Chapter-5
I won't leave him!!! I will kill him with my bare hands!!Just wait.THAT MORON!!!!',shouted Rashi as she entered the house.
Ronnie was startled.He had never seen his sister that furious.Something serious must have happened to annoy her like this.
Relax,Rashu!! What has happened?',asked Ronnie.
Nothing,bro!! No!! Actually,everything has gone wrong!! Just wait and watch,bro.I will kill that mor...BRO!!!!! You are here!! You are actually here?',said Rashi looking absolutely surprised.
Surprise,surprise!! Actually,I had planned to surprise you in some other way but...',he could not complete his sentence when Rashi enveloped him in a hug.
I can't believe that you are here,Ronnie.I missed you sooo much',said Rashi.
And so did I.',admitted Ronnie.
But let me guess,it was Mom who sent you here,right?',asked Rashi.
Who else can it be apart from her?Our all knowing mother.But you know what?She did the most wonderful thing by sending me here.I have..',he paused for a while.He would tell her but not like this.
What?You well telling something,na?',asked Rashi.
No,nothing.Leave that.By the way,why were you so angry?',asked Ronnie.
Don't ask me,bro!!',said Rashi.And then she told him the entire story which began at Qutub Minar till the recent happenings at The Opal.
Hahahaahahaaha!!!',Ronnie could not stop his laughter.
RONNIE???? You are laughing???',asked Rashi indignantly.
No!! I am close to tears.I can't stop laughing.Really,first that guy spilled coke all over you and then tricked you in our very own hotel!!!',said Ronnie.
Seriously,do you find it funny?',asked Rashi.
No.I am finding it very,very funny.',said Ronnie.
Please,Ronnie!!! I can't believe that you are my brother.',said Rashi.
I understand.Of course,its hard to believe since I am so good looking and you are..OUCH!!! Rashi ,stop,stop.',said Ronnie.Rashi began to hit him.
Rashi,stop.I have already been beaten up today.',said Ronnie.
Really?Tell me who did it?I would like to thank that person wholeheartedly'.,said Rashi.
Her name is ... Falguni.',said Ronnie in a dreamy voice.
What??Falguni actually beat you up!!'.,said Rashi.Now,it was her turn to laugh.
Enough!! Don't laugh anymore'.,said Ronnie.
Why bro?? Laughter is good for health.',said Rashi.And then,the two of them laughed together.
They were soon joined by Tina.The three of them began discussing what to do next.
So,what are we going to do tomorrow?',asked Ronnie.
Let's go for sightseeing.How about the Qutub Minar?',asked Tina with a wink.
No! I have seen enough of the Qutub Minar.Let's go somewhere else.',said Rashi.
Why don't we go to Agra?Its been a very,very long time since I have seen The Taj Mahal.Wouldn't it be amazing?A road trip to Agra.Just the three of us and Falguni.',said Ronnie.
Not a bad idea.But let me ask Falguni first.',said Rashi.
She went upstairs and found Falguni engrossed in her novel.
Falguni,we have planned a road trip to Agra.Just you,me,Tina and Ronnie.',said Rashi.
But Rashi,I...',began Falguni.
No,I will not listen to anything.You are coming with us and that's final.',said Rashi.
Okay,I will come with you'.,said Falguni
Great!! I will go an make the arrangements.',said Rashi and she left.
This is a good excuse to get away from Delhi.I need to get away from here.',thought Falguni.
Rashi went back to Tina and Ronnie and informed them that Falguni had agreed for the trip.
Then,it is decided.Tomorrow we are leaving for Agra sharp at eight in the morning.',said Ronnie.
Umm,Rashi,Ronnie,would you guys mind if I call one of my friends for the trip.He's a nice guy.You will love to meet him.',said Tina.
Which friend are you referring to,Tina?',asked Rashi.
Arrey,Rashi!! Aaj subah hi toh mile the na use!! Nikhil!!.',said Tina
Nikhil?But do you think that he will agree?',asked Rashi.
Of course,yaar!! He's a sweetheart.',said Tina.
Chalo,jisko bulaana hai bulaalo,par kal hum sab Agra keliye nikal rahe hain.',said Ronnie.
Tina called up Nikhil.
Hi,Tina!!',said Nikhil.
Hi,Nikhil!! I want to ask you something.Tomorrow,we are going on a road trip to Agra.Ronnie has planned it.Ronnie is Rashi's brother and my cousin.Will you come with us?',asked Tina.
