"Thank you beta." The maid thanked Swara since she helped her to open the store room that she couldn't  because she had to carry a cardboard box filled with delicate glassware that were hardly being used. The maid kept the box in the store room and left. Swara was about to close the room but then stopped when she found a huge object standing surrounded with other things. Only a small portion of the huge object was visible since it was covered with a cloth which looked quite dusty... Inspite of the dust even the small part of rich black exterior displayed, looked so pretty to her.

Swara took baby steps and she stood infront of the covered object. This object was her first love, her first dream but she had never for once thought in the future, her first dream would become a shattered, broken and an unfulfilled desire. With a heavy sigh, she pulled away the cloth and the abandoned yet slightly dusted grand piano was now visible. Her eyes turned softer as memories filled her mind. She was glad that she chose to play the piano this time even though she didn't exceed properly. But the fear she had seeing the instrument was no more present, instead all she felt was her guilt eating her up for doing this to her dearest music.

She wiped away the dust from those ivory keys with a sad smile. This weekend Reema couldn't clean it up since she had to take care of Swara. The love Reema had for the piano didn't let her abandon this piece of art, after all she was a music teacher before. So she cleaned it up every weekend's night but only after making sure Swara had slept so that she doesn't panic seeing it, and Swara had noticed, always! But never spoke it out.

She had played her first in this very piano that belonged to her own mother's, Aisha's.   Though her memory was vivid after all she was just five when she saw this grand piece, Swara could remember how she gushed around and asked her mother to play it for her and when she did, Swara kept way her small teddy bear aside and for the first time placed her little fingers on the white keys. When she heard the sound of the piano because she had pressed a key, she giggled. And for the first very time Swara who never asks anything for herself besides chocolates asked her maa to teach her piano so that she could play it like her, one day. Reema who was present promised along with Aisha to help her play it well. That was the very first chapter of piano in her life, a memory she would guard with her heart and cherish it till her last breathe. Even after all the bitter things that had happened, she couldn't throw away this musical instrument that gave wings to her dreams, been her comfort for rough days and nights, brought positivity in her despite all the tangled chaos and brought her emotions alive without complaining when she transferred them in her finger movements and that came out as music in the air. There were so many reasons for her to say but all lead to only one destination- She loves Piano!

As much as she remembered her first excitement, the memory of her playing it after her mother's sudden demise was still fresh as if it had happened yesterday. Swara at that time didn't believe her mother passed away despite attending her funeral. She still believed that her maa would return back to her if she plays the piano properly that she spilled not even a single tear. And when she started playing the piano, her mind flooded with her maa's words, her tears blurred her vision but she still played until her hands no more supported her action since she skipped both sleep and food for straight two days, just living with water. Finally, at last she broke down in tears in front of hundreds of people who came to watch the recital. She ran away from the stage only to be welcomed by the darkness, she blanked out.

The love and devotion she have for this instrument questioned her every time when she thought about the incident, Did she do justice for the piano? No! She didn't, because her piano deserved a better, proper goodbye and all she did was to run away, far away leaving it abandoned.

Now, she had decided something and she really hoped from the bottom of her to make it successful.

Closing the store room, Swara marched forward towards her room and grabbed her mobile and dropped down a text to Sanskaar.

Sanskaar walked out of the cafe after wrapping up the given work and plunged on his headphones. He turned on his internet and immediately his mobile vibrated in his hand as his whatsapp pinged with Swara's message.

Done with your work?

8: 37 PM

Swara had already dropped her mobile down pouting after staring at the screen for full five minutes, waiting for the tick to turn blue which didn't turn. She was impatiently waiting to break the news to him, nervousness and excitement was already filling up her nerves. Swara was about to get up but her whatsapp pinged which her gained her attention. She quickly opened her message box.

Sanskaar:

Just now. Anything important?

8:44 PM

Swara quickly typed out her reply.

Swara:

Yup, Where are now?

8:44 PM

Sanskaar wondered what it would be that she seems to be in a hurry to disclose the matter.

Sanskaar:

In front of the cafe. Can't I get some
hints regarding your 'important'
matter?

8:45 PM

Swara chuckled as she could already imagine how he could make cute puppy faces to melt her and tell him the matter. Even though she wanted to confess it already, yet she wanted to do it seeing his face.

Swara:

Just wait there. I'll be there
within 10 minutes.

8:45 PM

Sanskaar:

Okay but you're making me
curious. This is so unfair, my lady!

8:46 PM

Swara:

Keep your curiosity intact,
my dearest ;)

8:46 PM

Sanskaar nodded his head with a smile. Even before he could answer her back she had already gone offline, probably getting ready to come here.

She stuffed her mobile in her sling bag and took a quick glance of herself in the mirror and looked to her right to see Mia already in a deep slumber hugging a big teddy bear which was almost of her size. With that, Swara rushed downstairs and informed Reema that she was going out and left the house.

