"Swara beta, can I have a word with you?", asked Ram.

"Sure uncle", said Swara turning towards him.

"You said you are from Kolkata right? How did you know Sanskar? Are you his classmate?", asked Ram remembering their conversation on the dining table where Swara told that she came from Kolkata.

"No uncle, I was doing my bachelor's in the same university when Sanskar was doing his MBA", replied Swara with a smile.

"Oh, so you both knew each other since then?", asked Ram being surprised.

"Well, only I knew him during our college days. We met again a month back in Kolkata unexpectedly", before Swara could complete, Ram interrupted.

"I thought so, it is unlike of Sanskar to go behind a girl trying to woo her and you can blame me for that. I destroyed his childhood in the name of discipline making him like this. And I had my reasons Swara, for being strict. In my youth, I was a spoilt brat who wanted to experience every pleasure that money and power could offer. I fell into bad company and started doing drugs, going to parties that were not permitted and many times got myself arrested for getting involved in illegal activities just for the sake of thrill because money was never a matter to me. My dad never said no to me and always saved me from getting punished which made me more rebel. But my mom was sensible, she thought only marriage could bring a change in me and then Sujatha came into my live like a knight in a shining armour. Though I made her life hell as my mother got us married without my consent, she has been the best daughter in law and more than that an amazing wife. Her stubbornness, have forced me to leave the dark world and her support has given me strength that even I could achieve something in my life. Slowly, I started assisting my father in his business and soon found myself enjoying my work. After few years we were blessed with Sanskar and my happiness knew no bounds. At the same time, I became very over protective about him. I arranged everything for him including a playground in our garden so that he wouldn't need to go out of the mansion except for his classes. Because I didn't want any bad influence on him. He spent all his childhood playing alone, sometimes with Abhay as he was the son of one of my business partners. Sujatha constantly opposed of my decision but I was very scared that Sanskar would become like me. When he was a kid, he used to protest against me and many times tried to escape out of the mansion but later he stopped complaining. Probably he accepted his fate, I don't know what he thought because I never was able to form that strong bond with him. Unknowingly, in the mask of being strict I drew a small line between us which probably could never be erased. Once I told him that everyone should recognise him as Sanskar Maheshwari and not as a son of Ram Prasad Maheshwari, and then I didn't imagine that he would take my words so seriously that he worked day and night to become what he is today and I am really very proud of my son. I couldn't be a good father but he always proved to be a great son", smiled Ram looking at Sanskar and Swara could see a lone tear escaping from his eyes.

"In all this, one good thing I did was taking Sanskar to a conference when he was doing his engineering which was addressed by the youngest enterprenuer of that year, Arnav Singh Raizada. Arnav was really impressed by Sanskar's questions in that conference and immediately agreed to mentor him and help him in the way of becoming one of the successful businessmen. And that is when Sanskar got his elder brother with whom he spends more time than with us. I have never seen Sanskar sharing his worries or fears with anyone but with Arnav it's different. Abhay, Arnva and Khushi means a lot to him and now you are going to be one of them too", said Ram caressing Swara's head.

"Swara, I am telling you all this because I don't want you to misunderstand him for his odd behavior. I agree he doen't know how to convey his emotions but I have never seen him hurting anyone till now. Being alone all through his childhood made him self centered and less spoken. I don't say it would be easy for you because like every girl you would have many expectations from your partner but I am sure you could bring in that change and give him all the happiness which I took away from him. I just want you not to leave him ever. I...", before Ram could continue, Swara placed her hand on Ram shoulder and smiled at him.

"Sorry to interrupt uncle, I am not the one to judge you or weigh your love for your son but trust me I will never leave him. Though I won't deny the fact that his looks attracted me towards him but it is his attitude which made me fall for him. I don't want to sound possessive but part of me felt very happy seeing his ignorance towards girls thinking that I could have him all to myself without any competition. I am fine with his love for his work because I have confidence in me that I would create many such situations whenever I wanted to spend some time with him, how much ever he is busy with his baby. So, don't worry I am not going to leave him in this life time. If it's in my hands, I wouldn't leave him for the next seven lives either", winked Swara making her father in law smile and he blessed her with happiness before going inside.

Sujatha asked them to stay over for the night and Khushi was the most excited to agree to it.

"Aunty, I will be back in ten minutes after making bed for Arnav ji, we have lot to talk", saying which Khushi left to one of the guest rooms followed by Arnav.   

"Gossip", whispered Abhay and Uttara at the same time getting excited but to their bad luck Sujatha heard them and sent Uttara to her room as she had college tomorrow and she need to sleep early to wake up in the morning without any tantrums. 

"In all this I forgot to mention Swara, you are so pretty in this saree", complimented Sujatha taking Kajal from her eye and putting it behind Swara's ear.

