Hello Everyone..🤗 Thank you so much friends. I am back with the next update.. Everyone is eager to know what happens next. So here it is. I hope you like it though the twist is common one.😳 And most of all SwaSanians favourite rag________san scene is here. Please do let me know how it is. Please ignore mistakes and share your views.
And Nyna dear, Talia dear and Anjaan dear.. You are correct. I think you know about what. Thank you so much once again everyone. This is the 30th chapter. I am very happy and I am dedicating this to all ABR readers. And Pavi dear, its a long chapter. I hope you are happy now. Enjoy reading. 😊
Chapter 30:
Swara: (stuttering, guiltily) Mr. Maheshwari...I-I've been meaning to tell you...
Stunned beyond words, Sanskaar hastily steps hard onto the brake pedal and turns the wheel, causing the vehicle to swivel and come to an abrupt rough halt. Swara jerks forward by the force and quickly slams back against her seat, startled by Sanskaar's action. She looks back at him with her tearing face and scared eyes. Sanskaar seems to be in a lost daze with his eyes fixed on the steering wheel and not blinking even once... She can see his jaw tightening.
Sanskaar: What do you mean by--- you've been meaning to tell me? (demanding, yet trying to be patient)
Sanskaar finally turns and stares over at her with all the hope that he has left in him. Swara silently brushes away a rolling tear with the back of her hand, looking down guiltily at her lap.
Sanskaar: ...Tell me that you aren't pregnant... tell me that the media is lying... (his voice full with plea)
Seeing her remain silent and crying to herself, Sanskaar's blood boils and he clenches his hand into a fist. Just thinking that Swara could be pregnant... and that to with another man's child fills him with burning jealousy and fury. Some other man had dared to touch his wife... He would kill the b*stard after tracing him down. But he can't conclude to assumptions already... he has to hear it from Swara herself... Again his eyes fall back on her, completely dark with anger.
Sanskaar: Dammit, Swara, tell me whether you are pregnant or not! (erupts)
Swara shakes from his outbursts and slowly meets his furious eyes. Another tear falls from her eye and rolls down her cheek... Seeing her husband so angry with her scares the life out of Swara and she can't help but cry from fright.
Swara: ...I-I tried numerous of times to tell you all week... But you were too busy and were rarely at home... I-I didn't want to disturb you with the news when you were so stressed with work... and Neetha had even put me under an oath to not to tell anyone---
Quickly alarmed by hearing the last bit of information, Sanskaar narrows his eyebrows down and pierces his eyes with hers.
Sanskaar: (echoing her) Neetha? ---- How does Neetha fall under any of this? (trying his level best with keeping his tone calm, but failing miserably)
Swara bites her lower lip and looks at him, hesitantly... Sanskaar, not having the patience anymore, he snaps at her.
Sanskaar: Why would Neetha want you to keep this away from me?
Nervously Swara pushes away a strand of her hair and tucks it behind her ear as she shifts her gaze down back at her lap... A couple of moments of silence goes by until Swara breaks it by speaking in a soft voice...
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Flashback:
Looking for her missing sister, Swara searches around the huge Mansion, hoping to find Uttara so they could go the mall and have lunch together like they had planned for a couple of days now. As she passes the bedrooms on the top floor swiftly, checking in through the rooms for her, she hears a strange noise coming from a particular room and halts in her steps... Staring at the glass painted door before her, recognizing it as Neetha's bedroom door, Swara nears it and curiously puts her ear against it, wanting to know what's going on in there...
Concerned and full of worry, Swara hastily opens the door and finds Neetha not around. She scans the room and finds that the bathroom door is slightly ajar and the horrifying noises were coming in from there. Quickly Swara shuts the door closed and rushes to the bathroom to see what the matter is.
Swara: (sweetly) Neetha, sweetie?
She slowly pushes the door wide open and her eyes widen at the sight in front of her...
Neetha, pale in the face, weakly raises her head up from the basin of the sink and stares at her Bhabhi with welling eyes. Again she lowers down and pukes out her guts into the sink, gripping tight around the edges of the counter to support her. Swara, fully concerned, pats Neetha's back comfortingly and waits for her to finish, looking terrified as well.
