Sorry for the delay! I was flooded with studies! I promise, I won't take so long to update the next chapter! :p

The sangeet function was meant to happen in this part but it would have turned out very long so postponed it for the next one!! Hope you enjoy anyway this chapter, let me know in your precious feedbacks! :) 

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It was night, the engagement function was over and the Maheshwaris had returned home and were now in their respective rooms.

Laksh was sitting on the bed deeply thinking something when Sanskar, who was passing by there, saw him and went inside the room closing the door.

Sanskar sat beside Laksh: "Don't worry Lucky, everything will be fine soon."

Laksh looked at him: "What if it won't?" – His eyes welled up – "What If something goes wrong? What if I won't be able to prove myself and stand on my feet? Will Ragini never be mine? I can't bear this distance anymore Bhai... I'm feeling scared... like something wrong is going to happen or something wrong is happening..."

Sanskar placed a hand on his shoulder: "Don't you trust yourself and your love? At least trust me and believe that you and Ragini will unite because you are destined to be together. No one and nothing can come between you." – Only he knew how much difficulty it took him to say this.

Laksh smiled and hugged him: "Thank you Bhai. Thank you for everything."
Sanskar smiled a bit hugging him back.

Suddenly they heard someone shouting from outside and looked on confused.

"Laksh! Laksh! Laksh!" – Riya was running in the corridor towards Laksh's room calling out his name.

Sanskar stood up and went towards the door and opened it just when Riya was about to knock. Riya, suddenly getting the door opened, lost her balance and fell ahead in Sanskar's embrace surrounding his neck with her arms. The two looked at each other.

"Haule haule...
Haule haule..."

Just then Laksh cleared his throat and made them return in the reality. Riya looked down tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and then recomposed.

Riya looked at Laksh and went to him: "I have found out what will be the perfect career for you!"

A smile appeared on Laksh's face: "Really? What?"

Sanskar frowned his eyebrows.

Riya: "Singing! Gosh Laksh, you've nailed it today with that performance in the engagement party! I didn't know that you were such a good singer! How was that song? Tu hai zid meri.. tu junooniyat! I loved it!"

Laksh's eyes widened and a smile slowly appeared on his face: "Damn it! How could I not consider singing before, knowing that I'm so good at it!"

Sanskar: "And you are so modest as well... Anyway I have to agree that he is an excellent singer. I wonder why we didn't think about it before."

Riya: "But I have thought about everything! I have recorded your performance in the engagement party in my digital camera and I'm going to show it to the owner of BlueFire Music, one of the biggest record labels of India. The owner is a friend of mine and has to agree to launch you! He can recognize talent in a second Laksh, I'm sure you're going to be his next star!"

Laksh and Sanskar looked at each other smiling.

Laksh: "Oh my Gosh!" – He exclaimed putting a hand on his head – "it's still hard for me to believe all this! If things are really going to happen like this then that means that... that there would be nothing and no one who can stop me and Ragini to unite! I'll have my own career and Papa won't be able to do anything and Ragini won't need to marry Sanskar since there won't be anything to keep us apart! She is going to be mine, Riya I'll finally be with Ragini!"

He said this holding Riya by her shoulders and twirling in happiness.
Sanskar looked at him with a smile which disappeared when he saw Sujata standing at the door with a shocked expression.

Sanskar: "Mom..."

Hearing that, also Laksh and Riya looked towards the door and stopped smiling seeing Sujata there.

Sujata: "Ragini won't need to marry Sanskar?" – She repeated Laksh's words – "What are you guys saying? What's happening here? And why?"

Sanskar went to her and placed a hand on her shoulder: "Mom, let's go to my room. I'll explain you everything."

Sujata: "But..."

Sanskar took Sujata out holding her by her shoulders.

Sujata: "What's going on Sanskar?"

Sanskar: "I'll tell you everything Mom, just let's go to my room."

Riya and Laksh looked at them and then at each other.

Riya: "I hope Sujata aunty understands and doesn't create any problem..."

Laksh: "Hope so."

