PART-28
Kamla's face beamed seeing the face of her daughter. It was very late in night and even though there wasn't any need; but Kamla was still worried for Kalpi. The times had certainly changed and every mother wanted her daughter's safety first. "You returned so late" Kamla exclaimed, "Come, come; freshen up and have dinner first. I brought your favourite food from our restaurant tonight" she added. But to Kamla's surprise there was no reaction from Kalpi. She continued walking like a lifeless statue, head bent down. When Kalpi did look up weariness was written all over her face.
Surprised, Kamla tried to read her daughter's face. "Why does she look lost and defeated? What is it which drained all her energy?" Kamla had thought. But before Kamla could continue with her inspection, hugging her tightly Kalpi hid her face in her neck. "I am sorry Aai" Kalpi whispered.
"I kept you away from Raghav and Taai for so many years. I am sorry. Will you...forgive me?" raising her head Kalpi had asked hopefully. "I hope my own mother forgives me at least" she thought.
"I was never upset with you Kalpi. I was only worried for you. I was worried because I had no knowledge about the cause of drift between you and Raghav. I only wanted you to be happy; I only wanted you both to be happy. I only wanted to know whether in your anger you'd taken any wrong impulsive decision or misunderstood Raghav. I just wanted to guide you beta, nothing else. Don't worry, I was never upset with you" Kamla assured Kalpi and Kalpi took a breath of relief. Her mother's words partly were a relief, yet they were also a reminder as to how right her Aai was.
Even now Raghav had done nothing but taken care of her. How could she not see, even through his supposed revenge Raghav had not left caring for her. It was as if protecting her was Raghav's second nature. He may have said or done anything himself, but Raghav was always her shield from outside world's ways. Like tonight, in the journey from Nisha's home to hers he had called Kalpi thrice..
At last Kalpi had to call him back after she'd safely parked her car. Her state of mind did not allow her to talk much with him though. "Hello Raghav. Yes I just parked my car" was Kalpi's reply in a tired voice to Raghav's loud "How are you Kalpi? Have you reached home?"
Adding on to the reply to this was only one question from Kalpi's side. "It is a question which would probably change my life; for good or bad" Kalpi thought.
"I want to meet you Raghav, tomorrow; at the earliest. Can we, can we...umm, meet? It is urgent, please?" she had asked pain and urgency evident in her voice. "Kalpi what happened? Are you fine?" Raghav had asked worriedly.
"I, I am fine...You just answer my question. Can you meet me tomorrow? I know tomorrow is Sunday and an off but, I want to meet you. I'll come to Singhania Mansion" Kalpi had replied in desperation. How could she unburden even a fraction of this guilt until she admits her mistakes in front of Raghav.
Raghav had sighed then making Kalpi panic. "Kalpi I, I have a meeting tomorrow. I am meeting some clients at our Hotel, but I would return by evening. Can you meet me then? I will give you a ring if I return early okay?" Raghav had hesitantly told Kalpi, disliking the fact that his absence was clearly affecting Kalpi.
"Okay, that is fine. I will wait" Kalpi had said and without waiting for Raghav's reply ended the call. "This is it, God is truly punishing me! I have to wait, wait some more. Let myself feel this pain. I have to wait, because I let Raghav, our relation, our friendship wait for eight long years" Kalpi thought. Her Aai's words had dug out even more deep intense emotions. "How ironic, I gave Raghav nothing except wait; and now for myself even a duration of eight minutes is unbearable. I deserve this, I have to wait" Kalpi told herself.
Once again drowned in the pool of guilt, Kalpi turned and started walking towards her bedroom. "Come soon, I will serve dinner for you" Kamla called from behind. But Kalpi continued walking without looking back.
"You have it Aai, I am not hungry" Kalpi replied.
"But Kalpi beta..." Kamla objected. Before Kamla could try convincing her more, Kalpi was already inside her bedroom and the door shut. This was enough for Kamla to worry, she frowned, "Maybe I should ask Raghav about it, he might know anything. Plus he is the only one who can convince Kalpi to eat something."
