"Aditya"

Sanskar skipped his heartbeat, but unknowingly his lips were spread in soft smile for a brief moment.

The sound of claps from everyone brought him back to the world.

Swara jerked back with heavy breathing not meeting her eyes with his scrutinizing ones.

Sanskar also took a step back, releasing his hold on her waist and taking away palm from her cheeks.

Her dismay for sudden breaking of their moment were clearly visible on her face.

Just one tear in her eye, his heart was stabbed with hundred needles at the same time.

"Excuse me" He left from dance floor.

Everyone was busy in music, food and gossiping that they failed to notice the first closest encounter of soulmates.

But four pairs of eyes did notice the silent exchanges and recent proximity shared by Sanskar and Swara.

'They are destined to be together. They are soulmates' Acharya Ji's words rang in Sujata's ears passing shudders down her spine. Her experienced eyes did not miss her son's pull towards Swara.

'What the hell is he doing?' Neil thought ruffling his hairs with open mouth, he was dancing with Samaira

Neil was Sanskar's mirror.

First time in his life, Neil could not comprehend reasons behind Sanskar's pure and genuine smile, his best friend was at peace after a long time.

Ragini fumed in anger, her eyes were splitting fire looking at Swara and Sanskar's closeness. It was alarming signal for Ragini.

Sahil was with his friends busy in his drinking sessions, passing death glares to Sanskar. He was frustrated to accept that Sanskar, his cousin had effect on his fiancée.

'I need to remind her that she is My Fiancée.'

Swara was lost looking at retreating figure of Sanskar, she could not understand why suddenly she felt empty in her heart. Just few moments back her heart was rejoicing with happiness but now it was aching with unbearable pain. The scars on her heart were dripping down on her cheeks in the form of tears. She turned her face to wipe her tears and left from garden area towards her room.

'Who is this Aditya?'

'That small kid?'

Damn! She is affecting me severely, why the hell I cannot control when it comes to her.'

Sanskar threw his jacket on bed in frustration. He was still feeling breathless for the vivid moment he shared with her.

Sanskar was agitated whereas Swara was lost staring at moon and stars, she was looking at them to find answers for her crumbled heart.

Next day, afternoon was planned for Mehndi and wedding planners were busy in giving final touch up for the decoration.

Courtyard beside dining hall was decorated with beautiful mandap adorned with white and pink drapes along with same coloured lilies and orchids.

Swara joined everyone for the breakfast in the dining hall, her pale face and red eyes were showing her sleepless night.

She received one phone call from office and to attend it she excused everyone and went to a side.

Sanskar entered the dining hall, typing something on his phone.

His lips stretched in small smile looking at her petit figure standing near one of Mandap Poll in courtyard. He sat on his chair and was chatting with his friends and cousin, but his eyes were drifting towards her again and again. He was noticing her each move.

Sanskar widened his eyes in horror looking at the unsteady iron poll besides Swara, it was windy, and poll was shaking.

Swara was busy in her talks over the call, she could not foresee the danger hovering over her.

Sanskar suddenly got up from his chair and ran towards her capturing everyone's attention.

Swara felt sudden pull and she dashed with a strong wall. She jerked and closed her eyes not understanding her surroundings in flicker of the second but the thud sound just near her footsteps flinched her in her place.

She looked at the iron poll which was now lying down on the ground taking all flower canopy decoration along with it. She was shivering with fear, her body had turned as icy cold with just the thought of mishap.

Sanskar enclosed her in his safe tight embrace, he had closed his eyes tightly to assure himself that she is safe and is with him.

Swara's gaze was still fixed on the iron poll; she had clutched his jacket in her fist resting her head on his chest.

"Shh...It's ok...It's ok. You are fine. I am there."

Sanskar released his embrace but not his hold on her, he cupped her cheek with his one palm.

"Are you fine? Did you get hurt?"

Swara nodded her head in no, she was still clenching his jacket in her fist. She closed her eyes for a moment resting back her head on his strong chest.

That moment she realised this is the safest place on the earth for her, his embrace.

Sanskar closed his eyes gulping hard to control his thumping heart, for a moment he thought he would lose her, and he would die at the same moment. He opened his eye which were blazing fire.

