Sanskaar Chronicles Reloaded. (Note: pg. 6)

The Beginning

Sprawling vast expanses of land, buildings, greenery and moving human masses of minuscule sizes. Kolkata! The city of Joy!

He splayed his fingers on the cold glass panes separating him from the panorama outside.

Standing inside the pent house office of high rise building; the highest in the vicinity and looking down at the bustling world on the ground; everything is looking so insignificant.

Shouldn't he feel like king of the world?!

Not Yet!

He gave a wry smile and slightly shook his head.

Not yet!

He has an unfinished business to tend to. Very personal unfinished business. Ruination of two men he once considered closest to his heart and called them family.

There was a time he was their shield. Now is the time morph into a spear; piercing their treacherous facades and giving them the same pain they bestowed upon him.

Ego, reputation and pride of one.

Love of another.

They will pay. They owe him one. And he intends to collect it.

He cocked his head to one side hearing click of the door.

"May I come in sir?' Nakul popped his head inside.

"Come right in Nakul!" He walked towards his desk and sat on his swivelling chair placing his palms on the teak wood desk.

"So what have you got for me?"

"Dharma and co out-bided Maheshwari and son's project Sir! Another victory for you." Nakul declared with a hint of pride for his boss.

The boss smiled.

"And what about the other project?"

"Project Laksh sir? Some progress there. Real progress by the look of it."

He raised an eyebrow with mild impatience.

"Lay it all Nakul!"

Nakul squared his shoulders.

"Yes sir! Laksh Maheshwari is showing quite an interest in one girl sir." He put emphasis on quite'. "We aren't sure but on surface it looks like he might be actually in love with that girl."

Now we are talking.

He mentally smiled and looked straight at his subordinate.

"Details!"

"Ah! Yes" Nakul snapped into attention "she is Gadodia and.."

"Wait a minute!" He cuts in. "Gadodia did you say. The same girl Laksh got engaged too and broke up."

Trust his darling brother to make it so easy for him.

"No sir!" Nakul declined "Other Gadodia girl!"

"There is one more?" He looked curious.

"Yes Sir! Half and half. Half Gadodia half Bose!"

"Half WHAT?" He snapped straight in the chair.

"Bose Sir!" Nakul looked a little worried seeing the changing expressions on his Boss's face.

"Bengali?" He asked tentatively.

"Yes Sir!"

He felt a frission passing through him.

Bengali!

Oh the irony. The sweet, sweet cruel twist of irony.

He snapped his eyes shut to shake off the train of thoughts going into dangerously painful zone.

"Sir!" Nakul hesitantly called out.

And he slowly opened his eyes.

"Go ahead!"

"We believe that Laksh Maheswari is possibly in love with this girl."

"And she?" He asked.

"Can't say for sure. But doesn't look like it. That is: she may not be in love with him. But they are friends." Nakul replied.

Interesting!

"Her name is Swara."

Swara! He rolled the name on his tongue.

Swara! Sounds musical.

"And she is into rock music and plays guitar." Nakul added.

Aha. Very interesting.

"She is also very liberal, progressive and go-getter. And.." Nakul paused.

"And?" He prodded looking openly amused now.

"She is supposed to be the bindass babe of the college." Nakul finished the description.

He leaned back in his chair folding his arms across.

And closed his eyes savouring the information.

Rock music, guitar player, bindass babe!

This keeps getting better and better.

He visualized a girl in leather tights, with eye, ear and navel piercing, tattooed arms, gothic makeup, banging hard metal on guitar right in the middle of Maheshwari Mansion's hall. And those Maheshwari clan giving reactions varying from shock to horror.

And Durga Prasad Maheswari.. Man! He would be apoplectic.

He grinned!

"Sir!" Nakul called.

"Yes!" He snapped out of the delicious reverie.

"We got her picture." He reached for his file and brought out a post card size picture.

He leaned forward and reached for the picture. Nakul handed it over.

He gave almost cursory look at the colour picture of young girl smiling at him and was thrown off the track for a moment.

THIS is Swara Bose?

Where is the wild cat with electric guitar? The tattoos, the piercings, the belly button, the gothic war paint?

He felt mild disappointment.

"She looks.." He struggled for words "She looks almost... Angelic! Innocent! Naive! Untouched and clueless about the dark side of human nature.

"Dammit!" He swore softly.

"Sir!" Nakul chimed in.

"Nothing!" He replied "Good job! You may go now. Keep me posted." He dismissed the guy and Nakul left the room quietly.

He got up from the chair clutching the picture and went near the window. He gently touched the girl with his long fingers. Feather touch! So light that it was almost sensual.

Damn! Damn! Damn!

He swore again.

"Oh snap out of it Sanskaar Maheswari! He chided himself.

The way he is walking on will justify any means that he would be using.

So if that means an angelic looking innocent girl getting hurt.. SO BE IT!

He clutched the picture in one hand and touched the cold glass pane of the window with another.

"Swara Bose!" He whispered softly.

Hick!

Swara violently hiccupped.

"Oh shona! What happened? Her mom and dida asked concernedly.

"This. Hiccups. Wont stop!" Swara struggled to reply punctuating each word with another bolt of violent hiccups.

"Someone is thinking of you my girl!" Her dida gave a teasing smile.

"Mom! Dida!" both Sharmistha and Swara chimed reproachfully.

"Oh ! You unromatics!" Dida waved her hands at them "I am telling you someone is thinking of Shona with lot of intensity and heart." She declared.

"Well whoever it is.. Wish he would stop!" Swara replied crossly reaching for the glass of water her mom brought for her.

Hick!

Just Stop it whoever you are!

Looking out with unseeing eyes Sanskaar whispered again.

"Swara Bose!"

And absently crushed the picture in his hand.

He slowly dragged his hoodie back and casually lounged against the tree. His lanky frame supremely at ease with the surroundings.

From his vantage point he could clearly see his little brother struggling to tell a clueless girl that he is love with her by using the oldest trick in the trade. Using a friend as reference.

My friend is in love with a girl!

Oh Laksh! Dear little bro! You haven't changed at all. How about manning up and not using your family, friends and their imaginary love lives to further your agenda. But then again you don't have your big brother watching your back, pulling your chestnuts out of fire and doing your dirty deeds for you anymore. Right!

Suddenly the girl got up from the park bench they were sitting on, chirped something to Laksh and went bounding off the streets humming a little happy tune.

Sanskaar stared at his younger brother. Laksh was looking decidedly dejected.

Aha! Looks like it went well.

Sankaar was amused.

The guy proposes a girl indirectly and the girl has no frigging clue about the guy's actual intentions.

What an absolutely confusing conundrum.

Oh the hilarity of the situation.

Well the cauldron is truly bubbling over. Maybe it the time for him, Sanskaar Maheshwari to step in to give it a further stir. He has been in the sidelines for too long. Shadow boxing for too long. Time for him to step into the arena and throw the punches directly. Ok! May not be too directly!

