Sanskar and Laksh were looking at Ragini mesmerized as she came out wearing a black and white striped jumpsuit.

Ragini to Sanskar: "Do I look ok?"

Laksh returned in reality and looked away.

Sanskar acted to scrutinize her and then shook his head: "Not ok."

Ragini: "I knew that! This type of dresses doesn't suit me!"

Laksh was locking the door of their flat but had his ear on Ragini and Sanskar's conversation.

Sanskar chuckled and then said to Ragini: "You know, I heard that the word ok was used by pilots during World War II after a mission without victims! It was a short form to say zero killed! But girl you're looking too gorgeous and you'll surely kill a bunch of people in the party with your look! So defining how you are looking with ok is not at all ok!"

Ragini giggled: "Thank you Sanskar! You're just too kind!"

Sanskar: "I know it was a bad one!" – He said scratching the back of his head.

Laksh shook his head giving a sarcastic smile and thought: "How to use history to flirt with a girl, level Sanskar Maheshwari. Now I understand why he studies so much."

Swara came there too and said: "Sorry guys, I couldn't find my heels so got a bit late! Let's go now!"

Sanskar: "Hey Swara! You're looking nice!"

Swara became happy hearing that and thanked him: "Thank you Sanskar! You're looking great too!"

Laksh: "If you guys are done praising each other, shall we leave?"

Ragini made a grimace seeing him and asked Sanskar: "He is coming with us?"

Laksh came in front of her and immediately said: "What do you mean with I am coming with you? You are coming with us! That's my car!"

Sanskar: "And mine too. So dear Lucky, keep calm. Let's go, we're getting late."

Laksh and Ragini exchanged angry glares and then all the four left from there.

AFTER FEW MINUTES

Laksh, Sanskar, Swara and Ragini came in the party.

Music was playing loud and people were dancing. Colored lights were enhancing the hall.

Ragini felt a bit uncomfortable. That was definitely not her place.

Karishma was talking to some friends when one of them saw Laksh, Ragini, Sanskar and Swara and said her: "See Karishma, your boyfriend has arrived and he is not alone..."

Karishma looked at Laksh and made an angry face seeing Ragini and Swara with him and Sanskar.

Karishma: "What is Lucky doing with those two small town girls?!"

Another friend of her said: "But both Swara and Ragini are looking nice, aren't they?"

Karishma: "No!"

With that she went to Laksh and held his arm: "Lucky what are you doing with them!?" – She asked looking at Ragini and Swara from top to bottom.

Laksh: "Thank you for such a warm welcome in the party!" – He said sarcastically – "Sanskar had offered them a lift..."

Karishma looked at Ragini with air of superiority.

"Nice dress." – She said to Ragini.

Swara: "Now don't say that your maid has a same one..."

Karishma: "Exactly! Why shouldn't I say when my maid actually has it?"

Sanskar: "I would love to meet a maid who comes in such jumpsuit to do housework. I know it's difficult for you Karishma, but still try to think before speaking. And keep such false comments for you."

Swara and Ragini laughed while Laksh stifled a laughter.

Karishma glared at Sanskar and then said to Laksh: "Lucky baby let's go! Let's enjoy the party without spoiling our mood with such boring people!"

Swara: "Yeah please go and enjoy. Nobody is asking you to stay and spoiling our mood."

Karishma grimaced at her and then left with Laksh.

Ragini smiled at Sanskar: "Thank you Sanskar."

Sanskar: "For what? For what I said to Karishma? I don't like her so I enjoy giving her back when she blabbers. So don't say thanks. Come girls, I will introduce you to some friends..."

With that he took them to a bunch of girls and boys and introduced them.

After a while, suddenly the music turned off. Everyone looked around when a spotlight showed Laksh at the center of the hall. He was holding a mike.

Laksh: "Hello everyone! I hope you all are enjoying the night! I thought to make this party a bit interesting. So... the spotlight will be moved around in the hall and will stop on one person only and that person has to sing a song!"

The announcement was followed by screams and claps.

The spotlight moved around for a few seconds after which it stopped.

Ragini's eyes widened realizing that it was on her only.

Laksh and Karishma exchanged looks smirking. Laksh looked at the guy who was handling the lights and winked showing him a thumb up.

