PART-18
She only wanted mental peace and break of a few hours from Raghav after a hectic day's and mentally tiring day at shoot. It was just the previous night that Kalpana and Raghav had shared some intimate moments at the party. Raghav had said sorry in a message and Kalpana had mentally blabbered and complained no end. "First he makes me feel this way and then says SORRY! Humph, as if that would undo everything and reverse the way I feel for him" Kalpi had thought and then blushingly hid her face in the pillow. Thankfully Kamla had slept in the other room that night; else it would have been hard for Kalpi to hide her feelings from her mother. Then there was her work, which required Kalpi to feel Raghav's presence almost continuously non-stop for a few hours.
Thankfully Raghav had managed to keep a reasonable distance from Kalpana, maybe he again wanted to give some space to Kalpi. But their scenes together always brought Kalpana closer to Raghav. Kalpana's inner turmoil regarding Raghav's truth and wish to give her heart a chance had only added on to the burden of realization of her feelings for Raghav. Day by day Raghav was breaking walls around her heart and with each passing day she was coming closer to him, what it was exactly Kalpana could not figure out. But one thing was for sure; Raghav Singhania had or was on his way to become the most important man in her life after her brother. The thought itself still scared Kalpi, and now she along with her family was going to the Singhania Mansion for dinner.
Even though she was excited to meet her Gauri Taai again after so many years, but her attachment with Singhania Mansion over-ruled her excitement. Kalpi was not too happy at the thought of meeting Gauri at Singhania Mansion rather than somewhere else. But then she was her Taai and Kalpi could not say no to her. As it is, keeping distance from her all these years in itself was heartbreaking, for her and for her Aai too. Now Kalpi didn't want to be the cause of tears to either her mother or her Gauri Taai. "But that mansion, so many memories are attached with it, all related to Raghav somehow" Kalpi thought as their car turned in the gates of Singhania Mansion. It was her Pakhya Dada who drove the car. As the car stopped in front of the main doors of the house, one of the servants took keys from Pakhya to park the car in parking. "I am impressed" exclaimed Pakhya. "Raghav is surely doing well both in business & at home" Pakhya was praising Raghav observing some improvements in not only the exteriors of Singhania Mansion but also at the well-trained staff of Singhania Mansion. "What Dada, please stop praising Raghav" Kalpi said slightly irritated to think she still has a long way to go before she reaches somewhere around where Raghav is professionally.
"Tu bhi na Kalpi, bachpan se hi Raghav se teri khaas dushmani hai (Kalpi you too, since childhood you have a special enmity for Raghav). I still do not understand how you two act as leads opposite each other in the show" Pakhya said and Kalpi stared annoyingly at her brother."Right, it is acting and we both are good professionals Dada. Don't think too much" Kalpi said while praying for someone to open the door soon enough as she rung the doorbell. Pakhya was about to say something when the door opened and they saw Gauri standing on the doorway with a wide smile adorning her face. She welcomed Kamla, Kalpi and Pakhya warmly; Kalpi could see a hint of tears in her eyes. "It's been a long wait" Gauri said as she hugged Kamla and Kalpi tightly and ushered them in. "I have waited for so many years for this day to come again. But even now, your daughter wasn't ready to come"Gauri said to Kamla while eyeing Kalpi accusingly. Kalpi lowered her eyes first and then holding ears said a silent "Sorry" to Gauri. Standing up Gauri caressed Kalpi's head as she made her stand also and looked at her from head to toe lovingly "My child, do you know how much I have missed you? How much I yearned for you Kalpu my child? But you took away this mother's right in your fight with Raghav. Why?" Gauri said and this time Kalpi also couldn't control herself. Hugging her Taai tightly Kalpi many times said sorry, "Sorry Taai, I know I did wrong. But, it's just that I was afraid of hurting you or myself. I..." but before she could complete her sentence Gauri silenced her.
"Sssh, parents are always with their children even if they are away. No need to say sorry and if you really want to make up for it, then I will forgive you on one condition" Gauri said, her eyes glinting as she looked at Kamla to give her a hint. Kamla just smiled understanding what Gauri was about to do next. "What is it Taai, I will do anything for your happiness" Kalpi said her doe-shaped eyes widened like a child as she waited for Gauri to speak again. "Give a chance to your and Raghav's friendship. I want to see peace between both of you so that I get to see more of my old friend" Gauri said while Kalpi looked at Gauri with her mouth agape. "Everything is fine now between us Taai, sachchi, believe me" Kalpi said. "Is it? Then you'll have no problem in going up and calling Raghav downstairs. Can you please go and see what is he doing? Tell him that all of us are waiting for him" Gauri told Kalpi, who was startled to hear this order by her Taai.
