As sobs of excruciating mental agony racked her, Swara quaked with a suffocating dread as she gazed around wildly. Through the blurry haze of tears brimming in her eyes she could see Lakshya engaged in a tussle with the ruffians who had abducted her.
However, nothing was penetrating the daze of uncertainty and fear that had, for the time being, gained total control over her. Only one name her mind came up with, one man her heart hankered to be with - Sanskar.
He was the one man in whose presence she had always felt secured. Soon the ruffians scampered away and Laksh strode towards her.
"Swara! Are you okay? Did they hurt you?", Lakshya's face was etched with anxiety.
"Mobile. Your mobile. Please." Her gaze was unfocused and she was still trembling like a dry leaf as she entreated brokenly.
"Mobile? But why do you need my mobile?" Lakshya was flabbergasted at her abrupt entreaty.
"Please" Tears cascaded down Swara's bloodless cheeks as she squeezed her eyes shut in distress.
Befuddled, Laksh rummaged his pockets for his cellphone and finally fished it out. He proffered the electronic device to Swara, who grasped it with unsteady fingers, instantly typed in the numbers and waited with baited breath for the call to connect. Finally the voice Swara was fervently praying to hear answered the call.
" Yeah Laksh." Sanskar was cradling the phone between his ear and shoulder as he was busy tying his wrist watch.
"Sanskar" Swara released the breath she didn't even realise she was holding.
Instantly concerned, Sanskar grabbed the phone, not heeding a bit that his expensive watch dropped down to the hard floor and shattered into pieces. His only concern at the moment was Swara and her welfare. He instantly gauged from her broken, wavering voice that something was very wrong.
"Swara! Swara what happened? What's wrong? Where are you? I'll be there as soon as I can. Okay? Don't worry. I'll soon be with you." Sick with worry himself, Sanskar tried to assure her.
Swara stumbled over her words twice or thrice but finally managed to inform him about her whereabouts and Sanskar, who had darted out of his room and then out of the house within moments and was by then revving up the engine of his car, reassured her that he would soon be with her.
"Come soon." Swara pressed her lips together to held back a sob.
"I will" Sanskar resolved.
In her distress, however, Swara failed to notice the anguish and envy in Lakshya's eyes. Quietly returning his phone to him, she put her arms around herself as if holding herself from falling apart till her white knight, her one true companion reached her in the safe harbor of whose arms she could vent out the tempest swirling within her.
As if conjured by her fervent yearnings, the familiar vehicle turned round the corner and was careening towards them speedily. As soon as the car screeched to a halt, Sanskar stepped out of it and darted towards Swara who had already dashed past a stunned and indignant Lakshya and was careening towards him.
She rushed into the safe shelter of his protective arms and experienced a heady sense of relief and security instantly. Ensconced in his arms, she just knew that no harm could befall her anymore, no one could hurt even a single strand of her hair.
Finally Swara vented out the pent up hurt and fear swirling within her. Her sobs, though muffled in his shirt, sent a shiver down Sanskar's spine. His arms tautened around her, bringing her closer to him.
He unwound one arm and soothingly began to caress her hair while muttering soothing words of reassurance. He gently parted her a little from himself and gazed down at her beautiful, tear stained face with all the tenderness, love and care in the world.
Sanskar wiped her tears off but this time his hanky was not in sight and was replaced by his fingers. He, then, kissed her forehead as a gesture of love and assurance which made her smile through her tears.
He had always been the balm to her bruised soul and he proved it yet again. He began to detach himself from her but halted as her grip instantly tautened and she gazed up at him with anxious eyes brimming with unshed tears.
"I'm just going to fetch a bottle of water for you from the car. You should have some water." Sanskar elucidated.
"No. Please don't go. I feel safe with you." Swara just hid her face on his chest again.
Sanskar sighed in resignation as he realised that Swara was too disturbed, too intimidated with the events that unfolded to take in any rational arguments. He just brought her closer, if that was feasible.
"Nothing will ever happen to you Swara. I'll always be there for you." Sanskar promised.
He then gently veered her towards his car, still not slackening the embrace and called out to a fuming Laksh over his shoulder as they sauntered towards the vehicle.
"Laksh, I'm taking her home in my car. You can come in your car."
Unlocking the door, gently Sanskar made her sit in the car and then striding over to the other side, he settled down behind the wheel. He unlocked the box behind the wheel and fished out a chocolate bar. As he proffered it to her, Swara stared at him, bemused.
"Chocolate is not solely given on happy occasions, it also reduces stress level." He smiled at her and hit her forehead lightly with the chocolate bar, causing her to smile again.
Smilingly Swara accepted the chocolate and unwrapped it. Breaking off a piece she made Sanskar eat first and then Sanskar broke off another piece and made her eat it. Both beamed at each other.
"Let's go home now." Sanskar urged.
"Okay." Swara immediately gave her consent.
Sanskar revved up the engine and together they made their way towards their home.
Anupamaa