"What the hell? Why can't you do your work properly? What if she would have get hurt?" Sanskar shouted on top of his voice.

"Shona are you fine beta?"

She broke her hug with Sanskar not looking at him but gulping hard and immediately unprotective feeling engulphed her. She passed quick glance at him who was fuming with rage passing murderous glares to workers.

She nodded her head assuring her father about her safety.

"Are you fine Sanskar?" Anurag asked looking at the saviour of his daughter.

Sanskar nodded looking at father and daughter.

"Swara beta?" Sujata caressed her hairs.

"Sanskar Are you ok?" Neil ran towards him; he patted his best friends back.

"I am fine Aunty" Swara assured.

"Thank you so much Sanskar. I owe you my entire life" Anurag blessed him with moist eyes.

"Thank you" Swara mumbled looking at Sanskar.

"Swara are you fine?" Sahil asked rubbing her arm.

Swara flinched at his touch and moved more towards her father to make safe distance with Sahil.

Everyone was stunned with recent accident, but mostly with Sanskar's reaction.

He was famous for his cold and calculative reputation but today everyone witnessed the strong walls he created around him were falling down.

"Sanskar are you fine" Ragini held his arm and asked in concern.

Sanskar left not replying back.

Sanskar came back in his room. Recent incidence had shaken him from the core. His knuckles were bruised with small scratch while saving Swara.

"Is it hurting beta?" Sujata carefully took his palm in her's.

"Ohh come on Mom this is just a small wound" Sanskar assured shrugging his shoulder masking his face with his usual nonchalant demeanour.

"Show me" She took out small tube from night table stand and started applying ointment.

"Ssss...ahha"

"It will be fine Beta"

"Thank god you saw that poll was falling and saved Swara. If something would have happened to her what would I have said to Reva."

"Mom, you and her Mom were college friends, right?"

"No, best friends"

Sanskar could not understand his mother's love for the woman who betrayed her husband.

"Sanskar are you really happy with your marriage with Ragini?" Sujata asked for the question again which was haunting her from last couple of weeks.

'Is he rushing to marry Ragini just because of family pressure?'

"What do you mean Mom?"

"You know what I mean, Sanskar"

"Mom, it's just an arranged marriage for me. As I said earlier, it will take time for me to adjust. And Ragini is ok with it"

'Mom would be upset if she gets to know about my true intentions behind this marriage.'

"But if you are not spending any time with her or giving her any attention how your relation is going to flourish Sanskar. Each relation needs time and care. Your's and Ragini's relation is lacking on both pillars"

"Mom you know right, I was busy with AGM and then Rohan's aunty. Don't worry everything will get placed in its EXACT position"

"Sanskar if you are doing this marriage against your will just to make us please then Beta you won't be happy and if you are not happy then how can I be happy? How can Ram be happy? For me nothing is more important beside your happiness"

"Mom I am happy. Don't worry, I have you, Dad and Uttu. It's going great"

"And what about Ragini? You need to include her also in your closed one's list now. Don't you think so?" He could not match with his mother's stern glare.

"What was that Mr. Sanskar Mahehswari?" Neil shouted barging inside Sanskar's room capturing attention from Sanskar and Sujata.

Sanskar mentally thanked his best friend for saving him from his mother's interrogation.

"Have some manners Neil. You should knock before entering in anyone's room" Sanskar lashed out.

"These formalities are for outsiders not for me. So, stop lecturing me about mannerisms"

Sujata chuckled hearing their banter, she got up from bed and started leaving. She knew if her son would open up in front of anybody then it will be only and only Neil, his best friend.

Neil understood Sujata's silent gestures he assured her with nod and smile.

"Sanskar, spill out what is going on between you and Swara?"

"What are you talking Neil?"

"Cut the crap Sanskar. Are you using Swara to break your marriage with Ragini?" Neil was straightforward with his ask.

"Or I should say are you using yourself to prove Swara as betrayer?"

"Why would I need to use myself if she is trapping herself in my charm?"

