Trial By Fire- A SwaSan 3 Shot

Hey guys,

I am back with a new piece- intended to be a two or possibly three shot. The recent track has been incredibly frustrating and whilst we have had a few excellent episodes from a SwaSan related perspective, there have been many ups and downs. My story seeks to explore a slightly different perspective of the present track, like a lot of my writing tends to do. The setting is almost identical in that we have a plotting Ragini trying to defame Swara but I have very slightly changed the timeframes to allow SwaSan more time to deal with their evolving feelings, and also the Laksh in my story is more of an active participant with Ragini than is currently the case in the show. Also, the story starts at a point, then flashes back (by a very short margin) and will come back to present again. Part 1 is rather long, so am not sure if the full thing can be done in 2 parts or 3 but I will allow for 3 just in case!

I hope this is not too bad and as ever, likes and comments are very gratefully received and always motivating! Thank you!

TRIAL BY FIRE

The Aftermath

"You care so much you feel as though you will bleed to death with the pain of it." - J. K. Rowling- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

A steady drizzle had been streaming down, spurting in a thin wet trickle from a grizzled sky. The day was overcast and an almost oppressive air seemed to permeate, surprising for this time of the year, by when the post monsoon showers should have cleared the way for sunnier skies. The gentle patter of the unexpected rain against the windows would have usually soothed the almost elfin looking young woman sitting on the bed, but today she remained oblivious to its tapping rhythm. She was instead busily engaged in crying softly, her knees drawn up and her arms wrapped around them, with her head resting between. It was a soul deep keening that seemed to be pulled from her, painful in its intensity, but clearly something she had become accustomed to, given her hopeless submission to its force. Swara had been sitting like this for hours; not that she had any sense of time. Her phone lay beside her, the silent and now dark screen, seeming to taunt her with a reminder of the unanswered calls that had been attempted from it earlier, giving rise to the current torrent of tears.

Across the city, in a high rise apartment block, Sanskaar kept glancing at his phone, trying unsuccessfully to distract himself with the mound of papers he had piled around him and the laptop screen that he had been blindly staring at for so long, almost as a barricade. His screen too had now fallen silent and lifeless. He had ignored all of Swara's earlier calls so she had clearly given up, and he was now angry with himself for wanting to speak to her. He knew what he had to do, but it was indescribably hard, especially knowing that she was in torment, just as he was. He recalled their last meeting; the pain identically etched on their faces at the words they had exchanged. Especially after their recent closeness, it seemed a mockery that they had come to this. But Sanskaar knew he had to harden his heart and be strong for them both. If it was ever to be put right, drastic measures had to be taken and someone had to do what it took.

Kindling and Firelighters

A few weeks ago, a very different Swara and Sansksaar could be seen. Since Ragini and Swara had come back to Maheshwari Mansion, owing to Ragini's apparent memory loss, Sanskaar and Swara had been drawn inexorably closer. They had had their ups and downs, they seemed destined to that owing to a combination of the toxic people in their lives, and perhaps Swara's own nature, which tended to put sentiment before sense each time. Ragini of course had been pretending from the start. She was assailed by no illness, but save Durga Prasad, Laksh and Sanskaar, the rest of the clan seemed to be willing to give her the benefit of doubt, especially Swara, who remained convinced that her sister was reformed. As ever, Swara had been fierce in the defence of her undeserving sibling, and Sanskaar soon retreated from his efforts to make her see the possibility that this was yet one more elaborate charade. However, matters took on a far more sinister overtone for Sanskaar and Swara with the advent of Laksh's growing obsession for Swara, which he now seemed to see as an inevitable consequence of Ragini's previous exposure, and more recently, his knowledge of Ragini's latest memory loss drama.

Unbeknown to Sanskaar and Swara, Ragini had managed yet again to manipulate Laksh, this time into believing that she would help him in his efforts to reunite with Swara. She claimed that her reasons for wanting to stay on in their house were only an attempt to atone for her previous mistakes. Whilst Laksh was far from believing this, his desire to win Swara back at any cost, clouded his never clear judgment. Once more, he was reduced to being a pawn in Ragini's machinations, suffering from his usual misconception of being in control, when he was merely flotsam after the wreckage. He was therefore willing to dance to the snake charmer's tune as he had done before, despite having felt this snake charmer's own brand of venom in the past.

Then there was Swara herself. It would perhaps be difficult to find a more contradictory young woman. The Swara who could be so insightful and discerning, was always at odds with the overtly nave girl, whose errors of judgment were often astounding. Swara's weakness had always been a childlike desire to want to have the "perfect" family and in this quest, she was wont to entirely squash any misgivings that she would encounter along the way. This willful blindness characterised her relationships too. She was unable to understand or acknowledge that the principles she would proudly espouse for others were equally applicable to her. When she spoke of relations predestined by fate, she saw this for Ragini and Laksh, but not for herself and Sanskaar. She felt her mother's marriage with her father was an unbreakable bond that must be maintained, but did not draw the same corollary for her own relationship. She called Sanskaar her best friend but failed to see how her behavior, all her reactions, and the pull he had started having for her, were a beacon of a far more intimate alliance.

Swara had therefore happily bumbled along. Her initial fears at Laksh's disturbing behavior, especially after his repeated avowals of love for her and his apparent suicide attempt, had been totally negated by the meeting she had with him at the Maheshwari farmhouse. There, much to her surprise, Laksh had reassured her that he had seen the error of his ways, and in fact he was only interested in renewing his friendship with her, noting else. She had been indescribably relieved and happy. It was manna from the heavens and when Laksh himself volunteered that he wanted to give his relationship with Ragini a chance as he had seen how much she clearly loved him. Swara had firmly squashed any slight niggling disbelief, not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth. She was so happy for her sister and for herself too. She had felt freer than she had in months, and all she had then been focused on was, sharing this happiness with Sanskaar. She refused to question too deeply why her overwhelming desire was only to rush to Sanskaar and why his subsequent coldness with her had been like a dagger to her heart. That was, until she had managed to finally corner him and clear the ridiculous misunderstanding that he seemed to have developed, that she had somehow decided to get back together with Laksh.

Sanskaar had been openly ecstatic when she told him that she and Laksh were just friends. He had tried to delve behind Laksh's sudden, and to him, inexplicable change of heart, but had been shot down by the ever fiery Swara, who was immediately on the defensive at any presumed attack on her precious sister and now restored friend. Sanskaar was always one to pick his battles wisely and decided that it was pointless to argue with Swara when she was on her high horse, and he was in any event, rather distracted by the pure pleasure coursing through him at the realisation that his fears of having lost her were groundless. Oh yes, she still seemed to be talking about wanting to get a divorce, but the same acumen that made Sanskaar one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the city despite his young age, told him that her heart was not in that course of action.

