THE ETERNAL RECESS - RagLak Short story - Concluding PART Pg4 updated - Page 2

Hi guys...PART 2 updated...I know it took a long time...but was very busy

PART 2

The morning after the engagement, Swara was talking to Sanskar over phone, she had to do this, or it would be late...

"Sanskar, please for heaven's sake we need to do something"...Swara sounded desperate. "Bhai has been hopelessly in love with Ragini...I don't know since when. You know what he had recorded her song for years back, and he still has it...he was listening to it the other day. When I confronted him, he was taken aback. Since, high school days, I knew that he had a soft corner for Ragini. After that we all got very busy with our jobs, and somehow I didn't exactly think about this...but now I realise that his liking has actually matured into love. The problem is that being a quiet, introvert man, he will never accept this...until and unless somebody gives him a push"...Swara said sincerely

"Swara, I didn't know this. But if this is true, I will be the happiest guy. Lakshya is my best friend, and I cannot think of a better life partner for my sister...you have really given me good news. But I need to find out Ragini's feelings too..."...Sanskar replied excitedly

"Oh...don't worry about that, Ragini too likes Bhai...I saw her stealing glances at him during the engagement...and my bhai is the best...any girl shall fall for him..." Swara said proudly,

" My dear...Ragini is also the best...any guy shall be lucky to have her...It's another point of discussion that I have never allowed any guy to come near her..."

"Disgusting Sanskar...poor Ragini, I feel really bad for her...to have a dangerous brother like you...but let's come to the point...we need to do something quickly, Bhai would be leaving in another 3 days for Udhampur base" ...Swara sounded worried

"Yes Swara...I too would be leaving and so would be Ragini...we need to do something rightaway. My sister is hopeless, she will not even realise that she loves anybody, so I have to do the duties of an elder brother. We have to bring about the realisation of love from both sides. Lets' start this from today itself...MISSION RAGINI-LAKSHYA...RAGLAK"...Sanskar announced authoritatively

Sanskar and Swara devised a plan...which they would be implementing from that very night.

...

"Ragini...me and Swara would be going out on a date tonight...you will join us"...Sanskar said...he realised that he sounded very foolish

"Bhai...if Swara and you are going out on a date...why on Earth should I join both of you?"...Ragini asked genuinely..."It's not even a secret, I mean she is your fiance, you have the official right to take her out..."

"Enough...when I have asked you to join us you will join us...no arguments!"...Sanskar said decisively, he couldn't think of any answer, Ragini was absolutely right.

"Okay Bhai...as you say..." Ragini replied...she could never overpower her brother...he was always the stronger one

...

"Swara..I have ordered Ragini to come with us..."

"Ordered??"...Swara sounded disgusted

"Forget it...it's difficult to convince Ragini for any outing...so it's better to order her"...

"Sanskar,... Bhai will be coming...he agreed at one go...when I said that Ragini will be joining us. He is craving to meet her. Oh My God...I am so excited. So at 8 PM we meet at Connaught Place...done"

...

The foursome reached CP, dot at 8PM (advantage of dwelling from military families).

"Ragini...would you mind if Swara and me...spend some time together at CCD?"...Sanskar said

This time Ragini was out of her wits..."Bhai, precisely why I asked you what is the point of me coming here...it is obvious that that both of you would want to spend time..."...began Ragini

"It's okay Ragini...you had an outing...and bhai is also there...you spend time with him...I mean you can chat with him...he too is getting bored at home..." Swara said, trying to hide her laughter...poor Ragini... her face was worth seeing

"No problem Swara, I will sit at the restaurant next to CCD with Ragini...you both spend time together...no hurry"...Lakshya replied with a smile

Ragini was not understanding what was happening...but she was happy to spend some time with Lakshya...and for Lakshya...it was a dream come true for him...he had waited so long for this opportunity...and he was determined not to waste it.

...

They both sat in the restaurant...an awkward silence existed between them...both were waiting for the other to talk. Lakshya realised that Ragini will not not open her mouth till she was asked anything...so he began..

"So Ragini...long time...since I have last met you...how have you been?"...Lakshya started

"I am fine...how have you been?"...Ragini asked

"I am fine too"...again there was a silence...Lakshya was bad with these stuffs...and was finding it difficult...but he had to do it...

"How are is your management course going ?...Lakshya started again..."You are in finance aren't you. You find it interesting?"

