Hello, Bela is back. I was supposed to not update anything but seeing the dearth I of Ragsan work, and remembering my oath to all Ragsanians, I present to you a Ragsan TS. It has nothing to do with the serial, and I hope you all give it a shot and like it.
This is specially dedicated to the very talented and dedicated Ganga who is a big Ragsanian and Fairy for inspiring me to write on Ragsan again. Much love to you, my dear sisters and I hope you like it?
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BUZZZZZZZZZZZZ
I frowned as I snatched my mobile from the side table and picked it up, without seeing the caller. I wish I had. For as soon as I heard the voice, I promptly wanted the phone to explode right beside my ear.
“Oye Ragini?”
“The person you are trying to call is unavailable at the moment. Please call again later.”
“Ha. Ha. Ha. Very funny. Now listen, I have to go on a date.”
“Good. Do take a bath and go, warna like last time……..”
“Shut up! I am going on a date with Swara and well, we had no idea how to proceed. She said she would be bringing a friend along, so I thought why shouldn’t I?”
“Noble thoughts.”
“You are understanding what I am saying, right?”
“I…..*snore*”
“WTH? RAGINI? Don’t you dare sleep on me! Listen, get ready and come to XYZ Cafe at 8pm. Sharp. I want you to be there with me. Please.”
“I don’t wanna come, I am busyyyy….”
“Try that with someone else.”
“Pliss, Laksh, pliss. Lemme sleep, pliss.”
“Pliss Ragini, pliss. Your yaar needs you.”
“Fine. I will be there. Casual wear?”
“Put on a dress and come. Bye, love you, muaahhh.”
“I need to flush my ears now, thanks to you. Yuck!”
“Ha. Ha. Ha. Bye. See you.”
“Hmmmmm *snores*”
And I let go of the phone to continue my beauty sleep.
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I looked over myself for the last time in the mirror. Finding everything alright, I grabbed my purse and went out of the house for Laksh’s date.
I was dressed up in an orange bodycon midi dress with a scoop neck. I accessorized my look with a black watch, black choker and black heels. My hair was straight and set back and I had done a middle parting. With smokey eyes and a coral lipstick, my look was simple and hot. Though I had no idea why I was dressed up so. It was Laksh’s date, not mine!
Laksh Taneja and I have been best friends since we took birth. Being children of family friends does that. We went to the same school, same University and even the same tutions. He went for design while I went for law. It’s like, we were inseperable. Always. It was only when I went abroad for my master’s, that we were apart.
Now naturally, since we were so comfortable with each other, our parents had entertained the idea of trying to set us up. Agreeing to their wishes, we went for a few dates. To be honest, I liked them. I could find no reason not to try our luck at a relationship and I was determined to tell Laksh about it. But before I could do that, Laksh told me clearly that he was uncomfortable of thinking a future with me. He had a certain vision of how his lady would be and I didn’t fit in. So there ended our dates and our parents’ dreams.
I wasn’t hurt at all, I was just mildly irritated. Because it was funny, thinking that he could have an ideal woman’s idea in him since he was almost a player. I am thankful though that our friendship survived this matchmaking attempt. And now, Laksh wants me to help him with his date with Swara. Swara Bose is a beautiful girl, and I have a sneaking suspicion that Laksh likes her more than he did all those girls he dated back then. This was the only reason I agreed to his plans for today. Because let us face it, if there is a strong possibility of the relationship working, why not help him as his best friend?
I reached the venue and gave the keys to the valet. I went inside and quickly spotted Laksh who was waving at me. I smiled and reached where he was. Swara was already seated and she looked lovely in her green dress. She smiled at me softly while I shook hands with her.
Swara is a model while Laksh is a designer. They met at one of their parties and hit it off well. They exchanged their numbers, texted a few times, met for professional work and here they were now.
I sat beside Laksh, with him sitting opposite to Swara. The seat next to Swara’s, opposite mine was free. I looked at it and then at her, inquiring about her friend.
“Oh yes, he went to the washroom, must be coming anytime now.”
Smiling, I placed my order for some vegetable au gratin and baked salami. I made my comfortable as Laksh and Swara started talking to each other. I was checking my phone for updates when I heard Swara’s voice, “There you are, we were waiting. What took you so long? Laksh’s friend has already arrived. See…..”
As soon as I heard her, I switched off my phone and turned towards her friend. And promptly froze.
“Sanskaar?”
“Ragini?”
I looked at him, stumped. There he was, Sanskaar Maheshwari, the biggest stockbroker of the country. I kept staring at him, and he stared back. I could feel my surroundings spin………..
“You guys know each other?” Swara asked suspiciously. We didn’t reply. We just kept looking at each other, with a variety of emotions flitting across our faces. “Hello, back to Earth, you both! I am asking something, do you guys know each other?” Swara asked again, loudly this time.
