The Best of Things
(Ragya, SwaSan) Fan Fiction Series
By Bubble
Chapter 41
"Swara, we have an idea," Lakshya said. "Instead of you, let Ragini go and look after Maa."
"Kya?! Why?" said Swara astonished.
Lakshya shrugged, "Aise hi! I mean, Ragini can look after her for a few days!"
"No." Swara said shortly. "I'll go."
Lakshya looked at Sanskaar for help. He turned to Swara again, "Come on, Swara, what's the difference? Ragini is very happy to go to the baadi and stay a few days."
Swara looked annoyed. "Maa is ill, Lakshya - she needs attentive care and I want to be there."
Lakshya ploughed on. "So? Ragini is her daughter as well... and she will give her the care she needs!"
Swara became angrier. "Achcha?! Ragini considers herself Maa's daughter? Really? Kab se? The last time Maa was ill, she held her captive and blackmailed Sanskaar and me into marrying. The last time Maa was ill, your... your... Ragini treated her so badly, it was an insult to the word 'daughter'."
Ragini flushed. "Swara... I'm sorry. But let me go this time, please... I will make it up to Maa, I promise!"
"I said No!" declared Swara, moving her hands emphatically.
Ragini was downcast. Lakshya lost hold of his temper and set his arms on his hips. "Come on, Swara... I thought you were the mature one! Don't be unreasonable!"
"Unreasonable? ME!" Swara spat out, striding up to stand in front on him in confrontation. "Unreasonable that I don't want to let this psycho near my sick mother? Unreasonable not to trust this... this girl who has done nothing but betray us, stab us in the back at every turn? Soch kar baat kiya karo, Laksh!"
They stood like adversaries facing off of each other, both with hands on their hips. Lakshya dropped his hands and turned to Sanskaar with an appealing look. Sanskaar had simply been listening to the exchange with a frown. He didn't blame Swara at all for viewing Ragini with deep suspicion but he knew Lakshya was trying relentlessly to set things right.
He turned to Swara. "Come, let's talk... give us five minutes," he said to Lakshya, who nodded. Sanskaar drew Swara a little away, behind the pillar.
Lakshya turned to Ragini in frustration, running his hand through his hair, "Swara samajh kyun nahin rahi hai? She's normally very understanding... I don't know why she can't see that this is a good idea."
Ragini was standing there calmly, her arms folded in front of her, a small smile on her lips. "If it had been about herself, she would have agreed, Lakshya. But this is about her mother... and Swara has been protective about her mother since she was about four years old. She may forgive me anything I've done to her... but she can't forget that I ill-treated her mother." She looked over at Swara and Sanskaar who were talking in low tones, "I hope he convinces her, though."
On the other side of the hall, Sanskaar stood with his hands against the pillar, holding Swara within the confines of his arms. A drape giving them a little privacy, he was hearing Swara out patiently.
"... but I can't risk Maa, Sanskaar... you have to see that!"
After she had run out, he said quietly, "Swara how many chances have you given Ragini?"
She sighed. "Many!" she returned.
"Just... just... for the sake what Lakshya may be trying... give her one more."
She looked up at him contemplatively.
He went on, "Ragini has no reason to hurt or be nasty to Maa. Baba will be there and you can keep an eye on things. Maa is down with a viral fever... and yes, she's ill, but it's not serious. Let Ragini go. Let's see what happens."
So Swara came back to Lakshya and Ragini, stood with arms folded across her body and nodded.
+++
Ragini was quickly packing a small bag. Pacing about the room, Lakshya was behaving like a sports coach about to send his star athlete into the Olympics... full of last-minute instructions!
"Maa will be surprised at seeing you instead of Swara... you'll have to handle her well..."
"Take great care of her... khoob seva karna, Ragini... try to melt down her anger and your own barriers as well..."
"It's lucky that Daadi is out of town... when she gets better, you can talk to Maa without interruptions..."
Ragini zipped up her bag and straigthened, a laugh on her face. "Haan, haan, Lakshya... hum sambhaal lenge! Don't worry." Now that the decision had been made, she was utterly calm. Lakshya admired how cool and resolute she was.
There was a knock on the door. Swara came in with a steel dabba with eats for Ragini to carry. Lakshya excused himself and left the sisters together.
"Thanks, Swara!" Ragini said, "I know this was difficult for you, but I really will take care of Maa. I just want to... put right a few things that I've done.. and I want to talk to Maa about many things in the past... just so that I can accept them and move on... think of it as therapy for me!"
"Ok, I understand," Swara said, quietly.
"I'll get her to speak to you everyday," Ragini promised.
Swara nodded, feeling much better now about the whole enterprise. "Let's tell everyone that Sanskaar has a few client dinners coming up and wants me to be here... that's why you're going instead."
Ragini nodded. "Ok, that's simpler. And, Swara?" she sent her a sidelong look filled with mischief, "You concentrate on Sanskaar!"
Swara blushed. She was finding it difficult on concentrate on anything else these days.
Ragini came to stand in front of her. "Humse gale nahin milogi, Swara?"
Swara looked at her with frowning suspicion, and then nodded, somewhat sulkily.
Ragini gave her a loving, indulgent smile and hugged her. Swara stayed stiff for two moments and then yielded, hugging her sister as tightly as she could.
Cricket
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
