Each and every elder of the Maheshwari family stood in his/her place, totally dumbfounded and not understanding what was going on. All the eyes were on the eldest and the finest son of their family who they never saw complaining about anything throughout his life. But today, it was the first time he had something to say to them... something to express.

Something to reveal.

As Annapurna felt intimidated by Sanskar's livid look, he couldn't help but like that look of her. It was rare to see her like this. She surely didn't expect this from him, that one day he would stand up for himself and raise voice against the injustice she did to him... which she always did, and had been doing since childhood.

"What happened Badi Maa?" He took a step forward towards Annapurna and asked in a soft yet thick voice. "Shocked? Surprised? You can't believe that for the first time ever in my life, I'm speaking my mind in this house. You didn't know that one day you will see even this side of me-"

"Enough!" she scowled. "Do you even realize in front of whom you are talking to? Have you forgotten how do you talk with elders?"

"If you consider yourself an elder, then show that elderliness. You can't just do anything as you want without thinking of anything else! Now tell me... why did you do what you did with Swara?" he demanded from her.

The mention of Swara was enough to make Annapurna realise what this was all about. Her eyes turned a shade darker as now she understood he was talking to her in this tone because of Swara. And Ram and Durgaprasad -- who were totally clueless about what on earth was going on -- just looked on even more confused than before because of Swara's mention.

"Oh. So it's about that girl!" she glared at Sanskar. "Right, I should have known it before itself. Just for that girl, you can talk to your Badi Maa in such a loud voice!"

"That girl name's is Swara, Badi Maa!" he was losing his patience with every passing second. "And you know what, I can! I absolutely can because I know she is innocent. I have every right to defend her if someone wrongs her. If someone doubts her. If someone questions her goodness! Then I can fight with anyone for her, be it even you! I know what you did, but still I want to hear from you."

"I didn't do anything." she stated firmly. "I only warned her to stay away from you."

And this was told to him one more time. First by Swara, then by his Badi Maa now. Once again, he found himself drowning in the whirlpool of guilt. In which he blamed himself for what happened. He couldn't help it, but more than his Badi Maa, he felt angry on himself for allowing this to happen. Only if he hadn't let Swara answer that call from his home. This wouldn't have happened. They wouldn't have gone through this separation.

"Why?" With utmost disappointment towards himself, Sanskar gathered the courage to speak up. "Why did you do this, Badi Maa?"

"Because I know what her intentions are! You might be blind enough but remember, I have seen this world more than you did." She then looked at Durgaprasad and Ram who were looking at them expecting an answer to their queries, "Isse toh kuch pata hi nahi hai. Mai sab batati hoon aap dono ko ki kya hua." She glared at Sanskar, "You want to know why I told her to stay away from you, right? Here's the truth, that girl is just using you and you are just getting trapped by her."

Sanskar was utterly shocked hearing all this. He didn't understand what happened that his aunt was thinking this way about Swara. All he knew was he hadn't seen anyone more innocent and pure than his Swara. That's what made her special. And here his Badi Maa...

"What is going on?" This time, it was Durgaprasad who questioned them. "Will anyone tell us?"

"Exactly." Ram's gaze passed on from Sanskar to Annapurna. "And Sanskar, what is it about Swara? What has she got to do with this?" He asked in confusion.

"Nothing much, papa. I don't understand why is it that my dear Badi Maa thinks that Swara is using me," He said with sarcasm before getting serious, "when she is not. Now ask her, when did she start caring so much about me that she worried so much about me getting used by her and just broke me and her apart? I used to think that this fake love and affection of her was only for the world to see-"

"Enough, Sanskar!" she protested, "you're crossing your limit-"

"No, I won't!" he refused to stop. "The truth is you didn't -- and you never -- protect me for me. It's because of your ego, that only you know what is right for me! But you know what? You actually don't. And that is proved today."

"Don't forget that I have taken over your responsibility since your childhood." She reverted angrily. "I have the right to decide what's good and what's bad for you. And that Swara Bose... in no way she is a good match for you, Sanskar." the name caught Ram's attention. "Just look at yourself and look at her. Like us, she doesn't come from an influential or a well-to-do family. She is nothing like you. Or us. You deserve someone better than her. Our home deserves better." She stated, further infuriating and at the same time confusing Sanskar. He didn't understand how to react anymore. Should he be angry on her, for doing what she did and should he pity her, for not being able to see things as they were?

He stared at his Badi Maa and walked a few steps closer to her, trying to decipher the thoughts of this lady who he regarded as his second mother since he remembered.

"So much hatred in your heart for her, Badi Maa?" he asked in a soft yet thick voice. "How come? Even if she comes from a simple family, does that say anything to you about who she actually is inside out?"

"It does!" Annapurna snapped but he didn't flinch one bit. "The truth is, that girl is after you for your riches and money and is using you to satisfy her desires. Afterall, what can we expect from a girl who's never had a father's shadow upon her and who's first marriage broke-"

"ENOUGH!" Sanskar's loud voice boomed across the mansion which left everyone bewildered, including Annapurna. At this point, the fact that Annapurna knew about her father and Sahil didn't even occur to him. What did occur to him was she was hating on his Swara for no proper reason.

"Is it Swara's fault that she never had a father's shadow to protect her from all the evils of this world?" he demanded from Annapurna. "Is it her fault that her father cheated on her mother with another woman and left his family to deal with the remarks of the so-called society! Is it her fault that the society made her something she wasn't? No, it wasn't. It wasn't her fault when that pathetic excuse for a human being left two amazing women. It wasn't her fault when the man who was going to be her partner for life dumped her on her marriage day and left her heartbroken. Both of them made her think that beautiful things like love and trust don't exist in this world. Nothing was her fault! If there is any fault then that is of people with mindset like you, that no matter what, woman are only wrong. When it's nothing like that."

