Due to length of update, the TRP Party shall now be shown in next Part's update. No proof-reading at all, therefore sorry for any grammatical, language or typing errors.
PART-16
It was a very ordinary day for Kalpi on shoot the next day, though it had started on a unique yet not completely different note. She had found herself looking now and then to the doors of her vanity van in the morning. The more she thought if Raghav would continue his daily morning ritual of gifts to her or he would only find a new way of giving those gifts, the more her breaths became faster. It had been whole ten minutes since she had arrived on the sets now. In another ten minutes her make-up & styling staff would come after being assured of Kalpi being settled now. But there was still no sign of Raghav, "wait but what exactly am I doing? Am I really waiting for him, apprehending his visit or merely finding it strange"; thinking so, unknowingly she lifted her left hand to touch her cheek. Maybe her cheeks had become accustomed to Raghav's daily kisses now, and remembering those moments a soft pink blush spread on them. She was still smiling to herself subconsciously when the click of the door broke her trance and she sat straight, staring ahead to see who was it. It was infact Raghav, carrying Prasad in one hand and a soft, mystifying smile on his face.
He chuckled internally to see Kalpi's expressions when he found her looking right at the door. He just knew that Kalpi was waiting for him only, though she may not have realized this herself for now. Raghav tilted his head to one side and gave Kalpi a crooked smile; his eyes & expressions telling her that he knew Kalpi was waiting for him only.Kalpi narrowed her eyes in reply and turned her face away from Raghav in anger. He only shook his head and smiled, thinking: "I know you'll never admit Kalpi. But I will never make your wait a prolonged one" and walked towards Kalpi's seat. She was aware of Raghav coming closer but refused to acknowledge him, "let's see what you intend to do and what you will do Mr.Singhania" she thought. The next thing she knew, Raghav held both her hands gently and made her stand. Surprised by this soft gesture Kalpi forgot that she was supposed to resist him, and ended up looking into Raghav's smiling eyes which never left hers. First he gave her the prasad, as he always did and waited till she ate it.
Kalpana's curious eyes were looking into his again, diverting their gaze only when she noticed Raghav pulling out something from the inner pockets of his jacket. Captivated by the continuous change of expressions on Kalpi's eyes, Raghav looked on with interest as he let his hands introduce a white rose between them. He watched in fascination at Kalpana's widened eyes when she looked that rose. "A white rose!" understanding the significance of that rose, the fascination in Raghav's eyes was now reflected in Kalpi's. She looked back at Raghav and found him keenly observing her, giving her a soft, but crooked smile again Raghav took few steps to come closer to her. Kalpi was again moving away from him, walking backwards when holding both her hands gently Raghav pulled her towards him. He brought both her hands to his lips and kissed them. Feeling the soft welcoming warmth of his lips on her hands, Kalpi gulped. But Raghav surprised her by releasing her hands just then. He looked at the white rose in his hands and lifting his hand, caressed Kalpi's left cheek softly with it. The touch of the soft petals against her own soft skin had Kalpi closing her eyes & Raghav proceeded to caress her other cheek with the rose. The flower moved on her skin very gently from her cheekbone, to the skin near her ears below, her cheeks and then down. It was magical, he had not touched her just as promised, but at the same time he had found a new method of his sweet torture. When Kalpi sensed the loss of touch on her skin she opened her eyes to find Raghav's eyes focused on her. Cupping one of her cheeks he bent down his head to bring his lips closer and closer to Kalpi's face. "Ra..." She started to say something while closing her eyes tightly once more only to be interrupted by Raghav. "Shush", Raghav didn't let Kalpi complete her objections. "I hadn't made this promise honey" he continued before whispering in her ear "you cannot stop me honey, this is my right." Kalpi gritted her teeth on hearing Raghav's logic thinking "is he serious, what right?"
She started to make some move to go away from Raghav's reach when she felt his hand cupping her right cheek to bring her face closer. He placed a kiss on her left cheek and then holding her by shoulders, kissed the other one. Kalpi opened her eyes and stared at Raghav angrily, "what?" he asked. "You give me those deadly looks every day. But other than those bites by your tongue, you seem quite harmless to me. You never stop me truly, you do realize this don't you honeybee?" he finished with a steely gaze this time on Kalpi and she realized he was trying to control his anger. Then his angry gaze found her lips and he smirked. Kissing the white rose first, he placed it on Kalpi's lips and her eyes widened; and even more when she saw him leaning towards her lips again. But the rose was still on her lips and he had held her firmly by arms. Raghav closed his eyes and with the rose still on Kalpis lips, he placed a kiss on the rose. His action had left Kalpi in a daze for a few seconds as her senses tried to gather what he did. He kept his promise, yet made every action so sensuous. "Not that lip-kiss was involved in his promise" she recollected, but was grateful to him for trying his best to maintain that physical distance between them. She needed it very much and she could only stare after him as smirking, he turned to leave.