He gave a lop-sided smile.

And looked at his younger brother.

To give credit his brother did give it a good try but looking at the reaction of the girl... Sanskaar reluctantly dragged his eyes from Laksh and stared at the back of the girl happily hopping down the streets.

Boy! She has no clue.

And if he is guessing it right; which he is being a perceptive guy with a razor sharp analytical mind; she probably is thinking that Laksh was talking about himself (bulls eye there!) and her Sister(oops!) and their love story (Ha!).

He almost grinned.

Must be his good day. Everything is just falling into place for him.

Thank you Laksh and thank you Swara Bose! He softly murmured her name.

Shoot!

He swore softly.

Up close and personal she looks even more angelic and innocent. Is that even possible!

"Sanskaar!" A voice inside him snapped.

Think about your mission! Your revenge! The five years you spent dying, living and breathing for this great game of chess that you about to play with your former loved ones as pawns. You cannot sway out of your path for a girl you owe nothing to.

She is but a pawn. It will do you good to remember just that.

No matter how angelic she looks or how innocent her demeanour is.

You owe her nothing but humanity as a stranger. But then again the human part of you has been dead and buried five years back.

She is JUST a PAWN!

Treat her like one.

He shook his head angrily crossed at himself. He has not even started and already getting spurts of humanity and conscious attack since he laid his eyes on the picture of that girl.

Damn it!

Why couldn't she look a tiny winy bit harridan, man-eater, wicked witch of west types. He probably won't have to go on this stupid guilt trips. And he hasn't even started his game.

She is a pawn! She is just a pawn!

He repeated it like a mantra.

As the saying goes "If you want God to laugh tell him your future plans".

With one last look at his brother sitting forlornly on the bench and at the retreating back of a chirpy young again bouncing off the streets Sanskaar walked away.

He had NO idea and no way of knowing that the girl he just dismissed off as a pawn will take Queen's position in the great game of elaborate chess board he has laid out to play.

Yup! God must be hysterical somewhere!

He sat cuddled up in a corner clutching his head rocking to and fro looking absolutely utterly crazy. He is anything but.

Sanskaar peeked through his fingers.

Where the hell are they?

And they came charging in.

"Ragini! Are you ok?" Chimed in a musical voice.

"That must be Swara!" he reckoned without looking up.

And then he entered. He younger brother. Laksh! His lucky from long gone era.

He gave a twisted smile.

Time for second act of the drama.

He suddenly got up and lunged for a vase making a show off to break it on someone's head. Predictably Laksh blocked his move and held his hand in tight grip. They wrestled for a moment; Laksh trying to restrain him and him not giving away an inch. Then in a calculated move he allowed Laksh to take a good look at himself.

Let's see if you recognize me now brother! After all when you stabbed me in the back five years back you sort of forgot that I was your brother. What you gonna do now lucky?!

And laksh looked at him for a stunned moment.

"Sanskaar!" He gave a shout and though he refused to believe that but Laksh did shout with emotions ranging from happiness to pain.

"Sanskaar!" He shouted again and simply hugged him tight.

The emotions that hit in with full force at that moment were varied and were in extreme poles. Disgust, betrayal, hurt warring with affection and brotherly love.

Why laksh why? Why did you do this to me? You were my little brother. My confidante. My best buddy!

Why?

Sanskaar pulled himself away from Laksh's hug.

And then he saw his mother Sujata.

No! No! No! No!

Why is she here?

He is not ready to meet her yet. He doesn't want her to see him like this. May be later but not now. He can't put her through more pain. She should and must stay after away from him. For her own good. Far far away.

Lot many innocents are going to get hurt in this elaborate game plan of his. He will try to spare as many as possible from the hurt if he can help.

"Sanskaar! My son!" She broke into sobs and tried to hug him.

"Go away!" He shooed her off. "You bad women!" something broke inside him for calling her that but this is for her own good.

And then his friend stepped in at the behest of girl called Swara.

"Aunty! Laksh Please!" Ragini said soothingly. "Let me handle him".

She gave a beautiful smile and he reciprocated by letting her handle him.

This girl is a one of the major pawn in the chess of life that he is playing. Too bad she is so overwhelmingly kind, innocent and giving. He almost started liking her. His duppatte wali friend.

She brought him food and he dug in.

Man! All this drama did give him a good appetite.

That dragon dadi of hers was clucking in the background.

What a grouch!

May be the best revenge against Laksh would be letting him become son-in-law of that dragon.

He almost smiled and started eating with full gusto.

And then Swara walked towards him and chirped in.

"Sanskaar! Eat slowly. You might choke."

No lady! You don't disturb this man while eating!

He snapped "Go away!"

She looked at Ragini appealingly. And his friend stepped in again.

She started feeding him with her own hands.

Shoot!

What's wrong with this Gadodia girls? Full and half.

They are just too good to be true. They look like an angel and act like one too.

His mission is on the way of becoming mission impossible if he is not too careful.

He ate from Ragini's hands.

Yup! He likes this girl. She could be his friend. And he will try not to let her get hurt too much. Friend's promise!

Well it was time to go. All the Maheshwari's barring one (why was he not surprised!) descended in Gadodia's house. Though he hated to admit it he was genuinely happy to see them all. God! He missed them all. Too bad he probably will ending up hurting them. Wish life was different.

So many wishes!

He really should get going. He wouldn't put it past behind that dragon dadi to toss him out of her house grabbing his ear. And he really should let Laksh be part of this mad hatter family of saintly young sisters and Satan's mommy for granny.

After another drama of loaded gun (what a provincial blessing) which effectively got him a promise from his new found buddy that she would be visiting him soon; He walked on from the Gadodia house to re-enter Maheshwari Mansion.

The prodigal son is coming back.

So this is the legendary Sanskaar Maheshwari!

Swara thought staring intently at him.

He looks so.. she struggled for the words.

So broken! Poor poor thing! What must have happened in his past that he was reduced to this broken little (ok not so little since he is quite tall and lanky) thing.

Something terrible maybe.

From whatever she heard about him from Laksh she visualized him as someone with a towering personality. Laksh always addressed him as his protector.

Now look at him. He looks as if he needs protection from the big bad world.

Could she help him and protect him any ways?

"Oh snap of it Swara!" She chided herself.

She remembered her childhood incident where she felt sorry for a cute little abandoned puppy and brought him home and he repaid her generosity by chewing Dida's favourite sandals. And tearing Ragini's grandma's precious saree and making nuisance of itself all over the baadi till she let him go.

Dida told her one thing: You can't save them all Shona.

So yes! She shouldn't go all bleeding heart to try and save this stranger called Sanskaar. He has got his family to look after him now. He even got the kindest girl in the world Ragini as his best buddy. They all got his back.

You back off now Swara.

But there is something about him...her thoughts trailed off

"No means No Swara Bose Gadodia. You can't save them all!" She sternly reminded herself.

"Well that's it then Sanskaar Maheshwari! I wish you well. Good luck! We probably won't meet again. Take care!"

