Part 3
"bhaaiii" Uttara jumped excitedly to finally see her brothers home, after all, she and pari ware really excited for the outing because they were going to meet Ragini after a lot of convincing.
"come on guys go and get ready fast we are already late." Uttara ordered her brothers. Just then Sujata and Annapurna came to see why Uttara sounded so impatient.
"Uttara you look so excited.. where r u guys going" Sujata asked looking at Uttara
"mom we are going to meet Ra..." Stopped as she realized what she was going to spit out.
"chachi ji we r going to have ice cream" pari jumped as fast as she could to cover Uttara's slip of tong
Uttara turned and gave a sorry look to laksh which melted his anger immediately
"ohh ok you guys enjoy.. and it has been long you kids went out together" Annapurna said as giving permission to them
"haa ma we r just going to fresh up and we will leave immediately. Adarsh bhai we will meet you there."
"Ok ... come on pari Uttara lets go"
Adarsh left and Sanskar and laksh went to their respective rooms to change.
____________________________
Oh god what should I wear I'm so confused' Ragini was murmuring to herself as she was going through her cloths. let me call swara' Ragini picked up the phone and called.
"Hello swara
"haa Ragini r u ready I'm ready I be out in a minute"
"what swara u r ready already.. swara I'm confused with what to wear I mean I don't know how they will find me"
"relax Ragz u don't have to worry just wear what you usually do... and any way someone should like you the way you r not the way they want you to be. Now come on get ready Rahul is waiting"
"ha ok ill be down in a few minutes
"ok.. we are waiting out side"
Ragini cut the call and got ready in her normal traditional attire and went downstairs. She left after saying goodbye to her Dadi. As she was going outside she saw Rahul at the driver seat. He actually borrowed his fathers car. Ragini went and sat next to him and Rahul immediately drove off.
Just then Rahul's phone rang
"Ragini I think u should pick up this call, laksh has been calling after every five min asking where we r" Rahul gave the phone to Ragini after seeing the caller ID.
"ha laksh.. we r coming" Ragini said as she picked up the call
"oh good we already reached we are waiting for u guys... come fast
"ha JAAN we r coming" swara and Rahul shouted at the phone making Raglak blush.
Ragini cut the call to avoid further embarrassment.
"Bye the way Rahul where r we going?" swara could not hide her excitement. She has always loved to meet new people.
"ahh because Dadi gave permission without a restricted time I talked to Laksh and we have decided to go for a movie what say "
"great idea I actually needed a break and it has been long since we went for a
movie together." Swara answered and Ragini nodding agreeing with the plan.
"God knows what's taking SanLak so long" Adarsh could not handle the gossip of his dear wife and sister. He was never type of a guy who would mingle easily with women, only SanLak had that talent and he has always wonder how they did it.
" bhai there they are" Uttara pointed to the direction. As soon as they reached them Adarsh could not help but ask the reason for their delay.
"come on guys what took you so long.. and you left me here listening to their non stop gossip. Oh god" Adarsh said as he kept an irritated look on his face. " any way...laksh did you know where Ragini is
"ha bhai they are on the way they will be here any minute"
after waiting for about ten minutes Swaragini and Rahul reached.
"Hii Laksh" Rahul shouted waving his hand to make them see him
"there they are" laksh said to his group informing that the wait is over waving back to Rahul as he was approaching him.
"hii Rahul" laksh hugged him "its been quite long we haven't met.. how r you" laksh asked his eyes searching for his lady love.
"I'm good... don't worry she is coming" Rahul saw his eyes searching Ragini " oh there they are" Rahul pointed at swaragini who were busy in their laugh and talk.
He saw Ragini coming from behind with swara. He could not deny that she looked stunning in her simple traditional cloths.
"Hii laksh" totally lost in Ragini Swara's greeting was left un heard
LAKSH!!" now she called more loudly shaking him
"oh hi swara" finally laksh answered leaving Ragini to take the blushing.
"god you two r just to much I think you should be telecasted for a Bollywood
movie you guys will be every ones favorite" swara now a bit irritated because she had enough of this session that Ragini and laksh always took.
