Hi guys...my dear RagLakians...this story was supposed to be written for the 50th AT...by as usual I got late. I apologise whole-heartedly for that
I would be writing this story in 3 or 4 parts...though nothing very great...just a simple one...which celebrates the Journey of Love of two individuals. I am not giving any separate introduction of the characters. The story itself should be explanantory...and this story has just two characters Lakshya Maheshwari and Ragini Gadodia (though characterisation is different from the serial). Other characters are merely ancillary ones. All your comments - good, bad and ugly are more than welcome.😊
PART 1
Lakshya Maheshwari was an investment banker based in Mumbai. At the mere age of 27, he had achieved unimaginable fame and success in the financial sector. He hailed from the wealthy Maheshwari family, the famous iron and steel industrialists from Jaipur. Lakshya was never interested in his family business since his youth days, he had his own dreams and aspirations, and thankfully his father Mr. Durga Prasad Maheshwari and his elder brother Adarsh Maheshwari, supported his ambitions. His mother Annapurna Maheshwari was a God fearing lady, and her only job in the current scenario was to find a suitable bride for her younger son, Lakshya.
Lakshya Maheshwari, was probably, one of the most suitable bachelors of the city of Mumbai. He was suave, rich, successful, handsome...and a man with strong family values...any lady would be fortunate to have him in her life. But Lakshya was remotely interested in the high society, superficial women with whom he had to interact. He wanted a simple girl with strong moral values, who would stand by him always, to be his life partner. He painted an imaginary picture of the girl of his dreams ...However, he also accepted that in the present situation this would be very difficult, almost next to impossible to find such a girl . So he left everything to his destiny.
One fine morning, he received his father's call from Jaipur.
"Lakshya, your cousin Rahul is getting married after 4 days. I know you are very busy, and have a lot of important work, but can you come down to Jaipur for 2 days? But of course beta...I shall never force you"...his father said
Lakshya was an obedient son and very rarely disobeyed his parents. He immediately agreed
"Yes Papa...don't worry...I shall definitely come over to Jaipur...after all it's Rahul's marriage. I will come over tomorrow itself."...he replied.
He didn't realise that his life was about to change.
...
Lakshya first saw her, on the eve of his cousin's marriage. She had come over with the bride's father for some formalities. He was on an important business phone call, when she saw her entering the house with the uncle. She wore a simple blue anarkali-suit...and her hair was braided...on a side of her shoulder...not a drop of make-up...except for dark-kohl stained eyes. She was a pleasant refreshing change from the women with whom Lakshya had to frequently communicate. Lakshya immediately knew that it was probably love at the first sight for him. He didn't know her name, her family...nothing about her...but he knew that she was the one meant for him. She was indeed the girl of his dreams.
Throughout, the meeting, Lakshya kept staring at her from a distance. He could hardly concentrate on his business call. He was hoping against hope, that once she would look around, and their eyes
would meet...but she kept looking the other way. She seemed to be a girl of very few words, though it was difficult to deduce anything this early.
As they were leaving, Lakshya quietly followed them to the portico, where the car was kept.
"Ragini beta...we have a lot of work...just 2 more days left for the marriage.." the father told her...
"Yes indeed, Mamaji...we have lot of work...but you needn't worry...everything will be absolutely fine"...she assured him. Her voice sounded as sweet as a nightingale to Lakshya and she was very soft-spoken.
"That's like a good girl...I am really lucky to have a niece like you, and your mother should be proud of you"...he said lovingly
So her name was Ragini...and she was apparently a well-natured girl. He was desperate to know more about her...and he had to thank his stars that he didn't have to work hard for that.
As the uncle and niece left, Lakshya turned around to get inside, when he saw his mother and sister, Uttara, standing. Uttara was trying hard to hide her smile.
"What?"...Lakshya said, as if his theft had been discovered
"Nothing beta"...Annapurna said..."we were just wondering what you were doing here...and why were you so interested in the conversation of Mr Jain and his niece, Ragini?"
"Nothing Ma...I was just..." Lakshya began...but he could never lie.
Hi mother and sister had already noticed his interest in Ragini. Infact, it was Annapurna's ploy, to ask Mr Jain, to get Ragini when he came over for the meeting. She wanted Lakshya to see her once. The Maheshwari family members had already liked her a lot.
"Lakshya you cannot hide your feelings from your mother..." she told him "I have been observing you, since the time Ragini entered our house...and nobody is more happy than me right now"
Lakshya could not understand what exactly was happening...he put on a confused expression
"Come in Bhai"...Uttara said..."you shall get your answers soon"
...
Ragini Gadodia was a 21 yrs old girl, with very strong family values. She was a simple and sweet girl, very dependent on her parents; so when she lost her father Shekhar Gadodia 4 years back ...situations were really difficult for her. Her father was the only earning member of the family, which comprised of Parvati Gadodia (her grandmother), Janki (her mother) and Aarti (her younger sister). She was just 17 then, and had just started the first year of her college, doing her B.Com. Her sister was in the 9th Standard. The financial status of the family, really weakened, but then Ragini decided to stand up for them. She started giving tuitions to schools students, managing her studies with her work. She enjoyed teaching and slowly over two years, her classes became very popular and she went ahead with a full-fledged coaching institute.
