Hey guys! How are you all? Welcome to the fifth chapter of this book.

CHAPTER 5

~DREAMS ARE FOR REAL~

"What about going to Bandstand? I have heard that it is the most famous lovers point in Mumbai", said Swara while playing candy crush on her phone.

"Even we can see Mannat from there", Ragini said while keeping the books in the proper place.

"Mannat is Sharukh Khan's house right?" said Laksh while refreshing his Facebook account to see if he has got any new notifications or not!

"Yes! So guys get ready! We will leave in 15 minutes", said Sanskar while helping Ragini.

"Today is our holiday and we have to enjoy this day", said Swara who was very excited.

"Yeah", said everyone in unison.

Laksh was wearing a white shirt and blue jeans.

Ragini was wearing a pink Kurti with white jeans.

Swara was wearing a peach off-shoulder top with dark blue denim.

Sanskar was wearing a purple shirt with jeans. They parked their car and excitedly got out of the car. They sat on one bench of the seashore feeling the cold breeze. Swara dragged Sanskar along with her, they walked on the beach, watching the shifting sand beneath their feet and the swirling salty water washing away the footprints.

" Let's eat something", said hungry Swara

Swara opted to eat chat while Ragini and Laksh ate chuski. Sanskar watched Swara and smiled.

"Are you done Swara?", asked Sanskar.

"What?? I have started just now.", said Swara while searching for more food counters.

"Let's click selfies", said Laksh while taking out his phone.

Four of them clicked selfies outside the gate of mannat.

"Let's try Paranthas at that joint", said Swara while dragging Sanskar.

Swara ate one rabdi parantha, Ragini ate one panner parantha, Laksh ate one gobi parantha and Sanskar ate one baddam parantha.

"These parathas are made of pure ghee!!" said Laksh while wiping his face.

"Eat that much or else you will put on weights", said Sanskar while teasing Swara.

" Still I am hungry. you know my dream is to eat a lot without getting fat", said Swara while placing the last bite of paratha in her mouth.

"Let's eat biryani at Kareem's restaurant, I have heard it is the best here", said Ragini.

They reached Kareem's restaurant and ordered 4 plates of biryani. Both the service and the taste of the food were very good.

"It's delicious", said Swara while licking her fingers.

"How can you eat so much?' asked Sanskar in amusement.

" I have different cabins inside my stomach for different food", said Swara while showing her tongue to him.

" Khane ka silsila khatam ho gaya or you want to eat something more?' asked Sanskar while keeping back his wallet in his pocket.

"Desert is remaining", said Swara while pointing to a halwai.

They entered Ghantewala Halwai, one of the famous halwai in Mumbai. Swara ate jalebi and rabri. The fragrance made the rest three's mouth water and although their stomach was full beyond their capacity, they could not resist sampling a few. Laksh and Sanskar ate sohan halwa while Ragini ate gajar halwa.

It was late evening and they drove to Marine Drive, which is one of the most romantic places in Mumbai especially during sunset. They enjoyed the sight there and clicked thousands of selfies. While returning Swara kept on grooving to the sound of the music being played in the car.

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

"Ragini please open the door! I think the person on the door is going to die. That's why he is continuously knocking on the door for the last five minutes", Swara said while looking at the clock.

"I cannot open the door, I am half wet as the water fell on me while I was drinking water. I am going to the washroom, you open the door", Ragini said while going to the washroom.

Unwillingly Swara got off the bed to open the door but she saw Sanskar was opening it. As she turned back to go, she heard a familiar voice.

" Do Swara Gadodia live here?" asked the guy on the door.

"Yes!" Sanskar exclaimed.

Swara turned.

"Virat???', Swara exclaimed while running to hug him.

Seeing both of them Sanskar went inside.

Virat Roy, the hottie of Kolkata junior college was in the same batch of Swara. They both had met at a function of college and his looks and body attracted Swara. They both were never serious about each other. It was just like a passing affair. Swara had never allowed Virat to do anything which would sadden her dad. Swara always remained within her limits and both of them had never got physical with each other except passionate hugs. But with each passing day, Virat became an obsessed lover.

"You are looking gorgeous", Virat said admiringly while hugging her.

"Stop behaving like a typical boyfriend", Swara smirked.

"You know I missed you so much. by the way who was the boy on the door"? Asked Virat.

"He is Sanskar. He and his brother Laksh live here with me and Ragini. We four share the rent equally and even we are in the same college. Moreover, we are best friends", Swara said while breaking the hug.

But Virat pulled her closer and started kissing her neck.

