After a day......
Dev was not able to take off his mind from her.....He tried everything so as to distract himself from her.....but everything was in vain as Radhika and her memories kept coming back to him......
The day was bright and sunny.....he stood near the window leaning
"Radhika......" he sighed. "What are you....doing to me...." he paused. "If I see you..... I cannot see anthing else.....If I don't see you I cannot think about anything else".....he thought. He smiled.
Mrinalini's voice called him "Dev"....
Dev turned his head and walked across the room.....
He came out and saw Mrinalini.... "Jee bhabhi"
"Dev hum sab bahar jaa rahe hai.... yahan ek mela laga hai....tum bhi chalo" she said smiling
" er......theek hai bhabhi" He nodded.
"Theek hai we are waiting....." she smiled and walked down the stairs.
They reached the fair...... Vivek parked the car and they got down.
Mrinalini exclaimed "Wow....So nice....isnt it vivek....... so colourful.....I have never been to a village mela".
"abhi to aa gayi na....chalein" Vivek said with a smile.
They walk in and find lots of stalls displaying clothes, bangles, games, food stalls etc.
Mrinalini walks to one of the clothes shop that displayed beautifully embroidered sarees.
Vivek, Arjun and Dev go on as well to some shops adjacent to where Mrinalini stood.....
Mrinalini was looking on to some clothes when she heard a familiar voice behind her......
"Are bhaiyya..... mujhe iss rang ka nahi chaiye tha....." the girl said to the shopkeeper.
Mrinalini turned her head and found deepika standing there "Deepika"....
Deepika's gaze shifted to Mrinalini "Are bhabhi......aap?"
Vivek and Dev too turn their head on hearing her name and smiled at her.
"Kaisi ho deepika" Mrinalini asked with a smile "Aaj yaha shopping ke liye aayi ho?"
"Jee bhabhi....."...Deepika anwered back sweetly.
Unknowingly her gaze searched for someone....
Mrinalini smiled "Vivek ....Arjun kahan hai....dekho na deepika use dhoond rahi hai?" she said with a small chuckle.
Deepika looked back at Mrinalini.....and blushed.
Dev interrupts "Er......Bhabhi....Lo Arjun bhi aa gaya.... ab shayad bhabhi ki aankhein nahi jayegi idhar udhar" and smiled.
Arjun didn't say anything.... and smiled. They walked a bit from the stall
Mrinalini remembered something "er waise acha hi huwa deepika jo tumse mulakat ho gayi...."
"Kya baat hai..... mujhse koi kaam tha" she asked sweetly
"Haa.....dekho na.....hume aaye huwe do din ho chuke hai.....aur sagai main abhi time hai......to main yeh soch rahi thi kyun na vrindavan ghum liya jaaye"
"Haan Mrinalini good idea" Vivek added.
"Yeh to bahut achi baat hai bhabhi" Deepika replied
"Ha lekin isme hume tumhari thodi madat chahiye" Mrinalini said
"Meri?" deepika asked
"Haan....ab hum main se to koi vrindavan pehle aaya nahi.....to hume to yahan ke bare main kuch pata nahi...to isiliye tum hi hume ghuma sakti ho...." ....... She adds after a pause..... "Dadima sab janti hai vrindavan ke bare main.... lekin unki tabiyat theek nahi hai....to...."
Vivek continues
"Haa vrindavan jaise pavitra jagah main itni saari sthan hai......jahan kanha ki itni saari leelayein judi huwi hai.....humne to bas in sab jagah ke bare mein suna hai dekha nahi...."
Deepika sighed "Bhabhi aapse ek baat kahoon..... aapko yeh baat mujhse nahi kisi aur se kehni chahiye thi".
Mrinalini looks at her a bit confused "kya?"
Deepika smiles "Mein yahan vrindavan main to rehti hoon aur yahan ke sab jagah ke bare mein bhi jaanti hoon.... Lekin...."
The purohit people look at her....
She continues "jaise vivek bhaiya ne kaha...ke yahan ke saare jagah ke saath kanha ke bahut saari kahaniyan judi huwi hai......aur in sab jagah aur uske mahatwon (importance) ke bare main mujhse jyaada Radhika jaanti hai".....
Hearing Radhika's name..... Dev looks up.
Deepika continues "Aap chaho to main radhika se baat karti hoo".
A voice comes in calling her "Deepika".....
A familiar voice...... But Dev knew whose it was.... and a smile came across his face.
