"Ma, that time I was expecting you to stop Baba from taking me away from my newly wedded husband. Ma, you knew after a long long struggle, I had finally got the love of my life. It was my and Sanskar's moment, Ma. But because of Laksh's imprudent step and Ragini's grief, her insult without any fault of me and Sanskar, we had to ignore the moment which we wanted to cherish for the rest of our life. It was our marriage day, Ma." Over the last few months Swara had only one job to do in her free time to rewind her life to find her own mistakes.
"Yes, I agree you released me from Baba's swear but" Swara took a step towards her mother. She held Sharmishtha's hand and kept it on her head, "Tell me the truth Ma, your prime aim was to get justice for Ragini. You knew, if I returned to this home, Ragini's chances of finding her happiness with Laksh will increase in multitude." Swara confronted bluntly this time.
Swara's upfront question left Sharmishtha in a staggered state. She could not match her shameful eyes with her daughter's accusing glare.
"Ma, I am tired of this. Please let's not talk about the past. It will be hurtful for both of us." Swara concluded before leaving from her mother's room.
It was Friday, as per their routine, Sanskar took initiative to reserve a table for two of them at a renowned Thai restaurant in spite it was Swara's turn for this week.
"I am sorry, it just slipped out of my head." Swara was remorseful about forgetting about their Friday routine.
"Why sorry? Anyway, last Friday, I cancelled it so of course this Friday it was my turn." He parked the car in the hotel's underground parking area.
Both ordered their food and were waiting when Sanskar observed his wife's gloominess. From last week, she was lost. He knew the episode that happened in their home post board meeting was still impacting her severely on emotional grounds. But still he was patient, he needed her to broach the topic.
"This morning, I went to Ma's room with Aayush's essentials." She spoke with a rotating spoon in the soup bowl. She narrated events while keeping her eyes down.
He stayed silent but his other hand reached to her free one in support. She raised her eyes to match with his assured ones.
"At first, I felt bad at their words but then I realised, Baba was always vocal about his choices and preferences. It was always Ragini for him. It was me who was pushing myself on him. And Ma, I understand her dependency over Baba. She had once burnt her hands by supporting me over Ragini while almost ruining her marriage with Baba. With Aayush in picture now.... for sure she doesn't want to upset Baba." Swara shook her head with a humorous chuckle. It was for the first time she was talking about someone else over their Friday's dinner outs.
"Over these days, I have accepted this truth of my life... And when I had accepted, I really felt calm because now I don't have any expectations from both of them or their family." Swara spoke honestly. 
For a moment Sanskar felt she would cry but her eyes were indifferent, they were calm and he could feel peace on her face.
"I always craved for a family, and when I got it I wanted to hold it no matter what. But maybe now I understood a few things, first is you cannot withhold any relation forcefully and.... And ... family doesn't mean a bunch of people staying under one roof. It's the bonding, trust, and care for each other no matter if there are 20 people in your family or even one person. It's still a family. And you are my family." She held his palm in hers staring in her dark brown orbs.
"If you are with me, I don't need anyone else."  She put her other palm on his.
"I love you Swara. And I will always love you." he confessed, he couldn't find any other word to express his enthralling heart. "Just one thing, don't stress yourself too much. Go with the flow.  And keep one thing in your mind... Whatever.... Whatever happens in our life, you are my home. Any situation, any misunderstanding, any fight, any insecurity cannot stop me from reaching and holding you in my arms. Our love has surpassed these hurdles long back. No matter what, we both will find our ways to each other."