Next morning, Kavin again picked Ragini (Purvi) up and drove for the NGO in his car. When they reached there Ragini walked inside the NGO while Kavin went to park his car.

As soon as Ragini entered inside the NGO a middle aged woman along with Sunanda came to her while crying.

"Kya hua aunty?...Aap ro kyun rahi hain?"...She asked while looking at the woman.

"Meri beti Neha jab kal college se wapas ghar aa rahi thi tab kuchh gundon ne uske saath badtameezi ki...Jab usne police complaint ki to policewalon ne un gundon ke bajaaye usi ko jail mein band kar diya...Aur uspar college papers leak karne ka ilzaam lagaya...Beta agle mahine uski shaadi hai agar ladke walon ko is baare mein pata chalega to ye shaadi toot jaayegi"...She said while crying.

Ragini was fuming in anger after hearing her.

"Beta tum ACP Pradyuman ki beti ho...Tum please hamare liye kuchh karo"...The woman pleaded while joining her hands.

"Aunty aap chinta mat kijiye...Neha ko lockup se Papa nahin main bahar karwaungi"...Ragini assured her while holding her hands.

She wiped her tears and signalled Sunanda to take her in the car. Sunanda nodded and did so. Ragini sat inside the car and drove for the police station. On the other hand, Kavin came back after parking his car. He looked around and became tensed when he didn't find Ragini.

"Are suniye aapko pata hai Ragini madam kahan hai?"...He asked the watchman of the NGO.

"Sir madam to police station gayi"...He replied.

"Police station...Wo kyun?"...Kavin asked in surprise and confusion.

The watchman told him about the conversation between Ragini and the woman. Kavin was shocked after hearing him, he immediately drove from there to the police station in his car. At the other side, Ragini reached the police station. She came out of the car and went inside the police station followed by Sunanda and the woman.

"Aap befikr rahiye Raghu bhai...Ye ladki zindagi bhar is jail mein hi rahegi"...The police inspector said over the telephone while looking at Neha.

Raghu laughed evilly from the other side.

"Are hum yahan kanoon padh kar aaye hain...Aur ye pakka daawa karte hain ki is ladki ko koi nahin bacha sakta"...The police inspector said and hung up.

Ragini heard him. She looked at Neha whose eyes were red and swollen due to continuous crying. She became angry after seeing that.

She walked near the police inspector and sat on a chair in front of him. The police inspector looked at her in surprise. Meanwhile Kavin also came there. He was about to go near Ragini but stopped when he heard her speaking.

"Kounsa kanoon padh kar aaye hain aap?...Kya jaante hain aap kanoon ke baare mein?"...Ragini asked directly while looking at the inspector.

Police Inspector: Dekhiye madam ye police station hai...

"Under the Indian criminal procedural code section 47 clause 2, section 51 clause 2, section 50 and 57 and according to the supreme court judgement dated 1983...Agar kisi mahila par koi case banta hai to use mahila police inspector giraftaar karti hai aur wahi uski talaashi leti hai...Kya aapne aisa kiya?...Nahin kiya"...Ragini said in anger.

The police inspector avoided her gaze.

"Giraftaar ki hui mahila ko chaubis ghante ke andar adaalat mein pesh kiya jaata hai...Kya aapne aisa kiya?...Nahin kiya"...Ragini continued still in anger.

The police inspector looked here and there but didn't speak a word.

"Kisi kaaranwash agar us mahila ko adaalat mein pesh nahin kiya jaata to use mahilaon ke lockup mein band kiya jaata hai...Aapne aisa kiya?...Nahin kiya"...Ragini added in anger.

The police inspector looked down.

"Main puchhti hoon kounse kanoon ka professor samajhkar ye wardi aapko kanoon ne di hai"...Ragini yelled in anger.

She took a deep breathe and calmed herself a bit. Then, she looked at Sunanda.

"Sunanda aunty IG sahab ko phone lagaiye"...She said while looking at the inspector.

The police inspector gulped down his own saliva in anxiousness. Kavin was shocked after seeing all that. He was impressed with Ragini's fearless attitude.

"Uski koi zaroorat nahin hai madam...Main apna gunaah qabool karta hoon"...Someone said from behind.

Kavin, Ragini, Sunanda, the police inspector and the woman looked behind and found Raghu standing there.

Kavin (Pov): Ye to Raghu hai...Adaalat mein apne khilaf itne sabooton ke bajaaye isne apna gunaah qabool nahin kiya...Aur aaj...