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(This song is "Theme Song" of this FF for me, after "Tum Hi Ho" which is a RagNa song eternally. I had to use this song this one last time, because this song has played an important role in RagNa story. This song expresses every emotion RagNa feel and in every situation RagNa are in. If you don't like this then let me know 😊)
Movie : Veer Zaara
Song : Main Yahaan Hoon
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6Y8xEfyXTs[/YOUTUBE]
Jaanam, dekh lo, mit gayi dooriyaan
Darling, look around; the distance between us is dispelled.
A feather-light soft air like touch on her cheeks, stirred Kalpi in her sleep. Whatever it was, it created pleasant tingling sensations within her. At last she opened her eyes slowly, only to see Raghav sitting on her bed. A smirk adorned his face and Kalpana was never so happy, delighted and surprised before. The additions of confusion, guilt and fear alongside, produced a deeper vibration of another unknown feeling; a feeling which Kalpi had either not noticed earlier or not felt before.
Main yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan..
I'm here, I'm here, I'm here, here!
Looking carefully, Kalpi saw a plate of food kept on the side-table. Confused she looked at Raghav who'd now taken the plate in his hands and fed small morsels lovingly himself to Kalpi. Unable to deny, Kalpi let Raghav feed her before his attention went to the missing glass of water. "Let me bring water for you" he said and got up.
(Read this part with the intervening music)
But Kalpi who felt as if she had seen Raghav after a century almost shouted, "Wait, no Raghav. Don't go please." In a few seconds Kalpi had her feet off the bed and on the ground. Though the moment she looked up after wearing her slippers, a surprise was awaiting her. Raghav was nowhere to be seen.
"Raghav..." she called and looked for Raghav everywhere. But soon the realization hit Kalpi that she had only been dreaming about Raghav; it was a dream, a very real dream. Before she could dwell in the pangs of sadness again, a sound demanded Kalpi's attention. Her laptop on which she had been watching her and Raghav's videos was still on. The video of her and Raghav's press conference before their show had gone on-air was being played. Now the scene of their dancing on the song "Jaanam Dekh Lo" was on display.
Jaanam, dekh lo, mit gayi dooriyaan
Darling, look around; the distance between us is dispelled.
The video progressed and Kalpi watched in awe herself and Raghav dancing together. Her tears had started to well up on the memories of those close moments with Raghav.
Main yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan
I'm here, I'm here, I'm here, here!
Seeing a shadow of someone standing in the balcony, Kalpi's attention went there. She turned her face from the video to the balcony and saw Raghav standing there.
Jaanam, dekh lo, mit gayi dooriyaan
Darling, look around; the distance between us is dispelled.
Main yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan..
I'm here, I'm here, I'm here, here!
Unable to resist the distance between them Kalpi quickly runs over to the balcony. As she stood facing Raghav, he brushes his cheeks with Kalpi's and closes the distance between their bodies. Kalpi's eyes closed on their own. She was ready to submit before Raghav and ready to receive his kiss on her cheeks, sensing that his gaze was stuck there.
Kaisi, sarhadein, kaisi majbooriyaan
What borders are there now? What obstacles?
Main yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan
I'm here, I'm here, I'm here, here.
But on not feel anything like she'd expected Kalpi opened her eyes only to find that Raghav had left again. She was alone again. She looked for Raghav everywhere but there was no trace of him.
(Read this part with the intervening music)
She went to the bathroom to take a bath, in the hope of washing some of the tiredness off her. Kalpi started removing the robe off her body. But feeling the touch of someone's warm hands and kisses on her bare shoulder and back, her eyes immediately popped open. Kalpi knew it was Raghav whom she'd felt but maybe he was again only her imagination; because again there was no sign of him.
