Laksh climbed the stairs of the temple. He was feeling dizzy after drinking so much and it was difficult for him to walk without losing his balance. His eyes were half closed. He was about to slip but he held a pillar for support. He tried to open his eyes fully but his vision was blurred. Laksh was only able to see 2 shapes walking around the holy fire and someone in white sitting down.

Laksh: "What is happening here? Hmm.... fire... pandit... bride and groom... Seems like a wedding is going on... At least someone got their love... unlike me..."

He recalled Ragini hugging Sanskar and immediately closed his eyes.

Just then he heard a shout: "Leave me Veer! You are doing wrong Veer! Please Veer!"

Laksh opened his eyes recognizing the voice: "Ragini?!" - he looked on but his vision was still blurred. He shook his head – "No Laksh... this must be your allucination only. You are seeing Ragini everywhere and hearing her voice. Come on you crazy guy..."

He turned to go away.

But in the same temple, Veer was dragging Ragini around the holy fire. Four vows taken... Ragini was crying and was trying to free her wrist struggling to remove Veer's grip over it.

AND ON THE OTHER SIDE

Sanskar was driving the car very fast. His eyes were red for anger thinking about what could Veer have done with Ragini. He was looking straight at the road in front of him and driving as fast as he could.

Sharmishta: "Sanskar drive slowly na, what's the hurry?"

Sanskar didn't reply. There was only one thought in his mind: Ragini!

Swara: "Maa we need to reach there asap."

Shekhar: "Where and why?"

Swara didn't reply.

IN THE TEMPLE

Laksh was about to leave but he stopped as he heard Ragini's voice again: "Please stop it Veer!"

He furrowed his eyebrow: "Veer?"

Laksh turned around and blinked twice before clearly seeing what was happening.

He was shocked to see Veer dragging Ragini and Ragini crying and trying to free herself.

Laksh heard the pandit saying: "The last vow now..."

Laksh looked at Ragini and Veer.

Ragini was shaking her head, crying and trying to remove Veer's hand from her wrist.

Laksh's eyes were red for rage. He was fuming in anger as he realized what was happening.

He shouted: "VEEEERRR!!!"

Veer stopped and he and Ragini looked on.They are shocked to see Laksh. A little smile appeared on Ragini's face in between her tears.

Laksh walked towards them gritting his teeth: "Veer leave Ragini!"

But Veer held Ragini's wrist more tightly. She hissed closing her eyes more tightly.

Seeing that, Laksh went to Ragini and Veer and separated Veer's hand from Ragini's wrist. He pulled Ragini towards her pushing Veer away.

Ragini found herself with her face hidden in Laksh's chest. She looked up at him. He was angrily looking at Veer who was looking down.

Laksh clenched his fists: "You didn't do right Veer. I will not spare you!"

He moved Ragini aside and she hided herself behind Laksh.

He went towards Veer and slapped him hardly: "How dare you touch Ragini?!!"

Veer didn't react. He was looking down.

Laksh held his collar: "I won't spare you!!"

He was about to hit his face with a punch but someone shout from behind: "LAKSH! STOP!"

Laksh, Ragini and Veer looked behind.

Sanskar, Swara, Sharmishta and Shekhar were standing there.

Sharmishta and Shekhar looked around and they are shocked to see the arrangements for wedding rituals.

Sharmishta: "What's happening here?"

Ragini ran towards her and hugged her crying.

Sharmishta: "Ragini?! What happened to you? Why are you crying?"

Laksh: "I will tell you what your would to be son-in-law was upto..."

Laksh explained them what happened. Sharmishta and Shekhar were shocked.

Shekhar looked at Veer angrily. He went towards him and held his collar shaking him: "Why did you do this Veer? Do you even realize you were about to ruin my both daughters lives doing this?! What if Laksh hadn't come on time?!" – He pushed him leaving his collar – "What did we do with you that you stooped so low?!"

Laksh: "I would have killed you if Bhai hadn't stopped me!"

