The second round of the piano recitals followed rigid regulations and observations to filter from the already selected candidates.

Surprise dual contests were conducted to possibly slash down the numbers from fourteen to the top five for the finale. Life came up with surprises.

Swara and Ragini sat before their respective instruments as they shared the same stage. A musical battle. Even in the wildest dreams either of them had such visions.

Ragini desired to play against Swara in the years of her disappearance. Though eventually she gained her fair chance to compete.

Yet, there was a stark difference. All these times it was their music that stood against each other on stage and them, together off stage.

Today, it was them. As individuals, as young competitors, it was them alongside their music that would fight and would be judged accordingly by others.

The sound of the buzzer interrupted her musings. It was the sign to start the challenge. She exhaled.

Ragini had the ball; first ball to roll and she would give her best.

Once Swara detected the music, her mind rushed through ideas, various piano notes that would provide a befitting counter for Ragini's play.

Several thoughts had occurred to her back then. Ragini and she had found the basis of their bond- they knew it was friendship but rather they liked to name it acquaintances.

It was a given. Afterall, they battle each other through their music despite whatever admiration they shared likewise.

If the dual contest amused them, the fact that they had to stand face to face with music as weapons came like a shocker. Especially after the names were announced.

But she found it intriguing. Ragini always saw her as a competitor on stage whereas she least had the idea. Unless today which managed changed the notion.

Ragini was a potential competitor to battle against. Her music spoke to her, called for the challenge. Swara's fingers rested on the keys, alert as her turn was about to commence.

Challenge was something Swara loved to accept and fight.

The moment Ragini's music died, Swara's music took place instead. It began with strings of a gentle undertone and caught the pace of inhales and exhales, rose and fell.

A pleasant rhythm thronged through the space enough to captivate everyone's attention. The juries had their eyes glued- noticing the notes, nuances and the style.

Swara's soft ballad was answered with Ragini's fierce lament. It changed the entire vibe of joy to a dreading music that could pierce one's soul.

The switch and turns of music done by the competitors was evident. They fought; gave fitting answers to each other - sometimes by calm swaps and sometimes by vigorous tones.

Audience remained unfazed along the prominent changes and shifts. A few of them seemed dumbstruck at the exchanges and some tried to determine the win.

The music faded once Swara was alarmed about the closure timings of the dual. Once the challenge concluded, they received strong applauds.

Ragini and Swara made greetings to the spectators and juries with a bow as they moved backstage for the results.

While other candidates roamed with tense faces for the results, Swara and Ragini hardly seemed affected by such thoughts. Instead it was contentment that reflected on them.

Because battles were not about the bloodshed it was about the win.

Few minutes later, the host came along with the final list of results. Two names gone- Ragini's and Swara's names were respectively called in among the top five.

One more step - Swara had a wide grin on her face. Train of thoughts already started a run in her mind. More practices, more trial sessions-- days ahead were going to be hectic.

Her friends and family would be delighted to hear the news. In fact, they'd start to celebrate as if she won the entire competition.

And much to her delight, there was another reason. She faced Ragini- she was there too.

One more recital- Ragini sighed. She loved piano; the music it provided and that brought her all along. But lately she felt weary about piano practices.

If anything that forced her to get on track was Swara- her competitor. She always wanted a closure, a fair chance and the dual contest was nothing short of a dream.

Now that she attained that wish, Ragini did not know what would happen now. She looked at Swara and they shared wide smiles with each other.

"You did well up there." Ragini's smile grew wide at her compliment. She could never be devoted as Swara was to the piano, for she had her mind set only for business studies.

The stark contrast only dawned on Ragini only then. Piano was not something she wished to major in. She loved it but that was not the destination she wanted.

Like Swara.

Ragini extended her hand towards Swara who had no second thoughts to shake hands with her.

"It was a pleasure being your competitor Swara."

A good day and a better closure was what she deserved. And she got that.

~

"I came to watch recitals and look at you lure me to a checkup. You deserve a nice beating." Asha scowled at Sanskaar as they sat with a token for a CT scan.

As promised, her grandson did take her to Swara's recital. She enjoyed the music and was pleased to hear her advancement to the finale.

Things turned out smooth until Sanskaar chose another route instead of heading home. She should have known what a devil of mind her dear grandson had.

"Dadi! Stop throwing a fit. They are just doing the normal monthly checkups you skipped for two months now." A glare from Sanskaar made Asha look away.

"You turned out to be a stubborn rascal." Asha scowled before she had gone into the CT scan lab accompanied by a nurse for help.

A small smile graced his lips for that silly complaint as Sanskaar took a seat in the waiting room. Asha left gave no choices but to act stubborn at times; especially about her health.

Indeed, he lured her to show the sight of Swara's recital like candy and brought her to the hospital. Sanskaar made a pre- appointment to support his plans.

Asha seemed quite stable, except for occasional heart burns and fatigues that were normal for her age. But it did not settle well on him.