He was about to step out when Kalpi called out after him "I am not honey, certainly not yours at least" she blurted out. Raghav turned his face towards Kalpi again and smiling replied "I only took your first name?"
"First name?" she frowned, "My first name is Kalpana, not Honey!"
"I know hon" Raghav continued "But you are my honeybee. So for me it is your first name" he winked at her and she gasped in protest. "Bye honeybee, see you soon" he chuckled and went away leaving a startled Kalpi behind.
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It stopped at just that though, the rest of the day saw Raghav immersing himself in his business-related works in the confines of his vanity van whenever they got some some free time. On the other days, Raghav used to make sure to find some time to tease Kalpi, to be with her and to gel with rest of the team. At least the lunchtimes were especially marked for Raghav and Kalpi's cute fights and teasings with each other. It was not that he had ignored his business altogether, he was always in touch with the ongoing activities in his company. Someone or other from Singhania Group always used to make visits once or twice a day; either to take essentials signatures from Raghav or to give him urgent files to read. Usually Raghav could be seen sitting the team, head down on his laptop but senses always on alert where Kalpi was concerned. But this day was very different, Raghav was always back in his van in his free time, reading files, talking on phone and laptop continuously supporting him.
Even the lunchtime had seen him taking a quite lunch inside the van only. His body language and gestures clearly showed the top businessman-the Raghav Singhania in him that day. Every action and gesture of Raghav showed a different kind of dominance and thus, no body could dare ask him or say anything to him. For others it seemed to be an effort to manage business and acting together on Raghav's part, maybe it was something very important which demanded his attention that day. But Kalpi knew the reason behind it and she felt it too. Never ever had she thought that she'll miss Raghav in lunchtime and yet she did. She had the company of her other loving colleagues and staff, team-members but still she missed fighting with Raghav, getting teased by him, retaliating and give him a befitting reply. "Not that I am going to admit it to him" she had smiled and left out a small sigh as she finished her lunch.
It was almost dark and that busy day was going to be over in two-three hours more and Kalpi had found herself still thinking about Raghav. For the first time since Raghav's return in Kalpi's life, her heart was wishing things to be different. Something inside her churned and crushed her between what her heart wanted; and the beliefs in the perceptions of her adamant mind. She realised and repeated her thoughts again and again in her mind "I want to...my heart wants to change my past. I wish to erase that scar in our past & in our so-called relation. I wish everything was of a different colour of white or red, not black and blue", "Oh Raghav, how I wish I could throw the thoughts of you being guilty out of my mind. My heart is pushing my mind towards believing in your innocence. It is urging me to reconsider, to know you more, to allow you inside me more, to not resist you. But you're already so much inside me despite my resistance; you want to make me change everything. You make me wish to forget myself and remember only you, your truth which you'd so loudly wanted to throw at my face yesterday. But what should I do of my fear, fear of losing myself and fear of losing from you. What if you were...?", "No, No I would not be able to take it, this is all I have and I always had with you all my life. Oh Raghav it is not easy for me to let go of my urges to win from you always. I feel as if I would lose my identity if I lose from you. If I let go of this anger against you, I'll want to blow you up with my questions Raghav, which I had always buried in me. Yet if your replies tell me you were innocent, my heart will force myself to believe in your innocence. Then I realize I have another fear of you hurting me again. That you'll break my trust again; so many fears, questions, dilemmas and no solution. I hate you Raghav, I hate you. I..."
"No, I have to be strong. I will be strong" Kalpi decided with some determination. She closed her eyes to regain her focus and was about to re-enter her van as she walked back from her shot when she felt a tap on her shoulder. "Mom wants to talk to you" she turned and found Raghav standing with an extended arm to hand her his cell-phone. "Me?" she asked & Raghav blinked his eyes in reply.
The happiness of talking to her Taai, her Gauri Aunty after so many years soon took her over as tears of joy filled her eyes. Raghav had left Kalpi alone as she conversed over phone with his Mom; he knew how important both the mothers were for both of them.
