Author's note:
At last I updated one of the most crucial chapters of this story. Those who signed for this story for its action part may be disappointed. Because like last few chapters I had to focus mainly on the romance portion. From next chapter I'll find balance between action and romance. I hope that's okay.

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Leaving the disheveled enchantress on the floor, Sanskar rose up to his feet, beguiled as he was, clinging to the remains of sanity. While the former one moved up towards the exit, her baby steps stayed curbed for a while.

"Give me one reason to forgive, Sanskar. Show a little faith. Let me be your liaison, not liability." Her slender soft fingers rowed against those stormy brunette waves in a failed attempt to tame, voice as calm as springtime river. "Perhaps then we can breathe in the same room or exchange greetings without qualms. But, together, forever, these words are not meant for us... Get that ointment, you are bleeding again."

Sanskar had a slight smile as his tongue touched the split corner of his lips. That upward curve soon bloomed into triumphant grin. Near the doorway, there stood Eric Castillo, his turquoise green eyes resembling a pair of enormous saucers, ready to come of their sockets any moments.

"Hey Birdie! What happened to your face? Did that coward hit you? Or.."

"Don't be ridiculous. Sanskar can never harm me, even in his dreams." Once again Sanskar was overwhelmed, feeling blessed to find someone like Swara to love. What had he done to find such unwavering support from her?

Both the guys looked at her retreating form as she hurriedly left for the hospital. Last night few juveniles had been arrested from a dingy apartment along with loads of handmade explosives. During the raid one of the bombs had blasted causing few injured from both sides. Swara was needed to check on their status.

Sigh! Along her faded away the dreams, paving the room for mundane reality.

"I know what you are wondering. Did we fight? Or did we kiss?Let me end your ordeal. We did both, in fact more than that." Sanskar was about to wipe the blood yet refrained from doing so. "Nah, I think I should savor this memento. As long as I can. What do you think?"

Sporting a enigmatic smirk, he patted on the shoulder of pesky fight instructor. "I think this time you got friend zoned, buddy!"

"Well, she did invite this friend for dinner this weekend. Things girls do these days!" Eric replied as he approached closer, hauteur reeking of his not so desired existence. "Told ya', I'll be dating her very soon. Of course I'll get rid of her as soon as we ki-"

"You f****n son of b***h! How dare you?"

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There would have been another savage brawl between the boys if Thea hadn't stopped them at the nick of time. Using this opportunity Eric escaped, but not before  riling his enraged colleagues further. With a sly smile on his face, he winked as he walked out of the range.

"Bloody *******" Thea muttered a beep worthy curse. "Liar! He was literally nagging her to cook for him. Date my foot! And you were going to lose your mind over this bluffing b******d!"

Thank God! That Eric meant nothing to her! Sanskar heaved a sigh of relief. He hugged Thea out of excitement. "You girl, are my most favorite person at the moment. You know that?"

"Get off me, you retard." Thea pushed her after a while. "You aren't that saint either, a top class moron who can't even pacify his girl. If that guy wasn't in the picture..."

Sanskar smiled. That meant he had managed at least one insider aka Thea to open the gate, however hostile she might sound. Her next set of words though snatched that grin readily. His new found aide informed about Swara's presence during their spontaneous hug, especially the thunderous stares casted by her before storming away.

"Why don't you make her jealous? I tell you, hang out with some other girl for few days. She's damn possessive, man. I'm sure she'll pounce on you if she feels there is some competition."

"Are you crazy? Trust is all I've trying to earn these days. Now you want her to doubt my character !" Sanskar looked horrified at the idea. "Shit! Now I've to clear this misunderstanding also!"

A few more curses were uttered by the grouchy golden brown haired hacker. What to do with this wimpy lovestruck teenager? It seemed she had to do something by herself. That Eric guy, she wasn't liking him with Swara at all. To kill that bothersome pest Thea was willing to be the pesticide, whether Sanskar approved it or not.

After all, she was doing it for her friend, right?

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Swara was going through her closet with a mug of coffee in her hand, being the multitasker she was. The temperature had raised by few degrees owing to the arrival of February. Layers of snow were not as thick as before and she decided to go for something lighter, a light peach slim knee length trench coat. She knotted her brow as intercom transpired the news of Thea's arrival.

For some reason she was not too keen to meet the later.

"Listen gal.  I'm not gonna beat around the bush. You and Sanky, will you two ever patch things up?" Thea went for direct action as soon as she met her target.

Sanky? A pang of jealousy was all Swara could feel. Now that treacherous girl had a nickname for her Sanskar!

