~SwaSan Story ~ A Bound Relation ~ Updated Epilogue - 10/04~ - Page 31

Chapter 16:

Sanskaar had awaken out of the short nap on his own and looked down at his shoulder to find Swara still sound asleep on him. Realizing that he had fallen asleep on her also, he straightens up in his seat, but is not able to move an inch due to Swara's head resting on him. Sighing, he rests his head back against the headrest of his seat and tries to remain still, careful with not disturbing her. He glances back down at Swara and gazes at her for awhile, lost in the innocence of her face... forgetting everything else. She looks like a child when she sleeps, completely oblivious to everything, so innocent... so nave...so beautiful. How can someone sleep so peacefully, he questioned himself.

Sanskaar sees a strand of her hair fall onto her shut eyes, causing her to make a face and stir. Immediately without a moment thinking, he makes a motion to move it away for her, bringing his hand towards her face, but he stops just as his fingers brush her cheeks gently, realization dawns upon him. Having some control over himself, Sanskaar rolls his hand into a fist and places it back to his side. Seeing one of the attendants passing by, he stops her and requests for a champagne, feeling the strong need for it. He could feel Swara's warm breath on his neck and it was driving him insane. A nerving feeling develops in his chest and stomach.

As the flight attendant comes back with a glass of champagne for him, Sanskaar gulps it all in one go and hastily asks for another one. She looks at him a little confused, wondering what is wrong with him and causing him to be so edgy, but nonetheless, obliges.

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Going through some turbulence, the plane shook Swara awake, bringing her out of her deep slumber. Swara confusedly blinks around and lifts her head up. Her gaze travels up and she is greeted with a pair of electrifying molten chocolate eyes. She finds her husband staring at her, watching her closely. Taken aback by this, Swara looks down and realizes that she had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Quickly her cheeks flush with embarrassment and she begins to stammer.

Swara: Woh--- Mr. Maheshwari--- main-... I'm sorry.

Sanskaar brushes her off and turns back to the magazine in his hands, completely ignoring her. Swara sits right up in her seat and dejectedly looks down. She pushes back a strand of hair away from her face and tucks it behind her ear, her bangles twinkling as she does this... Again the plane shakes, which startles Swara and fills her with fear. As a reaction, she grips hard onto her armrests and presses her back against her seat.

Sanskaar casts Swara a sideway glance and sees her muttering something beneath her breath and her hands hastened tight around the armrests. He flips a page in the magazine and says in a bored tone...

Sanskaar: ... It's just turbulence. The plane isn't going to crash... (flipping through another page) nor are you going to die.

After hearing this, Swara's grip loosens a little, and she begins to feel foolish. But as the plane shakes once more, she tightens her grip back on the armrests and stiffly sits in her seat. The plane continues to shake, building more and more fear into Swara, almost driving her into tears of fright. She shuts her eyes and says the first thing that comes to her mind...

Swara: Mr. Maheshwari...

Sanskaar lowers the magazine back down and looks at her frightened self. He begins to feel a little sympathy towards her, but denies it. However, Sanskaar begins to reassure her... To put an end to her annoying pointless worries, he tells himself.

Sanskaar: Look... Nothing's going to happen. It'll stop in no time. This is normal.

The turbulence becomes stronger and Swara hastily grips onto Sanskaar's coat sleeve instead. Sanskaar, surprised, looks down at her hand.

Swara: (her eyes still shut) Make it stop, Mr. Maheshwari... Please make it stop.

He looks back up and into her terrified face. Sanskaar can see how genuine her fear is... Awkwardly, he lets her continue to grip tight onto him.

Sanskaar:...You're going to be fine, Swara... (not knowing what else to say)

Just as he says this, the shaking decreases and the plane becomes steady once again. Yet Swara continues to hold onto him, refusing to let go, her eyes still shut. Sanskaar watches her silently, suddenly absorbed into how unbelievably cute she looks afraid... completely childish. The way she squints her eyes shut... her eyebrows scrunched down together from fright...her luscious lips quivering...

Swara: Is it gone?... (softly asks)

Sanskaar snaps out of his daze and mentally hits himself for being so ridiculous... Here he is admiring the beauty of his wife when actually he should be loathing her and detesting the very look of her... What is happening to him?

Sanskaar: Yes...it's gone.

He speaks after clearing his throat and getting himself back together. Swara opens her eyes and looks around the plane slowly, seeking reassurance that it is indeed gone. Feeling her grip on him not loosen a bit, he speaks once more.

Sanskaar: If you'd be so kind and let go of my sleeve already...

Swara looks over at him, confused, and then looks down as to where she is gripping on to... She blushes as she sees she is shamelessly holding onto him. Immediately she lets go.

Swara: (barely audible) I'm sorry...

