The Marriage Story: Ragna FF; Part-23, Part-24(Edited) Pg-131, 31/10 - Page 77

PART-20

"This is yummy Kalpi, say Thanks to your friend from my side" Sonal told Kalpi, licking her fingers and as she allowed the flavors of a mouthful of "Orange Cake" to be devoured by her tongue. The girls had finished dinner and were now having the cake given to Kalpi by her friend for sweet-dish.

"Thanks Sonal, I'll tell him that you loved the cake".

"Yes, please do. By the way your choice is good. This is the first time I have tasted 'orange flavour' and I loved it. How sweet of your friend to gift you cake of your choice" she continued while licking her fingers.

Kalpi smiled at this "who can say Sonal Ma'am is a top official in Singhania Group of Companies" loving this child-like side of Sonal. "Yes he is my best friend since school days. But we haven't met after we finished school. It is sweet of him he still remembers my likes and dislikes" Kalpi replied as she herself ate her plateful of cake which was given to her forcibly by Sonal, telling her this cake was hers so she should have a bigger share of it.

"I'd surely want to be friends with a person like that; when are you introducing me to him" Sonal teased Kalpi who laughed. "Anytime when both of you are free; how about an outing this together this Sunday?"

"It would be perfect" said Sonal as she stood up having finished her share. "Let us plan something" she said as she went to the kitchen to do dishes. Once in kitchen she turned back to see Kalpi, to observe that she had kept her plate down umpteenth time to check her phone. She seemed thoughtful, as if waiting for an important call.

When Sonal had asked her as to whose call is she expecting, Kalpi had replied simply "from home. They usually call by now". But Sonal knew that Kalpi had already talked to her Baba on phone, having overheard their conversation accidentally from her balcony, as Kalpi had walked in the gates of home. Tonight, the girls were up later than usual, having indulged in some girls talk; so it was the first time she was witnessing Kalpi's anxiety on not having received her daily call in time.

While washing utensils Sonal continued glancing towards Kalpi and observed the slight frown on her face as Kalpi looked at the phone in her hand again. She remembered the incident this late afternoon when she had to visit Kalpi's cabin for some urgent official work, sometime after the meeting with Raghav Sir was over. She had stepped in Kalpi's cabin just as Kalpi was entering from the door on Raghav Sir's side. There was a tinge of blush on Kalpi's face and a smile in which she seemed to be happily lost when on seeing Sonal there, it was replaced by a surprised look. Sonal had not shown anything to Kalpi and had gone on to discuss with her the purpose of her visit. It was one other pointer that there definitely was something more between Raghav Sir and Kalpi than mere professional relation and an old acquaintance. She had made herself believe that maybe they are like best friends, though her heart knew it was something even more than that. But her mind was not ready to believe else, as Raghav Singhania was virtually emperor of business industry; and second she had never seen him smiling more than necessary; and getting friendly with any of his staff, clients. For that matter everyone knew Raghav Singhania was very choosy about his friends; and in matter of girls. Well, girls ran after him but as far as she knew of him he seemed anything but romantic or interested in opposite sex, for love or otherwise. "The man only knows one thing- work, work and work. He is known to be a shrewd and clever businessman. How is it possible...I mean...I don't know again" she thought confusingly as she saw Kalpi going to her room, clutching her phone tightly.

"Maybe I should try checking Kalpi's phone. Who knows I get to know something"

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Raghav was sitting on his bed, like Kalpi he too was staring at his phone. But he had a twisted reason; he had dialed, disconnected, re-dialed and then again disconnected Kalpi's number many times now. He was dying to hear her voice; since the time she had left their home their telephonic conversations and sometimes video-chat was the only thing which kept him going. Though most of the times initiative to communicate thus was taken by Raghav only and very rarely by Kalpi. It was a part of Kalpi's policy not to call Raghav herself more than twice a week after she had left their home. True though that she could not disconnect Raghav's call when he called her, as the time which they spent together on a personal level was very less when compared to what they used to before; and what a newly- wed couple should be spending. She too yearned for him. She had already spoiled his plans to romance in office, in the morning driving lessons were there but then the romance and talks then were limited, as they could not afford to get into an accident. Therefore the actual quality time spent by them before the office timings for others started was only half an hour to forty-five minutes. They had to be content with loving glances, yearnings, eye-talks. Raghav respected Kalpi enough not to break the boundaries of Kalpi's promise even when they reached office early. Whatever liberty he tried taking was in car, when he invariably tried taking her in his arms and steal a kiss or two. Most of the times she ended up scolding him; she consciously avoided it, either because she was too conscious of passers-by glancing at the luxurious car and its insides, or for punishing him. For her it was always about a balance between her love and her punishment always, something in which she was not sure she succeeded always.

