A/N

"HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY" to all of you. So, today marks the one year anniversary of TUJHH MEIN RAB DIKHTA HAI as it was friendship day last when I actually ended TMRDH. Thank you so much all of you for all your love and support for all my stories. I'm blessed to have readers like you all.

Here you all go with the next episode. I hope you will like it...

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Swara and Sanskaar decide to go to Sanskaar's home to fill up the online as well as offline forms for entering into the competition. The online forms are to be submitted to the organizers and sponsors of the whole event and the offline forms to the Dean of Elite University.

Reaching the Maheshwari Mansion they are greeted by Annapurna at the doorstep. She smiles looking at Swara and welcomes them...

Annapurna: Swara, after a long time beta!! How are you?

Swara: I'm fine aunty. We just had some work, so, I came here.

Annapurna:  Since when did you start explaining things to me? There is no need for that Swara. I know you both very well.

Sanskaar: Badi Maa, we need to fill up a very important form, so, could you please send our lunch in my room only.

Annapurna: Now off you go before Sujata gets back to her mother-in-law mode. You know how she behaves when you both are in your room.

Sanskaar: Please don't remind me. Last time by mistake I suggested her to install a CCTV camera in my room if she's so concerned and she was all set with her credit card to get the best quality of cameras.

Both Swara and Annapurna chuckle hearing Sanskaar complaining to which he rolls his eyes taking a deep breath...

Sanskaar: Don't laugh. Sometimes, I really wonder how come she could have managed me as a child when she is so much like a child herself!!

Swara: No wonder, why you're like this!!

Sanskaar: (narrows his eyes) Excuse me!! What do you mean by 'like this'?

Swara: (bites her tongue slightly) Umm... I mean...That...!! You know...

Sanskaar: No, I don't...!! Come here. I'll show you... (he runs towards her)

Swara: (runs away) No. No. No. Stop!!

Sanskaar: You're so dead today!!

Annapurna: (shouts from behind) If you are going to behave like this then we are not going to get you both married. (but both of them run towards Sanskaar's room) Both are equally crazy. Perfect for each other.

As both of them run away, Sujata comes there...

Sujata: Definitely, Sanskaar is back. Only he can create such a chaos at the house.

Annapurna: (chuckles) Yes. He is. Sujata, just do one thing...

Sujata: Yes, what is it?

Annapurna: Send two plates of lunch in Sanskaar's room.

Sujata: Two plates?

Annapurna: Yes, Swara is also here. Both of them need to fill up some form, so, they'll be having their lunch over there only.

Sujata: Oh. Okay. I'll send it or I'll take it myself. No problem.

Annapurna: Alright. Then, I'm going to take some rest.

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Swara runs towards Sanskaar's room and tries to close the door and but Sanskaar runs quickly and holds the door leaving it flying open.

Sanskaar: Now, where will you go?

Swara: But I haven't done anything.

Sanskaar: Then why were you running? Haven't you seen CID? The one who runs away is always found guilty.

Swara: (stops running and looks at him in disbelief) Did I just hear it wrong or you actually gave a very stupid example?

Sanskaar too stops running and chuckles...

Sanskaar: Alright. I agree that was very lame. But that definitely doesn't mean  that I'm going to leave you.

Swara: What? No...

But since she gets distracted, Sanskaar takes this as an opportunity and holds her wrist pulling her towards himself...

Sanskaar: (holding her waist) Now where will you go?

Swara: Sanskaar!! Leave me.

Sanskaar: No. First tell me what do you mean by 'like this'?

Swara: It was nothing. Just... (widens her eyes) Sujata Aunty!!

Sanskaar: (gets baffled and leaves her immediately) Woh Mom... I wasn't doing anything. I...

He looks at the door and finds no one over there. Swara starts laughing at his expressions and he realizes that she tricked him. He holds her by her arm and pulls her again...

Sanskaar: So, you've started tricking me also?

Swara: (grins widely) Now, what can I do? At least you listen to your mom.

Sanskaar: (tightening his hold) Either you are telling me or get ready for the punishment.

Swara: What punishment? Why?

