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Chapter 4
Standing by the kitchen door, Kalpi looks around as she checks to see everything is running smoothly, her happiness knows no bounds. Seeing Maya come, she smiles and walks up to her, saying, "hi. This is a pleasant surprise." Laughing Maya hugs her and says, "you stole my line. Kalpi, how do you know the Singhania's?" Before Kalpi can answer, Maya is called away by her father.
Standing by the entrance, her gaze seeks only one person... their eyes meet across the room. Smiling Ragav starts walking up to her only to stop several steps later and turn towards his father who calls for attention.
Kalpi walks into Ragav's home admiring the decorations. Pakhi sees her, walks up to her with a smiles, hugs her and says, "you are late." Smiling Kalpi hugs her back and says, "sorry. Aai would not let me come alone, so I had to wait for her." Kamla walks up after having paid the rikshaw driver, joining them, she say with a smile, "you must all be very proud of Ragav."
Neetu walks up, joining them, saying, "very proud. Sahil has been very impressed with the way Ragav handled the Shimla project." Looking at Ragav, who is conversing with a group of businessmen, she adds with pride, "my baby has grown up."
A waiter comes over and tells Neetu that there is a small altercation in the kitchen. Sighing, she says, "I shall be right there." Kalpi smiles and says, "Neetu maa, let me and Pakhi try and sort it out. You enjoy the party. Aai you too." Neetu kisses Kalpi's forehead and says, "good idea and don't you worry... Your aai will not leave my side."
Standing by the kitchen door, Kalpi looks around as she checks to see everything is running smoothly, her happiness knows no bounds. Seeing Maya come, she smiles and walks up to her, saying, "hi. This is a pleasant surprise." Laughing Maya hugs her and says, "you stole my line. Kalpi, how do you know the Singhania's?" Before Kalpi can answer, Maya is called away by her father.
Standing by the entrance, her gaze seeks only one person... their eyes meet across the room. Smiling Ragav starts walking up to her only to stop several steps later and turn towards his father who calls for attention.
With the music turned down, Sahil Singhania announces with pride the success of his Shimla project. He calls out for Ragav to join him. He then says, "I have another announcement... Friends be ready for it... Neetu join us please." Smiling Neetu joins Sahil and Ragav wondering what surprise Sahil has planned for Ragav.
Smiling Sahil says, "I would like to announce the engagement of my son Ragav to my business partner's daughter Maya Kapoor." Mr Kapoor and Maya join them.
Hearing his father's words in disbelief, Ragav turns to stare at his father, then quickly turns towards Kalpi. Kalpi's smile falters as the words sink in, staring in disbelief. Ragav takes a step towards her, when his father holds his arm, smiling, whispers sharply, "don't you dare." He turns towards his mother, his eyes pleading that he help her. Neetu stares at Sahil in disbelief. Her smile frozen in place. Sensing her son's pain she turns towards him, gives him a weak smile to reassure, hugging him, she whispers, "not now beta... Not now" as she pats his cheek.
Ragav turns back towards Kalpi, feeling slightly relieved that Pakhi is with her. Kalpi stands there frozen, tears falling as she watches the man she loves gets engaged to another. Pakhi holds Kalpi's hand tightly, lending her all her support and strength as she watches her brother get engaged to a woman he does not love. Unable to take it any longer, Kalpi whispers in a voice chocking with emotion, "I can't breathe... Pakhi I..." Pakhi quickly leads her towards the kitchen, once inside she snaps out a command, "everybody out."
Ragav watches this with concern and anger... Concern for the woman he loves and anger at himself... Thinking, "damn it! Why did I not think that dad might make such a move to separate us?"
Once alone with Pakhi, Kalpi hugs her tight and cries her heart out. Pakhi tries to soothe kalpi, reassuring her that Ragav did not know about this... That in fact nobody knew about this... When her phone beeps. Frowning she reads the message... "Terrace. Now!"
"Let us go to the terrace. I think the fresh air will help clear our heads," Pakhi says. Smiling reassuringly, Kalpi says, "I am fine now. I just over reacted. I think your parents have made the right decision. Ragav should marry somebody of equal standing. Somebody society will accept", the words her mother constantly kept saying at home. Wiping her tears Kalpi thinks about how her mother's words came true, that Ragav's parents would look for an equal for their son to marry.
