Hello everyone.. Thank you so much for the wishes.. And Here I am with next part. Hope you like it. And Happy Makara Sankranthi.. Have a joyous year ahead..!!
Chapter 17A:
SwaSan soon arrive at the hotel where the Christmas Eve party is being held at, hosted by Akshay and Sanskaar parks the car nearby. He tucks in the keys into his pocket and walks on towards the front entrance, Swara following behind him nervously. As they enter through the glass doors, they are greeted by the sight of elegant decorations hung everywhere, green and red curtains, wreaths, candles, etc. Swara looks around, staring at all the unknown people to her, happily associating with one another. She stares over at Sanskaar's direction and sees him acknowledge someone.
Sanskaar finds his friend Akshay and smiles friendly in his direction. Akshay approaches them both with a wide grin on his face, his classily dressed wife also walking by his side.
Akshay: Sanskaar! You're finally here!
Sanskaar: Yes, I know. Sorry for arriving so late.
Akshay: You came! That's all that matters! --- This must be your wife, isn't it?
Sanskaar glances over to his side at Swara, who smiles lightly at his friend. He nods his head in agreement.
Sanskaar: Yes, she is.
Akshay: Lovely meeting you. --- This is my own wife, Isha.
Isha: (sincere smile) it's nice to meet you both.
Both Sanskaar and Swara smile politely in her direction.
Akshay: Come on in! (cheerful) Join the party!
Sanskaar and Swara make a movement to proceed on forwards, but are startled to be unexpectedly stopped by Isha.
Isha: (excitedly) Oh no! Don't move!
They two halt immediately and stay put. Both stare at Isha strangely, not understanding the reason for her stopping them. She looks over at her husband, giggles cutely, and points towards something with her eyes. Akshay follows where she indicates to and begins to chuckle. Sanskaar and Swara continue to look confused and even glance at one another, wondering what the problem is.
Sanskaar: What's wrong? (curiously)
Akshay: Sanskaar. You two are standing under a mistletoe. (smiling)
Worried and panicked, Sanskaar and Swara look up together at the ceiling and their faces pale as they see that they are indeed standing under a mistletoe. They stare at one another awkwardly.
Isha: Well what are you two doing just staring at one another? You two know tradition--- if a couple are standing under a mistletoe, it's a must that they kiss. (friendly smile)
Swara's cheeks turn bright red and she looks down at the floor.
Sanskaar: (hastily) Mistletoe's are a stupid tradition. Why don't we just go along and get to the party?
Akshay: No, no, Sanskaar Maheshwari. You're not getting out of this one.
Isha: Yes, you must follow the rule. Go on and kiss your wife. It's perfectly okay.
Akshay: Come on yaar, don't be such a Grinch.
Together Sanskaar and Swara stare at one another and their eyes meet. Swara's heart races rapidly and Sanskaar feels nervous himself. His eyes lower onto her pink lips and wonders what it would be like to kiss them.
Akshay: Today would be nice, Sanskaar.
Akshay's voice interrupts into his lost thoughts. Sanskaar snaps out of it and looks back into Swara's eyes. He watches as the blush in her cheeks deepens. Knowing very well that he can't get out of this one, Sanskaar slowly nears close to her, reducing the space between them. Swara feels butterflies begin to roam in the pit of her stomach and a tightening in her chest. He pecks her softly on her cheek and then backs away, not taking his eyes off her as he does this. Swara burns red and switches her gaze elsewhere, not able to meet his anymore. Both Akshay and Isha smile delightfully at them. They don't push it further and decide that they probably will not feel comfortable in public.
Akshay: That's the spirit. Now it's okay for the two of you to come in. (chuckles)
Akshay and Isha rushed them in and introduced them to many guests as the Mr. and Mrs. Maheshwari. Sanskaar was polite and all Swara did was stand quietly by his side, smiling and saying a few words when addressed to. Isha wanders off joining her other girlfriends.
Sanskaar takes a glass of champagne off from the tray of a passing by waiter and sips on it as Akshay casually talks to him.
Akshay: So how long have you two been here in Goa?
Sanskaar:...For about three days I think.
Akshay: What brings you guys here? -- Are you two on your honeymoon? (winks)
Swara blushes scarlet red and looks up at Sanskaar, who just smiles it off.
Sanskaar: No. Just another business trip.
