Next day...

It was just another ordinary day for all the people in the hospital. Being indulged in their works, walking here and there...

~*~*~*~*~*~*

Finally free from the little act that he did yesterday for Swara, Sanskar was sitting in his cabin busy in cross-checking some important reports. Suddenly, he heard sounds as if someone was knocking his cabin's door.

"Come in!" he allowed the intruder into his cabin.

And as he raised his head from the report file, the intruder opened the door which was revealed to be Rajat.

"Oh god! You are here? I was finding you everywhere," Rajat yelled.

"You were finding me?" Sanskar asked him in a playful way, "But you do know that you will find me in my cabin, haina? Come on, Rajat!"

"Very well, my fault." Rajat huffed rolling his eyes, "Forget it. Let me come to the main point. Do you even remember what is it today?"

Sanskar frowned in confusion, "What?"

"It's thirty-first of this month!" He informed. And no sooner Sanskar heard that date, he was slowly beginning to realise what it meant.

"Oh, yeah!" He remembered and then looked at his best friend, "I totally forgot about that. It's the date where all the doctors organise a small party together and play games throughout that night. This party is kept once in every three months and since we are already at the end of this third month after having the previous one, I'm sure that today is the day."

"Exactly! Aur baat sirf itni si hi nahi hai," he alerted, "We also know that Kavita has always been the one who hosts the party. Huh, you'll just see her today fluttering here and there in the hospital announcing about the party."

"I know that, Rajat," Sanskar got up from the chair and stared around as he fell in deep thinking, "I don't know what to do. We can't even say anything to her when she already has her father's consent, who we know is our fathers' partner."

"I have already seen her with her group of friends, and I'm damn sure they must be planning about the party only."

"The party does not matter to me Rajat," he folded his arms sighing, "What matters to me is what can happen at the party. Don't you remember that her and my presumed marriage is still playing in air! And that also means this time she won't ruin any of her chance with me. Also, that is not the only problem," he revealed the main reason behind his worry. "Honestly, I am thinking about Swara. Her past incidents with Kavita haven't been good, that is why I fear if Kavita finds some opportunity to do something to her in the party or else put her down. I don't want Swara to get hurt by her anymore, she has already done enough. So... you know what, prevention is better than cure. But even that won't work in this case because the party has always been-"

"...compulsory for all the interns!" Rajat completed his sentence.

Sanskar closed his eyes in worry, "Exactly!"

"It's okay Sanskar, we will think of something to get rid of this. There isn't much we can do but then still-"

"...except for one thing."

Sanskar declared within a fraction of a second as soon enough, something came in his mind and made him ponder for a while. Even Rajat looked at him trying to figure out what Sanskar was suddenly thinking. Whereas, a smile of satisfaction made it's way to Sanskar's lips.

Rajat looked at him and shaked him to call him, "What? Did you think of something?"

"Aah, nothing much!" He said as if determined about doing something, "It's surely going to be lot of fun at the party today, Rajat. So, why not start preparing ourselves from now only?"

"It means something is definitely going on in your mind, right?" He asked him in curiosity, "Mujhe bhi bata de yaar. What is it?"

"Just something, Rajat." Sanskar smirked giving a 'I-do-know-about-it look, "Alright, so let me make this party a little more memorable with what I have in my mind," he folded his arms.

"What are you going to do?" Rajat tried his luck for one last time.

"It's high time I get to fix some things, Rajat," Sanskar's expression turned a bit serious, "Things that were damaged many days back but can still be repaired. I want to put an end to this and I am sure that this party is my chance to fix all the mess. Whether it's my rumour regarding Kavita, whether it's Swara's misunderstanding about us, I'm putting an end to all this! And now nothing is going to hold me back."

And with the smile that Sanskar had on his face, one would be sure that something was definitely going to happen at the party. Rajat could see it, and Sanskar could feel it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"And this term explains the change in neural pathways and synapses that occurs due to certain factors... like behavior, environment, or neural processes! So, during such changes, the brain engages in synaptic pruning, deleting the neural connections that are no longer necessary or useful, and strengthening the necessary ones. So, you see what it does Anushka? Neuroplasticity eventually becomes a way for human brain to fine-tune itself for efficiency," Swara was explaining the concept to Anushka but she was barely able to pay attention to her. In short, this topic in no way could ever occupy the area of her 'interests'.

"Oh, looks like there are too many bookworms and nerds around."

A voice that belonged to neither of the people who were there in the classroom right now. Even Swara and Anushka frowned as they looked up towards the entrance only to see the owner of that voice...

Kavita entered their classroom smiling like she owned this place as her minions followed her. The class that was in chaos, chit-chatting with each other suddenly became silent as they all saw their senior standing in front of them.

"Hello, juniors," Kavita cleared the throat to gain heed from everyone, "May I have your attention here?"

'No.' was the first word that came in every person's mind and was the reply they wanted to give to her at that moment. Nobody was interested to give their precious attention to this show-off queen of their hospital.

Even Swara was very irritated. She did not know herself why, but there was just something about Kavita that was making her lose her control. Just something. For a second, she was shocked with her own reaction towards her. She used to hate her before too, but this was actually the first time that she felt real anger creeping up in her heart for this girl. Probably, this was the first time Kavita's mere sight was messing with Swara's calm nerves.