Neetha takes the towel from Swara's outstretched hand and silently thanks her as she wipes her mouth and begins to openly cry in front of her sister-in-law.
Swara: (shocked, blurts out in a rush) ... Neetha---Neetha, what has happened to you? Why are you throwing up? --Should I take you to the doctor?)
Neetha: (in between her tears) Swara Bhabhi...
Swara: Sweetie, come with me... I'll take you right now... Did it just start now or has it been happening for awhile?
Neetha shakes her head, sobbing as she does so.
Swara: Neetha???--- Accha, do you want Maa? Should I go call her? Do you want me to do that instead? --(muses to herself out loud) Perhaps you need Maa more at this moment... I'll go get her, you stay right here.
Just as she turns to leave, she feels a haste grip on her arm, preventing her from moving any further. Looking back around, Swara stares questioningly at her panicking niece.
Neetha: (begging) Nahi, Bhabhi, please... Maa ko mat... I-I... She's the last person I want right now...
Swara: Neetha, you are not well... I should tell Maa... And then we can take you to the doctor...and see what's wrong with you---
Neetha: Please! No Maa... No doctor, Bhabhi! (crying even more now) I already know what's wrong with me.
Swara: Neetha---
Swara curiously follows after Neetha, who rushes out of the bathroom and mutters under her breath, her tears still flowing rapidly. She sits down on the bed and buries her face into her hands. Swara hesitantly joins her, feeling very confused at the moment and not understanding what Neetha's deal is.
Swara: What is it, Neetha...? What's wrong with you? ...Sweetie, (sensing her hesitation) you know you can tell me anything... Despite being your Bhabhi, I treat you the same as Uttara... You are just like my little sister... Please tell me... What's going on? Why are you puking?
Neetha: (trembling to herself, stammering) Bhabhi---Bhabhi...I-I'm... (breaking out into a new set of fresh tears) I'm one month pregnant...
She shakes her head out of hot guilt and shame, weeping into her shaking hands, while Swara is completely stunned with what she has just heard.
Swara: (hastily) No--- Th-This can't happen! Neetha--- you are a child! How can you---How can you be a mother? No... (out of disbelief) I don't believe this... This can't happen... You are smart... you will never do anything that will ruin your family's reputation...
Swara's words only further adds to Neetha's guilt, making her crying grow even louder, which causes Swara to hush her...fearing that someone will hear her cries.
Neetha: Oh Bhabhi!... You have a misunderstanding... I am a number one idiot... and I have committed such a disgusting crime that has put my family's reputation on stake. --- (sobbing) I had with Rohit... hotel room... Maa, Bhaiya and Di thought I was at Anjali's house... but I was... Rohit...and we were both drunk... I don't know how... but it happened... now I'm pregnant and my life is over.
Swara: (shocked even more) How-how can you do this, Neetha? -- Why did you do this?! Did you not even think about your family once? Did you not think about what would happen to Maa and your Bhaiya? Now think how they will be able to face society after what you did to them! How will they be able to lift up their heads high when their daughter has disgraced them?! --- I-I never expected this out of you, Neetha... Never...
Neetha: (crying) Swara Bhabhi!... Please!... I won't be able to tolerate it if you are angry with me... I realize my mistake and am suffering for it now... I am stupid, childish, and completely foolish... I didn't think about my family at all... I will now be the reason for their shame...
Neetha lays her head down into Swara's lap, her eyes bright red now from her non-stop crying and her face still pale.
Neetha: Tell me what I have to do, Bhabhi... Please help me... I am desperate and have no one... you are the only one who I can trust... I know you are disappointed at me... even I can't look at myself without being disgusted... But please, I need help... (begging, pleading)
Swara, forgetting her frustration with her, immediately embraces Neetha into a warm hug, and successfully calms her down within five minutes-- promising her that she will do everything capable to help her.
Neetha: (panicking) Bhabhi--- please don't tell anyone... Meri Kasamh... not even Uttara. I don't want Maa and Bhaiya finding out... At least not yet... I'm not ready.
Swara: Tum chinta mat karo, Neetha... I won't tell anyone... I promise...
Flashbach Ends.
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There is a silence in the car as slowly the information hits Sanskaar and he begins to calm down, feeling overwhelmingly relieved and thankful that his wife did not betray him.
