An OS : Yes I Do !! (R POV 3) 9/12 - Pg 19

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Yes I Do !!(K POV)

Kalpana shut her eyes as she took a deep breath in. Today her world was shattering, her world was slipping through her fingers, today her world...her Raghav would be somebody else's right in front of her eyes. And the worst part being she was supposed to be the organizer of all of it. The pain she was experiencing was worser than the feeling of being killed ...but she knew, she had to be strong !!

Quickly drying the tears that had welled up in her eyes she tried putting on a jolly facade..but even that was going quite tough for her today...but kalpana knew she had to do it ! She won't let Raghav know about her feelings for him, she didn't want him to be guilty for the sake of her one-sided love. Though he was her boss, but a lot had changed between them in the past year as her subconscious mind quickly whooshed over the memories...their memories !!

They started off with pure hatred for each other. Even 'Hatred' would be a small word for the thing that sustained between them initially. But the Alibaugh trip had got many transformations ...they had then begun to care for each other. The care which had then altered into friendship. Their childhood aquaintainces helped them to connect as friends. Kalpana herself didn't realise when love had ended up replacing friendship ...atleast on her part. But even after recognition she preferred staying mum as she was well aware of their social differences. She feared of rejection ..she feared to lose Raghav ..his friendship !! Kalpana didnt want to be discarded from his life coz of her acceptance.

Finally when Kalpana felt she was ready, with her heart being chained tightly & her face bearing a broad smile she rang the bell to his apartment as she waited for the door to open. & it did ..almost immediately with a Raghav standing right in front of her eyes. Kalpana's chained heart started wailing when she saw him smile ...today it was reaching his eyes. Irrespective of the agony storming within she smiled back at him ..trying to make it as broad as his ,as she spoke

K : So ..is somebody prepared to propose his lady love today ?

R : (nodding) Come in first !!

Kalpana nodded in a yes as she asked him to wait for a few seconds. Quickly descending the stairs enough ...when she was assured that he can't see her she allowed the tears saturated within to get upto her eyes so that she cud wipe them off ...full & final. Then descending a few more stairs she asked the men waiting down to follow her. They did.

Raghav, who was yet wondering where had she gone saw her return with a dozen of men following her carrying huge bunches of flowers in their hands. Trying to speak in her jolliest tone

K : White Carnations ...aren't these the ones u told me to get !

R : Oh ! So u got them ...thank u so much Kalpi...u r doing all of this for me !!

K : Its my job to follow my boss' orders & do arrangements for his meetings, even if they are on a personal level.

Entering with the bunch of men, she ordered them to go upstairs & keep the flowers in the room she directed.

R : Kalpiii...we are friends !! The boss-employee relationship seems gr8 only at office ...not elsewhere.

K : Yeah right ..

Her statement was left incomplete when she felt a tug at her hand as she was pulled up to the room where he had planned the proposal to be. They saw the men who had been there to deliver the flowers leave after a formal notice & taking their payment. After they had left Raghav again held Kalpana's hand as he guided her upstairs like an excited child. Poor thing had no idea that his over-excitement was slashing Kalpana to death every second. Flinging the doors open he showed it to her as he announced

R : So ...how do like it Kalpi ?

K : (staring around) U repainted the room blue ? But why ? U hate this color ...right ?

R : Correction Kalpi ... I hated it in the past ! But u see ...today is supposed to be her special day. & i don't want Maya rejecting me coz she didn't like the room's color !

He added laughingly. Then looking back at Kalpana he found confusion on her face as she spoke...

K : But Sir...

R : Aaahhaa...I have told u so many times not to call me that outside office. We are childhood friends & if i can call u Kalpi then even u get that right to call me Raghav. We did agree on that ,didn't we ? Besides u had started calling me by my name as well since the past few months ...what happened to u suddenly ?