And as for Anushka... well, she looked almost all set to kick Kavita's butt out of this universe.

"Oh, nevermind!" Kavita brushed it off. She tried not to get irked because of the zero response she received from all the juniors, "So, you may or may not know about it but we are here specially to inform you about the same. As you all know that today is thirty-first of this month, we are going to organize a small party for all the interns and doctors tonight. And you all have to come because it's compulsory," she said, eyeing at each and every person and finally turned her head towards Swara, as if this was specially only for her.

'Buzz off' was the statement Anushka grumbled and Swara sighed in hopelessness.

"Really, Dr Kavita?" One person in the class stood up and asked her. "When exactly is the party?"

"At night, 8 pm," She answered not only to him but to the entire class as well, "And I want all of you to be present. No one is going to stay at the hostel because it's. Compulsory. To. Come. And the one who does not come will have to face the consequences of going against me. I hope everyone has got that clear," She completed her statement clearly and everyone nodded.

Seeing the positive response from the class -- which was expected as it was about a party -- Kavita smirked and turned around, walking out of the classroom with her minions following her as if they were her puppies. The funny sight made a few interns chuckle.

Swara shaked her head as if she couldn't believe what just happened, "Yeh party mein aane keliye invitation dene aayi thi ya dhamki dene aayi thi?"

"I swear, Swara. Jab bhi iss se dekhti hoon na, bohot gussa aata hai." Anushka said in anger, "What does she think of herself? Queen Elizabeth? Mera bas chale na, iss ki toh mai-"

"Anushka, let's forget it," Swara convinced her best friend, "It's not like she is going to care. Her cheap tricks will continue because she is like that only. There is really nothing we can do about it because she is the daughter of Ramprasad sir's co-partner."

"But still, Swara! That does not give her the right to behave as if she is superior to us and that we will tolerate her."

"She won't change, Anushka!" she stated shrugging her shoulders.

"How can you be so cool about it even when she'd locked you in that store room that day? Do you really think we can trust her? She is not to be taken lightly. What if she does something to you again?"

"I'm not being cool, Anushka," she confessed, "It's just that I'm trying to ignore these people who don't have any conscience at all. She doesn't deserve our attention. So, it's better not to mess with these people. And about her doing something, I don't think so anything will happen. Not at least when many people are going to be there in the party and her chances of pulling out something would be low."

Anushka pursed her lips, not being able to argue further.

"Don't worry. Let us concentrate on neuroplasticity now." Swara declared in enthusiasm.

"Ugh!" Anushka groaned in disappointment, "This is the topic I suck at the most! Swara, will you please explain this to me again? I don't think I'll be able to remember this entire thing even in a million years."

"Sure!" She replied smiling and with that they continued with their studies.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

A few hours later... Swara was going for her usual duties but her mind was still preoccupied about what could happen today at the party. She knew this was not going to be something she would appreciate, considering the fact that it was Kavita's party. But she had thought about one thing... no matter what, she would stay away from Kavita as far as possible in the party. That girl was far harmful to her mental health. Okay, not only to her, but to every sane person's mental health. Swara chuckled to herself thinking about it.

But next moment she felt someone pulling her wrist and at that very moment she was shocked to see who was it. Sanskar dragged her somewhere and stopped after he felt he was far enough from the eyes of everyone else.

"Sanskar, what happened?" Swara asked as she was shocked of his sudden action, "Tum ne toh mujhe dara hi diya tha. Why did you bring me here like this?"

"Thikh hai, meri galti. I'm sorry but it was really important," he smiled sheepishly confusing her. He continued, "Swara, do you have a minute? I wanted to talk."

"Yes. What happened?"

"Woh... Swara, you're coming in the party na? Umm... that... Kavita must have told you all."

"Yes, she did," she replied nodding her head, "Honestly, if we were given a choice, I would not have come. But since it is compulsory -- in her words -- then I am coming."

"Great!" Sanskar exclaimed, leaving Swara to wonder what was so great about it.

"So, Swara... I need your help and you will have to help me."

"Help?" she asked in confusion, "What help do you want from me?" To be very honest, she was sort of amused. Sanskar was asking her for help! This was definitely something different.

"Save me from Kavita!" He said to her in one breath.

She could not believe her ears, "What?! Wait. What are you saying?"

"What you just heard!"

"What... but why?" she asked in absolute confusion.

"Swara, please!" Sanskar played the innocent card, "You told me you will help me-"

"Okay!" Swara replied quickly raising her hands in surrender because she didn't want him pleading to her, "So, what do I need to do?" She asked and Sanskar smiled goofily, feeling relieved she said yes.

"No, you don't need to do anything!" He assured her, "Just stay by my side! And nothing else," Swara found herself almost gaping. That was unexpected. But she covered her shock after Sanskar stared at her in anticipation.

"Okay, I will," she sighed, knowing that now there was no going back, "But if I may ask, why do you want me to save you from Kavita? I mean... uss se kya hoga?"

"Bohot kuch," Sanskar mumbled almost to himself. "See, Swara. Honestly, I just want her to stay far away from me. I can't tolerate her presence around me and I also know that in this party also she is not going to lose any opportunity of being with me. So, I just want you to keep me with you... away from her," Sanskar took a deep breath.

