Posted:
Pawn 8 - click here
Seated on her bed. Ragini opposite her. Swara clasps Ragini's hands in hers and says, "I am so happy you came over for dinner. What an awesome surprise! Please spend the night. I have missed you so much."
Ragini smiles weakly as she looks around the room, feeling slightly uncomfortable to be Sanskar's room, says, "you can thank Laksh for the surprise. He insisted I come to dinner. I guess he sensed that you missed me," she ends lamely.
Sanskar chuckles to himself as he climbs the stairs two at a time wondering what match making plans Swara has set into motion. Getting to know Swara over these two weeks, he knows it shall be something outlandish.
Hearing the girls burst out laughing, Sanskar stops by the door, curious.
"Oh Ragini, you should have seen the look on his face when I told him that I learnt it from watching a sitcom," Swara says laughing.
"Priceless I tell you... priceless," she continues.
"And he believed you," Ragini asks, laughing.
"Of course. He is so serious... he would never imagine I was teasing him," Swara replies chuckling. "In fact I had to run quickly to my room or else I would have given myself away... it was so difficult not to burst out laughing," she continues.
"Weren't you scared that he would get angry when he finds out," Ragini asks, slightly somberly.
Her expression serious, pondering over her sister's words, recollecting the incident where she bit him, Swara shakes her head slowly, saying, "no, I am not. I don't think Sanskar would get angry. I think he would just laugh at himself for believing me."
Giving her a skeptical look, Ragini says, "really!"
Thoughtful, Swara replies with insight, "yea... really... Sanskar is always serious... but when he forgets to be serious he is fun... he has a good sense of humor."
Evesdropping, Sanskar is taken aback over his wife's insightful words, thinking, "wow, she is very perceptive." chuckling he adds, "perceptive and crazy."
Laughing, Swara continues, " now if it was Laksh, it would be another matter entirely... I would have been on my knees begging for forgiveness for having fun at his expense."
Frowning, not happy that Swara had spoken negatively about Laksh, Ragini reprimands, defending Laksh, "how can you say that about Laksh. Laksh too has a great sense of humour."
Feeling chastised, Swara agrees, "of course Laksh has a great sense of humour," then adds softly, "it is just that he is rarely at the receiving end of such humour." Takes a deep breath and Swara adds, "let us be honest, he would have ended up having a tantrum if I had made fun of him in front of everyone like I did Sanskar."
Frowning, not happy with what her sister had just said, Ragini's folds her arms in front of her chest in a defensive posture and says, "I thought you love Laksh."
"Of course I love Laksh," Swara says, thinking, "yes! This is the opportunity I have been waiting for." Continues, "Ragini, I think my love for Laksh is not intense or passionate as that of a lover. I think it has always been that of a friend."
Taken aback, having not expected the conversation to head in this direction, Ragini just stares at Swara silently as she struggles to think and say something coherent.
Swara taking advantage of a mute Ragini, continues, "I have never been attracted to Laksh. We are quite alike... and they say opposites attract..."
Hearing the words from Swara, expecting such words, Sanskar feels his chest constricting with pain unexpectedly. Leaning on the wall by the side of his room door, guilt eating at him for he knew it was all lies. Unable to hear anymore of the conversation, he walks away.
Ragini clasps swara's hands into hers, staring deep into her eyes and whispers aloud, asking, "are you attracted to Sanskar? Is it because of Sanskar that you are now confused over your feelings for Laksh?" Her heart refusing to believe that Swara did not love Laksh. The thought of the one she loved to have unrequited love just like her was unbearable... it hurt her heart too much to even think it.
Laksh who was about to knock on the door before entering, stops, the smile on his face wiped out as he waits for Swara's answer. The feeling of curiosity, fear, dread runs through him as his heart cries out, "no I can't lose her... I can't lose her love."
Closing her eyes as Ragini's questions sink in, Swara tells herself, "it is now or never... Swara you started this charade... now you have to make sure you continue with it... be strong." Her gaze filled with anguish, her demeanor serious, Swara says, "it is because of Sanskar that I have come to realize that I never loved Laksh as a lover or a future partner. I have always loved him as a friend."
Clasping Ragini's hand tightly Swara continues, "you doubt me... don't you? You think I am confused... don't you? That I don't know what I am saying?"
Ragini nods admist tears. Swara continue sadly, "then tell me this. Why would I feel a sense of relief for not having married Laksh?"
Not waiting for Ragini's response Swara continues with a weak smile, "Ragini, you don't understand how releaved I am. When I realized I do not love Laksh... the sense of relief I felt for not marrying my friend... for not..."
Laksh walks in, interrupting them, tears streaking down his cheeks, a rollercoaster of emotions running all over him, says hoarsly, "tell me it's not true."
Startled by the interruption, Ragini and Swara turn to the door. Silent tears fall from Ragini's eyes while an ashen Swara stares at Laksh, her heart crying out in pain, "why are you here... I am not ready to tell you that I no longer love you... that I never loved you... oh why are you here Laksh."
Pulling Swara off the bed, standing inches away from one another, his gaze filled with pain, Laksh repeats imploringly, "please Swara tell me it is not true. Tell me you love me... you still love me."
