Like everyday, firstly I want to say you all a big thank you for always voting and supporting me..

Love you all..

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Mumbai, 5 p.m

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..

As they walked into the lift at the basement, Sanskaar asked,

Sa: Maa, what Sujata Masi's son's name..?

An: Oho Sanskaar..She had told me that day..But I don't really remember..But it's ok, you will be anyway meeting your brother from there..

Sa: Ok..!

As they entered the Guptas' residence, Sujata came running towards them in excitement.

Su: Jeejiii..Oh you came..(hugs her and then looks at Sanskaar) And this is Sanskaar..? He is all grown up now..!! Come inside and sit..Uttara didn't come..?

An: Uttara and Karan have gone to Switzerland for honeymoon..

Sanskaar bent forward and took ashirwad from her and Ram Prasad also, who had come towards them with a welcoming smile.

An: Ok Suju..where is your son..?(smiles) Sanskaar wants to meet him..

Su: He has gone out and will come home in a while..Before that I want you to meet my, to-be daughter-in-law..

An: What..? But how..?

Su: Jeeji..They are our neighbours..It's a Love marriage..(shyly)

An: (laughs) Just like you, isn't it..?

Rm: Sujata you take them along..I will take care of the guests here..!

Su: Ok, ji...

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

Swara heard her mother calling her name, and she realized that the guests would have started arriving, and they would want to meet her.

Sw: Coming, Maa..!

After quickly freshening up, she put on a nice peach colour salwar suit, adjusted her dupatta around her neck, put on a bindi and applied some kajal along her eyes.

Sharmishta came into the room and led Swara into the visitor's room. Shekhar was already present in the living room.

She: This is our daughter, Swara..

Swara was staring at the visitors, with eyes wide with astonishment. Sanskaar Maheshwari and his mother, Annapurna was sitting there along with Sujata. Swara noticed that he was wearing a white colour formal shirt along with sky blue coloured coat and formal pants, and he looked even more handsome than ever.

Su: Jeeji, she is the girl..and Swara, meet my jeeji..

Annapurna was gazing at Swara with surprised eyes, she got up from her seat and walked towards her. Swara smiled at her, politely.

An: (caressing her cheek) Ohh..See its Swara, Sanskaar..!! (turns towards him and smiles wide)

Sanskaar, who was too dazed to speak, after seeing her, stood up from the couch, now. He had already understood with real pain that it was Lakshya and Swara's engagement that he had come to attend.

Sa: Swara..!

Sw: (tries to smile, but fails) Mr. Maheshwari..(then turns to Annapurna) Annapurna M'am..

Su: Swara..you already know my jeeji..?

Annapurna turned towards Sujata and asked,

An: Sujata, your son is Lakshya, right..who does the job of wedding planning..! In fact, its Lakshya and Swara who had organized Uttara's wedding..

Su: (surprised) Really..!! (happily) That's simply great..Even if I was not present ..My Lakshya could attend the function and do all the necessary arrangements for his sister's wedding..He did everything well, right Jeeji..?

An: (smiles) Absolutely..He is an expert in his work, our Lakshya..! And our Swara is also not any less..She is really talented..Isn't it, Sanskaar..(looks at him)

Swara hesitantly glanced towards Sanskaar, painfully realizing the torment he might be facing now.

Sa: (without looking at Swara, seriously) Yes Maasi..Maa is right..(then, looks away sadly)

These past three weeks, there never had been a day on which she didn't think about her moments with Sanskaar Maheshwari. The eye locks they shared, the two times they hugged, the way he took care of him while she got hurt, the way he helped her out with the choli, and the way they almost tried to kiss at the terrace and all. Everything was still afresh in her mind, and she just couldn't wipe off those thoughts from her mind. And seeing him now in front of her, prior to her Engagement day, wasn't helping either.

Swara's heart constricted with pain and a strange feeling of guilt, when she saw the saddened look on his face. She turned towards Annapurna, instead.

Sw: How is Kavita M'am, Aunty..? And Uttara..?

An: Uttara and Karan, have gone to Switzerland..They are really happy..

Sw: (smiles)Oh.. And Kavita M'am..?!

It was then that Lakshya came into the room. He was surprised to see Annapurna and Sanskaar.

