Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai - 26 July 2025 EDT
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai - 27th July 2025 EDT
CID Episode 63 - 26th July
MAA BETI MILAN 26.7
Anshuman 😭😭😭😭😭 Mannnnnn
WELCOME 🏠 MAIRA27.7
Anupamaa 26 July 2025 Written Update & Daily Discussions Thread
Aneet Padda and why I think she's the next big thing
What are your thoughts on this?
Vanga : My films are losing revenue due to Adult certification
Predict the first day business of War 2
MG SS - ||Incensed Passions|| CH1-10 Pg 1
Mohabbatein: one of the best scenes
24 years of Yaadein
Chapter 6:
Into spectators
Have turned
The moon and the sun
For spring has come
Again with glory
And all its splendour.
(Phir is andaz se bahar aayi
ki huye mehro-mah tamashaayi
- Mirza Ghalib)
The next morning Swara woke up to a pair of gentle hands checking her temperature and caressing her forehead. She forced herself to open her eyes and saw the worried faces of Sujatha Aunty and Payal peering down at her. As she tried to sit up, Sujatha Aunty held her down gently, informing her that the family physician is on his way to the MM and he will check Swara. Though Swara did not want to harass her yet she realized that nothing could be done, so she settled down back again. Half an hour later, or so it seemed, the door of the attic opened to admit in the Doctor, who seemed to be a kind-hearted individual. His soothing words put Swara at ease immediately and she felt better instantaneously.
The Dr. checked her temperature and her vitals and after a thorough examination opined that there was nothing to worry about and that she was suffering from a mild chest infection and hence the high temperature. He prescribed some medicines for Swara and before leaving, told Mrs. Maheshwari that Swara needed some looking after since she was quite weak. The next two-three days passed in a blur, as Swara slept her way through fever and weakness.
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Sanskaar was sitting in the Study reading a newspaper when his Mother entered the room. The Study was delightfully sunny and Sanskaar loved sitting there when his Father was away from home. He was a private individual and did not open unto anyone that easily. He opened up to his Mother to some extent and was pretty distant and cordial with his Father.
'So Beta, any interesting news...?' Sujatha asked as Payal set down the breakfast tray in front of Sanskaar and left. Sanskaar looked up from the newspaper to see his Mother's tired face.
'Nothing Mom, just run-of-the-mill kind news' Sanskaar replied lazily, flinging the paper away onto the table 'Only one case of murder, some political squabbles and stuff' his eyes sharp on his Mom.
Sujatha handed over the morning cuppa to Sanskaar. Sanskaar continued 'Mom, I need to ask you something. It's about Swara. How long will you keep her here? I think she is much better now. Agreed you like her lot, but that doesn't mean she can stay over here indefinitely. Can she? Urvashi Aunty was also saying the same thing and ...'
He stopped abruptly as he saw an annoyed expression cross his Mother's face. She stared at him for some brief moments and said,
'Sanskaar, I guess it's not something that you have to bother about. The girl would have long gone back to the hostel but for me. Now she is unwell and she needs a little care and love. I don't want you to listen to what Urvashi, or for that what anyone, says about others. It's for you to find out. And yes, we are not going to have this discussion again. Ever.' She was going to say something more but Payal peeped into the room, saying that there was a phone call for her downstairs. As she hurried downstairs, she gave a brief nod to Swara who was standing outside the Study and had just arrived there as per her wishes. Swara obviously had heard Sanskaar's suggestions and she felt like an intruder, all the while fighting hard to control her tears.
Once Sujatha Aunty left, Swara entered the Study and looked at the figure, perched on the wheelchair and staring out towards the sea ahead, the breakfast lying on the table forgotten. She coughed slightly to get his attention. Sanskaar looked towards the door and saw the pinched face of the girl, her eyes sunken yet bright against her ashen face. Coming face to face with Sanskaar, she said in a small voice...
Swara: 'I am sorry if my presence here is causing problems for you. I don't intend to do so at all. I will leave tomorrow and will inform Aunty about the same.'
