A/N

Hello everyone! I know it’s been a veryyyyyy long time but many things have been going on in life for last few days. My brain has literally stopped working. With job, classes, my IAS exam hanging right over my head like a sword and my not so good health, I’m continuously failing in fulfilling my commitments. And I’m really very sorry for making you guys wait for so long for the update. I’ll make sure that the next update won’t take so long.

So, here you all go with the next chapter. I hope I haven’t ruined it. And thank you so for all the patience you guys have shown towards me and the story.

*** CHAPTER 33 ***

Every moment of silence seems like ages to her where the wait becomes more and more afflicting as the time passes. She doesn’t know herself what has come over her to say something like that but now that the damage has already been done, the blank expression on Sanskaar’s face, giving out nothing, begins freaking her out.

Will he think that she’s being selfish? That how can she think of moving on from his brother?

But this whole thing has started crumbling down her soul to such an extent that she’s questioning her own self now… whether or not she has any right to happiness?! But when it comes to him, she feels happy but unfortunate at the same time.

With another couple of minutes of silence, Swara finally decides to break the agonizing silence herself.

Swara: Uh! Sorry. I shouldn’t have…

Sanskaar: Why this question all of a sudden?

Swara: Huh? I… I don’t know.

Sanskaar: But shouldn’t it be like… It gets clearer to you first before anyone else and not the other way round!

Swara: (sighs) But it gets more and more confusing every time, Sanskaar, and I… I don’t know what to do. I know that if I’ll say this, it will make me selfish but at first I thought I had those feelings for you because you were supposed to be my husband. But when the truth is out now, isn’t this feeling supposed to go away? Then why does my heart feel so heavy every time I’m with you but it still yearns for your presence when you’re not around? Doesn’t this make me a bad person?

Sanskaar: Do you love me, Swara?

The question she has been expecting the least, pops out of nowhere and it tongue-ties Swara. Yes, she feels something weird when he is around but can she name that feeling as… love?! She isn’t so sure herself! But the unseen anticipation in Sanskaar’s eyes makes her heart skip a beat, leaving her hysteric brain in a muddle.

Swara: I… Why are you asking this all of a sudden?

Sanskaar: Actually, you should be the one asking this question to yourself. More than anyone else, you know what your heart desires for.

Swara: I know… but I don’t know what to do. This… whole thing is so confusing. I just want to let go of everything. Every damn thing. Just… Help me, please.

Her words of desperation hurl mercilessly at the strings of his heart making Sanskaar think of ways to help her come to ease. And the idea that strikes him has him pondering over and over. Whether it will be a good idea?! And after a couple of another painful silent moments, he finally speaks.

Sanskaar: Let’s play a game then!

Swara’s eyes widen and then immediately shrink with confusion. Here, she is in such a dire need of a good piece of advice and all he wants is to play a game! Seriously?!

Swara: W-What game?

Sanskaar: Let’s not talk to each other.

Swara: WHAT?!

Sanskaar: (taking a deep breath) For a month… let’s just avoid each other. Don’t talk to me. Don’t do anything for me. Just don’t do anything. And I’ll do the same. A month later, see for yourself if the feelings are still there or not. If they are not, then we were never meant to be together.

Swara: A-And if they are?

No sooner the words escape her lips, Sanskaar leans down unexpectedly towards Swara with both his palms resting on the ground on either side of her. Giving her one notorious smirk, which she has never seen before, Sanskaar’s lips grazes the tip of her ear making a shudder run down her spine.

Sanskaar: (whispers) If they are, then from that point onwards… YOU WILL BE MINE!! And there will be no turning back. Mark my words!

With his hot breath fanning her face, Swara’s eyes droop down, closing on their own as she fists the fabric of his t-shirt near the chest and what takes her aback is his crazily thudding heart despite his calm voice.

And she doesn’t know why but in that one moment, he appears more handsome to her than ever before and that’s all she needs to realize that it’s going to be hell of a month. She is not sure if she is that strong!

