Tere Sang Yaara
Chapter 4

. . .

A Lie For The Best.

The dark sky fades as the colour blue starts spreading behind the white clouds, making the sun visible as it shines.

Lakshya, who was laying on his bed opens his eyes, awakening from his sleep as the sun rays hit his face. He yawned and tossed to the other sides to make himself comfortable again.

"Lakshya!" Annapurna yelled, entering his room with a platter, gasping to see him still asleep. "Get up!" She exclaimed a sigh of dismay and he made a face, sitting up.

"What happened Maa? Why are you shouting so early in the morning?" Lakshya mumbled, rubbing his eyes while leaning against his pillow.

"I told you to get ready by 8 and you're still sleeping." She complained to him and he sighed, picking his phone up to see the time.

"Chill Maa, it's only 8:25. I'll get ready in two minutes."

"Please hurry, otherwise your Papa. . ." Before Annapurna could complete her sentence, she was interrupted by Durga Prasad who entered the room, "he's still in bed?" Durga Prasad was disappointed and glared at Lakshya who blinks at him in discomfort.

Even seeing Durga Prasad stand in front of him was making it unpleasant for him, he couldn't help but feel resentful towards him.

"He was given a time Annapurna! How can he be so careless?" Durga Prasad yelled, sounding unpleased and angry to see Lakshya still in bed.

"Ji. . . He's just about to get changed." Annapurna responded.

"I have the full rights to be angry, not you Papa. So don't try to compete." Lakshya irritatedly uttered, stepping out from his bed while staring at Durga Prasad.

Druga Prasad didn't say anything and watched Lakshya head towards the washroom.

"Spoil him more Annapurna, one day you'll regret badly." Durga Prasad taunted while staring at Annapurna and leaves the room.

Annapurna gazes at Lakshya, who slams the door shut and closes her eyes. 'Please God, protect my family.' She prays in her heart and opens her eyes, heading out with her head lowered.

. . .

Gadodia House.

Ragini was walking out of her room, wearing a long red anarkali suit with the drape across her shoulders. She holds the strand of her hairs in her hand and throws them behind her back. She was demotivated to even be dressed and up, she felt exhausted and drained emotionally.

She heads towards the kitchen to grab some breakfast and narrowed her eyebrows confusingly, Parvati and Sharmishta were cooking in a hurry.

"Hurry, they should be here soon." Parvati hurried Sharmishta and stopped stirring the pot, heading towards the fridge to grab something.

"Daadimaa. . . Maa. . . Are we expecting any guests?" Ragini questioned in a low tone, and Sharmishta nodded her head, "yes, we are."

"Annapurna Ji, Durga Prasad Ji and Lakshya are coming with Pandit Ji to match your horoscope with Lakshya's and to select a date for your wedding." Parvati revealed, walking back towards the pot on the gas stove, shocking Ragini.

Before any words escaped Ragini's mouth, the door bell rang, catching them by surprise. Parvati widened her eyes and turned the gas stove on medium, rushing out of the kitchen. Ragini anxiously follows Parvati out, starting to panic. 'Are they already here?'

While Parvati was approaching the door, Ragini calmed her nerves down, taking this situation as an opportunity to talk to Lakshya, and his opinion on this forced relationship.

Parvati plastered a smile over her lips and opened the door, "welco. . ." She stopped and her smile fades.

Seeing Parvati's expressions change, Ragini was now curious to see who was at the door. She walked forward and peeked, surprised yet pleased to the person by the door.

. . .

Maheshwari Mansion.

Lakshya has changed into Dark Wash Dylan Slim Jeans and Black French Connection - Men's Jersey Polo Marine, adorning his foot with pure platinum Nike Air Max Sequent and slides his Black Cotton Bomber Jacket on, looking absolutely stylish and amazing.

He walked out of his room, immediately leaning against the railings and curving a small smile after seeing the curtains removed from in between the two sides. His sneaky eyes then search for Durga Prasad.

