Pure Passion

Part 18

So you are not interested to meet the boy your son loves. Kamla held her hand to cover her ears and tears falling from her eyes she wailed. Devaaa!!!! What all will I get to hear??? Kalpi has gone mad!!!! She goes to her and for the first time ever in Kalpi's life she cups her face and tells her...Cry Kalpi cry!!! If you keep such a big pain to yourself you will go mad my dear! I know from childhood you had loved no one else but Prem. He was your everything. Please Kalpi cry!!!! Kalpi felt bad that Kamla was actually worried for her and also felt guilty that she found Kamla's antics a bit amusing...like those Kektaa serials! Aai must be watching too many serials these days she thought!!! She looked up to Prem with wide eyes asking him to come and handle the situation but Prem as usual stood in a corner. He was not able to face his mother's eyes which were filled with expectations in them for him and his success. And what has he done? He failed her. He hung his head in shame!Kalpi nodded her head in disapproval! She muttered to herself, dunno why people fall in love if they are so scared to admit it!!Aai she called out to Kamla she held her and made her sit on the sofa and went and got her a glass of water. She looked at her baba who was sitting with his right hand pinching on the edge of his nose between the eyes. He seemed disturbed too! However she thanked her stars that he did not react wildly!Aai I never loved Prem! Kaay! (what??) asked Kamla, her glass almost slipping off her hand. It was you Aai who always kept me with him and no one else! I had no friends other than Prem. I hadnt gone out or met or even talked to other guys or seen any of them as my future life partner. You never gave me the freedom to fall in love. Prem was the only guy in my world and in such circumstances when you asked me to marry him I thought what could be better when I knew him from childhood we were best friends plus I could continue to live with my Aai-Baba.However I realised I was so wrong. The one person on whom I depended solely broke my trust! Our trust Aai! Prem knew about his preference even before our marriage. He should have talked to us. Who knows I might still have married to him because I am indebted and obliged to you all. You have given me everything. Baba has always considered me as his princess! All my needs were fulfuilled. But then Aai what Prem did was wrong! However I do realise now that he was equally confused and afraid to reveal the truth. But thats not all. He can never give me the happiness to give you a grandchild that you have been asking since past 6 months now!Do you really want me to carry the weight of this dead relationship over my shoulders throughout my life? I will do so if you want to! But then I will certainly not be happy as I will have nothing to give this family and will end up hating myself and you all for destroying my life! Which I certainly do not want to! I love you all and want to respect you all for whatever you all have done for me. Aai keep yourself in my place and think for a moment. Would you have...?Kamla wiped her tears and thought carefully. As if she was retrospecting herself over the years. Kalpi was right! How could she force Kalpi to stay in this relationship. What would she answer her best friend after her death? Will she be able to face her? She had promised her that she would take care of Kalpi but she failed. She had wanted Prem to marry Kalpi to ensure Kalpi's happiness as she was worried what if some other man married her and tortured her or her inlaws turned bad and abused her? But what has she done unknowingly?? She destroyed Kalpi's life! Vitthal was right! She walked upto Prem and held his hands with fresh tears in her eyes. Why my child? Why did you cheat me? I had such high expectations from you! If you did not like Kalpi then why did you agree to the marriage? I thought you liked her. You both used to spend nights with your study and looked so happy with each other. She always knew what you wanted and you too then what went wrong my child???Prem fell on her feet begging forgiveness but she stepped backwards saying he is not the one to ask forgiveness but she should ask forgiveness from both of them.She fell at Kalpi's feet and Kalpi sprang back in surprise. I am sorry Kalpi Vitthal was right I am your culprit! Stop it Aai! Kalpi lifted her up. She has never seen her strong Aai so broken and helpless in her entire life. Kamla was a very strong woman. She had never seen Kamla crying even with the financial troubles or in her pain and her ill health but today Kamla looked completely shattered. All her hopes and dreams had crumbled to pieces and she had nothing left! Kalpi felt sorry! Somehow she managed to pacify them all and to change the mood she said she would get the dinner ready, when Kamla surprised her telling call for dinner and no need to make it. Kalpi did the same. Kamla kept looking at her the way she was trying to calm everyone down. Trying to cheer up Prem and Baba and her. She looked at her carefully. She saw something different, this was surely not her Kalpi! Something has changed in her. Her face was all glowing and shining. Her confidence oozing from her actions. Not once she looked apologetic. Not once did she ask for forgiveness which she normally did even if it was not her fault. Kamla's stomach churned at the thought and she choked. Yesss!!!! She could see it! Which woman would take all this chaos so lightly and still have that glow on her face? She looked angelic and very beautiful and so calm. She just seemed to know what she has to do.Is she?..Is she preg...? No no...can't be.. she just said Prem cant have children. She certainly is in love! Who could be this guy? She did join office recently. Oh no! She has never mingled with any man other than Prem...who is no longer a man, she sighed!I hope she has not fallen for any wrong man. How will I find out? She will think I am interfering in her life again. Vitthal? She called out to her husband. Vitthal Please this is serious... What is it Kamla ? asked Vitthal a bit irritated.I need to talk to you about Kalpi now. They both went into the room and Kamla shared her worries with Vitthal. The bell rang and food had arrived. Kalpi called out to them saying the food is served.They both walk out of the room and sit on the dining table, Vitthal sneaked glances at Kalpi to check what Kamla said was true and he indeed felt the same. Kalpi was glowing and felt so much at peace with herself. It was surprising! She used to be so shy and so worried all the time. And today she handled the things so maturedly. Not a single tear! She even back answered Kamla today which she had not done in all these years. If what Kamla suggested is true then who could that man be? They both were hesitant to talk to Kalpi about it. As it is because of them she was in this mess today, now further if they interfere in her life and anything goes wrong she would never forgive them. Atleast now she was talking to them and behaving as if nothing ever happened.Prem admired her too! He went to the kitchen held her hand and hugged her! Thank you so much Kalpi!Your fellow is really great he has changed you completely!Kalpi blushed and smiled and hugged Prem back! She felt good to share her happiness with her best friend!I want to meet Ashu too! When are you introducing him to me?This time Prem looked sheepish...soon! Before leaving I will see to it that he meets you all. I dunno how aai baba will react!What about his folks? asked Kalpi only to be replied that he has no one other than his brother who is not in touch with him once he came to know his brother is a gay!Oh poor thing! exclaimed Kalpi! ok Prem I am really tired so calling it a day. I have to go to office too na! By the way, what have you told Rohan? After all he is our business partner and he has the right to know that now I will be taking your place. Hope he agrees. Oh he will! He has always liked you! Shut up Prem! He is a married man now! Yeah I know but beware of him. He is a bit teda types. I dont have a nice feeling about him when it comes to you. If he comes to know we have divorced, I am sure he will try to woo you!Oh shut up Prem! I dont think so! Moreover if he acts oversmart I will give him a nice and crisp slap on his face. Prem laughed at her confidence! and hugged her goodnight!Kamla watched them and was surprised how after all this her children were still friends! What did I do Deva? What did you do? Why did you make my child like this? Why? Vitthal held her from her shoulders and took her along. Come Kamla you need to get some sleep!