He came out of his thoughts when he saw him walking near Ragini and the police inspector.

Raghu: Maine is ladki ko chheda tha aur phir ise jhoothe case mein phaswa diya.

Ragini looked at him and then at the police inspector.

"Hawaldaar lockup khol do aur ladki ko chhod do"...The police inspector said while looking at Ragini.

"Kabka chhod diya sir"...The constable replied.

The police inspector was surprised. Neha ran towards her mother and hugged her while crying. Ragini looked at them and smiled. Then, she looked at the inspector.

"Inspector Purushottam Das...Aapka naam to bahut achchha rakha hai aapke maa-baap ne"...She said before reading his name on his name plate.

The police inspector looked at her with a blank face.

"Jitna sundar naam hai utna sundar kaam hoga tab to sone pe suhaaga ho jaayega...Nahin?...Waise Purushottam Prabhu Shri Ram ko kaha jaata hai...To jab aapka naam bhagwan ka hai to phir aapka kaam shaitan ka kyun?...Naam ka kuchh lihaaz kijiye aur sachchai se kaam kijiye...Inspector Purushottam Das aam janta ka Das ban kar kaam kijiye kisi neta ya kisi gunde ka nahin"...Ragini said before walking out of the police station with Sunanda, Neha and her mother.

Ragini didn't notice that she passed by Kavin as she was busy looking at Neha and her mother. Kavin was stunned at his place after seeing all that. He was really amazed. He too walked out of the police station.

"Boss ho gaya aapka kaam...Aapne jaisa kaha tha maine waisa hi kiya"...Raghu said over his cell phone.

"Nice"...The boss replied from the other side.

Raghu smiled and hung up. The police inspector looked at him.

"Aapne aisa kyun kiya Raghu bhai?"...He asked in confusion.

"Wo ladki gayi na abhi tujhe itna lamba lecture dekar, wo apne boss ko bahut pasand hai...Aur apne boss ko ye nahin pasand ki use koi bhi pareshaani ho isliye unhone mujhe kaha ki main apna gunaah qabool kar loon...To bas maine kar liya"...Raghu replied while smiling evilly.

Police Inspector (Pov): Boss ko wo ladki pasand hai...Phir to ladki ki zindagi barbaad hi samjho...

He sighed and put Raghu behind the bars.

At the other side, Ragini was looking at Neha and her mother while smiling with tears. Kavin looked at her and then at them.

"Bahut bahut shukriya beti, hum tumhara ehsaan kabhi nahin bhoolenge"...Neha's mother said with tears while joining her palms in front of Ragini.

"Ye kya aunty beti bhi bol rahi hain aur ehsaan shabd ka bhi zikr kar rahi hain"...Ragini complained while holding her hands.

She left her hands and wiped her tears and signalled her not to weep. Kavin smiled after seeing that.

"Betiyan kabhi ehsaan nahin karti...Aur ek baat aaj ke baad aapke haath sirf mujhe aashirwad dene ke liye uthne chahiye"...Ragini ordered with a sweet smile.

Neha's mother, Neha and Sunanda laughed slightly after hearing her. Neha's mother kept her hand on Ragini's head and caressed her hairs.

"Bhagwan tumhari har chaahat, har tamanna poori karein beta"...Neha's mother said with a smile.

Ragini's lips curved forming a beautiful smile on her face after hearing her. Kavin was just looking at her without blinking his eyes for once.

"Ragini tum wapas NGO jao...Main Neha aur Shanti ko ghar chhod kar aati hoon"...Sunanda said with a smile.

Ragini smiled and nodded. Sunanda and Shanti sat inside the car. Neha also sat with them before hugging Ragini. Soon they drove from there. Ragini smiled and turned around only to find Kavin standing there and staring at her while crossing his arms around his chest.

"Kavinji aap...Aap yahan kab aaye?"...Ragini asked anxiously.

"Miss Ragini mujhe aapko protect karne ke liye bola gaya hai...Isliye aap jahan jahan, main wahan wahan"...Kavin replied in a strict tone.

Ragini looked down as she came to the police station without informing him.

"Aaj ke baad aisa nahin hona chahiye Miss Ragini"...Kavin said strictly.

Ragini nodded while looking down. After a while, Kavin realised that he was behaving too strictly as it was her job to help others. He sighed and thought to change the topic.

