Namaskaram 🙏

Date of Update: 21.10.2021

*****

“You made everything ready right?” Sapna asked looking at Sanskar as they got down the car along with Ragini as they reached their house.

“I already told you that everything is ready. Might be you have got memory loss. Should get checked.” He says huffing.

“Can’t you answer directly atleast once in your life? Why do you have to keep dragging everything?” Sapna asks angrily.

“What? I am dragging? It is you who always start and irritate me. Your food doesn’t digest if you don’t pick up a fight with me!” Sanskar says angrily.

“Oh please! It’s always you who starts. And I can’t help to answer you back.” Sapna shouts angrily.

Ragini is looking both of them simultaneously, as they both fight, being confused. That’s when Aakash comes there. He hits his head with his own palm and moves towards Sapna. He just puts his palm covering her mouth making her stop.

“Sanskar go inside NOW!” He says strictly making Sanskar huff and go from there making faces and cursing Sapna. 

“You will not speak a letter when I remove my hand.” Aakash states glaring Sapna.

She nods and he leaves her. She was about to speak but Aakash speaks.

“Not a letter!” he states angrily.

Sapna huffs and looks away.

“Now will you welcome her or you want her to stand like this here like she was standing since fifteen minutes?” he asks.

Sapna nods. She moves to Ragini and holds her hand.

“Take rest Ragini!” Aakash says looking at her.

Ragini nods smiling awkwardly. Sapna and Ragini move inside. Sanskar is already waiting for them near a room. He opens the room which is decorated with balloons stating ‘WELCOME RAGINI’. Ragini gets surprised and a small happy smile comes on her face.

“This is a small surprise or say small welcome from us. Thank You Ragini!” Sapna says hugging Ragini.

Ragini smiles brightly with teary eyes.

“I should Thank You di! You don’t need to do these all. I am just doing for my needs.” Ragini says wiping her tears.

“Whatever might be the reason you are doing for, you are the reason for the happiness we are going to get in our lives. I can’t just stop myself from showing how special you are for all three of us.” Sapna says holding Ragini’s hands.

Ragini smiles. Sanskar is smiling seeing at his happy sister.

“Thank You!” that’s all Ragini says.

“Let’s go!” Sapna says holding her hand and guiding her inside the room.

“Here are your bags Ragini.” Says Aakash getting her bags inside and putting the bags inside the cupboard.

“I will help you to arrange the cupboard later. For now take rest.” Sapna says.

Ragini nods smiling.

“I am leaving!” says Sanskar.

Sapna glares him. He glares her back. Sapna pouts and hugs him. He chuckles and hugs her back.

“I Hate You!” Sapna says.

“Hate You more!” Sanskar kisses her forehead.

Ragini looks surprised. They were fighting like enemies just few minutes ago and now suddenly everything got settled. She smiles but her eyes turned teary. She looks down and wipes off her tears.

“I miss you Rivan!” she whispers to herself.

“Dramebaaz!” Aakash hits both their heads.

Three of them chuckle.

“Chalo take care. We both are leaving!” Says Sanskar patting Sapna’s cheek.

They leave. Sapna makes Ragini comfortable and leaves from Ragini’s room.

*****

“Since you spoke to the hospital people you only take her. I will look after the meeting.” Sapna says stuffing another bread in Sanskar’s mouth.

Sanskar looks at her irritated as she is forcefully stuffing bread in his mouth though he said he will eat in five minutes.

“Yaar… I will eat. You please let me look at this peacefully!” he says as he gulps the bread.

She stuffs another piece in his mouth forcefully. He looks at her in disbelief. He does his work while she is looking at presentation and also stuffing food in his mouth ignoring his banter.

“Done! I got it. You stay with Ragini till we return back. I don’t want to leave her alone.” Sapna says after few minutes.

“Okay! All the best! Rock the presentation!” he hugs her and kisses her head.

“That I do every time.” She says with attitude.

He chuckles nodding. He moves out and knocks Ragini’s room door. Ragini, who is reading a book, looks above at him.

“Are you ready?” he asks.

Ragini nods.

“Let’s go then!” he says.

Ragini puts the book aside and follows him taking her phone. He opens the car door for her and once she settles he takes the driving seat.

“Ragini!” he calls her while they are on the way.

“Ji!” she says turning towards him.

“Did you have proper sleep last night?” he asks.

“Yes Sanskar ji!” she says smiling lightly.

“Hey you can address me just Sanskar. ‘Ji’ is not needed.” he says. 

Ragini looks down hesitant. Not getting reply from her he looks at her and finds her uncomfortable.

“That’s okay! Whatever you are comfortable with!” he says smiling.

Ragini looks at him and smiles.

“I think I should also add a ‘Ji’ after your name then!” he says.

“No… no Sanskar ji. I am completely comfortable in being addressed as Ragini.” She says immediately.

Sanskar just smiles.

“Does Sapna di also knows driving?” asks Ragini.

“Not much! She doesn’t have a licence too.” Sanskar says.

