To All the lovely readers,

Thank you all for reading, voting and the lovely comments...Let me know what you think will be waiting as always...

Love Ekta 😊

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"Timeless dews await like the edging leafs that slip away for the gushing winds become the wings that leave one to be left traveling in wonder in the endless chaos of the night"

Two days later after that faithfully night Swara and Sanskaar had finally set an sail on there journey as promised... It had been a journey that Swara had been looking forward to for it would be taking her back to the people she so loved and cherished.. She couldn't believe her luck when she had looked into the box only to realise that she was being sent to her second home.. The revelation had left her confused and somewhat unsettled but had not phased her to help her new friend... Well they where more like acquaintances then friends for that night had not really changed much in terms of there feelings... He was still the akru dragonfly that she had met all those days ago, she simply couldn't understand what was wrong with him for all she did was try to be was his friend... So after that faithful night where she learnt he was adopted by Dida just like her bhaiya, she also understood that there was more to his story then he had shared as she looked at the man in front. Undeterred by this revelation Swara had taken the first step the following morning to start their friendship on a positive footing by greet him with the awaking of the morning aarti. She hummed the morning prayer in her melodic voice full of soul and longing and prayed for her friend to meet his calling... She finally understood why he had been so reserved to share his past for he had been traveling this road of wonder by himself for so long.. Once she finished Swara passed the prayer flame along to Dida and Nakul whom had just returned from there morning walk... However unlike them Sanskaar had been less then happy to see her which didn't sit quite well with Swara for she had been smiling at the door only to be told to leave before she could even set afoot within his room reminding her that she still stood at the edge, only to be left in wonder if the previous night before had been a dream...

Later that day as they had waved goodbye to Dida and Nakul after breakfast Swara kept watching Sanskaar in wonder whilst she sat the remaining of her luggage in the car.. They had agreed to make the long trip to Benaras by car rather then on the bus for Dida had told her that Sanskaar was not comfortable with public transport.. She had felt sad when she had learnt that she would be missing out on the long drive and stops for the views and smells reminded her of the journeys that time had forgotten.. Such as the foods she could explore and the people she could meet and greet whilst listing in on tales as old as time that where so attuned to her soul.. It was such memories that reminded her of her mother Shomi often when she was away...Swara still remembered the time when she was a little girl whom was fascinated with star gazing... It where such wishes that her mother would often fulfil when possible and to her luck her biggest wish had finally been fulfilled when her mother had taken her on a long awaited road trip for her 7th birthday to Sargam to her sheer delight.. And it was on this surprise trip to Swara amazement she had also discovered that night that her mum loved the twinkling gems in the sky as much as her.. Hence it had become there  ritual or habit that whilst out on there trips to stop and watch these twinkle in all there glory... For her mother would simply hold her hand, walk towards the bench and place her on her lap whilst humming a tune... Meanwhile Swara would just listen to her mother voice whom loved to sit with her and watch the stars at the tea stall...  No one knew but that was also the very first time she had fallen in love with music.. The clacking of the tea cups and the tinkering of the tea as it was poured and blended into the perfect brew by the vendor created such soothing tunes that would often put little Swara to sleep... However as the tea brewed away Swara would often be awoken by the sizzling aroma that where further brought alive with the added twist of spice blends creating an invasion of aromatic smells of cinnamon, ginger and cardamom whilst the pots simmered away on the wooden stove to simply infuse in the milk to bring forth with it the warmth of home.. Her mussing had been halted by the present calling of Sanskaar.. Walking away sighing she left her Dida to get her car from the garage, and hoped that this trip would be as pleasant as the one she had taken in the past with her mum.. Whom she knew would be waiting for her all opened armed at the other end as always..

Unlike her Sanskaar stood at the car with his own worries.. It was not what his friend and Dida where thinking... They looked at him in disappointment as they thought he didn't want Swara to drive which was so far off from the the truth... In reality Sanskaar had no apprehension of letting Swara drive but what he did have an issue with was how he would fit into the tiny car that had been stationed in the drive.. Unlike his own black BMW Swara car was a tiny, tinted in blue but a Toyota no less with hardly and leg room to rest.. He had been arguing with the two for the last 15 minutes of why they could not hire another car for this journey.. Dida had just shook her head "Sanskaar our Shona loves this car, but more then this she loves the bus but for you she has already compromised to travel like this, please for me let it go"... "uff Sanskaar come on my friend it's just a car remember you will be there in a couple of hours, see it like one of those things we use to get from A to Z or I'm I sensing that you would like to travel by foot? raising his eyebrows as he spoke... "Nakul it's nothing as such, it's just so small look at it how do you expect me to come out alive with that moth inside waiting to erupt... and as I recall I am to get there in one piece to compete Dida wish right?"...

