And here it is...The finale. Deep breaths. 1, 2 and 3 ...Go! Be warned. Lengthy.

Happy Reading

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The wedding day was in.

Laksh was absolutely sure of one thing. His best friend is mad and he's gonna turn one by the end of the day. He cast a glance at Sanskaar who stood before mirror checking his sherwani.

"I should have gone for a bit of dark shade. What do you think, Lucky?"

And Laksh wanted to shake him up and say," Dude! you are getting married to vamp, not heroine." How could he be so chilled when he's dying out of tension. He finished all his nails and was on his way to do the same with fingers and this idiot Sunny!

"I swear ,mujhe apni shaadi main bhi itni tension nahi hogi, jitna teri shaadi main ho raha hain,Sunny. Aur tu hain ki.." Laksh vented out.

"Relax Lucky! Ye shaadi nahi hogi. Swara would be here." Sanskaar said confidently.

Laksh shook his head and walked up to his friend. "Ok! Now you are sounding like one of those abla naari heroines getting married to villian and waiting for a hero to come and rescue. What are you? Some male version of damsel in distress and Swara, some lady knight?"

Sanskaar grinned. "Well, that would be nice for a change. Don't you think so?"

"Yeah Right! And what if Swara doesn't show up? Now don't tell me those sucking Bollywood line like "Meri Swara Aayegi."

A knock on the door. Ragini peeked in. "Am I disturbing?"

At no from both sides, She walked in holding a bag and greeted them with a smile. She cast a look at Sanskaar gave him a thumbs up and looked at Laksh who obviously was in a bad mood.

"What's wrong, Laksh?" She enquired and handed him a bag," I got all you have asked me for."

Checking the contents of the bag, Laksh looked at Sanskaar then at Ragini, "Since, this fellow is bent on risking his life over marriage, me being the sane and smart one, I am gonna come up with some plans. Listen Sunny! If Swara doesn't show up...you are gonna faint in Mandap, Ok!"

Ragini and Sanskar exchanged a look, shook their heads.

"Then what? Get Sanskaar declared pregnant?" Ragini giggled.

"Ha, ha! Very funny! "Laksh pulled out screwdriver and saree from the bag and went on with his work. " Sunny, Second option. Just make the excuse of the washroom, come to this room. I am going to loosen screws of this window. Get hold of Saree aur niche Aaja .. I will be waiting. Phir main tujhko bhagaa le javunga. Ok! Are we clear?"

Ragini looked at Sanskaar. "You are on your way to becoming a runaway groom." She murmured and pointed at Laksh who looked absolutely serious about his plan, " And this man has some serious Bollywood hangover."

They both gave up and turned the discussion to another side." I wanted to check on Swara, but since you asked me to stay away, I didn't. Sanskaar, I think I should have had a word with Swara, again."

"Nahi Ragini!" Sanskaar denied."I don't want Swara to be forced or take a decision under influence. We did our part. Now it's all up to Swara. As I said, it would be her choice."

And he wished in silence, that would be him.

-----------------------------------------------

Swara opened her eyes with difficulty. It felt like she had been asleep for hours. Her head throbbed like hell. It took a few minutes for her to realise, she was in her washroom, in the tub? She wondered if she had fainted ...she couldn't remember. She wobbled as she tried to get up and managed to balance herself against the wall.

A step out ...The throb became worse. Her eyes felt heavy as she narrowed them at her reflection in the mirror. A bandage on her head. At faint recall, Swara quickly splashed some water on her face. Little by little ...the haze started to clear.

________

It was after her showdown with Kavita over Scrapbook. Her words had hit enough to reconsider the decision. Midst tears she recalled all the accusations and emotional turmoil she was put through. Kavita had a part to play ...but she gave in because of her choti maa's words

Just like your mother.

And for the first time, she didn't let her heart take over. She simply questioned herself what was her mother's fault?

She didn't have any part to play, not in promises and false hopes dadi gave to Sumitra, not in her lost love and not at all in events after her death. It was not her mother's fault, if her baba couldn't forget his dearly loved wife ...if Sumitra could not win her baba completely.