But Tina,how can I accompany you guys?Its a family trip.',said Nikhil.
No,Nikhil!! One of my friends is coming with us too.Please come.We will have lots of fun.Please.',said Tina.
All right! I will come along.',said Nikhil.
Amazing!! So,we are leaving tomorrow at eight in the morning,okay.Bye,good night!',said Tina and Nikhil hanged up.
The next morning everyone was ready to leave.Falguni had gone inside to get her novels and Tina was waiting for Nikhil.
Tina,how long will it take for your friend to come?',asked Ronnie.
Have patience,Ronnie.Oh look!!! There he is!! ,she said as Nikhil entered the premises.
Hey,Nikhil!!! I am glad that you came.',said Tina.
Thanks for inviting me,Tina'.,said Nikhil.
Nikhil,meet my cousin Ronnie.Rashi se toh mil hi chuke ho.',said Tina.
Hi,Nikhil.Nice to meet you.',said Ronnie.
Same here.',said Nikhil and they shook hands.
Aren't we supposed to leave now?',asked Nikhil.
Yes,but we are waiting for Falguni.',said Rashi.
Nikhil's eyebrows widened.
For whom?',Nikhil asked uncertainly.
Falguni.Our friend.You have not met her till now.',said Rashi.
Falguni came out carrying her novels but suddenly she dropped them.Her face had turned white.She was looking pale.
Falguni! Are you all right?',asked Ronnie and he picked up her books.
Yes,I am fine.I am just feeling a bit weak and nothing else.By the way,you guys did not tell me that we are going to have some more guests.',asked Falguni.
No,Falguni.Only Nikhil is joining us.You know Nikhil,naa?That professor?Nikhil Nirmalaya.Remember?',said Tina.
Of course,I remember.I remember him very well.',said Falguni.
She held out her hand.
It is a pleasure meeting you,Nik...Mr Nirmalaya.',said Falguni.
The pleasure is all mine,Falguni.',said Nikhil as he shook hands with her.
After what seemed like a long pause,they let go of each other's hands.Nikhil turned away his gaze from her.
Okay,guys!! So,shall we leave now?',said Ronnie.
Yup!! Lets go bro.',said Rashi.
So,they rode off.Rashi sat in the front with Ronnie whereas Nikhil,Tina and Falguni sat in the backseat.
Throughout the journey,Rashi,Ronnie and Tina chatted along.Nikhil and Falguni remained quiet and answered only when something was asked to them.
I am getting bored.Lets put on some music.',said Ronnie.
Okay,Ronnie!! Let me check what we have got here.',said Rashi.
Look Ronnie,there are some CDs of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.',said Rashi.
Great,I love that man's voice.',said Ronnie
Here is this song.Its one of my favourites.',said Rashi.
The song began to play-
Lafz kitne hi tere pairon se lipte honge
Tune jab aakhiri khat mera jalaya hoga
Tune jab phool,kitabon se nikaale honge
Dene waala bhi tujhe yaad toh aaya hoga
Teri aankhon ke dariya ka
Utarna bhi zaroori tha
Mohabbat bhi zaroori thi
Bichadna bhi zaroori tha
Zaroori tha ki
Hum dono tawaf-e-aarzoo karte
Magar phir aarzuon ka
Bikharna bhi zaroori tha
Teri aankhon ke dariya ka
Utarna bhi zaroori tha
Please stop it!!!',two voices came from the backseat.It was Nikhil and Falguni.They seemed distraught.
What happened,guys?Are you all right?',asked Tina looking alarmed.
Yes,I am alright.I am extremely sorry for my behavior.But don't you all think that this is a pretty sad song for a journey.We could do with something more cheerful.',said Nikhil.
Yes,I agree with him.Can,can we please change the song?',asked Falguni looking pale.
Okay,Falguni!! As you wish!!',said Ronnie and he changed the song.
Sydney,Australia
What else could a man possibly desire?A loving wife,two excellent kids,all the wealth and luxuries.Really,if a man has these things then what else can he possibly desire?',asked Alok Agarwal.
Let me think.A hot mug of black coffee along with the beautiful music of the violin in the background.',said Trisha.
Right once again,Trisha!! Really sometimes even I wonder,do you really know the art of mind reading.',asked Alok.
No,I don't.But I certainly know what is going on in a person's heart.',said Trisha.
Really? Then what is going on in my heart right now?',asked Alok playfully.
