Ragini's POV:

'I am so proud of you cherda (child)' my Ajjo hugged me tightly when we saw my results published on the website.

I had topped the state.
My grandfather had come back from his 'Teerth Yatra' and was so happy. He was smiling happily and was calling up all our relatives just to announce that his granddaughter had topped the state. My college had announced a gold medal for me.

My mother was trying ward of every evil eye from me...My father was also happy. But what he said hurt me
..
'Good... now that she's done well in her 12th and everyone would know she is a bright girl...it would be easy to get her a proposal. Anyways she is turning 18 tomorrow. I will start looking for proposals for her.' my dad said and I was shocked.

'Sumanth...I am still alive to take decisions in this house...my grandchild worked hard and has secured first rank amongst so many children who have chosen commerce in their 12th...so many colleges, so many districts. Karnataka is a big state with so many talented kids and your daughter hadn't even gone to tuitions yet she secured a rank.

Nothing doing! She will do graduation.' my grandfather announced.

'But dad we even got Shalini married while doing her grads...if her husband will allow she can also study further' while my grandfather showed him his palm asking him to stop

'No one decides if my child will study or not...and you yourself are a man of shallow mindset you will find one more such dissociated brain who still thinks women shouldn't study. Times are different Sumanth...just because your mom didn't study beyond her 7th std, Sushma didn't study after her 10th or Shalini was married off during her grads doesn't mean Ragini should also join the league. She's a rare Sumanth. Treasure her. She will become your pride one day.' saying he caressed my head and I had tears in my eyes...

Then he looked at my father and said..

'Nothing doing my child will study and this is my order' my , grandfather announced.

'Fine... but that doesn't mean me fetching proposals for her would stop...huhhh...just because she got some marks in exam she must study further...who will explain these people women are meant only to work in kitchen...as if with her study she is going to save me from crisis or feed me during my old age...Girls are meant to marry and leave...they return only for a child birth or return as guests for two to three days and go back...god alone knows from where these ultra modern things come in this family....do the hell you want and I will do what I feel is correct' my dad muttered it all in one breath and left from there.

I felt wasted.
My hardwork...my achievements never had any value before but today when entire world praised me, my father was still condemning me just because 'I am a girl' and my gender was more prominent than my achievements to my father.

I was missing Siddhu so much today. I couldn't wait to hug him once. It's been two months since he left. I desperately wanted to talk to him. Initially it was my exams and then Siddhu was on some work travel and was mostly not reachable. He didn't even come when Shalini gave birth to two cute baby boys and tomorrow along with my 18th birthday was their cradle/naming ceremony. We had not planned any big celebration because Shalini was fighting a post pregnancy illness. She had severe bleeding post her delivery and had constant high blood pressure. Doctor confirmed she has a weak heart muscle and needs extreme care. She was mostly sleeping and tired. Mukund Bhavaji was doing his best to cheer her up but she looked too worried for both her munchkins. Honestly even I was scared. I just wanted to talk to someone about all this. Arsha was here...but she was a science student who was prepping her medical entrance exams. I couldn't bother her much. I was missing Siddhu so much. I so wanted to melt in his embrace. Every night I held that teddy bear into my chest and calmed my fears down.

***

'Happy Birthday to youuuu..

Happy Birthday to youuuuuuu....

Happy Birthday dear Ragini...

Happy Birthday to you.....' everyone clapped and were waiting for me to cut the cake. Entire world had wished me by now.
Shalini's munchkins were named...
Kishan-Sushan....
My relatives, cousin's, friends were all congratulating me for my achievements but everything looked useless without him. I wonder where was he...

'Cut the cake na Raghz' Mukund Bhavaji told me and I faintly smiled and closed my eyes wishing to see him once and blew the candles...

Amidst all the clapping I saw his face...he had arrived and I just couldn't stop myself...I left everything and ran into him shamelessly infront of the entire crowd and stood infront of him...

My eyes were filled with tears. He also looked dull and tired. He softly whispered...

'Happy Birthday Ragini'...and the next second I engulfed him into a bone crushing hug. I didn't care who thought what...he was my sanity...I wanted to feel he is here...in my arms...with me... that this is not a dream...I kept crying on his chest until I felt his hands around me and his left hand caressed my hair. I closed my eyes and kept crying.

After a few minutes he cleared his throat saying...
'I think you must cut the cake...we can talk later' he said and the minute I heard
..we shall talk later I felt my heart flutter...I blushed and wiped my tears and nodded. I cut the cake and went to feed the first piece to him but he simply pushed my hand and made Ajjo eat the first piece.

