Hello everyone.. How are you all? Anyone missed this story? I hope no.. 😳 And thank you so much for your likes and comments. 😊 Here is the next update. Please ignore mistakes and share your views. Thank you once again. 🤗
Chapter 33:
Sanskaar awoke around his usual waking hour and found a pleasant surprise...his wife still snoozing peacefully besides him in bed...his arm placed under her head as a pillow...her fingers lightly griping onto the sleeve of his shirt...and snuggled closely on it... Confused and slightly taken aback by this, he looks off to the side and notes the time. It's eight... Swara is usually awake before then. If he remembers correctly, she is always up before seven...
Sanskaar stares back over to her and watches her quietly, not moving at all so he does not wake her. She seems tired...perhaps he should let her sleep for some more...besides he doesn't have the heart to wake her up when she's sleeping so serenely...
Knowing that he is fully awake and cannot fall back asleep, Sanskaar decides to get freshen up for the office instead of stalling like he always does. Carefully he slides his arm from under his wife and gingerly places her head back onto her pillow. Smiling lightly at her, Sanskaar looks at her sleeping form for a few seconds before getting out of their bed...
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Swara mentally smacks herself as she finally arises from her slumber and reads the time. 8:45... how could she sleep till so late??? She should have been up and about from bed around 6:30 in the morning. But she was feeling slightly exhausted... from all the fussing and advising she had received from her sister and elders regarding her "pregnancy".
Scrambling out of bed, Swara rushes herself to the bathroom to quickly get dressed and ask for forgiveness from Maa, who must had been missing her absence since she always accompanies her in the mornings. After brushing and scrubbing her face clean, she strips her clothes away from her body and showers herself in hot soothing water. She also washes her hair in the process...lathering nicely scented shampoo into it. Just as she slides the glass door open and steps out from the shower, Swara realizes that she hadn't brought her new set of clothes in with her since she was worrying about how late she is. Wrapping her towel securely around her, she walks out from the steamy bathroom and over to her wardrobe, opens its doors, and searches for a saree for the day...
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Just as Sanskaar rises from his seat and digs his hand into his pocket for his car keys, he realizes that he has left his wallet upstairs in his room. Laksh eyes him as he sees Sanskaar slightly hassled.
Laksh: What's wrong, Sanskaar?
Sanskaar: ...I left my wallet in my room... you carry on... I'll meet you in the car.
Laksh: Hurry, Sanskaar, you know we have that meeting and if we waste any more time we will for sure be late for it.
Sanskaar: I won't take that long...
Laksh sighs and proceeds on with walking to the front doors with his briefcase whereas Sanskaar runs up the stairs to go to his room. In haste he quickly opens the door and lets himself in, but is halted in his steps abruptly by a stunning sight before him...
Sanskaar watches in silent awe as his wife turns around and a few of her wet strands fall against her radiant face...wearing only a white soft towel to cover her body, exposing her creamy fair skin to his view...ending right above her knees... A burning feeling stirs inside of him.
On hearing the door fly open, Swara looks behind her shoulder and clutches her hold on her towel tight, frightened by who has come into the room unexpectedly. Her eyes nearly fly out of its sockets by seeing her husband rooted to his spot, staring at her with great interest. Instantly her cheeks burn with color and she finds herself absolutely flustered from embarrassment...
Swara: (breathes out) Mr. Maheshwari? (blushing bright red)
Sanskaar prevents his eyes from roaming her slender figure shamelessly anymore and literally forces himself to look at her face...nothing below that... Their eyes lock... They don't speak for what seems like eons...transfixed on each other...
He lazily smirks in an amused manner...finding her unbelievably cute at the moment... staring at him as if he is some kind of monster who is about to eat her... or perhaps he is?...
Swara's heart pounds loudly against her chest as she sees him walk near in panther like steps...advancing towards her... drawn by her tempting sight... She sucks in her breath and stares up at his tall form, mesmerized, as he approaches right in front of her...hovering over her 5'4'' height... Her back hits the back of the wardrobe's door... She fastens her grip protectively around her towel...feeling n**ed in front of his presence... Her skin burns red from heat by the twinkle in his gleaming eyes...and their close proximity...