Swara: ...I took her to the Doctor for a check up, making up an excuse of taking her out to the mall... We were lucky that neither Uttara nor Ragini was around... Otherwise it would have been impossible for me to take her...
Sanskaar sighs softly and rests his head against the headrest of his seat. He runs his fingers through his hair.
Swara: ...I- I didn't want to tell you like this... I wanted to explain it to you more privately and when you were relaxed...but since those reporters... (wondering to herself out loud) I-I don't understand how they came to know... and so quickly.
Sanskaar: (suddenly) They think you are pregnant...why is that?...
Swara: Ji woh...That is because I had told the Doctor that Neetha is Mrs. Maheshwari... I didn't want to draw attention to her and was afraid of the news leaking out anyhow... so I thought it would be best if I gave her my name for a cover up...
Swara wipes away her remaining tears and watches Sanskaar closely, who has calmed down a little bit, but still looking a little distressed. He turns and looks at her, the anger from his eyes reduced...
Sanskaar: You had me terrified, Swara...with all the suspense... You should had just told me straight away instead of stalling... it was killing me... just thinking... thinking that you could be pregnant with another man's child...
He looks away from her and instead out in the windshield in front of him, where rain drops splatter all over it.
Sanskaar: I mean...You're my wife, God dammit... (tightening his grip on the steering wheel, possessiveness in his voice) Sanskaar Maheshwari's wife...I would have killed the b*stard who touched you...
Swara flushes bright red from embarrassment by this and hesitantly speaks to divert his anger and bring him back on the main topic.
Swara: ...Mr. Maheshwari... w-what do we do with Neetha? She is already one month pregnant... Sooner or later her stomach will reveal everything to everyone... and by then it'll be too late and the whole society will come to know no matter how hard we try to hide it.
Sanskaar: (frustrated sigh) I can't believe that our Neetha...our Neetha would do something like that...I feel like killing her... she has committed such a big sin.
Swara: (hastily) Nahi, Mr. Maheshwari... the last thing Neetha needs is our anger to distress her even more... Bechari is scared and needs guidance... she doesn't know what to do... And we must not forget that she is now a mother, carrying a child in her womb... the baby can be affected by Neetha's depression...
Sanskaar is silenced by this and realizes that Swara is right. He nods his head, showing her that he understands.
Sanskaar: ...What do we tell Maa and Ragini?
Swara begins to feel guilty on hearing both of their names. She didn't feel right keeping anything away from Maa, especially when it regarded something to do with her.
Swara: For now...we will not say anything...Neetha isn't ready... She's terrified, Mr. Maheshwari... we should give her a little time to let it sink in that she is a mother and then she will tell Maa and Ragini herself...
Sanskaar: Swara, she doesn't have time...what if she takes too long in telling them? We can't afford that... By then everyone will probably be suspicious about her health...
Swara: We should give her a little time... it will take at least two or three more months for her stomach to show... Neetha knows that she can't take too long in confessing... otherwise that would just make matters worse...
Sanskaar: (sighs)... I don't feel right with keeping this away from Maa... She will be left in the dark about what's happened to her daughter...and what trouble we are going to have to face.
Swara: Neither am I, Mr. Maheshwari... but Neetha is not ready...
After a moment of tensioning silence...Sanskaar once again looks back at Swara, this time with an expression of gratitude.
Sanskaar: ...I-I don't know what to say Swara... Thank you for covering up for my sister and trying to save my family's honor... If it weren't for you... there would have been a catastrophe...
Swara: Please don't thank me and embarrass me... I just did what I could for Neetha... she is just like Uttara to me. (being modest)
Sanskaar for once throughout this whole situation, smiles at her...pleased with how much she cares for his family. He silently begins to become proud of her... and realizes how lucky he is to have someone like Swara has his wife. Taking his wife's hand in his, Sanskaar lifts it near his lips and kisses the back of her hand sweetly. Swara is momentarily stunned by this action of his. She watches as his eyes clash back with hers.
Sanskaar: You are an amazing woman, Shona... Sometimes it's hard to even believe that you're real... You're too good to be true...
Swara blushes beetroot and lowers her eyes shyly. He slowly releases her hand, leaving it tingling from his warm touch.
