Raglak: Sakhi Saiyaan (Chapter: 4)

Hello Guys, Bela is back (late again :P)

Sorry for being late, no excuses, I am on a sort of a holiday so I was just being lazy. ?????

A very very Happy Birthday to our beautiful, charming and talented Tejasswi Prakash Wayangankar. May your new show achieve great heights and you yourself get the love and support you always deserved. Lots of love.???

And to all my readers, a very very Happy Ramadan. May this holy month wash away all your sins and sorrow and bring to you prosperity and joy.??

So here is for you all nice and patient readers, Sakhi Saiyaan by me of course ?

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I held the papers in my hand as I went through them once again. They could be false too but somehow, my gut instinct was telling me that they weren’t. They were 100% accurate. Yet, I needed to confirm. I looked at the vial in my hand keenly, praying silently that what I assumed was true, for my Ragini’s sake.

“Mrs. Maheshwari, your turn.” The receptionist said to me, breaking my chain of thoughts. I nodded to her and stood up, adjusting the pallu of my sari. God knows why I decided to wear it in this scorching heat. Must be Ragini’s influence!

I entered the room and sat opposite to the ageing doctor sitting before me. I smiled sweetly, the smile which Ragini claims can make anyone jump off the terrace for me. I guess it had its effect as the doctor’s dull eyes brightened up.

“Dr. Sahay? My name is Swara. Actually, I am in a little problem and I need your help for it. I hope that this matter stays between us…………”

“Of course! It will be discreet. How can I help you?”

I smiled again, this time my own evil smile as I explained to her what had to be done. She nodded and took the vial I handed to her. I looked at her expectantly.

“You work would be done. The report would be delivered to you at your house tomorrow morning.”

I stared at the vial in her hand, having two separate bunches of hair in them: one of Lakshya’s and the other of Badi Maa’s (because Bade Papa doesn’t have hair na!). Ragini, my sweet and recently reformed sister had herself handed his hair to me, when I lied to her about donating it in a temple as an offering. Badi Maa’s hair was no issue, I found it in abundance on her comb. I looked back into her eyes and gave her a meaningful smile as I handed her an envelope containing her fee.

“I would be waiting!”

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I picked up the clothes Lakshya had left on his bed. He may be trying to change his habits but sometimes, he reverts back to his form. He was in the washroom, singing badly and bathing since half an hour.

His phone buzzed. Automatically, I looked towards it. It was a message. From Kavya.

‘Baby, any plans for tonight?’

I froze with shock, wishing I had never laid my eyes on it. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as an image of Lakshya and that actress-singer Kavya came to my mind. I controlled my tears as I heard the washroom door open. Lakshya came out, wiping his hair with a towel. He picked up his phone, smiled and texted something back as I put the clothes in the laundry basket. He turned to me.

“Ragini, I would be going out tonight. If anyone asks, say that I am with my friends.”

My blood boiled as I heard him. Is he insane? Will he take it for granted that I would tolerate the bullshit he throws at me? I took a deep breath again as I turned towards him and nodded. Then, something came to my mind and I asked him, “Kavya?”

He nodded to me with a smile, obviously thinking that I am his friend who would pat his back and say, ‘Bhai aaj to home-run maariyo!’ However, I am not his friend. I am just a wife who is serving her notice period. I smiled at him sarcastically.

“Good! She is a singer, isn’t she? Please ask her to give you some lessons in singing. I am to stay here for six months, I don’t want to leave as a deaf woman! I would have taught you myself but after my failure with our relationship, I have realised that I have no inclination of taking up hopeless projects, like I foolishly did with love!”

I smirked as I saw his eyes widen in shock as I picked up the basket and sashayed my way out of the room. As soon as I went out, I giggled with mad glee. Serves him right, that stupid bum! Am I a servant? Hain? Gone are the days when I would nod like a puppet. Just because I am trying to become the old Ragini, doesn’t mean that I would do everything I did earlier. Like Papa Ji said, I need to become the best of my both selfs. And standing up for myself is something I need to do more often. Especially if it is this fun!

