THREAD 2- THE GLASS WALL: RAGNA FF, Part-28(LAST),Pg-11,11/1/17 - Page 5

PART-27

It was another day, another opportunity for Raghav and Kalpana to start a new life. Today they were going to mend one most important relation of their lives. They were to meet Kamla today, a woman who was a mother for both Raghav and Kalpi since childhood. For a parent-less Raghav her presence was always like a parental umbrella. Whereas for Kalpi, though not feelings wise; but by birth and respect, Kamla was her mother. She was Kamla Maa for Raghav and Kalpi's Aai; thus important for both of them. Though Kalpi had come to accept the fact that some things about her Aai cannot change; and Raghav had come to accept that in the fight for truth, sometimes sacrificing impractical teachings of one of the most important, loved and respected persons of his life is also necessary. Yet none of the two were ready to let go of their love for Kamla completely. Kalpi and Raghav wanted to try one last time, to receive Kamla's blessings and love.

Therefore, today Kalpi was choosing her attire even more carefully. "Something simple yet elegant will have to do" she thought. In the end she chose a traditional saree, gifted by her parents; it was one of those gifts which Raghav had brought with him when Vitthal was about to burn all Kalpi's memories and possessions. It was a light pink, traditional saree.

Happy with her choice, Kalpi kept the saree on bed and went to select the matching jewellery. Raghav, who'd just come out of shower, ready and dressed shook his head and smirked on seeing this. Placing the selected saree on to the side, he placed a red colour jumpsuit instead in the centre of bed. When Kalpi returned to room, she found the jumpsuit selected by Raghav as the centre of attention of their bed, instead of her saree. Placing her hands on hips, she turned to Raghav. "Devaa, dekho toh kaise bhole ban kar khade hain"(God, look how innocent he is looking, standing like this!) she thought seeing him standing before the mirror, spraying his cologne non-chalantly.

She came near him, keeping an eye on the soft, naughty, now smiling reflection of Raghav. "Raghav..." Kalpi started and was taken by surprise when Raghav turned and held her tightly to himself by her waist. "Haan, bolo"(Yes, say) he said nuzzling his nose in Kalpi's neck. She shivered but composed herself. "R,Raghav...chhodo mujhe. Mujhe zaroori baat karni hai"(R,Raghav, leave me. I've to say something important) Kalpi continued.

"Hmm, zaroori baatein kerne ke liye hi toh tumse zindghi bhar ka rishta joda hai"(Hmm,to do important talks/things only, I've tiede up with you for life) Raghav murmured.

"Raghav..." Kalpi complained and Raghav chuckled. Loosening his hold a bit and staring into Kalpi's eyes he said, "Okay Baba...say whatever you want to say Jaan". Kalpi smiled, enjoying Raghav's embrace and sft words. Yet refusing to be completely entranced by his charm, she complained, "Why you selected that dress for me? We're newly married. It won't look nice na if I wear something like this" she said.

"Naa, listen Kalpi...you are Raghav Singhania's wife and Raghav Singhania's wife has every right to wear dresses like this one; and this will look so good on you!" he tried to change Kalpi's mind.

"But...";

"No, Buts, look..." he took out beautifully cut large diamond earrings for Kalpi to go with it.

Kalpi's eyes widened looking at the shining stones. She squeezed Raghav's hand in gratitude but then reaching out to the dresser, picked up a set of gold earrings gifted by her Baba.

Sighing Raghav pouted and silently requested her again with his eyes. Kalpi's eyes softened, but she shook her head in no. "Okay, I understand" Raghav muttered while hugging Kalpi close to himself, not knowing how Kalpi had sent a silent prayer of gratitude to God for sending someone like Raghav in her life.

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Singhanias' Mercedes stopped at the entrance of chawl and that little world stopped too. Every chawl resident's eye was on that classy car. They knew who was it, but they just wanted to see Raghav & Kalpana with their eyes; out of TV. Raghav held Kalpi's hand as together they climbed on to the stairs of the chawl on way to Kamla's heart.

