My Love for you is a journey.Starting at forever; ending at never.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

She relaxed slowly, drawing back from his embrace. She couldn't look into his eyes and lie. Tired and weary, she dragged her hands through her tousled curls. He had mussed them up when he- she stopped the train of thought right there, scrubbed her hands over her face. Tears were unfair. What she had to do was going to be hard on them both, and they could both do without her crying. On a shuddering breath she sat back, broke the contact. "Sanskaar," she said quietly, calmly. "Der raat ho chuki hai, tumhe jana chahiye."

He frowned in confusion. There was a world of distance in those quietly spoken words, the silence of a tomb, the chill of one. What was this? Where was the warmth that she had infused into his life, pumped into his blood, what he had felt in her arms moments ago? Had he imagined all that? Had he offended her sense of propriety...he was loathe to think if he had insulted her feelings that way - but no, he told himself. He knew what he felt. And they were both in it together. He loved her. She loved him.

"Swara," he reached for her hand as it lay on the bed beside her. She pulled it back slowly. Why wouldn't she look at him?

She picked up the first aid kit, rose to put it away. As he tried to think it through, he knew without a doubt he loved her. This was his moment of clarity. He loved her ,He simply couldn't do without her . He watched her movements across the room, tense and taut, short and choppy. He understood she was disturbed , he was too.. but in a good way.

Swara didn't want to look at him, not like this. Picking her night dress " Woh aunty pareshaan ho rahe honge bahut dher ho gaya hai." Sanskaar sighed with relief .The breath he had been holding back from her sudden withdrawal found its way out.

Taking a deep breath she turned to face him "aur mujhe change bhi karna hain." She had change of clothes in her hand. Her eyes were blank, seemingly blank. That worried him; but her tone was back to normal , he knew she needs time, they need time ,especially after what happened tonight.

"Main nikalta hoon." He slowly got up from the bed, moved towards door. Shouldn't she see him out?.. ...may be for a moment ..her heart led her to join him .They walked in silence. He stepped out..but not before stealing one more glance at her . She looked at him, he could sense conflicting emotions in her eyes, but could comprehend nothing . Not saying a word he drew her close pressing his lips to her forehead. Her eyes closed involuntarily as she felt his lips...she suppressed sobs that threatened again .One more moment with him , One moment to live before it's doomed and she wanted to live. Tears can wait .

"Good night!" His voice was as soft as whisper. She stood near door as he walked out brought up a smile as he turned to her, before getting into car There was a smile on his lips . Her heart ached as he waved goodbye , she waved him back and watched as he drove away.

Her knees gave away as she closed the door. She sank onto floor clothes dropping from her lifeless hands. She didn't wipe the tears that came then. Didn't stop the sobs. She wept aching for loss, aching for what could have been and what should not After a while she sat up, pushed the tumbled hair away , swiped at tears .She had to call her life to order .Life, she thought with bitter laugh. She didn't have one. But he did, Sanskaar, who had his whole life to live. Without her. What could she do to make it easier for him? Resolutely she stood up. She retrieved the dry clothes from where they had fallen, went to change. She would do what was right for him. She would.

Sanskaar drove back his thoughts heading in different directions. He was absolutely convinced she loved him right back but what was troubling her. May be the change of events, sudden shift of feelings .If she needed time he would give her ...how much ever needed .No rush. Everything would be fine ...nothing could go wrong now .He smiled thinking this gotta be the most unique declaration of love. Not a word yet everything said ...every feeling poured into that kiss and eyes giving away every unsaid word .His lips tingled at the memory of their kiss.

How stupid was he .. To not have realized this long back. This absolutely marvelous feeling. The feeling of being in love and being loved..Pehla nasha pehla khumar ...Song floated from FM .. Now it made sense..all this love songs , why Aamir would jump into air singing naya pyaar hai naya intezaar Salman would croon on pehla pehla pyaar hai ...He laughed at how he use to ridicule watching this stuff and now .. He shook his head smiling.

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She stood at her favourite spot ... It was simple drizzle outside but her mind was torrential. How ironical she thought as rain drops flowed through her palms.These rain drops, one can't hold them back...they just slip off from right between your fingers, just like her life is. Only if she could hold it back .