What neither Sanskaar nor Swara were to know was how their respective cousin and sister had decided to progress their renewed partnership. Ragini went to work on Laksh in her usual underhand but sinuous way; she sowed the seeds of strife well and truly. She highlighted Sanskaar and Swara's growing closeness to Laksh and how Swara was now almost entirely in Sanskaar's thrall, trusting him totally and how he clearly reciprocated. To be honest, Ragini's job was made easier by Laksh's own jealousy and insecurity. He was only too eager to want to attribute the obvious progression of feelings on Swara and Sanskaar's part to something nefarious and tawdry, that he could then swoop in on to save Swara from. He was therefore only too willing to believe that Swara had feelings for him but was hesitant to express them, and also that his cousin was taking advantage of his friendship with Swara. From then on, it was easier for Ragini to keep laying the blocks to create a tower of monumental delusion and dangerous obsession. After all, she had been the architect of her own such construction, and understood the mechanics better than anyone. She managed to get across to Laksh the notion that to really win Swara over, he would have to first work with her to undermine her bond with Sanskaar, and then similarly destroy the trust the rest of the family had in Swara. When Laksh was suspicious at this, Ragini explained that her aim was that once Swara found herself isolated and mistrusted by the others, this time Laksh would support her. Not only would he be the only person she would be able to rely on in a friendless and isolated state, this would forever break her illusion that Sanskaar was her pillar of support. Also, Ragini suggested and Laksh readily accepted, that Swara needed to be forced to accept her now suppressed feelings for Laksh, and unless this was done in the manner in which Ragini was only too happy to guide, it would never work. This, inveigled Ragini, was Laksh's only method of salvation and she called upon various trite axioms such as "You have to be cruel to be kind sometimes" and the ever popular, "All is fair in love and war". They say that the most successful generals are those who understand the soldiers they command, and in that Ragini was a genius, and her chosen trooper more than malleable. Hence the stage was set once more for an unsuspecting Swara's downfall.

Inflamed

"I have spread my dreams under your feet. Tread softly for you tread on my dreams" - W. B. Yeats

Swara was in a happy daze during these weeks. She kept telling herself she was concentrating on thinking about her future and the music school she wanted to open, which Sanskaar had given her such encouragement for as soon as she had revealed her plans to him. The reality though was that this only took a miniscule amount of her energy and time. The rest of it she spent occupied with Sanskaar. They had very easily fallen back to their old camaraderie that had always come easy to them, but this time it was tinged with far more seductive overtones. Sanskaar himself was so different. It was as if her renewed entry into his life and her recent reciprocation of his attentions, no matter how unconscious on her part, had unleashed a side of him that made her both nervous and yet compellingly fascinated. He was just so much more confident around her. Previously he had always maintained a guarded distance in anything more than friendship, but this Sanskaar was charming and even openly flirtatious.

Swara was powerless against the onslaught of both her burgeoning feelings, and his unique allure. He was impossible to resist with his twinkling eyes and gentle teasing, and she was no match for such offensive. They sought each other out at every chance they got, and the moments they spent together were precious to each of them. Swara suspended her misgivings about reacting to him too much, and he made it all the easier by never openly making her acknowledge what was developing between them. They feel into a routine. He would sleep in the guest room and whilst it would have been entirely sensible to shift the clothes he would need there, he choose to only sleep there, conducing all other living activities from the room she slept in, but still felt like "theirs" to both of them. Swara felt it natural that she laid his clothes out for him in the morning, fussed around to make sure he had his vitamins and she herself got ready whilst he was preparing himself for the day. They took to sharing tea together in their balcony before joining the rest of the family downstairs for the more formal breakfast. Their simple morning routine helped set them both up for the day ahead, where every hour seemed to drag until he was able to rush home to her again in the evening. Their laughter could be heard ringing out frequently in those days, and if prying eyes were to see, they could be found, gently talking and smiling, eyes communicating as much as their mouths, fingers often lightly brushing over cups of tea or when handing routine items over. They seemed lost in their own little world, a haven created amidst shifting sands, perhaps temporary, but solid enough to create lasting memories.

Sanskaar sensed the change in Swara, and his heart was full of joy. He knew he could not let her go, she was as essential as breathing to him, and he was now determined to woo her and to make sure she was made aware over time, that she did not have to go anywhere if she did not want to. He fought hard to control his impatience to move too quickly with her, a task almost herculean when he could feel her innocent unconscious responses in the way her eyes would often drop before the fervency in his, the way her blushes frequently tinged her cheeks and how her breath could catch when he came too close or innocuously touched her, which he did often nowadays.

Besides which, it is not only easy, but also natural, to want to enjoy those things that are pleasurable, and the rapid but tenuous progression of his relationship with Swara, was almost like a drug to his senses that demanded surrender to its potency. As it was, he had to struggle each day to refrain from having a frank discussion with her about his feelings, and even harder was the effort it took to try and not give into his impulse to hold and kiss her; sensing that she will still akin to a skittish colt that could take fright at a hasty advance. Yet, she no longer showed signs of pulling away from him when he initiated restrained contact, feeling shy but comfortable, if he happened to touch her or she him, in conversation or accidentally. By the time Diwali approached, it seemed almost inevitable that Sanskaar and Swara would move their relationship on to a different footing, despite a lack of conscious planning in this respect.

Sanskaar had gone shopping for Swara, taking great care to choose an exquisite designer outfit that he knew would look incredible on her. She had spent the day making colourful "rangolis" around the house on the say of their family priest, who advised that the wives should be doing this for the prosperity of their husbands, who in turn should acknowledge their gratitude through gifts. They had had a tense moment when Sanskaar came home to see Laksh gifting Swara an ornate pink saree; but the next minute he saw a clearly uncomfortable Swara hand over the gift to Ragini, effusively declaring that Laksh had brought it for her and was simply showing it to Swara. As soon as Swara saw Sanskaar, she rushed over to him excitedly, but not before Sanskaar caught the chagrined look his cousin shot them at this, before exchanging a cryptic glance with Ragini.

This all brought Sanskaar's doubts to the fore again, but he was then distracted by his adorable wife who was so excited to share the efforts of her artistry with the "rangoli" with him and later on, so delighted with his gift, that it was all he could do not to drag her in his arms and claim a gift of his own in return. The next day found him speechless when he saw Swara in the gold and red "lengha" he thought he had visualised perfectly on her. His imagination had not prepared him adequately for the rush to his senses at seeing her wear it, and her flushed face and nervous eyes indicated that his admiration must be shining through his mesmerised gaze. Swara fidgeted nervously with the long "dupatta" she had draped over her shoulder and bashfully asked him if it looked ok. Sanskaar purposefully approached her, his eyes fixed on her, but a slightly amused smile flitting around his mouth, belying the heat of his gaze. Her eyes widened at the expression in his, and he waited until he got very close, smirking wider when she took a reflexive step backwards before freezing. He then proceeded to look her up and down consideringly, enjoying seeing the pink in her cheeks get darker, and then simply settled for straightening her "mangalsutra" that had gotten slightly eschewed in her rush to show him her outfit. He felt her breath catch and deliberately let his hands linger around her neck as he gently adjusted the chain, locking his eyes to her stunned ones.

"Hmm, abh theek hai," he finished, taking a small step back.

Swara seemed to come, to and still looking dazed made as if to move away, just when he gently caught her arm. As she looked at him in shock, he threw in,

"Swara, tum bahut hi atchi lagg rahi ho. Tumhe maanna hoga ke meri pasand ka jawaab nahi?"

Swara was now all at sea, her response to him was so disconcerting, she really didn't know how to make sense of all these feelings unfurling in her.

"Errm, haan Sanskaar yeh lengha sach main bahut atcha hai."

"Main lenghe ki nahi, jissne lengha pehna hai uski baat kar raha hoon Swara," he retorted, leaving Swara no option but to hastily exit the room, overcome with a paroxysm of shyness.

