Love you all my readers 😊 , voters 🤗 , commenters 😘 !

Anyways, Onwards!!!

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

(Words in braces) - Telephone conversations.

Chapter 5 - An Outing

Sanskar looked at the various shirts lined up beside him on the bed. He sighed "Maa, none of these look good enough."

"Arre... These are shirts of the best brands. I've personally selected them for you. How could you not like them?"

"Maa, your choice isn't good at all." 😥

Sujata looked at him open-mouthed and turned to Sanskar's father "O ji, look at what he is saying! I have been buying clothes for him since he was a baby. And now that he's grown up, he talks to his mother like that?" 😣

"You bought clothes for me till I was 16. That's the reason I couldn't get a girlfriend till then." 😑

This made Ram laugh. However, he tried to stifle his laughter when Sujata glared "Hahaha...*cough* not funny *cough* totally not funny. Sanskar, your mother's choice is the best!"

Sanskar sighed in defeat.

Ever since his Badi Maa had agreed to Ragini when she asked her if she could take him out, he had been restless. It had been a long time since he got some fresh air and he couldn't wait to go out. Which brought him to the current situation.

He wanted to look his best for the outing. He wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he kind of wanted to impress Ragini with his looks. He didn't understand why he needed to do that, but he just wanted to look his best.

All this time, Ragini had either seen him as a homeless dirty person, or a sickly patient at the hospital. He wanted his best friend to admire his looks, even though Ragini had already seen him in his worst state, like when he first met her. Well....more like threatened her with a knife. 'Oh shit! I never apologized to her for pulling that stunt! No worries, I'll say sorry today.'

He looked at the pile of clothes and sighed for the unempth time. 'If I ever find something to wear that is. Why Maa why!? Why must you torture me with this outdated clothes? What did I ever do to you?'

#Gadodia House#

Ragini checked her wardrobe for something good to wear. She selected a simple salwar and took it out.

She was about to go change, when she felt someone come and snatch the dress from her.

"You're going to wear this for the outing?" asked Swara, looking skeptical.

"Um...yes. That's why I took it out."

"Ragini! You're going with Sanskar Maheshwari. And knowing how rich and luxurious they are, you can't wear something so simple when you go out with him."

Ragini smiled at her sister "Swara, its alright. I'm going with him because he wants to spend some time outside. I just care about having a good time, not about our dresses."

"But Ragini! I want my sister to look the best." Swara pouted. Actually, there was a reason she wanted Ragini to look her best.

After the way she found Ragini and Sanskar the other day, an idea had popped into her mind. It had stuck with her since. She couldn't forget the scenerio where Ragini and Sanskar were so close. 'They looked soooooo cute together. If I had a camera, I would have clicked their picture and put the tag 'cutest romantic couple ever!' under it.'

Since then, she had been thinking of ways to make them fall for each other. After everything that happened, Swara wanted to do something, (anything!) to fill Ragini's world with happiness. She felt that Sanskar could be the person who could do it. One could even say that she was obsessed with bringing Sanskar and Ragini together and make them a couple. In her mind, she even created a name for both of them as a couple. She named them together as 'Sangini' or 'RagSan'.

"Swara. It's unnecessary. I-"

"No Ragini. Today, you will let me dress you up. If you don't, it means you don't think of me as a sister."

"Whaaaa...Now that is just emotional blackmail Swara!" Ragini spoke in irritation. 😣

"I know. I'm great at it, aren't I?" Swara wriggled her eyebrows at Ragini.

Ragini sighed. "Fine, fine. I'll dress as you want. But this is the first and the last time. I won't do it ever again."

"Never say never dear sister. And thanks for agreeing. This is why you're my favourite sis."

"I'm your only sis." 😑

Swara went to her room and returned a few minutes later with some clothes "Go change into these." She saw Ragini opening her mouth to argue "Na-ah Ragini. No buts. You promised!"

Ragini sighed in defeat. What else could she do? There was no use arguing as Swara would eventually win. She took the clothes and went towards the folding partition to change her clothes in privacy.

Shramistha entered Ragini's room and found Swara standing there, humming to herself. "Eh? What got you in such a good mood, shona?"

"I'm one step closer to achieve mission Sangini, Maa."

"Mission what?"

Swara's eyes widened as she realized she spoke her thoughts out loud. "Ehehe...nothing Maa. Just silly me being myself!" she gave a nervous laugh. 😅

"How do I look?" asked Ragini as she came out.

