Hey all,

Apologies for the delay. Unintended.Thanks for keeping up.

Happy Reading.

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YOU

And she froze, right in his arms. She didn't register those three letters first but as they sank in...what she felt was overwhelming, at least for a moment.

"It had always been you Swara, with or without a mask. You are the only one who ever owned my heart and always will.'

His words. Back in her room, Swara closed her eyes and let the tears spill, for a different reason. A happy one. Sanskaar never had another woman in life. It had always been 'her'. Her fingers curled around the ring on her hand ... clutching it close.

All those hidden fears and insecurities seem to have vanished. Every or any doubt faded without a trace. And how wrong she had been...assuming that night would just be a passing one to him.

"Ek baar peeche mudkar dekhti, Swara. I was right there waiting for you."

And she didn't... not for once. Then and Now.

"I am still waiting."

His parting words echoed in her ears. And the ring weighed down as her heart.

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Sanskaar looked at his palm, wrapped in a piece of pink. Her dupatta. He let her tend his wound with no protest, this time. The revelation as expected ...shook her up. Her eyes as always had been open to reading and he did. The relief and conflict ...he felt them.

He had no intentions to press her or go around proclaiming his love at the drop of every hat. He just made sure she knows, it would always be her. He didn't say a word more, neither did she. She simply held his hand ...her eyes stinging with tears as she unwrapped the bloodied bandage.

She tore a piece of dupatta and wrapped it carefully over the cut.

"Kuch filmy Nahi hogaya, Swara?" Sanskaar said clearly amused. She didn't smile. A silent stare followed by disapproval over his act.

"You really didn't think I would let someone else ..."

He didn't have to complete ...She turned away.

"Then, why don't you stop it, all this, Sanskaar?" Her voice cracked silence around them. A question eating her up inside. All he had to say was a no, not put them through the test of fire.

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It would have been easy ..especially after his knowledge on the turn of events at Bose House, which took Swara away from him. After his little chat with Adi, Sanskaar knew there was more and sight of broken Swara in Mandir, made it all clear.

He had some missing pieces to fit. A catch up with Ragini and Laksh, he was filled with the rest of the story. And it all made sense.

"So finally you are back to senses, Sunny. What are you waiting for? Expose Kavita and call off the engagement." It was Laksh.

Sanskaar nodded in negative. "You think that's gonna be so easy, Lucky. I will expose Kavita and you think Swara would jump and agree to marry me? No! Even if she did give into my love ..she would be nursing lifelong guilt of wronging her sister and mother. I am sure her family would leave no chance to make her feel so. And I don't want that. A little regret in Swara's eyes over choosing me ...that would finish us. If Swara is going to step into my life, it would be with her choice, not mine."

And the idea was backed by Ragini. She had known Bose family enough and Swara would easily fall into trap of guilt card. Sumitra and Kavita would spare no chance. It's time for Swara to, rise above fears and to make a decision. The question was time, which was falling short.

Sanskaar had to agree with Ragini, though Laksh came up in protest of the risky idea.

"So ! You are gonna continue this little game of yours and wait for Swara to claim you before everyone? Why are you so confident it would work? Swara might never open her mouth. She might shed some tears nurse her broken heart for the rest of life. That's all. What would you do then? Marry Kavita or leave her at the altar?"

"I think Laksh is right here, Sanskaar," Ragini said thoughtfully. Swara, itni asaani se...I don't think so. Unless something triggers her hard, she won't."

Sanskaar simply stayed silent. It was definitely a risk, but this is his only chance. If anything can trigger Swara, it's fear of losing him and he is resting all hopes on one belief...

"Swara loves him enough not to let go."

All he has to do give her all the triggers she needs. Coming to Kavita, There's an ounce of guilt, yes! She wasn't playing fair either and she called this upon herself. If she can use Swara to gain him, he wouldn't mind playing dirty either. And she had no clue, he's good at it. In fact very.

The best idea he could come up with, to minimise the damage ...keep everything under warps just between two families since marriage is never gonna happen.

Ragini and Laksh agreed to play their role. But first, he needs to have a talk with Swara, heart to heart ...

On the night of the engagement, Swara was missing from the venue. Sanskaar knew he couldn't find a better opportunity to snatch a few moments. He excused himself went looking for her. His heart led him to the terrace. And she was right there.