They both sit in their seats, going through an awkward silence. Sanskaar tries reading the magazine in his hands, but can't seem to concentrate and only ends up being lost in his own confusing thoughts. A few minutes go by and Swara feels the need to use the restroom. She sits by the window seat and therefore would have to ask Sanskaar to get up so she can get to the aisle. Nervously she calls for his attention...

Swara: Mr. Maheshwari----

Sanskaar: Hmm. (short)

Swara: Woh--- Washroom... I have to go...

She hears him let out a frustrated sigh, yet he obliges and gets out of his seat for her to let her go through. Swara softly thanks him and tries to get through their seats. Just as she gets out, Sanskaar sits back down in his seat. Swara stands in the aisle, adjusting her saree quickly before going to the restroom. She lets out a startled gasp as a sudden rough shake from turbulence knocks her off of her feet and causes her to land straight into a lap. For some support she holds onto anything that she can. After taking the abrupt shock in, Swara looks up and blushes as red as a tomato as she sees her husband stare at her with a bemused sort of look and after noticing that she is gripping tightly onto his coat and sitting in his lap. Their eyes lock with one another, and they both hold each other's gaze.

Sanskaar: (softly) Swara...

Sanskaar speaks after awhile of a long eye locking session...

Swara: Yes?

Sanskaar:... Didn't you have to go to the washroom?

Swara: Yes...

Sanskaar: Well don't you think you should get off from my lap first?

Swara, who was so caught up with looking at him, didn't realize she was still remained sitting in his lap. She blushes a dark shade of red and mutters a quick sorry. She gets up and rushes off down the aisle towards the restroom, having the need to splash cold water on her now flushed face...

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The plane landed safely and Sanskaar and Swara made their way to get their luggage, quietly, not saying a word to one another. Swara followed closely behind him, feeling that it were best for her to do so and not get in his way. A driver waited from them just right outside of the Airport and greeted them. After their luggage was placed into the trunk of the car, Sanskaar and Swara were driven to the hotel that they will stay for the remainder of their "Honeymoon"...

Once they had gotten settled into their hotel room, ("Unfortunately" every room in the hotel was currently booked, therefore Sanskaar could not request for a suite or separate rooms), Sanskaar had quickly gone into the restroom, wanting to refresh himself after the flight. Swara mutely sat on the edge of the bed, not knowing what else to do. As she sits, pondering to herself, she suddenly remembers her brother's words.

"Call me as soon as you arrive there"...

Not wasting another second, Swara eagerly takes out her cell phone and dials his number...

Laksh: Hello?

Swara: (faintly smiles) Bhaiya?

Laksh: (immediately cheers up) Swara, tum? When did you get off the plane?

Swara: Just awhile ago, Bhaiya.

Laksh: How was your flight? I hope you weren't too scared. You didn't trouble Sanskaar, did you? (slightly laughs)

Swara heats up as she remembers falling into his lap, gripping tightly onto his coat's sleeve, and falling asleep on him... Oh yeah, she troubled him a lot..

Swara: (blushing)...Ji, nahi...(hastily) How are you? Uttara? And Maa?

Laksh: (letting out a throaty laugh) Swara, you are acting as if you haven't seen me for months. We had just last seen each other this morning.

Swara: (sheepishly) Yes, I know...but still... I miss you all a lot.

Laksh: (grinning)...And we do too. You don't worry Swara. It's just a matter of a few days...and in no time you will be back here in Mumbai.

Swara: ...Bhaiya... (nervously)

She didn't have to finish her sentence nor explain her apprehensive state, she knew her brother would understand.

Laksh: (sensing her nervousness, serious tone)... You don't worry... Sanskaar will do nothing... I can see that something is different about him these past few days... ever since that incident with the chandelier...but if he still does, I will take the next flight to Goa and personally beat him till he regrets every little awful thing he had done to you.

His threat directed towards her husband still doesn't seem to get rid of the nervousness and fear inside of her, yet she feels touched by his offer.

Swara: (shakily smiles) That isn't necessary Bhaiya... I'm just...nervous is all...being away from you and Uttara.

Laksh: (gently) Hey... I know that you must be terrified to be by yourself with Sanskaar... but I can honestly say that...you are in safe hands. Sanskaar may be burning with the want of revenge... but he is no monster... and who knows, perhaps this little vacation will cool down his anger and get rid of the differences that he holds against you...which from my point of view is definitely possible now that insane twisted woman isn't around trying to further instigate him against you.

Swara: Insane, twisted woman?? (curious, puzzled)

Laksh: That wife of mine of course. Who else could possibly be more wretched than her?

This causes Swara to giggle. She opens her mouth to reply, but she speaks nothing as she hears the restroom door open. Feeling tensed, she quickly informs her brother that she has to go and that she will talk to him later.

Laksh: But, Swara----

She cuts the call just as Sanskaar comes walking out of the bathroom, buttoning the cuffs of his sleeves to his silk blue dress shirt. Swara turns around and looks at him walk over to his suitcase and open it. He withdraws a tie and pulls it around his neck, attempting to fasten it around him.

