THREAD-2: The Marriage Story: Ragna FF, Part-29, Pg-40, 20/04/16 - Page 22

Unhappy with the sight before him, Vitthal looked on angrily at the duo before him; his wife and Pakhi Kapoor. He had never liked Pakhi Kapoor, unlike his wife who was a bit too fond of her foster daughter as far as he was concerned. At the end of everything Vitthal knew, Pakhi was still a Kapoor, someone who could not be trusted blindly.

Besides he had his own daughter's interests to look into, Kalpi's. Someone had to since her own mother showered her love blindly on Pakhi Kappor instead. Then there was his Raghav Baba; who had asked him to pass on every new development with Pakhi Kapoor and Kamla Maa to him. Further more Vitthal was to make sure that Pakhi does not come to know anything about Kalpi and his marriage. So there he was, unwillingly bearing the sight of Pakhi and his wife playing mother-daughter.

He looked on like a hawk, watching and hearing everything Pakhi did and said. Vitthal exchanged glances with Pakhya who was his partner-in-crime. Together they looked out for anything which may harm Kalpi. Then it happened, Pakhi took Kalpi's name faking concern for her in her artificial honey voice. Apparently the girl missed Kalpi and wanted to know about Kalpi's bridegroom; and if possible meet him. Vitthal's senses were on high alert as he watched Pakhi proceeding to brainwash Kamla into believing that Kalpi's husband it seemed did not care enough for her.

"You should look at her face Kamla Maa. Sometimes I see her waiting outside her office for auto, and she is always sad. Is it that Kalpi's husband isn't acknowledging their marriage before the world? I hope Kalpi is not lying to make you happy. What if everything is not like Kalpi said? The reason of her living separately from her husband is entirely different and not pleasant? What if he does not want to live with her in the first place? I am worried for her Kamla Maa; that is why I want to meet and see her husband. Please tell me Kamla Maa, who is Kalpana's husband and where does he work?" Pakhi asked and smirked mentally seeing that her fake concered rant had started working on Kamla.

She knew that it would not be long before her Kamla Maa gives her all the needed information related to Kalpana's husband. Pakhi patted herself on the back mentally and decided it would be a good opportunity to embarrass Kalpi again. "Poor girl, was dreaming about Raghav and now having to married to someone who does not even want to live with her; much less show to the world that Kalpi is his wife. Besides I can use that information for my own good someday" she wondered and focused attentively on Kamla and any word coming from her mouth.

Kamla frowned, analyzing over every word Pakhi had uttered. "It's true that Pakhi baby needs me more. But Kalpi is my blood, my daughter. If what Pakhi is saying is true, then maybe keeping Kalpi's marriage with Raghav Baba is a mistake. Maybe Raghav Baba does not love Kalpi. But then, what can be the motive behind him marrying Kalpi? Maybe I should tell Pakhi about their marriage. After all, she loves Kalpi like a sister. Maybe she can help me." Thinking so Kamla opened her mouth to tell Pakhi about Raghav and Kalpi's marriage, but Pakhya's voice beat her.

"What Aai! You are lost there in thoughts. You forgot to give Pakhi the prasad of Bappa you had kept especially for her? You are getting old now Aai, you have started forgetting things!" Pakhya said and diverted Kamla's mind from the scenario. He heaved a sigh of relief at his successful attempt and exchanged relieved glances with Vitthal before passing a sad gaze at Pakhi.

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Kamla turned happily having found the Prasad she had kept for Pakhi, but came face to face with an unhappy Vitthal. He glared at Kamla, "What is wrong with you? Raghav Baba and Kalpi have especially told you to keep their marriage news a secret. Yet here you were ready to break their trust. For once Kamla, believe your own children more than someone else's" Vitthal said.

"But Vitthal, Pakhi Baby was saying..." Kamla started but was angrily cut off again by Vitthal's voice.

"Not Pakhi Baby again Kamla, but at least for once believe your Raghav Baba! I don't want to hear anything. You will not utter a single word about Kalpi and Raghav Baba's marriage to your Pakhi baby you understand?" Vitthal roared and Kamla started countering again.

