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Moving on...💃💃💃

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 3 - First Meeting

The moment the guests sat down, Sujata began her chat with Ragini. She started subtle by asking her about her work, her hobbies and such. Soon, she plunged into asking about her likes and dislikes. She also questioned about what kind of husband she was planning to choose for herself in future.

"Um...I haven't given it much thought aunty."

"Oh come on Ragini! There must be some type of guys you like. Cute ones, handsome ones? Bad boys?" she teased, making Ragini blush.

"Or geek types. Like Maa chose." Uttara added. "You could have found a more handsome man than Papa. Someone who looks like SRK."

"I'll have you know that SRK wouldn't be able to handle your mother half as well as me." Ram defended. "And you for that matter. You both are a menace."

Ragini giggled at their exchange. She couldn't help but feel a little sad. 'Would me and Swara have such a happy family as well if we had our parents?' she shook her head of those thoughts. It wasn't time to think about such things.

"Enough you two. I was asking Ragini something." Sujata smiled at her. "So, Ragini dear?"

"I uh...I guess I just want a man that would love me for who I am, and not what I look like. He should let me be myself without trying to reduce me to an identity of just his wife. I would like that."

"Awww...that is so sweet!" Uttara gushed, making Ragini blush.

"Thanks. And of course, the in-laws should be understanding and loving. Like you all I suppose." she added, just as an example.

However, she didn't know the impact it just had on Sujata and Uttara.

If she could, Sujata would have asked for Ragini's hand in marriage to her son and married her off the instant Laksh came back home.

Uttara was ready to happily throw flowers and shed tears of happiness for them.

Ragini, Nikhil and Swara looked at the two women in confusion seeing their dreamy looks.

Ram, however, could probably guess what they were thinking and smacked himself on the head. "Oh, a mosquito!" he excused. However, it was enough to break the two women from the marriage they were attending in their imagination. "Now then, let me ask some questions related to your role in the film Ragini."

"Sure sir." Ragini sat determined. She had to grab the role. The orphanage's fate was at stake.

As the questions continued, Nikhil was getting bored. He was trying hard not to yawn. He cleared his throat to get their attention. "May I please use the washroom?"

"Sure! I'll show you to it." Uttara practically jumped up from the couch to assist him in finding the washroom. Nikhil didn't give it much thought and went with her.

After finishing his business, he came out. However, he contemplated whether to go back to his seat and get bored. From the corner of his eyes, he saw some beautiful pictures hung on the wall. In fact, such pictures of different landscapes, people, artistic paintings, and other such were abundant.

Nikhil was a photographer by profession. Hence, all these caught his attention, especially the landscapes. The pictures seemed so realistic. 'Only if I had such costly DSLRs and such. Money dear money.'

"I see you like them."

"Yes. They are beautiful." he turned to look at Uttara. "You clicked them?"

It took her a moment to register his question since she was busy being mesmerized by his gaze.

She shook her head. "They were gifted to gather. You haven't seen the best ones yet. Come on!" Uttara took up the job of showing him around. She couldn't be more happier getting to spend time with Nikhil.

"I want to go too!"

They looked down to see Swara standing there with a pout.

"They are yapping on and on about dull things! Me no likey!" Swara huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Hahaha...awww... Come on dear. You can join us too." Uttara uttered, making Swara let out a big grin.

As they walked on, Uttara kept sneaking glances at Nikhil. He didn't notice, too busy looking around.
As for Swara, she walked side by side Uttara, copying her behaviour. It was like she had made Uttara her role model.

Soon, Robin, the servant, came to them to call them to have lunch. As they ate, they talked about ordinary things and current affairs, so as to not making it too silent or awkward.

Ram took an opportunity to talk about the film with Ragini in beween. He didn't want to miss out any facts. After all, she had the right to know everything beforehand.

"So Ragini? Are you in?"

Ragini patted her lips with the napkin and took a sip from her glass. "Sir, I still find it hard to believe that you would just take up a struggling actress in a movie which you think will be your magnum opus. I'm honoured. It baffles me, but I think I can trust you. After all, you are Uttara's father. And I trust her."

Uttara smiled at her and nodded.

"But I don't!" Nikhil piped in.

"Eh? Why not?" Uttara questioned.

"Well I..." Nikhil paused and looked at Swara.

He didn't want to have an argument in front of a child. Uttara understood and turned to Swara.

"Swara, I have many teddy bears in my room. Want to meet them?"

Swara's eyes widened in wonder. "Many? I only have one. Can I have one of yours!?"

Ragini looked at her with wide eyes. "Swara! You can't take others' stuff like that." she chided.