Thus their day started, and despite the frustration he felt when she did not show to his factory to meet his workers and give them their gifts and bonus, he was still in a very mellow mood when he got home later that evening. After things had quieted down following the festivities at home, Sanskaar sought Swara out, finally alone on their balcony where she was still arranging some "diyas" under the shaded awning, to burn through the night. She looked up as she saw him, her features lighting up brighter than the lights she was surrounded by. He used the pretext of helping her to get closer, both knowing that no help was needed, but still craving the proximity the excuse would bring. Swara began a somewhat nervous but still excitable chatter and sheepishly apologised for having let him down earlier at the factory, but she explained that Ragini had asked her to visit Laksh to help them spend some time together. Sanskaar trampled down the rush of irritation he felt at this explanation. Why on earth could those two not manage to do whatever it is they trying to do with each other without constantly embroiling Swara in their capers, he was thinking. However, Swara was looking slightly alarmed at his frown and he made a conscious effort to smile and reassure her when she asked him whether he was angry with her.

"Lekin Swara," he couldn't resist saying, "tumhe nahi lagta ke Laksh aur Ragini ko apna rishta khud suljahna chahiye, harr waqt tumhari help liye bina?"

"Lekin Sanskaar," as expected she jumped into defence mode, "Tum toh jaante ho na, ke unki situation kya hai. Aur mujhe help karna atcha lagta hai, woh hamare apne hi toh hain."

"I should have known better", thought Sanskaar resignedly, slightly shaking his head at her effervescent enthusiasm.

His frown made a rapid re-entry though as in the next moment his desirable but often exasperating wife, proceeded to tell him that she would be leaving for a trip next week to Banaras, where she had to see a music teacher and also accompany her dratted sister to a temple where she wanted to apparently pray. Sanskaar bantered with Swara that he wanted to come along. He outlined fun things they could do together and felt inordinately pleased when he saw the wistful look in her eyes as he described potential plans, and heard her regretful refusal with the promise that they could do this the next time. She was by now standing near the balcony and he had joined her there. He was standing close to her, something she had clearly registered as evidenced by the way her breath had quickened, but she seemed to be content to stand there without putting any distance between then. She was still looking into his eyes soulfully after telling him he couldn't come with her as Ragini wanted this to be a sisters' bonding trip too.

"Sorry Sanskaar," she was saying.

Putting up a mock stern face, he shook his head slightly,

"Not done! Aur sorry se kaam nahi chalega Madam. Tumhe iski keemat chukani hogi."

At this, he inched even closer, causing her to slightly start but still not move away, although she momentarily dropped her eyes before his.

Looking up again, she said in a somewhat breathless voice,

"Kya keemat?"

A lazy smile now curved his mouth, he was so enjoying her reactions; they were increasing both his ardour, and his daring. Whilst replying, he gently took a lock of errant hair fluttering around her face and smoothed it back, his fingers cool against the suddenly heated skin of her face,

"Hmm, pehle toh kall ka saara din mere saath bitana hoga, ok?"

Swara's lips were now slightly parted, and she swallowed, looking quite confused as she fought to respond coherently,

"Haan, theek hai... Oh lekin Sanskaar, mujhe subhe pehle Baadi jaana hoga, Maa, Baba aur Dada, Dadi se milne."

His smile and the twinkle in his eyes were both intensifying, as was the heat in his gaze.

"Ah ha, toh phir toh kuch aur bhi jurmaana bharna hoga na?" he replied, shortening the already nominal distance between them.

Their lips met, a gentle brush at first, his mouth hard against the softness of hers. He put his arms around her and she melted into them as fluidly as liquid gold. He deepened the gentle exploration of her mouth as he felt her instinctive response, and desire flared between them, bright as a flame, fierce but pure and beautiful. Sanskaar poured his longing and love for her into this kiss, she responded ardently, her body and soul recognising and meeting his need with her own unguarded response. They stayed like that for a long while. Time and space seemed to fade, there were the stars above them, the glowing lights she had lit, and the feelings their lips translated to each other. When they finally broke apart, they were both out of breath and Swara simply hid her face in his chest, unable to fully comprehend what had happened, but simply overcome with the beauty of what they had shared. Sanskaar enveloped her in his embrace, resting his chin softly on the top of her head, his eyes closed for a moment in joy and thankfulness. They stayed like that for a long moment before he recalled himself, knowing that he should not say the words of love almost bursting from him. He sensed that she would need time to digest what had happened and any further advances by him tonight would damage the fragile magic they had just created. Tenderly, he held her by her shoulders and stepped very slightly back, smiling inwardly at seeing how flustered and panicked she was. Fighting against his instinctive need to crush her to him again, he instead whispered a soft goodnight and stepping back fully, strode away from the balcony, and exited the room. Swara stayed there much longer, touching her lips, letting waves of emotion cascade through her, reeling with the intensity of her feelings, and simply absorbing the after effects of what had been the most beautiful moment of her life so far.

To be continued...

Hi guys, here is Part 2. I am sorry it is so long but I wanted to deal with all it contains in one section. I know it is ridden with angst, but hopefully you will see that this is needed to move the story in the way it needs to. I needed to burn bridges, before I set things to right in the concluding part, which should hopefully be posted tomorrow! Please let me know what you think.

Part 2

The Pyre is Set

"You will face your greatest opposition when you are closest to your biggest miracle." - Shannon L. Alder

Maheshwari Mansion

Neither Swara nor Sanskaar had much sleep that night, but the next morning saw them both wide-awake and on tenterhooks. Sanskaar wanted to rush to their room in the early hours but forced himself to wait until it was at least light, not wishing to disturb her sleep. He need not have worried, as by the time arrived on the pretext of getting ready, Swara was already up and dressed, fluttering anxiously around the room, unable to meet his eyes and acting even more awkwardly around him than she had the first time they had shared living quarters at the start of their tumultuous journey. Sanskaar's amusement went up a notch and restored his own slightly shaken poise, as he had been worried about whether she would be regretting what had happened between them last night. They did not have much time to get accustomed to their simmering changed dynamics before Swara had to rush off to visit her family, and Sanskaar had to deal with some urgent calls.

Baadi

At Baadi, Swara was soon corned by her Dadi Maa, who managed to pull her away from earshot of her parents and then proceeded, much to Swara's shock, to question her about Sanskaar and Laksh. Swara was stunned; she explained that there was nothing untoward in her relationship with either of the brothers but just as she said that about Sanskaar, she flushed and dropped her eyes guiltily, an action that her observant grandmother was quick to pick up on. Some time later, it was subdued Swara who was making her way back to Maheshwari Mansion, her Daadi's words ringing in her ears.

"Dekh Swara, yeh dosti ki baatein na, thare aur Sanskaar ke rishte ke barein main mhare palle na pade hai. Itna tajurba hain mhare ko, aur ye toh mhare ko saaf saaf dikhe hai, ke yeh dosti na he chori. Aur aaj thare se baat kar ke mujhe pehli baar laage hai ke thaare ko bhi abh yeh ehsaas hone laga hai, hai ke nahi?"

Swara had been unable to deny this simple truth. It had been glaring at her since weeks, but in her usual fashion, she had chosen to ignore it, burying her hand in the sand to avoid the introspection required to shift through her changed feelings. However, after last night, she simply could not hide. Sanskaar's kiss had unleashed a tide of emotions that she had tried to suppress far too long. She knew full well that what had happened was as much her decision as his, despite him having taken the initiative. She could have pulled back at any point, and he had allowed her ample opportunity to, but the unvarnished truth was that she had not wanted to. She had wanted him to kiss her, just as she had for weeks wanted to be around him, treasuring each moment she spent with him, basking in his attention and attentiveness. Swara knew she needed to share these evolved feelings with him. He had been ever patient with her, never demanding and always giving, but it was now time to be more trusting and forthright about her reactions with him. Also, Swara knew that he was after all the only one she could truly share what she felt with, without fear of reprisal or judgment, always confident in the knowledge that he would never misuse the trust she placed in him.

