The credit for this story does not belong to me. I have used a plot of a series and tweaked it to suit RagNa.
Chapter 1
Film set
CEO of Bluewater Shopping Mall, Ragav Singhania stares at the vision in front of him, totally mesmerised by her dazzling smile. Her gaze filled with innocence and purity. "Who is she?", he wonders as his gaze follows her, no longer in his control.
Following his gaze, his sister, Pakhi smiles, surprised to see her older brother forget himself. Clearing her throat, to get his attention, she says with feigned innocence, "is something the matter bhai?"
Startled momentarily, Ragav turns to look into smirking eyes, shakes his head, mumbling, "no, nothing", as he steals one final glance towards the beauty that had captured his attention.
*************************
Film set
"Kalpi this way... One more smile sweety... Yes... That's it...one more sweety... Promise this is the last one...", the photographer says as he clicks away. Hiding her exhaustion behind her radiant smile, Kalpi poses for the photographer... Working into the night.
Standing by the wall, his gaze filled with pride, Kalpi's father, Vithal Jhadav silently watches the photo shoot. Thanking his lucky stars that his company's CEO allowed his Kalpi to be the face of their new advertising campaign.
**************************
Singhania mansion
Walking into his room towards his dressing room as he loosens his tie, Ragav sighs. "What a long day," he thinks, exhausted. "Thank God it is over," he mutters to himself, adding, "never again am I going to jam pack so many meetings in one day", as he shakes his head. Deep down he knows that such days would come more often in the near future.
Hearing light sniffles, he stops, momentarily frozen, his ears perking up, tracing the destination of the sound. Turning around he walks towards his bed, a frown in place, concerned.
His heart stops beating momentarily, his feet refusing to take a step forward, anguish etched on his features, at the sight of his wife, Maya, who is quietly crying her heart out. His voice rasp with emotion, Ragav says softly, "hunny, what is the matter?", as memories race to three years ago... To when she had previously cried her heart out. Gripped with fear over what could have happened, he waits in silence...
Hearing her husband's voice, Maya looks up, cries with renewed vigour as she races into his arms. Linking her arms around his neck, she hugs him tight, mumbling away the cause of her misery.
Soothing her, reassuring her, Ragav softly, slowly and rhythmically runs his palms down the back of her head... Running his fingertips through her hair, saying repeatedly, "shhh... Don't worry. I will handle everything."
****************************
Jhadhav home
Seated on the bench in the garden, Aarav stares up into the dark sky with nervous excitement as he waits for HIS Kalpi to come home. His mind weaving dreams of their future together.
Seeing Aarav waiting for here at their usual spot, Kalpi heads straight for him, her eyes shinning with excitement for she can't wait to tell him about her amazing day... All thanks to her dad.
Watching his daughter race to her childhood cum best friend, Vithal chuckles as he recollects how inseparable they have been over time... Always racing to one another to gush about their day. Hearing the door open, his wife, Kamla, looks up with a smile. Not seeing Kalpi, she says, "let me guess... Aarav." Nodding affirmatively, Vithal says, "who else."
Sitting in comfortable silence, the breathe for music, Kalpi stares at stars in the sky, content. Aarav quietly slips a ring onto her index finger. Kalpi turns to him, eyes shining with love, says, "wrong finger." Lifting her fingers to his lips, he places a small peck, then says, "I know. I shall place the ring on the right finger when you are officially mine." Kissing her forehead lightly, Aarav asks as he gazes into her eyes, "will you wait for me?" Chocking with emotion, Kalpi pulls him into a tight hug, saying, "duh! Goes without saying!"
Sitting back, staring at the stars, both content as they weave dreams of a future together.
******************************
Singhania mansion
"Mum," Ragav calls out, adding, "we need to talk", as he walks up to Neetu Singhania. Seeing the haggard look on his face, Neetu sighs deeply, saying defensively, "is it wrong of me to want to see your child... To hold him or her in my arms."
