Thank u so much for all your votes and comments..Here is the next chapter..

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Sharmishta woke up early in the morning. An affectionate smile appeared on her lips when she saw the innocent face of her Chinnu, who was looking really cute with her hair falling to her eyes. She extended her hand and slowly moved her hair from her forehead and placed a soft kiss there. Swara slightly squirmed in her sleep and murmured "Ammaaa" softly with her eyes still closed.

Sharmishta got up from the bed, tied her hair into a bun and walked towards the front door. When she opened the door she was surprised to see Sanskaar sitting in the verandah.

Sha: (smiles) Sanskaar..So early in the morning..?

Sa: Sharmishta amma..Chinnu..?(tries to look inside)

Sha: (smiles widely) She is still asleep..(then excitedly)She came here yesterday night itself..But you were saying that you wanted to give her some surprise and she will come here today only..?

Sa: (bites his lips and looks away guiltily) Actually Sharmishta Amma..(musters some courage and looks at her face again)I will tell you everything..What happened was that..

Just then Swara walked into the scene and Sanskaar was interrupted by her.

Sw: Amma..I had great fun at their home..Sanskaar gave me a huge surprise..(looks at Sanskaar with a mocking smile)

Sanskaar stared at her with a painful expression.

Sha: (smiles) Is it, Chinnu..? Ok now both of you sit down and talk with each other..I will bring some tea for all of us..

And she walked inside. Swara glared at Sanskaar with her one eyebrow raised. Sanskaar twitched his lips and looked around. He was finding it difficult to meet her testy glare. He took a deep breath and gathered up himself. He eventually met her gaze and started talking.

Sa: Why did you stop me from explaining everything to Sharmishta Amma..?

Sw: (seriously)Because I didn't want her to feel hurt in any way..Look Mr. Sanskaar..I didn't tell anything bad about you and your family to my Amma..I know that she values Annapurna aunty's friendship very much..I didn't want to spoil their relationship..

Sa: But listen to me Swa..

Sw: (now pointing her index finger at him and glaring) You listen to me Mr. Sanskaar..I don't want any drama here and I don't want your "I-am-sorry" expression too..It doesn't suit you..(smirks)

Sanskaar's expression was turning sour now. She opened his mouth to retort but just then Sharmishta arrived with three steaming cups of tea.

Sha: Sanskaar, tell Annapurna to accompany me and Chinnu to the Devi temple in the evening. Chinnu has arrived here in our place after a long time. So it will be good if we take her to the temple.

Sa:(sipping the tea) Sure..

Sanskaar looked into Swara's direction and raised his one eyebrow angrily to which Swara raised her both eyebrows and fumed at him.

He thought "Oh my God..What a haughty and arrogant girl she is..!! Sharmishta amma is such a kind and sweet person..! I guess I didn't do any wrong by making fool of her..She deserved it.."

Swara sipped her tea and thought "Oh God..! I have never seen such a man in my entire life..Annapurna aunty and Ragini are actually nice persons..But this Sanskaar is such a scoundrel.."

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In the evening, Sanskaar was sitting behind the cash counter in his supermarket store. Just then his friend Nandu walked into the shop and approached him excitedly.

Na: Sanskaar..Sanskaar..

Sa: (smiles excitedly) Nandu..

Na: Sanskaar..I was sitting at the tea shop near our Devi temple and guess whom did I see..?

Sa: (frowns) Whom..?

Na: (dramatically)Sharmishta Amma's daughter..(hits his chest with his fist with a dreamy expression) What a beauty, my friend..!!! Ohhh my God..!!! Kill me..!! Kill me..(hits his chest again and again) I heard Annapurna Aunty introducing her to someone else.

Sanskaar pursed his lips together and shook his head in exasperation and then yelled out angrily.

Sa:(yells) NANDUUU.. (hits noisily on the counter top with his fist)Don't talk non sense..I don't care a damn about her..You don't even like me having a peace of mind at least here in my shop..?!!

Nandu was gazing at his friend open mouthed. He couldn't understand what was wrong with Sanskaar.

Na: What happened, daa ? ("daa" is a way of addressing a friend like "yaar") Why are you over reacting..?

Sanskaar realized his mistake and he extended his hand and patted Nandu's shoulder consolingly.

Sa: Forgive me, daa.. I am in a bad mood since morning..

Na: You can tell me.. what is the matter with you..? (putting his arm around Sanskaar's shoulder)

Sa: Ok..I will tell you everything..

After hearing everything, Nandu shook his head in disapproval.

Na: (serious tone) What you did was not right, Sanskaar..

