Chapter 13:
Swara watches him silently, making no sound, not wanting to awake him in the middle of his peaceful sleep. Gathering the pillow closer under her, Swara proceeds to gaze at him wordlessly from her respectful side of the bed. She takes in his handsome face...his features...strong jaw line... soft looking lips... perfectly chiseled like nose... black hair...thick black eyebrows overlapping those mesmerizing molten chocolate eyes, those eyes that nerve her...make her feel as if her confidence has been stripped away from her...take away her self control...
He looks so different when he's sleeping...so peaceful...and innocent...not anything like how he is during the day. On seeing a few hair strands fall upon his forehead, a temptation builds in her that urges her to brush them away. Just as she goes to, Sanskaar stirs in his sleep and Swara's hand freezes half way. She watches him breathlessly and eases as he drifts back into his deep slumber. Not risking it, Swara places her hand back to her side and her head back onto her fluffy pillow. She feels tears prickle her eyes instantly...
"Di, why is it that you are always so nice and polite to him?! You never fight back for yourself! Why do you not defend yourself, Didi?!", Uttara had questioned her once they parted away from the Maheshwaris in the living room. "...He's destroying our home...our home, Didi... where we grew up and spent our childhood in... where we laughed, cried, fought, and God knows what else... Mr. Maheshwari is turning that very place into a Casino... and you didn't say a word to him... how come? Why do you not say anything against him at all?!", she cried. "Why do you tolerate it all?"
A tear rolls down her cheek and she holds in her breath, afraid to let it out and make any kind of sound that will awake her husband.
Why is it that I tolerate it all? Why do I take all the pain that Mr. Maheshwari gives me and not say a word in return? Why cannot I defend myself? Why do I allow him to hurt me like this? She questions herself desperately. After all why does she not do anything to stop him? What is it that is stopping her from fighting back? What is it that's stopping me?...
Swara hears him mutter something under his breath, stir once again, and then switch sides, turning his back on her. She wipes away her tears and also switches over to the other side, facing her back towards his...
What is it?...
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A few days passed by with the same old routine...Sanskaar not speaking a word to Swara and Swara staying at home with Sujatha, who has recovered perfectly and is well. Swara is at least grateful for one thing... there haven't been any nasty comments thrown at her from her husband...yet.
Laksh continues to reassure her that he will put a stop to the destruction of her home, making Swara feel a little better knowing she has his support. Surprisingly, the company hasn't started on the construction of the new Casino so far. Perhaps her husband is just threatening her or playing games with her? Maybe he isn't going to destroy her home after all...but Swara knew that was too much to hope for. Knowing him, he would probably be saving it for a good time.
Like usual, when the clock strikes 9 o'clock, everyone arrives at the table and breakfast is served by Swara, Shambu, and even Sujatha. At 9: 05 Sanskaar finally approaches and sits down at the head of the table. Everyone greets him respectfully, except Laksh who still is angered by Sanskaar's attitude. The only reason why Laksh have his breakfast with Sanskaar nowadays is because he is concerned for Swara and Uttara and don't want to upset them... especially Swara.
Sujatha: Good to see you finally join us for Breakfast, Sanskaar.
She refers to his repeated absences at the breakfast table for the past few days.
Sanskaar: Yes, I know Maa, and I'm sorry. The office had been very hectic, but the work has calmed down a bit.
Sujatha: I don't care whether the work has become difficult or not, you should have breakfast in the morning. It's the most important meal of the day and keeps you going throughout it.
Sanskaar just nods his head in agreement and digs in his laid out food.
Sanskaar: (light smile) Waise...Maa... thank you.
Sujatha looks up at him, puzzled. She places down the plate of toast in her hands.
Sujatha: What for?
Sanskaar: For sending me in food for the past days. I would have starved myself the whole day at work without it. So, thank you.
Ragini: (smiles) Of course, Maa will always scold you Bhaiya, but she will never stop looking after your health.
Sanskaar smiles back at her and agrees. He goes back to eating his food. Sujatha continues to look confused. Swara hopes that Sujatha won't say a word, but of course luck isn't on her side and Sujatha goes on ahead and asks...
Sujatha: Me? Send you food?
Sanskaar: (also a little confused) Yes, you Maa.
Sujatha: Nahi to... I didn't send you any food at all. Laksh had told me that he would make sure you eat, so I thought he would do so. If I knew you wouldn't still, then I surely would have packed you some food and sent it to you... but I didn't.
Sanskaar is now beyond confused. If Maa didn't make him food for the past four days... then who did?
Sanskaar: Are you sure you didn't, Maa?
Sujatha: Yes I am... but then again, I could be suffering from memory loss... (shrugs)
Dadi: Sujatha couldn't had. She's always watching movies with me in the mornings. It must had been somebody else.
Swara tries her best to stay calm and continues to go around the table, pouring orange juice in everyone's glasses. Sanskaar begins to ponder to himself. He looks over to his left and stares at his sister.