Ragini nods and looks outside. Sanskar stops the car as they reached the hospital.

“You sit here for five minutes. I will just come!” he says asking her to sit at the waiting area and goes other side to talk to his friend.

Ragini keeps looking around and Sanskar returns in five minutes as said.

“Let’s go!” he says.

Ragini nods and they follow a nurse who guided them to the ward where Rivan is admitted.

“Di!” Rivan calls her happily while Ragini immediately hugs him tight with teary eyes.

Sanskar smiles. He just moves out of the room giving them space. Ragini breaks the hug and cups Rivan’s face.

“How are you doing?” she asks with teary eyes.

He smiles weekly and moves lightly signing her to sit beside him. She sits beside him and he hugs her again.

“For now I am doing okay!” he says looking at her.

She breaks the hug and cups his face again.

“You will take care right?” she asks concerned and fear filled voice.

“I Promise!” he says smiling assuring her.

“What about treatment? Did they start? Is it paining?” she asks as her eyes turned teary at the end.

“They did some tests. Reports will be coming today. Later they will start!” he says patiently to her wiping her tears.

She nods.

“Done with your questions?” he asks.

She nods.

“Ee Question bank ekkada dorikindo maaku!” He speaks in Telugu teasing her. (Don’t know from where we got this question bank!)

Ragini frowns and hits him lightly. He laughs lightly and hugs her again.

“Do not speak Telugu like this every where. Not every body understands Telugu! They will think you are abusing them.” Ragini says.

He laughs lightly but his eyes turned teary.

“Missing mumma?” she asks as she knows her brother speaks Telugu only when he is missing his mumma a lot.

He just nods rubbing away his tears.

“It’s okay I will be fine. But you tell me who is this person? How did you get lots of money to get me treated here? You didn’t talk yesterday properly to me and just asked me to do whatever you say without questioning. I am really worried!” he speaks everything worried.

“Shhhh…. Calm down. I will explain everything. But promise me you will not react until I speak everything. And you will not take any tension.” Ragini says.

“It means you did something stupid. How can you di?” he asks looking away and hurt.

“Arey listen to me. I didn’t do any stupidity. I am helping them. In return they are helping me.” She says.

“Help? What?” he asks.

She sighs.

“I am being a surrogate!” she says.

He doesn’t speak anything for few minutes as he is shocked.

“You what?” he asked thinking he heard wrong.

“It’s what you heard Rivan!” she says.

He tries to get up from the bed but she holds his hand and stops him.

“Leave me di. I am leaving. I don’t want this treatment at the cost of my sister’s future!” he says not looking at her.

He is hurt and disappointed on himself.

“And I can’t let my brother die!” she says.

He looks at her with teary eyes. Her eyes are teary too.

“Rivan I am helping them. They just want to bring a new life into this world and needed my help. I don’t think I am doing any wrong. About future… I don’t think I would be having one if I don’t have you beside me. You are the only one left for me to say as Family. If I think about myself I am going to lose even you. I can’t Rivan. Please trust me. I have taken this decision only after lots of thinking.” She explains him.

“But di… you know… because of this… may... may be nobody would accept to marry you.” He says choking and controlling his cry.

“So life is all about getting married. That’s all!” she speaks.

“Papa always dreamt of your marriage “ he says.

“I know. But he also dreamt of you achieving your dreams.” She says.

“So you sacrificed your life!” he says.

“No!” she says.

“Yes! You did! You are just not accepting it infront of me. You know this will definitely impact your future yet you did it. You did this without even talking to me once. Would you do same if papa was here?” he asked.

“This situation wouldn’t have come if papa was here Rivan!” Ragini says painfully.

He wipes the tears that are flowing from his eyes and speaks.

“I promised to papa to take care of you di.” He says painfully.

“I did the same!” she says holding his hand.

“But I failed and you as always proved to be the best child of our parents.” He said crying this time.

She smiles with teary eyes caressing his head as he is crying hugging her.

“I can’t let you win in this competition!” She says.

“Every time!” he says as he breaks the hug and looks at her.

“Yes Every time it will be me!” she says.

“I hope I get atleast once in the whole life to become the best child, best brother.” He says kissing her hand.

“I hope you fail every time!” she says wiping his face.

He hugs her tight again letting his tears flow.

‘I am sorry ma and papa. I am sorry. I failed again!’ he thinks in his mind.

Ragini caresses his hair lovingly. He breaks the hug and looks at her teary eyed.

“Do not stress yourself and take care of yourself. Keep me updating about your health. Don’t think about me. I swear I will be fine.” She says cupping his face.

He just nods as he is now not in a position to speak. He felt defeated.

“YOU WILL FIGHT!” she warns him.

He looks down.

“For me atleast!” she says.

He looks at her and nods slowly.

“Only for you!” he says.

She smiles and kisses his forehead lovingly. He also kisses her forehead and hugs her again.

‘Now my life is only for you di. Only for you.’ He thinks in his mind hugging his sister tight.

“I will not be able to visiting frequently as you know it wouldn’t be good for baby. But try calling me whenever you can.” She says as they break their hug again.

