SANSKAR!!!!

Ragini woke up gasping as a yell echoed in her brain. What did she just see? Just a dream?! It felt real... so real! The darkness engulfing the room added to her horror. She turned on the switch of the bed lamp but in vain. The darkness continued engulfing her sanity. She clutched the bedsheet as she felt a human frame emerging from the darkness approaching her, the steps seemed predatory. Her pupils dilated as it approached her; her body froze. She could hear her own heartbeat adding to the misery. Droplets of sweat and tears made its way down slowly. Every second seemed to be lengthier than an hour. As the fear reached its heights, a want to overcome her fear overpowered and she pushed down the water jug placed on the table besides making the person startle and withdraw a step.

"Ragz.." Sanskar shook her trying to bring Ragini out of trance. He extended his hands to plug the lamp and switched it on bringing the darkness which haunted Ragini to an end.

What he saw the next moment shattered his hearts into bits. The ever-smiling Ragz of Sanskar had a face profusely wet with her own tears. The depth of her eyes emitted something he couldn't apprehend or he could but didn't wanted to be. FEAR! He had seen her fretting on lot of things but this has to be beyond his imagination.

Ragini's hands suddenly flew to Sanskar's collar as if she wanted to make sure his presence. Her tight hold slowly loosened and her hands slid down to his chest. She could feel the thud-dhud of his heart. Was that his or hers?

"Ragz.. Everything is fine. You're with me. Breathe! Okay." Sanskar tried to ease her horror stricken mind.

But she continued to feel his heartbeat which ensured her his presence as tears continued to roll down. Sanskar tried to move away but she tightened her hold forming a fist out of his t-shirt. "Let me get some water, Ragz." He said glancing the broken jug and caressing her cheeks.

Again, she opted to continue her hold as she nodded her head sideways. She was feeling miserable and couldn't express it.

"Sanskar! Ragini!" A soft but steady tap on the door startled Ragini.

"All fine?" A worried Adarsh asked. "I heard sound of something breaking. Everything fine?" He asked holding a yellow file but his voice showing his genuine concern.

"You didn't sleep, bhaiya?" Sanskar sighed. "Just, Ragini got a bad dream. I'm with her. We're fine. You go and be with Bhabhi. Don't stress on the meeting. It's too late now. Don't worry." Adash patted Sanskar's shoulder and went to his room.

***

Ragini gulped down water in a hurry from the bottle which Sankar fetched from the couch. He could see her hands still shivering and throat screaming for more water. He closed his eyes sighing, "when will this girl start thinking about herself?"

"Ragz.. You want to talk?" Sanskar asked softly.

What he got in return was a blank stare from Ragini. 'Of course, she will dodge this too.' He thought withdrawing himself to look here and there calming down his mind.

"Koi baat...." Sanskar's words abruptly came to an end as he saw his Ragz nodding her head in a yes. Her tears continued to flow but not like before. Sanskar held her other hand too promising his support as she tried to mumble something but failed miserably.

All that escaped her throat was air. She couldn't voice out as her voice subsided into muffled sobs. She wanted to protect everyone but she herself was succumbing to the storms. She wanted to hide and let know him nothing once, but now she want him to be beside her at every step. But, at each step, God tests her; compels her to give upon her wishes.

And it was Sanskar's turn to feel miserable. Didn't he vow to be her pillar at every phase of life? Didn't he want to make sure that tears would escape her eyes only with a lip curved upwards? Didn't he want to become her best friend, her companion?

Sanskar pulled her into a comforting hug soothing her back whispering all he could say to make her feel secured. After an hour, he settled her to the bed, sitting besides her lulling her to sleep. As he stood up after confirming she drifted into slumber, he felt a tug at his hands. Ragini sat up startled holding Sanskar's hand with both her palms and nodded a no. How could he go leaving her alone?

"I'm here only Ragini." He assured.

"Don't... go... Sanskar. I'm... scared. Wo..." Ragini managed to speak a little.

***

As sunrays peeped through the windows kissing Sanskar forcing him to wake up from his short slumber, he woke upto see his wife's tear-stricken yet beautiful face. She was here, laying besides him, holding his t-shirt securely, and making sure that he remains close to her. Sanskar observed her quietly; her helplessness, for a moment he wished he could wipe the problems out of their life like he wiped her tears. 'She will open up now, hopefully.' He thought.

Sanskar's phone rang bringing his thoughts to an end.

"Bhai, you haven't woke up? Is Ragini fine?" Laksh's voice emerged from the other end.

"Hmm". He curtly replied.

"Won't you join the meeting?" Laksh finally asked with hesitation.

"Yeah Laksh. I'll join by...." Sanskar's eyes widened as he glanced at the clock. 9.20 am!! He had a meeting by 10 which was unavoidable and he didn't even stepped out from bed! "Laksh you guys leave. I'll join at office."

***

Ragini gathered the files for Sanskar. It had been few minutes she woke up listening to her husband's voice. She was holding him! The terror of previous night gushed to her memory as she gulped down in fear closing her eyes.

"Come after the meeting. We will talk." She assured Sanskar blinking her eyes with a slight smile after a lot of effort.

Sanskar couldn't stop but place a soft feathery kiss on her forehead agreeing to her and promising his care and support.

"They will be able to handle the meeting." He gave a second thought after a minute of comforting silence.

"But you should be there." She replied softly. "Don't worry. I will be fine."

***

The Maheswaris returned from office with good news obviously. The deal was cracked! Joining hands with the Malhotras, the unanticipated crisis that shook the company was stabilized. And now the success party needs to be hosted.

Sanskar knew it! That's why he wished not to attend the meeting, even while attending he wished the deal to be cancelled. The Maheswari Industries could have survived, even though a little struggle would come in the way, but the family needed its time to sort out the looming threats.

And another chance of revelation was snatched!

***

Somewhere else in a huge home.

"Isn't the game boring, now?"

"Yup... It's stretching with no reason also."

"Hmmm. We can make it interesting, may be."

One of the three persons bounced a ball towards the broken pillar. It hits slightly then changes it direction while a strong push caused it to hit another pillar strongly causing the glass model to weaken more.

"I know sadistic pleasure is creepy but it's damn interesting, no?"

A pair of eyes is revealed to be traced thickly by a line of kajal, pointed edges giving the eyes a perfect shape. It could reflect innocence and swallow an innocent with a smirk.

BHOOOM!!!!!

___________________________________

I know, I know!! I'm hell lazy in writing. :D What to do? *pouting* I was fascinated by the super-fantastic-marvelous writers over here and continued reading one after the other. :P

Well, I don't know how well/worse this part is. I'm leaving it to you all. I'll try to be regular from now. I think I said this last time also, no? *sighing* 

Please do read, comment and vote. I love reading the inline comments. And I know this is another filler chapter. I don't know how I will exactly reveal the things which might sound stupid to you all.  ):)

Thankssss a lot to all those who spent their precious time in reading and appreciating this story. I think I have missed to thank some for the votes from last chapter.

Stay Safe and Happy, Friends!

With lots of Love 

Sameera :)