Lost in thought, Kalpi does not see the look of horror and then anger in Pakhi. Forcing herself to keep calm and give Kalpi some leeway, Pakhi decides to ignore it and says, "whatever! Come", thinking, "bhai can handle this nonsense" and takes her to the terrace.
Ragav paces to and fro, anxious because he knows that Kalpi is hurting deep down. "Damn it. I am going to first have to convince Kalpi about us before I go talk to mum and dad." Angrily he mutters, "if you congratulate me... I am going to strangle you with my bare hands."
Reaching the top stairs, Pakhi says, "damn I forgot my phone", then quickly hides the hand holding her phone in the folds of her dress, quickly adding, "Kalpi go ahead, I shall be right back." Giving Pakhi a weak smile Kalpi steps onto the terrace, her gaze falling on Ragav. Hearing the terrace door creek as it opens, Ragav stops pacing and anxiously looks to see who it is. Relief pouring into him when he sees Kalpi.
Kalpi walks up to him hesitantly, giving a weak smile, she takes a deep breathe and says softly, "your parents have chosen a wonder..." Not wanting her to complete her sentence, Ragav quickly strides towards her, pulls her into his arms and kisses her. Breaking the kiss seconds later, he whispers, "don't you dare complete that sentence."
She looks at him her tears eyes, silently strengthening her resolve... When Ragav whispers angrily, "don't you dare! you promised to never leave me." "But Ragav..." Kalpi whispers back, only to be interrupted by him. Ragav places a finger on her lips, silencing her as he shakes his head, then says, "let me talk first" and proceeds to convince her. He kisses her palm ans says, "You are my wife... My love... Hunny all I ask is please trust me... Please believe in me... i cannot live without you." Nodding, for she too feels that she cannot live without him, she says softly, blushing away, "I love you too, but I don't think we should go against your parents."
Ragav looks at her in disbelief, his eyes shining with his love for her, says, "please say it one more time." Blushing, her heart racing, kalpi complies, then hides her face into his chest because she feels shy. Ragav hugs her as he chuckles, ecstatic for today is the first time Kalpi says the words... I love you. The satisfaction he feels on hearing her voice her feelings for him... Knows no bonds, content, he hugs her tight, whispering, "I promise we will not marry until both our parents are in favour of it."
Content in each other's arms, they hear loud bang... Startled, Ragav and Kalpi break their hug and turn towards the terrace entrance. Shocked, they watche Sammy drag Maya onto the terrace. "Let go of me", Maya yells, adding angrily, "how dare you treat me like this?"
They watch in silent horror when Sammy yells back angrily, "how dare I! How dare you?... Omg I could kill you right now. What is the meaning of this?" Maya folds her hands as she smirks at him.
Kalpi takes a step towards them, worried as she tries to understand what is going on, thinking, "omg, what is Sam doing? He can't..." When Ragav stops her and shakes his head... Silently telling her to wait and watch. His gaze falls to the door where Pakhi is silently trying to catch her breathe as she watches the fireworks. Meeting Ragav's gaze she gestures, "what is going on?" To which Ragav shrugs as he mouths, "I don't know." The three of them silently watch as Sammy and Maya argue.
Sammy says angrily, "how dare you get engaged to my brother?"
Maya folds her hands, smirks and says nonchalantly, "I was asked... So I said yes."
She then takes a step towards him and says angrily, "how dare you have your father bring your brother's proposal for me?"
Startled by her words, Sammy says, "I did not. Are you even hearing yourself?"
Maya looks at him in confusion and says, "you didn't. Then. How?"
Sammy takes a step towards her and says, "hunny think. Why would I want my brother to marry my girlfriend?" Shuddering he continues, "yuck! Just saying it makes me want to puke."
Pakhi unable to take it, burst out laughing, says, "oh this is priceless, the one girl daddy finds worthy for his darling son is Sammy's girlfriend. Oh bhai please let me the one to tell daddy." Chuckling, Ragav says, "sure, but not now." Relieved he hugs Kalpi tightly and kisses her on her forehead before turning his attention back to Sammy and Maya.
Grinning Maya and Sammy turn towards them, Sammy place his arm around Maya's shoulder, chuckles and says, "how did you like the show?" Ragav smiles and replies, "loved it. Now explain."
Cheekily Sammy says, "guys meet my girlfriend, Maya Kapoor."
P.s. Sorry guys for not replying to comments... Will do soon.
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