SS: One More Time. (Completed.) - Page 5

Originally posted by: Nynaeve

Hey Nimmi,🤗

Totally understandable, take your time, we will wait - hoping you overcome the writer's block and regain your mojo soon.

love,

Nyna

Originally posted by: Banjaaran.

I am terribly sorry for the delay beautiful people.. but it is being a struggle to write for SwaSan. I am trying but words are just not coming. I am no longer connecting with SwaSan and I would hate to give this story an ending for the sake of writing the end. since this is the story I visualized for my OTP instead of that ghastly ML track... I need to put more heart into it.
hence getting delayed.
truly, totally, terribly sorry. will post update soon.

Love.❤️

"First things first! Let me get rid of this hunting dogs first." He looked around with a predatory glint entering his eyes.

"What do you mean? You are going to fight with them all? But they are more in numbers besides they are carrying guns?" Swara worded her confusion and worry.

"Who do I look like; Rambo?" He gave her a teasing grin. "Don't worry. I am a fighter but a smart one. Not gonna take on all of them at once. Will be hunting one at a time."

"But still...?" She just couldn't stop the worry for him assailing her heart.

"Hush!" Sanskaar gently placed his forefinger against her lips. "Relax princess! Your knight can really take care of himself. Besides you are with me. So won't take any rash chances. Just stay here and stay put. I will be watching over you too. Trust me Swara! Let me deal with the situation my own way. I will be guarding you with my life. Ok!"

"And what about you?" She has to ask.

"As I said! I really can take care of myself. So may I?" He held her palms in his own hands.

Swara took a deep breath.

It really is silly and may be weird but she really feels like she could trust him. Every word he says. Everything he does; doing or will do. And she doesn't even KNOW him per se if you go by her current state of memory. But trust him? THAT she could do with her eyes closed.

Weird! And strange. And something really deep on cosmic levels.

Swara smiled at him softly and nodded her head.

He gave a lopsided smile.

"That's my girl!"

He gently kissed her knuckles and nodded at her.

And then making sure that she is safely under the cover of protection of forest he went hunting.

Swara spent most harrowing minutes of her life. Worrying; praying and thinking. Of him and for him.

And then her heart leapt in feelings so strong that she almost reeled.

He was coming back with a victorious smile on his face.

"Hello princess! Missed me?" He gently teased her.

"Oh you are back!" Before she could stop herself she hugged him and held in almost death grip letting her indescribable emotions speak for themselves.

He hugged her back cradling her close to him with his being.

"Hey! Everything is alright now. Those men at this moment are packing whatever remaining functional parts of their bodies into Usain bolt mode and are taking off never to be seen again. If they are not too dumb and value their life that is; which I think they do. So relax."

They stood like that for a long long moment; lost in each other; lost for the world.

Then Swara felt all herself relaxing slowly at his soothing presence and aura. She slowly lifted her head up and smiled at him.

He smiled back at her tenderly.

"Feeling better?"

"Hum!" Almost reluctantly she released him. "So what now?"

Sanskaar looked around.

"It is getting darker. And besides I think we are lost. So let us call it a night and camp here. Will see how to get out of this place tomorrow. What say?"

Swara nodded her head and then asked him with a note of fear entering her voice.

"But what about animals?"

"Hu?" He started walking looking for a perfect place to camp' and she started following him.

"Animals?" She repeated. "This is jungle you know. What about tigers?"

"I think there aren't many of them around. Courtesy us! Humans." He replied.

They started walking in harmony.

"Cheetahs?" She asked again.

"Rare to be found in this place."

"Bears?"

"Hopefully not!"

"Leopards?"

"Praying not!"

"And..." She was still thinking of the next dangerous beasts when he grinned at her.

"Relax Princess! If we get to meet any such creatures all you have to do is.. smile at them."

"And what good will that do for us?" She raised her eyebrows.

"I am sure they will charmed and will be eating out of your hands." His grin widened.

"You are mocking me!" She glared at him accusingly.

"Yeah a little!" Sanskaar admitted and then added "but I am serious too."

Swara was still debating if she should be affronted or be pleased at that back handed compliment when they reached a small clearing.

Sanskaar stopped and took a recee of the place.

"Looks good to me. I say let's halt and rough it out here. What say Princess?"

"Whatever you say knight!" Swara retorted with an easy grin.

He started collecting dry twigs and branches and lit a bonfire.

They sat in front of the fire and Swara found it the most natural thing to do.. to cuddle upto him.