When he stopped, he took a deep breath and ran a hand down his face to calm his nerves down after bursting out.

"Are you done?" she asked looking at him straight, being unnerved of his outburst, "I can't believe she has brainwashed you to the point from where you can never return. But why are you defending that girl so much?"

"Because I love her!" He admitted clearly and in an audible voice, and the straight-to-the-point words grabbed Ram's attention to him immediately. "And today, by saying all these things for the girl I love, you have crossed all your limits, Badi Maa, urf... Mrs Maheshwari!"

The sudden confession left everyone puzzled, especially Ram. Annapurna, on the other hand, glared at him angrily. She knew that Sanskar loved Swara Bose, why else would he defend her so much? She felt a lava of anger within herself as she couldn't believe that the boy she raised -- that too for name sake -- was talking to her in this tone only for Swara.

"Sanskar," Ram took a step close towards his son and kept a palm over his shoulder, "You... you love her? Swara?" he asked soberly.

"Yes," Sanskar didn't hesitate before admitting, "I love Swara. And she loves me too. It's been a couple of months since we both developed feelings for each other. And today, both of us confessed our love for each other. We realised we love each other and now we can't imagine our lives without each other."

"Ram, did you know anything about this?" Durgaprasad asked.

"No bhai sa, I didn't. But... bhabhi sa, don't take my words other way, but I think there is nothing wrong if it's Swara our Sanskar has chosen. In fact, I'm glad someone as bright as her has come in my son's life." Ram said honestly.

"Oh really? Only if you knew who she really is, devar ji!"

"One minute," Sanskar, after a brief pause, broke his silence. "As much as I want to protest against it, I don't understand how do you know this many things about Swara? Like... her father and her first marriage and..." he couldn't continue further.

"See! Now we are talking." she scoffed before looking into his eyes and speaking, "I know her because she is the girl who was once going to be the daughter in law of the person who I worship like Lord."

And now it was Sanskar's turn to get shocked at the new piece of information. In no way he expected this. He didn't see this coming. Not only she seemed to know Swara, but she also knew Sahil's grandmother and that she 'worshipped' her, means they were close. Even the rest of the members just looked on shocked and confused. Sanskar reminded himself of all the events that Swara's mother narrated to him that day. When she talked about her past. He remembered the name of that household -- that ruined Swara and her family's reputation -- very clearly.

"Gayatri Sengupta." Annapurna announced the name Sanskar had been subconsciously anticipating, "My guru... the one whom I look up to as my inspiration, Gayatri ji. She had wholeheartedly accepted that girl as her daughter-in-law for her grandson Sahil. Trust me, that boy was a gem. Any girl would die to get into a house like that. And what did she do? She had the guts to oppose and insult the dowry ritual. She humiliated Gayatri ji in front of everyone. She threatened to leave Sahil if they refused to give the dowry money. No one... absolutely no one has the right to talk to my guru like that."

"No, no Badi Maa!" he reverted. "She didn't insult Gayatri ji. She stood up for what is right! She stood up for her Maa, her Dida! But you know what, I can't believe you hate Swara just because she stood up against your... 'inspiration'."

"Annapurna..." Durgaprasad was absolutely shocked by hearing what Annapurna said and utterly disgusted on seeing his wife supporting something that's utterly wrong. "You... you really believe in this ritual? In dowry system? All of a sudden, I feel like I don't even know who you are. Have you really been like this since the beginning or has that Gayatri Sengupta's influence been too much on you that she changed you this much over the years?"

"Aap mujhe kyu bol rahe hai?!" Annapurna rounded on her husband. "Nobody influenced me. She has been my inspiration and mentor ever since I remember. I won't hear a word against her. And that girl was supposed to give the dahej to her, which she refused."

"No, Annapurna!" Durgaprasad yelled. "You're wrong. No girl should ever have to do this. You... I don't believe you. I never thought you would think this low about anyone."

"Bade papa is right. This system should be stopped right away." Sanskar said. "So," he hesitantly started to join all the scattered pieces, "Gayatri Sengupta. You were close to her? And you... you know everything about Swara? About whatever happened to her?"

Annapurna scoffed, "That is why I said you are so gullible, like a flower that has just bloomed and knows nothing about this world. I know these things even before you did. And you have the audacity to talk to me like this."

Ram sensed the tension in the air that was between his sister-in-law and his son. He knew very well that his son, Sanskar wasn't the kind of person to lose his temper, so seeing him like this and talking this way to his aunt was very unlike him. So, either this was a very big deal for his son, or maybe it's just that the recent events in his life had put his patience to test so many times that he had lost his patience now.

"Sanskar," Ram stepped a little closer to Sanskar and spoke softly, "Beta, I know you love Swara. And trust me, I couldn't have asked for a better girl to be with you. I approve of her with all my heart but... what I don't approve of is the way you are talking with your Badi Maa."

"Then what do you think, what she did was right?" He rounded on his father and he had no answer to give anymore because he knew his son was right.

Annapurna wasn't ready to accept her mistake, neither her ego let her. But she kept telling herself she didn't make any mistake. She kept convincing herself she was only doing it for Sanskar and here he was the one putting her in the bad books, and if anyone had given him the guts to go against her like this then it was that Swara Bose.

