Swasan – Captivated Forever Chapter 4 – By Anjali

CHAPTER 4
FEW DAYS LATER
The gay atmosphere was certainly changing. Rudra was right. The tension could be felt in the air. Though the celebrations continued, the senior officers were almost always busy talking in whispers and looked very serious.
Sanskaar’s Midnight Picnic was considered to be the most awaited celebration of all. Despite the political unrest, there were only three refusals among the numerous invitations sent out.
Ofcourse it had been a spur of the moment idea, Sanskaar admitted to himself. He had offered to sponsor an event to General Raichand, but nothing to this scale and certainly he hadn’t planned on hosting it himself.
But he had changed his mind when he spotted Swara a few days ago. This picnic would be the second step towards his goal.
He wasn’t sure what his plan exactly was, but he didn’t care. He had hired an agency, turned over every detail of the preparations to its expert care, even the compiling of the guest list—he had simply instructed them to invite everyone who was anyone—and carried on with his days as if he were to be no more than a guest himself.
And now, the appointed day was finally here. He wasn’t too concerned about the gossip spreading around about the imminent war. He was sure that nothing except the weather could ruin the party.
But all looked well. The moon was up even before full darkness descended, and darkness itself brought millions of stars twinkling overhead. It was also a warm and slightly windy night.
Sanskaar (thinking) : All this will be a waste if she doesn’t come. I really hope you make it, Miss Oberoi.
She had bristled with almost visible annoyance at the review, when he had virtually ignored her after looking his fill and had addressed himself—with perfect correctness—to her chaperon.
And she was a very proud, haughty young lady. She might well decide to punish him by remaining at home with some excuse.
But he was sure that she was too proud to make a false excuse and too bold not to face his challenge head-on. She must have recognized the challenge. She was not, he had been delighted to discover, a foolish young lady.
Even so, he conceded, this was a colossally expensive gamble.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Swara Singh Oberoi, wearing a pale blue evening gown with long navy blue earrings sat at the back of the car with Reshmi and Mrs Singhania.
She looked out at the sky. It certainly was the most suitable day for the picnic. There surely couldn’t have been a better day.
The picnic was to be a large affair. Everyone who was anyone had been invited and she knew that almost everyone had accepted. No one wanted to miss this.
Even Captain Rohan Singhania and his comrades were to be there as was Rudra and his superiors.
She almost had not come herself. She had even considered the message she would send along with the Singhanias—she would insist upon their going, of course. She would have them inform the Sanskaar Maheshwari that she preferred to remain at home with a good book this evening since she had been out every night for a week and was a little weary of being entertained.
But she scorned the whole idea of avoiding him. It would be far better, she had decided, to go and confront him and make him understand that if this picnic had been arranged with her in mind, then he had made a massive error in judgment. She would show him that she found his colossal flirtations a colossal bore.
She had never before had a man like him to contend with. Shivaay would have had to raise only half an eyebrow in Kolkata to frighten away any who had even contemplated dallying with her.
She hadn’t had a boy friend at all. Only one and when Shivaay had learnt about it, He had thrown a huge fit and had intimidated the so called boy friend so much that now the guy called Swara as Swara behen.
Swara realised now that it was FUN to argue with Sanskaar Maheshwari. She welcomed the battle of wits between them.
Reshmi (joining Swara as they both got down from the car) : I guess we’ll finally find out what a midnight picnic is.
What happened at an evening picnic? It was a question Reshmi had asked repeatedly during the past few days. Would it be similar to an afternoon picnic? Would they sit around on blankets, eating chicken legs and paneer tikka and sipping wine? Would there be strolls in the forest afterward? But would it not be too dark among the trees?
Swara (smiling at Reshmi) : Come on. Let’s go find out.
The two ladies walked forward and turned the corner to the garden.
Reshmi (in a stunned voice) : Oh my!
Persephone Gardens was simply ethereal. There was a clearing in the middle where many lanterns had been hung in circular fashion making the air mystical. Though there were electric lights, these were switched off, only the lanterns and moonlight provided a dim magical light over the area. The trees surrounding the clearing had fairy lights all over them. Their branches fanned out far overhead like an intricately fretted ceiling.
One felt in the very midst of something powerful, something mysterious, something beyond the mundane here and now, something that lifted one’s spirit to another plane.
Suddenly Swara’s fingers itched to paint it all—the forest and the spirit within it. She just wanted this moment to last. Until eternity, if it were possible.