May be for once she can say it loud; admit to herself with no qualms- for one first and last time. Torn between militude of emotions, She closed her eyes letting those tears flow ... With every tear Every moment of theirs, as she uttered those words

I love u Sanskaar...

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He stepped into drizzle from balcony soaking in the feeling of this aching joy -euphoria, - He is in love -. His heart thumped with joy as he let this feeling sync into him. He is in love with Swara - His Swara .This got to be the best feeling the world. As the drops of rain kissed him ,every moment..Right from their first meet flowed through him.

https://youtu.be/ASJGxxnNdno

From:1.03(Listen to this song)

Boondon ke motiyon mein ghul ke ehsaas aaya

Waqt se nikal ke lamha dil ke paas aaya
Chhuke guzra tha par dil ko na mehsoos hua
Ab jo dekha toh woh lamha dil ko raas aaya

Yoon ke tai kar na paaun re..

Dil ki baat main hawa ke
Zariye pahuchaun re
Ya khud hawa pe chalke, aaun re
Tum se pyaar hai ye khul ke
Jin mein keh paaoon re
Lafz who kahaan se, laaoon re

Would he ever be able to put across in words his love for her - what she means to him, that she is his everything, his world. May be in those three words - Are they so magical to encompass every feeling he would want to convey . Yes they are , He could feel it as he said each word pouring out his love for her.

I Love u Swara...

..She flew her eyes open as cool chilled breeze brought his voice to her ears with tinkling sound of wind chimes - Music of heart - Did she imagine that ? Then she heard it again .She closed her ears blocking the voice and rushed inside. She didn't want to hear or feel anything that would weaken her resolve .. to let him go.

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"Ye kya hai Sanskaar?" Durga Prasad's voiced echoed in hall of MM

Sanskaar stood before his dad scanning the contents of news paper .It carried a piece of news in PAGE 3 column about the fight and few pictures of him hitting Vicky, with Swara in background, A blurry image of her.

"Tum shayad bhool rahe ho tum ek Maheswari ho ,Gundon ki tarah ye maar pitayi." DP paused with clear disapproval in his eyes and voice .

Sanskaar stopped himself from gritting the teeth as the image of Vikram holding hand of Swara the clear distress on Swara's face came rushing back to him ."Uss ne Swara ke saath batmeezi ki hain Dad." There was a restraint in his tone .

Dp frowned.. Swara? ..that girl from NGO .He couldn't believe he got into fight a nasty one not caring for his image for who ?? for a nobody ?

"Tum ek mamuli si ladki ke liye ..."

"Swara koi mamuli ladki nahi hain Dad .. ...those words were out before he could even realize.. he paused ... Perhaps not a right time to let his dad know what Swara is to him. His dad looked at him, his frown deepening. Not getting a further answer from Sanskaar, Durga Prasad decided to end the discussion by putting his point across.

"Malhotra saab ka call aaya. Vicky ki taraf se unho ne maafi maanga .Hum chahthe hain ki Tum Vicky se aur Malhotra saab se maafi maango aur iss jagade ko yahi khatam karo. Press ke bare kya karna hain hum baad main sochenge."

Sanskaar stared at his dad in disbelief. Just for the sake of his Maheswari image, his dad would have preferred him staying silent in party, let Vicky have his fun. For the first time he felt he didn't belong to this world where every move, every word has to be calculated.

Durga Prasad started leaving ..Young blood he thought, Fight over a silly issue .But now with Sanskaar apologizing things would be better.

"Dad" ... Dp turned back .

"Aapne ne aap ki baat keh diya ab meri bhi sun lijiye." Alarmed a bit at that tone DurgaPrasad stood back .Sanskaar's gaze met his dad's ."Dad ..aapne mujhe hamesha sahi galat ka farak karna sikhaya hain ,aur iss baar main sahi hoon." There was a finality in his tone as he continued ."I am sorry Dad ,par Main koi maafi nahi maangne waala aur aap ye umeed bhi mat karna." Saying this Sanskaar left, leaving a stunned Durga Prasad behind.

Annapurna stood right near stairs watching them ..just like she feared. Sanskaar halted for a second looking at his mom and headed back to his room .

