The windy breeze aroused the dominant earthy air rendered damp by the drizzle showers from the morning. A musky- sweet smell from all the pile of crisp leaves in scarlet, bunrt gold and sugar brown hinted melancholy despite the radiating post noon sun above them.

"Careful."

Sanskaar walked ahead in caution steps as fallen leaves scattered and twigs on the way crackled beneath every footing they took ahead to reach the top point. Swara followed him, not a word uttered as she devoured the beautiful sight of how the trees stood with vaguely a leaf or two left in the twigs and gave go of the rest to the ground.

He took the larger step, apparently the last and turned to face Swara who studiously observed the large step and streched to take it by herself. When he offered a hand to assist, Swara ignored the help royally and took the step with a win grin.

The grin no longer remained as her foot slipped, but on the moment Sanskaar was able to catch her hand on the right time with a gasp and pulled her towards him, "You stumble too much these days." The breathe that hitched escaped along the words as a hand held her arms and other supported her back.

Swara sighed in defeat, her fisted hands on the collar of his jacket detached slowly that brought back cold in the tips of her fingers but she remained still, "And you manage to catch me somehow, everytime I fall." Swara replied before retrieving herself from his hold to walk ahead leaving him stunned behind.

For instance, Swara never knew she would blurt such a fact out but she didn't mind for the cause it might create. It was an undeniable truth- she falls and he never lets her to and for sure she knew Sanskaar already knew the actions he does.

"I see, this is your hiding place?" She willingly changed the subject and Sanskaar nodded on the take, walking to reach her side, "We used to come up here everytime we wanted to breathe a lot of good air and to charge our lost hope- Old man and I."

Hues of melancholy, nostalgia and loneliness would usually take toll of him by the end he used to reach up- he had always been a crying mess, for all the things he lost, unwillingly let go off. But very much unlike to the before, Sanskaar no more felt lonely or burden heaving him in tons. Maybe because he had a company? or... was it because of her?

"You should have brought me earlier. You dare to hide such a beautiful place from me, how cruel!" Swara faked a glare to his side and gained a crooked smile from him as they strolled to reach the end.

They settled themselves on the edge of the cliff to watch the city below their feets. Luscious shades of green seemed to be sprinkled in between the blocks of buildings coloured in variety of tints. The large lanes of the city were merely a stroke of black line from above and the peaks of mountains stood all mighty while the passing cloud pass by faintly kissed them.

"Why did you bring me here?" She asked, her legs wingled down and her hazels savoured the gorgeous view of the place. Swara was sure Sanskaar had personal attachments to the place from whatever she had observed- be it his words nor actions.

"To pause and breathe." He paused taking a glance of a blank Swara who stilled by the abrupt statement, "You keep tormenting yourself enough until there's nothing left to feed the demons. Days later you smile again, laugh again, converse again but then are you doing it all to convince others or yourself with that illusion that you are okay?"

Swara drew in a sharp inhale at the question Sanskaar effortlessly threw at her. It hurted as if he had touch the raw bruise she managed to cover from others sight. Her eyelids fluttered often, he awaited for her answer, "Sanskaar I- I--"

"So I was right, wasn't I?" Sanskaar sighed in defeat for he though knew the answer somewhere he didn't want it to be true, "That's why we are here. For you to take an ample amount of air to your lungs that often troubled you with breathlessness."

A month had passed from that dreadful night which let all her possessed demons free from the holds, a week since Aditya was back to their residence on good terms with his healing injuries. Yet the impact left behind surfaced to haunt her at times.

She couldn't wrap her mind with the matter of fact that how deftly Sanskaar could see her beyond the skins that was supposed to be an hindrance on the way. To think of, it made her feel stripped at the rawness he confess about her but oddly an sense of comfort comes along- someone understood her too.

"I don't see you paint for a while." Sanskaar asked suddenly after he noticed the silence got her time to  ponder with thoughts that would trouble her more, "Because painting at such gloomy mindset will be reflected on the canvas. You'll find all shades of grey on them if I do, something I would dislike for wasting time."

"Then sketch a picture." Swara saw him open the bag he had carried all way long only to take a drawing book out, a few carbon pencils of her choice, "It was all pre planned right!" Sanskaar grinned as he handed over the stationary to her. 

Swara flipped the new book in disbelief, her fingers clutched the pencil that didn't touch the blank page yet, "What should I draw?" She mused aloud and looked at him, "You asked for it now get me a theme."

The demand of hers made him chuckle nevertheless of the piercing stare of anticipation he received from the side. Sanskaar shifted his gaze around- the sky with a sun's radiance hidden by the dull clouds and the city under them, "Something that deals with light or a fragment before dusk appears?"

