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"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

(Words in braces) - Telephone conversations

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Chapter 6 - A Plan Gone Wrong for the Right Cause

#Next day, 9am#

"The only thing I want to do right now is rip you into so many pieces that even your future generations won't be able to find it!" Laksh screamed in fury. "How? How could you do this to me? How could you give me this much torture!? How?! Why?! What did I ever do to you?"

Adarsh, who was passing by Laksh's room, heard his brother's shouts and came rushing to see what was wrong. Shock couldn't describe what he saw.

"You're a monster! A heartless beast! I won't ever forgive you!" Laksh kept screaming. "Until I die, I will always hate you! I will take my hatred for you till my grave!"

Adarsh gave a long suffering sigh on seeing the sight. "Laksh, it's not a living being. Will you quit screaming at it?"

Laksh looked up from the bundle of files he was screaming at. "But bhai, these files are torturing me with so much work! It's making my life miserable with a capital M!"

"If you want to help run the family business, then you must make a habit of handling such files. Besides, this is just a start. Once you're pro enough, you'll get twice the number of files."

Laksh looked at him in horror. "More...more files? Just shoot me bhai."

Adarsh rolled his eyes at his antics. "You yourself said that you want to become a responsible adult, didn't you? Then you must do your duties."

Laksh leaned back in his chair with a sigh. "But I never thought this would be that hard."

"Who said life was easy?" Adarsh remarked. "Now quietly finish your work so that you can come for breakfast."

"Let me have my breakfast first."

"No. Work first, food later."

"But bhai, I'll die!"

"Quit being dramatic Lucky."

They heard a giggle and looked towards the door.

"Good morning Adarsh bhaiya, Laksh." Ragini greeted, coming inside.

Adrash looked to check Laksh's face. He didn't seem angry. 'Eh? Laksh never allows anyone other than his family members to enter into his room. But he doesn't seem to mind Ragini's presence. Strange...' He shook his head of those thoughts and smiled at Ragini. "Good morning Ragini. You came so early today?"

"Yes Adarsh bhaiya. Maa made halwa today. Sanskar and Laksh's love my Maa's recipe. So I decided to bring it over. I hope its alright that I came without informing." Ragini spoke with uncertainty.

"Of course its okay Ragini. You are doing so much for our Sanky, we couldn't be more thankful. In fac-"

"There you are!" Parineeta shouted as she came towards them. "Ragini dear! Good morning. Lucky, good morning! Adarsh, you nitwit!"

"Hey, where is my 'good morning'?" Adarsh asked with a pout.

Parineeta came and twisted his ear. "I'll show you your good morning. Come on!" saying so, she dragged a protesting Adarsh out of the room.

"They are quite cute together if you ask me." Ragini commented as she came near Laksh. She handed Laksh one of the containers she was carrying. However, instead of taking it, he kept glaring at her "Eh? Something wrong Laksh?"

Laksh glared harder, frowning at her with his arms crossed over his chest.

Ragini tried to recall what might be the reason for his anger. Suddenly, she smacked herself on the head as she realized the matter. "Okay okay. I'm sorry I called you 'Laksh'. Let me re-frame the sentence. Lucky...Lucky, here is your halwa."

Laksh smiled in return. "And better remember to call me only 'Lucky'. Now, hand it over!"

Ragini chuckled as she watched him eat with glee. She looked on in amusement as he devoured it. 'He looks like I just gave him a huge treasure. Laksh is such a child! Even little things brings him utmost pleasure.'

Suddenly, he paused and looked at her. "Did Swara have breakfast?"

"Yes. She and I had it together."

"Did she...did she ask about me?"

Ragini felt her heart ache for him at the hope with which he spoke out the words. "Y-yes! Of course she did. She...she even asked me to wish you good morning."

Laksh put down container and sighed. "Ragini, you're the worse liar ever. I can tell you're lying."

Ragini flinched as her lie was caught. "Lucky, I di-"

"I thought she would start forgiving me now. But I guess we're still back at square one."

Ragini clenched her fist in anger. She really cared for her sister. But in situations like this, she felt like shaking some sense into Swara. 'I understand swara's anger. But now she is being downright adamant and egoistic! Even I feel its about time she forgave Laksh. If not love, than at least she could be nice to him and relieve Laksh of his misery.' Ragini shook her head of those thoughts and sat down beside Laksh. She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Lucky, give it some time. Swara will understand soon."

