Hello All

So here comes last but one part of the finale. I had to split it into two parts and have little more to work on finale Hence posting this one as I didn't want to keep you guys waiting for any further

Please ignore errors and typos, if any found.

 Happy Reading.Do let me know your thoughts. A star and few words is all it takes.

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It was too much...It would be for anyone, when the wedding, one of the loveliest memories to be treasured turns out to be a ghastly nightmare.

Swara could take it no longer. All that transpired in last few hours.. She just couldn't.She was no longer numb and the pain was throbbing.She wanted to run away and she had no clue from what and from whom, but she wanted to ... and she did.

Blinded by tears , she dashed out of Mandap leaving a stunned crowd behind. Holding back her sobs,She ran and ran, didn't stop until she reached baadi.Gasping for breath ,she leaned back on closed doors, squeezed her eyes shut and restrained tears found their way out.

"You look beautiful Swara ,"

She opened her eyes at that familiar voice of Ragini . This is the same room and right there, she stood with Ragini and mused at self . There were smiles and blessings and in a matter of few hours...its all ruined.

She took slow steps with staggering feet and stood before mirror.

Gorgeous bride... No!A nightmare, she looked like one. Her puffy eyes slowly moved up to the red shade strikingly standing out from her partition and her fingers unconsciously traced the mangalsutra.

True, she was married, She wanted to be Mrs Swara Sanskaar Maheshwari but not midst chaos and curses.Her fear of being tagged as 'cheater' came true in a worst possible way

"Dhokebaaz ladki "

Sujata voice rang in her ear and the sheer hatred in her eyes

Swara sank to the floor ,her sobs no longer muffled, but heart-wrenching cries and she cried and cried...

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It took more than few minutes for Sanskaar to grasp the situation and before he could realise Swara was out of his sight. He didn't waste a minute ..and rushed out behind her , ignoring everyone else..followed by Laksh ,Ragini, Anjana and Prakash hurrying behind him.

Maheswari family looked equally shocked but they had their own issues to deal with. No one made a move including Sekhar . He didn't have strength to face his daughter at this moment not before he had a word with Maheshwari's.

Parvati Gadodia stood wondering about her next step .The move by Sanskaar was no way expected ..and for a minute she feared all their well-laid plans would have gone for a toss.

But Swara's runaway fiasco gave her a new hope.

She was in two minds .One ,She wanted to rush to baadi, to witness further drama .Two ,She didn't want to miss Sekhar's talk with Maheshwari's. What if he mends ..the broken?All the efforts would be vain.

But she knew damage had already been done and it's irreversible. Sekhar himself was under radar for hiding such big truth ..It wouldn't be easy to set things right in few minutes .So she decided ,she would rush to baadi.

"Hum Swara ko dekhne ja rahe hain" was all she said and stepped out. She took her mobile out and dialed a number.

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No this can't be happening ..This was no part of their plan ...It shouldn't have.

Kavita burned with rage as Parvati Gadodia gave her breaking news of Swara and Sanskar's marriage in an unexpected turn of events .Marriage was not supposed to happen...That's the reason she had been holding her cards until end moment going for 'Big revelation.'

Parvati Gadodia ..her trump card ,when she almost gave up the hope.She rechecked the engagement photos and it was clearly evident in few of pics old lady shared same sentiments for Swara as her

Kavita couldn't figure out a reason and her hatred made no sense . That's when she digged deep .It hadn't been tough to pull out information about Swara , Money speaks everywhere and she landed on juicy piece of information.

Swara is an illegitimate child. A child born out of wedlock. That's it .It makes perfect sense now. Well, she can extend a hand of friendship. An enemy's enemy is definitely a friend...and it worked in her favour.

It had been fairly easy to lure her .'Laado' aka Ragini was her weakness and the same love is what she is capitalised on. Parvati willingly joined the plan not aware she's just a puppet with strings in Kavita's hand.

Kavita also knew she could count on Sujata Maheshwari to create a ruckus over the issue but she shouldn't have underestimated Sanskaar. He wouldn't let that 'lover' of his suffer. He is no less stubborn and adamant ...and above crazy for that...

Swara...

That name...

A vase on table touched the floor shattering into pieces. What could she do about her?

Kavita took a deep breath.

She would wait ..wait for news from baadi ,then decide. If nothing works in her favour,there's only one option left.

to die ..

A target was once missed deliberately ..but this time she would make sure it doesn't.

