PART-19
His lips touched the skin of Kalpi's neck and her breathing hitched as her eyes closed on their own, maybe to feel the moments or to gather courage for one more inner fight. On the other side, Raghav's one hand was feeling softness of the skin of Kalpi's shoulders. As his lips touched Kalpi's body Raghav felt and saw his effect on her; the muscles of her throat were constricting and Kalpi had closed her eyes. He was ready to leave Kalpi the moment he'd have felt this was a forced pleasure on his "childhood enemy" and "adulthood obsession", no- "maybe love". But like his enemy-cum-obsession, Raghav too let go of his thoughts for now, because when he was near Kalpi all that mattered was only Kalpi. Neither his revenge, nor his promise, this much Raghav had come to realize that all this was much more than what he'd thought out to be. All this had and would always revolve around Kalpana Jadhav. For now, it didn't matter if it was mere obsession, or strong liking, or maybe much above that- if it was love. Yes, since the night of party, Raghav's thoughts had often wandered around the analysis of this word "love". How could it not be, when his best friend Samar Raizada left no situation to bring this word again and again between him and Kalpana.
But feeling Kalpi's soft body under his own hard one, Raghav was in a blissful state. Having been in intimate situations many times before with Kalpi but to have this delicate, cushy alive thing in his arms on his own bed, under him was something else.All he could do and think of then was to feel Kalpi, her beauty and to shower his strong feelings on her; to love and just love her with his whole being, his lips and his hands. It didn't help that Kalpi's body very much made Raghav aware of his effect on her. Kalpi hadn't struggled in Raghav's embrace before; and she wasn't struggling today too. So Raghav continued with what he was doing, and of course he was to get one reward after all this in the end. Either Kalpana would partially satisfy the avenger in Raghav today, or give Raghav her honey-like kisses. It was a win-win situation either way for him.
***************************************************
As Raghav continued his sweet torture on Kalpi when his lips moved from Kalpana's shoulder, neck, her adam's apple the hold of Kalpi's soft hands on Raghav's bare shoulders tightened. "Raghav" taking out Raghav's name in a complaint, Kalpi had moaned and Raghav had smiled. What could she do, she felt like she was in heaven right now. No man had ever come this close to her before and right now Raghav was the epitome of manhood, sexiness, good looks, passion and burning hot desires. He'd always managed to make Kalpi weak in her knees before, but today with the touch of his bare manly skin under his hands, and on top of her; the feeling of his hard chest pressing against her own had left Kalpana breathless. If that was not all, the manly fragrance of his cologne invaded her whole being. Despite the fact that Kalpi wished to get free from Raghav's grip, she had forgotten everything for a few moments. It seemed that she forgot to struggle and allowed herself to feel this bliss.
Raghav's lips moved from one side of her neck to the other side and shoulder and thumb of his one hand caressed Kalpi's waist gently. "Tell me honeybee, what've you decided?" Raghav asked before moving his lips down to Kalpi's cleavage, his voice husky. He went on to massage Kalpana's arm, his toes feeling softness of Kalpi's legs. His voice was like a reality check for Kalpana making her remember that she has to be strong yet. Gritting her teeth, more for herself than for Raghav, Kalpi had rejected both the options Raghav had given her. She still didn't like to lose from him and this too Kalpi still remembered. "I am not going with either of the two, and you get off me!" she had struggled weakly, more with her voice than her hands. Kalpi's hands were shaky and trembling under the daze of Raghav's effect on her; and Raghav felt it.
"Is that so?" raising his head Raghav had asked Kalpi, his dazed eyes looking into Kalpi's. He saw a reflection of his own desires and daze in hers. "Then I am also sorry honeybee, because today I am the one to win" Raghav said and bent his head again, tightening his hold on Kalpi. Tracing Kalpi's curves with his big hands, Raghav had touched her whole figure and felt Kalpi digging her fingers in his skin. "Besides, I feel that only I have the right to touch you this way" Raghav had whispered in a very low voice in Kalpana's ears and then kissed all over her face, from her forehead to eyes, cheeks, nose and her chin. "Can you tell me why honeybee? Huh? Your decision might help me" he again whispered lightly against Kalpi's other ear before taking her lips in a full kiss. At that moment Kalpi had realized that maybe she is not alone in her fights, her childhood idol is on the same path as she was, like always. Raghav had kissed Kalpi's lips completely and passionately, and Kalpi's hands moved on her own to Raghav's bare back, feeling his skin under her. "Do you still say no?" Raghav asked and showered Kalpi with butterfly and full kisses, everywhere from her face to the visible skin of her bosom. In response Kalpi had only arched her back, her chest heaved up and down before making a request to Raghav in a moan. "R, Raghav, please don't. I...can't...I can't" Kalpi had almost admitted in that weak moment that Raghav does affect her, but then closing her eyes tighter, controlled her tongue.
