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"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 5 - Doubt if it's love

'Just when you think, you've hardened your heart enough to withstand every storm, someone or something comes to destroy those walls around it. Why? Am I destined to be hurt over and over? Or is it my chance at happiness?'

Ragini clutched her hands close to her heart while she sat on the floor of her room. They each had their individual rooms in the hotel they were staying for the shoot.

She pulled her legs closer towards herself, and wrapped her arms around her knees, as if shielding herself from an unknown enemy.

Two years...

For two years she had built the walls around her heart, enclosed it inside concrete walls, sealed in an iron prison and made sure no one can break it. She was sure no one could break these walls and hurt her ever again. She built them so that she never has to go through the same pain and loneliness...again.

And her efforts weren't in vain. For two whole years, she had successfully defended her heart, kept herself from falling in love.

But the heart rarely listens.

And life? It never goes as we planned.

#Nexy day#

"I...I have to. I must..."

"Cut!" Ram hollered. He came near Ragini with a look of concern.

Ragini sighed. "I'm sorry. I'll do it next time for sure. Uh...correctly I mean. I'll do it correctly next time for sure."

"You seem rather distracted today. Are you not well?" Ram questioned. "Why don't you take a break, no? It will do you good."

Ragini nodded without a word and went away. Ram stood there watching her go with a frown. 'What could have happened?'

Ragini came and flopped down on the chair under the big umbrella with a defeats sigh. She couldn't concentrate on her work with her mind being a mess.

'Not to mention my confused heart.' Ragini let out a miserable sigh. It was the only thing that seemed she could do in her state.

Nikhil looked up when he heard a sigh from where he was busy checking his new camera given to him by Uttara. Seeing Ragini, he felt the urge to tell her the truth about Uttara's ultimate plan.

Nikhil actually planned to tell Ragini everything about why she was chosen for the film. He was adamant on his decision. Never did he think that anything would convince him otherwise.

However, Uttara wouldn't let him leave without him saying yes to her decision. The words and the way she explains everything...he had to say, the girl sure could make a good politician. She made him see how it would be best for Ragini as well as Swara.

That managed to change his decision.

Also, there was the fact that Uttara promised to get him the new camera of the latest model if he changed his decision.

After all, he was only human. Who in the world would refuse?!

'Ahem! Whatever!' Nikhil came and stood beside her. "Something wrong Ragini?"

"Its...it's nothing Nikhil."

Nikhil put down the camera and moved to sit in front of her, looking directly into her eyes. "You're the worst liar ever. Don't you know that?"

Ragini looked at her hands in indecisiveness. She contemplated whether to tell him or not. Finally, she decided to tell him. She needed some advice from someone she could trust. "Its...its Laksh."

"Laksh? What about him? Did he insult you again? Oh, He better book a hospital room!"

"Nikhil no! It's not that."

"Then?"

"Remember when Udip visited?"

"Did he plan something with Laksh and insult you? Ooooo...both are dead!"

"Nikhil no! Its not that either. Stop looking for ways to hit Laksh." Ragini chided. "It's just that I...I..."

"You what?" Nikhil asked in confusion.

"I don't know, okay!?" Ragini got up in frustration and paced around the place. "Remember when Udip visited?" when he nodded, Ragini continued. "Well...Udip was being rude to me. And the way he was looking at me..." she shuddered at the memory in disgust. "I don't think I could have escaped from him if it wasn't for Laksh. The way he came to my defense, it...it really touched my heart. And even before that, I would have fallen face flat on the snow if it wasn't for Laksh."

Nikhil blinked in bewilderment as he saw her blush while speaking of Laksh. 'Eh? Is that a blushing face or angry face? Is she starting to like that prude?'

"When he held me Nikhil, I...I felt like my heart would jump out of my mouth! Ever since yesterday, even his presence is enough to make me blush and stutter."

Nikhil looked at her open-mouthed. "Ar-are you saying that you're falling in love with him!?"

"I...I..."

"Just tell me Ragini." he held by the shoulders and made her look at him.

Ragini adverted her eyes while turning beet red, which was enough of an answer for Nikhil.

"Well give me a brook and call me Cinderella! You really are, aren't you?!" Nikhil uttered in shock.

Ragini sighed and sat down with a heavy sigh. "Maybe? Maybe not? I don't know Nikhil. I don't know anything! I never planned for this to happen! I thought I would do the film, get the money and save the orphanage. I never imagined that I would start falling in love with the hero of the film!"

He looks at her for some moments. Slowly, he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You may say you don't know. But your actions clearly suggest that you are falling for him. In fact, you may as well be totally smitten in his love!"

"But...but this wasn't supposed to happen! Not to mention the fact that I was chosen because they thought I won't fall for Laksh. And now look! I'm ruining everything!" she shouted, close to tears.

