When Sanskar returned from office he saw Ragini standing at the balcony. He tiptoed and without making any sound he reached her and lifted her. Ragini jerked and tried to look at him but he had hugged her from back. But she knew it was her crazy husband.

“Sanskar...” she maintained her cold tone. “Put me down” she ordered but she knew she was in no position to order right now. Sanskar continued to twirl her holding in the same position.

She tried to get out of his strong hold but it was of no use. “Sanskar” she whined. “Please” she thought may be the plead will work. But it did not.

He brought her down to the ground but continued to hug her placing his chin over her shoulder and Ragini felt a tingling sensation. She tried to get out of his hold but he was holding her with the same strength. “Leave na”she pleaded but he nodded his head and kissed her shoulder.

Ragini blushed closing her eyes and was lost in his touch. He moved his lips tracing her neck and reaching her cheek which had turned crimson. “Let me go” she whispered. “Do you really want me to let me go Mrs. Maheshwari?” he smirked whispering in her ear and kissing it. She lowered her eyes.

“I have work” she said. “I work and come back for us and you run away from me for your work. That's not fair” he placed some of the wet kisses on her back after moving the hair aside and Ragini arched her back. “Sanskar” she was finding it difficult to even say a word and he was enjoying it.

“Not done” he turned her to face him and his hand caressed her back. She held his shirt tightly. He moved his hand up reaching for the thread and she looked up at him shocked.

He teased her more holding the thread and challenging her. “No” she said and glared him. “I still have many ways to romance than just one” he dragged her near and she landed on his chest gazing in his mischievous eyes. He leaned to seal her lips with his and she closed her eyes as his lips teased her lips sending thousands of sensation. Every time he kissed her it felt new.

He brought her hands to dangle them on his chest and dragged her more close to him. When they felt they need oxygen they departed unwillingly. Sanskar smiled as he looked at her red face while they stood touching each others foreheads. He lifted her head holding her chin and she still did not looked into his eyes. He kissed her eyes and she hugged him as she could no more hide the blush and he smiled at her and caressed her hair looking up.

“Sanskar” she played with the button of his shirt. “Hmmm” he hummed. “Do you remember what is tomorrow?” asked she. He narrowed his eyes. “Tomorrow is Sunday what else?” he asked and she moved her head to look at him.

“Did I forget your birthday already?” he asked worried. “That anyways you are going to forget” she twisted her lips. He kissed her. “Don't do that” he whispered against her lips and she rolled her eyes.

“I'm sure tomorrow Sasu mom is gonna cry buckets complaining that her son was so busy in romancing that he forgot his parents marriage anniversary” Ragini said and Sanskar chuckled at her expression which highly matched with that of Sujata.

Then the realization was drawn upon him and he widened his eyes in shock. “Damn” he pulled his hair. “I did forgot” he said panicking. “Seriously?” Ragini looked at him annoyed.

“I'm sure I have to tolerate that melodrama tomorrow” he said pouting. “How dare you call your mother melodramatic?” she  slapped his shoulder. He rubbed his shoulder.

“She is melodramatic. So why should I hide it. It is her habit from the time she was even born” he said and Ragini chuckled. “How can she be that before birth?” she smiled. “You don't know her. You know Nani told me that Maa used to do melodrama in the womb also it seems” he said serious.

“How?” she asked curious. “She used to turn turn and turn it seems whenever Nani used to watch Nirupa Roy movies” he said and Ragini rolled her eyes. “Seriously” he said. “Shut up. That all the babies do” she nodded her head smiling.

“When their mother watches Nirupa Roy movies?” he asked confused. Ragini nodded her head and walked towards the door. “We will talk in the night” she said stopping at the door. “Are you sure you just wanna talk Mrs. Maheshwari?” he stood and she looked over her shoulder and he winked at her.

She stamped her feet and walked out giving him a glare. He stood there caressing his neck.

***.***

Rudr was busy looking into some file when he saw a shadow and looked up. Ragini stood there with a apologetic look with a struggle to meet his eyes. He was confused.

He controlled all his emotions and signed her to sit. It was his police station and he had to keep aside all his complains to serve the people. Even if they were the people who wronged him he had to fight for their justice. This is what he had taken oath for.

