Hi there! Back with the sixth OS. Enjoy the fanfiction. 🤗

Scene created / Idea credit : Jammu93

Moving on...💃💃💃

"Words in double quotes." - Talking

'Words in single quotes.' - Thoughts

Timeline - Laksh and Ragini's engagement happened and it was decided by the family that they should go out together to get to know each other better.

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Melting Hearts

Laksh honked the car as he waited outside the Gadodia household. If given a choice, he would run away somewhere than wait there to pick up Ragini.

'But Baba wants me to marry her. He would despise me if I disagree.' Laksh grabbed the steering wheel tighter. 'You managed to engage me to Ragini. But I'll make sure to find a way to break this marriage. I love Swara, not Ragini!'

"Sorry for making you wait."

Laksh looked up at her and nodded.

Indeed she looked beautiful, which wasn't surprising to him. He knew she was a jackpot for any boy. But he wasn't so fickle to marry a girl just because of looks. 'Despite her beauty, I hate her! She's the reason I have been forced into this marriage.'

Laksh faked a smile. "Get in. The sooner we go, the more time we'll get." he surmised. 'The more sooner I can drop you home.'

Ragini nodded and went round to enter the car. Once settled, she turned to him. "Where shall we go?"

'Shit! I never decided. If father hears about this...' Laksh smiled charmingly. "Whereever you would like to go. I want you to decide."

Ragini looked down with a shy smile. "Well I don't know if you would like it."

"It's okay."

"Okay then. Let's go to a place I know. It's golden!"

"Golden? It's somewhere expensive?"

She simply smiled. "It's filled with riches that can't be compared."

'Typical. I'm sure she's means the jewellery stores. Man, fickle girls!' nevertheless, he started driving with her giving the directions.

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"Stop. We're here."

Laksh stopped and peered over to read the signboard. "Little Hearts? Who names a jewellery store such?" he chuckled.

Ragini frowned. "It's not a jewellery store."

"Eh?"

Later...

Laksh watched Ragini and the kids from the door, the owner standing beside him. "So how long has she been visiting this orphanage?"

"Ragini has been providing her support since she was fifteen." replied the owner. "She would send her old clothes, childhood toys, funds that she would get as prize money after winning music contests."

A thought crossed Laksh's mind.

Swara mentioned once how Ragini was determined to see her lose. Being the Swara-lover he was, it was enough to create a bad impression of Ragini for him. Although the sisters were close now, the first impression remained in his mind.

"Was she planning to send money last month?"

"Yes Laksh. But unfortunately, she lost."

"Yeah..." he added unconsciously. 'So that's why she wanted to win so badly.'

"You know, sometimes I think her Dadi's trick would have brought her victory, although it was wrong."

"Trick?" Laksh asked, genuinely confused.

"Don't you know? Her Dadi tried to make her win with her connections. But Ragini refused. She would rather lose than cheat."

"Oh." Laksh's eyes softened as he turned to look at Ragini, serving the kids. He could see real happiness in Ragini's smile as she watched them eat. 'Is it me, or does she seem more beautiful now?'

As he heard the kids laughing, he knew why Ragini said it's riches couldn't be compared.

She really was unique.

Laksh paused in his thoughts.

Was he placing her over all other girls? Even Swara?

Swara's name made him realize that he hadn't thought about her the entire time.

"Laksh?"

"Yes ma'am?"

"Ragini might seem soft, but she's strong. She can cross oceans for her closed ones. However, she loves you and it's become her greatest weakness. Don't break her."

Laksh nodded, but avoided meeting her eyes. He felt guilty.

Laksh shook his head. 'Stop it Laksh! You hate here remember? Don't let these things change you. It's nothing!'

Yet, he knew it was much more than nothing.

"Laksh, Come! They want to play a match. We can join in!"

"What?! But Ragini, it's childish!"

"Oh, come on!" Ragini grabbed his hand and dragged him outside.

#5.30 pm#

Ragini breathed in the salty ocean air and watched the sun set over the horizon.

"Here." Laksh handed her the coconut with a straw, and sipped from his own.

