Icarus SwaSan SS Complete - Page 36

Nice..

Beautiful update! It has soo much emotions and depth.
Take a bow dear, you are a brilliant writer!
I love Swasan conversation, I felt like they are a married couple already.
I'm fond of your Swara , she's not confused about her feelings.
So we found who's your Icarus is, who got burnt by flying towards the sun. Now she has found her soulmate.Sanskaar's love will heal her. Actually they will heal eachother.
I guess Mrs Maheshwari ,AP or Sujatha, is Sanskaar's mother. But DP can't be his father.
Love to know Sanskaar's side of the story now. And the mystery of the killer is yet to unfold.
Looking forward to your next update!

Originally posted by: CogitoErgoSum

Res 😊 VERY interesting 😉

Un-res

Saku dearest, loved the chapter. I think I've mentioned to you before, how I love the fact that you convey the most poignant, the most hard hitting of emotions with such a delicate touch. I really love that subtle nuance in your writing.

BTW Saku, have you hinted in the chapter before, that SK is red-blue color blind? 😛 He thought a red file was blue in color---the way you put it could be interpreted as forgetfulness, but why do I feel he's color blind...will that have an impact on this case? Would it have impacted the previous case he lost? Suspense, suspense!! 😉

There were several stretches in the chapter which were achingly lovely, my dear. Your take on what soulmates are, for instance. So poetic, so beautifully put. Though it was rather different, I got reminded of a quote on Soulmates by Elizabeth Gilbert, putting it here in case you would like to read it: ""People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. They tear down your walls and smack you awake, shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, break your heart open so new light can get in.""

You made me shed quite a few tears for Swara, when she described her pain, her sense of loneliness, of being unwanted. It must have been sheer hell, living with a "father" who hated the very sight of her, who considered her a living, breathing reminder of his failed dreams of a "perfect" spouse. 🤢 And Shomi, though she loved Swara, not really going too much against Shekar, or defending Swara too strenuously, since she feels she "owes" Shekar for having "accepted" her pre marital liaison. God, what a life the poor child must have had. No wonder, when Lakshya came along, with promises of trust and love and fealty, she seized the first chance to escape from that hell hole. Unfortunately, Lakshya turned out to be almost just like Shekar, isn't it---spineless, shallow and brainless! 🤢

We now know about Swara's past as an unwanted child. What about SK? He intriguingly says that he too, knows what it is to be an unwanted child; and that he knows how a woman would never go against her husband, even for her own. But in a past chapter, he had recalled the lullabies his mother used to sing to him as one of the few wonderful memories of his childhood. Wonder what his past is?

One more extremely poignant, bittersweet stretch of the chapter was where Swara says she just wants to keep falling, in limbo as it were. If they win the case, she thinks SK would leave, and she would literally die in inches, suffering her family's relentless hatred. And if they lose, she would die at the gallows. She had earlier preferred death to living in hate; as she so movingly says, death is finite, though it is fearful. Whereas hatred is never ending.

But now, with SK nearby, she doesn't want to die. She wants to live with him, for him, though she still feels it is just an illusion, he would leave once the case gets decided, either way, and they have to part.

I had tears in my eyes at this stretch, Saku, reading about Swara's earnest desire to remain in limbo. God, I hope SK realizes he's in love (has he done so already?), and convinces his Casper about it. These two truly have a bond forged in pain, and only they can heal each other.

Lovely. 🤗

Hi!

It's the festive season...I am in highly good spirits today!! So you're gonna get an early Christmas treat. Double updates of Icarus. Enjoy!!😊

Chapter 9

The rains on deserts do not last long. Happiness of a man who is cursed in to eternal suffering does not last long either. I had enjoyed the moment of oblivion too much, that the returning logic and sense hurts my rapidly beating heart. I do not deserve this and I know that.

My lips suddenly feel cold, after losing the contact with hers, and my eyes once more hold that dark gaze, now sparkling in the light of new emotions and thousands of unasked questions. This moment I know exactly why I hate these eyes; I hate them for their ability to gaze in to me, read me and hold this clear reflection of mine. I hate the innocence they reflect, for it makes me forget my initial reasoning and fills me with a desire to hold her, in an eternal embrace. I hate my own want of making a bond with her, I hate the pull between us, and I hate my already lost heart.