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Now, he had a question to answer. He held her by the elbow, turned her around, face to face.

"Why don't you, Swara? Stop all this? Why?"

And it had her tongue-tied. A simple question and a valid one. She started all this game of masked and unmasked. But didn't he know? It was obvious from his words, he knows what transpired between her and Kavita. How? Didn't bother her ..., but he knows. Then why is he playing this little game with her? It was a game she already lost. No one would have a clue of what happened between her and Sumitra. No one.

The revelations and accusations which broke her from within. She cant bear another one of being a home wreck. 'Just like your mother. 'Those words wounded her the most.

Swara closed her eyes. "I can't" She sighed defeatedly prepared to bear his outburst. He has every right to. She opened her eyes back at his soft caress over her cheek and he looked calm.

And he smiled leaving her confused. Then he leaned forward, kissed her softly on the forehead, and Swara stood revelling in the warmth of that lingering caress. Then he gazed his her eyes, for what felt like an eternity. Love and confidence shone through his eyes.

Then he walked away in silence, leaving her behind. It was at the door, he turned back.

"I am still waiting."

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A knock on the door, Swara pulled herself out. Sumitra walked in. Swara suddenly felt dread hitting her. What else does she want? She gave up one, she loved. What else? Swara unconsciously pulled back her hand, hiding the ring from her view. Sumitra sat next to Swara and, placed her hand on hers.

"I came here to thank you, Swara," Sumitra said softly much to the surprise of Swara. "I was scared Sanskaar would have a change of heart at last moment, especially with you right before his eyes..but thankfully you had been thoughtful. I noticed you were missing. And everything went well. Thank you so much for keeping up your word. I know it's not easy for you, but ...Thank you for doing this, beta. I will always be at your debt." Swara suddenly felt guilty at those tears of gratitude.

And she had been with Sanskaar...kissed him, got a ring for self on the day of her sister's engagement. What was she thinking? Isn't that wrong? Swara lowered her eyes for fear of looking in Sumitra's eyes.

"Bas ye Shaadi bhi teek se ho jaaye." , Sumita wiped her tears and smiled at Swara. "It's late already...You should sleep. Goodnight" For the first time, Sumitra kissed her on the forehead. A motherly gesture she always craved for. She watched Sumitra leave.

And looked at the ring...

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Kavita couldn't sleep that night. She was supposed to be happy ..but this night robbed her of peace. Her instincts warned her enough .. things are not what they seem to be.

First the ring. Then missing act of Swara which she noticed only after Sanskaar went missing himself. The unexpected power cut which took its own sweet time and miraculous appearance of Sanskaar, his silent exchange with Laksh....

Did he know she is not his masked girl?

That thought scared her.No, he didn't, she told herself. If not, he would have never got engaged to her. He did, but...there was a miss, she couldn't figure out. It's like she has everything she wished for ...yet nothing

Kavita stirred on bed restlessly. No, she can't take chances. She should make Sanskaar believe, she is his masked girl. She can't afford to leave any lingering doubts. There's only one way she could do it.

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Sanskaar didn't expect any overnight miraculous change in Swara. He successfully managed to stir chaos in her heart. It was not planned other than confronting her ...but at that moment he just let emotions take over him ... poured his heart out, cleared any or every misconception, she would have held back.

Now it all comes down to her, a battle of wills ...His love or...

A ring on his mobile distracted him. A slight frown creased his brows at the flash.

Private number?

He answered the call... and listened to the other side.

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The wedding muhurat was fixed, exactly a weeks time to go. And with each passing day, Sanskaar grew restless as Swara...and Kavita felt confident as she was getting close to her dream. Sanskaar didn't want any functions...not many. He came up with excuses for Sangeet and had been successful in evading them, barring few.

Every time Swara watched Kavita, her instinct screamed wrong. Sanskaar didn't love her and would never. And for her, there is no question of someone else. But ..then Kavita loves Sanskaar too.

She didn't wear the ring for the fear of raising questions and unpleasant encounters, rather she simply held it close at night. Every time she looked at the ring, she remembered the love and hope in Sanskaar eyes. He trusted her to do right thing...for them.

