Her eyes were fixed upon the stars that flickered on the dark blue - black night sky twinkling ever so brightly but she waited for the moon to shine forgetting it was a no moon day. The night cold breeze blew away all those hair strands that hide her face while her mind was not working, her unexpected meeting with that girl had left her in splits. She had no sense of time, neither the fact that it was past her dining time too and ever since she had come back she chose to come to the wine house that was in the garden, the favorite place in her entire house.

Her words still rang on her ears in loop from the time she returned back to her house.

"Swara Gagodia!"

Swara turned around only to face the one who called her. It was a girl who was probably her age walked downwards while Swara was sure she had seen her somewhere but she wasn't exactly remembering where she saw.

"You don't remember me or do you?" The girl passed a sarcastic smile towards her while Swara blinked her eyes in confusion. She momentarily closed her eyes to recollect where she saw her, ignoring the taunt that was passed on her.

"Ragini, my batch mate right?" Swara wasn't sure if that was her name but she now remember that she was her batch mate studying in the different class. She even played as Rosaline in the play.

"Wah! At least you remember that I am your batch mate, I thought you would like before." Ragini said with a tight lipped smile. Swara had no idea what she was talking about but hearing Ragini she was pretty sure that she knew her already but the question was how.

"Have we met before?" Without beating behind the bush, Swara asked Ragini without any delay.

"Expected! I have been waiting for you to come to this auditorium for six long years and there you are, now gracing your presence." Swara was taken aback when she heard Ragini say that she has been waiting for her, why would she?

"Long story short, you are exactly the same as you were six years ago Swara, we were competitors in almost every piano recitals while you always won, I was on the second place. The reason I was able to hang in there during the six years you were gone was because I believed that you'll come back, again!" Ragini said. The girl who was standing in front of with a surprised expression had no idea what she had done to her. It was Swara who ignited the flames in her heart to play the piano and when she was about to face the real challenge, Swara vanished. She didn't step into the auditorium again and later she heard that she had went abroad. But the flames she had set and left was never cooled down but rather it grew up more in intense.

No, she held no grudges against Swara but for once she wants to prove herself that she was worth it. She wanted Swara to listen to what she plays and compete with her fairly, that would only be the way she could reward herself for the struggle, time and hard work she had spent.

Swara was amused by the fact that Ragini  had been waiting for her all these years. She didn't find hate or disgust in Ragini's eyes but rather confidence and a fire unknown to her. But Swara knew she could not play the piano like before and she had no answers to give Ragini who waited for her all these years. Without a word uttered, Swara left the place leaving a confused Ragini  and the other set of pair who heard the conversation.

Reema who was searching for Swara in the entire mansion found her sitting in the wine house with her head on the window sill and staring at the stars but lost in her own musings. Shaking her head a little, Reema walked and placed her hand on Swara's head. Swara jerked a little at the sudden touch but relaxed when she saw it was Reema.

"I've been searching for you and here you are, staring at the sky as if they are going to vanish forgetting even your dinner time." Swara chuckled when she heard Reema's comment.

"Anyways I'm not hungry. Maasi, I didn't find the moon today." Swara pouted as her eyes again went back to the sky.

"Today's no moon day and you expect the moon to come today?" Reema said and Swara nodded in no saying, "I forgot."

"So how was your day?" Pulling a chair next to her, Reema sat beside Swara and waited for her to tell.

"Maasi mm-- do you remember any of my competitors named Ragini during my piano recitals?" Swara asked Reema since she had attended her recitals along with her while Reema was surprised. Swara very rarely spoke about her recitals and seeing her bring up the topic so sudden, Reema was confused and concerned for her yet she answered. 

"Yes, She always got the second prize after you." Reema still had a vague remembrance of how the little Ragini who usually comes with her parents and her piano teacher. Just like how Swara was exceptional in her play, Ragini too did her part well but the only difference was Ragini had her hands tremble if she goes wrong while Swara very seldom had any mistakes.

Swara sighed hearing Reema. Seems like only she has not noticed her, in fact she didn't notice anyone expect for her piano sheets and the grand piano. Reema placed her hand on her shoulder and Swara gave a assuring nod that she was doing fine. 

"Actually I met her today in the Richard's Auditorium." It was much of a shocker for Reema. Not even in the wildest dreams she thought Swara would get into that very auditorium but here she was sitting in front of her after going there like it was no big deal. 

