After two months, I wrote my final exams and during that period, Swara's visit also decreased as Mom said. Anu aunty was reluctant to send Swara to our house where two young teenage boys are living, which irked me more. Sometimes, I didn't like the way Anu Aunty treats Swara. She never asked Swara what she wants, but orders her to follow her rules. So, Swara used to visit only if there was any party or celebrations and once or twice, she visits our house to meet Mom and Badi Maa, only they insist.
I got admission to pursue Civil Engineering at the University of Italy, so after finals, I immediately took off to Italy. 4 years went passed in a haze as I barely visited India. Every summer vacation I used to visit our company which is in London and work there as an intern; trying to learn the strategies and working methods of our company. For my graduation, everyone came to watch the ceremony except Swara and her family. From Lucky, I got to know that Swara is going to pursue Medicine.
As Badi Maa told, I met a lot of people in these 4 years' time. Girls going all gaga over me as I used to play basketball for the University. Lots and lots of proposals came my way. If I say I didn't accept them, that will be a lie. There was a period where I totally forgot about Swara and dated a string of girls. Even I was in a few on and off live-in relationships. It was my final year when one day my eyes fell on the photo sent by Uttara. It was Visha's puberty ceremony where Swara wore this beautiful blue lehenga looking totally different from the way I remembered her. She is not that 12-year-old girl who shied away from looking at anyone; well not anyone but me. Her face looked matured while her eyes still oozing with the same innocence. The way she carries herself tells that she is confident about her skin because clearly I remember her been bullied for her dusk complexion and chubby nature. She became thin while her chubby cheeks never changed.
All the old feelings which got buried over time washed over me like a tsunami. I was no longer in my house, but on her colony terrace where I saw my younger self bowled over by the beauty of 12-year-old Swara.
After graduation, I joined our company in London as a junior associate and worked hard day and night. The next 5 years went in a jiff and I came back to Kolkata to claim the position as the CEO of Maheshwari Enterprises.
Bade Papa and Dad threw a cocktail party to introduce me to the business associates, and that's when she entered intoxicating my mind just by her one look. Dressed up in a red cocktail saree, her presence just stumped everyone over there. Her dusk complexion, eyes heightened with kohl and mascara with minimal makeup, she looked like a diva straight out of the vogue magazine. Wasn't she supposed to stay as a little girl? Because clearly, this woman is trying to give birth to all those untamed demons chained in very men's hearts. She came towards Bade Papa and Dad ignoring the lustful and jealousy gazes thrown at her and took blessings from them.
"Always be happy Swara, where is Vasu?" Dad asked her while my eyes refused to believe the beauty in front of me. Every time, she surprises me with her evolution. My heart grew ten folds with the Love I have for her. For the past 5 years, I have been waiting for this day, and my eyes refused to move even for a single moment away from her.
"Appa is lecturing Laksh as he caught him flirting with a girl and Amma is with Anu Aunty and Sujju Aunty." Her giggle stirred something inside me. But not in a very good way. Her attention turned towards me, making me conscious of myself. I took hours to get ready so that she would feel the same attraction I had for her.
After all, Attraction is the first step of falling in love.
"Hi, Sanskar, congratulation on your success. You really made your parents feel proud of you," Her smile reached her eyes making it more expressive. I felt something different happening inside me and my heart thumping harder against the ribcage.
"Well, congrats to you too, soon to be Dr. Swara. I heard from Mom that you are quite famous in Kolkata even before you became a Doctor." She smiled in return, but it was like a formality which I didn't like it.
"Swara, thank God you are here, come our gang is waiting for us," I looked at the way Laksh held her hand and dragged her from there. My whole attention was on them during the party more than making social contacts. The way Laksh made her laugh and blush made me mad.
After the party, Swara and Anu Aunty stayed back helping Mom and Badi Maa while Vasu Uncle went back home. Taking the opportunity of everyone's state, I dragged Lucky to our boys' room and locked the door.
"Bhai, what the fuck was that?"
"Mind your language, Laksh Maheshwari" Laksh stature turned serious as I used his full name. I use someone's full name only when I am really mad at them.
"Bhai, is everything alright?"
"Let me ask this straight, do you have any romantic feelings for Swara?" I asked in an authoritative tone or more like interrogative. He stood there contemplating the question. From the way he behaves with Swara, it clearly shows that he has an idea of seeing Swara differently.
"Well, to be honest, I started to feel different about Swara for the past few weeks Bhai, but when I approached Swara with the idea of dating, she clearly denied me stating that she never looked at me in that way. Kashi, her best friend told me to try harder to convince Swara for dating." my little brother told me about the little crush he developed for Swara. I can't say anything to him because it's my woman's charm and nature. Whoever meets her tends to fall for her, if I think my little brother will be an exception then clearly, I am wrong, but now I am at crossroads on one hand it's my little brother while on the other my love lady.
"Do you love her or is it just a crush, Lucky?"
"I don't know Bhai, you know about me, right. I try to explore my options before I come to a conclusion; that's why I suggested dating, but who am I kidding? It's Swara we are talking about. She has her own principles, dos' and don'ts'. I can't move on from Swara just like that without having at least a single date." Laksh has a point here, through this date, I could find out what really Swara is looking for in her significant other at the same time Lucky will also come to know that Swara is not the one for him.
"Ok Lucky, I will convince Swara for one date, but after that whatever will be the decision of Swara, you should respect that. Am I clear here?" Laksh agreed to my condition and hugged me out of happiness. Even though I am happy for my little brother, on the other hand, I very well know how Swara will react to it.
AFTER ALL, SHE IS MY WOMAN.