Swara had a huge sense of relief only after she confessed Sanskaar that she cannot do whatever he had asked for. No, this was not about helping her best friend who was in need but it was more of herself. She had thought about no one except her in that very topic he raised and she was not very willing to break the pillars she had built with all the nightmares, pain, tears, sweat and struggles inside her little by little.

Sighing, Swara closed her diary after penning down her rants and placed her ink pen on the table. The night still looked gloomy, Swara felt better after the meeting him and penning down her rants for the day. She avoided speaking with anyone of her friends but did notice the efforts they put in just to see her smile but eventually she couldn't end up even giving a fake smile for the sake of them. Jay didn't call her but left only one text, 'Sleep well and will check if you have got any dark circles. If you have then you are paying me a huge sums, Loner on drugs! ' She couldn't help but giggle imaging his so called strict face. And that's how Jay was, he shows concern in different ways other than showing it directly. Sanskaar was the exact opposite of Jay, he wasn't the type who can show things in angles but shows things directly but gentle enough to comfort too.

Pushing her thoughts away Swara lied on her bed with a smile. Even though she had not slept properly for only one day it felt like an eternity and today she was sure she could sleep peacefully. She was eagerly awaiting for the dawn but little did she know about the whirlwind that was waiting to hit her in the day light.

~

Nitin Sharma came out of his room in the morning and was surprised to see his son Jay still in the house walking to and fro with a tensed face while his phone vibrating often on the table. Usually Jay wouldn't be present when he walks out of his room in the mornings since he would already leave for his soccer practice without disturbing him. Jay has never sacrificing his practices even if he himself was ill nor due to heavy pour down, he would be so adamant to go for the practice but seeing him at home was something very unlike him. 

"Champ?"

Jay turned to see his dad standing with a puzzled look and he knew exactly what made his dad look at him with that surprised look.

"Hey dad, Good morning!" Before he could say anything else, Jay first wished him and passed over the hot cup of coffee he made for both of them.

"Good morning!"  took the cup from his son and signed him to sit on the couch beside him. Sighing, Jay sat along with his father and sipped his own cup to ease his tension, "Seeing you fit and fine I'm sure you aren't ill and even though the sky looks cloudy it has not started raining. So what made my champ sit in the house without practicing?"

Jay placed the cup on the table and quickly threw his arms around his father's neck. Nitin had not expected Jay to hug him but he reciprocated the hug and patted his back.

"Is it about Swara?" Jay closed his eyes tighter hearing her name, his best friend. Will she be able to overcome the day? He was too worried that he couldn't go for his practice too. He had called Reema maasi several times to check if Swara was doing well and surprisingly she was. Nitin, without a word uttered by his son understood it was about Swara only.

"Today--" Jay sighed, he couldn't even find a coherent word to tell about it. It only reminded him of how terrible the day was  in the past years. Nitin was quick to understand and remember what day it was and he had completely forgotten it owing to the fact that Swara wasn't here for two years.

"I just don't know what to do dad. All of a sudden coach is asking me to lead the team for the selections and how can I leave her alone?" Jay whined. He already didn't want to leave her side but here the situation was completely against him, he can't even attend the school if he goes to the match.

Nitin now exactly understood why Jay even missed his coaching. It was much of a stressful day for all the Gagodia's and them. Poor girl has gone so much in her tender age and life has always pulled her down despite everytime she had stood up.

"Everything will go well so don't worry Jay. Let's hope for the best."

"I hope so too dad."

~

"Aditi you want anything?" Though Aditi nodded in no Swara was still suspicious about her behavior infact everyone's behavior who was around her, be it her house nor Aditi all had their tone gentle as if they didn't want to hurt her. She felt it so weird about it.

Aditi was completely lost in her own thoughts remembering of how Jay came running to her when he saw her and kept repeating almost five to six times to stay with Swara all the time and not to leave her nor remember today's date at all. This was the first time she saw Jay all anxious about something and before she could ask her the matter he fled away saying he had a match to attend and he couldn't ignore it even though he wanted to.

