The Marriage Story: Ragna FF; Part-23, Part-24(Edited) Pg-131, 31/10 - Page 64

PART-17

After ignoring Raghav's calls two times, Pakhi finally answered his call, thinking "Finally Mr.Husband seems to have realized his mistake". Inside she was happy since Raghav had not called her even once in all these days, but the afternoon's incident made sure that Raghav called her, even if it was for saying sorry. She composed herself and decided to act as is she was still angry with him. "Yes Raghav. Why do you want to talk to me now?"

"Look Pakhi, I am...I am sorry. I should not have shouted at you. But as you could see I was really busy at that time and did not want any kind of interference till me and Kalpi worked out the pending issues."

"For that you had to shout at me? You could have told me about it softly too; and I thought you too would at least have a proper break for lunch. But it seems you didn't let Kalpi also have a proper lunch".

"Pakhi that's what for I am saying sorry to you, for shouting at you. Next time you want to come to office, inform me in advance, and I'll see what I can do, okay? Anyway, tell me what have you thought about applying for a new job? You'll work at Kapoors or in my company, or like we'd decided you'll start looking for a job on the basis of your own talent, without any help from me or Mr.Kapoor, huh?"

"Raghav... Of course I'll go by what we had decided. It's just that till now I didn't feel like working, I am enjoying my break. But I'll definitely start applying for a new job since tomorrow and tell you about it. I'll apply in our company as well, and prove my worth to the world. In fact I have already submitted my resume to some good placement agencies".

"Oh that's good news, All the best for your new job. I'll look forward to hear the good news. Anyway it's already late Pakhi so; I'm going to sleep now. Goodnight" and he disconnected the call without waiting to hear Pakhi say "Raghav I love you".

"Phew" he thought "good I didn't had to bear her talks more than this" then he smirked "But it was so important to talk to you Ms.Pakhi Kapoor. Welcome to the real world".

There on the other side, Pakhi's mind had started talking to her heart "Why doesn't he tell me those three magical words I love you' to me ever? Tonight he didn't even listen my I love you'. He never calls me also!" but soon her heart over-ruled her mind "Pakhi...you are so stupid, Raghav remains so busy. He has to handle a big business empire. How can he take out time for gossips? Besides you know him na, Raghav never shows his soft side to anyone. He is like this only, and always gives preference to his business. It doesn't mean he doesn't love me".

*****************************************************

"Thus overtaking The Shubh-Retail Chain' shall all in all be a profitable venture for Singhania Group of Companies' as well as for Hi-Class' Brand. The cost of investing in building new infrastructure in pursuance of our expansion plans shall be halved; and we can use the money saved in enhancing the value of our retail outlets, by adding extra amenities and products. As you can see in the previous slide even the cost of mass advertising can be borne out of this". Kalpana was giving a presentation to the group of high officials of Singhania Group of Companies' Head Office, their Retail Subsidiary Company and new famous clothing's range of retailers of USA, which was looking for a good opening and joint venture in India to expand their business. Kalpana had prepared a presentation in order to convince them to invest in Singhania Groups' Retail Outlets to showcase and sell their clothes. She went on to explain many more plus and minuses of their business plans ahead.

"I am thoroughly impressed Mr.Singhania. This is a done deal from our side" the foreigner told Raghav. "This young lady has duly impressed me with her presentation, reinforcing my trust in Singhania Group". Thereafter the two sides signed their contract, as Raghav stole proud glances at his wife and Kalpana silently rejoiced in yet another success of her husband's company.

Kalpana had chosen to wear a saree for this special day, it was a light lemon yellow saree with think pink border, with which she wore a pink-coloured blouse. She was looking very beautiful and it made her dusky complexion glow, not to mention she had taken special efforts to do the right make-up also. The two soul-mates in the conference hall of one of Raghav's "Six-Star Hotels" were conscious of only each other, happy in the happiness & success of the other, they weren't talking but the glow on their faces & smile on their lips, the stolen glances which spoke volumes to each other, it all happened when they were alone even in a professional gathering.

