"Mom, what I was thinking is...", he stopped as his mind was still nagging that he is fine with his life and there is no need for any change.

"I am leaving...bye", saying which Sanskar got up and started walking towards the entrance with his heart and mind still continuing the battle.

"What am I going to lose by coming back home 30 minutes before? Nothing much right? Any way I will be awake till late night...if needed I can increase those hours. Fine, let me give it a try...after all what am I without them?", thought Sanskar to himself and turned back to face his parents who were looking at him being confused as of not understanding why he hadn't left by now.

"Mom, today I will come home by 8:30, can we all have our dinner together upstairs?", asked Sanskar looking at the three faces one by one.

Sujatha (Sanskar's mother) immediately stood up in shock and happiness and nodded her head in approval.

"Of course Sanskar, we can. I will make sure everything is ready by the time you come", replied Sujatha and Sanskar thought he saw brink of tears about to fall from her eyes maybe because of happiness he didn't know. 

All through his journey, Sanskar was wondering what made his mom so happy. Did he say that he is getting Prime Minister for dinner? No, he doesn't remember saying that. 

"How can people find happiness in such little things and why can't I feel the same? Maybe I am made for achieving big. Anyways, Siri set a reminder to 8 p.m", parking his car, Sanskar went into his office and got busy in his work.

In Maheshwari Mansion, Sujatha was running from hall to kitchen instructing the cook to prepare Butter naan along with paneer butter masala and instructing the servants to clean the balcony upstairs and place a table along with four chairs.

By the time it is 8:15 Sujatha made sure that her husband and daughter to be present at the table waiting for Sanskar.

"Mom, the smell is tempting...Can I have some starter please?", pleaded Uttara wetting her lips.

"No one will start until Sanskar comes home. He said we will all eat together and we are going to wait for him. That's final", declared Sujatha not taking her eyes off the door.

At around 8:45, Sanskar arrived only to be welcomed by his mother with a bright smile.

"Sanskar, freshen up and come...we will wait for you in the balcony beside your room", said Sujatha, smile not leaving her face not even for once.

After around ten minutes, Sanskar joined his family for dinner.

"You are fifteen minutes late bhai. I am starving", complained Uttara.

"You should curse Mumbai traffic, not me, okay?", replied Sanskar eyeing all his favorite dishes.

"Fine, shall we start?", interrupted Ram not giving the siblings a chance to argue further.

Sujatha served Sanskar every dish with her own hands and they all finished the dinner reminiscing many memories.

"Mom, now onwards I will have dinner at home but please don't take the trouble of preparing so many dishes, a simple menu would do", said Sanskar kissing his mom on the forehead and bidding good night, he went to his room with his heart dancing in happiness.

"It's good, in fact very good. You know what Abhay, Uttara learned cooking. She made Kheer for me which was delicious. Don't tell her, I said it was okay...if not she would be flying in the air by now", said Sanskar to Abhay who called his friend to ask him how was his dinner with his family after a long time.

"Then I think I should come home too for dinner", said Abhay feeling happy that his Sanskar is spending some time off his work.

"Ya, I doubt you would get such a grand welcome like I have got today but still you know you can come, you are always welcome", said Sanskar with a chuckle.

"Of course, I am not a guest like you, so I don't need anything special", taunted Abhay.

"Hello Mr, I am not a guest either", retorted Sanskar.

"Leave that, in the morning you didn't tell me the reason for your sudden change in your schedule", asked Abhay.

"Well, I just felt like spending time with my family", replied Sanskar which is a half-truth.

 "All of a sudden after all these years, who are you fooling Sanskar? Now spill out", said Abhay not letting his friend slip away with any excuse.

"Okay fine, it was Swara's suggestion actually", and before Sanskar could complete Abhay interrupted.

"I knew it, so she has got her charm on you already...good going Sanskar", appreciated Abhay.

"Listen, she just gave me a suggestion and I thought of giving it a try. That's it. Don't raise your hopes so high", said Sanskar defending himself.

"Oh, I must be mad to keep telling you since all these years 'Sanskar go home, take time off work, relax, have meals at time', what were all those?", asked Abhay with sarcasm evident in his voice.

"You were ordering me, that's why I didn't follow. Bye!! Good night", saying which Sanskar disconnected the call not waiting for Abhay's response.

"Abhay has got a point, why are her words influencing me? Is it just because her convincing skills are better than Abhay or am I really falling for her? Isn't it too early to decide, what if she is just texting me for passing her time? Why in the first place am I replying? It doesn't feel a waste of time which is spent talking to her", Sanskar was lost in his thoughts. 

"Maybe that's how you feel when you find the right one for you", put in his heart.

"Why is it so complicated?", complained his brain.

"I would say, give time for yourself and understand your feelings", said heart.

With all these thoughts Sanskar drifted off to sleep.

