Hi everyone, PART 1 updated...2 more parts to go.
PART 1
This story truly speaking has no beginning...and probably no end
The Sharmas and Sareens were family friends...both families having a lot of similarities and hailing from Punjab. However, one basic difference remained between them...Sharmas were THE ARMY family and Sareens, THE AIRFORCE family. They would often have light-hearted arguments and debates regarding who was the superior one. The four children went to school together...The Army School of New Delhi...one of the most disciplined school of the city.
Sanskar Sharma and Swara Sareen were the outgoing extrovert kids whereas Lakshya Sareen and Ragini Sharma were the introvert, shy ones. The Sharmas had faced a difficult situation when Shekhar Sharma was once nearly fatally injured in a war. He has spent almost 3 months in the hospital. Ragini was 10 years and Sanskar was 14 yrs. It was at that point of time that Sanskar became overprotective about his younger sister. By God's grace, Shekhar's life was saved...and things slowly reverted to normalcy. However, as military personnel they always knew, that anytime, anything could happen, and they were prepared for it.
The children grew up, in each other's presence, with their own aspirations and ambitions. For the boys it would be simply carrying forward their familial traditions...and they were happy to prepare for that. Sanskar and Lakshya were bosom friends and classmates and a healthy competition existed between them. Swara was a year senior to Ragini, but they were very good friends too.
The families knew very well, that Sanskar and Swara liked each other since childhood, and they made their respective likings very obvious. Swara was an aspiring doctor, since her mother was in the army nursing service.
On the other hand, Ragini found it difficult to talk to any guy. She was petrified about the reactions of her brother. She still remembered the day, when a guy from her tuitions offered her a rose on Rose Day. She was in the 9th Standard then. Out of nowhere, her brother appeared and then what happened was history. From then onwards she had become the eternal sister of everybody. Nobody dared approach her after that day. She was considered the nerd and had withdrawn in her shell where she was very comfortable. She rarely went out anywhere, and enjoyed staying with her books.
Lakshya Sareen could not point out the exact moment when he fell for Ragini. He had seen her since childhood, and knew her nature too well. It was during a music show when she was in the 11th Standard, which Lakshya had gone to attend, that he realised what a beautiful young woman, she had transformed into. She sang like a dream, and Lakshya had secretly recorded her song. After her performance, Lakshya had desperately tried to talk to her, but could not. In the back of his mind he knew that his friend was too protective about his sister, and that dissuaded him from taking any further steps. In a few days he would be joining the Air-Force academy and his training would start. He wanted to concentrate on the same, and left everything on time.
Ragini had cracked the IIT entrance, and went to study in Kanpur. Swara had already gone to Pune in the Army Medical College, the year before to study medicine. All the four of them had dispersed to different places.
When Ragini was in the 3rd year, she received a call from Sanskar one evening... "Hi sissy...please come down to Delhi soon...Me and Swara are getting engaged day after tomorrow."...Ragini truly didn't know what to say...deep down she had been waiting for this day. She was exceptionally happy..."Yes Bhai...I shall come to Delhi by the next available train..."
Before she could say anything else...Sanskar went on..."There is another good news...your brother has been promoted to the rank of Captain from Lieutenant."
"Wow that is amazing news Bhai...congratulations...Papa must be very happy...He wants to see you as the General of the Indian Army"...replied Ragini delightedly..."By the way...when are you guys getting married? Is it sometimes soon? Because my exams would be coming up and..."
"Not now Ragini...Swara wants to complete her studies first...and we have all agreed to that" Sanskar replied.
"Great Bhai...I am hanging up now...see you tomorrow"
...
Ragini reached her home in Lajpat Nagar, everybody was very busy, with all the arrangements. After all two high profile families of the Army and the Air-Force were getting tied up. Lots of relatives and guests had come or were due to come. Ragini found this claustrophobic...she never liked the presence of so many people, because everybody had a question for her...and she would have to answer. And unfortunately she was not wrong...
