Raghav Pallavi OS – first night at RR: Part 2
‘Mujhe maaf karo Raghav.’ He questioned her with his gaze but remained silent, waiting for her to continue. ‘Maine tumse jhoot kaha tha, ye room share karne ka khayal Amma ka nahi, mera tha.’
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Nothing could have prepared Raghav for the words that escaped Pallavi’s lips just now. He stared at her and processed and saw how tenderly she was holding his large hand between her two dainty ones. She was avoiding his gaze and her breathing had become shallow. Wanting to share a room meant she wanted him close and enjoyed his company. Did she crave his company as much as he craved hers? Is this the answer to why she wants to fast for him tomorrow? Surely this sounds too good to be true. All of these assumptions were racing through his mind and although he knew she was a fiery character, it must have taken a lot for her to muster the courage to be so bold and direct.
Well, bold and direct was Raghav’s middle name. He immediately sat up on the bed, crossed his legs and turned to face her side of the bed. He tugged on her hand using his which was nestled between both of hers and pulled her up. She was taken aback but she mirrored his position. Both of their knees touching with Raghav leaning forward and Pallavi shying away.
‘Pallavi… tum mere liye kya feel karta hai?’ He held both of his hands in hers how he had done a few hours earlier. But how different was the situation? At that time, he was assuring her of her safety, right now, he wasn’t sure either of them would survive the inevitable storm once their buried feelings would come to surface.
She continued to stare at him with parted lips, trembling slightly as she tried to find words but failed. He squeezed her hands again and lowered his voice, ‘please Pallavi, mereko aaj jawab chahiye.’
She felt the strain in his voice and how desperate he was to listen. She struggled to find words but truth be told, she wasn’t sure what it was that she felt. ‘Mujhe nahi pata Raghav, mein nahi bata sakti…mein bas itna jaanti hoon ke mein tumhare saath khush hoon, aur mein kabhi tumse door nahi jaana chahti.’ Her eyes were shining with tears.
Ok, this was progress, Raghav was registering what she said. She was happy with him. Great… what else did she feel? Was she as crazy about him as he was for her? Was she just happy with him as a friend? He had to make this clear to himself.
‘Theek hai Pallavi, mein tumko help karta hai. Mein tumko sawaal poochega. Tumko bas haa ya naa mein jawab dena, ardhamayinda.’ His eyes were open wide, wild and Pallavi could see how focussed he was. Being the centre of his attention was quite overwhelming and he lightly touched her face as if to reassure her and smiled.
‘Lekin Raghav…’ and she was silenced by his finger on her lips. She saw his eyes linger on her lips and he quickly squinted his eyes shut before opening them again. He held her hands, gave them a friendly squeeze and smiled at her.
This was his chance to find out what was in her heart. He was excited, he knew exactly what to ask and how. ‘Number 1: tum mereko bahut nafrat karta tha, jab mein tumhare sath bahut galat kiya…’ she opened her mouth to argue but he silenced her again with his finger this time letting it trail down her chin. He internally rejoiced at the shiver he felt. ‘… haan to kya tum mujse abhi bhi nafrat karta hai?’
After a pause she looked up determinedly in his eyes and said, ‘Nahi Raghav woh…’
He interrupted, ‘Sirf haa ya na Pallavi.’
‘Nahi.’ She shook her head and he saw the honesty in her eyes.
‘Number 2: kya tum mere pe trust karta hai?’
She nodded and smiled, ‘Haan.’
‘Number 3: kya tum dil se mujhe apna pati maanta hai?’
‘Haan,’ she replied without any hesitation.
‘Number 4: kal tum vrat sirf mere liye rakh raha hai?’
‘Haan,’ she continued to hold his gaze. Raghav thought this was going way better than he had expected. Her answers were giving him the confidence to test the waters. He released her hands and saw a tinge of disappointment in her eyes, soon replaced by something he couldn’t name yet, as he gently cupped her face in his hands with his fingertips grazing the side of her neck.
With a husky voice he asked, ‘Number 5: kya tum merese pyaar karta hai?’
She immediately dropped her gaze, parted her lips and he saw her hand fumbling with her dress, whilst another ran its fingers through her hair nervously. She turned her face to avoid his intense gaze, but he pulled it back with gentle pressure.
‘Main wait kar raha hai Pallavi… aur iss jawab ke liye, mereko zindagi bhar bhi rukna pare to mein rukega. Sirf tumhare liye Pallavi.’ She was melting in the warmth of his words and his heated gaze.
After a few silent moment, closing her eyes, she whispered, ‘Haan.’
He sighed and beamed. His hands which had been holding her face now caressed her neck and pulled her into him. He hugged her tightly, with his arms around her shoulders pushing her petite frame into his body. As soon as he felt her hands holding him back, he buried his face into her hair and laughed. He pulled back and saw that her eyes were also shedding tears which he wiped away gingerly with his fingers. He gazed at her lovingly as she mirrored his action. Both chuckled simultaneously and Raghav proceeded to continue this life changing conversation.
‘Number 6:…’
‘Kya hai Raghav, aur kitne sawaal? Ab meri baari hai,’ She pouted.
‘Bas aur ek Saree ka dukaan, shayad mera sawal ke baad tumko aur kuch poochne ka zarurat na pare.’ He whispered in her ear and gave a playful smile and winked at her making her blush and avert her gaze.
‘Number 6: kya mein tumko kiss kar sakta hai?’
Pallavi opened her eyes wide, sat on her knees and pushed his chest. He held her frame with one arm whilst she started, ‘Raghav tum ye kya…’
He covered her mouth with his hand and said, ‘Sirf haa ya na Pallavi.’ She mumbled something he couldn’t decipher as her mouth was covered but her eyes were on fire.
‘Please Pallavi, mein tumko dikhana chahta hai, ke mein tumse kitna pyaar karta hai.’ Her eyes softened, and became moist with tears. He removed his hand from her mouth and proceeded to wrap both of his arms around her and pulled her to himself. Both of their bodies were touching except for the short distance between their faces.
‘Pallavi…’ he whispered and waited. His eyes seeking permission and waiting. They had never been this close to each other before, and each was adoring the other with their eyes. He saw her eyes roam all over his face and stop at his lips, while she tentatively stroked his beard. She looked up into his eyes and nodded.
He inhaled a large breath and breathed ‘I love you Saree ka dukaan!’, before capturing her lips with his.
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Happy reading! I wasn’t intending on a part two, but thanks to your encouragement and appreciation, and lack of MHRW on a Sunday, I was able to pen this down.
As always, comments and feedback are always welcome :)
Zee xx
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