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Just as Sanskaar was fumbling for an answer, Ajay tapped on Siya's shoulder.

Aj: Stop asking silly questions and concentrate on your food, Siya..!! (grinning)

Siya rolled her eyes at him and Ajay and placed an aloo paratha on her plate.

Aj: Have it, it's really yummy..

He then winked at Sanskaar and Sanskaar glanced at Swara, whose cheeks were already red like a tomato. Sanskaar realized that she was indeed relieved with the change of topic and he was grateful at Ajay for that.

******

Afterwards, as Sanskaar went off to wash his hands, Ajay followed him and he whispered into his ears,

Aj: Luckily, I saw you coming out of Swara's room in those wet clothes..(winks) Hmm.. some romance is in the air..!!

Sanskaar hadn't expected this coming, but a shy smile appeared on his lips as he replied,

Sa: Thanks dude..!

Aj: And don't mind Siya..I didn't want to bring her along, but she insisted that she wanted to come..

Sanskaar's eyes darkened with disapproval and he merely nodded at Ajay. Ajay knew what was bothering Sanskaar and he replied with a grave face,

Aj: I know what happened between you both, Siya had told me after reaching London..Even I didn't know at that time that she was so casual about relationships, If I knew then, I would have warned you, Sanskaar..But I am happy that you have moved on from all that and you have found a beautiful match in Swara..(pats his back)

Sanskaar smiled at the mere mention of his Swara's name and Ajay was relieved that his friend had indeed found his happiness this time. But what bothered him was this Sanskaar was not his old best friend anymore. He talked less and thought more, where as the old Sanskaar was a person who was fun loving and jovial.

Meanwhile, Siya was having a different line of thought. She was finding this Sanskaar a lot more interesting than his much younger version. He has grown into a handsome man and he had an enigmatic aura about him. To her it seemed to be an irresistible combination, and that this Sanskaar Maheshwari was worth to be explored.

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

After a while, Lakshya, Ragini and Swara were sitting together in the pool area with Uttara and were chatting with each other. Just then Lakshya got up saying that,

La: Girls..Let me go and take some rest I am feeling a bit tired after that flight..

The girls nodded at him and he walked away. Just then Siya arrived there and Uttara asked her to join them.

Ut: Come, Siya..

Siya sat down near Uttara and smiled at Swara.

Si: Hello Swara..and this is your sister, Ragini..(smiles) Hi Ragini..

Both Swara and Ragini greeted her and all of them got into some girlish chit chat. Soon they all became friendly with each other. But Siya was still wondering what Sanskaar saw in Swara to choose her as his bride.

Just then Swara remembered something,

Sw: Ragini can you just go and get those magazines from Lakshya..I had packed it in his back pack, as there was no place in mine..

Ra: Oh..there were some amazing hair styling and make up techniques in them..I will go and get..

Ragini walked into Lakshya's room and she was surprised when she didn't find him inside.

Ra: It's ok.. He won't mind, if I take it from his bag..

She saw his back pack on the floor and bent down to check inside it. She didn't notice Lakshya, who was coming out of the washroom wearing only a towel. Even he didn't see Ragini. He was toweling his hair with another towel with his eyes closed and suddenly Ragini stood up with the magazines in her hand, she turned and bumped into him. Ragini was so shocked that she opened her mouth to scream. Only that no sound came out of her mouth because Lakshya had pressed her mouth with his strong hand. She realized that his other arm was around her waist and her body was now crushed into his bare upper body. Ragini blinked at him with her wide eyes and stared into his face which was contorted with confusion and shock. Then his expression softened as he suddenly realized how beautiful her eyes were. A gentle smile appeared on his lips and he gazed into her eyes with love filled eyes. Her lips were quivering with shock and she uttered his name,

Ra: Lakshya..

Suddenly he was out of the trance and realized that they were so close now. He pushed her away from him in a gentle move and Ragini was so flushed with embarrassment and she ran back into her own room, closed the door and stood with her back leaning onto it. She was panting hard and she thought about the expression in his eyes. The momentary closeness with his bare upper body set off butterflies inside her tummy.