LATER
SANSKAR'S ROOM

Sanskar was sitting on the bed hugging his legs. He had no expression on his face.

Sujata, who was sitting in front of him till then, stood up and said: "Are you guys mad? So you mean to say that at the end Ragini and Laksh will marry despite you and Ragini are doing all the  rituals in front of everybody? Sanskar, marriage is not a game!"

Sanskar had told her everything.

Sanskar: "But this is the only option we have. We need to do all this."

Sujata: "But yours and Ragini's marriage is meant to happen!"

Sanskar: "That was never meant to happen Mom..."

Sujata looked at him and made a sad face. She could see the pain her son was going through. She sat again near Sanskar and placed a hand on his one: "But you love Ragini..."

Sanskar: "And she loves someone else..." – He said looking away.

Sujata: "Sanskar... her parents and Laksh's father won't let them unite ever. You guys think it's simple but it's not. Stop dreaming about something that won't ever come true."

Sanskar looked at her: "What if I ask you too to stop dreaming about something that won't ever come true? Ragini and Sanskar are never going to happen."

Sujata: "Then what about you Sanskar? What about your happiness?"

Sanskar: "I'm happy if she is happy."

Sujata shook her head while tears made their way through her eyes.

Sujata: "You are not even trying to get her... Have you even told you love her?"

Sanskar shook his head looking down.

Sujata: "Do you really love her so much?"

Sanskar: "I love her so much that no word can explain and no person can understand."

Sujata: "Then what will you do once Ragini and Laksh marry, IF they marry. Won't you ever settle down and have a family?"

Sanskar: "I don't know! I want to live in the present. I don't know what will happen in the future and anyway what is meant to happen will happen."

Sujata sobbed a bit: "How can you be such a big enemy of your own happiness? You are breaking your heart with your own hands Sanskar..." – She cupped his face – "I didn't know my son was this much good, courageous and strong."

She hugged Sanskar who hugged her back. He sobbed silently as a tear skipped on his cheek.

Sujata: "Just think Sanskar... what if you and Ragini marry... what if it isn't Ragini and Laksh but Ragini and Sanskar..."

Sanskar shut his eyes tightly.

ON THE OTHER SIDE

Ragini came out of the washroom and saw Swara studying while sitting on the bed with her back against the headrest.

Ragini: "Hey... Are you busy?"

Swara looked up from the book at her and then closed it: "Not exactly. I was just revising for the viva. I couldn't do it earlier coz... coz of your engagement. What happened? Is everything ok?" – She asked not
Ragini: "I need to talk with you..." – She said sitting near her.

Swara: "Finally! I thought that you forgot that you have a sister with whom you can and should share everything."

Ragini furrowed her eyebrows: "Why are you saying like this?"

Swara: "I didn't even know you loved Laksh and got to know about that after a lot of drama happened. Now you are marrying Sanskar and I am not understanding why, how, what, when... This is not like you. You used to share every little thing with me but now... you've changed."

She knew the reason behind Ragini's decision to marry Sanskar, Hardik had told her, but she wanted Ragini to talk to her and tell her.

Ragini: "No Swara it's nothing like that. It's just that a lot happened in a short time and I didn't get the time to tell you. But I'm not able to keep everything inside me anymore..."

Swara: "I'm your sister Ragini. I need to know what happened... from you only." – She added.

Ragini laid her back against the headrest too sitting beside Swara: "You are right... actually my decision of getting married to Sanskar is not sudden but..."

She told her whatever happened with Durga Parsad, how he threatened to destroy Laksh's future. Swara listened to her though she knew everything. There had been lack of communication between the two sisters recently and Swara knew it was also because she was unreasonably upset with Ragini for marrying Sanskar, so she wanted to fix it. She smiled thinking at Hardik who made her understand this. With just a conversation, he did so much for her.

FLASHBACK

Hardik to Swara: "Don't let your love for Sanskar affect your relation with Ragini. After all she didn't hurt you intentionally... she doesn't even know she has hurt you since she doesn't know you love Sanskar. Don't blame her for what is happening. Try talking to her about your feelings for Sanskar if you want..."

