Nikhil was at the breakfast table. He was about to dial the commissioner’s number for the fifth time when his phone buzzed. “Unknown number?” he looked at it confused. He received the call and spoke “Hello”
The cool air flew and made her hair fly in air. Her lips moved to pronounce Bhai but she controlled her flooding emotions. “Hello” he again spoke as he did not get any response. “Hm” she mumbled and he stopped himself from cutting the call. “Actually” she spoke gathering all her courage.
He felt he has heard her before also and knows her from years. He don’t know why his cousin Ragini’s face was flashing in his mind listening her voice.
Naa nafz naa hi saanse kuch nahi
Tere bina hai jeena kuch nahi
Tere bina mai kyu Tere bina mai kya
Har peher dar badar kuch nahi kuch nahi
A tear tripped down surprising him. He wiped it. “Yes” he spoke and Ragini could not help but struggle more to talk to her brother like a stranger.
“Ms Neha?” she said and he stood up instantly. “Who’s this?” he asked suspiciously. “Sir actually your sister is in my house. I will text you the address please take her” she immediately disconnected the call not able to talk to him.
Karan was looking at her with a question in his eyes. “He will come” she said and moved to the window after texting him the address.
“Why is it so difficult barfi” she said when he placed his hand on her shoulder. “Hey listen to me” he said cupping her face. “You are my Ragzee and you aren’t weak got that. And I know you will face this and win” he said and her smile spread on her face twinkling her eyes.
The washroom door opened and Neha walked out and they departed. “No that’s fine. I’m very open minded” she said looking at them. “What?” Laksh who was standing at Ragini’s room door dragged their attention.
“HK kahi ka. Where the hell were you? I have called 10 times from morning. Phone kyu rakha hai tune?” asked Ragini approaching him. “Come with me” she dragged him with her. Laksh who was looking at Neha confused walked behind Ragini.
“You don’t have a break to your thinking and talking?” asked Karan nearing. “Hold on dude. What have I done. I just told I don’t mind if you kiss your girlfriend in front of me” she said raising her hand in defense. He held her elbow and dragged her near to himself.
“She isn’t my girlfriend. And if I want to kiss a girl why will I mind you are there. I will kiss her more hard” he whispered in her ear and she lost looking into his eyes.
****.****
“What happened Ragu?” he asked her when they reached the terrace. “HK I have been calling you from morning . Why haven’t picked up the call?” she complained. “My phone was in silent mode. So. But what happened?” he asked her.
“I had called Nikhil Bhai” his eyes widened in shock. “Did you..” “No I haven’t told him anything. I just told him to take Neha. And I don’t know how will he react now” said she. “Bear hug?” he asked spreading his arms. “I’m talking so seriously and you… HK kahika” she said fuming. He held her wrist and dragged her to a bear hug.
“I have read it somewhere that a warm hug cools all our anxiety. And moreover I can’t let go a chance to brace you in my arms” she blushed in his hold.
“You still did not answer my question” she said as he dragged her out of the hug. “Which question?” asked he confused. “Like seriously from when did you become ghajni. Jisko yeh bhi yaad hai abhitak usne kaunse special day pe kaunsi nikkar pehniti he asking me which question?” she said glaring him.
“Wo kya hai na. Special days aur special baathe aise nahi karte” he whispered in her ear sending goosebumps all over her body. She looked straight into his eyes. She did not wanted to look away and he did not wanted to move his eyes away from her.
Ret hi ret thi mere dil me bhari
Pyas hi pyas thi zindagi yeh meri
Aaj sehravoye me ishq ke gaav me
Baarishe gir gir ke aayi maza aagaya
Mere Rashq e qamar tune pehli nazar
Jo nazar se milayi maza aagayi
Ranjha ho gaye , hum fana hogaye
Aise tu muskurai maza aagaya
****.*****
“Excuse me” Nikhil entered Rathore mansion. Janaki who was serving Neha looked back at him. He was shocked to see her. As she moved Raghuvendr’s face came in front of his eyes. His conversation with Janaki last time was playing in his mind.
