Thanks, Choti cindrella212 for this amazing cover. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Abhay was finding it difficult to control his excitement in knowing how was Sanskar's date. Piya was just smiling looking at him. She always admired their bond. After what seemed to be an eternity, Sanskar walked up to them when he found them waiting near the entrance.

"Sorry for the delay guys...how are you sweetheart?", asked Sanskar hugging Piya.

"I am fine bhai", she replied with a smile, and before she could say something Abhay pulled his friend into a hug.

"I am so happy for you Sanskar...finally you grew up. I am so proud of myself..."

"Hold on Abhay...it's not what you are imagining...I will tell you everything once we reach Mumbai...okay?", interrupted Sanskar.

"That's not fair...I can't wait so long", complained Abhay with an irritated face.

"You have to buddy, I don't want to recite the same thing again and again, so wait till we reach Arnav bro's house", ignoring Abhay's grunts Sanskar continued "Piya...can you ask your driver to take my car and park it in our farmhouse garage whenever possible".

"Will do that...you take care", said Piya waving a bye to Sanskar for which he nodded with a smile while Abhay hugged her.

"I will miss you", whispered Piya for which Abhay kissed her forehead and said, "Don't worry, as Sanskar's girlfriend is also in Kolkata, I feel we can meet often now...what do you say Sanskar...when is your next date?"

Abhay immediately turned his attention to Piya as soon as he understood that Sanskar is not enjoying his teasing.

"Baby...I love you...bye...take care of yourself...okay?", saying which Abhay joined Sanskar and they both went in after waving her goodbye. 

On the other hand, Swara reached her house only to find her mom at the gate waiting for her. Sharmishta was a bit worried as it was past Swara's usual time of return. Parking her scooty, without giving any chance for her mother, Swara apologized,

"Sorry mom, I should have called and informed but it was an emergency...", and she narrated about the girl and Sanskar of course skipping few details which she considered would raise suspicions to her mother.

"Oh my God, Is the girl alright?", asked Sharmishta being concerned.

"Ha mom, tomorrow I will go and see her. I will speak with the inspector too. Mom, these culprits should be caught", said Swara with anger clearly evident in her voice.

 "Do you want to take your dad with you?", asked Shomi (Short for Sharmishta) worried.

"No mom, please don't tell this to dad...he will be worried unnecessarily. I will handle it", said Swara assuring her mother.

"Okay, go and freshen up, we will have dinner together", said Shomi and Swara went into her room while Shomi lost in her thoughts arranging the dining table.

This is not the first time for her Shona (nickname of Swara) to come home with such news. Shomi is proud of her daughter for her courage and self-defense but at the same time, she is really worried about her safety. She is very happy that her little girl saved another girl's life and prayed to God "Bhagawan Ji, please take care of your kids"

After around three hours, the flight landed in Mumbai. Sanskar and Abhay got into the car sent by Arnav and reached Raizada Mansion.

As soon as Arnav saw Sanskar coming up the stairs,

"How was the meeting?", asked Arnav.

"It was fantastic bhai. I am positive that the deal will be ours. They said they will let us know through email", replied Sanskar with a smile.

"Great...if this works out then this will be the first contract for Karma industries, your baby Sanskar", said Arnav with happiness and pride evident in his voice. 

 "If this boring talk is done, can we get to the point Sanskar?", interrupted Abhay getting an apple from the fridge and settling beside Sanskar.

Looking at Arnav's confused face, Abhay clarified "Sanskar met a girl in Kolkata and he went on his first date too...so I want to know all about this girl"

"Girl...don't tell me Abhay, you ditched Piya...I will kill you", joined Khushi, Arnav's wife who heard only the last statement.

"No bhabhi...this time, it's Sanskar...not me", said Abhay with a smirk.

"Wow...now tell us all about her", said Khushi all excited.

As Sanskar narrated everything, all three were very silent except for a few gasps and groans from Abhay. After he finished,

"She is a firebrand dude...and I think she would be the right one for you", said Arnav.

"And looks like she is head over heels in love with you Sanskar...", added Khushi with a smile.

"We can't be so sure...maybe she is just attracted to me", said Sanskar as he didn't want to get to a conclusion so soon without knowing anything about her.

"No one breaks cups when they have a mere crush Sanskar...I am more experienced in this...so take my advice", butted in Abhay.

"I don't know...I don't want to rush things, you know me right...if she is not the one destined to be mine, then I don't want to waste my time", replied Sanskar and before Abhay could protest Khushi interrupted.

"You guys exchanged numbers, right? Speak with her and get to know more about her..then you can decide".

Sanskar nodded being lost in his thoughts "If she really loves me, she will call me first...won't she? Let's see". He didn't say it loud because he was sure that Abhay would not agree to this. 

All the four had their dinner after which Sanskar and Abhay left for their houses.

