It’s been a week that Ragini had seen Sanskar. She don’t even know if he is discharged from the Hospital. She has been restless all these days not able to get a slight clue about his health. At office she could hardly concentrate on work.
Riya had been asking her the reason from the day she found her behavior strange. But she used to avoid the topic smartly.
Riya kept her busy all day so that her mind diverts. Ragini was busy typing a file on her system. She felt a tall figure staring her. She moved her gaze and found Sanskar smiling at her. Her eye brows cocked up due to confusion.
“Oye Barbie Doll” Tarun’s voice made her shudder. “Where are you lost?” he asked sitting on his work desk. “No where” she smiled weakly and turned her gaze to the system realizing that she was dreaming about Sanskar. Tarun looked at her confused and asked Riya through eyes what happened to her. Riya shrugged her shoulders.
His intercom rang moving his gaze away from Ragini. “Yes Sir” he placed the receiver back and walked inside Sahil’s cabin with a file. “Excuse me sir?” he peeped inside and when Sahil signed him to enter he walked inside and handed the file to Sahil.
Sahil gazed at the file papers and something made him frown. “Tarun. Hadn’t I told you that day itself to take Sanskar’s sign. You know how important this deal is. We have to send the investors the scanned copy of this file by evening” Sahil’s face clearly showed his annoyance.
“S…Sir. Actually that day when you finished giving instruction and came out at the same time Sanskar Sir met with an accident” Tarun spoke hesitantly which softened Sahil’s face. “Fine tell Ms. Asthana to get his signature. He has been discharged and is at home with clear instructions for bed rest. If it wouldn’t have been so important I would have never disturbed him. But now we don’t have a choice” he closed the file and handed it to Tarun.
“Ms. Asthana?” he asked. “You aren’t out of your past isn’t it? She is his secretory and she is supposed to do all this stuff” he casually spoke and looked at the next file on his desk without waiting for Tarun’s reply. “I just hope Siyappa Queen doesn’t create a Siyappa there” he spoke softly as he walked out of Sahil’s cabin.
****.****
The sun was reflecting on the name plate “RAWAT’S” outside an enormous Bungalow. Ragini got out the auto and turned after paying the fare. She played with her bag’s stripe as she glanced at the heavenly Bungalow in front of her. It had surrounded with a huge garden.
She walked inside after talking to the Security who saw the permission letter from Sahil which had his sign and seal of the company. He had even called and informed about her arrival earlier only.
“Sanky” Pari patted on Sanskar’s head who choked over his food. “Can’t you be careful” she looked at him annoyed.

“W.. what am I supposed to do when people curse me so badly” he spoke in between his coughs. “So why do you do such works then” a lady walked inside the room holding a glass of juice.
“What do you mean Anji Bhabi. At least I’m less khadus than your husband” he twisted his lips. She placed the glass on the table near by and helped Pari to sit on the sofa.

“Whatever at least my husband will not crash himself to a truck for a girl” he looked at her with wide eyes.
His eyes moved to Pari who looked at him with a suspicious look. He smiled at her sheepishly. “Bhabi who feeds you all this wrong information. I crashed myself not for that Bak bak ki dukan but for Ansh” “Ohhh” the twin sisters spoke in unison and he realized what he said. “Delete. I did not mention about any girl” he spoke and they both burst out laughing.
“Ahhh” Pari held her stomach. “Jeeji what happened?” Anjali asked concerned. “I… I don’t know” she said with a twitched face. Sanskar was about to get up and walk to her but stopped when he saw Ragini walking inside immediately.
“Ma’am… Ma’am. Don’t panic. Just breath in… breath out” she held Pari. Nobody had the time to realize what exactly was happening. Pari did as Ragini said and her pain vanished. “Still in your seventh month isn’t it? This happens. Just relax and your baby will be fine” Ragini smiled at her.
Pari caressed her cheek lovingly. “By the way sorry to be rude but who are you?” asked Anjali. Sanskar who landed back in reality was about to say but Ragini interrupted him.

“Oh please Dumbledore I can give my introduction” Anjali and Pari looked at Sanskar who stood like a small kid who had been scolded by his teacher. Their mouth formed an ‘O’