What also plagued Swara though, was the remainder of her conversation with her Daadi, where she had shared the visit Annapurna and Sujata had made to her. She had explained their shocking conclusions, drawn as a result of Swara's recent visit to the Maheshwari farmhouse with Ragini and Laksh, as well as other little events, which Swara had had no idea had been misinterpreted in this manner. Swara had fumed at the allusion but once again, she recalled the warning her Daadi had issued, which seemed to somehow chill her with its almost prophetic overtones.

"Chori, gussa hone se koi fayda na hai. Yeh hi duniya ka dastoor hove he. Tu bole hai ke thare aur Laksh ke beech main sirf dosti hai, lekin thare badi saas aur saas ki galatfaimi bhi mhare ko samah aave hai. Thare ko kya zaroorat thi akele unn dono ke saath jaane ki? Sanskaar ko lekar jaati naa. Aur gayi bhi toh akele main Laksh se baat karne ki kya zaroorat padi thaare ko? Ragini ki baat sunne ka kya tukk hai? Je ko toh tu jaane hai na? Dekh beta, woh thaara devar hai, aur ek wakhat tum dono ka alag rishta tha. Haan, main jaanu ke thaare mann main koi paap na hove hai, lekin yaad rakhna, kasautiyan hamesha bhindniyan hi deve hai, ghar ke bete na. Sita ji par bhi log ungliyan utha chuke. Aisi hi hai yeh duniya, thaare ko yeh kabh samaj aave hai? Aisa na ho ke sabh par andha vishwaas karte karte, thaare parr sabh ka bharosa toot jaave."

Swara resolutely decided that she would clear the air today, not only with Sanskaar, but also with Badi Maa and Mom; this stupid misunderstanding had to be resolved. She noticed that there was a series of missed calls on her phone from Sanskaar but she was almost home so decided to wait to speak to him.

Maheshwari Mansion

As Swara walked back in to the Mansion, she knew something was wrong, even before she heard the raised voices and saw the entire family gathered around the main living area. Her feet felt leaden, she did not know why but a sense of foreboding gripped her. She tried to tell herself she was being fanciful, as she was rattled after her conversation with Daadi, but gut instincts are more often reliable than not. Her eyes automatically sought out Sanskaar's amidst the range of accusatory and confused ones that turned to stare at her as she entered. He was at her side in a trice. They looked at each other, she was apprehensive without knowing why, and he looked equally perturbed but just seeing him, helped to straightaway ground her as always.

"Swara, atcha hua tum aagayi. Yahan kuch confusion hua hai, hame clear karna hai."

Before he could carry on, Sujata burst in, her voice shrill and caviling. Swara dimly heard her reproaches about unacceptable behaviour, and girls who were wives but had no decorum whatsoever. Swara felt as if she had walked into a bad dream. As it unfolded, she was to find that the nightmare had only just begun. Annapurna took charge, managing to shut Sujata up long enough to make her denouncements, always more effective for their calmness than her sister in law's rambling tirades. It seemed that whilst Swara had been gone, some tickets had arrived at the house. The envelope had been addressed to Laksh Maheshwari but Ragini had opened it, apparently thinking it was a Diwali gift Laksh had promised her. The content had sent her into a fit of uncontrollable crying and had alerted the rest of the women, who had then discovered the said "gift" was a pair of airline tickets and a hotel booking in the name of Mr Laksh and Mrs Swara Maheshwari. Annapurna explained that Ragini had tried to hide this information but it had been too late and once she had seen this, Annapurna had decided she could not countenance such behavior. She had immediately called a summit, but as soon as Sanskaar was informed, he had promptly declared the whole thing a farce, and had accused his cousin of having fabricated this without Swara's knowledge. Just when accusations were being hurled all over, Swara had arrived.

Swara reeled under the onslaught of the most vile allegations that were then hurled at her. Sujata was not to be entirely restrained, and burst in to directly accuse Swara of having gone to the farmhouse to meet with Laksh alone, leaving Ragini outside. Both Annapurna and Sujata then detailed the numerous times they had seen Swara and Laksh, laughing and joking in an entirely inappropriate manner, behavior that could not be tolerated in their household. Today's fiasco was the final straw they claimed; how could Swara explain all of this? Before saying anything, Swara looked at Sanskaar in mute appeal but she need not have worried. Always a steadfast knight where her honour was concerned, he immediately drew his sword to stand before her like a shield. In cutting tones, he informed his mother and aunt that Swara had done nothing wrong. She had told him about her friendship with Laksh, she had also told him she was taking a trip but it was with Ragini, not Laksh, and if tickets to a different destination had been booked, it was to do with Laksh and not Swara. He also stalwartly declared that he trusted Swara entirely.

Swara looked at him in utter gratitude; if she had ever had any doubts about the rightness of her growing feelings for Sanskaar, his fierce defence of her had burnt them away to ashes. Swara then started to explain how she had indeed done nothing of the sort that was being suggested. She told of her discussion with Laksh to settle things between them, and looking at Ragini and Laksh for collaboration, asked them to verify the truth of her statements. It was then that Swara learnt the price to be paid for indiscriminate trusting of undeserving relations.

Ragini played her hand. She looked at Swara with her inexhaustible supply of soulful tears what she could call upon at a moment's notice, and in her sibilant tones, spat out her poisonous words.

"Swara! Tumne hamare saath aisa kyun kiya? Tum hame saza dena chahthi thi toh theek hai na, hume manzoor tha, lekin istara? Humne tumpar vishwaas kiya, aur tumse kaha bhi ke tum Laksh ji se pyaar karti ho toh batado, hum tumhare raaste se hatt jayenge, tumhari aur Laksh ji ki saari harkate bhi nazar andaaz kardi, lekin Diwali ke tyohaar par hume aisi tickets milni aur tum dono ke naam par aisa booking? Kyun Swara?"

Swara stared at her sister in supreme disbelief, her stomach was now churning and she felt ill. She looked to Laksh in desperation, trying to shut out the accusatory eyes of almost everyone facing her, except Sanskaar, Durga Prasad and Ram Prasad, the latter two wearing inscrutable but arrested expressions.

"Ragini! Tum kya keh rahi ho? Tum atchi tara se jaanti ho ke farmhouse main maine aur Laksh ne sirf dosti ki baat ki thi, aur usne khud tumhare rishte ko ek mauka dene ke vaada bhi kiya tha? Ragini tum hi yeh sabh karti aayi ho? Main tumhe iskeliye abh kabhi maaf nahin karoongi!"

At this Sanskaar had had enough,

"Haan Ragini, bass- abh yeh natak bandh karo. Tum bhi jaanti ho ke Swara uss din farmhouse hum sabh ke kehne par gayi thi aur wahan wahi hua tha joh Swara bata rahi hai."

"Atcha Sanskaar, challo maan lete hain. Lekin agar farmhouse main kuch galat nahi ho raha tha toh aap kyun wahan se challe gaye the? Inn dono ki thitholi sunn ke aapko bura nahi laga tha?"