Sanskaar: Are you telling me or not?

Swara: Really it's nothing specific.

Sanskaar: Then get ready for punishment.

He leans in to kiss her and Swara rolls her eyes...

Swara: You only need a chance, don't you?

Sanskaar: Excuse me!! You're my girlfriend and it's my birthright to kiss you. Moreover, it's your punishment this time.

He leans in again but Swara shouts pulling away...

Swara: Sanskaar, Sujata Aunt!!

Sanskaar: Naah, I'm not buying it this time.

Swara: She's really coming. Leave me.

Sanskaar: (rolls his eyes) I know you're lying.

Swara: I'm not lying this time.

She starts thinking what she should do as on one place Sanskaar is not leaving her and on the other place she could see Sujata approaching them. Right now, there is only one thing she could think of and she finds it the safest way to get out of the situation right now. Just before Sujata reaches their room Swara bends her finger bringing them near Sanskaar's stomach and starts tickling him. Within a moment Sanskaar leaves her trying to save himself from tickling.

Sanskaar: Ha ha... Swara... ha... leave me... ha ha ha... you know that won't be good for you...

Just then Sujata reaches there and looks at them in utter disbelief...

Sujata: What are you both doing? Sanskaar, you're 23. At least behave like one.

She looks at her son keeping their lunch on the side table...

Sanskaar: What? I wasn't doing anything. She was tickling me.

Sujata: But I'm sure you must have done anything that she tickled you.

Swara gives a secret winning smile to Sanskaar on getting one extra support.

Swara: Yes. Yes. Sanskaar. Tell your Mom why did I start tickling you.

Sanskaar: Aaa... Umm... Who...

Sujata: (narrows her eyes) What were you doing?

Sanskaar: Don't give me that detective look. I was just... I...

Swara: Yes Sanskaar!! You were just...

Sanskaar: (gives her a death glare and looks everywhere but his Mom) Actually... I... was... I was going to fill up the form. Right!! I was... going to fill up the form.

Sujata looks at him confused whereas Swara laughs silently enjoying his situation...

Sujata: But why will she tickle you if you were going to fill the form?

Sanskaar: (rolls his eyes) How would I know!! Ask her only. You know she is crazy!!

Swara: Excuse me!!

Sujata: She has got to be crazy or else he would she handle my super crazy son.

Sanskaar: (sits on his bed and opens his laptop) Now also you're taking her side only. God knows what will happen to me after marriage. For sure, you're going to take her side only.

Sujata: Of course, I'll take her side. After all, I always wanted a daughter.

Sanskaar: Then do one thing. Trade me to Simmy Aunty and bring Swara here in exchange. At least my to be mother-in-law loves me!!

Swara: Aunt I think someone is jealous.

Sanskaar: (glares at her angrily) I'll deal with you later. First come and fill the form.

Swara sticks out her tongue to him and sits beside him...

Sujata: But first have your lunch.

Sanskaar: Let me just download the form that we have to submit to the dean. Mom, you can just leave that tray here.

Sujata: So, I should just go.

Sanskaar: Yes Mom.

Sujata: (looking at the laptop) By the way which form are you filing?

Sanskaar: Talent Hunt.

Sujata: What talent hunt?

Sanskaar: Mom!!

Sujata: Okay. Okay. I'm going.

She turns to leave but returns the next moment...

Sujata: But at least you can tell me what talent hunt.

Sanskaar: Mom, you can leave. We are not in the mood of producing your grandchildren now, (to himself) as you've already ruined my mood.

No sooner he says this two hands come flying his way and slaps the back of his head...

Sanskaar: (screams) Oww... Why was that?

Swara: You really don't know why was that?!!

Sanskaar: Okay. Okay. I'm telling. This is an international talent hunt competition held every four years in which a person can participate only once. All the final year students along with the ones who have completed their graduation in last three years can participate in it. End of the story. Happy!!

Swara: (smiles and pulls her cheeks) Good boy!! That's why I say that you're cute.

Sanskaar: (rubbing his cheeks) Stop it and I'm not cute.

