Hello people,

Back with an update. Please ignore any errors or typos found.

Happy Reading.

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That morning, Bose Family had another reason to rejoice. Swara's job.Other than Kavita, who forced a plastic smile, each one of them was in a mood to celebrate. Sumitra apologized for being rude to Swara earlier on her job and academic capabilities and told how proud Sekhar would have been at this moment. Swara, as usual, had been at her generous forgiving self, basking in the new love of her family and prayed for more good times.

She couldn't wait to share this news with Gadodias ..and rushed to Gadodia House. Janaki had been her usual sweet self, fed her favourite sweets.Ram who was about to leave to work, gently patted her head as a blessing, delighted at things working in favour of Swara. It was Ragini who dragged Swara up to terrace and gave her a tight bear hug, all pumped up.

"I am so so happy for you, Swara!" She beamed, totally excited. The bright and cheerful smile on Swara's face had been long due.

"So! You would be working with Sanskaar, I guess! All day saath saath, paas paas." Ragini nudged Swara's shoulder teasingly. Swara smiled shyly recalling little make-out session in Sanskaar's office.

"There's one more news, Ragini." Swara didn't mind sharing the snippets of contract, salvaging their business and the role Sanskar and Laksh played in the same and how they invited Sanskaar for a sort of Thanksgiving dinner. Laksh is not much of a familiar face to the Bose family and she was not sure about his comfort level in dropping by home. Hence she skipped the idea.

"I definitely owe him a lot, Ragini. So I am thinking if four of us can go out to a treat? My Treat!"

Laksh! Ragini felt a little glow in her heart. Hmm.. he's not just dramebaaz. His help for the Bose family definitely deserved a treat. " I think that's brilliant. I will have a word with him right now. Let's work out something for tomorrow evening." said a delighted Ragini. Swara nodded joining her.

After a while, Swara left Gadodia house with a smile. She had a little talk with Laksh, thanked him for his help and asked him out for a treat. Laksh first tried to deny saying, it was not at all needed and she had already thanked him enough times but later gave in. All thanks to Ragini she took it upon her to plan out the entire thing, place, time and coordination.

Now for the dinner arrangements.

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Evening at Bose house turned out to be an extremely pleasant affair for Sanskaar. He dropped in by time and was warmly welcomed. Sanskaar gave a low chuckle recalling his first entry into Bose House with Swara in his arms, and shock waves it sent across then. Now it buzzed with an air of excitement and cheerful smiles all around. Sanskaar never felt more welcoming.

He greeted them all with a smile, his eyes lingering on Swara for a moment longer. She looked lovely as ever in a simple mauve churidar. He handed over a congratulatory bouquet to Sumitra with best wishes for her new collaboration and bent down to seek blessings of Dadi which left Parvati Gadodia overwhelmed.

Jug jug jiyo beta .. she showered all her blessings thoroughly impressed by Sanskaar. "Bilkul apne naam pe gaya hain." She added. Sanskaar threw a teasing smile to Swara on the remark who quickly looked away. Poor Dadi has no clue of his other side which doesn't go by name at all.

On the other note, the trick worked, Sanskaar thought with a smug smile. He stepped in determined to woo entire Bose family tonight and he had a wicket down already. "Great Job Sunny. Go on." He patted himself mentally. Then, there was Adi who bonded with Sanskaar like house on fire, their discussions ranging from cricket to video games.

As Swara and Sumitra were busy in the kitchen, Kavita took it upon herself to entertain Sanskaar and was pleasantly surprised at his receptiveness, unlike other times. Sanskaar put in an extra effort to be nice to Kavita especially after Swara's request.

Swara noted this as well and was grateful Sanskaar kept his word. She recalled that night when Kavita walked into her room and accused her of being the reason for Sanskaar not being nice to her.

"This is what you have done with Gadodia's too, right, Swara! Filling their ears against me, dishing out your poor sob story of evil sister and I see, you are doing the same with Sanskaar as well. If not, there is no reason for him to act cold towards me. He hardly knows me. We didn't talk much either ... So, I don't understand why he hates me. Swara, we might not be the best friends but we are sisters, yet for you, it's always outsiders who matter most. You never miss a chance to present me in a bad light. What have done to you, to hold such grudge?" and she stormed out leaving Swara shocked at sudden accusations.

Swata took a minute to process and she couldn't deny the fact that Sanskaar had exactly not been very nice to Kavita, add to it the bouquet fiasco ... Swara knew Kavita always harboured resentment towards her over this particular issue with assumptions of her own but never came out in open ...but she did now. Maybe it is her chance to sort out the relation with Kavita and dilute the existing bitterness. After all, they are a family.

