Two days!

Swara was strictly forbidden to do anything. She was even fed food by Reema for all the interval timings and all she had been doing was to roam around the house and that too without getting caught by her family members. Of course she understood it was because she was drifting in and out consciousness but she was feeling much more better. Pleasing everyone to allow go back to her daily routine went well but Jay wasn't convinced. After so much pleading and requesting, Jay finally let her come back to school. And when she did Aditi and Arya took her in bear hug for straight five minutes, unaware of the mishaps and all they knew was she suddenly got ill. Sanskaar... That boy kept away from her. He didn't respond to any of calls and messages. He fled away whenever the class got over and no one knew where he went, he didn't even come to have lunch with them and that was when Arya informed that it was the third day he kept away from all of them. She couldn't even catch him even after the class much to her disappointment. Atleast she thought she could meet him after the school in the cafeteria but then again, her family didn't allow her to set her foot outside.

"Shonaaaa!"

Swara's musings came to a halt when she heard a very familiar voice screaming her name with such a sweet voice. She stood up from the dinning table while Mia ran towards her with a goofy smile.

"Mia, stop! You won't come near me if you want to get ill that will lead you not to have ice cream for weeks." Swara warned. She was feeling better but she knew she was not completely okay with her health. As much as wanted to get this little kid in her arms she was refraining herself from doing so.

"You will give company na? Then okay!" Mia blinked her button like eyes before she wrapped her small arms around Swara's waist while Swara sighed.

"SG you're daughter is too stubborn." Swara complained as she pulled up Mia in her arms and tickled her a little making Mia laugh.

"Stubbornness runs in Gagodia's blood, don't you think so?" Shafali winked at Swara. Swara chuckled knowing whatever her aunt said was true, caressing Mia's hair who hid her face in her nape. Everyone in their family had their own determination and stubbornness which they never let go for anyone.

"Shona let me down na." Mia asked and when Swara did Mia giggled, "Catch me if you can!" Mia challenged all set to run away from her Shona di and have fun, "You little devil." Swara chased her and Mia started running away being caught, laughing out loud making the whole mansion lively.

Looking at the children play, A serene smile spread over Shafali's lips before she went back to the hall where Aditya and Shekhar was sitting who just arrived after attending the board meeting.

"Carbon copy stop." Swara ran down stairs while Mia was already making ways to the hall. Swara heard the conversation of the elders even though she had been running behind the little devil of hers. Seeing Aditya Mia quickly ran towards him, hopped on his lap and hid her face while Swara shook her head in disbelief.

"SG, You told you will be going abroad for a week but why do you want to send Mia to a care center when we all are here?" Swara questioned Shafali and Shafali sighed. It wasn't like she didn't want leave Mia here, it's just Mia was kind of a naught kid who would let everyone come behind her and she didn't want them to be troubled.

"Moreover Mia and I go to the same school so I can take care of her and when I am not able to, Jay will also there." Swara reasoned. Mia was naughty yet a very understanding and a smart kid, "And I can drop both of them back home." Aditya too suggested. The idea of leaving Mia in some unknown care center was a very unsettling idea for him.

"All of us are here then why do want to leave the kid somewhere else?" Reema asked as she placed the tray which had their beverages.

"Hey carbon copy will you stay with us for a week?" Swara asked and Mia who was busy playing with Aditya's shirt button looked up beaming. The idea of being with her Shona and Aditya itself made her beam with joy.

"Yes! I will only be with you all." Mia bounced in Aditya's lap giggling while all smiled looking at the little one all happy just with the mention of staying here.

"Busted! You three teamed up and made me agree. Now enjoy the consequences." Shafali finally agreed. She looked at her little one playing with Aditya who whispered something into her ears and she giggled. She didn't how but Mia always behaved so well with others except for her.

"Mumma you go I'll be here." Mia said as she got down from Aditya's lap and stood in center looking her mother who was now looking at her with wide eyes.

"Ya! It's my house first and then yours. Now you are asking me to leave?" Shafali gasped while others muffled their laughter seeing the banter of the mother- daughter. Shafali got up to catch her dear daughter and before she could, Mia ran and hugged Swara's legs giggling.

"Okay I'll step out for sometime." Swara gazed at the dusk through the window and informed everyone so that they don't get tensed later.

"Shona shall I come?" Mia looked up at Swara with puppy eyes which already melt Swara but then the place she was about to was not somewhere she can take Mia with her.

"Nope! But how about I get you a chocolate when I come back?" And only with the mention of chocolate Mia's falling face got brightened up and she again hugged Swara.

