Mumbai
“ What wrong with you Raghav ? “ Gauri asked as she was cleaning his hand. Raghav just kept mum, “ Raghav are you listening to me ? “ Gauri asked as she looked at him, Raghav just looked ahead and did not say anything. Gauri sighed “ fine…wait here, I’ll go and get some bandages “ Gauri said as she left Raghav in the kitchen by the sink. After Gauri’s left, Raghav looked at his bloody hand, there were still some small glass pieces in his hand. Raghav tried to take it out but it was too painful. Before he tried a hand reached out and took his hand in theirs and carefully took out the glass pieces. Raghav looked up and saw Kalpi, Raghav tried to pull away but her grip on his wrist was strong. Kalpi carefully removed the glass pieces and threw it into the trash can, she then turned on the tap and placed his hand under the running water to wash off the excess glass. Kalpi gently rubbed his hands under the tap. All through out the whole process Kalpi did not utter a word to Raghav nor did she look at him, just then Gauri came back with the First Aid box, “ ohh Kalpi…thank god you’re here “ Gauri said setting down the box beside Kalpi, she opened it, and took out some spirts, and poured it on the cotton ball and passed it to Kalpi. Kalpi took it and gently dabbed Raghav’s hand with it, simultaneously blowing to keep the sting down. Raghav kept looking at Kalpi though out, Kalpi then took the bandage and, gently yet carefully bandage’s his hand, she cut off the excess bandage and tied it securely at its side. “ Oh thank you beti….” Gauri said, Kalpi just smiled and walked away, “ such a sweetheart “ Gauri said smiling as she cleared up the mess.
Raghav walked back into the tent and searched for Kalpi, Kalpi was standing beside the bride talking and laughing, she looked relaxed and free, she threw her head back and laughed at what the bride told her. Then the music started and Kalpi was pulled to the dance floor by that same guy and her friend. After dancing for sometime, Kalpi went to pull the bride to dance. Kalpi was having fun dancing, but she could not help that someone was staring at her, and Kalpi knew who it was. Raghav just kept on staring at Kalpi, “ Dude….you ok ? “ Sammy said as he came up beside Raghav, “ yeah…I’m fine. Listen go and wait outside near the car, I’m gonna find my parents and tell them that I want to leave early “ Raghav said as he walked way to find his parents. Raghav managed to find his parent inside the house talking to a few people, “ mom…..” Raghav started tapping on her shoulder, “ ahh beta…..its something wrong ? “ Gauri asked, “ I want to leave, I’m not feeling well “ Raghav said trying to sound convincing, “ oh ok…it’s ok beta….you go first, we’ll go back with Sarita and Balraj “ Gauri said and turned back to her friends. Raghav blinked a few times, shock at his mom’s answer, he shook his head and headed out.
Raghav found Sammy waiting near the car. Sammy got in, and just as Raghav was about to get in, he saw Kalpi with that guy, Raghav could feel his hand balling up into a fist. Confused at why he is feeling like this Raghav roughly opened the car door, got in and sped off. Kalpi turned her head when she heard a car speeding off, “ rude much “ Kabir said and he frowned at the car, Kalpi smiled and nodded “ yeah…..rude “ Kalpi said shaking her head, “ so I’ll see you tomorrow ? “ Kalpi said, “ ok…see you at the studio “ Kabir said and gave her hug and went to his car and drove off, Kalpi smiled and waved until she could not see him anymore. “ He so likes you Kalpu “ Pakhi said coming up beside her, “ As a friend Pakhi….he has a girlfriend and I know her “ Kalpi said, “ what !!! then what is all that flirting about ? “ Pakhi asked in shock, “ Kabir is like that, but he means no harm. He just likes to goof around “ Kalpi turned and smiled, “ chal ? “ Kalpi asked, Pakhi nodded and both girls headed inside the house.
Raghav kept on drinking, “ Rags…stop it. Your gonna die like this “ Sammy said annoyed trying to snatch the glass away from Raghav, “ SHUT UP SAM !!!! LEAVE ME ALONE !!!!! “ Raghav shouted. Sammy just shook his head and went upstairs to his room. Raghav felt lost, “ she means nothing to me….NOTHING !!!! “ Raghav chanted in his head and gulped down more Brandy. Raghav looked at his bandaged hand and threw the glass.
The next morning Kalpi made her way to the kitchen and found Pakhi at the table “ morning…your up early “ Kalpi said as she took a bowl and poured some cereal and milk into it. “ I could not sleep “ Pakhi smiled happily, “ really….what happened ? “ Kalpi asked, “ well last night…at the Sangeet, I met someone “ Pakhi said as she clapped excitedly, “ hmmmm and who is this person ? “ Kalpi asked taking a spoonful of her cereal, “ Samar Rizaada or Sammy “ Pakhi said dreamily. “ I have I heard that name before ? “ Kalpi thought, “ oh and guess what Kalpi, there is an opening at Singhania Construction Company, come on let’s go and sign up “ Pakhi said pleading. Kalpi chocked on her cereal and looked at Pakhi like she grew a second head, “ ohhhh….come on, you need to work, you last job was a bust. Please Kalpi “ Pakhi pleaded even more, Kalpi looked at the bowl “ I’ll think about it “ Kalpi smiled, “ THANK YOU !!!!! “ Pakhi hugged Kalpi tightly.
