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Part-1
"Bhai...bhai...bhai" said Kavya and brought Raghav out from the deep slumber. He rubbed his eyes and saw his sister who was looking at him with fuming eyes. Surprised by her expression he asked her "What's the matter why are you so angry?"
"It seems like you don't trust me anymore" Startled by her accusation he asked "And what made you think that?" "Its 8'o clock bhai" "So" pat came his reply with a blank expression which soon changed with the realisation that dawned on him and he looked at his alarm clock.
Yes!!! Living in an era where everybody has made mobile an integral part of their life and they would die if they don't see their mobile Raghav Singhania still used his alarm clock to get up. But today his alarm clock failed to ring due to dead battery and he got up late.
"Bhai I told you last night itself that everyone in the morning are going to discuss about your marriage still you woke up so late. Now nobody can save you. Today you have to answer this threatening question. Had you been on time you would have probably saved yourself but now its impossible. The whole family has joined like battalion ready to attack the moment you leave your room. Your chutki had warned you that in morning all.elders are going to raise this topic but I guess you didn't take it seriously. Now get ready to get grilled. 6 months are over and you have already won Best achiever award in corporate thus marking your establishment and eliminating your so called excuse for not getting married." She stompped her foot and went out giving him half hour to get ready and come out.
He looked at his clock and for a moment felt to break and crush it into pieces for not ringing on time but it was too precious. It was last gift given by his great grand father to him when he was in 11th. He kept it aside and put his hands across his chest. When he was asked this question for the first time he avoided to given an answer and as a result he landed up meeting some good bunch of dumb headed girls. Some of them were social butterflies who irritated him to the core while some of them were walkie talkie giving him statistics about his own company and others were stylish babes loved to be captured from each angle of camera.
Finally his mind came up with an excuse. Establish!! "I want to establish myself and carve a niche in corporate just like bhai. I need 2 years for that please." All of them agreed to his sensible demand and thus the circus stopped. While 2 Years were about to end his genius mind came up with another excuse which sounded as much reasonable as earlier one. "I want 6 months more...right now I am pursuing my dream project and want to stay focused on it." They nodded again but today his mind was empty of excuses. How much ever he tried but no suitable excuse came into his mind which looked viable. He now cannot ignore this topic anymore.
Finally taking a deep sigh he came out of his bed. He looked up and asked God "Have you stopped making sensible women after sending those in my house." "OK Raghav Singhania get ready for the drill again."
On the other side of city Kalpana was sitting at the edge of her bed moving her hand slowly on the elegant piece of dress kept before her waiting for her to don it. She was just thinking about the events that were taking place in the her home from the time they got call from Singhania's expressing their wish to meet them and see their daughter.
Her mother was on cloud nine while Kalpi was nervous. Singhania is a big name. When guys and their family much below than Singhanias had already rejected her how come they want to meet her. She was convincing her heart to get ready for another rejection. She was tired of this usual drill. Guys come and meet her and then reject her. Reasons best known to them but her mother always thought that her dusky complexion might be the reason. "Its just outer appearance that matters...no body cares to know about how the person is. What his/her eyes and heart carries with itself. Inner beauty doesn't matter any more. God why did you stop making sensible and mature men any more after sending my father." She complained for the first time. She badly needed space.
Its not just the rejection but the pain she sees in her mother's eyes pierces her heart. She for once wanted to get away from all these. A gentle hand on her head broke her thoughts and she looked at her father. "Papa can't you just stop it. I am feeling suffocated. Please" "This is the last time beta. I promise after that every thing will sort out." "What will be sorted out. I'll be rejected again and look at the irony I don't even know why." "Beta you don't think about all these things. Just meet the guy properly. I promise I'll send you to US to for holidays where you can learn professional photography your favourite hobby." She hugged her father tightly and after few moments got up to get ready for the unknown.
While dressing up she intentionally didn't put up much make up. She just highlighted her best feature her eyes. Eyes mirror of your heart. After looking at herself for the last time in the mirror she came out of her room to help her mother and her married sister who had come here specially for this meet.
