Loving you was a mistake
Wanting you was a mistake
Insulting you was a mistake
Letting you go was a mistake

Past is a bundle of mistakes. The only thing one can do is to learn and move on.

***

A four-year-old girl is standing near the entrance of a school and is crying. Just then a seven-year old boy came out of the school and walked towards her.

"Why are you crying?", asked the boy.

"Ramu uncle didn't come to pick me up and I don't know how to go home", said the little girl with tears still flowing down her eyes.

"Relax, my mom will come to pick me and my sister, then we will call your parents. Okay?", said the boy wiping the little girl's tears while the girl nodded in yes and stood beside him holding his little finger.

Just then a car came to a halt in front of the kids and a lady came out of the passenger's seat. Looking at her, the seven year old boy went towards her.

"Mom, no one came to pick up this little girl and she has been left outside the gate. Should we call her parents?", asked the boy.

The lady looked around but found everyone to be busy in their own works not bothering about the girl, she gave her mobile phone to her son.

"Arjun, dial her mother's number. Look into her diary", instructed the lady bending towards the little girl.

"Hello Sweetie, I am Swara, what's your name?"

"Shresta", replied the little girl trying hard to hold her heavy bag in her little hands.

"Very cute name", said Swara smiling.

As said Arjun dialed the number and gave the mobile back to his mother. At the last ring, the lady on the other side answered.

"Hello madam, are you Shresta's mom?", asked Swara.

"Yes what happened?", asked the lady from the other side.

"Actually Shresta is waiting for someone from your family to pick her up from school. It's past her usual time I guess because she is standing all alone near the entrance", said Swara trying to put in as normally as possible so that her parents wouldn't panic.

"Oh no, I totally forgot. I have some important meeting so I got the car with me so the driver wouldn't have gone to pick her up. Well, can you inform her father? He is in the town so he might pick her up. I have something important to attend", saying which she cut the call shocking Swara.

"What kind of mother is she?", thought Swara.

"Arjun tell her father's number please?", said Swara and as he said, she dialed.

After the fourth ring, he answered.

"Hello"

Hearing which Swara's heart skipped a beat.

No, it can't be him was her first thought.

Hearing another hello, she calmed her racing heart and replied.

"Am I speaking to Shresta's father?"

"Yes, why? What happened to her? Is she fine", came a worried voice.

"Don't worry, she is fine. Actually, she is waiting for someone to pick her up from the school", replied Swara.

"Oh God, please be with her for 15 minutes mam. I will be there", said the man and Swara agreed not wanting to leave the girl alone.

"We will be waiting in the ice cream parlor opposite school", saying which Swara disconnected the call.

Hearing ice cream the three kids got excited and followed Swara holding each other's hands. The kids gelled with each other easily and were happily talking and eating their favorite ice cream while Swara was lost in her thoughts.

Flashback

"Vayu, are you free tomorrow?", asked a girl looking at Vayu expectantly.

"Why Swara? Are you planning to take me on a date?", asked Vayu picking up his cricket kit.

"Vayu, now that you got selected into the national team, I thought we could take our relationship to the next level. Even my parents want me to get settled so I told them about us. Will you please come to my home for breakfast tomorrow as my dad wants to meet you?", requested Swara with her fingers crossed because it has been three years since they started dating but not once he gave her any commitment.

"Please Swara, not again. How many times should I say I don't want to marry now?", replied Vayu walking away from her.

"Okay, we will marry when you want to. But just meet him once and let him know that his daughter is in safe hands. Vayu if you won't come tomorrow, he will make me marry someone else?" Shouted Swara running behind him trying to match his pace.

"Swara, let me make one thing clear. Even if I decide to marry, sorry to say I wouldn't consider you. Because very soon I would be an international player and you are not my type...you see", replied Vayu with a smirk making way for the tears in Swara's eyes.

"Vayu, please don't say like that. I will change as per your wish and I will do everything you want me to but please don't leave me. I can't imagine my life without you", said Swara holding his hand with tears rolling down her eyes.

"Swara, please don't create a scene. Go and marry the one your dad finds for you...okay? We are done", saying which he walked away leaving Swara shattered.

Flashback ends

Swara came out of her thoughts hearing her son shout.

"Oh my God, our Indian cricket team captain is here", exclaimed Arjun looking at a man who came in surrounded by bouncers. As soon as Shreshta saw him, she rushed towards him calling "dad".

The man hugged her and took her in his arms.

