"Have you thought about anything?" Ragini asked inquisitively, post lunch.

"About what?" Swara asked though she knew the context of sudden broach of the currently most sensitive topic. Topic of Laksh proposed plan for Maheshwari Incorporation investing in his upcoming construction business.

"Swara, you know very well that for the last week only one topic is being discussed in the house. There is a meeting of all of you the day after tomorrow in which it will be decided whether Maheshwari Company will provide financial assistance to my Laksh's project or not." It was hard for Ragini to suppress her annoyed tone.

Sharmishtha and Parvati were observing the discussion happening in front of them silently hoping the latter would fall in line with their propaganda.

"Say clearly what you want to say. What is the use of beating around the bush like this? What do you want from me?" Swara was tired over a week hearing the rantings of her parents' family along with their sister.

"Don't you know, Sanskar is opposing Papaji's proposal to invest in our project via Maheshwari Incorporations. I don't understand what problem he has? Why does he want to stand like a mountain in the middle of his own brother's progress?" Ragini spatted, shedding crocodile tears.

"Ragu one minute my child." Shekhar interrupted by caressing his favourite daughter's hair. He knew his interruption was much needed. Girl standing in front of him is a key to unlock his miserable state.

"Shona, please don't misunderstand Ragu. She doesn't want to blame Sanskar but she is just upset. For Laksh's business and her future. She is also worried about us, your parents and our family. You know very well how many lives depend on this one decision." Finally, Shekhar pulled up his sleeves to convince his other daughter.

Over the last one week, Shekhar has delegated responsibility to convince Swara to his wife and Ragini, but they both failed to gain any assurance or promise. Their ideal daughter or sister, used to turn quite over a mere broach of the topic.

"Shona, you are my daughter. Can't I ask my own daughter's help? Also being an elder sister you should help your younger sister. You have always stood strong for our family. Won't you be fulfilling your duties this time?" Swara could not move her eyes from her father. He was caressing her hair. She could see tears in his eyes and helplessness in his entire demeanour.

"Shona, I don't need to tell you how much Sanskar loves you. He never ignores even the smallest thing you say. If you convince him for this time he will for sure listen to you. He will never say no to you. His one yes will make no difference to you or him, but our entire lives will be affected." This time Sharmishtha made her last attempt to convince her daughter.

"Swara please, I know from the last few days there have been some misunderstandings between us. But we are sisters. We are swaragini. Please .... please for our sister's bond please... I need your support." Finally, Ragini folded her hands reluctantly, shedding tears. Of course she was terrified over her vague future ahead.

Ragini hated her current stand but she was clearly asked to get Swara's confidence gaining her support assurance.

Parvati was standing silently keeping her unfaltering glare from her so-called grad-daughter's face. She had clenched her fist and gritted her teeth looking at the frailties of her beloved grand-daughter. Her contempt for Swara, reached to its peak. Her heart cursed Swara for her silence.

Whereas for Swara, she was engulfed in her own agonies. A week back she had a briefe chat with her husband about the meeting proposed by the head of the family and chairman of Maheshwari Incorporations.

Swara had observed her husband who had been abruptly turned silent.

Sanskar has pushed himself in a shell. He was back to his routine of initial days of her return. He has started going to his office too early resulting in his missing presence during breakfast time as well as his arrival late mid night limiting other family members their opportunities for any sort of interaction including Swara.

Their early morning sneak outs, Me Time at night routine was completely shattered over last week. She had hoped at least he would not miss their Friday dinner out but unexpectedly he cancelled it, apologising to her due to his office meetings. His distant, reserved, workaholic approach was breaking her blissful bubble by every passing day.

Over last week, fear started sinking in her mind breaking her heart into thousands of pieces. Sanskar's reserved, distant behaviour made Swara feel that her hard work of so many months was going to waste. She was again at the verge of losing him again.

It was 2 am in midnight the night before most awaited big day, when Sanskar returned back to his home, he carefully opened the door hoping Swara would be in deep slumber. There was darkness in his room, that darkness alone was enough to convert his doubt into belief. He released a deep relaxing sigh while closing the door behind.

