This is the last part of my SwaSan 3Shot 'Realisations'.If you want to read, then:
1st Part Falling in Love
2nd Part Acceptance
With that, I welcome you to the third and final part,😊
3.FULFILMENT:
December in Kolkata was a mild affair. Of course it grew colder, but you could make-do with a jacket or a pullover or a shawl according to how much of a cold mortal you happened to be. The sun became rather lazy. The wind gave mild incentives, to think fondly of blankets at home. The weather reminded families and friends, of picnics and zoo visits and circuses. And steaming hot cups of tea.
Sanskaar came to his room that night..to find that his couch had been stripped bare of all its upholstery. Quizzically, he looked at Swara, who had just stepped in, dinner done.
"Where am I supposed to sleep?"
"Umm... on the bed?" Swara rolled her eyes.
"What happened to the couch?"
"It got plundered." Swara smiled. "I gave the covers for dry cleaning, it was filthy. What are you complaining about...you can get on the bed...we can sleep on the extreme edges. Anyway, you're soon going to develop Spondylitis from sleeping on that couch. You don't fit"
Left with no choice, but having to face pneumonia from sleeping on the floor mid-December, Sanskaar gave in.
Snuggling inside the blankets, Swara turned herself to face her husband. "So, how was your day?"
"Usual work...mostly advance tax matters. You?"
"I went to the library after ages. Got out a book. Have you ever read The Other Side of Midnight', by Sidney Sheldon?"
"No. I have only read his Master of the Game."' Sanskaar replied.
"I'll tell you the story, when I finish it." Swara smiled. "Goodnight, Sanskaar."
"Goodnight Swara".
Sleep did not come easily to either of them, both sensitive to the other's closeness...but the bed certainly felt warmer to Swara, with him in it. Sanskaar slept better than he had in months...because of the comfort of the mattress...and maybe because his dreams were better with his wife around.
Next morning, Sanskaar was getting ready. Having brushed his hair, he was about to free the dressing table for Swara, whom he had heard unlock the bathroom door just moments previously. Nowadays, his clothes were laid out ready by her, on the bed...and his and her cosmetics were kept arranged on the dressing table on two separate trays. Sanskaar had accepted the changes Swara made, without comment.
Swara closed the bathroom door, behind her..and stepped out. Attracted by the tune she was happily humming to herself, Sanskaar looked at her..and kept looking. Swara looked bright and rosy, with her wet hair streaming in couplets down her shoulders...and the midnight blue Kameez she wore..only helped to set her complexion aglow. Sanskaar had never seen anything so fresh in all his mornings till date. Or maybe not noticed it properly.
Towelling her tresses dry, Swara spied Sanskaar looking shyly away, as he sensed her gaze on him. Moving back from the table in haste, he snatched up his musk. Swara looked at him doubtfully.
"Sanskaar?"
"yeah?"
"Why are you, spraying yourself with my Jasmine scent?"
"With your..? ugghh!!" Sanskaar suddenly realised, in his distraction, he had grabbed her perfume instead of his deo.😆
"Your deo is on the bed, where I put it, with your clothes" Swara pursed up her lips to keep from smiling.
Replacing the female aroma where it belonged and hastily whiffing himself with the correct one, Sanskaar hurried out.
Smiling to herself, Swara got busy applying her vermillion to her forehead, like every day.
*********************
NEW YEAR'S EVE.
Sanskaar's Staff wanted to throw a party on the last day of the year. They had arranged for dinner and some musical performances. Of course, the Director and his wife had to go. The Staff, had certainly been curious about their newly-wed Mrs. Boss.
Swara had been getting ready in front of the dressing table. Make up was almost done. She had to just put on her Lipstick and her bangles. And one of them slipped from her hands, rolling under the bed. Grumbling, Swara knelt, trying to coax it out. Her hands were way smaller than necessary, to reach it at it's vantage point.
"What are you doing?" Sanskaar asked from the doorway.
"Meri churi...its gone under that bed..I need a broom or a newspaper to get it out"
"Let me try." Sanskar knelt down beside her..and his hands being longer, fished it out. "Here you are"
Swara offered him his forearm. "Pehna do"
Sanskaar gazed into her face..and slowly slipped the bangle on to her wrist. The mauve of the Sari she had chosen for the occasion, perfectly framed her clear complexion. It made her prettiness even lovelier...morphing into actual beauty. Swara put her hand on his dark blazer pocket, straightening the edge of the kerchief peeking out. Her hand resting directly over his heart..revealed that their heartbeats pulsated the same crescendo. Neither seemed to want to move away. The heat between them started getting even warmer. Inviting somehow.
"Are you going to kiss me?" Swara asked softly, looking up into his eyes. She loved looking at them.
"Do you want me to?" Sanskaar cocked his head eyes ardent, in response to hers.
"Yes"...Swara did not hesitate with her reply.
She quivered, as Sanskaar haltingly moved his face closer to hers...and placed his much tougher lips on her soft ones. His stubble rubbed against her cheek..thrilling her. Both stopped breathing in anticipation...as their lips opened for each other...and moulded together. They pulled apart after long moments...Sanskaar's hands still holding Swara's nape..in the position he had adjusted it for the kiss; Swara's still clutching his shoulders...and both breathing rather hard.
She had never known anything could be so heady and yet so tranquil at the same time.
It was sweet, meaningful and full of promises, as first kisses should be.
It certainly had the effect of a dozen blushers applied at once to Swara's cheekbones. Feeling the scorch of Sanskaar's stare...she finally looked up shyly into his eyes.
I have never kissed anyone before" she smiled.
"So?"
"Its... beautiful. Well, beautiful is an understatement..but my head is too muddled to pick out better words. I'm just glad, that you are my first...and last" Swara's eyes brightened in the reflection of his.
"Swara..." Sanskaar suddenly realised, Swara had tears sparkling in her eyes.
"I love you Sanskaar. I know how much I have hurt you, in the whole long time it took me to understand my own heart...but, I am ready to make it up to you..." Sanskaar shushed her...placing his finger on her lips.
"You got our entire lives for that Swara...and we'll never speak of this again. Its over. We are going to be ok. We both need to learn a lot about each other. And we will learn it, together. And I love you, you know that"
Swara nodded happily.
"Chalo, if we don't leave now...we'll miss the function" Swara said busily sniffing away her tears.
"Umm that..."
"What?" Swara was puzzled, at how Sanskaar was looking at her sheepishly.
In reply, he placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her profile towards the mirror. To Swara's besotted view...she seemed complete somehow...with his well-built form standing behind her. Like a wedding picture clicked together.
But then she realised what he meant. Sanskaar looked as debonair as ever...but her bun now hung loose and lop-sided, stray tendrils escaping their confines. His hands had run through them...and disarrayed her set.
Well, his hands had the right to, of course.
"I think you look gorgeous Swara...but maybe you would need a few more minutes?" Sanskaar suggested, a wicked grin spreading slowly over his face. This was a sight only for a husband's eyes.
Swara looked at him in mock anger...and said "Wait for me."
"Will do" Sanskaar left her, to take the car out.
Swara bubbled with happiness and contentment...re-arranging her hair..and putting on her Lipstick.
Its time , Swara and Sanskaar attended the event as Mr. And Mrs. Sanskaar Maheshwari.
Its New Year. Time to make new beginnings.😊
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
