Hello All

So,This is what I could manage to type in midst commitments squeezing some time. A very short update. 

Happy Reading. Do drop your love.Please ignore errors and typos.

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Click ..

The faint sound of lamp switch besides bed echoed breaking silence in room and darkness descended

I love you ..

His words rang again and again in her ears , probably for a hundreth time . One more click ..Light flashed across room dispelling darkness.

His eyes filled with hurt, his voice jeered with pain ...and last exchange of glance between them, flashed before her eyes..and darkness dawned upon next minute with another click.

Her own harsh words coursed through her like venom and all the events. Everything had been great between them ... till .. till simran brought in keychain ... and then bunch of gossip mongers but are they to blame?

'No .Not them,' Her subconscious gave the answer 'You'..and this time she didn't brush it off.Did she confront him ? No .. She chose to run away from him ..and her insecurities.,lurking beneath shadows deep down.

Insecurity ..Why was she ? May be she nursed them right from the time as a kid. Being brought up alone .. by her mother , Those moments when she watched kids with both parents .. and felt pricked, Iske papa iske saath nahi rehte .. iski papa nahi hain .. inn chodkar chala gaya..all those taunts which she got used to as kid .. and decide to fight back , acting like it didn't bother her, absence of a father figure in her life. The one who would stand by them , protect them, love them ,give answer to all those taunts..who would be her hero .And who would love her like princess ..Papa ki Pari. She never had one..Those nights when she caught her mother shedding silent tears, for that one person she loved ,who didn't bother to turn back and see , if they were alive or dead,for all those times when she felt deserted and left out and that fear grew with her ..the fear of being left by loved ones ..just like her mother. She didn't want to be .. she would never let it be .She would never let her guard down for anyone..be vulnerable to any one or give right to hurt her ..

But ..everything changed when Sanskaar came in . She didn't even realise but her every resolution weakened.The more time with him .. all walls crumbled. He seeped into her life and swept her off feat ..just like prince and she let her guards down.It was like whirlwind ,their affair, which soon escalated into something else ... something deep ...

And she feared .. feared of being hurt by the one she was falling hopelessly , feared if she would be left alone .. and she didn't want to nurse a heart break. It was in selfish attempts to guard herself ,running away from him..not wanting to hear anything which would break her...leave her wounded but she didn't realise ... she wounded him too not once but twice..or thrice..

Past! It's his past that bothered her ..should it really? When her Past didn't bother him ..and he embraced her with all love . PAST - It's done ... nothing can be changed . It teaches you lesson ..hard way sometimes. We Learn and move on ...But here she was letting past decide her future ...How wrong was she ?

She chose to runaway .. when she had to !Fight? She should have fought her fears ..not act like coward. She had seen her Mother putting it up..she should have too ....She should have..

Swara squeezed her eyes shut .Tear slipped from her eyes and slided across her cheeks ..staining the marks further . After her encounter with Sanskaar ..it was only for sometime ,they stayed back in MM . Her eyes looked for him ... but he didn't turn up till it was time for them to leave. Then she realised.. It's not just words , but sometimes silence can break hearts too..

Now all alone in her room ..her fingers played the game of light and darkness reflecting her state of mind.. ... their moments, the happy and sad ones ...those smiles ..his eyes ,his face ....and it all stopped at one moment ...one word

All yours ...

Swara's eyes flew open .. and light filled the room breaking through darkness.

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"I thought things would fall into place after engagement ..but I was wrong Ragini," Laksh sighed with disappointment. Ragini considered him silently as they walked slowly . They met in park ..post college.

" It's not that easy Laksh ..." Ragini said as they settled on bench .

" I messed it up badly .. didn't I ? Guilty conscious Laksh looked at Ragini , ' I just thought I was helping bhai to get rid of kavita ..but I ended up ruining it for him . Sách ragini .I didn't have any other intentions . I didn't know ..ki aisa kuch hojayega .. I.." Laksh closed his eyes and leaned his head back on bench ..

Ragini felt bad watching him .She is absolutely aware how Laksh held himself responsible for whole mess..though his intentions were clean . Poor Laksh .. he looked so dejected .Ragini held his hand in comforting gesture. Laksh opened his eyes and they moved to ragini's hold on his hand, back to her eyes ..which held him .

"Don't worry...Laksh .. Sab theek hojayega." She told, her eyes assuring him ,drew back her hand slowly .Laksh nodded feeling a bit better ...they stayed in silence for while.

"Don't you think Swara should have known truth ..before engagement .. Sanskaar ne Mana kyu kiya?" Ragini asked . It was on Sanskaar's insistence ,she stayed mum ..but Swara was in no state either to think rationally at that point.

" Woh . Actually bhai wanted to say it himself ..in fact he wanted to meet Swara before engagement . He tried calling her .. but Swara didn't respond and everything happened so fast .. that ...and you know what! Pata nahi engagement ke pehle he was fine .. Lekin ab, He is not even ready to hear Swara's name ...aur upar se, he took a promise I wouldn't say a word to Swara .. I mean ..hadd hain yaar ...dono milke na football khel rahe hain ..kabhi yeh gussa hain, kabhi woh ..God!I swear iss pyaar vyaar ke chakkar mein padna hi nahi chahiye.."