FLASHBACK ENDS

Swara smiled thinking about Hardik but then Ragini's voice made her return in the reality and she recomposed looking at her.

Ragini: "My life has turned in such a mess. I never thought all this will happen with me. I just wanted a simple life."

Swara: "But Ragini... Don't you think you've dragged Sanskar in all this unnecessarily?"

Ragini: "I know... and I'm feeling terrible for doing that."

Swara: "He is seriously very nice. It will be wrong if you and Sanskar get married but you keep loving Laksh. It would be unfair with Sanskar. Then what will you do after marriage? Will you move on from Laksh?"

Ragini sighed and placed her head on Swara's shoulder: "I don't know... I love Laksh... and I don't think I can stop loving him."

Swara: "Why do you love Laksh?"

Ragini chuckled: "There is not a reason behind love Swara! Love just slowly happens. I didn't like him at first of course but then I understood that he has a great heart. But what made me fall for him was his love... I always wanted someone who loved me like it happens in Shah Rukh Khan's movies remember?" – She laughed a bit and then sighed – "And my heart finally found that heart which could love me like that. And once two hearts meets... then nothing can stop them from beating for each other and nobody else."

Swara: "There could be someone else who can love you a lot... then why Laksh?" – She clearly referred to Sanskar but Ragini knew nothing about it so didn't get what Swara meant.

Ragini: "I don't think anybody can love me like Laksh does. Nor I think I can love someone else like I love Laksh... The damage is done! So there is not even point to think about that."

She yawned and closed her eyes with a smile on her lips. Thinking about Laksh and his love for her gave her peace.

Swara listened to each of her word about love and thought about what she said.

Swara: "Ragini I need to talk with you too..."

But when she looked at Ragini, she saw that she had fallen asleep. She smiled and carefully made her lie on the bed and put the blanket on her.

Just then her phone beeped as she got a message. She saw and it was saying: "Hi! Hardik here."

A smile appeared on Swara's face and she replied: "Hey. I tried talking to Ragini but she fell asleep before I could tell her anything."

She waited for his reply and as soon as she heard the notification sound again, she didn't realize but her heartbeat got a bit faster.

"Would you have finally told her everything if she was awake?" – He asked her in the message.

Swara thought a bit before replying: "I don't know. Probably not."

She hadn't to wait long for the answer.
"There are only two reasons behind hesitating of saying anything: we are not sure of what we want to say or we are afraid of the reaction of others. The second case is normal when we have to confess our feelings but if it's the first case... then beware of not confusing what love really is." – This was Hardik's message.

Swara was a bit taken aback by such a direct reply. She thought about his words and then replied: "I'm not sure..."

Hardik: "Is it so?"

Swara: "I mean I'm not sure if I'm not sure or not..."

She sent the message and then realized what a confusing reply she had typed when Hardik replied with laughing emojis. Swara hit her forehead with her palm and chuckled shaking her head.

Hardik: "You need to understand your own feelings before taking any step then. I can help you!"

Swara smiled: "Are you a psychologist? If yes, then you are a very good one!"

"Every smart person with something to say and clear opinions and thoughts is a psychologist without degree."
Swara chuckled at this reply. She lied down on the bed keeping chatting with Hardik.

MEANWHILE
MAHESHWARIS MANSION

Hardik was walking towards his room with the phone in one hand and a glass of water in the other.

He received a message from Swara: "By the way, I couldn't share my feelings with Ragini but she shared hers with me and it felt so nice. I listened to her and realized that she actually doesn't deserve being treated the way I was treating her. Thanks for making me understand."

Hardik was reading the message when he suddenly bumped into someone. It was Sanskar.

Hardik: "Ops, sorry Sanskar!"

Sanskar: "I'm sorry too. I don't know where I was lost and didn't see where I was walking. By the way, where are you going at this time?"

Hardik: "Just went to take a glass of water. What about you?"

Sanskar: "Not getting sleep. I was going to the terrace."