Kalpana glanced at him as she sighed. Calling him 'Sir' was just a way to remind herself of her standard in front of him. She didn't feel that Raghav wud be so attentive & wud immediately question her. She saw him stand there , yet waiting for an answer. Getting her fake smile plastered again

K : Well ..if u can call me Kalpi then i shouldn't be calling u Raghav ..Chintooo !!

Smacking her lightly on the arm

R : Don't u call me that !! In those circumstances 'Sir' wud be fine 'Ms Jadhav'. Btw ...what were u saying ?

Kalpana huffed with relief. Today was the day where she wanted to be just 'Ms JAdhav' for him & nothing else ...with he inturn being nothing more than her boss

K : Me & maya are quite good friends. And to my knowledge her favorite color is purple.

Kalpana saw Raghav walk in the room

R : So... Ms Jadhav ..are u saying u know more than me about the person I love !

K : Umm ...its not so ...just that...

R : (turning around) Chill !! I thought of painting it blue coz i remember she telling me that she likes blue as well...

K : Hmmm...maybe ..

R : But ur knowledge impressed me. U indeed are the perfect person to do up with the decorations...Now go ahead ...the required things are kept over there! (excitedly)Make this room eternally perfect for my special evening...

Kalpana involuntarily gasped when she heard that. Luckily Raghav didn't hear it. Before leaving

R : Ok then ! I take ur leave ...I surrender this room to my dearest friend for her to make it ready for me & my lady love. I know ull do a great job ... Imagine as if u r supposed to be proposed by the man u love today & then decorate the room accordingly...i bet it wud turn up to be impeccable as u & Maya have similar tastes.

She quickly walked upto a bunch of carnations so that she cud hide her face & its hurt expressions with her back turned towards him. She heard him wish her luck one last time followed by the thud of the door. Slightly turning to check whether he had left ...yes, he had ! Suppressing the tears she uttered gazing blankly at the sight of the shut door

K : I am happy for u Raghav ! Don't u worry ...i wud not let my heart be an obstacle in ur happiness...i wud turn this room heavenly perfect ...just the way u want it !!

The next 3 hours passed by in a jiffy with Kalpana putting in her extreme best to beautify the room. Finally, when she felt she was done she surveyed the room in a glance giving checks to her mental list. The white carnations were well complimenting the velvet blue walls. Since the paint was fresh the walls were looking majestic with the dim yellow lights encircling the entire upper periphery of the room enhancing that royalty. Even the balcony which was adored with the carnations seemed all ready for Raghav & his special evening. Then checking the music list ...yes the cd had all of Raghav's favorite songs with some romantic 1s as well. Then walking to the dinner table , she straightened the crimps on the table cloth as she finally declared

K POV : Done !! Classy ...just the way Raghav likes it ...but... only add marigolds to it & it wud just be the way i wud like my pro...

She stopped on noticing what she was about to speak. Clenching her fists & shutting her eyes tight as she forced her tears to retreat

K POV : No KAlpi ...don't u forget, all of this is for Maya. How cud u even think of such a thing ?Raghav had said that imagination thing just to encourage u ... (looking around) All of this is for Maya ...only Maya ...only & only Maya.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a "WOW" from behind. Composing herself , she turned around

K : Do u like it Sir ?

R : Are u kidding me ?? I love it Kalpi ...I love it ... But something's missing !

K : What ?

R : Don't u worry about that. I shall make those final changes myself. U see ...its a secret between me & Maya.

K : Ok then ... since the decorations are done I wud like to head home.

No sooner had KAlpana taken a step towards the door than she felt Raghav hold onto her wrist to stop her. Lettting out a sigh again...today every touch of his was proving to be ultimate torcher for her. But she knew, he was doing it all obliviously as they were quite used to each other's touch in a friendly way. It was her mistake of falling in love with him that had complicated things. Not wanting Raghav to feel anything unusual in her she let his hand remain on her wrist as she looked at him with questioning eyes as to why had he stopped her

R : & why do u think i wud allow u to go home. Today's my special day kalpi ...i want u by my side today. Afterall u r the host ...*(winking at her)& if u won't be then whom am i gonna sue if Maya dislikes something ? Ull be there tonight...right Kalpi ?

