Fated to love you - ch 7 pg 16 - Page 2

Once alone in their room Sanjana questions her husband over his decision, she asks the questions that have been burning her for hours, "why did you allow Ragav and Kalpi to marry? Why did you not wait for Ayaan? The woman he loves is now married to his brother," she ends admonishingly.

Exhausted with the whirlpool of emotions he experienced today, Neerav sighs deeply as he unbuttons the buttons of his sherwani coat. Sitting down on the sofa, he reluctantly looks into angry eyes. Calmly he says, "Sanjana, come sit by my side. Give way to your anger and hear me out with an open mind."

Forcing herself to control her emotions, Sanjana sits down on the sofa next to her husband, her expression expectant as she waits for Neerav to explain himself.

"Sanjana," Neerav begins, "I want you to forget about Ayaan and just concentrate on Ragav." Sanjana stares at her husband in confusion. He continues, "today for the very first time after..." He takes a deep breath, then continues, "... Very first time after Priya, Ragav chose to allow someone into his life." Regret and pain etched in his features, he says, "today for the very first time I saw a glimmer of hope that our son will forget his past and move on in life."

Sanjana looks at her husband skeptically, says, "do you really see Ragav falling in love again... Moving on..." Neerav looks at his wife, answers softly, "Kalpi is a ray of sunshine... Filled with laughter... I think if anyone can teach our son how to laugh again, it is she."

Sanjana sits up, taking her husbands hands into hers, she asks in a concerned voices, "and what of our other son? Neerav tries to pull his hands away from his wife, pain emanating from him, Sanjana does not let go of him and says, "what if he follows his brother's footsteps and cannot get past this?

Shaking his head, Neerav says, "Ragav has always been emotional and sensitive... Always keeping things in his heart. Ayaan is different, carefree... And most important thing of all is that Kalpi is alive. When he sees that she has moved on and is happy, he will move on too."

A niggling doubt bothering her, Anapurna asks worriedly, "do you think Ragav was involved? Recollecting his earlier conversation with Ragav's driver, Neerav gives his wife a reassuring smile and lies, "no he was not involved. Did you not tell me that Kalpi asked Ragav to marry her."

Relieved, Sanjana nods and says, "yes. I only asked because... I thought maybe... pakhi... Shaking her head, she continues, "I don't know what I was thinking."

Eluded by sleep, Neerav watches his wife sleep peacefully. Worry gnaws at him as he wonders if he had made the right call. As a father he had become quite selfish at that moment, forsaking everything just for the opportunity to see his son live in the present again. Dispensing any doubt, he tells himself, "no I made the right call. Kalpi's presence in ragav's life will force him to no longer live in the past.

****************

Pakhi walks towards her room, stops outside Ayaan's room. Staring at the closed door she hesitates, "should I... should I not... shaking her head, clearing her thoughts, she tells herself, "he needs a friend as she opens his bedroom door and walks inside.

Seeing him sitting on the floor in the dark, his back leaning against the wall, she quietly walks up to him and sits next to him.

"Are you okay?" Pakhi asks in a quiet voice

"No I am not," Ayaan replies.

"Why did you leave? where did you go?" Pakhi asks.

Sighing with regret, Laksh says, "I am so stupid. I went to buy gol gappa."

"Gol gappa!" Ragini exclaims, "why?"

"Ragav was telling me how he and Priya would celebrate all their special moments by re enacting their first date. So when he left, I thought that Kalpi would find it romantic," Ayaan explains.

Nodding her head slightly, pakhi says, "this is such a mess. I never thought bhai would marry again. Tears fall down as pakhi recalls how much her brother loved Priya. Her conscious bites, questions refusing to be silenced, "did bhai marry Kalpi because of me?because of last night? recalling her weakest moment last night, where she was about to do something stupid... where her brother promised to protect her and would sort everything out.

Sitting up, he says excitedly, "guess what. Bhai said that he will divorce kalpi so that Kalpi and I can marry? He continues in a sad voice, "I know it's not possible. The families will never agree.

Placing his head on pakhi's lap as he stretches himself out on the floor, Ayaan continues, "there is nothing wrong in deluding myself... isn't it... just for tonight, he implores.