They knocked on the door of Jadhavs and Vitthal opened the door, already expecting them. Pakhya stood behind him and Raghav-Kalpana acknowledged them both. "Andar aa jao. Woh andar hi hai"(Come inside.She is inside only) Vitthal said inviting them in and glaring at the crowd of people peeping inside. Lovingly he kept a hand at Kalpi's head, taking in her married look and dressed in his gifts.

"Kaun hai Vitthal?"(Who is it Vitthal?) came Kamla's voice as she came out from inside room. Seeing Raghav and Kalpana there, her expressions turned stern. Her little bit of teary eyes showed some emotions but she refused to give into them. Turning her back onto Raghav & Kalpi, she showed her unhappiness with them.

"Aai" Kalpi called out to her in an overwhelmed tone. She kept a hand on Kamla's shoulder in an attempt to earn her attention. Kamla looked at Kalpi's hand, held it but took it off her shoulder. "Ab kya hai Kalpi? Tune jo karna tha tune kar liya. Ab..."(Now what Kalpi? You did what you had to do. Now...) Kamla started but was interrupted by Kalpi.

"Par Aai"(But Aai) she started but Kamla stopped her by showing her hand. "Nahi Kalpi...jo tune kiya woh bahut galat tha"(No Kalpi...what you did was very wrong) she said.

Kalpi looked at Raghav for support; he nodded his head in encouragement and assurance. "Kya mera itna hi rishta reh gaya hai ki teri shadi ke baare mei bhi mujhe pata na ho. Us baare mei bhi mujhe TV se hi pata lage"(Is this the only relation I have left with you that I did not even know about your marriage?I get to know about it from TV) Kamla said. Turning to face Kalpi, she shook her shoulders. "Bol na Kalpi...bol na. Bol..."(Tell me Kalpi...tell me. Tell...)

"Kamla Maa..." Raghav started but Kalpi interjected him. "Nahi Raghav.Aai ko jawab chahiye toh milega aur pura milega. Kya janna chahti hai tu Aai? Ki maine apni shadi ke baare mei tujhe kyu nahi bataya? Ya Raghav ne sirf Baba ko kyu bulaya, tujhe nahi? Janna chahti hai na tu? Toh sun"(No Raghav. Aai wants answer so she will get it and get a complete answer.What do you want to know Aai? That why I did not inform you about my marriage?Or why Raghav called only Baba,not you?Then listen)

"Kis liye aana chahti thi tu Aai? Ye dekhne ke liye ki kahi apna pyar aur maksad pane ke liye Raghav aur Maine kuchh galat toh nahi Kara. Ya meri shadi mei Pakhi ka dukh tatolne ke liye. Ki Teri dusri beti khush hai ya nahi. Ya ye dekhne ke liye ki bhale hi Prem Kapoor teri beti ya damaad ko maar de. Par humse kuchh galat na ho, use koi nuksaan na ho."(For what you wanted to come Aai? To see that in order to get our love & aim, me and Raghav do not do anything wrong.Or to analyse the depth of Pakhi's grief in my marriage.Whether your other daughter is happy or not.Or that it is okay if Prem Kapoor kills me or Raghav. But we shouldn't do anything wrong or hurt him)

Kamla gasped hearing this while Vitthal nodded his head in approval."Kalpi!" she said.

"Nahi Aai. Pata hai Baba ko Raghav ne kyu bulaya aur tujhe nahi? Shayad kyuki Raghav meri khushion ki tujhse zyada parvah karte hain.Unhe pata hai ki Baba sahi kare ya galat par mujhe apna samajh kar karte hain,mere liye karte hain. Par tu sirf apne usulon ki aur dusre bachchon Ki parvah karti hai.Humesha se, bachpan se. Par main...main toh tujhse pyar kabhi kam kar hi nahi payi Aai. Agar usdin bhi shayad tu mujhe Raghav ko chhodne ko bolti Mai sochti zaroor. Par Raghav ko ye doori manzoor nahi thi ab shayad"(No Aai. You know why Raghav called Baba but not you? Maybe because Raghav cares for my happiness more than you do.He knows be it right or wrong,but whatever Baba does is because he considers me as his own,for me.But whatever you do is for your principles and for other children.Always, since childhood.But me...I couldn't stop loving you less.If even that day you'd told me to leave Raghav,I'd have considered it for sure.But maybe this distance wasn't welcomed by Raghav anymore) Kalpi said looking lovingly and gratefully at Raghav who couldn't help but kiss her forehead in front of all.

