It was 1 am, and Sanskar was still reviewing updates he received from finance team about CAPEX cost for 'Amanera Hight Tech City Project.' It has been two weeks for the conference, and he drowned himself in this project presentation and quote amount finalisation.

Sanskar closed his eyes for some moments, taking deep breath. He was sitting on his bed of his room with support of headboard. He opened his burning, red eyes and then closed his Mac, keeping it on night table he moved towards the balcony.

'How to grab this deal?'

The thought about project diverted his thought process towards the epitome of beauty he saw during conference, bringing small smile on his lips.

He remembered, how he turned his gaze from her beautiful face and masked his face with professional coldness. She was looking goddess of pageant in mango colour formal top, light grey formal skirt paired with same colour jacket.

'Swara Mehra'

Surely, she had captured his attention from last 6 months especially when she brought Raheja's Steel and Company under Mehra's Umbrella. Business world denoted recent connection between Raheja's and Mehra's as merger but Sanskar's foresight did not miss that it was not a simple, straightforward merger but Mehra's taking over Raheja's by acquiring their major share percentage in future. He was aware, how Raheja's were tenacious in their field but this girl made them bow in front of her, for which he had appreciated her planning and business skills in his mind.

'I love my friends and family and I keep them on my right to care and protect them'

'BUT I am obsessed with my enemies and I keep them on my left  to safeguard my loved ones'

This was Sanskar's theory which he followed in his personal as well as professional life on every step. He always kept himself well informed about his rival's activities.

Next day, Sujata and Divya were enjoying their afternoon tea at the patio when Divya mentioned with calculative, low voice, "Bhabhi, you know right? Why Shekhar Bhai and Sharmishtha Bhabhi are coming today for dinner?"

Divya's statement drained all colours from Sujata's face, she passed one sad chuckle taking deep breath.

"I know Divya, let's see what happens?"

Shekhar Gadodia, son of Deendayal Gadodia who used to be the driver for Anant Maheshwari was loyal and dedicated person.

Deendayal Gadodia died while saving Anant Maheshwari from an accident when their car collided with tree on one stormy night.

Anant Maheshwari, was a man of words, he gave his word to Parvati Gadodia about shouldering responsibility of their household and her son Shekhar in return of the sacrifice made by her husband.

Shekhar, after completion of his graduation joined Maheshwari Business House as Manager. Even after Anant's demise, Ram and Sujata maintained their cordial relationship with Gadodia's. Ram observed a Shekhar's skills, his talent, he was hardworking and loyal to Maheshawari's. He brought him on management and Shekhar became one of the trusted employees of Ram over the years.

Ragini Gadodia, born to Shekhar and Sharmishtha was beautiful and modern girl who had graduated in fashion designing stream from Paris. After her return, with the help of her father she had started her own boutique, and within short period of time it has achieved name and fame.

Ragini had feelings in her heart for Sanskar, she had fell for his charm long back.

Gadodia's were trying to put forward alliance talks between Sanskar and Ragini, and today's dinner was also planned between Maheshwari's and Gadodia's with the same hope.

"Hello Aunty" Ragini entered Maheshwari House along with her family. She took blessings from Sujata and Divya.

"Ragini, you don't need to touch our feet. Your place is in our hearts" Divya caressed Ragini's cheeks.

"Welcome Shekhar, Shomi. Please come in Kakisa" Sujata welcomed Gadodia family.

"How are you Sujata Bhabhi?" Sharmishtha asked taking seat in the family room.

"Bass routine, how are you Shomi?"

Soon Ram, Siddhant, Sahil joined them for family discussions.

Ragini's eyes were roaming around family room of Maheshwari House, she wanted to have one glance of Sanskar but he was nowhere to be seen.

"Ram, where is Sanskar?" Shekhar asked looking here and there after some time.

"He is in study room, attending one meeting with Rickson's management body"

"Ohh god Bhai, this boy is crossing all levels of workaholism. Bhabhi, you need to bring beautiful girl for him as soon as possible to convert your son into family man." Divya said with teased smile while passing a glance at blushed Ragini.

Sujata passed fake smile to all and shared helpless eye contact with Ram; he blinked his eyes in assurance towards his wife.

"Sujata Aunty, can I go and call him?"

"What is the need to ask Ragini? Just go and bring him here." Divya replied even before Sujata could think for any option.