Swara has to die.

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Swara ...Swara

The banging of the door faintly reached her ears ..but she didn't make any attempt to move, simply staring into space before her.

"Swara ...Please darwaja kholo..Swara please. "

Sanskaar banged door.Everyone looked equally tensed and with every passing minute his dread took new proportions. Just like something stuck him, leaving the rest behind ,he headed to the back door of baadi. It took more than few attempts for Sanskaar to get it opened and door was smart enough, for it saved itself from deadly blow of Sanskaar Maheshwari and opened with a creaking sound ..

He rushed in .There she is...

Lost and lorn ...totally blank and the sight was agonizing. Sanskaar stepped slowly towards her and sank down to his knees.

Swara ...

He held her shoulders and called her name .All he got was a blank stare .The sound of banging doors diverted him for a minute .Realisation struck him then, that Ragini, Laksh ... and others are still outside the door and they must be worried to the death .

In split of second ,he opened the door and was back to Swara

"Swara..Swara..please kuch bolo .. Swara .."He shook her gently.Every passing minute of silence scared him.

Her moved her eyes to him "Kyu Sanskaar ?" was all she asked in blank tone. "Mere saath hi kyu aisa Hota hai?Everytime I hope for happiness all I am left with is tears .Your mom was right I am cursed. I ..I ..." she flinched away trying to put distance between them ,"Stay away from me ...I will ruin you too..I ..I ," she mumbled incoherently.

Sanskaar's heart lurched in pain seeing her in such a devastated state .Only if few could realise the damage, a wrong and harsh word can do ,the wounds it would inflict.

Ignoring her protests to push him away, he pulled her into his arms. She struggled first, but the comfort offered ...She couldn't deny, she needed it badly.Her protests died down little by little but fresh tears spilled soaking his sherwani.

Why me? Why me? She mumbled in a broken voice. Every eye turned teary in room .But none made a move letting Sanskaar handle.

No words of him would soothe her at this moment, he knew. Hence Sanskaar simply held her in silence, but he was no way prepared for next question.She drew back gently and her eyes looked up at him.

She questioned on hiding the truth from her, why didn't he feel the need to mention the same, that his family is not aware of her birth secret, especially when he knew how much it meant to her.

"I told you right! I can live with a tag of being illegitimate but not the tag of cheater ...and today I stood before them as cheater ..Tumne suna mom ne kya kaha ? She called me .." Her voice broke into bits and pieces "Dhokebaaz.."

.He stared back in silence.He had his own selfish reasons to hide the truth. The fear of losing her , the fear of ruining their safe haven, their little paradise. He swore to himself once they are married ,he would reveal it ..putting him in a better state to handle the situation, if things get out of hand ..but Fate has its own plays and ploys. This turn of events he no way anticipated, not even in his wildest dreams.,

"I am sorry Swara .I didnt....I was just scared to lose you .. .and you don't have to worry about a thing . I will convince mom." He tried to explain and assure.

"Convince ?" Swara stared at him in disbelief . "Of Course they will have to get convinced .You didn't leave them a choice Sanskaar,"She cried bitterly

He couldn't deny .Yes , He didn't want to give them a choice ..there was no question of choice. Decision was made long back. Marriage had to happen.

"I wished to be accepted ..not convinced to be accepted , not being forced down someone's throat Sanskar,".Swara finally found her broken voice back ,"All I wished was for acceptance at least from the family I was about to step in. Was I wrong? Baba didn't say the truth, You kept me in dark as well.Everyone assumed and decided what is best for me.Right! But no one asked for once ..what is it I wanted ?" She questioned him straight."I didn't want this Sanskaar ,I didn't .".she cried out.

Sanskar felt dread gripping him again .Didn't she want to get married? Did she feel the step he had taken for them was ...not right?He couldn't hold back from asking, "Do ... Do you think our marriage was a wong step,Swara ? Do you regret...his eyes moved to Sindoor , the sacred sign of their bond and back to her eyes .."This?" he asked in trembling voice.

No, she didn't .She know what it takes to stand up and go against own family but he chose to stand by her..Her knight. He never failed her or he would never.She looked into his eyes which spelled apprehensions and fear.Damn her, if she gave him such an impression about their marriage.

"Nahi Sanskaar .." Shaking her head in denial ,she held his hand pressing it to her cheek "Nahi ..In Fact, I am proud that I am Swara Sanskaar Maheshwari.lekin uske pehle tho Main Swara Bose hoon na?"