Sanskaar: ...It's getting late...Shall we go home?
Swara nods her head in agreement and Sanskaar brings the car out of park, driving back onto the single roadway...
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"Bhaiya...Bhabhi... how was Dinner?", they hear Ragini slyly ask from a distance.
Startled, Sanskaar and Swara turn to where the voice is coming from in the darkness. Suddenly the lights turn on and they see her standing nearby the living room, still dressed in her red saree that she wore since this morning, smiling widely at them. Sanskaar throws her a confused look and scans the empty looking Mansion.
Sanskaar: Where's Maa?... Is everyone asleep?
Sanskaar and Swara were expecting to see Sujatha waiting for them, but were puzzled by all the lights turned off in the Mansion. Swara had held onto his arm because she could not see where she was going. Slowly her grip on Sanskaar loosens and her hand drops to her side.
Ragini approaches them patiently, yet there's something dangerous about her walk and the gleam in her dark eyes.
Ragini: Maa's friend suddenly fell ill so she's at the hospital with her... she called and said she'll make it home in an hour... Laksh sent Samar with her so she isn't alone. Everyone else is sound asleep...
Sanskaar: Then what are you doing up? Shouldn't you be asleep also?
Ragini: Oh bhaiya... I just wanted to see if you and Bhabhi came home safely... How was Dinner, hmm?
Sanskaar eyes his sister weirdly, not understanding where all of this concern is coming from. She usually was off in her own little world, distracting herself with her kitty friends and pampering herself.
Sanskaar: It was fine... it's late. We should all go on and sleep... Come on, Swara...
Sanskaar begins walking off with Swara following behind, who casts her sister-in-law a quick strange glance, until they both are stopped by Ragini's booming voice.
Ragini: You must be so ecstatic, Bhaiya... and I want you to know that I am also happy for the both of you and hope to God that he blesses the three of you.
Beyond confused now, Sanskaar turns around swiftly and stares questioningly at Ragini, who smirks at the both of them. Swara also looks equally puzzled as Sanskaar. They both cast one another a quick glimpse before looking back at Ragini.
Sanskaar: The three of us?
Ragini: (sugary) Why of course... you, Bhabhi...and the oncoming child. ---
Shock registers on both of Sanskaar and Swara's faces. Swara feels her heart skip a few beats. Sanskaar eyes his wicked sister with caution. He walks back over to her, his attention fully captured now. Did Ragini also come to know of the pregnancy? But how did she...He will have to make sure for certain.
Sanskaar: What child do you speak of, Ragini?
Ragini: (defying shock) Bhaiya, you do not know?
Sanskaar sees anger form in his sister's eyes and the smile on her lips tightens into a harsh one. She throws a nasty glare over at his wife, who stands rooted to her spot behind him...speechless.
Ragini: The b*stard that your wife is carrying in her womb, Sanskaar Bhaiya...
Sanskaar: Raginiii..!!!
He roars at her with warning as a fierce wrath of rage burns quickly inside of him. Swara flinches as does Ragini by her brother's unexpected and surprising anger, but she immediately recovers.
Sanskaar: You watch your tongue... (He mutters through clenched teeth)
Ragini: You will have to hear me out today, Bhaiya... You will have to listen about what your darling wife is doing behind your back... behind all of our backs!
Sanskaar's jaw tightens as he stares furiously at his sister, stepping nearer to her, intimidating her with his built form.
Sanskaar: Speak... (daring her) ...tell me what my wife does... Since you obviously know her better than I... please, enlighten me with information...
Ragini stares back at her brother, not tearing her eyes away from him, feeling terribly confused by her brother's behavior, but manages to hide it.
Ragini: Bhaiya... (her voice calming down) You are my elder brother... you are my everything and I love you too much to just silently see you get hurt... I will not tolerate anyone making a fool out of you...
Sanskaar just heaves in anger, silently listening to his sister's words, wondering where she is getting at...
Ragini: Bhaiya, you are a successful man... intelligent... clever...a honest worker... you possess integrity... in every aspect you are perfect... but you have one flaw in yourself... and that is that you have poor judgment when it comes to trusting people...
