"I won! The ice cream belongs to me now brat."

"Shona!!! It's unfair!"

Mia made a huge fuss. Like how? She always won the Monopoly game when Aditya or Jay played against. But it was the opposite in regard to Swara.

Swara laughed. An evil laughter, it was as her hands got hold of the chocolate ice cream tub. She does not have a big heart as her dear brother and bestie.

The little one's tantrums were an entertaining watch. Not until Mia's protectors (Aditya and Jay) came to the rescue but till then, it was her time.

"Swara? I've got something for you." Reema strode towards them, a flyer in her hand. She just took a spoon of ice cream but paused at Reema's call.

"All okay maasi?" Swara enquired. Reema's tone was not quite normal and she could vouch for it. Taking the chance, Mia snatched the tub away. Sneaky brat!

"I am. You have to see this." A confused Swara took the flyer and in the next few seconds her hazels darted. The flyer was a golden bomb!

"Piano recital competition at Richards in front of Juilliard school's professor as jury, this is my call." The rush of thrill in Swara's veins almost made her squeal. Reema had a soft smile.

Juilliard school, New York has topped the list of best five music schools in the world for years. What a great privilege it would be to showcase her talent under such adept eyes.

"I am doing it maasi." Swara's hold on the flyer stiffened, "I have to make it." A soundless whisper it was. There remained a promise to fulfill and a last battle against demons to be fought.

Challenges; many that may drain her spirits down and nothing about them feared Swara. Indeed, it was a little late yet the time had come and she was ready.

"Pi-aano" Mia spelled the word with a lot of difficulty as she leaned on Swara's arms, "Shona. That big black thing you play?" It should be, the paper had the same picture as one her sister used.

Swara chuckled. She pulled her little one closer, "The very one." With the answer, her thumb wiped off the ice cream traces from her cheeks.

"It is huge." Dramatic eyes and wide arms, that's how Mia animatedly described the piano only to earn laughter from both.

A glance back to the flyer, Swara stood up to face Reema, "I was five when I asked you to teach me piano. You took me under your wings, guided and corrected everytime there was a need."

Reema seemed stunned. To think, Swara barely reached Mia's height when she asked to teach her piano. At the moment, she could still figure out the same gleam on her hazels; just a little older and a lot wiser.

"Now that I stand to face another recital after years, would you be the very piano teacher again for me?" Swara wanted the assurance despite how obvious the answer had been.

"I may not go as easy as you think. Be ready for it." Reema's fake strictness melted the very moment Swara gave a bear hug that made her smile.

"Can I leave?" Swara rolled her eyes. Mia and her drama; this girl would be better off with dramatics and not the fashion company her mother built for her.

"Please do and return the ice cream tub to the one that it belongs to, thanks." She pointed the tub and was back to clinging on to Reema which made Mia whin more.

Reema played the silent spectator throughout the sisters banters and it only made her muse of a thing,

Good days were returning.

~

Done.

A glance of all the notes he took and satisfaction filled him. Sanskaar cleaned up the desk as he stood up to place back the books on the shelf.

Not a long time since their boards ended, yet, Sanskaar already had to get ready for the entrance exams for law school. A good handful of days were there for the exam and he was quite determined to achieve.

The visits to the public library came handy to his aid; sooner the frequency turned constant and it became a part of daily routine. It was one of those times that made him feel productive.

Sanskaar settled down the books in its own racks except for one. That one was all the way from the other side, so he strode to the particular place and paused.

There remained a piece of paper, specifically at the place he had to keep the book. Sanskaar turned to either side, his brows shrink in confusion when he found none.

It should be okay to ignore - he arrived at that decision. Afterall, someone's note was not his to read, it would only be an inappropriate act.

Sanskaar took the note and slid the book to its place. Just as he placed the note back, the particular cursive in that paper caught his eyes. That writing--- it was oddly familiar.

Okay, a very familiar one. Sanskaar's internal debates ceased the moment he opened the note. Hers. It brought a huge smile on him.