DP stood for long .This was first time his decision was questioned , an outright no from his son. It shook him up to an extent .Has this got to do anything with that girl - Swara. If Yes ..He can't let it go any further.

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Sanskaar gazed at the framed photograph on his desk, wondering what she was doing now. It was one of the firsts he took of her, that first day he had taken his beloved Nikon to Little Flowers, just after they had teased each other over his photographic skills... she had that serene half smile on her face, the loveliest hint of a blush... fond memories. The warmth chased away the chill of the evening -it was miserable outside after an ill-timed rain. He took the frame in his hands, lightly ran a finger down her cheek. And remembered the satiny feel of them under his hands the last time he had held her...

His phone rang, shattering the reverie. A little annoyed, he picked it up - he had a WhatsApp message from Angie, his media queen pal. She wouldn't text idly. Frowning, he opened it. There was a video, and a very brief message: call back immediately.

He hit play.

Ice shot through his veins as he watched; he forgot the warmth brought in by those fond memories, experiencing this combination of shock and panic. Replaced by white hot rage. He grit his teeth as he waited for the video to play out, then pressed Angie's name on top of the screen, carefully hit call.

She picked on the first ring. They spoke for two minutes, after which he thanked her and cut the call. Grabbed his car keys and stormed out of the room. He had to call half a dozen people.

Then he had to kill someone.

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Veronica was in her tastefully decorated home office, just back from a campaign. A personal campaign, and one she intended to succeed in.

She sat back in her plush leather chair, giving herself a lazy spin in it. She had a nice surprise planned for Swara Bose. Sanskaar's love for the orphanage was going to do her in, that little nobody from Kolkata. Particularly that kid. Angel. She smirked. Such a sweet, innocent name. Such a sweet, innocent face. She had seen the kid on her visit to his beloved orphanage, posing as a high-profile reporter doing a human interest feature on Sanskaar Maheswari. The officials were more than forthcoming, especially the nuns. And they had given her the biggest nail for the coffin, that of Sanskaar's little love story with that tacky Kolkata girl: Swara.

She even got a heart-touching story of the trio in hospital overnight, and so much love and concern that they were mistaken for parents of the baby girl. Sweet. They even had shots framed on the walls like a gallery, and she had copied a nice, cute one of the faux family. She smiled. Freaking ingenious.

Such a nice, juicy scandal, she thought as she fiddled with her espresso maker. Small town girl, big-time industrialist, possibility of there being a love child - perfect. She took her coffee back to the desk to outline the plan of attack, reviewed her strategy and points of contact. She believed in holding all the cards close till the opportune moment. So far she had only disclosed these to one person: old man Bob Armand, network exec. Out of necessity, she thought over set teeth. He wouldn't commit without details. She forced herself to relax. Everybody else was content with the carrot she dangled- biggest scoop of the month, juiciest scandal ever on the Maheshwari's. Of course, she would be their pillar of support during the ordeal; daddy dearest would appreciate that, and brownie points for her. Family friend, staunch and loyal support. She could even be their spokesperson, she mused. And silently see that the Bengali village idiot would get roasted in the media hell fire.

The story wouldn't stick, would bounce off Sanskaar for sure as he was in London the previous year. But with the girl it would be different. And who would care, the damage would be done. The almighty Durga Prasad would never permit even the shadow of scandal near his beloved son, let alone a middle class girl whose name appeared in gossip columns and blazing headlines. She could encourage a lawsuit, she thought laughingly. Swara Bose would be wiped out of her horizon. One blazing comet, was all. Sanskaar would be hers. It was all a matter of patience, careful planning. Anything could be achieved in life with those two things.

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Sanskaar walked into the Vermas' residence with purposeful strides. Outwardly he looked suave, poised and in control. Only those who knew him well would detect the tension, the set line of his jaw, the anger dealt with in long strides that ate up the ground, one hand fisted to keep the temper from showing, the deadly calm in his eyes that spelt danger. Verma senior only saw Sanskaar Maheswari, golden boy, brilliant businessman on whom his darling daughter had her sights set. He didn't fault her taste.

