Is everything really so perfect as it seems to be?
Segment 18
(Make sure you read the A/N at the end and this is a super long update on request so enjoy!)
Previous update:
HAPPY READING!
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The sun rays shone bright spreading warmth all around. I covered my eyes and slowly adjusted to the brightness. The weather was extremely pleasant. I smiled. It was funny how time flies away so quickly. Maa had been worrying about Di and Bhai’s wedding since the last two months. She called all of us useless so many times because to her dismay the marriage didn’t take place within a month although I remember how she’s still been running around everywhere to arrange for the marriage as soon as possible.
***
“Lakshya, what are you doing? I do understand that you’ve office work, but can’t you be a little attentive about your sister’s wedding? You’ve only one sister after all,” she complained. “Offo Maa, first eat this and then, we’ll talk about Di’s marriage.” “Ragini . . . ,” Ragini stuffed some Poha in her mouth and I laughed. “Tu ye hi kar. Tujhse aur koi kaam nahi hoga,” Maa complained before Ragini stuffed some more Poha into her mouth. “Maa, the thing to be thought of is, that none of the wedding places are available and you want it to be a big fat Indian wedding so we can do nothing about it,” I said. “Lakshya, did you even try for it? No, sirf bahane banana hain.” I looked at Ragini fed-up; she laughed at me.
“Maa, I called up all the places you listed and none of them were empty,” Ragini replied after stuffing another spoonful of Poha in Maa’s mouth. Maa glanced at me from head to toe and gave me a hopeless look. “Ragini did this too. Lakshya, Swara is your sister or hers?” “Arey Maa, Swara Di is my sister also. Now finish this and stop worrying about the wedding so much. Both of us will manage it. Plus, the doctor has told you not to stress upon any matter,” she warned Maa. I admired their beautiful bonding. Ragini was Maa’s daughter more than her Bahu and there was no daily soap drama put up in our house. “Okay, I’m leaving for office my beautiful ladies,” I said and winked at the two of them. “Tu vahin ek ghar bhi bana le,” Maa mocked me. “Offo Maa, I’ll come back home early today.” I kissed Ragini’s cheek lightly and she flushed red. I laughed at her while Maa hit me lightly and said, “Meri Bahu ko tang mat kar.”
***
Ragini rested her head on my shoulder and said, “Everything has been happening so quick and it’s so peaceful all around us.” I looked at her and said, “Hmm . . With you beside me, everything will be perfectly alright always.” She smiled and said, “With you beside me too.” I caressed her cheek and gently kissed her cheek. “What’s the time now?” I glanced at my watch and said, “It’s around noon.” “I’ll sit here for some more time and then we need to go downstairs for lunch.” I nodded my hand understanding. Everything in life was so sorted out with Ragini. You needn’t have worried about anything in life and you could still be the happiest person. How lucky was I?
“Ragini, do you want to go the sunset point today? We’re anyway free the entire evening today.” “May be; for now let’s enjoy this moment,” she replied. I kissed her forehead gently and stroked her hair as both of us enjoyed the scenery around us. Kolkata was a quiet and peaceful place as compared to Mumbai. The city population was much lower than Mumbai and the people of this city were the sweetest one could’ve ever met. The last one week in Kolkata had passed away in a blink of eye. Today was the only day both of us had gotten to spend time together. There was no function today. I heard Ragini snoring softly and turned to look at her. The sunlight spread all over her face making her looks angelic. The sunlight flashed on her black hair making it look shiny and giving it a little reddish effect.
The entire of last week Ragini had been extremely busy looking over all the small necessities that had to be kept in mind to arrange for the dream wedding Maa wanted to arrange for Di and Bhai and in the hustle-bustle, she had completely no time for herself. Back in Mumbai, Ragini had short listed few of the dream marriage venues from which Di chose this palace that was located in Kolkata. We’d been here for a week’s time to have a talk with the manager to arrange for all the requisites. I quietly lifted her head from my shoulder and stood up. Her face looked so tired from the week’s work. I picked her up and walked back into our room. I laid her down on the bed and looked at her. She scrunched her face as the hair strands fell on face. I tucked them behind her ears and pulled the blanket over her. She comforted herself with the warmth of the blanket and drifted to sleep comfortably and relief washed over her face. I kissed her forehead gently and slowly left the room. I informed the chef to send both of our food in the room a little later, after the lunch time. He nodded and I walked outside the palace for a walk, exploring the palace.
