The office of Shaadi Mubarak Wedding Planners, Mumbai

Sanskaar, Uttara and Kavita were seated in the office of Miss.Nalini Kapoor, the Chief Wedding Planner. Sanskaar was wearing a white suit and pants along with a crisp linen shirt of pink colour inside. Kavita was wearing a black georgette material sari along with a designer blouse which was fully embroidered with pink and green colour threads. Uttara was wearing a pink colour anarkali suit with beautiful beadwork and embroidery along the neckline and sleeves.

Na: Mr. Maheshwari..I am really honoured to have your presence in our office. (smiles) What would you like to have, tea, coffee or some cold drinks..

Sa: Thank you, Miss. Kapoor..Anything will do..But we are here to meet Mr. Lakshya Gupta or Miss. Swara Gadodia. My sister would like to have a talk with them..

Na: (nods pleasntly) Sure, Mr. Maheshwari.. give me a few minutes..

She pressed some buttons on her landline and spoke " Come to my cabin, immediately".

Within some time, there was a knock on her cabin door, and Miss. Kapoor replied.

Na: Come inside, Swara..

Hearing Swara's name, Sanskaar turned around immediately. Swara was wearing a peach colour formal top with a cream colour knee length pencil skirt, and was undoubtedly looking gorgeous. Swara's heart skipped a beat when she saw him, but she nodded at him and Kavita with a polite smile.

Sw: Hello Kavita M'am, Hello Mr. Maheshwari.

Sanskaar just nodded at her in a polite way, but his eyes were speaking volumes, and unable to face their intensity, Swara looked towards Kavita.

Ka: (smiles) Hello Swara..Nice to see you again..(turns to Nalini Kapoor) Well, Miss. Kapoor, where is Lakshya..?

Na: Oh I am sorry, Miss. Singhania..Lakshya is on leave today..(nods at Swara) Swara here will take care of everything..

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

Swara took them to the posh lounge area, where they all could sit and talk comfortably. Cold drinks and some refreshments were served for them.

Sw: So Miss. Maheshwari..What is it that you wished to talk about..?

Ut: (smiles) Well, you can call me, Uttara..Miss. Maheshwari seems so formal..(looks at Sanskaar and smiles cutely)

Sanskaar smiled at his adorable sister and then at Swara. She was mesmerized by his dazzling smile.

Sw: (smiles happily) Ok Uttara M'am..tell me..

Ut: First of all I wanted a day with Bollywood theme during the wedding..

Sw: Sure..Sangeet day would be perfect for that..We promise that the night would be unique..

Ut: (smiles) Ok thank you..And next I wanted to know about my wedding lehenga..how is it going to be..?

Sw: Yes, M'am..We were actually planning to send you some sketches of the outfit..We have some bridal wear designers, who are quite talented in our office itself..But it's good that you all came here to Mumbai, I will be able to show them to you today..But if you wish for some famous celebrity designer to design the wedding outfit for you, please do let me know, ok..We will make arrangements for that too..(smiles politely)

Ka: Swara..could you show us those designs which you were talking about..we would love to see..Isn't it Uttara..?

Ut: Yes, of course..

Swara asked one of her female assistants to bring them and the girl returned with a folder containing the sketches.

Uttara was delighted to see the designs of the beautiful lehengas and Swara started to explain about the design details with real interest. Sanskaar was now watching Swara intently and he felt his heart bubble with joy seeing her cute expressions and lip movements, as she talked.

It was then that she finished showing them the sketches. Kavita and Uttara were very much impressed with the designs and they happily selected one of the outfits.

Ka: This one is the best, isn't it, Uttara..?

Ut: Wow Kavita..I too loved the same one..!

Sw: Can I say something..Actually this one design was my favourite too..! (smiles)

Sanskaar, who didn't show any interest till then, wanted to have a look at the design.

Sa: Uttara, show it to me..

Uttara was surprised to hear Sanskaar's words, but she delightedly showed it to him.

Ut: Here it is, Bhaiyya..

It was a golden beige lehenga with thick red roses motif embroidery, and spread with golden and pearl beads work. The choli was red in colour and it was full of golden sequins and bead work. The dupatta was gold in colour with tiny red rose motifs intricately done on to the borders.

Sa: (softly) You will look like a princess in this, Uttara..!

Ut: (happily) Thank you, Bhaiyya..!

Sa: Swara..

Swara loved the feel of her name voiced in his rich baritone.

Sw: Yes, Mr. Maheshwari..

She looked at him with her curious doe-like eyes and Sanskaar's heart skipped a beat this time.

Sa: You have done a wonderful job..!

Sw: But Sir, these sketches have been made by our in house fashion designers..

Sa: (nods) I know..but still, you are the in charge of this wedding..I would like to thank you for your efforts..