He welcomed Sanskaar warmly, pointed him in the right direction when he asked for Veronica. Leave the kids to it, he thought to himself as he walked away with a smile. It seemed his daughter would get her wish after all.

Veronica turned at the brisk knock on her office door, and her annoyance transformed to surprised joy. "Hi Sanskaar," she waved him in cheerfully even as she shut down the files she had been working on - the ones on Swara.

"How are you?" she asked sweetly, all the while wondering - what was the latest? He seemed all dark and brooding. Not good, her astute brain signaled.

"If you continue doing all of what you have planned to do," he said without wasting time on pleasantries, "You will be facing a defamation suit. And another on ethical lines."

"What?" she asked mildly while her brain went into overdrive. Lawsuits? Where did that come from...did he know? How did he get to know?!

"You'll be dealing with my lawyers. And me," he added quietly as he sat down across her. "Because ensuring you suffer will not be enough; I'll wipe out your career." The chill in his tone and the ice glittering in his eyes were equally deadly, so much she took a mental step backwards. "Rest assured," he finished easily, in a mild, conversational tone.

"Would you start at the beginning?" she asked, keeping her expression neutral. She needed to know how bad it was. She tapped one carefully manicured fingernail on the armrest, the only outward show of her spinning brain.

He pulled out his phone, swiped at it a few times, then set it in front of her.

She flinched at the sound of her own voice coming from the phone, then frowned at the video.

Was she made of stone? He had only caught a flicker of emotion, momentary shock. Right now she looked at the video like it was a pesky fly. Incredible, he thought. Then found himself gritting his teeth when they reached the love-child part.

The video was a CCTV grab of Veronica in a certain media executive's office, sharing her speculations about Sanskaar Maheshwari's relationship with a certain social worker, and an illegitimate child - possibly there's - currently housed in an orphanage, which Mr. Maheshwari himself had brought back from the dead after the admission of the baby in question.

"Where did you get that from?!" she fumed.

He smiled, though it was without mirth. "Unlike you, some people have scruples, ethics. Bob Armand," he supplied as he pocketed the phone.

"The snake," she hissed, angry color flaming her cheeks. "I'll sue him."

"Funny," he drawled as he settled in comfortably in the swivel chair, crossed his ankles. "I was about to apply those words to you."

She gave an unladylike snort, sat back. "So old man Bob won't run it. Somebody else will," she thought out loud. She had to work around this obstacle, and then...

"I am not joking around, Veronica," he said abruptly, snapping her out of her scheming and editing.

"Oh, I know," she waved it away, because she was considering new angles for a better spin. So one avenue was out, but she was sure Sanskaar and his little girlfriend spent an awful lot of time together. If not this, then something else... "But I'll score," she said softly, thinking out loud.

"You won't. Any which way this comes out in the media, I'll know who started it. I'll trace it, hunt you down." He would kill her, too, he added silently. She looked at him, the hint of a twisted little smile on her lips, as if she found all this mildly amusing. He wanted to throttle her right then.

So she was made of stone, and she was insane. "Is everything a game to you?" he asked bitterly.

She looked out the window. "I don't know what you mean." Everything had gone horribly wrong. Damn that fool Armand, and whichever underling of his that Sanskaar had in his pocket. Because even when she was considering new ideas, she somehow knew she was finished with Sanskaar.

"Of course you do. You can't have me, Veronica," he stated bluntly. Her gaze whipped to his, flint hard. She said nothing. Defeat was an unpleasant taste in her mouth, like the medicine a dentist would smear your gum with during a painful session. And it burned.

He had come to cut a deal, he reminded himself with some effort. It was the way he dealt with most of his problems. "You play with my life, and I'll finish yours," he promised. "Leave her alone, and I'll see to it that you will be recompensed."

"I am to be bought now?" she spat, disdain dripping from every word, her eyes glittering with cold rage. She considered Sanskaar Maheswari as he was. No, no man on earth was worth everything she had worked for all her life. She knew Sanskaar well enough to understand he never made empty threats, he never did things halfway. He was a bloody perfectionist. And he was nuts over this girl, quite obviously. Those lawsuits would cause irrevocable damage to her career...and all over the little twit of a girl. She could kill them both just for that! She welcomed the red haze that was much better than the bitter aftertaste of defeat. But she clenched her hand on the armrest of her plush chair - she hated letting temper show. Why add relish to the opponent's victory?