Sanskaar: (pulls back) So, I guess let’s start from now onwards. I’ll be on my way then. Have a good night, Swara and I wish you have a great time playing the game.

Great time! GREAT TIME?!! Seriously?!

This game is going to be anything but great!

Sanskaar, all set to go, gets up but is immediately held back as Swara holds his hand, looking up at him with hopeful eyes.

Sanskaar: What is it?

Swara: Can you sit here for a little more time? Just a little more!

Sanskaar: And what are we supposed to do by sitting here?

Swara: (shrugs her shoulders) I don’t know. Maybe… you can tell me about your life in Mumbai.

And that’s how the various tales of Mumbai start and go on for another couple of hours, making them both lose the track of time. From Father Francis to Chotu to every little one back there at the orphanage, he tells her all. And when Sanskaar looks to his side on getting no further response, he finds Swara fast asleep with her head hung down without any support in an extremely uncomfortable way.

With his fingers underneath her chin and his other hand on the back of her neck, Sanskaar makes Swara’s head rest on his shoulder before he picks her up in his arms, making his way towards her room.

----------------------

Tucking Swara into the bed, Sanskaar covers her with a comforter. And though he is supposed to leave right after that, he chooses something else instead.

Taking a deep breath, he sits next to her on the bed and caresses her face lightly.

Sanskaar: (whispers) Why do you always put me in such a position? How am I supposed to do things for you, that too for a month, without letting you know that it’s me who’s doing it? I know, it’ll be like breaking the rules of the game but since I’m the one who made them, I guess I can have that much relaxation. Don’t you think so?

With a stroke of his thumb at the back of her hand, he chuckles before leaning down and bringing his face to the level of her face. A smile spread across his features as he notices how calm and serene she looks while sleeping. Free of all the worries, all the pain, and every obstacle laid down on her way to hold her back. At least in her dreamland she is free to be whoever she wants to and that somehow brings his heart to ease.

Unknowingly, Swara’s hand tug at Sanskaar’s t-shirt pulling him closer. And as the distance between their lips decreases, his eyes close down on their own accord. But realizing what’s about to happen a moment later, he stops just before their lips could touch each other. Yes, he wants to kiss her but their first kiss as Swara and Sanskaar… he wants it to be special.

Sanskaar: (taking a deep breath) Just a month, Swara. Just a month and I’ll make sure that you become mine!

A rush of sensation and he seals the promise with a soft kiss at the corner of her lips before pulling back. He will wait for her no matter what it takes because out of all the things he know, one thing he is sure of is, she is meant to be his!

----------------------

Durga Prasad: Swara, you’ll have to come to the office today with Sanskaar.

Durga Prasad declares as everyone sits on the dining table for breakfast.

Swara: Office?

Durga Prasad: Your father, I and Mahesh Sen Gupta had signed a deal together. The project has reached the final stage after the wait of more than a year now. So, we need signatures of all the three partners in there and since Shekhar ji is no more with us, we want you to sign in his place. That’s your right, Swara!

Swara: (nods in understanding) No problem, Papa. I’ll be there.

Annapurna: But why Sen Gupta? After all that they have done to Hemant? And now they are after Sanskaar also.

Durga Prasad: I know but we can’t let them know that we are suspicious of them, not at least before we find out what their real motive is. That's why I have sent Hemant safely to his village. And as far as this meeting is concerned, it was Shekhar ji’s last project and being his friend and business partner, I can’t let it go unfinished. So, we need to hold ourselves back until the right time comes.

Annapurna: I understand but if they dare to lay down a single finger on my son or my daughter-in-law, I won’t be the nicest person they’ll come to know. And even you know that!

Durga Prasad: I know. I know. Sanskaar, bring Swara along with you when you leave for the office.

Sanskaar: Ji, Papa. Don’t worry about that! We’ll be there on time.

----------------------

Sahil: It’s their anniversary today.

Sahil bursts out the moment he enters his sister’s room. Kavita, who has been combing her hair, turns around furrowing her eyebrows to look away from the mirror and towards her brother.

