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Chapter 12: Shocking Revelation

Sanskaar was heading inside his house, frustrated at himself. He wasn't really sure where his feelings were taking him, he truly regretted but feared telling Kavita the truth, not knowing why.

He wasn't sure what do to, the only way to earn Swara's forgiveness is to take the '100 things to sacrifice' challenge, he isn't sure why he yearned for her forgiveness.

"Chhore, take me to the temple." Sujata uttered, walking towards him and he blankly stared at her. "Ask someone else." He replied and was about to go when Sujata holds his hand, concernedly.

"What happened?" She asks, looking at his nose. "Nothing." He sighed, jerking her hand away.

"Are you alright?" She questions and he inhales a deep breath, wanting to relax himself. He would never take the anger he has for himself on his mother.

"Which temple do you want to go to?"

"But. . ."

"Mom, I might change my mind, do you want to go or not?" He calmly utters, trying to avoid her question and she made a face.

"Fine, let's go. But once we're back, I want my answers." She sternly warns, worrying about the injury on his nose.

The two head out and Annapurna walks out, taking the tray of food towards her room.

**

Jayant was sat on the floor besides Swara, in the temple as the Pandit starts reading Mantra's. Both Jayant and Swara fold their hands. Shekhar, Nayonika and Sameer were sat opposite the two. Sameer and Swara don't really believe in the whole pooja paat but the reason the two agreed to come here was to talk, they knew talking behind the walls of their home wasn't really a good idea as walls even had ears.

Sameer was playing games on his phone while Shekhar and Nayonika were concentrating.

"This Pooja is for the peace that is missing from Swara and Jayant's life." The Pandit says and everyone nod at him expect Swara and Sameer.

"Pandit Ji. . . If that peace is missing then why are you wasting your time? If Jayant is here then peace is planets away from us." Sameer taunts, looking at Jayant, who tries his best to ignore Sameer.

"Sameer!" Shekhar sternly shouts and Sameer rolls his eyes.

Sameer purposely slides the volume up on his phone, interrupting the pooja while playing games.

"Sameer!" Shekhar shouts again, snatching his phone out of his hand. "Dad, give me my phone back!"

Shekhar slides the phone under his leg and it starts buzzing.

"Dad my girlfriend must be calling, pass the phone." Shekhar creases his eyebrows and slides Sameer's phone out, seeing 'Sweetheart ❣️🔥' flashing as caller ID.

He glances at Sameer with displeasure, disconnecting the phone. "Dad! She's going to kill me now!" Sameer sighed, gritting his teeth while looking at Shekhar.

"Shekhar, you're interrupting the Pooja." Nayonika utters, not at all pleased with Shekhar's childish behaviour with Sameer.

Sameer's phone rings again and Shekhar glances down at it, widening his eyes to see 'Baby ♥️💥' flashing on his phone.

"Who's Baby?" Shekhar questioned, totally ignoring Nayonika's words.

"My half girlfriend." Sameer replies, shocking everyone, including the Pandit.

"How many girls do you have?"

Jayant clears his throat, wanting Shekhar's attention towards the Pooja rather than Sameer's useless words.

"Shekhar." Shekhar sighed, pushing the phone towards Sameer and focusing on the pooja.

"Sorry Pandit Ji." Shekhar apologised and gazed down.

"I need a toilet." Swara lies, looking at everyone.

Sameer's phone starts buzzing again and he answers it, standing up and walking out.

"Go quickly, until then we will start." Shekhar says and Swara nods, standing up and heading out of the temple.

While she headed out, Sujata entered the temple and Sanskaar was waiting down the stairs.

Sujata's eyes fall on Shekhar and Nayonika and her expressions turn bitter as they see her, she royally walked past the two and heads towards the idol.

Shekhar angrily folds his hand, staring at the fire. Wanting to ignore Sujata whole heartedly.

*

Sanskaar who was bored looks around and sees Swara walking down, he was surprised to see her and seeing her secretly go somewhere, he decides to follow.

Swara stops in front of Sameer, who disconnected the call after talking.

"What's the plan?" He asks, wanting to help Swara set herself free from Jayant.

"I had planned to run away after my graduation, but things started to pace up and now I'm clueless, the money I saved up to run away went to the trip I had went to two weeks ago." She sighed, starting to think of another way out.

"How about we create a face of Jayant in front of the media and get him arrested. . ." Sameer trials off and Swara looks at him arching her eyebrows.

"What?"