~

With a bunch of white lilies in his hand Sanskaar walked into the graveyard with a heavy heart and mind to greet his grandfather. He looked at the fresh lilies again remembering how much his eyes would shine whenever he bought white flowers for him, how much he loved them?!

Sighing heavily he walked through the grass and stopped when he reached his grandfather's grave but then his eyebrows knitted when he found someone already sitting just two tombstone before his grandfather's. A sad stubble smile appeared on his lips. How strange life isn't it? Sometimes you will never know the true value of moment until it becomes a memory.

Sanskaar walked further and placed the flowers and looked at the engraved stone. He wiped the dust off from the metal which had his grandfather's name engraved.

In loving memory of Manoj Malhotra

Beloved Son, Husband and a father

How much he wished him to be alive... But it was the day he had lost him forever. His eyes shifted to the person who was sitting beside. It was a girl with long hair locks falling down hiding her face from him. She looked too familiar for him.

"Swara?"

And proving all his suspicions right she looked up giving a hard blow to his heart. She looked so broken with her eyes all red, her white skin more paler and tears dripping down her face. He was so shocked seeing her cry.

Swara's eyes widened when she saw Sanskaar who looked so shocked as her. She quickly turned away and wiped her tears roughly.

Though his head flooded with so many questions about Swara's appearance in the graveyard he chose to be silent seeing Swara devastated. Maybe be she too had lost someone very dear to her just like he did.

On the other hand Swara was already exhausted as she had cried till her sadness drained through her, leaving her hopeless   but still her heart ached so much, she felt so suffocated to even breathe as if she was drowning.

Sanskaar sat by his grandfather's tombstone and watched his friend turn her face away, probably wiping her tears. The sky grew darker painted blue and one stroke at a time into deeper and deeper shades of falling night and stars appearing on them.

He momentarily had his eyes closed, "It's my grandfather's death anniversary, today." Sanskaar's words brought Swara back to sense. She looked at him and saw him sitting with closed eyes. This was not him, she knew him better. Did he ignore everyone because of his grandfather's death anniversary coming by? She wasn't sure.

Sanskaar could already feel his hidden emotions surfacing now as he sat by the grave. He hated the fact that his dada had left him, his dadi for eternal peace. Life was much more better and easier when he was around. Sanskaar had always dreamt that his dada and dadi will be there to witness and be with him in every step he would take in his life but then-- life was never predictable, was it? They lost him due to an accident. Of course he could not get over the loss of his dada but he managed to live with it. He had to heal and rebuild himself around the loss he suffered. He was whole again but, was never the same nor wanted to be the same too.

Swara couldn't say anything to comfort him because she knew a loss cannot be comforted by anything. She closed her eyes and exhaled a deep sigh. She felt so weak crying like a mad girl but then the pain she felt was unbearable that she had to cry out to ease it. Jay had been occupied with matches and practices but still he called her up and asked her to stay home knowing what day it was but then she couldn't help her urging heart in control and she landed up here.

"Shall I make a confession? It's been long." Swara asked him. She really needed to let this out.

"I'm listening." He replied softly as he opened his eyes.

"The day I played piano-- it was maa's death anniversary! My biological mother."

"What?" Sanskaar gasped in horror. Did he really hear her correctly or was it his hallucination? His lips parted a little to say something but then it was too shocking for him.

"Sanskaar, you look like you saw a ghost." She left out a dry chuckle.

"But-- how I mean?--" He couldn't find any cohort word to even make out a sentence. This was too shocking. Sanskaar couldn't believe that Sharmistha was not her real mother, they almost carry the same attitude if not for physical features.

"Today was the day I failed as a growing musician too and that lead me not to play for years." She paused, "And for your question, that's a story for another day." Swara could still remember how she was practicing day and night despite her mother's demise and was all set to play the piano but lost herself in the truck of memories and eventually lost her music too. Shrugging the thoughts she got up taking her bag and sat beside Sanskaar infront of his grandfather's grave.

Sanskaar's eyes softened seeing her so sad. He knew this times his games won't do magic as it did at the cafe before nor he had any energy to do that to her and so he softly took her hands in his and squeezed a little letting her know he was there.

Sanskaar's presence kind of soothed her and him understanding and not asking anything more but letting her know that he was with her through his little hand gesture meant a lot for her. Inspite of his own sadness and mourning he still beside her, supporting her. Silence prevailed between them for quite a time.

Swara placed the extra white daisies next to the white lilies which Sanskaar had placed on the tombstone, "Shall I talk to him?" And Sanskaar nodded his head positively, "I've told so much about you to him."

