Hi! Hope you all are well. And hope you all aren't finding this fic a bore because of my slow updates. 😅😅

Moving on...💃💃💃

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

(Words in braces) - Telephone conversations

Chapter 26 - A Catastrophe

#Warehouse#

Laksh looked at his phone, Ragini's picture flashing on it. He kissed her face and took in a deep breath with a smile on his face. 'Finally, she will come to me. I'm waiting Ragini.' his thoughts were interrupted by a call. "Hello?"

(The plan going as planned.)

"Exactly! You're a mastermind."

(I know. But you're an idiot. This is the only chance. So make good use of it.)

Laksh chuckled. "You don't need to tell me that."

(Whatever! Bye.)

"Bye. And once again, thanks. Really, thanks a lot...Swara."

#RagSan's apartment#

"Whatever! Bye."

(Bye. And once again, thanks. Really, thanks a lot...Swara.)

Swara rolled her eyes and cut the call. 'My work here is done.' thinking so, she walked towards the front door. However, before she could pull the door knob, someone else opened the door from the other side.

Mani looked at her suspiciously. "Swara? What exactly are you doing here?"

"Its my sister's apartment. I don't have to answer to you."

"Really? Last time I checked you had abandoned Ragu when she needed you the most."

Swara glared at him. "That is something between me and Ragini. Now move aside!" she pushed past Mani, only to be held back by the wrist by him. "Let go of my wrist Mani."

"Swara, I know what you are upto. I know you want to harm Ragu." Swara looked shocked at his words.

"H-how...how did you kn-"

"I heard you and Lucky talking to each other. You both plan to ruin Ragu's happiness. How could you be so cruel?!" Mani shouted in anger. "She cares for you so much. She trusts you so much. And you? You stab her in the back?! How disgusting!"

Swara snatched her hand away from his grip. "Shut up! You don't know anything! You don't know what it feels like to lose your love. You don't know what it feels like to have your love consider you only as an item...only as a means to their own goal. You don't know anything!"

Mani's eyes softened on her words. After all, her hatred for Ragini was only out of spite. "Swara, seeking revenge this way won't bring you happiness. It will only leave you feeling empty."

"Just shut up Mani! You won't understand. Do you really think your hollow words can console me?"

"Lis-" before Mani could speak more, Swara pushed him inside and shut the door in his face as she left the place.

Mani wanted to follow her, but decided against it. It was more important for him to warn Ragini of Laksh and Swara first. He walked towards Ragini's room and knocked on the door. When there was no response, he knocked harder, making the door creak open on its own. 'Eh? It's open?' he opened the door fully and walked in. "Ragu? Ragu!?" however, there was no response. 'Maybe she is in Sanky's room.'

Mani walked out and rushed towards Sanskar's room. However, it was empty as well. He could feel his heart fill with fear for Ragini with every passing moment. Mani ran towards the kitchen and every other possible place in the apartment trying to find her, but with no such luck.

Suddenly, a thought struck him and he gasped out loud. "Swara! Swara was here. She must have done something to Ragu!" Mani turned back and rushed out of the door, hoping to catch Swara in time.

He looked left and right trying to spot Swara on the street. 'Shit! Has she left already!?'

From the corner of his eyes, he saw her standing at a distance, about to get into an auto. He ran as fast as he could, but couldn't reach her on time. "Damn! What to do? What to do th-Car!" Mani at once ran back towards his car, determined to confront Swara and ask her what she did to Ragini.

#Maheshwari Mansion#

"The food is really amazing Sujata."

Annapurna nodded. "I agree. It really is delicious."

"I cooked like I do everyday. I bet it's the happiness of seeing Uttara again that's making the food sweeter for everyone." Sujata replied, unable to contain her happiness of Uttara's return to India.

Ram smiled at his wife. "That is true. But it is also true that your cooking is amazing. In fact, that was the reason I married you." he joked.

Sujata hit him on the arm. "Is that so? That is the only reason that you chose me?" she asked with a glare.

"Of course not! I chose you because I couldn't let any of my fellow human males suffer your endless chatter for life!"

"Oho! Stop teasing Chachi so much. She is the sweetest!" Parineeta exclaimed from her seat near Adarsh.

"And we are not?" Annapurna asked with a playful smile.

"You all are. In fact, I feel blessed to have in-laws like all of you. You give me more love than my own parents could. I feel more like a daughter in this house than a daughter-in-law." Parineeta responded.

Adarsh smiled at his wife. 'You sure know how to keep them pleased with you, don't you? I guess I am lucky to get a cunning wife like you Parineeta.'

Parineta felt eyes on her and looked towards her husband with a smirk.

*phone ringing*

"I'll get it."

"It's okay Parineeta. You eat. I'll go." Annapurna said with a smile. She got up and went towards the phone. "Hello?"

(Hello Badi Maa!)

Annapurna gasped as she recognized the voice. "U-Uttara!?" The rest heard her and paused their eating to listen to their conversation.

