The Best of Things
(Ragya, Swasan) Fan Fiction Series +16
By Bubble
Chapter 73
Sanskaar sipped his morning tea and looked out of the window at comings and goings in the galli. This was their third morning in the city.
Their first evening in Varanasi had been magical... and it was just like he had planned it all those months ago! They paid their obeisance to Kashi Vishwanath and then took a boat out on the river, gliding along and seeing this ancient city in all its contrasts. As dusk fell, they watched the glorious Ganga Aarti from the water. Then, the boatman had taken them ashore and they went to Kachori Gali for dinner that began with samosas and chaat and wound down with some world class gulab jamun and lassi.
Yesterday, he and Swara had gone to Prayag, 200km upstream of the river to dip in the holy confluence. The day-long visit to Allahabad had tired them both quite a bit and they had woken quite leisurely. Today, he was looking forward to showing Swara a little more of Benaras, particularly its wonderful university.
He looked around as Swara came into the house with a smile, carrying a bag full of vegetables that she had gone to the street to buy. Dida was in the kitchen, making breakfast. The neighbourhood was so friendly, Swara had been proudly introduced by Dida to denizens of each household in the street. She looked excited as she bounced in. Prabha, one of Dida's friendly neighbours, had offered to accompany her on a shopping expedition, and take her to the best places.
Sanskaar's face clouded the minute he heard her outline her plans.
"Shopping! Again?" he said, irritated with having to find ways to entertain himself while she wandered off on these jaunts.
"Sanskaar, we're in Benaras and the weaves are so famous! Obviously, I'll take something for everyone, na...? How can I not, batao?" she tried to reason with him.
"This is ridiculous, Swara!" he shot back. "Can't you women look beyond just filling your bags and wardrobes with everything that comes your way?!"
"That's not fair, Sanskaar!" she said, hurt, "'You men' like things as much as we do... they're just different things...! Everyone buys stuff when they travel - after all, each place has something new to offer! And waise bhi, Mr Sanskaar Maheshwari... so much for your promises!" she said, pouting.
"What promises?" he frowned sulkily. He looked so boyish, it brought a smile to her face.
"Hmm... let me see..." she said.
She quoted from her memory...
"Mujhe bhi le chalo na apne saath, promise karta hoon disturb nahin karunga..."
"Main Ganga ke kinaare tumhara intezaar karoonga..."
"Main tumhara saara saaman bhi uthaunga... bohut maza aayega!"
She narrowed her eyes at him, "Yaad aaya kuch? This was when you were trying to patao me. And now that I'm pataoed... tum khud farq dekh lo!"
He scowled even more.
She came to him lovingly and reached up to kiss him on his cheek... "I'll be back quickly, ok? You wander about and take some pictures to show Uttara! I'll try not to take too long... then we'll go for the abhishek in the evening."
comment:
p_commentcount