Dev woke up when he heard some voices from out side, he went near the door and heard Radhika speaking in hushed voices "Its Ok Rishu, I can manage.I will be in Vrindavan completely free and Rawal was just a 10 minutes boat ride from Vrindavan"
he heard another voice male " Radhs, Do you think you can cope up. I mean you aren't taking Pran too. I am sorry, but truly you or Dev can only solve the case and Dev wasn't well"
Radhika's voice became sombre " I hope, every thing becomes fine soon. Any way, I can dear Brother-in-law"
Rishu nodded and Radhika spoke again " Is di still angry on me?"
He heard the other one after a minute " You know her, she was more of a practical person, and seeing the most impractical thing you have done, she was angry on you. But she will come soon enough"
Dev waited for answer, he chide himself for thinking impractically of course, Radhika was doing most impractical thing,.and possibly destroying her self, what does he think? that every thing will be daisy wonderful fairy tale for them now. Its not a tale he thought to himself as he listened her " Rishu! I know what I am doing"
RK sighed " Radhika it will destroy you"
She gave a humour less smile " Bhai, I love him, if that means I have to destroy my self for him, I am fine that. He needs me now Bhai"
RK spoke a bit angrily " What after he regains his memory, and he needs you no more"
Radhika spoke softly , but filled with determination " I will leave his life forever if he doesn't need me. He only said me relations once formed are for life, I formed a bond of love with him, even if its incomplete, I will be there for him when he needs my help again. I won't leave his side forever,. but will distant my self from him, so that he won't feel angry"
Dev slightly opened the door ajar and he then saw RK hugging a crying Radhu... " I am sure God won't let you fail,if ever there's one. Now how about having an ice cream, till we meet again"
Radhika smiled sheepishly "I am thinking of asking you." she then struck her tongue at him jovially " I want a Chocobar, if not i won't talk to you and I also want Panipuri"
He laughed shaking his head " You are worse than a child some times Radhs"
She kept an innocent face grinning " I am a child , don't you know old man." She asked in a childish tone. He growled and tried to catch her, she shrieked and ran off with RK chasing her from behind. He went down and what he saw amused him a lot, Radhika was trying to hide behind Sumithra in kitchen who was cooking some sort of snack and Rishabh was trying to catch her, in mean while she snuck two bits of snack from dish and winked at Rishabh, she moved off from Kitchen and ran away, Rishabh chasing her. Sumithra who was now reprimanding Radhika from place where she stood shook her head murmuring to herself how she was behaving like a child again but her fond smile betraying her face. Dev understood that Radhika was normally this childish when she wish to be. He stood beside her "Good morning aunty"
She smiled to him " hey Dev! good morning, so what will you take juice or coffee or tea"
Dev smiled "Coffee will be fine, if you don't mind"
Sumithra shrugged off " I am used Dev, Radhika practically wakes with coffee, if she doesn't drink one her day won't start at all"
Dev nodded absorbing the information in, he spoke "Where's Pran?"
Sumithra now making Dough spoke " He will probably in Sword fight class"
'What"
Sumithra spoke " Actually Radhika doesn't have much chance to learn some things during her child hood, she resolved her self that she will let Pran learn what ever he wish. Once Pran came to her 6 months back and asked her if he can learn Sword fight, she got an expert from some where near Uttarakhand and was getting him classes"
Dev nodded " But doesn't you mind , its sort of dangerous right"
Sumithra smiled " Dev I brought up my own kids, I brought up Radhika. I learnt from my experience that, we should never protect them, for gods sake we are humans, god gave us a very good brain. We need to learn to how to use it. And rather than protecting, if we let them face their fears and over come it, then their life will be much happier. Because we won't be there to protect them for long. " Her voice became sombre " Savi raised Radhika very delicately till her 11 th birthday, I opposed it, but my husband supported it. After his death, then Savi realised how much wrong it is, she then tried to make her a strong woman, but Radhika became confused, then all of a sudden her mom died in her 13th year. Radhika's both pillars fell down. She was never ever able to make any pillar again. Even till today she never visit a friend or relative in hospital,she fears that they will die if she visits them. She didn't even come to visit me in hospital when I fell ill 5 years back. She was not even half the girl she used to be. Still she was evolving coming out from her cocoon. I don't know if ever she can come out completely, but atleast I pray God, to make her believe in relations, to make her believe that not every relation has sad ending. But I can't explain it too her, her experiences doesn't help. Thats why I try to be her best friend rather than her pillar. "
Dev sat there holding the cup of coffee Sumithra gave him... he looked out from window to see Radhika and Rishabh playing with water. He smiled himself , he should have been jealous before, but he knows she love him only, not any other person. He have nothing to feel jealous. He continued to watch her, taking in every small smile of her. He will do any thing to make that smile remain on her face.