Sujata was well aware about her son, he would not like anybody outsider disturbing him in his work.

Ragini entered study room and the sight in front of her skipped her heart.

Sanskar was working typing something on his Mac.

He raised his head to look after the person and found smiling Ragini.

"Hi Sanskar"

"Hi Ragini"

And continued without allowing her to talk further, "tell Mom that I will still need some time to finish this. I may not be able to join you all for dinner"

"Come on Sanskar please, we all are waiting for you. Please join us"

"Sorry Ragini, that's not possible. You guys go ahead with dinner. I have couple of calls to join" Sanskar replied back in stern voice not moving his gaze from Mac screen.

Ragini stared at him for some moments and turned to go out of Study room with teary eyes.

His cold and reserved behaviour used to hurt her, but still she was trying her best to persuade her heart that one day he will be her man. Her parents used to give her hope and assurance.

But, little they knew convincing Sanskar Maheshwari was not cup of tea, capturing and ruling over his heart was a herculean task.

He was phobiatic to relations.

To be precise anti-social.

'I cannot give you false hopes Ragini, don't expect anything from me.' He shook his head in negative and dug his head back in his Mac.

Dinner went well but without Sanskar.

Gadodia family were disappointed due to Sanskar's absence where as Divya was furious over her nephews' nonchalant attitude towards his family.

Sujata and Ram tried to become great host to cover up the most expected situation created by their son.

Gadodia's bid final bye to Maheshwari's with heavy heart.

After bidding bye to Gadodia's, Sujata was instructing maids about next day's menu when Divya entered Kitchen in her furious mode along with her personal maid.

"Bhabhi, we need to talk, and it cannot wait. This is high time."

Sujata pushed her wheelchair and they both came to patio. She was well aware about her sister in law's nature, she was stubborn in her own ways, and when she is in her furious mode, one has to take step back and handle her with calm and care just the way one would handle fire.

One of the major traits Sanskar carried over from his aunt.

"Bhabhi, Sanskar...?"

"Divya you know him. He had already declined this marriage proposal. He said, he is not ready for marriage yet. We should not force him for this major decision of his life, right? It's his life, let him decide."

"Life? Bhabhi you are saying Sanskar is living his life. He is working day and night without any break. He does not have any social life expect his two friends. He is not only spoiling his health but his life as well. This is the best age to get married." Sanskar was like her son, whom she loved same as Sahil.

"I agree Divya, but you know how stubborn he is when it comes to relations"

"Ragini is really great girl. She and Sanskar will make perfect pair, Bhabhi. Once she will be a part of his life, her love and care will bring changes in him. Trust me please. Talk to him, he will only listen to you."

"Don't worry about Divya's word Sujata." Ram said joining Sujata who was gazing stars still sitting on the couch of patio. He had guessed what conversation would have happened between his wife and his sister earlier.

Divya's words were ringing in Sujata's ears, she felt stream of tears on her cheeks. Hearing her husband's voice she quickly wiped her tears and turned back with fake smile.

Ram passed coffee mug to his wife; this was their routine Ram used to make coffee for both of them and discussing about their day.

"Just talk to him once, but don't force him"

Sujata nodded her head with small smile and they both started walking on paved way towards garden swing.

"Nandini called today. She said Dev met Anurag and Swara two weeks back" Sujata mumbled in shaky voice, gulping her tears after few steps.

"I thought you would have met them already, they are here in Mumbai from almost two and half months"

"If I would have met them, you would have been the first person to know about it. I just don't know how to face them? How to face Swara?"

"What is there to face them? It had been long time Sujata. Just go and meet her."

"That's what I am saying, a very long time has been passed. For this Swara, I will be the family member from her business rivals, but for me she is still my little Shona, daughter of my best friend Reva. She will not even believe that I was the first one to hold her after her birth even before her mother" Sujata said weeping, remembering her days with her best friend Reva Mehra.

Sujata and Reva met during their college days; they both were batch mates. Even though Sujata was from affluent family, she was simple and pure lady who found instant connection with apprehensive and timid Reva. They both did not realize when their connection turned in lifetime friendship.

Even after their marriage with their respective partners, Sujata was always thankful to Ram and Anurag that they never brought their college rivalry turned into business rivalry in her and Reva's friendship. Their husbands always maintained distance between their professional and personal life, though they never shared any cordial relation between the two on personal ground, but they used to maintain civil approach with each other.

