To every reader,

Hope you enjoy the update. Please do let me know what you think by leaving a comment or pressing the star button would love to read what you thought of the update as always...

Love Ekta
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"When an illusion is no longer a shadow but a prayer answered through the embrace of an lost friend"

A few days later Sanskaar had finally managed to make his way up to Sargam to meet Aman as promised... It had taken several hours and all of Sanskaar will power to convince Swara to stay behind for she had become adamant that she wanted to join him on his journey.. Unlike him Swara had been missing the children dearly and insisted on seeing them just like he was getting to meet his old friend... He knew the children meant the world to Swara for Sargam was not only home or work for her but it was the life she breathed for daily... It was her haven just as Karma was his solace..But Sanskaar also knew that as Aman had asked him to come alone it must have been important and private and wishing to respect his friends wishes he looked at Dida for an escape as he lay his final luggage in the trunk...

As luck would have it Dida was at hand to help him out, as she walked up the patio to join the two... She tried to reason with her Shona that her bhaiya needed her to help with the arrangements of the engagement they had planned... As hesitant as Dida may have felt she was forced to remind Swara of her responsibilities at home... It was one of those rare moments where she had to tell her granddaughter that she also had a brother whom missed her terribly.. It was in shear reluctance that Dida then had to play the ultimate trump card where Swara was silenced in no clear terms by the reminder of the promise she had made already to Nakul of staying home for his engagement... Hence as Swara was reminded of all the work that needed to be completed before the main event there was no scope left for her to head out for another spontaneous trip... For as she reflected back on her conversation it was on her insistence only that the elders and her bhaiya had agreed to hosting a small private function for the happy couple at home...Although Swara had sulked at the reminder to the very end... Yet it had only infuriated her more when she had seen Sanskaar twitch his eyes at her mist folding his arms at her defeat that she finally stormed away from them both for she could neither deny or begrudge the fact that she did have a lot of work to do... But Swara was adamant that she would never admit it to him that he was right once again...

She sighed as she ran off to carry on working on the preparations not before making both of them promise to take her up there as soon as they had been done with all the social gatherings.. Not being able to see the tears forming in her eyes Sanskaar moved forward only to embrace her in reassurance that he would definitely take her up there soon... So as they parted Swara watched him drive away only deep in thought for she knew this day meant a lot to Nakul and Kavya and she knew she did not want to disappointment them either... For she knew her only reconciliation price was as both Dida and herself settle on the patio to sort through the invitations that her Maa would be joining Sanskaar back upon his return... As Dida carried on to explain that neither he would have been allowed to go by Nakul if it had not been deemed important..

Sargam Foundation - Banaras

The following morning as the children played away in the gardens Aman was seen trying to catch hold of the children as they tried to play there favourite game... It was during yesterday's evening dinner where a spontaneous Aman had made a silly bet that he had lost terribly with the children... In the spur of the moment he had been tricked to play chase blind folded if he lost the task they had wanted him to complete... Aman knew it had been silly but Rahul had made him feel that his pride had been somewhat at stake as he recalled him mention the challenge they had in mind..

Recollecting the bet he made as he tried to catch the children he smiled at how easily the little girl had fooled him for Anjali innocent smile had seen him endure this punishment today... Well Aman knew he was to be blamed for his mother had tried to warn him not to fall for there innocence but just like his ego he had bet her that he would be able to eat all the ladoos that his Maa had prepared for him... What he had not realised was that the little devil Rahul had already tempered with the tray by adding chillies to the mix and another fact was he forgot that his mother was a terrible cook... So here he was today running round like a lost soul for hours waiting for the punishment to end well truth be told the bright smiles on the children's faces made it all better but not any less painful...

So as the children chuckled at his expense at every rock he hit he secretly prayed for the toucher to end soon... Floating his hands in the air Aman tried to hear the subtle sounds of foot steps as he wonder slowly across the grass... Hence as he focused on achieving his escape Aman swore he could hear the faint sound of a car pulling up the pebbled drive from afar... His apprehension where only confirmed when he had heard Anjali squeal in excitement that there bhaiya had arrived... Sighing in relief he tugged at the blindfold and joined the children to greet his friend at the other end of their drive...

