"There is something extraordinary about the first time falling."
-Ally Condie
Saira gulped seeing so many stairs, as she twisted her ankle.. Walking now is quite difficult..
Raghu noticed her painful expression, "Shall I help?" He extended his hand... If he follow her he will get to see this Khushimaa... Won't he?
"How?" Her big doe like eyes were twinkling at his brown eyes..
"Simple." He picked her up in his arms.. Climb the stairs all the way up, made her sit and helped her with her ankle by twisting it...
"Ahh.." She winched in pain...
"Shh.. It is OK now.. The pain is gone.." He blow softly.. Making her feel better.. She is amazed at his soft tone...
"It's like magic! I'm alright now..." She said in surprise, he smile at her..
She realised all of a sudden, "My maa will be waiting for me.. Please excuse me..." She rushed back to where Khushi is...
Raghu followed her path, saw no one but her with her sister...
"Khushimaa said she is feeling dizzy, she is resting in the car.." Other girl said.
"Varsha, I already told her to not fast but she is not listening to me.. But she keeps telling me that your brother is still alive and she is fasting for him.. I don't know what to say anymore..." Saira said with concern...
Varsha sighed.. And finally asked her with mischievous tone." So who is that? "
That reminded Saira that she forgot to ask for his name..
She run back to search for him..
Raghu who served purpose to follow Saira any longer walk back....
"Hey! White shirt!" She called him..
He turned back and raised his eyebrow at her way of calling him.
She stopped before him, gasp to breathe.. Making him amused at her..
"What?"
"What's your name?" She asked him.
"Me?" He pointed at himself...
"Haan you.." She replied.
He smiles, "You don't know me? I am quite famous for my face you know? Anyways I'm Raghuvendra Pratap Rathore."
Saira was dumbstruck by his long name...
"See ya.."He turned back and walks away without her reply..
Varsha came running after Saira shook her." Di! Who is he? "
" Handsome right... So charismatic.. "Saira mumbled.
" I don't think he shares the same feeling, don't imagine anything weird.. "Varsha warned her..
Saira pouted her at her.
" If dad know of this he won't spare us.. Let's go back home. " Varsha pulled Saira out..
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Khushi returned home with her both daughters...
Arnav was busy reading his files, Varsha ran in and gave him a hug.. He strokes her hand.. He laughed.
Varsha is dad's pet after all, while Saira is mom's favourite child.
They are small but sweet family...
Khushi wipes her tears, how wonderful would it be if her son was here....
Khushi clear her throat, "Varsha your grades are getting worse and worse nowadays, go back study..."
Varsha stomps her foot on the groud and dragged Saira along with them..
Arnav patted the seat near him, indicate her to see beside him, which she did.
"How long do you intend to suffer Khushi.." He asked.
"He is my son, as long as I breath... I can't possibly forget him.." She said with teary eyes.
"He is no more.. You.. Saw his grave." He said calmly taking her hand in his.
"I know.. Still in my heart I believe that he somewhere out there.. He is on his way to us..." She told stubbornly.. Only to making Arnav sighed more..
Arnav decide divert her mind.. "Aman is going London for three years, he is asking us to look after Saira.."
Khushi smiles a bit, "She is our daughter, of course we can!"
"Khushi.." He was saying her name softly as if in a soft caress, "I.. I will always there for you.. Till my last breath.."
Arnav is still waiting for her yes, after all these years... Raghu was right... He is stubborn, like son like father...
Yet Khushi's silence is showing how much she is afraid of marriage...
She likes the way they are living now...
Two years after Saira came.. She and Arnav had Varsha, they registered their marriage forsake of formalities.
Khushi is still afraid of wedding... To this day...
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Raghu's eyes were closed by a soft hands, "Sakshi?" She let go of him.
"I'm back my darling!" She threw herself on him, he hugged her back said, "I missed you!"
Rashmi gasped seeing them, "She was away for only a month! Yet you're acting like she was away for a war or something,"
They broke their hug and laughed at Rashmi for being jealous.
Raghu gave his mother a warm hug, "My mom is the best!"
"My dear aunty is the best!" Sakshi also join the hug.
Noticing how close they both are to each other.. Rashmi said suddenly, "If you can't stay apart, why don't you guys get marry instead?"
"No way! Marriage is for losers!" They both reacted in same way...
Rashmi rolled her eyes at them, "I don't know what to say to you both!" She left hold her head.
Sakshi expression changes, "Raghu can't we just stay like this?"
Raghu sighed, "Sakshi.. I'm here for you.. Don't think about the past." He assured her.
"You're the only one for me..." She mumbled.
____________
Two and half years later.....
Saira hides away the magazine where Raghu appeared in its front page.
But Varsha's eyes are fast enough, "Your crush is still going on strong?" She asked mockingly.
"I'm going to be his wife one day! I am sure of it!" Saira said confidently..
Varsha rolled her eyes at her sister, "Don't fly so high... You will fall if he suddenly announces his marriage.."
Saira ignored her words, took the magazine and hold it close to her heart.. "I trust on my destiny.. He is destined to be my man."
Varsha huffed, "I don't understand what made you so into him..."
Saira smile with glee, "His smile.. And how soft he can be to me..." She kissed the magazine, "He carried me like a princess..."
"He would have done the same to anyone in that situation." Varsha said sarcastically.
Saira pouted feeling angry.. "Why are being so negative? You don't find him handsome?"
Varsha made face hearing that, "Him!? No way, he looked a lot like Papa! It's weird.." She huffed and left.
Leaving confused looking Saira behind..
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At same time,
Arnav put down the same looking Magazine on his table, sighed..
He answered the call by his PA Jay....
" Sorry ASR, But Mr.Rathore didn't agree to meet you."
Arnav cut the call feeling frustrated, Raghu... He still exists somehow...
The same fellow who disappeared in front of his very eyes.. His supposed son from future...
For some reason Raghu is refusing to meet him...
My son... Your mom is still waiting for your arrival..
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Sakshi looked at Raghu in confusion, "Why did you refuse to meet ASR?" She knew very how Raghu used to admire ASR..
"Because... My intuitive telling me to not see him... Meeting isn't a right thing.. I WON'T ASSOCIATE WITH HIM OR ANYONE RELATED TO HIM." his every words punctuated.
To be continued...
Next chapter-ACCIDENTAL MEETING