Sanskaar opened the back door and Mia hopped in quickly. He fastened her seatbelts and sat on the driver's seat and drove off.

"Your house right?" He asked.

"Yes." Swara answered as she fastened her own seatbelt after she sat.

"Are you going into that secret room cave like house that is in your lawn Shona?" Mia suddenly spoke and Swara turned behind. Mia always wanted to go in there but neither her mom nor Shona let her in.

"Cave house?" He chuckled at the little one's description.

"It's wine house Mia." Swara corrected her. "And you are not coming inside that room if you want I can drop you in my house and you stay with maasi." Of course she knew what was running on Mia's head.

"No!!! I am not going anywhere." Mia shouted and made a pout.

"Mia." Sanskaar called her and adjusted the rear view glass to see Mia.

"Yes Sanskaar." She chirped looking at her friend through the glass.

"You've forgot, not only your Shona but also your friend is here." He complained.

"Sanskaar how can I forget you?" Mia said and gave a flying kiss to him, he acted to catch it and keep it and in return Sanskaar gave a flying kiss too. Mia giggled.

"Shona, Sanskaar there's a Ibaco!" She pointed at the shop which was on the right. "Please!"

"Absolutely no. You got fever last week and I am not buying that now." Swara denied making Mia pout.

"Shona baby please." She begged.

"Swara, it's just ice-cream." Sanskaar supported Mia.

"Sanskaar you better start the car and go to my house or else I'm going by walk." She warned him and gave glares at Mia who by had a puppy dog face.

"But--" she paused when she saw her friend nodded in no to her to keep silent now. Understanding the hint she quickly showed him a thumbs up and immediately put on a sad face.

Sanskaar parked the car near Swara's house.

"Mia you won't trouble your friend." Swara said and went inside her house.

"Friend?" Mia called Sanskaar. He leaned backwards and unbuckled her. The little one hopped in the passenger seat with a giggle.

"Are we going to--"

"Ibaco! To celebrate our first day of friendship." Sanskaar completed her words.

"Wow! You are the bestest friend ever." Mia jumped into his arms in joy.

"Now let's go before we get caught by your Shona di." Sanskaar said and made her sit on the front seat. Mia giggled thinking about her Shona di while Sanskaar started the engine and drove off to Ibaco.

Exactly 15 minutes later Swara came out with the paper bag which had two bottles of tequila and when she opened the car door she was shocked seeing Mia having five scoops of different ice-creams pilled up one above the other and same five scoops of ice-creams in his hands as well.

Mia and Sanskaar looked each since they got caught.

"Sanskaar!" Swara gasped in horror.

"What?" He chuckled seeing her expression.

"God! What am I even going to do with you both." Swara asked herself and slapped her forehead playfully.

"I don't know. She just asked for ice-cream, you denied so I took her. Simple!" He shrugged his shoulders.

"Partner!" Both exchanged wicked smiles and fist bumped while Swara rolled her eyes. She had no idea when these two joined hands and how it all happened in such a short span of time.

Swara got inside the car with Mia sitting on her lap busy eating her ice-cream and he started the engine.

"Shona you want some?" Mia asked.

"No have it yourself." Swara said.

"Good! I was not planning to give you even if you ask me." Mia started eating again. Swara's jaw dropped down the floor and Sanskaar chuckled.

"You little brat!" Swara hit her head playfully and she giggled with all the ice-cream smudged on her face.

"Sanskaar..."

"I got her ice-cream to sign our new friendship. Last time, I promise." He replied in defeat innocently as he somewhat know she was going to say about it and Swara chuckled hearing his words.

Taking a picture of Mia who's mouth and cheeks were smudged with the ice-cream she searched for the tissue box.

"There it is." She said to herself and leaned backwards but much to her surprise Sanskaar too had leaned backward to get the tissue box since there was a signal and they had to stop.