Annapurna put the phone on speaker. "Uttara, how are you beta?"

(I'm fine Badi Maa. How are you? And how is everyone? Have you put the phone on speaker? Did you se-)

"Arre calm down beta. One question at a time. And yes, I have put it on speaker. If you wa-"

(It's on speaker? Great! Hey everyone! Missed all of you so so so much! Did you all miss me? Badi Maa, did you?)

"Of cou-" before Annapurna could finish her sentence, Sujata interrupted as she came to stand beside her. The rest of the family members got up from their seats and moved towards the phone as well.

"Uttara! Uttara how are you bache? Your mom misses you so much!" Sujata spoke in a shaky voice, too emotional to hear her daughter's voice.

(I missed you more Maa!)

"Not more than me, beta!"

As both mother and daughter continued talking in high pitched voices and at a fast pace, the rest of the family could only sigh and shake their heads.

Ram chuckled in good humor. "Well, like mother like daughter."

(Maa, I need a help.)

"Anything for you beta."

(Well, you see...I lied about being back in a week. The truth is that I'm already in India.)

"What!? You lied?"

(I wanted to surprise you all. That's why! Anyway, my point is, I thought I would go home by myself. So I told the cab driver to drive me to an address. But he brought me to the wrong place. Can you please pick me up from here?)

Ram smiled at hearing his daughter's request over the speaker. "Of course beta. In fact, we will all go to bring you. Just tell us where you are."

#Warehouse#

Ragini looked at the building in front of her. In a fit of rage, she had left for the warehouse. But now that she was here, she felt a sense of dread. There was hardly anyone near the place. No houses were near as well. In such a gloomy and eerie surrounding, she could feel goosebumps on her skin.

Ragini sucked in a deep breath. 'You can't fall weak Ragini. You must stay strong! You must stand strong. If not for yourself, do it for your sister. Woman up!' she nodded to herself and marched ahead.

As she neared the door, she looked around in apprehension. She hesitantly opened the door as quietly as possible.

Ragini could barely see anything inside as it was completely dark. Really only source of light was from the outside the door. Nevertheless, she took slow steps and entered the room. As she let go of the door, it closed on its own.

Ragini was startled by the noise and felt afraid as the room descended into darkness. "Don't fear Ragini. It's just how the door's mechanism is." she consoled herself and walked ahead.

As she walked forward, she didn't notice the figure behind her that walked silently towards the door. The man locked the door and put back the keys know his pocket. He looked back with a smile towards Ragini. 'Finally, my prey has come.'

#With Swara#

"Madam?"

Swara looked up at the voice of the auto driver. "Yes bhaiya?"

"Do you know that person in the car? He seems to be following us ever since you got in."

Swara looked at the car in the front mirror. 'Mani? Damn it! Why won't he leave me alone?!' Swara huffed out in anger and dialed Mani's number. "Mani, ar-"

(Swara! Where is Ragini?!)

"How am I supposed to know?"

(Don't dare lie to me! Tell me what you and Lucky have done to Ragu.)

"You're talking crap. I don't have time for your nonsense."

(I've already informed Sanky. He's coming to find you as well! You won't get away with this!)

Swara's eyes widened on his words. At once she cut the call. 'Shit shit shit! If Sanskar gets to me now, then my plan will be ruined! No! No, I can't let this happen. I need to do something! But what?'

A thought struck her and Swara dialed another number.

(Hello Shona. What is it?)

"Maa, I'm in big trouble! Please help me!"

(What!? Swara are you alright? Did something happen to you?!)

"Something will if you don't get to me fast. I'll tell you the address. Please come fast!"

(Don't worry Swara. Me and your Baba are coming to save you. Hold on, alright?)

#Warehouse#

Ragini stumbled in the dark. 'Better be more careful.' Ragini straightened up and resumed her steps. Suddenly, she saw a light from the nearby room. Ragini squinted her eyes and walked towards the room.

Once near, she opened the door fully and found the room beautifully decorated with flower bouquets and lights. In the middle of the room was a table for two. There was a rose placed in the vase on the table.

Suddenly, she felt a warm breath near her ear from behind her. "Like it, Ragini?" spoke a husky voice.

Ragini's eyes widened and she abruptly turned around in shock and fear. "L-Laksh!"

Laksh smiled sweetly at her. "Hello Ragini." he casually walked in and went forward to sit on one of the chairs near the table. "Come sit Ragini." he suggested as he pointed at the chair near him.

Ragini felt uncertain and fearful of the situation, but didn't want to show it to Laksh. She composed herself and glared at him.

"Stop this nonsense Laksh. I'm not here to celebrate. I'm here to tell you to stop threatening my sister!"

Laksh didn't seem offended. "Okay, fine. You can tell me that later. But at least sit down first."

"No thanks. I'm comfortable here."

Laksh looked at her pointedly. "Come on Ragini! I'm only saying we should talk while we sit. It's not like I'm asking you to surrender to me." Laksh spoke with a smirk.

