SS. Arrangement - Page 2

The drive was long and quiet. Ragini refused to make eye contact with Nachiket. It was now worrying him. He took it as a sign that she wasn't comfortable. To defuse the situation he stopped the car to pick some jalebis for maa. He decided to take it slow but keep Ragini close to him. He knew how aman and nivedita would want to hurt her if given an opportunity.

Dinner was simple yet amazing. Nachiket joked about how he couldnt wait to eat such food everyday.

M - i spoke to the pandit. The earliest date he gave is after 2 months.

N - what? Cant we do anything about it

M - not really

N - so that means my sister Pam can be here for the wedding. Anyways i will take your leave. Ragini i will pick you at 8.30am tomorrow.

Ragini didnt say much all evening. Now Nachiket got even more worried.

Morning Nachiket picked up Ragini and began driving outside the city. He told her to not worry. He had taken the day off for both. They reached Lonavala. It was amazing weather. Ragini was still quiet.

N - whats wrong?

R - nothing

N - don't lie. I know something is bothering you.

R - maa manipulated you to marry me

N - she wants whats best for her daughter. I am definately the best

R - but is her daughter the best for you

Ragini looked away and began sobbing.

N - why do you think like that. I am very serious about us. I know we will make each other happy. Maa just made me realise what i should have years ago

R - are you sure about us

N - yes. Was this your only concern? As in i thought our intimacy is making you uncomfortable. Let me know if anything bothers you.

R - just never in public. I get very conscious.

N - noted. Can we go get some lunch now?

R - yes. I want to eat something local.

N - sure.

They ate at a roadside stall and reached Mumbai at around 2.30pm.

N - lets go to my place. I will drop you home at 7pm. You said nothing in public so this is my only option. Plus i cant believe we have to wait for 2 months to be married.

Ragini was just shocked

N - haha. Don't worry ragini. I know my limits. Lets just spend time together. Lets get some grocery and cook dinner. Then i will go get maa over to see the house

R - lets get grocery while going home. I will cook only for you today. Maa is out for a pooja at her friends place till 8pm. We can spend time together and you reach me home before 8pm. How does this plan sound?

N - perfect. Do you mind coming over to my house often and spending time till the wedding. Or will it be too awkward for you.

R - i dont mind. I trust you. But can we go out once in a while. And the latest i will stay over is till 8pm.

N - conditions accepted. Lets go for a movie after work tomorrow?

R - yes. Salmans new movie.

N - you still like him. He has been around forever.

R - you are still jealous

N - never. He is just an actor

R - i can see that. Stop here. I need to get grocery. What do you wanna eat?

N - dhokla and pasta

R - what combination is that?

N - you make the best pasta. You love Italian. I have been craving dhokla since that Dr. Kumar ate it all up that day

Ragini had a hearty laugh.

😳👍🏼

They finished cooking and sat at the dinner table to eat around 7pm.

N - thanks for making my home smell so good. The kitchen looks like a kitchen. The food is amazing. Can i ask for two favours.

R - sure

N - get me lunch made from home for the next 2 months. Also every weekend lets go hand pick the stuff you want in this house.

Ragini had tears in her eyes.

N - now why are you crying?

R - this is just too good to be true

N - believe me baby. This is the new normal.

R - thanks for everything

N - thanks for accepting my arrangement

They both smiled and finished their meal. Nachiket insisted he would clean up later as it was time to drop ragini home. As they walked towards the door nachiket asked her to wait. She looked at him and he got dangerously close.

N - i need my dessert...

Saying so he pulled her in and began kissing her. It was gentle and sweet. Ragini blushed and hugged him tight.

R - i can't wait to be married to you

N - me neither babe

R - what is this baby and babe today? Call me by my name or i will call you Neil.

N - no way. Its always Nachiket for you.

R - good. Then lets just use the names our parents gave us. We are not 18.

N - ok. I get it. As long as i get my dessert.

R - your impossible

They reached raginis house. Ragini told her mother how happy she was. Her mother began discussing wedding plans. For the first time in many years ragini was excited.

In the morning

N - hi i cant pick you up. There was an emergency so reached work at 6am.

R - dont worry. I have meetings as well. Come to my cabin for lunch around 1.30pm. Bye

The entire week went by. It was Friday. Nachiket was going to go jewellery shopping with ragini and maa. Dr. Aman walked into his cabin.

A - so Dr. Neil i hear you are engaged to ragini. Congratulations! You left someone like Nivedita for her. I see you got emotionally fooled. The Patel ladies are good at this. Can't believe they convinced you. Now all their worries are sorted.

N - yes. I don't mind being fooled by them. I am ok with it. Atleast i saved you.

Nachiket had a smirk that annoyed aman.

