He sang all the lines looking at Swara while tears rolled down his eyes making the whole atmosphere silent. Swara is feeling bad for him as she doesn't like to hurt anyone but she is also bounded by values and promises made to her father.

Not able to take it any more Sanskar went away from there followed by Diya and Laksh who hurriedly bid bye to Pavi and Ragini.

Ragini and Pavi were just standing there not understanding how to convince Swara.

After a few days, Ragini gets a call from Laksh

Laksh: Hello Ragini, I am Laksh. I took your number from Diya. 

Ragini: Hi Laksh, How are you?

Laksh: I am fine, but Sanskar isn't. I just want to meet Swara once.

Ragini: But Laksh... Swara won't...

Laksh: Please Ragini, I am not able to see my brother like this. He is spoiling his health getting addicted to alcohol.

Hearing the condition of her rockstar, Ragini couldn't say no. Giving some excuse, she took Swara with her not paying any heed to Swara's continuous questions.

Swara: Ragini, why are we here? 

Ragini: Just wait for 5 minutes, you will get to know by yourselves.

Before Swara could open her mouth again, she found Laksh coming towards them and she understood the situation and was about to go but Ragini stopped her.

Laksh: Swara, please listen to me. Sanskar really loves you a lot. (Swara shows her hand asking Laksh to stop)

Swara: Come on Laksh, I know about these rockstars well... It is just their prestige issue that they have to get all the girls they want to. Now as I said no, it hurt his ego and he wants me by hook or crook. That's it.

Laksh: Just shut up Swara, you don't know anything about Sanskar. And not everything you heard is true. He takes classes for juniors whenever he has time and both girls and boys attend those classes but as you very well know that some magazines just want some hot news to increase their sales, they write all that shit. Sanskar is a gem you could ever get.

Swara rethinking about Sanskar: but how can I trust him when he didn't do a small thing which I asked him for?

Laksh: That's not a small thing Swara, it's his life. He came out of his house to follow his dreams. Since 5 years he is staying away from his family whom he loves more than himself just for being a rockstar. (Looking at Swara's confused face) His father Ram Prasad Maheshwari is the chairman of Maheshwari industries and Sanskar completed his MBA in London. As he came back to India, his father wanted him to join his company but Sanskar told him that he wants to be a rockstar. For around six months he tried convincing them but his parents wanted him to choose between Music and them and he couldn't compromise in his dreams, so...

Ragini: Why didn't his parents agree for him being a rockstar?

Laksh giving a faint smile: Maybe they were having the same opinion as you. Every minute he misses them. (looking at Swara) I thought you would be the girl who would fill his emptiness but now I feel you don't deserve him Swara. Sorry for wasting your time. Goodbye.

Laksh leaves from there without turning back leaving the sisters in silence. 

Ragini holding Swara by shoulders: Shona, shall we go home?

Swara nods in yes. 

Leap of one year

A girl is standing in front of the dressing table arranging her dupatta. At that time, another girl came into the room

Girl: Swara (looking at her attire), you are going somewhere?

Swara: Ya Ragu, today it's my colleague Kavitha's engagement. As I was busy with the new client I didn't even congratulate her properly. So, It won't be nice if I don't go. 

Ragini sitting on the bed: Hmm, everyone is getting married. Swara, at least now understand your feelings and let's find Sanskar. 

Swara: Please Ragu not again.

Ragini: Okay then tell me why are you not accepting any boy dad is getting for you? Why are you rejecting giving lame excuses?

Just then Swara's phone rang

Looking at the caller Id: Ragu, I got to go, Bye!! (taking her handbag, she left to the venue on her scooty)

A stage is decorated beautifully in a big function hall and the guests started coming in one by one. Swara parking her scooty went upstairs looking to find someone she knew so that she wouldn't get bored. At the same time, the bride and groom stepped onto the stage hand in hand while all of them were adoring the couple. As Swara went in, she dropped her bag to find Sanskar on the stage sitting beside Kavitha.

