HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY LOVELY READERS!! Here you go with the next chapter. I hope you will like it…

*** CHAPTER 4 ***

Vidhaan, to his astonishment, finds himself standing at the same lonely place again. The lights flicker and the same radiant face emerges once again amidst the white light. But this time the distressing look has vanished and rather a beautiful smile has graced his angelic face. Vidhaan feels ecstatic seeing him happy and then hears the same voice again. As expected from his expressions, this time the anxiety in the voice has been replaced by a sigh of relief and those black orbs, filled with gratitude, look at Vidhaan.

Voice: I’m glad! I’m glad that you didn’t ignore me. Neither me nor the voice of your conscious. Thank you for coming here.

Vidhaan: You’re Shlok, right?

Voice: Everything, you know of, is going to change forever. You have so much to face from now on. The things you might be running from now on will be your destiny one day. But remember, I’ll be there with you as long as you need me.

Vidhaan: (loudly) Why don’t you answer my question? You’re Shlok, right? Are you even real or just my imagination?

Voice: That’s for you to find and not for me to tell. Find out who am I and find out who you are and everything will fall into place.

Vidhaan: What do you mean by find out who am I? I’m Vidhaan.

Voice: Are you sure?

The amusement is clear in the voice and Vidhaan scrunches his brow in confusion. How come this voice is questioning his own existence?

Vidhaan: Yes! I’m sure. I’m Vidhaan and that’s what I’ve been all my life.

Voice: Haven’t I told you that everything you know of is going to change very soon!

Vidhaan: This doesn’t make any sense!

Voice: Everything will start making sense soon, just believe in yourself.

Vidhaan: At least tell me what you mean? Do you know something that I should know as well? Is anything going to happen?

Voice: And follow what your heart says! Don’t listen to anyone else.

Vidhaan: What are you trying to say? At least tell me are you even real!

Voice: Good bye. Will meet you soon again! I’ll be there whenever you’ll need me. Just call me with a true heart.

Vidhaan: But… (the image starts fading away amongst the white light again) No. Wait!

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Vidhaan gets up with a jerk. His breathing coming out in pants as he shivers thinking of the dream again and again. Sweat beads cover his forehead and are falling down from the tip of his hair seeping inside his t-shirt. He takes a quick glance around and finds himself in a different place, not his own room where he has been ever since he remember. Then he recalls the incidents of past two days and how everything he knows of has started to change. Just like the way the voice in his dream has said.

He shifts his gaze towards the bed and finds Swara sleeping peacefully. She is sleeping as if she’s been awake for ages. Vidhaan gets up from the couch and takes a glass of water. He finds himself relaxing a bit after gulping down the whole glass of water in one go. Making his way towards the washroom he takes out his lenses carefully and splashes water onto his face to get over the remaining uneasiness.

Holding the marble edges of the wash basin he looks at his disheveled reflection in the mirror. Find out who he is? This person, in front of him right now, is Vidhaan. What’s there to find out? He hasn’t been here even for twenty four hours now and already his own existence is being questioned. How is he supposed to solve these entangled situations? Where to start?

‘Find out who am I and find out who you are’, the voice rings in his head again. Is this like the first step?

Nothing seems making sense now. He is here to help Swara. But is there anything else too? Why is everything so complicated? Vidhaan takes a deep breath trying to calm down his nerves and looks at his reflection again. No matter what it takes he is going to do it! Now, it’s not only about Swara, it’s about him as well. These dreams aren’t just mere dreams. Vidhaan realizes that these dreams keep changing as the situations in his life are changing. They definitely have some hidden meaning behind them. Something that he needs to find out.

Taking a deep breath again he puts on his lenses back and slips out of the washroom making his way back to the couch. He closes his eyes looking at Swara for one last time as soon enough he slips into a deep slumber.

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Vidhaan feels someone’s presence around him as smell of rose and lavender tingle his nostrils. A small smile appears on his lips but it soon fades away as he hears a small but confused voice, “Why are you smiling Sanky?”

Damn! Is she awake already?

Vidhaan has planned to sleep on the couch at night and get back on the bed before Swara gets up. But apparently his plan has failed on the first day itself. He opens his eyes and gets startled on seeing Swara leaning towards him her face merely a few inches away from his. She has a towel wrapped around her head making it clear that just now she has taken a head bath. That explains the rose and lavender smells! She blinks her eyelashes seeing him awake. Once… twice… thrice…

Vidhaan: W-What are you doing Swara?

Swara: (still leaning towards him) That’s exactly what I am asking. What are you doing on the couch Mr. Maheshwari?

