chapter 34
Kamla stares at Kalpi, debating whether to tell her everything or not... Part of her wanted to ease her daughter's pain and explain why Ragav did what he did... Another part of her feared that if she forgave Ragav and he took advantage of it and hurt her again. She shuts her eyes, pleading to God to guide her.
Kalpi looks at her mum and says, "aai, you must be tired... Go to bed. I shall follow soon."
kamla looks at Kalpi, hesitates momentarily, then says, " Kalpi I need to tell you something. I need to explain something." Concerned as she reads the depth of pain in her mother's eyes, anxious, she asks, "aai. What is it? What is the matter?"
Kamla replies, "I want to explain to you why Ragav did what he did. I..." Kalpi shakes her head and interrupts, "aai please don't... There is nothing you can say..." Taking a deep breath, she tries to contain the panic in her heart, thinking... Oh no... Aai please don't say anything... I can't forgive him... Please don't tell me anything that will make me... Oh aai..." Kalpi stands up and says, "I am really tired. I am going to bed." Kamla calls out, "I am responsible for everything that has happened to you." She looks at Kalpi imploringly and says, "please let me explain."
Seeing the pain in her mother's eyes, Kalpi falls on her knees in front of her mother, hugs her tight and says, "aai, never say that. You are not responsible. I want no explanation. You are not responsible!" Kamla stares at Kalpi silently with sad eyes as she realizes that her daughter is not ready to hear the truth. As much as she wanted to unburden herself and tell her daughter all, she doesn't. Instead she smiles sadly and says, "come. Let's go to bed. It is late."
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Ragav silently broods as he nurses his drink... His deepest fears realised... Of Kalpi rejecting him. Cursing himself mentally, he thinks, "I was so stupid to think that after everything I have done to her... That she would accept our marriage or my love... She must hate me so much..." Pacing he tells himself, "I need to do something... But what?" Massaging his forehead, he mutters, "damn these headaches are getting worse."
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One week later
Ragav stares out his office window... Watching the busy street below... people rushing about... Broodingly Wondering if he had done the right thing. He sits back on his chair, his eyes shut, massing his temple.
Maya rushes into Ragav's office, clutching a newspaper in her hand. Ragav looks up, wondering who would intrude. Seeing the distress on Maya's face, Ragav asks instinctively, "is it the baby?" Maya shakes her head, sits on the only empty chair by the desk, places the newspaper on the desk and points to an article. Ragav frowns at first them smiles as he recognises the article, ragav looks at Maya with relief and says, "yes it is true. I gave this interview." Maya asks, "why?" Ragav replies, "I won't force her to be my wife... I won't force her to accept this marriage." Maya looks at him, confusion etched on her face, says, "why are you smiling? What is going on in that head of yours." Not wanting to respond, Ragav chooses to look out of the window.
Meanwhile at the chawl, Kamla maa reads ragav's interview with the same distress Maya felt. She looks towards Kalpi debating on what to say. She calls for Kalpi to come sit next to her and says, "Kalpi I need to tell you something about Ragav." "Aai stop," Kalpi interrupts. Shaking her head, Kamla ignores her and says, "My soul can't handle this burden any longer. Please Kalpu, jaan, will you not let your mother unburden herself to you." Tearing up, Kalpi hugs her mother and says, "I am sorry aai, I am being selfish. You can tell me anything you want." Tears fall, Kamla lovingly caresses Kalpi's face and says, "it is I who is selfish jaan, not you."
"I lied in court that Ragav's father killed Ragav's mother. The courts believed me and Ragav's father was sentenced to jail. Ragav baba told me it was not true, but I thought what does a child know. I thought I was helping Neetu ma'am get justice for the murder of her best friend. Afterwards I found out it was all a lie, that she had died in an accident. The Singhania's wanted to usurp his wealth. I went to Ragav babaand that is when I found out that his father suffered a heart attack when the verdict was released and died on the way to the hospital. Kalpi I have lived with this burden for so long. I snatched ragav'sfatherfrom him because of my lies..." Wanting to reassure her mother that it is not her fault, Kalpi caresses her shoulder and says, "aai, it is not your fault. Your intentions were inthe right place."
Kamla smiled sadly and says, "I know beta. There is a way for me to right my wrong to a certain extent." Kalpi looks at her mum in confusion, asks, "how?" "I have done my best to make sure the Kapoors dont usurp Ragav's inhertence. I stole and hid the files with the hope that when Ragav comes back he would find them. I did not know where he had gone, so could not send it to him. You can help him." I don't understand," kalpi says. Kamla hands her the newspaper, says, "this will help you understand" and walks away.
Note
Sorry guys for the excruciating slow update.
Edited by angelpureness - 10 years ago
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