"Bu..." Kamla started.

"No, Kamla for once open your eyes" Vitthal said and stomped away leaving Kamla in her own thoughts.

"Maybe I should wait for a few more days more and check myself how Kalpi is. If I still find Kalpi unhappy, then I will tell Pakhi Baby all about Kalpi and Raghav Baba's marriage. But right now I should not do anything to break my family's trust and make Vitthal more angry" Kamla thought, and was satisfied with this solution.

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"What is my life and my wife doing today since she is not at office?" Raghav asked, while eying the lunch on his plate. Since the time of his and Kalpi's marriage, a lunchbox from home was a normal routine now. Kalpi did not allow him to live on fast food anymore and Raghav did not mind it one bit. He was happy that someone cared for him so much. But he still yearned for a day when he could share a lunch with Kalpi openly, without any fear as husband and wife.

"Me? I am busy, you know that new project? I am working on that. I am a busy person too you know" Kalpi teased Raghav, knowing very well that he wanted to hear something else.

"Na, are you sure? Maybe you are busy but in something else? Maybe busy missing your office, your boss, and your husband?" Raghav asked in reply and Kalpi could imagine him smirking even through phone.

"What? No, no; you are wrong Mr.Singhania. I really am busy. In fact I was working on a report when you called me" Kalpi teased Raghav some more making him frown this time.

"Oh is it? Then I better not keep you, you should return to that urgent piece of work" he said and was about to disconnect the call when Kalpi's voice made him stop. "No wait, I am missing you Raghav. I really am, please don't disconnect the call. I was joking" Kalpi said hoping she had not hurt Raghav much and he would talk to her some more. She had waited for lunchtime since morning so eagerly.

Raghav smiled, bit his lip. "I know. But I miss you more...my love" he muttered before sending a kiss Kalpi's way through phone.

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"Mausi, I don't need to tell you how critical the situation is. Besides I don't trust that Raghav Singhania. Mom & Dad might have started trusting him, but I am not a fool. I would never trust him. Since my childhood he has taken away what was always rightfully mine. This time too he can try to take away our home. I need to save our home, our business. I need money for that, I know you won't say no to lend me some as an unofficial loan" Prem was telling his Mausi who was listening to him silently.

She was a bit too silent for Prem's liking, not her usual behavior at all. His Mausi was a happy person usually and not the one to be so silent. Her silence was making Prem uneasy, even though he was sure that his mausi won't say no to lend some money to save their properties and home. He saw her sighing and warning bells rung in his heart.

"No, I cannot. I am not as rich as one may desire. But I would not have refused had it not been for some old debts which some people still owe me. I am sorry Prem but I cannot help you in this. I canno neglect those old debts. I cannot extend my monetary helo to you to save Kapoors' properties" Prem's Mausi finished leaveing Prem stunned, confused and unprepared.

"What? No no Mausi you cannot do this. Please Mausi" Prem almost pleaded. "Prem" his Mausi whispered but Prem did not budge. He attempted one more time to convince his Mausi for the much needed help. "But which debt is it Mausi? I know almost everything about you and this company. Which debt is keeping you back?" He asked in desperation. "There are somethings you do not know" his Mausi replied turning away from him. "Do not make this difficult for me child. Please understand. It is not possible beta. Leave...leave now" she requested controlling her tears, ordering Prem to leave lastly in a forced whisper.

"Mausi but how will we..." Prem started but his Mausi showed her palm to him. Prem huffed in disappointment and was soon out of the chamber when she dialed someone's number. "I did like you said" she told the person on the other line before adding, "Sahil Kapoor needs to be taught he lesson."

"And he will be, Raghav Singhania and victory are made for each other" came the voice of Raghav on the other side of the phone. "I will let you know in advance when my first blow of victory will strike Sahil Kapoor" Raghav continued his short chat with Prem Kapoor's Mausi before ending the call with a smirk. 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.