Swara though started walking with long strides, the urge to meet him and break the matter made her jog to reach the cafe faster. Sanskaar who was walking to and fro with his headphones plunged in his ears, turned to see Swara jogging towards him. He walked closer to her and Swara stopped only after reaching him.

"Easy! Why do you have to jog? It's not like I'm running away." Sanskaar held her arm while Swara sighed wiping away the sweat beads giving deaf ears to his chiding.

"Come!" Swara dragged him inside the cafe and Sanskaar had no other go but to follow her trying to figure out what would be the matter. They sat on their usual place and Swara ordered cappuccino as her treat.

"So what's is it?" Sanskaar asked lifting his eyebrows and Swara could feel her veins once again filling up with jitters. The waiter placed their order and left. The way she kept blinking continuously and kept her fingers in a tight fist was well enough for Sanskaar to know she was nervous about something.

"Actually this thought was wondering in my mind since the day I touched the piano again. I'm not sure-- how--" Swara paused and Sanskaar assured her that he was listening to her with a blink, "I want to play piano, again!" She confessed.

"What!" Sanskaar gasped loudly totally shocked. Almost everyone who was present in the floor turned their heads to them but Sanskaar least cared. For a second he thought this was all a dream but seeing Swara chuckle, he knew it was not a dream.

"How? Why? I mean--" Sanskaar couldn't form any cohort sentence to even ask her in detail. He still couldn't progress the information she gave him.

"Mm, I thought of it and I just want to do it Sanskaar, for myself. I want to wrap it up properly. Will you help me?" Swara couldn't explain things in detail because there were so many reasons  she chose to touch the piano again but the main reason was, the piano she has deserves a proper closure.

"But--" He hesitated. Sanskaar was happy but at the same time he was concerned too. He had witnessed her breakdowns and it made a great impact on him. The reason he had not told her even about their win and the selection for the contest was because he didn't want her to go through the agony and tears again.

Swara could only smile looking at him. She knew the reason behind his hesitation and    nodded her head in no, non-verbally confessing that he doesn't need to worry too much. And Sanskaar nodded his head agreeing to her.

"Jay knows?" Sanskaar asked. Because as much as he wanted Swara to be happy, Jay was always steps forward than him. He can never forget their conversation before he brought up the piano topic to Swara.

By then their order arrived and the waiter placed their cappuccino on the table and left with a polite smile.

"No, It's just you for now. I'll have to inform Jay tonight." The thought of informing Jay itself made Swara giggle imagining his reactions. He could go all crazy and it would be a treat for her to watch him do a stupid somersaults.

"You should do it soon. After all he always wanted nothing but all happiness for you." Sanskaar said while Swara couldn't agree more.

"So will you help me?" Swara looked at him after sipping her cappuccino.

"Is that even a question to ask when you already know my answer? It is a yes!" Sanskaar beamed and Swara giggled seeing his eyes twinkle as if a five year old kid who got a box full of candies just for himself.

"So yes it is!"

~

"So ready?" Sanskaar entered the music room which they borrowed for the evening from Miss. Rebecca. Swara who was already sitting on the stool in front of the grand piano looked up to see Sanskaar entering and placing his bag on the bench near hers.

"Will I be able to do this? ah!" Swara hid her face in her palms. Fright of failing her dear ones and nervousness were cutting down all the confidence with its sharp edges.

"Stop over thinking!" Sanskaar sat beside her, pulling a chair for him and looked at her with his eyes softened, "You are not going to fail us and even if you do, we would be happy because gave it a try." He explained and Swara took off her hands.

"You call me a mind reader then what you are? Huh?" Swara chided playfully at him. Sanskaar he knew, he always knew what she would think and know very well how to comfort her.

"Company affects you see." Sanskaar winked. Swara gave a slight slap on his arms while Sanskaar chuckled.

"Jay still hasn't come?" He asked and just then the door opened gaining both their attention. Jay entered in waving his hand before he closed the room.

"Coach was giving instructions for tomorrow's match, let that go. Swara, ready?" Jay asked as he gulped in water with his eyes still fixed on Swara. She gave a nod nervously and Jay patted her head.

"So shall we start?" Sanskaar politely asked since he didn't want to rush her to play. Swara placed her fingers on the keys but didn't press them hard enough to let the sound be heard.

"Mm what shall I play?" Swara shifted her gaze and looked at Jay and Sanskaar simultaneously, "I don't know anything about classical music." Jay shook his head and threw his hands up in the air.

"How about Ode to Joy?" Sanskaar asked remembering how she helped the girl play the notes in the restaurant before. Swara bit her lip as she agreed, since it was a easy piece and of course she remembered the notes of it.

Leaving a sigh out, Swara placed her slender fingers on the piano and started giving a little pressure on the keys resulting the melody audible.