Swara knew it should have shocked Reema when she looked at her with concerned and worried eyes, "And you wouldn't believe me maasi, I attended a recital and Sanskaar played the violin. I was nervous, I felt uneasy but the very moment I heard the piano--I didn't know what happened maasi but I managed to listen it. So I am in a good mood..." Swara continued telling everything that happened and Reema was extremely proud of her. Much to her delight, Swara looked much more composed and was not in a mess.

All of a sudden Reema hugged and Swara who was ranting stopped abruptly but then understanding why she hugged her, Swara smiled and tightened the grip.

"I'm okay!"

Reema smiled as she caressed her hair. She had witnessed the little Swara caring for everyone and not for herself in the daytime and at nights locking the door and crying herself to sleep, she had seen Swara tensing up just hearing about classical music instruments but today she was talking about it despite everything. She was proud to see the development in her.

"I know now let's get you dinner shall, we?" Reema asked while Swara nodded in yes.

On the other hand, Sanskaar was fidgeting with his mobile and was often checking out if he had got any messages or call. Though Asha was watching television, her head often turned towards the side where her grandson had been walking to and fro like a curious cat with his mobile and a restless face.

"Sanskaar we have a cat in our house and that too a big one walking to and fro as if it isn't fed good food." Asha spoke loudly changing the channels and Sanskaar who was busy musing over his own thoughts, halted when he heard Asha.

"Cat? I didn't know you grow cat gf. I'm only here except--" He halted his words when he realized that the cat was no one but himself. Pouting like a kid, Sanskaar walked towards her.

"Do I look like a cat to you? Why am I compared with a cat when I am so tall?" Sanskaar huffed while Asha let out a laugh. It was fun pulling his legs and see him chide and sulk like a kid.

"Well, that's why I called you a big cat if you don't like that how about dinosaur?" Asha continued her tease and making a frown, Sanskaar sat on the floor near Asha and placed his head on her lap.

Asha caressed his hair tenderly and watched him checking over his phone from time to time which was very unusual.

"What's the matter that my Romeo keeps looking at his phone?" Sanskaar pouted even more when he heard the word 'Romeo' and the person who keeps calling him like that.

"I've been calling and texting Swara but she hasn't replied any of it." He complained and once again took a glance at his phone with a frown. Sanskaar had been trying to reach her out by calling and texting to ask how she was doing since  she had headache earlier.

When he heard his phone ring, Sanskaar immediately lifted up his head with a bright smile and shining eyes. Finally, seems like his prayers have been heard. He took his phone and his smile dropped instantly when he realised it was a random loan call. For a second he thought it was her and much to his disappointment it wasn't. Seeing Sanskaar frowning Asha understood that it wasn't Swara.

"Am I missing out something?" Asha winked while Sanskaar looked at her with a 'duh' face.

"Nothing! She had headache so I want to make sure if she's doing well now." He retorted back and Asha laughed again nodding her head that she understood. Sanskaar least cared about the teasing session and his mind wandered only about his best friend. Huffing, Sanskaar placed his phone on the floor and dropped his head back on Asha's lap with his eyes still fixed on his phone.

Lanes away, After having a dinner and a heartfelt conversation with her Reema maasi, Swara felt much relaxed. She walked back to her room and she saw her phone lying on the bed. She had not touched her phone ever since she returned back from the auditorium and directly marched to the wine house with her personal dairy leaving other thing aside.

Swara unlocked her mobile only to see her phone notifying her with the messages and calls she had missed.

11 calls and 3 messages from JeeJay
32 calls and 56 messages from Sanskaar
2 calls from Aditi

Her eyes literally popped out 32 calls and 56 messages? Like Seriously? She quickly dialed his number and sat on the bed.

"Sanskaar take your phone it's ringing." Asha said as she eyed his mobile vibrating on the floor. Sanskaar shook his head in no and cuddled more into her lap.

"It would be some stupid asking me to get loan and I don't want to get disappointed again gf. If you want you pick up the call." He said still not budging about the call he was getting and Asha shook her head in disbelief as she took his phone. When she saw the caller ID, Asha spared another look at her grandson who was all stubborn not to pick up the call by himself.

"Sanskaar If I pick the call later I won't give it to you." Asha warned him controlling the smile.

"Some idiot will pick up the call and tell 'Hello madam, do you want loan in my company?' go ahead." Sanskaar said mimicking the usual lines of the woman who calls him at least twice a day despite saying he doesn't need one. He was so pissed off that Swara had not seen even a single text nor attend his calls.

