Two
Swara’s POV
I woke up today. As usual I went jogging. Fitness is always my top priority.
I came back from jogging and I saw my mom preparing breakfast for me. As soon as she saw me she handed me a glass of carrot juice. I gulped it down in one go.
I never liked carrot juice. Previously whenever my mom used to offer me carrot juice I used to refuse her and dad used to support me. But after his death there was no one to support me and today I can’t even refuse her. I saw my mom hurriedly going into the kitchen. I got irritated. She never changes.
“Mom,” I shouted from the living room “how many times I have told u not to cook. Servants are there for all these things. Why can’t u take rest?”
My mom came to me and gave a warm smile. “Shona I mean Swara I love cooking for you. No chef in this world can compete with the dish made by a mom for her child. I like cooking for u. So don’t make a fuss of this.”
Every time I tell her not to cook she gives me the same explaination. But I want her to rest. I want her to be free from all kinds of works. I want to look after her as a queen. But she always involves herself in some kind of work so as to forget the debacle that happened in our life. For the same reason I have become a workaholic. I tell her to do things which don’t cause physical exhaution. But she never listens to me.
With a sigh I went to my room to fresh up. I changed into formals and got ready for office. As I was coming down I saw that mom was talking to someone over phone.
As I sat for breakfast she asked me whether I have chosen what to wear for the party. I nodded in negative. She started giving a big lecture. She then hurriedly went to my room and after 10 mins came back with a dress. I did not even have a look at it. She instructed me to wear this for the party and I agreed. How can I say no her?
She has already asked Ragini about the timings of the party and informed me. I now understood that it was Ragini with whom she was previously talking to on the phone.
Those two jerks. They always made things difficult for me. Why did they have to talk about party in front of mom? Now I am stuck in this. There is no way out. One fine day I am going to have my revenge. But for now I had to face this. I had to face Sanskar.
Reminscing about him gives me a strange tickling feeling. Whenever I think about him I have this strange tickling sensation all over my body. What is this? I had no answer.
Why am I am so hesistant about meeting him? He was just my………..my crush. That’s it. Nothing more than that. Only Laksh and Ragini knew about this. I had not even told Sanskar about my feelings. So there won’t be any awkwardness between us. Laksh and Ragini won’t even dare to tease me. They know I will not tolerate it. Overall looking at the situation it was not even a problematic one. Then why? Why am I feeling so restless?
I actually had forgotten about Sanskar completely. He went to California after his class 10 and I had lost touch with him. I was so busy with my life that I did not have time to think about him. But suddenly after 8 years when I heard his name why did my heart start beating faster?
After Sanskar had gone to California I lost my dad and I was so busy in fixing my life that Sanskar had gone out of my mind completely. Then why Swara why? Why are u hesitating? I had no answer. Well it was not the time to think about all these things. I have an important meeting today and cracking this deal is very important for our company. I have to concentrate on that. Brushing off all these unnecessary thoughts I started from home to my office.
As I entered into the office I saw the name Dreamz. It gave me immense happines. This company is my dad’s dream.
Dreamz-the number one ad agency in India. It gives me tremendous pleasure to say this. The best creatives from all over the country work here. This company was started by my dad. My dad in collaboration with Laksh and Ragini’s dads started this. Yes, these two idiots are also close family friends of mine. So technically they both are also share holders in this company. Ragini is a fashion designer while Laksh directs ads and takes care of the ground work.
As I entered the office I was greeted by all the employees. At the sight of me some immediately straightened themselves and looked around to make sure that everything is in order as I hate imperfections. I am a perfectionist and so was my dad. When it comes to work I expect their 100% and nothing less than that. One mistake and they are out. This is the reason why we have been able to maintain our number 1 spot since 10 years.
I went into my cabin and sat down. My secretary Tina briefed me about the day’s schedule. I asked her to keep me free after 5 as I had to go that idiotic party in the evening. She told me that I am having a meeting with Lakme regarding their ad campaign. They had some doubts regarding our strategies.
After two hours a genuine smile spread across my face. I have successfully convinced them of our plan. Yes it was a little risky but its outcome would be fabulous. Satisfied with my work I went on a round of inspection. I do it everyday to assure that every one is working properly. My dad used to do this so I am continuing this. While I was checking a file I got my mom’s call.