On seeing so much preparations going around her she grew more nervous and her anxiety increased in manifolds. The pain of rejection which did hurt her followed by the pain which hurts her more when she sees her mother sad because of her was making her breathless. She felt the need to go out and take fresh air and also release all her tension and calm her nerves.
Raghav came out of his room only to find himself under scanner. His entire family consisting of grand parents, parents, uncle-aunt, elder brother and sister in law and his lil sis, all were looking at him. After gathering his composure he asked "Whom I am supposed to meet today" His family members were shocked but he was even more on hearing so much politeness in his voice on this debatable subject. He trusted his mind and was sure enough that after meeting another dumb head he will definitely get an idea to get rid of this subject for few more months.But to ask for it right now is not a good option. This is the last meet for today and for coming months. He had decided and went ahead to sit with them and ask for the girl's photo. Though it was useless because they look completely different in photo.
Kalpi looked at Raghav's photo. She agreed to the fact that he is indeed very handsome but what hold her gaze was his eyes. There was sincerity and genuineness in them. His pic was not stylish with some kind of pose. It was quite genuine, he having dinner with his family. Somewhere she felt her heart nodding in his support but she composed herself again.
Raghav looked at Kalpi's pic. It was one taken by one of her family member in her sister's marriage one year ago. She was dressed in a saree and had worn light jewellery. Yes she had done make-up but why wouldn't she. It was her sister's marriage. What caught his attention was her eyes and simplicity. The innocence and trueness her eyes had is something rare these days. Somewhere his heart was already looking forward for this meeting.
"Okay let's go then. " he said after keeping her photo and moved towards his car to get ready to meet her and her family.
She after feeling relaxed due to the cool breeze that regulated her breaths came inside with renewed energy to meet him and his family.
The screeching sound of tyres caught Mehra family's attention. They rushed towards the door and opened it to welcome Raghav and his family. He was accompanied with his grand parents and parents together with his lil sister. The rest of the members stayed at home as they knew Raghav will come up with some great excuse and will deny for this proposal as well.
"Namaste I am Kalpana's father please come in" They exchanged pleasantries and entered into Raghav's future sasural.
Looking at the house he easily made out that they are financially sound or probably good but they are not the kind of ones he had met before. They as well as their home didn't have any flamboyance. Simple grounded and earthy people. He was impressed with the start but waited desperately for Kalpana. At the end its the girl that matters.
His heart was now inclining more towards meeting the girl. Sonewhere he felt the change in air. Though somewhat uncertain yet he felt the possibility of something to happen. After all the girl is his Dadu's choice the wisest man he has ever come acrossed
in his life.
Building up the expression for which he was famous in his house for such meetings 'BLANK' he took his seat on single sofa.
Kalpana's parents were tensed. The scrutininzing eyes of Raghav's family when they saw them looking at their home was making them apprehensive of their decison to meet them. Have they expected more than they deserved. This was all coming into their mind.Silently praying God for working out everything well they went towards the living area and took their seats.
General information was exchanged as it always happens when prospective bride and groom's parents meet and soon the time came for which Raghav was waiting since the time he entered in the house. Kalpana was called and her elder sister got up to bring her.
On hearing the door slided open Kalpana' heart started racing the marathon. She turned to look at her sister and ran towards her and embraced her tightly. "Kalpi" she hushed her back and continued "Relax why are you so extra ordinarily worried today." "I don't know di but I feel something is going to happen." "Yes your rishta is gonna get fixed today." "No di I'll leave for US for a break, miles away from all this regular drama. "Why to think negative ya let's just think you will go away but not to US, to your new home where Raghav stays." "Di they are Singhanias!!!" "So...we didn't call them they fixed the meeting. So theres nothing to worry alright now relax take deep breaths and come with me its time now." Saying so she gave her a glass of water to drink which she gulped down in one go and clasped her sisters hand tightly not to fall while coming down and went to meet someone who was already waiting for her.
Hearing whisper amongst his family Raghav raised his eyes and met the girl physically before him. He looked at her from top to toe. As in photo nothing was overdone. She was looking simple. His eyes rested on her big doe shaped eyes which had tension written in it.
She bent down to take blessings of his grand parents first and then his parents and exchanged a polite hello with Kavya.
