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All through the dinner, Swara was extremely conscious with Sanskaar's presence and so she avoided looking at him. She just tried to concentrate hard on the conversation going on around the table, instead.

But she was strongly aware of his gaze upon her all the time.

Even Sanskaar began to get a bit annoyed with Swara for avoiding him so much. But he was Sanskaar Maheshwari and he definitely knew how to get her attention.

Sa: Swara..

The sound of his deep voice, caught her off guard and she turned towards him with a shocked expression. His eyes gleamed with a look of pure satisfaction and Swara was the only one to notice it. She masked her initial shock instantly and with an air of confidence, she asked,

Sw: Yes, Mr. Maheshwari..

Sa: Could you please pass the kachoris..

Swara, who was expecting some serious bit of conversation was clearly baffled.

Sw: Huh..!!

Sa: (confidently ) Kachoris..Swaraa..

Sw: Ohh.. sure..!

Swara took the dish and passed it to him, meekly. But when she tried to look at him, he avoided looking at her and she felt disappointed. And so she took her eyes off his face, rather reluctantly which was why she didn't notice a victorious smile on his face.

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

Later it was time for all of them to sleep, Kavita, Uttara and Annapurna retired to their respective rooms. Sanskaar mumbled that he had to finish some more work and left for his Study room. Lakshya and Swara went off to meet the caterers to discuss something about the food items which were to be served on the next day.

Afterwards, Lakshya went off towards his bedroom and Swara towards hers. While she was about to cross the drawing room, she saw Sanskaar. He was walking along the long corridor leading to the front door and she felt curious about where he was going.

Sw: Where is Mr.Maheshwari headed to..? And that too, at this hour of the night..!

She hurried after him, being drawn like a moth to flame.

Sw: Mr. Maheshwari..!

Sanskaar stopped in his tracks, hearing her voice. He turned and looked at her with a frown.

Sa: What is it, Swara..?

Swara gazed at him with her eyes which were big with curiosity.

Sw: (panting) Where are you going..?

Sa: (seriously) And why should I tell you that..?!

Swara was taken aback by his question. This was not the friendly Sanskaar, she abruptly realized. This was the Sanskaar whom she had met when she came to this haveli for the first time; the same Sanskaar, who had scared her off with his rude remarks. She blinked uncertainly, but didn't back away this time.

Sw: Sorry..I asked out of curiosity..

Sanskaar smiled at her honest answer and she was happy to see his smile back.

Sa: I am going out for a walk..I love strolling in the moonlight..And today is a full moon night..

The words were out of her mouth even before she realized.

Sw: Would you mind if I join you..?

Sanskaar raised his eye brows in surprise and then frowned with an interested smile.

Sa: Of course not..You can come if you want to..

Swara was delighted with the idea of a lazy walk along the moonlit grounds of the haveli. But she wondered whether the idea of walking with Sanskaar Maheshwari appealed her more. There was something which was drawing her to him, she was sure of it.

Sanskaar led her out of the main door and now they walked into the landscaped lawns, in silence. The moon was still hiding behind a set of clouds and so the area was covered with pale moonlight. As he walked beside her, his eyes were set upon her pretty profile, but she was gazing all around the place. Even though she was deeply aware of his gaze, she didn't show it. Chilly breeze caressed her body and the fact that she was wearing a sleeveless kurti, didn't help either. Swara crossed her arms over her chest and hugged herself, rubbing her palms up and down her arms to warm her up. She was surprised when she felt something brush along her both shoulders. Sanskaar had removed his coat and he was placing it over her shoulders protectively. Swara was touched by his gesture and she smiled at him, while she pulled the edges of the coat to her front, securely. Sanskaar just gazed deep into her eyes with deep intensity, she could see that a multitude of feelings were swirling inside his eyes.

Sw: Thank you, Mr. Maheshwari..

Sanskaar looked away, as if he was in deep thought. Swara badly wanted the friendly Sanskaar back, so she decided to try her luck.

