FF : Love revisited - Page 5

Kalpi enters the bunglow and looks at the big Ganesha idol placed in the temple.. She folds her hands and looks at her Father in law's photo kept on stand in the side.. She lit diya in front of him and prays. Though she has never seen her father in law but from past 12 years she is lighting diya in front of his photo, more than respect it has become her duty. She stands in front of him for few more time as if searching answers of some questions in his photo, but the loud noise of music disturbs her thoughts and she realizes that her sister in law is awake..She looks at her watch, it's just 11.45.. Too early for Pakhi to wake up. She goes to her room.. And looks around from the door.. The clothes are shattered on the bed and Pakhi is busy in brushing her hair.. Her make up kit which has almost all brands of makep stuff is kept in front of her. Her half opened bag filled with more than a dozen of designer dresses is enough to understand that she is going out again. Finally Pakhi looks at her Sister in law standing at the door and lovingly wishes her Good morning.

"What is so good about the morning" She thought but wishes her back with same enthusiasm.

"Actually I have come to ask u about the lunch as I have taken an off today."

"Oh Bhabhi.. so sweet of u but I have already made my plan with friends, we are going to Goa for 5 days. Hope u will inform about it to Bhaiya. I have to leave in half hour." Pakhi said while giving final touch to her hair.

"But have returned yesterday only after a long trip, u should spend some time with ur family." Kalpi tried to put some sense in the girl for whom partying and enjoying is the motto of life.

"Bhabhi.. not again. U know I do not like interference in my life." She replied while making a frowning face.

She just nods her head and leaves the room. Her next destination was her mother in law, Gauri's room... She adjusts her saree and give herself a proper look before entering. Gauri is very peculiar about the looks and doesn't like it when Kalpi messes with her dresses or stays without jewelry. She sees Gauri talking on the call...

"Ohh really, thats so funny..They got married just a month ago n they are separated only. Poor Mrs. Sharma, she must be shattered to know about her daughter. Neways u know my son is also taking divorce.. Though I like my daughter in law but still I have to bow in front of son's wish. I do not interfere in their personal life... Neways see u in an hour, ya sure we will have lunch there only. After all it's Mrs. Verma's jewelry exhibition n I have to go there. I know she won't agree without selling me one of the necklace so I want to go bit early so that I can select the best and costliest set for myself." She said on the call.

Kalpi closes the door without meeting her as she knows that she has to take her lunch alone only. She misses her favorite place i.e. her college.. where she takes lunch with all her colleagues while discussing their classes. She teaches Literature and so close to her students that they come to her for solutions of their personal problems. She goes to the kitchen and looks at the panel of workers gossiping about their divorce. All gets alert on seeing her. From Kalpi, she too becomes Mrs. Singhania and in authoritative tone asks, "What is happening over here? Is this a fish market.. all get back to the work now. I want this kitchen to be clean in next 1 hour."

"Sure madam.. Neways should we cook the lunch according to the time table or u want to have something special today?"

"Cook whatever there is in the timetable n make fruit custard for Ria baby." She ordered them and leaves.. She turns once again and looks at the workers who got busy in preparing the lunch. She remembers the time when she used to cook for Raghav in their small home..

Flashback

Raghav is watching cricket on the television, it's 11 pm and he has arrived half an hour ago from the office. This is the not new for him as in sales department, there is no specific work timings.. But they have made a pact of having dinner together.. Today it was raining so Rags demands of bhajiya and she is busy in the kitchen.. Rags looks at her wife who is wearing a loose pyjama and a tank top, her hairs are tied in a bun but still few bangs are coming on her face and she is trying to push it back with her hands which are full of besan.. in the process some besan sticks to her cheeks.. Raghav laughs on seeing it and comes to her.. He stands behind her and back hugs her..

"Raghav.. go away.. U will get hurt by this hot oil." She said while pushing him lightly..

