Hello ..all . Here comes the next part ...Happy reading . Do let me know your thoughts.Please ignore any errors or typos.

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Swara ...

About to enter her room She turned towards voice . Sekhar stood a little away from her . He galnced at his watch.

"Ye koi waqt hain ladki ki ghar aane ka Maare khatu shyam ji .." Parvati Gadodia pressed her mouth from behind . Sekhar didn't bother to look at her neither Swara " 10 baj chuka hai Swara ..aaj itna late ..." he asked in soft tone.

" Woh...Dinner ke liye gayi thi ek friend ke saath."

"Aur woh Ladka kaun tha ? "he asked in low tone taking care his mom couldn't hear.Swara wondered what all Sekhar had seen. "Mera senior ..Sanskaar .."

Hmm ...Sekhar walked a bit closer and patted Swara's hair softly , " Don't think I am acting strict or trying to control you ..I was just concerned . I would never doubt Sharmistha's upbringing. Aage se thoda dhyaan rakhna .. Try to be home a bit early .You know how people are and of course ..Your .." His eyes turned to his mother who was trying hard to hear conversation. Swara nodded in consent " Aage se dhyan rakhungi .. Ba.." she halted ..

It had been after 3 months ... Once on their evening walk Swara asked if she can call him Baba..for which sekhar seemed hesitant first ..but agreed saying it would be only when people are not around. Swara agreed happily. After years of wait.. This seemed like a good start .

Swara quickly corrected the slip.There was silent nod between both .. and Swara slowly moved into her room.

Sekhar watched her in silence. He had caught glimpse of Swara and that guy while they were bidding bye.Nothing seemed out of line. But one way he was glad Swara is coming out of shell.She seemed happy and relaxed.Only if her mother had permitted ragini to hangout more with Swara ...He wished .

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Back in her room leaning on bed post Swara stared at cute key chain in her hand .. of a guitar , a black metal one with white little stones studded at the neck in glittering line and a music note on its chain. 

How thoughtful of him! She flipped the note next to her " From a fan of yours" it read. Her fingers gently traced the letters smiling.He never mentioned about liking her song on night of freshers party . It somehow didn't come into their discussion . Hmm...Swara rolled on bed ,face down , so this is his way to let her know And Fan. Isn't Mr.Maheshwari a little too sweet and full of spice too. Smiling she placed it carefully back in box and laid back on pillow .She still couldn't get over their evening especially the part after drop. He kissed her and she let him ..

God! Swara what's wrong with you .. stupid..kya kar rahi hain?She moved restlessly on bed ... but the way he looked at her , he held her ..if felt ... Enough!Stop thinking about him ok! She told herself sternly and turned to other side of bed plugged in earphones ....

And her resolution went in drain... The song she left midway on play list resumed exactly on lines of her state.

Usne Baath Ki Kuch Aise Dang Se
Sapne De Gaya Hazaaron Rang Ke
Reh Jaaun Jaise Mein Haar Ke
Aur Choome Woh Mujhe Pyaar Se

Pehla Nasha
Pehla Khummar....

She exactly did the same. She stood rooted like a spell was cast .. and he kissed her . His words .. his smile...They flashed .But music has its own way of putting one to sleep ...For her it always worked like lullaby . As the soothing music played on Swara slipped into sleep slowly.

Dream about me ! His voice touched her softly. Swara smiled in sleep ,pulled a pillow closer... and she dreamed.

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It was not planned ... It was almost on a impulse he picked the key chain for her. While Swara was busy checking books , he took a tour around the shop..and the minute his eyes caught that key chain ..it straightway brought image of Swara with guitar ..on night of freshers party. Her sweet melodious voice. How spellbound she left everyone. God! He didn't even compliment her that night on same .Their dance...it somehow overpowered everything. Well better late than never.

And it's their first outing together and dinner too .This would be perfect to mark this day special , a little surprise and with no second thoughts he zeroed in. He had seen her eyes..shinning up . Sanskaar smiled as he walked down the balcony. Miss Bose would like it..he knew . But ...he was troubled.