Sw: Well, what are you thinking about..?

Sanskaar looked at her keenly with his one eyebrow raised, a sly smile playing on his lips.

Sa: Why are you showing such interest in me, Swara..?

Swara was caught off guard again. She gulped and blinked uncertainly at first, but then replied with confidence.

Sw: Err..(shrugs) I am just trying to be friendly..That is all..

Sanskaar turned his body towards her and stopped walking, to watch her face to face, his brows furrowed in scrutiny.

Sa: Really..?! Nothing else, Swara..? Are you sure..? (smirks)

Swara gazed at him feeling flabbergasted. She bit her lower lip in trepidation and looked down, her eyes on the ground. With his hand Sanskaar, took her chin inside his thumb and index finger. She shivered at his slightest touch and he raised her face, making her look at him. His chocolate brown eyes scanned her dark black eyes, while he looked at her inquisitively.

Sa: Tell me, Swara..Are you just trying to be only friendly..? Don't you think that it's just a lame excuse..

Swara's knees threatened to give away and she suddenly grabbed his arms for support.

Sw: (uncertainly) Mr.Maheshwari, I..

Swara was gazing into his eyes quite vulnerably. Sanskaar left her chin and his fingers grazed along her soft cheek. Swara closed her eyes and squirmed.

Sw: (shivering) Mr. Maheshwari.. Please..

Sa: Hey..I was just..

She then realized that Sanskaar was just moving a stray hair from her face behind her ear. She felt a tickling sensation when he touched behind her earlobe.

Sa: Hey..what did you think, I was doing..?

Swara felt embarrassed when she saw the playful smile on his face.

Sw: (blushing) Err..nothing..(shakes her head)

Sanskaar looked away and both of them started to walk again. At that moment, the clouds slid away, slowly revealing the dazzling full moon, and the place was brightened with its light. Both Sanskaar and Swara raised their faces to gaze at the beautiful moon. The longing or missing feeling was absent this time, when they looked at it. Instead they felt a strange feeling of fulfillment, which spread inside their hearts and both of them realized whose company was the reason for it. They turned their heads towards each other and gazed intently.

Suddenly Swara's foot collided with a stone and she was about to fall forward. But his hand closed in around her arm and prevented her from falling down. She gazed sideways and saw that he was staring at her with lots of concern.

Sa: Careful, Swara..

But severe pain shot through her legs and she knelt down clutching her toe. Blood was gushing out of a wound on her toe nail.

Sw: Ouuchh..!! Aaaaaaaghh..

Sa: Oh no..!!

Sanskaar suddenly took out his hand kerchief and he knelt down beside her. He began to dab it gently upon her wound so as to stop the bleeding. He then took her foot and placed it on his bent knee. He was blowing air from his mouth frequently and continued dabbing the cloth upon her wound. Then he looked up at her face with lots of concern.

Sa: Are you feeling better now..?

Sw: (nods her head with a gentle smile) Hmm..

Sanskaar helped her to get up with her arm around his shoulder and he too held her securely with his arm around her shoulder. Without leaving her, he steered them back towards the direction of the haveli, and started to assist her in walking back. Swara was extremely conscious of his proximity and so she tried to push him away slightly and pulled away from his hold.

Sw: It's ok, Mr. Maheshwari.. I will be alright..!

And then she started to limp slowly, trying to mask her pain, but quite unsuccessfully. Sanskaar felt a surge of anger and he just scooped her up in his strong arms. Swara was shocked at his action and she tried to protest.

Sw: Oh no..!!What are you..

But before she could complete her sentence,

Sa: (angrily) Shut up, Swara..!

Swara closed her mouth like a meek little girl and looked into his eyes, and saw that they were filled with anger and concern in equal amounts. Instinctively, her hands reached around his neck and hung on to him. She lay in his arms like a placid river, who had forgotten to flow. His eyes never left hers, as he carried her back into the haveli, along the long entrance corridor, the drawing room; as they passed the door to his Study, and then the hallway leading to her bedroom.