Caressing his head slowly, pakhi replies with a sad smile, "no. There is nothing wrong with it.

Taking her hand into his, Ayaan says, "I realised something tonight.

"What did you realise? Pakhi asks.

"I wronged you when I asked you to back out and to talk to mum for me to marry Kalpi, Ayaan says, "when something doesn't go as expected, it hurts and as your best friend, I hurt you. Chuckling, Ayaan continues, "well karma got me good.

Crying uncontrollably pakhi repeats, "I am so sorry... I am so sorry... Ayaan sits up frowning, wipes her tears, saying reassuringly, "stop crying. I am fine. I won't hurt for long. I promise. Hugging her and he continues, "hey this is not fair... you are supposed to wipe my tears tonight.

Watching quietly from the open door, Neerav sighs with relief, feeling less guilty, thinking with confusion, "Ayaan has always loved pakhi... and pakhi, Ayaan... one would have to be blind not to notice... how did Kalpi come between them.

*******************************

Groggy, Ragav wakes up, confused as to what woke him up. Seeing Kalpi. pace to and fro across the room, he sighs and sits up, leans towards the side lamp and switches it ok, saying, "why are you awake?"

Startled, Kalpi turns, replies, "I can't sleep." Walks up towards the bed, sits on the empty side and says, "I am sorry I woke you." Shrugging his shoulders, he rests his head on the headboard and asks, "why can't you sleep?"

"I am not tired," Kalpi replies. Raising his eyebrow in disbelief, he states, "it is nearly three in the morning." Sighing, infusing concern in his voice, he asks, "what is bothering you... You can tell me."

Kalpi hesitates momentarily, then says, "two things... I lied to you and I need your help."

"Here we go," Ragav thinks, "she has decided to go for the divorce."

Teasingly he says, "why would I want to help a liar?"

Teasing him back, Kalpi says, "I don't expect you to help a liar... But I do expect you to help your wife."

Startled by what Kalpi says, Ragav nods and says, "fair enough... so wife, how would you like me to help you?"

Flushing with embarrassment, Kalpi says, "I would like to tell you about what I lied first."

Feeling defensive, Ragav folds his arms across his chest, saying, "sure."

Wanting to get it off her chest, Kalpi speaks in a rushed tone, devoid of emotions, "I married you because I wanted to get even.

Raising his eyebrow, Ragav sits up, startled by her confession, he parrots, "get even!

Kalpi nods seriously, "Yes. Pakhi and Ayaan thought that they could embarrass me and my family... her eyes gleaming, she adds, "ha! They thought they would get me good, but look how I turned it. I married you.

Surprised and pleased for he was expecting to hear something else, trying to ignore the tinge of guilt he feels over his part, Ragav starts of mockingly, "wow! You ousted them at their own game. Then adds in a serious tone, "is this something you should be sharing with me? Crossing his arms defensively, he adds wryly, "let me guess... you want my help to get further even with them.

"Duh," Kalpi says, rolling her eyes, "honesty is very important and of course I expect you to help me.

"Kalpi, Ragav scolds, "are you seriously expecting me to help you hurt my family. Taken aback by his choice of words, Kalpi shakes her head, "not hurt... just prank. Then quickly adds in a rushed voice, "its your duty to help your wife. I am the most important person in your life now.

Ragav stares at Kalpi stunned, thinking, " what the hell are today's kids smoking? Shaking his head, Ragav says, "oh no... Don't even think to involve me in this nonsense. Thinking to himself, "thank God she doesn't know that it is I that am responsible for Ayaan's disappearance.

Watching different emotions flitter past her features, Ragav can't stop himself from admiring her. Reading disappointment in her gaze, he says, "fine. No promises. I will help if I can. Now go to sleep."

Smiling, Kalpi says, "thank you." Then adds, "I am still not sleepy." Smiling back, Ragav teases, "if we married in different circumstances, I would make you very tired." Kalpi instinctively jumps off the bed. Reading her expression, Ragav shrugs his shoulders and says, "what... I am a man." Walking backwards to the divan, Kalpi says abruptly, "I am suddenly very tired. Good night."

Ragav bursts out laughing, switches off the lamp and says, "good night." Kalpi turns towards him, calls out, "you were teasing me, right?" Ragav replies, "goodnight Kalpi." Relieved, she replies with a smiling voice, "goodnight."

