Hi all, thanks for your wonderful comments and all the love you are showing on me. I cannot tell you how much it means to me. Big hug to all of you for it. This is the next instalment in the story. Hope you like it. It is a long one. Thanks – Azure
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As Sanskar entered the room, Ranveer was already waiting for him. As was his custom, he placed a drink in front of Sanskar. Sanskar picked it up and smelled it, remembering his hangover from last time.
βIt is just apple juiceβ Ranveer told him casually
βWhy do you need to create all this illusion?β Sanskar asked him, pointing to the drink with ice cubes in it.
βI thought you wanted to talk to me about something urgentβ Ranveer told him firmly βI cancelled my meetings for this. I hope you didnβt call me here to talk about apple juiceβ
Sanskar rolled his eyes βNo, I didnβt call you to talk about apple juice. I wanted to talk to you about the attackβ
βWhat is there to talk about now? I thought we had done all the talkingβ Ranveer told him annoyed
βYou might think those two attacks might have been coincidence, I am still having a tough time believing thatβ Sanskar told him plainly
βSo you are on about that again! If you are here to talk about the girl, I am not interestedβ Ranveer said making to get up from his chair.
βYou arenβt interested even if it impacts Ragini?β Sanskar shot at him.
Ranveer sat down and sighed βFine! Letβs talkβ he said, leaning back against the chair waiting for Sanskar to talk.
βI was watching a movie with Ragini today. Yeh Jawani Hai Dewaniβ Sanskar explained βThere was a scene in that movie where the heroβs tom boyish girlfriend gets into a fight with some goons. She is very vocal and publically mocks and incites themβ
βHow is this linked to the attacks?β Ranveer asked shaking his head
βI am getting to thatβ Sanskar told him bluntly βThat scene reminded me of the night of the attacks. Swara had behaved in pretty much the same way with that biker Doug, who shot herβ he explained
βSo?β Ranveer asked him unamused
βSo, my question for you is, did you know Swara?β Sanskar asked
βNot this again! Is this about getting more information about her from me?β Ranveer asked βor let me guess it is about proving how much you know her?β
βI am not trying to do any such thing. In fact, if it helps, I will admit that I didnβt really know her as well as I thought I didβ Sanskar told him calmly βRanveer, this is really important. I am not trying to pull one over your eyes here. If you met her or knew a bit more about her personality, it might make our discussion quicker. That is why I am asking you about itβ he explained
βFine!β Ranveer said, calming down, just a tad bit βI met her a few times. More like I saw her with Kaka a few times. Kaka held some of the, well letβs just say extra special meetings, there and I couldnβt avoid going thereβ
βI didnβt realize you had been to that houseβ Sanskar told him softly βRagini had once mentioned how she was worried that Janki Maa would be hurt if she went there with meβ
Ranveer looked at Sanskar for a moment before nodding quietly βMaa always knew when I went there. She could see it on my face, because I couldnβt hide the guilt. She never said anything though. She knew I didnβt want to be there. Laddo would try to cheer me up after those meetingsβ
Sanskar nodded after all Ragini had done that for him as well. βWhat was your impression of her?β he asked
βHe was a pampered princess who wanted everyone and everything to be showered on her at the beck of her callβ Ranveer told him feeling annoyed βI have seen her demand top designer dresses from Kaka, to be worn once and thrown away because she didnβt want to be seen in them again. She was bothered about her imageβ
Sanskar nodded βFrom what I know about her, I would agree. She was very conscious of her image and style. She was like a princess and demanded to be treated and pampered as such. I remember I was going to get her to meet some of my friends. My friends and I were to meet at a pub. It was a upmarket pub, mind you, but Swara didnβt want to be there. I had to move the get together to a recently launched hip roof top restaurant for her. She did give it back to people sometimes, but she did it in her own style, sarcastically and without screaming herself. She made the others scream and bellow at her.β
Ranveer didnβt speak but looked at Sanskar intensely
βSo what was someone like her doing at a bikerβs pub? And what was she doing picking up a loud fight with Doug?β Sanskar asked somberly
βI thought you told me she went there to meet a friend?β Ranveer said nonchalantly, though his eyes spoke of something else
βBut thatβs just it, why would she agree to meet a friend at such a place, quite remote from her usual type of hangout, when she wasnβt even willing to set foot inside an upmarket pub?β
βYou seem to have thought about this a bit, what is your view?β Ranveer asked him
βI have been thinking about the reason all throughout my way hereβ Sanskar said sighing
βAnd?β Ranveer asked
βThere was a reason for going to that pub and dragging me along. I think she was putting on a show of getting into that loud argumentβ Sanskar said softly
βAnd why would she be doing that?β Ranveer asked, his face stoic devoid of any reaction.
