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

Sw: Huh..I..

Sanskaar knew that he just caught her off guard and he let her evade his question easily.

Sa: It's ok Swara, leave it..Let me answer your question..You wanted to know whether I am happy after the party, right..? (looks at her intently)

Swara looked at him with her innocent eyes and nodded, rather meekly.

Sa: Well, yes..! I am very happy..(nods pleasantly with a serious smile)....But, Swaraa..

Sw: But what, Mr. Maheshwari..? (blinks uncertainly)

But at that very moment, Lakshya interrupted them.

La: Excuse me, Mr.Maheshwari..We have done all the necessary arrangements for tomorrow's Haldi ceremony.

Sa: Well..that's great, Lakshya..!(smiles politely)

Lakshya looked at Swara and smiled.

La: So then..Shall we leave, Swara..? Goodnight, Mr.Maheshwari..

Sa: (nods)Goodnight, Lakshya..

Sanskaar glanced at Swara, trying to convey a message, 'do you really want to go with him now..?'. But Swara's face was blank and she didn't want to embarrass Lakshya by disobeying his suggestion. Sanskaar got her message and he simply said,

Sa: Goodnight, Swara..(without a smile)

Sw: Err..Goodnight..(tries to smile)

But he walked away arrogantly, even before she could smile at him. Swara looked at his retreating figure with a feeling of loss.

La: Swaraa..

Sw: (startled) Yes..

La: Come, let's go..

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

Uttara's and Karan's haldi ceremony started off gracefully. The turmeric mix or the 'uptan' was to be applied on their faces, arms, forearms, knees and their feet by their closest family members, relatives and friends. Swara and Lakshya were standing in a corner watching the proceedings. Swara was wearing a simple anarkali, in yellow colour, with bead work border along the hemline and the edges of her dupatta. Swara noticed with pain that Sanskaar was not even paying any attention to her. She knew that he was angry at her from the previous night and she was feeling really desperate to gain his attention again.

Swara noticed with interest that Sanskaar was looking really handsome in his mango yellow silk kurta with white dhoti. She watched him as he went forward towards Uttara to apply haldi on her. He was smiling wide as he started applying the uptan and Uttara was smiling at him with real joy and affection. A happy smile appeared upon Swara's lips when she saw him smile; she always loved his smile. And when Sanskaar turned around after his turn, his eyes fell upon Swara who was smiling at him. He noted that she was looking really beautiful in that simple traditional outfit and his intent gaze lingered upon her for a moment longer. Swara noticed the intensity in his attractive eyes and her smile faded away, replaced by a look of intense longing. Sanskaar looked away instantly and Swara felt really bad.

Before the ceremony was over, Sanskaar left the room and Swara followed Sanskaar. He was walking very much quickly and she had to half walk and half run to catch up with him. As he reached the drawing room, she was at an audible distance from him.

Sw: Mr.Maheshwari..

Sanskaar pretended as if he didn't hear her and hurried forward.

Sw: Mr. Maheshwariiii..Please listen..

Sanskaar feigned deafness again and he just turned towards the door leading to his Study. Swara hurried after him and she caught up with him, just as he entered the Study Room. She too entered inside and without warning, he turned around and closed the door, locking it. Swara was alarmed when she realized that he had just locked her inside with him.

Sa: (menacing tone) What the hell do you want..?!

His eyes were narrowed with anger and Swara was quite suddenly afraid of him. Sanskaar moved closer to her and she backed away slowly.

Sw: (fearfully) Mr. Maheshwari..I..

Sa: (frowns, and demands angrily) I asked, why the hell you were following me..?!

Sw: (softly) I wanted to apologize to you..for yesterday..

Sa: (raises his eyebrows) Really..?! But, for what reason..?

Sw: (slowly and nervously) Well..You had wanted me to stay there with you..We were talking and Lakshya came and interrupted..And I had to go with him..(softly) I know that you felt bad..

Sanskaar's face expression changed into a softer one, but still he didn't show it when he talked again.

Sa:(taunting) Ohh..Then why didn't you stay... with me..?