Sanskaar: (husky) It seems that we are even now...
Butterflies swarm around in the pit of her stomach... with courage she squeaks...
Swara: Yes?... I-I... I do not understand...
He flashes her, his dangerous handsome smile, making her and any other women want to swoon...
Sanskaar: I have also caught you in a towel, Mrs. Maheshwari... (flirtatious tone)
Swara burns crimson as she realizes what he is implying... She had seen him in nothing but a towel wrapped carelessly around his waist many weeks ago... his torso glistening from water...droplets rolling down his well built six-pack abs... She had practically died and went straight to heaven that day... Swara blushes even more from her thoughts...and the memory of catching her husband right after a shower... Her heart skips a beat on the way he addresses her in that deep tone of his... The last he had called her by that name was with bitterness... but this time it is full of tease...and intentional flirting.
Sanskaar laughs throatily in his sexy low voice by seeing realization drawn upon her face and a furious blush arises in her cheeks...
Sanskaar: Swara, do you have any idea how cute you look when you blush? (blurts out by mistake)
Swara is surprised by this and becomes further embarrassed. She lowers her eyes down shyly.
Swara: (mumbles) Woh...main-main...
Sanskaar: Relax, Swara... It's not like I'm about to eat you... (teasingly)
Swara: (stammers) I-I want to go to bathroom--- (blushes)
Sanskaar: (noting her nervous state, not wanting to further cause her discomfort) ...There is no reason to go to the bathroom... change out here in the room... I am just leaving... just came for my wallet... get ready with ease... I am sorry that I disturbed you...
Sanskaar reaches for his wallet that lays on the dresser right besides her, not taking his eyes off of her as he does this. He puts it in his pant pocket...
Sanskaar: And yes... make sure to lock the door whenever you decided to change out here... (giving her a hot look)
Swara stays mum, still flushing red from this whole incident... She just nods her head slowly, acknowledging his words. She breathes out a sigh of relief as he removes himself away from her and leaves her with a grin, disappearing from behind the door... However, she proceeds in burning beetroot...
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Sanskaar runs his fingers through his hair as he closes his eyes, bringing the image of his wife in only a white towel into his mind...feeling his heart pacing abnormally... Seeing her there and in that state, all Sanskaar wanted to do was take her into his arms, take that bloody clothing off of her, and just ravish her then and there...
He is startled by his thoughts...and attempts with calming his mind and body, which had gone chaotic with desire on seeing that delicious sight... He had to fight with every power within him to keep his hands to himself... Sanskaar groans loudly from frustration... "I am going mad", he mutters under his breath... and briskly walks far away from the bedroom door...
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Uttara curiously steps into the small coffee house and scrutinizes the place... Hesitantly she walks in and gazes around for any sign of Neetha... Right after her last class Uttara had received a call from her, who had told her to meet her (Neetha) directly at the coffee shop nearby the University... apparently she has some news to tell her.
Not seeing her anywhere, Uttara drops down into a seat in front of a small round table near the large window in the shop, thinking that she is probably early... Five minutes go by... Ten minutes... fifteen... and finally thirty minutes pass with Uttara waiting on Neetha's arrival. Angrily she had tried her cell but it was turned off. Giving up hope, Uttara stands up and moves to leave the shop, but is careless in where she goes by knocking into someone else roughly and causing that someone's latte to fall on the floor and spill all over his shoes and the floor... She gasps on seeing this...
Uttara: (hastily) I am so sorry!
Her eyes travel up and meet warm brown eyes gazing back at her. She gasps once again on seeing who it is...
Uttara: (shocked) Neil, tum?!
Neil: (grim) No, I am Rohan Sharma... Neil Sharma's twin brother... (sarcasm in his voice, holding her eyes in a lock)
Uttara flushes a shade of pink and casts her eyes down.
Neil: Of course I am Neil... (sighs) and you have ruined this Neil's shoes and pants...
Uttara: (looking up, seeming regretful) I am really sorry, Neil. I didn't see you---- I-I will just go and get you some napkins----
Neil: That's not necessary, I have some...
He shows her the couple of napkins in his hands. Neil takes one and begins drying off his pants... Uttara watches him do so guiltily... she would help and wanted to... but it'd be a bit odd for her to be wiping off his shoes and pants...especially since they barely know one another...
