PART-24
"I had to come, after all this is for our two beloved friends. It's not like occupying my time by meeting and talking with you is my favourite time-pass!" Sammy said after they'd ordered their lunch. Sapna glared at Sammy, "Really? Well #BreakingNews here. You're not my favourite either" and turned her head away from Sammy. Sammy shook his head, "Well I am glad we have a common ground somewhere at least" and chuckled. "Anyway, we may as well come straight to the point now that we are destined to bear each other. You called for this meeting, what happened? I mean aside from whatever we saw at the party last night" Sammy asked Sapna.
Sapna's concerned eyes darted back towards Sammy "What happened? We both saw how Raghav behaved last night at party; and I feel this wasn't the first day he must have distanced himself from Kalpi. This thing is not right, here we are planning to remove all curtains and barriers between Raghav and Kalpi. There those two go and create new issues. What will we do now? All this is because of you. You..."
"Hold on, hold on. What's my fault in all this? Both of them are dumb jerks, where am I wrong in this?" perplexed and unhappy at Sapna's blabber plus accusation Sammy asked her.
"Start wearing some specks and see yourself in mirror. You yourself are wrong. All this is in fact happening because of you only. When are you going to implement next stage of our plan huh? It's been ages since you did anything about it despite decision being made so many days ago. All we do is tell each other about Raghav and Kalpi's new interactions and reactions; which only make us worry more. But what needs to be done, what only you can do; you aren't seem to be doing. What do you expect me to do to you for this? Take an arti thali and submit my prayers to you?" Sapna finished her long speech with a huff, still glaring at Sammy. But she was met with a loud laughter from Sammy making her more furious. "Ha ha ha, ho ho ho; you are so funny Sappy baby. Did you forget it was you who'd approached me first in pursuance of your desire to help your best friend? I merely washed my hands in running water for my own best friend's happiness. But you have to expect this Sappy baby; you cannot be angry with me for long. You need me" Sammy laughed.
Sapna waited for the waiter who'd just arrived to take their order to leave before she started speaking. "Probably it's true Sammy baba. But I still wish you were the last person on this Earth whom I had to ask for help. But I had no choice; only you could tell me about Raghav-Kalpana's relation properly and help me. It all started since the day Raghav had visited Kalpi's home for lunch."
FLASHBACK
"Why you always misunderstand me Kalpi? Why?" Raghav Singhania's pain-laden low murmur had continued to echo in Sapna's ears that night. Unable to understand the underlying bubbling intense currents between Raghav and Kalpana; currents which gave signals of deep pain Sapna had concluded there certainly was more to than met the eyes. But she knew if Kalpi wanted to share with it, she would have by now. What bothered Sapna more was the fact that in those few seconds Sapna had witnessed a vulnerable side to Kalpi's personality. She seemed to be someone struggling not to sink in the depths of pain probably. If Sapna could think that Kalpi alone was suffering and maybe it's connected with Raghav Singhania; God had shown her that maybe Raghav was in a deeper pain than Kalpana. His words and the duo's silent interaction had confirmed that.
She had tried to convince herself meddling in her best friend's affairs which Kalpana has not shared willingly on her own is not right. But then Sapna could not forget the pain in Raghav's voice; the weird mixture of pain, anger, restlessness and stubbornness; as if Kalpana is running away from something. In the end she had decided to give this new thought some time; as if fate would have it the next day Sapna had met Sammy.
FLASHBACK END
"And then we both met, for that commercial shoot. My bad luck and your good luck; I had to bear your questionnaires, involve you in my plans. You benefitted so much with our acquaintance" Sammy teased Sapna who smacked him in his arm. "Ouch, you hit hard dumbass" Sammy said while rubbing his arm.
Sapna shrugged "Suits you fine. I wasn't the only one to be happy."
"True that; that commercial shoot incident brought us together in this mission and closer" said Sammy reminiscing the circumstances which had him and Sapna focusing together on their common objective; make their friends happy.