"Fragment before dusk. Light." She repeated running her mind wild for a clear picture to imagine and portray. Sanskaar gave her the space to think and looked at his wrist, they still had an hour and three quarters for the sun to set.

Just then a very memory flashed to enlighten her, Light- she chanted and Swara knew it was one perfect fragment to give that name, "I got it!" She exclaimed and the very moment the pristine page had random strokes of charcoal for the picture to be made.

Swara would not let him see her sketch, not even a glimpse of what she had engrossed herself with. To throw all his naughty ideas to take a peek of the picture into gutters, she sat facing him and drowned into the book. After a fair amount of try Sanskaar gave up from the mission and embraced the defeat.

The screeching sound of the pencils and a click of her tongue when she goes wrong was all he could hear from her side. Sanskaar would take a glance of her at times, of how her slender hands actively made strokes and shades, how her hazels had uninterrupted focus on the paper and how she didn't mind the strands of locks that hanged and swaved in the mild abundance of wind.

Out of all the layers she owed, this Swara took his breathe away in a captivating way- for the serenity of expression she gave when everything went her way, a soft smile that lingered all long and her eyebrows creased when made a mistake and eventually relaxed. For all the good and odd cause he felt more drawn to her.

Sanskaar quickly shrugged off those thoughts, something she should have done from the start- he sneered at his self and stared back to the city and sky that was all set for the dusk to break, "Swara, look!" He pointed at the sky.

The pencil that had shaded and stroked symmetricals finally halted on his voice, Swara took a glimpse of him and back to the sky where he pointed at.

The gloomy clouds turned into dark ashen in colour as it slowly pave ways for streaks of gold to smear and streak all across the fading blue in a spectacular way. The striking gold gaint waves seemed to be sent from heaven to remain grey cloud and gold sky can appear at the same time before the day ends. Gusts of cold wind rustled the withered leaves to mourn loudly as they brush and swirl from the ground.

"I wish the moment to just pause for a while." The autumn was reaching its closure and unlike the prior years, Swara felt as if autumn had personally happened to her. The past demons made her to wane and wilt by the end, at the moment she stood blank watching her slowly let go off painful things willingly this time.

"Time waits for none, even if you stop to breathe seconds turns minutes. All we could do is to cherish today for the tomorrow and the next days." Sanskaar let a internal sigh. He had brought Swara have that kind of a 'today' without the social masks she used to wear with elegance. Unknowingly, it had healed him too.

"The winter is coming." He commented. Sanskaar could already feel the wind thickened with wisp of chill that lingered along, enough to bring cold to their bones, "I guess." Swara whispered back, a unknown weight finally settling down and peace spreading inside her as she stared at the sun set.

"We got to leave before the sun disappears." Sanskaar casted a look at the dusking sun and back to Swara, "I haven't completed the sketch yet!" She blinked as she examined her almost completed drawing. There was still a part she hadn't shaded in the background and few touch ups to be done to complete it.

"You still wouldn't let me see?" He leaned forward in excitement and Swara embraced the book closer to her with her arms wrapped around, "I'll show you once I am done." She giggled to the disappointed glare he threw at her.

"Atleast tell me what it is about?" They stood up, eyes still caught upon the fading sun that slowly lowered to reach its horizon, "Something like that." Her finger pointed towards the dying sun, "A last sight of light before everything became unmoving and everything dinmed into dimmed in to utter darkness."

For a second, he was bewitched by the phrase Swara used to describe. It sounded so beautiful with an aura of mystery that added more glory towards the unknown potrait, "You make me impatient by the very description."

"And I await for your review when I complete it." A beam of a smile and the glimmer in her hazels enlightened her face. The potrait and the memory was indeed too special to her, too personal that she couldn't help herself from wanting to share it with him.

"Let's leave?"

"We'll leave."

~

The dusk fell for the moon and stars to grace its beauty presence to the world. Close to quarreling at each other, Sanskaar finally gave in for Swara to walk to her house alone. As usual, Swara had a victory grin to piss him off to show she easily manage to make him slide for her commands at the end.

As they parted ways, Swara walked through the empty lane with a huge smile at the profound memory of watching sunset together. Though a part of her didn't want to clutch those memories very close, not until Sanskaar gave a reply. But she couldn't help the joy that bubbled in her heart.

For all instance he himself told to her to cherish 'today' irrespective of 'tomorrow', hadn't he? So for the day, her favourite sunset and her favourite person made her happy... a lot more happier comparing to all the few days she had even forgotten to smile.

