He runs towards the railing looks down in horror to see that Ragini had fallen into the sea. Without a second thought, Nachiket jumps off for his love. He grabs a hold of Ragini who was about to drown... He tries to swim back towards the cruise...but the Cruise is gone.
Ragini stirs in sleep, her head was aching so badly. The cool breeze wasn't making it easier. She could hear the sound of waves...and feel the sunlight falling directly on her face. She suddenly opens her eyes... finding herself in Nachiket's arms she is shocked to the core. She stands up in an instant. They had been sleeping on some beach.
Ragini walks around worried, looking for some clue. She keeps running here and there for sometime until she realizes they are stranded on a deserted island. She falls down on the sand, banging her head on her knees, she tries to recall last night events. The last she remembered was Nachiket and Sheena dance and the argument that followed.
She walks angrily towards Nachiket who is sitting on the sand equally worried. Ragini burst out at him,
"Nachiket hum yahan par kaise aagaye?!!"
"Yeh sawaal tumhe khud se karna chaiye Ragini mujhse nahi..ke hum yahan kaise aagaye"
"Har baar mujhe blame karo Nachiket... Accept kyu nahi karte ki tum zimmedaar ho?" Ragini shouted.
"Meri wajah se... Who got drunk heavily? Who argued first?"
"Aur waise bhi Yeh sab nahi hota agar tum..."
"Haan haan bolo!"
"Chi... Tum mujhse sunna bhi chahte ho k tum kya kar rahe the party me? Ab mein ek minute bhi yaha nahi ruk sakti tumhaare saath" Ragini cried out.
"Same feelings... Mujhe bhi koi shauk nahi hai tumhaare aage peeche ghumne ka" Nachiket shouted back at her.
Ragini stomps through the sand and starts walking towards the jungle. Yeh sub Nachiket ki wajah se hua. Agar woh Sheena ke saath dance nah karta tou mein itna drink hi nahi karti. Woh samajhta hai ke mein uske bagair yahan se nahi nikal sakti. Mein jald hi koi raasta nikaal lungi aur woh sadta rahe yahin par"
After wandering in the jungle for like ten minutes, Ragini stops dead in her tracks when she hears some sound... someone was moving in the bushes. Mustering all her courage she went on tiptoe towards the bushes only to hear the footsteps coming closer. Her heart stops... and she almost screams when Nachiket appears before her. She let out a sigh of relief.
Nachiket looks at her confused.
"Woh...meine socha ke..." Ragini stammered, "Ke kahiin tum kho nah jao warna tumhare Dada Ji ka kya hoga." Ragini feigned a smile after her bluff.
"Thanks for the concern but I can take care of my family. Tum apni crores ki property ki fikar karo!" Nachiket replies coldly.
"Huhh"
"Tum aj bhi jhoot theek se nahi bol sakti Ragini"
Hearing that, Ragini tried to walk off in a huff but Nachiket pulls her hard towards him. She hits his broad chest and instinctively looks down trying to hide her flushed cheeks from his intense stare. But Nachiket keeps staring. He locks the lose hair strand behind her ear. She looks up into his deep stare with a fluttering heart,
"Tum chaho tou mere saath chal sakti ho." Nachiket said in a husky voice releasing her hand. He then turns around and starts walking.
Ragini sighed, "Haan mein bhi wohi kehrahi thi..." Ragini said trying to overcome the awkwardness. Nachiket stopped again and came closer, their bodies touching again. "Kya keh rahi thi?"
"Ke humare raaste jab alag alag hain..." Ragini stammered. Nachiket frowned. "I mean humare raste...I mean humari manzil same hai tou raaste bhi same hone chaiye nah." She finished the sentence looking at him innocently.
Nachiket turned around and smiled to himself. Ragini was totally embarrassed...she followed him silently.
They walked and walked until they reached the other end of the island but there was no way they could get out of that place. They look at each other, with a little disappointment and a little excitement.
***
"It is hard to accept Ragini but I guess we need to look for the help" Nachiket finally confesses.
