Res for #22 😊. Have relatives over Shru...will un res as soon as I can. 😕
Un-Res
Shru...what do I say about a chapter that had such a bittersweet, poignant mixture of emotions. Right from elation, warmth, love and romance; coupled with the trauma and anguish of heartbreak, separation despite the ardent, mutual love between the leads we adore so much.
There is a song from the movie Rangeela (no pun intended to the channel 😛), which came to mind when I read this chapter. Just want to put down the lyrics here:
Pyaar ye jaane kaisa hai, kya kahein ye kuchh aisa hai
Kabhi dard ye deta hai, kabhi chain ye deta hai
Kabhi hum deta hai, kabhi khushi deta hai
Din to guzarte hain jiske khayaalon mein
Raatein guzarti hain uski hi yaadon mein
Waqt milan ka aaye to raahon mein
Jhoome bahaarein phoolon ki kaliyon mein
Bhanvaron ki toli aaye
Kaliyon pe vo mandaraaye
Darr ye fiza ka bhi dil se mitaaye
Aankhon pe chhaye hain sapna banke tu
Koi paraaya aaye apna banke
Chalte chalte hi raahon ki dhoop mein
Saathi mil jaaye koi saaya banke
Manzil aaye na aaye ya koi toofan aaye
Dilwaalon ko ye jeena sikhaaye
The start of the chapter was so serene, so full of love--the real, intense kind. Once again, Swara and Sanskaar came awake in each others arms---this time she woke first. 😊 And her emotions on find her arms around Sanskaar, holding on to him so trustingly as if her very life depended on it...😳 She just didn't want to let go or move, did she. 😉 Of course, she does feel shy and awkward, as to what he would think; but then her inner voice prompts her that though she asked him to stay back with her in the tent, it was not as if he wanted to go, either. 😊 I really liked this more rational, more perceptive Swara...I knew her sentiments would be dashed with some clouds rolling in later, but the very fact that she had begun to arrive at the correct conclusions about Sanskaar's feelings for her, was wonderful. This, despite that fact that she still thought of Kavita as the love of his life.
I loved that bit where Swara pretends to be asleep, soaking in the warmth and comfort of being in Sanskaar's arms, and Sanskaar himself, once he wakes, almost instantly becomes aware that she is perhaps pretending. 😆 😉 That little bit before that, where he was gently moving her and letting his lips brush across her hair was so romantic.
And then the way their gazes met and held so tenderly, so passionately before he left the tent, he way she cuddled into the imprint left by his body on the sheets---all so intimate. 😳 I just wish they proceeded further to reading that the other's eyes so eloquently convey, instead of holding themselves back within the walls of their own self doubts and insecurities...but then, that love which faces so many odds and then emerges triumphant, is the finest love of all, isn't it?
I loved that scene of Swara getting ready in the outfit Sanskaar had got for her, and finally dispensing with the voluminous cloak. She is warmed and reassured beyond measure, by Sanskaar's absolute insistence that she is no way to feel ashamed of that vile attack by Devendra on her person. Loved the way she recollected his fervent declaration, comparing her to the Pure and Holy Gita, whose sanctity remains inviolate even if a sinner holds it.
For some reason, the point where she flings her cloak off, and says she doesn't want to hide and feel guilty about the scratch and bite marks that vile, slobbering beast left on her---that brought proud tears to my eyes. You've made her seem so alive, so much like a real friend to me, I could feel her recovery, her attempts to put that traumatic experience behind her and move on. Lovely...just so moving.
The way she asked him why he had to send her back home--could he not just keep her in a place of safety close by him, so that she could rejoin him after the battle--was just so beautiful. No wonder Sanskaar's resolve to keep away from her cracked, there was so much powerful love there.
And the kiss which followed...😳 Lovely imagery, of Swara flowing like silk into his arms, their ardent, soulful kisses like a shower of rain meeting the parched desert sands...thud! I think I just fainted. ☺️
And ta ta da!!! I knew it Shru! I knew it! 😊 Right from the time they let their guard down and this beautiful romantic scene started, I knew they would get interrupted before either of them got to tell the other openly what they felt. I knew this would be a recipe for a (hopefully) brief separation. Please keep it brief! 😆
So Crown Prince Adarsh apologizes to Sanskaar, addresses him as his brother, and asks forgiveness for the massive misunderstanding which caused him to be jailed and flogged. Wow...so Adarsh is the loving elder brother who has now realized his younger cousin was innocent all along...How touching...No? 😉 😆 Oh No, Shru,...Oh no! You've strewn quite a few red herrings there, my dear Sis! I don't know why, I have been picturing you laughing away merrily as you plan your next twist---and I somehow feel, Adarsh is in cahoots with Devendra...I've been saying this right from Thread 1, the initial chapters itself, and I'm sticking to it.
Two things in this chapter which to me, seemed like clues you've put:
1) Adarsh asking about the key to the maps
2) Adarsh asking Sanskaar if he still harbored suspicion about Lakshya being involved. But Shru, tell me, had Sanskaar ever told the Maheshwaris about his suspicions of Lakshya? Somehow, from the earlier chapters, I don't recall reading that he did so. He tried to explain that the map and the sword were taken from him, and that he had been drugged. I think he just reached the conclusion that someone from the palace was involved, and he, in his own mind, based on what Kavita had told him before, and what lies Kaveri spun, assumed it was Lakshya.
