SWASAN – CAPTIVATED FOREVER!
Heyy, It’s Anjali back with the next chapter!!!
Thnxx for comments and to my silent readers….
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Sanskaar returns to Kolkata
CHAPTER 17
Omkara Singh Oberoi stood at the doorway of his sister’s room and stared at her sitting on the couch near the window. He waited for the familiar feelings of sorrow to envelop him and found that he was not disappointed. He watched Swara crouch and anger replaced the gloom surrounding him.
His sister was one of the bravest persons he had ever known and now, She was the bravest person he knew. But somehow, she seemed so forlorn, so alone. He knew Swara wasn’t the type to be affected by gossip, but she did almost witness her brother’s death firsthand and God knows what other horrors his sister had endured.
Om recalled the conversation he had had with Gauri earlier in the morning.
Gauri : Om! Why don’t we ask Swara to come with us when we return to Bareilly?
Om (surprised) : That’s a good idea, Gauri. But will she come? She seems to find comfort here.
Gauri hit him on his back and Om turned towards her, an incredulous look on his face.
Om : What was that for?
Gauri : Sweetheart, Rudra died.
She placed her palms on his cheeks as her eyes grew moist. Om held her, trying to find comfort from her.
Gauri : Rudy died and Swara heard the information first. She was alone in some city. None of us were with her. She had to endure it all alone. She came back here with Sanskaar Maheshwari which led to gossip. I know our Swara doesn’t care about gossip and won’t let it affect her but she’s alone, Om. You have me and our son. Ragini has Laksh and her kids to find comfort. Shivaay bhaiyya….. Shivaay bhaiyya loves us but he is not warm. He protects us but comfort…. I don’t think Swara is happy. She is forlorn and as much as we try to put it away to sorrow, We have neglected her because we were too busy dealing with our own grief.
Now, Om thought of the words and felt yet more emotions course through him. Shame. Guilt. Self-Reproach.
Swara (softly) : Om!
Omkara was shaken out of his reverie and looked at his kid sister watching him.
Swara : Were you planning to come in?
Om (smiling sheepishly) : Well, That was the plan. But then I started thinking about the fact that I’ve been an ass.
Swara (chuckling) : What did you do to Gauri bhabhi now?
Om : No… Not with Gauri. I’ve been acting like an ass with you.
Swara (surprised) : Me?
Om : None of us have been there for you. I had Gauri and Ragini has Laksh but we were so busy wrapped up in our grief we forgot to be there for our little sister. Our sister who literally watched our brother walk away from her and never saw him return. MY sister who’s the bravest of us all and we weren’t there for her.
Swara blinked back the tears that had appeared in her eyes and offered him a cheeky smile.
Swara : Well, At least you accepted that I’m the bravest.
Om laughed and hugged Swara. They spoke of inane matters for a while until Gauri, Ragini and Laksh joined them.
Laksh : So, Little sister-in-law, Gauri was telling us that you might join them when they return to Bareilly.
Swara nodded her head.
Swara : Om has just been asking me if I would like to accompany them. I mean, it would be fun to meet Dadi and play with Tejas the whole day but….
Ragini : But?
Swara : It would seem like I’m leaving because of the gossip about me.
Laksh (smiling) : That’s like an Oberoi. Stay in the city and show them you refuse to be cowed.
Swara smiled. She would neither leave Kolkata nor avoid society simply because everyone expected her to do just that. And her family, of course—with the usual exception of Shivaay, who did not even know about it—applauded her decision.
The next day, Swara received a phone call from Ragini asking her to tag along with her as she went on her daily morning walk in the nearby park. Swara gladly assented.
Ragini : I’m so glad you’re here. I mean.. I love Laksh but he’s just so over-protective. Nothing’s going to happen to a woman who’s barely pregnant and especially someone who knows her limits.
Swara chuckled.
Swara : But, Laksh does have many reasons to be suspicious. You are not a cautious person.
Ragini (scoffing) : I’ll never let anything happen to my children. (smiling cheekily) But I will race you to the fountain.
She sped off while Swara screamed that Ragini had an unfair headstart.
They ran across the park, almost neck and neck the whole way until Ragini surged into the lead as they approached the Fountain side gates and won by a half-second. They were both laughing as they recovered their breaths.
Swara glanced up as few of her male acquaintances passed by the park. She looked at them and dared them to ignore her. Suddenly her eyes focused and held on one of them. He was gazing back at her, a lazy smile in his eyes, and looked so d y familiar that she quite forgot for the moment that she was angry with him.
He detached himself from the group and walked towards her.
Sanskaar : Miss Swara Singh Oberoi!
Swara : Mr Sanskaar Maheshwari!
She cursed herself for sounding so breathless. She blamed it on the exercise she had done while she was running. She looked at her sister who had lost her smile and posed with the Oberoi hauteur and open hostility.
