Hi! Good evening. Back with the 15th OS.

Scene created / Idea credit : AshwiniNakshathra

Moving on...💃💃💃

"Words in double quotes." - Talking

'Words in single quotes.' - Thoughts

Timeline : When Ragini was kidnapped and, Laksh and Swara are asked to kiss. But. Altering the scene of the serial here. Sanskar kidnaps Swara instead to force Laksh to kiss Ragini, whom he doesn't love.

Also, Ragini isn't evil and doesn't know the truth about Sanskar.

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

The Deal and The Kiss

"I'm watching. Now kiss!" spoke the masked kidnapper.

Laksh grit his teeth. "You'll release Swara only if we kiss?! Ridiculous!"

'When I show that too everyone, your character will be questioned and Swara will hate you Lucky. It will ruin your happiness!' Sanskar, in the guise of the kidnapper, smirked. "Do it!"

"Forcing us li-" Ragini's words cut off as she felt a hand snake around her waist and pull her into Laksh's hard chest. Her eyes widened as she felt the pressure of his lips on her.

Later...

There was an awkward silence as Laksh drove his car, Ragini sitting shotgun beside him. He assumed she was blushing as she refused to speak. 'Man! Now, her crush on me will deepen. Aish! I shouldn't have kissed.' however, his worry for Swara overrode his rationality.

The kidnapper informed that Swara was at Maheshwari mansion. Hence, they were now going to his home.

'I should tell her I don't have like her, even if we kissed.' Stopping the car as they reached, he started. "Ra-"

However, to his surprise, she opened the door without waiting for him. As Laksh took a good look at her, he noticed there wasn't a trace of a smile or blush on her face.

'She should be happy we kissed...no?' he mulled as they walked inside. His thoughts left when he stepped into the living room to find the Maheshwaris and the Gadodias there. "Swara!" Laksh let out a relieved sigh. "You're okay."

However, Swara glared and looked away.

"What is this Laksh?!"

Laksh was confused at his father's harsh tone. "What's what?!"

"THESE!" Durgaprasad hollered, throwing the pictures at his face.

Hearing Ragini gasp, he looked at the photos, his eyes widening to the size of saucers. "Papa, I can explain. It isn't what it looks like!"

"Explain what?! That you forced Ragini to kiss you?!" Shekhar screamed, Shramishtha trying to calm him.

Annapurna came forward. "Laksh, I understand that you are getting married to her. But you should remember your ethics! This is not the U.S for you to do as you please!"

"Maa, let me ex-"

"I thought you were changing. But you're still that selfish, arrogant brat. I'm ashamed of you!" Durgaprasad shouted.

Laksh felt hurt at his words. "Papa plea-"

"Just get out of my sight!"

"Papa, Maa..."

"It was my fault!"

All of them turned to look at Ragini in shock.

"Yes. It was me who forced Laksh to kiss me."

"You? You're as innocent as a new born!" Dadi came and held Ragini by the shoulders. "Don't try to save that characterless guy!"

Ragini removed her hands and went to stand before Laksh's parents. Laksh just stood there watching her in shock.

"Bade Papa, I always get jealous when Laksh speaks with Swara. I should have trusted Laksh more. I got so jealous that I accused him of cheating and insulted him. So he kissed me to show me that he loves only me. It's my fault Bade Papa, Badi Maa. Please don't blame Laksh."

"I know you're lying beta. You will never do this!" Shekhar shouted.

"Papa, right before I found out about Shramishtha Maa, I too didn't think you would ever do what you did." Ragini defended, leaving Shekhar speechless.

"So you got desperate and made him kiss you?" Parineeta piped in, shutting up when Shramishtha glared.

"Jealousy and love can make one do unimaginable things..." Ragini spoke, looking directly at Laksh with sad eyes.

"If that is so, then I guess I owe you an apology beta." Durgaprasad came and hugged Laksh, patting his back.

Annapurna sighed. "Even if so, it's Laksh's fault for making you feel so insecure. He has to apologize for that. As for you Ragini...please be careful. Or we might have to rethink the marriage."

Ragini looked down and nodded. "I understand. And I'm sorry."

#Late night#

Laksh parked his car in front of the Gadodia household. His father's whispered words when he hugged came back to him.

