My Heart still Longs to Go Back - RagSan

Why Did it Have to be This Way?

"Words in Double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 1 - Why Did it Have to be This Way

(Story begins 2 years before Rishi and Tanuja's marriage, when Ragini was best friends with Sanskar and Laksh.)

She rushed down the stairs with a piece of paper in her hands. She couldn't wait to show her two best friends, Sanskar and Laksh, her new song. Her excitement was like a child who got a new doll rather than a 16 year old teenage girl.

"Choti Malkin.... Malkin please slow down. What if you fall down and hurt yourself? Your brothers would kill me! "

She stopped in her tracks and looked back - "Lila, I told you... Call me Ragini or Ragu , like my brothers do. Why do you call me Malkin?"

Lila gave an awkward laugh and said "What to do Malkin, habits die hard. Besides I am only a servant."

"Lila, you have taken care of all three of us since the death of our Ma and Papa. You are like family to us. Please don't call yourself a mere servant."
Lila's eyes softened hearing this. "Malki-"

"You're calling me Malkin again." Ragini said while pouting.

"Okay okay.. I'm sorry Malk-- I mean Ragini. No one can win against you in words, can they? "

"Nope." Ragini said with a wink.

"Okay Ragini ji. So, will you tell me now why you were rushing down like a bat out of hell? "

Ragini's eyes widened "O no! I almost forgot. I had to show Sanky and Laksh my new song. See you later... Byeeee"

"Arree... Don't rush. Ragini! Ragini beta!" *Sigh* "This girl never listens! I wish all the best to whoever will be her future husband. He will need it. Good Lord!"

Ragini was about to reach for the gate when it was opened by Rishi on the other side. She was delighted to find them there.