Hello Everyone.. Thank you so much for your support.. And sorry I was busy.. Thank so much for your likes and comments.. I read all, but I am unable to reply and thank individually due to busy schedule.. Here is the next chapter.. I hope you like it.. Please share your views and ignore mistakes..
Chapter 4:
She ran as far as her two feet could take her and wiped the back of her hand against her brimming eyes that were blurred with forming tears. Suddenly she stopped in her steps and bent over, resting the palms of her hands against her knees, trying to catch her breath"panting heavily from her long run. That was when she saw him... Sitting idly to himself on the top of the wall border, separating her house from his own. The same wall that she grew up with and spent most of her childhood years climbing over. Her feet drag her across the green grass and over to the oblivious boy with his back turned towards her. She knew that this was an often habit of his"to come out and just sit on the boundary wall either to leisure or study. She would see him do this occasionally from outside her bedroom window... Without any hesitance, she used the ladder resting against her side of the wall and walked up onto the small steps to meet his height.
She is glad to see that there is no need for her to speak and that he turns around to look at her"as if he could sense her presence. He throws her the same old grin of his that she adores but it soon vanishes as he notes the dwelling tears lingering in her eyes.
"What happened? ... Why are you crying," he questions her softly in his velvety voice. The girl dries her face of all tears and sniffles quietly to herself. He gives her an admonishing look and fully turns to face her.
"How am I supposed to know what is wrong when you will not tell me?" The girl hiccups and sniffles once more before deciding on speaking up. "T-they... They do not like me," she whispers to him. A look of confusion unfolds on his half-man and half-boyish handsome face. He raises a brow in query. "Who does not like you?" "The girls in my school... They tease me... ," she replies. This causes his brows to rise even further. "Why would they tease you," he subtly asks her. "Main new girl hoon na... Sab wahan mujhe nahi jaante... isliye... aur sab khete ke main ajeeb se dhekti hoon.. " "Tum ajeeb se dhekte ho?" "Haan..." "Yeh kisne kaha?" "Maine kaha nah"sab ladkiyaan khehte hai mere school mein..." "Aur tumne unn sab ladkiyoon ke baatein maanli?" he lightly scolds her. The girl hangs her head, avoiding looking into his captivating eyes. "Sahi to kaha sab ne...," she mutters under her breath.
He is silent for a moment, observing her looking anywhere but at him and shakes his head out of disbelief. "You are a very silly girl... You will believe just about anything that anyone tells you... You do not look strange..." Her face rises and she looks at him with surfacing hope. "I don't?" "Of course you don't," he scoffs at her. "Those girls are only jealous of how you look... They told you that you look strange only to make themselves feel better... When in fact you are the most prettiest of them all.." "Sach?" she asks him with saucer like eyes, sparkling at him. A lazy grin spreads onto his lips as he replies, "Would I ever lie to you?" A blush blooms in her cheeks and she shyly looks away from his locked gaze on her. Suddenly she feels him tug on her high pony tail from the ribbon holding it securely.
"You are a very sweet girl... Silly at times, but sweet nonetheless..." The girl smiles cheekily in his direction. The book that rests in his lap he takes in his hold and closes it shut. He flashes her a final smile. "You go on now and don't come running here to me with your silly little problems... You are not even a full year into your teens yet and already you are facing troubles..." She returns the smile and steps down from the ladder only when he slips off from the wall and leaves to his own house... Her heart hammers fast against her chest as her cheeks grow dark red while her thoughts linger on her cute next door neighbor...
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Swara woke up sweaty and from the chirping of the birds coming outside from her cracked window which pours in the sunlight that blinds her eyes. She wipes her brow and takes slow, calm breathes into her. Again, she has experienced another unusual dream. One that does not make sense to her at all...She focuses her mind, however, determined not to let the details of this dream leave her as she failed to remember the previous ones...
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Swara dressed in a simple white churidar with her hair wet in curls and slipped on her sandals, ready to go the temple like how she has made a habit to go whenever she can. She informed Annapurna to see if she would accompany her as well as this time, but was told she would like to rest for the day as she didn't feel up to going out. She obediently sat down at the dining table where Ragini, Laksh, Uttara (bickering as usual), and Annapurna were already seated.