Around Miss bose all his resolutions are failing. Isn't it day before he determined about not admitting liking her and some serious self control. Today he tossed it off and admitted helplessly. This was not him . He never made his feelings so clearly visible and here in span of few weeks he had done some crazy feats , broke his own rules .. and went around her like a fool. But Miss Bose had been sticking to the game. It was clear she was equally affected. He had seen it in her eyes, felt it..but she never said word about liking him.

The game is to make her fall for you Sanskaar he reminded himself..and he's doing opposite ..falling for her. Nope. This is not how it works ...Enough of confessions about his craziness for her. This time it will be Miss Bose.. coming behind him.

He will make sure of it.

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Next few days Sanskaar made sure to stay away from Swara..not completely . He didn't want to give her impression of avoidance or ignorance but he didn't want to go around like crazy fool . He needed time to sort his thoughts and go as per game and stick to rules. Swara didn't seem to mind too . She looked absolutely fine !Of course! What did he expect ..she would come running behind him. She would never let her feelings out .. then why should he ? He is going to play tough, he decided and was glad could pull it off for few days .

One night , after dinner

"Ye kya hai Lucky?"

Sanskaar looked at Laksh who stood before him with a sheet of paper.

" Bhai..I told you right! And this my dear bro is exclusive information about Swara.. Uski pasand na pasand, Kis type ka ladka pasand hain usse .. and all that" Sanskaar snatched the paper and scanned through it quickly .

" Where did you get this from ?"

Laksh clearly impressed by himself raised his collar , "It's straight from horse's mouth..Swara ne khud kaha mujhse.."

Sanskaar quirked an eyebrow .." aur usne aise hi tujhe sab bata diya?" Nah .. something is fishy.Miss Bose might have definitely guessed.She wouldn't give in so easily .Is this true or is she just playing around.

" Cmon Bhai ! You think I am stupid. I have working on this past few days ..and I just asked her casually in midst of friendly banter over days . I didn't do a Q & A session straight away giving her any hints..ki main aap ke liye kar raha hoon." Laksh sounded confident.

Sanskaar quickly scanned through the list...and knew what was wrong .He smirked.So Miss Bose wants him to figure out on his own. Well Played ! Miss Bose . But You have no clue whom you are up against. This is gonna be interesting.

"Thanks Lucky!"

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"Tho tumne jaan bhoocke usse galat information diya ..?" Ragini watched Swara amusedly. They caught up after dinner for a while

" Haan .. lekin poora nahi . I just mixed up, like ..Poetry I like it .. aur wahi bataya and I like roses too - lekin maine lucky ko bataya I hate them .. and few more which I tweaked a bit . The minute Laksh started fishing out information I knew it was for Sanskaar. Iss liye .Now If Mr.Maheshwari goes religiously by list he's bound to fail ..aur figure out karne main time lag jayega .. bcos I am not giving in any information my own." Swara smiled back .

Swara didn't mind sharing few snippets with Ragini..she was not from their college .. so shouldn't hurt.Moreover she needed a confidant

"Lekin Swara ... I thought you both really like each other ..Matlab when you talk about him you look happy ..and you blush too aur tumne tho kaha, date was good too phir achanak se ... " Ragini paused.

Like?..Swara's face fell at thought. If he really likes her , he wouldn't go around acting weird from past few days. It's like he took a 360 turn around. After that night ..she wished for more ..but he was hell bent on acting like some saint. She had hardly seen him past few days and when they met all she got was a simple smile .. a hi hello ..awkward talk for few minutes and he hurried off . He didn't even step into library for her . She waited too but he didn't .' Akudu' What did you expect Swara! Like he will come behind you showering attention ..proclaiming his craziness for her and she will bask in warmth of his hands . All yours .. That's what he said ..To hell with him . Swara fumed inwardly.

"Swara ...Kaha kho gayi?"

Ragini's words jerked her out

" Kuch nahi bas aise hi .." She didn't want to admit the hurt she felt over his ignorance... and she diverted discussion to music, much safer topic.

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That day when Swara walked into library post college .. he was there. But he was completely engrossed in reading.. And didn't even bother to look up . Not saying a word Swara picked a book from poetry section and settled few places away from him.But her eyes kept drifting towards him . Did he come for her and acting up or.. Its...

