Hi Everyone...😊

Thank you all for the lovely comments & votes it's much appreciated....😃

Dedicated to -Nynaeve....
As you and lucky couldn't decided on whom Sunny belonged too...I got her to design this just for you 😃

& lucky03m the banner its beautiful beyond believe 😍😍. .. I just hope you find the update does justice to your creation of art .....

Please leave your lovely comments and press the 🌟 button at the end if you have enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed penning it down ...Would love to hear what you all think as always ...

Lots of Love Ekta ☺

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"Find yourself &  Success finds you for miracles are the stepping stone to brighter promises"

Feeling the engine came alive Sanskaar knew that he had arrived...He felt the gently bumps as the flight landed on the runway with gushing speed while the pilots made the final call announcements to all passengers aboard..Sanskaar watched the passengers came alive as they scattered around to grab there belongings in hast to meet there loved once at the other side.... For the fading pillowcases of clouds in the sky were a gentle reminder of the issues that lay ahead... However before he could dwell any deeper into his thoughts  Sanskaar had been bought out of his reverie by  the arrival of the plush greenery through the widows which were a awaking of the heavens that he had so missed, as he felt the brightness of the sun shine down on him....

It had been nearly an hour since Sanskaars flight had landed at the Kolkata international  airport terminals....As he manuevered his way through the hustle and bustle of the runway he couldn't stop but smile.. In all his years of having lived in Seattle he had truly forgotten that life kept moving forward and a living example of this was once again proven today by how busy the airport could be.. Walking through the narrow terminal tunnel he was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the languages he heard, for many tourist just like him did not know that Kolkata was the only international eastern state in India to have its very own international airport which was first developed during the industrial revolution.... Sanskaar watched the passerby grab there suitcases as they ran through customs awaiting there loved ones  at the welcome point... Seeing the distance reduce to the exit he proudly saw the bright signs illuminate high above  on the large plasma screens they had displayed for onlookers with the notice of" Welcome to Kolkata International.... We Welcome you to Arrivals,this way to baggage" knowing full well that the exit was near to taking his first stepping stone to new promises indeed...

Moving towards the porter at hand, Sanskaar collected his suitcase while paying the old man for his help in the process... However before he could move away Sanskaar was stopped in his tracks for the old man wanted to bless him for his generosity, he knew he did not have to pay..... Without looking back he removed his phone, switched it on only to see it come alive with volcanic eruptions of emails and message's....Shaking his head in the processes as he inserted his bluetooth headset into his ear, before immediately dwelling into each messege one at a time whilst walking away.....

Meanwhile on the otherside Nakul awaited patiently at the gates to see his friend...He smiled as he recalled his conversation with Dida the evening before, still not being able to believe that his friend was finally paying a visit home after all these years... During Sanskaar's time away he had missed his friend dearly  for Nakul knew Sanskaar had left all those years ago to rediscover himself for life had indeed been cruel to both at the start...  Whilst dealing with there inner grief they had become good friends, for grief found new friends in the most unlikeliest of places....A blessing that Nakul today would not trade for any other riches in the world even if asked, for he had finally found a family to call his own in Sanskaar....

Letting the memories shine brightly on his face he moved forward through the crowds of onlookers... While he proudly displayed the white name plaque which he had inscripted with Sanskaar name on hoping he would spot him in shadows of these large crowds....

Feeling the humidity slowly hit his face Sanskaar edge towards his coat  pocket to slide on his favourite pair of ray band sunglasses...The black on black rimmed glasses where one smoking illusion that would halt any woman on there knee whom stopped as they saw him walk past with a proud smirk. ...Sanskaar loved this look for it allowed him to judge people without letting them see what he really felt, and at that precise moment it was exactly the illusion he needed, for he really wished that he also had someone waiting for him at the other end of those rotating glass doors. For in his hurry the night before he had failed to ask either Aman or Dida to confirm if anyone would be coming to receive him once he had arrived... Following the stream of people he was surprised by the call of his name...Taking it as a mere illusion he moved ahead only to hear it again...

"Sanskaar...Sanskaar....buddy listen to me....Sunny stop!" making him halt in his tracks while trying to find the person whom had called him in these large crowds....

