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Hello friends! Delivered as promised! Here is part 2 of Chapter 3 for you! Some asked why did Sanskar have the sudden change of heart, so here is why he did! Hope you enjoy reading it!!
Chapter 3(ii) - Resurrection And The Likes
Lakhsya had an amazing day with Ragini. They sat and chatted in the caf for hours, and that was followed with catching a night show and a candle lit dinner. If life could be perfect, Lakshya was living it. As he entered home, he saw his mother sitting with his father in the living room and discussing something, they looked up when he entered and his mother smiled. "I knew you would be late today, Swara wouldn't let go of you today so easily" she laughed. Lakshya was taken aback, why did his mother assume he was with Swara when they all knew he was about to be engaged to Ragini soon! But he didn't question further, lest his mother enquired much about Swara and he had to tell her they snapped ties. He knew for a fact that his mother would not be pleased with that bit of information. Swara's upset face from the morning was flashing in his mind again, but he chose to ignore it and walked up to his bedroom. Once he freshened up, he unlocked his phone to check for updates, his phone had beeped many times while he was with Ragini. As he flicked through the missed calls, notifications and text messages, one particular text caught his attention, it was from Sharmishta aunty.
7:15PM [Lakshya beta, could you please arrange for a birthday cake for Swara on my behalf? Ever since childhood, I have always baked one for her, but due to my mother-in-laws ill health her dida and I had to come to Bhopal. She will be missing us, please make her smile - Shomi aunty]
Lakshya fell back on the bed in shock, it was Swara's birthday! Of course it was! How did he not check the date? Now he understood why she looked so gloomy today. And he? He didn't even wish her? Let alone spending the day with her! A guilt consumed Lakshya looked at the clock, he still had quarter of an hour on him, he could still make her smile. He ran down the steps and rushed out of his house leaving his parents startled. He drove down like a maniac and arranged for a cake. He wanted to get flowers too, since those were Swara's favourite, but who was to get him flower around midnight? So instead he opted for her second most favourite thing - ice cream! By the time he reached her "baari" with his cake and ice-cream, he had about fifteen minutes on him. He stood outside her door and breathed heavily once, and decided in his head, Swags and Sanskar got along or not, he was done being cold with her, he was going to hug her tight and get back to being the best pals they were. He then rang the doorbell, already feeling the thrill.
He waited patiently for some time, but no one opened the door. He saw that he had seven more minutes on him, he impatiently rang the bell a few more times, and yet there was no response. Swara wasn't home, he wondered as he turned back in surprise, where could she possibly be at this hour? Maybe she was with Parineeti di? Hadn't Adarsh bhaiya told him, his fianc and Swara were good friends now? He knew it was too late in the night to call his would-be bhabi, but he still did, and was surprised when she said she hadn't seen her after college. He walked in the quadrangle of the baari impatiently. It was way past midnight now, where was Swags? He was debating between calling Shomi aunty and waiting till morning, when the main gate of the baari creaked open. Lucky looked up in surprise to see a blissfully cheerful Swara walking in, after wishing a goodnight to someone outside the gate - gone was her gloom, she was smiling like she didn't ever miss him at all. Something inside Lucky burned, and he had an urge to run out and see who the person was, but he didn't, he was too busy gauging Swags.
As Swara entered the quadrangle, she looked up and her eyes met Lucky's, she stopped surprised. What was Lucky doing here? "Lucky?" she called out uncertainly. And Lakshya instinctively took a step towards her, and it was as if unconsciously she took a step back, and seeing her action, something inside Lakshya snapped. He was pained. "Had come to wish you. Happy Birthday Swags" he said, but as hard as he tried he couldn't smile. She looked at him for a moment before replying, her face not giving away anything that was going on inside her head. "It's not my birthday Lucky. Not anymore" she replied shortly, and she turned to walk towards her door. "Well I had come when there was still time, you weren't around" Lucky managed to choke out in supressed irritation, the mere memory of Swags's goodnight to her friend irked him. "Yes I was with a friend and he insisted that I didn't stay alone even for a minute on my birthday, hence he dropped me home after midnight" she replied while unlocking her door. "Him" thought Lucky savagely, and seeing Swags's indifference and coldness towards him, he thought maybe he needed to reconsider about reviving their friendship. So not waiting further, the moment Swara opened the door, he walked inside her house and dropped the cake and ice-cream on her table and was about to leave when she spoke, "What's all these Lucky?" she sounded both hurt and surprised. A part of Lucky wanted to turn back and answer, but then her indifference stung so bad that he decided against it. "Cake and Ice-cream from your mother" he replied shortly. She laughed, but it wasn't her warm happy laugh, it was a mocking cold one, "Oh so Ma reminded you" she said. He shut his eyes in anger, irritation, anguish and maybe even jealousy, and said "Yes" - and then he dashed out.