"What the hell you are talking about?" She was all fumes and flames personified. The reason of her wrath, on the other hand, was having the time of her life.

"Okay! I got it. You have nothing to do with him. Life never stops I guess." Thea paused for a second scrutinizing the trapped soul before her. "In that case, may I try my luck with him? To tell the truth all he wanted was to you alive. He did a blunder, I agree. But he has been groveling for your mercy since then. I want a dedicated man like that."

Her Sanskar. Thea likes Swara's Sanskar! However upset was she with him, however offended she might feel, that request hurt like hell, draining the blood from her face. Averted was her gaze while that verbal torture was still on. "I know he loves you beyond limits. But he's alone and need someone's support. I'll be there for him. Who knows someday maybe love will be..."

"I'm no dating expert, Tee. Do you want some coffee? I can do this much for you." Her reply was curt and outright rude.

"Fine, I won't ask you again. No need to glare at me like that. At least show your orchids. You promised, remember?"

Recently Swara had brought few orchids for her semi open balcony. Among them few cymbidiums and dendrobiums were in blooms, presenting pink and purple white petals respectively. Amidst the turmoils and rush this secluded porch was as a source of serenity for Swara.

But tonight those bunches of heavenly colors were not enough to calm her. Her hazels were set on them but the heart lingered somewhere else. The words of her unwanted guest were not less than poison to her, and she felt murderous, her too civil upbringing was on the verge of being wasted. She grabbed the cold metallic railing as a vain attempt to soothe the burn inside her. Thankfully, Thea went inside to receive a call.

"Don't leave your hands exposed, Nymph. You'll catch cold this way." Swara almost jumped when two large hands covered her small cold ones. Her doe eyes widened in horror mixed surprise as she find the scenario before her.

Sanskar Singh Rathore was in the air, outside the railing, hanging upside down by the aid of a safety wire. His intent gaze boasted of steadfast resolve . No matter what he was not going to back off today.

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"Your hands, your face, they seem so cold. Don't let this chill get inside you. You know, too much fever can mess up with your head." He raised her hands up to his face as Swara stood dumbfounded. "Allow your Sun to come, Nymph. I promise to wrap you in eternal warmth, no winter will ever touch you again."

"So that you can burn me later, huh? Nice strategy by the way. First you melt people by the your fake warm personality. Like you are doing to Thea now. Congrats Mr Rathore. She has fallen for you."

"That girl! I warned her not to..."

"..Tell me right? You know about her, still you give her hope, hug her, laugh with her. Till when will you keep up this charade? After creating another Swara?"

"Forget trust, but don't you know me at all? You are making some serious allegations here." He seemed really offended for a moment. "Yet I won't tell anything, because in this way you staked your claim to me. And I'm eagerly waiting to be marked as yours. Admit it, you love me, just like I do."

"I can't, Sanskar. That night in Boston destroyed everything between us." Her whispers appeared almost inaudible.

"You know why I botched up that night? Because I thought a fairy tale beginning, that's what you want. I kept waiting for perfect time, special date, memorable place. But I forgot our script had been written for hardcore action movie, not any fairy tale. Romance between us never had been rosy or preplanned. Rather it was rough, impromptu and hard." Suddenly his tone changed into playful one. "With you even my dreams were untamed, far carnal than those chaste PDA shown by any sappy Prince Charming ."

He blowed his warmth on her palm, his ardent caramel orbs locked her limpid hazel ones. "Every moment we spent, you left my heart racing. Whenever we conquered an altitude, we fell for each other, faster and deeper."

"When you yourself are unsure of me, refuse me to keep by your side, be it in your life or any raid..." Swara pulled back her hands, eyes still on him. "How can I be sure, what we have is love?"

"Come down, Sanskar. Hanging like this too long may be lethal." Her gaze softened. Right that moment Sanskar made a decision. Too bad that a strong principled man like him had to resort to a backhanded method like this. That fierce possessive side of hers, her concern towards his lit a flicker of hope in his heart. He was not gonna let another intruder or his own conscience to obscure that gleam.

In his momentary yet calculated madness his hands caught hold of the D-rings fastened to the umbilical rings on the sides of his waist. Swara leapt towards him with a whimper. "Don't do this to me, Sanskar. Please!" Her voice trembled. A fall from fifteenth floor was not what she wanted as his punishment. Would Swara live without her Sanskar?

"My life is in your hands. Say you want this distance. I'll never bother you again. I'll choose another world right this moment." He had a strange look on his face. "Or hold me in your arms, say who am I to you. I'll come down to your world, be with you. You have only five seconds to decide."

"5...4... 3..." the countdown began. "2...1..."

"Stop!"

