Chapter 8:
Scene 1:
Location: Maheshwari mansion, Sanskar’s room
Sanskar tried to remember some verses of Vedah but failed and went out. His mother was having lunch. Spoon fell from her hand when she saw him. She was observing him with wide eyes.
AP: Sanskar! Is that you? (he nodded and she ran to him) I can’t believe it. Seriously, like….. (Sanskar started writing on paper. “why are you behaving as if you have seen some ghost. Am I looking that bad?”) no my son! You are looking so handsome that I can’t describe it in words. You have changed. Were you going somewhere? (“bookshop”) but you are not completely fine. Doctor has prescribed complete bed rest for you. (“mom! I am not a kid. I will be back in half an hour”)ok fine! But you have to take driver with you and please take care of yourself. Be on time. (he just smiled at her and went to bookshop and bought Vedah with translation and some other religious books. He returned to his house and started reading them one by one. After a month, he finished them and now he knew the meaning of Sanskrit words used in the Vedah. He went to Maqndir for the first time and performed his puja with full concentration. At the end, he prayed for Swara and her safety. When he returned home, he was very fresh and in good mood. He then went to US after some days. He broke his contact with all of his previous friends especially with girls. He always remained miles away if any girl was there. His friends also wondered why suddenly he got allergic to girls. He stopped going to pubs and clubs. He never smiled nor laughed even once. He talked very less. Teachers also noticed the change in his personality.
Scene 2:
Location: New Haven, Sanskar’s apartment
Sanskar was in his apartment reciting Vedah when Nihal came.
Nihal: what happened, Sanskar?
Sanskar: nothing special yar. Actually, I was busy in reciting the Vedah that’s why I got late in opening the door.
Nihal: (spits the drink) what? What did you said?
Sanskar: I was explaining the reason of being late in opening the door.
Nihal: you were busy in…. reciting Vedah?
Sanskar: yeah, what’s the problem?
Nihal: from when did you started taking interest in religion? I mean you offered puja only one time and you left that in middle or should I say start.
Sanskar: I did that because I didn’t knew that language. But now I have studied it with translation.
Nihal: would you please tell me the reason behind this revolution?
Sanskar: are you no happy? I mean you were the one who always insisted on doing all this and when I started doing all that, you are questioning…….
Nihal: I am sorry yar. But I am quite surprised because you said that religion thing is not your cup of tea. You never showed any interest in religion and now all of the sudden? I mean…..
Sanskar: Nihal! I am doing all this because I got to know that this is right for me. I am not a kid.
Nihal: I know but still….. Is there any girl in your life?
Sanskar: (looks at him sharply) girl? Now what has a girl to do with this change?
Nihal: I have seen you changed since you have returned. And all friends have observed that you have started remaining miles away from girls. You never did this. In fact, you were always surrounded by girls but now….. The scene is totally different. Tell me the truth Sanskar. Are you in love with someone?
Sanskar: (angrily) yes, I love her. I know that we can never be together but still I love her. Happy? (crying) now don’t talk about her. I am bearing this pain since many days. Don’t try to spy on me.
Nihal: when did you meet her and what is her name?
Sanskar: (wiping tears) I told you not to ask anything about her. Still you…… just change the topic.
Nihal: if her memories give you pain, then forget her.
Sanskar: did I asked for your advice? I don’t need anyone. Just leave me alone.
Nihal: but you will slip into depression if this continues.
Sanskar: (shouting) then let it be. It will be my punishment. I deserve it.
Nihal: no Sanskar. We can……
Sanskar: just shut your mouth and leave me alone. You can stay in the room next to my bedroom. (takes the sleeping pills and gulps them down)
Nihal: what are you doing, Sanskar? It will destroy your nerves.
