Radhe Krishna

Trio started to have dinner silently.

"Who is Swaranjali?" suddenly Sanskar asked them on which both looked at him shockingly and with mixed emotions as they didn't know what to say at that moment. Sanskar was very eager to know about them as he was feeling something unknown when he saw that name plate on gate. He got confused seeing their reaction.

"I am sorry. I just asked out of curiosity" Sanskar said apologetically by understanding their reaction.

"No, no need to be sorry. It's my ancestral mansion and built by my grandfather. He loved my mother and granddaughter so much that's why he kept their name on this mansion" Arjun said with faint smile after composing himself.

Sanskar nodded his head in understanding. Trio started their dinner while Sanskar and Arjun were involved in their business talk till they complete their dinner. After completing dinner, Sanskar and Arjun came towards living hall.
Sanskar saw the time as it was showing 10 pm.

"Uncle, I will take leave as it's already late" Sanskar said to them.

Arjun wanted to talk to him so much but not getting what to ask so he agreed silently.

"Ok Sanskar. We will meet you soon" Arjun said with a smile shaking his hand with Sanskar.

After bidding bye to both, Sanskar went out of his home. Arjun and Nandini were looking at his retreating figure.

"He looks same yet different from him. He was so talkative but he is opposite of him" Arjun said while turning towards Nandini.
Nandini smiled at him by listening.

"I don't think so because you failed to notice him correctly" Nandini told him while making him confuse.

"How?" Arjun asked her raising his eye brow.

"Didn't you see his eyes which held so some pain but didn't want to share with anyone that's held him back to smile and talk with everyone freely" Nandini said looking at him.

Arjun got amused by listening her and looked at her surprisingly.

"How did you get to know about him?" Arjun asked her again surprisingly.

"Mr. Raichand, did you forget your wife is doctor that too psychiatrist" Nandini said with attitude while laughing.

"Yes correct, how could I forget this big thing?" He too laughed with her and both went towards their room.

At Maheswari Mansion

Sanskar reached home at 10.30 pm and came inside the house as already all were retired to their room after having dinner. He looked for anyone but only workers were cleaning the dining table. Sanskar directly moved towards his room. He was going towards his room passing foyer which was present in first floor and stopped by hearing someone talking voice. He looked at direction of sound and found his mother and his badi maa talking on sitting at couch. He signed and started to go but stopped by listening one name.

"Jiji, today evening I met Sara in temple. She is such a sweet girl. If she wouldn't have saved me today then I would have been admitted in hospital for sure"Sujata said to AP explaining about today's evening accident.

"What are talking Sujata? Are you ok now? Did you get hurt anywhere?" AP asked worriedly while checking Sujata.

Sanskar's heart skipped it's beat in fear by listening his mother who was going to get hurt.

"No jiji, I am absolutely fine" Sujata said with smile while assuring her.

AP signed in relief "why didn't you take anyone with you?" AP asked little bit angrily yet concern.

Sanskar stopped there only to know further by listening their talk.

"How this happened?"AP asked her with concern.

Flashback

Sujata went to temple at evening because of special pooja in temple and lightening of diya in whole temple. Temple was glowing with lights and diya's and it was crowded with so many people. Sujata went alone with security guards as AP was feeling head ache so she couldn't go with her.

Sujata was descending the stairs and suddenly her foot tripped when her Saree stuck in her foot and she was going to fall but two hands held her protectively.
Sujata signed in relief feeling safe as her heart was beating fast in fear. For a minute, she thought that she couldn't see this world again. She looked above lifting her head and got surprised to see Sara.

Sara came to temple with Riya. She used to come every Friday so today also came with Riya to light lamp. Sara was ascending stairs while Riya went to bring diya. Sara saw Sujata descending stairs and she got happy by seeing her so she thought to talk with her and she moved towards her, before she call her, Sara saw her falling so she quickly ran and held her before she fell as she was two steps near to her.

Sara made her stand "Aunty are you ok?"she asked concernly.

"Thank you beta" Sujata said with trembling voice as still heart was beating with race in fear and panting little in fear.

Sara saw her situation and brought her to near by bench which was placed in temple to sit and made her sit on bench and gave her water bottle to drink which she carried with her.
Sujata drank water and felt relief.