"Don't regret later!" With that Asha picked up the call.

After an anxious wait for Sanskaar to pick up his call, Swara was much relieved when the call got connected unaware of the fact that it was Asha and not Sanskaar. 

"Sanskaar! I'm so sorry, I didn't check my phone at all from the time I returned until now. Is everything okay there?" Swara bombarded her apology not waiting for him to speak up at all. She knew he must have been worried about her since she didn't pick up the call nor acknowledged his messages and he might be upset too.

"I'm sure I don't sound like Sanskaar, or do I Swara? Asha spoke emphasizing her name so that her darling grandson can hear her.

Just with the mention of her name, Sanskaar lifted up his head abruptly and looked at his grandmother who had a sweet teasing smile.

"Dadi! You... actually I thought it was Sanskaar." Swara bit the corner of her lip. She didn't expect his grandmother to pick up the call.

"Gf is that Swara? Give me the phone." Sanskaar quickly forwarded his hand to grab the phone while Asha chuckled and lifted the phone up out of reach to him.

"Gf!" Sanskaar whined as he sat on his knees and after few minutes of struggling and whining he finally grabbed his phone and walked towards his room, only after asking his gf to sleep. Swara couldn't help but be in awe imagining how cute and sweet the duo were.

"How's your headache?" He asked and Swara explained how she hadn't touched her phone and she only saw the notifications now and after a 'hmm' he had uttered a single word.

"Sanskaar, I said sorry na then why are you so anger?" Sanskaar though heard her turned his ears deaf because he was all grumpy. Even after asking sorry for n number of times in the last fifteen minutes he still seemed not to budge.

"The person you're trying to call is not interested in speaking to you. Please try later." Sanskaar sat on the chair which was facing towards the open window. No way he's going to get convinced so easily after all the restless wait for four hours was such a pain he would let her know how it was at least in a small amount.

"Arey, okay wait. I'm coming to you're house so that I could convince you. You better keep your door open." Swara huffed. Convincing him was more over like being asked to move a mountain with bare hands.

"Now? I won't allow you so you better don't come." Sanskaar's immediate reply made Swara to smile. She knew he won't allow her to do because ever since she got hurt that day he's been protective, he made sure  of it.

"Sanskaar, you spoke with me." Swara beamed and that's when Sanskaar realized what he did and sighed. He could no way be angry or upset because his best friend  knew well which card would work on him.

"Fine! I'm excusing you only because you had headache before." Swara giggled at his words while Sanskaar rolled his eyes because he knew she found that he covered it up as couldn't keep up the facade.

And the conversation didn't end up there, it continued for a longer time. Asha who stood by the doorstep watched her grandson laugh and grin so carelessly and it only warmed her heart. The way Sanskaar had opened up to Swara was such a rare site.

When she and her husband, Manoj broke the news to Sanskaar she expected him to cry and question why but he never did that but rather chose to be silent. He showed no emotions that day and that's when the change happened. From then on Sanskaar was a different person for others excluding them.

The little child who always pestered to get fed started eating by himself because he thought it wasn't his right. It took full two months to convince Sanskaar that they did not love him any less than their own and that brought him back but then they knew the scar it made didn't allow him to trust and bond with anyone outside the house and now seeing him so happy only left Asha with smile and teary eyes, she wished her Manoj was alive to witness their grandson laugh carelessly and wholeheartedly. 

~

Three days later, it was another cloudy day on the autumn and occasionally sun would peak every now and then and hide behind the gloomy clouds but it didn't rain as well.

Sanskaar and Swara were sitting in a small restaurant relishing their snacks while passing banters on each other. But the plan was completely different, it was supposed to be group meet with their friends but unfortunately Jay was called by his football coach but he promised to reach them soon as possible, Aditi was stuck with her relatives who showed up suddenly as a surprise and Arya, as usual his mother was pestering him that he was not at all studying despite getting into top ten in the batch and he lost his cool which leaded to a argument and as the result locked himself in his room.

"Swara, I'm not asking you your entire cake. It's just a small spoon." Sanskaar complained while Swara nodded in no and taking the plate away from his reach.

"I don't share my red velvet so if you want get one for yourself." Swara said as she ate her cake and Sanskaar made a puppy face.