Inspired by her daughter, even Janki took up a catering business, in which her mother in law, Parvati helped her and she succeeded in the same.
Ragini topped her B.Com graduation from Rajasthan University, and she was planning to do her masters. Her mother and relatives were extremely proud of her, but she always remained grounded and rooted. She always believed that her father was watching her from above, and without his blessings, all these would have been impossible.
Annapurna Maheshwari had first spotted Ragini, during the pre-marriage events. She was a simple, sweet and well behaved girl. She liked her a lot in the first instance and made it a point to find out about her. She received a positive response from everywhere...she came to know about her family's struggles and the way she supported them...and was very impressed. She knew very well about her younger son's likes and dislikes...and she was sure that he would like a girl like Ragini...infact anyone would like a Ragini. It was very difficult to dislike her.
...
Annapurna explained everything to Lakshya. He was pleasantly surprised knowing this.
"So...if you agree beta, can we go ahead with marriage talks with her family?"...Annapurna asked...though she knew very well that Lakshya would answer in positive.
"Yes Ma..." Lakshya replied..."whatever you think is the best"
The entire Maheshwari family was extremely happy...so finally Lakshya liked a girl...and agreed for marriage.
They did not waste a single moment, lest Lakshya would change his mind
...
Janki was talking over the phone
"Oh yes...Mrs Maheshwari...we are extremely, lucky..." ...She said excitedly "when would you want to come?"
"Since the marriage is day after tomorrow and both the families will get busy for atleast a week post marriage, can we come this evening itself?"...Annapurna asked politely,..."We do not want to waste a single day, Shubhasya shighram...but of course if you have any problem...we may..."
"No...we have no problem at all Mrs Maheshwari...you are welcome anytime. I will make sure Ragini stays at home when you come..."...Janki said
"Okay...we shall come at 7 PM today"...Annapurna confirmed
Janki kept the phone and rushed to give the news to Parvati who was equally happy.
"I have to call Ragini immediately, she is busy with the marriage preparations" Janki said impatiently..."It's already 4PM...and they would be coming by 7"
Janki called up Ragini..."Yes Ma...what happened?" Ragini asked...It was unusual for her mother to call her up...
"Beta you need to come home as soon as possible"...Janki said
"But why Ma?...you know there is a lot of pending work...and Mamaji is heavily dependent on me"...Ragini replied
"Oh...doesn't matter...please pass the phone to Mamaji"...Janki said
"Mamaji...Ma wants to talk to you" Ragini told him
After the conversation over phone...her Mamaji immediately ordered Ragini, to proceed towards home, though he didn't mention the reason (as requested by Janki).
Ragini was surprised and annoyed...nobody was clearly mentioning anything...she just hoped everything was fine at home.
...
Lakshya, was extremely eager to meet Ragini...the very idea of talking to her was thrilling. He had never felt the same before...but of course he had never been in love before. He truly understood the meaning of the phrase "butterflies in the stomach". He had head over heels for Ragini and hopelessly fallen for her.
He opened his cupboard, and was confused regarding what he should wear...what would impress Ragini more...Indian, Western,...Formal...informals...he was baffled.
Annapurna was standing at the door of Lakshya's room...never had she seen her son so exhilarated.
...
"What are you saying Ma?"...Ragini cried out indignantly..."Marriage...now?...how can you even think of that? Pooja has just joined her first year...I am yet to begin my Masters...my coaching institute in full swing...how can I get married now?"
"Such matches rarely come my child" Janki replied..."We belong to a middle class family...and we are lucky that the Maheshwari family has come forward with the alliance...this has to be done...no excuses Ragini...none at all"
"Ma...you are forcing me" Ragini said
"Maybe beta...but I know what is best for you and our family. The coaching institute... can be run by Aarti as well...she already helps you now...and as for you masters...I am sure they will allow you to pursue your studies after marriage. They are an extremely good family...and oh...one thing...after marriage you would be shifting to Mumbai"
Ragini had never been surprised so bitterly in her life. She never protested against her mother. She understood the pain and anxiety of her mother...but...
She walked quietly...to her room...locked the door behind her...and for the first time in 4 years...she let those tears out...she cried whole-heartedly...her dreams...aspirations...ambitions ... everything were at stake...but again these were nothing in comparison to joy and happiness which she would be giving her mother...by agreeing to this alliance.
And this gentleman called Lakshya Maheshwari...she had never seen him...known him...would she ever be able to do justice to this marriage...
Well only time had the answer to that.
"Dheere dheere machal aye dila-ye-bekaraar, koi aataa hain
Yu tadap ke naa tadapaa muze baar baar, koee aataa hain"
To be contd...