She smiled at his retreating back.

Little did she know that any good luck for him will be inversely proportional to bad luck for her life at that moment.

He turned back at the same moment and smiled.

And since she was standing next to Ragini everybody thought he was looking at his friend.

He was actually looking at Swara.

"Good luck Swara Bose! Nice meeting you. Good bye till we meet again! And we ARE meeting again. Take care!"

He gave her a mock mental salute and walked away.

Home!

He took a deep breath.

Looks more imposing, more grand and yet feels just like home. But there is this quite disquiet feeling in him. This is the home he grew up in. He laughed, cried, learned, loved. Every nook and cranny of the house, every wall, every inch of it... His home!

Yet this is not home.

Because the Sanskaar who loved everything about this home and loved everyone of that home is no longer the same Sanskaar.

This one is not coming home in peace. He is back with vengeance! For vengeance!

He is back not for love but with hatred.

And he is not back to be a part of this beautiful house again. He is here to demolish it brick by brick. Figuratively and literally!

He looked around. The faces surrounding him beamed with smiles. Just to see him back in the home.

He felt an immense cloak of guilty smothering him.

He ruthlessly snubbed that feeling. He doesn't need that feeling in his life. Especially at this time when he is entering the second phase of his grand scheme of things.

"Where is bhaisa?" Sujata; his mom; asked Annapurna; his badi maa. He looked at his badi maa and saw a cloud passing through her usually serene eyes.

"He is out." She replied softly "he will be home soon."

At that moment he realized the extent to which she went just to bring him home.

Durga Prasad left the home. Didn't he?. Because he doesn't want Sanskaar back in his house. And you let him go maa! For me! For a traditional Marwari women her life revolves around her husband and his diktats. And you broke that tradition to bring me home. And you are not even letting anyone know how much this love for hers for him; who is not even her own blood; costing her at that moment.

Awww Maa! I am so sorry! So so sorry.

He felt a strong urge to hug his Maa. And had to physically restrain himself for doing so by digging his nails into his palms bunching his fists.

He CANNOT afford to succumb to human emotions right now. He can't. No matter how much it is hurting him he can't let the human side of take over. It is the time for vengeful shell of broken soul to step in. No matter how much it hurts or feels wrong.

I am so sorry maa!

And he really has to step in the momentum. He planned to take it slow but now he is unsure for how long will he be able to keep up this charade. He was better off sitting in that cold soulless office of his; planning and executing his moves with ruthless precision and in cold blood. He was bloody good at it.

He chipped away at Durga Prasad and son's empire bit by bit, chip by chip and used those bits as foundation to raise his own empire.

He dealt death blows to his bade papa's business repeatedly and found immense pleasure when each blow of his met its mark with deadly precision. He felt no remorse; no guilt.

In fact he loved it.

Now he understood why it was so easy for him to do that. Because he was surrounded by hatred. His own bitter soul for company. Those numbers of balance sheets; the business charts; the chess manoeuvres of economic world... were just like him. Soul-less! He was home!

And now he is home again. But this time he is surrounded by love. By people who are so happy to have him back and are freely showering him with the love he is unworthy of.

If only they knew.

He has to get going. And going fast. He cannot stay here for long or he will end up doing something he will regret. Worse he will ending up hurting those whom he want to spare.

Beat it Sanskaar!

And he did just that.

He created an almighty drama of slashing his hands chanting "I want Ragini mantra" which tossed the entire family into tizzy and got his darling young brother into panic.

Sanskaar was counting on him to panic and slip. And slip he did. He knew his lucky so well. Faced with a challenge he always takes the first available way out. Easier the better. He lacks the maturity to ponder upon the best possible course of handling the situation. No sir! He does what he can do easily.

And what is the easiest way to prise away her darling grand-daughter away from that dragon Dadi's clutches? He placed his chips on her too and she paid huge returns for that. God bless that dragon!

Sanskaar smiled.

Right from childhood he is blessed with the uncanny ability to judge people and their movements even before their made their moves. No wonder no one challenged him for a game of chess ever. Not in school; colleges or business houses. The humiliation he would pour over them by playing not only his moves but their's too with spooky precision would terrify them.

And this time he playing with live pawns. And with deadly instincts and cold calculations he ended up putting his pawns in the exact squares where he wanted them to be.

A pawn jumped two places, one moved diagonal; one went straight and everything paused at the exact level of the game he wanted it to be.

Perfection!

He gave a smile of pure satisfaction and leaned on headrest of his bed placing his hands behind his head and winched in pain. The wound curtsey that knife stunt he pulled hurts. Old Sanskaar would have been appalled and embarrassed of the antics and drama of this new one. But then that old Sanskaar is no longer around is he?

He got up from the bed and walked towards the wall where a family picture was hung. He slowly and gently removed it from hanging and cradled it to his heart and sat down on floor.

He stared at the painting for a long moment.

The people inside those painting stared back at him. Loving smiles! Innocent looks!

And Sanskaar of that picture: he looked so .. so innocent, young, happy.

He felt a slow tear sliding from his eye.

Why?

Why couldn't life be little kinder?

Why did he become what he became?

How could he hurt those who loved him and are still loving him?

Though he expected laksh to do what he was done he was surprised and though he hated to admit it was touched by the alacrity and absolute concern with which his brother acted. Just for his big brother. His hug; his happiness; his concern; his love for him. Just like his old lucky.

Why?

His badi maa who chose him over her husband at a great personal cost.

His mom wouldn't stop smiling and crying alternatively looking at him out of sheer happiness just to see him.

His dad checking on his son every next hour to make sure if he actually home and that he is not dreaming.

The beaming smiles of Adarsh bhaiyya and parineeta bhabhi.

The pure happinees on the face of his little sister Uttara.

And then there is Ragini.. his duppatte wali friend and her overwhelming kindness towards him.

And then there is Swara. That innocent; caring; sweet little tune of happiness and purity.

How could he hurt them all?

He slowly turned the picture back and gently removed an old faded picture that he kept hidden in the back of the frame.

Kavita!

He very gently touched the picture.

His first love; the girl he loved her with as much passion as it was possible for a young rebellious twenty something guy to love.

She was so young. So damn young. And so innocent and fragile. He was her first love; her friend; her protector; her everything. She counted on him to watch her back. And what did he do?

He failed her in worst possible ways.

He let her out of sight for a moment and she is gone forever. Because of him. If only he never entered her life at the first place she would have been alive. Living a live that a good kind soul like her deserved to live. Instead she died. And he lived. With a dark broken soul and ruins of past as his companions.

He could have survived losing love if only she left him and chose her happiness with someone else.

How is he to survive when she chose him with love and hope and he watched her die because of that choice?

She is dead because of him.

You did that to her Sanskaar!

He closed his eyes in extreme anguish. That same accusing tone went over and over again in his head. It was going on for past 5 long years. Condemning; cursing and killing his soul. Every waking minute; even in those endless fitful nights.