Both froze in their positions since their faces were just inch apart. They felt a sudden spark running through their veins. Something very different that words can put in the exact feeling they felt at the moment as their eyes pierced into each other's. Sanskaar was mesmerized by seeing her perfect hazel eyes shining like stars and it made him look more into them. His eyes was no less than intoxicating but--

Swara gained her sense. She quickly withdrew herself back and stared outside window sighing internally. Sanskaar closed his eyes for a second, took the tissue box and gave it to Swara. She took the box from him looking at everywhere except him.

For a second she thought her heart would burst any time if she had continued looking into his eyes, she thought as she wiped Mia's face who already dozed.

Uff! That was too close!

Sanskaar sighed. He didn't know why he felt a spark.. something was wrong about him, he thought and continued driving.

After the encounter, awkwardness filled the space. None bothered to start the conversation and was lost in their own thoughts trying to figure the unknown emotion they felt until the engine turned off by Sanskaar since they reached Jay's house.

Swara wrapped Mia's hands around her neck while Sanskaar opened the door for her. She got down with the sleeping one in her arms and and paper bag on the other.

"Bag?" Sanskaar forwarded his hand and Swara gave it to him and held Mia as they both walked inside.

Mia snuggled and lifted her head from Swara's shoulders and rubbed her eyes looking around.

"Where are we?" She asked in a sleepy tone.

"Jay's house." Sanskaar ruffled her hair. Her eyes immediately widened and twinkled in joy.

"Shona! Get me down I'm going to meet my Jeejay." Swara shook her head in disbelief and placed Mia down. In no time she started running upstairs.

"Mia don't run." Swara chided but she was already gone. "Sanskaar-- I'll go take the glasses and come. You go up." He nodded and walked upstairs while Swara made her ways to the kitchen to take glasses for them.

When Sanskaar opened the door, Mia sprung in like a jet and placed her hands Jay's back with laugh. Jay was surprised to see her in his house and wondered how she came.

"Jeejayyy" She wrapped her arms around him from back and gave a cheeky kiss.

"Hey little devil, how are you here?" He asked pinching her cheeks pulled her infront.

"Who is she?" Aditi had no idea who this little one was but she could help herself but adore how cute she looked.

"Bua left her in my house but she adamant to come here." Swara came in with the tray of glasses and sat on the floor with them.

"I missed you Jeejay." Mia sang again and Swara chuckled seeing Jay making a frown. He hated when he was called with that nickname.

"Jeejay? Such a wired name!" Arya commented while Jay already gave a deadly glare.

"Exactly and all the credits goes to the big devil who's sitting there." Jay pointed at Swara who was making innocent faces as if she didn't do anything.

"Hey I never taught her that. She just doing everything I do. What's my fault?" Swara complained and before Jay could reply Mia spoke.

"Oh! You are that Didi." Mia said looking at Aditi and blinked her doe eyes.

"Do you know me sweetheart?" Aditi asked. She definitely have not seen this little one but the question was how come she knows her.

"No." She nodded in no, "But I have seen your picture with Jeejay as his wallpaper." She giggled.

Jay's eyes widened in shock as he didn't know when Mia saw the picture. Of course he had kept their photo as his home screen but then he remembered few months ago Mia coming to his house and playing Angry birds on his phone.

"That's a new piece of information thanks partner." Sanskaar winked at the couple.

Mia walked to Aditi, "But you look pretty in real. Your name? I'm Mia." She forwarded her hand.

"Aditi." She smiled and took the little one in her arms. "You are so cute." She pinched her cheeks.

"Your cousin?" Nudged Arya and Swara nodded.

"You won't say me hello?" Mia looked at Arya.

"Why not kid? I will but you seems to be busy with others." He stared and shrugged his shoulders. Mia went to Arya and stood beside in front of him.

"I'm a new here and you didn't say me hello. That's rude!" Mia pouted as she complained. Arya's eyes widened and so did Swara's.

"Even though you are rude I am not going to be so hello, I am Mia and you are?" She flipped her hair and forwarded her hand to him.

"Arya." He shook his hand still dumbstruck.

"You have good time because I myself came to you to say hello." Mia said sweetly.