"Where is the madam who called me?", asked the man.

"She is not madam dad, she is aunty", replied the little girl pointing towards Swara.

Looking at Swara, the man gave a wide smile before walking towards her.

"Hey Swara, how are you?", greeted the man and came forward to hug her but was interrupted by Arjun.

"Vayu sir, I am a huge fan of yours. Can I take a picture with you please?", squealed Arjun standing in between Swara and Vayu.

"Sure little boy", replied Vayu and after clicking a picture with Arjun, he moved towards the table where Swara was just gathering her wallet and phone getting ready to take off. Not giving a glance at Vayu, Swara called her kids.

"Arjun, Lily... let's go. Your dad will be waiting for us"

"Hey, Swara, what's the hurry? We are meeting after ten long years"

"Sir, you know my mom before"

"Ya we were in the same college and..."

"Arjun, Lily say bye to Shresta and come outside...I will be there near our car ", saying which Swara walked away not even giving a glance at Vayu.

Not wanting to upset their mom on her birthday, the kids followed her outside. The ride to home was silent as if the kids understood that something upset their mother. 

As they reached the house, Sanskar opened the door and shouted "surprise" giving a mini shock to Swara as she was completely lost in her thoughts. 

"Sweetie, I planned a small party to celebrate your 35th birthday. Hope you like it", said Sanskar holding Swara by the shoulders.

"Sorry Sanskar, I am not in a mood for it", saying which she walked into her room not even greeting the guests while the kids were excitedly narrating their meeting with the International cricket player Vayu. Hearing his name, Sanskar understood what upset his wife.

"Guys, change of plans. Ishani, please arrange dinner for the guests at your place. Take the kids with you", instructed Sanskar and Ishani nodded at her brother taking all of them with her to her house which is next door.

After making a reservation at a restaurant, he went into their room where he found Swara standing near the window looking outside. Silently he went and stood beside her not disturbing her thoughts. After around fifteen minutes, she sensed his presence and turned towards him with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. He gestured her to come near him by spreading his hands wide while she obliged without wasting a second. She hugged him tightly and let out her tears which she had been holding since she heard Vayu's voice that evening. She had left her past behind long after she started her married life with Sanskar but the memories came rushing back to her by just hearing his voice.

"Swara, let's go out", said Sanskar breaking the hug.

"Sorry Sanskar, I don't feel like going anywhere", Swara tried to move away from him.

"No we are going...that's all", insisted Sanskar and holding her hand, he took her out along with him. In a car, Sanskar drove to a restaurant while Swara was still lost in thoughts.

"Sweetie, come on", said Sanskar opening the door for her.

Absent mindedly, she took his hand and followed him in. He directed her to a corner table and as the waiter came to take the order, Swara took in the surroundings and suddenly a flash of memory came back to her.

Flashback

In a restaurant, a girl in a white churidar is sitting alone with her eyes glued to the television screen where a live cricket match is being telecasted. Everyone present there was enjoying the nail-biting game with the hot and tasty food. For the past thirty minutes, the waiter visited her table twice asking her for the order but she denied saying that she is expecting someone.

Finally, a man dressed in a black tuxedo entered the restaurant and walked straight to the table in which the girl is sitting.

"Sorry, Swara for being late. I was stuck with a client", apologized the man bringing the girl out of the match.

"No problem Sanskar", smiled Swara adjusting herself to face him while he took his seat in front of her.

"You look stunning in white", complimented Sanskar with a smile making Swara's cheeks turn light red.

"Thank you", uttered Swara tucking her hair strand behind her ear with her right hand.

"Mam, sir please let me know your order", came in a waiter with the menu card.

"Hmm, what do you like to have Swara?", asked Sanskar passing over the menu card to her.

"I will go with butter naan and butter chicken", replied Swara scanning all the dishes.

"Fine then get two naan's with butter chicken", said Sanskar looking at the waiter for which he noted down and left from there nodding his head.

"So Swara what was so urgent that you wanted to speak with me a day before our engagement?", asked Sanskar coming straight to the point.

"Sanskar...as we decided to be together for this life, I don't want to start this relationship with a lie", saying which Swara took a sip of water from her glass trying to calm her nerves.

"Do you like someone Swara?", asked Sanskar trying to comprehend her thoughts.

Hearing his question Swara widened her eyes in shock but nevertheless thanking him in her mind for bringing up the topic she nodded her head in yes.

"So you want me to call off our wedding?", again asked Sanskar in a no-nonsense tone.

