Hi all, thanks for your wonderful comments and all the love you are showing on me. I cannot tell you how much it means to me. Big hug to all of you for it. This is the next instalment in the story. Hope you like it. It is a long one. Thanks – Azure
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As Sanskar entered the room, Ranveer was already waiting for him. As was his custom, he placed a drink in front of Sanskar. Sanskar picked it up and smelled it, remembering his hangover from last time.
βIt is just apple juiceβ Ranveer told him casually
βWhy do you need to create all this illusion?β Sanskar asked him, pointing to the drink with ice cubes in it.
βI thought you wanted to talk to me about something urgentβ Ranveer told him firmly βI cancelled my meetings for this. I hope you didnβt call me here to talk about apple juiceβ
Sanskar rolled his eyes βNo, I didnβt call you to talk about apple juice. I wanted to talk to you about the attackβ
βWhat is there to talk about now? I thought we had done all the talkingβ Ranveer told him annoyed
βYou might think those two attacks might have been coincidence, I am still having a tough time believing thatβ Sanskar told him plainly
βSo you are on about that again! If you are here to talk about the girl, I am not interestedβ Ranveer said making to get up from his chair.
βYou arenβt interested even if it impacts Ragini?β Sanskar shot at him.
Ranveer sat down and sighed βFine! Letβs talkβ he said, leaning back against the chair waiting for Sanskar to talk.
βI was watching a movie with Ragini today. Yeh Jawani Hai Dewaniβ Sanskar explained βThere was a scene in that movie where the heroβs tom boyish girlfriend gets into a fight with some goons. She is very vocal and publically mocks and incites themβ
βHow is this linked to the attacks?β Ranveer asked shaking his head
βI am getting to thatβ Sanskar told him bluntly βThat scene reminded me of the night of the attacks. Swara had behaved in pretty much the same way with that biker Doug, who shot herβ he explained
βSo?β Ranveer asked him unamused
βSo, my question for you is, did you know Swara?β Sanskar asked
βNot this again! Is this about getting more information about her from me?β Ranveer asked βor let me guess it is about proving how much you know her?β
βI am not trying to do any such thing. In fact, if it helps, I will admit that I didnβt really know her as well as I thought I didβ Sanskar told him calmly βRanveer, this is really important. I am not trying to pull one over your eyes here. If you met her or knew a bit more about her personality, it might make our discussion quicker. That is why I am asking you about itβ he explained
βFine!β Ranveer said, calming down, just a tad bit βI met her a few times. More like I saw her with Kaka a few times. Kaka held some of the, well letβs just say extra special meetings, there and I couldnβt avoid going thereβ
βI didnβt realize you had been to that houseβ Sanskar told him softly βRagini had once mentioned how she was worried that Janki Maa would be hurt if she went there with meβ
Ranveer looked at Sanskar for a moment before nodding quietly βMaa always knew when I went there. She could see it on my face, because I couldnβt hide the guilt. She never said anything though. She knew I didnβt want to be there. Laddo would try to cheer me up after those meetingsβ
Sanskar nodded after all Ragini had done that for him as well. βWhat was your impression of her?β he asked
βHe was a pampered princess who wanted everyone and everything to be showered on her at the beck of her callβ Ranveer told him feeling annoyed βI have seen her demand top designer dresses from Kaka, to be worn once and thrown away because she didnβt want to be seen in them again. She was bothered about her imageβ
Sanskar nodded βFrom what I know about her, I would agree. She was very conscious of her image and style. She was like a princess and demanded to be treated and pampered as such. I remember I was going to get her to meet some of my friends. My friends and I were to meet at a pub. It was a upmarket pub, mind you, but Swara didnβt want to be there. I had to move the get together to a recently launched hip roof top restaurant for her. She did give it back to people sometimes, but she did it in her own style, sarcastically and without screaming herself. She made the others scream and bellow at her.β
Ranveer didnβt speak but looked at Sanskar intensely
βSo what was someone like her doing at a bikerβs pub? And what was she doing picking up a loud fight with Doug?β Sanskar asked somberly
βI thought you told me she went there to meet a friend?β Ranveer said nonchalantly, though his eyes spoke of something else
βBut thatβs just it, why would she agree to meet a friend at such a place, quite remote from her usual type of hangout, when she wasnβt even willing to set foot inside an upmarket pub?β
βYou seem to have thought about this a bit, what is your view?β Ranveer asked him
βI have been thinking about the reason all throughout my way hereβ Sanskar said sighing
βAnd?β Ranveer asked
βThere was a reason for going to that pub and dragging me along. I think she was putting on a show of getting into that loud argumentβ Sanskar said softly
βAnd why would she be doing that?β Ranveer asked, his face stoic devoid of any reaction.
βI see two possibilities. First, and I am really hoping this is the reason for it, she was trying to play a prank on me. May be this was some weird way of testing me to see if I would protect her or somethingβ
βAnd the other?β Ranveer prompted
Sanskar sighed and looked him for a second before answering βThe other was to cover up what was happening miles away, in UK, with Raginiβ
βIf it was all a show, why did she get shot?β Ranveer asked
βI donβt quite know why. My guess is may be that she mistook the person out in alley to be her friend and fought with him, not realizing that it was actually Doug. He was after all wearing a helmet and she would have had no way of knowing he wasnβt the friendβ Sanskar tried to reason
Ranveer remained quiet
Sanskar leaned forward βBoth Swara and Ragini get attacked by bikers with guns on the same day. It cannot be a coincidence. Swara was at the pub because that was the best place to be surrounded by bikers. Most of whom would have guns. It would provide her easily with the same scenario that Ragini facedβ
βWhy, according to you, would she want Ragini attacked?β Ranveer asked
βI donβt know. Swara had nothing to be jealous or threatened about when it came to Ragini. Shekhar Gadodia didnβt care about her. Ragini wasnβt interested in the money, in fact she wanted to get away from it because she felt it was tainted and felt it was the reason for the tragedies in the family. Even is Swara didnβt know that, she would still have no reason to worry about money or not having enough. I am sure Shekhar had set aside plently for her and only her. She was never connected to any of you for her to feel she was losing out on it because of Raginiβ Sanskar said talking as much to himself as to Ranveer βSo hurting Ragini couldnβt have been the end goal. It had to be to get to someone else. Someone who wasnβt Shekhar Gadodiaβ Sanskar said looking at Ranveer βSomeone like youβ he said softly
Ranveer and Sanskar remained quiet for a long while.