All she did was to love ..and only love. How conveniently, the blame was shifted to her mother. She no way want to undermine the troubles Sumitra had gone through but holding her dead mother responsible... had not been fair.

What was expected out of her? To pay for crimes her mother never committed and she willingly obliged. Unknowingly, she let her mother down and now she's on her way to let down one more person who loved her.

The motherly gesture of Sumitra on the night of the engagement. She didn't deny craving for such love and affection all these years ...the wait only seemed never-ending. But her one decision changed things. And it's because she chose to let go Sanskaar for...Kavita.

If she didn't? ...Swara didn't have to think twice for an answer. She always believed love was meant to be unconditional which was not in this case. And she had fallen easy prey to her emotions and manipulations. Not any more.

Swara wiped her tears resolutely and cast a long glance at scrapbook.

It was time to make a few things clear to Kavita. She is neither having book nor Sanskaar. Not anything or anyone she rightfully owns.

---------------------------

Call it sheer luck or stroke of fate, Swara caught up on Kavita's conversation over the phone. She wasn't exactly shocked at this new revelation. It didn't come across as a surprise as Kavita is capable of things as such. But Swara felt glad. Any bit of guilt or misconception of Kavita being in love with Sanskaar ...no longer troubled her.

It was all clear right before her eyes.

"You never loved him? Did you?"

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It was her wedding day .. and she's supposed to be happy, just a step away from her dreams but she wasn't. They were on their way to Maheshwari Mansion, where the wedding was planned. Kavita nervously fidgeted with her dupatta. She no way expected Swara to walk in at that moment. She wouldn't have bothered in other cases and dismissed her off, but after scrapbook fiasco, She wished for no further complications.

Swara at that point was more than just a complication. Trouble uncalled for.

At the confrontation, she tried to play her usual 'So what? I - don't -care card,' absolutely sure, Swara wouldn't be able to do a thing. Oh! She had been wrong.

All Swara said was "He knows, It's me."

And dread she felt at that moment almost killed her. She could have dismissed it to be bluff, if not for the ring on Swara's hand...the same one Sanskaar picked. It was for Swara? So he knows..then? Why this proposal drama and pretence by Sanskaar.

"One word Kavita .. Just one word is all I have to say. Ye shaadi ruk jayegi and I am gonna do that exactly."

And Kavita had her answer. He was waiting for Swara to come clean at stake of her dreams. She had been a fool all along playing on his tunes. She never had a game in her hand .. never. And she felt cheated at the feeling of coming so close and losing it all ..all the lies, well-laid plans.

... all this for nothing. She would be left with nothing, while Swara will walk her way to glory.

The thought felt outrageous, losing it to this Swara when it should have been another way around. All the pride she took in snatching Swara's love took a deadly blow and she watched Swara walking away ...

It's all over! No!

Not this soon ...Swara has to be stopped. It was almost in a moment of despair and anger, Kavita grabbed vase nearby and hit Swara on head...stood watching her collapse.

It was right at the moment, the door opened and Sumitra stepped in.

-----------------------------------

Sumitra never in her wildest dreams would have imagined walking up to such a scene. Swara lying on the floor unconscious and a trembling Kavita standing with a vase. Before a shocked Sumitra could say a word, Kavita locked the door and broke into tears.

"I didn't want to do this Mom..but she left me no choice."

Sumitra stood shell shocked, frozen like a rock as Kavita mumbled midst tears. " She wanted to disclose the truth to Sanskaar about the masked girl. She was going back on her promise...I didn't know what to do Maa. I just .. didn't. I can't lose Sanskaar at this point. Agar ye Shaadi ruk Gayi tho ..I will be ruined. Maa ...I "

It sank in slowly. Each word.

------------------------------

The day of daughters marriage. For any mother that would be one of the happiest moments, daughter embarking on a new journey. The mixed feelings of joy and pain of parting with loved daughter..occasion definitely calls for some happy tears. But Sumitra felt nothing She sat next to Kavita in the car, her face void of any emotion.

