Raglak : Love me Like you do : Chapter 15
Hi Guys… I am back.. Hope u guys liked the previous chapter .. The link for the same is below…
Thanks to all my lovely silent readers assuming there are some and the readers who have commented.. all the comments have been answered personally… Thanks to Lovely, Nitu, Nikky Gupta, SPP, Megha123, Piya, Ammu, Akshata, Fats, Lisa, Ruhani, Sanchami,Rags_Teju, Anonyous and Hemalattha I know there are lot of single line POV’s but I hope I don’t bore u guys with it.
So let’s begin our journey
Recap : RP finds out about Ragini’s whereabouts and Raglak talks… Raglak’s separation again
After coming back from Ragini’s place, Laksh had joined back his office and One fine morning….
“Hey, Lucky Bhai. How’s work going?” Came my second youngest brother Abhishek.
(Laksh) “Not bad.”
(Abhishek) “But you are the news of the organization. You sure know how to take your holidays. You take a long vacation after a long time and you don’t tell anyone how you spent it. Which hottie did you spend with?”
(Laksh in a stern voice) “That is none of your business, Abhishek.”
(Abhishek) “That’s true. But why is that you have black rings under your eyes, though you just got back from your vacation?”
(Laksh in a stern tone) “That is also none of your business.”
(Abhishek) “Really? After a long business trip, I come home to stay for a few days and all I hear and see is how mom is worried and killing me to talk to you, since you never dropped by after your sabbatical.” Laksh didn’t reply to him. If I went to see mom now, she would instantly know what is wrong with me. I don’t want her to know what her son did at least for a little time more.
(Abhishek) “Lucky Bhai, it is tough to talk when you don’t respond. By the way, have you been drinking daily? Not only you reek but you look sick. I know you drink but are you getting drunk every night?”
(Laksh) “Do you have any problem with what I do and not. And yes I am drinking but it is just to get some sleep as I am having some sleep issues.. Now if your KBC is over can I work.”
(Abhishek) “I guess that is also a result of your wonderful time off?”
(Laksh’s POV) Abhishek sure knew how to get his answers but I won’t be telling him anything. I couldn’t sleep. My head was full of thoughts about Ragini and unless I got drunk, I couldn’t sleep.
(Abhishek continued) “I am not interested in having this mono dialogues anymore. Dad is calling for you. It is regarding you little long vacation. And I am coming over to your place.”
(Laksh) “Why?”
(Abhishek) “I can’t stand mom’s questions and I don’t want you to die of alcohol poisoning. I know for sure that you wouldn’t be back until late at night. So, give me the key.”
(Laksh POV) I grudgingly gave him the key. If mom comes to know of my excessive drinking, I am in for it for at least a fortnight’s worth lecture. After he left, I finished my work and headed to Father’s room. I knocked on his door.
(DP) “Come in.”
(Laksh) “Yes, Sir.”
(DP) “Sit down, Laksh.” I quietly took my seat. We were taught never to disobey his words. He was raging mad, even though he looked quiet.
(DP) “Did you handle this contract?” He threw me the papers. I saw it.
(Laksh) “Yes.” Fear of my Dad for the first time conquered my mind. Never has there been a situation where I was reproached ever since high school.
(DP) “I see. I would like you to look at the xxii clause. Read it.”
When Laksh read it, he realized the mistake. How can he make such an apparent mistake?
(DP) “As, you can see, you have failed to take note of the failure of contractual obligation. Care to explain why?” He asked sternly. I couldn’t think of any. It wouldn’t affect the company unless the contract is not fulfilled, which itself has almost nil possibility, but a mistake is still a mistake.
(Laksh) “What I did is inexcusable.”
(DP)“You understand that it is inexcusable.” He repeated my words coldly. I flinched.
(Laksh) “Yes, Sir.”
(DP) “Laksh you are well aware that it is not going to affect the company but a mistake on your part cannot to be left unnoticed. You are being demoted. You are going to be Vice president of operations of the Kapoor Industries. Your other positions are going to be covered by your brothers till the time I decide you are fit to be back in the job.”
(Laksh) “But,” He glared at me. “Sorry Sir. I accept the reprehension.”
(DP) “You are to be present at home for dinner tonight.” Why so suddenly?