Sw: (blushes) Thank you, Mr. Maheshwari..

Kavita and Uttara nodded happily at Swara, as if they agreed with Sanskaar.

Ka: Actually we were thinking about going to some famous designer as you suggested earlier..But still your enthusiasm prompted us to have a look at these design sketches..And we are happy that we did..!

Sw: I am really happy to hear that, Kavita M'am..Ok, so I will get someone to take her body measurements..Uttara M'am..Could you please accompany me to the dressing rooms.

Ut: Sure..

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

Later, it was time for all of them to leave and Swara accompanied them till the front door. Kavita and Uttara shook hands with Swara and now it was Sanskaar's turn. Swara looked into his magnetic eyes and she was lost in them momentarily. Their hands clasped each other and Sanskaar spoke to her with a heavy heart.

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

Hearing his voice, Swara came back to her senses.

Sw: It was my pleasure to assist you, Sir..Thank you..(smiles widely)

Her million dollar smile, was reflected on Sanskaar's face too.

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

It was 7.00 p.m in the night and Sanskaar was returning to his hotel in his company car from his business meeting. He was comfortably sitting in the back seat and was attending an important call.

He knew that they had to pass the building which housed the office of "Shaadi Mubarak" on the way and so his eyes were busy scanning the roadside, for a particular landmark which denoted the proximity of the building.

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

Meanwhile, Swara was waiting for a taxi to return home. Usually she and Lakshya were taken home by a company cab. But today the cab driver was on leave and since Lakshya was also absent, she was alone today.

Suddenly a bike came and stopped in front of her. The rider leered at Swara and flashed an eerie grin.

Guy: Hey gorgeous...! Looks like you need a lift..

Swara felt afraid seeing the look on his face. But she didn't show her fear and tried to avoid him looking at the road instead, praying desperately in her mind for the sight of a taxi.

Guy: Oi..Stop looking here and there..Come with me..I will drop you..

Some passersby were staring at them now, but no one tried to interfere. Swara decided that there was no other way to escape from this person. She looked at him with a determined look.

Sw: Will you just leave me alone..or shall I inform the police..?

Swara raised her mobile to dial the police helpline, but the person was too quick for her. He caught hold of her hand with the mobile.

Guy: (teasing tone) Such a silly girl ..! I am asking you with so much love, and you want to call the police..?

Sw: (struggles) Leave me..Oh, Just leave my hand, you..(looks around in distress)Help.. Help..!!

Just then a posh car came to a halt in front of them. Relief flooded through Swara's being, when she saw the person sitting inside the car.

Sw: Mr. Maheshwari..!!

Sanskaar opened the car door quickly and the next moment, he was holding the eve-teaser's shirt collar, with a furious expression.

Sa: (growls) Leave her hand..!!

The person was alarmed seeing the look on Sanskaar's face, but still he didn't show it.

Guy: What if I don't..What will you do..?! (tightens the grip on Swara's hand)

Sanskaar raised his hand and a hard slap fell across the person's face.

Sa: (roars with fury) I SAID, LEAVE HER HAAANDD, YOU IDIOTT...!!

Guy: (touching his reddened cheek, stutters fearfully) O-ok Sir..(shivers with fear and pain) Ok..

He left Swara's hand in a jiffy and rode away on his bike instantly. Sanskaar watched him go with furious eyes, but when he turned his face towards Swara, his gaze was soft.

Sa: Swara, are you ok..?

Swara nodded her head, but tears started to flow down through her cheeks and she began to sob hysterically. Sanskaar didn't know what to do, he moved closer to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. Swara lowered her head unable to face him.

Sa: Shh..Please don't cry Swara..It's over..!

Swara nodded her head and now she was weeping uncontrollably..

Sa: (gently )Listen..Look at me, Swara..Please..It's over now..Hey..Stop crying..Don't worry since I am here with you..

Swara didn't know why she did it. But the next instant she hugged him and wept onto his chest. Sanskaar didn't think even once before placing his arms around her petite waist and he hugged her possessively.

Swara opened her eyes in a jiffy and her mind was telling her "Leave him now, Swara..this is absolutely wrong..!" But at the same time her heart was feeling a strange contentment, and she was feeling as though her world belonged inside these arms. But still, she listened to her rational mind and pulled herself out of his embrace quickly. Sanskaar suddenly felt deprived.

She looked all around, except his eyes and tried to explain cautiously.

Sw: (wiping her tears away) Err..I am so sorry..I should not have done that..I am sorry, Sir..

Sanskaar chose not to reply to her apology and instead he opened the back door of his car for her.

Sa: (calm voice) Swara..Get inside the car..I will drop you home..

Swara nodded meekly and entered into his car. Sanskaar walked around the car and got inside through the other door. The driver started the car and they were now moving along the road.

