Sanskaar thought of Ragini's reaction to his today's act. For her, he was an angel who could hurt none. She would change that opinion. May be that's the reason he asked her to go for a month-long holiday with her three other friends. He planned each stretch of their trip and ensured his sister could enjoy without a single worry. Beneath the gentle gesture lied his motive to bring Swara home and settled by the time Ragini returned.

As they entered the Maheshwari mansion, he dared a glance towards Swara who still wore the stone face since he broke the deal to her. His Chachi greeted them in the main hall. “Chachi, show her her room.”

“I won't share a room with you.” Swara spoke.

“Can't you hear properly? I am not asking you to share a room with me.” He walked away. Once he reached the top of stairs, he turned back and added, “Although you will have to in a month's time when Ragini returns. I don't want her to know about the background of this marriage.”

That evening at the dinner table, Sanskaar asked after Swara. “Last I saw was when I took her to her room. I must really praise her, Sanskaar! So much has happened yet not a single tear did she shed. Her face only held anger.” His Chachi updated.

Anger is better than tears, thought Sanskaar. “Chachi, let her be. She will be fine tomorrow.”

Sanskaar was wrong. Swara was more than just fine next day. While he missed his sister's voice singing the morning aarti, he heard the bell from the mandir. What the hell! Sanskaar stormed out of his room and proceeded towards the mandir downstairs.

His Chachi rushed to him. “Sanskaar! I told her but she just wouldn't listen.”

He walked up behind Swara and asked “What are you doing here? Except Ragini...” He saw the ivory and red bangles that her Dida had given her the day before.

~~~~~

“Swaru, I don't know why you are doing this but I know my Swaru would always do the right thing. Your Ma is probably still in the shock so she forgot. But you know, when a girl gets married and leaves her maternal home, she is to wear these bangles as a blessing for her new life. Tomorrow morning, pray to Durga Ma and then wear these.” Her Dida had said with so much love that Sanskaar felt the pain of separating Swara from her family. Did he commit too big a mistake?

~~~~~

Now Swara had placed them at the foot of Kanha idol. She took the aarti and wore the bangles. “Sorry, I was busy. What were you saying?” Swara turned to him.

Sanskaar smelled the difference in the air and ignored it. “Chachi, you asked me to bring something for her? Did you give her?”

Swara moved and Sanskaar saw the mangalsutra and sindoor box in the thali. “Is this what you were talking about?” She lifted the Thali in both her hands and showed him.

“Yes. I suppose you know what to do with them.” Sanskaar turned and walked a step when he heard his name taken with such authority that he felt his feet halt and turn to the call.

“Sanskaar!” Swara had called. “This is the marriage that we have accepted mutually. Whatever be the motive, I will fulfill this marriage with the same dedication I have fulfilled all other relationships in my life. And. You will as well.”

“Don't be with the idea that you can decide for me.”

“I can, Mr Sanskaar. Now if you want to stay in this marriage, do the needful.” Swara pointed to the Thali.

“Swara, you didn't have a choice. Have you forgotten within 24 hours?”

“I was silent doesn't mean I didn't have a choice. If you had a motive, I had too.”

Sanskaar was surprised.

Swara continued, “I have promised my brother that Ragini would be able to understand him and walk with him and not behind him. And to know Ragini closer, you have offered me perfect opportunity.”

Sanskaar tried to find a comeback but she didn't let him even think.

“Talking about your blackmail, I can put you behind bars for that even today and this marriage would be declared null. In bonus, you can think of your family reputation which your father and uncle have built. So don't even think of using that against me!” She emphasised it with finger snap.

This was definitely the Swara Gadodia he had met - fierce yet compliant.

“Now you will agree, right Sanskaar?” she repeated his words of the previous day.

She had powdered each of his defence. Not yet. He had one more. No Sanskaar, you have wronged her enough in the name of your sister. He decided to accept it. He filled the sindoor in her parting and adorned her with the mangalsutra. “Done? Anything else?” he asked sarcastically.

“Yes. But we're done here. Come.” Swara placed the Thali at the mandir. She held his wrist and walked him to the dining table. She pulled out the chair and signed him to sit. Without waiting, she pulled the adjacent chair and sat crossing her one knee on the other. Sanskaar cursed under his breath and took the seat.

“Why did you marry me? If it was just Tunes, I could have spoken to Lucky and explained to him. Kept myself away from the family, but isn't marriage taking this whole thing to another level?”

“Do I have to answer that?”

“Yes. Otherwise I have to draw my own conclusions.”

“What's your conclusion?” Sanskaar wanted to gauge her thought process.

“You really don't understand soft words!" She slapped the table. "Get this straight - I am no warranty card for your sister's happiness. If that's what you expected, you don't have a trump card; you have an equal partner. I am in this willingly and will leave if I feel like. You cannot stop me.”

He heard his Chachi whispering “He finally found his match. Bhaisa must be turning in his grave to have such a daughter-in-law.”

“Fine. Are we done yet?” Sanskaar asked impatiently. Swara simply nodded.

“Good. I have something for you.”

The helper brought two white boxes and placed them before Swara. She opened the first one to find a Samsung Galaxy phone. The second box held a remote key chain for the sedan that stood at the entrance.

By the time Swara looked up, Sanskaar was on his way up the stairs to his room. She called Lucky first. She needed to meet him, outside.

~~~~~

Lakshya Gadodia reacted exactly as per his Di's expectations. He wanted to meet her but didn't want to talk to her.

“Lucky, can we please talk like adults?”

“Di, this is just not done! You got married and you didn't even inform me? Do you know what is our house condition after you left?”

“Lucky, let me explain.”

“Di, I don't want to hear any explanation from you. I know my Di is the best person in this world. But how can you do this to Ma?”

“Lucky, I took this decision for you. You are my brother and you know very well I can go to any extent to fulfill my promises.”

“To the extent of marriage with a stranger?”

“Sanskaar is not a stranger, Lucky. He loves his sister just like I love you.”

Laksh was not convinced. “Why did you want to meet me?”

“To talk about Tunes. Baba cannot handle it alone. He has been away for too long. Why don't you step in?”

“Di? You want me to take your position? You know, you are asking me to fill very big shoes.”

“I know my brother has the potential to forward my vision for Tunes.”

“Until when?” Then quickly he added, “Don't tell me for good!”

“Until I can come back? Can you take care until then at least?”

“When can you come back?”

“I will be busy with your wedding preparations. Probably after that?”

“Four months.” Lucky said as if trying the numbers in his head.

“Yes.”

Lucky hugged her. Swara had missed her brother in the past one day. All the pillow fights, quarrelling for the last paratha, the alarm competitions and their parents scolding both of them for covering each other's mistakes. She had an urge to see her Ma all of a sudden and Lucky's following question didn't help matters.

“Di, when will you come home? Ma-Baba really miss you.”

“Lucky, do me a favour and take care of them for me... I too miss Ma-Baba and Dida but I can't go home now.”

~~~~~

As the white sedan entered the mansion grounds, Sanskaar peeped out of his bedroom door. Swara stepped out and walked into the house. Her face was pale and her eyes looked swollen. She cried. She cried a lot. How he had longed to see the vibrant Swara he had known 8 years back!