"Look Sanskaar the car is all a excuse by you to simply refuse to go on this trip and let me tell you this time you won't win... The project requires you to make the trip and for that you have to trust our Shona... Was it not you that told me that Karma is your pride so for the project alone compromise and let it go and whom knows maybe this journey will become one that you never forget.... even rewarding what say ?" I suppose your right but still? No means no buddy".... Sanskaar watched Nakul cross his arms as if to have the final say...

He knew at that piont that it was futile to carry on.. So nodded in agreement unaware of the chaos he had unleashed for from afar the trio had missed to see that Swara had heard it all and was now was spitting fire secretly, thinking be careful dragonfly for you the chaos of the night has only just begun "chall Shona be ready to teach him a lesson and give him a journey he is never likely to forgot" she tapped herself on the back for not thinking of this idea earlier and all of a sudden this journey had gotten all the more exiting then she had anticipated...
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Benaras- Sargam Foundation

Four hours into there journey Sanskaar had been waiting for Swara to speak... She had been awfully quite after they had parted with the others after saying their farewells... He watched her as she drove away in the silence of the afternoon with a stern face... After spending the last couple of hours or so checking his emails and text on his phone he had officially run out of things to do... Feeling bored he had started to look outside the car window and that's when he had spotted that her mood seemed off... This somehow didn't sit well with him for Sanskaar wondered what new chaos had he been unleashed with...

Sanskaar from an early age hated to be at the edge of the unknown... He wonder if she was still annoyed with him for the morning incident... Sanskaar knew he had been rude to refuse the aarti but he had only done so to protect himself yet decided to apologise if it had hurt her feelings... Since he knew Swara was the only person that could help him successfully complete his project and to do that they needed to move past the incident of the morning... It was no secret to him but his mind was also secretly wondering what was worrying her...

"Sorry.."... is the sound that echoed in the car or that is at least what Swara believe she heard... She would have never believed it had he not said it again to gain her attention... Sanskaar watched her eyes drifting towards him and back to the road as she nodded for him to speak... "Swara I am sorry if my actions this morning hurt you... It was never my intention to but ..." he stopped talking all of a sudden as he felt the car come to a sudden stop.. " Get out!..." is all he heard.. Startled he asked why? and in response was shown the car door... As he stepped out she heard him speak "Swara look let's talk.. I am sure we can sort it out" No! And with that Swara departed from the vehicle and walked over to the tea vendor across the road... Sanskaar watched her cross road only to see her turn round and signal "Dragonfly I don't have all day, I recall you wanted to talk... we have to reach the foundation before the evening kicks in so I don't have all day... oh and if your really are sorry why don't you come over and buy me the tea I so need, it may help me except your apology..." Swara! he shouted as she carried on walking towards the bench... "Swara please listen to me I will take you to a nice cafe but this place is not safe... Sorry Dragonfly it's this place or no other so the choice is yours, and let me remind you I will only drive when I am ready so the choice is yours to either join me or sit in the car.." without caring what his response would be she left to join the other people sitting in the area...

She settled down slowly whilst taking in the beautiful view of the pebbledash roads which had been surrounded by the endless lines of trees that blossomed to the singing tunes of the winds... At that moment all Swara wanted was the sit and relax with her favourite eliach chai and there was no way he was going to change her mind... Left with no other option Sanskaar purchased two teas from the vendor, passing one to her whilst playing with the other in his hand... Swara looked at him whilst thanking him and carried on musing...For Benaras could wait as she traveled in wonder about where her journey was heading with Sanskaar... So she just let him fret in silence as she enjoyed the view ahead...