"That girl didn't want to even mention you, because of the relationship I have with you!" Sanskar went on telling her, "She didn't want me to hate you and she didn't even know the reality of our relationship at that time. Can you believe it... I had to force her to tell the truth to me. I never thought that I will ever have to force her to do something. But if I had not done that today, I wouldn't have known at all what was going on behind my back!"

He went a step close to Annapurna, whose eyes still showed pride for herself.

"Do you even know how much you hurt her with your words?" he spoke huskily. "Tut gayi thi woh. Tut gayi woh yeh soch ke ki koi uske baare mein itna bura soch sakta hai."

He got a hold of himself as his mind rewinded to all the past memories, the ones where he saw pain and longing in his Swara's eyes. He got sad as he remembered how they separated. But standing his ground, he bravely faced the person who was the reason for all that happened till today.

"Par ab bas, bohot hua." he declared. "Ab mai meri Swara ko or dard mein nahi dekhunga. You have to come with me to the hospital tomorrow and apologise to her with your heart. You will do this."

"Oh," Annapurna scowled, "so all of a sudden, an outsider becomes more important to you than your aunt who raised you as her own son?"

"She is not an outsider, Badi Maa!"

"Then who is she?" she raised an eyebrow, challenging him.

"She is the girl who owns my heart. And very soon, she will have a place in my life that will complete me." He answered calmly, looking at each and every adult present there. "And now I don't need your approval anymore, Mrs Maheshwari." he said looking at Annapurna with as much venom as he could. "Every time you got involved in some or the other thing in my life, you have always spoiled things for me. And today, you have lost your right on me by doing what you did. But you know what, I wish I had spoken up much before. Then I wouldn't have seen this day. I wouldn't have seen you screwing my life up like this-"

"Sanskar!" Annapurna yelled raising her arm in air, aiming to slap him for his tone and words. But what happened was something even she couldn't realise. Before she could do anything, Sanskar held her wrist stopping her.

"I told you, you have lost this right." He repeated his statement and she let go off his grip.

"That Swara Bose is trapping you and you are letting her!" she threatened.

"If she really is, then I'm ready to be trapped by her all my life." he argued. "Not only this life but for all my lives to come, I'll be only hers."

Annapurna shot daggers at Ram, "Your son is hopeless, devar ji! Look at the way he is talking to me. And for whom? For that girl who came just a few months before!"

"No bhabhi, my son is not hopeless." came the calm reply from Ram that stunned Annapurna. "Bhabhi, I know Swara and I know she is not like that. And if Sanskar has chosen her, I know she must be special." He looked at Sanskar once before continuing, "And I know she had no fault in whatever happened. Because I know what kind of people those Senguptas are."

"Yes Ram. Everyone knows what kind of family those Senguptas are." Durgaprasad came in support of his brother. "And I used to tell Annapurna to keep her distance with Gayatri ji, but she never listened to me." He looked at his wife in disappointment.

"Alright. So all of you think that I'm the one at fault! Right?" She asked. "Nobody wants to see the truth, then why should I waste my energy in shouting? Fine. You want to go after her, want to be her puppet, then go ahead! I won't stop you."

"And I promise you, Mrs Maheshwari," he promised, "One day, you will see that our love for each other is true. She is not using me like you think. And she is nothing like you are thinking her to be. And no, she will not prove herself to you neither I will let her. Why should a woman always have to prove herself? It's been happening since long, a woman always has to prove her character. I really feel sorry for these amazing women who have to go through so much because of this society. It's us who fail them and it's because of us that they feel like their life is a punishment. And what makes me even sad is the fact that there are such narrow minded people like you in our family as well. Being a woman yourself you look down upon another woman! Swara kis dard se guzri hai iska ehsaas bilcul nahi hai aapko. You are only seeing that she had her first marriage broken but you don't see what really happened and why and that whose fault it actually was. Why do people follow such old and sick thinking that having your first marriage broken is some big deal. But you know what, I should better stop talking. You won't understand any of it. Because you have already made up your mind, that women are always wrong no matter what."

"Yes, Annapurna." Durgaprasad sighed mournfully, not even feeling angry this time. "Today, I'm very disappointed by seeing your behavior. Like you can really think this for someone? For that innocent girl? But I don't understand one thing, how did this thought even cross your mind that she is using our Sanskar? When it is not true?"

And that's when Annapurna turned towards her husband firmly. "No matter how dumb that girl is, I'm grateful to her that she told me everything I needed to know." she revealed, bringing Sanskar's utmost attention. "About what was going on between him and her. And for all this, all thanks to her-"

"'Her'?" Sanskar stressed on the word. "Who is this 'her'?"

"Kavita!" She replied, and everything went into a frenzy for Sanskar. "An intern from the odd batch, if you remember her."

That name. That freaking one name and Sanskar got all the answers to the questions that his subconscious had.

And this time, Sanskar Maheshwari felt too suffocated to stay there anymore!

"That's it!" he hissed angrily. "I can't stay here even for a second. I'm going."

Saying his final words, he walked away from there with long strides and ran up the stairs towards his room, not wanting to hear anything else nor having the patience to.

"Bhabhi sa," Ram came and stood in front of a flustered Annapurna, "You know I have always respected you. Bohot maanta hoon aapko, kyu ki aap mere bade bhai ki patni hai. Years back, I handed over Sanskar to you so that you could take care of him. The love and time that I wasn't able to give him because of my work but he needed it. Even though not legally, but I gave his custody to you with the hope that my son would never feel the loss of his mother. But... what you did with him and have been doing all this while wasn't right at all and I can't bear it. If my son is suffering with you being even the smallest cause of it, I can't see it. I request you, Bhabhi sa. Please don't do this to him. And I know Swara didn't have any fault. She never did. I approve of Sanskar's choice, and my approval is enough for him."