Rahul of course could not control and laughed at the idea leaving the lovebirds embarrassed.
"Ok madam now lets go they are waiting" laksh took Ragini and swara Rahul were following them from behind.
" there she is!!" Uttara jumped from her chair and run to Ragini and gave her a warming hug and Ragini hugged her back.
"so we finally meet.. I heard so much about you. I must say bhai she is actually very pretty just like how you described her" Uttara was speaking non stop with so much excitement.
" Uttara r u going to keep her to yourself or let us also meet her" pari jumped in also and gave Ragini a hug. Ragini was really happy with the response she was getting
"Ragini this is Adarsh, bhabi, Sanskar and Uttara" laksh introduced with pointing to the person while saying their names.
as swara and Rahul where silent observers to the introduction that was made a pair of eyes were stilling glances at swara making sure it goes unnoticed. Of course and that was non other than Sanskar our hero. He knew she will be swara because as laksh described she was the only friend of Ragini and she was a bit modern. And from her dressing code he could easily identify her.
"Hii guys" swara extended her hand for hand shake.
After the introduction they went inside as the movie was going to start.
Of course AdaPari and Raglak sat together . swara sat between Uttara and Rahul. And Sanskar was beside Uttara. Swara knew how to mingle with people so easily.. Sanskar who was a victim, he could not concentrate to the movie as swara and Uttara were busy talking and criticizing the movie, how such things are so fake and there is no such heroes in real life. Others where busy on the movie except for Raglak who where romancing secretly as the didn't want any teasing. Laksh was not ready to leave Ragini's hand even after so much protest from her.
As the movie finished. They all decided to go for ice cream before heading home.
Laksh wanted to spend time with Ragini so he told Sanskar to go with Rahul and swara. No one said any thing as they knew they wanted some privacy and time alone. Uttara decide to join swara in their car giving reason that even AdaPari would want to have some romance followed by giggles from swara as she gave a hi-5 to Uttara leaving them embarrassed. Sanskar who was lost looking at swara and her beautiful laugh was tagged by Rahul asking where he was lost
" come man lets go"
" yah" Sanskar could not understand his behaviour
scene shifts to Shekhar and Sharmishta(coffee shop which is next to the ice cream parlor-guys I wont drag their story a lot.)
"why did you call me" Sharmishta spat out at Shekhar
"sit down.. you wont be able to stand for long" Shekhar pointed at the chair which was at his opposite. After ordering coffee for both of them
"I know that you still like black coffee" Shekhar said giving a smile to her " Mishti"
"Sharmishta" she corrected him.
"ok Sharmishta.. I know that so many things have happened and I want us to talk it out. Mishti" this time she could not dare stop him. She missed the way he used to call her with full of love and affection and after a long time she heard him today.
" I know that so many things have changed but you also now that one thing has always remained the same... and that is my love for you. Even though I married Janki I could not forget you. I tried a lot but destiny brought you right in front of me. Mishti today I got the biggest truth and happiness of my life I don't want to go away from it any more"
"Shekhar stop it already, nothing can go back to normal you have a daughter. And your mom will never agree to this relation" Sharmishta didn't want to have high hopes. Again. She wont be able to handle the breakdown again. Its not known if she was trying to make him understand or herself. " Shekhar I went through a lot.. when no one was with me including you" Sharmishta choked "I had no but maa and swara im living just for my daughter I cant bare any more pain ... Shekhar our relation gave us nothing but taunts and pain." Tears were now dropping from her beautiful eyes
"Mishti I know that we had to endure a lot but now its time for us to live for our self, for each other, for our daughters." Shekhar kept his hand on her hand looked into her eyes.
"ok Shekhar even if I agree" she could see the happiness in his eyes "what about Ragini?" Sharmishta couldn't stop her self to ask about her. She never had any grudges for Ragini nor for Janki. She has always loved her nature. The way she respected her even after her Dadi trying to manipulate. Her mom Janki died when she was very young.
