“Hey Gini concentrate babe. Adjust this pallu properly na. At least in Drama I’m becoming Nithin’s wife. Kaash yeh sapna sach hojaye” she said dreaming. Ragini’s eyebrows burned as she was controlling her tears and set the pallu properly. She did not stay for the Drama; she cannot imagine anybody else beside her Nithin. Yes her Nithin. She was not so obsessive but she needed time to accept the rejection. (Rejection was what she named his ignorance and cold behavior). Manny saw her running to her room without staying for Drama. He searched for Suhani. He spotted her after 5 minutes. “Hey Ani” he said calling Suhani who was enjoying the drama on stage. “I need to talk to Ragu.” he said sitting beside her. “So? You need permission from Ani now to talk to your group member ha?” asked Rachna teasing. Radhika and Suhani chuckled. He gave her a death glare and said “Shut up siyappa queen”. “She went to her room. I need to check what she is reading in report log book. Can you please call her” he asked Suhani. “Why she went there now? Wait I will just check and call her” she said getting up from there.
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Ragini cried her heart out covering her face with the pillow. She missed her Golu. She wanted to take him in her embrace to console herself. Once you start crying, how much ever tears flow but it cannot take your pain with them, once the dam bursts you cannot control it. She was trying with all her strength to bring herself back. But she used to burst out into more painful cry every time she held it. “Ginnu are you inside” she heard Suhani approaching the room. She ran to the washroom and locked it and leaned to the door. “Ginnu” she heard again Suhani’s voice. “Hmmm?” she asked suppressing her cry. “Manny was searching for you. He said you are reading the logbook. He just wants to check it once. Come out fast” she said moving out of the room. Ragini collapsed on floor and held the door and stopped her throat from making any noise and covered her mouth. But tears were not stopping its flow. Her eyes burned to control her cry. She splashed lumps of water on her face continuously to wash out the redness. Finally she felt she can control her burst dam of emotions and came out wiping her face with the towel and breathing heavily.
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“Come on Gini you can do it. Just take a deep breath and start reading. Don’t sound nervous for Ani, Radhu and Rachu’s sake. They have high expectations from you. Forget your pain and smile for them” she was murmuring under her breath waiting for her turn to read the report behind a guy. Manny came there and saw her nervous and her pink eyes. He thought maybe she is nervous to read the report. She was the alone girl reading the report today. “Hey Ragu ma” he said approaching her. “Not a big deal. You can do it alright” he said holding her shoulders. She looked up and nodded yes with a fake smile.
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As soon as she finished reading report she came down from the platform and stood with her friends who stood up clapping with happiness as they saw their Gini reading the report with so much confidence. They all dragged her to sit with them immediately. Rachna hugged her first. Kabeer saw it and smiled looking at happy Rachna. Ishan came near Ragini and “Wow gini superb reading ha” he turned to Radhika smiling. She smiled nervously and bowed her head. Manny came there to congratulate. Suhani due to his heated gaze started to get up from the chair. He dragged her and pinned her hand to the chair and she sat down with a thud. She saw him staring at her. She said leave my hand softly. He came near her ear and said “How many times should I tell you I didn’t hold your hand to leave it” and leaned back. She blushed and stared at him with love. “Hey Gini superb work” said Manny. “Ya” said Shravanthi patting her cheek. “Thanks” she said trying hard to smile.
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“I want to go” said Suhani looking down avoiding eye contact with Manny who had locked her to the wall with his both the hands who dragged her and pinned her to the wall after breakfast. “I won’t let you go unless you answer my question” he shot back staring at her. “Which question? You didn’t even propose me “she bit her tongue for what she said. “Oh madam was waiting for my proposal ha?” he said huskily coming near her ear. She pushed him a little and said “I didn’t mean that”. “I very well know what you meant” he dragged her with him. “Where are you taking me?” she asked worried. “Calm down Ani” he said as he dragged her. He called out “Ragu, Radhika, Rachna, Kabbie bhai, Ishan, Shravanthi”. All of them came near him with questioning look as he was holdings Suhani’s hand and she was standing behind him horrified. “Hmmm and one more person Nittu”. Nithin came there and stood between Kabeer and Ishan with a questioning look. Suhani was standing exactly parallel to Nithin.
