DCS Prithviraj Shinde was surprised, when Dr Bose said that she didn't want to stay in Canada.She even said that she would rather shift to another state of India in that case. An agent tried to reason, "Ma'am, perhaps you don't realise the gravity of the situation! Chief Nakshatra demanded you dead or alive. Their sleeper cell network will be notified  once they get back their damaged power supply. We can't take any risk regarding your lives!"

" What about my career? I spent more than 3 years of rigorous training to be a trauma surgeon, to join some military or law enforcement force hospital afterwards. Those long working hours, many sleepless nights all will turn pointless, as I'll have to start from scratch... AGAIN! My late dad and my mentor... How can I forget about their hope,pride and dreams?"

Sanskar was stunned watching Swara firmly denying what Prithvi had proposed. He couldn't quite understand how he should feel? Happy that she didn't want to go Canada? Or disappointed and angry that she was doing it for her career, not caring about her safety, not thinking about him! He heard Prithvi saying, "Listen young lady! Nothing is more important than being alive ! You're brilliant, will easily get a job in any hospital there after getting a licence there."

Swara queried Prithviraj and others with a determination in her voice, "Tell me one thing, Sir! Today if I ask anyone present here to resign from here, opting for a safe life, a regular nine to five job, will they do that? Will you leave your the place of passion and love?" She glanced at Sanskar while she uttered the last word.

Everyone present in the room were silent as she had managed to hit the right chord. They would never leave Interpol unless they become incapable physically or had to embrace death. Prithvi could understand this lady is not only a highly skilled professional with beautiful appearance. She had a concealed fire within her, she wasn't afraid to deal any adversity her profession or life would throw at her. He was immersed in deep thoughts for a while, then spoke out,

" You're right Dr Bose. A dedicated surgeon like you doesn't deserve to sacrifice her career just because of those criminals. I assumed you'd want a simple, calm life after your horrible experience." He paused for a second and directly looked at her, "Dr Bose, I've a proposition for you, to be precise, a job offer. Would you like to join Interpol as a surgeon? What do you think about this?

" Thank you Sir. But you really don't need to offer this under any obligation. Everything I've achieved so far came through hard work and  qualifications, I don't wish any leverage or undue advantage. That's against my principles."

"Please,don't think we're doing any favour on you.Some of my staffs presented this idea when you both escaped from the camp,I also felt you could be an asset for us. But didn't wanted to be selfish and keep you separate from a peaceful life with your family. You already lost a close one as we failed to protect him." Prithvi seemed grim. " Personally, I feel you're overqualified. If you had completed the training period, I would have recommended your name  for Trauma surgeon rank."

Swara was convinced to accept the offer, but only after clearing a full fledged, formal interview. If she can pass it, she would receive her appointment letter and join their Washington branch.

Sanskar was too stunned to utter a single word during this whole conversation was taking place. The one conversation that removed the impending obscurity in his life with sudden aurora...

___________________________________

Sanskar and Swara were sitting on Chowpatty beach, watched as the waves of Arabian sea hit the shore. He brought her here after a lot of coaxing, puppy eye looks, emotional blackmailing, telling she won't be back to India for a long time. Behind them was Marine Drive,basking in glory with its majestic appearance.They had a pleasant ride along its long boulevard, then strolled on the promenade till Sanskar decided she should rest now.

" I knew you would clear the interview easily! Swara, aren't you going to call Sargam and Aunty? I think you should meet them you're leaving for USA now. They deserve to know the happenings of your life. We should arrange for a video call, I think."

"No Sanskar, abhi nehi! (Not now!) Hey! Don't look at me like I'm irresponsible ! Mein janti hoon Mom aur Bro pareshan hai! (I know mom and Bro are worried.)Don't want to let them know that I was shot.Send him an email instead! Once my bandages are removed, I'll call them personally." Suddenly she recalled, "Aur haan, yeh nayi job ki bare mein tum kuch nehi kahoge!(And listen,don't inform them anything about this new job!) ) I want to give them surprise!"