Right from his childhood he took over the role of protector of his siblings. Adarsh bhaiya though older was lot weaker. Laksh; immature. Uttara; too young. And he stepped in to protect them in every possible way he could. From the back yard bullies; teachers; bade papa; girls; boys; life. He was the shield.

Those protective instincts of him were the core of his entire build.

He loved his parents but he idolized his badi maa and bade papa.

When you idolize someone you imbibe their traits.

He not only mirrored but actually absorbed their strongest traits.

The strength of character; the dominance of spirit; the business acumen and the bullish attitude from his bade papa.

The trait to love freely and going all out for those you love from his badi maa.

Too bad he couldn't inherit their ruthlessness.

Yes! Ruthlessness.

His bade papa casted him; the ridiculously young Sanskaar into his heir role because he saw himself in him. Loved him, trained him and moulded him putting him above his own. May be that's why he took Sanskaar's rebellion as personal failure. His love for a Bengali girl going against his culture and social standing as slur on his upbringing. That's why maybe he reacted the way he did.

If only his Bade papa killed him instead of the kavita. He would have forgiven him.

And Badi maa! She loved him as much as it is was possible for her to love a son who is not born out of her. Sometimes even more. But he is under no illusions that between her own blood and him which one she would chose if the time gives her a choice. It probably will break her heart!

But she will choose.

And that choice won't be Sanskaar.

Yet he loved them. Because they are just like him. Flawed!

And now he will end up hurting them both. One deserves the pain but the other one doesn't.

Yet he would end up hurting her.

And others.

But he has to.

He owes it Kavita. The fire of vengeance consuming him will quench only when those responsible for the death that young beautiful life who deserved so much to live will pay for their sins.

Durga Prasad Maheshwari.

And Laksh Maheshwari!

Maybe then the guilt eating him from inside will set him free.

He could live with anything but not with the sense of failure. He is not built that way. He failed her in life; He does not intend to fail her in death too.

Sanskaar bitterly wiped away the tears welling in his eyes.

He can't afford them now.

He WONT fail again.

If that means innocents getting hurt... SO BE IT!

He placed the picture back on the wall and turned his back on the people in it. Including himself.

Figuratively and literally.

He must not think.

If he thinks; he feels.

If he feels; he hurts.

If he hurts; he will fail again.

And failure is not an option for him. It never was!

He will not think.

He will act now. The grand board of chess is waiting for him. He can't abandon it midway.

He has to play!

And Play he will.

He felt quite foreboding in the pits of his guts. Everything is happening the way he wants it to be. His pawns are moving in the way he is manoeuvring them. The game is set the way he is seeing fit. All chips are falling into exact slots ordained for them. By him.

But!

He rubbed his nape with his palm. But! Why are his instincts telling him something is about to go wrong in his great grand scheme. Everything has been happening too smoothly.

You know that means Sanskaar?

That means either he is doing it wrong or something will be going wrong soon.

If people see light at the end of the tunnel they assume that the tunnel is ending and celebrate.

Not him! He checks if that is the light of an oncoming train and makes his plans accordingly.

He never assumes that all will be well. He strategizes, formulates plans, charts blue prints of the course of action and makes his move. Even then there would be plan B as a back-up for him.

So the question is why is everything moving on so effing smoothly? Where's the catch?

As if to answer his unasked question the phone rang.

"Yes Nakul?" He answered the call.

"Sir a breaking news for you!" Nakul sounded breathless.

Here comes the catch you were waiting for Sanskaar Maheshwari.

He sighed.

Looks like he jinxed the good turn of events by his pessimistic thoughts. As they say watch your thoughts; God may get in the mood of fun and decide to act upon them.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Laksh propsed Swara" came the reply.

"He did WHAT?" Sanskaar was stunned for a moment.

"He proposed the girl sir!" Nakul replied helpfully.

The devil he did.

Sanskaar gave a low whistle.

Wow looks like he seriously underestimated his brother and his feelings for this girl Swara.

"And what was here reply?" He asked cautiously.

"That lady launched a stinging slap on Laksh Sir!" he detected a strain of awe in Nakul's voice.

A slow grin started to spread on his face.

Atta girl! You didn't disappoint.

"And?" Sanskaar prodded.

"Well then she let lose verbal volley over that guy and by the time she was finished I think his ears were decidedly looking a little red courtesy the thrashing they got" he almost sounded gleeful.

Well looks like Swara was quite entertaining then. A petite sweet looking girl who looks like a model for peace project turning viciously combative and thrashing the stuffing out a guy would look quite entertaining.

No wonder Nakul sounded so gleeful.

Wish he was there to see her in action.

"That's it sir! Any further instructions?" Nakul asked.

"No!" sanskaar replied. "Just keep doing what you are doing and keep me posted".

He disconnected the call and went into contemplative zone.

He did seriously underestimate his brother and that how far he would go for a certain Miss Bose. He tangled his little brother into a bond with Ragini in such a twisted way that he thought lucky would never be able to break out it. But break out he did and how. The nerve or say stupidity of the guy; he went ahead and proposed the sister of the girl he had promised to marry. And who is that sister?

The famous Miss Swara Bose Gadodia.

Sanskaar paused.

Swara Bose Gadodia

He slowly exhaled the name.

Swara!

He still remembered the moment when he glanced at the picture of her's and how badly he was thrown off the track coz she looked nothing like the wild cat Rock chic Babe he made a metal image of. When he got his bearings back he realized he is holding the picture of the game changer pawn of his diabolical chess board. His instincts literally roared in one voice this girl is the medial around whose circumference others could be manoeuvred.

And he always trusted his instincts barring one time (he clenched his jaw) when he trusted his younger brother with his secret so close to his heart. About kavita.

So he ordered Nakul to dig out every little information about Swara Bose. When he said every; he meant every single detail. And Nakul being the champion employee of his; rose to the occasion.

So now after her mom and dida if anybody in the whole wide world could claim to know a girl name Swara that would be Sanskaar. Him!

He knows who was her best friend when she was a second grader; which boy she socked when she was in sixth for messing with her; her marks on tenth mark sheet; her prizes on her shelf; her musical achievements; which song she hums when she is happy, which cord she strums when she is sad; how many strings she breaks off her guitar when she is angry; her pet peeves; her favourites; her quirks!

Everything!

He knows her inside out.

But one thing stood out in the inch thick file that he had on Swara. She loves her family. There is no length she won't go for them. Her mom, dida, dad and... Her sister.

Talking about her dad she literally moved mountains to get the happily ever after for her mom and dad and culmination of their love into marriage. Well if she had asked him he would have told her not to bother. Her dad is not worth it. The more he read about Shekar Gadodia the less he liked him.

But since she didn't ask Sanskaar she is now happy with her set of parents she totally loves and a sister she absolutely adores.

It was a perfect puzzle. All it needed was rearranging. Guy gets engaged to a girl; breaks her heart and dumps her and then falls for her sister.

What would that sister do?

