--RAGLAK SS-- Celebrating : The Journey of Love : Part 2 Pg 3 Updtaed - Page 2

PART 2

The Maheshwaris - Durga Prasad, Annapurna, Parinita and Lakshya arrived at 7 PM sharp. The formal greetings were exchanged and purpose of the visit was again put forth - this time in person. Parvati and Janki eagerly accepted the proposal. Janki instantly liked Lakshya. He was an extremely decent, well-behaved and simple man and would be a perfect match for her daughter. The talks were going on and the family was looking forward to meet Ragini.

"Janki ji...we would want to meet Ragini...though we have all agreed for this match, it would be wise if Lakshya and Ragini would talk for sometime...after all it's they who would be spending their lives together and not us"...Annapurna said

"Sure Mrs. Maheshwari...I shall call her right away"...Janki said...but in her mind she worried about Ragini's response...

Lakshya was eagerly waiting for her to come...and finally the moment arrived. She stood in front of him wearing a yellow anarkali-suit and her hair left open. She touched the feet of Durga Prasad, Annapurna and Parinita to seek their blessings. For a second she glanced at Lakshya, when his heart skipped a beat. He seemed to be a good guy...any other girl would have considered him to be fiercely handsome, in that beige Sherwani... but Ragini was a girl who was never interested in looks. She always tried to judge a person by his character...and for her it was difficult to comment on this gentleman's character at such an early stage. However, Ragini trusted her mother and hurting her feelings was the last thing on Earth that she would do.

She answered to some basic questions that Annapurna and Parinita asked. Her nature was sweet and simple and she was very soft spoken...and she just won over the Maheshwari woman. Lakshya was observing quietly her throughout the discussion and was impressed by her precise answers. He understood one thing very well...she was a complete no non-sense girl...and he loved that.

The talks were going on for too long...and Lakshya was getting impatient. Annapurna could understand that very well...when she found her son fidgeting...she smiled to her herself.

"Janki ji...we really like your daughter...her strength lies in her simplicity...we would be extremely lucky to have her as the younger daughter in law of our family. But at the same time I would want Lakshya to speak to her once, and also the other way around. This marriage is for mutual happiness...and there must be no forced element in it"...Annapurna said

"Definitely, Mrs Maheshwari"...Janki replied..." Ragini beta, could you please take Lakshya to your room, you both can talk for sometime...you people have hardly spoken to each other"

Ragini nodded her head. She started walking towards her room, with Lakshya following her. She was extremely nervous. This was the first time a guy was entering her room...her private space. She hailed from a conservative family of Jaipur...and rarely had friends from the other gender.

But the nervousness did not matter at all...because the other person was probably a hundred times more nervous than her. Lakshya had interacted with innumerable women before, but this girl was so different. His mother had rightly pointed out... her strength lies in her simplicity.

Lakshya entered her room. It was clean and effortlessly decorated. There were two bookshelves which were stacked with books...a small mirror with an equally small table in front of it...which had a comb and 3 books.

Ragini asked Lakshya to sit on the only chair in the room, while she sat on her bed.

For almost 20 minutes they sat across each other with an uncanny silence between them. Ragini still hadn't come in terms with the situation and was wary about starting a conversation ...as for Lakshya... he was a hopeless case. He had literally rehearsed the entire afternoon about he would strike up a conversation with Ragini, but the moment he saw her he suffered from a partial amnesia. He was at a complete loss of words...the woman of his dreams was there...sitting right in front of him. He couldn't thank his stars more...he spent almost the entire duration admiring her. All of a sudden a realisation dawned upon him...that very soon he would be called back...and he hadn't spoken a single word.

"Ragini"...at last Lakshya spoke up..." I hope you know that after our marriage you will have to shift out to Mumbai"...Lakshya felt extremely silly while saying this...but he couldn't think of anything else

Yes I know...Ma told me about the same"...she replied slowly

"I hope you have no objection..."...he enquired

Ragini nodded in negative...she knew very well...that these questions made no sense...a decision was taken by her family, and she would abide by it.

"Anything you would want to ask or tell me Ragini..." Lakshya said..."truly I have nothing to ask you...I have heard your conversation with my mother...and that in itself answered a lot of questions"

Ragini knew this would be her only opportunity to express her wishes..."It would be very kind of you if you allow me to pursue my Masters degree after marriage..."...she said

Lakshya looked at her ..."Is this your only wish?" he asked

She nodded in affirmative

"Ragini...it is indeed true that we would be getting married...though we hardly know each other...but we must build up our friendship first. Your desire means a lot to me. You can pursue your academics for as long as you want after our marriage...infact I would be extremely happy."

Ragini was relieved...she gave a sweet smile...and Lakshya was in the seventh heaven.

...

The marriage was finalised...to be held the very next week. It was a very short notice and Janki was paranoid, but the Maheshwari family took over all the responsibilities, like an extended family. A very simple ring ceremony was carried out which comprised of only the family members.

It was decided Lakshya and Ragini would be leaving for Mumbai just a day after marriage, since an important national finance conference was coming up for Lakshya. Both the families concluded that all the ceremonies post marriage could be given a miss, since this was so important.

Finally, marriage was done...with much pomp and splendour, since the younger son of the Maheswaris was getting married. The Gadodias had limited means...but the Maheshwaris never made them realise this.

Lakshya and Ragini...were the perfect groom and the bride on the auspicious occasion. This onlookers considered this to be a divine union.

...

Eventually, the day of their departure had arrived. Ragini had always been a strong girl, but this was the first instance that she was going away from her mother...from her family...her eyes were filled with tears.

Janki had come to the airport with Parvati and Aarti to see them off. The Mahehwaris were also there.

"Ragini...I trust my upbringing...I know you will be a wonderful wife. Always remember that your father is sitting above...watching you, blessing you and protecting you...my child...be faithful and honest to yourself...and your relation...and remember your mother is always there for you...as long as she lives"

Ragini nodded her head...she didn't want to breakdown in front of her family...she knew that if she would cry...it would be difficult to console her family members

She touched everyone's feet...and spoke to Annapurna..."Ma...this is the first time I am leaving my mother and grandmother alone. I leave them under your care...it's my request"

"Ragini...you needn't worry" Annapurna said..."We are all family now...this goes without saying"

Lakshya didn't know what to say...he wanted to take Ragini in his arms and comfort her...he understood how much her mother meant to her...he wanted to wipe away all her sorrows

He promised to himself...that would never hurt her emotions...not intentionally at least.

And they left...to start a new life...a new journey

To be contd.