“So all important persons of our life are here. Just a second” he left Suhani’s hand and went to his room and came back hiding something behind him. He kept his one leg on floor and sat with a support of the other leg. And forwarded a rose in his hand.
“From the day you landed in my embrace my heart knew you are the one meant for me. I have flirted with many girls and was in relationship with many girls before. But I never felt and I know I will never feel the same way for any girl the way I feel for you. I cannot guarantee for what others feel or think when they look at you but I promise my view and my feelings will never change for you. And I will be there with you whatever phase of your life you undergo. Will you give me a chance to make you Suhani Manpreet Chadda from Suhani Shrivastava?” He turned to Ragini Radhika and Rachna “Will you give me permission to take a small space in your Ani’s life” They held each other’s hand and nodded their head with tears. “Will you marry me meri Jhansi ki Rani” She was in tears. She ran and hugged him tight and said “Haa sadu Maharaj.” Everybody clapped. Manny got up and side hugged and pulled her close to his embrace. “Best of luck Manny” said Nithin hugging him. Ragini who came to hug Suhani stopped there as she saw Nithin and turned. Nithin got a call and went outside attending the call. Ragini came to Suhani and hugged her tightly and closed her eyes tightly. Manny felt it strange as he saw her teary eyes. But then thought girls cry for everything and nodded his head in disbelief.
“Okay guys get back to work today is last day we are doing activities in group. From tomorrow you can stay with your friends” said Kabeer dispersing the crowd.”Mr. unromantic Khanna” said Rachna pouting and moving. Kabeer dragged her to a pillar and asked her pinning to it “Am I Mr. Unromantic Khanna, hmmm? Should I remind you about our first kiss ha?” he trailed his finger on her soft cheeks moving it towards her lips. “Shhh. If somebody hears” said Rachna keeping her finger on his lips. He kissed it and said “Now when you have challenged me. Bear the punishment” he said dragging her close. She pushed him and ran showing him tongue. He stood there caressing his hair. Sameer saw this; he said looking up “I fulfilled my promise Anu. Now stay happy”
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“ahem ahem” said Ishan clearing his throat. Radhika jerked and turned back. She saw Ishan staring at her lovingly. She asked with her eyebrows “What?”. “Actually I have a surprise for you. Can you come with me please” he said looking at the ground. “Yeah sure” said Radhika.
“Sit here.” he said making Radhika sit on the stool in front of a table mirror of her room. He came back hiding something behind him. Radhika saw him through mirror. He came near her and put a red chunni on her head. Looking into the mirror he said “Will you sit with me in Marriage mandap as my bride beside me. And stay with me whole my life, blushing for my every touch; every time. And spread your beautiful smile among my family? I have spoken to my Mom and Badi Maa. If you say yes they will go to speak to your Dad today.” “Yessss” she heard many people speaking from his mobile which he placed on the table in front. She was confused and had tears in her eyes. “Our family” softly he said. “But Ishan I need to talk to you about my past.” “Shhhh” He placed his finger on her lips. “I’m talking to you right now about our future. I don’t care about your past, for me you are important not your past life. Whatever it is let it stay in past. I am and I will be in your present and future.” he said. “Say Yes Radhu maa” said Ragini standing near the door. She saw Ragini nodding with smile, she looked back at Ishan and said “Yess. I will “She cried and hugged Ishan. “So Tej uncle you can accept the Shagun Thaal” said Ragini keeping her phone to her ears. “Pappa” said Radhika and ran to Ragini. “Awww mera Shona beta kithna bada hogaya hai. Uske liye rishta aaya hai “said Tej crying. “Chalo ab tho tension ghar se chali jayegi “said Varun. “Bhayyu I hate you” said Radhika pouting and hugging Ragini. “Chup kar” said Tej hitting Varun on his shoulder.
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“So guys here is the last song for tonight. My personal favorite. Hope you people will like it.” announced Harman, the main singer of their college band “The Sparklers”, who came to cheer their college students on the camping fleet and entertain the villagers.
(Choti Choti Raatei song from “Tum Bin” movie they sing)
Choti Choti Raathien Lambi Ho jaathi hai
Baithe bithaye yuhi neende kho jaathi hai
Dil me bechaini aankho me intezaar hotha hai
Jab kisiko kissise pyar hotha hai, Jab kisiko kissise pyar hotha hai
Kabeer was hitting Rachna with his shoulder according to the music. She held his arm and leaned her head smiling.
