FF: Raj Naina - The Prodigal Son Part 16 Pg 12

Raj looked around with tears of joy.

Shikha and Shekhar were beaming with happiness.

His mother Niharika was happy and had finally started acknowledging him as her son.

And most importantly Naina looked relieved and even had a small smile on her face.

Kunal: come with me. I need to talk to you.

Kunal room Raj inside.

Kunal: You are making a mistake - getting into a loveless marriage; taking on the responsibility of a child who'll only see you as a stepfather.

Raj: It won't be a loveless marriage. Naina...

Kunal: Sees you as her best friend.

And you love her.

Raj: of course I love her.

Kunal: Raj don't change the conversation. You love her as more than a friend. She is the love of your life.

Raj looked shocked. The emotion he'd always hidden was put in the open.

Kunal: I am your father. I have noticed that you have loved her for many years. I was thrilled for Abhi marrying Naina but heartbroken for it meant for you.

Raj: I was very happy for them. No one could have been happier.

Kunal: I know! And which is why marrying Naina will be painful for you. She will never truly be your wife. Always abhis widow. A daily reminder that the woman you love doesn't love you back.

Raj: you are wrong papa. Marrying her will allow me to support her; give her companionship; help her raise the baby - Abhis Baby.

Dad I have no unrealistic expectations. I don't expect Naina to love me.

I just owe it to all of you to keep her happy.

Kunal: Beta you don't owe us anything.

Raj: papa I do. If not for bringing me up; then certainly for the role I played in abhis death

Kunal: Beta will you ever think about yourself instead of thinking about others?!

Raj: papa I am thinking about myself. Nothing would make me happier than seeing Naina and ma happy.

Everything went smoothly and the day for Naina and rajs wedding was set. It was supposed to be a court wedding followed by a small lunch. The day before the wedding Naina called Raj and asked to meet her immediately

Raj: What's the rush Naina?

Naina: Will you ever stop me from being a selfish pig? I have been forcing you to get intro a loveless marriage to escape the pressure that everyone has been putting on me.

Raj: Papa spoke to you

Naina: I am glad he did.

Raj: papa has misunderstood the whole situation. I am not making any sacrifice.

Naina: Raj have you ever loved anyone? Don't look away. Swear on me.

Raj: we aren't kids any more.

Naina: Tell me Raj:

Raj: I did.

Naina: where is she? I am not going to let you sacrifice your love!

Raj: she married someone else.

Naina: I am so sorry Raj.

Raj: she loved the man she married

Naina; I am sure you never confessed your feelings.

Raj: how can you say that?

Naina: because if that woman had known, she'd always have chosen you. Nobody can say no to you.

Raj: it's all a matter of the past.

Naina: by marrying me you are closing all future opportunities for Love!

Raj: Stop Naina. I love you... as my friend and I love this baby! Because she belongs to you and my brother. I don't need anything else.

Naina: Raj I don't want you to compromise.

Raj: Shhh you can never be a compromise!

Next day dawned bright and cheerful. They went to the courthouse. Both Raj and Naina were simply but elegantly dressed

Naina and Raj signed the paperwork. Kunal noticed how everything Raj did was aimed at Naina's comfort. From not letting her bend to take blessings; to providing her cushion support to sit and finally to making sure she ate a full meal.

As lunch ended Kunal spoke

Kunal: Raj, Naina I want you both to spend a few weeks at our haveli. Raj you have a couple of weeks of leave left. After that you'll get busy, I want you two to spend some time togethr.

Raj: But papa... this is unnecessary. We know each other.

Naina: It's ok Raj. It'll be good to get away.

Kunal:Great. The driver has all your stuff. You can leave directly.

As Raj and Naina lett, Niharika turned to Kunal

Niharika; You shouldn't have done that. Its not a real marriage.

Kunal: It certainly is and I'll make sure it stays that way.

Naina: Do you mind if I stay in my suite - I mean the suite that Abhi and I used. It's not like I am uncomfortable in the same room as you. It's just that I have so many memories with that suite.

Raj: of course! Freshen up and then we'll have dinner.

After dinner got over Naina suggested sitting and talking for a while.

Naina: come to my suite. It's the nicest one. As usual abhi wanted the best and you happily gave it up.

Like you always do.

Raj: that's not true... sit down carefully. Here take these cushions and put your feet on the table.

Naina: Don't digress Raj. I have always noticed that you never demanded anything unlike abhi who always felt like he owned the world.

Was it because you were adopted?

Raj: maybe... I mean I was always aware that my life could have been so much worse if ma and papa hadn't adopted me.

Naina: that's ridiculous Raj! Mom and dad always loved you as much as abhi and expected you to feel like you belong

Of course since Abhis death, mom's attitude has changed. It's almost as if she resents you.

Raj: that's your imagination.

Naina; it isn't and you know that. You should call her out for it! Why on earth should she resent you. Is she crazy enough to wish that you died in Abhis place?

Raj: that wouldn't be crazy. Only very natural. Tell me that thought hasn't crossed our head.

Naina: never! Abhi may have been my husband but you were my best friend. Heck if your calming presence wasn't around I doubt we would have survived our volatile dating period or even the early months of our marriage.

Raj look at me! You deserve everything and you aren't an also-ran.

Raj: that's easy for you to say! I am the one who's adopted.

Naina; Let me flip the situation. Will you always expect this baby to feel obliged to you...

Raj: are you crazy? I will give this baby my everything and expect her to feel like she has all rights on me

Naina: its always been easier for you to give than to take! And I have also used that. To get you to marry me and be my support but to lose out on a real marriage!

Raj: Whats a real marriage? And how is it better than what I have? I am married to my best friend. It doesn't get much better.

Now please go to sleep. And you need to get up early. We'll go for a walk and then I have called a yoga instructor for you.

Naina: yes sir!

Raj and Naina spent a great couple of weeks at the haveli. But Naina said something on the last night which ruined everything

Raj stormed out of the room ignoring nainas pleas to listen to her.

Even after returning home Raj refused to talk to her. A week later Naina stormer into the room.

Naina: when were you going to discuss your kma posting with me!

Raj: I don't discuss my postings with anyone and especially don't feel the need to do it with you!

Naina: why did you say that? I know you are angry with me!

Raj: and I shouldn't be? Naina you offered to match make for me despite being married to me. I get that this marriage isn't "normal but it is a lifelong commitment for me.

It may just be a joke for you. And if you wanted to match make for me you shouldn't have asked me to marry you in the first place.

Naina: I am sorry Raj! I genuinely am. I have been very conflicted and confused. When I said that I'd step out of your life the day you met someone you loved, I thought I was doing right by you! You deserve a full marriage; kids of your own.

Raj: No what I need is for you to acknowledge me as your husband! Our relation will never be like the one you had with abhi. But it is a marriage.

Anyways I am done talking. And I leave for KMA this Friday. For your information.

Naina: you can't go there.

Raj: I am not asking you.

Naina (crying): please Raj! Abhi went there and I lost. I can't lose you too.

Raj felt guilty about the way he had been talking to Naina. He had been very angry when Naina had suggested that he treat their marriage as an open relationship. But he knew he had dragged his anger out and she only wished the best for him!

He went up to her and hugged.

Naina: Raj I am sorry. Very sorry... But don't go.

Raj: Naina this isn't because of what you said to me. And I promise i'll be ok. But promise you'll take care of yourself and this precious little one.

Naina: Raj...

Raj: Naina you are my strnegth... Please..

Naina: Fine. But promise you'll call me every day. And you have to be there when the baby is born. Promise me!

Raj: I promise

He kissed her gently on the forehead and she leaned in closer.