Note: Durgaprasad and Ram aren't brothers here.

" Your house is beautiful Mr Maheshwari, The locale gives such pleasant, calm vibes and the old school, traditional Haveli...It is beautiful !" Sanskar exclaimed with a serene smile as he and Ram were sitting in the verandah of Mr Durgaprasad Maheshwari's home, they had just finalized on a business deal but as the Malhotra's decided to leave, Mr Maheshwari stopped them for another cup of tea, though refusing initially but after a lot of persuasion on Mr Maheshwari's part, they both had relented, now after a while of informal talk, Sanskar spoke what he had wished to say since long.

"My daughter-in-law had said exactly the same thing when she had first time seen it." Mr Maheshwari spoke, his eyes giving away the fact that he was fondly reminiscing the memory.

" Oh, You have a son? I thought you only had a daughter..." Ram spoke surprised at the discovery as Mr Maheshwari's twinkling eyes lost their colour and the wide smile faded. He didn't reply as Sanskar, artistic at heart had left their conversation midway to move his eyes around the beautiful Haveli, its grey walls made of stone, the subtle beauty it emaciated had left Sanskar too much awed to think of anything else.

" I had...Oh, The tea came." Mr Maheshwari who had started speaking after a pause changed the subject abruptly as a girl dressed in a plain white Saari with a Pallu on her head walked out of the Haveli with a tray.

" Oh, I am sorry..." Ram spoke realizing as he turned towards Sanskar whose face was turned behind looking at the design of gate which was just behind his seat.

Realizing Sanskar hadn't paid head, he touched Sanskar's shoulder, " Sanskar, Tea has come..." Ram spoke slowly as till this time, the girl had walked up to them.

"Ok, Dad..." Sanskar spoke as he was looking at the detailing of the gate's design, Ram left his shoulder, smiling sheepily at Durgaprasad. Sanskar didn't turn back for at least two minutes after that though, as the girl, uncaring offered tea to Ram and Durgaprasad.

Finally, realizing he needed to be courteous, Sanskar half turned as he raised his hands to take the cup, his face still coming to front slowly, trying to absorb the detailing of the gate's design.

As the girl handed him the cup slowly, Sanskar's face was completely turned forward, his eyes on the teacup which was half in his and half in her hand though as smiling, he raised them to look at the girl, " Thank..." but he couldn't complete as seeing her beautiful eyes, he paused abruptly, his mouth slightly open, he involuntarily tried to take the complete cup from her hands as the cup turned over slightly dropping some tea on his own hands. Her eyes widened, the girl moved back reflexively with the cup as he got up and shook his hand continuously in pain due to the burn, his eyes still on her as she looked at his hand worried.

Tenu Takeya Hosh Hi Bhul Gayi,
Garm Garm Chaa Hath Te Dul Gayi,

As I saw you, I lost my senses,
w

hich lead me to spill the hot tea on my hand.

"Are you fine Beta?" " Sanskar, Are you fine?" Mr Maheshwari and Ram together asked Sanskar as she looked at him worried, then suddenly thinking something she half turned, " I'll...I'll bring ice..." and hurriedly walked off saying it.

As she left, a small smile occupied Sanskar's lips...The smile which signified that he had found the one, he had found the one who could make him so lost in herself that he'll forget the things he was lost in.

Hath Te Dul Gayi Chaa Sajna,
Aisi Teri Nigaah Sajna,
Jaandi Jaandi Dasdi Jaa Tu,
Dil De Vich Ki Tere, Dil De Vich Ki Tere,
I spilled the tea on my hand,
Such hypnotizing eyes you have got.
Tell me what's in your heart for me, before you go, Girl.

" Why are you smiling now Sanskar, at least speak...are you fine?" Ram asked as he saw the smile on Sanskar's lips.

Sanskar kept smiling, lost as she came back with ice, quickly getting down to rub it on his hand.

"Sanskar..." Ram moved Sanskar confused as Sanskae who was staring at her as she applied the ice was pulled back from his staring, from his trance. He looked at Ram stunned, then realizing the reality, he answered, " I am fine dad."

Then he turned back to look at her as she looked up at him, " Ice will relieve your pain further." And then giving a slight smile, she kept the plate with ice on the table.

" Thanks, Beta, By the way, What's your name?" Ram asked with a smile.