"Hahaha...its okay Ragini. Anything for pretty princess!" Uttara cooed. "You can choose the prettiest teddy that you want to take home."

"Awesome! Let's go!" Uttara took her hand and led her away from there. "You'll love them. They are amazing, trust me!"

Ram turned to look at his guests. "Now then, why don't you trust me Nikhil?"

"Because I don't believe in free things. There is always a catch! Rich people like you always manipulate us who are in need of money. Who knows what scenes you might make her do later? Or what if some of your partners misbehave with her?" He placed a hand on Ragini's shoulder. "Ragu and Swara are people I consider family. I won't let you take advantage of them!"

Ram smiled. "I'm happy to see that they have you to look after them. And I understand your concern. But trust me Nikhil. I really want Ragini as the main lead in my film because..." Ram hesitated as to how to put it. He sighed and decided to just state it bluntly. "Because she is the only one who agreed to no romance scenes. There is no other motive of mine." Raj reasoned. 'Although there is the motive of making her my daughter-in-law since my wife's a tyrant. But I think this isn't the right time to tell him that.'

Nikhil narrowed his eyes at him. "I still don't believe you completely."

"Okay then. How can I convince you?"

"You can't!"

Ram felt trapped. 'What now? I can't let her reject the role.'

"Beta, I'm sure we can reach a conclusion." his wife added. She was panicking from within. Her daughter-in-law was getting away. "Lo-"

"Kawaiiiiii!"

They both were interrupted by Uttara's shout from her room.

"Something happened?"

"Don't worry. Uttara is a bit obnoxious." Ram assured. "Returning back to topic. Can we reach an agreement somehow?"

"No we can't. Unless..." Nikhil uttered.

"Unless?" Sujata jumped at the opportunity.

Nikhil looked with a serious face. "You can do only thing. You have to allow me and Swara to come to each and every shoot that you hold. Don't even try to argue because that is the only way you can take Ragini in your film. I'll keep watching myself."

Ram looked helplessly towards Ragini.

"I'm sorry Mr. Maheshwari. But I can't go against him. If he doesn't agree to it, I will have to decline your offer. He's someone important to me, and I value his opinion."

'Then how am I supposed to play matchmaker in his presence!? He will no doubt realize it! But...but if I disagree, there won't be any Ragini in the film to play matchmaker.' Ram gulped seeing Sujata's heated glare from nearby. He sighed. "Okay fine. Have it your way. I agree to it."

Ragini smiled at him gratefully. "Thank you! Thank you so much."

Finally, she could feel things looking up. 'Maybe by the end of this film, I will be able to save the orphanage. I don't know why but it feels like something big is about to happen in all our lives.'

"Ragini, Nikhil... I think you two should meet Laksh today as well. Wait for a bit. He will be home soon." Ram reasoned. "You all can continue your meals. Sorry for speaking so much and interrupting."

"Now you tell this after disturbing them?" Sujata uttered. "Go on. Don't be shy. Eat up while you wait. Robin, go and get Uttara and Swara. The rest of you, lets dig in!" she pointed towards the table with a pleased look.

As Robin brought more food, Ragini's eyes widened on seeing the items. It was like they were about to feed a crowd! It seemed more like a banquet than a little meal.

After some time...

"Have some more Ragini dear."

"N-no aunty. I'm full. Thank you so much for the delicious food."

"But you've had only two! Take another."

"Yes Di. Take it already. They're giving it for free!" Swara exclaimed, stuffing her face with food, while balancing a pink teddy on her lap.

Instead of her original clothes, Swara was now wearing a pink frock and pink shoes. It seemed Uttara decided to dress her up in it when she found out it is her favorite colour. Ragini could see that Uttara had cut the dress to make it fit for her. 'This girl is treating it like her own house. I hope the Maheshwaris don't think of us as brats.'

Ragini sighed and looked at Nikhil, hoping her would be able to control Swara's obnoxiousness. "Ni-" she stopped seeing him. The guy was busy eating like it was in a marriage. 'What the heck!? At least you should show some sophistication!'

Nikhil felt eyes on him and looked up to see Ragini glaring at him. He looked at her for a moment with a questioning look. Then, he simply shrugged and continued eating. After all, who would refuse free food?

Ragini wished the earth would open up and swallow her.'These two are eating like they haven't eaten for months! Why? Why must they embarrass me so much?!'

"Uh...Dad?" They all looked up towards the voice to find a guy standing there with his suitcase in hand.

Ram smiled at him. "Laksh beta! I'm glad you're home." Ram went and stood beside Laksh. "Ragini, Nikhil? This is my son and the hero of my next film, Laksh Maheshwari."

