The practice for the play, "Romeo and Juliet" was going on high speed since there was only a week left for it. The entire crew left no chance to let their English teacher, Mr. Matthews to complain. Since all the scenes were practiced they asked Swara and Sanskaar to perform the dance.

When the music started, Swara and Sanskaar had already started dancing looking into each other's eyes. They had twirls, splits and let up steps but both managed to take it gracefully.

"Are you affected by my closeness, Mr. Flirt?" Swara whispered teasingly as he landed on his embrace after he twirled.

"Swara stop talking or else we'll get caught." Sanskaar said moving with her accordingly and eyed at Mr. Matthews who was looking at them keenly.

"That's not the answer I look up to, young man." She winked at him as he turned her sliding his hand on hers before he lifted her up.

"I am not." He said.

'What a lie!' his heart mocked.

"Really?" They why do you still keep space between us?" Sanskaar's ears turned red. Even though he had healthy flirting with girls he always made sure he had kept enough distance between them but now being close to this girl did something to his heart.

"Prove me wrong." A smirk appeared in her lips as he twirled her in circles.

"And if I do?" Sanskaar didn't hesitate this time. He like challenges and definitely love to break it too.

"First you do." She said as he stopped twirling her and she again back on her feet. Sanskaar pulled her close to him through her waist making her gasp in shock while her breathe hitched . She didn't expect him to be this quick. She felt her face getting warm.

Her eyes danced in amusement and shock. This time it was Sanskaar's chance and he gave her his famous smirk.

"Swara why are you slowing down?" Robin's words brought her back from shock. She quickly fastened the speed to match Sanskaar. He left out of a chuckle but received a glare from her.

Damn! Swara closed her eyes for a swift moment and looked away. She was feeling so attractive towards him but she couldn't specifically tell if it was his eyes looked so beautiful, his smile which could make one go on their knees nor his smile yet unique personality.

"Didn't I tell you? I can make it." Sanskaar smirked as he caught her hand after a twirl. "I may not be man of words but I sure am a man of actions." And his words faded when he looked at her brown eyes. Damn! Such a captivating eyes she had. It was so deep with emotions like waves hitting the shore but he couldn't figure out exactly what everything but they looked so dark and distant.

"Of course you are." A soft smile spread her lips.

"It's going to end." He reminded her as they were reaching the end of the dance.

Somewhere and somehow both didn't want the music to stop and dance looking at each other forever.

Laksh who returned back from getting his scripts, witnessed them dance so gracefully that ignited fire of jealousy and waves of ache in his heart. He quickly walked away not wanting to look at her with someone.

Students were spell bound with the dance Swara and Sanskaar had put on after all the steps they used were quite difficult one. Robin, the dance master had a very satisfying feeling seeing their improvement while Mr. Matthews fixed his spectacles properly since he had nothing to complain about them.

When the melody music and so did the dance everyone who was present in the auditorium strike their hands together for a clap for their splendid performance breaking their eye lock.

Swara and Sanskaar bent down a little in respect and accepting their compliments.

"Seems like this time you get me what I ask my dear friend." He whispered with a quick wink and a playful smile.

~

Swara and Sanskaar sat beside each other for sometime after giving a quick practice of their dance in the dance room. It was already evening after school and both of them have changed their dress into casuals with they brought.

"Come on yaar. Natasha and I have not even danced for once." Sanskaar complained. She had been teasing him from morning and pulling his legs.

"Not even once? I doubt that Sanskaar. I saw how your nats was moving closer to you even though you kept distance, didn't nothing happen between you two?" There again! Sanskaar pouted and Swara laughed.

"That's enough for today Swara. I'm done already yaar." He whined making Swara giggle more.

"Okay okay fine." She said still controlling her laugh.

"There will be a day for me also to tease you and that time you see what I do." He made a grumpy face and pointed at her.

"Let's see. Sanskaar let's go or else you'll get late for your job." Swara got up and pulled her sweaty hair up to tie them in a bun.

"Hey you got a tattoo." Sanskaar exclaimed as he got up and walked towards her with his eyes fixed on the tattoo which on the back of her left shoulder. It was actually seen because she had worn a sleeveless top.

"I do." She said looking at him through the mirror.

"Let me see." He said and looked the tattoo which actually a phoenix half wing with detailed works on it. He never seen a tattoo with so much details on them, they were that small but it looked so beautiful, "This is so beautiful! When did you get this one?" He asked being curious still looking at the tattoo.

