Thread 2-Celebration of Fates:RagNa FF, Part-44,Page-100, 21/02 - Page 23

Night, a night with twinkling stars and full moon; one which let equally sparkling changes shine in the dark skies of Raghav and Kalpi's lives. The sparkles signified some new realizations and the light of probable new relations. It was just like Raghav and Kalpana's lives and their love for each other. Darkest of times might mark their lives, but their hearts would never leave care and support for each other. For now the haze blurring their vision had cleared, leaving only those stars and the moon of their almost realised love. The Moon would always be there; because even during an Eclipse it is not the Moon which vanishes. It is what we perceive and see from where we are, Raghav and Kalpana's love was like that. Their love was and always would be there, an everlasting love.

In their own way Raghav and Kalpana had heard the first clear sounds of that love, together. Before Raghav fed Kalpi with his own hands the snacks prepared for her, he'd made her change into the spare clothes of his cousin Akanksha. Being a frequent visitor to the Singhania Mansion she had her own room here; where the cupboards always housed some of her spare clothes. "Go and change into something dry first" after their confrontation Raghav had commanded Kalpi; and she had heartily obeyed. Kalpi now knew that anything Raghav tells her shall always be for her benefit.

To Kalpi all of it seemed so surreal, after years she had spent some quality time with Gauri and Raghav both together. Her Taai and Raghav had made her stay not only for dinner but also informed Kamla about the same. "Kamla maa, Kalpi will have dinner with us tonight; and don't worry me myself will drop her home" Kalpi had overheard Raghav telling Kamla on phone. "Yes she is fine now; and always shall be. I will always take care of her happiness" he'd continued assuring Kamla about Kalpi's well-being. Kalpi had again felt overwhelming emotions within her. "My idol, my mentor, my childhood friend would always continue to surprise me it seems; and in a good way" smiling she'd thought.

Yes, she'd smiled then and she was smiling now, in the warmth of her bed. In fact the smile had not left Kalpi's lips since evening. Laying there, Kalpi had recollected every moment spent with Raghav till the time he'd dropped her home. Stubborn as he was, at night Raghav never trusted Kalpana's safety with anyone else. They'd exchanged only two words before parting: "sleep well" but they still parted Kalpi's lips with happiness.

On the other hand Raghav's condition was no better. He'd been awake for a long time, unable to sleep and unable to believe the events of that day. After eight years there was a peace in his heart, one which he'd forgotten ever existed. Eight long years, his heart had cried alone; broken and hurt at the thought that his honeybee had not trusted him. His honeybee had chosen the words of a third person but not let him speak even a word. His heart had cried remembering their fights since childhood; their hidden care for each other; their undying support for each other.

"Raghav and Kalpi"; since childhood neither their families nor their friends, no one took their names separately. Maybe it was the love behind their fights or maybe the fact that none of them ever gave this right to anyone else. Then just because of one kiss, Kalpi had let go of everything they shared. For the first time, his honeybee had allowed a third person to come between them. He'd missed her so much that it hurt, her betrayal hurt; her words which Raghav could not forget had hurt; but most of all Kalpi's absence had hurt. So much that Raghav kept himself notified about everything Kalpi did. Where she worked, the people who came in contact with her, Raghav knew everything. He did not let her go, maybe it was his promise made to Kalpi made out of a hurt ego; or maybe it was his broken heart. But now, he was ready to believe it was just a nightmare probably and what he is seeing now is a beautiful reality. His honeybee was with him and there was nothing more he wanted in life now.

"I'd do anything for your happiness Kalpi. I promise" Raghav whispered to himself and went into the lap of sleep, contented after a long time.

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"Yes Kamla, it'd been so many years since I saw him sleep in so much peace. This smile on his face, I thought I'd not see again. But it seems time is changing for good; it seems our dream will come true at last. Something has definitely changed between Raghav and Kalpi. Today when I saw them interacting with each other, I felt as if I've found both of them back. Our Kalpi, she was smiling from heart today. Her smile was connected with Raghav's today. The Kalpi who left Singhania Mansion was completely different from the one who'd arrived. God heard our prayers Kamla, I am so happy today" Gauri was telling Kamla on phone at 12.30 A.M. in the night. Having just returned from the room of her son and watching him hugging a pillow close to himself with a peaceful smile on face, Gauri couldn't contain her happiness.

