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Thus, Lakshya and Swara returned to the Sangeet party. Sanskaar was heartbroken when he saw them walk along the aisle, talking merrily with each other and Swara giggling happily. He was quite sure that Lakshya had accepted her proposal, and he looked away, unable to watch them together. Swara was careful enough not to look towards Sanskaar's and Kavita's direction. She was afraid to face Kavita's wrath again.

Later, after all the performances, every one changed into their own dresses, from the dressing rooms. Swara changed into a black net sari which had a dark maroon coloured plain satin border with thin silver edges, and she wore it in one layer (i.e., without pleating the pallu into many layers). Along with it she wore a sleeveless blouse; it was dark maroon in colour, full of mirror work and traditional thread work embroidery.

She set her hair in loose curls and let it down to the front along her left side shoulder. Suddenly she remembered the way Sanskaar had loosened her chignon hairstyle and the way he styled her hair like this, the previous night. Thoughts about that incident brought fresh shivers of anticipation along her body.

A grand banquet dinner was served afterwards. When she entered the party area, Swara's eyes began searching for Sanskaar, rather unintentionally. And then she saw him dining along with Kavita, Uttara and Karan, all of them cozily sitting around a round table, quite far away from where Swara stood. And at the same instant, Sanskaar looked up and glanced towards her direction, as if he could feel her eyes upon him, even from that much distance. Their eyes locked for a brief moment, and Swara was mesmerised by the way he looked in that maroon tuxedo, with black satin lapels and crisp white shirt.

Sanskaar's eyes hooded with desire when he saw her in that black net saree, her every curve visible through the sheer material. Swara almost gasped when she saw the look in his eyes, but right at the same time, Kavita looped her arm into his and his attention turned towards his fiancée. Swara felt a strange feeling of resentment course through her, when she saw him talking to Kavita.

Right then, Lakshya approached her from behind and gently placed his hand upon her shoulder. Swara turned towards him and she felt relieved when she saw him.

La: Wow, Swara..Saree an all, huh.. You are looking awesome..! (links his arm into hers) Shall we..?

Sw: (smiles wide) Thank you Lakshya..let's go and have some food..

Kavita was watching them with a contented look. She glanced at Sanskaar and remarked quite casually.

Ka: They make a nice couple, right..?

Sanskaar looked up from his food and frowned at her, unable to guess whom she was talking about.

Ka: Look..Over there..Swara and Lakshya..I think they are in love..

A livid look crossed his face when he saw the couple and he was quick to mask his expression. He turned to Kavita with a plain uninterested look.

Sa: Kavita..You very well know that I am not interested in these kinds of gossips..

Kavita pouted childishly, but Uttara supported her, instantly.

Ut: Hmm..You are right, Kavita..It looks like they are very much in love..

Ka: (excitedly) Isn't it..?!

Ut: But bhaiyya..I forgot to say one thing..That Veer-Zaara performance was just out of the world..!! I didn't know you were this much talented..! And Swara also performed really well..Isn't it, Karan..?

Karan: (nods) Of course, Sanskaar..It was a mind blowing act..!

Upon hearing this, Kavita's excitement and happiness dampened a bit, while Sanskaar just nodded with a polite smile, mumbling a vague 'Thank you'.

When the dinner got over, the time was almost 9 pm, and now the people had to proceed into the central courtyard of the haveli, where the Mehendi night and Dance party were arranged. When Lakshya and Swara entered the hall, the DJ was playing awesome remixed versions of the some super hit wedding songs, some of the men and women had begun to enjoy themselves by dancing; while some of the ladies got intricate Mehendi designs done on their palms, by the help of numerous Mehendi designers. Lakshya and Swara separated and went off in different directions, to make sure that everyone was having a wonderful time.

Swara felt someone's hand on her shoulder and when she turned to see who it was, she was surprised to see Kavita. But Swara felt relieved when she noticed that Kavita's warm smile was back on her face.

Ka: Swaraa..where are you going..? Come..You also have to put mehendi on your hands..

Sw: (smiles) No Kavita M'am..Not now..I have to take care of many things..

Ka: Not tonight, Swara..! Lakshya is there to take care of all that..come come(excitedly pulls her hand and walks along) And well, have you seen Uttara's hands..? Those mehendi designs are simply splendid..!!

While walking towards Uttara, Kavita secretly asked,

Ka: Swaraa..Can I ask you something..? Lakshya and you..Are you a couple..?

Sw: (nods with a smile) Yes, M'am..

Ka: Great..!! You guys make a stunning pair..!

Sw:(blushes) Thanks..(and she hastily added) You and Mr.Maheshwari also look great together..!

But after saying those words, Swara felt a slight twinge inside her heart, and she gulped and looked away, uncertainly, trying to gauge what she actually felt right then.

Ka: (looks at her happily) Thank you Swara...

Sw: (tries to smile)

In that absent mindedness, she went straight and collided into Sanskaar, who was coming from the opposite direction, talking with someone behind him as he walked forward, and so he also hadn't noticed Swara and Kavita coming towards his direction.