" Uncle, Ragini..." Ragini replied with the same smile as she turned towards Durgaprasad looking at him as if questioning him from her eyes, " Ok Beta, You go...Actually, Mr Malhotra, My daughter-in-law takes tuitions at this time so she has to leave..." Durgaprasad explained as Sanskar who was happily lost in Ragini's eyes till now was suddenly snapped back to the reality as he heard the words, 'Daughter-in-law'.

Then looking at Ragini from top to bottom, his smile faded as Ragini turned back, walking inside.

He sat down unwittingly as Ram and Durgaprasad did, silently sipping tea, lost in looking towards the door Ragini came from, his face solemn.

As Durgaprasad and Ram continued talking about various topics, the topic came to Ragini as hesitating Ram asked, " How old is your daughter in law? She looks quite young..." Sanskar's ears rose up hearing her name as he looked towards Durgaprasad.

Understanding what Ram wanted to say Duraprasad replied with a faded smile, " 24, Why...last year only she came in our house as a new bride, she was a chirpy bird always happy, always expressive, it was like she was a breath of fresh air which our house needed, I sometimes feel she's more my daughter than my own daughter. She is the only daughter of Shekhar, my best friend who lives in another city, I proposed the marriage immediately as I saw her, she was the best daughter in law we could get but had I known we were doomed, I wouldn't have dragged her along, my son died in a car accident 3 days after marriage...I...I tried to explain her so much that she has a whole life ahead of her and she should remarry but I don't know why She is adamant she won't...I wish I could convince her somehow but..." Durgaprasad paused abruptly as he shook his head, sad.

"Oh, maybe she is in love with your son..." Ram reasoned in deep thinking as Durgaprasad replied, " I would have been so happy if she was in love with him if he was alive...but he is dead, What good can a life lived in Love of a dead man do to her? For that reason, I always pray she didn't love him...anyways, they never really interacted much...In fact, they had exactly 3 meetings before marriage which included the wedding functions and they never talked much...and 3 days...I sometimes feel like it was my fault to be so adamant to get them married so soon, I wished it because Shekhar was leaving for Kolkata soon and I wanted to keep her in our house, I so wished I had waited, I so wish I wasn't so adamant..."

" Mr Maheshwari, its fate..." Ram tried to console Durgaprasad as he saw some unshed tears in his eyes.

" Maybe... but if it is really fate, I so wish her fate has happiness written or else...we all will move on after sometime, infact we already have managed to, we do miss Laksh but we have coped up with the loss but she...she'll forever have to live with it, I so wish she agrees to remarry..." Durgaprasad wiped his tears before they could fall down as Sanskar looked at him sadly as if he felt Durgaprasad's pain as if he felt her pain. He could only wonder if she did love her husband, even if she did, was it really right to spoil her future life for a man who was dead? Did she never felt like remarrying? Did she never felt like loving someone else? If she didn't, then what made him fall for her? Why he fell for a girl who Destiny hadn't written in his fate? The only answer he could think of was, 'Life wasn't always cruel' and it couldn't be so cruel to such an innocent, loving girl...he had fallen for her because it was destined because it was written in his fate, she was written in his fate and he in hers.

Main Suneya Uchiyan Deewara Rakhiyan,
Ni Tu Dil De Chaar Chufere,
Naale Saambh Ke Rakhde Ae,
Koi Dil Ch Na Laa Le Dere,

I have heard that you have built high walls around your heart.
And been keeping it surrounded because you don't want let anybody in your heart.

**

It was a few days since he had encountered Ragini and all he could think about was...Her. Her life, her thoughts...everything he could gather from that 1 single encounter but above all this there was something peculiar that he noticed at that time and hadn't paid head too, rethinking he could only wonder why? Today, he had to come to her house for handing over some files to Durgaprasad. He was excited, he admitted to himself but more than that, there was a strange kind of happiness that he felt at the thought of seeing her, a kind he couldn't explain in mere words and so when Mr Maheshwari offered him a cup of tea, he couldn't refuse but his happiness was short-lived as this time instead of Ragini, Mrs Maheshwari- Durgaprasad's wife brought tea, she must be busy in her tuition classes, he thought seeing the time.

As he sat down to have the tea and a talk with Mr Maheshwari, Mr Maheshwari spoke midway, " By the way, I complete forgot Beta...you loved our house that day, right? I also saw you looking at the gate's design, I guess you are interested in art so why not see our house from within? I know I am self-praising but believe me its worth it. That day I couldn't talk because of..." he purposely let his voice trail off as happy at the realization that he could finally see Ragini, Sanskar nodded instantly. Then completing their tea as soon as they both could, Sanskar and Durgaprasad got up.