Her heart yelling at the top its voice from within "NO ..NO ...U WON'T BE ABLE TO BEAR IT ...U HAVE HAD ENOUGH FOR TODAY !!" She had just opened her mouth to refuse but ended up blurting a "YES" on seeing his chocolate brown eyes plead to her.

R : Good then !! (giving her a side hug)

Then withdrawing a packet from behind his back he forwarded it to her

R : Spa passes & a dress. I want my friend to look beautiful for my special evening. Besides ur the organizer & Raghav Singhaniya's organizer has to look exquisite...Now go !!

He said so pushing her from the shoulder as he lead her outside the room. While she was being nudged outside Kalpana suddenly noticed a spot in the corner of the room where the flowers were missing. Making a mental note of it she exited the room & then the house as she took an auto to the spa Raghav had provided passes with. It was the best & expensive in town to Kalpana's knowledge. Reluctantly she pushed open the door & entered in like an afraid mouse. Walking to the desk she showed her passes to the attendant over there. The moment the female in front of her heard 'Raghav Singhaniya's' name her ears perked as she ordered her best team to attend Kalpana immediately. A few more hours passed by with the spa ladies pampering & embellishing Kalpana & her skin & her already beautiful features. But she sat there like a lifeless statue allowing the females around to do whatever they wished to with herself.

The day was getting unbearable for Kalpana with every minute that ticked by. Her love was gonna be some1 else's toady & what was she doing ? Dressing up ...for his special evening with some other woman !! Sheesh ...can my fate turn worser?

Her thoughts were cut short when Kalpana heard a spa-lady request her to wipe the water formed in her eyes as she wished to apply some mascara. An embarrassed Kalpana abruptly brushed the tears off as she allowed the female to experiment with her liquid eyes. An hour later the females stood around in a semi-circle admiring her proudly as they announced that Kalpana was done with the thing. The moment they had said so Kalpana grasped her phone & walked outside the chamber...not even bothering to have a glimpse of herself in the mirror. What wud she do by looking good...afterall Raghav's gonna be in somebody else's arms today !! The spa-ladies were shellshocked as they looked at a leaving Kalpana with her phone to her ear...Kalpana wud have been their 1st customer ever who had left w/o even glancing at her reflection. They had known women who flaunted their not-so-beautiful face while leaving the spa... & there was this female !!

Here Kalpana was walking towards the exit with her phone stuck to her ear as she was listening onto the other side carefully. She had just pushed open the door to leave when an attendant stopped her as she asked her to occupy a seat nearby & fill in the feedback form. She did the same after disconnecting her call which had left her highly irritated. And the feedback tick marks were just adding to her irritation. She wanted to leave asap. Finally signing the form she banged the pad on the desk with a slight thud & turned to leave.

Attendant : Ma'am ...ma'am...ma'am ...would u like some tea or coffee by the time u wait here ?

K : None ..& why wud i wait here ??

Before the attendant cud answer, Kalpana had already walked to the door with her phone again on her ear.This time with a louder & angry tone as she speeded up to the exit adjusting the frills of her long gown that were entangling around her long legs

K :(yelling on phone) What do u mean u don't have white carnations ? When i say i need them it means i want them !! If ull cud provide me so many of them in the morn, why can't u do the same now ?

So engrossed was she on her phone & adjusting her dress simultaneously she missed onto where she was heading exactly. & dhad ...

She bumped into someone. Though the person in front didn't budge even a mm , her high-heeled pumps made her loose her balance as she was about to fall backwards. B4 she could lose balance Kalpana felt a huge pair of hands stabalizing her. The touch was not a foreign 1 as she quickly looked at the bearer of the hands that had prevented her fall. It was Raghav as her heart skipped a beat...actually many beats 1 after the other !! He looked exclusively handsome today in his dark black tuxedo with a bow around his neck. His huge hands which rested on her bare back sent tingling shivers through her entire body as she unknowingly moved closer to him. Gasping a bit on feeling the cool metal of his watch being in direct contact of her burning bare back she stood on her feet ..her eyes never leaving his face. A loud "Hello" from the other side of the phone got Kalpana out of her trance as studdered back to reality. & the reality was indeed bitter ...he was not hers !! Quickly brushing his hands off her she walked past him after mumbling a quick thank u. Not forgetting to mention him as 'Sir' ...loud & clear !