Veer shouted: "Kill me then! Why did you leave me? What will I do by living? For you all it's so easy to blame me! But for someone who has lost his love twice it's not easy to let it go so easily! The first time I fell in love with someone my stubborn parents snatched it from me... and when Ragini gave me hopes that even I can live happily, even I can love again.... Then she went away from me too? Why are everybody behind me?! First Ritika..." – A tear skipped through his eye and he looked down to hide it.

A voice spoke: "I had left... but that didn't mean I would never come back..."

Veer looked on recognizing the voice and was shocked to see Ritika and his parents standing in front of him.

Veer: "Ritika..." – He lipped her name.

Ritika had tears in eyes and she slowly walked towards Veer: "How could you forget me so easily Veer? You are ready to move on? You really thought I will leave you forever?!"

Veer: "N.. no Ritika I..."

Ritika shouted crying: "What Veer? There are people out here that would fight till their last breath to win their love and you gave up so easily? Why Veer why? How could you change so much?! I fell for your innocence, for your cuteness... but today... I can't see the Veer I loved."

Veer looked down.

Ritika: "What did you see in Ragini that wasn't in me? How could you forget me like that?"

Veer raised a hand towards Ritika but she turned her face to the other side. Veer shut his eyes as tears fell on his cheeks.

Veer: "Ragini was exactly like you... she has your same eyes, your same antics... I felt like I found my Ritika again... that Ritika who had gone far from me..."

Ritika cried shaking her head: "But now I'm back... and I will never leave you!"

She ran towards him and threw herself in Veer's arms. Veer looked at Ragini and apologized with his eyes. Ragini wiped her tears and smiled nodding to him. Veer hugged Ritika back.

Veer's parents went towards Sharmishta and Shekhar. Mrs. Singhania joined her hands: "I'm really sorry..."

But Sharmishta immediately said: "No no... don't say like this. We'll forget all this, you should too. And please support your son in a new beginning of his life."

Sanskar: "Well... all is well if end is well!"

Everybody laughed, all except Laksh who was watching all this from a corner.

Shekhar: "I'm telling you... all arrangements are done so why to wait? Groom and bride are here so..."

Everyone looked at each other smiling and nodding.

Mr. Singhania: "Sure! Pandit ji please start the rituals. We want our daughter in law asap now!"

The pandit nodded.

Everybody was happy.

Laksh was only looking at Ragini leaning against a pillar.

AFTER A WHILE

Ritika and Veer were sitting down ready for the wedding rituals.

Ragini was standing near Swara when Laksh came near her and whispered: "Ragini... I need to talk to you."

Ragini whispered too: "Later Laksh, they are about to take vows."

Laksh held her wrist: "I need to talk to you right now."

Ragini looked at him.

Laksh dragged her with him holding her wrist. Ragini followed him without saying a word; she didn't understand what happened to him suddenly.

Laksh took her behind the temple.

Ragini: "Laksh fast please, vows are about to start!"

Laksh shouted: "Shut up! Just shut up Ragini! You know, you talk a lot... too much!"

He came closer to her while a shocked Ragini backed off. He continued to come closer to her and she continued to step back stammering: "L... Lak... Laksh... you..." - She stopped walking back as she hit the wall with her back. She looked at Laksh who was at only some cms of distance from her.

Laksh whispered: "But now, I need to talk."

Ragini grimaced: "Laksh you are drunk?!"

Laksh nodded coming closer to her.

Ragini pushed him away: "Laksh ARE YOU MAD? You are in a temple!"

Laksh shouted: "SO? So what? Will God punish me? Which one tell me?! I don't believe any God who keeps playing with our hearts."

Ragini was confused. She put a hand on his shoulder to calm him: "Laksh... why are you saying so? What happened?"

A tear skipped on Laksh's cheek: "I fell in love with you..." – He finally said in a breath.

Ragini immediately removed her hand from his shoulder shocked. His words echoed in her mind.

Ragini: "What... what are you saying Laksh?"

Laksh: "I'm saying the truth Ragini..." - He held her shoulder pulling her closer making her winced – "I don't know when... how or why... but I just fell in love... Love slowly happened. I love you so much that you are everything for me... literally my world."