"Par .....  Are you sure you want to live your life this way? Tumhari life pehle jaisa nehi rahega.(Your life wouldn't be like before anymore.)Risks and danger will be attached to your life permanently, more or less! Tumhare maut se ladkar wapas ane se 48 ghante bhi nehi hua. Mujh mein itni himmat nehi hai ki woh raat dobara jee paun... Daar lagta hai mujhe... Phir aisa kuch ho gaya toh?"(48 hours haven't passed yet since you returned into life, fighting the death! I don't have that much strength inside me to live through that night again... I'm afraid... If something like that happens again?) Sanskar was more than happy they wouldn't stay too far,but he still had apprehension regarding her new job.

"Sanskar! Kaafi din bit gaya humne koi gaana nehi gaya! Sunoge?" (I haven't sing a song for quite a few days!Will you listen one?)Swara smiled watching his confused face and then faced towards the water.

Jab koi baat bigad jaye
jab koi mushkil pad jaye
Tum dena sath mera, o humnava
Na koi hai, na koi tha
zindagi mein tumhare siva
Tum dena sath mera, o humnava

(Whenever something goes wrong
Whenever there is a problem
Stand by me (at that time),o my beloved
Neither there is, nor there was
Anyone other than you in my life
Stand by me please, o my beloved)

Ho chandani jab tak raat
deta hai har koi sath
Tum magar andheron mein
na chhodna mera haath

(Till there's a moonlit night
Everyone stay by your side
But you, in the darkness
even don't leave my hand..)

Jab koi baat bigad jaye
jab koi mushkil pad jaye
Tum dena sath mera, o humnava
Na koi hai, na koi tha
zindagi mein tumhare siva
Tum dena sath mera, o humnava"

" I hope you got you answer, Sanskar!". They had a brief eyelock, where she assured him about her undying trust on him. After the whole day of travelling in the sky the sun decided to hibernate behind the horizon. Sky turned the light dim, from bright orange to almost dark. Veils of azure and lava red color covered the earth, like a new bride on her wedding night... Perhaps that's why twilight is named as " beacon for admiring the bride" in Bengali poetry and novels. It is said on this eve a heavenly glow adorns the beauty of a girl.

Sanskar's eyes were fixed upon Swara's  angelic face. Gentle breeze caused few stray locks fell over her face,blocking his view from her creamy cheeks which had already warmed up to reflect the lava red shades, the blue fabrics on her skin resembled the azure above. He caressed her face as if he were in a trance, tucked the rebellious strands of hair behind her ears who dared to guard his eyes from stealing, no... robbing glances towards the most beautiful creation on earth!

 
They looked behind to watch the street lights resembling a string of pearls in a necklace. Queen's necklace, thus was another name given for Marine drive . Sanskar touched the scars on her neck  which Laksh had inflicted upon her.
"You know, you deserve something like that, not these!" He glanced towards the illuminated boulevard, imagining her beautiful swan neck encircled by a royal neckpiece ...

" Kya Sanskar!(What are you saying Sanskar!) Never ever I had desired for a lavish secured life. So... You think I should marry some rich guy who owns one of those hotels or luxurious apartments over there and settle down?" She wiggled her brows.

"When I suggested you to get married ? That twisted brain of yours always make ridiculous meanings of my words!" Sanskar was taken aback and replied in vexation.

"Tum baat hi aise karti ho... Ghuma firake...(Your words are like this only... have twists and turns...) Then what did you mean, tell me? What do I actually deserve? Then I shouldn't  get married? Stay single forever?"

" Hey AK! Bhabi! We're here! At last the lovebirds  got time for us, huh?" He let a shout out, thanked his lucky stars as he noticed Ayaz and Kiara approaching towards them.

" As if you were dying to meet us? Dost dost na raha, bhai bhabi bhi na raha! "(Friend is not friend anymore, Bro,sis-in law even are there anymore!) AK mocked while Sanskar glared at him. They all were going back to their car.

The answer to Swara's question replayed in Sanskar's heart, " No Swara, I don't want you to  stay single forever.You'll be my queen... my life... my wife..."

************************************

Washington DC, USA

"Swara, you're being stubborn again! I noticed you didn't finish your breakfast. Do you want to fall sick on your joining day itself?" Sanskar was forcing her to drink a glass of milk.

