Hello all ..So back with an another story . This chapter lies down base for rest of story, hence not much of Swasan. You will meet most of important characters in this part ..few more in next part Thanks for all for comments on Sneakpeak. It's very encouraging ..and sorry for super delay in revert . Will do so .. since I have some time off and on that note .. At this moment I have lenience to add any scenes/ sequences  you would like to read on Swasan in college setting. I cant promise but if there is a chance ..I will definitely fit in wherever I can ..so feel free to drop .

Happy Reading. Please ignore any errors and typos and do drop in your thoughts.

Kaali badi , Kolkata

Life is strange sometimes .It doesn't go as per expectations..when you feel everything is perfect, it throws in a googly which might just turn your world upside down.

Leaning onto wooden window in living room, Swara held photograph of her mother close - Sharmistha Bose, her only family till a week back.

She loved living in Mumbai, its home .. the place where she was born and brought up single handedly by her mother, who worked as music professor in one of reputed institutes.They lived in simple 2BHK , their sweet home. She never knew who her father was , or one can say her mother never revealed it to her. It would have been easy to live knowing he no longer existed, but that wasn't the truth. During her childhood there were times when her eyes stung with tears watching kids play with their parents in a park near by ..she would rush to her mother crying.

" Maa..agar main good girl baungi tho papa aayegne hamare paas ..main choclates ke liye bhi jidd nahi karungi , toys ke liye bhi ..I will be a good girl Please unko aane ko kaho."

Sharmistha would simply clutch her little daughter to her heart and shed silent tears...but Swara never had an answer.All she knew was he doesn't stay with them. As she grew up,the resentment grew too ... there were fights ,arguments ,sometimes she picked with her mom when hurt by some nasty comments passed , but soon realised..these would just lead to nothing but pain.

Instead she started looking at things other way . Other than few occasions she never missed her dad much ..her mom didn't let her. She gave her enough love , took care of her every little wish, had been her strength and support through every high and low . She managed work and home efficiently ..and Swara often wondered if her mom was super woman .And slowly she took pride in her mother's fight all through these years. How tough it would have been to bring up a child with no one to take care of as single mother and with all those taunts from neighbourhood aunties.

One day as they walked in together, she heard few more " Pata nahi iska pati isse chodkar kyu chala gaya "," hain bhi ki nahi kya pata" and that raised her shackles.She would have given an answer right back if not for her mom who dragged her inside.

"Maa.. apne mujhe roka kyu?shayad aap bardaasht karnge lekin..I will not tolerate a word against you ... I .. "Sharmistha watched as Swara tossed bag angrily on floor fuming.

"Kya farak padta hain shona .. "Sharmistha fetched a glass of water for Swara, " aur kitne logon se ladegi tu .. aisa baton pe dhyan mat de. Main khana banati hoon hain, .Chalo ..change karlo, She gently patted her hair, " aur kal tere MBA admission ke liye kal jaana hain.na." Swara nodded, gave her a hug, picked bag and headed to room in a much better mood. "Inn aunties ko na main chodungi nahi. "She muttered under breath.

That night.. Watching her daughter sleep peacefully, Sharmistha left to her room. She leaned back on bedpost pulled out photograph hid in her personal diary and recalled the events that changed her life and that one person ... Sekhar Gadodia.

Belonging to Kolkata, Sekhar came down to Mumbai in matter related to business .. and one of evenings , he took time to attend a musical concert ..That's where Sharmistha met him.Seated next to each other somehow they got in conversation and hit it off instantly. Sekhar had been in Mumbai for 2 weeks ..and since he didn't have many acquaintances in Mumbai, he hanged out with Sharmistha most of time. She took him around and very soon they realised they have much more in common.Their common love for books and music and Sharmistha's kolkata roots before they settled in Mumbai bond them well . For Sekhar it was just a harmless friendship , but for Sharmistha it was much more. But very soon Sekhar found himself drawn to guileless and vibrant nature of Sharmistha something he was not .She was like a breath of fresh air , fiery ,independent yet sorted out ..and that scared him . He was already married just a few months back to Janaki .. and he didn't make it a secret.