“Bhai” Neha got up from her chair and ran to him. She crushed him in her hug. “Ragu” Raghuvendra called Ragini who was descending the stairs. She looked at him and smiled then her eyes moved to Neha who had covered her hands across some who was looking at her shocked.
His tears tried flowing but his nerves were too numb to let go them. Ragini was numb realizing that it is Nikhil. A brother whom she has missed all her life. For whom she purchased every year a Rakhi to tie. She wanted to run and hug him. But the time situation. Moreover Neha wasn’t aware of the truth.
He cupped Neha’s face. “Kidhar thi tu jaanthi hai maine tere ko kaha kaha nahi dhunda?” he said looking at her. “And you did not had your phone princess. Couldn’t you call any of us” Nikhil’s blood boiled listening to the voice which he hated the most.
Vishambar walked behind him and stood beside him. Nikhil glared him. “I followed you and be a good brother now where your smile back” he whispered in his ear making him to explode due to anger.
The bowl in Janaki’s hand slipped and straightly landed on the ground. Ragini stumbled in her place and Laksh held her. She looked at him horrified. Raghuvendr stood up as anger erupted within him. Sumi and Shekar followed their gaze and turned to find Vishambar standing. He looked at them and his eyes were widened due to shock.
He had run all his life from his crime. But now life has taken a 360 turn and he is again standing in front of the people whom he had offended and his daughter is with him and he is her hero. Surely he did not wanted to face the punishment like this.
******.*******
“She kicked” Nikhil jumped in happiness. Janaki who was holding her baby bump looked at him and smiled. “How are you so sure it is girl only Nikhil bhai?” asked Sanskar confused. “Dekhlena it will be my Gudiya only” he said raising his chin up proud.
After few months Janaki was rushed to the hospital on her due date. Nikhil stood with other family members. Raghu roamed around nervous. Nikhil looked at him worried. Finally they heard the baby cry and a wide smile spread on Nikhil’s face.
He tried peeping in when the doctor came out and told that everything is fine. “Maaami” he ran screeching and sat beside Janaki. The nurse brought the baby and handed it to Janaki who smiled back at her and held the baby carefully. Nikhil watched the baby curiously. Janaki smiled at him and forwarded the baby to him.
He looked at her with excitement in his eyes and received the baby carefully. Finally his gudiya was in his arms. He never knew it will feel so good. When she moved her little head he felt his heart fluttering with joy. He couldn’t explain his happiness.
He looked at Janaki with half open mouth and she caressed his cheek. Simran took the baby in her arms and smiled looking at her. “So baby ki bua. Name your princess” said Shekar and smiled through her tears. “She is more like Raghu bhayya to look. So I will name her with a name starting from R” said she and Janaki pouted looking at her.
“Ragini” she said in the baby’s ear. “Whatever you name her officially. She will be my gudiya always” said Nikhil taking her in his arms and twirling happy.
*****Present*****
“Maa” Ragini held Janaki from one hand and Raghu from other hand. She pleaded them not to react. She showed them towards Neha and pleaded them. Raghu huffed angry and walked inside. So did Shekar. Janaki’s eyes burned and Ragini hugged her and she cooled a bit. Sumi took her inside the kitchen.
Nikhil who was watching all was numb. He couldn’t react now. He so much wanted to cover his Gudiya in his arms but he did not had the courage. He cursed himself for being so selfish at that moment. He couldn’t risk of his little sister Neha’s heart breake for whom her dad was her hero. He took a breath with much difficulty and the tears at the edge were trying to dry off.
He collected himself and spoke looking at Neha “Chale?” She was confused at her brother’s emotional state. She could sense her brother was trying to hide his emotions. But she was not able to understand why was he doing so.