Not having any luck he picked up the suitcase again only to hear "Listen to me Sunny it's me Nakul...I am  right behind you buddy...."as he smiled....

"Nakul it's you.....I cannot believe it's  you?  For when I left you last you where wearing glasses..." he chuckled....

Nakul frowned as he heard his words, but knew he was only teasing and let it be for now....."Forget it Sunny it seems you have not changed....will you just stand there and watch me or are we going to hug this out..." as he waited all impatient...

"Well I would but for that you need to drop that huge plaque of yours your holding for a start" whilst approaching him to finally be embraced like all....

As Sanskaar hugged his dear friend he knew he was in for a long day for the humidity was an unwelcome reminder of the unravelled roads that lay ahead... But one thing he was sure of, if Nakul's welcome had been so soulful then Dida would be a river of delightful waves yet to be embraced...So he waved his hands in delight, " I think we should be heading home for we wouldn't want my future bhabi to get wrong impression am I right? No  indeed we do not but for know lets leave the rest of the chatter for home, follow me Sunny as i lead the way" as he let Nakul whilst he enjoyed finally being welcomed home by the city of joy all open armed...
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Back in Seattle Aman lay the final touches to the email that Sanskaar had left behind...Having received confirmation that very night that there tender had been accepted for the next stage of bidding, he ensured that no details were missed...For he didn't want to fail his friend while working on new promises...

Hence he inserted the  final approved proposal in the bound folder at hand sealing it for the attention of Mr S.Gupta, not realising that these new challenges may questions the very virtue that they walk upon....

Sen Gupta Inc. - Sector V - Kolkata

Sen Gupta Inc was one of the oldest tech firms situated in the colony of Sector V. It was a modern 10 story office located at the heart of the colony... Sector V was one of the most renowned areas within Kolkata for its enhanced IT hubs in the area and hence was a proud home to over 100 different firms within the field.... Competing with the likes of UK and the United States it was home to over a 100,000 employees whom specialised in various sectors of design and programming that loved working there due to vibrance of culture's and langueges on offer with so much more....However compared to its rivals the ultra sleek office was surrounded a dry eerie silence...The tapping of keyboards was the only swooshing sound that could be heard, as he walked through the corridors towards his office...

Looking at the door he smiled proudly at the sign on display as he entered... A few minutes later while peeking through his glass office, he settled down while taking of his coat...The large glass table in the centre of his office offered him a 360 view of his employees yet currently he couldn't stop looking at the golden motifs on his name plaque which proudly displayed Sahil Sen Gupta...

Sahil rested back in his leather chair all content...A man in his late twenties Sahil had only been running the firm for the last five years since his father had retired...He first took on the firm when he had decided that he wanted to update the office and bid for projects internationally...Having closed his first deal within the first three months of joining the office it was not long before he was made the ceo of the firm after his father decided to step down the year before  last with the agreement of the board...

Dwelling into his memories proudly he turned around to look at the large portrait hanging on the east side of the wall whilst softly murmuring " I love you..." as he gently kissed the ring on his finger.... For his employees envied his success both financially  and in terms through the love he got from his family.... Not being able to hold back Sahil stood up to go and watch the portrait closer but before he could even cares the image he was brought back to the present by the knock on his door. ...

Sahil turned round and watched Nakul enter with a file in his hand...He smiled as he took the project file only to read it to say proposal by Karma... Sahil had been waiting for this in anticipation so he simply nodded for Nakul to leave to deal with other matters at hand...

So he walked back to his desk to dwell deeper into the file not realising that this deal was not going to be easy to seal for promises were going to be broken by friends no matter if he liked it or not....

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" A friend is someone whom picks you up even when you haven't realised that you have fallen"

On the other side the heavens opened welcoming the gateways to paradise for a friend lay in the shadows waiting to spread it's wings. ...

Sargam Foundation - Banaras India

"Didi....Didi....." the little devils called as they scattered around to find their favourite teacher..... All lost in her world of fairy tales and fairy dust...She let the gushing winds sweep her away just like the shimmering of the waves..... Enjoying the mid afternoon sun she smiled brightly as she hummed away her favourite tune " cham cham cham....aaj mein inn ......." as she felt the gentle mist drop down on her....

