Heya guys 😊
Back with a next chapter. 😅
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It's been several days after that heartfelt conversation. Both didn't talk about that topic again. But that day changed something in between them. Both are aware of the connection they felt. It was unspoken but it was there.
Ragini was sitting in her room sipping hot chocolate when Janki came. " Ragu bachha, Do you need anything more?" she said caressing her hair softly.
" No, Maa..!!! I just had cake,you made for me. " Ragini said smiling. She was trying hard to be as comfortable as before with her, but some part of her still longing for the woman who gave birth to her.
" Can I ask you something Maa? " she looked at Janki with hopeful eyes.
Janki sat beside her and nodded with a smile. " Ofcourse beta. You can ask anything. "
Ragini took a deep breath. " How was she, Maa ? "
The question was self explainatory as about whom she was asking for. It made her remember those bittersweet days of her life, which she want to forget. But this time, Ragini should know about it.
Janki put a brave smile on her lips. " She was the most selfless person, I have ever meet. Mishti, Her name was Mishti. Your father's first wife. "
Ragini looked at her shocked. She didn't know what to say to this revelation.
Shekhar who came back from his business trip, surprisingly a day before, halted listening their conversation. A mixture of pained and guilt expression crossed his face.
" Wife? " Ragini uttered.
" They were in the same college. Shekhar got married to her after their graduation, without his parent's permission, as she didn't have anyone in her family. After a year later, his parents came to know about the marriage."
Ragini was listening everything with blank look. " His parents refused to accept the marriage but after seeing their love for eachother they accepted your Mom." Ragini felt a tinge of happiness after listening 'your Mom'.
Shekhar was dreading for the upcoming part, as he didn't want his innocent Ragini, to know what her mother did after that, about her infidelity in their relation. He didn't want to potray her bad image in front of Ragini.
He was about to go inside and stop Janki, for saying futher. But stopped himself listening her next words.
" Mishti, got her first miscarriage, a year after that. That time, Shekhar went for his business trip, as he was establishing his business. "
Shekher felt flabbergasted listing this. He never knew, that they lost their first baby in that early age. Ragini felt her eyes moistured as she gulped visually.
" His mother blamed Mishti for it and told her not to say about this to Shekhar.The torture started after that. She got taunted for her every action. I was their neighbour and saw everthing with my own eyes."
Janki took a deep breath as she felt remorse saying this. "I never liked Mishti,because, I loved Shekhar from my school days. And when she came as his wife, that made me dislike her instantly. "
" She used to pretend happy whenever Shekhar was around but she was heartbroken as day by day his mother's words getting worse. " Shekhar was standing at the door blank as he didn't know about this part of his story.
" After few months, His mother came to our house for my hand for him. She spewed so much venom against her and we belived it. I was on cloud nine as I was going to marry the love of my life. " Janki looked at Ragini with guilt, but Ragini was just staring at her blankly.
Janki wiped her cheek as a tear rolled down her eyes. "I didn't know what His mother said to him, that he got ready to marry again. I was happy in my own bubble. After few month, I got pregnent with Mishu. I almost lost her if Mishti didn't save me that time from falling from the stairs."
" I was so self obsessed that I didn't even realised that she was living in the same house as us, seeing her husband married to another woman, until that day. " Tear flooded Janki's eyes as she cursed herself for it.
" She took care of me as her little sister, inspite of getting taunts from his mother and total ignorance from him. I tried to talk to Shekhar about her but Misthi's topic was out of talk for him. "
" I saw him cry several time for her. I saw him most vunerable for her. He used to come drunk at home most of the time. We thought, that was the worse days for us, But we didn't know worst is awaiting for us. "
" One day, I woke up and got to know, that Mishti left the house, for forever. I was heartbroken, as she became my closest friend in such a small time. Shekhar became heartless after that. He engrossed himself in business totally. For him, nothing mattered to him, except his business."
" I gave birth to Mishu, and he didn't even come to see her " Her throat clogged as she felt her heart paining. Ragini felt sad for her Mishu di and angry on her father. Shekhar was standing there, face with full of guilt.