Swara entered her street and the very moment the flickered streetlights abruptly turned off leaving the street with no lights. The smile on her lips faded and her eyes fluttered profusely on that take. Sanskaar.... she turned but then Swara knew he could have already reached his flat.

Her breathing turned shallow as her heart pounded against her chest at the leaking anxiety in her. Swara left a heavy sigh to keep her sane, "Just few steps and you'll reach the house. Don't panic!" She chanted as she took small steps forward, the drawing book clutched against her frame.

Too much images flooded in her vision and Swara gave a tuff fight to keep them on bay, no she was not going to let that happen. Occasionally she inhaled and exhaled through her mouth to keep herself calm until she could reach her residence.

Everything was under control until the approach of footsteps from behind hyped the terror in her heart. With every step she took forward, the sound of the nearing pair of foot made Swara turn more colder in fear. She could no more concentrate forward, neither she could look behind for the horror she held.

"Don't panic!" Swara chanted again and again. Someone was behind her, their gaze boring into her head and she fisted her arms. No! She would not let that menacing aura capture her and even if one step falters Swara for sure knew she could be paralyzed in the spot.

Help! She needed help but much to her misfortune neither was anyone around nor she could scream for the lump that settled was too thick to break. Swara had her face half titled to be cautious of the steps that still lingered in her ears.

Her feet paused when a flash of light flared against her face. Swara blinked, her fingers reached in the mid way to block the light and just then when the light was lowered she breathed. A sigh of relief washed over her sense.

Nothing mattered to her- the fear, the panic, all vanished and solace slowly gently settled in her heart. Swara gathered all the ocean of courage to run and clapsed her arms around him, her breath still rattled and her heart pounded loud to her ears.

The very moment, the streetlights gained the power again and the light bathed both of them in gold, the dark shadows that surrounded them was no more in view. The light shone brighter to enlighten the street.

The phone he held in his hand as a source of light slipped from his hold when Swara embraced him.
A step faltered behind but Sanskaar already had a hand raised to touch her, the shock of someone finding comfort and safety was something he had never expected.

Taking a second for himself he finally retrieved to embrace her closer in his arms. Swara didn't want to see ahead, for the darkness still scared to extends to hear noises she didn't want to. Instead she basked his warmth against her cold skin and the feeling of being held.

Sanskaar stroked her hair in gentle touch every rattled breathe she took, his own pulse throbbed in his throat, "I'm here. You're safe." He assured. Swara replied nothing in return but let his words settle down her pounding heart.

The owner of the approaching steps stood in front of them, worry etched all over his features. Sanskaar threw a glance up and back to Swara who seemed to be stable but didn't want to let go of him, "It's Jay, Swara. No one else."

Jay? Swara slowly detached herself from the hold still facing Sanskaar as he affirmed with a nod. The instilled fear of being watched all long made her a little hesitant. Nevertheless when she turned to meet Jay Swara left a heavy sigh and sat on her foot.

"You know my phobia and still-- huh!" She accused at Jay and buried her head in her legs. Jay looked concerned, he should have taken her name instead of wanting to surprise her in a silly way. Sanskaar casted a look on both of them.

"Who asked to keep your heart in sleeves?" Jay tried to make the circumstances lighter enough to gain a sharp glare from her side, "You ask for a beating, I see!" Swara gritted as she got up.

"Sanskaar you go home I'll go with her." Jay informed with a smile, "Yes Sanskaar you should go. I have some accounts to settle with this dumbo." Swara said seething.

"Danger calls me." With every step he took behind, Swara walked to reach him and in a very second Jay already dodge the grab and started running, "Ya!", Swara yelled as she chased him to haunt her duffer best friend down.

Sanskaar watched the both chase all through the way until they entered they residence. The book she was unwilling to even share to him laid on the ground. He collected the book and his mobile and started his way back home.

The breathe he held unconsciously escaped his lips and he hand placed against his thumping heart that still flattered by the moment they had, "You were startled." Sanskaar excused himself with a reason, ignoring the emotion he felt.

When Asha unbolted the door for her dearest grandson to enter, she saw him walk past her without any greet and lost somewhere, "What's that look on your face Sunny?" Sanskaar jerked out from his thoughts, "Huh?" He turned.

"You usually have that kind of a reaction when you strongly want to reject but you aren't able to." Asha was quick to catch the truth from how his eyes widened. Sanskaar rubbed his nape, sure he knew she had noticed the change from stare she passed.