Sa: (widens his eyes) Now you also start lecturing me, Nandu..!(turns his face away annoyed)

Na: (dreamy expression) What a sweet girl she is..? How could you cheat her like that..?

Sanskaar got really annoyed and pushed him by his shoulder.

Sa: You just go away from here..!!  You are not my friend..

Na: Of course I am your friend, Sanskaar. But I was just telling that she is soooo beautiful. (regains his dreamy expression and gazes distantly) Huuhhh..I wish she was my wife..!

Hearing that statement, for some unknown reason, Sanskaar felt a hot surge of anger searing him. He pursed his lips together and clenched his jaws .

Nandu was aware of it only when a strong fore-arm wound round his neck from behind and he began to gasp for breath.

Na: Huuhh..What are you doing..Leave me daa..!!

Sanskaar whispered dangerously in his ears.

Sa: Stop it, because I don't like it..you got that..

Na: (struggling hard) Eh..What...?!!

Sa: Stop your non sense regarding her..I don't like it..!!!

Sanskaar loosened his grip around his neck when he realized what he was doing. He let out a deep breath and walked out of the shop.

Nandu rubbed his neck with his mouth slightly open and stared after Sanskaar's retreating back.

Na: Now ,what is the matter with him..?

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Swara was waiting for Sharmishta amma to finish her prayers while Annapurna approached her. She placed her palm on Swara's shoulder.

An: Chinnu...You are also like a daughter for me my dear..Please forgive me for what all had happened..Actually Sanskaar had told that..

Swara didn't wanted to bring that topic back. So she smiled politely and touched Annapurna's hand.

Sw: Aunty, no need to say sorry to me..I know that you and Ragini didn't intend to hurt me..I am sorry that I behaved with you that way when I came back to take my luggage..I should have guessed that it was entirely HIS fault..(gazed away)

Annapurna noticed the pain in her eyes and she felt a pang in her motherly heart.

An: I know that you won't be able to forgive Sanskaar, but believe me he is not a bad person.

Sw: Please aunty..can we just stop discussing this topic..Please..

Annapurna realized that Swara was not yet ready to forgive her son. She smiled painfully and nodded in assent.

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While returning back from the temple, Annapurna took Swara and Sharmishta to her home for tea.

Ragini, who had come back from job had prepared tea for all of them. Swara smiled pleasantly at Ragini and assured that all was well between either of them.

All the ladies sat down around the table and started having the evening snacks and tea.

Just then, Swara's phone began to ring. She saw that it was from her father, Shekhar Nair. She quickly glanced at her Amma who was happily chatting away with Annapurna. Swara excused herself and walked outside with her phone.

Sw: (mocking tone)Hello Papa..How come you remembered me..?

Sh: Chinnu..Why didn't you come back..? Do you know how much worried I have been..?

Sw: Don't worry Papa..I am fine here at Amma's home..

Sh: (shocked) What..?! How did you reach her home..? !!! I had not..I had not given you the address..when you asked me from the airport..

Sw: I told you right that I am not going to come back without meeting my Amma..And you know what, God helped me..and I found her home easily..

Sh: (helplessly) Come back Chinnuu..I am missing you terribly..

Sw: (scoffs)Papa..It has been only two days since you haven't seen me, and you are in this helpless condition..Just think about Amma, it has been years since she met me..

Sh: But she has learnt to be without you. But I haven't..

Sw: (laughs softly) Then you also will learn to be without me, soon..Bye Papa..You take care..

She disconnected the call and let out a deep sigh. Swara was just entering back into the house after that when she heard the approaching noise of a motorbike. Sanskaar entered the courtyard in his bike. Swara smirked at him and he avoided her completely.

She turned back towards the house and was about to step inside when he too joined her and walked inside with her. Both of them headed towards the dining area where the ladies were sitting together. Sharmishta saw them approaching and smiled affectionately at Sanskaar.

Sha: Sanskaar..oh good that you came home at the right time. Chinnu you also listen. We have planned something. Tomorrow is Sunday, so its holiday for Ragini's School and Sanskaar's shop.

Sanskaar and Swara were listening intently to Sharmishta.

Sha: Let us go for a trip to Guruvayur Temple. We will start early morning and reach back at night. Sanskaar, can you please take care of the arrangements.

Sa: Alright Sharmishta amma..You don't worry..I will book the taxi for all of us.

Swara looked at him while he was talking, but Sanskaar didn't even glance at her which pricked Swara's ego. He sat down for having his tea and Swara also sat down with them.

***** End of Part 4*****

Hope you all enjoyed the update..

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Love,

Naina