RagLak- A New Beginning - Page 7

Chapter 7:-

Next morning, we can see that Lakshya is getting ready for office when suddenly, PRM enters his room.

PRM- You woke up early today. Good morning, son.
Lakshya- Hey dad, good morning. Do you need something? You could've sent Chotu for me if you needed something. Why did you bother?
PRM- Am I not allowed to enter your room?
Lakshya- No dad, I didn't mean that. Of course, you can. This is your house. Everything belongs to you. You can come here anytime you want.
PRM- This is not only my house, Lucky. This is our house. Things here don't only belong to me. They belong to you and Sanky as well. Money, gold, properties etc are temporary. My real treasure are my sons, you and Sanky! Don't ever say such things again, Lucky.

Lakshya gets emotional. He hugs PRM and PRM hugs him back.

Lakshya- I love you, dad.
PRM- I love you too, son. Accha, are you going somewhere?
Lakshya- Office, dad. Aren't you going?
PRM- No, I'm not. Neither are you going.
Lakshya- Why so?
PRM- Because I'm calling up Ragini for lunch.
Lakshya (in mind)- What the f**k! I'm trying to make her hate me and here, dad is planning to call her up for lunch! I gotta do something before she falls in love with me. I need to avoid her as much as possible. I'll have to make her hate me.
Lakshya- But dad, there's too much work left to do at office. A leave at this point is such a waste of time.
PRM- Lucky, why do you always forget that I'm your dad? Don't try to fool me. You don't do a shit bit of work at office and I know that well. All your work is done by Ragini. You wake up early at home so you can sleep at office again. You take your job and Ragini for granted because you know she'll save you, anyway. She'll keep you away from any bad source and you know that well. Hence, you take her for granted, right? You know she won't let me scold you. You know she'll take the blame on herself, if needed, to save you.

Lakshya is silent. He doesn't say a word. He knows his dad is right. He's been using Ragini's innocence and her loyalty to save himself from his father's red eyes. PRM calls Ragini.

PRM-Hello, Ragini?
Ragini (over phone)- Good morning, sir. I'm so sorry I'm a bit late today. I'll be at office in about 15 minutes.
PRM- No no, I called you to inforrm you that today you're not coming to ofice. Instead, you're coming to Maheshwari Mansion for lunch. That's my order. Be here ASAP.

Ragini gets shocked.

Ragini (over phone)- But sir...
PRM- No but! I'm waiting. Come fast.
Ragini (over phone)- Alright, sir.

Ragini enters the Maheshwari Mansion at around 1:30 p.m. She walks in and sees PRM sitting in the hall.

Ragini- Good afternoon, sir.
PRM- Good afternoon, Ragini. What took you so long to be here?
Ragini- I was stuck in a traffic jam, sir. I'm really sorry.
PRM- It's okay. Accha Ragini, will you please do me a favour?
Ragini- Yes sir, please say.
PRM- Please go and bring Lucky down for lunch. He must be in his room.

Ragini gets nervous.

Ragini- Me????? But sir, I...
PRM- That's my order.
Ragini- Okay, sir. As you say.

Ragini hesitantly walks upstairs. PRM smiles to himself.

PRM- Step 2, successful!

Ragini reaches Lakshya's room. She hesitantly knocks the door. Lakshya is busy with his gaming instruments. He thinks it's Chotu at the door.

Lakshya- Chotu, leave me alone. I'm not hungry. I'll eat when I'm hungry. Now go.
Ragini- Sir, it's me, Ragini.
Lakshya (in mind)- What is she doing here? Is she already in love with me?
Lakshya- Come in.

Ragini slowly walks inside the room. Lakshya doesn't even look at her. He tries to avoid her.

Ragini- Sir, PRM sir is calling you downstairs for lunch.
Lakshya- Alright! You go, I'll come.
Ragini- But sir...
Lakshya- Didn't you hear what I said? Get out!

Ragini gets hurt. Tears start flowing from her eyes.