Next morning in office when they were together, she asked Sanskaar if he had some particular issue with Kavita, which Sanskaar denied and she requested if he could be a little nice to her. Sanskaar didn't mind especially after knowing Swara's love for her family. Kavita falls under the umbrella too. No harm in playing little nice ..and that's what he had been doing.

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Kavita felt happy at the change in Sanskaar's demeanour. It was much needed for her further plans to work and she definitely knew how to play poor emotional Swara out.

Dinner was served and table buzzed with talks around. Sanskaar shared a bit of his business expertise with Sumitra, talked a little about his family and listened to Sumitra's concerns about Adi's growing love for cricket.

"There's nothing to worried about, aunty. These days, not just regular courses like engineering and medicine but there are a lot of other options to explore. Adi is good in what he does. A little training and proper guidance would take him places. I have a few connections in the cricket academy. Let me see what I can do. I also heard Adi is good with grades as well. Anyways, from today Adi is my responsibility. So you have less to worry." Sanskaar turned to Adi and smiled fondly "What Say Champ?"

At that moment, there was no single soul around the table who didn't feel grateful to Sanskaar and he didn't realise he had just hit the ball out of the park. As time passed Swara noted Sanskaar didn't pay much attention to her. Neither did he look at her for long nor gave his usual sweet smiles. On the contrary, he seemed more interested in Kavita who managed to grab a seat next to Sanskaar. Swara felt a little sting watching them chat like old friends and at being ignored conveniently from the kitchen. After a while, she walked out with a bowl of Maggi.

Kavita opened her mouth to make fun but was glad she didn't as Sanskaar cited it to be his favourite. She joined too, with "Oh! I love Maggie". Swara waited for him to say something about it, but he didn't. He would, She told herself easing the disappointment, she felt.

It was time for dessert. Sanskaar stole a few moments for himself standing in the lawn outside. It's wonderful how a breath of fresh breeze and greenery can instantly soothe you. The night was coming to an end and he had a point to make.

"It's such a beautiful night, Right!" Sanskaar turned back at the voice and found Kavita.

He nodded with a smile. "Yes, It is."

Kavita started off hesitantly. " Sanskaar, I didn't get to thank you, but what you have done for us, it means a lot. " She looked at him turning her eyes teary. "If not for you I don't know what would have ...

"Kavita! It's ok. Please hold on to yourself." Sanskaar placed his hand hesitantly on her shoulder and grabbing the chance Kavita buried herself into Sanskaar's arms leaving him stunned.

Oh! He didn't like melodramas, but he promised to be nice. Sighing, Sanskaar placed a hand on the back, a gesture to offer some comfort. But little did he know, the scene was interpreted in another way by few members of the Bose family who loved to make their own assumptions.

After a minute Kavita stepped back.

"Oh, I am sorry. I got carried away." and she dabbed her eyes with handkerchief Sanskaar had been generous to offer, out of pure courtesy. Sanskaar asked if she was feeling better and suggested they should step inside. Kavita nodded and followed him with a sly smile.

Well, that went very well! Good job Kavi. she told herself.

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Swara tried not to look upset at Sanskars not -so- loving treatment. He neither looked eager to spend time with her nor gave her those special smiles, teasing, loving and warm ones. One way she felt glad at Sanskaar bonding with family but the other part was not so pleasant and left her puzzled.

It was time to bid bye. Swara volunteered to walk him out much to Kavita's dismay. They walked in silence until they were out of sight.

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Once they reached his car parked little away, Sanskaar turned to Swara.

"I really had a nice time with your family, Swara and thank you for making me taste few Bengali dishes. I loved them," he said with a cordial smile.

Swara smiled back ...and waited. He would say something ...now. Every ticking minute made her restless, she waited but all she got was a simple plain good night. About to leave, Sanskaar reached for the car door. Almost on an impulse, Swara grabbed his hand.

For a minute there was nothing but silence and quiet thudding of both hearts.

"Is...Is everything alright, Sanskaar?" Her words came in bits, her voice brittle. Sanskaar drew in a deep breath before turning to face her. He had something to say and he needs to do it right. And after a second they stood facing each other.

"No, Swara! it is not." His words confirmed her fears. She looked at him her eyes filled with questions. And then he spoke. " I don't like beating around the bush, Swara. Simple and straight is what I believe in. I have told you earlier, I am not used being ignored and I don't want to be. Worst of it, I hate being taken for granted by the ones who are important to me, who matter most to me. I don't think I need to mention you are one of them."

He didn't have to, Swara nodded trying to figure out the meaning behind his words. Where did she wrong him? She soon had her answers.

"I felt bad, today when you left the office abruptly. Not a word, Swara. Do you have any clue I have rescheduled all my morning meetings just because I wanted to be with you? But that's not an issue. I can understand you were excited, you wanted to share the news with your family but... I don't appreciate being left out. Bura lagta hain na, Swara! Jab apne ignore kate ho tho. You did feel bad, right! When I didn't pay enough attention to you back there. Didn't you?" He asked straight, his eyes fixed on hers.