He threw his arms around her and held her close to him and she rested her head on his nape.

Swara took a deep breath and felt a slow beautiful smile spreading on her face.

She honestly still don't know who this man is; what he means to her; what is the meaning of her khooni' memory which was rapidly fading away just like grains of sands slipping away from your fingers.

Like some bizarre early morning dream you woke up from and are trying to recollect but all you could see is... fading shadows and mist.

She is connected to this man with strings so gentle yet so strong. She could feel those strings; she could sense this bond; she can almost reach out and touch this all encompassing emotions.. and that is scaring her. Yet strangely also liberating her.

After a long long time; precisely since the day she woke up with her memories ravaged and shattered; she is feeling... peace.

She is with HIM. What happened before; what is happening now; what will happen next... nothing matters. All that matters is that she is with him. And he is with her. And they are together. And he was right when he said: You will find answers to all your questions. One at a time. Take is easy and take it slow. We have a life time with us. What's the rush?"

As long as she is with him and he is with her and they are together.. Life IS Good. Memories or no memories.

And they spent the whole night gazing at the stars peeking out of the shadows of clouds, talking with each other sometimes with words; sometimes in silence; feeling each other; listening to the mystical sounds of jungle and the whispers of the hearts. And being with each other.

They had no idea when the dawn broke. They found themselves sleeping blissfully in eachothers arms when the first tendrils of sunshine gently woke them up.

Sanskaar was the first one to wake up. And he found the girl sleeping like an innocent creation of heaven; resting upon his heart. He gently brushed an errant lock of her hair and tucked her behind her ear. And smiled. A beautiful blissful smile.

His heart is back in its place. With her. And is now beating peacefully with glorious thumps of heartbeats.

Destiny has finally taken mercy upon him and blessed him back with all that he ever wanted. HER. His Swara!

Life Is truly Good.

Swara slowly opened her eyes waking up from her blissful sleepy state and found her eyes meeting a pair of deep intense ones. His eyes. And all she could see in them is ... herself.

Though she had no way of knowing that at that moment he is seeing in her eyes something that is such a gift that he felt his heart stopping for a moment. In those beautiful eyes of hers all he saw was.. himself.

She loves him. Swara loves him. Exactly the same way he loves her. Memories or no memories. She may not be sensing this truth herself but he really could see it in her eyes. And her entire being.

He truly is blessed. For being loved the way she loves him. No memory; no destiny; no death can take her or her love away from him.

Sanskaar smiled a smile that lit up his entire face. Swara blinked and couldn't help responding with the same smile.

"Good morning Princess!"

"Good morning Knight!"

'Ready for a brand new day? And brand new set of memories and maybe old ones knocking at your door?"

"You bet Sanskaar Maheshwari. Lead on!"

"Yohoo! And here we are!" He spread his arms in flourish upon the main road.

"Well done my Knight! Princess is proud of you." Swara cheered him. "Though you must admit without my guidance and instructions you wouldn't have finished the task so soon or so perfectly."

"Aha!" His eyebrows touched his hairline. "All thanks to your guidance and help we lost our way couple of times and all thanks to my genius of doing exactly opposite of what you suggested got us out."

She poked her tongue at him in a childlike gesture and then laughed. And he joined in the laughter.

And then admitted.

"Well done partner! That was some really great team work. I say we make a damn fine team. What do you say Swara Maheshwari?"

"And I say you have spoken the ultimate truth Sanskaar Maheshwari." She happily concurred not even noticing how easily and beautifully she slipped into Swara Maheshwari' mode.

Sanskaar took his phone out.

She curled her lips.

"So Swara is still with Sanskaar. And now they will be coming to the house together. And life will be back to being the happily ever after fairytale for them. Not so soon. No Swara and no Sanskaar. Not so soon. I can't let this happen."

And she dialled for her partner in crime again.

"So what do we do till Laksh comes for us?" swara asked him.

"If you are upto it we can just walk. A long walk. What say?" Sanskaar replied.

"I say let's hit the road." She bobbed her enthusiastically.

He gave her an indulgent smile and they started walking together on the road surroundings by serene greenery and calm beauty of the surroundings and the soothing companionship; talking, bantering, teasing, sharing, laughing and smiling together.

And then their nemesis broke the delicate and magical journey.

Sahil sengupta.

He stopped his car with an almighty screech seeing the duo; the girl and the man walking on the road; lost to the world and lost in each other.

Sanskaar and Swara turned their heads towards the source of the sound and were shocked seeing the man stepping out the car.