Small tables had been arranged among the trees, each laid with a crisp white cloth and set formally with fine china and crystal and silver. Each had a small colored lamp glowing at its center.
But the splendor was not just visual.
They grew quiet and could hear the faint stirrings of the orchestra.
Reshmi : An actual orchestra! Not just CDs with music. People are actually going to play. This is marvellous, Swara. (pointing to the clearing) I think that area is for dancing.
Swara (thinking) : Well! This certainly qualifies as the event of the year. Everyone’s going to be talking about this for months to come.
As Reshmi’s parents joined them, Swara observed Sanskaar Maheshwari excuse himself from his conversation and walk towards them.
Sanskaar (smiling affably) : Mr and Mrs Singhania. I’m so glad you came. It makes this day all the more special.
Swara : This is very picturesque, Mr Maheshwari. An amazing job.
Sanskaar’s amused eyes looked at her.
Sanskaar : I’m pleased and relieved to know that you approve, Miss Oberoi.
He stared at her for one more moment before looking at Reshmi.
Reshmi : Well Mr Maheshwari! I’m certainly going to enjoy myself here. I know Swara will too. Isn’t that right, Swara?
Sanskaar : I will do my best to ensure that.
Though he told that to Reshmi, it was at Swara he looked as he spoke.
He led them to a table and made sure they were comfortable before leaving to greet some of his other guests. Captain Rohan joined them soon after and Swara danced two dances with him, then returned to her table for dinner.
As Swara munched on corn cheese balls, Rohan began speaking.
Rohan : I suppose the ambience is pleasing but that dance floor is just too rough. A normal ballroom is just better.
Swara : Rohan! How on Earth do you expect the ground to be as polished here as it is in a ballroom.
Rohan (hastily) : Ofcourse Swara. I just wanted you to be comfortable.
Swara pursed her lips. She was annoyed that she had to defend Sanskaar again. She didn’t want anything to do with the man.
She looked around and sighed inwardly.
Swara (thinking) : This is just like any other party. Why did I think it would be any different? But the weather is so nice and the surroundings… I wish I could paint this right now.
Sanskaar : Penny for your thoughts, Ms Oberoi?
Swara was startled to hear Sanskaar Maheshwari’s voice beside her. She turned and looked at those perennially amused looking eyes.
Swara (haughtily) : They are worth much more than that, Mr Maheshwari.
Sanskaar (raising an eyebrow) : Is that so? Well, How would you like the idea of coming with me for a short stroll while I try picking your brains about these thoughts.
Mrs Singhania (smiling affably) : Haan Swara beta! Why don’t you go with him?
Swara decided it would be the height of rudeness if she didn’t accept his invitation and so accepted his proferred arm. Rohan cleared his throat as if to protest, but if he had intended to stop her, his gesture had just the opposite effect, of course. Besides, Swara was curious to know how the evening would proceed. She was almost certain that Sanskaar had done all this for her.
But why?
It was a hard, well-muscled arm. He was almost a full head taller than she, she noticed, though she was tall herself. He was taller than Rohan Singhania. He was looking down at her with the now-familiar mocking smile—as if he knew that she recognized his game but believed he could win it anyway.
Swara : It must have been a lot of trouble to organise this event.
Sanskaar : I suppose it was for Mr Pandey, My wedding planner. I had almost nothing to do with it except for footing the bill and choosing the location. He did try to involve me with one or two of his more tricky decisions, but I reminded him that I was paying him a rather handsome fee to take all such tedious burdens upon his own shoulders. Did I do right? Was he reliable? One of his question was whether to have tables brought out here or to have blankets spread on the ground.
Swara could swear that Sanskaar was laughing at her now.
Swara : The tables obviously. It looked elegant yet mystical.
Sanskaar (looking at her mock-seriously) : I would have been so disappointed if you had told blankets were better.
Despite herself she smiled.
How could one take such blatant, theatrical flirtation seriously? She was not meant to, she guessed. She also guessed that the Sanskaar Maheshwari was somewhat cleverer than she had expected. He had realized, of course, that she would know what he was up to and so was making no attempt to hide his motives. He was deliberately making her laugh and enjoy herself instead.
Well, she was enjoying herself too—this was better than boredom. But he had better not believe that she would be softened into compliance with his plans for her—whatever they might be.