"If you're decked up then shall we leave?" Lakshya slightly jerked, turning around instantly. Not expecting Durga Prasad to have been behind him.

He was actually looking for a good chance to run away before he could land in the clutches of Durga Prasad but he was too late as Durga Prasad was standing right in front of him.

He released an uninterested sigh and started to walk, followed by Durga Prasad.

"You took ten years to get changed!" Durga Prasad taunted and Lakshya rolled his eyes. "We're late!" He adds, purposely making Lakshya hear but all that Lakshya wanted to do was ignore his father. "The Pandit Ji must be waiting!" Durga Prasad continued with his complaints and Lakshya inhaled a deep breath, controlling his irritation.

'Let him bark Lakshya. Control. . .' Lakshya advices himself, managing to block out his taunts.

Annapurna stepped into the hall with her handbag and looked at Durga Prasad and Lakshya walking down the stairs.

"Where are we going Maa?" Lakshya asked and before Annapurna could tell him, Durga Prasad spoke instead, "we don't have time to answer you! Let's go." Lakshya made a face and Annapurna rushed towards the exit.

The three left the mansion and Sujata walked out, staring at them leave and suspiciously blinking.

. . .

Gadodia House

"Oh so it was you." Parvati sounded disappointed and walked away, moving towards the kitchen.

"Why? Were you expecting someone else?" She asked and Ragini shook her head positively while she walked inside, closing the door behind her. "Who?" She asked again and faced Ragini, walking towards her with the widest smile.

"Lakshya and his parents." Ragini sounded unpleased as she replied to her childhood best friend, Niharika.

"Oh, really? Why are they coming?" Niharika questioned and Ragini frowned, grabbing her hand. "To fix a date."

Niharika's eyes widened, "no ways! This soon? Why?" Ragini shrugged and sighed, taking a seat on the sofa while Niharika sat next to her. 

"Ni. . . I'm thinking. . ." She paused, leaning closer "to ask him his opinion before taking any action." She whispered and Niharika looks at her, nodding her head positively.

"But Ragi, I'll say it again. Give him a chance, he might be different from Sanskaar." Niharika whispered back and Ragini looked at her, "he's not my type."

"Niharika." She gulped, hearing her name and turned around, seeing Parvati walking towards them. Parvati puts a glass of juice on the table in front of her while glaring at her. "Have some." She sternly says and then looked at Ragini, walking away.

Niharika waited till Parvati entered the kitchen and sighs a trembling relief. "Your Daadimaa scares the hell out of me, sometimes I wonder if she ever speaks nicely. I don't think I ever even seen her smile!"

Niharika knew Parvati disliked her, ever since her and Ragini became friends in elementary school, Parvati used to warn Ragini to stay away from her, because according to Parvati, she wasn't a good influence because they used to skip homework at times. Yet, Parvati was okay if Ragini and Niharika spent time together only if Niharika came to their house, Ragini was never allowed to go to Niharika's.

"Ni!" Ragini gasped, glancing around and she was relieved that no one had heard. "Come, let's go to my room." Ragini adds, standing up and Niharika stands too.

Ragini starts walking and Niharika followed but then she stopped, remembering something.

"Juice. If I don't take it then Daadi will insult me for insulting the juice." Niharika blabbered, rushing to grab the juice and Ragini shook her head in disbelief.

. . .

Driving.

Lakshya was driving, concentrating on the road while Annapurna and Durga Prasad were sat in the back. Lakshya was forced to drive because Durga Prasad didn't have his license renewed, however he had applied but it just taking time to be delivered.

Lakshya pushes the clutch down and rests his foot on the break, stopping the car with a smooth stop. Durga Prasad looked at Lakshya and the priest had opened the door, taking a seat in the front.

"I'm sorry we were late." Durga Prasad apologises, folding his hand after the priest closed the door, surprising Lakshya.

'He never apologised or apologies to me.' Lakshya's mind spoke, and his face stiffened, never has in his life had Lakshya even heard Durga Parasad apologise until today.