"I am sure that my wife won't let me hurt".. he said hugging her tightly. He moves his palm on her arms and while rubbing it holds the spatula and helps her in taking out the bhajiya.. she blushes and tells him to go but he gets naughty and blows on her neck.. She feels strange and closes her eyes.. He kisses her neck and her grip on spatula becomes loose. They entangles their fingers and she turns around facing him.. He slowly kisses her chin and wipes the besan with his tongue and slowly traces his lips near to hers.. They share a passionate kiss when she smells something and pushes him only to find her bhajiya burning.

"Uffo Raghav.. u n ur naughtiness, It's been 4 months to our marriage and u r still.. Now what will we eat??" She scolds him lovingly and switches of the stove.

He again holds her and looks at her naughtily, "I will eat u tonight.. Who wants food??"

She slaps him with love and sends him outside and starts preparing pakodas again. After sometime.. She comes to the Rags only to find him sleeping on sofa while watching tv. She caresses his head n realizing how tired he is, she kisses on his forehead and he wakes up and pulls her in his lap..

"Raghav.. pakodas are ready.. Leave me naa." She said while trying to get up from his lap.

"Yes.. let's eat it, who is stopping u but u are not going anywhere." He replied while stopping her from getting up. He pulls the table near to them and starts eating the pakoras..Kalpi tries to pick one but he stops her and places it in his mouth in such a way that half of it is out of the mouth, he holds her hand and advances his mouth to her.. She blushes and with closed eyes eats the other half, their lips meet. they kept doing this till it finishes.. In this process they forgot that when they finished all the pakodas including the burnt ones and forgot the count of kisses they shared while eating.

Flashback ends

"Mummy" The voice of Ria brings her back to reality. Driver has picked Ria from the school. She is dusky beauty just like her mother but has features sharper than her.

"Mummy.. What happened today?? We are going from here" She said while asking her mother about the divorce.. Though she is too young to understand the meaning of divorce but she has understood that something is wrong between her parents and soon they are going to separate... Ria has taken her decision that she will go with her mother only but little she knew that it's not in her hands but that of the judge. Kalpi tries to divers the topic while asking about the class but Ria is not much excited about telling it.. From last 1 year she has observed the change in Ria.. From the talkative and outspoken girl she has become dull and inferior. Kalpi is trying everything to keep her daughter away from the tension but being a business tycon's daughter, she learns everything about her family from the newspaper and friends. The rest of the day went usual.. Riya was busy in her Karate and singing classes while Kalpi started reading some of the books.. Gauri comes late from the party and exhibition and straight goes to her room.. Kalpi came to know about her from the servants. Ria too has gone to sleep after having her dinner while Kalpi as usual sits on the dinning table waiting for Raghav. She sleeps while sitting on the chair.

Sudha, the head maid looks at her and whispers to one of the servant, "Why mam waits for sir when he is not going to have dinner with her. It has become her routine, she sits here and waits for him and than keeps the food back in fridge without having her dinner. And sir, either he will come home after having dinner or will ask for the dinner in his room only."

Kalpi hears them whispering as she has just closed her eyes to relax them but has not slept yet and still aware of her surroundings.

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In office, Raghav is standing at the window with a glass of drink in his hand..he has wore a brown troused with sky blue shirt and waist coat on it.. his blazer was lying on the chair n his cell is ringing again and again but he is not paying attention to it. The screen shows 25 missed calls from Maya. Finally his landline rings too.. He doesn't pick it up and it automatically goes to the voice mail. He hears Maya's voice..

"Hello Raghav.. I know u r in office as I have called at home.. why r u not picking my call. Ur lawyer told me that u dint go to court and even refused to give divorce.. why r u doing this Raghav?? I know u were not busy today as ur secretory told me that u have canceled all ur meetings for the day. Tell me Raghav, what is going on.. Waiting for ur call."

The call ends with a beep. Raghav takes another sip from the glass and closes his eyes to feel the fresh air coming from the window. He remembers the day when he proposed Kalpi..