On the other hand at Raghav's mansion:

Sammy kept looking at Raghav who was oblivious to anyone watching him. He just had that smile pasted on his face throughout!He still was amazed at her boldness when she had told him that she had told her husband about him! What guts! She is the perfect woman to be Mrs Singhania! Oh God! Sammy interrupted are we going to office today or not? You dont seem to be in the mood to work today! Raghav blushed and said naaa I seriously am thinking to change my profession and pursue my hobby!What? And what is your hobby? Singing? How many years have passed Rags you must have forgotten to sing. Though I miss that old band of our college! What fun it was... Rags smiled! It was only her who reminded him who he really was. It was her who had shown him the mirror his true self. He was an artist and how did he become a shrewd businessman over the years even he didnt know!Once in the office Rags could still not put her out of his head.Twice he ended up calling his secretary Juliet (her name was Julie) and she blushed correcting him sir its Julie!Rags was irritated. God I want her in my office. Wish I knew what she is good at then I could ask her to get a job here in my office! Then I could just see her the whole day!She was like a drug to him. He was getting addicted to her day by day. In the evening he left the office early surprising everyone as he used to be the one to stay late and leave the office last. He rushed home and freshened up. He was hungry and asked his cook to prepare poha...he just felt like having it.But when he ate it...it certainly did not taste the same. Juliet what have you done to me! You have spoiled me! Do you really have to be so good in everything.At night both went to bed at their respective houses. They tossed and turned in their beds missing each other. Kalpi felt as if she is missing her vital body part. She used to feel so complete to sleep in his arms and she wanted him right now! She needed him and she missed him. Rags missed his Juliet and her warm soft body that clinged to him wanting him. He had loved that feeling of being wanted of providing security and warmth to someone. She made him feel complete and now he was so incomplete. His throat went dry and he reached out for his phone and texted her. Missing you! The moment the phone buzzed she leapt to pick it knowing it would be him. She blushed and smiled on reading the text and she replied...not more than me!Guess what? I am getting divorced soon. Rags literally jumped on the bed and came to a sitting position. Dont tell me! he typed. I just did sweets, replied Kalpi. Even parents are ok now. Hope everyting is back to normal soon.By the way do you know of any place where I could rent an apartment? Am planning to move out! Cant see aai baba so guilty!It was so tempting for Rags to call to his place! After all he had such a big house! But he couldnt. For the first time he regretted lying to Kalpi!Let me see! Will let you know if I find one he replied.Ok gudnite nw have a long day tomorrow! I am going to meet Mr Raghav Singhania's manager!!!!A chill ran down his spine! What the hell? What on earth is happening? She is meeting Sammy and I dont even know about it?What? Pardon!! RS??? The same guy!! Why?Kalpi giggled. Stop being jealous...too technical for you to understand! Byeee wish me luck gudnite.!!!! Rags panicked. He called up Sammy!He woke him from his sleep and asked him for the next day's schedule! Who all are you meeting tomorrow?Sammy answered in his sleep...few names and company names...but none of them called Juliet!Rags smacked his forehead! Ofcourse thats not her real name...I dont even know the company she is representing!Oh God!!!! Not so soon! Not so soon! She will never talk to me if she comes to know the truth!!! I haven't yet confessed my feelings to her fully!He could not go back to sleep!But Kalpi slept peacefully with a smile on her lips for she had nothing to hide from anyone. A pure heart and soul that she was she went to sleep like a baby the moment her head hit the pillow... after so many days.