Kaleidoscope of memoirs: Meet the parents

Have you ever been to Super Bowl ceremony? Or a world cup final match? If yes, then you would have imagined the bouts of roars, cheers and wacky beats, and how they were ruling over Sanskar's poor shackled heart. After all he was about to step into his Shona's bedroom, the angel's cove.

The road to her room was not so smooth, not any less tough than some adventurous treasure hunt.

Round one: tackle the guards.

Round two: convince the housemaid Nilu that he was not some psycho loitering after their precious "Baby ji".

Round finale: meet Sharmila Singhania, Swara's inquisitive mom and face the enquiry commission for long fifteen minutes. Indian parents and their neverending string of questions!

"Naya dost? Naam kya hai tumhara?" Sharmila Singhania was surveying the fine young man before standing before her eyes; impatience clearly etched over his face. "You're not her year mate, are you?"

"No Aunty, I'm her senior." Sanskar looked flustered. Uff, parents and their enquiry commission! "I am Sunny, 4th year, civil engineering."

"Oh, then you met her through Lucky, right? He is in the same department." Sharmila's face had a genuine smile, all suspicion were gone. Like every secret Swara and Laksh used to share their friends and foes as well. This new guy might be latest addition to their friend circle.

Sanskar smiled inwardly. Yes, she was so right. He found his wild cat through Laksh, but not as a friend of him! Heck, Sanskar didn't even know Laksh was in the same department as him.
It was funny indeed. Sanskar owed his own lucky stars and Lucky for summoning that stubborn angel, the love of his life.

Yes, finally Sanskar Maheshwari had fallen in love with Swara Singhania.

Only her thoughts ruled his unruly mind, when he was standing in front her mother! "Or my prospective mom-in-law!" his heart did a happy dance as that idea hit him.

Sharmila was about to accompany him to Swara's room but Sanskar always had better ideas and better strategy.

Just he had to tell he was starving and squeal in excitement how much he had heard about the magic created by her inside the kitchen.

Sharmila was overjoyed like every other woman. No one had ever appreciated about her culinary skills this much, not even Rishabh, the man who was a sorry excuse for a husband.

Swara, on the other hand was tired of staying on the same place,on the queen size bed of her bedroom painted in pale pink and purple. She longingly glanced at the full length window of her room which was hidden behind the heavy matching drapes. She dragged herself out of the bed, by placing her hand on the bed side table. However her head protested vehemently, she swooned, the rug under her sprained leg got misplaced. She was about to hit herself harder this time; she hissed in pain, shut her eyes really tight and yelped in fear.

"Careful!"

Swara found herself caged inside two warm,caring, almost known arms. Those arms who once held her for supposed protection of himself during their scooty ride, now they, in turn were protecting her.

And Sanskar had intention of doing this forever.

He experienced these earth shattering moments twice, once when he thought she was no more and at present, when she was about to get hurt in a severe way, that too in front his eyes.

First time he could realise she had become the one for him, he couldn't do without her.

And now, he know he couldn't afford to let her go, or let her break down anyway.

======================

"Am I dreaming? God, how can I imagine him?" Swara felt herself sounding like a dumbo, much to her terror. After opening her eyes, all she could see was those passionate chocolate brown eyes. Those eyes hadn't the hint of amusement or playfulness anymore.

They showed care, they radiated warmth, they had fear. Those eyes were chameleons. They shifted between anger and compassion; something else she had never seen before. Her little amateur heart went back to its childhood days. It was jumping like a preschooler in the kids zone of a shopping mall.

Sanskar didn't smirk, this time he had ear to ear smile. "I do visit many dreamworlds, sweetheart. But your imagination was so strong, I was compelled to come with my actual body."

"S-S-" she stammered when her brain grasped he was real. Those arms around her waist were real, the minty breath that tickled her nostrils was not creation of her delirious mind.

Damn, how could she forget she had mind? Now that she remembered of having one at last, she jerked her elbows all on a sudden. Her weak body did vain attempts to be free, but all it resulted was disaster.

