I had pretty many ideas; but it all went into drain when I started writing!

Update dedicated to all the readers!

Special dedication to *Achu madam* ;D

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Sanskar couldn't break his smile seeing Ragini still dazed. Her eyes were still widened a bit, surprise slowly sinking in.

He was still holding her hand and she tightens the grip as the chopper took off from the helipad.

"Where are we going?" Ragini wanted to ask but couldn't find her voice. Her brain was paralyzed and she couldn't figure out whether it was due to the back to back surprises thrown at her or because of the anticipation of the upcoming.

Whatever it is! Her senses were numb with happiness she couldn't explain.

He would never take her just as a responsibility! She was sure. 

He would never hurt her.

Time is all needed! And Ragini was ready to wait till eternity at the moment.

He could feel her stealing glances at him and it made his heart flutter with joy. Feeling her gaze lingering on him, he glanced her sensing which she looked away.

Sanskar chuckled silently.

Ragini is Ragini; the daring yet shy! 

A moment later, the tingling sensation was back. His senses perked up again feeling her gaze and he didn't wait to locking his gaze with her.

And she didn't avert this time. Instead, he felt her searching for something in his orbs. Her eyes held a twinkle which made his lips curve positively.

Seeing her staring long, Sanskar wanted to chuckle but he didn't. He cocked his eyebrow, actioning a 'what' to her.

"Huh?" She blinked, snapping herself out and instantly a blush crept her face as she looked away from him shaking her head in 'nothing'.

"Is this the sense of feeling special? If it is, it's pure bliss!" Ragini thought while leaning to the wall as exhaustion caught up slowly.

•×✿ו

"Ragz!" Sanskar called her softly, trying to wake her up from the slumber. 

Should he now become all heroic and scoop her up in his arms?

Sanskar smiled with his own thoughts. 

He will do it gladly; super gladly!

"Ragz.." He patted her once more and she blinked her eyes lazily, whining.

She looked up at him once and again went snuggling to him, his right hand holding her in place.

"Ragz, we reached!" He said softly, making her sit straight while Ragini looked around, recalling the day.

It's dark outside..

"What's the time now?" She asked him.

"Nearly 10:30.." He told, slowly pulling her up with him.

"Hmm..." She hummed. "We're back to Kolkata?" She asked but it was more like a statement.

"Does it feel like that?"He asked amused while holding her securely as she trailed besides him. 

"No." Her answer was clipped and soft due to sleepiness. 

She looked around a bit as they walked away from the rooftop of the hotel.

Surely not a metropolitan city! 

"Where are we?" She asked softly as he locked the door of the hotel room and tucked her into bed.

Hell! Travelling was wearing her out!

"Doesn't matter, Ragz! But you have wake up earrlyyy in the morning." Sanskar said stretching 'early' making Ragini pout.

•×✿ו

"Ragz... Ragz..." Sanskar shook Ragini vigorously. "Tell tata-bye-bye to sleep and wake up... It's important. We should leave from here by now, Rsgz... Raginiii!"

"What happened?" Ragini sat in bed quickly, dreaded of some unfortunate news. "Is everyone fine at home?"

"Oh no I mean yes... Calm down, Ragz! Nothing like that. We just  need to go out. You freshen up and come quickly." Sanskar said with a convincing smile.

"At 5 in the morning, Sanskar? I don't know why, but I'm too tired." She pouted. "What kind of clients do you have? Or is it something else?" She asked narrowing her eyes.

She knew it was something else... Just wanted to hear from him.

"Go..." Sanskar whined, pushing her to the wash room.

•×✿ו

It was 5.45 in the morning.

Ragini and Sanskar walked besides each other, their hands brushing up against each other but Sanskar restrained himself from holding on to her.

He was having a peaceful smile while Ragini was looking around. She tried to know the place but the name board of the shops there weren't helping her. They were mostly in regional language and she didn't understand it.

When she glanced  at Sanskar, she saw him checking the time. Quickly he took hold of her and started running.

Was he planning jogging or what?

As they moved further forward, she could see the place getting more crowded with each passing minute. 

They all looked so different!

She looked again at Sanskar and all he was focused at was walking swiftly and running a bit in between without leaving her hands.

Suddenly she glanced at the sky. It looked magnificent with the dark red and orange streaks. And far away she could see the top of a --- a statue.  The more she observed, the more she heard the sound of waves hitting shore.