"In real, I'm doing this because I want you to be safe Swara. That is why it would be better if you stay with me because trust me, Kavita won't dare to do anything to you with you being with me," his mind screamed what he couldn't utter.

On not getting any kind of clear response from Swara, Sanskar made a desperate attempt into repeating his words once again to get Swara into accepting his request, "Look Swara... just... please! And I am serious about it. Please-"

"Yes!" Swara answered, knowing Sanskar wouldn't stop until she agreed to him, "I told you yes. You know I already agreed Sanskar. But stop pleading to me like this. It looks... awkward."

"You agreed," Sanskar smiled brightly, "So even I stopped pleading. Thank you so much, Swara!"

Swara almost chuckled thinking how childish he could look at times, "That's okay, Sanskar. You're welcome."

"Okay. So, see you at the party tonight, then."

Giving a final smile to Swara, he almost turned to leave for his work but for a moment Swara looked at him in anticipation.

"Sanskar, wait!" She stopped him immediately and he stopped, and turned to look at her in confusion.

"Yes?"

"Woh... can I ask you something?" she asked him in one breath, and that gave off the vibe that she was a bit nervous.

"Yeah sure, anything," he simply nodded.

Swara had an inner conflict to herself as she averted her gaze from Sanskar for a moment. Would it be right to ask him that now? The question that had been bothering her since she knew how long. But wait, was it really appropriate for her to ask him that question? Maybe yes, maybe not. But... a part of her wanted to know it very bad.

"Swara, you wanted to ask me something?" He brought her out of her own daze and she looked at him in acknowledgement only for her black orbs to meet his brown eyes filled with confusion. And that was the moment she decided to go on.

"Actually, that day before... my Maa had an accident..." She began in uncertainty and even before Sanskar realised, his smile was slowly fading, yet a part of him wanted her to continue because somewhere, now even he had an idea about where their conversation was heading. She continued, "Whatever you were telling me at that time... I-I mean about the truth about you and Kavita, were you right when you said that you are not going to marry her and that you were never going to marry her?"

She remembered whatever Sanskar had told her before her mother was brought in the hospital that day. Only her heart knew from how long she'd been having the urge to ask him about it. She herself didn't know why she wanted to, but she couldn't stop herself from asking him about him and Kavita. She didn't know why, but a part of her believed that such a sweetheart like Sanskar would never be with someone like Kavita.

Moreover, even her own heart wouldn't be very pleased by their togetherness! She wouldn't understand herself, but she indeed was a little jealous at that time. But was she going to admit it? No!

Sanskar smiled knowingly and Swara averted her gaze from him. How was it possible for her to feel so giddy infront of this man whom she knew since only a few months?

"Swara," Sanskar had always wanted Swara to ask him about it, so that he could tell her the truth, "What I will say will not matter. What matters is what you think about me. So, will you answer my one question?" His one question and she was left bewildered. He continued, "Do you really think I'll ever be with someone like Kavita? Do you really think I'll ever like her?"

"From what I have known about you, I know you can't even bear her sight," Swara admitted what she thought. She said exactly what was there in her heart.

"Exactly," Sanskar smiled, "And I'm glad you finally know the truth now. Swara, whatever I told you that day, each and every word of mine was right. You know what would be better than marrying Kavita? I would rather drink a full glass of bitter gourd juice for all my life instead of water, which is my worst enemy ever." He chuckled, and even Swara smiled a little. She herself didn't know why but hearing the truth made her feel relieved. But something came in her mind and her smile faded again.

"But Sanskar, I'm wondering why did Kavita do this? Why has she spreaded rumours about you two in the entire hospital?! It is not only about her, it is about you as well. She shouldn't have done this to you."

"I know, Swara," he sighed as he agreed with her, "The only reason for what she did can be because she just wanted to gain attention and show superiority to everyone, no matter if that means spreading rumours about her marriage with her senior. She knew our fathers were thinking about our marriage, and she took that as her chance and she did her part very well. And she said all that to you that day because she wanted to hurt you. I have seen the way she behaves with you. Frankly speaking, she is the most self-centered person I have ever known in my life, Swara. What do you expect from her? Sanity? No."

Swara, after coming to know everything, unknowingly a bubble of anger got formed in her heart for Kavita when she joined all the pieces together. This wasn't about Kavita finding a way to hurt Swara! This was about what that girl had put Sanskar through all this while!

"What... how can she, self-obsessed kahi ki," she mumbled to herself before turning to look at Sanskar who was amused at her reaction, "Samajhti kya hai woh khud ko? How can she stoop so low like this to gain attention! Seriously, Sanskar! She is the most unbelievable creature I have ever known in my life. What does she think, that labelling herself as your fiancee will attract her more attention? And Sanskar, moreover you are her senior, iss ki itni himmat kaise hoti hai tumhare saath aisa karne ki? Isn't it crazy, Sanskar? She did this with you! Woh aise kaise kar sakti hai Sanskar? Tumhe pata hai, mujhe uss pe iss wakt itna gussa aa raha hai na, I feel like... I feel like going to her and show her her real place. And you know what..." At last, she turned her head towards him to see him but got totally puzzled when she saw his reaction.

"Why in the third planet are you smiling like that?!" She asked in disbelief.