Uttara: (on the verge of tears) I really am sorry, Neil...
She watches him glance up and grin lightly at her, looking amused on seeing her so upset over something like this... seeming as if she had committed the world's worst crime... well maybe she had... these shoes were a bit pricy... and they are his favorite pair.
Neil: Don't worry... it was an honest mistake... I won't bite your head off...
Uttara: ...You probably still have to get back to work and because of me I have ruined your attire... (still clearly upset)
Neil: Hmmm... So you want me to bite your head off? (watching her closely)
Uttara: (blushing, shaking her head) No... I just...sorry...for being a total cluts.
Neil: You and your clumsy self are forgiven... So you can stop with the repetitive sorrys. (grins)
Uttara: (bright red, lowers her head) ...sorry. (whispers)
Neil can't help but chuckle at this, making Uttara feel like an idiot before him. Here she is, acting completely foolish in front of a handsome guy like him. Why oh why does she have to be such a cluts? Forgetting about his shoes and pants which he hadn't successfully wiped all the coffee off of, he stands up tall before her...
Neil: I like this thing we have going on, Uttara...
Uttara: (alarmed, looks up) What thing? (hastily)
Neil: Running into one another... (slyly says)
Uttara proceeds in turning red as a tomato...
Neil: Anyways--- what are you doing here alone? Don't you university kids always travel around in packs?
Immediately he puts a stop to her blushing and makes her face momentarily pale by his comment. Kid? He thinks of her as a kid? She is eighteen years old! Clearly a young woman!
Uttara: This University student wanted some coffee...I am an independent woman... I don't need someone tagging along by my side...
Neil raises a brow at this, further intrigued. He catches her emphasis on "student" and "woman". He assumes that he has struck a nerve in her by calling her a child.
Neil: Well... that's nice to know...
Uttara, who was about to tell him about Neetha, decided against it...wanting to prove him wrong about university kids sticking together.
Uttara: And what are you doing here? --- I thought you would have picked up Nisha and had gone back to work.
Neil: Well obviously... if I have come to a coffee shop... I wanted some coffee. (tauntingly)
This has Uttara back to blushing and feeling incredibly stupid. Only this guy can make her feel so...
Neil: I have the rest of the day off... And Nisha took a ride with one of her friends... But I would had thought you already knew that... considering the fact that you are her best friend.
Uttara: ...Oh... I-I forgot...
Neil: So you did...
Both notice that they are out of things to say and know their conversation has come to an end...
Neil: Well after getting my shoes and pants drenched from coffee, I think I will leave... It was nice bumping into you again, Uttara.
Uttara: (suddenly) Oh, not before I buy you another latte. I feel so bad that you did not even get to drink the one you bought because of me.
Neil: Uh, thanks, but it's alright, you don't have to---
Uttara: Please...it'll make me feel better. (giving him a pleading look)
Neil: (caving in) ...I guess it's the least you can do after spilling hot latte all over my favorite pair of shoes... (smirking a little)
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Sujatha: Oh ho... Sanskaar... You are too much... Tell me, did I not tell you that by working like this you will fall ill?
Sujatha complains to her son as she rubs the temples on the sides of his throbbing head. Sanskaar sighs with closed eyes and feels a little relief from the pressure of Sujatha's fingers on his temples.
Sanskaar: Hmm... It's just a headache, Maa... nothing too serious. (mumbles in a tired voice)
Sujatha: Headaches are symptoms of illness, Sanskaar. And right now you would not be having a headache if you hadn't worked yourself so hard this past week. (scolding tone)
Sanskaar: Leave it, Maa, please... You can lecture me later... for now just message my head...
Sujatha: Yes yes, I am doing it, baba.
Sujatha gushes over him some more as she tries putting ease to his troubled mind. The headache is driving him insane... Halfway through both mother and son hear the bedroom door squeak open and slightly look to their left... finding Swara standing by the door... looking a little startled on seeing them there in the room.
Sujatha: Thanks to god that you have come Swara... Come in.
Swara walks in breezily and stands nearby Sujatha...her hands messing with the pallu of her saree and her eyes land on her husband, whose head rests in his mother's lap. He stares back at her, locking his eyes with hers. She quickly switches her gaze away...