Vidhaan: (stutters trying to think of some excuse) Woh… I was… I mean… I…

Swara: (straightens herself up and keeps her hand on her waist) I… main… me… what Sanky? You know right that the couch is not a comfortable place for a person to sleep, especially when the person is of your height. Then why were you sleeping here?

Vidhaan: A-Actually I had some office work. So, I was doing it… and I sat on the couch so that you don’t get disturbed and I don’t know when I fell asleep here only.

Swara: Really! You think so much about me. You are so cute!

She pulls his cheek giving him a wide grin leaving Vidhaan utterly shocked. He feels a tingling sensation as her soft fingers brush against his cheek.

Vidhaan: You must never call a guy cute!

Unknowingly the words slip out of his mouth and the next moment his eyes go wide realizing that this might create some problem. What if Shlok preferred her calling him cute? His one statement might ruin everything.

Swara: Why do you always say the same thing? Anyways, now come on get ready. The pooja will start in half-an-hour.

Vidhaan takes a sigh of relief as he hears Swara. That means Shlok had the same thought as him. Men surely do think alike.

Swara: Why are you still sitting there?

Vidhaan: What? Oh yeah! I’m going.

He gets up and moves towards washroom when Swara calls him from behind.

Swara: Sanky, are you sure?

Vidhaan: About what?

Swara: That you went to the couch so that I don’t get disturbed…

Vidhaan: Of course! What else might be the reason?

Swara: No, its just… something I thought… no problem, leave it.

Vidhaan: (gives a confused look) What did you think?

Swara: (winks at him) It’s just that you find me so hot that you are unable to resist.

Vidhaan: What!

Swara: Why are you giving such expressions as if I’m someone else. Come on, I’m your wife… (she winks at him again and then turns towards the dressing table to get ready)

Vidhaan: (to himself) Are they sure that she is the one who is not well? In fact I think it’s other way round. It’s the people who are living with her who actually need a doctor, if not now then for sure very soon.

Swara: Tsk! Why are you still standing there at the doorstep? (smiles flirtatiously) Do you want me to join? I don’t mind having a second bath.

Vidhaan: (shouts) No. No. No. I’m inside.

Saying this he technically runs towards the washroom banging the door shut. This girl will be the death of him! How long will he be able to survive her?

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After 20 minutes, Vidhaan  comes out of the washroom and finds Swara sitting on the bed holding something in her fist and looking at the corner of the room as if thinking something. The click of the door to the washroom breaks her out of her reverie. She turns her head and gives him a heart stopping smile. Vidhaan, unsure of what to do, moves towards the dressing table when Swara calls him and he stops.

Swara: You came. I was waiting for you.

Vidhaan: For me! Why?

Swara: (smiles) For something you always do.

Vidhaan  looks on and she opens her fist showing a small red color box to him. Vidhaan’s eyes go wide as she forwards her palm towards him opening the lid of the box. Vermillion! Or Sindoor as everyone calls it in Hindu religion. Not knowing from where he belongs, Father Francis has taught him the basics of each and every religion and for the Hindus, Sindoor holds a very prominent and sacred meaning. A pinch of this powder holds the power to bind two souls together for all eternity.

Vidhaan: (shocked) Sin… sin… Sindoor!

Swara: Why are you so shocked? You apply it on my hairline everyday. So what happened now? Come on, now apply it.

Vidhaan: I… me… But… how can I?

Swara: Come on Sanky! Don’t waste my time, I have to go for pooja also.

Vidhaan looks at her and then recalls what Annapurna had told him yesterday while applying the Band-Aid on his finger. He realizes that she did it for this moment only. Taking a sigh of relief he slowly moves his right hand up and shows it to Swara.

Swara: (worried) Sanky, how did you get hurt? (keeps the box and holds his hand) Show me. Is it paining a lot?

She tries to remove the Band-Aid trying to see the wound but Vidhaan gets worried and holds her hand. She stops and looks at him.

Vidhaan: Swara, I think we should not remove the Band-Aid.

Swara: But at least let me see whether it is something serious or not.

Vidhaan: Don’t worry Swara. Maa has already seen it. It’s nothing much. Just a small scratch.

Swara: Are you sure?

Vidhaan: (smiles) Hundred percent! Now, come on, get ready. I’ll be waiting downstairs.

Swara nods her head and Vidhaan storms out of the room without looking back even for once as if his life depends on it. He walks away with quick long strides and as soon as he is out of his room he leans to a wall breathing heavily as if he has run a marathon.

Vidhaan: (takes deep breath) What are you doing Vidhaan? Lying to her like this. But it’s for her only. Once she gets better, everything will be the way it was.