Sanskaar's eyes fixed steadily on the girl's face. She was not conventionally beautiful as one would say, but there was an aura of innocence and simple beauty in her which would please people immensely. She had a soothing personality too and spoke in a crystal-clear voice. Her large, almond shaped eyes looked at him steadily with a conviction which unnerved him, and Sanskaar Maheshwari hated being unnerved by anybody. Not by this chit of a girl at least.
As Swara turned away to leave the room, he said 'You don't have to leave, just because I am not comfortable with the setting. After all, I don't make decisions over here. And people just don't care'
'Yes you do Mr. Maheshwari, you do' Swara replied 'Here everyone is trying their hard to make you happy and satisfied and get you back on your feet. Mainly Sujatha Aunty... I have seen their state when you were in US. But I guess you wouldn't understand.'
Irritation seeped into Sanskaar's eyes. Here he was trying to enjoy a quite morning in the Study, and here the girl was trying to interfere in his family affairs. He said in a harsh tone...
Sanskaar: 'Excuse me, but I don't want to discuss my family with an outsider, a guest. You are here for a few days, so I would appreciate it if you just stuck to your own business. I think Mom has spoiled you badly. What Urvashi Aunty said must be true about gold diggers and stuff. Why exactly are you here?'
Swara froze in her place on hearing Urvashi's name and the little colour she had, escaped her face completely. For a moment, Sanskaar thought she would collapse, seeing her ashen face, but Swara persevered. She said in a clam voice...
Swara: 'I am here for your Mother only. Because she has given me the love and respect, which no one has ever given to me in my whole life. Urvashi Aunty is my own maternal aunt but she has never said anything worthwhile about me. But then again I don't blame her. She was close to my Mother and holds me responsible for my Mother's death during childbirth. I have never had a home in my entire life, after six years when my Father died, and have shifted from one below-average boarding school to another. But its here that Sujatha Aunty has shown me that it's not my fault that I am an orphan...That I have a right to feel and act like any other human being.'
Sanskaar was completely dumbfounded. He stared at her receding back and did not know what to say. Near the door, Swara turned back and said 'I am also here for you. Sujatha Aunty wanted me to try and become your friend so that we could all get you back on your feet soon. She spends every living minute of her day thinking about you. But then I guess you can do well on your own and I would love to see you healed as fast as possible'
A shame-faced Sanskaar sat staring at his breakfast when his Mother entered the room. One look at his face and she knew that something was wrong. A good ten minutes later, Mrs. Maheshwari headed towards the attic, muttering under her breath. She entered the attic to see Swara trying to sketch the garden below. On hearing footsteps Swara turned around and smiled at Sujatha Aunty.
Swara: 'Aunty, see I am fine today and I spoke with the head of my College too. I have to start teaching again from tomorrow so I think I will be shifting to the hostel tomorrow evening.'
Sujatha could sense the sadness in her voice and coming near Swara, ruffled her hair affectionately
Sujatha: 'Swara, I know what happened. Sanskaar has told me everything. I agree Sanskaar is being pig-headed at this moment but I guess it's more because of the circumstances. No no, I am not here to speak for Sanskaar. He wants to apologise himself but ...'
'Seriously Aunty, there's nothing to apologise' Swara replied, as she caught Sujatha Aunty's hands in her own 'What he said is absolutely true. I don't have a right to interfere in your family affairs. I am just a guest and like any other good guest; I shouldn't overdo my stay here. Anyway, I have to leave one day.'
'Not if I have my way, at least not immediately' Sujatha thought seriously. She continued 'But Beta, you are not well fully. With the college, how will you take care of yourself?'
'Don't worry Aunty' Swara said 'All my life I have looked after myself and I think it won't be a problem. Anyways I will keep on visiting you and I hope that by then Sanskaar is able to walk properly.'
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Swara lay on her bed, going through the last few pages of 'The Life of Pi' when Payal entered the room carrying a bouquet of flower. Smiling impishly, she dropped the bouquet beside Swara and scampered off the room. Swara caressed the yellow roses lovingly and wondered who would send her flowers. Payal must have delivered it to the wrong room, Swara mused. Noticing a small card sticking out from between the stems, Swara picked up the card and opened it. It read in simple, clear writing
'Sorry, hope you forgive me. Sanskaar...'
Swara was very surprised. For the first time in her life, she has come face to face with this situation. She turned the card around and noticed the name of one of the most expensive florist printed there. 'Duffer!' she thought 'Who wastes so much money when there is an entire garden just below your window.'
