Hi guys...updated Part 14
Thanks for having the patience to read this
PART 14
MUMBAI 2016
Ragini woke up with a jolt at the screeching of the alarm. It was strange indeed; never in the past 5 years she had needed the alarm to wake her up...infact she had never slept peacefully after that incident...but last night...she had overslept. It was already 5.30 am.
She softly caressed a sleeping Sargam. Thankfully, the alarm did not have any effect on her. Ragini washed her face and went to her music room for her daily Riyaaz. She loved this time of the day...the dawn breaking...the first ray of the sun...the first ray of hope...a new day
Raag Bhairav had always been her favourite. It had so much of seriousness, depth and introversion. And above all...it was so peaceful. It helped her to forget her turmoils...albeit temporarily. She took her Sitaar and started her practice...
Jo main aisa jaanti, ke preet kiye dukh hoye
Ho nagar dhindhora peet-ti , ke preet na kariyo koye
Mohe bhool gaye saawariya...Bhool gaye sanwariya
Aawan keh gaye, ajhun na aaye, Leni na mori khabariya
Mohe bhool gaye sanwariya...Bhool gaye sanwariya
Dil ko diye kyun dukh birha ke
Tod diya kyun mahal bana ke
Aas dila ke oh bedardi
Pher li kaahe najariya
Mohe bhool gaye sanwariya...Bhool gaye sanwariya
It seemed as though she was singing whatever she had felt over the past few years...grief, torment, betrayal...
...
Lakshya was lying on his bed. The guest room was just adjacent to the music room. He heard her singing. The words were echoing in his ears
Dil ko diye kyun dukh birha ke
Tod diya kyun mahal bana ke
Aas dila ke oh bedardi
Pher li kaahe najariya...
He couldn't take it anymore. He got up from his bed and stood up...he winced in pain...and the realization dawned upon him that he was actually hurt. ...but at that moment he wanted to meet Ragini. He started to limp slowly towards the door, without any support...but in doing so he tripped and fell. There was a thud.
Ragini heard the noise...it was coming from the guest room, where he was staying at present. She kept her Sitaar aside and rushed towards the room. Lakshya was sitting on the floor flinching in pain. She was agitated...and went towards him
"What on Earth have you been trying to do? I had kept a service bell on the side table...you should have called the maid...if you needed something! Why were you trying to walk with this injury? " ...she asked angrily
Lakshya kept staring at her...while she was rebuking him. Hi heart was racing due to their proximity.
She was trying to help him stand up. It was a difficult job...certainly...but ultimately she succeeded.
"My God you have gained so much of weight over the past few years"...she said distractedly
"Can't help it...since you were not there to keep a check on my weight. But...I am happy...that you remember me as I was 5 years back..."...he said with eagerness in his voice.
Ragini realised what she had said...she felt uncomfortable, she was disturbed. She was indeed not ready to accept to herself...that she remembered each and every moment that he had spent with Lakshya.
Lakshya sensed her discomfort. He did not want to make her feel awkward in front of him...this could worsen matters.
"Ragini..."...he started..." I am so..." ...he was cut short
"Mamma...what are you doing here?"...Sargam was standing at the door..." It is already 7 AM. I have to get ready for school"...she complained
"Yes beta...I am coming"...Ragini said..."Uncle had fallen down...so was helping him up"
"Uncle fell down again?" ..Sargam was wide-eyed "Why does this uncle all down so often?"...she asked innocently
Lakshya was ready to laugh at this question...but controlled it
"I have no idea Sargam"...Ragini answered..."come we shall get ready for school"
She turned around to Lakshya..."And you...dare you get down from the bed without support."...she scowled at him.
Lakshya was happy...Ragini's behaviour gave him some hope...he knew that he was in the right path. The ice was broken...but again 2 weeks was too short a time span. He knew that the moment Ragini would realise that she was falling for him again...she would restrain herself. So everything would have to be done with a subtlety and indistinctly.
KOLKATA 2011
Lakhshya was yearning to meet Ragini. He knew that he had behaved rudely with her the day before and he couldn't bear to see her unhappy.
"But it wasn't my fault"...he justified to himself..."I had so many plans...and she ruined it all"..."But it wasn't her fault either...I shouldn't have been so impolite"
It was 7 AM...and Lakshya and his family members were very ready to go for the Ashtami Puja at Ragini's place. Swara was too excited. She was visiting her mother after a long time and Sanskar kept checking her to be careful.
When they reached the house, everybody was there at the door to greet them, except for Ragini. Lakshya's eyes kept desperately searching for her...but she was not there in the near vicinity.
Finally Swara did his job..." Ma...where is Ragini?"...she asked
"She is upstairs...getting the flowers ready...will be coming down in sometime...let's proceed towards the Puja...Panditji has already arrived"
As they were walking towards the Puja room...he saw her coming down...she was wearing a traditional Red and White Bengali saree...her hair was left open...and the parting of her hair adorned by vermilion...she had the basket of flowers in her hand. Her anklets were sending out a musical note...which was heavenly to his ears. She was looking like the Goddess herself. He stared at her persistently...hoping their eyes would meet.
But she was wilfully ignoring him. His rudeness and indifferent attitude the previous night was fresh in her mind...and she was still hurt. Lakshya understood this very well...and he knew very well that she couldn't be angry for a long time. He began looking for an opportunity where could corner her. It would be difficult with so many family members, but it needed to be done.
The Puja began...and everybody concentrated on the Puja...except for Lakshya...he was concentrating on his Ragini..."Forgive me Ma Durga...but everything is fair in Love and War...and in my case it is love bordering on madness"
The Aarti started...and Ragini was asked to sing the Durga Vandana
"Durge Durge durgatinashini mahishasurmardini Jay Ma Durge
Devi Durge jagat janani, tum Ma Mangal karini
Durge Durge durgatinashini mahishasurmardini Jay Ma Durge"
She had the voice of a nightingale...and everyone was mesmerised.
Lakshya kept glancing at Ragini throughout the Puja, and she was aware of that. But she chose to ignore. The time came for the Pushpanjali...and Ragini was handing out the flowers to everyone. Finally, she came face to face with Lakshya...as she placed the flowers in his palms...their eyes met for a moment...her touch was electrifying for him. He was about to say something...but she proceeded with the distribution.
Lakshya smiled to himself..."How long can you ignore me dear?...At the end of the day...its just you and me...and..."
"Aji rooth kar ab kahaan jaaiyega...jahaan jaaiyega...humein paaiyega"
Eventually, the moment had come...he saw her going upstairs...the entire family was in the living room. It was not an opportunity to be wasted he smirked...and he followed her
To be contd..
Financial markets and global economy
Ishaani