Taking a deep breath and calming himself down he goes downstairs making way to the pooja room.

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After the Pooja, Vidhaan goes to Annapurna who is setting the dining table as Swara is preparing the breakfast for everyone in the kitchen.

Vidhaan: (clears his throat) Umm… I wanted to ask you something.

Annapurna: (looks at him) Yes, what is it?

Vidhaan: Actually, if you don’t mind, I wanted to ask about Shlok. I mean what kind of person was he and how were his relationship with Swara. Durga Prasad sir told me that it was an arranged marriage and there was hardly any love between them. Was it like that?

Annapurna: (gives a painful smile) He doesn’t know anything.

Vidhaan: What?

Annapurna: (sits on the chair and takes a deep breath) Shlok loved Swara. He really loved her.

Vidhaan: (shocked) Really? But…

Annapurna: Shlok was a bit reserved. He never disclosed his feelings to anyone except for me. Not even to Swara. He wanted to know what Swara felt about him. That day… when he left us… for… forever…

Her voice chokes in between and Vidhaan keeps his hand on her shoulder. She wipes off a few drops of tears trailing down her cheeks.

Vidhaan: It’s okay! If you don’t want to…

Annapurna: No, you should listen! It’s important for you to know. It will be helpful. (Vidhaan  nods his head and Annapurna continues) Actually that day, Shlok was returning back from USA after a deal and he was planning to propose Swara that evening. But he was never able to. He took Swara along with him but they never reached their destination. He was never able to tell her what he felt about her.

Vidhaan: (clears his throat to speak as his heart feels heavy) And-and how did Swara feel about him?

Annapurna: She respected him. Liked him. But love from her side needed some time. I thought that maybe after Shlok proposes her she will also fall in love with him gradually. She considered Shlok as her friend. In fact her best friend. They got married just to make the business relation amongst the two companies stronger even when they were actually totally opposite to each other. On one hand Swara speaks a lot whereas Shlok was a bit introvert type. Swara has that chirpiness in her. She is completely like those girls who are kept in the category of Indian types. She always prefers to wear saree and salwar suit. I even asked her one day why she never wears any western outfits and that she should change a bit from time to time. Do you know what was her reply?

Vidhaan: What?

Annapurna: She said that she haven’t found anyone worthy of it that she should change for him. She has one solid self-respect.

Vidhaan smiles and is about to say something when Durga Prasad enters the dining area.

Durga Prasad: Annapurna, Mr. Sen Gupta is coming in an hour. Get some snacks ready for them. I’ll be back from the office with him.

Annapurna: Them? Don't tell me he is also coming.

Durga Prasad: Yes he is Annapurna. But what is your problem with Sahil?

Annapurna: You sure already know what my problem is! I just don't like the way he behaves with Swara. It’s like as if she is his property.

Durga Prasad: It's nothing like that.

Annapurna: Don’t they have their own house? Why do they always keep coming to ours?

Durga Prasad opens his mouth to say something but closes it instantly seeing Swara coming their way with the breakfast tray in her hand.

Swara: (smiles) Breakfast is ready!

Durga Prasad: And what do we have in breakfast today?

Swara: (smiles) Sanky’s favorite! Aaloo ke parathe!

Vidhaan smiles looking at her as she keeps the tray on the dining table along with two bowls. One having curd and another having butter.

Annapurna: (to herself) Oh no! What should I do now? Vidhaan doesn't know that Shlok preferred butter with the parathas.

Swara serves the parathas to everyone. Durga Prasad looks at Annapurna and understands what she is worried about. He too gets tensed as Vidhaan hands stretch out in the direction of the bowl of curd. Both of them look at him anxiously. Swara gets suspicious of their behavior and looks at Vidhaan. Just then, he smiles and picks up the bowl having homemade butter.

Swara: Sanky, unlike everyone why do you always prefer butter to curd?

Vidhaan: (smiles) I like it this way!

Durga Prasad and Annapurna take a sigh of relief as everyone gets back to their breakfast.

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After breakfast, Durga Prasad leaves for his office to make the final arrangements for getting the news of Shlok’s return out in the business world. Swara is asked to rest in the room after taking her medicines. Vidhaan and Annapurna are sitting and in the hall. More specifically, Annapurna is talking and telling Vidhaan about Shlok. What were his likes, his dislikes, good habits, bad habits. How perfect he was as a person, a successful businessman, the best son, a loving friend and a wonderful husband. Vidhaan could help but admire him thinking how it would have been meeting him in person. Just then Annapurna remembers something and decides to question about that first.

Annapurna: Who told you?

Vidhaan: What?

Annapurna: Who told you that Shlok liked the parathas with butter and not with curd?