Swara hesitates fractionally, strengthening her resolve, telling herself, "I have started this... I must go on..." her voice hoarse, she says, "I am sorry. I... I..." the words I do not love you refusing to voice out.
Taking a deep breath, Swara says, "oh this is so painful to say..."
"Then don't hurt me," Laksh pleades.
Shaking her head ruefully, Swara says as tears fall, "I am sorry for confusing the two... love and friendship. I am sorry for realizing it this late. I am sorry for not realizing it sooner. I am sorry for the pain I am causing. I am sorry..."
Laksh pulls her into a tight hug and says, "he will never love you... change your mind... he will never love you."
Swara smiles weakly and says, "i wish I loved you... but now that I know..."
Laksh covers her mouth with his palm, not wanting to hear the words, not wanting to give up, says, "give me... give us another chance. I know I can make you love me. I know you will love me in time."
Shaking her head, Swara says with a heavy heart, "do you know how I came to realize that my love for you is that of a friend..." "Swara don't," Ragini interrupts, not wanting Laksh to be hurt further.
Ignoring her, Swara continues, "it is because I am attracted to Sanskar," she lies as she answers the question her sister had raised earlier. "I...," Swara says, unable to complete her sentence because Laksh interrupts her.
"He will never love you... he loves another," Laksh pleads, "give up on him... I love you," he ends.
Smiling weakly, Swara says, "Laksh, now that I have realized what I feel for you is friendship. I plead to you... give up on me."
Frustrated that he can't get through to her, Laksh storms out of the room. Ragini stares after him, turns to her sister in disbelief and says angrily, "when did you become so fickle... when did you become so selfish. You can't even see the love he has for you." Shaking her head as she tries to understand what is going on. "Oh how I regret giving up my love thinking that you would make him happier. Oh how I wish I could turn back time," Ragini says before racing after Laksh.
Watching her sister run after the man she loves, Swara smiles admist her tears, and says, "I too wish I could turn back the clock... I would never have come between you two... I would never have let you sacrifice your love for me."
Several hours later, past midnight, a composed Sanskar walks into his dark room. Switching on the lights as his gaze automatically searches for swara.
Swara looks up when she senses the room filled with brightness. Her gaze meets Sanskar's. Getting off the bed she races to him. Hugging him tight. Fresh tears falling and cries out, hiccuping, "I am not fickle... I am not selfish... I love him... I love him so much... it hurts... I can never tell him I love him..."
Shutting his eyes as he listens her complaints and her coffession. He hugs her back. Tightly. His heart aching over the mess he has created.
Seated on her bed. Ragini opposite her. Swara clasps Ragini's hands in hers and says, "I am so happy you came over for dinner. What an awesome surprise! Please spend the night. I have missed you so much."
Ragini smiles weakly as she looks around the room, feeling slightly uncomfortable to be Sanskar's room, says, "you can thank Laksh for the surprise. He insisted I come to dinner. I guess he sensed that you missed me," she ends lamely.
Sanskar chuckles to himself as he climbs the stairs two at a time wondering what match making plans Swara has set into motion. Getting to know Swara over these two weeks, he knows it shall be something outlandish.
Hearing the girls burst out laughing, Sanskar stops by the door, curious.
"Oh Ragini, you should have seen the look on his face when I told him that I learnt it from watching a sitcom," Swara says laughing.
"Priceless I tell you... priceless," she continues.
"And he believed you," Ragini asks, laughing.
"Of course. He is so serious... he would never imagine I was teasing him," Swara replies chuckling. "In fact I had to run quickly to my room or else I would have given myself away... it was so difficult not to burst out laughing," she continues.
"Weren't you scared that he would get angry when he finds out," Ragini asks, slightly somberly.
Her expression serious, pondering over her sister's words, recollecting the incident where she bit him, Swara shakes her head slowly, saying, "no, I am not. I don't think Sanskar would get angry. I think he would just laugh at himself for believing me."
Giving her a skeptical look, Ragini says, "really!"
Thoughtful, Swara replies with insight, "yea... really... Sanskar is always serious... but when he forgets to be serious he is fun... he has a good sense of humor."
Evesdropping, Sanskar is taken aback over his wife's insightful words, thinking, "wow, she is very perceptive." chuckling he adds, "perceptive and crazy."
Laughing, Swara continues, " now if it was Laksh, it would be another matter entirely... I would have been on my knees begging for forgiveness for having fun at his expense."
Frowning, not happy that Swara had spoken negatively about Laksh, Ragini reprimands, defending Laksh, "how can you say that about Laksh. Laksh too has a great sense of humour."
Feeling chastised, Swara agrees, "of course Laksh has a great sense of humour," then adds softly, "it is just that he is rarely at the receiving end of such humour." Takes a deep breath and Swara adds, "let us be honest, he would have ended up having a tantrum if I had made fun of him in front of everyone like I did Sanskar."
Frowning, not happy with what her sister had just said, Ragini's folds her arms in front of her chest in a defensive posture and says, "I thought you love Laksh."
