A/N

Hey everyone! Now, before we begin, I know you all have so many questions running in your heads regarding this story, so, let’s finish them off first.

First of all, this story is definitely a SwaSan ff, so, we definitely have Sanskaar in here. Please don’t worry about that.

Shlok, who has been nicknamed as Sanky, is dead and not Sanskaar. They are two different people. But where is Sanskaar? For that you’ll have to wait for the story to proceed. Let me tell you well in advance that this story has many twists and turns and this is for the first time I have tried my hands on this genre. All I would ask you all for is a little patience with the story and I’ll try my best not to mess it up. I have planned so much for this one but for that I need your love and support. I’m really happy with your responses towards the prologue and chapter 1 and I expect the same support from you in the future as well.

That’s all I want to say for now! Here you all go with the next chapter. I hope you all will like it.

*** CHAPTER 2 ***

Vidhaan smiles as he finally turns towards the door and starts moving where Father Francis has been standing along with his two guests. He covers the distance with long strides as Durga Prasad takes in his appearance . The heart of a father leaps inside his chest looking at the person who looks exactly like his son whom he has cherished all his life. But now he’s gone and he knows it very well that person coming towards them is definitely not his son Shlok.

Then what’s with this affection he’s feeling towards this young guy he has just seen?

‘Could it be him?’, his sub conscious mind chimes out of nowhere. No, that’s not possible. He was gone. Long gone, even before Durga Prasad could realize.

Pushing away all his thoughts Durga Prasad looks in front as Father Francis introduces him to the young man. He tries to force a smile on his face, obviously failing miserable at it. No matter how much he tries, time and again he fails to bring himself to smile for his mind is occupied with too much disturbing thoughts.

Father Francis: My boy! This is Mr. Durga Prasad Maheshwari. He has come all the way from Kolkata to meet you. They have something important to talk to you.

For the first time Vidhaan looks at Durga Prasad into his eyes and as their eyes meet much like the old man has just felt, an invisible thread of affection tugs at his heart as well. He smiles and forwards his hand for a handshake.

Vidhaan: Hello Sir! Vidhaan! How may I help you?

Durga Prasad’s heart and mind are still fighting their way out of the disturbing thoughts and while doing so he fails to notice Vidhaan’s greetings. Hemant notices this and nudges his shoulder breaking his trance.

Vidhaan: Excuse me sir! Are you okay?

Hemant: Ah yes! He is just tired because of the journey. (he looks at Durga Prasad with concern and keeps his hand on his shoulder) Sir!

Durga Prasad: Haan! Yes! Oh (looks at Vidhaan’s forwarded hand and shakes hand with him) Durga Prasad Maheshwari.

Vidhaan: (smiles) It’s pleasure meeting you sir! How may I help you?

Hemant: Can we talk to you in private? It’s actually something very important and we can’t let this out in front of everyone.

Vidhaan scrunches his brows in confusion wondering what possibly does this man need from him. From his personality, he could easily see that he is someone really rich. May be a politician or a businessman. Seeing Durga Prasad eyes full of desperation, he guesses that it’s really something very important, so, he nods his head in understanding.

Vidhaan: Please come this way.

He takes them to his room. One in the staff-quarters of the orphanage. A very mediocre room, nothing too fancy but definitely well maintained. It just has all the basic amenities one might need from time to time. A small bed near the window with a wooden table and a chair next to it. Books have been piled up on the table which shows how much Vidhaan loves to read and that’s quite obvious considering the fact that he’s a teacher and to quote ‘the favorite amongst the students’. A small place around the corner having a gas stove with some utensils and some raw vegetables. The small fridge at the end separates the kitchen from the rest of the room. A door besides the entrance door is in the front of the kitchen, most probably it’s the door to the washroom. Other than this he has a wooden cupboard to keep his clothes, other necessities and some books in it. And that’s all Durga Prasad and Hemant could see in the room.

Vidhaan guides them towards the bed as he strides towards the kitchen for getting water for them.

