Euphoric Concoctions - SwaSan OS collection

Not Guilty - 3

Hi SwaSanians! Like I said before, this is an extension of the Shot-1 written on demand. This is where the story goes in a different direction (although a few dialogues lifted from the show), but nothing much could be done to the characterisation of Swara and Laksh. The track is slower than the overnight changeovers in the show. If I disappointed you here, totally it's my fault, and I'm sorry for that. If you enjoyed it, please hit Vote and let me know.

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The upcoming days became torture for Ragini - receiving the love from a sister she felt an obstacle to her happiness, took care of her introducing the feeling of guilt in Ragini. On the other hand, Laksh by whom Ragini longed to be loved, looked her with only feelings of disgust and anger. Swara's concern and Laksh's anger split Ragini into pieces.

It's been two months since Ragini's truth was unveiled. She had slipped into depression, not talking to anyone and living in her own time and world, hardly coming out of the room. The responsibility stayed with Swara to make sure she was eating on time and took her medicines promptly. Every week, a doctor came to check on her. Today, he told Swara, "She just doesn't want to come out of this. When the patient has no will, no medication or treatment will work."

Swara had raised her voice with desperation "She is my sister, not a patient!" If not for Sanskaar holding on to her shoulders, she would have thrown the doctor out of the house.

She rushed to her room and locked herself in. She took the support of the cupboard but slid down, broken and lifeless. What had things come down to? She wanted to see her parents together. In that pursuit, she had brought Ragini to this condition where people started calling her a patient.

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Sanskaar had followed Swara out of Ragini's room. Yet he was not quick enough to stop Swara from locking herself in. From the crack of the curtains, he watched her break down at the foot of the cupboard. He quickly instructed, "Uttara, ask Badi Maa for the spare key to this room and bring soon." Uttara ran at the word go.

Sanskaar banged the door repeatedly asking Swara to open. She didn't have to go through this alone. Damn, she didn't have to go through this at all!

Uttara rushed back with the key. Sanskaar threw the doors open with a force that they rebounded and shut back.

"Swara! Please don't cry like this. You can't break, Swara!"

"What can I do, Sanskaar?"

Sanskaar took her in his arms. He knew he couldn't win against Swara with words and he didn't want to argue. He wanted to see her stand up and fight. That's what his Swara would do. He would make sure she did.

"Sanskaar, why did I bring such grief in Ragini's life? I am the one to be blamed for her condition today. How did I become so selfish? I wanted her to stay so that Laksh would learn to accept her but things are going out of our control day by day. I can't find anyone but myself to be blamed."

Now Sanskaar was angry. Yes, he was furious at Swara. She was really talking nonsense. Why is she blaming herself when she has been the victim all along? "Swara, get up." He supported her to sit on the couch and passed her water. He had some to control his anger which would otherwise escalate things.

He then kneeled in front of her and took her hands in his. "Swara..." he started. "Stop blaming yourself. You have been a victim, and yet you are supporting Ragini. And you are blaming yourself for her punishment!" The water didn't help. Sanskaar could feel rage throbbing at the base of his throat. "This is ridiculous. She tried to kill you, and you are blaming yourself for her punishment. I would say Ragini brought this upon herself. She deserves it!"