Hello everyone.. Thank you so much for your love and support.. I know you all are eagerly waiting for this update so here is the next chapter.. I hope it reaches your expectations and won't disappoint you all.. Thank you once again.. Please ignore mistakes and share your views..
Chapter 10:
"Hey moti," he greets her with a wide grin and pats down on the space next to him. She joins him at the wall, sitting beside him and watching the sun set. Normally she would get upset of him poking fun at her, but today she was terribly upset about something far more important.
"Jaana zaroori hai kya?" she asks quietly while keeping her eyes down and tracing the leaf in her hand along the edges of the wall. He looks to her and his smile softens, his beautiful eyes gleaming. "Hmm... Maa wants me to go. She says there is far more opportunity for me. She wants me to learn it..."
"But you are still young," she argues, wanting to point this out and the injustice in it all. "My youth is slipping away,"I'm now a young adult." She frowns hard at this while he continues to look at her with amusement. "Why cannot you finish your education here? What's so wrong with the schools here?"
"Nothing, they are just fine. I'm even about to finish my university years here. But I have to learn from the best, and the best is just not here..." "But in fact in another country!" she intervenes. He takes her hand into his, releasing the leaf from her fingers, and gives it a soft squeeze. "I will write to you...We will stay in touch," he tries to assure her. Her frown grows and she looks the other way. She feels his fingers take a hold onto her chin and steer her face back to him, making her meet his dark eyes. "You know, you are no child yourself. You are practically a woman now. Yet you are choosing to take this news rather childishly," he pokes and watches how her face flushes from anger and embarrassment. She pushes him away and releases her hand from him. "Mind you, I am fifteen now. I'm no child. But fine, if you want me to take this as an adult, then go. Study and get your MBA. Then spend your years there opening new company... So what if I do not see you for years, it is all for business, isn't it? And do not bother with writing to me, I am sure you would not like that hassle on your hands. I will be just fine," she stresses while jutting out her chin in a stubborn manner. Her neighbor of ten years and best friend chuckles at her words while shaking his head... "You are too much... You will give your husband a run. Poor fellow"I pity him, he would not know what he would be getting himself into by marrying you. And your kids"they will be no less like their mother, completely stubborn to the bone."
She blushes. "Where are you bringing the topic of husband and children from? That will not happen till years to come. Besides, do not change the topic with me." He throws back his head, staring up at the purple sky and sighs. He then glances at her with a slow smile. "You know, you behave as if you are much older than me. A habit you have had since you were little... I am your senior; you should give me some respect instead of always bullying me around in this manner." "You are not much older," she replies bashfully. A silence grows between them and they both stare out at the beautiful colors in the sky.
"You promise you will write to me?" she questions softly after some time. He looks to her and nods. "As much as I can..." She nods her head as well and lowers her gaze. Slowly she reaches out for his hand resting on the border wall.
"I am going to miss you..." she confesses quietly. His eyes soften as he smiles sadly. "I will miss you more." His grip on her hand tightens...
******************
A couple of days have gone by now with Sanskaar Maheshwari not uttering a single word to Swara or showing his face. He stayed away as much as he could and she allowed him to, knowing that all her efforts have gone to vain and realizing that there can be no future of her with him. Ragini had been terribly upset when she found out what happened at dinner and said she would speak to her Sanskaar Bhaiya only to be stopped by Swara herself, saying she did not wish to give him any further reason to be upset and that if he wishes for her to keep away then she gladly will do so.
Ragini, undoubtedly, became very troubled by the situation. She hardly discussed it with her anymore in fact.
Her heart breaks more and more by each passing day as her lost dreams haunt her and her time to leave nears. She does not know how she will be able to resume back to her old life, not when she has experienced so much love here and has lost it...
******************
She quietly packs her belongings with her sister, placing them into their suitcases and zipping them up. They would be leaving early morning the next day and go back to their home in Australia, where they belonged she reminds herself. Yet she is unable to shake off the feeling of hurt and misery presiding within her.
In a daze, Swara walks to the wardrobe and removes her clothes, taking them back with her to the suitcase and dumping them inside. As she begins in folding them neatly, she hears her sister say something from behind her.
