Hey guys. I know i went awol for two straight years but I’m back for good now. I was undergoing the strenuous pressure of passing higher secondary. Add some family problems and health problems best recipe for an epic disaster. And going through all this I somehow lost my interest in writing and even forgot what plot i had in store. Six months into college and finally my head is cleared enough to continue writing.
I seriously hope you’ll support me with the stories and I promise not to pull a disappearing stunt this time around. ?
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Chapter—11
Shresht’s Mansion
Divya suddenly snapped out of her reverie and stared at her husband who was staring at her already with quite a peculiar expression. Not understanding his expression and suddenly remembering what she came here for she decieded to continue working. The flu would subside on its own. This wasn’t the first time and she knew this wouldn’t be the last time she endured it alone if fate had its way and mind you fate got its way quite often when it came to her life. She stood straight,walked into the room,sat on the bed and started talking looking out the window,at the silent sky which held the stained moon.
“So what now shresht? Where do we go from here?” She asked.
“What do you mean Miss Malhotra?” He questioned right back feigning ignorance.
Not in the mood to play she wearily turned to face him,the corner of her lips slightly turned up in an attempted smile.Now with the makeup washed away by the rain her face was clearly visible to shresht.Time did nothing to mar the innocent beauty of his wife. Inspite of everything life put her through, irrespective of the pained stories her eyes held she still somehow had that innocent beauty. Although fate did tire her,when they first met she was capable of only smirking but he taught her to genuinely laugh and smile,now again she seemed to have forgotten the genuinity. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes and her eyes were no more an open book for him.
“Fine then. If you deciede to show me the interiors of the mansion for me to start designing,call me. “ she muttered and walked out the door and out the house.
Shresht no longer able to watch her retreating back turned to the bar,this time he opened a beer bottle without a problem.
“Your absence taught me a lot of things divya. Opening the bottle is one among many. After all how do you think a man can drink if he didn’t even know hw to open a bottle. “ he laughed mirthlessly.
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Divya reaches her hotel room. Shortly after, she takes a bath,orders hot chocoholate and sits by the window.
FLASH—————————————BACK
Divya hauled shresht’s drunken form back to maheshwari mansion. The elders had gone out to temples something called yatra apparently. She pushed him on her bed and herself took the couch for the night.
Next morning,sharp at five she went for jogging then hit the gym and came back at around eight for the breakfast only to see Mr Drunk still drooling all over her bed. As tempting as it was to empty a jug of water on his head she decieded it would be fun to pull everyone’s leg. If she calculated rightly,swara and ragini were in the kitchen while sanskar and laksh would be returning after their work out session. She left the door half open. Changed into casual outfit and slipped into bed right next to shresht. Still sleeping,shresht shifted and put his arm around her waist pulling her close and burying his head in the crook of her neck. At first she felt uncomfortable so tried to shift out of the position but later eased in and waited for the drama to begin. Ten. nine. eight. seven six. Five. Four. Three.
Swara and ragini came out to welcome sanskar and laksh. But sanskar sidetracked and went to divya’s room with swara right behind. The both halted at the entrance before getting in.
“Good morning.” Sanskar shouted but stopped short seeing a guy on the bed swara swallowed before taking a step forward. Realisation hit as to who he was.
“SHRESHT “ swara shouted. She pushed aside sanskar and stomped towards bed and violently shook shresht.who lazily shifted before murmuring five minutes and slept again. In her rage she swatted his hard enough to jerk him awake.
“The hell people” shresht snapped and jolted awake but he was quite entangled with the blanket and…….divya that he hit the pillow right away.
“I….me….she…. Holy freaking chocolate icecream. How did this happen. What happened. “ shresht cried in panic.
“U tell me” swara demanded furious at him. Sanskar still in shock couldn’t respond.
“I don’t know “ shresht wailed. Clutching his head trying to get away from the bed like it burned him.
Divya slowly sat up and lazily examined her nails. Then yawned And proceeded to the bathroom. By now even ragini and laksh had arrived. They too were dumbstruck at the sight of a half naked shresht and a bed haired divya.