How could she be so cheap ? How could she lose control off her ...though it was for a split second ..but how ? This shouldn't have had happened...he is her boss , her friend !! No...

Bombarding all her frustration on the person on the other side of the phone call ,Kalpana roared

K : How cud u do this ? How ? (then realizing what she was saying)How cud ull not have white carnations ?I dont know how are u gonna manage it ...but since u have signed the contract its ur responsibility to arrange the flowers when i demand ! I give u 30 minutes more to arrange them from anywhere ...but i want them !! Don't u understand ...how ...(pause)how important is it !!

She was yet firing the man on the other side when Raghav's car halted in front of her as he opened the door for her to sit. She did the same. To avoid any conversation with Raghav in the car, Kalpana made it a point that she continues to speak to the flower dealer as long as she could. After almost a drive of 1/2 an hour Kalpana felt a jerk as the car halted. The next second her phone was snatched from her hand as Raghav disconnected it

Throwing the phone back in Kalpana's direction he got out of the car. Kalpana followed him

K : Why did u disconnect the phone ? I was talking to him ...

R : U weren't talking ..but yelling on him.

K : But ...

R : Shhh...now come with me !!

As Raghav dragged Kalpana with himself in the 5-storey huge jewellery showroom

K : Ummm...what are we doing here ?

R : Kalpi ..what kindda Q is that ?

As Raghav inquired about the ring section at the info desk right in front of the massive entrance. She immediately ended up questioning him

K : U r asking Maya for an engagement ?? I though u wud just be asking her to be in a relationship with u.

Entering the lift to go to the 4th floor where the ring section was

R : (coolly) Yes ! U gotta problem with that ...(on seeing Kalpana nod her head in negative) besides i just can't stay away from her any longer.

She felt her heart being smashing down to a million pieces when she heard that.

The lift attendant informed them about the arrival of their floor. As the duo walked out of the elevator all heads turned in awe to look at them. Then may it be the sales people or the customers over there. Kalpana did notice that ..but then preferred neglecting it as she thought they were interested in the man walking beside her who was considered-to-be the conqueror of the business industry.

K POV : See Kalpi !! U r no match to him ...Maya is just 'the' perfect female for him !

She was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Raghav demand to show them the best rings of their showroom

R : Kalpi ...please help me choose 1. Afterall, u & Maya have the same choice.

K POV : (almost in tears)& there the torcher begins again !! Bappa ..please help me ...

Bappa heard her plea mostly as her phone buzzed as she excused herself instantly. She could do everything , but not this ...

Yet again it was the irritating flower dealer who was continuously being privileged to face the worst of Kalpana.

K : What do u think i wud do with pink carnations ? Don't u understand the meaning of white Mr.? white ..W-H-I-T-E C-A-R-N-A-T-I-O-N-S..hope u get it now! Ull call urself the best & yet ull can't keep white carnations in a great stock in ur shop...

Kalpana was again getting herself immersed in the phone call as she just couldn't see the sight of Raghav choosing a ring for some other woman.As a friend she was happy for Raghav & Maya ..but what about her ?? Not wanting to think abt the answers she projected all her exasperation on the man on the other end of the phone ...poor man !!😆😆 KAlapna finally succeeded in engrossing herself in the phone call as she totally forgot abt the surroundings. Her only aim now being was to somehow get the flowers ...bas !!