Sahil? Swara eyes widened. What the hell is he doing here?

Sahil! Sanskaar narrowed his eyes. It is getting way too eerily weird the way his men and the man himself tracked us down. How is he managing that? Only Laksh and Ragini knew about Swara being with me and our trip. And only Laksh knew that we are taking this road today. So how?

He turned his head and looked at his Swara who was now staring at Sahil with open hostility.

Woah! He breathed wordlessly. He knows that look. That means his princess is pissed. Super pissed. At Sahil. Does that mean her buddy project with her new found best friend; a certain Certin sengupta is over? Hallejuhah! That means Sanskaar Maheshwari is free to put the fear of Gods and mortals in the sick mind of this vermin? Oh damn! He has been waiting for this moment for so long. He smiled like an avenging angel who has been given go ahead by Saint Peter to slay his opponents. But what exactly happened by the way to turn Swara against her germ of a best friend? He hated to mention the other man's name in front of her so didn't bother asking but really what went wrong? Most importantly what had rodent done to get his Swara so hopping mad?

"You here?" Swara hissed at him and Sahil who was walking towards her with ingratiating smile stopped in his tracks; his smile faltering.

Then he tried to pull himself up.

"Of course Swara. I am here. For you. I was so worried about you. Thank god you are safe. You have no idea how scared and worried I was for you when i got to know that you are with this man." He turned his head and glared at Sanskaar with pure venom in his eyes. "The khooni. I am SO relieved now. You are safe. I would have killed him had he harmed you; you know!"

Sanskaar had to physically stop himself from lunging at the guy and tearing him down then and there.

Sanskaar harming his Swara? How dare he imply that? He really should show him how and who exactly Sanskaar would like to harm at this moment.

But it was Swara who took the charge of the moment.

"Enough Sahil! Not a word against Sanskaar. Whatever happened, happens or will happen between me and Sanskaar will stay between Sanskaar and myself. No one; repeat NO ONE is allowed to question, comment or judge or try to be a part of the equation that is between Swara and Sanskaar. Clear?"

Sahil clearly was taken aback at the force in her voice and words. And the glare she sent on his way.

The day she saw Sanskaar for the first time after her accident Sahil knew he would lose her someday to that man. There is just this connect between the man and the girl. A connect that he couldn't manage to tarnish; break or ruin no matter how he tried. And he tried. So hard. He was holding on to that khooni' memory of Swara and was fuelling it and was counting on it to keep her away from the man he knew will go to the edges of the world to win this girl back. And now at this moment he could see that all his fears have come true. He has lost her. To the man. With or without any memories; she belongs to that man. She always did.

But he; Sahil Sengupta will NOT have that. He will not lose this girl. She will have to come back in Sahil's life. She must.

Sahil changed his tack.

"But Swara you know he was the one who tried to kill you. But for me you would have died. I saved you. And I am the one who loves you. Come with me now."

Sanskaar bunched his fists so hard that his knuckles turned white. Sahil professing his love for Sanskaar's Swara. Now he must murder the man; even if that means going to jail or hell. Sso be it.

It was Swara's voice which broke his murderous resolve.

"Shut up Sahil!" Her voice cracked like a whiplash. "I told you in the park when you proposed me that I am a married woman. Whatever the situation between me and my husband is at this moment; I am still married to Sanskaar Maheshwari. And claiming to love a married woman and trying to force your feelings on her is ... sick. I will resolve the issues good, bad or ugly that are between Sanskaar and myself and then take on life. I am grateful to you that you saved my life but let me remind you that you don't own my life. I really want you to get out of my life. And stay out. I think of you as just a friend and someone who saved me from death. That's it. Nothing more. And if you keep at this; this sick love chant of yours; I will be detesting you."

"You don't mean that." Sahil looked at her disbelievingly.

"I meant every word I said to you earlier and I am simply reiterating them now. And meaning them even more." Swara stated in a firm no-nonsense tone.

Sanskaar took a deep calming breath.

So that's what happened between Swara and Sahil when the guards hired by Nakul lost the track of Swara. That mean even when she was undecided about Sanskaar and his worth in her life; when she was still grappling with that memory loss of hers; when she was still haunted by that ghastly khooni' image.. she still considered herself married to Sanskaar Maheshwari and was willing to resolve the issues and seek the truth.

May be that's because she too felt connected to him the same way he does to her.

Nothing! Not even a memory loss or even death can take away this connect; this bond; this timeless and endless love that they share.

Nothing!

