Ragini was stabbing knife on Swara's picture from newspaper with headline titling her as 'Mrs. Sanskar Maheshwari' or 'Crowned Queen of Maheshwari Clan.' She had already broke iPad, her phone, TV of her room in short each and every media which showed Swara's picture with Sanskar from last day's event giving a perfect look of chaos.

"Laddoo, careful it will hurt you" Parvati was concerned looking at her granddaughter's madness. She was standing at the doorstep of Ragini's room. She was even scared to enter inside. Her so called timid, apprehensive, calm granddaughter had crossed every limit of her obsession over last couple of weeks. From the day they took their lovely daughter back home from Udaipur, they were experiencing totally new Ragini. She was continuously shouting like maniac and breaking things of her room in thousands of pieces. She had injured every servant of home who tried to go near her for keeping food or water in her room. Only family members were allowed to go near her, but they were also scared looking at her psychotic avatar. Ragini was fuming with anger, badmouthing and cursing Swara for snatching her long-lasting dream of holding a title of 'Mrs. Sanskar Maheshwari.'

Ragini had lost her wits when she looked at picture of Swara and Sanskar when they both were wrapped in each other's embrace post their dance on reception with headline titling them as heavenly couple.

She had cut their picture in hundreds of small pieces with scissor, with every cut she was repeating her own words, "I will kill you bitch; you snatched my place, my title; it was my right to be known as Mrs. Sanskar Maheshwari."

"I am going to kill you." She screamed her lungs out with red eyes, lightening the fire for the cut pieces.

"I am Mrs. Sanskar Maheshwari" Ragini stood to stared at her reflection in mirror with red eyes.

Parvati had put her palm on her mouth seeing devasted Ragini, this had become daily routine of Gadodia house.

In evening, Swara came back home after meeting with Anurag, both father and daughter had some quality time. Anurag had informed her in between their talks about him coming to meet Sanskar for certain formalities completion regarding the Will.

Swara had already took out the print of updated MOU and kept it with her. She knew Sanskar would never sign such paper, she needed to figure out her ways to get his initials at least on the page which mentioned about resource allocation, and then she can slip it in the final MOU exchanging the papers.

Swara inserted the page with trembling hands which mentioned about resource allocation percentage and slipped inside another folder which her father had earlier shared with her to get Sanskar's signature for completion of her grandfather's Will's formalities.

Next day, when Swara and Sanskar both were getting ready to go to their respective offices. Sanskar got ready in his light grey colour Versace Suit paired with off-white shirt without tie. He had already ordered his PA Mike to keep his ties ready in office with knots.

Sanskar was buckling his favourite Armani Watch and was moving out of the room when Swara called him from back.

"Papa send some legal papers for you to sign which require to complete the formalities of Dadu's Will." Swara informed, moving out of dressing room following him in corridor, she entered in her study to get the papers.

"Ohh" Sanskar nodded his head in agreement and halted on his spot.

"I have reviewed them; your signature is required on last page and on others initials should be fine" Swara came out of her study and hand overed him a file masking her face with confidence but her inner self was terrified with just the thought, 'will he noticed? Will he check? Will he read?'

"Ok" Sanskar took pen from her hand with nod. Swara kept on staring at his stone face with scrunched eyebrows trying to peep in his calculated mind.

"Mr. Maheshwari, are you sure you are a Businessman? You are signing these papers without even reading?" Swara asked sarcastically when she observed him signing without even giving single glance at the contents of the paper.

"You reviewed it, so I don't need to do it again." Sanskar low whispered still putting his initials and not moving his gaze towards her.

"Then, I could transfer all your properties, investments, bank balance on my name. In nutshell, I can easily make you bankrupt and bring you on roads." Swara responded pungently but still maintaining humor in their conversation.

"I haven't signed just a paper; I have showed my trust on you. Even if you ask me to sign on any blank paper, I would do that for you. I named my entire life on your name, so in front of that these monetary things are nothing. You can do whatever you want." Sanskar replied with soft smile not looking at Swara, he gave file back to Swara who was staring at him with open mouth.

Swara looked at him with amazement. He turned gave her his last glance and left from room without saying single word.

