Chapter 23

"Why you both are so adamant?" Sujata sighed, helplessly. 

"If he is so stubborn to return to his home then I'm not going to beg him to come" Rajender replied from the other side of the phone. 

Sujata didn't know what to say next. She was literally tired of trying to convince Raj to ask Sid to come home. He was yet to digest the fact that his son had got married to the girl he loved, even after his disapproval. So, he seemed to not want to give in so soon. 

"Why can't you understand that Sid's happiness is with Roli. What else do you want other than our son's happiness?" Sujata continued her persuasion. 

"I'm not saying him to leave her. Anyway, they're legally married couple now. It doesn't matter if I accept it or not, does it? Let him do whatever he wants" Raj was neither against their relationship nor accepted it.  

"But__" Sujata was interrupted by a knock on the door. Turning around she found Roli at the entrance. 

"I will talk to you later" Sujata said on the phone whilst nodding at Roli to come in. 

"You aren't asleep yet? It's so late already" Sujata looked at Roli after keeping her phone aside. 

"I'm not sleepy and Sid is still doing some work" Roli replied as she reached Sujata.

"He is just like his dad. Workaholic" Sujata commented with a smile. 

"Do you want to say something?" Sujata asked as she found Roli wandering within herself. 

Roli nodded her head positively. She did have something in her mind that she wanted to talk with Sujata. Though it had been two days since Sujata came, they both hadn't got much time to talk. For Sujata was busy with her meetings and Roli wouldn't want to disturb her. Moreover, Sid was always around whenever they both were together and Roli hadn't got the opportunity to talk. As the topic was about Sid and his father, Roli wanted to talk with Sujata in Sid's absence which she finally got now. 

"It's.. about Sid and.. his dad" Roli started, nervously. If it was about anything else then she wouldn't have been so nervous. However, she would be very considerate when the topic involved Sid in it. Especially, now after unintentionally overhearing Sujata's words, she became even more nervous. 

"Is it because of.. me?" Roli asked slowly. From what she happened to overhear just now, she somewhat understood the reason behind Sid's fight with his dad. And surely it did upset her. 

"It's not you, Roli. Don't blame yourself" Sujata replied naturally. She seemed to start liking Roli already. 

"It's actually Rajender's fault. He wanted Sid to go abroad for his higher studies. But, Sid wasn't okay to go leaving you. And Rajender had kept a condition for Sid that if he agreed to go abroad then he would get him married to you as soon as he returned. Sid agreed to the condition and left to abroad. But, after he returned, Rajender was backed off from his promise. He might think Sid would forget you after staying abroad for ten long years. But, it didn't happen and the first thing that Sid asked after returning was about you".

Roli was stunned after listening to what Sujata said. She didn't know any of these as Sid never told her. She just could not believe that Sid went abroad only to return to her forever. While she was still in shock, Sujata continued. 

"When Sid got to know that his friend Akash is in Mumbai, he immediately made his decision to shift here. But, his dad didn't agree and brought up the alliance of his friend's daughter. That argument heated up and Sid left the house" Sujata stopped with a sigh. 

Standing like a statue, Roli was completely at a loss of words. She was truly touched by what all Sid had done for her. 

"Well, it's not new for this father and son to have differences. It's their usual and they both are egoistic to give in quickly. So, just let the time pass, they'll be fine" Sujata tried to comfort Roli as the latter seemed worried. 

Unable to summon what to say, Roli quietly turned and left the room. Engrossed in her thoughts, she walked into Sid's study room. He was just done with his work and switching off his laptop when he saw Roli entered. 

"What are you still doing here, Roli? Didn't I tell you to sleep?" Sid got on his feet and walked near her.

While Roli just stared at him, without a word. She still remembered how sad she was the moment she found out that Sid was gone, ten years ago. She couldn't endure the separation even after the passage of a few years. It was when she came across his interview on the internet nearly four years ago that she actually happened to realise what he meant for her. 

The moment she found a pool of tears in her eyes while watching him after what felt like forever, she knew he was special to her. But, she was unsure of whether he would still remember her or not. When Sujata said that Sid asked about Roli soon after he returned, she felt overwhelmed. 