“Diwano si haalath hai apni, pucho na kya chahath hai apni” Lip singed Manny looking at Suhani and pouting
“Thaamli maine teri yeh baahien…. In bahoo me jannath hai apni……..” Radhika dragged Ishan and put her hands around side hugging him. Ishan held her shoulder and kept his chin on her head.
Phool sa khilke mehka hai yeh dil. Phir tujhe chuke behka hai yeh dil. Manny leaned to Suhani trying to kiss her
Dil kya yeh tho harpal bekarar hotha hai. Suhani stopped him and showed the surrounding through her eyes
“Jab kisiko kissise pyar hotha hai”
“Choti choti raatien lambi hojathi hai…………………..”
La la la la …………………………….. Nithin was smiling like an idiot and lip singing which Manny noticed
“Panchi banke udta hai yeh dil jab milthi hai sapno ki manzil. ” Shravanthi clapped and lifted Ragini’s hand with her, who was not enjoying the music lost somewhere. She weakly smiled at Shravanthi and nodded no to her. She got little worried and asked in her ears “Are you ok. You look upset”. “No nothing. Just due to loud music not feeling comfortable.” “Last song sweetie then will be going to bed. Chillax” she said. “Hmmm” said Ragini smiling a bit.
“Sapne tho phir sapne hothe hai….Sach hai yeh kab apne hothe hai” Nithin was looking around searching for someone desperately. Manny saw him and asked “What happened” through eyes. “Nothing” he replied assuring.
Jaagthi aankhe dekha kare sapna, Jab koi dil ko lagtha hai apna” Ragini saw Nithin disturbed and kept staring at him with painful eyes.
Na dil pe kaabu naa khud pe ikhtiyar hotha hai…. Jab kisiko kissise pyar hotha hai.” Nithin came near Ragini and started looking around.
Choti Choti Raathien Lambi Ho jaathi hai
Baithe bithaye yuhi neende kho jaathi hai
Dil me bechaini aankho me intezaar hotha hai
Jab kisiko kissise pyar hotha hai, Jab kisiko kissise pyar hotha hai
The crowd filled with claps and hooting whistles.
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“Arrey yaar aur kithna upar hai” complained Suhani huffing tired. “Oh madam abhi trekking shuru bhi nahi hui” said Rachna who was little ahead than her. “Kya?” shouted Suhani. “Haa.” said Radhika. “Hey where is Gini?” asked Shravanthi who was joining them. “Arrey she likes seeing the sunset. So she must have walked further. Because of this Ani we are still here” said Rachna. Radhika laughed and gave HiFi to Rachna. Suhani stared at them angrily and both turned and started walking.
“Hey Ragu ma how come you climbed so fast. Where is your gang” asked Manny to Ragini who was unusually silent. She smiled and said “Tell directly you want to know where Ani is. She is bit slow. I love to see the sunset so came fast.” “Can I ask you something?” he said. “Sure” she replied. “Are you okay?” he asked hesitantly. “What made you ask such question?” she said turning to him. “I feel your smile is losing its charm day by day. You can share it with me if you feel like.” he said holding her cheek. “Nothing like that Senior ji, I’m just feeling home sick that’s all, This mood swings are nothing to worry” she said suppressing the tear which was ready to escape from her burning eye. “Fine dear. I trust you. Okay I will meet you at peak. Nittu will be waiting for me, he also loves sunset” he said leaving. He saw her face change expression a little, but brushed it off thinking it must be her normal mood swings.
“Hey Ginu, here you are. ” said Shravanthi joining her from back.
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“Shraa” Ragini was searching for Shravanthi who just joined her just a few minutes back, whom she missed while plucking a beautiful purple wild flower which was bit away to the left. Shravanthi walked further thinking Ragini is with her walking.
“You fell in love with a girl and didn’t even felt like sharing it with me?” she heard Manny’s voice and headed that direction, She saw Nithin hugging Manny and smiling. She felt her heart sinking and burning with pain. But she was happy to him smiling.
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“So guys last song of the DJ night. Enjoy” said the DJ holding his Head Phones near his ears.
