~SwaSan Story ~ A Bound Relation ~ Updated Epilogue - 10/04~ - Page 24

Chapter 10:

From a distance, Swara watches with a fond smile as Sujatha pinches Sanskaar's cheek. He wears a sheepish look on his face and covers his cheek with his hand. Sujatha giggles at this and ruffles his hair.

Sujatha: Kyun? All of a sudden you have become embarrassed?

Sanskaar: Maa, I am not a child anymore. I am a grown man. (patting down his hair)

Sujatha: (smiling affectionately) Ah, but to me you will always be my little Sanskaar.

She can't help but smile even more on hearing this. It was a nice seeing Sanskaar Maheshwari smile for a change. Not just any smile... but a true and honest smile, one that she hadn't seen on his handsome face for a long time...since...well since this whole mess happened. Swara leans against the door frame and mutely watches the mother-son scene in front of her...

Sanskaar: How are you feeling?--- Ragini is taking care of you well, isn't she? (concerned)

Sujatha: Yes, yes. I am fine and Ragini is taking great care of me. And your wife also. (she ends with a pleased smile)

Sanskaar's smile slowly fades and his face becomes grim on the mention of Swara. He casts his gaze down.

Sujatha: ... Arre, Swara, come, we were just talking about you! (exclaims happily)

Sanskaar immediately looks up and turns around to see Swara standing at the doorway with a tray in her hands. Swara, shaken, straightens up on being acknowledged. Sanskaar flashes her a furious look and then turns away. Swara lowers her head, sadly.

Sujatha: Come over here, by my side. (fond smile)

Swara walks over to her, bends down by her side, and places the tray carefully onto the table across from them. Sanskaar, who's sitting on the other side of Sujatha, begins to become aggravated by her presence. He avoids looking at her.

Sujatha affectionately places her hand on Swara's hair, smoothing it down. She smiles in Sanskaar's direction.

Sujatha: Your Swara has been looking after me all the time ever since I have come back from the hospital. She never leaves my side. -- All the time she checks whether I take my medicine, eat my food following my diet chart, or that I rest. She's really pushy and makes sure that I take care of myself. She's even worse than the doctors! (laughs) But nonetheless, really sweet...

On hearing this, Sanskaar switches his gaze back over to Swara and locks his eyes with hers. Her ears turn red and she shyly lowers her eyes down to her lap.

"She's up to something, Bhaiya... why else will she act so sweet and innocent in front of Maa?... Why does she look after a woman who is nothing to her?... she's definitely planning something...these Gadodia girls just don't know when to put a stop to their cunning plans...".

What Ragini says makes sense... why is Swara trying to get so close to Maa? What does she have planned up her sleeve now? Sanskaar examines Swara quietly...

Sujatha: Sanskaar, I am very happy that you have married a wonderful girl like Swara.---- I am simply blessed to have her as my Swara...

Swara looks up at Sujatha, appreciatively. Not able to tolerate anymore praises, Sanskaar clears his throat and stands up, alerting both Swara and Sujatha.

Sanskaar: It's getting late, Maa... I suggest you start getting ready for the party... I will make sure that Neetha comes to take you downstairs...

Before Sujatha can even say another word, Sanskaar quickly walks out of the room...

Sujatha: (puzzled) Yeh Sanskaar ko achanak kya hogaya?

Swara: (sensing his anger, covering up for him) ... Maa, Mr. Maheshwari ko shayad koi kaam hai--- isliye...

Sujatha: (sighs) This boy is too much. It's always work work work. He has no time at all...How do you tolerate it, Swara?

Swara, not able to come up with a reply to this, quickly takes the glass of water and medicine from the tray and hands it over to Sujatha with a faint smile.

Swara: Maa, your medicine.

Sujatha makes a horrid look and shakes her head in a negative.

Sujatha: (pleading tone) Nahi,... I won't take it... It's so awful...

Swara: Maa... it will help you get better and it's Doctor's orders that you take these.

Sujatha: (stubborn, childish) I don't care... I am absolutely fine... I don't need these horrible medicines...