Then the situation turned so suddenly that it almost felt unreal.

Sahil seeing the undeniable truth in the girl's eyes; that she belongs to her man and will never be Sahil's or anyone else; not in this lifetime or any; with or without any memories; came to a deadly decision.

She has to be Sahil's. Or he won't let her be anybody else's.

He took out his gun and lunged for her.

"SAHIL!" Sanskaar gave a murderous yell and was about to lunge at the man who dared to attack his Swara when Sahil held the girl in further death grip and dug the barrel of the gun in her temple.

"Don't you move Sanskaar Maheshwari. Or the girl dies." He started moving back dragging Swara with him.

Sanskaar could feel his life slipping away from his fingers all over again; the agony, the mortal fear, the feel of your heart shrinking into nothingness, your soul tearing itself out.. NO! NO! NO!

This can't be happening again. He can't lose his Swara again. He will NOT lose her again. Not now. NEVER ever.

And those were the exact feelings that the girl was feeling at that moment.

This can't be happening again. She can't lose her Sanskaar again. She will NOT lose him again. Not now. NEVER ever.

And at that moment that fragmented memory of hers that tormented her for so long finally took mercy on her and merged itself together into a complete picture.

Khooni!

That's the cruel word she kept throwing at this man; over and over again. He kept begging and pleading her to believe him that he will NEVER hurt her. That he loves her. That he would rather kill himself than hurt her. And yet she held on that splintered piece of picture and kept hurting him with it. That he tried to kill her.

When HE was the one who tried to save her that day. He was the one who was her saviour. He was the one who tried everything in his power to protect her that fateful day yet lost in the cruel hands of fate.

Sanskaar Maheshwari!

Swara blinked the burning tears in her eyes. Why did she not SEE? How could she not SEE?

Sanskaar was still pleading the deranged Sahil when she spoke.

Sahil, the gun on her temple, the dangerous situation she is in, the cold hard fingers of the death trying to touch her, the fear, the pain.. nothing mattered.

All that mattered was HIM. Sanskaar!

"Sanskaar!"

Her voice broke through his desperate state of mind. He looked at her clearing the mist clouding his mind and heart.

And she said..

"I remember!"

At that moment he felt his heart breaking the final shackles of agony and soaring free. So finally Swara remembered that he was not the one who tried to murder her. The very thought that she would think of him as someone who will kill her when the very thought of hurting her sounds like death knell for him; that very thought used to tear him inside out.

And she remembers.

THANK YOU GOD!

But what truly matters; a million times more; is the fact that she trusted him despite that memory. She CHOSE him and chose to come back to his life and walk the journey one more time with him without the complete memory; inspite of that murderous traumatic memory.

Trust! A relation he valued above all.

And she; his Swara awarded that relation with a gift he will cherish forever. With her own trust. Unconditional, absolute, faith.

Swara trusts Sanskaar with all that she has; with all that she is. Nothing can shake or take away her faith in him.

She may falter and slip. But she will get up and walk. Towards him. And reach him.

And be with him. Nothing in the world matters above him for her.

Because even if she forgot that she loves him; her heart told her that she could trust him. Take a chance on him. Walk with him. One more time.

He will never ever forget this gift of hers.

Her faith; her trust; her love.

And he will keep repaying this gift of hers to her with all that he has and all that he will be.. for a life time. And more.

Sanskaar smiled at her. and she smiled back.

No words were needed.

When emotions speak; words are redundant.

And when it comes to a man called Sanskaar and a girl called Swara and the relation that they share.. Emotions always speak the louder.

And then Sahil broke the divine moment.

"Enough!" He could see the purity of the moment and he loathed it. "Swara is mine. If she can't be mine; I won't let her be yours too. Or anybody else's. I will kill her if that what it takes."

So blinded by his savage murky intentions that he failed to sense that another car entered the arena and its occupants are stepping in the battle field.

Right behind him.

Laksh and Ragini got down from the car that they parked stealthily behind Sahil.

He was still holding on to Swara with a deathly grip pointing gun at her.

Sanskaar saw his brother and Ragini since they were in his direct vision. He sent careful' warning to them with his eyes without letting Sahil sense the situation.

Laksh gave a understood' nod at his elder brother. He was about to reach for Sahil stealthily and tackle him but Ragini took charge of the war.

In a way no one anticipated.

She grabbed a log lying in the road and with savage force landed it on the back of Sahil's head; cracking it open.

Sahil immediately released Swara and clutched his bleeding head and slowly turned around.