The starting music of “Aaj ki Party” song started playing and all the girls screamed crazily. And guys started hooting whistles.
“Hey Party Hey Party ho Party,Hey party hey party ho party ho party party
Hai celebration. Nacho dhana dhan. Music bajao.Kehdo yeh sabse
Aaj ki party meri taraf se. Aaj ki party meri tharaf se
Chand ko bolo uthre falak se
aaj ki party meri taraf se ”
Ragini danced heart fully to her favorite Hero’s hit number with the same step as in the movie. She was faking that she is happy as she did not wanted her friends who have started their next phase of life to be sad because of her. Radhika got a little doubt seeing her over excitement but brushed it of thinking she is over reacting. Her Gini acts crazy whenever she hears Salman Khan songs and joined her dance.
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“I will miss you jaan” said Manny pouting and holding Suhani’s hands. “Ohho cut that crap Manny. After 10 days you will meet her in the same college block and your houses are in same area. It should have been my dialogue” said Kabeer irritated with Manny’s childish behavior. “Eat your food at time okay. I will talk to Dadi today itself and tomorrow we will come to your house for Shagun” said Kabeer cupping Rachna’s face. “Someone is so desperate “shouted Manny. Everyone giggled. Ragini was already inside the bus waiting for Radhika. “You people are getting engaged after three weeks guys. Now at least leave her hand Jiju. See her first kid is waiting for her momma” said Rachna bringing Radhika and Ishan to sense and dragging blushing Radhika with her.
Ragini saw Nithin who was upset; for the last time with painful eyes and turned and leaned to Radhika’s shoulder… Radhika smiled and caressed her hair. “Bacha finally we are going home” said Radhika excitedly. “Hmmm ya” a tear dropped from her eyes.
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“Varun aur Ragini ki shaadi” asked Shekar surprised. “Haa Shekar. I wanted to ask Ragini’s hand for Varun from many days but was waiting for Radhika’s marriage to get fixed.” said Tej keeping his hand on Shekar’s shoulder “See you need not worry about biradari also we belong to same biradari” assuring him. “And she will stay near me only” Shekar thought to himself. “Of course Tej. From our side it is Yess only.” said Shekar hugging Tej. Janaki said “But ji. Ask Ragini’s opinion also”. “She is my daughter Jaan. She will surely say Yess. She knows Varun from the time she understood world. What problem she will have” he said casually. “Let her come back from camp, we will ask her for your satisfaction” he said. Janaki smiled weakly.
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“Because he loves you the most” said Ragini in Shruthi’s ears, running to the other room for next class. She turned and suddenly collided with a person with a thud she was about to fall but two strong hands held her firm. She looked at her savior. It was Him. Her heart waited for this second from many births she felt. She was in his arms and their eyes met. She wished why it didn’t happen earlier. His eyes, his closeness had the same effect, his touch got included in the list. “Zara der me yeh kya ho gaya. Nazar milte hi yeh dil kho gaya” she heard the radio. She came to sense by the noises around. He made her stand. She uttered a sorry with nervousness. “That’s ok careful” he said and walked away without even turning once. Her presence never makes any difference to him she thought. Their first eye lock became a painful one for her. “Why do I build expectations always? I have to come out of it.” she thought to herself and felt a stinging pain. She just prayed looking up “Why Kanha ji Why me always”. She jerked and came back to the world due to Shruthi shouting in her ears “Because he loves you the most”. She remembered every person in her life closing her eyes “Back to Gini mode” she said to herself and ran behind Shruthi.
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“Give me” Janaki stretched her hand in font of Ragini who was searching her bag. She held her head high and walked past to her and opened her Dadda’s palm and kept the money she saved from shopping. He smiled and caressed her hair. Janaki’s mouth opened in a O shape. “Sathya Harishchandr ki akhri santhaan” said Aniketh keeping his elbow on his mom’s shoulder. Both of them gave hi fi. Ragini pouted and Shekar hugged her consoling.