Swara places a hand on her hip and gives Sujatha a disapproving look.

Unwillingly Sujatha gives up and takes it from her. She places the pill in her mouth and then drinks the water.

Sujatha: Happy?

Swara: Very happy.

Sujatha also smiles. She hands over the empty glass to Swara, who places it back down onto the tray. She picks it up, ready to leave, but stops as she hears Sujatha speak.

Sujatha: Waise, Swara... Kya main tumse ek baath poocho?

Swara: Ji, Maa... (encouraging smile)

Sujatha: Tum... (pauses)... Tum Sanskaar ko Mr. Maheshwari kyun bulaathi ho?

Swara stills and stares at Sujatha, wide eyed... Completely overthrown by this, she becomes flustered.

Sujatha: (going on)--- He is your husband, beta. You should call him by his first name...

Swara: Ji--- woh--- main...

Immediately Swara feels her face and ears burn from embarrassment. She is sure that she looks red like a tomato. She...call Mr. Maheshwari by his first name??? That was just impossible... it's been a long habit for her to address him as Mr. Maheshwari ever since she had met him--- besides she wouldn't even dare call him by his first name...

Sujatha: arre, why have you become embarrassed all of a sudden?--- I haven't said anything wrong..., have I? --- All I have told you to do is call Sanskaar by his first name instead of addressing him like how his employees do... He is your husband, Swara, not your boss.

Swara: (blushing furiously)-- Ji--- I--I can't say it.

Sujatha: Why not?

Swara: I-I just can't, Maa...

Sujatha laughs at seeing Swara so shy and flustered, fumbling over her own words.

Sujatha: Accha teek hai... if not his first name, you can at least address him by "suniye", "hey ji", or "oh ji", haina? (winks)

Swara flushes even more and continues to look down at her feet, not able to meet Sujatha's eyes.

Swara: (hastily) M-Maa, woh--- party---- I need to get ready for the party.

Swara flies out of the room without another word, leaving Sujatha behind, laughing to herself...

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Uttara's eyes widen at the sight of it and she gazes at it, mesmerized.

Uttara: Di, this is so beautiful!

Swara:... (solemnly) Yes, it's very beautiful...

Uttara: Aap...

She walks away from the bed and over to the closet. Uttara scans through the hanged clothing and finally finding something she approves of, she pulls it out and presents it to Swara. It is an amazing pure crape saree in a rare combination of beige and orange with matching sequins, contrast embroidery, mirror work, and beads.

Uttara: Wear it with this...you'll look great. (pleasant smile)

Swara sits down on the edge of the bed, besides the jewelry set, with a sullen look on her face. She stares at Uttara with gloomy looking eyes.

Swara: I can't wear it.

Uttara: (draping the saree over her arm) kyun nahi?-- it's a great saree and it'll---

Swara: Uttara... I'm not talking about the saree... I'm talking about the set...

Uttara: Of course you can, Maa had---

Swara: (intervening) If Mr. Maheshwari sees me wearing his mother's jewelry, then you can might as well think of me as dead...

Uttara sighs, walks over to the bed, and sits down by Swara. She places her hand over hers, giving it a comforting squeeze.

Uttara: Di... Maa had given you this set because she wanted to... and it's tradition for every Maheshwari Swara to be given this set, is it not?

Swara: Uttara---

Uttara: Di, don't think about Mr. Maheshwari...just think about Sujatha...how will she feel when she sees that you haven't worn it today for the party even after she requested that you do? She'll feel terrible...

And Mr. Maheshwari?... won't he feel terrible seeing me wearing something so dear in his family? Swara thinks miserably to herself.

Uttara: Di... don't think about anyone else... just do it for Maa...

"Swara... this jewelry is very precious and valuable in the Maheshwari family... it has been through each of the Maheshwari Swara's... I was the last to possess it... I wanted to personally give this to you... Please wear it for tonight's party... it will make me so happy...", Maa had said with sweet smile as she placed the set in her hands. She had come into her room a little after Swara had given her the medicine and just when she was about to get ready.