For now Sanskar lost his balance too, he slipped and hit the ground landing on his back. By luck or his determination he didn't loosen his hold on Swara, and her body found her place on his. His one hand grabbed her head on the nick of time, pressing it lightly on the side of his neck, over his shoulder.

They were perfectly entwined to each other, like a lock and its key. She was the only key to open his heart, and he was certain he would never find a duplicate. Not that he would ever ask for.

"Kya kar rahe ho, Sanskar? Chhodo mujhe, koi aa jayega." Swara's shivering voice came as a whisper, as her lips moved against his neck. An jolt of electrifying sensation passed through every fibre of her nerves, from root to ending. She didn't dare to think if she could handle this anymore.

Contrary to his flirty nature, never in his life Sanskar had experienced something so intimate. Never had a pair of soft pink petals had touched his skin. For a second he had been numb. Then his heart, soul and every cell caught on fire.

No, he was still not ready for this adventure. One moment more and his inexperienced hormones would go berserk if those lips keep kissing his skin.

"Ahem, ahem." Someone cleared his throat from the door, "Hum aa bhi gaya aur dekh bhi liya. Have some shame big Bro. Openly romancing under the nose of her mom... Do you want to get kicked out of this house on the very first day?"

Meghna helped Swara to get up and winked, "Haww Lucky, why would Aunty do that? Haven't you seen, she is going crazy in the kitchen for his grand welcome? After all, he is the would be son-in... Ouch! Swara ki bacchi!" She yelled in pain resulting from the twisting pinch Swara had given on her arm.

"Who is troubling my princess here?" a middle aged man in his formals entered the room, his face had lines of tiredness he got from work.

Swara's mortified expressions changed into cute pout. "Papa dekho na! Meghu and Lucky are troubling your unwell princess. How mean!"

Rishabh glared at the accused showing his disdain, who made faces seeing his blatant partiality. He, however concentrated on the new boy, Sanskar. "Did you trouble her too? I tell-"

Sanskar cut him immediately, shaking his head. He was too polite in his words, telling he even didn't wish to. He was sane enough to know the rule number two of getting the girl he loved.

Do not piss off the dad.

Rule number one? Be a hutch dog for the girl, woo her till she gives in and make sure you stick around forever.

"Good. New friend, Right? By the way, who are you exactly, young man?" Rishabh was trying to gauge Sanskar from head to toe, the way he always did whenever any male species came near his baby girl for the first time.

Friend? Every other pair of brows went up to various degrees. Every lip had different expressions from twisting to teasing grin.

"The name is Sunny, uncle." he let Rishabh know the other details. In the meantime Sharmila entered followed by Nilu with a food trolley.

Swara's eyes glinted in hope looking at her favourite chow mein among several dishes and drinks. Finally her mom got something edible instead of killing her with soup and porridge.

How wrong was she. Her tyrant mom handed her a bowl of horrible looking liquid as usual, while everyone got to taste tasty delicacies made by her mom. How she wished they had to bear one of her so called fusion dishes!

"Wow Aunty, you must like Sunny Bro more than us! See uncle, no vermicelli payasam or butter paneer pizza." Laksh dipped the mushroom cutlet in chilli sauce and licked some of it.

Rishabh seconded him as he took a bite from dhokla, "How can you forget that deadly combo: spaghetti pulao with malai kofta? Main toh khush hoon ki aj woh sab khana nehi padega. Sunny beta, my door is open for you. We need your menu luck badly." And there, he received a whack from his angry wife. "Not done. At least spare me in front of the kids, Mili!"

"Aunty, leave him na! He is just teasing you. But I'm tempted by his suggestions If I get sumptuous treat like this, I'm more than ready to come here. Mind blowing!"

Sharmila ruffled his hair and smiled. "See? Kuch seekho iss se. Learn to give compliments once in a while." Saying this she went out of the room.

As soon as she left Sanskar jumped with a bowl of chow mein. " Shona, quick! Finish this before she comes back."