Sanskaar was all smiles as he was surround by the children... He had just barely managed to park the car and opened the doors to step down from his vehicle when he had been floored as the children embraced him in delight... As Aman watched him kiss the children he could not help but take a picture and send it to Mariah... For he knew she would be happy to see her Sunny look so care free after so long...

Knowing that that the tug of war was not likely to end soon he hoovered over to only scoot them away by warning them that no desert would be served if there bhaiya would not be allowed to rest... As the children pouted and squealed in horror Rahul stood in protest wanting to know where his Swara Didi was... But before Aman could even utter a word Sanskaar dusted himself cleaning and walked up to the boy explaining that his Didi would be coming soon for she was busy with her bhaiya engagement but she had asked him to give him this letter which Sanskaar pulled out of his jacket only to lay down in his palm... Rahul smiled as he looked down at the letter and kissed Sanskaar cheek in thanks as he joined the other children back at the hall leaving the two friends to finally meet...

Several hours later having finally managed to put the children to bed Amaya joined her son and Sanskaar in the study... She knew the conversation that she had been trying to avoid all day could no longer be avoided for she had been surprised that she had failed to recognise Sanskaar when he had first come down... Aman had been jubilant when he had learnt that they had met already and was so excited to learn more of his friend when he was little... It had so been agreed that they would meet back at the study after the children had slept...

So as she sauntered her way into the study she was welcomed but the subtle smiles of the boys... Oh how big they had become yet they looked so innocent when they sat there all lost in there own... As Amaya slowly settled in the settee she waited for her son to ask her the question she knew was killing him all along...

It was so that Amaya went on to explain how Shekhar and Rizwan met and become friends... She smiled as she recalled the warmth of the friendship and the cordial relationship they shared... Amist all the revelations Sanskaar listen with intent for he always felt that somewhere she held him at fault for the loss of relationship... Yet as he heard her explain to Aman and himself he learnt that the marriage only started to fall apart when the friends had been approached by the Maheswari to work on the deal with them... As she went on recalling the finer details of there meeting she mentioned to the lads that they had been working in partnership with Sinha Saab whom would often comedown to see Shekhar with one of his associates of whom she could not recall the name of at this moment...

Not being able to help his curious mind from connecting the dots Sanskaar pulled out the image he had been showing Aman a few moments ago... He asked Amaya to have a look at the image and see if she could recall any of the other people...Taking the picture with trembling hands she watched it closely as she reaffirmed what she had told them a few moments before... Amaya went on to mention that this image had been taken on the day they had finally managed to develop the program that they had spent endless hours programming...Unlike Sanskaar Aman learnt that his father was working to help fund the foundation and the responsibilities that came with it...

His father had chosen to sacrifice his happiness by making others have what he was deprived of when little... He understood today why he always would ask him to keep faith for his father fought to give these children a future and because of his stubbornness his friend had been rewarded yet his mother missed out on the golden moments with her husband... The price she still paid today as they received the sponsorship money from the Maheswari foundation for the disadvantaged children and widows an initiative setup my Mrs Durga Prasad Maheswari in partnership with a private sponsor...

In the silence of the room mist her sobs they learnt that the project however was not the end of the partnership but only the beginning of there down fall for two years later they had sadly lost there Shekhar and with it Swara had lost her baba, Sharmista her husband and Rizwan his friend whom had never forgiven himself for the loss they had faced... Amaya looked at the boys as they absorbed in the new information from there sad faces she knew they where not ready to deal with such a revelation yet she slowly held Sanskaar hand in assurance... She offered her support when she knew he would be shattered to learn that Shekhar had been killed for he had discovered some secrets that their new associates wanted to keep hidden... She explained to Aman that Rizwan always felt that it had to do with Sanskaar for Shekhar had been looking to find his family prior to his death and therefore felt he was responsible to ensure that both he and his family stayed safe for the sacrifice that his friend had made... This had also been the time that she had decided to return without Aman for she knew her family needed her far more thereby leaving Aman behind to complete his studies at the boarding school he was at securely with her mayka...