Stop it Swara ! Shouldn't matter to you .. let him do whatever he wants to .She focused back on book, but her thoughts roamed around their dynamics. Swara played with pages absentmindedly .Should she say hi!.May be she should. It had always been him coming behind her.A hi ! wouldn't hurt. She turned to him and shifted few places closer.. and cleared her throat.

Hi Sanskaar ...she smiled softly

Sanskaar looked up from book ."Oh! Miss Bose" and was suddenly alert like he didn't expect her but still managed to cover it up "Hi! How was your day ?"

"Good! And yours?" Swara asked hoping at least this conversation would lead to breaking barriers he set up .

"A very good one !" Sanskaar smiled and focused back on book. Swara watched him for few more minutes, threw a glare at him and shifted away from him. As minutes passed her mood turned foul and she stormed off, after shooting a glance at him once more.

Sanskaar watched her walk away and smiled. " Aur kitna intezaar karva voge Madam..".He didn't expect her to come behind him all of sudden and an open admission but atleast he expected a reaction .. an outburst.Didn't it bother her being away from him.? That thought troubled him.

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Laksh looked at his brother .." Bhai please main tere haath jodta hoon" He pleaded almost close to crying . "Mujhe kuch samaj nahi aaraha hain. Tu kaunsi language main baat kar raha hain Greek ya Latin."

Sanskaar looked up from book" Lucky! Its English and its poetry ..aur ye .."

"Nahi jaan na hai mujhe." Laksh stood up , " Last one week you have been eating my head .. ab aur emotional atyachaar nahi sahunga main.. He declared cleraly "Tujhe impress karna hai tu padle..Tujhe nahi uss swara ko bolna chahiye .. Poetry pasand hain . aur yahan main phas gaya.. Aur agar tune uss book main se ek aur word sunaya na mujhe ... "

Ok! Ok! Relax ...Sanskaar realized his little brother was really in murderous mood. Can't blame him. Poetry .. He had been trying to get a hang of it but it's ..Sanskaar sighed. 'Complicated' .At start he had a bad headache trying to decode all complexity but ..thanks to google and analysis of poems.. he got much better past week . He wouldn't have gone through such pain if he was not sure of Swara liking poetry. He had seen her picking up john keats .. and that seals the deal.

"Kya kya karvarahi hain Miss Bose mujh se .." Sanskaar got back to book as laksh slipped into sleep relieved .

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After two days Swara walked in to library. She's so sure he would be here ..and enough of this torture .Until Laksh walked up to her, she had no clue Mr.Maheshwari had taken the list so seriously and had been reading poetry. Shocked first..Swara found herself smiling as Laksh shared his woes . " Tu please na bhai ko batade ki tumhe poetry pasand nahi hain .. ..Main bach javunga." So Mr.Maheshwari and Poetry .

She had no clue what to make of it . He had been all weird last week .. then why would he take such pain ..for her . He need not . "Ye chahta kya hain..aaj tho jawab dena hi padega Mr.Maheshwari " Determined she stepped into library looked around and found him . She walked up and put it in clear words.

"Mr.Maheswari .. Mujhe aap se kuch baat karni hai."

Sanskaar looked at her .Is she gonna fight with him?She's definitely looking murderous . Thank God!Finally Why not spice up a bit .

Not saying a word he lifted book up ..and signaled he's busy reading.

I Don't care .. I .." About to say something Swara halted and fumed further as he pointed out Silence please board.Furious she flicked book of his hands .. and held his hand ."Right Now..Mr.Maheshwari.." Sanskaar willingly obliged as she dragged him off library and pushed him into a empty classroom. Whoa .. She's really angry .."Kahi ye mujhe kacha na chaba jaaye " Sanskaar muttered under breath.

" Miss Bose? What's wrong with you ? Didn't you see I was busy reading and how could you just....."

" Yeah I know ,Poetry right!" Swara folded hands and leaned onto a wall holding back her anger .Being a bit civilized might help before getting violent.

Ah! Lucky .. so the secret is out .He thought she was angry for his ignorant act last week.. But now one plus one makes two .. ab dono ke liye band bajayegi ye .Iss lucky ko toh main chodunga nahi but abhi ke liye ...