Raghav: "I am so proud of you. I always knew you are better than the best, better than me".

Kalpi: "You are my mentor, my guide, my husband, my soul mate. My success is yours; it was possible only because of you. Congrats this whole world and success was and always shall be at you feet. I am happy because you are happy. I love you".

Raghav: "I love you too".

Walking, talking with others yet in one another and their silent conversations, Raghav and Kalpi were oblivious of the attention beauty and intelligence of Kalpana had drawn towards herself. It was "Peeyush Sharma"- Head of the HR Department, Head Office- Singhania Group of Companies. He had been a silent admirer of Kalpi's simplicity and beauty even before she was promoted. Kalpi's desk and chair was just outside Raghav's cabin then, and thus anyone who came to meet Raghav was bound to see Kalpana. In those days he hadn't interacted with Kalpi as they were in different branches then. She assisted Sammy & Raghav in Construction business, where as Peeyush was in the Head Office Section. Peeyush had come to know about Kalpana's intelligence and hard work by others and Sammy. He was aware of the track record of her success. Peeyush always felt this girl was different from others, and her sharp features, dusky glow and simplicity only added to her charm. But since the time Kalpana had returned after her leave and he got to work with her after her promotion, his admiration for her had grown into a strong liking towards her. He had noticed her change in dressing style, open show of confidence, her slow but steady growth in her profession; she always gave some great inputs to every department, completed tasks on time and in short was a good asset to Singhania Group of Companies. Sometimes he doubted if it was only a strong liking for her perfect beauty & brains, or start of love since he got to know about her nature so closely. Today he saw hardly any man in the hall was exception to the effect of Kalpana Jadhav'. All seemed to be in awe of this young, beautiful girl who seemed to be perfect. "She is looking so beautiful today in this saree. This is it; I have to do something to be in the list of her close friends, soon". Thinking so, he moved towards her congratulating her and Raghav both for her individual and his company's success. "Thank you Peeyush Sir" Kalpana took his wishes in the due process, just like she was receiving others. Their foreign clients had just left for the lunch which was to be served in the same hotel, in a different hall and most others too had left. "Aren't you coming for lunch Kalpana?" he asked her.

"Yes I am. I'll..." But Kalpi was cut mid-way when Raghav interjected their conversation. "She'll be a bit late. I have to discuss something important with Kalpana. She'll wrap up here and then I, Sammy and Kalpana shall join all of you directly in the hall. You go ahead Peeyush, please don't be late because of us".

"Oh. Sure Sir. I'll see you there then" he was disappointed, but he understood that Raghav Singhania was a tough taskmaster and it was his habit to review everything and plan again for future, sometimes right after such presentations.

As soon as Peeyush left, only Sammy, Raghav & Kalpi were left in the hall soon. Raghav whispered something in Sammy's ears, which made him smile. "Not again!" Sammy said "Okay...but don't take much time. Understand?" he asked Raghav teasingly and left the hall with a smile on his face.

"What did you whisper in Sammy Sir's ears?" Kalpi asked Raghav, her arms folded and a look of annoyance on her face. If she didn't know better, she knew exactly what was going on in her dear husband's mind. Raghav turned to her, looked at Kalpi from head to toe, his gaze saying it all that he was too happy to finally finding the freedom to take in his wife's beauty, her perfect curves, the little show of skin saree showed and her beautiful face. "Raghav?" by now she had started becoming too conscious of them being completely alone in this big conference hall, as Raghav's eyes told her he was going to break his promise today. He took some steps towards her, and she stepped back two-three steps. But he reached her sooner than her brain could think of a solution. Keeping his hands on her waist he held her, his touch on her exposed skin already sent currents, from her body to her brain. She gulped thinking "now you're gone".

He turned her and now hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her neck. "Raghav you promised me?" she reminded him.

"Yes, so I am not breaking it in the way you took that promise" he told her as his hands sneaked beneath the Pallu of her saree, proceeding to caress and touch her abdomen.

