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Annapurna and the Rajputs were watching their children with love filled eyes and the hall was filled with beautifully dressed guests.

Once they reached the "mandap", it was time for the "Jaimala" ritual. Uttara and Karan exchanged the garlands and they sat down in front of the sacred fire.

Then the priest asked who was going to do the "Kanyadaan". Annapurna looked at Sanskaar and gestured him to move forward. Both of them had tears in their eyes, as they were full of mixed feelings of joy and sadness. Joy, that it was Uttara's wedding and sadness, since she was going away to a different household.

Seeing Sanskaar sad, Swara too felt her eyes getting wet. She wiped her tears as she watched him handing over his sister's hand into Karan's hand, with so many emotions. For once, Sanskaar Maheshwari failed in masking his feelings in front of everyone.

It was time for the "saat phera" ritual and Annapurna asked Kavita to tie the end of the scarf worn by the groom to the end of the 'dupatta' worn by the bride.

At that time while everyone's eyes were on the couple who had got up for the seven rounds around the fire, and only Swara was the one who noticed Sanskaar slip away from the venue. Without thinking, she too began to follow his trail.

As he reached a deserted corridor which was decorated with festive lighting, he stopped and let out his tears. Placing a hand on a nearby pillar for support, he held his face into his other palm and wept softly. Even though, he was facing the other way, she could see that he was crying.

Seeing him cry like that, Swara could feel her heart constrict with pain. She moved forward and called out his name softly.

Sw: Mr.Maheshwari..

Hearing her voice, Sanskaar hastily wiped off his tears. He took out his mobile and acted as if he was dialing someone's number. He placed it on his ear and pretended to listen to the dial tone.

Sw: Mr.Maheshwari..

This time, he turned around to face her while composing himself, with the mobile still placed over his ear.

Sa: (sniffs) Yes, Swara..

Sw: (softly) Are you ok..?

Sa: Of course I am..(looks away and sniffs) I just came to..(shows her his mobile) call someone..

She was looking into his eyes intently.

Sw: (softly) It's ok..I saw you cry..

Sanskaar let out a sigh and looked at Swara and nodded that she was right. Swara looked at his cheeks which were still wet and then looked into his eyes. Once again, she was lost in his molten dark chocolate eyes; they had a glassy glow, owing to their wetness and the festive lighting which illuminated the corridor. Sanskaar was also looking into her eyes and he could see the tears which shone in them.

As if in a daze, she raised one of her hands. Sanskaar was surprised at the softness with which her palm touched his cheek. He looked down and glanced sideways at her hand as she wiped the wetness on his cheek and his gaze followed as she softly wiped the other cheek too.

A slow smile appeared upon his face and Swara too smiled at him through her tearful eyes. In the next instant, he placed his arms around her and pulled her to him into a warm embrace.

Sa: Thank you, Swara..for making me feel better..

Sw: Hmm..

Swara was overwhelmed with emotions and she too placed her arms around him and smiled onto his chest. A few seconds passed like that in contentment and both of them didn't feel like breaking the hug.

Sanskaar suddenly remembered that he wanted to be there before the "Vidaai" ritual. He took off his arms and looked at Swara.

Sa: Now let's go inside..

Swara nodded at him and both of them walked back to the wedding hall. There, they saw Karan placing the mangalsutra around Uttara's neck and making her wear it.

Sanskaar and Swara joined the others who were showering the newlywed couple with flower petals. And thus, Karan filled Uttara's hair parting with sindoor. Swara again looked at Sanskaar and saw him smile pleasantly at the sight. This made her feel really good and a happy smile appeared on her lips, too.

Swara was thinking as to why Sanskaar's every emotion mattered to her. When he had felt sad, she felt sad, when he felt happy she too felt happy. And tonight, when she hugged him, she had yet again felt the same kind of contented feeling, which she had felt when she had hugged him, right after he saved Swara from the eve-teaser on that night in Mumbai.
*****************************
After Uttara's "Vidaai" ritual, now it was time for the "Shaadi Mubarak" Team to go back to Mumbai. Lakshya and Swara approached Sanskaar, Kavita and Annapurna to bid farewell to the family.

Lakshya and Swara greeted Annapurna by joining their hands in a "namaste".

Sw: We are leaving, M'am..We are so happy to have met you..(wide smile)

Annapurna placed her palm on Swara's head and patted her fondly.

An: Same here, Swara...(looks at Lakshya)...Lakshya, I have never seen such a grand wedding in my life..You people have really done a great job..! I guess, I want to book you people now itself for Sanskaar-Kavita's wedding..

Hearing this Kavita blushed and Swara's breathing hitched for a moment. Her eyes found Sanskaar and he was also looking at her with a strange expression.