"It's okay." The priest replied, making himself comfortable.

'Papa forced me to drive right. Now I'll give him a taste driving.' Lakshya's mind came up with a devilish plan, he curled a smirk and exhaled, ready to execute it.

"Are you waiting for an auspicious time to come out for you to drive?" Durga Prasad insulted, losing his patience as they were already late and Lakshya stared at Durga Prasad from the rare mirror. "Nope, I'm just about to drive." Lakshya replied in a sarcastic tone, releasing his foot from the clutch instantly and the car jerked, shutting down.

The priest, Annapurna and Durga Prasad jerked forward, not expecting this, while Lakshya controls his body weight, he then looked at the priest with an innocent stare.

"D-Prasad, why did you jinx it? Look what happened." Lakshya pretended to be annoyed and upset, staring at the priest innocently, "now please don't say we will have an accident, what if we actually do." The priest gulped nervously and Durga Prasad felt embarrassed and irritated with Lakshya's rude remark.

"You. . ." Before Durga Prasad could tell him off, the priest interrupted. "Sir, please allow this young man to take his time, don't pressure him." The priest requested with a nervous smile, turning his head towards Durga Prasad who calms his anger and Lakshya smiled, knowing the priest wouldn't allow Durga Prasad to say a word as Durga Prasad respected him, more than his own family.

Lakshya restarted the car and slowly lifted his foot off from the break and the clutch, moving the car away smoothly.

. . .

Gadodia House.

Niharika and Ragini were sat on Ragini's bed, leaning against the board while speaking.

"I don't think he's happy with this alliance." Ragini says, and Niharika nodded, "as if you're happy too.

"I honesty feel so frustrated, I feel like I'm a tennis ball, first I was thrown to Sanskaar and now Lakshya." Ragini complained, sounding hurt and Niharika blinked at her.

"Forget that, let me deck you up." Ragini glared at Niharika, "I'm serious here Ni!"

"So am I. . ." Niharika replied and Ragini passed her a look, confused yet understanding that Niharika might have a plan.

"How about we make you simple and traditional? Act in front of him too, I'm sure he'll hate that. . . Be so, you know, behenji type that he will have to leave you, then Daadi wouldn't blame you and your problem would be solved." Niharika added and Ragini looked at her.

Her eyes lit up and a smile played on her lips, she sighed a happy relief. "Of course. He's the type to party and do what he wants, if I behave the opposite then he will have to leave me. Why didn't I think of that!" She happily chirped, hugging Niharika.

Niharika proudly smiled "because I'm the smart one."

"It's only you Ni. If I didn't have you, what would I have done." Ragini let a pout hang from her lips and tightened the hug and Niharika reciprocated to the hug.

"Now let me deck you up." Niharika breaks the hug and Ragini nodded her head excitedly with a wide smile over her lips. Her heart was finally at peace again after the heartbreaking situation yesterday.

. . .

In the car.

Annapurna gulped, seeing Durga Prasad's expressions and the priest stared outside the window, watching an old man, who was jogging run past them.

Lakshya was driving so slow that even elder people with sticks who came out for a walk would pass them. Durga Prasad sighed, not being able to control his anger.

"Lakshya! What type of misbehaviour is this?"

"What?" He pretended to be clueless at Durga Prasad's question.

"Stop it! Why are you driving slow?" Durga Prasad grit his teeth angrily, and Lakshya smiled, "it's better to be safe than sorry, right?" Lakshya responded and Durga Prasad clenched his fist.

"Drive fast, now!" He roared and Lakshya controlled his chuckle. "But. . ."

"Now!" Durga Prasad yelled, and Lakshya increased the speed and changed the gear to second, straight after he pushed it up to third and within a second, he pulled it down to fourth gear and continued increasing the speed.

The priest gasped, leaning against the seat and Durga Prasad couldn't help but slam against the seat. Annapurna clenched onto her Saree and eventually Lakshya slammed the gear into fifth, increasing the speed limit to 70.