"But soon is not enough Ragini. I want her to forgive me and accept me as fast as possible! Isn't there anyway to make it quick?"

Ragini bit her lip in thought. "Well, I may have an idea. But I don't know if it will work or not."

"What is it? Any idea is better than no idea at all!"

"Well, Swara has a weakness for delicious foods. If you could cook her something such, th-"

"Then maybe she will be happy with me!" Laksh exclaimed, finishing her sentence. "Ragini you're a genius! I'll make her some of her favourites and th-" he paused suddenly and turned to look at Ragini with a look of misery. "But I don't know how to cook anything!"

Ragini chuckled. "Why do you fear when your best buddy is right here beside you? I'll help you cook for her." she stood up from her seat. "But first, let me give Sanskar his halwa."

"Right! And I'll complete these files by then. Thanks Ragini!"

#Corridor#

Sanskar looked around the Mansion, deep in thought. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Ragini walk towards the opposite way. 'Is she heading towards my room?'

Sanskar watched her walk ahead and decided to follow her. Indeed she was walking towards his room. As he hid behind a pillar, he saw his mother approach Ragini.

"Ragini beta, are you looking for Sanskar?" Sujata questioned.

Ragini smiled at her. "Yes Chachi. I brought halwa for him."

Sujata nodded and they moved towards Sanskar's room. However, they couldn't see him there. "Eh? He was here sometime ago. I wonder where he went." Sujata wondered. 'Did he find any new way of trapping Durgaprasad?'

"It seems he isn't here." Ragini turned to Sujata. "Sujata Chachi, can I ask you something?"

"Sure beta. Go ahead."

"Chachi, yesterday I...I found some pictures in Sanskar's room. Pictures of a girl named Kavita. If...if it's alright, can you tell me more about her and Sanskar's past? I want to help my dost." Ragini asked in honesty. "It's okay if you do not want to share. I understand. But I...I really want to help him. I can't do that without knowing the truth."

Sujata was about to deny her the truth, when she saw Sanskar standing at a distance. Since Ragini had her back towards where Sanskar stood, she didn't see him.

"Ragini, why don't you go and sit inside Sanskar's room. I'll be right back." Ragini nodded and moved inside.

Sujata walked towards Sanskar. "Shall I tell her?"

Sanskar nodded. "Only tell her till Kavita's death. Don't tell her about how Laksh and Durgaprasad killed her or that I am faking madness to seek revenge. Got it?" Sujata nodded and left to tell Ragini.

Once she left, Sanskar leaned back against the pillar. He closed his eyes, hitting his head on the pillar. 'Why? Why did I tell Maa to tell her the truth? She's just a stranger whom I've known only for sometime. Not to mention she is the one who ruined my plans! And yet...yet, I agreed to let her know my past! By telling Ragini about me and Kavita, I bared out my soul to her. Why?!'

But deep down, he already knew why. It was because her opinion mattered to him. Her views counted. Kavita's death was looked on as a tragic incident by people. They looked at him with sympathy. Some thought he deserved to suffer for going against his family's wishes. 'And no doubt Durgaprasad and Laksh rejoiced her death!'

But Ragini belonged to none of those groups. In this world, the only person he has ever been able to consider as close as a friend was Ragini. While it was true that he was faking his madness, that didn't mean that he didn't enjoy the time he spent with her. She was the only person with whom he could be free of his tensions. He could think about mundane things of life without his mind stressing on revenge or hatred. She was a true friend. 'And I want her to know of my past. Maybe she can help lessen the pain in my heart.'

#Gadodia house#

"Maa, where is Ragini? I've searched almost everywhere in the house! She disappeared right after we had breakfast."

Shramishtha looked up from her work. "Swara, don't you know? I've sent her to the Maheshwari Mansion with halwa for Sanskar and Laksh."

Swara looked at her mother in irritation. "Why didn't you tell me? I could have gone in her place."

Her mother looked at her in confusion. "But I thought you hated Laksh, didn't you? I mean, you're always so rude to him. I thought it would be best if you didn't go."

Swara adverted her eyes from her mother. "Y-yea of course! Of course I hate him. I...I just meant that Ragini didn't need to do the work alone. She already does so much of the household chores."

Her mother didn't look convinced. "Swara, is something wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong Maa. You're just being nosy!" Swara exclaimed, moving away from the kitchen. She sat down to read the newsapaper in the living room. However, images of Laksh and Ragini laughing together in mirth kept coming back to her mind. Swara gripped the paper harder in her hands. She didn't like it when others stole the limelight from her.