And she felt torn between conflicting emotions.

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It was Kavita's Mehendi, that day and surprisingly Gadodias received an invitation. Sumitra had been witness to closeness Maheswari's and Gadodias shared. She had no intentions rubbing the wrong side. In fact ..extending a hand of friendship might help her daughter to fare well in Maheswari Mansion.

Kavita decided to play nice, for her own selfish reasons. Being a little nice to Ragini might help her in the long run. It was obvious, she shared friendly relations with Sanskar and Laksh.

Laksh especially had been her side during the whole engagement. Laksh and Sanskaar are best friends. It was clear as he was only one included in functions. So having them her side...was not a bad option. And if she needs put on a little facade, she would.

Ragini wasn't one to let go of this opportunity to give little push Swara needed. How much ever she would love to strangle Kavita, she had to play nice. Making sure Swara was within earshot, Ragini went on congratulating Kavita on winning her love.

"Not everyone is lucky enough to value the love that comes their way, Kavita. Sanskaar is best anyone can ask. Only a fool would let him go. Haina! Swara." She threw a smile at Swara.

Only Swara know the prick she felt at that moment. It was intended to her ...she knew. She stood witness as Kavita's palms were filled with the design of henna and 'S' being crafted nicely within it.

"I think Sanskaar would love this design."Kavita mused aloud. "It would be tough for him to figure out on our wedding night." And Swara wanted to scream at the thought of it. Scared she would give away, Swara tried to leave, But Ragini wouldn't let her.

"Scared, aren't you, Swara? Couldn't bear the thought of it. But you chose this and you can't run away from your choice, Swara. Bear it. You asked for this."

"Ragini..please." Swara held back tears at the taunt.

Ragini silently held her palm and marked S on palm much to the horror of Swara.

"This is right, Swara ..and she pointed to Kavita midst ladies.

"That is wrong. You know it too. How long would you keep running from yourself? You will have to give up one day..and that day you will regret most. And you think you are being fair to Kavita, raising her hopes, pushing her into a loveless marriage ...and Sanskaar would suffer too. He would never love anyone else. Do you have any clue you are bent on ruining three lives? Please don't name this mindless act of yours as a sacrifice. It's madness."

And her every word made sense.

"It's not too late, Swara. One step is all you need to take for you and Sanskaar. Just one."

And Ragini left. Swara stood staring at 'S' on her palm.

Her Sanskaar.

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But the real blow came to Swara, two days before marriage. Sanskaar decided to pay a visit only because he wanted to know what's running in Swara's mind, hoping at least his presence would work on Swara. Ragni shared the details of Mehendi night. Yet there wasn't a word from Swara. That's when he decided on dropping by.

As expected, the Bose family rejoiced. Kavita, as usual, was all over him, but Sanskaar looked only at Swara, his eyes full of longing hope and questions. Swara couldn't take them and hurried to the kitchen. It was after few minutes bracing her self she stepped out with a tray of coffee.

It was then, she caught on words of Kavita. " You know Sanskaar. I never got a chance to share this with you. I had a crush on you from college days. I think I have fallen in love with you right from the first time I saw you. You were wearing a green t-shirt that day ...

Swara froze... her feet refusing to move.

"And remember you were singing the song, Dil ko Tumse pyaar Hua. Ah! That's my favourite." Kavita went on.

Every bit of scene played before Swara's eyes. And she almost dropped the cups. It cant be. No! That's her...moment. That's her...She stared at Kavita in disbelief as she enacted bits from her scrapbook.

Her scrapbook. Her ...

Swara didn't waste a minute, rushed to her room. Her hand trembling she looked for her scrapbook frantically only to find it missing. That could only mean...Kavita.

She stepped back...in horror.

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Kvavit walked towards her room after bidding bye to Sanskaar. He strangely seemed disturbed, his eyes looking around. Thank God! That Swara was out of the picture at least for a while.

It was when she stepped in, She found Swara waiting, her room ransacked.

"What the hell, Swara? How dare y.."

"How dare you?" Swara struck back. "How dare you, Kavita? Tumahri himmat aise huye mere room se mere scrapbook churane, isko chune ki," she held scarp book up for view. "Do you have any clue what this means to me and have you done this before too? How could...?"