(Laksh) “Is there anything special?”
(DP) “Yes. We would be celebrating your demotion and your brothers’ promotion.” His sarcasm with an emotionless tone, no one would even think he was joking.
(Laksh sadly) “Yes Sir.”
After I got out of the room, I let out a huge sigh.
“How rare to hear you sigh!” Manik and Abhishek stood just by me.
(Laksh sarcastically) “Congratulations.” They get to do my job without any effort on their part and complete mistake on my part.
(Manik and Abhishek in confusion) “For what?”
(Laksh) “When you go in, you will know.” It is not that I hate Manik and Abhishek but to think that I made a mistake and my positions are being given to them……… All because of my stupid fault! What should I do to get back my calm and composed self? I knew it was possible only if I had Ragini by my side. It is not a simple thought of having her by my side for my pride, I want to be with her whether I have this company and money or not. Somehow, my priorities changed to Ragini than expanding this company. I really wonder if it would change back if she accepts me. No, I shouldn’t change even she accepts me. Sigh, firstly, she has to accept me.
Before leaving to their dad’s office, Manik asked
(Manik) “Also, what happened to Ragini you brought for dinner long back?” Out of nowhere, Manik asked. What? Didn’t they know the engagement is no longer?
(Laksh disappointedly) “We are not engaged anymore.”
(Manik) “We know that. We will talk later. Otherwise, who knows what Dad will do, if we keep him waiting.” It is not just me but everyone is scared of Dad as much as we respect him.
(Laksh) “Good luck.” I didn’t wait for their reply. How am going to bear this downgrading?
When I entered the house that night, mom was surely surprised to see me there. I couldn’t avoid going after Dad ordered me to. Mom instantly knew I was drinking and started her lectures. I am still not in my best moods. Like Dad said, it was celebration for brothers’ promotion. All were present and Manik was without his wife. Mom was thrilled and worried at the same time that my jobs got taken.
(Sarla) “But Laksh, thank god, for what your dad did. I was worried sick about you. First, you disappear for two months and after coming back, I hear that you spent almost whole of the week in office and didn’t go out anywhere, didn’t talk with anyone, I was afraid you would collapse. Now, you can take a break and look after yourself.” One could say I wanted to collapse. I didn’t want to think about anything. “Honestly, I want you to stay here. I am sick of your apartment. Inorganic place.”
(Laksh) “Mom, I like it there.”
(Sarla) “It is too cold!”
(Laksh) “It has central heating, and a stylish place with enough rooms. What are you unsatisfied about it? Abhishek is also staying there today!” She pouted. Really, who is the child and who is the Mom here?
(Abhishek) “Yes, I am staying there to look after you. But when dinner is here, how could I possibly go stay in that cold, inorganic place?” He joked.
(Sarla) “See, even he thinks that!” Mom sulked. I glared at Abhishek.
(Laksh) “If he thinks it is such a place, why stay there? Give me back the apartment keys. You can stay where you are feed properly and in a warm place.”
(Abhishek) “Hey! Sorry. I got it. It is a nice place to relax when you are tired. But I was really surprised when Dad told me that Manik and I were taking your positions. Not to mention, you suddenly went AWAY for almost two months. What did you do, Lucky Bhai?”
(Laksh’s POV) Dad glanced at me from the food for a moment and continued with dinner. I didn’t want to reply that I was nursing Ragini from the shock of losing our child.
(Lucky) “Let it pass. It won’t be too long before I get back to my form.”
(Manik) “I hope so. You shouldn’t let us get used to it. Otherwise, you won’t get your position back.” Manik joked. Somehow, it didn’t seem like a joke to me. If it really takes that long to recover, what am I going to do?
(DP) “If such would be the case, then I don’t have to waste money paying for a pacifier to accompany Laksh everywhere.”
(Laksh’s mind) When Dad said this, I was shocked. Just for a second, the expression covered my face and Dad noticed it. He smirked. This is the first time that he joked while taking as a family.
(Laksh) “I don’t need a pacifier.”
(Manik) “Oh please, Lucky Bhai! You always need someone with you. You are too demanding and authoritative. Even the last deal, Swara had to come with you.”
(Laksh again in his thick brains) She also said it, but I thought she was joking. Am I really like that?