Sanskar, who had been smiling so widely right now, hearing all what Swara just blurted out, he tried to suppress his smile on seeing Swara's gaze shifting on him.

"Wow Swara, not bad." Sanskar smiled to her teasingly. "You think so much about me."

Even he had to admit it, this was rare for him to see this angry side of her.

"Ae hello!" Swara spoke in her defence. "I-It's nothing like that." Her cute reaction just multiplied Sanskar's adoration for her in his heart. "I reacted like that because it's not good to do like this. That girl is just foolish. She shouldn't have done that, no matter what it is. You know what, I'm feeling very angry on her. Mera bas chalta na toh..."

"Easy easy easy there Swara!" Sanskar almost let out a laugh after hearing her and it was Swara's cue to glare at him. "Kya kar rahi ho tum? Uss bechari ki jaan lelogi kya? Well, not that I have any problem..."

"Bechari?!" Swara repeated his word in disbelief. "Kaha se bechari hai woh Sanskar? Don't insult that word."

"By the way, Swara," Sanskar told what he had been observing since a while. "Did you even notice that you took my name almost half a dozen times right now?!" He teased her a bit and in return received a glare from Swara.

"You are still taking it lightly na!" She whinned. "Fine! Rehne do. You know what, tumse koi baat karna hi bekaar hai." She declared on his face and turned to leave when Sanskar, trying to stiffle his giggles, stopped her.

"Swara, rukho! I was just joking yaar. Why do you get so serious?" He urged her.

"Whatever." Swara uttered in annoyance.

"Okay, on a serious note." Sanskar sighed and smiled. "Swara, dekho hum Kavita ko rok toh nahi sakte lekin... usse atleast ignore jarur kar sakte hai. Once she realises that her crazy acts don't affect us, she'll herself stop doing these things. You see what I'm saying?"

"I know, but..." Swara sighed at last, knowing that this wasn't something anyone should be talking about, especially when there was no end to this topic.

Their conversation was interrupted when Sanskar was startled by the ringtone of his phone and he saw the screen of his phone. It was his father.

"Swara, I'll talk with you later. Papa is calling." Sanskar told her and Swara nodded her head in understanding. "And yes, see you at the party! Bye." He greeted her and after exchanging goodbyes with each other, Sanskar left from there to attend his call and Swara stood in her own place as she looked at his departing figure.

Swara smiled slightly to herself. Honestly, she felt very good after talking with Sanskar.

Now, the only thing left for her to deal with was... the party tonight!

~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tonight, at the Party Venue...

The wide balcony of the huge hospital was beautifully decorated with colourful string lights, a broad table that had juice drinks kept on them for everyone else to enjoy, and last but not the least, a DJ was also present at one corner of the balcony.

People were beginning to gather and that included interns -- juniors and seniors, and a few doctors including Sanskar, Rajat and even those who were Kavita's friends.

And Kavita was looking after all the arrangements, no matter what there shouldn't be anything left out in Kavita Roy's party.

Many people had come by now, but all Sanskar was trying to find was the one person who hadn't showed up yet. He was eagerly waiting for her to come but his heart sank when it had already been about fifteen minutes and still there was no sign of her. He was growing anxious by now but before he could do anything... he finally saw her. Entering the balcony with slow steps as if being alert about what would come for her, Sanskar stared at her with adoration emerging in his heart like it always did. She was talking with Anushka but even then she carried a kind of aura whenever she talked.

Swara, on the other hand, looked around to see how this party really seemed like and at last, her eyes landed on Sanskar and she gave him a smile.

Sanskar approached Swara and Anushka and gave both of them his warm greetings. "Hi Swara. Hi Anushka"

"Hi." Swara greeted him back and even Anushka did.

Realising that it was now Anushka's cue to leave these two soon-going-to-be lovebirds alone, she perked up to them.

"Well, I'll leave you two alone!" She commented looking at either of them. "Rajat is calling me."

Swara smiled at her in acknowledgement and as Anushka left from there, she turned to look at Sanskar only to find out he had been looking somewhere behind her shoulder, and a distressed kind of expression accompanying his pearl like facial features. She frowned and turned to look only to see Kavita approaching towards them.

"Way to ruin my time, Kavita!" Sanskar cursed.

"Sanskar!" Kavita beamed looking at him and Swara almost narrowed her eyes at her. "Hii! Whats up?"

Sanskar totally ignored her and Swara couldn't help but get irritated by her. Didn't this girl have any other thing to do other than acting like a chewing gum?

Kavita tugged at Sanskar's arm much to his own shock. "Chalo na mere saath. The party is going to begin soon."

"Ahh, Kavita!" Swara interrupted Kavita immediately and glanced at Sanskar before speaking. "Sorry, but I'm talking with him. So he can't come with you now."

And Sanskar smiled winningly.

"Excuse me!" Kavita looked at her irked. "Who are you to tell me?"

"Ahm ahm... Kavita!" Sanskar called out to her in Swara's defence. "I'm sorry but I would rather prefer to be here rather than with you."

And this time, it was Swara who had a small smile on her face! She didn't know why, but a very-slightly-selfish part of her felt good seeing Sanskar considering her over Kavita at this moment.

Kavita looked annoyed and now Sanskar knew it was her time to blow up. So, he preferred to take Swara with him and leave the place. "Let's go, Swara."