As both men sat in silence shifting through the new information they new that the death of Shekhar and the project had been connected for sure... But how and why was the question they simply couldn't resolve and for that they knew they had to meet Mr Maheswari soon... From what Sanskaar had learnt and told Aman so far of the men in question they had been working on a joint government project which had officially elevated the careers of both the Gupta's and Maheswari allowing them to hold the status they so much enjoyed today... If only the fourth man had not been looking away from the lens maybe his Ghala could have recalled whom he was Sanskaar felt disappointed...

It's not like Sanskaar never knew of the woman's inner battle but today he truly felt free as he final realised that he never had to change to learn about what was there already for him to see... For Amaya had never blamed him for the lack of her husbands affection towards his family but had held his career choice at fault... Finally allowing one of the illusions he held break free from his heart on to embrace the myth of the evening moon as the flower chanted away answer the first of many of his unanswered prayers through the embrace of his friend...

Having finally reconciled with Aman's mother Sanskaar prepared himself for his travels back that very night... It had not been out of choice but necessity as the texts blinked away one after another from Swara he was informed that Dida had decide to host a pre engagement party a day earlier for the happy couple... For the message was precise as Sanskaar had been royally warned to return upon the earliest available train for there was much to be done as the engagement which had been scheduled to be hosted in the next three days at Dida home.. It had so been agreed that Aman would drive down in two days with Shomi auntie for she had several matter to close with some key sponsors before she could join them back at home... Hugging his friend at the end of the drive he walked drove away in the glittering hue of the midnight moon where the gentle breeze swooshed away in prayer...
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"Dancing to the moonlight hues I stretch my hands only to gently sway toward you through the soul language of love"

Baadhi Baadi - Kolkata

As the starlit night ignited to built its cocoon around the two confused souls others among the crowed watched in awe... Swara and Sanskaar walked behind the happy couple as the fading lights shimmered down upon the staircase that had been setup as the centre stage for the couple to exchange there rings... Both had been asked that very evening to be there official ring barers by both Kavya and Nakul...

The happy couple had been so grateful for they had not had to worry about planning or handling out any issues that may hinder there engagement for both had taken the full responsibility to ensure that the day was all about what the couple had always wanted... Surrounded mist an array of flowers and crystals the landing glistened as it sparkled to life with the gentle humming of the melodic blues that where being strung in by the live band that had been setup at the far end of the hall...

Yet amist all this beauty Sanskaar could not help but to resist the urge to secretly steal glances of his Swara... He had been left pleasantly suprised as he had watched her walk Kavya out of her room to join her bhaiya... It had not been about the act but the realisation that she had actually chosen to wear his chosen gift... After having asked her to join him at the gala Sanskaar had neither had a chance to talk to her or dared to give her the gift he had brought...

Well truth be told Sanskaar had been nervous for how she would perceive his act for neither where they officially an couple or as he had learnt later that week as he had spent further time with Nakul that she hardly took gifts without creating an racket especially if it was neither her birthday or a special occasion... But as the lover that Sanskaar had slowly become he wanted to live in the essence of the moment by thinking of himself after a very long time by deciding to take a risk without worrying about others opinion or considerations... It had been a few days earlier as they had walked through various malls shopping away for Nakul engagement outfit when Sanskaar had accidentally spotted the perfect saree... Sanskaar had spotted it as it lay hidden amidst a array of colours secretly tucked away in the corner... The dark blue of shoulder cut Swarovski crystalline outfit had caught his eye for so many varied reasons...

