Next day, the early morning sun was already well risen. The sunlight beamed into Ragini's room through the windows and the warm balls of light filtered through her thin eyelids awoke her. Rays of brightness casted squares onto the floor, reflecting onto the several objects in the room which decorated its otherwise simplicity. Ragini blinked her eyes a few times, in an attempt to help her eyes adjust to the illumination directed right at herself. She looked at her reflection in the mirror.

"Good morning Ragini"...She whispered and smiled to herself.

She got down from the bed and moved into the washroom to freshen up. She returned after sometime. Then, she looked at her image in the mirror after being dressed up in a plain orange and yellow colour combination saree with a full sleeved blouse. Her lips were highlighted by a strawberry red lipstick while her eyes were enhanced with a stroke of kajal. Her long silky and shiny perfect hairs swayed through her shoulders to her waist. She wore matching earrings and a matching necklace. She smiled and looked at her reflection in the mirror before moving out of her room.

She went into a room where she had made a small temple. She sat down on a mat and joined her palms while looking at the idol of Shri Krishna. After that, she started doing aarti while chanting a bhajan,

Om Jai Jagadish Hare

Swami Jai Jagadish Hare.

Bhakta Janon Ke Sankat,

Daas Janon Ke Sankat,

Kshan Mein Door Kare

Om Jai Jagadish Hare.

ACP Pradyuman who was reading a newspaper smiled and moved into the room where she was performing worship. Nakul who was sleeping woke up with her melodious voice and went there. He rubbed his eyes and stood there while joining his palms.

Ragini looked at them after completing the worship.

"Good morning papa...Good morning Nakul"...She wished them with a smile.

They smiled and wished her back. She stood up from her place and gave them the offerings from the pooja thali and applied tilak on their foreheads. After that, she kept the pooja thali back at its place and moved into the kitchen while they moved into the hall.

"Papa aapki chai banakar maine table par rakh di hai...Waisi hi banayi hai jaisi aapko pasand hai"...Ragini said while pouring coffee in a coffee mug.

ACP Pradyuman smiled and picked up the cup of tea before sitting back on his place.

"Aur Nakul ye lo tumhari coffee"...Ragini gave the coffee mug to Nakul after moving out of the kitchen.

Nakul smiled and took that while ACP Pradyuman got busy with his newspaper after sipping his tea.

"Papa main thodi der mein NGO ke liye nikal rahi hoon...Maine aap dono ka breakfast bana diya hai aur aapke kapde bhi iron kar diye hain...Waise aaj mera birthday hai agar aap dono chahein to mujhe wish kar sakte hain"...Ragini said while picking up some documents.

ACP Pradyuman looked at her and sighed as he forgot about her birthday. Nakul bit his tongue as he too forgot about the special day.

"Main is saal bhi bhool gaya"...ACP Pradyuman murmured while keeping the newspaper.

Ragini smiled lightly and moved towards him and Nakul.

"Papa aap bhool gaye honge lekin mujhe yaad tha"...Nakul lied and put on a fake smile to hide that he was lying. Ragini looked at him with questioning eyes while he laughed nervously and moved near her.

"Are main apni pyaari behan ka birthday kaise bhool sakta hoon"...He said while smiling nervously. Then, he pulled her cheeks while she rolled her eyes as she knew that he was lying so that she doesn't feel sad on her special day.

"Nakul mujhse jhooth tab bolna jab tumhe jhooth bolna aa jaaye"...She said after slapping him lightly on his right cheek. He looked at her in suprise while she went near ACP Pradyuman.

"I am sorry beta"...ACP Pradyuman uttered while holding her hands.

"It's okay"...She mumbled with a genuine smile.

"Main is duniya ka sabse kharab pita hoon na?"...ACP Pradyuman asked her with tears.

"Bilkul nahin"...She replied while nodding her head in no.

Nakul smiled with tears while looking at both of them.

"Aap is duniya ke sabse achchhe papa hain"...Ragini whispered after wiping ACP Pradyuman's tears. He smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Happy birthday beta...Main dua karta hoon ki tumhare dil ka har armaan har sapna sach ho"...He said while caressing her head with love. She smiled and hugged him.

"Happy birthday Ragini"...Nakul spoke up after wiping his tears.

Ragini turned around and looked at him. She ran towards him and hugged him. He smiled and hugged her back. ACP Pradyuman smiled with tears after seeing them.

ACP Pradyuman (Pov): Kaash mere bachche hamesha aise hi khush rahein...

He wiped his tears and smiled while looking at Ragini who was laughing and irritating Nakul by pulling his cheeks.

ACP Pradyuman (Pov): Bhagwan main aapka kaise shukriyada karoon ki aapne Ragini ko hamari zindagi mein bheja...Hamare ghar mein itni saari khushiyan sirf usi ki wajah se aayi hain...Kabhi kabhi to use kho dene ka darr rehta hai...

"Papa bhai pareshaan kar raha hai"...Ragini squealed when Nakul irritated her by pulling her hairs.

"Nakul"...ACP Pradyuman shouted playfully.