I saw Swara walk down the hall, almost about to trip on her sari. I quickly went to her and saved her from falling. She smiled gently as she fell in my arms. We stayed like this for a few moments before a rather rude cough brought us to our senses.

“Umm..Swara? Please go and change into something more comfortable. I don’t mind if you don’t wear a sari.” Sanskaar said as he walked towards us. Swara nodded and went to her room while Sanskaar glared at me furiously.

“Wasn’t that supposed to be MY work? Holding Swara in my arms?” he said to me. I shrugged and picked up my basket. I turned towards him and replied with a sly smirk, “Had you not said to her what you just did, you would have had ample opportunities to do that!”

I controlled my laughter as Sanskaar turned an angry shade of red and quickly ran towards his room, undoubtedly to follow my idea. Rolling my eyes, I went to the launder to get the clothes washed.

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LALALA
Peeth meri tooti
Peeth meri tooti
Peeth meri tooti

Sanskaar sang in the tune of Beat Pe Booty as I applied Volini to his now aching back. Not my fault, who told him to grab me just like that? Naturally, my ‘Swara-Boss’ instincts rose and I pushed him hard, not knowing he was Sanskaar. He fell to the floor on his back and took me along, and I landed on his back just as he turned around after falling. What is it called? Double Dhamaka!

UUYYIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Sanskaar whined as I pressed his lower back a little. He glared daggers at me while I blinked.

“Swara, let us do some yoga from tomorrow!”

“Why?”

“Arrey, it is good for health. And maybe I can learn some asanas to cure this pain……..”

“Hmm. Good idea. I will tell Ragini to teach us, she got gold medal in yoga, state level!”

“No wonder she is so fit unlike……..”

“Unlike?”

“Unlike me! I mean, I am so thin! Maybe I need to start gymming. Make some body-shody to show off!”

“Hmm. True. You are as thin as a stick! Look at me, I am so fit……..”

“Chal Jhoothi!”

“WHAT?!”

“I mean to say……..you are not exactly fit. Like, umm, can you run constantly for ten minutes?”

“I can run my brain for even longer.”

“No that’s not what I mean………”

We heard a knock on our door and Sanskaar pulled down his shirt and sat up. I opened the door and saw Lakshya standing there with a peculiar expression on his face. Don’t take me wrong, his face is itself peculiar, but it looked more abnormal than usual.

“Can I come in?” he asked. I saw his face and recalled that he was dating a buddhi instead of focussing on my sister.

“No!” I said simply and shut the door on his face.

He started banging but I ignored him and went to Sanskaar who looked at me in confusion.

“Why did you do that Swara?”

“I don’t like him.”

“But he is my brother!”

“Not really…….”

“What?”

I froze. I didn’t just say that to him, did I? Damn! I quickly thought what to do.

“I mean Sanskaar, that you may be brothers but you are two totally different people. Just like how brothers or sisters aren’t.”

“Well, yes. I know I am more handsome……….”

“ABBEY DARWAZA KHOLO KOI!”

I groaned in frustration as I stood up, opened the door and walked off. Lakshya started following me.

“Hey, stop Swara! I want to talk to you.”

“Swara BHABHI!”

“Hain?”

“Yeah, just like how you call Pari Bhabhi as Bhabhi, call me that too.”

“But Sanskaar is only two months older……….”

“But he is. So call me bhabhi.”

“Okay fine, Swara bhabhi? Stop. I need to talk to you.”

I stopped and looked at him, ready to murder. He looked around and on spotting no one, leaned towards me. I stepped back.

“You know what is wrong with Ragini? She is just acting………..strange these days.”

“Nothing is wrong with her. She is absolutely fine. And have you come to get insulted by me just to ask about her welfare? When did you grow into such a thoughtful and responsible husband?”

“Well, I was worried you see. She was a bit rude to me today morning.”

“Must be your face. It is hideous.”

“What is wrong with you sisters? Why are you so mean?”

“We are Mean Girls!”

“And I am a poor guy who is your victim.”

“Ragini just uses her mouth, I can use my hands along as well!”

