PART-25
Kalpi sat fuming on her beach-mat as she watched Raghav dance with Maya, his hands on her waist. He was dancing too closely with her as far as she was concerned. At that moment she hated Sammy enough to kill him for giving his cell-phone to Raghav, because it turned out only Sammy's cellphone had Maya's supposed favourite romantic song- "Pehla nasha, Pehla khumaar". "Hmmph, as if I don't know who her first love was" she seethed internally knowing very well that Maya's first love was none other than Raghav. She tried to hide her much visible emotions by her sunglasses and hat, as the earphones of her ipod did their not so good job at drowning out the loud volume song playing in front of her.
It turned out that Raghav's close sessions with Maya had continued even during lunch and Kalpi had taken out all her frustration on food, eating more than usual in a bid to ignore them. They all had booked a local cottage for the day time and the owners had cooked a delicious local meal for them. Everything was perfect but for one little fact that her husband was not sitting with her. He had sat flirting with Maya right infront of her eyes. It had seemed to Kalpi that everything was hunky-dory for everyone in this outing, but for her. She had told her mind to ignore that incident also and let it go for her own peace. Moreover her self-respect was very important for her, so were her feelings. But now she had enough as she unsuccessfully tried to block the music coming from Raghav and Maya's way.
On the part of Saakshya and Sonal, confusion had filled their senses by now at what was happening between Raghav and Kalpi since morning when they had left together in Sammy's car for their Sunday beach outing. It was one of the cleanest beaches some minutes away from Mumbai and less crowded in comparison to the city. The white sand of the beach had though made it one of the most happening vacation spots but it was apt for someone like Raghav Singhania who had preferred the peaceful and clean environs of this beach. Thus, here they were sharing a Sunday and car-space with the Raghav Singhania. Sonal was still very much in awe of her boss, his own Audi accompanied them all empty except the driver. She was still unable to believe that the owner of Singhania Group of Companies had come on an outing with them, and that too in the same car. Of course, it was because of Kalpi she knew but throughout the way what happened and was still happening was beyond her and her new found friend Saakshya. Though Sammy Sir knew it seemed what was going on, all the while he had merely enjoyed the weird interactions and scenes between the two love-birds with a smile on his face.
When Raghav assented to join them for Sunday outing it was a thing of pure joy of all of them, especially Kalpi who was glowing with the thought of Raghav joining them. They all expected Samar Raizada- Raghav Singhania's best friend to be with Raghav like always and he did come, with Raghav driving his car. But the fact that Maya had also been accompanying Raghav and Sammy was unexpected, and she was sitting on the passenger seat besides Raghav. Kalpi had been careful enough not to upset Maya or Raghav because she was her husband's best friend but her discomfort and vexed feelings were quite visible on her face when Maya did not vacate the seat for Kalpi, nor Raghav told her to do so. She'd chosen not to react much; instead she held Saakshya's hand tightly and pulled him along with her to sit in the middle row of Sammy's eight-seater car. Lost in her own thoughts she'd missed the fraction second reaction of Raghav as he tightened his hold on the steering wheel when he saw Kalpi's possessive hold on Saakshya's hand. "If you all are settled then should we start?" he had asked in a formal tone to stop the noises of chatters coming from behind. Sammy who had settled himself on the backmost row, his elbows resting on the back of the middle row seats was grinning already amusingly watching the husband-wife duo. As Kalpi refused to answer and rest of them fell silent at his commanding tone, Sammy had replied instead on behalf of all "Sure Raghav, I think we should leave". "Why do I feel Mr. & Mrs. Singhania are going to give me a real entertainment today?" he had thought "Sammy beta, bach k rehna. Pata chala miya-biwi k beech tu bali ka bakra ban gaya" (Sammy, keep yourself safe. Who knows between husband-wife, you are made a scapegoat) as he shook his head. "Must say though, I'll get a good balcony view from here" he chuckled internally when he saw Raghav's serious expression in the rearview mirror and a much upset Kalpi.