βI see two possibilities. First, and I am really hoping this is the reason for it, she was trying to play a prank on me. May be this was some weird way of testing me to see if I would protect her or somethingβ
βAnd the other?β Ranveer prompted
Sanskar sighed and looked him for a second before answering βThe other was to cover up what was happening miles away, in UK, with Raginiβ
βIf it was all a show, why did she get shot?β Ranveer asked
βI donβt quite know why. My guess is may be that she mistook the person out in alley to be her friend and fought with him, not realizing that it was actually Doug. He was after all wearing a helmet and she would have had no way of knowing he wasnβt the friendβ Sanskar tried to reason
Ranveer remained quiet
Sanskar leaned forward βBoth Swara and Ragini get attacked by bikers with guns on the same day. It cannot be a coincidence. Swara was at the pub because that was the best place to be surrounded by bikers. Most of whom would have guns. It would provide her easily with the same scenario that Ragini facedβ
βWhy, according to you, would she want Ragini attacked?β Ranveer asked
βI donβt know. Swara had nothing to be jealous or threatened about when it came to Ragini. Shekhar Gadodia didnβt care about her. Ragini wasnβt interested in the money, in fact she wanted to get away from it because she felt it was tainted and felt it was the reason for the tragedies in the family. Even is Swara didnβt know that, she would still have no reason to worry about money or not having enough. I am sure Shekhar had set aside plently for her and only her. She was never connected to any of you for her to feel she was losing out on it because of Raginiβ Sanskar said talking as much to himself as to Ranveer βSo hurting Ragini couldnβt have been the end goal. It had to be to get to someone else. Someone who wasnβt Shekhar Gadodiaβ Sanskar said looking at Ranveer βSomeone like youβ he said softly
Ranveer and Sanskar remained quiet for a long while.
βYou are forgetting one thing in thisβ Ranveer said quietly, leaning forward βThat girl didnβt need to put on a show if the intention was just to attack Laddo to get to me. She could have completely stayed out of it. It would have served her betterβ he leaned back in his chair again βbecause if someone attacked Laddo, I would have investigated it no matter what. And I wouldnβt have been bothered about that girl and her attack anyway. Even if she wanted to create linkage, that would have been broken as fast, the way it already didβ
βSo maybe it wasnβt just about attacking Ragini to get to you. May be it was also to cover the person who was behind the attacks by creating the linkage. I mean I donβt think she could have been the one hatching the entire planβ Sanskar reasoned βEven if the linkage failed ultimately, may be the purpose was served by then since you would have been devastated and impacted enough for them to do what they wanted toβ Sanskar suggested
βYou are forgetting that she could have devastated me even otherwise if something happened to Laddo, but it wouldnβt have stopped my vengeance. It would have fueled it more. She didnβt put on the elaborate show just to throw a red herring at meβ Ranveer shot at him
Sanskar sat back lost in thought for a moment βIf she was hurt, even pretend hurt, as part of this plan, the person it would have impacted the most would have been Shekhar Gadodiaβ Sanskar said βIf Ragini was hurt, the person most impacted would have been you, Janki Maa and the family. This has to be about one or more likely both of you. I cannot believe someone did all this just to take Ragini out because she posed some threat to themβ he added raising his head to look at Ranveer βDo you know of any other reason why Ragini would be attacked, if not to get to all of you?β he asked sincerely
βOur business is one where friends are temporary and enemies are permanentβ Ranveer told him matter-of-factly βThere could be a lot of people trying to hurt Ragini to get to usβ
βHow many of them would also recruit Swara to help them in hurting Ragini to get to you? Or how many are there who Swara would have helped for this purpose?β Sanskar asked him critically
Ranveer was quiet for a long time βYou are eliminating all the other options, other than those where Ragini is being hurt to attack me, too quickly. You said it yourself, the person most impacted by that girl getting even pretend hurt would be Kakaβ
βSo what now?β Sanskar asked, after they had elapsed into silence once again βWhat are you doing about finding Raginiβs attacker?β
Ranveer looked at him critically before answering βIt is best you leave that to me. Donβt be in a rush to dig into this worldβ
βI have no intention of joining your world. You can enjoy it all by yourself. But I cannot sit by and do nothingβ Sanskar told him βI need to know what was the reason for trying to hurt Raginiβ
Ranveer looked at him intensely but didnβt answer
βLook, if you donβt answer me, I am going to find another way to get my answer, but I am not backing out of thisβ Sanskar said making his stance clear
βWhat do you want to know?β Ranveer asked, giving in somewhat, knowing that his Laddo, is she found out about it, wouldnβt like to have Sanskar put in danger in trying to investigation this own his own.
βDo you have some suspects?β Sanskar asked leaning forward βWho would have done this?β
βI have a few names in mindβ Ranveer said vaguely
βWho?β Sanskar asked immediately
βLook it is better you donβt knowβ Ranveer said. Sanskar was about to protest, but Ranveer cut in βI am not sure if they are the ones truly involved and I donβt want to influence you with my thoughts. You have been reasoning things out pretty well yourself, it would be better if you can keep an unprejudiced outlook to thisβ
βBut how can I proceed when I donβt have any suspects?β Sanskar asked annoyed
βI am looking at some business associates. If that girl was involved in this plot, there would have been something happening around her at that time. Some phone call. Some person who she met. She didnβt leave LA during that entire period, so if she was involved that person must have been in touch and either you or one of her friends that you might have known, would know somethingβ Ranveer told him calmly βI donβt know about them and if you really want to help, cover that base, which I cannotβ
βAre you trying to do this to keep me away from the investigation?β Sanskar asked narrowing his eyes
βConsidering you have already told me that you will find a way in, if I try to keep you out β no. That is not what I am trying to doβ Ranveer said looking Sanskar in the eye.
