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"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 41. Amidst the Chaos

"Ah! That was amazing. Thank you for the food Ragu."

"You're welcome Mani bhai." Ragini acknowledged.

Mani didn't reveal the truth about Manisha to them. However, she didn't push it. He would tell them once he was ready. So, she left the topic and decided to serve food to him as well.

"All done? Now get out." Sanskar bit out. He had thought that he would spend some quality time with Ragini in his cabin. 'But no! This oaf of a big brother figure had to come and ruin our time by being the third wheel. Ugh!'

"Hahaha...! Don't get your nerves worked up. I was about to leave anyway." Mani got up from his seat and straightened his clothes. "Bye Ragu! Bye sourpuss!"

"You come back here one more time and I'll show you what this sourpuss can do!" Sanskar shouted after him as he left.

Ragini giggled listening to their exchange. "You both are so childish. Sometimes I wonder if you two are over twenty, or over two in age."

"It's not my fault he is so damn irritating."

Ragini chuckled as she began to collect the things. "You should go back to your paperwork. I'll take the tiffin and all. It's about time I left for home."

Sanskar nodded and got up to retrieve some tissues for both himself and Ragini to clean their hands. As he walked by his table, an envelope fell down from the small gust of wind that blew by. "Oops. Pick that up for me, will you Ragini?"

"Sure." Ragini bent to reach it. Once she had it in her hand, she looked at it quizzically. "What's this? You're taking a bank loan?"

"Yep." He handed her the tissue and started help her pack up the things.

Ragini cleaned her hands and opened the envelope. She gasped as she saw the amount. "Sanskar!? Don't you think this is a big amount to take as a loan? Will you be able to retrieve it on time with the conditions we are in?"

"I know what you're implying. And I also know that this isn't a random decision of mine." Sanskar straightened up and smiled a broad smile at her. "Remember the new project that Raj Uncle has handed me in charge of?"

She nodded. "The one you're collaborating on with your father."

Sanskar's smile turned into a frown on being reminded of it. "Yeah, that one." he spoke in disdain. "Nevertheless, the point is that this project is bound to bring me an extra profit. Not to mention if I can tactfully device it, I would have a good rapport to show. Once it's done, I can get sponsers."

"I still don't understand what it has to do with this application of you asking for a loan."

Sanskar held her by the shoulders. "Ragini, look at the bigger picture! Once I get sponsers, I'll send this letter. With the loan and the sponsers, I'll be able to establish my own company! We won't have to worry about money any longer!" Sanskar's eyes gleamed with a unmatched excitement. "Just imagine! I would be the owner of a big company. And you? You will be the wife of this big business tycoon. I would be able to get you all the luxuries that you've been denied till now."

She smiled, but with caution. "Sans-"

"Jewelleries, diamonds, expensive dresses and what not! You deserve it all Ragini! I want to keep you as a queen. Once my plan succeeds, I'll be able to make you so happy th-"

"I am happy Sanskar." she interrupted in a soft voice. "I don't want money, luxuries or any diamonds. All I want is a safe home with you by my side. My family and friends close to me, safe and happy. That is the most precious thing to me."

"I know, I know." he cupped her face in his hands. "But let's be practical. Simply these untangible feelings of love, honesty and compassion aren't enough. Be practical. Soon, we will be starting a family of our own. These things won't feed them. We need money." he spoke with determination. "I want them to get all the comfort money could buy. I don't want them to live a life filled with struggles. And I'll see to it that it never happens."

An unknown feeling crawled into her heart at the look he had in his eyes. For some reason, she didn't have a good feeling about it.

"Hello there you two!"

"Um...hello." Ragini replied with uncertainty. On one hand, Mani seemed to hate his sister and wanted them to stay away from her. But on the other hand, Manisha had saved Ragini. Not to mention that Ragini didn't seem to find anything wrong with her.

Sanskar was a different case however. He disliked the girl from the time he saw her. Mani's warnings only confirmed his suspicions about something being fishy about her. He narrowed his eyes at her. "And what business might you have in my cabin? In fact, how did you get into the office without the security stopping you?"