"Basically, we allege Jayant to misbehave with a girl and get him ruined."

"No, that's wrong. What about the girl that will face humiliation?"

"What else do you have?"

Sanskaar stands at a distance, hiding himself behind the dangling drape.

"We can, ruin his image but in a different way. Like record him abusing an innocent beggar and sending it to the media."

"Are you serious?"

Sanskaar, who came midway hears and assumes Swara to be talking about him.

"Yes, then he will delay the marriage because the clients will try their best to back out." She adds and he, now crunches his eyebrows, trying to figure out what they were talking about.

"And he would have to immediately go to save the deal." Sameer utters, understanding Swara's ploy and smiles at her.

"Don't mind but you don't deserve to be sat in front of God. Your sins are no less than the devil, how can you make the temple so impure with your footsteps?" They hear shoutings from the temple, Sanskaar turns, heading upstairs as he knows that was his mother who was shouting.

"You shut up! How dare you come here and insult me like that! Do you think God will accept your offerings? No because your whole family is sinful!" Shekhar argues back, standing and facing Sujata, who makes faces at him.

"Shekhar, calm down." Nayonika softly whispers but Shekhar was too angry to even listen.

"My family? You should reflect back because we know who did sins Shekhar Bhaisa. That's the reason why your family isn't receiving any blessings." Sujata further insults, gritting her teeth in anger.

"Just shut up Sujata and don't you dare take my name from your filthy mouth." Shekhar roars and Sujata scoffs after making a face.

"I still gave you respect by saying bhaisa but I forgot, you don't deserve it at all! And you should stop saying my name from your sinful mouth!" Sujata answers back and Sanskaar rushes towards her.

"Mom, what happened?" Sanskaar asks and Sujata faces him.

Swara and Sameer walk up, stopping behind Shekhar and Nayonika while facing Sanskaar and Sujata. Swara was surprised to see Sanskaar.

"Oh, so this is your son?" Shekhar questions and both Sujata and Sanskaar look at him. "He is also part of your sinful family."

Sujata clenches her fist, glaring at Shekhar "Don't you jinx my son and badmouth about him! He doesn't need your opinion because we all know how truthful and honest he is! You don't even need to say anything because even god knows how dirty and cheap of a person you are!" Sujata fiercely roars, giving Shekhar her angriest respond.  

Sanskaar felt a guilt as soon as those words left from his mother's mouth and Swara looked at him, shaking her head knowing how he had dropped honesty and truthfulness from his character.

"Enough! How dare you. . . Who gave you the right to judge me? Don't forget your limit, you thief! Have you forgotten from which gutter Ram had picked you up and gave you a new name? Otherwise you would still be known as a bar dancer!" Shekhar insults, digging harsh memories from the past, shocking Swara, Sameer, Sanskaar and Sujata herself.

"Enough!" Sanskaar shouts, clenching his fist as he stared at Shekhar. "Don't forget your limits Mr Shekhar Gadodia and don't you dare talk to my Mom in that tone!" Sanskaar adds, gritting his teeth angrily.

"Now you will teach me in what tone I should speak?"

"Why are you even talking to him Sanskaar?" Sujata utters, holding her breath to hold her tears. "This man doesn't value anyone but himself! And why are you teaching me my limits? Have you forgotten your mistress, this Nayonika was from the same gutter!"

"Enough!" Shekhar shouts but Sujata continues.

"Let me speak and let this world know what type of a cheap person you are! Despite having a wife, who sacrificed a lot for you, you kept a mistress with whom you spent nights with! I pity your daughter Swara, who had to endure a spineless man like you!" Sujata continued disgracing him, hurt with the past he had dug.

"Sujata!" Shekhar yelled, moving forward but Sanskaar stand in front of Sujata, angrily staring at Shekhar while Swara's eyes start to water.

Jayant sighed, tired of seeing their drama and angry that the pooja was left in between.

"Does she know how her mother died?" Sujata questions, grabbing Swara's instant attention.

"Don't open your mouth! Who gave you the right to ruin my family peace?" Nayonika angrily answered Sujata back, trying to change the topic.

"H. . . How?" Swara asks, walking out from behind Nayonika.

"Swara, you really want to listen to this woman's lies?" Nayonika sternly questions, staring at Swara.

Swara was keenly interested in Sujata, who walked out from behind Sanskaar and stood besides him, looking at Swara.

"Why don't you get it! She's trying to ruin our peace and relationship!" Shekhar angrily shouts, looking at Swara who had her eyes on Sujata.