And his eyes widened when he saw the visage of Ragini looking like a fierce avenger still wielding that broken wood.

" YOU?"He mouthed in disbelief. "But you were my partner. You wanted this. So Why?"

Swara ran towards Sanskaar and hugged him with all her might and he hugged her back as if he would never ever let her go.

And then they heard that statement of Sahil.

Slowly they turned their heads and looked at Ragini still holding on to each other.

Laksh too was staring at Ragini with wide eyed bewilderment.

Partner? With Sahil? Ragini?

Ragini threw her weapon down with force and snarled at Sahil.

"Yes! I was your partner. I was helping you to win own Swara and separate her from Sanskaar. I was the one who informed you about the location of Swara. But do I want you to kill her? HELL NO! You shouldn't have tried to hurt her Sahil. You really shouldn't have."

Sahil reeling under the loss of blood and the situation beyond his understanding lost his consciousness and collapsed on the ground.

Sanskaar, Swara and Laksh staring at Ragini as if they have never seen her before.

She who was glaring till that time at Sahil; lifted her head up and looked at her audience.

"WHAT?" Ragini tossed her head nonchalantly.

Swara the first one to speak.

"Why? Why Ragini? Why again? I thought you changed. I thought you love me. I thought we are sisters again. So why?"

Ragini took a deep breath. And then looked at Swara.

"Swara! After what had happened between us; you falling for my ex-fianc and I going psychotic and turning a full blown criminal committing 1001 crimes against everyone; literally everyone who loved me or trusted me or cared for me; how could you believe that on one fine day I simply changed my clothes and wore a pristine white robe and became an angel?"

Swara reeled in shock. She would have collapsed under the force of it but for Sanskaar who held her in his strong arms.

Sanskaar gritted his teeth and mentally chided himself.

He knew it. He should have seen it coming. He really should have. He was the guru of Ragini. How did he allow himself to be taken in by her pious' reformed soul? Or maybe he didn't. Deep down inside he knew that such sudden turn around and redemption doesn't make sense. He knew it. A voice inside his sane head kept telling him. But he ignored that voice due to the overwhelming circumstances that kept piling one after the other. And then he wanted it to be true for his the sake of his Swara's happiness. That Ragini has truly redeemed. Idiot! Next time Sanskaar never ignore that voice in your head. Forever Knight! Remember that. And Knights always listen to their mind and guts. You are a knight. You always were, are and will be one.

Laksh looked at Ragini as if he is wishing her to be a figment of his nightmare. This can't be true. This is not happening.

Ragini looked at the trio and then gave a sad self deprecating smile.

"Before you condemn me again. And forgive me. Again! Let me tell you something. And please don't interrupt me. I am done with all this games, planning, plotting, being sweet and nice when mirror shows me exactly opposite of all you all were seeing in me. Goodness and all that mirage. Yes! I helped Sahil. But to only separate you (Swara breathed in and tightened her hold on Sanskaar) and Sanskaar. Just to let you that it hurts. It hurts when someone you love is taken away from you. I loved Laksh but all I got in return was hurt. (Laksh flinched). Then he fell in love with you. My own sister. And then Sanskaar walked into my life. (Sanskaar nodded his head. He knew where this is going. But he didn't want to interrupt the girl. He wanted her to let it all out. For once and for all.) and I got introduced to dark world. For a long time I blamed him for turning me into this dark creature from an innocent one that I was. Then I realized he merely unleashed what was always inside me. The fire wouldn't have raged if there were no amber to begin with. And then I spiralled down and down and down. And you Swara! You were shining the way you were. Pure and good. And you kept forgiving me and loving me. And that made me hate you. And hate myself. I tried being good. Tried changing. Tried going back to who I was. But it was too late for me. And then Laksh broke me all over again by kicking me out of his life so publicly like a piece of trash on the day that was supposed to be our marriage day. That was the moment I realized I could either be good. Or be what I am. A terribly flawed one. I wished to accept myself and walked the path of redemption that Sanskaar walked upon. The way he hauled himself on coals and admitted to all his wrong doings, apologized to all he had wronged and became the person that he is now... I wanted to do all that. But before that I wanted to let you; ALL of you; Swara, Sanskaar and Laksh know that it hurts. Love, obsession, idea of love.. and then being denied that. There was a time I used say that I am not wrong. I am doing it all for love. Now I know it was a toxic' love. And I am sorry for all that I did."

She looked at Swara.

"I am sorry Swara for all that I did to you; against you and the ways I did it. Though sorry absolutely doesn't cover even a little bit of my long list of crimes against you I am sorry. And I mean it."