Swara: Ji, Maa? Do you need anything?
Sujatha: Look at this Swara, look at your husband's condition... The poor thing's head hurts... and I am tired from messaging it... You do it... Besides, the preparations for the food need to be done... So then I am leaving.
Swara: Ji, Maa, mein?
Sujatha: Arre yes you, who else? ...Unless Sanskaar has another wife I don't know about... Kyun, Sanskaar? Do you have another wife?
A grin forms on Sanskaar's lips and he meets his Mother's eyes.
Sanskaar: Unfortunately no, Maa, I'm just stuck with this one here...
Sujatha: Chup badmaash!
Sujatha lightly hits Sanskaar whereas he chuckles at his reply. Swara lowers her eyes down and bites on her bottom lip, trying to prevent herself from smiling. She tucks a strand of her hair that had fallen onto her face behind her ear and glances back up on being acknowledged.
Sujatha: You listen to me, this wife of yours... She is a diamond, a diamond!
Swara blushes. Sanskaar gives Sujatha a loop-sided grin and comments back smartly...
Sanskaar: Accha Maa? Do you know this for a fact? Have you scratched her against a window?
Sujatha: Sanskaar!!! (sternly)
Sanskaar laughs and moves away from her raised hand.
Sujatha: Now you stop it with your joking around, or else who knows what your wife will do with you in anger... (giggling herself)
Both Sujatha and Sanskaar cast Swara a look, who grumpily frowns purposely in her husband's direction. Together they laugh at this.
Sanskaar: Should I find out, Maa?
Sujatha: (chuckling) Arre no Sanskaar, I want to see you alive...
This has Swara smiling a little. She watches as Sujatha rises from the bed and turns to look back at her.
Sujatha: Now you serve him, I will go and prepare for the food... Alright?
Swara: ...Ji teek hai. (slowly speaks)
Sujatha smiles brightly at her and makes her exit from the room, leaving the couple behind by themselves... Both stare at one another...
Swara: (concerned) ...What is wrong with you? Does your head hurt?
Sanskaar: (sheepishly) Yes... a little... but with time it will be fine... You don't worry... I'll be fine. (kind smile)
Sanskaar gets up from the bed as he speaks his lasts works and makes a movement to leave, but is surprised to feel a gentle hand hold him by the wrist, stopping him... He looks over his shoulder...
Swara: (sweetly, shyly) Sit down... I will message your head...
Sanskaar eyes her for a moment, considering her offer... He, however, doesn't have to say anything since Swara sits down on the bed and softly tugs on his hand, indicating for him to follow...
He joins her by lying down on the bed and placing his head onto her lap...his molten chocolate eyes look up at her closely... Swara tries to control the blush that is arising in her cheeks by the way he stares at her... As she begins to rub his temples, his eyes close from the touch of her fingers... After a long moment of silence, Swara speaks...
Swara: (gently) Look after your health...by working like this you will fall ill.
Sanskaar: ...You and Maa...are exactly alike... For the rest of my life I will have to listen to both of your lectures.
Just as the words leave his mouth, Sanskaar realizes what he had said unawarely... His eyelids fly open and he meets his wife's stunned eyes... she blushes furiously from his reply...For the rest of his life...Does he still see her by his side in the future?
Swara: But we are right, right?
Sanskaar: Hmm... shayad. (closes his eyes once again)
They don't speak against after that... Swara silently continues making circle motions with her fingers on his temples while Sanskaar enjoys the feel of her soft fingers at work...
After some time she believes that he has fallen asleep and temporarily starts stroking his hair...admiring the way he sleeps... Glancing over at a clock nearby, she decides that she should go down and help Sujatha with Dinner... She stops running her fingers through his hair and makes a movement to get up, but feels a haste grip on her hand... Startled Swara looks down at her husband, who still has his eyes shut... She watches as he takes her hand and places it back near his hair...indicating without any words to continue stroking his hair as she had done before... She blushes on being caught... she had thought he was asleep the whole time... But he was awake throughout it all... He slowly lets go of her hand...Swara hesitantly resumes back to running her fingers smoothly through his jet black hair...