Beach?!? Back to Mumbai? No way!

As if remembering something, she looked around in between catching up with Sanskar and her gaze stopped on a nameboard for a moment and eyes widened.

"Ragz.. Sorry... A bit fast!" Sanskar winked at her and dragged her along with him.

He doesn't mind exerting her!

A few steps further and they stopped, the vast ocean laid before their eyes; the sky holding the grandeur all ready to welcome the sun; the statue of Thiruvalluvar stood there in the sea with head held high.

Kanyakumari!!

The tranquilility of the moment!i

Ragini had a wide smile and when she looked at Sanskar, he was already looking at her with a soft smile. 

She had always dreamt about visiting South India sometime and Kanyakumari was the first place in her list.

"We reached before sun rise." Sanskar said holding her close and pointed to the horizon where she could see a golden line.

It slowly rose up, and Ragini didn't feel the time passing away. 

All she could see was the golden ball rising up into the sky royally and all she could feel was peace at him holding her close.

They sat down after some time, enjoying the sea breeze; Ragini leaned her head on Sanskar's forearm.

"Sanskar..." She called out softly.

"Hmmm?"

"Shall I ask you something?" She asked, in fact mumbled.

He hummed again and waited for her to say something but the silence continued; but it was comfortable.

"Chalein?" He asked her with smile never leaving his lips and she turned her head upwards, smiled at him and nodded.

•×✿ו

The whole day Sanskar took Ragini for sightseeing and fed her special south Indian foods that were available there. As usual all he did was catching her hand all of a sudden and drags her along with him from one place to another, let it be that just after getting down from a cab.

He was so goofy and she was glowing in happiness. 

He loved Sun!  

She concludes after watching him observing it the whole day. 

Ragini felt as if the day passed away too fast that they were  again at beach, watching the sun descending to the horizon. 

It was overwhelming for her. As the cold sea breeze made her shiver, Sanskar held close warming up her heart.

He is extremely sweet! Atleast to her!

Ragini couldn't help but adore the way he looked at her the whole day. He was looking in her eyes looking for her satisfaction; she could feel it.

He was here for her and it made her want to shed happy tears.

She never saw this much care in anyone's eyes, except her parents' that too she had got after yearning for a long time.

The sky was getting dark again and she expected him to ask her about going back.

But he didn't!

She glanced at him puzzled while he continued staring ahead as if waiting for something again.

"Are you waiting for the next sunrise?" Ragini asked feigning shock.

Sanskar chuckled heartily and looked at her adoringly.

They gazes locked and Ragini felt it too intense. He heart was literally racing as she tried to read the depth of his orbs. It was deep, joyful and --- passionate?

"Isn't night the normal state of earth, Ragini. We have something called daytime only because Sun exists. So I feel night more enchanting. It's is!! It might be dark but has an enchanting beauty. And night's king is Moon! Since we admired Sooraj bhaaisaab the whole day, let's atleast say a 'hi' to Chanda Mama once he appears fully." Sanskar said in a soft voice bringing a smile on Ragini's face.

She always loved Moon! It had been her companion for a long time in her smiles and tears!

They stood there glancing each other occasionally and the sea and the moon...

•×✿ו

Ragini giggled excitedly seeing the aerial view from the helicopter. It was mesmerizing to see the night terrain all lit up from high above. She turned to look at Sanskar and saw him thinking deeply.

"What are you thinking about? New budget or about some poetry?" Ragini raised her eyebrows playfully.

"Someone is very energetic now. Morning should have been recorded! Whining in bed that poor you're exhausted!" Sanskar teased her.

"Than---" Ragini started to speak but Sanskar cut her off.

"From here to Mumbai and then to Kolkata, okay?" Sanskar said making Ragini frown.

"Okay...?!!" She said puzzled.

"You want to meet Arvind and Ananya?" He asked her and the conversation went on randomly till they landed.

•×✿ו

The chopper landed on the helipad and Sanskar hopped out of it. Ragini expected him to pull her out and drag her, but it didn't happened.

But she did enjoyed trailing behind him!

Sanskar extended his hands for her to get down and later waited there for the pilot. 

A man in twenties walked towards them, and shook hand with Sanskar.

"Hi Ragini!" He greeted with a smile. "Arvind did tell a lot about you!"

