Chapter - 21

                                        

                                              
"Shekhar, can you please bring things listed on this note. These are essentials for Aayush?" Sharmishtha asked, passing the note to her husband who was all ready to go to his shop. 
"Hmm" Shekhar took the note without any further word. He was on no talking terms with his wife, due to her failure in convincing her daughter.
He turned to the door when he saw Swara at the doorstep of their room. Both scrunched their eyebrows seeing their elder daughter's unexpected entry. It was after 4 days, they were face to face.
"Ma, these are Aayush's monthly supplies. They delivered it just now." Swara had ordered requisits as usual a few days back. She stepped inside their room to keep a few delivery packages.
"There is no need for this kindness. Take it back, your charity is not needed here." Shekhar snapped venomously.
"Baba, this is not charity, it is a responsibility which I have been fulfilling since the first day and will continue to do so in future also." Swara replied calmly. 
"Where did this responsible nature of yours had gone when your own mother and father needed you?" Shekhar repulsed and continued with his confrontation, "I had asked for one thing from you for the first time but you couldn't even do that for your own parents." 
"Really Baba? Is this really the ONLY thing you've ever asked me?" Swara cross questioned with thunderstorm eyes. She did not speak a single word but her eyes reminded Shekhar about his past. 
'Please Swara, please ask Sanskar and Durga Prasad ji not to file a police complaint against Ragini. Her life will be ruined. Can't you do this for your father?' This was after Ragini's truth came out post her marriage with Laksh.
'Swara you are Ragini's sister. How can you not support her when she is broken? Can't I ask my elder daughter to support her sister when she is heartbroken. You are not going to keep any ties with Maheshwaris. That's final. Forget about your wedding with their other son. ' This was when Laksh betrayed Ragini and married Kavya.
'Swara, why can't you understand Ragini? She was helping me and your Ma by faking her preganancy. You should be the one to stand in her defence in front of your family. Being her sister at least I can expect this from you.' This was after the unfolding of Ragini's fake pregnancy drama.
And the list was long.
"Ma, please check if everything required is delivered or not. If not, please let me know. I will get it." Saying Swara turned and without giving any chance to her mother or sparing even a glance at her flummoxed father, she turned her back to her mother.
"Shona wait" Sharmishtha asked with hope.
Swara halted in her tracks but Shekhar left the room leaving mother and daughter alone.
"Do you really think I used you for my own selfish motives?" Sharmishtha asked the question which was haunting her for the last 4 days after Swara's outburst. "Why will I do that Swara? You pointed at me in front of everyone. I always took a stand for you, Swara. I am your mother for god sake."
"Yes Ma, I owe my life to you as you gave me birth, you gave me upbringing, you gave me education, livelihood but Ma what about supporting, taking a stand for me when I needed you the most? Ma you took a stand for me only once. Only once when Ragini married Laksh, while almost killing me. That was the only time when you chose me over Ragini." Swara spoke her heart out, she was gulping hard controlling her tears.
"Did you forget I was the one who released you from Shekhar's swear about not entering this house post your marriage with Sanskar?" Sharmishtha criticised feeling humiliated. Tears were flowing over her cheeks as well looking at the distance build up between her and her daughter.