'Is he the same Sanskar Maheshwari whom business world titled as brutal, ruthless and stone hearted. How can he trust me blindly even after knowing I am his business rival?' Swara's eyes turned glassy when her mind registered his words and heart felt a pang; she took the file in daze.

'Am I doing right? By doing this I will betray him. This is wrong.' Swara's heart was not ready to break his unfathomable trust.

'He did the same with you. So why not you?' Her mind shouted at top of his voice. With battle going on between her mind and heart she left for downstairs to join her family for breakfast.

It was evening when Swara returned back to Maheshwari House, she came down after freshened up when maid told her that Sujata is with Ram in downstairs study room. She moved towards study and Uttara joined her too. It was her first time to step in this room, she knocked before entering.

"You don't need anyone's permission beta to enter in any of the room of this house. This is your house Swara." Ram assured her asking her to take a seat and offering her to join them for evening coffee.

They four were talking about regular casual things, after some time Ram got call on his phone from Dev and Sujata moved to kitchen to look for dinner preparations.

Swara and Uttara were exiting from study when Swara's eyes landed on one big glass cupboard filled with numerous trophies, medals & certificates.

"Looks like you Maheshawari's keep record of everyone's achievements" Swara was electrified looking at various achievement titles.

"Bhabhi these all only belonged to Bhai, no contribution from me or Sahil Bhai. This everything is earned by your beloved husband only." Uttara replied with pride.

"What?" Swara whisper yelled.

"Haan Bhabhi. I mean, in our home, I was kind of average student whereas Sahil Bhai used to get passing marks but Bhai, he used to outshine everyone in everything be it academics or sports or any competition he was always used to finish it with flying colours." Uttara was esteemed to praise her brother.

"1st price in Elocution Competition, 1st Price in State Level Swimming Championship, 1st in State Level Board Exams, Student of The Year – 2010" Swara was reading titles for trophies and medals. Her gaze went on one of the big photos on side of glass cupboard it had Sanskar. On his left side there was Sujata, on his right side it was Uttara and on other side of Uttara, it was Ram. Looking at the perfect happy family picture Swara guessed it should have been taken during Sanskar's graduation ceremony.

"It was taken when Bhai, topped in MBA from Harvard University earning Gold Medal. Mom and Dad were really proud of him." Uttara mentioned but Swara's gaze was fixed on Sanskar's bright smile. Till, today she had never seen him smiling like this, he was grinning, being carefree about his surrounding, wrapping his mother and sister in his side embrace.

"Does your Bhai know how to laugh as well?" Swara mumble to herself.

"Bhabhi did you say anything?" Uttara asked.

"Ahh nothing" Swara replied shaking her head and then again turned to glance at his smiley face, 'I hope one day I can see him smiling like this.'

'I know for any outsider it is really hard to comprehend true self of Sanskar. He is tough nut to crack as he is reserved, he talks less, he is a control freak for his emotions. But Swara, he is the most caring person I have ever seen in my life for his loved ones. He goes on his knees to protect and make them happy. I have seen it. Just give some time to both of you. He will bring world at your feet. Please take care of him. He is not the one what he shows to the world.' Rohan's words rang in her ears. He had found perfect opportunity when his best friend was busy with his business associates during reception for few moments.

It was dinner time when Sanskar came downstairs to join his family, he saw his cousin and Swara talking and moving towards dining hall. He ignored and took his seat. Over last two days, he had observed his cousin with his wife for couple of times but had decided to keep mum.

Sahil entered Sanskar's study as he asked him during dinner about some clarifications, he needed for Elma's Jewellery chain of stores which was under Sahil's portfolio.

"Yes Sanskar?" Sahil asked entering Study.

"Sahil, I need detailed planned strategic layout for Elma's for next one year. It's been 6 months you are looking into it. Return on Investment is going down from day one." Sanskar announced not even looking at Sahil but still typing something on his Mac.

"Ohh! so you are trying to make me busy to keep me away from your lovely wife?" Sahil asked to irritate him, nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders.

"Sahil stay in your limits. Please don't push me till the edge that I need to spill all your dirty secrets which would surely throw you out of this house." Sanskar threatened raising his one eyebrow, clenching his fist tightly turning his knuckles white.

