Almost Fireworks, Almost Darkness

|5. New beginning|

Sanskar looked at the random shapes of dark clouds lying on the sand. The sound of sea waves and darkness was indeed calming and soothing.

"I agree this is nice but you should see the fireworks on new year. You will forget this and love them more", he said jokingly.

Swara smiled still looking at the floating clouds. "I love this darkness more", she said enjoying the cold breeze.

"That's because you haven't seen those fireworks yet", he said and she simply shook her head.

"Thank you Sanskar", he looked at her hearing it and she was still looking at the sky. She looked calm and peaceful.

"Thank you for standing by my side when no one stood", he turned to her completely. "Swara dosti mein (in friendship).." he started but she interrupted him, "I know no sorry no thank you but don't stop me today".

He looked at her silently as tears slid out of her eyes while she didn't move her eyes from the clouds. "I know there have been so many moments when my plans and decisions would have been tough for you, thank you for sticking by. Thank you for never judging me. Thank you for being my friend and thank you for the house in Mumbai too.."

He sighed a little, this is the first time he was lying this close to her. She was shining in the dim moon light. "That's enough I don't want to hear the word thank you ever again", he said and she giggled a little wiping her tears.

She kept looking at the clouds, "doesn't that look like a heart", she asked pointing her index finger to cloud and he looked above. A cloud indeed had the shape of heart.

"Yes", he murmured and looked at her again. Swara kept looking at the floating clouds forming different shapes and slowly closed her eyes. Sanskar looked at her sleeping figure mesmerized.

"I will miss you", she heard his whisper and she stopped breathing hearing it. She didn't know what to say, few more minutes passed by and she finally opened her eyes. She saw Sanskar sleeping near her peacefully, she gulped and regretted not telling him immediately that she would miss him too.

She sighed and looked at his hand where he got an injury two days ago. Now he only had a small band-aid there. She slowly caressed the wound and once again started looking at the shapes of clouds still holding his hand lightly and fell asleep.

----

Sanskar opened his eyes and looked at the pink and orange sky. A smile touched his lips seeing his hand intertwined with Swara, she was also sleeping peacefully. He looked at the time, it was 4 in the morning. Swara had her flight at 9. He slowly took his hand from her hold and whispered softly, "Swara!"

After calling her for few more times he smiled as she rubbed her eyes and woke up. "Good morning", he said and she smiled at him.

They both got up sitting and she brushed her hairs with her fingers lightly. "Shall we leave?" he asked and she nodded to him. He first got up and gave her his hand, she held his hand and got up.

They both left the beach in cycle. Sanskar rode the cycle first to maheshwari house. "I will see you at the airport", she nodded to him and then rode the cycle to baadi waving bye to him. He kept looking at her till she disappeared from his sight.

----

Sanskar and the gadodias were at the airport to send off Swara. Swara took blessings from all the elders and when Swara got to Sharmishta, everyone including Sanskar got a little away giving them a moment.

Swara closed her eyes as she hugged her maa tightly. She controlled her tears hoping for a new beginning in her life. "the divorce is finalized na Shona?", Sharmishta asked and Swara broke the hug confused at the sudden question. She nodded her head in a yes. "No it's just you are still wearing all this", Sharmishta said pointing to her marital signs like her mangalsutra and bengali shaka pola.