Yo! Good morning y'all!
Happy to state that the chapter A test of Trust crossed 100 votes. 🎉

🌹Thank you all! 🌹

Will try to update the next chapter soon! Maybe Thursday or Friday. Let's see how much the views and the votes are. 😉😉

🌹 Happy Dipawali in Advance! 🌹

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Moving on...💃💃💃

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 23 - Feeling So Right Doing the Wrong Thing

He squeezed his eyes harder as sunlight entered the room. He tossed around and placed the blanket over his head so that the rays don't disturb his sleep.

However, no sooner did he do it, he felt it being snatched away and heard her voice.

"Sanskar! Sanskar, wake up already! It's almost 9 am."

"Ragini shhhh. Be a good girlfriend and give me back my blanket." he spoke groggily, searching around for it with his hand, without opening his eyes.

Ragini pulled away the blanket and dropped it on the floor. However, Sanskar simply used the nearby pillow to hide his face.

Ragini shook her head in disbelief. "Mani did a bad thing by bringing over your things. He shouldn't have brought everything."

Indeed Mani was of great help. He got some workers to bring over her things as well as Sanskar's from the Gadodia house the previous day.

"Ragini, go back to your room and let me sleep. You should go and sleep as well." he extended his hand and patted the space near him. "Or you could always come and sleep next to me."

Ragini glared at him, although she couldn't deny the blush that threatened to appear on her cheeks.

She and Sanskar may have moved in together. But she didn't want to let go of the morals she had been brought up with. That is why she refused to share a room with him until they married. So him saying such things effected her greatly.

'Alright then! I'll have to wake him my way.' Ragini marched forward and pulled away the pillow from above his head, exposing his face to the sunlight. "Wake up!"

Sanskar fumbled around with his hand for something to shade him from the light.

"It's useless Sanskar. You won't find anything." Ragini spoke poking him on the arm. "Now,get up!"

"I wouldn't say nothing." Sanskar pulled Ragini on to the bed and hid his face in the crook of her neck. As he breathed in, the sweet fragrance of cherry blossoms flowed into his nose. "You smell sweet."

Ragini gulped as Sanskar's breath hit her neck. "Y-yeah. It's...it's the sha-shampoo." she stuttered out meekly. "S-Sanskar leave me. Y-you have work. Get u-up. Oth-Eeep!" Ragini let out a squeal of surprise as he pulled her closer by the waist.

"Shut up. As the proverb goes 'sleep and let sleep.' Now husshh!"

Ragini chuckled. "It's 'live and let live' Sanskar."

"Whatever!"

Ragini kept looking at where he held her by the waist. She could feel her heart pounding harder. Various feelings were arising in her heart. She blushed at the thoughts running through her mind due to their closeness.

Don't get her wrong. Ragini was a prude and conserved girl no less. However, that didn't mean she didn't have her own fantasies and desires. She was, after all, just another girl made of flesh and bones with a spiral of emotions and hormones running through her system.

'Mind out of gutter Ragini. Mind out of the gutter!' Ragini shook her head of her thoughts and slapped her cheeks to make them stop blushing. 'What is wrong with you Ragini!? This...this is all because of Sanskar! It's his fault!'

Abruptly, she pushed him as hard as she could, making him fall over the bed.

"Earthquake!" Sanskar shouted opening his eyes from the impact. When he realized it was actually him falling to the ground, he looked at Ragini with a pout. "You cruel thing in the disguise of a beautiful lady. I will have my revenge on wh-" his sentence got interrupted by a towel thrown at his face.

"Less talking. More working." Ragini snarked out and left the room with her head held high.

After 30 minutes...

Drops of water fell from his hair as he came out of the bathroom. Sanskar threw the towel on the chair and opened his wardrobe to look for fresh clothes. 'Today is the first day of my new job. I should look my best.'

However, he couldn't see his favorite shirt or pant there. In confusion, he turned to look around. To his surprise, he found it well arranged on the bed. 'Ragini, you're the best.'

He quickly put on his clothes and combed his hair. "Finally done!" he checked himself in the mirror for the last time.