Sanskaar hated ties, he could never figure out how to tie them. Always he would get either Maa, Ragini, or Dadi to do it for him. He fusses to himself as he tries to figure out a way into successfully tying it.

Swara can't help but softly smile at the sight. Her husband, a man who runs a company worth billions, can't even manage to knot his tie. She mutely watches him mutter under his breath, continuing to adjust his collar and attempt to knot his tie once again.

Completely aggravated, Sanskaar gives up hope and makes a movement to remove the tie off from him, but is stopped by a gentle voice. "Main try karoon?", He turns and looks over at Swara who slowly approaches him. He looks down at his tie, down at his watch, notes the time, and then back over to her. Sanskaar brings his hand back to his side and only gestures her to do so with a soft nod.

Swara nervously stands before him and hesitantly takes the two ends of his tie, which was wrapped around his neck, into her hands. Sanskaar peers at her, watching her avoid his gaze and smoothly begin at her given task. As she pulls the knot that she formed up to the front of his neck, her eyes travel up with it and end up locking with her husband's. She shyly lowers her eyes and continues to hold onto his tie.

Swara: (talking to his chest) Are you going somewhere?

Sanskaar: (curt) Haan.

Swara: Kahan? (innocently)

She slowly lets go of her hold on his tie. Sanskaar adjusts his collar and turns from her. He grabs his coat from the bed and pulls it on him.

Sanskaar: I had come here for business... Not for a "honeymoon" that you were hoping for.

Swara's cheeks flush. She watches him walk to the dresser and pick up his watch, fastening it around his wrist.

Swara: You are required to go there now?...

He doesn't respond. Sanskaar fixes his watch onto his wrist and makes his way over to the other side of the room, picking up his cell phone and placing it into his pocket. He walks on over to the door. Swara stares at his retreating back.

Swara: ... When--- when will you be coming back?

As she asks this, Sanskaar opens the door and stops in his steps, letting his hand linger on the doorknob. "...What does it matter to you?". Slowly he turns to his left, showing Swara only a side profile of his face. Looking back ahead, he slams the door behind him, leaving Swara standing alone by herself in the middle of their hotel room...

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Sanskaar continues to glance down at his watch every few seconds, noting that they will become late if they don't get a move on. He sits up from the bed and walks around a bit, letting out an exasperated sigh. She had been in there forever, keeping him restlessly waiting for her. He had already received two phone calls from Akshay, his good old friend that he had happened to bump into on their stay in Goa, to ask where he was and whether he will be coming to the party. Of course Sanskaar reassured him, telling them that he and his wife are on their way.

His patience running very thin, Sanskaar trots over to the bathroom door and knocks hard onto it.

Sanskaar: (angrily) Would you honor me with your presence already? Because of you I am running late...

On hearing no response, Sanskaar knocks once again.

Sanskaar: Swara... will you jus------

Sanskaar stops midway in his words as he hears the doorknob unlock and he steps away as he sees the bathroom door open. His irritation and frustration seems to disappear as soon as his wife appears before him, revealing herself to him. He sucks in his breath and feels his heart skip a beat. His eyes wander down and up, taking her all in.

She looks amazingly beautiful in Georgette-mix cream saree, with printed silver polka dots all over and along with the fusica pink border, that fits her all in the right places. Her hair is in perfect loose curls, resting neatly on her shoulders. Her kholed soft big doe like eyes meet with his dark molten chocolate ones. A small nervous smile forms on her pink glossed lips. She fiddles with the pallu of her saree.


Swara: Woh... I'm sorry, Mr. Maheshwari... I am ready now.

Sanskaar doesn't reply as he is still stunned by her appearance, trying to digest it down. Swara burns under his gaze.

Swara: (shyly) Mr. Maheshwari?

Sanskaar looks up at her as she addresses him. Her cheeks flush.

Swara: Shall we go? (quietly)

He quickly snaps out of it and clears his throat. Sanskaar nods his head in agreement and moves out of the way to let her get through. He walks over to the door of their room and opens it. Moving to the side, he holds the door and motions for Swara to go through. She smiles meekly at him and passes through, walking into the hall. Sanskaar takes in a deep breath and steps out of the room also, closing the door behind them.

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Throughout the whole drive, Sanskaar and Swara sat in a very uncomfortable silence. In fact, so far on their honeymoon all they ever had experienced was awkward silence, so they have become a little used to it. Swara kept her eyes fixed out of the window, making sure not to look over at Sanskaar, and all Sanskaar ever did was try to keep his eyes off of his gorgeous looking wife, who was hell bent on not making eye contact with him. Sanskaar switches his gaze over to the road and steers the car to he left.

What is wrong with me? -Staring at her like a pathetic idiot. I've lost it... I've definitely lost it.

He shakes himself out of his thoughts and forces himself to focus his attention on the road ahead of him and not to the person next to him...

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