Sighing Kalpi let herself soak in the warm water of bathtub, when she saw Raghav casually walking alongside her bathtub on the other side of curtains. The curtains were closed but Kalpi could still see through the almost transparent sheet. Ragyhav had a smirk plastered on his face all the while as Kalpi gathered courage to continue bathing despite his presence.
Tum chhupa na sakogi main woh raaz hoon
I'm the secret that you can't hide;
Raghav's eyes spoke passionate and deep emotional volumes as he raked his eyes seductively all over Kalpi's wet, naked body even though she was mostly hidden under water. Kalpi's breaths had got hitched as she shyly lowered her eyes.
Tum bhoola na sakogi woh andaaz hoon
I'm the impulse that you can't forget.
Raghav's drugged, half-dazed eyes silently challenged Kalpi while raising both his brows. Openly showing his desires for Kalpi, he stared into Kalpi's eyes.
(Read this part with the intervening music and lyrics both)
Goonjta hoon jo dil mein toh hairaan ho kyun
When I echo in your heart, why are you surprised?
Main tumhaare hi dil ki toh awaaz hoon
I'm your heart's very voice.
With a towel draped around her Kalpi came out of the bathtub. The curtains were now open and her eyes scanned every corner of the bathroom to see where Raghav had disappeared again. Was it her mind playing games with her? Or like before, Raghav actually found out an unimaginable way to tease and poke her? But Kalpi got answer to none and after dressing up she went out back to the bedroom; hoping to get that elusive sleep.
Sun sako, toh suno, dhadkanon ki zabaan
If you can hear it, then listen to the language of your heartbeat.
Once back in the bedroom, she noticed that Raghav stood with the photo-frame he'd gifted in his hand. His eyes signaled Kalpi to see and understand the significance of their photo and pointed his forefinger towards Kalpi's heart. They both were now standing besides Kalpi's bed and very close.
Main yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan
I'm here, I'm here, I'm here, here.
Kaisi, sarhadein, kaisi majbooriyaan
What borders are there now? What obstacles?
Main yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan
I'm here, I'm here, I'm here, here.
Raghav pulled Kalpi towards him by her hand and they both fell together on Kalpana's bed. Kalpi's wet hair covered Raghav's cheek while she lay fallen over him and Raghav beneath her. He inhaled the scent of Kalpi's shampoo, pressing their bodies together so that they both could have a peaceful night's sleep in each other's arms. Kalpi had apparently done nothing to resist and slept hugging him close to her.
(Read this part with the intervening music)
Morning came, waking Kalpi from her sweet dreams. Stretching her body first, Kalpi looked around the bed. She'd slept in Raghav's arms last night, he had to be there. But what Kalpi found was her pillow; she'd slept hugging her pillow thinking it to be Raghav. Disappointed beyond reason, Kalpi quickly got up and tried to busy herself in day-to-day activities.
She was helping Kamla in kitchen while Sapna who had come unannounced in the morning only stood beside. Sapna had been observing Kalpi closely and so was Kamla. Kamla even asked Kalpi where she was lost, while exchanging worried glances with Sapna. But all kalpi could focus on was Raghav, whom she was seeing standing behind Kamla. He was eating apple and teasing her. Managing to distract herself to bring back to reality, Kalpi started cooking Poha. But even that task wasn't successful when what eventually cooked was a burnt version of Poha.
Sapna observed that Kalpi despite her best efforts was not sharing anything with her. She was lost in her own thoughts. Thus with Kamla's permission, Sapna took Kalpi with her for shopping. She'd planned on to take Kalpi to her home, in the hope that she shares something. But she did not fail to notice that all the while in the car, Kalpi was either staring at Raghav's photo or at his phone-number.
Whereas Kalpi, she saw Raghav everywhere she went. Inside the shopping mall, she did not talk much with Sapna, using mostly monosyllables. Sometimes her eyes used to spot Raghav again and sometimes he again disappeared. While she selected dresses and checked in the mirror, Kalpi saw Raghav's reflection in the mirror. He helped Kalpi with his eyes in choosing the right dress. Kalpi even saw him standing beside her in the trial room.
