Pride & Prejudice (SwaSan) - Ch 4 (27/08/17) Pg 5 - Page 3

Originally posted by: Nynaeve

I simply love this desi version of Pride and Prejuidice, and the subtle homour you have infused makes for a great read. Thoroughly enjoyed the update, especially the sisters' bonding. And if it does go along the original story, we would have a posisitive Ragini for Kavya would be Lydia, I guess.

Eager to read more

Best

Nyna

PS - Dadi appears to be good so far😊

PPS- Could let me know your name, if you do not mind sharing it?

Originally posted by: ria2794

It's really interesting I can see all the three girls now.

Originally posted by: iamreader

Pride and prejudice was the first romantic novel in English I loved and that love has stayed . STill I can read or watch any adaptation. This one will be a great adaptation I can tell.

Best of wishes,
Dyuti

Originally posted by: kojagorimalik

Okk this is like really interesting...
Loved it...
Please PM me when u post the next chapter...
Too excited to know what happens next...

Originally posted by: Sushma98999

well i love this one

i think i need to read the book

Originally posted by: krishuuu

Hey dear...

Awesome start...well everyone is saying this story is based on lines of pride and prejudice. .will I be considered alien if I said I DiD not read that story yet..I'm totally clueless of what will happen next...

But whatever I read so far I loved it...background of gadodias...about all characters. ..swara..ragini..kavya.etc..enjoyed reading it..Dadi concern for her granddaughters marriage...she is eager to fix ragini with laksh maheswari..nice...can i ask when will sanky enter????

And dear about your other story of princess and rebels..swasan and raglak story..do update that too...will wait

Love

Talia

Chapter 3 - The Maheshwari's Party

The Maheshwari Mansion was spectacular. The long driveway was lined with trees, halting at a huge fountain. Swara took in the view as she got out from the car. She quickly glanced at the cars being parked by the valet all expensive brands.

She had never been to such a house before, none of them had. The interiors of the mansion were opulent. A carpet was spread covering the staircase at the entrance leading to a huge hall.

Parvati had said that the guest list was selective. Swara assumed there would be a few dozen people at the max but she was mistaken. For she could easily see at least 200 people gathered in the hall.

She was more surprised by the fact that this hall could hold that many people. Her own house felt crowded when there were only 6 of them.

She started to feel somewhat conscious. It didn't help that she and Ragini were the only females below fifty to dress in a heavy saree.

A lady adorned with diamonds, in a heavy embroidery saree walked towards them.

"Namaste KakiSa," she addressed Parvati kindly.

Parvati beamed at her and introduced the lady to the family. She was Annapurna Maheshwari. Despite being so rich, she didn't have any air of superiority, Swara observed. She talked with everyone with a genuine smile.

"Your future mother in law," Swara whispered in Ragini's ear, teasing her. Ragini silenced her by nudging with her elbow.

Parvati made small talk and slyly changed the topic to Lakshya, asking where the 'guest of honor' was. Swara cringed inwardly at the phrase. They hadn't been in the party for 5 minutes when Dadi's flattery began.

"There he is," Annapurna pointed at two figures at the top of the staircase. As they began to descend to the hall, all eyes turned to them.

"That's Lakshya on the left," Annapurna spoke. Lakshya, who was dressed in a white shirt and blue jeans, was greeting people with a smile or a shake of hand. He was good-looking and his smile added to his charm. He resembled his mother in his mannerisms.

"Who is the other guy?" Kavya blurted. Swara gave her a stern glance but Annapurna didn't notice.

She replied, "That's Sanskar. He is Lakshya's cousin - my husband's younger brother's son. He stays in London with Lakshya."

Swara's eyes wavered to Sanskar. He was tall, dressed in a black shirt and a pair of grey trouser. He matched Lakshya in the looks department but that's where the resemblance ended. While Lakshya had an aura of positivity around him, Sanskar looked gloomy. It looked like he was in pain and bored at the same time. He was curtly nodding at people without so much as a smile.

Annapurna called the boys. Hearing the voice, Sanskar looked up and his sight fell on Swara. Her eyes were still fixed on him. For a split second they looked at each other. She quickly turned her glance away.

The boys walked up to where Annapurna and the Gadodias were standing. Just like Annapurna, Lakshya greeted them politely introducing himself and his cousin. Sanskar as usual gave a curt nod, avoiding any eye contact.

"Annapurnaji has been telling me so much about you," Parvati spoke in a sweet tone to Lakshya, "This is Ragini, my granddaughter."

Swara pursed her lips. They had just had the introduction a couple of minutes back. Dadi was trying way too hard.

"She is a gifted musician," Parvati spoke again. Ragini's face was turning redder by the moment.

