I am back..I know the wait as been so long..I am so sorry about that.. So let me get to then... This chapter revolves mostly around the aftermath of Durgaprasad death ..So less SwaSan and i apologize about that in advance..

The Part A: What constitutes of an Marriage?

Few hours earlier ..

                  Annapurna Maheshwari started at the wall and found the beautiful picture of her granddaughter staring at her.. She never got any time to spend with her..Unlike Sujatha ..She knew how much time Sujatha has spend with Asha given she and her husband were always part of Sanskar life unlike her or her husband.. It was an choice she had to take back that day when his husband has basically asked Sanskar to leave.. She pretended to not know the real reason and pretended to believe it was because of one of their clashes due to Sanskar chosen career..But she knew back in that day, it was her husband asking his first son to leave to keep the rest of his family safe.. And she rationalized her decision to stay away from Sanskar with the logic that her other two kids needs her more given their lack of maturity unlike Sanskar.. And that meant she failed as an mother to Sanskar and failed as an grandmother to an one year old Asha who needed her more than anyone else..But she choose to stay by her husband believed his intention in asking Sanskar to move was risen out of his deepest worry not to lose anyone in the family.. 

                      And while parents tend to love all children equally, they do provide extra care and attention to the one who needs it more.. That doenst mean they dont love the other..And all through his life Annapurna knew she has chosen Laksh who was more mischievous and Uttara who was too little over Sanskar everytime. But for her husband Sanskar was the apple of the eye..He would always give him preference over everything else.. He never would say No to him .. And he would forgive anything he did and that why laksh always used his brother as an shield to protect himself from his father wrath..And he always seen Sanskar as his heir, that why she was able to understand the rift that was created in the relationship between this two ,when Sanskar declared his intention to pursue his chosen Career.. She knew how much it must have derailed the plans her husband build for Sanskar ..Hence was able to understand all the anomisty that was build between this two in the recent years. Or so she thought until today... And how she wish she never found out.. 

             Annapurna Maheshwari rarely ventures into her husband study given the fact he would either be frowning or screaming in the phone..He was never at his best when working. When it comes to work ,he will only be satisfied if it went his way and just his way.. That made him an force to reckon with for his competitors but an lousy husband while working.. So she rather gave him all the alone time when working..But one of his employees visited the home to give him some files when he was out..So she ventured into the study to keep the files their as he would probably lash out if it was kept anywhere else. But the windows were kept open and the new fresh wind toppled some of the files over ,she was placing it back when her hands found an file which said medical report .. She knew he went for an monthly checkup few days ago ..And the fact it was here instead of in their room caused bit of panic to her..So she opened it and was relieved to find everything was normal and was about to place it back when an small envelope fell out of the file.. The contents of the reports in the file just shattered her entire marriage in an blink. And at the unfavorable moment Durga Prasad entered the study and knew its over between them.. She still remembers their last conversation each words of his establishing how much she didnt even know him .. 

AP:" What does this mean .. Please tell me it was an mistake "

DP: " I didnt ask for it .Believe me.."

AP:" You didnt ask for it ,and what all doctors got it in their job to run DNA test as well with monthly checkup .."

DP:" It not like that ,You know DR Mehra was my close friend..I made an drunken slip back last month when we used to hang out..And so he thought he was being helpful and ran the test to clear my doubts"

AP:" What ..(sadistically Laughing ) ..Doubts..You thought Sanskar was not your Son and it was just a doubt..Do you even realize what that means or should i spell it out..You thought i cheated on you and it was because you had an doubt"

DP:" I am sorry ,i didnt think you cheated on me..I thought you might have made an mistake.. "

AP:" Mistake..Really ..Are you even hearing yourself..And what did i do to warrant such an character assassination upon myself.. I stood by you through thick and thin..I lived with your for 30 years and all this awhile believe what we got was an solid marriage only to find out about this.Tell me why.."

DP:" Because i know .."

AP:" Know what.."

DP:" Who you liked back in those days"

AP:" Oh really..So what.. I used to like your best friend back in those days.. And didnt i tell you all about it?.. I thought being truthful is the key to an successful marriage ,hence even when you were an complete stranger to me.. On our first meet.. I told you i used to like someone but my parents didnt apporve..As i didnt want to hurt my parents i moved on.. Back then my friends called me idiotic to tell you about it ..And i told them being truthful was important for an marriage..And i still remember how you told me it was my past and their is no need to talk about it ..And that was when i finally thought my parents did choose an good person for me.. And so i said yes to marry you..30 years later we are back to the past which you said didnt matter.."

DP:" You didnt tell me it was my best friend"

AP:" I didnt know it was your best friend.. And it has been over between us for  two years before our marriage and how am i supposed to predict you two become good friends .. And i wanted to say and it was your friend who insisted that i dont spoil your friendship as well your partnership in the business ..After all you both did start an business together.. And yes i should have told you and not listened to him ..It was my fault that i didnt want to break your friendship but does any of  it warrant you to think Sanskar was not your Son..I wasnt being entirely truthful but does that make me someone who would possibly cheat on you. Dont you know me ,after all the time we lived together.." 

