Chapter – 1 – Why this is bothering her?

At Kalibadi Kolkata,

"Namaste, please come inside, we all are very happy to welcome you all." Shekhar said with smiling face, and why not when India's prestigious family was standing at his doorstep.

Along with Shekar, Sharmishta and Dadaji were also standing with folding hands to welcome the guests. DP, RP along with their respective wives entered the Gadodia house with smiling faces. Gadodia's belongs to a middle class traditional Marwari family of Kolkata.

While everyone settled down at the hall, Annapurna raised a question "where is my would be bahu?" She was excited to meet her would be daughter in law.

Annapurna was first hesitant with this alliance when Laksh told his love for Swara instead of Ragini. Annapurna had met Dadaji & Dadi (Parvati Gadodia and Dindayal Gadodia) at Banaras, there itself she liked the nature of dada and dadi. Their traditional values and beliefs had impressed her. When dadi mentioned she is looking for groom for her ladoo, Annapurna asked and discussed with Sujata, her husband, and brother in law about the prospect of the alliance with Gadodia family. Laksh also agreed to meet the girl, three months back when Laksh first saw Ragini his first impression about her was the innocent and pure girl with beautiful features, in short total sanskari.

Ragini brought up with all Marwari traditional values and beliefs passed on to her from her dadi. But what captures Laksh's eyes was Swara, stepsister of Ragini. Laksh felt unknown attraction and pull towards Swara. Her milky white skin, big doe eyes, thin line of lips, chubby cheeks apart from these all she had something different un-explainable in herself which was enough for Laksh to skip his heart. Laksh asked some time to think about alliance with Ragini when Annapurna and Sujata asked him after returning back to MM.

Laksh was not sure about his feelings and pull towards Swara. But he was definitely sure that Ragini is not the girl with whom he wants to live his entire life. He declares his decision to Annapurna that he is not ready for taking Ragini as his life partner while keeping a secret he has developed some unknown feelings for Swara. Annapurna was upset on this since she felt Ragini and Laksh would have made great pair. Later she informed about the decision to Gadodia's with heavy heart.

Gadodia family especially Ragini was heartbroken due to change of events, her dadi had confirmed, "Meri ladoo hi to Maheshwari khandan ki choti bahu banegi aur koin nahi."

Ragini had accepted Laksh immediately as her future husband and started to dream about her married life with him. She also started to receive lessons from her lovely dadi on how to become the best bahu. Laksh's decision for not to go ahead with alliance broke her all dreams.

Unknown to Swara, Laksh started to follow her to music school, evening walk, temple visits. He started to gather all information regarding Swara. He realised even though Swara and Ragini are sisters they are completely different from each other. Ragini is shy, conservative, reserved, timid girl where as Swara is independent, confident, smart yet mature girl. He has started to fall for Swara, everything about her was so fascinating for him.

Two weeks back Laksh discussed with Annapurna about his interest on Swara. Firstly, Annapurna was shocked about her son's behaviour. It took couple of days for her to digest that her son has fall head over heels with a Bengali girl. She was scared if history is going to repeat itself again. She has lost her son like nephew three years back due to one Bengali girl for whom he falls hopelessly. Three years back it was whirl round at Maheshwari Mansion between her husband and her nephew who did not come on the agreement with each other. Sanskar Maheshwari elder son of Sujata and Ram, fought with his beloved Bade Papa who was his idol for his love. Now also she blames herself and her husband for emptiness in the eyes of Sujata and Ram.

Sanskar the second son of family born after Adarsh, was the most handsome, obedient, intelligent, smart and kindhearted, one who always used to outshine anyone and everyone when it comes to studies, sports, music, charm. DP had very high hopes on him, he had already declared even though Adarsh is elder to Sanskar, Sanskar would be the one who will lead the legacy of Maheshwari Business Empire.

Even though Sanskar was his brother's son, DP used to admire him more than his own sons. Sanskar was independent, multi-talented, confident and has great wise decision-making power. He perfectly knows when and how to manipulate someone.

Sanskar and DP used to share a bond which could not be understandable by anyone from the family. For Sanskar his Bade Papa was his idol, his god, his friend, his mentor. He went to Howard University to study further on scholarship just because his Bade Papa dream about it. They used to share each an everything with each other, without talking to each other they used to understand and support others perspective. Lakshmi Maheshwari, mother of DP and RP always used to say that Sanskar is the mirror image of DP.

