A Million Miles Away ...
Like most of my works revolve around songs , so is this one - an almost Oscar winner called 'The Moon Song'
Have written this in an os format so it becomes bearable to read , paper hearts had no option but be presented the way it was.
P.S. - This is a typical story ! Skip it if you aren't very much fond of these ones. As also apologies in advance - there may be him-her bloopers , was making them a bit too much today.
The story begins with Raghav being forced to go to California by his dad in order to give some presentation for the Singhaniya Co. Very well knowing what his spoilt son can do Raghav's dad confiscates all his credit cards & money leaving him almost penniless. Also to assure that he actually ends up in California only & that too solely for WORK purposes he assigns Raghav an assistant Kalpana Vitthal Jadhav - A clumsy girl with great amount of confidence issues. Infact Raghav's first encounter with his assistant was at the airport when an awkward Kalpana was gathering her stuff from the floor which she had mistakenly dropped. Further when they board the airplane raghav realizes that Kalpana was scared of heights. The kindda sweet person Raghav was, he helps her by distracting her attention throughout the journey. As days pass by Raghav gets to know Kalpi more & more during work or presentations. It won't be wrong to say that he was the most surprised when they had been to a fair in the vicinity , he saw a free & a childish side of Kalpana which he loved. All was good until ...
The next morning when Kalpana wakes up she was shocked to find herself in Raghav's bed , her employer's bed - her employer's son's bed to be precise. She had her cartoon themed PJs & shirt still on for those of ull who are wondering. Being the girl she was she straightaway runs to her room to only find her bags packed. Wondering who might have done that she hears Raghav say that they are leaving already as their work in California is done & that they've cracked the deal. She was happy but there was a question that bugged her ,what happened last night ? How she wished she could gather the courage to ask him. On their way back Kalpana was surprised to see a private jet waiting for them to board for they hadn't come with one previously. Sensing the unasked question Raghav informs her that his dad wanted both of em to attend another seminar in India & they had to reach asap & hence the private jet. Sighing she got in thinking what difference would it even make to her ? The plane was still gonna fly high in the sky & she would still be scared of heights. She herself knew what was happening to her as she had shut her eyes as tight as possible - it had now been an hour since they were flying. Some more time passed by as Kalpana had dozed off by then. Suddenly she felt a jerk , then another & then a lot lot more as the plane went all tipsy topsy starting to fly downwards all prepared to drown or crash. Her eyes opened as she was woken up from sleep, phew it was a dream. She was still safe & sound. Daring a bit she peeped out of the window , it was cloudy & dark since it was night time. She heaved a sigh of relief but it was short lived when she felt the plane jerk - it was way worser than her dream. Trying to fidget with her seatbelt she suddenly found 2 hands coming to her rescue as he unbuckled it. It was the pilot as he panickingly announced that they had to use the emergency exit as he handed her the parachute and rushed somewhere. The plane did something weird 360 degree as she was being flung to God knows where - but the motion stopped as she was pulled towards a body and engulfed in a mighty set of arms (it's not the pilot this time - dont worry😛😆). The pilot's voice through the speaker got them alert as they were ordered to exit immediately since he was able to detect some traces of land below. Quickly putting on his parachute & helping Kalpana with hers Raghav held her hand and jumped off the emergency exit already before she gets a chance of protesting. Their parachutes landed at the shore as they saw the plane moving in a downward projectile - apparently planning to crash somewhere far off. Staring at each other, same question in both their minds - Now what ?
The only thing they saw in front were dense jungles with no traces of human existence whatsoever. (I mean ...Obviously !! lol) Phones had no connection , as for Kalpana she didn't even her phone.Waiting for the sun to rise and the sky to light up a bit they sat down at the shore idly in silence. Finally breaking the ice "Someone would come for our rescue , won't they ?" She asked quitely. "My dad technically hates me , I simply hope he likes you enough to send some people for your rescue - I'll tag along then." he said laughingly. Kalpana wondered how could he be so cool in a situation like this to joke around , how she wished she could be like him - carefree & a person who lived in the moment seizing all the joy from it. Just a thought ...