The pain she felt in Raghav's eyes and recent revelations about his Dad's death-case had her resolve weaken many a times. Today also was no different.

There Raghav was fighting with himself whether to call Kalpi or not, and if he does, how and what shall he ask from her about that boy he had seen her hugging. He did not want her to think that he doubted her. He was only curious to know, that's it; being caught unawares at the sight of some other man hugging her and she returning his hug had made him restless, that's it- he told himself. He wanted to know how come he never knew of any such friend of hers, when Kalpi knew about almost all of his close friends, not all, but most of them. He felt hurt, feeling a wall was there between her and him, when he still did not know about her world completely. It was not his world, or her world; he had tried to make it their world, albeit a certain Pakhi ruined it. "Or maybe I ruined it" he thought.

"This is it, I am not jealous" he tried convincing himself "But then when I saw Kalpi laughing and grinning after she hugged that man. Why did I feel hurt, when afterwards he held her hand and dragged her inside the cafe; why I felt pain, sadness, shock and...anger? First there was Peeyush, and now this man whom even Kalpi seems to know very well", "No, I am right. This is the only reason".

"But how do I talk with Kalpi about it?" not wanting to hurt her by his questions, he had reached a solution to make Kalpi tell him about it. "If that doesn't work out, I will wait for her to tell me herself" thus decided he picked up his phone finally, but before he could call her; Kalpi called him herself.

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It was one hour later the usual timings of Raghav's call that Kalpi had decided she'll call him herself today. The wait was too much for her to bear, having used to hearing his voice before going to bed now. It was like a lullaby now for her. She knew that she wouldn't be able to sleep if she doesn't hear his voice, if she doesn't' get to know about his well-being at the end of a tiring day. "Keep the ego aside Kalpi and call him. Maybe something is wrong on his side, maybe something is troubling him. You cannot choose tonight for prioritizing your ego", "besides, I really want to talk to him, hear his voice".

One hour ago she was so content and happy with the day; everything had been perfect. Her targets on work were achieved easily, some meetings had gone on smoothly, she had met her best friend after years; and of course how could she forget Raghav hugging her in the office late afternoon. She smiled as she remembered the ecstatic and happy Raghav after she had told him about the counselor for Gauri Mom and their meeting the next day with her. After days she had seen a glimmer of shine and hope in Raghav's eyes, when he understood that he can get his old Mom back. He had pulled Kalpi into a tight, endearing hug "O Kalpi I cannot thank you enough. You did all this for my Mom?"

Kalpi had put a finger on his lips, shaking her head and saying "Our Mom Raghav. She is Our Mom; and my Taai too, so I have double relation with her. Thus I love her more than you" Raghav had smiled lovingly at her and she had found herself in an emotional Raghav's arms once again. He had wrapped his arms tightly around her thin waist; and Raghav had not known when his emotions for his Mom & Kalpi, gratefulness to Kalpi and yearning for her had intermingled. The hug had turned into a passionate one as slowly his arms made their way to touch whole frame of Kalpi. His hands and arms were all over her, her curves, from her neck to butt; her side body to her back. Her back arched in response to him and she melted as he continued to nuzzle in her hair and neck; his hand touching her beautiful hair.