Finding Swara in such a state was definitely a shocker as Kavita's words.

The first thing she did after gaining back sense was to check on Swara. She was fine thankfully ...just unconscious. Maybe a concussion, she doubted. She took a few minutes behind closed eyes and when she opened them back ...she was totally composed, not a hint of panic.

She turned to Kavita. "You are not saying a word to anyone." It was a decree. And Kavita nodded. Sumitra dropped the idea of calling a doctor because she can't afford to draw any suspicion at the point.

Back in the room, Swara was tucked safely in bed. It had been an easy task convincing the family of finding Swara unconscious in her room. She hadn't been eating well last few days and had been emotionally distraught which might have taken a toll. Her head might have hit table accidentally which gave perfect cover up with little wound behind Swara's head.

A worried Aadyot and Dadi stood watching as Sumitra tended Swara as Kavita at another end "Halki si chot hain. Teek hojayegi." She added to nullify any concerns and asked everyone to relax and rest. They would call a doctor if needed tomorrow. Everyone retired to their room. To Kavita she said nothing, but for a mere moment, she held her gaze and the younger woman knew it was time to step away.

An hour passed. Sumitra didn't move from her place and watched Swara in absolute silence. She could see the story repeating itself. She was left on the day of engagement. Her daughter would be on the day of marriage.

She reached to medicine box and her hands trembled just like her conscience - between duty and responsibility...the mother and the human as she picked a little box of pills. But, the choice had always been decided one. She would, of course, be blinded to all else by Kavita's tears.

The decision was made not by the brain, but the heart itself. The heart that was twisted into something unholy by the love for it's a child. She crushed the pill into the glass. The glass of water which she would offer Swara in the name of painkiller. And she did.

To the family, Swara was sleeping. And she would be if needed, for a day or two.

-------------------------------------------

They were no pain killers, Swara realised. She faintly remembered opening her eyes to Sumitra and being given a glass of water, before she could say a word and being lulled to sleep ...every time before she could gather her senses.

Swara splashed water again and again on her face wishing it would wash away tears streaming down.' Choti maa'...she mumbled midst tears. The woman she always wished to be loved by.

"You are not my daughter" It was Sumitra's harsh voice

And she would never be. Swara gathered herself. She didn't know what time it was or day.If she was late, left with some grace time. All she knew was ...she has a wedding stop, if not break. But she soon realised she was out of all means.

She was locked from within, windows were sealed and her phone was nowhere.

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Kavita drew in a deep breath as they approached the Venue. Nothing can go wrong now. It was her who moved Swara to the washroom in morning wee hours and locked her up. The story she cooked up when Swara was not found in the room was Swara was already up, hale and hearty had been to mandir. She will reach the venue directly. Thankfully her mother stayed silent and nodded playing along.

Of course, she would. Did she have an option? Her loving mother. Kavita smiled for she knows Swara would take at least a few hours to gain consciousness. By then it would be too late.

--------------------------------------------

Sanskaar had every reason to worry. Swara didn't show up. His heart dipped when Ragini came back with news of Bose clan arriving minus Swara. The very reason for going to mandir didn't sit well with him as with Ragini. And her phone was switched off.

Dim bells of danger.

Ragini immediately took it upon her to go look out for Swara and denied when a worried Sanskaar offered to join her. He doesn't care a dime if he was the groom. Swara comes first. It was Ragini who convinced him citing the need to stay back in case Swara shows up. She would be needing him more than anyone else. Laksh seconded the idea.

And Sanskaar agreed reluctantly.

Now sitting in Mandap, he waited with bated breath ... his eyes fixed on the entrance, his every thought centred around her ...that little hope still flickering for 'her'

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Swara lost the count of times she banged the door ..her screams went unheard. And she felt utterly helpless. She was no superwoman to crawl and jump walls and break doors.

She sank onto the floor, her sobs echoing in the room. And for once she wished for a miracle. A little one to set things right ..to undo her wrongs. For once.