Rest of the way was no different with Kalpi refusing to let go of Saakshya's arm and Raghav not leaving any opportunity to grab Maya's hand. Once it was beyond Kalpi's patience and tolerance level when again taking hold of Maya's hand in-between his driving Raghav had started a conversation of their college days. "You remember those times Maya?" he had asked "What fun we used to have. You remember that Valentine's Day college party when we had ended up as each other's date because..."
"Why? Girls didn't like you then, or you were too khadoos and uninteresting then also?" Kalpi had interjected them attracting a stern gaze from Raghav and shocking the rest of the occupants of car. "Well, Maya understood me the best. You see not everyone has the attitude to keep up with Raghav Singhania and Maya was always a sweetheart" he had said and brought Maya's hand closer to his lips to kiss it sweetly. Maya was surprised and had hissed under her breath, "Raghav you wife will kill me. It is too much now".
"She won't, and I am here to handle the situation" Raghav had said in a low tone and looked in the rearview mirror to see Kalpi's expressions, satisfied to see her doe-shaped eyes widen even more with just a glint of anger. "Perfect" he had muttered giving a twisted smile. The rest of the trio of Sammy, Sonal & Saakshya's eyes had been constantly swapping between Raghav and Kalpi and the fact that Raghav's eyes never left Kalpi did not went unnoticed by them.
"Sammy Sir, it is your car right? I think you should take over from here" Kalpi said to Sammy just then and he became alert when the conversation shifted to him. "Sure Kalpana, I will drive on the way back. Raghav is doing a good job for now" he said. "Yes, but I am afraid we might have an accident if Raghav Sir continues to drive like this" Kalpi said making Sonal choke on the water she was sipping and cough. "Now she has problem with my driving also" Raghav muttered, "Well you poked your wife, now bear it" Maya said as Raghav refused to respond to Kalpi. Similar scenes continued to unfold infront of them even as they reached the beach and enjoyed. But now it was too much for Saakshya and Sonal to bear and they came to stand beside Sammy who was standing alone and again smiling. "Umm...excuse me, Sammy Sir. If you don't mind can we ask something? Kalpi had told me that she and Raghav Sir are in love with each other, but here something entirely different is happening. Sir and Kalpi have not exchanged one simple word since the time we started, and now he is dancing with Maya ma'am. Why? I hope everything is alright between them" Sonal finished in a worried tone.
Sammy opened his mouth to say something when Saakshya interjected "No, I don't think he is always like this with her, and it is also not like Kalpi to behave this way" he said as he very well remembered the other night's passionate dance between Raghav and Kalpi. "But is this deliberate, today's behavior? I hope I am not the reason".
"You? What did you do to cause this?" Sonal said in a crackling tone. "Hey, hey chill girl. I didn't do anything", "Only tried to make Raghav Singhania a bit jealous" Saakshya added in a low tone.
"You did what? I just hope there is nothing troublesome between them because of you. What was the need..." Sonal was continuing her angry blabber when Sammy's voice stopped her.
"Guys, do not worry okay? Raghav and Kalpana's bond is much stronger than you think. These are the teasings of love, and will end with love only" he said with a silent laugh, his eyes glued back to the trio of Raghav, Maya and Kalpi.
"Whatever, I am going to my friend to cheer her up. She must be feeling so lonely and sad" Saakshya said and ran along towards Kalpi. "Kalps come with me" Saakshya said dragging Kalpi with him by holding her hand. "But where? I am enjoying my music Saks"Kalpi argued. "Arrey music you can hear at home also. Come let us enjoy the beautiful beach moments for now. You remember childhood, how we used to make homes out of sand? Why not do it again?"Saakshya suggested.