Sanskaar: Ragini, did you?
Before Ragini can even speak, Laksh cuts in and talks for her.
Laksh: Please, Ragini can't even pour herself a bowl of cereal. How do you expect her to make a whole meal for you?
Samar, Neetha, Dadi, Uttara, Sujatha, and even Shambu stifle in their laughter by Laksh's comment. Even Swara can't help smiling, but it soon vanishes as Sanskaar stares at her icily. She goes back to pouring the orange juice. Ragini fumes and opens her mouth to retort, but her voice is drained away by Neetha's.
Neetha: Bhaiya...
Sanskaar turns his gaze over to his little sister at the other side of the table. She smiles politely at him. Swara finally approaches Sanskaar's side with the jug and begins to pour him some juice.
Neetha: It wasn't Maa or Di who sent you the food... It was Bhabhi.
Just as Neetha says this, Swara freezes and stops pouring. Sanskaar stares at Neetha wide eyed and then looks over to his left at Swara. Both of their eyes lock. Swara quietly looks down and goes back to pouring, pretending as if Neetha hadn't spoken and avoiding Sanskaar's intense gaze.
Neetha: Swara Bhabhi knew that you wouldn't have time to eat or you would have forgotten so she made sure to make you something to eat. ---- Ouch.
Neetha rubs her arm where Uttara had pinched her and glances over at her.
Neetha: (whispers) What was that for?
Uttara of course knew that her sister sent food to Sanskaar secretly. At first she was against it and even stopped her sister from doing so, but all Swara had said was that he would never know and think it was Maa. Well now he knows from Neetha's big mouth. She glares at Neetha and motions for her to keep silent and say no more. Neetha obediently does so.
Sanskaar continues to watch Swara intently. She finishes pouring him juice, places the jug on the table, and takes an empty plate from the table in her hands. Swara leaves to the kitchen, her cheeks looking slightly flushed. Sanskaar watches her wander off.
Dadi: Arre, then you should have said something before Neetha. (giggles) Bechara Sanskaar would have begun to become frightened for his life from receiving food from a stranger. (continues to giggle at her own joke)
Samar: (laughing with her) Like some stalker girl or something.
Dadi: Exactly.
Both Grandmother and Grandson find this highly amusing and continue laughing between themselves, until Ragini flashes them both a warning glance, which silences them both.
Laksh tries his best to hide his forming smile. Seeing the look on Sanskaar's face when he had just discovered that it was his darling wife who had been sending him the food and not his Maa...was absolutely priceless... definitely a Kodak moment.
Sanskaar continues to look bewildered by this and is in a loss for words. Sujatha gives him a ginger smile.
Sujatha: Look at how much your wife cares for you... she knew exactly that you wouldn't eat and she took the liberty to take some time and make you some food... Really, Swara is an amazing girl... nowadays girls like her are rare. Well cultured and been given good values...You're lucky to have her in your life, Sanskaar.
Sanskaar looks away from his Maa. For a moment he stares long and hard at the table, as if he were drilling a hole in it with his eyes. Then casting his gaze up he looks back up at her and then grabs his coat from behind his chair.
Sanskaar: (hastily) I should be going, Maa.
Sujatha: Alright, but don't take too long.
Sanskaar: I won't...Laksh.
Laksh unwillingly looks up from his plate at being acknowledged by him. He throws him a "what do you want" look.
Sanskaar: Will you be accompanying me in my car to the office as you always do? Or will you take your own car for today also?
Laksh: My car will do, thank you. You may carry on. I don't want to hold you up from your work.
So he was going to continue to give him this treatment... Fine... So be it.
Sanskaar pulls his coat over him and makes his way out of the room. He hears a gentle tone calling after him. "Ji suno..."
Immediately he stops in his tracks and slowly looks behind his shoulder to see Swara nervously looking back at him. These words surprise him so much that they cause him, and everyone else, to turn around and look straight at Swara, who had just come back into the room seconds earlier.
Swara: Aapka bag...
She presents his briefcase up to him with her two hands. He narrows his eyebrows together and becomes infuriated by her wife like avatar. There was no need for her to look after him and act like his wife... sure they are married under the eyes of law but Swara Gadodia is not a wife to him in any sense.. she is nothing to him... and will continue to be so.
Swara walks on over to him on seeing that he makes no type of movement to retrieve his briefcase from her. She extends it over to him politely. Sanskaar takes it from her, grabbing it from the handle, and doesn't meet her gaze. Sujatha watches them both with a fond smile.
Swara hastily says, "Take care of yourself", as she sees him again begin to make an attempt to leave. He stops once again, this time meets her eyes, but says not a word. Sanskaar looks past her and at his smiling Mother.
Sanskaar: I'll see you in the evening.
His eyes linger back over to Swara, their eyes lock once again, and he turns away from her, walking out of the room in a rush. Swara watches him walk away from her in a slight daze, which she is brought out of by a nudge. Looking to her left, Swara stares at Sujatha, who smiles affectionately at her. She runs her hand over her hair.
