Here in India, Swara returned to Maheshwari House but her mind was wandering around Badi. She herself could not understand why her mind and heart felt dejected when her mother was concerned about her necessities? Why did her heart cry over her mother's ignorance to her miseries? 
Till today, she had kept everyone's happiness ahead of her needs but today for the first time her heart was repenting for it. 
'Did everyone come to me for their selfish motives only?' Thought crossed her mind, jerking her from her dreamland.
Entire evening Swara kept herself busy in kitchen work but she was working as a robot, her mind and heart were fighting their own battle over her past actions. 
Sujata observed her daughter in law engrossed in her thoughts but did not interrupt. Over the last half year, she had developed antipathy for Swara for her actions. She limited her interactions with Swara. Even when her daughter in law approached her for any discussion, her replies were limited to monosyllables. 
Everytime Swara felt hurt with Sujata's reserved approach but she did not give up and tried every day to get back herself in the good books of her mother in law.
It was night time, when her phone beeped with message notification. 
"Leaving for the airport, I will be back by tomorrow late evening.' Simple message from Sanskar brought a bright smile to her face. 
'I am waiting for your return.' she replied back instantly.
'See you tomorrow then.' she could feel his warmth in his words.
'Have a safe journey. Come soon and take care.' 
'You too.' 
Swara thanked the almighty in mind. She ran outside to inform about his arrival.
"Mom" she entered inside her in-laws room.
Sujata was in bed ready to call off her day whereas Ram was reading some book.
"Sanskar messaged just now, he is returning back tomorrow night." Sujata could feel happiness radiating from her daughter in law's face.
"Hmm" 
Swara had thought on the pretext of Sanskar's arrival news she might have a chance for brief discussion with her mother in law.
"I am thinking of cooking his favourite food for tomorrow." Swara extended her conversation.
"Do whatever you want." Sujata replied but Swara could sense her annoyance.
"What happened Mom? It's been almost more than a month since we talked to each other." 
"Correction Swara, it's been more than 7 months we talked to each other." Sujata gave a reality check. 
"Sujata" Ram tried to intervene.
"Mom, can we move on from our past and start fresh." tears started welling up in Swara's eyes.
"Fresh... new start? Till the next time you will leave my son." Sujata asked helplessly. But her words stabbed Swara with a hundred needles.
"Mom, I am sorry."
"Your 'sorry' cannot bring my son back to me. Didn't you observe how much he has changed? Your on-off way to handle your marriage is causing me my son. I cannot see him in pain, but the hard part is my son can't breathe without you. So, I don't have any option other than to bear you around him." Tears were rolling over Sujata's cheeks.
"I am sorry Mom." Swara ran out of the room.
"Sujata, how can you say this?" Ram dropped his shoulders looking at his wife.