Swara notices the empty seat at the head of the table, wondering why it is that Sanskaar Maheshwari isn't here yet to accompany them for Breakfast. Perhaps he is running late today in getting ready, she muses and asks herself why she cares to begin with. Seeing Ramu kaka arrive and lay down the food, Swara turns her attention onto Breakfast.
Annapurna: Arre Ramu, you made Anu's milk, didn't you?
Ramu Kaka: Ji Ma'am. I was just about to give her the milk after setting Breakfast.
Annapurna: No, no, go give her the milk now. Bechari is going hungry. We will serve ourselves. Aur haan, make sure to call your Sanskaar sir down for Breakfast.
Ramu Kaka: Ji Ma'am...
Swara watches this with a level of interest and sees Ramu kaka go back into the kitchen to retrieve Ananya's warm milk. She surprises herself by getting up out of her seat as he returns with the bottle in hand. Annapurna, sitting beside her, looks up at her curiously.
Annapurna: Swara, kya hua?
Swara: Maa, if you don't mind, I could give Ananya her milk. Then Ramu kaka can finish serving Breakfast.
She offers sweetly and sees from the corner of her eye as everyone at the table exchange glances with one another, except Maa who keeps her gaze firmly on her. She seems to go into a trance of thought but slowly a small smile appears on her lips and finally she nods.
Annapurna: Teek hai. Tum jao. You sure you do not mind?
Swara: (smiles) Of course not. Main baas aabhi aaye...
She finishes excitedly and leaves the dining area to go toward the staircase. She ignores everyone's stares and feels a familiar warmth sweep inside of her just with the thought of being with Ananya. It's strange how much of an affect that tiny girl has on her. Swara strives to even get a glance at her times, trying to avoid being around the girl whenever her father was with her (which was plenty of times). As she reaches the nursery, Swara halts in her steps beside the half-opened room and hears murmuring and giggling coming from inside...
Curiously she looks into the room and stands rooted in her spot as she sees Sanskaar Maheshwari picking up his daughter from the crib and tickling her on her belly, causing her to go into a fit of giggles. A handsome smile appears on his face as he joins his daughter in her laughter. Swara is mesmerized by this new side to him that she finds herself unable to take her eyes off from him. He is a handsome man, no doubt, but he is even handsomer when he smiles... which she is witnessing for the first time since her stay here. With a soft appreciate smile of her own, Swara continues to watch as father and daughter laugh with one another. Sanskaar Maheshwari gathers his little girl in his arms and kisses her affectionately on her forehead. Ananya's hand reaches out and touches his jaw with her short, tiny arm...
That is the last of the scene she could get before she is startled out of her trance with a rumbling tone...
"Miss Gadodia?...," he states her acknowledgement with a hint of puzzlement. Swara jumps on hearing his voice and stares into his molten chocolate eyes. She hastily removes her gaze, unnerved by the intensity of his stormy eyes. She stands awkwardly in front of him, not knowing how to explain herself. Her cheeks become blushed from embarrassment. She hadn't meant to be caught watching the father-daughter moment. In fact, she hadn't thought he would be here to begin with, so early in the morning.
Sanskaar: Good morning...
He slowly greets her, still with clear aloofness that he has directed towards her ever since he had arrived back. He turns his attention back onto his daughter, who is nestled in his arms and looking back from Swara and to her father...
Swara: Good morning...
Swara nervously replies and hesitantly walks into the room, her fingers curled around the bottle of milk in her hands. She tightens her hold around it and uncomfortably stands in her place, aware of his gaze switching back onto her. His eyes land on the bottle of milk in her hands...
Sanskaar: Where is Ramu kaka...
He demands in his low tone. Swara looks up and meets his eyes once more, which blaze at her.
Swara: He is downstairs setting Breakfast... Maa did not want Ananya to go hungry waiting for the milk...
She finally explains herself and slowly extends the bottle of milk forward. She watches his hand grasp around the bottle and take it from her hand. He opens the cap and offers the milk to his daughter who eagerly drinks it while placing her small hands on either sides of the bottle. Swara looks on at this for a moment before she hears Sanskaar Maheshwari's dismissive voice...
Sanskaar: Thank you...
