Hey All

Back with an early update, at least I presume its early than intended. I am yet to catch up on a few comments from the last update. Apologies for the delay. Will do so.

Happy Reading.

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When Swara and Sanskaar were busy weaving dreams, that very evening, few more events were set in motion. Parvati Gadodia walked back with good news about Maheshwari's not-so-strict terms regarding their 'Choti Bahu". Sumitra couldn't be happier.

Annapurna Maheshwari, that same night shared about Parvati's gentle probing to her husband and how she herself hinted their willingness to consider alliances from other communities.

That's a good thing, Annapurna." Durga Prasad Maheshwari looked up from the file, "It means they are considering Sanskaar to be a prospective match for their daughter. Let's wait for Sanskaar to be back. We will set the talks going."

Annapurna nodded happily. Finally, her long pending dream of Sanskaar's marriage would come true.

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Damn You, Idiot! Sanskaar cursed himself, back in the hotel room. It's been what? Not even 24 hours and he's already going crazy missing Swara.

Now you made the rules, Bhugto. He sighed at the inner voice and undid the tie.

True! He committed himself to this and he had no intentions to break the rules. Just one more day, wouldn't they be together forever? At that thought, he felt at ease. On a good note, the meeting went absolutely well and was on the verge of successful closure. One final meeting the next day, few more formalities, signing of the documents and a dinner party. Done and dusted.

Next morning he would be on the flight to Kolkata. And the very evening...Swara would be in his arms like 'that night.'

Tossing the shirt aside, Sanskaar picked towel. Time for shower and dinner. Ok! Fine He can't call her but he definitely can think of her. Little concessions.

Standing under the jet of water, he felt tiredness being washed away. She would have seen dress by now, and turned all red, Sanskaar smiled. It falls on bit bolder side, but he knew Swara is confident enough to carry it with ease. Hadn't he seen her do that in a little red frock that night, looking like a ticking bombshell? Every moment was still fresh in his mind. How she walked up to him asking for a dance, her eyes, a reflection of disappointment at his no and the glow when offered a dance, His little talk...Did he really think she can't speak? He chuckled.

It would have just been another passing night, if not for ...kiss and what followed next. Sanskaar closed his eyes and let the water run through him. Maybe it would cool down the fire building up in him...the same heat of desire and yearning, even after years just as a reminder.

She left him ruined, ruined for a lifetime. Not once even in her absence these years, the thought of other woman crossed his mind, not when she ruled his heart and mind like a reigning queen. He could never make sense of it then. Now he knows why. Her love for him...deep, unadulterated and he had to bow down. Not that he had any complaints. Love as such, needs to treasured and he had every intention to do so.

Turning off the shower, Sanskaar reached for the towel. Feeling much better and composed, he stepped out and eyed his mobile greedily. How about a blank call and hearing the voice? Such a tempting idea, but no! Once he hears her voice, he will crumble and give up his will.

Taking his eyes off the phone with a tremendous effort, Sanskaar pulled out his night dress. Nothing more comfortable than track pants and a loose t-shirt. A quick dinner and he sank comfortably on the bed. Closing the eyes, he recalled their parting last night, her image crystal clear in his heart. Her flushed face, her fluttering eyelids as he kissed her goodbye...and twinge of worry in her eyes as he left.

Taking a long tiring sigh, Sanskaar dialled the number, the one who would put him out of misery at least for a while.

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Laksh muted the series he had been watching as Sanskaar's name flashed on the mobile screen. Before he could say standard syllable of hello...

"I miss Swara," came Sanskaar's whining tone.

"But I am not Swara!"Laksh shrugged his shoulders.

"Like I don't know that, Lucky!" Sanskaar rolled his eyes.

Laksh just imagined sentimental music playing in the background, shook his head giving a melodramatic expression. "Sunny! You were missing your girlfriend lekin tune Mujhe call kiya!Yaar! Laksh wiped his totally imaginary tears, ", Dil jeet liya tune Aaj, Girl ke jagah friend ko call Kiya!"

"Hogaya! Dramebaaz, Now listen! and Sanskaar gave snippets of his new-made rule. " iss liye call kiya!"

"And I wasted my precious tears for you ..." Laksh huffed, " Main toh background mein music bhi bajaa kar raha tha kamine...bol ab! He listened to the other side." Oh! You can't sleep! What do you want me to do? Play the role of a mommy? Story sunavu ya Lohri gaavu ..something like Sojaa Rajkumari types. Rukh!" Laksh cleared his throat to sing.