"Swara di, what do you want to do with the extra photos that were developed from when we went to take our pictures?" Swara turns around and stares at the white package in her sister's hands. Ragini and Maa insisted that they take pictures of their stay here, wanting a lingering memory to stay with them of their family friends. Swara takes it into her hands.
"I will go and give them to Ragini. She may want them...," she replies. "You finish packing and don't forget any of your toiletries." Uttara nod just before she leaves the room...
Swara walks down the hall in search of Ragini's room and as she goes by there, she sees no one is in there. She looks around, confused, as Ragini normally is in her room either reading or taking a small nap. She turns to head downstairs until a voice from nearby stops her. Recognizing the voice to be of her friend's, Swara walks toward the open nursery from where she hears it from.
She is about to step in until she catches the sight of Ragini in a fierce conversation with her old brother, who looks clearly upset and aggravated. Swara hides behind the half-opened door.
Ragini: I did not expect this out of you, Bhaiya! How could you do this?!
Sanskaar: (yells, cutting her off) I made a mistake! -I know this! I shouldn't have done what I did, but what else do you expect me to do?! You know very well what can happen if I had acted otherwise! Must I remind everyone?! Do you not care at all for her? You all claim to love her so much, but are failing to do what is right! You all know perfectly well what will happen if she"
Sanskaar's words trail off suddenly as he catches the sight of Swara near the door. His eyes rest on her and Swara becomes startled by his unexpected attention onto her. She guiltily looks down...
From the corner of her eye she sees a look form on his face as he runs his fingers through his hair and turns his back on her. She lifts her eyes and finds that Ragini has noticed her as well and has become unbelievably pale.
Ragini: Swara... what are you doing here?
Swara: Ragini... I...
She begins stammering and walks slowly in, and at the same time, completely aware of Sanskaar Maheshwari's rigid posture. Swara extends the white packaging into view.
Swara: These are extras from the pictures we had taken... I thought you would like them... I didn't want to forget in giving them to you.
Ragini: (attempting a smile) Thank you, I had forgotten too.
Ragini takes the packaging from her hand and looks to her with blank eyes. Swara takes the signal that she should leave and begins taking steps back.
Swara: ... I... I will go now. I'm sorry that I... interrupted...
Without another word, Swara flees from there and runs back to her room. On closing the door, she rests her back against it and wonders who they possibly could be talking about. And what mistake has Sanskaar Maheshwari made?
*****************
On Swara and Uttara's last night in the Maheshwari Mansion, a business party was being held at one of the finest hotels in Mumbai at which Sanskaar would be honored with recognition of attaining an important business deal and to honor his accomplished success in the business world. Almost every business man in Mumbai would be attending for the occasion. Sanskaar had been against it from the very beginning, but Laksh persisted as well as his co-workers who said he deserved to celebrate his growing success.
And so the residents of the Mansion prepare themselves for the event. Swara opted to wear a shimmering red saree that fit her perfectly, gifted by her best friend, and flattered her well. She put minimal make up on, light jewelry (only long, dangling earrings and kangans on her wrist), and let her tresses out with no curls or other styles. She looked simple, but beautiful and elegant at the same. She was in no mood for this party, but encouraged herself to take part in it since it was to celebrate the success of the man she loves dearly. She would put her differences aside for one night and let him enjoy the success he deserves. She is happy that he has become into such a successful man with all the effort of working day and night he put into the company. His family members must be so proud just as she is.
By after eight o'clock, guests and business associates began pouring into the hall with individual congratulations to the man of the evening. Champagne broke out and the guests mingled with one another, laughing and talking about anything in particular. Swara stood as a bystander, a stranger, beside Ragini, who perhaps felt like Swara at the moment"proud of the accomplishment of her brother, but deeply upset about something else regarding him. She coaxed herself that she shouldn't pry into Sanskaar's matters or try to figure out whom he and his sister were speaking about earlier this day. As it is, she would be leaving to Australia forever, returning back to her home and life.
Swara looks down at pretty Ananya in her arms, dressed in a lovely pink dress and her hair, curls. She smiles softly at the girl she has become painstakingly attached to. Today she would not leave her alone, she would enjoy the last of her time she has with Ananya to the fullest. And perhaps she can learn to eventually move on and forget Ananya and her father. But she knew that was an impossible task and she would spend the rest of her life aching for them...