"Arvind?!" Ragini asked delighted.

"Yeah.. Anand here." He introduced extending his hand. "Anand Mehra."

Ragini looked at him and Sanskar surprised and blinking she shook her hands. "I never expected such a meeting with you. He used to talk non-stop about the younger brother's craze of flying." 

"Not me, he's crazy!" Anand rolled his eyes. "So let me leave both you in privacy. Bye." He smiled, waved bye and walked off.

"Anand?" Ragini asked in surprise to Sanskar. "How come?" She placed her hands on hip, with a playful frown.

Sanskar grinned at her and held her hands. "Ready for the marathon?" And he pulled her with him, running downstairs.

"Now, what's the hurry, Sanskar?" She laughs as she catches up with him.

Yet again, they stood before Saranga panting and catching breath.

"Almost 9:30, Sanskar, it's closed." She frowned seeing him standing as if waiting for someone.

"Kedar Kaka.." Sanskar grinned seeing the security approaching them.

"Sanskar beta..." The elder man's eyes twinkled in joy seeing him. "Aapki patni ho?" He asked Sanskar excitedly pointing at Ragini.

"Ji! Ragini." Sanskar said happily.

"Manohar told me that you came yesterday. He was confused first and got to know later. I was very sad thinking I won't able to see you both together anytime soon." Kedar Kaka said holding Sanskar's hand. "I'm very happy, beta..." He said looking at Ragini, caressing Sanskar softly. "He is our son in all ways." 

"Ohoo, Kaka... Don't be emotional." Sanskar said with a smile.

"Haan haan... Do visit us often. Warna aise emotional ho jaayenge hum!" He said handing over a key to Sanskar.

Sanskar quickly hugged him with delight and lead Ragini inside Saranga.

"Sanskar, what are we going to do alone?" She asked confused.

"We are two, Ragz; not alone." Sanskar bit his inner cheeks at the lame joke.

"Very funny!" She made faces at him and looked around the dim lit office room.

"Ready!" He said excited and pulled her with force making her stumble to Sanskar's cabin.

The cabin was dark and as soon as she was pulled into it, she felt Sanskar's hold on her wrist gone. The first instinct in her was to panic but she knew; she knew Sanskar was there.

It would be yet another surprise to cheer her up.

She smiled. 

Is he making up for the time he wants further? A voice which she felt so distant rang in her head.

Shrugging her thoughts away, she called him slowly.

"Sanskar..." But it was all silent. "I know you're here." She said with utmost confidence in her each word. "Pakdam pakdai khelna hai kya?" She asked rolling her eyes. "Aren't we a bit---

Her words died at her throat as she took a step further and the whole cabin lit up with fairy lights. She glanced down and found herself standing on top of a glass tile with sensor under it.

She looked around again and felt her heart slamming against her chest. It was so beautiful, so simple, so elegant and it felt so intimate when she saw Sanskar leaning against the wall, his gaze on her, unwavering.

"Sanskar, this...."She couldn't form words and her eyes welled. "Why??... I mean this is so beautiful.."She managed to say.

"Saranga has seen every version of me, Ragini!" Sanskar said taking small steps towards her.

Ragini stood there rooted; not knowing what to expect in the next moment of her life.

"That's what everyone here thinks." He continued reducing the distance between them. "But it's not true though!" He stands before her, a feet distance between them.

She feared that he could hear her fastened heartbeats, considering the thick tranquility.

"Saranga saw my passion towards music, my love towards family and friends but never saw my passion towards love." Sanskar stared deep in Ragini's eyes and he could see it widening as she processed his words.

"Sanskar but--" Ragini's words ceased again as Sanskar intertwined their fingers. She felt as if she was ice and his hands were fire.

"I LOVE YOU, RAGINI!"

"Huh?" Ragini blinked bewildered as he further reduced the distance between them. 

"Don't ask me when because I don't know." He pulled her with their interlocked hands towards him and snaked his hands around her waist. "With every moment I spent with you, I continued falling deep for you; even now. I don't think it would stop."

Ragini's eyes welled up as his words sinked in.

"I want to laugh along with you in happiness and cry along with you in your misery; I want your happiness and misery to be mine; I want me to be yours and you to be mine!" Sanskar tightened his hold seeing her emotional and shook his head in a 'no'.

