Good evening! ❤

Moving on...💃💃💃

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 16 - Schemes

A loud slam was heard as the door was shut by Swara. She locked it from within and let out a shrill scream.

She grabbed her head in frustration. Noticing the vase nearby, she threw it at the floor. "Ragini, Ragini, Ragini! Only her name! Why? Why, why, why, damn it why!?"

However, her reflection in each piece of the glass shards of the broken vase seemed only to mock her. "Ugh! Shut up, shut up!" she kicked the pieces in anger and hatred for her sister.

Nothing was going her way. Absolutely nothing!

She used to be the person everyone adored. She used to be the one people wanted to chat with for ideas. She was the one who was the better one amidst the two sisters. Ragini was supposed to follow, not lead. She was supposed to be the shadow.

"She was to only exist to make me look good. Me! She wasn't supposed to become so important in everyone's lives! Argh! It was always me who was praised like the apple of the eye. But now!" Swara muffled her head on the pillow and shouted till she felt she had let all of her frustrations out.

As Laksh came to her mind, things only got worse. She couldn't believe he would fall for Ragini! 'Wasn't he the one who rejected her because she was a behenji? Then why was he confessing his love for her?! He wasn't supposed to fall for her! He was supposed to be in love with me, Swara Gadodia! Swara. Gadodia!'

"He must love me! Why didn't he come to me? Why not?!"

"Swara, are you alright?" came her mother's voice from the other side of the door.

"Go away!"

"But Swa-"

"Leave!"

Shramishtha sighed. She moved away from the door with a worried look. 'Maa just pulled away Ragini to talk something to her in private. Here, Swara is acting like this. What exactly happened in the Maheshwari home? I have a bad feeling about this.'

"Ah! Here you are." came her husband's voice as he came near.

"Eh? You were searching for me Shekhar?"

"Yes of course." he came near and took her to the living room. "Sit please."

Shramishtha obeyed. "So, what is it?"

"Maa wanted help from our neighbor to find her good and suitable grooms. I asked her for whom. And surprisingly, she told me they are for Ragini." Shekhar looked at her pointedly. "What's going on Shramishtha?"

She flinched, but nevertheless nodded. She knew one day or another she would have to tell Shekhar the truth about Laksh and Ragini. 'Maybe it's time he knew about the lie about the engagement. Something tells me things have gone down deeper after it. That too...not in a good way.'

#Maheshwari Mansion#

A lone soul could be seen sighing on the balcony. He was a male version of Juliet. Only difference was that his lover won't be coming to him. She was pissed off at him.

"So? Whatchya doin' Champ?"

Laksh looked at the person arriving near him at the balcony using the cowboy accent. "Nothing bhabi. Just...just thinking about some things."

"Things involving certain dark coloured eyes and a sweet smile. That goes by the name Ragini I suppose?" she asked with a wink.

Laksh sighed in misery. "Please Parineeta bhabi. Don't make me more miserable by reminding me of what I lost. I should have valued her when her heart still beat for me."

"So you're giving up?"

"Of course not!" Laksh shouted in indignation. "I'm getting her back. I'll do anything to get her back!"

"That's the spirit!"

Laksh smiled at her positive outlook. However, his smile dimmed as he realized he didn't find anything that could help him. "What do I do bhabi? I'm clueless as a headless chicken."

"Well, a headless chicken is called that for a reason you know. Since it doesn't have a head in the fi-"

"Bhabi!"

"Ehehe...sorry, sorry."

Laksh sighed. "I'm feeling hopeless bhabi."

"Hopeless? Or hoping-for-less? The second one seems more to me since you're not even trying your best."

"As if you would know my heart's ache." Laksh huffed out. "It's...it's killing me bhabi!"

Parineeta came to stand beside him with a bright smile.

Adarsh had explained everything to her. Now, she felt she needed to help out her dewar, since firstly, he was like a brother, and Ragini was someone she would love to have as a sister-in-law. Second, Adarsh was a loser when it came to play matchmaker for others. But she loved it. "You know about that chaos in order in our heartbeat?"

Laksh turned to look at her with a strange look. "Chaos in heartbeat?"

She nodded. "No two heartbeats in our body are exactly similar you know. They have minute differences. But if it is ever exactly similar heartbeats for someone, than that person might be close to death."

Laksh's eyes widened at her words. "Wow! Thats ironical. The perfect heartbeats mean death? But an imperfect one is needed for survival?"