Later that evening as Swara finally drove up the drive of Sargam she turned towards Sanskaar with a smile "look dragonfly we have finally arrived.. see it's there".. Sanskaar turned his face slowly to the side view mirror where he had been greeted with a picturesque view of the home. As he looked around he had noticed that the building had been built around the surrounding of the forest mountains.. It created the perfected image for visitors as it rocketed away to touch the peaking skyline only to be brought to life by the various flowing cloaks of greenery, that had been carved with the rocking out crop of the humming stream that lay afar as the car slowly turned into the pebbled pathway to drop down to reveal two ladies waiting to greet there eagerly awaited guest...

Sharmistra and Ghala Amaya has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of these two ever since they had received confirmation from Nakul that they had left.... They watched the youngsters step out of the vehicle as they slowly joined them on the edge of the patio steps... Swara whom couldn't contain her excitement just ran into her mothers embrace only to be welcomed with a beaming smile and a chiding remark that she had forgotten her mother so soon... Whilst the other lady patted her head fondly while scolding her as Sanskaar slowly joined in listing in on there conversation..

"Shona Betiya your finally here! We missed you..." promise me girl that this time you won't leave so soon... for you forgot us..." Ghala Amaya kept on rambling as she embraced the girl thereafter... Sanskaar watched the ladies in awe for they they had totally forgotten his presence in the mist of there discussion... This is also where he quickly learnt that the kids had been put to bed early with a promise that their Shona didi would personally wake them up in the morning... As Sanskaar stood there wondering was this what a family welcome was like after the end of a long journey away and the warmth that tied them...

Sanskaar musings where brought to an abrupt halt by the calling of Shomi..She had been admiring the young lad as he stood silently in the corner waiting for his turn... Sharmista could not help but shack of the feeling that she had seen him before.. He looked vaguely familiar to familiar she thought for he reminded her of a friend, but whom she was not too sure ... Yet before Shomi could dwell into her thoughts any further her feelings where soon put to rest as Amaya went and embraced the boy with all her might... She had called him Sunny out of love and that's when she knew it was just a baseless thought..

"oh Sunny beta it's you.. Come hear I see you finally have gotten round to visit us..." it's nothing as such mumanie you now I always have time for you it's just that your sunny decided to spread it's wings..." he smiled embracing the old woman... "Yeah yeah you and your dreams I still remember the stories to well.. you and Rizwan would drive me crazy with your worldly stories and secrets..." which lead to Sanskaar querying about the rest...

"I must say the place has changed a lot since I was here it looks great but Mumanie where is Rizwan uncle for I don't seem to see him? Beta he passed away 2 years ago sadly leaving us all behind to run the place.. oh I see" Sanskaar nodded sadly as he took in the solemn faces of everyone... "Well let's go inside I am feeling cold and even hungry for you won't believe what your Shona did to me today!" What did this devil do? Don't tell me you fell faul to one of her famous pranks today"... Shomi whom had been looking at the trio is silence turned only to look at Swara in anger... "Beta what did Shona do? Tell me for I will soon set it right I see she still has not changed her ways even with all the warnings... Amaya see I told you are spoiling we can only imagine what she has done with Sanskaar today..." Sharmista closed her eyes in disappointment as Amaya placed her hand on her shoulder to assure her not to worry for they are still just children...

Sanskaar whom had noticed the changing atmosphere decided that it was best to be keep it hidden.. So he just smiled "It's nothing for you to worry about auntie, for it has been long forgotten... However what I surely could do with is a coffee for that would surely brighten up my day... Sure beta come with me you must be tried and hungry let's settle you in and I will deal with Shona later"... Sanskaar was guided inside by the ladies and watched Swara cackle at his expense while letting Sharmista auntie walk him towards the gushing leafs of the past.. Not realising that Swara nervous laughter where not directed at him but her defence to hid her fear for dealing with the wroth of her mother later....
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"Drowning in the dept of deceit without realising that falling is not the edge but the darkness of hurdles yet to cross"

Mashewari Residency - Kolkata
Meanwhile back in Kolkata Saraswati could be seen walking the halls towards her study.. The last few days had been hectic with the back to back schedules of meetings that would often run late into the night... She had become the night owl in her own home for she would only retire back home once her Durga had joined her after closing the final office meeting of the evening... And like all those other days today had been no exception for there meeting with Sahil had overrun once again...