Many minutes later Swara is absolutely sure he's sleeping... by the way he breathes rhythmically... Gently she lifts his head up from her lap and rests it onto the mattress... She gets up from her position and locates a blanket for him... Taking the blanket, she covers him with it, not wanting him to be cold as he sleeps... Swara takes one last good look at him before softly smiling to herself and leaving the room, closing the door quietly after herself...
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Next Day
She had been leaning onto the window frame, wearing a lost look on her face, her eyes glued to the view of the garden, clearly seen from her room. Swara blinks as she sees a card suddenly appear before her eyes along with a heart-shaped box of chocolates. She unfolds her arms and straightens. Glancing behind her, Swara stares into her younger sister's radiantly smiling face.
Swara: (confused, surprised) Uttara?---
Uttara: Happy Valentines, Di!
She exclaims as she hugs her Swara Di tightly. Swara lightly smiles, feeling very surprised. Uttara pulls back and continues to smile her sunny like smile.
Uttara: Yeh lo, Di... a rose for a beautiful woman like you--- inside and out-- and a box of chocolates for your sweet tooth! (cheekily grins)
Swara's smile grows on hearing this. Uttara always knew the perfect things to do and say to make her smile... Gratefully, Swara takes her gift. She continues to smile delightfully.
Swara: Uttara, this wasn't necessary--- a simple Happy Valentines Day would do.
Uttara: Arre, that's not done. I had to get something for my Valentine. (winks)
Swara happily looks down at her card and chocolates once again. Uttara stares at her, affectionately.
Uttara: ...Besides, I love you a lot and always want to see that same old beautiful smile on your face which always used to linger there when our parents are alive...I just wanted to return it.
Swara stares back up at her sister and feels her eyes moisten by her words. She gives her baby sister a watery smile. She never knew that her little sister cared so much for her.
Uttara: Di, are you crying because I only got you one box of chocolates? (faking disbelief) Arre moti--- I'm not made of money that I will buy your more! You will just have to do with one.
Swara blinks away her forming tears and makes a pretense of being mad. She rests her hands, which still held Uttara's gifts, onto her hips and stares at Uttara angrily.
Swara: Uttara ki baachi--- kya kaha tumne? Main moti hoon?! Yahan aao bachoo-- let me tell you who is moti!
And with that started a sisterly fight full of laughter, tease, anger, and love...It eventually ended with Uttara being continuously tickled by Swara, and Uttara asking for mercy. Both sisters rest on the bed, breathless and exhausted from their long quarrel. For a moment no one speaks, until Swara giggles uncontrollably. Uttara turns in her direction and also joins in her laughter. After two minutes pass and they have fully calmed down...Swara sits up straight and reaches over into the night stand nearby the bed.
Uttara follows her lead and curiously watches her sister look through the drawers.
Uttara: Didi, what are you looking for?
Swara withdraws a small wrapped package from the drawer and eagerly turns around, presenting it to Uttara.
Swara: Happy Valentines Day, Uttara.
Uttara: Didi...apne----
Swara: I had actually bought this a week ago, knowing that I wouldn't have time to buy you your present. But with the past events and work at home--- I had completely forgotten that today was Valentines Day. ...Anyways, here is your present.
Uttara, after a moment pause, takes her gift from Swara's hands and carefully opens it. She gasps as she finally unwraps it and her present is revealed. She picks up the charm bracelet from the wrapping and examines it, looking completely mesmerized by it.
Uttara: Dii...
Swara: (smiling) Haan, Uttara...
Uttara: Dii...
Swara: Yes, Uttara...
Uttara: ...Di...-I-I don't know what to say---- how?---why?
Swara: I saw you staring at it through the windows at the store when we had gone shopping over two months ago for Priya's...
Swara's voice trails off as she remembers the reason why they had gone to the mall months ago. They were shopping for Priya's wedding...getting her all her outfits and jewelry, pampering her into becoming the future Mrs. Maheshwari. Uttara and Swara's eyes meet and they both silently acknowledge this.
Swara: (going on) Anyways...well I could tell by how you looked at it so intently that you really wanted it, so I made a mental note to buy it for you.
Uttara: (breathes out) But Didi--- this must have cost a fortune for you!
