Penny's look of sympathy made Swara wither with embarrasement.

Penny- I told the woman that u were in a metting, but she insisted that she see you right away.

Penny's voice lowered to the confidential whisper.

Penny- She seemed...um...unwell. I asked her to wait in your office but she became very upset & caused quite a scene. Someone called security & they escorted her out. She's downstairs with them now.

Swara- Oh. Okay.

Great. Unwell was always code for drunk, crazy or just generally messed up.

Swara- Did she say what she wanted?

Penny- No. She just said it was important that she get in contact with you.

Penny frowned & wrung her hands.

Penny- I tried to keep her quiet, but...

Swara- It's okay, Penny.

Swara rubbed the strain b/w her eyebrows with two fingers & drew in a long breath.

Penny- I wanted to tell you b4 someone else did. Mr. Rishab would freak if he knew about it. You know how he hates a scene.

Swara- Thanks, Penny. I appretiate your discretion.

Swara squeezed the woman's hand b4 the elevator doors opened & she stepped inside.

With the distraction of her mother's appearance & Sanskar weighing heavily on her mind, Swara managed to make it to the print shop & endure the rest of the meeting. When she finally returned to her office, the phone rang the minute she stepped inside the door. She hesitated to the threshold, torn b/w making a run for it or taking another phone call which would no doubt result in another couple hours of work when it was already well past quitting time. Work ethic won out & she lifted the reciever with a sigh.

Swara- Swara Bose. May I help you?

Caller- Why didn't you call me & tell me about Sameer?

Swara recognized the accusing voice on the other end of the line immediately. It belonged to Kavya, her college roommate. Swara felt a rush of warmth. She hadn't realized just how much she missed having a friend until that very moment.

Kavya (played by Roop Durgapal)☝

Swara- The customary telephone gretting is hello.

Swara replied, smiling as she spoke.

With Kavya on an internship in London, it had been ages since she'd spoke to someone outside of work besides Sanskar. Consumed with professional obligations followed in quick succession by the Sameer- Avni debacle & Sanskar, she had lost touch with the few friends that she had. She couldn't stand their pitying stare & obvious discomfort. The couples were especially leery of her, as if she had some dreaded communicable disease that might endanger own relationships.

Kavya was different, though. She was Swara's friend & had been since they roomed together freshman year in college. Unlike the population at large, Kavya disliked Sameer from the moment she met him, claming that he was too polished & too polite to be much of a man.
"Men should have a few rough edges to them," she had said with a wickered giggle & Sameer was as smooth as a polished stone. Kavya would understood in a way that no one else could.

Kavya- Hello? Can you hear me? Why didn't you call me?

Kavya said again in her deep raspy voice. She always sound as if she was on the verge of laryngitis.

Kavya- They have phones in London, you know. I had to hear about it from my brother.

Swara- Oh great! So your brother knows?

Swara groaned & began to twist the tendril of hair that escaped her ponytail.

Swara- He's in California. How could he know?

Kavya- Bcoz this is big news, Shona. You guys were together forever. Everyone just assumed...

Kavya's voice trailed off & Swara realised that the whole incident seemed like ancient history to her now & that she hadn't even thought about Sameer or Avni since she went to the lake with Sanskar.

Swara- I know. Me too. But it's over & done.

Kavya- I heared they moved in together last week. Sameer's mom is fit to be tied. You know what a snob she is.

Swara- Yeah, she always hated Avni.

Even speaking Avnis name made Swara's gut wrench with sadness. She changed the subject to ease the pain.

Swara- How was London?

Kavya had been on a work-study program for the last semester, finishing up some post-graduate studies.

Kavya- Fine. The food was weired & it rained everyday.

Swara- When did you get back? I wished you had called me.

Kavya- A few days ago, I guess. Without pausing, she launched right into her attack.

Kavya- I'm worried about you, Shona. Are you okay? You must be devastrated.

Swara sighed. Why did everyone ask that same question, like she'd just been released from prison?

Kavya- Swara?

Swara- I'm fine. It was rough at first but I'm good now.

Kavya- Liar.

Kavya's voice held a tinge of humor but mostly concern for her friend.

Kavya- I need to see you. I want you to look me in the eyes & tell me you're fine.

Swara- I'm fine. I promise. And I've met someone.

Swara smiled as she heard Kavya's sharp intake of breath.

Kavya- Seriously? OMG! This is big. I want to hear all about him.

Swara- I could use a drink. Want to meet somewhere?

Kavya- That sounds great! I'm so ready for a beer.

Swara- How about Peterson's Pub? In about thirty minutes? He works there on Tuesdays. Maybe you'll get to meet him.

It was a bold move on her part. She didn't take emotional risks, or atleast she hadn't before she met Sanskar. Maybe he would be there, maybe he wouldn't. All she knew was that she needed to see him again.