For one Sanskaar knew it would look beautiful on Swara but then the starlike bordering and the simple pattern also caught his eye as he realised that they would coordinate perfectly for the outfit would also complement his suit for Nakul had forced him to wear his favourite navy three piece Armani suit... His friend had argued with him for endless hours by stipulating various reasons to only later ter argue through blackmail of how it would perfectly complete his day and how the only gift request he had was that he wanted for him to dress in a outfit that he had chosen and gifted... Not one to shy away from a battle Sanskaar had refuted all his arguments stating that he simply wanted to be comfortable and that he did not want to take away the limelight from his friend as it was his special day and not his... Stubborn as Nakul was he had even roped in Dida to help him out but when all had failed to make Sanskaar see sense Nakul had decided to play his finale trump card which had seen him see his friend walk away only to mutter varies profanities sighing mist calling him a ziddi bugger...Oh boy had Sanskaar sulked that evening as he recalled when Nakul had first asked him but when he had simply said that he was the only brother he had Sanskaar no longer had it in his heart to refuse so finally caved in and did as he was told...

It had also been that very day that he picked,purchased and packed the outfit for Swara much to his surprise... Just like he had been blackmailed by Nakul he had in return asked Nakul to convince Kavya by getting her to reason with Swara to take his present... Sanskaar had not at all been shy about making the request so as his friend persisted to ask why he had brought the gift he simply stipulated that it would complement his outfit and the theme of the evening... For in all his fuss he had forgotten that the ladies had already brought there outfits to go with the theme of the evening which he had now changed at the last minute...Nakul had neither been convinced or reassured by his reasoning for as he looked Sanskaar in the eye whilst raising his hands in the air he simply asked what he had brought.. Not wanting to create any further fuss he had mentioned that it was just a simple thank you gift and nothing more... Wanting to close the matter once and for all Sanskaar reminded him that kavya had mentioned that she wanted the couples to coordinate on stage and she had specifically made Swara drive down with the sample patches of there dresses to make sure that there accessories matched with what they had already bought... Feeling somewhat assured Nakul agreed and helped his friend purchase the necessary accessories to go with the outfit as he typed out a quick text to his beloved to meet him at there usual hangout...

No longer being able to resist the urge that evening Sanskaar walked up to the happy couple once again to join Swara as they chatted away... He had wanted to complement her the moment he had laid his eyes upon her as the light had filter to sparkle away at her outfit... She had shone like the new moon but only brighter for her gentle glances had danced at his heart as if secretly telling him that she had loved his gift as much as he hoped she would..

A few minutes later surround by various guest mist the happy couple Sanskaar had taken the first opportunity he had and slowly held out his hand for her to take... He had even gone as far to glance around slowly making sure that none of the guest had been looking to only then blink his eyes once again at Swara while pointing towards his hand in jest...Swara smiled brightly as she complied at his nervousness yet ended upon being left surprised for instead of shaking her hand like every one else had done Sanskaar had simply bent down slowly and brought the tip of his lips down to softly lay a gently kiss as if lost in a trance where only their souls existed... Feeling her face flush with warmth Swara tried to giggle away her nerves as she felt the hairs stand at the back of her neck at the contact of his lips... In all her years she had not let anyone dare to get close to her but today he had broken all her barriers for he had claimed her not just in front of her family but also her friends... An act she had become aware of even more so as she watched Kavya chuckle at her at his expense as she whispered in her ears that she owed her an explanation later...

How could Swara explain what she had felt when she couldn't even name the emotion of what she was feeling for as bizarre as the sensation was neither had she found it unpleasant or repulsive for all she could feel was wanted... And this is when Swara realised that if she had spoken to him earlier about his actions she would have been able to ask him directly of what he had wanted from her? For Sanskaar mood swings had become the of pain of her heart and the endless sleepless night she had endured so far which all started with the saree that she was wearing this evening...

As the tune of her soul hummed away at his gentle caress she blushed shyly as she tried to remove her hand from his hold... Unlike her Sanskaar had no intention of letting her go so pulled her even closer ever so slightly to himself... Bending his head down toward her ear he whispered "And where do you think you're going?" just for her to hear in his playful mood.... Well not being one to be outdone she played along by reminding him that they had guest to attend to for they where the host of the evening and not guest...

