Swara takes a deep breath standing in front of the huge wooden doors of the auditorium. Sanskaar smiles and keeps his hands on her shoulders holding them tightly assuring her that everything will be alright.

Sanskaar: Nervous?

Swara: (nods her head) Very!

Sanskaar: Don't worry. You can do this.

Swara: What if I don't make it?

Sanskaar: Then you'll become 'Mrs. Swara Sanskaar Maheshwari right after our graduation'!

Swara: (furrowing her brow) And what if I get through with this?

Sanskaar: Then you'll become 'Mrs. Swara Sanskaar Maheshwari' two years after our graduation! Aahh, but I feel I'll have to wait for two more years. (shrugs his shoulders) Anyhow you are going to end up with me only sooner or later.

Swara: (hits his arm) Of course it's going to be you only! Why do you take everything so lightly?

Sanskaar: I'm trying to save one life here.

Swara: (confused) What?

Sanskaar: If I won't marry you then you'll get married to someone who would be unaware of your 'fighter' ways and what will happen to that innocent soul if you'll punch him the same way you punched Sahil two days back!

Swara: Excuse me! Do you really think Mr. Maheshwari that I'll let you go if you won't marry me?

Sanskaar: Umm... Okay, let's think what other option do I have if I don't marry you! How about Kavita? Sooner or later she'll come out of the prison.

Swara's mouth forms an 'O' as she sees her boyfriend considering Kavita as her replacement. How could he even dare to think like that? Fuming in anger she kicks his leg...

Swara: Don't you dare! You're thinking of a criminal as my replacement!

Sanskaar: (teasing) At least she's not a murderer. I think that's a plus point!

Swara: Let me finish this competition. I'll make your plus to minus!

Sanskaar: Really! Now that's a benefit of being an engineering student.

Seeing Swara getting irked so much Navtej jumps in between...

Navi: Guys! Guys! I seriously don't understand you two. Sometimes you both go lovey dovey over each other throwing all those cheesy lines and sometimes it feels that only God knows what might happen in case you two are left alone.

Sanskaar: I think that's another plus point!

Swara: (immediately) Excuse me!

Sanskaar: (raising both his hands in surrender) Of our relationship, obviously.

Swara: (glaring at him folding both her hands across her chest) But a minute ago you were planning to replace me.

Sanskaar: (smiles) Do you seriously think I could ever do that? You know that you are my first love and the most special girl of my life.

Swara: (suppressing her smile) I can't even stay angry from you for much longer. You always know what you need to say and when!

Sanskaar: I know that because I'm totally adorable!

Navi: See. This is what I was talking about. You guys can't stay fixed at a single emotion. Can we postpone your love talks for a while. Her last round is about to begin.

All three of them enter the auditorium and Swara makes her way towards the group of finalists and Sanskaar stands at the backside along with Navi.

-----------------.

The performances start and at the ninth position Swara's name gets announced. Swara closes her eyes trying to calm her nerves down but the pressure of so many expectations make her knees go weak. What will happen if she fails? Her mother's and Yash's future depends on this. Sanskaar has done so much to make her stand where she is standing right now, in the middle of the stage in front of the mike as one of the top ten finalist. All their expectations and wishes rest on her shoulders and for the first time that pressure becomes too much for her to take. But now since she's standing here there's no turning back and she has decided to give it her all self for qualifying this competition.

She opens her eyes and right in front of her she finds her strength smiling at her. She looks at him as Sanskaar mouths 'I know you can do this' silently. She herself doesn't know why but his words always work on her. And right now his words are like her energy boosters. She smiles looking at him making herself determined that there's no way she's going to let his love down.

She closes her eyes again reminiscing all their moments right from the moment she saw him for the first time and how he poked her waist on the first day itself asking for a pen. And at the same time the music starts playing in the background as she hits the first note of the song...

Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt, suddenly goes away somehow

She smiles remembering how he pulled her out of the way when Sahil threw an egg at her and later he broke an egg at Kavita's head. How much he loved to tease her and how he proposed her to be his friend in front of the entire college!

One step closer

I have died everyday, waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

She remembers the day Sanskaar found her drunk and wandering on the street after the freshers party. That was the day when Sanskaar gets confirmed that she was nightingale and from there on a new phase of their life started. The phase where she found that she is not Ms. Nobody, that she's the most special one in someone's life, and that she has finally gotten the best ever thing of her life.

Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything, take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath, every hour has come to this

She couldn't help but think of the moment when Sanskaar climbed up the pipe to get into her room when she wasn't opening the door and made her break the walls she had built around her heart for so long. She smiles remembering the moment he almost confessed his feelings for her.