“Di. Last night jiju asked me to accompany divya to the fight club. I was sitting in a corner waiting for divya so that i could safely escort her back home. But I was very nervous and i downed an entire bottle of water. After that everything is pretty much ever is a blur. “
“Well well. So your not really a lost cause” divya snickered plopping on the couch.she then turned to swara and continued.
“Your brother downed not a bottle of water but vodka. The idiot irritated the shit out of me. He even tore my dress at a point. And I brought him home. He was my security apparently. The irony of the situation. “ she mocked
Swara slowly turned to sanskar exhaling smoke and shooting daggers. Sanskar opened his mouth only to be shut by swara’s sreech.
“Cut it man. What were you thinking,sending my brother to a club,a fight club at that for god’s sake. Grow up.” She was seething by now “Babysit your guests yourselves don’t dare involve my brother. Look how nervous he was that he didn’t even——“
Still seated on couch divya interrupted
“ this when he sat near the bar. Imagine what would have happened if I let him close to the ring. Sissy” divya scoffed looking at shresht who in turn scowled at her.
“Alright mistake accepted” laksh and sanskar accepted. Ragini didn’t have to voice the disapproval her expression alone made laksh admit. During the ongoing argument kaka had noticed and brought in some juice for the hangover.
Divya:(waves her hand like swatting flies)
Shooo shooo now. All of you. Get out. Royalty has work.
Shresht:(muttered audible enough for all to hear) royalty my foot.
Swara glared at him and stalked out sanskar walked out right behind them plotting and planning to somehow gain swara’s forgiveness.
Ragini:(holds laksh’s ears and pulls him out)chal dikati hoon fight aaja.
Laksh: aaaahh ragini dard hora hai please sorrryyyyyy. Owiiee yaar maaf kar do.
And they leave the room. With laksh still pleading his case.
Divya slowly turned to shresht raised a brow.
“Need an invitation for getting out Mr light head” she taunts.
“Bi***” divya’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Just because I don’t swear around my siblings doesn’t mean I’m a saint. I’m many traits but gullible is not one one of it. Who the hell do u think u are? Just because I do not invest energy in inflicting torcher on others through means of illegal street fight while u do doesn’t make u better than me. It simply shows ur sadism. Royalty my a**. “ he snapped before leaving the room.
Divya sighed softy. Maybe coming back was a mistake. Maybe she should leave. No one seemed to be happy about her stay afterall.
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PRESENT.
Outside sanskar’s cabin.
Swara makes a phone call
Swara: (excitedly)hello. The owner accepted. But his condition is that the name will be of his choice. The old age and orphanage will be built.
Rajesh: Wow swara. Thats fine I think. If u don’t mind can you please stay there and update us. Maybe we can put in some of our ideas if possible. Please
Swara hesitated but remembered that divya was back and it was necessary that she stayed in order to unravel the chaos of their lives.
Swara: fine sir Take care of yourself and sunita mam.
Again she barged into sanskar’s cabin without as much as a knock and stood infront of his desk silently demanding attention.
Sanskar:(sighs)how may i help you.
Swara: i want to be involved in the construction. They want to be updated and also suggest ideas.
Sanskar stared at her for a minute before saying a yes and going back to the files.
Swara: yes. Thats all. Your not going to deny or fight.
Sanskar(lifts his head and tiredly sighs)
What good would it do. U want to stay then stay. Nothing matters anymore. I’m tired. Of everything. People I held close to my heart didn’t blink before shutting me out. U blamed us,divya blamed me both of u left. I had no choice but to accept the abandonment. When it came to the both of you neither backed down. After her marriage u turned even worse with ur insecurities. Yes I blamed u but not once did u deny it. Not even a no. You behaved like this relation wasn’t worth saving. So yes I gave up. I gave up long ago. I’m growing old,have a wife yet I’m always incomplete. Your mistrust hurt me,your indifference broke me but your abondonmet killed me swara. If all’s clear please leave I have work to get back to.
Precap: flashback. Swara and divya talk. Pool party. The elders return.
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So guys how was the chapter? It’ll take time for the mystery to come forth because the love story hasn’t even started. So what do u think of this defeated sanskar.