Sanskar nodded. He was quiet for a minute before he asked Ranveer βYou said someone she might have had calls with?β he asked. Seeing Ranveer nod, he continued βIs there any way you can get her call records?β he asked
βIf it was India, I would have done it gotten those details in a day, but this is a US number we are talking about. It is not all that easy for me to get the records, but I have someone working on it. Hopefully, we should have it soonβ Ranveer told him
βAnd what happens in meantime, while we are investigating this?β Sanskar asked βI mean do we even know that they wonβt try it again? Do you think they are going to back out now assuming that they plan is thwarted? Or have they achieved their goal just by hurting Ragini even though she was saved? What if their goal was only to kill her? What if their goal still is that?β he asked concerned
Ranveer face was grave as he spoke βWe protect her. We keep her away from any risky places and do whatever β WHATEVER β it takes to keep her safeβ
Sanskar nodded and sank into the chair as the reality of the situation and the possibilities sunk into his head. The silence that was between them was heavy now. Each man lost in his own thoughts, worried about someone that they had come to care about beyond anything and anybody else.
As Sanskar sat there, another thought hit him βYou werenβt surprised by what I saidβ he said softly
βWhat?β Ranveer asked him
βYou werenβt surprised by my theory or my assumptions about the attacksβ Sanskar said more loudly and firmly now, looking intensely at Ranveer. The unsaid question was quiet obvious. Why werenβt you surprised. What do you know?
Ranveer met the intense stare for a minute before sighing βI wasnβt entirely honest with you beforeβ he paused for a second before adding βI didnβt go to London to surprise Laddo. I had heard from some sources that there was a rumor about a hit being put out on her. I knew that if I had asked her to come back home, she wouldnβt have. She would have asked to me to let her complete her internship fully instead of leaving it mid-way. She would have asked me to increase security if I needed, but to not drag her back. And I wouldnβt have been able to refuse her, because this has been her dream. I knew that I needed to be there to talk to her and convince her and push her to come back with me, if I needed to truly keep her safeβ
βBut she was attacked before you could talk to herβ Sanskar completed for him
Ranveer nodded. He was quiet for a minute, staring at Sanskar before he spoke βThere is something else that I havenβt told you.β He said before adding βLAPD found packets of red liquid inside that girlβs top. They were meant to ooze the blood like liquid on being hit/patted hard over themβ
Sanskar sat straight hearing this. He wanted to ask Ranveer a lot of things. Shout at him that if he knew this, why was he not willing to listen to Sanskar. But in the end, he settled for βWhy didnβt you tell this to me before?β
βYou were biased towards that girl. You wouldnβt have been neutral enough to listenβ Ranveer said matter-of-factly
βAnd you werenβt biased towards Ragini? Where you neutral?β Sanksar said, just throwing the comment at him in anger, though he didnβt want Ranveer to stop being biased towards Ragini
βWould you have listened to it with open mind if I had told you about it earlier?β Ranveer shot at him
Sanskar was taken aback. If he thought about it, he had to admit that he hadnβt been all that open to listen to anything against Swara then. Neither when Adarsh bhaiyaa tried to talk to him, nor when he spoke to Ranveer. But he wasnβt keen to admit that βI donβt knowβ is all he said
They sat there for some time, before Sanskar spoke again βWhat changed now? Why did you tell me all this now?β
βDonβt you know why?β Ranveer asked him, his voice calm as was his face, as he stared intensely at Sanskar
Sanskar on the other hand felt his heart beat rise. What was he talking about? Had he revealed something about what was going on his is head about Ragini? Had his decidedly unfriendly thoughts come across on his face?
Seeing that Sanskar hadnβt spoken, Ranveer answered the question for him βI can see concern for Laddo on your face now. I can see her pain in your eyesβ
——-
By the time Sanskar got back home, it was almost time for dinner. After dinner, he retired to his room. He had been lost in thought since coming back from the farmhouse. The chat and the possibilities that it threw open, were floating in his head. He was trying to join all the different threads together and make sense of it, but he was failing miserably.
He looked around the room. It had little touches of Ragini everywhere in it now. Her iPad on the coffee table next to his laptop. Her combs, perfumes, accessories, next to his on the dresser. Her clothes in the wardrobe. He gently touched her pillow that lay next to him on the bed. It was no longer just his room. It was there room now. And he couldnβt imagine going back to the days when it was just his. She made it feel more than just a room with walls in it. Her things made it feel warm and homely. And she when she was present in the room, added life to it. Even when she was sitting quietly working on her project. But the room, truly came alive when she talked and laughed and teased and even blushed.