Radhika came calling Deepika's name.......
But stopped when she saw Purohits.....Her gaze involuntarily shifted to him.....but She shifted her gaze back to Mrinalini hastily "Radhe radhe bhabhi, bhaiyya...."
Mrinalini smiled back.... "abhi deepika tumhare bare mein hi bol rahi thi"
"Mere bare main?" she asked.
Deepika tells her about how purohits wanted to go for an outing in vrindavan and what her suggestion was.
Listening to this Radhika quickly replied "lekin main kaise".......
"Kyun nahi Radhika?" Deepika asked
"er.......L....Lekin main"...... Radhika said apprehensively....her gaze shifted and found Dev's gaze again.
Her heart skipped a beat again and she swiftly shifted her gaze to Mrinalini.
"er.... mera matlab......babuji se...." She paused.
"Tum fikr mat karo Radhika, Hum shastrijee se baat karenge" Mrinalini said with an assuring smile.
Vivek added.... "Haan aur tum akeli to nahi ho..... Deepika bhi tumhare saath aayegi"
Deepika looks up "Main?"
"Haan Tum Deepika......." Mrinalini answered "Tumhein nahi le jayenge to Arjun thodi aayega"
Deepika blushed on hearing this.
Dev felt happy as radhika would accompany them as well...... and smiled.
But Radhika felt odd.....
The real reason for her not agreeing to this was not.....as Mrinalini thought.
The real reason was Dev.
How can she go along with all of them.....with him..... But how can she refuse..... they were deepika's in laws. How can she explain herself.....
She looked up tensed...... and her gaze again fell on Dev who stood there looking at her.
His intense gaze again demanded her attention.......made her feel powerless.
"To Radhika.... shastrijee se baat kar lete hai".... Mrinalini said
This startled Radhika "er...... Jee"..... Radhika said nodding her head once.
They start walking along chattering.......
Deepika walked along with them..... When she remembered something....
"Are main who dress to usi dukaan main bhul aayi....." Deepika said.... with her hand on her head.
"Main le aati hoon Deepika..... Tu aage chal" Radhika replied back.
Atleast she wouldn't have to walk along with the Purohits......with him.....
The Purohits walked a bit ahead along with Deepika......
Radhika turns around to go the shop....But as she turned..... she collided with someone
"ah" she gave out a small moan.....
Dev didn't move....just stood there.
Radhika looks up, her nose tip touching to his chin unknowingly and saw Dev......her eyes widen a bit on seeing him.
He felt a slight quiver in her body...... and smiled.
His smile stirred her heart again.....her heart paced rapidly.
Radhika looks away; frowning a bit and hastily moved an inch away.....But She gets pushed by another man accidentally..... bringing her even more close to Dev.
Dev smiles again.
But she quickly distances herself...... Dev stood there looking at her....
She looked up once.....then walked to the shop to get the dress.
In Purohit house...... at night.
Dev lay in his bed.... leaning...... with his legs crossed. He smiled as her thoughts again flashed in front of his eyes.
The way she got pushed and came to his arms. She was so close to him.
He remembered the moment when her cute nose tip touched his chin. He bought his fingers to his chin unknowingly and touched it and again smiled.
"God Radhika......What have you done to me. Not a second goes without me thinking about you." He complained and smiled.
Vivek had asked dadima to talk to Shastrijee regarding the outing..... and shastrijee had agreed.
Dev smiled. This meant that he can meet her...... be with her.... for the whole outing.
He sighed happily.
Radhika complained "Kanha ab main kya karoon....."...... She paused and frowned in front of the Kanha's idol.
"ab main kaise samjhaoon deepika ko ke main kyun nahi......." She sighed.... "Babuji ne bhi haa kardi......vrindavan ghumne ke liye....purohit parivar ke saath.... unke ke saath"
She looked up at kanha's idol again "Ab kaise mana karoon.....deepika ko bura lagega agar nahi gayi to.....aur kya kahoongi us se......bolo na kanha" she asked the idol.
The idol didn't give any answer back..... it just looked back at her smiling.
"Kanha......aise kyun muskura rahe ho.... mujhe batao na main kya karoon....." She Paused "nahi... main unke ke saath nahi jaa sakti......" she said.
She wondered over what she said and sat there in a pensive mood.
Next day
Radhika stood in front of the door wondering...... when she heard a sound...... sound of car. She looked up startled...... and a voice came in from another room. "Radhika...." Shastrijee called her. Radhika sighed and walked across to him......
