Rejuvenating Love

7) Surrendering to his tactics?

We reached Mr. Ranjit Singh, city's reknown fashion designer's showroom. Raghav opened the door for me and helped me out. Inside the showroom Mr. Singh being Raghav's classmate welcomed us warmly. He congratulated us for a prosperous future. Designs after designs he went on exploring and showing Raghav but what was Raghav really searching for? I didn't understand. I was okay with 3 to 4 designs on Ranjit's laptop but they didn't please Raghav. I must say I am a bit choosy about my apparels but Raghav is super choosy. He finds and gets the one in a million kind of things.

"Ranjit! This is not what I expect from your hands known for finesse work. Show me something from your skills, your own manual works. Get me some real Ranjit works!" Raghav explained his ideas to Ranjit still searching for the unknown something in his mind. Even Ranjit looked bewildered at me listening to Raghav's demands. Ranjit's ogles asked me- What is your fiance really asking for? To him I just gave a 'I don't know look' shrugging my shoulders. Ranjit getting annoyed at Raghav's unending search, went on scrolling the designs and eventually Raghav's eyes fell on the special one. Thank god! This could be the final one atleast, I wished. Ranjit was reluctant to show us the designer matching saree and sherwani that he had to launch next month. But this had caught Raghav's eyes already. What next? He made up Ranjit's mind to give us that look for our engagement and as always to him the price never mattered. But I insisted to pay half the sum and Raghav never lets my self esteem down. He agreed to it. That's what happened during our college days too whenever we went for a treat. I remember. With a deep sigh of relief I recovered from the past when Raghav shook me and said, "next the rings!"

He then drove us to the jewellery shop where one of the salesgirls dressed in a very exposive way there asked Raghav in a very flirtatious tone- "How may I help you sir?" Others were just drooling over him. Why won't they? Owning a well chiseled body, sleeves folded up exposing his veins, light white shirt revealing much of his six packs, well lined jaws, persuasive eyes, a royal sharp nose, hair styled with gel he could make even the greek goddess of love, Aphrodite fall for him and these were mere salesgirls.

"Help us choose the best engagement rings" He said blinking an eye to her. What a player!!Uff!!!

When Raghav mentioned the words 'engagement ring' the fading colours at the face of the salesgirl was worth watching. I held his arms with all license now. Of course to let the girls know, I am his 'the great would-be-fiance'. These thoughts of show-off never stroke my mind before. Still holding him by his arm, I asked-

"Darling! How about one out of these five collections?" 

Raghav lifted up his romantic eyebrows which seemed as if they asked me - Howcome such a drastic fishy change in air?

I gave him a calm look and faced the salesgirl asking her to show another magnificent ring.

'Darling' wasn't for him to hear. It was for those souls there burning out of jealousy. And for him, I never call him by these boring lovey-dovey nick names. Our relationship has always been a lively one. The name Raghav itself always created a wave of romances in my mind.

"Sweetheart! Let's get all of them, we would get engaged all five times." He blinked. My face boasted off a smile full of blushes just for the girls there. But within my heart the words echoed - Player no.1.

I selected six out of the huge collections and ofcourse finally the choice has to be his because he has got the finest eyes to extract the best. He even recognises the skillful talents of Ranjit which even Ranjit himself is unaware of. I chose the only collection of Egyptian diamond ring for him and he admired my choice. Not to mention I and my choices are improving in his company again.

"Let's go for lunch." He said coming out of the jewellery shop.

'I am too tired to visit a restaurant. Some other time? Can we leave for home, please?'

"Okay then. Get into the car."

We returned home but I was so tired that I forgot to invite him home. Only an immediate bed could swipe away my weariness. Undoing the seat belt, I didn't wait for him to open the door for me. Infact I jumped out of his car and walked with much efforts with the bags to enter into my home. But he has got some decency. He came inside greeted papa, mumma at the drawing and muttered in my ears,"Why didn't you say me a bye atleast in the car?"

'I oh! I just forgot. I am already too tired to have lunch. I can't stand you see.'

"Trying to escape from me? You couldn't stand and wait for me. Isn't it? Now I'll freeze your foot to the place you stand." His wicked eyes reflected, something that he had already plotted in his devilish mind.

I raised my confused eyebrows to him.

"I spent the whole day with you. Don't I deserve something?" He demanded more through his innocent black orbs than his words.

'What do you want now?' I asked him in my casual and absent-minded way still checking out the shopping bags for the final time before I went to bed.