One step closer

I have died everyday, waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

The moments of their friendship taking a different form altogether flashes right in front of her eyes. How he fulfilled all her wishes secretly and made her fall in love with him! Be it hiring her as his personal chauffeur or all those cute nicknames he invented every next moment for her, everything he did for her made her heart flutter like never before. He claimed not only her heart but won the hearts of her mother and her younger brother considering them as his own family. He had been by her side not only during the good days but they faced the bad days too together hand in hand . He had supported in a way no one else ever did. He not only helped her in her studies but proved to be her strongest support when her mother was in the hospital.

And all along I believed, I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

One step closer
One step closer

Everyone listening to her could feel her emotions overflowing through her words. Sanskaar smiles looking at her as if he is well aware that each and everything she's feeling right now is for him. Only he knows how he's stopping the urge to hold her dearly close to his heart as he remembers the moment they had their first kiss, their proposal, the moment he saw his name in her henna with the first ray of Sun falling on the Victoria Memorial and their secret place that holds so many beautiful memories of their lives; from the first time he painted her to the moment she sang her special song for him under the waterfall. Whereas at the same time Swara relives the moments of their rain dance, the moment he gave her the promise pendant and the most moment he have her the promise kiss under the mistletoe plant.

I have died everyday, waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed, I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

As the song gets over and Swara opens her eyes, she finds everyone cheering her up with a standing ovation. Soon enough the whole auditorium gets filled with thunderous claps and hoots praising her but the only thing that made her eyes gleam with happiness is the feeling of pride and love that she could see in Sanskaar's eyes. He stands a few feet away from the stage clapping for her and wearing the same beautiful smile that he had when they had their first kiss.

As soon as the name of the next contestant gets announced, Swara runs down the stage making her way straight into Sanskaar's arms. Sanskaar holds her little sleek waist raising her up in his arms as she wraps her arms around his neck. The world stops for them in that one moment. Nothing else matters except for the love they cherish for each other. Sanskaar tightens his hold around her and kisses the top of her head.

Swara: I did it, Sanskaar! Thank you! Thank you so much!

Sanskaar: I'm proud of you. I love you so much!

Swara: (breaks the hug) I love you too and I was able to do this only because you were there for me.

Sanskaar: Then don't you want to thank me?

Swara: (nods her head) What do I need to do?

Sanskaar: Umm... (whispers on her ear) I seriously hate that there are so many people. Why don't we try a place where only two of us...

Before he could complete, Swara pinches his stomach and Sanskaar winches as this was totally unexpected...

Sanskaar: Ow! Why did you do that?

Swara: Give a little break to your weird thoughts Mr. Maheshwari. Now, it's time for your last round.

Sanskaar: (looks at his watch) Tch! There are still fifteen minutes left. In that time we could have kissed two times including the time of going and coming back.

Swara: I'll seriously punch you Sanskaar. We need to get the things too that you'll require during your competition.

Sanskaar: Navi was right.

Swara: What?

Sanskaar: You can't stay fixed on a single emotion. One moment you were showering love on me and now you are behaving as if you hate me the most.

Swara: I don't hate you, okay! Now, stop your brazen demands and let's get your things.

Sanskaar: This is not fair. Where is Navi? He'll support me.

Swara: He's already in his last round. And you have only ten minutes left in yours.

Sanskaar: (making a sulking face) Why are all the competitions in the same day?

Swara: (pushing him out of the auditorium) We can complain about that later. First let's go.

Sanskaar: Okay. Okay. I'm going. Stop pushing me.

-------------------.

Two hours have passed since Sanskaar entered the multipurpose hall for the last round. Like the last time, this time also they haven't allowed any visitors for the painting and sculpture competition as all of them would be put up again for a small exhibition.

After sometimes, Sanskaar comes out looking satisfied as ever with his work. Swara and Navtej are already waiting for him.

Swara: Is it done?

Sanskaar: (smiles and nods his head) Yup! Now, let's have our lunch first.

Navi: But what about the exhibition?

Sanskaar: They'll start the exhibition after the lunch time. They still need to do some arrangements.

Swara: What was the theme this time?

Sanskaar: 'Colors of life' where we were supposed to use three different colors to depict three different phases of life.

Swara: So, which colors did you use?

Sanskaar: Umm... Why don't we have lunch now, you can see the painting yourself after that!

Swara: This is not fair. At least you can tell me.

Sanskaar: Really? Let me think... Umm... No! I want to eat something first. What do you want to have?

Swara: (angrily) Nothing!

Sanskaar: Okay. Let's see which hotel or restaurant serves 'nothing'.

Saying this he wraps his hands around Swara's and Navi's shoulders as they head out for their lunch.