Radhika had pondered a lot but she knew..... she cant refuse for the outing with Purohits..... They were Deepika's in laws.... Also Shastrijee had no problems....
"aiye.... Vivek beta....." Shastrijee welcomed vivek with a smile. Devki stood along with him.
Vivek folded his hands "Namaste Shastrijee......" His gaze shifted to Radhika "Radhika....."
"Namaste" Radhika smiled faintly.
"Tayar ho Radhika?" Vivek asked her
"jee....." Radhika said uncertainly.
Shastrijee interrupted "Aap..baithen vivek beta.....kuch nashta karke jayein". "Haa....aur baki sab kahan hai..... Mrinalini, Arjun, Dev.....sab"
The mention of Dev's name made her skip a heart beat. She wondered.....how she was going to be with all of them......whole day....
Vivek replied smiling, politely "Jee nahi shastrijee.....bahut der ho jayegi....abhi hume kuch nahi chahiye"
"er...." Shastrijee looked on
Vivek gave a warm smile..... "Radhika chale"
Radhika quickly looked up startled "Jee....." And nodded her head once, saying again "Jee".
Shastrijee turns around to face Radhika "beta apna khayal rakhna...."..... Devki kept her hands on Radhika's shoulders; echoing the same words, through her action.
Radhika nods once with a smile
"Aap fikr na Karen shastrijee......" Vivek said, smiling.
Shastrijee smiled and walked along with Radhika till the gate. They reach near the car.....
She looked up........The windows were rolled up.
Radhika felt as if her gaze searched for...... someone.....Her heart pounded heavily on this thought and her gaze fell down.....sighing..... as if she to control herself.
Vivek's voice called her "Radhika....." .
She looked up
"Tum yahan front seat pe hi baith jaao......tumhe hi sab jagahon ke bare main batana hai...." vivek told her with a smile.
Radhika nodded like polite school kid. Vivek opened the door for her......She moved towards the door......and looked up.......
She caught her breath and heart skipped a beat again....lungs seized....and her eyes widened a bit......
Dev sat in the Driver's seat...... looking at her..... Waiting for her.
His gaze again rendering some effect on her.......making her powerless.....
"Kya huwa Radhika ?" Vivek asked......startling her.
"huh......." Radhika looked up at him...... "Jee........nahi......kuch....nahi!" she said a bit bewildered. She shifted her gaze down, and got inside the car......seating herself.
Dev kept looking at her as she got in to the car......
She looked beautiful.....in her light blue salwaar kammez, hairs left open and her face glowed....
He sighed......with a faint smile..... "I am gonna go crazy....."
Vivek closed the door.
Radhika didn't look at him..... Her gaze still still stuck down.
Here she was...... sitting in the closed car next to him.......under his constant gaze....she frowned on this. Why did she have to sit here......near him.....
Vivek got inside the car. She looked up and saw her family....waving to her. Seeing them a small smile came to her lips.
Dev saw this too and didn't feel like turning on the engine. He just wanted that smile to linger on her lips just like this.
A mild voice came from behind " Chalen......" Mrinalini asked.
Dev looked up startled and quietly turned the key and started the car. And Radhika turned her head.....her gaze stuck straight.... trying not to look at him.
Mrinalini's voice called her "Radhika kya huwa......".
Mrinalini's voice startles her a bit. "jee?".......
As Radhika turns her head to answer, her gaze fell on Dev.... His gaze was stuck straight on the road.
But she still seemed to notice him...even then. His eyes.....intense gaze.....
Her heart skipped a beat again. She took a small breath....and turned her body a bit to look at Mrinalini.
"Jee bhabhi....?" she asked her softly
Her voice reached his ears and he smiled...... Her voice is so soft and gentle ....... He wondered.
"Radhika tum aise bahar kyun dekh rahi ho......" she asked a bit puzzled.
"jee nahi......aise hi......" Radhika lied....
"Radhika....hum pehle deepika ke ghar chalte hai.....use lekar.....hum aage chalte hai" Vivek said gently.
Dev applied the breaks.....and Radhika's gaze again unknowingly shifted to him.
They reached Deepika's house......Vivek got down.
Radhika's gaze still lingered on him unable to move, though he wasn't looking at her.......
He turned his head and his gaze fell on hers
Seeing this, she swiftly shifted her gaze to look away. She could hear her heart beats racing again.
