Hello everyone, here I am with the next installment of this story. No more ramblings except for the fact that I'm sorry for making all of you guys wait for the update. Thank you so much for the response to the previous update it really really brightened up my days. Hope all of you'll like this one as much as the previous one too. So here I go:
Chapter 7 - Moments of Epiphany
Swara and Sanskaar descended the semi circular stairs and proceeded to the dining space to find the family seated at the dining table barring two people; Ragini and Annapurna. Everyone present there knew the reason for their absence, while the former had completely cut off ties with everyone around her the latter was immersed in an ocean of sadness caused by the separation from her beloved son Laksh, Annapurna had yet not been able to come to terms with the repercussions of the events which though were initiated by her son but were a given a final curtain by Sanskaar and Swara.
Breakfast was a low key affair with slow talk flowing across the table; where the men of the house were involved in business talks, the women of the house made small talk to overcome the slight awkwardness which yet prevailed.. With the morning breakfast done everybody dispersed to do their own work and Swara walked out Sanskaar till his car waiting for him at the gate of the mansion..
Turning towards her he touched her cheeks with the back of his hand, " Bye Swara I'll miss you." Wrapping her arms around his waist she pressed a chaste kiss on his chest and laid her head there, "I'll miss you too Sanskaar, come home as soon as you can I'll be waiting for you." Nodding his head he smiled solemnly and left for the day.
Walking up the stairs of the mansion Swara threw a glance at the closed doors of Ragini and Laksh's room. She had seen very less of Ragini ever since the day Laksh was arrested; not stepping out even for the customary meals. The only times Swara did see her sister were during the morning and evening prayers. And everytime she came face to face with her all she felt was pain looking at the crippled state of her sister; try as she might she couldn't get out the appropriate words of consolance maybe because she was yet fighting her personal demons? She felt bad for neglecting Ragini all this time and with these thoughts she carried a try laden with breakfast and knocked on the door of the closed room.
On drawing on response Swara gave it a slight push but the sight that greeted her was so unpleasant that it made chills run down her spine, the room was in a damaged state every corner of it covered with debris and broken shards of glass and lying not less than a few feet away from her was Ragini.
Swara placed the tray on the sidetable with a loud thud and ran towards where Ragini lied. Taking her head in lap she patted her cheek trying to get her awake and finally after a few agonizing moments Ragini's eyes fluttered open. Ragini opened her bleary eyes and the first sight that greeted her was the tensed teary face of her beloved sister.
She slowly sat up holding a hand to her aching head. The sunlight streaming in through the windows hurt her eyes, "Swara?" she called out in a thick gruffy voice which suggested that she had cried a lot "Is everything okay downstairs why do you look so tensed?"
Pulling her in a tight embrace Swara hugged Ragini close to her finally breathing in relief, "Are you crazy, pagal ho gayi ho tum Ragini. Kya haal bana rakha hai tumne apna aur iss kamre ka? Do you know what I went through when I entered the room and saw you lying there? My blood went cold and it froze in my veins. Don't ever do that again, don't pull this stunt on me, never again in our lives you get that?"
Laughing a dry humorless laugh Ragini nodded her head in assent the reason for Swara's fear now dawning upon her. She cared for her, she was scared for her even after everything she did to hurt her. "You're a gem of a sister Swara I'm the luckiest girl around to have a sister so forgiving and loving as you." Swara smiled solemnly for a moment and then directed Ragini to get dressed and freshen up while she got the room cleaned up.
A while later when Ragini exited the bathroom now fresh from a shower she spotted Swara in the balcony where she sat waiting for her, she took note of her now sparklingly clean bedroom it was restored to how it was before she let loose her wrath on it.
Stepping in the balcony Ragini took a seat besides Swara. "Ragini chalo have something I've gotten breakfast for you. You haven't eaten anything since last night. Aise toh tum bimaar pad jaogi na. I've prepared aloo paratha and I saved some for you they're your favourite no?"
Tears again leaked out of Ragini's eyes as she felt Swara's concern for her, taking Swara's hand in her hands she spoke in a voice thick with regret, "I'm sorry Swara I'm so sorry for whatever I did to you I feel so ashamed of myself for failing you as a sister."
Breaking a morsel of the paratha she dunked it in curd and fed it to Ragini who looked on at her, her shining with regret and wonderment. Sighing Swara cupped her face and wiped a drop of tear off the corner of her eye on the tip of her finger and observed it for a moment then spoke with sincerity, "You know why I never gave up on you as a sister Ragini?"
Nodding her head in confusion Ragini allowed her sister to continue, "That's because I knew right from the time we were grown up teenagers that you had an innate goodness in you, you were capable of loving and caring. And that beneath the dark persona lied a simple innocent human."
