Hi there! Back with the 24th OS. Hope you like it!

Scene created / Idea credit : SweetyJaanu5

I couldn't think an awesome one on this exact idea, so made some changes buddy. Hope you won't mind. ❤

Moving on...💃💃💃

"Words in double quotes." - Talking.

'Words in single quotes.' - Thoughts

Timeline : After Laksh and Ragini's marriage.

Her Secret

Laksh woke up to the sound of Ragini's soft singing in the middle of the night. He smiled as he watched her face in the moonlight as she sat on the window sill. There was something ethereal about how beautiful she looked.

However, Laksh noticed that she looked...sad. 'What could have happened? I think I know a place where I can hide the body if I need to go on a murder sprint because of whoever upset my wife. How dare they!? Just how jkugtffghnhjdbwhdhwhjk HOW!?' he was broken out of his thoughts by her words.

"When will I finally be able to hold mine and Laksh's son in our arms? When will I be able to sing our child lullabies?"

Laksh gasped, quickly putting his hand over his mouth making sure Ragini doesn't hear.

To say he was shocked would be an understatement. He never knew she wanted a child. Why did she never tell him?

"I wish I can hold my own child...our child in my arms."

Laksh abruptly closed his eyes when he saw her turn her head. He heard some shuffling and the sound of footsteps getting closer.

"But I won't ask any of those things from you Laksh. I...I won't. I'll pretend I'm okay and I shall wait till you are ready."

He heard her stiffled sniff.

All Laksh wanted to do was open his eyes and pull her into a hug. She was only a grasp away. And yet...yet, he feared she would close up entirely if he revealed that he heard everything.

"I'm sorry for hiding my wish from you Laksh. But...but..." Ragini sucked in a deep breath.

Laksh heard footsteps and then, the click of the washroom door. It was only then did he open his eyes to stare at the closed door. 'You've been hiding such a big truth from me Ragini? Why?! You said you were happy. You said you didn't want a child now. Then why lie? Is it...is it because you still do not trust me fully?'

Laksh felt his past guilt arise and gnaw at his heart. His ignorance of Ragini, his betrayal by marrying Kavya and betraying Ragini's trust. Laksh didn't blame Ragini if this was why she didn't trust him to be able to raise a family yet. She might still be insecure he might leave her.

"But I won't...never Ragini! And I did everything to prove that I've changed...that I really love you. It's no act. Yet, you still doubt my sincerety?" Laksh let out a shaky sigh. "I'm not mad. I still blame myself for all the past things I did. So, I think it's only natural that trust won't come easily. But...why did you lie about your promise to me?" he questioned aloud, looking at the closed door with moist eyes.

*flashback*

"Ragini please...I know you always tell me you've forgotten the past and are looking forward to a new life with me. But I still feel I've not done enough to prove myself to you. I don't deserve you!"

Ragini put a hand over his mouth and poked his nose. "Shut up, stupid husband of mine. You don't have to do anything more. I know that you've changed...and that you've fallen for the amazing me." she joked with a wink.

"How can you be so sure? Even I'm not sure that I'll be able to be the deserving guy."

"Because this knows." Ragini uttered, placing her hand over where her heart was. "And I promise on our love, that I trust you and there's no past resentment towards you."

*flashback end*

Laksh slowly leaned back and turned around to act as if he were sleeping. He heard her come out of the washroom and get on the bed. He could still hear her shaky sighs, making him feel all the more miserable.

'I'm not angry or sad that you still bear resentment against me. But what I feel sad about is that you lied about it by promising on our love. Our love! How could you do that as if our love is so fickle?! This is what hurts the most...' he squeezed his eyes shut, as if in physical pain. However, his salty tears leaked onto the pillow beneath his head.

#Next morning#

Pari watched the distracted Ragini serve the family members breakfast. She squinted her eyes when she noticed Laksh avoiding to look directly at Ragini.

Suddenly, the spoon in her hand fell on the floor when a thought crossed her mind. 'Did she tell Laksh?! Shit!'

"Is something wrong Parineeta?"

"Nothing Badi Maa. I...I just have to speak something to Ragini." with a smile she got up and headed towards the kitchen where Ragini was heading.

Once alone, Parineeta turned Ragini towards herself. "Are you getting selfish Ragini? I thought you were different."

Ragini looked at her in confusion. "I don't understand bhabi."

"As if!" Pari scoffed. "You told Laksh about your wish, didn't you? How could you?! I told you he doesn't want to be a father right now. I'm his bhabi much before you became his wife. I know him! Yet, you became selfish and tried to make him think otherwise?!"

"You're wrong bhabi?!"

"All you care about is getting the first child in this household so that he gets the property, don't you? You selfish girl!"

Ragini looked at her in disbelief. "How could you think such things about me?! I would never!"

"You don't care about Laksh. All you care about is money!"

"Enough bhabi. Don't you dare say I don't care about Laksh!" Ragini uttered in a broken voice. "I've kept myself away from even thinking about raising child because...because you said Laksh wouldn't want it. You said Laksh wanted to establish his own business first. And I know it might take a year, or even more! Still, I don't ask Laksh for a child even when I want to! You..." Ragini tried to stiffle her sobs. "You don't even know the taunts I hear from people saying I don't have children because Laksh only married me out of pity. They say someone who was wretched like me cannot be loved. Do you...do you even realize how much it hurts!?"

"I don't want your excuses. All I know is that you shouldn't have told Laksh ab-"

"I didn't! Why don't you understand?!"

Parineeta stared at her until she was sure Ragini wasn't lying. "Hmm...good then." with a smirk, she turned to leave.

However, to Ragini's shock and Parineeta's horror, they found Laksh standing there, glaring at Parineeta.

"La-Laksh! I..."

"I knew there must be a reason Ragini didn't tell me the truth. So you're the reason."

"La-"

"Enough! I've heard what I needed." without another word, he walked past her and stood before Ragini with a stern look. "I'm your husband, aren't I?"

"I-"

"Yes, or no?"

Ragini flinched at his harsh tone. "Yes."

"So, whatever the matter is, you and I both deserve equal rights to choose what's best in our relationship. Isn't it?"

"Y-Yes."

"Then why would you go listen to her?! Shouldn't I be the one you should tell if something is troubling you?!"

Ragini looked down to hide her tears. "I...I was so afraid of ruining our relationship that I didn't have the courage to tell you anything."

Laksh glared hard, making Ragini fear the worst. 'I ruined everything!'

However, all she felt was a knock on the forehead and a chuckle.

"You idiot. You don't have anything to fear. I love you and there's nothing in the world that would change it."

Ragini looked up teary eyed. "You're...you're not mad at me?"

"At first I was thinking you made a fake promise. But now I realize the real matter." Laksh brought her closer with one hand and glared over at Parineeta. "Bhabi, I don't know why you're harassing Ragini. But if I find you doing this one more time...I'll forget that we're related. There is nothing in this world that would stop me from harming you."

"How dare you threaten me?!"

"Oh I can do more than just threaten you. Like tell the family about your mental pressure on Ragini if you don't leave right now."

Parineeta grit her teeth, but stormed off in anger.

"Thank you for being there for me Laksh." Ragini uttered with a smile.

Laksh smiled and hugged her. "I heard what you said about people's taunts. Don't pay it attention. People gossip. But what I feel for you won't change even if they show me your ugliest side. Because I love not only your best, but also your flaws as well. It's what makes you, you...what makes you my Ragini." he broke the hug and kissed her forehead. "Understand?"

Ragini didn't speak, but responded by kissing him. She knew words won't be enough to show how much she loves him.

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

Hope you like it buddy. 🤗

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~ 🌹Mona🌹