SwaSan OS : Lost in the night.

The Maheswari mansion was enveloped in scenic beauty. The moon was spreading its calm over the mansion and the stars were glittering happiness. The light gush of wind calmed and soothed the environment around. The light ruffle of leaves gave a sense of activity and life at this point at night.

Annapurna was finishing with her daily work as she closed of the lights in the kitchen. She then went to the her god's side and prayed to keep up the peace and happiness that the house has finally got.

Annapurna has controlled her home nicely. She was the patriarch at home and she took the duty seriously. Since the last so many years she had built a wall around her home, strong enough to withstand any strike. She was proud of herself and her family. Her sons were her life, her husband her god and she was a goddess in her own beauty.

But the last years have seen her defenses weaken. The walls that had been build so firmly , so as to withstand any blow from outside had started to crumble. Because the first hard blow it met was from inside. She flinched as she remembered the day her beloved nephew has stood up against everyone.

He had fought a hard battle for himself. Everyone in the house followed rules, everyone in the house had their lives planned out before they even understood the meaning of the word. But Sanskaar has straight out refused to be a pawn. He was not going to live his life on the basis of what others told him to. He had fought that day against everyone to secure his love. He was young and of new blood. You can't expect that level of maturity from a mere 20-21 year old boy. Everyone had dismissed his actions as childish and immature, not taking him seriously and giving him warnings.

Annapurna had known better. Watching from the sidelines , what she saw was not a kidish rebelion or a college fanatsy , it was much more than that. And it was not the first time she has realized it. Right from the childhood she had seen everything in Sanskaar , what she wanted her own sons to have. The child was brilliant and smart. He was witty and calculating beyond his age. And he was no one's puppy. He had a mind of his own unlike his brothers. Oh not that Laksh was not good but Sanskaar was much better. Laksh was tamed and Sanskaar was wild. The latter was just like that wild fire which runs around in a forest , destroying everything in its wake but the more you look closely, you can see a beauty to it. The way it dances , the way it withstands everything, the way it acts on its own wishes, deciding its own path. Sanskaar was that devilish beauty. Sometimes she wonders is he really Sujata's son or some mishap happened at the hostipal. And Laksh was that fire in the fire chimneys at home. It was beautiful and spread warmth but was vulnerable.

And in the end her analysis was correct. Sanskaar had not beem tamed and the rebelion everyone thought to be kidish has shook the entire Maheswari household. He had left , only for the news of his death to have arrived later. That had been the first crack in the wall. And years later this wall was about to fall as two breath takingly beautiful half sisters entered their lives with a revengeful Sanskaar lingering behind.

Laksh had fallen in love with the Bengali diva, following in his brother's footsteps but Annapurna has well seen that this love was not that strong as what she has witnessed 5 years back. Sanskaar had then destroyed his brother's life and love and Ragini had entered their house instead of Swara.

But the events that unfolded after that took away the peace and happiness in her household, something she desperately wanted back. Her has house became a battlefield and after everyday drama the pieces have finally fallen back to the places where they were always meant to be.

Sanskaar and Swara had reunited. Laksh has finally let go of Swara. Ragini had been forgiven and Laksh had accepted her in his life.The quiet and pretty Ragini was back with her cunning mind currently at rest. Laksh had went back to his joyous and laughing ways. Swara was no more depressed and was back as the buubly little girl and Sanskaar had finally left his past but was still a mystery unsolved.

The house had finally got back its happiness. Her sons were happy in their lives and her family was complete. The hallways now lit up with echoed laughter. Love was everywhere as many broken bonds were mended. Again a wall has been built but this time it was made of love with a gate on between tp explore the freedom outside.

Annapurna turned her head to the sight infront of her smile slightly. Yes, everything was now right. Smiling she left the place quietly without disturbing the ones who stood their in the hall.

Sanskaar and Laksh were pacing down the hall , going to and fro. They constantly kept on glancing at their watches and muttering inaudibly under their breaths, until Laksh finally spoke throwing his hands up in the air.

' This is it Bhai. I am done waiting. I have been going round and round for the last 1 hour. 1 goddamn hour. What the hell is taking so much time? Are they bringing down moon to the earth ?'

' Quiet Laksh. You do not want them to hear. They will eat us alive. It's already a late night party and I think that they have decided to reach there midnight.' Sanskaar replied bemusedly watching Laksh.

' But its been one hour since we came down . How much time do they need to get ready ? And I thought they were down to earth girls for whom inner beauty mattered more than outer .'

' Stop ramblimg nonsense Laksh. I was already prepared for this , better you also prepare yourself for the impending future.'

Both of them huffed and sat down on the sofas tired of waiting.