"I had already forgiven you the day you made the decision to revert back to the being the person you were Ragini before you let that frenzied madness to attain Laksh take over your mind and heart. These tears that you shed are tears of regret, sorrow and redemption. "
Looking over the ledge of the balcony Swara continued, "These tears hold immense power in them. They cleanse your heart and soul of any dirt clouding it leaving you sparklessly clean. These are the sign that you move towards redeeming yourself. A sign that you regret all your past misdeeds and wish to go back to being the person you were but with a strength to voice your feelings and opinions before it takes dark turns. I'm proud to have a sister as you Ragini and I love you for what you are. Every person isn't perfect and you aren't expected to be one too so try finding happiness in your imperfections Ragini because these imperfections make you the person you are."
Smiling through her tears Swara turned to look at Ragini who was crying herself, moving towards Swara Ragini hugged her sister and a bright smile graced her as she felt a burden heaved off her chest. Breaking apart Ragini pulled Swara along with her to the table and sat her down opposite her. Patting her stomach hungrily she exclaimed, "Now that I feel considerably light do I realize how exactly famished I am."
Swara laughed at Ragini's attempt to lighten the atmosphere and the sisters got talking about the past, happy and sad memories, their feelings, every secret spilled which was kept in the dark. While Swara shared about her feelings for Sanskaar; Ragini spoke all about her thoughts from last night for about Laksh.
Both the sisters lent a ear to the each others problems and counselled each other in turns and quite some time later headed down to the kitchen to help the other ladies of the house with work. Everyone were surprised seeing Ragini turn up in the kitchen but it quickly replaced with happiness on seeing a genuine smile on her cherubic face. Just like that everyone got back into their routines but what yet troubled everyone was Annapurna's withdrawal from everything around her. Everyone acknowledged it but none could draw the courage to go and talk to her.
The rest of the day passed in a blur for everyone in the house as they were all immersed in work and as the clock striked 6 Swara realized Sanskaar would be home soon. Quickly wrapping up her work she made way to their bedroom. Standing in front of the mirror she ran a brush through her thick lustrous hair and then went on to adjust the scarf of her saree which went askew during the day.
Giving a satisfied glance at her reflection in the mirror she turned just in time to see Sanskaar enter the room. Their faces brightened up the moment they saw each other. Moving towards Sanskaar, Swara covered the distance between them and embraced him throwing her slender arms around his chest. Sanskaar dropped the laptop bag he was carrying in his hand to the floor and hugged Swara by the waist pulling her in the protective circle of his arms. Dropping a kiss on the top of her head he breathed in the summery fragrance of her shampoo. "I missed you" they both exclaimed softly at the same time and chuckled at their timing.
Moving back in his arms Swara asked, "Fancy a cup of tea with me Sanskaar?" Nodding his head in glee he exclaimed, "Yes please I'd love it, it's been days." Shaking her head at his antics she headed down to the kitchen to make tea for them, but before she could go far Sanskaar pulled her back and huskily whispered, "Come soon wifey" blushing furiously Swara extricated herself from his hold and moved away while Sanskaar entered the bathroom for a long hot shower to wash off the weariness of the day.
Stepping out of the bathroom feeling fresh Sanskaar turned towards the balcony and his eyes softened on seeing Swara's angelic face illuminated in the orange and deep red light of the setting sun, her hair falling about her face in lazy abandon, the scarf of her saree blowing slightly in the wintery winds of December.
He smiled indulgently at his beautiful wife and took a seat opposite her. Smiling brightly she handed him his cup of tea and quietly sipped on her tea. Sanskaar then started talking about his day and about his mundane office work while Swara filled him in with the incident from Ragini. Telling him everything that happened in Ragini's room and her talk with her. Sanskaar quietly acknowledged what Swara said and felt happy over the fact that Ragini actually regretted over what she did and wanted to change her demeanor for her own life and for the people around her. Sanskaar was glad that this Ragini would no longer exist and his long lost duppatte waali friend which he had missed quite a lot would be restored back to him.
Feeling like a happy man Sanskaar sat completely besotted by his wife listening to her talk interrupting only in response to her questions. They talked till the tea in the kettle wasn't over and the moon wasn't up in the sky. After finishing dinner with the rest of the family they headed to their room and retired for the night with their bodies intertwined into one being.
Hey people there I go with chapter 7 hope you all like it. Definitely drop in your likes and comments would love to know how you feel after reading this installment of my story.. Constructive criticism is welcome as always.
Love,
Kashmi
Cricket
Kumkum Bhagya
Tum Se Tum Tak