It was at that moment the door opened with a creaking sound. Swara stared in disbelief for a minute at the person before her and then burst into tears of relief.

-----------------------

Ragini raced her car, her worry escalating with each passing minute. Swara was not in the mandir. Next logical place was to look in Bose House locked. She didn't mind breaking a few rules or locks ...when in dire need.

Swara ...

She went around frantically not leaving any space. But all she was greeted with were empty rooms and deafening silence. Swara was nowhere.

Ragini felt panic-stricken as her mind roamed around various possibilities. She's not in mandir as being told, not in Bose house. She dialled Laksh's number only to be told Swara didn't reach there either. Ragini disconnected the call...

There wasn't any other place Ragini could think of. If Swara could brace herself to sit through functions of this marriage watching Kavita .. she no way believed Swara would runaway at the needed moment. There should be a reason Sanskaar strongly believed that Swara would come for him. Ragini had no doubts either. Swara's love for Sanskaar she had seen over the years.

Then where is she? "Swara...Kaha ho tum yaar?' Ragini tried calling Swara greeted by switched of tone. It was in those moments of despair, her thoughts took a new dreadful turn.

"Kahi Swara ke saath kuch".

Kavita, she knew is capable of anything.

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A tensed Laksh looked around. The rituals have started and each passing moment only notched up his blood pressure. He wished Ragini would walk in with Swara. There wasn't a happy face around. Gadodias, Maheswari's made their displeasure evident. Strangely Bose family looked lost too.

Sumitra nowhere looked like a brides mother. Aadyot just wasn't happy and poor kid couldn't hide the same. It was only Kavita who looked totally oblivious of surroundings ...lost in her own la la land. Then he looked at Sanskaar who seemed clearly disinterested, worry written all over his face, his eyes fixed on entrance.

A beep on his phone, All it took was a message ... just a message from Ragini to trigger Sanskaar.

Swara was missing.

And he didn't waste a minute. He sprung up on his feet ... calling everyone's attention. He stood facing confused Kavita eye to eye...

"Swara Kaha hain?"

Her smile faded.

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She no way expected this question coming from Sanskaar. But if he thinks she's gonna give away anything, he's so wrong.

"What? I .. don't know. She must be around." Kavita feigned innocence. " Mujhse kyu pooch rahe ho? I mean.."

"Oh! Pls, I am not falling for that act of yours, Kavita."Sanskaar shot back. He had put up with drama for enough, not any more. "You really didn't think I was gonna marry you. Did you? You who didn't bat an eyelid before taking up Swara's place as Masked girl blackmailed her into this. You are a fool if you thought I fell for this ploy of yours. I have always known it's Swara. So you better stop all this ..."

Colour drained from Sumitra's face. He had always known it.

Sanskar's voice came again "You played a little game.. I did too for our own reasons. ! Let's end this here. I am asking you again, Kavita... Swara Kaha hain ?" His tone hit an icy note cold and menacing.

"And I swear meri Swara ko kuch bhi hua na .."

Sanskaar...

Her voice came in. It was Swara, followed by her dadi, Parvati Bose.

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Swara didn't care if her feet stumbled and she fell in between. She had to reach him.. Tell him she has not given up ...not on the love they shared and trust he placed on her. Tell him she has always loved him and will do so, till last breath...and she didn't have any intentions to let him go...not in this lifetime.

And she did with no words. throwing her arms around him clutching him close ... like every bit of her life waited for this moment. Catching up breath didn't feel as need of moment not as much as to be in his arms, feel them wrap around her in a tight embrace taking her in ...Her Sanskaar

His heart never made a mistake. Her voice came first then her ...dashing all her way through, right into his hands. She didn't have to say a word. Her tears did. Her hands as she hugged him like life..they did. She's here for him. His Swara.

Midst tears and smiles, she felt home again...

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Parvati Bose stood at an end and watched them with a smile and tears spilt out at will. At Least this little act of saving Swara at the needed moment, she hoped would undo her wrongdoings at least a bit, the unreasonable hatred she nursed for Sharmistha all years.