"Sure." Swara replied, irking Kavita more.

And as both of them left from there, Kavita was fuming in anger. But she swore that she was going to get back at them!

"Swara, thank you so much!" Sanskar told Swara once they were far away from Kavita. And Swara turned towards him.

"For what?"

"For helping me!" Sanskar smiled and Swara smiled back nodding her head.

Sanskar had always been a good friend of her, and now it was her chance to be a good friend of him, helping him out in his problem.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

The party began. All the people in the party, be it juniors or seniors, were looking at the host of the party after whose approval, the usual game would start.

"Truth and dare it is, everybody!" Kavita announced and all the eyes went towards her as she, being the host of the party, began to speak. Even Swara, Sanskar, Anushka, Rajat turned their heads towards her. "So, as you all know we have this party once in every three months, to share our joy and happiness and get along with each other well. So to start with, well we are having many people here with us in today's party for the first time. So our party begins like this... truth and dare is what we are going to play but but but, there is a change!" Kavita stated and everyone frowned knowing what the change was. "Instead of spinning the bottle to see who would be the two people playing it, this time we will be passing a 'parcel' to each other when music will be playing and when the music will stop, the one who would have the parcel in his or her hand would be the one who will be asked a question or else given a dare, it's that person's choice what he or she wants to choose -- truth or dare. So... is the game clear to everyone?"

"YES!!!" came the collective response from everybody.

"Good." Kavita smiled, more like smirked. "Now, we will begin. Karthik, take care of the music."

And the place echoed with lots of hoots and shouts of excitement, most prominently from the seniors. Swara and Sanskar turned to look at each other as people were beginning to settle down in a wide, round circle. A carpet occupied almost entire huge balcony and people were settling themselves on it. Even Sanskar gestured Swara gently to sit down and she did, and he sat down besides her to her right.

But much to Sanskar's dismay, Kavita occupied the place besides Sanskar's right, all set to sit down besides him. And it almost made Sanskar have an urge to bang his head where the sun wouldn't shine.

"What the hell!" was Swara's first reaction. "Is she really so clingy or just so cunning?!"

But in a way, she was still okay because atleast she was already sitting to Sanskar's left.

"Come on na Sanskar." Kavita tugged at Sanskar's arm. "Chalo, give me company. And you know what? You are the most special guest of today's party and I want you to be with me."

Sanskar tried his best to ignore her and put on a fake saccharine smile to show her.

"Enjoy my 'company' for as much as you want Kavita. I'll make up for it very soon and I'll make it up to you this time in such a way that from here on, you'll never have guts enough to even talk with Swara keeping a straight face. Just wait and watch, how I make this day memorable." Sanskar smirked to himself all set with his plan which he would execute during the right time of this party.

"What did you think Sanskar, that I'll leave you with Swara and let her get close to you? No chance Sanskar, atleast not on my watch. I just have to increase my chances with him before something sparks between him and that Swara." Kavita smirked mumbling to herself.

But what she didn't know was something really very 'good' was coming for her as well!

"Umm, guys?" Kavita called out loudly. "Veg or non veg? What would you prefer?"

"No way, are you kidding me mahn!" A male voice yelled from the crowd. "The game has got to be non-veg only! Otherwise there won't be any fun in this game!"

"Fine by me." Kavita smirked.

"I'm seriously going to wipe that bitchy smirk off her face where the sun won't shine. Just let me find an opportunity." Swara uttered to herself getting highly irked by her behavior.

"Well, if you do, please call me as well." Anushka told leaning towards her, who was sitting to Swara's left and with Rajat. "I would love to see the fun. And also, I'm going to be helping you in it." Anushka shrugged her shoulders as soon as Swara turned to look at her.

"Everybody!" Kavita called out loudly, calling all the attention towards herself. "Let us begin."

Soon, a parcel was given and the song by the DJ started playing, marking the beginning of 'truth and dare' and one by one people were beginning to pass the parcel to their adjacent player. [Song playing : Naina Da Kya Kasoor]

Throughout the song, the parcel was getting closer towards where Swara, Sanskar, Rajat and Anushka were sitting. Kavita took hold of it and passed it to Sanskar. Sanskar passed it to Swara. Swara passed hurriedly to Anushka, and Anushka passed to Rajat. And the song stopped! With Rajat being the one holding the parcel in his hand. After some hoots and cheers for Rajat, he gave a smile to everyone shrugging his shoulders, knowing it was his turn first.

"Alright." Rajat responded.

"Truth or dare, Dr Rajat?" One of the interns asked.

"I'll choose truth." Rajat replied smiling.

"Alright, let me do this!" One of the girls perked up and asked. "So Dr Rajat, what is your strangest off-limits crush? Or do you have any?"

Rajat almost found himself choking as his eyes involuntarily went towards Anushka but what he found out was even she was looking at him.

And that was the time, he realised what he had to do. Alright, it was now or never!

Raising his head up brightly, smiling looking at Anushka, and her heart skipped a beat as she could feel something flutter in her heart. Was he... really?

"Well," Rajat began, and even Sanskar and Swara listened to him eagerly. "I might already have one. And to be very honest, she is my strangest off limit crush!" Saying this, he looked at Anushka and she could already feel heat rising in her cheeks. So, even Rajat had feelings for her just like she had! She couldn't be happier.