She felt a bit embarrassed. Didn't understand what happened a moment ago.
Why was her gaze stuck?
Dev looked on.....for a second....as her gaze moved from him to look forward at the road.
He frowned a bit on seeing this.
Her gaze was stuck on the road, with an uneasy expression on her face. She didn't seem comfortable.
Deepika entered inside the car..... "Hi Bhabhi".
Vivek asked her to sit near Arjun, behind. Mrinalini answered back with a smile.
"are Radhika......" Deepika said in a bit high pitch.
Radhika turned. And smiled back at her.....not her usual smile....
His gaze still didn't move as if his gaze assessed her...... He knew she wasn't comfortable....
She felt this and slowly her gaze moved to meet his for a small moment......her heart stirred for that small moment
Deepika's voice again bought them back to reality. "mujhe laga kahi mujhe der to nahi ho gayi".....
Dev shifted his gaze and turned the engine on...... While Radhika turned her head again to look at Deepika.
The car started.
"Are Radhika.....tu aise chup chup kyun baithi ho?" Deepika asked sweetly.
"Haa......Deepika.....yahi to main bhi pooch rahi thi Radhika se.....itni chup chup kyun ho"........Mrinalini backed her.
"er.....nahi bhabhi aisi koi baat nahi hai...." Radhika lied..... feeling uncomfortable at lying.
"Waise Radhika jyaada bolti nahi hai..... kam bolti hai" She said to Mrinalini. "Lekin aaj to tu kuch bhi nahi bol rahi".....
"Radhika......waise hume pehle kahan jaana hai" Mrinalini asked excitedly.
Vivek quickly added...... "Are abhi nahi mrinalini.....abhi hume thodi dur jaana hai...."
"Jee" Radhika added softly.
Mrinalini and Deepika started conversing and included Radhika in it..... Radhika started talking more comfortably. She kept her gaze carefully away......not meeting his gaze.
Vivek and Arjun too started talking along with them
Dev's gaze shifts to Radhika.....who smiled at Deepika's some comment.
He liked that..... He liked it when she was happy....He loved when she smiled like that.....fully without any inhibitions.....
His gaze shifts to the road ahead......there was a small lane......
"Jee yahan se kaha lena hai?" He asked Radhika.
Radhika swiftly turns her head......and her gaze met his gaze......again stirring some emotions inside her. She took a breath.... and looked ahead at the road......
"Jee yahan se baye aur le lejiye".....she replied softly.
"Left" Dev said repeating.
He took the turn......and again heard her sweet voice
"Jee yahan rukiye....." she said looking at something outside.
Dev applied the brakes.
They saw a small temple..... "Hume pehle yahan jaana chahiye" Radhika said softly.
Everyone got down the car and walked towards the temple. It was a small krishan mandir. Although small, it was a beautiful place nestled between the trees. They could hear many birds chirping and cooing.....rustling of leaves....and the sweet scent of incense mixed in the air.
Mrinalini smiled "Such a fresh air na......Vivek"
Vivek smiled...... so did Radhika. Dev's gaze smiled with her.
They walk across to the small temple and take darshan. After the darshan, they all walk back to the car. The car started again......so did the chattering.
"er.....iske baad kahan jayenge" Mrinalini asked again excitedly.
Radhika smiled at her sweetly "Jee Keshi Ghat"......
"Er......Keshi ghat?" Dev asked curiously.
His voice made Radhika catch her breath again.....and she turned her head towards him......
"Jee...." she replied swiftly looking away.
She continued "Jee.....Yamuna nadi ke tat(banks) pe hai Keshi ghat......vrindavan ka sabse khoobsurat ghat mana jaata hai......keshi ghat" she said with a beautiful smile.
After a second she continued "Sri krishn ne yahi..... Keshi naam ke asur ka vadh kiya tha......apne doston ko bachane ke liye...." She spoke almost in trance.
Dev felt as if she was not in this world......as she spoke about vrindavan and Sri Krishna. But he loved that look on her face. She looked even more beautiful whilst she described the place......so beautiful that it was impossible for him to shift his gaze away from her.....
Dev somehow forced himself to look ahead at the road reminding himself that he was driving.
She heard a small voice which brought her back from a trance. "Ohh!!" said a voice from behind.
Radhika smiled.
They went from one place to other....visiting several places in Vrindavan..... It was almost evening.....they still drove on.
