HI! Lovely people! Another wind coming you way...enjoy the winter!

She had been sleeping, but the constant ring of the phone woke her up. It was a number unknown to her, Swara stared at it for a long time before picking up.

Hello?' She said sleepily.

There was a silence.

Hello?' She tried again.

Silence, deep and unknown. She sat upright on her bed, throwing the pillow she had been hugging earlier. Outside, the winter night greeted her from the snow covered windowpanes.

Sanskar?' She said in a small voice.

Hi Shona.'

She closed her eyes for a moment, they stung a little from a trace of moisture. She had recognized his silence effectively, but his voice had long changed the avatar she knew. It was deeper and more mature, Swara sighed to herself, three years would do some difference to everyone.

I'm angry,' she said in a higher note. It took you three years to find my number huh?'

I was supposed to keep my distance right?' He said in a smooth tone, almost of one cooing a child.

So what stopped you now?'

Nothing... I was packing my stuff and found some of our old photographs, they reminded me of you...rather strongly.'

Packing?' Swara knitted her brows. Ah, yes, Lucky did tell me about your scholarship, why Howard Sanskar? When you could have come here!'

She heard him sigh, as if almost holding back something.

It was Bade papa's call, he wants Howard.'

And you're leaving, when? Tomorrow?'

I'm leaving tonight Shona.'

But...'

Forget all that for a moment,' said Sanskar rather urgently. I want to tell you something... Actually I want to ask for a favor,'

Are you crazy Sanskar? Since when do we do favors on each other?'

I need you to look after Lucky a bit, and of cause Uttara, when she joins you the summer after the next... Call Ma often and if you could please talk Mom occasionally as well.'

Sanskar?'

Huh?'

Are you leaving the house or something?'

He laughed uneasily.

Why would you ask something like that Shona?'

Why else would you give me all these directions? Look Sanskar, don't do something stupid okay, wait till summer, fine,. no, wait till Christmas break, I'll come and put everything right. Don't go anywhere okay?'

I wish you were here Shona, miss you a lot.'

I'll come...it's only a week away, what happened?'

Nothing. You can't do anything either. I just wanted to hear your voice, before I...' He gulped. I'm tired of wearing this crown, I need to break free now. Perhaps...we might not see each other again...'

Sanskar...'

You'd understand some day,' he said gathering his voice back. Forgive me then, okay? Meanwhile take care of yourself.'

She didn't say anything for a long moment and let the stray tears drain away.

Are you leaving me Sanskar?' She asked then, mildly.

I don't have a choice, I'm sorry.'

You shouldn't have called.' She said wiping her eyes. How am I going to sleep now?'

You're the only one I need forgiveness from. I've thrown you in to mess by all this and I won't be here to solve it either.'

What?'

You'd understand, later, when you're older. Forgive me then Shona. Forgive me for not choosing you.'

*

 Thanks for reading!

Thoughts are welcome!

I'll reply to all your lovely comments in leisure, later, forgive my tight schedule at the moment!