It’s been a week and Pakhi was busy preparing for her first interview with the CEO of Singhania Construction Company. “ Well how do I look ? “ Pakhi asked and she turned around for Kalpi, “ gorgeous…as usual “ Kalpi smiled, “ your gonna do great “ Kalpi hugged Pakhi. Pakhi smiled, “ I hope you can change your mind Kalpi “ Pakhi said sadly, Kalpi smiled and rubbed Pakhi’s arm encouragingly, “ you better hurry, you don’t want to make Raghav Singhania wait “ Kalpi said sarcastically, Pakhi giggled and nodded and headed out, Kalpi smiled and went back to cleaning the apartment.
“ Good morning Sir, I’m Pakhi Singh “ Pakhi said extending her hand, “ morning “ Raghav smiled and shook her hand, “ please sit down “ Raghav gestured Pakhi to sit, “ do you have your resume ? “ Raghav asked, “ oh yes..here it is “ Pakhi said handing the file over to Raghav, “ Graduate of University of Mumbai in Business “ Raghav said, “ Haan “ Pakhi replied timidly, “ I must say Ms. Singh, I very impressed, but I would like to ask you, if you get this job, what can I gain from you ? “ Raghav asked, “ Well Sir, I’m a fast learner, I’m very outgoing, I can sustain pressure at a high stage, curtesy of my friend and I’m willing to lean more about the construction industry “ Pakhi said confidently, “ courtesy of your friend ? “ Raghav questioned, Pakhi smiled, “ My friend Kalpi, she has been my backbone ever since university. Since my parents are always travelling, and I have no siblings, she is like a sister to me. She has taught me so much, and I thank her everyday for that “ Pakhi smiled. Raghav looked shocked, “ Uhh Sir, apa teek hai Sir ? “ Pakhi asked, “ huh….yes…yes…the job is yours’s Ms. Singh “ Raghav said handing the file back to Pakhi, “ really oh thank you Sir. Thank you so much “ Pakhi said, “ just answer me this question, why isn’t your friend requesting for this job as well ? “ Raghav asked curiously, “ well I actually asked her to come and request, but Kalpi being Kalpi she is always stubborn and picky. “ Pakhi chuckled, “ Umm can I go Sir ? “ Pakhi asked, “ Uhh sure, I’ll see you tomorrow then Ms. Singh “ Raghav said sanding up and shaking Pakhi’s hand. After Pakhi left, Raghav sat back down and laid his head back “ So Kalpana Jadhav is her friend “ Raghav said to himself, “ hey…how did it go ? “ Sammy asked as he walked into Raghav’s cabin “ good. I gave her the job “ Raghav said rubbing his temples, “ really….great “ Sammy smiled. After Sammy left, Raghav kept on rubbing his temples “ Kalpi…..Kalpi…why do I keep hearing her name and keep seeing her ? “ Raghav asked himself as he rubbed his temples harder.
Pakhi came home excited, “ KALPU !!!! I GOT IT !!!!! I GOT THE JOB “ Pakhi screamed happily as she hugged Kalpi, “ SACH !!!!! OH MY GOD I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU !!!!! “ Kalpi said as she hugged her best friend tightly, “ See I told you , you could do it !! “ Kalpi said happily and hugged her more, “ when do you start ? “ Kalpi asked, “ tomorrow “ Pakhi said, “ cool…come on, lunch is on me and we have to tell maa and papa “ Kalpi said, “ ok….but next time it’s on me “ Pakhi said, “ deal “ Kalpi said and they headed out.
That night after dinner, Raghav decided to take a ride on his bike, he just needed to get out of the house. “ Hey Pakhi, I’m going out for awhile “ Kalpi said to Pakhi who was watching tv, “ now…it’s late Kalpi “ Pakhi said concerned, “ it’s ok, only for awhile “ Kalpi said and left. Kalpi walked along the street leisurely and enjoyed the surrounding, Kalpi got to her favorite bench and sat down and pulled out her book and read. Raghav cycled angrily , the ride was not helping Raghav cool down, he felt more frustrated, Raghav cycled and found someone sitting on a bench, Raghav stopped a few feet away looked, he found that it was Kalpi that was sitting and reading a book, feeling angry, Raghav cycled forward and stopped his cycle and got down. Kalpi was so engrossed in her book that she did not see Raghav coming towards her until he spoke , “ well…well, if it isn’t Kalpana Jadhav “ Raghav said sitting down beside her coolly, Kalpi rolled her eyes “ what do you want Singhania ? “ Kalpi asked irritated, “ well that’s not now you greet and old friend “ Raghav smirked, “ we are not friends. We were NEVER friends, I just tolerated you because our parents are friends “ Kalpi said tightly. Raghav felt angry and hurt when Kalpi said that, Kalpi put down her book and looked at him dead in the eye “ what do you want ? are you here to brag about you being the new CEO of Singhania Construction Company ? or are you here to brag about your years in the States ? “ Kalpiasked sarcastically , Raghav looked at Kalpi dead in the eye, his range was boiling. Kalpi smiled and got up, before she could walk away Raghav said “ come and work for me “, Kalpi turned, “ excuse me ? “ Kalpi asked, “ my company has an opening, you should come and work for me “ Raghav said as he got up and walked towards her and stood in front of her, “ Why should I ? “ Kalpi asked, Raghav was stuck , “ because I’m Raghav Singhania and my company is one of the best “ Raghav said arrogantly, Kalpi chuckled and looked at him “ No…Thank……You “ Kalpi said and tried to walk away again but Raghav pulled her back, “ I’m giving you and opportunity Jadhav to work for one of the best “ Raghav said dangerously. Kalpi managed to pulled her arm away from his grip, “ and like I said no thank you. Besides, I already got a job offer…with another company “ Kalpi challenge back and walked way.
Raghav watched Kalpi leave, he felt defeated and hurt, “ I will not loose to you Kalpana Jadhav…mark my words “ Raghav said dangerously.