***
Sanskar was sitting in the classroom and smiling to himself. Last night he had done things he hadn't done in a long time. What started as a simple drive to drop her home, ended with much more, it ended with her friendship. He hadn't felt bad for her when she had left their group, but he had noticed her many a times after she left, he had expected her to fight for her friend, because whatever happened was unfair, but Swara didn't, she distanced herself from Lucky and never impeached again, he saw that she had changed, she was quieter and smiled less often, her changes were subtle and very gradual, hence people hardly noticed, even Lucky didn't. But he knew these changes by heart, he had gone through them himself, after his Kavita had left him. So with each passing day, he was finding it difficult to hold anything against her, but he kept quiet. But yesterday when he saw her so upset, something tugged at his heart, he saw his own reflection from the past in her, she was silently crumpling. He felt pitiful towards her, but didn't initiate a step - then he saw the ID card and saw that it was her birthday, what a coincidence it was, yesterday was Kavita's birthday too! He had decided that though they couldn't be friends, he would be compassionate of her trouble at least, and with this notion in mind, he had gone to drop her home, but the incident at the tea stall seemed to challenge his resolution and before they knew it they had become friends - he liked the time they spent together - they had their chai, and then he had decided to not let her be alone until her birthday was over, who knew maybe he didn't want to stay alone until Kavita's birthday was over, lest he wallowed back in the same pain? So he had asked her to show him around places in her city instead - drenched in the rain, they had driven to Victoria Memorial, stood awestruck before the brightly lit Howrah Bridge, they went near Princep Ghat and stood by the Ganges and chatted until midnight - time seemed to fly with Swara he thought.
"What's with the goofy smile Sanskar? Am I missing out on some news?" drawled Ragini's teasing voice as Sanskar jerked back to reality. He looked up at Ragini and laughed at her sly smile. "Got nothing better to do all morning? Where is your Lakshya?" he enquired. "He seems to be in a bad mood, see his is brooding there" she said, pointing at him sitting a few rows ahead. "Why?" asked Sanskar surprised. "Don't know" Ragini replied unconcerned. While they were talking, their eyes fell on Swara, as she entered the classroom and without a pause, headed straight towards Lakshya. Both were surprised.
When Lucky felt a palm on her shoulder, he looked up reluctantly expecting Ragini, but was surprised to find Swara instead. He looked at her uncertainly. "I am done being mad at you Lucky." She said simply. Lucky looked at her puzzled, "I know mom reminded you, but she couldn't have told you to get blueberry cheesecake nah? Who knows that's my favourite?? YOU! And Mint-Chili ice-cream? Which freak on this planet likes it other than me? And who knows it? YOU. Those were your gift too" she finished with misty eyes. And then he smiled, the brightest smile he smiled in ages and he knew he didn't need to say anything, they were back, Lucky and Swags! He got up and gave her a bone crushing hug, to which she reciprocated
Sanskar smiled seeing them back, and Ragini felt outraged - so her trouble was back again! In a few minutes Lucky was seen coming towards them holding Swara's hand grinning from ear to ear. He stopped short in front of Ragini and spoke, "Ragini! We are back!!" Ragini tried smiling and then his eyes fell on Sanskar standing next to Ragini and smiling, Lakshya's smile froze; the reason for their fallout was still there, how would he be able to tell Sanskar off? They had become good friends now! He looked at Swara uncertainly and then at Sanskar - Swara just smiled and looked at him reassuringly and spoke to Sanskar, "Thank you once again for last night Sanskar! Guess now we can finally be a group" Sanskar smiled widely at that and nodded as their exchange left Lakshya and Ragini surprised
"Last night" Ragini repeated mildly looking between Sanskar and Swara, and Laksya spoke too, "So it was you? But you?" he repeated and looked at Swara in confusion. Sanskar replied on her behalf, "Does it matter guys? We both have learnt to tolerate each other now letd say!" he said smiling, and Swara smiled back at him. Though Lucky didn't have a good feeling, but he still smiled half-heartedly, at least he and Swags could be together now.
What was in that Swara, thought Ragini savagely as she noticed her Lakshya's eyes were not leaving his best friend, how did she always come back in her life when she successfully keeps her away for long enough to relax in peace. Something had to be done, she thought.