" One day, I got a letter from your mother. She asked me to meet her. I wanted her to back in this house but when I went in the hospital she asked me to met, she was dying." Janki chocked saying this.
" The day, she put you in my hands. I somehow felt betrayed to know that you are Shekhar's child, but when I saw your innocent face, all I can feel is love towards you." Ragini blinked and a tear fell from her eyes. Janki wiped it and gave her a sad smile.
" She told me, how his mother, potrayed her unfaithful to Shekhar. That, It was the doctor she used to met for her checkups, as there was complications if she would ever conceive. That how Shekhar didn't believe on her love and told her to get away from his life. She made me promise to never disclose all this to him, ever "Ragini was heartbroken to know what her mother suffered and that she caused her , her life.
Shekhar staggered back in shock after listening all the truth. He hated himself for doubting on his Misthi's love. Sob escaped his lips as he broke down on floor with guilt. RagJan heard and rushed to him. He looked at them with eyes full of tears.
" How could I trust Maa and not Mishti..!!!! I punished her for the mistake she never did. How can I be this cruel." He was shaking his head as he looked at Ragini. " I don't deserve your forgiveness Ragu. Due to my hate for her that time, I left you out in front of a orphange. How could I do that to you Ragu..!!! How could I do that. " Tears were continuously flowing from their eyes as all were paining inside.
He stood shaking his head. " I don't deserve anything. I...Mishti...my Mishti...How...."He cursed himself for doing this to the love of his life.
He staggered again but held the door. " I don't deserve anything...I don't.."
He collasped on floor with a thud repeating this.
" Shekhar "
" Babaaaa..."
Both shout and immediately came to help him. They took him to the room and called the doctor immediately. No one said a word until doctor assured them that he is alright and faint due to some stress or shock. He will be fine soon.
" Who brought me back home, Maa..? " Ragini asked Janki, but still looking at the sleeping Shekhar on bed. Mishu and Adi was standing in a corner worriedly, looking at the tear stricken face of them.
" It was him." Janki answered with a sad smile. " When I got to know that he took you from my side and left you somewhere, We fought and he left the house. I went to search for you, But I didn't know where were you! When I came back next morning, he was sitting there, holding you in his hands."
A small smile appeared on janki's lips. " He cried his heart out for Misthi's loss. He couldn't believe himself that he was heartless towards you, You, the last remembrance of his Misthi. He changed completely after that day. I got the shekhar back, whom I loved once. You became his world. And we became a part of that world. "
Ragini's heart was breaking to feel what all, her parents gone through. Her baba, her Mishti Maa and her Janki Maa...trio had their struggle and she can't do anything other that just feeling pain or them.
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On the other side,
Sanskaar was turning side to side as he was feeling restless for some reason. He huffed a deep breath and stood from his bed. He went to laksh's room and knocked on the door.
Laksh opened the door, with a yawn and rubbing his eyes. " Bhai...! "
As soon as he heard Sanskaar's wary voice, his face filled with worry. " What happened, sanskaar...? "
" I don't know Bhai, but I am feeling something is not right. My heart is getting restless for some reason."
He took him into room and gave him some water. " Maybe because of Chacha- chachi? " asked Laksh with a uncertain face.
Sanskaar remembered, how laksh found out their pic in his cupboard and how he opened up about his feelings for them, few days back to him.
Sanskaar shook his head. " Last time, I felt this restless, Ragini got hospitalised. I hope she is safe now. " Sanskaar said with a worried face.
Laksh smiled and put his hand on his shoulder. " Do you love her, Chote? "
Sanskaar huffed a sigh and gulped the whole water in the glass. " I don't know Bhai If I can call, what I am feeling, is Love or just attachment. All I can say that, I just want to see her happy and on my side for forever."
Laksh smiled listening to his answer and patted his shoulder little. " Then don't be late to confess it to her. What if she too wants the same, in her innocent little heart. "
Sanskaar too smiled remembering how she teased him back that day. He nodded but still a wave of worry remain on his face as he left for his room, after spending some time with Laksh.
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That's it for today.
This story is coming to end, Finally. Just 2-3 chapter's left.
Till then
Stay safe stay happy
Love
Ragika ❤️