She looked upto Swara and Shramistha to find them looking at her with wide eyes. Slowly Shramistha came closer and held her face in her hands. "Ragini, you look so beautiful! Where did you keep this beauty hidden all along?"

"Ragini! You look amazing! Just like a princess. Only thing lacking is a handsome prince." Swara teased.

Ragini blushed from their praises, but smiled shyly.

Suddenly, Swara's phone rang. It was Laksh. Swara excused herself and received the call.

"Hello Laksh. Good morning."

#Maheshwari Mansion#

(Hello Laksh. Good morning.)

"Good morning Swara. Are you busy?"

(No Laksh. I was just helping Ragini get ready to go out with Sanskar. I'm free to talk now.)

"Go out with Sanky?" Laksh asked in confusion.

(Yep! Badi Maa agreed to let Sanskar go out for today on Ragini's request.)

"I see." Laksh's mood was ruined on hearing the news.

'As if those two didn't spend enough time together already! Yesterday, they were so close. They will only grow closer if they are left alone.' He thought in anger.

(Hello? Laksh, are you there?)

"Yes, Swara. I'm listening." Suddenly, he got an idea "Swara, I was thinking....maybe we should accompany them."

(Eh? But why?)

Laksh tried to think of an excuse "Well, I haven't taken you out on a proper date since you confessed, and I also want to rekindle my friendship with Ragini. If we go together, I could do both. Besides, I know how mischievous bhai can be. He could hamper his recovery as he is still weak and Ragini may not be able to handle him alone."

There was a pause on the line, as if Swara was thinking over it. She then spoke (I guess you're right. One minute, let me ask Ragini.)

"Sure Swara." Laksh mentally patted himself for coming up with a good lie.

(Laksh, its final. I'll be coming with Ragini in an hour to your house. See you then! Love you.)

"Love you too." However, there was no such emotion behind his words. He was busy thinking of ways to keep Ragini and Sanskar apart during their outing.

#One hour later#

Sanskar finally decided upon a shirt to wear. It wasn't something he would have worn if he had a choice, but he was helpless. That was the only shirt that could be said to be fashionable as compared to the other outdated ones.

"Sanskar?"

Sanskar instantly recognized Ragini's voice. He turned to greet her. "Ragini I-"

However, he forgot whatever he was about to say when he saw her. He could only watch on with wide eyes at how beautiful she looked. He was left speechless and could only stare open-mouthed at her beauty. Her locks of hair moved in the breeze and he wanted so desperately to move them away from her face, so that he could keep staring at her eyes. He felt kind of jealous of her hair since they got to touch her soft cheeks, her beautiful eyes and her red lips. She had put on only light make up, instead of putting on layers of it like some other girls he has seen. In fact, Sanskar was sure that even if she didn't use it, her natural beauty would be enough to stop a man's heart.

He could have written a long poem on her beauty, if it wasn't for Swara's loud interruption. "Sanky! I hope you are ready, because I don't like waiting." Swara came to stand beside Ragini. She agreed to Laksh's idea, because she thought it would be like a double date. She was also hoping to get a chance to play matchmaker for Sanskar and Ragini.

Her presence broke Sanskar out of his thoughts "Eh? She's coming with us too?" he asked, looking at Ragini.

"Yes Sanskar. Laksh thought it was a good opportunity for all of us to spend some time together. I agreed. I hope you're okay with it."

"It's alright Ragini." He said with a smile. However he was suspicious.

'Laksh wants to spend time with Ragini and me? I thought he would want to spend some alone time with Swara. He was so hopelessly in love with her and was even ready to die when she refused to talk to him. But now that she does, why is he sticking around Ragini and me?' Sanskar couldn't figure it out.

"Everyone, ready to leave?" asked Laksh as he came into Sanskar's room. He froze once he looked towards Ragini. 'Wow. She looks amazing.' He couldn't help admire her slim figure and how beautiful she looked in her dress. She looked breathtaking.

Ragini saw Laksh look intently towards where she and Swara were standing. She thought Laksh was staring at Swara. She nudged Swara and whispered to her "Laksh can't seem to take his eyes off of you Swara." She teased.

Swara blushed and looked down while Ragini giggled.

Laksh was moving towards them, still lost in his musings about Ragini. He was about to move in front or Ragini, when Sanskar spoke.