The following day when they delved deeper into the jungles they were pretty sure that no human life existed over there - they hoped for no wild life existence as well. The day passed by as they gathered stuff mandatory for survival and headed to the shore again. It was the night that was crucial as they sat close to the bonfire munching some (hopefully) edible berries. Raghav wasn't the silent type ever , she had always known it but got to experience it now as he kept telling her stuff from his life as also asked her about hers. She hesitated a bit initially but went with the flow later. His questions were open ended - Like it could just be her favorite song or whether she found him to be good looking, charming, hot or all of the above or simply demanding her to speak of why she liked Amitabh Bacchan's autobiography. To be honest she was beginning to enjoy the conversation , it was the first time someone was wanting to know this pale thin girl hidden behind those glasses and most importantly expected nothing in return. Things were good until the late hours of the night when it started getting colder and colder. Initially she thought it would be bearable but with every second that passed by she was forced to think elsewise as she started shivering. "Kalpana , I'm feeling co-oold !" She heard from her side as he rolled closer to her. Her eyes widened as she saw him get almost white as if no blood existed in his body (Naaa i don't like the vampire types) Keeping her discomforts aside she moved closer to him and got hold of his hands , they were ice cold. Drawing him closer to the bonfire she started rubbing the palms of his hands vigorously when she remembers that Raghav had been wearing a coat during the crash. Immediately fetching it from the place he'd left it to dry she draped his shivering body with it as she saw him relax , his skin tone getting back to normal. "Yo--uu ok Mr Sin--ggh--aniya ?" She asked concerned as she kept rubbing his back. Calling her closer he whispered in her ear "I didn't know you are the touchy types Kalpana" Yeah.. He was alright !! Before she could even react to that he had pulled her down close to himself hugging her and wrapped the coat around them. "E-vven you a-reee cold - Now sleep !"
More than a week passed by and they were still stuck up on the island. Adding some wood to the bonfire Raghav slept beside Kalpana as they gazed at the stars "Another day passed by Kalpana" She nodded as he pulled her closer to him and got the coat to cover them "Good night Raghav !" she mumbled. Yeah , the week had gotten a lot of changes in her. It was morning as she was heading to the jungle - they had distributed tasks as she was supposed to get wood for the night and he'll get food. She was about to walk in when she heard someone calling her - who else could it be as she turned around "Wohooo I finally caught some fish Kalpi , you do eat fishes right ?" But was she in a state of answering - No ! As her eyes slowly trailed down his shirtless body against her will. His muscles flexed beautifully under the sunlight as he kept walking towards her. She could feel her breath caught up somewhere in her throat , but that wasn't her concern then it was the dhak dhak that happened within. In one swift move she'd turned around and ran inside the jungle leaving Raghav wondering what exactly got into her "Machili nahi khaati toh bata deti - Bhaagne ki Kya zaroorat thi ?" He didn't hear from her the entire day.
It was late evening when she returned with a stack of sticks. "You took long today." "Hmmm" was the only reply he got then and all the questions he asked later. They ate in silence. Raghav was surprised when Kalpana didn't come up to him that night to sleep. On asking her she just said that she wasn't sleepy and wanted to sit near the fire for some more time. He nodded but something seemed off , he could feel it in her changed demeanor. Even the following day he didn't see her around as she'd left for the jungle before he could wake up and didn't return before evening.
She was now sitting right across him eating some fruits. He couldn't help but notice the dark circles forming a thick crescent below her eyes. He knew what must have happened last night. "Whats the matter Kalpana ? Are you trying to ignore me ? " He had finally asked her. "Not at all Mr Singhaniya" Was all that she said. Raghav wasn't a fool to notice that sudden change from Mr Singhaniya to Raghav to again Mr Singhaniya. It was getting on his nerves now "Stop lieing will you ?" He'd grumbled making her eyes widen. She'd never seen him angry. "I- I am not lieing" She winced a bit when he held her by the upper arm and pulled her close "Oh really Kalpi ? Don't you dare try to fool me. I've known you quite well by now & lemme tell u that you can't lie to me , even if you try your eyes surely betray you." There was silence. Raghav didn't know what got into him next as he slowly removed her spectacles and undid her hair. The harshness in his tone was gone as he lightly kissed her cheek "You are beautiful Kalpi , like very very beautiful !" That surely caught her off guard as she wimpered when his lips touched her forehead. A feeling of warmth spread within her as he pulled her even more closer in a tight hug.
"Kalpana !"
"Hmmm.." was all she could manage to say.
"I think I'm falling for you Kalpi. Not just your beauty but your thoughts , your talks everything about you. Im falling for the whole of you Kalpana." he confessed much to her surprise. He liked her ? He really did ? As she looked up to him , his eyes twinkled in the darkness of the night. She didn't know what to say. That night Kalpana slept peacefully.