By evening Kalpi had returned with Sapna to her home, lost all the while. She felt breathless by this strange new affect Raghav was having on her despite his absence. Ignoring Sapna while she prepared coffee in kitchen, Kalpi made way to the terrace-garden of the building. She desperately needed to breathe in fresh air; it did not matter even if it was raining. She needed to be out in the open.
Allowing herself to drench in the rain with her arms around her body, Kalpi was letting herself soak in the new feelings. Those were the feelings of guilt, repentance, grief, yearning to see Raghav; and some new emerging ones, desires of varied kinds. Kalpi was thus lost when someone tapped her shoulder. Turning she saw Raghav stood now facing her, equally wet and drenched in a white shirt.
Main hi main ab tumhaare khayaalon mein hoon
Now I and only I occupy your thoughts;
He traced his forefinger from Kalpi's forehead down to her jaw-line and lips.
Main jawaabon mein hoon, main sawaalon mein hoon
I'm in the answers you receive and the questions you ask.
His eyes drifted from Kalpi's lips to eyes and back to lips, and placed a quick peck on her lips.
Main tumhaare har ek khwaab mein hoon basa
I'm at the center of every one of your dreams;
Raghav covered their both heads with Kalpi's dupatta, trying to give her heart his message with his eyes.
Main tumhaari nazar ke ujaalon mein hoon
I'm the light that shines from your eyes.
He placed soft kisses on Kalpana's both eyes.
Dekhti, ho mujhe, dekhti ho jahaan
Wherever you look, you see me;
Wearing her dupatta back again, Kalpi turned only to be teased by Raghav again. He tapped on Kalpi's left arm first and then went on to tap her right arm when Kalpi had turned her face to left.
Main yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan
I'm here, I'm here, I'm here, here.
He nuzzled lovingly, closely in Kalpi's ears and neck while tracing the path with his lips.
Jaanam, dekh lo, mit gayi dooriyaan
Darling, look around; the distance between us is dispelled.
Overcome with shyness Kalpi started moving away from Raghav. She turned again but Raghav's hands stopped her. His hands moved from Kalpi's fingers and up to her shoulder from behind.
Main yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan
I'm here, I'm here, I'm here, here!
Both Raghav's arms came to rest at Kalpi's abdomen after feeling the curves of her waist while he hugged Kalpi from behind.
Kaisi sarhadein, kaisi majbooriyaan
What borders are there now? What obstacles?
Raghav quickly turned Kalpana in his arms, gripping her even more tightly. It was as if he did not want to let Kalpi go.
Main yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan hoon, yahaan
I'm here, I'm here, I'm here, here.
He looked intensely into Kalpi's eyes to assert what he meant; and immediately captured Kalpi's lips into a kiss.
(Read this part with the last piece of instrumental music)
Kalpi immediately opened her eyes; she'd just felt Raghav's lips on hers. She was sure now that Raghav was somewhere around her, somewhere very near her. But his constant hide and seek games, these overwhelming feelings were now too much to bear. Breathing hard, Kalpi ran as fast as she could, climbing down all the stairs and inside Sapna's apartment.
Sapna had just poured coffee in the mugs and Kalpi went running straight to her. Hugging her best friend for life, Kalpi let just a few tears flow down her cheeks. Broken and tired, it was impossible for Kalpi to control the pain of her heart now. But she still did control, because her heart yearned to see the real Raghav and not her hallucinations. The confession of her sins wasn't easy after-all for her.
"He is everywhere Sapna, he is everywhere. I see him everywhere, I feel him everywhere. He comes and disappears but he is always within my heart. Raghav is within me Sapna; he is within me" Kalpi said letting out a few sobs in the arms of her best friend.
PRECAP: Raghav and Kalpana meeting.
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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