Chapter – 7 – This is what she wanted to tell me?

"How much time will it take to fix this roof? I need to go to Kolkatta tomorrow." Dida said to the man who was working on the house roof while fixing it. 

"It will take atleast 2 days, since this is broken very badly and it's rainy season, if we don't fix it now then there are chances of collapsing the entire roof." Man said to Dida. 

"Do it fast." Dida ordered and went inside home. 

"Tomorrow my Shoru is coming after 4 years and I am not there to welcome her." Dida said with pout on her face. Dida was looking and caressing Swara's hair with lot of love and care who was still sleeping and thinking about the events happened with in last three years.

"Dida I have reached badi, mumma made yummy food, you know I ate 5 Rasgullas. But when are you coming to Kolkata? You promised me that you will come at Airport to receive me. I want to tell you very very very very very important thing" Swara said with so much excitement. She was in Bose house talking to her Dida over skype with video conferencing. She had just landed to Kolkatta 2 hours back and were received by Sharmishtha and Shekhar. 

"Are Shoru our house roof is broken so the man came to fix it, he said it will take two days. Day after tomorrow I will be taking bus for Kolkatta then with in some hours I will be with my Shoru." Dida said excitedly. "And one thing why are you not at that Marwaran's house? You are alone at home?" Dida said while widening her eyes, she does not want her Shoru to live alone. 

"Come on Dida please don't scare me, with Dadi, she is complete control freak. I am good at our house. But you come soon na I am missing you" Swara said while making a pout.

Dida remembered how she got stuck at Massoori due to heavy rain falls there was a landslide on the highway, no transportation or communication was available on hilly areas. When after three days she reached to Kalibadi, the scene infront of her shocked her to the core. There was one dead body covered with white cloth and people surrounded her. Sharmishtha was crying bitterly, Shekhar was standing beside her and Ragini was trying to console her Ma. Dadi and Dadaji were least bother about the happenings, if everybody is here then "where is my Shoru?" Dida asked while stepping inside Badi's veranda.

"Ma, Swara left us" Sharmishtha said while pointing towards dead body. Dida sat down with thud. She could not believe what is she hearing. 

"Have you gone mad Shomi, how can you say this. This is not my Shoru." Dida said trying to remove the white cloth from dead body's face. 

"No Ma, please police had found Swara's body after three days in river, her body has been decomposed very badly" Shekhar said while coming infront. 

"We were just waiting for you. We are heading for cremation and last rituals." Dida could not bear this shock and lost her senses.

"My Shoru's cloths, her watch, her chain" Dida was caressing Swara's personal belongings. Even after two days of that dreadful incident she was not able to believe her Shoru is not in this world. 

There was one file on study table, Dida thought it something belongs to Swara, she opened it, that was the post-mortem report of Swara. But one-line captured dida's attention that Deceased Age = around 26 -28. 'How can it be Shoru is only 22 years' with this thought Dida almost ran to Gadodia house. 

"Shomi, did you check this report this said that the girl's dead body which police handover to us is of the age 26-28, but our Shoru is only 22 years old." Dida said and continued "We need to go to Police station and find it out." 

"Ma but Shekhar himself verified the body of Swara so..." Shomi was cut by Dida "I am going to Police station you are coming with me or no?"

"Maaji, Mr. Shekhar Gadodia himself verified the body, two days back he came to police station along with his wife saying that their daughter is missing and filed a complaint. Due to heavy rain there were lot of accidents happen in Kolkata and nearby villages. When we found this body, we asked all the families which have given the similar descriptions about their missing family member." Police inspector provided details to Dida and Sharmishtha.

"I understand Sir but look at this report it says that deceased age is around 26 where as my Shoru is just 22" Dida tried to explain with some hope in her eyes. 

"Ok let me check and investigate again, if your granddaughter is alive, we will find her soon" Police Inspector gave assurance to Dida and Sharmishtha.

It took 1.5 month for Kolkata police to trace Swara, she was admitted in nearby village municipal hospital and was in coma. Dida's care and Sharmishtha's motherly love helped Swara to gain cautiousness, but when she came out of coma there was emptiness in her eyes, she could not even remember her name. It took a lot of efforts from Dida and Shomi to gain her trust. Dida decided to take Swara to Massoori once doctors allows her to travel. Initially it was very difficult for Swara to trust Dida and Shomi, for her everyone was stranger even her blood relatives. Soon Swara was shifted to Kolkatta's Credit View Hosptial equipped with all modern technology for better treatment.

"Swara look who came to meet you Shekhar your Baba, Ragini your little sister, and dada dadi," Sharmishtha introduced Gadodia Family indirectly to Swara. 

"How are you Swara?" Shekhar asked while caressing her hairs. 