After entering into the bedroom, he made her sit down on the bed quite carefully.

From the bedside table, he got the first aid box and then he cleansed her wound with the cotton and dettol. After that he sat down near her and plastered a band-aid to her toe. Swara was watching his every action with her eyes shining with gratitude.

Sw: Thank you, Sanskaar..(smiles pleasantly)

Suddenly, Sanskaar raised his hand and touched her lips. She gasped with surprise and looked at his hand.

Sa: Don't embarrass me by thanking me for this..

He looked into her eyes with a look of pure sincerity mixed with hurt, and it was then that he saw her staring at his hand. He took off his hand and stood up from her bed.

Sa: Take care, Swara..Goodnight..

And before she could say anything, he walked towards the door and closed it before leaving. Swara watched him go with forlorn eyes.

Sanskaar was walking along the hallway when he remembered her words, "Thank you Sanskaar.." and his face lit up with a smile of pure joy. It was for the first time that she had addressed him by his first name, otherwise she always called him Mr. Maheshwari. He knew that she had called his name unknowingly, but it meant that he was having a deep effect in her and that she felt a real bonding with him, at least for that moment.

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

Next evening, a cocktail party was set up to welcome the guests who had arrived for the wedding. The party hall was buzzing with pleasant background music and cheerful talks.

On the arm of her fiancé Karan Rajput, Uttara moved among the guests, looking gorgeous in a purple coloured long and flowing chiffon gown with Swarovski crystals embedded along the decorative empire line. Karan and his family had arrived in the morning and his mother, Mrinalini Rajput was standing with Annapurna, watching their children with love filled eyes.

Kavita was wearing an emerald green floor length satin gown. It was adorned with green stones and silver embellishments along the neckline and the waistline. She was sitting with her father, Mr. Rajvardhan Singhania, who was a renowned poet and a close friend of Sanskaar's late father, Mr.Durgaprasad Maheshwari. He had arrived the venue, late in the afternoon. Kavita's mother, Mrs. Gayatri Singhania had died when she was only nine years old. Her Papa had been everything for her from then on.

The guests were indeed dazzled by the sumptuous food, gorgeously decorated tables, and authentic music. And this was not missed by Sanskaar's scrutinizing eyes, and he was deeply satisfied with every arrangement. But he wondered where she was right now. She had been here at the party venue, till evening, instructing around the various staff and workers, so that everything would look perfect from drapery, to the table linen and all the way to the beautiful flowers, which now adorned the place.

Lakshya was already present at the event, looking great in a plum coloured tuxedo, teamed with white shirt. He also wondered where Swara was. Earlier in the evening, after a last minute look at the arrangements, both of them had departed to their respective rooms to get ready for the party, assuring each other that they would meet at the party hall later. But she was being late, and he couldn't go off looking for her right now. He was too much busy.

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

Swara was checking her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was set in a chignon at the back of her left ear.

Like this hairstyle:

She was wearing this dress with the same accessories, but she had still not worn the shoes.

Her lips were shining and glossy and her eyes had the perfect make up. She knew she was being late for the party, but she wanted her to look her best tonight. But why was she feeling so, she was not quite sure.

Suddenly she heard a knock on the door. She frowned and decided to check who it was. She opened the door and there stood Sanskaar. She noticed with a gasp that he was looking hot in this suit.

Sanskaar checked her out from head to toe with his passionate stare. Swara was at a loss of words and she blushed profusely. She blinked her beautiful kohl lined eyes and waited for him to compliment her look.

Sanskaar just kept looking at her intently and he moved closer to her. Swara's heartbeats set off in an alarmingly fast pace as her drew nearer. She forgot to breathe and her mouth parted with a sharp intake of air.

He stopped right in front of her and then raised his hand to graze along her hair which had been twisted and then coiled up into the chignon. She could feel him pull out a few hairpins and her lovely curls sprang out of it and lay cascading down the right side of her head.