Startled again, Swara sees how his blazing eyes land on her again and she softly nods her head and turns to leave. As she reaches the door, she remembers something, and turns around to say it...
Swara: Maa has called you down for Breakfast... Please do not take too long...
She quickly exits the room after seeing no reaction or hearing no reply from the aloof man...
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Twenty minutes into Breakfast, Sanskaar Maheshwari finally decided to show his presence at the dining table, seating himself in his respectful chair at the head of the table...Everyone greeted him politely and resumed back to eating, their previous excited chatter growing to a stop. This happens most of the time whenever Sanskaar Maheshwari appears, Swara has noticed. Perhaps his family does not wish to rub in happiness in his face when he is grieving in pain from his past... Near the end of Breakfast, Sanskaar Maheshwari throws his napkin onto his plate and turns to his brother-in-law and business partner.
Sanskaar: Shall we go Laksh? I assume we still have that board meeting to attend in an hour...
Laksh: Yes, it was decided we should not delay it any longer. But you go on Sanskaar... I will come later just in time for the meeting. I need to meet with my realtor briefly...
Sanskaar nodded his head, knowing that Laksh is still on a mission in finding his wife a house despite how many times he protests saying that they can live here with him. As Sanskaar rises from his chair, Swara too finishes her meal and decides that she will leave for the temple now.
Swara: Maa, main bhi chaalti hoon. Mujhe mandir jaana hai... Are you sure you do not want to come along?
Annapurna affectionately places her hand on Swara's hand and smiles.
Annapurna: Nahi, aaj ke liye tum chaale jao... Main tori dher ke liye araam karna chahti hoon...
Swara: (smiles in return) Teek hai Maa... Main aap ke liye prasaad leke aaongi...
Annapurna: Teek hai...
Swara rises from her seat as well and bids her sister after warning her to behave while she is gone. She is just about to leave the dining room before Annapurna stops her.
Annapurna: Ek minute Swara, rukho... Sanskaar...
Sanskaar turns around on being acknowledged and looks at his mother.
Sanskaar: Ji Maa...
Annapurna: Why don't you take Swara along with you? The mandir is on the way to your office. It will make more sense that way. Bechari is always taking the rickshaw in the mornings. You'll drop her na, beta?
Sanskaar's eyes flicker over to Swara who grows pale on this suggestion. She too meets his eyes nervously. She then turns to Annapurna.
Swara: Maa rehnedijiye... I'll go... It's not a problem. Mr. Maheshwari late hojayenge... Let him go...
Annapurna: Akele? Na baba na... I will not let you go alone... Yeh bohot bada sheher hai beta... Go with Sanskaar. He will safely drop you off at the mandir...
Swara catches disapproval in his eyes as he looks to Annapurna with clear reluctance. She opens her mouth to intervene, not wishing to intrude on him, but is cut off by Sanskaar Maheshwari's deep masculine voice...
Sanskaar: Chale..?
He asks her curtly, but his question stands more as of an order than an actual request. She frowns at Annapurna before softly replying, "Ji."
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The car ride to the mandir was in silence. And the silence killed Swara. She discreetly looks over to Sanskaar Maheshwari who silently drives the car, seeming the least bothered about the uncomfortable things between them. Is it just her who finds everything so awkward between them? Why is it that she is finding such a hard time to connect with Sanskaar Maheshwari like how she has connected with the rest of his family? Why does he behave so aloof with her? Does he really not like her? And if he doesn't, then what reason has she given him to do so? Maa says that they had met a few times before her accident"with him being away for studies. Did she do something then to make him dislike her?
Seeing his eyes switch over to her, Swara hastily removes her gaze and looks out from the window with blushed cheeks. Sanskaar lets his gaze linger on her for a moment, noting her stiff posture, before turning to look in front of him and touching the dial to the radio, turning the volume up. Soft music plays in the car to fill in the thick silence between them...
On reaching the temple, he pulls over to the steps and wordlessly signals for her to leave. Swara wastes no time in unbuckling herself and stepping out from the car. She closes the door and opens her mouth to thank him through the open window but is cut short as he speeds off impatiently. She frowns hard at this but chooses to forget it by concentrating on the morning prayer...
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Thank you,
Shreetha..
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