Chapter 3(ii) - Resurrection And The Likes
Lakhsya had an amazing day with Ragini. They sat and chatted in the caf for hours, and that was followed with catching a night show and a candle lit dinner. If life could be perfect, Lakshya was living it. As he entered home, he saw his mother sitting with his father in the living room and discussing something, they looked up when he entered and his mother smiled. "I knew you would be late today, Swara wouldn't let go of you today so easily" she laughed. Lakshya was taken aback, why did his mother assume he was with Swara when they all knew he was about to be engaged to Ragini soon! But he didn't question further, lest his mother enquired much about Swara and he had to tell her they snapped ties. He knew for a fact that his mother would not be pleased with that bit of information. Swara's upset face from the morning was flashing in his mind again, but he chose to ignore it and walked up to his bedroom. Once he freshened up, he unlocked his phone to check for updates, his phone had beeped many times while he was with Ragini. As he flicked through the missed calls, notifications and text messages, one particular text caught his attention, it was from Sharmishta aunty.
7:15PM [Lakshya beta, could you please arrange for a birthday cake for Swara on my behalf? Ever since childhood, I have always baked one for her, but due to my mother-in-laws ill health her dida and I had to come to Bhopal. She will be missing us, please make her smile - Shomi aunty]
Lakshya fell back on the bed in shock, it was Swara's birthday! Of course it was! How did he not check the date? Now he understood why she looked so gloomy today. And he? He didn't even wish her? Let alone spending the day with her! A guilt consumed Lakshya looked at the clock, he still had quarter of an hour on him, he could still make her smile. He ran down the steps and rushed out of his house leaving his parents startled. He drove down like a maniac and arranged for a cake. He wanted to get flowers too, since those were Swara's favourite, but who was to get him flower around midnight? So instead he opted for her second most favourite thing - ice cream! By the time he reached her "baari" with his cake and ice-cream, he had about fifteen minutes on him. He stood outside her door and breathed heavily once, and decided in his head, Swags and Sanskar got along or not, he was done being cold with her, he was going to hug her tight and get back to being the best pals they were. He then rang the doorbell, already feeling the thrill.
He waited patiently for some time, but no one opened the door. He saw that he had seven more minutes on him, he impatiently rang the bell a few more times, and yet there was no response. Swara wasn't home, he wondered as he turned back in surprise, where could she possibly be at this hour? Maybe she was with Parineeti di? Hadn't Adarsh bhaiya told him, his fianc and Swara were good friends now? He knew it was too late in the night to call his would-be bhabi, but he still did, and was surprised when she said she hadn't seen her after college. He walked in the quadrangle of the baari impatiently. It was way past midnight now, where was Swags? He was debating between calling Shomi aunty and waiting till morning, when the main gate of the baari creaked open. Lucky looked up in surprise to see a blissfully cheerful Swara walking in, after wishing a goodnight to someone outside the gate - gone was her gloom, she was smiling like she didn't ever miss him at all. Something inside Lucky burned, and he had an urge to run out and see who the person was, but he didn't, he was too busy gauging Swags.
As Swara entered the quadrangle, she looked up and her eyes met Lucky's, she stopped surprised. What was Lucky doing here? "Lucky?" she called out uncertainly. And Lakshya instinctively took a step towards her, and it was as if unconsciously she took a step back, and seeing her action, something inside Lakshya snapped. He was pained. "Had come to wish you. Happy Birthday Swags" he said, but as hard as he tried he couldn't smile. She looked at him for a moment before replying, her face not giving away anything that was going on inside her head. "It's not my birthday Lucky. Not anymore" she replied shortly, and she turned to walk towards her door. "Well I had come when there was still time, you weren't around" Lucky managed to choke out in supressed irritation, the mere memory of Swags's goodnight to her friend irked him. "Yes I was with a friend and he insisted that I didn't stay alone even for a minute on my birthday, hence he dropped me home after midnight" she replied while unlocking her door. "Him" thought Lucky savagely, and seeing Swags's indifference and coldness towards him, he thought maybe he needed to reconsider about reviving their friendship. So not waiting further, the moment Swara opened the door, he walked inside her house and dropped the cake and ice-cream on her table and was about to leave when she spoke, "What's all these Lucky?" she sounded both hurt and surprised. A part of Lucky wanted to turn back and answer, but then her indifference stung so bad that he decided against it. "Cake and Ice-cream from your mother" he replied shortly. She laughed, but it wasn't her warm happy laugh, it was a mocking cold one, "Oh so Ma reminded you" she said. He shut his eyes in anger, irritation, anguish and maybe even jealousy, and said "Yes" - and then he dashed out.
