Hello people

Here is the next part
Happy reading 💕
__

{ the part where our leads ...take a fall }
___

Swara walked back lost in her thoughts. She wondered if she had been wrong in judging Sanskaar. Her conversation with the employee had shed a totally different light on him. 

“I am sorry, Sanskaar Sir couldn't make it. You know how busy he is. He sent you these as a token,”  Swara handed over bokeh and thank you card. Only if Sanskaar had been here. Oh! It would have been so nice.

Mr.Malhotra was one of few who joined Maheshwari Inc at the time of its inception. And he didnt have a reason to leave. Maheswari's never gave one.

His contributions were always acknowledged and appreciated. He wouldn't have asked for more. At the age of 60 , tall and lean, his grey hair lent him the look of a wise old man. 

“He never comes to such parties”, he told her as if it's not a big deal, "but we know he cares.” He added much to her surprise. “I have known Sanskaar from his time as a kid. He used to accompany Durga prasad Ji to the office and play around. He has always been a shy kid who doesn't talk much and then years later he took over. And he is doing wonderfully." Swara didn't miss the pride in his voice.

“We all know, he doesn't voice it out but he cares. A year before my daughter had a critical medical emergency. And even before I could ask for help, it was taken care of. She had the best medical care and they covered most of the expenses which would have cost me all my savings.

  Durga Prasad Ji along with Sanskaar personally paid a visit and ensured all arrangements are proper. I wouldn't have minded if they didn't, but they did because they think of all of us as their family.I am forever grateful to them, but I will miss this place” 

Swara felt puzzled. Was he referring to the same Sanskaar , who just before a few minutes , coldly dismissed her proposal? This Sanskaar sounded different.

Who is the real one?

As if he read her thoughts, The old man smiled, "You remind me so much of my daughter," he said fondly, patting Swara’s head. “ You are like little sunshine, always happy and bouncing. Let me tell you something. Don’t be quick to judge. Actions always speak louder than words. Why say when you can show? Right!"

And with that, he got back to packing his things, leaving a thought for Swara.

---------------

After Swara left, Sanskaar was in an elated mood. Finally, he can go crazy. He got himself a cup of coffee, And thank god, his cabin was soundproof. He turned on music .. more than usual and did a happy dance which he can’t in presence of Miss Bose. 

He grabbed a few files and launched himself into the lounge chair. Sinking into the softness, he sighed in pleasure. Ah! Feels so good.

Maybe he should ask Miss Bose to attend all farewell parties of employees and organize them too. 

He chuckled recalling how she stormed out of the cabin like a little firebrand. She had a point but he had his reasons.

He didn't like goodbyes, one reason why he avoided farewells. People leaving made him uncomfortable. He didn't have to prove his care superficially by showing up at these parties. His employees trusted him enough. He would be there for them, when in need.  

Well! Miss Bose has her own logic. Each to its own. He buried himself in a new project he had been working on … jotted some notes.

What is taking her so long to return, he tapped his feet impatiently checking the entrance. Wait! Wasn't he happy she was away before a few minutes? 

"Sanskaar, Have you lost your brain cells?" He chided and focused back on file. She can take an hour off if she has so many issues looking at his face.

After an hour, happy with the progress, he closed his eyes and leaned back … and in a few moments he drifted off to sleep.

------------------

Swara stepped back into the dimly lit cabin. Did he leave already ? she wondered. Did he take her words seriously about respite?  It was towards evening and they closed on most of the work for the day other than a few letters.  As she took slow measured steps, she found him … asleep on a lounge chair with a few files next to him ..and one open and slipped from his hand. 

Swara stepped close to get a better view. He looked so peaceful, contrary to Sanskaar she was familiar with. Brooding and restless.

He looked, peaceful she thought, settling next to him. A little smile played on his lips as if he were dreaming. Swara sighed. He looked carefree with his ruffled hair, tie askew from its place, rolled up sleeves, and a few shirt buttons undone. 

“Who are you Sanskaar ?” She murmured softly, “The one I see or the one I don’t?” 