Sujata: (laughs) Okay. I'm going you both continue whatever you were doing.

She leaves and both of them start reading the instructions for filling the form. Just five minutes later Swara shrieks...

Swara: Oh Shit!!

Sanskaar: What happened?

Swara: I can't fill it.

Sanskaar: What? Why?

Swara: This says the singer must know how to sing in both English as well as Hindi and I don't know how to sing English songs.

Sanskaar: But you do know how to sing!!

Swara: I can't do this Sanskaar. I mean how can I? And we have send an audio clip as a sample in fifteen days to qualify the first round.

Sanskaar: So, why can't you? I know you can do this Swara. Besides, you have an entire month to practice for the final round. Right now, we just have to send an audio clip of yours to them.

Swara: You really think I can do this?

Sanskaar: I know you can do this. I have full confidence in the girl I love. Now, come let's get over with this. After that we have to search the best song to go with your voice.

Swara smiles looking at him and kisses his cheek expressing how blessed she feels having him in her life.

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The month passes just like the blink of an eye. The results of the first round are going to be declared today and will be displayed at their University.

Both of them reach the auditorium where the dean is going to announce the names of the fifty students who are selected for the second round.

Within an hour all the names get declared and both of them get selected for the second round along with forty eight other students including Kavita and Sahil to their surprise...

Dean: Congratulations to all the fifty students who have been selected. The second round will be organized by the University of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla where thirty of you will go to the third and the final round. So, you all need to leave in two days. Get ready for that. All the best to all of you.

As the dean finishes his speech Swara looks at Sanskaar...

Swara: Kavita and Sahil are selected too?!!

Sanskaar: Kavita is very good at dancing, so, she might have gone with that...

Swara: Then how come I have never seen her dancing?

Sanskaar: Because of her brother. She used to dance in childhood but I don't know what happened that Sahil restricted her from dancing in public. Maybe, he has allowed her now.

Swara: And Sahil?

Sanskaar: He looks stupid but he is very much into acting.

Swara: Yeah I know. But why haven't Laksh and Ragini participated? I'm going to miss them in Himachal Pradesh.

Sanskaar: Gosh. Why do you have so many questions? Alright, Lucky is planning to do M. Tech. and then join some firm as a software engineer. And Ragini is also having plans somewhat like that only.

Swara opens her mouth to say something again but Sanskaar interrupts her...

Sanskaar: No more questions now!!

Swara: (rolls her eyes) I wasn't going to ask any question. I'm saying let's go and get our things ready as we have to leave in two days. Now, come on.

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Two days later all the fifty students of Elite University land in Himachal Pradesh and are taken straight to the University of Himachal Pradesh. Night has almost fallen as they reach the University and all are welcomed by the host...

Host: Hello everyone. I welcome you all on the behalf of the University of Himachal Pradesh. Right now, we have students from four different institutions and you all are the first ones to reach here. So, you all have two days to go for the next round. Please make yourself comfortable and in case of any problem feel free to contact me. My name is Nitin Agarwal and I'm your host for the whole event. The arrangements for your stay have been made in the hostels. I expect your cooperation with the ones you are going to stay for this whole week. That's all we have for now. You can check your room allotments on the display board. Thank you so much.

All the students move towards the display board to check their respective room numbers when someone comes and taps on Swara's shoulder. She turns around to find a boy, Punjabi boy to be specific, near about of her age smiling widely at her. Sanskaar narrows his eyes seeing the boy's hand on his girlfriend's shoulder...

Boy: Swara? Swara Ahuja? Right?!!

Swara nods her head slightly and the boy's grin becomes even wider as if it's even possible. And the next moment he throws his arms around her pulling her into a bone crushing hug. Sanskaar chokes on his own saliva as he finds some stranger hugging his girlfriend whereas on the other side Swara is all confused on all that's happening.

Precap: Swara feels immense pain in her throat and finds it hard to speak...!!

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A/N

So, that's all we have for now friends. Please pray for me I have my exams on 10th of August.
See you all on next Sunday. Till then stay blessed and happy reading...!!
With love,
Stella ❤️