The entire sequence looked like a provincial blessing to him.

The bond between the sisters.

His entire plan was hinging on that sisterly bond. Now that very bond will blow his plan to smithereens thanks to his brother and his big mouth. He announced his engagement with Ragini to whole wide world. Why couldn't he stick to what he started till the end? Just for once.!

He probably gave lucky too much of a credit. He was as immature now as was five years back.

And if he knows the girl called Swara bose well she would never allow her sister to marry such a douche.

Damn!

That sister bond was the first brush stroke he used to paint his diabolical picture on. What is one way that would take away Swara from the league of Laksh; his little brother? Getting him hitched to her sister. There is no ways in the world that a girl like her who loves her sister to bits would give Laksh time of the day if her sister is the one to bag him. If anything she would punch the daylights out of him if he tried to get too close to comfort with her. Let alone actually declaring a love story with her.

And boy she did take him to cleaners didn't she?

Sanskaar almost grinned.

So swara bose is indeed blessed with those feisty Bengali genes. And he thought she is too tame. Just like a kavita.

He paused.

And remember happy times of a bygone era.

Kavita; the Bengali lass. By genetics she should be the one to put fear of gods in those mess with her. But he has to do that for. Be her protector and shield. She was too timid and fragile and he took great pleasure in teasing her about dishonouring her Bengali genes by being what she is. And she used to reply; as long as he is with her she doesn't need to look after herself. He got her back.

Sankaar smiled.

And suddenly felt the surrealistic quality of the moment.

When was the last time when he thought of kavita and didn't winch in pain or disgust at himself or hatred for others?

Not a single moment for past five years.

This is the first time he could remember the happier memories.

That is because... a voice inside him calmly expressed..

You are thinking of her in happy context.

May be you should thank Swara for that.

He pondered over that for a long moment and then smiled.

Ok then! Thank you Swara.

This one surely honours those fiery Bengali genes. And how!

He grinned.

Knock! Knock!

Sanskaar Maheshwari!

A voice inside knocked in his head.

Uhu! He shook his head slightly

A little perspective here please! And priorities. The voice was laced with sarcasm.

Huh what?

Your great game plan is about to blow in your face.

That it is! He admitted.

And you should do something about it! The voice suggested.

That he should! He agreed.

Then it would help if he stop thinking about HOW a certain Swara Bose is and worry about WHAT she is going to do!

Yes! True that! He concurred.

SNAP OUT OF IT! The voice finally yelled.

And that got Sanskaar firmly back on the earth.

Swara! Laksh! Ragini!

Oh shit!

He better get a grip of the situation and do something about it before that girl blows away everything he worked on so far at a nuclear pace.

Ragini will become Laksh Maheshwari's bride!

No Swara Bose can stop it!

He squared his shoulders.

Watch me make it happen!

Swara banged on the strums of her guitar with vengeance breaking its strings into pieces. Again!

That vermin! The douche! That that.. vile idiotic duffer Laksh Maheshwari.

How DARE he?

Says he is engaged to her beautiful, innocent, kind hearted bestest sister in the world and then goes ahead and dares to propose her; Swara Bose Gadodia; claiming he did this for his brother.

That ass!

Too bad mom and dida never allowed her to swear. She could really do with some nice swear words. The nicer the better.

Just who does he thinks he is.

Laksh vermin Maheshwari.

And why is her Sister being used as a sacrificial lamb for his brother. His brother!

She suddenly paused.

The brother.

Sanskaar Maheshwari.

She has been seeing a lot of him for past few days since she has to act like the chaperon of Ragini and ragini has to act like that guy's best friend. To be fair Ragini truly liked being his friend and he genuinely reciprocated that feeling.

But there is something about him.

Something!

He is legit adorable with those youngish cute looks and his antics but there are some moments.

She struggled for words.

Some moments where he looks intriguing. There is an edge to him, the glint in his eyes and steel in that voice of his. A mysterious aura around him that for some odd reason reminds her of danger.

Or maybe you are reading too many thrillers Swara! She chided herself.

Yet she couldn't shake away the feeling that something is lurking underneath that surface of Sanskaar Maheshwari.

He intrigues her and she is damn curious about that.

And Swara is someone who could never handle curiously well.

To quote her dida:

She is that original curious cat who got her whiskers burnt for poking her nose where it didn't belong.

If that cretin younger brother of his hadn't messed up her mind she would have solved the mystery that Sanskaar Maheshwari is.

There is something about Sanskaar maheshwari.. she was lost in thoughts

Knock! Knock!

Swara Bose Gadodia!

A voice inside her knocked in her head.

Uhu! She shook her head slightly

A little perspective here please! And priorities. The voice was laced with sarcasm.

Huh what?

Aren't you thinking about the wrong Maheshwari brother?

That I am! She admitted.

And you should do something about the other one! The voice suggested.

That she should! She agreed.

Then it would help if she stops thinking about WHO a certain Sanskaar Maheshwari is and worry about WHAT she is going to do with that douche bag brother of his!

Yes! True that! She concurred.

SNAP OUT OF IT! The voice finally yelled.

And that got Swara firmly back on the earth.

Ragini! Laksh! Sanskaar

Oh shit!

She better get a grip of the situation and do something about it before her sister gets hurt.

Ragini will not become Laksh Vermin Maheshwari's bride!

No Sanskaar Maheshwari can make it happen.

She squared her shoulders.

Watch me Stop it!

"Alright Nakul! Keep me posted!" Sanskaar disconnected the call.

Damn! Damn! Damn

He swore and kicked the table and got a sore toe for his efforts.

Damn!

That dumb brother of his is going to meet Swara again. And this is not going to end well for him; Sanskaar. He can just feel it in his bones. His younger brother could be quite persistence when he actually wants something. He would beg, plead, whine, threaten and blackmail till he gets his way. And he wants Swara now. And if he knows Swara which he does like the back of his hands she would blow up and that eruption of hers will take down the entire game plan and diabolical maze that he wove.

The time is ticking. He has to make a move and make it fast. Before a certain petite feisty thing blows away everything he worked, plotted, planned for.

Think Sanskaar think!

He whirled around to pace furiously to get his thoughts in order from the chaos swirling in his mind and stopped in his tracks.

Mom!

There she was; his mom; Sujata Maheshwari standing in his room and staring him down.

Hot double damn.

For how long she has been watching him?

Too long!

He ruefully thought since she is giving him the same look that she used to give him when he was being sneaky or untruthful. The Mom's stare.

Uhu!

Game up Sanskaar.

But Sanskaar being Sanskaar couldn't give up with one last ditch effort. So he started his crazy drama again. What he failed to reckon that his mother could be bigger drama queen than him.

She declared that since he doesn't care about her anymore he won't mind if she gets hurt and to his horror started hitting her head over the wall. He had to give up his game for he couldn't see her getting hurt. And when she hugged him for finally getting her old son back he felt a wave of peace washing over him.

Finally one person he doesn't have to lie to.