In the next few days, Sanskar added family time to his schedule which resulted in a better lifestyle. He started dropping Uttara at her college, helping his dad in his business, complimenting his mom for her dishes and though he didn't give Swara credit, his inner conscious knew the reason behind this good change and is just waiting for Sanskar to realize it. 

One such day as his work got completed early, he dialed Swara's number. Swara was at her workplace and was really surprised to receive a call from him on a weekday. She immediately went to the cafeteria and answered,

"Hey Sanskar, what a surprise?", exclaimed Swara for which Sanskar laughed.

"There are no meetings today, so I was getting bored", replied Sanskar.

"Then go out with your friends for a movie or a restaurant", suggested Swara.

"You know that I have only one friend and I don't need to go to him. He will be here with my one call", boasted Sanskar for which Swara let out a gasp of exasperation. 

"Sanskar, he comes to you because he loves you, he don't want to lose you. And it's your responsibility to acknowledge that and show him that he is as important to you as you are to him", said Swara as calmly as possible.

Hearing no reply, Swara continued "Do one thing, now its 4:00 P.M., so probably Abhay would be at his office, right?", she paused to get confirmation from Sanskar.

As he said "Hmm", she continued "Go and surprise him, trust me he will feel happy. Later you can do whatever you want, I am sure Abhay will take care of it. So, all you have to do is take your car and go to Abhay's office. I hope you know where it is"

"Of course I know, stop explaining to me like I am a kid", said Sanskar grabbing his car keys.

"Handling kids is much easier than handling you", was the first thought Swara got but she didn't say it loud not wanting to say something which would make him change his mind. It has been only a few days that Sanskar was opening up to her and she was really getting good vibes that there is a chance of him saying yes if she would propose him for marriage which she has to do very soon before it goes out of her hands. 

"Okay Swara, I am starting now. I will talk to you later", saying which Sanskar made his way to his one and only friend's office.

Sanskar entered Abhay's office and went to the reception.

"Hey, can you inform Mr. Abhay Raichand that Sanskar is here?", Sanskar asked the receptionist.

"Do you have an appointment sir?", asked the receptionist.

"Well, no. Just tell him that I am here", replied Sanskar with a smile and wondering how it would be like taking an appointment to meet his duffer.

"Okay sir", saying which she dialed a number through inter-com and as it got connected, Sanskar could hear Abhay's voice.

"What's the matter?"

"Sir, someone named Mr. Sanskar has come to meet you. Should I send him in?", asked the receptionist.

"Didn't I tell you not to allow anyone without the appointment? Now, don't...wait what did you say?", before she could answer, they heard the sound of the phone hitting the table followed by running footsteps. 

In a minute Abhay was in front of Sanskar with a shocked expression.

"Sanskar, is everything all right? Mom, dad...everyone is fine right?", Abhay asked seeing Sanskar in his office because he never does that at least he never did it in that last few years.

"Relax Abhay, I just came to see you. I was getting bored at my office so I thought I would spend some time with you only if you are free", replied Sanskar.

"What are you talking Sanskar? I always have time for you", saying which Abhay took Sanskar to his cabin which was nothing like a room where you would expect your CEO to be.

The room has been designed as per Abhay's taste with a play station right opposite to the entrance, beside it there is a gym with a thread mill and weights. Also, there is an attached bathroom and a closet to put clothes and other valuables. In the center, there is a couch and a vending machine with all the snacks as well as a coffee machine was placed in one corner giving space to a minibar in another corner.

As Sanskar was examining everything, he saw three pictures hanging on the wall. In one picture Abhay was with his parents all in smiles which was probably taken before he turned 18 because Abhay and he have just completed their secondary education when Abhay's parents met with an accident. Sanskar remembers the second picture to be clicked on their first day of the MBA in Kolkata. While the third one was with Arnav and Kushi bhabhi. 

"So how is it?", asked Abhay looking at Sanskar who was lost in his thoughts going around the room.

"You made your cabin as your home Abhay", chuckled Sanskar.

"What's the difference? Anyway I have to stay alone", replied Abhay casually but this statement hit Sanskar very hard. How can he forget that Abhay has no family except him? He was so immersed in himself that he ignored that one person who has stood by him in his thick and thin. Now he understood why Abhay never say no to him. He wanted to apologize for his behavior but words didn't come out. Immediately, he hugged Abhay tightly startling him. 

"Hey bro relax if you want I will design your cabin like this as well. You don't need to request me for that. I mean my services are always free for you", said Abhay not understanding what made his perfect Sanskar hug him so suddenly.

Sanskar broke the hug with a smile and they both settled down on the couch with a cup of coffee.

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So, did you like Sanskar's dinner with his family?

Are you liking Swara's character? 

How is Abhay's cabin?

Finally, are you liking the story?

Do let me know your views. Thank you.