"I was always in my limits, but you crossed it my Brother. And what should I do if your dear wife is finding her happiness in her old friend or should I say...?" Sahil left his sentence in mid.

Sanskar closed his Mac maintaining his eye contact with Sahil and then he moved towards him taking small steps.

"Sahil, don't dig a grave for your own self. She is MY WIFE. Stay away from her." Sanskar intimidated.

"She was my fiancée" Sahil was not less when it came to stubbornness.

"There is huge difference between 'Was' and 'Is'. I hope you would have learned it in school." Sanskar challenged his sneeringly and then moved out of study room.

'This is fun, I had not expected him to get trapped in my game this easily.' Sahil was pleased with his actions over the days.

Next day, when entire Maheshwari and Sengupta Family were on dining table for breakfast, Sanskar demanded an explanation from Sahil about Elma's in authoritarian tone capturing everyone's attention.

"Sanskar we are on breakfast table, let's not discuss business over here" Siddhant tried to defend his incompetent son.

"Even, I don't like to discuss about business on dining table Uncle, but this is the only time I get to see my favourite cousin." Sanskar responded acidulously, concentrating on his Spinach and Egg Omelette.

"But why do you need that? I mean it is going fine" Sahil was frustrated over his cousin's demanding and fascism nature.

"Fine! Can you please elaborate your definition for Fine? We have not opened single new store in India after taking over. Forget about India, South Asian Region as well. Except for business magazines and handful of social media, nobody knows that Elma's now belongs to Maheshwari's. You need to buckle up your sleeves to work your ass to get it routed firmly in South Asian Markets. By sitting here if you think everything will be taken care of then it's your wakeup call Mr. Sahil Sengupta. I need detailed presentation with in next two days for planned strategies. You will get meeting invite with me from Mike within next half an hour." Sanskar summoned with slightly high tone.

Swara was gaping at his cold yet dangerous avatar with open mouth. Everyone on the dining table was astonished looking at Sanskar's no nonsense demeanor.

"You cannot talk like this with my son" Divya spatted at her nephew, seeing him insulting her son in front of all family members.

"Ok fine. I won't but then ask your son to submit his resignation from board of directors panel before I throw him out for his incompetency in his professional life." Sanskar was clear with his stand passing murderous glare to Sahil who was ready to pounce on his cousin for using abusive language.

"Sanskar this is not the way to..." Ram tried to control the situation.

"I agree Dad, but this is something about business where I cannot tolerate any lethargy. You and Sid Uncle wanted me to give him a chance which I gave, now I want results." Sanskar declared, he stood up and took his coat before leaving everyone behind him in their flummoxed state.

It was two days for Sanskar's heated argument with Sahil, "Mike can I get the papers for Amanera and SEZ deal ASAP?" Sanskar ordered over intercom before settling in his chair taking deep breath in perplexed state. He had just finished his meeting with his team which was working on future planning for SEZ project who reported him about the challenges they would be facing for Phase-1 due to change of resource allocation percentage.

He excused himself from meeting room to enter in his cabin. Sanskar closed his eyes relaxing back on the head support of his chair to remember the events happened over the last couple of days.

"That means she did it finally" Sanskar mumbled to himself with closed eyes.

"Sanskar are you in your senses?" Neil barged in his cabin, excusing other team members.

"How are we supposed to finish phase -1 of SEZ? Government is going to put huge penalty on us for non-completion." Neil ruffled his hairs in annoyance. He became more furious over Sanskar's nonresponse.

"We had rounds of discussions with 50 -50. Do you have slightest of an idea how we will be impacted?" Neil lashed out.

"Why the hell are you smiling?" Neil shouted on him with top of his voice.

Sanskar opened his eyes hearing Neil's scoffed tone. He smiled shaking his head with glassy eyes. He turned his eyes towards other side to mask his face with professional coldness.

"Swara?" Neil mumbled in horrified tone.

"What do you mean? Why are you taking her name?" Sanskar jerked and raised his eyebrows staring straight in his eyes.

"Don't try to defend her" Neil exclaimed in stern tone shaking his head.

"Why will I defend her?" Sanskar opened his Mac not meeting his eyes with Neil.

"Stop lying Sanskar. You know, she is behind this catastrophe." Neil warned.