Swara : Ragini, This is Mr Sanskaar Maheshwari. Mr Maheshwari, My sister, Mrs Ragini Laksh Gadodia.
Ragini nodded at the man regally while he offered her a charming smile. He then turned serious as he offered his condolences to Ragini.
Ragini : Thank you, Mr Maheshwari. It has been a difficult fortnight and things were certainly not easy.
She managed to say the words without any note of accusation but the meaning was clear. Sanskaar was not in Ragini’s good books. Swara turned to Sanskaar to try and change the conversation.
Swara : I did not think you were in town.
Sanskaar : I wasn’t. I had gone to Chandipur to meet my family and just returned with them two nights ago.
That explained why he had not come to offer his condolences or attended the memorial functions. But he had been here since the day before yesterday. She felt sorry then that she had smiled at him with such enthusiasm a few moments ago.
Swara (curtly) : I hope your family is well?
Sanskaar : Right as rain, Thank you.
His eyes smiled at her as if they shared a private joke, and she was reminded of their first meeting, when she had concluded that he could be nothing more than a flirt.
Laksh : Ragini, Swara!
The two ladies turned as they saw their entire family with the exception of Shivaay join them.
Swara made the necessary introductions. The men all pokered up, of course, as she would have expected—this, after all was the man who had caused all the infamous gossip in which she was involved. Gauri was warm and gracious—also as expected. Mr Maheshwari was charming.
Laksh : I went to Oberoi Mansion and found that you both hadn’t returned. So we decided to join you guys on your walk.
Sanskaar’s companions had gone on their way and so, Sanskaar fell into line besides Swara as their other companions surrounded their sister protecting her. Swara and Sanskaar soon realised that they were being noticed by pedestrians and others.
Sanskaar took a step closer to Swara and they were almost able to have a private conversation.
Sanskaar (whispering) : Did you miss me, Shona?
Swara (softly) : Missed you?
More than she had admitted even to herself. Seeing him again was almost overwhelming her with awareness, with knowledge. He looked handsome and attractive and virile. He looked like a d y familiar friend. And he felt like a long-lost lover. The air between them seemed fairly to bristle with her awareness.
Swara : Not at all. I have been far too busy to think of you at all.
Sanskaar : That hurts me, Shona. You have wounded me. I have missed you.
She darted him a haughty, suspicious glance. He was flirting with her again, teasing her, just as if everything that had happened since that infamous picnic had never happened.
Swara : You MISSED me? Yet, You couldn’t come and meet me even though you returned a couple of days ago? Or I suppose you did, and I wasn’t there? Or…
Sanskaar : Maybe that’s true. I came day before yesterday to Oberoi Mansion. But I didn’t see you even though I was waiting in the hallway for almost seven to eight minutes before talking to Shivaay.
She forgot about her hauteur and gazed at him in open amazement.
Swara : You came to meet my brother yesterday?
Sanskaar : I did. But your brother would not allow me to meet you.
Swara (glaring) : Would not allow? What does that even mean? Is it because he blames you for the gossip surrounding us?
Sanskaar (smiling slightly) : Could be. It could also be the fact that I’m not a person with the clearest and cleanest conscience. I did cause you to be part of a scandal after all.
Swara (looking around her, sighing) : This is nonsense. All of it.
Sanskaar (his voice lowering even more) : You know we could make it all go away. You already know what I want.
Swara : That is impossible, Mr Maheshwari. Marriage is simply not on the cards for me.
Sanskaar : We are at an impasse, Shona.
They had reached the other side and Sanskaar spotted his companions waiting for him across the street. Their few minutes of relative privacy were over. Laksh was looking pointedly at Sanskaar and Om had moved closer to Swara’s other side.
He addressed himself to Ragini.
Sanskaar : Mrs Gadodia, My mother has suggested that the best form of defense against scandal and gossip is offense. She has asked me to invite you all home tomorrow for a small garden party.
Ragini looked at him intently.
Ragini : I have had the honour of meeting your mother and I think her suggestion is valid. Swara and I will definitely come tomorrow.
Gauri : Unfortunately, Om and I will be leaving tomorrow but please do thank your mother for her kind invitation.
Swara kept quiet throughout this exchange. Sanskaar mentioned his good-byes and soon, Swara was walking back home.
She was troubled. Why had Shivaay refused to let Sanskaar meet her? He was Sanskaar Maheshwari. He was a very successful businessman and his estates were thriving. He wasn’t a fortune hunter. Then why did Shivaay refuse?
Ragini : Swara! Are we going to be lost in Sanskaar’s thoughts the entire morning?
Swara : What? No, It’s not like that. Did you know that Sanskaar had come to meet Shivaay the day before? He apparently asked to marry me, but Shivaay refused.