Sharmishtha was feeling content, first time Shekhar openly showed his love towards his daughter. In last 10 years Sharmishtha was fighting emotional battle to get acceptance from Shekhar for Swara, today due to Swara's accident Shekhar accepted her. 

Dida was hesitant about this conditional acceptance but thought its good for her Shoru, in this condition she should get pleasant sarroundings. 

"Ma, I got my daughter back after 10 years we will not disclose any of the event to her which will distance her from me" Shomi said while caressing Swara's hair, she was sleeping. 

"Shomi Shoru wanted to tell me something very important, she mentioned when we were talking last prior to her accident. What it could be? And what was she doing in that stormy night?" Dida said to Shomi with worried lines. Sharmishthat could not answer any of her mother's question, it was puzzle for her as well.

"So, this is what she wanted to tell me right?" Dida asked Sanskar. 

"Yes Dida, she wanted to tell you about our marriage. Please Dida don't misunderstand her, she just wanted to assure you about me since you had some past experiences with Marwari's." Sanskar said while sipping his black coffee. They both were talking sitting beside sleeping Swara.

"Ohh Laksh please pick up the phone" Ragini tried Laksh number again. 

"Dadi ma Laksh hamara call nahi utha rahe hai". Ragini worriedly said her concern to Dadi. 

Laksh went missing post Sanskar's revelation. He could not believe that the girl he loved is actually his bhai's wife. He left badi and went somewhere to get some peace. 

"This is all because of that Swara, why dadi she does like this, because of her only my Laksh is not with me." Ragini sat on the floor crying miserably. 

It was almost evening and Maheshwari family was still at badi. Adarsh went behind Laksh to check on him, he should not take any wrong steps atleast not now. Dadi took Ragini in her embrace. 

"Dadi, Swara and Sanskar both are lying, they are just acting. I know it they are not married; I knew Sanskar loved one Bengali girl and due to Laksh mistake he lost her, and Swara she wants to get back into my Laksh life. She wants to destroy my marriage. And Sanskar is supporting her to fulfill his revenge." Ragini said while sobbing in her Dadi's embrace.

"Jiji what should we do now? Sanskar is saying he will take Swara and will go back to US." Sujata said while coming out of Swara's room. 

Swara is awake by now, Dida had made some poha for her, Sanskar is feeding her. 

"No, he will not go Sujata, I will talk to him, Ji can you please also talk to him. We have lived without him for three years, please he needs to come back home." Annapurna said to DP. 

She does not want to lose her son again, though she was worried for Laksh reaction. 'But this time Laksh needs to understand' this is what she has decided.

"Sanskar bas I am full" Swara said while gulping poha. 

"Swara please one more spoon last one" Sanskar raised one more spoonful of poha in front of her mouth. She just nodded in no. Sanskar keep the plate on the side table. 

"Are you sure you want to go back to US" Swara asked holding his hand he was sitting infront of her. 

She had seen Sujata's helpless face and empty eyes when Sanskar declared that he will go back once doctors give permission to Swara to travel abroad. 

"Yes Shona, we have our home over there, my business is also set up, our memories, friends everybody is there." Sanskar said. 

"But our family is over here Sanskar." Swara tried to make him understand. 

"Three years Sanskar they have lived without you, I have seen longingness for you in Sujata Aunty and Annapurana Aunty's eyes. Your family love you beyond your imagination, they missed you. Now its your responsibility to be with them." Swara tried to convince him. 

"I not saying we will not be in contact with them. But I cannot lose you I got you after lot of struggle and pain." Sanskar said looking at her big teary eyes.

"And why would you lose her? You said you married her and she is your wife" DP said while stepping inside Swara's room. 

"when she is your wife, she is a bahu of Maheshwari family. My daughter in law will stay at MM, if you don't want to stay you are free to go." DP said while staring and Swara and keeping his hand on her head passing the message to all spectacles about his approval for their relation. 

Sanskar looked at his Bade Papa with wide eyes. He got up from bed, "I am sorry Bade Papa. I should not have said those words. Please forgive me" Sanskar joined his hands and closed his eyes to apologise. DP just hugged him, finally he got his pride back, his Sanskar back.

"Kakisa, we are taking our daughter in law with us, please bless our children, they have suffered a lot. Now it's their time to live together and be happy. I promise Swara will be my beti" DP said while joining hands in front of Shobha. 

Shobha had happy tears in her eyes. Finally, Swara got the acceptance which Shobha always wanted for her granddaughter.

 "Pari beta please go ahead with driver and make all arrangements for Swara and Sanskar's grihpravesh. Uttara you also go with Pari." Annapurna said with smiling face. This is the moment she was waiting for ...... her husband and her son standing together.

"Sanskar, I am sorry too son," Ram said while caressing his hairs, he had never raised his voice on any of the children but that day he lost his control and slapped his son. 

