The Best of Things
(RagLak, SwaSan) Fan Fiction Series
By Bubble
Chapter 29
Sanskaar lay back staring at the patch of light reflecting on the ceiling. What a day! And thank God it had ended like it did, in spite of the drama that took place. Swara was back in his room and she had made a definite, positive choice to stay back with him. He looked over to the bed. She was turned away... not asleep, he was certain, but also mulling over what had happened.
She turned then, and saw, by the dim light, that he was awake. "You can't sleep either, can you? I thought I was so exhausted I would drop off, but thoughts keep coming..." she sat up, "Shall I turn on the light?"
"Yes, might as well," he sighed, "I don't think I can sleep yet."
She reached for the bedside lamp and yellow light flooded the room. He threw off his blanket - he was lying on a single cot to one side of the room. Long ago, they had shifted out the sofa and brought in this flat bed, so that Sanskaar could have more comfortable nights. And out of habit they slept in opposite directions so that they could talk easily, see each other without getting cricks in the neck... so many nights of easy conversation!
"Sanskaar!" she said suddenly.
He looked over, raising his brows a fraction.
"Don't you think it was a bit strange, that Badi Maa and Mom suddenly started mistrusting me and my motives?" She looked questioningly at him.
He shook his head and smiled wryly. "Not strange at all, Swara, if you consider that they had been led to think like that."
Swara's eyes rounded. "Do you also suspect Ragini's hand behind all this? I'm not being crazy or paranoid?"
He let out a laugh. "The minute people gang up against you and start cornering you, Swara, please, I beg you, at once begin to suspect your dear Ragini."
There was a small tap on the door. It was past 11.30. They looked at each other in surprise, and Sanskaar went to open the door. Lakshya stood there, with his blanket draped over his shoulder.
"Lucky! What's up?"
"Sorry, bhai - I saw the light on, and just decided to make sure Swara was here and not in the guest room, because I'm about to crash there."
"Aaja, we were just talking..." Sanskaar moved aside to let him in.
Lakshya came in and Swara quickly adjusted her T shirt which had gone askew.
Sanskaar patted the single cot and Lakshya sat down heavily beside his brother.
"Why are you headed to the guest room?" Sanskaar frowned.
Lakshya propped his face in his hands and rubbed it. "Because I don't want to look upon the face of my wife," he said sardonically.
Sanskaar and Swara exchanged looks.
Lakshya frowned. "Don't tell me you haven't figured it out? Didn't you realise that Ragini, the Goddess of Strife, was at work behind all that happened today?"
Sanskaar nodded. "We were just discussing it."
"I don't have the energy for a confrontation today. I'll tackle her tomorrow, but I don't want to be in the same room as her tonight." Lakshya looked weary and exhausted.
Swara looked at him with pity. Poor Lakshya! He had taken on Ragini but her negativity took its toll on him as well.
"What have you told her?" she asked.
Lakshya raised his head, "Nothing! She realised sometime during the evening that I knew it had all been her doing... and she hasn't dared face me yet... she discovered a dozen things to do in the kitchen to avoid me. But I just grabbed my stuff - I can't handle her tonight."
"Hang in there, buddy!" Sanskaar put a hand on his brother's shoulder.
"Yeah, I'll be ok. I knew it wouldn't be smooth sailing... I'm prepared but just not tonight..."
"That call from Bua sa was like magic," Sanskaar said, "I was preparing for a huge argument with Badi Maa and Mom, and snap, everything just sorted itself out!"
Lakshya's face lightened at that. He grinned. "I await your thanks."
They both looked at him in surprise. "You?!" said Swara, "you made that happen?!"
"Yep!" he laughed. "I looked at them, behaving like a pair of autocratic sasu-mas and thought, what we need to is someone who can be a Saas to the Saas. And voila! Lakshmi Bua Sa. She's a terror but actually a huge softie - I called, explained the situation a little sketchily and asked her to do us this favour... and she did!"
"So she's not going on any yatra?" Sanskaar asked incredulously.
"Nah!" Lakshya chuckled. "When I call to tell her it's safe, she'll 'cancel' her plans."
They started to laugh. What an idea! Lakshya put out his hand in celebration, Sanskaar put his on it and Swara sealed the bond with hers.
Swara looked straight at Lakshya and smiled optimistically, "Sab kuch theek ho jaayega Lakshya, tum dekhna!"
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