The next day was different for kalpana. While collecting wood her eyes fell on the lake water as she stopped in her tracks. Lightly touching the surface of water she smiled "You are beautiful" those words echoed in her ears as she removed her spectacles and kept them in her pocket. Those were reading glasses which she preferred to wear all the time , even while speaking. But today ? Slowly undoing her tight braid she twisted her hair in a top knot. "Very very beautiful !" The voice was back. Slowly bending down she dipped her face in the water and rose up. That felt so good , so fresh. Suddenly she was pushed in the water as she landed with splash. Hers wasn't the only splash she heard, it was followed by another one as she heard Raghav's giggles. And that was indeed infectious as his laughter was joined by hers.
The days that came by Raghav was surprised to see a different Kalpana in front of him. She seemed to laugh more often, voice out her thoughts more often, her actions were more confident now as her clumsiness had vanished all of a sudden. He was happy to see her that way , he was happy for her.
"Kalpana , how would you react if someday like a hypothetical someday , I still love you keep it in mind ...But still You get to know that you know ...All of this is a lie. "
She stopped eating in an abrupt way as she looked up at him. What was he trying to say ?
"What do you mean Raghav ?"
"Just answer Kalpi" he asked a bit tensed.
"Ummm..." she herself wondered what would it be then. Would she go back to what she was before , the meek the shy & quiet female ? No.
"Why even ask something like that in the first place ? But ..."
"Yes ?"
"If you are so keen on knowing , I'll be honest ...(Pause)...even i don't know Raghav ! But I think I'll be alright."
His lips curved up in a small smile as he drew her closer and customarily kissed her on her forehead and caressed her hair. She still wondered what did he mean by all of it as she slept further snuggling in his embrace.
The next day , something unexpected happened as they were woken up by a sharp sound of something. Giving a knowing look to each other the moment they realized what it could be they ran behind the helicopter that kept taking rounds over the island. It was the rescue team. Finally they could go back.
Now sitting in the helicopter Kalpana constantly felt Raghav's gaze on her. Finally calling him closer she asked him whispering in his ear
"I know I'm irresistible Mr Singhaniya but that doesn't mean you keep staring at me" she said in a chuckle.
"How I wish" as he kissed her hair. "But I was rather seeing how strong my Kalpana has become. She isn't scared of heights any more."
Her eyes widened when realization hit her. Yes , she has been so normal all along ..rather she's been looking out at the clouds the whole time. They were then transferred from the helicopter to another of Raghav's private jet so they could head back to New York. Amazingly enough she wasn't scared even now. Victory ! She rejoiced mentally.
It was a long journey and Kalpana had dozed of after a few hours the flight had taken off. She suddenly felt a light jerk , it was way lighter this time & familiar as well. It had to be Raghav she thought smilingly as she opened her eyes. He was carrying her in his arms as she put her arms around his neck holding him tighter. He opened a door and surprised to see what she saw , she never knew there were beds in airplanes. Gently placing her on the sheets of the bed he looked at her. She didn't know why it felt so different today , the look in his eyes. Getting on top of her he kissed her forehead , his lips lingering there for more than a while as if he was trying to tell her something. Before she could decipher any of it her mind went numb when she felt him leaving open mouthed kisses on her neck as he continued to head downwards. This was surely something different as she held him by the shoulders , rather pushed him a bit. He was huffing as he stared at her. She knew what it was as she nodded her head in negation and muttered a no. She loved Raghav but she wasnt ready for it yet and she knew her Raghav would understand. But perhaps she was wrong as he kissed her roughly on the lips this time. Struggling in his hold she somehow managed to push him back but he wasn't ready to listen as he held back her hands tighter than ever as he continued to kiss her. This wasn't the Raghav she knew , the one she knew cared for her , understood her. This beast surely wasn't her Raghav as a tear rolled down her cheek. Something struck deep within as her inner being was woken up in flames - she cannot allow someone to touch her against her will. Pushing the body that hovered over her with all the strength she possessed she made him fall on the ground. Quickly getting back on her feet she prepared to run. She had almost reached the door when she felt Raghav's hand clasp around her wrist. Turning around she pulled her hand from his grip and slapped him hard and ran away.
She was thankful that the plane had already landed and that she could get away from the beastly human being inside. How could he do that to her ? How could he ? She thought he loved her , but what she experienced back there was definitely anything but love ! Quickly hailing a taxi she headed home. But the thoughts kept circling her mind again and again as much she tried to avoid it. An hour later the cab driver announced their arrival. That's when she realized that she had no money as her hands automatically reached her pockets. Oh there was money in it , maybe she had it with her all along and never noticed. Handing him the entire amount , not bothering to take the change she got off the cab as she now stood staring at her house.
No she can't be going inside now as she turned around to walk to the nearest park. It was 3 in the night now. What if ...