"I wish I had met you before " was all he could say

It was an arranged alliance which didn't give him much chance to know janaki before marriage and very soon realised they were poles apart. She was ideal bahu how his autocratic mother Parvati gadodia have imagined ,not like the one whom he would have wanted ...but he intended to stay committed , make it work ...It would have been a smooth sail if he didn't meet sharmistha who swept him off his feet .

It was not hidden from him that Sharmistha was equally drawn .He had seen it in her eyes yet he maintained his distance , until a night when every barrier had been crossed.If for Sharmistha it had been most beautiful night of her life , For guilt ridden Sekhar it was nothing but a mistake. Sharmistha knew she would have stopped if she wanted to but she had been too selfish at that moment ..hence she didn't hold anything against Sekhar . They no way had a future together ..and it was known from the start. It was time for Sekhar to leave ..and they parted ways amicably ..with a promise of not crossing each other paths again.

When Sharmistha realised she was pregnant ..her first instinct was to call Sekhar .. but she held back. Her mother Shobha stood by her when she didn't want to abort the kid. Sharmistha gave birth to a baby girl - They named her Swara.

Back in kolkata though Sekhar moved on in his life , sharmistha still remained somewhere deep down in his heart . Janaki gave birth to an another baby girl after 8 months - They named her Ragini.

It had been tough for Sharmistha initially ..but she stood up to society.Sharmistha already completed have masters in music with good credentials which fetched her a job soon . Shobha Bose left them when Swara was 10 years old owing to cardiac arrest one night ...it was blow but life had already thought Sharmistha to fight back .. she had been doing it for years . She taught her daughter to fight back too and never give up . Those questions troubled her ,of Swara whenever she questioned about Sekhar ..asking for her dad.Sharmistha knew Swara held a bit of resentment against her dad.. And it was not right . It was mutual decision and it's time for her to know .

Shramistha placed photograph of Sekhar back in her diary , quickly wiped off tears , reached out to letter pad and addressed a letter to Swara . She would give her when it's right time, but what she didn't realise was the time had come sooner than expected .

Next day Swara left early to college for admission formality .Though Swara s interest lied in music ..she didn't intend to make that a career .She had a bachelors in administration..and now she's gonna get into her MBA.Waiting for her mom at college .. a phone call saying her mom met with an accident on the way,rushed Swara to hospital frantically. There were two policemen talking to doctor. Swara's heart dipped watching them.

" Maa ko kuch mat hone dena..please please . "She muttered silent prayer and approached them As per doctor Sharmistha sustained severe injuries , few broken ribs too in car crash, which collided into a truck and is under emergency treatment. Inspector gave her further details that the truck driver was probably drunk while driving and was taken under charge,and Sharmistha was rushed to hospital in ambulance. Swara's heart sank further at sight of her unconscious mother on bed. Plastered with bandages all over ...Swara turned back unable to gaze at her any longer..one more minute she would break down and she can't afford to.Thanks to one of her mom's colleague Anjana sharma, the bestie of her Mom, and her husband Prakash who helped her to hold on.Sharma's had been one of their close family friends. Swara shared a warm rapport with the family especially with their kids Ajay and Sanjay, who are her close buddies . Sanjay is still in first year of grad, where as Ajay is of same age of Swara.

"Dont worry ..Shona dekhna tu aunty bahut jaldi teek hojayegi .. "Ajay tried to cheer her up.

"Haan Shona didi, aap dekhna sab theek ho jayega."Sanjay joined too. Swara smiled a little They had been with her all day, taking care of formalities and her .And she was glad she had them. It was after 2 days Sharmistha gained consciousness though doctor said her state was still delicate since she suffered multiple injuries.After two more days her condition got a bit better . As Swara walked into her mom's room that day after collecting bunch of reports.. She found someone talking to her , engrossed ,his back turned to her. She wondered who he was and her ears caught tit bits of conversation.

" Tumne kabhi bataya nahi mysti?" there was hint of pain in his voice.

"Maa.. "Swara called .Then he turned back. A middle aged person with bits of grey hair and kind eyes which were misty at this moment. His eyes widened as he watched her , then he turned to Sharmistha. There was a silent exchange between them which Swara couldn't understand

" Swara ..." her mom's strained voice faintly came across like she is mentioning her name to him And he smiled little."Ek aur beti hain " he told " Ragini.."