" Yes! Do you have problem with it..Miss Bose? I thought we are living in free country...jaha par main jo chahe padh sakta hoon .. " Sanskaar leaned back too putting up his act.

" Aap ko mere liye ye sab karne ki koi jaroorat nahi hai .."Swara shot back , "And you don't have go around torturing people showing your skills..aur phir...."

" Ek Min ... Ek min ."Sanskaar halted her."Who told you I was reading it for you ..Miss Bose.Please don't assume things ok! "

And that felt like an another blow on Swara's ego ..how blatantly he's lying. She knew ..he knew yet .." Don't you dare lie.." Swara charged at him her anger finally bursting out " I know you have been doing it for me Mr.Maheshwari ..Enough of your game ok!..I know ...' She halted abruptly as he grabbed her hands pinning them to wall above her hand .

" Haan tho ..?" his eyes bored into hers, "Tumhare liye hi pad raha tha .. Kya karoge?" Her breath came in short hot burts....just like his.

"Kyu?"She asked so softly but her eyes reflected a pain .. which melted Sanskaar instantly. " Why are you doing this to me Mr.Maheshwari? He looked at her confused ,his hold softened a bit like his eyes. " One minute you hold me like I am precious to you .. Next you act like I am nothing to you and you go around reading poetry for me ....I don't know what to make out of it."

Sanskaar felt a pang of pain.Her eyes reflected a vulnerability pulling all her defenses down. He didn't mean to hurt her .He was just trying to..but she was hurt. He slowly released her hands..both stood facing each other ..no one moving.His hands gently reached to caress her, but she didn't let him , flicked his hand off .

" Would mind giving me an answer?" she brought her furios self back.

" I am sorry .." He said softly looking at her .Swara looked at him surprised." For what?"

" For hurting you which I didn't mean to do on first hand, I am sorry for that..Next for your answer ..he paused for a while .." I was scared ok!" He admitted.

"Of me?"Swara asked confused " Do I look like a ghost to you Mr.Maheshwari?" and Sanskaar found himself smiling even midst their serious discussion. Miss Bose and her humour. He walked a bit closer leaned onto wall.This is good .. close to her ..one more step she would be right in his arms..and he smiled again softly.

Ok! I am not falling for that dazzling cute and charming smile of yours! And that dimple too . I don't care if you look like yummy pista ice cream in that T shirt .Swara, hold your ground you are supposed to be angry .." she reminded herself.

" I was scared of what I feel for you Miss Bose..."Sanskaar gently lifted his hand and his fingers stroked her cheek softly...she let him touch her . It was such a simple loving touch ...and his words "I have told you many a times how I am going crazy for you .." his thumb moved on her cheek in soft gentle strokes ...Swara found her defenses melting away as his eyes moved over face then back to her eyes " I wanted to see if you would miss me ..miss us..I wanted you to come looking for me, fight with me ...claim me." Swara's eyes widened . She did the same.

"Last few days had been tough for me too ..staying away from you ,acting like it didn't matter ..when all I want to do is ..."his hands moved around her waist and she was no longer leaning on wall,but on him..pressed like they are one . " Hold you this close to me .. look into your eyes ..and say I really really like you ...hear you say the same , but you never said a word "

That irked her to the core ..How dare he accuse her . Didn't she tell him.Swara pushed him away slightly and charged at him "What do you want me to do Mr. Maheswari .. write all over my face and go around college. I told I like it when you hold me close.That night when you dropped me back I didn't move an inch when you gave me a chance and I ... I ..let you kiss me ...and the dance that night Do you want me remind how you touched me like you own me .and you keep pulling me onto you.I don't say a word.Yet You accuse me of not saying I like you .. when I am absolutely clear that I .......Really Really like you... " Swara admitted .What else does he want her to do. Wasn't she clear enough?

"You do ? "Sanskaar's smile widened .This is what he wanted to hear her say and she did. His heart did little somersault. Swara wished she could smack his face. Look at him smile.

" I am not saying that again..." Swara huffed and tried to walk away but only to be blocked by Sanskaar.

"Don't be so cruel Miss Bose....I have been dying to hear you say that. Would you say it again .." He asked so sweetly and added 'please 'She was almost tempted to say but he have to pay for torture he put them through.