"Wait !" She whispered to herself clenching her fist and looked back at her house again "She ain't going anywhere." She thought determinately as she took the spare key from it's secret place and unlocked the door.
The place smelled of terrible alcohol as always. She could see a huge giantly figure laying on the couch in an inebriated state as always. Not wanting to encounter him that moment she started walking to her room ...
"I missed you Darling , where have you been for so many days ? "
She was startled as she turned around to see him stand right there in front of her
"Uncle .. You're awake !"
"Ofcourse I am dear , i have been waiting for you..Err sorry ! The money that you get in this house for my basic needs. Besides I haven't slept a wink since you've gone. If you know what I mean !!" as he came closer & closer ...
She gulped as a shiver ran down her spine. All the bitter memories of the past came rushing down her mind in one quick second , the ways in which he'd touched her , abused her , has been molesting her since she was a kid , ever since he came in the house as her step father !
He was about to grab her like he always did as she shut her eyes , her fists clenched in a ball. What happened next was the unexpected as that balled fist raised up as she punched him in the eye as she yelled
"Stay away from me !!"
That woke the entire house and her 2 step sisters as well as they came to the living room "Oh the orphan bitch is back it seems. I didn't know she even had a voice !"
She just glared at them once taking them by surprise as they stopped giggling and looked down to avoid any eye contact with this furious version of Kalpana.
"Keep your hands off me ! I'm not your personal doll to play with any time you want. If you dare doing something like that ever again I won't think twice before handing you to the police. Get that ?" She warned before storming to her room as she landed on the bed with a thud. Sleep was miles away from her as she wondered the kind of joke her life had become - no family , no Ragh... Disgusting !
Early in the morning she packed her bags and moved out of the house , something she should have done long back but never gathered the courage to. Glancing at it one last time memories came gushing down , the good ones she had with her dad , her mom. The house wasn't the same any longer and she held onto it and the people inside a bit too much as she walked down the streets heading to her workplace. It was time to start her life afresh.
A few days had passed by and Kalpana was happy in her new life. She had made a few new friends , she was slowly getting used to this friend making thing. Today she was going to see another apartment to be rented until she finds a final base. She had seen 2 of them previously but they didn't appeal her much , but the one in which she was standing - she thought it was perfect !
"So I think you have liked it Ms Jadhav ?" The agent asked as the owner looked at her knowingly
"Yes , I think I have. I'll take it Mr XYZ" the 60 year old man smiled as he informed the agent to start with the paperwork.
She smiled as she continued to explore her apartment. The kitchen was small , the view was great & the bedroom was nice & cozy as she sat on the bed looking around. Her eyes fell on the mirror in front as she stopped , her hair was open and she had given up on her specs as well "You're beautiful Kalpana , very very beautiful !" Those words begun to haunt her all over again. She was trying to be as brave as possible but she couldn't get Raghav out of her head. Somewhere at the back of her mind, her instinct was still prompting that something was amiss. She was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard Mr XYZ's voice
"I'm happy that I found a good lady like you who wished to rent this place , or else the kind of people these days. Well just for formality I will have to ask u ...You don't have any bad addictions or habits , don't you ?"
"Oh ummm.. i won't lie Mr XYZ. I have one habit but it isn't very much troublesome"
"And that is ?"
"I had this habit of sleepwalking sometimes and maybe talking as well , but don't worry it hasn't been harmful"
A moment of silence
"I appreciate your honesty , you can keep the place Ms Jadhav. Just a friendly advice , you should consult a psychiatrist. Sleepwalking can be dangerous at times. Anyways I'll take your leave now. Goodbye" He left as she laid down on the bed staring at the ceiling blankly for some time.
Something struck her mind as she shot up suddenly "I have a habit of sleepwalking and talking !" She whispered to herself as Raghav's face flashed forth her eyes , an incident she happened to remember
"So if not in my dad's office , what would this girl under the spectacles like to be huh ?" he had asked as he rubbed his hands taking em closer to the fire in the very process.
"Me ? Though I enjoy my work... I would also like to be a writer Mr Singhaniya."
"Hmmm... Interesting , very interesting ! A person who hardly speaks anything wanting to be a writer , voice her thoughts & bare herself to the world. Indeed very interesting" he said as if he were thinking something very deeply.
"What about you ?"
Raghav looked up at her with surprise , he'd not expected her to ask him. He answered anyways
"I was a psychology major in school and would have loved to do something in it. You see I love meeting new people , knowing them , helping them. But alas dad wanted me to join business so I completed my degree in finance."
"Sleepwalking - psychiatrist - psychology major !!" She kept mumbling as things gradually started falling into place. The night after the fair how she must have landed in his room , him asking her questions , making her speak , asking her if she would be ok without him ...But why would he force himself on her. She needed answers.