"Waise us policewale ki to bolti hi band kar di thi tumne...You are great yaar...Really!"...He said and laughed as he couldn't stop his laughter after recalling the police inspector's facial expressions.

Ragini looked up at him and started walking towards his car. Kavin also walked behind her.

"Inspector sahab Purvi Mathur is born great"...Ragini said proudly. She didn't realise that she called herself Purvi.

Kavin also didn't realise that as he was busy noticing her gestures; she was continuously rubbing her arms with her palms because she was feeling cold due to the cool breeze blowing around. Kavin immediately took off his jacket and put that around her. Ragini stopped walking when she felt something around her shoulders and back. She noticed his jacket and became surprised. She turned back and looked at him. Kavin gave her a gentle smile and signalled her to sit inside the car. Ragini smiled and sat inside the car. Kavin too sat beside her on the driving seat and drove for the NGO. Ragini was staring at him with a smile while holding his jacket around her body. His jacket was a tight hug on that cool weather day, it was everything she needed at that moment. Kavin looked at her and smiled when he found her staring at him.

"Agar tum mujhe aise hi dekhti rahogi to main drive nahin kar paaunga"...He said teasingly while bringing her back to her senses.

Ragini looked at him and her cheeks were suddenly kissed pink like a spring rose, the blooming colour so cute against her fair complexioned skin. She looked to the other side and found a distraction outside the window. Kavin smiled and allowed her time to compose herself.

Days went passing on and on and with every passing day Kavin and Ragini were coming close. The boss didn't create any discomfort or problem in their lives till now. Everything was going on smoothly. It was Sunday morning. Ragini was sitting in a cafe and was looking at her watch again and again. She was waiting for Kavin past an hour but he was nowhere to be seen.

Ragini (Pov): Pata nahin kahan reh gaye Kavinji.

She was thinking about Kavin while looking around. Suddenly her gaze fell on him. He entered inside the cafe in a yellow crisp shirt with a dark brown jacket and brown trousers. He waved her with a smile and came near her.

"I am sorry Ragini...Main thoda sa late ho gaya"...He said while dragging a chair to sit in front of her.

"Thoda sa?"...She asked him in anger.

She showed him her wrist watch.

"Aap ek ghanta late hain Kavinji...Ek CID officer hokar bhi aap time ki value nahin samajhte...Huh!"...She said and looked to the other side.

Beneath the table, her damp fists crushed the delicate silk of her yellow knee-length frock while her kid boots tapped a rapid rhythm.

"Are yaar main traffic mein phas gaya tha"...Kavin said while sitting in front of her.

She looked at him and chuckled slightly.

"Achchha bahana hai"...She said while making a face.

Kavin looked at her and before he could speak a word in his reply she interrupted him.

Ragini: Aapko pata hai kitni mushkil se papa ne mujhe bahar jaane ke liye allow kiya...Huh! Aapko kaise pata hoga...Kyunki aapke saath kabhi aisa thodi na hua hoga ki aapko koi unknown number se call aaye aur wo aapko kahe ki aap married hain...

She stopped in the middle and looked at him.

"Chhodiye aap nahin samjhenge"...She said and sighed.

"Married"...Kavin murmured in confusion.

He became surprised when he saw Ragini leaving the cafe. He stood up and went behind her.

"Nakul sahi kehta tha Ragini bahut jaldi gussa ho jaati hai"...He thought while following her.

Ragini reached a park while walking. She stopped walking when she saw some little children playing in that park. Kavin also stopped walking and stood beside her. He looked at her and followed her gaze and looked at the children. Then, he looked at the sky which was turning darker due to the doom-black clouds, pregnant with malice, churned and roiled. The clouds looked as vapourous as mist and as fleecy as black wool.

"Lagta hai baarish honewali hai, agar tum yahan khadi rahogi to bheeg jaogi"...Kavin said and looked at Ragini.

"Baarish ho ya aandhi-toofan, mujhe kisi cheez se darr nahin lagta"...Ragini replied in attitude while looking to the other side.

Suddenly she heard a deafening crack of thunder.

"Papa"...She shuddered, her teeth grinding in anticipation.

Kavin looked at her and laughed under his breathe.

Ragini also looked at him and tried to act normal. Then, she looked at the children who left with their parents for their home. She heard another deafening crack of thunder. A boom like that meant the heavens were about to let down a deluge and she had nowhere to hide. The storm was continuously producing earth shattering cracks and blinding flashes of light and it seemed to be collecting more and more energy with every minute that passed by. Suddenly she hugged Kavin and closed her eyes in fear. Kavin became surprised with her sudden act but still he managed to hug her back.