As they both walked inside, Sanskar found Ragini sitting in the drawing-room with a few children of varying ages around, she was talking to one of them as Durgaprasad smiled seeing her and started talking about the designs on various walls with Sanskar, Sanskar though looking towards Durgaprasad was actually lost in Ragini's thoughts and voice.

"Sometimes marriage doesn't bring Love along, sometimes marriage only brings problems...sour realizations that you are not good enough, sour realizations that you are responsible for someone's misery, sour realizations that you are responsible for someone's deat..." Sanskar turned instantly as he heard Ragini speak, she had paused abruptly from completing as she looked at her student dazed...a lone teardrop moved in her eye as Sanskar realized she had purposely prevented herself from completing. She meant 'Death'. He knew...Why she paused? Why she prevented herself from completing talking about a bad marriage? He didn't.

" Death? Ragini dii, we were talking about Aunt not being happy with Uncle in marriage...How did you reach death?" A girl, looking as if 16-17 questioned Ragini with faint laughter as Ragini shook her head indicating it was nothing, only that Sanskar who was the only other Ragini's listener in the room felt the words involved Ragini's everything.

Main Suneya Pehlaan Vi Dil Tuteya,
Dil Tuteya Tera Ik Waari,
Taahin Dil Di Deewaraan Te,
Tu Ik Na Banaai Baari,

I also have come to know that you had got heart broke once.
That's the reason you have left no windows open to your heart.

It had so happened that the girl, a maths student of Ragini had read a poem indicative of a lady's bad marriage with a misogynist man in her English book prior to the teacher reading in school and hence sought to question something on it from Ragini informally, Ragini had happily relented but her thoughts had wandered away midway only for she to pause on the right time, she thought...only if she knew, It was indeed the right time she spoke it at.

**
Next-Day:

" Bhaiyaa, Itna Mehenga?( Bhaiya, So costly?)" Ragini who had come out for grocery shopping asked the vegetable vendor surprised as Sanskar whose legs had unwittingly taken him her locality today saw her with a smile.

"Nahi Chahiye... ( I don't want them...)" Ragini finally said after trying to bargain a little on the prize as she turned to leave.

As she turned, unknowingly her eyes fell on a couple at a side of the street standing near a bike, the girl had ice cream in her hand which she and the boy were sharing happily, the girl making him eat with her own hands.

A small smile crept up Ragini' s lips seeing them as the smile from Ragini's lips followed its path to Sanskar's, he had followed her gaze and found the source of her happiness, the raw form of Love, the happy moments of a couple she had witnessed had made her so happy.

Then as she got a slight push from someone passing by, Ragini was suddenly stunned, as if brought out of a dream to reality, her smile fading to a blank expression, Ragini moved her eyes around...another lone tear, he could see in her eyes as his smile too, faded...reality had struck them hard.

Mera Vi Dil Udna Chaahe, Par Main Darni Aa,
Main Udaa Te, Main Hawawa Naale Ladni Aa,

Mera Vi Dil Udna Chaahe, Par Main Darni Aa,
Main Udaa Te, Main Hawawa Naale Ladni Aa,

I too have a desire to fly but I am afraid to do so.
Even if I tried to fly high, I would need to fight the winds.

I too have a desire to fly but I am afraid to do so.
Even if I tried to fly high, I would need to fight the winds.

Ragini started walking away from the sight of the couple, fast as she unknowingly walked into Sanskar's direction, he too got down his bike as he purposely bumped into her, it wasn't difficult, he thought since she was already in her own reverie while walking.

" So...Sorry..." A lost Ragini spoke as her eyes were on the floor.

"Oh, No problem...it was my fault too, By the way, Ragini ji?" Sanskar spoke, acting surprised at seeing her as he passed her a genuinely smiled.

Ragini raised her eyes at the familiar voice as recognizing him, she tried to smile slightly, only that she wasn't successful.

" Sanskarji? Bauji's business associate? Hello..." Ragini finally managed to put on a show smile as she took a deep breath.

"Umm...App Jaiye Ghar, Maa-Bauji hain Wahan, I have some work.(Umm...You can go home, Maa- Bauji are there, I have some work.) " Ragini spoke trying to walk away as she didn't want to talk to anybody right now.

She was crossing Sanskar as she said so when Sanskar suddenly replied," Ji...By the way, App Chali Jaiyee...But can I ask you a question before that ( Ok...By the way, You can go...But can I ask you a question before that?) ?"

Surprised, Ragini turned halfway, " Ji...Puchiye... ( Yes...You can ask...)" She replied as her brow furrowed at his words.

