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It was two years since that fateful night.There was not a day that Raghav did not think back about it with regret.If he could turn the clock,he would have done things differently.He would have told his Kalpi how ,at the last minute he had been coerced to marry paaki in exchange for his mother.He recalled the hurt expression on her face when she had found out that he had betrayed her.But she never raved ,ranted or even once asked for an explanation.She had just turned and walked back into the house...stopping only when Kamala had gotten over her initial shock to hug paaki and tell her that she was happy for her.Her expressions were still crystal clear in his mind.The pain,the shock ,the disdain...he realised it had been a double blow for her,first him and then her mother ,whom she had always placed above all.
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She had left that very night.her whereabouts unknown.He had a doubt that Vittal was aware of it but everytime he questioned all he got was a stonefaced silence.
Paakhi had never understood.she had been her selfish self,happy in her dreamworld.after 48 hours he could put up with her no more.He threw her out.He had even shown Kamala the door when she had spoken on paaki's behalf.Now paaki was in charge of Kapoor business and was always hounding him to seek her pound of flesh.She believed her parents.In a way ,it was good.it kept him on his toes all the time ,concentrating on work .He ,then had no time to think of kalpi.Nevertheless,she would creep into his thoughts .
His mother was with him.She still could not remember anything...and all she would talk about was Kamala and her sweet daughter,unknowingly adding to his pain.
Vittal and kamala,no doubt lived under the same roof ,but their relationship was strained.All lives ruined because of his hasty action..and Kalpi ,he only wished she was well.
Three months later...meeting to discuss phase II of the low cost housing project.paaki representing Kapoors,Saamy and Raghav for Singhanias,a couple of other builders.the presentations underway.Paaki makes hers...she has improved,but still an airhead will basically remain one.She has missed out on the intricate details.As is with her nature,she has never gone in depth but only skimmed the surface,accepting things at face value.
raghav is thinking about how Kalpi had won him this project.Sammy finishes his.Of all so far,Singhanias is the best and both were confident.At that point the man announces that here is one more to go.Oberoi constructions,the giants of Delhi are trying the pitch in Mumbai.At that precise moment,the doors open.He looks up and says"welcome ,miss oberoi"
"Im sorry gentlemen,for the delay.I could blame it on the Mumbai traffic ,but the truth remains that the fault is mine.My heartfelt apologies"
Kalpi...raghav was shocked.It was his Kalpana but was she?She was dressed in a starched cotton saree with chinese collar blouse,her hair rolled into a bun at the nape of the neck,her trademark watch in the right wrist ...but gone was the delicacy and the softness.her face had lines of determination and hardness...it looked like she never smiled.She was beautiful ,oh yes!,more than ever,but those expressive eyes had been replaced with a stare that looked right through you and singed you.Her beauty was that of an ice queen.
Kalpi started her presentation.It had been her brainchild two years ago.Now she was more experienced,she had seen through her initial mistakes and had rectified them in her present presentation.At the end of it,there was no doubt in anyone's mind as to whom the contract would be awarded to.
An intermission was announced.As three pairs of eyes turned towards her,Kalpi got busy on her laptop,with a conference call.
Kalpi,OMG where have you been?What is all this?said Paaki
Mrs.Singhania,This is a business meeting and I am working,not a place forsocial niceties.So if u will excuse me?She then turned to her aide and snapped at him"If you are done with gawking at her,can you pass me the figures?"Kalpi went on with her work,as if none else existed in the room.
Her phone rang.Seeing the screen,there was a transformation.It was as if the mask slipped.For a moment,Raghav had a glimpse of his old Kalpana.She gently excused herself and walked out of the room.
" That must be Rahul sir.Its only for him that she smiles.Thank God he called her.Now her mood will improve.Otherwise we will have to see her khadoos face and bear her akdoo attitude through the day"said the aide.
Sammy knew that Raghav was curious.He also knew that his pride would not allow him to ask the questions for the answers he was dying to know.Yet again,for the sake of his friend,he struck conversation with Kalpana's secretaries.They got to know how Kalpana had,by the dint of her hard work and brilliance had had a meteoric rise in Oberoi constructions.She was now CEO and singlehandedly managed the show.How the Oberois had adopted her as their daughter and that she lived with them in Delhi.How she was nicknamed Ironlady for her attitude.Despite this,she was admired and respected at the office...She pushed the employees to the maximum,but if anyone worked the hardest it was her.She would be the first to criticise but also the first to praise.And ,more importantly,the first to apologise if the fault was hers.But she always maintained a distance,never got personal.If there was anything to do with emotions,she would shut the door.She never socialised...some past trauma,he said ,but no one knew the story.There was only one fault with her...she never trusted anyone and alwAys told others the same
Raghav was filled with pride as he heard her story...but was dismayed at the last statement because he knew he was responsible.Yet there was one important question in his mind...Who was Rahul?
Index
Part 1 pg1
Part 2 page 2
Part 3 page 4
Part 4 page 5
Final part page 7
Authors note
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