"Now, are you ok Aunty? Sara asked again while capping bottle.

"Thank you beta, if you wouldn't saved me at the nick of time then I don't know what would have happened, might be in hospital bed" Sujata said with relief sign while caressing Sara's one cheek.

"Don't say like that aunty, nothing happen to you. God is there to protect us "Sara said with smile.

"Yes beta, God is there that's why he sent to protect me in the form of you" Sujata said while smiling at Sara.

"It's my pleasure Aunty, God gives chance to us to help others so that we can get reduction in our sin by doing good things so I did that only" Sara said with smile.

"God bless you beta" Sujata said while caressing her hairs.

"Sara" Riya called her from back.

Sara turned towards her and signed her to come. Riya came towards them and stood infront of them and signed Sara through her eyes to ask about Sujata.

"Aunty, she is my friend Riya...Riya she is Sujata aunty, my boss's mother" Sara said with smile but last line with little hesitate. Riya chuckled inside by hearing her.

"Namaste aunty" Riya greeted her with smile.

"Namaste beta"Sujata greeted her back with smile.

"Aunty, you came alone or anyone with you?" Sara asked after a while.

"No beta, I came alone with guard, they are outside" Sujata said while standing.

"Ok come, I will drop you till car" Sara said while standing with her.

"No beta, you go and pray, I am fine now and I will go" Sujata said.

"No aunty, I will drop you there. It's just matter of two minutes, your safety is important than prayer because we pray God for our well being right?" Sara said with smile. Sujata felt defeated and nodded her head in yes.

"Riya you go, I will come in two minutes" Sara said while assuring her through eyes.

"Ok, come soon" Riya went to upstairs  after saying.

Sujata and Sara moved towards exit.
Sara left her till car and bid her bye and moved inside the temple.

Sujata stood there while watching Sara with content smile on her face then left towards home.

Flashback ends

"Really jiji, today she came like angel" Sujata said and also excitement could be seen in her tone. AP noticed this but kept quite.

"Then why don't you call her once home?"AP said while looking at Sujata with smile.

"Yes jijj, you are right. I will tell Ragini to bring her home" Sujata said in over excitement for which AP laughed out.

"Did Sanskar come?" AP asked remembering Sanskar.

"Don't know jiji, he told that he was going to have dinner with business partner. I will check on him whether he comes or not" Sujata said sadly and got up from her place.

"Jiji, why don't you ask Sanskar once about his marriage?" Sujata asked once while sitting beside her again.

"Sujata" AP said in her strict tone.

"No jiji, I just asked you to talk with him, may be he will listen to you" Sujata said sadly in hoping that he would listen to AP.

"Sujata, he already asked two months time and he also told that he will marry then why are you trying to pressurise him?" AP said while trying make her understand.

"I can understand jiji, but everytime I see him, my heart gets ache. He never talked to us freely like everyone and stopped sharing since he returned from London. I don't know what happened to my son, after came from London he was changed fully, I lost my son that who talk without break, always trail behind us calling Mom, always teases everyone, that naughty Sanskar and who makes everyone smile. I want that Sanskar jiji. I don't know the reason for his sudden change, we tried to ask him but he didn't say anything, kept himself in dark also us. I thought if he marries then may be he will change so I asked you talk to him. He will surely listen to you" Sujata said with teary eyes holding Ap's hand. AP also felt pain by seeing both of them. She also knew how much everyone missing old Sanskar.

"Ok, I will try to talk with him. You don't cry" AP said while wiping Sujata's eyes even her eyes also filled with tears.

Sanskar also felt pain by seeing his mother tears because of him they all are suffering. He knew that his family all want to see old Sanskar but he lost himself in darkness that he didn't know when he would become like old. He didn't want to give them false hope and already he was battling with his inner self since one week that he couldn't figure out but he couldn't see his mother's pain above all. He could do anything for them so he decided not to hurt them anymore. He knew that he couldn't came out from his darkness easily but at least let them make happy for fulfilling their wish.

Sanskar knocked the door and entered inside. Both turned towards him and got surprise to see him at door step.