Hardik smiled: "Being lost in thoughts and not getting sleep are sign of a dangerous disease called love my friend!"

Sanskar looked down smiling a bit: "Nothing like that."

With that he went away while Hardik looked at him from behind.
"Yours is love only. And my dear friend... love has to be accepted and confessed openly in front of the world." – He said and then smirked.

AFTER A WHILE

Sanskar was on the terrace. It was darkness all over and he was standing with his hands on the railing.

"Just think Sanskar... what if you and Ragini marry... what if it isn't Ragini and Laksh but Ragini and Sanskar..."
Sujata's words echoed in his mind.

Sanskar sighed and closed his eyes.

As he opened them, the place around him looked different. The terrace was no all decorated: white and red petals were on the ground, there were white plastic decorative pillars surrounded by golden twinkle lights with vases of pink roses and white orchids on them and on the top there were suspended branches with cascades of white twinkle lights and more flowers. It was all so dreamy but there was something more beautiful than all that.

Sanskar looked at his right and there was a smiling Ragini looking gorgeous in a white netted saree with red sleeveless blouse, open and a bit weavy hair and just white long earrings as ornament.
Sanskar was left mesmerized by her: she never looked more beautiful to him. He couldn't take his eyes off and a smile slowly appeared on his lips.

Ragini placed her hands on the railing, a bit near those of Sanskar, and kept looking at him with a smile.

"Zindagi ka har sukoon..."
("All the relieves of life...")

Sanskar slowly moved his hand towards Ragini's one keeping his eyes on her. He gently caressed her first two fingers.

"Zindagi ka har sukoon
Hai dil ke hathoon mai hi kyu..."
("All the relieves of life
Why are they in the hands of the heart?")

At the touch, Sanskar looked down at their hands followed by Ragini who moved her gaze to look there too. He placed his hand over hers one, which was on the railing, and slowly tightened the grip over it and then looked back at Ragini.

"Zindagi ka har sukoon
Hai dil ke hathoon mai hi kyu..."

She moved up her eyes too to look into his ones and that's when their eyes locked for a moment.

"Ek unmitti si chah se..."
("To a love that has not finished yet...")

A smile returned on Ragini's lips who removed her hand from Sanskar's one and ran away laughing.

"Door jaati raah se..."
("To a path that is going far...")

Sanskar's smile became smaller seeing her going away.

"Haar kaise maanle..."
("How can I give up to them?")

But he smiled again and chased her.

"Yeh dil..."
("This heart...")

Sanskar stopped Ragini holding her wrist and she looked behind at him while he started stepping closer to her and she started to back off. Both kept smiling.

"Kya karey..."
("What can it do...")

Ragini's back hit one of the pillar and Sanskar blocked her way standing in front of her and placing a hand on the pillar, just a bit upon her shoulder.

"Yeh dil kya karey..."
("What can this heart do...")

Sanskar forwarded a hand towards her and she looked at it. She smiled and placed gave her hand in Sanskar's one. He put his other hand behind his back and twirled Ragini holding her finger.

"Kahan leke chali hai yeh nayi bhool bhoolaiya..."
("Where is taking us this new maze...")

Suddenly white petals fell on Sanskar and Ragini while he was still making her twirl.

"Jale pairoon ne hai maangi wohi thi palchaaiya..."
("Scalded feet had asked for the shadow of that moment...")

They sat on a porch swing that was decorated with baby pink color roses.

"Jhoole jo the barsato ke jo jhoole..."
("Those swings taken in those rainy days...")

They looked at each other while wind caressed their faces.

"Bhoole bhi to bhool kaise bhoole..."
("How can I forget the mistake even if I try to forget...")

Ragini placed her head on Sanskar's chest while he put his arm around her shoulders.

"Kuch na kahein, kuch na suney
Aashiaane na bhune
Par haar kaise maanle?"
("We won't say anything, we won't hear anything
We won't make any place for us
But how can we give up?")

They both closed their eyes.

"Yeh dil kya karey..."