DP:" I know you ..And i am sorry..It was my fault.. I know i was wrong to think like that..All my life i have been trying to not doubt it but Sanskar is more like him then me. And i know i was wrong. I know it..I am sorry  and believe me i didnt ask for it .. "

AP:" Now i get it why you opposed his choice of career.. Because your friend was more of an writer than an businessman.. But have you ever thought Sanskar was more like me than you..If you knew me then you would have known that.. But you never knew me..So it makes sense that you would end up thinking so low of me.." 

DP:" I Love you..And i was wrong to end up thinking like that..I wished, hoped and tried not to think like it and fail you and Sanskar but as he grew up..He did remind me about him alot.. And each passing day the tiny bit of doubt grew until .."

AP:" You believed it .. And thought your son as someone else..Hence all this animosity and fights when he told you about his wish to become an writer.. I used to wonder why for someone who never said No to Sanskar ,opposed this decision of is with such hatred..Now i know.. How i wish i didnt know.. "

DP: " I am sorry.. Whatever the battles i fought with myself it was between me and only me.. I never meant it to get out and hurt you .."

AP:" You didnt mean to hurt me but how can i not be hurt when you didnt trust me over such an big issue..Well fine i deserve it for not being entirely truthful but did Sanskar deserve any of it..  I am done..I am leaving this house right this instant ..I cant stand to see your face anylonger"

DP:" I am sorry.."

AP:" You are sorry..If you think Sanskar was not your son..Why on earth would you want him to marry Aliya..She was his daughter after all "

DP:" Because believe me..I know he was my son..I always know except the darkest hours in an day when the doubts creeps in and i act out.."

AP:" Not enough.. I heard enough, seen enough and i am out " 

DP:" Please dont tell him.."

AP:" Why you dont want to lose your son as well..I am sorry but he deserves to know why is father refused to stand by is side when he was all alone..Why he choose his siblings over him when it mattered.. Sanskar is more like me, so the chances that he might forgive you is less likely.. And i am not keeping it from him but on the other hand i promise i wont tell it to Laksh or Uttara"

            Annapurna Maheshwari had thought she knew her husband..But failed to see how much she didnt know him..So here she was in her son house after leaving her husband..At the moment she hated him so very much and thought that wont change forever but what she didnt expect was the news of his death.. And to know he ended his life was more than enough for her fragile heart to handle that she got an Heart Attack and was rushed to the hospital by his family.. For all the hatred that made Annapurna leave her husband, she didnt want to stay in an world without him..Inspite of the doctors best efforts Annapurna Maheshwari passed away later that night.. Leaving the family shattered in its wake... 

The Part B: An Perfect Alibi

                  Meanwhile Payal Bose has learnt the art of providing an perfect Alibi from her father. He always got an iron clad alibi that proves him innocent..And sometime she hated herself for inheriting his father DNA.. But Sometime they are useful indeed like the time when she decided to accept she is no longer an angel like her mother but she is just like his father. Gone were the days of innocent girl who was suffocating in her so called home.. Now she just knows how to still keep the mask of an innocent girl intact as that does give her the most perfect alibi as no one could fathom the girl who is sitting and eating peacefully in the dining room had just enlisted someone to kill her best friend dad..  So yeah Payal Bose was eating peacefully in the family big dining room seated besides her father wife..She could never address her as mother because that only belong to her mom and no one else... And When one of her father trusted lackey dashed in to the room she knew what news he might carry as no one disturbs her father unless it something important if they want to live to see another day and so it was not mildly surprising to payal to learn that he was here to inform the demise of my father biggest rival Durga Prasad Maheshwari... 

                    Payal was just bit surprised that the news was out this soon..She expected given the fact he was alone in his home tonight meant he wont be found out till tomorrow morning ..Well not everything works out the way she planned indeed..But everything else was just the way she predicted..Her father just laughed like his lackey brought him an good news worth celebrating, his wife just lowered eyes not being able to see his husband vicious laughter and her brothers just went on talking at the top of the voice about how it all happened not knowing in the least her part in all of it .. Soon the whole family members were given all the detail about the death..Just like she planned everyone seem to believe it as an suicide.. 

Mr Bose: " Serves him right..For all his self righteous attitude he did die in an cowardly way..Well he always thought being good means he will live longer..Look who is laughing now ..Me ..And you always thought of him as your father and why are you just still sitting here ,i expected you to dash out as soon as you heard the news.. "

                        Payal for all her plans at an innocent act realized her father is still the smarter one when he was quick to find out her reaction was mild given the gravity of the news.. She did try to give an excuse of being too shocked to react and dashed out to play the dutiful innocent neighbor role..Only to encounter Sakshi father.. She doesnt cherish any encounter with him,especially given the fact he was always nice to her.. But she still needs her perfect Alibi.. So she did greet him and played the role of an shocked  and concerned neighbor.. Everything was working out well just like she expected,soon Police arrived to the scene as Sakshi dad called them and while the police decided to rule it out as Suicide ,Sakshi dad was claiming his friend wont do such thing and was asking them to look into it .. Still Payal was confident that there will be no evidence suggesting the death of Durga Prasad as anything but Suicide taken due to the trouble in his family life..  