“Woah! Fine! I don’t understand why you don’t like me.”

“Ragini loved you, she didn’t exactly turn out happy, did she? So what is the use of liking you?”

“Umm…..okay. I am going. Bye Bhabhi.”

I ignored his farewell and stalked off. Secretly, I was pleased that Ragini was being rude to him. Serves that monkey right!

I saw her in the kitchen, doing something with the mangoes. Is she making mango shake? I smiled widely as I hopped into the kitchen. I frowned as I saw the contents on the counter. Cumin seeds, green mangoes, salt, mint. What sort of a mango shake is this?

“Ragini, what are you making?”

“Aam Panna.”

“What is that?”

“Something edible.”

“Fine, I will drink it.”

“I know.”

“How?”

“Because you never refuse anything to eat or drink!”

“Met Lakshya just now. He was worried for you, said that you were rude to him this morning. Good work!”

“He is very bad. He is going out with his girlfriend and wants me to cover up for him!”

“What? That………..don’t cover up for him. I repeat, DO NOT COVER UP FOR HIM. Let him get caught with that buddhi. Then he will know!”

“I don’t care.”

“But I do. Doesn’t he have shame? If people see him with that budiya……for God’s sake, she fakes her Bengali accent!”

“Swara, let it be. See, the Panna is ready. Here, take this glass.”

I let the matter go as I now had more important things to do. Like drinking this concoction called Aam Panna!

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The entire family sat drinking tea and having pakoras in the evening. Sanskaar was lying on his mother’s lap who was feeding him pakoras one by one as if he was a kid. Swara told me about his back and I had already prepared a kadha for him which he had politely thrown in the garden. I rolled my eyes as I saw him smile goofily as his mother who happily fed him a pakora in excitement which turned out to be a red mirch ka pakora. Poor Sanskaar then had to gulp down three glasses of chilled water!

“Where is Lakshya?” Papa Ji asked. I nervously spoke, “He is with his friends. He may get a bit late, he informed me.”

“Which friend Ragu?” Swara asked innocently. She smirked at me as I flushed a deep red and stuttered.

“I…..I don’t know. I didn’t ask him. He just said he would get late as he is with some friends.”

“Male or female?”

“Swara?” Sanskaar said as he sat up straight with Adarsh Bhaiya’s help. He looked between us suspiciously. “Can you help me to go to the room? I need to rest before dinner. Ragini, bring that kadha, I will drink it after all!”

I heaved a sigh of relief as Swara glaringly held up Sanskaar and took him upstairs.

When I entered their room, Swara and Sanskaar were having a major argument.

“Swara, for the last time, tell me what is wrong?”

“And I am also telling you for the last time that it is NOT my problem to share. It is Ragini’s.”

“What is my problem to share?” I asked as I entered their room. Swara sighed and sat on the couch.

“He is asking me why I was questioning you down in the hall.”

I looked at the both. They were both my well-wishers and wanted to help me. But for me, they were fighting. I couldn’t tolerate it. I couldn’t let my problems cause a rift between them. I had to tell him everything because I knew that Swara would never stop interfering and Sanskaar wouldn’t stop questioning. And so, they were bound to fight. This was the only way.

“Sanskaar…..Lakshya is having an affair!” I said to him quietly. His eyes bulged out in shock.

“WHAT?!”

“Yes. Your darling little baby brother is having an affair with that flop actress-singer Kavya Malhotra and he is going to be with her tonight. And he told this to Ragu himself, that mindless wimp!” Swara spat angrily. Sanskaar furrowed his brows in confusion.

“Kavya Malhotra who?” he asked. Swara rolled her eyes at him. “Arrey that woman who played Poluomi Ghosh’s sautan in the movie ‘My Lusty Saiyaan’! That one who used to have fake eyelashes.”

Sanskaar’s grimaced. “But isn’t she 42 years old?”

“30!” Swara and I said together. I controlled my laughter and looked towards Swara who was herself controlling her own.

“Arrey No! Look at her, even after having so much botox, she looks so old! These actresses na, they lie about their ages! She must be in her late thirties!” Sanskaar said in a gossiping tone. Swara nodded in assent.