"No Sanksar please listen to me completely. I do love someone but then he doesn't want me in his life. I tried a lot to reach his expectations and impress him but only to lose my self-respect", said Swara, and Sanskar could see tears forming in her eyes and immediately Swara wiped them away.

"I have loved him with all my heart Sanskar but he didnt even consider me as a good friend and there were many signs which were warning me that this relationship wouldn't last longer but I was so much in love that I ignored everything...", said Swara looking at nothing, in particular, going back to her past.

"Indeed love is blind Swara", chuckled Sanskar to ease out the environment but looking at Swara's serious face he continued.

"Swara, I don't know where this is going and what you want from me. But as far as I heard about you from my parents and what I have observed you in this one month, all I could say is you are very sweet and a humble lady who finds happiness in little things and also who cares for everyone around you. And maybe I am that fortunate one to have you in my life that the one you love might have rejected you", said Sanskar making Swara smile.

"Sanskar you know what, you are far better than what we used to think about you in our college. Ishani used to talk a lot about you", said Swara but was interrupted by Sanskar.

"What? You know Ishani before our alliance itself?", asked Sanskar not understanding how Swara knew his sister.

"Of course I and Ishani were in the same college. We were very close. But later she went abroad to continue her higher studies as you were already in London doing your MBA and she couldn't be away from you", said Swara making Sanskar smile remembering those sweet memories with his sister.

"You know what, I used to get so scared looking at you whenever you used to come to pick her up. So I always used to bid her bye far away from where you used to wait for her", said Swara smiling at her innocence.

"Really?", chuckled Sanskar and meanwhile, the waiter served them food and the aroma made them feel hungry instantly.

"Umm... it's delicious", exclaimed Swara placing a piece of naan in her mouth. They both shifted their concentration to the food speaking in between.

"By the way, why were you scared of me?", asked Sanskar helping himself with another naan.

"Mr. Maheshwari, anyone would be scared of a person who doesn't even smile at his sister. In all those four years, I haven't seen you smiling even at once", said Swara.

"Come on don't exaggerate, I do smile", said Sanskar smiling properly proving his words.

"Keep doing it often. It's good for health", said Swara looking at him.

"So that is the reason she was filling my ears with all the praises about you. I did wonder how come a girl like Ishani who takes ages to gell with a new person, liked you so much instantly", added Vansh shaking his head.

"She is the one who convinced me for this marriage", said Swara not thinking much.

"Oh, so you agreed for her", asked Sanskar looking a little disappointed.

"Sanskar, it's been just six months since I last spoke with him and I am trying my best to get over my past. I know you are my future and that is the only reason why I am here sharing with you the most sensitive part of my life which is hidden from everyone", said Swara looking straight into Sanskar's eyes.

"I understand Swara and take your time. We have lifetime togetherness so we will start our journey with friendship. Okay?", said Sanskar holding out his hand towards her which she took happily nodding in yes.

After paying the bill, Sanskar and Swara walked into the parking lot and to their respective vehicles. Before getting into the car, Swara called Sanskar.

"Sanskar, don't you have anything to ask me about the man I loved?"

Sanskar walked towards her and cupped her left cheek with his right hand.

"Swara, to be frank, I am very happy that you trusted me and found me reliable enough to share it with me because, if not for you I wouldn't have known anything about it. I really appreciate you for speaking your heart out with me which is most important in any relationship".

"Thank you Sanskar", is all Swara could utter before driving away to her home.

Swara and Sanskar's wedding was fixed by their families, with Ishani playing a major role in convincing both the parties. Everyone was happy with the alliance and in a grand destination, they both tied a knot promising to stay together for the next seven lives.

Flashback ends

Looking at the waiter serving her favorite butter naan with butter chicken, she smiled at the man who took her in when she was broken and mended her into a master piece.

"Sanskar, why are we here again?"

"What do you mean by again, this is only second time we are coming here that too after ten years...but Swara the taste still remains the same. Have it", replied Sanskar relishing his food.

"Sanskar, I met Vayu today", started Swara but was interrupted by Sanskar.

"I know, Arjun was all excited to narrate his meeting with his favorite star".

"I don't know it's been so many years but I still can't forgive him for what he did...", again Swara was interrupted by Sanskar.

"Sweetie, everyone makes mistakes. I know he did hurt you a lot but you should try to get over it because if you don't find closure, this will keep effecting you every time you see him"

"Sanskar, you are on my side or his", asked Swara with a pout.