I hate cross roads and my fate has a way of leading me to them far too often. I hate making promises; for I know the pain broken promises inflect upon a heart. I have another moment to decide, a moment that is ticking away too fast. Either I could hurt her now, by saying I do not mean whatever she interpreted from my actions. Or I can hurt both of us later, by dragging her in to my personal battle, making her my weakness and thrusting her between me and my enemy unguarded, like some useless battered shield. In the former choice, I would have to spend a few agonizing hours, she would cry for a several days, we would lose our easy camaraderie, but she would be happy in the future. In the later choice, just like the desert rain, I would have a flicker of happiness before Durga Prasad makes it his personal mission to ruin it and I would eventually lose her, she would not have a future at all. The choice is obvious.

Her eyes change their expression, like a veil was drawn across the sparkling depth I witnessed earlier. She blinks once and the emotions are gone, she stares at me in an impassive gaze as I distance myself from her.

I don't want your sympathy,' she says suddenly back in her wicked witch tone standing up and walking to the window turning her face firmly away from me.

What gave you the idea?' I ask her, curiously.

You pity me,' she says in a reproachful tone. It's so obvious in your eyes. You're just touched by whatever I said earlier, you feel sorry, like someone would feel for a drenched puppy left on roadside. I don't want your pity!'

I walk to her with my arms folded; I can feel the cold expression in my features already.

Then what do you want Miss Gadodia?'

She gulps as she looks at me, suddenly at loss of words. I know she would not have any answer for that question. We both want the same thing, but neither of us would ever voice it.

I want to be like you,' she says after a moment. So indifferent, so unaffected, I can't okay? I can't just forget whatever I feel, I can't compress my emotions...I'm... I'm not used to it.'

Get used to it,' I tell her shortly. It would be better for you.'

Can't you just stop being all high and mighty for a moment?'

I sigh.

I want you to forget whatever happened. I'm not going to discuss about it again, because I don't want to. We already have a lot of problems without creating new ones!'

You're afraid of me,' she says after a long pause. Her eyes stare in to mine once more. You're not all what you pretend to be huh? Crawling away from light because you worry others might see how ugly you are...that's your truth.'

Words...her words are poisonous.

You just want to scare everyone off from touching your walls so you can hide behind them. Only weak people do that SK, only weak people are afraid of admitting their emotions.'

And you?' I ask her sarcastically. What do you think you're doing? You're running away from your problems, hell, you're running away from life, just because few fools hate you. Do you really think you're all that strong to advice me Miss Gadodia?'

At least I don't hide behind masks!' She snaps at me. I don't pretend to be someone I'm not! I don't hide what I feel!'

I laugh at her.

Seriously? Then what do you feel?'

I love you.'

Silence, heavier than tons of words stretches from her sentence. It is still hanging above us. She continues to glare at me, her eyes burning in fury now.

You are a fool,' I tell her, coldly. Do you even know who I am? What kind of a world I belong to? Just because I helped you once or twice, just because we shared a few meals and lived under the same roof for some days, you think what you feel is love? You're not thinking straight Miss Gadodia. What you feel is gratitude, you feel that you owe me, rest is attraction, and it can happen to anyone. You shouldn't take it too seriously...I don't want another Lakshya Maheshwari happening with you.'

I told you what I feel,' she says unaffected. Rest is up to you. I don't care; I don't want to care either. But I don't want your pity, that's all I had to say. I don't know why you're afraid of yourself, but that's entirely your problem.' She turns to leave after rubbing almost all of my sore veins in one speech.

I grab her arm, just as she walks past me and turns her to face me, completely furious.