"How did she. . . Die?" Swara asks, inhaling a small breath to control her tears.

Sujata's eyes moisten as she looks at Swara, remembering the tiny 4 year old her.

"Swara, do you remember me. . ." Sujata trials off, walking closer to Swara "Sujata Aunty. . . Sanku ki Mumma. . ." Swara shakes her head negatively, not remembering Sujata at all.

She always knew Maheshwari's were Shekhar's business rivals but never knew there was another connection with them. Sanskaar looked at Sujata, confused with her movement.

"You were. . ." Sujata scoffs, trying to control her tears "This . . . Small. . ." She adds, showing Swara and everyone the height with her hand movement.

"Don't come near my daughter!" Shekhar warns and grabs Swara's hand, dragging her out of the temple. Followed by Sameer, Nayonika and Jayant.

Swara tried freeing her hand, wanting to go back to Sujata to find the answer of 'how' her mother had passed away.

"Mom, how do you know them so personally? And why were you fighting?" Sanskaar asks and Sujata wipes the water that seeped down her eyes.

*

"Please let me go!"

"Enough!" Shekhar shouts, pushing Swara inside the car. "Dad, stop it! She has full rights to know how her mother died!" Sameer says, defending Swara but Shekhar angrily turns to him and slaps him across the face.

"Don't you dare open your mouth in front of me!" He angrily shouts, pushing Sameer to the side.

Nayonika gasps as Shekhar storms towards the driving seat. Sameer angrily storms away.

"Get in the car!" Shekhar angrily shouts and Nayonika nods, sitting besides Swara, who was reflecting on Sujata's words.

**

Sujata walked inside the mansion with Sanskaar walking behind her.

"Mom, please. Why are you not telling me?" Sanskaar asks, pleading as he runs behind her.

Sujata sighs, turning towards Sanskaar. "What do you want to know?"

"Did you know Swara before she was born?"

"Yes! Happy now?" Sujata utters and storms upstairs angrily.

"Mom. . ." He gave up, releasing a sigh.

"What happened?" Annapurna asks while stepping inside the hall.

Sanskaar turns to her, rushing down towards her. "Badimaa. . . Did you know the Gadodia's before?"

His questioned had surprised Annapurna. "Why do you want to know?"

"Today Mom and Shekhar had a fight in the temple and they dug up many memories from the past, hinting a connection from before the rivalry. What is it Badimaa?"

Annapurna sighed helplessly, looking down disappointedly. "You were never meant to find out. . ." She trials off and Sanskaar stared at her, ready to listen.

"Yes, we knew the Gadodia's from before the rivalry. Shekhar and Lakshya's Papa used to be friends. . ." Annapurna reveals, surprising Sanskaar.

After Ram and Sujata's marriage, the society were against them because of Sujata's background but Ram didn't bother as he had loved Sujata and fought against all odds to marry her.

Durga Prasad wasn't willing to accept this relationship but Shekhar, best friend of Durga Prasad managed to convince him, assuring him the change in Sujata. After a lot of convincing and on the insist of Sharmishta, Durga Prasad decided to give Sujata a chance.

Sharmishta, who had lived close by with Shekhar visited the Maheshwari Mansion occasionally and developed a close bond with Annapurna and Sujata. Sujata, who had earlier worked in a dancing bar had seen Shekhar there occasionally but had decided to keep quiet because of the stand he took for Sujata and she was hoping he had changed after his marriage with Sharmishta.

The actual reason Shekhar had taken a stand for Sujata was so she could never slip that out of his mouth and had shown her the good side of his, which Sujata was deceived by.

Few months had passed and Sujata had surprised everyone with her pregnancy, making everyone happy, especially Sharmishta and Annapurna.

The nine months had flown quick and Sujata had never felt alone or scared because of the amount of support she received from her husband, Annapurna and Sharmishta. As Sanskaar was born, he used to spend most of his time with Annapurna and Sharmishta.

Sharmishta had always treated him as her son and as soon as he hit the age of one, Sharmishta and Annapurna found out they were pregnant which shocked Shekhar and pleased Durga Prasad. Sujata was very happy for them, she helped Sharmishta and Annapurna throughout her pregnancy. Shekhar had let Sharmishta stay with Annapurna and Sujata until she gave birth as he went away for 3 years for a business stay in Mumbai.

