"For she had eyes and chose me"

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2 Months Ago

Situated in outskirts,far from the noise of city, yet close enough to explore is MANTRA - An open rooftop restaurant cum lounge bar ,a favourite hangout place for many.Right from breweries and snacks to drinks and dining,It has all. Known to be a perfect place to let one's hair down after a long tiring day ,a breathtaking view of sunset ,soft lighting and live music ...just added up to the pleasant ambiance.

Seated in, one of her favourite spots, close to the railing ...she continued her conversation over phone.

"Ragini !Please yaar,Already dida and dadi are behind my life.They seem to have just one mission these days :Get Swara hooked! Ab teri Shaadi fix hogayi hain tho, mere peeche pade hain and on top of that , this fix between this Bengali and Marwari Grooms.Gosh ! Can we just skip this topic,Please?"

Thank You!

Hey! You had a date with Laksh, Right? How was it? Oh, Common! Don't tell me, You turned it into a Mandir trip."She shook her head. Her Sister and 'Pooja Paat' go hand in hand. "Poor Guy. I am sure, you would be going for a All India temple tour on your Honeymoon." She chuckled. Ok ! Ok! No more Teasing.You Know what! I think you should come over here Ragini ,with Laksh . Trust me !you both will love this place." Her eyes moved to dipping sun, painting the sky with hues of orange, and then almost tangerine. 

Such a lovely Sight! She sighed and smiled faintly ,soaking herself in the moment.

"Hey Swara ,your turn" A voice called out.

"Just a minute, Marco" She replied. "Ok! Ragini,I have to go .Don't Worry, I will be home, before Dadi switches to her Hitler Mode .Bye ..love you."

After last sip of her mojito ,a girl in twenties, dressed in a simple tee and printed Black Palazzo made her way towards the center of stage.Any regulars to MANTRA would recognise her ...'Swara Bose.'

Standing before the mike ,as she adjusted the strings of guitar

"Hey Swara ..Aaj kya sunane wali ho ?" came one of voices from behind.

"Swara ...give us a nice romantic number yaar . I am here with my fiance." came one more voice.

A smile spread across her lips. "I will ,but only, if you both dance on the number," to which the pair gave their nod.

"Ok Folks ,So this song is for Anjali and her Fiance.Wishing them a happy life ahead ,Let's hear it for them people."

There were cheers all around for new couple.As the strings of her guitar echoed and she hummed first lines of song, The crowd went absolutely still.

Chura liya hai tumne jo dil ko, najar nahee churaana sanam..

Badalke meree tum jindagaanee, kahee badal naa jaana sanam

Oh, le liya dil oh hai meraa dil, hai dil lekar mujhako naa behlaana."

She looked across, as she continued to cast spell on audience with her voice. Most of them looked familiar other than few ,but one pair of eyes intrigued her like none .He stood, leaning to one of railings, with a glass of drink ,a small teasing smile playing on his lips.Her eyes lingered on him, for a moment longer before she moved onto others ,concentrating on her lines.

Bahaar banake aau kabhee tumhaaree duniya me

Gujar naa jaaye yeh din kahee isee tamanna me

Tum mere ho ho tum mere ho, aaj tum itana vaada karate jaana.

They drifted back to him, like she didn't have a say and his smile widened as their eyes met.

Chura liya...

Confused with herself ,if she wanted to look away or not, she closed her eyes humming final notes.When she opened them amidst the applause of crowd and looked around...

He was gone.

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Present

"I have little left in myself - I must have you.My very soul demands you."

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Swara rolled onto the other side of bed in protest, as tiny beams of sunlight caressed her face."Let me Sleep ," She murmured lazily into pillow but the dull throb in her head was just getting worse.

"God ! Mera Sar" She woke up holding her head , pushing messy hair off face.

Her head started pounding as she dimly remembered the events of the last night .She was drunk and then?Alert,She looked around with panic gripping her heart.It's not her place, not her bed , a totally unfamiliar room with all expensive furniture and costly linens...and her clothes?She's not in them, but a men's T-shirt hanging loose around her and a pair of shorts.As the memories of previous night sharpened, she recalled the events in bits and pieces .She was drunk , flirted with some guys and then ...

"Did she end up doing something stupid?"

She clutched the bed sheet closer as if trying to shield away the thoughts of what could have happened last night. She didn't know where she was ...who could have got her here? But first things first .She needs to get out of this room, find a way out. Slipping out of bed, she casted frantically around for her clothes.

