Set You Free [RaghVi OS]

Hello folks! Tannu here. Writing my third OS on this forum 😳

Decided to write down a dedication from Pallavi's POV, with Raghav having some humanity left alive in him.

The title is from a 3OH!3 song that I love ~ Set You Free

This story is to remind us that sometimes a second chance helps makes things right ☯️

Writing on my phone so please disregard any editing errors.

Hope you like it. Would appreciate any criticism and/or feedback

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Baba just announced that I am a disgrace to this family and that the only way to clean this stain off my saree, reconcile with the D-fam and protect my integrity, I am to either go off to Kolhapur and never show my face again or marry that vicious guy who did not think twice before trying to tarnish my image. Had his sister not intervened, I even shudder to think what the consequences could have been moving forward when it came to the bill of the hospital, Nikhil’s arrest and then the kidnapping and blackmail. I genuinely wonder why he even took this childish revenge? What have I ever even done to him except for standing up for the shop that he forfeited and the 30-day challenge, which was agreed upon by both parties? Oh, chuck that! I have more crucial things to ponder about, such as how I am going to get out of this mess that is not even wholly my fault… I admit that maybe I did tease him a little bit at the sangeet in front of his mom, but that guy tarnished my entire reputation at home for no reason that I can think of.

You know what I hate most about this orthodox male dominated society? The fact that whatever happens, the girl is at fault. Like I was born with a stamp on my head stating that I was going to be a liability to everybody, and then suddenly I am bringing shame to the house because someone brought a stain to my reputation? He may or may not have seen gender when he took his revenge, but I did open my eyes to the hyprocrisy of a family I considered my own for 2 years ever since Mandar died and I took up his responsibility acting as the daughter of the house. Not once did they stand up for me and counteract to his preposterous claims, not once did they consider my feelings and believe my clarification, when I was on the ground outside the house, dreading for what is to come next while he crushed my entire self-esteem under his feet and then was roaming around the streets, drunk in his ego? An apology later in the hospital just because I helped save Baba’s life makes up for nothing. It is not acceptable behavior to resort to means like this, and then trying to justify it by some stupid reasoning. I dont buy that bullshit. I am not a commodity to be used and thrown away by anybody and anyone.

And who is suffering the consequences? He must be probably sitting at home, smirking to himself as if he accomplished some feat while I am forced to consent to a marriage in order to make sure my family and especially my young brother does not get dragged into some further legal conflict if this guy’s sanity goes for a toss again. Do my rights not matter at all? Why should I be forced into accepting a relationship whose basis lies in nothing but a compromise? And now even my family has been broken for no reason because Aai walked out with me and refused to talk to Baba for making such an irrational request. How narrow minded can the world even get? To be honest, I am not even surprised anymore, but I certainly did not expect that of a sister like Manasi either, who did not think twice before calling me up between work just because she needed something for her dates and then wedding with Rahul or sometimes had me skip lunch. All those hours of conversation and sisterhood, and still lack of trust at the very moment she and the family should have been fighting from my side? Pathetic.

I fail to notice that Aai is ramming the door from outside and Amma and Keerti have also come because they are concerned I might take some drastic step because I am being coerced into something I am completely against. I cant help it, I could not take it anymore. Had to give back and rant downstairs about what a BLEH guy they want me to be tied up with and how it is unjust for them to try to emotionally blackmail me into this for his reformation, because otherwise my voice will get suppressed even more than it already is. I cannot stand this sadistic thinking. I appreciate that Nikhil and Kaka wanted to file a report on my sake and Aai also encouraged this notion, but the other D-fam women are being so pathetic that they do not want to be dragged into court for fake news that has spread like fire? We could have done that secretly and made sure there was no noise about the case but my justice could be served. I was appalled when Inspector Swamy told me that RR will get an anticipatory bail ready within a day even if he supposedly comes to submit himself for the jail term.