Finally, we calmed ourselves down. Sanskaar turned towards Swara and rolled his eyes. “No, no……I am a swami, who gets to know women’s names! Obviously we know each other. We have met before.”
“Where?”
“Why do you even care? We are here for your date, not to discuss when and where Ragini and I met.” Sanskaar shut her up. Turning to me, he gave a short smile. “Ragini, I am rather surprised to meet you again. Glad though.” he said as we shook hands. A jolt of electricity passed through me, just like the last time. I smilingly nodded and we took our seats.
As Sanskaar placed his order, my mind went back to when we met first, a few months ago……….
*FLASHBACK*
“Please Ragini, just once. It isn’t necessary for you to accept him. You are just going to see a PROSPECTIVE groom. Not a groom.” my mother said.
I shook my head at her. “Mom, the last time I listened to your pleadings, I ended up getting rejected by my own best friend. Please, don’t make me go through that harrowing experience again………”
“Ragini, Janki is right. There is no harm in seeing him once. He is the son of your mother’s friend. Self made, totally. I agree, he is older than you by three or four years, but that is absolutely acceptable. We aren’t tying you to him, just asking you to see him once, for our sake. Sujata is worried for him, he has been working hard to achieve all he has since Ram died when he was fourteen. Due to all this, he has not found time for women and love. At least go and meet him once, I am sure you would find him nice.”
“Papa, you too?”
“It is a meeting. Not a date. Take it that way and go.”
“Fine, just for you both. I find him intolerable, I leave quickly. Deal?”
“Deal!”
*END OF FLASHBACK*
“Ma’am, your order.” the waiter said as he placed my plate in front of me, breaking my trip down the memory lane. I thanked him and looked around. Laksh and Swara were also receiving their orders while Sanskaar was looking at me with an unreadable expression on his face.
I decided to ignore him and dug into my food, forgetting about the awkward situation for a few blissful moments.
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I looked at Ragini as she ignored me and started eating. She looked…….good. I smiled softly as she relished her food with joy evident on her face.
Ragini and I met just once, three months ago. I had been forced by my mother to go meet her for a prospective match. I had been least interested, my eyes already set somewhere else. For my mother’s sake, I agreed to go.
*FLASHBACK*
I reached the rooftop cafe. It was her choice, what was her name again? Ragini……yes. Traditional name. It was a cosy place and I liked it. The view was amazing and by the smell, the food must be too. I looked around, the place was full. Just then, I saw a woman sitting alone. I walked towards her. Her head was bowed as she was looking at her phone. I asked tentatively, “Ragini?”
She looked up and I found myself looking at a very beautiful pair of eyes, brown and deep. My eyes scanned the rest of her face and I had to admit that she was very beautiful. She asked, “Sanskaar?”. When I nodded, she kept her phone aside and quickly stood up. She was dressed in a wine coloured off-shoulder skater dress with just a single silver sleek watch on her left hand. Her hair was open and in waves, framing her face. She wore minimal makeup, just a nude lip. I was pleasantly surprised, my Mom had a habit of finding the most traditional of all girls and presenting them to me, dressed in their silk sarees and heaviest jewelleries, just for one meeting. This came as a very pleasant and refreshing change. I smiled and shook hands with her.
“Glad to meet you. Sanskaar Maheshwari.”
“Pleasure is all mine. Ragini Gadodia.”
As we sat down, the waiter came with the menu. I looked at it, confused.
“The white wine sausage risotto is amazing here. You can even try the Bruschetta Bread. And the wine is great.” Ragini said quietly. I looked at her and she gave a small smile. I smiled back and gave the order as she recommended. For variety, she ordered mushroom ravioli and Margherita pizza. We sat back and began talking.
I got to know that she works in the topmost legal firm of the country. She discussed her work and I was impressed by her work profile. We then shifted to my life and I told her about my work and struggles. We talked in a similar manner till the food arrived. Taking a break, we started eating.
As she started to eat, I noticed her. She was a very smart woman. The best I met so far, among the ones my mother had chosen for me. In fact, one of the best women I had had the pleasure of meeting ever. She was undeniably intelligent and was also a patient listener. She heard me out, interrupting in between to ask questions or give comments. We shared a few funny anecdotes between us and had a good laugh over them. Her sense of humour was similar to mine, and she was almost as savage and sarcastic as I was. As soon as we called for dessert, I touched the topic.
“Ragini, you are a really good woman, and under normal circumstances, I would have loved to know you more. But unfortunately, I am………I am already interested in someone else. She isn’t available at the moment, so I am waiting. She is a model. I am so sorry but…….”
“You don’t want to marry me.” she stated as a fact as she took a sip of her wine, her eyes on me all the time. I felt a bit awkward at the moment and nodded. She set the glass down. “It is absolutely fine Sanskaar. I came here at my mother’s insistence, she is a friend of your mother. I am 25, not old enough to be desperately looking for marriage. I have a career I am excelling in and there are many more milestones to be achieved. All that kept in mind, I think a marriage isn’t what I am exactly looking for. I am not averse to the idea of settling down but it isn’t my main priority. So it is absolutely fine if you don’t want to marry me. Just sit back and relax, and leave after finishing the dessert, the panacottas are absolutely delicious.”