She'd called Kamla and shared her joy. In return she'd found an equally ecstatic Kamla sharing her own relief too. "I can understand Taai. As mothers we both waited so much to see that happiness on our children's faces again. Today, we saw a glimpse of it. I was so worried for Kalpi since yesterday. But, our children worked it out Taai, and their bond has become stronger. You are right; I saw the joy shining in the eyes of my daughter when she returned. She was so happy; she hugged me and told me that she got her Raghav back. That Raghav was never wrong. Raghav forgave her Taai, they worked it out. But...I am so afraid to believe it yet. I hope now no one's evil eye will affect our children Taai" Kamla said to Gauri.

"Kalpi said that? I am so happy to hear that. Raghav did not tell me anything; when he returned he was still in a daze and went straight to his room. No Kamla, now no trouble will come between our children, now they are together. Together they can fight anything" Gauri assured Kamla.

"Probably you are right Taai. Let us wait for this new morning in our lives. Tomorrow is a new day and a new start for us all" Kamla said.

"Yes Kamla. Goodnight and all the best for this new start" Gauri said and both the mothers bid adieu with an envelop of satisfaction around their souls. It was truly a night of sweet dreams spread in its full glory, unaware what lay forth in the morning of this new start.

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Raghav's whistles filled the walls of Singhania Mansion with their own music as he got ready. While he dressed and prepared to go for the shoot, Gauri and some of the servants were surprised hearing the unexpected. Raghav Singhania was blowing musical whistles! Whoever of them listened could not help grinning.

Usually the hard to please task-master or a flying machine always in a hurry, this morning was truly an exception. This seemed to be a different Raghav to all of them.

"Aaj Raghav Baba bahut khush hain na Ma'am" (Today Raghav Baba is very happy right, Ma'am?) asked one of the peons and Gauri nodded. "Yes he is" was Gauri's short reply, all her senses right now were focused only on the sounds coming from Raghav's room.

In his room Raghav was all smiles, never before was he so excited to go to work. It would be a new experience in a way for him, to work with "his honeybee who won't sting". Though his and Kalpana's working relation had the base of childhood friendship and support, but it always had toppings of fights, teasing and inhibitions in some or other way. It was going to be the first time that their friendship had evolved into something of this nature, where they were a bit too compatible with each other.

In all honesty, Raghav had always wanted to see this day. Now that it was here, he intended to make full use of it. "Hell, now again I can demand and snatch food cooked by Kamla Maa from Kalpi" he thought shaking his head with a naughty smile and bit his lower lip. His thoughts were broken when Sammy's call played the ringtone of his cell.

"Hello Sammy" Raghav replied lazily; though the smile on his lips was soon replaced by the frown on his forehead as seconds ticked by. He listened to every word which Sammy uttered and every word made his heartbeats come to a slow stop.

"What?" the distressing word came out of his mouth in a shock.

"Yes Raghav. Hurry and check for yourself" Sammy replied. Raghav closed his eyes and sighed. "And Raghav..." Sammy continued adding, "Please do something about it as soon as possible. It's a matter of ..."

"I know Sam, I know!" Raghav cut in Sammy's words pinching his nose in frustration. "I won't spare them. Don't worry, I will handle it. No one can go away by doing this to Raghav Singhania's heart. They will know the consequences soon enough; and...the answers too" saying so Raghav cut the call and turned to his already on laptop.

His fingers worked on some keys and when the result flashed on the screen, his jaws clenched in anger. "Whoever you are, but all of you will have to pay for this; for..." he promised to himself; his brain and limbs already working towards his mission.

Without wasting any more time, Raghav made a few urgent calls and moved his hurried steps downstairs. "I need to act and act fast" he thought, his reflexes faster than normal. Someone had tested his patience and care again; and this time Raghav could not fail. He wouldn't fail.

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The company of smile did not leave Kalpi's face for even one second since the time she'd woken up. She was ready earlier than usual this morning. Even now while combing her hair, Raghav's face filled her eyes. The mirror in front of her reflected not her but Raghav's face. Even her imagination had left a soft blush on Kalpi's cheeks. Kalpi's reverie was her own little heaven then; a heaven which she was not ready to leave. But she had to when the doorbell of their home rang and a few moments later she heard Raghav's familiar voice inside her room.