Ragini felt her fear rise at his words. Although he seemed to be joking, it didn't fail to make her feel vulnerable. 'Don't let him see your fear Ragini. Don't show him your fear!' she steeled herself and moved forward to sit on the chair. "Now then, Swara told me that you have been calling her and threat-"

"Oh please!" Laksh interrupted her sentence. "Can't we just forget about Swara and talk about ourselves for a moment?"

Ragini glared at him harder. "Like I said. I'm here to speak about Swara. Not you and I. And as for my life, it's going smoothly now that you're out of it!"

Laksh placed a hand over his heart dramatically. "Aww...you hurt me Ragini." he smiled again. "It's good that you're okay. But what about Sanky? Is he alright as well?"

"Yes. He and I both are happy."

'Now to begin my manipulations.' Laksh thought with a smirk. "Really? You say you're happy. Fine. But how can you say Sanky is completely happy without the support of his parents?"

"Sanskar and I know they will eventually forgive him. We don't need to worry about that. Nor do we need the likes of you to think about our well-being."

"Aww...such naivety. You think Sanky is okay. But is he really? How can you be sure that he isn't just faking it for your sake?"

Ragini narrowed her eyes at him. "Sanskar would tell me if that was the matter."

"Would he now? Think about it Ragini. If he believes that it would make you sad, would he tell you?"

Ragini looked down in thought. She hadn't thought of the things in that light before. She was sure that Sanskar was happy with her and would tell her if there was a problem. But Laksh's words were now making her doubt herself.

Laksh could see the conflicts going on in her mind through her expressions. "Just think about it. Do you really think one could be happy if they know that their parents would never accept them? Would they be happy if they have to live with the fact that their parents disowned them? Would they be happy if they are as good as dead to their parents?"

Ragini gripped the chair tighter. All of the times she spent with Sanskar came back to her. His worried face, his pensive mood, him becoming easily irritated and angry. 'Is it all because of his sorrow? Is it all because he misses his family? Does he not tell me so that I don't become sad?'

Laksh got up from his seat with a smirk. He came behind Ragini and whispered in her ear. "Just think about it deeply Ragini. What would you do if your parents did the same? They never have disowned you like Sujata Maa and Ram Uncle did. Would you be able to live with such sorrow?"

Ragini slowly shook her head in response. She could feel tears gather in her eyes.

"Ragini, would you tell it to Sanky and see him blame himself as the reason of it?"

Ragini shook her head. "N-no. I wouldn't. Does...does this mean that I'm...I'm the rea-"

"Yes Ragini. It's because of you. He can't see you sad and that's why he shows that he doesn't care about his parents' opinions. That is why he isn't trying to make amends with them." Laksh answered, trying to make her feel guilty.

"I...I'm the cause? I'm the one causing him this sadness?" so lost was Ragini in her own emotional pain, that she failed to see through Laksh's evil manipulations.

Laksh gently placed his hands on her shoulders, rubbing them for comfort. He turned her around and rubbed away her tears. "Yes Ragini. That's true. It's harsh, but it's true."

Ragini looked at him with tears in her eyes. "But...but I don't want to do that to him. What do I do?"

Laksh smiled at his victory. He was so successful in his manipulation, that Ragini was now seeking his approval and help. "Yes Ragini dear. I understand. But the situations are like this." he slowly made her stand up and pulled her into a hug.

And Ragini? She was too emotionally lost in her own trauma to realize his mind games. "What do I do?"

"Nothing Ragini. You just have to leave it up to me."

"Wh-what?"

Laksh hugged her tightly and breathed in a sigh of bliss. "I can make everything alright. I can make Sujata Maa and Ram Uncle accept Sanky back."

Ragini gasped. "Y-you can?"

Laksh burried his face in the crook of her neck. "Yes dear. I can do all of it. I can do it in a few days time. All you need to do is trust me."

"If you can bring Sanky's happiness, then I will trust you."

"Good Ragini. Very good. All you need to do is trust me. And...and also do a little thing for me. You need to surrender to me." he spoke in a husky voice.

Ragini shook her head. "I can't. I love Sanskar."

"Oh come on! I thought you would do everything for Sanky, won't you? After all, you are the cause of his sorrow and despair. Can't you oblige to my request just this once for his sake? Why are you so selfish?" Laksh accused, manipulating her emotionally weak self. He softened his voice again, speaking as if he was a benefactor. "No one will know Ragini. Just surrender to me Ragini. For Sanky."

"B-but Lu-"

"Shhh Ragini. Let me take care of you. Just leave everything to me. I'll make it alright." Laksh consoled. He smirked to himself as he felt no resistance from her as he touched her cheek and brought her into a kiss.

************************************
To be continued...

Hehe... Cliffy 😂😂

What do you think? What will happen now?
What will Ragini do?
Will Sanky and Mani reach on time?

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~ 🌹 Mona🌹