HUMTUM (a RagVir story)..FF..Pts 31,32..Uptd..Pg56 - Page 29

Ragini went to her room and was crying her heart out'.she wanted to tell her mom that she loved Ranvir but the looks that her mom gave seemed kind of unusual'it felt like she already knew about Ranvir and her'..maybe she didn't and it must be just Ragini imagining that her mom knew everything'..she brushed off her thoughts and wiped her tears and decided that she'll go and talk to her mom about Ranvir.

She was slowly walking downstairs when she heard her parents talking'..Ragini tiptoed towards their room and the voices were getting a little louder'..she stood there and listened.

Prakashchandji was mad that Kaushaliya took the decision of fixing their daughters marriage to someone without consulting him'if not asking''he turned n said'''."Kaushaliyaji'.yeh aapne achcha nahi kiya'.aapne mujhse bina pooche bina salah kiye Ragini ka rishta Shishir se kaise pakka kar diya."

Kaushaliya tried to make him understand'."meri baat suniye ji'.aisa karna bahut zaroori tha'.aap jaante nahi maine khud apne seene per kaise pathar rakh kar yeh faisla liya hai'..aur aap khud sonchiye kya maine kabhi aapse bina pooche kuch faisla liya hai ???"

Prakashchandji becomes furious and asks'.."kabhi nahi kiya toh aaj aisa kya ho gaya ke aapne hamein iss faisle mein shamil karna zaroori nahi samjha?"

Kaushaliya comes nad stands infront of him n says'."agar aaj aisa kuch hua hai toh uski koi thos wajah bhi hogi na ji'..aur waise bhi Shishir aur uske parivaar mein kya kharabi hai??....aap khud bhi toh un logo ko bahut pasand karte hai."

Prakashchandji tried to control his emotions and says'."hum pasand karte hai Kaushaliya ji unhe'..lekin Ragini ka kya'..aapne yeh faisla lene se pehle usse poocha'ke usse yeh rishta pasand bhi hai ya nahi'.usse Shishirji pasand bhi hai ya nahi??"

Kaushaliya suddenly remembered her confrontation with Vasu and says'."Ragini ko Shishirji pasand hai'.aur agar nahi bhi hote toh hum uske maa baap hai'.voh kya hamara kehna nahi maanti'..hum uska bura toh nahi chahenge na."

It was the limit for Prakashchand'.he held Kaushaliya's arms n shook her n asked'."Kaushaliyaji'.aakhir aisa kya ho gaya ke aap Ragini ki shaadi jald se jald karne ke peeche padi hai'..aakhir aisi kya baat hai ke aap sab kuch bhool kar iss rishte ke peeche padi hai??"

Now even Ragini was curious'.as to why her mom was so adamant about this rishta'.Kaushaliya made up her mind that its time to tell her husband the truth'..she went and stood by the window and said'.."humne agar yeh rishta jald se jald nahi kiya toh Ragini aur Ranvir ke beech ki yeh nazdikiya kahi pyar ka mod na lele'..aur yehi baat hai jo mian nahi hone dena chahti."

Prakashchand was surprised hearing about Ranvir and Ragini'.he politely asked'."agar Ragini Ranvir ko pasand karti hai toh usme bura kya hai??"

Kaushaliya turns to face Prakashchand n says firmly'.."pehle agar mujhe unki nazdeekiya khatakti thi'.toh uski wajah kuch aur thi'.lekin ab''ab main yeh Ranvir aur ragini ka rishta bilkul nahi hone dena chahti kyunki'..kyunki Vasundharaji bhi aisa nahi chahti."

Prakashchand was shocked'..he asks'.."Vasundharaji??"

Kaushaliya started crying and in a very heavy tone she says'"haan Vasundharaji'..aap jaante nahi unhone mujhe mandir bulakar'.Ragini aur hamare parivaar ke bare mein kaisa bura bhala kaha hai'..voh main aapko bata bhi nahi sakti''aisi kaun si maa hogi...'jo chahegi ke uski beti aise ghar mein jaaye jaha uski hamesha bezzati ho'.jaha uski saas hamesha yeh samjhe ke usne uske bte ko phaas kar shaadi ki hai''main yeh kabhi bardaasht nahi kar paaongi ji'..nahi kar paaongi."