"How do you know I love it?" Swara was puzzled as well as the remaining people of the room. Rishabh recalled how he too gave her gifts or treats behind Sharmila's back. A smile crept on his lips.

"The way you were looking at it, anyone could guess it. Come on, open your mouth." Swara like an obedient kid did so as he told her.

"Sunny beta. The way you are taking care of her, I think I can ask a favour from you. A year mate of yours named Sanskar has been troubling Shona a lot. She told us, that guy is a big bully, idiot and... and... What else did she say Lucky?"

"A pathetic flirt." Laksh added cheekily.

"Yes, yes. That. Tell him on my behalf next time if he dare to come within 100 feet radius of my princess, I'll just shoot him." Rishabh sounded really menacing at the end.

Sanskar gulped. Damn. Already his image had been destroyed by his wild cat. "Look at that little evil pixie. Laugh all you can Shona! Your Hitler dad may come with his battalion, but... Akhir tum toh meri hi hogi." His murmured under his breath.

"You'll pass this message. Right, Sunny?" Swara's voice was so sweet, as if coated with honey, as if she were as innocent as a lamb. She grabbed a glass of juice and sipped.

"Haan haan, kyun nahi? Uncle if you say, I'll follow her like a shadow until she comes home. Of course to protect her from... Sanskar." He took his glass, touched it near his lips and winked. Challenge accepted, Miss Feisty Singhania.

"Papa, by the way, that Sanskar sent me a friend request on Facebook. Do you want to see him? You know, you can threat him personally, if you come face to face by any chance?" This time Swara had a triumphant smirk. Checkmate, Mr Arrogant Maheshwari.

And Sanskar started coughing badly. First, Swara's bouncer had caught him off guard. And secondly, that seemingly delicious glass of juice he took a sip from was not innocent at all.

Which sane person serves bitter gourd juice as refreshment?

"Umm. Aam panna. Mujhe toh laga, aaj bhi karele ka juice hi milega." And Swara's remarks made him realise his luck was running out.

"Uncle, I'm leaving." He got up abruptly.

"Haan beta, jarur. But remember what I told you, okay?" Rishabh seemed really serious.

Mr Handsome hunk of the college was almost running, His fastened pace turned slower as his ears caught her voice, "Waise Papa, yeh jo Sanskar haina... woh utna bhi bura nehi hai. I don't think you need to shoot him. Even if anyone troubles me, my all old and new friends are there. They will protect me, hain na Sunny?"

"Anytime." This time Sanskar's face was beaming with his thousand watt smile.

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Adarsh Maheshwari, the eldest of the Maheshwari siblings had a gloating smile on his lips. After a long week he had managed to claim his right on the TV remote placed in the living room.There were more two more TV sets in home, but grabbing seat before 85 inch Sony 4K ultra HD TV set, the latest addition of Maheshwari household had turned into a prestige issue between two warring teams, Adarsh-Uttara versus Parineeta-Sanskar. Ah, the pleasure of seeing of that sour puss look on Parineeta' s face... Savage! But where was that sly younger brother of his? Adarsh would love to savour the grumpy look on his face tonight.

"What Sunny! You got late and see, your brother has the remote now. Tonight there's Singing superstar semifinal. Aab kya hoga?" Parineeta had complaints on her dependable soldier. It was obvious she had not taken their defeat in stride.

Ah, there he was. But... Where was that sore face? He waved his hand as if he were swatting some flies away, and he was still grinning!

" Chill Bhabi, doosra TV hain na? We'll watch it there. Let your hubby win sometimes, otherwise what's the fun?" Saying this he went dancing up the stairs on the way to his room, whistling merrily,but not before twirling shocked Parineeta once before equally shocked Adarsh's eyes.

Sanskar had been in the on his toes. He floated around, his feet once it a while forget to touch the ground several instances, instead the they coveted to fly. Uttara was seen sprinting out her room, perhaps being unaware of their victory yet, only to be pinched on her chin. She got ready for verbal combat, but her words died the moment her brother had dragged her into dance while mouthing lyrics of a song, a song of first love.