Being in the same trance, she stepped back to look at the hoarding praying that Sanskar's name should not be there but to her dismay, it's written that "Join us to celebrate our Engagement" and in the end, it is signed as "with love, Sanskar, and Kavitha". Tears rolled down her eyes but she hurriedly wiped them hearing her name. After composing herself, she turned back to find Lucky beaming at her.

Lucky: Hey Swara, Long time no see. (He came towards her and handed over her bag)

Swara gave a faint smile: Hi, how are you?

They both walked in talking and that is when Sanskar's gaze fell on her. He didn't know how to react. As he was staring at her, Swara too looked at him and they shared a cute eye lock in which they tried to convey a lot of emotions filled with pain, hurt, anger and most important a lot of love. It broke with Laksh's voice.

Laksh: Swara, they are Sanskar's parents. Aunty and Uncle, She is Swara, Kavitha's colleague and our long lost friend(He winked at Swara, while she folded her hands into Namasthe feeling happy that at least he got his family back)

Sujatha(Sanskar's mom): Go and meet them.

Swara gets onto the stage and with bold steps goes past Sanskar and hugs Kavitha.

Swara: Congratulations Kavitha. I am so happy for you.

Kavitha: Thank you so much Swara. I am glad you came. Meet my fiance Sanskar and Sanskar, she is Swara, my colleague but more like a sister. (She introduces while they both greet each other formally)

After taking a few pictures, Swara: Okay Kavi, I will take a leave now.

Kavitha: No way, you are not going anywhere until my engagement gets completed. Look, our teammates too came. Go and sit with them. I am watching Swara, you should stay.

Smiling at her childishness, Swara agreed and went down taking her seat along with her team. Sanskar really had a tough time fighting with his heart and brain and trying hard to focus on his engagement. How much ever he warned his eyes, they somehow always succeed in landing on Swara while she too is finding it difficult to look away from the stage.

In all this confusion, Sanskar and Kavitha's engagement was done and everyone was clapping their hands congratulating them. In the midst of all the commotion, Swara left from there.

She went to the parking lot with tears making their way, sitting on her scooter, she cried her heart out.
To herself: now what is the use of crying? You hurt him when he loved you the most. Why will he wait for a girl who couldn't even understand his passion and was accusing him of what he didn't even do? Anyways, you lost him Swara. He now belongs to some other girl, you shouldn't think about him. (Putting on her helmet she rode back with tears rolling down)

As she reached her house, she wiped her tears and went in. Without facing anyone, she directly went into her room praying that her sister should not be but to her bad luck, Ragini was there watching a movie in her laptop. Looking at Swara,

Ragini: you came back so early Swara, I thought you would have lunch there and come. Never mind, I will make something for you.

Swara: no Ragu it's okay, I am not hungry.

Hearing her voice itself Ragini understood that something is wrong: how was the engagement? Did everything go well?

Swara trying to hide her tears turned towards the cupboard to take her dress out: ha

Ragini: then why are you crying? Did anyone say anything? (She said being concerned)

Immediately Swara hugged her tightly and started crying. Ragini tried to console her sister. She made her sit and after helping her with some water,

Ragini: Shona, tell me clearly what happened?

Swara sniffing: Today I met Sanskar.

Hearing his name Ragini's face beamed brightly: That's really great. Where and how? I mean...

She was interrupted by Swara: He is the groom.

It took a few minutes for Ragini to register those words: you mean he...he is Kavita's fiance?

Swara noded in yes while fresh tears formed in her eyes looking which Ragini felt bad. Holding her by shoulders: Shona, shall I talk with him?

Swara silently nods in no and puts her head in Ragini's lap while Ragini just pats her head praying for God to make everything right as soon as possible.

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So, that's all for today. Thank you, everyone, for your patience. I know I have taken a very long time coming back here. Hope you haven't forgotten me and my story.

Well, I want a small favor from you all. I have written a few poems in storymirror.com for a contest. It would be my pleasure if you all go through them and vote for me there too. The link is below

https://storymirror.com/profile/jnjx6cop/praneetha-gutta/poems

Love you all, take care, bye bye

Never forget to smile.