Swara nodded midst thin sheen of mist covering her eyes recalling morning incident. How she stormed out of his cabin, didn't bother to spare him a glance, didn't even have the courtesy to call back. She didn't even spare a thought of how he would have felt. Is he right? Has she started taking his love and care for granted? That thought left Swara disturbed.

Sanskaar didn't miss the tears pooling at the corner of her eyes. Damn! He had no intentions of making her feel guilty but he wanted to be clear and honest. Yet he admitted long back, he hated tears in her eyes and they troubled him a lot. Did his words come across as rude or harsh?

"Swara, Look I am really sorry. I ..."

Swara placed a hand on his mouth nodding no. Sanskaar fell silent. She took a step back holding his hands," No, please don't be. In fact, I am glad you shared this with me. I am sorry, Sanskaar. I was so lost in my own world, I didn't realise what have I done. But trust me, I didn't mean to..."

"Shhh.." Sanskaar placed a finger on her lips and it was her turn now as she gazed at him with her moist eyes. He softly cupped her cheeks and tears found their way out from her closed lids. He gazed at her in solemn silence and the more he did, he felt his heart swell with love.

He didn't want a sorry, didn't mean to hurt her rather wanted to share his concern. And she realised. That settles the matter. In silence, he took a step forward and hugged her tight. Her eyes still closed, Swara sank in his much familiar warm embrace. They didn't need any more words. All said and done.

Time froze for the next several minutes, neither of them wanting the moment to end.

"You know Maggi was my favourite out of all. What are you doing here? You should be a chef, Swara Bose." He teased and a chuckle escaped her throat.

"That's next plan," she murmured still not willing to let go of him.

Sanskaar laughed. So his girl can joke too. A new shade, A new surprise. He drew back and grinned. "Poor fellows. They have all my concern and considerations. Not everyone has a tough stomach like me. " He teased a little more and she grinned back.

"I will see you tomorrow at the treat," Sanskaar whispered gazing into her eyes, now clear as a crystal. Swara didn't feel surprised. Ragini or Laksh might have shared already plans. She nodded and closed her eyes with a sigh as his lips pressed smoothly against her cheek.

"Jokes apart, I think I need to pay some compliments for my chef tonight,".He murmured softly and felt her tremble at delicate touches of his lips up her neck.

"You were looking lovely tonight," His words came as a mere whisper against her ear, his breath tickling her softly. "Mind wearing one of the dresses I got for you? I might steal you out for a quick date, Miss Bose. Just you and me."

"Hmm," Swara nodded floating in a dream-like state where everything has paused for her, in his arms. Just him and nothing else. It was after some time, she watched him drive away. His goodnight wish still lingering, a delicate feathery brush of his lips against hers.

And the night ended with a promise of little magic for the next day. For Swara and Sanskaar.

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That very night seemed long for Sumitra, her mind pondering upon the discussion she had with her Mother in law.

An alliance with Maheshwari's

When Parvati mentioned on how Sanskaar could be an ideal choice for one of their granddaughters, Sumitra found the idea scary. They no way meet the social and financial status of Maheshwari's, one of the richest business families in Kolkata and community differences itself would be a big issue.

"What wrong in considering the proposal, Sumitra? Ladka acha hain, Acha parivaar hain aur usne itna kuch kiya hamare liye. Koi aisa hi nahi karta itna kuch." Parvati Gadodia tried to convince.

There's no denial about Sanskaar being an ideal match for any girl. Strong, reputed family background, stable and successful career, good looking above all a very nice responsible person. Who wouldn't want such a person to be a part of the family. Can her MIL be correct? Did he have any interest in one of her girls?

"Tune dekha nahi woh aaj kavita se kaise baat kar raha tha? Haske Haske " Parvati pointed out. True, Sanskaar seemed particularly interested in Kavita entire evening and at ease and of course, that little moment Kavita and Sanskaar shared in the lawn was hard to miss. Could it be that Kavita and Sanskaar? She had never seen him show such interest in Swara. It could be they are just friends and nothing more.

No! She brushed away her thoughts. It's better not to hurry and reach any conclusions. Her Mother- in -Law assured of having word with Annapurna Maheshwari at Mandir next day on their preferences for daughter in law. Clarity would make things easier.

Sumitra leaned back on the bed and closed her eyes. Now that business might stabilise soon, she has the responsibility of Kavita and Swara on her shoulders. A huge one, to make sure they get married into good, well-settled families. As she drifted to sleep slowly, Sumitra subconsciously wished for the match to work, that would make things easy for her.

of Kavita and Sanskaar.

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Well! Things just got complicated, didn't they? Wait for more.

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