Just then, he noticed one important thing. "Eh? Where is my tie?"

Sanskar searched the entire room for it but couldn't find it. 'Ragini might know.'

He walked out of the room and into the kitchen. "Ragini, have you se-eh?" Ragini stood there with his tie in her hand. "So there it is. Thanks Ragini." Sanskar moved towards her to get it. However, she wouldn't let go.

Instead, she stood on her tiptoes and put the tie on him herself. She looked at him with admiration. "Mr. Sanskar, Managing Director of Bhalla Enterprises. An honour to meet you."

Sanskar smiled back at her. "Miss Ragini Gadodia. Always a pleasure to meet you."

Ragini giggled and moved away towards the table. She pulled a chair for herself and patted the other.

Sanskar took the hint and sat down beside her. He looked at the overturned plate on the table. "So?"

Ragini removed the plate and Sanskar saw a sandwich and a chocolate on the tray. She picked up the chocolate and opened the wrapper.

Sanskar opened his mouth for her to feed him. "Something sweet for the first day of your work." Ragini stated. "I wish I could make you curd, but the circu-"

Sanskar put a hand over her mouth and shook his head. "No Ragini. This is more than enough."

Ragini smiled back and pushed the tray towards him. "Have this sandwich. That's all I could manage for now. Mani will help with the grocery shopping later."

Sanskar picked up the sandwich and divided it diagonally into two equal halves. He took a plate and gave one piece to Ragini.

"Sanskar, it's you who needs to eat it. You're going for work."

"That is your share Ragini. A token of my love."

Ragini looked at him amused. "What?"

He put a hand behind her head, bringing it forward and touched his forehead with hers, closing his eyes with a smile. "Ragini, this is not just a piece of bread I'm handing over to you. For me, this is me saying that in this relationship, I will give you equal space. Whatever decisions we take, you shall have an equal voice in it. Whatever I decide will be something that gives us equal happiness. Whatever I do, will always...always be decided by us...together."

"Sanskar..." Ragini looked at him with adoration.

"Every decision we take from now on, won't be yours or mine. It will be ours. After all, we are two bodies, but one soul."

Ragini let out a hearty laugh through her tears of joy and pulled him into a hug. "You're making me cry in the morning itself. So heartless of you."

Sanskar chuckled and hugged her back.

Their moment was interrupted by the doorbell.

Ragini stood up, rubbing her away her tears. "Who could that be so early?"

Sanskar snorted. "Maybe that good-for-nothing prat you call a brother."

"You mean Mani? Nice!" Ragini rushed to the front door and opened it. However, it wasn't Mani, but his parents. "Mr and Mrs. Dobrial. Good morning."

Shikha Dobrial smiled at her. "Hello Ragini dear. Mani told me you and Sanskar moved in yesterday. So me and Raj decided to come visit. We live only a few blocks away."

"Oh, I see." Ragini spoke with a hesitant smile. If Mani had told them they shifted here, then he must have no doubt told them about what happened.

Raj placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry beta. We don't blame you. Mani explained what happened and if he trusts you, we believe in you as well."

"Thank you Uncle. Come in please."

"Shikha will stay. I must leave for office Ragini." Raj responded.

"Ragini? Is Mani troubling you?" Sanskar questioned as he came near. However, he could see only Mani's parents there. "Oh, it's you."

"Yes boy. Mani couldn't come. He said he had something important to do." Raj informed. "By the way, aren't you being late for office Sanskar? This isn't acceptable on the first day. Let's go!" without giving a chance for Sanskar to respond, Raj pulled him out of the door.

'Stubborn and bossy father. Now I know where Mani got his attitude from.' Sanskar thought in his mind in irritation. He looked back at Ragini with a mixed look of longing and helplessness.

Ragini chuckled and waved him off.

"So Ragini. Ready for shopping?"

"Eh? But I...I'm kind of short of money Shikha Aunty."

Shikha rolled her eyes. "My husband and son own an Enterprise. And I have no daughters that I can dress up or gossip with. Now that I got you, I'm going to spoil you as much as I can and doll you up! I'm more than happy to spend on you."