“But Lakshya is in love with her!” I said desperately, feeling miserable. Sanskaar waved his hand at me. “No love-shove, only lust. Lusty Lakshya!” Swara said to me. Sanskaar looked at her for a few seconds and then nodded in agreement.

“But that doesn’t solve the problem. I think that Kavya is using my Lucky. And we all know how Lucky gets if he sees a girl other than Ragini giving him bhaav!” Sanskaar said.

Once again, those treacherous tears came to my eyes. Why was it so tough? I have everything I need. I have with me parental support, grandparents’ love and guidance, an amazing sister and a really good friend. I had the entire Maheshwari family with me and I also had money. Then why was it so tough to forget Lakshya and move on? Why do I cry when I think of him with someone else?

‘Because you love him. And love may diminish over time and wounds but it never fades away entirely. You have done the mistake of loving a man who didn’t deserve it and now, YOU will have to bear the brunt of it for your entire life!’ my mind said to me. I shut my eyes in pain as I realised that the truth of these words.

I would forget that he was mine over time but I would never forget HIM. I would stop being his wife but he would never stop being my love. And this was an undeniable fact which I would have to accept for my own sanity.

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“Yes Bandopadhyay Ji. Totally. Kuchh setting karwaiye na, I want to star in that film with Amit Biswas.”

I looked at Kavya who was on the phone for an hour now. She was arguing with some lowlife to get her a role. I sighed in frustration as I got up from the bed and covered myself with the bedsheet. I walked towards the washroom to freshen up.

As I splashed the cold water on my face, I saw my reflection in the mirror. Dark and tired eyes, skin flushed from the activities of the past hour and a hint of a stubble were present, the last of which Kavya hated. Would Ragini like it? Wait, why am I thinking of her? How does it matter what she likes and what she doesn’t?

‘Of course it does. You may not love her, but she is your​ wife, all the same.’ my mind told me.

Another sigh escaped my lips as Ragini’s face flashed in my mind. My relationship with her confuses me to no extent. Sometimes I hate her, sometimes I like her while sometimes, I just don’t care. She has become such an ingrained part of my life that her being present or not doesn’t make much of a difference, I am used to the fact that she would always be there, no matter what. It is annoying, to be honest. Like, I can’t seem to get her off my back. She stays stuck to me all the time, even when she isn’t physically present. When she is around, she is always there and when she isn’t, she is there in my mind. I always seem to be thinking of her, so much so, that I instantly responded to Kavya’s seduction that night in order to just divert myself. But I don’t mind it, Kavya is everything I wanted- smart, s*xy, beautiful, bold, modern and outgoing. But she is a tad bit irritating.

“Baby?” her high pitched voice broke my reverie. I quickly patted my face dry with the towel and went back. She was lying on the bed, dressed in her robe. She looked in the mood but I really wasn’t. All I wanted to do was go back home and shout at Ragini for being so rude and spoiling my day. I don’t sing that bad. I sang a song some time back and Kavya had said that it was very good. Ragini is a liar! Bad woman!

I just do not get it why I am in this mess. What did I do? I wasn’t the one who went to Ragini to marry her, my Dad did the job. I wasn’t the one who came to take revenge and gave drugs to Swara, Sanskaar was liable. I wasn’t the one who decided to go crazy in his love and pushed Swara in the river, Ragini was guilty of that. When I finally decided to take hold of my life and do things my way, I ended up here with a seriously disturbed mind.

I don’t care about Swara BHABHI, she is long gone and I know it. Plus, I find her a pain, to be honest. Ragini rather disturbs me. Her………. indifference is unsettling. For someone who claimed to be so much in love with me, she is acting quite cold these days. No reaction when I told her about Kavya and upar se, the comeback she gave this morning! Doesn’t seem like the Ragini I know.

I shook my head to clear myself of her thoughts as I joined Kavya in bed who was now pouting dangerously. As she weaved her fingers around my hair and I stroked her back, I decided to talk to Ragini. It is better to maintain distance, now that we have filed for divorce and are of no mind to repair our marriage. With this in mind, I focussed on my girlfriend.