All Sanskaar required was a proper assurance that things were fine and the checkup result could be the only thing that would ease him.

Asha's arrivals made Sanskaar push back those self muse to rush beside her, "That's one awful expression dadi. You have to stop doing that or else that shall scare everyone."

"That does not scare you! I don't mind the rest." Sanskaar chuckled. His loving grandmother had a good knack of throwing tantrums and he was even better at melting her.

"Okay. Since my girlfriend is angry, how about we spend the evening together?" He saw her expression smoothen down from a scowl to the normal.

"We'll walk and dine. Outdoors." Asha added in and Sanskaar was straight in for a denial, "Or else forget it." She would very gladly take advantage.

There's been a seldom chance Sanskaar took food orders from outside. Even if he did, they were mostly authentic and home-made dishes from restaurants to ensure safety.

He was sure. So very sure where Asha would lead him- Fancy restaurants. Gracious God! Sanskaar had to submit to her will even if he was against the idea.

"Fine! Only today." He sighed. Asha laughed at the defeat Sanskaar unwillingly accepted. Like every other time (unless it was not frequent).

They walked together to head out after the nurse had informed them to collect the reports after a day since all the check up was done.

Asha had been listing out food items she wished to taste. Being an obedient grandson Sanskaar did listen, striking most of the food from the list in his head.

Just then, a scream stopped them from moving forward. The rest of others also had their heads cranked to the direction they heard the scream.

Loud. Mourning scream.

"Someone must have died." The ward in charge whispered as he walked past others with an empty stretcher.

While everyone retreated back to their work, Sanskaar stood still. He could still hear the cries, loud and clear-- probably mourning for their beloved person; now gone.

Sanskaar's fisted hands had gone pale and stiff. So this was it, he realised. The emotion that kept him away from embracing any feeling was fear.

Fear of losing.

By now, Asha's warm hands rested upon his arm. Concern flooded her eyes as she looked at her boy, all blank and rigid from what they witnessed.

The warmth assured Sanskaar. It was all okay because his grandmother was beside him. He passed a smile to a concerned Asha.

A smile that never reached his eyes, Asha could tell. Sanskaar masked whatever bleak thoughts that spread in his heart and continued his walk with her.

With a hope that results were negative to any threats.

~

Pavithra least expected surprises for the day; till Aditya showed up before her door in the evening. Slightly creased shirt, freshly baked cookies and a big smile - that's how he greeted her.

She missed this. Them. And him the most for weeks. But it was the commitments that kept him busy, something Pavithra wanted to complain but could not do.

Now, Aditya laid his head on her lap as they conversed about their daily activities and things that troubled them. It was a sort of routine they followed.

If anything that caught Pavithra on toes was Aditya and his mother's reconciliation or progress as he suggested rather than the former word. However, she was elated,

"So how does it feel to be on talking terms with your mother?"

For a minute or two, Aditya pondered, "Far away from those awkwardness we usually share. It is better than I imagined."

Aditya could recollect the transition of their equation, "That night-- we actually spoke so much about what she missed and what I missed. It still feels like a dream because I never thought this day would come, you know."

No matter the number of times he thought about it, it still felt unreal. Aditya mused if it was because of the distance they had for years.

"It should've been difficult for you to start. I'm so glad you did." Pavithra's fingers ran those silken messy hair of his, "Because you look visibly relaxed since that day."

Aditya stared up at her, "Maybe I am," He grasped her hand to place it on his cheek, "But today, you are the reason."

"There you are!" Pavithra shook her head. Still, colours shaded her face as she gazed away. Oh! She was very well aware of the satisfied smirk of his.

Endless meetings, dozens of file reads and deadlines sucked every inch of energy from Aditya. If anything, her gentle strokes over his head calmed the chaos of his mind.

"Adi--" After a comfortable silence, Pavithra called for him, "What about your father?" Aditya's eyes reopened at that.

His father-- Aditya had no answers. Shekhar was not a man to make progress with subtle moves like his mother. He lacked that patience.

Nor did he have notions to move forward for a progress. The situation was delicate owing to Swara's trauma and worst part? Somehow or the other they manage to raise their temper,

"I don't know Pavi. Things are too tangled, too complex to settle on an easier note when it comes to him." He sighed, "It looks like I'm catching a futile hope."

"We never know about that Adi." Her hand brushed against his forehead to keep the frown away, "Let's go with a flow and take the chance when it comes?"

"Right." Aditya admitted as adjusted his head more comfortably, "You were saying something about your cooking disaster earlier."

"Gosh, Aditya!" She cried but nevertheless she continued the tale where he often added more inputs that made both of them laugh.

Then the talk shifted to Aditya's new dealings he was excited to work upon which also kept him busy. The words laced with sleep grew fainter and eventually died.