"Damn it! Swara did you just tell your cousin about how we met when we were small?" Swara shook her head in no. "She speaks exactly like you and says the same words you told when we met. Are you sure she's your cousin and not your daughter?" Arya was so much surprised seeing the little one exactly doing the same thing as his friend.

"She doesn't even have a boyfriend then forget about her having her own daughter now." Aditi taunted playfully while Swara shrugged it off as usual.

"Mia baby, that's enough come with it's bed time." Jay's father came in and scooped Mia in his arms. "Have fun kids." He said and went with Mia.

"She takes after you bro." Arya said still not able to digest she just said the same words.

"I know yaar." Swara admitted.

"Guys let's start the game." Sanskaar placed the empty bottle in the middle of them.

"Hey wait guys let's change the order. I know very well about Jay and so does he so let him sit beside me." Swara said and agreeing to her Arya moved and let Swara sit between them.

The order went like Jay, Swara, Arya, Aditi and Sanskaar. After sitting in their places Aditi took the chance to spin the bottle and it landed to Jay who should question and Sanskaar, the answer.

"Truth or Dare?"

"Truth." Sanskaar wanted to keep on a safer side.

"Girls go literally gaga over you in our school ofcourse you don't give a damn to them but still have you had your first kiss?" Jay asked.

"Geez! Too boring I thought you could ask something else Jay." Arya groaned.

"I never had one."

Jay was nearly about to spit the water he was drinking when he heard his answer. All other were shocked except one, Swara. She somewhere had the idea he wouldn't have had it.

"Are you serious Sanskaar? You actually--"

"Didn't have one! Next." He said and all had lifted up their shot glasses.

"Let's pray Sanskaar gets some hot chick to kiss sooner." Arya cheered while he received a pillow hit from Sanskaar and all laughed as they drank the shot.

Sanskaar spun the bottle since it was his turn. The bottle stopped with Aditi and Arya.

"Truth or Dare boy?"

"Dare." Aditi's smirk grew wider.

"Then remove your socks with your teeth." Seeing Arya's expression changed into horror others chuckled.

"I warned you about the socks. You only told you don't get sleep without out." Jay laughed.

"I won't do it." Arya whined.

"Sure but penalty will be more stronger I'll tell--"

"Hell! I'm doing." Arya made bad faces and pulled the socks out gaining hoots and laughter from all others making their stomach ache for laughing so much. Once he removed the socks he ran into the washroom and rinsed his mouth for a multiple times.

"Let my turn come I'll see you girl." He said angrily making all giggle again.

They all got their glasses filled and raised in air.

"For Arya to digest more of my dares from now on." Aditi giggled and Arya threw daggers at her as they gulped the shot.

Jay spun the bottle and it rotated six times before slowing down and eventually stopped at Aditi.

"Truth or Dare ado babe?" Swara winked.

"Truth."

"So bad. Okay share your feelings about your boy friend." Aditi blushed and all started teasing her.

"I don't know how to exactly put in on words but there was something about him that made me like him ever since I met him, it makes me go crazy.." Aditi flushed red when her eyes met Jay who was already looking at her with love.

"Aww love is in the air." Sanskaar teased making both of them blush.

"For Jay, Aditi and their love." They gave toast and gulped in another shot and Arya spined the bottle which landed to Jay and he chose dare.

"I know no one dares to punch the captain but I'm curious to know who was your first punch and how did it happen?"

Swara bit her lip to control her chuckle. How can she forget it? Jay shook his head in disbelief.

"So it was- Swara." All their eyes shifted to Swara who lifted her imaginary collar all proud.

"I don't remember but dad told me. Swara's two months older than me and when I was born she came with her brother. They made her to look at me and she punched me but the thing was she was giggling when I was crying it seems." Jay said.

"Woah Swara you punched the captain when he was just born. I'm proud of you!" Arya gave a side hug.

"For Swara and Jay's friendship to stay for life long." All drank again.

"Guys I already feel like getting drunk." Aditi whined.