Later I went closer to him to feed him a piece but he simply took it from my hand and made me eat a little and said...
'Thank you'...I wanted to talk to him but his phone started ringing.

He excused himself and went towards the main door. People kept congratulating me but I craved his proximity. I so wanted to pull him away to myself. I wanted to hide myself in his arms. Confess all my emotions to him... listen to him... those golden words I was dying to hear from him...

Just then Amitash came and asked me for a dance...and that's when he turned around and looked at me...

And my legs unknowingly hypnotically moved towards him...
Amitash held my hand saying ..
'Ragini you look beautiful...dance with me...'
But my eyes had captured his eyes so deeply that I didn't want to see anyone listen to anything...

'Sorry Amitash...my Siddhu is waiting for me...' saying I walked to him. He kept looking at me. I stood too close to him while the lights dimmed...
'May I have the pleasure to have a dance with you Mr Siddhesh Handsome Pai' I smiled looking at him. He smiled hesitantly.

'Ragini...I....I wanted to talk you' he said and I had brimming tears in my eyes..

'Let me feel you...I want to listen it all tonight...' I said forwarding my right hand. He kept his left hand in it and we started swaying to the soft music...

I kept looking at him...I could drown in those eyes. My cousin's and relatives kept looking at me and Siddhu. Mukund Bhavaji and Shalini were smiling. My mother and father looked a bit uncomfortable but my grandfather looked very happy. I didn't care about the world right now because my world was in my arms.

Suddenly there was a power failure and so much commotion. While Siddhu whispered in my ears...
'Ragini please I want to talk to you' ...he was almost pleading and I was beaming happiness.

I couldn't wait to hear it all.

I held his hand and walked into his room. The same room where I felt his lips two months ago. Yet another time moonlight was peeping into the room and I smiled...

'Ragini...I...'

But before he could say a word..I smashed my lips against his. He was shocked. I kept nibbling his lips like a bee sucked nectar from its favorite flower. I was dying for him. I needed him. But today to my ultimate shock...

He kissed me back.
I felt his lips hungrily move against mine and I went crazy. My hands pulled his blazer more to feel him closer while his lips kept responding to my kiss with equal passion. His lips were so soft but his passionate response was leaving me in shivers...

'I was waiting for you to respond Siddhu...I wanted you to respond... I love you' I said and he simply kept kissing me while his eyes poured lavishly...

I wiped his tears with my little palms while he pulled me closer by my waist. His touch on my waist was the best thing ever. We kept kissing each other until we were out of breath.

Pulling out from this delicious kiss I said...
'That was fantastic...now I feel alive...tell me...' I said and he kept looking at my face...

'I want you to listen to me carefully..You remember Malini had come with me to Lon' and his phone rang again...

And he again picked the phone call. Next minute I saw him shivering.

'Im coming...I'm coming' saying he ran out of the room.
What was happening?
I was curious...
Party was over. He didn't come back. I was worried now.

Everyone kept asking me for him but I didn't know myself so I dodged saying ..
'You know na he and his business...some business emergency...he said he will be back tomorrow'. My family preferably relaxed as they took in my smooth lie but I kept dialing his number overnight. I didn't know where he was.

Next day Shalini had an appointment with her gynaecologist. So I and Mukund Bhavaji took her to the hospital. While Mukund Bhavaji was along with Shalini in the doctors cabin my eyes fell on Siddhu running around the reception desk. I was shocked. What is he doing here???
Before I could stop him he ran spoke to the receptionist and went towards the critical care unit area.

Who is admitted? I was getting scared now.

I ran to the reception area and enquired...
'Ummm Mam... just few minutes back the man who spoke to you Mr Pai...why is he here? Who is admitted?'

To which she looked at me top to bottom and made a face saying...
'His girlfriend was been admitted last night as she fell from the stairs...but strangely there was a cut on her hand...I wonder how people try to hide such things... first have unprotected sex...then get the girl pregnant and now lie to the hospital authorities...' she said and I was shaking.

My ears couldn't process those words together...

Girlfriend... Pregnant...!!! My eyes had already started pooling up.

Just then I heard the lady talk to her seniors...
'Sir...looks like that man handled everything...rich people Sir...power of money hides everything...huhhh...Yup...he has gone inside to meet the girl...
Yes Sir...
Payment is performed...
Yes Sir...Dr Kamath did the check up and confirmed the girl is pregnant...'

I was shivering...

Just then the name she uttered shattered my soul.

'Patient's name is Malini Khandelwal...'
And I collapsed.