"don't worry about her I'm sure she will understand. and she really likes you"
"she likes me because she doesn't know the truth.. do you think she will like me the same after knowing?"
"Sharmishta I know that you have always loved her and regarded her as your daughter and im sure even if she will be sad with the truth you will be able to win her heart." Shekhar answered with full determination "now that we are speaking about our daughters...what do you think.. swara will accept me when she knows that her dad left her mother when she needed him the most? I don't know what she might be thinking of me. how much of a coward I'm.." Sharmishta knew him very well that she could tell how guilty he was feeling.
"Shekhar I know that you r very guilty that you could not be there to support us. But the circumstances were such that I could not tell you the truth."
Shekhar wiped his and her tears "Mishti I can't pretend anymore that im happy and I have moved on.. I can't...its time for me to also have my share of happiness...enough of all this hide and sick. Im going to tell ma and bauji. If they yet decide to not accept it we will move out together with..." Shekhar could not believe his eyes. He did want the truth to be out but not this way. Sharmishta seeing Shekhar's gaze elsewhere she also turned.
"swara" that's what came out. she could clearly read her face that she heard their conversation. She was speechless.
(Few minutes ago)
as Rahul stopped his car out side the ice cream parlor they all stepped out of the car and were heading inside. Uttara was ahead with Sanskar leaving Rahul to lock his car, and swara was waiting for him when she noticed Sharmishta at the coffee shop. She thought to meat her mom then join her friend.
"hey Rahul you go on I will meet you guys inside in a sec" swara told Rahul headind to the coffee shop.
"but where r u going"
" I saw ma there I'll meet her and come"
"ok.. come fast"
swara headed to the coffee shop. And Rahul went inside and told Ragini when she asked about her.
(Back to present)
swara left with out saying anything
"Swara" Sharmishta run behind her but she was fast she could not catch up and saw her getting on a rickshaw not able to catch her.
"Shekhar??" she was now really worried
"Mishti don't worry she is very wise I think we should give her time to digest this truth." As Shekhar was consoling Sharmishta Ragini came and saw them
"papa... Sharmishta aunty" leaving them more shocked. "you guys here?...aunty where is swara? Rahul said that she came to meet you we have been waiting for her there"
"Ragini" Rahul came from behind
"Hii uncle Hii aunty...Ragini swara sent me a msg that she was not feeling well so she went home" Shekhar and Sharmishta knew that they had to leave right away and talk to swara.
"She was not feeling well? But she was ok a while ago" Ragini gave a worried look to Rahul. Just then Sharmishta and Shekhar left telling them to not be late.
Ragini knew swara very well. And she had a feeling that something was wrong or else she wouldn't have left all of a sudden. After spending sometime with laksh and his family she left with Rahul.
(In the car)
"Ragini" Rahul called out to her distracting her thoughts. "I have observed you since long you look lost. Is every thing ok."
" Rahul I was thinking of swara.. it's the first time swara left all of a sudden and also by sending a msg. she would always come and tell us face to face she had to leave don't you think that something might have happened?"
"hmm I was also thinking the same.. but don't worry when we reach we will ask her ok" Rahul assured her.
After reaching the Badi Rahul went directly to Dida's house. Ragini could not join cause Dida would not like it. But to a shock she saw Sharmishta and her dad together talking. She has never spotted them together in the Badi and today they were speaking freely. She could see tension on their faces but it cant be for their parents reaction and it was something else. When she went close to them she heard Sharmishta saying
"Shekhar im really worried she wasn't supposed to know the truth in this way..i don't know where she is" Shekhar side hugged her and consoled her saying nothing will happen to swara. Ragini could not believe her ears. She was right something happened which let to her leaving. She had questions where could swara be at this time and what truth r they talking about. Just then Rahul came running.
"Ragini swara is not at home. Dida also doesn't know" this made Shekhar and Sharmishta turn to see Ragini looking at them. Ragini now was really worried she wanted to know where swara is.
"papa.. when swara came to meet aunty it means she saw you both. And what truth is Sharmishta aunty talking about that made her go without informing."
Mangal Lakshmi