Dear library dwelling smarty,

A quick note to remind you - Juliet is devoid of Romeo's warmth. Give a pause to your LONG studious study session so that she can reach you.

Good lord! Sanskaar could not get rid of those cheeky grin at the indication of a slight complaint but more of her longing in the note. Cute.

So she must be here, looking at him but somewhere in the shadows. Well! It would be perfect timing to show what a damn good catcher he was at hide and seek.

Vibration. Sanskaar's eyes shot through those gaps so he could view the other side of the shelf. So she was there. A victory smirk spread through his features and he rested his phone down.

On the other side, Swara's lashes shut in frustration with strings on curses on the edge of her tongue. She did everything with so much caution to be caught like that? A phone call's vibration?

Sanskaar and his ways to discover things; no wonder law was his ambition. But Swara had other plans. Escape. Yes! Because no way could she get caught like that, can she?

Swara took steps, very minimal that hardly anyone can hear her walk. She can do this, do anything to save herself from being embarrassed.

Left and Right, no sound - With those words in repeat, Swara moved in alert to the edge of the shelf. She would run into the other section and he would never know. Like never!

Swara rose up, still low for anyone from the otherside to notice the presence. Thanks to the books. Her toes were about to hurry until a certain voice paused everything.

"Juliet wanted me but now that I am here, has she gone-- or hiding under my nose?"

Busted.

If anything, Sanskaar wanted to laugh aloud for what he saw; a little deer caught in headlights.

"Hey! Actually I--" Excuses! Something. Anything would do! She had to run her dumbfounded mind to get one, "My earring-- yeah! It fell. So I am looking for it."

"Oh" He kept a casual step forward, a mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes, "By the way which earring?" To Swara's wide eyes, his smug smile came to be an answer, "Real one or fictional one?"

Sanskaar's fingers trail through the free strands that certainly ended behind her empty earlobe. Empty. Can someone dig her a nice borrow so she can stay there forever?

Swara refused to look at him; not any more as she turned away. Rather, Sanskaar closed the distance and wrapped his arms around her.

"What are you doing?" She gasped.

"There was a complaint," He muttered gently into ears from behind, "So it's the duty of Romeo to take care of Juliet's needs, isn't it?"

He was close; threateningly close for his warm breaths seemingly caressed her earlobe. Sanskaar could be such a big tease at times and she'd let him be.

Because Swara missed him. A lot. His warmth and him, even if it was for hours of separation. Her cravings had become larger in regard to Sanskaar and her boy gladly gave in. 

Post the church confession; their equation only turned stronger. Sanskaar had loosened up too much that he depended on her; mentally and emotionally.

Sanskaar missed her too. With Academics and odd-jobs doing him apart, it was Asha and Swara who kept him sane throughout as always.

"I have something to say." One of the biggest reasons she wanted to meet him today.

"Tell me." He nudged softly as his cheek rested by the side of her head.

Instead, the piano recital flyer was passed on to Sanskaar's hands. Each word he read, his grasp on her slackened. She turned to face him.

"And?" Sanskaar waited. The flyer contained a lifetime opportunity. Swara wanted to take music as her career but again this one, the choice was hers - to take or not.

"I'm in for it."

"What!" The moment his high pitched voice came, Swara pressed a hand against his lips, "Goodness! We are in the library." She chided in a whisper.

But that does not affect him. No. Excitement, curiosity and happiness - Sanskaar couldn't keep calm after what she said.

He had witnessed Swara's struggles to fight battles against her trauma. To see her grow more in a much more positive state, only made Sanskaar proud.

"Give me the dates, I'll book my seat in the first row. God! I can't wait to see you on stage." Last time, he missed the chance of seeing her play those keys live rather than being stuck to the phone's screen.

Life did present numerous hurdles; some better, many worse but it also gave her best people around. After a long winter, she saw the spring coming in her life.

Swara smiled; everything was just perfect.