Thankfully Annapurna took Parvati, Shekhar and Sharmistha along with her for introducing them to other guests. Kavya, Swara and Ragini were left behind with the Maheshwari cousins.

"A gifted musician?" Lakshya quipped and Ragini blushed.

"No, Dadi is being too generous. I just teach sitar in a music school," a humbled Ragini explained to Lakshya. Swara noticed that Sanskar was looking at his watch.

How rude, she thought to herself.

"Teaching music. Sounds fun," Lakshya added, "I am just a boring hotelier or trying to be one."

Ragini smiled but didn't prolong the conversation.

There was an awkward silence, which was broken by Lakshya, "So Swara," he asked, "What do you do?

"I just did my masters in English literature and now I am doing an internship with a local newspaper, simultaneously thinking about my phd thesis."

"Literature, huh?" Lakshya commented. "Sanskar here owns a publishing house in London." Lakshya tried to draw his cousin in on the conversation. Sanskar gave a curt nod again, without a smile.

"Owns?" Swara spoke out loud, failing to mask her shock.

"Yes," Lakshya replied energetically, "At the age of 29. It's a marvelous feat. They have recently published some best sellers too." Lakshya looked at Sanskar, hinting him to join the conversation. Sanskar still didn't respond or show any kind of expression.

"Do you write, Swara?" Lakshya asked after his failed attempt at making Sanskar talk.

Swara gave a small laugh, "Yes, but nothing worth publishing."

"And you are?" Lakshya turned to face Kavya and asked her.

"I'm bored. What a waste of Saturday night," She replied in an unenthusiastic tone. When Kavya had heard they were going for a party she thought one with a dj or a band and dancing. Here it was mainly people talking to one another and eating.

Swara gave Kavya one of those stern glances that Parvati used to give them regularly. Ragini apologized to Lakshya on her behalf, "She didn't mean that."

Swara observed Sanskar sigh and shake his head.

Lakshya laughed, "This party is boring." This made the girls at ease. "Tell you what; I'll be throwing a real party pretty soon. Would you guys be interested?"

The girls agreed to the invitation. Lakshya excused himself as he and Sanskar went to greet other guest.

---------

Swara found herself sitting under the staircase near the entrance at the Maheswari Mansion, hidden from the view. The party was still in full swing. Shekhar, Sharmistha and Kavya were eating. Parvati had dragged an unwilling Ragini to where Lakshya was. Parvati was animatedly telling him something. He was nodding out of politeness, Swara reckoned. Ragini looked embarrassed.

Kavya was blunt but she was right. This party was boring and a complete waste of Saturday night. Swara scanned the crowd and her eyes fell on Sanksar. He was standing with a girl, dressed in a pretty floral gown, with straight hair falling to below her waist. She was busy telling him something. He just responded with nod.

Swara rolled her eyes at him. Why was he here if he was so uninterested?

After sometime, Lakshya and Sanskar walked to the staircase and stopped at the bottom. Swara was hidden behind but she could hear them talk.

"You look like you are having fun," Lakshya teased him.

"If wasting my time surrounded by a group of strangers is your definition of fun, then sure I am having the time of my life," Sanskar spoke dryly.

"I saw Kavita talking to you." Lakshya replied, gesturing to the girl in floral gown, who was earlier chatting, rather one-sidedly, with Sanskar.

"She is somewhat tolerable," Sanskar commented.

"Somewhat tolerable?" Lakshya raised his eyebrows, "She has accompanied you all the way from London. Give her some credit."

"You seem to enjoy the company," Sanskar gestured toward Ragini who was standing a few feet away from them, being lectured by Parvati. Swara thanked the stars that Parvati's voice was inaudible from where the boys were. God knows what she was teaching poor Ragini.

Lakshya smiled, "She is delightful. And very beautiful."

Sanskar grumped, "The only one in the room."

"Come on, it's not that bad," Lakshya suggested, "At least make an effort. Ragini's sister, Swara, is in the same field as you. Talk to her."

Swara felt a shiver down her spine as she heard her name. Her ears perked up.

"Just because you are having a good time chatting with Ragini, doesn't mean a conversation with her sister would be equally captivating."

"At least try. She is a budding writer and you're into publishing." Lakshya offered.

"So? Sanskar asked as a matter-of-fact. "I reckon her tastes and thoughts would be very pedestrian. It is obvious that she isn't very refined.

"You got all that just by looking at her?" Lakshya enquired.

"I may not talk much but I do observe."

"Okay, Lakshya gave up his futile attempt, "Sulk away." He added with a smile and walked away.

Swara felt anger budding inside her. Pedestrian? Not refined? What did he think of himself?

He was so arrogant, Swara concluded, so full of pride.