"No! "Sanskaar screamed into the phone. "Don't you dare." He is very well versed of Laksh's singing talent, capable of giving sleep nights for weeks. "Just bear my whining."

As they talked for a while, Sankara shared his plans.

"So it is here finally! The big night, Great! Did you get the ring?" Laksh inquired.

"Na! I am saving it for engagement. It's a night of confession. Just 3 words." Sanskaar found himself smiling at the thought.

Laksh hinted they might have to go together for rings, Sanskaar was quick to catch. He didn't have to probe and when Laksh shared details, Sanskar cold bet that's the best surprise that came his way recent times. Laksh and Ragini. Wow!

"You both will make a great pair, Lucky. Trust me. Only Ragini can handle your madness and just imagine all four of us together. Isn't that exciting?"

Laksh couldn't agree more. Life would be a fine riot with all of them together. Best friends together.

"You better come back soon and set things going, Sunny!" Laksh said. Once Swara and Sanskaar would settle down, he and Ragini can take it further.

"I can't wait! " Sanskaar grinned. Life just seems to be smiling upon him. He wished it would stay that way. Only Sanskaar knew the amount of effort it took for him not to call or drop by Bose House once back to Kolkata. Every passing hour brought in equal measures of excitement and restlessness.

And the much awaited night came in.

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Sanskaar opted for black and black for the night, a perfect compliment for her gold. Black and Gold, Different yet well balanced. Not going the formal way, he decided to keep it simple. Ditching bow tie and coat, he chose a black long-sleeved collared shirt, paired it with slim fit trousers. Black belt with a simple buckle, leather lace-up shoes completed the look.

Checking his reflection in mirror Sanskaar smiled, undoing first two buttons. And he let his hair unstyled. Well! He had few demands to adhere.

And Swara Bose has no clue she's in for a big surprise.

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He waited as the clock ticked. And with every passing minute, his heart rate kicked up. A click of heels, Sanskaar drew in a deep breath. She's here. He braced himself as the door opened but nothing prepared him for the sight she was.

The silk of the dress flowed around and hugged her at right places. Her skin shone against gold, the colour of honey. Honeyed Gold was only he could think of. In contrast, was her hair falling over shoulders in waves of deep black, framing her cheeks. A tiny floral bracelet twinkled on one of her wrists as large gold hoops dangled from her ears, swaying with her every step, and ankle strap stone studded heels just went right with the look. Tip to toe screamed of a perfect mix of elegance and sexiness.

She walked in little hesitant expecting a crowd like that night, but much to her surprise the floor was empty. Few more steps, she stood at the centre of the dance floor still wondering if she dropped at a wrong place. The room was dimly lit, familiar music floated around. From behind the mask, her eyes moved around ...and found him as he stepped out of shadows.

They stood facing each other with no words. Sanskaar's first instinct was to grab her, hold her close and confess how much he missed her. But it can wait. This night is special and he will take it slow...

Black never looked this sexy, was her first thought. He didn't have a mask, she noted. Just like that night. She curbed the need to rush into his arms and stood watching him make the first move. He did.

Her eyes widened in surprise as he got down to the knee, his head bowed. Her heart swamped with a rush of love...she held back tears threatening to spill out. He looked up, extended his hand ...and waited, his heart thudding.

And she placed her hand in his, felt the warmth around them in his soft grip. He lifted her hand to lips and in an instant, she was nestled against him...close and safe.

"I missed you," he murmured breathing her in. Oh How much, if he could tell her, show her.

"I missed you too." Her heart screamed but she didn't say a word. Instead, her arms went around him in a tight hold like never before clinging around his shoulders.

. I wish you never went on a trip. I wish you would have been here... Words threatened to stumble but she said none and simply clutched him as close as she can.

She didn't have to, not when she held him like he was her life and he returned all the longing, he felt, wishing the moment to freeze.

"It's just you and me, just us." He murmured, pressing a light gossamer kiss behind her ear. She really didn't think he would share this special moment of them, with the world. Never.

They were swaying gently, she noted... to the same tune of that night. Her heart swayed too..with his every kiss over her skin, leaving a sweet burn everywhere he touched and traced. She stepped back...before she could lose her sanity in bits and stood at arms distance, her hand still in his. He tugged her gently back into his hands, spun her around, holding her from the back.