He nods. Sanskar knocks and enters inside.

“He should rest now. It’s really long time.” Sanskar says.

Ragini nods. She hugs her brother once again tight.

“Be a good boy!” she says.

He nods.

“I will keep visiting you. Do not hesitate and tell me if you need something.” Sanskar says patting Rivan’s head lovingly.

Rivan smiles seeing the genuineness in his words.

“Can I ask something?” Rivan asks.

“Yes! Ofcourse!” Sanskar says.

“Please take care of my di. She doesn’t takes care of herself. She always thinks only about me.” He says with teary eyes.

Sanskar looks at Ragini and then Rivan. He smiles.

“From today she is my responsibility and I will make sure she takes care of herself and I will be helping her in taking care of herself. I promise.” Sanskar says.

“Thank You Sanskar ji!” Rivan says emotionally.

“If you are comfortable ‘bhai’ would do.” Sanskar says forwarding his hand.

“Ofcourse bhai!” Rivan smiles and shakes his hand with Sanskar.

Ragini smiles. Sanskar hugs Rivan asking him to take care and RagSan leave.

“Thank You Sanskar ji for making my brother feel good.” Ragini says while they are walking towards the parking lot.

Sanskar stops and looks at her.

“I didn’t say those words just to make him feel good but I really mean them. I have promised him to take care of you and I will!” he says looking at her.

Ragini looked at him without blinking her eyes.

“Let’s go!” he says turning and moving.

Ragini follows him but again she calls him.

“Sanskar ji!” She calls him.

Sanskar, who is about to open the car door for her, stops and turns to her.

“Will you teach me car driving?” she asks normally but she looked so cute.

Sanskar stared her few moments and then looked down controlling his smile.

“Guru Dakshina?” he asks looking above again at her. (Fees?)

Ragini looks shocked of what will she do now.

“I can tell you what I want as Guru Dakshina.” He adds.

Ragini looks at him.

“You have to accept me as your friend! I can’t stay as a stranger for nine months with someone.” He says.

“Uff… anthena!” she whispers to herself. (Uff… that’s all!)

“What does that mean?” he asks as he heard her.

“Nothing!” she says smiling.

He shrugs and forwards his hand. She immediately shakes her hand with his with a huge smile playing on her lips. Sanskar smiles bright.

“I accept to be your Guru My dear Sishya!” He says.

Ragini giggles lightly followed by his chuckle.

“Shall we go?” he asks smiling.

She nods back. He opens the door for her.

“It’s not needed Sanskar ji!” she says.

“I call myself a gentleman just because I open door for ladies whoever get into my car.” He says shrugging.

Ragini smiles and gets into the car. He takes the driving seat and starts driving.

“Heard that you made Aakash your brother.” Sanskar says.

“I can’t stay as a stranger for nine months with someone.” She repeats his line.

Sanskar smiles. They reach the house.

“When will the driving classes start?” she asks.

“Will give you your schedule soon.” He says smiling.

Ragini nods chuckling lightly. They both move inside smiling. As they got inside Sanskar gets pounded by two people.

“We got it!” both of them screamed.

Sanskar who got shocked by the sudden pounding smiles hearing the excited and happy voices of Sapna and Aakash.

“Okay fine! Leave me!” he says as they are crushing him more.

“No happiness in his face only.” Sapna huffs and leaves him.

“Getting crushed to death and you want me to show happiness. Wow!” Sanskar says in disbelief.

“Fine! Fine! No need to say we both love you more!” Aakash says making faces.

Sanskar hits his own head. Ragini is smiling seeing them.

“Now what you want me to do?” Sanskar asks.

“Success Partyyyyyy!” Sapna says jumping excited.

Sanskar looks at her in disbelief.

“What? I mean party between just four of us!” she says pointing at four of them.

“Do whatever you want!” says Sanskar disinterested and moves inside.

Aakash chuckles looking at them.

“Move inside Ragini. This drama will take a little more time.” Aakash says to Ragini as Sapna ran back of Sanskar.

Ragini nods smiling.

“Then let us go for dinner tonight!” Sapna says.

Sanskar nods sitting on the couch. Sapna jumps happily and moves towards Ragini.

“Ragini take rest now. We will go for dinner tonight.” Sapna says excited.

“But di why me? You guys go.” Ragini says.

“What? Don’t you like to enjoy your di’s success?” Sapna asks sadly.

“Arey it’s not like that di. Okay! Fine! I will be ready.” Ragini says sighing as Sapna took it wrong way.

Sapna smiles happily and hugs her tight.

“Wait how is Rivan doing?” Sapna asks.

“He is doing good for now.” Ragini says smiling.

“He will be perfectly fine in few months. Don’t worry!” Sapna says.

Ragini smiles and nods.

“Now go rest for sometime.” Sapna says.

Ragini nods smiling and goes. Sanskar and Aakash smile seeing them.

****

Thank You for reading. Hope you are liking it.

With Love
Dharani (Dhaరणि)