La: (nods politely)Thank you so much M'am..!(smiles wide)

Lakshya then shook hands with Sanskaar and then Kavita. Swara too shook hands with Kavita, but then she hugged Swara with a sad face.

Ka: I will miss you, Swara..You are really a nice person..!

Sanskaar could feel tears stinging his eyes, as he stood there, silently watching Swara. Swara went to him and held out her hand to Sanskaar. Their hands clasped each other and Sanskaar spoke to her with a heavy heart.

Sa: Ok Swara..Thank you so much..(sincere expression)

Words failed her as she gazed into the depth of his sad eyes, slowly she could feel her eyes filling with tears too. But then she had to be professional now.

Sw: (chokes) It was my pleasure to work for you, Sir..Thank you..(feeble smile)

Lakshya's voice brought them to their senses.

La: Time to go, Swara..(smiles)

Sw: (turns to him and nods) Yes, Lakshya..

As she slowly walked away with Lakshya to join their team, Sanskaar gazed at her thinking, "You are going away without answering my questions, Swaraa.."

Swara felt as if someone was calling out to her and she turned back, instantly. She saw him standing there and looking at her as if he had lost his everything. The blank look in his eyes was heart wrenching to watch and she turned back and walked away hastily, following Lakshya.

As she walked away, she was thinking, "I know Mr.Maheshwari, what we have between us is just an attraction and nothing else..I know Kavita is the perfect girl for you, a girl who matches your family name and social status, and that you would be perfectly happy spending your life with her.."

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

The following night, Swara was having dinner with Sharmishta and Shekhar. Ragini was not at home, since she had gone away to Pune for her best friend's wedding. She would be back only after one week.

Sw: (sadly) Papa..without Ragini this house feels so empty..! I really miss her..!

She: (nods) Yes, dear..me too..

He then turned to Sharmishta and secretly signalled her to talk to Swara. Sharmishta nodded at him and turned to Swara.

Sh: Swara..We wanted to talk to you about something..It's about your marriage..You are 23 years old and..

Before she even realized the words were out of her mouth.

Sw: Maa, I will get married..But only to Lakshya..!

Sharmishta and Shekhar were looking at her with shocked eyes.

She: Swaraa..Are you and..?

Sw: Yes Papa..we love each other..

Sharmishta was gazing at Shekhar and Swara with a worrisome face, but then to her surprise, his face broke into a wide grin.

She: (looks at Sharmishta) Ram will be so happy when he gets to know this..!

Sh: But, Shekhar..How can you be so sure..?

She: (smiles) I am sure dear, because Ram and Sujata just adores our Swara..And Ram keeps telling me that Lakshya and Swara can't live without each other, and so let's get them both married to each other ..(laughs) I will just go and tell them this happy news..
************
Minutes later, Shekhar was back and he was accompanied by Ram Prasad, Sujata and Lakshya. Sujata came and hugged Sharmishta with a wide smile.

Su: Sharmishta..You never even know how much happy I am right now..!

Sh: (smiles wide) Even me..Sujata..!!

Lakshya took ashirwad from Sharmishta and he looked at Swara with a smiling face. Swara went forward and took aashirwaad from Ram Prasad and Sujata too.

Rm: Shekhar..I feel that we should get these two married soon..

She: Sure..Let's sit down and decide..

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

And now it was decided that their engagement was to happen in three weeks time.

Some minutes later, Swara and Lakshya were standing together in the balcony of Swara's room. She noticed that Lakshya was silent than usual.

Sw: Is everything alright, Lakshya..?

La: (turns to her) Don't you think that everything is happening too soon..!

Sw: (frowns) Yes..But its good, Lakshya..This had to happen someday, right..? And I am 23 now..Maa was talking about getting me married, while we were having dinner..And I just had to tell them about us..You know, Lakshya..I want to get married to you..and no one else..!

Lakshya noticed a hurt expression cross her eyes and he felt bad instantly. He cupped her face in his hands and looked into her eyes with a soft expression.

La: Swaraa..I didn't want to hurt you..It's just that..I am only 23 now..We should have waited for at least 2-3 years before getting married.

Sw: (nods) Hm..you are right, Lakshya..But we can't do anything, Lakshya..Our parents have already decided..

La: (looks away impatiently) Huh, these people..! Well...(lets out a deep sigh) Lets move ahead with this..

Sw: (hugs him) Thank you, Lakshya..! I love you..!

La: (smiles) I love you too, Swara..! I am going home to sleep, (kisses her forehead)Goodnight, Swara..

Sw: Goodnight, Lakshya..!

Swara stayed at the balcony itself, and Lakshya went off. Smiling, she raised her eyes and gazed at the moon. But then her expression changed, her thoughts getting replaced by a strange empty feeling, she felt as if she missed him a lot -- she badly wanted Sanskaar Maheshwari's presence beside her.