"Of course I love Laksh," Swara says, thinking, "yes! This is the opportunity I have been waiting for." Continues, "Ragini, I think my love for Laksh is not intense or passionate as that of a lover. I think it has always been that of a friend."
Taken aback, having not expected the conversation to head in this direction, Ragini just stares at Swara silently as she struggles to think and say something coherent.
Swara taking advantage of a mute Ragini, continues, "I have never been attracted to Laksh. We are quite alike... and they say opposites attract..."
Hearing the words from Swara, expecting such words, Sanskar feels his chest constricting with pain unexpectedly. Leaning on the wall by the side of his room door, guilt eating at him for he knew it was all lies. Unable to hear anymore of the conversation, he walks away.
Ragini clasps swara's hands into hers, staring deep into her eyes and whispers aloud, asking, "are you attracted to Sanskar? Is it because of Sanskar that you are now confused over your feelings for Laksh?" Her heart refusing to believe that Swara did not love Laksh. The thought of the one she loved to have unrequited love just like her was unbearable... it hurt her heart too much to even think it.
Laksh who was about to knock on the door before entering, stops, the smile on his face wiped out as he waits for Swara's answer. The feeling of curiosity, fear, dread runs through him as his heart cries out, "no I can't lose her... I can't lose her love."
Closing her eyes as Ragini's questions sink in, Swara tells herself, "it is now or never... Swara you started this charade... now you have to make sure you continue with it... be strong." Her gaze filled with anguish, her demeanor serious, Swara says, "it is because of Sanskar that I have come to realize that I never loved Laksh as a lover or a future partner. I have always loved him as a friend."
Clasping Ragini's hand tightly Swara continues, "you doubt me... don't you? You think I am confused... don't you? That I don't know what I am saying?"
Ragini nods admist tears. Swara continue sadly, "then tell me this. Why would I feel a sense of relief for not having married Laksh?"
Not waiting for Ragini's response Swara continues with a weak smile, "Ragini, you don't understand how releaved I am. When I realized I do not love Laksh... the sense of relief I felt for not marrying my friend... for not..."
Laksh walks in, interrupting them, tears streaking down his cheeks, a rollercoaster of emotions running all over him, says hoarsly, "tell me it's not true."
Startled by the interruption, Ragini and Swara turn to the door. Silent tears fall from Ragini's eyes while an ashen Swara stares at Laksh, her heart crying out in pain, "why are you here... I am not ready to tell you that I no longer love you... that I never loved you... oh why are you here Laksh."
Pulling Swara off the bed, standing inches away from one another, his gaze filled with pain, Laksh repeats imploringly, "please Swara tell me it is not true. Tell me you love me... you still love me."
Swara hesitates fractionally, strengthening her resolve, telling herself, "I have started this... I must go on..." her voice hoarse, she says, "I am sorry. I... I..." the words I do not love you refusing to voice out.
Taking a deep breath, Swara says, "oh this is so painful to say..."
"Then don't hurt me," Laksh pleades.
Shaking her head ruefully, Swara says as tears fall, "I am sorry for confusing the two... love and friendship. I am sorry for realizing it this late. I am sorry for not realizing it sooner. I am sorry for the pain I am causing. I am sorry..."
Laksh pulls her into a tight hug and says, "he will never love you... change your mind... he will never love you."
Swara smiles weakly and says, "i wish I loved you... but now that I know..."
Laksh covers her mouth with his palm, not wanting to hear the words, not wanting to give up, says, "give me... give us another chance. I know I can make you love me. I know you will love me in time."
Shaking her head, Swara says with a heavy heart, "do you know how I came to realize that my love for you is that of a friend..." "Swara don't," Ragini interrupts, not wanting Laksh to be hurt further.
Ignoring her, Swara continues, "it is because I am attracted to Sanskar," she lies as she answers the question her sister had raised earlier. "I...," Swara says, unable to complete her sentence because Laksh interrupts her.
"He will never love you... he loves another," Laksh pleads, "give up on him... I love you," he ends.
Smiling weakly, Swara says, "Laksh, now that I have realized what I feel for you is friendship. I plead to you... give up on me."
Frustrated that he can't get through to her, Laksh storms out of the room. Ragini stares after him, turns to her sister in disbelief and says angrily, "when did you become so fickle... when did you become so selfish. You can't even see the love he has for you." Shaking her head as she tries to understand what is going on. "Oh how I regret giving up my love thinking that you would make him happier. Oh how I wish I could turn back time," Ragini says before racing after Laksh.
Watching her sister run after the man she loves, Swara smiles admist her tears, and says, "I too wish I could turn back the clock... I would never have come between you two... I would never have let you sacrifice your love for me."
Several hours later, past midnight, a composed Sanskar walks into his dark room. Switching on the lights as his gaze automatically searches for swara.
Swara looks up when she senses the room filled with brightness. Her gaze meets Sanskar's. Getting off the bed she races to him. Hugging him tight. Fresh tears falling and cries out, hiccuping, "I am not fickle... I am not selfish... I love him... I love him so much... it hurts... I can never tell him I love him..."
Shutting his eyes as he listens her complaints and her coffession. He hugs her back. Tightly. His heart aching over the mess he has created.
Cricket