N - this fool needs to go wedding shopping. Dont expect an invite to the wedding. Stay away from Ragini or this fool may get violent.

Aman was angry beyond measure. He called Nivedita who got even more furious and vowed revenge.

Nachiket went jewellery shopping and just stood aside. He let the ladies take care of business while he just nodded in agreement. He loved raginis choice though. He saw her try on a very elegant diamond set. It had a necklace, earings and bracelet. But it was very expensive. She obviously didn't buy it. But Nachiket did on the quiet and he told the salesman he would pick it up the next day.

N - this has to be my choice. I am paying for the mangalsutra

Nachiket picked up the most delicate one. Ragini liked it instantly. From the 6 sets she shortlisted she picked up 3 for the 3 functions. Ofcourse she paid for them. And of course Nachiket signalled the salesman to add the other 3 sets to the lot he wished to pick up the next day.

R - lets eat out. Its already 9pm.

N - sure. I feel like dosas. I know maa loves them.

M - lets go beta. I haven't eaten dosas outside for a while

Ragini admired how Nachiket took care of maa and her needs. At dinner he told them that he would be leaving to go to Singapore for a conference next Tuesday for 10 days. He saw raginis face sadden. But he could do nothing. It was an old commitment.

N - when i get back pam will be here. RK and kids will be here a week before the wedding. Our old friends Karan and Dimpi will come around the same time as pam with their son. They are shifting to Mumbai for good. We should have some good company for the wedding and even after. On this weekend I will shift base to my bungalow so i can accommodate pams family better.

He held Raginis hand under the table and smiled to which she smiled back as well.

They spent the weekend shopping for the apartment and also got the bungalow ready for the wedding guests. Since nachiket was leaving on Tuesday they both took monday off to get all the bookings sorted for the wedding. By the time they finished it was 7pm.

N - let me drop you home. Then i will go pack for my trip. Do you want anything from Singapore? Does maa need anything?

R - nothing really. Just tell me what i can get done when you are away to help Pam settle in. I know she doesnt particularly like me because i stood witness in that case.

N - i know. But i spoke to her. She was just happy i was settling down. The number of pretty women from every country she tried to set me up with in the last 6 years was crazy.

R - and then u tell her u wanna marry me

N - yes. The prettiest of them all. From the country that i love. She wasnt jumping for joy. But anyway i am back the same day as her. She arrives early morning. I arrive by 5pm. I will get her to meet you the next day after both of us have dealt with our jet lag. I know it will be difficult but be yourself. Anyway she leaves after the wedding. Just manage for a few days for my sake. That doesnt mean you tolerate any non sense from her. I love my sister but i know she is a difficult at times.

R - she loves you a lot too

N - its getting late. Lets end this discussion here. Check on the time difference. We will Skype daily every free minute we get for the next 10 days. So keep your phone with you charged at all times.

R - i will miss you

N - me to

R - what time is your flight again.

N - 12.45pm. I will leave home at around 9.30am.

Nachiket reached ragini home. He constantly spoke to her as he tried to pack his bag.

R - you are very tired. Just sleep and pack in the morning.

N - wake me up at 5.30am when you get up. I know i will switch of the alarm.

R - sure. Now sleep. I love you. Good night

N - love you too. Dream of me

Nachiket heard the door bell ring. He looked at the watch it was 7.30am. He checked his phone to realise it had no battery

He opened the door to see a smiling ragini.

R - good morning! Who forgets to charge his phone now and reminds me to do it?

N - atleast enter the house and then taunt me

R - go for your shower. I have got us breakfast. Will go make some coffee. Then we can pack your bags quickly.

N - what would i do without you

R - definately miss your flight. Now go

Ragini heated the breakfast and made coffee. She put all his gadgets to charge. Folded neatly all the clothes that were half stuffed in the suitcase when she felt his hands across her waist from the behind. He sprayed her with water from his hair. She turned around to find him only in his track pants. His body definately showed he was using the expensive gym set up in the spare room. She unknowingly ran her hand from his shoulder blade till his heart. She could feel it beat vigorously.

Nachiket could see something different in raginis eyes. Some hidden deep sadness. He lifted her chin to look into her eyes.

N - what are you still hiding behind that strong exterior.

She just hugged him tight.

R - it doesn't matter now.

N - if it makes your eyes this sad then it does.

R - nachiket please

N - tell me when you are ready.

They pulled apart and ragini walked out of the room. After breakfast she helped him pack. They finished by 8.30am.

Nachiket saw she was still lost. He sat on the bed besides her.

N - we have an hour before i leave. Help me make a marriage wishlist.

R - whats that?

N - what all you want from this marriage. Goals, expectations from me, honeymoon destination, anything. You make your list. I make mine.

R - just top 3 things. No list please

N - ok. Done.