"Hello? Goodevening Gauri Aunty" Kalpi said with a hoarse voice. "Goodevening my child and you know I always prefer Taai from your mouth. I am like your mother Kalpi" Gauri said from the other end. She too was overwhelmed, how she had wanted to get one glimpse of her Kalpi, to hear her voice just once. But their childrens' hidden but broken bridges had damaged every road of communication between the two families too. It was hard to come to terms for Gauri to not see Kamla's family in her home again; to not share their sorrows and moments of joys with each other, to not celebrate the light of every festival together. But just like Kamla she too had reconciled with the situation. During the period of her illness, she had often wondered if in this lifetime she'd get to see or hear of Jadhavs again. But fate and God had been kind it seems, for here she was letting her ears get lost in the sweetness of this girl's voice. Just like Kamla considered Raghav her son, Gauri too considered Kalpi her daughter; and had often dreamt of becoming her mother-in-law. She and Kamla had sensed the hidden unavoidable affection both the children shared with each other. They had discreetly observed Raghav and Kalpi taking stands for each other, in each other's absence, in front of a third person. It just came out from their hearts and it was a loving scene for both the mothers to see their children become defensive for their supposed favourite enemy. Now, Gauri intended to do everything she could to not let go Kalpi again from their lives.
"Yes Taai, I remember. I am sorry, how are you Taai? I missed you so much and my favourite Chhole-Bhature also. You know I had not eaten Chhole Bhature again since so many years, until the day you sent it for my lunch. Thank You so much Taai. I miss..." Kalpi said it all out in one breath while wiping tears from her eyes and Gauri smiled. "Okay, okay beta. Now don't start crying and stop making me emotional also" Gauri said while battling her own tears. "You still haven't changed, and it feels good to have a loving daughter like you. I'll promise to feed you Chhole-Bhature once a week if you give me one promise" Gauri said.
"Really? You would Taai? You know I cannot say no to you, whatever you want consider it done and I would wait for my favourite dish" Kalpi said cheerfully. Gauri chuckled, "you will get your next installment of Chhole-Bhature soon I promise. But not like this, first listen to what I want from you, okay?"
"Umm, okay" now Kalpi bit her lower lip, sensing her Taai wanted something special and she wished it was not related to Raghav.
Gauri: "I want you to promise me to visit Singhania Mansion day after tomorrow for dinner Kalpi; and I don't want to hear no. This is so unfair, Kamla gets to feed her son and I am still unable to shower my love on you."
Kalpi's mouth was agape for a few seconds with this demand of Gauri as she fought her inner-self. Singhania Mansion had too many memories of her and Raghav, mostly too eventful but still they were special, she knew. She was not sure if she'd be able to handle it, becoming weak was the last thing she wanted now. "But how to say no to Taai" she tried once to make Gauri understand her point of view. "But Taai, I cannot..."
"No Kalpi you have to come and visit me. No visit, no Chhola-Bhatura; and no further talks between us. If you say no, I'll think you do not love me anymore" Gauri was adamant to not budge this time. "Oh no" even though Kalpi was fighting to remain at a safe distance from anything related to Raghav, but she hadn't in her to break Gauri Taai's heart; or to force herself away from her Taai anymore now that they are back in each other's lives. "When I can work with Raghav, then I should not keep my love for Taai on the backburner" thinking so she decided to give in. "Okay Taai, I will come. Nothing is more important than you" Kalpi finished with a smile.
"Fine then, I would wait for the whole Jadhav family on dinner the day after" Gauri said, smiling now and satisfied. She was already looking forward to this reunion and she was sure, her son would be happy too. It was impossible for her to let go of the peace and satisfying smile on Raghav's face, now that it has returned after so many years. Gauri was not wrong, Raghav was happy; standing some meters away he had observed each and every expression on Kalpana's face while she talked with his Mom. To see a glimpse of old times and old Kalpana, he could have given anything and here because of his Mom he had seen it. Though unaware of his mother's invitation yet, but he just knew this reunion of his mother and Kalpi was a good thing; and he loved it.
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Next day Kalpi woke up to the phone call by her director Mr.Roy. Apparently he had made slight changes to the script of commercial, thinking it would be a good idea if Kalpi too could be a part of the commercial. It would not only promote RagNa Jodi & their show but may also work in favour of Singhania Group's new products. Thus now Kalpi was to reach the sets of the shoot earlier than others, read the script and prepare for her small role. Mr.Roy was assured that it would not be difficult for Kalpi to catch up.