Sitting in the swinging tree that was centrally located in the meadow she enjoyed the silent music being created by the lake at the distance.... She loved the deserted meadow that was so well hidden for not many tourist new of this secret heaven which she had first stumbled upon when she had joined Sargam....

Clutching the strings of the swing ever so lightly she basked in the warmth of the blossoming lavinder flowers, as they soaked up the gentle dews drops from the heavens as she glided back and forth in there rhythm.....Waiting for her friends to come and visit.... Swara watched in anticipation as she saw the tiniest of movement in the meadows knowing that her wait will soon be over.... She closed her doe eyes as the butterfly flew close to her finally resting at the edge of her knee.....Moving her hand forward to touch it ever so slowly she was surprised as the tiny moth got away...Silently cursing the untimely calling of her friends whom had cost her chance again of holding the little creature close in admiration....

The little rascals as she had named them out of love where not faraway....For she could hear there little voices coming closer through the trees..... Having had enough of screaming one of the little girls decided to part away from the group to go and see if her Didi was at her favourite place....Anjali ran away from the group screaming delightfully "I am going to see if Swara didi is by the tree again?" as she saw her friend's faces register what she was thinking with surprise...Leaving them behind whilst they patted there heads arguing it out after realising what she thought they should have done all along....

Hearing the crushing leaves behind Swara gently turned around to be embraced by the young girl...She loved all the children for they were the reason she came to work every day. ...There selflessness to give love without any expectations made there bond even stronger then any family.... "Shona Didi, are you listening to me? Ghala Amaya was calling for you..? She said it was urgent..." making her stumble out of her reverie...

"Beta don't worry she must have burnt the dinner again...." chuckling away...."You just sit here with me and practice our new song. Or do you want to eat her food again which is so tasteless, for I promise as soon as we are done I will cook for you all....So come on stop worrying and smile for your Didi" she pleaded all puppy eyed....

Anjali knew it was pointless to argue with her Shona Didi for once she had made up her mind there was no changing it no matter how much they begged....But then as if lightning struck she remembered "No Didi, she said something else something about telephone Dida" tapping her chin while shaking her shoulders all innocently as she took her place on the swing next to Swara....

"Kya Dida.... ka call? She jumped as if someone had dropped off a bomb waiting to exploded, getting ready to look for her phone..."Beta? You know your Didi loves you the most can you help me find my phone? " Anjali simply clapped in delight as if she was getting ready to play her favourite game....Looking around Anjali spotted the device in the corner of the tree and pointed Swara towards it whom rushed across the fields as if time had stopped... Looking at the phone she noticed her screen flashing  again with "Dida calling" but before she could answer the call dropped displaying that she had 10 missed calls.... Swara muttered away as Anjali watched her didi repeat the same line all over again "oh no 10 missed calls shona today you are dead for sure...." but before Anjali could  even ask her didi why she was so worried.... Swara picked up her mobile held the little girls hand as she scooted her way home to make the call to Dida with Anjali in toe.....

An hour later as Swara sat at the bay of her window recalling her conversation with Dida she watched the Sun Dawn from the sky as it simmered in the glistening orange  hues whom was getting ready to welcome the night.... The talk with Dida had left her somewhat unsettled yet it had brought on this new hope....As Swara rotated her mobile in her hands she recalled the entire conversation in her mind whilst she lead back on the frame to dwell deeper into her thoughts....There conversation had started of like any other day where she got told off for never carrying her phone with her then pleading she was so sorry and promising it would never happen again knowing full well that it was near to impossible for her to stick to her promise.... Yet the parting words from Dida conversation had sent a silent chill down her spine...."Shona beta come home soon...I need to talk to you its urgent...be home in the next couple of days...." the old maiden had spoken all serious...

"But Dida is all okay?  I mean are you ill? Please tell me for I am getting worried..?" No dear it's nothing as such it's just your bhai needs your help with his new project and it's only you that can help him....will you come shoru? " Dida asked with a battered breath as she heard Swara tapping her fingers in confusion for a few minutes till she finally agreed...

"Okay I am coming... but tell Nakul bhaiya that I expect my treat to be ready as always for he had forgotten it last time..." complaining as if she had lost her favourite toy.....