Vidhaan: Nobody told me that!

Annapurna: Then why did you pick the bowl of butter?

Vidhaan: Because I like it that way. In fact, it’s my favorite.

Annapurna: Really, that’s a huge coincidence. In my family, no one except for Shlok prefers butter.

Vidhaan opens his mouth to say something but just then Joe enters informing them that Durga Prasad has returned with Mr. Sen Gupta and Sahil. Annapurna rolls her fist in anger and asks Joe to get some snacks for them.

Vidhaan: I'll also take your leave then.

He gets up to leave when Annapurna stops him.

Annapurna: You… Umm…

Vidhaan: (turns and smiles) You can call me Vidhaan if you are not comfortable calling me Sanky. I can’t even imagine how difficult it would be for a mother.

Annapurna: So I'll call you Vidhaan when we will be alone. (Vidhaan  nods his head) So Vidhaan, can you do me a favor?

Vidhaan: Sure! What is it?

Annapurna: As Joe informed that Mr. Sen Gupta is coming along with his son, so, can you make sure that Sahil stays away from Swara. I can make sure of that myself but I really can’t stand a single view of those two and I surely don’t want to create any scene.

Vidhaan: Sure, I can do that. Don’t worry! Anything that I should know?

Annapurna: Nothing more. It's just that I always find his actions very suspicious and I don’t like the way he behaves with Swara. I think that he wants to marry her.

Vidhaan: Really! But I think it's a good thing then. Swara will get a chance to start a life afresh.

Annapurna: After Shlok I also want the same for her but not with Sahil. She deserves someone much better.

Vidhaan: Okay. I understand. I'll do as you say.

Annapurna: And yes! Just beware of him. He will try his level best to prove that you are not Shlok. He definitely won’t want you to ruin his chance with Swara.

Vidhaan: (nods his head) Okay.

With the last piece of their talk both of them leave for their respective rooms. Few moments later, Durga Prasad enters with the other two men talking something about their new deal.

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Swara comes along with Joe with the tray of snacks. Sahil looks at her and gets furious on seeing her adorned like a married woman. Swara is wearing a yellow saree along with yellow and golden bangles. But what infuriates Sahil even more is her mangalsutra and her hairline filled with sindoor. He glares at her and she ignores him as if he doesn’t even exist in her world let alone sitting in front of her right now. She keeps the trays on the table, turns around on her heels and leaves the hall faster than she arrived.

Sahil gets irked seeing her ignoring him but smiles looking at her retreating figure as something strikes his evil brain.

Sahil: I want some sugar.

Durga Prasad: Wait beta, let me call Swara.

Sahil: No uncle, don’t call her. I can take it from the kitchen itself.

Durga Prasad: Are you sure? Then come straight away to my study room. Me and your father are going to discuss some important points about the deal.

Sahil nods his head and gets up making his way towards the kitchen with the cup in his hand. He reaches the doorstep and smiles finding Swara working there unaware of his presence.

Sahil: (stands the doorstep and clears his throat) Umm… I want some sugar.

Swara: (with an emotionless face) Okay, you go. I’ll bring it there only.

Sahil: Why? Give it to me here itself.

Swara looks at him and Sahil smirks seeing her ignoring the fact she is getting infuriated with every step of his towards her.

Swara: (going back) I said go. I’ll bring it there only.

Sahil: (takes one more step towards her) Oh come on Swara! When are you going to acknowledge that even I exist?

Swara: (angrily ) Not in this life!

Sahil: (gives a small laugh) Hah! Really! That’s your answer even after knowing how much I like you. I proposed to you in the college itself.

Swara: How dare you say that even after knowing that I’m already married!

Sahil: You are not married Swara. (holds her arm tightly with his free hand) You were married.

Swara: No!

She holds her head with both her hands as she starts getting some flashes again. Her head starts spinning as tears starts welling up her eyes.

Sahil: Yes Swara! You were married. Don’t you remember? Shlok will never return.

Swara: (stops crying as soon as she recalls about Vidhaan ) He already has.

Sahil: What?

Swara: (wipes off her tears) I said Sanky is already back.

Sahil: Get out of your dreamland princess. He can never return. In case if you don’t remember then let me remind you that he is d…

“I think that’s enough”, a voice booms from behind him even before he could complete. Swara smiles and Sahil gets confused as to who has the guts to interrupt him considering that Durga Prasad and his father are in the study room. He furrows his brow angrily and turns to face the doorstep. The next instant the cup falls off from his hand, getting shattered into several pieces as it makes contact with the ground.

Sahil: (horror stricken) It’s… It’s… Impossible!

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