" Not again Sanskar! Come! We're getting late ... Damn this heavy shawl is slipping every time! All thanks to the bandage! Can't wear anything with sleeves! God! I'm going to die out of cold!"

"SWARA! Khabardar maut ki nam liya toh!"(Dare you mouth that Death word!) Sanskar held her arm in a tight fist, amber flecks glazed in rage, fear and agony together made an entry in his heart.

" Sanskar! Main to aise hi..."(I was just..)

Sanskar placed his other hand on her lips " Never say anything like this again.... Sorry I hurt you!"He left her hand... His panicked heart  urged him to not to lose her again. He grasped her in a sudden ardent embrace, fiercely enfolded her waist, caressing her back at the same time.Placing his chin on her unhurt shoulder he closed his eyes, whispered, drenching in deep emotions...

"You don't know Swara!I still can't forget your cries, I still can't forget how that b******d... I still have nightmares that you're bleeding non stop and... I'm failing to do anything... Kuch nehi bhula maine... woh pal... jab kuch samay ke liye yeh soch ne  laga, ki maine tumse hamesha ki liye kho dungi!(I can't forget anything... That moment ... when for sometime I had started to think that I'd lose you forever!) I'm telling you, never pull this type of stunt again..."

He wasn't aware what he was telling or doing. He cupped her face, began planting kisses frantically... on her forehead, then on cheeks, eyes... Swara batted the lashes couple of times, then closed her eyes in submission living in the moment... Sanskar's lips brushed her nose... their heart beats were erratic, breathing turned heavier...

His chocolate molten eyes darkened in desire as well as tenderness emanated from them, as his gaze moved downwards. Her pouts invited him like a magnet pulls iron... His rough,urging lips dove in to hunt her soft,quivering petals from the harbour brimming in elixir, ready to quench his thirsty, wounded soul... He explored the crevices of her mouth like a diver searches for pearls in the deep ocean... She clutched his collar as she felt her brain was losing control over her body... Her body was melting as his warm hand snaked her waist.... His mouth trailed down to her neck... His hand was about to travel under the hem of her tops...

" Sunny! Swara!Are you coming or not?"  Ayaz shouted from outside. Sanskar quickly moved away from her... He was mentally kicking himself for losing control over feelings and hormones...He looked another way mumbled,
"Let's go Swara, they're waiting."

Swara who was blushing profusely couldn't answer, but her heart was replying Sanskar's words before their passionate moments.

" If the time goes back to that moment, I'm ready to get shot million times... I don't regret a single moment with you Sanskar... even if that moment is of my death... Life with you and life after you... are both heaven for me!"

************************************

University college hospital, Bloomsbury, London

" Excuse me, Miss. May I meet Dr Sanskar Oberoi?" A man in his early thirties enquired the lady at the reception .

"I'm sorry Sir, but you can't meet him right now... Most probably not later too, as he'll be shifted from here tomorrow permanently" The blonde receptionist replied, smiling apologetically...

"Please, you have to help us. We're his estranged family friends and worried for him. We came here from far only to meet him. " A lady accompanying the man answered.

"After what happened with him and his wife you're bound to be concerned Ma'am. I know..."

"Did you meet his wife?"

"Ah, Mrs Oberoi! Such a nice lady she was... It's unfortunate she died at such a young age!"

"What? Are you sure about that?"The lady was stunned.

"Of course Ma'am! She breathed her last here only, 6 months back, in a car accident."

" Wow! he was certainly quick in finding love again!"The man had a hint of mocking  in his voice.

"Sorry Sir! I really I don't get your words...Finding love again? What you're hinting at is practically impossible!"

"But our source is reliable... I mean that person stayed really close to him." the man said with conviction.

"Your source is mistaken Sir... Because Dr Sanskar Oberoi was with his wife in that car accident. He had been in deep coma since then..."

************************************

☆☆☆☆ Trauma surgeon is higher rank as it's a specialist post.
Swara's career would be hampered because after passing she will require normal and special both training again (it's a different country and in Canada things are time consuming  for docs.) to get a trauma surgeon job. A very long time actually. Otherwise she have to work as General physician in regular hospital.

But here she was joining on behalf of India Interpol and she worked in their mission. (Experience you know!)

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