As Saraswati recalled the meeting, she slowly closed the door to her study ensuring that the others won't be disturbed for they had retired early for the night to there rooms to sleep..She carried on musing in which she could not  hide the pride she felt each time she met the young lad for he reminded her so much of Avinash, for they where so alike yet so different.. Unlike his farther Sahil was a stickler for the rules and insisted that everything was done by the book.. Hence the last two days had seen them meet more frequently with each other to work through the final changes of the project... The meetings had been prearranged by Sahil before there meeting with the foreign delegates which was to be held in two weeks before the final project proposal went on display with Karma..

Feeling the tiredness finally getting to her Swaraswati slowly walked towards her rocking chair to sit down and relax... As she settled into the chair Saraswati looked over to the family portraits that hung proudly over her mahogany desk... Every evening as she watched it with pride she could not help but hide  a tinge of guilt for the decision she had taken all those years ago....

Saraswati still recalled her first meeting with Avinash Sen Gupta... The meeting had first arranged by him after the sudden demise of her beloved husband.. It had been at his wake that Avinash had mentioned to her that he had a business proposal to discuss that would be beneficial to both.... Saraswati had been apprehensive at first for Anupurma had been pregnant with their second grandchild at the time... However at his consistent insistence had finally agreed to go for the meet when he had mentioned that her Durga would equally benefit from the deal he planned to discuss... Letting the curiosity get the better of her she had told Anupurma and the rest of the family that she would be taking little Aadarsh for an outing with her... She mentioned that she planned to go and watch the stars for she needed a change off scenery to help heal the void which her beloved husband had left after his sudden death... Having created the perfect excuse Saraswati  had thus agreed to meet Avinash the following day at the famous Birla Planetarium without raising a slightest of doubt amongst the family...

The drive had taken somewhat longer than usual that day as they drove through the famous Chowringhee road for the planetarium was just adjacent to the Victoria Memorial and would often be crowded by eager tourist trying to get a glimpse... For many didn't know that the monument had only first been opened to the public back in 1963 by the prime minister at the time.. During it's inauguration nobody's had expected at the time for it only to become one of the second largest planetarium in the world today, offering various international displays in multiple languages...And just like all the tourist around her Saraswati could feel the same excitement bubble inside Aadarsh that day whom held his dadi hand in awe as they slowly took in the sight, unaware that other sinister plans where being laid to plan that day...

It had also been the day that Saraswati on the insistence of Aadarsh had bought the painting illuminating the images of various galaxies or as he had called them his Pari's or angles of light... Saraswati rose out of her chair slowly as she watched the painting adore the adjacent window of the room.... Tonight had been a full moon and once again the light could be felt sparking away at the painting as if to twinkle away to reveal a hidden gem... Nobody knew that this was also the place where the biggest hurdle lay hidden... For Saraswati slowly tilted the frame to reveal a hidden envelope to remove the content that lay buried for over 20 years...As she stroked the envelope to reveal it being marked as project 21 it made the edging night creep further into the fallen deceit that yet lay to be unraveled...
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Karma Inc - Seattle
On the other hand back at Karma Aman walked the corridors to Sanskaar office... He had just received a call from Sanskaar secretary that Howard had been waiting for him in the bosses office.. Initially Aman had been surprised when he had received the call for both would usual invite them over for lunch at home and would rarely visit the office even when asked on several occasions by both to celebrate the closing of a deal...

He had closed the file that he had been working on after the changes that he had received that day from Sanskaar... Although he had been away Aman still was kept busy as usual for Sunny would email him each set of changes requested by Sahil before their set meeting day... In his hurry to get to Howard he had carried the file with him for he wanted to make sure all the changes where double checked before they had been mailed back across...

Aman walked into the cabin with the file in toe to be embraced by a cheery Howard whom apologised for the untimely visit... He explained that he and Mariah had been missing Sunny and since there last call he had not called to confirm if he had reached Benaras okay.. Aman smiled at the couples concern only to confirm that Sanskaar had arrived in one piece but had been kept busy by the children at the foundation... The lack of WiFi also made it difficult for him to stay in contact but promised he would call soon when free... As if Sanskaar had been listing Aman phone started to vibrate to alive with several notifications.... He opened these straight away as he had spotted Howard watching his phone in anticipation of what Sanskaar has to share...