FLASHBACK
The two days of preparation for shoot had told Sapna this much that Samar Raizada-aka-Sammy was Raghav Singhania's everything in most matters. Sammy was important to Raghav not only in business affairs but also in his personal life. The change in scene of commercial by Kalpana had only served to increase Sapna's uneasiness in heart. That day when both Raghav and Kalpana had walked away with their backs facing each other, one look in each other's eyes had told both of them something. Both Sammy and Sapna were left alone for few seconds and those moments were enough to make them realize to make one team for their friends.
"We need to talk" the words left Sapna's lips first earning a grin from Sammy. "You speak my heart" he replied and both chuckled at their own fates. "So, why don't we leave together? We can talk in some cafe or restaurant nearby. My meeting with Raghav may not last long. But whatever happens do not leave without me" Sammy had instructed Sapna who'd nodded her head in agreement. "You're right; right now we need each other as much as our best friends need us" Sapna had told Sammy before going on to wait for Raghav and Sammy's meeting to be over.
FLASHBACK END
"We both had shared our individual limited knowledge about Kalpi and Raghav's relation. The awareness that we do not know much and we still need to know Kalpi's feelings for Raghav had us planning something impromptu. When Kalpi had stayed for a night over, I'd made sure for Kalpi to not only unburden her heart but also help us take a step closer in our mission because that night Kalpi had shown her true feelings for Raghav" Sapna said while serving them both the lunch which had just arrived.
"Yes and then I made sure that when Kalpana goes for shopping with you, she accidentally meets her and Raghav's common friend. A friend who is my friend also but who knows almost everything about Raghav and Kalpana- Kunal" Sammy continued. "That incident did shook Kalpana's doubt and mistrust on Raghav. She was forced to start thinking if Raghav was the one who'd hurt her eight years ago. Her subconscious had taken one step closer to Raghav then. But that closeness probably scared my best friend. Then Prem Kapoor happened and Kalpi found perfect excuse to avoid Raghav for few days" Sapna recollected, mentally slapping Kalpi on her head.
"Right, still everything was going fine. Prem Kapoor did contribute his bit in making my best friend realize his feelings towards Kalpana. But now I don't know which ghost is ruling Raghav's head. He is not himself around Kalpana and remains gloomy most of the time. He thinks Kalpana likes Prem but he did not even attempt to clear his doubt. I did give my two cents to him this morning though" Sammy frustratingly poked the paneer dish with his fork two-three times. "You did? Good boy" Sapna patted Sammy on his arm.
Sammy: "Yeah, someone had to; isn't it? And who better than me! I just hope Raghav thinks over what I said."
Sapna: "Don't worry, he will; because it is you who said it. But now please talk about our next plan of action."
**************************************************
Raghav stole glances while working on his laptop towards Kalpi. They were inside Raghav's van. Despite his self-imposed restrictions on his behavior towards Kalpana; Raghav was serious about training Kalpi as a good businesswoman. He'd assigned Kalpi a project to work on and now they were in Raghav's makeup van. Raghav had restrained himself from too much personal interaction with Kalpi. There was something in Kalpi's eyes which had disturbed Raghav though.She was upset over something it seemed. Kalpi had even attempted to talk to him saying "Raghav I want to talk to you."
"After this Kalpi, okay?" was Raghav's short reply. He was still reeling under the effects of Sammy's scolding. Raghav knew it would be only some time more before its affect starts showing in his interaction with Kalpana also. "Maybe Kalpi likes Prem as a friend? Or you just presumed, assumed and applied everything out of your head? Dude, stop. Are you mad or what Raghav? Did you even try to ask Kalpana if Prem Kapoor matters to her as the love of her life or you plainly chose to be a sacrificing baby rather than go and ask Kalpana about her feelings for Prem Kapoor" Sammy had scolded Raghav in a high pitch voice that early morning while working out in the gym which Singhania Mansion housed. And now Raghav grudgingly admitted to himself that Sammy might be right. He never asked Kalpana anything like this clearly. "Maybe I should, should I?" he asked himself.