Swara was lost for words. All this while she was claiming that Ragini did nothing wrong and all that she did she did it for love. But yes.. all it was; was toxic love. And Ragini was wrong.

Ragini looked at Sanskaar.

"I am sorry Sanskaar. For not listening to you when you told me to stop walking on the path of destruction. For throwing you under the bus. And for the heinous molestation charges I threw at you. I am really sorry."

Sanskaar gave a curt nod.

Well looks time it is time to make peace with the past and present and look at the future for new beginnings.

He gave her their old dupatte wali' dost friendship smile.

"I forgive you. And I am sorry too. For being your stepping stone into the dark world."

Ragini smiled at her old friend.

"We messed up bad eh. But your redemption and the way you build yourself back was spectacular. Can't say I can ever match that but even if I come a half way down the path you walked.. I'll say I did it."

"Good luck old friend." He wished her and meant it.

"Thank you. And wish you a good life." Ragini meant it too and then she turned to look at Laksh.

"I should hate you; but sadly I don't. Because I am way to busy hating myself for becoming what I became in your obsession. Though what you did to me in the beginning being the callous you and then being the vengeful you is wrong I was wrong too. And so damn wrong. And wronged you. I am sorry. And bye Laksh. Wish you will grow up soon and discover yourself. I am off to start a new journey for doing my own share of growing up and discover myself."

Then with a final look at everyone around Ragini walked away.

"But where will you go Ragini?" Swara wanted to stop the girl.

"Firstly I am going home. There are many others I have wronged and hurt. I must apologize to all of them. And then dunno... wherever life takes me. You have a good life Swara. And I really mean it."

And she walked away.

"But Sanskaar..." Swara looked at her anchor for support.

"Let her go Swara. Acceptance is the first step in walking on the path of redemption. She has started her journey. Let her walk on."

Sanskaar then looked at Laksh was looking at the road where moments ago Ragini was walking away; without looking back. He was still in the state of disbelief and shock.

Swara looked at Laksh and then at Sanskaar. A look of mutual understanding passed between them.

They slowly walked towards Laksh.

And then Sanskaar hugged his little brother. For a long moment Laksh didn't feel anything. He was still in the state of suspended shock.

And then he broke down. And cried. And cried more hugging his brother who held on to him like the rock solid anchors big brothers are.

And slowly Laksh too took his first step towards the journey of growing up.

He stepped back and looked at Sanskaar and Swara.

"I guess I should have done this a long time back. But..." He looked at Swara.

"I am sorry Swara. For everything. For not believing in you when I should have, for forcing you when I shouldn't. For not respecting my boundaries and relationships. For not being the man I should have been. I am sorry."

"I am sorry too Laksh." Swara too made peace with the past, present and future. "For everything."

He gently forwarded his palm and the old friends shook their hands and smiled a friendly smile at each other.

Then he looked at Sanskaar.

"I am sorry Bhai. For everything. Someday I hopefully will become the man you are."

Sanskaar patted the younger man's back.

"No Lucky. I am not perfect. No one is. Be the one you are meant to be. And I am sorry too. For hurting you. Knowingly and unknowingly."

The brothers hugged each other.

Then Laksh stepped back.

"Bhai! I will be stepping out of Maheshwari and Son's shadows and try to chart my own course. On my own. To discover myself. And someday to understand the true meaning of love. And earn that love. Pray that would be with the old love.Wish me luck. I think dad won't mind. But mom.."

"Don't worry Lucky!" The elder brother assured. "I will handle Ma! You go forth. Good luck and godspeed."

"Thank you Bhai!" Laksh hugged him again.

"Take care of yourself. And Swara. And the family. I know you will. See you!"

And he walked away.

And only Swara and Sanskaar were left. Alone. And together.

Swara looked at Sanskaar and he gently hugged her.

She hugged him back and rested her face on her chest listening to his soothing heartbeats.

And finally found peace.

"Been a long day Sanskaar."

"Very long!" He admitted. He could sense she didn't mean just this day'.

"I still don't recollect everything." Swara looked up. "Still there are pieces, fragments, splinters around."

He gently tucked an errant lock of her hair and cupped her face.

"Then we will pierce them back to perfection. Together. One moment at a time. One day at a time. One lifetime at time."

"You make it sound so simple." Swara looked at him with an adoring and amazed gaze.

"It is simple Swara. You and I. Together. That's it." He tenderly kissed her forehead.

