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"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 6 - His Acceptance

"There you are." Laksh exclaimed "Me and Swara had been looking all over for the both of you. Didn't you say you would be in the jewellery section?" Laksh asked, once he was near them.

He and Swara had been searching for Ragini and Sanskar, only to find them outside the mall, near a panupuri vendor.

"Hey Laksh, Swara. And as for being here, its totally not my fault." Sanskar replied.

Ragini chuckled "Yes, it was me who insisted to stop here. No matter what, street food is the best. Besides, you wanted to enjoy your day outside, didn't you Sanskar? Your day can't be complete without having panupuris. They're the best!"

"Aww....Ragu you're eating alone? You forgot about me didn't you?" Swara pouted.

"No way Swara. Here." Ragini took the panupuri from her plate and placed it in Swara's mouth. "Happy now?"

Swara just nodded with her mouth was full, and motioned for another one.

Ragini laughed at her childishness and told the vendor to give the rest of her panupuris to Swara. She watched as Swara enjoyed them like a kid. Suddenly, there was a hand holding a panupuri in front of her face.

"Go on. Eat it." Sanskar said with a smile.

"But its yours Sanskar. You should enjoy them for today, because from tomorrow, you will only get those boring meals meant for patients."

"I know. Still, I want to share it with you. Now open up."

Ragini smiled and let him feed her.

Laksh was seething in the inside seeing all this. 'Why are they acting like a couple? They say they are only friends and yet, yet they act like this even in public!'

Suddenly a thought occurred to him 'Is... is Ragini doing this on purpose? To make me jealous? Maybe she thinks by flirting with Sanskar, she can get to me.' He smirked 'She was obsessed with me and I guess she hasn't gotten out of it. After all, I am irresistible. Well, if you think only you can play that game Ragini, then think again.'

He took the plate from Swara's hand and picked up the panupuri. "Open up Swara."

Swara smiled at him and let him feed her.

From the corner if his eyes, he watched Ragini's reaction. 'I'll make you so jealous that at last, you yourself will confess to me.'

However, he wouldn't have done so if he knew that his actions were only serving to push Ragini and Sanskar closer.

"Hey Sanskar, I think we should leave these lovebirds alone. Look at them. I bet they want to be alone with each other but aren't telling us." Ragini whispered to Sanskar. She looked at Swara. "Swara looks so happy."

"I guess you're right. I think I should do something." He whispered back and turned to Laksh. "Lucky, Ragini wanted to buy a chain for herself. You two enjoy your panupuris. We'll be right back. Wait near the car, alright?"

"Yes. Swara wait here with him. I'll be back." saying that, Ragini took Sanskar's hand and they both left for the nearby jewellery shop, without waiting for Laksh to reply.

'She left? I guess she couldn't watch me feeding Swara. My poor Ragini. Don't worry, I'm acting hard to get. But I want you, like you want me. And soon, I'll make you confess.' He merrily continued talking and spending time with Swara, thinking this would rile up Ragini.

His plan was working perfectly, but in reverse. Instead of making Ragini want him more, it was bringing Sanskar closer to her.

"Aww...they look so cute together." Ragini exclaimed. She and Sanskar were peeping from the window and watching Laksh and Swara. Sanskar turned to look at the jewellery displayed.

"Hey Ragini. Look at these chains."

"Put them back Sanskar. We're not here to buy."

"Oh come on! We'll get bored waiting. At least lets find something useful to do."

"Sanskar, these are too costly. What's the use of trying them on, when I can't buy them?" Ragini spoke, still looking out the window.

"Here. Try this."

"No need Sanskar." she said, without turning to at look him.

"Arre... At least take a look at it." Sanskar handed a tiny chain to Ragini.

"Fine." Ragini looked at the chain in irritation. However, once she saw it, her eyes widened. "Oh my! It's so pretty." Ragini looked at it in awe. She slowly put it on. She looked at herself in the mirror.

Sanskar appeared behind her and frowned at her.

"What's wrong Sanskar? Don't I look good?"

"What the heck Ragini! If you keep on looking beautiful, there would soon be rich and handsome boys trying to get you and you won't have time for this friend of yours. Do you want me gone that much that you're trying to become more and more pretty?!"