βYou are forgetting one thing in thisβ Ranveer said quietly, leaning forward βThat girl didnβt need to put on a show if the intention was just to attack Laddo to get to me. She could have completely stayed out of it. It would have served her betterβ he leaned back in his chair again βbecause if someone attacked Laddo, I would have investigated it no matter what. And I wouldnβt have been bothered about that girl and her attack anyway. Even if she wanted to create linkage, that would have been broken as fast, the way it already didβ
βSo maybe it wasnβt just about attacking Ragini to get to you. May be it was also to cover the person who was behind the attacks by creating the linkage. I mean I donβt think she could have been the one hatching the entire planβ Sanskar reasoned βEven if the linkage failed ultimately, may be the purpose was served by then since you would have been devastated and impacted enough for them to do what they wanted toβ Sanskar suggested
βYou are forgetting that she could have devastated me even otherwise if something happened to Laddo, but it wouldnβt have stopped my vengeance. It would have fueled it more. She didnβt put on the elaborate show just to throw a red herring at meβ Ranveer shot at him
Sanskar sat back lost in thought for a moment βIf she was hurt, even pretend hurt, as part of this plan, the person it would have impacted the most would have been Shekhar Gadodiaβ Sanskar said βIf Ragini was hurt, the person most impacted would have been you, Janki Maa and the family. This has to be about one or more likely both of you. I cannot believe someone did all this just to take Ragini out because she posed some threat to themβ he added raising his head to look at Ranveer βDo you know of any other reason why Ragini would be attacked, if not to get to all of you?β he asked sincerely
βOur business is one where friends are temporary and enemies are permanentβ Ranveer told him matter-of-factly βThere could be a lot of people trying to hurt Ragini to get to usβ
βHow many of them would also recruit Swara to help them in hurting Ragini to get to you? Or how many are there who Swara would have helped for this purpose?β Sanskar asked him critically
Ranveer was quiet for a long time βYou are eliminating all the other options, other than those where Ragini is being hurt to attack me, too quickly. You said it yourself, the person most impacted by that girl getting even pretend hurt would be Kakaβ
βSo what now?β Sanskar asked, after they had elapsed into silence once again βWhat are you doing about finding Raginiβs attacker?β
Ranveer looked at him critically before answering βIt is best you leave that to me. Donβt be in a rush to dig into this worldβ
βI have no intention of joining your world. You can enjoy it all by yourself. But I cannot sit by and do nothingβ Sanskar told him βI need to know what was the reason for trying to hurt Raginiβ
Ranveer looked at him intensely but didnβt answer
βLook, if you donβt answer me, I am going to find another way to get my answer, but I am not backing out of thisβ Sanskar said making his stance clear
βWhat do you want to know?β Ranveer asked, giving in somewhat, knowing that his Laddo, is she found out about it, wouldnβt like to have Sanskar put in danger in trying to investigation this own his own.
βDo you have some suspects?β Sanskar asked leaning forward βWho would have done this?β
βI have a few names in mindβ Ranveer said vaguely
βWho?β Sanskar asked immediately
βLook it is better you donβt knowβ Ranveer said. Sanskar was about to protest, but Ranveer cut in βI am not sure if they are the ones truly involved and I donβt want to influence you with my thoughts. You have been reasoning things out pretty well yourself, it would be better if you can keep an unprejudiced outlook to thisβ
βBut how can I proceed when I donβt have any suspects?β Sanskar asked annoyed
βI am looking at some business associates. If that girl was involved in this plot, there would have been something happening around her at that time. Some phone call. Some person who she met. She didnβt leave LA during that entire period, so if she was involved that person must have been in touch and either you or one of her friends that you might have known, would know somethingβ Ranveer told him calmly βI donβt know about them and if you really want to help, cover that base, which I cannotβ
βAre you trying to do this to keep me away from the investigation?β Sanskar asked narrowing his eyes
βConsidering you have already told me that you will find a way in, if I try to keep you out β no. That is not what I am trying to doβ Ranveer said looking Sanskar in the eye.
Sanskar nodded. He was quiet for a minute before he asked Ranveer βYou said someone she might have had calls with?β he asked. Seeing Ranveer nod, he continued βIs there any way you can get her call records?β he asked
βIf it was India, I would have done it gotten those details in a day, but this is a US number we are talking about. It is not all that easy for me to get the records, but I have someone working on it. Hopefully, we should have it soonβ Ranveer told him
βAnd what happens in meantime, while we are investigating this?β Sanskar asked βI mean do we even know that they wonβt try it again? Do you think they are going to back out now assuming that they plan is thwarted? Or have they achieved their goal just by hurting Ragini even though she was saved? What if their goal was only to kill her? What if their goal still is that?β he asked concerned
Ranveer face was grave as he spoke βWe protect her. We keep her away from any risky places and do whatever β WHATEVER β it takes to keep her safeβ
Sanskar nodded and sank into the chair as the reality of the situation and the possibilities sunk into his head. The silence that was between them was heavy now. Each man lost in his own thoughts, worried about someone that they had come to care about beyond anything and anybody else.