And he froze.It was such a simple question but it encompassed a world of unspoken questions. In his attempt to save her ..Save? That's a rubbish excuse. He wanted her ..he couldn't even think of the prospect of losing her and couldn't bear the insults thrown at her ..

He gave her a tag of Swara Sanskaar Maheshwari but at the cost of losing her own. True, Every girls maiden name does change after marriage but isn't it the same name, that she is identified with before marriage .Here neither Swara was acknowledged nor accepted.

"I no longer want to be a Gadodia," Swara told with sheer conviction ," Lekin 'Bose' mera maa ka naam hai . Iss naam se mere wajood juda hua hain ,Sanskaar and it was you who told me that night, there is nothing to be ashamed of it and I should be proud of my mom's struggle and I did. But now...Why does everyone make me feel like it's something I should be ashamed of...Meri Kya galti hai ?" she asked meeting his eyes.

He didn't have an answer ...again.

She simply leaned on to him seeking more comfort, her face buried in folds of his sherwani.His hands went around clasping her close...but his thoughts raced in a different direction.

How much pride did he take in his own surname 'Maheshwari'. Just Sanskaar might not ring bells but Sanskaar Maheshwari does...Definitely...and he expected her to leave her own behind .How selfish of him! Didn't he imply by his action of hiding that it's something she should be ashamed of.Unknowingly ,he defeated the very purpose of Swara's truth...

Now he knew why Swara was adamant about revealing the truth..and he failed her.

"I am sorry, Swara" was all he could say nestling her close.

Minutes passed.

"Sanskaar...Mujhe yaha se dur jaana hain ..Bahut dur..Iss sabse ..apne ghar jaana hain..I ..I don't think I can ..stay here ..I .." Swara mumbled into his shirt.

She didn't have to finish, it was understood.She needed time.He would take her away from all this mess, from all the hate and lies at least for few days. She endured enough ..she didn't have to ...not anymore.

Sanskaar gently pulled her back and wiped her tears "Theek hain..Hum Mumbai jayenge aur phir .....and looking into her eyes he paused abruptly.She can't mean...she cant...

"Sabse dur ..."She stressed midst tears.He turned still, absolutely still.

"Mujhse?" The words struggled to come out of his mouth but it was clear in her eyes. Did she want to go away ..from him?

He nodded his head in denial..

"Nahi .."The words come as faint as his voice .."Nahi..nahi "was all he kept muttering. How could she even think of it?How did she expect him to leave her in such a vulnerable broken state ..when they needed each other the most.

Agreed these are tough times and they will pass through it .. Together.

Swara had her reasons.She can't be with him while she is battered from within. Not herself.He didn't deserve this 'broken half' of her.Her knight fought enough for her, these are her own demons to face ..to live it, to come to terms with the truth.

'She would never be accepted in society' .

She needs to let go of her identity, embrace a new one and she was not prepared.Maybe she was wrong , in hoping the things would turn around for her, she would be loved for what she is not for something she didn't choose for self.

"Nahi Swara ...Nahi ,Tum mujhe chod kar kahi nahi jaoge ," He cupped her cheeks ,"I promise I will set things right for us . I will ..I."

'Sanskaar..'

His eyes moved the Anjana who took his name.They gazed at each other for few minutes. She gave a slight nod and he took the message. He would have to let her go...at least for awhile till he would set things right for them.He didn't have to worry about her ..she had a family who would love her like their own unlike his, who spewed hatred.

He would have to let her go...

His heart screamed in protest "Don't let her go ..I can't take it.Don't let me break.Dont put me through living hell..Don't."

Her fingers curled into the fabric of his sherwani in an unspoken plea and he gave in at that very moment. He curbed every protest harshly.

Swara comes first.

He held back his tears and nodded in consent.One of them needed to be strong.

.

"Apna dhyan rakhna" He told softly.

Swara nodded midst tears .His fingers wiped away her tears gazing into her eyes.His lips touched her forehead conveying a unsaid bye and a promise.It was time to part.He rose and took slow steps towards door and looked at Anjana first. Her eyes assured him enough.

His eyes moved to Laksh "Apni bhabhi ko ..airport.." was all he said. Laksh nodded equally teary-eyed.

He turned back to catch one last glimpse of her..their eyes meet for a flicker of a second .He tore gaze away and walked off wiping the lone tear that threatened to slide down.