"Dekhne se help thodi aayegi, Nachiket. Kuch toh karna hoga" Ragini said panting.
"Let me think" Nachiket said looking around.
"Tum sochte raho... Mein hi kuch karti hoon." She strides out on the beach looking for something not bothering to answer Nachiket's questions, "Kya karogi Ragini... Mujhe bhi batao"
Ragini comes back with a stick, "Ab dekho... Yeh *SOS* dekh kar hame help kaise milti hai... overflying choppers & ships se... Tum bas sochte hi raho"
"This is nice... But yeh seashore se bahut khareeb hai... Mit jayega tumhara SOS sign" Nachiket points out.
"Nahi Mitega... Meine door likha hai" Ragini challenges him with a grin.
Riding on the high speed winds the sea waves crash in and carries back Ragini's SOS sign back to the sea... Nachiket raises his eyebrow and passes a comment.
Ragini *ignores*
"Woh stick do aur tumhari white skirt bhi... Mujhe white flag banana hai for help" Nachiket chuckles.
"What?????"
"Aarey Mazak kar raha tha for a laugh" grins Nachiket snatching the stick from her.
"Ghatiya Mazak tha... Kuch acha Mazak bhi toh kar sakte the?"
"Tumhare saat aur wohi bhi achhaa... Now this is a joke" Nachiket says grinning from ear to ear.
"Huhh... I am hating this place"
"Haan, haan tum toh aise bol rahi ho jaise yeh jagah mujhe bahut pasand aayi" Nachiket retorts taking off his shirt. "Listen, mein uss bade wale boulder par yeh flag laga dunga shayad usse help mil jaye" he added and strode towards the boulders unaware that Ragini was drooling over his six pack abs and hard built shoulders.
After planting his shirt as a flag Nachiket turns around, "Mein kya keh raha tha Ragini..." He pauses looking at Ragini, who is shamelessly staring her. Isse kya hua, ghoor kyu rahi yeh mujhe. "Ragini... Ragini..." He climbs down to check if Ragini is all well until something struck his mind, Is she staring??? She is staring!!! Nachiket comes closer and though his heart loved it he felt a little embarrassed... "Stop... Stop staring" He stammered. Shaken from those shouts and unable to handle Nachiket's intense eyes, Ragini looks down to mutter sorry.
"Tum bhi na Ragini... Ab chalen."
They continued walking while sharing heartfelt glances at each other... After a while, a dead tired Ragini gives up "Nachiket, meine thakk gayi hoon... Thodi der ruk jaate hai"
"Thoda aaram karlo, then we will move again"
"Thanks... Tum bhi rest karlo" Ragini said as she sat on the sand.
"Nahi tum aaram karo... I will keep the watch as this place is uninhabited"
Nachiket walks around and then finally sits down. He looks towards Ragini who was sitting watching the waves and seemed relax. She looked so graceful as always.
Flashback
"Nachiket tum Dad se kab haath maang rahe ho mera?"
They were sitting on Nachiket's terrace overlooking the sea.
Nachiket, who was resting his head on her lap, took her hand and kissed it, "Ragini kaisi baatein karti ho...ab tumhara haath ko kiss karne k liye tumhaare Dad se maangna padhega" He chuckled.
"Nachiket, I'm serious! Bolo kab aarahe ho Dad se milne?" She asked him again in a more serious tone.
"Ragini, abhi is baare mein socha nahi hai meine." He ran his fingers through her long soft hair.
"Nahi har baar tum yehi kehte ho... Tumhe dad se milna hoga... aur hamare bare mein baat karni hogi..."
Nachiket sits up and cups Ragini's face with both hands "Ragini, actually mujhe darr hai k tumhare dad maana kardenge. Tum ek wealthy businessman ki beti ho aur mein ek lower class family se... Kaunsa crore pati baap mere status ko dekh kar dega apni beti k haath?"