For the next seven days, Swara was busy working with Sandhya and the police in finding the culprits. With the help of Swara, Sandhya gave the police the character sketch of the goons and the police spread a word to all the police stations in the city and finally found them on the outskirts of Kolkata with a lot of stolen goods. As they were arrested, Swara decided to call Sanskar after dinner time because she didn't want to disturb him during his work.

All through the week, she constantly checked her phone so that she wouldn't miss any text or call from Sanskar in case if he felt like talking to her, though with her two years of experience, she knew that she shouldn't expect this from him but still her heart couldn't give up hope. Knowing him well has only decreased her disappointment but couldn't stop expectations.

At around nine in the evening, mustering all the courage, Swara dialed Sanskar's number. With each ring, her heartbeat is increasing and her mind was taunting her that he won't answer.

Sanskar was going upstairs to his room when his mobile rang and looking at the caller id, only one thought stuck his mind "she called me first...so I think I can take it as a positive sign", with a smile he answered the call.

"Hi Swara"

"Hey Sanskar, is this the right time to talk to you? ", she asked this holding her breath because she knew how angry he would be if anyone interrupts his work. She has seen it a few times during their college days.

"Absolutely Swara, I just reached home. How are you?", asked Sanskar.

"I am fine and there is a good news Sanskar...Sandhya's culprits have been arrested today...they got life imprisonment", put in Swara.

"Great...infact they deserve more than just imprisonment. Hope Sandhya is coping up well", replied Sanskar with happiness evident in his voice.

"Ya she has been discharged but the doctor said she would take some time to get over the shock", said Swara and both of them lost in their thoughts about girl's safety and their mental and physical pain which they had to go threw just because of some wild animal who couldn't control his hormones. 

"Sanskar, you would have been tired...go and have dinner, your parents would be waiting for you right? We will talk later", said Swara coming out of her thoughts and breaking the silence.

"It's been ages since I had dinner with them Swara...I usually come late and then head straight to bed...", he replied with a chuckle as if it doesn't matter.

"Fine then good night Sanskar", saying which Swara disconnected the call.

As Swara took the first step by calling Sanskar, he too decided to dedicate part of his time for her and slowly they both started texting every night talking about their day's routine mainly shared by Swara because Sanskar has got nothing new to say because all he would do is talk about his office, clients and meetings while Swara has her life apart from her profession. She goes out to movies, restaurants, spends some time with her parents, and so on. She has got many interesting things to share and Sanskar always wonders how she is managing all those.

During these times, there is one thing that is bothering Swara that Sanskar seemed to skip his meals almost every night. And she decided to speak with him regarding it but was hesitant because he might not like her interfering in his personal life more than she was allowed to. But finally making up her mind that his health is more important than her fear of getting scolded by him, she brought the matter into their conversation.

"Sanskar, don't get angry, can I suggest something?"

"Come on Swara, you can suggest anything because following it or not is again my decision...so, I am always open for suggestions", replied Sanskar with a smile.

"Why don't you have your dinner with your family at least twice a week, if it's not possible every day...I mean...while breakfast we will be in a hurry to go to our work and lunch anyhow we need to have it in our workplace, so dinner is the only time where we could sit down, talk with our family and spend some time with them. It feels good, trust me", she typed and sent it after re-reading the message twice to make sure that it was conveyed like a request rather than like an order.

"You know right, by the time I come home, they will be sleeping"

"You anyhow work after coming home, then why not come a little early...", said Swara.

"Do you think it's needed Swara...I don't know...it feels weird to change my lifestyle after all these years", replied Sanskar not wanting to change his routine.

"I know you are hardworking in building your company from scratch and you have dedicated all your time for it but it's equally important to give time for your family. They might not complain but these small things would make a big difference Sanskar. And even skipping meals is not good...it might affect you in the long run...just give it a thought...good night", saying which Swara ended the conversation leaving Sanskar thoughtful.

Rather than what she said, the concern in her words made him happy. With that thought in his mind, he drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, he decided to try what Swara said and went down to the breakfast table. As a routine, on the table, at his chair, there is a newspaper, a fruit juice, and a toast placed all set for him, so that he could finish it off and rush to his work without wasting any minute. After finishing his breakfast, he glanced around the table where his mom, dad, and sister are immersed in a conversation which he is not aware of...in fact, he is not aware of anything that is happening in their lives for long. He just knew that his sister Uttara is doing a degree in commerce but how is her college life...is everything alright? He never cared to ask. Now, if he thinks, he doesn't even remember when he went out with his family, how ignorant he has been?

Thinking all this, Sanskar cleared his throat to gain their attention. As all the three turned towards him, he started,

"Mom...what I was thinking is...", he stopped as his mind was still nagging that he is fine with his life and is not yet ready to accept this change.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What do you think...will Sanskar listen to his mind or his heart?

Do you think Family time is necessary?

Did you like Arnav and Kushi's bond with Sanskar and Abhay?

Please let me know your views and if it's too boring I will change it accordingly and suggestions are welcomed.

Please share the story with your friends...seeing the response, I don't feel like writing.

Thank you,

Praahi.