Suddenly, Sanskaar leaned forward and looped his forearm around her waist to stop her from falling backwards. Swara's hands were clinging on to his coat lapels, while his arm pulled her closer to him. Their abdomens touched and Swara could feel a heart thumping against her chest as she gazed into the depth of his molten dark chocolate eyes. He looked into her dark black eyes lined with kohl and then to her luscious lips with that enchanting shade of maroon lip colour and felt his heart melting away. But he steeled his heart in the blink of an eye and straightened her and himself in a jiffy. Swara opened her mouth to say thank you, but without caring to spare her another glance, he walked off, just like that. Swara watched him go, open mouthed and Kavita was more than convinced that there was nothing between them. Smiling wide, she tugged at Swara's hand.

Ka: Come on..

Sw: (turns to her with a gasp) Err..Yes..!
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Later, Swara and Kavita were sitting with her both palms filled with beautiful mehendi designs. Swara's eyes were trailing off towards Sanskaar now and again, and she was wondering why it was so. The way Sanskaar had avoided talking to her, it did hurt her ego in a major way and she realized with a pang that she couldn't even talk to him again after the "proposal fiasco" which happened in the morning. How she wished that he had not proposed to her, so that they could have been on talking terms even now. But surely, things had changed between them and the change of dynamics in their relationship had certainly cost their close companionship which was really strong until today morning.

Sanskaar was talking with some of his business associates and it seemed to Swara that he was not aware of her glancing at him now and again.

Suddenly the song changed into "London thumakda" from the movie Queen, which was one of Kavita's favourites.

Ka: (excitedly) Wow Swara..come let's dance..!

Sw: (shyly) No, Kavita M'am..

Meanwhile, Uttara too got up from her seat and walked towards them. She too began requesting her.

Ut: Come on Swara..Get up..Let's dance together..

Swara couldn't refuse any more and she had to get up.

Kavita was excited and she went towards Karan Rajput.

Ka: Come on.. come..

Karan also got up from his seat and went towards Sanskaar.

Karan: Sanskaar, you also come..otherwise I am going to feel odd dancing among those ladies..please..

Sa: Ok..

Sanskaar relented and Kavita and Uttara were damn excited to see Sanskaar joining them. Even Swara felt a spark of excitement inside her heart, she was hoping she could break the ice between them so that he might change his mind and start talking to her again.

But Sanskaar started to dance with Kavita and Karan was dancing with Uttara. Trying hard not to feel bad while dancing alone, Swara just slightly grooved to the music and cheered every one. Suddenly a guy moved towards Swara and he began to dance with Swara.

This abruptly caught Sanskaar's attention, even though he was dancing with Kavita, his eyes were now stuck upon Swara and that guy. Swara was dancing beautifully and Sanskaar couldn't help admiring her prowess in dancing. Suddenly, Kavita noticed Uttara's zip, it was slowly unzipping itself. Kavita hastily whispered this into Uttara's ears and they excused themselves and went off together to a side.

Just at that moment, during a particular dance step, Swara turned around in a swift move and her long and silky hair swept along Sanskaar's face. He turned his face away, startled at the sudden movement. Swara noticed this and she stopped dancing to apologize to him.

Sw: Err..Sanskaar..I am so sorry..I didn't..

But Sanskaar didn't even look at her and he held out his hand signaling her to stop apologizing. He then again turned towards Karan to dance with him. Swara began to feel really hurt and she excused herself from the dance floor and went off to sit down in a corner.
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Finally, it was time for everyone to sleep. Swara returned to her room and was about to change her saree and suddenly she noticed something. Her gold bracelet was missing and she was alarmed. "Maa would kill me if I lost it".

First of all she went off into the dressing rooms in the party hall, but she couldn't find it there. Then she remembered that she had been to the terrace with Lakshya. She hurried towards the staircase and started to climb the steps hastily, her saree's end trailing after her.

When she reached the terrace door, she opened it and walked out into the terrace. But there was someone else, who was standing near the railing at the far end, at the same spot where she had proposed Lakshya earlier in the evening. And that person was unmistakably him -- Sanskaar Maheshwari.

Swara was confused whether to go forward or to go back and come later. She was not ready to face him alone, lest he behaved harshly with her again. But just then Sanskaar turned around, as if he felt her presence at the door. Swara gasped and decided to move forth as it was obvious that she couldn't back out now.

Hastily, she walked forward and began to search for her lost bracelet here and there on the tiled floor. Sanskaar watched her with interest, with an eye brow raised, wondering what the matter was with her.

Sa: (smirking) If you care to tell me what you are looking for, then maybe I can help you..

Sw: (still bending, without looking up at him) My bracelet..It's made of gold..

Sa: (still smirking) Oh is it..? But why are you searching it here at the terrace..? When did you come up here..?

Swara was caught off guard at his query and she straightened herself up gazing into his eyes, uncertainly.

Sw: Err..I had...I had come up here sometime ago..for some fresh air..