La: Mr.Maheshwari..! (smiles)

Annapurna went and cupped his face with love.

An: Lakshya, my son..(kisses his forehead) And stop calling him Mr.Maheshwari, call him bhaiyya..(smiles wide) ok..?

Su: (happily) Lakshya, she is my jeeji..I had told you, right..? Take her Ashirwaad..

Lakshya's face shone with happiness as he bent and took aashirwaad.

An: Stay happy, my dear..And now go hug your elder brother..

Lakshya looked at Sanskaar, feeling rather awkward. But then Sanskaar went forward and hugged him.

Sa: Lakshya..Congratulations..! (smiles politely)

La: (smiling wide) Thank you bhaiyya..! (withdraws from the hug) That means Uttara is my little sis..wow Swara..such a great coincidence, that we got the chance to organize her wedding..!!!

Sanskaar looked at Swara at the same time. Swara nodded at Lakshya with a smile and then looked towards Sanskaar, with a painful look. She wanted to smile at him too, but her smile had faded, it just wouldn't come back to her lips. Sanskaar glanced away, unable to face her.

Sa: Excuse me everyone, I have an important call to make..

And saying so, he walked out of the house into the corridor, outside. As he walked, he could feel his heart breaking into a million pieces. He couldn't understand how he had kept himself calm and composed, inside that room, in front of everyone.

One big question haunted him, "Why did Swara agree to marry Lakshya, when she knew that she had some feelings for me..?" Tears streamed down his both eyes and he wanted to cry out loud, but he knew he couldn't. He thought again, " Why is she hurrying up so much with this relationship with Lakshya, I know that she has loved him since teenage, but still it has been only a month after she had proposed him..! What is the hurry to get married..? "

His mind travelled back to that day, two weeks back, when he told Kavita about his love for Swara.

Sa: Yes, Kavita..I love Swara..

Ka: (shocked, sad tone) What..?! Do you even know what you are telling, Sanskaar..?

Sa: (looks into her eyes, sincerely) Of course, Kavita..I very well know what I am saying..May be I can marry you..but I won't be able to love you...

Ka: But you did love me, Sanskaar..Isn't it..?

Sa: (nods, with a straight face) Sorry, Kavita..My heart was never there in that relationship..But after meeting Swara, I realized that I love her..

Ka: But Sanskaar, Swara and Lakshya..They love each other, right..?

Sa: (sighs impatiently and looks away) I know that..

Ka: Still you love her..? (places her hand on his shoulder, with concern)

Sa: (loud, angry tone) DAMN IT, YESS..!! (impatient tone) I will continue to love her, no matter what..!!(his eyes fill with tears)

Ka: (cries out, madly) This is madness, Sanskaar..!! (frantic tone) Why do you want to spoil your life like this..? (starts to weep uncontrollably)

Sa: (holds her shoulders) Kavita..Please listen to me..It must not matter to you..You must take care of your life..You are a really good girl..That's why I am telling you this, right now..(in a calm voice as if trying to make her understand, says clearly) You are free to leave me and live your life happily with someone who really loves you..

Kavita understood what he was trying to say.

Ka: (sighs, then in a calm voice) Thank you Sanskaar..For telling me the truth..But even if I agree for this, what are you going to tell Annapurna aunty..she will never allow you..(looks into his eyes with concern)

Sa: Don't know, Kavita..!(looks away) But I will manage..!

Ka: Can I help..?

Sa: (frowns)How..?

Ka: (smiles) I shall tell her and my Papa that I am not ready for this wedding..

Sa: (shocked) What..?!

Ka: And yes, I will surely pray to God that you get your Swara..I do think she has feelings for you, Sanskaar..(smiles) I have seen it in her eyes, and yours too..You guys are made for each other..All the best..(smiles wide)

Saying those words, she walked off from there.

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

Back to the present, after composing himself, Sanskaar was walking back from the corridor. He wanted to meet Swara once again, so that he could clear all his doubts about her feelings for him. There was a determined feel in his walk and his expression.

But just then, he noticed her going up the staircase leading to the terrace of the apartment complex. She was actually going to get dried clothes from there. Sanskaar followed her quickly and reached near her, when she reached the top most landing, which was near the terrace door.