One person he won't have to hurt anymore.

He told her entire game plan and she decided to be his partner. After all she did lost her son for 5 years living in hell that only a mother who lost her child would live in. She too wanted his malefactors to pay for their sins.

He told her the way to forward his plan and she rose to the occasion by turning the right keys of his badi maa. End result: Laksh and Ragini's engagement was decided for the same day.

Hallelujah!

Now if only a certain Swara Bose won't wreck his scheme.

The end is so close.

Please Swara Bose! Just stay the hell away.

He probably should have wished for something else coz Swara Bose had no intention of staying away. Especially when it comes to his dear sister Ragini.

Talking about Ragini; when he went to meet her while she was getting ready for her engagement she surprised or rather shocked him by declaring him as God from bring her love back in her life back.

Damn!

At that moment Sanskaar felt terrible. For making a pawn out of the girl so simple, kind hearted and innocent. But a part of him felt happy for his Duppattewali friend that at least She would be happy. Laksh could be many things but he could count on his little brother to try and keep his wife happy for he looks genuinely found of Ragini.

You will get your happiness my friend! He made a mental promise to her.

And got down to hall area and there she was!

Swara Bose; the potential and only threat for everything he is working for; walking inside the Maheshwari mansion. And with her came in Laksh and Sharmishta.

One look at their faces and Sanskaar realized what exactly has happened. His big mouth idiot of a brother blew it and Swara must have got her mom involved and now she is here to sing the swan song for his grand scam story.

Hell and Damnation!

Sanskaar saw Swara moving towards to stairs to talk with Ragini. To warn her definitely.

Oh no lady! You don't!

Sanskaar leapt and blocked her way.

"Where are you going?" He demanded in his childish voice.

"Hi Sanskaar!" She smiled. "Gimme way please. I need to talk to Ragini!"

At that moment he slipped.

"Why?" He asked in his normal tone.

Shit!

Too late.

He saw a shift in Swara's eyes. She stared at him for a long moment with a penetrative gaze. And saw through him.

Way to blow Sanskaar Maheshwari.

What the hell was that

Swara stared at him and kept staring.

So her intuitions were right after all. There is more to Sanskaar Maheshwari. He is definitely not what he seems.

Who are you Sanskaar and what do you want?

Danger! Her instincts screamed.

Run Swara Run!.

She had to get out of here and take Ragini along. Something or rather someone is wrong her. The farther they get away from him the safer she would feel.

With that thought she moved towards left to get past Sanskaar.

And with an unnerving agility he moved and blocked her way again. She moved to the other side.

Blocked again.

Sanskaar dropped all the pretences now. He stared at her the way a predator would look at his prey. And blocked that prey's every way of exit.

Any outsider looking at them would think that they are doing what almost could count as sensual dance.

What they were doing was.. Two extremely intelligent and intuitive beings mentally wrestling to pin each other down.

But luck favoured Sanskaar. Despite all Swara's attempts the engagement was on.

Everyone gathered. Rings were presented. Beaming faces all around. Well except the groom to be; his future Mother-in-law and his current Love. Swara.

Sanskaar looked at Swara. She was looking quite agitated. Sanskaar mentally noted: probably she desperately wants to yell the classic filmy dialogue: Yeh Shaadi Nahi Hosakti!

He almost grinned and despite a part of him warning to not do so; He went ahead and stood close to her. Very close.

"Don't they look cute?" He bent his head and whispered softly near her ear pointing at Ragini and Laksh. Swara almost jumped in start and then glared at him.

Ouch! If only looks could kill!

What you gonna do now Swara Bose? Luck is on my side.

He smiled and then realized he celebrated too soon.

For his luck did a volte farce.

Sharmishta fainted and Ragini being the sweet girl that she is; decided her mom needs her more at that moment.

There goes engagement.

He nodded ruefully. Well played Bose Ladies!

Yet him being him did his last ditch attempt to convince Ragini to get engaged first.

Who else would block his way but ..Swara!

She held on to her family firmly and walked away.

And turned back at the last moment to look at him.

And he looked straight into her eyes.

Swara stared at him for what seemed like an eternity.

I know who you are Sanskaar Maheshwari.

I will find out what you want.

He almost smiled. He could never resist a challenge. In fact he relishes it.

I know that you know Swara Bose.

So Good luck Lady!

Game is on!

And he watched her walk away.

No! No! No!

"Are you sure Nakul?" Sanskaar asked worriedly fear constricting his chest.

"Yes sir! Ragini just had an accident. She is now in ICU" Nakul replied.

Not my duppatewali friend. Not her. She is too innocent and kind-hearted. Why?

"Nakul!" He rasped on phone "Check the doctors there. Make sure that she receives the best of the treatment. Let the authorities know that there would be no issues with the cost of the treatment. She HAS to get the best out there. And don't let my name come out anywhere. She is my friend. You better make sure she stays safe."

"I am on it Sir!" Nakul riveted into action.

Sanskaar dragged his palm over his face wearily.

Poor Ragini! He never wanted this for her. Neither the mental agony and definitely not the physical one. He always knew that she probably will get hurt in his game plan but this much?

He has to meet her and make sure she is alright. He owes to his best friend.

He walked into the hall and stopped dead in his tracks.

Durga Prasad Maheshwari walked into the mansion carrying a bleeding Laksh in his arms.

Sanskaar's first instinct was to reach out to him and take Laksh in his own arms. To make sure if his little brother is ok. He looked so hurt. He has to physically stop himself for doing anything of those sorts. Not the right time. He backed off and watched his Bade papa gently depositing Laskh on the sofa, family members attending to Laskh; his bade papa bring the whole roof down after getting to know that Laksh was in love with Swara and he probably did this all for her.

And he finally declared that Swara will never a part of Maheshwari household.

Trust Mr. Durga Prasad Maheshwari to rise to the occasion.

Sanskaar thought bitterly.

And then he looked at his little brother with concern and deep contemplation.

The old Sanskaar would have punched his lucky for pulling this stupid self flagellation stunt and then hugged him tight out of love. Sanskaar shook his head to get rid of those unwanted thoughts. He has to solve the bigger puzzle here.

Why did Laksh do this? For hurting Ragini or for being responsible for Swara's hurt for hurting her sister? Why?

Sanskaar went to hospital making some excuse. He got to meet his friend and check for himself if she is alright.

She looked so hurt. So innocent. So lost. Lying so helplessly on that hospital bed.

Aww. I am sorry Ragini.

She opened her eyes and gave him a wan smile and he felt terrible for playing a part in her misery.

She didn't deserve this Sanskaar.

Before he could collect his thoughts the dumb nurse almost endangered Ragini's life with that empty glucose bottle and in fit of blind rage and concern he gave himself away by putting the fear of god in that Nurse's psyche for being so casual with his duppatewali friend's life.