Radhika quickly looked up, she remembered something....... She turns her head towards Dev....."Jee yahan se uss taraf le lejiye....." she said excitedly, pointing towards a direction.
Dev looked at her once....and then followed her direction.
"Jee yahan.....se phir us gali main".....She continued "Wahan......ek bahut si khoobsurat jagah hai" she said smiling.....but not looking at him.....her gaze stuck to the direction the car was going.
Her was face was brightly lit up......with a beautiful smile. A smile he didn't want to miss....."Kaunsi jagah" he asked looking at her.
She looked back at him smiling.......His heart missed a beat......
Mrinalini too asked "kaunsi jagah".....
Deepika understood...... "Oh......Hum wahan jaa rahe hain?".
Vivek looked at her "Kahan?".
Deepika answered "Bhaiyya abhi nahi.....jab wahan pahunchege....to dekh lijeye ga bahut hi khoobsurat jagah hai".
Radhika keeps instructing them and they reach a beautiful place.... A Valley....
It was almost Sunset and the place looked marvelous in the sunset.....greenery adorned the place.... the sky touching down......
"Amazingly breathtaking" Mrinalini exclaimed as her gaze wandered. She inhaled a deep breath and gushed it out "Wow.......Vivek..... The air is so fresh......this is so beautiful".
They all were dazed by the beauty and walked along the place admiring its beauty.
Radhika walked next to Mrinalini, carefully keeping herself away from him.
"Vivek...." Mrinalini went a step ahead to vivek and held his arms......This bought radhika near Dev..... but she didn't notice this.
"Sach main bhabhi.....its a beautiful place" Dev said astound not knowing that Mrinalini had moved to vivek.
Again his voice stirred something inside Radhika.....and she looked up only to find him walking near her.......but not looking at her......his gaze was stuck on the beautiful place around him. She looked away swiftly.
Deepika quickly added "Hain na.......ise khoobsurat to kuch ho hi nahi sakta"
Dev heard this and smiles..... and turned his head to look at her..... but his gaze fell on Radhika, who was now walking next to him.... but looking away.....
"Hai......" he said slowly under his breath, his gaze fixed on her.
But it was enough for Radhika to hear....... she was a bit stunned and she jerked her head to look up at him. He did not shift his gaze......Radhika couldn't shift her gaze too......
She just felt like staring in to those eyes.....And then she couldn't move.......neither could he.....
A second passed and she looked away......
Mrinalini's voice came "Radhika.....".
This bought them back...... and they quickly composed themselves and walked ahead to join others.
Mrinalini asked "are kahan reh gaye?"
"er.... jee kuch nahi...." Radhika anwered.....looking away.
They started walking again........when Arjun elbowed Deepika
Deepika looked up "Jee?"
He swiftly took her away from them to spend some time......alone with her at a corner.
Mrinalini saw this......but pretended not to notice.....Her gaze shifted to Vivek. "Kitni Romantic jagah hai na" she said to him
He smiled at her "True....." He paused looking away. Mrinalini sighed a bit disappointed.
Vivek turns his head "Look at Arjun..... he is so smart......"
Mrinalini smiled "You can be smart as well".
Vivek smiled at her......They walked along..... alone to another corner......
Radhika smiled on seeing this and didn't stop them. But the next moment she realized that now she was alone......with him. Not exactly alone..... as others were still in vicinity...... but not near.
Dev on the other hand was too engrossed in admiring the beauty of the valley that he didn't notice Vivek and Mrinalini. "What a place". Dev turned his head....... only to find Radhika standing along with him.....She was looking away......
Probably looking away from me....... Probably she would be feeling uncomfortable..... being here...... alone. He thought..... a bit frowning. He didn't want to make her more uncomfortable. He looked away...... but didn't find anyone else.
"er......yeh baki sab kahan chale gaye"...... saying he turned around to look for them.
Radhika's head jerked up....
"Hmm..... mujhe yahan chod.....woh wahan romance kar rahe hai......" he said looking at Vivek.
She still stood there...... near him. He turned around to look at her. "Abhi bulata hu" he said and started walking towards Vivek.
Radhika quickly came a step forward and held his hand......to stop him.
He felt her soft hands holding his hand.....he frowned a bit confused......and jerked his head to look at her.
"mat bulaye unhe" she said softly.