You want to know why I'm afraid of myself right?' I ask, shaking her shoulders and brooding in to her gaze. I'm afraid because when I love, I love till the last of my being evaporate into that feeling, I love until it hurts, I love until I cease to exist and I want to be loved back with the same intensity. I'm afraid of loving yes, do you know why? It is because if someone ever tries to cause the slightest of harm to what I love...I raise hell; I annihilate them I don't mind what happens to me in the process. I lose all my senses when I love. Tell me Miss Gadodia, can you tolerate that kind of love? Can you withstand the destruction it brings? Will you not then see me as a monster? Will you not start regretting your choice? Won't you end up hating me?'

I find myself shaking, as my words drain away and my voice tails off. She is still watching me, her eyes still sparkling and innocent. Suddenly I feel her cold palm against my cheek.

You're not going to lose me,' she says slowly. We're not going to lose each other.' I take a deep breath, more to calm my nerves as she smoothes my rigid features. You know me SK; you know how I always fly towards the light, no matter how many warn me against it. If love burns, let it burn, I don't care, I don't fear .I can never hate someone for loving me...'

This was certainly not what I had planned. But the crossroads are already far back. I have unconsciously chosen my path. Curiously though, I do not regret it. I am done living underground afraid of his thunders. Let Durga Prasad unleash any storm he wants. I am going to enjoy the sunshine, as long as it lasts. I smile a long last, looking down at her.

Will you go on a date with me?'

*

Oh the prosecutors are already here,' Vic says as we park the car.

Exactly what I need,' I say sarcastically. A tour through the victim's apartment with Lakshya Maheshwari...' Swara stiffens in the back seat at the mention of his name. I catch her eye in the review mirror and smile with her, she looks a little pale, but her cheeks flush as she reciprocates my smile. We step out and I catch her eye once more as I shut the door, locking her in.

Stay in the car Casper,' I say, tapping the glass and she nods a little.

So,' says Vic as we walk out of the parking lot.

What?' I ask him.

I smell something different in the air.'

Oh, do you?' I sound surprised. Maybe a rain is approaching.'

I think it already rained last night,' Vic bites his lower lip, his eyes twinkling. Now out with it SK, what's going on?'

I raise my eyebrows at his insistent and knowing look.

I don't kiss and tell,' I say seriously.

Aha!' Vic laughs. That's it, I rest my case!'

Stop it will you,' I frown at him as I catch the sight of the oncoming party. I cannot help my features contorting as my eyes fell on Durga Prasad Maheshwari, walking in with his son and a couple of police officers.

Shell we?' The inspector asks after exchanging a couple of words with Vic. Durga Prasad is watching me, his cold gaze demanding to hold mine. I nod at him, my lips curling in to a cold grin, as his eyes flash a little, betraying the cold fury he still nurtured for me within him.

We follow the officer to the apartment occupied by the victim before he died; it is a very ordinary one, perfect for a middle classed man who has started living on his own recently. The police had been through all his belongings several times, but everything is still where they were supposed to be. I take in the basic view as my eyes travel the perimeter and Vic takes some photographs, both of us deliberately ignoring the prosecutors lurking around.

For a professional photographer his camera's a little outdated;' Vic comments; pointing the camera and the lighting equipments in a corner of the hall way.

Hmm...' I say, watching the way Lakshya's eyes follow my gaze. It is a fine tactic, when you can't find anything yourself, follow the opponent's trail, they would lead you to a clue with no effort from your side. Brilliant job!

We examine the camera, what holds my interest is the micro chip that fits inside it and Vic catches my expression.

Later,' I tell him before he would question me. Inspector Sharma,' I turn to the officer. Is this all this room had or have you removed some items...let's say from the walls?'

Umm, no, we haven't touched a thing, or changed their positions, why do you ask so Mr. SK?'

Uh, nothing just curious. He was a clean neat guy right,' I say casually. Too neat in fact...' I add, pulling open a drawer in his bedside cabinet. The contents of the drawer had been shuffled through by the police, but I need to see through them myself. Vic nudges me, pointing at a certain photograph on the top of the cabinet, it had a few children laughing at the camera from some birthday party long ago.