Everyone stopped and stared at her at her statement.
Om : He asked to marry you?
Ragini : Shivaay refused to allow him to see you? How can he do that? You have the right to make that choice. Besides, Shivaay didn’t even tell you. So characteristic.
Laksh : My respect for him has increased.
Gauri : Shivaay bhaiyya or Sanskaar? But, Sanskaar is exceedingly handsome.
Ragini (grudgingly) : I suppose. His slight accent makes him sound good as well.
Om : However gorgeous or handsome this Maheshwari is, He is too old for our Swara. But, Do you like him, Swara? Do you want to be with him?
Swara sighed and shook her head, a bit frantically.
Swara : You don’t understand. NONE of you do. Sanskaar Maheshwari was my friend….. He IS my friend.
Yet she could not stop remembering the fierce, impassioned way she had reached for comfort in his house that one night and the equally fierce way in which he had offered it. It had not been romance or tenderness or love—or even friendship. But it had been something, and she could not simply shrug it off.
That kiss had had her wishing for more. Even now, She found herself wishing and reminiscing that night again and again.
It had been the most terrible night of her life, yet for those precious minutes, It seemed like the best moments of her life. She felt absurdly close to tears now.
Laksh : Alright, Little sister-in-law, I will try to understand. Come walk with me. tell me more about your time in Srinagar. Tell me why Sanskaar Maheshwari is your friend.
Swara (sharply) : Will you listen?
Nobody ever listened, especially when one was the youngest. But Swara knew she was being unfair. Inspite of having three brothers who loved her and who pampered her, Swara had always adored her brother-in-law who treated her like his own sister. Laksh had always listened to her and spoken to her as if she were a real person rather than just a nuisance of a younger sister.
Laksh : I will. Now, come on.
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When Sanskaar returned home that morning, He found his mother and Uttara sitting and watching a movie. He kissed his mother’s cheek, then sat near his cousin as she smiled at him in greeting.
Sanskaar : Ma! I may have invited some ladies for your garden party tomorrow.
Annapurna (amused) : A garden party? How exciting? Do I get advance notice of my guests unlike this party?
Sanskaar : Mrs Ragini Laksh Gadodia with her sister, Miss Swara Singh Oberoi. I believe, Mrs Gadodia’s sister-in-law, Miss Tanya Gadodia is coming as well.
Annapurna : A formidable set of women, I see. One who has been linked with you in a horrendous manner.
Sanskaar : So you’ve heard the gossip? It is unfortunate. I had offered the lady some protection when she remained in Srinagar. She stayed to nurse the wounded and to wait for news of her brother after he went to deliver an urgent letter to one of the Generals but did not return. I had the honor of escorting her back to Kolkata after she received word that Rudra Singh Oberoi was certainly dead.
Annapurna : The gossip seems to be exaggerated then. In fact, it is absolutely vicious. No one said so to my face, Ofcourse, But Uttara had to hear an earful of it yesterday from someone.
Uttara : I defended you as well as i could, Sanskaar.
Sanskaar (smiling) : Thank you. That’s why I wanted to show that there is no ill will between the two families and the gossip is simply… gossip.
Annapurna (frowning) : Beta, I know Swara must be very young. Surely there is something else we can do to stop this? She doesn’t deserve to be at the centre of such cruelty.
Sanskaar : I had gone to meet Shivaay Singh Oberoi yesterday. I went so far as to offer my hand in marriage with Swara. But he rejected my proposal.
Annapurna’s eyes hardened. She looked at her son knowingly before replying.
Annapurna : So he’s not willing to put the past behind, is it? And did it give you pleasure, Sanskaar, so to confront him? Did it give him pleasure to refuse you? Has nothing changed, nothing been solved?
He had been trying to untangle his own motives since yesterday. He had not expected to meet Swara again so soon, but he had meant to see her. And having done so, he had thought of a way of perhaps dampening the force of the scandal. It was wise for his mother to be seen to receive her and her sister. But at the same time it would incense Shivaay Singh Oberoi, who would be faced with the dilemma of either allowing the visit or openly snubbing a lady of his mother’s standing in society.
He had felt a rush of tenderness for Miss Swara Singh Oberoi in the park. He had also felt a distinct physical awareness of her that went beyond mere attraction. He had hugged her. He had kissed her. He knew her. All the feelings had been unwelcome. He would like to have used her mindlessly to get back at Shivaay. But she was a person, and apart from any other feelings he might have for her, he liked her. He even admired her.
Sanskaar : I proposed because Swara is a nice lady. Shivaay refused and did not give me any reason.
Annapurna : Nice girl? Is that all? Have you conceived an affection for her?