"Sujata, she had grown up in a beautiful girl with sharp business mind. Just like her father. She will achieve new heights soon no doubt. She is proving that she had received her lessons from Annindham Sir and Anurag." Ram said with admiration, he had heard a lot about her and was well informed about Mehra's even when they were out of India.

"Yes, I saw her pic from last month's Economic Today magazine. She looked exactly like Reva; don't you think so?"

"Yes"

"I will meet her on Neil's engagement. I hope, she will not consider me as rival"

"I don't think so, Anurag will not let her think about you as enemy."

"I never understood your's and Anurag's relation" Sujata said taking deep breath shaking her head for which she earned chuckle from Ram.

"Hmm come on let's go. Your workaholic son is still in study. He must be hungry by now"

"Yes yes, I am going to him only. He needs serious scolding's now."

Ram nodded and left from there followed by Sujata.

She turned before stepping inside home, gave a quick glance at sky and wished 'Reva, if you would have not left, things in middle then our lives would have become a lot different than today.'

It was day of announcement of recipient of 'Amanera City Project'.

Maheshwari's and Mehra's were fighting, neck to neck. It was time for final presentation of top five.

Sanskar, Neil, Dev, Siddhant, Shekhar and Sahil were sitting on the round table witnessing the presentations from their competitors.

Whereas Swara, Anurag and Payal along with their other assisting team members had occupied other round table just beside Maheshwari's.

Sahil skipped his heartbeat looking at Swara, who was keenly observing presentations. He was bowled over with her confident and bold demeanor. Dominance and fighting spirit was oozing out from her personality.

It was turn for presentation from Mehra's, Sanskar observed slides presented by Payal, she was explaining all details with confidence. He gave a glance at Swara who looked confident and satisfied with the way her assisting team presented the details about project deliverables and profitability. Her presentation even impressed Sanskar, he was not much focused on earlier three presentations, but in this one, she had made sure to include each and every minuscule detail about the project which was enough to grab attention from higher authorities.

When Mike, Sanskar's PA went to present the final presentation of the evening, Swara turned her gaze at Sanskar, whose eyes were engrossed on the presentation slide. She was astounded to see at his calm and composed behaviour but his aggressive nature towards his profession was screaming out from the presentation details. It was no wonder why business world titled him as brutal to compete with, he had just proved it with his one presentation.

Swara took a deep breath, this would be really difficult for her to pocket this project, her competitor had made sure about it. She was relying only on the quote amount now.

"I know you don't like but you can praise him at least just in front of you father. Dev was right, he is fire. He is way too dangerous to compete." Anurag whispered in his daughter's ears, understanding her inner frustration.

Officials announced break for 30 minutes as they needed time to discuss and decide about the final recipient.

Sanskar spared one glance when Swara excused herself and went out of conference hall.

Sahil excused himself from everyone and went behind Swara.

"Hello Ms. Mehra" Sahil greet her with soft smile.

"Hello"

"You were truly marvellous with your presentation"

"Thank you but sorry I don't talk to strangers" Swara replied with attitude and entered conference hall with high head.

'Wow! She is true a fireball. I just loved her attitude. It would be exciting to know more about you Ms. Mehra'

"We will surely grab this one, I can guarantee. Nobody can defeat Sanskar Maheshawari" Shekhar said with proud smile, looking at the Anurag and Swara.

"Exactly Shekhar. Amanera belongs to Maheshwari's now" Siddhant seconded with confident smile passing glance at Mehra's.

Sanskar passed one smirky chuckle hearing their conversation and concentrated back on his discussion with Neil and Dev.

Mobile vibration sound broke Sanskar's and Neil conversation. They both looked at his mobile screen which was displaying 'Myra Calling'.

Sanskar shared an eye lock with his best friend who had widened his eyes with gritted teeth passing death glare to Sanskar.

Sanskar hurriedly took his mobile making sure nobody had observed his recent annoyed reactions.

"I need to take this" saying this he went out of the conference hall.

Neil looked at his friend's retiring figure with feebleness spread across his face.

Sanskar came hurriedly towards the isolated area at back side of hotel to talk with the caller.

"I am sorry Sanskar, I was busy with my medical paper. I was ..." female voice from other side.

