"I've never asked you anything from the day one but today let me do it." Swara paused as she finally gained enough courage to look into his orbs as they stood infront of the railway station.

"Give me one reason to stay."

Sanskaar didn't expect her to ask such a question but when she did, he knew what she exactly meant. Afterall they both were no less than roomates in their house while the entire world thinks them to be another happy couple. He was wrong and he knew but it was time that he comes to his own terms of accepting whatever he felt for this women who now stood before him with tears brimming her doe eyes.

"I like you."

~

Sanskaar kept caressing one of the red rose's petal from the bouquet he brought for his lady love. His lady love--- he wasn't sure if he had the right to address that beautiful petite human being for whom he least cared for, from the first day of their marriage until this day. Being a girl of patience and understanding, Not for once she had questioned but rather took care of him whenever he got himself drunk more than his resistance and mourn for all the loss he had, She didn't question him but made sure to look after his needs whenever he isolated himself in a room with a heap of papers and a typewriter. She was that damn women every men would want all for themselves, a perfect wife to be very precise.

For the world, he was one among the best selling writers. His writeups were loved, cherished and spread all over by the people of the world but only if they knew-- he was just another broken man trying to run away from his own agony by living a life of a fictional character he creates, only to make it experience both- heartwarmings and heartbreaks.

He had forgotten how it was to be loved ever since he lost his mother in his younger age. No wonder his father loved him too but the devoid of his mother's presence affected him deeply and created a huge hollow. Love seemed to look so simply beautiful but hauntingly complex as well. Dates and flings were much easier but when it came to serious relationships, he had one. But slowly, the smiles and laughter slowly turned into frowns and sarcasm and eventually the break up created a huge havoc and a big scar in him. Sanskaar isolated himself from the world and kept him engaged in the world of imagination and fictional characters. His father's health kept worsening and he had to accept the only one and only last wish he asked for- to get married.

And that was when Sanskaar met Swara- the pretty girl with beautiful doe eyes. It was out of force and helplessness he had to marry the women lawfully, only to make his old dearest man happy and let him rest peacefully. He was such a jerk that he asked his lawfully wedded bride who left her home for him to stay in another room on the wedding night and asked her to think of him like a roomate and nothing else.

Thinking of it, even know Sanskaar was ashamed of the act he did and hated himself for acting selfishly and being totally blinded in his own grief, suffering and work that he completely ignored her. At one point of time he could not help but notice this women who worked diligently and made her own expenses, she took extra care of him on his downs and filled all her responsibilities as a wife. There were times he had seen her stare and caress at their wedding frame with a sense of longing and void. Maybe he made her feel like she no more belonged to him, his world.

He was such a fool to address himself to be a lonely person when he already had a women who stood behind him and made sure to hold him back. He was to be blamed because he was afraid! Afraid because of what if he falls in love again only to loose it one day, he had no more strength to go through another heartbreak after loosing every single person he loved dearly.

Yet, Sanskaar could not stop himself from embracing the feeling of roses blooming in the corner of his heart, that slowly turned the winter cold sky to an autumn evening, with flowers and leaves showering the void spaces with a touch of glittery spark--- And all this happened every damn time when her thoughts crossed on his mind.

The moment she entered the terrace, Swara was stunned. The terrace was decorated with golden fairy lights on the walls and table neatly clothed in white silk infront the swing. The fragrant flowers and unused candles were present on the table, probably kept to light them if she would have arrived home like anyother day. And finally her orbs reached towards Sanskaar who looked up the sky and his back facing her.

No mater what Swara could only get into one conclusion, it was all a dream she used to dream like any other day. She could not believe he walked to her and escorted her from the railway station and the confession of his brought a heart attack. Swara had seen her husband in almost every mood from anger to frustration, bitterness to tinest grins.. but no matter how much she could think Swara could not exactly point the emotions that surfaced in his sharp eyes. It held genuineness, relief, gentleness and love? She didn't know, honestly!

She took baby steps to reach the man making sure he wasn't distracted by the slight tinkling sound of her silver anklets she wore. For sure, she was nervous and with every step she took forward, her heart pounded just like a teenager who's about to confess.

"So Is this how you felt---" Sanskaar took a pause as he turned to look at Swara since he sensed her, "Everytime you waited for me?" He witnessed her orbs go wide and flash a little hurt but then it eventually faded back quickly. Swara was tongue tied, she could not tell the man how relaxed she would feel just with his presence even when there was a wall in between to separate nor how terrible she would feel at times when he comes complete drunk and mumble another woman's name, can she?

"Waiting comes along with pleasure and affliction." Swara answered softly, fidgeting the corner of her saree while she gazed at the full moon. It was their first proper conversation after 16 months of their marriage and Swara wanted to keep the conversation decent at any cost. She had so many things to talk about, especially about the sudden confession of his but she didn't know if she had the right to ask him.

"I never knew my wife had good verbal skills." Swara batted her long eyelashes, 'His wife' how beautiful that sounded-- especially from him! How many days she had waited for him to acknowledge their relationship, their marriage and her. Sanskaar saw his lady blush and the moonlight made her bright face glow to another level. Ah! What an idiot he was to search for an alluring beauty in his imagination when he already had one in the reality.