"Jaa..jaanki kaisi hain?" Her mom asked.His smile faded .There was moment of silence " Nahi hain .. Jab ragini 12 saal ki thi tab ... "he paused. Swara watched them confused .She had no clue what was going on .. how come her mom never mentioned him .There was an ease ,sense of comfort between them which puzzled her further like they have known each other for long.

She walked a bit closer . " Maa , ye kaun hain?" she asked placing reports on table.Silence hung for a while ..which made Swara uncomfortable ..and her mom's next words ...

"Tumhare Baba ..." her mom's words shook her .She went still..absolutely frozen.Her eyes moved to that person and then to her mom in disbelief. Sharmistha looked at Sekhar , he nodded in understanding and moved out of room giving them much needed privacy at that moment . The phone call from Anjana Sharma came as a shock for him .Hearing name of Sharmistha rushed him with many memories , but the news of her accident . He left to Mumbai immediately ...and that's when he got to know that their union that night had left him a daughter .It was kind of mixed feelings for him.Finding Sharmistha after all these years , distress on finding her in such state and the feeling of having a daughter. Though he termed it a mistake after that fateful night, ridden by guilt ..he never regretted the moments he spent with 'mysti' like he called her.

Swara simply walked out of room after few minutes in complete silence . She was too shaken with revelations. She had a dad, A dad and he had no clue of her existence. Sekhar didn't stop her, and slowly moved inside the room ,sat next to Sharmistha ,held her hand.

"Sekhar ..Trust me ..I would have never asked Anjana to call you if I was sure ki main ..."

"

" Tumhe kuch nahi hoga mysti..sab teek hojayega .."

Sharmistha smiled , " I know the my body Sekhar ..and the feeling .It's gonna give up soon. Shona ka koi nahi ..maa bhi nahi..aur ab main bhi ..I just couldn't leave her ...iss liye maine ..agar tumhe koi.."

" Bas karo mysti .. "Sekhar wiped his tears , " Tum uski chinta mat karo .. woh meri zimmedari hai .."

"Thank you Sekhar. ." Her daughter will not be left alone .she's going to be fine .. Fine. In peace ,Sharmistha slowly closed her eyes tired and one more day passed . She never opened them back

Swara would have never agreed to move with Sekhar to kolkata if not for her mom's last wish.After final rituals Swara tearfully bid bye to her home and Sharma's .

" Shona , agar tujhe kuch bhi problem ho, kabhi ghar ki yaad aayena ..ek baar phone ya message karde ..main aajavunga tujhe lene ... ok! "Ajay held her hand in assurance . Oh! shona! .. he pulled her into a hug watching her teary eyes. Sanjay joined them too . Anjana and Prakash echoed same, They are just a call away. Sekhar thanked them and assured he would take care of Swara.

It had been an awkward journey for both, though there were bits and pieces of conversations in between. He showed her a family photograph , pointed out to a girl of her age, " Ye ragini hain, jaise tumhe shona kehte hain .. waise hi hum isse laado kehte hain .. aur ye,"he pointed out to an elderly lady ,who by any means didn't look pleasant , " Meri Maa ..matlab tumhari... "He paused and point was taken . Even Sekhar was not sure how should he take this forward. He didn't want to push Swara towards accepting him and his family ." Dekho beta main jaanta hoon ki ,ye sab tumhare liye naya hain ..aur waqt lagega hum dono ko bhi .. sab itna jaldi hogya hain ki ..aur mysti tho .."

Swara watched his eyes turn misty. Can she even blame him for not being with them for all these years..when her mom itself didn't want him to .Though she knew nothing much about Mr. Sekhar Gadodia,she felt warmed at the thought ..he didn't raise a question on her Mom.It would have been easy to deny to take up any responsibility. A call and he was here. There must be a reason her mom loved this person ..and the letter which she found in her mom's diary ..while packing stuff cleared most of her apprehensions and in one way ,somewhere aided her in decision to move to Kolkata.