Swara shifted her gaze to the tombstone where the name was engraved, "Dada I hope you don't mind me calling you that way." Swara smiled, "Ive heard so much about you from your grandson that I already wanted to see you-- in real but-- I'm glad that I am here at the place where you are resting for eternal peace. I already know how you are a proud father figure to Sanskaar and I'm sure you still are and will always be. He misses you and I know you too do. Thank you for growing up Sanskaar into such a sensible and a happy boy. It's only because of yours and dadi's love he grew up well and never let anything affect him. I promise to take care of your boy and my best friend just like he does when I'm down. You'll be with both of us right?"

A gentle breeze passed by them letting the tress rustle and grass sway. The soft blow was enough to stir the emotions of both and left them teary eyed.

"Did he just agree?" Swara managed to utter those words despite her chocking. He could see her chin trembling and so was her lips. Sanskaar nodded in yes as he wiped his tears away in hustle.

"Didn't I say--you would like her instantly, old man?" Sanskaar chuckled softly yet sadly.

"I feel so senti these days." Swara meekly whispered wiping away the tears that were falling inspite of controlling and sniffed, so did Sanskaar and both again fell back into comfortable silence.

"Let's keep our grief aside. I'm sure either our mother nor my dada likes seeing their favorite kids in tears. We love them and they forever resides in our heart, forever!" Sanskaar finally spoke after collecting the broken pieces in his heart only to be strong for his gf. Swara hummed. She didn't know what to say and everything looked so blank except for the pain that sank her heart weighting like tons.

"Forever!" Swara repeated his words and pressed her eyelids down. Because she knew no matter the tears or smile can bring a death come true, she was no kid to believe it but accepting it was too difficult as well.

"The night's falling darker. We should leave." Swara nodded and both stood up and made their ways to the outside with she leading infront of him.

Swara gave a glance to her maa's tombstone before she passed by it while Sanskaar slowed his pace and watched her mother's tombstone.

In memory of Aisha Bose

"I know you must be already proud of your angel too." He whispered with his eyes fixed on the graveyard as he placed few daisies taken from the bouquet he brought for his dada. Sanskaar did exactly know how it happened to Swara's real mother that she died but he knew she must proud of Swara as well.

"Sanskaar? Come!" Swara didn't find Sanskaar following her turned back to see him standing a little away from her. Sanskaar shifted his gaze back to Swara who was calling him and started walking out along with her.

"Why should people die Sanskaar? I mean-- can't they live with us, forever?" Swara couldn't help but ask inspite of knowing the answer herself. Sometimes even the known answer feels unknown in our lowest times.

"Death is inevitable Swara. You can't either choose when you want to die or how you want to die, it just happens. Just because someone close to you is no more beside you life doesn't pause infact they run faster. It's like they get paused from the play of life while we have continue-- without them." More than saying it was like a mere whisper. This was out of his experience which he learnt when his grandfather passed so abruptly leaving his grandmother and him alone. There was no other go but to accept the bitter fact and move on with time. 

"I know--" She said painfully opening her eyes, "But then what should I do with my heart which bleeds everytime remembering all the moments I spent with her? It's we who have to move on along with these. People say memories warm you up from inside but people fail to tell that they also tear you apart too--" Her voice broke with every word she spoke and Sanskaar no matter what cannot deny Swara's words.

There were so many days and nights he ran like a mad boy to the graveyard sneaking out from his house just to spend time, talk with a graveyard but then even his tombstone and the engraved name still gave so much warmth that felt that his grandfather was actually listening to him and smiling. But sometimes it was too much for him when all he could was to only speak but then get no replies.

"I really does but then it's all a part of life and instead of fighting against it all we could do is accept the fact and live on." Sanskaar sighed heavily as they continued walking back to their house under the blanket of stars that shone on the dark sky along with the crescent moon.

~

Only after dropping Swara back to her house despite her not agreeing, Sanskaar came back home only to see his gf watching television. And a serene smile spread on his lips. The thought of having his dadi who can make him smile just with her mere presence inspite all the storms in the mind he was going through was soothing and overwhelming.

On hearing footsteps reaching near, Asha turned behind to see her grandson looking at her with soft eyes and wide smile. She waved her hand signing him to come and sit beside him. Instantly Sanskaar sat beside her and wrapped his arms around his dadi and clutched her saree, hiding his head on her shoulder. Asha grinned and immediately started running her hands through his hair.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?" Asha questioned as she switched off the television and giving her solely attention to her grandson. Asha had lately found his behavior strange but then everytime she could ask something about it, he would dodge the matter. Sanskaar closed his eyes and tightened his grip instead of answering. He didn't want to lie, he no more could hide it too.

"I wish-- I could have hold back-- dada." Sanskaar merely whispered and Asha's eyes turned softer and moist. She knew the efforts he took behind just to see her happy at any cost.