So now Ragini knows his truth. He was expecting curses, condemnation, accusations. Instead he got Ragini as his partner. She pledged her support to his schemes for all she wanted in her life was Laksh. Sanskaar was horrified to see his kind-hearted, innocent friend switching over to dark side. But as one who has seen the destructive power of love; he understood her needs and desperation . So he promised to help her reunite with her love. He owes her this much.

Sanskaar felt the weight of the world on his shoulders.

The plan was so simple. How did it become so effing complicated?

May be it's time to take a break and just watch the game. It seems to be moving on its own rhythm. Let's step back and make sense of the changing patterns and try to find some pattern in this ensuring chaos.

So he stepped back and watched.

He watched his weak fickle little brother suddenly growing up into a Man, handling himself and the office work with superb strength and the way he deftly derailed Sanskaar's worker's strike game plan left his elder brother decidedly impressed despite himself. Love surely changed his little brother.

That very love changed Ragini too. The sweet, innocent soul was slowly losing herself to the darkness. She was getting desperate to win her love back. And was willing to go any lengths for that.

And then there was Swara.

Sanskaar sighed in frustration.

Swara was acting subdued, thoughtful, almost whimsical. The act of self flagellation penance of Laskh did affect her deeply. But what she is going to do about those feelings is the question Sanskaar was not to able to find answer to.

Then there is Durga Prasad Maheshwari and the subtle shift in his attitude. Towards Laksh and his feelings. This wont bode well for Sanskaar's vision for the future he was envisaging for them.

All his pawns were playing their own games now. Manoeuvring themselves in any damn way they please. And the chess master is now feeling out of his element. He never lost a game before. He doesn't intend to do so now.

So he made his move. It was diabolical, cruel, vicious. And he hated it every bit; for this move of his will hurt an innocent girl like Swara. But it has to be done. Sanskaar was too tired of the subterfuge and the plotting and planning. He was hating deceiving those who are so open in showing their love for him. He wanted to finish this game once and for all.

Then he will walk away from the Maheshwari Mansion and will never look back.

Then he will be free.

So he has to act now.

And that's exactly what he did.

And Ragini played her part and became his true partner in crime. Literally!

She got herself kidnapped with the help of Sanskaar. Together they wove a deep web of deception where Swara and Laksh were caught and got tangled completely.

That elaborate charade of cake, candles, music, dance and love confession.

And that MMS.

Everything just fell into its place. Perfectly!

Laksh got arrested. Durga Prasad was publicly humiliated. His ego, reputation, his standing in society razed to dust.

And hopefully Swara won't be too affected with all the macabre happenings. Since she was proved innocent of the MMS scandal and Ragini promised to take care of her too. Swara will definitely neither forgive Laksh not will she ever be a part of his life.

Laksh will get his bail soon. Ragini will take care of it and his little brother too. Maybe she will find her happily ever after with the one she wants.

So yeah! All well that ends well.

Sanskaar noted in deep satisfaction.

All he has to do now; is to go to the Mansion hall; declare himself and give away his game plans and plots; apologize to everyone except the patriarch Maheshwari; beg for forgiveness from the innocents especially his badi maa... and walk out of that Maheshwari Mansion.

Forever!

He gave a grim smile, squared his shoulders and walked into the hall.

And stopped dead in his tracks.

There she was.

Swara Bose Gadodia.

Inside Maheshwari Mansion.

Looking so innocent, vulnerable. Yet there was some inner strength of hers that was giving her some indefinable glow. And with her; entered the youngest out-casted son of the house. Laksh Maheshwari.

She is up to something Sanskaar and whatever she is about to do; it won't end well with you!

Sanskaar acknowledged the voice inside him.

What are you up to now Swara Bose?

What are you going to do?

He gave a deep sigh!

Looks like the game is not over yet.

If anything... it probably just started.

Bring it on lady.

Let's see what you got!

Swara looked around. The Maheshwari clan were giving here varied expressions not many of them exactly welcoming.

You must be out of your mind Swara for doing what you doing; But since you believe in what you are doing: Better get over with t. In for a penny; in for a pound.

Then she saw him.

Sanskaar Maheshwari was lounging casually against a pillar and looking intently at her.

She felt a frission passing through her at the intensity of that look.

I don't know who you are Sanskaar Maheshwari or what you want. But I intend to find out and find out soon.

Uhu! Wrong brother again Swara! The voice chimed in.

F.O.C.U.S on the other brother.

Oh yes laksh.

Swara took a deep breath.

And Sanskaar watched her in fascination and disbelief. Watched her vouching for Laksh's innocence, her faith on him and watched her extracting promise from Durga Prasad Maheshwari to give her a 48 hours window to prove her point and there by innocence of Laksh.

Wow!

He almost whistled softly.

She not only took on the great Durga Prasad Maheshwari with aplomb but even coerced him into doing something he didn't want to do. The egoistic, bull-headed Maheshwari patriarch who listened to none allowed a wisp of a girl; a Bengali girl no less; to twist him round his finger.

Wow again.

Who are you Swara Bose?

Uhu! Sanskaar! The voice chimed in again.

I hate to repeat myself but maybe it would help if instead of focusing on WHO is Swara Bose if you could focus on WHAT she is going to do. Your grand plans are on the verge on becoming train wreck thanks to that very same girl.

F.O.C.U.S.

Oh yes! Focus Sanskaar.

He mentally chided himself.

And looked straight at his nemesis.

I don't know what you are up to Swara Bose but whatever you do.. Be careful! Be very careful!

She felt an emotion very close to fear and other emotions she couldn't define. Her instincts leapt up in unison.

Be careful Swara! Be very careful.

With a last lingering look at the wrong brother she walked out of the house.

**************

Sanskaar walked into his room and immediately called his partner. Ragini!

And he felt dazed by the end of the conversation.

Swara bailed out Laksh and is supporting him for she is love with him.

What the hell!

Sanskaar spent months pouring over the files of Swara. Hours, days, nights getting to know her inside out. He even checked her out up, close and personal from a distance before launching himself in the elaborate maze he wove. He felt as he knows everything about her. Every little thing!

And he came to the conclusion that a girl like Swara would never fall for a guy like Laksh.

The fire inside her would consume him.

And the serenity of hers would overwhelm him.

That's a girl with kaleidoscope of a character. Those bright vibrant colours would make Laksh's feeble colours pale out further.

She is not meant for Laksh. She won't be his.

And now that girl decided that she is in love with Sanskaar.

He shook his head in exasperation.

Looks like that girl is working under sorority sister's oath: Let's knock Sanskaar down the loop at every given opportunity.

He expects her to do something and she goes ahead and does the opposite. Right from the day he heard about her.

He expected a tattooed, body pierced, metal guitar playing wild cat and she turned out to be an angelic looking innocent young girl. He could have sworn she is hiding her halo and wings somewhere.

She knocked off the loop then and she is keeping up with the tradition now.

He curled his lips in a mock smile.

And what's with this sudden and violent desire to fall in love anyways. That too with laksh.

Ragini convinced her to love him. Sanskaar played elaborate charade of love, confession and entire rigmarole and voila.. Swara Bose decides that she is in love.