"Not even with your best friend? That's rude!" He pouted and Swara had no plans of sharing her favorite red velvet cake not to anyone.

"If that makes me rude then I am the rudest my dearest!" Swara chuckled and moaned in delight as she took another piece. Sanskaar huffed and looked away while Swara was busy enjoying the cake since she had it for quite a long.

Sanskaar watched a little girl, far away from them sitting on the piano stool with a bright smile as her small fingers touched those keys of the piano. Swara halted when her mind registered the sound of the piano and she looked around until she found the little girl playing the piano happily.

"She plays it well." Sanskaar commented and tore his gaze away from the little one to Swara as she didn't answer. Her eyes were fixed on the little girl and it shone just like how it does when she looked at stars, he knew that look.

"Swara, you know what song she plays?" He asked. Sanskaar had been curious to know if she knew how to play piano ever since his recital but then she had not mentioned it to him, not even for once! That wasn't so her.

"Ode to Joy by Beethoven." Swara was unconsciously answering his question while her entire concentration was on the piano. The moment she heard the music everything turned blur and she went back to the memory lane when she played the grand piano so happily.

"You know how to play don't you?" Sanskaar softly asked and Swara snapped out from her thoughts and looked at Sanskaar who was already looking at her.

"The autumn, I was eleven and suddenly I found myself unable to play it. So I had to quit playing and resume my life." Swara's voice was distant, her eyes were fixed on the piano and it was mere whisper, a painful whisper though.

The little girl missed a note and she found it difficult to cope up with the upcoming as well. Sanskaar noticed how Swara's hands were turning into a fist and her lips parting a little, urging as if she wanted to instruct her but couldn't go as if someone stopped her.

"You should help her out." Swara blinked her eyes. It's true that her fingers are urging to touch those keys and her legs wanting to walk towards it but can she do it?

Her eyes again went travelled back to the girl who was struggling.

"You can do it." Sanskaar softly took her hands in and gently squeezed it asking her to move forward. That painful whisper of hers has more vulnerability behind those words and he didn't ask her further too.

Swara stood up nervously and walked towards the girl while Sanskaar too walked with her. She wasn't sure if she could help but maybe she should try.

"Hey kid, how about we help you play it?" Sanskaar asked the little girl.

"Will you help me?" She looked up at Sanskaar with twinkling eyes and when he nodded yes, the little one beamed so happily.

"She'll help you." Sanskaar answered and looked at Swara who had her eyes misted and a myriad of emotions hitting her as she slightly roamed her hands over the keys with a sad smile gracing her lips. Sanskaar noticed every little expression of hers with a million of questions running in his own mind.

"Didi play it na." Swara was only back from her own musings only when she felt a tug. She looked at her side to see the little girl looking at her with hopeful eyes and waiting for her to play.

Leaving a deep visible sigh, Swara placed her right hand over the keys and sooner the restaurant was filled with the melody music created by the piano gaining everyone's attention. Her fingers moved so effortlessly and despite it has been many years since she had played the notes still felt so fresh just like she learnt them yesterday.

"Is that the same one the little girl was playing?"

"This is so beautiful."

Jay entered the restaurant sighing heavily since he had ran all the way from his coaching ground. And the moment he moved further inside, the rich sound of piano music filled his ears. Jay was only shocked and quickly walked further, the thought of Swara being in the place where the piano was playing worried him more. But the moment he watched the person who played the piano was none other than Swara stunned him.

Sanskaar heard people gush over the way Swara had been playing and he watched her with a soft smile. She looked so serene as ever with her eyes fixed on the piano and everyone was enchanted by the softloud music the instrument created that filled the restaurant. Sanskaar was dumbfounded with the way she played the piano so beautiful and he was sure he hadn't seen anyone play the song so beautiful and bright just like the song.

All of a sudden Swara had stopped playing, so abruptly and the entire restaurant remained silent. She felt her heart pound so fastly and heavily as she blinked her eyes rapidly as if trying to clear out the images that flooded in front of her and when her eyes fell on the piano she couldn't take it anymore, she felt breathless.

Sanskaar was confused seeing her stop like that and seeing her breathe so heavily with a troubled expression as if she couldn't breathe made him panic, "Swa--" Before he could even move forward towards her she ran out of the restaurant. Sanskaar followed her and managed to get a hold of her and when he did, Swara still looked horrified with tears brimming her eyes.

