~SwaSan Story ~ A Bound Relation ~ Updated Epilogue - 10/04~ - Page 27

Chapter 12:

Sanskaar awoke by the sound of his alarm clock and to the sight of seeing the left side of the bed empty, where Swara had fallen asleep on last night. Without speaking another word to each other, both had gone to their own sides of the bed and silently laid down, making sure to build enough space between them. Except that hadn't worked all too great later on into the night when both had unknowingly gotten closer, only a couple of inches away from another. Swara's hair repeatedly falling onto or getting into Sanskaar's face irritated him throughout the night and caused him to switch around plenty of times and also create space back in between.

He tiredly runs a hand through his hair, ruffling it up, and then slides his hand down to the back of his neck, rubbing it. Not bothering to wonder where his wife could possibly be, Sanskaar throws the comforter off of him and gets up from bed. He tugs on his shirt, adjusting it. Sleeping with his shirt on, especially when it was so hot, was extremely uncomfortable for Sanskaar, who due to his anger and because of his wife didn't changed into his night wear. He would definitely find it hard to adjust to this new change.

Sanskaar walks on over towards the bathroom, wanting to quickly get ready and go off to the office, where he was sure a mountain of work was awaiting for him. Just as he approaches the bathroom, it's door flies open and he is momentarily taken aback by Swara's sudden appearance before him. She is wearing a dark blue saree with fine silver works and embroidery, her sindoor and mangulsutra in tact, and wearing only a pair of earrings and her wedding bangles. She also bares a look of slight shock on seeing him in front of her.

Both, silently, move to the left, thinking of passing one another, but only end up getting in each other's way. On instinct, they both move automatically to the right, again blocking one another. They do this once more, moving to the left, both equally getting flustered and Sanskaar a bit more annoyed. He stops her by raising a hand and then moving himself aside, giving her a passage way of getting through. Swara flashes him a thankful look and walks past him. Sanskaar, ignoring her, goes into the bathroom and slams the door behind him. Swara shakes, a tad startled by the unexpected action of his.

Swara quickly mutters a prayer to herself, feeling frightened, for she did not know how she will be able to survive living with the very man who is set out to ruin her life...

----------

Swara, like usual, helps Shambu set the table, and greets everyone at the table. Laksh smiles sweetly at her like he always does every morning. Dadi gives her blessings as does Sujatha. Uttara hugs her sister before sitting down in her seat. Samar and Neetha secretly smile at her when Ragini isn't looking. Ragini gives her the regular glare she always flashes at her at Breakfast. Swara, as usual, ignores it. As Swara finally takes her seat, Sujatha notices the head chair empty, which belongs to Sanskaar.

Sujatha: Arre, where is Sanskaar?---Swara?

Swara: Ji, woh---- Mr. Maheshwari---

Swara stops midway in her sentence as she sees Sujatha give her a look. Realizing the meaning for it, she corrects herself hesitantly.

Swara: He must be still getting ready, Maa. (quietly)

Sujatha smiles as she sees Swara finally starting to avoid calling her Sanskaar Mr. Maheshwari.

Laksh: No, he had left quiet awhile ago. Just before Breakfast started.

Both Sujatha and Swara look at Laksh across from the table, who chews his toast carelessly. Swara didn't see nor hear him leave for the office, and she was awake before him.

Sujatha: How could he just leave without informing anyone?

Laksh: Something's come up so he had to go to the office early. Don't worry, he said he'll have something to eat.

That was what he always said, but Swara knew that he never did. He is always so busy and caught up with work that he always forgets to stop and just eat. She begins to worry.

Sujatha: Laksh, make sure that he does, alright? I know that boy, he always forgets.

Laksh: (reassuring smile) I will, Maa...I should be going on myself. I will see you all in the evening.

Grabbing his bag and coat, Laksh gives his farewells and smiles an encouraging smile over to Swara, who smiles pleasantly back at him.

----------

Sanskaar sits down in his chair, tiredly, and sighs outwardly to himself. He leans his elbow onto his desk and rests his forehead into the palm of his hand. He hears his stomach growl and realizes how hungry he is. He should have grabbed something to eat on the way out to the office. Hearing his cabin door open, Sanskaar looks up to see his P.A. walk towards him with a polite smile on her lips and holds a small tiffin in her hands.