"Nachiket Papa aise nahi hain. I'm sure woh maan jaayenge kyu woh tumhe pasand karte hai. "
"Ragini, pasand karna alag baat hai. Ab mein aise uth kar tou unse unki beti ka haath nahi maang sakta nah just because he likes me."
"I don't know anything, Nachiket! Tum Papa se baat kar rahe ho aur woh bhi jaldi!" She demands, "I'm sure woh mana nahi karenge. But agar kuch problem hui tou tou...
"Tou kya Ragini?"
"Tou hum bhaag jayenge ... Papa baad mein set hojaenge..but I can't live without you."
"Nahin, Ragini! Hum aisa kuch nahi karenge." Nachiket replies sternly.
"But agar Dad nahi maane tou?"
"We will find a way out."
"Okay! Lekin us sub ke liye pehle tumhe mera haath maangna hoga, Nachiket!" She replies stressing on haath maangna.
"Sirf haath kya...mujhe toh poori Ragini Patel chahiye" Nachiket chuckles that burst Ragini into laughter.
A thunderous sea wave crashes in and Nachiket is brought back to present. Startled with that flashback, Nachiket rubs his eyes and looks at Ragini who was all busy watching the sea.
She looks back at him, "Chalen Nachiket?"
Nachiket nodded. As they were about to embark on another journey, Ragini stops him, "Nachiket mujhe bhook lagi hai"
"Hmm... Hawa aur paani hai yaha par"
"What?"
"Ragini yaha kya milega khaane ko? Sivaaye hawa or paani ke...yeh Viraan island hai... Bardaasht karo thoda"
Ragini *Angry Face*
"Ghusse se kuch nahi hoga Ragini!"
"Tum achi tarah se jaante ho k mujhe jab bhook lagti hai toh mujhse raha nahi jaata..." Ragini bit her tongue.
Nachiket *Silent*
"I am Sorry Nachiket... Mujhe nahi kehna chahiye tha, ab mera koi haq nahi kehne ka.. Chalen"
Feeling pained at that sorry, "Let me do something" Nachiket said and strode out towards the sea.
After a while, he comes back holding a salty fish. Completely aware that Ragini have zero knowledge in cooking... Nachiket cleans up the fish with his pocket knife, lit a fire after collecting wood from nearby...
Ragini looks at him, completely surprised by his concern and care. It had been three years since they separated and he still cared for her. She couldn't help but remember one of their unusual dates.
Flashback
"Nachi Baby sach me tumhe fish pakadna aata bhi hai?" Ragini comments after getting tired of the waiting.
"Ragini fishing isse hi kehte hai. Wait karna padhta hai... Kabhi fish minutes me phass jaati hai... Kabhi time lagta hai" Nachiket replies with his eyes focused on the water.
"Huhh... Yeh kaisi date plan ki hai tumne lakeside... Isse acha hota k hum koi movie dekhte"
"Come on Ragini, kabhi kabhi aise options try karne chahiye... Dekho kitna chilly mausam hai... Tum aur meine lakeside on a date" Nachiket smiles at her.
"Nachiket, wahan dekho uss taraf pani me badi fish hai... Waha par fish bait phenko"
"Chup raho Ragini... Mujhe pata hai kaise fish pakadte hai... Let me concentrate"
"Kabhi toh meri baat suno" She says irked and pinches his back.
"Ouch... Pinch kyu kiya" Nachiket cried out.
"Meri Marzi"
"Agli baar pinch kiya toh tumhe Fish hook se latka kar fishing karunga" Nachiket grins trying to irritate her more.
"Kya kaha... how dare you? Tum mujhe fish bait banao ge... Ab jao thande paani me" Ragini fired off and in a blink of an eye pushed Nachiket into the lake.
The delicious smell of the fish brings Ragini back to present. She smiles at Nachiket who gestures her to join him.
"Nachiket, tum aaj bhi accha khaana bana lete ho." She comments taking the first bite.
"Thank you Ragini. Aur mein jaanta hun tumhe aaj bhi Maggi ke ilawa kuch nahi baanae aata."
"Very funny Nachiket."
They both burst out into laughter.