                An hour or so later  Sakshi father asked her to go back home as it was late into night, she was very relieved as that meant not facing him..She still remember seeing the pain in his eyes when she saw him after Sakshi death..He looked too broken and well the fact she did that too him broke her as well.. And now he will be heartbroken  at his father death.. And it will break her once again and the only comfort she gained is the mere fact unlike Sakshi who was innocent , Sanskar father deserved to die.. Yes she killed far too many innocents but the one person death she wont regret is Durga Prasad Maheshwari.. He has hurted him in the worst possible way and she wont forgive that. But once again she ran out of luck that day as before she could step out of the gate..He arrived..And he did look too broken indeed.. While he just dashed out inside followed by his brother, he failed to take notice of her presence like always..She knew she was always invincible to him, though she would be standing right beside him, he wont notice her, atleast not the way she wanted to be noticed.. But today she was glad to be invincible.  And with an sigh of relief she returned back home or the place where an angel like her was turned into an monster.. 

               She was greeted by her brothers who were more curious to know why Sanskar dad died and believed that she knew the reason as she was  close with Uttara.. They pestered her for awhile in their drunken mode and when she kept her silence they gave up asking and returned back to their favorite past time of drinking..  She locked herself in her big spacious room and reached out to the balcony her favorite place because that could ensure she might get a tiny glimpse of him when he walks out of his house.. And she kept staring at the house for over an hour.. And her wait was finally answered when she got an glimpse of him and it turned into fear when he directly looked in her direction from his house as if he knew she would be watching him.. Chances are slim as she was perfectly hidden behind one of the pillars.. Yet she felt like he was intently looking at her..But then he headed back inside .. She waited for another hour but when he didnt make any more appearance she decided to try and sleep if sleep was gracious enough to happen. As she knew for a perfect Alibi she needs to keep playing her part right till the end..

Part C: "The Aftermath of an Tragedy"

A Week later: Maheshwari Mansion

                The family lawyer of the Maheshwari has just left after handing over the contents of the will that DurgaPrasad as personally entrusted to him.. And while it shocked everyone in the family none more than Laksh. It didnt make any sense to him that his father would leave all his properties divided just between Laksh and Uttara leaving Sanskar out of it.. It has been over an week but yet he couldnt understand anything..The reason his parents fought, the reason his father would take such a drastic step and now this new confusing will..No matter how much his father hated Sanskar this was so not done..Sanskar was his brother and Laksh couldnt accept that his father would be so cruel.. But what irked him more was how calm Sanskar was in receiving the news..Yeah he admit the property and inheritance never mattered to him well it never mattered to any of them but still how could he receive that news and still go on saying he was good.   

               He decided he need to have an honest talk with his brother and find out what the thing he has been keeping from him..He never meant to over hear his conversation but over hear he did .. 

Krish:" All of it points to Suicide Sanskar..But we know how clever she can be..And that why i am trying my best to find if she is involved.."

Sanskar:" She is waltzing in my home pretending to be consoling Uttara and Swara refuses to stay away and insist on staying here with me..If i lost her too .."

Krish:" Nothing would happen to Swara, she is smart and we did told her to stay the far away from Payal and i am always keeping an eye on her not just me, you, laksh, ragini and everyone in the house are concerned about Swara safety.. So please dont worry.. If payal was involved in your father death..She wont make another attempt now.."

Sanskar:" That what i thought, if i left far away she would spare my family..If i let swara go away she would spare her.. But no she still keeps harming my family no matter what i do and sometime i just think i should ..."

Krish:" It might not be her Sanskar..This time it might just be really not her..While i still have my reservation about locking her as the one for your wife murder..The evidence swara found pretty much confirms it..And as you said that not enough.. So please i know you are grieving and i know you are angry..But please dont act out..That all i am asking..Your family needs you..Especially now.."

Sanskar:" I wont..I wanted to act out but i know it wont help us anyway..I was almost half way to confront her back on that day but realized it wont be productive and so stopped.. "

Krish: "I know  you wont.. And we will get through this dont worry.. Also i knew you were in grieving and hence didnt ask about why you think payal would have killed your father..But i think we need to dig deep in to her whole life..So if you said why then i might try to work if it would have been enough to propel to kill her father.. "

Sanskar:" Well it was only assumption.. If she found out why my parents fought then most probably she would react or so i think.. Maybe you are right and i am trying to make sense of my dad decision and hence coming up with weird ideas..I do want someone else to blame..And who else fits it better than her"

Krish:" Still i will look into it..Why did you parents fought"

             And so Sanskar briefly told him about the fight between his parents not realizing his brother was outside overhearing it .. Due to the shocking news Laksh balance on the door handle slipped and the door flew open revealing him..

Sanskar:" Lucky ..What are you doing here..Do you have anything to say?"

Laksh:" So that was why you were left out of the will.."

Sanskar:" It doenst matter Lucky.. Dad must have thought i dont need it .."

Laksh:" And you still call him Dad..How can you be that good.."

Sanskar:" Let talk about it someother time lucky not now..And moreover he did treat me as his son..Even if he didnt think i was his son.. So yeah i can still call him as dad"

Laksh:" If he did..He would have given the right share of the inheritance to you"

Sanskar:" Lucky..The house is under my name..So i did got my share of inheritance and you know he knows i am not interested in business hence it fine if he divided it between you and Uttara.."

Laksh:" Well it was under your name because grandfather wrote it in his will..Not Dad..And i dont buy your excuses but Fine i wont say anything more..And i did hear the before conversation ..Didnt mean too.But bhai it doesnt make sense..Payal is not like that..She has been the only one by Uttara side throughout this week.. I am sure the clue might point towards her given the fact Uttara told back that time..But that doesnt make sense."