Annapurna looked on in anger as Ram gave her a solemn look. Finding no hope of getting defended by anyone from her family, she hastily turned around on her heels and left the living room, leaving her husband and brother-in-law alone.

"I'm sorry, Ram." Durgaprasad apologized with his head bowed down, shocking Ram.

"Bhai sa, aap kyu maafi maang rahe hai?"

"Because I can't believe that such kind of sick thinking is coming from my own wife, Ram. You remember, our mother taught us to respect women no matter what. And my wife -- who is a woman herself - looks down upon other women! Honestly... I feel so ashamed to call her my wife now."

"Bhai sa, please don't say like this. I'm sure, Swara has so much goodness in her that she can erase this bitterness that bhabhi created in her heart for her." Ram assured.

"Even if she couldn't, it doesn't matter anymore." Durgaprasad said firmly. "Like Sanskar just said, Annapurna has lost her right on him. And Sujata has also come back. One day her memory will too. I'm sure she will know what is good for her son."

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

At night...

Sanskar was sitting on his bed with his back supported against the frame, his arms folded across his chest, his eyes not focused anywhere in particular. He was just thinking, and rethinking about all that happened and what he learnt today. The fact that Kavita first fueled Annapurna's mind, then Annapurna's hatred for Swara, everything just made sense to him now. It was Kavita's plan all along. She didn't want him and Swara to be together. And knowing her, she was capable of going to that extent to separate him and Swara.

He was thinking about what he should do about everything now when suddenly, his phone rang, bringing him out of his reverie. He answered the call without looking at the caller name, not much in mood to talk with anyone, "Hello?"

"Hello Sanskar?" came the sweet, familiar female voice and Sanskar's eyes softened as it was the voice of the girl who had become his lifeline. A feeling of peace and satisfaction replaced the disappointment he had for Kavita and Annapurna as he remembered how he and Swara united today.

"Hi, Swara!" he couldn't resist smiling on hearing her voice, "How are you?"

"Seriously?" came her amused reaction.

He frowned, "What do you mean-"

"You're asking me this even after what happened today? You must be knowing how I really am, right?"

He chuckled closing his eyes, understanding what she meant, "Of course, Swara."

"There was no need to be so formal, Mr Maheshwari. After so long, we have confessed our love for each other. And we promised we will start anew. Right?" Swara chuckled, "Chalo thikh hai... ab tumne yeh puchh hi liya hai toh mai bhi tum se puchhti hoon. How are you?" she asked back smiling.

"How do you think I am?" he decided to play along as she was being so cheerful.

"Well, I know you must be really really happy just like me. I'm sure just by seeing my name on your phone screen, a smile must have come on your face. Just like seeing your name on my phone makes me smile everytime." she confessed and Sanskar didn't see anything more true than this. His smile widened a fraction.

"I know you are smiling now." she stated confidently from the other side.

"O hello! Wait a minute..." he began to look here and there, "are you spying on me?" he teased.

"No! How can I even dare?" she said truthfully.

"Then how do you..."

"Sometimes... it's just that we can feel some things rather than see them." she admitted walking across her room and stood near the window. "Anyways, I called because... why not, right?

"Right. It's good you called. I wanted to hear your voice before sleeping." came his honest answer.

"That was very filmy of you, Sanskar." she chuckled.

"Yes, but I know you love it as much as I do." he teased.

"I love everything about you." she smiled genuinely.

"So do I." He smiled too, "So, what were you doing before you called me?"

"Nothing. Actually, I was just thinking about you."

"Really?" he asked, "What were you thinking?"

"Only that... how can a girl be so lucky to have you in their life?" she said genuinely, staring at the moon above in the sky. "You know, after whatever happened with me before, I never kept any expectation from anyone. I had only one aim -- to live for my family and make my future. And today, God has given me more than I could have ever asked for. He gave me you!"

Sanskar's heart leaped hearing this and inwardly, he thanked God for bringing Swara in his life.

"Sanskar?"

Her voice brought him out of his reverie, "Hmm?"

"You know about Sahil, don't you?"

The unexpected mention of Sahil stunned Sanskar. Not knowing how to reply in a proper way, he cleared his throat. "Yes."

"You also know what happened, right?" she asked.

"I know, but..." He bowed his head down letting out a deep sigh. "Swara, can we not talk about that please?"

A brief silence followed and Sanskar instantly regretted saying what he just said. No matter what, he should let her speak her mind whenever she wanted!

But what he heard next left him absolutely flustered.

"Oh God," she criticised herself slapping her forehead, "Mai bhi na. I'm sorry Sanskar. I... I don't know what I was thinking. I shouldn't have even taken his name in front of you in the first place. Why didn't I think before how you will feel? I know this would be so uncomfortable to you. Here, I had forgotten everything and decided to start afresh with you and I-"

"Swara-"

"Here my stupid self is bringing his topic up again." she huffed, utterly disappointed with herself. "I'm so stupid, I'm sorry-"

"Swara! Swara! Mujhe bolne toh do," he interrupted desperately and she became quiet. "I didn't mean like that. You can tell me whatever you want, anytime, of course. But... it's just that I don't want you to think about things that will upset you. That is why I said not to talk about him."

Swara smiled sadly, "Why? Why are you so nice, Sanskar?"