"Lekin Radhika......woh....wahan....." he spoke....almost as if protesting
She interrupted him "nahi...... hume unhe nahi bulana chahiye" she said looking at him..... Then her gaze shifted to others "unhe ek doosre ke saath samay beetana hai" A sweet smile spread across her face.
Dev noticed her eyes.....they were smiling too as she spoke.
Radhika's gaze shifted back to him and met his gaze.......
The same feeling overpowered and she couldn't feel anything else.......see anything else....but him.
She didn't know what happened...... but looking in to his eyes forced her to forget everything else....what mattered was him......and something that she saw in his eyes....but what..... She didn't know.
Dev felt the samething......some force......holding him there...... demanding his every ounce of power. For Dev.... the only thing he felt right now was...... her.... and her hands on his.....still holding tight......
The beauty of the place they stood in was nothing in comparison to what radhika was....atleast for him.....Her beauty....her soft voice.....her innocent, big eyes.....everything attracted him...... didn't allow him to take his mind off her.....
The way she stood there looking in to his eyes......made him happy.... made him feel powerless....to move.....
The others were nearing and Mrinalini giggled...... and this bought them back.
They quickly looked away......Radhika's heart raced again.....and she closed her eyes. Dev took a few breaths to compose himself.
But after a moment turned his head again to her......when he felt her soft hands still held on to his.... tightening the grip....unknowingly......
His gaze shifts to her.....she was breathing unevenly......and her eyes remained close.
She didn't seem to notice this....... Dev's gaze shifts from her......to his hand....where her hands held it.....tightly.
Composing herself, Radhika turned her head and saw his gaze stuck on to his hand where she still held him.
She quickly pulled her hand back. And he swiftly looks up at her.....as she looked away.
Mrinalini's voice came in "Hey......tum dono yahan ho...."
Dev turns "Haa bhabhi....ab aap sab to romance karne chale gaye.....mere bare main to kisine socha hi nahi" he said mocking anger..... And looked away.
Mrinalini laughed...... Dev jerked his head to look at her....and sighed away again angrily.
"ab Dev..... maine to tumse kaha tha...ke mere liye ek devrani le aao.....lekin tumne suni hi nahi....... ab agar who hoti to shayad.... tum yahan aise nahi hote" she said again laughing.
"Bhabhi...... aapne yeh nahi socha.... ke mujhe aap yahan aise akele chodoge to mujhe bura lagega...." Dev said angrily.
Mrinalini and others looked on..... confused. Radhika felt confused as well
Vivek smiled "Dev......"
Dev interrupted him angrily..... "Bas Bhaiyya...... maine aapse aur bhabhi se yeh umeed nahi ki thi"
"Lekin huwa kya tu itna naaraz kyun ho raha hai..... I mean whats the problem" Mrinalini asked shrugging her shoulders.......
"Bhabhi.... aap mujhse pooch rahi hai..... whats the problem. Aap yeh kaise bhul gayi ki main bhi aapke saath hoo"
His gaze shifted to Radhika who wore the same confused look as others......
"Aur aapne Radhika ke bare main nahi socha....." He asked furiously.....
Radhika feels stunned.
"Radhika....?" Mrinalini asked puzzled.
"Ha. Radhika...... aap use mere saath yahan akele chod gaye. Didn't you think she would have been uncomfortable standing alone with me like this?" He asked in the same angry tone.
Radhika still looked on puzzled. She didn't understand what happened and what made him so angry.
"Aur aap Deepika bhabhi..... Radhika to aapki dost hai....aapne bhi nahi socha?"
"Dev.....bas kar..... kya ho gaya hai tujhe.....itna kyun naaraz ho raha hai" Vivek added slowly......
Dev looked at him grimly "Bhaiyya..... naaraz to hone ki baat hai....." and he turns around.
Vivek sighs
Deepika comes to Radhika..... "Radhika....."
Radhika's puzzled gaze shifts to her......
Deepika looks at her.....feeling guilty..... "tujhe sach main bura to nahi laga"
"er......nahi.....nahi.....mujhe...." Radhika tried to explain. Her gaze shifts to Dev who stood with his back to them....
She walked a step to face him......
Dev's lips twitched in the corner.....when he noticed Radhika facing him.
Seeing his lips twitch to form a smile.... her gaze frowned.
Dev saw this.....and quickly bought his finger to his lips motioning her to keep quiet.
Radhika looks on confused.....
He smiled and winks an eye at her.......
She understood that this was just a joke...... He wasn't angry........and smiled at bit.