Sanskar:" I didnt doubt her just because of what Uttara told me, i already had her name in the list of suspects even before that.. So it might be unbelievable but it the truth ..Right now please dont tell Uttara it already pretty upsetting weak for her"

Laksh:" I wont but do you really think she got something to do with Dad death as well"

Sanskar:" I dont know... I hope not ..But i really feel that way..As i dont see Dad deciding to end his life "

            Just then Ragini barged into the room to tell the brothers about Durga Prasad fellow business partners visit. They were five of them, Sanskar knew each of them held considerable amount of stake in their business..It started of with an normal greet and then Aliya dad decided now is the time to broach the topic of who gonna lead the Maheshwari industries in the absence of DurgaPrasad.. And from the looks of it ,it sure felt like the visit was after they heard about the will.. 

Mr Chatruvedi(Aliya dad): " I know it an terrible loss to you as an family, personally it a terrible loss to me..I was his closest friend for over 30 years..But what needs to be done needs to be done ..As the company needs someone to lead right now.. No one can replace your father place.But someone has to step in.."

Laksh:" Isnt it too early to talk about it.."

Mr Chatruvedi:" I am sure you would think that given your lack of experience but without an clear successor the shares value would drop each day.."

RamPrasad:" Whatever the loss incurred..It can be reclaimed later.So let not worry about it now..Give them sometime "

Mr Chatruvedi :" I am not pressuring them to do anything.. I am just letting them know the importance of having an Successor..I wouldn't have talked about it ,If he didnt leave behind such an confusing will.. Does it makes sense to give the majority of the shares to Laksh and Uttara.. If Sanskar was next in line we know the board would approve ..But Laksh lacks the experience to lead..And you know it will be hard to convince the board of members to accept him as the successor.."

                      Sanskar Maheshwari was bit mildly amused to find that his father find him similar to the guy seated before him.. He knew him from his childhood..He was always hungry for more power.. And for all his claim to be his father friend..He jumped at the first chance to get his father position. While Sanskar was not even bit hurt when his rightful inheritance went to his siblings...

                   And Sanskar knew this meet was to highlight laksh credentials and lack of experience..Though Laksh and Uttara shares combined give them the majority of the shares. And Sanskar knew Sakshi dad will side with them as well..Still While Aliya dad intention was wrong but it was the truth..Laksh is not yet ready to lead..And the rest of the board will find it hard to accept as well.. 

RamPrasad:" Stop trying to create rift between the brothers..Now is not the time..And there is not much difference between Laksh and Sanskar.Though laksh joined recently.. You know he was next in line for some time.."

Mr Chatruvedi:" But i didnt know DurgaPrasad would die this soon..I thought laksh got years left to gain the experience and approval of the board members.."

Sanskar:" You are right..Laksh does lack the experience.. And he need to prove his mettle to gain the approval of board members.. "

Mr Chatruvedi:" See exactly that what i am saying finally someone gets me..And that why i think we should elect a temporary successor instead and i am sure any one of us can do it and we will step down the moment laksh gains the approval of every board number .."

Sanskar: " Then it settled..we will elect a new CEO in the next share holders meet..Since company does need an CEO..We will do it by this week end.. I know it short notice but i am sure we can work it out"

             Whatever Aliya dad was thinking it was not this..he hoped they will hand it over to him in silver platter and announce it in today evening news..But here Sanskar was suggesting something else that derailed his plans..

MR. Chatruvedi: " You dont get it .. The people in this room comprises the majority  of the shares if we agreed on it ..Then it is an done deal.. Why the election and all such delay..What difference can the rest make "

Sanskar :" Well the same difference why Laksh cant lead.. He wont have the approval of the board. What you said is true ,if that the case then we can make Laksh next sucessor too ..I am sure my father close friends and business partners like you would approve of him inspite you reservation given the loyalty you have for my dad but that wont be fair would it ..So let anyone who thinks they got a chance compete and whoever wins can lead .. But since i know your biggest worry was dissatisfaction of board members if laksh was chosen..By going this way we wont have it since people in the board  would feel like they got an choice and feel they were not ignored in the biggest decision."

              Well that was the end of the discussion.. And while Mr chartruvedi was miffed that his plans failed..He know he got an fair chance to win the election ..And he was thankful Sanskar was out of the will..If he could topple is plan in one minute. Then he dont want him anywhere near the Maheshwari industries..So he and the rest of the business partners left the house feeling quite happy . While Ramprasad might have been the only one who stayed behind not happy with the way things worked out today..

Ramprasad: " I would never doubt you Sanskar..You know that right.. But today you basically handed over the reign to Him..And while he was the longest partner you father had in the business..Their ideologies never worked together and each time you father persistence would win over..So letting him lead wasnt an good choice.."

Sanskar:" Who said about letting him take over..I didnt"

Laksh:" You are not getting it bhai..Most of father partners are on his side now..This election would be an easy win..There is no one to compete against him and win "

Sanskar:" I know that but still i also know about someone who can beat him .. You know you got to stand against him right (Directly looking at RP)"

RamPrasad:" No.. I never aspired for that position..It belonged to your dad..and now it should belong to laksh.."