Take a snap shot,' I advice him as I turn my attention back to the drawer. Inside are some papers, stuffed in to the drawer carelessly. Most of them are bills, some receipts and other official looking useless letters with an old crumbled piece of an invitation to some musical function. It has a folded corner, which I straighten out. There is a number written hastily across the corner, a phone number. I note it down, in my thoughts for further investigation later.

I straighten up, to notice Vic had finished his photographing.

I think we should leave,' I tell him, in a quite tone.

You have plans for later today?' Vic asks in an amused tone. I see Lakshya freezing at his words from a corner of my eye.

Yep, I need to run a few errands and meet a few people,' I say frowning at Vic, as we made our way out.

Wait!' Someone calls after and I sigh.

Oh please, not another drama.'

It is Lakshya, following us down the stairs. He has a very determined expression to start with.

I don't have much time,' I tell him coldly. Whatever it is keep it short.'

How is she?'

I could have resisted the urge to roll my eyes, but I do not. That was indeed pathetic.

Fine,' I say shortly and Vic and I turn to leave.

I want to talk to her,' he states clearly not getting the hint.

Of cause you can...in the court.'

We have already made it to the parking with Lakshya on our heel. Now I seriously know what a leach means.

You came with her right? She's waiting in the car. I need to see her.'

Lakshya,' I say, firmly as I stop leaning against our car. You can't do everything you need, get that clearly in your head.'

What is this sudden interest?' Vic questions him. Certainly you don't have anything to discuss with our client.'

While my temper rose unchecked I had pressed the key in my hand, unlocking the doors unintentionally. Swara stepped out, almost instantly.

Swara...' He turns to her then. I really believed Ragini saw what she said she saw, that's why I...'

Oh,' I tell him, in an amused tone. Is this some poorly worded apology?'

Look,' Lakshya takes a deep breath. I believed what was in front of me... Anyone would have done. Even now, you're not acting like an innocent would...do you seriously say I was wrong in my place...?'

You're still too bad in pressing your point Lakshya, I can't seem to grasp what you want to say. Sorry...or not sorry?'

He ignores me completely and addresses her.

I could never have believed you were capable of something like this, but you're not giving me any reason to trust you. I just want you to know, whatever you're doing is never going to work.'

What am I trying to do?' Swara asks him in an unemotional tone. I turn to capture her expression, there is none however. She looks at him blankly.

You're trying to make me jealous,' accused Lakshya. You're trying to make me doubt Ragini, you're trying to break us apart. You want to show me that I don't matter to you at all. That you have moved on. When in fact...what you want is to gain my trust again, make me doubt if I'm helping the right side or not.'

Very well,' she says softly. And what are you going to do now that you know all this?'

I'm not going to fall for your tricks.'

Good for you,' she says shortly and turns to me. Shall we go then, SK?'

Lakshya laughs at her.

You can act all you want to Swara, it doesn't matter. It's you who has a lot to worry about at the moment starting from your defense attorney.'

Lakshya!'

What is it SK? Are you worried that I might spill your secrets? As to why you want to win this case so desperately? Have you ever wondered Swara...why he helps you so much?'

Vic steps between us, staring down Lakshya with his blazing eyes.

That's enough Mr Maheshwari, we need to get going, and we're getting late.'

He pushes me towards the car and jerks his head for Swara, signaling her to get in. She however is still watching Lakshya.

Okay, when you're free ask him what his name is, if he ever dares to tell you.'

Get in, Miss Gadodia,' Vic says firmly and Swara follows him, he shuts the doors after us and pulls out of the parking lot. We don't talk on our way back, each lost in thoughts of their own.

*

It doesn't end here of cause...scroll down... Enjoy!!

Chapter 10

Vic watches both of us with his eyes narrow and mind calculating.

Guys,' he says after a moment, pinching his nose. Don't let him ruin your day...see we just left him miles behind, still you two are carrying his words on your heads.'

He parks the car in front of the office and looks at SK,

It was you who told me once that you have left them behind, with the part of you that cares for them. So live by that word mate, that's it.'

We're being watched,' SK states after a moment. Vic steps outside the car, his hand freezes in the mid movement of shutting the door. Yes,' SK continues watching him. Didn't you wonder how Lakshya knew Miss Gadodia was with us? We don't usually roam around with our clients in the backseat right? He knows, means his father knows, his father knows because his spies does.'