"It is and I got this when I was fifteen." She smiled remembering the moment.

"Fifteen? Wait, is that a permanent tattoo?" His eyes widened in shock when she nodded in yes.

"I was too adamant to get it on me and faced the consequences of high fever for two days after I got it tattooed." She grinned remembering how her maasi was against it but ended giving up to her and later she not only had to face fever but also her scoldings and tears. Jay also gave an earful. Swara had a tuff time in managing to make both talk.

"Maa has the other half wing on her right." The unique design was actually her maa's which she had tattoo and in her memory she too did.

"Headmistress?" Swara opened her mouth to answer but Sanskaar spoke again.

"I don't know why but I find you mysterious." He looked at her through the mirror with lot of unasked questions in his eyes. Swara was dumbfounded for few minutes.

"That I am, Are planning to get late for your job? It's 6:00 PM already." She broke trance from him and picked her bag.

"I have just ten more minutes, hell!" Sanskaar rushed and took his bag when she reminded him about the passing time. No way he could go late for his work.

"Coming to cafe?" He asked since Swara usually comes there every evening without a miss.

"Argh.. some time later. I think I need to have a fresh up." Swara managed to utter.

"Sure, see you then." With that Sanskaar fled from the dance studio leaving Swara there.

She did need a freshup. A freshup for her mind too. Swara sat there on the wooden floor and stared at herself on the mirror surrounded around her. For the entire life she had lived none had told her how mysterious she was. That mere statement shook her up. No one except her family knew the other side of hers which she had sealed and kept safe from others nor to say she didn't want no one see the other side of hers but his words made her feel crushed again.

She had been healing gradually but cannot survive another heartbreak. Sanskaar was a good friend and she didn't want him to leave.

She was a mystery and of course she could admit, it was a ugly untold story but then will he leave her if he gets know the truth one day?

Her eyes burnt with tears brimming bringing her back to sense. No! She didn't want to cry. Swara left a huge sigh and wiped her tears roughly. She needed peace and only painting would do for now.

~

"Your favourite Chai." Sanskaar placed the chai in front of her but she seems so lost looking at the city through the glass panel.

Swara had been coming here for months everyday but he had never seen her gloomy. Not even for once! She could usually chirp whenever she got her order and give a bright smile.

"Swara?" He shook her shoulder slightly breaking her trance.

"Oh.. wait I didn't place any order." She looked at the hot streaming chai in front of her.

"I thought you would like it since you seems to be lost in your own dream land." Sanskaar sat with her after making sure all the customers are served and no was waiting.

"No Dreamland." She said bluntly taking the chai in her hand. Swara felt so troubled today because for the first time she didn't find peace she usually gets everytime when she splashed paints on the white canvas, let her hand slid down to make a rough picture and get the picture of the mood she goes through.

Sanskaar would see his friend looking troubled and definitely he didn't like it. It felt so different seeing the girl who's all happy and chirpy now sitting as if her life had ended.

Swara sipped in the chai, smelling the aroma of it. It somewhat soothed her urging heart.

"Okay let's do something interesting. You have to count from one to ten and after every number, I'll tell you what I like from you." He paused. "May be this could cheer you up?.. " He left his last question hanging. Swara sipped her chai and looked at him.

"Sanskaar not--"

"You won't reject it. Remember I have a blank promise of today morning's? Here you go I'm using it." He declared. He was not going to leave his friend alone. He did wanted to ask her the reason behind her silence but then he didn't want her to cross her comfort zone just for him. Atleast, he could help her smile this way.

"Please." He batted his eyes innocently pleading her and she could reject too. Maybe she should give it a try? Urgh... Okay.

"Fine, let's do this." Swara weakly whispered. Sanskaar's eyes brightened with a huge smile of satisfaction. Why not?! He had made her agree.

"One."

"Let's keep that for the last. Say the next number." Sanskaar said.

"Sanskaar this is so unfair. Just because you said I am in the game and you--" He quickly spoke.

"Just this one I swear! Trust me." Sanskaar pleased her again.

"Okay, one last time." She breathed. "Two."

"Your smile, they are beautiful yet contiguous enough to make another smile seeing you."

"Are you flirting with me?" She rolled her eyes.

"Truth cannot be denied, my lady." He gave one of his brightest smile to her.

"Three."