~

Headquarters of Gagodia Industries towered among the rest of the buildings in the locality. Even at past thirty of three in noon, people seemed to be on a run with several features on their faces.

Some normal, some frustrated, some barging on the call about deadlines - Life at business firms were hectic. Glad, her passion was teaching.

No wonder, every profession came with its own pros and cons. But hers gave her a handful of days of holidays to breathe in and out freely. No deadlines. No stress. Just her own time.

Pavithra's musings halted when her mobile pinged with a message, Out in 7 - Aditya. Lately, he's been busy. Project making, document reviews and to add in - he had to check in the recruitment process too.

Five days down and she'd be meeting him only today. Pavithra missed Aditya. But they had no choices. Definitely not when their career was involved. So glimpses as these made them survive.

Short yet Special. Pavithra's thumb stroked his name on the screen. The noon had been breezy. Very breezy that it brought almost all her locks out of the messy bun.

Pavithra tugged away the hair clutch and turned to the side the wind blew. But what she didn't expect was to collide with someone. Instantly, her feet staggered back.

"I'm sorry."

"What's the apology for?"

Alarms blared inside her. Because the person infront of Pavithra was someone she had to meet. Someday. One day but her dear fate played good cards.

Shekhar Gagodia stood regal. Eyes muted with judgement as he read her - amused and shocked.

"Your collision? Or the destruction you bring upon my son's life?"

The question seemed abrupt and absurd that Pavithra couldn't articulate a proper reply. Shekhar looked on; her steady gaze and only silence greeted him back.

"Aditya spends blood and sweat at Gagodia Industries. Each minute of his becomes money. As if ruining his personal life wasn't enough that you came to disturb him at his workplace?"

Ruin, Disturb and destruction - so that was how Senior Gagodia viewed her. Pavithra's heart paced in rage but on the exterior, she remained cool and calm.

"Sir, you are mistaken. Totally, about me and my today's intentions."

"Am I?" Shekhar scoffed, "Then speak about your intentions and about you-- well, I have enough information on my table Miss. For a lady who has no blood to call her own, what makes you think I'd let you into my family? Be my son's wife?"

Words plunged into her wounds like a knife. It stung; bled; enough to bring moisture to Pavithra's eyes. But that doesn't falter her. Not yet.

"I once had a family too Mr. Gagodia. Once-- before I lost it all to some brutal incidents." She gulped away the ache, "I carry the pain of that partition that makes me aware; to cherish my people every second. Not all people we love have to be our blood, do they?"

Shekhar's cold facade stayed yet the chaos the lady stirred with words kept him mute. Instead he noticed her actions. There's fury in her eyes yet she held a calm demeanor .

"As for my today's intentions-- Sir, you speak about your son's shedding blood and sweat. Indeed, he works more than required that he skips food. I'm just here to remind him."

"Intentions I seek for." The voice brought the two to a halt. Aditya joined them coolly, a hand slightly pressed to her back and eyes set only for her.

"I asked you to be in." A half complaint it was. He wanted her in but she refused to enter,  "The answer was given." Pavithra's gaze shifted to the tote bag on her shoulder.

"Good afternoon Mr. Gagodia." Aditya made a formal greeting, the usual way and does not wait for the acknowledgement. Shekhar's jaws hardened at that.

The warm steel box made a small distance between the couple, "Dare you skip your lunch again." Pavithra's warning had no obligation effect on Aditya. It only made him grin wide.

Along with the box, she handed over a small flask. Must be some chai. Home food - ah! He missed it. Yet, not more than her. Everything about his lady was home and he only yearned for it more.

Pavithra could feel his arm gently sweeping her to his side. Before she would protest, a soft kiss on her hair melted away everything.

"You should go." Aditya understood the hint with a sigh. He's got work to attend; needed decisions to make, projects to look after--- as a businessman not a normal person.

"After you." A routine he always followed. After her at any time. Pavithra took a proper look at him for a minute before she forced her dear heart to part ways.