"You know me Swara, I will only advice you before you are taking any decision as a friend but as a husband, I am with you no matter what the outcome is", smiled Sanskar holding Swara's hand and gesturing her to eat. Swara obliged with a smile.

"Sanskar tell me one thing, why did you bring me here?", asked Swara finishing her meal.

"Well Mrs. Maheshwari, this place is very special to me. This is where my wife shared her first secret with me showing that she trusts me with all her heart. On that day, I promised myself that I will never let her down and will make sure that she is always happy. So, I thought it's good to revisit the place so that I wouldn't forget my promise"

"Sanskar, you are a great husband and most importantly you are a great man. I am lucky to have you by my side. You really don't need any reminder, I am very happy with our life"

"Good, Swara don't let your past disrupt your present...okay, I don't want you to shed another tear for him", said Sanskar cupping her cheeks hearing which Swara smiled and nodded her head in approval.

"Now, where is my birthday gift?", asked Swara getting back into good mood.

"Well, that is what I was talking about...I planned a surprise for you and..."

"Shhhh, it won't happen again Sanskar...I love you so much. Thank you for everything", saying which Swara hugged him tightly.

"I am expecting more than just a thank you tonight Mrs Swara Sanskar Maheshwari"

"Shut up Sanskar...we are not newly married couple. Have some shame, you are the father of two kids"

"But I am your husband too", pouted Sanskar only to receive a lovely smack from his wife.

After spending some quality time together they went back home. The next afternoon, as Swara and Sanskar were in their room, they heard a calling bell.

"Radha, please see who is at the door?", came in Swara's voice from her room instructing her maid to attend the door.

"Mam, a sir named Vayu has come to meet you", informed Radha. Hearing his name, Swara looked at Sanskar with wide eyes.

"It's okay Swara, let's see what he wants...come", saying which Sanskar walked into the hall along with Swara.

"Hello Vayu, I am Sanskar, Swara's husband"

"Hi Sanskar, so sorry to bother you on a Sunday afternoon. Actually Sreshta doesn't have many friends so I thought it would be good if she could spend some time with your kids...I know Swara well...I mean we were in the same college..."

Vayu was interrupted by Sanskar.

"I know...I know. Please come in. Hey little one, let me call your friends ", said Sanskar greeting Sreshta with a smile.

"Lily, Arjun...come and see who came to meet you", called Sanskar asking Vayu and Sreshta to sit.

The two kids came in running down the stairs and got very excited looking at Vayu and Sreshta.

"Hi Sreshta", greeted Lily holding her hand for which Sreshta reciprocated with a smile.

"How did you find our address?", asked Swara out of no where.

"Well, you know that I have aunties number", started Vayu but Swara interrupted him.

"You spoke to my mom Vayu...", Swara shouted.

"You changed your number...there is no way I could contact you", Vayu tried to calm her.

"That is the reason I changed my number Vayu...I didn't want to have any contact with you"

"Kids why don't you go to your room and show Sreshta your toys ", asked Sanskar not wanting them to witness all of this, for which the kids obliged.

"Swara, I know you are angry with me and you should be too...I was really a fool to let you go. But trust me I am here only for Sreshta and if it helps, I am very sorry for all that I said and did", said Vayu looking at Swara for which she silently went into the kitchen.

"Sanskar, I have been very selfish all my life and even today I am here for my daughter. We shifted to this place a month back and Sreshta is all alone. I couldn't give her time because of my profession while my wife doesn't want to give her time as she never wanted kids and Sreshta happened by mistake. I know I am asking for more but can you let her spend time with your kids in the weekends when I am not in town?", asked Vayu expectantly.

"Don't worry Vayu, she is always welcome here", replied Sanskar with a smile relieving Vayu. He knew that Srehsta is growing up and she needs to be with the right people to understand life and who else can be better than Swara's family. He knew that his daughter would be in safe hands.

Every weekend Sreshta would spend her time in Maheshwari mansion slowly becoming one of their own. Though Swara found it difficult to forgive Vayu, she hasn't showed it on his daughter...not even once. Sreshta received as much love from Maheshwari's just as Lily and Arjun.

‐----------------------------------------------------------------

I don't know whether this story makes any sense or not but I just wanted to show that mistakes, regrets and heart breaks are part and parcel of life, one must accept and move on as life must go on till the purpose of our existence is fulfilled.

Thank you,
Praahi.