"Appki Smile Hamesha itni...Fake Kyun Lagti Hai? ( Your smile...Why does it always look so fake?) " Sanskar asked the question he had wondered for so long, the one peculiar thing he had noticed about Ragini that day...her fake smile.

Ragini laughed slightly as she replied, " App Acha Mazaak Kar lete hain... ( Oh, You are good at kidding...) "

Moving his head in a 'No', Sanskar replied solemnly, " Yeh laugh bhi fake lag Rahi hai...and uss din... ( This laugh is also looking fake...and that day...) " Sanskar paused as he thought something, Ragini's smile and laugh too had faded by now.

" Chodiye...Bas Ek Baat Bolunga, App Mujhe Apna friend samajhiye, If you want to share anything ever...Kuch bhi jo shayad app apni family se Nahi Kar Sakti yaa Karna Nahi Chahta toh app mujhse kar Sakti hai... ( Leave it...But I will say just one thing, you can consider me your friend, If you want to share anything ever...anything which maybe you can't share with your family or don't want to share with them, you can share it with me...) " Sanskar was abruptly cut by Ragini.

" Ek Minute, Humne Apko Apna friend nahi samjha he...Aur Na hi Hum Samajhna Chahte hein, App Bauji ke business associate hain isliye I am trying to be calm so please respect that or else, I don't like people who intrude in my life. ( Wait a minute...I don't consider you my friend...neither do I want to, You are Bauji's business associate and hence I am trying to be calm so please respect that or else, I don't like people who intrude in my life.) " Saying so angrily, Ragini turned forward and tried to walk away.

Pausing after going 2 steps ahead, She turned, her eyes filled with tears, " Aur Haan, Humari smile fake nahi hai.( And yes, my smile is not fake.)" Ragini said with a finality in her heavy voice as she almost ran away.

Khwaab Apne Apni Akhiyaan Vich Sambhale Main,
Aise Layi Te Dil Te Apne Laale Taal Main,

This fear has made me keep my dreams only to my eyes.
And it led me to lock my heart down in depths.

Sanskar stood silently as a faint smile climbed his lips, " Agar smile fake nahi hai toh itni Baar justifications Kyun? ( If your smile isn't fake, why are you reiterating it so many times?) " He asked himself softly as he went and sat on his bike, driving it away.

**
Ragini strode all the way to her home as reaching home, she was thankful Mr and Mrs Maheshwari weren't home, drops of tears which she had prevented from falling down till down poured out of her eyes as dropping the grocery shopping bag in the hall, she ran away to her room on the first floor, starting to cry the way up.

Reaching her room, she locked it from within as she sat down crying taking the support of the door, then holding her knees she cried heavily closing her eyes as some faint voices rang in her ears, " I don't Love you...I love someone else, this marriage is...this marriage is nothing for me...nothing."

" Bas...( Enough...)" Ragini covered her ears with her hands as she shouted, "Bas...( Enough...)" Her voice lowered as she continued crying.

Main Uchiyan Uchiyan Deewara Rakhiyan,
Is Dil De Chaar Chufere, Naale Saambh Ke Rakhni Aa,
Koi Dil Te Na Laa Le Dere,

I have built high walls around my heart. So, no trespassers allowed to enter anymore.

**

"App Yahan Roz Bethte hain... .( You sit here daily...) " A statement pulled Sanskar out of his thoughts as he was sitting on his bike, in the same place he had talked with Ragini that day...it had been a month since that day and he came daily at the same time sitting here for 2 hours in hope Ragini would talk out her problems with him...he didn't see her since then but still hoped she would come...Ragini did saw him sitting a few times from her home, she had indeed wished she could talk to someone but had resisted the urge since forever but since Sanskar expressed the wish to listen, her urge peaked...she tried to avoid it only to lose to her impulse today, maybe Sanskar could help...maybe he couldn't but speaking to someone would surely help her in some way, she knew and who better than a willing stranger.

" Haan, I am...I am sorry, I just...( Yes, I am...I am sorry, I just...)" Sanskar paused abruptly as he tried to explain himself, he knew he couldn't.

" Sunege Humari baat?( Will you listen to me?)" Ragini asked ignoring his words...Her face blank.

"Ji...Agar App Batana Chahe to Zaroor.( Yes...If you want to talk then of course.) " Sanskar could only say as Ragini nodded.

