The sweltering heat did nothing to ease their comfort. Swara could feel their uneasiness and pain but there was no escape. The migrants who had escaped the civil war that was ravaging their country had nothing left back at home. Having lost everything, their only way to save themselves, was to cross the border. Though the camp was overflowing with people fleeing from the war in their country,they were provided with basic necessities like food and clothes.The stifling and tropical heat in the eastern part could provide little relief to these homeless people. Babies were malnourished and crying with hunger, women had little clothes to cover themselves up and men looked lost and anxious.The authorities who were managing the camp tried their level best to provide food and clothes and maintain a record of the migrants' identity but each day the camp got more than a hundred knocking on the door.They looked battered and ill.

Elsewhere in our country, the media and Politicians were howling themselves hoarse by questioning the Government in allowing refugees into the country irrespective of their religion.The right wing made their opposition loud and clear and the left wanted to know the economic viability of giving refuge to these people. None of them cared for the plight of these helpless people. 

Swara arrived two days ago with Viren and his team to do a feature on these refugees and the camp that was sheltering them. Seeing the condition of these migrants, she felt helpless and distressed. How do you help someone who lost everything in life and had no will to survive? The militants had taken over their country and waged a war against anyone who went against them. International peace organizations and other countries could do nothing but watch helplessly as the rebels overthrew the ruling government and took over the reins. Viren and Swara tried to talk to some of these refugees who looked educated enough to know what was happening in their country. After two days,the team got a clearer picture of the situation in their country. Swara,Viren,their senior camera man Alex and his assistant Pawan lent helping hand in the camp to organize things but every day the chaos increased with more influx of people. The team was leaving this evening back to Kolkata and Swara had some more hours to collect as much information as possible. She was trying to get a teacher to talk about the troubles his countrymen faced in their home.Half way through his description,he broke down and confessed about leaving his old parents behind. His guilt and pain was palpable and that was when she noticed that there were very few old persons in the camp. It would have been difficult for them to trudge along in the dark, escape all the hurdles and cross their territory. No wonder that these people were heartbroken, guilty and in anguish.

Viren and Swara finished their interview,recording and notes by evening Four. Since the camp was on the outskirts, it took them nearly two hours to reach their hotel. All of them were in a solemn mood after witnessing the devastation and loss that a civil war could do to its people.They took the 7 pm train back to Kolkata. In the train, they discussed about the camp.
'You know, in spite of all the corruption and complacency of our Government, I am happy that they do not pick up arms at the drop of a hat.' Viren opened up the conversation
'You are right. Though we have enough provocation, we do not get into warfare. We should thank god for such small mercies.' Alex said, buying tea for all of them from the Railway canteen boy who was serving in the coach.

'Yeah, those who are sitting in air conditioned rooms and screeching about our incompetency in responding to Political aggravation do not care about the repercussions that a war or conflict can cause. Look at these people! Can you imagine losing everything you have worked for in life? It must be devastating for them.' Viren replied echoing the pain they all witnessed in the camp. Swara could not digest the fact that they were compelled to leave behind, not only their homes but also their loved ones. How could one get through life with this baggage of guilt and grief?

She listened to the conversation that Alex and Viren were having, getting an insight into the political policies of countries. Her mind was playing the scenario that she witnessed in the camp repeatedly. After talking to several people in the camp, she realized that nothing was permanent in life. It was unpredictable. She was emotionally drained after watching and talking to these helpless people. Why do people fight? Why can't everyone live peacefully?

She almost dozed off when Viren got a phone call from one of his friends' at News daily, informing about the CM arriving back by 10 pm flight from New Delhi after her meeting with PM. Viren was excited. He wanted to get her response on the situation of the neighboring country and the plight of refugees.

'Listen guys, we will go straight to the airport from the station. CM is arriving from New Delhi. We will try to get a bite from her about the camp and add it to our segment. It will give more weight.' All of them agreed though Swara was tired, hungry and sleepy. She did not want to appear disinterested during her first assignment itself. But she reflected on her boss Viren's energy. He was almost twenty years older to her, weighed on the heavy side but he was the most active in the team. He buzzed with energy and life and he was on the move throughout the day. In the last two hectic days, she never found him to be tired or inactive. They were kept on toes by interviews,recording and helping the authorities with the identity of the migrants.There were also medical aids from various corners of the world to treat the sick and wounded people. Swara was with the medical team whenever she took a break from work.She helped them with identifying wounded children and ladies.She did not get a moment to sit and relax. Now, as she looked forward to go home,Viren asked them to go with him to airport. She sighed! Well, she would finish the work and go home.

Annapurna searched the whole house for him but he was nowhere to be found. Where was he? She went to the top floor where he had a separate apartment. She knocked on his door and went in,

'What are you doing here alone? It is dinner time and all the family members will be assembling down.'

'I don't care mom. I don't want to sit with everyone and pretend as if I really care about him. I hate him. Don't you get it?' He scowled at his mother.

Being Annapurna's apple of the eye, he depended on his mother for every problem of his. Now as he looked tensed and worried, Annapurna brushed his lock of hair back and said

'Do not worry. Your secret is with me and no one will know anything about it.'

'But mom, at the rate he is growing in his business,he will overtake all of us. And Papa has one more reason to hate me.' He whined like a little boy to his mother.

'I am making things easy for you. Now you have to listen to me carefully and do as I say.'

'OK, I will listen to you but what is this new headache of searching a girl for him? Don't you have anything else to do?'

'I am doing it for a reason.You won't get it but it is for your good....Now you come down and eat. Do not give another chance for your father to taunt you.We will defeat all...'Annapurna calmed him down....But as she was leaving, he called her back

'Mom, Is it right to do this?' he asked doubtfully..Annapurna watched her eldest son Adarsh lovingly and said 'Trust me...'