It was agreed that She would call Sekhar 'Uncle' for a while as Sekhar said he needed time to make his family understand ..he can't suddenly break the news that he had a 21 year old daughter born out of a one night stand .. his feelings won't be understood and his mom would create ruckus spoiling any chances of Swara staying with them. Swara didn't protest as it would buy her sometime to get adjusted to new environment and people. And when she met Parvati Gadodia she absolutely agreed Sekhar's concerns were genuine. She was loud orthodox women .. and it had taken a while for her to get convinced to let Swara stay in one part of baadi.

"Ye koi dharamshaala hain ki tu teri dost ki beti ko aise utake layega ..aur ye kaunsi dost hain jisse main nahi jaanti ,"Swara would have loved to give back properly saying she didnt have need to stay here . Her mom left her enough for entire future to be taken care of , they had their own house in Mumbai, if not for her mom's promise she would have never stepped here but she chose to stay mum. Finally Parvati Gadodia reluctantly accepted but demanded rent which Swara agreed.It didn't bother her much, She would have had to pay if she chose to stay in hotel anyways, though Sekhar felt bad.

A week passed

Sekhar made sure spend some time with her , often they went for a walk in evening and would have a chair near a small roadside stall.

"Kya aapne kabhi meri maa se pyaar kiya?" she asked once during walk

Sekhar stayed silent for a while . He can't deny it .. yet he can't term it love. In love people stand up for each other ..somewhere he failed Sharmistha and had been selfish. " It's complicated beta .. I myself have no answer, but your mom always had been special for me ." That was all he could say.Swara never broached topic again.

He offered to take her around Kolkata but Swara was not every keen on exploring at this point , hence the idea was dropped .She chose to stay alone most of times and have meals alone too but one solace was in form of Ragini. Swara would have termed her utterly beautiful .. Her waist length hair, graceful features made her more alluring equally as her shy, soft spoken nature.She was outright a girl any mother would chose for her son with no second thoughts. And above all she had been very receptive and warm towards her . They struck a chord soon. Swara on other hand was more outgoing , who would not mince her words , more like a rebel kind. By looks Swara never considered herself to be beautiful. With height of 5'4 and shoulder length bouncing hair , She had nice features , chocolate colored eyes, deep dark brown .. like Ajay would say " of Molten chocolate...

Back in Mumbai Swara would just smile at his remark and his flirting," Shona teri aankhen, maasha alaah .. inn main koi dekhega na doob ke mar jayega "and would break into song,"Tere naina bade hi kaatil, maar hi dalenge.. "Swara would give him a murderous glare first and break into smile.She found her comfort in simple tee, tops and a pair of jeans , her guitar, her ipod and books .She believed that a girl's most prettiest accessory is smile, and the best pair of heels is confidence.

Two weeks passed.Sekhar got her admitted into one of top colleges in Kolkata.Her credentials were good as well as her references , hence it hadn't been tough to get one .Tomorrow is her first day ...

A month ago if someone had told her she would be in kolkata.She would have written it off and laughed out saying impossible ..but may be life has it own way of setting a journey. Swara placed her mom's photograph back on table next to bed ...and lied down to sleep.

Tomorrow would be a new day..she wondered what surprises life has in store for her , which path it would lead her or to whom...

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As Sunlight slowly filled sky .. and chirping of birds played a melody in background Sanskaar Maheswari completed his last jogging lap and settled on bench in park . Drops of Sweat beaded his forehead and few drops trickled down his back highlighting the contours of his well toned muscles. His blue vest stuck to his back like second skin dewed in sweat and he welcomed it . The feel of a good workout . He slowly leaned back .. his eyes closed and the touch of gentle early morning breeze over sweat was exquisite feeling . He reached out to his towel in bag wiped off extra sweat..and checked his fit bit . It's Time to make a move .He rose, picked his bag and rushed back.

Stepping into penthouse , Sanskar found his little brother aka Laksh Maheswari still cuddled up on bed .. who looked like he was in no mood to get up . Sanskaar shook his head " Ye lucky na kabhi nahi sudhrega.

