Fanaa - Destroyed in Love - A Swasan FF

#15 - Dance with me

Veronica came down the stairs in slow, measured steps, one elegant hand sliding down the banister. She had forsaken Tom Ford for the night and chosen Balenciaga - a glittering column of midnight blue satin draped over her slim form, an off shoulder number with a mile high slit up the left that scissored once for every step she took. Her hair was arranged on the crown of her head in lovely curls, a few wispy tendrils artfully escaping the bunch. her eyes were blue smoke.

She looked stunning, and she knew it. And she had used the family connection to her advantage, arrived early to set the stage. Coming down the stairs was a clich for a reason.

Heads would turn when she made her entrance. Already, some did, and it pleased her. Now where was the one person whose attention was the sole purpose of all these thoughts, efforts and priming? He had slipped right by her early in the evening. Slippery as an eal, she thought ruefully. Well, she had decided to charm him off his feet. And beauty was a weapon she had honed to perfection. Where was he?

Ah, there he was, by the door, as perfect as ever, the gracious and charming host. His name suited him to the T: Sanskaar. Getting to him would not be easy, there were a million people she had to go through for that. But she had the solution to that. Smiling, she descended the last flight of steps, drawing a bee line for the door even as she prepared to play hostess.

It was a black tie event. There were men dressed in three piece suits and women draped in glitter and glamour all around him. He wasn't aware of the appreciative and speculative glances he received from the female portion of the crowd, let alone that of the single-minded Ms.Verma.

He had a part to play, which he didn't mind. it was part of being a Maheswari. Duty calls. But even though it was all for a good cause, his mind kept wandering. Where was she? Even as he played the gracious host, charmed and cajoled patrons and media royalty and politicians, his eyes drifted to the doorway, and beyond the gravel drive flanked by acres of fairy lights. Where was she?

He managed to stay near the door somehow, so he would know. He hoped she would come. She wouldn't stand him up, would she? No she wouldn't. She was too loyal and steadfast to not keep her word. Every time a car scrunched up the gravel, he turned to look. He felt a tiny bit of disappointment for each time it wasn't her, and it took effort not to let it show.

Until a cab came up the drive, and a girl stepped out. He excused himself from his acquaintance and moved to the door, his heart thudding a little painfully as he waited for the newcomer to turn. He wanted to be sure...when she turned, he was sure his heart had stopped for one moment. And then it began to beat double time. It was indeed Swara...

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"Have you ever watched a leaf leave a tree? It falls upward first, and then it drifts toward the ground, just as I find myself drifting towards you."

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She had worn a simple gown in ivory satin, high backed, with just a little interest of encrusted stones below the prim Queen Anne neckline. The satin flowed over her delicate form like a second skin, the hem floating around her ankles in gentle waves with every move of hers. She had dressed up, just a little, because it was fun. Just played up her eyes, pearl dust, a sprinkle of fairy silver on her eyelids. And had picked the silly, sparkly silver heels on a whim, going with the mood. Then laughed at herself, and stopped there. She didn't want to go aboveboard. She only ever wanted fun, and had no use for vanity. So She let her hair be, and it framed her face in lovely loose curls. The effect was stunning, though she hardly noticed.