"What you can't baby?" Raghav asked as he slided up Kalpi's halter-neck top a bit to kiss all over on her navel & abdomen. Somehow Kalpi had found the strength and tried to push Raghav away then, and Raghav stopped. He nuzzled in Kalpi's hair and neck, "I swear Kalpi if you still do not take one of the two options, we may both lose control now. We may do something which you'll regret later on; and..." Pausing to kiss lovingly and lightly on Kalpi's neck Raghav continued "I do respect you, I won't like you to regret" he nuzzled some more and his nose rubbed Kalpi's neck. "You know what I am talking about right?" raising his head Raghav looked into Kalpi's eyes again and like before read many conflicting emotions in them, this time it was- pain, sadness and fight. His hands had moved under Kalpi's top to watch Kalpi's reaction but he wasn't going to break any limit. This was just to make Kalpi understand the intensity of heat they shared, he felt Kalpi's body first arching and then stiffening. Kalpi dug nails in Raghav's shoulders on feeling that his hands had reached where no one could ever touch her. "NO" she whispered and a tear escaped Kalpi's eyes, not because she felt it was forced but because she understood the extent of right her soul had given to Raghav. She cried because she couldn't do anything about it and because she was still few steps away from making things easier for herself, and for Raghav. She cried because somewhere she still had her Aai's teenage Kalpana in her.
The only change which Kalpi had felt lately was that now she thought about Raghav's well-being also. But Raghav didn't increase her dilemma more; he stopped and pulled back his hands. Lovingly caressing Kalpi's face and wiping her tear, Raghav kissed Kalpi's tears away; and then kissed her forehead. "Don't worry, I am not that mean my honeybee", "Why didn't you sting me, huh? Do you understand your not saying anything to me, this means something?", "Do you know I have always liked a fighting Kalpi with me? Who was mine, who fought with me because she knew that she had the right to fight with me; and I had the right to fight with her. I had the right to make you fight more with me; only me! But today..." Raghav made a fist and in frustration, punched the bed. Kalpi who was listening to everything with eyes closed still, now looked at Raghav. He seemed sad and in pain, and she couldn't understand much why. All she understood was that Raghav's latest actions and words only gave him more rights as far as she was concerned, because somewhere Kalpi climbed two-three steps more in the direction of trusting him. She'd felt Raghav's loving kiss on her cheek and forehead, it was a caring and protective kiss and...Kalpi had loved it.
Looking into a relieved and questioning gaze of Kalpi, Raghav sighed. He caressed her face and hair, "I am so used to protecting you from everyone since childhood. I will do so always and today too, even from myself" with that he gave a butterfly promise-kiss on Kalpi's lips and lifted himself off Kalpi. Making Kalpi sit and looking into her eyes he said "I am ready to lose today, and I know this is right. You don't have to choose any option" caressing Kalpi's hair one more time Raghav turned back. "But that doesn't mean I won't avenge what you had done to me" he said, looking towards Kalpi one more time with his smirk and proceeded towards his almirah.
**************************************************
Sapna was happily taking rounds of her balcony and living room. Her face was beaming and her cell-phone was on her ear. Her conversation with the person on call was a hopeful and happy chat today. It was no small matter for her that Kalpi had agreed to step into the threshold of Singhania Mansion after years.
"Yes, right now Kalpi and Raghav Sir are under the same roof! Isn't that exciting? Such an opportunity! I wanted to see with my own eyes what must be happening between them" Sapna finished and heard a small laughter on the other side. "Keep patience" the person said, "you may get any other opportunity. For now let the love-birds entangle their feathers alone."