It was all just Sanskar's imagination who, carried by the chain of his thoughts, had really sat down on a porch swing which was there on the terrace but there was no decoration and there was no Ragini. There was just darkness but Sanskar, who was absorbed in his imagination, had fallen asleep without realizing anything.

"Yeh dil kya karey..."

Riya came there tiptoeing in order to not disturb Sanskar. She was holding a blanket which she put on Sanskar. She stopped for a moment while covering him with the blanket, just when her face was some inches distant from Sanskar's one, and stared at him. She caressed his hair setting his fringe. With that, she smiled and then left from there.

ONE MONTH LATER

It was time of a new beginning: exams were finally over and so was the academic year. It was time for Sanskar, Ragini, Laksh and Swara to leave the Academy and they decided to celebrate the last day there with their friends.

A big cake was being cut in the hall of the academy which had been decorated with balloons and hoardings and all the students of last year were there.

Some teachers cut the cake together and everybody clapped.

Suddenly a rain of confetti was launched from confetti cannons.
Sanskar, Ragini, Laksh and Swara looked around while confetti were falling on them. They had built so many memories that year inside that academy.

"Nagme hai, shikwe hai.
Qisse hai, baatein hai..."
("There are melodies, there are complain.)
There are stories, there are words...")

The four looked at each other and recalled the time they spent there.

FLASHBACK

Laksh challenged Ragini to kiss a boy on the cheek and everybody laughed seeing her hesitating when she quickly moved to Sanskar and planted a kiss on his cheek making his eyes go round and making Laksh angry.

FLASHBACK ENDS

Sanskar smiled recalling that moment.

"Nagme hai, shikwe hai..."
("There are melodies, there are complain.")

The four recalled their first P.E. lesson together where, in a basketball match of girls VS boys, Laksh had pretended to slip when Ragini was about to make the last point; Ragini had gone to Laksh and in the meantime Sanskar had made the point making the male team win and Ragini upset.
Ragini shook her head and smiled a bit thinking about it while the others chuckled.

"Qisse hai, baatein hai..."
("There are stories, there are words...")

Their chain of memories was broken by some friends who invited them to go and take the cake which was being distributed among students and teachers in plates so they followed them.

"Baatein bhool jaati hai
Yaadein yaad aati hai..."
("Conversations are forgotten
Memories are remembered...")

Ragini took a piece of cake and, as she turned around, she found Laksh standing in front of her, just few inches distant from her. They looked at each other.

FLASHBACK

After that basketball match, Ragini was in rage and went to the green room where she pretended to cry to make Laksh feel guilty for cheating. When Laksh came to know that she was just pretending to be really hurt, he became angry and pinned her against the shower cab. He slammed a hand on the door of the shower cab which got opened and since Ragini's back was pinned against it, she lost her balance and held Laksh by his collar but she ended up slipping inside the shower cab and dragging Laksh with her. Ragini accidentaly touched the shower handle and water started falling on them.

FLASHBACK ENDS

"Baatein bhool jaati hai
Yaadein yaad aati hai..."
("Conversations are forgotten
Memories are remembered...")

That was just one of the few moments they had lived together in the academy.

Ragini looked down and then went away while Laksh stared at her from behind.

"Yeh yaadein kisi dil-o-janaam ke
Chaley jaane ke baad aati hai"
("These memories come
After a loved one leaves...")

Sanskar looked at Ragini and recalled chasing her in the yard of the academy and tickling her on the stomach to convince her to come in the party.

"Yaadein..."
("Memories...")

Swara looked at Sanskar and recalled exchanging an hi-five with him when Ragini agreed to go to the party.

"Yaadein..."

Sanskar remembered his and Ragini's dance in that party.

"Yaadein..."

Ragini, Laksh and Sanskar became still for a moment as they recalled the day they had been punished together and had to clean the academy and they had done that singing and dancing together.

"Sa ga re ga sa re ga sa sa sa"

FLASHBACK

Laksh walked towards Ragini while she backed off until she hit the blackboard. Laksh came closer to Ragini and moved a hair strand behind her ear.

