Originally posted by: CogitoErgoSum
Resss-ing 😈 😈
Un-Resss 😈 😉
Lovely end to the Calypso quartet, and to the Icarus Saga, my dear, dear Saku. First off, thanks so much for that lovely dedication at the beginning, it means a lot since you and your writing are so very dear to me. 🤗 🤗
I loved the way you did justice to the bevy of characters of covered in this one. Not just the leads, but the secondary/ supporting characters and even an entirely new one: Ashwin Sharma, whom you introduced here.
The first section: dealing with Durga Prasad and Annapurna, was lovely in a karmic sense. Finally, the man who betrayed so many, tried to crush so many at the altar of his greed, covetousness and sheer ruthless pursuit of power, gets his just desserts. And like all selfish, close minded people, he only truly realizes the value of somebody who has stood by him for so long, when he is about to lose her!! Typical of him, that he doesn't feel any true remorse for all his conniving, criminal actions; rather, he still muses on how and when the armor of invincibility he built came crashing down...perspective and introspection truly is a gift, something which the ilk of Durga Prasad in this story do not have...
What a contrast to him, is his far, far, better half---Annapurna, who, as you put so wonderfully, is now moving on to be a determined mother to the son of her heart, leaving behind the role of the emotionally drained, forever betrayed and taken for granted wife. Despite her multitude of sacrifices at the altar of Durga Prasad's selfish glory, over the years, he always took monstrous delight in the wounds he inflicted didn't he? It made me shudder, when Annapurna recalled the triumphant look in her husband's eyes, as he sundered (temporarily, thank God), the bond between Annapurna and Sanskaar. What kind of malicious human being would feel that...really, really despicable...
It speaks volumes of Annapurna's depth of character, the lovely way you've fleshed her out here, that she only feels relief, at being able to finally end this circle of lies and deceit, of suffering and torturing. And despite herself, the feeling of relief rushing through her veins also makes her feel a tad suffocated, does make her feel a pang of guilt at her supposed traitorous emotion. What a wonderful, self aware persona she is.
I must tell you Saku, next to Yashodara in SQ/FK, Annapurna in Icarus/ Calypso is my very favorite among what we term "secondary characters" that you have fleshed out so marvelously in your writing. You know I love devoting depth and layers to these characters, very crucial and fascinating in their own right. You & I have had numerous fascinating discussions on each others threads on Annapurna, Durga, Ram, Ragini, and even Lucky too. 😉 I just loved your take here, what a woman Annapurna is; truly a worthy Ma to Sanskaar!
I just loved the way she said that she is very, very sorry---not for leaving Durga now, for she sees no hope of redemption at all for him; but rather, sorry for what she could not do in the past; for not being able to guide him back firmly to the light, for being weak enough to bend before his bludgeoning will.
The second section had a lovely symmetry to the Annapurna--Sanskaar mother--son bond; by exploring Swara's brief interaction with Ashwin Sharma. A poignant exchange, that finally gives her a much needed closure and the strength to move on. I loved the parallels here, Saku---such a lovely touch. If Annapurna and Sanskaar are tied together by love, not by blood, and by a shared pain of what Durga Prasad wreaked on them; Ashwin and Swara are tied together by blood, not precisely by love, since fate, and Sharmishta's parents cheated them of that chance. Ashwin seems like a decent, honorable man, who would have loved Sharmishta far more sincerely and selflessly than Shekar ever did or ever could. It was just circumstance and destiny, which tore them apart; and that knowledge must have given Swara some closure. I loved the fact that she did not confront Ashwin with her knowledge; and she also desists from attending Myra's wedding, surmising the complications of any revelations on another half sister's happiness!! Not everyone is Ragini, but kudos to Swara here, for her very mature understanding and resolve.
And the last section---My Good Lord. Saku, why did you reduce me to tears? That was such a poignant moment, Sanskaar desperately trying to steel himself, deny himself Swara's love, for fear of what his own genetic inheritance could bring about in future. He feels that he is too dark and complicated a character, and Swara perhaps, is in love with his cool and collected "SK" persona, not the anguished and tortured Sanskaar within. And his worst fear of all---what if Durga Prasad's mindless selfishness, which enabled him to betray the loyal, loving Annapurna, as well as the innocent, naive Suhani; has been transmitted to Sanskaar through Durga Prasad's only contribution to his life---his genetic makeup? What if Swara's innocent adoration for him could turn him into a selfish monster, much as Annapurna's devotion could not turn back Durga Prasad's inherent evil?
I had tears rolling down my cheeks when I read that dear...Such a poignant moment. I remember having this discussion with you when I had portrayed a roughly analogous fear in Sanskaar's mind in Karna Parva (when he mistakenly assumes Ram cheated on Sujata, with Kaveri); and I so loved reading your take on the situation.
What a wonderful, selfless man Sanskaar is---with such a deep, unconditional love. And Swara proves herself worthy of it, too. The way she says, that he is too precious to abandon, that she always loved the Sanskaar behind the facade of SK, right from the very beginning! 👏 👏 And I loved too, the firm way she said that both of them were different from the examples set by the past generation. Genetics counts for only so much, after all. More crucial is nurture, one's own values, the emotions one holds dear in one's own heart and conscience. Swara does not have the unseeing, injudicious sacrificial tendencies which Annapurna earlier had, nor does Sanskaar have the monstrous weaknesses which Durga Prasad so gleefully indulged in.
The way they finally resolve these insecurities, and find solace in each others arms, their warm caresses, was so wonderful. Almost poetic in a sense.
Loved this so much, darling. I am going to miss this like crazy, and I do so hope the Spells of Spring will be out soon.
Loads & Loads of Love,
---Viji
Cricket