"Tumne to kaha tha tumhe kisi cheez se darr nahin lagta"...He said and chuckled slightly.

"Mujhe thundering se bahut darr lagta hai Kavinji"...Ragini said while tightening her grip on his jacket.

Kavin froze for a moment after hearing her as her words made him recall Purvi. On the other hand, Ragini ducked with each thunderous boom. She knew that it was silly but she couldn't help it. Her eyelids became so heavy that the struggle to keep her eyes open became stronger than her fear of the storm. Kavin realised her fear when he felt her tears on his chest. He pulled her close, gently rubbing her arm. In that moment she breathed more slowly and sunk into the warmth of his side, appreciative of the simple gesture. Suddenly it started raining. But in Kavin's embrace the cold rain felt like it had stopped and the thundering became silent for Ragini. She had still closed her eyes. Suddenly she started getting some blur visuals of a girl hugging a man like she was hugging Kavin right now. She was getting the visuals of her past. She opened her eyes with a jerk and pushed Kavin away. Then, she started running away from there while holding her head.

"Ragini"...Kavin called her from behind.

She didn't stop running even after hearing him. He ran behind her and became surprised when he saw a truck coming in her direction. He shouted her name many times but she didn't listen to him. She was unaware of what was happening around her. Kavin got the hold of her hand after running a lot. He took her into his arms and brought her near her car. She looked at him in dizziness while he was already looking at her in anger. Before he could speak a word she fainted in his arms. He looked at her worriedly.

"Ragini...Ragini open your eyes"...He said while patting her cheeks.

When she didn't react he picked her up in his arms and made her sit inside the car and drove for his home. He looked at her worriedly while driving. She was murmuring something but he didn't get what she was speaking. He came out of his car and again picked her up in his arms when he reached his home. He walked inside his home and directly went into his bedroom. He laid her on his bed. He took a towel and dried her wet hairs. Then, he looked at from head to toe and sighed as she was fully drenched in the rain. He walked out of his room.

"Maa"...He called in a loud voice.

Kanchan walked out of her room and came near him.

Kanchan: Beta tumhe pata hai na aaj mujhe tumhare papa ke saath tumhari Neelam aunty ki beti ki shaadi mein jaana hai...To phir tum...

She stopped in the middle when she noticed that Kavin was fully drenched in the rain and was shivering. She rushed into her room and brought a towel. Before Kavin could speak a word she made him sit on a chair and started drying his hairs.

"Kavin bachpana kab jaayega tumhara...Ye kahan se bheeg kar aa rahe ho tum?"...She asked in anger while drying his hairs.

Kavin held her hands and took the towel and kept that aside.

"Maa...Mere room mein Ragini hai, wo bhi bahut bheegi hui hai...Kya aap uske kapde badal dengi?"...He asked while looking at her.

"Ragini...Tumhare room mein"...She murmured in surprise.

Kavin nodded while removing his jacket. Kanchan took the towel and looked at him.

"Lekin main kyun uske kapde badloon?...Wo khud bhi to badal sakti hai beta"...She asked while holding his jacket which he gave her.

"Wo behosh hai maa"...He replied worriedly.

"Behosh...Kyun...Kya hua hai use?"...Kanchan asked worriedly.

Kavin told her whatever happened with them. Kanchan was surprised to hear him. She caressed his head.

"Beta tum jao apne kapde badal lo...Main Ragini ke kapde badal doongi"...She said with a smile and walked towards his room.

Kavin smiled lightly and went into another room to change his clothes. On the other hand, as soon as Kanchan went into Kavin's room she became surprised after seeing Ragini.

"Purvi"...She murmured in surprise.

She walked towards Ragini with slow steps and looked at her keenly. Suddenly her gaze fell on a chain around her neck.

"Ye to maine Purvi ko diya tha jab wo aath saal ki thi"...She whispered while touching the chain.

Her eyes brimmed up with tears; tears of happiness.

"Matlab ye hamari Purvi hi hai"...She whispered in tears.

She caressed Ragini's head and let the happiness soak right into her heart and mind. She closed her eyes and savoured the moment, after a long time her heart and mind relaxed. At that moment she didn't want, need or expect anything. She opened her eyes and a pleasant smile spread over her face, which was of sheer happiness. She wiped her tears and immediately went into her room and came back soon near Ragini with a beautiful royal blue anarkali.