"No? Then may I know what is this?"

"You did not want any romance in our office Kalpi. Even though this is our hotel, but this is not my or your chamber. So technically I am not breaking anything".

"But these are the office hours Raghav" she supplied to him, her hands having a fight of their own with his, in which she seemed to be losing. "This much is allowed as an exception" he told her and started showering her with kisses on her neck. "But Raghav, everyone must be waiting for us; and anyone can barge in here anytime".

"Sammy is outside, he'll handle everything" and he proceeded to torture her more; the blouse had a deep back, which was covered by her open hair. He moved her hair to one side & placed the first kiss on the nape of her neck. He then touched her back with only two fingers in a soft caress, observing the way it arched on its own on his touch; then passed his full hand. Kalpi had gone in daze by now, her shyness returning to her again, aware of the currents her body felt; she could not say anything more. Even as her chest heaved with heavy breaths, she felt him placing kisses all over her back. Sneaking his free hand beneath her saree again, he turned her to face him. Her eyes were closed; with his thumb and forefinger under Kalpi's chin Raghav made her face up to him and passed one hand on her eyes lovingly, careful not to ruin her makeup. This made Kalpi open her eyes; Raghav smiled lovingly, kept a hand on her one cheek and then cupped her face with his both hands. He kissed her forehead "I Love You".

"I Love you too" she told him. He blinked his eyes once, before bending down his head to kiss her, his arms embraced her closely to him, wanting to feel her warmth and closeness, and he just caressed her skin and heart that day.

*****************************************************

Night time, Raghav lay in his bed wide awake, remembering that day's pleasant moments' again as was his habit whenever he spent some good time with Kalpi. He chuckled as he remembered Sammy's angry gaze when he and Kalpi had come out of the conference hall after fifteen minutes. "It's only fifteen minutes Sam, chill" Raghav had tried to calm down Sammy. "Chill? Then you better find me a girl friend for that dude! Do you have any idea these fifteen minutes were like fifteen hours for me! Our clients have already called two times; they were enquiring about us three".

"Okay-okay, I am sorry. Now shall we leave?" and the three of them had left together for the hall then.

"But what was that? Am I thinking too much?" Raghav wondered as he had seen that Kalpi was mostly alone during their buffet-lunch. Raghav had tried to make sure that he remains near to her in some way or other or ensured Sammy gave her company. There were very few girls, and the nature of those who were there was completely contrast to Kalpi's. Thus Kalpi had only Raghav's eyes to talk to. Raghav had still come to stand by her, despite Kalpi's silent protests. But when he wasn't there, he'd noticed "Peeyush" trying to be friendly more than usual with Kalpi. It wasn't that Raghav minded Kalpi being friends with a person of opposite sex, or he wouldn't let her talk to anyone else other than him. But today he found something different in Peeyush's behavior towards Kalpi. There were CCTV cameras in every corner of Singhania Office, only the ones which were made non-functional were those in Raghav's own chamber and Kalpi's cabin. Raghav had good idea exactly how each of his staff behaved, did with whom and with work. Though this was the second or third time he was watching Peeyush and Kalpi interact, he could see a certain spark in Peeyush's eyes and his smile. But he had not objected to their conversation then, thinking its good Kalpi is not alone.

"Nice chap that Peeyush is.He gave you good company today" he had told Kalpi later on phone.

"Yes, he is. I was a bit surprised initially when he asked me today if I'll accept his offer of friendship with him. But then I accepted it. No harm; isn't it?" she told Raghav innocently.

"Really? So nice of him! No, no harm. You did the right thing". They'd talked a bit more and then signed off for the day. "Am I being too possessive?" he was still wondering when Pakhi's message came "Goodnight my love. I love you" which he deleted, switched off the night lamp to sleep with Kalpi in his eyes.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction using characters from the show 'Ek Mutthi Aasmaan" on 'Zee TV". The characters are owned by creators and owners of the show.