Crouching down, next to his mother, his arms resting on he lap, Ragav says, "mum, I too want to hold my child... But pressuring Maya is not the way... Especially after the miscarriage...", his voice breaks, his heart still mourning for his lost child. "Mum, please," he whispers achingly as he puts a strong front, "Maya is still hurting... Give her time to heal."
"Ragav it has been three years," Neetu says, adding imploringly, "only another child will heal the emptiness Maya is feeling... Time alone is not enough." Understanding where his mum is coming from and his wife, Ragav says, "no tests mum... Let us leave it to fate... If we are meant to be parents then we shall... Otherwise..." Leaving his sentence incomplete, Ragav gets up and leaves, unable to complete his thoughts.
Bumping into his baby sister, Ragav smiles and says affectionately, "here you are..." Concerned eyes look into tired eyes and asks in a light tone, " wassap bhai?" Roughing her hair affectionately, Ragav says, "Maya needs a change of environment and some relaxation... Why not join her to the Maldives? I am sure she would love the company."
Concern edging her, Pakhi says with a smile, "sure bhai."" I shall clear my diary." Relieved, Ragav pats her on the arm, smiling, walks away.
Frowning as she meets her mum's gaze, Pakhi walks up to her quickly and says in a soft but urgent voice, "what the hell mum! This will be her sixth vacation this year. Didn't she just come back from a three week vacation with her friends."
Sighing Neetu says, "it is just her way of avoiding a medical check up." Sitting forward, leaning towards her daughter, Neetu says confidently, "something is not right Pakhi. I can feel it in my bones. Maya is definitely hiding something from us... And this time I will find out what it is."
***************************
Bluewaters Mall
10:100 am
Top floor
Ragav's office
Ragav frowns from across his table, staring at his best friend and CFO, Sammar Raizada, says bitingly, "are you sure?" His expression glum, Sam nods affirmatively, "it is true." Leaning in, Ragav asks, "who is responsible?" Sighing, Sam says, "I don't know yet. Whoever it is has covered their tracks really well. Give me some time, I shall find out."
**************************
Walking into her mother's home, Maya says in a chirpy voice, "mum, I am off to the Maldives tomorrow." Surprised, Hina Rathord stares at her daughter, frowning she adds, "didn't you just come back from a vacation." Shrugging her shoulders, Maya replies, "and now I am jetting off to another destination." In a scolding voice, Hina says, "Maya, you need to be careful. You need to spend some time with your husband and his family."
Snorting dismissively, Maya retorts, "his family just want a kid... They think they can force me to go for a medical exam..." Anxious, Hina says in an urgent voice, "they must never find out the truth." Smiling with a hint of triump, Maya says, "don't worry mum. They will never find out. Hence the trip."
***************
Film set
Mid day
Sitting on the settee in his allocated room, Ragav shuts his eyes. Pakhi quietly enters the room, not wanting to wake him for his cat nap... Thinking, "poor guy, he must be so exhausted." Placing the bouquet of flowers and card on the coffee table in front of him.
Hearing the light rustling of the leaves and petals against the paper, Ragav stirs awake. Giving a sheepish smile filled with apology, Pakhi says, "sorry bhai, didn't mean to wake you." Reading the time from his wrist watch, Ragav says in a raspy voice still filled with sleep, "am glad you woke me. I have a meeting regarding the next stage of the advertising campaign in ten."
Giving his sister a questioning look over the flowers and card laid before him, Pakhi says, "Maya was quite upset yesterday..." Giving Ragav a weak smile, Pakhi adds, "I have left the card blank for you to fill." Patting him on the shoulder, she continues, "you are welcome" and walks out of the room.
***************
Film set
Gripping her hand tightly, Kalpi races along with the two year modal child, Arti who is part of the campaign. Laughing, she asks, "where are we going?" Squealing excitedly, "hide... Hide..." "Ah, are we playing hide and seek," Kalpi asks. Nodding her head vigorously, Arti gives no sign of slowing down. Smiling, Kalpi asks, "who are we hiding from?" To which the child replies with excitment, "daddy."
