Hiii dear….. I am really glad to see your response….. just keep telling me what do you like the most in the story… I want everyone to give their opinion….it will help me in further chapters…..
Recap: Swara and Siya’s first meeting….
Chapter 11
“I will introduce you to everyone” Siya squealed in excitement looking at Swara. Everyone was little surprised by this sudden friendly bonding of their princess with the girl who arrived just now in the picture….Sanskar was noticing his daughter’s excitement for Swara which was totally unexpected for him also.
Pointing towards Annapurna, Siya said…. “She is Annapurna Maheshwari, my dadi ma and dad’s” mom” Swara greeted her with Namaste while she smiled back to her……. one by one Siya introduced everyone including Miththu and Kaushalya…. Finally she came running to Sanskar and hugged him softly…. “And this is my dad, Sanskar Maheshwari” all laughed at her innocent antics. Swara noticed that though Siya was a kid of just seven but she was good with words as she couldn’t deny how impressively she introduced everyone to her. No doubt she was intellectual, she thought.
Laksh who was sitting next to Sanskar bend towards him to whisper something “Bhai…. Do you really think this little, delicate girl can tame your audacious daughter? Bhai I am sure you fell for her innocent looks…” Sanskar glared him angrily “shut up lucky…. Don’t stress your little brain so much… you know me very well…. She is just an employ for me, it that clear to you” Laksh gave a suspicious look to him and again whispered “Then let me tell you this time your choice is really weird”. He couldn’t tolerate his brother’s nonsense anymore, he thought it’s better to ignore him then to indulge in a never ending argument.
Siya: (looking at Annapurna) dadi ma see how beautiful her nick name is “SHONA”…even chachu has nice nick name…. and you kept mine as laddoo… who call their kids on the name of sweets
Her complain made everybody to burst in laugh….
Ragini: (looking at Swara who was just wiggling her food on the plate) Swara please feel free….if you don’t like the food… cooks will prepare something else for you.
Swara who was lost in the thoughts of her mother and little bro came back to her senses hearing Ragini’s voice…
Swara: (hiding her emotions) No….it’s nothing like that actually I am little tired that’s it.
They smiled back to each other and continued with their food….
Laksh: (friendly way) So Swara what you have studied…. I mean your qualification?
Swara: I have just completed my Graduation in Business management
Sujata: (who was little surprised with her qualification and the choice of her carrier) Then why you choose to be a governess?
Swara didn’t expecting this question…. She didn’t want to share the tragedy happened with her in recent past to anybody… much to her surprise she looked at Sanskar to answer this for her and he read that in her eyes.
Sanskar: actually chachi she is preparing for her masters… and in corporate job it is difficult to manage time…. So she decided to do this job till then.
Satisfied with Sanskar’s reply Sujata gave an impressive look to her “well that’s good Swara, I appreciate your thinking”. Swara accepted her praise with a smile. Then she turned her gaze to him and conveyed a thank you through her eyes for handling the situation but was little confused with his blank face.
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After the diner Swara retired early for her room as she was drained out due to the hectic day. Whereas Siya was forced by her father to go to bed, unwillingly she agreed. All others made their way to the living room to spend some time together as it’s rare when whole family is present at home. They made themselves comfortable at different couches, talking about random stuffs over a cup of coffee, enjoying their family time.
Annapurna: (to Sanskar) Swara looks like from a good family….
Sanskar: (remembering her tragic story) Yeah…she is… her father was a reputed Businessman of Indore.
Everyone was little amused on hearing the word “WAS”. Understanding the questionable look on all faces he narrated her whole story. After knowing the truth all were sympathizing and feeling petty for her.
Sujata: (sadly) poor girl…. She is too young to deal with all this.
Annapurna: (a faint smile) “if god gives burden, gives shoulder also”
Ram: well it’s good to see that Siya is liking her…. that is a big relief.
Sanskar: (smiles) yeah that’s true….. (Looking everyone) please don’t mention this in front of Miss Bose that you all know about her past…. She might feel we are intruding in her personal life.
All assured him whereas Laksh gave him teasing smirk thinking about the concern he was showing towards a stranger, but Sanskar ignored him knowing his intensions.
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Morning, Maheshwari Mansion
Sound of the alarm woke her up…. scanning the surrounding with her half open eyes she sat on the bed…checked the time in her mobile….it was 6. No matter how pampered child she was of her doting parents but when it comes to morning routine she was an early bird… stretching herself she moved towards the washroom with her clothes… after taking a bath and getting ready for the day…she decided to talk to her mother…..quickly she picked her mobile and dialed.
Sharmishtha: (cheerful voice) Shona… you know I was just thinking about you and you called…
Swara: (smiled) good morning ma… what were you doing?
Sharmishtha: nothing much just preparing milk for Ashu
Swara: (surprised) so early…
Sharmishtha: yeah… you know what today your brother woke up even before me…
Swara: (dazed) No way…. You must be kidding?
Sharmishtha: (smiles) why don’t you talk to him by yourself
Sharmishtha passed the phone to Ashwin, who was giving a full smile to his mother……
Ashwin: (teasing tone) why are you troubling us early in the morning…. Can’t you live there in peace?
Swara: (astound) Ashu!!! Am I dreaming…. You are up so early?