Like a maniac Swara yanked his tall muscular frame, her arms embraced his upper torso. "Can't you read my eyes? Do I have to scream it out loud?" Ears close to him caught the drum rolls inside his rib cage picking up their pace. Her lips, lenient as they were than before, released the final notes of crescendo. Strumming the strings on his soul she was at last attuned to their synchronized symphony.

"I'm in love with you, idiot!"

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A girl in her late twenties was being seen to adjust seat belt on a flight. She had dark raven silky tresses touching her waist, eyes as black as moonless night. A man sat down right next to her seat and beamed. The girl linked her arms fondly in response.

"This is going to be the best weekend ever!" She could hardly control the thrill. "Let's mark this date. When we'll look back, I'm sure the memories of this trip will be really special... to us."

She went on and on, wondering why on earth her new boyfriend found an unusual destination like Winnipeg for a vacation. But his usual reply was there. "You know I can't leave their lives in jeopardy. I mustn't go to any crowded city for my sister and the love of her life."

"Sorry baby, I won't ask you again. But you must introduce me with them someday." She leaned on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

But peace was far away from his mind. Tarun Mehra glanced at the maiden by his side, guilt heavily ridden in his features. He should be the one to be sorry. For the sake of his brother-in-law he struck a deal with those devils. Even after knowing how dangerous they were, he was acting to be in love with the innocent girl beside him.

I wish I knew where they have taken you, Sanskar Jiju. He thought pensively. At least I didn't have to play with someone's emotions. Just because of their so called plan my life has turned into a mess. I swear, I'll never forgive that fake Sanskar or his allies for snatching my only family from me.

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"Don't cry, Shona.I know it's hard to forgive me, still, I'm sorry. Look at yourself. The moment you feared for my life, you forget everything else, just like I did." Sanskar caressed tear soaked terrains beneath her glistening eyes. "I forgot my common sense, and you forgot your deep rooted anger."

"Stop blabbering, Mister. Come to safety at first. I confessed, did my part. Now it's your turn."

"Are you sure, it's not your plan to save my life?" Sanskar's eyes became narrow in suspicion. "I'm not convinced. What if you avoid me again? What if you refuse to accept me?"

"Do you think I'm lying?"

"Love can make people do unthinkable. Lying is nothing compared to them." Sanskar tried hard to conceal his emotions, which mainly comprised of relief and immeasurable happiness. "If I could act like a jerk to send you away for your sake, you can very well pull me closer temporarily."

"I'm nothing like you, you silly guy!" She grabbed his hand by the wrist. Shedding few layers of restraint, she unzipped few inches of her jacket. Her ever composed fingers, which used to excel even during the toughest surgeries, fumbled as they played around the buttons of her shirt.

Sanskar's condition was no better. Coming across her smooth barrenness of golden sand between the dunes, he found himself athirst. "Wh- what are you doing?"

"Ssshhh. Neither my eyes managed to convey, nor I have a way with words like you. What more I can do then?" At a snail's pace she placed his palm on her skin, beneath there was throbbing Nymph's heart. "Let my heart do all the talking, pull all those crazy stunts. Let it tumble, run, bounce up and down; feel what I want to say. Do you think after all this time I can run away?"

"Do you think, I'll let you?" His voice came as raspy growl, fighting hard to tame the newly born beast inside him.

"Then put an end to your crazy stunt. I'm on the verge of losing my mind."

In response Sanskar pressed a knob on his watch three times, light flashed as in Morse code. Two long, one short. In an instant he was pulled up a bit. Swara grabbed his shoulder tightly, terrified to lose him again. "What happened? You promised you'll get down. Do you want to kill me?"

"The way you enticed me to the path of a sinner; don't you think I should return the favour?"

His both palms were now freely roaming above the exposed curves of hers, limits long forgotten. Under his spell, closing her eyes she felt her chin being tilted upwards. The next moment she opened those hazel ones, drunken in desire, as his fresh minty breath hit her nostrils hard.

"Though my folks call me Batman, since teen years it has been my fantasy to love like Spider-Man." Whispering into her agape mouth, he cupped her face infused in color of scarlets. "Now that I found my Nymph, will you make this dream come true?"

She nodded her head shyly. "Where did my bold Nymph go, hmm?" He nudged her nose in affection. His happiness knew no bound, when he found a small peaceful smile gradually forming on her lips.

Like a true special agent Sanskar Singh Rathore accomplished the most important mission of his life, that too in style. Hanging upside down he claimed supple rosy pouts of his beloved, amidst pinks and purples from orchid blossoms, fighting the chills by their smoldering aphrodisia.

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