Udtaa hi phiroon in hawaaon mein kahin
Ya main jhool jaaoon in ghataaon mein kahin
Ek kar doon aasmaan aur zameen
Kaho yaaron kya karoon, kya nahin

"Hey Sunny Bunny, have you gone crazy?" She freed her hand from his hold. Her head was spinning already! Yet she couldn't stop but smile finding him swaying as he pretended to play an imaginary piano. She had to admit, her brother was a terrific singer. But today his vocal chord was in somersaults, all left through his lips was music spreading such exuberant euphoria that she hadn't noticed in him before.

Pehla nasha, pehla khumaar
Naya pyaar hai, naya intezaar
Kar loon main kya apna haal
Ae dil-e-beqaraar
Mere dil-e-beqaraar, tu hi bata
Pehla nasha, pehla khumaar

Yes, all of a sudden his universe seemed new to him. The shades of his home appeared way more colourful, his near ones felt more dear to him. Usual roads of Mumbai, known promenades of Bandra amazed him. Rays of moon were more silvery, more stars sparkled in the night sky. That palatial mansion of Juhu was suddenly considered as a piece of heaven, where his angel lived.

Sanskar was so immersed into her thoughts that he didn't notice where he had landed with his non existing musical instrument. His daydreams fled temporarily, as his feet saved him from dashing into a middle aged man in white kurta, who shot a glance towards with his curious eyes.

"Err... Dad?" Sanskar hoped the floor would be kind enough to divide and engulf him from Shashwat Maheshwari's monstrous eyes. His brows were up, almost reaching his forehead, arms crossed and a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"What's up, young man?"

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"Really, that was Sanskar? Singing hero Sanskar? First crush at first sight wala Sanskar? No wonder he escaped that way when I mentioned that shooting part." Rishabh had been laughing since Lucky disclosed Sunny and Sanskar was the same person. "But the boy has guts, I must say. He dared to enter the lion's cave to pursue my princess and flatter my queen."

"Papa, will you stop embarrassing me? I tell you everything, but that doesn't mean you have to throw them on my face." Swara's cheeks turned into colour of sunset at the mention of Sunny. At times she regretted for having a friend in her dad, who was no less than Lucky or Meghu in teasing her.

Rishabh shifted himself a bit. " Why? If you ask me, I agree with Lucky. Banda handsome hai, intelligent hai. Not to forget that dialogue. 'I will follow her like shadow.' Perfect husband material."

Looking at Swara's infuriated face he stopped. Today's dose had been more than enough. Last thing he wished to face was the wrath of his little princess.

But Sanskar Maheshwari had managed to intrigue Rishabh Singhania. The care the boy had for Swara was genuine, the observant eyes of a father didn't fail to notice that. Crush or infatuation, whatever excuse he had for his tender demeanour around her was not enough.

His emotion was too evident, too overpowering, something that could be rarely seen these days, even in a man who had confessed his love already, who was all prepared to take seven vows. That moment itself Rishabh Singhania decided.

If someday someone man up to own his feelings, openly declare his love in front of him and the world, and if his eyes show almost similar emotions like that of Sanskar, he would give her hand immediately to that man as a contented father.

The princess will be his, of that prince who can face the world, without any shield.

The present : Face the world

"There's a good news for you, Mr Maheshwari." Dr Aiyyar had a pleasant smile on his face. "Miss Singhania' s body didn't reject the graft. So our first step for had been successful. We have still a long way to go, but you can consider this as our initial victory."

Sanskar had a sigh of relief. So that meant Swara would be released within a day or two, as per plan. She would still have to visit the hospital on a regular basis, so that doctors could monitor the progress of healing, prevent and treat the inflammation or any bad scar.

He was dying to hear her voice, caress her face, show her how happy he was today. He wanted to cup her face with his palms... He wished to pause catch her eyes with his... He desired to drink those silly tears on her cheeks... He craved to renew his promise once again, sealing it by taking her lips into his...

He was dreaming again and he was certain he would teach his Shona to do the same. And very soon they would weave those dreams on their reality.

