The Best of Things
(RagLak, SwaSan) Fan Fiction Series
By Bubble
Chapter 10
After dinner, Lakshya was sitting with his feet up in his screened-off smoke den on the terrace.
Earlier in the evening, he had gone to his parents to explain that he and Ragini had decided not to go ahead with the divorce, but in fact stay together. His parents had been anxious and Lakshya had managed to reassure them somewhat. Although concerned for his well being, they were glad not to have to face the infamy of divorce in the family. And by now telephone calls had probably been exchanged with the Gadodias as well, informing them of the change in status.
Sanskaar found him there, as he expected to. "Lucky, chal, please come down to my room - Swara and I really need to talk to you!"
Lakshya turned to give his brother a glance. He was looking serious and quite upset. Lakshya sighed and ground his cigarette into the flower bed, before tossing it into the bin. He was expecting this, and he might as well get it over with.
"Theek hai, chalo! I know you've been trying to get me all day."
They walked down together, Sanskaar managing to hold off words till they went into the room. The room was empty... Swara wasn't here yet - probably cleaning up after dinner, Sanskaar thought. He pushed the door close and turned to Lakshya.
"Lucky! Kyun kiya toone aisa?! Do you realise you'll never be rid of her now?! She'll never let go of you! I'm sorry, this should be a personal matter, but I'm so worried for you. What happened?"
Lakshya considered telling him to keep out of his bedroom, but Sanskaar looked so anxious, his heart melted. He put his hands on his brother's shoulders and grasped him firmly.
"Don't worry, bhai! I know you're shocked about how sudden this was, but trust me, it was my decision, and a very well considered one. I know what I'm doing."
Sanskaar repeated, "You thought this through? You're willing to be with Ragini?"
Lakshya gave him an emphatic nod. "Yes, bohut soch samajh ke kiya hai. She needs me - and no one but me. I can help her."
Sanskaar looked at him for one long moment, and then relaxed. "Okay. I thought she had taken advantage of you, somehow... I thought you'd be trapped and frustrated."
Lakshya gripped his hand comfortingly. "Nahi, bhai. It was my move."
"I KNEW it!" Both men slewed around towards the door. Swara stood there, eyes blazing. She had come in just to hear Lakshya tell Sanskaar that it had been his idea. She now strode forward to face Lakshya.
"Why did you do this, Laksh? Are you trying to play with Ragini's life? Just because she loves you, just because she's vulnerable to you... did you take advantage of her?! I don't believe you did this!"
Lakshya heard her out in astonishment and, as he understood what she was trying to say, his expression grew hard. He drew his arms across his torso and sneered.
"Jealous, darling?"
Sanskaar's jaw tightened.
Swara's eyes grew rounded. "What! Are you crazy!?"
Lakshya angled his body away from Swara without taking his eyes off her. "Bhai, will you please inform your wife that it's not at all proper to poke her nose into the private sex lives of other people?"
Swara took a few deep breaths.
"Ok, fine, I agree. It's only that I'm concerned for my sister."
"As a concerned sister, you must surely know that Ragini needed no persuasion to consummate our marriage?" Lakshya drawled.
Swara flushed.
Lakshya sauntered over to Swara. "Weren't you the one aggressively insisting all these days that I accept Ragini?"
"Yes... yes. But I thought you would decide, and then give each other some time before you came close..."
"Oh?" Lakshya smiled dangerously. "So, not only should I listen to you about whether I should take Ragini back, you will also tell us how to pace our relationship, decide on our timing... maybe you'd consult the horoscope and give us a muhurat to consummate our relationship, Panditain Swara Maheshwari? Is there anything at all that is left for me and my wife to decide in your fantasy land?"
Swara gripped her lips tightly.
Lakshya continued, "Now if you're done with your lecture, I'll wish you both good night. I have a beautiful wife waiting up for me!"
He banged the door behind him.
"Oh, dammit!" Swara blew out her breath in exasperation. "What the hell is he doing...?" she said, turning to Sanskaar a little defensively knowing that he probably disapproved of what she had said to Lakshya.
Sanskaar was looking at her a frown in his eyes.
"You were out of line there, Swara!"
"Sanskaar, don't you see? My sister's obsession for Lakshya makes her an easy target, it makes her vulnerable... if Lakshya has reacted in anger, taken this way to avenge himself on her..."
He cut her short. "You're building up a hau'vaa, Swara, a bogeyman out of thin air! Lakshya is not trying to take revenge!"
He sighed. Swara was looking at this from her own perspective - a sensitive girl, to her intimacy was surrender, vulnerability. She couldn't even fathom how Ragini could see as a weapon, as victory... the sisters were so different! Swara's natural caution and mistrust were making her fear and blame Lakshya...
She was unconsciously lashing out at Lakshya... there was one other way to interpret that...
Sanskaar turned away sharply.
Edited by soapbubble - 9 years ago
Anupamaa