That is it. Really! And truly. It is THAT simple. Swara and Sanskaar. Together.

Swara smiled a beautiful smile of agreement and hugged her soulmate.

And he held her close to his heart.

To never ever let her go.

_______________________

(scroll down for epilogue).

:Epilogue:

"Sanskaar!" She shouted his name and he dropped his work and walked towards her and sat down next to her on the floor.

"Wait! I am almost done." She started giving finishing touches to her project and he watched her indulgently. He could really just look at her his whole life and never get bored.

Swara was working on her scrap book. She started creating the scrap book of her memories the very day they came back to Maheshwari Mansion.

To quote her: She wants to never ever forget even a littlest bit of her memories with her Sanskaar. And hence will immortalize them.

She is slowly getting her memory back. The bits and pieces and fragments coming together and giving her back her perfect pictures. And the moment she remembers that perfect moment she has to add it to her scrap book. And then there are new memories that she is creating with her soulmate. She has to record them too. So many words, pictures, moments and memories.

Sanskaar usually helps her with her project. He loves these beautiful sessions of theirs where they would just sit down for hours together and pour over beautifully handmade designed pages and pen down their thoughts, words and memories on them.

Create images, add mementoes, pictures and simply scribble at times.

Together.

He sometimes recreated their old memories to help her remember those moments. And she did.

And sometimes they created brand new set of memories for themselves.

Always together.

He adds his own inputs, ideas and thoughts but mostly he just loves helping her doing what she totally loving doing.

Immortalizing their memories.

The day she remembered his love confession for her in his drunken state she floated in happy, blissful clouds bursting with overwhelming happiness, gratitude and love.

And recreating that memory in her precious book took the longest time for her. She just couldn't find words beautiful enough to capture the divinity of that moment.

Though he strongly requested her to skip his tent burning stunt. To quote him: That was embarrassingly dramatic. But she refused stubbornly. She wouldn't change even a nanosecond of that precious memory.

And he had to give in. As usual.

Today too he wanted to help her in her project but she said this is a surprise. She will do it all by herself.

So he brought his office work and was working on them while she poured over her creations.

And he surreptitiously watched his beloved once a while with a loving smile on his face watching her adorable face crunched in utmost concentration focusing on her work.

Past few months has been whirlwind for her. And the Maheshwaris too.

That fateful day Ragini came back to Maheshwari Mansion and confessed to her crimes and wrong doings. And asked forgiveness from everyone.

Though initially everyone was taken aback to see that their pious' Ragini is not so pious' afterall and Annapurna especially was shocked to see the clay feet of her angelic daughter in law; soon they saw that this time Ragini truly is apologetic for her deeds and wants to walk on the path of righting the wrongs.

Annapurna insisted that she should stay back in the mansion and give a chance to her marriage with Laksh. Ragini firmly but politely refused and walked away without looking back.

Seeing Ragini making peace with herself Parineeta too heard the voice of her conscience. She too confessed her wrong doings. Maheshwaris were enraged. It took combined forces of Swara and Sanskaar to make them realize that if they could forgive Ragini and Laksh for their humongous crimes they could forgive Parineeta too for her wrongdoings. And they did.

Ragini went back to baadi and apologized to Shomi and Shekhar for the way she wronged them. And declared that she wants to start a new journey of her life on her own. When daadi tried to stop her she doled out some harsh and true home-truths to the elderly woman leaving her feeling shamefaced and regretful.

And then Ragini left for Banaras and started her new beginnings with her music as companion.

Laksh too left Maheshwari mansion and the company. He started his own start up company. Annapurna vehemently opposed his decision and Sanskaar stood up for his younger brother. It was Durga Prasad who took the strongest stand for his youngest son and convinced his wife to let her child test his own wings.

Now Laksh too is on the path of self discovery. And the entire Maheshwaris are mightily proud of him.

Uttara finished her degree and will be joining their own company as apprentice. Sanskaar and Durga Prasad offered to take her under their wings but she chose to assist her father. And Ram Prasad; the simple unassuming yet a strong loving father couldn't have been more prouder.

Swara with Sanskaar as her companion started to work upon her dream project. Her music school.

They hunted for days together and found a perfect place to start the school. Hired best of architects and engineers and got the perfect design of the building that matched her imagination and dream. Swara oversaw the preparations with Sanskaar helping her in every step.