Watching her without any response, Sid was concerned "Are you alright?". 

Unable to come up with words, Roli slowly moved into his embrace and hugged him as she would never let him go. 

Surprised at her actions, Sid wrapped his arms around her whilst asking "is everything okay?". 

Still no response from Roli. She seemed to be too touched with his love that she couldn't even utter a word. Suddenly, Sid got reminded of something and broke the hug. 

"I have got something for you" he said and walked back to the desk. Fetching out a small square-shaped box, he returned to her.

"This is for you" Sid forwarded it to her while she accepted with a frown, wondering what it could be. By opening up the box, Roli found a small heart-shaped pendant with few diamonds engraved on its surface as the letters "RS". 

"This is so cute" Roli smiled at the elegant looking pendant. Feeling satisfied at her reaction, Sid took out the pendant and gently clasped it around her neck.

"Never dare to take it off" Sid stated authoritatively. 

"I won't, even if I die" Roli replied with a beaming smile. 

"Shut up. No nonsense" He cupped her face protectively as he warned her. 

Roli chuckled at his reaction and hugged his waist, resting her head on his chest, feeling blissful. 

"How much more do I have to wait for you?" Sid was not ready to make a move without her concern as he wouldn't want to make her discomfort. 

But, oblivious to his intentions, Roli looked at him with a frown and replied: "why you have to wait? I'm here with you, right? And I promise I will never leave you until my last breath". 

Sid was taken aback for a few seconds until he realised the innocence in her words. He shook his head with a chuckle and pulled her into his arms. 

Roli snuggled into his arms and hugged him as tightly as she could. She felt so content at the moment that she had nothing else to wish for except to be with her Sid till the eternity.

~×~

The following day, as usual, Roli, Sid and Sujata had left to their respective works after having breakfast together. 

~ In sid's office ~ 

Sid was trying to concentrate on the work but couldn't as his head was aching continuously. He was feeling the pain from early morning but as he didn't want Roli to worry about him, he didn't disclose it to her and tried to look alright. 

However, now the pain seemed to escalate and wasn't letting him focus on anything at all. Holding his head in between his palms, he felt like someone throbbing it from inside. 

Unable to endure it anymore, he took his phone and dialled Jatin's number. 

"Come to my office right now" Sid only spoke these words and hung up the call, leaving Jatin all confused. 

Hearing Sid's voice, Jatin knew something was not right. So, he started immediately and reached Sid's office within twenty minutes. By the time Jatin reached, Sid's condition was even more worsened. 

"Sid" Jatin called out, taking a seat across Sid. While Sid released his face from his palms and looked up at him.

"What's wrong with you?" Jatin was terrified at the sight of Sid's bloodshot red eyes. 

"My.. head" Sid's voice was hoarse as he held his head again. 

"See I told you not to stress yourself. But, you overload yourself with the damn works. Why can't you ever listen to me, Sid?" Jatin started scolding him out of concern. 

"Look at me. Be patient and just hold yourself for a little while. I will go get medicine for you. Until then don't stress yourself more" Jatin said as he stood up to leave. 

Just then Sid's phone beeped. Sid, though being in pain, took it to check as he found the message was from the person, who was after him to take revenge. 

The moment Sid clicked on the message, his heart sank and his hand trembled. 

"Keep that phone aside and take rest" Jatin snatched the phone from Sid but was equally shocked to see what was there on the screen. 

"Is this Roli?" Jatin asked looking at the picture. It was Roli's picture. She was in a chair with her hands tied to the armrest. 

"Save your love before she takes her last breath" Jatin read the text message below the picture and looked at Sid in shock. 

"Roli is in danger" Sid got up from his place as he got prepared to leave to go save his girl. 

"Wait, Sid. You are not in a position to go anywhere now" Jatin immediately stopped Sid. 

"I need to go" Sid shrugged off violently. The dangerous look in his eyes made it clear for Jatin that the things were out of control at the point. 

"But Aryan can be dangerous to Roli" Jatin said as the last bait to stop Sid. He knew the outcomes of letting Sid go out now. And those outcomes could be disastrous which he wouldn't want to happen. 

But giving deaf ears to the surroundings, Sid turned around and left before Jatin could stop him.