Res. 😊 Shru please bear with me, as the un res could take time. Lots of work to catch up on at office, and some pending un res's on other threads to do. Plus am writing something which a few pals had requested me for.
Liked chap 11 a lot, and you know I don't like giving cursory, proforma comments to updates by you, Saku, Naina and a few others...
Shall un res either later today or tomorrow pakka. 🤗
Lots of Love
Viji
Un-Res
Hey Shru darling...
I had so much fun reading this chapter. The growing closeness between Swara & Sanskaar, the banter between them, his efforts to manao-fy her after his earlier unjustifiably gruff behavior had wounded her---it was all so couple-like, almost hubby-wifey like. 😛
I must say, the title and the quote were awesome for the situation. "Blooms amidst the desert" and "We fear the thing that we want the most". 😉 The emotions Prince Scrumptious and his Mermaid Princess feel for each other, certainly are blooming, bursting to life like verdant blossoms after a shower of lifegiving rain in that arid desert! And yes, Sanskaar certainly does fear his burgeoning tenderness and attraction towards Swara. Don't fight it, Prince! 😉 Just go with the flow...😳
At the start of the chapter, I was so thrilled reading about Swara's reaction. That was very deftly put indeed, her feeling of panic and worry seeing him gone, then the realization seeping in that this could be her chance to escape after all, perhaps getting her hands on a map and some of his weapons. But the lovely touch here was, the way her instinct rebelled against this notion, counting it as almost betrayal. Unbeknownst to her, she has started investing her faith and affection in Sansaar, and whatever her rational mind might tell her about him being labeled a traitor and his having stolen part of the map; she has steadily come to think, that he could very well be innocent of the crimes with which he has been charged.
That thought process of hers---that while Sanskaar himself had played a role in the deceit which Ragini wove, it was only a tangential one. The fact that he was also instrumental, at least twice, in saving her honor and life, is not lost upon her. As you so beautifully put, she realizes that unlike Ragini, Sanskaar at that time did not owe her anything. They did not have ties that bound them, of any kind whatsoever. And yet, though he did put her in harm's way to further his plans, he also rescued her from the very implications of those plans which were taken to extreme depths by her own sister, depths which Sanskaar himself had never wished or thought she would descend to.
And errmmm...Shru...what have you done to me with this wonderfully romantic tale, Sis? 😳 😉 Your sentence about Swara proceeding into Sanskaar's room frantically to search for him, and noticing the masculine touches in the room, had me thinking of --well, 😳. You know, heavy draperies, the silk on the massive bedframe in the corner. Ahem Ahem...I was toh wondering when the Mermaid Princess would perhaps get a better acquaintance with that ---well----Prince and Princess sized bed, with those oh-so-delectable silken sheets. ☺️ ☺️. Ok, Ok. Deep breath. Let me stop that train of thought now. 😉
I loved the way both Swara and Sanskaar reacted, when she saw him approach. The tremendous relief she felt, the joy that he was back again---and his instinctive reaction, seeing her all concerned and fliustered at his return, was to crush her to him in a warm embrace. 😛 Why, Oh Why, is he so strong minded, Shru...Ek hug toh banta tha na? You could have let him sweep her into his arms, and then made him lose his temper at his own "weakness", no? 😆
But jokes apart, loved the play of his emotions there. His gratification seeing her concern and the fact that she had not tried to escape, melding into his fury at himself for feeling this way about her. And then, his harsh and rude response, intended to tamp down on the tender emotions that are awakening in both of them--because he feels guilty for his part in placing her in this mess, as well as what he thinks is the hopelessness of the emotions he feels for her!
Her utter hurt at his churlish behavior---the immense pain and anger flashing in her spirited eyes, "that would have felled a lesser man"!!! 👏 👏
And then came the delicate humor---The Prince becoming a lackey/ manservant/ slave, in order to manao-fy the Princess he had offended. That stretch was so couple like my dear. He was so wounded at the thought of her in pain, and also realized, that she was as strong willed and resolute as he was! (A side note, if and when Kavita 😡 🤢makes a re-entry, this will be a BIG factor for Sanskaar---the character distinctions between a spirited Swara and a simpering Kavita!). All the nicknames here were superb! Princess Sulky! Prince Churlish! Prince Grumpy!! 😃
Even though Swara was really angry, the nok jhok between them was hilarious! And Sanskaar, Sanskaar----fetching pails of water and then even filling a flower pot from the well!! 😆 He is certainly a very wise man indeed, the face saving explanation/ excuse he proferred Swara, as to why she had not left the haveli when she had a chance, must have put her at her ease...😉 She was berating himself, for her concern and inexplicable sense of loyalty towards Sanskaar; who had then proceeded to tread on her softer emotions with such fury. But Sanskaar's calm statement that he was grateful she had not attempted an escape, merely she had kind of pledged him her word, took her by surprise, didn't it? 😳 She sure was grateful for him not having exposed or questioned her emotions in that regard, but it also probably deepened her feelings/ admiration for him a tad!
And the way Sanskaar kept at his attempts to coax her out of the room---going from calling out at the shut door, to throwing pebbles at the shut windows!! 😆 His explanation was superb, though---that if she fainted of hunger, he would have to force open the door, out of concern for her health, not out of stubbornness or anger! 😉 And that line of how he had earlier felt her barred door was the most impregnable of barriers, because it reminded him of badly he had hurt her, was superb!! 👏 A warrior prince who had stormed dozens of forts, rendered helpless by a dainty Princess's hurt act of barring her door! Now if this isn't love...😳
That tale from the bygone era---of Prince Samarjit and his love, Kalyani, had so many feels...As I had mentioned in our scrap exchange, It reminded me of the romance of Rana Rawal Ratan Singh and Rani Padmini; Baz Bahadur and Rupmati.... It also seemed to have some elements/ foreshadowing of the Prince Sanskaar & Princess Swara story...though I do fear about the "lady in waiting who also desires the Prince, though her infatuation is unrequited"... A reference to the resurrected Kavita, perhaps? 🤢
Eagerly waiting to see what happens in the ruins they go to see in Chap 12. You have promised us "action". Again--GM alert...I was picturing all kinds of "action", which perhaps were not on the table (or on that massive bedframe for that matter...😳). 😆 But jokes apart, really waiting with bated breath to see what happens when they visit those ruins. Per our discussions earlier on the comment thread and scraps, I guess they have a run in with some bandits...and Swara will get to see the fiercely protective, possessive side of Sanskaar, when he literally annihilates those men, for daring to even lay a finger on her! Guess that might finally remove the last shreds of denial from Prince Grumpy's mind and heart? Turning him to Prince Charming? 😉
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