“Hello. My name is Ragini. I’m Mr. Dumbledore…” she bit her tongue. “I’m sorry. Mr. Sanskar Rawat’s secretory” she said with a wide smile. Pari and Anjali’s gaze moved to her and then to Sanskar.
“Oh you are the girl?” asked Anjali. “Was that a question or realization?” asked Ragini confused. “It more looks like realization though a late one” said Pari.
“And thank you so much for getting me out of that panic attack” Pari spoke thankfully. “Mention not. I’m expert in it” she said proudly.
“Of course Ms. Bak Bak is expert in over over over talking also” Sanskar crossed his arms. “Hello I talk from my mouth what’s your problem?” she asked him. “Problem is my ears bleed hearing your voice” he said looking away. “So close them. Mai tho aisi hi hu. Though you like it or not” she said proudly.
“I can’t believe our Sansky argues also” said Pari muffling with her laughter. Sanskar’s face flushed in embarrassment when he saw his two bhabis teasing him. “By the way I don’t have faltu ka time to waste on Mr. Rudo. Sahil sir told me to get your signatures on these papers.” she forwarded the file.
He grabbed the file and signed it and handed it back to her. She received it and twisted her lips. “Chalo have some tea. You have come to our house for the first time” said Pari who stood up holding her baby bump. “Oh no no Ma’am. please don’t bother. I’m okay” said she smiling.
“Actually Jeeji never lets any guest go out without having tea. So you are trapped” said Anjali. Ragini pouted at both of them. “Isn’t she cute?” asked Anjali pulling her nose. Sanskar whose gaze fell on her cute face unknowingly smiled at her.
“From how many years are you working?” asked Pari. “This is my first job” she said happily. “And worst boss” she whispered. “I heard that” said Sanskar. “So only I said” she said shrugging her shoulders. His face turned annoyed and Anjali and Pari enjoyed his condition.
“Waise how do you know about pregnancy so much. I mean you work in office and say this is your first job. And looking at you I don’t feel that you are even married” Pari spoke holding her chin.
A memory passed her hard skull. Something which was not clear. Suddenly it felt clear a bit. She was smiling walking over a corridor. What surprised her was she was wearing a doctor’s coat and a stethoscope hanging around her neck.
Her head span for a moment and she held it tightly. Her other hand closed to form a fist which she squeezed as hard as she could.
Her body was about to touch the ground but two strong arms held her. It brought another vision to play in her mind. It was dark and he was patting her cheek. He looked like a stranger suddenly.
“Ragini…” he patted her cheek and she was snapped out of her vision to reality. “You are okay?” asked he as he made her sit on the sofa. “You are okay?” asked Pari worried. “Yeah I..I’m just fine” she said trying to gather herself.
She drank the water Anjali gave her. “I think you need a doctor” Sanskar swiftly moved to his bed when she held his wrist. “I’m alright” she said and he knelt in front of her. “You don’t look like one” he said concerned. Anjali signed Pari to observe the facial changes on Sanskar’s face. Pari looked at him. His forehead had formed thick lines. She hadn’t witnessed it over the years.
This made her worry. Though Kavya and Sanskar’s marriage had been postponed but it was just a week away. And the feelings which were visible on his face could destroy everything. Everything in the sense their entire family.
“You had food in the morning?” asked Sanskar. “I skipped break fast as I slept extra five minutes. And you know how bad bad punctual Sahil sir is” her words made Sanskar chuckle a bit. “Bhabi” he turned to Anjali who smiled at him and walked out.
“I will check on Adarsh” said Pari excusing herself. She stood at the door and watched Sanskar who was smiling at Ragini’s cute antics. “Wish she could have come a bit earlier in my Sanky’s life. His wounds have been healed by this time. She just makes him forget his grief” Pari spoke in her mind and walked out wiping the lone tear at the corner of her eye.
“Oh so what. You should always keep a biscuit packet” Sanskar spoke. “I don’t like biscuits. They stuck to the teeth” she said making face. “Why you have tooth decay?” asked he. She smiled at him sheepishly like a small kid. “Chocolates” he nodded his head.
“I love chocolates” she said chirping. He smiled at her nodding his head. He walked to the side table near his bed and after few seconds walked back to her.
His smolder made her heart race when he knelt in front of her again. “Tan ta da” he forwarded a Dairy milk chocolate to her. Her eyes went wide with surprise. “Chocolate. Seriously. Mr. Karela Rawat keeps chocolates in his side table drawer” she looked at him with sparkling eyes.
“I kept it for Ansh. He was supposed to come morning but I think he will arrive in the evening” said Sanskar. Anjali walked inside with a tray. “And here is the breakfast” said she placing it on the table. “I seriously don’t want to bother you. Pleas ma’am” Ragini said embarrassed.
“First thing, first don’t call me ma’am. Call me dee” said she smiling. She started walking to the door. “Thanks Anji Bhabi” said Sanskar and she gave him a teasing look and walked out.
When he moved his gaze back to Ragini he felt her deeply engrossed in thoughts. “Like seriously. Ms. Dumb head thinks also” his mocking voice brought her to reality.
“Yeah as I’m not Dumbledore” she teased him. He fumed but at last smiled at her when found her munching the food excitedly.
*****.*****
He was watching the calm moon which was smiling even though it was covered with darkness. How can someone be so calm though they will be burning inside. He smiled sarcastically.
“She is good” he heard her voice which confused him for a moment. He turned left over his shoulder and found Pari standing there smilingly looking at the moon. “Bhabi she is just…” “You love her don’t you?” she looked into his eyes.
“No bhabi what are you talking? I’m engaged to Kavya” he looked away. She held his shoulder and turned him. “Say it looking at me” she demanded cupping his face. He buried his face in her shoulder. “She and Yohan are committed bhabi and I’m engaged to Kavya and it’s all complicated” said he as he faced her with tears in his eyes.
“Love can’t be without complications” she smiled wiping his tears. “You love her and if you marry Kavya with those emotions for someone else you will spoil her life. I hope you don’t want to spoil your best friend’s life” she said. “I’m out of these emotions bhabi. For me now most important is the deal which Dayal uncle presented. At this stage our company can’t hold the losses. And this marriage is the key for getting out of this financial turmoil” he spoke wiping his tears.
“You can’t plan your life Sanky. I had told you earlier also this. You cannot control life” she said painfully looking at him.
“I’m Sanskar Rawat bhabi. And I can do this” he said stiffly. “Yeah you forgot what happened last time?” she asked and he froze in his place.
“Mumma” a small kid of two years yelled at the door of the terrace. “Ani…” she walked and picked her up. “Think about it again” she said and walked down to her room.
She patted her daughter’s back who fell in sleep in some time. She felt his lips over her ears. She moved her shoulder to close her ears.