"Swara" Sanskaar called her out and shook her a bit holding her shoulders in a low voice, "Swara!" He called her again louder than before when she refused to respond to him and struggling with something. But she still looked the same, broken and vulnerable with wide eyes. She looked so pained and it hurted him to watch her that way. No, it looked much worst than how she looked during their last practice session in the night before the big day.

He pulled her into his embrace and wrapped his arms around her protectively irrespective of the place they were standing. He didn't mind people looking at them, some having a smile and some cooking their own story and throwing disgusting glares at their way as they were standing on the footpath. Swara still remained stiff, frozen and shocked at the outcome. Sanskaar softly caressed her hair and whispered sweet nothings in her ears but still seem not to budge.

But in very few minutes he felt her hold his shirt in a tight fist and very soon she broke into soft sobs hiding her face in his chest. She thought she could be able to play but she was wrong, sometimes even time don't have the capability to heal the inner wounds, it makes you grieve forever and despite all of that you got to live.

"I can't p-play!" She whispered repeatedly in a broken voice in between her sobs looking at him and Sanskaar couldn't wrap up the concept based on her words and actions. She told she had stopped playing the piano when she was eleven, at the same time the micro-play she played few minutes ago was way more than how any normal pianist students plays but the biggest question was what made her stop so abruptly?

"But why? What is it that you are afraid of?" Sanskaar asked softly, wanting to gain answers but Swara averted her gaze and unconsciously tightened her grip on him but still wasn't willing to answer.

He didn't know what he should say to calm her down, Should he say it's going to be okay without knowing anything? Saying it's okay to be won't make it okay, doesn't it? Instead he rubbed her and drew soothing circles on her back and held her more closer. He really wished he could take away everything that hurted her so that he could see her beautiful smile again.

Swara had somewhat calmed down but still stayed in his arms trying to pace her fast breathing and heart beat. Sanskaar let her do whatever she wanted and held her with his chin resting on top of her head and he occasionally stroked her hair as well. Feeling better, She moved herself away from him and closed her face with both her hands.

"Arey, what happened?" Sanskaar asked since she didn't let him see her face.

"Don't see my face." Swara answered in a sore voice sniffing a little. No way she was going to let him see her.

"Why?" He enquired more.

"I am not any television or movie artist who looks pretty after crying. So don't look at me." Sanskaar couldn't help himself but chuckle hearing her silly reason. Swara-- this girl knows exactly how to change situations in seconds, "Aww, that makes me excited. Let me see you." He held her hand both her hand and tried to remove it and even succeeded but then she turned away her face from him.

"You can't run away from this Romeo, My darling Juliet!" He teased as he held both her hands in one of his and he tucked those loose strands behind her ears that hid her face.

Her cheeks were damp and had lost their colour, eyes still red from crying, her voice was still hoarse but still she managed to play like she was all normal. Sanskaar wondered how she managed to light the situation and how long she has been doing this that she got used towards it?

"Sanskaar, stop looking at me. It's not like I look beautiful now." Only with Swara's whin, he came out of his thoughts.

"Nah! Even your damp cheeks, red nose, sore eyes and messy hair don't make you any less gorgeous." He pulled out a teasing smile as he bent a little to her height to see her face.

"Why do you even try when you know I don't flattered so easily?" Swara rolled my eyes at him while Sanskaar smiled and pinched her cheeks, Swara whined more.

"I couldn't help, you look too cute and adorable for your liking." Sanskaar chuckled as he saw her rub the cheek he pinched.

"You know what I am going." Swara started walking ahead and Sanskaar followed her like a lost puppy calling her name and trying to persuade her.

Jay had a ghost of a smile on his lips but of course he wasn't going to lie that he didn't feel jealous. Swara was his only best friend and seeing her cry made him so worried but at the same time when he saw Sanskaar carefully taking care of her, he was much relieved. Now Jay knew exactly what he had to do and was cent percent sure Sanskaar would help him out as well.

☆If you peek inside
   This made life of mine,
   Can you find
   My scars?
   I tried to hide
   Beneath my smile and tired eyes
   So that I don't get criticise
   For the ugly flaws of mine.☆

Hello everyone after so long time!

Longest update ever: 4760 words!!

This is because I took a long break than usual and as a result I don't know how it reached this much. I hope you all are satisfied with it.  I'll be back to the updating process like normal soon, just give me a little time because my online classes have started as well. Hope everyone is doing well.

Love,
Diya ❤️