After another 10 minutes Sanskaar heard a beautiful laugh, a beautiful voice that sang a melody in his ears. He immediately shot up from his place looking at the stairs , earning a suspicious look from Laksh.

' What is it now bhai?'

' Look they are coming down.'

Laksh turned his head to find his brother quiet right. Their respective wives were coming down looking no less than goddesses. His eyes landed on Ragini who wore a peacock blue green with her hair down. She had shredded her traditional look for today and looked every bit a beautiful diva.

Sanskaar' jaw was in his hand. So this much time taken and patience had actually paid off. Swara looked beautiful. And Sanskaar had no more words. She was wearing a sky blue dress which just went down and down, hugging her perfectly.

'Come on Sanskaar lets go.' Swara said as she came and stood by him.

' So you both are finally here. And here I was thinking maybe I will get a night's rest before you both decide to come down.' Laksh teased.

'Stop it Laksh. We need time to get ready. We will get late beacuse of this useless banter.' Swara replied to him.

' No Swara you got the facts wrong. We are late because of you two sisters.' Sanskaar chipped in between.

' As if you two never do anything wrong ? ' Ragini snapped back.

' Yes. Learn from us.'

' What should we learn? How to get ready and be late?'

' Okay fine. Now stop and everyone move out right now. We need to be there. We can continue this conversation afterwards.' Sanskaar stopped the banter.

All the four of them moved out and took seperate cars. The driveway of Maheswari's came alive as two cars flew out of it.

Sanskaar kept on glancing at Swara from time to time. She was busy staring out from the window , taking in the beauty of the night.

They reached the venue. The place was decorated beautifully wity flowers and lights. Swara and Ragini glanced around excitedly , as if snapping photos through their eyes.

' The Maheswaris. Welcome. We have been waiting for you all.'

The four of them turned towards to the source of the voice. An elderly gentleman swiftly glided through the crowd with a young man in his trails. It was Mr. Roy and his son Akash, the hosts of the party.

' It's our pleasure Mr. Roy that you deem us worthy of being waited for.' Sanskaar immediately turned to his business man mode from the previously apparent lover boy one. For Laksh, he was still dazed.

' Always good with words, right Sanskaar ? You have achieved a lot irrespective of your age and I think the beautiful web of words you spin played a major role.'

' As you believe Mr. Roy.'

' And how are you Laksh ? ' Mr. Roy turned towards the younger one.

' Still learning I believe. But thats fine by me.' Laksh turned to the other one. ' Nice to meet you Akash.'

' Nice to meet you too Laksh.Sanskaar.' Akash replied as his gaze landed on the two women standing beside.

' And these must be your wives.' Mr.Roy said.

' Oh yes. She is Ragini, my wife and that is Swara, Sanskaar's wife.' Laksh replied to him.

' Nice to meet you two.' Mr.Roy forwarded his hand as Ragini amd Swara shook it respectively.

They slowly got engulfed in the crowd. Mr. Roy and Akash left to tend to other guests as the four of them made way to silent corner.

They were busy laughing and talking with each other. As said many broken bonds repaired. Laksh got back his beloved brother. Swara had got her snarky best friend back. Sanskaar and Ragini's friendship was back on track. The duppatewali dost was back. Maybe forgiveness was all that they needed, maybe confessions were required and their lives were back on track.

Sanskaar eyed the three people standing in front of him. How important they have became in his life. His wife, brother and the lost friend he found again. He had made a little world again and sure he was that someone up there was happy to see him in this state.

' May I have this dance with you Mrs. Maheswari.?' Sanskaar heard a voice. He turned around to see a hand infront of Swara , inviting her for the dance. He looked up to see Akash smirking . Swara happily complied.

' Sure. Why not.'

They made their way towards the dance floor as Sanskaar watched them with fire on his head. He was not the jealous type but today something was not right with his head.

' Someone is burning. I can smell it.' Ragini chirped. Oh she was going to love teasing him.

' Who is burning ? '

' You.'

' If I was on fire I would have sensed it Ragini.'

' Oh no you are burning from inside seeing Swara there. Are you not?'

' No .I am not.'

' I knew it.'

' Do you have hearing problems? I said no. '

' Oh no. And here I thought I will see some drama where the hero will make a dashing entery to save the damsel in distress.'

' Well I do not think Swara is distressed. She seems to be enjoying herself.'

' Do not be such a fool Sanskaar. I know you are not one. You should be there dancing with her. My husband is busy chattering like a girl somewhere.'

' You know what Ragini. I have a better idea. I will get Swara from there and you go and dance with someone. As much as I know Laksh, he will be there within a second taking you away. He can get jealous of anything and anyone.'

' Yeah . I think thats better.'