You have a feeling of worry for our children and a feeling of triumph after taking over eleven new hotels.Am I right,Mr Agarwal?',asked Trisha.
Only one out of two,my dear.Not upto your usual standard.I am happy for the hotels but I am not worried about our children.They are our children,after all.Strong,smart,confident and independent.Just like us.',he said in a proud tone.
Don't lie to me,dear.I know that you always act like daddy cool but inside you lies the same old pitaji who is worried for his kids.',said Trisha.
Nothing is hidden from you Trisha.I admit I am worried about our children.',said Alok.
It is the instinct of every parent to worry about their children.There is nothing to hide about it.',said Trisha.
Right.By the way,I wanted to tell you something.',said Alok.
What?That Mr Bharadwaj met you today aur baaton baaton mein apne bete ke saath Rashi ki baat kardi I right?',said Trisha.
You know it.His son is arriving from London and he was asking whether Rashi could possibly meet him after she returns from Delhi.',said Alok.
And here,Anju is forcing her daughter on Ronnie.Looks like our kids are in a mess.',said Trisha.
What is the problem in meeting just for once?Our kids are grown up now.They are 25,independent and successful.Ab hamare kanon par bhi shehnaiyon ki dhun padne ka waqt hogaya hai.',said Alok.
Pehle violin ki dhun ko achchi tarah se enjoy karlijiye,shehnai ke bare mein baad mein sochenge.',said Trisha.
Tell me honestly,what is going on in your mind?',asked Alok.
Honestly,I believe that before taking the oaths of marriage around the holy fire one should first be consumed by the fire of love.',said Trisha.
Love?Love can happen anytime Trisha.Even after getting married.And as far as Ronnie and Rashi are concerned,I have full faith in them.They are intelligent.They will select the most suitable life partners.',said Alok.
Ronnie and Rashi are different from each other.So,we have to handle both of them differently.Ronnie may be a very smart lawyer but from inside he is as innocent as a child.And he hides this innocent side of himself beneath the mask of the shrewd lawyer.He is shy in front of girls and if he ever opens up to a girl he will reveal his vulnerability to her.If the girl truly feels for him then she will understand it.Rashi.Rashi loves predictability and perfection.She believes in having everything in her own way.She is like the ocean.She needs someone who is equal to her in every aspect',said Trisha.
That is exactly what I am trying to say.Mr Bharadwaj's son is perfect for Rashi.I have met him many times.He is calm,gentle and well mannered.He is rich.He will fulfill all her wishes.',said Alok.
No.Mr Bharadwaj's son is not the one for whom a girl like Rashi is made.Rashi's ideal partner should be someone who is equal to her in each and every aspect.And by equality,I don't mean equal in terms of wealth.',said Trisha.
Then,what do you mean?',asked Alok.
I mean to say that if Rashi is like the ocean then her life partner should be like the wind.If she is the fire,then he should be the fuel.He would be her reflection and vice-versa.And he should be equally capable too.',said Trisha.
Capable?Mr Bharadwaj's son is extremely capable.Uski efficiency se lagta hai ki jaise uske dus haath hon.',said Alok.
Kaabil who nahin hota jiske paas kaam efficiently karne keliye dus haath hon.Kaabil woh hai jo do haathon se dus kaam efficiently karde.We need someone like this for Rashi.',said Trisha.
If we go and look for such a guy then I doubt ki woh iss century main milega.',said Alok jokingly.
Hoga.Zaroor hoga.I believe that a person like this exists.And if he does,then only he is fit to be our son-in-law.',said Trisha.
The road between New Delhi and Agra,India
Ari,I am telling you again.You did not do the right thing.You tricked that poor girl.',said Vicky.Arihant and Vicky were on their way to Agra in a bus.
Vicky,for the hundredth time I am telling you that I did not deceive her.I only played a small prank.And by the way,she was looking as if she were on the verge of depression.If I had not advised her,then she would have consulted some psychologist and paid him for that.I just counseled her a bit and got my fees.Its the same thing.Only difference is that I am not a psychologist.',said Arihant.
But Ari..',began Vicky.
Look,first of all,she could afford the bill.She certainly is well to do.Still,if you think that I made a mistake then I will apologise to her when I meet her next.But for now,focus on the trip.I just wish that this bus reaches Agra as soon as possible.Man ki marziyan,marziyon ka mann,kuch aisa hi hai...yaar,jo bhi hai,I will find out for sure.
Author's Note-Hi guys!! Here is chapter five.I apologise for any speling mistakes or grammatical errors.