***NEXT MORNING***

I silently parked my car as I looked ahead. No one must be awake now, save for Ragini who seems to not sleep at all. They won’t notice that I was absent the entire night. I got out of the car and was about to enter the house when the security guard called me from behind. I glared at him and motioned to him to speak softly, not wanting to get exposed now.

“Saab, this is a courier. That boy just came.” the guard said. I nodded as I took the document. It was from the City Hospital. I frowned. The name on it was written ‘S. Maheshwari’.

Whose could it be? Sujata Maheshwari​? Sanskaar Maheshwari? I opened the envelope as I entered and as soon as I read the contents, I got even more confused. They were DNA reports of two people which didn’t match. S. Maheshwari and a DNA report that didn’t match. Who could it be? Wait, was Sanskaar not Chachi’s son?

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I paced the room in worry. It was 10 am and yet there was no sign of those damned reports. Sanskaar, who was still nursing his now-blue back, looked at me.

“Swara?”

“Hmm.”

“Swara?”

“Bolo na Shivaprasad!”

“Don’t call me that!”

“Well, it was your name, wasn’t it?”

“NO! It was a mistake which was thankfully rectified.”

“I……”

A servant entered our room. “Bhaiya, Bhabhi, Laksh Bhaiya is calling everyone down to the hall.” he said in a hurry, clearly scared. What could it be? And wait, when did Lakshya come back?

We were the last to arrive due to Sanskaar’s condition. I raised my eyebrows at Ragini to ask her what the matter was. She shrugged, not knowing herself. We all looked towards Lakshya who was standing with some papers in his hand.

Suddenly, a very uncomfortable feeling gripped me. That foreboding, that intuition, that gut feeling that the papers he was holding were the ones I had been waiting for. The thought terrified me, for I didn’t know what the reports would hold. I looked at Lakshya who was looking at Mom and Sanskaar suspiciously.

“Lakshya, why have you called us?” Bade Papa asked. I looked at him keenly. He held up the papers in his hand.

“These papers. They are the results of a DNA test which was conducted between two members of our family.” Lakshya replied. My heart sank. While I had been hoping for this sort of a confrontation, I wanted to be the one doing it. But what did the reports say?

“DNA test? Whose?” Adarsh Bhaiya asked. Lakshya looked at Mom.

“Pata nahi Bhai, but these reports don’t match. The test is negative.”

And lightening struck in my mind. I smirked widely as I looked at the man in front of me, holding the proof of his own true parentage. Good. Just like how I had thought. He was not Bade Papa’s true son. This man didn’t deserve my Ragu! But I wouldn’t act now. I will wait for a more apt time.

“But how do you know that this belongs to someone from our family?” Uttara asked. Lakshya looked at her.

“Cause it was delivered this morning in the name of a certain S. Maheshwari. And there are two people here with names starting from S. Sanskaar and Chachi. So shall I assume, that one of you did this test? It doesn’t match, so……….”

“So what?”

“It could be Sanskaar, that you are not Chachi’s son! In fact, this is the truth!”

Beside me, Ragini gasped. I was desperately controlling my glee. Sanskaar was outraged and shouted at him while Chachi started cursing him. I decided that now was my time to strike.

“Umm, Lakshya? You are forgetting something. My name also starts with an S. Swara? Yep. And by the way, that S. Maheshwari you are talking about is me. I got that test done.”

Everyone looked at me in surprise. Seems like all forgot that I was also a Maheshwari. Ragini turned me towards her. “Whose reports are they Swara?” she asked nervously. I looked at Lakshya and glared at him.

“Lakshya and Badi Maa. The reports are negative which means that they aren’t related. He isn’t her son!”

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Phod diya Swara ne bomb! Oh Teri! What would happen now? Well, I know what would happen of course??????

Keep looking out for Sakhi Saiyaan to know what happens after this. From here, Raglak’s true journey starts. What will Ragini do? What will Lakshya do? Is there a mystery behind Lakshya’s parentage?

Stay tuned to know more.