Sanskaar glared at her, but before he could respond, Ragini seized her advantage,

"Aur Sanskaar, uss baat ko chodiye. Inn photographs main joh hai, aur iss video main bhi, uske barein main aap kya kehna chahte hain?"

Engulfed

With an almost theatrical flourish, she leaned over to the table, where Swara now noticed that a large white envelope and CD lay. Ragini handed the photos over to a now bemused looking Sanskaar, who paled in shock when the contents were revealed. Swara's heart smote at the pain she saw flash on his features as he looked at those tawdry photos of her and Laksh, taken when she was kidnapped, and she realised with a sinking heart that she had never told him about that day! "How could I have been so stupid?" Swara cursed herself, trying hard to absorb all that was happening. She recalled how she had wanted to tell him all about that terrible incident, but then so much had happened straight after, she had buried the unwanted memories, and allowed herself to ignore them, a mistake she realised was now going to cost her dearly. In a rush she told Sanskaar when the photos had been taken, and also explained that both Durga Prasad and Annapurna had known, as had Laksh who had vouched for the truth. Sanskaar now had a muscle twitching in his jaw, but he composed himself with difficulty, and faced Ragini calmly. But she was not done yet; she now demanded that the CD she had should be played. This is when matters unraveled even further. The CD showed various clips, it caused everyone except Ragini's eyes to widen in horrified and repelled shock, even Laksh's. The images showed Swara going to Ragini and Laksh's room on various occasions, many times when Ragini was either not in or leaving as Swara entered. Then there was a clip of Laksh entering Swara and Sanskaar's room in the dead of the night, which also caught Ragini and Sanskaar outside the door, facing Laksh when he emerged, followed by a very agitated Swara.

As this lurid tableau played out, Swara felt realisation crash through her in waves. It was as if a blindfold had been viciously ripped from her eyes, the brightness though brought only pain, not welcome light. She saw the game her sister, whom she had thought reformed and fought against everyone for so stupidly, had played. What was unbearable for Swara though was the agony she could see reflected in Sanskaar's taut face- he was struggling to hold himself together but the sight of the grisly pictures and the vulgarly presented CD, was causing him heartache. Swara would not be defeated by lies and sprung traps yet again, she determined. She turned to the family and Durga Prasad in particular, and tried to set out the events, as she understood them. She did not leave anything out, including Ragini's confession that she had regained her memory but wanted to resolve things with Laksh, which is why they had not disclosed this yet to the family. The Maheshwaris were in a real bind. They were being bombarded by entirely confusing and contradictory sets of facts; it was all to much to grapple with. Swara then turned to the person she knew could vouch for the veracity of her and Sanskaar's identical accounts.

"Laksh, tum please sabh koh batado. Tum bhi toh jaante ho na ke iss sabh main Ragini ka hi haath hosakta hai? I'm sorry Laksh, ke maine Ragini par bharosa kiya aur jabh tum keh rahe the ke woh natak kar rahi hai, tabh maine ek nahi sunni, na hi Sanskaar ki baat maani ke shayaad yeh abhi bhi jhooth bol rahi hai. Please batado Bade Papa, Badi Maa, Mom, sabh ko, ke uss din farmhouse main kuch nahi hua tha, aur kabhi bhi kuch nahi hua hai. Hum sirf atche dost hain, aur yeh hum dono ne agree kiya hai?"

Deceit by enemies can be terrible, but the betrayal by a friend of a friend has to be one of life's worst blows. Swara learnt this today, when her once lost but now supposedly re-found friend and brother in law spoke, with a quickly averted gaze, facing Durga Prasad and Annapurna,

"Haan, Swara ne kuch galat nahi kiya hai. Lekin, Swara," and he turned to her and Sanskaar at this, an indecipherable expression on his face,

"Abh hame sabh ko sach batadena chahiye, ke hum ek doosre se pyaar karte hain!"

Swara felt the air rush from her lungs at this, she felt as though a cacophony of sounds assailed her ears; she almost felt the ground give way beneath her. She reflexively clutched Sanskaar's arm, feeling the board-like stiffness in his body, held so rigidly, it felt as if it would snap. Swara had no idea how much time elapsed in the unfolding of the next part of the spectacle machinated by her sister and Laksh. Laksh's version was that he and Swara loved each other; he had had indication from Swara on this, but whilst she had not done anything wrong due to a sense of moral obligation to her sister, he knew she loved him too. He also denied saying that he had promised to give Ragini a second chance, and insisted that the only reason she was still in the house and not turfed out like everyone knew had wanted to do since she first came back, was because of consideration for Swara's love for her sister and her desire to see her get well.

Pandemonium had descended. Often during moments of extreme stress and trauma, we tend to glaze over; it is an instinctive method of self-defence, and Swara too took refuge in it, partly unable to absorb the full import of all that was happening. The family opinion was entirely divided. Sanskaar had finally fallen deathly quiet, it was now impossible to see what he felt, as he had drawn the hatches down firmly over his emotions. The old Sanskaar Swara recalled from the early dark days, seemed to have taken over. Annapurna turned to Swara, righteous indignation shooting sparks from her eyes at the gradually crumbling Swara,

"Swara, abh hadd hogayi hai. Yeh sabh kya hai? Tumne Ragini par ilzaam lagaya. Theek hai, hum maan sakte hain ke woh kuch karsakti hai kyun ke usne pehle bhi kiya hai. Lekin woh Laksh ko tumhare saath kyun dekhna chahegi? Sabh jaante hain ke woh Laksh se kitna pyaar karti hai, uske liye woh kiss hadd tak girr chuki hai. Aur abh tum ke rahi ho ke Laksh bhi jhootha hai? Haan woh yeh keh raha hai ke tumne kuch galat nahi kiya, lekin woh toh saaf ke raha hai tum dono ek doosre se pyaar karte ho? Tum manna kar rahi ho, lekin yeh sabh joh humne dekha aur kahin dino se dekh rahe hain, usse hum kya samjhe? Tum jisse dosti ka naam de rahi ho, woh ek shaadi shuda ladki ho shobha nahi deta! Ek taraf se tum kahin baar keh chuki ho ke tum Sanskaar ki bhi sirf dost ho. Phir tum dono ne kitni baar divorce lene ki baat ki, parr aaj bhi tum iss ghar main Sanskaar ki patni ke darje se ho, lekin uski patni ho nahi. Doosri taraf, apne devar ke saath, jiske saath tumhara purana rishta sabh ko kahin na kahin khatakta hai aaj bhi, itni nazdeekiyaan badhane ka kya matlab nikaale hum? Yeh hamare ghar ki reet bilkul nahi, aur mujhe tumse yeh umeed nahi thi."

Swara felt the lash of each of those carefully enunciated words, and she knew Sanskaar did too. Swara was now reduced to a bitterly sobbing mass. Buffeted by the gale force winds assailing her; she eventually sank to the floor, her head in her hands, ashamed and cheapened beyond measure. Before she conceded defeat though, she saw her sister's face- triumph blazing from her hooded eyes, belying the careful mask she kept pinned on otherwise. She could not, would not, look at Laksh- there was nothing left there. She also would not look at Sanskaar, her shame was too great to face the censure she knew she should find there. The silence that had fallen after Annapurna's spiel was punctuated only by Swara's weeping, until Sanskaar's voice rang out, clear as a bell and intoned with a grim determination.