Ra: Uff..! Why was he looking at me like that..? Oh god..!!

Meanwhile Lakshya was sitting on the bed and was thinking about the same thing.

La: What made me stare at her like that..?

Ra: And..And he was shirtless too..And we were so close..! (she closes her eyes with bated breath)

La: What will she think about me..? I didn't do it purposefully..!

***

When Ragini came back to the girls with the magazines, they were talking about the evening's cocktail party and she too joined the talk.

*******

Meanwhile, Ajay and Karan were having a talk, sitting in the drawing room. Even though, they had met each other only yesterday for the first time, they became really good friends really quick.

Aj: Karan, Can I ask you something..?

Ka: Sure..

Aj: Is Sanskaar always like this..?

Ka: What do you mean..?

Aj: Like.. he is less talkative, reserved and more serious..!

Ka: You know him from childhood, right..? And you are asking me..!!

Aj: That is the point, dude..! He was never like this..! He was totally opposite..!

Ka: Hmm.. I can understand what you are trying to ask..He has been like this, ever since I know him..and I have met him only a few months ago..

Aj: Hmm..

Ka: And Uttara had once told me that..Sanskaar was different before the death of their father..I guess, taking up the responsibilities of a whole family, at such a young age would make anyone more matured and less fun loving..

Aj: I want my old friend back, Karan..!

Ka: Can we do something about it..?

Aj: We can only try..!

**********

Sanskaar was standing in front of the mirror after getting ready in this suit and was looking extremely handsome.

There was a knock on the door and he asked them to come inside. It was Siya and she was dressed in a black off shoulder gown. Without looking at her, and adjusting his cufflink at the end of his sleeve, he asked,

Sa: (seriously) What is it, Siya..?

But Siya didn't answer and walked towards him. When he didn't get a reply he turned towards her and found her now standing too much near to him. She placed her hand on his shoulder and gazing into his eyes she asked,

Si: How am I looking Sanskaar..?

Sanskaar looked at her hand on his shoulder first, then with a casual air, he brushed aside her hand from there. Siya felt a small prick on her ego and she gazed into his eyes with confusion. But she was not ready to accept defeat yet.

Sa: (sharp look) Did you come here just to ask this..?

Si: (in a seductive voice) I still affect you right..?

Sa: (frowns)... And why would you affect me..? (raises a brow)

Si: (places her hands on his shoulders and gazes into his eyes seductively, in a husky voice) Stop playing, Sanskaar..Just answer me..

By now he clearly understood that her intention were not at all friendly or casual.

Sa: (looks sharply into her eyes, coolly orders) Siya..Take off your hands..!

Si: (shocked) You have changed a lot, Sanskaar..! (takes her hands away from his body)

Sa: (raises his brows and then nods) Yes I have, Siya..!

And he walked away from there without a backward glance.

***********

When he went and knocked at the door of Swara's room, it was Annapurna who opened the door for him.

An: Oh you came to take Swara to the party, right..(smiles)

Sa: (nods) Yes, Maa..

Sanskaar looked into the room and saw that Swara was looking drop dead gorgeous in this dress.

Her hair was let loose and her beautiful tresses were set in lovely curls and she was looking ethereal with that dark red lip colour and smoky eye makeup.

An: Take her with you, Sanskaar..You both have to enter into the party together.. Come..

Sanskaar nodded at her and offered his arm to Swara, who was looking at him with love in her eyes and a slight blush on her lovely cheeks.

Annapurna walked ahead of them, and Sanskaar took his chance and placing a sweet lingering kiss on Swara's cheek, he whispered into her ears,

Sa: You are looking hot, Swaraa..!

Swara squirmed as his breath hit behind her ears and her blush darkened.

Sa: (whispers again) You wait till this party is over..! (then looks at her and winks pointedly)

*****End of Part 18*****

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Naina