Hi ya! Good morning! 🌸

Moving on...💃💃💃

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

(Words in braces) - Telephone conversations

Chapter 4 - New Discoveries

"3, 2, 1....annnnnd Action!"

🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬

"I'm so glad uncle finally believes us. Aren't you Divya?"

She nodded. "I...I helped you find all the clues. Now all that is left to do is trace the evidence to prove your father's death was actually a murder. Your uncle will help you in it. I...I'll join you at the court to give my statement. The police will believe it when we present it along with the evidence." saying that, she turned to leave. However, she felt him him hold her back by the wrist.

"Why are you being like this? You said you will stay with me till the end. Then why must you leave me now? Even though I don't need your help anymore, I want you to be beside me."

She looked away and shook her head. "I..I can't Nitin. I...I just can't!"

"Why not?!"

"It's...Its complicated! I'm Longing for you, but I can't be with you." she spoke with tears in her eyes.

"How exactly!? Stop beating around the bush and tell me the truth!"

"Because I Love you! But too Afraid to tell You..." She shouted in despair, turning to look at him with tears in her eyes.

He smiled. "Are you afraid I would reject you? I would never do that. I love you as well. When Did I Fall for You? I do not know. But I love you! I love you so much!"

"There is no way your mother would accept your marriage with a homeless orphan like me. It's so hard but...but I know I need to convince myself to let you go..."

"You...you're giving up that easily? You choose to leave me than to fight for our love?"

"I don't want to destroy your family. I want to see you happy. That's why...that's why I'm leaving you."

"You can't be serious!"

🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬

"Cut!" Ram hollered. He came near Laksh and glared at him. "Your line was 'You can't! Please!' You messed it up! Ragini delivered her lines so perfectly. But you ruined the scene!"

"I don't know how I messed up. I was sure I would get it right this time!" Laksh sighed. "I told you I wasn't the right choice for the film."

Ragini came to stand beside them. "Its okay Mr. Maheshwari. I don't mind doing it again. Besides, Laksh almost got everything right. I'm sure he will do it in the next attempt."

Ram sighed. "Fine fine. But lets take a break for now. We'll continue later."

As Ram walked away, Laksh took out the script form his pocket and threw it in the snow in anger.

"Now that man, Shona, is what we call a 'sour loser'." spoke a voice from the side. Laksh looked to find Nikhil and Swara sitting there, stuffing their faces with popcorn. Uttara was nearby as well, taking to some crew members.

Swara paused her eating and poked Nikhil on the arm. "Why is he looking at you like he wants to beat you really bad, Niki bhai?"

"Twatsh wis nwtuwrl wrok."

"Niki bhai, don't talk while eating! Di says its bad habit." she chided, hitting him on the arm.

Nikhil gulped the food and spoke again. "That is his natural look." He paused to burp, his stomach full from eating too much.

What could a guy do? It was free!

"He has had that expression in his face for so long that it stuck on his face. Understood Shona?"

"Yep. Clear as crystal!"

Laksh's eyes twitched on hearing their conversation. 'I wish I could vaporize him with my glare.' He heard a giggle from his side and looked to find Ragini trying hard to stifle her laughter. "You're not laughing at me, are you?"

"No. Of course not!"

"Yeah, right." he crossed his arms over his chest with a frown.

Ragini couldn't hold back and laughed out loud.

His anger disappeared seeing her smile. After all, there were rare times that she smiled genuinely. However, he looked away when Ragini looked towards him.

Ragini's eyes had met his before he looked away. She couldn't help but find his face and expression cute. It was more like a pout, rather than an angry face. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from commenting just that.

Laksh put his hands in his pockets and looked around the place with nothing to do. The scenery was indeed beautiful.

It had been a month since they began shooting in that snowy area. 'Never thought I would say this, but I'm quite enjoying the show business.'

And indeed Laksh wasn't lying.

Although they had planned to shoot in the hill station for a few days, his father decided to shoot the entire film there. Laksh couldn't understand the reason for the life of him! They had finished almost half of the film till then. Since the film was not of high budget and they were only shooting in one place, it was going at a quick pace.

Laksh looked towards the sky, reminiscing the events of the month. A lot had happened in these days. Uttara and Nikhil became best buddies, although Laksh felt that there was something more going on.