Ragini sat and fiddled with her fingers trying to gather the courage to talk. “How can I help you?” he asked and she looked at him. “I'm sorry...” she thought if she initiated the conversation with the apology it will avoid the awkwardness to an extent. She was interrupted by Rudra who showed his palm.

“In this station right now I'm bound to serve you to solve your issues. Not to consider your apology” he said coldly and her confidence dropped more. “I know you haven't come here solely to apologize at least” he rested back on the arm chair.

Ragini gave up and looked at him.

***.***

Rudra stopped the jeep outside a huge gate which was completely sealed. The constable standing there saluted him as he drove inside the gate. Ragini looked at the big name written in metal - “THE CENTRAL JAIL”

Rudr parked the jeep and walked inside a office and Ragini followed him. He spoke to the jailer and they both walked in a hallway where there were many stinky cells. Ragini covered her nose and mouth with the pallu as she was not able to tolerate the smell.

As they were walking Rudra noticed two men carrying a huge vessel which was probably for cooking the food. He swiftly dragged Ragini holding her elbow as she was about to get hit by the big vessel and stood panting. She was very near to him and he looked at her for a second and left her hand immediately.

He walked further muttering “careful” and Ragini followed him. They reached a cell and Rudra narrowed his eyes to find the cell empty. “Excuse me Kumar” he called the jailer who was at the edge of the hallway. He walked to Rudra quickly.

“Why is this cell empty?” he pointed at the cell. “Oh this one” the jailer looked at the cell and then turned his gaze to Rudra. “The prisoner committed suicide two days back” he said and Rudra looked at him still confused. “What?” he asked and the jailer nodded his head.

Rudra turned to Ragini who was shocked and staring at the cell. “I think the purpose of your arrival is not served” he said and she still looked blankly.

“Two days ago?” she asked and she remembered Laksh's accident and a chill shiver ran down her spine. “Are you sure he is dead?” asked she and the jailer looked at her weirdly. “Madam. We did the last rites on our own as none showed up as family. And usually when people do crimes and end up in jails we have seen the families disowning them and we have performed the last rites of such people many a time” the jailer said but she did not looked like convinced.

“But” she said and failed to form further words. “Okay Kumar. Thank you for your support” Rudra shook his hand with jailer and then walked from there and Ragini followed him reluctantly.

They reached the jeep and Rudra stood facing Ragini whose face was depicting number of questions. After all she isn't any less that Abhijeet or Daya.

“How can he die?” she uttered finally when they exited the jail in Rudra's jeep. “Like how all the people die” Rudra said and Ragini looked at him. “Are you kidding me? The Rajat who made our lives hell just committed suicide. Just like that? I mean his brain is full of games and plotting. How can he just commit suicide without accomplishing his only mission to destroy Bade papa” she said and looked at Rudra. He applied the brakes suddenly and looked at her. She had a point. Such people who are ready to do any thing and stoop any low in their life only for the purpose of revenge cannot think of ending their lives.

“That means” he said and stopped. “That means. It is a murder” she looked at him with wide eyes and Rudra's eyes widened. “But who will want to kill him. He was anyways in jail. He wasn't harming anyone” Rudra said.

“Someone whose secret he knew. Someone who feared we will reach Rajat for information” she said giving more stress to her mind. “Rudr. Can you please do me one more favor?” asked she and Rudr nodded his head.

“Can you get the information about the people who met Rajat in last few day while he was alive?” she asked and he thought for a moment then nodded his head. “I cannot directly involved in it. But I need time to fetch the information in other way” he said and Ragini agreed to it.

He drove the jeep towards Maheshwari mansion. Ragini told him to stop just before the signal. “I will walk from here” she said getting down and looking around.

“Ragini” he stopped her and she turned to look at him. He walked to her and stood facing her. He brought a box out of his pocket and placed it on her palm and she looked at it confused.

“I had brought this to gift you” he said with a sad smile. It really made Ragini to feel bad for him and guilty. She nodded her head in a no and tried to return him.

“I know it never happens how wish it to happen but” he stopped as his throat had developed a lump. “But I always had wished your happiness. If it is with Sanskar, then let it be. I have accepted the fate” he turned to walk to his jeep and drove it off. Ragini kept staring in his direction and then turned to walked towards the Maheshwari Mansion.

