Hi All,

Here is the next chapter. Happy Reading. Please ignore errors and typos. Do let me know your thoughts.

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That morning didn't start on a good note for Swara and troubled sleep last night made things worse. She stepped into office nervously, her mind playing around various possibilities and at the anticipation of events. The prospect of confrontation was nerve-racking. Was she prepared to face him and questions posed? Will she be able to hold her forte, given the effect he had on her. Would she be termed as a cheater and accused of playing with his feelings, keeping him in dark all this while?

Could she deny, she is indeed the masked girl, that night? Lying had never been her cup of tea. Her facade would be down in a split of a second. He would know. In her little stint as his PA, Swara realized how persistent Sanskaar could be in his pursual.

She was under the radar, now. He would come in .. then ask her to come into his cabin and she would be shot with questions, serious deadly ones.

Be ready to die, Swara. If not him, this tension would definitely kill her. She already worked all probable scenarios of this particular scene playing out in colorful versions. She stepped into office quite early hoping they could have a word in private, avoiding any unpleasant scenarios and extra attention.

For Swara who was absolutely sure, Sanskaar would be in early as well, she was left disappointed. With every passing minute, her tension escalated at a rapid scale. People started filling in cabins but Sanskaar didn't turn up yet. She fidgeted with her project book for a while, then played around with the laptop, checked time quite a few times.

He should be in anytime or is he gonna put on a disappearing act to trouble her more. She contemplated the idea of checking with Rosy but refrained as she didn't want to give her unnecessary ideas. Then her thoughts took a new turn.

What if he didn't come in today? That would buy her more time. Such a relief. She can brace herself better to put up tough act. Yes! Swara relaxed.

Little did she know it's shortlived as Sanskaar walked in right at that moment. Her heart leaped at the sight of him.

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Nothing happened. A simple nod acknowledging her morning wish and then he checked with Rosy on a scheduled meeting and was out of her sight in no time.

Bas! All her expectations gone down drain, Swara stood to wonder. Then he walked out and came back with a cup of coffee after a few minutes.

"Sir! You could have told me. I could have made one for you." Rosy had her best smile and Swara her best glare shooting daggers at both. Isn't Rosy being too generous and playing smiley, smiley with her hotshot boss.

Of course, He would say Yes! That would be a smack right on her face. You are not the only one who would make coffee for me. There are hundreds dying over there. See. Oh Yes! Mr. Sanskaar Maheswari and his fangirls. No wonder they could make him drink with their own hands.Pyaar se. My foot.

"Thanks, Rosy. That was sweet of you. But I guess I can manage a coffee by myself." He replied, ever sweet.

Now he would look at her. Swara waited. He didn't and walked off.

What? He didn't even throw a glance at her. Isn't that odd? Or was he holding up the discussion for a later time? With so many questions running in her mind, Swara couldn't push away the stinging feeling. He neither made a remark nor gave her a mocking look about coffee...still, she did feel bad. He never asked her to make one. She ventured herself. Swara recalled his smiling face.

I love it! Will you make one for me every day?

And all of sudden she decided not to make and had put across her point quite rudely. He didn't complain, never questioned back. He simply obliged. Was it her own assumption or overconfidence about making the best coffee for him and he's dying to have a cup of it every day. His world will stop moving if she didn't make one.

Did she expect it to? On what basis? Serves you right Swara! He's not even bothered.

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Oh, He was very much. He did miss her coffee and her too. Did she even know what was taking for him not to grab her into his arms and fish out all answers? Act like he didn't care. She would have no clue. But this was very much needed to put his plans into place, how much ever he was tempted to, he needs to hold back, till....

Sanskaar sipped coffee, his eyes fixed on Swara. 'Your game is up sweetheart. It's my turn'. His lips curved up into a smile.

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By the end of the day, Swara resigned herself to the silent treatment of Sanskaar and his ignorant act.

So its time to payback. If he thinks she's gonna come behind him, He's so wrong. Good for her! This is what she wanted. Right! Then why was she so upset? Swara packed her bag lost in thoughts. It's time to leave. So that's it. The day was supposed to end this way. Not a word from him.

"Swara.." It was Rosy.

The gist: Sanskaar was closing on a meeting and would meet her in few minutes. She was asked to wait. Swara felt excited at the news. Shouldn't she be dreading? Strangely she was not. She settled down and watched Rosy and others leave.

As the clock ticked she waited, her heart picking beat by beat. The sound of approaching footsteps caught her attention and he was before her next minute. Swara stood up holding her breath. Their gazes clashed for the first time after that breathtaking kiss and everything else faded into silence.

All these years, he had been dying for a little glimpse of her and here she is...right before his eyes. One step was all it would take for him to lock her into his arms and never let her go. Oh! How much he wanted to drown himself in those brown pools of eyes, steal her every breath, have her melt in his hands, hear her cry his name in sheer pleasure.

He felt his breath quicken, his eyes turning dark with passion and it was out in open for her to read...his yearning.

