SWASAN – THE AUTHOR’S LOVE (Chapter 4) ~Ashu

Hello everyone! I’m back with the fourth chapter of TAL! I know I’m late, and I’m sorry to keep you waiting.
I thank everyone, who commented on the last chapter!
Not proof read. Ignore grammatical errors and typos.

Link to Chapter 3 : Here

THE AUTHOR’S LOVE!!!

Chapter 4

SWARA’S P.O.V.
Ragini dropped me home, after we were done meeting the guys. I stood in the driveway, as I watched her car move far off into the distance. I wished only for Ragini to be happy, and never to be in a situation where she’d regret falling in love.

After talking to Laksh, I had only one thing to say, he loves Ragini so much, and I had a feeling that he isn’t going to hurt her. But I had to warn in him, for my satisfaction. That warning should give him a second thought before hurting Ragini. I let out a small laugh, visualizing the scared faces of Laksh, and Sanskaar.

I sighed, and went inside hoping for the best. As I neared the doorway, I heard loud voices from the living room. I was not surprised to see my Mom and Dad, yelling at each other for some reason. Either they don’t stay at home, or even if they are at home, they can’t live without yelling at each other.

“It was your fault! Do you ever ask me before taking any decision?” Mom yelled at Dad.

“Yeah, it was my fault! You are the right one always and I’m the wrong one.” Dad shouted back. I witnessed the growing rage between them, in silence. Neither of the two was willing to calm down.

“But I didn’t say that! Why do you take me the wrong way always?” Mom asked him.

“You mean to say, I’m the one who doesn’t understand you? You are right, It’s my fault! My fault to marry you in the first place.” Dad yelled again.

I couldn’t handle it anymore. This was the limits now! “Enough!” I shouted. Both of them turned towards me, and stared in silence.

“For God’s sake, Stop this! I’m fed up of this!!” I yelled, holding myself from breaking down. I gave them one last glance, before leaving to my room.

I slammed the door shut, and fell to the ground, helpless. I wished to go somewhere far away, where I don’t witness this situation in my everyday life. I felt lonely in my life, surrounded by nothing but arguments.
—

It had been a week since I yelled at my Mom and Dad, and since then, I’ve not witnessed anymore. It was not because they stopped arguing, but because Dad was out of country, for some business, and it was just Mom and me at home.

The whole week, I managed to spend most of my time at my office, and successfully managed to avoid my mom. I didn’t like working in my Dad’s company, so I opted to work outside, and I was happy and contended with my work.

Before I knew it, it was Sunday again, and I had a day off from work. I managed to sulk in the room, since morning, but I was tired of sitting in the same four walls around me. I had no distraction either to help me keep things off my mind.

In the evening, when I could no longer sit in my room, I decided to go and distract myself by cooking something. I loved cooking, and surprisingly it kept things off my mind, and I had this inborn desire to keep experimenting in the kitchen. I checked for all the ingredients, and found some missing. I decided to go to the supermarket and get all the necessary ingredients.

I moved around the supermarket, getting all the things I thought would be necessary. I was getting some sauces, when I noticed the very familiar six foot figure, standing at a distance of few steps from me, with his back turned to me.

I went to him, and tapped on his shoulder. He turned back, and looked at me, with the look of surprise, evident in his dark brown eyes.

“Hey Sanskaar!” I greeted him.

“Swara? What are you doing here?” He asked, and I felt like laughing at his question.

“I’m here to watch a movie.” I replied.

“What?” He looked at me, surprised, and confused.

“Of course for buying grocery, Sanskaar! What else would I do in a supermarket?” I answered, when he rolled his eyes, and the two of us burst out laughing.

Our laughter was interrupted, when someone called out Sanskaar’s name. Curious, I looked over his shoulder, to find a lady in her late forties, or probably early fifties, looking at the two of us.

“Mom!” Sanskaar called out to her. Oh, she is his mom. She walked towards us, and exchanged glances between me and Sanskaar.

“Mom, this is Swara… um… my friend.” He introduced me to his mom. She smiled at me, and her smile was welcoming, “Hello Aunty,” I greeted her.

“Hello Swara beta. You have such a sweet name.” She said, with a smile, and I mumbled a thank you to her, not knowing what to say.