After enjoying the delicious meal, Nachiket sets out on another quest. He comes back with two coconuts making Ragini jump out of joy. She helps him cut them.
"Tasty hai nah? Nachiket comments sipping the coconut water.
"Mmmhh..Nachiket you're the best! Pehle fish dinner aur ab yeh drink. Thank you so much for this." Ragini says excitedly. "Ek baat tou confirm hai, tumhare saath mein kabhi bhooki nahi marungi." She laughed out loud.
Nachiket smiled looking at her laughing like a child, "Mein tumhe kabhi bhooka hi nahi rehna doonga Ragini."
Ragini stops laughing suddenly,
"Bohot der hogayi hai Nachiket. I think ab humein so jana chaiye. Pata bhi nahi chala raat hogayi."
"Haan, you're right. Good night." Nachiket lied down on the sand and turned to the other side. He was cherishing every moment with Ragini. His heart yearned for her. Yeh mujhe kya horaha hai..kyun mein Ragini ki taraf khincha chala jaraha hoon. Uski baatein, uski smile, uska khoobsurat chehra. He kicked all those thoughts off his minds and tried to sleep but..
Flashback
"Papa, Nachiket aap se kuch baat karna chahta hai."
"Ofcourse. Bolo Nachiket beta. Tumhe kisi cheez zarurat hai tou bila jhijak bol sakte ho mujhe. I like this young man. Isko dekh kar mujhe apni jawaani ke din yaad ajaate hain. When I came to Bombay I had nothing but today...I can see the same spirit in you my boy."
"Nahin, Uncle...mujhe aisa kuch nahi chaiye. Actually Uncle...I want to ask you something. Jab aap Bombay aaye they tou Aunty aap ke saath thi?"
"Of course, she was with me. I owe all my success to her. She has always been by side. Mein Ragini ko bhi yehi bolta hoon...life mein ek acche partner ka support zaruri hota hai."
"Uncle jis tarah aunty ne aap ka saath diya..isi tarah aaj mujhe bhi kisi ke saath ki zarurat hai. Aur mera support system koi aur nahi Ragini hai. I want to marry your daughter."
"Nachiket beta...yeh tum kya kehrahe ho. You know I like you and I will always support you lekin this is not possible."
"Paapa, we love each other."
"Why not Uncle? Just because I'm not wealthy like you people?"
"It's not just about the wealth, Nachiket beta. But I don't think you both can live together forever. Tum dono ki dunya bohot alag hai...friendship tak tou theek hai but shaadi. I have full faith in you but I know Ragini tumhare saath nahi khush reh payegi."
"Lekin Dad, mein sirf Nachiket ke saath hi khush reh paungi."
"Ragini, please it's decided. I don't want to talk about it again."
"Okay fine papa! Mein shaadi karungi tou sirf Nachiket se. Nahi toh apni jaan dedungi!"
"Ragini!
"Stop acting like a child, Ragini. Shaadi koi bachon ka khel nahi. I'm your father and I know what's good for you."
"Ragini aise galat baat nahi karte... Uncle please, aap apni jaga sahi ho. Lekin I really love your daughter..and mein uska bohot khayal rakhunga. Uski aankhon mein kabhi koi aansu nahi aane dunga."
"Papa please maan jayen nah. I promise I will learn to compromise. Please."
"Maan jaayen nah...ek hi tou beti hai humari. Aur Nachiket ko hum itne saalon se jaante hain...he's such a good boy. I'm sure Ragini uske saath bohot khush rahegi."
"Okay."
"Yay, I love you so much Dad!!"
"Thank you so much Uncle!"
Those words still echoed in his ear. It was all going well. Ragini's father had agreed but then...
He turned to the other side. Ragini was sleeping peacefully... Their last meeting was still fresh in his memories. He remembered every word, every little detail.
Kyun mera dil kehta hai ke 3 saal pehle joh hua woh sach nahin...kyun mera dil aaj bhi maan ne tayar nahi ke Ragini aisa kar sakti mere saat.