"Because you are so nice, Swara. You're an angel. A strong woman. An amazing daughter and wonderful doctor. I'm so proud that you are in my life."

"I'm really not what you think, Sanskar. Sometimes I feel so small in front of you because you are too good for me." she admitted.

"Why are you saying like that? You don't have to feel like that! I'm just saying that... let's talk about something that will give us peace. Because that man is just not worth it." he uplifted his tone at the end, trying to mask the pain the truth behind those words made them feel.

"Right. He is really not worth it. All I know is you're my present and my future and nothing will change this." she smiled at the end and he returned the smile as if he could see her.

"So, let's talk about something else."

"Oh yes," she remembered. "I forgot to tell you. Do you know what is it tomorrow?"

"What?"

"Today is my first ever neurosurgery in which I'm going to assist. Till now I have only been assisting in cardiovascular and deliveries. It's the first time I'm going to perform a neurosurgery."

"Wow, that's great." he commented.

"Yes. I'm excited and nervous as well. I hope it goes well."

"Don't worry, it will go well. I know nothing is impossible for my Swara. I have more confidence in you than you probably have in yourself." he motivated her.

"Thank you, Sanskar. You don't know how much your support means to me. I really don't know how to thank you for what you have done for me till today." she said with gratitude.

"Just be with me." he stated. "Wherever life takes us, whatever happens, just be in my life. That's all I want."

"Of course. You don't have to ask me for that. I will always be with you no matter what. It's my promise."

"And one more thing... Swara," his face faltered as he remembered his confrontation with Annapurna, and that how much bitterness she had created for Swara in her heart. He let out a mournful sigh. "I'm sorry."

She was astonished as she sensed the sudden change in his mood, "Sorry? Why, Sanskar?"

"Just... sorry." he said, meaning it.

"Sanskar, tell me what happened? I know something is bothering you. Is it... is it about your Badi Maa?" she guessed.

"Ugh... well..."

Should he tell her that it was Kavita who brainwashed Badi Maa? But she looked so happy. They both had been after a long time. He didn't wish to spoil this happiness.

"Don't worry, it's fine." he shaked his head, not wishing to continue any further.

"No, I know you are upset." she said in worry. "I can feel it just by hearing your voice."

"No, I'm not. I'm just feeling a bit tired, nothing else."

"Are you sure?" she asked seriously.

"More than ever, Swara. I think you should sleep now. It's night and tomorrow you have to go for surgery. We will talk after that."

Finding nothing to argue, she let out a sigh and nodded her head, "okay. Good night."

"Good night." He gave a small smile, feeling guilty for not telling her anything. "And Swara? I love you." came the three golden words that made Swara's night.

"I love you too, Sanskar. Bye." she said back smiling which doubled his happiness. And both of them cut the call.

"I know Sanskar is worried about something. He doesn't sound like his usual self. Or maybe he is just worried about his mom?" she wondered while keeping her phone on the bedside.

"I'm sorry, Swara." he thought to himself. "I don't want to hide anything from you, but I want your surgery to go well tomorrow. I don't want you to think about anything that will bother you. Once you are done with your surgery, then I'll tell you everything."

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

Next day, afternoon...

The door to the operation theatre opened and the family members of the patient inside became alert as Swara made her way towards them while bearing the news.

"Doctor!" A middle aged lady came to Swara along with her two sons. "Is my husband alright?"

"Yes. Congratulations, the surgery was successful." Swara smiled while giving the good news to the family. Relief flashed across the three faces who were anxiously waiting for five hours to hear this.

"Thank you so much, doctor. When can we meet him?" one of the two sons asked.

"A few hours later, when the patient wakes up." she said.

"Thank you, doctor. You people are truly life-savers. We won't be able to thank you enough for it." The patient's wife's eyes filled with tears as she thanked Swara with gratitude.

"Please don't mention. It's my duty." she smiled towards them before excusing herself and making her way somewhere else. It was then when she saw Sanskar standing there, probably waiting for her. A smile lit up her face as well as his when their eyes met. "Sanskar?"

Receiving a wave from Sanskar, she made her way enthusiastically towards him and he too went to her.

"I did it. Finally." she expressed her happiness to him.

"See? I told you nothing is impossible for you." he beamed.

"It's not like that. In fact, thank you for motivating me yesterday. It was because of your support that I was able to perform this surgery."

Sanskar smiled, "You must be hungry. Just see how tired you look. Let us go to the cafeteria and eat something."

"Okay. Just give me a few minutes, I'll go and freshen up first."

Sanskar nodded her head and both of them made their way towards the cafeteria.

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

"Now tell me." she said that made Sanskar look up at her as he was sipping on his coffee. Every now and then, he felt her scrutinizing gaze on him. He knew well what she was talking about, but he didn't want to bring that topic up again. Especially when everything in their lives were finally going well for good.

"What?" He played dumb while concentrating on his sandwiches.

Swara folded her arms across her chest and pursed her lips looking at him, knowing very well he was not going to open up by himself like this. He would not be sharing what was in his mind unless and until she forced him to.

When Sanskar, in a glance, noticed that she totally stopped eating in anticipation of his answer, he kept his cup of coffee on the table looking at her.

"What happened, Swara?" he asked softly.

"That's exactly what I'm asking you, Sanskar." She said firmly. "What happened to you? Yesterday when we got together, you were so happy. Then what happened later that you sounded upset last night?"

"Upset? And me? No, I'm not." he let out a chuckle while lying.