"Yahan Paas mein Ek cafe, Wahan Chalte hain.( There's a cafe nearby. We can go there.)" Her face was still blank, It was blank when Sanskar nodded, it was blank when Sanskar and she silently walked to the cafe which was at a distance of 2 minutes, it was blank as they sat down and ordered coffee. Sanskar could only wonder how many hurricanes within was her blank face a cover-up for.

"Toh...Humein Bauji ne Bataya app logon ki conversation ke baarein mein...phir se convince Karne Ke koshish kar rahe the Shadi ke Liye Tabh, Only if he knew the reality...Itna Pyaar toh Chodiye Woh Kabhi humari shakal bhi na dekhna chahte. (So... Bauji told me about your conversation with him...he was again trying to convince me for remarriage, at that time,Only if you knew the reality...Leave loving me so much, he wouldn't even like to see my face then.) " Ragini's expression changed for the first time as she gave a mirthless laugh.

" Aisa Kya kar Diya apne? Jitna Pyaar who apse Karte hain, Mujhe nahi lagta Woh apse itni nafrat Kabhi bhi kar sakte hain...unless you killed your husband. ( Like what have you even done? I mean, the way he loves you, I don't think he can ever hate you so much...unless you killed your husband.)" Sanskar followed Ragini's way of speaking as he himself gave a mirthless laugh.

" Agar hum Kahein ki humne Kuch Aisa hi Kiya hai toh? ( What if I say I have done something along this only?)" Ragini questioned seriously with a faded smile, her eyes fixed in Sanskar's.

Sanskar's laughter faded as he looked at Ragini shocked.

Ragini again laughed as she spoke, "Laksh humse Pyaar Nahi Karte the...Woh toh shayad humse nafrat Karte the kyunki hum unke aur uss ladki ke beech mein aagaye jisse Woh Pyaar Karte the...Unhone yeh shadi Sirf Bauji ke kehne par ki kyunki unmein Himmat hi nahi thi...Unmein himmat hi nahi thi ki Woh Bauji ko mana kar sake...Kayar the woh, he was a bloody coward... ( Laksh didn't love me...infact, I guess he hated me because I had come between him and the girl he loved...He married me only on Bauji's saying because he didn't had the strength...he didn't had the strength to refuse Bauji...Coward he was, He was a bloody coward...) " Ragini paused to take a breath as she wiped the tears that descended down her cheeks.

Sanskar didn't speak anything as he let Ragini complete, " Humein toh Laga yeh arrange marriage hai...Bauji humse Itna Pyaar Karte hain, Laksh bhi karenge, Hum bhi Laksh ko Karenge, Humein woh pasand the par woh...Humare Saare Sapne Todne Ka Din bhi toh Dekhiye Konsa Chuna, Shadi ke Baad...Shadi ki Raat, Humein toh Apna Dushman hi Bana Diya unhone...Apni Khushiyon ka Katil, Jaise...Jaise humne unhe force Kiya ho shadi ke liye...Hume Kaha, Bauji ko Bolein Humein divorce chahiye par hum Kyun Bolein? ( I thought that it is an arrange marriage...Bauji loves me so much, Laksh will also love me, I'll also start loving Laksh, I also liked him but he...See the day he chose to break all my dreams, Wedding night, He made me his enemy...the killer of his happiness, as if...as if I forced him to marry me...he told me to tell Bauji that I want divorce but why should I say?) " Ragini's expressions changed with each word as tears started making their way out her eyes, continuously, she didn't care to wipe them this time as Sanskar realized she was reliving the moments.