FLASHBACK ENDS

"Sa ga re ga sa re ma sa sa sa"

FLASHBACK

Lights suddenly turned off and darkness reigned in the academy. Ragini got scared and hugged Sanskar.

FLASHBACK ENDS

"Sa pa ma pa ma pa ga ma ga"

FLASHBACK

Sanskar, Laksh and Ragini remained locked in the academy and tried to get out from a window which was too high so Ragini stood on Sanskar's shoulder tiptoeing but eventually slipped and fell down in Laksh's arms.

FLASHBACK ENDS

"Sa pa ma pa ma pa ga ma ma ga"

Sanskar and Laksh recalled how weirdly they had behaved in the classroom when Veer had come and they had felt jealous. They giggled remembering that.

"Sa ga ni ga sa ni ga sa sa sa"

FLASHBACK

Laksh wanted to show Omi that his chemistry with Ragini was better than Ragini and Veer's one so he purposely shoved her shoulder making her lose the balance. Ragini was about to fall but Laksh held her wrist and also Ragini grabbed his hand he had placed on her wrist to keep balance while she was in half fallen position.

FLASHBACK ENDS

"Sa ga ni ga sa re ga sa sa sa"

Ragini's trance was broken by Swara who came to her and put an arm around her shoulders feeding her with cake.

"Yeh jeevan, dil jaani"
("This life, my beloved")

Ragini fed Swara back with the cake and both hugged.

"Dariya ka hai pani"
("Is like the flowing water of a river")

Sanskar came to Ragini and Swara who looked at each other and a smile appeared on their face. Suddenly they both applied cake on Sanskar's cheeks and he, caught off guard, backed off trying to escape the sisters who were laughing.

"Pani to beh jaaye"
("The water will flow away")

Sanskar held Ragini's wrist and applied cake on her face too. Swara laughed at Ragini and Sanskar whose faces had cake all over and they looked at her and then at each other. Understanding what they were upto, Swara stopped laughing and was about to run away but Sanskar and Ragini held her and applied cake on her face too.

"Baaki kya reh jaye"
("But what remain after that are")

Sanskar hugged Ragini sideways and the latter hugged Swara and the three laughed and cherished their friendship recalling the fun they had together, their chats, their meals in the canteen together, their hi-fives and more.

"Yaadein, yaadein, yaadein..."

They were laughing together when a guy, who was taking pictures, immortalized the moment clicking their photo.

Seeing that, Sanskar looked around for Laksh who was looking at them and smiling. Sanskar signed him to come to them with a gesture of the hand so Laksh reached Ragini, Sanskar and Swara and stood near Sanskar who put his arm around Laksh's shoulder. Laksh hugged him sideways and then looked at Ragini who had her one arm around Swara and was sideway hugging Sanskar with the other but she had her eyes on Laksh only too.

The guy took their picture.

No matter what, the time they spent together, good or bad, had to be remembered and cherished forever.
Flashes of their dance classes, their blunders and especially the Romeo & Juliet play which Sanskar and Laksh had tried to sabotage in all the ways possible came in their minds.

"Nagme hai, shikwe hai...
Qisse hai baatein hai..."

The four recomposed and Swara went towards some of her friends.

Ragini was about to follow her but stopped as the cake which had been applied on her face apparently went on her eye-lash. She was trying to remove it with a knuckle when someone held her hands. Ragini looked on through her blinking eyelashes and saw Laksh's face very close to hers one. He removed a little hair strand from her forehead and blew in her eye keeping a hand on her cheek.  Ragini felt his hot breath blowing on her face and her heartbeat increased.

"Baatein bhool jaati hai
Yaadein yaad aati hai"

Sanskar looked at them. He had pain in his eyes but a smile on his lips. He turned around giving his back to Ragini and Laksh and wiped a corner tear from his eye.

"Yeh yaadein kisi dil-o-jaanam ke
Chale jaane ke baad aati hain"

Ragini's eye was fine now but she was still looking at Laksh and he was staring at her too. But suddenly they returned in reality and Ragini slightly pushed Laksh leaving from there. He looked at her from behind.