Durga Prasad insisted on contributing for the project and when Swara and Sanskaar refused he announced that he as a father has right to bless his soul daughter the way he sees fit and consider it as his donation for a noble cause. His donation' turned out to be staggeringly generous. Swara taking Sanskaar into confidence kept the amount in the bank and will be using it to aid and assist her students from lower economic strata. Her music school shall go beyond music.

Dida laid the foundation stone for the music school. Dida; the first guru of Swara. And the elderly lady was so happy and proud. She declared herself principal of the school and Swara couldn't have more happier.

Shomi and Shekhar and even Daadi were all smiles and happiness. And blessings.

Annapurna enthusiastically helped Swara in the music school project since the lady loves music herself. Sujata too eagerly helped Swara in any ways she could lest her precious daughter in law strains herself too much. From no bangaalan bahu' to doting over Swara like her own daughter; Sujata came a long way.

When a worker from Adarsh's team had an accident which caused his immediate death and that of his wife's leaving behind months old child of theirs orphan; Adarsh and Parineeta adopted the child. Though initially reluctant of the development soon Annapurna and Sujata started adoring the child. The child is now the most adored of and by all the Maheshwaris. And Swara could see that Parineeta is glowing in happiness with the glow that only motherhood can bring. She loves the child like her own and will be a beautiful mother. Who says you need to give the birth to a child to become a mother?

Sujata too could see that truth. And she being the clear hearted soul that she is profusely apologized to Parineeta for her harsh remarks and prejudices on motherhood'.

So it is not only the young who are choosing to grow up. Elders too are doing their fair share of righting the wrongs.

Maheshwari Mansion and its inhabitants are in perfectly happy space.

And the most happiest of them all is.. Swara. Every day every moment is a gift for her.

Every bit of memory returned ... precious.

Every new memory... priceless.

And now she is immortalizing those precious memories in her scrap book and it is getting progressively thicker. The rate she is going she will need an entire full length cupboard to store her scrap books.

Sanskaar offered to buy her a new house if that what it takes to store her priceless memorabilia but she shouldn't stop this beautiful project of hers. And he teased her that once her music school is up and running she will be so popular and rich that he will retire and live off her money.

Swara laughed at his teasing.

Rich and popular?

She would rather be just happy and content. And that she is. And she will always be. As long as he is with her.

Extremely happy and blissfully content.

"So what do you think?" She finally allowed him to look at her creation.

And he caught his breath in wonder.

Swara outdid herself this time.

She made a beautiful collage of the moment where he got down on his knees and proposed her.

And she accepted him and brought the miracle of love and happily ever after in his life.

The glorious helicopter ride; the beautiful canopy; the serene surroundings.. and HER. And him. And THEM.

And beneath that beautiful collage she wrote in a classic font pouring her heart out...

Love isn't about ridiculous little words. Love is about grand gestures. Love is about airplanes pulling banners over stadiums. Proposals on jumbo-trons. Giant words in skywriting. Love is about going an extra mile, even if it hurts. Letting it all hung out there. Love is about finding courage inside of you that you didn't even know was there _____ Jennifer Flackett.

Thank you for the glorious grand gestures Sanskaar. You truly made me feel like a Princess. But even if all I get to share is a tent with you and just a cup of chai; a little humble red rose or a walk by the lane; I will still feel like a Princess. Because of the way you love me.

And I love you just the same.

Sanskaar felt overwhelmed.

God! How much he loves this girl! And the most blessed feeling in the world is knowing that the ones you love the way you do; love you back just the same.

"I love you Swara." He gently cradled her face in his palms.

"It may sound cheesy but I want to say this to you. And mean each and every word. It is called The Vow. Read it somewhere but I think it is written just for you. In my words.

I vow to help you love life;

To always hold you with tenderness.

And to have the patience that love demands.

To speak when words are needed.

And to share the silence when therey are not.

And to live within the warmth of your heart.

And always call it home."

Swara was so touched that she could have cried.

The way he loves her...

The way he makes her feel.

The way she loves him.

And the way they are meant to be...

May be this is all the soul connect is all about.

Whatever this feeling is; this bond is; this connect is; she will never ever question it.

She will just be grateful. And happy.

And will be forever in love with this man; her Sanskaar; her soulmate... truly, madly and insanely.. yet gloriously in love with him.

Just the way he is in love with her.

Life Is Truly Good.

"I love you Sanskaar." Swara gently whispered. "My Knight!"

"And I love you Princess." He gently leaned forward and kissed her tenderly and then with the passion that she matched step by step.

And they kissed some more.

And loved some more.

And lived some more.

One more time.

A million and one times.

And then one more time again.