"Dad, please" Sanskar said and hugged Ram. 

Sujata joined hands and prayed for the happiness of her son. She hugged Annapurna; they are a step closer to their happy family dream both had happy tears in their eyes. 

Swara gets down from bed and bend in front of DP and Ram to take their blessings but DP stopped her saying she is not feeling well. Swara had a bright smile on her face getting acceptance from Sanskar's family. Dida can feel her happiness in her eyes, now nothing is bothering her. Today her granddaughter is smiling brightly the same smile which used to be on her face three years back.

"Ragini beta, we are leaving along with Swara and Sanskar. You are also coming with us na?" Annapurna asked Ragini while entering Gadodia house. 

Ragini was sitting along with Sharmishtha and Parvati. 

"Swara and Sanskar, why? Why Swara is coming with you?" Parvati asked Annapurna. 

"Why means? Swara is wife of Sanskar, daughter in law of our family." DP said who was coming after Annapurna. 

"What are you saying DP ji, are you believing these two, they are lying, Sanskar just want to take revenge from Laksh where as Swara wants to break my laddoo's marriage." Dadi said while getting up from sofa. 

"Kakisa first thing I trust my son, I have seen him from his birth, he will never make mockery of any pious relation. And second thing its our family matter, your granddaughter is married in our family but I think you are still an outsider, and we Maheshwari's do not allow any outsiders to speak anything on our family issues. Anu hurry up, we need to leave" Saying this DP joined hands and left from the Gadodia house.

"Kakisa, Adarsh's Papa cannot hear anything against Sanskar, he is his pride. So please next time think before you speak anything against him. Ragini beta, I can understand your worries after realising what relation Swara and Sanskar share, but you are married to my son, you and Laksh both needs to move on from past. But if you still need time I can understand, you can stay at your Maayaka till you feel comfortable to come back home. Doors of Maheshwari House will be always open for you" Annapurna said while caressing Ragini's hair.

"Shoru are you ready? Do you need any help" Dida asked Swara while knocking on the door. Swara was changing her cloths. 

"No dida I am done." Swara said while opening the door. She was wearing red colour saree in Bengali style. She came out, Sanskar was looking at her mesmerised with her beauty. Sujata and Annapurna along with Ragini and rest other Gadodia family are waiting in the hall. 

"Shoru you should take blessings of Durga Ma, you are stepping into new life." Dida said. 

"Yes, Kakisa is absolutely right Swara Sanskar you both should take blessings together" Sujata suggested. 

Sujata hold their hands and bring them infront of house temple. 

"Hey Durga ma please bless us, we have gone through lot of struggle and sufferings, please keep us together always, and keep Sanskar happy." 

Swara joined hands and prayed to the Durga Ma. "Please keep my Shona happy, keep us together, please give her whatever she is asking" Sanskar prayed while joining his hands.

"Wait Swara" Sanskar said when he realises Swara is turning towards family, she looked at him, he took out the Mangalsutra from his jacket's pocket. Swara wide her eyes looking at black beads thread which tied them together for lifelong. 

She had tears in her eyes. "You still have it" Swara said..

"this gave me the strength to breath" Sanskar said while nodding his head. 

He stepped forward and adorn her neck with Mangalsutra. He took pinch of sindoor from Durga ma's feet and put it on her hair line. There was tear drop from Swara's eyes feeling content. The same feelings which she felt three years back when they married in temple.

"One minute, I am just coming" Swara said while realising that she is missing something. 

"Where are you going?" Annapurna asked her. 

"Just one-minute aunty" she said and hurriedly went in her room, Sanskar followed her.

 She opened her cupboard there was one metal box hidden under the cloths, she took it out. 

"Shoru whats this? why are you taking this out now?" Dida asked her. 

The box had numbers settings to enter password. Swara had previously tried a lot with the password combination but could not open the box unaware of valid combination. 

Swara entered the password and the box gets open, "see dida I remembered the password" Swara said with excited face. 

When she opens the box there was a kangan set. She took it out caressed it. Annapurna looked at the Kangan's, she was shocked to see those in Swara's hand. "Swara how do you have these Kangans?" She asked with tears in her eyes. 

"Dadi gave it to her Badi Ma." Sanskar replied. 

"Ma, but when?" Sujata asked with confused face. 

"When I asked for time when you guys were planning my roka that night dadi had visited my room, I told her everything, she insisted me that she wants to meet Swara, next day at Durga ma temple I introduced her with Swara. As blessing she gave these kangans to Swara." Sanskar explained. 

"Yes, those were Ma's kangan, she got it from her dadi, she saved it for your wife only. Sujata do you remember Ma did not even allow us to touch these ones." Annpurana said remembering her mother in law.

Precap - you were always belonged to me