She gasped at the heat of his body, pressed against her skin. Her heart sped beat by beat as she felt his fingers sliding her hair to a side...leaving her back bare. She felt his breath first ...And when he lowered his mouth to the curve of her neck pleasure rippled through her in waves.

"You have no clue of what you have done to me, that night," his lips trailed over her neck as soft as his words, which had her trembling, "I went crazy trying to figure you out. I would have given away anything just to get a glimpse of you, to hold you like this again..Anything."

Before she could gather her already scattering senses, in one swift move, she was facing him, his eyes on hers, piercing right through her heart and soul. At loss of breath, She looked away afraid he would read them.

"Your eyes."

Her eyes flicked up to him at his words and she was suddenly captive in those black intense depths. "They haunted me every night. There wasn't a night, I didn't dream of them ...." And He wished to show her, all the fire and yearning she left him with ... the ache, he felt. He did lowering his lips down to hers

"I dreamt of you, like this." He stroked her lips in a gentle sweep and felt her surrender with quiet moan. Exactly like this...her eyes flaring with passion, her lips inviting him in, but he needed more.

He didn't kiss her fully ...not when she wanted him to, with a need she ever felt before. They were dancing she realised. Dips, spin...twirls, she did everything lost in a sort of trance. One fleeting moment, her feet were on the ground and next minute swept off floating on a cloud of sensations.

Every time she would be back into his hands clutched hard and fast ...at mercy of his lips and fingers dancing over the body. His hands were familiar on her skin, knew just where to touch to drive her mad. Her heartbeat erratic, her cheeks flamed up, her body, a shade bright crimson red, it was him and just him ...she could think and feel. Nothing else. Just him.

"You loved teasing me, didn't you? " He asked holding back his need to claim her at that very moment. She did tease him, being right before his eyes. Not a word while he spent endless days and nights thinking of her.

And this is his sweet revenge, she thought as he teased her bit by bit, till she pulsed with a throbbing need. She looked up at him, her eyes pools of dazed passion, her fingers curled into his shirt in a mute plea, lifting her face to his ...offering and inviting. And the meagre control he was holding back slipped at that very moment. The clawing ache took over.

And he claimed her lips with a searing need.

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He kissed her like never before ...and she returned his passion with the same intensity. The music still floated around but it was a different song altogether her nerves sang, a medley of lips and bodies, of sweeping passions, swirling desires, silent yearnings, unspoken words, and promises. The heat dulled down but the need didn't. They held and kissed each other like, they didn't need a second breath ...

The throbbing of her body mellowed into something sweet and familiar as she kissed her gently this time...slow, savouring her taste. But what about dull throbbing in her heart, the pain she curbed down this night which faded into longing moments they shared.

She felt him murmur her name ...And tossing everything aside, she gave herself in, a total surrender, pouring all into a kiss.

He would die right here, holding her like this, being kissed by her with all that love. She was kissing him back with a different need. His fingers trailed over the cheek, cupping them tenderly, Nameless emotions sweeping him over. Of all, there was only one that stood out and made sense. This ocean of love he felt for her And he couldn't wait for any more.

"I love You Swara! I love you so much! He confessed midst his ragged breath, gathering her close. "I love you! " He murmured this time, a mere whisper.

Those words came with his heart beating against her hand. Those words, an ardent declaration of his feelings ...and those eyes. One glimpse, He had his heart and soul for her. Tears flowed down her cheeks.

And she stepped back into darkness before he could see and stop her.

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"No! Don't " His words echoed in the silent hall. A sudden fear gripped his heart ...she wouldn't, not again...he wouldn't let her. He went around the room and at the sound of the door, he rushed behind fear escalating...following the sound of heels.

"Don't do this to me, Swara." He muttered. His feet halted as he found her at the end of the corridor her back turned to him. Relief washed over him.

"Will you ever stop teasing me with this game of yours? I was scared like hell, you would disappear again." He admitted catching up his breath and held her hand.

And he stepped back, his every instinct screaming wrong. Standing before him with the mask in her hands was ...

Kavita...

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Ok. I am running to hide. 

Before you guys jump to conclusions it's Swara whom he danced with. Rest of answers in the next updates.

Love

Lucky