I smiled apologetically while she grinned back. The dessert arrived and in sync with her promise, they proved to be lip-smacking. We parted after splitting the bill between us and I offered to drop her home. Despite her refusal, I still went with her, thinking that it would resolve me of my guilt at so blatantly insulting her.
As I drove through the stranded road, Ragini turned on the radio. It had started raining a little and the music was romantic. It was decidedly awkward but we ignored the atmosphere and tried focussing on the road and the music, paying no mind to the tension between us…….
*END OF FLASHBACK*
My thoughts were interrupted when my order arrived and I sat to eat. This was the first time I had seen her since then. She was still gorgeous and had, obviously, still as well an appetite. I saw her, absorbed in her food, oblivious to the whole world. For the first time in so many months, I smiled.
“So Sanskaar, do tell me, where did you meet Rags?” Laksh asked as he took a bite of his food. I stared at him, irritated to the core. Before I could shoot a sarcastic reply at him, Ragini spoke.
“Laksh, we are neither friends, not enemies. Just strangers with very good memories. It was a nice day. There were nice clothes, a nice wind and there was lots of good food.”
“And good wine and good conversations as well.” I supplied. She looked at me and gave a nod. I smirked as she raised her glass of wine and took a sip.
“You guys went on a date? When?” Swara asked incredulously.
“Swara, please. We are here for you and Laksh. Don’t let these issues steal your limelight.” I replied to her. She looked at me, offended.
Ragini was enjoying the show. She was trying to control her laughter seeing the expression on Swara’s face. She looked at me and quickly averted her eyes, obviously to control herself.
Laksh, in an attempt to diffuse the tension, commented on the quality of food. As the situation slowly came under control, I went back to eat.
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Swara asked Laksh for a dance and they both went to the floor. I watched them go with discomfort, for this meant that I was left alone with Sanskaar.
“You are looking gorgeous tonight.” Sanskaar drawled as he looked at me with a sip of his wine. I looked at him and muttered a thanks.
We were silent and he went back to finishing his wine as he turned to look at Laksh and Swara. I took this opportunity to recall our previous meeting. Suddenly, a thing struck me. I looked at him in confusion.
“Sanskaar?”
He turned towards me. “Hmm.”
“You are Swara’s friend?”
“Has the wine reached your head? I am here with her, while you are here with your friend. Obviously I am her friend.”
“No…..I mean, I remember from our previous conversations that you said that you were interested in a model……..”
Sanskaar’s eyes hardened for an instant. Then, they went back to normal and he replied lazily, “Well, she is the one. We did hook up and went out on dates for a month and a half but then she lost interest. So we are just friends now. But I must say, I am impressed with your sharp memory.”
I looked at him as he looked at me. He looked a little different. “You look tired Sanskaar. Dark circles, evening stubble and all. Are you fine?”
“I am fine. I am just deep in work and all………”
And suddenly, I put two and two together. I looked at Sanskaar and in a strict time asked, “Are you still not over her?”
Sanskaar looked at me in a hard stare. I looked back equally fiercely.
“I don’t think it is any of your business…….”
“Everything that affects or may affect Laksh is my business. You were wrong when you said that I was Laksh’s friend, I am his BEST friend. We share everything with each other since the time we were born and I always look out for him. If you and your intentions ever come in between Lucky’s happiness, I swear, you won’t live to see the sun next day.”
Sanskaar huffed in indignation. “I like Swara still. I waited for six months to get a chance with her and after one and a half months, she suddenly dumped me. For no reason! I have hope that she would see how much we are suited for each other so I remain close to her. And what about you, don’t you have any feelings for Laksh…….”
“Never had. We were sent out as potential suitors a few times but he made it clear that he was not having it and it didn’t break my heart either. I have never really been into a man so much, just some casual relationships. Don’t even try to think that I would ever get together with Laksh. He remains my friend. You, on the other hand, have not-so-great intentions.”
“You cannot STOP me from pursuing Swara. It isn’t wrong, she is at the initial stage of her relationship with Laksh here. This is their first date and such is the situation that you and I have been asked to tag along. So pardon me if I feel that I stand a very fair chance.”
We glared at each other before it was broken by the return of Swara and Laksh. They took their seats, cheeks burning with the exercise of dancing and a few other emotions. I smiled at them as the dessert was laid down and I started eating, paying no mind to Sanskaar, who was sitting there grumpily. He stood no chance. Swara would choose Laksh, he is so good. Sanskaar would have nothing.
I let my mind clear of any worries I had over Sanskaar. If I had known what would happen in the following months, I would have been on my guard……..
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There you go, please do like and comment. ❤