On my reader’s request here is the next part, enjoy………….
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Chapter 29
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Chapter 30
Recap: Swara and Sanskar avoiding each other……
It was around 12 when Sanskar made his way back to home. He reached home, the silence of the mansion giving him a hint that everybody has retired to their rooms. Signaling Anand to bring dinner to the room, he quietly made his way to his room without making any noise. After freshen up, he quickly had his dinner and lied on his bed. It was clearly visible that he was sleep deprived, he wasn’t slept last night also and today he was working since morning. But still he couldn’t sleep…. All he was thinking about was of Swara. Suddenly he felt a strong urge to see her just for once…. Even though his mother told him that she is fine now but still he wanted to get it confirm by him. He moved out of his room and after taking few steps there he was standing in front of her room. To his surprise the door was slightly open, he peeped inside a little and shocked with the scene in front of him. Swara wasn’t alone in her room, Siya was there with her. Both were sleeping peacefully by hugging each other. A small smile appeared on his lips. Closing the door behind, he left from there with a feeling of contentment.
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It had been a week to that incident. Everything has changed between Swara and Sanskar. Whole week they didn’t talk, avoided each other as much as possible, except for the few encounters at the dining table. There were no formal meets between them like before. Other family members also sensed the awkwardness between the two. Ragini asked about it to Swara where as Laksh and Annapurna interrogated Sanskar but they get nothing except assurance that there is nothing like that what they are imaging… everything is perfectly fine between them. But Sanskar knew they can’t continue like this for long without being caught. So, he decided to make things normal between him and her, if not like before than at least up to some extent.
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Swara was walking through the corridor when somebody called out “Miss Bose! Wait”. She froze on her place knowing who was it, couldn’t dare to turn around. The apprehensions of impending situation forced her to close her eyes. “I want to talk to you” astound with the voice she quickly opened her eyes and saw him. He was standing right in front of her with his usual emotionless face. She preferred to look away from him as she can’t bear looking in those eyes. “Miss Bose, I need to talk to you, come to my study” in commanding voice he said and moved towards study without even giving her chance to speak…. Left with no choice she started following him like an obedient student.
Sanskar’s POV
I knew she wasn’t at all happy with the idea of this talking thing. And surprisingly for the first time we were on the same side as I also hated this idea as much as she did or may be more because of my guilt. But the irony was I had to do it. I was thinking how to start the conversation…. She wasn’t looking at me instead looking out of the window. I coughed to grab her attention, she turned her head towards me….. I muster all the courage and finally spoke “Miss Bose I am sorry for that day”. The change in the expressions of her face hinted me that she knew about what I am talking. “What happened, it shouldn’t be….it was a mistake” as soon as I finished I saw a pang in her eyes. Couldn’t figure out what was that then I thought may be memories of that night giving her pain… I was again feeling guilty for bringing back the memories to her. “Well, Miss Bose I know it’s not that easy but please forget what happened and be normal…. Because this awkwardness not only affecting us but also the people around us…. So I want everything to be normal again” this is what I managed to tell her though I wanted to say more but couldn’t. I know I am not good at words and in expressing myself but I was hoping she understood what I was trying too. She left without uttering a single word as I finished. Now it was difficult for me to figure out what’s going through her mind… the thing I only remember was her eyes… it was showing pool of emotions…. Hurt, anger, bewilderment and pain. GOD! I was never bothered what others think of me but I can’t deny with her I was.
Swara’s POV
“It was a mistake” he said. He really thinks that kissing me was a mistake? Was he ashamed of himself for kissing me? And here I was being delusional that may be just for a fraction of second but his feelings were genuine. How easily he said forget everything and be normal… must be easy for him but not for me. It was my first kiss, my very first touch and I wanted it to be special with someone special but he ruined it. But Mr. Sanskar Maheshwari I won’t let you hurt me and humiliate me anymore. If it doesn’t matter to you….I promise it won’t matter to me also… I was so stupid to feel guilty but now it’s enough. From now on I will treat you the way you treat me.
On the other hand after many sleepless nights today he was sleeping peacefully, little free from the guilt and with a satisfaction of fixing everything, completely oblivious of the effect his words made on her.
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Next morning, Laksh and Ragini’s room
“Laksh wake up” Ragini was chanting this line for last half an hour but he was unaffected. Now it was enough for her, she can’t handle it anymore. She gave him a last glance before moving towards the side table.
“What the hell, Ragini!!” Laksh screamed, as he felt a splash of cold water on his face. She was giving him a teasing smile.
Laksh: (annoyed) is this the way to treat your husband?
Ragini: (innocently) what can I do when my husband is a lazy lad? Sorry but I had no choice.
Laksh: (irritated) Today is Sunday Ragini… let me sleep…its only 10 in the morning (looking at the clock)
Ragini: (angry) Laksh it’s not only 10 but the 10 in the morning…. And how can you forget that it was you who planned a day out today. Now go to hell, I won’t bother you anymore.
