Hello all ...my dear readers

Thanks a lot for all lovely words and comments you left for last chapter. I am yet to reply to them. I felt obliged to give an update first , hence the delay . Will revert on them very shortly. Please bear with me .. and just to let you guys know .. they are always treasured. 

So coming to the update .. You will have your answers in this part .. and a glimpse of how story would go further .. a major turning point but be warned, no swasan direct scenes in this update.It's a crucial one to move story ahead .I promise .. Once things are set .. You will have loads of Swasan scenes coming up ...I hope you enjoy this part equally like others.

.Please ignore errors and typos and do drop your love like always ... Let stars shine down and your words too.Happy Reading

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Right from the their time as kids .. Laksh loved his brother,always looked up to him. His brother was his hero.Sanskaar's bonding with Laksh was no less. With just an year gap, they shared a very unique bond. While Sanskaar played role of big brother to perfection ...responsible, protective .. disciplined , loving and being a role model, Laksh met the standards of being younger one... more rebellious , carefree, mischievous,prankster and easy going. His pranks always drew his dad's anger, but Sanskaar would be his saviour.

Laksh feared Sanskaar sometimes ... but would never hesitate to pull his leg...and joke around with him. He could say anything and everything to him , but still he held respect of Sanskaar being his "Bade Bhai". Sanskaar on other hand didn't mind being strict to put Laksh in line sometimes...yet laksh was his best friend and confidant and he loved his 'little brother' no less. They shared an ease....which would often put real siblings to shame.

Laksh always had been aware that shadow of Sanskaar loomed on him. He was expected to meet standard of Sanskaar .. in every aspect. His own dad favoured Sanskaar more .. yet it never bothered him . He took pride in fact and didn't mind flaunting the tag of being 'Sanskaar Maheshwari's brother' ' He loved his brother to bits and pieces ... and felt fiercely protective of him.Over the years the bond just strengthened... but today Laksh stood before Sanskaar as culprit.

He had no clue his impulse action for a moment would lead to this chaos. Few slaps ..he would have happily endured ... but all Sanskaar asked him was...

"Kyu Lucky?"

And one that question had everything Sanskaar intended to say ... putting him on stand.

" Bhai .. I am sorry ..I didn't intend to.. It just ...Laksh tried to compose himself and carried on ... " Yesterday after you left from Mansion .....

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"Pata nahi iss chore ko kya hogaya hain .. isse tho ghar par hi nahi rehna ..aur mooh pulake beta hain subha se .. itne pyaar se laddoo banaya jiji maine ... aur .."Sujata looked at Annapurna and sulked about her son. Laksh relishing on his fav laddoo..tried to ease her " Don't worry chachi .. Kal jab main javunga ..I will give it to bhai, dabba de dena .." he said picking up one more.

"Bas Bas... poora tu hi khalega .. ya Sanskaar ke liye kuch cho dega" Annapurna patted playfully on Laksh's shoulder and looked outside " Baarish bada ho raha hain... bas Sanskaar iske pehle pahuch jaaye .."

"Haan jiji" .. Sujata joined her, " Bas teek se pahuch jaaye..chora.."

Sujata , wife of Ram Prasad Maheshwari. Ram is second of Maheswari siblings, younger to Durga prasad Maheshwari .

 Maheshwari - It was no secret how the little business started by  Anand Prakash Maheshwari flourished into a bigger one .. and the legacy was taken forward by his sons Durga Prasad and Ram Prasad who with their sheer hard work and brilliance took Maheswari empire further...to heights of success.

If Durgaprasad was the face of business , Ram is force behind same. If Durga prasad was brain behind strategies ,Ram took up the responsibility of implementing them successfully . Ram always preferred to stay in background and hated limelight, contrary to his elder brother who loved it .Hence the equation between them always ran smooth.

Though DurgaPrasad Maheshwari would have preferred Ram to be in limelight too, he knew his brother well..and respected his preference .Durgaprasad never failed to acknowledge Ram's efforts and give him his share of due credit every time.

When Sujata become choti bahu of Maheshwari Khaandaan ...she immediately struck a chord with Annapurna , Wife of Durgaprasad Maheswari. Annapurna usually reflected a calm composed stature unlike Sujata ..who didn't mince her words ... and was known for 'theeki jubaan' which sometimes provided  good humour .. and few gone wrong cases too.She didn't mind being second fiddle to her Jiji ..had always been in awe of the way Annapurna managed the entire household of Maheswari..and rendered her part as support system.