I am engulfed by my thoughts and suddenly see someone entering through the window. What the Heck! Who has the audacity to do such a dumb thing?, I thought. I could not make out who it was because I could only see a silhouette in the dark. Wait, it is already evening? I came here in about late afternoon..oh my god..they must have been worried sick to not hear any indication of my presence inside the room..I ought to inform them about my state. Let me go downstairs for dinner atleast. Cannot starve myself just because some people put their ego in front of ethics. Just when I was about to leave, a hand caught mine. I shrieked loudly and turned around to spot the last person I would have liked to meet..Raghav. My rage was beyond control now. I quickly picked up a pillow and started slamming it on him so that he lost control and fell down on the ground. I made sure to keep a safe distance from him. I had not gotten over the fear and shock of the scars he has left on my wrist from the night of the confrontation, the room was locked, I dont trust him at all and it was nighttime. I tried to make my way towards the door but his meek voice stopped me. He seemed almost..guilty and scared.

"I am sorry. I know this is the wrong time, place and way to meet you but I needed to see you. You were not picking up my calls. I need one chance to give my justification."

"Well, you know what? I dont want any clarification from you. Get the heck out of here. I never want to see your vile face ever again in a lifetime. Oh sorry. Guess what? Your Amma brought a rishta from your side to Baba. And you know who it was for? Ofcourse you wouldn't *feigns surprise* ohh it was for me, the girl whose life you have perpetually destroyed, all because I refused to listen to you even after all the torture tactics and blackmail you tried. You wont remember it clearly but it was the most traumatic experience in my entire life and then I am given a chance to mercy by marrying my perpetrator. How amazing is that? You get a free pass to doing anything you want with me and I am punished for a lifetime. And even stuff like marital rape is not even criminalized in our country. So you do not even have to take the efforts to get any anticipatory bails either..is it not a win-win situation? Gee! I am so excited to get the opportunity to get married to you *fakes happiness*"

"Look I know what happened was wrong but.."

"Oops..there is still a but in there? You just said you know its wrong. Then why on earth would you do such a shameful thing? Looking at you it does not seem like you are the forthcoming type or one to normally be expected of to commit such a heinous action. There is absolutely no way you can escape with some dumb excuse because I am not the kind to be easily provoked or convinced, unlike you, who I can clearly gage did this under some pressure. Okay. I give you 5 minutes to speak. You are going to be brutally honest and you better give me a damn good reasoning and rationale behind your impulsive actions that could potentially have left me with no self-respect at all or I will call in your sister, who will not spare you a second time. Tell me why you did this. Tell me why someone I had started to consider as a worthy opponent changed overnight and became an enemy of this stature?"

He looked down, and I was not sure if it was because of guilt or a consequence of the harsh glare that I was giving him.

“Keerti and Amma were arrested on false charges of prostitution and all the evidence including the witnesses pointed to you. I re-investigated the case today with the CCTV proofs from the shop and the street opposite Amma’s house, and you turned to be innocent on this ONE charge, hence I came to apologise to you for all that has happened and all I’ve done post that incident. I have lived alone ever since I was 17 because of what happened to my Nana and Tammudu and I am a sucker when it comes to relationships after that girl – hmm-just know that I am bad at this okay so I got swayed in emotions and I did what I could think of for revenge.”

“What the actual hell? How? Why? Forget everything else – You have known me for a month, Keerti has known me for 2 years, do you seriously think I’d do something like that to her or your mother? Are you a complete dodo? Do you realise what my family has had to go through after you spoke about Amruta’s abortion in front of Manasi’s in-laws? And you made it worse with the stunt you pulled – even to the extent of showering me with money and then offering me a 5-lakh cheque to leave the city? You got so threatened with my presence, you wanted me out, when my people needed me the most? Even death will be ashamed to be associated with a person like you if I kill you this instant forgoing my family values or ethics. The stone pelting on the car was nothing, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ani Tulza Bhavani chi bhakt aahe mi, Aai shapath, tujhat wagh nakh ghusaole asta ani tula warti pathon dila asta zar tu azun majha na majha parivara samor backwaas kelis asti tar!”*

“What are you blabbering? Never mind. Well if you could be involved in the Anjali MMS deal, obviously, you did this too, right?”