(Abhishek) “It would be a wonder if any girl can keep up with you. No wonder you are not yet married.”
(Sarla) “Abhishek!” Mom reproached him.
(Laksh) “I don’t care about it. If a girl is not upto my standards, then I cannot marry her.”
(DP) “Did you find one?”
(Laksh shocked with the statement, didn’t know what to say) When Dad asked this, everyone was surprised. Generally, he never joined in the dinner conversations. For a moment, I was taken aback. I answered hesitatingly,
(Laksh) “Not yet.”
(DP) “I see. Laksh, after dinner, come to my study.” There was no question of a refusal. It was an order.
(Laksh) “Yes.”
(Laksh’s POV) Mom eyed me with worry. I really don’t understand what is happening. I laughed at the thought. Someone like me, who always predicted people’s actions, even my Dad’s, didn’t know what was going to come about. It was almost nine when I went into his study. I saw through the glass windowed door that he was sitting by the window, having a glass of wine. It means I am going to have a long session of lecture today. My last lecture was before I joined college. When I opened the door, he looked at me and motioned to sit opposite to him. When I reached for a glass,
(DP) “That is for your Mom later. You should remain sober throughout our nice chat.” I almost bit my lips. For one mistake, I have to go through all these? There was a moment of awkward silence.
(DP) “What is the problem, Laksh? This is nothing like you. You suddenly took more than two months off. Instructed your brothers to take care of your work. You don’t tell where you went. And you come back, you don’t concentrate on work.”
(Laksh in his mind) I see, the unannounced holiday is the problem. Then I (Laksh) spoke “Its nothing, Dad.”
(DP) “Still not confident talking with me? Well, Sarla is worried about you. At least talk to her. Do you know how worried she was when you took off? You didn’t get in touch with her for weeks. You come back, don’t say anything. You called her daily and now, even if you call, you don’t listen to her. Can you even imagine what I am going through?”
(Laksh’s POV) To think every night after dinner, when they both sit down to talk, they talk about me and mom bites his head off! I tried to control my laughter. It would bebad to laugh.
(DP continued) “Laugh you head off, Laksh. I know you want to.” He barked. I restrained myself.
(Laksh) “No”
(DP) “I don’t care even if you do laugh. After all, she is my wife who I love.”
(Laksh’s POV) It struck me lightning to hear my rigid, stern Dad, who doesn’t even give a little hole for being casual, talk so fondly of Maa. Maa has always been open to us about the love she has for Dad but I have never seen Dad talk lovingly about her.
(DP) “What are you looking all shocked for? You thought I didn’t love her?”
(Laksh) “No. Its just that you have never shown how you feel about her or even my birth Mom.”
(DP) “Sigh. You heard about Kusum from the servants only. I didn’t wish to speak ill of her but Kusum had a lover when we got married. She wanted to get out of married life. I was helpless as she was. It took some time for both of us to understand each other. Just when I thought our lives were getting better, she died giving birth to you. It was never that I didn’t love Kusum but I never got the chance to get to know her better. When we finally got along well, she was not there with me.” Dad stopped. I never knew that he loved my Mom.
(Dp continued) “I truly grieved her death, till I came to know of the deal she made with Dad for divorce which I knew nothing about until after her death. I felt disgust for women. But Sarla changed me. Though she was young when she married me, she loved me and still loves me dearly and I love her. Let me tell you one thing, I was never keen on marrying Sarla. I had both of you. I didn’t want any trouble for you. She insisted on marriage when I got engaged for namesake. Her extent of emotions shocked me. Kavya and you loved her, adored her. I was scared if all of her love was just a mockery. It took a lot of time for me to understand her. She was dead scared to give birth because she thought Kavya and you would feel betrayed.” He smiled.
(Dp) “But she couldn’t stand Kavya’s pressure for a younger sister. Kavya almost threw you outside saying that she didn’t want a younger brother but a younger sister. It took everything in us to convince her and calm her. Also, I wouldn’t have told you about Kusum when you reached high school, if not for her. She said you had the right to know about your Mom.” He chuckled. “I still remember the expression she had when I told that I talked to Kavya and you about Kusum. You don’t know how relieved she was when Kavya and you smiled back at her and treated her with love.” To think my Mom, who was never scared of anything we knew of, was scared of being rejected by us.
