PART-41
He stood staring at his reflection in the mirror. It was yet another day for the city of Mumbai, but for Raghav and Kalpana and for Singhania Mansion. Raghav wondered in awe at the God of Time & Fortune. His heart beat in gratitude in the prayers of love for God. Had it been not for the God his mother so fervently believed in still Raghav was sure, this day was not possible.
Since it may have been just another day for the people of Mumbai, but it was a day to be treasured by Raghav and Kalpana for the rest of their lives. It was the day of their engagement.
Lost thus in thoughts, Raghav's lips carried a faint smile. As his eyes took in his reflection in a blue sherwani; the eyes of Raghav's mind had already wandered off to how "his honeybee" must be looking. The imagination in itself made Raghav's smile wider and twinkle in his eyes brighter. His happy moments were broken only when the doors to his bedroom opened and in came Sammy.
"Aaj mere yaar ki sagai hai; aaj mere yaar ki sagai hai" (It is my friend's engagement today; It is my friend's engagement today) Sammy's jubilant self sang out both in celebration and in hope that his best friend will stop punishing him. It was three days after Raghav and Kalpana's love-games had ended; signifying start is a new dawn in their lives. But Raghav was still in "do not talk to Sammy mode".
Even though Sammy had a big hand in helping Gauri and Kamla finish the engagement preparations in record time. Yet the communication between him and Raghav was limited to a few annoyed glances by Raghav and fearful glances by Sammy. If not that, Raghav had happily attempted his best' to ignore his best friend till now. Sammy had still followed him like a lost puppy at the next free chance. Secretly Raghav was enjoying every reaction of Sammy. It was like Raghav wanted to take a playful revenge for every prank and plan played upon him by Sammy till now. "Isse achha mauka kahan milega" (When will I get a better chance than this?) Raghav thought to himself wickedly.
So, Raghav kept a straight face, threw a little annoyed towards his happy friend; and then completely ignored his banter.
"Raghav...Raghav!" Sammy called out. But Raghav did not reply, Sammy still continued, "Raghav, dekh na main kaisa lag rahan hoon?" (Raghav look, how am I looking?) Sammy tried his hand lamely at humour, hoping to get some reaction from Raghav. "Oh, forget me. Par tu toh aaj bahut damak raha hai. Ek dum doolhe ki tarah (Oh forget about me. But you are glowing today. Just like a groom) Sammy joked, earning a swift "shut up" look from Raghav.
Sammy meekly nodded his head, keeping a finger on his lips. Then unable to keep quiet for long, started again, "Raghav..." , "You know, I am dying to see Kalpana Bhabhi. Sapna told me that Bhabhi is looking like a princess today. Look, she even sent me their picture together" Sammy said, his one eye on cellphone and the other on Raghav, gauging his reaction. His hands stopping midway, Raghav was highly tempted to avert his eyes from the mirror and to snatch the cell phone in Sammy's hands. But that meant, giving up the act of his fake anger, "That would ruin the plan" he thought.
Mentally sighing heavily, at having to kill his eager desires to see Kalpana's photo Raghav hardened his outward stance. His sigh turned into a smirk when he saw Sammy's face drop and heard him mutter to himself "I thought this would certainly work". Soon he watched in the mirror when Sammy stood up and said out loud, "Okay I am going to help Gauri Aunty then if no one needs me here". He walked, opened the door and walked out while Raghav waited for him to peep in again. Soon his predictions were right when Sammy poked his head in and yelled angrily, "I am going" and banged the door shut.
Raghav chuckled to himself, got hold of his cell-phone and dialed someone's number. "You're ready right" and then smiled conspiratorially. "Sammy, you better be ready" he uttered to himself.
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At Jadhav house after a flurry of activity, an almost chaotic atmosphere all the close friends and family members now stood with big smiles on their faces. They were ready for the most important event of evening. After a proper traditional welcome of Singhanias, and happy tear-shedding by Kamla, both the parties were gathered in the sitting room of Jadhav house. Raghav had politely acknowledged every greeting, accepted every hug and blessing; all in the hope that soon his Kalpi will be here. He was dying to get a glimpse of her, since he was deprived of even a photo of Kalpi. He just hoped that impatience of his heart does not start showing on his face, lest he gets tired of all the compliments on his looks.
Rolling his eyes internally, Raghav shook his head, "I am not a bride to be attracting all this unnecessary attention; and they are not calling who should be the focus of all this." Thinking so, he hesitantly looked towards Sammy, hoping his best friend would do some magic of his and "his honeybee" shall be before his eyes soon. "Not that he will help me right now. It seems I will just have to wait" Raghav thought sadly and Sammy smiled on his state.
All this while Sammy had been silently enjoying the helplessness of his best friend. Seeing that if Kalpi does not come here soon, Raghav may explode, he now talked to Kamla Maa about proceeding with the function.
