*** CHAPTER 47 ***

Swara heaves a sigh as she flips the page of the book that she has been reading for quite some time. However, saying that she has been trying to read will be a little more appropriate. It is as if her entire being has been ignited and she fails to keep calm. The giddiness in her heart does not cease to exist as Sanskaar's affectionate words from before keep reverberating in her head time and again. She is to be engaged tomorrow! It is something she fails to believe. A marriage proposal out of nowhere is not something she has been expecting, but she could not have asked for anything better. That is her Sanskaar... Sweet, simple, yet endearing at the same time, and these feelings overwhelm her heart, leaving her breathless.

Ever since that moment, she has been able to tell that Sanskaar wants to talk to her. However, the sudden engagement announcement has left everything a bit chaotic. It has been decided that both the wedding will take place simultaneously which ultimately doubles everyone's work. But never even in her wildest dreams has she imagined everyone to be this deliriously happy. It is as if their prayers have been answered, all at once.

Annapurna, Sujata, and Ragini have been literally bouncing up and down as they make the last-minute arrangement for her lehenga and jewelry. Chaitanya, all thanks to his father, has ended up seeing an English movie and is now damn insistent on becoming the bridesmaid without even realizing what it is to be one. Durga Prasad, Ram Prasad, and Laksh have tugged Sanskaar away to see the fitting of his sherwani. And above all, their beloved grandmother, without whom none of this would have been possible, for a change has taken up charge of the kitchen to make sure that all the delicacies for the daawat are made in the most authentic way possible.

A cold sprinkle against her face breaks her reverie and she smiles looking at the light rain outside. It has been raining for more than two days now but she has nothing to complain about. It is this rainfall that has washed away all her pain, all her worries, and all her insecurities and has given her the courage to pursue what her heart truly desires. Sitting by the windowsill of her room, she looks outside but can hardly see a person around. It is quite late already and everyone has retired for the night.

Feeling her neck getting a little stiff after the rollercoaster of the day, Swara decides to get a hot water fomentation. She definitely does not want her neck fixed at the same angle for her entire engagement ceremony. As embarrassing as it will be, it will be uncomfortable as hell. Closing her book, she makes her way toward the door whilst closing her eyes and massaging her neck as she walks across the room. It is in this position that she opens the door only to find Sanskaar's hand hanging mid-air, most apparently aiming for a knock. He gulps as his eyes look to-and-fro between his hand and Swara's perplexed face. Putting his hand down, he gives her a sheepish smile.

Sanskaar: Um... Hi!

Swara: (whispers) Sanskaar? What are you doing here? That, too, at such an odd hour!

Sanskaar: (furrows his eyebrow) What's wrong with your neck?

Sawra: (rolls her eyes) Stop answering my question with a question of yours. What are you doing here anyway?

Sanskaar: (sighs deeply) I don't know. I was walking and walking and somehow, I ended up in front of your room. I guess... I... Ah! Fine! I just missed you!

Just a couple of words and that takes her breath away. He shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly and Swara feels her heart swell up at his awe-inspiring words. No matter the situation, he always manages to say the sweetest thing. Moreover, after all, that has happened, they do need a decent conversation. Glancing around, she cranes her neck to make sure that they do not have any onlookers. And then taking a deep breath, she holds Sanskaar's hand and yanks him inside the room before closing the door again.

Swara: Do you even realize how embarrassing it would be if we are found together at this time?

Swara: We will get engaged tomorrow, Swara. We will be married soon.

Swara: (rolls her eyes) Will be married, Sanskaar. We are not married yet. So!?

Sanskaar takes a deep breath and mumbles, "I do not care," before holding her hand and pulling her in, engulfing her in a passionate embrace. All day, he has been yearning for her, longing to touch her, and with every passing moment this passion burned deep inside of him, making it almost unbearable. Sighing deeply, he snuggles his face into the crook of her neck and Swara finds her hands sliding up his back. And as she feels his lips grazing lightly against her neck, she sucks in a deep breath before holding onto his shoulders.

