Forgot
to mention in the previous chapter, the story is set in Mumbai.
SwaSan
SS ~ Red String Of Fate
Instalment
3
It had taken more than an hour for them
to reach Ragini's residence. Swara stood at the threshold,
contemplating whether to enter in when she was found by Janaki
Gadodia, Ragini's mother and what followed was a series of scoldings
and twisting of ear before being pulled for a hug. She entered inside
the house with Samyra and took blessings of Parvati Gadodia, Ragini's
paternal grand mother, and Shekhar Gadodia, Ragini's father.
Swara was already informed of the
schedule; they would go for shopping, more of filling in details of
the happenings in each other's life and then to Ragini's bridal
designer for any alterations in the attires.
Samyra had taken a close liking towards
Dadi as she allowed to have sweets of her choice, something her
mother would admonish fearing the cavities. Swara shook her head
smiling, as she notice of her daughter relish the kheer prepared
as the morning prashad.
She
has taken so many qualities of his inspite of him not being with us.
She thought, saddness blooming
in her heart.
"Shall we leave? Ragini asked,
ready in her casual wear; ankle-length metallic blue anarkali with
matching pair of oxidised earrings.
"Ever ready Swara replied.
Ragini ignited the engine of her scooty.
Ragini was at the driving seat with Swara at the end and Samyra
between the two ladies. They zoomed through the streets of Mumbai on
Ragini's Activa, with random discussions during the traffic signals.
Phoenix Market City, Mumbai
Ragini parked their vehicle in the
parking lot and the women gang moved towards the entrance. The mall
was one of the newest malls launched in late 2011 in Mumbai.
Measuring around four million square feet, the mall boasts of more
than 300 indigenous and international brands of fame. Swara held
Samyra's hand securely fearing the little girl would run off owing to
her playful nature.
"How's life going? Swara asked.
"Pretty good, infact beautiful. I got
my books published and they turned out to be best-sellers of the
month. And few stories pending. Shaadi ke baad khatam karungi
unhe. Ragini replied to which Swara hmmed.
"Maa, bhook lagi hai. Samyra
told to her mother.
"Give us two minutes, Mishti. Swara
replied but was cut off by Ragini,
"Then let's have something, even I am
hungry.
"Fine Swara mumbled.
"What will you have? Swara asked,
after they reached the food court.
"Schezwan noodles with manchurian.
Samyra was quick with her reply which amazed the duo ladies.
"And you Swara eyes at Ragini.
"A cup of hot chocolate will do She
replied.
"Since when did you start having hot
chocolate. I thought you are more into something less 'sweet' like
espresso. Swara glanced at Ragini, mirth scintillating in her
eyes.
"Preferances change over time, Swara
Ragini replied, carefully avoiding Swara's piercing gaze.
Oh! why, just why did you send a
friend like her God. She never leaves a chance to embarrass me.
Ragini looked up, chastising the
Almighty for his grave mistake.
"Swara.Go Ragini chased off Swara to
the counter. By the time, she managed to get themselves a place to
sit.
"Maasi, chalo naa hum koi game
khelte hain. Samyra pouted.
And so began the game of stone-paper-scissors between
the the two girls till Swara arrived with their respective orders.
Ragini began sipping her drink while Swara was feeding Samyra
noodles.
"She is so much similar to him, isn't
it. And why not he is her father afterall Ragini exclaimed,
causing Swara to turn towards her.
"Ragini-- it's better-- better if we
don not raise that topic again. Please. Swara fumbled with her
words.
"Why Swara? Just because of some stupid
promise you made to someone, you are staying away from your husband
and over that hiding the existence of his daughter. If he gets to
know about this, he might even take a legal action against you, do
you even realize that. Ragini's temper began rising at her best
friend's idiocrisy.
"Ragini please-- please stop it.
Swara broke into sobs reminscing the unfateful day.
"Maa Samyra's voice made them
turn towards her at reflex.
"Yes Mishti Swara managed to smile
at her daughter.
"Why are you crying? She asked.
"Nothing beta. Just..just some dust
went inside mumma's eyes, that's it. Swara lied.
"Aap fikar mat karo, superwoman
Samyra will remove all dust from this world She flexed her small
hands like a muscleman bringing smiles on both the ladies.
"Acha meri bhanji ji, aap pehle apna
noodles toh khaa lo phir duniya ko bacha lena Ragini retorted.
