Hello everyone,
I am back with another OS. My previous OS 'Main bhi' focused on Raghav and his thoughts. This is more from Pallavi's perspective and is set on the quarrel and hairdrying scene from today. Hope you like reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Any feedback is more than welcome.
Zee x
What was he thinking? How on earth could that Ghamandi Rao pay that Sunny 5 crore? Pallavi knew he had made an impulsive decision and his intention was simply to protect Keerthi, however she couldn't stop ranting to herself in the shower. She stood for longer than necessary under the cool shower, hoping it would relax her mind. She had realised that the Raos were a passionate family. During times like this, she needed some precious moments to herself to reflect. Why hadn't he consulted her? She thought they were comfortable enough to be able to discuss and make joint decisions. As Pallavi Raghav Rao, she had the best interests of the Raos at heart. Surely, he had known that.
Raghav infuriated her to no end. During this current situation, she understood Raghav's stance against Sunny. She had felt the thick tension between the two men in Sunny's flat and now she understood the reason for Raghav's seething rage that day. He made no attempt to hide his loathing for Keertis loverboy.
Her rational mind was questioning why Raghav hadn't mentioned anything to her earlier. At least they could have discussed it and it would have avoided the argument that followed. But deep down, she was starting to understand Raghav. He could be an extremely impulsive individual when anything close to his heart was at risk. In this case, his sister, whom he continues to love dearly despite her nonchalant and dismissive attitude towards him. As soon as he heard about the plan to elope, he must have seen red.
She stepped out of the shower and wrapped her wet hair in a towel. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she decided not to continue the quarrel with Raghav. He was already stressed enough, and she had conveyed her point about discussing things together so she decided not to add to his troubles.
She stepped out and was surprised to see the man who had been the focus of her thoughts perched on the edge of her bed. She remembered the last time he had been in her room, leaning against the shelves, at ease. He had requested her to gift Keerti a necklace. Today, he was far from that relaxed Raghav. His body language was screaming tension. Something was troubling him.
He had come to request for her assistance. Delighted that she was being trusted and he had considered her close enough to ask her, her heart sang. She had realised a few days ago that she could not bear to see Raghav in pain. She could and would forever do whatever it takes to ease his troubles, settle his worries and put that cheeky grin back on his handsome face.
Of course she would help him, but she wanted to lighten the mood. He was too tense, so she distracted him by asking her to dry her hair. A part of her thought that he would refuse. Would the Great Raghav Rao dry his wife's hair? He had done it before, but she had been ill then. This time, there was no excuse, except for the fact that she knew he liked her hair.
To her surprise, he agreed, after reminding her that this was not to be always expected in his Raghav Rao style. He began drying her hair and she realised that whenever Raghav set out to do something, he did it properly. She had seen how focused he was on his jewellery designs, business plans and his relationships. She admired him through the mirror and their eyes met as his fingers separated strands of her long hair. He had gathered her hair and brought it close to his face to breathe in her scent more deeply. As soon as she realised what he was doing, she swiftly turned to come inches away from his face. His eyes were closed and he was breathing in her fragrance oblivious to Pallavi's gaze.
When he opened his eyes, she saw his eyes widen in surprise at their sudden proximity, but neither made a move to separate. She continued to stare at him and she felt his gaze touch her face. She breathed in the now familiar scent of Raghav's cologne mingled with his own distinct fragrance.
Although Pallavi had been married, Mandar's death had meant that she had never been this close to a man. Mandar was the first and only man that had entered her life and left without entering her heart. On the other hand, Raghav had stormed into her life and made a permanent residence in her heart without even asking for permission. She wanted him to be a part of her life and her to be his.
They shared a moment, too short for Pallavi's liking, where each looked at the other and relished in their closeness. Her moment of peace was disrupted by a tug of her hair. Once again, she was bowled over by how gingerly he untangled her hair although he had come close to dismantling that hair dryer. It was in moments like this, she couldn't believe he was the same man. The same man who had tied her to a wheelchair and made her wait in a freezing living room.
Neither of them moved from their position as they discussed what they should do next. He listened to her suggestion and she marvelled at how comfortable she felt sitting so close to him. She felt a sudden urge to touch him. She raised her hand to lightly stroke his beard, 'sab theek hojayega Raghav, jaise Amma ne tumhe maaf kiya, Keerthi bhi ek din sab samaj jayegi. Iss waqt, usko apne pyar ki fikar hai. Pyar mein log kabhi kabhi ghalat faisle lete hai.'
He smiled a genuine smile and held the little hand that was stroking his face. He was certain that she adored his beard now. 'Tumko pyar ka samaj kaha se aaya, Saree ka dukaan? Tumne to kaha that tumko pyaar karne ka mauka hi nahi mila?'
He was referring to their earlier discussion about her past which she was yet to share with him. How would he react when he hears her story? He had asked on more than one occasion, eager to know her story. She understood his desire to understand her better, she had felt the same about him. But there were parts of her life that were still broken and needed healing. She knew he would be the only one she would ever trust and let herself be vulnerable with. That day was not far off, she was sure of it.
She held his hand with both of her own as she spoke and her eyes bore deep into his. 'Nahi mila tha Raghav, par ab jo zindagi ne mauka diya hai, usko mein apne done haatho se, kasske pakarna chahti hoon. Mein tumse pyar karna chahti hoon.'
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
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