It was strange but without having her in the room, he felt lonely. Even though he knew she was in the house somewhere. That had been a completely new experience for him. This feeling of restlessness and the need to see her, just adding to it. He glanced at the clock, it was showing the time of 11:30pm. He looked at it startled and checked his wrist watch as well. It showed the same time. Where was she? She should have been back ages ago.
Not willing to sit back and wait for her, he left the room, walking purposefully towards Uttaraβs room first. She had been interested in sharing girly gossip with Ragini these days, but there had to be a limit. Could she even let Ragini get some rest after a long dayβs work? As he was striding towards Uttaraβs room, annoyed, he glanced towards the living room and saw her sitting by the dining table. Her back was to him. She was doing something. He rushed downstairs and walked towards her.
βWhat are you doing so late?β he asked her as he stood next to her.
Ragini looked up from her work, startled by his sudden arrival and the question. It seemed she was preparing the cotton to make diyas out of them. She looked at the large copper plate filled with cotton and the diyas, and then back at him before answering βI am making diyas for the Pooja tomorrowβ
βWhat Pooja? Are why are you the only one working?β Sanskar asked annoyed
βI am not the only one working. Everyone is doing their own partβ she told him calmly βWhat is wrong? You have been worried since coming back from that meetingβ she asked concerned
βI donβt see anyone elseβ he said looking around, still a bit annoyed βWhat do you have to do?β
βI just have to make these diyas that is all. Rest is doneβ Ragini told him with a smile even as she went back to making some more βWhy donβt you go back to the room and rest? I will be done soonβ
Sanskar looked a bit exasperated. He let a puff of breath escape him before he sat down next her βTell me how to do these diyasβ he asked her
Ragini looked at him amused βSanskar you donβt need to do this. I can manageβ
Sanskar gave her an annoyed look before taking some cotton in his hands βTell meβ he asked her again.
Ragini smiled but showed him how to make the diyas. Between them, they quickly made the diyas out of all the cotton that was there. Seeing that the diyas were made, Sanskar got up βCome on now. Lets go to the roomβ
βNot yetβ Ragini said as she got to counting them
βNow what? You needed to make the diyas, they are doneβ Sanskar said annoyed
βI need to ensured they are 103 in allβ Ragini said
Sanskar gave her an annoyed look and moved her hand away. He sat down and counted the diyas really quick and got up βNow are we done?β he asked
Ragini nodded with an amused smile βI will just keep these by the temple and then we can leaveβ
βDonβt!β Sanskar said βI will do itβ
He quickly kept the plate by the temple and came back to the dining table. He held Raginiβs shoulders pushed her from behind βNow move!β
βAhheemmβ someone said clearing the throat from behind them. They turned to see Badi Maa and Mom standing by the kitchen door, with amused smiles on their face.
βAre you done making the diyas?β Badi Maa asked Ragini with a smile
βYes, they are all done. They are by the templeβ Ragini told them βIs there anything else I can help with?β she asked. Sanskar shot her an annoyed look that wasnβt missed by the two moms.
Just then Pari walked out of the kitchen βMaa, all the pots and vessels needed for the Pooja have been cleaned and readyβ she told them
Annapurna nodded βGo off and get some rest now. We have to wake up early again to make the Prasadβ
Pari nodded and went away
βRagini, you go get some rest as wellβ she said looking at both Ragini and Sanskar, before turning to Sujata and adding βLetβs just look over everything one before we head off as wellβ
Sujuta nodded and both went back to the kitchen, after throwing an amused look towards Ragini and Sanskar.
Sanskar intertwined his fingers with Raginiβs and tugged her hand to make her follow him back to their room βWhy couldnβt you do all this preparation before?β he asked
βBy the time Badi Maa spoke to Panditji, it was already late. We could only start working on this after dinner.β She explained
βWhy couldnβt you do this tomorrow morning?β he asked
βBecause the Pooja is early in the morning. We wouldnβt have time to prepare anythingβ she told him amused
βI donβt understand why Badi Maa needs to do all this poojasβ he said annoyed
βWhat is wrong? Why are you so angry?β she said softly
βI was waiting for you for so long in our room. Do you even realize what time it is?β he cribbed
βOhhhh! Big Ashu was missing meβ Ragini said in a teasing childlike voice
Sanskar pulled her suddenly, wrapping his arm around her back, and pulling her closer into him. He looked intensely at her. His voice become low and intense as he said βNot big Ashu, Sanskarβ
Ragini was caught by the intensity in his eyes. She couldnβt bring herself to look away. Her breath caught in her throat even as blood rushed to her cheeks making her blush. She slowly lowered her eyes, feeling shy under his intense gaze.