"Yaadein, yaadein, yaadein..."

AFTER A WHILE

Ragini came in the parking area outside the academy.

Ragini: "Where has Swara gone?!" – She said looking around for Swara.

Just then her eyes went on Laksh who was attending a call. She tilted her head a bit and stared at him while a little smile appeared on her lips.

"Tenu takdi ravaan..."
("May I keep staring at you...")

Laksh, who was talking on the phone and had his back towards Ragini, saw her reflect on the window of a car. He smiled realizing that she was gazing at him and stared back at her through the glass of the window.

"Naina ch tere mein vassdi ravaan..."
("May I keep living in your eyes...")

Ragini slowly blinked twice while staring at Laksh but he suddenly turned around and this broke Ragini's trance and she immediately turned around as well, giving her back to Laksh.

"Pagal mein khud nu banandi ravaan..."
("May I keep making myself go crazy...")

Laksh shook his head chuckling while looking at Ragini who shut her eyes biting her lower lip.

"Tu hassda rave, mein hassandi ravaan..."
("May you keep laughing and I be the reason of your laughter...")

Ragini: "Stupid Ragini! What was the need of looking at him like that? What must he be thinking?!"

"That you love him a lot." – Someone suddenly whispered near her ear making her wince.

Ragini turned her head right just to find Laksh's face inches apart from hers. He was standing right behind her. The two looked at each other.

"Tenu takdi ravaan..."

Ragini looked away and Laksh came in front of her.

Laksh: "By the way, I know I'm very handsome, hot and sexy so I'm used to find girls staring at me so carry on, don't worry." – He teased her.

Ragini glared at him with a pout and then looked down: "I... I wasn't looking at you."

Laksh: "You are not a good liar."

Ragini glared once again at him and then left from there without saying a word.

Laksh: "Arey!" – He smiled looking at her from behind and shaking his head.

Ragini was stopped by Swara who came to her saying: "I'm so sorry Ragini for the delay! Let's go!"

Just then Sanskar came there.

Sanskar: "Come girls, I'll drop you home. I have to get some stuff from our flat as well so I'm going there only."

Ragini and Swara nodded and the three went towards Sanskar and Laksh's car.

They were about to enter when Ragini saw that Laksh was still standing where he was before and wasn't coming in the car so she asked Sanskar: "Isn't Laksh coming with us?"

Sanskar: "Nope. Riya is coming to take him, they have to go somewhere."

Ragini: "Riya and Laksh together? Where?"

Sanskar: "Can't tell right now."

Ragini: "Why?!"

Sanskar: "How many questions do you ask Ragini! Shut up and sit in the car."

Ragini: "Sanskar!!"

Sanskar: "Ragini!!"

Swara: "Stop it you both and let's go home, I'm hungry."

Ragini looked at Sanskar waiting for him to tell her something but he just chuckled saying: "Sorry!"

And he sat in the car followed by Swara.

Ragini was about to get inside the car too but just then she saw a car stopping in front of Laksh. It was Riya.

Riya lowered the window of the car and said to Laksh: "Come on rockstar! We must not be late! Mr. Ahuja is my friend but he is also the owner of one of the most important record labels in India so of course he is a busy man. I sent him the video of your performance one month ago and he called us to his office today after so much time, we just can't miss this opportunity."

Laksh: "Of course we won't, let's go!" – With that he sat in the car.

Ragini looked at them and gritted her teeth: "He didn't even look at me once before going."

And with that she angrily sat in the car next to Sanskar who was on driver seat.

Sanskar started the car.

Swara, who was sitting on the backseat, cleared her throat and said a bit loudly: "Is it only me or there is burning smell?"

Ragini sniffed and furrowed her eyebrows: "I can't smell anything like that."

Sanskar laughed: "She is talking about you being jealous seeing Laksh and Riya."

Ragini: "I and jealous? Never!"

Swara: "Yeah of course."