“Swara Gaddodia, I have told u to be at home by 5’0 clock but still u aren’t here” my mom shouted. Shit!!!!!! I forgot to check the time as I was immersed in the file. I apologised to my mom and started for home.
When I went home I saw Laksh and Ragini already there. My mom again started shouting on me while Laksh and Ragini were giggling at me. After all it was only my mom who could shout at Swara Gaddodia. I was giving dangerous looks to both Laksh and Ragini. I apologised profusely to my mom and hurriedly went upstairs to change. As I was getting ready the tickling feeling came back. Instead of protesting or fighting with it I let it be. After a long time I was getting ready for a party. Though I denied it I was a little excited.
But somewhere deep down my heart I was unsure about this even now.
As I ascended the stairs my mom, Laksh and Ragini were looking at me as if they are seeing me after a decade. I waved at them and asked them why they were gazing at me like fools.
“Swara u look so beautiful. I am sure at least 5 boys are going to propose u in the party.” Ragini said.
“No aunty I can’t do this. Swara is looking so gorgeous that protecting her from all those boys will be a herculean task for me. I can’t do this” was Laksh’s dialogue
I glared at him while Ragini rolled her eyes at both of us.
“Oh my god. My daughter is looking really pretty. Kahin kisi ki nazar na lag jaye.” my mom said and put a black dot behind my ear.
I wanted to blush. But no. Swara Gadodia can’t blush. I should neither be flattered for a compliment nor I should feel sad for an insensitive comment on me. In all these years I have very well learned to lock and shut my feelings. None can understand what is going on in my mind.
Dad used to tell me to ignore gossips and words of people. “The society has no other work other than to gossip and u should be a brave girl and give them a fitting reply”
my dad used to say. But when my dad was alive no one had the dare to say anything about me on my face. My dad was my protector.
But after his demise I had to protect myself. So I became stern,cold and rude and locked myself from everyone.
Meanwhile my mom gave me her favorite pair of earrings to wear. They suited the dress perfectly.
I bid a bye to mom and told her that I will be early.
“No problem Swara. U can be late. After late night parties are fun. And don’t worry about me. I will be alright” she said.
I gave her “u are impossible” kind of a look and started for the party.
I was glaring at Laksh and Ragini in the car and they were giving me innocent looks.
“What was that?” I asked.
“What?” said Ragini trying to sound as innocent as possible.
“Don’t act innocent. Why were u people praising me? If u do the same thing in the party I swear I will leave the party the very next moment.” I shouted. I have become so annoying that I am displeased about they praising me also.
“Okay baba chill. U are reacting as if we have b****ed about you. Learn to accept a compliment Swara. Otherwise people may say that the great Swara Gaddodia doesn’t know how to recieve a compliment.” Laksh said.
Realising that telling something to these two is of no use, I became silent once again.
Suddenly I thought of Laksh, Ragini and my mom’s words. Were they telling the truth? Was I really looking gorgeous? I had no time to take care of my beauty all these years. I had only one goal in life that is to continue the legacy of my dad’s company and I strived hard for it.
My dad used to tell me that he thought of me as the most beautiful girl on this earth. I used to laugh at him and tell him that it is common. Every dad feels that his daughter is the most beautiful of all. But he used to tell that I really am beautiful and that he is not giving me this compliment as he is my dad.
Though I used to laugh at him, in heart I used to feel happy thinking about his remarks. After his demise no one ever told me that. No boy was interested to flirt with me. I have become so boring and I never let a boy come so close to me. I miss dad every second of my life. I miss the life I used to have before his death. I miss his compliments. I miss his guidance. I miss him like hell.
After his demise I stopped believing in god. If god existed then he would not have taken away my dad from me. He would not have made my dad who is such a great human being leave this world. Dad never liked parties and today even I don’t like them. He did not like them because of the fakeness of people. So I never attended any social parties but I used to hang out with my friends. With these thoughts running in my mind I never realised I had reached the venue until Ragini called out to me.
Suddenly some unknown fear started creeping inside me. I wished I had not come to this place. I wanted to turn back and run away. And then I saw………………………….
Precap: Swasan meet
I hope this was not boring. In this episode I wanted you all to know more about the new Swara and the pivotal role her dad still plays in her life. Hope I have not disappointed u. Awaiting your judgement.
And yah i have chalked out a plan. I am going to post my ff on weekends and I will reply to your comments also on weekends as I can leisurely reply to them instead of doing so in a hurry.