Meanwhile, back in the kitchen, both the women broken into soft giggles
Sujata looked at AP and said βI think everything is now finally getting to be what it should beβ
AP nodded βOur Sanskar is certainly coming back to the family. He has been so warm with everyone. Almost like he was before he found out about the businessβ she added sadly
βAnd then that girlβ Sujata added, expressing her concerns βI wasnβt sure we would ever see the old Sanskar backβ
AP nodded before patting Sujata on the shoulders
βI was worried about Ragini tooβ Sujata confessed βon the first day when she forgot to put sindoorβ
AP nodded βI know you were worried. But our belief in her and Jankijiβs upbringing came through. She had brought our Sanskar backβ
Sujata agreed βI am so happy jijiβ she said, feeling at peace
AP agreed βWe might soon become grandmothers nowβ she said teasingly to Sujata knowing it would have an impact
Sujataβs eyes widened βI am not so old yet to become grandmother jijiβ she complained
βYou might not have a choice in the matterβ AP said teasing her more βLook at how impatient Sanskar wasβ
βThis boy is crazy!β Sujuta muttered before walking out of the kitchen. As she came out, she saw Ragini and Sanskar standing close on the top floor landing, right in the path of their own way to their rooms. Trying to avoid them some embarrassment, she loudly called out to AP βJiji, letβs do to bed nowβ
Sanskar and Ragini were lost in the moment and their closeness. Sujataβs loud voice carried towards them and they broke apart, moving away from each other. They slowly made their way back to their room in silence.
Sanskar closed the door and turned to see Ragini standing there looking at him.
βUmmm. I was getting a bit boredβ He said lamely unsure about telling her the real reason.
βOhh!β Ragini said softly, before nodded βI will just go to the washroom and then we can go off to sleepβ
Sanskar nodded as he watched her leave. He lay down on his side of the bed. Why didnβt he just come out and say that he felt lonely in his own room without her? What was he going to say if she asked why? Didnβt he already know why, a voice inside him asked. What if she doesnβt feel the same? What if he lost her? His mind asked him, making him feel anxious. But she did look a bit disappointed with your answer, didnβt she? The voice suggested. But what did that really mean?
While he was lost in thought, Ragini came and lay down on the bed next to him βWhat are you thinking about?β she asked him softly
βHuh?β He asked looked surprised, realizing that she had come back
βYou seemed to be lost in thoughtβ she said softly
Sanskar shook his head, trying not to go back to his dilemma. Changing the topic he asked βSo why this Pooja suddenly?β he asked
βBadi Maa felt that we should do the kuldevi Pooja after marriage. She wanted to do it before my internship started so that everyone would be at homeβ Ragini explained
βYour internship is starting in 4 daysβ Sanskar stated. Ragini nodded
Internship in 4 days. Ragini would be out of the house almost every day for 2 months. How was he going to manage when he felt lonely in just a few hours? His discussion with Ranveer came back to him. βWe keep her away from any risky placesβ. She would be exposed to risk if she left the house. If something happened to her? He wouldnβt be able to bear it is she was hurt. He felt a constriction in his chest as if life was being squeezed out of him. βYou arenβt going for internshipβ he stated
βWhat?β she asked surprised and confused βSanskar, what are you saying?β she asked even as she teared up a bit and the thought of him being against it and losing her degree
Sanskar saw her face and the teary eyes and his heart broke. He couldnβt bear seeing her like this. But her safety? Could he see her being at risk? Could he risk her? No! No, he couldnβt. But if he loved her, he needed to do everything he could to keep her safe and help her with the dream. Hang on! His brain rewinded its own words, loved her? Did he love her? If you donβt love her, why are you feeling so scared and anxious? She is my friend, best friend, I am worried about her safety. She means a lot to me. Agreed she means a lot, the voice said, but is she really just your best friend. Is this how you feel when your best friend is in trouble? Is this how you felt when you thought you were in love with Swara and she was killed? The voice asked. No, right? This is way more intense. Tell me what is it, if not love? It asked him. His mind didnβt have anything to counter the voice of his heart with. He remained quiet and looked at Ragini. She was looking at him worried, teary. It tore at him.
βI meant you arenβt going for the internship aloneβ Sanskar told her softly βI will be coming with you, to drop you and pick you upβ
βYou donβt need toβ She said softly
βI want toβ he told her firmly βAnd you are going to have guards with you throughout the dayβ
βBut how can they stay there? It will look addβ Ragini asked him
βI donβt care. They are going to be with you. They can be out there with the security for all I care. It will be even better if some are. They can be outside with the building guard, but you are not going anywhere without them. You have to promise me thatβ He told her looking her deeply in the eye
βSanskarβ Ragini tried to say
βPromise me Raginiβ Sanskar pleaded βPleaseβ
Ragini looked at him concerned, but promised him with a nod. He looked away from her, trying to reign in the fear he was feeling just then. Fear of something happening to her. Fear of losing her.
Ragini sensed something was wrong. She touched his arm gently βSanskarβ she said softly but he tried to avoid her eye. She touched his jaw and made him turn and look at her βSanskarβ she said quietly, worried by the emotions swirling in them.
Sanskar felt overwhelmed by his emotions and hugged her tightly almost crushing her with his weight. Ragini gasped, caught a bit unware by his reactions before concern came flooding back. She held him tightly, wrapped an arm around his back while the running fingers through his hair, trying to calm him and sooth him. She said his name softly a few times, while running the arm around his back. After a few minutes he let out a shuddering breath that worried her and brought tears in her eyes βSanskar, please tell me what is wrong? Please talk to meβ she pleased with him, her voice wrought with concern.