"Sanskar, you know she is getting married with Sahil in two days and you are trying to ruin her marriage"

"Ohh come on Neil, at least I did not expect this from you. She  be grateful to me for saving her from disastrous marriage. Do I really need to enlighten your knowledge about my sweet little cousin's reputation?"

Sahil Sengupta was a total womanizer who used girls for satisfying his needs. He always maintained low profile in front of his family members and media. He was cautious enough to hide his linkages with girls, he used for his pleasures.

For his family, he was jovial, cheerful, immature but decent son of the family but he could not hide his Casanova image from Sanskar and Neil. They both were well aware about his reckless behaviour, his link ups and affairs.

Sanskar was least bother about his cousin as he hid everything behind curtain with his contacts, not exposing any risk to their family reputation.

"I am still not able to understand your moves"

"You want to ruin Ms. Swara Mehra, I don't know for what reasons. You must have your valid reasons. And now when she is pushing herself in horrible marriage you want to save her."

"Are your actions not contradictory with the game you are playing?"

"She hates to be titled as Betrayer because of her mother. I will prove that she betrayed Sahil in front of Divya Aunty. I know Aunty, she has some issues with Mehra's. She just needed final blow to break this marriage. I will give her enough reasons and she will attack with all her weapons to break this marriage It's like killing two birds with one stone." Sanskar provided his justification impassively.

Neil was looking at him with open mouth, his best friend is too dangerous to face as enemy.

"And how your marriage with Ragini will get break with this?"

"Come on Neil, do you think Ms. Mehra and her father will take all blames on themselves so easily?" Sanskar passed wicked chuckle and continued with deep tone.

"They will surely counter attack and then with all this drama, family conflicts, responsibility for maintaining reputation, media attention and what not...do you think other marriage will take place on the same date and time?"

Neil understood Sanskar was right, in all this chaos, his best friend can easily escape from his own marriage by playing emotional cards.

"And marriage postponed means marriage cancels. Mom has already questioned me about my involvement so I will have time." Sanskar replied with wink.

"And Shekhar Gadodia? He will surely not take this readily. He will counterattack like last time."

"He will surely face me; I know, he was the one who was trying to manipulate other small shareholders for teaming up against me before AGM."

"Why don't you inform about him to Ram Uncle?"

"When I am there, I don't want to increase Dad's tensions and work pressure. I am there to handle it"

"Hmm I am with you"

"But Sanskar, you cannot neglect that you and Swara have something unusual."

Sanskar was bewildered.

"I mean, I cannot put it in words but you both have some kind of spark, unexplainable pull towards each other. There is something between you two. I have never seen you getting affected by any outsider so much till date. But looks like she has some effect on you. Think about it Sanskar and then play your cards. Whatever the situation is, I am with you, but I don't want you to regret for any of your action in future."

Neil stared back as Sanskar, who failed miserably to hide his astonishment over his friend's observations. He huffed with nod.

Soon it was afternoon when Sujata brought Swara for Mehndi ceremony.

Swara was sitting on the couch placed on the courtyard and mehndi designers were adorning her milky white hands with henna.

On other couch, Ragini was also sitting who was passing death glares to Swara every now and then.

"Where is your ring?" Sahil asked looking at Swara's ring finger.

"I am putting mehndi on my hands, of course I have to take it out. And let me remind you because looks like you are forgetting that ring is very lose for me" She showed him the engagement ring which she had kept on the side stool.

"Ohh come on darling, but my love for you is very strong" He took the ring and slide in her ring finger again.

The day Sahil saw Swara for the first time in the conference hall, he wanted her.

Sahil was smart, he knew Swara was not like other girls.

Earlier he thought, she was brought up in London outside of India so she must be very casual with any one night stand relations but soon he realised Swara is not the one who will get impress by his charm, cheesy lines or flirting's, also she has been brought with high moral and ethical values.

He finally decided to propose her for marriage, he was not at all interested in marrying her but if with this, he could get a hold on her they why not.

He was fully aware about her dominating nature and arrogance.

Of course, a girl like her will make his life living hell if she gets to know about his true face after marriage.

But their marriage date was just two days away and she was not even allowing him to touch her that frustrated him more by each passing day.