Nakul left Ragini and before he could speak ACP Pradyuman interrupted,

ACP Pradyuman: Ragini beta aaj ke din tum NGO kyun jaa rahi ho?

"Papa aaj se maine social service karne ka faisla kiya hai"...Ragini replied with a smile.

"Offo Ragini ye baat mujhe bilkul bhi samajh mein nahin aa rahi hai...Tum apna singing career chhod kar ye social service kyun karna chahti ho?"...Nakul asked her in confusion.

She smiled and looked at him.

Ragini: Nakul papa to bureau chale jaate hain, tum bhi apne office chale jaoge aur main yahan ghar par baithe baithe bore ho jaaungi...Aur main social service paison ke liye ya kisi reward ke liye thodi na kar rahi hoon...Main to ye apni khushi aur apne man ki shaanti ke liye kar rahi hoon.

"Ragini yahan aao"...ACP Pradyuman said while indicating her to come near him.

She smiled and went to him. She sat on her knees to match up his height as he was sitting on a chair.

"I'm proud of you beta"...He mumbled and kissed her forehead. She smiled and hugged him.

"Ragini main bhi chaloonga tumhare saath"...Nakul smiled and spoke up before moving into his room to get ready.

"Thik hai"...Ragini turned to his side and replied in a loud voice so that her voice reaches up to him.

Then, she turned around and looked at ACP Pradyuman.

Ragini: Papa aap breakfast kar lijiye.

ACP Pradyuman nodded. He kept the newspaper aside and stood up from his place to move into the dining room. He stopped when he heard the ringing sound of the landline.

"Papa main dekhti hoon, aap chaliye"...Ragini said before moving towards the landline while ACP Pradyuman nodded and went into the dining room to have his breakfast.

"Ragini speaking"...Ragini spoke up after picking up the call.

Caller (Pov): Ragini...

"Aap koun bol rahe hain?"...Ragini spoke up while bringing the person back to his senses.

"Jee main Kavin...Inspector Kavin bol raha hoon"...The caller managed to reply back.

"Kavin"...Ragini uttered. She was perplexed by the name but she herself didn't know why.

"Kya main ACP sir se baat kar sakta hoon?"...Kavin asked straightly due to which she came out of her thoughts.

"Papa abhi breakfast kar rahe hain, aap baad mein call kijiyega"...She answered.

"Ok fine"...Kavin spoke up before cutting the call.

Ragini also kept the landline and went to ACP Pradyuman while thinking about Kavin.

"Kiska call tha beta?"...ACP Pradyuman asked.

"Inspector Kavin ka"...She replied and told him about her conversation with Kavin after sitting on her chair.

ACP Pradyuman: Achchha main bureau jaakar baat kar loonga us se.

She nodded and started eating her breakfast. After sometime, Nakul also came there and he too joined them.

After having breakfast, ACP Pradyuman left for the bureau while Nakul and Ragini left for the NGO. They both reached there. Nakul glanced at the place and then at the entrance gate above which a board with "Helping Hearts" written on it was attached.

Ragini smiled and walked inside. Nakul too followed her. They both met the director of the NGO.

"Happy birthday Ragini"...The director wished before hugging her.

Nakul looked at them in confusion.

"Thank you Sunanda aunty"...Ragini replied with a smile after parting from the hug.

Sunanda smiled. Then, she looked at Nakul.

Sunanda: Ye koun hai beta?

Ragini: Aunty ye mere bhai hain.

Sunanda: Achchha...Thik hai tum dono aage jao.

Ragini nodded with a smile and walked further.

"Ragini tum pehle se jaanti thi unhe"...Nakul asked while walking with her.

Ragini: Itne achchhe se to nahin jaanti...Sirf ek baar mili hoon unse jab wo London aayi thi kisi conference ke liye.

Nakul stopped in the way and looked at her.

"Ragini you know what mujhe tumhari ye aadat bilkul bhi pasand nahin hai...Kyun tum itni jaldi kisi se ghul mil jaati ho...Itni jaldi kisi par bharosa karna sahi nahin hai"...He said in a serious tone.

Ragini: Come on Nakul wo thodi na koi khooni ya daaku hain, she is a good lady and that's why she is here in this NGO...Wo yahan ki director hain.

Nakul: Wo thik hai...Lekin meri baat bhi galat nahin hai...

"Thik hai main aage se tumhari baat ka khayal rakhoongi"...Ragini interrupted.

Nakul smiled lightly and walked with her into a garden where a lot of persons were present. Ragini moved near a little boy who was on a wheelchair. She knelt down and looked at him with a smile,

Ragini: Hi...Humse dosti karoge?

The boy smiled and nodded. Nakul too smiled while looking at them.

"Are waah! Phir to humein apne naye dost ko hamari nayi nayi dosti ka kuchh gift bhi dena padega"...Ragini said with a smile. She gave him some chocolates while he smiled and took them.

"Waise aapka naam kya hai dost?"...Nakul asked the little boy with a smile.

Boy: Tejas...

Ragini: Bahut pyaara naam hai...Hai na bhai?

Nakul smiled and nodded.

