Hi ya! Back with another chapter. Hope you like!

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 21 - One Trouble ends...Another Begins

Later that afternoon, after everyone came back safely to the hotel, they began clearing the confusions of each other.

Well, everyone except for Udip, Kuwar and his men. There was still no word about them. But Ram had informed the police and asked them to track them down. Now, they had freshened up and had their meals after the hectic events. As everyone was tired, Ram suggested they rest while he got out to bid goodbye to Buster and his actors, along with their manager.

"Sorry for the inconvenience me and my team caused. I'm embarrassed at wh-"

"It's okay Buster. It was my daughter's fault for causing you the trouble of coming here and getting into a mess that is not yours."

"Still. I would like to apologize. I did the mistake! I should be responsible!" he declared dramatically.

"It's alright." Ram took out some money and gave it in Buster's hands. "here's your payment."

Buster handed it back. "I can't take this. We messed up by going after the wrong people.That was our very job which we messed up!"

Ram chuckled. "But because of you we got the scenes we needed to complete the film."

Buster blinked in confusion. "Eh?"

"Haha...! Don't worry. You boys acted great. As for the money, you'll know why I'm paying you later."

"Bu-"

Ram shoved the money in his hands and turned him, pushing him lightly towards his buddies. "You'll understand. For now, enjoy the cash."

Buster still didn't understand, but accepted the money. Who was he to refuse if he was being offered money for something good he did, even though unconsciously?

Ram waved as he watched Buster leave with his companions and the manager.

"Dad! Oi old man!" Uttara shouted as she came near.

Ram looked at his daughter with an irritated look. "You're after your mother you know. "

"What was that, Dad? Do you want me to report to Mum?"

"Like she'll believe you more than me."

"You are badmouthing about her to me! How could you call her troublesome?"

"She's a menace! She should be thankfulo that I married her. Because I don't think anyone else could have handled her obnoxious attitude." Ram boasted.

Uttara glared at him. But her glare soon turned into a mischievous look. "FYI, she's on the phone with me and she heard everything you said." she raised her phone for him to see with glee. "The reason I was approaching you was because mother wanted to talk to you."

Ram looked at her in horror as she put the phone on speaker. "Su-Sujata, it's not like that!"

(Of course it is! I heard everything! How dare you talk like that about me!?)

"It's not what it looks like! I-I mean to s-say th-"

(I don't want to hear anything from you! In fact, don't even talk to me!)

"But Sujata dear, li-"

(Don't 'Sujata dear' me! I'm not going to forgive you so soon. You're sleeping on the couch for a week!)

"What the...that's just too much! Why is it always me who has to sleep on the couch? You're the one angry at me. You sleep on the uncomfortable couch!"

(You know what? Make it a month! You're sleeping there for a month!)

With that, the line went dead.

"Ooo...Mum seems angry."

"You think!?" Ram shouted at Uttara, which only served to make her laugh harder.

#Inside the hotel#

"And then?"

"And then the bear roared at us."

"And then what happened di? Tell me! Tell me!" Swara asked in an excited voice.

"And then, we ran away." Laksh interrupted in a flat tone.

Nikhil snorted. "Dude, why did you ruin the story?"

"What? I was just telling the truth."

"But I would have told her the same truth too." Ragini defended. "Only with more elements of fantasy. That's how you tell stories to children."

"Why not just cut it short and tell the basics? You're just wasting time."

"Oh hush you two!" Swara threw two pillows from the couch she was sitting on with her sister. They went and landed at Nikhil and Laksh's face.

"Nikhil, get it off of my face, will you? You're right beside me."

"I'm too tired, man. Don't you think I would have removed the one on me if I could?"

"Lazy brat!"

"I'm too lazy to fight with you right now. Please think of an excuse to insult yourself with."

Ragini and Swara looked towards each other with looks of bewilderment. They couldn't help but burst into laughter at their antics.

"Ah! That jignling laughter of yours Ragini. I could listen to it all day and all night. How I love that sound!"

Ragini stopped laughing at his words. Her eyes widened and a pink blush rose on her cheeks.