He was turning the knob of the door to lock it when the room lightened up suddenly. He closed his eyes tightly, understanding a long interrogative session was now waiting for him. He turned, to see Swara standing in front of him with crossed hands drilling holes in his soul.

"Have you had dinner?" She asked but her voice was heavy.

"Yes." He dropped his laptop bag on a nearby couch. "What about you?"

"Yes." She nodded her head.

"I will just freshen up." He loosened his tie.

"Are you avoiding me Sanskar?" Her tearful voice halted him in his tracks.

"Swara" he turned instantly and took a long step to her.

"You know how much I love you." He cupped her face. "I cannot see tears in these big doe eyes." He kissed her forehead.

"Then why were you not talking to me last week? Why were you going to the office every early morning and coming so late? I was missing Sanskar, our daily sneak out, our Me Time. You even cancelled our Friday's plan." She complained, crying bitterly hitting him on his chest with her fist.

"I am sorry. I am sorry. I am sorry." He kept on ranting, peppering her face with his kisses.

"Is it because you were scared I will have asked you to intervene in this ongoing issue? Did you really think I would have forced you against your wish? Did you think I will be taking this decision single handedly?" Finally, she vented out her miseries, agonies in his arms in terms of tears soaking his shirt.

Sanskar stayed silent wrapping his arms around her petite figure. His insecurities had started surfacing again. Over the last week, his mind and heart were fighting their own battle which made him maintain distance between himself and his soulmate.

"Swara, come sit here." He made her sit on a nearby couch.

"Did you forget we promised to not hide anything from each other. Then what happened?" She asked innocently.

"Yes, I am scared. I am scared for tomorrow. I will be truthful to you the insecurities, apprehensions, restraints, I had earlier, those have started surfacing again. And I didn't want you to witness them." He wiped her tears.

"Why Sanskar? I am your better half." Swara countered with confusion.

"Over the last one week, I have been working on with my assisting team in Maheshwari Incorporation to see if we can go ahead with Bade Papa's proposal. Even if there is a minute chance that we can support this proposal not impacting Maheshwari's current standing in market as well as it's future." Sanskar remembered his long meetings and discussions with different departments of the company.

"Is there any chance?" She asked hopefully.

"Not really." He shook his head defeatedly. She closed her eyes in desperation.

"Swara, I cannot support this proposal." He declared with surety. Today, when he finally made a decision after a long battle between his heart and mind, he decided to be vocal about it with his wife.

He continued staring at her big doe eyes, "This is my decision. I know you will be hurt and angry with me as my stand will for sure have an immense adverse impact on Ragini, Laksh, also your Ma and Baba. But you are free to make your own decision. Trust me, I did not want to influence your decision. I understand, you are again trapped between the devil and the deep sea."

"You tell me what I should do tomorrow?" She asked helplessly.

"Swara, you have to use your sanity while making a decision tomorrow. Think about it carefully. Tomorrow, in Meeting there will be a long discussion, you can listen to it. You can also raise your questions and then come to any conclusion." He wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"I don't want to come tomorrow." She shook her head against his chest. She was scared to break the bonding she was successful to bloom over the last few months.

"There is no escape, Swara. Either tomorrow or in the next meeting." He explained.

"It will be your decision. Whatever you will decide, I don't want you to feel guilty or ashamed of it. It will be your professional decision and being your husband, I promise, it will not have any impact on our marriage. Decision will be inside the boardroom, tomorrow when we both walk out of the boardroom post meeting, the decision will be left behind. I promise, I will never bring it anytime between us." He assured her though one part of his heart was screaming her support over his stand.

But his love for her selfless nature overpowered his heart's whispers. He knew his wife's unconditional love towards her family and sister even after their biassed behaviour towards her over years.

'Afterall she is their daughter, she is Ragini's sister, no daughter and sister would want any hardships for her loved ones.'