"You can't even lie keeping a straight face, Sanskar." she kept her palm over Sanskar's hand resting on the table. "Bohot acche se jaanti hoon tumhe. I know something is worrying you. Kal raat se dekh rahi hoon, kuch toh hua hai. Won't you share with me?"

"Swara, you are unnecessarily worrying. I told you there is nothing like that." he said casually. "I'm fine. And more than ever happy. Because you are in my life now."

"Yes, that I know but..." she sighed. "See Sanskar, just like you expect me to share my worries with you, I expect you to do the same. I don't know if I'll have the solution to your problem or not but I can at least help you feel better. Right? Because I can't see you like this."

Her words made him realise how much his different behavior affected her, and that how she really felt. He really couldn't blame her -- if he was in her place and she in his, he would feel the same way. Feeling regretful for not telling her about Kavita earlier, he pinched his forehead to calm himself down.

"I'm sorry Swara." he apologised, meaning it. "I didn't intend to hide this from you, trust me. I just... you were so happy about the success of your surgery and I didn't want to ruin this happiness, that's it." he confessed and Swara just looked on confused but quickly composed herself for him.

"It's nothing like that, Sanskar." she said softly. "Okay, now tell me what happened."

"Actually... whatever happened between both of us, we know it was undoubtedly because of Badi Maa. But... someone brainwashed her and provoked her to do what she did." he said.

"What?" she asked in astonishment. "Who did it?" she asked in worry.

"Kavita." he stated her name and Swara's eyes widened in shock. "Apparently that girl hasn't learnt her lesson yet. She said wrong things about you to Badi Maa, and she tried to show you as someone who was after me only for money and looks. That is why she took you to be wrong. But in my eyes, both are equally responsible and none of them deserve to be forgiven."

He sighed deeply. There, he said it and he was uncertain how she would react. As for Swara, she couldn't believe so much happened behind her back. She felt anger rolling down her nerves. She took deep breaths and closed her eyes as she joined all the scattered pieces. Making fists, unable to control herself anymore, she got up from her place, her jaw set.

"Swara?!" He called out in worry. Whenever Swara acted like this, he knew it was ought to bring a storm for she was not a very good person when she was angry. "Where are you going?"

"To confront Kavita." she scowled.

He stood up from his chair, "But-"

"Enough is enough now, Sanskar! The easier we go on her, more she goes out of the hand. Everything has a limit. I won't let her do anything wrong now."

He shaked his head in a haste, "I know. But-"

"No buts! Don't stop me-"

"There is no use, you won't find her anywhere!" he said in one breath to calm her down. "She has not come to the hospital. She is on leave."

"What?! Kavita is on leave?" she asked furiously.

"Yes. I heard her father say she is out of town for three days. Today's day is gone and two more days to go. That is why we can't confront her now." he said.

"I should have known it." Swara looked on angrily. "This Kavita can never do good to anyone. Seriously, what did she get by doing this?"

"If I knew you were going to remove your anger on your lunch like this, I would not have told you this now." he admitted, a ghost of smile present on his face and earned himself a momentary glare from her.

Would it be crazy of him to say that he enjoyed her anger and at the same time feared it? Whenever she was angry, her nose flared up that made her look cute. But along with that, she was a bomb ready for it's time to blast.

"I can't wait till these two days get over and I finally confront her. And this time, I'll make sure she learns her lesson."

"I know, Swara," Sanskar sat down on his chair. "Trust me, even I'm angry on her but she is not in this alone. Badi Maa is equally responsible for this and I won't forgive her. If Kavita filled her ears then how can Badi Maa go against her better judgement and assume things about you that are not true at all. Please, I didn't want to tell you now because we have just got together and I don't want you to think about things that happened that can ruin our happiness again. We deserve some peace now, don't you think?"

He said conveniently but Swara seemed in no mood to calm herself down. It's like this new piece of information had left her all infuriated. Like how much low could anyone stoop just to get something -- or someone -- in their life?

"Swara?" he tapped softly on the table to bring her out of her reverie.

"What?"

"Let's finish this and after that you have to come with me in my cabin."

"Your cabin?" she repeated. "Why?"

"First sit down."

"Sanskar..."

Before she could say anything else, Sanskar got up and he made her sit down while sitting down himself.

"What is this, Sanskar?" she asked, annoyed.

"Don't blame me. You were not listening to me, that is why I had to make you sit down myself. Now finish your lunch fast, I have to give you something after this."

"What?"

"You will know only when you come with me. It will also help to bring your angry wings down." He said in a light tone and she glared at him.

"You're finding this funny, right? You know what? I think before that Kavita I should do something about you only."

"Really? What will you do?" Sanskar tried to suppress his chuckle.

"I will... I will stop talking to you." she declared while folding her arms and looking away.

"Like that is going to happen." he said confidently.

"Don't test my patience, Sanskar." she warned.

"I'm not. Both of us know we can't live without each other." He said softly.

She huffed but next moment Sanskar's hand gripped her wrist.

"Okay, sorry. I promise I won't tease you anymore. I just wanted to cool you down."

He chuckled and poured some coffee from the jug into Swara's empty cup, knowing she didn't take a sip, while her eyes just silently followed his doings, her arms folded across her chest.

"See." He said looking at her now-full cup. "Even this poor coffee must be wondering why hasn't my beautiful owner devoured me yet? Am I so bad in taste? Or-"

"Oh god, Sanskar." she groaned but Sanskar didn't fail to notice a shadow of smile in her lips which made him sigh in relief. "You're unbelievable sometimes, you know that?"