As he opened the app, it revealed a smiling photo of Sanskaar with the children playing in the garden.. Aman passed the phone to Howard whom scrolled along to see what else had been sent and is was during such a moment that Aman had spotted a photo of his ammi to his shock....

"Howard if you don't mind may I have a look at this picture?" Well of course Aman is this a thing to ask but what happened all of a sudden?" Howard asked startled all of a sudden... Aman whom had not wanted to discuss his family dynamic with Howard had just decided to lie about what he was feeling...

"It's nothing much just wanted to see what the moth looked like..." Sorry moth? I don't get you?"  Oh Howard seems sunny has not mentioned Swara to you well the girl he has been traveling with in Kolkata... see she is in the picture and from what I can gather has been giving your son one hell of a run for his money.." he smiled away as he recalled his previous conversation..

Howard looked at the girl in the photo and smiled whilst thinking so her name is Swara.. He had been happy to finally put a name to the face for his visit here had been anything but social but had stemmed more out of curiosity ever since he had learnt that he was traveling with a girl.. All he could recall was that the girl had a lovely smile and one that would surely brighten his Sunny days soon...

If only Howard knew that the edging winds where yet to burst into flames if only he had glanced at the file on the desk would he have learnt that the deception of deceits where the only shadows that lay a-bay for his Sunny to unravel before any new ties could be solidified to bloom into something more....

The file lay closed for the night but with it carried the deceit of shadows that only could be answered with a prayer... A prayer that soon was going to be given a chance by the call that Aman would be making later that evening...

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"Friendship is the wine of life a mountain like no other"

Benaras- Sargam Foundation
Having taken three days to settle back into her routine Swara walked the garden to check if any further pruning was needed before the autumn chills set in... It was the ending of Summer and soon all the children would be back at school and this thought delighted her like no other for it meant she would be back to singing and teaching what she loved... She watched the children play away with Sanskaar as he showed them the various forms of plants that had been planted by Rizwan kaka over his time as the care taker of the foundation... Each plant had been carefully selected and placed at the chosen position as shown and requested by the children that had stayed there over time...It's throughout these days that Swara too learnt of his passion for Sanskaar too loved to potter away gardening in his free time making it his sole hobby when ever he was free from the office....

Recalling there first morning Sanskaar had been awoken by a group of screaming children.. They had been looking at him with wide eyes as if to ask whom are you... He had first been approached by Rahul whom couldn't hide his excitement and asked if he was there new teacher.. Sanskaar had just nodded in no and explained that he had come with there Shona didi for a visit...

The children had just cheered in excitement and ran out to find there Didi whom had been setting up the breakfast in the main hall... Sanskaar had wanted to go back to bed but was brought out by Anjali whom held his hand to say "uncle didi said for you to join us too, so come with me and I will show you where the shower room is"... He smiled and picked her up for a hug and asked her to lead the way... Now as he sat with the children he couldn't believe that they had become such good friends... Indeed there smiles where a balm to his conflicted soul..
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Unlike other nights the swing lay lonesome swinging back and forth as the windswept gales creaked away from the lake mirroring the hollowness that Swara had felt at the revelation... She watched the swing nesting away in the fallen leaves in plight while battling away with her desire of what she should do next... Having had enough of deciding what to to she simply gave into the urge and sat down on the swing letting the memories of her farther wash away with the splattering of the rain that somehow soothed her tensed soul...

The comforting moments with her farther where her twilight in these mystical nights ever since she had lost her farther... Swara had been troubled ever since she had left her mother after there talk over lunch... It had been one of those rare free moments where Sanskaar had been busy with the kids in the garden that Swara struck gold for which she had Rahul to thank... The little lad had insisted that his new dost shown them the camellia flowers which had been planted on the east side of the house... As she had sat down with her mother she had learnt that her farther had been a active sponsor of the foundation ever since she had been born... She had learnt that day that her farther and mother had first met each other back at the Birla Planetarium which he had gone to visit after the insistence of his business associates whom he had earlier met with at conference that had been held at the Victoria Memorial Park... Her mother had been working as a guide at the park at the time and was one of the senior officials to oversee that the delegates where looked after and all there banqueting requirements where met as requested... Just like any other working day Sharmista had also been made in charge of overseeing that all the arrangements had been completed for the meeting that was being held in one of there several conference rooms... It was whilst walking towards the room that would lead her to find her soulmate in Shekhar whom she first stumbled across whilst walking through the park gardens... She had heard the two men disagreeing over the meaning of the camellia flower and decided to help by explaining that both had been wrong for the flower is grown to symbolise one desire that lay there destiny in another hand... That night had been such a decision for Shomi had decided to lay her future securely in Shekhar hand..