Eveybody started to clap.

Ragini gulped down.

Laskh: "So Ragini... come on, show us your voice!"

Ragini shook her head.

Swara placed a hand on her shoulder: "Ragini what are you waiting for? You have a wonderful voice!"

Ragini: "Swara... I can't... I can't sing in front of all these people."

She was feeling everybody's eyes on her and that made her uncomfortable.

Sanskar noticed that and looked at Laksh saying: "Lucky leave it..."

Laksh: "But why Bhai? What's wrong? She just has to sing... not a big deal."

Karishma: "Aww... Laksh it is a big deal for someone who doesn't have a good voice."

Sanskar: "It's nothing like that. I'm sure Ragini sings beautifully but she won't sing in front of all these people..."

Karishma laughed: "Why? Will we eat her up?" – People chuckled – "Aww... Ragini baby, are you feeling shy?"

Swara glared at her while Ragini was just looking down.

Sanskar felt angry seeing Karishma mocking Ragini. She went to Ragini and held her hand.

Sanskar: "Ragini if you sing they may judge your voice but if you don't sing it's worse because they will create prejudices on you. Don't give them a reason to mock you when there isn't any."

Ragini: "But Sanskar..."

Sanskar didn't let her say anything more and took her near Laksh who had the mike.

Laksh gave the mike to Ragini: "All the best..." – He said in her ear and smirked.

Ragini held the mike and looked around: everyone was just looking at her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Sanskar left her hand and stood beside her. On the other side there was Laksh.

Ragini started to sing:

"Will you ever come find me?
Will you ever be mine?"

Laksh and Sanskar looked on. Ragini's voice was beautiful.

Swara looked at Karishma with a challenging expression. Karishma crossed her arms making a scowl.

Ragini continued singing:

"Need you now, oh hold me closer...
Stop the wheels of time."

She was singing very well. Sanskar and Laksh were mesmerized by her voice.

Ragini:

"When I close my eyes
You're here by my side"

Some people had caught the charm in her voice but some were annoyed by such a slow song. Karishma smirked looking at the reactions: her voice was angelic, but as Karishma had supposed the song wasn't suitable to the party.

Ragini:

"All I ever really need is your love
Nothing I could say would ever be enough..."

Sanskar and Laksh were both staring at her mesmerized. They weren't aware of anything else happening around. They had their eyes just for Ragini and their ears for her voice.

Ragini:

"Stay a little longer with me, baby!
Won't you stay a little longer with me?"

At the end of the song Ragini finally opened her eyes. She looked on.

Sanskar and Laksh were the first to start clapping followed by all the others. A smile appeared on Ragini's face.

Laksh took the mike from her mike and said: "You've really a beautiful voice Ragini... Well done!"

He was about to forward a hand to her but Ragini didn't even look at him and went to Sanskar.

She smilingly looked at him: "Thank you!"

Sanskar: "I didn't know you had such a beautiful voice..."

Swara came there and hugged Ragini: "You rocked sis! I knew that you are just superb!"

Just then Karishma took the mike and said: "Ok ok guys no need of forced claps and compliments."

Ragini, Sanskar, Laksh and Swara looked at her confused.

Karishma looked at Ragini: "Ragini this is not a birthday or Valentine's Day party or someone's anniversary! You were supposed to sing a song suitable for a youngsters' party not this "bhajan type". What's worse is that to not make you feel bad people are clapping forcefully..."

Ragini's smile had disappeared.

Sanskar: "What the hell are you saying Karishma?!"

Karishma: "The truth! I'm sure everybody liked the song because she has a nice voice, ok ok. But there is a difference between liking and enjoying and we are here tonight to enjoy! Well... that's ok... We can't expect much from a girl who has just returned from... what's your village name?" – She acted to think – "Kanpur, right? There must not be such parties there so obviously you'll sing such boring songs only... it's ok, it's ok..."

Some people laughed.

Ragini felt hurt.

Karishma continued: "Come on now play a real party song and let's break the boredom!"

Everybody clapped and the Dj played a party song.

Ragini to Swara and Sanskar: "I told you both that I don't like such parties. I am going to the washroom..."

Before Swara or Sanskar could say anything, Ragini left from there.

They were about to follow her but Laksh stopped them.