As Sanskar sat there, another thought hit him βYou werenβt surprised by what I saidβ he said softly
βWhat?β Ranveer asked him
βYou werenβt surprised by my theory or my assumptions about the attacksβ Sanskar said more loudly and firmly now, looking intensely at Ranveer. The unsaid question was quiet obvious. Why werenβt you surprised. What do you know?
Ranveer met the intense stare for a minute before sighing βI wasnβt entirely honest with you beforeβ he paused for a second before adding βI didnβt go to London to surprise Laddo. I had heard from some sources that there was a rumor about a hit being put out on her. I knew that if I had asked her to come back home, she wouldnβt have. She would have asked to me to let her complete her internship fully instead of leaving it mid-way. She would have asked me to increase security if I needed, but to not drag her back. And I wouldnβt have been able to refuse her, because this has been her dream. I knew that I needed to be there to talk to her and convince her and push her to come back with me, if I needed to truly keep her safeβ
βBut she was attacked before you could talk to herβ Sanskar completed for him
Ranveer nodded. He was quiet for a minute, staring at Sanskar before he spoke βThere is something else that I havenβt told you.β He said before adding βLAPD found packets of red liquid inside that girlβs top. They were meant to ooze the blood like liquid on being hit/patted hard over themβ
Sanskar sat straight hearing this. He wanted to ask Ranveer a lot of things. Shout at him that if he knew this, why was he not willing to listen to Sanskar. But in the end, he settled for βWhy didnβt you tell this to me before?β
βYou were biased towards that girl. You wouldnβt have been neutral enough to listenβ Ranveer said matter-of-factly
βAnd you werenβt biased towards Ragini? Where you neutral?β Sanksar said, just throwing the comment at him in anger, though he didnβt want Ranveer to stop being biased towards Ragini
βWould you have listened to it with open mind if I had told you about it earlier?β Ranveer shot at him
Sanskar was taken aback. If he thought about it, he had to admit that he hadnβt been all that open to listen to anything against Swara then. Neither when Adarsh bhaiyaa tried to talk to him, nor when he spoke to Ranveer. But he wasnβt keen to admit that βI donβt knowβ is all he said
They sat there for some time, before Sanskar spoke again βWhat changed now? Why did you tell me all this now?β
βDonβt you know why?β Ranveer asked him, his voice calm as was his face, as he stared intensely at Sanskar
Sanskar on the other hand felt his heart beat rise. What was he talking about? Had he revealed something about what was going on his is head about Ragini? Had his decidedly unfriendly thoughts come across on his face?
Seeing that Sanskar hadnβt spoken, Ranveer answered the question for him βI can see concern for Laddo on your face now. I can see her pain in your eyesβ
——-
By the time Sanskar got back home, it was almost time for dinner. After dinner, he retired to his room. He had been lost in thought since coming back from the farmhouse. The chat and the possibilities that it threw open, were floating in his head. He was trying to join all the different threads together and make sense of it, but he was failing miserably.
He looked around the room. It had little touches of Ragini everywhere in it now. Her iPad on the coffee table next to his laptop. Her combs, perfumes, accessories, next to his on the dresser. Her clothes in the wardrobe. He gently touched her pillow that lay next to him on the bed. It was no longer just his room. It was there room now. And he couldnβt imagine going back to the days when it was just his. She made it feel more than just a room with walls in it. Her things made it feel warm and homely. And she when she was present in the room, added life to it. Even when she was sitting quietly working on her project. But the room, truly came alive when she talked and laughed and teased and even blushed.
It was strange but without having her in the room, he felt lonely. Even though he knew she was in the house somewhere. That had been a completely new experience for him. This feeling of restlessness and the need to see her, just adding to it. He glanced at the clock, it was showing the time of 11:30pm. He looked at it startled and checked his wrist watch as well. It showed the same time. Where was she? She should have been back ages ago.
Not willing to sit back and wait for her, he left the room, walking purposefully towards Uttaraβs room first. She had been interested in sharing girly gossip with Ragini these days, but there had to be a limit. Could she even let Ragini get some rest after a long dayβs work? As he was striding towards Uttaraβs room, annoyed, he glanced towards the living room and saw her sitting by the dining table. Her back was to him. She was doing something. He rushed downstairs and walked towards her.
βWhat are you doing so late?β he asked her as he stood next to her.
Ragini looked up from her work, startled by his sudden arrival and the question. It seemed she was preparing the cotton to make diyas out of them. She looked at the large copper plate filled with cotton and the diyas, and then back at him before answering βI am making diyas for the Pooja tomorrowβ
βWhat Pooja? Are why are you the only one working?β Sanskar asked annoyed
βI am not the only one working. Everyone is doing their own partβ she told him calmly βWhat is wrong? You have been worried since coming back from that meetingβ she asked concerned
βI donβt see anyone elseβ he said looking around, still a bit annoyed βWhat do you have to do?β
βI just have to make these diyas that is all. Rest is doneβ Ragini told him with a smile even as she went back to making some more βWhy donβt you go back to the room and rest? I will be done soonβ
Sanskar looked a bit exasperated. He let a puff of breath escape him before he sat down next her βTell me how to do these diyasβ he asked her
Ragini looked at him amused βSanskar you donβt need to do this. I can manageβ
Sanskar gave her an annoyed look before taking some cotton in his hands βTell meβ he asked her again.