A click of door,She stopped dead in her tracks, "Who could it be? The owner of this room?"

"Morning" A voice came in and she whirled around at familiarity of tone. He stood in doorway with two steaming mugs.A surge of relief of flowed through her ,looking at him. 'Someone dear.' Thank God!She's with him, She's safe .

"Morning," She mumbled ,resisting the urge to rush into his arms.They stood for a minute considering each other.In that simple white half sleeve T- shirt and blue worn jeans, he looked ...'killer'. She shushed up inner voice that sprang up.

He missed those days, when She would rush into his arms, her lips brushing his cheek for a morning kiss ,but now?He shrugged those thoughts off and stepped inside , "I made some black tea for you, thought it would make u feel better,"He placed the mug on table beside bed and shot a long look at her.

Growing consciously aware of his intense gaze,She slowly settled on one side of bed, after picking her tea, absolutely sure that at this moment She's looking like a mess.

"She's beautiful," he thought taking a sip of his coffee .With her waist long hair all tangled,few strands falling on that pretty face , She looked breathtakingly beautiful . He settled on couch, his gaze still intact on her.

Her voice broke his trance , "Main yaha kaise ?" and before he could answer, She bombarded him with more questions "Why didn't you drop me at my place? Mere kapde kaha hain aur kal raat ko kuch ..."She paused thinking how to phrase it .She would trust him with all her heart but not herself .Her thoughts were never straight and they tend to go way hire,especially around him.

He knew her in and out and exactly know what's running in her mind.

"Relax Swara ,I didn't let you take advantage of me", He smirked at flash of anger in her eyes. "You were drunk last night ,so I got you here."

He paused for a second contemplating whether to answer why he got her to his place.He needed them to talk and She wouldn't let him .. not after what he did .Deciding to skip it for time being ,he moved on to next one.

"Tumhare kapde ..woh ...It rained last night aur wapas aate waqt thoda bheeg gaye the.I didn't want you to fall sick or catch cold ,iss liye change kardiya, sent them out for a wash,should be here in some time."

He changed her clothes?He made it sound so casual.Her cheeks fluShed pink and She lowered her eyes, taking one more sip.

He grinned with mischievous glint playing in his eyes .God! She looked adorable when She bluShed and She doesn't have an iota of idea what it does to him.

"Aur kuch?", he raised his eyebrow quizzically, waiting if She would shoot more questions at him

She nodded negative and took one more sip of contents in her cup .She felt much better and he made this tea just the way She likes,with a hint of lemon in it .Her heart warmed at the thought, 'he still remembers.'

Of course, He does every single thing of her, and them together.

"Waise Swara, I would hate to disappoint but you might find this information useful." She looked at him puzzled as he carried on , "Your Clothes,My maid changed them.I didn't , So..." He paused with a small grin on his lips, "I think you can stop blushing."

He grinned wider .Teasing her ..it's such a fun.

Embarrassed first ,She caught that naughty glint in his eyes, his teasing tone and that smile of his ,Her heart did a flip flop .It's charming like always but She was quick to retort back, "I think you need to get your eyes checked, because I didn't ."

"You Lair," chided her inner voice.

He smiled at that. Swara Bose is not going to give in easily without a fight. Placing coffee mug back on table, he walked towards her. "Maybe you are right, I should get them checked or Maybe I have a better option."

In next minute, he was besides her on bed. Startled for second, her breath hitched as he leaned closer , "Do you mind if I take a closer look ? "His voice was enough to send shivers down her spine and She felt his breath intoxicating .Her heart thumped louder as he stroked a finger slowly across one of her cheeks, leaving a trail of warmth along the trace .She closed her eyes with a sweet sigh at the sweet sensation that flowed through her.

"Caught you ," he whispered softly in her ears and her lips curved into a smile.

His hand slid down the side of her face in a warm caress, his fingers cupping her chin and lifting it to his eyes

Swara ...

She opened her eyes to meet his gaze as he took her name ,soft and gentle. His eyes showered concern and care .Not a hint of mischief ."Tum theek ho na .Last Night ,I got scared ki tumhe kuch..."He couldn't quite complete the sentence.

Moved ,She held his cheek and was about to answer,She noticed a bruise just below the lip ,like someone punched him and may be few more. Concern and worry took over her.

"Sanskaar,Ye chot ..kaise lagi tumhe?"