Sw: I..I can't say 'No' to him ..! I had told you, right..that he is my best friend..And I..

Sa: (narrows his eyes and shouts aloud) AND YOU..?

Swara was alarmed at his loud tone and she blurted out the truth in her mind.

Sw: And I love him..

Sanskaar felt like a huge blow had hit his head.

Sa: WHATT..?!!

Sw: (nods frantically) I really love him, Mr.Maheshwari..

Sanskaar came out of the momentary shock and hot fury bubbled inside his veins.

Sa: (menacingly) So then what do you want from me..? Who am I to you..?

Swara's eyes widened as she herself analyzed her thoughts, "Do I actually love, Lakshya now..?" " Why am I so much disturbed if Sanskaar doesn't talk to me or pay me any attention..?" "Why am I suddenly more concerned about Sanskaar, whereas I hardly ever think about Lakshya now-a-days..?"

Sanskaar just grabbed her shoulders, and pulled her closer to him.

Sa: Tell me, Swara..

Swara gazed into his molten chocolate eyes and whispered softly into his face.

Sw: Sanskaar..you are special for me..

Even Swara was surprised by her answer, and also by the fact that she was actually calling him by his first name.

But Sanskaar was not satisfied. He wanted to know more and he demanded again.

Sa: Special, in the sense..?

Sw: (softly ) I don't know..But I feel like you are my long lost friend..

Sa: Only friend..? (frowns painfully)

Sw: Actually no..even more than that..a really good friend..When you don't talk to me, I feel really bad, Sanskaar...And sometimes you are being so rude to me..(painful expression) And I can't bear that..!

Sanskaar noticed the pain in her eyes and looked into them intently, his gaze softened and she was lost in his eyes.

Sanskaar's raised his right hand slowly from her left shoulder and he caressed her cheek with love, Swara squirmed, but didn't resist his touch. His grazed his thumb along her lower lip and her lips trembled. She gasped and her wide eyes slowly closed with anticipation. Sanskaar raised his left hand also from her right shoulder and he began to caress her temple and her cheek slowly, while his right hand thumb finger was still rubbing her lower lip. Swara began to tremble from head to foot due to the intensity of her feelings towards him. Even if her mind was confused, her body was betraying her.

Sa: (whispers softly) Swaraa..

Sw: (eyes still closed) Huh..

Sa: I love you..

Swara's eyes opened in shock and she stared at him unbelievably. She was finding difficult to register the words he just uttered.

Sw: What..?

Sa: Yes, Swara..I love you..!

Sw: (worried voice) But you and Kavita M'am are going to get married, right..?

Sa: (a bit loudly) But I love you, Swara..!

Swara was finding it difficult to breathe and she just blurted out, feeling frantic.

Sw:(some more bit loudly than him) This is not right..You and me..We can't be together..!

Swara just turned around and opened the door quickly.

Sa: Swara, listen to me..!

Sw: No, Mr.Maheshwari..I am going..!

Swara didn't stop to listen to him and she just ran away from there. Sanskaar was totally frustrated with her behaviour, and he clenched his fists with anger.

Sa: Swara..you are not running away from me..but you are running away from your own feelings..! (lets out a deep sigh and turns away from the door) It's you misconception that you are in love with Lakshya..(frowns) or may be, you are lying to me, so that I leave you alone..But, Swara..I know that you love me..I can feel it..Now let's see, for how long you are going to run away from me and your feelings..!(smirks)

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

Swara was standing against the closed door of her room, and she was panting heavily. She closed her eyes and whispered his name.

Sw: Sanskaaaar..!!

She was really amazed by how she was able to address him now with his first name, even if she was accustomed to calling him as "Mr. Maheshwari". She opened her eyes and tried to control her heaving breaths. Then she went towards her bed and sat down on it. She was really shocked by the turn of events. Mr. Maheshwari just professed his love to her, and she was finding it difficult to believe.

Sw: But how can he love me..! He is engaged to Kavita M'am..How sweet she is..! And she loves him more than anything else in this world..I have seen it in her eyes..How can he even think about breaking her trust..?!

