Unmasked - A Swasan Story

31 # On a Sunny Evening

Hello All,

Back with an update.If you missed the last update because of the Wattpad glitch, Please do check.

Happy Reading. Do let me know your thoughts. A star and few words.

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A treat and hanging out with a bunch of lovely souls had never been so much fun, Swara thought. The cheerful faces and teasing banter going around the table said the same. As decided they met early in the evening outside a cafe. Laksh and Sanskaar wrapped their work for the day leaving the entire evening free. Swara suggested rather than going for a standard coffee, they could try a desi style treat.

Laksh and Sanskaar exchanged a glance."What are we waiting for?" They screamed in chorus.

After some time, standing by a roadside stall, they munched on chat, samosa and even had a panipuri competition recalling their college days and the fun they missed falling into the corporate world..all these little happy moments not found behind closed glass walls of posh hotels.

"Oh God! I missed this, Sunny," Laksh sighed contentedly. "It feels like ages."Sanskaar nodded with a mouthful of golgappas.

Laksh turned to Swara with a wide smile "Thanks a lot, Swara. This is the best treat I had in recent times. Happy, Swara smiled in return.

In order to balance the spice hitting the system, they decided on a sweet treat. "My treat! Ragini said hugging Swara sidewards, "Because I am so happy for my bestie and her new start."

"They should be sisters, No! Laksh murmured to Sanskaar watching the scene. "Swara and Ragini ..Swaragini. Sounds good! " Sanskaar nodded in consent. He always adored their bond and they looked more like sisters than friends.

As they settled in a nearby ice-cream parlour

"I heard you have been doing some good deeds these days, Mathur," Ragini said taking a spoonful of her ice cream.

Laksh quirked an eyebrow. This woman loves teasing him. Well! " Did you know Ms. Gadodia I was born with a halo around my head as angels have? Arey! Main toh paida hi hua tha logon ki bhalai karne Ke liye.What do they say ...those masiha types."

"Yeah! Shaktimaan types Right!" Ragini winked at Swara."Where's your suit? Superhero waala"

"Dropped for dry cleaning," Laksh shrugged, digging into his ice cream.

"And you should know he has an extra secret suit, " Sanskaar said,' "Arey! dress ke upper chaddi waala.Kyu Lucky! Kaunsa colour red ya blue?" He poked shoulder, grinning.

Ragini and Swara giggled while Laksh threw a mock glare at Sanskaar.

"He's called Superman btw," Laksh supplied," aur tu kya Mera mazak uda raha hain, saale. Talk about your spiderman suit which you bugged Annapurna aunty for and you know Swara! He would do all crazy feats trying to crawl on walls, jump on trees and what not! I was a saint compared to him in school days. Shaitaan tha ye shaitan. Waise, he walked in a fancy dress competition in that suit." Laksh ignored all dangerous glances being shot at him, taking too much fun in their banter

"Yeah! The same competition where you wrapped a saree." Sanskaar spilt one more of secrets. "What was the name you gave yourself Champa Chameli? Such a sexy name!"

And at that Swara broke into a laugh unable to hold back any longer and laughed till her stomach ached. For a minute the rest of the group watched her in utter silence especially Ragini and Sanskaar.

When was last time Ragini thought, she had seen Swara having such a hearty laugh... not in ages. Not once after the death of parents. Her smiles had always been controlled, restrained ..but not this. It's almost like she feared happiness from the time of Sekhar's death, scared if she loved something dearly that would be snatched from her. She had seen Swara grow up with these fears, all these years. Ragini also knew this was one of the reasons, Swara held back her fascination cum love for Sanskaar. And now, she looked as if filled with a fresh lease of life.