Sanskar had vowed not to let the current storm hit their marriage this time. He had seen her efforts to build their lost bond, to repair their marriage. He was thankful. Whatever her decision, he would accept it with a smile on his face, even though it would give a pang in his heart if she went against him.

Swara did not say a word after that but thoughts submerged her for the entire night. Same was the condition with Sanskar. Both kept on glancing at each other but none of them made any effort to break the deadly silence.

Next day, it was a day when Maheshwari Incorporations was holding shareholders meeting to decide on Durga Prasad Maheshwari's expansion proposal. Swara and Sanskar both got ready and came downstairs to face the entire Maheshwari and Gadodia family.

"Swara, beta, you are the daughter in law of this house. You are also an ideal daughter one should have. You need to make the decision which is in the best interest of everyone. Your family, your parents, your sister and her future." Annapurna blessed, when Swara bent in front of her after morning arati.

Sujata stared at them dejectedly, again her heart was grappling with the fear of her son's heart break. Her daughter in law had always prioritized her sister and her family's wellbeing in front of her son's unconditional love. She prayed silently to her Kanhaji for her son's happiness. She blessed with a forced smile.

"Stay blessed" Swara again observed hesitance, fear and pain in her mother in law's eyes.

Whereas Gadodia family and Ragini, again started their convincing session highlighting their so called bonding, their future, their betterment.

Sanskar was silently hearing their pleas along with the rest of the others.

"Shona, now everything is in your hands. Think about Ayush. Think about me and your Baba... we will be on roads. Your Dada Dadi, at this age do you want them to beg around the society?" Sharmishtha folded her hands crying bitterly.

"Ma please don't do this" Swara shook her head.

Sharmishtha pulled her in hug.

"Sharmishtha ji please. Don't cry. This is also your house. And our Swara is very mature. She will always make decisions for the good of all of us. We have full confidence in her." Annapurna convinced, holding Sharmishtha inside embrace.

"Come Swara, let's go. You can come with us." Laksh was confident of Swara's support, looking at the scene in front of his eyes. He purposefully offered a ride to Swara to eliminate even a single chance of Sanskar persuading or influencing Swara's decision making power.

Sanskar shook his head, understanding his cousin's childish attempts.

"No, I will come with Sanskar." It was for the first time Swara spoke in front of family.

Within the next hour, everyone was settled in the boardroom of Maheshwari Incorporation.

Durga Prasad was on the head chair being chairman of the company at the oval table whereas Ram was on his right side and Sanskar was on left. Besides Sanskar it was Swara and then a few more minority shareholders. On Ram's side it was Laksh and few more departmental heads to provide inputs which could be helpful for shareholders to make a final decision.

The discussion was going on intensely, where department heads and minority shareholders were raising their concerns. Laksh and his partner were also in the meeting to give supporting arguments proving how upcoming expansion will result in future benefits.

Sanskar was silent, he had already made his decision. He was acting as a silent listener much to the surprise of others in the meeting room. He could not miss the scrutinising eyes of his father and uncle.

"Mrs. Maheshwari, do you have any questions?" Company secretary asked as per procedure, seeing her unsettling in her chair.

"Mr. Laksh, I had heard your previous investor back out because of non compliance of government licence and permissions. I believe those permissions are necessary for any construction company to start their work. Where do you think your partnership firm stands in this matter?" Sanskar looked at his wife with wide open eyes. She had carefully broached a very sensitive topic for discussion. Same was the condition with Ram.

Swara's question turned an entire flow of discussion. Laksh was bombarded with questions for different members of the meeting.

"Yes, she is right, Mr. Laksh where are we with those permission?"

"What is an ETA to get those permissions?"

"What is your plan to get them ASAP?"

"What is your workback schedule if the permissions are delayed?"

"What is your plan B?"

And so on and on...

Laksh did his best to answer those questions but the experienced eyes of members could not miss his fumbling over. His forced struggle to fight the battle shook the confidence level of the other members of the meeting over the proposal.

It took two more hours of discussion before the company secretary announced to vote for the final decision.