Sanskar:" That why you got to stand now..Because only you can help Laksh ..You can step down when you think laksh is ready.. I know you dont want that position but if laksh become the CEO you would be there for him right..Now just think of it like you becoming the CEO is the best way of making sure laksh doesnt lose his rightful place"

Laksh:" It your rightful place not mine... And i never wanted it too..But i can get behind RP uncle as the next CEO ..I just dont like Aliya dad.."

Sanskar:" But that what dad wanted lucky..And letting Aliya dad take over is not good.."

Laksh:" Let assume we do it the way you said..Do you think RP uncle will get the approval of the board over Aliya dad given he got more years in the company .."

Sanskar:" While it might not be that much tough work to get RP uncle the majority..Combining your ,Uttara would be enough for an start..And we still need to convince atleast one of dad partners to vote on our side.. It will be tough but i am sure we can do it ..There is still over 30 % of share left ..We need to make them believe RP uncle is the right choice..While we might get majority ..I still want us to have the approval of majority share holders as well because that would ensure they felt like they had an choice in the decision.So you need to go and talk with all of them in person if possible to make them feel they matter.."

Laksh: " Okay ..I will do it ..I just hope we can do it .."

Sanskar:" We will..And what do you say Uncle..You are gonna say yes right.."

Ramprasad:" Do you think i got an choice..You did put me in an tough spot"

Sanskar:" You always got an choice..If you dont want too..Then we can understand"

Ramprasad: "No i will do it ..Just to ensure my friends son got his rightful place .."

Sanskar:" Ofcourse i knew you will say yes.. Thanks uncle..My dad was lucky to got an friend like you "

Ramprasad:" Unlucky to got an friend like him..Who is after his place the moment he died"

             Only the brothers knew how unlucky and twisted their lifes got because of that friendship.. Yet they are really not going to voice it out in the open now ..They just want to forget it and move on..

Part D:" Stand by him or Protect Her"

                     Swara had many sleepless night for over an week..She just couldnt sleep in the Maheshwari house due to the fear of payal still roaming free in the Maheshwari mansion..Yet she stayed..Because she want to be there for him..He asked her to stay with her parents but nope she wont have it ..She wont let him go through this alone ..While they both never got chance to speak for more than few sentence ..They both know the support each can provide for the other just by being there..So Swara stayed in the Maheshwari house..But each passing minute there was only fear that consumed her ..Everytime she saw her..And her fake smile and concern the fear intensified.. And the night seems to be the longest given the fact she was all alone technically not alone given Asha was cuddled next to her..But Swara knew she would just walk without making an noise towards danger if it meant Asha would be safe and sound.. So the little girl cuddled next to her doesnt offer her comfort but more of fear as she want to protect her from ever facing the monsters she faced in her life..

                    Swara knew that everyone in the family is keeping an eye on her because they are concerned about her safety..She also knew krish had made sure his friend stayed behind while he was out hunting for more information regarding payal.. And most importantly he was here..Apparently not the same room but just the room next to her..He choose to stay in one of the guest room instead of his room to be closer to her just in case..Even when his world was collapsing he always put her safety first and always thought about her first...But she knew something was bothering him but she couldnt get to talk to him alone for over an week..She know he will tell her when he feels ready but still it does bother her to not know what bothering him..She remained awake till the early ray of sunshine popped inside her room to assure her that night is over..Feeling bit confident after the sun entry she closed her eyes.. Only to wake up when the Sun rays was at its peak..She checked the clock and found it to be 12 PM.. She overslept well she slept for all the time she didnt sleep during the week.. And panic set in when the little girl cuddled to her was missing, if it was her house..She would assume Asha got up and went to play with Dida but this is not her house  and dida is staying with her parents..So a very panicky Swara went in search of her little princess..Only to find her wrapped in the arms of an evil Queen.. Nope she wont allow that, not her daughter...She has stayed away from her ,never interacting with her, never talked with her or never staying in the same room with her if she was alone but not today, not when her daughter was with her..

              The moment the little girl spotted her Swara, She jumped from payal embrace and ran towards her Pari aunty.. Swara gently lifted the girl up and held her close to her as if her life depends on it maybe it did.. Then payal spoke up in the sweet voice of hers that would probably fool everyone but not her.

Payal:" You are awake.. Asha was bored so i was telling her an story.. I find it amazing that we both bond so well given we just met barely an week ago..And today is the first time i get to talk to her..She was usually with you and you were really busy that we never got to talk"

Swara:" Sorry to disturb you and Thanks for taking care of Asha..As you said i am really busy will catch up later than"

                 Swara didnt know how she kept her voice calm ..It took inhuman strength to say those lines without any emotions that might show her real thoughts..But Swara knew now is not the time.. But she froze when she heard what payal got to say after that..

Payal: " I am willing to take care of her all my life ..I am just saying you can let me help whenever you need me too..I love spending time with her "

                 Swara couldnt say an word to that, nope she cant..So she simply nodded and dashed out with Asha.. Here she is blaming herself for sleeping and let her precious daughter stuck with her for a minute and there she was dreaming about an entire life with her.. As long as she is alive,Swara knew she wont let that happen..Her daughter wont spend one more minute with her and that led her to make one of the toughest decisions ever..  