Sanskaar : An affection, yes. But you must not make a huge romance of it, Ma. She is very young and I have a very shady past. We shared a friendship in Srinagar, forced upon us by circumstances. It is not the same now that she is back with her family and I am with mine. My only wish is to restore her reputation.
But his mother had clasped her hands to her bosom and was beaming at him.
Annapurna : You do not know what you say, Sanskaar. How foolish men are! You care for Miss Swara Singh Oberoi, whom I have never seen in my life. But I will. Tomorrow I will entertain her here and give my opinion on whether she is worthy of my son. I would not have chosen an Oberoi for you if given the choice, especially after what happened five years ago, but love cannot always be chosen rationally. My prayers are going to be answered, and I am going to see my eldest child happily married.
Sanskaar looked appealingly at his cousin. She was smiling at him.
Uttara : I will not embarrass you with gushing enthusiasm, Sanskaar, but I would have you know that nothing would make me happier than to see you happy at last.
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THAT DAY, AT LUNCH
Ragini and Laksh had joined the rest of the Oberois for lunch that day. Shivaay sat at the head of the table as usual and before they started eating, Ragini spoke up in her usual forthright manner.
Ragini : We met Sanskaar Maheshwari this morning. He has extended an invitation from his mother, Mrs Annapurna Maheshwari for us ladies for a garden party in Maheshwari Nivas tomorrow. I have accepted for Swara as well as Tanya.
Shivaay looked at her intently.
Shivaay : Have you? While Laksh may be fine with you and your sister-in-law going there tomorrow, I see no reason why my sister has to go as well. I do not want her going there.
Ragini (her nose flaring) : Excuse me? Are you forbidding Swara from doing what she wants?
Shivaay : Ofcourse Ragini. Mr Maheshwari is not a suitable acquaintance for anyone in this family. His reputation is unsavoury, and the way in which he has carelessly embroiled Swara in unnecessary scandal has proved the point. Though I cannot stop you, I would rather you sent a refusal to Mrs Maheshwari.
Swara rose to speak, but Om stopped her and turned to Shivaay.
Om : Perhaps they should go there, Shivaay. If we treat the Maheshwaris as enemies, Then the gossip will never stop. If there is amiability between the two familes, soon some other spicier gossip will fill the streets and we will be left alone.
Laksh : I agree. There isn’t any valid reason why Swara shouldn’t go to the Maheshwaris’ house tomorrow. Ragini approves and I’m sure, Gauri does too.
Gauri nodded and Swara finally spoke. Shivaay was eating his way through a large plate of food just as if they were talking about nothing of any greater significance than the weather.
Swara : Why is everyone talking like I’m not even here? If you have any personal objection with Sanskaar Maheshwari, Shivaay, then speak out. If you do not, you can only object to the fact that instead of abandoning me as the Singhanias did, he escorted me to Mrs Raichand’s and arranged for my belongings to be brought over. And that then he gave of his own time and energy to try to discover what had happened to Rudra. And that he escorted me whenever I needed to get air and exercise after nursing the wounded—so that I would not have to go about alone. And that after I had heard about the discovery of the letter that Rudra had been carrying, Mr Maheshwari offered to bring me home in person, though I do not believe he had planned to return to Kolkata so soon. This is why you call him no gentleman, Shivaay? This is why you turned him away yesterday and would not even allow him to meet me?
Gauri squeezed Swara’s fingers reassuringly as Shivaay took a sip of water and looked at her.
Shivaay : So he told you about that, Did he?
Swara (her eyes flashing) : He did. You should have told me. I would have said no. Did you realize that? I would not force anyone to marry me simply because he believed himself honour-bound to offer. And I would not marry any man I did not love with my whole heart. But I resent the fact that you did not even give me the chance to choose my own future. I deeply resent it.
Shivaay : While that may be true, You are but twenty and unknowledgable in the ways of the world.
Swara : Oh sure, I agree. Am I forbidden to go to tea tomorrow, then? Am I to be locked into my room with bread and water? Should I give you my phone? Would you like to go through all my contacts and see if Sanskaar’s number is there? Or anyone else’s actually?
He set down his knife and fork and looked coldly at her.
Shivaay : That will be enough. I find tantrums unnecessary. Now, I’m still not happy but since Laksh, Om and everyone feels this might be a good idea, You can go. But be cautious there.
Gauri : That’s the right decision, bhaiyya.
Shivaay looked at Gauri with a surprised expression. He had always respected the soft-spoken and loving woman and valued her opinions.
Gauri : Our Swara is smart and can take care of herself. Of course you are concerned that Swara not become the dupe of an unprincipled man, but most important at present is somehow to dispel this foolish scandal that has developed.
Shivaay nodded thoughtfully. Swara was still riled up that she was being thought childish but at Laksh and Ragini’s reassuring looks, She calmed down and the Oberois ate their lunch in peace.
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