Manisha shrugged. "It's my father's office. My name is enough for them to allow me in." she noticed the letter in Ragini's hands and peeked into it. "A loan, eh? Opening up a new business or something?"

"None of your business."

"Sanskar, be nice." Ragini chided.

"How dare you come here!?" came Mani's voice from the door. the security guard had told him his sister was visiting, thinking it would make him happy. Only if he knew how much Mani hated her. "Get your feet off my father's office!"

"He is my father too!"

"Really now? Now, you remember that he is your father?" Mani asked with spite.

"I always did brother. Don't be mean. It was only you and our parents that never understood me."

"Are you serious?" Mani asked in a bitter tone. One could make out that he was losing his temper each second.

"Yes. You should have helped me in achieving my dreams instead of going against it. I loved my family. It can't be helped if you all were too much of simpletons."

"Loved? LOVED?!" Mani let out a humourless laugh. "Where was this consciousness of yours when you took all the money father owned and left for the US? Where was your filial love when you didn't think about us and left to make a future of your own in a distant land? Where was your love for your family when you made us sell our house and live in a rented house just so that we could restart a business? WHERE HUH!?"

Ragini put her hand over her mouth to cover her gasp, while Sanskar now had no doubts left in his mind that his thoughts about Manisha were right.

"Its not my fault! You all were the ones who wanted to curb my dreams! I wanted money. I wanted to be rich! I wanted to be bloody rich!"

"Your pettiness and greed are disgusting." Mani sneered back. "Get out of here. Don't ever dare to step into this office, ever again!"

"Also, don't come to Ragini or me again." Sanskar warned. "You saved her, I'm thankful for it. But that is where we separate paths."

Manisha looked at him in distress. Her plan was going haywire. "Unbelieveable! I saved your girlfriend and you dare be ungrateful?!"

"If I remember correctly, Ragini never meant to appear in front of your car. There was something wrong with your car. Yeah, you prevented the clash. But Ragini took you home, tended to your wounds, let you rest in her home and also served you food." Sanskar pointed out. "That enough of a compensation."

"Couldn't have said it better myself Sanky." Mani added. "Now, leave before you need to be insulted further dear sister of mine."

Manisha looked like she wanted to shout some cusses at them. However, she calmed herself. "This isn't over!" she glared at them one last time and stormed out of there.

"I'll make sure she doesn't cause a scene." Mani addressed and left after her, leaving Sanskar and Ragini to state at him go.

"She...she seemed like a nice person."

"You're too kind for your own good Ragini."

Ragini looked at him in sorrow. "She was so sweet. I wish she didn't do all the things Mani bhai accused her of. She would have been a good friend."

Sanskar sighed. "This world is a jungle where everyone is struggling for their own survival. Even the innocent ones maybe turned to take such steps. It can't be helped. Everyone is a victim in their own stories, while they might be the villain from other's views." he reasoned. "Not to mention money can be tempting."

Ragini looked at him with worried eyes. She was glad that he seemed to be understanding. But too understanding for her liking. Although he disliked Manisha, he seemed too accepting of the course of action. He disliked it, but didn't seem to feel it was wrong to pursue one's ambitions.

"Something wrong Ragini?" he stepped closer to her and connected their foreheads together. "Finally, we're both alone. Together."

Ragini, however, moved back. "I...I think I'll be going home now."

"Eh? What's the matter? Is it because of what happened? Let's forget that Manisha and concentrate on us." he smiled at her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "No?"

Ragini couldn't bring herself to her cheerful mood with the thoughts occupying her mind.

She loved Sanskar. She really did. But now that she was starting to be more observing of his behavior, she could notice a change in him.

"I need to finish my chores at home. I'll wait for you, alright?"

Before he could question her, she gave him one last hug and left.

'What could have happened to her?' he wondered. Nevertheless, he shrugged without a care. 'Must be some female thing. You can't understand women I tell you. Anyways, I've got a sponsor to catch!'

#Maheshwari Mansion#

Sound of glasses breaking could be heard from the kitchen, making Uttara and Adarsh rush in.

"What is this?! Parineeta bhabi, you dare break these precious glasses. It was a solveneir damn it!" Uttara shouted as she looked at the broken pieces.

"Then it's a good thing they broke!" Parineeta shouted back.