Kalpi opened her mouth to refuse but Gauri didn't listen to her, "No, you said everything is fine between you two. So you must not be having any objection. I am hoping you still remember the rooms well" Gauri said and sent Kalpi upstairs.
Seeing no other option, Kalpi bowed down her head and started climbing the stairs slowly with heavy steps, watching the photo-frames from Raghav's childhood hanging on the wall alongside. She was too engrossed in reliving her and Raghav's childhood in those pictures that she missed the silent look which passed between their two mothers. Kamla had blinked her eyes in understanding at Gauri, knowing the significance of this action. Gauri wanted Kalpi to unlock her childhood memories, to face them, relive them and emerge stronger, in a hope that this process shall also make her realize Raghav's importance in her life. Besides their two children did needed to spend some time alone and not just with their families, because in the end it would be their own personal friction which might bring positive results.
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After climbing an uphill of emotions, Kalpana came to stand outside the room which was witness to Raghav and Kalpana's first clash, the toy room. So many years had passed and nine years old Kalpi had grown into a beautiful, young, mature woman but the memory was still afresh in her heart Kalpi realized. In fact the more she got closer to Raghav in her present, more Kalpana realized that her attempts to forget Raghav and his memories were all futile. She could never keep anything related to him away from herself, be it his memories, her wish to leave her idol behind, be it hatred for him or even good feelings for him, the ones which Raghav had invoked in a teenage Kalpana with his kiss. No body and nothing could come in-between them and her heart's store, not even she herself.
Sub-consciously Kalpi walked into that toy room, it had changed but not completely. The toys which were a gift from Raghav's father to him were still there, placed alongside some of Gauri's gifts which she'd given to him on his Birthdays. Even that broken doll's house was still there, which was the cause of the first change in Raghav and Kalpana's relation. Kalpi gently passed her hand on that house and on other toys, chuckling to remember how Gauri had refused to use that room for any other purpose. It was on Raghav's twenty-first (21st) birthday, Kalpana was sixteen years old then. An embarrassed Raghav had requested his mother to change the decoration of that toy's room and use it for some other purpose.
Even on his birthday due to that room Raghav could not escape some teasing by his friends. "My friends laugh at this" Raghav had said. "No, not at all. I know you too want to keep your father's memories with you. So no question of any change arises. Besides, I have decided that this room would be used for your children now" Gauri had replied in a firm tone, earning an exclamation from Raghav. "Mom!"Raghav had almost shouted, embarrassed and angry because he could see a silently giggling Kalpana behind his mother. He'd given an angry glare to Kalpi, who had teased Raghav some more by sticking out her tongue. "Leave it na Taai, please do what he says. Who girl in the right frame of her mind would marry this khadoos and who is a kid still from his mind! So it is better you discard your plans now only, better than breaking your heart later on. Ha ha ha" Kalpi had said and then ran away from Raghav who was running to catch her now.
"You little kitten! I'll show you what Raghav Singhania can do; I will bring a beautiful & intelligent wife for myself. Then you'll have double competition in this house, me and my wife...ha ha ha!" Raghav had carried forward their little fight and Kalpi had narrowed her eyes. "Whatever! But no girl can compete with Kalpana Jadhav too! Your wife will compete with me, not me with her! Got it?" ending their little run Kalpi had challenged Raghav, her finger pin-pointing him. Raghav had stood cross-armed in front of Kalpi and eyed her amusingly. "We will see kitten" he had said, "All the best!" and they both had shook hands.
Then they both turned their backs towards each other. Kamla and Gauri had looked on to their children before looking back at one another. Their little challenge was a source of great entertainment for both the mothers, because both had dreamt of Raghav and Kalpi as a married couple in future. Sighing Gauri had only said "You see, I see; but I can only hope that in future our children also see what we can. They are perfect for each other." Kamla had agreed, nodding her head"they will realize one day Taai, they will."