Ragini smiled but showed him how to make the diyas. Between them, they quickly made the diyas out of all the cotton that was there. Seeing that the diyas were made, Sanskar got up βCome on now. Lets go to the roomβ
βNot yetβ Ragini said as she got to counting them
βNow what? You needed to make the diyas, they are doneβ Sanskar said annoyed
βI need to ensured they are 103 in allβ Ragini said
Sanskar gave her an annoyed look and moved her hand away. He sat down and counted the diyas really quick and got up βNow are we done?β he asked
Ragini nodded with an amused smile βI will just keep these by the temple and then we can leaveβ
βDonβt!β Sanskar said βI will do itβ
He quickly kept the plate by the temple and came back to the dining table. He held Raginiβs shoulders pushed her from behind βNow move!β
βAhheemmβ someone said clearing the throat from behind them. They turned to see Badi Maa and Mom standing by the kitchen door, with amused smiles on their face.
βAre you done making the diyas?β Badi Maa asked Ragini with a smile
βYes, they are all done. They are by the templeβ Ragini told them βIs there anything else I can help with?β she asked. Sanskar shot her an annoyed look that wasnβt missed by the two moms.
Just then Pari walked out of the kitchen βMaa, all the pots and vessels needed for the Pooja have been cleaned and readyβ she told them
Annapurna nodded βGo off and get some rest now. We have to wake up early again to make the Prasadβ
Pari nodded and went away
βRagini, you go get some rest as wellβ she said looking at both Ragini and Sanskar, before turning to Sujata and adding βLetβs just look over everything one before we head off as wellβ
Sujuta nodded and both went back to the kitchen, after throwing an amused look towards Ragini and Sanskar.
Sanskar intertwined his fingers with Raginiβs and tugged her hand to make her follow him back to their room βWhy couldnβt you do all this preparation before?β he asked
βBy the time Badi Maa spoke to Panditji, it was already late. We could only start working on this after dinner.β She explained
βWhy couldnβt you do this tomorrow morning?β he asked
βBecause the Pooja is early in the morning. We wouldnβt have time to prepare anythingβ she told him amused
βI donβt understand why Badi Maa needs to do all this poojasβ he said annoyed
βWhat is wrong? Why are you so angry?β she said softly
βI was waiting for you for so long in our room. Do you even realize what time it is?β he cribbed
βOhhhh! Big Ashu was missing meβ Ragini said in a teasing childlike voice
Sanskar pulled her suddenly, wrapping his arm around her back, and pulling her closer into him. He looked intensely at her. His voice become low and intense as he said βNot big Ashu, Sanskarβ
Ragini was caught by the intensity in his eyes. She couldnβt bring herself to look away. Her breath caught in her throat even as blood rushed to her cheeks making her blush. She slowly lowered her eyes, feeling shy under his intense gaze.
Meanwhile, back in the kitchen, both the women broken into soft giggles
Sujata looked at AP and said βI think everything is now finally getting to be what it should beβ
AP nodded βOur Sanskar is certainly coming back to the family. He has been so warm with everyone. Almost like he was before he found out about the businessβ she added sadly
βAnd then that girlβ Sujata added, expressing her concerns βI wasnβt sure we would ever see the old Sanskar backβ
AP nodded before patting Sujata on the shoulders
βI was worried about Ragini tooβ Sujata confessed βon the first day when she forgot to put sindoorβ
AP nodded βI know you were worried. But our belief in her and Jankijiβs upbringing came through. She had brought our Sanskar backβ
Sujata agreed βI am so happy jijiβ she said, feeling at peace
AP agreed βWe might soon become grandmothers nowβ she said teasingly to Sujata knowing it would have an impact
Sujataβs eyes widened βI am not so old yet to become grandmother jijiβ she complained
βYou might not have a choice in the matterβ AP said teasing her more βLook at how impatient Sanskar wasβ
βThis boy is crazy!β Sujuta muttered before walking out of the kitchen. As she came out, she saw Ragini and Sanskar standing close on the top floor landing, right in the path of their own way to their rooms. Trying to avoid them some embarrassment, she loudly called out to AP βJiji, letβs do to bed nowβ
Sanskar and Ragini were lost in the moment and their closeness. Sujataβs loud voice carried towards them and they broke apart, moving away from each other. They slowly made their way back to their room in silence.
Sanskar closed the door and turned to see Ragini standing there looking at him.
βUmmm. I was getting a bit boredβ He said lamely unsure about telling her the real reason.
βOhh!β Ragini said softly, before nodded βI will just go to the washroom and then we can go off to sleepβ
Sanskar nodded as he watched her leave. He lay down on his side of the bed. Why didnβt he just come out and say that he felt lonely in his own room without her? What was he going to say if she asked why? Didnβt he already know why, a voice inside him asked. What if she doesnβt feel the same? What if he lost her? His mind asked him, making him feel anxious. But she did look a bit disappointed with your answer, didnβt she? The voice suggested. But what did that really mean?