Sleep lost, Ragav sits up, his head resting on the headboard, his gaze contemplative as he watches wife fast asleep on the divan, his eyes having adjusted to the darkness wondering what the hell was going on... frowning he thinks, "does kalpi not love Ayaan?... does she not trust him?... why would she think Ayaan and pakhi were pulling a prank?... damn it, don't tell me that postponing their marriage would have had the same desired effect as I marrying her.

Annoyed Ragav further thinks, "I didn't need to marry her to separate them... " adding with disgust, "did she come between Ayaan and pakhi just to get even... was she marrying Ayaan just to hurt pakhi... is she really this shallow...? and what the f**k was that... why would I say that... I am a man, he shudders as he recalls the words.

Placing his head on his pillow, Ragav closes his eyes and whispers to himself, "Priya I am in pickle... help me out hun.

Sanjana looks up towards the stairs, frowning slightly when she sees Ragav coming down the stairs alone. She stops serving her husband breakfast, looks at Ragav with slight disappointment as he wishes everyone good morning.

"Where is Kalpi?She asks.

Taking a seat on the dining table, Ragav says, "she is sleeping."

Grandma walks towards the dining table from the kitchen, a plate of hot parathas in her hand, unhappy, she says, "still sleeping." Turns to Her daughter inlaw and says, "what is this?"

Giving her a reassuring look, Sanjana turns towards Her son and says, "Ragav, why don't you go wake her up..." She pauses, waiting for Ragav to get up, then reprimands softly, "and come down together." Ragav gives his mum a sheepish look, nods affirmatively and takes the stairs two at a time as he rushes to his room.

Seeing a sleeping Kalpi, Ragav bends down, grabs her shoulder and shakes her slowly, saying, "wake up."

Groggy, Kalpi wakes up, saying "let me sleep."

Straightening up, Ragav says sharply, "Kalpi, wake up. Everybody is waiting for us downstairs."

Sitting up, Kalpi rubs her eyes, asking, "what time is it?"

Ragav replies impatiently, "past ten."

Kalpi looks at him, takes in the suit, asks, "are you planning to go somewhere?"

"Yes, Ragav replies, "office." Sitting on the edge of his bed, he continues, "I would really appreciate it if you could speed up. I don't want to be late for my meeting."

Ragav watches in with irritation as Kalpi makes a mess of the room, clothes strewn all over the bed as she looks for something to wear. Oblivious to what Ragav is feeling, Kalpi says, "how can you set up a work meeting the very next day after our marriage."

Picking the clothes by his side, Ragav says drily, "I had no idea I was getting married yesterday." Thinks silently, "I had just planned for the marriage to not take place. Little did I know that I would be marrying you!"

Seeing the intense look in Ragav's eyes as he stares at the outfit he has in his hands, unable to control her urge to tease, she picks one of her discarded outfits and throws it square on his face, laughing as she says, "always expect the unexpected... Especially now that you are married to me." Before he can react she races into the bathroom.

"Damn it," Ragav thinks as he crushes the outfit with his fist, "what the hell was that? Why is she not upset? One would think she never wanted to marry Laksh!" Frowning as he recollects their conversation late last night, he mutters, "I didn't need to marry her to reach my objective.

Stepping out of the bathroom, dressed in a sky blue coloured sari, kalpi hides her nervousness, her anxiety, behind her bright smile. Smiling, she calls out, "how do I look?"

Annoyed with her chirpiness, knowing full well that she was expecting a compliment, Ragav stubbornly refuses to give her one, instead saying, "you look the same. Let's go." Watching her carefully walk towards him, he asks with a frown, "are you comfortable..." Seeing her pleats, adds, "your pleats are messy."

Kalpi gives him a sheepish smile and says matter of factly, "not used to." Then goes about correcting her pleats, adding, "with time will get there."

Watching her make more of a mess of the sari through the mirror, Ragav strides over impatiently, grabs her by the arm, turns her around, saying, "oh for God's sake. Let me." Grabs the sari and quickly makes neat pleats. Too shocked to react, kalpi does nothing to stop him. Several seconds later, he steps back, pleased with himself, thinking, "how hard was that! Seen Priya... He stops mid thought as he is engulfed with memories of Priya. Reeling with the pain of her loss, he looks coldly at Kalpi and snaps, "next time wear clothes you are comfortable with. Come let us go."