Ragini (in mind)- Is he the same man who behaved with me so nicely yesterday? Is he the same man who saved me from that stalker yesterday? Is he the man who said he would've killed the stalker if he had touched me? Is he my Lakshya? Is he the same Lakshya who used to care for everyone when he was a kid? Or has he changed with time?

Ragini wipes her tears.

Ragini- Okay, sir.

Ragini leaves. Lakshya closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

Lakshya (to himself)- I'm sorry, Ragini. I'm sorry for hurting you, for making you cry. But trust me, this pain is nothing compared to the pain you might suffer from, if you start loving me. I can't let that happen. But I'm confused. You said you love someone since childhood. What's all this then? Does it mean that you forgot your past and are expecting a new life with me? Or are you still stuck on the past years? I just hope you still love him, so you don't fall in love with me.

Lakshya goes downstairs after about an hour hoping Ragini must've gone by now. But little did he know that Ragini was still waiting for him. She too hadn't had lunch.

PRM- Lucky, you came? See, Ragini is still waiting for you. She said she wasn't hungry.
PRM (in mind)- Ragini, I'm like your father. Even you can't fool me. I know why you haven't had your lunch yet. Lucky is really lucky to have someone loving him so much.

Lakshya looks at Ragini who was already looking at him. He too knows she was waiting for him but he wondered why. Does this mean she loves him now? Or is she still in love with her childhood sweetheart? Has she moved on? He doesn't know how to react. He is touched by her gesture but at the same time, he is scared, scared that he might really hurt her unintentionally.

Lakshya (To Ragini)- Ragini, why haven't you had your lunch yet?
Ragini- I wasn't hungry.

Lakshya takes a deep breath.

Lakshya- Alright. Come, let's have it together.
Ragini- Okay, sir.

Lakshya sits at the dining table and Ragini starts serving him food. He gets shocked to see that Ragini is serving him his food.

Lakshya- Ragini, why are you serving food to me? Where's Chotu? Come, sit. You don't have to do all this. You're a guest.

PRM speaks from behind.

PRM- She's not a guest, Lucky. She's like my daughter.

Lakshya (in mind)- What is dad doing? The more I try to ignore her, the more is he pushing her towards me. Shit! Don't do this dad, she'll be hurt.
Lakshya- Yeah dad, but...
PRM- I asked her to serve you the food. Chotu isn't well. He needs rest.
PRM (To Ragini)- Ragini, continue!
Ragini- Yes, sir.

Ragini continues doing her work while Lakshya is trying hard to ignore her. He just doesn't want her to fall in love with him but he could see his plan failing. He knew she was falling for him, or may be she had already fallen. After serving food to Lakshya, Ragini also sits for lunch. They both have lunch together. After lunch, PRM makes an announcement.

PRM (to both)- I want you both to be in my room ASAP, okay?
Ragini- Okay, sir.
Lakshya- Yes, dad.

PRM walks upstairs and RagLak follow him. All three of them enter PRM's room.

Lakshya- Yes, dad. Is there something impotant you wanted to tell us? Something related to business?
PRM- Well, it's indeed important but it ain't related to business.

RagLak look at each other confused and then back at PRM.

Ragini- What is it, sir?
PRM- Don't be so shocked, Ragini. It's for the welfare of both of you. I want you guys to get married.

RagLak (in unison)- WHAT????????

RagLak look at each other and then back at PRM.

Lakshya (in mind)- Shit! Shit shit shit! I knew this. I so knew this. I knew this would happen one day. F**k my life!
Lakshya- No dad, I can't marry her. She's not my types. Plus I don't wanna get married now.
PRM- Lucky, you're 24. When are you planning to get married then? After my death? Or after your death? And trust me Lucky, no other girl can take care of you like she does. I've seen you changing after you met her. I've seen your anger reducing after you met her. I've actually seen you talking nicely with people after you met her. She is the perfect one for you, son. I would never take a wrong decision for you.
Lakshya- Please dad, don't do this. I don't wanna marry her.