****************
Film set
Back in his make shift office, Ragav sits behind his desk, typing furiously into his laptop as he analysis the new information given by his team... Unaware that he is not alone.
Hiding under his desk is Kalpi, with a sleeping toddler in her arms. Worried that the noise would wake the child, Kalpi urgently pulls Ragav's trouser leg for attention.
Startled, Ragav pushes his chair back and leans down to look under the table. His heart skips a beat as startled eyes meet scolding eyes... Recognizing her immediately from the day before. His brain scrambles to understand what she was doing here.
A sleepy Kalpi glares at him with annoyance, placing a finger on her lips, gesturing him to be silent, then pointing to the child in her arms who is fast asleep. Taken aback, Ragav says softly, smiling, "I am sure this is not the best place to catch a wink." "We were not planning on falling asleep," Kalpi says sheepishly, adding, "we were playing hide and seek," ending lamely, "we were waiting to be found."
Her gaze brightening up, she says, "we have been found... Help us up." Indicating Ragav to take the sleeping child from her arms. Placing the sleeping child on the sattee, Ragav wonders what is taking the girl so long. Going back to his desk, he crouches to the floor. Kalpi gives him a sheepish smile as she massages her legs and feet, explaining her delay by saying, "pins and needles."
Leaning in to help her, Ragav asks, "how long have you been sitting in such a cramped position?" Allowing him to pull her towards him, Kalpi replies, "too long." Helping her up by placing a supportive arm around her waist, she silently whispers, "ouch... Ouch... Ouch..." Due to the blood flow... Not wanting to wake the sleeping child.
Reading the distress in her eyes, Ragav instinctively scolds, "why did you not get out from under the desk sooner. Smiling, Kalpi says without complaint, "I promised we would stay hidden until we were found." Looking over his shoulder to the sleeping child, then back at her and says, "she would have been none the wiser." Affronted, Kalpi replies, "but I would know."
He stares into her eyes, trying to read any hidden guise, startled by her reply, her words replaying in his mind, "but I would know." He mumbles softly, "you would know..."
Her clear gaze drawing him to her, like a moth to a flame. He wonders, "is she real... Is she really this pure... This honorable... So righteous..."
Drowning in her innocence, her purity, he whispers, "are you real?" As his hand suddenly independent of him, his fingertips lightly tracing the side of her face and neck... Startling her... Startling himself.
Quickly stepping away, heart racing, Ragav apologizes. Having no support, her feet numb, Kalpi begins to fall. Her arms stretched out flailing about, trying to hold on to him. Noticing this, Ragav quickly grabs her around the waist as they both fall to the ground. Both look at one another and burst out laughing.
Surprised to see her brother laughing away with an employee, Pakhi quickly clears her throat aloud, alerting him that he is not alone in the room. Walking in she quickly asks, "is everything okay... Did you fall... Are you hurt..."
Vithal quickly rushes to his daughter who is seated on the floor, asking, "are you okay?" Kalpi smiles and reassures her father that she is fine. once reassured, Vithal stands up to greet his boss and thanks him for allowing Kalpi to modal for the campaign. Ragav politely nods his head, vaguely recollecting his secretary passing on his accountants request to allow his daughter to modal for the company.
Turning to Pakhi, his gaze questioning, Pakhi whispers, "you had asked me to make the final call." Ragav nods absently as he watches Mr Jhadav, his accountant, help his daughter up.
"Miss Jhadav," Ragav says, "welcome to Bluewaters and thank you for doing a good job so far." Smiling, happy to meet the boss finally... At last she could thank him, Kalpi says with an infectious smile, shaking his hand, "it is Kalpi. Everybody calls me Kalpi. Sir, I want to thank you for this opportunity. Thank you."
Edited by angelpureness - 9 years ago
CID
