Hi all,

Thanks for dropping by. I am extremely thankful if you are one of those set on this new journey with me.Back with another update. Do let me know your thoughts, please. Please ignore errors and typos found.

  Happy Reading. 

Maheshwari Industries needed no introduction for it is one of the largest textile business with its roots deeply established in Kolkata and commanded a strong presence across the country.

For Laksh Maheshwari, that day started on an early note owing to the closure of deal for Maheswari Industries. Laksh had been working on this particular deal for the months which would prove highly beneficial for Maheswari Inc. He was sure his efforts of all these months were about to prove fruitful He always made it a point to switch his mobile to 'do not disturb' mode when in attendance to important meetings, but on that fated day it slipped his mind.

In midst of the meeting, a ring on his mobile distracted him enough to catch the miss. In other scenarios, he might have muted the call but the name flashing on screen had his immediate attention. 'Adarsh Bhaiyya' who was well aware of his meeting and would have no way called if it's not critical.

"Excuse me, Gentlemen. I have to take this call" Laksh excused himself from the meeting and stepped out. He listened to the other side going through a myriad of emotions.

"I will start right away." He finished the call and didn't move for few minutes as if he was trying to sink in the news. Finally! The much awaited moment is here. Bringing on his formal stance he headed back to the group.

"Sorry! But we have to take this up on some other day. It's a family emergency." He put it short and crisp. He dismissed the concern of, one of the senior managers about the loss of few lakhs, the delay would cost them and his dad might not appreciate it.

"Family comes first anytime. Trust me, Mr. Joshi. My dad would have wanted me to do the same," Laksh said with a smile picking up his coat.

"But Laksh... You have been working on this deal day and night and you are leaving on verge of successful closure. All your efforts would go in vain. Why don't you stay back close this and then..." One more concern came up.

"I am sorry. Bhai comes first." And that was the end of discussion. Laksh apologized again to the team and made his way out of conference room.

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Back in his car, Laksh thoughts wandered across the turn of events. Who would believe he was same Laksh Maheshwari before 6 months. A spoilt brat, Casanova, Impulsive and irresponsible who never took his life seriously. It had been all about having fun for him.

But life has its own schemes and often it takes a hard route to teach lessons. The accident of his cousin Sanskaar. Sanskaar was everything he was not. An obedient and dutiful son, a protective brother and a beautiful human being with heart of gold who left him in awe and envy sometimes, but it had always been harmless.

When they say you don't know what you have until It's gone. True!

The things we often take for granted are the ones we are blessed with. Only sometimes we are too late to realize. Losing a dear, loved one is always painful. Coming close to losing someone, watching them hang between life and death and living in the constant fear of losing them, is no less painful.

A little hope, a lot of despair is what he would define the last 6 months to be. The sight of Sanskaar covered in blood still haunted him. Something has changed in him from the point, he had seen his brother in the hospital, struggling for life. He did come back, but only to be lying in the state of deep sleep.

That's when it hit him ..how it feels to have something you loved dearly snatched away from you ruthlessly. Only if he could step back in time, turn it around, he would have never wronged them both whom he owed every bit of his remorse.

They were no wrongs but sins. Repentance washes away sins is what many say .. but few are so grave that you are cursed to live with the burden of their guilt and are left with regret for a lifetime.

Only if he could atone them...

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Laksh instincts screamed wrong when he was asked to come down to doctors cabin, contrary to his expectations of seeing Sanskaar and his whole family rejoicing his recovery. The minute he stepped in ... the crestfallen faces of his family served as a proof for same. Durga Prasad Maheshwari looked shaken, with Adarsh holding his shoulder in support. Annapurna stood silently at one end with a blank stare. Doctor Bakshi, their family doctor, was busy checking some reports.

"What's wrong ?" He looked around for answers.

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For Maheshwari's who walked in excitedly to the hospital, they were greeted with something totally unexpected. Sanskaar failed to recognize any of them. A blank stare was all they got and he flinched away at their touch. It was only at Annapurna he gazed for long before averting them, his eyes looking for that one face he longed to have a glimpse of. He turned to doctor.

"Where is Shona?" He asked with a flicker of hope."Why is she not here? Is she still angry with me? She would be coming for me. Right!."

Dr. Bakshi looked at Maheswari family who looked absolutely clueless as he was. He decided it's time to have word with them.

"She would be coming but you have to rest for a while.," He said gently gave a nod to Sarita who took over and left the room along with Maheshwari's

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"What does that mean? How come bhai can't recognize us? We are family ." Laksh still didn't seem to believe such prospect.

"Laksh, Sanskar is just out of a coma and you can't expect him to act normal all of sudden. He will take time to get to the routine and adjust himself to the surroundings and people. He even had difficulty in responding to his own name."

"So? Why don't you do something about it?" Impatience took over Laksh. " All these days coma had been an excuse and now this? Dad! Why don't we take bhai to somewhere else? I mean we can fly him outside India or get some experts over here...and .."

"Laksh .. " Durga Prasad Maheshwari raised his hand signaling him to stop. Laksh fell silent next instance. It was an iron rule in Maheshwari family No one dared to defy or go against Durga Prasad Maheshwari words

" Say sorry.." was the order.

Laksh nodded, muttered a half-hearted apology to doctor and stepped back.

"Dr. Bakshi ... Please don't mind his words. It's just that he's very concerned about Sanskaar." Adarsh took over.

Dr. Bakshi acknowledged it with a smile. In his past 15 years experience, he had come across many and by now is quite used to reactions of patients family and loved ones, good, bad and worse.