They had been strolling about the picnic area, well within sight of Mrs Singhania and anyone else who cared to check up on her movements— Rudra, for instance, who was there.
Swara and Sanskaar went around and mingled with all the guests. Swara was acquainted with almost everyone and so was quite at her ease. But she noticed that he had her arm rather firmly pressed to his side so that she could not slide it free even if she had wanted to without drawing attention to what she did. He had every intention of keeping her with him—almost as if she were the hostess of the evening, or the guest of honor. Almost as if they were an established couple.
She could almost picture the headlines : Socialite Swara Singh Oberoi spotted with CEO Sanskaar Maheshwari! What will happen to the almost couple of Captain Rohan Singhania and Swara now?
She rolled her eyes. She had to show everyone that she was not interested in Rohan for a husband.
She spoke to one of her brother’s acquaintances and then looked at the scenery puzzled. She had expected something a little more . . . dangerous, perhaps, but the evening was not yet over.
Even as she thought it, he bent his head closer to hers and spoke for her ears only.
Sanskaar (his voice a slow lazy drawl whispering near her ears) : Doesn’t this place seem just a bit too crowded? Maybe we should escape this for a while.
Swara (giving Sanskaar a knowing smile from the corner of her eyes) : I believe there is safety in numbers.
Sanskaar (a wide eyed look on his face) : You think I’ll do something improper? I am not going to do anything like that. I just want to show you more of the magic that is there in the gardens tonight.
Swara considered his words, then nodded.
Swara : Alright then. Show me.
Sanskaar led Swara towards the edge of the clearing where the lanterns were dim and he led her in a small path where there were lanterns but not as many as before.
She looked around and saw these aveneues were there all around. They were designed such that they could be used for clandestine purposes yet one wouldn’t become lost.
Sanskaar (softly) : Semiprivate aveneus for those who want to have a little fun. Brilliant, isn’t it?
Swara (firmly) : Brilliant it may be. But I refuse to walk any more. This is more than enough.
Sanskaar laughed. He caught her arm and pulled her close.
Sanskaar : Are you afraid of me, Shona? You think I’ll do something to you with all these people within grasp of fighting me to death? You really think I’ll do something like that, Shona?
His American accent had become more pronounced. And he had called her Shona again. He was, she realized, moving on to the next, more dangerous stage of his game. She wondered briefly why he had chosen her. Because she was very, very wealthy, perhaps?
Sanskaar : I think you’re afraid of me.
Well, that did it, of course. Even though she knew very well that she was being jerked like a puppet on a string, she reacted as he expected her to react. She bristled.
Swara (haughtily) : I am Swara Singh Oberoi. Oberois aren’t afraid of anyone. Especially not tiny Maheshwaris. You want to show me more of this avenue? Go on. Show me. Lead the way.
He grinned at her and she read appreciation in his eyes as they stepped into one of the lantern-lined avenues and were immediately caught up in the illusion of privacy and seclusion.
Sanskaar : Finally this evening grows interesting. I am enjoying it only now.
Swara (scornfully) : You’re enjoying my company?
Sanskaar (softly) : Yes, Shona.
Swara stopped and turned to look at him.
Swara : Why did you do this? For whom was this party?
Sanskaar : For you, Shona.
Swara (shocked) : For me? But why?
Sanskaar : I thought you might be amused by it.
Swara : Why?
Sanskaar (shrugging) : Isn’t that what girls are supposed to like, Shona? A sense of adventure,moonlight and a picnic.
Swara (exasperated) : Why choose ME? Why do something so extravagant when we are complete strangers? What are your intentions?
Sanskaar (laughing) : Intentions? If you think I’m planning to ask you to marry me, Then you’re quite wrong. I could see that you were feeling trapped by the normal society conventions and rules. I just wanted to make you a free bird.
Swara walked and stood under a tree. She crossed her arms and stared at him.
Swara : And now that you have me here, What do you plan to do to me?
Sanskaar (looking at her innocently) : Excuse me?
Swara : Don’t be so coy, Mr Maheshwari. What do you plan to do to me here? Seduce me? Are you planning to kiss me?
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

I’m so sorry for not being able to reply to comments… Trying to juggle between writing and internship… I’m really sorry.. Will try to reply how much ever I can

Also I keep forgetting to thank Dhara dii for the story title.. She was the one who came with it.. And I forgot to give her credits. Soo sorry…