"Hogaya aap sabh ka? Toh phir abh meri baat ghaur se sun lijiye. Mujhe Swara ki kahi harr baat pai bharosa hai. Please Badi Maa, Mom- aap dono ne bahut kuch kehliya aur humne sunliya. Swara ne galti ki hai." At this, Swara looked up at him with tear drenched eyes, ready to hear his rebuke,

"Apni dhokebaaz behen par phir se yakeen karne ki galti. Lucky par bharosa karne ki galte ke woh sirf uska dost rehna chahta hai."

Mouths agape, everyone stared at Sanskaar. He however, pinned Ragini and Laksh with a steely glare, whilst they looked at each other in clear amazement at this turn of the screw. Sanskaar continued, his eyes blazing,

"Kya sabh bhool gaye pichli baar Ragini par bharosa karne ka anjaam? Tabh bhi sabh ne Swara par ilzaam lagaye the. Swara nadaan zaroor hai, lekin uski niyat kabhi galat nahi hoti aur aisi ghinoni harkate - woh kabhi nahi karegi. Swara farmhouse mere, Ragini aur Laksh ke kehne par hi gayi thi, uske baad bhi, kitni baar jabh main aur Swara kahin jaane waale the, tabh Ragini usko lekar jaati thi. App logon ki doosri sabh baton ka jawaab bhi hai mere paas, parr jabh aap ko shakk hi karna hai, aur inn dono ki baaton main phass na hain, toh kya fayda? Lekin Swara meri patni hai, aur main usse akele iss tara ki bebuniyaad agni pariksha nahi dene dunga. Aisa hua toh main aur Swara ghar chodke jaane ke liye isi waqt tayyar hai! Aur Ragini- yeh matt samajna ke tumhari iss chaal ke liye tumhe iss baar maafi milegi, abh tumne bahut khel liya hai, abh main khud tumhe jawaab dunga, aur Swara bhi mujhe nahi roksakti."

That threat caused a further immediate commotion. Ragini and Laksh were now clearly flustered, as could be seen with the wordless signals they passed each other through their exchanged glances, a fact not lost on Sanskaar in the slightest. Finally, Durga Prasad called for order and pulled his rank, stilling everyone's protests and stating that there had been enough drama for the day. He decreed that he would consider matters further and for the time being Swara and Sanskaar would stay where they were, they would get to the root of the problem soon enough and until then, no one should take any hasty action. He also subtly endorsed Sanskaar's trust in Swara with a few well-aimed words, which caused Annapurna's mouth to thin in displeasure, and Laksh and Ragini to turn white with fury. They all then dispersed but not before Sujata viciously aimed in Swara and Sanskaar's direction before retreating,

"Agni pariksha ki baat karein hai yeh bawro chorro. Lekin agar koi bhindni Laxman rekha paar kare hai, toh agni pariksha bhi dene hove he na?!"

Ragini and Laksh's Room

Ragini was sitting on the edge of the bed, the clogs in her devious, yet often childishly simple head, whirring. Laksh was agitatedly pacing, muttering and expostulating in turn, his rantings getting more and more illogical as he tried to make sense of how their earlier plan had fallen flat.

"Tumne mujhe bataya bhi nahi tha Ragini ke tum Swara ke khilaaf itna kuch kehne waali ho? Tumhare paas woh CD thi, woh tumne mujhe pehle kyun nahi kaha tha? Aur kya fayda hua? Tumnhe dekha usne mere saamne kistara dekha jabh maine kaha ke hum ek doosre se pyaar karte hai? Aur Sanskaar! Tumne toh kaha tha na ke woh bhi itna bharosa nahi karega?"

Ragini's voice was a considered sibilant hiss, "Sanskaar! Phir se ussne sabh khel bigaad diya. Itne saboot dekhne ke baad bhi? Kiss mitti se bane hai woh? Abh hame kuch aur sochna hoga Laksh, jabh tak Sanskaar Swara ki dhaal hai, main, mera matlab hain ke hum kaamiyaab nahi ho sakte. Agar woh dono ek saath doosre ghar chalegaye toh hum kuch nahi karsakenge aur aap Swara ko hamesha ke liye khodenge. Lekin maine kuch socha hai Laksh, aap mere saath hai na?"

Sanskaar and Swara's Room

Sanskaar held Swara, letting her sob against his chest, his hand absently stroking her hair. He too was hurting, the blows aimed at her had drawn blood from him too. Swara kept trying to explain to him in between hiccupping whimpers how she was sorry for not listening to him when he tried to warn her to be careful, and how she should have told him about the kidnapping and other little events, which she had entirely overlooked in her foolishness. Sanskaar grimaced. He would have told her the same things, but he no longer had to- she was suffering enough, and it was too late for those recriminations. He eventually managed to calm her enough to get her to listen to his thoughtful musings.

"Swara, abh iska koi fayda nahi. Mujhe fikkar yeh ho rahi hai ke abh yeh sabh hum suljayenge kaise? Aur mujhe yakeen hai ke tumhari shaatir behen abhi bhi kuch na kuch soch rahi hai, aur abh toh Lucky bhi uske jhanse main agaaya hai, aur pagalpan ki harkate karne laga hai. Mujhe kuch toh karna hoga unhe rokne ke liye."

A few hours later

Apparent calm seemed to have descended on the Maheshwari house, but the stillness was much like the eerie calm that proclaimed the coming of a raging storm. And the storm, when it came, was as fierce as it portended. Sanskaar had reluctantly left a still shattered Swara for some work and once more, a few hours later, chaos reigned supreme and he was summoned back urgently.

Ragini had gone missing, the victim of a kidnap in broad daylight outside the very gates of Maheshwari Mansion! She had apparently decided to go to visit Baadi, having been incredibly upset, according to Laksh, at the earlier confrontation and the accusations hurled at her by Sanskaar and Swara. She had insisted on going alone and as soon as she had stepped out of the gate, in view of the watchman, a van had come screeching to a halt and she had been hauled unceremoniously into it. Oddly, an almost exact replica of the kidnap attempt on Swara of some weeks ago. Laksh had decided that Sanskaar had something to do with this nefarious plot to kidnap Ragini, given the threats he had made earlier. The hapless family was once again caught in the crossfire. Sanskaar was livid, but as he had left the house for a while before the deed was done, ostensibly, it did not bode well. The police were called and due reports made, and Durga Prasad warned Laksh to be circumspect in front of the officers.

Sanskaar and Swara's room

They looked at each other helplessly, caught in the tidal wave being unleashed around them, threatening to wash away the foundations of their fragile world that they had only just started to assemble.

"Swara tum mujpe bharosa karti ho?" Sanskaar asked her intently, knowing that what he needed to do would test their resolve and the strength of whatever they had between them.

"Khud se kahin zyada Sanskaar", Swara was unswerved.

"Toh phir please joh main karne jaa raha hoon ussme tumhe mera saath dena hoga, aur kuch sawaal puche bina. Karsakti ho?"

Swara was looking at him with pain dulled eyes, knowing that what was coming was going to be unwanted but she briefly nodded.

"Toh apni bag pack karo. Main tumhe baadi chod ne jaa raha hoon."

"Hum Baadi main rahenge Sanskaar?" she asked wonderingly.

"Hum nahi Swara, sirf tum." At this, her head snapped back as if he had hit her and he too flinched at her reaction but a grim mask had settled over his features.