Laksh: "Guys it's my mistake. I shouldn't have asked her to sing... let me handle this apologizing to her."

Sanskar: "Are you really feeling sorry?"

Laksh nodded. He had a guilty expression on his face.

He turned around and followed Ragini to the washroom but before entering in it, his guilty expression turned into a smirk.

He entered in the washroom.

Ragini was inside one of the cabins. She wasn't crying but she had felt bad when people were laughing on her.

She heard a voice.

"Tch tch tch."

Laksh was outside and was shaking his head smirking.

Ragini looked on.

Laksh: "Whatever happened with you Ragini was so wrong. I feel so bad for you... Are you crying?" – He said with fake sympathy which Ragini had understood.

Just then Karishma came in the washroom followed by Omi, another guy and other two girls.

Karishma: "What happened Lucky? Is she really crying?" – She asked laughing.

Laksh nodded: "Poor girl! You did so wrong Karishma! You shouldn't have humiliated her like this... didn't you see how everybody were laughing at her? And what did she do? She just sang a sad boring song in a party... but you should understand na... she is a small town, middle class girl..."

Laksh and his gang mocked Ragini whose eyes had welled up but she was fighting back her tears.

Laksh: "You were just pretending to cry this morning and made me apologize... but I didn't want my sorry to go in vain, you had to cry really!"

They started making crying faces and pretending to cry loudly like babies to make fun out of Ragini.

Ragini was feeling insulted.

Lucky's gang was laughing and mocking Ragini when suddenly someone held Laksh's arm and made him turn around.

A hard slap hit Laksh's cheek.

Everybody looked on just to see an angry Sanskar standing in front of Laksh who had a hand on his cheek.

Sanskar: "This is the way you apologize Lucky? When will you stop behaving like an immature child?! Damn it!"

Laksh was too stunned to say anything.

Karishma: "What the hell Sanskar! How dare you hit your own brother and that too just for that girl! Are you...."

But before she could say anything more Sanskar showed her a hand and said: "You deserve a slap too but feel lucky that I don't raise my hand on girls."

Then he looked on and said: "Ragini come out!"

Ragini wiped the corner of her eye and came out of the washroom cabin.

Sanskar held her wrist and dragged her out of the washroom followed by Swara.

Karishma placed a hand on Laksh's shoulder.

Karishma: "See Lucky... this is how that girl is manipulating your brother. I know very well how these middle class girls are. They use their innocence appearance to trap rich boys and then they snatch them from their family and reign on their property and money. This is what Ragini wants to do! She is trapping your brother... he slapped you today but when he will fall completely for this girl, he will kick you out from his life. His world will revolve only around this girl who just wants his money. I don't know how these small town girls do... they make kinda a black magic on rich boys!" – She brainwashed Laksh who still couldn't believe that his brother raised a hand on him for a girl.

They went out of the washroom and what they saw next shocked them.

Everybody was doing a couple dance and a slow romantic music was playing.

Karishma: "What the f...! What's happening here?"

Sanskar came in front of them and said: "They're enjoying... can't you see?"

Swara and Ragini stood besides him.

Swara: "We asked the Dj to play a romantic song and they all started dancing like this."

Ragini: "It's the power of love songs which are good for all the ages and parties as you can see. You both are a couple, aren't you? Why don't you join the dances?" – She asked Laksh and Karishma who were glaring at her.

Sanskar: "Maybe they don't know how to do couple dance. They don't like such "bhajan" type songs na so they must be used to Badshah and Honey Singh only. They don't know Arijit Singh, Atif Aslam..."

A guy came to Swara and asked him for a dance. It was one of those Sanskar's friends they met before so Swara smilingly accepted.

Also Sanskar forwarded a hand at Ragini and asked her: "Shall we show them how to dance?"

Ragini smiled and put her hand in his one. Laksh looked at their hands and felt anger.

Sanskar pulled Ragini closer and she placed a hand on her shoulder while he put one on her waist and they joined the dances.

Karishma: "See... I told you. She is trapping your brother. She isn't showing us close dance to taunt us but this is just a way to get closer to Sanskar... see how she is getting glued to him!"

Laksh clenched a fist.

Ragini and Sanskar were talking while closely dancing.

Ragini: "I don't know how to thank you but still, thank you."

