PART-31
"Fiancee!" the depths of atmosphere devoid of any sound except Raghav's voice was all of a sudden filled with just this one word. "What is the cost of prying and intruding into the life of Raghav Singhania and...HIS FIANCEE- KALPANA JADHAV!" these few words out of Raghav's mouth had an all-pervasive impact on everyone present there. The team of Raghav and Kalpana's show stood dumbstruck with their jaws dropped while the media personnel were astounded enough to stand like statues for some moments.
As the time seemingly came to a standstill Kalpi was acutely aware of the impact Raghav's words had on everyone. Noticing their surroundings trying to come to terms with this small piece of news, Kalpi's own heart had started beating loudly. This time it was not out of nervousness but out of gratitude and surprise. It was gratitude for a man who had protected and supported Kalpi at every step of her life; and even though Kalpi had an inclination of Raghav's actions but she was surprised still.
Maybe Raghav would never cease to throw surprises Kalpi's way all their lives. As long as that surprise kept Raghav and Kalpi together, Kalpana did not mind them at all. Just now, Raghav had accepted Kalpi as his "would-be-wife" and that thought itself fluttered Kalpi's heart. Now in the eyes of the world, Kalpi had a right over Raghav; just as he had on her.
Now the world would not question the purity of their actions. Just a name to their souls' relation had made the world see through different glasses. Kalpi fought back a few tears, happy ones. Even though when Raghav had made Kalpi wear this ring on her engagement finger, little suspicions in the back of her mind had started raising their heads. But Kalpi had crushed all mercilessly, not believing anything until it actually happened. He'd taken out two well-hidden small boxes from his pockets and opened them to reveal two rings inside. "Ours" was the sole word which Raghav had spoken back then as he quietly slid a beautiful diamond ring on Kalpi's ring finger before telling Kalpi to make him wear the other ring; on "his" engagement finger. Kalpi's curious and questioning eyes had immediately risen up to meet Raghav's. Passing a loving hand on Kalpi's head, Raghav had only muttered, "For you my honeybee" and placed a gentle kiss on Kalpi's forehead.
She knew then, she expected something like this; but to hear and feel it was entirely a different experience. In this moment when the whole world's eyes were on both of them, Kalpi's gaze was fixed on Raghav. Her eyes soft, tears and overwhelmed with myriad emotions as her grip on Raghav's arm tightened. Just then Raghav turned his eyes to her, expressions on his face immediately softened. "Kalpi" Raghav had almost whispered out her name. He'd stood facing her for few moments, before holding and raising Kalpi's left hand up for the camera of media. "These are our engagement rings which you do not see in THAT picture!" he spoke showing off the back of their hands to cameras while transfixed Kalpi's eyes never left Raghav.
"Kalpana Jadhav is my life and I do not take the hurt to my life lightly" Raghav had hissed under his breath. Raghav's powerful presence towered above the rest as he again continued on his mission to bring happiness for Kalpi. "You wanted answers, you wanted something to write. Well, I gave the material to you, officially!" Raghav growled, "And now, I would not like to read one more defaming word against Kalpana." He kept his intimidating gaze on the people surrounding them, the silent message immediately invading their senses. Some of the media personnel nodded their heads robotically, the courage which they had already lost under the influence of Raghav's commanding persona.
"Good" Raghav uttered as his gaze slowly returned to Kalpi, concern and love for her evident on his face. His eyes searched Kalpi's face in curiosity to know how she had taken in this announcement. As Kalpi's eyes smiled back at him, Raghav let out a breath and wordlessly wrapped his arms around Kalpana. He took Kalpi under the wings of his protection. The cameras started clicking once again capturing this moment in their lenses. "Are you fine honeybee?" Raghav whispered in Kalpi's ears as Kalpi hugged him back. "Never felt better Mr.Singhania, I am very happy" Kalpi spoke into Raghav's chest.
"I am happy too honeybee...I am happy too" Raghav said more to himself than to Kalpi as his lips curved up in a sad smile.
****************************************************
As the Sun made its way on top of the sky by noon, the electronic media and internet was already full of buzz with the news of Raghav Singhania and Kalpana Jadhav's engagement. Kalpi and Raghav's phones were ringing non-stop; so Raghav had forwarded their both incoming calls to his office, to be handled by his PRO and Private Secretary. But it was not before Gauri had called Raghav, "Raghav, I saw the news beta. Today I feel so proud that I am your mother. But beta, did you ask Kalpi? Does she agree?" she'd asked in concern.