"They way you are. You're strong and independent. It's not like everyone can be like that and I admire a lot of it from you." Sanskaar stated another one and it was one of his favourite when it comes to her.

"That I am." Swara admitted. She loved being self dependent rather than depending on any others and that's why she always chose 'Swara' and not 'Swara Gagodia'.

"Four."

"They way you carry the nude colours look gorgeous when you wear. You looked so so beautiful that I doubt why the bar counter in the party didn't catch up fire. Maybe, they used fire implementations before hand."

"God! That was so cheesy!" Swara exclaimed with a chuckle.

"Hey I am stating only true facts." He threw his hands up dramatically.

"Five."

"You value friendship. I seriously stan you for the way you texted me last night without hesitation. You didn't see what day or time it was and you conveyed the message. I always wanted to have night chats with my friends and gladly you made it happen."

"If you like chatting at nights then count as it's already done because from now on I'm going text whenever I get up." Swara grinned. She always wanted company at nights and it seems she's getting one.

"I'll be honoured, my princess." He bowed his head accepting her words.

"Six."

"You're straight forward. Like literally damn straight forward you know. They way you spoke in the family time party about what others speak and didn't give a damn to other's negative opinion in front of so many people and media gained so much respect for you in my heart." He stated another fact again. This will also be among his favourite list of hers.

"That hails from my mother and I'm glad you see it positive." Swara smiled again. Not everyone admire straightforward people and maybe that's why her Sharmistha mother was not liked by all unless they know her personally.

"Seven."

"They way you see positivity and happiness in every small thing. It takes so much courage to see positivism while it's almost all about negativity."

"Life teaches so many things Sanskaar and that's one of the lessons I learnt from it." She whispered softly.

"And that makes you more beautiful." He said and she smiled.

"Eight."

"I envy your bond with Jay. It makes me so jealous for not having a best friend." Okay, he actually didn't plan to say that but then it turned out worthy when he saw her laugh.

"Jealous? Seriously Sanskaar? We both taunt each other, tease each other, kick and punch each other but then we stand for each other. Don't worry I already consider you as my best friend." Swara chuckled at her last sentence.

"Am I? Then don't tell me you'll kick and punch my handsome face." Sanskaar caught both his cheeks dramatically.

"If needed I will. Like, you already got the glimpse today. I teased and pulled a leg out of you didn't I?" She winked.

"You did and I will take revenge sooner." He huffed remembering it.

"Make a way for ninth."

"Your attitude. You don't give a damn to people who judge you but when they did you make sure to zip their mouth with your actions." Sanskaar said.

"Again, it's a pick up from mother. You know parties and all have kind of person and of course I had to be my own protector rather waiting to be protected." Swara reasoned and Sanskaar already had a I'm very impressed look on his face.

"Atlast, tenth." Swara was actually excited of what he was going to say this time.

"Ten consists of what digits?" He asked leaning towards the chair.

"One and Zero." Now Swara was totally confused of why he asked such a question.

"Remember I hadn't told you anything on one? One's you. And it only about you inspite of all the numbers and reasons people say and I am Zero for you." Sanskaar paused for a minute to see her still waiting for him to complete patiently.

"Zero may not have value when it stands alone but definitely increases the value when it stands with one. I could like to say that no matter what me, this zero is never going to miss the one." By now Swara had totally forgotten everything and was all smiling due to his words.

"Aww! My dear zero flirty friend." Swara chuckled softly.

"You can count on me anytime and I'm so glad that you back from your gloomy face to this cheerful one." That was when Swara had realized that he played so well that had totally forgotten everything that made her gloomy before.

"Thanks Sanskaar." She truly was.

"Don't be because I didn't do anything except saying the best things about you." Sanskaar smiled.

"Sanskaar! Where are you instead of being in the bill counter?" Swara and Sanskaar turned to the bill counter where customers are standing with the chef.

"Oh shoot! I'll be back." Sanskaar rushed to the bill counter, apologized to both them.

Swara laughed at his expressions but then she surely admired him. She wished everyone should have a friend like Sanskaar but then not everyone is as lucky as her, are they?

☆As dark as I am,
I was about to drown
But then you pulled me up and
showed me light.

So I promise to find light,
adore you with all and
every bits and pieces of
mine.☆

Okay, how many of you like Sanskaar here? (I definitely love him)

What do you like from Swara and Sanskaar?

Votes and comments have decreased, but then seen have increased.... Thanks.

Love,
Diya❤