“Ek minute” she said and walked back inside. “Hey” she hugged Ragini. She reciprocated the hug and looked at Nikhil who was looking at her helplessly. Neha dragged herself out of the hug and Ragini looked away to wipe the tears at the corner of her eyes.
“Bye” she waved at Laksh and looked around. “Where are others?” asked Neha confused. “Wo actually they are getting ready. We have a function to attend so” said Laksh reasoning. “Who leaves the food messed up like this and goes for decking up” she thought in her mind looking at the dining table and the crashed bowl.
“Ne” called Nikhil and she smiled at Ragini for the last time and walked from there. Vishambar just stood there without any reaction. He never knew the past will come back like this. He remembered Ragini colliding with him in office and a chill shiver ran down his spine.
******.*****
“Bhai” Neha shook Nikhil who was standing near the door of the car. “Hun?” he hummed looking at her. “Come on” she said and pushed him near the door. “Oh fish I forgot my phone” said she hitting her forehead with her hand. “Not to worry. I will get it. You move with dad. I have some work in office. I will meet you in the evening” said he.
She looked at him confused and sat inside the car shrugging her shoulders.
Nikhil walked inside Rathore mansion with heavy heart.
“Gudiya” his words stopped her and she widened her eyes in shock. After so many years she heard her brother whom she had missed like people miss their breathing. She turned back and found him at the drawing room. His eyes finally could drop the tear droplets. She ran and hugged him in a bone crushing hug.
“Nikhil” Janaki screamed at the top of her voice. “I told you don’t even try to come back in my daughter’s life. Your blo*dy father has already snatched her childhood her innocence. What is left now that you people have come back? To freshen the wounds of my kid who is trying to heal it?” she approached him and held him by his collar.
“Mom” Ragini tried stopping her. “Maami I..” he struggled to speak but his throat had swollen due to the emotional well up. “Go from here” she screamed. “Jaan” Raghu held her as she collapsed in his arms. He looked at her painfully. Is there anyone in the world who will understand his attachment to his gudiya then it was Janaki. When she herself is saying him to stay away then there was nothing painful than that for him.
He started back walking. Ragini moved in his direction but was stopped by Janaki who held her hand. “Maa please ek baar bhai’s milne do please” she pleaded but Janaki nodded her head pleading and Ragini ran from there to her room sobbing. Nikhil looked at her helplessly.
Laksh and Karan looked in her direction. Her pain squeezed their heart. This was her battle. Karan could only make her understand and Laksh could only console her. She had to fight it all alone. One side it was surfacing past with a fear and other side it was her broken family. She couldn’t face both and she was weakening with time.
******.*****
“Hey Ragzee” Ragini turned and found Karan smiling. He knelt in front of her and she looked at him shocked. “I love you. Will you marry me?” she looked at him horrified and her gaze moved to Laksh who was watching them shocked. She gave him a painful look and nodded her head accepting the rose. His breath became heavier and vision started blurring.
“No…” he jerked and got up from his bad dream. A dream which he never wanted to turn into reality.
******.*******
“What’s this?” Vishambar asked his assistant Shirish. “Sir it’s legal notice” said he. Vishambar opened it and his eyes widened with shock. “What the hell” he banged the table and Shirish jerked at his outburst.
He dialed his advocate and spoke to him over the phone and asked to meet him soon.
“Has those interns come?” asked he gritting his teeth. “Yes sir” said he. “Call that girl” said he and held the pen in between his fingers.
“Excuse me sir?” she peeped inside and then Vishambar glared her and she walked inside. He got up from his chair. His enormous figure was making her shiver due to fear.
“You think you can win me?” he asked nearing her and her heart beats raced and she looked at him gulping. He smirked looking at her.
“This” he showed her the papers.
“Not gonna help you in any way” he said leaning to her.
She held her dress tightly and tried not to show her fear. Fear for the beast who was so close to her.