She angrily moved towards the door. Her words made him realize his mistake. She was right, he had planned the whole day to spend with his wife but unfortunately he forgot. Now he was great trouble.
Laksh: (holding her hand) am sorry love…. Just give me 15 minutes… I will be in front of you with my knees down.
With his puppy face, he was trying to convince her and he did. Ragini smiled at her husband’s childish behavior.
Ragini: Ok… leaving you this time but next time you will had it by me.
Laksh: (jumping from the bed) yippee…….
Ragini: (shook her head) Day by day you are behavior is getting weird….
Laksh: what’s weird in expressing your happiness?
Ragini: Nothing but you should know how to express it and more precisely where to express it.
Laksh: (questionably) now what I have done?
Ragini: I am not talking about today…. I am talking about that day when Swara was suffering from high fever, she was unconscious, we all were worried for her and you were smiling like an idiot. Now don’t you dare to refute because I have seen you.
Laksh: (smiles again remembering that day) My dear wife I will not refute… you are right I was smiling not on Swara’s condition but on something else.
Ragini gave him a questionable look and said “then on what?”
“On bhai” he stated. Noticing his wife’s anxiety and bewilderment he spoke “You know Ragini… I think bhai is in love with Swara”
She was aghast with Laksh’s word, whether he was talking about his own brother or someone else. How can he say that?
Ragini: (shocked) What? No way Laksh…. That’s nothing but your illusion. Sanskar and love…. I can’t believe.
Laksh: (calm voice) I know nobody will believe, even I was shocked when I concluded but that day when I saw bhai’s concern towards Swara…. I was pretty much sure that there is something more than just care. I observed that pain and restlessness in his eyes looking at Swara in that condition…. He is a person who rarely shows his emotions towards anyone except the family but that day it was visible. Ok you tell me don’t you find bhai’s behavior is little different with Swara. She is the only one who refuses his words and sometimes disobeys him but still he tolerates all that, why? He never did that before…. In fact he hates when people disobey him or question him.
Ragini: (brooding) May be you are right… and if so I am happy… Swara is a nice girl and moreover Siya loves Swara as much as she does. But then why didn’t Sanskar tell that to Swara.
Laksh: (little laugh) that’s because dear he himself don’t know that he is in love or may be afraid to accept. You know he is still carrying the baggage of the past. It’s not easy for him.
Ragini: (smiles sadly) Yeah… and what about Swara? Did she love him too? And if not will she accept him?
Laksh: (smirks) she is also as complicated as bhai…. She is not like most of the girls who will happily accept the proposal of an alpha male (The most successful and powerful male in any group) without being in love with him. You know that’s why I think they are perfect for each other.
Ragini: (innocently) Is there any way we can help?
Laksh: (patting her cheek) yeah…. We will think about that later but right now let me go and get ready…. Otherwise you will again come back to your action mode.
He smiled and moved towards washroom leaving behind his delighted wife who was all engrossed in thoughts of the new love story blooming in the hose.
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Evening, at garden
Swara and Siya were at tennis court. With a racket she was teaching Siya how to hold it properly. They were busy in playing… Anand was also there to cheer for them… he was mainly cheering for Siya to encourage her. Swara was laughing looking at her disappointed face whenever she misses a shot. “Shona di, m not good at it” she said with irritation. “No dear you are doing good, you know when I was at your age I couldn’t even hold the racket properly” she stated with smile. “I lost all the games” Siya said with disappointed face. Swara could sense her dismay, just to cheer her up she said “you know… I lost all my games when I first played at national”.
Anand: (bemused) Didi…. You are a national player!!
Swara: (calm smile) yeah I played when I was in my senior secondary.
Siya: (excited) I also want to play nationals…. Will you teach me?
Swara: (lovingly) off course dear…..
“What planning is going on here?” This voice made all three to turn around. Siya squealed “dad” and ran to hug him. Knowing it was him Swara gave no heed. Sanskar noticed her…. the earlier nervousness and embarrassment was not there on her face… but something else, anger or resentment.
Siya: (excited) Dad we were playing tennis…. You know Shona di was a national player at her school…. Come play with us.
Sanskar was patiently listening to her daughter’s talk. He couldn’t deny when Siya asked him to join. He moved towards Swara who was not at all enjoying his presence.
Sanskar: (smirks) So Miss Bose one more feather to your crown ha…. You are really talented.
Though his words of praise were genuine but it wasn’t pleasing her at all. All she remembered was their last conversation where she was just a mute listener not more than that. She looked at him with blank face. Siya dragging Sanskar “dad… you play with Shona di…. Let’s see who will win?” She wanted to deny but looking at Siya’s excited face she gave up.
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Precap: Laksh confronts Sanskar….. Swara’s dilemma continues…