"I missed you," she hears Sanskaar mumble against her skin, and her entire being is as if set up in flames. She takes a rugged breath and feels all her resolve breaking apart. Deep down even she knows that it is not just Sanskaar, even her soul has been craving for him, the desire becoming almost unbearable, tormenting to an extent that she can break apart if he is not there to hold her, to touch her. The need, the want has been gnawing at her heart. Tightening her arms around his torso, she snuggles deeper into his embrace.

Swara: (whispers) I missed you too! I am so happy, Sanskaar.

Sanskaar: And so am I, my love!

Whispering back, he kisses the top of her head. He pulls her back and cups her face in his hands. Brushing his thumb against her cheekbones, he sighs as she snuggles deeper in his palm. This seems too surreal to be true. A day ago, he has felt as if he has lost her, and now, touching her like this seems like a dream come true. He smiles and his eyes glisten with tears. His entire being shudders just imagining what would have happened had it all been true. He cannot bear the pain of losing her even in his dreams. Overpowered by the feeling, so demanding, so tormenting, he wraps his arms around her waist as he pulls her flush against his chest. A gasp escapes Swara's lips as she stares at him wide-eyed. She opens her mouth to say something but the lone tear silently escaping his eye tugs at her heart rendering her speechless. Wiping off the tear, she places her palm on his cheek before hoisting herself up on her toes and placing a chaste kiss on his other cheek.

Swara: I love you, Sanskaar!

Sanskaar: (smiles) I do not think I will ever get tired of hearing that. All of this still feels like a dream.

Swara: No, it is not! Is it so hard to believe?

Sanskaar: Yes, it is. Maybe you can help me in believing?

Swara: What do...

And before she can finish what she has been trying to say, Sanskaar pulls her even closer, and the very next moment his lips embrace her lips with a fiery passion. Perseverance meets passion and the way their lips glide together in the divine dance, something awakens inside of her. She wants to pull back, yet break the fine thread that has been holding them back at the same time. With every stroke of his lips, with every nibble she finds herself losing more and more. Her fingers entwine with his hair and she clings to him to match his passion. Tottering backward, her back hits the wall behind and a gasp escapes her lips as Sanskaar's kiss intensifies demanding to devour her entire being.

With a satisfied moan, he pulls back resting his forehead against hers. Their breathing comes out in pants and it takes them several moments before being able to get a hold of their voice. She can feel his minty breath caressing her lips every time he takes a deep breath. Opening her eyes, she looks at him only to find his eyes still closed, his forehead leaning against her forehead, and one of the most beautiful smiles she has ever seen gracing his lips. It is then and there that she falls in love with him all over again. Raising his hand, she caresses his cheek and his smile widens.

"I cannot wait to get married to you!" Sanskaar's husky voice make her knee wobble and she let out a shaky breath. The anticipation of a future with him in it makes her heart do a summersault within its cage of ribs and though she does not admit it, even she cannot wait to call him hers and be his in every way possible. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she raises herself up on the tip of her toes and kisses his forehead.

It is at this moment that Sanskaar opens his eyes, rather wide with realization. The sudden change in his expression makes Swara narrow her eyes. What is wrong?

Swara: What happened, Sanskaar?

Sanskaar: (in a daze) I did not ask you.

Swara: W-What?

Sanskaar: I never asked you.

Swara: What is it that you did not ask me? What is wrong?

Sanskaar shakes his head before looking around frantically. He walks across the room, all the way to the window of the room where a small flower vase is kept. Picking up a flower to the closest shade of red, he smiles turning around only to find that even Swara has walked up to him looking at him rather perplexed. She opens her mouth several times to speak something but words fail her as her brain tries to process the sudden turn of events. She walks closer to him and once she is by his side next to the window, Sanskaar slowly gets down on one of his knees and Swara's heart ceases to function for a moment.