Durga Prasad touched his chest and the priest inhaled a deep breath, starting to chant something under his breath.

"Lakshya! Slow down!" Durga Prasad angrily screamed, slamming his hand on his seat and Lakshya decreased the speed.

"Come on Papa, what do you want? Slow or fast? Make up your mind." Lakshya said, acting to be annoyed and finally Annapurna spoke. "Lakshya, drive in a normal speed please."

Lakshya sighed and made a regretting face, forgetting his mother was in the car too.

"Okay." He replied, driving at a normal speed.

"Where are we going anyways?" Lakshya asked and Durga Prasad looked at Annapurna, nodding at her.

"To Ragini's house." Annapurna revealed, feeling a little uncomfortable "to finalise your marriage date." She added and Lakshya stops the car with a jerk.

The priest falls forward and hits his head on the dashboard while Lakshya turns his head towards Annapurna shockingly.

"Drive!" Durga Prasad orders and Lakshya looks at him.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Drive!" Durga Prasad repeats and Lakshya angrily turned back around, starting to drive again.

"You don't even know how to drive." Durga Prasad insulted and Lakshya sighs. "God knows what I was thinking by making you drive, I shouldn't have given the driver a day off."

"I do, but maybe I'm just too good for you."

"Good? Even a driver is better than you." Durga Prasad retorted, absolutely annoyed by Lakshya.

"If you have so much of a problem then why did you ask me to drive? Couldn't you drive yourself?"

"We would've reached there ages ago if I drove, but my license is still not here."

"Please. . . Sir, boy. Stop, you shouldn't fight on this auspicious day." The priest stopped the two before they could continue arguing.

Lakshya wanted to insult the priest but he knew that this priest would cost him a lot as Durga Prasad wouldn't take that.

. . .

Gadodia House.

Niharika moved away from the mirror and stood behind Ragini, staring at her from the mirror with a smile. Ragini lifted her gazes and her eyes widened. She was dressed in a blue salwar with orange drape. Her hair was tied in a single plait.

"Oh my gosh. I look more like I act. Right?" Ragini asked and faced Niharika, who nodded, staring at her with affection. "You still slay this look Ragi."

Ragini blew a kiss to Niharika, "I love you Ni. Now this alliance will break, your effort won't go to vain."

"Love you more!" Ni replied and grabbed the kiss Ragini blew. Ragini giggled, and then twirled happily.

"Now remember. . ."

"Shhh. I know what to do, I need to act double innocent, double traditional, double simple and basically double all that he would hate. Then I'll be free." Ragini says and Niharika nods proudly. Both share a high five and in no time they hear the door bell.

"I think they're here." Niharika utters and Ragini excitedly heads out, wanting to be the first one to open the door.

Niharika smiles and rushes out behind her, not wanting to miss the fun.

Before Sharmishta could head towards the door, Ragini runs past her and stops in front of the main door. Sharmishta surprisingly looks on and stops, Niharika stands at a distance and Ragini smiles, inhaling a deep breath to get rid of her nervousness. She changes her expressions, opening the door.

She slowly yet shyly lifts her eyes and sees Durga Prasad, Annapurna, Lakshya and the priest standing outside.

"Come inside." She softly says and moves out of the way, allowing them to enter.

They enter the house and Ragini lowers her head, Lakshya is surprised to see her shy, little did he know she was acting. After they had entered the house, Ragini closes the door and quickly rushes towards them.

She bends down, taking blessings from Durga Prasad and he proudly blesses her, staring at Lakshya to hope he learns something from her. Ragini controls the excitement within her and stands up, she then moves towards Annapurna and bends down, taking her blessing and Annapurna blesses Ragini with her sweet smile.

Ragini then moves towards the priest, taking his blessings and managing to control her laughter. After taking the blessings from the priest, she walks towards Lakshya who stares at her, she shyly lowers her head and bends down but before she could touch his feet, her jerked away and Niharika starts laughing at a distance.