                Ragini Maheshwari has been very busy but she made sure to check up on her sisters whereabouts time to time and when she found her not in her room sleeping like she last saw her ,panic began to set in ..And she was about to dash out of her room when Swara entered the room with Asha in tow..And Swara who was stressed found the perfect person to lash out at..

Swara:" You should have woke me up..Or alteast took care of Asha.. Why did you let Asha play with payal.."

Ragini:" Sanskar asked me not to wake you up..He knows you werent sleeping for a long time and i was with Asha all through the morning and but Asha got bored and wanted to play so when payal offered to help i let her..Why are you so angry about that "

                Just then Swara realized in all the happenings,she never let her sister knew about payal and now it not right of her to blame her either.. She knew her sister was overworking ,plus she was always worried about her and yet she bears the brunt of her anger

Swara:" I am sorry..I was just angry..And Ragini i think i should go back home"

Ragini:"Home..Are you insane..Are you going to be alone ..Even Dida is not there now.."

Swara:" No not that home, i meant i should go to Asha grandparents house, just like Sanskar asked me ..By my presence here i am worrying all of you ..And so it would be better if i am not here..And somewhere safe so you can all be atleast spared from worrying about me.And i got Dida and mom to keep me company there during the day..Plus Adarsh bhai and Dad will be there as well for the night..So i will be perfectly safe.."

Ragini:" But why now..You refused to do that before given the fact you want to be with Sanskar.."

Swara:" I got my reasons dont ask me about it ..And dont tell anyone where i went..not even Uttara"

Ragini:" But why..Why are you keeping me in the dark"

Swara:" I will tell you everything later but not now..Because (she gently pointed at little Asha who was in the room )..For now all i can say is dont tell anyone..I will call you later and explain everything.."

Ragini:" Fine ..Have you told Sanskar yet.."

Swara:" Yeah i got to tell him..Where is he .."

Ragini:" He is in the study all day with laksh ..They are really having an hard time trying to make them gain the majority before the next shareholders meet.. "

Swara:" Asha dear..Stay with Ragini Aunty i will be back in an awhile and Ragini please dont let her away from your eyesight ..Especially not with Payal.."

Ragini:" Is it she..( Ragini being sharp could find it out,given Swara sudden decision to leave after seeing Asha with payal and her outburst at her earlier.. )

Swara:" Yes..I will explain later but do keep Asha safe"

Ragini:" I will.. I promise( And Ragini vowed to herself she  would make sure payal doest step anywhere near Asha )"

                    Swara knew Sanskar was dealing with lot of matters right now and she knew telling him about payal would make him more angry.. And so she hoped he wont ask her why she decides to leave because she wont or cant lie to him.. And when she walked into the study, he was not alone..Laksh and dad were there as well with few more people Swara never met before and she knew she has interrupted something important and excused herself with i will come later only for him dash forward to ask her what the matter..

Swara:" Nothing we can talk later"

Sanskar:" You know i cant concentrate if you left like that right..Tell me what the matter"

Swara:" I think i should go with Asha and live with dad and mom for awhile..Since dad is here.. Me and Asha will leave with him when he leaves.."

Sanskar:" I will drop you both.. Dad is leaving to meet with some shareholders"

Swara:" I can go alone.. You are busy.. "

Sanskar:" I will drop you both.. Give me 30 more minutes..Can you do that please..Wait for me "

Swara:" Sure..Take your time..I will wait"             

                Swara was thankful he didnt ask her anything..She really dont want to add payal to his list of worries.. As promised he was out of the study in 30 minutes and she was ready with Asha as well.. The whole ride back Sanskar was busy talking with Asha since he rarely got an chance to spend time with her the last week..And gently told Asha that she probably wont be seeing him for awhile.. In all the hasten preparation to leave the house..Swara forgot to let Asha know the fact her dad wont be around and while the little girl got bit upset at the news, the promise to visit often brightened her moods for now.. And ofcourse his assurance that she can also call him anytime.. 

                 Sanskar dropped them from outside given Sujatha wont let him go before dinner if she saw him. He was restless the whole day given the fact she was not with him.. While he knows she is safe given the constant number of msg he sent her way within just one day even while he was busy. He still couldnt completely make his mind about her safety.. And sleep eluded him as well...He knows she would probably sleeping hence he cant help but text her once again to check up on her.. And within few seconds she replied back making him aware that she was not sleeping either.. He was about to reply back when she called him ..

Sanskar:" Not sleeping?"

Swara:" No..What about you?"

Sanskar:" No..I am just .."

Swara:" Worried about me..Sanskar how many times i got to say i am safe.. "

Sanskar:" I know it just that. I am not near you and i am worried i wont be able to be there for you."

Swara:" i get it. But please nothing will happen to me.."

Sanskar:" I know..You are still wearing the tracking watch right..Dont take it away even while sleeping..You understand"

Swara:" I am wearing it even now.. And you need to stop worrying about me and focus on everything else..Your siblings needs you now more than ever."

Sanskar:" I know that.. I just hope Ram Uncle wins "  

Swara:" Dad will win dont worry.. "

Sanskar:" And Swara is everything okay there..It an new environment ..Are you fine there"

Swara:" Yeah everything is more than okay here Sanskar.. You know mom is making sure everything is perfect.. She even made me stay in this big room..It twice the size of my room in our house.."