Sanskar: "Friendship has a rule madam. No sorry, no thank you. And you had already told me the latter so many times!"

Ragini smiled: "I can't believe there are really such nice persons like you!"

Sanskar twirled her and then pulled her again to him saying: "I'm a limited edition in fact!"

Ragini chuckled.

Sanskar: "You look beautiful when you're happy. Were you crying before?"

Ragini shook her head: "I was about to cry. I was hurt but crying isn't for me. I was just feeling insulted... and I wanted to stay alone but your brother and his gang came to put salt on my wounds. I was really feeling down."

Sanskar made her half fall in his arms and looked at her.

She was so damn fascinating. Sanskar couldn't take his eyes off from her.

"Oh ho, what's this feeling?
It's just so true
Cross the seven seas
Give my life for you
There is nothing that I wouldn't do..."

Sanskar: "You know Ragini... it doesn't matter how many times you fall..."

She made her stand up again and said: "What matters is the speed with which you stand up. When you feel down, don't focus on what you made feel like that, but on what can you make happy. Go ahead, be happy, live life and don't think so much. Today you just had a tiny obstacle in front of you and you wanted to escape from world... this type of episodes are just a chapter in the story of our life, lessons that help us to grow up. You sang in front of so many people today, think about that! You came over one of your fears which was singing in front of people. Wasn't it?"

Ragini nodded looking at him while they were moving with the song.

Laksh was having a drink while looking at them.

Sanskar: "So why don't you focus on that? Don't be discouraged by people's comments. If they don't mean anything then why their comments must affect you, right? Karishma isn't your friend na?"

Ragini shook her head: "Not at all!"

Sanskar: "So? Ignore her..."

He made her turn around and entangled his arms with hers placing them on her belly. His cheek touched her face while her back was merged to his chest.

Sanskar closed his eyes and whispered in Ragini's ear: "Just care about the people who care about you. Nobody else has the right to make you feel down. Stay strong and learn to face the world."

Ragini was affected by his words. She was feeling so fine now.

Laksh was glaring at them.

LATER

Sanskar was bringing two glasses with soft drinks for Ragini and Swara.

He gave one to Ragini: "Coke for you... and Sprite for S..."

But before he could complete the sentence the glass slipped from his hand and the drink fell on Swara's dress and the glass on the ground.

Sanskar: "I'm so sorry Swara! I didn't do it intentionally... I..."

Swara: "It's ok Sanskar! I know it! Don't worry... I just need to go to the washroom to clean this..."

Sanskar: "And I must go to find something to clean this broken glass before someone gets injured."

Ragini: "Ok guys, you go... I will wait here.."

Swara and Sanskar nodded and left from there.

Ragini was having her drink when someone touched her bare shoulder from behind making her wince. Ragini turned around facing Laksh.

Ragini: "What do you want now?"

Laksh: "Just a dance with you. I don't know how to dance na... don't you want to teach me?"

Ragini: "Ask your girlfriend Karishma."

Laksh: "She doesn't know too... I saw you dancing with my brother... and I think nobody can dance like you so I will learn from you only! Come!"

He held the glass from her hands and put it aside and grabbed her wrist dragging her with him forcefully while she tried to free herself.

Ragini: "Leave my hand Laksh!"

Laksh pulled her closer and said: "Why? Dance with me na... the way you were dancing with my brother!"

He was drunk so Ragini looked away since she couldn't tolerate the smell.

Laksh encircled her waist with his arms and brought his face closer to her: "Just tell me one thing Ragini... why did you choose my brother as victim for your trap?"

Ragini looked at him confused: "What are you..."

But Laksh covered her mouth with a hand: "Shhh! You can't fool me with your innocent face and your words! You can fool my brother, not me... that's why you chose him over me right?"

Ragini looked at him with big eyes.

Laksh was not letting her go, instead was pulling her even closer. Their bodies were merged to each other now.

Laksh: "Do one thing... leave my brother! Try with me! I have money too... why did you choose him?"

Ragini was trying to free herself from his grip but it was too tight.

Everybody had now stopped dancing and was now looking at them. Even the music was off.

Karishma covered her face with a hand slowly saying: "What the hell is he doing..."

Laksh twirled Ragini and then made her half fall in his arms. He held her chin making her straightly looking at him: "Tell me... why you aren't answering!"