Thus, it was 8A.M., and Kalpi was sitting on the location of shoot, a set designed next to the sets of their show to avoid wastage of time and inconvenience. Her role was to come almost in the end of the commercial. Even though it was for a few seconds but it was noticeable plus important. She watched the preparations in full swing and by the time Raghav and Sapna reached, they were almost complete. There were some last minute detailing and explanation given by the director to the trio and they were all ready. Kalpi sat and observed as Raghav and Sapna did last minute rehearsals just before the shoot started. Thereafter Mr.Roy and Raghav went to take some of Raghav's exclusive shots. Only a few people were allowed inside as a bedroom and bathroom set was made. It was the commercial for an entire cosmetics and men-care range, so the team had planned a series of short scenes for that purpose. First it was a shower shot of Raghav where he was shown taking a bath by their men hair & bodywash; thereafter they shot him getting ready & using the men's fairness creams, undereye cream and a gel for hair. His look was completed with the spray a perfume for men.
The next scene was to be shot with Sapna, who was till now sitting with Kalpi. Sapna was very nervous and was constantly mugging up, rehearsing her lines sitting next to Kalpi. Soon Raghav came there and Sapna was called out to give her shot with Raghav. The set-up was that of a high-class hotel and the look was completed by using many junior artists as guests and staff of that hotel. Needless to say, more beautiful girls were there than boys as per the requirement of the commercial. Kalpi sat watching it all from her chair, she knew all the girls were there to act all attracted to and drooling over Raghav. But going by the looks and sounds of it, the girls needn't act at all. She'd overheard some of them talking amongst themselves: "he is so hot right?", "ya, I know. We are so lucky; who needs to act to be attracted to Raghav Singhania?" and they had giggled shamelessly while Kalpi watched one of them showing to the others Raghav's photos in her cellphone. It had all taken its toll on Kalpi and by the time Sapna went to give the shot, Kalpi was having an unexplained anxiety attack all of a sudden. Her heart was beating loudly and she was feeling suffocated. Unable to trace out the reason behind it still, she got up from her chair. Making some distance between her and the centrestage of the set where Raghav and Sapna stood, Kalpi watched them. Her both hands had formed tight fists as she recollected Sapna's cheesy lines. So lost was she that when Sammy came there to see the shoot progress and greeted Kalpana, she jumped.
"Hello Kalpana, how are you? It's good to meet you again" Sammy said extending his hand. He had noticed Kalpana's intense focus on Raghav and Sapna; and could only smile to himself. He had guessed the reason behind this and the frowned look on Kalpi's face. As far as Sammy was concerned, it was a good sign. This meant somewhere Kalpi did reciprocated Raghav's feelings but was unable to recognize and accept it till now. "For that matter even for my best buddy, Delhi is far away" he thought sarcastically. Now when he saw Kalpi startled and jumping, he quickly masked his feelings when she faced him. Deciding to just watch the two people in concern for the timebeing, he didn't react much.
"Hello Sammy Sir, I am fine. How are you doing?" Kalpi composed herself and took Sammy's extended palm in a handshake. "Happy to meet you also" she said and stole a quick gaze towards Raghav & Sapna."I am fine Kalpana, and you can call me Sammy. No need to be so formal with me" Sammy said. She gave Sammy a small smile in response, adding "Thanks." Her whole focus back on the shoot again. "I see some shots have already been done with. Let's see how well Raghav-Sapna's scenes go."
Sammy watched Kalpi's reaction and saw her letting out a loud breath. "Hmm, I am also watching the same" she replied absentmindedly. "By the way Kalpana, I am happy you are also a part of the shoot. I am a big fan of your and Raghav's Pair" Sammy commented as casually as possible, while his inners were doing a somersault to see Kalpi's reaction to this one. Since the time he had arrived here, for the first time Sammy saw sparks in Kalpi's eyes. Turning her face towards Sammy, her eyes filled with a gleam of excitement and happiness Kalpi asked him: "Really? You like our pair? Do we look good together?"
Sammy: "Oh you both are fire together. No wonder the public loves the show so much and Mr.Roy included you in this commercial."