¤♡☆¤♡☆¤♡☆

Swara stood in front of Peterson's Pub, stricken with a case of nerves. An elegant English tavern, famous for its variety of ales and "pub grub", Peterson's was a favorite watering hole for the upwardly mobile after-work crowed. Once she had been part of that crowd, but that had been over a year ago, long b4 her life went pear-shaped. Now she felt awkward as she hesitated at the entrance, wondering if Kavya was already inside. Just knowing that Sanskar was inside made her palms sweat & butterflies skitter in her stomach. Maybe this wasn't a good idea. She thought briefly about walking the other direction, but any qualms she had were soothed when Kavya bounded up to the front door like an overzealous cocker spaniel, her balck blond curls springing with every step. When she reached Swara, she threw her arms around her neck & squeezed with surprising strength. Unsettled by the emotional greeting, Swara smiled & gently disentangled herself.

Kavya- I thought you chicken out.

Kavya said in her croaky voice that was much too big for her petite stature. At five-six, Swara towered over the tiny girl. She was like pixie on steroids; miniature, vibrant, & bursting with personality.

Swara- Are you kidding? And miss out on you? You're crazy.😃😄

The smile on her face felt genuine for the first time in weeks since she'd gone out with Sanskar.

Kavya stepped into the golden light of the pub. Swara followed blinking against the dimness after the brilliance of the summer sun, enjoying the rush of cool air conditioning. Warm & inviting with lots of dark wood paneling & brass details, Peterson's Pub was the perfect place for conversation & casual business luncheons. Half a dozen intimate booths surrounded the perimeter of the main room. A beam of sunlight glanced off the ornate mirror behind the long, antique bar & momentarily blinded her.

As her eyes adjusted to the light,she scanned the room. No sign of Sanskar. Maybe he wasn't there. She took a seat at the bar & breathed a sigh of relief & disappointment.

She ran her a hand over her hair, which was swept back in a sleek ponytail, tapped a fingernail on the bar & contemplated her drink options. Over a past week, she'd made a concernted effort to avoid hard liquor, but under the circumstances, a little liquid courage might ease the stain.

Someone came through the double swinging doors from the kitchen into the bar area. Swara looked up & stared into the twinklimg brown eyes of Captain Maheshwari himself. Her cheeks flamed & mouth went dry. If he was surprised or happy to see her, he didn't show it. He put down the glass he had been holding, wiped his hands on the white apron tied around his narrow waist, & flipped a checkered bar towel over his shoulder as he strode toward her.

With a ghost of a smile on his lips & the flicker of anger in his eyes, Sanskar stopped in front of her & leaned one elbow on the counter to study her. He looked more handsome than ever in a crisp white dress shirt, tailored black dress pants, & a red bow tie. The white linen of his shirt set off the bronze of his skin & the dark stubble of growth on his jaw. Butterflies flattered in her stomach.

Sanskar's Attair☝
(Imagine Black Pants & Red Bow tie instead of Black)

Sanskar- What can I get for you, ladies?

The sultry baritone, smooth as scotch over ice, sent moisture pulling b/w her thighs.

Swara- Are you speaking to me again?

To her immense relief, her voice sounded normal despite the trembling of her hands.

Sanskar- Jury is still out.

The volume of his voice lowered to an intimate level.

Sanskar- Depends on what you've got to say to me.

He tapped the counter with his hand, the mask slid over his features, & he spoke in a normal tone.

Sanskar- So what'll it be?

Swara- Can I get Sanskar & Coke? And Nandini wants a fuzzy navel.

Damn it. He wasn't going to make this easy for her. Attraction pulsed b/w them like a live wire stretched taut & about to snap. The intensity of feeling rubbed her already frayed nerves raw.

From the corner of her eye, she got a glimpse of Kavya at the jukebox, shoving dollors into the machine like a crazy woman, as if music might calm the undercurrent of tension in the room, now made all the more interest by Sanskar's appearance.

Sanskar- What are you doing here anyway? Slumming?

The hard edge of his voice caught her by surprise.

Swara- It's not like that, Sanskar.

Sanskar- Then what is it like, Swara? Tell me. I'm curious.

She had forgotten how deep & seductive his voice could be. He licked his lips, concentrating all hee attention on his mouth. How she would love to bite his full lower lip. The thought raised her temperature another degree. Sanskar smiled as if he could read her thoughts, as if daring her to follow through.

Nandini- Everything okay here?

Nandini poped up beside Swara, her keen eyes darting from Sanskar to Swara & back again.

Nandini- What did I miss?

Swara- Maybe we can talk later?

He nodded his assent & his best smolding look, turned his back & went about the business of preparing drinks for them.

Kavya watched the broad V of his broad torso with obvious approval as he worked.

Kavya- Talk about what? What's going on?

Kavya's eye went round with suspense.

Kavya- Shiver me timbers! He's freaking hot, girlfriend. All he needs is a hook & an eye patch & -- well, I'd walk the plank for that one.

She laid a hand on Swara's arms & squeezed.

Nandini- He was looking at you like he wanted to do you right here on top of the bar. Do you know him?

Swara- No...yes...sort of.

Swara shrugged her shoulders, uncertain how to explain her dysfunctional relationship.

Kavya- Spill it.

Kavya demanded.