*************************************************
She looked at Raghav's retreating figure, unable to think anything for some moments Kalpi kept sitting on the bed. Raghav was moving to his almirah to complete his dressing process. Kalpi could see that he too was as affected by their shared passion as she was. Then her gaze rested on the wounds created on Raghav's shoulders and back by her nails. Kalpi's eyes widened, Raghav had not even made any sound. Feeling guilty Kalpi stood up, her feet moved on their own in Raghav's direction. She made up her mind then and there as she stood behind Raghav. Kalpi raised her hand and then...Raghav felt it.
Raghav felt soft fingers gently brushing his wounds, he recognized the touch to be that of Kalpi's and was shocked for a moment. Leaving the search for a good T-shirt, Raghav turned and saw Kalpi inspecting his wound. Her eyes for the first time carried concern for him. He continued feeling Kalpi's touch for that was such a rarity and then held her hands. "What?" Raghav asked curiously and was about to tease Kalpana when she surprised him more. Her doe-shaped eyes looked directly into Raghav's and she murmured, "I made my decision." Raghav had opened his mouth to say something when he saw Kalpi standing on her tip-toes. She rested her hands on his bare chest and shoulders, and then kissed his left cheek. Raghav's surprise was of no bounds especially when the shower of kisses continued. Kalpi had placed her soft petals on Raghav's both cheeks thrice, and then caressing his wounds Kalpi kissed the marks. She didn't notice Raghav making fists of his hands to keep his promise, focusing only on this unexpected pleasure. Coming now to face him, Kalpi's hands had moved from his chest and upwards. She placed a soft kiss on Raghav's chest while saying "thank you". An even softer kiss was given by her on Raghav's lips, because she had lost in the sweetness of that moment. For some seconds they both kept on looking into each other's eyes before Kalpi realized what she did. Her palm covered her mouth in a gasp and she started moving backwards. Before something else could happen or Raghav could question her, Kalpi had run out of the confines of Raghav's bedroom.
***************************************************
"I cannot believe this still. The feeling is the same, that of old days" Akanksha who was Raghav's cousin was saying. "I agree" Pakhya had joined her in as both of them exchanged numbers. Gauri had invited her also on dinner and Akanksha was more than happy to again relive the old days. They were sitting on the dining table now, chatting like a family as they used to do earlier. All of them were having a good time except Raghav and Kalpi who were too focused on each other. Raghav was enjoying Kalpi's discomfort and was looking for a chance to tease her. Had it not been for his sister Akanksha maybe he'd have left no chance to instigate Kalpi's anger. How he was missing that fiery Kalpana Jadhav. Right now the girl who was sitting just across the table from him was an embarrassed Kalpana Jadhav. Kalpi had visibly avoided talking and looking more than needed in Raghav's direction from the moment he had stepped down. Raghav had then seen his sister Akanksha who was busy chatting with Pakhya & Kalpi. Therefore, Raghav too had busied himself in some bonding time with his Kamla Maa and Pakhya. Besides with Akansha around, Raghav didn't want to do much. The girl even though an interior-designer by profession but was a question bank and interrogator for her brother. What was between him and Kalpana, Raghav did not want to share with much people.
Somehow they'd finished their dinner and while eating dessert, Kamla had surprised Raghav and Kalpi. "Raghav beta I wanted to request something from you" Kamla had started. "You needn't make any request to me Kamla Maa, order me please" Raghav had insisted and Kamla had smiled.
"Actually it is about Kalpi" Kamla had said and Raghav-Kalpi both had become alert. "You know right how brilliant Kalpi was in her studies? I am with her, in the journey of her dreams of becoming a successful star. But I do not want that she forgets her other dream, that of establishing a business of her own in future. This stardom would only help Kalpi in her venture, financially and otherwise. Thus, I am not against it. But she needs a proper guidance and exposure still. Will you help us beta and train Kalpi under you? You needn't hire her if it is not possible, but keep her with you please. With your experience and expertise, Kalpi would learn so much. If in future she wants to establish her own business then this training would help Kalpi a lot; you won't say no right?" Kamla asked in hope. Raghav and Kalpi were looking speechless towards her, "Oh no. I cannot bear more of him" thought Kalpana. She looked towards Raghav and found him looking towards her with a challenge and tease in his eyes. He smirked looking at Kalpi, thinking "And she said that she hated me. Everything she does is somehow related to me!"