She watched him frown and for a minute Swara thought he was awake, but it was in sleep, she realised the next moment. Some bad dream? Her fingers instinctively reached out, gently smoothing the frown between his eyes. 

----------------

He was dreaming of a face.  The Image was vague but he could see those eyes ..honeyed, a shade of alluring brown, her lips a tempting shade of pink, and her presence soothing.

She was smiling at him, whispering something and he was smiling too.

He felt her delicate fingers weaving through his hair ….and it felt heavenly as if she was washing away his every tension, giving him the peace he had been chasing for a long. Her fingers now traced his face ….

And he didn't want her to stop.

Suddenly the image got blurry, she was pulling away. In one swift move, Sanskaar grabbed her hand and pulled in.

--------

Swara froze at a sudden unexpected move. One minute she was sitting next to him and the next she was under him, falling into those endless depths of his eyes. He stared at her like she was, some dream. Her breath  heavy, Swara heart pounding against him.

He brushed a stray hair from her face, his hand traced her cheek with a gentle caress. Her wrist was still locked in his hand and with little to no gap between bodies …She was aware of every sensation coursing her, the jolt of electricity, his slighted touch invoked.

“Relax! I am here, “he whispered softly. And then He smiled. And as if hypnotized, she felt herself relax.

His thumb traced a line over her lips.  What it did to her was beyond comprehension. ‘Pull away’ her mind screamed, but she stared at him for loss of all reason. Then his gaze dropped down to her lips, pink and moist. 

She trembled with need and her lips parted in invitation.

----

Sanskaar almost moved in a trance. For a moment he was dreaming and next he was staring at one in his dreams.

Her hair was a touch of silk, as his finger slid smoothly over loose wisps. Her cheeks turned a lovely shade of blush as he traced a path …with his hands.

He was almost tempted to replace his hand with lips, and feel the softness. And then he heard her sigh, sweet and seductive as if calling him in.

Her fragrance fading notes of jasmine made him heady and His heart picked its beat wildly.  Her eyes wide and dazed, her breath warm and her lips luscious and inviting, she looked like a seductress and he leaned forward with a dying need to taste her.

 He would have claimed his stake, if not for the phone ring, pushing him back to reality. 

Sanskaar jumped back in horror and stared at Swara, still on the couch … 

“What the hell are you doing here?” He shot at Swara trying to calm his erratic heartbeat. 

Damn! This woman. Why can't she get up and stop looking at him that way? He was this close to losing his senses. Bloody hell! He was dreaming about her and as if it wasn't enough .. he was planning to kiss her. 

Swara took a few moments to gather her rattled senses. One minute, he looked at her like she was a fairy with wings. Now he is giving her looks as if she is some witch on a broom and shouting at her. This man and his mood swings.  Swara got up and steadied herself.

She drew in a deep breath and met his gaze “I just wanted to confirm you are alive and breathing. You looked dead on this couch ” 

“Aww! Did I disappoint you, Miss Bose? ” Sanskaar threw a killer smirk. Picking a fight might help to calm him down.

Swara was tempted to say Yes. This man irritates her just by breathing and existing. How about a smack on that handsome face and kick in the gut? “Is there anything else for the day , Mr.Maheshwari or can I leave? The last bus will leave in a few” 

“You can leave,” Sanskaar said in a dismissive tone. The sooner she gets out of the cabin, the better for him.  Swara glared, her eyes spitting fire. She packed her stuff quickly and was out of the cabin in no time.

It was after she stepped out, that she felt settled as her crazy hormones, which jumped at the touch or sight of Sanskaar Maheswari. How much she wanted to hate him …she was afraid she couldn't and she didn't have a reason why. Thank god, It's Friday. She could use the weekend for herself.

But her dreams were short-lived when she was invited for lunch, the next day at Maheshwari Mansion. The call came from Annapurna Maheswari and she couldn't simply refuse.

There was an issue. She didn't want to have a rendezvous with Sanskaar Maheswari any sooner. That Man was bad for her but the problem was… 

She wanted bad.

---------

Thoughts?

A star and few words
Next update - Tue/ Wed
___