She got up and placed the flowers in a makeshift jug (out of a water glass) in the room and felt that the flowers have magically changed the entire room. But her happiness gave way to concern after some time since she hardly knew how to deal with Sanskaar Maheshwari. She went downstairs for Lunch and noticed that everybody has already settled down. Her amazement increased in leaps and bounds when she noticed Sanskaar Maheshwari sharing the table with others. This was the first time during the past month that he has come down for his meal. He gave a weak smile to Swara before concentrating on his food. Swara's appetite fled and she spent the next half hour trying to force some food down her gullet. Sanskaar tried to make eye contact with her a number of times but she refused to move her eyes from her plate.
Swara sighed in relief when Sanskaar finished his Lunch and excused himself from the table. A few minutes later, everybody else had also left the table and Swara followed suit. She picked up the newspaper from the hall and started for her room. As she climbed the staircase to the first floor, en route to the attic, she suddenly found her movement restricted. It seemed her dupatta had caught the wedge in the railing. She turned around to free her dupatta when she met the dark molten chocolate eyes of Sanskaar Maheshwari, his fingers holding the end of her dupatta. Drawing closer to her, he said lightly 'Am I forgiven?' Swara nodded her head affirmatively.
He continued 'So you won't leave tomorrow?' Swara didn't know how to answer this question. Sanskaar's voice dropped a notch below the usual level and looking directly into Swara's eyes, he said 'Will you be my friend and help me walk?'
Swara was astounded to see this change in Sanskaar Maheshwari, but she couldn't say 'No' to him. After all, she would be able to fulfill her promise to Sujatha Aunty as well. A slight 'Yes' escaped her mouth and Sanskaar let go off her dupatta. He then wheeled himself around and within a moment or so, the corridor was deserted, except for a young girl clutching onto the newspaper and thinking what in the hell had she landed herself into.
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Thank you,
Shreetha..
Chapter 7:
This heart of mine
Is to me like
A city and a mirror
Of a myriad desires.
Now that you have broken
This mirror of mine
I am left to pine
For this city of mine
Of a myriad desires
And this heart of mine.
(Ab main hun aur matame yak shahar arzoo
Tora jo tune aina timsaldar tha
- Mirza Ghalib)
The entire Maheshwari clan was caught in the somber mood of deep slumber following Lunch. It was that intoxicating part of the day when people fought hard to resist the temptation of a snooze, but once the temptation made its intention severely felt, there was not much to do but succumb to its sweet thereabouts. Sensing that everyone was in their rooms, Swara climbed down from her attic seat and headed towards the Study, which housed a small Library in one of its extreme end. The blinds inside the Study were drawn shut, lending the room a deserted look, with the harsh sun rays filtering into the room through minute gaps in the blinds drawn, creating intricate patterns on the floor.
Sujatha had given permission to Swara to use the Library whenever she needed; maybe it could help her in her teaching too. She hadn't come to this spot earlier, so she hesitantly made her way to the collection of books, neatly stacked and labeled and numbered, in various racks. She spied a section on English Literature and was amazed to see a number of priceless books there. She reverently picked up a few books from the rack and made her way towards the comfortable couch facing the sea window. It was such a lovely sight; Swara wished she had her sketch book along with so that she could have made a rough sketch. But then she decided to concentrate on one of the books; she would be joining College the next day. She forgot about everything else as time ticked by, making notes diligently on her worn-out notebook.
After what seemed like hours, Swara flinched when a feather touch whished across her cheek. She jumped up from her seat in the couch, only to realize that she had fallen asleep sometime in between. She was completely mortified to find Sanskaar Maheshwari looking amusedly at her through his molten chocolate lashes. There was a sly grin on his face and Swara noticed that the sun had already set and the Library was dark, except for a slight illumination from the lights in the Study section. Straightening her dress, Swara collected her notebook and the books, avoiding eye contact with Sanskaar. Sensing her discomfiture, Sanskaar said...
Sanskaar: I am sorry if I have embarrassed you. I came into the Study at around the same time you came in, and I saw you were busy with your work'. (He pointed towards the notebook that Swara was now clutching desperately and continued).