" What the f**k are you doing"? Swara screamed.

" I am making you comfortable. Don't you enjoy my touch now?" Virat shouted.

"Just leave me damn it", Swara resisted.

"Why?? Ohh!! Now you want those two guys to touch you. You don't want my touch now. You love sleeping with them?", Virat said while kissing Swara's shoulder.

Then he felt a tight slap on his face and the one who had slapped him was Ragini.

"Just get out from here. Don't forget this is our house. And don't you dare to touch my sister", Ragini said.

"So you are also desperate like her. When she used to stay with me, you used to get very worried and now you are staying with a stranger?? If you both sisters want some fun I can give it to you", said Virat.

The mention of Ragini angered Swara and she too slapped Virat.

"Just go to hell. I am not your slave to follow your rules. It's my life and I will live it the way I want. Who the hell are you to restrict me? If you want to be with me you have to accept me the way I am", Swara screamed.

Sanskar and Laksh came there and stood confused. Virat pushed Swara with a great force. Her head banged on the table legs and her legs were twisted. Virat turned and went out. Sanskar rushed to Swara, picked up, and placed her on the bed. Laksh called the doctor.

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

It was a very late night, Swara was sitting on the balcony and was gazing at the road. She felt a hand on her shoulder and she wiped her tears. She turned and saw Sanskar.

"You are still awake?" asked Swara.

"No I am not feeling sleepy," said Sanskar.

"Come! Sit here. The night view is so beautiful nah? asked Swara trying to hide her tears.

"Swara, we are best friends and you don't need to hide your tears from me. My shoulder is always there for you," said Sanskar with a smile.

And then there was a silence between them as the words sunk in. Even though the noise of the traffic persisted just as before, it was as if time had stopped and nothing moved. Without wasting a second, Swara hugs Sanskar and cries her heart out.

Naina nu pata hai

Naina di khata hai

Saanu kis galti phir

Mildi saza hai

Neend ud jaave, chain chad jaave

Ishq di faqeeri, jad lag jaave

Ae man karda ae thogi thoriya

Ae man karda ae seena zoriyan

Aine sikh laiyan sil diyan choriyan

Ae maan karda ni kamzoriyan

"Swara, why are you crying? I thought you were very bold and strong. Wait a second. Are you crying about your breakup? Were you really serious?" asked Sanskar.

"No, I am not crying for my breakup. I was not serious about Virat. I felt very bad when he said cheap things about Ragini. I can never tolerate anything against her'', said Swara while wiping her tears

"Some break-ups are necessary. They teach us to be emotionally strong," said Sanskar.

" I am okay. I will not cry anymore," said Swara.

" You look cute when you cry," said Sanskar with a notorious smile on his face.

Swara blushed. She got up to go but she felt pain in her legs.

"Ouuuch," Swara winced in pain.

"Is it still painful?" asked Sanskar in concern.

Sanskar held her legs and lifted them up.

"Stop!!! It hurts!!!" Swara screamed.

"It will hurt but you push your legs up" Said Sanskar.

"What push? I will have a baby if I push more. Moreover, it is painful. Sanskar, leave it", Swara screamed in pain.

"Lift it up. It will be better and don't worry I am here for you", Sanskar said.

" How do you know all these remedies?" asked Swara.

" Umm, my mom taught all these. She wanted me to be a doctor. It was her dream. But when she came to know about my dream of becoming a fashion designer she told me to follow my dreams." said Sanskar.

Sanskar saw Swara's eyes were moist

"Swara! What happened? Is it painful?" asked Sanskar apologetically.

"Noo these tears are not for you. These tears are for those dreams which I had once seen. But now it seems like my dreams are not real. I can never accomplish them", said Swara.

Sanskar placed one of his hands on her shoulder assuring her and they both were gazing at the sky upwards, wondering about life.

Maam man ki suntan jaaye
Sunta nahi maan walon ki
Maan hi maan mein banaye
Duniya ek khayalon ki
Pass koi aave, door koi jaave
Hota hai kyun ye, koi samjhave
Neend ud jaave, chain chhad jaave
Ishq di faqeeri, jad lag jaave
Ae man karda ae thagi thoriya
Ae maan karda ae seena joriyan
Aine sikh liya dil diyan choriyan
Ae maan diyan na kamzoriyan

Sanskar felt Swara's head on his shoulder. He turned and saw that she had already dozed off. He smiled seeing her innocent face. Sanskar lifted her to her room and placed her on the bed.

"Dreams are for real", he said while kissing her forehead and went back to his room.

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