However, as she sees him giving her a heart-warming smile, the corners of her lips lift up on their own accord. He never fails to surprise her. She wills to tell him that he does not need to do any of this, that her heart already belongs to him; but a little part of her selfish self wants to hear all that he wants to say. She has never been proposed to before and she wants to know what image he has of hers in his heart, and more than that she wants to know what he expects from her. She wants to cherish this moment to her heart's content and remember it the way it is so that she can relive it, again and again, all her life. With a bated breath, she looks at him, her eyes unwavering, her heart unsettling, and the center of her whole world being him and only him.

Sanskaar: (takes a shaky breath) Um... I know this is not the ideal setting. To be honest, it is far from ideal. Not something a lady would want in a moment like this.

He lets out a small laugh and Swara smiles as he scratches the back of his head and clears his throat.

Sanskaar: But I think I have to do it now. For me, it is this moment when I can let you know that... Swara... I cannot live without you anymore. For all my life, I had to fight for anything I wanted and trust me it is not a very good feeling. But when it comes to you, I can stand against the whole world, if that is what I must do to be with you. That is the courage you give me. You are a force that calms my blazing soul. I always knew that falling in love with you was forbidden, but I could not help it. The moment I saw you for the very first time, something tugged at my heart. You were in my arms, unconscious, and, most possibly it was at that very moment that I fell for you. I cannot say. But then I fell deeper and deeper with every passing moment, to such an extent that it became painful. And do you know what the funny thing is? I enjoyed that pain. It is then that I realized that you are the only person in the world from whom I can accept it all, be it the love or be it the pain. You are the first person who made me feel that I am not unwanted... that I, too, matter in someone's life and that overwhelmed me.

Sanskaar gulps as his throat constricts. His words fail him and he lets out a shuddering breath. The tears that he has been holding for so long veil his vision and he blinks as his first tear break free from its barriers. It has not been easy. All his life, he has been forced to think about what is it that he is living for. And then he looks up at the woman standing in front of him. The very reason he has been bestowed upon with this life. With tears glistening in her eyes, she is looking down at him as if nothing matters to her more than him, and his heart soars with joy. All he wants to do right now is hold her close and love her in every damnable way his heart desires. She is, indeed, a force that brings out the best in him. And as if it cannot get better, she gets down on her knees too, holds his hand that has the flower, and nods her head, encouraging him to say all that he wants to. She is there for him and is willing to listen.

Sanskaar: I love you, Swara, I love you so much and I can swear to God that I have not loved anyone else the way I love you, and I want to love you the way you truly deserve. Every day, every moment without you is a torment, a torture inflicted upon my heart, and now I want to get rid of this pain. They all say that I am the one who saved you but, in all honesty, it is you who was meant to save me. You are my liberator, Swara. You have uncaged my heart and relieved it from this agony. And now, this heart of mine wants to become a little more selfish. I want you in my life, as a part of my life. I want to stand proud and tell everyone that you are mine. So, my love, with nothing but this beautiful rain as my witness, I want to ask you... will you marry me? I will not be able to live another day without you.

As his anticipating eyes look at her, he is stunned to find her unmoving, her tears flowing down now in full force, and her breathing rapid, coming out in pants.

Sanskaar: Swara... now would be the time to say something. Although, I already know your answer, you are still making me nervous.

It is then that the enchanting moment is broken and Swara finally blinks her eyes. She has always known that she is important to him, but this... what he has said right now... It is something on an entirely different level. It is as if she is the only force holding him strong as if she is the only energy that his soul desperately needs to keep him going. No words, no matter how many, will be able to convey what she is feeling right now. So, she cups his face in between her hands and showers him with innumerable kisses. Sanskaar giggles very much like a child as he falls down on the floor landing on his back with Swara's head on his chest. She can hear his heart beating rapidly right next to her ear. She closes her eyes as he wraps his arms around her in a soothing embrace. She has never felt anything as beautiful as this moment in her entire life. This is perfect, his arms around her, being her perfect cocoon, and his heartbeat, the most beautiful symphony she has ever heard. Sighing, she whispers, "Yes! A million times... Yes!"