"Last game." Jay convinced and she nodded. The bottle this time landed with Sanskaar again.

"Swara got escaped this time." Jay shook his head in disappointment and all others agreed to it while Swara showed her tongue out and grinned. When Arya asked what he was going to choose, Sanskaar choose dare.

"Kiss the one you like in this room." Arya winked at him with a smirk playing on his lips playfully. Sanskaar eyes widened. Maybe he should have lied that he had his first kiss, Damn!

"I know the circle is small and we got only two girls but you see you can choose anyone." Arya had a stupid grin that Sanskaar literally wanted to smack him off but he had to control.

"You mean anyone?" Aditi's eyes widened.

"Anyone."

"How about I kiss you? You told I can kiss anyone." This time it was Sanskaar's time to smirk and Arya's grin died hearing him and he jumped back with his arms crossed on his chest.

"What the-  Guys I am straight as my hair not as you all think." His horrified scream only gained laughter from all others. It took few minutes for him to know all were making fun of him.

"Okay okay enough Sanskaar do the dare." Jay said controlling his laughter.

No way he could choose  Aditi and if he does he was sure his death would be the headlines in tomorrow's newspaper. Sanskaar walked to her and sat on his knees. Swara once again felt her heart thumping as he took her hands in his softly and look at her for once. He chose her not because he had no other choice but he felt she was the right one.  He pressed his lips on her hand. Swara had a very hard time to convince her pounding heart not to and controlling her face which was warming up. 

"That's cheating I asked for a kiss." Arya protested.

"You never mentioned me where to kiss boy." Sanskaar smirked and sat on his seat.

"If you want he can kiss you Arya. I'm sure he will not have any problem." Aditi teased.

The night continued with lots of teasing sessions and laughter. Mia too had joint them since she sneaked out of the room. Later they decided to watch a movie. Arya half lied on the bean bag sleeping, Swara was sitting eating the popcorn they brought with Mia on her lap, Aditi had already slept in Jay's arms and he too had slept holding her and Sanskaar too had slept with his head on the bean bag. Not even half of the film was over but they slept. Swara sighed and switched off the television.

She took Mia in her arms and placed her on the bed. She looked around and found Sanskaar in the sitting position with his head on the bean bag and eyes closed. His cheeks had a tint of pink making her chuckle. He didn't have much tolerance with alcohol, she thought. That was when she remembered both the incident that happened tonight. It wasn't like she had not been close to someone nor someone had kissed her palm but that tingling feeling, heart thumping and his closeness affected her. She had no idea what it was and so she shrugged it all off and left to the balcony to breathe some air and spent some under the night sky.

~

Sanskaar got up from his sleep. He had no idea when he dosed off probably the booze made its magical effects on him. The dim lights were on, while he watched the clock striking at 3 A.M. He looked around and saw Aditi, Jay and Arya sleeping on the floor and Mia on the bed.

'Swara? Where did she go?', He wondered and got on his feet stretching his arms. That's when his eyes fell on the balcony which was open letting the cool breeze in and the curtains moved in air.

He walked to the balcony since he had no sleep or rather he usually don't get sleep easily in new place and got startled for a second seeing Swara sitting on the floor with her knees close her chest, arms wrapped around it and head buried in her legs.

Sanskaar sat down beside her. Sensing someone's presence she looked up and saw Sanskaar who was already looking at her with a questioning face.

"Didn't get sleep? Because of new place?" He asked.

"Jay's house is never new place to me and yes I don't get sleep properly because I have insomnia which came back again." Swara sighed.

"Try having hot chocolate. It might help you." He suggested remembering something.

"Hot chocolate? You've tried?" She asked.

"Nah! Grandma does it when she doesn't get sleep properly. Maybe you should try too." He smiled.

"Sure! Then it is hot chocolate. I'll tell you about it when I do." She smiled and he nodded slowly.

"You have less tolerance of alcohol. Don't drink with anyone who don't like you." Swara said.

"Erh.. sure." He scratched his neck with a grin. He was not use to the alcoholic drinks and he had very hardly had them.