Just like this:

He moved his fingers along her curls in an attempt to make them fall perfectly. Swara squirmed when the tips of his fingers grazed along the side of her slender neck, during the process. When Sanskaar finished, he stepped back a little and gazed at her beautiful form.

Sa: (husky voice) Now you look angelic..!

Swara lowered her eyes and her glossy lips broke into a shy smile, with her cheeks reddening a tinge more darker. Sanskaar was quite delighted at the way she reacted to his compliment.

Sa: Well..Everyone at the party wanted to meet the lady behind the splendid arrangements of the party. So, I came looking for you..shall we..?

Sw: Sure..(nods with a smile)

Sanskaar offered her his arm and suddenly she remembered something.

Sw: Oops..I forgot my footwear..

Swara went and sat on her bed. She bent forward and put on a pointed heeled shoe on her one foot. Sanskaar walked towards her and looked down at her with an amused expression.

Sa: Are you sure you can manage with these high heels..? (raises an eyebrow with a smirk)

Sw:(looks up while wearing the shoe on the next foot) Why not..?

Saying so, she smiled at him confidently and got up from the bed. Next moment she slipped backwards and she caught onto Sanskaar's coat lapels for support. Both of them fell on to the soft mattress and Sanskaar's face was on her neck. He inhaled her smell and felt totally addicted. Swara could feel his hot breath on her neck and she closed her eyes when she was turned on for a moment. But still, she couldn't lose control like this. So, she pushed him slightly away from her and he lay next to her on his side. She turned her body face to him.

Sw: Uhh..Sorry Mr.Maheshwari..(nervously)

Sanskaar laughed out loud and then suddenly glanced at her with an amused expression.

Sa: I told you that you shouldn't wear those high heels..(laughs again)

Swara also felt funny and she too laughed looking into his face. Sanskaar got up from the bed and kept his hands on his hips.

Sa: Hmmph..So Miss. Swara Gadodia..Let's go..It's getting really late now..

Sw: (grinning) Ok..

Swara and Sanskaar walked into the party hall and Kavita waved at Sanskaar. She came towards them with a wide smile.

Ka: Swara, you are looking really pretty tonight..

Sw: (nods, smiling) Thank you, Kavita M'am..

But then Kavita looped her arm with Sanskaar's and looked at him with a pout. Swara felt a fresh surge of jealousy at the sight, but she hid it under a smile.

Ka: Where have you been, Sanskaar..? Dad wants to meet you..Come..

Sa: (seriously) Alright..

Ka: You too come with me, Swara..I want to introduce you to some of my friends..

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

It was late in the night, when the party finally got over. All the elderly people, including Kavita's Dad, Annapurna and Karan Rajput's parents had long since departed the venue, and retired into their respective rooms.

Now, even the younger crowd also started to dwindle considerably. Later, Kavita and Uttara left with Karan and they didn't wait for Sanskaar, who was talking with one of his business partners. Slowly the party venue was devoid of all the guests Lakshya went off to talk with some of the catering staff, while Swara was talking with the decorating staff. Sanskaar watched her from a distance and suddenly she glanced at his direction, feeling his gaze upon her.

She finished talking with them and walked towards Sanskaar with a happy smile. Sanskaar and Swara were too busy during the party, chatting with other people, and they were craving for each other's company, really badly. Swara just needed an excuse to talk to him again.

Sw: Hello Mr. Maheshwari..Are you happy with tonight's party..?

Sanskaar kept staring into her eyes intently and Swara felt a warm sensation spread along her face.

Sw: (uncertainly) Err..Mr. Maheshwari..You are happy, right..?

Sa: (intensifying his stare)Are you sure Swara, you came here, only to ask me this question..?

Swara was taken aback hearing his sharp question. She fumbled for an answer.

********End of PART 6******

What will Swara tell him..? Will she be able to mask her attraction towards him..?

Let us find out in the next chapter..

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Love,

Naina