But when it came to children ,call it an irony ,there was a reversal of scenario.It's Sujata who first borne the 'chiraag of Maheswari empire' in form of Sanskaar. After an year .. Laksh was born to Annapurna. Sujata and Ram were blessed with 'laadli of Maheshwari's 'Uttara .. the sole girl child after five years.

Annapurna loved Sanskaar no less either. When Sujata had difficult pregnancy with Sanskaar and was advised strict bed rest for months ,It was Annapurna who donned the role of his mother.No wonder Sanskaar shares more closer bond with her as opposed to laksh...who loved his chachi's pampering right from the time he was kid.

They were a happy and harmonious family ..

But somewhere deep down,Sujata took pride in the fact of her son being touted as one to take over reins of Maheswari Group first .. and bhai saa as she called DP,always made it clear.He wouldn't be second fiddle like them.

Now all she wanted was a 'sunder susheel chori 'for her son....strictly Marwari.

Sujata never wanted to compromise on that one aspect but only till Siddhant Roy walked in that night with Dp and Ram ..

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Instinct ... Sometimes your instinct hits you hard with no reason ..It gives you sense of things going wrong and bad vibes.... And Laksh felt exactly the same when he saw his Dad walking in with Siddhant Roy and it wasn't tough to guess , there was a motive behind this untimely visit .

And it turned out to be true .

With growing insistence from Sidhant , Durgaprasad decided to broach the topic of Kavita and Sanskaar's alliance . With Sanskaar being home for weekend ..he decided it would be right time.It was post a business meeting , Sidhant raised the topic again that evening.

"Why don't we go and have word with Sanskaar ..He is home this weekend ." Durga Prasad offered. To be frank he wanted to put an end to this discussion. Sidhant readily accepted. But to the disappointment of duo , by then Sanskaar left for penthouse .His phone was not reachable.

After pleasantries and cup of hot piping tea.. Siddhant put forth proposal ...which was highly backed by Durgaprasad.Laksh stood watching the scene unfold before his eyes,the act of how tactfully Siddhant Roy was convincing them.He expected a protest from his Chachi owing to Roy's being Bengali.....and as expected Sujata mumbled about same. But when DP had put across the point of how this association would be extremely beneficial to Sanskaar and his high prospects of ruling business arena of Kolkata owing both roy and Maheshwari's empires , her protests died down.

Though absolutely sure Sanskaar would deny this proposal .. Laksh didn't like the way things are proceeding ..and added to it was tension between Swara and Sanskaar. 'We are over lucky' He recalled Sanskaar's words .He just slipped off in between and placed a call to Sanskaar ..but couldn't reach him .By the end every one seemed in favour of alliance .. and Laksh knew its only matter of time they might work it out .. with Sanskaar too.

That's when it struck him.May be kavita is not aware of equation between Swara nad Sanskaar .. only if she knew ..the proceedings might be halted .His instinct made Laksh to place call to kavita ... but to his surprise kavita absolutely seemed fine .. and when Laksh insisted again and again on his bhai liking someone else, how this alliance might not be fruitful of either of them ..Kavita lost it .

" Pehle the .. Now they are not together right! .. and I don't care even if they are .. Sanskaar would be mine .." and the call went off. Laksh stood at his place stilled for a while .. and his mind quickly reeled in .How did kavita knew Swara and Sanskaar were not together? It had always been under wraps ,their relation and then it was clear for him . Kavita knew it ... and She might be one behind the rift between Swara and Sanskaar ... and this alliance..quick proceedings ..it was a well planned strategy .

Laksh felt immense anger towards Kavita at that moment. How much he wished he could have thrown on her face the fact Sanskaar and Swara hopefully would get back together and she didn't hold a chance either way.

Totally unaware of events at baadi ,his next call was to Ragini ..to check if she had any success with Swara. Much to his dismay in spite of continuous attempts, she didn't answer the call.Laksh gave up .. and decided he would have a word with Sanskaar next day morning .

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Laksh always carried extra set of penthouse keys .Next day as he walked in unlocking the door ..and dashed straight to Sanskaar's room , the sight that met his eyes .. was of Swara and Sanskaar together on bed . Stunned for a minute Laksh immediately turned back ... and walked out of room.