It stemmed out of her hurt ego. Her son, her own blood going against her wishes, overriding her orders ...and choosing Sharmistha. And she held Sharmistha responsible. The hatred and grudge served as a balm on her bruised ego. But Sharmistha was gone too soon leaving behind Swara a spitting image of her. She didn't hate Swara and but she didn't love her either. The indifference towards Swara ...was the only way she could think of getting back at Sharmistha even after her death.

Years passed, She lost her son and husband and life changed. The hate diluted but she couldn't bring herself to love Swara. And ...it took many years for her to realise what a terrible human she had been. She would never have if not for a little talk with Janaki on the day when they headed back home after a Mandir trip, followed by Swara and Sanskaar.

"Only if Sharmistha had been alive, she would have been very happy. Aaj Swara ne Itna Acha gaaya." Janaki recalled fondly and looked at Parvati Gadodia who looked troubled. Sharmistha had never been a comfortable topic between them ...but Janaki was so overwhelmed by memories of her dear friend, she couldn't help but went on enumerate an incident between her and Sharmistha.

It was one of the evenings in the park. Janaki playfully asked Sharmistha, if God would grant her a wish what else would she ask for.

"I would ask for Maa to accept and love me." Her answer came with no second thoughts."I know Mom doesn't like me and she is right in her place. I don't blame her, Janaki. I have lost my parents at a very early age and I never had a family again till Sekhar came into my life.

And see... Now I have him, Swara, Papa and...Maa." Sharmistha said after a long pause. "Every time I look at Maa I wish she would love me ..." Sharmistha quickly wiped her tears and smiled "But you know what! I am happy Swara will never have to go through what I went. Agar kal kuch bhi hua , she will have a family . Meri tarah anaath jaise nahi rahegi woh jo maa ke pyaar ke liye taras jaate hain. Uski Dadi haina! Woh sambhalegi aur dekhna ... she will give Swara my share of love too."

"She always loved you, Aunty ji...always." Janaki finished wiping tears.

Only Parvati Bose knew how this shook her up. Uski dadi haina! Those words haunted her and she couldn't sleep for nights. She felt belittled as her hate before Sharmistha's love. All Sharmistha did was to love ...despite all her taunts and mocks, never said a word... accepted everything with a smile. Could she have done the same? Never!

The girl trusted her to take care of her Swara, love her. And all she did was to hate and only hate. In those moments she realised how similar Swara was to Sharmistha who only loved despite being cast off which she had a part to play. Never once she uttered a word.

Dadi! Dadi!

The little voice of Swara and her eyes ..the longing in them for bits of love was even more haunting, the memories of them.

She had spent troubled nights pricked by her conscience. She would swear to God only if she any inkling that Sanskaar loved Swara too, she would have never ever come up with a proposal for Kavita. And she watched the entire drama unfold before her eyes. Kavita's suicide attempt, Sumitra's outbursts, Swara giving up...Maheswari alliance for Kavita, everything happened so fast before she could make sense of things.

It was on the evening Sanskaar dropped by, she knew he loved Swara too. His eyes looked only for her. And she needed no more proofs. She had many questions but no answers. She even tried talking to Sumitra on one night about reconsidering the proposal, but her concern was brushed off

"The alliance came for Kavita, Mummyji and Swara willingly made her choice." which they both knew was not true.

Parvati favoured Kavita because she told herself she can never love Swara. And how wrong she had been. Oh! How much! She had seen that kid cry her heart out at nights, shed silent tears and she wanted to rush and hug her tell her things would be fine. She couldn't.

 Long nursed hate rendered her incapable of loving. Everything would have been gone the way it was, if not for Swara's sudden collapse and Sumitra's laid back attitude. She brushed off calling a doctor.