"Thank you"...Tejas said and smiled.

He gave a mouth organ to Ragini who smiled and took that. She looked at the mouth organ and then at him.

"Awww thank you Tejas...Ye bahut achchha hai"...She said before kissing his right cheek while he smiled and hugged her.

Nakul smiled seeing that.

"Kaise ho Nakul?"...A person asked while patting his back.

He turned around and looked at the person. He smiled after seeing him.

"Main to achchha hoon Abhijeet sir, aap bataiye aap thik hain?...Aur aap log yahan kaise?"...He asked.

Abhijeet smiled while looking at him. Then, he looked at Nikhil, Pankaj and Shreya.

Abhijeet: Hum bhi thik hi hain...Aur yahan ek case ke silsile mein aaye hain.

"Achchha"...Nakul said and smiled.

Abhijeet nodded while looking at him. Then, his gaze fell on Ragini who excused herself when she received a call.

"Ye ladki koun hai Nakul?"...He asked while looking at her leaving from there.

"Someone special?"...Pankaj asked with an evil grin.

"Yeah! Very special...Behan hai meri"...Nakul replied while glaring at Pankaj who became quiet. Abhijeet, Nikhil and Shreya also looked at him and nodded their heads in disbelief.

"Waise tumne kabhi bataya nahin ki tumhari koi behan bhi hai?"...Nikhil asked while looking at Nakul.

Nakul: Aap logon ne kabhi puchha hi nahin.

Abhijeet: Haan wo bhi hai.

Nakul: Waise Ragini naam hai uska...Aur aaj uska birthday hai. Maine aaj uske liye ek party plan ki hai aur aap sab aa rahe hain.

"Hum zaroor aayenge"...Abhijeet replied with a smile.

Nikhil, Shreya and Pankaj also nodded with a smile.

At the other side, Ragini finished her call. She turned around and started walking towards the garden with a smile. She was thinking something while walking and then only she bumped into someone who was none other than Kavin. She was about to fall but in the mean time he caught her by her waist. She closed her eyes in fear and held his shoulders for support while he looked at her and unknowningly his lips curved into a smile after seeing her innocent face.

Jise Zindagi Dhoondh Rahi Hai

Kya Ye Wo Makaam Mera Hai

Yahan Chain Se Bas Ruk Jaaun

Kyun Dil Ye Mujhe Kehta Hai

Jazbaat Naye Se Mile Hain

Jaane Kya Asar Ye Hua Hai

Ik Aas Mili Phir Mujhko

Jo Qubool Kisi Ne Kiya Hai

Haan...

Ragini opened her eyes slowly and looked at Kavin who was now looking deep into her eyes as if he was attracted towards them.

Kisi Shayar Ki Ghazal

Jo De Rooh Ko Sukoon Ke Pal

Koi Mujhko Yun Mila Hai

Jaise Banjaare Ko Ghar

Main Mausam Ki Sehar

Yaa Sard Mein Dopahar

Koi Mujhko Yun Mila Hai

Jaise Banjare Ko Ghar

Hmmm...

Kavin came back to his senses when Ragini left his shoulders and pushed him gently after standing properly.

"Are you okay Miss...?"...He asked her before mentally slapping himself after realising what he was doing a moment before.

"Ragini...Ab main chalta hoon"...Someone said.

Ragini turned her gaze from Kavin and looked at the person. He was Nakul. She smiled and nodded.

"Aur shaam ko tumhe lene bhi aa jaaunga"...Nakul said with a smile.

Ragini: Thik hai.

Nakul smiled. Then, his gaze fell on Kavin who was looking at Ragini.

"Kavin tum yahan?"...He asked in confusion.

Kavin turned his gaze from Ragini and looked at him while Ragini looked at him before mumbling his name.

"Nakul wo hamare saath aaya hai case ke liye"...Abhijeet replied while walking towards them.

"Oh! Haan"...Nakul said while looking at Kavin.

Ragini looked at Nakul.

"Nakul ab tum jao aur mujhe lene aa jaana time par"...She said before leaving from there.

Nakul smiled and nodded. Then, he again looked at Kavin.

"Kavin tum bhi aana aaj raat ko"...He said before moving towards his car. After that, he sat inside and drove from there towards his office leaving Kavin in confusion which was well noticed by Abhijeet, Shreya, Nikhil and Pankaj.

"Sir abhi jo ladki gayi na wo Nakul ki behan hai...Yaani ke hamare ACP sir ki beti hai...Aur aaj uska birthday hai isliye Nakul ek party de raha hai aur usne hum sabko invite kiya hai"...Shreya spoke up to clear his confusion.

He looked at her and walked towards his car in tears without saying anything.

"Ise kya hua?"...Abhijeet asked in confusion.

Shreya: Aaj Purvi ka bhi birthday hai na, to Kavin sir use...

She stopped and looked at Abhijeet and others who completely understood that Kavin was sad. They all looked at Kavin who was waiting for them in the car. They sighed and moved towards the car. Then, they all sat inside and Kavin drove for the bureau without speaking a word to them.

To be continued...