The palace was made of white stone and it glistened as the sun rays shone upon its surface. The sculptures near the entrance had been carved beautifully set up on pedestals each symbolling the power and majesty of the animals. The hedges along the boundary of the palace were manicured perfectly. The fountain in the middle of the front lawn had a constant water flow enhancing the beauty of the palace. The air had a fresh scent of the flowers that were taken care very delicately and carefully. I walked towards the garden and roamed around the place for a while looking at the flowers. There were all kinds of flowers, lilies, sunflowers, roses and Ragini’s favourites, marigolds. Little water droplets adorned the flower petals and leaves. The fragrance of mud passed inside my nostrils and I breathed in deeply. I smiled. These were one of the few fragrances of the nature which I loved to breathe in. The smell of the mud that fills my insides during the beginning of the monsoon is the best feel.
“Saab, can you please move a little from here? We’re watering all the plants over here.” “Oh, yeah; I’m extremely sorry for that,” I reply and briskly walk out of the garden although cautiously so as to not step on any of the flower. In our house in Mumbai, Maa loves gardening and she has always taught us the importance of flowers since our childhood. Although, I don’t remember all of them, but I remember how maa had scolded me and Di because we’d carelessly stepped on a flower. I smiled recalling our memories from childhood and went around the place, exploring a little more. It was the beginning of December and there was a cold chill all over the country. The cold breeze blew across the place giving a feel of pleasantness. The place was well-maintained in spite of the fact that the architecture was an old one.
The polish of the palace remained intact making it evident that the building was polished at regular intervals. On the backside of the palace, the marriages are organised and the place was kept empty solely for that purpose. The podium in the middle was used for the Mantapa and the rest of the space was left empty for the guests to give an overview of the marriage. Towards the side of the place, there were counters for the appetizers, drinks and the meal. I stood over there for a little while and looked up at the bright sky. In spite of the cold breeze that blew and the trees and plants which swayed to its accord, the sun shone brightly as ever. I looked down at the floor the outsides of the palace and the first floor of the palace were made out of marble while the rest of the flooring was done of granite. I stood over there looking over the place and mentally appreciating the staff that’d been able to maintain the place so nicely and retained its beauty.
“Mr. Maheshwari, so how do you like this place and the city?” I shot open my eyes to find the manager beside me. I quickly smiled at him and replied, “The place is really beautiful. The way it’s being maintained is quite commendable and about the city, there’s absolutely no reason one couldn’t like it.” He smiled and said, “That’s true. I remember my attachment to Kolkata since ages, but I’ve been privileged to stay here only since the past two years. The city has its own methods to cast a magic spell on the people.” “Black magic spell, is it?” He laughed lightly at my sarcastic question and said, “You’ve a great sense of humour Mr. Maheshwari.” I smile at him as a gesture and glanced at my watch; “Do you think the lunch time over would be over?” I asked. “Oh, I’m extremely sorry Mr. Maheshwari; the Chef had just notified me that the usual lunch time had been over and he’d served light lunch for the two of you, I suppose?” “That’s alright Mr. Sen Gupta. I really need to go back now, but I’d a great time talking to you in person peacefully.” “Pleasure is all mine Mr. Maheshwari,” he replied and sharing a brief handshake, I went back inside. I collected our lunch from the kitchen and went upstairs to our room.
I walked inside our room and found Ragini awake. She squinted before she was comfortable with the bright surroundings and looked over the room. She looked fresh and relieved. Her gaze turned towards and she smiled at me. “Do you want to have lunch?” “I was going to say I’m hungry,” she replied and her stomach growled. Both of us laughed and together we had our lunch talking about how things at the wedding would be managed.
___
“Lakshya, this is such a peaceful scene to view,” Ragini said standing at the sunset point. I smiled at her. The sun was about to set. I looked at Ragini as she looped her hand with mine. I smiled. I looked back towards the horizon. The vibrant shades of yellow and orange beautified the plain look of the sky. Nature in itself was so beautiful. “Lakshya,” Ragini tucked at the hem of my shirt. I looked at her; Confusion spread all over my face. “Can I kiss you?” I looked at her astonished. Ragini was never so exceptionally bold. She shied when we’d any private moments all to ourselves and here; she was asking if she could kiss me in front of the several couples who were enjoying the sunset. “Are you talking about kissing right at the moment?” I asked to be sure. She nodded her head and bowed down her head. I laughed and said, “You don’t need to ask me for that. You know I’m all yours.” I lifted her face and we stared at each other. She smiled and stood on her heels to kiss me. She placed her mouth on mine and the heat rushed all over my body. I smiled and pulled her more into my embrace. It was a simple and slow kiss pouring in all our affection.
We pulled back and rested our forehead against each other’s. I stared directly into her eyes and she stared back at me. She mouthed me an ‘I love you’. I smiled and whispered, “I love you too.” She pulled apart and both of us looked back at the horizon. We stood until the sun was completely set down and only a thin stroke of the vibrant shades of yellow and orange were visible. The birds chirped as they returned back to their nests and slowly we walked back to our car. We drove back to the palace while Ragini tuned on a peaceful tune of Moh Moh Ke Dhaage after the pleasant memories at the sunset point.