Kanchan: Ye maine tumhare liye hi khareeda tha Purvi...Socha tha jab tum hamare ghar aaogi tab main tumhe ye doongi...Lekin...

She stopped in the middle as her eyes brimmed up with tears.

"Khair koi baat nahin aaj main tumhe ye de sakti hoon beta"...She whispered with a smile after wiping her tears.

She closed the door and pulled the curtains of the windows and changed Ragini's clothes. After that, she covered her with a blanket. Then, she sat beside her and caressed her head.

"Kavin ko tumse pyaar ho gaya hai beta...Use lagta hai use Ragini se pyaar ho gaya hai...Wo ye nahin jaan paaya ki Ragini hi uski Purvi hai...Wo ye nahin jaan paaya ki use Ragini se nahin apni Purvi se hi dobaara pyaar ho gaya hai"...She whispered while smiling with tears.

XXX

Kanchan was cooking something in the kitchen. Meanwhile Kavin entered inside the kitchen and stood beside her.

"Kya hua beta aaj late jaane ka iraada hai kya?...Aaj Ragini ke saath NGO nahin jaana?"...Kanchan asked while stirring the dish.

"Maa...I think...I love her"...Kavin blurted out his feelings in a single breathe.

"Wha...What?"...Kanchan asked in surprise before turning off the stove.

"I love her maa"...Kavin said while looking here and there.

Kanchan made him face her.

"Kavin who is that her?"...She asked while looking at him.

"Ragini"...Kavin replied in one breathe.

Kanchan was surprised after hearing his reply.

"Maa uske saath reh kar pata nahin kab us se pyaar ho gaya...Maine bahut koshish ki apne dil ko samjhane ki par mujhse ye nahin ho paaya...Uske saath reh kar aisa ehsaas hota hai jaise ki main Purvi ke saath hoon...Kabhi kabhi to aisa lagta hai jaise ki wo Purvi hai"...He told her while holding her hands.

Kanchan removed her hands from his. Kavin looked at her in anxiousness for her reaction.

"Kab milwa rahe ho Ragini se?"...She asked with a smile.

"Bahut jald maa...Lekin maine use ab tak apni feelings nahin batayi hain aur na hi Purvi ke baare mein"...He said sadly.

"Thik hai us se jaldi baat karna is baare mein"...She said while caressing his head.

Kavin nodded with a small smile on his face.

"Main aaj bahut khush hoon Kavin ki tum apni zindagi mein aage badh rahe ho"...Kanchan said before kissing his forehead.

XXX

Kanchan came out of the pool of her thoughts when she received a call from Kishore. She picked up the call.

"Kanchan kahan ho tum?...Jaldi karo humein airport pahunchna hai is se pehle ki baarish aur tez ho jaaye?"...Kishore spoke up from the other side.

"Main aa rahi hoon Kishore...Aap thodi der intezaar kijiye"...She replied while looking at Ragini.

"Thik hai jaldi karo...Main Mr. Gupta ke ghar ke paas tumhara intezaar kar raha hoon "...Kishore said and hung up.

Kanchan kept her cell phone in her hand bag. She caressed Ragini's head and kissed her forehead. Then, she opened the door and directly went into a room which she had decorated for the place of worship. She walked into the corner of the room and removed garland from a photograph which was of Purvi and threw that. Then, she went near Kavin and saw him talking to someone over his cell phone.

"Ok doctor...Thik hai"...Kavin said and hung up.

Then, he turned around and saw Kanchan.

"Maa...Maine doctor ko phone kar diya hai, wo thodi der mein Ragini ko dekhne aa jaayengi"...He told her.

Kanchan smiled and caressed his head.

"Achchha mujhe tumhe kuchh zaroori baat batani hai beta"...She said in sheer happiness.

"Maa hum baad mein baat karte hain...Aap late ho rahi hain, aapko aur papa ko airport jaana hai...Aap jaaiye"...Kavin said before looking at the wall clock of the room.

Kanchan: Kavin baat bahut zaroori hai beta...

She stopped in the middle when she heard the horn of a car. She understood that Kishore was in the car and he had come near their house to pick her up. She looked at Kavin who signalled her to go. She sighed and started walking. She stopped in the way and turned back and looked at Kavin.

"Beta jaldi se use apne dil ki baat bata do"...She said with a bright smile before walking outside the house.

Kavin smiled and ruffled his hairs.

To be continued...