"How dare you?!" Uttara heard Adarsh laugh at her, making her more angry. "It's a good thing Lucky bhai isn't here. Or else he would have taught you two a lesson!"

"Whatever. Whine as you want. You're worthless!" Adarsh sneered.

"Why yo-"

"Hi Uttara!" Swara came into the kitchen with a smile. "I've been looking all over for you!"

"Oh? Why so?"

"Do you have any dresses that you could lend me for a party tonight? I'm afraid I don't have any fancy dresses."

"Oh. Sure! Why not!? Come on." Uttara smiled and left the kitchen, expecting Swara to follow.

Swara turned to look at the pair. "You two. I've made the excuse to be in her room. Don't forget the plan. After so-"

"After sometime, we are to make a ruckus of some sort and make sure she hears it. She will come down and argue with us. Then, it's our job to keep her occupied to buy you time, right?" Parineeta narrated the plan. "We know. You don't need to repeat."

"Good. Make sure you don't mess up!" saying so, she left the place.

"I can't believe we're letting this kid boss us around."

"Calm down Parineeta. Think of the greater good." Adarsh reasoned. "We'll be the owners of Maheshwari Mansion and everything once such was father's. I'll be the emperor of this place, and you the queen!"

Parineeta grinned at the prospect. "Then let's get this over with!"

#Uttara's room#

"So? Did they buy it?"

Swara chuckled. "Yep. Absolutely! They fell right into my trap. Th-" she stopped when she heard footsteps.

Suddenly, both feared Adarsh or Parineeta hearing them. However, their fears were unnecessary as it was only Laksh.

"Managed to sneak in back home without them noticing." he warned. "How's the plan going on? Did you convince them that you were on their side?"

"I'm offended that you doubted me." Swara answered with a smirk.

She and Laksh had started to get along quite often recently. They were able to bring back the friendship they once shared.

"They would start some drama for you any minute now. Get ready to act like a bitch Uttara."

"Haha...! Okay Swara." Uttara cleared her throat. "Heh, I'm the half-owner of this house. They should bow to me. Mwhaha...!"

Laksh chuckled at her antics. "Alright. First part of the plan is done. Now, to move on to the second." he looked distressed. "This one is gonna be tough...especially, since it involves Maa and Baba. They despise me!"

Swara came and laid a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. You've changed. Look at me. I despised you. But now, I don't. I know you've changed."

Laksh looked at her with hope. "Are you sure they will forgive me? Will they give me another chance to be a good son?"

Swara and Uttara smiled at him. "Definitely!"

#Dobrial Mansion#

The door creaked as Mani entered the house. His mother looked up from the magazine she was reading.

"Hey Mani! Come here. I've made dosa today. Come and have it while it's hot!"

Mani nodded and passed her silently, heading towards the dining area.

Shikha looked confused at his behavior. He wasn't one who was often silent. He was obnoxious! "Is something wrong Mani?"

"Mother..." Mani contemplated whether to tell her or not. "Mother, I have a suspicion about Manisha."

"What did she do? That child!" Shikha shouted in anger. "Did she do something to you?"

"No. But...but it's strange how she seems to be trying to be near Ragini and Sanskar."

Shikha's face changed into a thoughtful one. "You noticed it too?"

"Too? You mean you think so as well?"

She nodded. "Yes. It seemed quite suspicious to me that she happened to end up running into Ragini just after she saw us in the vegetable market. And you know, the picture that I had taken of Ragini and Sanskar? Where she was in the background accidentally?"

Mani nodded. "What about it?"

"There too she seemed to be spying on them."

"She also seems to be looking for opportunities to meet them. More importantly, Sanskar for that matter. And I've noticed the way she looks at Sanskar." he gritted out.

"What should we do Mani? I fear she is trying to steal Sanskar from Ragini. You and I both know to what extent she could go to have what she wants. What do we do Mani?"

Mani looked up with determination. "We've no choice but to make sure she can't get between them forever. We need a permanent solution."

"And what's that?"

"It would be best if we officially got Sanskar and Ragini engaged. Let's hold their engagement with the grandness of a banquet!"

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~ 🌹 Mona 🌹