Hey All,

Back with an update. 

Please ignore errors and typos. Happy Reading.

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Swara felt thankful Sanskaar didn't tease her before Annapurna. It's like he understood she's already embarrassed and didn't want to trouble further. It was only on Annapurna's insistence Swara agreed for Sanskaar to walk them back to the Bose House.

They walked behind Janaki and Dadi. Swara was the first one to talk. " Woh! I didn't know Annapurna aunty was your mother ...so..I mean I.." Sanskaar tried hard not to giggle but Swara was quick to catch him. He's laughing at her.

"What are you waiting for ! Go ahead! Tease! She grumbled with a pout, which Sanskaar always found adorable.

"You want me to ?" he asked, amused which had Swara tongue-tied for a second. Did she?

"No! It's not like that," Swara retorted quickly " I mean..I have seen in Mandir you looked as if ..I thought ..." Maybe she read wrong. What if he didn't want to tease her at all and she assumed it all.

"Well! Yes! " Sanskaar admitted with his usual sunny smile " I so wanted to but I am in two minds because..." he paused reading Swara's curious expression. "I have recently taken a liking for your blushing cheeks too. You do blush a lot when I tease you ...and I feel like kissing them So! " He grinned at the pink spreading on Swara's cheek.

"See!" he ran a finger fondly over her cheek, "This is what I was talking about. You better stop blushing .. I might kiss you right here!" He warned her teasingly and Swara exactly did what he expected. Her lips popped into an 'O'. Then came his favourite feat with eyes. Widen and Blink.

He pulled her close with a low laugh and looked straight into her eyes, those deep pools of caramel which always managed to steal his heart. Startled first, One look into those black depths, Swara forget everything. His grip, soft around her wrist, she felt the warmth seeping through her.

"Stop tempting me Swara! before I forget place and time." He said softly and felt her pulse jump under his fingers.

"Am I ?" Swara asked, not sure of her own voice losing herself hopelessly to him.

"You have no clue," Sanskaar whispered brushing a tendril of her hair wishing the world to disappear right at this moment. Alas, he has to wait for a more appropriate place and time.

He let her hand go slowly, unwillingly. Swara took a minute and stepped back into reality. She looked around. Thankfully it was falling dark ...and they were far behind the Dadi and Janki.

They exchanged a glance and nod, walked rest of distance in silence, holding hands.

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Kavita felt terribly upset. Sanskaar's unexpected visit left her surprised and probably for the first time, she cursed herself for saying no to Dadi for Mandir trip.

Pooja paat, bhajan kirtan not her cup of tea but if it helps her get into the good books of Sanskaar and his family why not! Damn you Kavita!. Such a lost chance and on top of that, Swara hogging limelight and Dadi singing praises of Swara...

This Swara!. Always ending up in the right places. First at Maheshwari Inc, now in Mandir. Kavita scowled and cursed under breath. She tried to engage Sanskaar in conversation but he looked in a hurry citing his mom and Bhabhi would be waiting for him. Kavita offered to join him back but he dismissed the idea, instantly.

Not once! He had been nice to her despite attempts to get close and know him. Not done! This has to change and she knows who can help her.

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Driving back to Maheshwari Mansion, Sanskaar paid half attention to Annapurna and Pari's banter. Parineeta bhabhi liked Swara is definitely a piece of good news but Sanskaar's mind was reeling in someone else that caught his attention at Bose House.

Sumitra Bose.

On Swara and Dadi's insistence, he stepped in for few minutes...and Kavita seemed over-enthusiastic which he ignored. It was after 5 minutes, Sumitra walked in, talking to someone over phone clearly distressed. A look at Sanskaar, she looked taken back at his unexpected presence. She forced a smile and had been cordial enough as Dadi filled in information. As Swara walked in a with a tray of coffee and offered her one, Sumitra denied with a nod and disappeared into her room.

This left Sanskaar intrigued. She was clearly troubled ...over what? He quickly had his coffee and bid bye to Bose Family but he had something to clear and few calls to make.

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"Of course, The current state of Bose family's business is not encouraging. They have a lot to worry about." Laksh passed the file onto Sanskaar who came down to his office the next morning. "Good, you called me up yesterday, to focus on these details. I had my sources pulling them out ... and it's right before your eyes."