Kaushaliya cries hard and Prakashchand ji comes and puts his hand on her shoulder and she hugs him tight and cries even more'.n says''"usse achcha toh yeh hai ke voh Shishirji se shaadi kar le''aur phir kya hoga''thode din voh apne pyar ko yaad karegi'..uska gham karegi'..phir apni grahasti ko savaarne mein sab bhool jaayegi''aur Shishirji bhi toh usse itna pyar karte hai'..mujhe yakeen hai ke voh usse bahut khush rakhenge''.main ek maa hoon ji'.main apni beti ka bura toh nahi chahungi na."

Prakashchand was shocked and speechless'.he cudnt think of anything as he cudnt believe his ears that Vasundharaji had said all this....he just hugged kaushaliya and tried to calm her down.

It was the same with Ragini'.she was shocked to learn that'Vasundhara was not okay with this relationship'.she wondered if Ranvir had already talked to her about it''and maybe that's why she reacted that way''she decides to talk to him.

Here in Ranvir's room'..Ranvir is standing by the window and remembering Ragini's embarrassed face when she was all wet and he smiled on the thought of her in his arms for that short while'..Still smiling with a sparkle in his eyes Ranvir shook his head and looked down and then he felt someone's footsteps'.he turned to look and it was Vasu.

Vasu knew why Ranvir was smiling and she was not able to swallow the fact that Ranvir could love a girl like Ragini'.who is not equal in his status, in his looks, in his etiquettes'..but still he found something amusing about her to had fallen head over heels for her'..she smiled when Ranvir came near her'..and very politely said''"Ranvir hum tumse ek favor chahte hai"

Ranvir like always very charmingly asked'."yes mom'.kahiye na."

Vasu smiled cunningly and said'."humne Alekh ke liye kuch top physicians ko bulaya tha bahut requests karke'.per hamein bahut zaroori kaam aa gaya hai jo hum agar nahi gaye toh bahut mushkil ho jaayegi'..kya tum plz Alekh ko lekar jaoge??"

Ranvir said politely'"main zaroor jaata mom'per bhabhi hai na'.aur bhabhi ke rehte Alekh bhaiyya ko kisiki zaroorat nahi padegi."

Vasu says immediately'."haan Sadhna ko bhi le kar jaao'..pata nahi unn doctors ko dekh kar Alekh kaise react karega'..toh tum rahoge toh sadhna ko himmat rahegi Alekh ko sambhaalne mein."

Ranvir also feels that its true'.otherwise it'll be too much for sadhna bhabhi'.so he agrees'."ok mom'aap kehti hai toh main bhi chala jaata hoon'.toh phir main abhi tayyar ho ker aaya."

Ranvir goes into the washroom to get ready and here Vasu thinks that she had achieved two things in one shot'..she had got Alekh to see the doctor coz she knew Alekh wud not have listened to her but he wud listen to Sadhna and Ranvir'.so now she can relax that the top doctors can take a look at him''and then it was the best opportunity for her to get Ranvir's attention away from Ragini as much as she can'..If he'll stay away then he'll not think of her'..and now she'll have to think of more of these excuses to get Ranvir busy.

She took a relieved breath and smiled in herself for her achievement and was about to leave the room when Ranvir's phone rings'..Vasu's heart skipped a beat as she saw Anamika's name on the caller ID'..she was about to pick it up when she hears Ranvir coming out'..Vasu immediately cuts the phone and puts it on mute''Ranvir after he's all ready to leave looks around the room as though he forgot something'..and then Vasu asks'"kya hua Ranvir??? Kya doondh rahe ho??"

Ranvir still looking around says'."kuch nahi mom'.bas voh mera phone nahi dikh raha."

Vasu deliberately hands him her phone and says'"ohh yeh lo'yeh raha'..ok ab chalo varna deir ho jaayegi."

Ranvir takes the phone and without even looking at it'.keeps it in his pocket and leaves.

After Ranvir left'Vasu was thinking of doing something about Ragini when Ranvir's phone in her hand rings again'..and it again shows Anamika's name on it'.Vasu gets furious and she picks up the phone and Ragini on the other end starts talking'.."Hello Ranvir'..mujhe aapse bahut zaroori baat karni hai''voh'.."

She was still in the middle of her sentence when Vasu interrupts n says'."kya batana chahti ho Ranvir ko tum'..ke kaise uski maa ne tumhe aur tumahare parivaar ko apni aukaat dikhayi hai'.yehi shikayat karne ke liye jab se phone kiye jaa rahi thi na??.....hamare bte ko phaans kar apne ishaaro per nachaane ka jo tumne plan banaya tha'..jab usse nakaam hota hua dekha toh Ranvir ko apna rona sunana chah rahi thi??"