"Humne Saaf inkaar Kar Diya, Kaha Ki Bolna Hai Toh khud Boliye...Raat kat gayi, 1 din Kaat Gaya par woh toh Jaise Pagal Hogaye the humein apni Patni ke taur par dekh kar...Humne Kaha tha unse?Humari kya galti thi? Humein kehne lage ki unka dam ghutta hai humare sath, Ki Unki girlfriend ne unhe shadi ki wajah se chod diya... ki humare saath rehne se acha woh mar jayein...Hum bhi gusse mein bohot lade, Bohot Sunaya Unko...Uss din, 3 din nahi hue the aur chauthe din subah humari bohot Buri ladayi hui, infact Maa Bauji ko pata lagte lagte Bacha, Woh gusse mein chale Gaye, Humne Ghar par cover-up kar Liya par woh Laut Kar hi nahi aaye, Lautkar aayi unki dead body...Drink and drive, Khayi mein gir Gayi unki car...Humne, Humne toh unko gusse mein bol diya tha...nahi Raha Jata humare saath aur nahi Kaha Jata Maa-Bauji se toh chale jaeyee...Bhag Jaiyee, Humein kya pata tha woh sach mein chale Jayenge? Humne Gusse mein bola...Humari Zindagi barbad kar di unhone, Hum sochte the Karma will come back to him, unhe Saza Milegi ...Humein thodi na pata tha ki aise saza Milegi... ( I refused, I told him if he wants divorce, he should himself say it...That night passed away, Even a day passed, all this while it seemed like he had gone crazy seeing me as his wife...Did I tell him to marry me? What was my fault in all this?He told me he feels suffocated with me,that his girlfriend left him because of our marriage...he told me he prefers to die rather than live with me...I also fought a lot with him in anger, Spoke a lot against him...that fateful day, it had just been 3 days since out wedding and fourth day we had a very bad fight , infact Ma-Bauji almost got to know, he went out in anger, I covered up at home but he never came back, rather his dead body came back...Drink and Drive, his car fell from a cliff...I...I told him in anger that if he can't live me and even can't tell the truth to Maa-Bauji then he should go away...run away, How could I have known that he would really go away? I spoke what I did in anger...he spoiled my life, I used to think Karma will come back to him, he'll be punished...I didn't knew he'll be punished like this...)" Ragini broke down badly crying, though silently as she hid her face in her palms as the waiter who brought the coffee looked at her confused. Sanskar indicated him to leave. He was stunned as he realized what had prevented her thoughts of remarrying...what had prevented her from even smiling genuinely, she blamed herself for Laksh's death...she believed herself to be Laksh's killer, she hated herself as much as she hated him...he didn't stop her, he let her cry...he knew she needed it, she did.

TeMera Pehlan Ve Dil Tuteya,
Haaye Tuteya Mera Ik Waari,
Taaiyon Dil Di Deewaraan Te,
Main Ik Na Banaayi Baari,

Earlier too I had a heart broke once.
That's why I have left no open window to my heart.

Suddenly, realizing her surroundings, Ragini removed her hands from her face as she prevented herself from crying further...then wiping her tears she got up as she held onto her handbag which was on the table, her eyes fell on Sanskar sitting silently looking at her actions, she was stunned as she realized what she had done...she had told her deepest secret to someone for the first time, She had opened up herself for the first time...she had cried in front of someone after Laksh's death for the first time, what had made her do it? What Sanskar had that others didn't? Was Sanskar special? Was Sanskar special to her? Even if he was, she wasn't going to repeat her mistake, She wasn't going to dream again...moreover, she had lost her right to dream as she killed Laksh, Ragini thought to herself as averting her gaze, she walked away.

"Rag..." Sanskar ran behind Ragini as he saw her walk away as Ragini didn't stop.

" Ragini, Rukiye...Meri baat Suniye... (Ragini, Please wait...Listen to me...) " Sanskar tried speaking as he increased his pace to reach her, she didn't pay heed still.

"Ragini Rukiye Warna mein yeh sab Kuch Uncle Ko bata Dunga. ( Ragini, Please wait or else I'll tell all this to Uncle.) " Ragini paused at the very moment as striding, Sanskar reached her.

Ragini gave him an angry, tear-filled glare as Sanskar stared at her breathing heavily, " Kya Kar Rahi hain App? Apki Galti nahi hain Laksh ki death...Apne Uska accident nahi Kiya, Apne usse Uska Pyaar nahi cheena, Apne...Apne uski Zindagi barbad nahi ki...Usne Apni...Usne...Usne Apki Ki... (What are you even doing? Laksh's death is not your fault...You didn't do his accident, you didn't snatch his love, You...You didn't spoil his life...he spoiled his own...he spoiled...he spoiled your life...) " Sanskar spoke in between his breaths as Ragini looked at him, he could see the wondering in her eyes...She had always tried to make herself believe this only to fail miserably at it every time, he understood.

" Meri baat par bharosa Nahi hai toh unhe batayi jin par Bharosa hai, Mein Janta hun woh bhi yahi kahenge, Appko Laksh ka murderer toh Kabhi nahi samjhenge... ( If you don't trust me then tell this to the one you trust, I am sure he'll also say this only,Above all he'll definately not consider you Laksh's murderer...) " Sanskar spoke again as Ragini involuntarily cut him.