And Parvati didn't fail to notice the silent exchange between Mother and daughter. Something was wrong. It was only Sumitra who tended to Swara next whole day ... she didn't let any of them close to her for more than a few minutes citing the need to rest. .And the little discussion Sumitra had with Adi last night about keeping things within the family . He was silenced. It almost felt Sumitra dreaded something.

Her suspicions only grew stronger when Kavita claimed Swara had been to mandir on all her own next morning. The kid couldn't take a step last night. Her instincts screamed wrong. Before she could think further Sumitra came in and hurried them up. All the way she noted neither Sumitra had been her usual self nor Kavita. It was then she decided she would go by her instinct. She didn't follow them into Maheshwari Mansion but rather took a tour back to Bose House.

And she had been right! She found a tear stricken Swara who dashed into her arms sobbing.

Dadi ...

For the first time, she felt the sweetness of words. She hugged her back and consoled. Wiping Swara's tears, She determined, she will not let down Sharmistha or her trust this time.

"Ye waqt rone ka nahi hai, Swara. Tu chal maare saath."And here they are

Now, standing at the altar watching Swara and Sanskaar, she felt at peace and wished Sharmistha would forgive her.

---------------------------------------------------

For love of bollywood, Laksh loved the entire scene unfolding before him. Ragini came all worried only to witness the love birds oblivious of the world around them. She shed some tears too, of relief and happiness rushing next to Laksh, who held her hand and they exchanged a smile.

"You could have messaged me, "Ragini chided That could have saved her all tension she took.

"And take all the fun away." Laksh grinned. "Keep watching." Though the rest of the population didn't have much clue, Laksh could say they were happy faces all around.

If Laksh would mark a standout moment in the drama, it would be when Kavita approached Sanskaar for God knows what? Laksh thought. Didn't she run out of all cards? And Swara immediately placed herself before Sanskaar... as his shield. She didn't say a word but the message was clear.

"Back off Woman! He's mine!

Laksh could bet he saw his friend smiling. This was the moment he longed for. But the real twist came in the form of Sumitra who didn't say a word all along ...and it was at this moment, she dragged and slapped Swara leaving crowd stunned. Sanskaar could have strangled her, if not for Swara who held his hand.

Swara didn't say a word and let Sumitra vent out.

"How could you do this Swara? You promised, didn't you? How could go back on your word and ruin your sister's life? You proved you are .."

"Not a word against my mother, please," Swara said in a quiet yet strong retort. She heard enough of this. Not anymore. At the moment Sumitra knew no words, no emotional manipulations of her would make Swara back off.

Swara smiled sadly. It was this woman she had been wishing to call 'maa' all these years.

"I always wondered why you couldn't love me? I had my answer, Choti maa. You always tried to be good stepmother but never a mother to me. If you hate me so much instead of sleeping pills you could have given me poison. I would have taken with no questions."

And the gasps of shocks couldn't be missed at any cost.

"I wish ...I wish Swara. Sumitra lost her composure and spilt her hate. "At Least then, My daughter would have gotten her love, unlike me. All these years I tried not to hate you ...because I know I could never love you ..not when you remind me of your mother in every way."

It was then Swara revealed Kavita never loved Sanskaar for the same reason ..Kavita struck her with a vase and locked her up. Only Sanskaar knew what it took for him not to resort to violent means, on the revelation of each secret. A vein throbbed as his fingers curled into a tight fist. Swara was drugged and hurt, locked in. Why didn't he kill them already?

Sumitra didn't believe in. It was then .. Sahil was brought in.

-----------

"Here comes our guest appearance." Laksh murmured to Ragini. "He had been dying to make an entry you know."

For Laksh, Sahil looked like those police who always made an entry at the end. Sab khatam hone ke baad...

Kavita didn't expect the Sahil angle to pop out at any cost. It was then Sahil revealed how his sources pulled inside information of her marriage with Sanskaar. It was all clear why she dumped him. For a better option. His idea was to warn Sanskaar on what a mean and selfish woman she was who played with feelings. He had photographs and messages exchanged which he exposed for the benefit of Sumitra...so she could see the real face of her daughter.