"I know Ragini can never do something like this. So be thankful she is saving you. I will let this go, but just for this time."

And indeed thankful he was. She risked her entire reputation for him. In front of both families, she let her clean character get blotched just to save him.

He he has seen partners exchanging expensive gifts, he has heard them sing praises of each other, comfort each other. But never had he seen such selfless love in real life. 'You saved my character from being doubted by risking yours. A thank you would be too small. But I want to say it!'

As he neared the gate, he found her sitting right there, watching the night sky.

Laksh felt his guilt double when he noticed her red, puffy eyes. 'Did her family scold her? She doesn't deserve this...' Laksh was about to approach her when he saw Swara come out.

"Ragini, how could you?!"

Ragini stood up. "What happened Swara?"

"How could you force him to kiss you?! You know he doesn't feel the same as you."

Ragini just sighed and sat back down. "I'll explain tomorrow."

Swara glared. "I understand you haven't been so close to a boy before Laksh. But that doesn't mean you'll be so desperate! He likes you only as a friend."

"That's enough Swara!"

To both of the sisters' surprise, it wasn't Ragini who defended herself, but it was Laksh.

"La-Laksh?!" Swara stuttered out, caught off-guard. "You, here?" she saw him come to Ragini and made her stand slowly with care. " I was j-just scolding her for forc-"

"She didn't force me. I kissed her. You know why? Because that was the only way you would be safe!"

"What?! But the man released me saying he got the wrong girl."

"No. They let you go, because we did what he wanted."

Swara laughed out loud. "That's ridiculous!"

"Yeah, it's a ridiculous request. But it's true." he gritted out. "So stop bullying Ragini."

Laksh never expected to see this side of Swara. Out of all people, he believed Swara would console Ragini, instead of blaming her. 'Seems like I was wrong about you Swara.'

"So you should have thought of other ways!" Swara shouted, refusing to back down.

"Sorry if I was too busy being worried about you!" Laksh bit back.

Swara's face changed suddenly and she sighed. "I'm sorry. It was just...I got jealous. You know I like you as well." she smiled. "Now, I'm okay. And you both are too. Let's just forget th-"

"Where was your 'like you as well' when I was getting roasted in front of my family?! You could have stepped in!"

"Eh?"

"What I mean is why didn't you just say you pranked us to kiss, because we were too shy with each other even though we will be married?"

"And take the insults of everyone?" Swara scoffed.

"Everyone would chose you for pranking. But at least your character wouldn't have been questioned like ours!"

Swara looked away. "It's...it's because that idea didn't occur to me, okay?!"

"Because you were too busy doubting Ragini and me!" he shouted, pissed off. "I can't believe I thought you were selfless. Thinking back now, I guess it was to make everyone like you." he looked at Ragini with soft eyes. "Because of you, Ragini remained in the shadows. But it is she who's sacrifices selflessly."

Swara was green with jealousy. "So you're more attracted to her now since you two kissed?!"

Ragini, who had been silent all along, glared at Swara. "Watch your tongue Swara. Laksh isn't like that. Even today, he kissed me even though he hated it just so that he could save you. He loves you!"

"No."

This one word from Laksh shocked them both.

"I liked Swara because I believed she really was the person I imagined to be. Unbiased and one who would trust in me no matter what! I see now it was all my imagination."

"La-"

"Just leave Swara. Please."

"But you came to meet me!"

"No. I came for Ragini."

Swara balled her hands into fists, but stormed off.

Ragini looked at him in question. "Me?"

Laksh nodded. "I wanted to thank you for before. You even spoke against your father for me."

"I fell so guilty for it. Baba hasn't talked to me since them."

'So that's why she's sad. Well, not anymore.' Laksh held her hand with a grin. "I know it's late. Shekhar ji might give me death glares. But let's go tell him everything. Shall we?"

Ragini thought for a moment, but looked up with a smile. "Let's."

As they walked together, it seemed right to him.

Him and her. Walking side by side. Hand in hand.

He tightened his grip just a little and smiled. 'I'm sorry I kept ignoring you. I'll try to know you better Ragini Gadodia. And maybe I will find love...a real one.'

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

Here's the OS AshwiniNakshathra. Hope you liked it. 🤗

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

~ 🌹Mona🌹