She didn't know why she was avoiding telling him about coming here with Lakshya. Sanskaar silently nodded at her as if he believed her and then put his hand inside his pant pocket. He was wearing the same white shirt, and dark maroon pants, and the maroon tuxedo coat with black satin lapels. From his pocket, he extracted her bracelet and showed it to her.

Sa: Is this the one you are looking for..?

He was looking intently into her eyes and she nodded, feeling transfixed by the magnetism of his eyes, which had always enticed her. Slowly, she walked forward with bated breath. The intensity in his eyes became more and more powerful with each step she took and she just let those invisible strings, which always pulled her close to him, do the same, even now.

She held out her hand and he was about to place the bracelet in her open palm. But to her surprise, the words escaped her mouth.

Sw: Can you please help me wear this bracelet..I can't do it alone..

A slight surprise crossed his otherwise guarded eyes and he nodded at her. Slowly, he placed the bracelet around her wrist and fastened its hook securely with his both hands.

Swara decided to talk to him now, hoping against hope that he will listen to her, at least now.

Sw: (cautiously) Mr. Maheshwari..are you still angry with me..?

Sa: (looks up seriously and frowns) For what..?

Sw: (cautious tone) See..Can't we be just good friends like before..? I am ready to forget whatever you told me in the morning..

He knew she was hinting about his proposal.

Sa:  (looks at her unflinchingly and says each word very clearly ) But I..am not..ready..to forget..all that..You get that..!! (glares at her angrily)

Swara gaped at him with open mouth and a hurt face. Sanskaar turned away from her and started to walk off from there. But Swara was not ready to give up so easily, she quickly caught hold of his wrist and Sanskaar stopped and turned back, feeling surprised.

Sa: (angrily) Leave me, Swara..

Sw: (determined tone) No, I won't ..! (tightens her grip)

Sanskaar's blood was boiling with emotions ranging from pain, pangs of lost love, intense attraction, frustration and hot anger. He was fighting hard with himself, while he decided to go away from her.

Sa: (even more impatiently, shivers with rage) I said leave my hand, Swaraa...!

Sw: (equally stubborn) No means NOO..!! I want to talk to you now..!!

In a swift move, Sanskaar turned around and pulled off his hand from her grip, rather forcefully. Swara was alarmed seeing the blazing look on his face. But she didn't get any more time to think, because next moment, Sanskaar grabbed her shoulders and pinned her to the nearby high wall in another swift move. Swara was panting hard with the intensity of the situation she had got herself in. Sanskaar's furious eyes were boring into her confused eyes. But she knew she wanted to escape from him, so she raised her hands from her sides and began to push him off her frantically. But Sanskaar was quick for her, he grabbed her wrists and raised them above her head.

Sw: (gasping for breath) Mr. Maheshwari..Please..Let me go..!

Swara was struggling hard to get away from him, but without her hands, she was a failure. Sanskaar's smouldering eyes stared deep into her puzzled doe-like ones.

Sa: (whispers breathlessly, with seething anger) Now tell me..whatever you wanted to tell...

Swara was not in a condition to talk anymore, her eyes were looking into the depths of his magnetic eyes and inside them, and she could feel all his emotions which were crystal clear to her own heart. And those emotions coursed through her veins like a house on fire. Anger, frustration and attraction overpowered her being and she stared at him unflinchingly.

She forgot who she was, or where she was, as she transformed herself into him, as if she had always been a part of his being, as if they were one body, one soul from eons immemorial. Sanskaar eyes softened instantly, seeing the kind of look in her eyes, and as a result, the same soft and vulnerable emotion mirrored inside her eyes too.

Both of them were heaving for breath, but their eyes were communicating wordlessly to each other. Just at the same instant, it began to rain heavily, but the two of them were still there, Swara no longer struggling, both of them unable to move or realize that they were slowly getting drenched in the torrential downpour.

Sanskaar's eyes travelled from her eyes to her parted lips, and as Swara watched, his eyes were filled with molten desire for her. Swara's felt her underbelly clench with desire and her eyes too were hooded with raw yearning. Sanskaar was slowly bringing his lips down to hers, and Swara closed her eyes in anticipation. But just at that moment, he remembered Swara's words to Lakshya.

"I love you ,Lakshya..!"

"I really love you..I have loved you since I was fifteen.."

Suddenly, Sanskaar withdrew his face and stepped back with utmost contempt. Swara opened her eyes, when she felt suddenly deprived of his closeness. It was then that Swara was aware of her condition, her black net saree was clinging to her body like a second skin and she felt highly conscious about her appearance. Sanskaar felt awkward at once and looked away instantly. But he removed his coat and held it out to her, without looking yet again. Swara quietly took it from him and wore it around her drenched body.

Thankfully, no one saw them as they walked down the steps in silence, Sanskaar in the front and Swara at a certain distance behind him. As they reached the foot of the stairs, Sanskaar turned towards the direction of his bedroom, without uttering another word and Swara watched him go with forlorn eyes.
*********End of PART 9*********
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Naina