Rgaini Smiled ..

"Oh! Now you are smiling too , ...no body takes me seriously " Laksh complained looking at Ragini. " Ok .. fine ..what's the plan ? Did u think of something?" He asked

Ragini nodded ...and explained him . Laksh rose from bench in horror , "Are u kidding me Ragini? I mean ...asking them to talk with each other is an invite to kill each other..and you want me to be mediator ?He paused for a minute gazing at Ragini's expression."Ok! I get it .. raita maine phailaa hai .. saaf bhi mujhe karna padega ..right?"

Ragini nodded and got up from bench. Taking steps towards Laksh " Exactly ! ..and don't worry Laksh .. I will help you out .All we need to do is get them together as much as possible . of course they would fight ..lekin baat tho karenge issi bahane, but all this ...should look like.."she paused and raised her eyebrow suggestively.

" Ahh .. "Laksh nodded watching her , " Got it!" He replied with new found enthusiasm ..Planned encounters which should look like by chance ones ... aur agar aise situation nahi mila toh ..."

"We have to create situations, "Ragini completed it for him equally enthusiastic ..their hands met for a hi 5, both sharing a hearty laugh." So when do we start our mission milaap?" Laksh asked excited.

" Shubh kaam main dheri kaisi?The sooner , the better " Ragini replied and checked her watch, " I need to leave ..Dadi would be worried ..hum call karenge .." and Laksh nodded "Thank you for the help ,Ragini. I really appreciate it." he said admiringly.

"Laksh, Swara hamari bhi behen hain, This is the least I can do for her," ...and at the change of Laksh's expression, Ragini quickly realised .. Laksh had no clue of She and Swara being siblings ,"I mean to say she 's like my sister ...so .." Ragini covered it up quickly. Bidding bye to Laksh , she left from park.

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Swara stepped into college after 2 days post engagement. No mocking glares..No snide comments..over and above newfound respect surprised her.How influence can work wonders Swara thought sardonically. Maheshwari's successfully managed to curb the news of affair ..in turn ,engagement had been all over local tabloids highlighting the news of 'Scion of Maheswari Group engaged'. Her bengali background was turned around too ,citing this match too be a love cum arranged marriage..and how open and accepting they are , respecting choices of their kids.

And it really did turn around for her too.Her image was no longer tainted ... nor her reputation and she had new tag to flaunt ,'Fiancee of The Sanskaar Maheshwari' , and most of them wanted to be in her goodbooks. Swara soon realised, how people change their colours ..as per need and convenience.Chameleons, Swara thought scowling inwardly.

And ..at that moment she knew why Sanskaar proposed a marriage ... quick proceedings that followed ,to save her reputation and..because he ...he loves her... Swara admitted ,that fact syncing in slowly and firmly.

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Swara walked down the corridor post college her thoughts wandering around Sanskaar .She didn't get to see him all day . It was understood, He didn't want to see her..preferred to stay away from her, not after what she accused him of..

She had been too quick in reaching conclusion of Sanskaar being behind this fiasco.Is she missing something? A piece of puzzle. True! The number was of Sanskaar's , but was he the one who shared it in college? Or was it Kavita...that seemed a very possible prospect. Kavita anyway didn't have a liking for her ... and always had her eyes on Sanskaar. But Why did Sanskaar share their picture to Kavita ? Why would he?Or was There a 3rd person ..she didn't knew of.

Lost in her thoughts....Swara totally ignored one of comments passed, but Laksh, who was passing by didn't .Its one of first years

"Haath se nikal gayi yaar.. Wish I had piece of her too."Fuming, about to pick up fight .. he held back something crossing his mind. He smirked.

He exactly knew what to do...

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Sanskaar silently watched engagement photographs in laptop.His entire family other than his mom .. looked happy and cheerful. From Gadodia's ,it was dadi who was spoilt sport. Oh! How much he hated this lady.

Sanskaar moved to next photograph .. of him and Swara posing for Camera's. They were smiling and it didn't seem forced like in most of clicks.His eyes lingered on photograph for long..and on Swara. She is capable of taking his breath away even in photographs .He wished ..only if it had been in other situations.. Happy ones filled with love.

The sound of Laksh's silent muttering distracted him "What wrong with you Lucky .. you seem off mood? "Sanskaar asked . He had been observing Laksh for quite a sometime now .He seemed in bad mood ..in fact murderous and it was being diverted on poor onions being sliced mercilessly.

"Yes .. "Laksh smiled inwardly wiping his tears, courtesy ,Onions. The question he had been waiting for .. Thank god !Bhai asked.. Nahi tho my eyes .. Stupid onions ,kab se cut kar raha hoon .. ye bhai bhi na .. thode pehle poochta na..anyways now it's time for some action.

