Teri Ore…..
“Good morning” Ragini screeched greeting Ravi who opened the door. “Naku” he smiled widely. She entered the house and Raj entered behind her holding the bags. Ravi hugged her and she reciprocated the hug. “How are you?” he asked caressing her face. His eyes moved to the band aid on her forehead and his eyes widened. “What’s this?” asked he holding her shoulder.
“Ouch Ravi Bhai careful” she winced in pain when Ravi’s hand touched her paining shoulder. Raj dropped the bags and approached her. “Hey hey relax Biwi” said he and rubbed her shoulder. He felt a strong hold on his collar suddenly.
“Ravi Bhai” Ragini looked at Ravi who was fuming holding Raj’s collar furiously. “What have you done to my Naku ha? Did you heart like earlier?” he screamed deafening Raj. “Ravi” Rajesh who walked to the hall dragged him away from Raj.
Raj who composed himself looked at Ravi panting for breath. “Ravi Bhai. It was not him” said Ragini consoling Raj. “Then who? Your in laws? Tell me who did this I will their bodies apart” said Ravi fuming. “Bhai” Ragini screamed to snap him. “Don’t you watch news channels?” Raj asked confused. “No we don’t only Dad reads news paper and it hasn’t arrived yet. But it has to do with the situation?” Ravi asked annoyed.
“Wo sherni Biwi you have won a war and come look at your non informant family” Raj looked at Ragini who was just cooling him. Then Raj explained him everything when all the family members gathered.
“Ragu bacha” Supriya hugged Ragini and smiled with her tear filled eyes. “I’m so proud of you” Ranjit side hugged her. Simi caressed her cheek kissing her forehead. Ragini walked to her Chachu who hugged her immediately. “My Gudiya is the strongest. Haven’t I told this so many times” he wiped his tears and Ragini nodded her head in his embrace.
“Ragu dee” Nikit called standing beside Rajesh. He signed her to bend and she complied. He surprised her with the kiss on her cheek. “Awww mela chotu” “Ragu dee don’t call me that na” he stamped his foot. Ragini held his chin and kissed his cheek and ruffled his hair.
Niya hit Ravi’s shoulder with her shoulder when he looked at her she signed him to apologize to Raj. He sighed and walked towards Raj. “I…” “That’s okay Saale Saab” said Raj hugging Ravi who widened his eyes surprise. “I know how much you love your Naku and I have gained that grudge as I have hurt her many a times in the past but today I want to thank you” said he looking at Ravi who was confused.
“Thank you for holding her whenever she fell. Thank you for healing her wounds which I gave her, Thank you for making her strong” Raj smiled widely and Ravi could not help but smile. He finally could accept that Raj was the best thing happened to his Naku.
The Godh Bharayi of Niya went smoothly and all the family members were happy to celebrate the baby shower of the new kid who will be in their lives soon.
Dil kho gaya ho gaya kisi ka…… Abb rasta mil gaya khushi ka
Ankho me hai khwaba sa kisi ka …Abb rasta mil gaya khushi ka
Rishta naya rabba ….. Dil chu raha hai… Kheenche mujhe koi dor teri ore
Teri ore Teri ore teri ore haye Rabba teri ore teri ore teri ore
Ragini sang dancing with Raj who was all smiles looking at Ragini.
***.***
“Biwi” he rubbed her shoulder when she cuddled in his arms. “Hmm Pathi ji” said she looking up at him. “If I have to fulfill your one wish what would it be?” asked he looking into her eyes.
“Ummm let me think what I need” she placed her finger on her chin.
“Nothing. I don’t need anything in my life other than your presence around me” she kissed his cheek. He smiled widely with the dimples etching on his cheeks.
“But I need something from you” he said and she looked at him confused. “Whatever is mine all of its is yours only Pathi ji” said she ruffling his hair. “But there is one thing which I need” he said and she looked at him. He moved his hand to her stomach and she felt butterflies running in her veins.
“Here is she. She will be with us in few months and I want you to take care of her” said he. “What?” she looked at him confused. “You must be the first girl whom your husband is revealing this. You are pregnant” said he and her eyes widened in shock and she sat up with a jerk.
“Are you kidding me?” asked she. “Do I look like I am?” asked he sitting beside her. “I… I can’t believe this” she said tears fighting to trip out of her eyes. “When? I mean how do you know?” asked she. “You remember you fainted yesterday that time doctor confirmed your pregnancy. But I wanted to reveal it to you in a special way. I’m sorry if I disappointed you” he said looking down.
She cupped his face and pecked his lips. “You know what you are such budhu pati” she smiled through her tears and he dragged her into a warm hug.
***.***
Ragini was buying the vegetables in the market where she met Rashi again. “Hey Rashi” she greeted her. “You know you should not come out in this situation” said Ragini pointing at her baby bump. Rashi gave her a sad smile.
“Dad wasn’t well so I have to come for shopping” said she reasoning. “You live with your dad?” Ragini found it odd a bit but then she cursed herself for asking that question. She did not wanted to be judgmental. “I’m sorry I know I shouldn’t have said that” said she apologetically.
“No that’s okay. Actually I’m divorced so” she refrained herself from continuing the topic. “You know something?” Ragini held her hand. “You are very brave. At this stage if you could come out of the wedlock you are really brave” said she smiling. “I hope I’m one” said she with a smile. Ragini patted her hand.
“Come I will drop you to your home” said Ragini helping her. Rashi initially refused but gave in to Ragini’s pleading. She dropped Rashi at her home and moved to her home.
“Who let her go out?” Raj fumed crossing his arms. “Raj beta we tried but she did not listen” said Sunita. He felt Ragini’s hand on his stomach. He still maintained the stiff face and turned other side. Sunita signed Sanjay and Dadaji and they walked inside leaving the husband and wife in the hall.