While he was lost in thought, Ragini came and lay down on the bed next to him βWhat are you thinking about?β she asked him softly
βHuh?β He asked looked surprised, realizing that she had come back
βYou seemed to be lost in thoughtβ she said softly
Sanskar shook his head, trying not to go back to his dilemma. Changing the topic he asked βSo why this Pooja suddenly?β he asked
βBadi Maa felt that we should do the kuldevi Pooja after marriage. She wanted to do it before my internship started so that everyone would be at homeβ Ragini explained
βYour internship is starting in 4 daysβ Sanskar stated. Ragini nodded
Internship in 4 days. Ragini would be out of the house almost every day for 2 months. How was he going to manage when he felt lonely in just a few hours? His discussion with Ranveer came back to him. βWe keep her away from any risky placesβ. She would be exposed to risk if she left the house. If something happened to her? He wouldnβt be able to bear it is she was hurt. He felt a constriction in his chest as if life was being squeezed out of him. βYou arenβt going for internshipβ he stated
βWhat?β she asked surprised and confused βSanskar, what are you saying?β she asked even as she teared up a bit and the thought of him being against it and losing her degree
Sanskar saw her face and the teary eyes and his heart broke. He couldnβt bear seeing her like this. But her safety? Could he see her being at risk? Could he risk her? No! No, he couldnβt. But if he loved her, he needed to do everything he could to keep her safe and help her with the dream. Hang on! His brain rewinded its own words, loved her? Did he love her? If you donβt love her, why are you feeling so scared and anxious? She is my friend, best friend, I am worried about her safety. She means a lot to me. Agreed she means a lot, the voice said, but is she really just your best friend. Is this how you feel when your best friend is in trouble? Is this how you felt when you thought you were in love with Swara and she was killed? The voice asked. No, right? This is way more intense. Tell me what is it, if not love? It asked him. His mind didnβt have anything to counter the voice of his heart with. He remained quiet and looked at Ragini. She was looking at him worried, teary. It tore at him.
βI meant you arenβt going for the internship aloneβ Sanskar told her softly βI will be coming with you, to drop you and pick you upβ
βYou donβt need toβ She said softly
βI want toβ he told her firmly βAnd you are going to have guards with you throughout the dayβ
βBut how can they stay there? It will look addβ Ragini asked him
βI donβt care. They are going to be with you. They can be out there with the security for all I care. It will be even better if some are. They can be outside with the building guard, but you are not going anywhere without them. You have to promise me thatβ He told her looking her deeply in the eye
βSanskarβ Ragini tried to say
βPromise me Raginiβ Sanskar pleaded βPleaseβ
Ragini looked at him concerned, but promised him with a nod. He looked away from her, trying to reign in the fear he was feeling just then. Fear of something happening to her. Fear of losing her.
Ragini sensed something was wrong. She touched his arm gently βSanskarβ she said softly but he tried to avoid her eye. She touched his jaw and made him turn and look at her βSanskarβ she said quietly, worried by the emotions swirling in them.
Sanskar felt overwhelmed by his emotions and hugged her tightly almost crushing her with his weight. Ragini gasped, caught a bit unware by his reactions before concern came flooding back. She held him tightly, wrapped an arm around his back while the running fingers through his hair, trying to calm him and sooth him. She said his name softly a few times, while running the arm around his back. After a few minutes he let out a shuddering breath that worried her and brought tears in her eyes βSanskar, please tell me what is wrong? Please talk to meβ she pleased with him, her voice wrought with concern.
He just shook his head against the crook of her neck but didnβt answer her.
βPlease Sanskarβ she pleaded again
βI donβt want to lose youβ he said finally muffled against her neck
Raginiβs hear skipped a beat βYou are not going to lose me. Why would you lose me?β she asked him, worried at his state βSanskarβ she said softly when he didnβt speak for a while
βYou were attacked before, what if it happens againβ he finally said softly, not willing to reveal anything more
βWhy would I be attacked again?β She said softly βNo one will attack me. I am fineβ she said softly. She ran her arm around his back for some time, before she decided something βI wonβt go for the internshipβ she told him firmly
Sanskar let off a breath of air, which hit her neck, before pulling back a just a bit βBut itβs the dreamβ he said softly
βYou are more important to me than any dreamβ she told him as they looked into each otherβs eyes up close βI cannot see you worried like this. My dream isnβt worth itβ
βBut it isnβt just your dream. I have seen this with youβ Sanskar told her softly looking in her eye, his eyes a bit moist from the emotions he felt a just a while back βIt is our dream and I want to see if come to its fruitionβ
βI cannot see you like this, Sanskarβ Ragini said with moist eyes βI cannot see you brokenβ
βI am not broken. I am going to be okayβ Sanskar told her, getting his emotions under control a bit. She looked at him skeptically, concern flooding her face. He gently wiped the slight moisture from her eye with his thumb βI promise; I am going to be okay. I want you to do thisβ he said, before softly adding βFor meβ
Ragini looked at him quietly before finally nodding βI will keep the guards with meβ she promised βI wonβt go anywhere without them or without youβ
Sanskar nodded, looking deeply into her eyes. She leaned in a bit and kissed his forehead gently before moving back and looking at him. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against her. The only thought running in his head, as they fell asleep in that position, was that he wasnβt going to let anything happen to her. He loved her too much to let anyone hurt her.
Precap – what will sanskar do?
*****************
Links to previous chapters
https://www.tellyupdates.com/?s=red+string+of+fate+%28ragsan%29
126 Comments
Wow.it was awesome.
Can’t wait for.the next part?
thanks so much dear…..glad u loved it. π
Its amazing.. hats off to u.U are superb
thanks so much ridhi…..taking a bow for ur comment. v glad u loved it and really sweet of u to think so much of me π π
You are simply awesome
thanks so much dear….big thanks for saying this π π really sweet
Oh oh finally some feelings for Ragini to Sanskar! And Sanskar felt for Ragini! Hope we will seen some romantic moment π
haha…..yes finally…..i hope u wont be disappointed by their romantic moments in future as well….will try to do them well.