------------------.

As soon as they reach back Swara runs to the multipurpose hall. Passing by the corridor, she glances each and every painting for a moment and passes by without even seeing the painter's name.

Navi: She's not even looking at the name of painters, how will she recognize which painting is yours?

Sanskaar: She always knows what's up on my mind. (looks at her) See. Now she'll stop. 1... 2... 3...!! Stop!

And she stops. Navi looks at both of them in surprise and asks...

Navi: How did you know that she'll stop now?

Sanskaar: Because she has reached my painting. Come let's go.

With few quick paces both of them reach near Swara as she is complete busy in adoring the painting he has made this time. Three colors to depict three different phases of life and he has divided the whole canvas into three parts with colors of white, yellow and pink.

White: The color of perfection! The color of ultimate purity! Pure as the heart of a child. With the theme color as white he has shown a newly born baby resting peacefully in his mother's arm. As the white color has a perfect balance of all the colors of the spectrum such is the life of a baby, ready to absorb any color. As white is the color of protection offering a sense of peace and calm, such is a mother's lap. For a baby, no other place is safer than his mother's arm.

Yellow: The color of youth! The color of friendship! With this color he has shown the celebration of their friendship which they had enjoyed along with Ragini and Laksh. The yellow color offers hope, happiness, cheerfulness and fun. Much the same way friends always stand by our side, be it good or bad, and cheer us up with all their might. Their hope powers our hope. To a person, love can never guarantee friendship but friendship can always guarantee love. That's the reason friendship is considered as the first step towards love.

Pink: The color of compassion, nurturing and unconditional love! Deeper is the shade of pink, more passionate the love is! He has used this theme to relive their memories of the first kiss. With a shade of black and pink with white color to depict the stars, he has marked the beginning of their love. Pink, a combination of red and white, holds the feel of both the colors. It holds the compassion of red and purity of white. It's the color of positivity and comforting feelings with a sense that no matter what everything will be alright.

Swara keeps looking at the painting with an unwavering gaze trying to absorb all the meanings hidden behind it as Sanskaar stands behind her whispering in her ear...

Sanskaar: So?

Swara: How can you even think so deeply?

Navi: Seriously Sanskaar, this is so beautiful! This is something beyond I could have expected.

Sanskaar: Thanks Navi. But you both know right that I'm born talented.

Swara: (rolls her eyes) Yeah right! But this is astounding Sanskaar with so many feeling hidden behind. I couldn't feel more proud as I'm of you now.

Sanskaar: So, that makes us even!

Swara: (confused) How come?

Sanskaar: You felt proud of me and I felt proud of you! So, let's have a small celebration as we'll be departing from Navi tomorrow.

Swara smiles and nods her head. Giving the last glance at the painting all three of them walk out of the University Campus to have their little celebration.

------------------.

Three months later...

It's the convocation ceremony of the Elite University today. Everyone is super excited for getting the degree and for being called a graduate. A sense of accomplishment arises in every soul along with the sense of responsibility. As the to-be graduates meet each other, the whole campus gets filled with this feeling of nostalgia for the last four years they have spent in the college.

But for Swara and Sanskaar it was altogether a different feeling. Along with excitement, sadness surrounded them. Sadness that they won't be together. Sadness that they won't be able to see each other. Sadness they'll have to stay away from each other for two long years.

Getting the first place in the 'International Talent Hunt' competition, Sanskaar gets his admission in the University of Arts, London and securing the second place Swara claims her place in the Manhattan School of Music. The points she lost in the first round prevented her from securing the first place. Sanskaar gets so mad at this that he almost reaches the prison to punish Sahil all over again. But somehow Swara manages to calm him down as whatever done is already done.

They have to leave for their respective institutes in two days but they never expected it to be so painful in staying away from each other but still they are trying to get a hold of their feelings as they are well aware that how important this opportunity is for them and their future.

Swara gets the first place in the University and gets awarded with a gold medal whereas Sanskaar securing the second place gets a silver medal. Seeing that gold medal shining around Swara's neck, Sanskaar feels proud of his love. Things couldn't have been any better. This is what they exactly wanted. A beautiful past, a loving present and a future where they'll always be together.

After the convocation ceremony, on their drive back to home, Swara speaks...

Swara: Sanskaar!

Sanskaar: Hmm?

Swara: Do you remember that you promised me something almost an year ago?

Sanskaar: That I'll get engaged to you today! Everyone has already started for the celebration.

Swara: Can I ask you for something?

Sanskaar: Since when you started feeling the need of asking my permission?

Swara: I mean it Sanskaar.

Sanskaar: Okay. What is it?