"Don't involve her, it was my decision to go for 25% - 75% resource allocation. I will figure out what to do next. You go home and enjoy your last days of bachelorette" Sanskar snarled back leaving deep sigh and started hitting keypad.

"Whom you are trying to fool? I am your mirror. Just take her name we will invalidate this contract" Neil snorted.

"No way Neil. I have taken vow to shield her as her life partner so let's not bring her in this" Sanskar huffed trying to convince him.

"Are you out of your mind? If we go with this, board of directors will kill you in next meeting." Neil growled.

"We have just 2 weeks to finish how to solve this before board meeting. I need to plan lot of things" Sanskar ignored but his mind had started its own calculations for taking them out of this unforeseen situation.

"Let's go and tell this to Anurag Uncle, he will help us" Neil calmed himself looking at Sanskar's stubbornness.

"Dare you Neil" Sanskar raised his eyelashes. He knew her father would become mad at her for her actions.

"What are you doing Sanskar? She is ruining you and you are bowing in front of her." Neil was helpless.

"She has that right. She is playing the same game which I played with her. I am impressed" Sanskar murmured staring at far.

"How could you sign any paper without looking into it" Neil understood Swara had tricked his best friend.

Sanskar smiled shaking his head leaving heavy breath.

"You knew it?" Neil asked with wide eyes.

"I had guessed it; she will do something like this. When last week she gave me papers for her grandfather's Will that time only I have seen that there is only one paper which was there in middle of bunch which had slightly different font. That time, I had quickly glanced it. I knew it was resource allocation papers with changed percentage." Sanskar nodded remembering the day.

"Then why did you sign it?" Neil asked in disbelief.

"To show my trust on her and our relation. I thought, in fact, I hoped, she would never submit those papers, but my past actions have left deep scar on her mind and she had closed doors of her heart." Sanskar's eyes turned moist once again.

"I need to talk to her. I will not let her destroy you." Neil argued getting up from his seat.

"Neil, it's between husband and wife. Please let me handle this" Sanskar was in his defensive mode.

"Sanskar please talk your hearts out, this is the missing piece in your relation." Neil tried to persuade his hard-headed best friend and continued with narrowed eyes, "Are you falling for her?"

Sanskar jerked and looked at his best friend with dumbfound expressions but immediately, he masked it proficiently with his arrogant shade.

"Get lost from here. Go and enjoy your last days of freedom. In next three weeks, you will be a married man and I will make sure Samaira will make your married life as hell. So, I don't want you to spoil these days with this office work I will handle myself." Sanskar berated not meeting his best friend's teasing gaze.

Neil pressed his lips to supress his chuckle at his best friend's failed attempt for escaping for this situation.

"From when this 'you' and 'I' started to come in between 'US', Sanskar?" Neil made his point clear.

"Neil..." Sanskar called in faint tone but was cut by him.

"Shut up, let's get back to work. I will bring my Mac here. Let's get this sorted out together" Neil wink with confidence.

'He is true definition of best friend' Sanskar thought, looking at Neil's retreating figure.

Swara was pacing in her room and checking the time on her watch every now and then fidgeting her fingers. 'He must have got to know about the blunder I have made. Will he suspect me? I don't care even if he accuses me for this. This is what he deserves. I need to be careful with my words and my stand. Surely, he will be mad at me when he is back.'

Swara thought he would be joining their family for dinner but after almost three weeks of their marriage he was not there. Sujata asked Swara to call Sanskar to ask about his returning time, but she did not gather courage to face his wrath over phone.

It was mid night when Sanskar returned back home, as usual his mother was waiting for him with his food. He had his food when his mother was making him understand the value of their relation and how he needed to spend his maximum time with his new bride, Sanskar did not contradict his mother and kept on listening her with nod.

After his dinner he came back to room to find complete darkness, he saw petit figure lying on his bed facing her back towards him.

Swara was aware about his presence in the room, she was pretending to be in deep sleep but was waiting for his outrage with throbbing heart. She was somewhat scared for his reaction. She had seen his despotism with Sahil other day morning.

Sanskar came out of washroom after change, he moved towards glass door of balcony to see moon and automatically small smile adorned on his lips remembering girl from his dream.

'Are you falling for her?' Neil's words rang in his ears and he turned to look at his wife who was sleeping peacefully.