Sammy's words seemed to have some soothing effect on Kalpi and he saw her body relax a bit as a smile played on her lips. "Thank You" was all she replied; and this time Sammy did not continue their conversation ahead. He wanted to give Kalpi her time to take in these feelings she seemed to be fighting with, to understand at least One Per Cent of them. Soon shoot started and Raghav started walking. He was to seemingly walk towards the restaurant while all the girls gasped and drooled over him. It was Sapna's turn to enter and Raghav was stopped midway as Sapna held his hand. "Hi Handsome, remember me?" she said her lines seductively while placing his other arm on her waist and breathing in his perfume. She had moved one of her fingers on Raghav's one cheek while saying so. Kalpi was gritting her teeth in frustration, her brows furrowed. Sammy watched Kalpi while he rested one of his elbows on his other arms. Trying to hide his amusement at the obvious jealousnes Kalpi was feeling, which she hadn't accepted till now he kept on watching her. She muttered "what was the need to make it so seductive." She would have continued with this anger battle, had her name not been called out. "It's your turn Ma'am" someone said and she realized her scene was about to come. Remembering what she was to do in that scene, she smiled at last.
There, Raghav replied to Sapna with a smirk, "I don't forget beautiful girls." Saying so he was about to hug Sapna when Kalpi was to stop him from doing so by placing her hand on his shoulder. She did exactly that and Raghav turned; first surprised look then a smile on his face when he saw Kalpi. "He is mine"Kalpi said, her arm now holding Raghav's arm but gaze on Sapna. She then turned her attention to Raghav, very lightly she placed her soft palm on Raghav's cheek. Her eyes were now looking right into Raghav's.
In that moment, Raghav felt something different in her gaze; he didn't know the reason but he felt that Kalpi was not playing her character but herself then. Kalpi did as per their director's instructions, but added her own touches to it. Instead of just turning Raghav's face more towards herself, she lightly caressed his cheek. It had taken all of the acting talent inside Raghav to not show the look of surprise on his face because he knew what the original script was. For those few, quick seconds Kalpi's palm lightly passed his rough cheek and chin, caressing his face partially. She then turned his face towards herself and standing on her toes slightly, placed a kiss on his other cheek. The feel of his cheek against her lips felt so nice to her, which surprised her no end and she let her lips touch him a few seconds more. There, Raghav's breath had almost caught in his throat when he felt Kalpi's lingered kiss and his hand automatically went on to hold Kalpi by her waist.
The next line Kalpi was to say now, but she had other changed plans and she had surprised the entire unit. Mr.Roy was staring with his mouth agape at what was happening, but didn't interfere.He could see the success of this commercial being a sured thing now. Kalpi's palm left Raghav's cheek but not before she moved his face closer and then her lips kissed his other cheek; this time more possessive. They were now looking into each other's eyes as Raghav's heart jumped in joy, ready to dance. The feel of her soft lips against him was out of this world, and he heard Kalpi saying her next line now. This time he understood that it was his Kalpi, his honeybee, the real Kalpi who was hidden even from Kalpana herself. To the previous lines of "He Is Mine" Kalpi added "All Mine, My Man" and her eyes softened for a few seconds. The meaning of those lines seemingly like a balm on her anger and she felt calm at once. But their little trance was broken when they heard Mr.Roy-the Director's voice.
Mr.Roy: "Superb, Excellent, Mindblowing job", "Raghav and Sapna you both were excellent, and Kalpana what an improvement in the scene. I am telling you Raghav your products are all successful with this commercial." His voice was like a reality alert to Kalpi, her eyes widened for a split second and only three people noticed this- Raghav, Sammy and Sapna. Raghav and Sammy had some idea of the reason and they knew that Kalpi would be back to her stubborn mode soon. But Sapna was confused, in a span of few days she had a question bank ready for her best friend. Soon the formal exchanges and congratulations were exchanged while Kalpi avoided seeing in Raghav's eyes all the time. "Shit, what have I done? Now he's got another issue to tease me about; and why did I do this? Why was I so angry at seeing Raghav's proximity with Sapna?", "Was I jealous? Why, and, it can't be." As different thoughts played in her mind, Kalpi could not ignore this feeling of peace in her soul, after what all she did. Internally she was smiling and outwardly she was embarrassed. After bidding Bye to Sapna with a hug, she was leaving for her own show's sets. This was when Raghav called her "Kalpi, I want to talk to you."
She turned towards him, knowing they were still to shoot together all day and she cannot avoid him altogether. "But I can't; not now Raghav? Please?" she pleaded and went away after Raghav agreed to her request, nodding his head. "Sammy, I want to discuss some office-work with you. Meet me in my vanity van" Raghav said and he walked away too, without giving a backward glance. Sammy and Sapna, the two people who were left staring after their respective best friends sighed and looked at each other, before shaking their heads.
POSSIBLE GLIMPSES OF NEXT UPDATE: Kalpi-Sapna conversation, Raghav and Sammy mini-conversation and TRP Party.
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.
PART-17(1)
CID
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