Ragini struggled to free herself: "Leave me Laksh!"

Just then someone held Sanskar's arm and made him stand up. Laksh left Ragini and Swara came to her putting her hands on Ragini's shoulders while Laksh turned around and got another slap from Sanskar.

Sanskar shouted: "You have crossed all your limits Laksh! What were you doing?!"

Laksh: "Sanskar don't raise your hand on me again or else mine will rise too."

Sanskar: "You will hit me? Ok go ahead! Come on! Why aren't you hitting me?!"

Laksh got angry and held his collar.

Ragini stepped ahead: "Laksh leave him! He is your brother!"

Laksh: "EXACTLY DAMN IT! He is MY brother! So don't interfere!" – He shouted at Ragini making her wince.

Sanskar scolded Laksh: "Laksh don't shout at Ragini! What's wrong with you?! What did she do to you that you aren't letting her live in peace? What's your problem?"

Laksh pushed him and indicated Ragini: "She is the problem! Since the first day she entered in my life she is just creating problems in my life!"

Ragini: "But what did I do?"

Laksh went to her and held his shoulders tightly jerking her: "You came in our lives! And you are ruining everything!"

Sanskar held Laksh's arm and threw him away from Ragini: "Lucky come back in your senses!"

Laksh: "Bhai you need to open your eyes! Can't you see how is she trapping you? She is getting closer to you for money! You don't know these types of girls but I do! They seem innocent but are just CHEAP!"

Karishma smirked.

And the next that happened was a slap from Sanskar hitting Laksh. But this time also Laksh gave it back and shouted on Sanskar. The two brothers started fighting.

Ragini was crying. She didn't know what to do. She covered her mouth shaking her head.

Omi was about to step towards Sanskar and Laksh but Karishma stopped him.

Karishma: "Omi this is what I wanted! Don't do anything!"

But Omi jerked his hand away from his arms and said: "To hell with what you want!"

He went to Sanskar and Laksh and separated them. Karishma made an annoyed face and went near Laksh and held him: "Lucky are you ok?"

Laksh nodded. He was looking at Ragini who had rushed to Sanskar with Swara.

Laksh angrily said: "When you are free from his girl... come home! I'll call a taxi and leave since in our car there is no more space for us."

He glared at Ragini and Sanskar and with that he left.

Swara: "Are you fine Sanskar?"

Sanskar: "Don't worry. Nothing happened to me."

Ragini: "Sanskar you should go with him... he is your brother. You can make him understand... he is just thinking too much."

Sanskar: "I know. But Ragini he is a big dumb head. I know who must have filled his brain with such stuff." – He glared at Karishma who looked away crossing her arms – "And obviously he is so immature and impulsive that he will react like this. I shouldn't have raised my hand on him too... but I just couldn't bear the words he was saying against you."

Ragini: "You didn't need to do all this for me..." – She slowly said.

Sanskar didn't reply. He just nodded and said: "Let's go. I don't want to stay in this party anymore."

And saying that he went out followed by Swara and Ragini.

LATER

IN SANSKAR AND LAKSH'S FLAT

Sanskar was finding the first aid box in the living room while Laksh was watching the tv sitting on the sofa with the feet on the table.

The two had not exchanged a word since they had returned from the party.

Sanskar looked in all the drawers but he couldn't find the first aid box. Laksh had noticed it but didn't say anything.

Sanskar sighed and touched his forehead which was bleeding a bit. He went inside his room.

Laksh looked on. He had got an injury on his lower lip too.

AFTER FEW MINUTES

Sanskar was pressing his wound with a wet cloth.

He put the cloth on the nightstand and sat on the bed. He was about to lie down when an antiseptic cream fell on his bed followed by a plaster. He looked towards the door and saw Laksh standing there. He had thrown them.

Laksh was about to leave when Sanskar said: "Thank you. It was a very sweet way to give me things." – He said sarcastically.

Laksh turned around: "Ok fine, I'm sorry."

Sanskar was applying the antiseptic cream on his wound and pretended to not have heard.

Sanskar: "Did you say anything?"

Laksh: "Bhai I know you heard. I said I'm sorry, I over reacted."