"Main apne company ke ghar main kuch dino ke liye shift horaha hoon. Tumhe main yahaan akela nahi chodd sakta aur apne saath bhi nahi rakhsakta. Yeh sabh joh horaha hai, isse theek karne ka yahin raasta hai. Mujhe kuch dino ke liye akele rehna hai Swara, please sawaal matt karna, main jaisa keh raha hoon, aisa karo."

Swara felt as if her heart was fracturing in a thousand pieces. She could not blame him. He had taken more than any sane man could withstand and still always stood by her, but it seemed this latest chain of events was the final straw even for him.
She knew she had caused a lot of this and she now had to release him from the chains that she had unknowingly bound around him.

"Sawaal nahi karungi Sanskaar. Main apni bag pack karti hoon," she responded, turning away in abject despair, her voice catching again.

Sanskaar made an involuntary movement towards her, his hand outstretched as if to stop her and a pained, "Swara..." torn from him, but he forcibly restrained himself and clenched his fist in anger instead. He knew he had to do this. He had to shoulder this burden alone for now, and for her, no test of his love had ever been too onerous. They both had to walk through the fire to emerge baptised by it, or burnt.

To be continued...

Hi friends, it is 2.30 am but I have managed to finish Part 3-the concluding chapter and so here it is! I hope it lives up to any expectations anyone had after reading the previous parts. Proof reading and minor editing required but that will have to be postponed till tomorrow now. Please let me know what you think. Thank you as ever!

Part 3

Inferno

"True love doesn't mean being inseparable; it means being separated and nothing changes." - Wayne Dyer

So it came to pass that Swara pined at Baadi; her tears seemed unstoppable, the separation from Sanskaar in these circumstances rendered her soul bereft. She missed him terribly; she had never needed him more. She yearned to feel his arms around her, see his smile again and hear his timbered voice. She knew she could not blame him for wanting to put some distance between them. She had put him through hell and back after all; first with her multiple rejections of his awe-inspiring love, and then later with her unknowing disregard of his feelings caused by her foolish trust of her sister and Laksh. She could now look back and recall how upset he had been at the misconception that she had gotten back together with Laksh. Even recalling the raw agony on his face and eyes when he had seen those photos of her and Laksh, scalded her conscience. Yet, no matter how much she knew she understood his behavior and his recent avoidance of her calls since she had kept bursting into tears on him the few times he did call her, she felt an unbearable longing to be with him. She knew he would be suffering too, and she wanted to be there with him, each being the only balm that would work on the other.

Sanskaar on the other hand fared no better, if not worse. Her pain, especially when he contributed to it in any way, flagellated him. He had been ignoring her as he could not keep secrets from her, and at this moment in time, it was essential that everyone, including her, believed that he had indeed decided to put some distance between them. This pretence was necessary as if the hunch he had was right, the perpetrator he sought to unmask, would need to be convinced that he was out of the picture, so as to allow them the confidence to make their next move.

Sanskaar's instincts told him that Ragini and Laksh were somehow connected to all the recent drama that had ensued; only to what degree each played their role, Sanskaar could not be sure. He had noted their chagrin when he had stood by Swara, and Ragini's disappearance so soon after, and the convenient blame being directed almost solely at him, with Swara being marked as either an unwilling accomplice or entirely innocent bystander, seemed all to convenient for his liking. He had therefore taken the decision that he would send Swara back to her parents and take off to his apartment in assumed dejection, an image he projected very successfully as it was not that far from the truth in any event, given his desolation at having to be away from Swara. He knew Swara had misread his actions, blaming herself for his apparent distancing from everyone on the pretext of being broken by all the recently manufactured revelations and now accusations of Ragini's disappearance. But, he could not afford to confide in her yet; she knew no artifice, and subterfuge was beyond her, besides which it was probably safer that she stayed in the dark for now. Yet, it did not stop him missing her every second and wanting to reassure her that they would work through this. She had cried when he had dropped her off to Baadi and the few times he had called her, after which he had ceased almost all contact. Unbeknown to her though, he did speak to Shomi or Daadi at least once a day to ensure she was ok but he had bound them to a promise that they should not tell her he was calling. They were incredibly worried, having heard the story of what had ensued from Swara and of course being embroiled in the mystery behind Ragini's apparent kidnap too. They had worriedly asked Sanskaar if he could not keep Swara with him, but he had regretfully spun them the same tale- he needed time to think things through but he would try to do the right thing. It was a touching testament to their faith in him that no-one including Shekhar pushed him. They simply asked him to forgive Swara if she had made any mistakes, but to consider her innate goodness, an ironic reminder to her staunchest ally, and the man who loved her more than his hope of heaven.

Whilst Sanskaar thus introspected, Swara had an entirely unexpected visitor at Baadi in the form of Sanskaar's younger sister, Uttara. Uttara had always liked Swara and seeing how much her bother adored her, and noticing over the past weeks, how Swara clearly reciprocated his feelings in a much more tenuous way, she had come to really root for them. The recent events had upset Uttara immensely. She could not bear to see the grief her beloved brother and sister in law were undergoing. She was so worried about Swara, she wanted to offer her support. She sat with Swara and tried to soothe her, a pointless exercise after a point. Swara was eaten with regret that she had treated Sanskaar badly, and nothing Uttara could say would ease her distress. Uttara then hesitantly suggested that Swara should go and see Sanskaar. She could give Swara the address and as they talked, she spoke passionately to Swara about fighting for her love, rather than giving up in this almost cowardly manner. She reminded Swara that Sanskaar had stayed by her, and perhaps it was now time for Swara to heal his wounds and to do that, maybe this time the initiative had to be solely Swara's.

Shortly after her departure, Swara, now composed but determined, explained to Shomi and Daadi that she had to go and see Sanskaar. They reluctantly agreed, knowing that something needed to change between these two and were heartsick of watching their child incessantly miserable since she had returned.

Sanskaar's Apartment

"Every parting is a form of death, as every reunion is a type of heaven." - Tyron Edwards

Sanskaar heard the intercom to his apartment buzz, and he answered, puzzled as to the disturbance at this hour. The 24 hour concierge's voice cackled through, shocking him by announcing that a lady calling herself his wife wanted entry. Sanskaar buzzed her through almost by rote, and strode to the door, panicking as to what could bring her here so late in the evening. He saw the lift doors open and she was then before him, staring at him with her luminous eyes. He drank in the sight of her, devouring her with his gaze, noting the pallor of her wan face with a pang and seeing the same shadows that marked his eyes, stain her translucent skin too. He could see she had cried not long ago but to him, she was more beautiful than any seraph from paradise. Swara too could not stop staring at him; he looked tired and drawn and she wanted to rush into his arms, but fear and hesitation checked her.

"Swara," he asked eventually, worry marking his beloved face, "Kya sabh kuch theek hai? Tum iss waqt yahan? Ghar parr sabh...?"

In a low voice, still raspy from her earlier tears, she replied, "Kuch bhi theek nahi hai Sanskaar. Kya main andar asakti hoon?"

"Sorry Swara, haan of course," he gave way, realising he had kept her at the door.

She walked in and cast a quick glance around his pad, absently noting the cluttered table where had clearly been working before she arrived. She turned to him, taking a deep breath for courage.

He was staring intently at her, as if to assure himself that she was there, and also to ensure her well being.

"Kya hua hai Swara?"

"Sanskaar, please mujhe aisi sazza matt do," the words could not be stopped. Swara had promised herself that she would not embarrass herself, but seeing him brought back all her sorrow and regret, "Main jaanti hoon ke tum mujse naraaz ho. Lekin mujhe yahan rakhke mere saath jitna gussa karna ho woh karo. Parr please yuh khud se itna alag matt kardo." Her eyes once more overflowed, and she angrily dashed her tears away.