She switched her focus to the Senior Gagodia who was still hard and cold,"Good day sir." On that formal greeting, Pavithra set off her way back home-- a part still lingering there.

Aditya stood there. For a while until she vanished among people and the setting. Just a little more endurance at the office and he'll go back to HIS HOME. At no time. He sighed.

"Hoping to spend the evening too here Mr. Gagodia?" Shekhar glared at the commentary and an unwavering Aditya left to resume his pace of work.

Shekhar Gagodia was still hawk eyed; enough to know the brewing bloom Aditya and Pavithra had. They shared a strong bond- very much stronger than he ever thought it to be.

And that girl--- he disliked her. Such a disaster she did out of his son's life that he was still enraged. Yet; apart from these things- there was something about her.

Brilliant choice of words. Sharp. Polite and caring. If Shekhar had to view Pavithra on a general basis, she impressed him and there was no denying.

But would he agree to it?

~

Sanskaar pressed a door ring. The beam on his face unfazed even though the sun had set hours before. Piano recitals. Asha would make a ruckus out of happiness if she knows.

Asha held Swara dear to her heart for the longest time, even before Sanskaar knew her. It was given that she kept her in prayers and hoped for the best always.

The door lock clicked open. Just like that, the smile he strived to keep away disappeared. Yet Asha stood there, lips curved up and not the usual.

A blink of an eye and Sanskaar knew she was not fine. Who was she kidding? Her grandson could tell things were wrong in a blink, even if she hides.

Once they entered, a hand went to Asha's forehead. Warm. She was running a fever. It tugged Sanskaar's heart for a moment and a myriad of emotions flooded in.

Flashes ran like a film in his mind. Most of them were about him. Only him. Alone in front of a ward and a door parting him away from Asha-- a sick one. Sanskaar was quick to push those thoughts back.

"It's just a mild fever Sunny."

Asha tried to soothe him. But he had turned deaf ears to her. To the comfort she wanted to provide. Instead, he took up the serious mother hen role.

Her young boy did everything- from making her eat, taking tablets and getting her to bed. Sanskaar placed a damp cloth on her forehead,

"Sanskaar--"

"Rest dadi. I'll wash the vessels and come."

And he left. Washing vessels- a nice way to escape from her sight. Asha sighed. Few hours earlier, she was happy because her grandson seemed back to his elements.

A happy Sanskaar she wanted to see-- that smile which lit her whole world. He was just there. Until, her own self had to shatter it away.

It felt like a reminder- a reminder he kept refusing. A reminder she could not forsake. She was a burden that detained Sanskaar from living a joyful life he deserved.

No amount of tears washed away that guilt for her. Rather all it gave was pain in multiple. Times as these, even sleep was far off until the consumed meds came for a rescue.

Asha's droopy lashes finally rested for a sleep. Her last view was a closed door she waited to be opened but it never did.

Because a blood shot eyed Sanskaar slipped in late. Knowingly. The fever had not gone down yet. He replaced another damp cloth as he sat beside the sleeping lady.

Pale skin of hers turned into a lighter shade of red, eyebrows knitted by the restless flu she's caught with. Asha was fighting so hard and he could do nothing for her.

Not even for a fragment, a fiction, Sanskaar could think about a life without Asha. Life would become bleak, a disaster and a never ending sorrow would drown him forever.

Sanskaar needed her; to see him achieve things, to shoulder him up like now and to be with him. So she has to be healthy-- for a long, long time.

Till then, Sanskaar was not ready to let go of her. Just-- not yet. His clenched fist held the bed sheet beside Asha. He did not touch her but seeked comfort in her warmth.

Silent tears drenched his face. For the world, Sanskaar was a mature one who carried and balanced his life and Asha's.

But they never knew- he was still that boy; in one of those waiting wards in the hospital's lobby afraid of losing and becoming alone.

A/N: 20 days late. There's a haywire in my life but if anything that keeps me sane is these babies ♥️ Hope you'll are good.

Love,
Diya ✨