"What is he saying Di? Does he mean he loves you?" Swara asked with a serious look. She blinked and waited for Ragini's reply, while her sister looked side to side, trying to think of a reply.

"Um Swara, yo-you see..." Ragini smiled nervously. "It's...it's a funny thing actually. Haha...!"

"Yes? I'm listening didu."

'Ugh! Laksh, why do you have to ramble anything just because you're too tired! Swara already doesn't like you. And now, she might outright hate you! I would have told her on time. You just...ugh!' Ragini thought in frustration. "Sw-Swara, do you want dessert? I heard the desserts here are really one of a kind!"

"Di, we have been staying in this hotel for quite some time. I have tasted it." Swara replied in an obvious tone.

"We-well but um...they brought a new stock today! Don't you want to try some even before the rest of the crew?"

"I do!" Swara shouted in excitement. "Let's go di!"

"Yes, yes. Lets!" Ragini agreed and got up with her. 'Thank goodness kids are excited to have sweets. At least I have Swara distracted for now. I'll think of a solution later.' as they approached the door, it was opened from the outside. "Oh, hey Nitin."

"Hey Ragini, Swara. I wanted to say my goodbyes. I already met up with Ram and Uttara. I'm leaving for my village in a few moments."

"Oh. I see." Ragini moved forward and hugged him. "I can't thank you enough for all your help. Thank you Nitin...for everything."

"You're welcome." Nitin hugged back.

"Bye Nitin bro! Di, let's go!" Swara urged impatiently.

"Oh wait you! Must you be so impatient?"

Nitin chuckled as they left. He came into the common hall to find only Laksh and Nikhil. "I wonder where everyone went." he got closer to the two and removed the pillows from their faces. "Were you trying to hide under them or something?"

Nikhil snorted. "Ha-freaking-ha. You're not funny at all."

Nitin rolled his eyes. "Whatever! Listen, I should be leaving now. I came to say my goodbyes.

At his words, Nikhil and Laksh sat up straight.

"Leaving? Right now? But we went through so much in a day. Rest for today. You can leave for your village tomorrow."

"Laksh's right for once. You should rest Nitin. Not to mention the village is far away. We won't charge you. You helped us a lot. It's the least we could do for you."

"It's alright. I'm used to working day and night without getting exhausted. Perks of being a ranger. Besides, I rested enough. I'm grateful for your offer though."

"But Ni-"

"It's alright guys. Really it is." Nitin handed them a card. "My number is there. Call me if you ever come back to this area. On second thought, I think you shouldn't come into the forest." he said as a joke. "You're bound to create a disaster."

Nikhil chuckled. "Whatever dude! It was good knowing you"

"Same here. Bye. See you another time."

Laksh sighed. Nitin looked like he won't change his mind. "At least let us accompany you to the door."

"No need. You guys rest."

"No buts. We're going to see you off."

#Counter#

"And one of those too!"

"Swara, you won't be able to eat all of them!" Ragini sighed. 'I wish this girl would stop eating so much in public. People are continuing to stare.'

"I will. Just watch me!"

Ragini sighed. Her sister could really be a menace sometimes.

The ring of her phone interrupted her thoughts. e she a"Hello?"

(Ragini? Oh Ragini!)

At once, Ragini felt a cold feeling creep up in her heart. It was the nanny from the orphanage she was from. She excused herself from Swara and went to the side. "Kaki? Kaki, what happened? Why do you sound so worried!?"

(Ragini, they are coming in a week! They are coming here in a week!)

As gasp left Ragini as she realized what she was talking about. "No! No, no, no! Not so soon! I thought the last date was still a month away!"

(It was. But they are getting restless and...and they've decided to bring down the orphanage by the end of this week! What are we going to do Ragini? Where will all these kids go!?)

Ragini could feel her own panic set in. However, she knew if she broke down, her Kaki would lose the courage as well. "Don't y-you worry Kaki. I'll find a way. I'll find a way to save it."

(But there's only six days Ragini. What will you do!?)

"I promise I'll do something. I'll...I'll figure out something! Just don't panic, okay? Take care of the kids there. Tell them that their Ragini di will be there soon with a solution."