Vidhaan: Please take a seat and be comfortable.

Durga Prasad: (looking towards the kitchen) So, you cook your own food?

Vidhaan: (smiles) No! Actually, I have it in the mess of the orphanage. This small kitchen is just in case if I want to make something for myself. This place is my home. Practically, I have lived here for all my life.

Durga Prasad: And your parents?

The smile that has been playing on his lips all this while fades away as his eyes grow a shade darker and his hands begin to tremble a little. Entwining the fingers of both his hands he tries to calm his shivering.

Vidhaan: I don’t like to talk about them. I’ve never seen them.

Durga Prasad’s heart leaps thinking of a possibility. Hemant senses the change of atmosphere and hence thinks of distracting them before it gets uncomfortable.

Hemant: Actually we have come here for something very important and only you can help us out.

Vidhaan: Only me? But how can I…

Hemant: (cuts in between) Before you say anything, I want you to have a look at this…

He takes out his mobile phone and after shuffling a bit as if he is searching for something in it he forwards it towards Vidhaan. The trembling of his hands subsides and taking a deep breath he takes a hold of the mobile phone. But the moment his eyes land on the screen he gets baffled for it’s a picture of him in it. But he doesn’t remember having such a picture clicked. Moreover, he doesn’t even has such fancy looking princely clothes. Attired in black tuxedo the person in the picture has an austere expression across his face. He’s holding a file as if he’s oblivious of the picture being taken and from what he can see Vidhaan makes out that the place is some kind of office. But definitely he hasn’t been in such a place. He looks at Durga Prasad as his brows get knit together in confusion.

Vidhaan: I… I don’t remember that I have clicked such a photograph ever! I don’t even have such clothes.

Durga Prasad: You don’t remember because… this is not you!

Vidhaan: (still looking at the photograph) Then who is this?

Durga Prasad: My son! SHLOK… SHLOK DURGA PRASAD MAHESHWARI.

Vidhaan: But he looks exactly like me!

Durga Prasad: Not exactly! Your eyes are different! You have deep brown eyes but Shlok’s eyes were black.

Vidhaan: One minute… Were?

Durga Prasad: Yes, his eyes were! He… he… is no more.

Vidhaan: What? But he seems so young. Around my age only. What happened?

A sudden urge to comfort the old man clouds Vidhaan’s heart and before he realizes he holds Durga Prasad’s hand in a consoling manner.

Vidhaan: What happened?

Durga Prasad: He died six months ago!

Vidhaan: I’m really very sorry… I…

He falls short of words not knowing what to say and Durga Prasad takes a deep breath.

Durga Prasad: No. No. Don’t say sorry!

Vidhaan: What can I do for you?

Hemant: Actually it’s about Shlok Sir’s wife! Ever since the day he died she has been behaving weirdly.

Vidhaan: Weirdly?

Hemant: Most probably, Shlok died in front of her eyes.

Vidhaan: (confused) Most probably?

Durga Prasad: We don’t know what happened that day. Only she knows. We found her unconscious near a cliff and Shlok was nowhere and when she got up in the hospital a day later she had forgotten everything. Doctors say that she has gone into a state of trauma as maybe everything happened in front of her eyes.

Vidhaan: So, how may I help you in this?

Durga Prasad: (takes a deep breath) The problem is she has not only forgotten what happened that night but she doesn’t even remember that Shlok is no more. She still believes that he is alive and if by chance someone mentions about the incident or something happens in front of her that is like that incident then she starts getting panic attacks…

Vidhaan: (shocked) Panic attacks!

Durga Prasad: She’s just a child. Hardly twenty five years old only. Her panic attacks have increased to such a level in last two months that we are afraid that after losing our son we will lose our daughter also… (joins hand in front of him) Please you are our last hope. Only you can help us now!