Sanskar came inside and kneeled infront of them, held both's hand inbetween his hands and looked at them who were looking at him with surprised eyes as well as confusingly as he never talked with them alone in these days.
Sanskar looked at them, he was also missing their love, care and affection so much in these years.

"I am sorry Mom, I know that I hurted you all lot by behaviour but I can't able to get over my guilt" Sanskar said looking at them while his eyes also filled with tears but he hid them wisely because he was doing from last one year.
Both looked at him confusingly..

"Guilt?"both asked him at a time with confusion which was all written over their face.

A huge lump formed in Sanskar's throat as he couldn't say anything for a minute.

"I will tell you some other time but not now" He said looking at them with assuring eyes. Both nodded their head in understanding as even they didn't want to pressurise him. He already told them that he would tell definitely so they agreed.

Sanskar continued "I know you want to see old Sanskar but it will take lot of time to me. I know, you all want to see me happy in my life by getting marry and settled in my life" Sanskar said with light smile and both were looking at him like what he was going to say and again he continued "I asked you all two months time to think about marriage but now I changed my mind" he took a pause and looked at both face who were looking at him with hoping eyes.

"I will marry a girl whom you will choose" He said making both them to get shock yet happy.

"Really?" Sujata was the the one to asked him in her excitement.

Sanskar smiled little and nodded his head in yes.

"Jiji, we will select best girl for him" Sujata said with excitement as well in happiness. She couldn't express how much happy she was at right now

"But mom..." Sanskar stopped on which both looked at him questionably that what he would say now.

"But, what Sanskar?" Ap asked softly by seeing his blank face.

"I will marry but I need a time to accept this relationship" Sanskar said with low tone while staring at their face.

"You can take how much time you want" AP said caressing his cheeks lovingly with smile.

"Tomorrow I am going to London for business conference, will come back next week, it will take 7 days. I want you to choose girl and inform me when I should marry her. One more thing, I want a simple marriage and  not all rituals. Only family members because you know about me, it's not safe for her till she adjust here then we will disclose at right time" Sanskar told his decision and looked at them waiting for their opinion.

AP and Sujata looked at each other  and then turned towards Sanskar.

"We are ok with your decision" Sujata said while kissing his forehead. Sanskar closed his eyes feeling his mother love after long time. Sujata's eyes were teary in happiness as well as her son was coming back to his original form, it's takes long time but she was happy now. AP also felt the same.

Sanskar got up from his place along with AP and Sujata.

"Good night Mom and Maa" He wished and hugged both of them encircling his both arms around them at once then broke the hug, smiled at them and left towards his room feeling little light in his heart after so many years.

Sujata and AP were standing there with teary eyes while staring retreating figure of Sanskar.

"Jiji, still I couldn't able to believe that my son agreed to marry" Sujata said in her disbelief tone making AP chuckle.

"Yes Sujata, he agreed. I hope everything will get fine soon" AP said while praying to God.

"Yes jiji, now all will become fine" Sujata said with smile, yet tears didn't leave her eyes now it started to flow slowly in happiness.
She wiped her tears and looked at AP.

"Jiji, I want to say you something if you agree then I will talk with Ramji and Bhaisa"Sujata asked AP with light smile remembering something.

"Say it Sujata, when did you start to ask my permission?" AP said with calm yet smiling.

Sujata told something to AP on which AP also felt happy.

"It's best decision Sujata. First we have talk with our respective husband then further talk" AP said assuring her.

"Ok Jiji" Sujata agreed to her.

After talking for some time, both retired to their room.

Sanskar came inside his room with exhausted face and he threw his coat on couch and sat on it while loosing his tie. He leaned his back on couch and closed his eyes.

"I am sorry Mom for making you all suffer. But now onwards I will try my best to be happy like you all want and try to never hurt you again" he promised himself in his mind and opened his eyes and looked at time as it was showing quarter 11 pm. He got up from couch went inside closet to change. After changing he lied on his bed and closed his eyes as already his eyes were heavy due to exhaustion from today's events and drifted into deep slumber.

Jan 10 2023
At Karma Office

Sanskar was working on his Mac with deep concentration as he needed to finish remaining work before he leaves to London otherwise all will remained pending. He called Atul and Karan to his cabin. Both came inside after knocking. Sanskar looked at them.

