The journey continued with lots of fun and joy with teasing, games etc. Swara was so happy to be part of all these. She had never experienced all this before in her life. She had only her mom -dad and few friends. That's all. But looking at them, she was overjoyed at what a wonderful feeling this is.
While Sanskar noticed her. The smile never dropped from her face that felt so nice to him. He didn't want anything else for these moments. Her presence and smile was enough.
....

It was going to be evening. Sanskar woke up as the bus jerked a bit. He opened his eyes. He didn't know when he fell asleep. He looked around and saw everyone were busy in themselves. Uttara and Arav were watching some series in his iPad. While Ragini was reading some book and Laksh was sleeping like a kid stretching himself on back seat.
Looking away from them, He saw the time. It was 5:02 p.m.
He rubbed his eyes then he felt some weight on his right side and turned his face to find Swara, who was resting her head on his shoulder. Her one hand was placed on his right forearm which he couldn't feel. Oh, how he wished he could feel it. A sudden urge raised inside him but he didn't let any negative thoughts cloud his mind. Looking at her beautiful face, he felt her touch and warmth with his heart. His lips curved up into a peaceful smile.

She was sleeping peacefully. Her hair fringes was falling on her face which was only enhancing her beauty. A sleeping beauty, that she was looking right now.

The bus took turn and the evening sun rays fell on her face as the curtain was not blown. This started to disturb her sleep. She tried to hide her face away from sun but couldn't. Her eyebrows furrowed in irritation. Sanskar smiled at her facial expression. He lift his left hand and barrier the sun rays to fall on her eyes. The shadow of his hand fell on her face and her expression turned relaxed. Sanskar moved his hand away a bit to put her hairlock aside but then she again tried to face away from sun. And, this time he saw her gripping his forearm and then she hide her face in his shoulder. His heart skipped a beat as her face was a bit more close to him. Her fragrance was hitting his nostril. His eyes couldn't able to blink or divert away from her. A strange feeling he was experiencing right now. One side a kind of havoc inside him but at the same time a peaceful feeling like a soothing breeze passing by and slightly touching him.

Although he was liking this feeling and this closeness, he thought to blow the curtain and let her sleep peacefully. Without disturbing her sleep, he tried to reach the curtain but his hand didn't reach the window and otherside, he didn't want Swara's sleep to break. Leaning a bit closer toward her, he could finally hold the curtains and blown them. Then he moved back slowly but then only the bus jerked yet again and it disturbed her sleep as she fell on his chest.

Swara blinks a several time and opened her eyes only to meet his, who was looking at her. A nervousness gripped her as soon as she found his face close to her. Her hand was resting on his forearm. Getting into sense, she straightened herself slowly and sit comfortably on her seat looking down. The curtain was blown. He must have done it.

"Oh no!! I slept on his shoulder. Is he angry? But he is looking calm. Still, he must be uncomfortable na? Oh no!! How can I? I don't even remember how I..? Umm.. I should say sorry. Yeah.." she thought.

". I.. I didn't know how I..I.. I am sorry. You must've felt uncomfortable because of me. I.." Swara was saying slowly when he interupted and say.

"Well, I didn't say I was uncomfortable." She heard him saying calmly repeating something that she has said earlier.

She looked up into his eyes surprisingly and he gave a small assuring smile.

"Relax Swara, you don't need to get nervous." He said.

She kept looking at him and he also didn't care to look away. They shared a beautiful eyelock. It felt like time stopped at the moment. It's been a couple of minutes when a voice disturb them

"Ahhmm.. (clearing throat) Sanskar and Bhabhijaan, if your romance from the eyes is done then can we take a selfie?" They heard Arav and found Arav was lifting his phone.

Arav and Uttra were clicking random pics and selfies when Arav lift the phone for better angle and they witnessed the couple sitting behind them was lost in each other's eyes.

Swara averted her eyes quickly and looked down while Sanskar gave unbelievable look to Arav.

"Arav bhai, why did you disturb them? They were looking so cute." Uttara giggled.

"Laksh was right. You are getting do cheesy." Arav said annoyingly.

Uttara made faces.

"By the way, nice to see you both are up. Had a good sleep? Hmm?" Arav asked teasingly to them.

"Arav." Sanskar said his name.

"Yes Sanskar." Arav said extra sweetly.

"Be quite." Sanskar said.

"As if I will listen to you." Arav said duh tone.

"It's ok. I understand, you are getting disturbed. Ok, you carry on with Bhabhijaan." Arav added further with a laugh.

"Thank god, Laksh was sleeping otherwise he would have joined with Arav and started yet again." Sanskar thought.
.....

Later around 8 p.m., the bus stopped at a restaurant for another break after lunch break.
Everyone got fresh n up and had dinner. After sometime, they journey continued yet again.