Dev saw this..... and bought back his angry mode..... "Bolo Radhika.......tumhe bhi bura laga hoga na......" He said turning his face to others.....
Radhika looked up a bit startled at his angry tone "Jee?"
"dekha...use bhi bura laga hai...."
Radhika looked away...... fighting the urge to smile.
"Dev......tu samaj kyun nahi raha......" Vivek said helplessly.
Radhika felt her lips trembling....... and unable to stop herself she broke out in to peals of laughter......
Everyone looked at her laughing...... Dev turned his head as well......
He closed his eyes and sighed....Mrinalini caught this expression of his.
Dev opened his eyes..... and saw Radhika laughing. He had never seen her laughing like this sweetly. His gaze stuck on to her face, admiringly, lovingly.
Radhika shifts her gaze, controlling her laughter, to him....
"Oh." Mrinalini came to Dev. "So......this was a prank. Huh?" She asked arching her eyebrows a bit.
Dev burst out laughing as well
Everyone sighed in relief.....and shook their head smiling.
Mrinalini punched Dev in his arms lightly...... "Tum kabhi mat sudharna....."
"As you say bhabhi......" he said controlling his laughter.
"Ab Dev chalen......its getting late now" Vivek added with a smile.
"Jee...."
Everyone started walking towards the car...... discussing about the prank......
Dev controlled his laugh, his gaze shifted to others who had walked ahead and then to Radhika who was behind them...... He came to Radhika.... "Thanks"
Radhika looked up "kis liye...."
"meri madat ke liye....." He said with a smile.
She smiled unhesitantly..... "Jee.... Lekin......meri wajah se aap pakde gaye..... agar main thode der aur apne hasi ko rok paati to....." She said softly.
He looked at her lovely..... "Radhika.....tumhari uss hasi ke liye to main kuch bhi harne ke liye tayar hoo".
"er.....Radhika.....infact agar tum meri madad nahi karti to shayad main pehle pakda jaata" he said shrugging his shoulders.
She smiled "waise..... ek pal ke liye to mujhe bhi laga ke aap sach main naaraz ho...." ........."phir jab maine aapko jab haste huwe dekha tab samjhi...."
He looked on..... as she talked. She never talked so easily to him. He felt happy. This is what he wanted...... he wanted her to feel comfortable around him.
He was actually happy that others left them alone and he got to spend some time with her.
"hmm.....main to soch raha tha ke tumhe bhi mazak main shamil karloo....but then tab tak bhabhi aa gayi........" he said casually.....as they walked towards the car.
The drive back was the same with fun, chattering and laughter. Radhika felt more comfortable, Dev sensed this and felt happy.
They were almost reaching home when Mrinalini spoke up "Radhika......Thanks a lot....."
Radhika, who sat with her body turned a bit so that she can talk with others behind, smiled "kis liye....."
"are......hume itne khoosurat vrindavan ke darshan karwane ke liye...." Vivek said with smile
Radhika smiled back.
Dev applied the breaks.....
They had reached Deepika's home...... Deepika gets down and says her good byes and leaves.
Dev starts the car again......and Radhika who sat straight now....stuck her gaze outside to the dark......looking a bit lost pondering....
Mrinalini saw this and called "Radhika......"
Radhika again turned her body a bit so that she could face Mrinalini.......accidentally letting her hand fall on the gear.
"Kya huwa Radhika..... pareshan lag rahi ho...." Mrinalini asked a bit worried
"er...... nahi bhabhi who.....andhera bhi ho gaya hai....babuji chinta kar rahe honge na"
"Radhika......ab to tumahra ghar dur nahi hai" Mrinalini added with a smile
Radhika smiled back and turns around to sit straight........when Dev brings his hand to the gear to change the gear......
And his hand fell on her soft hands........he knitted his eyebrows faintly sensing this and jerked his head to look at her....... he felt her hand quivering.
Radhika felt her heart missing a beat as she felt his tight grip on her fingers......and looked up as well.
Their gaze got locked again for a second......A honking sound from an adjacent car broke their eye contact and she swiftly looked away......composing herself. He looked ahead, straight at the road, quickly....
She looked away pursing her lips......He turned his gaze again to hers....as he felt her soft hands still beneath his. He smiled and turned his head to face the road.
He would never want to leave that soft hand of hers.
His grip on the gear tightened a bit more...... and again felt her hand quivering....He smiled a bit.