"Well of Madam has forgotten then let me remind you we are the guest to.. if you have forgotten I am one of Nakul closes friends which means that you have to look after my needs first.. So Swara what will you do to honour this special guest..."

"Well wouldn't you like to know?" As she pulled away to see how the caterers where getting on... Sanskaar watched her hand slip away before tightening his hold once more "Oh not so fast Swara, yes do let me know in fact I am more then intrigued to see what you have in mind..."

Swara tilted her head sides to see if anyone was looking and tried to reason with him to stop being such a besharaam for people maybe looking as she watched him carrying on flirting away as if it did not matter... Her inner thoughts mocked at her for she couldn't deny that she had been enjoying it too... Unlike her Sanskaar knew she was nervous just like him but then he knew he was dancing away to his own emotions how could he not for having finally wanting to be with her had unlocked varied emotions that he had see only among Howard and Mariah and he wanted what they had so bad...

Afterall learning to walk on the journey towards love was far riskier then learning of whom he was because she was a woman that had not viewed him any other way ever since she knew that he had been abandoned... He lowered his eyes to look into her soul only to ask her to stay... She stood still, till she spotted her Maa and Dida enter the hall...

"Sanskaar choro.." Dekho Maa and Dida have come..Nahi Swara, zid mat karo.." Please?" She watched away with baited breaths..

"Thek hai" he sighed "But only if you promise to join me back here at the stairs later this evening"...I promise as she pressed his palm in reassurance and ran off to join her family not before giving him a final glance before disappearing away into the crowds... What neither had realised was that someone had been hiding in the shadows and listening in for they had been watching them closely as they shared there sweet moments determined to stop what they had witnessed in their tracks not so long ago...

As Swara joined her mother a few moments later feeling all relieved she could still not fantom the fact that she had so willingly agreed to his request... She just wondered what it was about him that each time he asked her for something she never had it in her heart to refuse... Swara had so wanted to but as he stood so close all her brain could do was to watch of and listen to the hymn of her heart... It was silly she knew but then yet again when it came to him neither her own fears or worries matter all that matter was that she wanted to be with him beyond the moons and back... So as Swara reminisced over all her emotions within she knew she only had one person to blame... It had all been her Dida fault for when she had first received his earlier gift she had thought it had been out of friendship for her mother had explained that he had wanted to apologies for being rude to her back at the planetarium but when he had send her this gift through kavya, Swara knew that he was wanting to say something more... For on kavya assistance whom wanted to have a look what lay within she had opened the parcel in front of her... Both ladies had been gasped in awe as they closely inspected the dress.. Swara had immediately realised that he hand personally handpicked her dress for he was the only one that knew her fondness of the stars and the connection she felt with them each time she saw them and secret she had only ever shared with her family and him...

Swara waved away the last streams of guest, only to hug her Maa and Dida at the doors as she finally made her way to join Sanskaar as she had promised... Wondering what lay ahead in this glistening night for her to soul to witness... But all the apprehension she felt faded away as she once again joined him only to rest her palm in his just as he had wanted once more creating the medley of their song as if they had never parted to begin with...

The seamless night that brought in so much more became the beginning of no no return as they walked up the stairs towards the upper landing both knew that the path ahead would either shatter or join there desired dreams... They often say that sandcastle are built upon hope but for Swara hers lay bare before it had even been built.. Having had a glimpse of what could be throughout this night she had already decided within that she wanted more of what was yet to come... For her sandcastle had been built already no matter the outcome as it was no longer the equation of what she needed or hoped for but a determination of making it a reality just like her baba had done them many moons ago... And the reality was that she wanted to be loved by the man she had fallen for before she had even discovered any of his hidden secrets....
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"When the night becomes the envy of the stars... For the moon sinks as the envy becomes the surface of old grudges that one thought lay hidden beneath the hymns"

Maheswari Residency- Kolkata

On the other side of town a shadow was seen roaming enviously in her room... Unlike her fellow peers whom had gone out celebrating Saraswati Maheswari had stayed back to swallow through the bitter pill of truth... She had been left with a bitter taste in her mouth as she had learnt from Adarsh that they had all agreed the attend the pre engagement party after all the invitation had been sent with a lot of respect and affection... In all her time as the head the household her wishes or decisions had never been dismissed till this evening... Fighting within her mind and heart she could feel her self burn in rage as she felt her control slipping away...