Death changes everything but time changes nothing. Sanskaar still missed the sound of his voice, the wisdom in his advice, the stories of his life and his presence. People were wrong because time doesn't change things at all. He still misses his grandfather dearly just as he did the day he died.

"You tried your best, son! You did everything you can." Asha whispered back to him while a truck of memories hit her heart. She still remembered how her husband lied on the death bed in the hospital with no regrets. Because he always told Sanskaar was a sensible boy and he could make her laugh even in difficult times and his words came true.

But Sanskaar was far away from being convinced. His heart sank again and his breathing became heavy and the tears he had been controlling pooled in his eyes. Not able to control his sobs, he cried out loud and broke down in his grandmother's arms finally and Asha kept rubbing his back. She won't stop him this time because as much as smiles are important, breakdowns are important too and Sanskaar very hardly broke down infront of her after Manoj's death. Her eyes automatically welled up too.

After minutes of drowning himself in his own tears, Sanskaar broke the hug and sniffed adorably and Asha wiped away the tears.

"No wonder your dada was right, you are such a baby when you cry." Asha teased wiping away her own tears while Sanskaar pouted.

"I'm not a baby!" Sanskaar whined while Asha kept teasing until she saw him smile.

~

Swara sneaked inside her house making sure no was seeing except for Reema only to inform her that she was back. Reema knew where Swara would have gone and didn't pester her with questions.

Swara finally walked inside her room and sat on the bed, resting her head on the headboard with closed eyes sighing heavily. Even with closed eyes her eyes burnt due to crying continuously.

"Shonaaaa!" She opened her heavy eyelids only to see Mia running inside the room and with a struggle she got on the bed to reach Swara and sat infront of her with a goofy smile and forwarded her hand, "My chocolate?" Mia asked with twinkling eyes.

"Chocolate? Oh-- I forgot." Swara answered showing her empty hands. Mia's smile immediately dropped down and she stood up on the bed with a frown. She was eagerly waiting for her Shona didi to get the chocolate for and that she hadn't brought, Mia was disappointed.

"Don't talk to me." Mia sat on the bed showing her back to Swara, huffing. But when she saw a chocolate bar hanging above her head that reached infront of her eyes, Mia snatched the bar and turned around with the big smile.

"Look at you forgetting me after seeing your chocolate." Swara complained smiling and ruffled her fringe hair while Mia was busy unwrapping the chocolate bar and taking bites with joy. After savouring the entire bar by herself and throwing the wrapper in the dustbin Mia once again climbed up on the bed and stood before Swara.

"Your eyes are red." Mia said. Swara's smile faltered at that and she immediately shifted to the side, "Nothing-- nothing like that." Swara mentally cursed at the words she uttered. It sounded so fake even to herself and just like she predicted Mia once again shouted, "Lie!"

Swara's eyes became glazed with a glassy layer of tears. As she blinked, they dripped from her eyelids and slid down her cheeks. Quickly Swara hid her face in her palms and bit her lip tightly in an attempt to hide any sound that wanted to escape from her mouth. Mia panicked but remembering something she looped her arms around Swara's neck, resting her head on her shoulder and gave small pats on Swara's back.

"What are you doing? Leave Mia." Swara chided still burying her face in her palms. She didn't want the little one to see her so vulnerable and broken but here she was hugging her.

"Is it paining too much? I'm here na so pain will fly away. Don't cry." Mia continued patting her Shona's back snuggling her face on her shoulder. Swara almost froze hearing Mia and unknowingly to her sense, her eyes glazed with tears again. She didn't know if Mia knows what she was talking but that moment Swara felt her raw emotions hitting her guts again. Swara immediately wrapped her arms around her and hide her face on the crook of the neck while Mia continued the motion.

And after sometime Swara broke the hug and roughly wiped away her tears.

"Who taught you these things?" Swara pulled Mia into her arms and made her sit on the lap. She hadn't expected her to speak words that was beyond her age but here she was sitting on her lap as if she did nothing.

"Mumma and you. Mumma told me whenever I see someone cry I should hug them and you asked me to pat." Mia answered since she remembered both their words while Swara shook her head in disbelief. She herself had forgotten when she did. Mia leaned more and wiped away the tears that was left behind on Swara's  and kissed her forehead.

"See, pain vanished." Mia extended her hands side ways and Swara smiled, genuinely after days. Mia always have some magic that makes everyone's frowns turn into a broad smile. Swara once again pulled her little one into her embrace all proud of her little devil.

☆ The tragedy of life is not death but what we let die inside of us while we live in.☆

A big chapter of 4k words for my late delay. Hope you'll enjoy it.

Love,
Diya❤