He just shook his head against the crook of her neck but didnβt answer her.
βPlease Sanskarβ she pleaded again
βI donβt want to lose youβ he said finally muffled against her neck
Raginiβs hear skipped a beat βYou are not going to lose me. Why would you lose me?β she asked him, worried at his state βSanskarβ she said softly when he didnβt speak for a while
βYou were attacked before, what if it happens againβ he finally said softly, not willing to reveal anything more
βWhy would I be attacked again?β She said softly βNo one will attack me. I am fineβ she said softly. She ran her arm around his back for some time, before she decided something βI wonβt go for the internshipβ she told him firmly
Sanskar let off a breath of air, which hit her neck, before pulling back a just a bit βBut itβs the dreamβ he said softly
βYou are more important to me than any dreamβ she told him as they looked into each otherβs eyes up close βI cannot see you worried like this. My dream isnβt worth itβ
βBut it isnβt just your dream. I have seen this with youβ Sanskar told her softly looking in her eye, his eyes a bit moist from the emotions he felt a just a while back βIt is our dream and I want to see if come to its fruitionβ
βI cannot see you like this, Sanskarβ Ragini said with moist eyes βI cannot see you brokenβ
βI am not broken. I am going to be okayβ Sanskar told her, getting his emotions under control a bit. She looked at him skeptically, concern flooding her face. He gently wiped the slight moisture from her eye with his thumb βI promise; I am going to be okay. I want you to do thisβ he said, before softly adding βFor meβ
Ragini looked at him quietly before finally nodding βI will keep the guards with meβ she promised βI wonβt go anywhere without them or without youβ
Sanskar nodded, looking deeply into her eyes. She leaned in a bit and kissed his forehead gently before moving back and looking at him. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against her. The only thought running in his head, as they fell asleep in that position, was that he wasnβt going to let anything happen to her. He loved her too much to let anyone hurt her.
Precap – what will sanskar do?
*****************
Links to previous chapters
https://www.tellyupdates.com/?s=red+string+of+fate+%28ragsan%29
126 Comments
Hats off to you dear..it’s such a fabulous episode..ragsan scenes were amazing..nd ranveer’s concern for ragini was awsm..eagerly waiting for nxt prt
thanks so much rakhi dear…..v v happy u are loving this…..taking a bow for your compliments…..thanks dear…….glad u loved all the scenes π π
Omg what a lovely epi what an adorable couple! !! Anyways it’s amazing.
thanks so much megha dear….v happy u loved the epi…and our adorable couple…haha π π
I loved it alottttt
u r a fab writter
love u dear
thanks so much venni ……love u too…..u r always there to comment and appreciate me. thanks for that dear….big big hug π π
I can’t stop following in love with this ff even more now.. Because the way you wrote each sentence is making me fall in love with this ff even more, you’re the best aha~Nusz
thanks so much nusz dear….u write some amazing stories urself so it is great to read this from u π love u dear…..u r the best too!! big big hug
Astoundingly MYSTERIOUS…that is what this epi means to me in the 1st half…truly di u have set my mind racing in such lightening speed as to who planned the attack??? I m taking a wild guess here, as Sanskar who would Swara help in this plan…this sentence made me think…Swara was a pampered brat, as she already knew about the background of Sanky’s family and her being the illegitimate daughter of Shekhar, the Maheswaris wouldn’t have accept her as their bahu come what may, they would still considered Sanky marrying Ragini for the truce even if Swara was alive…so she might have been concerned about that, hence Shekhar stepped into the picture and as he can do anything for his darling daughter Swara, he made up his mind to take out Ragini from the way which would leave no more obstacle in Sanky and Swara’s marriage and Maheswaris ll agree to it too one day as they had to do the peace truce or it might be planned by Sharmishtha but her motive may be same or diff l m not sure,so this is my faltu detectivegiri…l know u ll haveve an amazing smart tale about up ur sleeve to give us zor ka jhatka…and l ll wait with bated breath till then…
Coming to second part, l was smiling like an idiot reading each and every lines…Sanky and Ragini’s concern for each other so beautifully described and realistically depicted…m spellbound…at last Sanky realised his feelings of love for his bestie…HURRAY!!! Can’t wait to see when Ragini does the same…Also ur description of Sanky’s changed feelings about his room…about how homely it had become is beyond my imagination, such soulful writing….Hats off di u r truly a great writer???
How r u? Hope u r doing great….Thanks for such a looooonnnnngggggg update l m very happy???
U asked me about studies,it is going alri8 but m tensed with the fact of NEET 2, u might be knowing about it already as it’s the hot news now…m having nightmares now which r the exams they’re gonna consider and ll be able to give NEET 2 too or not…Aaahhh these court tussles is gonna break my head one day???
