Hello All

Here is the next update
Happy reading 💕
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{ The part where our leads have some good time ...but }
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It was one night he walked her down to this place and now again,  but with a change of equation.

That party night somewhere laid a foundation, a step towards acknowledging his desire for Swara, and today they are ‘ together’.

Then there was night when he waited, panicking right here when she didn't respond. And he knew somewhere that prompted him to push her to leave this place.

He stood watching as Swara struggled with the lock. He wouldn't have minded intervening and lending a hand, but he knew Swara well. They both are similar in a few ways. They liked to be in charge and he had already taken a few liberties for the day. 

Swara stepped in and felt a wave of nostalgia. This had been her home, her safe space for a while before events took a turn. While she was excited about her new adobe, this would be missed. She turned around and found a hesitant Sanskaar at the entrance, his hands stuffed in his pocket as if he was waiting for some permission. What should she make out of this man? Swara smiled. He was like a mystery …

Sanskar had his reasons. There was only once he had been to the women's room, he believed he was in love with to surprise her …and the result had been disastrous. Here, he wasn't sure if it would invade privacy. When Swara walked back to him, he looked up

 “You sure?” His eyes questioned. And in return, Swara held his hand and they both stepped in together.

“Were you scared I was going to lock you up, Mr.Maheswari? “ Swara teased

“I wouldn't mind ..” Sanskaar replied, his eyes going around. A modest dwelling. It didn't look like a place where someone stepped in after 3 weeks. It looked proper and prick. Well! Swara bose would like to walk back to an organized setup at the end of the day, not in shambles. After a quick scan, his eyes fell on cracks in the wall, fading colors, the sound of a creaking tap, a sink that looked like it needed to be fixed …and 

“I wish I could offer you something, like coffee but .. “ Swara shrugged, breaking his thoughts. “Make yourself home. I will just do a quick clean up of the kitchen.”

“Let me know if you need some help, “Sanskaar offered. Thank God! He was getting her out of this place, but beyond the exterior, there was something about this place that screamed ‘Swara’ . He smiled as he walked around. The sight of wind chimes, dream catchers, Fairy Lights…rows of books, and a few outdoor plants arranged neatly at the window… and then he came across the wall with a string of photographs hanging down.

Memories …

His eyes lingered for a while on a family photograph of Swara with her parents.So,  Sharmistha and Sekhar Bose. These are the ones his family was indebted to. He wished he had an opportunity to meet them.

His smile widened looking at Swara. The twinkle in her eyes even as a kid was hard to miss as in other photographs of her growing years, family,  friends, and college. All moments and people she held close.

At once, his feet halted as his eyes fell on the next photograph. It was from one of the office events of ‘them’, standing next to each other and exchanging a smile.

She made him a part of her world … Sanskaar couldn't name the emotion that swept through him. He looked back at Swara who was happily humming and busy sorting things.

She doesn't have an idea on how with every passing day , she is seeping into his life gradually that he couldn't help but break the shackles around his heart even if little by little

He still had a long way to go …to be the person he was. And he intends to take a step today.

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Sanskaar didn’t like Swara’s owner for a few reasons. First,  He was obviously not happy about losing a no-nonsense, trouble-free tenant, who wouldn't raise questions about maintenance. Second, the suspicious glances coming his way with varied meanings and accusations. Sanskaar chose to ignore it and focused back on his mobile. He was tempted to play ‘Main tera boyfriend, tu meri girlfriend' so that the old man would have some clarity. 

He chuckled and scrapped the idea. He will let Swara deal. 

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It was after some time they both stepped out, Sanskaar holding a carton of little things Swara didn't want to hand over to movers and packers as and when they arrived. Swara did not object when he made a call to one of his friends.

“He is the best in business and  you don't have to worry about anything.” He said. And Swara realized it feels nice at times to sit back and let people do things for you, to be cared for. She had someone she can lean on, hold on to… and to …

Swara paused her thoughts. Don’t go there, not yet, she told herself. Because once she did … there would be no going back… ever

“ Chale?” Sanskaar asked and she nodded in silence.

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After 20 mins Swara sat sipping her vanilla latte. It felt nice sharing a coffee in the cozy space of the car with Sanskaar Maheshwari and his classic cappuccino.

When they made a quick stop at Starbucks “Coffee?” She asked as she thought they might probably be heading to Mansion for lunch .

“You wished to have coffee,” was a simple and straight answer he gave  and surprise crossed her features, that he would take a casual remark from her so seriously, “ I Know ..but Sanskaar…” 

“You wished, Swara. That's it.”. It was the way he said it, like he meant it,  his gaze meeting hers, his eyes a little dark and a lot more intense. Swara felt her heart bounce and she suddenly felt like she was in some fairy tale and was so tempted to recite lines some prince would proclaim to his princess

'Your wish, My command' 

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“I might wish for diamonds next time, "Swara remarked in the car with a little grin feeling the lingering taste of vanilla. How did he know it was her favorite?

“How many?” 

Swara almost choked on her coffee. “Are you mad, Mr Maheswari?” He looked as if he would land in one jewelry store next.

Sanskaar didn't say anything, instead, he held her hand and drew it to his lips, watching her eyes widen. His lips,  a feathery brush over her delicate skin, her lashes fluttered as her heart. Then he looked up. Her breath caught, and she waited for him …to finish. 

“For you, Swara Bose . Yes!”

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For Swara, It felt like an extended Picnic. When Sanskaar told her they would be heading back to the new place as the housing tour was ‘incomplete’ she asked if they could go for a little shopping before he readily agreed.

Sanskaar watched her Amusedly as they moved from one shop to another. She was so obviously excited and every time she picked something, she went on to explain where exactly she was going to place it.  .“This will look perfect right next to …and it went on

  ‘Isn't this lovely, Sanskaar ?,

‘ Omg! This is wonderful.’

‘Am I shopping too much? Stop me now. 

Sanskaar laughed loudly at her antics and a little more at Swara’s pout who thought she was being made fun of.

“Can you stop being this cute, Swara?” Sanskaar said, taking shopping bags from her hand.

"Don’t pout, please. I might kiss you right here.” He walked away grinning leaving Swara with a jaw -drop.

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This would definitely make to the list of her favorite days , Swara thought, feeling the gentle caress of wind on her face. The soothing notes of jazz only added to her joy. After the shopping trip, they had a chat and pani puri.

Sanskaar definitely was a surprise. In these few months, she had known him, his obsession with fitness was not new. The way he freaked out at her unhealthy eating ways at the start .. Swara chuckled. 

“Well! I have my cheat days,” he winked, when she pointed out today. Driving back, It felt so peaceful as if they drifted to some other land. Just her and Sanskaar. And they would snatch a few more moments at a new place. The last visit didn't end on a pleasant note, time to rewrite. 

But as they came close, Swara noticed the cheerful demeanor of Sanskaar was gone and he was bothered. She could sense the mood shift. What was it she wondered? “Don't tell me you have some secret lockers and dark rooms in that place, Mr. Maheswari.”  Swara tried to lighten up the atmosphere. Wait! trap doors?"

All she got was a negative nod. And Swara felt the chill for the first time that day of foreboding. 

She had no clue what to expect, what was going to come her way, all she wished was it wouldn't break her heart.

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