It's only before 2 days Laksh moved into his penthouse. Belonging to one of named business families in kolkata Maheshwari's it would come as a surprise that sons of house chose to stay separately. They had a huge mansion ..which Sanskaar ditched purposefully . He wanted to have an apartment of his own especially when he started off Masters. Though he loved his family to bits and pieces , he loved his freedom too which would be limited in purview of elders always ..not that he resorted to any bad ways ..but this gave him a sense of relief . A place of his own where he could cuddle up with a book , have a house party, hang out in a pub with gang of friends, or some late night outs during exams or watching marathon of his fav tv series ... or a place where he would lie down simply at end of day listening to music .No questions asked .. no explanations needed. Life on his terms. Durga Prasad Maheshwari, his beloved bade papa would have never agreed if it was not for Sanskaar. His top grades in graduation and his excellence in sports .all good things reaching his bade papa's ears made task easy . Well he had always been bright and good student.

"Please Bade papa .. it's only for two years .. only till I complete my MBA ..uske baad waise bhi main business join karunga .. I just want to live this part of my life like I wish .." and after hell lot of convincing especially his mom Sujata Maheswari ,he was granted permission and when he topped MBA entrance exam .. he was gifted with a pent house by his family .. a lovely one with 2 bedrooms .. a spacious living room and kitchen. The balcony offered a great view of park near by and was perfect for a relaxing after college sinking onto a bean bag. Sun rise , Sun set and the night moon ,sparkling stars .. just made his days and nights too.His first year went well ...and now stepping into second year MBA, he had his brother joining him for first year o. Lucky had been just waiting to get out .. as he mentioned many times during his weeknd visits to Maheswari Mansion ..and lucky's visits to his place ... and Sanskar was more than happy to have him .He absolutely adored his brother .Though they are cousins in real sense .. it never felt so .His Dad RamPrasad Maheshwari had been aiding his bade papa from all these years .. and its their association that led Maheswari group to pinnacles of success . And he had always been aware of expectations .. he and lucky were supposed to take legacy forward.

It's just he had some serious training to take up for his younger bro .. a carefree soul..who didn't knew the meaning of word discipline.Done with shower Sanskaar walked out and found laksh still on bed .

" Lucky ... "Sanskaar shook him , "Get up .. I dont you to be late to college on first day .. .Utt Jaldi .. "he shook him hard which earned a growl from Laksh " Bhai please sone do na mujhe ...Waha Papa aur yaha aap .. "Laksh tucked pillow on his head. Sanskaar exactly knew what to do next .

" Oh! Right !Bade papa se yaad aaya .. I didn't talk to him today .. let me call and tell him..." Sanskaar reached to his phone . Laksh woke up with a jerk . His dad's name was enough terror for him . He can't stake his new found freedom for sake of sleep " Sab milke jaan lelo bache ka ..." he muttered as Sanskaar pushed him into wash room .They had quick breakfast of eggs, toast and juice .

" Bhai .. waise college main ragging hoga kya ?..I mean how is it going to be pehla din, jyada serious hoga kya ?" Laksh reached out to his shoes.

Sanskaar checked on his books , " Lucky ye ragging na .. it was meant to be ice breaking session between juniors and seniors ..lekin kabhi kabhi kuch jyada ho jaata hain ..only because few people don't know where to draw line.Haan Ragging hoga ..but don't worry ..agar kabhi bhi tumhe lagae ki tumhare saath ya kisi aur ke saath it's getting too much or uncomfortable .. we have anti ragging committee to keep a check ..jiska tere bhai bhi member hain ...Tho ...Jyada tension mat le ...Just give me a call ,"Sanskaar quickly reached to his shoes, "Aur waise bhi ,you guys will have a orientation programme on first day. Aur college main posters hain about anti ragging cell .. so chill my little brother ..ab chale ? "

Laksh nodded and after a while they both rushed out on their respective bikes .

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Swara stepped into the college excited. She had been looking forward for this, a much needed diversion from recent events.

"Aaj tumhara pehla din haina, iss liye dahi chakkar leke aaye hain, "Ragini fed her a spoon sweet curd.Swara wondered if this is how if feels having a sibling and also worried if Ragini would be able accept her once the truth is out. Sekhar dropped her to college on first day , Agar kuch zaroorat pade tho call kardena.. he gently patted her head and left.Only If Parvati Gadodia was...Swara tossed her thoughts aside. Time for a new start.

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For Laksh it had been easy getting through ragging sessions. Sanskaar Maheswari was well known name in college Maheshwari's as well . Laksh realised his brother was quite popular in two ways .