Ragini was shocked and stunned by Vasu's tone'.she was quiet the whole time n only the tears were rolling down her cheek'.with a very heavy voice'.she says'."nahi auntyji'aap mujhe galat samajh rahi hai'.main aisa kuch bhi'."

Vasu bursts with anger n says'."tumhara inn sab cheezon ke peeche kya matlab hai hum achchi tarah se jaante hain'.hamare bte ko phaans kar itne bade gharaane mein shaadi karke aane ka jo tumne khaab dekha hai hum usko kabhi pura nahi hone denge'.tumhari aukaat dekhi hai'.arre tumhara status phir bhi hum ignore kar lete'.per tumhari surat dekhi hai aaine mein kabhi??? Pata nahi kya jaadoo tona kar diya hai hamare bte per jo usse tumhari badsurat si shakal nazar hi nahi aati'..per um tumhe apne bte ki zindagi tabah karne kabhi nahi denge'..aur tumne agar aisi koshish bhi ki toh hum tumhare parivaar ko sadak per laa denge'..samjhi tum'..ab dobara hamare bte ko contact karne ki koshish bhi mat karna'.varna keh dete hai'achcha nahi hoga Ragini."

Vasu cuts the phone without listening to Ragini's plea'and here Ragini cries hard hiding her face in the pillow'.remembering Ranvir's embrace she hugs the pillow tight.

Ragini cudnt believe her ears'she was stunned by the fact that Vasu thought so low of her'.Ragini cudnt imagine how Vasu had been to her mother when she was so disgracing to her'..now she can relate to her mom's pain n can understand why her mom got so disturbed and was so adamant in getting her married soon'..But even after understanding all this Ragini cudnt get herself to forget ranvir like her mom n Vasu wants''she cried remembering Ranvirs love'..she wanted to hug him tight n cry her heart out.

Alekh was kinda confused as to where they were going so he asks'."ranvir'dost'.hum yeh kaha jaa rahe hai??"

Ranvir and Sadhna share a look and then Ranvir says'."bhaiyya hum doctor se milne jaa rahe hai'.taake voh aapka check up kar sake."

Alekh hesitates'.."nahi dost'mujhe koi doctor ko nahi dikhana'..main toh theek hoon na'.main toh'..main toh time per apni dawaai bhi kha leta hoon na."

Sadhna then touches his cheek with her hand n was explaining him when Ranvir gets a call and he excuses himself from there'.Ranvir picks up the phone n some lady from the otherside asks for Vasu'..Ranvir says'."ji'yeh mom toh yaha hai nahi'.aap unke phone per kyu nahi try kar leti."

The lady says'."unhi ka toh number milaya tha'..shayad galat milya hoga'.ok ji thank u'main phir se koshish karloongi unko contact karne ki."

Ranvir smiles n thinks as to how that lady can dial his number by mistake n he was still in his thoughts when the phone rings again n it was the same lady n she still says that she dialed the right number'..Ranvir then looks at the phone n realizes that mom gave him her phone by mistake.

Ragini was still crying when Kaushaliya walks in'Ragini immediately stops and lies silent'..Kaushaliya comes and sits next to her on the bed and puts her hand on Raginiz shoulder and says'.."mujhe maloom hai Ragini ke maine tumhara dil bahut dukhaya hai'.lekin main maa bhi toh hoon na beta'..kaise koi maa apni aulaad ko andhe kuwe mein dhakelna chahegi jaha usse pata hai ke uski aulaad ko andheron ke siwaa kuch nahi milega."

Ragini'.was in no position to say anything to her mom'.as she herself had heard directly from Vasu of what she thinks about her'.but still she says'."maa'..main jaanti hoon ke aap kabhi bhi mera bura nahi chahengi''lekin mera Ranvir ko bhool paana asaan nahi'.main'."

Kaushaliya didn't know what Ragini was about to say'.but she interrupted her n said'.."Ragini'main jaanti hoon ke hum jisse pyaar karte hai'usko asaani se bhool paana toh mumkin hi nahi'..lekin meri ek baat yaad rakhna beta'.. jab agar koi rishte ki izzat na rahe'usse dusro ko khushi na mile'toh usme khud khush rehna tumhe bhi achcha nahi lagega''bata hum agar maan bhi jaaye'.vohi agar tumhari aur tumhare mayke ki izzat na rahi toh tum toh sukoon se jee nahi paogi per hum bhi chain se mar nahi paayenge''hamesha yehi dukh satata rahega ki hamari beti apne ghar mein khush nahi hai."