It was on the night of Engagement, he called up Sanskaar and they caught up the next day, had a little discussion.

"You considered me as just an option, Kavita. But I really loved you. So here's an option for you too... Either you marry me or no one else. I will make sure of it."

And Kavita knew her game was up.

--------------------------------

It was Sumitra who stood at losing end in total despair. Her own daughter Kavita for whom she had restored to such means blinded by love, has been one to betray her trust. And now all she could was disgust in the eyes of her own son. And everyone around. She didn't say a word to Kavita. Was there anything left? Betrayal in turn for her own.

She walked out in silence.

--------------------

The rest happened quickly. The families were briefed.

Durga Prasad Maheswari though he disapproved the means Sanskaar had chosen he was glad it worked out. Annapurna, Parnieeta's happiness knew no bounds. It would be Swara. She was hugged comforted, showered with all the love and a doctor was summoned despite her protest.

Janaki and Ram were happy ones too. Midst all drama, they got a hint of Laksh and Ragini. It was clear in their eyes and gestures. "We will wait for them to come clean." A smiling Ram told teary-eyed Janaki who looked thrilled at the turn of events.

"Saale sab ko dara diya tune. We all thought you have lost it." Adarsh joined Laksh and Sanskaar. It was Dr Radhika...who attended Swara back in Sanskaar's room.

"She's fine," Radhika told Sanskaar, " I appreciate Mr. Maheswari you let me do my work peacefully this time," she added referring to the hullabaloo Sanskaar created last time in hospital over a mild sprain. Swara couldn't help but giggle. It was after a few minutes ..the duo was left to themselves all alone.

-----------------

"Tum teek ho!" Sanskaar gently held Swara's hand Swara nodded. She had given him so much trouble. Yet he didn't give up on her. She slowly leaned onto his shoulder.

"I thought I had lost you...Sanskaar." She said softly. The fear of losing him was more than anything she ever felt or would ever feel.

"Never! Sanskaar murmured kissing her on the forehead and drawing her in close.

Never! Those words felt sweetest. Sinking in familiar warmth she told herself ..its all over now all nightmares, pains and tears and she's close to her happy ever after. It was after a moment Sanskaat took her both hands into his ...and looked at her bit hesitant.

"Swara! Can ...Can we get married! He paused a moment. "Now!"

And it was Swara's turn to get shocked. Sanskaar laughed as Swara did his favourite feat with her eyes. Blink and wide. " Stop doing that! It's very distracting, Swara. I need an answer before I kiss you." He teased.

He knew it was rather sudden, he should have taken and given her time...but.

"I came close to losing you twice. I am just scared that I would close my eyes and you would disappear the next minute. And all this would just be a dream...I..."

"Close your eyes!" Swara said, her gaze holding his. She could read little confusion and fear he shared with her, in those depths. And she understood.

She gently ran her fingers over his eyes and they closed with no protests. His heart thudded. She wouldn't vanish again. Would she?

It was only until ... she leaned forward, he felt her breath over his, her hand against his heart. Her lips brushed against his gentle strokes and a feathery whisper.

Never!

It was a promise and he promised back with all the love he could. A promise of happy now and happy after.

"Should I take it as Yes," Sanskaar murmured placing long kisses over her cheek. Swara nodded lost in all magic he was weaving and spell being cast.

"Finally Mujhe meri cinderella mil gayi." He said gazing at her fondly loving the red shade on her cheeks. "You left your mask" He smiled at her and he didn't have to elaborate. She knew the tale.

She always wished for one but never thought would have one. But maybe this is her own fairytale with her prince charming right before her eyes. The one she always wished for ...And she believed at that moment life could really surprise. Once in a while, it gives a fairy tale.

"I am no princess." Swara smiled through tears.

He tipped her chin up and leaned forward kissing her tears away and felt her tremble at the touch of his lips over hers, a breezy caress and whispered softly.

"Be my queen."

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Done Done! We come to an end. Epilogue to follow. Do drop a star and word. Will you?

Thanks and Love

Lucky

.