"Wow, this truth and dare game turned out to be a cupid in disguise for these two lovers!" Sanskar smiled cheering for Rajat, to which he responded by a wide smile.

"I always told you right?" Swara mumbled leaning towards Anushka whispering. "That Rajat likes you. See, now it's crystal clear."

"Well, I always had an idea that he too likes me." Anushka smiled shyly and Swara winked teasing her.

"Alright, alright!" Someone else perked up. "There we have our answer. Now let us start passing the parcel again. Music!"

And the song followed thereafter. By now, everyone was vigorously passing the parcel in excitement as if their life depended on it.

And the game continued and continued until they knew. By now, two to three people were already caught with the parcel and were given truth and dare like they chose, so the game too went on.

While Sanskar was engrossed in passing the parcel to Swara, he sensed something fishy and when he turned his head to his right, he saw Kavita's friend whispering something in her ear and Kavita's smirk following thereafter. This just made Sanskar suspicious of her, got him into thinking what was she planning to do now. But for sure, after seeing her friend beaming and Kavita's smirk, he knew this was bad news. Something he wouldn't like.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

After a few more people playing truth or dare with parcel landed up in their hands, the game went ahead, with Sanskar trying to watch every move of Kavita. He gave her a side eye just to make sure... but to his confusion, she seemed relaxed and in all ease. Wait, what the heck was this girl upto?

That was, a few times later, the one who finally had the parcel in her hand when the song stopped was... Kavita!

It was Kavita's turn now.

Definitely bad news!

Hoots accompanied the fun environment as usual as Kavita smiled looking at everyone shaking her head in approval.

"Tanya will take the initiative." Kavita smirked looking at her friend.

"Alright, Kavita." Tanya asked her. "Truth or dare?"

"Dare!" Kavita replied within a fraction of a second which made Sanskar narrow his eyes at her. Okay, now she was definitely definitely aaand DEFINITELY upto something.

Many excited voices accompanied Kavita's. There were very less people who'd actually taken a dare, and now even she was no exception. Overall, it was fun.

"So Kavita," Tanya explained the dare to her. "Look around yourself. We see that many guys are there around us. What I want you to do is... you have to name a guy in this party who looks absolutely gorgeous, sexy and handsome to you. Well, in short, it is the 'crush' that you have on any guy present in this party. And once you do that, you have to drag him and come to the centre hand in hand with him."

'Thrilled' was the reaction that everyone in the party had.

All the guys of the party were almost stealing glances towards each other, trying to see whom Kavita might have a possible crush on.

Whereas, on the other hand, Sanskar had this really terrible urge to just go and strangle Kavita, because now he was very well aware, that this was hat their plan actually was.

The guts of this girl!

And Swara stared at Kavita in disbelief as she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Kya boli yeh?!" Swara uttered to herself as if she heard something unbelievable. "Gorgeous... handsome... 'sexy'... this has to be only one person here. And as far as I know, Kavita has had crush on no other guy other than Sanskar. But why do I feel like this is all intentional?"

Not only Swara, but everybody there understood that it was all intentional. They all knew that person very well who had all those qualities.

"The hell?!" Sanskar commented getting highly irked. "From what angle do I look 'sexy' and that too to her? Huh! Unbelievable."

Kavita smiled brightly nodding her head and she got up from her place. Sanskar almost closed his eyes as if trying to hold himself back from doing something irrational. 'Deep breaths Sanskar!' He kept telling himself.

Kavita looked around herself giving a dramatic pause and her eyes finally landed on Sanskar as if they were already going to land on him. By now, Swara's fist tightened slightly as she realised what was coming next.

Kavita held Sanskar's hand and making him get up, she started walking towards the centre. Just the feeling of her palm against his was infuriating him and he couldn't help but imagine Swara's state right now. Because he was sure, that as much as it was irking him, it was irking her too.

Swara didn't know why, but a small corner of her heart was a little jealous. She herself didn't understand why she felt like that but still... she thought maybe it was because of the anger she had for Kavita.

Kavita smiled bringing Sanskar to the centre. "Well, he is!" She chirped and Sanskar gave her a side glare. "My crush, like everyone knows. We are going to get married as well because of our fathers."

'Just stay how you are. Because even you know that harder you flatter her, the harder she was going to have it back from you!' Only thing Sanskar could think of.

"I'm sorry Swara, but just a little more time. Then you'll never see such things ever again. The reason I am actually bearing all this for now is I want to make sure she gets it back harder from me, much harder than she did to you. Trust me, I'm not going to leave her so easily knowing what she did to you. And that would be her lesson." Sanskar mumbled in his mind.

No matter how hard Swara wanted to steal her glances away from those entwined hands of Kavita and Sanskar... well, most prominently Kavita's hand holding him, she still failed. She felt a small tinge of jealousy that she herself couldn't understand.

Sanskar, not being able to see her like this, jerked Kavita's hand suddenly.

"Ugh, Kavita." He called her and she looked at him. "I'm not feeling very well. If you don't mind can I just go back and sit?"

Kavita shrugged her shoulders in agreement. Well, she'd already done what she wanted to do. All this while, she'd been wanting Swara to see them together like this. That would be her greater chance to keep them apart. Because no matter what, she wasn't going to ruin her chance with him that easily.