Vidhaan: But how can I…

Durga Prasad: Only you can save her now. Doctors say that we can’t force her to remember anything. She must remember everything on her own and we can’t bring back Shlok so that she could remember everything… But…

As Vidhaan processes everything in his brain realization dawns upon him and he looks at them wide eyed.

Vidhaan: But he is… dead. So you want me to become Shlok to help your daughter-in-law! Am I right?

Durga Prasad: (nods his head and looks at him pleadingly) So?

Vidhaan: (stays silent for a while and then starts talking after taking a deep breath) I’m sorry Sir. I know how important it is for you that your daughter-in-law remembers everything but… these are against my virtues! I mean… This is like deceiving her. I don’t have to become just anyone but her husband. The person she loved…

Durga Prasad: No…

Vidhaan: Huh?

Durga Prasad: Not love! They didn’t love each other. In fact their marriage was like an alliance between her father and me. It was an arranged marriage. Yes, they both respected each other but love was not a part of their life. It was hardly four months after their marriage that Shlok left us all.

Vidhaan: Then also Sir… I don’t think that I’ll be able to help you. I can’t deceive anyone.

Durga Prasad: (takes a deep breath and stands up) Okay, Mr. Vidhaan. I won’t be forcing you to do something you don’t want to. Thanks for listening to us. But just in case something changes your mind then… (forwards a card towards him) Here is my card. We are staying in the City Hotel and will be leaving tomorrow afternoon. (forwards his hand for a handshake) It was nice meeting you!

Vidhaan: (shakes hand) Same here Sir and I’m sorry I haven’t been of any use to you.

Durga Prasad: Please don’t say sorry. Maybe I expected something over the line but with this talk only I get that you are a very good person at heart. We won’t force you.

Vidhaan nods his head as Durga Prasad leaves with Hemant and as they leave he gets immersed in deep thoughts.

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Vidhaan finds himself in some unfamiliar surroundings. He fails to decipher where he is as all he sees is a lonely place lit with dim lights. He tries calling someone but all he could hear is the echo of his own voice only. He starts hyperventilating but soon enough he hears a voice…

Voice: She needs you! You have to go there. She will die on her own. Please! Please!

Vidhaan gets confused as looks in the direction the voice is coming and finds a blur image standing in front of him. Slowly and slowly the figure starts emerging out of the shadows becoming clear and within moments he could see the person’s face. Vidhaan looks at the person and finds himself. A reflecting image of his own stands in front of him and if the person hasn’t been moving Vidhaan would have mistaken it to be a mirror.

Person: She needs you!

Just then in the flicker of the light he sees the person’s eyes. They were black. Vidhaan gets shocked as he remembers what Durga Prasad had told him earlier in the morning. Shlok… Shlok had black eyes.

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Vidhaan gets completely shocked as he opens his eyes and takes in the surroundings. He is still in his room. His breathing becomes rugged and he sweats profusely. The dream almost seems real. He is lost in his thought when he heard a light knock on his door. He looks at the watch. It’s 7:30 am. He forces his legs out of the bed and he drags himself to open the door. A 15 years old boy named Chotu enters the room with a cup of tea in his hand.

Chotu: Vidhaan Bhai! Your tea. What happened you over slept today? It’s already an hour past your wake up time. When I saw that you were not in the mess, I thought to bring your tea here. (he notices Vidhaan lost in his thoughts and breathing heavily) Bhai… are you alright? Bhai! (he jerks Vidhaan’s shoulder on getting no response from him)

Vidhaan: (comes back to his senses) Huh! Haan! What… What happened?

Chotu: Again that dream? (Vidhaan nods his head and takes a deep breath) Bhai, you have been getting the same dream for last six months now. You know… My mother used to say before she died that if we get the same dream again and again then they got to have some meaning. Maybe someone is really calling you.

Vidhaan: But this time the dream was a little different!

Chotu: What difference?

Vidhaan: This time I saw the person… the owner of the voice!

Chotu: What? Really! Who was it?

Vidhaan: At first I thought that it was me. But later I realized it wasn’t me…

Chotu: Bhai… Does this have something to do with the two men who came to meet you yesterday?