" Nahi, Bauji Nahi...woh Apne App Ko Galat Samjhenge... ( No, Not Bauji...He'll consider himself guilty...) " Ragini paused midway as Sanskar looked at her accusingly, he so knew what she was doing...blaming herself to prevent even the thought of blaming Durgaprasad coming to her mind...She somewhere did knew that even if someone was to be blamed other than Laksh for what happened, it was Durgaprasad...she just didn't wish to admit it, not to herself, not to anybody else.

" Unki bhi galti nahi hai...Unke thoughts dekhe hain meine, he is a progressive man, I am sure Unhe Laksh ki Baat se koi problem nahi hoti par...it was Laksh jo Coward tha as you said. ( Thinking, its not even his fault...I have seen his thoughts, he is a progressive man, I am sure he wouldn't had problem with Laksh's love marriage but...It was Laksh who was coward as you said.)" Sanskar tried to assure Ragini.

"Unhe bata kar toh Dekhiye...Agar Unhe Phir bhi lagta hai ki apki yaa unki galti thi toh mein hun app ke saath, mein samjhaonga unhe, Promise. ( Atleast try to tell him once...If he still thinks its your or his fault then I am with you, I'll explain him, Promise.) " He calmly spoke as Ragini looked at him uncertainly.

" Aur Kyun hain app Humare saath, Hum toh Ek dusre ko theek se Jante bhi nahi...Pehle app Humare friend Banna chahte the aur abb yeh sab? ( And why are you with me, we don't eve know each other completely...first you wanted to be my friend and now all this?) " Ragini asked calmly with her eyes still tear-filled.

" Kyunki I Love you...I...I don't expect to be loved back agar apko Aisa lag Raha hai toh but I love you and its a reality I can't deny and so I wish to see you happy...specifically when you deserve it. ( Because I Love you...I...I don't expect to be loved if you are thinking that but I Love you and its a reality I can't deny and so I wish to see you happy...specifically when you deserve it.)" Sanskar replied in a single breath looking deep into her eyes as Ragini lowered her eyelashes, the uncertainty clear in her eyes.

Tere Layi Te Sari Duniya Naal Lad Lange,
Tu Jiye Te Teri Aayi Aap Mar Lange,
Hoooo, Tu Jiye Te Teri Aayi Aap Mar Laange,
Heee, Tu Jiye Te Teri Aayi Aap Mar Laange,

I will fight the entire world for you.
May you live long, and I will offer my lifespan for you.
Hoooo,May you live long, and I will offer my lifespan for you.
Heee,May you live long, and I will offer my lifespan for you.

Then as if in reflex, Ragini started to walk away, " Ek Baar Sochiyega Zaroor Ragini...If not anything else, they both deserve the truth...they both deserve the truth of their son. son.(Atleast think once Ragini...If not anything else, they both deserve the truth...they both deserve the truth of their son.) " Sanskar shouted from behind as Ragini kept walking.

**

"I am sorry Bauji, Kash Humne Uss Din Laksh ki Baat Mann Li Hoti, Kaash I divorced him, Woh Apke Saath Hote...I am sorry, Humari Wajah Se Laksh ki death huyi...( I am sorry Bauji, I wish I had agreed to Laksh's demand that day, I wish I divorced him, he would have been with you...I am sorry, Laksh died because of me...)" Ragini spoke crying as she sat down in the verandah, Durgaprasad too sat down next to her as teardrops fell from his eyes, he didn't cry though as he was in a deep thinking.

Then caressing her face lightly, he spoke, " Why are you blaming yourself Ragini? Galti Humari hai...Hume...Hume Kabhi Laga hi nahi ki Laksh Kisi aur se Pyaar Kar Sakta hai...Humne Kabhi Uske dil ke baat Janane Ki Koshish hi nahi ki... ( Why are you blaming yourself Ragini? The mistake is mine...I...I never felt that Laksh could love someone else...I never tried to know what was in his heart...) " Durgaprasad spoke blankly as Ragini hugged him crying.

" Nahi Bauji, Apki Galti nahi hai... ( No, Bauji, Its not your fault...) " Ragini continued crying. Breaking the hug, she wiped Durgaprasad's tears crying moving her head in a 'No' as she walked up to Annapurna, " Maa..." She could only say as Annapurna took her in an embrace caressing her hair, " Hamesha Kehti thi ki Maa Samajhti ho par Ek saal se yeh baat apne dil ke Andar Lekar Ghum Rahi ho Ragini...iss Dard Ko, Maa Ko Ek Baar bhi nahi bataya Ragini... ( You always used to say that you consider me your mother but you are living with the burden of this truth from an year...burden of this pain, You didn't even tell your mother once...) " Annapurna spoke as she cried along.