Little did she know all her plans were going to get backfired!

Sanskar went back to sit besides Swara and Kavita left from there to the counter to drink some juice. Finding the opportunity immediately, Rajat excused himself to Anushka and he went and sat besides Sanskar. He could already see his best friend being driven irritated by what was going on.

"Oye!" Rajat called out to him. "Sab thikh?"

"Does it look like anything is okay?" Sanskar whispered. "Yaar, I'm seriously not going to leave that girl. She is going to drive me insane even before I will know."

"Listen." Rajat told him solemnly. "I have a plan. Well you only think, if Kavita along with her friend can do something like that, then why can't we?!"

Sanskar was shocked. "What do you mean?"

"Just wait and watch, my dear best friend." Rajat smirked and Sanskar narrowed his eyes at him. "Just do one thing. When it will be your turn, just choose dare right away."

"What are you going to do?" Sanskar asked him frowning.

"You'll see it soon." Rajat smiled telling him. And now it was his time! He was already having something in his mind.

Soon, Kavita came back and she had to go and sit in some other place because Rajat was sitting on her initial place besides Sanskar. Fuming, she had to go and sit somewhere else.

In a way, it made Swara smile slightly to herself, knowing now Kavita was nowhere sitting Sanskar.

The game continued with the song starting again, and there was more excitement in the fun environment especially for those who hadn't got their turn yet. People went on passing the parcel and this time the song continued for a longer time with the prolonging of the duration of the game. After having two turns done, the music stopped, and this time Sanskar was the one who had the parcel in his hand.

The people roared in excitement as looked like now it was their 'personal favourite' senior's chance now! Even Swara was looking at Sanskar in enthusiasm, wondering what he would choose.

Before anyone else could say anything, Rajat jumped in.

"Sanskar! Truth and dare?" He asked and Sanskar knew what he was told to do.

"Well," Sanskar pretended to think for a while. "I think for a change I can choose dare."

The place was filled with many cheers and hoots and Swara looked at him in surprise. Rajat smiled knowingly.

"Good. So... let me think!" Rajat pretended to think for a while and that increased Sanskar's inner curiousity even more. What was Rajat going to do now? What kind of dare was he going to give him now?

"Okay! So your dare is..." Rajat began and Sanskar looked at him, hoping his dare would be anything but something awkward.

"I am not sure if anyone knows it but our Dr Sanskar is an incredible singer!" Sanskar's eyes widened in shock. "So well, your dare is... if you have crush on some girl or else have had before at some point of your life, you have to sing a song and dedicate it to that girl. Remember, it's Sanskar Maheshwari who is in love, so the girl also should be special. For him, obviously. Someone who has been your first feeling ever and someone you adore. Someone who made you feel like this for the first time. It's your choice if you want to reveal that girl's name or not, that is up to you. But song is a must!"

And as soon as he completed his statement, Swara could feel something inside her leaping up, in a rather very nerved way. Kavita narrowed her eyes looking at both Rajat and Sanskar and that was when she realised, she made a mistake by letting Rajat sit next to Sanskar! Of course, it would be their plan.

Everyone was shocked hearing that even the Sanskar Maheshwari liked someone, but they really wanted to know who was the lucky girl.

"Rajat, what is this?" Sanskar whispered to him with uncertainty. "What are you making me do? I thought you were going to give me something else. You know... I mean something like a payback to Kavita."

"Dude, you love Swara na?" Rajat whispered back to him and Sanskar nodded his head. "Then show her! Let your feelings reach her heart! Trust me, this is the best time for you to open up about your love for her. This will work cent percent! And don't think about Kavita or else about your rumour. Uska hisaab tu baad mein bhi kar sakta hai. Right now, you are doing it only for Swara. So you go on."

"Seriously?" Sanskar asked him. "Are you sure?"

"Cent percent, like I just mentioned. Have at least some faith on your best friend!" Rajat told him and gave him a thumps up. And Sanskar finally had to agree.

Someone did the work of lending a guitar to Sanskar and he put on the belt of the guitar around him, and held the musical thing in his embrace. Singing was something Sanskar always loved to do, but never in his entire life he ever imagined that he would sing in front of anyone, especially in front of his colleagues.

"Sanskar sings?" Swara whispered to herself in shock. "I can't believe this. I never heard him singing!"

"Go for it, buddy!" Rajat cheered to him and Sanskar smiled nodding his head. "So guys, are you all ready to see our talented guy sing?" Rajat chirped.

"YES!" was the collective response.

"Okay, okay!" Sanskar said in response knowing very well that he had to do this now. He was made to sit on a chair so that everyone could see him clearly.

A small smile graced Sanskar's lips as he looked down at the guitar and then glanced at Swara, all set to begin.

Swara's heart skipped a beat but she covered it quickly by sucking in a deep breath, as soon as Sanskar plucked the string of the guitar striking the first tune of the song that he was going to sing... a song that he felt would be perfect to define his and Swara's relationship till now...

Tere kareeb aa raha hoon
Khud se main door jaa raha hoon
Yeh bewajah toh nahi hai
Tu jo mila...