After 3 years:

"Sharmishta Bhabhisa, if by chance they grow up and start liking each other, can we get them married?" Sujata asks while looking at Swara and Sanskaar playing with each other.

Soon Annapurna brings a 3 year old Lakshya after getting him changed.

"We will see." Sharmishta utters, smiling at Sujata.

"What?" Annapurna asks, joining in with the conversation.

"Nothing." Sujata utters, smiling at Swara, Sanskaar and Lakshya.

"Sanku, Laku! I wanna play hide seek." A small Swara says while blinking at Sanskaar and Lakshya with her cute eyes.

"Let play." Sanskaar replies with a charming smile, standing up.

They start walking and running behind each other.

"I hope they always stay like this." Annapurna prays and the three mothers smiled at their children.

Shekhar, who was meant to be back this year had been missing for a year, which had worried Sharmishta. She was impatient and worried as she had no clue about him.

"Durga Bhaisa, have you found out where he is?" Sharmishta asked as she sees Durga Prasad walk down with his head down.

"I'm sorry." He responded and Sharmishta creased her forehead.

"What do you mean?"

Durga Prasad wasn't able to tell Sharmishta, knowing it would break her heart.

"I want to divorce you." Shekhar utters, shocking Sharmishta, Sujata, Ram and Annapurna. While walking inside the mansion.

"Wha. . . What are you saying?"

"The truth! I had always wanted to get away from you ever since I was forced to marry you, but I couldn't because of the condition my father had put forth before passing away. He forced me to marry you, I didn't marry you by my choice!" Shekhar shouts, shocking Sharmishta.

"The condition was to give a grandchild to this family and your work is done, now I don't need you anymore because I have full authority and access over my property!" He added with a small smirk "Besides, I have always loved someone else."

She walks out from behind him, looking at the family while Sujata was shocked.

"Nayonika. You went for this woman. . ." Sujata gasps and Shekhar rolled his eyes.

"What made you think I would support you? I knew for a fact that if I didn't take a stand for you then you would've told Sharmishta about my lady love and the property would've been out of my hands. Because according to my father's will, the child should take birth from Sharmishta's womb, who is that girl."

"I thought you changed but I was wrong! He used to come to the bar every night and spend time with Nayonika, from which he has a son." Sujata revealed, giving more shock to everyone.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Sujata looked at Sharmishta "I had been deceived, thinking he changed and loves you."

"I don't need you anymore so you can just leave." Shekhar says and turns, tears drop out of Sharmishta's eyes and she rushes towards Shekhar.

"Shekhar, you can't do this. Please say you're lying and playing a prank. Have you thought of Swara?"

Shekhar uninterestedly sighed, turning towards Sharmishta. "I solely and only love Nayonika."

Sharmishta's heart broke and she held his hand "Shekhar, please don't do this. Think about Swara."

"I never thought you will fall this low Shekhar." Durga Prasad sighed in disgust.

"You'll taunt me? What is wrong with you Durga, I'm your friend and. . ."

"I am ashamed of calling you my friend. I really thought you mended your ways but I was wrong! You're not worthy of my friendship."

"Fine, don't be my friend. I don't need your useless friendship anyways!"

Both Shekhar and Durga Prasad glare at each other.

"Shekhar, please. . ." Sharmishta cries.

"I don't care." He angrily says and jerks her away, her foot slips and she looses her balance, hitting her head on the railing and falling down the stairs and into the hall.

Nayonika, Shekhar, Durga Prasad, Annapurna and Ram shockingly look at her.

"Sharmishta!"
"Bhabhisa!"

Both Sujata and Annapurna run towards her and bend down, they try waking her up but it was in vain, Annapurna feels her pulse and shockingly drops her hand, allowing the tears to seep down and Sujata gasps, closing her mouth while tears fall down.

"You killed her." Sujata angrily shouts, staring at Shekhar.

"No I didn't! She fell down and it was an accident." Shekhar answers back, defending himself.

"How can you?"

"Just shut up!" Shekhar shouts, not wanting to hear any further accusations on him.

Swara had walked out and inside the hall with Sanskaar and Lakshya, she sees her mother laying on the floor unconscious and walks towards them.

"Sansku Ki Mumma, what happened to my Mumma?" She innocently asks, blinking at Sujata, who stops her tears.

"Nothing."

"Why is she sleeping on the floor?" She cutely questions and Shekhar looks at her.

Swara turns towards Sharmishta and bends down "Mumma wake up, don't sleep on floor. Cokaroch will cwal in your eas." She blabbers and Sujata holds her hand, pulling her into a hug.