******.*****
She smirked with her closed eyes and he looked at her as his smirk turned to confusion. “I’m not that little girl whom you tried molesting years ago Fufa ji” she looked straight into his eyes. “She was dead the same day you tried touching her modesty. The girl in front of you is the one who was born that day. The ruthless unforgiving draconian. And I don’t forgive but punish” she smirked standing a bit away.
He looked at her amused. “Impressive” said he nodding his head. “And say that when your senses will be blown off completely in few days Mr. Kapoor. Till then just count your good days and just google some pictures of the jail where you are going to stay for rest of your life” she walked out with her raised chin.
“And the award for the day dreamer goes to Ms. Ragini Rathore” said he laughing.
*****.*****
“Awww my bacha” Laksh hugged Ragini and she frowned. “Lucky” she complained departing from him. “What? You did not like my new perfume?” asked he confused. She widened her eyes in shock and he winked at her. She blushed lowering her gaze as his heated gaze made thousands of butterflies flutter in her stomach.
“ehem ehm” Akshat’s voice jerked Ragini and she pushed Laksh a bit and said “You are so shameless Laksh Maheshwari. Popu and barfi are here only” said she. “Haven’t I hugged you in front of them before?” asked he and Ragini frowned looking at him. “And mai kaunsa tumhe kiss karne wala tha?” he asked and Ragini closed his mouth. Karan and Akshat closed their ears.
She gave him a death glare and he winked at her. His kissed her palm and she opened her mouth shocked. “Popu let’s leave. Inki dosti nahi rahi abhi. We have to be careful” said Karan and they walked away from there.
“What was that?” asked Ragini crossing her arms looking at Laksh. He clapped his hand and the terrace glew with number of small decorative lamps. Ragini was shocked looking at her surrounding. The terrace was fully decorated with lights flowers and candles.
As she glanced and looked at her front Laksh wasn’t there. She turned and looked in all direction but he wasn’t there. She heard a light music of violin and turned at the direction the music was playing from.
There he stood smiling at her with a violin in his hand. She stood there numb.
“Janam Janam Janam saath chalna yuhi
Kasam tumhe kasam aake milna yehi
Ek jaan bhale do badan ho juda
Meri hoke hamesha hi rehna
Kabhi na kehna alvida….
Meri subah ho tumhi
Tumhi shaam ho
Tum dard tum hi araam ho
Meri duwavo se aathi hai bass yeh sadaa
Meri hoke hamesha hi rehna
Kabhi na kehna alvida
Ahaaaa haaa
The world could hear his confession. The confession which was meant for his love, his life, his Ragu. He knelt in front of her with a velvet box in his hand.
It opened and shown a solitaire which shown giving competition to the moon in the sky. There was one more thing which glittered more than anything in the world.
Her tear drops at the edge of her eyes as her smile spread across her face.
“Ah I’m so nervous” Laksh caressed his neck. “Damn. I’m the Casanova of the town and I’m getting nervous to propose the girl” he back slapped his head and Ragini chuckled hearing him.
“I have been around number of girls but I never felt the way I feel around you. I was a desperate loner in the crowd searching something I don’t know what. Lately I realized all my search ends at you. All my anxiety cools when you are around. All my miseries look beautiful when you are around me. I was confused about my feelings for years. I could never acknowledge your importance in my life. I could never understand my need for your presence in my life. I know I have acted rude many a times a big idiot around you. But trust me I did not mean any of them” he talked looking at the ground.
He felt her hand on his cheek and looked up. She was kneeling in front of him. “When will you stop your this bhashan?” asked she and he was about to speak when she neared him and placed her lips on his lips and he melted in that blissful moment and closed his eyes enjoying his first kiss.
As they felt difficult to breath they departed and Ragini touched his forehead with his. “I love you too HK” and chuckled. He dragged her and again kissed her and they lost themselves in each other. The moment was theirs and only theirs. The moon beamed and stars twinkled above their heads celebrating their love. Love which had passed through so many hurdles. And finally they had accepted it without backing off.
*****.*****