He hops to the driver seat and turns to look at me.

Come to the front Casper, we have plans remember?'

I do not seriously understand how he can jump from one conversation to another pole apart. It seems one of his qualities. SK continues his discussion with Vic as I step out and take the front seat, so there was someone watching. That means something could go terribly wrong any moment.

Talk to him okay, ask him about the microchip I mentioned and yes, check the invitation card as well. I have a contact with a photographer who might just have the answer we need. Vic...' He calls after as Vic turns to leave. Try to make things work from phone conversations as far as possible, we don't need them following us to our clues right?'

Phones can be tapped.' Vic points out.

Nah,' SK shakes his head. That's the only thing Durga Prasad can't do, tapping phones, I have personal experience on that.'

Vic nods and leaves for office as we pull out from the parking.

What does it mean?' I ask him. Why is he following us?'

Me being your attorney has become both your blessing and your curse Casper,' he says casually. I can fight Durga Prasad better, because I just know what goes inside his bald head, but he would do everything to put you behind bars because I would try otherwise.'

Does he hate you?'

Hate? He loathes me! I'm not far behind though.'

What did he do, that made you...'

He pulls the car over, bringing it to a standstill on the roadside.

His words are eating you away right? You're doubting what my intentions are?' His voice is completely void of emotions, I can't judge whether he is hurt or angry or simply as casual about it as he sounded. You said I crawl away from light because I fear displaying my ugliness...and now you want to see that ugliness revealed right?'

I didn't mean...'

If you know the truth, either you'd be very stunned, or you'd be very disappointed.'

I don't want to know anything.' I tell him, a little firmly.

Oh, so you're worried it might change your new found resolve?'

Why do you always think so negative of people?'

He is my father.'

Silence, which I can no longer remember how to break and which he seems to be using as his shield fills the next moment.

What?'

Durga Prasad Maheshwari is my father.' His voice is clear, diplomatic and pleasant, but that does not make his words anymore understandable. I am Sanskar Maheshwari, eldest son of the Maheshwaris and your ex fiance's brother.'

He looks at me, his eyes sparkling in a blinding shimmer.

By choosing my side you had just entered an arena of war Miss Gadodia, here either you'd be my sword or his shield, either way you will bleed. My father hates me, thus, he would do anything to destroy you, I want to defeat him, that's why I chose to help you on the first place, you were supposed to be my pawn against him, my methods of reaching my goal, so if you had any picture of me being your knight in shining armor, you can delete them from your mind right now.'

Why do you talk in past tense?' I ask him slowly and catch, for a split second how his features reflected a surprise.

Because you're neither my sword nor my pawn any longer... I don't enjoy placing you between us anymore. Now, by hurting you he can destroy me and I fear that... Miss Gadodia, you managed to make me believe in us for a one golden moment. It does not exist anymore. Us', can't happen.'

I hear myself taking a large gulp of air, I do not feel it reaching my lungs as his words suffocate me. For my entire life I have never hated a man with passion, but now I do. That hatred has no reason other than what he has done to the only thing I hold dear. My hope of flying away. I hate Durga Prasad Maheshwari...for whatever he has done to SK.

So you're protecting me by pushing me away?' I ask him mildly.

Please,' he says in a soft tone. Don't make it harder than it already is.'

Then tears come, in big, wet drops of burning agony, they chase each other down my cheeks and he stares straight ahead blankly. I can see how his knuckles gripping the steering wheel had whitened with the pressure he applied on them and the vein throbbing at his throat, his rigid jaw, they all tell me how much effort he was putting in to keeping his mask on and how less hope I have of breaking his wall again.

SK would neither listen to me nor his heart. He has taken his decision.

*

And you said we are done?' Vic sounds frustrated. He shakes his head, watching me and pours himself a glass of water. I really thought you were one smart guy SK, now you just proved me again that you're Sanskar, another son of the mental Maheshwaris.'