If truth be told Saraswati had been surprised when her grandson had first told her of his decision... Yet at the time had not had not giving it much thought to it till today... Her downward spiral had started as she watched her Durga leave for his business trip... As always he had joined her in her study to say his final goodbyes whilst collecting the files for the deal he was going to close... He had as always asked his loyal servant Ramu kaka to wait at the doors as he made his Bhari Malkin aware of his departure... In all her years this affection had made Saraswati feel so respected but today it some what destroyed her ill kept illusions...

For today neither did her son join her to say goodbye or gain her approval of the deal he was about to close... As for a change he had become the barer of bad news... It had all started to fall south as Saraswati realised her plan was falling apart as she listened to her son carefully...

She listened in carefully whilst he explained that he and Sahil where heading out to see one of the financiers and would be returning late for they where also asked to come and inspect a possible site for the manufacturing plant... Thereby they where unable to make the engagement....Saraswati was feeling irritated by the revelation for she had hoped to play her trump card today but it had all fallen apart due to the last minute change... Not letting the slight glitch falter her spirit Saraswati moved forward to bless her son for a safe trip and wished him to return home at the earliest as she patted his cheek with affection...

It was not till later later on in the day that Saraswati had learnt that her daughter in law would be attending the function of Sinha Saab daughter by herself as mentioned by Durga in his latest telephone call... As her son went on to explain Sinha was not only an business associate to them but far more for he was like a brother to Anupurna and so meant a great deal to both of them... A fact that Saraswati Maheswari was unaware of till this day...

Scrunching the image in her hand she walked up to the old cottage as her keys rattled away at the hem of her saree... Saraswati knew it was time to resurrect some old grudges and remind certain people of there places... In all her envy she had forgotten that unlike all those years ago today there where a pair of eyes watching her as she sauntered her way out of the hall way towards the doors... As the passenger by waited for the doors to close they smiled at the heavens only up text the person on the other end with a new determination...

Miles away the a mobile flashed alive as the owner unlocked the phone and scrolled to read down the message for it to read "phase one executed"... Feeling somewhat elated they relaxed by settling themselves on the bay windows only to look up at the twilight of the moon for they knew there inner limelight was no longer as fragile as it once used to be... And so prayed that their faith would finally blossom to the dream they had held in to for so long...

Back at the old shack Saraswati was furiously shifting through a stack of old papers deep in thought as she tried to find her way out of her current predicament... She could have sworn that she had hidden the dairy here in one of these old tattered boxes... Several hours and dozen of boxes later Saraswati knew she had lost for the first time... So as she watched the boxes a scrolled and scattered across the floor she wondered how it had gone missing to begin with for the room had laid barren for years since they had left... Trying to gather he spirits she sprinted out of the room to make a call of Avinash but as she tried to call and failed she knew her time had come where things may start to change if she didn't speak to him soon... As she realised that they where no longer the only players that knew of there little secret but someone close by had also discovered what they had tried so hard to hide...

That's when Saraswati Maheswari knew she could no longer be the envy of the stars for the moon became her envy as she saw her family create a direction of there very own tiny stories that neither mirrored her own for love or anger but simply reflected her own selfish grudges... But unlike all her previous prayers this new moon was neither her saviour or her solace for another lay awake praying for there own hymn to become the moon flower of the night...
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References:

Image: https://themoonlightshop.com/blogs/news/18987524-the-flower-moon-in-may
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To be continued