Sanskaar went through statistics. They screamed trouble for sure. Bose family has a wholesale garment business that buys large quantities of goods from manufacturers and resells them to others. No doubt, Sumitra Bose has done a good job in running it successfully all these years but time doesn't always run in one's favour.

Laksh gave him further inputs. Garment business in Kolkata has seen a dip recently with workers going on a strike which affected the production to an extent. But the real fix was past two years Sumitra had been running the business at break-even point (no profit no loss zone.)

"So, When you don't have in and outflow of funds either you burn from your pockets or you take a credit. Above that, the timelines to adhere, to supply the stock to agreed parties went for a toss. Firms with considerable financial backing can withstand this but not everyone. Sadly that's what is happening with Bose family.

"Creditors from one side, suppliers from another, no considerable savings, deadlines to meet ...Laksh sighed," Enough to send one under pressure. If it's not addressed now I doubt their survival in the near future." Laksh completed, meeting Sanskaar's eyes who looked up from the file.

No sugar coating in business has been a cardinal rule. Real picture and facts are always better.

Laksh observed his friend who seemed to be in a fix. Sanskaar wanted to help them but he had no clue how. They wouldn't accept the direct help, he knew for a reason. He didn't want to take any manipulating routes and above all, he didn't want to come across as someone with an ulterior motive of giving and take. Financial help in return for their daughter's hand. He didn't want them to take things in the wrong light or get offended for prying on their financial affairs

On sharing, Laksh agreed to them being valid concerns. Middle-class family values.

"Well! If Maheshwari's can't ..Mathurs can!" Laksh came up with a solution. Garment manufacturing is the flagship business of Mathurs and the finest of all. "I would offer them a contract for a year or two. Adding one more wholesaler to the list wouldn't hurt us anyway, but it will help them a great deal to revive. The association with Mathurs will stand as goodwill too and might help them fetch the business. I will have a word with Dad. What say?"

He looked at Sansaar who looked totally relieved. "Lucky! That's Just...

"Wait! Are you gonna spill some happy tears over having such an intelligent and smart friend" Laksh raised his collar, "I think I deserve few, Sunny! Not everyone is Lucky to have lucky. How about a Bollywood song dedication? Yaara o Yaara.. or..Ye Dosti"

Sanskaar shook his head. This fellow will never change." Well! Not happy tears exactly or song but I am thinking about a hug and kiss." Sanskaar grinned and walked to Laksh spreading his arms.

"Eeeks .. No! "Laksh jumped out of his chair "I was talking about Dosti, not Dostana. Sunny! Stop right there. Ok! Ok! No more dramatic.No more Bollywood for today."

"Now we are talking!"Sanskaar grinned wide and just as something struck him. "But Lucky! Make sure they .."

"I know what you are talking about, Sunny, " Laksh took over, "But sorry! I don't believe in secret charity. I am doing this for you, I will make sure they know who they owe this favour. Trust me to handle this my way."

Sanskaar nodded. He would trust Laksh with his life.

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After a day, the Bose family sat in silence.

"Why didn't you share this before Choti Maa? You had to bear all this alone." Swara said slowly. It was the first time they discussed business as family post-Sekhar's death.

Sumitra felt the need to share in turn of new events. "I didn't want to trouble you all. I thought these are just bad times and will pass on ..but lately, it hadn't been good. The reason why I called this up now is that you and Kavita completed your education and are capable of standing on your own feet, it's time for you know."

Then she went on to explain the doldrums business had been facing, the pressure from creditors and suppliers ad the call from Mathur industries.

"Mathur Industries? Laksh! " Swara looked at her surprised.

"Yes! "Sumitra nodded, "They offered us a contract of 2 years ... and she took a brief pause "it's all because of Sanskaar."

"Sanskaar ?"The name came in unison from all sides in mixed notes of shock and surprise

Sumitra nodded, recalling her meeting with Laksh. As Laksh told, It was on one of their casual meets Sanskaar mentioned about Bose business to him and he thought of giving them a chance. " I would take Sanskaar's word over anyone at any time. He was pretty sure Bose garments would be a good addition to our list...So We are here..."

She narrated snippets of her meeting with Laksh held up the contract papers.

