The shrill ring of mobile broke unwanted silence prevailed in room with both of them lost in their own thoughts one thinking about how to bring other out of walls of aloofness she has built around her and later about how to let other know about her turmoil, her fears, and her insecurities to the man sitting in front of her.

Stretching his right hand Sanskar got hold of her mobile on side-table beside bed, looking at caller Id frown appear on his face, thinking why that caller is calling her he look towards her who happens to stare at name flashing on mobile screen with little worry. Answering the call he put it on speaker, while unaware to this person on the other side started saying, "Hello Mrs. Maheshwari, I'm senior Inspector Roy here."

Sansakar looked questioningly towards Swara who was not surprised like him as if she was expecting that call.

"Hello Inspector Roy...It's me Sanskar Maheshwari. Is there any problem you called Swara at this time?" Sanskar spoke when he sensed her not wanting to talk.

"Oh Sanskar it's you...Actually this was important so I called now, it's about the complaint Swara filed against some goons for attempt of harassing and kidnapping her and clicking some photos and sending them to your home in attempt to muddle her image. I called to inform that we caught them from description she has given. Actually I wanted to ask her to come to police station for their identification so that further actions could be taken." Inspector Roy said unaware of the shock his little information has given to the person he was talking with.

"I will be there day after tomorrow Mr Roy. Thank you!" Swara said meekly when she saw Sanskar's shocked face and knew he was angry for hiding that from him and later they heard line going dead as Sanskar cut call without listening to other end.

"Care to explain?" Sansakr asked trying to not shout and scare her further.

"I was going to tell you Sanskar." Swara said in little voice, scared about his reaction.

"Yeah...Right!" Sanskar said sarcastically. More than anger he felt hurt, that she didn't felt it important to share something like this. She was in danger. Someone attacked her and he knew nothing about it.

Seeing his expressions Swara felt guilty. She never wanted to keep this hidden from him but he himself has not given her chance to tell him.

Knowing Sanskar is not going to calm down till he listens to everything Swara thought its better she explains him everything.

"You remember when I came back on Karvachauth, I wanted to tell you something?" asking this she slowly raise her head to look his reaction.

Recalling that day's event Sanskar remembered her distraught state when she returned at home before pooja, she had looked disoriented and restless to him and then as he approached her he had seen relief in her stance when her gaze fell over him. He remembered her saying he didn't know how relieved she was feeling on seeing him. At that time he had felt something gone wrong with her, he had voiced out his worry but she brushed it off seeing hustle bustle going around.

Swara continued when Sanskar hummed in response "That day mistakenly Ragini called me and I heard her and Lakshya fighting... the reason was me."

Sanskar saw faraway look in her eyes as she started narrating him the whole incident.

"I went there thinking Lakshya might end up hurting her by his words... After reaching there I found only Lakshya standing there... On asking him about Ragini he shrugged saying she was feigning her memory loss... It was all her plan to get back in his life. I was enraged at that and fought with him because I was fool to think Ragini had changed... I mistook her aloofness after her truth was revealed as her guilt... and thought she was regretting her actions and wanted to do redemption." Hurt in her voice unsettled him.

He knew how concerned she always has been about Ragini. She was even ready to fight with him for her and on finding the same person having so much hatred for you was heartbreaking.

Placing his palm on hers Sanskar tried giving courage to her of continuing, silently giving her assurance of him being with her.

"I called Ragini to know about her whereabouts she told me about she being in Green Way Park, when I was leaving for it a van came speedily and stopped infront of me. It was so sudden that I ...I got no time to react and before I knew they...they pulled me inside and...and ...they dragged me to some unknown place...I struggled...shouted...shouted for help...I...I ...was so scared..."Swara's voice quivered while recalling that time and tears rolled down slowly from her eyes. It was scary incident of her life and thinking about it still made her shiver in fear.

Seeing and listening to her Sanskar moved beside her taking her in his arms, caressing her hairs softly. His chest tightened feeling her pain. Why she has to face so much? She wants happiness for everyone and in return she only gets sadness, hurt and humiliation. He felt anger towards those people who dared to hurt her.

"Shh...It's okay...Shh...Relax...Swara" His throat clogged with pain hearing her sobs. In his arms first time after that incident Swara opened herself. After that horrible incident, the way they dragged her, manhandled her and the part which she yet to tell him...Humiliation! she felt when Badi Maa asked her about explanation of those photos of her and Lakshya. She revived that incident today when she was emotionally vulnerable already and that's the reason the intensity of that past incident increased hurting her more.

Clutching his t-shirt in her fist Swara let him hold her, let his concern, care sooth her. Gaining courage from his hold she then told him about those pictures of Lakshya and her taken when he saved her and was consoling her. How Badi Maa and bade papa confronted them, how Lakshya blamed Ragini for that and in end how she at that time refused to believe him.

"At that time I trusted Ragini and to prove Lakshya wrong and find the real culprit I filed complaint against him without informing anyone from family."

"I'm such a fool Sanskar!" Swara cried feeling miserable for trusting and standing for the one who wronged her always.

Sanskar looked at girl in his arms, so broken, so vulnerable. He felt immense hatred towards those who have hurt her. He felt guilty for not being with her when she needed him. Despite of being closer he failed to be together. She suffered and even after promising to never letting her face any problem alone he failed to keep his words.

"I'm Sorry!"

Swara looked towards him hearing him apologizing. Why he needs to apologies for it. She was at fault for trusting people blindly when he warned her in first place.

"Galti Meri thi...(I was at fault)," she said sadly.

Sanskar looked at her. She never failed to surprise him. Pulling himself away from her he sat facing her. He has noticed her not meeting his gaze, playing with her fingers nervously in her lap. Deciding it's time to let her know about his feelings and her place in his life Sanskar braced him arranging his thoughts in his mind. Closing his eyes for moment to calm and forget everything he took deep breath.

"Swara," he held her both palms in his, he softly took her name urging her to look to him.

"I'm truly sorry for everything...Shh let me complete please..."

Sanskar pleaded when he saw her about to protest.

"I claim to love you, be with you in every problem and look what I did. I failed you...I failed myself. When you needed me I was not there. I even don't know what you went through...I'm sorry for everything, for every pain you went through and still going. Somewhere I'm responsible for all this."

"Kaash meri nafrat ki galiya mujhe tum tak na laati..." Sanskar said brokenly. Somewhere he knew it all started because of his revenge.

"But it was all in the past. If not for my hate, I wouldn't have met you. I wouldn't have fallen in love again. I might not be the best person for you but I will try to be the one for you. Just let me be." Sanskar poured all his feelings in those words. Swara saw the sincerity in his eyes. All the doubts about Sanskar evaporated in thin air at that moment.

"I'm with you, Swara. Just let me be. I love you. We will leave everything and start afresh with Maa and dida. Honestly, I don't see the point in convincing everyone here about our pure intentions. One way or another they will find faults with our doings. So, what's the point. We can show true colors of Ragini and Laksh but then what? Nothing. Instead of that, let us move away from this negativity. What do you say? Do you trust me?" Sanskar looked in Swara's eyes. 

He could bring the evil intentions of Ragini before his family easily but he was tired of her evilness. He just wanted peace for his Swara and that's what he told her.

Swara pondered over his words. In reality, she didn't need to because she trusted him more than anyone. She nodded slowly.

"I do. I'm with you."

*

THE END

Thank you for taking your time to read this story. I am grateful to each one of you including silent readers.

If you read other than fanfics, then I would be very glad if you can check my general fictions. Link is in my profile.