Kavya- Right now. I want details.

Swara sighed.

Swara- I met him at Felony. He manages both places.

Kavya- Felony? That's a rough place.

Kavya's eyes widened in a mixture of awe & surprise. She let out a low whistle.😲😜

Kavya- You've got a whole other side to you that I had no idea about. Will you take me there sometime?😄

At Swara's scowl, Kavya shrugged.

Kavya- Sorry. Sorry. Go on.

Swara- Well...

Swara drew in a deep breath for strength.

Swara- We've hung out a few times. That's all.

Kavya's eyes narrowed.

Kavya- And?😒

Swara- He brought lunch to my office & we had s*x.

The confession tumbled out in a rush like water falling from a pitcher.

Kavya- Shut the front door! 😰😱😨😵

Kavya slapped her hand on the counter overcome with shock.

Kavya- I have seriously underestimated you. 😮😧😟

Swara- Shhh...you don't have to tell whole freaking bar.😧😕😒😏😞

Swara fell the heat of embarrassement race up her neck.

Swara- I know, right? He is so not my type.

Kavya- Geesh!

Kavya fanned her with a drink coaster to cool her own blush.

Kavya- Believe me, honey. He's every woman's type. So how was it?😃😄

Swara couldn't help but smile at her friend's enthusiasm despite her personal misgivings about the whole event.

Swara- It was smoking hot, but I made an ass out of myself & we haven't spoken until just now.😔

Kavya- I seriously doubt that you made an ass out of yourself. He doesn't seem to be too concerned about it.

Swara- No I did. And he was being so sweet. We had wine & cheese by the lake & then I insulted him.

Kavya- Verbal diarrhea?

Swara nodded & Kavya set down the coaster then gave Sanskar another more through apraisal.

Kavya- Seriously? Why would you do that? What exactly set you off?

Swara humg her head & stared her lap, head shaking back & forth.

Kavya was the only person in the world she could trust with her secret.
When she spoke it was in a whisper.

Swara- I'm not sure what happened. He's such a player, you know? And I've only been with Sameer. I think I just panicked. I thought I'd blow him off b4 he could ditch me.

Kavya- You had s*x with him & blew him off?

The break b/w jukebox songs hit just as Kavya spoke. Her words echoed around the quiet bar & taunted Swara.

Swara- Shhh... inside voice remember?

Swara thumped the the girl on the back of the head with her hand in an affectionate reprimand.

Swara- You don't have to tell the whole damn place.

Kavya- Sorry! Sorry.

Kavya looked over her shoulder as if about to divulge a natinal secret.

Kavya- He's freaking gorgeous.

Kavya said, as if that made everything alright.

Kavya- I'm sure you already know this, but you don't have to marry every guy you sleep with, Shona.

Swara kept her eyes glued to Sanskar's reflection in the mirror as he opened the new bottle of bourbon. He glanced up & gave her a quick smile that melted her insides. She smiled back.

Swara- But he's such a whore dog.

Kavya- You know what that means? It means he's got experience. That he knows what he's doing.

Swara- Oh, he definately knows what he's doing.

She smiled at the thought then turned back to Kavya.

Swara- But enough about me. How was London? Did you meet anyone there?

Kavya's shoulder slumped & the sparks in her eyes dimmed a little. A dozen different emotions flickered across her delicate features.

Kavya- I did. His name was Lucky & we had an affair for eight gorgeous weeks. S*x twice a day, intimate dinners, & weekends away at the most romantic places. One time we stayed in a castle that belonged to one of his friends. Then the day b4 I left, he said that he really enjoyed our time together but he was engaged to someone and getting maried in a few weeks.

Swara- Oh, Kavya. I'm so sorry.

Swara's heart ached for her friend. Kavya had dozens of failed relationships in her past & Swara had no idea why. The girl was pretty & smart & full of personality.

Swara- Here I was going on about myself. You should have told me.

Kavya- It's okay.

Kavya said in a tone which meant it clearly wasn't.

Kavya- He was ten years older than me & had a blad spot. The s*x was great though.

She chewed on the end of her stir stick as she mulled over memories.

Kavya- I'm sure I would've been tired of him in another month anyway.

Swara- Maybe we can go out this weekend. You know --- have a girls' night out.

Kavya- Yes!

Kavya's eyes brightened.

Kavya- I want to go to Felony. The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.

How was the episode?

How was new entry?

Tell your views about Kavya.

How was Swara+Kavya (Swavya) bond?

What about Swasan encounter?

Share your views about Swara's feelings & insecurities...

I know guys I had promised to update after 11th June but my mobile got damged & I don't have laptop so I had no other option to update.

So, as I promised...here is the lengthest update of this ff till now...2907 words.
I have fulfilled my promised & i took me so much time to write this update! So now it's your turn to shower me with your votes & comments. I know Swasan scences were not there but I hope you liked the update & plzz don't disappoint me with low response🙏

And one more thing! I have a good news to share with my readers...
I'm getting engaged on 6th July...i.e Friday. So do pray for me & my relationship😊