Ragini kissed his cheek. “I’m still pissed off” said he and she nuzzled his nose with hers. “You look cute with that chotu sa anger on your cutie wala nose” she said and he smiled nodding his head. “Why do you do this?” he held her hand and dragged her facing him. “Do what?” asked she.
“Not listening to me. I told you don’t go out without me” he said looking at her. “Don’t blame me. Blame your daughter” she pointed at her stomach. “She wanted to eat apples and all there were no apples in the house. And you were sleeping. I did not wanted to disturb you” she cutely pouted at him.
He dragged her and her hands covered his stomach. “Next time promise me you will wake me up if you want to explore things like this” said he and she nodded her head.
***.***
Ragini was standing beside Niya’s bed waiting for her turn to hold the baby. “Ohho Bhai. You already finished your turn move back” said Ragini pushing Ranjit. She smiled at Niya and walked to her and sat beside her on the bed. She touched the baby’s head.
“She is so cute” said Ragini as the baby moved in sleep. “Just like you” said Niya and Ragini hugged her and then Niya handed her the baby. “Meechu see behna” said Ragini forwarding the baby to Mishal who was standing beside her holding the bed. He moved his hand to touch the baby.
Rajesh watched them and Ravi and Ragini’s childhood felt alive in front of him. “No flooding today” said Supriya side hugging him and he buried his face in her shoulder.
“Has anyone are O negative here?” a man popped inside their room. “Uncle” Ragini recognized Rashi’s father. “Ragini beta… Thank God you are here. See Rashi needs O negative blood. Please check with your contacts” he said walking to her.
“Rajeev” Supriya held herself with tears streaming down her cheek and he turned to the familiar voice.
***.****
Supriya watched her daughter who was pierced with the needle and her blood was being sucked and collected in a packet.
She felt his presence beside her. She wondered how can after so many years also she could recognize his presence around her.
“You know Rajeev. The baby who could have died because of you is saving your daughter today. Did you ever thought it?” she smiled sarcastically. “Supriya” she closed her eyes and the lone tear tripped her eye.
“I regret for all my deeds but I never had the courage to return to you” said he painfully looking at her. “Good that you never returned. Because I would have never known that I could survive without you. I would have never known I can make my daughter so strong” she pointed at Ragini.
“I know I don’t deserve a chance but can’t we start again afresh” he asked her. “I’m sorry if I do that I will snatch that confidence I gave to my daughter. She is what she is because you are not in our life. And if I accept you back it is like surrendering to those non sense customs which says that women cannot survive without men. And I will never wish to set a wrong example for my kids” she said determined.
“Sasu mom” Raj held her shoulders. “You know I always wondered how Ragini has so much courage but now I realize that she is your daughter a strong woman who have fought this world alone and who will continue to do that. I’m so damn proud of you” said he rubbing her shoulders and she buried her face in his hold.
They both turned to look at Ragini. She just stared at the blood packet.
***.***
Ragini sat beside Rashi caressing her hair. The baby in the cradle moved and Ragini smiled looking at it. She walked to the cradle and picked the baby in her arms.
“Hey baby. You know today only I came to know that I’m your masi” she smiled through her tears. The baby smiled at her and she chuckled looking at it. “But I’m sorry I will never meet you again. Stay strong and you have to take care of mumma from now” she looked at still sleeping Rashi.
She placed the baby beside her and kissed Rashi’s head who smiled in her sleep. “Thank you” she heard Rajeev’s voice and turned to him. “No need of all that Uncle” she pressed the last word.
“I’m your dad beta” he walked to her and she stopped him with her palm. “You call yourself my dad. Tell me one thing as a father you have done to me. Just one damn thing” she fought her tears. “Come” she dragged him holding his hand.
“He is my dad” she pointed at Rajesh. “You know I never wanted you back in my life because I could not imagine anyone in his place calling me his Gudiya I did not wanted” she nodded her head. “He is my dad” she pointed at Sanjay.
“He loved me more than he loved his son. He considered me not is daughter in law but his own daughter. He sensed my sadness before I could even say. I seriously don’t want anyone to take his place in my life to take care of me. I don’t want” she looked at him with tears brimming her face.
“I don’t need you in my life Mr. Rajeev Gadodia. Neither my mother needs you nor anyone of my family” Raj supported her.
Rajeev walked from there and Ragini turned and hugged Raj tightly letting the tears flow out of her eyes. He rocked her in his embrace and caressed her hair.
***.***
Days moved fast and there was a princess who landed in Raj and Ragini’s life and added the sparks to their lives.
“Raj… Raj see your princess is crying” screamed Ragini trying to console her daughter. “Awww mela baby” Raj took her in his arms and she stopped crying. “Gosh Papa ki chamchi” Ragini twisted her lips looking at her daughter who clapped her hands happy.
Raj kissed her head and Ragini leaned her head on Raj’s shoulder and he kissed her forehead. She adjusted her head smiling closing her eyes. He talked to his little princess who was smiling at him.
“Have you thought about her name?” asked Ragini making her wear the anklets Rajesh had gifted her. “Hmm from the day I discovered she is in your womb that day only” said he playing with her. “How did you know then that it will be a girl?” asked Ragini confused.
“I knew I could feel my Gudiya’s heart beat. My Ragvi’s presence” he smiled and Ragini kissed her husband’s cheek and placed her head on his shoulder and adored her daughter who was happy to have her dad with her.
***.***
Life is full of regrets if you count. And life is full of blessings if you look in a different way. The way you look at it matters than what it offers to you.
Cherish what you have than running behind a day dream, who knows the reality may be more beautiful than the dream you chase.
****.****
So finally it ends. Thank you so much for being a part of this and supporting me.
Love
Sally ?