She was lost then, as was always whenever he touched her. "This is why I keep him away from myself" she had thought helplessly and she could feel her chest heaving against his strong one as she hung on to him tightly. Her hands clasped his shoulder and back in a tight grasp. Her skin felt his lips' butterfly touches on her neck; he deliberately kept the kiss very soft when he kissed her neck. His lips trailed in a butterfly kiss on the side of her neck, slowly moving on to the front of neck and upwards, placing a butterfly kiss again this time on her lips. Kalpi felt a strong current when his lips brushed hers, lightly; shocking her pleasantly, bringing her back to senses. She jumped apart slightly, looked into his dazed eyes, then blushing lowered her gaze; as she turned away to run back to her own cabin. But he had held her hand and turned her. With his other hand he had caressed her cheek lovingly, telling her "Thank You". She had merely nodded at this and ran away to the cool atmosphere of her own cabin.

But now, her condition was completely opposite. It was like everything was all right, but nothing was complete or perfect without him. The night was incomplete without she hearing Raghav's voice once before sleeping, the day could not be over like this; it could not be.

So she had called him and became happy when he had answered her call before first ring. She could hear smile in his voice and happiness on hearing her; and he really was happy and smiling. "His Mrs. Singhania couldn't live without him. She too cannot go to sleep without talking to me" he had realized. Mentally cursing himself for making her wait so much, he had quickly picked up the call, "Hello?"

"Hello Raghav?"

Both did not say anything, leaving the unsaid questions thus; as Raghav only managed an "I am...sorry Kalpi. I was upset over some official work" he said half truth and half lie; not wanting her to know about the real reason.

They talked for some time, and also discussed the next morning's plans to go to the Counselor before they reached office. They were to skip the driving lesson tomorrow. After some more conversation, Raghav asked her "You must have reached home in time today, you had left earlier than usual",

Kalpi pondered on what to reply, she was not expecting for this topic to come so soon. She had left early because she had to meet her best friend; not knowing that soon after she had left Raghav too had left earlier. It was not in her nature to tell a lie to Raghav, unless she had no other option. "How will he take it?" she thought. "But I have promised him to introduce to Raghav soon. He'll have to be told about him soon" thinking so she went on with her truth.

"No, actually I had to meet an old friend of mine this evening. I left early so that I could have more time to meet him. He was my best friend in school, and after that he had left India to live with his parents. He has returned after many years, that is why I had to meet him. His name is Saakshya Malik".

"Oh, I see... Old boyfriend huh" Raghav teased her. "Raghav! Saakshya was just my best friend" she replied laughingly "and he wants to meet you as soon as possible".

"What? He knows about me?" Raghav asked her, pleased with the development "this will stop him from coming closer to her" he thought.

"Of course, he has to. I had sent him our marriage invitation too. But at that time he could not make it. So now he wants to meet you".

"Sure, I'll plan something soon to meet him. Okay? Tell me more about him when we meet tomorrow morning" he said while assuring her that he shall meet him soon. After chatting some more time, they bid goodnight, this time closing eyes to go in sleep's arms peacefully.

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KAPOOR HOUSE: -

Earlier in the evening Neetu was trying hard since past one hour to convince Sahil that they should talk with Raghav about accepting his and Pakhi's marriage. "The creditors should know about it and they'll back off from sale themselves. Otherwise this mansion shall also be sold Sahil, this too is mortgaged with them. I cannot live in the other smaller home of ours".

"You are right Neetu, but Raghav is very stubborn. Every time we have talked to him about it, he has given us numerous valid excuses for not accepting it. He will not agree this easily".

"If he does not agree straight way, we'll force him to accept it by using other way" Neetu said, smiling evilly to herself.

"Other way? What other way?" Sahil asked. Neetu turned to face Sahil, and said "Pookhi, we'll use Pookhi".

"Pakhi? But how?" he asked.

"Wait, I'll tell you what to do" and she whispered something in his ears which widened Sahil's eyes.

"Neetu, are you sure?"

"Dead sure, this is the only way to make Raghav accept his marriage with Pakhi in public".

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Raghav woke up the next morning to Sammy's call, he always called Raghav this early when it was something urgent and important he wanted to talk about with him.

"Good morning Sammy" Raghav mumbled, still half asleep.

"Time to wake up bro, Prem Kapoor is returning to India this weekend" Sammy informed Raghav, making him wide awake as he sit up straight in bed.

"What? I want to discuss about it in office with you first thing in morning. Prem should not return before next weekend, before sale and auction of Kapoor shares' and property".

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.