"When you're bound to have a writer husband I guess I should have these simple skills." Sanskaar laughed at that comment and Swara was almost amazed. She had never heard him laugh and she was sure every women would go flat on the ground if they ever hear that amazing laugh apart from his awestruck physiques. Just like that it made her heart flutter and butterflies fly inside her stomach. Only if he ever knew the effect he has on her.. uff!

"Sanskaar-- why now, out of any other day?" His laugh subsided and he shifted his gaze at Swara would looked nervous looking everywhere except for him, Sanskaar shook his head. This woman was going to be his death just for being so cute and adorable.

"I don't know!" Swara immediately looked up to meet his orbs. Now what was "I don't know" meant? "I honestly don't know Swara. The minute I got to know that you were about to leave the place, me-- I couldn't process anything and even before I knew, I was there after you." Sanskaar sighed, He was too excited to accept his feelings for her when she returns back from office and all his excitement started to fade, anxious started to crawl and the moment he was notified about her leaving to Delhi for 3 months, His entire world froze for a moment but then he didn't elaborate.

"Tell me it's a dream." Swara could only utter this even after hearing his reply. He was affected by her absence, ofcourse a part of Swara was glad-- but only a small part. She had always longed for his presence, him. There had been times when she wants to avoid his presence in the power of his absence because she always stepover the fault lines of nostalgia and fall straight down into deep pool of despair, "I was-- no-- I am bound to face incidents where I am supposed to bury my words and colour my heart in tiniest bits and imaginative fantasy to hold on, everyday!" Swara paused and breathed, "Sanskaar, you've always been away from everyone for most of the time, dwelling over your thoughts and trying to drink away your sorrows in the name of alcohol. I have been alone in this house just with the rememberance of your presence and that's how I have lived my life all way this long-- now you're sudden closeness-- it fears me Sanskaar, and I can't break my walls for you any longer and let myself be left in fragments if you--"

Sanskaar's eyes widened at that. Every word of hers made him feel as if acid had been thrown over his guts and every tear that slipped down from her eyes stabbed his heart. Ofcourse he didn't expect Swara to embrace him when he comes out clean but at the same time her sobs was unexpected. He actually went numb and helpless to see her break into soft sobs.

"Swara-- I-- I--" His words stuttered and for the first very time, he felt all his words drained away from him. With hesitation, Sanskaar gently took her hand in his and wiped her tears though Swara jerked a little at first then quickly relaxed after he placed the rose on the slab. Swara wiped away her tears and took a breathe, "I-- No words can compensate the grief you've gone through because of me. My apology may not have the power to heal you nor ease the pain, so I will not apologize. But all I ask you is for another chance Swara and you will promise me to not hesitate to point out of the flaws or punch me when I go wrong, okay?"

Swara nodded her head and slightly punched on his shoulder. Sanskaar passed a dramatic look her but the lady gave no heeds to it, "That's for ignoring me all the time until today." She sniffed and Sanskaar chuckled at that, "Sanskaar, whatever has happen-- it can't be changed but then we have another chance, another fresh begining to start our journey. I want us to take slow yet steady steps, cherish every win and loss and get through the challenges together, Okay?" Swara was surprised herself for the words she had uttered but then she was proud of whatever she had voiced out. If Sanskaar really want to give in to keep their bond then for sure she could accept it with wholeheart.

Adoration? Respect? it was too small, the woman who stood before him deserves so much. They way Swara had carried herself as a strong women in the society and the fact that she made sure to keep her self- respect first no more matter what and came out clear had totally blown him away "Swara-- you resemble to me like a bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because he trust is not in the branch it is in her wings. I'm so grateful that I always had you with me and regretful for not doing the best, you deserve." Swara smiled, the way he weaved magic in form of words always made her fan-girling and Sanskaar slowly decreased the closeness, within a moment she caged in his arms.

In his embrace the world stopped still on its axis. There was no time, no wind, no rain. Sanskaar's mind was at peace after so many years. How could it be that he hadn't seen Swara's love for what it was before? Pure. Unselfish. Undemanding. Free. He had only then understood the saying was never wrong,
❝ Sometimes the one thing that you were searching for your entire life was right there but you just didn't know! ❞ Swara felt her body press in, soft and warm with a rhythmic melody of his heart beat making her forget every agony she'd gone through. This was the love she'd waited for, prayed for. She inwardly thanked God and hugged all the tighter. A love like this was to be cherished for life. Finally, she was home-- Just her
❝ HOME ❞

He was a choatic wind who was in search of peace, She was a gentle ocean breeze who conquers the power of calmness and they found serendipity and tranquility together, not everyone can appreciate nor understand the beauty of the combination behind the chaotic beauty!...

~

A/N: Okay, the last part became a blunder since I was out of time. This shot was in my draft for an month and I finally came up with something.
Just a small gift on my side for those who had loved me so much. Spamming is totally allowed, and I totally love it. Will love it to hear you're views on it.

Ps: Compensation for making you'll love-hate-cry at the last shot😂😁😌

Love,
Diya❤️