Outwardly Raghav had managed to mask his happiness and readily agreed to Kamla's request. "It's no problem at all Kamla Maa. I shall involve Kalpi in my discussions with Sammy, and my work. That way she'll have a better idea" Raghav had said but Kalpi had objected. "There's no need for it Aai, I am not going to extablish anything right now anyway. When it'll happen I will ask for Raghav's help" Kalpi had said but Kamla hadn't agreed with her. "You still need to have a good idea about business-management and all. I am doing this for you only" Kamla said and Kalpi sat there somehow controlling her anger. Akanksha being her only distraction as she ignored Raghav completely this time; she was not happy. It was decided that Raghav would train Kalpi starting next week. Everything settled, their gossip session had continued except Raghav and Kalpana not talking to each other. All they did was exchanged glances through out.
Even Akanksha and Pakhya had gelled out well.
When it was time to leave, Kalpi had left with a warning to Raghav. "Do not think whatever is between us or our new probable mentor-trainee relationship will wipe out creases between us completely yet" Kalpi had said and left, leaving a smiling Raghav behind. "Whatever, I know you do not hate me that much as you proclaim to" Raghav had thought.
**************************************************
THE NEXT DAY: -
It was dark outside and Raghav was sitting with his head resting against the couch in his bedroom. The last two days had been surprising in their own ways for him. The day before he'd received a shower of kisses from "his honeybee", and when he had let go of her. Not to forget in all these years Kalpi's eyes had for the first time carried certain softness for him, Raghav couldn't forget it. The touch of her rose like petals still fresh on his skin, making Raghav smile even in this thoughtful and gloomy mindset of his. But today, today was surprising because Raghav hadn't expected such intense feelings of different kind to arise within him.
It was the man playing the character of divorced husband of "Ananya" the character Kalpi was playing in the show. His entry was to be shown in their show soon and starting today the man had started shooting. He had turned out to be a jovial and friendly fellow, but as far Raghav was concerned the man was irking the hell out of him. Kalpi and he had instantly bonded well; Kalpi had apparently found a good distraction to keep her mind away from Raghav's thoughts. But since Raghav didn't know this, Kalpi's extra-friendly attitude towards another man was annoying him.
Kalpi just wanted a little space in her mind to organize, rationalize and analysie- her thoughts, feelings and guilt concerning Raghav. She was to get attached as a trainee under Raghav, starting next week.Till then Kalpi intended to make the most of this God-created space between them. Her new friend had come like a blessing in disguise, but to Raghav he was like a devil, entered to ruin his moments and plans regarding Kalpi.
"Jealousy, yes that would be the word and understatement" Raghav thought with his eyes closed. He remembered how somethings changed the moment their director had introduced Raghav and Kalpi to the new actor. A jealousy track was being introduced on-screen and the same seemed to be ready to replicate off-screen. "I don't like it when she is that close to someone else, emotionally or physically. She is mine, only mine" Raghav was thinking. His thoughts slowly-slowly taking him to the direction of realization of his love for Kalpana, Raghav admitted that in his heart Kalpi belonged only to him. But he was feeling insecure; the history of being rejected, misunderstanding, humiliation and hatred between them took its toll sometimes on Raghav. "Is it, is it love? Or simple possessiveness? Why do I feel so possessive about Kalpi? She is an actress, and...and she will have some scenes with that man" Raghav was analyzing. He knew some scenes between the new actor and Kalpi were a part of flashback; and some were to be shot in order to create a track of jealousy, thus giving viewers a fun element to watch. There wasn't any intimate scene between them Raghav knew, but there was bound to be some close scenes between them.
Raghav was still frowning and thinking, completely silent and not talking to even Sammy who was sitting next to him. Sammy placed a hand on Raghav's shoulder, "You're thinking about him right? Why are you? Kalpana and you have a different relation, above everything else. Maybe you do not realize this yet but, you have." Raghav looked towards Sammy and questioned him, "about whom I am thinking? And why do you always know what I am thinking Sam?" his gaze was soft and focused on Sammy, the man who is his best friend.
Sammy smiled "Because I am your best friend and brother; and I am talking about Prem Kapoor- the actor who is playing Kalpana's on-screen husband in the show."
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.
CID
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