He and Swara still had their cold war going on, with Swara ahead of him by a point. 'Grrrr that little pink abomination of a child!' Laksh thought in irritation. She seemed to wear more pink everyday since she learnt he hated it.

As for his Dad, his father was getting some good sponsors for his film.

And he and Ragini?

They became good friends. He had opened up to her a bit and they shared things about themselves with each other. However, he still had his insecurities. Many a times, he misjudged Ragini and ended up being the one who needed to apologize. Ragini just smiled at him and forgave him every time.

'Ragini is really a good friend. She would have made a perfect bride for me....that is...' Laksh looked at her as she kept chatting with the cameraman. 'that is, if she wasn't already broken.'

Laksh was brought out if his thoughts by Ragini's voice.

"Laksh? Shall we go inside the caravan?"

Laksh was about to agree, when a sudden thought made him pause. 'Why does she want to go inside the caravan? We can chat here. Does she want to spend some private time with me to get closer to me? What if she tries something inside!?' He looked at her with narrowed eyes. "Why? Why do you want to go inside instead of being here?"

Ragini blinked at him in confusion. "Well, I thought you would like it. Didn't you once tell me that you hated the cold and snow?"

Laksh blinked in realization. He did tell her in one of their friendly chats. 'Damn Lucky! You always doubt her. Even after a month, why can't you just realize that she is innocent!?' He shook his head of those thoughts and nodded at her. "Yes. You're right. Let's go then, shall we?"

Ragini nodded and they both moved towards the caravan.

#With Uttara#

"I see. At what time will he be arriving?"

"He should have been here by now. I wonder what's taking him so long."

"Hmm...okay. Thanks for informing me."

"Its okay Uttara ma'am." saying that, the crew member left the place. Uttara turned to look at Nikhil and Swara sitting a little distance away from her. Seeing both of them throwing popcorn at each other brought a smile to her face. However, when she remembered what the crew member said, her smile turned into an angry frown .

"Who did the crime of upsetting my most awesome daughter?" spoke Ram playfully as he came near her.

"I'm your only daughter Dad." Uttara replied with an eye roll. "He's coming here Dad. That good-for-nothing bastard is coming here!" she whispered to him in anger.

Ram looked shocked at the hate in Uttara's voice. Only one person could make Uttara that angry. "Why is Udip coming here?"

"I don't know! All I know is that I'll kill him if I see him!" Uttara hissed out, careful to make sure Nikhil didn't hear them.

Uttara hated Udip. She had a good reason to hate him as well. She still remembers how he advised her to find a rich actor and trap him in her love to become popular. He even boasted of the various girls that threw themselves at him in hopes of becoming famous.

"Uttara, calm down. I know you hate him. But he's my sister's son and your cousin. If not for him, at least for your aunt bear his presence? I'll make sure he leaves soon."

Uttara wanted to argue, but nodded hesitantly. Udip might be a jerk, but his mother was the sweetest. She decided to tolerate his presence for her. "Fine! But you better keep him away from me. I don't think I'll be able to keep myself from punching him."

"Okay okay. Calm down." they both looked ahead as a car approached and Udip got out.

"Bloody murder!" Uttara gritted out. "Oh how I would love to wring his neck."

"Please, don't end up killing him. Do it for me."

"Don't tell me you care for him."

"Nah. It's just that it will be a lot of paperwork if you kill him."

"I'm not making any promises old man."

Ram sighed and left to greet Udip. He didn't like him either, but tolerated him for his sister's sake. However, he genuinely feared that Uttara would hurt Udip. 'Like mother, like daughter. If Sujata is an angry lion, Uttara is probably a hungry dinosaur!'

Uttara let out a breath of frustration. "I already had so much trouble uniting bhai and Ragini. And now...now this bastard comes here! Ugh!" She shouted in anger.

"What do you mean unite them?" spoke a voice from behind her.

Uttara froze on hearing Nikhil's voice. She had forgotten he and Swara were near her.

'Shit!' Uttara cleared her throat and tried to compose herself. "Unite whom? I don't know what you're talking about."

Nikhil narrowed his eyes at her. "Don't lie. I heard you clearly. Tell me the truth!"