One thing amazed Sahil was equation between Swara and Sanskar, he was noticing their silent exchanges and their reactions.

Something was brewing up between these two, he was sure about it.

"I hate cheese" Swara replied with her famous sarcastic comment.

Swara saw him leaving from her corner eyes and then concentrated back on the designs.

Sanskar was busy with Neil and Niren. He was controlling his best to not look at her at least in front of Neil, but his eyes were betraying him.

Swara was looking breath taking in pistachio colour Anarkali suit with light make up, her milky white hands were looking as most beautiful hands to him adorned with henna.

Swara could feel Sanskar's intense gaze on her unknowingly enriching her cheeks with cherry red colour. He was wearing black shirt and pant paired with dark grey suit jacket.

Designer have made small heart shape design and inside design there were few letters written, she looked at them curiously and then widened her eyes mumbling "Sanskar"

Swara remembered designer asking her husband's name when she nodded looking at Sanskar, 'how could I say that he is my husband.....shit.'

Swara left inside the palace. She was moving towards her room, but she halted and again looked at her hands which had his name.

She tried to rub the henna to wipe out his name, in her hustle she did not realise her ring slipped from her finger.

She turned frustratingly to move towards her room to wash her hands.

"Ms. Mehra"

She could not take everything happening around her and felt stream of tears on her cheeks.

She tried to wipe them with her fingers when Sanskar stopped her, slightly touching her wrist indicating she had mehndi on her hands.

"Something just went in my eyes"

Sanskar replied with nod pressing his lips tightly to supress his chuckle.

"This is I guess yours" Sanskar gave her engagement ring which he found lying on the ground, some steps away from them.

"Oh, this is very loose"

Sanskar looked at the ring and then turned his gaze towards the house temple.

They both were standing at the entrance of the temple, he went inside and brought mauli thread.

He wrapped that mauli thread on back of the ring.

"I don't think it will be loose now, you can try it"

Swara looked at the ring, she raised her eyes to look into his mesmerising dark brown orbs. She raised her hand to take it, but she was lost in his intense gaze.

Sanskar loosened his grip over ring purposefully and it fell on the floor, grabbing their attention.

"I am sorry"

He bent down to take it. He was still sitting on his knees, he forwarded his hand towards her to pass the ring.

Speculators who would have witness this scene would have thought he was proposing Swara at the doorstep of almighty.

Swara took the ring to wore it in her ring finger, much to her surprise now it fitted her perfectly.

"Thanks"

"You are always welcome Ms. Mehra"

"I will take your leave, I have an important call to join." He passed and moved towards study room with smirky chuckle.

'He is fuming with anger' Sanskar received message on his apple watch from Karan.

Sanskar shook his head passing chuckle with extreme satisfaction on his cousin's hardships, he purposefully made sure, his cousin would witness their recent encounter from far.

It was night when Swara came back to her room, she went to washroom for change and then settled down on bed. Today's incidences were replaying in her mind, 'Why am I feeling so strange? Yes, I agree I am not emotionally involved in him, but I know him as a friend. But from last couple of days, I just want to run away from him. I don't know why but he is becoming too clingy these days, and I hate his touch, it feels like disgusting.'

Swara was staring at the ceiling while lying on the bed unknowingly her other hand's fingers started caressing her engagement ring, and she remembered the recent encounter with Sanskar.

'What is he doing with me?'

'Why suddenly he is trying to be so gentle with me?'

'Did he forget we are business rivals?'

'Or is he really considering me as his family member? Today, he saved me.'

'If he was not there I would have badly injured.'

'He was scared when he looked at me, I could figure out with his terror-stricken eyes and thumping heart.'

'I felt it when he wrapped me in his protective embrace, it gave me feelings like I am at my home, this is my abode, it was so warm and peaceful.'

Destiny blinked her eyes several times 'Yes he is your home. You are his destination. It will be better if both of you accept it else, I have to strike down you two with my masterstroke and which might not be favourable for both of you'

**********************************

Precap:

Which couple will actually have Haldi ritual?

What will be Sanskar's masterstroke?

Will Destiny outshine Sanskar?

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