DP did not expect Sanskar to fall in love with Bengali girl while he was studying at Howard University. Three years back when Sanskar completed his MBA and came back to India, DP wanted to get him involved and lead on business front  and get him married to perfect Marwari girl who would take care of family. But then tables turned around and Sanskar declared his opposition for proposed alliance and this caused rift between them. Even though Sanskar and DP always share warm relation they both had issues with high temper and ego, this caused Sanskar to live the house.

Annapurna's eyes were moist when she took Sanskar's pic in her hand. She missed him calling her Badi Ma. She does not want to lose Laksh, she was concerned how her husband will take her son's decision to marry Swara.

Surprisingly DP did not oppose, Laksh liking's for Swara, he accepted and asked Annapurna to talk with Shekhar and Sharmishtha. Sujata and Ram were also happy for Laksh, Sujata always consider Laksh as her own son. When Sanskar left house, it was Laksh who tried hard to search for his Bhai, his buddy. He used to cheer up Sujata along with Uttara and Pari, Adarsh's wife.

Annapurna had discussed with Shekhar about the alliance once again but now it is for Swara. She explained him about Laksh liking towards Swara. Shekhar did not accept the alliance, he was well aware about Ragini's feelings towards Laksh, but Ragini convinced him as well as Swara why she should think about this alliance. Because of Ragini's insistence & her Dida's approval only Swara said yes for this marriage proposal. She started spending some time with Laksh along with Ragini, she befriended with him and started to like his company.

And today it's the Roka ceremony of Laksh and Swara. Swara is getting ready, Ragini and Dadi are helping her to look like perfect Marwari girl.

"Swara, please wear this maang tikka, you will look beautiful. And why did not you put kajal on your eyes, you need to highlight them. You know your eyes are very expressive" Ragini said excitedly.

"Ragini you are making me ready as if I am gonna have my marriage today only, its just the Roka" Swara said while wearing red bangles.

"Its ok Swara hum Marawari hamesha saj dhajake rahate hai" Dadi said while putting chunari on her head. Dadi put kala tikka behind Swara's ear to save her from any buri nazar.

At night Swara was standing on the terrace and gazing the stars, her favourite thing to do, talking to the stars. She was always fascinated with the stars twinkling and lights.

"Shoru what are you doing here?" her dida said while coming up.

"Nothing dida" Swara said without removing her gaze from stars.

"Its getting cold you should go and sleep else you will catch cough. And I don't want my Shoru to sneeze while taking rounds with Laksh" her dida said while laughing at her own joke.

At the mention of Laksh, Swara straiten, and looked at her dida, "ohh come on dida" Swara replied while trying to show her shyness. 

"Are you happy Shoru?" dida's sudden question fumble Swara.

She does not know what to answer. Still she replied with smile "Ofcourse dida, I am happy, soon I am getting married and will be choti bahu of Maheshwari family. Anu aunty and Sujata aunty are so loving and caring, Pari bhabi and Uttara are so friendly with me. DP uncle and Ram uncle are also very good, I know DP uncle is quite strict, but he has to be since he is heading a big family. Dida you know na I always had a dream of having a big joint family, and now I am going to get one why do you think I am not happy. I am happy infact super happy".

"And what about Laksh? Do you love him?" Dida asked her.

"I don't know dida, I like him but still I am not able to love him, something is there which bothers me when I think I need to fall for him, my future husband" She said with heavy heart.

"what it is Shoru?" dida asked her while keeping her hand on Swara's shoulder.

"Dida, Ragini loved him, she had started to dream about him and now I am going to be his wife. Everything changed so suddenly, I feel very bad for Ragini" there were tears in Swara's eyes. Somewhere this is hurting her.

"Shoru we need to marry a person who loves us not to the person whom we love especially when that person love someone else. And this is what Ragini is doing. I am very proud of her." Dida share her wise words with Swara with smile on her face.

"I am going to my room dida, feeling so sleepy" Swara said and started to leave from there.

"She again avoided the question why is this bothering her? My Shoru was not like this, she was different. But so many things have been happened in the past that my Shoru has changed so much. Hey Durga Ma please shower your blessings on my Shoru, please keep her happy may she get all happiness which she deserve." Dida thought in her mind while looking at the stars.

Precap - Can we love someone so deeply?