***
Sanskar was sitting in the classroom and smiling to himself. Last night he had done things he hadn't done in a long time. What started as a simple drive to drop her home, ended with much more, it ended with her friendship. He hadn't felt bad for her when she had left their group, but he had noticed her many a times after she left, he had expected her to fight for her friend, because whatever happened was unfair, but Swara didn't, she distanced herself from Lucky and never impeached again, he saw that she had changed, she was quieter and smiled less often, her changes were subtle and very gradual, hence people hardly noticed, even Lucky didn't. But he knew these changes by heart, he had gone through them himself, after his Kavita had left him. So with each passing day, he was finding it difficult to hold anything against her, but he kept quiet. But yesterday when he saw her so upset, something tugged at his heart, he saw his own reflection from the past in her, she was silently crumpling. He felt pitiful towards her, but didn't initiate a step - then he saw the ID card and saw that it was her birthday, what a coincidence it was, yesterday was Kavita's birthday too! He had decided that though they couldn't be friends, he would be compassionate of her trouble at least, and with this notion in mind, he had gone to drop her home, but the incident at the tea stall seemed to challenge his resolution and before they knew it they had become friends - he liked the time they spent together - they had their chai, and then he had decided to not let her be alone until her birthday was over, who knew maybe he didn't want to stay alone until Kavita's birthday was over, lest he wallowed back in the same pain? So he had asked her to show him around places in her city instead - drenched in the rain, they had driven to Victoria Memorial, stood awestruck before the brightly lit Howrah Bridge, they went near Princep Ghat and stood by the Ganges and chatted until midnight - time seemed to fly with Swara he thought.
"What's with the goofy smile Sanskar? Am I missing out on some news?" drawled Ragini's teasing voice as Sanskar jerked back to reality. He looked up at Ragini and laughed at her sly smile. "Got nothing better to do all morning? Where is your Lakshya?" he enquired. "He seems to be in a bad mood, see his is brooding there" she said, pointing at him sitting a few rows ahead. "Why?" asked Sanskar surprised. "Don't know" Ragini replied unconcerned. While they were talking, their eyes fell on Swara, as she entered the classroom and without a pause, headed straight towards Lakshya. Both were surprised.
When Lucky felt a palm on her shoulder, he looked up reluctantly expecting Ragini, but was surprised to find Swara instead. He looked at her uncertainly. "I am done being mad at you Lucky." She said simply. Lucky looked at her puzzled, "I know mom reminded you, but she couldn't have told you to get blueberry cheesecake nah? Who knows that's my favourite?? YOU! And Mint-Chili ice-cream? Which freak on this planet likes it other than me? And who knows it? YOU. Those were your gift too" she finished with misty eyes. And then he smiled, the brightest smile he smiled in ages and he knew he didn't need to say anything, they were back, Lucky and Swags! He got up and gave her a bone crushing hug, to which she reciprocated
Sanskar smiled seeing them back, and Ragini felt outraged - so her trouble was back again! In a few minutes Lucky was seen coming towards them holding Swara's hand grinning from ear to ear. He stopped short in front of Ragini and spoke, "Ragini! We are back!!" Ragini tried smiling and then his eyes fell on Sanskar standing next to Ragini and smiling, Lakshya's smile froze; the reason for their fallout was still there, how would he be able to tell Sanskar off? They had become good friends now! He looked at Swara uncertainly and then at Sanskar - Swara just smiled and looked at him reassuringly and spoke to Sanskar, "Thank you once again for last night Sanskar! Guess now we can finally be a group" Sanskar smiled widely at that and nodded as their exchange left Lakshya and Ragini surprised
"Last night" Ragini repeated mildly looking between Sanskar and Swara, and Laksya spoke too, "So it was you? But you?" he repeated and looked at Swara in confusion. Sanskar replied on her behalf, "Does it matter guys? We both have learnt to tolerate each other now letd say!" he said smiling, and Swara smiled back at him. Though Lucky didn't have a good feeling, but he still smiled half-heartedly, at least he and Swags could be together now.
What was in that Swara, thought Ragini savagely as she noticed her Lakshya's eyes were not leaving his best friend, how did she always come back in her life when she successfully keeps her away for long enough to relax in peace. Something had to be done, she thought.
Anupamaa
Udne Ki Aasha