So absorbed was she in the conversation that she didn't even realize her hand being held onto by somebody. Yet shouting furiously she tried throwing her hands up in the air slightly in that same wave of wrath ..thats when she felt the resistance her hand offered as it was clutched into someone's hand tightly. Glancing back , her eyes widened with shock when she saw Raghav slip a ring into her ring finger as he stood gazing at it for a second or 2.

Time stopped ...the noises around shunned for her as the entire world seemed to have been paused as she toggled her dazed eyes from her finger to Raghav's smiling face. Had he really done that ? Had he actually made her wear a ring that to in the ring finger of her left hand ? Her always upstraight shoulders drooped down a bit as she stared at the diamond ring that adored her finger & gulped slightly ..She then saw him speak

R : Perfect !! This wud look gr8 on her ...afterall she has to wear it her entire life. It has to be perfect .. Do u like it ?

Kalpana felt like jumping from the window near which she was standing.Instead she slipped the ring off her finger & placed it in Raghav's hand. Getting her plastic smile all over again

K : Its lovely 'SIR' ...it really really pretty !

R : Cool then ..lets buy it !

As he walked away with the ring to do the billing. A few minutes later they were sitting in Ragahv's car heading to his apartment.

R : So kalpi ...what do u think ! Will i succeed in today's mission ??

K : Ofcourse u will ...MAya can never refuse u ! No girl wud ever ...

R : Fingers crossed ..

K : Umm ...sir ..can u please drop me home. Im kindda not feeling well. Besides...i dont think i have much to do after this. The decorations are ready, u have the ring , u have the girl (glancing at her watching) OMG sir its 9. Maya must be waiting for us ...u had called her up 7 ..didn't u ?

R : Oh yes kalpi ! Now toh u have to come with me please ...if by chance she's angry u will have to cool her down ...pls pls

Kalpana nodded as she asked Raghav to increase the car's speed. He did the same ...

Once they had reached KAlpana jumped off the car & sped upto Raghav's apartment. Cursing herself as she didn't keep the track of time.

K POV : Raghav's careless ...but u ? How cud u be like him ? MAya wud be so sad ? How can he keep hr waiting on such a special day of hers ? This Man !!

Getting the spare keys she had from her handbag she unlocked the door in haste. Expecting MAya to be sitting in the living room she looked at the sofa ...Nope there was no Maya. Then searching for her in the kitchen ...dining room ...everywhere. The only room remaining was the one she had decorated the entire day

K POV : Cud it be ??

As she ascended the stairs and opened the door to the room. It was dimly lit. Her oculars tried adjusting with the lights around she walked in.

K : Maya ...u der ? We are so sorry ...I know Raghav shouldn't have kept u waiting ...but hey..we have a surprise for u !!

After a while she noticed that there was no Maya over there as well. On hearing footsteps approaching from behind Kalpana turned to face Raghav as she muttered in a cranky tone

K : Maya left Sir ! She left...I am so sorry. Neither had u come to that spa & nor we wud have been late. Why did i take so much time ! I am so so sorry sir !!

Raghav quitely mumbled an ok as he went & stood behind Kalpana. Clutching both her shoulders with his respective hands he turned her around as he again went & stood behind her. Then bending down to whisper in her ear softly he spoke

R : I am sorry Kalpi ...i lied to u this entire week. The girl whom I love isn't Maya ...

Kalpana stiffened on hearing that as she turned her neck to face him. Their faces now being, merely inches apart

K : Then Paakhi ??

R : Ahhhaaa (nodding his head in negative)

He raised his arm & snapped his fingers. The moment he did that the wall in front illuminated & the curtains which had covered it flung open. As he reduced the distance between their faces even further he suddenly averted his gaze & rested his chin on her shoulder. Then lifting his arm perpendicularly upwards he pointed in the direction of the wall. Spinning her head again to look at what was he pointing , she felt him nuzzle in the crook of her neck. That made her feel giddy but she was somewhat liking it as well. With his finger yet pointing in that direction he again muffled in her ear

R : I have always ...always been in love with this 1 woman !! (his finger pointing more firmly in that direction)

K : (gazing at the wall in front) But Raghav ...there's just a mirror ove...