Finishing off with the savouries, they headed back to do some
shopping.
At Reliance Trends
"Swara look at this Ragini swirled
around with an ethnic lehenga infront of Swara.
"Ragini, this will be too pale for your
complexion. Try some royal shades Being a fashionista, Swara
quickly replied. Ragini happily obliged and marched to next hanger.
Swara walked around the dresses when her
gaze fell on a particular lehenga and she was impressed with it.
Pulling it out from the collection, she stared at the lehenga:
cerulean blue skirt and blouse with rouge pink net dupatta. The
lehenga had no extravagant embroidery yet had a charm of its own with
zari work on the skirt and dupatta borders. She checked the
brand and its price. Smiling, she decided to go with the attire.
The girls paid the bill for their
shopping and returned back to their respective places.
Evening, 7:00 p.m.
After a tedious journey of eight hours
from Paris, Sanskaar found himself crushed under his best friend's
hug.
"Sanskaar, I'm so happy Lakshya
exclaimed, tightening the hug choking Sanskaar.
"Lucky, thoda hath ja bhai warna
main ghar ke bajaye upar chale jaunga. He commented
satirically causing Lakshya to move away.
"Let me inform Ragini also. Lakshya
fished out his phone from his denim pocket and dialed Ragini's
number.
"Hello. She addressed.
"Ragu... Lakshya was cut off
before he could speak.
"Give the phone to Sanskaar.
Lakshya pouted and handed the phone to
Sanskaar, earning a chuckle from Sanskaar.
"I missed you so much, jiju. Ragini
exclaimed.
"Me too. Sanskaar replied.
"Jaldi aa jao, there is a
pleasant surprise awaiting you.
"What surprise?
"Come soon. You'll know it by
yourself. And she ended the call.
"Lucky, Ragini kis surprise ki baat
kar rahi thi? Sanskaar asked, during their journey to the
Maheshwari Mansion. Lakshya knew the answer yet chose to behave
clueless.
"Even I have no idea, Sanskaar.
Their car stopped at the entrance of the
Maheshwari Mansion. Under the dark night, the mansion shone like a
blazing sun. Constructed during the British colonial rule, the
mansion could give a tough competition to the palaces of kings and
princes.
Sanskaar took small steps reminscing his
entire childhood and adoloscence that was spent in the mansion. His
mother's morning aarti, her sweet voice crooning the prayers, her
laughter, everything rang in his ears. Flashes of her death jerked
him to reality.
"Sanskaar, you ok? Lakshya asked
from behind.
"hmm
The security guards greeted him before
opening the main door. He dragged his suitcase inside, ascending the
stairs which lead to the living room of the mansion.
"Sanskaar He heard his name being
called out from behind. Sanskaar sighed in frustration, he had to
converse with the man he hated the most, Mr.Maheshwari, his father.
"Kaise ho Sanskaar? He asked,
smiling at his son.
"I am fine Mr.Maheshwari. In fact
better, now that I have been staying away from all the negativity in
my life. Sanskaar replied, satirically chuckling. He did not wish
for this but some how seeing his father's face always reminded him
about his mother's death.
"I am happy that you would be living
here henceforth. His father exclaimed.
"Ah! No, Mr. Maheshwari. I must break
your heart to tell this that I will not be staying in this palatial
house of yours, with you under the same roof I just came to take few
of my essential things. Sanskaar told and marched off to his room
with Lakshya behind him.
Fresh pool of tears made their way to
cheeks as he opened the doors of his room. Everything was same, the
furniture, the photo frames, the accolades he won, everything except
for its inhabitants who had evolved, both physically and emotionally,
during the time span. He opened the cupboard and turned to the
locker. After few minutes of thinking about the code number, he typed
it and the locker opened revealing nothing except for a simple
diamond studded gold choker and a pair of bangles. Securing them
safely in his bag, he and Lakshya headed back to the living room.
"Sanskaar, these jewellery piece are
aunty's, right? Lakshya asked.
"Yes, and now they will be my wife's.
Sanskaar stated. Lakshya smiled and nodded.
===========================
Hearty apologies for the delay. I was
suffering from writer's block since quite a few days and was
extremely busy with my morning tutions which start at 6 a.m and end
at 8 a.m. Let me know how good, bad or worst the chapter was through
your comments.
Cheers,
Nivedita
Edited by Aphrodite_NV - 6 years ago
comment:
p_commentcount