"But Shikha Aunty, I don-"

"No buts! Go get ready. Go go go!"

#Gadodia house#

"Hello Shekhar Uncle. Good morning."

Shekhar looked up from the paper he was reading. "Mani beta. Welcome." indeed Shekhar was more than happy to welcome in Mani. Mani had informed them of Ragini and Sanskar's condition when he came to take their things the previous day. Shekhar was forever grateful to him for it. "What brings you here so early?"

"Well I wa-"

"Mani, good morning beta." Shramishtha greeted as she came near them. "Shekhar, what shall I make for breakfast?"

"I...I'm not hungry."

Shramishtha looked at him in worry. "Shekhar, I understand you are sad that Ragini left. But you can't keep punishing yourself for it. Mani already told us they will be fine. Don't you trust him?"

"I do. It's just that...it's just that the house isn't the same without Ragini."

"And whose fault is that Shekhar?!" shouted Parvati as she came to the room. She smiled at Mani. "Mani beta, are they really doing good? Is my Ladoo happy?"

"Arre Dadi, don't worry. Their apartment is the best of the best. And as for Ragu, she's with her Sanky. So do you think she would be unhappy?" he asked with a playful smirk.

"Haha...true." Dadi responded. The fact that he had helped her Ladoo in desperate times immediately put Mani in her good books.

"Dadi, what would you like for breakfast?"

"I'm okay Shramishtha. No need to cook me anything. Besides, I got work." saying that, Parvati left.

Shekhar stood up as well. "I'm going for a morning stroll."

"Okay. I hope it freshens your mood." Shramishtha spoke with a smile.

Mani looked on as Shramishtha's smile disappeared once Shekhar went away. "Aunty, is everything alright?"

Shramishtha gave a tired sigh. "No Mani. Nothing is alright. Everything is falling apart no matter how hard I'm trying to keep it together."

Mani looked around the house. The place which was radiating happiness the previous day when he arrived, now seemed to be doomed in gloom. There was utter silence in the household. "Ragu's leaving seems to have effected everyone greatly."

"True. Ragini went away alone with Sanskar from this house. But it seems like she took all the happiness in this house along with her." Shramishtha replied in a shaky voice. "Excuse me Mani. Let me get you some tea."

"Thank you." Mani watched her go with sympathy. 'Too bad there's nothing that can be done. You all yourself are responsible for pushing away Ragu.' Mani shook his head of those thoughts and looked around for the one he came for. 'Where is that witch? Must be in her room.' thinking so, Mani walked towards the corridor trying to find out which Swara's room was.

His main aim of coming to the Gadodia house was that he wanted to talk to Swara about Ragini. It was true that Ragini was no one to him by blood. However, she called her 'bhai'. That really touched his heart and he wanted to see her happy. 'And Ragu would never be happy if Swara hates her or if Swara marries Laksh. I must talk to Swara.'

From the corner of his eyes, he saw Swara outside though the window. He saw her stop a rickshaw and get on it. Mani at once rushed outside to his car to catch upto her.

#Dobrial Enterprise#

"And this is your cabin Sanskar." Raj declared as he and Sanskar entered the office room. He had introduced everyone to Sanskar so that he doesn't find it uncomfortable there.

"The cabin is well very organized. Thank you Uncle." he replied with utmost sincerity.

"Oh yaar. Stop saying thank you. Otherwise you will make this old man blush."

Sanskar chuckled as he walked towards the main chair. He looked at it with admiration and slowly sat on it.

"Feels good, doesn't it?" Raj asked with a smirk.

Sanskar nodded. "I promise I will live up to your expectations and take this company to the greatest heights possible."

Raj smiled at him. "I know boy. Mani wouldn't have appointed you if he didn't see the spark in you." Raj turned to leave. "All the best beta." saying that, he left.

Sanskar closed his eyes and breathed in. 'I will take this company to its heights!' He opened his eyes with a dangerous smirk. 'But my main aim will be to surpass the Maheshwari Industries that Bade Papa has so much pride over. I realize now that until and unless I manage to break that ego and arrogance of Bade Papa, he will never realize his wrongs. I'm sorry Bade Papa, but it's needs to be done.'