Words refused to croak from her throat any further as she continued to glare to where Raghav was pointing ...'IT WAS NOTHING ELSE THAN HER OWN REFLECTION' in the only mirror that was present on the dark blue wall. Blankly gaping at the mirror ...she took in her fully dressed form. She was lookin so different...she was looking BEAUTIFUL !! Her chest now heaving up & down slightly as her eyes then shifted to the man standing behind her burrowing his head more & more in the notch of her swan-like long neck. Then feeling his hands slide slowly down her arms & being wrapped around her waist as he pulled her closer ...her back colliding roughly against his chest covered with soft cloth of his tuxedo...she shivered like hell !!

Biting his lower lip slightly on feeling that shiver pass through her ..it was so similar to the currents flowing within him that moment, he turned her abruptly. Thats when he saw tears forming at the edges of her eyes as they rolled down her cheeks.Quickly wiping them off

R : Eh crybaby ! I was talkin about u & not ur reflection ...i didn't know ull be jealous of ur own reflection !

K : (smacking his chest) Shuttup !!

Then making her raise her head to look at him he withdrew the ring from his pocket

R : Will u please marry me Ms Kalpana Vitthal Jadhav ? I think i have had enough of apartment sharing with Sammy ...i need some more spice in life u see !! (winking at her)

K : (teasingly) Umm...lemme think !!

R : Are u serious KVJ ? U were breaking down the entire day today & u yet wanna' think '?

K : If u knew then why were u being like maya maya all day ?

R : I didn't know u wud be so stupid to believe me. I have been giving u hints all day long ...Blue is ur fav colour , carnations & marigolds are ur fav flowers(snapping his fingers again as the remaining curtains dropped down to reveal the decorations having an artistic addition of marigolds to it)its u who were looking stunning today. The spa woman did inform me abt u being ready..that's when i asked her to stop u at the spa by hook or by crook.

That's when KAlpana remembered the spa-lady who was making her wait under the pretext of the feedback & all. She heard Raghav continue

R : I was actually shot dead by those adaas of urs when u bumped into me at the spa (running his hand through his hair)actually it wasn't u ,but me who was lost & thats why u crashed into me. (knocking her forehead slightly) U toh didnt even know how good u r looking today ...even the ppl at the showroom were staring at u. How i wished i cud punch all their faces ...

K : Ok ok ...this much of explanation is enough ! But why did u do all of this ? Couldn't u get the things straight

R : KVJ ..u have tormented me for complete 6 months & i couldn't do the same for 1 day ? Umm...actually I felt u wud reject me if i tell u about my feelings. But Sammy helped me notice the chnges in u which clearly meant that u love me as well...I am really really very sorry for today !

K : 6 months ?

He nodded & then

K : Not so easily Mr. Raghav Singhaniya aliase chintooo ...u deserve a punishment for this 1st !

R : (all confused) Punishment ??

Her tiny fingers clasped the front of his bow-tie as she pulled his face towards hers. Then getting her lips close to his she slightly brushed them against his

Raghav grinned when he heard that. Quickly sliding the ring in its rightful place ...where it belonged for now & all the years to come he smiled again ...it indeed is a dream come true for both of em !! Then delving his fingers in her hair he pulled her closer in order to kiss her fully. He heard her mumble between the kiss... again those words

Yes I Do Raghav !!

Seriously yeh toh kuch bhi nahi kar sakta.. He made the kalpi do all the work for her own proposal.. Lol😆

Patha nahi kyun ? mujhe pahlesihe laga rahatha ke kalpi apni kudh ke proposal ke tayari kar rahi thi😆 dont know but i was laughing right from the beginning when ever she felt sad as y is she feeling so much at last he going to be hers

Nice proposal everyone keeps preparations s surprise but Raghav Singhania style unique, surprise is whom he is going to propose😆

lovely os n

hi al d best from ur exams mariee 👍🏼