***.***

Ragini quickly arranged the food on the dining table. Laksh and Uttara were looking after the decorations and Adarsh was phoning the close relatives. Parinita was keeping Sujata away from the decorations so that the surprise doesn't get spoiled.

On Ragini's insistence Sanskar took Ram from the back door to reach his room. Sujata and Ram were told to dress up in the attires of retro style as that was the theme of their marriage anniversary party.

After the decorations, preparations were done everyone got themselves busy with their dressing. As Sujata and Ram walked out of their room a spot light fell on them and Sujata looked at it surprised. Ram stretched his hand and Sujata placed her hand on his hand and they walked down the stair flight to reach the hall.

As the lights came into life the whole crowd screamed “HAPPY ANNIVERSARY” and they looked at everyone with gratitude filled eyes. Sujata was looking at everyone with her two palms placed on her cheeks.

“Happy?” Sanskar held his mother by her shoulder. “More than happy” she kissed his cheek and he drooled touching her cheek with his.

The party started and everyone in Retro style were enjoying it. “Whose idea was this?” asked Ram looking around. “Your Sarvagun Sampann Bahu” Uttara pointed at Ragini who was greeting the guests and querying them if they needed something like the best host.

Laksh was interacting with his business clients and Swara who was standing with Durga prasad and Annapurna looked at him but then moved her gaze as he paid no attention.

“Was it required to spend so much?” Durgaprasad muttered to Annapurna who weakly smiled at him as she had no other way to react to her husband who was the most tight fist man on the earth actually in the universe.

“Of course Bade Papa. It was required to spend so much on your brother who follows you more than the way Lakshman used to follow Ram. For the bahu of this house who spent her thirty years serving you without any hope of reward. I guess that is enough of a reason for you to understand the importance of today's party” Ragini said and Annapurna looked at her.

Did she really knew Ragini all these days. Or was she witnessing a hidden side of her.

“Ragini” Swara stood in front of Ragini. “Don't disrespect Papa” she said and Ragini smiled at her sister. “It is mutual. Nobody disrespects my in laws. And I don't disrespect anyone” she walked from there and Swara fumed.

“That man has made you his puppet” she uttered and Ragini stopped and turned back to her sister. “When you defend your in laws even though you are not in good terms with your husband you expect me to not to stand for my in laws when my husband loves me the most? Then you are right I'm his puppet” she walked from there and Laksh smirked looking at Swara when her face was contorted as she was not able to revert to Ragini.

“You try million, trillion times. You can't separate them” he looked at Swara. “Really Pati Dev. Do you even know your wife? Don't challenge me” she smirked. “Try it” he walked from there looking at her over his shoulder and she rolled her eyes. “Even if I will be dying to do that. Sorry I have no interest” she turned her face.

All the couples moved to the dance floor. Sanskar and Ragini swayed with the music and Ragini noticed Sanskar was not in his usual self. He looked disturbed. “Sanskar” she called him but he did not meet her eyes.

“Sanskar” she called again and he looked at her with a weak smile. “What happened?” asked she and he nodded his head and they continued to dance.

After the party and cleaning session was over Ragini walked to her room and found Sanskar sleeping on the couch. She sighed and walked to her bed and lied on it. She looked at him for one last time before closing her eyes and soon the tiredness of the work made her drift to sleep soon.

The next day Sanskar was standing in front of the mirror adjusting his tie. Ragini who walked inside the room after the breakfast was ready hugged him from back placing her chin over his shoulder.

“Good morning” she said with a huge smile and he smiled weakly. “Hey Mr. Maheshwari what is wrong with you?” she asked and he moved her hands away and walked to wear his blazer but Ragini held one edge of it.

“Ragini leave it” he said annoyed. “You tell me what happened. Otherwise even if the sky falls and the blazer tears I am not gonna leave it” she said and he stared her.

He left the blazer and walked to his closet to get another blazer and wore it and walked out of the room. Ragini was confused.. She was not understanding what was bothering Sanskar and why was he behaving so strangely.

Sanskar silently had his breakfast and walked out of the mansion with his lunch box and Ragini just kept staring him unaware of his mental state.

***.****
So how was this chapter?

Was Rajat murdered? Or is it just that detective mind of Ragini speaking?

Why is Sanskar's behavior changed suddenly? 

Questions questions and questions.

I know I'm bad too bad.😂😂😂😂😂

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Love

Sally 😘