He smiled .. "Matlab inn dono ke patch up hogaya great! And this bhai ..batana tha ki Swara is with him.. I wouldn't have dropped in ... " He wouldn't want to be kabab ki haddi in their morning romance . About to leave ... Kavita crossed his mind . " ab tho woh saath nahi hain .. Sanskaar is mine.." Now she would know .. it would be fun to burst her happy bubble and wouldn't it be fun to watch her burn into ashes with jealousy .Lakhs grinned and it was on an impulse ... he clicked the pic,forwarded it to Kavita . Sending it from Sanskaar's mobile seemed to be the best choice . It would be straight on her face.

"I just wanted to tell kavita she doesn't hold a chance of being in your life ..I just wanted to give her a reality check ..Iss liye .. I ..I .. "Laksh hung his head in shame .. " I shouldn't have .. it's wrong in many ways ..uss waqt ..It was on an impulse bhai.. Maine pic click karke kavita ko bheja ..sirf Kavita ko . I had no clue she would circulate it in whole college and would cause this chaos..aur Swara ka itni badnami hogi ... I am sorry bhai . I didn't mean to ..I..I ..."

For the first time ... Sanskaar lifted his hand on Laksh. The sound of slap echoed in living room..and and of one more. Laksh held his cheek and stood in silence." Do you have any clue lucky ,tune kya kiya? .I don't care if your intention was right!..but you crossed limits this time...and ye galat hai lucky .It was our moment ,damn it . You have no right to make it public ,wajah jo bhi ho ..How could you even? .. Privacy naam ka cheez suna hain tune ...and when are going to put some thoughts into your action ..aur kitne saal aise impulse banke rahega ... How many times did I tell you think twice before you act ... lekin nahi ... "Sanskaar brusted out furiously " Kavita circulated in college .. lekin how did she get it ... ? tune bheja .. isliye na .. I can fend for myself damn it, main koi chota bacha nahi hoon , "Sanskaar shot at Laksh again, " I would have dealt with Kavita in my way ... tujhe interfere karne ki kya jaroorat thi ?They wouldn't get me married against my wish , Right! ."

Laksh stood silently . He wished he could take back all he had done ... All he wanted to set things for right for his bhai ... and he ended up ruining it all.Can he ever forgive himself for this ..May be not .

"Bhai ..I am sorry ... aur main khud confess karunga Swara ke paas... aur .." Laksh said guilt eating him up

"And you think she would believe ... ?Sanskaar countered," like really lucky ?..she wouldn't aur ulta ye sochegi I asked you to say so .. I know her Lucky ...She wouldn't , at least not at this point. "Sanskaar sunk into chair ...tired and helpless.Last night was most beautiful one but he had no clue this morning would be nightmarish .

"Bhai .. "Laksh approached him hesitantly.

"Lucky .abhi ke liye please leave me alone .. please ......and please don't try to help me any more ..please "

Laksh drew back , galnced at Sanskaar for long and left in silence..

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"Maine taare ko bataya na Sekhar ... ye ladki jaroor kuch kaand karegi ...ab dekh .." Parvati Gadodia scowled shooting darts at Swara . Swara stood silent ..her eyes brimming with tears. Sekhar sat silently . A call from principle...and the pic he had been shown came as shock to him . So this was freind Swara was talking about .He heard Swara's version too ..and believed it , but society he knew would rip her apart,her image would be tarnished forever ... and that worried him .

"Maine kuchh nahi kiya hai ...trust me .. Haan yeh sách hai,I was with him ..lekin Ba ba.."

"Chup kar .. "Parvati Gadodia shouted at Swara " Don't you dare call him baba ..ek tho raat bar ladke ke saath .. Chi chi .. maare khatu shyam ji,," she pressed her mouth , "naa Sharam..na laaj"

Maa...Sekhar signalled her to stop.

"Maare ko rokega ..aur baaki logon ka kya?.. Ye tho bilkul apni maa ki tarah.." Swara didn't want to hear further . She silently turned back to walk off . Ragini stood at doorstep staring at all of them in confusion . Swara's eyes met her eyes for few seconds .. and she left silently,tears now spilling down the cheeks.

"Kya hua Baba?" Ragini asked Sekhar.