"Yes, we are ready. Now lets go Lucky. I can't wait anymore! By the way, we're heading to the mall first. I need to buy some clothes. Else, mother will buy for me again." He shivered at the thought, which made Ragini laugh out loud.

"Hey, I'm serious. You don't know her choices. Lets go." Sanskar continued talking as he moved forward towards the door.

Ragini immediately side stepped Laksh and reached Sanskar's side.

Laksh felt jealousy crawl up his skin.

"Laksh? Are you okay?" asked Swara in concern.

Laksh took a deep breath to calm himself and smiled "I'm fine Swara. Lets go." He moved forward, without looking back to see if she was following or not.

Swara found his behaviour odd, but let it go and followed him.

#Mall#

"Which looks good? This one or that one?" Sanskar asked Ragini.

"Both of them look good Sanskar. But I want you to try this one." Ragini spoke, pointing to another.

"But I don't wear that type of shirts."

"Well, there's always a start of everything. I guess this would be a start for you to wear these type of shirts."

Sanskar thought about it. 'I guess it wouldn't hurt to try it.' He took the shirt and headed towards the changing rooms.

Ragini looked around the mall. She could see Swara and Laksh some distance away from her. Ragini herself had moved away from them and pulled Sanskar along with her to give them some privacy. She felt it would be good for them to spend some time together as a new couple.

She saw Swara head for the changing rooms on the other side. Laksh turned to her and gave her a smile. She smiled and waved back.

She saw him move towards her. 'Eh? Shouldn't he be waiting for Swara there?'

"Hello Ragini. I almost forgot to tell you how beautiful you look today."

"Thank you Laksh. But I bet you consider me second beautiful in comparison to Swara. After all, I saw how you were looking at her when we were at your house." teased Ragini.

'Only if you knew the truth Ragini.' Laksh thought "Yes, you're right." he lied. "Instead of waiting, why don't we two go and an have ice-cream? Sanskar and Swara can come after they have selected their dresses."

"Its okay Laksh. I don't mind waiting." Ragini said with a smile.

"But it-" Laksh was cut off mid-sentence by another voice.

"How do I look?" They both turned to look at Sanskar.

Ragini gasped looking at him. He looked dashing and totally like a college heart-throb. He looked absolutely handsome and like a true gentleman. Ragini could barely take her eyes off of him.

Sanskar, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck from within. He was looking everywhere, but towards Ragini. He was showing that he didn't care what she thought. But on the inside, he was quite conscious of his looks. He slowly sneaked a glance at her.

Sanskar saw her look at him in awe and felt good that he was able to impress her.'I think I need to buy some more of these.'

Laksh was seething with jealousy. He saw the look Ragini was giving Sanskar. 'She was supposed to look like that at me! Not him. She should be head over heels for me, not Sanky!'

"Ragini, come on. I want to buy you something too! Lets go to the jewellery section." He turned to look at Laksh. "We'll meet you at the entrance Lucky. See ya." Sanskar grabbed Ragini's hand and pulled her along with him.

Laksh looked on with clenched fists. He grit his teeth in anger.

"Laksh, why did you leave all of a sudden?" asked Swara, as she came near.

Laksh quickly made an apologetic face "I'm so sorry Swara. I..I.." he tried to think of an excuse "I came because Ragini called me. You were taking so long. So I decided to come here to ask why she had called me."

"Oh. Is that so?" Swara asked, still not convinced. She was finding Laksh's behaviour more and more odd.

Laksh came near and held her cheek. "You look so beautiful in this dress Swara. I could stare at you all day." He tried to distract her.

Immediately, Swara forgot all about the matter and blushed. She could feel her heart doing flips at their closeness. Just when she was about to move closer, Laksh separated from her and pointed towards the changing rooms. "Go change Swara. I'll pay for the dress."

Swara nodded and went back to the changing room.

Laksh looked towards the way Ragini left with Sanskar. One thing was clear to him now. He wanted Ragini for himself. He didn't value her when he had her. It was his greatest mistake. But now that she was with his brother, he couldn't stand it. 'I guess people are right. We value something when we lose them, not when we have them. However, I plan to win back what I lost. She already loved me. It won't be difficult to make her fall for me again.'

He smirked 'You will be mine Ragini. And that day isn't far away.'

***************************

To be continued...