“How do you guys know each other?” she asked me. “She is Ragini’s best friend mom. The girl I told you about!” Sanskaar answered for me

“Oh, Laksh’s girlfriend?” She asked, turning to Sanskaar, and he nodded.

“Sanskaar, why don’t you get the items you need for that new recipe of yours, while I talk to Swara, if she doesn’t mind that is?” She looked at me and Sanskaar.

“It’s okay aunty, I don’t mind,” I told her, before turning to Sanskaar, and asked him, “You cook?”

He nodded, while his mom answered for me, “You don’t know? Well, Sanskaar keeps experimenting in the kitchen, whenever he gets time. And, yes, he does cook well.” I turned to look at Sanskaar, who stood there embarrassed.

“Mom…” Sanskaar began, but she continued, ignoring him, “You should give it a try sometime.” “Mom!!” Sanskaar tried to stop her again, when she interrupted him again, “Or even better, I suggest you come today.”

Sanskaar was all flushed up, and I felt like laughing looking at his face, instead I chose to remain quiet. “Swara, you are free today, aren’t you?” His mom asked.

“It’s okay aunty…” I wanted to tell her that I’d come some other time, when she interrupted, “No no Swara, I don’t take no for an answer. Sanskaar, why don’t you invite your friend?” She asked him, who looked back at me and her, and finally turned to me.

“Mom is right, Swara. You should come.” He invited me. I don’t know if he is inviting me, just because his mother wants or he really wants me to. Besides, we were not really that close, just to go and have dinner at his house.

I think, he sensed my confusion, and added, “I’ll call Laksh, and ask him to bring Ragini as well.” I gave him a smile, and nodded.

“Sanskaar, get whatever you want. I and Swara, are going home.” His mom told him, and his jaw dropped, at his mother’s words. Before he opened his mouth to speak, his mom waved and left the place, dragging me along with her. I turned to look at Sanskaar, who was smiling to himself.
—

I was talking to Sanskaar’s mom, sitting in the living room, while he was cooking in the kitchen. Laksh and Ragini aren’t here yet, and I was waiting for them to come. Sanskaar’s house was huge, and is not something less than a palace. His house was magnificent, with a simple yet elegant look. Whoever has chosen the interiors, which I mostly think is his mom, has done a commendable job at decorating the house. The huge chandelier hanging in the centre of the living room looked beautiful.

Sanskaar’s mom talked all about Sanskaar, and his sister Uttara, and how Sanskaar has taken the responsibility of their family at a young age, when they lost his father. She was a strong woman, yet calm and sweet. I could sense a mother’s pride on her son, when she talked about Sanskaar.

I excused myself, and went to the kitchen, and found him cutting some veggies. I expected the kitchen to be messy, but contrary to my expectations, it was clean, and everything was perfectly arranged. I went to him, and offered to help him, but he just shrugged it off saying he could manage.

I sat down on the kitchen counter, and the two of us started talking. “You love cooking?” I asked him.

“It isn’t my passion or something, but I enjoy it.” He replied, while preparing some sauces.

“So, what are you making anyway?” I asked him.

“Burrito.” He replied. “Bu…What?” I asked, confused, as I didn’t understand what he was saying.

“Burrito, Swara. That’s a Mexican dish.” He answered. That did sound weird, but interesting. I always had this curiosity in me to learn new cuisines, and I wanted to learn this as well.

“Sanskaar, will you teach me how to make this?” I asked him. He looked at me for a moment, and nodded. I jumped off the kitchen counter

He explained me how to prepare it, and later demonstrated how to mix the sauces, and taught me how to make the rolls. He showed me, step by step how to place the stuffing, and how to roll it and then fold the ends of the roll. He made a few of them, and let me do the rest, while preparing for the rest of the dinner.

We were busy preparing the food, when I heard Laksh’s voice from behind, “Ragini! Looks like the dinner today is going to be delicious.” We turned back and noticed Laksh, and Ragini in the doorway

“I agree, Laksh. Swara and Sanskaar, both of them are preparing it together.”

“Ragini, I can’t wait to get married.” Laksh said.

“Why?” Ragini asked raising her eyebrows at Laksh.

“Who will cook for me, once we are married?” He asked her, while I laughed silently, knowing that Ragini never had a thing for cooking.