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Dev gave a whoop of joy as he stood infront of the very familiar building. He was back home, He looked at Radhika who was looking at him, unable to conceive her smile, he smiled at her sheepishly as he spoke " You know Radhika, This is my home, and it still remains unchanged, except for colour. This fountain, during times of Holi, there used to be a blend of colours coming from it, and the garden. every day either you or dadima used to tend them. Many times, you tell me that you love the house for this garden. But I should say you, Sharma mansion will be more beautiful than this, you know what the building was near river and you will like it very muhc, I am sure. "
Radhika laughed, she holded him back "Relax... I know you are happy to be back to your home. Now don't get too excited, you still need to recover from those sprains."
Dev rolled his eyes as he entered in. For the first time in what appear to be some 30 or plus years he was finally seeing his parents standing at the door. He rushed to his mother and hugged her, Vaishali was already in tears, and soon enough Raj also joined hug. Radhika stood beside not knowing what to do, Dev was saying words to them and those three were lost in their world. First time after two days since when Dev woke up, Radhika thought to herself how it will be if she also regain her memory of her past life like Dev. Every thing can't be that perfect right. She was startled from her thoughts when a cool hand touched her shoulder, she looked back and saw another old couple looking at her. She need not need any introductions for them they were Sharmas. Now she understood why they used to see her like that way when she met them during vacations and all. She smiled to them, but Devki straight away hugged her " You are always my Radhika . I know. I missed you a lot... Now never leave me"
Radhika was dumb struck, she doesn't know what she should say, she felt affection for them, but she was also feared , feared that if she held them close they will also leave her. She looked helpless at Mohan, Mohan was a tough man upto where she know. But she was shocked to see a tear drop in his eye too.He caressed her hair " We are sorry Radhika. But we truly miss her"
Radhika nodded her head "I can understand. "
Mohan sighed as he took Devki off from her breaking the hug. Radhika hesitated a bit, she was generally free with Sharmas but now she was unsure of how to associate with them. She jerked again when Dev practically screamed "Dadi..." He was lifting Sharada in air and turning her around. Radhika sighed. She truly felt she should have known her past as Dev knows. Finally after a long chat Mrinalini showed them their original rooms. Small mercies for Radhika as in Dev's point of view he didn't marry his Radhika , so he decided that they should undergo marriage ritual again and till then they both should be separate. Radhika sat in her room trying to view through the trees. However Mrinalini came beside her "Radhika"
Radhika continued to look out side "Hmm."
"Radhika, Can I ask you a thing?"
Radhika nodded her head "Haan Mrinu"
Radhika, are you really OK"
Radhika turned and looked at her, her face completely blank "You mean?"
Mrinalini fidgeted a bit "Radhika, I mean how are you taking all this"
Radhika sighed but she smiled "Aunty or Di should I call you. Any way, if ever you know me, its apparent to you I loved him. And here I am helping him, I am really Happy"
Radhika was about to turn back, but Mrinalini stopped her "Radhika, thats not what I mean"
Radhika sighed, she knew perfectly what Mrinalini mean " I know. come sit, I will tell you a story" As Mrinalini obliged Radhika started " Once upon a time, there used to be a girl, she liked a boy a lot... but she always know he was a lost case. The girl tried to forget him a lot, but she was always addicted to him. The girl one day came to know that the boy doesn't love her, girl cried a lot, she cried and cried and cried. Finally she was surrounded by darkness, SHe saw him, as a flicker in her heart. She knows she always have him in her heart even if he wasn't there with him. She don't know how she will be alone with out him, or how she can be with any other. She knew it hurts, but she decided to fill her heart with his memories and live on with them. One day he came back in her life, now he need her help, she will help him and try to make some more new memories which she will take away with her for rest of her life, when she leave him. "
Radhika stopped and looked at Mrinalini " I love him di, and thats final. I will help him and then will leave . I lived for seven years right, I can manage the remaining life too. Now tell me which sarree should I wear red or blue. I am going to Rawal" Radhika changed the subject. Mrinalini knew its not that easy as Radhika say but she let it be and didn't talk more on subject.
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Radhika tightly gripped Dev's hand as she near the river, she don't know why she was panicking, Dev smiled at her assuring her " I know why you are like this. ANy way nothing happens. " Radhika looked at him unsure, Dev chuckled "Common, what will be more , we will die at very least right. even then we can die together"
Radhika snorted "Right! your mom will toast me alive, if you even get as much as a scratch."