"Can I take one more pill?" Sanskar asked in urgency.

Dr. Myra Agrawal was the renowned psychiatrist of Mumbai, and Sanskar used to consult her for his insomniac tendency.

Yes! insomniac tendency.

He had kept his sleeping disorder hidden from his family till date.

Only Neil and Rohan were aware about his little secret.

"NO WAY! You are already on your high dose. I cannot permit you to take one more."

"I cannot sleep Myra." He whisper yelled.

"Just 3 or 4 hours max even though I am dead tired. Every day I wake up with the same dream. I don't understand what to do?"

"I do understand Sanskar, but it will be risky for your life if I increased your dose. I will prescribe another one, this might work. I am coming back to India after two weeks, first thing we will have session. Don't worry." Myra replied convincing him calmly.

From last three years she was his doctor, she knew at this moment she needed to maintain her calmness to deal with frustrated Sanskar.

"Ok, let me know the date and place will be the same as usual"

"Ok bye take care. Just check your personal mail. I will send you updated prescription"

Leaving deep sigh, he started to walk back towards conference hall when he heard whispers from small isolated passage which leads towards Janitor rooms.

"It will be really great to work with Mehra's after a long time" Mr. Jayprakash was handshaking with Payal.

'She is Ms. Mehra's secretary. What is she doing here at this time?' Sanskar scrunched his eyebrows.

"Maheshwari's quote is 120 billion where as Mehra's quote is 121 billion" Mr. Jayprakash replied with smirk and Sanskar widened his eyes hearing their conversation.

He enjoyed healthy competition, but he always hated liars and betrayers.

"You will get your share Mr. Jayprakash. Mam will take care of it. You know what to do next."

"I am glad to come in touch with Ms. Mehra. Truly, her working style is different from Mr. Anurag Mehra. And it will be real pleasure to work with her instead of ethical and moral dumb heads Maheshwari's" Mr. Jayprakash replied with conniving smile.

Sanskar turned furiously and taking long strides he entered conference hall.

'You have messed up with wrong person Ms. Mehra'

Swara felt someone's heated gaze so she turned to look at source and found Sanskar staring at her with death glare.

She felt shiver passed down the spine. Her heart started beating in her ribcage with its maximum speed. When their eyes met for the first time.

For a moment she was lost in his dark brown eyes, it became difficult for her to break their eye contact.

"Sanskar what happened? Are you still on your pill?"
Neil's whispers broke Sanskar's trance.

"Mike, inform authorities that we are backing out from this drama" Sanskar ordered in authoritative tone in low voice.

"What are you saying Sanskar?" Siddhant was the first one who came out of shock.

"Sanskar this project is ours, why are you backing out last moment?" Shekhar seconded with dumbfound expressions.

"Sanskar what happened?" Dev passed scrutinised gaze to him.

'Sanskar will never take any decision in haste. It is highly unlike that we will not get this project'

"Mike, what are you waiting for go and inform them. Schedule board meeting ASAP. I will chair it."

He got up suddenly from his seat and said passing death glare to Mr. Jayprakash, who were taking his seat on the panel table, "Don't worry! I have my reason for backing out, I am answerable to other directors and investors of the board."

Sudden outburst of Sanskar captured everybody's attention.

Nobody understood why he stood up immediately nor they heard any of the conversation going on Maheshwari's table, but his heated gaze to Mr. Jayprakash was not missed from their eyes.

Mr. Jayprakash gulped audibly. 'Counting yourself in Sanskar Maheshwari's bad books is same as asking for death wish'

Sanskar turned and taking strides he left the conference hall, followed by shocked Neil.

"What are you doing Sanskar? What was that? It was sure shot WIN for us" Neil asked grabbing Sanskar's arm and turned him to come face to face, when they both were out of hall.

"I don't like to waste my energy and time on lost battle, instead I prefer to plan and focus on my counterattack."

Destiny passed devious smile with smirk, 'what do you think this will be so easy for you. Come on it's my payback. I hate to make paybacks. I am not gonna give up this soon.'

************************************************
Precap

How will be Swara's reaction on her win?

What will be Sanskar's counterattack?

What will be Anurag's reaction for Swara's on her win?

What will be Ram's advisce to Sanskar?

Thanks, you all for your feedback on previous chapters. Hope you are loving this story. Please let me know your views and feedback through votes and comments.

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