Wow!! The update was amazing! I was a silent reader but I really couldn’t stay that way reading your ff, I had to comment! It has become a routine waiting for your updates every alternative day and refreshing the page to see if the new chapter has been posted! Wow, you really have a very impressing writing style that just keeps the readers hooked! Can’t wait for the next updates! Great work!!!!
thanks so much mouni…..i am so glad that u found this update so good that u felt u had to comment….means a lot to me. thanks for commenting and sharing ur thoughts. and a big big thanks for the compliments. it is so wonderful to read that u refresh the page and wait for updates for this story…big big hug to u for doing that dear. i am really glad u liked my writing style …….u are making me feel amazing!
i have no words…it was to emotional and amazing. im waiting for them to reveal eachothers feelings. to be honest I want to see swara back just to show her ragsan love for eachother.
thanks so much dear….trust me i was feeling a bit emotional as i penned the last bit….so i am really glad to know i wasnt the only one. swara is dead dear……but now that sanskar loves ragini, it would not have mattered even if she came back alive (she wont) π π
I love it. It was awesome like always. No word for it. It was amazing, fabulous, mind blowing. I am seriously addicted to your ff. The story is just out of the world, it is perfect? and your writting omg what can i say its just awesome, like seriously i dont have any word. I am a big big fan of your writting and your ff. I seriously love your point of view like when you comment in other ff and all. I read your stories in wattpad. I just started and i am loving it. I just want to share few things about me like i am 15 years old. I live in france. My name is Anamica. I love readding. I like writting,painting…..βΊ and pls say something about also. And pls pray for me because my exams are coming. But dont worry i will read your ff because i just love it. And pls post next episode soon pls.
thanks soooooo soooooo much anamica…..i am v happy to read that u love it so much and thanks for ur wonderful adjectives and compliments π π u r making me blush by saying this is our of the world and thx a ton for your words about my writing. u r really observant…which is a really good thing btw. i usually get drawn by the story and comment what i think at the time without intentional thought….but glad u liked those comments. france is beautiful dear…have been there a few times. and u have a lovely name too! i share a lot of ur hobbies though i must admit i am not as good in painting, sketching works better for me. i am sapna and i stay in mumbai. best luck with your exams dear. and don’t worry about the ff u can read it when u have time….focus on the exams first. the ff will always be here. π π
Fabulous dear…. finally they have expressed their feelings for each other.. Amazing update… loved each and every bit…. Oh God!!!I I just had a feeling about Swaras character when Adarsh discussed about Swara with Sanskar. I had a strong feeling that something might be wrong with this character but haven’t expected this much, but this is heights of madness when Ranveer told the truth that they found a red liquid in her top…. Superb Azure it’s becoming interesting day by day…… The romance part was awesome and the way Sanskar expressed his feelings I just fell for him dear…Raginis character is the highlight of all… u made me go crazy… hats off to you and Thanks for writing such a wonderful story, I will be biting my nails till I get to know whom did Swara helping…. hopefully its neither Sarmishtha nor Sekhar….. tc π
thanks so much dear…..yes finally they are expressing their feelings at least non-verbally through their actions….but that is enough for now π π i am really glad u loved every bit of it…..u did have a sense about her character i know…..sanskar was too much in “love” or thought he was that he was blind to what was being said to him and why. i am glad this is getting interesting for you. this mystery is a bit different from my others because the person who could have helped the most is dead and sanskar who wants to find out the details doesnt know her as well as he thought he did….oh but well he has to find a way out now for ragini’s sake. ragini is a solid personality as long as u take the time to dig…..sanskar is finally doing that. hahaha…..i will try to protect ur nails as much as i can ;)….but u might need to wait a bit…..all i will say is that now all is what is seems.
awesome…..
i am a fan of you ff.
finally sanskar realised his love for ragini.
thanks so much akshata….i am happy and blessed to have u as a fan π π big thanks dear for loving the ff …thanks a ton π
The only thing keeping me sane right now? Right now when I am surrounded by numerous books, preparing for my final exams…its this ff of yours and all other ragsan ff’s.
I wanna comment sooo long, but between exam preparations and taking care of my 12 day old Labrador, I hardly find enough time to comment.
Just wanted to say that you rock! Keep posting the chapters, will comment the day I am dome with my last paper.
P.S. He’s in love! He’s in love! He’s in love! I am so happy that Sanskar has realized his love for Ragini…hush….
haha…..dont worry we will keep u sane….but focus on ur studies as well dear. best luck with the exams..hope u do well. wow! u got a new dog. how is that doing? thanks for your compliment dear…big hug! hahaha and yes he is in LOVE π
You rocked dear love it
thanks so much dear……big big thanks!
Azure! A bone crushing hug from my side!! I seriously have no words to explain what I feel right now! A smile with my eyes welled up! I could actually get into each and every line of ur ff!? It is too natural!?And Ranveer’s concern for his Laado is something which I love the most! Coming to this part,each and every incident was so well described! Ranveer- Sanskar’s meeting, and lol! Sujata not accepting the fact that she’s growing old! And last but not @ all the least RagSan’s part..from Sanskar’s diya making till the end was soooooo much cute! RagSan’s concern towards each other was the Show stopper. I loved the way Sanskar first asked her not to attend internship and then his concern made him take another decision and Ragini, she stepped back just not to hurt him!! Wow! Azure! U rocked! Thank u?
haha….bone crushing hug right back at ya from me!! π π i am so happy u loved each and every part and found it natural…trust me i was feeling a bit emotional as i wrote this one….as i was drawn into the scene…..crazy!! poor sujju his son has gone crazy lol! and i am very happy u picked up all the tiny bits about this one….makes me feel really really good as a writer. thanks dear! big big thanks!
Ohhh….finaly sme thing happened…Ohhh….so cute couple….Nd sapna dea..ua amazing…update soon…
thanks so much faima dear…yes something finally happened π π sanky is goner …lol!