"Your tears puts me in misery, Ragini.." He wipes her tears gently. "Your friendship gave me a warmth which was different from what I felt till then, your companionship gave me a sense of belonging so deep than I ever felt. Because I never had such a deep emotional connect to a person."

"Sansk---"Ragini choked on tears as his words continued to assault all her insecurities.

"Day by day, you were ruining me. The yearning to bare my feelings to you was killing me but I couldn't; I couldn't impose my feelings on you! I couldn't make you feel obliged, Ragini... I couldn't hurt you in anyways, Ragini..." Sanskar sighed as Ragini leaned a bit towards him. "Being friend with you who was my wife was simple; but being the friend Sanskar with you who is my wife whom I loves and cares deeply was ----" He stared into her eyes for a while.  "---torture!" He completed with a chuckle.

"I would have waited till the end of this birth, if you wants more time. But you--- as usual caught me off guard. The moment you said that you love me; I wished--- I wished I had told you before. I can't measure the depth, how much I love you Ragini but it's just that every passing moment I fall more deeply."

Ragini closed her eyes as Sanskar placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

  "I don't know how to exactly let you know what I feel! I--- I'm short of words to explain it. I love you, Ragini! If that can sum up the whole emotions --- I love you! The moment I stop falling for you will be the last moment in my life." Ragini gasped, her hand immediately flew to cover his mouth while she sniffled.

"You're the love of my life, Ragini; my soulmate; my life; the anchor of my life; everything of mine!" He kisses her cheeks lovingly and they stare each other for a moment.

Slowly, Sanskar loosens his hold and kneels down in front of her; his eyes glistened with happy tears.

He offers his hand to her and tells,

"RAGINI SANSKAR MAHESWARI, I LOVE YOU! IRRATIONALLY & IRREVOCABLY; GLADLY & MADLY, WITH EVERY SINGLE CELL OF MY BODY & EVERY PARTICLE OF MY SOUL!"

Ragini pulls him up quickly with all her strength and throws herself at him, throwing her hands around his neck. She sniffles happily while they clung to each other as if their lives were in each other's body. 

"Sanskar---" She chocked on her emotions.

They parted and Sanskar wiped Ragini's tears lovingly, caressing her cheeks.

"I must be the hysterically happiest person on earth right now!" Ragini said leaning to his palm. "I love you, Sanskar and knowing that you-- you loves me--- I'll go crazy now!" She closed her eyes in contentment. "I thought---- I was so bothered --- I can't believe -- I thought you won't be ---"

Ragini's words died in throat in between as she saw him leaning towards her further such that their breath fanned on each others' face. 

Sanskar looked into her eyes again, studying her for a while; and when she leans in a bit, he smiles and kiss her softly, pouring and promising his love, passion and companionship for the rest of their life.

"I didn't marry my Ragini to friendzone and to be friendzoned for the whole lifetime!" He said chuckling as they hugged each other in bliss. "I'm luckiest person to have you in my life, Ragz.."

"No,Sanskar! I'm luckiest to have you in my life." Ragini tells placing her hands over his heart.

"NO! I'm" Sanskar argues playfully.

"NO! Me!" Ragini also doesn't step back.

"ME!"

"ME!"

"NOT YOU!"

"NOT YOU EITHER!"

"Fine!" Sanskar mutters

"US!" They say at the same time and ends up locking their gazes.

Laughing merrily at the whole day, they happily hugs and walks back to their flat.

"Now, Saranga has seen every version of you!" Ragini says softly, her eyes twinkling in joy as Sanskar chuckles and places a feathery kiss on her forehead.

And together they flew back to Kolkata the same night on Captain Ragini's insistence!

She wanted to dream and plan their trip. 

And this she wanted to be like this - 

HE & SHE CAME - RAN - FLEW - RAN - AND- ENTWINED THEMSELVES TO START THEIR PASSIONATE JOURNEY AHEAD! 

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Hey, everyone!

Did you all feel something?

Yes, this was the last chapter of this book. And I was so happy writing this :D

How was it? 

Ragini and Sanskar- they will be always in my heart! It was a treat writing them, though I messed up and stretched in between.

Can I get a comment on the overall experience of this story?

Thanks a lot to all those who had been supporting this book till now! It means a lot, really a ton! 

Want an epilogue or not?

Love you all

Stay safe and happy always

Sameera
♥️