A glass of lemon water and a steaming hot mug of coffee later, Nachiket felt better. Ranbir had come and told his parents that he, along with his siblings and Tanya, were going to Connaught Place for breakfast and movie. Ranbir also mentioned that since Sameer was dropping off Tanya at the hotel, he felt it polite to ask him for having breakfast with Ragini and Nachiket. Ragini didn't want to meet Sameer. He had not told her anything about Nachiket's health either. Anger for Sameer replaced the fear of losing Nachiket. Nachiket agreed with Ranbir's plan before she could say no. They would have the breakfast with Sameer.
"Ye itne gusse mein kyu h?" Sameer asked Nachiket as they walked into the restaurant. Ragini was outside, talking to her mother on phone. Sameer had sensed something odd in Ragini's behaviour. Earlier, he thought maybe the husband and the wife had argued over something and being their private matter, he didn't ask. He had brought them to The All American Diner at India Habitat Centre for breakfast. In the car, he observed, Ragini was angry on him, and not Nachiket. She was actually looking at Nachiket every few seconds and was holding his hand in her lap the whole time. Although, she didn't participate in his conversations either.
Nachiket told him about last night's conversation with Ragini.
"Are you telling me you hadn't told her this before?" Sameer asked.
Nachiket shook his head in negative. They were sitting on one of the tables which were kept outside, in the garden.
"Seriously Khanna, how stupid are you?" Sameer asked.
"Excuse me?" Nachiket didn't like how Sameer talked to him. Sameer was looking at him intently. He waited for a few seconds before speaking.
"That woman wants one thing from you. Just one thing: some sort of stability. Both of you have spent half your life staying apart from each other. Uncertainty has been the only constant in your life. And now, after going through so much, when both of you are finally together, you have the audacity to ruin it by pulling up such a stunt. Don't... I am not finished yet." Sameer stopped Nachiket from interrupting, "You are letting your love become her biggest weakness when it should be her strength. If earlier she was afraid of losing you to someone else, now, you have made sure, that for the rest of her life, she is afraid of losing you to death. Have you any idea how scared she must have been by the thought of something happening to you? Just imagine for a moment how betrayed you would have felt if Ragini had kept something like this from you, irrespective of the fact that she had good intentions," Sameer saw Ragini coming closer to them and he stopped talking.
"The call got disconnected. I think she'll call again," Ragini sat down on the vacant chair and they started their breakfast. She filled Nachiket on the particulars of the call, while Sameer remained quiet. Nachiket was half listening to her while his mind replayed Sameer's words. He couldn't imagine what he would have done if he was in Ragini's place. Ragini had kept the conversation going, afraid that if she stopped and Sameer said something, she wouldn't be able to control. She was talking about her shopping trip with the kids when Sameer interrupted her.
"Ragini, now that you know about Nachiket's health," Sameer continued when he knew he had her attention, "you should also know that I had asked him to not tell you about anything. I didn't think you could handle. You are not strong enough,"
"Who are you to decide what I can handle and what not?" Ragini couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had thought Nachiket had asked Sameer to not tell her anything. She trusted Sameer. She was angry on him earlier because she thought he should have told her, if not anyone else. And he didn't think she was strong enough! Who the hell is he to decide how strong she is! She was filled with rage and was glaring at Sameer. He was looking back at her but his face showed no emotions. Just then, her phone rang, indicating her mother's call. She went outside to take the call.
"Why are you lying? It is me who didn't tell her. You don't have to own up to my mistake. I can handle it," said Nachiket.
"I know you can. But I will not let you. I can live with Ragini not talking to me, but I will not let her trust on you, break all over again. She has to be angry on someone right now. Better me than you. I hope the guilt keeps you from repeating such mistake though," Sameer stood up. Ragini reached the table, "I am sorry," Sameer said to her and left.
"You should stop him," said Nachiket.
"I do not want to talk to him right now," said Ragini, looking at his retreating back.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Anupamaa