***************************************************
"I hate you" Kalpi was cursing Raghav in her mind while keeping her gaze steady on the file and laptop in front of her. "You didn't even allow me to talk to you. Bachpan ka khadoos, khadoos hi rahega But even my name is Kalpana Jadhav. I am not going home without clearing this doubt in your head" Kalpi made up her mind. "Hmm, this would be the right thing. At least this unexplained restlessness inside me would go away then. Why does it matter to me if Raghav thinks differently for mine and Prem's relation? I, I like him...only like right? But if it does matter then I will clear this once and for all" thinking so Kalpi closed the file in front of her and stood up. Turning she was about to walk to where Raghav was sitting when she was taken by surprise. She almost collided with Raghav's hard chest and he steadied Kalpi by holding her waist. She shivered but tried focusing on the speech she'd prepared. But all went in vain when she heard Raghav say, "This is it, I cannot take in anymore. I will go mad Kalpi, I will go mad" Raghav said loudly almost shocking her.
Eyes widened Kalpi had stared at Raghav's handsome but upset face. Then his expressions softened lightly, "I will ask you one question. Just answer it in yes or no. Do you love Prem Kapoor?"
"What?" was the only word which left Kalpi's lips; surpised, happy and angry all at once. "Well, at least we're progressing. He is talking and clearing doubts" thinking so Kalpi smiled internally. "But how could he even think like that?" the next moment this thought brought a surge of anger within her.
"What??? You're asking me what? Just answer me dammit, do you love Prem Kapoor?" Raghav repeated his question in frustration and anger. It'd taken him ages to gather courage to ask Kalpi this. He wanted this to be over and done with soon, prepared for any reply.
Hearing him Kalpi shook her head in a No and whispered the same, "No." Raghav closed his eyes for brief seconds and asked another question when he opened them again. "Does, does Prem loves you?" he asked and Kalpi shook her head again in a no. "I don't love Prem and never will. Similarly Prem cannot love me ever; he loves someone else and he is about to get married to her" Kalpi supplied to Raghav almost in a whisper. A gentle smile crept up Raghav's lips, "Someone else, huh? Marriage?" he confirmed with his eyes and lips from Kalpi. "Yes" Kalpi nodded and Raghav immediately hugged her tightly.
"I missed you so much honeybee" he said while nuzzling his nose in the crook of Kalpi's neck. He'd used his endearment for Kalpi after a long time and placed a soft kiss there. Kalpi closed her eyes to feel Raghav, immediate warmth enveloping her heart and a sense of calm pervading her senses after a long-long time; and she reciprocated Raghav's hug. Her arms went around him, "I missed you too Raghav" Kalpi whispered in a barely audible voice.
Raghav listened nonetheless and looked at Kalpi, "You did?" he asked in surprise and Kalpi nodded her head again, this time remaining silent. Raghav smiled satisfactorily again, cupped Kalpi's cheeks and kissed her lips passionately. Taking his own sweet time to ravish Kalpi's lips, Raghav sucked in his new life. When their kiss ended Raghav had another question to ask, "When is Prem's marriage and with whom? I never got to congratulate him."
*************************************************
Evening time, Kalpi was standing in the airport premises. She'd come to bid Prem a good journey before he caught his flight. Raghav had called Prem earlier in the evening to congratulate him and Prem was left dumbfounded. "He actually called me! Raghav Singhania actually called me and wished me! I mean he is so khadoos usually" Prem remarked.
Kalpi only laughed lightly but said gently, "He is not that bad." Prem raised an eyebrow "Really? Look who is saying! Who always finds excuses to stay away from him."
"Prem!" Kalpana exclaimed brushing it off in her laughter but Prem only shrugged. "I am merely stating the facts" he said but this time Kalpi remained silent and looked down. Prem observed her silently for few seconds. Then keeping his index finger under Kalpi's chin, he raised her face up so he could look into Kalpi's eyes. "You love him, don't you?" Prem asked and startled Kalpana's mouth opened. "What? No! A Big No!" she said out aloud. Inside she thought "Maybe not that Big, but I really am not ready to name my feelings for Raghav as love yet. Even if they're what they are."
"You sure?" Prem asked again.
Kalpi glared at Prem, "Yes I am."
"Well, we will see" Prem said winking at Kalpi. He hugged Kalpi tightly, kissed her forehead. Looking at her his parting words which somewhere settled deep down in Kalpi's heart were, "Tell him soon. You don't want to lose that man. Goodbye my friend."
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction using characters from the show "Ek Mutthi Aasmaan" on "Zee TV". The characters are owned by creators and owners of the show.
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