Totally nailed it…ur rocked….episode was mind blowing….a huge hug to u for entertaining us with an awesome ff…thank u…
thanks so much lila dear….big big hug right back at ya….means a lot trust me.! and u entertain us amazingly well as well!
Totally nailed it…u rocked…epi was mind blowing like always…a big hug to u for giving us an such a amazing ff…thank u so much for entertaining is…seriously hands down to u
big huuuuugggg lila
Nd I want to dedicate a song for ragsan..ye rather ye mosam nadi ka kinara….by sanam puri…I think it’s will matchup fo their date…bcz their cute nd simple,I like simple things….Nd abt me…I cpltd ma degree in bca,1weak ago..result didn’t came..
so you are enjoying the break after the exams…..so that was such a bliss always…i miss those days. best luck for the exams dear…and their date…..thanks so much for the song dear….i think sanskar might be a bit impatient one when it comes to dates….considering the way he was with diyas…..lol π
wow yaar i have no words seriously its top of the world awesome superb………………. Can’t wait for next part plsz update soon…………
thanks so so much poonam dear….so so happy u liked the update this much ….big hug!
I know l m again late?but yr 1st l love to read this one at last like a child love to eat d tastiest thing in his meal at last then this chap was a bit complicated l ,l read it 3 times to understand d emotion before commenting.
Coming to chap no words to explain. Both the parts were awsm explaining one felling in two ways nd l m glad that he accepted that he love Ragini.
I m planning to write a os on ragsanlak pls do read it.
One more thing l hv stopped thinking about stream for some time. Are yr itna bada xm dkar aaye h thoda enjoy krne do baache ko waise bhi final admission will happen after vacations ( l hope you know hindi )??
thanks so so much amna…..i am really glad u liked both the parts in it and absolutely i will read ur story, i have been reading ur current yeh kaha …i think i read most of it…..will read the other one too. send me the link when u post it because i don’t want to miss it. have fun dear….post exams and post results break are always nice..i miss them. once u start working u don’t have breaks at all. yes i know hindi dear…..i stay in mumbai so u have to along with english and marathi. enjoy karo!
Finally feelings!!!!!!
Luvd it it was jst awsum !!!!!
As alwayz mindblowing!!!
N thnks fr d long update !!!!!!!
plz plz plz post it today plzzz!!!!!!!!
thanks so much ahana….glad u are happy with it…..i will try to write some part today but have a few things going on so cannot promise..will do my best though. big thanks for ur sweet comment dear!
Wow so beautifully written.The emotions were flowing from both the side.Sanskaar finally understanding her worth and realizing his love for her.
superb epi azure
thanks so much sara….glad u liked the epi….emotions are rising at both sides…so true…..and yes sanskar finally understands her worth and how much she means to him. thanks dear….:) π
Emotional episode.. Lotnmre twists to come??? Excited.. Waiting dr next update.. First half I missed ragini a loott.. Wanted mre ragsan scenes. YU know.. YU r such a brilliant writer. Kudos to YU.. This my all time fvryt ff.. It simply rocksss.. Many people r addicted to ur ff yaar. Waiting fr enxt update. Long 2 days . π Nd Tuesday my exam starts so dnt knw whether I vl able to read Nd comment.. π
it was emotional…trust be i was feeling it when i was writing it….lol…..there might be some twist….u never know π thanks so much for loving my writing liz….u are really wonderful and generous in your compliments…..big hug for your sweet words! i am really so happy to know this is ur all time fav. and i am blushing like hell hearing about the addiction lol!! hahah…..best luck with ur exams do well in them…the ff is going to be around here…so comment afterwards…..no rush
Azure…..1st of all……happy sunday…….wat an concerning epi buddy…..just lovd it 2 d core???……n d cracking ideas of d murder n attack in sankys mind shows somekind of detective writing it…….n d blood packets makes me think whether swara is dead or nust playd a prank……if a prank y she dint come…..n shekar sumi depressed……im confused now????
N ragsan teasing by ap n syju was worth reading…..n d concern n fear in sankys mind for ragz….n hr concern 2wards his fear is commendable..???……y cant he just admit dat he loves her……n realise it btr now or not being late..???….ok now how r u……b careful…….tc. …….lots of hugs n love…….?????
happy sunday buddy!! all of u made it v happy for me. i am v happy u loved it so much ….this one had full on hindi movie maal masala lol……swara is very much dead…the LAPD team found it on her dead body….since they would have taken the body for autopsy in the gun shooting case before they handed it over to shekhar. all will be revealed soon……for now remember all is now what it seems…there are somethings still hidden in this. sanskar will admit it to her….but sometimes when u r in love u can get really scared of losing that person….i love this starting part of a song from pyaar toh hona hi tha….right before the title song ajay devgan says something…check it out.. it is really amazing. i am well….hugs back at ya! tc
Hatttttttssssssss of to u…………………..most imp thing of dis ff it’s natural……………………..
Sanskar and ranveer’s conversation……
Sansakar smelled a drink,attack k bareme baad karte hi ranveer ka chair uthana and but jab ragini ka naam aata hai he sat down…i liked sanskar’s discussion style…..means before saying anything he asked ranveer’s opinion about swara?…….annoyed ranveer,ranveer ka apna guilt hide na kar pana jab so janki k samne jata hai…sanskar’s 2 possibilities and explanation of thatpossibilities..after discussion sanskar asked to ranveer,” U WEREN’T surprised by what i said”???
Ranveer revealed truth and sanskar’s reaction after that……………sanskar’s Why(y didn’t u tell me before) and ranveer ans…???
Last sentence of ranveer to sanskar?
After dinner and in room sanskar k khaylon ki ragini train???