Ragini now looks at her mom in her eyes n then folds her hands in front of her n pleads'."maa'..aap fikr na karein'main apne dil ko samjha loongi'..mujhe meri fikr nahi hai maa'.magar aap logo ko koi kuch bura bhala kahega toh main bhi mar jaongi''main koshish karoongi maa'..Ranvir ko bhoolne ki'.nayi tarah se zindagi jeene ki''magar mujhe thoda waqt dedo maa'..main itni jaldi shaadi nahi kar sakti'..yeh Shishirji ke saath bhi naainsaafi hogi maa''please."

Kaushaliya holds her hands and then kisses her forehead n cries with her''and then still crying'leaves the room.

It was around midnight and Ragini hid her face in her pillow n was still crying when she heard the knock on the door'.she wiped her tears and still kept her face hidden in the pillow'.Prakashchandji walked in when there was no reply'.he saw ragini sleeping'..he was so disturbed himself that he cudnt understand how Ranvir n Ragini had fallen in love and why Ragini didn't tell him about this earlier'..he came near her'.and kissed her forehead and without making any noise turned to leave when he heard Raginiz heaving sigh''he turned n called out her name'"Ragini???"

Ragini cudnt hold herself anymore n just got up n hugged her father n cried'..Prakashchandji also had tears in his eyes'.his heart was aching seeing his daughter in so much pain'.he held her face in his hands n made her look at him n asked'.."Ragini'.mujhe ek baat bata beta'.kya tum Ranvirji ko pasand karti ho ??"

Kaushaliya was standing right outside Raginiz room'..watching a father pacifying a daughters pain'.she felt bad coz it was her who gave her so much pain and tears.

Ragini looked at him n says'."bauji'.yeh sach hai ke main Ranvirji se pyar karti hoon'.per'"

Prakashchandji asked her immediately'.."toh beta'tumne hamein yeh pehle kyu nahi bataya??"

Ragini didn't wanted her parents to know that she had heard their conversation'but she blurted out'.."achcha hua na bauji jo nahi bataya'..ab jab yeh rishte ka koi mol hi nahi toh uske bare mein kya batana''aur waise bhi'.jo log aap logon ki izzat na karein'.main unse rishta kaise jod sakti hoon??.....aap fikr na karein bauji'.main theek hoon'.bas mujhe thoda waqt chahiye."

Prakashchandji with a heavy voice says'.."beta'.main ab tumse kya kahoo'..tumhari maa jo keh rahi hai'.voh kuch hadh tak mayne rakhta hai'..aur kabhi kabhi beta'hum uske saath zyaada khush reh paate hai jo humse zyaada pyar karta ho''.tu samajh rahi hai na beta main kya kehna chahta hoon'..Shishirji bhi tumse bahut pyar karte hai'..unhone saamne se aa kar rishte ki baat ki hai''magar mere liye toh aaj bhi teri hi marzi maayne rakhegi beta'.agar tumhe yeh rishta manzoor nahi hai toh yeh rishta nahi hoga."

Ragini was moved by her fathers trust on her n so she says'."bauji'.main vohi karungi jo aap aur maa mere liye theek samjhenge'..mere liye aap dono se badh kar koi khushi nahi."

Prakashchand hugged her knowing that whatever Ragini said just now was out of respect for them'.but inside her heart she was hurting'dying'.to be with Ranvir.

Next day'..Nani was so happy and she comes n sits by Prakashchand and Kaushaliya in the living room n says'.."arre aisi khabar laayi hoon ke tum log khush ho jaaoge."

Neither of them were in the mood but still Kaushaliya asks'."aisi kya baat hai maa ke aap itni khush lag rahi hai ??"

Nani very excitingly says'."kaushi'.kruttika ji aur shishir ji ne kaha hai ke voh shaadi ko intezaar kar sakte hai per unhe sagaai jald se jald karni hai'..aur unke pandit ke hisaab se mahurat agle ravivaar(Sunday) ka nikla hai."

Prakashchand was taken aback n he asks'"lekin maaji'.yeh toh bahut jaldi hai na."

Nani says'."yeh lo damaadji'.aap bhi kaise baatein kar rahe ho'..sagaai mein kya jaldi kya deir'.hamein fikr toh shaadi ki tayyariyon ki honi chahiye na'..sagaai mein kya tayyariya."

Kaushaliya gives it a thought for a while'n then says'.."theek hai maa'..unhe kaho ke humein bhi manzoor hai'..bas usse pehle agar hum mil le aur baat cheet ke liye toh achcha hoga."