I don't think he ever told the Maheshwaris about his suspicions about Lucky? He kept silent about the key, and held on grimly in that dungeon, enduring unspeakable torture, planning his revenge. Or am I missing the part where he does accuse Lucky?
So I was wondering, wherefrom did Adarsh realize Sanskaar suspected Lakshya (and possibly decided to play up on that)? Did he perchance get a message from Devendra or his men recently, after they had captured Sanskaar and Swara? Had Devendra told him that Sanskaar suspected Lakshya?
More importantly---when will you tell us? 😊 😉 On second thoughts---if this is germane to the plot as it is to unfold, just give me vague hints. Don't disclose. 😆
Poor Swara--bustling about so happily, floating on the memories of her first kiss. She is so much in love, and so very happy that her valiant chevalier feels something for her. She still, sadly feels that Sanskaar cherishes the memory of the (supposedly!) dead Kavita 🤢 as his one true love, but still, she consoles herself, that her adoration for him, and his concern and regard for her, would be enough to build their life together.
And amid that lovely hope, her dreams come crashing down. I almost wept, Shru. Almost. I was within inches of bawling. I have always had a very tough time reading those sections of the Ramayana, dealing with the opprobrium directed towards Sita. This brought out that sheer agony Swara must have felt, so well.
The Ramayana references were well thought out indeed. That conversation between the soldiers, one of them speculating that Prince Sanskaar might just feel duty bound to salvage Swara's reputation, brought Swara such immense anguish. She loves Sanskaar far too much, and has that innate sense of honor and self respect, that she would never want to bind him in a relationship (she fears) would be based on his pity or sympathy for her. She doesn't want him feeling bound to her out of a sense of obligation, that would almost kill her, considering how much she loves him, with every fiber of her being.
And then, most unfortunately, she overhears that second conversation between Sanskaar and Adarsh---again, with Adarsh warning Sanskaar against taking any "hasty steps", and hinting that Sanskaar might be looking to complete the "honorable course of action" with Swara, which he had earlier planned tot ake with Kavita. 🤢 Sanskaar reacted furiously, showing that there was no comparison whatsoever, but Swara, sadly, was too shattered to absorb that nuance.
So from what you've delineated from these conversations, it would seem that Sanskaar, 5 years back, had been threatened by Durga Prasad that he would be disowned if he dared proceed with his plans to wed Kavita. But he, bound to his code of honor, had wanted to marry the girl he had become intimate with---even though it would seem that from his side, it was just a very intense, youthful infatuation, artfully cultivated and promoted by Kavita.
That confrontation between Sanskaar and Swara was just so painfully beautiful Shru. So full of angst, of palpable anguish and a feeling of being bereft, really. Sanskaar tried to explain that he had wanted to kiss her, wanted to marry her, but in Swara's frame of mind, his words could be interpreted to mean what the soldiers had spoken about. His every expression of love for her, of wanting to be with her for life, is assumed by her to mean an expression of his feeling of guilt, of obligation rather than love. And she refuses to let him sacrifice his interests, out of a sense of duty towards her. 😭 😭
That parallel to the sindhoor marriage scene from the serial was masterful. Here though, Swara holds his hands to prevent him from filling her maang---though the sindhoor does fall on her nose and cheek. The holy sindhoor falling on the nose does indicate her husband loves her with a potent adoration---😊 ---which we already know, of course! When would Swara realize...😭
And Sanskaar---the way she reacted when he said he wanted to marry her, take her back home as his wife--has convinced him that she holds him responsible for the slander and muck her name is being dragged through. What a turmoil in both their minds...truly a taste of heaven, of the ultimate rapture they felt in each others arms, being cruelly dashed. 😭
Ah well...it reminds me of the quote by Roger de Bussy Rabutin ""Absence is to love what wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small, it inflames the great""
Of course, here our golden couple know already that they love the other person...its just that they don't fully realize they are loved back with the same intensity. But perhaps, this (hopefully brief 😭) separation would cause them to reflect, and the pangs of sheer yearning would be just too hard to resist. There have been signs of both Sanskaar and Swara realizing that the other did feel something, they just need to now reflect coolly and come to the right conclusions after joining all the dots. 😉 I guess Pawan would play a role here? He would probably drill some sense into his old friend to ensure that he adds up 2 and 2 to make the right number, instead of arriving at 44 & 1/4!! 😉
And BTW--how convenient that Lakshya is missing though he had also been dispatched to the border with Adarsh...Has Adarsh kept him drugged and confined? Or did he rush back to the palace, upon hearing of Ragini's perfidy? I think its the former. 😛 I know Adarsh gave an explanation about Lakshya staying back with the force, to avoid the awkward situation, especially with Swara being there...but I doubt this. Feeling very suspicious of Adarsh, you see! 😉
Looking forward to Chap 23...but please, please, get some decent rest. I'm really concerned that your insomniac typing into the wee hours of the morning, is going to aggravate your cough and delay your recovery from the flu. We will wait till later in the weekend if need be, Sis, Don't over stress yourself.
Lots of Love,
--Viji
Edited by CogitoErgoSum - 9 years ago
Udne Ki Aasha