Dev laughed " How can she toast you alive if you were already dead"
Radhika thought for a while " If I am right then we will born again if we die, that means your mom will wait for me, and she will kill me by searching for me"
Dev shook his head " A bit much of dark thoughts Madam"
Radhhika shrugged " I am actually happened to be a die hard fan of Harry Potter and that too Tom Riddle in particular"
Dev sighed " Trust you only to like villain"
Radhika smiled cheekily " I even like Sevvie , if you want to know"
Dev shuddered at the thought " ANy way so whose this patient"
Radhika frowned, "I .. I don't know. It was actually your case, I got it since you got your self jumped into some wonder land"
Dev laughed again " I am a wonderful boy you know"
Radhika rolled her eyes " Oh really, now don't tell me you are Kanha"
Dev stared at her holding her hand " I am your Kishen Kannaya."
Radhika felt she heard that word else where, she felt some head ache but she let it go." Let me call Rishu"
Dev snorted "Great, you woke me at 5 in morning and dragged me along with you, to a patient you even doesn't know name"
Radhika shrugged as she got the message from Rishabh. Dev snatched phone from her and saw the address, he nodded to himself and then hired a boat to take them to Rawal,all through ride Radhika holding him tightly by one hand and other hand trying to manage her blue colour saree. Dev sighed and made his hand around her shoulders, managing her. She calmed a bit leaning into his touch and soon enough they reached Rawal
Radhika stood at the bank as she looked at village, Dev watched at her interestingly, for first time in his life, he was seeing Radhika fidgeting, and he doesn't like the thing that he can't read her expression. He shook her a bit "radhika"
Radhika came out from her thoughts, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath she turned to him " Lets get it over with"
Dev nodded, he wanted to ask her the reason but he doesn't wish to press on. He took address from her and they started to walk. Radhika for most of part has her head down as if she was averting every one, he wondered why since it was never in nature of Radhika Sharma or Radhika Bharadwaj upto where he know to bow her head. They soon reached the address, which was shockingly a bit manor. He snorted to himself, they doesn't even bother to send a car.
" They don't know we are coming" Radhika answered his thoughts, he shook his head " Am I that readable"
Radhika shook her head " No, but I got used to that. You are tough but I am used to read the expressions of Ice Prince Dev , that should say some thing in our college. You were a bit easier than him for me"
Dev nodded " Shall we go in"
Again Radhika has that sombre expression, she nodded as they went in. But after she went inside, its like she came to this house before, she led him in, they went into the hall way and there are 3 men sitting there, Radhika went to the one at rare end " Hello sir, I am Dr.Radhika, I came here to take the case. You are Jashwanth Bharadwaj , Am I right?"
Dev felt surprised , these are Bharadwaj's are they in any way related to Radhika? He came off from his thoughts as the man answered " I thought we are going to have a male doctor"
Radhika smiled though Dev can see irritation in her face " Actually he had an accident and was not in situation. So I took over him. " she crossed her arms " I think we are wasting a lot of time here. I wish to see my patient"
All of a sudden the man sitting in the sofa reading news paper sneered " Such an attitude for a girl. You know what you are insolent"
Radhika stared at him angrily " I pride my attitude Sir. I am not here to chit chat with you or your brother. I am here to see my patient and leave"
He stood up and came to her angrily " Why you girl? How dare you"
Dev found how intimidating the man was, but Radhika doesn't even blink her eye she glared at him equally " People say I am more like my mother, but I have one thing that was clearly from my father My attiitude, My pride and as you so eloquently put it My dare. Any way I doesn't regret it, say me if you don't want me to meet my patient I will leave this minute it self"
That man supposedly Bharadwaj Sr. took out a revolver from his pocket and pointed to her neck " I can kill you right now, for killing me"
Radhika smirked at him evilly and then Dev saw what happened, there was a knife pointing to mans chest , Radhika smiled " I don't fear for death, but If I am going to die, I will very down take you along with me. Now stop all this nonsense and let me go to my patient"
He withdrew his gun but asked her " How can you even think that you can leave this home by opposing me like that."
She shrug her shoulders " I have my ways. Have good day Mr.Rishikesh Bharadwaj." saying that she raised her eye brow at Jashwanth he sighed uncomfortably and took her upstairs. Dev was about to follow her but was stopped by Rishikesh Bharadwaj " Hey! who are you?"
Dev spoke to him " I am Dev Raj Purohhith, her fiancee"
He chuckled " I never knew that Purohiths started to marry furious animals too"
Dev glared at him " I also never knew that Bharadwaj's produced bulls.Now I need to go" Giving no time to that man he went up. He saw Radhika checking vitals for a woman and he sat beside her , he liked to see her work. She will be highly concentrated, will snap who ever try to deviate her. He liked her dedication. He stood there looking at her when that woman opened her eyes and looked at Radhika, she gasped " Radhika?"