"Yes Mom, she does. Kalpi agrees to our engagement and I...I don't know what to say Mom. I did this for her smile and because with Kalpi in my life, I am always happy. But Mom, I am afraid. Will I be able to keep her happy? What if some day my desire to see myself happy overpowers the desire to see Kalpi happy? I am afraid Mom" Raghav had said faltering, first time sharing his feelings with Gauri. Gauri had only smiled; she remembered how Raghav had panicked that morning. He had just come rushing down and was sprinting for the front door, in hurry to go somewhere. This was when stopping Raghav Gauri had told Raghav to leave after having breakfast. But Raghav had refused, "No Mom, I don't have time. It is about Kalpi" he had said while continuing his frantic rush.
"No wait, but what is it?" Gauri had asked getting worried herself, still oblivious to the new developments. Raghav had stopped midway and fixed his eyes to the floor in guilt while detailing his mother about what had happened. "I want to give Kalpi her respect back Mom, I want to return have her smile return. I...I want to announce that we are engaged. She is my life Mom and I have no qualms in accepting it in front of the whole world. If fate has decided to play games with us, then that's fine; I will participate in it too. If getting engaged to Kalpi means giving her share of smile to her, I will. Maybe the fate shall win the war Mom; maybe it will separate us again. But I won't accept defeat in this one battle for Kalpi's respect. I will live this happiness for Kalpi, with her; even if it is meant to be short-lived. Before today's evening, the world will see Kalpana Jadhav as Raghav Singhania's fiancee Mom; and I will buy the most beautiful ring for her" Raghav had finished speaking, determined but teary-eyed by then. "You love Kalpi, don't you?" Gauri had asked Raghav making his eyes snap up to his mother. He could not reply, merely bowed his head down in a silent confirmation.
"Okay, I know my answer" Gauri had caressed Raghav's head. "And only for this reason I forgive your mistake. You promise me to return my both children's smile and I am with you" Gauri had assured Raghav. She'd then proceeded to hand over to Raghav the rings she and Kamla had made sometime back after noticing the small changes in their children's behavior. It was a dream both of them had seen, one which they were sure would come true in future. Unable to contain the excitement, both mothers had made the rings made already; with Kamla keeping Kalpi's ring in the custody of Gauri. Today that day had come albeit in a way unexpected, nevertheless the happiness was the same.
But now her son was fretting again, and yet again Gauri could only smile. "My son himself does not know how much he loves Kalpi" she thought, but she knew that Raghav's love for Kalpi needed support and faith in present. "You need to trust your and Kalpi's fate Raghav. You need to trust your love for her. You need to have faith in the trust which Kalpi has in you. Your fate always wanted you two to be together, your fate was never against you. Give a chance to your fate Raghav, this engagement is your fate's and your both mothers' will Raghav; fate is not against you my son" Gauri told her son, true that the way of the reasons which had led to this engagement were not to her and Kamla's liking. But this is what they had wanted always, she could not see her son not trusting himself or his fate.
She knew where Raghav's happiness lay. Hoping Raghav had understood her, she had waited for his reply. "Okay Mom, I will try I promise" he'd said before ending the call, very well aware of their ecstatic colleagues who had thrown a mini-party on the sets to congratulate Raghav and Kalpi.
The rest of the day both Raghav and Kalpi had lived in their dream. Their colleagues had left no chance to tease the duo the whole day. They both had lunch together inside Raghav's van, exchanging silent glances; Kalpi in gratitude and Raghav in awe of the happiness of those moments. In those moments, Raghav and Kalpana did not require any verbal words, because their hearts spoke through their eyes. Kalpi had forgotten the nightmare news of that morning had brought with it, and Raghav forgot his worries for future. Two souls, fated to spend their lives together wanted to live a lifetime of love in that one hour break. Content with each other's presence, Raghav and Kalpi drank each other in while they ate food before their ended with a warm hug.
****************************************************
They both were sitting inside Raghav's car. It was dark outside save few street lamps and lights filtering from the windows of flats around them. Many curious faces of Jadhavs' neighborhood stared at the car from a safe distance even as Raghav and Kalpi gauged the situation outside. Raghav kept an assuring hand on Kalpi's, making her look into his eyes. "I am with you" he assured Kalpi and she nodded.
He looked longingly at his honeybee, thankful to the shield which night and shaded car windows provided. "Kalpi" he murmured, surprising Kalpi by hugging her close to himself. He nuzzled in Kalpi's neck trying to calm the storm in his heart, trying to breathe in some peace through her scent. "I...I missed you so much in these eight years" Raghav admitted placing a soft kiss in the crook of her Kalpi's neck, the small shivers by his touch in Kalpana's body applying a balm to his heart.
Kalpi closed her eyes tightly as her heart went on a happy nervous ride. Not caring if their frames were visible from outside, Raghav held Kalpi close to him for as long as possible. He needed this; he needed to feel her, just to assure himself that the present was theirs. He needed to feel that in present his Kalpi was with him, his happiness was with him. The wounds of their past had healed, his honeybee was his fiancee now; yet Raghav needed to make himself believe about the beauty of present.