"Don't worry aunty, she already got the compliment from the one she desire", said Abhay looking at Sanskar. Understanding it, Sujatha smiled while Swara blushed.

Not understanding how to react, Sanskar tried to escape from the situation.

"I think it's time to go to bed. Good night mom, good night Swara", wished Sanskar for which both Swara and Sujatha nodded their heads wishing him good night.

"Are you coming Abhay?", asked Sanskar turning towards him.

"Yup, Swara I am going to sleep in Sanskar's room unless you have some other plans. Actually I don't mind...", what Abhay didn't mind, no one knew because Sanskar dragged him upstairs not allowing him to speak another word.

Swara and Sujatha sat on the couch waiting for Khushi and exactly in ten minutes, she joined them and then they spoke hours together like three friends meeting after a decade. The next two days Swara and Sanskar spent some time together visiting few places suggested by Abhay. Knowing Sanskar, Swara haven't expected anything intimate but she treasured every moment walking beside him holding his hand and having all his attention. Though Sanskar couldn't be with Swara all the time as he had to attend a few important meetings which he couldn't postpone, she never felt bored as she has got the company of Khushi and occasionally Uttara too. So, she utilized this time to learn cooking starting with few basic dishes and also she insisted Khushi to teach her how to drape a saree as she felt that Sanskar loved her in it. Though he didn't say it explicitly, his looks conveyed all that is needed. 

One such day, when Swara and Sanskar were returning from Juhu beach, Sanskar thought of showing Swara the unique office room of Abhay as they were passing by his office. Abhay was more than happy in escorting Swara around while Sanskar sat on the couch talking to his secretary Aman.

"Sir, actually the tender we placed for a project in RK group of companies has been tied", said Aman.

"Wow, that's surprising. Who is the other one?", asked Sanskar.

"It is a startup company which has no experience in this industry. I don't know how they bid so well in their very first attempt", replied Aman being a bit irritated on getting a tie with newbies.

"Looks like they have got good potential. Verify about them and send me the details. If they seem capable enough, let's withdraw", said Sanskar.

"Sir, this project would get us great profits. Why should we withdraw? We will give them money and ask them to backout", suggested Aman.

"Aman, how many times should I remind you that Karma industries will only compete with equals. We are working hard to win but not to pull back the others who are talented. Let them have a chance to prove their talent. We already have good projects on our plate or wait a minute, do you think Karma industries is not capable of getting better projects than this?", asked Sanskar maintaing his cool.

"Not at all sir, I have full confidence on your potential", said Aman hastily not wanting to make his boss angry.

"So, do as I say", commanded Sanskar.

"Yes sir. Also sir, there is an important meeting at 5 and Arnav sir had to attend a client. Will it be possile for you to be here?", asked Aman hesitantly.

"Fine, I will be there", saying which Sanskar disconnected the call and looked at Swara and Abhay who were also staring at him listening to his call till now.

"Well, Abhay do you have any appointments to be attended today evening?", asked Sanskar.

"No Sanskar", replied Abhay.

"Then could you please take Swara along with you to Raizada Mansion? I will finish off this meeting and come directly there", asked Sanskar.

"Sure", replied Abhay. With that Sanskar left from there.

"He is such a sweet heart. This is what...", before Swara could continue Abhay completed.

"made you fall for him", saying which Abhay smiled for which Swara nodded in agreement.

"He is always like that. He says Arnav bhai encouraged him and given him a chance to prove himself, so, he will also do the same with the upcoming entrepreneurs", said Abhay feeling proud of his best friend.

"You know Abhay, when I saw him for the first time, he was...", Swara started but was interrupted by a notification on Abhay's phone. Looking at which Abhay's face became pale.

"Sorry Swara, I need to make a call. Give me a moment", saying which Abhay went near the window and was dialing a number constantly but there was no response from the other side. His tense face was making Swara worried. She waited patiently for about ten minutes but Abhay's condition was deteriorating.

"Abhay, is everything alright?", asked Swara not able to withhold her tension but it seems like Abhay didn't hear her. He was frantically searching his cupboard for something. 

"Abhay", she called again only to get no response. Not understanding what to do she went towards him and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Abhay, can I help you in any way?", asked Swara.

Feeling her touch, he turned towards her abruptly as if he just realised her presence. 

"Do you know how to drive a car?", asked Abhay taking continuous deep breaths as if he was trying to calm himself down.

"Yes", replied Swara being hell worried looking at the sudden change in his behavior.

"Let's leave to Raizada Mansion", saying which Abhay directed her to the parking and Swara drove them home trying to make a conversation with Abhay while he was constantly dialing someone's number.

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So, here is a quick update. 

What do you think have happened to Abhay all of a sudden?

Whom is he trying to call?

How is the update?

Let me know your views. Thank you.

Praahi.