Vidhaan: I… I… don’t know!

Chotu: I think you should consider their request. I saw them when they were leaving and I guess they really need some help. You won’t be doing anything wrong. You will be just helping them to bring an almost dead person back to life. So, it’s a good thing! Even Father will be proud of you.

Vidhaan: You really think so?

Chotu: Yes Bhai. I think you should go and meet them.

Vidhaan sits on the bed and looks outside the window fidgeting with the locket in his neck and thinking something. It’s a ‘S’ shaped locket made of platinum along with a platinum chain. Chotu smiles as he notices this.

Chotu: You always do this, right!

Vidhaan: Huh? What?

Chotu: That locket… You always seem to be talking to it whenever you are worried or tensed.

Vidhaan: (looks at the locket and smiles) I don’t know why but I always feel that this locket gives me strength whenever I need. It feels as if I have someone very close with me.

Chotu: But from where did you get it? I have always seen this with you.

Vidhaan: I don’t remember. But I have had this ever since I remember! Father said that I already had this locket when he found me.

Chotu: Then… Then… that means it is from your birth parents!

Vidhaan: Stop it Chotu. You know I don’t like talking about them!

Chotu: Why Bhai? After all they are your parents.

Vidhaan: (gives a sarcastic laugh) Parents! Yaa right! Parents who abandoned their child who was hardly two days old. Leave it! I don’t wanna talk about them.

Chotu: Okay as you wish. So, are you going to meet them? I mean the two men who met you yesterday.

Vidhaan: (nods his head) I think I should go.

Chotu: (smiles) I’m glad you made that decision.

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CITY HOTEL

Durga Prasad and Hemant are engrossed discussing some business matters in Durga Prasad’s room but he could hardly concentrate on what Hemant has been saying as his mind keeps drifting back to Vidhaan. Hemant notices this and looks at him with concern.

Hemant: Sir! Are you alright?

Durga Prasad: (nods his head) Yes, Hemant! I’m fine. It’s just that I don’t feel very good.

Hemant: (closes the file) What’s wrong? Is it about Vidhaan? I guess I shouldn’t have brought you here in the first place.

Durga Prasad: No Hemant! I’m glad you brought me here. I know Shlok is gone but seeing Vidhaan… I had some hope. Maybe I could save my daughter. But…

Hemant: I noticed you when he was talking about his parents. Do you think it’s ‘him’?

Durga Prasad: You are right! I thought so for a moment. But he’s gone. We saw the evidence with our own eyes.

Hemant takes a deep breath keeping a hand on Durga Prasad’s shoulder but before he could say anything they hear the doorbell ring. Hemant opens the door and a bellhop smiles looking at him.

Hemant: (opens the door) Yes?

Bellhop: Sir, someone is here to meet you.

Durga Prasad: (comes there) Who is it Hemant?

Just then Vidhaan comes out from behind of the bellhop and bows his head a little in acknowledgment looking at them.

Vidhaan: Hello Sir!

Durga Prasad smiles seeing his only ray of hope in front of him. He hasn’t felt so happy lately as he is feeling right now seeing Vidhaan in front of him.

Durga Prasad: Vidhaan! Come inside.

Vidhaan smiles nodding his head and enters. Hemant closes the door dismissing the bellhop and turns to look at Vidhaan.

Vidhaan: Actually Sir, I thought about it… and I think… (takes a deep breath) I’m ready. I’ll help you!

Durga Prasad: (smiles) Really? You will help us! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much! I don’t know how I’ll be able to return your favor.

Vidhaan: Please don’t say like that! I’m glad I could help you. What do I need to do? I mean… regarding my appearance and all to look like your son!

Durga Prasad: Not many things! As you both are very much alike, so you don’t need to do much. Except for your eyes.

Vidhaan: Yeah, I remember. Our eyes colors are different. So, that means I’ll have to wear contact lenses.