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Swara sobbed silently in her room .She should have never stepped in kolkata .. never. Why did the fate choose play with her? Her mother had been snatched away .. her little world collapsed and the lone solace she found in form of Sanskaar ..turned out to be her worst mistake.

Illegitimate and characterless ..that's what she would be termed and Dadi would never get tired of drawing inferences with her mother . Is this what fate had chosen for her ..few momentary happiness ...weighed down by tons of sorrow and pain.Is this what she is destined for?

Swara ...

Swara turned back at familiar voice , Ragini stood before her . She slowly walked in and placed a hand on Swara's shoulder and that gesture spoke enough for Swara breakdown in her hands . Ragini's wrapped her hands around her in comfort.

It took time to clear her head ..after listening to her baba that night, Ragini wanted to be alone .. hence she rushed to college early morning that day . Ragini realised her baba and Swara's mother didn't wrong her mother intentionally and they repented it .Hating Swara made no sense to her . True ,she was hurt and felt cheated ..on truth being hidden ...but ..Wasn't her Baba right! She had everyone .. a family to call her own but Swara ...

"I hope you will not fail her as sister ."

Her Baba's words rang in her ears . "No ,She wouldn't," Ragini decided at that moment ,but when she returned evening ... the scenario hinted something serious . Her Baba explained the entire fiasco and Ragini knew Swara need her most, at this moment .

"Laado uss ladki se dur rahena .. "Parvati Gadodia halted her . Ragini shot a glance of disapproval at her dadi . "woh hamari behen hain dadi .. aur usee hamari jaroorat hain," She looked at Sekhar who nodded in acknowledgement ... and rushed to Swara much to her Dadi's disappointment .

Ragini listened to Swara .. in silence

"Trust me Ragini .. Maine aisa kuch .. nahi kiya .." Swara mumbled midst tears and hiccups. "I didn't knew Sanskaar would .. I .. uss raat I didn't have a place to go .. Sanskaar mila.. And ..I ..maine kuch galat nahi kiya ... main .. main ..." and Swara sobbed endlessly.

"Hum jaante hain Swara ... hamari behen aisa kabhi nahi kar sakthi .."Ragini comforted her further.

Hamari behen

And Swara never felt more thankful in her life . She had been accepted by at least one she could call family . Ragini consoled her ... and she decided it's time to have a word with .. Sanskaar .

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Mr Sanskaar Maheshwari ..

Next day ,Ragini stormed into pent house .. which she managed to get address from Swara , not giving her hint she intends to pay a visit . Sanskaar and Laksh rushed out hearing her voice .About to lash out at Sanskaar, Ragni halted at first question posed to her , "Swara kaisi hain ? woh theek haina?"Ragini could see clear traces of worry .. on Sanskaar's dull face

"Thank god ! You are here .. "Sanskaar sighed in relief, "Mujhe Samaj nahi aaraha tha kya karu ..She's fine, Right?"Ragini calmed down realising he was equally distraught.

After a while ,Ragini stood silent listening to Sanskaar as he explained . Laksh stood in between watching them both, clearly outcasted .The way Ragini stormed in today ... he was sure of two murders ,him and his bhai, But as she calmed down and listened to Sanskaar ,her eyes clearly spelled out .. He is the one on hit list.Only if her eyes could kill.. he would have been dead by thousand times by now.

" Jo bhi ho Sanskaar .. It's my sister's reputation which is ruined and her whole life is at stake .You know how this society is, don't you ? They let go off man easily and its woman who will be ripped apart and is the one to bear burn ..jab ki hamari behein ne kuch kiya hi nahi ... and you .. Mr Laksh Maheshwari ,"Ragini directed her murderous gaze towards Laksh ," How could you be so stupid and reckless .. agar hamari behen ko kuch hua na ... I swear ..you will be so dead ."

Laksh gulped down at life threat which Ragini looked absolutely serious about ,but Sanskaar watched her amused . 'Hamari behen' ...Ragini said , so things had been sorted between Swara and Ragini .. and he thanked God. Swara needed someone at this tough times to stand by her, to wipe her tears , give emotional support she needed and Love too ..he wished it was him .. but he also knew Swara would never let him in ...Oh! How much he wished ..It could be him . But one way he was glad Ragini came in at right time.

" Tho ab ?" Rgaini looked at Sanskaar and Laksh

" Ragini .. you think I would let Swara go through all this ... I love her and,"He looked at faces of Ragini and Laksh who looked shocked at this new revelation ." What! Cmon guys .. I am crazy for her ... you knew it ..and I love her like crazy too. I realised ...ok!"