He watched her struggle with the mad, and win the tremendous battle. Outwardly she was calm and unfazed. Her eyes blazed.

For the first time, he acknowledged to himself how dangerous she could be. As much as a wounded snake.

"No." he answered her question. He wouldn't insult her that way. It wasn't fair to kick the opponent when they had no weapon. And she had none, he thought with savage satisfaction. "But I can see to it that your work won't suffer. Your career means more to you than any of this," he pointed out reasonably, with an outward calm that set her teeth on edge.

He was right, but that didn't mean she was going to let him salt the burns. "So you what, will rehabilitate me? Nice plum package somewhere else so I'll be out of your life and hers?"

"One is the same as the other. SHE IS MY LIFE," he emphasized. It was becoming easier to say it, now that he had accepted it. "And am sure you have heard of golden parachutes." Golden parachutes were compensation packages offered to high level executives whose employment would get terminated during corporate acquisitions.

"I don't want one." She bit out, then rose. "Get out."

He rose too, but made no move to leave.

"You haven't answered."

"I'll leave you alone with your middle class, absolute-nobody girlfriend. I don't know what you see in her," she sounded honest, at least. He resisted the urge to point out what he did see in his girl, and the lack in the one facing him right now. It would get them nowhere.

"I'll serve out my term with Maheswari Group." She challenged; he acknowledged with a quiet nod. "And I don't need your parachutes."

He nodded again. He had expected as much.

"And I won't wish you well. I'm not made that way," she said with something resembling a sneer. "Now get the hell out." she flicked an arm towards the door. She was furious with this idiot boy who ruined all her carefully laid out life plans, but damned she was if she let slip even for a second.

"I hope you find your match someday," he tossed out with a bloodless smile. It was a calculated insult; he was impressed to see her check the impulse to hurl something his way. "Stay away from my girl, Veronica." He said matter-of-factly as he sauntered out, leaving Veronica to rearrange her life. He raised a hand in farewell to Senior Verma as he descended the stairs, strolled out to his car parked on the front porch.

The calm faade evaporated the moment he was in the car. That anybody could think of maligning Swara, of painting their relationship in such ugly shades... The rage bubbled up again, and his hands tightened around the steering wheel. He forced them to relax, degree by degree. He had dealt with it, he reminded himself. This was the right weapon. You didn't kill a locust with an AK47 or a Magnum. It required pesticide, or another pest that would devour it. Lawsuits that would wipe out her career was the right card to play. He had done the right thing, even though he wanted to kill Veronica for thinking she could do all that to Swara. He certainly wouldn't have minded the opportunity to make her see those threats realized. In his bloodlust he had wished for it, then bit it down. None of this was to touch Swara in anyway. She was all that was good and pure...not to be tainted by vicious lies and rumors. He had accomplished his mission. No ugliness would touch Swara now, no insinuating headlines or vicious articles or poisonous marquees on the afternoon TV. It had to do for now.

As for Swara... she hadn't called or answered any of his calls, all day. He decided he'd give her some space, some more time, then they had to talk. He had to tell her, and he had an idea how. And hear her say it, what he had seen in her eyes and felt in her arms...thinking of her and only her, he drove home.

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It had been 4 days before Sanskaar decided to end this self inflicted torture and pay a visit to Swara. He held back deciding not to rush but he couldn't take it any longer. Neither a call or message from her ... His every call and message unanswered .With every passing day it just got tougher,being away from Swara.He could never handle it for longer periods , every time he had been away from her it was nothing less than misery and now ..its was sheer, pure torture especially after realization of how madly he is in love with her .

He picked bouquet of red roses on his way..a dozen - He knew number of roses, especially red ones held a special meaning and 12 roses would just be perfect to convey his feelings -"Be mine" and "I love you" and of course chocolates - how could he miss them - her favorite .His contemplated on greeting card but decided for sometime later. This was just the start; he had so many plans for her ,for them. This was first time he would meet her after that night ... Partly excited partly nervous he drove wondering how she would react.