Swara shifted her gaze upward only to see Sanskaar walking inside the class and both exchanged glances. Swara remembered how she totally ignored him but that wasn't easy for her too. Everytime she felt his gaze on her side her heart melted like butter but that was when she realised how dependent she had been on him. The conversation they had yesterday night had cleared all the thick air that stopped them from talking. Swara smiled softly and he too smiled back knowing the reason behind her smile.

"Good morning girls." Sanskaar further towards his seat as he passed a hello to Aditi and Swara, "Gossips early in the morning?" He asked to which Aditi denied saying it was nothing big to call it as a gossip.

And as usual the classes began. The boring classes with sudden quiz, few teachers gawking at every students, Assignments and tests assigned for the upcoming days making the students grumpy.

And when the break bell rang all walked out of the class, some to stroll around, some to meet their friends and others to get their refreshments. Swara, Sanskaar and Aditi walked out their class as well to see Arya. With Arya tagged with them all moved forward towards the canteen but then was stopped by one of the junior who informed them that the music teacher called both Swara and Sanskaar.

Swara had a puzzled expression when she was informed but then nodded to her junior and looked at Sanskaar who nodded in no, which said even he also had no idea about what Miss. Rebecca, their music teacher has called them for.

"Excuse us mam."

Rebecca who was much awaiting for these two come quickly nodded her and let them enter the room. Swara nervously entered the room while her heart was pounding rapidly as if warning her something was about to happen. She brushed away her thoughts thinking about the positive points though her heart was racing for the otherwise.

"I called you both because there's something and I want you both to do this for me." Swara left out a soft sigh and kept repeating it was just some help and nothing more.

"Swara, you see there's a piano- violin recital competition and I want you to participate with Sanskaar." It took few minutes to register the words in her brain, it felt as if her worst nightmare was coming alive and the floor slipped beneath Swara's feet. She took in a sharp inhale but she chose to fight, No! She won't do this, can't do this.

"Mam it's been-- years since I touched nor played-- piano. I-- I can't play it." Swara's words stuttered. She felt the lump forming in her throat which was making it difficult to speak.

"I know, but Swara I'm sure you haven't forgotten them, have you? Moreover you still have three hours and I'm sure that would be enough for you to practice." Rebecca have seen how Swara as a kid always had that very bright yet different spark when it comes to music. She has no idea why Swara abruptly stopped playing and she could not interfere since the chairman, Sharmishtha Gagodia had asked her not to.

"But--" Swara felt her waterline filling up slowly and she blinked often not to let them fall, " Ragini from my batch plays it well, can't you ask her mam?" She didn't want to step back to the place again and for that her mind processed all the possibilities of how she could deny the offer.

"She's on a holiday due to personal reasons or else I would have definitely asked her to go if she was here, Swara." Rebecca said. Sanskaar didn't utter a word and it only looked like he was invisible in the room. This was never his plan, infact Miss. Rebecca called him herself and asked him if he can pursue Swara to accompany him. Remembering their yesterday's conversation he refused, he didn't want to hurt her more through his actions and he was cautious about this.

"I'm not sure-- if I can play well." Swara blurted out and bit her inner lip. This time she cannot run away like how she did the other day to Sanskaar. She has now felt a little familiar with the topic as well and this time she didn't want run away too.

"It doesn't matter at all. All I want is you and Sanskaar to be present there that's all. Just give it a try, sweetheart!" Rebecca had no other go but to request Swara to do this. She already made a promise to the organizers that atleast a pair from their school will come. All of a sudden the one's who were assigned weren't able to show up on time and she had no other choice but to  ask Swara for help.

Sanskaar saw her not speak a word after Miss. Rebecca asked her to get try. He was able to see her eyebrows knitting together and that happens only when she thinks about something serious. There were still more chances of Swara choosing not to play and their music teacher wasn't a strict person who would force students too. Sanskaar still hadn't found any other ways to help her and his musings came to an abrupt halt hearing her say and her words was nothing a far fetched dream which he thought he could never get any sooner from her.

"Yes!" 

☆ A storm was coming
     But that's not what she felt
     It was adventure on the wind
     and it shivered down her spine

                                             ~  Atticus☆

Writer's block is still not letting me to pen down anything peaceful :(
I badly need motivation and only you guys can give me that. Apologizing since I couldn't keep up my promise even though I want to.

Damn!

Need all your support and love ❤️