"Oh absolutely...finance is the most interesting subject"...began Ragini..."It is unpredictable...and that is what makes it fascinating"

"I don't understand one bit of it..." Lakshya said honestly

"It's not a big deal...you just need to get the basic idea...for eg..."...

...

While driving back home...Swara was excited...it was evident she had spent a great time with Sanskar, but she was more excited for her brother...

"Bhai what happened? Hope you had great time with Ragini...!"...Swara winked at her brother..."I suppose you have become wiser in these matters now..."...she laughed

"Oh yeah..." Lakshya gave a lopsided, sarcastic smile..." I have really become wiser...I am ready to become an financial analyst"

...

Swara and Sanskar didn't know what to do...Ragini was hopeless and Lakshya would be leaving very soon and so would be Ragini. Time was running short.

In a desperate attempt...Swara went to Lakshya's room...she didn't want to waste words or time..."Look here bro...this won't do...i know you are head over heels in love with Ragini...why can't you tell her?..."

Lakshya was surprised at this...before he could reply, Swara continued

"Ragini too likes you..."

"Really? Did she tell you?"...Lakshya couldn't hide his excitement

"No she didn't...but it's evident...I am her friend...I know her since childhood...until and unless you make her realise...she will not understand it herself."

"So...what should I do?"...Lakshya asked in desperation

"For heaven's sake...you have to decide that not me...or very soon you will be attending Ragini's engagement as an invitee"...Swara said angrily and left...she knew this was the only way to push her Lazy brother

Lakshya felt these words stabbed him..."attend Ragini's engagement as an invitee?"...that would be terrible...he reached out for his phone

...

She was sitting opposite him in the coffee shop. 10 minutes had passed in an uncanny silence. Lakshya had called her for this meeting before he would be leaving the next day for old time sake. Ragini readily agreed, but now both of them were at a loss of words.

"Hi Ragini..."...suddenly a voice came from behind...

Both Ragini and Lakshya looked that way...a handsome young man in his late twenties or early thirties was standing there...waving at Ragini

"Hi Naman sir"...Ragini replied smilingly..."How are you doing?...it's been a long time since I had last met you in IIT. What are you doing now...?...Ragini asked...and then suddenly said..."Please join us...this is my friend Lakshya...he will not mind"...Ragini introduced them

Lakshya was out of words...he formally greeted Naman.

"I did my management from IIM Ahmedabad...and now I am the vice president of a finance firm. What are you doing?...he asked

Ragini gave an explanation about her career and ambitions. The next 10 minutes were spent in financial talks yet again.

"So Ragini...your brother has got engaged ...when are you planning for the same?...you know I am always ready for you"...Naman winked at her

By now Lakshya was seething in anger...this man was openly flirting with his Ragini...how dare he did this...

Lakshya cut in the conversation..."Mr Naman...both of us...would want to give you an good news...we have got engaged today, right now...infact I was about to make her wear this ring...when you came..."...Lakshya fished out a ring from his pocket

"But Lakshya..."Ragini started...

"What ?...Oh I am so sorry I didn't wait for your reply?...Don't you want me as your life-partner?"...Lakshya asked with a sly smile...he was surprised at himself

Ragini didn't know what to say...she had probably wanted this deep down in her heart...the feeling which she never understood...today in a moment Lakshya made her realise...she was indeed in love with him...not for a moment...not for an hour...not for a day...but for years...

She gave her rare smiles..."Of course I do...forever"...

Lakshya was overjoyed. He was the happiest man today.

Naman gave a smile and congratulated them...he went and joined his girlfriend who arrived by then. After he went, a realization dawned upon Lakshya...he had to tell this to Ragini

"Ragini...I hope this was not forced on you..." Lakshya said sceptically..."I work in the air-force, and most of the times...we may not be able to spend time together...There is always lingering risk...any moment anything can happen..."

"Lakshya I come from an Army family...I am extremely proud of that...my grandfather, father and brother are all from the Army...and I am really happy that my fiance is an Air-force officer...I agree that we may not be able to spend time together is person...but our memories are there...they will keep me going when you will be at the base...and then when you come back home for a recess, then can spend quality time...you see it's always the quality not the quantity that matters

...

The next day Lakshya left for Udhampur base, after spending some quality time with Ragini...the previous evening. He knew, these memories would give him the strength to fight out the difficult situations at the base.

Sanskar too left for his base.

The situation in the border was not very stable...and an assault from the neighbouring country was being anticipated...

Concluding part...To Be contd...