On reaching the place he sat back ,taking deep breaths trying to calm his racing heart "Calm down Sanskaar..Just calm down" he told himself. This was new for him ..this nervousness , for someone noted for his cool calm stature of handling things irrespective of magnitude of seriousness . He took one more breath..:"Better " He thought .He opted for an informal wear - a red t- shirt with black jeans- one of Swara's favourite from their last shopping trip .Taking his shades off, he checked his reflection in mirror once, twice, ruffled his hair a bit just the way she likes .. Picking roses and chocolates he got down the car .

Watchman instantly recognized the car and of course its owner, by now he was quite familiar with both .As Sanskaar walked in greeting watchman." Saab Swara bitiya tho ghar pe nahi hain." That stopped Sanskaar in his tracks.

"Nahi Hain matlab ?" He questioned back not quite getting his meaning .What is he talking about ? Did she have College today.. but it's weekend or some project work .

"Ghar chali gayi ..Kolkata, bitiya boli ki kuch kaam aa gaya hai aur kab wapas aayegi pata nahi."

Disappointment would be small word what Sanskaar felt at that moment . She left to Kolkata,not a word to him ? Next minute his protective instinct kicked in .. Why would she rush to Kolkata ?Some emergency? Holding chocolates and bouquet in one hand, he reached for his mobile in back pocket .On dialing her number he was welcomed by switched off tone . He dialed again, few more times quickly dropped in messages. Her mobile must be out of charge, if not she would have definitely called him. Of course she would have . .What if she needs him?.. His next instinct was to flying down to Kolkata but.. he knew nothing ..not a thing on her whereabouts in Kolkata.

He cursed himself for not having her address or number handy .He hurried back to watch man ,"Kaka... aap ke paas Swara ka Kolkata ka number ya address hain." On receiving no as answer he got into the car ..May be he knew where he can find one.

Sanskaar walked out of Little Flowers knowing where to go next .He quickly placed a call to kunal. It's been quite some time he stepped into Little Flowers .Kids showered him with same warmth & welcome, the one he received on his every visit .On questions about their Swara Didi ,he told she would be back soon as she had go to her home .

He rushed to meet Father Benedict .Much to his dismay Father Benedict didn't have any information ,but one contact of Mr .Mehra whom Swara mentioned as guardian in Mumbai , just the number .

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Back in his car Sanskaar thought,Visit to Mehras had been good. It took a while for Kunal to trace the address of Mehra's .Though Mr .Mehra was very apprehensive to share any details of Swara, he managed to get Swara's residence number back at Kolkata. It was nothing less than an interrogation - the Q & A session with Mr.Mehra .At one point though he was miffed , he appreciated Mr.Mehra's " I am sworn to secrecy" mode. Finally after having a word with Father Benedict ,Mr.Mehra agreed to share the number.Pressing redial button for umpteenth time , He wondered why Swara never mentioned them to him and her details as well. It wouldn't be tough for him trace Swara , but there might be a reason why she chose not to divulge any information on her whereabouts and he would chose not to defeat the purpose. All he wanted was ,to make sure his swara is safe .

Still No response from the call.. Sanskaar's worry grew deeper. " God Please Meri Swara ka dhyaan rakhna aur sab kuch theek kardena."He send out a silent prayer.

Back In MM

Annapurna walked into Sanskaar room .The recent events left her quite restless. Dp was visibly upset with Sanskaar , and the fight ? How did she miss it ?Neither Sanskaar mentioned it.She recalled Sanskaar being quite late from the party, but she intended not to disturb him, but she had to talk .

She gently pushed the door .. only to find Sanskaar pacing restlessly holding his phone Tension and worry clearly visible on his face . Her motherly instinct took over .

Sanskaar..She approached him hastily ..

Mom..Sanskaar sighed - Much needed sight at this moment -His Mom. He gave her a quick hug.

"Sab theek hain na" her voice was full of worry and concern .Sanskaar held her for a moment longer .Not fair ,Now he is getting her worried .

"Haan mom, sab theek hain..he broke the hug paused a second before he said "Woh Swara .."

Hmm Again Swara .. By now Annapurna knew clearly what Swara means to him . A scratch on Swara, her son would bleed. "Kya hua Swara ko?".