Sanskaar: Anisha, what's this?

Anisha: Sir, this is for you. It's brunch since you skipped breakfast.

Sanskaar: (eyeing it) Where did it come from?

Anisha: Your Mother had sent it, Sir.

Sanskaar, feeling pleased and grateful towards his Maa, smiles a light smile and indicates for her to place it on his desk.

Sanskaar: Thanks. Now go on and get me the shares for the Goa project.

Anisha: Yes, Sir.

She leaves and shuts the door behind her. Sanskaar, not wasting another second, opens the tiffin and digs into the delicious food. Repeatedly he thanks his Maa as he eats...

----------

Swara: Have you given it to him?

She speaks quietly into the phone and looks around the living room, making sure if anyone is around. "Yes, Ma'am, I have", Anisha replies back. Swara sighs and holds the phone closer to her.

Swara: Anisha, please don't call me Ma'am. I was your friend before I got married to Mr. Maheshwari and I still am.

Anisha:... You're right. I'm sorry Swara, for being so formal. It's just that you're Mr. Maheshwari's wife now...so...

Swara: Yeah, I can understand...How's the office?

Anisha: The office is busy and hectic like always...and terribly boring without you. I wish you could come back.

Swara: You know Maa isn't feeling well...I can't come back.

And with the new project of building the new Casino on top of her home was a huge factor from preventing Swara ever coming back to the office again. But of course Swara wasn't going to tell her that. Anisha's a nice woman and friend, but definitely not a person who Swara can tell her problems to.

Swara:...Um, did you tell Mr. Maheshwari that Maa had made the food?

Anisha: Yes, I did...which I don't quite understand why...How come you are giving his mother the credit for something you made?

Swara: No reason.

Anisha: Surely there has to be, otherwise you wouldn't tell me to say it was hiis mother who cooked the food.

Swara:...Anisha, I-I have to go, Maa has called for me. I'll just leave you to go back to your work. It was nice talking to you again.

Anisha: Swara--

Swara: Bye.

Anisha shakes her head as she hears the line disconnect and places her desk phone back onto it's receiver. She pulls a red file from out of the cabinet file and gets out of her seat, going back over to her boss's cabin...

----------

After awhile, hearing raised voices, curiously Swara and Uttara come out of the guest room and walk out towards the living room where the commotion is occurring. Usually whenever they have time, the two sisters go into the guest room and try to spend time with one another.

They see each and everyone, minus Laksh who stands away from everyone with his arms crossed, hug and congratulate Sanskaar, who smiles broadly at everyone. Finally Sujatha takes his face into her palms and she kisses him affectionately on his forehead.

Sujatha: May your success continue on, Sanskaar...

Sanskaar: Thank you, Maa.

Ragini, the only one who notices Swara and Uttara's presence, smirks and says in a teasing voice, "Oh, Bhabhi! Uttara! Wouldn't you two like to hear the good news that Bhaiya has to share?" Sanskaar turns around on this and stares at Swara with mischief looking eyes. Swara sees a small box containing sweets in his hands. She and Uttara stare at everyone, confused.

Swara: (innocently) What news?

Ragini: The project that involves----

Sanskaar: (intervenes) Ragini, if you don't mind, I would personally like to tell my wife.

Ragini hushes up, but continues to smirk to herself. Sanskaar walks towards both Uttara and Swara, wearing a devilish smile on his lips and his eyes gleaming dangerously at them. Swara becomes to grow apprehensive by this and looks past him over at Laksh, who wears a sympathetic look on his face. As Sanskaar approaches he looks at her intensely. Swara stares at him, worried, confused, and slightly frightened. She and Uttara both exchange quick looks.

Sanskaar:...You will be happy to know that I have managed to buy the land in Kolkatta and will soon construct a Casino there, which I am sure will be very profitable towards the company.

Everything inside of Swara seems to freeze and not function anymore. The color from Swara's face drains away and she stares at him with awe. Tears begin to sparkle in her eyes. Uttara throws her sister a puzzled look. But Swara keeps her eyes focused on her husband who continues to smirk down at her. He opens the box of sweets and pulls out a ladoo. Bringing the sweet towards her mouth, Sanskaar says in a biting tone, "Have a sweet for the joyous occasion, Darling."

----------