As it became dark, I thought I would check on you and found you sleeping peacefully. For once I thought you were the Sleeping Princess and I was the Prince and that I had to kiss you to wake you up from your deep slumber.
Swara's face turned pink further, much to Sanskaar's amusement. He laughed out aloud and Swara looked up to see his twinkling eyes. As suddenly as the laughter had come, it disappeared in a fraction of seconds and a dark shadow covered his handsome face. To Swara's consternation, Sanskaar said,
Sanskaar: But then who would want a lame Prince?
Bitterness and irony seeping from his voice as he wheeled himself towards the window...Swara got up from her seat and went and stood behind him. Gazing out, they could see a few lights shimmering along the sea water and the ringing of bells from somewhere far beyond, maybe from the temple situated near the beach. Sensing his sadness and his need to be in solitude, Swara said lightly,
Swara: But the Frog Prince turned into a real Prince only after it kissed the Princess. Right...? Maybe you could try that.
She then left the Study, leaving a dumbfounded Sanskaar behind.
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Back in her attic room, Swara thought about the despondency in Sanskaar's eyes and they seemed to haunt her. She remembered Sujatha aunty's hopelessness and decided that she would at least try her best to get Sanskaar out of his shell and make him walk. She would give her best shot. This much she owed Sujatha aunty at least.
Swara was deeply engrossed in her work when Payal came up to call her for Dinner. At the dinner table, Swara was happy to note that Sanskaar was enjoying with his family and seemed to have opened up to others, to some extent. It definitely seemed a positive step. Across the table, Sanskaar caught Swara's eyes and smiled at her. His Mother caught the exchange between them and smiled inwardly, thanking the heavens above.
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Sanskaar's Doctor came for his checkup the next day and told his Mother that Sanskaar was much well than before and he could and should try walking now, albeit with crutches. His leg had healed a lot and it was necessary to start working the muscles too. The Doctor advised Sister Regina to mandatory make it a routine for Sanskaar to try out with flexing exercise to begin with.
The plasters on his face and hand came off next, the scars still present as a remembrance of the mishap. But with time, they would fade away, the Doctor said. Swara looked at the scar on Sanskaar's face, on his left cheek exactly, which ran in a line from his temple to the jaw line. It looked angry no doubt and Swara was sure it hurt too. There was a change of medicines and instructions to Sister Regina, after which the Doctor left. Everybody left the room after the Doctor, but Swara stayed behind. She could see the pain in Sanskaar's eyes as he took in his appearance in the mirror.
She walked over to him and stood beside him. Trying to cheer him up, she said in a composed tone...
Swara: Sanskaar, did you hear what Doctor Uncle said? You are now ready to get up and try to walk. I am sure it will only be a matter of days before you can walk on your own. Tell me, what do you want to do first after you start walking again?
Without batting an eyelid, Sanskaar looked at Swara's eyes, through the mirror and said...
Sanskaar: Go to US and have a very interesting discussion with Kavitha about her sense of loyalty and her idea of love.
Swara cringed at the bitterness she saw in those eyes and realized how much the incident must have affected him. Of course it must be heart-breaking, Swara thought, but she wouldn't be able to tell. She has not passed through any such relationship herself and her emotional side was a very controlled one. But then she hadn't lost anyone like this, simply because she never had anyone to lose. However, with Sanskaar things were different. There he was on the verge of setting up his own home and family and here suddenly fate stole away everything from him. It must hurt awfully deep down there.
Involuntarily, Swara's fingers touched the scar on Sanskaar's face lightly. She noticed Sanskaar recoiling and removed her fingers immediately.
'It hurts a lot. No?' she asked in a small voice.
'Like hell. Not only here but deep down inside...Women always do that to you, I guess' Sanskaar growled back.
Sighing Swara left the room. She had to go to teach. By that time, she expected the crutches to arrive. Sanskaar saw her leaving and forced the bile rising down his throat. Why he was taking it out at her, he wondered. She seemed a nice girl with a mellow personality, warm smile yet a steely spine. He had snapped back at her, but she was only trying to help him. His mood fluctuated between the rigidity and softness of his mental state. And he hated everything around him, as he broke down, hiding his face in his palms.
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