"Shona baba don't worry leave it with your Dida! He won't get away from it this time...promise!..." Love you...Love you too...." she whispered as she put the phone away.....

Miles away Dida smiled as she watched the boys argue in delight as they  finally enter through the gates knowing that she had played all her cards right for now....She put the receiver down, smilling as she walked away to finally welcome home a old friend whilst waiting for another to do the same too...As if Swara had heard her prayers she moved towards her door to let Ghala Amaya know that she would be on leave for a few days...

The following morning as she stood at the bus stop  surrounded by her little friends she tried to reassure them all that she would be back soon.... Swara recalled their dull faces over breakfast as Ghala Amaya had broken the news that there favourite didi was going home...She remembered the tearful eyes of Anjali as she asked her why she was leaving and watched Rahul walk away refusing to take the chocolates she had bought hoping that it may ease there pain. ....For she knew there friendship meant far to much to all....

As Swara watched out of the bus window she waved goodbye to all the children ... A few minutes earlier she had ensured that she had hugged them all and promised she would be back soon... There smiling faces as she said those words was all the blessing she needed to begin this journey...

"Kolkata be ready for I am coming!", Swara thought as she stepped back on the bus all bright eyed to make the journey home.....If only she knew that certain promises bring new challenges that we never seeked...

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"Keep your face always towards the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you" - Walt Whiteman

It has been two days since Sanskaar had arrived in Kolkata. As he walked through  the gardens at the front he smiled happily as he caught up with Amam over the phone....

He still recalled the events of the last 48 hours since he had met Dida...The old maiden had welcomed him with open arms as he had expected, but not before his dear friend had been given a good old scolding by her for taking him to his office to deal with some last minute office matters...

Sanskaar had tried to tell Dida that he was fine with it and had been the one to force him to make the stop.. But was stopped midway as she stuffed his mouth with ladoos after having completed the aarti at the door.... She guiding him to come inside as he saw his friend try and explain the urgency of his boss's matters....

Leaving them to argue it out he took his luggage and headed towards his room which was his haven before he had left to settle in Seattle... As he opened the creaking door he glowed in delight noticing that nothing had changed in all these years...He walked inside as he watched his paintings hung proudly on the wall right next to all his academic achievements....Before Sanskaar could even shed a tear he was joined by Dida whom looked at him smiling proudly. ...

"Sun it's just as you left it...Humming brightly in all its glory...Do you remember the day you and Nakul had painted the room in various shades of aqua?"....

"Of course I do...I remember it for the mess we left behind and the hours it took to clean. .."..."No dear  that's not what I meant, I remember the day that this room was transformed from a shell to a home for that day you finally stepped out a man who knew what he wanted in life"....

She left him with those parting words to rest as she closed the door behind...Sanskaar watch the door close only to wonder why she had called him home in the first place...
Knowing that he would have to ask her soon before it was too late....

As he told Aman of the days events, he had failed to notice the opening of the gates...Swara slowly walked through trying not to make a sound on the pebbled pavement..She had not told either Nakul or Dida that's she was on her way for she had wanted to surprise them both...This was the very reason as the bus had arrived at the station that Swara had taken a taxi home and asked the driver to drop her at the corner of the road... Whilst making the rest of the journey home on foot. ....

As she turned round the corner Swara saw a lurking shadow in the garden and smiled in delight for she finally could get her revenge on Nakul...With some last minute planning she tippy toed towards the garden and slowly put her hands on his eyes... As she struggled to reach his height she started  wondering how her brother had become so tall all of sudden... Dida whom had been watching her antics the patio had tried to stop her but was too late...

Therefore leaving Swara to welcomed by a very annoyed Sanskaar whom turned round only to burst out in flames "Excuse me miss...whom are you? and what is the meaning of this? " Swara looked up at him only to be left speechless...As she blinked her eyes several times  as she watched him carry on complaining....However as Sanskaar watched the girl utter no words to his questions... He decided after a few minutes that he simply  had enough so he  held her at her arms and asked again in a firm tone"Do you care to explain miss? Or do you wish for me to show you the door..."....as he pointed his hand towards the gate indicating for her to leave....

This was it for Swara for she looked him in the eye "Excuse me Mr as far as I remember this is my Dida house and you are the one whom is trespassing not me..." So if you could let go of my arms that would be great for I only came her thinking it to be Nakul and not some anger spitting dragonfly".... as she burst back at him...