Kavita: So, why are you telling me this?

Sahil: You said we’ll be giving out his pictures from Mumbai on their anniversary. And then once the truth is out, Swara will be mine.

Kavita: I would have done so, my not so intelligent brother, but only if you would have been vigilant enough to not let that Hemant escape.

Sahil: B-But that was not my fault.

Kavita: Yeah, right. Then whose fault is it? May I know that? When will you learn to take responsibility for what you have done?

Sahil: (rolls his eyes) Alright, fine! Now stop lecturing me and tell me what are we going to do.

Kavita: Before doing anything, we need to find out whether Hemant has reached the Maheshwari family or not. And we can find that in the meeting today.

Sahil: Are you also coming with us for the meeting?

Kavita: Yes, Dad has asked me to accompany you two in there.

Sahil: But I don’t think so that Maheshwari know about Hemant. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been so calm all this time.

Kavita: Yes, that might be a possibility but we can’t take any hasty decision. We’ll have to find where Hemant is right now.

Sahil: But what if Swara gets closer to that Vidhaan by that time? I can’t lose her to someone so ordinary like him.

Kavita: (huff) Ugh… Stop whining like a teenage girl! If we can’t do anything to bring Swara close to you right now, then how about getting the fake Shlok away from her.

Sahil: (smirks) What are you planning now?

Kavita: Nothing much. Just something. I think I should wear something nice today. What do you think?

Sahil: We are going for a meeting. It doesn’t matter what you wear.

Kavita: Tsk! Tsk! How come Kavita Sen Gupta’s brother is so slow? No wonder you haven’t been able to have Swara even after all these years. Let me give you some training today.

Sahil: Are you going to hit on Swara then?

Kavita: Damn, man!! Sometimes I think I should hit you instead. Get out of my room!

Sahil: Chill. I’m going. Why do you keep shouting on me always?

Kavita: OUT!!!

----------------------

Click-Clack-Click!

The sound reverberates in the hallway of the Maheshwari office a few minutes after Durga Prasad declares the end of the meeting. Sanskaar has already left for his cabin to check on some files and grabbing the opportunity Kavita walks right after him on noticing Swara engaged in a talk with Durga Prasad. She has worn this red dress specially for him… then how can she let it go waste?

Sanskaar, on the other hand, is standing by the table with his back towards the entrance and a file in his hand. His black blazer rests on the chair as he massages his shoulder with his free hand.

And that’s how Kavita finds him as she opens the door to the cabin silently.

Sanskaar: Swara, is that you?

Sanskaar asks as he hears the sound of heels and a moment later he feels a palm on his shoulder. And as Kavita presses the shoulder he has been massaging earlier, Sanskaar jerks her hand away realizing that it’s not Swara.

Sanskaar: Ms. Gupta, what are you doing?

Kavita: Oh, please! Can we skip on this formality thing? You can call me Kavita?

Sanskaar: May I help you in any way, Ms. Gupta?

Kavita: (smirks) Not anything in particular. I just noticed that you have some pain in your shoulder. So, I thought… maybe I could help!

Sanskaar: Thank you so much for the generous offer but I’ll let this one slide. If you don’t want anything then I’ll take your leave. My wife is waiting for me.

Without even waiting for her reply, he moves towards the chair to get his blazer when Kavita speaks…

Kavita: Which wife, Mr. Maheshwari? The one who doesn’t even care for you?

Sanskaar: Excuse me?

Kavita: I saw it during the meeting as well. Both of you were not even talking to each other. I really wonder whether she even cares about you or not!

Sanskaar: I guess you don’t have to worry about that. That’s something between me and my wife.

Kavita: I was saying that out of concern, Mr. Maheshwari.

Sanskaar: But don’t you think that you are worrying about me a bit more than expected. I mean we don’t even know each other.

Kavita: Then let’s know each other. How about over a cup of coffee? We can have it here or if you wish we can go somewhere else as well.

“Who is going and where?”