This good news shouldn't be shared with empty hands. She deserved some sweet surprise.

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The door of cabin no 303 opened with a click. A big bouquet of white and yellow daffodils peeked through and the man holding it had a gleaming smile. Sanskar had an affinity towards flowers whenever he wished to convey his message or make his beloved feel how special she was to him. The other name of daffodils was Narcissus, but the beholder of the bunch was far away from it. He knew what daffodils meant; they served as a memento of new beginning, fortune blooming again on the ground of unyielding faith. Daffodils meant promises being fulfilled to the date and to the end of the eternity, promises of undying love and companionship.

"When did this happen Sharmila ji? Hum kya kuch dino ke liye Delhi gaya aur..." Mrs Nalini Mehta, a lady almost having same age of Sharmila nodded her head, showing sympathy. "That's unfortunate. She was going to be married within a month."

Sharmila had a hard time to keep herself from crying. Being a mother she couldn't afford to be weak.Sanskar had done beyond his limits to mend Swara's broken spirits but she destroyed it all. She cursed the moment when her mouth had slipped and revealed the name of the hospital yesterday. All the ladies of her social circle decided to pay their courtesy cum sympathy visit, to renew the not-so-old wound by poking into it repeatedly.

"Alas, my heart is breaking by looking at her face. How pretty she used to be. Now who will marry her?" Mrs Pathak made another remark, nor caring about the girl who was their topic of discussion,who was breaking into pieces with every word those so called concerned women uttered.

"I think you forgot she is my fiancee, Mrs Pathak." Sanskar thundered out the words, and every soul inside the cabin looked out. "Watch your mouth or otherwise you may leave."

"Mind your language, Sanskar.Don't forget this same type of attitude had made Sahil do this!" Mrs Pathak lashed back. "Her so called friends used to make fun of the marriage proposals which were brought for her. Do you think they didn't curse her beauty?"

"Aur nehi toh kya? All her life she lured the boys and broke their hearts. Some of them was bound to retaliate one day." Another lady added with a contempt in her voice.

"So that's the reason you came right? To celebrate her misfortune?" He clenched his jaw. "To praise Sahil, that bastar-... I beg your pardon. But your thinking is more obscene than my words, your accusations are more blasphemous than my attitude. You people don't deserve to be called anyone's mother. Heck, you are black marks on the name women hood."

"See Swara, we came here out of concern, to share your pain. But your fiance..."

"I'm sorry, Aunty..." Swara's voice was choked with tears, she wished close her eyes and never open again. But the next words of that lady hit her hard.

"Are your parents still eager to make her their daughter - in-law, Sanskar? I don't think so. Where are they? Not here, right? To tell the truth, which family will accept a girl with burnt deformed face for their son?"

"Get out! I SAY GET OUT OF THIS ROOM." Sanskar roared all on a sudden, his face was reddened, he was panting heavily. "Bahut hua aap logo ki pyaar ki dikhawa. Let her live, for God's sake."

Swara couldn't take this anymore and fainted. Those daffodils fell on the floor, the carrier of them ran towards his unconscious beau. While those representatives of cruel world went out, trampling on those bright yellow and white petals, crushing the memento of a new beginning.

While Sanskar remained to pick the broken pieces of his fragile angel. Sharmila was crying her heart out, but not him. Instead he kissed his Shona's forehead and held her close to his chest, not caring about anyone's presence. He couldn't afford to miss even tiny part of hers, he wouldn't let her face those sadists anymore.

He didn't know whom he wanted to protect had become tired to be protected, weary of being pitied, exhausted of facing the mirror and consequences... Every day was like a prolonged torturous decade for her.

All she wanted to disappear, out of sight, if possible out of mind too. No more she wanted to face the world.

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Important:
As I told you, my life is not really sorted at the moment. I'm finding it hard to manage multiple stories, study and workload are killing me.😧

At this point, I'm finding it hard to give my 100% effort for this story.

So this is going to be the last update of "Thou art flame, my love" before November. I'll continue my other works.

Extremely sorry for this decision,guys.