"Exactly! Nothing's perfect. If you try to pursue perfection, it may lead to an ultimate doom."

Laksh blinked. "What are you getting at?"

Parineeta turned to look at him. "You're thinking about what it would be like if you had accepted Ragini? If you never fell for Swara, aren't you?"

Laksh nodded sincerely. "It would have been a perfect love story."

"Like I said. Perfection isn't what make a relationship work. It's the faults and flaws that help. Tiffs, misunderstandings, break ups...they are all part of a healthy relationship. It's what makes the bond beautiful. Because the more effort you give to fix the difficulties, the more beautifully you strengthen the bond that binds you. You keep adding layers by your efforts to show that you care. And eventually..." she smiled. "Eventually you make such a big, fat, rope that it's almost impossible to cut or break off!"

Laksh listened to her with sincerity and patience. "So...so you're telling me that even though Ragini hates me now, it's only a part of our relationship?"

She nodded. "I think before trying to make Ragini love you again, you should try to make her a friend first. Try to be like the best friends you used to."

"She doesn't want to see my face." Laksh uttered with a scowl.

Parineeta hit him over the head. "Then find a way to make her forgive you. Try and try again until she tires of hating you and accepts you back. Trust me Laksh, there is fine line between hate and love. You may have hundred reasons to hate a person. But one action might make you fall in love."

"But...but she won't trust me so easily, even if to be friends."

"Then find ways to make her! Find ways to let her know how much you care for her. Keep it subtle, but let her know. It will take time. But this isn't a race. Love and life aren't competition. You progress on your own time, not compete with other people's lovelife."

Laksh nodded. He gripped the railing with renewed determination. "You're right! I must make her my friend again. No matter what it takes!"

"Atta boy!" Parineeta patted him on the back...hard.

Laksh was glad he had held onto the railing. Otherwise, he might have fallen off the balcony. 'Bhabi sure can hit like a lady. An iron lady.'

His phone buzzed, signalling a call and he excused himself.

#Gadodia residence#

"Dadi please stop."

"What about this one?" Parvati picked up one picture from amidst the many. "Sima says these are some of the best bachelors in the city. And this one is a millionaire. You'll never have to crave for anything since he would keep you like a princess."

Ragini sighed and held Parvati's hand. "Dadi, please. I don't want a groom right now. Please Dadi!"

"What about this one? Aww, he's so handsome! He will no doubt match with your beauty."

Ragini got up in frustration. "Dadi! Why won't you listen to me!? I don't want to marry right now! Is it too much to ask for!?"

Parvati looked at her with a grim face. "Mind your tongue young lady."

Ragini flinched at the strict tone. "Sorry."

"You better be."

Ragini came and kneeled before her. "Dadi, I don't want to marry. Please Dadi. Don't force me. Please? For your Ladoo?"

Dadi sighed and pulled her up to sit on the bed. "Ladoo, I'm not trying to be a tyrant here, okay? It's...it's just that I want to see you happy."

"I am happy."

"No you're not! You're still stuck on the good-for-nothing Laksh!"

"I'm not Dadi."

"Look me in the eyes and tell me that!"

Ragini looked at her in the eyes. "I don't like Laksh Maheshwari."

Parvati smirked. "No. Tell me 'I don't have any feeling towards Laksh.' Then I shall believe you."

"I...I don't..." Ragini hesitated. However, she swallowed hard an continued. "I don't have any feelings towards Laksh Maheshwari."

#Elsewhere#

A man could be seen sipping on a glass of coke. He wore normal clothes. A leather jacket, a green shirt underneath and a pair of black jeans. He completed his look with a pair of glasses to look cool for the ladies. Everything looked normal.

However, if one looked closely, they would see the hilt of the gun hidden behind him.

He checked his pocket when he heard his cell ringing. He smirked seeing the familiar ID. "Hello Love."

(I am not your lover!)

"Aww...you hurt me really." he said with a chuckle. "Jokes aside, why did you decide to remember me all of a sudden?"

(I need you to kidnap someone for me.)

He paused at her words. "You know I stopped those things long back Swara. I don't do those wrong things anymore. If that's all you wanted to share, then I'll cut the call."

(Don't you dare cut the call! You have to do this for me Nikhil! I don't care what you do or don't do anymore. All I know is that you will kidnap Ragini!)

"Isn't that your sister? What the heck Swara? Even I'm not that messed up to order someone to kidnap my own sibling!"