She is. She is...

Lot many words warred inside him. Two words taking pole position.

Dumb and Innocent.

He settled for altogether a different word.

Women!

No not women. Just one woman specifically.

Swara Bose Gadodia.

Falling in love with the idea of love.

Fan-frigging-tastic.

Then he remembered her taking over the great Durga Prasad Maheshwari all for this concept of love.

Woah! If this is the lengths she could go for the man she thinks she is in love with.

What would she do for the man she actually falls in love with someday?

Some lucky guy that would be.

Sanskaar mused.

But that guy won't be Laksh. He; Sanskaar; won't allow it.

Best laid plans.

He muttered softly.

Best laid plans.

And now took at the mangled bodies of the very same plans. Courtesy a girl called Swara Bose.

Making Swara fall in love with Laksh was never in the schedule. All he wanted was the heartbreak of his younger brother. He wasn't planning to get other innocents hurt too much. So how on the earth that innocent pawn of his; Swara Bose ended up embracing biggest pain on earth called love and is now directly on the path of the biggest heart break of her life. And she will get hurt.

He didn't want this. He never wanted this.

Damn!

The plan was so simple. She was a measly pawn. Had to move to the squares she is manoeuvred to and watch the game unfold without thinking let alone out-thinking.

So how in the blue blazes she morphed herself into a white queen?

And decided to turn another pawn Laksh into her white king and act like his shield.

A white queen being the protector of her weak white king.

Terrific!

And now the master player who till now was making the moves and manoeuvres have to enter the board as a player himself.

The black knight.

Sanskaar Maheshwari.

Watch out white queen. You are about to get knocked off your feet.

Your Move!

And the white queen made her move.

When Sanskaar heard that Swara came back to the mansion and is requesting everyone's audience in the hall he went bounding down the stairs.

Aha there she is.

What is his queen up to now? Her 48hours span for unearthing the truth is over.

Which rabbit are you going to pull out of your little hat Swara Bose?

Swara introduced the men who came with her to the Maheshwari clan. They were technicians expert in tracing calls. They will be tracing the phone from which the kidnapping calls and MMS were made. With mounting trepidation Sanskaar realized that his queen won't be pulling any rabbit out of a hat. What she is about to do is to push him; Sanskaar Maheshwari; right in front of the train.

And at the same time he realized that he was so busy staring at her that he failed to notice the two decently built grown up men standing next to her till they were introduced.

Way to focus Sanskaar Maheshwari.

Way to Focus! The voice mocked him.

Now please Stop her Sanskaar.

Where the hell is his phone?

And he realized in horror that his phone is lying in the kitchen.

The call was traced and he could hear the phone ringing.

Damn!

DO something Sanskaar.

For the first time in his life he felt a panic attack. And for the first time in his life he gave in to the panic attacks.

"Kala Bhoot!" He started yelling and went on rampage of breaking things. Anything to stop Swara or anyone else from finding out his phone. His ploy almost worked with others. But Swara; she dismissed him with unconcern bordering on contempt and being the veritable force that she is; found the phone and brought it to the hall.

Nope she is not pushing him in front of the train but actually tying him on tracks and waving the green flag for the oncoming train.

Swara showed the phone to everyone.

And she declared that someone; an outsider wants to hurt the family that's why he framed Laksh and now the very same person wants to frame other members of the family. Hence he left that incriminating phone here in the house.

Maheshwari's were satisfied with the explanation. In fact they looked ecstatic and impressed with Swara for her ingenuity and intelligence. They thanked her profusely and she accepted the praise with grace. She smiled at everyone and started walking out of the mansion.

Everyone thought that was the end of a sordid tale. But the glint in the eyes of Swara and the determined set in her jaw told Sanskaar otherwise. For her this is just beginning.

That's a very convincing story you have spun Swara Bose but I know you too well and I don't believe it. And neither do you. I know that you know it's me. The question is what are you going to do about it?

Sanskaar mused deep in thoughts and allowed himself to be led into his room by his mother.

Swara looked at his retreating back.

I know it's you Sanskaar. You are involved in all this. Somewhere! Somehow! And I intend to prove it. Watch me!

With that promise to herself she walked out of the house.

Kala bhoot!

Sanskaar hit himself on his forehead with the heels of his palms.

Kala bhoot seriously!

Are you the same Sanskaar Maheshwari who could take on men twice his size with his sheer will and force of personality? The same Sanskaar who made better and tougher men quiver in their boots with his words and stratagems.

And now faced with a wisp of an angelic looking petite girl lot younger than him; he came up with... Kala bhoot!

Disgusting!

He curled his lips.

If the situation wasn't so embarrassing he would have found it hilarious.

Well the phone is not registered in his name and is untraceable. So no sweat there but Kala bhoot. Seriously?

Way to go Sanskaar Maheshwari!

He mocked himself.

So all the success of the elaborate kidnapping and that MMS scam went kaput thanks to a certain virago called Swara bose. Looks like she is under oath: Oh! This is Sanskaar's plan; let me go and torpedo it.

Infernal woman!

He dragged his hands in his hair in utter frustration.

Then for a surreal moment he felt her presence.

I know you are there!

He stomped off to his window and looked and there she was.

Slowly walking towards the gate.

He stared at her for a long long moment.

Wrong move Swara Bose! Very very wrong move.

You messed with a wrong man lady.

Watch your back from now on.

For Sanskaar Maheshwari won't leave you Swara Bose.

She suddenly whirled around.

At the very same moment Sanskaar whirled agilely and hid himself next to window to avoid being detected by the girl looking straight at his window from downstairs.

What the hell!

"Did you just call me?" Swara looked down and asked Ragini with confused expressions.

"No! I didn't!" Laksh replied just walking in.

"I thought someone called me." She almost whispered.

What the hell again.

Did she just hear me?

But how?

She saw through me even when my own family members couldn't.

She started reading my mind and moves.

Now she is even hearing me when I haven't said a word aloud.

How in the name of holy hell?

He wiped his face with his palm in a dazed state.

Is this what those romantic nutters call cosmic connection?

Boy! Then he surely doesn't need it.

Swara Bose is effectively his nemesis right now.

He doesn't need a connection with her.

Cosmic or otherwise.

Sanskaar ruminated grimly.

What the hell!

Swara shook her head to get rid of the voice she was so sure she heard.

Where is he?

She looked around but saw only Laksh and Ragini looking back at her.

I know you are around Sanskaar.

Her eyes searched for him again.

I can hear you.

I can feel you right now.

And then she paused.

Woah! So now she is even hearing his voice and feeling his presence.

Is this what those beautiful romantics call cosmic connection?

Boy! Then she surely doesn't need it.

Sanskaar Maheshwari is effectively her nemesis right now.

She doesn't need a connection with him.

Cosmic or otherwise.

Swara ruminated grimly.

And then walked away.

Sanskaar stared at her retreating back for a long moment and mused again.

What the hell just happened?