Shekhar realised that was his daughter from Sharmishta and walks towards them, harshly pulling Swara away from Sujata.

"Stay away from my daughter!" He warns and picks Swara up, walking away with her.

Swara starts to cry, being stubborn and pulls her hand out, calling for Sujata.

"Leave her!" Sujata shouts, walking behind them.

"She's my daughter and you can't do anything about it!" Shekhar answers and walks out with Nayonika.

"Mommy, where uncle takin Swala?"  Sanskaar asks while walking towards Sujata.

Sujata wasn't pleased at all by Shekhar taking Swara away and decided to file a case against him, he managed to prove Sharmishta's death as an accident and accused the Maheshwari's of trying to keep his daughter away and abused her in his absence, due to which he had gotten the custody and managed to request a restraining order against the Maheshwari, because of which they were unable to meet Swara.

"Her father is a beast! He never loved Swara and never will, she was just a key for his property who I'm sure he treats like dirt." Annapurna completes the flashback of the truth while adding her opinion and Sanskaar shockingly blinks at her, never expecting the truth to so bitter and heartbreaking.

**

Swara was in her room, walking forth and back thinking about Sujata.

"What did she mean by 'how' my Maa died." Swara whispers to herself, impatiently smacking her hand against her palm.

She knew it was useless to confront Shekhar about it as he wouldn't tell her a thing and would instead shoo her away by alleging her to go against him. Swara doesn't even remember the Maheshwari's, she didn't know they knew each other through another way other than the business rivalry.

Her phone pings and she picks it up, looking at the message she received on messengers from a new contact. She slides it open and sees Sahil's name along with his profile picture.

'Can you please meet me and Sheesh today outside the park?'

She sighed, typing 'NO!' And replying to his message.

'Please, it's something important.' He replied and she replied 'When and where?'

'The park near the old cafe and in an hour?'

'Okay!' After replying okay, she had switched the app of and held her phone, wanting to meet Sanskaar more eagerly to find out the hidden mystery, which she was unaware of.

She receives another message and opens her phone, seeing Sanskaar's message.

'I'm ready to take up the '100 things to sacrifice' challenge.' She read in her mind and stares at the message.

She decides to add him into her contacts to reply to him 'Meet me at the old cafe park, in half an hour.'

She sighs, shutting her phone while staring into space.

**

Half an hour had passed and Swara was impatiently waiting at the park, wanting to find the answer to her question, hoping Sanskaar would know the truth.

She turns around after hearing footsteps and sees Sanskaar walking towards her, not meeting her eyes. She walks towards him and stops in front of him.

"What did your Mum mean at the temple? How did my Maa die?" Swara asks but he doesn't look up. "I'm asking you something, how did. . ."

"I don't know." Sanskaar replies, blankly and she sighed. "Don't lie! I know you must've tried to find the truth out and you must know it by now, tell me." 

"I'm here to take up the challenge." Swara sighed, inhaling a deep breath to calm her eagerness.

"Okay, I accept your entry. Now I want you to sacrifice a lie and tell me the truth about my mother's death." She uttered, saying the first sacrifice of the challenge and starting it.

Sanskaar lifts his gazes, looking at her with glassy eyes filled with regret and guilt.

"She. . . Your father had killed her." He revealed, shocking her. "He. . ." Sanskaar told her the truth Annapurna had told him, exactly the way she did.

Tears slide down Swara's cheeks and she heartbreakingly sighed. "I never thought he would cross the renaming line of cheapness." 

She wanted to cry but never wants to be weak in front of Sanskaar.

"Swara. . ." She showed him her palm, stopping him and walks past him. Just then Sheesh and Sahil walk there, looking at her.

She stops as she sees them. "What?" She asked after swallowing.

"We decided to take the 100 things to sacrifice challenge to earn your forgiveness." Sahil hurriedly tells after sensing her mood.

She clenches her fist, annoyed with them at the time being.

"You three want to take up the challenge don't you? I. . . I want you two to sacrifice your shoes all day tomorrow and clean all the litter in the college! Would you be able to do that!" She lashes out in a cracky tone, wanting to burst into tears any minute now but to avoid the breakdown in front of them, she ran away from there.

Sheesh and Sahil look at Sanskaar, firmly believing he was at fault for this state of hers.

To Be Continued. . .

Up Next - Sheesh and Sahil complete their first sacrifice and Sanskaar ready for his next.

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