" Fine ... I will .. but it comes with a price Mr.Maheswari. "His brows raised in question ."Feed me some poetry.."Swara told with attitude.

And when nothing came in for few minutes, "Mr.Maheswari.. ..Poetry is not everyone's cup of tea..so Save yourself from trouble .." Swara took few steps crossing him but halted as he held her hand.

O beauty, passing beauty! Sweetest sweet!

His voice came in ..and Swara's eyes widened in surprise . A sonnet ? and she knew this one and before she could think further He pulled her back and she stood facing him ..eye to eye in his warm hold .. and Swara didn't resist. She wanted to hear him further.

How canst thou let me waste my youth in sighs? His tone accused her teasingly.He really took it seriously just because she mentioned it to be of her like.For her ..She couldn't name the feeling that coursed through her ...as she heard him further.

I only ask to sit beside thy feet.

Thou knowest I dare not look into thine eyes.

And Now he was looking into her eyes, like she means everything to him ... and she felt lost His fingers skimmed through her hand ..and she trembled .His fingers curled around her palm..and she stood helplessly as they brushed her taking into his warm grasp. He lifted her hand to his lips, his eyes still locked with her.

Might I but kiss thy hand! I dare not fold

My arms about thee—scarcely dare to speak.

..pressed a kiss on her hand. Swara knew what the next lines are.. A rosy flush crept up her neck as he recited them ...

And nothing seems to me so wild and bold,

As with one kiss to touch thy blessed cheek.

Swara lowered her eyes and closed them with a sigh as his lips brushed her cheek first in slight touch and pressed into them deeply .And it felt so good . It was nothing like their first one .. like a feathery touch ..this was... she couldn't think a thing, she was in no position to as lips now trailed down over her jaw line .. chin ...shooting up all those jolts of sensations, sweet tingling hot and wet ...then he moved to neck with light touches. Soft murmurs of pleasure drifted from her parted lips..He was kissing her with words she realised .Her hands clutched the fabric of his t shirt as he placed a full kiss on her neck.. And she let his name out in involuntary gasp ...

He tried to reminisce lines but it was becoming difficult with each passing minute .With her in arms this close, Her skin .. melting under his lips ..her soft sighs, her fragrance .. her hot breath .. his name from her parted lips... God! ..the lines were right.

Methinks if I should kiss thee, no control

Within the thrilling brain could keep afloat

He was losing his control..The rush of adrenaline ..and he was aroused clearly.Now they were backed up to wall.His lips moved hungrily over her neck from one side to another in an unspoken urgency .His whole being ached as she arched onto him gasping with pleasure, pressing onto him He wanted her .. he wanted her so badly. A part of him was on fire .He didn't want to stop kissing her and she didn't let him too. Her hands curled into his hair urging him to go on. Pleasure surged through her like wild fire , coursed through her veins burning her and her knees turned weak with desire .She wanted him ...so badly and hopelessly. He placed one last kiss on base of her neck felt her shudder ,moved up..placed his lips on hers.. Just A breath away.She opened her eyes heavy and dazed ...and quivered as he murmured last lines right on her lips...taking her breath away ...

The subtle spirit. Even while I spoke,

The bare word "kiss" hath made my inner soul

To tremble like a lute string, ere the note

Hath melted in the silence that it broke.

His hand dove into her hair but his eyes never left her ."Stop me now Miss Bose " He warned and waited ...She didn't .His mouth crashed down on hers ..hard and fast .Her eyes fell shut and blocked out everything except for the feel of his mouth, the curve of it, the wet warmth, the way his lips melted into hers.. All she could feel was explosion of heat ..a dangerous one consuming them both ...

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Notes and References

The poem mentioned here  O beauty, passing beauty! Sweetest sweet! is a sonnet by Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson, (6 August 1809 – 6 October 1892) one of the most popular British poets.  

Sonnet -   It has 14 lines, and is written in iambic pentameter. There are two types of sonnet: Italian (or Petrarchan), and English (or Shakespearean). The type of sonnet is determined by its rhyme scheme. It is said to be originated in Italy.For more info refer to this link https://literature-classics.knoji.com/what-are-the-two-types-of-sonnets/