Deaspirated sanskar,time check karna,ragsan scenes, ap-sujata,ragsan emotions, wo pyar ki geharai,dearm ka sacrifice karna,sanskar ka ragini k dream ko samjhana support karna,emotions ka hide and seek, ????????????????
Perfect……fabulous………….. Lovely………….
Yeh dilll ki baate chhupayi nahi chupti……
Dil ki yeh aag bujhaye nahi bujhati…………
Yeh ishq hai pyare,
Iski majil aasani se hasil nahi hoti…………….
wow!! that was one hell of a shyari…thanks so much joya…u should think about writing as well….unless u have already been and i have been missing out on it. in that case please pass me the link would like to read it.
i am really glad that u like the natural flow of the ff….that is very imp for me and it is nice to see u like that. u have picked so many of the nuances and the key points that i have wanted to highlight….big big hug for noticing and liking each one of those…means a lot as a writer. π π π lots of love dear!
Ayyyyyyyoooooooooooo…………………..thanks yr for hug………
My dear u r blessed…….i like(love) uf writing skill……..notice????? Are itna achchha likhti ho wo apne aap najar me aa jata hai so whole credit goes to u………
About that shayari…….aise hi yr….itna kuch khaas nahi hai….humne jo likha wo padhne k liye bahot mehanat karni padegi..hum aive hi kuch likhte hai..mostly humne vini di k ff k comment section me likha hai season 2…i think epi 19 k baad…..????? (u wannnna read a beautiful story….read vini di’s swasan fan fiction season 1 and 2..sach me khubsoorat hai yr…i m just suggesting ha)
Frankly Specking i read just few ffs……..and i love ur ffff……………..thank u so so so so so so so much for dis beautiful story……..lots of love dear
tell me the names of those stories…i will go and read….aur shayari likha itni aasan cheez nahi hai…agar aap ye aavain mein likh payi toh yeh toh our acchi baat hai π love u too dear!!!
Swasan fan fiction
Swasan fan fiction season 2 by vini/veena
Sindhuja’s os…..i think i found match aisa kuch hai…………
Goood morning dear………
Have a nice day……….
Waiting for d next epi……………….
Love u tooooo and thank you yr……….. ???????
you too dear! i will read these soon
Wow yaar seriously im speechless it’s beyond any words… stay blessed n keep rocking…
thanks so much for your blessing dear…..i don’t think anyone can have enough of such beautiful blessing in their life. big big thanks for that. i am really glad u loved the update…..:) π
Just nw I was thinking wat if u were written tis wit swasan as pair…oh my god I would hve missed a wonderful ff..bcoz I nvr even think of opening solo swasan ff r ff wit less imp of raglak r ragsan….thank god itz ragsan…nw I understand writers r imp tan pairs u made me realize wit ur writing skills…plz tell me hve u wrote any other ff I don’t mind abt t pairs nw…I wanted to read it any how…
thanks so so much priya…and i know what u mean. trust me …all my ff before were swasan and i didnt so as much justice to ragini as i wanted to. sanskar and ragini are my fav characters …with this ff even though they cannot be a jodi on the show, i am showing my liking for them. and after writing this one, i don’t think i can ever go back to writing about swasan…they don’t inspire me as much after swara’s transformation. i have written 4 stories before this….all swaran though. if you can bear to read them despite that, they are on wattpad. my id there is foresight_azure. 2 of them enemy within and cloaked intentions have mystery about them. big big hug for your lovely words dear.
“love is in the air”
oh my goodness! it’s beautiful as always. Finally he realized his love for her. I was just smiling all the while going through it. Everything, perfectly described. I just loved everything about this Azure n love u toooo…….dea…
hahah….so true love is in the air and all around them. i am glad this one made u smile. i love it when a story can do that…big thanks for saying that. love u and ur stories too! big big hug π π
Di its really a long update ok if u don’t mind I m gng out l be back at tdy Eve once I came back I l read and cmnt!!! Is that ok???? And di r u n hangouts I m there just for this month… If u r there shall we chat there??? I want to learn more eng from uβΊβΊβΊsry di I can’t read it now but after cmng l sure and cmnt here pls read that cmnt at that time…
take ur time dear…no rush. of course it is okay. do u mean google hangouts? no dear i am not. all the infra/devices in my house are actually apple. i don’t have access to most android app and do not use most of android apps by choice actually…..if you want you can pm me in india forums (username foresight) or even on wattpad (foresight_azure)….. i know we cannot do that here. i will be happy to chat with you on either places….they have private chats there.
Ok di but I m not in those apps which u r saying and now only I came I l read ur ff now and say abt it
they are not apps dear…normal websites. if you create username there it will work π
Hmmmmmmmmm, my word can explain how I intend to praise u buh u know wat u are among my greatest writer. U rock and hats off.
I’m a silent reader buh I couldn’t hold it anymore.. Luv u n luv ur ff
thanks so much aish…..taking a bow for your sweet compliments. π π big big thanks for your words and even bigger thanks for not staying silent anymore. it means really a lot to me to see that u loved the story and update enough to give up your silence and comment on it. π π and it means even more to read what u think about my writing skills..big big hug to you. π
Wow….super updates…..thank U dear ……I like each and every single word in ur ff……I think u r the most kind hearted person….eagerly waiting for next update…..
thanks so much fira dear…..really glad u thought it was super and lived every word in this one. big big big hug for such an amazing compliment…..u r really sweet for saying that. π π
Can anyone help me with his/her wattpad Id as I will to read his stories over there
@azure, plllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllsssssssssssssss I need ur wattpad id
hi dear….my name is sapna. my wattpad id is foresight_azure. i have written 4 stories there…..they are swasan though….so hope u are okay with them π