"Uttara Di, please tell the truth." Swara asked her, looking at her with innocent eyes. Even if Uttara could lie to Nikhil, she didn't have the heart to lie to little Swara. Slowly, she explained everything to them.

After sometime...

"So you mean to say that you planned to get them to like each other through this film?" When Uttara nodded guiltily at being caught, Nikhil continued. "That was the main reason, eh? I knew there was a catch to it! Ragini being suddenly offered the main role in a movie? I knew it was too good to be true!" he shouted in anger.

"What is so wrong in it? My brother hasn't even dated a girl since college! Its all because he is waiting for the right one." Uttara defended. "My family believes Ragini is the right one for him. What's so wrong in it? Nikhil, my bhai will forever keep Ragini happy. He won't let her shed a tear! He would also happily help the orphanage. He's a good guy."

"You say that so easily. But what about Ragini, huh? Don't you care about her decision? She may not like him back. And what about your brother? He may not like Ragini in that sense. Lets say in your attempt, you got Ragini to fall for him. But what if he rejects her? Then what? I won't let her get heartbroken!" he countered back.

"Trust me Nikhil. I really believe that they both would come to like each other, love each other even! They are perfect for each other. Please, give them a chance."

"But...but...that man is a bad guy! I hate him!" Swara shouted.

Uttara crouched to her level. "No Shona. He isn't a bad person. He is a person with a big heart. He cares for everyone and helps others. My brother just acts all tough, but is ad soft as a teddy from within." Uttara placed her hand on Swara's shoulders. "He doesn't show his soft side to the world. But if your Di is with him, he will no doubt soften up and become more open, become more free and happy."

"But...but if Ragini Di marries him, then I would be left alone." Swara looked ready to cry.

"Hey, no. You won't be separated from your Di. Once bhai marries your di, he would do anything for her happiness. And I know Ragini's happiness lies in seeing you happy. I'm sure bhai would let you come and stay with her."

Swara looked up with hopeful eyes. "R-Really?"

Uttara nodded. "Yes. Then you will have both your Ragini Di and Uttara Di with you."

Swara gasped in wonder and hugged her. "Then what are we waiting for? Lets go plot to unite them!"

"Couldn't have said it better myself. Let's go!"

Nikhil could only watch dumbfounded as both of them walked away. After a moment, he sighed and decided to follow them to keep Swara out of trouble.

As he walked, he thought about what Uttara said.

Although he didn't like Laksh, he also knew that Laksh wasn't a bad guy. He looked like someone who would love their partner unconditionally and selflessly. 'But that doesn't mean I'm accepting him as Ragini's future husband that easily. Laksh beta, you better get ready to pass my tests first!'

#Caravan#

Laksh got out of the caravan, followed by Ragini. "Alright! I'm ready. This time, I won't mess up!"

Ragini chuckled. "I'm sure you won't." she tried to walk forward, but stumbled on a rock, making her lose her balance. She closed her eyes expecting the fall. However, she felt arms around her waist, holding her upright. She opened her eyes to find Laksh's face close to hers. She could see the high cheek bones and the tiny freckles in his face. However it only made him look more manly.

Laksh straightened up, pulling Ragini along with him. "Careful. Won't want to fall on the snow now, would you?" He smiled and walked ahead, signaling her to come along.

Although, if he had realized what he had done, he would have probably fainted out of shock. He didn't realize that he, a guy who couldn't even shake hands with a girl without sweating, held Ragini so close, that too without a hitch.

Ragini, on the other hand, stood there frozen. She could feel her heart beating at the speed of a bullet train. She clutched her heart, fearing it would hop out of her body. She felt like he knees would give out from the force of the emotions she was feeling.

'Oh my, oh my, oh my! What just happened? He...He was so close. It felt... It felt...' Ragini couldn't describe what she just felt. She blushed thinking of how close Laksh's face was. The butterflies in her stomach started doing flips. She could do nothing but stand there blushing red like a tomato.

"Ragini?" spoke Mr. Maheshwari from behind her. She turned to greet him. However, she froze in shock from seeing the person with him. How could she not remember that person.

"Ragini, meet my nephew, Udip."

She swallowed hard. "He-hello Udip. Ni-nice to meet you." she stuttered out, fearing the consequences.

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

If you liked this chapter, consider giving a vote. Thanks!

~ 🌹 Mona 🌹