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Chapter 18
Nachiket slept after the party out of tiredness. Ragini was awake thinking about the guests opinion
R - they don't like me. But dadaji and Nachiket adore me. That's enough. I won't socialise with them. Will keep making random excuses. That way Nachiket has his friends and we have our time at home. I can't isolate him by complaining about them
Just then Nachiket hugged Ragini in his sleep. She smiled and fell asleep instantly.
It was 3 months since their wedding. Ragini somehow avoided all the friends parties. At parties given by Nachiket she helped but kept out of peoples way. It hurt her to feel invisible in his group but she saw how much he enjoyed spending time with his friends.
After a few initial hiccups Rupali was now back to the parties. Ragini still didn't attend the parties. She trusted Nachiket. But when rupali would come over to their house she would look through Ragini.
Ragini wondered to herself
R - rupali is gorgeous. She has the prefect figure and has such good dress sense. I keep wearing these sarees and salwars. Don't find time to shop because of the hospital. Her make-up and hair is so perfect. Lucky that Nachiket finds me attractive the way i am. He doesn't care about superficial stuff. I hope its enough to last a lifetime.
Nachiket failed to notice Ragini going into a shell. She pretended to be enjoying the gatherings at their home. On one such party Ragini was in the kitchen sending the food and drinks out with the help. Rupali came in to get something from the kitchen. She spoke to the cooks but ignored Ragini. Ragini stood in the side and waited for her to leave. Just then her hand touched some glass plates which fell and broke. Noone outside heard it as the music was loud. Immediately the cooks and Ragini began cleaning them.
Ru - that was such an expensive set. Its ruined. I remember it was a gift for dadaji from some relative
R - its ok. We will use the other set
Ru - why not? A clumsy middle class girl like you won't know the value of these things
R - i do. But its broken and we cant fix it
Ru - Neil doesn't know what a mistake of a marriage he is in.
R - rupali i know you don't like me but...
Ru - noone likes you. You are treated like some furniture in these parties. Even the help has more visibility.
Ragini was now in tears. She knew that was the truth.
R - i can't force you all to like me. I may not be one of you guys but i am Nachikets wife and...
Ru - yeah right. His wife. Its not long before he sees what we all can. Enjoy it while it lasts
Rupali left and Ragini resumed with the cleaning. She accidentally hurt her hands with some glass bits. But Rupalis words hurt her more. The party was over and people were leaving. Ragini went upto her room and sat with her bleeding hand.
After a while Nachiket returned. He went straight to have a shower. Ragini felt bad that he didn't notice her. Was she invisible to him in this room as well. Without dressing her wound she got into bed. Nachiket finished his shower and got into bed. He hugged her when she hissed in pain
N - what is all this blood. How did you get hurt?
R - just some glass plates that broke...
Nachiket immediately dressed her wounds and helped her change.
R - sorry about the blood on the pillow and bed
N - how does that even need a sorry. Why didn't you tell me immediately when you were hurt?
R - you were seeing off the guests
N - so?
R - i am fine
Nachiket changed the bed linnen and went to the kitchen.
N - drink this haldi milk
R - i am fine
N - have it and lets sleep
Nachiket patted Ragini to sleep and wondered how he didn't notice her wound earlier. Thats when he realised Ragini was missing for most of the party.
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