Kalpi looks down at her sari pleats, reluctantly admiring Ragav's handi work. She looks up towards ragav who is already heading out. She follows him with quick strides, wanting to catch up. She jokingly calls out, "should I be worried?" Ragav stops walking, turns around, confused. with laughter in her eyes, Kalpi points at her pleats and repeats, "should I be worried?"

Hurting, annoyed, confused, frustrated for he did not understand her, Ragav walks up towards her, grabs her by the arm and pulls her back into their room.

Pushing her to the wall, his arms on with side, with just inches apart, he asks angrily, "what is wrong with you? Why are you not sad? Upset? You are just joking and teasing."

Angry at being mishandled. Fire in her eyes, Kalpi places her palms on Ragav's chest and uses all her might to push him away from her, unsuccessfully. She says furiously, "what do you expect me to do? Cry? Am I supposed to sit and cry that I was stood up on my wedding day by the man who is supposed to love me? Angrily she continues as pokes her finger on his chest, "your dear brother and sister took their prank too far. How dare they include my family in it... try to hurt my family? Fate was kind enough that you were there and that you agreed to marry me. Had you refused, how would have I faced my parents? Society?Just because I am not wearing my emotions on my sleeve, does not mean that it is not there... my groom changed within a blink of an eye! And anyways what is your problem? Was it not one of your conditions yesterday that Ayaan should be my past and you my present and future? Don't you dare judge me for trying to make the best out of a poor situation!

Ragav takes a step back, taken aback by the anger, frustration, hurt he hears in her voice... Shocked to realise that she was actually just following his instructions. Unnoticed tears fall from Kalpi's eyes, all the pent up emotions she had hidden, bursting out. With a broken voice, kalpi adds, "I thought we are friends." Ragav shaken by the avalanche of emotions he just witnessed, filled with guilt, shakes his head, whispers truthfully, "we are not friends."

Watching her hide the evidence of her emotional out pour, Ragav tries to curb the guilt he feels, thinking regretfully, "how is she going to react when she finds out that I am to blame, and not pakhi and Ayaan... I should have not said yes to marrying her. Oh, why did I think it was a good idea at the time! Day one of marriage and here we are, arguing."

His phone rings, clearing his voice, ragav answers. Meeting Kalpi's gaze through the mirror , ragav says into the phone, "reschedule the meeting for tomorrow. I will not be coming to the office today." Kalpi shakes her head. Ragav frowns slightly, then says into the phone, "reschedule it for day after tomorrow." Kalpi shakes her head again. Ragav takes the phone away from his ear, covers it with his palm and says, "Kalpi this meeting is important." "Fine," Kalpi replies, "day after tomorrow."

Putting his phone away, Ragav frowns as he watches Kalpi walk out of the room. Shaking his head he goes after her.

Kalpi walks down the stairs, Ragav by her side, deep down dreading to face His family.

Lost in her thoughts, Kalpi misses a step, waffles about, trying to keep her balance, in the processes stepping on her sari pleats. Thanks to his quick reflexes, Ragav grabs her by the waist and pulls her up. Seeing her pleats undone, he turns her around,away from prying eyes and automatically starts pleating her sari as he tells her in a voice that brooks no arguements, "no more saris from tomorrow."

Ayaan watches the scene with unshed tears, thinking, "that should have been me. That was my right."

Neerav and Sanjana look on with relief, pleased with the comfort level they observed between the two, giving them hope that this marriage will work despite their pasts, both thinking, "thank God there is no awkwardness between them despite the circumstances they married.

Shrieking internally, Kalpi tries to slap his hands away as she darts an embarrassed look towards his family, "Ragav!" Admiring his handiwork, Ragav says innocently, "what! You are my wife. Seeing her blush from embarrassment, he can't resist teasing her. He leans forward and whispers into her ear, "it is not like I was undressing you." Chuckling internally, Ragav gives her a wink before he continues down the stairs. "Atta boy, Ragav mentally pats himself on the back, "that's the way to handle her... keep her off balance.