(But Ragi-)

"Just trust me. I'll find a way. Please stay strong Kaki. Please! They need you!" Ragini cried out desperately. She could hear some sniffing on the other end of the line.

(I always have and will believe in you my dear. Please come back soon. I'll...I'll handle the situation for now.)

"Th-thank you Kaki."

(Stay safe.)

"You too." Ragini waited till the line went dead. She put the phone in the pocket of her sweater with shaky hands. Her mind was in a turmoil. She didn't know what she was going to do. It won't be legal for her to ask money for her role before the film's completion as per the agreement. That money was what she was waiting for to save the orphanage. 'What am I going to do? How will I save them from becoming homeless. I'm their only hope! But I myself am helpless!'

"Ragini?" Laksh uttered her name, finding her hiding around the corner. He and Nikhil had seen off Nitin and were heading back, when they noticed Swara sitting by herself with a heap of desserts before her. As he looked around for Ragini, he saw her silhouette from far and they both came near her. "What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? What happened?" Nikhil asked in worry, seeing her worried face."Nikhil...Nikhil the orphanage!"

"What about it?"

"It's...Nikhil they...they're coming there by the end of this week!" she uttered, breaking out into tears.

Nikhil's eyes widened at her words. "No! Damn it!" he tried to control his anger, knowing comforting Ragini was more important right then. He was about to reach over and hug her when Laksh beat him to it.

"It's going to be okay. I don't understand what the matter is, but don't lose hope. There's always a way. And you're Ragini! You'll find a way. I'm sure!"

"I don't know if I can Laksh..."

"Yes you can. Don't lose faith in yourself."

"But all I have is a week! A freaking week Laksh!"

"Seven days is a lot of time. Miracles can happen in minutes! Here you have days!"

Ragini shook her head in disttress. "I don't have any idea what to do! I don't know what to do! What if I fail? What if I am not able to do something useful!? " she could feel her breaths hitch from panic. "I don't...I ca-"

"Hey, hey." Laksh held her cheeks in his hands and made her look at him. "I believe in you, alright? You'll find a way. You will, I trust you."

"But Lak-"

"You're someone who was able to take the right decision when Udip's men surrounded us. You managed to find some branches to keep us warm all night. You managed to keep me from getting pnemonia inside the cave. You and I escaped a bear! A freaking bear! There's no way you could think that you'll not be able to survive this disaster...whatever that is." Laksh consoled, looking into her eyes, meaning every word he spoke.

Ragini could see the trust, the love he had for her in his eyes. He wasn't saying those words to console her. But he truly believed she would find out a way. Seeing his trust in her, made her regain the courage in herself she was slowly beginning to lose. She at once, lunged forward and hugged him with all her might, letting her tears flow openly. "Thank you for believing in me when I myself was losing trust in myself. Thank you Laksh. Now, I must find a way. I know I can find one! Just you wait!"

"And I'll be right beside you whenever you need me." Laksh promised, hugging her back with a smile. He put his hand on the back of her head, and rested his chin on her head. "It will be okay. It will be alright."

The thump of his heartbeat calmed her as she kept close to him. Each of his heartbeat calmed her as she kept listening.

Nikhil watched the both of them with an observant look. Slowly, a genuine smile broke out on his lips. 'What do you call this if not made for each other?' he shook his head and walked away without making a noise. "Big challenges await Ragini. But now, with Laksh by her side, I need not worry about her. I'll always be there to save my best friend, but I don't think it will be necessary. Laksh will not let her get hurt. I'm sure."

#Elsewhere#

"I'm going damn it! Leave me!" Kuwar shouted as the constable tried to manhandle him into the vehicle. "Stupid Udip for getting us arrested. I should have never taken the deal he offered me! That stupid piece of cr-"

"Shut it nitwit. Get in!" the police officer warned. "As for that guy named Udip, we did find him" he snicked looking at his partner. "Hopping on a branch on the tall tree screaming for people to save him from 'freakish bears'. The guy almost teared up when we came to get him."

"Ugh! That idiot! He better pay us!"

"Forget payment. You're going to jail now. He is too."

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~ 🌹 Mona 🌹