The moment she entered her house, it started out..."Oh My God...Shekhar this is your daughter?"..."Look how she has grown up"..."Wow she is extremely beautiful"..."I saw her in Chaddis, who would imagine that she would be so pretty when she grows up"...Ragini blushed hearing this...seriously chaddis!!
And then the inevitable questions..."Sharmistha...when are you getting her married? She is pretty grown up...".."I know a boy from Canada...they have their family business...if you want I can initiate the talks..."...blah blah...the usual rants...
Ragini was feeling irritated, she made an excuse and hurried to her room. Shekhar sensed that she was uncomfortable...so he followed her...he saw her standing near the window..."Ragini, your mother and I had taken a decision when you were a kid...and that was...we would allow you to pursue your dreams and aspirations. We have never differentiated between Sanskar and you. You need not worry. We will get you married, only when you are prepared for that...and by the way I hate Canadians"...he winked at his daughter. At her father's last words...Ragini burst out laughing...it was one of her rare, sweet assets.
...
The next day was very hectic. They would be leaving for Swara's house soon for the engagement and so many things were left to be done. Time was falling short...and then so many relatives...and their demands.
At last they were ready to leave for the venue...
When they arrived, they were greeted formally. Sanskar and Ragini had visited this house so many times since childhood...but today was a special occasion...and hence all the formality. Ragini was coming here after 4 years.
They all entered the house...without realising that all the sweet boxes were dumped with Ragini. Poor girl...she was struggling with the boxes and her ghagra...she was not used to wearing these heavy clothes. She hated them to say the least. She wanted to wear her kurtis, but her mother forced her to wear these pillow covers.
Suddenly she heard a voice..."Do you need some help?"
She turned around...and found him standing. She had last seen him 4 years back, before he went for his training in the air-force academy...he had changed so much, but it wasn't difficult to recognise him...he was Lakshya...the elder brother of Swara...and now Flight Lieutenant Lakshya Sareen.
Before Ragini could reply...he came forward and caught the boxes which were about to fall. He helped her with the Herculean job of carrying the boxes. Ragini kept on stealing glances at him during this. How could anybody change so much over 4 years? The boy had changed into a man. He looked calm and composed.
Little did she realise, that Lakshya was waiting desperately for her arrival. It had been 4 years that he last saw her in the music show. He could never forget her. Whenever, he was depressed...he would just take out her song recording and hear it...a lovely song...rendered by a beautiful singer...
"Jaane Kya Baat Hai, Jaane Kya Baat Hai
Neend Nahin Aati Badi Lambi Raat Hai"...
He was craving to meet her...but wanted to focus on his training. At last the day arrived...
He had seen her from a distance when she got down from the car. He was mesmerised by her beauty. So when he found her struggling with boxes...he did not lose the opportunity...he had wasted them in the past.
The engagement ceremony started. Ragini was meeting Swara after 2 years. She had turned into a mature and beautiful young woman. She felt immensely happy for her brother and his fianc.
Ragini was oblivious to the fact that Sanskar and Swara, were already making plans for Lakshya and her...
Ragini was asked to sing on this occasion. She was caught off-guard. She refused initially, but when Swara sincerely requested she couldn't refuse...she started her favourite song
"Jaane Kya Baat Hai, Jaane Kya Baat Hai
Neend Nahin Aati Badi Lambi Raat Hai
Saari Saari Raat Mujhe Isne Jagaya
Jaise Koi Sapna Jaise Koi Saaya
Koi Nahin Lagta Hai Koi Mere Saath Hai
Neend Nahin Aati Badi Lambi Raat Hai...
Dhakdhak Kabhi Se Jiya Dol Raha Hai
Ghungat Abhise Mera Khol Raha Hai
Door Abhi To Piya Ki Mulaqat Hai
Neend Nahin Aati Badi Lambi Raat Hai..."
To be contd...
......
Guys this song is one of the favourites...sung by Lata Mangeshkar