"Kalpi" Raghav called out Kalpana's nick-name softly and lovingly, as if he was afraid of something. Kalpi turned and ran straight in Raghav's arms, pouring the elixir of her heavenly dreams on him. She felt Raghav cuddling her close to him, "Kalpi...do you trust me?" she heard him ask. A small wave of panic passed through Kalpi when she heard Raghav ask this question. After what they'd shared last night; after all the haze had cleared, this question shouldn't have been there. She raised her head from Raghav's chest and looked into his eyes; eyes filled with hope, questions and...fear? Why?

"Of course Raghav, I do trust you. Whatever happened with us was my mistake. You're my idol Raghav and now no mistake of mine can shake my faith in you. You will not lose me now, even if it is your own desire" Kalpi assured Raghav. She saw Raghav give out a breath of relief before hesitating to speak something. For what seemed like an endless minute to Kalpi, he continued to look down to his feet. His hands on Kalpi's shoulders before Raghav mustered the courage to say anything at last. But what he said left a fearful trail of confusion in Kalpi's heart once again. "There is something you should check, you have to check" Raghav said.

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HALF AN HOUR LATER: -

Raghav was sitting on the double bed of Kalpi's bedroom, giving the support of his shoulder and arms to an inconsolable Kalpi. Her tears had once again soaked the fabric of his shirt while Raghav himself muttered some incoherent soothing words in her ears. "Sssh, you are with me; we are together. We will fight and overcome this" he was saying.

His honeybee had reacted the same way as he'd expected; the reason why he himself came here to inform Kalpi about it. He had not let either of the producer, director and even Chhaya to update Kalpi about it on phone. He needed to be with Kalpi when she needed him. As far as Raghav was concerned, it must be some crazy fool who took the risk of awakening a sleeping lion within him. "It must truly be some fool" he thought, "but he will still pay for it." No one can get away with a trick like this. Raghav could not believe it, someone had actually secretly captured the moment of his and Kalpana's kiss last night. The person had not stopped at that; he'd uploaded the image on internet causing uproar on not only social media sites; but also media channels. "It was a private beach for God's sake!" Raghav thought. But that had not stopped someone, maybe some neighbor or some servant working in one of neighbouring houses; maybe some rival of his to commit breach of their privacy. He'd thought and thought hard as to whom it could be. True that it was an open beach and there were one or two equally large mansions in distant neighbourhood. But it still was a private beach, who could it be?

Based on some of his own observations and analysis, Raghav already had an idea where he would find the true culprit. But right now that was not important, what was important was restoring Kalpana's dignity; in her own eyes and in the eyes of the world. What was more important was to bring a smile on her lips again. To see his honeybee continuously crying like this pierced Raghav's heart. He tried to stop Kalpi's sobs again.

"Trust me my honeybee. In order to take your happiness away from you; even God will have to deal with me first. No one can take it away from you ever, not even me. I will correct everything, you believe me right? Please stop crying; it pains me so much" Raghav said, trying his best not to start shedding tears himself, though the hoarseness of his voice was giving away everything.

"I believe you Raghav" Kalpi sobbed, raising her head a bit. "B, But...A, Aai. She will be hurt! How will I face her Raghav? What will I tell her? S, society; p, people will not let her live in peace" stuttering Kalpi finished. Keeping his forefinger under Kalpi's chin Raghav made her look into his eyes. "Nothing offensive or degrading can ever touch you my honeybee; till I am alive. The photo of our kiss taken discreetly by a spying b*****d cannot ruin the righteousness of that moment we shared and the purity of our relation. Our relation is unique Kalpi; you know it, I know it and probably our mothers know it better than both of us. No third person can ever be a true judge of what we both share. In fact we both ourselves were and still are stupid and naive enough to not know what we both share. Those persons in society, who clicked that picture and posted on online sites, gave to media, and those viewers; they can never insult us. What in fact insulting is- their own vision and thoughts. There methods of trying to know too much about someone else's life too soon. I promise you honeybee; whoever pried into a moment which was only ours; which was the redemption from our past shall have to pay"; "Today the world will want answers from us, but we know we aren't wrong. Our mothers' upbringing isn't wrong. If your trust is with me Kalpi, I can fight the world for your and our mother's honour. Just, please do not ever leave your faith in me" Raghav pacified Kalpi, ending his words in an earnest request.

"My faith is now forever in your custody Raghav, it is yours, not mine anymore. I promise I will never leave your side, even if it is your own desire. I promise" Kalpi assured Raghav, keeping her head back on Raghav's chest bringing a small smile of relief on his face. "Thank You honeybee, thank you" Raghav said kissing Kalpi's head. "Everything will be alright, I promise. Your smile will be back on your lips, and the world will get its answers. But before that" Raghav said breaking the hug, "I want you to do something."