Sanskar:" It must be Sakshi's..She got the biggest room in that house"

Swara:" I am sorry ..I didnt know.. If i did i would have said No.. I am not trying to take her place Sanskar..You know that right"

Sanskar:" You dont need to say sorry..And you know it actually good.. Sakshi mom wont let anyone go anywhere near her room..Adarsh told me that and if she let you stay there then it really good.. I just want them to be happy ..And you make them happy Swara.. "

Swara:" And they make me more happy Sanskar. Finally getting to have an taste of what is parents unconditional love makes me so happy.."

Sanskar: " I never knew about it , till Asha entered my life.. For the first time i knew just to how much extent i will go to see a smile on her face.. "

Swara:" Yeah.. I know that too now because of Asha..Just to how much extent i will go to keep her safe.. Especially from her"

                 Swara belatedly realized her slip of tongue and she knew she cant keep it hidden any longer..So she told him about her encounter with payal today and that was why she decided to move away from Maheshwari mansion but she also entreated him to stay calm and not act out given the fact she knew he wont stay quiet if Payal went near Asha.

Sanskar:" She loves to target anyone i loves.. And you should have told me before Swara.."

Swara:" I wanted to Sanskar but i was worried"

Sanskar:" I might act out"

Swara:" Yeah you were already under lot of pressure..I dont want to add to it "

Sanskar:" I get that..And there something i got to tell you as well..Why i think payal might have something to do with my Dad death .."

Swara:" What do you mean Sanskar.. "

Sanskar:" It still an suspicions Swara..Nothing is confirmed yet..But i do feel like that."

Swara:" I surely hope not..Why would she kill you father..It doenst make any sense.."

Sanskar:" When did her actions ever made sense.. As i said i am just working on it ..I thought you should know too.. "

Swara:" Well you dad didnt seems like someone who end his life just because of one fight with his wife.. "

Sanskar:" Yeah that why i dont think it was an suicide"

Swara:" Sanskar.. I know i shouldnt ask it..But are you really okay that you dad didnt even mention you name in his will"

Sanskar:" Well i am not upset about the will Swara.. But there was lot of things i learned about my dad recently that i am really not okay with any of it.. "

Swara:" Is it the reason for their fight, that you mom asked you not to tell anyone.."

Sanskar:" Yeah..She asked me not to tell my siblings.. But even lucky knew all about it now"

Swara:" How"

Sanskar:" Well he overheard me talking with krish.. And i was meaning to tell you about it soon..It just that we never got time to talk.."

Swara:" You dont have to say it ,if you dont want too.."

Sanskar:" I want too but not over  the phone.. I will tell you about it in person later.."

Swara:" Okay..Just now i am here for you whenever you want someone to talk too..You dont have to carry the burden all alone Sanskar..Just know that"

Sanskar:" I know.. Also did Asha sleep yet.."

Swara:" Yeah she just went to sleep..I am standing in the balcony and talking so as not to wake her up.. I should head back inside before she finds me missing..Good Night Sanskar..You should try to get some sleep.. "

Sanskar:" Good Night Swara.. Take care.. I will call you tomorrow.. "

Part E : " Dont let the Past define your Future"

Some days later:

                  It was the day of the share holders meet.. And the Maheshwari returned back home with an smile.. As finally all their hard works payed off..While it did lead to a very sulken Mr chatruvedi..The siblings knew the company is in good hands..Sanskar Maheshwari had decided that finally his work is done and he can move back to his house ..Since he really dont like being apart from Swara and Asha for one more day. He hadnt met them since he last left them at Ram uncle house..Though he did talk with them plenty of times ..He couldnt get to meet them as he was busy with both the business front and is dad death case.. While his dad investigation is officially closed by the police ,Sanskar refused to stop investigating it..Till he was sure about it...But he knew he can do it from his house as well..He decided to break this news to his siblings later that day.. But he didnt knew his plans will hit an snag the very same day.

              It was an hour later when Ragini entered the room to give him an letter..She briefly told how she found it in her father room which she briefly cleaned up after the mess the police caused in the name of investigation.. She told him, she is giving it to him since it was addressed to him..

              Sanskar Maheshwari took few long moments before steeling himself to read the letter.. He probably would teared it open if it werent for the recent revelation about his father.. He always felt loved from his father.. Inspite of all the difference he thought he was loved but to know how is father never believed him to be his son..Just crushed him.. To know all throughout his father life, he looked at him as someone else son..But read he did and it just how much of an broken man was his father..

Dear Sanskar,

              If you are reading it, then i can understand your anger at refusing to talk to me. I wrote this one just in case if you refused to listen to me when i came to meet you. And hoped that even if not the very same day, you might read it someday.. I begged your mom not to tell you but i am sure she would have told you by now..And if you hate me then i deserve every bit of it..I am not a good father to you and i know that.. I got no explanation ..Just a apology for being born to man like me.. You deserved the best ..And i am sorry that you ended up with me..A man who was chased by his demons that he failed as an father.. 

