Mischievous Eyes

Chapter 10 - Malang

Mumbai

Raghav woke up the next day with a HUGE headache, “ AAARRRGGGHHHHHHH !!!!!! “ Raghav screamed while holding his head, kicking the covers in anger, he got up from bed and padded downstairs, where his dad, mom and Sammy were at the dinning hall having breakfast, “ good morning beta “ Gauri said cheerfully, Raghav just growled some response and sat down beside Sammy and looked at the food in front of him, “ been drinking again I see “ Vikram said, Raghav looked at his dad and took a sip of his coffee.

“ Raghav we need to speak to you,” Vikram said after they finished their breakfast, they made their way to the hall and sat down. “ Raghav now that you are 30 and you have already secured your place in the company, it’s time for you to settle down “ Vikram said, Raghav looked at his dad in shock, “ what ??!! you want me to get married ? “ Raghav asked, both Vikram and Gauri nodded, “ we have already found a bride for you “ Gauri said, Raghav got up quickly, “ NO !!! I would not do it !!! “ Raghav said in anger, “ You can kick and scream all you want Raghav, but our mind has already been made up, next week is your engagement “ Vikram said sternly, “ But dad I’m not ready to get married “ Raghav said sitting down again, trying to convince his dad in calling off this engagement, “ your 30 Raghav, it’s time “ Vikram said. Raghav sighed and laid his head back onto the sofa, he knew he can’t win this argument, once his dad makes his mind up, there is no going back, “ who is this girl ? do I know her “ Raghav asked, Vikarm and Gauri both nodded and smiled, “ Kalpana Jadhav “ Vikram said. Raghav thought he heard wrong, “ who ? “ Raghav asked again, “ Kalpana Jadhav, Sarita and Balraj Jadhav’s daughter “ Gauri said, Raghav looked at his mom and then his dad “ are you serious ? “ Raghav asked, Vikram and Gauri looked at each other and then back at Raghav “ yes….is something wrong ? “ Vikram asked, “ I need to think “ Raghav said as he got up and headed upstairs to his room.

“ YOU WANT ME TO GET ENGAGE TO WHO !!!!?? “ Kalpi asked in shock to her parent. Balraj broke the news to Kalpi that it on her 21’st birthday, she will be getting engaged to Raghav “ papa…..please “ Kalpi pleaded, “ I’m not ready…..I still want to experience life. I’m not ready to settle down, I’m just 20 “ Kalpi added, pleading to her dad, Balraj smiled and held her hands in his, “ I know beti….. but the world is a scary place, and the men out there…….well I just don’t trust them with my Maharani. So when Vikram suggested the idea I said yes. I know I should have asked you first before making a decision, but we made it 10 years ago, you were still very young, I just want you to be happy “ Balraj said, Kalpi looked at her dad and then her mom, “ I need to think this over “ Kalpi said, “ of course beti…..” Sarita said.

Raghav was lying in his bed when Sammy came in “ so I’m guessing your NOT happy with the arrangement ?? “ Sammy asked, Raghav looked at Sammy “ I did not say that “ Raghav said, “ then ?? “ Sammy asked, “ I don’t know……” Raghav said frustrated as he got up and sat cross-legged on his bed. Sammy nodded and sat down “ So what are you gonna do ? “ Sammy asked, Raghav ran his hands over his face and shook his head “ No idea “ Raghav replied.

“ Kalpu, are you ok ? “ Pakhi asked as she sat beside Kalpi in her bedroom ,” I’m fine Pakhi “ Kalpi said giving a small smile, “ are you sure ? “ Pakhi asked again, Kalpi looked at Pakhi and nodded…then shook her head, “ Pakhi…why now ? Why do I have to get married now ? “ Kalpi asked, “ Kalpu…it’s not marriage…its just an engagement, it’s different “ Pakhi said, “ still…..” Kalpi added looking out the window, “ Kalpu…if your scared just say it, don’t hide it “ Pakhi said, “ I’m not scared Pakhi…I’m just confused, and baffled that my parents did it “ Kalpi said, “ I know what they did was somehow wrong, but they are your parents and they want the best for you. You know Kalpu, I’m jealous of you “ Pakhi chuckled, “ jealous ? …me ? “ Kalpi started, “ because you have a wonderful family who cares and loves you and wants the best for you. I don’t have that, I don’t even see my parents, heck the only time I heard from them was 5 months ago, after that I have no idea where they are. “ Pakhi said sadly, “ Pakhi….you are like family to us….who say’s you don’t have a family, you do. You have us, maa and papa treat you like a daughter, for me your like a sister, we love you Pakhi, so there is nothing to be jealous about “ Kalpi said hugging Pakhi tightly, “ Thank you Kalpu….thank you so much, I don’t know how I managed to get a friend like you “ Pakhi said. Kalpi smiled.

