When our Lives Intertwined

Chapter 13

(Radhika D. = Radhika Dhopavkar)

Third person pov.

Ajinkya Rahane offered Radhika to stay at her house as it was festival time and no one wanted her to spend it alone at a hotel room. Without anyone's realization Radhika had slowly crept Into everyone's heart. Everybody now had started considering her one among them. Especially since Virat and KL had met her and been with her for the longest time they knew she was a kind hearted girl and adored her like their own little sister and therefore no one liked the idea of her staying alone at a hotel and that too on a festival.

Ajinkya and his wife stayed at Kholi Sharma's residence for dinner. No doubt Ajinkya did his share of kan khichai of Dev for running away like that but at the end of day everyone was just happy to have everyone at the dinner table. The dinner table was full of laughter and joy. There was a lot of scolding, teasing and all and all fun. Radhika absorbed all the happiness from the table, mostly being silent and just laughing. She too had started considering everyone on that table as her own family.

She won't deny she had her own family, A well to do family but there were a lot of other things as well. She didn't tell anyone but she too had her own battles which she has fought or sometimes ran away from. She looked okay but her soul was not at peace and she tried to leave everything behind her and start the new day with new hope. Happiness in her life was rare so she used to make every minute count.

After dinner Ajinkya and his wife took a leave and said to Radhika "We are waiting downstairs near the car. Jaldi aa jana." Ajinkya said with a smile and went downstairs. She said bye and hugged everyone. When she said bye to Mrs. Padikkal she bent down to take her blessings as she was leaving. Mrs. Padikkal with a smile gave her blessings. Dev then said "Chalo mai tumhe neeche tak chod deta hu." Carrying her bag. She nodded and went outside with him. As Dev and Radhika walked outside Mrs Padikkal asked KL "Vese ye Radhika exactly hain koun?" Athiya then said "Come I will tell you everything in detail." Athiya then sat down on a sofa with Mrs. Padikkal and Chandani. Athiya then told them the whole story. She said how they met her through Trusha and all the other things.

Mrs Padikkal listened to everything with Chandni having a knowing smile. "So that's the story. Radhika hum sab ko hi ek achi ladki lagti hai." Said Athiya looking at everyone sitting around. "Ha achi ladki to hai." Said Mrs Padikkal with a smile. Chandni then said "Amma apne ek baat notice ki. Apna Dev jo ladikyon se Durr baghta hai kese Radhika ka aaram se friend bangaya.". Mrs Padikkal laughed and said "Acha hai kuwara to nahi marega." At once, Virat said "Are Amma mene same bola tha." Said Virat and everybody laughed

Dev kept the bag in Ajinkya's car and then turned towards Radhika. Radhika didn't know why but had an uneasy feeling leaving him. She has never had difficulty in leaving but now she didn't know why but something felt wrong in leaving. These past two days she somewhat got used to Dev. It sounded crazy but she thought she was gonna miss him.

Dev too was facing a difficulty in saying goodbye to her. To him he was used to saying goodbye to his family. He was mostly out to play and had numerous goodbyes but this one seemed difficult. He didn't know why but he didn't want her to leave, at least so early. He was getting used to her. Her loud unapologetic laugh, her mschiefs, her smile, and the thing he had got used to the most was looking into her eyes. It's a treat to be around her. As for him she is this little ball of energy, positivity and happiness.

They both knew she had to leave as she had no reason to stay so she smiled bitterly and said "Bye." He too nodded at her keeping his hands in his pockets and said "Bye." There was silence in between them so she went for a goodbye hug but at the same time he went for a handshake. They both laugh awkwardly and then he goes for a hug but she puts her hand ahead for a handshake. Now they both genuinely laugh at each other silliness. Radhika then put her hand forward for a handshake and he too shaked hands with her locking their hands a bit longer. Radhika then smiled and got into the car.