Sanskaar listened to her in stunned disbelief.

"Swara tum jaanti ho ke tum kya keh rahi ho? Main tumse naraaz nahi hoon, lekin tum toh hamesha hi alag hona chahthi thi naa?"

"Sanskaar, woh pehle ki baat thi. Kya tum sach main nahi jaante ke main abh tumse pyaar karti hoon aur tumse alag hone ka soch bhi nahi sakti?"

Sanskaar felt his heart slam in his chest at these words. He told himself that he must be hallucinating. He knew that her feelings for him had been evolving, and he had not misread the growing attraction and emotions she had unconsciously expressed to him for weeks, but to think that she would make a direct awoval of love in such terms was unbeliebavle to him.

"Kya yeh sach hai Swara?", was all he could immediately manage.

"Meri ankhon main pad kar dekh lo," she countered. And her eyes never did lie, as he well knew. The love shining from them was indisputable. For the first time Sanskaar resalised what she must see when she looked at him, and the beauty of it took his breath away.

"I love you Sanskaar," she repeated softly.

Neither of them could recall who made the first move then, but they were in each other's arms in the next instant. Sanskaar enveloped her and she sank against him, surrendering to the sanctuary his arms offered her after the storm she had weathered. They clung to each other, drawing strength from their embrace, but it was not enough. Sanskaar's lips claimed hers, fierce and demanding. The gentleness that had dictated their first kiss still underpinned this one, but it was almost immediately overpowered by their craving for each other, fanned by their recent separation. Their passion was like a beacon, flaring with a dazzling intensity that threatened to overpower them. His hands cupped her face and hers tangled in his hair. When they broke contact, both breathing heavily, Sanskaar looked at her in wonder, tenderness flowing from his eyes to surround her in delicious languor. They both looked at each other, wordlessly knowing where this was going to lead.

"Swara?" It was always going to be her choice. Sanskaar would never presume and even if her acquiescence were more than obvious, he would always give her the chance to set the pace. His love had never been about simply taking but always about ensuring her every happiness. She met his gaze without any hesitation, but with a becoming flush staining her cheeks and simply nodded shyly. He fought valiantly for control, telling himself that he should wait. He had an elaborate plan to pretend distance from her and she might regret this in the morning, but he was powerless to resist the unspoken invitation in her eyes. He scooped her up in his arms; it felt somewhat symbolic, and not taking his eyes off her, carried her to the bedroom, placing her on the bed.

Moonlight through the open windows bathed the room, casting an unearthly glow in the interior, with the city's twinkling lights softly glowing in the distance. Their mouths fused again and again, their breath mingled and hands explored feverishly. Fires were ignited and burnt bright through the night. His overwhelming love for her conveyed across to her through each tender but exciting touch. They gave in to endless kisses, eliciting gasps of pleasure and responsive, if hesitant, exploration from her. Their words of love to each other were a pledge of eternal commitment. It was as if their bodies knew and recognised each other from another time, dispelling any awkwardness, leaving only bliss and a pinnacle of pleasure scaled at the moment of their union, which felt a joining of not just their bodies, but their already entwined souls.

Phoenix from the Flames

Sanskaar woke to the best morning of his experience - his life, his wife, his beautiful Swara cradled in his arms, trustingly clutching him close. He stared at the wonder of her and closed his eyes momentarily in thanks for this boon that had been bestowed on him. She gently stirred and he was unable to resist placing a soft kiss on her forehead, which made her sleepily smile, and simply nuzzle her nose against his neck. Sanskaar wryly thought that if she did not wake soon, she would be woken in a rather amorous fashion, but just then she opened her bleary eyes and a thousand watt smile lit up her face as she saw him. This dispelled his deep dark fears that she would be regretful of what had passed between them in the past glorious night. It marked the start of a new beginning in a true sense for Swara and Sanskaar, and they both gloried in it.

Sanskaar eventually had to reluctantly tear himself away from her as he had to deal with something urgent in the office. Once he was gone, she got ready and pottered about his spacious apartment, tidying up and seeing if there was any food she could make for later. As the morning wore on, the buzzer beeped again and she ran to lift the receiver, wondering if Sanskaar had forgotten his keys. The attendant announced to her that a Mr Adarsh Maheshwari had some papers he had to drop off for Sanskaar and Swara pressed the entry buzzer, rather embarrassed that Adarsh bhaiya would find her here. However, as he had clearly been informed by the concierge that she was in, there was little she could do. She opened the door and then belatedly realised that her dupatta was in the bedroom, so leaving the door ajar, she ran to get it. She heard footsteps enter just as she walked out from the bedroom with a slightly sheepish smile on her face, which was immediately wiped off as she saw not Adarsh, but Laksh entering, swinging the door shut.

Swara glared at him, angry and shocked. The phone was now shrilly ringing but Swara knew she had to deal with Laksh first.

"Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho Laksh? Aur tumne yeh kyun kahan ke tum Adarsh bhaiya ho? Tum yahan se chale jao."

There was something odd about Laksh. He looked rather disheveled and his eyes gleamed with a feral expression, that she couldn't recognise, but chilled her nevertheless.

"Mujhe tumse puchna chahiye ke tum yahan kya kar rahi ho Swara? Main toh tumhe milne Baadi gaya tha. Wahaan maine Dadi ko bataya ke Sanskaar ne mujhe bheja tha tumhe ghar lekar jaane ke liye taaki hum sabh parivaar waale kuch baat karsake, aur phir Dadi ne bataya ke tum toh Sanskaar ke saath hi ho. Dekho na Swara, mere pyaare bhai Sanskaar ne toh hum sabh ko bataya tha ke woh abh kuch dino ke liye alag rehna chahta hai, jisse sun kar mere dil ko kitna sukoon milita, main tumhe bataa bhi nahi sakta. Lekin yahaan toh tum ho, Sanskaar ke ghar main. Tum yahan kyun aayi Swara?"

Swara was staring incredously at her one time friend and confidante.

"Tumhari himmat kaise hui mujse yeh puchne ki Laksh? Tum hote kaun ho? Main Sanskaar ki patni hoon! Tum mujse yeh sawaal kar bhi kaise sakte ho?"

At her mention of the word wife, his mouth was a rictus of an angry grimace and he made an abrupt movement towards her, causing Swara to take a hasty step back in alarm.

"Tum uski patni nahi ho Swara!" Laksh almost screamed, causing a frisson of fear to spiral down Swara's spine. "Main tumse pyaar karta hoon, aur tum mujse! Bass yeh natak bandh karo aur mere saath challo, abh bahut ho gaya. Hum sabh gharwaalon ko batadenge ke hum shaadi karna chahte hai. Ragini ki bhi abh koi problem nahi hai Swara."

"Tum pagaal ho gaye ho Laksh? Aur kya tum nashe main ho? Tumhe sunna nahi kya, main Sanskaar ki patni hoon aur usse pyaar karti hoon! Main kabhi bhi usse alag nahi hona chahti." Swara's voice was also octaves higher than normal; she was astounded at what Laksh was saying.

Moving so quickly, that she had no chance to react, he had shortened the distance between them, and now grabbed her arms in a punishing grip, making her scream in reaction. He was undeterred though, and was yanking her to him, almost spitting fury at her.