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“Tej will have a dinner tomorrow. I will speak to Ginnu tomorrow” said Shekar over the landline. “That’s great. Varun also returned from his trip today only. We can do their engagement on the same day with Radhika and Ishan’s engagement.” said Tej smiling
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“Gini beta” Shekar called Ragini. “Ha Dadda” said Ragini sitting beside Shekar enjoying the desert after the dinner. Tej was curiously waiting for the conversation to start. “Bacha maine aur Tej ne, thumhari aur Varun Ki shaadi karne ka socha hai.” Varun coughed badly for the sudden proposal. Ragini looked at him shocked. Shock was only others could see but Varun could see the pain beyond the shock in her eyes. She lowered her gaze as she knew he will sense her pain, but she was late. Radhika hugged Ragini for the thought of her Ginu becoming her Bhabhi. She smiled weakly. “But Dad. I’m not ready for any commitment” said Varun much to the relief of Ragini. “When did we say get married tomorrow only? You are already settled in life what’s wrong in moving forward. And let Gini complete her studies, you still have two and half years.” shot back Tej.
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“Thank you Gini beta” said Tej caressing Ragini’s hair. She hugged him tight. After her dadda Tej was the person whom she considered in her Dadda’s place. “You know Radhu doesn’t remember her mom. She was just a month old when Sunaina left us. She never missed her mom as she saw Janaki only as her mom from the time she understood world. But Varun has spent 7 years with his mom. Sunaina’s face is what he remembers as his mom’s face. He never said but I know he misses Sunaina every second. But when he is with you he forgets everything. You have taken Sunaina’s place in his heart. I know it even if he doesn’t say I can feel it in his twinkling eyes whenever you are around. Thank you for coming in his life and fulfilling the void space in his heart.” a tear dropped from his eyes as he tightened his grip around Ragini’s shoulder keeping his chin on her head. Ragini held him tightly suppressing her cry. Varun saw it and felt a pain as the burden on his Gini’s head was going on increasing.
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“Gini” she heard Varun approaching her. She wiped her tears quickly. “Hmmm” she tried to smile looking at him. “You know I hate it when you try to smile to hide your pain.” he said taking a drop from her cheek and showing her. She could not control her emotions anymore as the person who was standing in front of her was her childhood friend first then her fiancé. She hugged him crying. He reciprocated the hug and was caressing her hair. “I’m a failure Varun. I’m a failure. I fell in love for the first time and it became a failure. I failed.” she said sobbing badly in his embrace. His heart broke into pieces after knowing that he could not be the love in Ragini’s life but just a compromise. He did not know whom to tell his pain. He wanted to scream the hell out of him. But for the time being his Gini’s pain was more important than his own pain.
“Shh Gini. He is unlucky that he missed you” said Varun trying to console her and wiping his tears from his thumb. He cupped her face and told her. “I will never force you to forget him I promise. We will be best friends as always okay.” said Varun assuring her and seeing his engagement ring painfully. Janaki saw it standing and hiding behind the terrace door. She knew how much Varun loved Ragini. Now she has to witness her daughter compromising her life for her Dadda’s happiness. This was what she feared will happen from many years. Shekar’ s expectations will crush her daughter’s happiness someday. And it happened
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“Ginnu beta?” said Janaki caressing Ragini’s hair who was sleeping in her lap. “Hmmm maa” said Ragini. “Thu khush tho hai na?” asked Janaki. “Ha mumma. Yeh kaisa sawal hai” asked Ragini confused. “You remember once I told you about Meera Bai” asked Janaki. “Haa mumma” said Ragini. She caressed her cheek and continued “Tu ek dum uski fan hogayi thi. You admired her sacrifice and her true love”. “I still admire her mumma” replied Ragini smiling. “That’s why you are sacrificing your love for you Dadda’s happiness and want to live life like her?” she asked. “Mumma” Ragini had tears in her eyes. She hugged Janaki and started sobbing “It was one sided love mumma he doesn’t even know that I exist in the world, but I’m happy that he is happy in his life. I don’t want anything more. ”
“You have to carry this burden all your life Ginu, it’s not easy bacha”. said Janaki carassing her cheek. “I’m ready mumma. As a wife, as a daughter in law I will never back off from my duties” she said assuring. “And what about love?” asked Janaki “Maine apne hisse ka pyar tho karliya mumma. Abhi bass farz hi bache hai” she said with painful eyes. Janaki pulled her to a bone crushing hug and said,” meri choti si Gini kithni badi hogayi hai” proudly.