There was something that troubled him for quite a long time. Asha could not exactly point but she had witnessed the changes- some days he was the happiest and some times he seemed disturbed.

She walked closer to him, her eyes soft as she placed her hand over his cheek. Sanskaar seemed to be still for her action and let her do whatever she wanted, "The more you try to flee from something, the more closer you go towards it."

Those words held truth. For some odd reasons something or the other binded him to her and even without his own realisation, he reach her. All owes seemed to disappear in thin air, sparks of euphoria flew in him by her presence near him no matter how he ignores.

"We'll Dine?" Sanskaar pulled her hand off his cheek and placed a kiss on her knuckles to comfort her, "You should eat. I'll eat a little later." He excused himself and Asha agreed. Her dearest grandson needed a hold, the right thought to strike him for a clarity. She hoped for him to find that soon.

The minute back to his room Sanskaar dumped his bag lazily on the couch, the book dropped on the study and slouched on the chair. His mind reeled at how he had to pause at the abrupt current off, all his instant thoughts reached only for her at the moment.

He took the other route hoping for Swara to have reached earlier with the flash light on. And his legs faltered from the run to a slow run when he saw saw her walk, face to the side with all colours drained and only terror in her features.

And then she gazed at him, his arms that held his mobile lowered to not flash against her face. The expression on her face screamed how wordlessly glad she was, her tensed shoulder hunched a little and the book she clutched to her chest dropped as Swara rushed to him.

Sanskaar threw his head back on the chair and closed his eyes for some momentary peace. The coldness of her figure was odd against his skin, enough to leave faint touch to linger and remain on him. Sanskaar sighed, Swara drived him crazy.

He returned back to a proper position and opened his eyes only to be greeted by her silver butterfly ear piece on the table, aside the book. Sanskaar had not  touched them for a while for he feared the sense of evoked feeling that brought along. 

But the night, no fear held him back. Sanskaar held the piece in his fingers with such delicacy as if he handled a fragile glass, "I like you!" her words rung from the piece of memory. Sanskaar shook his head at that and looked everywhere else.

His eyes fell on the book, curiosity danced in those dark eyes. She had asked him to wait until the picture was completed, gave all those beautified verbal terms as description. But the craving to look into them made him greedy, maybe he'll take a smallest glimpse.

"Only a glimpse, I promise!" He mentally apologized to Swara as he reached for the book. Sanskaar flipped the cover of the book and his fingers effortlessly turn to the main page he awaited. His lips parted, eyes widened at shock.

Sanskaar stood up, orbs intented on what she saw on the picture. The strokes she had drew were precised in angles, shaded places all perfect and minute. He rush his mind for that particular fragment she had brought life too.

Her representation came back to him,

"A last sight of light before everything became unmoving and everything dinmed into dimmed in to utter darkness."

It striked him them, the picture should have been the portrayal of what she had seen when she had slipped into unconscious in his arms back in the hospital. How would she ever think like that? Sanskaar blinked, his ears all red.

He still couldn't believe she drew him with such minute details, the noon sun back in the setting she was yet to complete. Her verbal terms... she called him light with shallow words and deeper meaning.

Swara referred him to light so beautifully, confessed her liking towards him in a simple take and all the time he had been busy ignoring and dodging, "For how long would you run from yourself?"- his heart questioned.

He turned, the mirror reflected his own figure. The book still clutched on his hand and the ear piece possessed in his palms- they remind of her, only her.  For all the days of grins and grief they had shared still holds importance in him.

With Swara on his side all he could think of was only her and no one else, as if his entire concious and earth swirled only around her. To realise, Swara had slowly became the centre of his universe.

Sanskaar can not deny, never deny the emotions that beholds him along with every moment they weaved in sweet magic and burning flames. Would you be able to cease all of them? flip to a new chapter? or burn all of them? - his heart asked.

"No!" Sanskaar breathed. Just the thought itself had made him hiss painfully, bitterness seeping through his thoughts. Not even for a instant imagination he can think of being away from her, "No. I can't do it." He shook his head.

For all his life he knew love comes with flicks of bitter along and suffering comes to reach the sweet desire. Sanskaar had been a prisoner to certain memories and caged to fear and he do admit it. Maybe he had to do it rather than rebelling against, fighting with his own self.

"The more you try to flee from something, the more closer you go towards it."

Maybe it was time... Sanskaar looked at the ear piece and back at himself, a spark of clarity glowed his features. The ear piece should now return to the rightfully owner.

A/N: This was supposed to be posted yesterday as a Diwali present but unfortunately I couldn't get to do. Anyways, a belated Happy Diwali
you'll ❤️✨