Raghav did not have to wait any longer and his face beamed into a thousand watt smile when he saw the love of his life walking into the room. She looked so radiant in a blue-pink coloured saree. Kalpi's eyes shimmered with happiness, shyness, and excitement for future. While her senses craved for Raghav, to see him and hold his hand. Sapna and Kamla made her stand right next to Raghav. It was then that shyly raising her eyes, Kalpi took in the form of "her flower"; her precious Raghav. Seeing his eyes on her, she blushed, knowing Raghav was capturing every inch of her beauty in his heart. Both of them were so immersed in each other that Gauri had to discreetly place a hand on Raghav's shoulder to bring him out of his trance. "Raghav beta, let us start the function. Take this ring; and make Kalpi wear this" Gauri said and exchanged silent smiles with Kamla.
Her delicate fingers made way towards Raghav's waiting strong ones. When he touched her hand, Kalpi's waiting heart beat faster. "This moment is actually real" Kalpi told herself, wishing she could pinch herself to confirm her happiness. Raghav's warm fingers and cool metal touched the skin of Kalpi's ring-finger before she herself repeated the same procedure with Raghav. Within next few seconds, Raghav and Kalpi were officially engaged and glowing brightly; while sounds of claps and wishes echoed in the whole room.
The vibrancy of the room however only partly reached Sammy, whose only source of joy was Sapna. She looked so beautiful herself in her pink lehanga and gave him company while he thought Raghav was still punishing him. Making pleading face towards Raghav, Sammy requested to forgive him, earning a conspiring smile from Raghav. Sammy got the answer of his request when Raghav's voice boomed I the room in elation.
"Thank You; thank you all so-so much for being with Kalpi and me in the beginning of our new journey. We have just knocked on the doors of that new path way; and we are confident all of your well-wishes will be with us for rest of our lives. Thank You all for being a part of us and this engagement ceremony. But...I and Kalpi have an announcement to make" Raghav paused seeing now he had everyone's complete attention.
He started again, "Both of us want to thank our best friends: Samar and Sapna. Had it not been for both of them, maybe me and Kalpi would not be witnessing this day. Thank you Sammy and Sapna for telling us what a best friend means; and yes Sammy...!! Your real punishment still remains..." Raghav winked and called someone, "Uncle...Aunty...please come forward." All eyes turned towards two elderly couples; parents of Sammy & Sapna while both of them stood teary-eyed, gaping at what was going on. They looked in confusion towards each other and towards their parents.
"Ladies and Gentlemen" Raghav started again teasingly, "Today there is not just one engagement ceremony but two ceremonies. I present to you... Samar and Sapna." Before both Sammy and Sapna could understand anything, they were pushed towards the centre of the room, with congratulatory wishes flying their way; and their parents standing behind them with the engagement rings in their hands. When Sammy's heart settled, he smiled brightly at Raghav, understanding his act of fake anger till now. He mouthed "Thank You" to Raghav and turned his head towards his happy but now super-shy fiancee Sapna.
Before the evening ended, it had seen two newly engaged couples; both now standing in the balcony of Jadhav house. With the stars and moon now showing themselves in the dark sky above, they enjoyed the natural, cool light falling on them; the feel of soothing breeze touching their hearts. Each pair stood with inter-twined hands; gazing above; with Kalpi and Sapna resting their heads on their love's shoulders.
The silence of those moments broke only when Sammy voiced aloud his question to Raghav, "How and when did you plan this Raghav?"
Raghav smirked and replied, "When you thought I was angry with you. I went with Mom and Kamla Maa to your both parents. In fact despite Mom and Kamla Maa's protests that it will look odd, I even took Pandit ji with us. He convinced your parents of good muhurat; Mom & Kamla Maa convinced them of your true love. I told them how you both have sacrificed so many good moments, things for us. Now it is our turn to do something for you both. After that it was an easy feat. You know, no one can say no to Raghav Singhania...I mean except honeybee of course." Raghav finished winking; and Kalpi elbowed him in arm, while he winced and stood rubbing his arm.
The next thing Raghav and Kalpi knew, they were both engulfed in a bear hug by their respective best friends; while they both stood awkwardly hugging them back. "Thank You Kalpi, thank you Raghav Sir. We both are so happy and what best moment than to share our engagement day with two bestest human beings and our best friends." Sapna had already shed some tears while Sammy was also rubbing his eyes.
Kali sighed, and said, "You both are crying as if you've either returned from war or are going to a war. Now come inside before more waterfalls flow here." She finished chuckling before adding, "C'mon guys we were to be covered by TV; who wants to come with me to check?" And so they all went inside, making happy noises, teasing, fighting while they watched news reports, gossips about Raghav Singhania and Kalpana Jadhav official engagement. While in some corner of this Earth, one other person was watching the same report, with eyes hooked on to the TV like an Eagle.
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.
Advocate Anjali Awasthi
Health and Fitness