The party was in full swing at the pent house apartment of Sanskar's friend. Sanskar had already downed few shots and he and his friends were onto their sixth shots of a potent mixture of gin, vodka, Tequila and hazel nut liqueur. Sanskar usually avoided parties except for business needs. But this was arranged by an old friend of his who helped him in US. When he went there without any backing, Raunaq provided him with a roof and food. So during his initial struggling days, Raunaq helped him a lot and Sanskar would never forget this. Now Raunaq was in Kolkata setting up his own branch of business with Sanskar's help.They had launched their first edition of their mobile phones to test the market and Raunaq wanted to give a party. So Sanskar obliged. Surprisingly, Sanskar met many of his old school friends with whom he had lost touch completely in the party. Raunaq was in touch with them and had invited them this evening. Raunaq did not hesitate to tell them of Sanskar's help and sing praises about his business empire. Soon they were all in awe of Sanskar with his success and achievements.Though Sanskar was little embarrassed with this attention; he enjoyed the banter and fun.

Some of them had brought their partners and one of them was Kavita. Sanskar did not notice her first because he was too busy trying to avoid the overtures of this girl called Shamina who was flirting with him nonstop. His school mate who had brought her was glowering at him from the other corner of the room.Thank god they did not end up in a fist fight. It was worse than a high school party.To avoid her,he was taking refuge in the bar and drinks.Then suddenly, someone tapped on his shoulder and he turned back. He got the shock of his life.There stood Kavita,smiling in a long black dress with a drink in her hand. For a second, Sanskar blinked trying to place her. Then it hit him. Holy Shit! What the hell was she doing here? He asked himself though he gave a polite smile and stood up from the high bar stool.
'Hi Kavita, How are you?' he asked politely. He felt nothing but a mild surprise at her appearance. He neither felt anger nor bitterness.

'Hi Sanskar.... Long time..... When did you start becoming socially active?' kavita asked sarcastically referring to his long absence from Kolkata's uptown party scene. When they dated, they always attended some party or other. Sanskar shrugged his shoulder 

'I have been too busy working. Everyone is not lucky to be paid huge amount without lifting a finger.' He replied quietly,cutting her to pieces with his biting words reminding her of her treachery.He watched her face for some guilt but she looked only taken aback.

'Oh Sanskar, you are still bitter about it. I know I always affected you deeply but I was helpless Sanskar. My mother was in need of the money and when your family offered it, I could not refuse it.'

Sanskar could not believe that she was so brazen about it. He was ashamed of himself for dating a spineless girl like her. He did not take pains to explain to her now that he was not bitter about her volte face but of his family's betrayal. He really did not care what she thought about him. He excused himself and went in search of Raunaq to say his goodbye. Raunaq did not leave him immediately but asked him to give him company for two more drinks. By the time Sanskar was ready to leave the place, his brain felt befuddled.

He was just getting in the car when his cell phone rang. It was Mrinal.

'Hi Mrinal, what is up?'

'Sanskar, I just landed from Mumbai. I heard that there is a taxi strike. Can you please pick me up from the airport Sanskar? Please......'she pleaded and he complied. 

Sanskar asked her to wait at the airport. He let his driver go home and drove the car himself to the airport.

The man followed Sanskar's car at a discreet distance. He had been tailing him for some days since he scared him with the truck stunt. He did not get him alone.Now he was alone and that old ass of a driver too was not there. Yes, today he will take a shot.......his boss was losing patience. He had to act today or he would be gone.

Swara and Viren tried to get as much footage as possible from the few seconds of CM's arrival and departure from the airport.There was a mad rush of reporters and photographers.Everyone was jostled and pushed by the shrieking bunch of journalists.They were hurling questions at the CM but she just gave a brief about her meeting and rushed towards her convoy of vehicles with the group of VIPs tailing her. Some of the reporters dispersed after the CM left and others followed her, hoping for a press meet at her house. Viren instructed Pawan and Swara to head home. He and Alex were following the CM in another vehicle with his colleagues from other teams.

So Swara and Pawan walked back to the pickup point and waited for their cab. Swara put her luggage down and checked her mobile for messages. Suddenly, there was the sound of screeching tyres and her luggage falling down. Swara watched in horror when a huge expensive car stopped in the nick of time before hitting her. Pawan pulled her back.Thankfully the driver stopped it in time otherwise she would have broken her bones.Their luggage was disrupted and one of the handle of a suitcase was detached from it and fallen down. It took two minutes for her nerves to calm down. She could not see the driver in the dark.He was still in the car and he too seemed shaken by the incident. She wanted to pull him out and give a tight slap. Few passengers who were waiting for their car inquired if she was OK. Swara nodded but waited for the bloody driver to get out. Slowly the car door opened and a tall man got out. He walked slowly towards her but he was slightly unsteady on his feet. Not everyone could see this but Swara's sharp eyes noticed it. And the shock of it when he came near!!!!!!

Dear God it was Sanskar..... She could not believe her eyes...She did not think that he recognized her. He stopped few feet away from her and took out his wallet. He dug out few wad of notes and offered it to her. He looked at both Pawan and her.

'If any damage is done to you or that luggage, take this and repair.' He said without any remorse. Swara looked at him as if he had gone crazy. She could not believe that someone could be so arrogant. The onlookers who had come to inquire turned away,after he took out the wallet. They thought the matter was settled but it was not for Swara. He was still holding the money and offering her. Swara had a bottle of water in her back pack. She took it out and unscrewed the cap.Taking hold of the bottle in her right hand, she flung the water on Sanskar's face...................

In the commotion that happened, no one noticed a car pausing for few seconds and then move ahead.

PRECAP

Sanskar's every waking thought is about Swara...Hate, revenge, love, desire, jealousy all kinds of emotions overpower him...