Akshay: Good idea. Goa is a lovely place! How do you like it so far, Swara?
Swara: (smiling softly, polite) It's truly beautiful here.
Akshay: (chuckling) So you're glad your husband brought you along, eh? (teasing)
Swara continues to silently turn pink in the cheeks, which makes Akshay laugh even more. Sanskaar turns his attention else where as his wife and good friend begin to chat about the places in Goa. He takes another sip out of his drink and scans around the room with his eyes. Instantly he stops drinking and lowers his glass down as he sees something that catches his full attention.
Akshay: Make sure to check that out before you and Sanskaar leave.
Swara was positive that Sanskaar wasn't going to take her out anywhere, but to please Akshay, she agrees.
What the bloody hell is she doing here?, his mind races. Sanskaar watches with careful eyes as she laughs along with her little snobby friends, whom she fits so perfectly with. She casually glances up and seems to catch his eye. He sees her smile fade and her face bear a look of surprise. She looks at him tentatively, as if to check whether it is really him or not. On recognizing him, she smiles seductively and walks away from her little group and comes towards him, swaying her hips back and forth.
Swearing under his breath and not able to believe his awful luck, Sanskaar digs his free hand into his pant pocket and turns around back over at Swara and Akshay, who continue to talk about whatever they are discussing of. He stands stiffly to himself, expecting her arrival any moment.
"Sanskaar Maheshwari... is that you?", a feminine voice speaks with disbelief. Both Akshay and Swara stop midway in their conversation and look over to the woman dressed in an elegant black dress, showing off her slender body. She flicks her brown hair and smiles brightly at Sanskaar. Curiously Swara looks over at Sanskaar, whose jaw begins to tighten.
Lady: Long time no see...
Swara watches them both closely, noting her husband's body behavior and the woman's teasing, mocking tone.
Akshay: (confused, light smile) Kavitha... You know Sanskaar?
Kavitha now stares over at Akshay and flashes her big white teeth at him.
Kavitha: Why of course! Me and Sanskaar go waaayyy back. Kyun, Sanskaar?
She nudges him with her elbow and winks in his direction. Sanskaar stands rooted in his spot, looking disgusted and annoyed.
Akshay: Wow. I had no idea you two knew each other.
Kavitha: Yes... we were quite close, weren't we Sanskaar? (in a sing song tone)
Sanskaar just gives her a cold stare. Swara continues to look confused yet amused at the same time.
Kavitha: But that was years ago... Four I think... Anyways. (turning to Sanskaar, smiling seductively) How are you Sanskaar? It's been so long since we've last met. What brings you here to Goa?
Sanskaar: (curt) Business.
Kavitha: Ah, I should have known. You always were working and I guess you haven't seem to have dropped that habit yet.
Kavitha continues to fix her eyes on him as she wraps her arm around his and clings to his side. Sanskaar raises an eyebrow at this. She bats her eyelids at him as she speaks in a flirtatious voice.
Kavitha: Sooo... while you're here... Why don't you and I go out for lunch or something?--- Catch up on each other. Hmm?
Slowly a grin forms onto Sanskaar's lips and he takes his arm out of her hold. Kavitha watches confused as Sanskaar wraps his arm around the waist of the women next to him, pulling her securely against his side.
Swara stares up at her husband, surprised by this gesture of his. Her skin tingles from his touch and she can feel her cheeks turn slightly pink.
Sanskaar: Sure... that sounds lovely... My wife and I both would enjoy going out to lunch with you... Right, Darling?
Sanskaar looks down at Swara and smiles charmingly at her. Swara dumbly nods with his talks, too mesmerized by his smile, touch, and the heavenly smell of his cologne.
Kavitha stares from Sanskaar, to Swara, and back to Sanskaar, looking completely blown over by this new piece of news. She wears an expression of disbelief.
Kavitha: Wife?
Sanskaar: (looks back over to Kavitha, continuing to grin) Why yes... My wife... Mrs. Swara Maheshwari... Surely you knew, didn't you?
Kavitha shakes her head quickly in a child like manner.
Sanskaar: The press went crazy once they heard of our marriage...it was all over... television, newspapers, magazines...
Kavitha: (regaining herself) I'm afraid I was in London... I just got back a couple of weeks ago.
Akshay: (smiles) Well now you know!