(She's not just a sibling. She's a rival in love. She's someone who's trying to destroy my love life. She's ruining my life Nikhil. She's ruining my life! Are you happy to see your best friend in tears!?)

Nikhil snorted. 'Best friend? She never gave me one bit of importance. I was remembered only when she needed to bitch about someone or was bored. It's only natural such a selfish brat would want to use friendship's name for their purpose!' Nikhil grit his teeth. "I'm not doing any such thing! I've changed myself from a delinquent to a good guy. I also even work part time for the police force as a information provider."

(You will help me!)

"You sound so sure." Nikhil rolled his eyes. "What makes you think I'll do it?"

(You will do it because if you don't...)

Nikhil's eyes widened as he kept listening to her. He felt a rage like no other. If Swara had been in front of him, he would have probably shot her. Consequences would come second.

#Ragini's room#

"So, you really mean it?"

"Yes Ladoo, I do."

Ragini's face broke out into a bright smile. "Thank you. Thank you so much Dadi!"

After Ragini's confession about Laksh, Parvati sat in thoughtfulness. Seeing her Dadi was contemplating, Ragini tried to tell her how it wasn't because of Laksh that she didn't want to marry. It was because she felt she wanted to explore her own identity as who she was. She wanted to be a someone, and not just somene's wife.

Just when she thought of giving up when her Dadi wouldn't say anything, she placed a hand on Ragini's head and told her she understood now. She would not force her to marry.

Ragini couldn't be more happier.

"It's okay Ladoo. I only do what's best for you. You should know that."

Ragini nodded and hugged her. "Thanks Dadi!"

"Okay okay. Now let me go. I need to help your mother make lunch. Would you like to have lauki with rice?"

"Like? I would love to!"

"Hahaha...okay. I'll be going then." Parvati stood up and waved at her.

As she watched her Dadi close the door behind her, Ragini fell back on the bed with a deep content sigh. 'Finally! Finally things seem to be going in the right direction. Everyone knows the truth now, and Bade Papa has forgiven Lucky. They can now reconcile. Dadi too is convinced about my thoughts on Laksh. It still feels like a dream though. So much happened so suddenly.'

Her mood darkened as she thought about Sanskar. "Only thing irritating is that guy! Why does he have to be so bent on revenge? And after what Bade Papa told me, it's only a misunderstanding."

She sat up straight. 'But he told me not to tell anyone the truth. Then...then how should I reveal the truth about the entire Kavita incident to Sanskar?' from the corner of her eyes, she noticed the sitar that was in her room. 'But...but why should I try to reveal it anyway? Now that everyone knows Laksh's truth and there's no way Sanskar can create trouble without exposing his truth, which he won't do, why should I be bent on bringing out the truth? Don't I have a life of my own?'

Ragini felt guilty for thinking so. After all, the Maheshwaris had treated her like a family.

But hadn't she too have done enough for them? She too had a life. She too had her dreams. So would it be selfish if she decided to concentrate on that instead of trying to solve Sanskar's issue?

She badly wanted to be selfish. Just this once.

"Just this once..."

What she didn't know was the plan that was being schemed in her Dadi's mind as she sat in her room.

Although, she might have told Ragini she believe her, her Dadi knew better. "I am your Dadi Ragini. Do you really think you could fool me? By looking over my shoulder, you said the words and you thought I wouldn't know?" Parvati brought out the picture she had hidden in her drawer.

"The royal family of Yami and their only son, Ratan Singh. The perfect match for Ragini."

She smiled to herself. "He's only 25, three years older to our Ragini. Yet, he's already got a name made for himself in his father's business. I'm sure he won't disagree to meeting Ragini."

"Maa, you're here I see." Shekhar uttered as he came in.

Seeing his sullen face, she could make out that he knew about the truth from Shramishtha. "So you know."

"Yes. I'm so surprised, I don't think anything will surprise me more."

'You say that because I didn't tell Shramishtha about Sanskar. So you don't know either.' shaking her head of those thoughts, she looked up in determination. "There's the rumor that Ratan Singh is searching for a girl to marry. Shekhar, we're getting Ragini to meet up with Ratan. I want to see her settled in a happy family. I want to see her happy with her kids and have no discomfort whatsoever! She can't be someone stuck over Laksh!"

Shekhar nodded. "I agree. I'll see to it that we can meet up with his family. I want the best for both my daughters as well."

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~ 🌹 Mona 🌹