His expression stiffened at that question,next minute he jerked out of bed,his back turned to her.He squeezed his eyes shut and flaShes of last night's events came rushing back to him. How he found her ...those guys hovering around her .His fist tightened...How dare they lay hands on his girl ? Beating them to death wasn't enough for him ,it didn't subsidize the fury he felt then. He would have ripped them apart, torn limb by limb . What If he didn't reach on time?He shuddered at that thought.How could She be so careless?

"Sanskaar" She called out and when he turned, his eyes spoke murder.

"What the hell do you think of yourself?"His voice came in a calm deadly tone leaving her confused at this sudden shift of behavior until he bursted out, the very next minute."Are you mad? Out of your mind?Why did you drink last night and those guys? You think flirting is fun?" He raked his hair in sheer frustration.

"Acha hua,I got there in time ,nahi tho... How could you be so careless Swara," He charged ,his hands gripping her shoulders tight, "Agar tumhe kuch hojaa tha tho?" A minute of pause and this time when he spoke there was a clear warning."Next time ,Don't you dare pull such a stunt...never ever."

Quiet taken aback by his outburst, Swara composed herself .He was right,He was talking sense though that tone set her off .She was reckless ,yes... anything could have happened but when did love teach heart to be rational ?She landed up there because She was missing him .That place, held so many memories: Their first meet , Their first dance and many more, when they dated.It held memories, sweet and bitter,bitter because he was no longer with her and that was her decision .She was angry with herself .How could she despise and long for him, at once and here he is,giving her lectures on do's and don'ts ...

She charged back ,ripping her shoulders, free from his hold, "Maine kaha tha tumhe aane ke liye,Mujhe bachane ke liye ...chod de the mujhe apni haal mein."Tears welled up her eyes, hurt strikingly visible and they seemed to calm down the raging storm in him .

Damn it! He didn't mean to hurt her .

"Swara ,Listen "He tried talking as she got out of bed and was in no mood to listen .She didn't care if she looked like a mess or didn't have proper clothes to get out .Doesn't matter .She wiped her tears furiously and made her way towards door .Grabbing her hand, he pulled her against him .

"Stay Away" She shoved him hard," Don't you dare touch me aur kis haq se tum ye sab keh rahe ho mujhse .It's all over between us and you don't hold any right over me .Is that clear Mr. Sanskaar Maheshwari ? Mind You,I will get drunk , flirt with whomever I want," Well aware ,She was spouting nonsense but she had no intentions to stop , "I might end up marrying him . I don't need your permission and who the hell are you to ...?"

"Enough Swara," his voice roared.In a split of second ,She was caged against wall, his strong arms on either side of her .His eyes emitted rage in waves, he looked dangerous as his voice came in with gripping intensity.

"Sab kuch tume khatam kiya tha Swara ...You ended it all, damn it! how many times do I have to tell you ,I still want you..."The longing in his voice and that possessiveness in his eyes , Only if She had been able to resist him ,then and now .

His voice rang again in her ears "Get this straight into your head, Swara Bose! You are mine aur main kisi ko hamare beech nahi aane dunga,tumhe bhi..."

Her heart thudded faster at this declaration and this time when he spoke there was accusation and an unspoken rage, " Aur kya kaha tumne ? Main kaun hoon?Who the hell am I? Really swara! He pulled her close, their faces just a breath away "Do u want me to answer that?" His breath came in hot .

They were so close yet so far ... She didn't like it. Her eyes dropped down to bruise, just below his lower lip. This is because of her .He fought for her,to save her.How much ever, she may try to run away from him ,She can't .There is no escape and She didn't want to...not today.She slowly lifted her hand and caressed the spot softly ,with her delicate fingers. He closed his eyes at that caress, opened back at her voice "bahut dard hua hogana". And his eyes softened ...

She leaned forward ,closing the distance between them .His eyes widened as he realized.He wanted to stop her, warn her, but it was too late .Her lips dusted slightly over his bruise, brushing his lips .He tightened his hold on her feeling the spark of desire run through him,this aching need to have her ,claim her .She leaned back on wall where she was pinned between his arms looking straight into his eyes.

Those eyes...would be his death one day

How the hell did he think he would move on from her? .He ignored all the warning signs from time he met her .He let her in. At that time, he had no clue what he signed up for ..that she would drive him to the point of insanity would become his addiction...his Fitoor.

Her breath quickened as his voice came in low and seductive," You really want an answer..don't you ?"His gaze dropped down to her lips and they parted in anticipation.She knew how they felt on her skin. She wanted to feel them ,again...and just like he heard her ,he claimed hers ... setting them both on fire.

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