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"And now time to take the bull by horns" Kalpi thought as she stood outside the room adjacent to the toys'-room. It was Raghav's bedroom and Kalpi breathed in and out a number of times to let go of the nervousness she was feeling at the thought of going inside Raghav's bedroom. Not that when they were in talking terms, they didn't enter each others' bedrooms, they did. They were too close and their Moms trusted both of them too much, and they always kept their trust. But this time it was different, earlier it was either on Gauri or Kamla's insistence for some work or other; or when both of them did self-studies together as downstairs their Moms bonded in kitchen. The study-room was downstairs Kalpana remembered, where Kamla used to tutor Raghav and Kalpana too. But when it came to self-study Raghav had his own mood and most often he chose his own bedroom. Kalpana was sent to study with Raghav, always against her will. Gauri & Kamla knew that due to this express disliking for each other Raghav and Kalpana would not misuse that time. Thus, in order to avoid the other both Raghav & Kalpana completely focused on their studies with their backs to each other. Though this was how most of the time Raghav got to know about Kalpana's requirements also, when it came to observing Kalpi, Raghav had an eagle's eye.
But after their discovery of attraction for each other eight years ago, and pursuing separation Kalpana had not entered this room. Now, when both of them were too aware of their explosive chemistry and biology, Kalpi was scared. Blushing she closed her eyes on remembering the moments in her own bedroom when Raghav had visited their home. "You can do it, you can do it. It's only the matter of calling a bull downstairs and then I'll run back down", "oh but such a sexy and passionate bull" she giggled mentally as her cheeks reddened when she thought about how handsome Raghav was, and effect of his touches and kisses on her. "Wait, what am I thinking? Bull? Sexy? Oh gosh Kalpi you've gone mad completely! But I am right, I wonder what did Raghav do in these eight years to grow into such a hot man.No doubt girls drool over him, but I don't like it" Kalpi's thoughts almost ended on a frown. Just then she heard Gauri calling out for her and asking if she called Raghav or not. "Just calling Taai" Kalpi answered back and hit her forehead on the way her thoughts were going. "Shut up Kalpi, if Raghav gets to know about your thoughts he will seduce you more. Better hide this from him", thinking so Kalpi knocked on the door of Raghav's bedroom, but there was no answer from inside. She knocked twice more and when there was still no answer Kalpi held the doorknob. To her surprise, the door was open so Kalpi decided to enter without permission. She was used to barge in without permission even before.
Kalpi stepped inside the room and looked around for Raghav. He wasn't there but in the process she got lost in memories again. The walls of Raghav's room were full of pictures, right since his childhood to now. Amongst so many others Kalpi spotted so many of her own with him, also since her childhood to now, their show. There was one of their theater days and as Kalpi stepped closer to it, she felt tears biting her eyes. It was a shot of one of their plays where Raghav and she were in the same scene; and Raghav was holding her. She caressed the frame emotionally, but then her eyes widened when she saw one of her individual photos. It was amongst other frames, between Gauri and Kamla's photos. Kalpi's surprise was no bounds because it was of one of her photo-shoots, during the period of their separation. "Does that mean he was interested in knowing about me?" Kalpi thought but then the voice coming from television in the room caught Kalpi's attention when she heard some familiar voices.
Their commercial was on air and Kalpi was glued to the TV set, watching Raghav intently. Knowing fully well that his affect on girls was just the same in real life, as shown in the commercial. She noticed every move of Raghav as he moved like a lion and herds of girls eyed him as if he was a feast. By now Kalpi was biting her nails when she watched Sapna and Raghav's part, frowning and remembering her jealousness in that shot. The moment she uttered the changed dialogue on-screen, Kalpi's cheeks were red to think she gave a good reason always to Raghav to prove him right. "I don't like losing from him still though" she thought sadly, trying to figure out herself and her feelings. So transfixed was she in watching the commercial that she didn't notice the bathroom door open.
Oblivious to Kalpi's presence in the room Raghav came out shirtless wearing only his dark blue jeans. He was busy applying his body spray and cologne when he saw Kalpi in the mirror. Surprised he turned back to be sure he wasn't dreaming; that Kalpana was in fact in his bedroom. She seemed to be glued to where she stood, and so were her eyes, looking at something on TV intently. Raghav's eyes followed Kalpi's gaze and smirked when he saw what was taking Ms. Kalpana Vitthal Jadhav's complete attention: their television commercial. "Hmm, so something more is going on in my honeybee's heart and mind" Raghav thought and silently he started moving towards Kalpi.
Watching Kalpi biting her nails as Sapna was shown, Raghav was amused. Standing right behind Kalpi he tapped her on shoulder, but she didn't notice. Raghav tapped her shoulder again, this time not gently and slid one hand around her waist, whispering in her ear "watching us?"