One thing he noticed was her parents didn't signal her to bent down and seek blessings she did it on her own so it wasn't customary it was out of respect. A small smile earned a place on his lips.
She sat in between his Dadi and Ma who looked at her and those looks said that they were thoroughly impressed with her. She was sitting there between them with lowered eyes. Nitali her elder sister was afraid about her attitude. If she is gonna sit like this for few moments more she will definitely pass out.
Soon her fears were proven wrong when Raghav's dadi started the conversation keeping a gentle hand on her head. Kalpana looked up at her. The warmth the lady was having helped her to calm down a lil more.
Soon the general questions as are always asked were asked again and Kalpana answered them one by one slowly. But then the dreadful round came meeting alone with the boy. Their weird questions which always leave her without any answer.
Raghav was waiting in the balcony when she arrived with trolley. She started making tea. She was tensed and Raghav felt that. Normally the situation has always been other way round but today he was okay as he was now sure the girl is absolutely different from the ones he had met before.
With trembling hands she handed him the cup. It was about to fall when Raghav held it up quickly and in that process his hand was beneath her hand holding the cup of tea.
"Aap thik hai" he asked to which she nodded in yes and he took the cup from her hand and kept it on table. "Why are you so tensed" he asked casually and she looked up at him. Her vulnerable eyes meeting his soft gaze.She saw sincerity in it. His gaze was firm but not hard.
She sat down across him and silence dawned in between them. He knew he will have to take the call. "So do you want to know something about me I mean apart from the gnenral information given in bio. Waise I recently won business achievers award.
"I know I read it in newspaper." "You help your dad in family business" "Yea and am also associated with an NGO. I teach there." "Wow thats a noble job." She smiled and it was infectious. She had a beautiful smile and he adored her even more. She had a full idea of who he is and yet she came to meet them so simply.
Simplicity in itself is a big priceless ornament to adorn. He thought. After asking her about her likes, hobbies he thought it was enough for him to take his decision. Decision but he had come here only to give himself some time to think and come qr up with a suitable excuse of escaping such situations in the near future. Then what decision. "Chale" "OK" When he almost reached at the door she said "Can I make a request." And before he could say anything she started. "If you want to reject me then please give a reason for the same. My mother has already gone through the pain of seeing me rejected without reasons being known its a humble request please tell the reason."
He now realised the cause of tension. She has been rejected many times before and nobody told her the reason which even he thought was wrong. "But why would anybody reject her. She is so beautiful, her flawless dusky skin, her big eyes, pointed nose and sharp features as if God had taken extra special care in making her. Mad are those who rejected her." He stopped coming in front of her and said "ok" She walked past him but tripped and he caught her. She looked at him, he looked at her. There was a brief eye lock and his heart said "Yes". He didn't know but he voiced his heart openly thus breaking their trance and making them realise their position.
"Kuch kaha aapne." She asked "No...nothing" They both came down where both the families were waiting for answer. She stood besides her parents holding her fathers hand tightly. Her eyes were still lowered. Raghav stood besides his Dadu. There was an uncomfortable silence. Raghav's grandfather looked at him whose gaze was fixed at Kalpana.
The ladies in order to handle the situation said "We will discuss it with..." "Its a Yes from our side." the old man said with a big smile on his face. Kalpana couldn't stop herself from looking up and stare at Raghav. His soft gaze on her made her blush. Her parents looked at her and she nodded affirmatively thus bringing smile on everybody's face.
When everyone was busy in sharing the happiness Raghav came besides Kalpana and asked "You told me to give reason if I reject you, shall I have to give reason for acceptance as well." She looked at him and he winked and she blushed. "Here take this, its my no msg me yours I'll call you. He handed her a chit and soon everybody surrounded them to giving their blessings.
Love it can happen on its own and it can be arranged as well. Sometimes it happens after it is arranged.
Guys its a short story may be just 10 parts. Its RagNa's journey from engagement to marriage. A thought that came into my mind much before Love has its strange ways plot came in. But never thought to pen down. Today just felt why not show this side of RagNa as well.
I hope you all like it. Please leave your feedback. Good or bad I'll take it positively.
Thanks and Enjoy Reading.đ
Parineeti
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