Lakshya grabs Ragini's arms and pulls her close, hurting her arms.
At this point of time, all he cares about is his "Don't marry a traditional girl" agenda. He was lost enough to even care for the physical pain he was causing to her. Ragini starts crying.

Lakshya (to Ragini)- Ragini, please tell him. Tell him you don't wanna marry me. You love someone else, right? You told me yesterday itself. Tell him that you love someone since childhood, tell him damn it!
Ragini- Sir, you're hurting...
Lakshya- Shut up! Tell him, you love someone else.

PRM gets angry with Lakshya.

PRM (shouts)- Lucky, leave her! Let go off her arms. You're hurting her.

Lakshya leaves Ragini's arms and sees her tears. Her arms turn red and start swelling. He feels guilty.

Lakshya (to Ragini)- I'm sorry, Ragini. I didn't mean to hurt you.
Ragini (in mind)- Fine sir, I'll say no for this marriage if that is what you want. I love you enough to sacrifice you for your happiness.
Ragini (to PRM)- Sir, he's right. I can't marry him. I'm sorry.
PRM (To Lakshya)- Happy now, Lucky? This is what you wanted, right? You wanted her to say no for this marriage? See, she did what you wanted. She has always been doing everything that you wanted and you say that that she loves someone else? You really think so? You think she can love someone else?
Ragini (to PRM)- No sir, I don't love...
PRM- Shut up, Ragini. I've never been rude to you but today I will be. You know, you're a fool! Look at him, Ragini. He is the man for whom you do everything. He is the one for whom you take blames on yourself. He is the man for whom you lie to me everyday, just to save him. He is the man for whom you're literally ready to give up everything. And what do you get in return? This insult! This physical pain that he just gave to you! Is this what you deserve? I'm ashamed to call him my son, Ragini. Trust me.
Ragini- Please sir, don't say that. He has never ill treated me. He's always nice to me. He must've lost control today. Don't worry sir, I'm fine. He didn't hurt me. He never did.
PRM- Seriously, Ragini? Look at your arms! You still say that he doesn't ill treat you? Are you blind? Can't you see how much he hurt you just now both physically and emotionally?

Ragini looks down. She has tears in her eyes.

PRM (to Lakshya)- Lucky, just think for yourself. You hurt her physically just now, right in front of me yet she is trying to protect you. You hurt her emotionally everyday yet she never speaks a word in protest. Can't you see how much she loves you? Fine, if you don't wanna marry her then I'm okay with it but I'm very sorry to say that you're not getting even a one rupee coin from me now onwards. All my property shall go to Sanky after my death and you shall be kicked out of my house right now if you don't marry her. Accepted?

Lakshya gets shocked.

Lakshya- Dad, what's wrong with you? You can't do this to me.
PRM- I am doing this to you, son. I need an answer now. Are you marrying her or not?

Lakshya thinks for about a minute.

Lakshya- Fine, I'll marry her.

Ragini looks at him shocked. PRM hugs him but he doesn't hug PRM back. He has no emotion on his face. Ragini is too shocked to utter a word. Both Raglak are silent.

PRM- I'm so happy for you both. May god bless you.

PRM gets a call and he goes out to receive the call. Lakshya grabs Ragini's arms again and pulls her close, hurting her again on the same spot. This time, intentionally.

Lakshya- So finally, what you always wanted is happening, Ragini. But don't be so happy. You'll never get no love from me. I'll turn your life into hell. I'll show you what hell is, even before death! Miss Ragini Gadodia, get ready to become Mrs. Ragini Lakshya Maheshwari. You'll regret falling in love with me. Smile now as much as you want cause once we get married, I'm gonna snatch away your smile. I'm gonna snatch away everything you have. Like you snatched away my happiness, my freedom. I'll have every right on you but you won't have any right on me. And I won't even divorce you so that I can torture you every day. Get ready for the real battle, Mrs. "to be" Ragini Lakshya Maheshwari. Get ready to be my property, only mine!

With this, Lakshya pushes Ragini and she falls on the bed, crying. She is too shocked and scared to react. Lakshya slams the door and leaves.

Feel bad for Ragini

Can't wait for next part