Ashwin: (annoyed) this is because of Ma…. By mistake last night I slept with mom… and you know what, I can’t sleep whole night because of her snores…. That’s why I am up early…
As soon as he finished, Swara laughed out loud whereas Sharmishtha was giving him an angry look…
Swara: (holding her laugh) then I suggest you to sleep with mom daily…you won’t be late for school…
Ashwin: (irritated) thanks but I don’t need your suggestions….
Sharmishtha signaled something to Ashwin
Ashwin: Ma is saying all the best to you for your first day…..
Swara: say thanks to ma… and Ashu you will not wish me
Ashwin: well I will definitely like to wish but not you rather to that kid whom you are going to teach…
He said that with a teasing tone, making her sister frown….
Swara: (angrily) Ashu let me come there, I will kill you for sure…
Sharmishtha grabbed the phone from him, giving him an angry glare for teasing his sister….
Sharmishtha: (lovingly) Shona…. Don’t listen him… he is just teasing you…you take care of yourself properly and don’t skip your meals… and ha one more thing message me Sanskar’s number ok….
Swara was reluctant to give her mother his number as she knew her mother, she become over possessive sometimes and she doesn’t want him to feel weird with her behavior….but she can’t help it… finally she gave up and messaged his number.
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Morning 7:15, at hall
Annapurna and Sujata done with their morning prayer, sipping their morning tea. They heard some sound from the stairs and turned around. Swara was descending down the stairs wearing a fresh smile on her face. She came up to them and wished them good morning, both replied warmly.
Annapurna: (little surprised) Swara why you woke up so early? No need to change your routine for us…
Swara: (smilingly) No mam…. I am an early beginner…
Annapurna: that’s a good habit…. And beta, please call me anything but not mam…. It sounds so formal
Swara: (smiles) ok aunty
Annapurna: (smiles) that’s sounds better…
Sujata: (looking at Annapurna) same goes with me….
They smiled at each other and asked Swara to join them. “What would you have tea or coffee” Sujata asked her…. “Coffee” she replied. Kaushalya brought a cup of coffee for Swara and trio engaged in talking with each other. Swara was amazed with their bonding….she observed that they were totally contrast of each other. Annapurna was traditional not conservative but connected with her roots, soft spoken, calm and sensible in her talks whereas Sujata was modern in her looks, outspoken and lively…. One was the silent lake and other boisterous river. Their talks were mainly about Siya and her naughty pranks…Swara was little perplex knowing that such innocent looking soul could be so mischievous. She didn’t know how time passed with both of them….. Their talk gets disturbed by a young boy’s voice
“Badi malkin, Sanskar Bhaiya has called Swara di to his study” he said
Annapurna: ok…. Take her to the study….. (Looking at Swara) Swara go with Ananad he will show you the study room. Swara left with him….
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At study room
Sanskar was speaking to someone on phone when she entered…. he signaled her to take a seat on the couch placed in front of him. After disconnecting the call he looked at her and said
Sanskar: (in professional tone) Miss Bose I called you here to do some formalities…. This is your appointment letter and here in this paper are the details of the salary…..may be this is a job of governess not like the corporate one but still being a thorough professional I want it to be in proper way…and if you have any doubt regarding this you can talk to Prateek, my PA…. he will give you all the details.
One more thing Miss Bose Siya is a bit difficult to handle… she is naughty and witty…. Though she is intellectual but she didn’t like to study…. In last PTA meeting her class teacher told me about her poor performance in mathematics…. Am sure if she get good guidance she can do better
Swara: I assure you Mr. Maheshwari I will give my best…..
After he finished, Swara stepping out of the room when suddenly his voice made her turn around
Sanskar: Miss Bose… hope you are comfortable here…
“At last he asked, I thought he will never ask” she to herself….
“Yeah… I am” she replied with a formal smile and left
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11:30 am, Siya’s room
Swara was involved with Siya in random talks…she thought it would be better if she began it this way instead of directly hop into a boring study session….no doubt that little girl was a chatter box, she told her everything about her school, friends, family, likes, dislikes all…. Swara asked her about her favorite subject and she replied “Music” and she added “I hate mathematics…. I hate the person who discovered it, it keeps on haunting me” Swara laughed hearing her fear…..
“Well dear, you know what a trick to tame a monster is always there, we have to just find it and we will do it together……….I am sure in no time it won’t haunt you anymore”
Siya gave her a cute smile………
Swara was busy in going through her syllabus and school timetable when she found a paper sheet in that. A sketch was drawn on it, of a female and on top of it written “9”. It was visible that the sketch was drawn by a kid, perhaps Siya she thought. Swara was confusingly looking at it when Siya quickly grabbed it from her hand…..
Siya: (excitedly) oh it’s here…I was searching for it everywhere
She moved from there almost running, brought a small file from her study table and tugged that paper sheet in that. Swara was perplexed with her behavior.
Swara: (confusingly) what is all this….
Siya: (mischievous smile) this is number nine…..
Swara: (questionably) what?
Siya: (innocently) this is the sketch of my last governess….Mrs. Anila Reddy, she was ninth one whom dad appointed for me…
Swara was shocked, she peeped in her file…. There were sketches of similar kind, each one with a different numer…1,2,3 and so on. She glanced at her innocent face and thought “This little creature is not that innocent what she thought her to be, Swara you have to deal her in different way otherwise soon you will be the next entry in that file as number 10”
Swara: So…when you are planning to include me in that sketch file…
Siya: (smiled) I think I don’t need to do that…..
They smiled at each other oblivious of the impending days where this bond was going to be unbreakable…..
Precap: Swara’s bonding with all family members….