Swara: You don't worry about that! Just think of the new bracelet you can show off to your friends at college. (encouraging)
Uttara places the charm bracelet down in her lap dejectedly. Swara sees this and becomes worried.
Swara: Kya hua? (sadly asks) Do you not like it?
Uttara: (hastily, quickly) No! I love it, Di! This is the far most best present I have ever gotten! ...It's just that...
Swara: It's just that, what Uttara?
Uttara looks into her sisters eyes, miserably.
Uttara: I gave you a crappy card and a very small box of chocolates...and here you've given me something so beautiful and really expensive...I'm so cheap... I'm really sorry, Di...
Swara: (soothingly) Hey...
She lifts up Uttara's chin with her index finger and smiles affectionately at her.
Swara: Don't say that... I love your gift...
Uttara: Lekin Di---
Swara: Uttara, it's not about how good and expensive the gift is---- it's the thought that counts... and your gift tells me how much you love me--- and that is the greatest gift in the world. I would never trade your gift to me for anything else...
Uttara: ...Not even for a diamond necklace?
Swara: (shakes her head) Not even for a diamond necklace...
Uttara: Not even for a trip to Hawaii?
Swara: Not even for a trip to Hawaii... (repeats)
Hearing this, Uttara smiles cheerily and hugs her sister. She rests her head on her shoulder and happily says, "I love you, Didi"...Swara soothes her hair and replies back, "I love you too, Uttara"...
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Sanskaar stops midway in his sentence, annoyed by how his co-workers are not even listening to a word that has been coming out of his mouth for the past hour and occasionally glancing over at the large round clock in the conference room. He drops his pen and rubs his chin in confusion. Even his best friend joins the others in anxiously noting the time. What in the world as gotten into these men? He rests his back against his chair and stares at all of them, eyeing them down with his piercing molten chocolate eyes.
'Is there something that I am missing?', he abruptly asks them all, only to be answered with silence. They still are lost in their own thoughts, not heeding their boss any attention. Sanskaar thinks silently for a second on wondering what could grab their undivided attention.
Sanskaar: (his voice booming) You are all fired.
This does it. Every single man's head spins in his direction, staring at him with horror etched on their faces. Laksh is the first to speak, seeming more confused than horrified.
Laksh: Who's fired, Sanskaar?
Sanskaar: Every single lot of you unless someone informs me the reason behind the constant hawk staring towards the clock. (grim)
The men cast one another nerving glances. Some tug on their ties and clear their throats, obviously stalling. Laksh surprisingly also looks nervous and slightly embarrassed like the rest...
Sanskaar: (eyeing him) Laksh. (sternly)
Laksh: Errr... (rubbing the back of his neck) Woh kya nah, Sanskaar... Aaj woh... aaaj...
Sanskaar: Aaj kya? (curious)
''Uh, sir, woh----today is Valentine's day, sir So we are all just..., a man finally speaks after finding his voice. Sanskaar is awestruck by the news, but he hides it well from his employees. Today is Valentine's Day?, he questions himself. Automatically the thought of his wife creeps into his mind. Damn, did she know? Is she expecting something from him? Why hadn't he known before? He could had thoughtfully planned out something...
'Sir?', another man brings him out of his daze. Sanskaar looks at his direction, who stares back at him sheepishly.
'Uh...sir... we were wondering. Since it's Valentine's Day...If we can leave early?', the same man asks hesitantly. He receives approving looks from his peers for mustering up the courage in asking. They now all anticipate Sanskaar's answer, who actually looks thoughtful on the prospect. He curtly nods his head in agreement, shocking each and every one of them... even himself. Sanskaar Maheshwari, a man who never believed in wasting a day's work on worthless made up holidays such as Valentine's Day is now unhesitatingly agreeing to let them go. Why? Is it because even he wishes to run back home to his wife? This very thought disturbs him.
'Thank you, Sir', they all speak in unison before rushing out of the room in bewilderment on being let free and relief from being spared belans from their awaiting wives. Laksh also tries to leave the room quickly amusing Sanskaar.
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Next: Valentines.. 😳
PS: There is a note in previous page, please check it once.
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Thank you,
Shreetha..