"So?" Kavita gave a reckless shrug. "You wouldn't need it anymore. Why so much drama? Just a book."

Just a book. It wasn't just a book..but every beautiful moment of her life, her love for Sanskaar was treasured in it. There weren't just words ..but her heart inked in as words as memories. And it felt like someone ripped off her life and claimed it to be their own. Hers.

"Oh pls! Stop getting melodramatic, Swara. What's a big deal? Now shut up and give it back to me."The minute Kavita touched the book, Swara lost whatever sanity was holding her back.

Kavita stumbled back at the blow on her cheek. A tight slap. And she stood horrified. Swara looked like someone else. Her eyes spitting fire. A never seen before Swara.

"Don't... you dare, Kavita. Don't ever.". It didn't feel like a warning but a life threat. The rage in her eyes left no doubt

Kavita instinctively stepped back. She had seen glimpses of Swara, how she can fight back, but this Swara? She looked like she would murder. It's all over her face.

For the first time, Kavita felt scared. If for a mere book, she could react this way, if she decides to have Sanskaar...she would move heaven and earth. Should she be thankful, she chose not to?

But stinging cheek was burning... how dare she?. She thinks she can slap her and getaway. Kavita fumed watching Swara who held the book as if it was her life and started to leave.

"Fine! You can have that stupid book all for yourself. Kavita shouted from behind. "The person is gonna be mine, anyway. So...

And those words ...

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That night, turned miserable for Swara. She had been waging war with self all these days, trying to come to terms with pain... but what she felt today was beyond anything, she could comprehend. It was searing. Those words of Kavita.

She couldn't part with a Scrapbook and was ready to let Sanskaar go, like a fool. It was for the first time, the intensity of loss hit her. She wouldn't survive this pain of losing Sanskaar.

For whom? For this Kavita who never cared for her, didn't bat an eyelid fabricating false stories, who didn't care a bit about her feelings and had been nothing but selfish to the core. What and why? Everything seemed hazy. Swara squeezed her eyes shut at voices playing in her head.

"Please don't name this mindless act of yours as a sacrifice."

"How could you just hand over me to your so-called sister? How could you stand there and watch someone lay claim on me and do nothing, Swara?"

"It's not too late yet."

Just like your mother.

He's gonna be mine.

You can't see my heart bleeding.

You always considered him to be your beautiful dream, didn't you? And now, when you are so close, you are bent on ruining it ..for what and for whom? For your so-called family who hardly cared for you.

If you had been my daughter, Swara. I would have asked you to let Sanskaar go, let your sister have her share of happiness. Would you?

I would have given away anything just to get a glimpse of you, to hold you like this again..Anything.

Just one step...

And they played in the endless loop one after another .. screaming in her head. Swara closed her ears, trying to block them away. And all of them died slowly ... bit by bit, but only one.

Don't let me go...

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Kavita didn't want to make an issue and was thankful her mom and dadi were out for shopping when fiasco happened. It would have drawn unnecessary attention and she would have to feed details. Her lies would be caught.

Just one more day. No one ..literally no one would be able to snatch her fortune. Just for a few more hours, she needs to put up an act. She will leave Swara to mop around on her own. She's the nice one..so she would do nothing but shed silent tears...suits her.

She looked at her mobile. Damn! She had been dying to share the news with her group. And it wouldn't hurt. Just a day more, right! On an impulse, she dialled a number.

"Babes ...I have a great piece of news to share. Keep this to yourself Ok! Tumhare hosh uddjayenge, I bet! Didn't I tell you, I will get my hands on the richest and best of all? Now get ready to faint. No, I am not bragging. I am getting married in a day. Yes! You heard right! And to someone which will have everyone turn green with J.No, I am not giving the name. Other than hint it starts with S." She laughed hearing another side.

"No, not that loser... Kavita dismissed name with a wave of the hand. "It's over long back. I had someone else on my radar. Love? Babes,I always love money, not these foolish men...You know that! and..."

A click on the door. Kavia turned back only to turn pale. Standing before her was the last person she would have ever wished to walk in at that moment.

"You never loved him. Did you?"

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And we gear up for finale....Closing in the next part.

Thanks and Love

Lucky