Goodbyes are always painful.

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Sekhar came back dejected. No one was willing to listen to his side of the story.Maheshwari's clearly denied. It was for his daughter's happiness he hid the truth ... he told himself.

Really! His conscience questioned him . It because you are coward. It screamed from within. That's when Ragini gave him a cold stare saying Swara left with Sharma's.

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Sanskaar didn't return immediately to MM , he needed some time alone. He didn't bid Swara proper bye and left Baadi , unsure of his own feelings .Few more minutes , would have definitely weakened his resolve to let her go...

It was after few hours, he walked , his face void of any emotion.Maheshwari Mansion was unusually quiet that night as its residents.scattered around hall.It was Annapurna who rushed to him first.She simply looked at him and peeked over his shoulder towards entrance, then back at him.

" Where is Swara?" Her eyes questioned him.

Sanskaar shook his head saying no and walked away leaving her confused. It was then Laksh came in too after dropping Sharma's and Swara to airport . They managed to get Swara a ticket on same flight due to some cancellation. He gave snippets to Annapurna.

Sujata sighed with relief.She expected Sanskaar to walk in with Swara now she left .. Good.

"She took that 5 lakhs necklace with her didn't she? I know.." Sujata threw in a conclusion. Sanskaar stopped in his tracks His fingers curled into fist, digging into flesh. It took humongous effort for him, not to lash out at his mother ... at that moment.

Not now .. not with words .She will have all her answers ..answers to every accusation laid on Swara ... he would make sure of it .He walked off to his room in absolute silence.

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His room was all set for their wedding night...

That rushed him back with one fresh memory.He promised, he will trace out his name from her mehndi design on this night.

' Promises'...

Sanskaar smiled sadly

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S

Swara's eyes were fixed on the letter.

"I will act like I have no clue and trace it on our wedding night..Promise." His voice and that moment were still fresh in her mind.Their wedding night ..Swara smiled sadly looking at her palms filled with henna ..of a deep red.

"Tera pati tumse bahut pyaar karta hain ..dekhe rang kitna lal chada hai, "One of the aunty mentioned the age old concept of how henna's colour is directly proportional to would -be husband's love . Deeper..more love.

She didn't have any doubts ..and she didn't need henna to certify the love of Sanskaar, yet it was such a warm feeling , a sense of pride hearing it from others. It was sheer luck , she was on the same flight with Sharma's.She was glad one way Sanskaar didn't accompany her to the airport. She would have fallen weak.

She had seen it in his eyes.He didn't want her to go but she chose to .

She can't stay in baadi any longer , not before eyes of Gadodia.She didn't want to step into Maheswari household ..not when she was hated. She can't bear another accusation of tearing apart Mom and Son..if Sanskaar choses to be with her .She knew how it feels ..not having a family to call your own.and She can never put Sanskaar through that ..

How Much ever she wanted him .. how much ever she craved for his love ,support and comfort ,she chose to part. She knew Sanskaar would come for her .He promised her..and he never failed to keep up his promise. She would wait.

.He would forgive her ,wouldn't he ? "Swara squeezed her eyes shut letting the tears slide.

"Sorry Sanskaar"

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He took slow steps towards his wardrobe and pulled out a gift pack ,a surprise, he planned for her . He unwrapped the cover and stared at 'their' framed photograph.

It was from their dance on the night of confession. Swara's favorite click and she would never get tired of talking of it. She would simply stare at it for hours in her mobile ,picking nuances , would gush ...and pout at his teasing on her new found obsession. He never mentioned it to her, he loved it as well.

He still recalled their fight over photographs on ranbir and deepika when she visited his room for the first time .. and how they agreed it would be of theirs . Hence he picked their favourite moment . He wanted her to be thrilled and imagined all smiles she would give him.. Beautiful and beaming.

He silently hung the photograph to the wall .Such happy memory it was, now a reminder of sad turn of events. But he needed this .. right before his eyes, giving him the strength to fight for them,reminding him what is at stake...

His love and his life ..

He wouldn't be in peace ...not when stakes are riding high , not when this game needs a closure A proper and a happy one...and he would fight with his 'all in.'

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Notes:

'All in' is a term in poker game ; It is a bet in which a player commits his entire stack.

Here it is used In reference to Sanskaar who will be putting in all his efforts to win the game for his love, Swara.

And we are one step away from finale..soon. Keep watching the game.

Love

Lucky