#With Mani#

Mani successfully followed Swara to a big mansion.

Mani checked the words written at the gate. It said "Maheshwari Mansion".

Mani waited till Swara went inside. Once she did, he walked behind her. The guards tried to stop him, but he said that he was with Swara. Hence, they let him pass.

Once inside, he looked around the place and saw Swara's figure disappear near the end of the long corridor. Careful not to be caught, Mani followed that direction. 'It feels like I'm a child again playing Sherlock. Too bad I don't have a companion to be Holmes.'

As he walked ahead, he heard voices from a room and peeped into it. It was Swara and Laksh.

#With Ragini#

Ragini looked up as she felt a tap on her shoulder. "Yes Shikha Aunty?"

"Ragini, we're suppose to go to the mall over there. Why are you stopping here?" Shikha asked curiously as Ragini stood there examining the vegetables.

"Shikha Aunty, today is Sanskar's first day at work. I wanted to cook him something good after he returns home."

"Aww...that is so sweet. What type of dishes do you know to cook?"

"I know many traditional cuisines. Maa taught me many delicious Bengali dishes as well." Ragini replied with a smile, reminiscing old days.

"Really? I only know to cook some of the basic things. Our servants do most of the cooking in our house. I wish I could cook better dishes for my family." Shikha spoke with a gloomy face.

"Is that so? Then I can teach you."

"You will?"

Ragini nodded. "Sure. I don't mind."

Shikha smiled from ear to ear. "Then let's shop veggies first. And maybe some spices as well. I can't wait to learn from you!"

#Laksh's room#

"Believe me Swara. I wasn't lying when I said that I didn't do anything. I love you, remember?" Laksh lied.

Swara crossed her hands over her chest and looked at him with narrowed eyes. "Laksh. The truth."

"That is the truth!" Laksh stressed, trying to sound as convincing as possible.

Swara sighed and moved to sit at the bed. She sat down and looked at the ceiling. "Love. What a funny word, isn't it? Love. The thing that is supposed to be pure and full of happiness. The thing that is supposed to make your life a bliss." she gave a dry chuckle. "But I guess it's time I realize it's not meant for me."

'Shit! She can't be doubting me. I already am pissed off that Ragini is staying with Sanky. Now this troublesome Swara is here to give me another headache.' Laksh composed himself and tried to change her mind. "Of course it's meant for you. It's meant for us."

Swara let out a humorless laugh. "No it's not. If it was, I wouldn't end up hurting over and over again. First, I was confused whether I loved you or not, which kept me in distress. Then, even when there were emerging feelings for you in my heart, I suppressed them for my sister's sake. Once you broke her heart, I kept myself away for her sake. And when I finally...finally thought I got you, you go doing this!"

"Swara I wa-"

"Shut up! Don't give any excuses. And don't even dare say you love me. I'm sick of this word." Swara glared at him. "Love. I hate that word. It destroyed my happiness completely! I was better off without it. Before, only thing that mattered to me was getting a good job to help pay for the house me, Dida and Maa lived in. And I think I shall do that now as well."

Laksh felt a sense of dread, fearing that she would expose him. "Swara you're being deceived. I didn't cheat on you."

"Shut it Laksh. I won't buy any more of your lame excuses." Swara stood up from the bed and came to stand in front of him. "Besides, you don't need to fear me. I'm not here to threaten you. I'm here to shake hands with you."

"What?!"

Swara smirked and sat back down on the bed with a content sigh. "Oh Lucky! For the first time I'm feeling so right doing the wrong thing. The question is, are you willing to help me?" at her words, Laksh could only look at her in shock and confusion.

If they had listened carefully, they would have heard the gasp that escaped Mani as he listened secretly from outside.

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Why did Swara say so?

Will Swara and Laksh now ruin Ragini and Sanskar's peaceful domestic life?

Will Mani expose Swara and Laksh?

Do you think Sanskar will succeed?

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To be continued...

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~ 🌹 Mona 🌹