Sanskaar: (cutting her off) Don't speak in riddles, Ragini... Tell me clearly what it is that you wish to tell me...
Ragini's eyes leave her brothers and travel over to Swara, who mutely stands stiffly to herself... She points accusingly at her sister-in-law and speaks in a raised voice...
Ragini: This woman is no different from her sisters! ...These Gadodia sisters are all the same... Cunning, filthy, and lower than dirt!
Sanskaar: Ragi---
Ragini: (yelling over her brother) She has betrayed you just the same as your darling ex-fianc had!... She went behind your back and fooled around despite being married to you and belonging into a well respected family!...Your wife is one month pregnant with another man's child, Sanskaar Bhaiya! She is carrying an illegitimate child in her womb! A sin!
Tears fill in Swara's eyes as Ragini's dirty accusations ring throughout her ears. Sanskaar looks at his sister with a mixture of disbelief and loathing. Out of blind anger, he takes her wrist in a solid iron grip and opens his mouth to unleash his fury at her for accusing his wife of something so low and despicable, but is drained out by the sounds of opening doors and questioning voices. One by one the members of the house comes down to the living room in their sleep wear, eyeing the three of them with curiosity.
Laksh: (sensing the tension) What is going on? Why are you all yelling? --- What has happened?
Uttara, the last one to come down the stairs, immediately searches for her sister and sees her standing a few feet away from her brother-in-law in a flood of tears. Worried, she rushes to her sister's side...
Laksh stares back from his best friend and then to his wife, who both glare at one another...
Laksh: ...Sanskaar?
Ragini: (unexpectedly speaks) I will tell you, Laksh, what is going on here... The more people that learn about the exciting news, the better, right?
Laksh: What are you talking about, Ragini?
Dadi: Why don't you just tell us clearly, Ragini?
Ragini: I will tell everyone... I will tell you all clearly about what the bahu of this house have been doing stealthily...
Swara's eyes widen at this and she begins to tremble. She feels everyone's gaze on her, which nerves her. She closes her eyes in defeat and feels her sister's grip on her arm tighten. Sanskaar just stands rooted to his spot with his hands rolled into fists and his teeth clenched tightly together.
Ragini: This--This Swara... that you all think is so innocent... that has good values inside of her... that can never do anything wrong... that will take care of our reputation... that will never do anything that will hurt us... that Swara has proven today that she can do all of these things and has done all of them!
Ragini glares nastily at Swara, who silently weeps to herself... afraid of her speaking any further...Uttara looks quizzically from Ragini to her elder sister...feeling desperately confused and terrified herself... The rest watch Ragini with disbelief and puzzlement.
Dadi: (demanding) Ragini, what has Swara done that is making you say all of this?!... Sanskaar Beta?
Sanskaar takes his eyes off from his sister and switches it over to Dadi, who stares at him with hope. He opens his mouth to calm her, tell her to not to listen to anything that his mad sister has to say... Swara hasn't done anything wrong and never will. But he is cut off by a hyper Ragini.
Ragini: Arre what will Sanskaar Bhaiya tell you?! Even he doesn't know what his lovely wife has done!
Laksh: (annoyed) Why don't you come out with it already? What do you wish to accuse Swara of this time?!
Ragini reflects shock by this and eyes her husband with hate. She storms over to her Bhabhi and grips hard onto her wrist. Pain flashes into Swara's tearing eyes as she stares at Ragini with fright.
Ragini: Let me tell you what your innocent little sister has done, Laksh! --- She was so desperate for male attention that she fooled around and got herself pregnant!
She roughly pushes Swara aside, who is balanced by her sister immediately. Everyone gasps at this piece of news and their eyes widen from shock.
Sanskaar: RAGINI!
Sanskaar explodes like a volcano that has just erupted and turns around facing his sister. He takes a hold on her arm, pulls her towards him, and then slaps her hard with the back of his hand...Everyone hears the echo of the slap and are further shocked by Sanskaar's reaction as is Ragini, who lifts a hand to her stinging cheek and looks up at her elder brother with tears brimming in her eyes. He then takes a grasp of her tiny wrist in his strong hand, squeezing it tightly, making Ragini squint in pain. He lowers his face near to her, giving her an even closer view of his outraged appearance. She feels her heart race...