She's already in danger,' I point out, trying to ignore the blazing insult he threw at me. Without Durga Prasad knowing what she means to me.'

Huh,' Vic snorts. Keep telling yourself that! And what did you do now? Dropped her home and came here? Are you seriously out of your mind SK?'

She needs time to get a grip on herself, the further she is from me the better.'

And how can you guarantee her safety?'

Vic, leave it.'

Lakshya already knows she is there, what if they plan something?'

Leave it,' I say a little shaken up. Seriously when I had dropped her home; that little detail slipped from my mind. Then again, no one would dare entering that house. She was safe there. As long as she was inside that is.

Do you think she would leave home for any reason?'

You tell me,' Vic says sarcastically. You did this alone, now you tell me!'

I dial the landline number, it rings, but no response, maybe she is still sulking, maybe she didn't hear, I think as I keep trying, or maybe, my mind chills, she is not at home.

Damn it Casper,' I mutter as I redial for the third time. No one was answering the phone. Vic's mobile buzzes the same moment.

Yep,' He barks at it, still annoyed from our previous conversation. Very well, we're coming.' He says calmly as he disconnects the call, but his expression is darker now. You've done it SK,' he says glaring at me.

No,' I mutter, standing up. Don't tell me...'

Mrs. Ragini Maheshwari complained that her life is in danger from Miss Gadodia, she says she was attacked today.' He watches me, enjoying my stunned expression. They have already arrested her, a fine opening for the trial in two days.'

How did this happen?'

Apparently she went to see her mother, no surprise after your stunt,' he says venomously. And Mrs. Maheshwari was also there. The rest I guess as usual is a brilliant fabrication by the young lady perhaps with occasional spice thrown in by her father in law.'

Vic grabs his things from the table and turns to me.

What are you waiting for?'

I watch him, taking a deep breath and finding my words.

Go on.'

You're not coming?'

Nope.'

SK, what would she think? She would think you gave up, she would die of despair!'

She doesn't know me very well then,' I say determinedly as I pull on my jacket.

Will you tell me where you are going?'

Home.'

Ah, like there would be anything to...wait,' he eyes me suspiciously. What home are you talking about?'

I give him a faint smile.

I think it's time to meet Mrs. Ragini Maheshwari personally.'

*

Okay...so the story is getting intense.

We'll meet again soon.

You're thoughts keep me going so please share them with me.

Thanks for reading.

Sorry if you are disappointed.

Originally posted by: maaneetfan

Shocked? ?? Yes!! All the while i was thinking it was something she may hv done to make shekhar hate her but how was she to help it tht she is her mom's love child...now cant hate shekhar so much tho it is not swara's fault at all. She is a victim too and to face hatred all her life...

Why is it tht with every talk of sk's life a hidden story of swara comes out??? Sk is god with tht...she ends up sharing so much with him involuntarily. ... and a new clue discovered! !! Yayyy

Aaah the growing attraction btwn sk n swara!!!! But swara is falling deeper...she doesn't want this case to end as tht means he will leave too...but sk seems to be tooo mesmerised by her too...both unwanted n unloved finding comfort in each other...sigh..it was a beautiful scene sakura...

Pls do pm me next time saku...i never know when u post!!

Love Tasneem

Originally posted by: Jidnyasa

Nice..

Loved it..

Swara is too damaged to be repaired..

Continue soon..

Originally posted by: arohijsp

Beautiful update! It has soo much emotions and depth.
Take a bow dear, you are a brilliant writer!
I love Swasan conversation, I felt like they are a married couple already.
I'm fond of your Swara , she's not confused about her feelings.
So we found who's your Icarus is, who got burnt by flying towards the sun. Now she has found her soulmate.Sanskaar's love will heal her. Actually they will heal eachother.
I guess Mrs Maheshwari ,AP or Sujatha, is Sanskaar's mother. But DP can't be his father.
Love to know Sanskaar's side of the story now. And the mystery of the killer is yet to unfold.
Looking forward to your next update!

Res for comment on Chaps 9 & 10.

