The Best of Things
(RagLak, SwaSan) Fan Fiction Series
By Bubble
Chapter 13
Ragini stood in the doorway, very upset. Laksh and Swara in the same frame, standing facing each other on the terrace... the scene set her nerves jangling. What had been happening? Why was Swara even talking to Laksh? Why was Laksh looking at her so fondly? He had promised he would be with her forever... why was Swara even here? How dare they! Her mind darted in a dozen directions at once.
"Tum yahaan Laksh ke saath KYA kar rahi ho, Swara!?" she demanded, in a low throbbing voice.
Lakshya looked over at Ragini and took in her borderline hysteria.
"Nahin, Ragini, tum galat samajh rahi ho...," Swara tried to step up to her sister trying to soothe her. Lakshya put out a hand to stop her. ""Swara, tum neeche jaao..."
"Lekin, Laksh, aisa kuch bhi..." she started to say.
"I know, Swara... I'll manage. Tum jao, please!"
"Okay," she conceded. Then looking wonderingly from Lakshya to Ragini and then to him again, she left the terrace.
Lakshya turned away from Ragini and, ignoring her, went to the ledge to pocket his cigarettes and lighter. Trying to reassure and placate Ragini was the worst thing to do when she was in this state.
Ragini flounced up to Laksh. "Swara aapke saath kya kar rahi thi, Laksh?! Bataiye hamein, tell me, I have to know!"
The first thing to do was to break up this ambience of high drama she was building up. Laksh draped a heavy arm around Ragini, almost getting her into a friendly headlock. "What a draamebaaz you are, my beautiful! Tell me, aaj khaane mein kya bana hai? I'm already super hungry!"
She started to speak, "Laksh..."
"Do you know how to make gatte ki sabzi? I'm sure you do... your daadi must've taught you in the cradle!"
"Haan! Par Lakshya.."
"Yes, yes, hush! hold on! Neeche room mein jaake baat karenge, ok? Hold on till we get there," he said, casually.
He took hold of her hand and dragging her gently behind him, he walked rapidly downstairs to the first floor, Ragini's hot pink ghaghra trailing behind them. As they crossed the central corridor, they saw Annapurna sitting at the dining table on the ground floor. She was shelling peas and paused as she glanced up at the couple.
Lakshya turned to Ragini and said, "Oh, there's matar for dinner!" and then added, under his breath, "Aaraam se aana, and put a smile on your face. Not a word of this in front of the elders, ok? Unke saame koi drama mai bardasht nahi karunga, understood?" He looked stern.
She nodded. Lakshya waved at his mother and walked on. He pulled Ragini behind him into their room and locked the door.
"Laksh! Yeh kya kar rahe hain aap?"
"Privacy, darling... I'm making sure we're alone. Ab bolo?"
But Ragini had run out of steam and was feeling slightly backfooted.
"Woh humne aapko aur Swara ko dekha toh..." she stammered.
"Toh tumhe shaq hua..." finished Lakshya. "What did you think we were talking about, my lovely?"
"Woh, woh... hamein laga..." she didn't go on.
"Ok," said Lakshya, "I'll give you a few options. Option A) Swara and I were plotting an elopement, right after breakfast tomorrow B) Swara was asking me to leave you because she was jealous, C) She just happened to be on the terrace, and we were just talking, and D) Swara was asking me to take good care of you."
He stood with his arms loosely on his hips. "So which one do you think? You know Swara so well... better than anyone else... what do you think she was saying? And as always, choose carefully, Ragini... you know how much power you have when you pick an option, don't you? The Ashwini devas are always hovering over your head, waiting to say Thatasthu'..."
Ragini made to speak and then fell silent, mulling. "She was asking you to take care of me?" she asked doubtfully. And then, hardening her face, she said, "Swara is always trying to be so mahaan!"
"That's for you to make up your mind about, Sweetheart! I'm totally in your hands, you know. If you think hard enough that I'm going to run away with Swara, I will!" he said, flippantly.
"Laksh, I didn't really think so... I was just worried.. I just felt insecure..." she said, backtracking.
"But I don't want these daily scenes over the smallest of things, Ragini, do you hear me?" He said seriously. He crouched to look into her eyes. "I won't have the family peace disturbed every time I meet Swara in the corridor. You have a thought, a doubt that troubles you, you come to me. You don't bother Swara with it, you don't go to Mom with it, you don't start plotting and lying to get conditions how you want them. You come to me. We talk it out and we sort it out - in private. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Laksh." She looked contrite.
"Good girl!" he took her by the shoulders and brought her close, placing a kiss on her forehead. She looked gratified by the praise, and unable to resist his nearness, put her head on his shoulder and snuggled close.
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