Sanskaar: How dare you... How dare you accuse my wife of something so despicable...?
Ragini:...(in disbelief) You have slapped me... You have never raised your hand on me once...and the day you do, that is to defend a wh*re?! (her voice raising)
Another powerful smack silences Ragini momentarily. She again looks up at Sanskaar's furious face with tears freely streaming from her eyes.
Sanskaar: (dangerously) I told you to watch your tongue!... Do you ever think before you speak, Ragini?! Did you ever stop to realize what you are accusing Swara of?!
Ragini: (furious herself for being slapped twice) ...I have proof, if you'd like to see it Bhaiya... Proof of how promiscuous your wife has been...
Angrily she snatches her wrist away from his hold and leaves the room... building a tensioning silence between everyone... There is no sound except for the soft crying heard from Swara, who is deeply hurt and embarrassed by the dirty accusations put on her. Uttara soothingly rubs her back, giving her comfort, but doesn't know what to think or do... She knew her Swara Di would never stoop so low... but what is this evidence that Ragini speaks of?
No later than a minute, Ragini returns with papers in her hands. She thrusts them into Sanskaar's face with determination and confidence. Sanskaar just lets his eyes rest on his sister, staring at her with shame...not for himself, but for her. He was ashamed for her.
Ragini: Look at this... Your wife's pregnancy reports... They came today... in a parcel... It says clearly that Mrs. Swara Maheshwari is one month pregnant... Look Bhaiya... then decide...who is right and who is wrong...
Sanskaar's eyes burn into Ragini's dark ones... he snarls at her with a confidence of his own.
Sanskaar: No paper is going to make me believe this rubbish... Even if God were to come down to this Earth and personally tell me that this is true, I would still deny it... Because I believe in Swara... and know that she will never betray me... she is my wife... and I trust her completely...
Swara looks up on hearing this and her eyes well up once again as she stares lovingly at her husband, who is defending her honor... her character...herself. Her heart begins to swell with happiness...
Ragini: You are being fooled, Bhaiya! (exasperated) This woman has you brainwashed!... She will bring you to your downfall!... Why do you not understand!
Laksh: (stepping in) You have crossed the line, Ragini! There is a limit to everything!... I knew that you were vile but never knew you were capable of stooping so low!... How could you even think of accusing Swara of a crime like this?! --- And these reports can easily be fake!
Ragini, who is becoming insane by frustration and everyone's support for her nemesis, out of anger walks back over to Swara, taking her by surprise, and shakes her roughly by her arm.
Ragini: (demanding) Who was it, Swara? Who was it that you unashamedly messed around with?! Who is this dirty filth's father?! Who does this disgusting blood belong to?!--Was it the driver?!--One of the butlers?!---Any one of the servants--- Or was it the postman---- Bolo, Swara, bolo!
Swara bursts into a fit of tears, not able to believe her sister-in-law. How could she even accuse of her something like this? Why would she put a daag on her character? Her attention is caught quickly by her husband's figure approaching them and pulling Ragini away from her. Swara's eyes widen as she sees his hand wrap firmly around her Ragini's thin neck, pressing his thumb hard into her throat. He looks at her with murderous eyes.
Sanskaar: I swear to God I will kill you if you speak any more filth from your mouth, Ragini! (his voice booming)
Ragini looks back at him, gasping for air, with a petrified expression. Everyone else stills in the room, drinking in the scene before them...wanting to interfere and stop Sanskaar before he does end up killing his sister, but too scared to undergo his wrath their self. Swara, acting instantly, tries breaking her husband's hold off from her sister-in-law's neck.
Swara: Mr. Maheshwari, you are choking her! She cannot breathe! (in between tears)
Sanskaar: (ignoring Swara, staring deep into Ragini's scared eyes) ...That dirty blood does not belong to the driver...to a butler...to a servant...nor to the postman... Would you like to know who that dirty filth's father is, my darling sister?
He speaks to her harshly, keeping his strong hold around her neck. Swara continues to plead to him to let go, but he's too blinded with anger to heed her any attention.
Sanskaar: (spits with anger) ...You have insulted Sanskaar Maheshwari's child... My child... I will not spare you...
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Thank you,
Shreetha..