She turned her head......and he loosened the grip. She pulled her hand swiftly.....
He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes...... she sat there holding her hand, tight with other hand....gaze stuck outside the windows....
Radhika slowly caressed her one hand, which he had held, with another...... Her gaze was stuk outside and thoughts wandered.......
He applied the brakes.....jostling back Radhika to senses.......and she looked at him......
"Radhika..... tumhara ghar.......aagaya" Dev said glancing towards her.
"er......" She turned around to face her home. "Hmm"
Mrinalini said with a smile "Radhika..... Thanks a lot again...."
Radhika turned her head and smiled back at her and Vivek and said her good byes.
Her gaze then shifted to him and met his gaze.
He sighed a bit disappointed "Mat jao na Radhika" But didn't say anything.
Radhika's gaze didn't shift and she kept looking at him for a second..... She felt as if his gaze requested her not to leave from there.
She brushed away her thoughts, sighed and looked away. Opening the door, she got down and walked towards her home.
As she knocked the door of her home...... she heard the engine growling back to action again.....and the car zoomed off.......
Shastrijee opened the door...... "Are Radhika......aa ja"
She entered in.....
"Beta.....tu jaakar muh haath do le.......main khana laga deti hoo" Devki said.
Radhika nodded and went in to her room......
Vishaka who sat there reading something......smiled excitedly on seeing her....
"Radhika......" She came up to Radhika
Radhika glanced up at her sister's impatient and excited voice......
"Radhika.......kaisa tha...... vrindavan darshan...." Vishaka asked sweetly.
"acha....bahut acha" Radhika replied with the same sweet smile.
Radhika walked across to the mirror......while Vishaka kept looking at her......
After a moment she walked across to Radhika.... "bahut acha......ke bahut bahut acha" she said bringing an arm across Radhika's shoulder.
Radhika turned her head a bit confused "huh?"
"Hmm...." Vishaka smiled "to confirm."
"Vishaka tu kya keh rahi hai?" Radhika asked her puzzled.
"Radhika..... mujhe sach sach bata....tujhe koi mil to nahi gaya vrindavan ghumte ghumte" Vishaka asked curiously with an impatient smile.
Radhika turned around to face the mirror and pursed her lips "tu bhi nahi vishaka kuch bhi kehti rehti hai".
"Le..... main kuch bhi keh rahi hoo..... ya tu kuch chupa rahi hai" she asked with a confident smile.
"Dekh Vishaka...."
"Radhika...." Vishaka interrupted...... "theek hai....tujhe yeh lag raha hai ke main kuch bhi bol rahi hoo..... right"
Radhika kept silent and shifted her gaze down to the floor.
"Lekin tera chehra..... jo itna khil khil gaya hai uska kya" Vishaka added with the same confident tone and smile.
Radhika jerked her head up and saw her reflection in the mirror.
Was she right. Can Vishaka actually see through her face...... the real emotions.......that were going on in her mind.
The images of the moments she spent with Dev on that day in front of her
"Dekha.....meri ankhein dhoka nahi kha sakti....." Vishaka said.
Vishaka's voice bought Radhika back to reality...... she closed her eyes and brushed off all thoughts..... and turned around "Vishaka.......tu bhi....aisa kuch nahi hai" she lied uncomfortably.
"Radhika.....muj..." Vishaka started to speak again when Devki called them....
Radhika and Vishaka glanced towards the direction the voice came from....
"Jaa Vishaka.......ma bula rahi hai......" Radhika said shifting her gaze to Vishaka "Main thodi der main aati hoo"
Vishaka nodded and walked across silently.
Radhika's thoughts drifted to what Vishaka said...
"Radhika..... mujhe sach sach bata....tujhe koi mil to nahi gaya vrindavan ghumte ghumte" Vishaka asked curiously with an impatient smile.
Radhika stared blankly at the dark night......
"Lekin tera chehra..... jo itna khil khil gaya hai uska kya" Vishaka added with the same confident tone and smile.
Radhika glanced back at the mirror....remebering Vishaka's words.....
She sighed irked. She had to overcome this ridiculous sensitivity that he somehow triggered. She had to, was determined to, overcome it, and if she couldnt do that, then she'd ignore it, certainly hide it so that he couldn't........get to know about it.
She cannot let him know about her emotions. She cannot have such feelings for him. This was wrong.
She heard Devki's call and walked across.
Edited by sia_lovely - 14 years ago
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