Swara let out a long deep sigh and bent her face forward into her open palms. Then she slowly raised her head and her gaze turned into a determined one.

Sw: I cannot let Kavita M'am suffer..I know that I am being attracted to Mr.Maheshwari for no reason at all..There is no future to our relationship..I can control my feelings, it's just pure infatuation..I have loved only Lakshya, that too right from my teenage days..I have to confess my feelings to him as soon as possible, in order to evade this distraction in the form of Mr. Sanskaar Maheshwari..

Feeling even more determined than before, Swara got up from her bed and proceeded to work again. She had a lot of arrangements to complete before the evening's Mehndi and Sangeet function.

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

Swara didn't meet up with Sanskaar after the "proposal" incident. Now it was almost lunch time and she knew that she would have to encounter him at the dining table. Lakshya also had gone out somewhere to invite some of the local dancers to perform at the evening function, just to add a traditional Rajasthani touch to the event. She badly wanted to be with Lakshya after the morning incident, but when she had went in search of him, he called up her and told that he had to go immediately and so he couldn't inform her before leaving.

As she had promised Uttara, when they had come to Shaadi Mubarak office in Mumbai, a Bollywood theme party was planned for the evening. Swara and Lakshya had some very fresh ideas regarding the party.

When she walked into the dining room after finishing half of the work, Kavita and Uttara joined her. When she saw Kavita, Swara felt slightly guilty. But Kavita greeted her with a warm smile.

Ka: Hi Swara..How is the work going on..?

Sw: Hello M'am.. We are doing our level best..!

Ut: (excitedly) I have told all my friends and cousins that it's going to be a great event..!!

Sw: (smiles pleasantly) Of course, Uttara..I promise you that it will be "the best" Bollywood theme party ever..

Uttara just hugged Swara with love and it was then that Sanskaar entered the scene. Swara's entire form stiffened at the sight of him, but Sanskaar paid her zero interest, and this somehow pricked her heart again. He just walked past them and sat down at the head of the dining table. Kavita and Uttara hurried after him leaving Swara behind, and they too sat down in their seats. Swara went and sat down near Uttara's seat.

Soon Lakshya also joined them, Swara felt relieved when he came and sat down near her. Swara cast Sanskaar a sideways glance, at the same instant. But it seemed that he was not at all bothered with Lakshya's presence near her.

Sw: (whispers) Lakshya..All ok..?(smiles at him) How did it go..?

La: (smiles happily, then in a low tone) Thank God, Swara..we could book their performance..I was afraid that we won't be able to make it..!

Sw: (places her hand on his shoulder and whispers) Congratulations..! (smiles happily)

Just then they heard Sanskaar's voice.

Sa: Lakshya..

Instinctively, Swara too glanced at Sanskaar, along with Lakshya. But Sanskaar completely avoided Swara, yet again.

La: Yes, Mr.Maheshwari..

Sa: (seriously) Is everything ok..? I mean, did you book that local artists' performance..?

La: Yes, of course Mr. Maheshwari..! (smiles politely)

Sa: (nods) Good..!

Actually, Sanskaar had sent Lakshya away in the morning, purposefully. He knew that Swara would need Lakshya's company after the morning incident, and Sanskaar couldn't bear the thought of Swara going to Lakshya for some comfort. And now also, Sanskaar's blood was boiling under his skin, just because of seeing Lakshya and Swara together. But no one could sense it, since he was an expert in masking his feelings.

Soon everyone except Sanskaar, were busy with the conversation about the upcoming event of the Bollywood themed Sangeet and Swara was thankful for a deviation.

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

The much awaited evening arrived and the guests were given a red carpet welcome into the specially decorated party hall. At the main entrance was a huge cut out of Uttara Maheshwari and Karan Rajput in a DDLJ movie style pose, their look complete with costumes similar to Kajol and Shahrukh. All along the narrow hallway, which led to the main party hall, colourful posters of famous romantic Bollywood movies were set inside large square shaped niches whose edges were lined with bright light bulbs.