Sa: Swara..where do you stay..?

Swara told him her apartment address and the he asked the driver to take them there first. A strained silence prevailed inside the car, after that.

Swara was thinking, " Why did it feel so right, inside his arms..I have never felt this much contended even while hugging my parents or Lakshya..It was not just contentment, it was something else, a feeling which I cannot explain.." She cast a sideways glance at Sanskaar who was now looking out of the car window.

Sanskaar's mind was full of questions, " Why do I lose my resolve around this particular girl, Swara..It felt so ethereal, to feel her inside my arms..And when she pulled away, I felt as if my world was crumbling out of my hold.."

Sanskaar looked sideways and saw Swara gazing at him, their eyes met.

Sw: (smiles) Thank you, Mr. Maheshwari..

Sanskaar just kept on looking into her eyes and just nodded in response. The air around them seemed to be charged with a primitive energy, and both of them felt enchanted by its force. Swara was the first person to break the eye contact, and she looked away, feeling afraid that she will lose her heart to this handsome man, Sanskaar Maheshwari.

"He is someone else's fiancé, and I am in love with Lakshya..", she tried to remind her heart, rather forcefully.

Sa: Swara..

Swara gasped and turned towards him, fearing that he had heard her thoughts. Her eyes were wide like saucers and he was momentarily lost in them. Without blinking, their eyes talked again, about the long lost secrets which were a part of their souls.

Swara waited for him to say something, but at that precise moment, the driver stopped the car. She looked outside and noticed that they had reached their apartment complex. She looked at Sanskaar again and said, with a grateful smile,

Sw: I can't thank you enough, Mr.Maheshwari..

Sanskaar's eyes were fixed intently upon her dazzling eyes and slowly her smile faded. Swara's gaze travelled slowly from his right eye to his left eye and then repeated the pattern. It was as if their eyes didn't want to stop this silent conversation, their eyes didn't want to leave each other, at this very moment.

And then Sanskaar's phone rang, it was Uttara. Swara looked away, feeling embarrassed at her prolonged eye-locks with Mr. Maheshwari and he answered the call.

Sa: Hello, Uttara..

Ut: Bhaiyya..where are you..? We both have been waiting for you..

Sa: Ok Uttara..will reach soon..

By that time, Swara had got out of the car, and was waiting for him to finish speaking. Sanskaar disconnected the call and looked at her.

Sa: (politely) Shall I accompany you till the doorstep..?

Swara was delighted at the thought, but she thought that it was not necessary.

Sw: Err..No..It's ok, Mr.Maheshwari..Please don't be late because of me..(smiles politely)

Sa: (nods) It's ok..I will manage..I will come with you..

But as Sanskaar got out of the car, Lakshya came out of the apartment complex and he walked towards Swara. He didn't seem to notice Sanskaar.

La: Swara..God..! You are so late.. !!..I was just about to call you, to ask if you were ok..

Swara looked at Lakshya and her eyes filled with tears again. Sanskaar was watching the duo now, quite intently.

Sw: (worriedly) No Lakshya..I was not ok..A guy misbehaved with me while I was waiting for taxi..

Lakshya noticed the fear in her eyes and he just took her inside his arms.

La: (alarmed) Oh god..are you ok..?(hugging her)

Sw: (hugs him back) Hmm..

Sanskaar clenched his fists and his breathing turned shallow. He just couldn't bear the sight in front of his eyes.

Sw: Oh..and then Mr.Maheshwari came and he saved me from that man..

It was then that Lakshya registered Sanskaar's presence.

La: Mr. Maheshwari..!!

He left Swara and came around the car to thank Sanskaar. Lakshya took Sanskaar's right hand inside his hands, and looked at him gratefully.

La: Thank you, Sir..I don't know how to thank you..!

Gritting his teeth, Sanskaar thought angrily, "But I know..Just stay away from her.."

La: You reached there in time to save Swara..Thank you so much, Sir..! (heaves a deep sigh, with a smile)

Sanskaar nodded without a smile and looked at Swara with a murderous look. He was angry at her for hugging Lakshya. Swara couldn't understand why he was looking at her like that, and she tried to smile. Sanskaar nodded at her too and got into the car without a word.

Swara came and stood with Lakshya as they watched Sanskaar's car sped away. Lakshya put his arm around her shoulders protectively, but they were unaware of a pair of fierce eyes which were starting at them through the rearview mirror.

A multitude of questions were swarming inside his head.

" What is he doing in Swara's apartment complex? "... " Do they say together, are they in a live-in relationship..?"..." Why did she allow him to hug her?"... "And why the hell did she hug him back?!"

*******End of Part 4*******

Next part will be updated tomorrow..

If you enjoyed please do vote and comment..

Love,

Naina