"What, what are you doing?" Lakshya asks, shocked by her movement and she stands straight, staring at him innocently.

"Taking your. . ."

"Why?"

"You're my would to be husband and Daadimaa says your husband is your temple." Ragini innocently and softly says, lowering her gazes and Durga Prasad was impressed by her words.

"I'm not your husband. . ." Durga Prasad glares at Lakshya and Lakshya sighs "Yet." He adds, to ease the discomfort his father was giving him.

"Ji. . ." Ragini nods her head positively.

Sharmishta folds her hands with a smile, greeting them. "Come take a seat." She welcomed them towards the sofas and they nod.

Lakshya takes a seat on a single sofa chair while Durga Prasad and Annapurna sit on one, opposite them sat the priest.

'I need to break this alliance as soon as possible, she's way too submissive for me.' Lakshya thinks and glances at her, stressing his mind for a plan.

Parvati walked out, folding her hands as she greeted the guests and Ragini walked inside the kitchen.

'I need to break this alliance.' Ragini thinks and sees the tray with tea and biscuits. Continuing to play the 'ideal' daughter, she picks the tray up and walks out.

Ragini forced a small smile on her lips and distributes the teas. Sharmishta was surprised to see Ragini's change and Parvati was pleased.

"Tea. . ." Ragini forwarded the cup to Lakshya, he took it and gave her an awkward smile.

Ragini then puts the plate of biscuits on the table in front of them. She then stands next to Sharmishta, acting shy and innocent.

Before Lakshya took a sip, he quickly spoke, bringing everyone's attention to him "I need to use the bathroom."

Durga Prasad looked at him, and Parvati signalled Ragini, getting her attention. "Laado, take him to the bathroom."

Ragini nodded positively, obediently following her order and made eye contact with Lakshya, putting an act on again, "Ji. . . This way." She shyly and softly said, leading the way for Lakshya.

Niharika rushed into Ragini's room and hid inside the bathroom, closing the door and putting her ears against it, "now the fun will begin." She whispers to herself and smirks.

"You can use my bathroom Lakshya Ji." Ragini uttered while bringing Lakshya into her room, he stepped inside and looked around.

Ragini turned to face him but lowers her eyes, shyly playing with her scarf. Lakshya stared at her, observing her features, he noticed she had long eyelashes and a round face, her skin was fair and her lips were shining, were covered in a pink shade.

'Why is he just standing there?' Ragini wondered, starting to feel a little uncomfortable. She acted shy and glanced up at him and forced a smile, "Lakshya Ji, is everything okay?"

He snapped out of his thought and cleared his throat, "the bathroom was only a lie." Ragini gasped, covering her mouth. He continued, "I actually wanted to talk to you."

"A lie? But why Lakshya Ji?" She asked, blinking at him with her innocent stares.

He stayed silent, not knowing what to say or how to start. He was hesitating while looking at her. 'She's good looking but not my type, she's too submissive. But how do I tell her? What if she starts crying?' He was worried he might hurt and upset her, and if she did cry, he would feel bad and everyone else will hear about what he said to her and then Durga Prasad would start his drama again, kicking him out of the house.

'What is he even doing? It looks like I need to start all the talking.' Ragini was starting to get annoyed with Lakshya's silence and decided to lead the conversation, "are you happy with this marriage?" She directly asked curiously, yet maintaining her innocent, shy girl look.

"Uh. . ." He swallowed his spit and hesitated to speak, "no, I'm happy with this alliance. I just wanted to know you better that's why I lied."

Not expecting Lakshya to respond like that, Ragini was surprised and confused. This wasn't what he should've said, she wanted to hear a clear no from him. 'Is he gone mad or what, he should've said no I'm not happy. I did so much not to hear a yes. I need to try harder.'

T o  B e  C o n t i n u e d

. . .

Chapter 4 done and dusted, what do you think of it?

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