He rolled his eyes and chuckled, "Thank god, you smiled again. Fine, finish your lunch fast. I don't want you to starve because of anyone else, Swara. No one, absolutely no one in this world is worth it."

Swara smiled nodding her head, feeling better because of Sanskar. All he did was care for her. The least she could do was listen to him as he meant well and he was doing it for her good. Which woman would not like her man looking after her like this? She smiled staring at him as she sipped her coffee. She considered herself very lucky to have him in her life.

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

After finishing their meals, Sanskar took Swara to his cabin with his hand on hers. The plans he made for this moment were all set to be executed, the thing he had been planning since days. He would do anything to bring a smile on his Swara's face, and he had promised himself that he was going to cherish her all his life. What he had in store for her was just the start to their newly blossomed love.

Standing in front of the closed door to his cabin, Swara just looked on confused while Sanskar turned towards her, "Ready?"

"Sanskar, what is it? You're not even saying anything, even when I asked you."

"Because I don't want to ruin what I have planned, that is why I'm not telling anything. You have to see for yourself."

A smile of amusement spreaded across her face and Sanskar also smiled.

"Swara?"

"Yes?"

"You open this door."

She didn't understand why was he telling her to open the door. What had he planned?

But deciding to go by what he wanted, she turned the knob of the door and the door swung open. Sanskar sighed in satisfaction. As for Swara, she froze shocked and surprised in her place as something very unexpected happened.

As the door opened giving her a view of the room, she was welcomed by a shower of flower petals that flowed down on her from a basket above, a kind of set up that was undoubtedly planned by Sanskar. She gasped as the petals stroke her making her spellbound by the immense love they had to offer her.

Her eyes travelled across the room. A huge smile came on her face as she realised that Sanskar had done this for her. The room was well-lavished, no doubt, but today it felt like something else. It was decorated and maintained beautifully. And as she looked on the wall infront of her eyes, she saw it read : 'Welcome to my life, Swara!'

It felt like their own perfect paradise.

The petals continued to fall on her and she felt the love. She turned behind and saw Sanskar smiling looking at her. Her eyes filled with tears as she felt so many emotions running down her whole being. She felt so blessed to have him. So lucky. So happy. Life for her had been beautiful since Sanskar came making her believe in all that she once refused to believe. Until this moment, she never knew someone could love anyone so much.

"Sanskar!" she chortled in excitement and euphoria. "This?" Words failed to roll down her tongue.

He smiled chuckling, "Yes. This was my plan. A lovely surprise for my most lovely Swara!"

Seeing her struggling for words out of immense happiness and emotions, he wrapped his arms around her from her back and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"I told you yesterday, right?" he continued, "That from now on, there will be only happiness in your life and there won't be any place for pain. So... I just kept my promise and to start with, I thought of this. I want our new start to be special. And now..."

He broke the hug and came and stood in front of her. To her surprise, he forwarded a beautiful red rose to her.

"You're officially welcome to my life, Ms Swara Bose!"

She looked at the rose and at Sanskar with tear-filled eyes. She couldn't believe that someone put so much efforts for her. But it was not just someone. It was Sanskar. Her Sanskar! The man she loved more than anything in this whole world and she would yell it on top of her voice that he was her world, her everything!

Not being able to contain all her emotions at once, she wrapped her arms around his torso in happiness and Sanskar returned the hug.

"I don't know what I did in my past births that I got you in my life! How lucky and blessed I am to have you in my life."

"No, it's me who is lucky and blessed to have you in my life." he confessed, "I want to give you everything that makes you happy. You don't know Swara, how much your smile means to me. I would move this world from here to there just to see this smile of yours."

"You really don't need to do anything, Sanskar. I want you to know that my happiness lies in you being with me. That is my only wish in this life." She said emotionally.

"Always. I'm always with you no matter what happens." Sanskar planted a soft kiss on her head, in response to which she closed her eyes.

"There's more," he gently broke the hug and handed her the rose which she took.

"There's more?" she said in shock. "What is it?"

"This!"

He dug inside his pocket and Swara couldn't wait to see what else he wanted to give her when he already gave her so much already. He gave her so much love, so much more already.

He fished something out of his pocket that happened to be a box for Swara. As her curious eyes silently asked Sanskar what it was, he opened the box only to reveal a beautiful golden bracelet with the 'S' design carved beautifully on it, giving it an elegant look. As he held it in front of her, it shone brightly, corresponding to the glint in her eyes.

"This bracelet?" she asked as she was dazzled by the beauty of the bracelet, especially the 'S'.

"I wanted to give this to you. Remember that evening when I confessed my love to you? I've been wanting to give you this since then. I wanted to make you wear this by my own hands as a token of my love for you. I just want you to know that even if I'm not there, this bracelet along with my love will always stay with you. See, that is the reason I got our initials designed on it."

The moment he said this Swara looked at the 's' on the bracelet which he specially got designed for her.

"Did you like it?" he asked.

"No!" came her reply but the smile on her face along with the love that he saw in his eyes for him told him otherwise. "I love it, Sanskar! But... when did you do all this?"

"Just today in the morning. Nevermind that. Can I make you wear this?" He asked and she nodded her head in yes.

"I promise you, this bracelet will be with me like my heart is with my body... the heart that you own!" she smiled and forwarded her arm and hand towards him in happiness and Sanskar smiled looking at her. He held her hand, and with his other hand he gently slid the bracelet through her hand till it hugged her wrist.

"Now, this bracelet looks more beautiful!" he commented.