Sanskaar and Ragini moved to the dance floor as Sanskaar stole Swara away. Dancing in a rythm, Ragini took her place as Sanskaar took Swara outside. He turned back to look , only to find Laksh giving some guy a death glare. Swara was giving him one herself.

They came out in a lawn area which was empty. Even in the darkness it looked beautiful.The grass was well kept as Sanskaar sat down feeling the cool of the ground. Swara who was still standing started...

' Why did you drag me out of there Sanskaar. I was having fun and you had to just spoil it.'

' So you were enjoying yourself I see .'

' Is someone jealous ?'

Sanskaar pulled Swara down by his side and gazed deeply in her eyes, their faces mere inches apart. Swara could feel his breath on her face as she shivered. He was looking at her with so much intesity , it made her body numb.

' Yes. I am. No one gets to be that close to you except me. Got it?'

Swara noded like an innocent child, still lost in his warm eyes.

They both never understood when their respective hearts made way for the other to come inside. They were two broken souls. Both of whom had lost their first love. Maybe the way they understood eachother's pain is what bonded them together. It was like two nomads found their home.

Love is beautiful , isn't it ? Just imaginig being in love can make someone's heart flutter. It is vulnerable and the same time strong. It can be calm and at the same time dangerous. All of these aspects were expirienced and the outcome was nevertheless beautiful.

Sanskaar nuzzled the tip of his nose on Swara's cheeks and kissed there softly. Swara could not breathe.

' First of all this boy had to look so cute , handsome and charming that I nearly lost my balance while descending the stairs and now when I was finally able to resist him , he brings me out here. Oh God this Idiot. If I lose control of myself here it will not be good. Stop it Swara, breathe in breathe out.' Swara continued thinking to herself as Sanskaar was still lingering on. There were fireworks in her stomach.

Sanskaar was just admiring the innocent soul in front of him. He could feel how she shivered under his touch and he enjoyed this effect he had over her. He engulfed her in his arms and murmured in her hair

' Don't ever leave me Swara.'

' Hey, where did this come from ? I am never leaving you. Do you think you can so easily get rid of me?'

' Believe me I do not want to.'

' I promise Sanskaar I am not going anywhere. Plus you still owe me some chocolates.'

' Just bring in the chocolates to ruin the moment.'

' Do not dare insult them. They make moments . They do not ruin them.'

' Yeah sure.'

Sanskaar laid out on the grass and patted the spot beside him, motioning Swara to do the same. Swara laid out beside him , keeping her head on his stretched out arm. Sanskaar busy gazing at the stars while Swara was lost in her star.

" You know Swara , I once read a really nice story:

Seemingly close, yet light years apart.

They admired each other from afar.

To the world, they were twinkling

But the stars, they were just winking."

' That is beautiful. The first line just struck the right cord in my heart. We were like that weren't we ? Close yet so far.' Swara said intertwining her fingers with Sanskaar's .

' You remember those days Sanskaar when you were ignoring me? Those were the days I actually felt far from you.'

' It was not like that Swara. I was not talking never meant that I was not thinking about you. I was just trying to keep my distance beacause somewhere in my heart I had started to believe that I cannot have you. '

' But still you kept your promises. You still stood beside me , you still loved me.'

' You cannot stop someone from loving you Swara and the promises were meant to be kept. You desrved that promise.'

Swara looked up to meet his eyes and he was already looking. You know that teenage scenario when you look up to find your crush looking at you and you feel all happy and you blush madly. That was the scenario here for Swara , the way Sanskaar looked at her made her feel like a teenager who had just fallen head over heels for the new cute boy in school. She loved the way he made her feel. She loved being normal again.

Sanskaar averted his gaze to the stars. Swara too turned to see the beauty that universe was.

' Do you believe in shooting stars Sanskaar ? '

' No . I don't. Dreams can come true of you have the courage to pursue it. I do not believe in wishing for them.'

' I do. It just gives me a satisfaction that maybe someone will fulfill it. My last wish came true. You became true.'

The silence engulfed them. They chose to love each other in silence because in silence there is no rejection, no loss. Two broken souls mended.

' Did I tell you what happened yesterday Sanskaar?'

' No.'

' So ask me.'

' What happened yesterday Shona?'

' Oh you know Sanskaar, yesterday I went to this cafe and I met my highschool queen bee and she was...

Swara continued chattering as Sanskaar was totally emersed in her voice. It was music to his ears. After all she was a walking FM and he was her addicted listener.

...

Because there is nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline no matter how many times it is sent away.

This is how Sanskaar's love was . He was sent away a number of times but in the end every inch of the shoreline was deeply in love with the ocean . That is why these two are best seen when with each other...

P.S. Plzz Do not kill me for this boring story .I am not impressed with my work. Although do tell me how you felt about it and plzz drop some suggestions. I love them and you all.

Love,

Ahana