Raj's Romance

Synopsis: Taking place after the events of Mohabbitein. Raj is now a music professor at Gurukul and his once-enemy, Principal Shankar, is now his closest friend. He is Raj’s true father-in-law. Raj encounters Kahan, a somewhat demure woman with the voice of an Angel. He feels his heart drawn to her but does not want to betray the love he has for Megha.

Chapter 1—A New Semester Begins

Gurukul had been completely transformed. The days were full of merriment and music. Even the formerly stodgy, stoic, hard-hearted Principal Shankar had found a new wife named Majoor. She was fair, enchanting and loved playing the flute. She often cooked the students meals and spoiled them with the most lavish desserts. The Principal noticed that Raj was still hanging on to Megha. Admirable though it was, he felt his heart breaking for his son-in-law.

That night, Megha came to Narayan in his dreams.

‘Father, please. Talk to Raj. He’ll listen to you. He deserves to love again. He can’t just simply hang onto me any longer.’, she said. Though she was as angelic as ever, he felt wetness on his chest. She had been crying.

‘I’ll speak to him, but you know how stubborn he is.’, Narayan responded. When the morning came, Raj was talking and laughing with his favorite students as usual. Narayan took a seat right next to him.

‘Narayan, so good to see you !’, Raj began.

‘I saw Megha in my dreams, Raj.’, Narayan responded, placing a hand upon his shoulder.

‘I see her all the time, so that’s nothing new !’, Raj said, laughing. An easy, gentle, warm smile spread across his handsome face. However, Narayan could see there was a deep pain hidden in Raj’s eyes. One that he had hidden long ago when Megha had committed suicide.

‘You need to let go. You’re still young. Your love story has yet to be written.’, Narayan said, enthusiastically. Raj nearly spat out his chai. He could hardly believe that Narayan had uttered these words. The man that formerly ‘hated changes’ had been so fundamentally changed that Raj wondered if it was a clone of Narayan and the real Narayan was in an alternate universe.

‘I am completely happy, dad.’, Raj said, feeling a bit of a knot in his stomach as he told the biggest whopper in the history of lies.

‘No, Raj. You are only fooling yourself. When was the last time you actually left the campus of Gurukul ?’, Narayan inquired. It was a hard question, full of tough love. It was a reality that Raj needed to face. He had been given enough time to heal. It was time for him to move on.

‘Please, Raj. You need to do this for yourself. You deserve happiness.’, Narayan stated. Raj knew he should listen to reason, so he took his father-in-law up on his suggestion and headed out to the local park to clear his head.

Chapter 2—Voice of an Angel

In the park, Raj fed the birds, hummed happily and felt the sun shine upon his face. He felt calm, peaceful and optimistic. Out of nowhere came a beatific voice that left him breathless. Around the corner was a young woman who was surrounded by animals. They seemed as entranced by her as many men were, who were instantly snapped back to reality by the slaps of their beloveds.

‘I’m sorry, I got caught up in your singing. It’s just so ethereal.’, Raj complimented. The woman was positively stunning. Her dark hair cascaded down her back, flowing freely in the spring breeze. Her outfit was mostly indigo but the sparkles on it made her look much like a fairy from another realm. The two of them felt an instant connection the moment their eyes met but Kahan lowered her gaze. She blushed hotly, feeling her heart palpitate uncontrollably. She had never met anyone as handsome as Raj before and when it had come to relationships in the past, she always had bad luck. She had just left a narcissist who wanted nothing more than to show her off as a sort of ‘prize’ and ‘trophy’. When they had made love, he never held her close afterward and she felt dirtier than a dishrag when the intimacy had ended. Her heart hurt momentarily but she couldn’t deny the fact that she was in love. Feeling bold, she decided to take a risk. She got up to her feet and all the animals dispersed.

‘Hi, I’m Kahan ! Would you like to take a walk with me ?’, she offered. Raj sensed butterflies in his stomach and a lightness to his heart he hadn’t experienced since Megha had been alive. It was supernatural.

‘Of course, I would like that very much.’, Raj replied, politely. Kahan then did something she normally wouldn’t. From his aura, which was indigo, Kahan instantly knew that Raj was trustworthy. This was a man who was very open-minded, spiritual and had a heart bigger than the mountains. She walked with him, hand in hand, electric current running through them both as they walked and began to unravel details one unto the other.

Chapter 3—Something Blossoming

Kahan realized she had quite a lot in common with Raj. Raj could play accordion and the violin. Kahan played the piano, guitar and only knew a few chords on the sitar. The sitar was by far her most challenging instrument. She was exquisite, but she would never be another Ravi Shankar.

‘Do you think we could play music together ? I’d love for you to sing with me. That voice of yours is rhapsodic.’, Raj complimented, sincerely. Kahan couldn’t help but smile. Everything about this man was magnificent. For the first time in her life since her ex, Ajay, she had forgiven herself of being blind in the past and allowed herself to be completely open in the present.

‘Do you often come here ?’, Kahan asked, curiously.

‘I haven’t been to the park in a long time.’, Raj confessed. He had been a hermit for years but being in Kahan’s presence was enough to revitalize him. His heart began to feel warm, wanted and admired.

Over the weeks Kahan and Raj started seeing each other more often. Kahan took Raj different places, but her favorite haunt was the beach. She loved collecting shells, making jewelry and collages out of them. She made a portrait of Raj out of shells, which was absolutely stunning. To surprise him, she gave it to him on his birthday. She had kissed him in numerous occasions, but this time, it was Raj’s turn to return the favor.

‘Kahan this is incredible ! I bet this took you hours to accomplish !’, Raj gushed as he continued to kiss Kahan affectionately. She laughed, feeling him kiss her neck, which was her most vulnerable kissing spot. That laugh was music to his ears, and her happiness was his as well.

‘I have an inquiry though.’, Kahan began. Raj raised an eyebrow.

‘What’s that, my lady fair ?, Raj asked in return. Kahan fished in her back pocket and pulled out a black velveteen box, opening it. The diamond inside was a heart in the middle of a ring shaped like infinity. She never forgot how he told her daily how he loved her ‘infinity to the infinity’ and that he meant it with every fiber of his being.

‘Kahan, you shouldn’t have...’, he began.

‘So, does this mean you want to take the plunge into married life with me ?’, Kahan asked, coyly.

‘YES !’, Raj said. Although the two hadn’t made love, their energies were colliding and interchanging in such a way that it felt like they were. They would wait to consummate their marriage on their wedding night but the two remained in each other’s arms for a while, knowing that a whole new chapter had been begun for them both.

Epilogue

In a year’s time, Kahar and Raj had married and for the first time, Raj was expecting a son. He had never been a dad and honestly, he was a little frightened.

‘I’ve been thinking about naming him Sameer after my dad.’, Kahar whispered over her swelling belly.

‘It’s a fine name, darling. I think it suits him. Sameer Narayan.’, Raj added.

‘Your father-in-law would be flattered.’, Kahan said. She giggled. Sameer was kicking about in her tummy to the Holi music that everyone was playing at Gurukul. Even though Holi wasn’t official, it was Holi every day there. It never became boring. The colors were always so vibrant and cheerful and the music was a delight. It reminded Raj that life had its beauty and beauty could always be found, even within some of the darkest moments. His darkness, however, had been completely lifted. There were nothing but blue skies and rainbows ahead for both he and Kahar.

The End