“Adi…” she complained. “Haa Jaan” he said nuzzling his nose against her hair.
“She is turning pale day by day” he caressed his daughter’s hair. Pari held her stomach.

“Jaan are you okay?” he asked turning her. “I sometimes feel my kid will hate me” she said as her voice cracked.
He wiped her tears and kissed her forehead. “He or she loves you and will always love you” he said caressing her stomach.

“He or she will be proud when they will know your reason” said Adarsh smiling. He touched her forehead with his. She smiled closing her eyes.
****.****
Anjali walked inside her room and stuck a sticky note on the board and walked to her bed. Kishan who entered the room took the note and read it “Mom told to call back when you reach. Your phone was not reachable – Stranger wife” he looked at Anjali who was walking out of the wash room tying her hair.
She knew he had arrived but did not look up. She applied the night cream and lied on her bed and turned off the table lamp. He walked to the balcony and dialed his mother’s number.
“Hello… Ha mom” he spoke as AP picked the call. “He is fine…” he stopped himself from blurting ‘I guess’ and smiled. “Okay. Take care and love you” he said and disconnected the call and walked inside the room. He held the sticky note and wrote – “Thanks. I spoke to her. She was worried for Sanky and I told her he is fine- From stranger husband” he walked to the dressing table after sticking it and started loosening the tie.
His eyes fell on her through the mirror.
“Yess” he stood up and hugged her in happiness as she accepted his proposal.
“I hate you. And I will always. Such a spineless man you….” she felt a sharp slap on her cheek which burned her. She looked at him tears streaming down her eyes.

Strangers….. Yeah from being lovers to strangers was a great journey indeed’ he mocked at his destiny.
He lied on his side of bed and faced his back to her. She opened her tear filled eyes in darkness. ‘Wish I could just run to you and hug you. I just wish’ she spoke in her mind.
***.****
“Ragu” Vikram stood beside her when she was watching the sky blankly. “Bhayyu” she smiled at him and gave him a side hug.
She was in deep thoughts. And her silence always pierced him and fear crept him. “What happened?” asked he caressing her hair.
“Bhayyu. How do we trust someone?” asked she. He smiled at her question. He knew his sister will never share her problems directly.
“Trust is very fragile” he looked at the sky. “Once broken can’t be rebuilt. So you have to be very careful when you trust someone” said he.
“Oh. But how will we know the person is trust worthy?” asked she. He smiled at her question. “You will feel it around the person just like that” said he. “Just like that?” asked she and he nodded his head and kissed her forehead.
“So now tell me what’s bothering you?” asked he.
“I’m not sure bhai. Something is weird. Like suddenly I feel the surrounding is new. Though I have been walking through the same road everyday” said she and it made his heart beat stop for a moment.
“And sometimes something or some people who are not around feels like they are and strangers feel like the known and known look strangers” she said and he was blank.
“Did you see anything?” asked he worried. “No… I’m not clear….” she said looking at him. ‘thank god’ he sighed.
“Bhayyu are you hiding anything from me?” she straightly asked which made him nervous.
“Haa. one thing I’m hiding” said he. “What?” asked she with eyes wide.
“That you are looking like a chudail at this time” he burst out laughing and she chased him around.
****.****
I think the cast is clear. If not in case:
Drashti dhami as Parinita Adarsh Rawat and Anjali Kishan Rawat.
Vivian D’sna as Adarsh Rawat
Gurmeet Choudhary as Kishan Rawat.
Adarsh is the eldest son then Kishan and then Sanskar of DP and AP.
Parinita and Anjali are identical twins.
Anisha urf Ani is three years daughter of Adarsh and Parinita .
I don’t know whether this story is worth the praise it’s garnering.
Love you guys
Sally ?