"Kuch nahi mom woh Kolkata chali gayi achanak se ..ek call nahi ,ek message nahi.." he sounded annoyed ."kab se call karne ki koshis kra raha hoon..par koi jawaab nahi .. Mom ..Mujhe Darr lag raha hain .. Kahi waha kuch..."He paused distress taking over him .

"Kuch jaroori kaam se gayi hogi Sanskaar ..Call kar degi" Annapurna tried to pacify him .

"Main samaj sakta hoon mom ..lekin kamse kam ek msg ..He dialed number again ..paanch din mom ..Agar ek aur din aise hi gaya tho main paagal ho jaaunga .. Yaha meri jaan nikli jaa rahi hain aur woh hain ki ...Annapurna stood listening to him as he dialed number again and again .

"Bahut pyaar karte ho na usse se." Sanskaar stood stunned for a second hearing his mom.How did she ? Just like she sensed his question
"Maa hoon tumhari , jab tu bolta bhi nahi tha ,tabhi teri baat samajh jaati .. aur aaj bhi..."

Of Course .. there are only two people who could understand his silence and every unsaid word - His mom and Swara. "Mom woh main ...Annapurna walked up to him and made him sit next to her.She knew he would want to talk . She waited and he spoke ..

"Mom ..main nahi jaanta .. kab kahan kaise ..kuch nahi jaan tha ..bas itna jaanta hoon ki ..main Swara se bahut pyaar karta hoon ..I mean bahut jyada ..aisa laga tha hain ki swara ke bina main .. " He paused .

Finally her son realised what she knew long back but ..." Kya Swara bhi tumse.." she voiced her underlying fear . "Of course Mom .. Swara bhi mujhse pyaar karti hoon" There was an strong underlying confidence when he said that . ..He knew it by heart ..she loves him ..just like he loves her. There were no second thoughts about it .

"Kya usne aisa kaha ..?" Annapurna was still not convinced . Sanskaar looked taken back for second but was quickly back "Nahi mom.. usne kuch kaha nahi hain ..infact main bhi kuch nahi kaha .. par hum jaante hain ki..."

Annapurna looked alarmed now ... "Ye tum kya keh rahe ho Sanskaar ?" How can he assume such things ? Though she knew and have seen same feelings in Swara's eyes ..but what if she was wrong?

"Mom main aap ko samjha nahi pavunga I mean ..main uski aankhon main dekha hai .." He can't be wrong ,What she had seen in her eyes at that moment ... What he felt ..he can't be wrong.

"Kabhi kabhi insaan wahi dekhta hai jo woh dekhna chahta hain ..aur main nahi chahthi hi tumhe kuch galat fehmi ...Annapurna feared the worst, the intensity with which he loved Swara ..the power that girl held on her son's heart , it scared her.

"Trust me mom ..Koi galat femi nahi huyi hain ..I know it ..I just know it" .Annapurna wanted his trust his win.Looking into his eyes she sensed he was absolutely sure of the same and wished she could trust him on the same ,about his assurance but...

"Sanskaar .. Main chahti hoon ki kuch bhi karne se pehle ek baar ..Swara se baat karke dekho ..usse kehke dekho ." That was last resort she could try.

"Of course mom ..he got up from the bed ..Of Course main usse batavunga .. I mean I will propose her ..Annapurna saw his eyes sparkle with excitement .."bas ek baar baat ho jaye aur woh wapas aajaye.. phir .. he paused as something crossed his mind. How didn't he think of this before .He settled down near bed..close to his mom. May be he should have talked to her before, .."Mom .. Maine aap se poocha hi nahi .. I mean...Aap Swara se mili na ..kaisi lagi woh aapko ?" He knew his mom liked swara but his mom's approval mattered to him.

"Hmm .. Agar main ye kahoon ki mujhe pasand nahi hain ..aur bhool jaoo." Sanskaar looked as if someone has asked him stop breathing ...Next min Annapurna smiled .. "Swara ..mujhse bahut bahut pasand hain aur main bahut khush hoon ."