(Laksh) “I didn’t know this or probably I do not remember much.” He glanced at me.
(DP) “Yes. You didn’t. Maybe, I should have told you. Kavya always knew. She was open with Sarla and being girls, you know, they sorted their way out. She was scared of how you felt. She tried to treat you the same as your brothers without giving any reservation and was a nervous wreck whenever she scolded you while you were happy doing what did. She truly loves both of you. Sometimes, I feel even more than she loves me or her own children. The day you said you were moving, she cried for the whole week. Only when you said that you would call her daily, she calmed down. That ritual is has been going on for more than ten years till now.”
(Laksh) “What did you feel when I moved, Papa?” I shut my mouth immediately. What in the world am I asking? He smiled.
(DP’s POV) This was the first time that he called me Papa. I am feeling happy that he called me Papa. Though Dad and Papa were same for many but for me I felt Papa was more personalized. I am happy that Laksh called me. Hope one day my other kids also call me PAPA. Brushing away the thoughts I calmly answered back Laksh.
(DP) “This is the first time you called me Papa. I felt that I should be strict with you as the heir of Kapoor group but I see that I was wrong. I cannot change the past. I guess I can only try to talk with you and your brothers from now on. I felt what any PAPA (stressing on that word) would have felt. That you have grown but still not mature enough to face the world. I still feel that but kids grow a lot faster than one can expect. Now, Romi is already planning the finance of the companies.”
(Laksh’s POV) I didn’t know how to reply. It was not that we didn’t know that he loved us, but I didn’t think that he expected us to share our respect and affection for him.
(DP) “Well, back to the main topic, at least talk it out with Sarla about your fiancée, Ragini Singh.”
(Laksh became numb and thought) How did he know? He guessed it from my expression.
(DP) “Your ring. I am guessing that she is the reason you took two months off and the reason for your error.”
(Laksh absentmindedly) “Yes”
(DP) “I heard that she went for a vacation after her sister’s wedding. You wouldn’t happen to have followed her?”
(Laksh’s POV) It is not that I followed her, but I didn’t reply. Though I said that I do not regret what I did to Ragini, I still couldn’t openly confess it.
(DP) “I take it that you are serious about her?”
(Laksh) “Yes. I wish to marry her, if she consents.”
(DP) “This is not a delusion? Because you said you still haven’t met a girl of your standards.” Laksh couldn’t help but smile at his comment.
(Laksh) “No. It is not a delusion. She is not a girl of my standards but I love her.”
(DP) “You love her?”
(Laksh’s POV) He asked sarcastically as if I was not capable of loving. But I was such a cold hearted person. When the whole world knew, it was no surprise Papa didn’t.
(Laksh) “Yes.”
(DP) “And she?”
(Laksh) “She said she loved me but not now. I am trying to find a way to gain her trust.”
(DP) “What did you do to make her not trust you? Though you look scary, you are not someone who gains people’s distrust.” I couldn’t answer him. Talking with Dad suddenly about my affairs made me feel awkward.
(DP) “Fine. Its hard to talk freely just after confessing to be so from now on. Let me tell you, I am not changing you demotion. Try to convince her before you are promoted back again.”
(Laksh’s POV) He grinned. I thought this was seriously a demotion. Being in this position, gives me more free time than my previous one.
(Laksh happily) “Yes.”
(DP) “You may leave. Tomorrow is your day off, right? Sarla wanted to go shopping. Take her out. I don’t want to hear your Maa’s bawl anymore and one more thing, please continue to call me Papa” I got up smiling and went.
As I opened the door, mom was outside.
(Sarla) “You are staying here, right?”
(Laksh) “I have got no choice, if I need to take you shopping first thing in the morning. Abhishek has the whole of my apartment for himself today.” She smiled back gently.
(Sarla) “Good. I have asked the maid to turn on the heater in your room. Good night.”
(Laksh’s POV) She stood on her tips to reach my forehead but she didn’t have to. I, unaware, bent down for her. She kissed my forehead like she used to when I was a child. After kissing her back, I went up. So, I am not getting out of this place till I confess what is there in my mind either to mom or dad. What a painfully loving family I have! I never actually accepted it.
Precap : Kavya and Laksh’s talk… Will Laksh be able to find Ragini again??