RAABTA

Two weeks later, Roshni could walk a little with help; her legs were only bruised, but the blood loss had made her weak. She could move around the house with ease, but her hand was still in plaster. Her mother took great care of her, especially with the Sagai a month away. Phool and Vishal visited daily to keep her occupied. It was Pratap's 18th birthday in a week and one and a half weeks later, they were getting engaged. Hansa wanted to buy Pratap's ceremonial ring with Phool, but Roshni insisted on going to choose the ring herself. Hansa agreed, knowing no one could tell Pratap's choice better.  Pratap, on the other hand, had started going to the office as a trainee. He was going to join the business officially once he turned 18. Right now, he was under the care of his father's manager, Chundawat Ji, who made sure that he knew his way around the office to start with.  Veer had lost her job after Dheer got arrested, so on Pratap's urging, Jaivanta made sure sh...

Pratap sat clutching onto the side of his seat as the hospital staff ran about. Nurses and a group of doctors were attending to the girls. Udai Singh and Rathore made sure that their names and power would help the girls get the best treatments.  Phool had regained consciousness, and her mother and Vishal were by her side. It was Roshni they were worried about. She was being checked and tested by the doctors as she had not regained consciousness. Ram and Udai ran about talking to the doctors while Jaivanta sat holding Hansa's hand.  Pratap seemed to be in a haze, as if this were another nightmare he was having. He always thought his life was cursed; everyone he loved was hurt and unhappy. Today, he was sure. His Roshni was in there, fighting for her life, that's all he could gather. He didn't remember how he got her into this mess. I should have driven her home myself, I should have. I shouldn't have let her go to that woman alone. It's all my fault! In his ...

The car was parked right opposite Dheer's Boutique. Pratap saw Roshni and Phool step in. His heart was stuck in his mouth. He insisted on going with her, but she was determined. He looked a lot like his father. What if she recognised him? The whole plan would be spoiled then. He kept insisting it was not safe. He kept a hawk's watch at the door. Vishal looked ahead, having a packet of chips.  "Chill, bro, they will get out the info, they are smart, you know."  His voice seemed to fall on deaf ears as Pratap looked out of the car window anxiously. Roshni and Phool stepped into the well-furnished shop and were welcomed by a woman in her twenties. They looked at each other. This was not her; they had searched all over and found a picture of her from a paper clip, and she was indeed mesmerisingly beautiful. They searched around pretending to look at the things.  " May I help you, Miss?" The sales lady asked. The name read Veer. " Veer is it?" Ph...

As the auto stopped in front of a famous Chinese restaurant, Roshni stepped out, surprised. " This place is costly." She frowned. " The bill's on me." Pratap shrugged. " Doesn't mean you will waste money." Came a stern reply. " I am Pratap Singh. I can afford these places for you!" He smiled. " Doesn't mean you should." She shook her head. "I would like to pay for myself." " Fine! I won't argue with you. Hungry ya not?" He asked sternly. " Yes, Yes." A quick reply came. She has also become a drama queen, Phool's effect! " You said something?" Roshni pointed her finger at him, eyes scrutinising. " No..." " Okay, let's eat." She smiled. They ordered the food, and the waiter said, " It will take around 20 minutes, sir!" The restaurant was a luxurious one; rarely did Roshni come to such places if not with Phool. She felt a little unde...

The engagement was just a month away. Their boards were over and everyone was looking up collages. There was a lot to do, shopping to start with! Phool and Vishal were too excited not only because their best friends were engaged but also because of the mission they were assigned. They never knew Pratap had so many problems in his life. They had no idea how they ended up together, but they always knew these guys were in love. Phool excitedly made a shopping list for Roshni for the engagement. She paced up and down Roshni's room, reading what she wrote. A lehenga, some jewellery and a ring were to start with. They had to buy gifts for Pratap's family, too. Hansa had told Phool to help Roshni with the shopping, much to her dismay. Shopping with Phool meant two hours over a single thing and then coming home empty-handed. Roshni wished someone would save her. She sat in her bed, checking her phone again and again. Phool saw that and said,  " Are you waiting for his call? ...

Pratap was in his room thinking about whether he should text her or not. It had been two days since they talked; tomorrow is school again, and he wanted to apologise for shouting at her. She was right about his parents; never had anyone talked to him about them before. He knew she was trying to help. He opened her chatbox on WhatsApp and typed, "I'm sorry. "  Within seconds, a reply came, "Why?" " Because I shouted." " I know you didn't mean anything." " Then why were you sad?" The moment she saw this message, he regretted sending it. They never talked of their feelings to each other, but now he has officially let her know how well he understands her. " Nobody shouts at me like that." Came a well-thought-out reply. He smiled. This  girl can't even lie properly . Her words played in his mind Your Parents... They still love each other...  He remembered the last day in school, when they were discussing whethe...

Roshni checked herself in the mirror. She was wearing black jeans and a sequenced pink top. She tied her hair up in a bun, then opened it, confused. She put a hairband on. Then replaced it with a hair clip. In a short black dress, Phool was pacing the room in her high heels. She was checking her Twitter updates and also keeping an eye on Roshni. " Oh!" Roshni sat down, throwing the clip on the Bed. " What's wrong?" Phool stopped her makeup brush and asked. " What to do with my hair?" She shrugged. " You need a haircut," Phool suggested. " I mean now!" Roshni had never shouted this way at Phool before. She looked a little wide-eyed. " Ohh, tie it up, let it loose, whatever." Phool shrugged and went back to applying lip gloss. A ring of the bell and Phool's servant came to inform, "Phool Baby Ji Gari taiyar hai." " Okay, hurry up, Roshni, it is already 6.15." " Oh no, we are late"...

Pratap was checking and rechecking everything around the house for the umpteenth time. He was usually the one who kept his things in a mess, but that day everything had to be prim and proper. He checked himself in the mirror again. The black shirt teamed with the blue jeans could melt hearts in school. But Roshni? She would just laugh at his messy hair that refused to sit with the hair gel or tell him how many pictures he has in that shirt. It had been a month since they met, and their friendship had gotten better with each passing day. He went to her place often and, sometimes to his dismay, Phool accompanied them too, to enjoy Hansa Mausi's awesome cooking. He had noticed Roshni secretly smile, amused, every time Phool caught him off guard and tried to flirt. He had looked into Roshni's eyes more than once, asking for help, begging her to take Phool away. And she did because she knew what a pain her friend could be to people who didn't know her, but she knew and remind...