" Did you tell her?" Ragini asked

Sanskaar shook his head, " I wanted to .. But before I could say a word...all this .Even If I confess now , I don't think she would..." He paused looking clearly disappointed . Ragini glared at Laksh in clear accusation.

"Ok! I get It .. I am the villain here " Laksh spoke finally grabbing the chance

"Please tell me how can I rectify it... Bhai ne tho Swara se kehne se mana kardiya ..that I was her culprit , not him aur ab ..."

" Lucky .. Sanskaar halted him and looked at Ragini , "Ragini ... I am going to meet Bade papa now .. and trust me .. I will never ever let anyone raise a finger against Swara ..I will sort it out."

Rgaini nodded in agreement " Hum chalte hain ..Swara might be awake by now ."She paused briefly ," aur Sanskaar .. Don't worry about Swara ... I will take care of her." she said re assuring Sanskaar. He had been worried to death , but he had no means to reach Swara ... Ragini turned out to be his saviour here . He muttered a silent thank you

About to leave Ragini turned back ," Are u gonna let go Kavita so easily?" She asked.

Sanskaar considered her question for a minute, "So easily ? You think so Ragini ? after what she had done ..I am gonna hit her where it hurts the most ...Just wait and watch."

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"How can you be so dumb Kavita .. "Sahil charged at Kavita on reaching near her . They met in their usual place , a nightclub " Remember we were together in this ? Didn't you feel the need to discuss once with me before creating such a mess.. You ruined my plan ,Damn it."

Kavita who was expecting a thumbs up for her master plan looked taken aback for a minute . " What the hell Sahil? I just ruined Swara ....We should be celebrating ." she countered

"That was not our mission Kavita .. It was ruining Sanskaar by separating him from Swara ... but you ...tumhe pata bhi hain tumne kya kiya? .. You neatly gift wrapped Sanskaar and handed it over to Swara. He's never gonna be yours. Get that!"

"What rubbish! .. Thats never gonna happen . "Kavita placed her glass on counter with force almost breaking it . She didn't want to consider that prospect , "Maheshwari's would never accept Swara after this fiasco.. And I have set talks going ...of me and Sanskaar ..Very soon ... I and.. "

"Tsk tsk, My poor kavi ... "Sahil threw her a sympathetic look, leaned casually on bar counter picking a drink " You don't know Sanskaar do you ? After all this you think he would part with Swara .. and marry you ?"Sahil laughed out fueling Kavita's anger further "How much dumber can you get Kavita.? Get this straight . You have lost every chance of getting Sanskaar .. Mark my words. You just lost him to Swara..Call me when you get out of shock .." and Sahil left leaving a stunned Kavita behind.

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Maheshwari Mansion

Durgaprasad Maheshwari considered Sanskaar silently who was not ready to answer why did he get this particular girl to his penthouse which was unusual of him . Sanskaar didn't want to answer .. If he did he will have to give them reasons of getting Swara .. how and why ,.. And he didn't intend to let Swara's birth secret out. He would guard it with his life. So he preferred silence.Laksh stood next to him ..Sujata and Annapurna watched them in silence.

Silence ruled till Durgaprasad's voice raised." So what do you have to say Sanskaar...and what do you plan to do about all this ruckus.?"

"Bhai sa... Chore se Galati hogayi ..."Sujata tried to intervene, but Durgaprasad signalled her to stop " Hum Sanskaar se sun na chahthe hain .." He looked at Sanskaar.

Sanskaar took a deep breath, Time for big truth "Bade papa .. it's true we have been together that night .. lekin hamare beech kuch nahi hua hai jaise photo se lag raha hain . Lekin jo bhi ho .. Swara's reputation is at stake because of me .. Iss liye .. I want to marry her."

Sujata almost fainted . Laksh who didn't see this master stroke coming from his brother looked at him open mouthed. Annapurna acknowledged his decision with a simple nod .. followed by Ram .

Durgaprasad Maheswari .. galnced for long at Sanskaar and nodded. " Is it just the reason .. to save her reputation .. or .."

"Pyaar karta hoon main usse , " Sanskaar voice echoed in hall of Maheswari, everything falling back to silence,

." I love Swara"...

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Contd ....