"A peck atleast, if not a lip-lock. It's been years I have tasted those red luscious plump lips of yours." 

The mischievous Raghav wishpered in my ears freezing me to death at the place I stood cause I was already facing my parent while listening to him. Blood through my veins further froze when he bent towards me slightly.

'What! Behave yourself Raghav! We are at my home. My parent are still standing here infront of us. Get into your senses.' Ceasing him from tilting further by my palms and c*****g my head away from him I checked if my parent noticed us. Thankfully they didn't being busy conversing between themselves.

I almost glared at him with wide eyes, muttering near his ears softly but full of wrath, and smiled to my parent who stood at some distance and by now had turned towards us; to keep them unaware of the deeds of their would be son-in-law.

"Next time be careful when you leave me abruptly in the car without conveying a proper goodbye." He laughed at me pitying my condition, and expressions; and left after bidding a bye to Mumma and Papa.

He thought I was taking pleas? I don't care if he thinks that I'm making excuses of knowingly insulting him by not inviting him home or not bidding him a really good 'bye'. I didn't have any energy left to get angry on him. So I went straight to my room, but mumma and Rashi went on exploring the shopping bags. Women you know. In the evening at 7P.M. I woke up from my nap when I my phone pinged- 'Hey'

"Who is this?" I texted back keeping my phone to the pillow and still lying on my bed. I am usually a stomach sleeper while texting.

'Forgot your ex- boyfriend so early?'

By now I had comfirmed who the person was. So I tried to play a bit more.

"Ex- boyfriend? Umm...6th or 7th?"

'Be careful when you talk regarding this to me.'

"Sorry wrong number." I tried testing his patience texting him.

'Kuhu! this is Raghav' My phone poped up the notification.

I chuckled . Only I can cut him to size. A smile spread across my face.

"Oh Raghav! I thought you to be someone else." Aww...I acted so innocent through the text. I giggled.

'Who were the bastards in a relationship with you after me? Who even dared to think of being with you?'

Anger purely reflected from his message. His blood must have boiled.

"No one after you". I fear his wrath for it converts into a storm if not controlled in time. So texting this back immediately was necessary for a healthy weather then.

He didn't reply back. I turned my back to the bed out of dissapointment, being well aware of the fact that he won't text back. My fingers released the phone on the bed. I could imagine; a victory smile must have emerged on his face. But a heavy-heartedness filled my mind. How does it even matter to him if I was in a relationship with someone else after him? He clearly mentioned it on the very first day that this marriage and I'm just an obligation for him. Did I really lose myself to him so much that I couldn't think of anyone else in between these years? Did my heart surrender to his treacheries? Did I lose the battle of witty play to him? I am losing myself to him. Why should I? Don't I remember what he had done with me? He doesn't even deserve to stand infort of me after that incident. A strain of tear ran down through the corner of my eyes but I decided I would tame him. He can't just do what he wants everytime. He can't control my life; neither before nor after marriage. He needs to be wary of his actions that affect others a lot. He thinks he can play well? Then I would remind him- I can win well!

Mrs. Rathore's point of view

"Mumma, you have got two missed calls." Passing the phone to me Rohan chewed his popcorn watching his action series.

I unlocked my mobile. Oh! Raghav has been calling since 4 o' clock and now it's already crossed 7P.M. I kept my phone in silent mode while offering the evening arti to god so I missed his calls.

(arti- a part of puja, in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more deities)

"Hello? Raghav? I am so sorry beta, I missed your calls."

'Hello aunty, its okay. You must have been busy. I just called to enquire if Kuhu had her lunch. She denied when I asked her to visit a restaurant after shoppings.'

"You mean she skipped her lunch? Oh god this girl! And she's still sleeping? She can't wake up herself if she sleeps with an empty stomach."

'Actually I texted her now to wake her up. She is not sleeping anymore. I'm sure.'

"Thank you beta for informing me. You know sometimes she's so careless."

'She always is!'

"You said something beta?"

'No. I just called to inform you. That's all. Okay bye aunty.'

"Bye beta."

He cares. He really cares about her. Even her small happenings; each and everything that belongs to her is of great concern to him. No wonder why my choice always remains irreplaceable.

Raghav's point of view

I know Kuhu can't wake up on her own if she sleeps with an empty stomach. She gets tired and weak. But this girl is not straight. She has to fight everytime. I texted her to wake her up but she f****d up my mood. She's still the great woman to ruin moods. But I know how to get my work done.

Raghav picked up his mobile and checked if aunty called him back. When his phone beeped in vibration. 'Aunty calling'...