Ragini: "I'm just curious... is Riya interested in Laksh?"

Sanskar: "Don't worry; she has better taste than you."

Ragini: "Sanskar!!"

Swara and Sanskar laughed at Ragini who crossed her arms making an angry bird face.

LATER

Riya and Laksh were in the office of the owner of BlueFire Music. Laksh was feeling really nervous.

Just then the door opened and Mr. Ahuja came inside. Riya and Laksh stood up. He was the same person Ragini and Swara were in talks with for their singing debut.

Riya: "Finally you are here!"

Mr. Ahuja shook her hand: "Sorry Riya, you know how busy I am! So... here are you... Laksh right?" - He said giving his hand to Laksh who shook it not able to utter a word – "How are you?"

Riya replied before Laksh could: "He'll be absolutely fine once you give us the good news we are waiting for since a month!"

Mr. Ahuja chuckled and sat on his place inviting Laksh and Riya to do the same: "Take a sit. So..." – He looked at Laksh – "I watched the video Riya had sent me and I have to say you have an amazing voice."

A smile appeared on Laksh's face: "Thank you Sir."

Riya: "Told you!"

Mr. Ahuja: "I'll be really glad to launch you in our next music video which we were planning to release the next month."

Laksh's smile got larger: "That would really be an honor for me Sir!"

Mr. Ahuja: "But there is a problem. It's a duet. We were looking for a male and a female voice and I guess with you our haunt for the male voice has finished but we have to confirm the female voice yet. There are two girls I'm in talks with since long. Both are very talented but we have selected one of them for this music video since we think her voice will suit more for this song and also with your voice, Laksh."

Riya: "That's pretty nice but where is the problem?"

Mr. Ahuja: "In addition to your music video we have another song which requires two female voices. The two girls are sisters and I have promised to launch them both much before you got in touch with me so of course I have to give priority to their decision. I'll talk as soon as possible to the one we have selected and if she agrees to do this music video with Laksh instead of getting launched with her sister, then there is no problem and we can sign the contract as soon as I get her nod this week itself. But if she says that she prefers her sister to get launched along her, then I have given them my word so I'll have to postpone your music video and your contract with BlueFire Music as well and concentrate on theirs one. I hope you understand..."

Riya and Laksh looked at each other.

Laksh: "But Sir... it is really important for me to get this contract soon..."

Mr. Ahuja: "I apologize... it all depends on her decision. Now if you excuse me... I have an urgent meeting to attend. I'll let you guys know as soon as I get any update from the girl."

Riya: "Ok Sir, thank you so much. I hope we'll receive good updates only."

She stood up and shook Mr. Ahuja's hand. Laksh did the same and they left the office.

They sat in the car and Riya was about to start it when she noticed that Laksh had a worried expression.

Riya: "What's up Laksh? Why aren't you as much excited as you must be? You're gonna be a singer!"

Laksh: "That girl doesn't even know me so of course she'll prefer doing a song with her sister to me."

Riya: "So what? Mr. Ahuja didn't say that he isn't going to launch you, just that your contract will be postponed."

Laksh: "But Riya, the wedding is next week. I had to get settled down before it. What will be the point of signing the contract after Ragini and Sanskar marry? And how can I marry Ragini without an assurance of my career? You very well know that Ragini had decided to not marry me because Papa threatened to disown me. She sacrificed our love for my future. I had to settle down and show her that I can have a career even without Maheshwari's name. Once I had a contract with any company signed, even Ragini would have obviously agreed to marry me because there would have not been any obstacle in our way. But if there is no assurance of my career, then the point is the same of the beginning."

Riya: "But Laksh, the contract would be just postponed. The music video will happen anytime soon. Ragini will have to understand and marry you only."

Laksh: "She won't take any risk regarding my career, I'm sure about that. And without a contract, how can we even be sure that the music video will happen or not?"

Riya looked down unable to give any answer.

CHAPTER ENDS

Precap: Drama in the sangeet function. Confessions. Ragini forced to make a difficult choice.