“I have told you before, and I am telling you again, I do not know how I was framed both times, but I swear on my Aai and your Amma I have nothing to do with both of these incidents. Also, how do you know I spiked the food at the orphanage, and even if I did that, how is it connected to that MMS? Be honest!”

He was silent for some time, pondering what to say and weighing his words carefully.

“I am Mr. Ramaswamy. I was there the night you had served food, and I was the one who gave you the letter and keychain. Did you not notice my initials on it?”

“Whaaat?”

“Yes. Amma and Keerti are not aware, so I’d trust you not to confess that. The night that I had the food that was made by you is the same night that the MMS scandal happened. I was not aware till Amma, who had accepted my invite to live with me was flocked by reporters, had a breakdown and had to be rushed to the hospital, where she was in a critical condition. Don’t you remember how happy I was to interact with you earlier that day? I was also shocked to see proofs that implicated you, but I could not help it. That is what compelled me to buy your shop and destroy you, because you did this to my Amma.”

He came closer, and I took a few steps behind, but continued to look up at him.

“Look, if I did that to your Amma, would I have willingly donated her blood? I did not want Keerti or her to know about it, so I left right after that, but since you are standing her handing me false accusations, it is high time you knew this truth.”

He looked at me, trying to notice any signs of deception in my eyes, but I guess he found none, so he just sighed and sank to the floor with a shocked expression.

"Raghav Rao has prided himself for never hurting an innocent, but I seem to have done a crime due to my judgement lapse in the first case. All I want to say is that I am going to make sure that I do serve the jail term that I deserve for attempting to do such a horrific thing that is still costing you your reputation. Pallavi Deshmukh, you will not be compelled by society to get married to me. You will be able to live your life free of grudges against me. You will gain respect in the eyes of society for making me suffer my consequences, and getting your justice, and I will be able to gain better control on my life, and my behaviour if I have to survive in the tough conditions that jail life entails of. I am guilty, I am really ashamed, I am genuinely apologetic for my mistakes and I can see no other way to get your forgiveness than to get my punishment. If this is what you want, this is what you shall get. You had asked me to leave, right? I am going now, I will fix the problem with Manasi's in-laws and will not show my face to you ever again."

After his confession, I was shell-shocked. I was speechless. My mouth was agape. I did not know what to accuse him of now, because he just gracefully accepted all of my allegations and was ready to submit himself to court even if it meant that he will lose his own social stature, as his family was also well-known and respected in society and he was putting all of that on the line just for her sake? While I cannot just dismiss the incident to nothingness, I cannot force my feelings of carefully masked hatred for him out of my system right now but it seemed like there could be a point where maybe I could accept it as part of a brutal past and leave it there.

“I will am not gonna put any case or send you to jail after the honest proposition you just made in front of me. But remember, this is the last chance that I am willing to give you. If you mess up in any way once again, I will not think even once before making sure you get the severest of sentences and your life turns to hell. I am not simply an average, submissive girl, I am an individual who has a heart that is giving you an opportunity to repent but also brains in her head and knows how to use it too incase you try any more tricks with me. Ardham Ainda?"

This made him laugh because the Pallavi he knew, the ferocious one was back.

" Ardham Aindi. It means a lot to me that despite everything, you are still considering taking a chance with me. I won’t disappoint you. I promise I will never succumb to any such provocations and even dream of doing such a horrendous thing again. Now I should probably leave or our family might hear my voice and/or will wonder what you are doing inside the room for so long. "

As he left back through the window, I looked at the time. It was almost 8.45 pm. I unlatched the door to find Aai sleeping outside, probably tired after prodding the door for a long time. She smiled at the sleeping figure and woke her up. Aai was glad to see that I was fine, and we went downstairs for dinner where I convinced everyone that I needed some time to think about such an important decision concerning my life, I won’t decline but I will not blindly accept too.