Ragini was shocked to hear his words. A tear skip on her cheek. It was happening again... again a friend was forcing her to break his heart.

Laksh: "Yeah..." - he left her and looked away trying not to show his tears – "I know you must be surprised... voh.. I heard you and Sanskar today... in the room... I know you love Sanskar.. I heard it... hey..." - he noticed her tears – "Why are you crying?"

Ragini recalled Sanskar saying to her ''I love you'' in the room. But that was only a plan.

Laksh looked at Ragini who was stunned: "But one thing Ragini.... Nobody in this world can love you more than how much I do. Nobody."

Tears were flowing down from Ragini's cheek.

Laksh: "Hey... why are you crying? You know I can't bear tears in your eyes..." - he came closer to her and made her look up towards him. He wiped her tears while she closed her eyes.

Ragini: "L.. Laksh..." - she didn't want to hurt him but he was only a friend for her.

Laksh put a finger on her lips and shook her head: "Don't say anything Ragini. Don't think that you broke my heart. I'm happy if you are happy with Sanskar. Really." - Ragini was crying since she wasn't able to bear all that.

Laksh turned. He was crying too: "But yes... I'm telling you, if Sanskar hurt you even a little..." - he turned towards Ragini who was still weeping..

Laksh: "Hey... why are you crying? Do you hate me so much that you are crying for my words also? I am... I am sorry if I hurt you... I promise you... I won't come between you and Sanskar. I just couldn't stop myself to tell you my feelings... Veer made me a bit emotional... but please... don't cry... I will leave Ragini! I will go away from your life."

Ragini shook her head a raised a hand stepping towards him but this time he backed off: "No! Don't hit me! S... sorry... I wasn't in my sense. No... No... I will leave... I will go away..." – He madly said.

He turned and ran away. Ragini shouted from behind: "Laksh!! LAksh listen to me!!!"

But he was gone...

Ragini looked down not believing on what just happened. She covered her mouth with a hand and felt like falling down but she leaned against the wall.

Sanskar came there and saw her.

Sanskar: "You are here and the wedding rituals are completed there! What are you doing here? Ragini I'm asking you something?"

Ragini shouted: "What?!! What's left now?"

Sanskar:" Ragini?! What happened to you suddenly?!"

Ragini: "I'm getting mad seriously Sanskar! I am not able to understand what shall I do..."

Saying that she left from there leaving Sanskar confused and stunned.

Sanskar: "What happened to her? Has she really become mad?"

LATER

OUTSIDE OF THE TEMPLE, NEAR SINGHANIAS CAR

Veer hugged Sanskar: "Thank you Sanskar! Hadn't you been here today I would have ruined don't know how many lives!"

Sanskar patted on his back: "It's okey Veer... now just take care of Ritika and keep her happy!"

Veer smiled: "We are going to Bangalore... we will start our new life there."

Ragini: "Aww... I will miss you pal!"

Veer was surprised: "You.. I mean... after whatever I did..."

Ragini: "Just shut up! I've forgotten that. We were good friends right? And we will remain the same. And don't worry... I will punish you. You can't get rid of me this easily. Your credit card is mine from now onwards!"

Sharmishta: "Ragini!!" – She eyed her.

Ragini: "Just kidding!"

Everyone laughed.

Then Veer, Ritika and Veer's parents sat in the car and they left while Ragini, Swara and Sanskar shouted from behind: "Bye Veer!! See you soon!!"

Ragini then looked around: "Sanskar? Where is Laksh?"

Sanskar: "He was feeling unwell so he went home..."

Ragini: "oh..." - She knew why he was feeling unwell and she felt really guilty.

THE NEXT DAY

Ragini and Swara came in their classrooms.

Swara: "Uff...!! Finally back to normal life!!" – She sighed.

Ragini: "Really!!!"

Sanskar spoke from behind: "Not so fast girls..."

Swara and Ragini turned: "What do you mean?"

Sanskar: "The principal called us in her office... I don't know what happened..."

Ragini: " ''us'' means?!"