Pavithra smiled. Finally, it was peace that settled on those weary features. Aditya had to survive under a lot of pressure from the past few days.

There was so much chaos from the world Aditya had to undergo; so this calmness was required for him. She leaned in to press a reverent kiss on his forehead.

He stirred; the grasp over her hand curled closer but he did not wake up. Life had pushed Aditya to edges and he survived, barely.

Now that things were shifting and changing, Pavithra hoped Aditya could get the best from it.

~

Legs curled closer to her chest, Swara had her chin rested upon it after her long trial sessions for the finale recital. It was scheduled for the next day evening.

Things troubled her. It was not the finale but a certain mail that occupied her mind for deep thinking. She placed no hopes to receive a mail back; forget about getting a reply.

From then on, the stirred haywire in her mind seemed to not stop. Swara traced the charms of her bracelet - the sun, moon and stars. Ah! She missed him.

Neither of her calls nor messages received a reply from Sanskaar. It worried Swara but on the other side, she did not want to pester him.

A phone call broke her thoughts. The minute she noticed the name, Swara already picked the call,

"Sanskaar! Are you okay?" She directly came up with the question that made her anxious.

"Can we meet now? I'm in front of your house." That instant, her feet scrambled to put on her slippers and she rushed out from her room.

And there he stood, adjacent to the mansion's gate. Sanskaar's breath knocked off when she reached him for an embrace. Still panting as she checked over him.

"Is everything okay? I was worried." A part of her had partially relaxed since he looked fine. Nothing abnormal nor was he hurt. She muffled into his shirt.

"Sorry." Sanskaar held her by the elbows, eye to eye to provide her an assurance, "The nights are cold these days and you came out under dressed." He complained.

Now that he pointed out, Swara realised the cold breeze of the night. A sleeveless tank top and knee length shorts was definitely not a good combo for the night.

"Because it was you who called." She said and by then Sanskaar's warm jacket came to her side, "And nothing else matters." Swara's voice toned down.

A profound emotion brimmed his heart. As far as his memory ran, Sanskaar had no one to prioritise him except for his grandparents. Today-- he had someone too.

"Why are you here without sleeping?" She had her left eyebrow raised. It was past ten at night, "Couldn't sleep." He tugged away those flying strands behind her ear,

"So I came to see you." Swara beamed, "Good that you are here. I have something to tell you in person." And even before he could ask, he was dragged inside.

Minutes later, there he was. In the wine house, sipping herbal tea and a distant record of piano music played in the background. Swara had been sipping her own tea beside him.

"You remember I've applied to some music schools earlier?" Sanskaar's attention shifted to her. Yeah, she did inform about the applications a month or so back.

"I received an email today about being short listed. It's Julliard's." Swara's lack of joy almost got his proud mood damped.

"And you are not happy? Did you hear yourself Swara! It's Julliard's music school. One among the best music schools in the world!"

Swara chuckled at the dramatic exclaims Sanskaar made, "Do you realise I'll have to move abroad for that?"

He paused. Of course, Julliard's was in New York and she'd possibly shift there. A dull ache seeped in. Yet, Sanskaar tried to ignore them,

"So that's going to stop you from grabbing the golden chance?"

Golden chance- sure, it was one. A lifetime opportunity but Swara could still not make up her mind. It stood on fifty - fifty stance and troubled her so much.

Sanskaar's hands found hers. He looked on, "To major piano has been your goal ever since, Swara. You've always wanted this" His voice had turned gentle with the enquiry, "So what's stopping you?"

Once the news went out to her family, everyone seemed to rejoice. Something she found too hard to reciprocate. Swara wanted this; to have a better platform to thrive.

"Things are taking a good turn with my family. Like I've always wished for. It's almost there Sanskaar, I can feel it. By accepting this offer, I'll be away from everyone- my family, friends and you." Swara confessed.

"So you are choosing us?" He urged, "Stop! It's complicated!" She grumbled. Choosing only one among them felt like betraying another.

Nevertheless. Either choice she would chose, the other one would strike her enough to bleed for she walked on a double edged sword of her conscience.

If possible, Swara wanted to hold on to both of them- her passionate dream and her beloved people. But life could never provide such pleasures. For it ran with one rule-

Loose one, gain another.

"You have to choose one. If not today, then someday." Sanskaar mused. Almost a distinct whisper that she wasn't sure if it was her illusion or his real words.

Swara rested her head on his shoulder. Her gaze stilled over their entwined fingers. She was not ready to loose either of them; just not yet.

"Then let it be for someday. Not today."

Two choices; very close to her was to be choosen and it scared Swara. She still had time, until then Swara wanted to seek solace from him.

Sanskaar had been in the maze of fearing what future behold. But her words managed to step in right. Someday, not today - everything shall wait. Today belonged to them. Only them.

Their grim mood had swapped into a calm one. Silence ruled them which they always enjoyed as they basked in each other's warmth and love under melodic notes of the piano.