Swara had always been a competitive person. She always aimed to be the center of everyone's attention. Even as a child, she would get angry if someone else was paid more attention. She would do anything to bring all the attention back to herself. She wanted to be the star in everyone's eyes. But now that Ragini seemed to be becoming the favourite of the Maheshwaris, she didn't like it. 'Even Laksh paid her more attention the other day'.

Swara shook her head of those thoughts. 'But Laksh still loves me. Ragini is only helping him get me. That is why he is paying more attention to her as she is the means to his goals. He loves me. I'm the one he wants.'

Her phone rang, breaking her from her thoughts. "Hello?"

(Hey Swara. Are you busy?)

Hearing Ragini's chirpy voice irritated her. 'Of course she would be happy with everyone being focused on her.' Swara thought in anger. She calmed herself and spoke with a smile. "No Ragini. Is something the matter? And...and how's Laksh?" she asked.

Swara smirked to herself, knowing that Laksh was a touchy subject for Ragini. She knows Ragini still loves Laksh no matter how much she denied it. In a way, Swara felt a perverse sense of pleasure at having the upper hand on her sister as the one Ragini loved, loves her. She felt like she was above her in that aspect as she managed to get Laksh's love. She wanted to hear Ragini's gloomy and lovesick voice.

Swara shook her head of those thoughts. 'No! I must think like that. Ragini is my sister. I shouldn't think about her bad! I shouldn't damn it!' too bad here ego wouldn't let her listen to her reasoning.

(Yes. He is in the Mansion.) came Ragini's response.

However, it held no sorrow. She was just stating the facts. It didn't reflect her longing or sadness, confusing Swara thoroughly. 'Is Ragini really over Laksh? But...but I was sure she still loves him!' Swara thought to herself. "I see. So, why'd you call?"

(I was wondering if you could come over here Swara. There was something I wanted to show you. Can you please come at 1pm?)

"Oh. Okay, sure. I'll be right there."

(Thanks Swara. Bye. See you then!)

"Bye Ragini."

#Maheshwari Mansion#

"Thanks Swara. Bye. See you then!"

(Bye Ragini.)

Ragini cut the call and looked at Laksh. "She'll be here in 2 hours."

Laksh nodded. "Right! Then we should get started. What should I do first?"

"First, go change your white shirt and keep your glasses in your room. We're here to cook. Not to ramp walk."

"Okay Okay. Be right back!" Laksh waved at her and ran away to his room.

Ragini looked around the kitchen, deep in thought. Sujata had told her everything about Kavita. She could barely keep her tears at bay hearing their story. 'If Kavita was alive right now, my dost would be so happy. He would be normal and with the love of his life. They both could be happy together.'

Her eyes fell on the container at the top of the shelf. "That's the flour. Laksh will need it." she dragged the nearby chair and got up on it, trying to reach it. 'Ugh! Must it be that high?!' she stood on her tiptoes to reach it. 'Got it!'

She used both her hands to slide it towards herself. If she had paid more attention, she would have realized that the chair was unsteady. By the time she realized it, it was already too late.

Ragini closed her eyes as she felt herself losing balance. She braced herself for the impact.

However, instead of hitting the ground, she felt arms encircle her. She at once clutched the person's shirt with all might, scared of her fall.

He looked at Ragini's face, mesmerized. She looked so innocent and vulnerable. Her cheeks had a natural blush to it, which made her more attractive. Her long eyelashes added a unique touch to her beauty.

But what touched his heart was the force with which she held him. She seemed to be trusting him with her very being, like she had a guarantee that he would keep her safe. 'Just like Kavita thought of me. She was just as innocent as Ragini. What was her fault that she suffered? Was loving me her only mistake?'

After a moment, Ragini opened her eyes and looked at her savior. "Sanskar!"

This snapped Sanskar out of his trance. He quickly put her on the ground and began his acting. "Dost! Why did you fall on me? I was so shocked and scared!"

Ragini took in a deep breath, relieved that she was safe. "Thank you Sanskar. You saved me."

"But...but you're heavy dost! You broke my back I think."

Ragini looked at him with a pout. "I am not heavy. I wa-" before she could complete her sentence, she was interrupted by the flour container falling down, with all the flour dropping on Sanskar's head, making him fall down.