" Sorry..." Ragini could only say as she cried more.

After days of pondering, Ragini did realize Sanskar was right, Durgaprasad and Annapurna deserved the truth , no matter how bitter it was, no matter how much it would break them they deserved it. Moreover she knew she was with them, she would handle them, she would make them realize none was at fault, it was the situation, they would cope up with it, She would make them cope up with it, she would give them all the love and support of the daughter they considered her to be.

**

" Thanks Beta...if not for you, We wouldn't have got out daughter back." Durgaprasad spoke as Sanskar whom Durgaprasad had called after Ragini told him everything about how he convinced her of the reality, smiled.

After days of convincing, Ragini had managed to make Durgaprasad think less of the guilt, made Durgaprasad realize the reality that it was the situation which was the villain and not him...in this she had managed to rediscover herself, realizing what she spoke to Durgaprasad held true for her too that Sanskar was indeed right, She deserves happiness, just the way everyone does...in the process she had also realized that even though a stranger, Sanskar mattered.

"And... she didn't say but I know why you cared Beta..." Durgaprasad let his voice trail off as he smiled, Sanskar blushed a little as he looked towards Ragini whose cheeks too unknowingly kissed pink, she lowered her eyes with a strange smile...butterflies in her stomach...she felt, genuine smile on her lips...she felt, happiness in her heart...she felt.

And the pain, the unrequired guilt...ebbed away.

Tu Karke Uchiyan Deewaran Rakh Le,
Iss Dil De Chaar Chufere,
Bhavein Saambh Ke Rakh Le Dil,
Tere Dil Ch Main Laane Dere,

You could have as high as the walls you want around your heart.
You could try to keep it away all you want, but I will reside (or take place) in your heart anyway.

Sanskar's smile widened seeing her smile and blush.

" Toh Shadi Kab Rakhein?Hum Bata dete hein, Iss Baar Ragini ki Doli Humari beti ke Taur par uthegi. ( So when should me keep the wedding? Let me be clear, this time, Ragini will leave my house as my daughter.) " Durgaprasad spoke as he saw Ragini's blush, Ragini raised her eyebrows reflexively at his words, her smile fading.

" Bauji...Hum Abhi, bas Abhi shadi nahi Karna chahte...Hum app logo ke Saath rehna chahte hein...thoda aur sochna Chahte hein...Thoda aur wait Karna chahte hein, Shayad Thoda aur heal hona chahte hein, Kya hum Kuch mahine ruk nahi sakte? ( Bauji...I don't want to marry now, I mean right now...I want to live with both of you...I want to think a little more...I want to wait a little more, Maybe I just want to heal a little bit more, Can't we wait for a few months?) " Ragini asked, her eyes shuffling between Durgaprasad and Sanskar.

Te Mera Pehlaan Ve Dil Tuteya,
Haaye Tuteya Mera Ik Waari,
Taiyon Dil Di Deewaraan Te,
Main Ik Na Banaai Baari,

Earlier too I had got heart broke once.
That's why I have left no open window to my heart.

Understanding her thoughts, Sanskar nodded smiling, " Mein Tumhare Liye Saloon Intezaar Karne Ko Tayar Hun...Mahine toh Kuch nahi Ragini.( I can wait for you for years Ragini...Months are nothing.) "

**
A/N: Ok, so finally something I would call an ambitious project. Its a converted version of the RiKara story of same name though I won't call it converted because I was thinking it simultaneously on RagSan while writing. I don't know how it turned out to be but hoping you all liked it, Pretty please do consider voting and commenting if you liked it, Its 5000+ words,a long one for me. Also, the song...was crazy over it since I listened it some months ago and here I have a story on it, hope it did justice to the song, by the way, if you haven't heard it , do check it out...its a beautiful song. Also, I wanted to share, Sorry to any RagLak fans for the greyishness of Laksh, I didn't intend to do it that badly but flow flow mein hogaya. Again, If anyone wants english subtitles of dialogues and song, let me know please, I just don't write them because of time constrain. I'll notify the requester as soon as I complete with the subtitles, One last thing...A trivia- The story mentioned about Aunt and Uncle is really a poem in CBSE class 12th book which I used here and not made up. 😁 Again, last thing...wrote on a complicated concept like widow heroine for the first time, Please tell me how it turned out to be through comments, pretty please. Forgot to add, Credit for all the edits to the real editors.
Edit: English subtitles of dialogues as well as song added. Credit for English subtitles for songs goes to a site called www. lyricsraag .com .