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Their car came to a stop at the shooting site. Everyone from Sammy to their producer and director had warned Raghav and Kalpana to expect a bevy of media personnel there. Raghav was prepared to take the bull by the horns. Yet the fact was, he was nervous, not for himself but for Kalpana. Being a girl it was natural for her to panic. Besides it was Kalpana's first big show as a lead, first brush with side-effects of stardom; and first brush with a controversy. She was still very new to deal with all this.

It did not help that besides being a popular film actor, Raghav was also a very successful businessman; the best of his game. So, when two top stars of their fields get an unwanted limelight like this, the media was bound to get curious for some "masala".

"No use thinking Raghav" he told himself, as he and Kalpana looked into each other's eyes and nodded their heads in agreement. "C'mon let's do it; and just a reminder..." extending his palm towards Kalpana he continued. "As per our agreement, you will let me handle this; you will not answer any question; and you will agree with whatever answer I give to them" Raghav repeated the words he'd told to Kalpana before. Kalpi smiled and gave her hand in Raghav's, "I remember Raghav and I promise."

"Good" Raghav winked at Kalpi and together both stepped out. As expected they were met with flashes of cameras and Raghav was by Kalpi's side in a matter of seconds. Keeping his hand on Kalpi's shoulder and pressing her close to him, Raghav shielded her from everyone. The reporters were throwing all kinds of questions their way, mostly directed at Kalpana.

"What do you have to say about that pic Ma'am?"; "What is the truth behind that pic?"; "What is your and Raghav Singhania's relation?"; "Is it true, the most eligible bachelor has found his sweetheart?"; "Will you still say you are just old childhood friends?"; "Is it a good news for the viewers of your show?"; "As a girl don't you think this is against our culture?" ; "What did your mother have to say about this Ma'am?"

Raghav and Kalpi tried to ignore all even as Raghav tried to control his anger. They both continued walking till the crew of their show and colleagues also came in vision. This was enough for Raghav, he had controlled enough just so what he wanted to say was heard by everyone; including their team-mates. "That's enough" he roared, causing an immediate silence swamp the place. Some media personnels who knew what Raghav was capable of, stepped back in fear. But no one left the place, one of the reporters meekly responded though.

"Sir we merely want the answers to our logical questions; and I am sure all the viewers want them too" the girl said. Raghav's angry gaze focused first on that girl and then everyone else.

"Fine, you want answers; you will get them. What would you like to know first?" Hearing him, one of the reporters mustered the courage to ask a question but Raghav silenced him. Showing his palm to him Raghav continued for the benefit of every media personnel.

"You are right; it is an advanced age where media and cameras have the right to know everything. My fault and keeping that in mind let me clear some things first which all of you might be interested in knowing" Raghav said looking at everyone.

"My personal legal advisors shall be looking into this case and going by their advice I plan to go ahead with a few actions and decisions. We will be filing the civil and criminal cases for defamation. We will also claim the special damages for the same. Besides this I am told this is a perfect case for taking varied other legal actions against everyone involved", "Definition of Involved? The person behind this photo; the media houses and the reporters involved; including..." Raghav gestured towards each one of them, "Every one of you harassing us right now" Raghav said causing fearful murmurs to pass amongst the reporters.

"Plus" Raghav continued causing the silence to return again. "There are plans of buying some of your small time media-houses as well very soon. I am not sure how many of the old reporters will be retained by Singhania Group then. In fact starting today, I have told my team to start identifying those reporters which aren't indispensable because..." Raghav stared at everyone with complete focus. "Singhania Group works with only the best."

Dead, if someone had to describe the life of "Sound" then, he or she would only say "Sound is dead in the room." Raghav's impactful yet soft in tone words had killed the voices in the throats of those present. It was only after Raghav himself filled the void of sound at the site that everyone's focus became more attentive to hear more of the (un)said. "But the most important answer of all which I am sure each one of you will be interested in writing, recording, publishing and airing is..." Raghav hissed in a dangerous voice. Holding Kalpana's hand tighter and pushing her more towards himself he continued uttering "What is the cost of prying and intruding into the life of Raghav Singhania and...HIS FIANCEE- KALPANA JADHAV!"

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.