Sanskaar at that moment wanted to teach this little girl a lesson for calling him arrogant but was stopped by the approaching steps of Dida " Shoru you came...come here my girl..."as he watched the woman hug it out....

Swara smiled as she was embraced by her and asked where her brother was, whom Dida explained was at work as always...It was then that Swara glanced back at Sanskaar again and asked her Dida whom he was...She looked at her Dida again waiting in anticipation for an explanation whom finally told her that he was her bhaiya best friend from childhood and had lived with them for years till he moved away a couple of years ago....Sanskaar watched her explain and wonder why his friend had never told him he had a sister but thought it best not to ask for he was not her to discuss such matters and left the ladies to carry on chatting not before giving Swara a final glance to say I will see you later miss....Leaving Swara to watch his shadow fade away as he left....

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It was later that evening as they all had sat down to dinner that Dida had asked both Swara and Sanskaar to join her later in the gardens once they had completed there supper.... The two youngsters watched each other in confusion for both had not yet been able to get past there earlier meet...Swara had told Dida earlier that day, as she had settled in her room that she was in no mood to apologise for she had not committed a mistake and simply had refused to become his friend even after all her persistence..Dida glanced at both only to walk away saying " I will be waiting, no matter what..." not giving them a chance to refuse....Sanskaar looked back at Swara only to think great now I will have to spend my evening listen to this trouble again....

Later as the trio rested comfortable on the patio bench....They watched Dida walk out with a box...She placed the box in front of Sanskaar and settled besides him as she held his hand.... Shying she gathered the courage to finally explain why she had called them both here today. ...

Sanskaar looked at the maiden as she finally spoke "Sun today I came here to give you something which I should have done a long time ago..."You see this box it is the only memory I have of your identity...".....It has been with me for all these years for when I first held you...".... as she held his hand only to lay it on the box....Not being able to hold back he asked "Dida I don't follow? Will you explain.? Okay I agree I will be her friend but please do not joke with me...You know of my demons..."..."Yes I do Sanskaar and this is why I have called you here today because sometimes one falls down only to learn that something is to be found...and for you my boy it's time you go find your soul....go make piece with your heart..." as she caressed his cheek.... He nodded in consent but simply carried on explaining that he would deal with this once he had dealt with his project meetings...Dida smiled and explained that he could do both for this is why she had called her Shoru here too...

Swara watched as her Dida explained why she was here and what she had wanted her to do for her.....She held her hand and placed it on the box just like she had done with Sanskaars...."Shona today I want you to go with Sanskaar as his friend...Help him find his light from this hope that I have given him...Shoru beta some shadows are like demons that one cannot keep hidden forever...you see these eyes they have seen a lot and know only pray to see her Sun happy...will you do this for me Shona? Will you help me keep this fallen promise?" Me? Dida but how?... Oh my child you will go with him to his meetings and help him close this riddle too once and for all"....Swara was simply speechless and nodded her head in consent whilst never leaving her eyes from Sanskaars face whom she had seen smile his heart out with Nakul earlier....

Sanskaar picked up the box as he felt the midnight chill hum in slowly with the trees.... He looked at both ladies and wished them a goodnight as the leafs started to fall....As he recalled fallen leafs scatter and brittle away with the wind....Yet a home without a garden is a man with out a soul...A leaf fallen is like a withering flower for they may bloom yet again yet a broken promise is hard to forget.... It was equally hard for Swara to watch Sanskaar walk away to become the hard man he was yet again for a world that would truly never understand his plight.....

Seeing him disperse into the darkness of the night Swara decided at that very moment that she would help him find his seeking for however long it may take...She firmly believed within Dida parting words before she left with him to travel on this journey that " A higher calling was indeed waiting and that the time had come for it to be arisen!...." If only she knew at that point that her Dida had not been talking about business matters but matters of the heart....

Sanskaar looked her in the eye, had even warned her before he left "Be careful for what you promise for a promise that is broken, is even harder to put back together".... And Swara would learn that certain demons are best kept hidden, promises or no promises....

To be continued

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References:

Quote 3: Google Images by Walt Whiteman