Nani says'."haan haan'.uski fikr mat kar kaushi'.main baat kar loongi''bas mujhe to iss baat ki khushi hai ke ladka aur uska khaandaan bahut achcha hai'..hamari Ragini bahut khush rahegi."

On this Prakashchand and kaushaliya'.both share a look then look away.

Nani came near the phone n called Kruttika to fix the the time to meet'..kruttika checked with Shishir and they decided that they'll stop by in the evening'..Nani came n told this to Kaushaliya and Prakashchand'..n they both looked kinda uninterested'..but still Kaushaliya gets up n says'."theek hai maa'.main tayyariya karti hoon shaam ki'."

It was evening'..Ragini was tensed and sad'all she cud think of was Ranvir's love and then Vasu's accusations'..she was in a dilemma'..and was crying the whole time getting ready for the Shishir to arrive'..When Shishir and her mother arrived...there was a pundit with them also....Prakashchand and Kaushaliya along with Vineet and Malti were very courteous towards them as though they were obliged to do so.

From the moment they had arrived...Shishir's eyes were searching for Ragini...and when Kruttika asked for her....Kaushaliya gestured Malti with her eyes to bring Ragini downstairs.

Ragini walks in still nervous and sad...she cudnt gather courage to pretend being normal when her dreams in reality had shattered into pieces....She finds Shishir talking to Vineet...She tries to avoid eye contact with him...and goes n sits by kruttika.

Shishir from far away keeps staring at her continously...it was making her uncomfortable...and so she gets up and was about to leave when Nani says...."kyu na hum bachcho ko akele mein baat karne de??"

Prakashchand ji wanted to object as he cud feel Ragini's dilemma but then kruttika speaks up..."haan haan kyu nahi....bhai inhe hi toh saath zindagi guzaarni hai...akele mein shayad apne sawaal jawaab pure kar sake."

Nani without waiting for anybody's consent says..."arre Ragini beta....Shishirji ko zara apna kamra dikha aao....jaao."

Ragini with a heavy heart looks at Shishir who was looking at her very lovingly with a light smile on his face....They both go upstairs in her room...He starts walking towards her n Ragini gets all the goose bumps on her skin.....She didn't wanted to talk to Shishir...she didn't wanted to talk abt their newly created relationship....She was so depressed that she was abt to cry looking Shishir walking towards her....But with a very heavy heart she puts a smile on her face as though showing Shishir...she was happy.

Shishir asks politely, "aap khush toh hai na iss rishte se?"

Ragini smiles with tears in her eyes n looking down says....."ji haan....Shishirji.....Mujhe pata hai...ma aur papa mere liye kabhi kuch galat nahi sonch sakte....Mujhe unka faisla manzoor hai."

Shishir comes n stands close to her and then slowly holds her hand in his n says..."Raginiji....maine yaha aane se pehle itni saari baatein sonch rakhi thi aapse karne ke liye....per ab samajh nahi aa raha ke kya kahoo....siwaai iske ke main aapko hamesha khush rakhunga....itna pyar dunga ke aap saare gham bhool jaayengi."

Ragini turns away and with tears rolling down her cheek she says...."main bhi koshish karungi ke aapko khush rakh sakoo."

Ragini hesitated to even talk about the word love.....but then she noticed Shishir watching her from the mirror in front of her....she immediately wiped her tears....and Shishir held her by shoulders and turned her to face him....and very slowly he says...."aapka mere liye pyar hi meri khushi ban sakta hai...."

Ragini doesnt say anything...she keeps looking down....then Shishir studies her features for a while n says...."main jaanta hoon Raginiji ke ab aap mujhse pyar nahi karti....per main uss din ka intezaar karunga jab aap mujhe dil se apna lengi."

Ragini doesnt look up...she was too nervous with him around and then she says..."chaliye neeche chalte hain....sab hamara intezaar kar rahe honge."

Shishir then takes a step back n gestures with his hand saying..'after you'.

When both of them came downstairs everyone's eyes were on them...Kaushaliya and Prakashchand looked at Ragini with concern....whereas...others admired thier jodi.

Kruttika ji says before leaving..."toh phir bhaisaab tay raha...ab se dus din baad...hum aapse sagaai mein milenge..."

Prakashchand and Kaushaliya smiles n joined thier hands in front to bid them gud bye.

Shshir also joined his hands in front to bid the elders gud bye but kept staring at Ragini till he walked out the door.