As soon as the first word left Sanskar's lips, all the girls were driven awestruck on seeing him singing. On the other hand, something very strong inside of Swara leaped as she wasn't able to believe he was actually singing. And what bedazzled her even more was... his voice. How was it possible for someone to have such a beautiful voice? The intensity in his voice right now, it was all that was enough to render a feeling of peace and intensity in her soul. To say that Swara was surprised would be an understatement.

Dheere dheere se tera hua
Haule haule se tera hua
Rafta rafta tera hua
Tere bin main hoon benishaan

Dheere dheere se tera hua
Haule haule se tera hua
Rafta rafta tera hua
Tere bin main hoon benishaan

Sanskar continued singing and even before Swara could feel it, Sanskar was glancing at Swara as if every word of his, every word that he breathed... was meant only and only... for her. He uttered each and every word melodiously with such an intensity that it was urging Swara to lose herself deeply in that voice. She couldn't help but feel a foreign feeling tugging in her heart as willingly or unwillingly, his irresistible charm and the intensity that he held was slowly claiming her heart. She felt as if his voice succumbed her soul... this was something she never felt before. It was as if she was drowning herself in him even without her clearance. Her eyes stared nowhere else but only at Sanskar and all her facial features could express was the amazement and adoration she was holding for him at this moment. She was having no idea what was happening to her but even then, a small smile was already there on her lips as she was still staring at Sanskar.

It was not the smile she'd put on, but the smile that belonged to her heart. Even before she knew, he was slowly making his special place in her heart.

Samjho zara, samjho ishaara
Tera hoon main saara ka saara
Jaise mujhe tumse hua hai
Yeh pyaar na hoga dobara

Dil mein teri jo jagah hai
Uski koi toh wajah hai
Yeh bewajah toh nahi hai
Tu jo mila...

Dheere dheere se tera hua
Haule haule se tera hua
Rafta rafta tera hua
Tere bin main hoon benishaan

Dheere... dheere...
Dheere dheere se...

And as soon as he reached the end of the song it was followed by many rounds of applause with tremendously loud claps by every person present there right now... obviously except Swara who was still not able to realise it that the song was over but as soon as she heard the loud clapping sounds, she was brought back to her senses as she tried to avert her gaze from everything else.

After a few loud blows of whistles and some more claps, Sanskar shaked his head in gratitude. After this, he decided to do what he'd been willing to do ever since he knew...

For a moment, a very different kind of spark flickered in Sanskar's eyes as his eyes slowly glanced towards Swara, who was also looking at him as if he deeply affected her. Taking it as his cue, he began...

"The girl I like..." Sanskar smiled as he began, and Swara's heart traitorously skipped a beat but even that couldn't stop her from hearing him. "Well, I'm very sure, ki jis ladki ke liye mere dil mein ek khaas jagah hai, ab tak meri dil ki awaaz bhi uss tak pohoch gayi hogi. So I don't really need to reveal who that girl is because I am sure, that she knows it herself."

Just that one statement and Swara already felt as if... he was talking about her only. Her heart leaped as she wasn't able to believe what he was hearing. How... how was it possible for someone to make her go this haywire? But even before Swara could ponder his words, Kavita suddenly perked up.

"Yes Sanskar!" Kavita chirped, and soon all the attention was on her. "Who else would the girl be? It is quite obvious that the girl is me only! We both like each other a lot."

Every person looked on in shock as they tried to digest in Kavita and Sanskar's words as well. Even Swara looked at Kavita in shock. However, Sanskar, being successful in not losing his rationality, smirked. He immediately knew, now was the moment for him to do something that he'd been willing to do ever since he came in this party!

"Okay! So Ms Kavita Roy," Sanskar chirped and Kavita's smile broadened. "Can you please come here? There is something I want to tell you."

Shaking her head, Kavita gave him a saccharine smile and went towards him. Swara couldn't wait to see what Sanskar was upto. She knew for a fact that Sanskar didn't have any feeling for Kavita, but then why was he calling her there like that? But somewhere, her heart sank a little bit as Kavita was close to him enough, and held his hand.

"Wow, I can't believe it!" Kavita's evil mind chanted. "Sanskar called me here like this, he didn't get angry on me. That also means that maybe even he likes me! That also means that I really didn't need to do all these things to Swara because now it is final, that from the beginning itself Sanskar was mine only."

Kavita stared at Sanskar in anticipation assuming that he would soon confess his love for her. Sanskar, glancing at Kavita for a few times and then at Swara, who was also looking at him in nervousness...

Next moment, Sanskar did something that no one would expect at all.

He jerked Kavita's hand!!! Much to Kavita's horror, much to Swara's astonishment, and also to everyone else's shock.

"A compensation for what Kavita did with you, Swara. This is a compensation for what she made you believe. A lesson to her... for hurting you! From troubling you to making you believe what wasn't true and for hurting your feelings, she's going to regret all of it. Collectively, this is a lesson to her for everything she has done to you till now to put you down. I promise you, jab tak mai tumhare saath hoon, koi bhi tumhe taklif nahi pohocha sakta. Koi. Bhi. Nahi."

And that was the last thing Sanskar thought in his mind for the day.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

Precap :- Sanskar exposing Kavita, Swara thinking about Sanskar, more SwaSan moments and finally the journey to Medical Camp...

Song 'Tera Hua' video below. Please do hear it if you haven't heard it. It's one of my favourite romantic songs these days ❤😍