Sanskar: "Me, You, Swara, Karishma and Laksh..."

Ragini: "Where is Laksh?"

Sanskar: "He said he will be coming with Omi this morning. I messaged him to come to the principal's office directly. Shall we go?"

Swara and Ragini nodded and followed Sanskar in the principal's cabin.

They went inside. Also Karishma came.

Principal: "Come come... I was just waiting for you... where is Laksh Maheshwari?"

Sanskar: "Mam he must be coming. Don't worry, I will tell him."

Principal: "Ok... so... I think and hope you all know about the ATC... Academies' Talent Competition.."

Karishma: "Of course Sir... it's a competition between the most important academies of the world... where groups of students have to show their talent representing their academy."

Principal: "Well.. this year it will be located in London.. and you 5 have been selected to represent our academy worldwide."

Swara: "WHAT? REALLY?"

Ragini pinched her: "Control yourself..."

Principal: "Yes.. really... but I want you guys to give the best of yours. You'll go to London next month. Details will be communicated later. Everything clear?"

The 4 nodded.

Head Teacher: "Great... now you can go..."

Ragini, Sanskar, Swara and Karishma went out of his office. They were so excited!

Swara: "Woowww!! I can't believe we are going to London!"

Karishma: "Yeah.. this must be a very rare opportunity for you!" - she looked at her from top to bottom with a grimace and then left.

Ragini: "Sanskar? Laksh didn't reach yet?"

Sanskar: "Yah it's strange... Let me call him..."

He took his phone from his pocket and called Laksh but he didn't pick up the call. He tried again... but same result.

Sanskar: "Why isn't he picking up the calls!"

Ragini was worried. She recalled Laksh's words ''I'll leave'': "What if he really went away. But where?"

Sanskar: "Did you say something?"

Ragini: "Yes... I mean no... I mean... we should go to check where he is!"

Sanskar: "Maybe he is still at home... you girls go to the classroom, I'll go and check."

Ragini: "Can I come with you?"

Sanskar: "But..."

Ragini: "Please..."

Sanskar agreed. They went out of the academy and got inside Sanskar's car.

Ragini sat next to Sanskar who started the car: "Sanskar fast! We shouldn't miss first lesson..."

Sanskar nodded.

ON THE OTHER HAND

Laksh was in his car too. He was wearing his glasses to hide his tears while driving: "I am sorry Ragini... I shouldn't have told anything to you. Maybe I hurt you a lot... but I swear this won't happen again. I'm going far from here.... Because I don't want to hurt myself too and I know that I'll suffer seeing you with Sanskar. It would be too hard and I don't have so much courage. I have gone mad in this love but now it's too late... I hope I'll slowly forget you..."

He applied brakes as the traffic light turned red.

MEANWHILE

Sanskar was driving fast as Ragini said when abruptly he applied sudden brakes. Ragini, who was sitting next to him, hopped on the seat and hit her head with Sanskar's shoulder messing up her hair.

Ragini: "Sanskar! What are you doing?!"

Sanskar: "Arey yaar... traffic light..." – He looked at her and started to laugh loudly.

Ragini: "What are you laughing at?"

Sanskar: "Ragini.. your.. haha... your hair!!"

Ragini looked herself on the mirror and immediately set her hair but Sanskar was still laughing. Ragini hit her playfully on the shoulder.

On the left side of their car... Laksh was in his car and was waiting for the lights to turn green... when he heard some laughters. He looked at the car next to his car and saw Sanskar and Ragini laughing together. He felt hurt and angry also.

Laksh: "Shouldn't they be at the academy? Then why..." - but then he realized what he was saying and he angrily hit the steering with a fist and looked on: "Why isn't this damn light turning green!"

MEANWHILE

Ragini and Sanskar were laughing when Ragini saw Laksh in the car next to Sanskar's one and got shocked.

Ragini: "Sanskar you said Laksh was with Omi but... why is he going to the opposite direction of the academy and that too alone?"

Sanskar looked at Laksh and got confused.

Ragini and Sanskar looked at each other.

Chapter ends

Precap: Let's move to London...