Ragini laughed at his antics. Once she calmed down, she spoke "You know Sanskar, now that I look back, if I had ever turned evil because of my obsession with Laksh, I realise what I would regret the most. I would regret the fact that I will lose my friendship with you. You are a good man Sanskar and there is no way you would have supported me."

"Don't be so sure Ragini. Who knows, maybe I would have helped you in destroying Laksh and Swara. If anyone upsets my dost, then I will make sure they don't get happiness." Ragini looked at him shocked. "Or maybe... maybe I would have tried my very best to correct you and bring you to the right path. But one thing is for sure. I won't leave you to deal with your problems alone."

"Thank you Sanskar. This means a lot to me." Ragini spoke softly. His words had touched her heart.

He came near her and they both looked at her reflection in the mirror. "This chain looks beautiful on you Ragini. The one who is made for you is probably the most lucky person in the world."

Ragini's smile disappeared on hearing that "Don't talk about true love Sanskar. I don't think love is made for me."

Sanskar looked at her with wide-eyes. "What are you saying Ragini? You can't lose faith in love."

"I'm saying the right thing Sanskar. I don't want to fall in love again because...because I'm afraid that it will become an obsession like before."

"Just because of one wrong incident, you can't lose faith in love Ragini. There is someone made for you too. Someone who would care for you. Someone who would die for you, kill for you. Someone meant only for you." Sanskar spoke, looking into her eyes.

Ragini turned to him with a smile "I'm glad I have a friend like you Sanskar." However, Ragini didn't think that the word 'friend' suited their relation. She could feel that it was more than that for her.

Hearing her call him a friend ached. However, Sanskar smiled back at her.

She took off the chain and turned to the owner of the shop. "Could you keep it for me? I won't be able to buy it today, but I would come back tomorrow for it."

"I can't guarantee you that ma'am. If anyone else asks for it, I would have to sell it."

"Then it would be best to buy it today." saying that, Sanskar handed him the credit card.

"Sanskar, its too costly. You don't have to pay for it."

"Now that is just insulting. I'm a Maheshwari and yet you don't think I'm capable of buying you a little present? Do you think I'm that broke?"

"That's not it San-"

"Then you don't think of me as a friend I guess." he said, faking sorrow.

"Its not that either."

"Then you'll take this gift from me without protest or else it would mean you don't think of me as a good friend."

"Why do always people blackmail me emotionally?" 😑

"Hahaha... would you tell this to your boyfriend too?"

"I don't want one."

"Oh come on. Every girl wants one. Tell me. What kind of boys do you like? Handsome or cute?" he teased. In reality, he was playing coy and trying to know if she likes guys like him.

"I don't care that much about looks Sanskar. Its trust that matters. Trust is the most important thing. The person I love should be someone who shouldn't hide anything from me, no matter what. If he loves me, than he should have faith in me and tell me the truth. Right, Sanskar?"

Sanskar nodded. However, he was thinking something entirely different. He was thinking about his own lie. He had acted to be mad, he had lied to Ragini, lied to everyone about his intentions. It's true that his lies do not matter now. But Ragini wasn't wrong. Relationships aren't made on lies. And he knew that Ragini would never accept him if she knows that he lied to her.

Yes. He finally accepted that he likes her. It took him much time, but he had finally decided to accept the fact that he indeed liked her. He had realized that he had more than friendly feelings towards her a long time ago. However, he kept denying his heart. But now...now he didn't think he could keep on acting. It was time for his acceptance of the fact that he loved her.

'I truly love her. I want her to be with me my whole life. I want to give her every happiness that she deserves. But....but for all this, first I need to tell her my truth. I need to tell her about my past, about Kavita, about my plans of revenge....anything and everything that happened in my life.'

Sanskar made up his mind and spoke up "Ragini I-"

"Hey, you both are taking too long. Lets go already." spoke Laksh, as he came inside the shop.

"We were just about to leave. Right Sanskar?"

'Damn you Lucky! Always appearing at the wrong time. *sigh* I'll tell her later. But I. Will. Tell. Her. No matter what Badi Maa says. I'll face whatever consequences that comes with it.'

"Yes Ragini. Lets go."

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To be continued...

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~ 🌹 Mona 🌹