"Now, how Saks? Besides I am not in the mood" Kalpi said with a swollen face. "Take a chill-pill Kalps, why worry when Saks is here, See I brought along everything with me" he said taking out pail and shovel from his beach bag. Kalpi's eyes widened and suddenly a gleam of excitement shone in them and before it could be replaced by gloom again Saakshya made her sit with him to make small homes and palaces out of sand. Maya and Raghav were now sitting on beach chairs sipping their cold drinks and Raghav was observing a childlike Kalpi's excitement, her beauty intently. By now Sammy and Sonal too had joined them, and making their own individual homes out of sand. "How I long to just be with you, to touch you, to get lost in the world your eyes shine with Kalpi. Just a little bit more, I cannot play this facade of teasing you anymore. But what could I do? I was dying to see the possessive side of your love; it feels so good to see that. To express how we belong to only each other in our hearts, body and souls is something I cherish a lot" Raghav thought as he once again hungrily drank Kalpi's beautiful frame shining in off-shoulder, halter neck maxi beach dress. The moment he had seen Kalpi at Sonal's house he wanted to kiss her crazy and whisper "wow" against her lips. He had been drinking her in all through the drive and even while dancing with Maya, all he could feel was his heart beating for his beautiful, innocent wife. Now as he saw her enjoy with her best friend, making house of sand he smiled involuntarily, happy in Kalpi's happiness. But something which Kalpi said when she finished making the house brought him out of his thoughts "Done Saks, I succeeded in making my house. This is our house, mine and..." wanting to take Raghav's name but unable to, she ended up looking at Raghav's direction and found him looking straight at her. Their eyes met for a few seconds, conversing unsaid words when he smiled and blinked his eyes assuringly, as her eyes smiled for the first time in all day. "She loves you a lot" Maya said, "Yes she does" Raghav agreed.
"So when will you end this, and are you at all going to spend time with her today?" she asked.
"Soon, very soon" was all Raghav replied, frowning slightly when he saw Kalpi dancing with Sammy, Sonal and Saakshya on a song. They were enjoying in a group first but soon Kalpi was dancing with Saakshya alone in his arms. "How am I looking today Saks?" she asked and coming close to his ears she whispered "if you don't say sexy, I will kill you". Saakshya gulped and held Kalpi by her waist saying aloud "I have no reason to not acknowledge that you are looking beautiful and sexy; and I feel so privileged to have such a beauty in my arms" he said and Kalpi had a wide smile on her face. "Awww...you are so cute Saks, Thank You so much" and going closer to Saakshya she had kissed him on both cheeks. "Here's a gift to my handsome friend from this beautiful girl" she had grinned, feeling happy with her friend genuinely and also because she knew Raghav will be burnt with jealousness.
"Done Mr.Singhania, what do you think only you can flirt in front of your wife" she was giving herself a self-praising speech when she suddenly felt a pull on her waist and bare shoulder. She bumped back into a hard frame, and found herself in her husband's arms as he held her from behind in front of all. His one hand was on her bare back, passing through her shoulder, her arms and finally holding her hand. He had a determined smile on his face as he turned her in his arms. Raghav had watched Saakshya dance with Kalpi closely as his hands brushed against the bare skin of her shoulders sometimes, and as he put his hands on her waist, watched Kalpi going close to Saakshya, heard their conversation and then saw Kalpi kissing him. "And that's it" he had resolved to end this teasing session then and there, feeling it has gone too far now. In quick steps he had reached his wife and taken her in his arms, where she belonged taking everyone by surprise except Sammy.
"Pardon me Sammy Sir, but why are you smiling again, now?" Sonal asked Sammy as she watched the other side of Raghav Singhania. Her friend was now completely enveloped in her boss's arms as even air had seemingly stopped passing between them. "You won't understand, you don't know Raghav yet. Everything is well between them and like I'd said it will end with love only, it has ended with love" Sammy said.
"But he...I mean..." Sonal faltered, unable to understand the sudden expressive passion she had seen for the first time in Raghav's eyes. "Do not worry Sonal" Maya interjected, "you will find your friend in one happy piece only. Be happy, at least they will spend sometime together now".
"But you were the one who was so close to Raghav Sir all the time?" Sonal accused her.
"That was only because Rags wanted to make Kalpi jealous. Believe me Sonal he loves her a lot, after all she is his..." Just then she felt a nudge on her hand by Sammy, who stopped her from revealing Raghav-Kalpi marriage truth to Sonal until Raghav wanted. "After all she is his life" she finished and a silent understanding passed between Sammy, Maya and Saakshya regarding this secret.
"Okay, I am happy if Kalpi is happy" Sonal said, her eyes still on Raghav and Kalpana.