Swara, not being able to control her happiness, leaped on him and hugged him, and he hugged her back with same happiness. Something suddenly came over her and she couldn't resist herself from showing her love to him, that how much happy she was by his lovely surprises.

The next moment, she leaped on him and gave him a kiss on his cheek and right there, the world stopped for Sanskar. He was amused and surprised, and his cheeks slowly tinted with red. It wasn't hard for him to realise that Swara had kissed him on his cheek. When she pulled back, knowing what she did in her excitement, she also blushed. For a minute, both of them stood quiet but looking here and there and smiling uncontrollably at what just happened.

"Umm..." Sanskar finally broke the silence and touched his cheek, "if this is the reward I will get, I will make sure to plan these surprises everyday."

Swara shaked her head trying to get rid of the blood rising over her cheeks. She then looked at her watch and saw it was going to be three o'clock in ten minutes. She remembered she had to go for her duty.

"Woh... Sanskar, I need to go now." She looked at him apologetically. "I have duty in the out-patient department at three."

"Wait!" He gripped her wrist. "Kaha jaa rahi ho tum itni jaldi? You still have ten minutes."

Heat rose up her cheeks as she felt something very new in his tone. It was different.

He took slow steps to her causing her to watch him curiously, not understanding what was he up to. To her utmost surprise, he brought her closer to himself by pulling her by her waist. Her eyes widened. By now, there was gush of blood towards her cheeks as she realised where was it going.

"Sanskar..." she called him slowly as he looked at her with passion rising in his eyes. "Koi aa jayega." she said chuckling.

"Aane do." he teased, pulling her closer and looked into her eyes. "Mai nahi darta kisi se."

"And this is the time you chose for romance. Don't you have to go for your duty?

"I can't help it." he admitted. "You're the one who drove me to this state."

"But-"

"Okay." he gave in. "I will let you go but on one condition."

"What?" she whispered as her senses got all giddy and jumpy because he was reducing the distance between them.

"You have to kiss me again. But... not on the cheek."

He waited. He didn't make any move by himself because her consent was more important to him. She didn't have to kiss him if she felt awkward or just felt shy, or simply didn't feel like doing.

But he was surprised when Swara closed her eyes, silently approving of it, surprising him. He thought she would back off in shyness. Turns out she was as bold as him.

As Sanskar finally gave in to his inner desires, he reduced the distance to them and closed his eyes. Swara also pushed herself closer to him, both of them ready for their first kiss as they gave in to their desires. Both of their hearts were beating outside their ribcages as they were ready to do something they only dreamt off before.

But before anything happened, a loud ringtone of Sanskar's phone caused both of them to trip in their place and unintentionally break apart from each other. Swara's breaths were heavy and Sanskar tried to get his heartbeats under control.

"This phone!" he grumbled in dismay. "It just spoilt my whole mood."

Swara chuckled trying very hard to stand brave on her ground, but the idea of having her kiss with Sanskar left her entire being all nervy and jumpy. She couldn't control her smile.

"Hello?" he wanted to strangle the person who dared to break his and Swara's moment but stopped when he understood the reason behind the call. "Haan Rajat... Okay... I'm coming."

He cut the call and turned towards Swara. "I have to go for an operation. It is urgent."

"Oh, okay."

How much she wished he didn't go and instead stayed here with her! The truth was that she truly wanted to have her kiss with him. But she knew a doctor's first duty is towards his patients, so she would never let him choose between his duty and her.

"Well, don't think this is over. If not now, then some other time for sure." he said teasingly, hinting at the kiss.

He turned to leave the room and Swara watched him from behind smiling.

"Kya yaar... Bas ek kiss hi toh chahiye tha. Woh bhi nahi mila." he mumbled to himself in disappointment.

But what happened next moment was something he couldn't get enough time to register and he stopped frozen in his place.

Swara came to him, cupping his cheek and raising her toe to his level, and then she planted a kiss near her lips. When she pulled back, she controlled her blush by smiling, while Sanskar just turned to look at her in shock. This was the second time in the day she kissed him. The effect her lips had against his skin was something he couldn't express. There was something so addictive, so warm and homely about her that made him yearn for her touches, that made his soul want to return to her as if she was his home.

"You said 'not on the cheek', so..." This time, she was the one teasing and he was blushing, "abhi keliye isse hi kaam chala lijiye, Mr Maheshwari... urf, Dr Sanskar Maheshwari!"

He failed to say anything back and Swara just looked at him in adoration before turning to leave.

"Okay. Well... good." He talked to himself smiling. "I can do with this too. Umm... Swara!" he called.

"Now what, Sanskar?" she turned towards him.

"I want to ask you something."

"What?"

"This coming weekend, will you go out with me?"

The unexpected proposal caused her to smile in surprise.

"Really?" she asked in a light tone.

"It's weekend and you don't have many duties at that time. By afternoon both of us will be free and then we can go out. Well... you know, since we are finally together, I want to spend most of my time with you. Also, it will be a bit change for us." He said.

"So... Mr Maheshwari, shall I take it as you are asking me out?" she asked.

"Yes Ms Bose." He smiled. "I'm asking you out on a date. Our first date together. So, is it a yes?" He asked and she chuckled.

"Of course."

"Great!" he commented.

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

Precap : SwaSan on their first Date

In next chapter there will be tons of SwaSan scenes! ❤️ Will try to post as soon as possible.

Ohh anddd... Please don't kill me for not making them kiss. I want their first kiss to be special, and I have chosen a time for that. So don't worry, their first kiss will be special and you won't be disappointed 😉