Sanskaar almost looked like he would start jumping .He knew it ."Main jaanta tha mom, aise koi ho hi nahi sakta jo swara ko pasand naa kare.Mom ..main aapko bata nahi sakta ki main kitna khush hoon .. jab bhi mujhe iss baat ka ehsaas hota hai ki mujhe swara se pyar hogaya hain...I love her mom ..I love her.

How happy was he ..

Not a right time she thought ,to talk about the showdown with his Dad. As Annapurna made her way towards exit ,Sanskaar looked at his Mom.She seemed worry even before they talked about him & Swara and he knew what was bothering her."Mom" Sanskaar called out .As she turned back " Mere aur dad ke beech jo hua ..aap usko lekar pareshan ho ." Annapurna didn't say a word and Sanskaar continued ,"Aapko kya lagta hai ..main galat hoon ?"

There was a long silence and Annapurna spoke, "Tumhare Papa ko tumhari "haan" ki aadat ho chuki hai Sanskaar .Bachpan se tumhe wahi kiya jo tumhare dad chahthe the , lekin ab shayad unhe samaj na hoga ki ab tumhare bhi khud ki zindagi hain khud ki kuch sapne hain . Aadat ko chodne main waqt lagta hai .Main baat karunga tumhare papa se .tum chinta mat karo ."

"Thanks mom" he walked up to her.."aur aap bilkul tension ma lo." he reassured her holding her hand . Annapurna nodded, smiled and walked out wondering how would her husband react to this new development of Sanskaar's love . She could foresee a war between them which she caught a glimpse of already, but she knew which side she would be taking . Sanskaar had always lived his dad's dreams, meeting his every expectation but now it's time he lived his dreams too ...

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Sanskaar stirred on his bed as first rays of sun filtered through window. He should have been out of bed by now, but he didn't want to .He didn't want his dream to end. A faint smile played on his lips as he held their photograph more closer.One of few from little flowers picnic - just both of them.

Last night he finally managed to get lucky. He almost gave up the hope that's when some lifted the call.Sounded like an elder lady, Sanskaar wondered if she was Swara's mother. Further to his surprise he was not probed as he gave his name and asked for Swara . There was deadly silence on other side for a minute . All he heard ,faintly someone calling Shona'.He held on with hope...With every ticking minute ..his heart raced faster, then her voice came in...

Hello ..

Silence ruled both sides .

If Sanskaar had been asked to spell out his feelings at that moment ,From being completely blank ,then running through myriad of emotions - his worry how he probably went crazy looking for her ,anger on how could she just leave him and go without a single word, how he missed her, ,the yearning to see her , tell her and hear from her , those words which he had been saying on loop from the time he uttered them first time - He loved her. He had thousand questions, hundred's of feelings to say but all he said was -

SWA--RA...

And that hit her .. his every question, every feeling , every unsaid word he wanted to convey .She clutched the receiver hard as those thousand emotions flowed through her , every single one he felt , Accusation,plea, worry ,anger,concern,longing, and above all his love. A tear drop trickled down her cheek . She suppressed every voice that came in from her heart - All she wanted to say was I love u sanskaar ..but

"Hi Sanskaar" -she tried sounding cheerful .. kaise ho ? woh I am sorry actually ghar main kuch kaam tha.. tho ..aur...she paused abruptly as he said " Tum teek ho na Swara." Her heart sank down further. " Woh main ..main darr gaya tha swara .. ki ..his voice was choking like he would break down any moment .

"Main bilkul teek hu Sanskaar" she held back tears .Probably that would be the biggest lie " aur 10 din main wapas aaja vungi"

10 din ??.. those words weighed down his heart.How would he, He was almost at verge of lossing his mind.. and 10 more days. How would he survive? "Main agli flight se Kolkata aa raha hoon. Apna address Text karo ."

Swara was horrified .She can't let him ... It was nothing less than herculean task for Swara to convince Sanskaar not to come . He was not ready to listen but had to finally give in on condition , that she would keep her phone on and would message him at least once and call him when free.

Swara held phone for long after the call ended.

Why he had to make it tough when she is struggling to make it easy for him.Her whole purpose of being away from him..it's not working out. Sanskaar is not the one to give up.She should have known that. Just his voice had her crumbling down. The window of 10 days ..she needed it, to be tough, to face him and to give a proper closure - for them.

And Fates laughed.