'There is some connection between you and the girl in my dream, you both have huge resemblance. What is it? Why I always felt weakness in my knees when it comes to you. Why you always pulled me towards you? Your smile, your tears, your pain everything belongs to you impacts me.' Sanskar moved towards her side, he adjusted her blanket to cover her. He stared at her angelic face which was glowing in moonlight for couple of moments and then moved towards couch to take out his Mac.

Swara opened her eyes and turned to look at her back when she heard door closing sound. One tear slipped on her cheeks when he again left her alone in their room at night.

'He did not say a single word to me. I am sure he knew that I was behind everything but... why?' just a thought took away her sleep, she struggled closing her eye lids but his face, his care, his smile kept her awake for entire night.

"Sanskar, I am afraid for SEZ deliverables for phase - 1?" Siddhant mocked over breakfast passing glance at him and Swara.

Swara looked at Sanskar from corner eyes, biting her lower lip.

"You don't have to worry about it. It's my pet project." Sanskar replied firmly not even raising his eyes from his mobile screen.

"You should not have mixed your personal life with professional..." Siddhant could not finish as Sanskar cut him with raised eyebrows.

"It was my decision to go with stipulated percentage of resource allocation for both projects. And you don't need to bring my personal relations in business discussions Uncle. I will appreciate if you keep them away." Sanskar silenced Siddhant in one go passing cold look.

Swara flinched in her place hearing his defense, she felt breathless and guilty for her actions. She gulped water in one go to drink her unshed tears trying ot maintain her usual persona.

Entire day, Swara could not concentrate on her work, Sanskar's thoughts were running on her mind. She has anticipated his outburst, blamings and belittling her for her backstabbing but here he shielded her in front of his family and business associates taking every onus on his head.

Swara was tired, exhausted as her mind and heart was fighting their own battle over her actions. She left for home early due to severe headache.

"Aunty?" Swara scrunched her eyebrows looking at Sujata and maid of the house packing one pull over in their room. Sujata was making knots for the tie sitting on their bed.

"Swara, today you came early. What happened?" Sujata asked casually.

"Nothing, I just felt to come back home." Swara answered but her gaze was on the pullover.

"David is coming to take Sanskar's luggage. He just called to inform that he is going to Delhi and then Kolkatta, maybe he would go to Singapore as well for official purpose." Sujata explained.

"Ohh" Swara muffled.

"Did he inform you or not?" Sujata asked.

"No Aunty, I was in meeting so may be ..." Swara was careful with her words.

"I am sorry Beta, but he said this is very urgent and important as well. He will be back with in week." Sujata caressed her hairs thinking her daughter in law would be upset over her son for his sudden business trip.

"It's ok Aunty" Swara replied with tight smile and went to washroom to let her tears fell on her cheeks.

It was almost 5 days and Sanskar had stilled not returned back to his home, he was busy with his team and government officials with his back to back meetings to prevent any penalties for his pet project. He had inveigled government officials that there was delayed on their part for granting with required permissions for setting up first phase of SEZ. He was master in turning any unforeseen situation in his self-favour and that's what he used it here the most, putting every responsibility on their heads for providing necessary licenses which caused government to nullify the penalty charges and extending timelines for the project. He also had various meetings with other project teams to divert their resources for handling crunchy timelines.

He was in continuous touch with his mother to know about Swara's wellbeing and with Roger for her safety. First time, Roger had not accompanied Sanskar for any business trip for his security but was shadowing Swara.

Sanskar was fully aware of his cousin who would take this situation to turn in his favour. He had skillfully compelled his cousin to go on business trip for Elma's in European continent during his absence to keep him away from his wife.

Swara was missing his presence in their room. Over last couple of weeks of their marriage, she had become habitual to be around him while getting ready for their office. Though they both were never on talking terms with each other like normal husband and wife, but his one look used to flatter her heart, her ears were craving to hear his enchanted voice.

'I did wrong by betraying him, I should have face him in battlefield face to face. I backstabbed him. This is not my way to fight. I proved myself as her daughter.' Swara used to curled up in her bed as her conscience heart was blaming her over her actions.

'He did the same with you. Did he fight with you head on? Then why are you condemning yourself. This is what he deserves.' Her mind used to contradict with her heart.