After dinner, Kalpi decided to take a stroll. She walked up to her favorite bench and sat down thinking, that should she go though with this ? She was deep in thought when a car stopped in front of her, looking up, Kalpi found that it was Raghav’s car “ PERFECT !!!! “ Kalpi said, Raghav got out of the car and strode towards her, “ we meet again “ Raghav said coolly and sat down beside her, “ really Bappa ? you just had to bring him here now…..“ Kalpi asked while looking up, “ What do you want Singhania “ Kalpi asked, “ That’s not how you talk to your future husband “ Raghav said, “ correction we are not even married “ Kalpi said, “ true…but we ARE getting engaged “ Raghav smirked, “ not until for another week….so I still have time to talk to you however I want “ Kalpi said sarcastically. Raghav moved in his seat, “ I heard that you went to my dad for help “ Raghav said, “ yeah…so ? “ Kalpi asked, “ you could have just come to me…not going to my dad for help “ Raghav said . Kalpi chuckled “ but that’s no fun “ Kalpi said innocently, “ You think this is funny ? “ Raghav asked in anger, “ no…hilarious “ Kalpi replied, Raghav looked at her dead in the eye, “ what did you expect me to do ??!! you kept on sending me 10 letters a day….a DAY for the past 2 weeks “ Kalpi said. “ You rejected my offer earlier, so I had no choice “ Raghav said, “ offer ?? you were offering me the job ? oh my god this is so rich “ Kalpi said in shock and stood up, “ you were NOT offering me the job Mr. Singhania, you were commanding me to work for you. That is not offering “ Kalpi said, Raghav stood up and looked at Kalpi “ I was not commanding you in anything “ Raghav said, “ yes you were, the way you went about it is like a demand that I work for you, like I was not to work anywhere else except for you “ Kalpi said.

Raghav ran his hands through his hair and roughly grabbed Kalpi by her arms, “ THEN WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ME TO DO HUH ?? SHOULD I GET ON MY KNEES AND BEG YOU TO COME AND WORK FOR ME !!!!?? “ Raghav shouted at Kalpi, Kalpi looked at him and raised an eyebrow and jerked her way out of his hold “ If you really wanted me to work for you, then you should offer it to me like a REAL CEO of a company does, not send me love letters demanding I accept your offer. If it was John Abraham…then maybe yes “ Kalpi said sarcastically, “ your dad never did this you know “ Kalpi said, Raghav stopped pacing and looked at Kalpi, “ you worked for my dad ? “ Raghav asked in shock, Kalpi nodded “ I did. Every time I had a semester break, I would help out your dad in the office…when he was the CEO of course. “ Kalpi said calmly, “ so you would rather work for my dad, instead of me “ Raghav said irritated, “ You dad did not offer me the job, I offered to help him. Even though he did not want it. But the way you go about it is more of a command or demand than an offer “ Kalpi said looking at him. Raghav looked at Kalpi, he wanted to say something but stopped and turned his back on her . Kalpi sighed “listen…fine….I’ll come and work for you…for a month. That’s it “ Kalpi said, Raghav turned back “ a month ? “ Ragahav asked, “ that’s all “ Kalpi replied, “ so now you accept my so called offer “ Raghav said, “ I’m accepting it not because of you, but I’m accepting it for my parents. They have sacrificed too much for me, this the least I could do “ Kalpi said, “ so what you say Singhania ? deal ? “ Kalpi asked as she put her hands out, Raghav looked at Kalpi and then at her stretched out hand “ deal “ Raghav said and shook it. “ Ok then, I’ll start working for you from next week onwards “ Kalpi said as she picked up her bag and started walking “ don’t you want a lift ? “ Raghav asked “ I’m fine…I prefer to walk “ Kalpi said and walked way. Raghav watched as Kalpi walked away, a smiled crept on his lips, as he got into his car and drove back with a bright smile on his face.