Having listen to her mother in awe Swara soon discovered that these flowers had been planted by Sanskaar when he had left the foundation with Dida... Sharmista has explained that Rizwan kaka would often tend to these blooms himself for they where his pride and had asked him on a rare occasion why they where so special... "You know Shona all he would say is these are planted out of hope... for they where planted by the boy I had bought home... the boy we bought home on the assurance of shekhar whom believed he was special.." Swara looked up to her mother in surprise as she nararated the story only to ask "why did baba not tell us about him... do you know where he was found? Sorry beta I don't know but maybe you can ask your Ghala for she was the one that knew all of Rizwan secrets.." with that Shomi patted her daughter shoulders and left her alone to muse over her new discovery..

It was after dinner that evening that Swara had approached Ghala Amaya and shown her the file that Dida had given to Sanskaar... As she watched Amaya skip through the file she saw her expressions change to worry and this is when she had requested for her to settle on the porch beside her... Swara watched Amaya with apprehension for she was worried that she may not like what she hears... It was during there chat that she learnt that Rizwan kaka had been given the responsibility of the boy by her baba.. Swara learnt that they had found the baby as they had been on there way back from a meeting from the planetarium... "It was only on the insistence of your mother that they had stoped at the Mandir to offer thanks and whilst walking back to the car had heard a cry from the boot of the car... Taking it as a sign both had decided to bring him home.. Shona when Rizwan and Shekhar found him all he had with him at the time was his name tag hence we named him Sanskaar for that's what his parents would have wanted.." as Amaya finally explained...
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Later that evening Sanskaar whom had been taking a midnight walk had been amazed to find Swara sitting at the patio steps.. She had been sitting there ever since her talk with Amaya had ended... Swara had been battling away her thoughts to find a way of how she could share this news with Sanskaar.. For Swara couldn't believe that he had been left abandoned by his parents... She had felt sad at the time at the discovery but soon this had turned into anger for whom could have been so cruel to leave a new born with a unknown stranger..

She had been startled by the coughing and looked up to see Sanskaar smiling at her as he sat next to her... He asked her what had been bothering him and watched her explain all that she had learnt that evening from both ladies.. Sanskaar had sat in silence as he took in each piece of information... He knew this journey was not going to be easy but what he had not planned on was the dept of the deceit that lay unravelled... As Swara carried on explaining he was glad that he had made a friend in Swara for he could feel the concern in her voice over his wellbeing... Sanskaar nodded to assure her he was okay as he knew that he was loved by his uncle till the very day he died... It still somehow didn't let his soul rest in peace for it still left his mind battling with the remaining questions that had been left unanswered....Swara whom had been looking at him held his hand and intertwined hers with his promising that she would help find all his answers for she owed it to her Dida and her baba whom had shown faith in him all those years ago... Thus both made the decision that a visit was needed back to the planetarium... It was at this point that Sanskaar had asked her to rest for it was already midnight to which Swara smiled in response "only when you promise you will go to sleep too Dragonfly.." he agreed only to have the last say "of course moth for I wouldn't want to get stung by you again..." Swara simply laughed at his statement as she stood up to leave but was pulled back to look down at there intertwined hands to reaffirm that they where indeed friends after all...

However for both Swara and Sanskaar these  where also the edging winds that would lead to the blossoming roads of a friendship that would intertwine like no other... Sanskaar watched Swara walk away with hope that finally he may be a step closer to learning why he landed at Sargam to start with and for that they had to take the journey back to Birla Planetarium... A mountain that was going to become there wine to unraveling the decision of the past...
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To be continued...
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Reference:
Quote 3: Edward Young- Google images

Wikipedia- Birla Planetarium

Google - https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/gmp2503/surprising-flower-meanings/