___
Later, at night, after dinner, the two of us stood under the sky, stargazing in the front lawn. The place looked elegant in the night with the lighting of the entire palace. The sky had seemed a little darker since the sunset and it was only now that I realised that the sky was cloudy and there were chances of a heavy downpour. Ragini looped her arm with mine and said, “It’s going to rain in the night.” “Yeah, even I think the same.” She rested her head on my shoulder and we looked back at the sky. The faint light of the stars was the only source of illumination besides the lighting of the palace. “Today is the last day, and then we’d be back to our regular routine,” Ragini said. “Yes, but it’d been very tiring for you over here. It’s more peaceful for you back in Mumbai, right?” She shook her head and said, “It was a little hectic, but I enjoyed this week. At least I’d you beside me the entire time.” I smiled and pressed my lips tightly on her head. The little light that fell on her face made her look extremely beautiful. Suddenly the thunder struck and she tightly grasped my hand. She scrunched her face and closed her eyes. I gently stroked her hair and said, “It’s okay. Nothing would happen; I’m right here.” She looked up at me and smiled. She nodded her head and said, “With you beside me . .” “Nothing would ever go wrong,” I completed. She smiled at me and kissed my cheek gently.
“Let’s head back now? It’s getting quite late plus, we’ve to go back tomorrow,” she pulled out her hand from the grasp and turned around to leave when I caught her wrist and pulled her back. She quizzically furrowed her eyebrows and I mentally laughed seeing her face. “Are you tired?” “Not really, but we’ve to wake up a bit early tomorrow, right?” I wrapped my hands around her waist and said, “I was thinking of making you work so hard the entire of the night that you’d never forget this night.” She looked at me thoughtfully and opened her mouth to speak when realisation dawned upon her. She quickly covered her mouth and looked at me surprised. I grinned seeing her reaction and stepped closer to her. She immediately removed my hands from her waist and stepped back. She pulled her lower lip in between her teeth and my gaze moved down at her lips. I stepped closer and while stepping back she said, “Lakshya, stay away.”
She stepped back with every step of mine unless she stumbled upon the circular pedestal of the fountain. I rushed to her help and held her before she fell down. She closed her eyes tightly and when she realised she hadn’t fallen down, she opened her eyes and looked directly into my eyes. I stared back at her. I moved closer to her and gently kissed her forehead. She smiled at me. She struggled out of my hold when I grinned. “Mrs. Lakshya Maheshwari, there’s no way you’re escaping now.” She looked at me for a brief second and suddenly splashed water on my face which made me step back and she moved away from me. “Ragini, this isn’t fair,” I complained while she ran away to the other end of the lawn. “Everything is fair in love and war Mr. Maheshwari.” I looked at her hopelessly and chased her as she kept running around the lawn.
___
I caught hold of her and both of us tried to regain breath. I wrapped my arms around her waist as both of us panted to regain our breath. “Let me help you,” I said and before Ragini could understand, I kissed her. She stood idle for a while before kissing me back. I smiled against her lips and said, “You’re going to remember this night Mrs. Lakshya Maheshwari.” “Only if I fall in your traps,” she replied and both of us pulled apart. I looked directly into her eyes and I could observe a glint of mischief in her eyes. She lifted her forefinger and traced my jawline. “You look exceptionally handsome today,” she said. My grip on her waist was about to loosen when I cautiously wrapped my arms tighter and pulling her close, said, “You’re trapped Mrs. Lakshya Maheshwari.” “Not so easily,” she remarked and kissed me. My grip slowly loosened as I lifted my hands to hold her face between my hands to kiss her back when she pushed me away and running afar said, “I love you Mr. Maheshwari and I even love winning over you.” I crossed my arms across my chest and before I could say anything, it started raining. The downpour started to drench the two of us as we looked at each other intently. Suddenly the thunder struck and this time Ragini stood still. She shivered a little as the rain splattered against her skin and said, “We need to run inside.” She ran towards the palace, under the portico to save herself from drenching in the rain. “Lakshya, come fast,” she shouted and I ran behind her petite figure. She stood against the pillar trying to regain her breath. I looked at her intently and she looked more beautiful now; her smooth skin, her sharp nose, her hazel brown eyes, her long, black eyelashes and her full, round and kissable lips. I stepped closer to her face and held her face between my hands. I looked at her hazel brown eyes and she stared back at me. I kissed her forehead gently and then, her eyes. Her eyes were a perfect surface for reflecting her emotions. I could stare at them forever. She pushed me aside and went out to drench in the rain again. I smiled looking at her and started singing, slowly stepping out in the rain.