Hesitantly Swara nods her head and watches Uttara smile at her.

Uttara: Good... now you go on and change. I'll be in Neetha's room if you need me...

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As the evening neared, guests arrived in packs and flooded into the main hall in the Mansion, socializing with one another. Ragini of course was off with her snobbish kitty friends, squealing with laughter, and forming her mouth into a big smile, flashing away her pearl like white teeth. Laksh, still angered and purposefully ignoring Sanskaar, busies himself with a few other of his friends and associates.

Sanskaar Maheshwari, dressed in his signature black suit, paired with a off white shirt, and looking extremely handsome, is occasionally stopped by people and chats with them shortly, being polite as he can be, even though the last thing he wants to do is talk to such ridiculous people. In the middle of a conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Verma, Mr. Verma points out in an enthusiastic voice, "Oh, that must be your Mother, isn't it? It's been quite awhile since I've last seen her. She's a lovely woman." Sanskaar turns and looks behind him towards the stairs, where Mr. Verma indicates to, and grins on seeing his Maa walking down the stairs, finally joining the party. He becomes eased and cheerful by her appearance.

"And that must be your wife, right Mr. Maheshwari? My, she's a beautiful young lady. Look at that wonderful saree and jewelry. I might just have to ask her where she gets such fabulous wears from", Mrs. Verma exclaims with a bright smile. Sanskaar finally notices Swara walking down alongside his Maa, helping her down the stairs, looking magnificent in a flattering saree, doing justice to her feminine body, and her hair down in loose curls. On seeing her, he becomes outraged. Not by the sight of her... no it was more than that. It was by what she was wearing... it was by what was adorning her ears and neck... It was by the fact that she was wearing his Maa's jewels... Important jewels in the Maheshwari Family that were passed down generations... and she was wearing them, which causes him to become furious. His hand rolls into fists and his jaw tightens.

Sanskaar doesn't bother to smile as Sujatha joins him and the Verma's, with Swara standing by her side, obediently. Swara casts down her eyes down to the floor on seeing Sanskaar's angered expression, but her gaze is brought back up as Mr. Verma speaks.

Mr. Verma: Mrs. Maheshwari! It's great to see you again!

Sujatha: (smiling politely) It's a pleasure to see you too, Mr. Verma, --- and your wife. How have you been?

Mr. Verma: (coolly, relaxed) Oh we're fine. Nothing has changed. Tell me, how does it feel to be back in Mumbai after the trip?

Sujatha: (smile widens) I'm extremely happy to be back with my son and now with my daughter-in-law, Swara. You have met her, haven't you?

Mrs. Verma: No, we haven't had the opportunity to, Mrs. Maheshwari, but now we do. It's lovely to finally meet you, Swara.

Swara smiles meekly at her. Sanskaar continues to fume with anger and doesn't leave his eyes off of his wife.

Mrs. Verma: Tell me, where did you get this beautiful necklace from? And your earrings!

From the corner of her eyes, Swara sees Sanskaar furious and becomes slightly worried and scared. She knew that this would be a bad idea... why did Maa have to give her the set and put her into this horrible predicament?

Sujatha: (quickly, intervenes) These?! These are very precious jewels in the Maheshwari Family. It has been passed down many generations and given to the Maheshwari Bahus.

Mrs. Verma: It's simply gorgeous, Mrs. Maheshwari!

Sujatha smiles, feeling very pleased by the comment. Swara stands mutely, not knowing what to do or say, only focused on avoiding Sanskaar's murderous gaze.

Sanskaar: (curt, cold) Excuse me, I will be right back.

Swara finally manages to look up at him with her frightened eyes. He stares at her hard and long, his eyes gleaming, which clearly hint to her the trouble that will soon fall upon her. She swallows hard. Sujatha smiles generously in his direction and tells him to go on. Sanskaar storms off in the other direction, far away... Sujatha continues to be engrossed with talking to Mrs. Verma. Mr. Verma, bored by the women, walks away and joins another group of men. Swara proceeds to be silent, unless spoken to.

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