Di, l ll be commenting in this name from now on, it is also a nickname of mine just like Adu….and u can still call me Adu too…l actually comment under this name in 1or 2 ffs and a show’s page, so thought of doing so here too…Can u please tell me to read ur stories in wattpad do l have to open an account??? What’s ur name there? And r u in fb??? Bcoz it is the only social networking site l m in( and that very inactive at that) but still l ll send u a friend request but only if u feel comfortable,do share…
Lots of love and big big big teddy bear hugs for u?????
So SORRY…my comment is ridiculously filled with grammatical errors as l typed in a hurry as my mother was yelling at me for not doing some stuff…please pardon me for that and l hope u get the gist of it…Sorry again…bye-bye
hahaha….that happens to me as well…i have typos in this update for e.g….;)
let me start by staying a big big teddy bear hug for this…..i am feeling on top of the world and it is because of your one hell of a comment! and adu dear, i love this nickname nupur too…it is beautiful. bless u dear! i am so so glad i have ur mind racings…that is the fun of the mystery stories write…..they make u think and not just feel. i wont say anything about ur guess right now……;) π there would be no fun in that right….u have to tell me if that was zor ka jatka when u feel it π π ……i seem to have achieved something wonderful today…..something i am very happy and found of…..u were smiling like crazy huh?? v v v v happy to have done that…..it amazing feeling to know that u work can make someone happy and spread a smile on their face. i am glad u liked the way it was depicted..and even more so that u felt it would soulful. trust me i was a bit emotional writing this one as i felt the scene….so i am glad it came through in the words as well.
i am going great….thanks to all ur comments. u guys made my sunday. don’t worry about neet2….it happens a lot in out country right…as long as u are prepared it will be fine. just don’t let is demotivate, depress or frustrate you…..know that u have already prepared well… don’t get thinking negative about it, okay?
i am new to wattpad so i don’t know exactly if you can read without login…..i think u might need to create a login if i am not mistaken but it was a 2 min job for me to create a login…they don’t need more details other that username, pwd and email. my id there is foresight_azure. i was on fb once, but after first few days i really found it boring beyond reason so didnt go there for months and then shutdown the id after a yr…..i guess u feel the same since u are inactive there urself. u know what, u can pm/private message me on india forums (id is foresight) or there is private message system in wattpad as well…i know we don’t have it here…so we can converse there very easily.
lot of love and big teddy bear hug back at you.
OMG… swaraaaaa.. unbelievable, the convoo btw ranveer and sanskar was very much brilliant.. can see his love, concern fr rangini.. and he finally found out that attraction turned to LUV.. hope the same fr ragini.. is swara the reason fr attack?? im really suprised abt that..
thanks so much dear…..am glad u found it brilliant….and yes finally he is in LUVVVVV π π sanskar feels it was fishy what happened with swara ….and so they need to investigate it….right now the problem is that the person who could give all the info is dead and sanskar who is trying to find answers has realised he doesnt know her all that well…so he is trying to piece all the pieces in this jigsaw together so that they can know if ragini is in danger still……that there was something going on there is clear….because of the packets….but was it just a prank or linked to ragini remains to be seen…they need evidence either ways to choose which was the case.
Really very nice and heart touching story
thanks so much piyashree….i am really glad u liked it and found it touching…thanks dear!
spechlesss no words can describe it
amazinggggg
thanks so much kavya dear….i am really glad u loved it so much…big big thanks dear.
Awsm epi…u nailed it…..no words to decribe how awsm epi it was….
thanks so much kriya dear…v v happy that i nailed it for us and u loved it….big big thanks and hug to u for your compliments dear.
Azure……….its amazing………your ff is different from others…….i am getting addicted to your ff……..the way u write….its more professional………i want to see ragini also feeling the same for sanskar…………..
thanks so much for saying that sherin……it feels wonderful as writer to know that ur work is different and even more that u are addicted to it……i am really so very happy to know u feel it is up to professional quality….i am really really touched…..big big big hug to you dear. and ragini and her feelings….hmmm…u will know soon π
Superb
thanks so much mamu dear π π π
Yar seriously hands off to u for ur writtng skills…. nd u explain a single emotion so well… just love ur ff or may be adicted …. love the concern nd love of sanskar for ragini….simply just awesome nd mind blowing ??
thanks so so much piya…..v v happy that i have been able to convey each emotion properly……u r so sweet dear….thanks for loving it so much that u are addicted to it….and thanks for ur wonderful words about my writing skills……big big hug!!! i am happy sanskar is so concerned about her and loved her too!! π
Big big hugs for ur overwhelming love n response to this update. I am going to reply to each one of u lovelies after a quick Sunday seista ….hope that is ok…..big big thx n lots of love…… And about wattpad my id is foresight_azure
your episode was mindblowing .i loved it so much
thanks so much for your wonderful compliment on the epi dear…..glad u loved it….big thanks π π
actually I didn’t excepted last part bt I luved it so much
awsm update
hahaha…..unexpected surprise…..but i am really glad u loved it so much ….thnaks so much kalai dear…..big big thanks!
Wow its amazing…….
Finally there is something hanging sanskaar towards ragini.