Early Xmas treat for us, huh Saku? Double update... 😊

Un-res

Saku, Chapter 9 was just sublime. 😊 SK's realization that he's falling so deeply in love...And that very realization scares him, since he feels any happiness in his life is bound to temporary, cursed as he believes he is, to eternal suffering. I loved the analogy to rains in the desert, bringing a flush of new growth, but flattering only to deceive as the arid air blights them again.

SK's rapid consideration of his alternatives: either lie to Swara that he didn't mean what she thought he did by their kiss, let her feel shattered and grief stricken for a few days, but ensure she could be happy in the future. OR, continue to enjoy this ephemeral, incandescent burst of happiness before Durga Prasad targeted her and wrecked her life. There really is no choice, for a person of SK's temperament.

But the way Swara so clearly tells him not to run scared from his feelings, and calmly declares that she loves him, was superb. 👏 👏 I loved the line where she says she doesn't want his sympathy, she's told him the truth of his feelings, what he wants to do is upto him. Bravo, Casper! 😃

And then came the para which just defines Sanskaar, doesn't it? The intensity, potency and passion of his love.

""I'm afraid because when I love, I love till the last of my being evaporate into that feeling, I love until it hurts, I love until I cease to exist and I want to be loved back with the same intensity. I'm afraid of loving yes, do you know why? It is because if someone ever tries to cause the slightest of harm to what I love...I raise hell; I annihilate them I don't mind what happens to me in the process. I lose all my senses when I love. Tell me Miss Gadodia, can you tolerate that kind of love? Can you withstand the destruction it brings? Will you not then see me as a monster? Will you not start regretting your choice? Won't you end up hating me?""

Saku, the intense way you have portrayed Sanskaar's love---I have no words dear, to praise it enough. I've told you before, there are certain paras in your work which are hauntingly, evocatively beautiful. I have personal favorites from SQ and Elixir, and I guess this para is going to join them, since I'm bookmarking this chapter.

And Lakshya in this chapter---I have just no words to convey my contempt for the man. 🤢 Is he trying to say sorry, or not? He seems to be snivelling and whining about why he was justified in suspecting Swara---but then, instead of pursuing that thread, he swings about accusing her of trying to make him jealous! Of playing about with SK, just to wean him away from Ragini. 😡 Man, this guy would give invertebrates a bad name...To complete his descent into sheer nastiness, he taunts Swara about not knowing why SK is representing her, hinting that he has hidden agendas of his own...

And in Chapter 10, we get to see a glimpse of SK's past. I always thought he was Durga Prasad's nephew, nice twist that you made him the eldest son, Lakshya's elder brother. But is he Durga Prasad's son from a previous marriage? From a liaison? Why does he hate Sanskaar and want to vanquish him so badly?

I loved Sanskaar's brutal frankness here, Saku, even to Swara whom he loves so much. He doesn't deny that when he took her case up initially, it was to serve his purpose of a war against his father. She was meant to be a sword in his hand, a pawn, nothing more. But then---he couldn't see her as that anymore.

""Because you're neither my sword nor my pawn any longer... I don't enjoy placing you between us anymore. Now, by hurting you he can destroy me and I fear that... Miss Gadodia, you managed to make me believe in us for a one golden moment. It does not exist anymore. Us', can't happen.'""

The way he grips the steering wheel so tight his knuckles blanch, keeping his mask firmly in place with a firm clench of his jaw, spoke volumes of the agony he's feeling. But all his intentions of keeping Swara away from himself to keep her from harm didn't do much good---she's now been framed by Ragini, again! Seriously, Ragini is so contemptible in this SS, perhaps even more so than she was in IK/ SQ. 😕

Waiting to see how Sanskaar re enters home, and joins a battle of wits and wills against Durga Prasad as well as Ragini. Well---Lakshya too, I guess, but then Lakshya has neither wits nor will, so its not a battle at all where he's concerned! 😉

Waiting for Chap 11, dear!

Originally posted by: CogitoErgoSum

Res for comment on Chaps 9 & 10.

Early Xmas treat for us, huh Saku? Double update... 😊

yeah!!!! double updates 😃