Posted:
Originally posted by: CogitoErgoSum
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 LoveViji
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 amidts 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, and 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 dod 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? 😉
Viji Viji Viji!!! What have you done?! You blame me but I blame you in return for all of this 😆. Firstly massive hugs to you! And now- I was meant to wait until I got home at night to type my reply out on my lappie but I am so now done thanks to the major GM activation you caused in response that I am sat with my iPad in a meeting room at lunch to type this 😆
I loved how you described the title- it was better than my actual title! And yes very well placed emphasis on want there!! *wink* How I wish Prince Scrumptious would go with the flow but then seriously the way I see that going, we will need a major age rating on this whole FF!
I am so glad you liked the description of Swara's alarm at finding her captor gone, despite the totally understandable confusion surrounding her mental state, I wanted the slow realisation herself that she believes and wants to believe him innocent and I very deliberately wanted this BRFORE Sanskaaar ever has to give her his version or protest at his innocence. I have some further ideas on that which i hope I'll be able to do justice to when the time comes.
You and I have had discussions before about the guilt angle of Sanskaar in the actual show and many including us have always correctly differentiated there between Sanskaar and Ragini's actions and here of course he is even less culpable in that sense than in the show. I wanted Swara to reason that out overtly and understand that especially the realisation that he did save her twice and in his way that was part amend for his earlier ill intent.
Ohhh and now we come to it- the bit where you took my already dangerously careening thoughts off the deep end!!! See most didn't say anything about those sections inspiring such thoughts so I thought it was mainly me and firmly squashed my own sense of slightly scandalous "feels" I got overall but they were more so when Sanskaar wakes up next to Swara. Now you picking up the whole room desorption and taking it in that direction- whoa! Suddenly lots of scenes are coming to mind but they cannot be included in this period set drama- damn!! Or wait!! Maybe just not yet 😉. There may be a scene playing out in that masculine room but it won't of course be the obvious one - however you as usual very perceptively noticed that I described the room so only fair that I say I do have an idea to have a moment there BUT don't get too excited- it won't quite play out like you so tantalisingly describe above but ah well, you might still like it 😉.
And on the next bit- how I wish a hug could have ensued but too much too soon had to be resisted so I settled for him wanting to bury his face in her hair etc etc :)
I was grinning ear to ear reading your take on how you liked the whole interaction with their confusion and intense feelings masked as rudeness on his part and then anger on hers, followed by his attempts to make amends, clearly not even fighting the fact that he would have to bend despite his initial bravado about thinking she would come out soon enough. Oh and the differences between Kavita and Swara- regardless of Kavita being resurrected, don't fret too much on that. Our Prince is rather discerning BUT of course he only has a good impression of Kavita and nothing mars that for him as there's been nothing revealed of that nature. Glad the nicknames session and overall the fun I tried to play in through Sanskaar's silly but I still hoped adorable, antics is liked!! And if it relieved some gloom from your working week, I am more than pleased!
I just love the idea of a strong man deliberately being soft and then trying to rationalise it:). And ah- here yes, the whole giving madam a way out of her own dilema of why she opted for the less than rational approach according to her was I thought so our practical and smart Sanskaar!
I thought you would get the poignancy of that old tale! And aahhh yes indeed- the same type of epic feel from those immortal tales, where even tragedy only cements the undying nature of their saga. I had multiple purposes with this story, some of which shall come to light in chapter 12 so cannot discuss too much but the honest truth is also that I literally went with the flow as I wrote that scene and made this up as what felt instinctively right here. This story will lead to some interesting revelations and perhaps even some confusion between them both in chapter 12. Foreshadowing? Yes there is but only tangentially and not in an obvious way we usually see in shows I hope.
Rofl re action!! Hold your horses sis- or let's hold on to Veer:). Although having said that hmmm I think you might like a certain touch at the start of 12 😉. I am giving you all too many hints now!!! As to the guess about action, I think some of the exchanges have operated as spoilers. But yes, I like to think that what the real plan for those scenes is will still be surprising enough overall to keep readers interested and hopefully it won't be a total expected day at the ruins in this context!
You always know how to make my week sis and I love you for it!!! Talk to you very soon xoxo
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