Swara felt breathless as if every bit of air around her had been sucked in and all she could feel was heat, an irresistible one, he seemed to radiate. Dangerous, tempting and inviting, the one which you would want to step in willingly and burn. And she wanted to ... again. Her breath came out as a gasp, leaving her flustered.

That little gasp almost crumbled him. Did she have any idea of the effect she has on him? Her flushed skin, her labored breathing, her trembling lips.Damn! Sanskaar curled his fist trying to reign his thoughts and tantalizing images they evoked. He broke the gaze.

"My cabin in 5 min." He passed a curt order hoping that would help him.

Swara nodded finally being able to breathe watching him go into his cabin. She needed this time.

He did too. Sanskaar raked his hair, taking in deep breaths as he paced in the cabin. How would he survive the coming days with her around, this close to him knowing she's the one who ruled his heart and mind, with or without the mask. He would turn insane staying away.

"Get a hold, Sanskaar. "He told himself. "You don't have to scare her. Take it slow."

A knock on the door. He turned back. Swara stepped in hesitantly.

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Swara waited for some questions but all came her way was, an apology and an honest confession after a long silence.

"I am sorry about last night, Swara. I got carried away. To be frank I am not used to being ignored and I just couldn't take it. My ego couldn't and I just blew up. I have no right to comment on your personal issues and judge you. We started on a good note. I don't want things to end sourly. If we can leave all that behind and start over fresh ....It would be great."

Swara stood still trying to process his words. This was no way expected. What does that mean? That he didn't make out she was the 'masked girl'. Swara felt a sharp sting. He didn't. She thought he did. The way he looked into her eyes and the kiss...she thought he did...but it seems he didn't and she had been spinning theories around her assumptions.

Friends? Swara gave a break to her thoughts looking at his extended hand. It brought to her the titbits of her conversation with Ragini last night.

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"I cant, Ragini. I can't anymore. The more I am trying to ignore him, he is paying more attention. main usko hurt kar raha hoon aur khud ko bhi. This is not working."

"There's a way out. "Ragini gave her a thoughtful glance 'Friend zone him'

What!

"Yes, Swara. You just have a few weeks left... and the whole problem is because you are viewing him as a romantic interest. I might be blunt but you know things would never work out that way between you both. He has someone else in his life. Unless he comes out clean about his intentions, we can't help and all this is when we assume he didn't decode you to be a masked girl.

Friends? Swara tried to digest the idea.

"Yes! this would be just on cordial lines till you get out of Maheswari Inc. Hi! hello, How do you do types, but remember don't say a word till you know what he is up to. I think this might help you to get over him gradually."

Maybe it would. All these days juggling between two extremes of 'hold on' and 'let go' only brought her pain. A neutral approach might be the midway to put an end to her misery.

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Swara...

His voice jolted her back. Her eyes moved to his extended hand. Somehow the heat subdued and she felt at ease now. Swara nodded and placed her hand into his and felt his fingers close over hers in gentle but firm hold and a moment of 'that night' kicked in ...

The first time he held them asking her for a dance and he knew she was recalling the same. Her eyes gave her away. But he didn't want her to have any hint of his plans. He reluctantly pulled back his hand for 'time being.'

"Great! want me to drop?" He asked with a smile, very well knowing the answer. He didn't want to insist and trouble her but he didn't mind taking a chance.

Swara refused gently, as expected. Sanskaar went around the table,

"You better make a move then, Swara. You will be getting late." He said packing his bag. Swara nodded and stepped out, but she still had many questions lingering around at this not- so- expected turn of events. No action.No drama and she had been cooking herself up for this. That's it?

What else did she expect? He would come behind her demanding answers. Did she want him to? Is that why she was disappointed? Shouldn't she be relieved? He friend zoned her. She didn't and Swara no way wanted to admit this feeling of restlessness. Did she expect more from him? Not just a tag of a friend on cordial lines and to be dismissed. Didn't he feel a thing after their kiss last night? Didn't it evoke any memories of that night? Was it so easy for him to let it go? But the way he looked into her eyes... It felt.

Eyes? Specs. Her specs. Swara touched her eyes instinctively. How come it didn't cross her mind the whole day. Did he have them or some cleaning staff would have picked it up? She would check tomorrow.

Swara let out a long tiring sigh and picked her bag. It's time for end card. It's all over.

Swara...

She jumped at his voice from behind. He simply stood before her with a little grin played hide and seek on his lips. Before she could think further, he placed specs back gently on her eyes.

"Careful next time. You never know who might read your secrets, all of them." He said with a glint in eyes.

Was that a hint? Did he? Swara muttered a quick thank you. The whole day seemed to surprise her in strange ways but she no way was prepared for his next move. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek softly giving her a mini heart attack. His lips lingered  for a while, right at the corner of her lips. A slight brush, Swara felt her breath stop, her heart racing madly against his calm one. Sanskaar pulled away and gazed into her widened eyes for a bit longer, his black eyes meeting her brown ones, their breaths all set to mingle.

'For our new start,' he whispered against her lips and walked off grinning, leaving her to cope up with his sweet shock.

Well, You always don't need fireworks, a little flame should do ... to set fire and to ignite. He just did.

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Thanks for reading

Love

Lucky