"So ladies and gentleman, after four long hours of discussion, members over here think that they can make their final decision over proposed expansion plans. Those who are not in favour of this expansion, please raise your hands."

Sanskar thought a bit but his corner eyes captured Swara raising her hand after quick 2 minutes of thought.

Laksh gaped like a fish when Swara openly declared her declination. His overconfidence crumbled under her feet.

Same was the condition with Sanskar. He was looking at his wife without a blink with a thudded heart.

For a moment, he was thinking to support this absurd proposal just for the sake of his wife... He had seen her silent tears in morning for him nothing was important than his wife... his Swara.

But when she stood in support of him, his eyes turned teary.

Sanskar blinked his eyes to push back his tears when he saw his father, who had also raised his hand denying the proposed venture. He matched his eyes with his father, his heart was running with jet speed finding his father's open support for the first time in his life. Both father and son shared a briefe nod and passed a grateful silent message to each other.

And finally Sanskar raised his hand declaring his stand.

"Ram"

"Chachu?" It was the most unexpected for both Durga Prasad and Laksh Maheshwari.

Sanskar felt a soft touch on his palm under the table when he shifted his eyes between his father and wife. Both nodded at him with assured blink.

Few more minority shareholders also raised their hands opposing the proposal.

"In this meeting, the expansion proposal is opposed by 68% of shareholders vote, hence Maheshwari Incorporation will not undergo any expansion activity for the time being...." Company secretary gave a long closing speech.

Laksh, threw his phone and left the meeting room stomping his feet earning everyone's attention.

Durga Prasad dropped his shoulders helplessly when he lost his precious younger brother. A brother who had not said even a single word against him till today, has opposed him in front of the entire company. He knew that this time it was his fault. He has taken advantage of their goodness too much. Today, he has lost the battle of his life, his brother, his nephew, his daughter all were standing against him. He walked out taking small defeated steps bending his head down.

Everyone slowly dispersed, after some official greetings. Only Ram, Swara and Sanskar were left behind.

"Dad." Sanskar took a step towards his father. He had never imagined in his wildest of dreams that his father would choose his side in front of his elder brother. But today, the least expected had turned into a reality. His father supported him.

"I always wanted to support you, but my debts were so high that I kept getting overwhelmed by them. But thanks to my daughter Swara, she made me realise that there is no any deposit, capital or debt or interest in relationships. All we have is love and trust. Trust that my loved one will support me no matter what happens in this world." Tears were rolling over Ram's cheeks.

"I am sorry son. I am sorry for not being able to stand for you when you needed me. I am sorry for not supporting..." Ram could not finish as Sanskar hugged his father crying bitterly like a small 10 year old kid.

"I love you Dad." Sanskar could hardly speak between his sobs.

"I love you, my son." Ram broke their hug and then wiped Sanskar's tears. "And I am so so so much proud of you. I am proud of myself that I am Ram Maheshwari, Sanskar Maheshwari's father." Both were smiling their hearts out but tears kept on streaming over their cheeks.

"Swara, why are you standing there? Come here. All credit goes to you." Ram called her and she threw herself in his fatherly embrace.

Sanskar wrapped his arms around both of them. It was a complete family moment.

Here in Maheshwari house, Sujata was going towards the temple area when she saw Laksh entering inside the living room.

"Laksh, what happened in the meeting?" Ragini saw her husband and ran towards him followed by the rest of the Gadodia family.

"The expansion proposal is accepted by everyone, right? Now we don't have any issue with Badi's project right?" Ragini kept on assuming being a delusional woman.

"Laksh, everything is fine right." Shekhar asked with thumping hearts.

"No Papa, nothing is fine." Laksh gritted his teeth. "Our proposal was rejected."

He declared earning audible gasps from everyone.

"What? How is that possible?" Shekhar asked the question running in everyone's mind.

"Your favourite daughter Swara." Laksh spoke venomously.

Hearing her daughter in law's name, Sujata moved towards the living area.

"She was the first one who raised her hand to oppose the proposal." Laksh declared taking floor beneath everyone's feet.

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