forward and kissed him lightly on his lips. His arms flew around her and he pulled her flush against him, the light kiss having developed into something more potent.
She kissed him back.
CID