Sa: Swara..

Swara was startled when she heard his voice, but at the same moment, he held her hand and pulled her along through the door, in a swift move. They were now standing at the vast open terrace, under the evening sun.

Sw: (tensed) Mr. Maheshwari..What are you doing..?!

Sa: (angrily) Oh for god's sake, cut this Mr.Maheshwari crap..Just call me Sanskaar ok..(then in a calm voice) We are going to be relatives, soon..(looks away uncertainly)

Sw: (meekly) Ok..(looks away)

Sa: (shakes his head, feeling impatient, then in a calm voice) Swara..I just wanted to ask you something..Please give me a straight truthful, answer..Ok..!! (looks at her with an exasperated look)

Swara nodded at him, she knew what he wanted to ask her.

Sa: Why are you marrying Lakshya, when you know that you have some feelings for me..!!

When Swara tried to interrupt, he continued, impatiently..

Sa: Keep your hand upon your heart and answer me, Swara..What do you really feel for me..? This is the matter of our future, Swara..Please, for god's sake be truthful to yourself, before taking any hasty decision..I will never be able to forget you..After you left that day, all I have been thinking about is you..And I know that you are also not able to forget me..Am I not telling the truth, Swara..Please tell..(looks into her eyes, sincerely)

Swara was amazed by his words, how can he always know what is inside her mind, so accurately. She looked at him, in deep thought, analysing her feelings.

Sa: (aloud) SWARAAA..!

Swara, was brought back from her reverie by his loud voice..But then she thought about Kavita.

Sw:(turns away) I don't know what you are talking about.. (tries to walk off)

Sanskaar walked forward and caught hold of her arm to turn her around to face him.

Sa:(leaving her arm, angrily says) If you want to say something, look into my eyes and tell, Swara....you get that..!

Swara was gaping at him with bewilderment and frustration, and she saw that he had tears in his eyes. As seconds passed, Swara's eyes slowly filled with tears. She was aware that she was going to cry now, but why, she couldn't understand. She started to sob and her body shook with utter grief. Tears were streaming down her lovely cheeks now and she tried to shut her eyes against it, defiantly.

Sw: (sad voice, she softly cries out) You are right, Sanskaar..! I am not able to forget you..(opens her eyes and looks at him) I don't know why..! (she starts to weep) I don't know why..(weeps hard covering her face)

Sanskaar just pulled her inside his arms and held her to him.

Sw: (weeps while softly hitting his chest with her tiny fist) Why did you come back, Sanskaar, while I was trying hard to forget you..!!(sniffs) I was trying to make everything alright by marrying Lakshya..But, it's true that I can't forget you, Sanskaar..I can't forget you..(cries a lot)

Sanskaar tightened his hold around her and at that instant she just let go off all her restraint and hugged him back possessively. She was still sobbing onto his chest, and he let her do that, as his own tear drops were falling upon her head.

After a few moments, Swara took her arms off him and she couldn't look into his eyes as she said,

Sw: (vaguely) Sanskaar..I..But Kavita..

Sa: (seriously) I have told Kavita that I love you, Swara..! She has backed off from the relation..She is happy for us, Swara..

Swara couldn't believe her ears as she simply kept looking at him.

Sa: (comes forwards and cups her face) Yes Swara, I really love you..

Swara just melted away in his touch and before even she realized what she was saying, the words were out of her mouth.

Sw:(looking into his eyes) I love you too, Sanskaar..and I really missed you..

She went forward and hugged him tight this time.

Sw: (softly into his chest) I love you..(says it again, this time louder, to make it sure to herself) YES, I LOVE YOU..!!(tightens her grip around him, afraid to let him go again)

Sanskaar smiled at her heartfelt confession and he too hugged his Swara tightly. But it was then that he voiced his worry to her.

Sa: Swara..but your engagement with Lakshya..!

Swara felt as if she received a blow on her head. She sprang apart from Sanskaar as reality hit her.

Sw: Oh my God..!

Sanskaar felt worried seeing the shocked expression on her face.

Sa: Should I talk to Lakshya about it..?

Sw: (shakes her head) Noo..!

Sa: Or should I talk to your parents about it..?