After dinner when she went back to the room, I stood at the same window, and for some reason I felt at peace now. I felt as if somehow everything was going to work out right in time. He seemed to be a fair person if he had said he will work on his redemption. It will be interesting to see what was there about his life that made him do something so unlikely of what she could gage from this interaction. Lets see what life has in store now. Hopefully, things will turn out for the better now that I have taken control of my own destiny.

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Translation: I am a follower of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Tulza Bhavani Aai, so mother promise, if you speak any more rubbish in front of me and my fam, I will insert the wagh nakh into your stomach and you will get an instant ticket to heaven.

Sounded better and more sassy in Marathi, hence I put it like that.

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3OH!3 - Set You Free [FROM THE VAULTS]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0Y8dtj24h0

Unres

What a lovely one shot, Tannu! Loved the way you penned her thoughts so beautifful! Palls strenght not only helps her to stand strong against Raghav but also win our hearts! She is sucha an inspiration!

Thanks for writing!

After reading this os, I don't know why but I felt really peaceful.

I am quite sure this won't happen in the show and the MU won't get cleared before wedding, but this was written exceptionally well

This is so beautiful Tannu. Exactly the way I want it to be. I'm such of women portrayed weak and damsel in distress in itv, as if their life starts and ends with the ML. The disturbing sequences where only the woman is questioned and asked for Agni Pariksha! It's funny how only women have the ijjat and are the so called ijjat of the family, who told you to keep something so valuable in her vagina dude, why not for once take the burden of so called ijjat on yourself!!!

Well, i might not stop if I start, let it be, nvm.

One more thing I loved here is how easy it was and how conveniently they resolved their misunderstandings. Loved RR here. 🤗

and loved pallvi who wasn't the Jagat Mata for once and realised her family is equally at fault.

Amazing one, Tannu!!! ❤️

Originally posted by: cozy_vibes

Amazing tannu.. keep writing more

Thanks for reading and commenting 🤗

Originally posted by: TunesOfHeart

Unres

What a lovely one shot, Tannu! Loved the way you penned her thoughts so beautifful! Palls strength not only helps her to stand strong against Raghav but also win our hearts! She is sucha an inspiration!

Thanks for writing!

Thanks for reading and commenting

I've tried to do justice to RR too, he's misguided, but given a chance, MAYBE he'll come around 👍🏼

Originally posted by: ReemShah

After reading this os, I don't know why but I felt really peaceful.

I am quite sure this won't happen in the show and the MU won't get cleared before wedding, but this was written exceptionally well

Thanks for reading and commenting

Yeah, wrote this for my khunnas and satisfaction 😆

Originally posted by: SnehaSneha

This is so beautiful Tannu. Exactly the way I want it to be. I'm such of women portrayed weak and damsel in distress in itv, as if their life starts and ends with the ML. The disturbing sequences where only the woman is questioned and asked for Agni Pariksha! It's funny how only women have the ijjat and are the so called ijjat of the family, who told you to keep something so valuable in her vagina dude, why not for once take the burden of so called ijjat on yourself!!!

Well, i might not stop if I start, let it be, nvm.

One more thing I loved here is how easy it was and how conveniently they resolved their misunderstandings. Loved RR here. 🤗

and loved pallvi who wasn't the Jagat Mata for once and realised her family is equally at fault.

Amazing one, Tannu!!! ❤️

Thanks for reading and commenting

There are always two sides to the coin, and clearly the D-fam is ALSO to blame for the chaos that happened, so if RR aint forgiven, neither should they. Such a scenario provides a hope to make a better start again for RaghVi 👍🏼

Such a beautifully written os..

Brilliant writing... Filled with so many “Aww” moments...

I really adore how your one shots are always immaculately written... It tells a lot about your emotional intelligence.

This OS once again made me realise the importance of communication between Raghvi.. I’m not talking about trust here... of course their acquaintance is a month old... there shouldn’t be any questions regarding trust... but 99.99% of their misunderstandings could have been solved by mere conversation...

I really enjoyed reading it... Thank you for writing such a lovely story dear...❤️❤️❤️