Some time later Laksh approaches them off to the sides and extends his hand over to his beautiful wife. Ragini shakes her head at him.
Laksh: Come on darling, be a sport. Let's dance. I only remember the last time we last danced was at our wedding reception.
Ragini: Laksh, I'm not in the mood, please.
Laksh: What nonsense. So you will continue to stay right here for the rest of the party?
Ragini: I am fine here with Swara. We are having just a great time, aren't we Swara?
Swara gives a wry smile, not knowing what it is that Ragini is speaking about. The two of them are so absorbed in their own thoughts to even speak to one another. She looks to her brother with a slow smile.
Swara: Take her with you bhaiya and make sure she enjoys herself.
Laksh: (winks) Will do love.
Ragini: Swaraa"
Swara: Go on Ragini, you look so bored. I don't want to keep you.
Ragini: But what about you? Won't you be bored?
Laksh: Why don't you mingle around Swara and try making some friends? Your sister has been getting along just great so far...
Swara: I'm fine bhaiya; I've got Anu here with me. I'd just like to spend time with her is all.
Laksh: Sure, whatever you say.
Ragini looks on hesitantly after Swara while her husband whisks her away to the dance floor. Swara gives her a reassuring smile and watches her friend finally turns her back and join her husband. The smile on her face disappears and she lets out a soft sigh. She looks to Ananya and tickles her on her belly, causing the little girl to giggle.
Swara: Now what shall we do, Anu?
Ananya: Mama...
Swara smiles affectionately and kisses the infant on her forehead.
Swara: (whispers) I am going to miss you the most...
"Di, what are you doing just standing here for? Come on, join us. We are having such a wonderful time and already have made some friends," her sister exclaims while approaching her. She coos at Ananya for a moment before returning her attention onto her older sister.
Swara laughs lightly at her excitement. Count on her to find fun almost anywhere. "What friends have you made, hmm? Tell me."
Uttara start looking around and pointing out some of the people they have befriended.
"Over there by the bar is Neil. His dad is business associate of Sanskaar Maheshwari," Uttara points out with a shy tone. The boy catches their eyes and gives a soft nod. Swara raises her brow at this and looks to her sister in amazement. Uttara blushes. "I am sensing more of a friendship here," Swara murmurs, adding onto the already developing blush on her cheeks. She laughs, feeling content that at least she is enjoying herself. Whereas she...
"And over there is a girl our age, Preethi... She is very nice too. I am sure you would like her. She is easy to talk to and friendly... Then over there is Sonali, Varun,
Kavitha, Dhruv, and" "
"Wait," Swara immediately cuts in. "... Did you say...Kavitha?" she asks, not quite certain she heard right.
"Yes," Uttara firmly replies. "Kavitha... She's very nice."
Her head begins to pound and alarm overtakes her as she tries to check whether she had heard her sister right. "Kavitha?" she questions slowly, cautiously. "Yes, Di... She is here with her boyfriend, Sahil Sharma, who is pretty nice himself but a little weird as well...," Uttara informs her.
Swara's hold on Ananya tightens as her eyes frantically search the crowd for the particular woman, the very woman who abandoned her daughter and broke Sanskaar Maheshwari's heart. Could she be the same one?
Swara: (hastily) How old is she?
Uttara: (thinks) ... Er... She is a little older than you, Di... Maybe even close to Mr. Maheshwari's age...
Swara: And her looks? -How does she look?
Uttara: She's right here near the stage, Di, standing by the tall man in the white business suit. But why are you asking all of this? Do you know her?
Her sisters' questions fall to deaf ears as Swara's eyes land on a gorgeous woman with long, brown silk hair reaching to her back, beautiful hazel eyes, alluring smile, and a well-maintained figure...She no doubt is a beauty and every man must find her attractive. She can't help but realize that Ragini's description of Kavitha matches similarly to the woman across from her, laughing sweetly as she converses with her friends. She had failed though to mention how beautiful she really is.
Swara: ... What is her last name? Did you catch it?
Uttara: ... I think it was Malhotra...
"Before she became Mr. Maheshwari's wife, who was she?" she asked her best friend in the privacy of her room. "Kavitha Malhotra, a simple girl with high ambitions..."
**********
Thank you,
Shreetha..
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