Hello People

Back with an update. A small one.

Happy Reading.

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SPRINKLES OF STARDUST

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Swara checked her watch. 10 more minutes to go. She always believed in being ahead of schedule which meant, she takes her business seriously. And she wished he would be on time as well.

Last night, a call from Sanskaar Maheswari came as a shocker. The voice was still fresh in her mind. Smooth and crystal clear. And the conversation had been to point. Summary being, he had her card and would like to have a one on one meeting. And here she is, waiting in the coffee lounge, wondering why her? He would have had half a dozen agencies catering to him on click of a finger.

At first, she thought of it as a prank pulled by some punk with her card, for businessmen usually have their secretaries setting up appointments. And Sanskaar Maheswari was not a name you can miss. The owner of Maheswari group who had been in the news in the last few years for all good reasons. Thanks to the occasional presence of his pictures in local tabloids, he is no stranger. He has got looks, ok! Quite easy on the eyes ... and

Swara Bose! And it is the same voice.

Her eyes flicked up and met his. Swara took a minute to adjust to his towering presence. Dressed in a slim fit charcoal grey suit and a checkered tie firm in its place, he looked...

None of those pictures, None did justice to the man standing before her. She rose to her feet.

Sanskaar Maheswari!

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It was after two hours, they parted ways both running over discussions. Well! Meeting went well, Swara thought as she walked down the road.

It started with an awkward silence.

"I see, you didn't order anything," he said first " Coffee?" He posed a question next. And two piping hot cups of espresso and a plate of delicious butter cookies graced the table in a few minutes.

Yes! She didn't, because she had no intentions to throw Rs 250 over a cup of coffee, not when she is holding onto every penny in her bank account dearly. Neither she has intentions to feed off only because he would be paying. That would be against her ethics.

Few sips and it took off. He didn't speak much! It had been to point. Short & crisp.

He wants to get married and is not comfortable dealing with women on a personal level. He admitted not having a girlfriend ever "I am sort of closed person. And I feel I can't understand women well." He added.

For a minute, Swara was tempted to quote Oscar Wilde ' Women are meant to be loved not to be understood.' But no way, she's saying that to him.

"Can you help me, Miss Bose.?" He asked. It was earnest.

Of course, she can. That's her work.

"I just want everything to be right when I meet that 'someone special'. You know just perfect. I can't take any chances." He added quite softly. It was in his eyes. She felt it. He gonna bring the world to her feet.

That's one lucky woman. For a moment she felt equal proportions of awe and envy. Not everyone is destined to chance upon true love or the right one, Swara thought sadly.

But she's gonna help Mr.Maheshwari find 'one'. The one for him. She already knows the consequences of being another side and the implications they bring upon.

One wrong person ... you are doomed. Swara shook her head as if to snap away from her thoughts. Focus, Swara! Focus.

A little more chat. They came to a crucial part. Paycheque. She quickly did a mental calculation accounting all her needs and gave him a number. For a minute it felt like he wouldn't be ok or felt it was too much. And suddenly she felt like flashing 50% Discount card. She can't let this chance get away. Her big-ticket.

Thankfully, He said Yes! And only Swara knew the relief that washed over at that. They parted on a good note after exchanging numbers officially. He would call her, once he checks on schedule, he told her. She gladly agreed.

She will have time to work on a customised plan for Mr Maheswari. That would help.

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Back in the car, Sanskaar played discussion in his mind. He was glad he made the call and his gut feeling hadn't been wrong. She was on time, in fact ahead. Punctual and she valued the time of others. Swara Bose scored on that. She looked different today in a peach coloured long-sleeved chiffon shirt and black trousers. No blazer like that night. Loose hair suited her, he thought. Minimal accessories as well.Studs on ears and a watch gracing hand. And not much makeup either. Refreshing, he would term it as compared to ones he came across who dabbed foundation or powder every hour and are more concerned about looks.

This one's different, if not he wouldnt have noted all these. Beauty lies in simplicity. He would agree.

Then she listened to him ...and he could see it wasn't just for the sake of it like few. An ear here and there. Focused. Never once did she interrupts him followed his every line. And he felt comfortable, suddenly. She didn't make him look like a fool, asking for help and sharing his concerns.

He somewhere understood why she was a hit.

He managed to pull out some information on her work. They just asserted his decision to hire her and didn't mind sharing this bit of information when she posed a question.

A right one!

Why me?

For a minute he felt, he caught a flash of anger...but it went as quickly as it came. He understood. Heck! He wouldn't like someone prying on his information. He would be mad too. But this was needed.

"I am a businessman, Miss Bose." He clarified "And I plan my investments wisely. She nodded as understood. "I hope I won't be disappointed."He added in an edgy tone to drive the point home. He can't be taken lightly.

"It's a two-way road.Mr. Maheswari." She told intently "I will play my part and you should play yours. I am sure we will work this out." Then she smiled.

Nice one! But he wasn't done yet.

He purposely withheld information on her fall out with the boss and his eavesdrop session but rather asked quite innocently. Why quit? It was bait.

She didn't utter a word against her boss nor glossed it over rather said

"Just felt like doing my own thing and I would be happier"

Oh! She scores again. Loyal. Not like those who would badmouth their boss once out of job, especially after a bad fall out. So, his information would be confidential. Not a word would be out even if it didn't work out. He's sure of that.

His car took a sharp turn.

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"Only professional Information Miss Bose. Your personal life is none of my concern." Swara recalled his words.

Well! She can't blame him. That's how the corporate world operates. References do play a part and she can't expect him to hand over the job based on a business card. Makes sense. Oh! Definitely. And no personal information, he said. She liked it. It wouldn't have been tough but he chose to respect her boundaries. She would have preferred it that way.

Then came his last question.

"Why you, Miss Bose?" And he no longer looked like the hesitant soft one, rather a tough businessman. All cool and regal. He has got some interesting shades... Would be fun.

He's Smart as well. Turning her question over to her. Swara smiled a little. Mr.Maheswari, successful for a reason. For a minute she felt nervous under his scrutinizing intent gaze, but braced herself up and flashed the best smile.

"Because I am gonna change your life." She took a pause and finished" forever"

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Forever? Life-changing?

Sanskaar pulled his car to the parking space. That's one tall big claim to make. And Miss Swara bose better stand up to both. He's not gonna settle for anything less. He stepped down and looked up at tall stature of Maheswari Inc.

Time for work.

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Ok! Forever was too much! Swara muttered under breath but it felt right! No! To add some weightage to her words. And she has every intention to keep up her word.

She slowly walked up to the little building A gentle tap on the door and she stepped in.

"Hey, Swara!" Clara greeted her with an ever-charming smile. And a smile deserves a smile.

"Did she trouble you"? Swara followed her in.

"Oh! You know she's a sweet kid. There she is."

Seated midst other kids, at her name being called out, one-year-old Tara, beamed at the voice and face of Swara. 'Maa' She clapped her tiny hands with a happy gurgling sound. And Swara bit back tears that left her overwhelmed in such moments. Walking back to her at the end of the day is the best part. The little star of her life.

Swara cuddled her up and kissed softly on cherub cheek.

"Hey, Sweetheart! Let's go home."

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Love and Hugs

Lucky