"It's time we meet again Raghav !" she said to herself rushing out of her house. She was going to take a taxi when her eyes fell on a familiar figure. Raghav ?? He had her back to her but she couldn't fail in recognizing him. He was talking to her agent who had helped her getting the apartment.
They stopped talking when the agent saw her approaching and gestured Raghav the same before leaving. The next Raghav knew he was sitting in the balcony of Kalpana's apartment right across her. Her eyes demanded answers , but he didn't know which ones. He had to start somewhere
"Amazing place Kalp- Ms Jadhav. So ,you finally moved out of your step father's house did you ?"
"How do you know I stayed with my step father ? I don't remember mentioning it to you in any way " She countered.
"I ummm..."
Her hands reached out to his as she squeezed them lightly "Just the truth Raghav !"
And then he went on to explain how the night after the fair he had heard chaos in the hotel's corridor and had found her sleepwalking and hence got her to his room. She was also mumbling in sleep when he got to know every single thing about her - the way her dad passed away , how her mom remarried the wrong man and passed away almost immediately. Tears rolled down his eyes when told her the stuff she revealed that night her uncle used to do to her. He didn't know why but he wanted to help her and hence begun to study her as a case. He discovered that one of the reasons that disorders like these happen is if the person is undergoing depression and if he feels lonely. If that is cured sleepwalking can automatically be cured permanently as he started thinking of ways to do that. First he knew he had to isolate her from the world especially her family who kept calling her. He wanted Kalpana to forget that the world even existed and simply wanted her to focus on herself only and hence he faked the plane crash as they had actually landed on one of Singhaniya group's private islands. The rest that happened was as she knew how he used to make her talk more and more about herself and not talk about her family at all.
Kalpana didn't know how to react as she allowed him to continue
"All was going well. You never went sleep walking a single day when we were at the island - a reason why I used to hug you while sleeping, to assure your subconscious mind that you aren't alone. I'm there for you. This was until you...Well out of nowhere started distancing yourself from me and I didn't know why. Remember that one time you refused to sleep with me ? I was awake the entire night. And as I expected you started walking in sleep again and I didn't know what to do. It was like we were back on square one. I couldn't allow that to happen."
"And so you faked love to me ?" Kalpana asked bitterly.
"Or that was something I intended to." He said with atmost truthfulness as he continued "I noticed that you were showing way more progress once you'd known that I loved you. You got more independent , confident and everything I knew you were deep down somewhere. Everything was going according to my plans until I myself screwed up and developed feelings for you. I wanted to keep you with me always , but I couldn't be that selfish as I decided that it was time for you to confront your father. I also wanted to know how would you handle it all emotionally and hence I had dropped the question the night before we left the island. And as always you surprised me - my Kalpana had ended up being stronger than I thought she was. But I needed assurance before I could allow you to go back in the hands of the beast and how would you defend yourself. Im sorry for that plane incident, i would never ever treat a girl like that - not even in my dreams."
Touching his cheek "That really hurt btw."
She chuckled mentally. Kalpana couldn't help but recall how she'd found money in her pant pocket while paying the cabbie she only wondered how much Raghav had ended up knowing her. The rest was something she'd known...But now was the moment she didn't know how to react as they shared an eyelock.
"Kalpana, I know you need time and it's ok. I think I'll leave now." He said getting up from the chair ...
The moment he'd reached the door he heard her speak finally "Stop behaving like a know-it-all Mr Singhaniya" as she neared him.
"Will you be my Raghav Raghav ?" She asked.
Raghav looked at her confusedly , what sort of an English was that ? And then he recalled something ...
"I mean why do people have to name each and everything ?" He'd muttered frustratedly. "Why does a girl either have to be a boy's friend or a girlfriend ? Why can't it be different - after all the essence of each relationship is different ?"
Kalpana looked at him amusedly
"What if I don't want to be your friend or your boyfriend ? What if I want to be your Raghav ?"
"Then I'll be your Kalpana !" She replied.
He grinned ear to ear "Yes the way it should be - it's the Kalpana-Raghav relationship ! Nothing like any in the world"
His smile widened " Provided you be my Kalpana Kalpi !"
That look on her face said it all. She was his Kalpana and he was her Raghav.
THE END
And then there was an epilogue when few years later Kalpana- the CEO of Singhaniya Co. and Raghav- a well known psychiatrist now visit the same island and rejoice their moments as they lay on the beach in Kung Fu Panda pajamas singing
( //youtu.be/Twg25xkACwo )
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