"It's Ok! Mr. Adarsh. I totally understand the family sentiments, but there's something I would want to share about Sanskaar. " And he immediately had everyone's attention.

"Sanskaar is in a delicate state as of now. As you all know, he survived a critical phase of head injury and putting any force on his mind at this point can prove detrimental to his condition. I need to run a few more tests and scans to reach any conclusion and need to have a word with Sanskaar as if he is willing and cooperative. I need some more time for this and would highly appreciate a little patience. I am hopeful results would be positive, but.."

The pause stirred an anxious response from the group. But?...

"I am afraid. Mr. Maheshwari, If Sanskaar fails to recognize faces even after a few days, It might be a clear case of amnesia as in memory loss."

"Memory Loss? Are you serious Mr. Bakshi like they show in those films and daily soaps ?" Laksh couldn't hold back his tongue. It earned him an amused look from the doctor.

"Well, most of those are exaggerated and fabricated versions but memory loss cases do happen in reality. I can understand it is a difficult time for your family to accept or even think of such a scenario but we can't rule that option out, Mr, Laksh. I mean it might be a possibility which I am hoping not. Some time is all I need. " He turned to DP, "I will keep you posted Mr.Maheshwari.He will be fine, soon . Trust him to be in good hands, "Dr. Bakshi finished with a same sweet smile.

There was nothing but silence for long. DP nodded and as they were about to leave

"Mr.Maheshwari.Who is Shona?"

That one question from Doctor had all of Maheshwari's in loops.

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After Maheshwari's left, Dr. Bakshi pondered for long on their response. Adarsh and DP claimed to have no clue who Shona was. Sanskaar had always been an introvert, a closed person who never shared his feelings with anyone. He liked to keep them to the self and he never liked probing or prying on his personal life. Hence they never interfered was the explanation offered.

Annapurna Maheshwaris answer was a no too. It was only Laksh who admitted Sanskaar mentioning her name to him, once or twice as 'someone special 'in his life, but he was clueless beyond that.

Whoever it was had an important bearing on Sanskaar's state of mind and his life too. It felt strange, none of the family had an inkling about this girl... who seemed so much important for Sanskaar. What could be the missing link?

Anyways, He had to get back to work. Maybe he would be able to figure out a few answers on his own.

He even made it clear to Maheshwari's. He wished they had taken his words seriously.

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Shona. Whoever it is please try to find her if possible. You might be surprised to know, It was her name which triggered Sanskaar out of the coma and he had her name tattooed. She is the first and only person he had a memory of as of now .. at least her name and you have been a witness to the same. She is the one he had been looking for....

I don't think I have to be more clear Mr.Maheswari. Find her please."

A strained silence loomed in the car as Maheshwari's headed back from the hospital each one tangled in their own thoughts and secrets. Annapurna gently leaned her head on the window glass and closed her eyes with a tiring sigh.

"Deewano ki tarah Pyaar karta hoon main usse. I am crazy about her, Ma and I can't imagine my life without Shona. Agar wo mujhe nahi mili tho main paagal hojavunga, Ma."

His words and his face ...Sanskaar.

The sound of horn jolted Annapurna. She quickly wiped a tear sliding down. Time to put on the facade.

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Laksh watched sleeping form of his brother in silence standing next to him. He didn't accompany his family and said he would follow them after a visit to Sanskaar. He slowly held Sanskaar's hand. How many times he would have held it in past 6 months and asked for forgiveness. He wished he would have enough daring to look into his eyes and beg for the same.

"I am sorry Bhai. You have always been there for me. I couldn't do the same for you. I couldn't be there when you needed me. Only If I had paid enough attention to your pain...aaj ye sab nahi hota.I have been selfish and wronged you in many ways. I am sorry."

His misty eyes didn't leave Sanskaar for long. Wiping away the sliding tears, Laksh stood up determined.No tears would wash his sins and he knew what exactly would set things right for Sanskaar or who.

"Bhai, I don't know who Shona is .. but I promise whoever it is or wherever she is, I will get her for you and this time I will not fail you. It's a promise". He placed the hand gently back and walked out.

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The room felt strangely cold and black and he was being engulfed into the abyss, again.

Did they think he was out of darkness? Was he? Fools. Moving from a never-ending sleep to a state of where no grief, no joy touched him, were all his eyes met nothingness, a dark page where everything is legible; but nothing could be read, where hidden voices screamed from within and not a word made sense, where different faces played behind closed eyes, in dull black and whites, but not ones he knew of...

Lying in a state of semi-consciousness, shrouded by the darkness of oblivion was Sanskaar Maheshwari. Forgetfulness .. What was it? When it guards against those unpleasant haunting ghosts from past or rips away pleasing and dear memories you always held close? What was it?

A boon or a curse? And he had no clue.

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"Give me the waters of Lethe that numb the heart, if they exist, I will still not have the power to forget you."

Publius Ovidius Naso- From The Poems of Exile: Tristia and the Black Sea Letters

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Notes and References.

About Title:

Lethe (pronounced: lee-thee) is one of the five rivers in Hades, Underworld in Greek mythology. In classic Greek, Lethe means oblivion, forgetfulness or concealment.

In keeping with classical mythology, Lethe was also the name of a Greek spirit: the spirit of forgetfulness and oblivion.

The Lethe River is believed to have flowed through the caves of Hypnos, the god of sleep, in the underworld. All those who drank from the river experienced forgetfulness, and Lethe's murmuring sound would induce drowsiness. When the souls of the dead passed into the afterlife, they had to drink from the river in order to forget their past life and be ready for their reincarnation.

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Thanks for reading.

Love

Lucky