Ragini didn't know whether she should help him or laugh at his predicament. He looked white as snow. She tried but couldn't stop her laughter.

"Ow!" Sanskar exclaimed holding his hurt head.

Ragini at once stopped laughing and crouched to his level. "Oh my! Sanskar, are you okay? Does it hurt much?" she enquired as she checked his injury.

"Eh? What's going on in here?" Laksh questioned as he came inside the kitchen in a different attire.

"Lucky, hand me the cloth from the table." However, Laksh was busy looking at how Ragini sat so close to Sanskar, with her hands holding his face. "Lucky! Lucky, didn't you hear me!?" her shout broke him of his thoughts and he rushed towards the table.

He brought her the cloth and watched as she dabbed it on Sanskar's bleeding head. He knew he should be more concerned about Sanskar. But what was running in his mind was the fact that Ragini was sitting too close to Sanskar. It was somehow hard for Laksh to digest. "Ragini, let me handle his wound. You go bring the first aid box."

'No! I hate you to much to let you treat me in any way!' Sanskar thought in anger. He could feel a headache approaching. The metal container indeed had hit him hard.

"Okay Lucky." Ragini turned to Sanskar. "Your Lucky will take care of the bleeding, okay dost?"

'Let Laksh help me!? I'm not letting Kavya's killer help me!' in an attempt to keep Laksh away, Sanskar grabbed Ragini's waist and brought her to his lap. "No! Dost, don't go! Sanky scared!" he cried out, taking advantage of his fake madness. "Please dost! Don't leave, please!"

Laksh's mouth opened in shock at his sudden move. Never had he seen Ragini be so close to any other male. It didn't fit right according to him. It miffed him to no end. "Ragini, go. I'll handle Sanky."

"Dost no!"

"Okay okay. I won't go, alright Sanskar?" Ragini consoled. Sanskar hugged her in return while she kept patting his back. "Lucky, you go and bring the first aid."

"Oh my!" Parineeta exclaimed from the door seeing the scene. "Wait here. I'll get the first aid!" at once, she rushed off.

Ragini nodded and went back to treating Sanskar. "Lucky, do you think this will leave a scar?" she asked, pointing at Sanskar's wound.

Laksh didn't respond. He was still miffed over the fact that she didn't listen to him. 'Sanky's opinion is more important to her? Unbelievable! Fine then. I won't talk to you Ragini. Take that.'

However, to his disappointment, instead of apologizing to him, Ragini simply ignored the fact that he didn't reply and resumed consoling Sanskar.

Laksh could feel his eye twitch in irritation. 'Must she overreact so much over a little wound? She's pampering Sanky too much!' he cleared his throat to get her attention. "I thought I was your best friend."

"You are Lucky." Laksh smiled at that. "Just like Sanskar is." At once, his smile turned upside down.

Laksh couldn't believe that Ragini was placing him and Sanskar at the same level. 'But...but I was someone special to her, wasn't I? I should be matter more. How can she forget my place that easily and compare me to Sanky? Is there someone new who took my place in her heart? Am I getting replaced? I don't want that!'

Laksh realized what he was thinking and his eyes widened. 'What am I thinking!? I should be happy for her. Why am I being so possessive of her?! She has a life of her own too! She's doing so much for me and Swara, she deserves someone in her life as well. In fact, after me and Swara unite, she will find her own love and elope. She will have a caring husband, her own family and a life where...where she might not be able to see me everyday...maybe even for months.' for some reason, this made his heart ache.

Instead of feeling happy at the thought of his and Swara's marriage, his mind was stuck on the thought of Ragini going away into another man's arms. He keeps saying Ragini will find a good husband. But today, seeing Ragini in another man's arms, even if it was his own brother, seemed completely wrong to him.

"Lucky? Is everything alright? You seemed lost." questioned Ragini. Only then did Laksh notice that Ragini had got away from Sanskar. Parineeta was the one treating Sanskar's wound. "Swara would be here soon. Let's start cooking!" Ragini spoke with a smile.

Laksh shook his head. "I...I think we should abort this idea. I don't have the mood to cook anymore Ragini. Excuse me please."

Ragini watched on confused as Laksh left the room with a pensive look. 'I wonder what got to him. What could have been the matter?'

************************************
To be continued...

🌟 The next chapter and a few others are private. 🌟 

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~ 🌹 Mona 🌹