"I dont know what's wrong with these people bhai ..Engagement is done right!.. why can't they keep their mouth shut?"Laksh continued his act of being angry.

Sanskaar frowned " Did someone say something?" Sanskaar asked keeping aside laptop.

"Woh aaj bhabhi was walking in corridor ..and someone passed a comment .She ignored but I couldn't. I would have thrashed them but I thought...you should know ....usne kaha .." Sanskaar's hand curled into fists. How dare they say a word against his Swara ..

" Naam?" Sanskaar asked trying keep a check on his furios self.

Yes!..ab aayega maza..ab bajegi band ...Looks like he hit the right spot. Laksh did a small dance inwardly "Woh...Woh...Vinod hain na .. Mehra's ka ladka..woh .."Laksh gave the name hesitantly

Sanskaar nodded fuming silently.

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Swara rushed down the corridor looking for Sanskaar frantically . It was after Laksh told her Sanskaar might end up having a fight with Vinod .. as he got to know about the comment ,had her tensed. She knew ..the angry mode of Sanskaar ..and how nasty it could turn out to be . She didn't want him to get into any kind of trouble because of her.

"How did Sanskaar knew?" Swara questioned Laksh straight .Laksh gave her a stupid smile looked around .Swara had her answer." Laksh!...don't you know your brother? Phir bhi ? ..

"What would I do ..Laksh brought his most innocent tone, " I had no clue bhai ko itna gussa aayega ,just because uss vinod ne ek comment paas kiya ..I tried to talk .. but bhai was fuming you know . After a pause , "Waise Swara ..why dont you have a word with bhai .He's just down the corridor, May be it would work.." He suggested.

Swara shook her head .. like Mr.Maheshwari would listen to her ...but she can try at least .. and she rushed .

Laksh smirked .. " Good Job Lucky! He patted himself .They would talk ..nah .. fight ..and Ragini's strategy should work.Hopefully. He reached to his mobile.

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She found him ... and that guy too, Vinod soon at one end of floor .As she reached them ,Vinod looked terrified. Sanskaar stood before him with fiery glare. She was late. So the Warning was given.It could be made out.

"Leave .." Sanskaar's chilled icy voice was enough to strike terror , Vinod quickly muttered a sorry to Swara and dashed off .Swara and Sanskaar gazed at each other in silence.

"Sanskaar .. what were you doing? You were warning him right!" Swara shot a question.

Sanskaar didn't bother to answer and strided off. Swara followed him , " I am asking you something ..logon ko dara Dhamka Rahe ho ? oh! Now you started acting like gunda too?"Sanskaar halted at that ... and threw a sharp glare at Swara.

"Maybe you missed it Miss Bose.I have always been a gunda." After a minute of pause, before Swara could react , Sanskar took over again , "This is what you wanted to hear right! Because you would have already decided, I am one," Swara didn't miss the hint of sarcasm in his tone mocking her, "but you know what Miss Bose! I dont care anymore..and anyways its none of your business, So you better stay off.." Sanskaar threw her a warning and walked off ..not even caring ,which irked her .

"Of Course .its my business damn it! Swara caught up walking next to him. "You were warning him bcos he passed a comment on me ? kal koi aur kahega ..aur parso koi aur .. would you go warning everyone and shutting their mouths.'

"Yes ..I will " His answer came in simple and straight.

"Sanskaar ..."Swara held his hand as he seemed in no mood to stop .Sanskar turned to face her . "What!"

"You dont have to ..get into fights for me "Swara told softly ,"These comments are not new to me Sanskaar bachpan se ...I have heard worse ones than this ...aur phir kya farak padta hain?.."

"Mujhe farak padta hai .."Sanskaar grabbed her hand furiously. Next minute Swara found herself backed to a pillar, next to them locked in his hands both sides. His eyes bored into hers with an intensity hitting her core .It angered him..how sad her tone sounded. The thought of how much she would have endured as child troubled him to no extent .. and with it came anger , Only if he could thrash every one of them who dared to point her or taunt her.

" Tab baat alag thi Swara.. Aur ab alag hain...,"he held her hand ,pointed at their engagement ring .." Till you have this on your finger ... You are mine ..suna tumne ..Tum meri ho Swara. Aur jo mera hain I swear , you have no clue to what extent I can go for it.I will not spare anyone who would try to hurt you in anyway. Are we Clear?"

Swara watched him wide eyed at utter loss of words. He leaned closer his voice low and deep ,Ek aur baat Swara, Any action , any word which hurts you , will have to face Sanskaar Maheswari first and if needed.. I will shut their mouth ,would break few jaws and bones too. You better get this straight into your head, Miss Bose."

And he left. Swara stood rooted to spot, with multitude of emotions coursing over. No one ever stood up for her. Right from her childhood it had been only her mother standing up , putting a fight for them. She was told one has to fight own battles. No one would fight for you ..and it had been constant fight, never ending and very tiring. Now for once .. she knew with absolute confidence that she can be damsel in distress, a knight would fight for her ..save her from big bad world, a knight in shining armour .. her Knight... Her Sanskaar.

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