After few minutes of silence Swara remembered he looked as if he wanted to ask something but didn't when they drove back here.

"You wanted to say something? I mean I felt as if you wanted to ask something but didn't.. maybe due to Mia?" Swara's voice trailed off. She wasn't not completely sure if it was true but she felt it.

"You sure have a sharp eyes Swara. I did wanted to ask you something but--" He stopped his sentence in the middle while hesitation barged in his words. Sanskaar wasn't sure if she could feel comfortable if he asks about the scar.

"I'm listening!" Swara sang with her eyes fixed on the stars and moon shining and shimmering in the night sky.

"You have a scar." He managed to say after fighting a lot and waited for her reaction.

"Oh!" Swara touched the right side of her forehead where she had a scar. "Is it that visible?" She asked and looked at him.

"No. I just saw because you tied your hair into a bun and mostly it's covered with your hair locks." He explained carefully choosing his words and reading every reaction of hers. She didn't look much affected or showed any discomfort to much glad to his heart.

Swara withdrew her hand and looked at the sky again.

"I got the scar on my eleventh birthday." Sanskaar his widened in shock hearing her. Scar on her birthday? That sounded so bad.

"How?" He asked softly.

"My father was very angry as something happened in the company and when he heard nothing was going as planned by Mr. Sharma he threw the glass and I walked inside and it hit my forehead." Swara could still remember very second that happened that time and the pain she went through that night... She could never forget it.

"That should have been painful." He whispered.

"The cut was too deep that it left a scar on me. It was painful but when I think of it now, I feel so strong." She spoke as her mind got her back to time.

"Scars makes people beautiful and you are beautiful.." She looked at him, "In your own ways." He whispered. "But how did you manage the pain you felt.. I mean you was just turning eleven."

"More than feeling the pain I was numb. I felt blood seeping down my face, soaking my white gown into red... But then holding to one bad chapter doesn't mean the entire book is over right?" Swara closed her eyes.

"Every scar tells a story about your life Sanskaar. Be it a visible scar in your skin nor a invisible scar in your heart it holds a story, A story that says I have survived from the pain and struggle, battled along with life, shed my blood and tears and have finally conquered them all." Her words and the smile that spread on her lips told him everything that was needed.

"That was deep. How do you manage to speak that way? Is it because you are a 3 A.M person?" Swara chuckled at his comment.

"I am not sure but this scar.." She touched it again. "It's my lucky scar. It reminds me of everyone is flawed and are beautiful how ever they are." He remind silent and let a grin pullover his face.

"You amuse me." He whispered, and his eyes did reflected the amusement he felt.

She smiled, "I'm glad I do."

But she wasn't much glad as she had to be. Every little word spoke was out from her heart, the feeling she always kept inside and never managed to tell it anyone yet she did to him. She had a troubled past that haunted her at nights, made her sleepless by the snippets of scenes she lived as a nightmare but of all this she did live her life.

It wasn't like she no one to care for her. Obviously she had many people to care and shower her love but letting your feelings to them was much harder. It was as if a bottle been closed for years and you trying it to open and ultimately fail. She had buried them all inside her and all she could hope was that her bottle of secrets and scars she had hold all through these years come out one day.... After all even darkest nights leads to a beautiful sun rise.

He knew there was something special about the girl who was sitting beside him counting the stars with her eyes twinkling and a soft smile playing on her lips. Her words made gained more respect for her in his heart. She was a type of a person one could love to have in their lives, even just a small part of her presence can make someone feel so much positivity. Still, behind her happy smile he could see the deep wound and her eyes hiding something from others.

Maybe one day he could let her speak all she want and he could listen to her all nights.

☆Scars aren't meant for hiding, they are meant for showing off and so wear it bravely like the wings you've got. ☆

4200 words! I never knew this would become such a huge update.

Want to have more scenes of Mia, Sanskaar and Swara together?

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Something sparkles between the leads what do you all think? ;)

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Love,
Diya❤