Jay was already astonished by the thought of Swara playing piano. When she announced about wanting to try playing, Jay did not believe. Because this girl didn't dare to even go near the instrument itself after the break down years ago but here she was saying she was give it a try again. Swara had to repeat for a ample number of times until Jay realised it was not a dream but a reality. He waited for her to play this very instrument where she found solace for herself. He didn't have any knowledge about music but he loved to here her play, as he had always been her audience whenever she learnt a new piece. Jay could always see the sparkle in her eyes she carried when she was near the piano just like the way he had his, on the soccer ball. The fact that she was trying made him genuinely happy and he would always be ever grateful to Sanskaar for making his dream come to a reality.

On the other hand, Swara looked calm as ever as she pressed the keys according to the notes she remembered letting the piano echo the soul stirring melodic music in the room. And once again, uneasiness settled her nerves. Sweat beads formed in the side of her hairline and she already seems to look very disturbed by the  memories of her maa flashing in her mind. Jay was about pull back Swara seeing her stress to much but then Sanskaar signed him not to. Swara was almost about to withdraw her hands sensing the tone getting harsher and moving in a wrong track but then Sanskaar spoke.

"Don't stop, continue playing." Sanskaar said firmly, "Swara think of something else, Some merrier moments and try to push away the bitters ones." He instructed and Swara sighed heavily trying to focus and think of something like Sanskaar instructed but it rather only got her heart to pound more and more. She could feel tears hitting her waterlines making her vision blurry but she didn't let them fall.

Swara looked almost breathless and she started taking in heavy breathes alerting both the boys. Jay quickly pulled away her hands from the piano and squeezed her hands tighter in his. Sanskaar scooted near her and rubbed her back. Swara looked up at the ceiling to blink away her tears and tried to control her batting breathe and pounding heart. Only after feeling a little bitter Swara looked down, taking her hands away from Jay's and rubbed her face.

This is what she feared of. All she could remember was how the boys were so happy and excited when she informed her decision. And now, all she did was to disappoint them. Swara pulled away her hands and looked at both of them, surprisingly they both didn't look disappointed by rather were only concerned.

"Aren't you both disappointed?" Jay and Sanskaar eventually looked confused by the question Swara asked with a amused expression stuck on her face.

"Wait-- are you thinking we both would be disappointed since you couldn't complete the piece?" Sanskaar was almost about to let out a dry chuckle when he saw her say nothing.

"Don't tell me that you are thinking such stupid things." Jay pointed out his finger at her, "It's just-- I-- I---" Swara couldn't voice out but then Sanskaar knew it well even before she could voice out.

"See Swara, even if you are not going to play we aren't going be disappointed but rather will be atleast happy that instead of running away you tried, even if its not your best." Sanskaar explained choosing his words carefully and Jay agreed, "You have with a great process in a short span of time Swara, and even if you decide you can't play anymore Sanskaar and I will stand beside you."

Swara was touched with the words the boys have told her. In spite of all the fake and double faced people she has to live and come across, She was so grateful for having the best buddies who stuck by her side though she had pushed them away sometimes.

"What am I going to do with you both." Swara linked her arms in with both of them and passed a smile at them. The boys reciprocated the smile and to change the atmosphere into a happy one, Jay started muttering his lame jokes making the other two laugh.

"I'm planning to take you and Mia to the ice cream parlour tonight, care to come?" When Jay asked Swara was shocked and placed her palm on his forehead checking his temperature but then he was normal only.

"You seems to be fine. Did any ghost enter into you Jeejay Sharma? Because you asking me for ice cream is a never happening thing!" Swara exclaimed and Jay passed at glare at her.

"The offer is limited just because I'm in a good mood. Now better accept before I get into the bad one, madam!" Jay warned.

"I'm in, only to empty your wallet." Swara gave a goofy smile and ruffled Jay's hair to which he made a irritated face. Sanskaar chuckled at both them as well as adored them.

"Hey Sanskaar, you too come along with us." Jay offered him.

"Got to complete my daily chores. You guys have fun." Sanskaar politely declined since he had his part time job on line and he's been taking off for few days more than usual. Understanding what Sanskaar meant Swara gave a smile, "Next time you're in. No excuses." Swara said and Sanskaar agreed happily.

Having some happy conversations with endless lame jokes pulled out by Jay and expressions given by Sanskaar made Swara laugh wholeheartedly like no other day making both the boys content. Swara turned to see Sanskaar watch him stare at her with her smile and Swara reciprocated the gesture. There was an understanding that goes much deeper than words ever could, a connection so real filled with adoration and this didn't go unnoticed by Jay.

☆And just as the Phoenix
    Rose from the ashes
    She too will rise.

    Returning from the flames
    Clothed in nothing but her 
                                          strength,
    More beautiful and brighter,
    Like never before!☆

Back again finally! I'm updating like more than a month I guess and I just now received a message that few of my exams are postponed to 28th and 29th. For the once who are bearing with me and still waiting patiently for my updates. Thank you so much❤️

Love,
Diya❤️