Uttara dragged Swara to sit with her and Ragini at the back seat. While Sanskar was with Arav and checking his mails in phone, and thankfully Arav was sleeping, sliding his seat strech open and lying comfortably. Laksh was with Ram telling something about the location and place. The temperature was getting colder at night. So, they took shawl and comforters. The journey went smoothly.
...
After a long journey, they reached Darjeeling around 3 in the morning. Arav had already talked to manager to arrange everything perfectly.

They were welcomed warmly by the staff and manager himself. Arav and Sanskar talked to him and thanked him for everything and arrangements at short notice, that too in the middle of the night.

Everyone were provided the rooms and cottages and they retired to their respective rooms as they were tired from the journey. Sanskar, Laksh and Arav also went to their rooms after few minutes conversation with manager.
......

The next day was a bit idle as everyone were tired with a long journey. So, nothing much was done except resting and having a look at the beautiful resort, they were staying.

It was around 5 in the evening, Swara came out. She was looking around, the beautiful view, walking in the garden. She had never been to Darjeeling before and felt so lucky that she visited here. She was so mesmerized with the beauty this place is holding.

She took a deep breathe feeling the fresh air and then looked around like finding something or rather someone. It's been around 10 minutes, she is here because he called her. But where is he?
Taking out her phone, she thought to call him and ask him. She called him and she heard the phone ringing behind her.

She turned around only to find him standing a couple of steps away from her looking at the phone and then he looked at her with smile. She smiled at him and disconnected the call.

Sanskar came to her and said.
"I am sorry for being late, Swara. Actually, you know Laksh and he started his drama with Arav. So.." Sanskar said truthfully as Laksh and Arav saw him coming out of room and as usual their teasing session started but he somehow escaped.

"It's ok Sanskar." Swara nodded understanding what must be the situation. As Ragini and Uttara were no differ. But she is glad she didn't face it while coming here.

"Um..hm, you asked me to come and meet you, um.. " Swara asked looking at him.

"Yeah, I wanted to talk something to you, Swara." Sanskar said calmly and straight looking into her eyes.

"What happened? Is everything okay?" She asked with concern.

Sanskar took a deep breath and said.

"Swara, will you come with me to the nearby lake? I was just going to see and wondering if you would like to come along?" Sanskar asked looking at her.

Swara was looking at him but she felt he wants to say something else. His eyes were saying that he was hiding something. And then something else crossed her mind.

When swara didn't answered for a few seconds.

"What happened? If you don't want to go then ...." Sanskar never want to force her to do something if she doesn't want. And if she doesn't want to go then it's totally alright. He was saying but Swara interrupted him and said.

"It's not like that. I was just thinking and hoping you won't have any important work to finish this time and you won't leave in hurry." Swara said with small chuckle.

There wasn't any sarcasm in her tone. She just said it lite tone. She thought to go with him, may be he will share if he will comfortable to do it.

Listening to her, Sanskar remembered the last time dinner date and felt guilty.

"I am sorry about that night, Swara. But I assure you today, I won't leave. You can trust me." Sanskar said genuinely.

Only if she could yell at the top of her voice and said that she trusts him more than anything.

"I do. " Swara said and nodded with smile.

"Thanks. Umm.. then shall we?" He asked.

Swara again didn't answer. She took a couple of back steps and turned around to go inside. He was confused to see her back stepping but now feeling disappointed to see her moving inside. Does she not wanna go with him because of last time? " He thought.

But his thought came to halt when he saw her turning around and saying.

"I am coming after information maa or Dad. I don't want them to get worried because of me. I will just come. "Swara said before going inside.

Sanskar smiled. Oviously Laksh or Arav would have informed them if they got worried about her but what's wrong in telling them and go.

After half an hour,

They were standing at a cliff near the lakeside and looking at the mesmerizing scenery. The sun was going to set soon.

"It's so beautiful Sanskar. Thanks for bringing me here." Swara said.

Sanskar looked at her face glowing in sunset. A beautiful smile on her lips.
He smiled at her.

"Yes, it is." Sanskar said.

How pure she looked. Thinking something, he sighed and told himself to let it out. It's time. He needs to tell her everything. She should know it.

He looked straight at the view of Lake. The cold breeze was caressing their skin. Her open hair was floating in rhythm. Lost in the view, she loved the silence and beautiful sky's reflection in the lake water. When she felt a cold finger caressing her tiny finger and then holding her hand in his. She looked at the their joined hands surprisingly as he entwined his fingers with her and then looked at him. But he was looking straight. She was feeling a warmth inside her in this cold atmosphere. Her heart raced at uncontrollable limit, still she tried to hold herself somehow. She was stilled and patient. She waited. Waited for him to look at her or say something. Because she was feeling it since the time he called her to meet.

And next she saw him closing his eyes for a couple of second before opening it and uttering a sentence in his low voice.

"I lied to you at that dinner night Swara." She heard him.

To be continued...