When he quoted his brothers name first time he was caught for a session, he made sure to spell his name accompanied with Maheswari giving it a noticeable stress and it worked Arey yaar hamare Sanskaar ka bahi hain .. jaane de.."

Laksh smiled smugly , "Chalo,Maheswari hone ka kuch tho fayida hain... and Then he encountered other batch . Taking pride in fact , deciding to play smart ,Laksh gave a reckless look ,played the same card only this time it turned out to be wrong move.

" Shayad tum jaante nahi main kaun hoon .. Laksh Maheswari.. Sanskaar Maheswari ko jaanta hain? Uska chota bhai, " and that caught Sahil Sen Gupta's attention .

Sahil Sengupta, One of few named business families in Kolkata along with Maheshwaris and Roys. Son of Amit and Gayatri Sen Gupta. Though Gupta's and Maheshwari's fought back to back on business deals , they are on cordial lines . It was not an personal animosity, strictly professional . Durgaprasad Maheshwari ..and Amit Sen Gupta made sure it is maintained on those lines. They didn't mind catching up for a coffee post their business association meetings joined by Siddhant Roy, one more established business names in Kolkata .The trio ruled the business arena of Kolkata holding major market share in different streams but when it came to kids sadly same couldn't transpire .

Right from first year Sahil shared bad vibes with Sanskaar and vice versa.If Sahil's arrogant and self obsessed attitude rubbed wrong side of Sanskaar , Sahil hated the popularity garnered by Sanskaar and losing to him . They always fought head to head in exams, sports, intercollegiate festivals.. Yet somehow Sanskaar managed to hog all the limelight left him on losing side by a point or two . All he wanted was a chance to show him down .. and now ...

"Sanskaar nahi tho uski bhai hi sahi .".Sahil Smirked looking at Laksh " Guys, Look whom we have on block , another Maheswari ...great!..ab special treatment tho banta hain ..kyu ?" He walked and stood before Laksh who completely oblivious of equation between Sahil and Sanskaar, smiled in return.

"Chal apna shirt utaro?" Laksh wondered if he heard right.

"Excuse me! "He asked bewildered

"If you ask me one more question .." sahil warned "I will make you take off your pants too"

Oh man! .. This is classic case of things going wrong.. Laksh thought .No way he's going to rip his shirt off.He is yet build a body he could show off ..and he had no intentions of becoming Salman any sooner.

Not bothering to answer , Laksh started to move off only to be crossed by Sahil . Sighing Laksh reached out to back pocket , for phone ..which was snatched away by Sahil .."Tsk tsk .. are u calling your big bro for help ...abhi chota bache samjhte ho khud ko .. ?" The batch around Sahil broke into giggles and Laksh fumed .

"Chal ab jaldi se shirt, phant utar .. C!mon dude Be a sport , "Sahil laid hands on Laksh

"Sec 294 under IPC -" A voice boomed diverting everyone's attention . Laksh and Sahil turned to find a PYT standing before them. Dressed in long sleeve knit T shirt , pair of jeans and sneakers, her hair freely flowed across shoulders fanning across her back pack which simply hung loose on one shoulder.

Though struck for a second.. Sahil brows drew together in frown watching her approach him."What!"

" Do you know ... There are thirteen provisions of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) which can be used by a fresher who is being ragged to register an FIR (First Information Report) in the police station ... and sec 294 applies for any obscene acts or songs ...which accounts for what you're about to do ..so you better let him go ." She matched him eye to eye... placing herself between Laksh and Sahil . Laksh stepped back wondering who his savior was .

"First year?Sahil brows queued up in question.. And he simply got a nod.

"Aur Nahi jaane diya tho .. kya karoge ..haan ..bolo .."and her answer was careless smile which irked Sahil further .

Sec 340. Wrongful confinement- Her voice boomed confidently again , "aur iske pehle aap kuch aur bole.. Let me tell you .. "she turned to other first years who were queued up for ragging session and there were some 10 odd sections spelled out for being ragged from a simple obscene act to wrongful restraint , criminal intimidation or any violent acts or means .When the juniors face beamed with new found confidence , Sahil noticed a visible line of tension on faces of his friends but what caught his attention was firebrand before him . Damn! This girl is so interesting .. and that attitude ...

