My Heart still Longs to Go Back - RagSan

The pieces are Set

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'words in single quotes'- Thoughts

Important :

Some of the next chapters are private. No mature content though. Chill.
😉😉😉

Chapter 5 - The pieces are set

"Rishi, your tea."

Rishi looked up from his work. "Thanks Tanuja" Rishi took a sip and resumed what he was doing.

"Rishi at least have something with it. You haven't eaten anything since breakfast." Said Tanuja

"This deal is really important. I need to make sure that there is no mistake on my part, so that the other company can't take advantage." Rishi said without looking up from his work.

"You've handled such deals before. Why are you so worried about this one?"

"Worried? Don't be silly. I'm not worried. I'm just being careful and well prepared."

Tanuja laid a hand on Rishi's shoulder. "Is it because the deal is with the Maheshwaris?"

Rishi tensed, which confirmed Tanuja's suspicions.

"Rishi.... I know you hate those two, but from what Ragu has told me, I think you are wrong in mistrusting them so much."

"I don't hate them. I just don't like them. They are immature, selfish boys who just care about themselves."

"Not liking them is same as hating them."

"No. It's different. I did hate them once, when I blamed them for Sneha's death. But I realized I was being irrational. I shouldn't blame them for something that they didn't do. But I still think that they were irresponsible and immature. That's why I don't like them."

"Rishi..... What's the real reason you're so stressed over it?"

"I told you. I don't want them ruining our business. I want them gone as soon as the deal is over."

"You cannot lie to me Rishi. What's the real reason? Tell me." Tanuja said, grabbing Rishi's chin and making him look in her eyes.

Rishi knew it was useless lying to her. She knew him too well. "It's.... It's Ragini."

"What about Ragini?"

"My family is my life. You, Mani, Ragini and even Swara. You all are precious to me. And I don't want anything to happen to any of you. Although I stopped blaming then for Sneha's death, but I still fear that if....if they stay here, then Ragu will fall in love with one of them, and then....what if.. What if they do something careless like before and Ragini pays for it! What if she dies!" Rishi said, looking distressed.

'O Rishi. Always thinking about others. I'm really lucky to have you in my life' thought Tanuja with a smile.

"Come and sit beside me" Tanuja patted the seat near her.

She took his hand in hers when he sat down.

"Look Rishi, whatever happened in the past, it was fate. You, me, Sanskar, Laksh.... No one is to blame. Everyone has to go at some point of time. No matter how hard you try, you cannot control fate. You think keeping Ragini away from then will keep her safe... But what if one of them is her true love, what if by keeping her away, you're stealing away her happiness forever. She may remain safe all her life, but she may remain sad.... And it's better to be able to live little but happily, then live a long lonely life."