Flashback

The farewell party is in full swing... The third year students are busy in making their seniors comfortable on their last day.. Kalpana is on the stage welcoming her seniors.. She is wearing a white designer saree.. her hair is being tied into a side bun with few bangs on the forehead.. The long earring and empty neck is giving her the lavishing look. Raghav who is sitting their as guest has wear a simple kurta payjama.. with that nerdy speca of his. He is lost in the beauty of the anchor and was staring at her lovingly. His frn teases him, "uffo Raghav.. u r staring her again. It's been two years dude.. u just keep watching her from far. When are u going to propose her??This is last day of our college."

"She is the beauty of college and I am an ordinary guy." Raghav said.

"Beauty of the college.. Look at her color man.. She is so dark." One of the girl from his frn circle said.

He glared at her angrily but than calms himself and replies, "Look at her dove shaped eyes, she is more expressive than Shakespeare's poems and her smile which has the power to give life to a dying man.. She is the dusky beauty. N my love is not coz of her beauty but look at her personality.. The confidence on her face, the liveliness in her words and the list of awards in her bag. She is CR of the class, topper of the university from last 2 consecutive years, national debate competition winner, swimming champ, singing champ. She is the best yar." he said while admiring her.

"Than y don't u propose her??" his frn asks once again.

"She is the hero n I am the zero.. she is Miss intelligent and I am an average student. Her father is an IAS officer and my father... he was a govt employee. Why will she love a guy like me??" He said while fixing his specs.

"But I have noticed her staring at u n I am sure that she too has feelings for u. Just try to speak to her once." his frn tried to give him courage.

He doesn't reply to his frn as he too had observed her looking at him lovingly. He dint got the guts to talk to her but he has seen her stealing glaces at him in the canteen and college functions. He finally musters the courage and tells one of the junior to call Kalpi backstage after the function. He leaves the place and stands backstage waiting for her. Kalpi finishes her welcome speech and the other girl takes over the stage. She goes backstage to meet Raghav.

He was practicing the way in which he is going to propose her but was rejecting it saying, this won't work. Kalpi laughs loudly on seeing him and he feels awkward.. She tries to initiate the conversation..

"Yes sir.. u called me here." she asked

"Acutally.. I.. I want to.." he stammers.

"Yes sir.. what??" She asked while her heart was beating fast. She knows the words Raghav wants to say but wants to hear from his mouth. Like any other girl she too has the power to understand the gaze of a guy and from past 2 years she is understanding Raghav's love and was waiting for him to propose her. Today she has decided that if Raghav won't propose her than she will but to her good luck her frn informed her that Rags is calling her. Raghav closes his eyes and tries to confess once again. "Kalpana I.. Look, don't get angry on me." He failed again to convey the message. Kalpana looked at his scared face and holds his hand lovingly. He opens his eyes and looks into her eyes.. they share an intense eye lock. She tightens her grip on his palm and he feels the love in her eyes and says, "i love u.". Kalpi blushes and leaves his hand. She turns around and replies, "i love u too.". She is about to run away from there but he holds her hand and turns her to face him. They hug. Rags has got his happiness after a long time while Kalpi was happy that finally he confessed. She breaks the hug and asks, "Why u took so much time to confess?"

"i can't express my feelings to anyone.. I hope u will understand my silence." he said while tears forming in his eyes. Not in his dreams he has expected her to love him back.

"I promise, I will understand all ur unspoken words." She said and hugged him back.

Flashback ends.

The thunder strike brings him back to the reality. He feels something wet on the cheeks and wipes the tears. Looks at the photo of Kalpi and baby Ria kept on the table and picks it up.

"I am sorry Kalpi.. I dint mean to hurt u but u promised me to understand my unspoken feelings. How u failed to understand it today. I want to mend the things between us but I guess I have gone so far that I do not know how to return but still I can't let u go away from my life..n for that Ria's custody is the only way."

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