The party hall was specially decorated like a Film Award Ceremony venue. And at its entrance, two bowls were placed, one for ladies and one for gents. Two well dressed girls who stood to welcome the guests, were requesting each of them to take a small envelope each from the respective bowl. When they opened those envelopes, they were all surprised to find a cue card with the name of a male protagonist/ female protagonist along with the name of the romantic film inside it. And then the girls would inform them that, they had to proceed into a side door which led to a vast area full of dressing rooms and select the costumes of that particular character and then wear them. There were stylists, hair dressers and make-up artists to help them. Then only they could enter into the main party hall.

After a while, the whole venue was full of reincarnated Bollywood characters. They were all seated along rows and rows of chairs in front of a huge and elaborately decorated stage, which was fit for star-studded performances.

The Sangeet ceremony opened with a welcome dance of the local Rajasthani troupe. It was a treat for the guests who were from all parts of the world. When the performance was over, there was a tumultuous round of applause from the audience.

And then a Male Host (M.H) and a Female Host (F.H) came to the stage.

M.H : So after that wonderful Welcoming Act, it's time for yet another dazzling performance by Miss. Uttara Maheshwari and Mr. Karan Rajput.

F.H : So ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for this beautiful couple.

Uttara and Karan performed a beautifully choreographed dance sequence on a medley of songs "Dil chori saada" from the movie Sonu ke Titu ki Sweety , "Dil diya gallaan" and then "Swag se karenge" from the movie Tiger Zinda Hain.

The audience was enchanted by their absolutely stunning costumes and the sizzling chemistry between the duo. They whistled and cheered for the enticing couple all through the performance and finally the act ended with a huge round of applause.

They alighted from the stage and then joined the audience. Uttara was wearing royal blue colour lehenga which was intricately embroidered with golden buttis, a fully embroidered choli in golden colour and then a nice yellow coloured net dupatta with royal blue embroidery borders. Karan was wearing a richly embroidered Sherwani suit in navy blue and reddish maroon colour combination. They were seated in specially designed ornate chairs in the centre of the front row.

And then the two hosts of the evening appeared on the stage, yet again. They were having naughty grins on their faces.

M.H : Ok ladies and gentlemen..Now you are in for a special and shocking surprise..

F.H : Yes..and I will now request you all to take a look at the back side of the cue cards in your envelopes..

Everyone began to open their envelopes and scan the back sides of their cue cards.

M.H: (laughs pleasantly, and then) So, what can you all see..?

F.H : Some dialogues right..? Ok so a few minutes will be given and you all will have to memorize those few dialogues by that time..

M.H : Yes..And when your Bollywood character's name will be announced on stage, you have to come and perform on a romantic song and then enact the scene with these dialogues.

F.H : And you all have to note an important thing, (grins wide) this performance has to be done in pairs and the most exciting thing is that your romantic pairing will be revealed only when you will come on stage.

There was an excited murmur along the audience when they heard this news.

Soon, the audience witnessed performances of people who were destined to become the famous super hit couples like Raj-Simran (Tujhe dekha toh ye song and the epic "palat-palat" scene), Kabir-Naina (Dilli waali girlfriend song and "mujhe tumse pyaar ho jayega..phir se" scene), Raj-Sonia ( Na tum jano na hum song and their confession scene), Prem-Suman (Dil deewana song and "dosti mein no sorry no thank you" scene) etc.

And then it was time for the next announcement.

"Veer-Zaara"

As usual, the lights went dim as the performers walked towards the stage, to create an element of suspense. Soon the spot lights were shone on the two people who now stood on the stage.

Sanskaar as Veer Pratap Singh. He was clad in a pair of blue jeans and a white v-necked t-shirt, teamed with a blue denim jacket.

Swara as Zaara Hayaad Khan. She was wearing a yellow colour Patiala kameez suit in georgette fabric and a flowing yellow chiffon dupatta, covering her head and neck. Her eyes were lined with kohl, her curly hair was left open and she had a cute golden nose ring, to complete the look of the Pakistani damsel.

Swara and Sanskaar were astounded to be facing each other on the stage. Swara's heart beats began to race at the mere sight of him and Sanskaar had a smug look on his face.

*******End of Part 7*******

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