CHAPTER: 10

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Author.

"Are you sure that Swara is the daughter of Shekhar uncle?" Sanskar who asked Aman to collect information about Swara said to him that Swara was the daughter of Shekhar Gadodia and Sharmishta Bose.

"Then how come to her surname is Bose?" Sanskar was confused.

"Alright!" Sanskar disconnected the call.

'Swara, so you are the daughter of Shekhar uncle. But why didn't I saw you before. I have been into Shekhar uncle's house many times. But all I saw was Ragini. And why the hell your surname is Bose. Day by day your becoming a mystery. I think I should talk  to mom about this.' Sanskar was restless.

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"Dad, Swara is currently in Rajasthan," Sahil said to his father who was lost in thoughts.

"Dad...Dad...you are alright?" Sahil snapped his fingers at him.

"Yeah!" Suraj came out of the trance. But his behaviour didn't go well. He was sweating badly.

"Dad, what's your problem. I'm seeing you from the past few weeks. In fact, you are not even paying attention to political affairs too." Sahil complained.

"Sahil, it's just I'm afraid. Afraid that if Ragini is alive, Gadodia's won't leave us. They will be like a hungry lion who has got the prey after a very long time." Suraj explained his worry.

"Dad, even if she is alive, I will make sure to murder her. And also, if she is living now, who would be her supporting system? Who would be looking after her?" Sahil asked being confused.

"That's why I'm asking you to spy on Swara. She is not like Ragini. Swara will only take every step with plan and calculation. If Ragini was like her, then she would have been alive now. But poor soul, she was very much adamant to expose me so quickly." Suraj knew about the sisters well.

"I think, we shouldn't last Swara till Ragini is found." Sahil impatiently said.

"I have already made the arrangements for. Soon Shekhar will cry again. " Suraj replied smiling evilly.

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After the conversation with his PA, Sanskar was in a dilemma. He was confused with Swara's identity. Maheshwari's and gadodia's were family friends for a long time. And still, he was unaware of the fact that Swara was actually Shekhar's daughter. He made his mind to call his Mom and ask about Swara. He knows his Maa will clear his dilemma.

"Areey...chorre, how's your honeymoon going." Sujata jumped from her place when she saw it was Sanskar's call.

"What the! Honeymoon??" Sanskar rolled his eyes at his mother's antics.

"I mean, Mihrapur. How's it?? How's the climate there?? Romantic or..." Sujata asked winking her eyes at Annapurna.

"Mom! You are impossible. I could say, you are a unique piece." Sanskar said hitting his head by hand.

"Okay okay...I know, my son is not so romantic and he will remain a bachelor whole life." Sujata giggled.

"Mom!" Sanskar yelled.

"Mom, I wanna know something about Shekhar uncle's daughter."  Sanskar hurriedly said before Sujata can interpret.

"You know her. She is Ragini. Laksh's unofficial girlfriend." Sujata teased Sanskar as she knows that he must be asking about Swara.

"Mom, I'm not asking about Ragini." Sanskar was really irritated.

"Then?" Sujata faked innocence.

"Mom, I'm asking about Dr Swara Bose." After a pause Sanskar said.

Sujata giggled. Even Annapurna was hearing everything as the mobile phone was in speaker mode.

"What about her chorre?" Sujata acted like thinking.

"Mom, Shekhar uncle is a Gadodia, right? Then how come Swara's surname is Bose? And also how come I wasn't aware of Swara being Shekhar uncle's daughter?" Sanskar was firing questions.

"Actually Swara and Ragini were twins. Both were bubbly and chirpy. Swara used to stay with her Dida as her Dida and Dadu were alone in Banaras. That's why you haven't met her in your childhood. After that, you went to the United States for studying. So you completely lost Swara."  Sujata started to explain.

"And about the surname, you can't forget the fact that she is the daughter of Dr Shekhar Gadodia and businesswoman Mrs Sharmishta Boss. Her mother had always thought that once's surname is his/her identity. So even after her marriage also Mishti remained as Bose. Swara went along with her mother. Swara persuaded medicine whereas Ragini concentrated on business with her mother." Sujata continued.

"As we all say, sometimes even God will become jealous of our happiness...5 years ago, Sharmishta was committed suicide. Swara blamed Shekhar for that. Actually, they were betrayed by one of their clients. Also, they were having some family issues. After that incident, Swara stopped talking to Shekhar and stayed away from her family. Ragini tried her maximum to make Swara understand. But Swara wasn't ready to listen to anything. Poor Swara, we can't say that Swara was wrong. Because, she was so close to her mother than Ragini. When Sharmishta was dead, Swara even went through depression. And now, even Ragini is not here for almost 2 years. Swara's life became a mess. " Sujata concluded with a sigh.

"Do you remember, who the client was?" Sanskar who heard this had tears in his eyes. But he controlled himself and asked.

"No, chorre...I don't remember. Maybe,  Laksh could help." Sujata muttered.

After thanking her, Sanskar decided to call Laksh.

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"Ragini, where are you? Why are you hiding from the world? You said you are going for a vacation! But it's too much. You clearly know how much I love you. Then why are you playing a hide and seek? For God's sake, it's two years. I have lost every contact with you. I still regret that day." Laksh was talking to Ragini's photo frame.