“Of course, You!” she answered, while I laughed out loud, hearing her answer.

“Wh…What?” Laksh asked shocked. Sanskaar looked equally surprised, listening to Ragini.

“Yes, Laksh! You are the one who’ll cook. Don’t expect me to cook!” She warned him. I tried to hold back my laughter.

“But, I don’t know how to cook.” He said.

“That’s not a problem. Sanskaar will help you learn.” She replied, and looked at Sanskaar, who was watching them in silence, and continued, “Will you not, Sanskaar?”

Sanskaar gave her a nod, still confused, “If you want, Laksh.” He offered.

“Why don’t you learn from Swara? I’m sure, she knows how to cook.” Laksh suggested. I looked at Ragini, who frowned. There’s no way Ragini will learn, and I’m pretty sure about it. I doubt she’ll really ask Laksh to cook.

“I know how to cook Laksh, but unfortunately your girlfriend will not learn. I think you will have to learn.” I told him, who gave me a look of disbelief. He then looked at Sanskaar, who started laughing, much to the annoyance of his friend. Ragini gave him a sheepish smile.

“But Ragini…” He started to say, when Sanskaar grabbed my attention, by holding me by the arm, and pulling me a little aside. His touch sent shivers down my spine, and I wondered, if I was really enjoying his touch.

“Swara, they’ll continue bickering, for I don’t how much time, but we need to complete this, or we’ll have breakfast tomorrow morning, instead of dinner tonight.” He said slowly, making sure his voice was audible only to me.

He was still holding my arm, with his hand, and I looked at him, for a moment, and then at his hand holding my arm. He seemed to understand, for he left my hand, and mumbled, “Sorry.”

I told him, it was fine, that he didn’t need to apologize, and we went back to finish our work, and completed preparing the dinner, while Laksh and Ragini still continued bickering about who is going to cook. I and Sanskaar looked at each other, and rolled our eyes.

Sanskaar and I arranged the table, leaving them in the kitchen. Everything placed on the table looked delicious, and I can’t wait to taste them. The table was already having multi cuisines, and each of them was mouth watering.

Sanskaar went to call his mom, while I called Laksh and Ragini. The three of us were seated, when Sanskaar came back and informed that his mom will be having her dinner in her room.

We served ourselves, and I tasted the burrito first. It was yummy, and the stuffing inside, I didn’t think it’d taste this good, when I was helping Sanskaar, “Sanskaar, this tastes amazing.” I said, with my mouth stuffed with food.

Sanskaar laughed, and served me more. Ragini and Laksh tasted and agreed with me. “Laksh, you seriously need to learn from Sanskaar!” Ragini complained. Laksh and Sanskaar slapped their foreheads.

“Ragini, Laksh can learn later, but can you just enjoy the food for now?” I said, serving myself the lasagna.

We were full, by the time we completed our dinner. Every dish placed here on the table was yum, and I’ve decided I’ll ask Sanskaar to teach me cooking. Sanskaar came out of the kitchen carrying a tray filled with dessert.

“Here you go. The last item for today. Brownie with ice cream!” Sanskaar said, settling down on the chair, and placing the bowls in front of us. I was full, but it’d be very unlikely of me to say no to brownie and ice cream.

“Sanskaar, you made this?” I asked, my eyes widened in surprise. I won’t be surprised if he made this.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I didn’t.” He gave me a smile, and my heart fluttered seeing his smile. I shouldn’t feel this way, my heart shouldn’t flutter. What if he smiles? It shouldn’t bother me in anyway.

I nodded, and focused on the dessert in front of me. I wanted my thoughts to drift away, and I wanted to think about anything but his smile. Ragini and Laksh were arguing as usual about something. I wonder how they’ll be happy together when they argue so much. But, I let the thought pass, and concentrated back on the ice cream.

Once we had the dinner, and after talking for some time, Ragini and I decided to leave. The boys walked us to the car, and after thanking Sanskaar for the amazing dinner, we drove off. The evening had indeed been amazing.
***

A/N:
The end of fourth chapter! How was this? Drop down your comments, so that I’ll know how much you are liking this story. Silent readers, please comment(if I have any). Criticism is welcome!
Thank you!
Love,
Ashu