Sanskar: (angrily) keep your suggestions with you. It is not going to affect me. Understood? (Nihal leaves from there tensed. He started going to Hindu society and learnt many religious things. He started fasting. After four years, his MBA was complete. Different organizations requested him to get a job in their firm. He chose UNICEF. He was the head of his department and had to monitor all the welfare programs. He sometimes got involved in making projects and was appreciated. He was the youngest employee of UNICEF. For his post, a very experienced person was required but seeing his record, they gave him the post of their head without any difficulty. He was running it efficiently. He could never sleep without sleeping pills. If he skipped his medicines, memories of Swara started occupying his mind and he got migraine. To avoid the thoughts of Swara, he started spending more time in his office. Normally eighteen hours and sometimes even twenty one hours.
Scene 3:
Location: flight
On his first holidays, he was going to Pakistan to attend his sister’s wedding. In flight, he met Lakshya. He was a very good guy and very religious. He was very friendly. Their seats were adjacent so they kept on talking. After half an hour, he took out the bottle of sleeping pills and gulped two of them with water. Lakshya was silently observing him.)
Lakshya: (smiling) some people can’t sleep without sleeping pills in plane.
Sanskar: I can never sleep without them. Place does not makes any difference. If I take sleeping pills, I can only sleep for three to four hours.
Lakshya: how many hours do you work?
Sanskar: eighteen hours. Sometimes, it is increased to twenty one hours due to work pressure.
Lakshya: (surprised) my goodness! From when?
Sanskar: from past four to five years.
Lakshya: insomnia?
Sanskar: I don’t know, I never thought of check up. May be it is insomnia.
Lakshya: you should pay attention to your health else it will damage your brains. You are very young.
Sanskar: my health does no makes any difference to me. (sleepish tone) I can’t live without her.
Lakshya: are you stuck in your past? What problem do you have?
Sanskar: yes! I have a very big problem with me. She never leaves my heart. The regrets never leave me. This guilt is killing me. I….. (falls asleep and a lone tear at the corner of his eyes didn’t go unnoticed by Lakshya. When he got up, they exchanged their numbers.)
Lakshya: are you married?
Sanskar: no!
Lakshya: lucky one!
Sanskar: and you?
Lakshya: yeah! I have a beautiful wife and a very cute daughter.
Sanskar: oh!
Lakshya: is smiling prohibited for you?
Sanskar: why?
Lakshya: you never smile.
Sanskar: I came to attend the marriage of my sister.
Lakshya: if you don’t mind, I can tell you some verses of Vedah. You can recite them and Bhagwan will give you a peaceful sleep.
Sanskar: why are you hesitating?
Lakshya: youngsters like you mostly don’t believe in these things. They consider all these things old fashioned.
Sanskar: Lakshya! I am a religious person and I recite at least one page every night.
Lakshya: I can’t understand that a person who is so religious and recites one Page of Vedah every night, still sleep is away from him.
Sanskar: anyways, I invite you to my sister’s wedding. You must come.
Lakshya: I will try.
Sanskar: I insist.
Lakshya: (smiling) ok!
Sanskar: good!
Lakshya: be in contact with me.
Sanskar: of course! (their ways parted)
Scene 4:
Location: Maheshwari mansion, Sanskar’s room
He came to his room after freshening up. He was sitting in his room and observing his room. It was the same as he left. Suddenly his eyes fell on Gagodia Mansion. Swara’s room was straight in front of his eyes. Her face flashed in front of his face and he remembered their moments. He remembered how he lied to her about Adarsh’s marriage. He thought that she will agree to live with him but it happened opposite. He also remembered how he teased her on phone that he will not give her divorce. He has already allotted this right to her in marriage papers. Before he could tell her that he was joking, she cut the call and he tried to find about her but he could not find. He was now regretting that why he lied to her about Adarsh or why did he thought to joke with her. But now nothing could be changed. He was living his life in punishment. A punishment of separation! He was thinking.
Sanskar: (in mind) where would be she? Is she safe? I always pray for her even in pilgrimage but still I am worried. Will she have married someone? No no. She does not knew that I have given her the right of divorce. Wherever she will be, she will be living as my wife. (Sanskar performed pilgrimage every year and he also performed pilgrimage from Swara’s side.) Swara! Where are you? I hope you are fine. (he gulped sleeping pill)