"This means a lot for us .. I can't even explain." Sumitra wiped tears filling her eyes. "At one point, I just wanted to give up. I was too tired to get this going ..but I realised I can't fail my children, I can't fail Sekhar. I have been trying all these months to set things right but..everything was just going downhill.This contract just makes things a lot easy for us. They offered us advance too. I can pay off creditors and .... "

Swara listened to Sumitra, her heart filling in a new admiration for Sanskaar. 'I would never let anything go wrong for you, Swara'. His voice came deep down from her heart. He didn't. It was only when Sumitra held her hands, Swara looked up snapping herself out.

"It's all because of you Swara, we knew Sanskaar. Thank you so much." And for the first time, after many years, Swara felt loved by Sumitra. Her eyes reflected a genuine appreciation and love, she had waited for. Tears welled up in her eyes.

And Kavita's smile faded. Her eyes turned to Swara throwing daggers. So here as well !she hogs the limelight and making way into good books of her mother and that precious smile on Swaras' face. Such a sore sight!How she wished to wipe it off. Oh How much!

"I think we should thank Sanskaar," Kavita interrupted the moment, "I mean just thanks wouldn't do, Right! How about calling him for dinner, Mom?"

And everyone agreed. Swara volunteered to drop at Maheswari Inc next day to thank and invite him personally. Kavita wanted to join too. A chance to visit Maheswari Inc and of course Sanskaar. Only a fool will let it go. Above all, she can cut out the alone time of Swara with Sanskaar.

"I think Swara would take care of that. Kavi, I need help, shopping for dinner and grocery too. You can come with me, " Sumitra unknowingly foiled her plans, much to Kavita's dismay. "I don't want us to hurry at the last minute."

"But Mom! I .." Kavita tried to protest.

"No more arguments Kavi." And that marked the end of discussion.

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That night!

Swara disconnected the call with a smile. She wanted to check if Sanskaar would be in the office tomorrow. Thankfully Yes!

"I guess I was being missed." He teased her first. "I will take your silence as Yes, a big one!" Swara could bet she heard him smile and unknowingly that brought a huge smile on her face. Since she refused to divulge what the meet was about

"More secrets? Huh! Don't you get tired, Swara?" He complained.

"I will be waiting for you," he told at the end.

Smiling wide, Swara hugged teddy next to her. His words. He never fails to make her heart flutter. Never! My dear sweet Sunny, Swara mused fondly.

A knock on the door interrupted her musings. Kavita walked in.

"Can we talk for a minute, Swara?"

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Next Morning, Swara took extra care to dress but had been cautious enough not to draw unnecessary attention like last time. She didn't want to come across as too casual or too formal but something midway would do her job, like kurta, jeans and scarf. She let her hair loose. Something told her, he liked it that way. She had never been fond of makeup,hence kept it to the bare minimum.

Stepping into Maheshwari Inc, Swara felt a wave of nostalgia. It's been what ? just a few weeks but it already felt ages. As she made her way towards Sanskaar's cabin, Swara felt swamped with emotions recalling all those moments. Her fascination when she walked in for the first time.

Right here! She waited for him on the first day, the coffee, those little meetings about the project ..and her little space still intact.

"Hi, Swara! "It was a smiling Rosy "Good to see you!" Swara smiled and reciprocated her friendly hug. It really felt good to be back.

"I have been expecting you. Sir just stepped out. He should be back in a minute. Why don't you wait in his cabin?"

"Are you Sure?" Swara didn't want to feel like an intruder especially when he's not in " I can wait here." She pointed at space before the cabin. But Rosy insisted keeping aside the fact, she was specially instructed by Mr Maheshwari to direct Swara to the cabin. Swara nodded and stepped in.

A look around. So many moments to treasure and this place had been witness to change of their equation. She simply stood soaking herself in those memories.

The moment he stepped in ... her heart kicked up its beat. It always did around him. She didn't turn to face him but stood arrested. His familiar musk fragrance touched her first, then two strong hands squeezed her in softly from behind. Everything came to a standstill that very moment.

"Welcome back!" His whisper caressed her as soft as a breeze, as ever gentle and soothing. She sank back into his arms with a contented sigh taking in everything he offered. A sense of warmth and comfort. A sense of belonging and a sense of being loved and wanted dearly.

Yes! She's back to her own safe and loving abode where everything feels just right...to him.

She's home.

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Love

Lucky