Sujatha: It's wonderful to know that I do not need to care for Sanskaar anymore... and that you are here to do just that.
Despite herself, Swara blushes, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink...
Sujatha:... Arre haan!
Suddenly it dawns on Sujatha that she had forgotten to tell them all something important.
Sujatha: I had forgotten to tell you all... I'm holding a small puja today in the afternoon... (thinking to herself loudly) I should had informed Sanskaar beforehand... it's important that he along with everyone else attends this puja. Laksh---- you will make sure to tell Sanskaar, won't you? I want the both of you to take some time off from work and be home on time for it.
Laksh: Of course, Maa, I will...but---
Ragini goes ahead and asks the same question that was on Laksh's mind, in fact, ...on everyone's mind.
Ragini: Puja? Maa, is there any special occasion?
Sujatha: It is for the well being of everyone and our home... I want all of you to be here. Understood?
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Throughout the rest of the day, Swara helped Sujatha with the chores around the house and with the preparations for the small puja being held in the mansion. Soon on afternoon approached and a few of the Maheshwaris began to show up. Samar and Neetha, accompanied by Uttara, arrived back from their university and gladly helped out with Swara and Sujatha, making sure that everything needed for the puja was there. Ragini came back from a little kitty party gathering at a friend's house and just went on to her room, telling Sujatha that she will join them once the puja is to start. Laksh arrived no later than Ragini, cheering Sujatha on his willingness to take time off from work to join the ceremony. She becomes upset though on seeing no sign of Sanskaar.
Sujatha: Laksh, where is your friend?
Laksh: Friend, maa (obviously puzzled)
Sujatha: Oh you know, that one, who's at the office and hasn't come here yet...Even though I had called him plenty of times to remind him to come home on time.
Laksh: (it clicks to him about who she is referring to) Your Sanskaar will come soon, Maa. He has a few things to do, but he promised he will come right on time. Don't worry.
Sujatha just scowls to herself, not believing Laksh's words. She had been given this excuse many times, and most of those times, his "promises" didn't ever come true. Sujatha turns over to Swara and smiles at her.
Sujatha: Swara, beta, you go on and change. You have done enough work as it is. I can handle the rest.
Swara: (smiles politely) Ji Maa...
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Sanskaar rests his chin into his joined hands, staring off in daze, and lost in his own thoughts. "Bhaiya... it wasn't Maa or Di who had sent you the food--- it was Swara Bhabhi... She knew you wouldn't have time to eat or you would have forgotten so she made sure to make you something to eat." He burrows his eyebrows further together, going through a deep trance of self thinking. "Look at how much your wife cares for you... You're lucky to have her in your life, Sanskaar."
Sanskaar leans his head back against his chair and stares up at the ceiling. He rests his arms on the handles of the chair. What is she trying to pull? What is she exactly trying to do? Making him food... laying out his nightwear... looking after his things... What is she proving by doing all this? There is no need for her to look after him... he certainly did not ask her to nor does he wish her to. In fact, all he actually wants from her is not to interfere. Is she trying to fool him into believing that she is innocent once again? Does she wish to be seen highly in his and everyone else's eyes? Why would she continue to try acting nave when he knew the truth of her real nature?
Sanskaar straightens in his chair and pounds hard on his wooden desk, feeling aggravated and frustrated. The paper clips, papers, and other belongings on his desk shake from the bang.
She's driving him insane. His wife is driving him completely insane. What is she up to? Why doesn't she fight back with him? He was so damn sure that he would have gotten a reaction out of her with the threatening demise of her home. But not a single word came out of her mouth... She didn't say nor did she do anything... How come? Even after his brutal comments and harsh actions his wife still continued to be polite and courteous to him. Could this all be some sort of plan? To fool him into believing that she is indeed innocent after all? Well then she is terribly mistaken... no petty fake concern of hers will blind him from the truth and reality.
Hearing his cell phone go off breaks Sanskaar away from his angry thoughts and he searches through his coat pockets for his phone. Seeing "home" flash across the screen, he runs his fingers quickly through his hair, lets out a grouchy sigh,
Sanskaar: (demanding) Hello?
Neetha: Bhaiya?
Sanskaar: Yes, Neetha, tell me. What is it? (hastily)
Neetha: Um, Bhaiya, Maa had told me to tell you to quickly come home otherwise she swears she will hit you with a belan once she sees you.
Sanskaar: Well why doesn't Maa tell me this herself?
Neetha: She's angry at you...
Sanskaar; (bored voice)... Tell her I will be arriving soon and not to worry.
Neetha: Alright. See you then.
Sanskaar cuts the call and places his cell phone back into his pocket. Getting up from his seat, he gathers his things, putting them into his briefcase, pulls his coat around him, and walks out of the office after telling Anisha to cancel the rest of the plans on his schedule for the day.
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Thank you,
Shreetha..
Book Talk
Shiv Shakti