"Thank you." she smiled at him and looked back at the sky. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"More than words can describe." Laksh admitted. He smiled to himself and turned to her. "Thanks."

Ragini looked at him in question. "For what?"

"For today. I really enjoyed today."

And he really did.

Yes, he enjoyed spending time with Swara. But it was always about watching movies or silly fights.

Today, he spent time with kids, played with them. There was a kind of innocent happiness in their smiles that spread to him. He felt free and unburdened, a feeling he hadn't felt for a long time.

"I had amazing day too. Thanks for coming with me. I'm glad we could end our last day on a good note."

Laksh looked at her in alarm. "Last day?"

Ragini let out a sigh. "I know about your feelings for Swara. I could see the secret glances you give her."

"Oh." Laksh flinched. He felt like an idiot thinking he was fooling Ragini. "I'm sor-"

"Don't be. It's okay. After all, the heart is free to decide of its own." she smiled at him. "I don't want to tie you down to a relationship you don't want. So I'll go and tell my family to break the marriage. But I wanted to spend one last day together. Just you and I."

Laksh could only nod, not knowing how to reply.

Ragini stood up and grinned. "I know I was clingy to you. But what could I do? I was hopelessly in love. But it's time I let go. It's one-sided love after all."

"What about your Dadi? Will she accept your decision?"

Ragini looked down in worry. "She was boasting all over the neighbourhood My decision will really make her angry. She might not even talk to me." however, Ragini looked up with a smirk, and a thumbs-up. "Don't you worry! I'll get her to talk to me after a few days. It'll be hard, but I'm irresistible."

"Yeah, you're a cute teddy bear who can hug everything better." Laksh joked. Nevertheless, he could see her in a new light now.

She wasn't just some girl who's easily breakable. She was strong in heart and mind. She cared deeply for her family and friends, and would go an extra mile for them. 'How could I have hated her? I'm ashamed at myself. I...I kinda like her now. Maybe we can be good friends.'

"You must see me as a villain, no?"

"No!" Laksh got up abruptly to defend her. "You're not the villain."

"But I'm between you and Swara."

"It's not your fault." he pacified. And he meant it.

There was silence as they watched the calming waves and the orange sky.

"I had been curious. Why do you like me?" he questioned suddenly. 'If she answers it's my looks and personality, then maybe I could convince her otherwise. Maybe she'll fall out of love.'

Ragini shrugged. "It's not that I wanted to love you. It's more like conditioning."

Laksh blinked. That was certainly not a response he was expecting. "Conditioning?"

"I haven't been in relationships before. So all romance I learnt was from fairy tales and movies. When Dadi showed me your picture, you became my Prince Charming. She talked about how our married life would be so amazing that I began creating an imaginary world of our own."

"So...so there's nothing specific that you like about me?"

"I don't know. I mean, I've loved you for so long, it hurts to let go. But I...I think if I can will myself to love a guy I didn't know, I can will myself to fall out of love too."

Ever felt the feeling of enjoying a  samosa, but suddenly you bite a panch-phoran? Yeah, it's worse than bitter.

His ego felt hurt. And somewhere...jealous?

That's what Laksh felt right then. While he felt happy that Ragini could love another, he felt really uncomfortable with the fact.

"I've enjoyed my time. Let's go!" Ragini grabbed her bag. "We've got to tell the truth soon, no?"

Right now, he was less worried about his father's wrath, than about Ragini with a new boyfriend.

Would she care for him? Kiss him?What if he hurts her?!

'I'm more confused than a rubix cube.' he sighed and grabbed her hand. "Stay for a bit?"

Ragini chuckled. "Swara being here would be better, eh?"

Laksh shrugged. "Maybe. But we would end up fighting. It's more peaceful now."

"Choosing serenity over flirting? Thats new." she joked.

Laksh smirked. "Maybe." he still had her hand in his. 'Maybe, I am. I think things are changing. And maybe...maybe I'll grow to like it.'

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Hope it matches the scene and turned out well. Do check it out Jammu! 🤗

Next ones :

1. AshwiniNakshathra

2. anju434

3. Dharani17

Votes and comments most welcome. Thanks!

~ 🌹 Mona 🌹