Saanson ko saanson mein dalne do zara
Saanson ko saanson mein dalne do zara
I stepped towards her and she turned around to look at me. She smiled and turned around again. She twirled around enjoying the rain and my hands snaked around her waist. She shuddered initially, but slowly she felt warmth in my embrace.
Dheemi si dhadkan ko badne ko zara
Lamho ki guzarish hai yeh paas aa jaaye
Hum… Hum Tum…
Hum… Tum… Hum Tum…
My fingers trailed down from her shoulders to her palms, exploring her soft, delicate skin. I placed a soppy kiss on her shoulder and I could imagine the pink colour spread over her cheeks. We spread out our hands as the rain drops splattered against our skin.
Aankhon mein humko utharne do zara
Baahon mein humko pighalne do zara
Lamho ki guzarish hai yeh paas aa jaaye
Hum… Hum Tum…
Hum… Hum Tum…
I laced our fingers together and kissed her knuckles softly. “Lakshya” I smiled. I held our hands in the front and pulled her closer to me. “Ragini,” I whispered back and I rested my chin on her shoulder.
Saanson ko saanson mein dalne do zara
Salvatein kahin karwatein kahin
Phel jaaye kajal bhi tera
I buried my face in the crook of her neck and kissed her slowly. I pulled out one of my hands from the grasp and she placed her palm on the other laced pair. I unclutched her clip and let her hair loose. I turned her around and she placed her palms on my shoulder. She looked beautiful with her wet hair hanging behind and a few strands that stuck on her wet face. I moved her hair and tucked it behind her ear. We both looked at each other intently. I kissed her forehead gently and she smiled back at me.
Nazron mein ho guzar tha hua
Khwabon ko hai khalifa
She kissed my forehead and I pulled her closer to me. She kissed my eyes and looked back at me. “I love you Lakshya.” I smiled and leaned in closer to kiss her, but she ran away from my grasp. She stood in front of the fountain playing with the water and her back facing me. She stared at the black clouded sky. I walked towards her, resuming singing.
Jismo ko ruho ko jale do zara
Sharmo khaya ko machalne do zara
Lamho ki guzarish hai yeh paas aa jaaye
Hum… Hum tum…
Hum… Hum tum…
Saanson ko saanson mein dalne do zara
The rain splattered against our skin fiercely and the thunder struck again. Ragini immediately turned around and hugged me tightly. I hugged her back and patted her back soothingly. After it was quite, she stepped back and looked at me sincerely.
Choolon badan magar iss tarah
Jaisa surila saaz ho
Hum hai re chupe tere zulf mein
Kholo ke raat azaad ho
Aanchal ko seene se dhalne do zara
Shabnam ki boondein phisalne do zara
I noticed the water droplets trailing down her face. The water droplets adorned her lips and I pulled her closer to me. I looked into her eyes and she closed her eyes. I leaned towards her and kissed her. It sent a feel of ecstasy through my insides. In spite of the cold water droplets splattering against my skin, I felt my body radiating heat. I pulled back and looked her intently. She opened her eyes and smiled at me. The desire seeped in the insides of my body and looking at her, it only made me realise that she too wanted to take our relationship forward. I picked her up and both of us ascended the stairs, staring at each other.
Lamho ki guzarish hai yeh paas aa jaaye
Hum… Hum tum…
Hum… Hum tum…
I laid her down on the bed and kissed the crook of her neck and her chest and ran my hands on her waist and the small of her back. She yanked me upwards and kissed me all over my face. “I love you Lakshya.” I unclipped the pin of her saree from her shoulder. I ran my hands through her bare waist and her fingers tousled my hair. I lowered myself on her and whispered back, “I love you too Ragini.”
Saanson ko saanson mein dalne do zara
Bahon mein humko pighalne do zara
I kissed her again and she clenched the hem of my shirt. She kissed me back and slowly, the two of got lost into the moment, loving each other. The downpour outside witnessed our love for each other as it clattered against the shuddering windows and doors. The night was the most beautiful night of our togetherness and our memories.
Lamho ki guzarish hai yeh paas aa jaaye
Hum… Hum tum…
Hum… Hum tum…
Hum… Hum tum…
Hum… Hum tum…
Hum… Hum tum…
• • • • •
A/N: This was the longest update I’ve ever written till date. I just kept on writing as the thoughts swarmed my mind and it gradually became long. For everyone who reached till here, a very hearty congratulations. Just kidding! Well, now, the next update would be in the first week of the next month. Okay, shush. Keep your weapons down because I’m yet to explain. Okay, so basically I’ve exams from the next week and as a result I’m going to stay away from writing stories, but I’d be reading anyhow. So, bye! Take care and I’ll be back soon. 20 days. I love you all!