Durga Prasad: (nods his head) I guess so. You don’t have any problem with that, right?

Vidhaan: Not a problem Sir! I can do that.

Durga Prasad: There is one problem…

Vidhaan: What?

Durga Prasad: You have to stop calling me Sir! From now on you are my son… So, you need to call me Papa. Just like… like Shlok used to call me.

Vidhaan: (nods his head) Yes Sir… I mean… Papa.

Durga Prasad: (smiles) Okay then… from today onwards you are Shlok.. Shlok Durga Prasad Maheshwari. (Vidhaan gives a slight smile) We will leave by night and we will be able to reach there by tomorrow morning. Before that we need to do some shopping. You can go along with Hemant.

Vidhaan: (nods) See you in the evening then.

He is about to leave when Durga Prasad calls from behind. Vidhaan stops and turns around.

Durga Prasad: Vidhaan, I forgot to tell you one thing… (Vidhaan looks on) We used to call Shlok as ‘Sanky’ out of love. So, that will be your nickname! (Vidhaan nods his head) and thank you. You don’t even realize that you have given this old man the reason to live again.

Vidhaan: It’s my pleasure that I could help you. (he is about to go but turns again remembering something) Sir… I mean Papa. If you don’t mind can I ask you something?

Durga Prasad: Yes! Anything!

Vidhaan: What’s the name of your daughter-in-law?

Durga Prasad: Oh… I forgot to tell you. It’s Swara… Swara Maheshwari!

Vidhaan: (smiles thinking to himself) Swara! What a beautiful name! (looks at Durga Prasad) Okay… I’ll take your leave then.

Durga Prasad nods and Vidhaan leaves along with Hemant to get the things necessary for transforming him into Shlok from Vidhaan.

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Next morning, Vidhaan finds himself standing in front of a huge mansion. He couldn’t take his eyes off from the place. Though it’s his first time here, he already feels himself at home.

Durga Prasad: From now on you will be living here!

Vidhaan: (smiles and nods his head) It’s really very beautiful.

Durga Prasad: Let’s go inside.

As both of them head inside Annapurna looks at Vidhaan and gets shocked. For a moment she is unable to believe her eyes. Her hearts leaps feeling the presence of her son in the house.

Annapurna: Shlok? No! No! This is not possible. You are alive?

Durga Prasad: Annapurna, he is not our Shlok.

Annapurna: Then who is he? And what is he doing here?

Durga Prasad tells her everything and with every passing moment Annapurna starts losing it... Her calm and sense to reason.

Annapurna: (gets angry) How could you do this? How could you just bring anyone making him our son? And Swara? What about her when she finds out the truth? (Vidhaan stands there silently listening to them)

Durga Prasad: It’s for her only! This is our last hope. We can get her back. Her bubbling. Her liveliness. Everything! We can get our daughter back. We don’t have our son. Now all we have left is Swara!

Annapurna: I…

Before she could complete they hear the sound of something breaking. They all turn to find Swara standing near the stairs. The flower vase near the end of the stairs lies shattered into pieces at her feet.

Swara: San… Sanky!

Vidhaan looks at her and his heart skips a beat as he takes in her fragile being. The lean figure stands at the end of the staircase… slightly trembling. Her lips quivered as they tear apart.

Swara: Where have you been? Koi wapas aane mein itna time lagata hai kya? You know how much worried I was! You…

“Hold my hand tightly Sanky! I won’t let go of you!”

She starts getting the flashes again and before anyone could understand anything her eyes start drooping. Vidhaan gets alarmed as she closes her eyes and is about to fall. He runs towards her and catches her at the right moment wrapping his arm around her. He looks at her as she falls unconscious in his arms almost lifelessly.

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A/N

Kindly ignore the typing mistakes as I couldn't do the proof read. I hope you all liked it.

See you all on Wednesday with TO YOU, MY HEART I SURRENDER and on Sunday with the next update of this story.

Till then, stay blessed and happy reading!

With love,
Stella ❤️