Sahil smiled and signalled his friends to let the rest of them go . " Happy! he asked inching a bit closer ..

"Of course you should be , khud ke liye .. You just saved yourself for going behind bars,"Sahil's smile widened at her reply.

"Naam kya hain tumhara or do u have a section for this too to send me behind bars?"

"Not a section, "She replied with a wise ass smirk , " but of course you can call it freedom of speech to ask me a question and I say freedom of choice ..for I chose not to answer," and she moved past him ...not even shooting a glance backwards.

"Tune usse jaane kyu diya yaar? One of them questioned. Sahil never took insults lightly .It came as surprise that he let that girl off hook ..so easily

"Jaane diya ... "Sahil watched her retreating figure " bas abhi ke liye ".

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Laksh waited a bit further and watched her walking in . He hurried to her .. " Hey! Thanks for saving me.I am Laksh .. Laksh.."

"Maheswari? "She completed it for him," Suna maine waha par ..kitne style se liya hain,"That drew a sheepish smile from Laksh ..

"I am Swara ...Swara .. "she paused for a minute , "Swara Bose . "their hands met for a brief handshake.

"Well, I must stay you were super cool over there. Sabki bolti band kar diya... Btw How do know all those law sections..You are not a runaway lawyer ,Right! ya woh padaku types jisko saare degrees chahiye ho the hain..." Laksh got back into his playful mood.

Swara found herself smiling more." You know there' something called google in my phone ...and I guess yours too .."

"Ya ! Right! Aage se I will try to put it to good use ...Hey !Are u heading for orientation ?" Laksh asked and as Swara nodded yes, they both simply walked down to seminar hall talking further.

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That night .. Penthouse

"Pata chal gaya bhai mujhe .. ki aapke naam lene ke kitne side effects hote hain ...Hey prabhu!Kahi phoolon ki barish tho kahi goliyon ki dhana dan .. acha hua usne aake bacha liya .. nahi tho ... " Laksh looked at his bro who sunk his head into laptop ..."Bhai tu sun bhi raha hain main kya bol raha hoon ?"

" Lucky! From last 20 minutes you are saying same thing ..ab aage bhi kuch bol..."

" But bhai.. you should have been there.. My God! The way she took on that Sahil .. "Sanskaar head snapped out of Laptop " Did u say Sahil .. ?Pehle kyu nahi bataya .. I should have guessed he would ...dekh agar aage tujhe tang karega ... tho.." Sanskaar's voice was edgy.

"Don't worry bhai .."Laksh butted in between " ab woh kuch bhi karega na .. I have my phone aur google bhi .. "he said with supreme confidence ,aur ab tak tho maine sab byheart bhi karliya ... Sec 294...

Sanskaar watched his brother in bewilderment for next few minutes ... "Lucky ..teri tabiyat tho theek haina .. kahi kuch ..."he asked with utter seriousness and broke into smile.

"Oh Stop it bhai ...I am serious, stop pulling my leg Ok! " Sanskaar smiled further at his brother's antics ,shook his head ..and got back to his laptop . "ab sirf main nahi.. I am sure ab tak tho saare juniors ne ratta maar liya hoga ..aur ye sab ...Swara devi ki jai ho .." Laksh gave a mock salute and tossed himself onto bed.

"That's her name ?"Sanskaar's eyes peeked above from screen curiously

"Haan ... "Laksh answered and plugged in his earphones .

Sanskaar thoughts took a turn .Well! .. Lucky had already eaten up whole evening ranting about this girl and ragging fiasco . After saving the document he has been working on .. Sanskaar stepped into balcony for a whiff of fresh air ..

But he had to admit . When most of them would been hell scared on first day ,It would require some guts taking on bunch of seniors ..that too Sahil.. and her approach a simple straight forward shutting them down. Impressive and Interesting too .. not every day you get to hear these kind of tales . what did he say her name was ... Yes !

"Swara ..."Sanskaar spelled out and wondered for a minute why he felt an odd sweet sensation taking her name ...He took a deep breath closing his eyes .

Swara ...he murmured again trying to figure out.

contd.....