               I am not trying to explain my way out of the crime i did..But this is me trying to be honest with you for once in my life.. Your grandfather was an man everyone worshiped ..He held the highest authority in this city.. But he was an terrible father and an terrible husband. Because this is something no one knows but i was adopted..My mother your grandmother couldnt become pregnant after suffering through four miscarriage.. He decided to adopt the child that was born to one of her housekeepers who died giving birth to me.. Just so his name can go on.. And so he never loved me, i was his son for the world sake.. And my mother though loved me with all her might still it wasnt enough... That why your grandpa named his house in your name.. He told me even on his death bed that you atleast are half marawari then me.. Because as you can see he chosed your mother for me because of her family.. He believed marrying me to her would somehow elevate my status. From an low life that how he used to call me on an drunken state.. 

             And when you were born ..I promised myself i would be the best father and you will be so proud of me.. Well i credited myself as the best because i was trying to prove i am not like my father..so when i found out your mom loved my best friend..I decided i am being the great person to believe her without asking anything or fighting with her for hiding..So i held back without communicating..And there was this deep insecurtiy that your mom might not like me  as i tend to believe i am  an low life while your mom was an angel. None of this is an reason enough to what i did i know that now.. Your mom was perfect and i felt like i dont deserve her, and just like your mom you were too perfect, you excelled in academics while i never managed it in my life time..You passion for writing all this little things just like you mom said today..You were so like her but all i could see was you were so not like me.. I lived all my life hearing my dad say you are not my son that why you are not like me.. And maybe it was because of that when i found out you are not like me..I believed you might not be my son as well..First it was just a small doubt that lingered given the fact i know about Aliya dad..How unfaithful he was to his wife.. He used to boast about it even to me.. I know i should have trusted your mother..And i did for a long time i believed that my mind is coming up with such stupidity..But every single day i wake up again to be fighting the same battle again.. I just didnt know how to make it stop..As your mom said i should probably shared it with her then we might have moved past it..But i didnt instead i began to hate you for being different.. While i wanted to be the best dad you ever got..I turned out be the worst one.. Atleast my dad hated me because i was not his son but i hated my son..To the point i asked him to leave the house to ensure the safety of his siblings.. And for all my acts i dont deserve an apology i know that now.. And i am writing this to let you know..Dont ever blame yourself for any of it..Not for your mother leaving me, Not for me being all alone , Not for my broken marriage, and most definitely not for the fact you hate me right now..Because you get to hate me..While all through my childhood i was plagued with this one question of why i am not good enough for my dad.. I learnt the answer now..it was my father who was not good enough for me. And just like that you were the best Son an father could wish for and it just that i was not good enough for you.. And if there is one thing i am happy about right now is that you are very different from me..Unlike me who blamed my past and destroyed my present..I know you will choose to leave the past as past and live the present because that what i should have done and that what i hope you do as well.. I know you can do it.. And i hope you lead an happy life without any burdens of the past.. And even if cant be an part of the present right now..I hope i can be part of it in the future when the wounds i have caused you didnt hurt like it hurts now.. And if such future didnt happen and i passed away before that..I want you to know that i am proud of you.. While i always hoped you to lead the company after me, an hope that i always cherished but leaving you out of the company is the only selfless thing i can do for you.. Because i want you to pursue your dreams..It late to be supportive i know that, lot has happened that held you back the biggest one being me..But i hope in future inspite of all that you get to live the life you dream of and I dont want anything in the way of that especially the fact you are my son and the chosen successor of Maheshwari industries.. And lastly the promise i made you keep that never to use your name and use an alias instead i take that back.. If you ever write again i want you to proudly write it in your name.. The name i gave you when i first held you. Always remember Sanskar, whatever happened between us,the blame rests only on me. 

Your Father,

Durga Prasad Maheshwari...

 At RamPrasad House:

              Sujatha and Swara were waltzing around the house totally busy ..And the small formal held to celebrate RamPrasad Victory was more for the formality  than an celebration.. It was quite simply affair more like an business meet. And it was around midnight the party finally ended ..Swara asked her mom to take rest and she will clear up everything before heading back to sleep as she knew Asha was sleeping with Dida, it let her be free  to do the house chores.. It was almost midnight and she was about to head back to her room when the door bell rang.. She was terrified and panicked..It was not the time for more visitors.She wanted to head back and wake up her brother or father but she didnt want to wake them up ,well she didnt want to endanger their life especially not Asha.. So she found courage and approached the door..But first checked the security camera installed to see the face of the visitor and let a sign of relief to find him outside ..She quickly opened the door.. To let him inside..The moment he stepped in ,he engulfed her in an hug as if he desperately needs some comfort..It was only after an awhile did he spoke up...

Sanskar:" Why am i the reason for everything? Sakshi death, Your parents death, My parents death.. Just why"

Swara:" Sanskar ..What happened.. Please tell me .."

Sanskar:" She killed him Swara..She did..And once again it all because of me..I couldnt stay there because i dont think i would have been able to control my anger and i dont want to regret it later.."

Swara:" It not because of you..You dont get to blame yourself for her actions.. Please Sanskar .."

                  And she simply held him in an hug for a long time ..As she knew no words can possibly comfort him right now. And she wondered the same how can she hurt him this much if she said to love him..And why would she possibly kill his father..She doesnt know the reasons yet and it doenst matter..Right now she needs to be there for him ..

P.S - That where it end for today.. Do let me know your feedbacks i really cherish them and if you liked it ,clock the votes and leave your feedback ..I am once again sorry for the delay in the update and less SwaSan..It because we are reaching the end and i need to cover all the tracks.. Two more chapter to go i think..I hope you all stick around till then

Love

Nita