Sanskaar breaths a sigh of relief the moment he hears the voice of his rescuer. With a smile on his face, he turns around only to find an absolutely livid Swara standing at the entrance and glaring at how close he has been standing to Kavita.

Sanskaar’s eyes open wide with surprise on realizing their situation. When did Kavita come so close to him? Looking at her and then at Swara, he visibly flinches back.

Kavita: Ah! I was inviting Mr. Maheshwari for a coffee. I hope you don’t mind, Swara.

Swara glares at Sanskaar and he immediately shakes his head in denial with his mouth closed shut.

Swara: Mrs. Maheshwari!

Kavita: What?

Swara: It’s Mrs. Maheshwari for you. And ‘my husband’ is not at all fond of coffee.

Kavita: But…

Swara: So, I guess you can leave then.

Kavita: Mr. Maheshwari…

Swara: (walks in and stands in between them) LEAVE!!

Kavita huffs angrily on losing her chance and rolls her fist in anger.

Kavita: Fine! I’ll leave then. See you soon, Mr. Maheshwari and please don’t forget to give your shoulder a good massage.

Swara: I’ll make sure he gets one. Thank you so much for your concern. Goodbye!

Kavita: Goodbye!

And the moment Kavita leaves, Swara turns around angrily and glares at Sanskaar with her arms folded across her chest.

Swara: What the hell was she doing here?

Sanskaar: Umm… I don’t know. And according to the game we are not supposed to talk to each other.

Swara: Shut up! And what were you doing?

Sanskaar: I was just checking a file.

Swara: Without your clothes?

Sanskaar: No. I… wait… what?!!

He immediately scans himself from top to bottom and finds his white shirt and black jeans completely intact.

Sanskaar: I am wearing clothes, Swara.

Swara: Then where is your blazer? Wait… don’t tell me that Kavita…

Sanskaar: Hold on a second! Hold on! Don’t run the horses of your brain. I just took off the blazer to relax a bit. But the main point over here is… Why are you asking me so many questions?

Swara: Questions? Who is asking questions?

Sanskaar: Of course, it’s you. Wait a second. Are you jealous, Swara?

Swara: W-What? I’m… I’m not jealous. Hah! Why would I be?

Sanskaar: Are you sure?

Swara: Of course, I am!

With a smirk, Sanskaar holds her folded hands and without giving her a moment to realize, he pulls her closer to himself. Swara, who has been acting all tough up till now, feels like melting in his embrace as he wraps his arm around her waist.

Sanskaar: So, it won’t matter if I talk to Kavita?

Swara: Kavita?! You guys are on first name basis now? So soon?

Sanskaar: (chuckles) And someone was saying that she’s not jealous!

Swara: I’m not jealous, okay! You can talk to her. You can flirt with her. You can do whatever you want. I don’t care.

Sanskaar: (laughs) I wasn’t flirting with her, Swara! And moreover… If I want to flirt with someone then that person would be… YOU!

That makes Swara’s heart skip a beat and her breathing escalates as his grip around her waist tightens. For the first time in her life, she has met a person who is capable enough of making her feel all sort of sensations. All at once. And she just can’t help but find her heart falling deeper and deeper into the charm that those enticing eyes have unknowingly created.

Sanskaar: Have I even told you today?

Swara: W-What?

Sanskaar: How absolutely stunning you look with these red roses on this saree of my favorite color?!

Swara lifts up her head in surprise and as their eyes meet, Sanskaar beams at her. And then with a wink he lets go of her waist leaving her gaping at him with her mouth wide open.

Sanskaar: Let’s take you home. I’ll be waiting for you downstairs in the car. And yes, don’t forget to close your mouth before coming out. I won’t be talking to you again as I don’t want to lose the game.

And with another wink Sanskaar holds his blazer before walking out of the office. Composing herself for a moment, Swara, too, walks out making a note to her own self to not talk to him. Obviously, even she doesn’t want to lose the game!

----------------------

Kavita's dress & Swara's Saree