Still Alive

Of Flashbacks And Tapes.

CHAPTER 2

Sanskar POV :

We went inside the orphanage. I saw Rahil and little Swara playing with the other kids in the play area.

It was a relatively cool and breezy autumn evening. Laksh brought a cup of coffee for us. It was 5 in the evening.
Laksh placed his hand on my back and patted it. I smiled back at him.
Apart from the little rustling of the dry leaves and the clamor of the kids playing hide & seek it was quite serene here.

As I sat on the bench sipping the hot coffee, I enjoyed the feel of the zephyr as it swept over my face.
I remember the first time I saw her, in that white jumpsuit of hers, fiercely defending her friend, continuously supporting her.

I didn't know I was smiling until Laksh made me realize that I was.

"Why are you smiling like that?" he asked.
"Nothing, just remembered the first time I saw her. Hey Rags you remember? How bold she was and she just shut off the mouths of the people?"

A curve made its way on her face. "Yes. I do"
"I do remember everything. I do remember how courageous she was. It's because of her that I started to live life again. She gave me hope and reason to live. This life that I'm having right now, was almost a pipe dream for me. How could I ever forget?"

-----A year ago. -----

-February 2016.

"It was spring maybe. In the middle of February. After that day Swara had persuaded me to stay with her since I was pregnant. I didn't agree to her, but she was way too adamant so I had no choice left, but say yes to her.

A few weeks later Swara was really happy, cause it was her first internship. Unlike other girls who'd dab a lot of makeup on their faces, Swara just liked to be authentic. She was brewing up with eagerness and was full of curiosity for what was gonna come up. I had insisted her on eating curd and sugar for good luck, silly her she sniggered and followed my instructions. She was hurrying unnecessarily. " I hate being late to any place and I hate those who are late," she said.
Laksh chuckled and added in, "Hey do you remember how Swara used to brood about her being confused in the blocks of BKC.  She used to get lost in the complex every time, saying 'It looks all same. It's potato-potataé'. Thanks to the Google maps she finally had the way out. "

Everyone burst out in laughter.

"Lol, I remember the lines of dismay on her face the first time she came to know I was her boss. Boy, Boy! What a day it was. Although later on she recovered from the shock and diligently gave her interview. She was this strongly opinionated girl, ready to change the world, she knew what the youth was capable of doing and that she would pioneer in bringing out the change." I said.
.
S

wara loved challenges, so did I.

Back then, the city was under the terror of JD, the godfather of the underworld, and a name-sake white-collared businessman. The cops couldn't find any clues or alibi against him. The media dare not fathom his case, cause anyone who did, had to face the consequences.
However I was very much keen on him, and so I had been collecting pieces of evidence for him. I had my eyes on him. If I got hold of any potent evidence against him, and give it to the world, my company would be famous and reach new levels. No one could ever compete with me.

If only I knew the price I had to pay for that conquest, I wouldn't have taken it up.

"Hey, see what I found. The videotape from Swara at the beach party." Ragini came with her laptop, breaking my stream of thought.

"Oh crap, is that MISSION RUIN?" asked Laksh.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "MISSION RUIN ?" I questioned.

"Yea. Back in college, Sahil and Swara had gone to this beach party of the CM's kid, Riya. Back then Riya was dating an ex-boyfriend of Swaras'
Boy she tried to mess with her, she dropped water on her out of jealousy." replied Laksh.

"Wow? Then?"

"For that mister, you've got to watch this tape."
                     ---The Tape---

Sahil and other friends were murmuring something.

"What ya gonna do angry pants.?" mocked Sahil.

"Wait, watch and Record! Head's up this is gonna the best thing in this boring party"

It then filmed of Swara walking up to the girl and throwing or rather - mistakenly spilling the wine on her.

"Do it like me" Swara laughed out.

Another girl spoke up her concern, "Dude she's the CM's kid. Don't you think you're in deep trouble?"

"Oh fuck, is she the CM's kid. Damn Zara, you should have had told me this earlier, I would have spilled some expensive wine and then topped it up it some cherries.
Now the CM is gonna be mad, I ruined his daughter's clothes with cheap wine "

Everyone, in the video including me, started to laugh.

---
You see things like these make one fall for her more.