Laksh felt like rolling his eyes at his father's dramatic tone. Nevertheless, he smiled at the guests. "Hello."

"And this girl is your heroine. Her name is Ragini." Uttara added, coming to stand beside Ragini.

Laksh looked at girl's face. She was beautiful.

Don't get him wrong. He didn't think of her as beautiful because of her features. Yes, it was true she looked beautiful. But what caught his attention were her eyes. They had an innocence in them that was drawing him to it. It was so pure, like she had never seen the cruelties of the world. And her smile...her smile seemed to be genuine. Not like the fake or flirty ones that he has seen on others. It's was so...

Laksh stopped seeing the knowing smile on his sister's face.

Ahem!

'This still doesn't mean that I am comfortable in working with her. I was just stating the facts.' he put on his no-business face, making Uttara guess exactly what was going on in his mind.

'Prude.' Uttara thought with a snort.

Ragini, on the other hand, was surprised by him.

When Ram told them that his son was a person who didn't mingle with girls, she thought maybe because he was shy. Or maybe a nerd with big spectacles.

However, here he was looking dashing and handsome. He seemed to have a flirty charm with his cute smile. However, it seemed genuine and not meant for flirting on purpose. He was like a flirt, without even realizing it.

However, that didn't mean she was attracted to him. She was only stating the facts. After all, she knew to appreciate beauty when she sees it.

Uttara went near Laksh to take his suitcase. Swara saw this and got down from her seat to follow her, like she had been doing the entire time.

"Welcome home bhai." Uttara greeted him, as she took his suitcase from him.

"Thanks." he noticed the little girl beside her. "Who is this? And why is she wearing so much pink?" Laksh questioned with a cringe, pointing at the little girl beside her. It was a lot of pink if you asked him.

"She is Ragini's little sister Swara. Isn't she the cutest, bhai?"

"Cute? She looks like she came out of a candy machine."

Swara narrowed her little eyes into slits. 'Note to self. Uttara, good, shouldn't prank. This guy, bad! Must prank!'

"How could you say that bhai?"

"I think I'll go colour blind if I keep looking at her. Take her away Uttara."

'Oooo...This means war!' Swara walked forward and kicked him in the shin, making him cry out in pain.

Ragini gasped at her sister's actions. She moved forward and hid Swara behind her. "I'm so sorry for her behaviour. She's really got a bad temper. I'm sorry on her behalf!"

"It's okay Ragini. Bhai misbehaved with the kid first." Uttara huffed out.

"Whatever. It's okay Miss." Laksh uttered.

Ragini put forward her hand. "I'm Ragini by the way. Nice to meet you Mr. Laksh."

Laksh looked at her extended hand in nervousness. 'Should I shake her hand? What if she takes a different meaning out of it? What if one thing leads to another? What if she ends up thinking I like her? Noooo! Then she would want romantic scenes. I better not shake her hand.' he coughed and put his hands in his pockets. "Hi. Nice to meet you as well."

Nikhil let out a laugh from the table. He had been observing everything. "I see what you meant Mr. Maheshwari. Your son really is unique."

On Laksh's questioning look, Ragini answered. "Um...your father told us about your...um...puritan issues." she spoke hesitantly.

Laksh looked at her in confusion. "Puritan issues?"

"Di, is being polite by saying 'puritan'. What she means to say is that you are a prude!"

"Shh! Swara!"

"What?! I'm only telling the truth." Swara spoke with an arrogant huff, crossing her hands over her chest.

"I'm not a prude?!" Laksh spoke in embarrassment. "Its just that I don't like flirting and all. Why is it so wrong?!"

Ragini smiled at him. "Its not wrong. You don't need to be embarrassed before me about that. I understand that everyone has a reason of their own."

Laksh nodded at her. She wasn't mocking him. However, he didn't miss the pain in her eyes.

He realized how wrong he had been about her. He thought she had not seen the harshness of life. But her eyes looked old, like it had seen many hardships. While speaking, he had seen a deep sorrow in her eyes. She looked like she was hiding a lot of pain behind her smile.'What could have happened? What did she go through? Why does she smile and hide her pain?'

Ram looked at them with a soft smile. 'She's giving him space and trying to understand him instead of trying to change him. I think Ragini will indeed be the best for my son.'

"Now do you believe me when I say she is the right one for Laksh?" Sujata whispered to him.

Ram chuckled. "Yes. You were right. They are for perfect for each other. More specifically, made for each other."

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To be continued...

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~ 🌹 Mona 🌹