Not wanting to think about future then, Raghav needed this time with Kalpi. As far as he was concerned Raghav knew that his life would always be beautiful because "his honeybee" would always be a part of him. Nevertheless the thoughts of future were still frightening him. "I missed you too Raghav" the sweet, shy and admitting voice of Kalpi reached Raghav's ears and he smiled briefly. Placing feather light kisses as he nuzzled in her neck , Raghav whispered in Kalpi's ears, "Me...more" and pressed Kalpi's body more into him. He heard Kalpi's muffled gasp and feel of her small fists holding his jacket.
"Kalpi...will you always trust me?" Raghav then asked her. Making small distance between them and looking into Kalpi's eyes he requested Kalpi, "Promise me you won't hate me again? Promise me whatever happens you would have faith in me. I...I cannot see hatred for myself in your eyes again Kalpi."
"Promise me!" he said a bit loudly and urgently, this time in a soft yet commanding tone. "Raghav!" Kalpi exclaimed, she caressed Raghav's bearded cheek. "I promised you, I will always be with you even if you do not want me near you. I won't let go of you" she said.
Raghav's gaze softened at her words yet he needed to hear the verbal promise, "Kalpi, just promise me that you would not hate me. You would trust me...Please?" he urged. Smiling Kalpi nodded her head, and kissed Raghav's cheek. "I promise you Raghav, I would never hate you; and I would always trust you. I promise...my fianc!" she replied with twinkling and happy eyes. Raghav's face beamed at her words and he hugged her back saying, "Thank You honeybee!"
"And Kalpi..." He called out her name again. "Yes...." Kalpi replied absentmindedly, enjoying the warmth of Raghav's arms around her. "You need to change your home" he said surprising her.
"What?" she almost shouted making Raghav chuckle. Indicating with his eyes Raghav told her to see outside, their car was surrounded with a horde of people. "Oh that...yes" laughing Kalpi agreed. Raghav gave a soft, brief kiss on Kalpi's lips making sure to shield her little visible frame from outside view with his body. "Come I will accompany you" he said breaking their kiss later on. He escorted Kalpi to her home with his arms around her shoulder, protecting her from every prying eye swapping between their faces and ring fingers.
****************************************************
It was yet another bedtime, one which could have brought a sad, sleepless night instead of a happy one. But for Kalpana it was a joyous one, this time Raghav and Kalpana together had fought the dark shadows; and defeated them. Today Kalpana's trust on Raghav; and Raghav's promise to protect her had saved Kalpi and her family from an unnecessary humiliation. Kalpi was very happy, she knew now that her mentor and idol was more than a childhood friend. She knew that Raghav was more than a guide and protector for her. He was Kalpi's everything...he was THE LOVE OF HER LIFE. Kalpi knew now that she was madly, deeply and completely in love with "her everything."
She lay in her bed holding the photo frame which Raghav had gifted to her while fulfilling one of his promises. Remembering all that had occurred since the previous day her lips were spread in a wide smile.
Kalpi stared unblinkingly at their image inside the photo frame. Today she was grateful for this invaluable gift; it was Raghav and Kalpana together and it was gifted by "Her Raghav". She needed to confess her love; she wanted to tell "Her Raghav" what he meant to her. Feeling overwhelmed and shy with this new realization she murmured softly "I Love You Raghav. I Love You A Lot"; and hugged the photo frame close to her chest.
****************************************************
Raghav stood in the balcony of his bedroom, facing the dark and cold night skies outside. The sound of ocean waves crashing against the shore reached his ears, "Maybe it is in the fate of these waves to touch just the boundary of this sandy land; even though they are incomplete without each other" Raghav thought. After mindlessly focusing his stare in distance at particularly nowhere for some more time, he sighed and turned to walk inside the walls of his bedroom.
His feet came to a stop at the wall which adorned his and Kalpi's photos since their childhood. Raising his hand to touch one of the recent ones from their photo shoot, Raghav caressed Kalpi's image in the photo. "I LOVE YOU "HONEYBEE". You are so lovely and you are mine. I Love You A Lot" Raghav whispered lovingly before closing his eyes and bowing down his head. His other hand curled into a tight fist, fighting a battle with himself.
He let in and out a deep breath, raising his head to let his eyes wander freely over Kalpana's photos. Caressing one of the photos once more he uttered determinedly, "But I have to allow you to be free...of me. I will let you free." Few tears fell down Raghav's cheeks as he thought more of the decision, "I Love You Kalpi and I Will Always Love You."
Possible Glimpses of Next Update: Kamla's view on this incident and RagNa engagement; reason behind Raghav's sadness and Person behind Photo Leakage.
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.
Bigg Boss 19
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