He came to Sanskar and sat in front of him taking the plaster and putting it on Sanskar's wound on the forehead.

Sanskar smiled: "I shouldn't have slapped you too. I'm sorry."

Laksh: "No, you did right. I overreacted listening to Karishma's words. I don't like Ragini but still I wouldn't have done all this if..."

Sanskar: "Karishma hadn's brainwashed you." – He completed the sentence.

Laksh nodded looking down.

Sanskar: "I seriously don't understand why you don't leave her. You have chosen the worst girlfriend! I am sure you don't love him. Do you?"

Laksh shook his head: "Not at all. I don't know how I ended up with her and now I don't know how to come out of this so called relationship."

Sanskar: "You need to leave her as soon as possible because I don't want to get beaten again!"

Laksh looked at him guilty: "I'm sorry Bhai..."

Sanskar patted on his shoulder: "It's ok... but tell me one thing... why do you hate Ragini? She is such a nice girl!"

Laksh: "I don't like seeing you both together. I don't know why I feel angry and irritated!"

Sanskar: "Are you jealous?"

Laksh looked at him and tried to speak but couldn't formulate words: "Wh... what?... I... Noo! I don't..." – He felt nervous.

Sanskar: "Why are you stammering? I mean that I used to stay whole the time with you before but maybe recently I have spent more time with her so you are jealous..."

Laksh sighed: "Ohhh! That's what you meant... I thought..."

Sanskar: "What?"

Laksh: "Leave it! By the way.... Is there something between you and Ragini?" – He asked with a teasing smile.

Sanskar looked at him. He smiled.

Sanskar: "Yes, there is."

Laksh's smile disappeared since he didn't expect this answer: "What?"

Sanskar: "Yeah... there is friendship." – He laughed – "Look at your face!"

Laksh hit him with a pillow: "Bhai!! I was shocked thinking that you have a girlfriend!"

Sanskar: "Why? Can't I have one?"

Laksh: "You usually stay away from girls! That's why maybe I'm having difficulties in accepting your friendship with Ragini!"

Sanskar laughed: "She is just different from other girls! You should try knowing her more too... I'm sure you will like her!"

Laksh: "I will try..."

Sanskar brought ahead a hand: "Promise me you'll stop being immature and behave nicely with Ragini!"

Laksh put his hand in his one: "Ok pal!"

Sanskar hugged him smiling.

Laksh: "Plus I don't want you to get a girlfriend because I don't want a sautan!" – He joked.

Sanskar pushed him slightly and said: "Dafaa ho jaao idiot!!!"

Laksh stood up and went out of the room laughing while Sanskar looked at him with a smile shaking his head.

Sanskar hugged a pillow and lied down. He closed his eyes and the moments he spent with Ragini that night came in front of him. He fell asleep with a smile on his lips thinking about her.

As Laksh came out of Sanskar's room he recalled Ragini coming out of the flat wearing that jumpsuit which was making her look more gorgeous and Sanskar asking him if he was jealous.

Laksh slapped the back of his own head and then headed towards his room.

NEXT MORNING

All were sitting in the classroom when the teacher came inside. The students recomposed and stood up seeing the professor coming inside.

The prof cleared his throat and asked: "Is it true that yesterday night in the party organized to celebrate the beginning of the new academic year there has been a fight between two students of this class?"

Laksh and Sanskar looked down.

Laksh: "Sir... we have already solved that matter."

Prof: "I don't care about that! We gave you the permission to use the academy for that party but you guys fought?! I was sure you were involved in this Mr. Laksh Maheshwari!"

Karishma spoke up: "Sir it's all Ragini's fault! Laksh and Sanskar fought because of her only!"

Swara: "What are you saying?! My sister didn't do anything!"

Prof: "Silence."

Karishma and Swara exchanged angry looks and then kept quiet.

Prof: "So the students involved are Ragini Gadodia, Laksh Maheshwari and Sanskar Maheshwari. I don't want to hear any excuse. You three will get a punishment and that's cleaning the school in afternoon. So you will stay here after lessons."

Laksh was about to say something but the teacher stopped him: "I don't want to listen to anything!"

Ragini, Laksh and Sanskar looked on.

CHAPTER ENDS

Precap: Ragini, Laksh and Sanskar are blocked in the academy and have to spend the night there.