Ragini sat alone, stirring her mocktail slowly as she mulled over the happenings of the past day. The children were playing cricket, as usual, and Nachiket and Karan were at the crease batting.
She thought about how she could make things right again for Nachiket, though she was still not convinced how and why she was wrong. But she knew that she loved him, and couldn't see him sad. And mad. She wished if only he understood how difficult it was for her to say no to her children. Especially, now that they were all reunited after so many long years.
A yell from the kids brought back her focus to the game and she saw that Ranbir had managed to get Nachiket out, The children were all jumping around their Father, and Nachiket was laughing along with them.
Nishi and Jignesh had also joined them that morning. While Jignesh was busy with the game, Nishi joined Ragini under the thatched umbrellas lining the beach.
'Mom, what's wrong?' she asked as she settled down beside Ragini.
Ragini smiled back to her
'Nothing. What makes you think that something is wrong?'
'The very fact that you are sitting here all alone' Nishi responded.
'Neither have you joined Dimpy nor Pam in the kitchen. This is so unlike you. But I know you well enough that something's weighing you down.'
Ragini reached out to Nishi and caressed her cheek
''There's nothing to worry about. All these travel and the heat has just made me a bit unsettled. But don't worry, I will be fine soon.'
...
Some time later, Karan and Nachiket were watching the children now running about the length of the beach, with a beachball flying around.
Nachiket looked back to see Ragini getting up from her seat from under the umbrella, and collect the water bottle, intent to go inside. He knew that she had been waiting patiently for him for more than an hour, to join her, but then he had refused to do so. She had looked hurt when he had sauntered off to the makeshift bar of the resort to order a drink to cool himself down, only to be joined by Karan a bit later.
He somehow felt guilty. And he couldn't explain the feeling.
Karan spoke after a while
'Is Ragini alright? She looks a bit green ...' his voice trailed away.
'I will check' Nachiket responded and walked towards the resort. He knew very well that Ragini would never ask for help, even if she was unwell.
Not finding her in the kitchen, he was now doubly worried. He ran up to their room and opened it with his set of keys.
Ragini was lying down on the bed, her hands clutching the comforter around herself.
She was asleep, it seemed. Nachiket tiptoed to her side of the bed and leaned down towards her. His heart lurched as he realised that there were tear marks across her cheeks. She had cried herself to sleep.
And it was all because of him and his idiocy.
He reached out tentatively and touched her cheek, and then her forehead. She was burning with fever.
Udne Ki Aasha
Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile
Fan Fictions
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