Swara: Can we have this engagement celebration after two years?

Sanskaar: (shocked) What? Why?

Swara: (teary eyes) I'm sorry Sanskaar. But Maa is already doing so much for me and having this engagement now is having a great toll on her. I know you'll say that you can manage everything alone but I want to have an equal share in whatever we do for our future together, no matter even if it's the engagement. I want to celebrate our engagement with my own money. I don't want to put all the burden on your shoulders. We'll get married after two years, so, we can have our engagement then only. I hope you are understanding what I'm trying to say.

Sanskaar takes a deep breath without responding and brings the car to a sudden halt. Without any word he steps out of the car and calls Laksh...

Sanskaar: Lucky! Stop all the preparations and don't invite anyone.

Laksh: What? Why bhai? It's your engagement today.

Sanskaar: We're not going to have any engagement today. We'll have it after two years.

Laksh: But what happened?

Sanskaar: I'll explain everything later. Just ask everyone to do as I say.

Laskh: Okay Bhai!

Sanskaar disconnects the call and turns around to find Swara staring at him with guilt quite visible in her eyes. She tries to say something but Sanskaar speaks...

Sanskaar: This is what you wanted, right?

Swara: Sanskaar...

Sanskaar: I did one thing as per your wish, now the next thing will be as per my wish.

Saying this he holds her hand making her sit back in the car and himself taking the driver's seat as her speeds the car out of the city. Swara stares at him trying to decipher his feelings but Sanskaar keeps his face straight looking at front. Sighing she looks out of the window and gets shocked as she realizes where they are heading to seeing the familiar places.

Swara: Sanskaar, why are we going there?

Sanskaar: My wish!

Swara twists her fingers out of nervousness as she has never seen Sanskaar so angry, or hurt maybe!

After sometimes Sanskaar stops the car and steps out as they reach their waterfall. He turns to go inside the forest when Swara holds his hand. Sanskaar turns back and looks at her hand and she nervously leaves him...

Swara: (almost choking as she tries to hold back her tears) Sanskaar. I'm sorry! I know my words have hurt you. I don't know what to say but hurting you isn't even the last thing I would do in my dreams. I know you wanted to have this engagement today as you promised me but you had to cancel all that because of me. I...

She stops abruptly as Sanskaar pushes her back against the side of the car and the next moment he kisses her with all his might. She has been expecting him to shout at her, to scold her but this was totally unexpected. She never imagined him to react like that and that has left her totally shocked and breathless.

Sensing her confusion, Sanskaar pulls back and smiles looking into her eyes. Seeing him smiling like that, all her fears and insecurities fly out of the window...

Sanskaar: I know our engagement has been postponed but won't you even kiss me back now.

Hearing this Swara realizes that she has been too numb a while ago and hasn't responded back to his kiss. Closing her eyes she fills the gap between their lips again. Soon enough Sanskaar takes the lead and they kiss as if trying to compensate well in advance for all that time they won't be together.

Breaking the kiss, Sanskaar pushes his hand inside his pocket taking out a small box. Swara looks at him in disbelief. Is it what she thinks it is? He opens the box and a delicate cut diamond ring sparkles in front of their eyes. He takes out the ring out of the box and smiles seeing it...

Sanskaar: I was going to give this to you today, just as I had promised.

Swara: I'm... I'm...

Sanskaar: (keeping finger on her lips) No more sorry now. I was going to give you this and I'm going to give you this today. See, this even has our initials written behind it.

Swara turns the ring and finds that under the diamond were two finely carved 'S' laid side by side. One for her and other for Sanskaar...

Sanskaar smiles holding her hand and slides the ring in her finger smoothly...

Sanskaar: (kissing her hand) Now, this is to remind you that no matter how many days it's going to be, you belong to me. You got that Mrs. to-be Maheshwari, You Are Mine.

Swara: (smiles nodding her head) Forever and Always!

Smiling back at her, Sanskaar once again pulls her for another kiss but this kiss was different from all other kisses they have shared till now. As the one who is kissing her right now is not only her best friend and lover, but more than that he is her fiancé and the one who is going to be her life partner.

Precap: Last episode!!

----------------.

A/N

Okay, I admit it. I still don't believe that I gave that precap! I'm generally not a very emotional type of person but I feel as if I'm losing a part of my life. It has been a pretty long journey of MITWAA and you'll have supported me so dearly that I don't have words to express my gratitude. Thank you so much all of you!

Now, an important information. The next update won't be on Sunday, instead it will be two days earlier that is on Friday only. You can take it as a compensation as I'm late in posting this update. So, see you all on Friday. Till then stay blessed and happy reading!

With love,
Stella ❤️