Sw: (even more shocked) No Sanskaar..!!

Sa: (feeling exasperated) Then what are we going to do, Swara..!

Sw: (looks at him with pleading eyes) I can't hurt my parents like that..Lots of guests and relatives will be arriving today and tomorrow..It's really late to tell Maa-Papa anything, right now..I guess I should get engaged to Lakshya tomorrow and then after the function is over, we can talk to all of them about us..Otherwise they will feel insulted in front of everyone..Hope you understand, Sanskaar..!

Sa: (feeling unsure) Ok..!

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

Next day morning, the party hall inside their apartment complex was decorated beautifully for the event. It was bustling with people who had come to attend the function. Drinks and refreshments were being served. Grown-ups and kids were having their own kind of fun in many ways. Some were talking excitedly about the upcoming wedding, where as some were content with gossiping and noticing what kind of ornaments and dresses the others were wearing. Kids were seen playing games with each other or pestering the elders occasionally about something or other.

Sanskaar was walking aimlessly among the guests in the hall, while Sujata approached him. He was wearing this:

Su: Sanskaar..Could you please go and see if Lakshya is ready, and then come back here along with him..Everybody is asking for him..(and then looks towards the doorway, with an excited face) Oh dear..Look how beautiful my Swara is looking today..!!

Sanskaar's heart did a flip-flop when he heard her name, and suddenly he felt that the party hall had suddenly fallen silent, stopping all their activities to have a glimpse of the bride-to-be. And when he looked towards the doorway, he just couldn't take his eyes off her, who was accompanied to the hall by Sharmishta and Bhavya. Swara's eyes locked with Sanskaar's at that instant and he felt that Swara was looking like an angel in the mirror work lehenga she was wearing.

And she felt that Sanskaar looked really dashing in that partywear look. Sujata nudged him again and she whispered into his ears, in an urgent tone,

Su: Sanskaar beta..go and come with Lakshya..fast..

Sa: (looks away from Swara) Ok Maasi..

Sanskaar walked out of the hall and just then Annapurna walked towards Swara.

An: Looking beautiful, Swara..(kisses her forehead)

Sw: Thank you, Aunty..(smiles wide)

After a few moments, Sanskaar and Lakshya entered the party hall and everyone's eyes were drawn to them, immediately. Lakshya was wearing a yellow colour sherwani and looked handsome too.

Su: Lakshya.. Come and stand with Swara..Its time for the ring exchange ritual.

But Lakshya raised his hand in protest, even before she reached nearer.

La: Maa, Sanskaar bhaiyya loves Swara..And I know that she also loves him..I can't get engaged to her..!

Sw: (shocked) Lakshya..!!

Lakshya walked towards her and caught hold of her hand and faced her with a determined look.

La: (harshly)Swara..come with me..

He tugged her along and made her walk towards Sanskaar. Then he took out two sets of rings from his pocket.

La: Take this ring..

Sw: (uncertainly) Lakshya..!

La: (stern voice) I asked you to take the ring..and now make bhaiyya wear it..

Everyone present in the hall, were too shocked to react, nobody dared to speak. Swara looked into the faces of Sharmishta, Shekhar, Ram Prasad and Sujata, in turn. But everyone was looking at her with shock as if waiting for her next action.

La: (aloud) What are you waiting for, Swara..Please do it..!

With shivering hands, Swara took the ring and slipped it into Sanskaar's ring finger.

Then he gave the other ring to Sanskaar.

La: Take this bhaiyya..make her wear it..

Sanskaar took her dainty hand inside his palm and he slipped the ring into her finger. Swara looked at him with a lot of questions in her eyes, but Sanskaar's face was expressionless.

Lakshya began to clap his hands with a stern smile and everyone present in the hall followed suit.

La: Ok, I now request all the guests to bless this lovely couple, and then please enjoy your dinner..Thank you..(polite smile)

The guests began to congratulate the couple one by one and they all proceeded towards the banquet hall.

Swara looked at Sanskaar again, but he remained stone faced as ever.

*******End of Part 12*******

Did you all like Swara's confession scene..?

And what do you feel about SwaSan engagement..?

Please do tell me through your comments..

And Please do vote if you enjoyed..

Love,

Naina