All the things are making both two feel for each other
It was quite impressive of sanskaars saying about raginis dream as his also
Waiting for next part….
Loved your ff???
You’re writing skills is great.
thanks so much vyshu dear……yes finally sanskar is in love with ragini….crazily in love! they both are showing how much they mean to each other through actions….even if not through words π he loves her a lot that her happiness is his happiness as well now π thanks so much for loving my writing skills dear….feels great to read it as writer π π big big thanks
Awesome episode wating 4 next update
thanks so much sachami…..glad u loved it….big thanks for ur comment π
Please give Sunday special if possible
i will try swati dear…i will try to start writing in some time…..may not be able to promise that i will be able to complete it unfortunately…but will try for sure π
Awesome can’t wait for Nxt part plz update it soon
thanks so much Akriti…..glad u liked the epi…..i will try to update the next one soon….will be starting to write in some time π lets see if i can finish it today.
Hey it was beautiful… M a swasan fan… I myself don’t know y I read this… But itz beautifully written… I never read any ragsan ff… Lol neither I read itz earlier parts.. I just read it randomly… N I hv no regret in reading this… Nyc work ???
thanks so much meher for reading this….i was once a swasan fan and wrote many pics on them but then lost inspiration with the current track. it is my first experience of writing ragsan because i like sanskar and ragini the most…but i have throughly enjoyed it. it means a lot to know that despite you not reading ragsan fics usually you read this one and you liked my writing. thanks so much dear. π π
Yup itz my first ever ragsan episode I ever read… Before this I hv only read an one shot…
N I found ur writing worth to be praised…
I think m gonna read this actually ???
thanks so much dear π π
I musy god blessed with u with awsm writing skill.u beautify showed his care and concern for her.proud say big fan of u nd ur ff
thanks so much dear….i am really glad u liked his caring and also this part…big big thanks and hug for your kind wishes…can never have enough blessings. and thanks for liking my writing skills. i am proud to have fans like you who are proud to read my stories…i mean it from the bottom of my heart…..u are the reason why i am still crazy thinking about the ff and what next i want to write in it literally most of my free time…..big thanks π π
Awesome di the whole epi was nyc I felt one part funny that is swara will not put one dress another time shekar kept her like a princdsstβΊβΊβΊβΊβΊ and first step of love restlessness hahaa???? and the last part was so emotional and touching ragsan scenes are so cute βΊβΊ is that like frndshp or love i couldnt diff big big hug to you love u loads i cant appreciate u more tdy as i m feeling tired after outing sry for that promise i l appreciate u alot at next part???? gud nyt di
hey don’t say sorry about this….i am glad u took out time to write this despite being tired….it means a lot….and i do look forward to your comments. big teddy bear hug to you sweety….and i am really glad u liked it ….trust me i know some people who would not want to repeat the outfit they wore for an occasion again….there are many princess in this world. i am glad u liked the last part…i felt very emotional writing it…as i was trying to portray it the best i could.
Ok di and about that websites I l try my level best to open it I should take my bro’s help if he give permission I l join and u did ur best in the next level at the last part di???
don’t worry dear….completely find if you cannot. i will try to talk to you here as much as i can. okay. tc
You really have a very impressive writing style.. Superb.. I am big fan of ur ff…earely waiting
thanks so much abi……v happy u liked my writing style…and thanks for loving the story enough to be a fan…..really feel good reading that as a writer. big big thanks for it.
Diiii what do you eat? plzzzz tell me.. okay if you cant then accept my gratitude for giving us such a pleasure … need to learn alot of thingFrom you.. your command on pen is worth to be praised!! l a crazy reader of yours… nupur/adu suggested me to read ur ff and I am seriously grateful to her for that… made my day diii…. π π
hahahah…..all the possible junk food in the world if u listen to my mom….thanks so much for you praise and the wonderful compliments. i am really glad u liked the way i write. and i am happier to have a reader like yours….i am glad i made ur day with this update. big big thanks for your wonderful words dear. π π
plz post d nxt part soon π
done π
I have just finished typing the next chapter and have posted it. thanks for waiting
Hey Azure. I guess I am pretty late x
Anyway, I just started reading ur fanfic as many of my Ragsan readers suggested and although I am not a very big fan of Ragsan as a romantic couple I loved this story so so so so so much. And the way you’ve weaved it, guess they are perfect <3<3 together in this ff
And I have become ur jabra fan from today ?
Love you sweetie. And waiting fir the next chapter. TU should post it real quick.
Anuuuuu plzzzz update fixing broken souls. Suspense is not letting me sleep ?
thanks so so much Anu……it was really really sweet of u to read the ff even though ur aren’t a big fan of ragsan….it means a lot that u still took out the time to read this and loved it so much …..i am really glad u liked my writing style…i have heard about ur ff too and need to get reading it soon..no excuses for the delay there…i am hoping to get to it soon..this is my first experience at ragsan story….so it is good to know i have managed to make them right for each other. big big hug dear…..and ur comment has me on cloud 9 ..it is amazing to have as well recommended writer as you say that u are a fan:) π