But then she reminded herself, "I shouldn't be thinking about him.." She turned away from the moon and went inside, hastily.

Then after changing into her nightwear, she lay down on her bed and closed her eyes to sleep. Sanskaar's sorrowful face, while they were leaving the haveli, the previous night, appeared inside her mind's vision and she felt sad. She opened her eyes and just then she remembered about Kavita and she felt guilty, at the same instant.

Sw: But, he is going to be married to Kavita M'am soon...How can he betray her..!! How can he say he loves me..?!! All that attraction we felt for each other, it was all wrong..!! Lakshya is the right person for me..And I know that, Mr.Maheshwari will also forget me and move on with Kavita M'am, soon..

Trying to convince herself, slowly she drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
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Next day morning itself, Swara decided to call up to share the good news with Ragini. She took her mobile and dialed her number. When Ragini answered the call,

Sw: (happily)Ragini..!! Good morning...(smiles wide)

Ra: (laughs) Madam..You sound so happy..!

Sw: (chuckles first and then sadly) Raginii..I really miss you..Come soon..!

Ra: Aww..(then sad voice) I am also missing you, Swara..I will be back soon..

Sw: Hmm..And there is a surprise news for you..!(smiles wide)

Ra: Surprise news..!! what is it...?

Sw: (excitedly) My wedding is fixed..!

Ra: Wowwww Swara..!! But when..? with whom..? (then angrily) And you are telling me now..?!!!

Sw: Oh dear, yesterday night..Everything happened all of a sudden..

Ra: (curiously) Arranged marriage, huh..?

Sw: (in a shy tone) No..Love marriage..!!

Ra: (shocked voice) WHAT..?!! But who is the guy..? When did it all happen..?!

Sw: Lakshya..! (giggles sweetly)

Ra: (aloud) Lakshya..???!!!!

Sw: Shocking, right..!! (winks and laughs, but then seriously) Yes, Ragini...I love him..I have always loved him..I proposed him when we went to Udaipur this time for that wedding..And you know what, he said "Yes"..!! (giggles excitedly) And yesterday, when Maa and Papa asked me about getting married, I told them that we love each other..And everyone, including Sujata aunty and Ram uncle are happy with this wedding..I wanted to tell you yesterday night itself, but then it was so late..So I thought that I will call you, first thing in the morning....(smiles wide, but then) Raginiii..you are listening, right..?

Ra: Huh..!!

Sw: Raginiiii..won't you say anything..? just say something..!

Ra: (slowly) Swara, congratulations..! I am happy for you both..

Tears were streaming down Ragini's eyes.

Sw: (smiles) Love you, Ragini..Thank you..And please don't be angry with me, ok..For hiding my feelings from you..I am really sorry Ragini..I was not sure of his feelings and that is why I was afraid to confess it to anyone else..!

Ra: (wiping away her tears) No Swara..I am happy for you..Well, take care..I will call up Lakshya and say congrats now..

Sw: Ok..Bye Ragini..

Ra: Bye..

After disconnecting the call, Ragini broke down into tears and started to weep. Her whole world seemed to be crashing down around her.
***********************************
Three days later, Ram Prasad and Sujata were attending a wedding function at Kolkata. The bride was his colleague's daughter.

Annapurna was also present at the wedding. She couldn't believe her eyes, when she saw Sujata. With happy tears in her eyes, she walked towards them.

An: Sujuu..!!

Sujata turned back and she was shocked when she saw Annapurna..

Su: Jeeji..!!! (emotionally)

Sujata hugged her elder sister with all her love and Annapurna's smile widened.

Years before, Sujata was estranged from her own family, by her father, Mr. Vijayendra Rathore.

He had been against her relationship with Ram Prasad, who hailed from a middle class family. Afraid that her father would fix her marriage with someone else, Sujata had eloped with Ram Prasad and gotten married to each other. They were afraid to come back to Udaipur, since her father had threatened to kill both of them. So they had travelled to Mumbai, where Ram had many friends.

Annapurna was in Kolkata with her husband, Durgaprasad at that time. And her elder son, Sanskaar was three years old. Even though, Annapurna had no problems against their relationship, Sujata didn't try to contact her elder sister in any way after eloping, afraid that it may cause unnecessary complications.

Now, as they stood face to face, they had a lot to talk about.
****
PRECAP: (Three weeks later)

Annapurna and Sanskaar got down from their car, in front of the apartment complex. Sanskaar was staring at the building in bewilderment; he remembered this building, really well. This was where he had dropped Swara after that eve-teaser incident.

Sa: Maa, are you sure about the address..?

An: (smiles) This is the address, which Suju gave me..Let's go inside and see, Sanskaar..
******End of Part 11******

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Naina