"Ragini, today it's my birthday. Please stop being a Hitler." Laksh was walking being an angry Ragini like a lovesick puppy. 

"I know Laksh, but it's something very urgent I have something very important to do. In fact, I have been waiting for this day since a long time." Ragini replied with shining eyes.

"For what, Ragini?" Laksh asked being confused.

"You will get to know everything. But now, I need to leave immediately." Ragini smiled.

"Ok, Ragu. I will be waiting for you." He said kissing her forehead.

"Ragini, I shouldn't have left you alone. I wish I could undo it. Come back, Ragini. I'm waiting for you." Laksh wiped his tears.

Laksh's trance broke as his phone was ringing continuously. He went inside the room and answered the call.

"Hey, Sanskar...how are you?" Laksh faked his emotions.

"I'm good, Laksh. How are you? I mean, are you okay?" Sanskar who know about Ragini's missing and Laksh's heart break asked.

"Do you know the client, who betrayed Gadodia group of companies before 5 years?" Sanskar who didn't got any response from Laksh, continued.

"No, Sanskar. But I can ask Shekhar uncle about the same." Laksh replied.

"No, please. Don't ask him about it. He is already at a loss." Sanskar immediately said.

"Or, I will ask Sreeshnu to inquire." Laksh assured to Sanskar. Sanskar hummed as a response.

"Between, what's your next task?" Laksh asked.

"Something which I can do well." Sanskar laughed and said.

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Hall of Mihrapur palace was crowded. Maids were running here and there. All were busy.

"Hey, Bhagwan, why so many people are here?" Swara muttered by seeing the crowd.

"Because unlike other programs, painting is our culture and it's in our blood. We respect painters very much. Mihrapur paintings are famous for their uniqueness. The paintings of us had been auctioned for higher rates. Now it's your turn to prove yourself. Sanskar, are you ready?" Rajkumari explained.

Swara widens her eyes by hearing Sanskar's name. While Sanskar's lips crept into a small smile.

One hour was the time given to painters. And the topic was 'emotions'. Paintings will be evaluated by high profiled painters of Mihrapur.

The competition started. Swara bit her nails, she was so tensed. 

"Hey Bhagwan, one hour had passed. And Sanskar is still looking at me. If he doesn't know drawing at the first place, why the hell he went on competing. We are doomed." Swara complained about Sanskar to her Bhagwan.

Sanskar smirked at her antics.

"So the competition is over. Let's go on with paintings. I kindly request every painter to stay back from their respective paintings." An announcement was made.

Sanskar came and stood near Swara.

"What the hell, Sanskar! Why the hell you were staring at me. Have you even drawn at least a line in the caravan?" Swara asked irritatingly.

"Swara, I don't know whether I will come first. But all I know is, I have portraited my every emotion in it. I drew what I felt in my heart and what I saw in my mind. Don't ask me further questions." Sanskar angrily replied and walked away.

"What the hell! I should be the one who is angry." Swara muttered curses.

"Swara, Sanskar, you can go back to your rooms. The result will be announced tonight." Rajkumari directed them to the room.

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"Jiji, tomorrow I'm going to meet Shekharji for asking Swara's hand for Sanskar," Sujata said with excitement.

"Suju, what's so hurry. Let them come." Annapurna tried to control Sujata, who was flying so high.

"What if, Swara doesn't love Sanskar?" Annapurna asked.

"Which girl can resist my son's charm. He has everything that a girl want." Sujata explained her side.

"But still, we should accept one's heart, not looks. And you know it more than anyone suju..." Ram replied to Sujata winking.

"Sanskar ka daddy..." Sujata blushed.

"Annu, come let's go. They have started their romance. " Durga Prasad said on which Annapurna giggled.

|•|•|•|•|

'I'm so tensed. And who won't be? Sanskar hasn't even drawn a single line in the caravan. What if we lose. I don't know what we are going to do if he fails. Swara... control! Relax. Breathe inn... Breathe out. Everything is going to be alright.' Swara kept on biting her lips.

"Swara, stop thinking about that. Stop stressing yourself. Rajkumari has called us to mahasadhas. " Sanskar said and Swara comes out of her trance.

Both of them walked to the downstairs. They started to descend the stairs. Suddenly Swara saw something and stood flabbergasted. She was so lost. Her eyes started to tear up. Every type of emotions was flashing through her hazelnut eyes.

Swara suddenly hugged Sanskar in which he stumbled. But still, he managed to stay still.

"Soo Sanskar, even the judges were dazed to see your work. " Rajkumari said coming forward. 

"Yes, Mr.maheshwari. Your portrait was an amazing piece. It had emotions, which was the topic. I must say that you had drawn this painting with great selectivity and dedication. Good job." One of the high profiled painter declared openly.

Sanskar smiled and looked at Swara. Swara was looking into the painting as if she was trying to find something or someone inside. Sanskar again smirked and went near her.

"How's it, Swara? I hope you are satisfied. I  had drawn a lot of lines in it. I know, now you would have understood why I stared at you so long. " Sanskar huskily whispered in Swara's ears. She shivered at their intensity.

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