Kalpi turned to Kamla,"Aai, agar tu ab bhi humein ashirwad nahi balki apna gussa dena chahti hai.Toh ye mujhe manzoor nahi hai Aai. Maine aaj tak jo Kara tere liye Kara. Par ab aur nahi. Main ab apne liye, apne pyar ke liye jeena chahti Hu; Raghav ke liye. Main jaa rahi hoon Aai, tu reh apne gusse ke saath"(Aai, if even now you do not wish to gift us your blessings but your anger. Then this is not acceptable to me anymore. Till now whatever I did was for you. But now I want to live for myself & my love; for Raghav. I am leaving Aai, you live with your anger) saying so Kalpi held Raghav's hand and turned. But voice of a shocked Kamla tried to stop them,"Kalpi beta sun. Mera woh matlab nahi tha. Sun toh...ruk jaa Kalpi"(Kalpi my child listen.I didn't mean it that way.Listen please...stop Kalpi). But an angry Kalpi didn't listen.Raghav too just turned after acknowledging Jadhavs once, when Lord Ganpati's idol in Kamla's hand stopped them.

Kamla was looking at them with teary eyes. "Ye dekh Kalpi. Main toh kab se apni beti aur damaad ka intezaar kar rahi thi. Kab tum ayoge aur main tumhe naye jeevan ka ashirwad dungi. Main maanti hu tu Jo bol rahi hai, sach hai. Par tumhe jab TV par dekha Maine socha mujhse kahan galti hui. Toh kuchh ehsaas Hua mujhe. Fir apne bachchon ke samne aane Ki meri himmat nahi thi. Bas tera intezaar karti rahi ashirwad dene ke liye. Bas apna dukh aur gussa, teri shadi mei na hone ka gussa tujh par nikal rahi thi. Mujhe maaf kar de Kalpi, apni Aai ko maaf kar de. Par mujhse door mat jaa"(Look Kalpi.I was waiting for my daughter & son-in-law since so long.I was waiting to give you both my blessing for your new life, when you come.I admit what you said is true.When I saw you on TV I had to self-introspect what wrong I did.Then I realised my follies somewhat.But I wasn't brave enough to come infront of my children. I was just waiting to give you my blessings.I was merely taking out my sadness and anger, taking out my anger of missing your marriage on you. Forgive me Kalpi, forgive your Aai.But don't go away from me).

Till now Kalpi listened to Kamla with her head bowed and hand tightly clutching that of Raghav's. Now slowly she looked up with tear-filled eyes; first at Kamla then turned her gaze to Raghav for his permission. It was when he nodded his head in approval that Kalpi focused back on Kamla. Breaking down in tears, she hugged Kamla who hugged her daughter back.Then both she and Raghav together touched Vitthal & Kamla's feet for their blessings.

For the first time Raghav and Kalpana started their new life joyfully in real and complete sense.

Returning from chawl after spending almost half of the day there in chawl, Raghav & Kalpi were smiling. Raghav had tasted the new treatment of being a son-in-law of Jadhavs. He was now not only the owner of chawl and Kamla Maa's Raghav, but also Kalpi's husband. So the whole chawl hadn't left any stone unturned in his and Kalpi's welcome. They'd hosted an impromptu function too. With each household bringing one dish each for lunch. All in all Raghav and Kalpi were so happy and relaxed after ages. Their happiness increased tenfold when sitting in the car and inside the compound of Singhania Mansion, Raghav told Kalpi,"There is a surprise for you."

"What surprise?"Kalpi asked curious and excited. "For that you'll have to be patient and wait to get inside our home"saying so Raghav winked. "But why can't I know now"Kalpi pleaded.
"Kalpi" Raghav said sternly. She pouted but eagerly walked towards their front door. Just when Kalpi was about to ring doorbell for servants to open the door, it opened and Gauri's smiling face was in front of her.

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.