Nikhil looked at her with pity. On one hand, was her heart and on the other, everything else. She feared that if she chose her heart, everyone else would be hurt. 'Funny. I wonder how she would react if she knew that everyone else is planning to unite her and Laksh.' he looked down in thought. 'But is Laksh really right for Ragu? Is he the one that can give her the happiness she deserves? She tries to hide it, but I know something big and terrible happened to her two years ago. She may smile for others, but I know she is suffering from within. Is Laksh the one who can bring back her old self? Bring a true and genuine smile on her face?'

Nikhil thought over Laksh and the time he had spent with the Maheshwaris. The entire time, Lucky had been nothing but a gentleman towards Ragini. Yes, he behaved somewhat rudely to her at first. But that was him being his typical prudish self. Other than that, he had always been good to Ragini. 'I hate to admit it. But Laksh would be a perfect husband for Ragu. I believe he can keep her happy. He even defends her whenever Udip visits. Grrr! That Udip! These days, he has been visiting the set more often, not to mention the way he keeps looking at Ragu! I ought to smack that son of a bi-' he shook his head of those thoughts. He was moving off topic.

"And Nikhil I...I'm scared." Ragini spoke in a soft, meek voice, looking at him with fearful eyes. "What if I am really in love with him? Will I be able to handle his rejection?"

Nikhil looked at her, aghast. "Rejection!? Why would you even think about him rejecting you?"

"He is waiting for the perfect partner, remember? And I am in no way perfect. If I confess to him, he might never want to talk to me ever again!"

Nikhil placed a hand on her shoulder. "Yes, you aren't perfect. But is he? No, he isn't either. Everyone has flaws, everyone has their own skeletons in their closets. But that doesn't mean that they are messed up. It just means that they are human. Laksh may be looking for the perfect one. But maybe its you and he just doesn't realize it yet. Perfect love doesn't need to be perfect Ragu. It just needs to be true."

"How can you be so sure that I am the one? How can you be sure that I can meet his expectations of perfection?" Ragini questioned like an insecure child.

He smiled at her. "Because I know that in love, there is no such thing as perfection. We waste time looking for the perfect one. But the truth is...a perfect person doesn't exist. Perfect love is created, not found Ragu. And its time you show Laksh that."

She looked at him with uncertainty. "Are you sure? What if you're wrong? What if I regret telling him my feelings later?"

Nikhil turned her, making her face the way Laksh stood at a distance. He looked like he was heading for his caravan.

Nikhil gave her a push. "Go and get that prude Ragu. True love comes only once. Don't make the mistake of losing it because of 'what if's. Its better to live regretting, than not doing something to regret at all."

She smiled back at him gratefully. A lot of unsaid thank yous went unsaid, but they could understand each other. She nodded and went away with a wave.

#With Laksh#

Laksh stepped into the caravan to find his mother there. "Hello mom. Didn't expect you here."

"I had to come since you're taking so long to propose!" she huffed out.

"Eh? To whom?"

"Ragini! Who else!?"

After sometime...

Laksh stood wide-eyed after Sujata explained the things to him.

"Maa, please stop talking. There isn't anything between me and Ragini. And isn't ever going to be either!"

"Yes there is. You and she are going to be life partners and give me grand kids soon!" Sujata spoke in excitement.

"Maaaaaa!" Laksh rubbed a hand over his face in frustration.

Ever since his mother arrived on the set, she had been nagging him about Ragini as informed by other crew members. Now he knew why. She thinks Ragini would be her daughter-in-law. Like it was the most obvious thing ever! She already decided hat he liked Ragini, without even him knowing?!

"Maa! She isn't the one I want!"

"Really now?" Sujata flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Uttara has told me everything that has been going on in these days. That's how I know you're much closer to Ragini then before. Don't even try to deny it!"

"But Maa, that doesn't mean that she is the right one for me. Its true that I like her presence and chat with her. But that is something I would do even with a friend!"

"Oh just admit it beta. You love her! And from what Uttara has observed, she may love you too!"

None of them noticed Ragini, who had come and stood beside the door of the caravan. She was about to go talk to Laksh, but paused when she heard Sujata's voice. Thinking they were busy chatting, she was about to move away. However, she stopped hearing her name.

Inside, Laksh got up in anger. "She isn't the one for me!" he grit out. "And even if she does love me, I can't love her!"

"Why are you so adamant in refusing to accept Ragini as your future wife? She's beautiful, kind, helpful and what not?" Sujata reasoned.

"Because she's already so broken Maa. Can't you see?!" he finally let it out.

This made Sujata gasp in shock. However, it would never compare to the shock and hurt experienced by Ragini who heard it.

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To be continued...

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~ 🌹 Mona 🌹