Radhika froze , she frowned at her " How did you recognise me. Last time you saw me when I was 13"
She smiled to her "I kept tabs on you. Unlike some one I actually care for you"
Radhika blanked her face again "What ever Mrs.Bharadwaj, I am here as Dr.Radhika Bharadwaj. So let me do my work and leave"
That old woman sighed sadly and she continued speaking " I am not like him Radhika"
Radhika doesn't pay her any attention, she checked her B.P , after that she spoke " Mrs.Bharadwaj , you know what ? I still kept my maiden name because its there in my certificates. Or else I would have long ago left it. So stop all that. It all ended. And if you want to know your so precious son tried to kill me down for raising my voice against him. I wouldn't have even come here if my colleague wasn't ill. So keep your crap for your self and let me do my work. We both have nothing more than a patient - doctor relationship. Keep it that way"
Both of them completely forgot Dev who was sitting there, Radhika completed her checking and then took some samples muttering to her self all the while that she her self have to get to a laboratory in Vrindavan and do the tests. The old woman averted her eyes from Radhika and she saw Dev " Who are you?" Radhika then remembered Dev , while she was about to speak, Dev chuckled and spoke " Namastey, mera naam Dev, I am her fiancee"
Radhika groaned while the old woman looked at Radhika and hissed " Radhika Bharadwaj, I just want to know who is doing your kanyadaan"
Dev frowned , while Radhika again became angrier and replied " I have people who care for me to do my Kanyadaan and mean it. Not like your son who even forgets himself that he has a daughter."
She desperately looked "Radhika, atleast Rishikesh ko Kanyadaan karne ka toh chance do na"
" My father died for me on the very day he left my mom." Radhika hissed and she left down. On her way Rishikesh stood trying to get his angry on her over , she stopped and glared at him "Don't even try Mr.Bharadwaj, if not you will have to remember some unpleasant things of your life." saying that she left from there. Dev who was shocked with that confession followed her silently, he joined his hand with her and then took her in other way. They soon reached a small temple which was abandoned, Dev motioned her to sit, she sat silently , Radhika has tears in her eyes , she was shaking " So what Dev! now you hate me?"
Dev raised his eyes brows " Why will I do so"
"Because I am saying that my own father was dead while he was very much alive" Radhika spoke
Dev sushed her drawing her into embrace " Listen I don't care if he is alive or not. I agree that I am shocked to learn that your father was Rishikesh Bharadwaj, but he was a bull. upto what I saw and what I know of your life, he was never there for you, and he is not even a proper man, So he's not considered as a living person for me. Never even think I will judge you. I will try to understand you, but I will never judge you." Radhika froze in his hands, when her Dev knew of her father he considered that she was tact less and heart less for leaving all that money and for considering him dead. Radhika hugged him resting her head on his shoulder " I love you Dev"
Dev smiled " I love you too sweet heart"
Radhika nodded and again added " I am sorry Dev"
"For what?"
She can't tell him she was lying him, " Dev can I ask you a thing"
Dev nodded . Radhika spoke unsurely " Dev, if you know that I am lying to you, will you leave me"
Dev sat beside her " Shall I say you a thing, once my Radhika also lied me. When I came to know that I did a lot of mess scolding her. I felt betrayed. Later I thought for a while, I understood that what ever she lied that day was for my own good. That very day I decided no matter what happens, I will never take every thing at momentary value. I will consider things before I do a thing."
Radhika smiled listening this, Dev nodded to her assuringly while Radhika looked around " This temple , why it is abandoned? its such a nice temple"
Dev shrugged " I don't know, there used to be rumours that there were some ghosts in the surrounding area, so people won't come to here"
Radhika laughed " Funny thing right, people fear for form less spirits while, they live in between blood thirsty human beasts"
Dev laughed " I never knew you have a writer corner in you"
Radhika smiled " I write, even you also was a good writer. I learnt some of my skills from you"
Dev gave a surprised look " I am a writer?"
Radhika nodded , she opened her mobile and gave it to Dev there was a picture of him taking a sort of prize from some one. He looked at Radhika in question , Radhika shrugged " You got first prize for your story in Medicos network competition. "
Dev nodded running his fingers over that pic. He spoke to Radhika, " Shall I show you a place"
Radhika nodded at him.
Dev beamed and they both walked to bank, where they took another boat and left to Vrindavan. This time Dev held Radhika close and she indeed relaxed .
Cricket
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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