"Atul, is everything ready?" Sanskar asked in his professional tone.

"Yes, everything is ready sir. Jet is ready to fly, we need to leave at 4 pm sir" Atul informed him about departure time.

"Karan, if you need any help call me and I have told Lucky also if you get problem then he will be here till I come" Sanskar said while getting up from his seat.

"Ok, all the best" Karan said while giving professional smile. Sanskar nodded his head and moved out followed by Atul. He directly moved towards airport as it's already 3 pm. He reached airport and completed immigration formality and all, his jet was ready to fly. Sanskar boarded his jet and sat on window seat and looked outside.

"After long time, I am going to that place where I lost my precious thing. I hope to get a clue about them who was behind that dreadful incident and they will get severe punishment for their deeds" He strongly determined himself in his mind to find something this time.

Sunshine orphanages

Sara came inside room and saw Riya who was sitting with sad face and in deep thoughts.

"Riya, what happened? Why are you sitting like this?" Sara asked while keeping her bag on side table and sat beside her.

Riya looked at her and her eyes filled with tears. Sara got shocked by seeing her tears and panicked.

"Riya, what happened?"Sara asked cupping her cheeks with worry.

"My boss has transferred me to Mumbai branch by giving higher promotion so I need to leave day after tomorrow" Riya said with heavy voice while her voice filled with heaviness.

Sara got shocked by listening her, she felt like her world stopped now. She thought she would be here with her like supporter but now she was also going by leaving her. Sara looked at Riya who started to cry. Sara hugged her and started to rub her back.

"I don't want to leave you alone here, I will resign to my job and search for another" Riya said inbetween her cry.
Sara got shocked by hearing her.

"No Riya, it's your dream job to work in big fashion house then why are you denying to go there? I am fine, all are here for me and you don't need to take tension about me. And about me being alone, I am not alone and more over I got a friend like Ragini, she will be with me when I moved out from here" Sara said while breaking the hug and tried to console her.

"No Sara, you..." Riya was cut off by Sara.

"No, you are going to Mumbai" Sara said in her strict voice.

"I will miss you there" Riya hugged her again on which Sara also hugged her back. Her eyes also filled with tears but she couldn't be selfish for herself by stopping her going there.

After sometime both started to do packing of Riya. Both were feeling sad because Riya was reluctant leave Sara alone and Sara was fear to live alone outside of this orphanage but she couldn't bind Riya here for her so she decided to let her go. They spent night while talking. Riya was explaining about some things to Sara to take care in her absence even she talked with Ragini. They slept taking till late night.

Jan 11 2023
Evening at Kolkata railway station

Ragini and Sara came directly to railway station from office as Riya informed them that train was at 6.30 pm. Sara and Ragini came near Riya who was waiting for them.

"Riya" Sara called her standing infront of her.

"Oh you came" Riya hugged her and Sara also hugged her back.

"I will miss you so much" Riya said while tightening her grip on her and her eyes were becoming teary but she composed herself for Sara if she saw her tears then surely she would cry.

Riya broke the hug and and cupped Sara's cheeks lovingly.

"Please take care of yourself, don't miss food in work and call me everyday" Riya said in her heavy voice while taking deep breath.

"You too take care of yourself" Sara said in her choked voice as she was controlling her tears but failed to control her tears and tears started to flow down. She hugged Riya tightly again and started to cry vigorously. Ragini was looking at them while standing silently.

Riya broke the hug forcefully and wiped her tears by her thumb "Sara please don't cry, see Ragini is here. I know she won't make you feel alone" Riya said while looking at Ragini on which Ragini smiled at her back.

"I will come to meet you every month" Riya tried to console her but even her eyes were also betraying her from crying. Mumbai train was announced.

One last time both hugged each other.

"I know you will take care of her but also I am saying, please don't let her feel alone. You came to know about her nature till now how she is" Riya said to Ragini with smile while looking at Sara whose eyes were filled with tears.

"Don't worry, I will take care of her" Ragini said and hugged her once.

Riya boarded the train and bid bye to them.

Sara was crying still, Ragini hugged her sideway to console her.

Ragini dropped her to orphanage after consoling her and making her bit calm and relax.
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To be continued

Love ♥️

Prakruti ♥️