✨

A nudge from Laksh forces Sanskaar to divert his attention from his trembling legs out to the front. He has no idea what he is so nervous about, but then again it is not every day that you get engaged to the love of your life. Sanskaar is left stunned the moment he raises his eyes from his legs. Descending the altar, right in front of him, is his most serene dream. The moment their eyes meet, the most captivating of all smiles break out on her lips and for a fraction of a second before his lips curve up into a smile, his eyes smile too.

Dressed in a royal blue lehenga, she shines brighter than the moon outside. Her eyes, a deeper shade of black urges him to delve deeper and deeper only to unravel what secrets they hold; her lips, an enticing shade of coffee, as if the strongest seduction; her hair left open and falling carelessly down to her waist as if an endless waterfall. She is perfect in her own way. Even with her flaws, he wants her just the same, very much like the same she does too. There is nary a thing he wants to change about her.

And when she comes right in front of him, he realizes that he has already stood up from his seat without even realizing it. He forwards his hand towards her and when she places her hand gingerly in his, his entire being shivers with anticipation. The subtle fragrance of the white flowers tugged neatly at the crown of her head makes his mouth go dry. Securing his fingers around her palm, he waits patiently as she places her foot onto the stage.

Sanskaar: (raises an eyebrow) You are wearing heels?

Swara: (whispers) Is that not obvious?

Sanskaar: Girna mat, Swara. Bahot log dekh rahe hain. Bahot beizzati ho jayegi. (Do not fall, Swara. There are many people who are watching. It will be quite embarrassing.)

Swara: Shut up, Sanskaar! Even if I am not going to fall, you will surely make me.

Their bickering is brought to an abrupt pause as Ragini clears her throat standing right next to them.

Ragini: Lovebirds, you will have plenty of time. You can continue this later.

Sanskaar: (exclaims) Good idea, Ragini!

Seeing his enthusiasm, Swara raises an eyebrow and Ragini shakes her head before making them both sit and going to see whether the other couple is comfortably seated or not. As Swara is engaged in a talk with Annapurna and Sujata, Sanskaar notices something, and the moment they leave, he chuckles.

Swara: (turns to face him) What?

Sanskaar: W-What?

Swara: Why are you chuckling like that, Sanskaar?

Sanskaar: Your neck!

And that is when the realization dawns upon her. Her neck has been acting weird since the day before and now it is stuck at a certain angle, very much like the way she dreaded. She has thought that maybe, she can hide it from everyone, but as expected Sanskaar has been paying her a little more attention than expected.

Swara: (glaring) This is all your fault.

Sanskaar: What did I do?

Swara: I was supposed to get a hot water fomentation when you decided to barge into my room.

Sanskaar: Correction, my love. It was you who pulled me inside. I did not barge in.

Swara: Whatever! It is still your fault.

Sanskaar smiles looking at her and leans a bit to whisper in her ears.

Sanskaar: How about tonight then?

Swara: W-What?

Sanskaar: (smirks) How about I make all of this pain go away tonight?

Swara is instantly rendered speechless by his sudden boldness. He cannot dare? His eyes smile with mischief... something that she has not seen before.

Swara: You... I... You cannot...

Sanskaar: (chuckles) Oh, I absolutely can! Just wait and see, my love!

With that being said, he turns around to talk to Ragini who has just turned up back there. Whereas, Swara is left gaping at him. Where has this sudden forwardness come from? She takes a deep breath to calm her jittery nerves down and when she turns back towards him, he silently holds her hand under her dupatta whilst still talking to Ragini and Laksh. There is only one thing that she is left to wonder about. With his mischievous mode on, how long will she be able to take it?

✨