Kalpana was startled with the sudden jolt of electricity she felt on Raghav's unexpected touch. He had not only shocked Kalpi with his voice but also sent shivers down her spine with his touch. Even though she was already glued to where she stood, but now Kalpi felt herself freezing. "Tell me which is the most interesting part in this commercial? Sapna? Or us? For me it was your kisses honeybee" Raghav said now nuzzling in Kalpi's neck. Kalpi closed her eyes, she could feel Raghav's tightened hold on her as he whispered "I want more kisses from you. Won't you kiss me today honey?" and Kalpi's heartbeat stopped. "Honey?", "Kisses?" all this sounded so nice from Raghav's mouth and he felt so good against her. She felt like giving herself completely to him, but now was not the right time she thought. She needed to be strong, for her own and also Raghav's sake. With this little bit of guilt still in her, to let her offender rule her senses, Kalpana couldn't move ahead. Evidence or no evidence, Kalpi needed time to make peace with the fact that Raghav was in fact innocent or that she was wrong on not giving him even one chance to say anything. Maybe the day she is able to accept her fault without any burden, when she can talk about it with Raghav; maybe that day was much better to admit to Raghav that she in fact liked every bit of his proximity.
Trying hard to resist Raghav, Kalpi freed herself from Raghav's hold and turned back to face him. She was supposed to act angry this time, but when she looked at a shirtless Raghav all the angry words died on her tongue. Feeling the heat in her cheeks Kalpi lowered her head out of shyness and attraction. "Goddam he is too hot!" she thought, but to watch a shirtless Raghav for the second time in her life, was as good as the first time. Instead of being angry, Kalpi stuttered to pass on Gauri's message to him battling inside to watch Raghav's chiseled body and feeling shy at the same time. On the other hand Raghav was curious at first to know what had incited such a reaction from Kalpi. Then he understood and smiled crossing his arms across his chest.
"T,Taai had told me to call you downstairs. Everyone is w, waiting for you. I...am S, sorry" somehow completing her sentence Kalpi blindly ran for her life outside the room. "Kalpi wait" She heard Raghav say and she replied without looking back. "Not now Raghav, you get ready. I am go..." and she found herself hitting a bean bag and her body gravitating towards the ground. But she didn't hit the floor instead two strong arms enveloped her.
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Raghav saw Kalpi blindly trying to walk out, he could see that Kalpi was not looking her path properly. Her eyes were fixed on the door and she ignored the things kept in-between. He had tried to warn Kalpi, but the only words which came out of his mouth were "Kalpi wait". That didn't work and Kalpi hit the bean-bag on her way, "umm, wrong way out". His eyes had widened and Raghav leapt to save Kalpi. But on taking Kalpana in his arms, Raghav got lost in her beauty and big doe-eyes and feel of her hands on his bare skin, the result both of them fell on Raghav's bed with half of their bodies on bed and half out of it. He gave one good look to Kalpi and where they were now, and smirking put one hand under her knees and lifted them both to the bed. "Hmm, now it is perfect" he said, Kalpi was now under him, Raghav found her feet and with his bare feet he slipped her sandals off her feet making Kalpi gasp. "What are you doing?" Kalpi had hissed, unable to take in so much proximity.
Suddenly she was scared, scared of Raghav's freshness tingling her senses, scared of his cologne invading her pores and his hands making her shiver. She was wearing a halter-neck black colour top with a red colour maxi skirt. She felt Raghav's eyes roving all over her, from her eyes to lips to neck and shoulders, to her cleavage and then her disheveled top giving way to his hands to her bare waist. Not only this, Raghav's feet were busy feeling Kalpi's legs and feet. "I told you I want more kisses from you. Please do the honour" he said bending down his left cheek near Kalpi's lips.
Startled Kalpi saw Raghav and then smiled, but soon came back to her senses. "That was for commercial shoot, I am not kissing you now" she said. "Oh you mean you'll kiss me later?" Raghav said and chuckled. "Not now, not later Raghav. And please let me go Raghav what do you think you're doing?" Kalpi said because his hands were caressing her waist area and his feet her legs. "Hmm, I have not even started yet" Raghav said with a crooked smile on his face. "Are you sure you won't kiss me honey, hmm?" he asked Kalpi again and Kalpi shaking her replied in a loud "NO".
"Okay, I have made my decision. Today either you are giving me kisses, or admitting that I affect you honeybee", "Till then unless you push me away, or slap me I am not letting go of you" saying so Raghav bent his head and placed his first kiss on the nape of Kalpi's neck.
POSSIBLE GLIMPSES OF NEXT UPDATE: Akanksha- Raghav's cousin enters (not sure, maybe a guest-role), Kamla requests Raghav to help Kalpi achieve her other dreams, Sapna, a new entry (possibly a guest entry too)
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.
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