Kavitha looks back over at Sanskaar and sees him smirk as he sips on his champagne, his left arm still wrapped securely around his uncomfortable, confused wife's waist. She clears her throat.
Kavitha: Well... Congratulations. I'm certainly surprised, but nonetheless... very...very happy for you Sanskaar. I hope you and Sara have a happy married life.
Sanskaar: Swara. (quick, curt)
Kavitha: Yes, yes. Swara.
Swara grows alarmed by the dirty look Kavitha casts at her and already now knows that she has formed another enemy, for which she does not know why. Suddenly the DJ announces that the dance floor is open for all couples and begins to play sweet romantic songs. Kavitha seems to brighten up on this and looks excitedly towards Sanskaar. She takes a hold onto his arm, momentarily startling Sanskaar.
Kavitha: Sanskaar, come on. Let's go dance- for old time's sake.
Sanskaar: No thank you. I'd prefer to stay right here.
He coldly says to her. Swara feels Sanskaar's hold on her loosen and finally release her. He digs his hand into his pocket.
Kavitha: Oh don't be such a rotten sport, Sanskaar. Come now, they're even playing our song.
Swara looks over at Kavitha as she says this, her full and complete attention now on her.
Akshay: Your song?
Akshay seems to ask the question that was beginning to linger in Swara's mind. Kavitha smiles sweetly at him.
Kavitha: Yes, mine and Sanskaar's. This was the song that we first danced to. Remember Sanskaar? Our first Valentine's Day?
Sanskaar just scowls to himself and doesn't bother replying to her. The last thing he wanted was to be reminded of bitter memories... of the past that he shared with this woman. A woman he absolutely despises.
Swara is taken aback by this. She looks from Kavitha to her husband, in shock. So this woman was an ex?
Kavitha: Kher... Let's go before it finishes.
Sanskaar: (frustrated) I told you, I do not----
Akshay: Come on, Sanskaar, go on. She's asking so politely and she really wants to dance with you. What's so wrong with one dance?
Kavitha: Here, I'll even ask your wife! ---- Swara, you wouldn't mind if I stole your husband from you for a little while, would you?
Swara stares into Kavitha's perky looking face and doesn't know what else to say, but to agree.
Swara: ...No, I don't min----
Kavitha: Perfect! See, Sanskaar, I've even gotten your wife's permission. Now you'll come to share a dance, won't you?
Before Sanskaar can even say a word, Kavitha whisks him off towards the dance floor, hanging close to his side, and leaving Swara standing alone, looking on after them curiously. She turns around expecting to find Akshay behind her, but instead sees him somewhere else, chatting with a few guests. She finds herself completely alone with no one by her side.
Not knowing what else to do, Swara stands loitering around, looking at her husband dance with another woman. She didn't know why... but seeing another woman in his arms deeply upset her and made her feel painfully jealous.
Who am I to feel that way?... I am no one to him...He has perfectly made that clear to me... So why should I care? He can go on and dance with his stupid little ex flames all he wants... It doesn't matter to me.
She crosses her arms against her chest and stands rooted to her spot, her eyes fixed on the two. Swara stares closely at how Sanskaar's hand rests at Kavitha's waist and how Kavitha has her arms wrapped securely around his neck. Seeing a waiter pass by from the corner of her eye, Swara immediately stops him and requests for the juice on the tray. Taking it into her hand, before sipping onto it she takes out the small purple umbrella in it.
"Oh my God, is that Sanskaar with Kavitha?", she hears someone speak behind her with surprise. "...That is her... What is Sanskaar doing dancing with her?-- Do you suppose that they're back together?", the same woman speaks. "No... not at all... Not after what she did to him. I don't think Sanskaar will ever be able to forgive her after that. Besides, I heard that Sanskaar is married now," another woman speaks. "Oh... what a shame. They make a nice couple and they once had loved each other a lot."
Swara catches a glimpse of the gossiping women and feels herself burn more with envy. She stares back over at Sanskaar and Kavitha dancing and goes back to drinking her juice. A few minutes go by and they continue to dance, which frustrates Swara. She deeply regretted letting Kavitha take her husband away from her. Seeing that her drink is over, she requests for another from the same waiter. Swara begins to feel strange and a little woozy, but in a good way. She feels herself lighten up and relax.
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Next: Truth out..??
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Thank you,
Shreetha..
Indian Mythology
Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Shiv Shakti
Anupamaa
Hindi TV Shows