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When Kalpi found herself in Raghav's arms facing him her heart fluttered, but soon she remembered the day's events and she tried to push him away. The more she pushed the closer she got to him as he pulled her more into himself. For some moments bewitched she was lost in his gaze and with Kalpi in his arms, Raghav took them both to first their slippers. Moving them both in circles again, he took them both farther away from rest of the group. Soon they were out of sight of others and out of beach; and Kalpi found herself behind a rock with Raghav. "Missed me?" Raghav asked and Kalpi narrowed her eyes. "I am not talking to you" she replied defiantly, moving her gaze away from his devilishly handsome face.
"Seems someone really missed me" Raghav sighed and moved his hands from her waist to above until he reached the bare skin of her chest and shoulders, satisfied on watching her close her eyes as her chest rose and fell. Placing one finger under Kalpi's chin he made her to face him and she opened her eyes. "I am sorry, but...it is just that I wanted to see your possessive side; and I...I too had missed you the other day when we had met Saakshya for the first time". Kalpi's eyes widened and she hit him lightly on chest "You took revenge" she accused him. He laughed and enveloped her protectively, his hands caressing her hair.
"I am sorry, but I loved this side of yours" he said and kissed on her head, hugging her closely. Feeling the warmth of her husband Kalpi smiled and closed her eyes, letting the blissful feeling in. She hugged him back "I love you Raghav, and I missed you" she said. "I missed you too" he whispered against her neck, kissing her earlobes and neck as his hand caressed her skin all over lightly; "And I love you too" he placed a kiss between her shoulders and neck.
"I love you more than my life, you are my world Kalpi" he said kissing her neck all over, moving like this to the other side he placed another kiss on the other shoulder and neck. Kalpi clutched the white polo T-shirt of Raghav tightly when she felt his lips moving to hers. He took her lips in a full, gentle kiss, nibbling on them and repeating the kiss. They remained in each other's embrace like this for moments afterwards, when Kalpi finally spoke. "Our friends must be waiting for us Raghav. We should go back to them".
"Umm Hmm" Raghav denied and Kalpi raised her head to look into his eyes qquestioningly. "We are going somewhere else" he supplied to her with a crooked smile.
"Somewhere else? But where, and at such short notice, how..." Kalpi panicked and Raghav kept his finger on her lips. "Ssshh...when I am with you, you do not need to worry. We are going to our home only; we are going to our farm house" he told her.
"We have a farm house also? And we'll leave now?" she asked him surprised.
"Obviously we are leaving now. Why do you think I brought my car along?" he said and winked at her naughtily with a grin.
"Hmm, so emergency office work was only a pretext of bringing the car along" Kalpi said crossing her arms.
"When it comes to you, I can make any excuse Kalpi" he said and gave a kiss on her cheek.
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Soon Raghav had sent the driver back home, paying him the expenses of conveyance and Raghav-Kalpi had the car all to themselves. Raghav had informed Sammy that Kalpi will be staying at her Aai's place tonight as an emergency has occurred. Laughing at his friend's excuse, wich was more for the benefit of Sonal than to anyone else Sammy has teased him "Okay...Aai? Emergency? Okay, dude don't worry I understand" he said seriously but Raghav understood the hidden meaning that Sammy was pulling his leg.
Raghav: "Shut Up Sam. Now let me focus on driving".
Sammy: "Of course yes, you have to focus on driving! I know it will be on driving only like in the morning, ha ha", "okay Rags, Bye and take care; see you in office soon".
Raghav: "Sammy...Bye!" Raghav said and cut the call.
Raghav and Kalpi enjoyed each and every minute of the drive with Kalpi excitingly asking about all the beautiful places en route to their farm house. She was happy and excited, like a child and after what seemed like ages she was going to be with her husband, they were with each other even if it was for one night. "Soon we will be together my love" Raghav said holding Kalpi's hand and kissing it, brushing his lips gently on her knuckles for he understood that Kalpi was feeling the same emotions as himself. He made a silent vow to himself that he will do everything to punish Sahil Kapoor as soon as possible, so that they both are freed of these pangs of separation. His thoughts breaking from his wife and Sahil Kapoor only when he heard Kalpi gasp as they drove in the the lush greens and the gates of their farmhouse opened for his car.
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.
Book Talk
Shiv Shakti