"Swara did you ask him when he is coming back?" Sujata asked over breakfast.

"No Aunty. He looked like busy, so I did not disturb him" Swara was playing with her food.

"Call him beta ask him. He is answerable to you." Sujata forced looking at her daughter in law's pale face. Sujata was mad at her son earlier when he informed her about his business trip, but then observing Swara over the days she thought this separation would bring them closer.

"Yes Aunty" Swara asked and dialed his number from her contact list with shivering hands hoping she would be able to hear at least his voice.

Sanskar was busy in his discussions with his assisting team members and his phone was on silent. Swara cut the call being disheartened informing the same to Sujata.

After almost two weeks, Sanskar turned the knob of door of his room, at mid night being all tired and exhausted. He thought his wife would be in deep slumber, so he was cautious not to make any noise to disturb her sleep. But he halted on his spot when he took first step inside his room hearing guitar strumming's and melodious voice.

Kyun ki tum hi ho, ab tum hi ho
Zindagi ab tum hi ho
Chain bhi, mera dard bhi
Meri aashiqui ab tum hi ho

Kyun ki tum hi ho, ab tum hi ho
Zindagi ab tum hi ho
Chain bhi, mera dard bhi
Meri aashiqui ab tum hi ho

Sanskar started taking steps following the voice in daze, it took him in the balcony where Swara was sitting on the couch, with closed eyes, playing guitar, being unaware about his presence.

Tears were continuously rolling over her cheeks, her pale and fatigued face stabbed Sanskar's heart with dagger. But the words of the song were creating havoc in his heart and mind, he felt he knew each and every word from that song, every note of the guitar felt like he knew it in and out. He gulped heavily when the girl from his dream flashed in front of his eyes and her melodious laughing rang in his ears.

Swara opened her eyes as she felt someone's intense gaze, she turned to look at Sanskar who was standing in front of her lost in his own world. She was seeing him after all two weeks, he looked drained out with dishevelled hairs and dark circles around his eyes told her about his sleepless nights.

They were staring at each other in longingness, telling each other about their miseries, how much they missed their soulmate over these days.

Swara got up from her seat and ran towards him when her mind registered, he is standing in front of her and she was not hallucinating his presence. She stood in front of him just a step away, not breaking their eye lock. She held his jacket in her fist and sobbed staring at his dark brown orbs which were shedding tears telling her about his longingness for her. She did not even blink feeling scared that her dream would break, and he would go away from her again. Small content smile enriched on her cheeks which fluttered Sanskar's heartbeat with jet speed. She leaned on him touching her forehead on his chest. Her snuffle broke the silence of the night. She wept badly keeping her forehead on his chest letting out her griefs.

Sanskar was not mentally prepared for facing her heartbreak, he had missed her terribly over last days. His nightmares did not let him sleep and Swara's face was not going away from his eye lids. He kept himself occupied with his work, but his heart was craving for her one glance. He used to caress her face from the pictures he stored on his phone.

He raised his hand to caress her hairs to sooth her pain, but he startled with her murmurings.

"Aditya" Swara could only mumbled enough to be heard by Sanskar.

Just one name and his entire existence was on stake, flinching him at his place.

Swara felt his shaky movement and raised her head to look at him again. That moment realisation hit her hard. She swiftly took a step back making safe distance between them wiping her tears with back of her hand, looking everywhere but not meeting with his analysing gaze.

"Are you ok? Why were you crying?" Sanskar asked taking one more step towards her.

"Stay in your limits" Swara snarled at him when she felt his closeness. She masked her anguish with her arrogance and furiousness. She passed one death glare to him and went inside their room cursing herself for breaking down in front of her enemy once again.

Sanskar kept on looking at her retreating figure dropping his shoulders in defeat.

Destiny tried to convince, 'he is not your enemy; he is your soulmate. He is the one for whom your heart is craving for. Don't run away from your own feelings, don't let him go away from you. Enemies are planning their moves against you. You both need to fight with them holding each other.'

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

Precap:

What will happen during Neil's Wedding?

What will be planned by enemies for Swasan?

Which Sanskar's secret will open up in front of Swara?

Who's stroke would change Swasan life, enemy's or destiny's?

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