Here's the update guys, enjoy😃. Sorry for updating late.

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PART 17

Sanyukta ran endlessly. It was pitch dark everywhere. The road did not have any street lights also. She had no money. She didn't even have a cell phone to contact anybody. She bent down to touch the earth. She realized it was smooth and did not have pot holes. She then realized that may be she was on the main road i.e on a highway. She went to the side of the road. She thought of taking a lift from some vehicle. She waited for approximately 1 hour. She spotted the front lights of some approaching vehicle. She quickly stood up, walked to the middle of the road, waved her hands and screamed LIFT'. The vehicle just passed ignoring her. She was tired now. She thought of moving from there. After walking for some more time, she came to a spot that had roads going to 2 different directions.

"Ab kaha jaau? Hey, bhagwan! Yeh kaise din dikha rahe hai mujhe? Thak chuki hu main bhaag bhaag ke", saying this she collapsed on her knees. She started crying. She then stood up, composing herself. She decided of taking the right' side of the road. She walked again for some more minutes, when she noticed street lights placed at every few metres. After walking for some more, she could see some light at a far distance. She thought there could be some human settlement there. She walked in the direction of the lights. But, she was mistaken. She slowly walked to the place and realized that the light was coming from a campfire. She saw, there were some evil looking men who were planning about creating some other riot in Roorkee. One of the men saw her. He shouted at her. But, she ran from there. She turned back to see that they were following her. They were following her. After running for some more time, she saw a house and immediately jumped over the boundary wall and hid herself. She could hear their voices.

Voice 1: "Arey kaha gai? Isi taraf toh aai thi. Tu us taraf jaa, tu udhar jaa, main saamne jaata hu."

After some time, they reached the same spot.

Voice 2: "Bhai, who ladki nahi mili. Agar who ladki nahi mili, toh hum sab fas jaaenge. Usne hamari shakle dekh li hai. Baatein sun li hai. Netaji ka naam bhi humne liya, who bhi suna hoga. Agar who police ke paas gayi toh..."

Voice 3: "Chup. Aisa kuch nahi hoga. Chalo is taraf jaake dekhte hai."

Having realized that they have gone, she slowly got up. She could not see them. She turned right and saw that it was somebody's house and thought of taking help. Slowly walking and looking left and right, she pressed the doorbell. Nobody opened up. She pressed again. Still no response. She pressed continuously for some more time. Nobody came. She thought that the house was empty. She turned to leave when she heard the sound of the door opening up. There was some light coming from indoors as well. She turned to face the person. He was rubbing his eyes. He shot open his eyes to absorb the view in front of him. Sanyukta was beyond stunned to look at the person. But, somewhere she was relieved as she knew that now, she would be safe.

Vardaan: (Talks in a dizzy voice as he is sleepy) "Sanyukta, you here? Ahh...got it. Now I am even sleep walking and seeing you in my dreams. Good night Sanyukta, it's too late."

Saying so, he shut the door. But, Sanyukta hit the bell again. It was then, that Vardaan realized this is not his dream. He quickly opened the door again.

Vardaan: (Shouting) "What the hell? Huhh...What are you doing here? At this time?"

He was shocked to see Sanyukta in a complete dishevelled state. He could see some bruises on her face.

Sanyukta: (Keeping a finger on her lips) "Ssshh...please don't scream. They'll hear you. (Looks left and right)"

Vardaan: (shouting) "Whooo?"

They heard the voices of some men. Sanyukta stood on her toes and saw them approaching in their direction. She quickly picked up her bag and rushed inside the house, also she pulled Vardaan inside and shut the door. She kept her eyes on the door to hear their voices. She heard they had planned to deploy some more people in the entire area to find Sanyukta.

Sanyukta: (Banging her head slowly on the door) "Sh*t, sh*t, this cannot be happening."

Vardaan was too shocked to understand or react to anything.

Vardaan: (folding his hands) "Can you now explain Sanyukta, what the hell have you done now? Hamesha kisi na kisi musibat pe pad hi jaati ho na tum. Aur saath mein dusro ko bhi ghaseethi ho. Jab se tum mili ho, ek din bhi mera shaanti se nahi guzra hai. Aur who baahar who log kaun hai? Aur agar musibat mein pad hi gayi ho, toh yaha kyun aayi ho? Is baar main tumhari koi madad nahi karne wala."

Sanyukta: (Looking down, crying loudly and screaming) "Bina sachai jaane aap toh hamesha mujhe hi blame karte hai. Mere saath jo hua hai, uska aapko andaaza bhi nahi hai. Agar mujhe pata hoga ke yeh aapka ghar hai, toh main yaha kabhi nahi aati..."

Vardaan tried put his palm on his ears in irritation. "Such a loud voice, she's got", he thought. But then, he saw Sanyukta glaring at her.

Vardaan: "Umm...achaa..achaa rona bandh karo. Stop crying lady. It's really irritating. I am having a head ache."

She cried more loudly listening to this.

He went from there to get her some tissues. He got a bunch of tissues for her and gave it to her. Pouting her face like a child, she wiped her tears and blowed her nose. Vardaan twisted his face at this sight thinking, yuck!' He put his hand forward gesturing her to sit on the couch. But, Sanyukta misjudged his gesture and instead handed over the tissues with which she blew her nose, to him.

Vardaan: (Thinking) "Eeeww...Yuckkk!! What the hell!"

But, he again brought back a complacent look on his face seeing that Sanyukta was looking at him with her big round eyes.

Vardaan: "Hehehee...please sit. I'll get some water for you."

While walking away, he mumbled to himself, "And also wash my hand with an antiseptic."

Sanyukta hesitantly sat on the couch. She saw Vardaan getting her water. He offered the glass to her. She grabbed it and hurriedly drank it, as if she had been thirsty for ages. Vardaan raised his eyebrows at this. She finished it and asked for some more. Vardaan got her one more glass. She again gulped it in a second. Again, she asked for some more. Vardaan was surprised at this. He got her a jug full of water and kept it on the small table in front of the couch and sat beside her. She poured water into the glass. She drank some 5 to 6 glasses of water. She nodded her head that she had enough. Vardaan was a mute spectator to this scene.

Vardaan: "Can I ask you now?"

Sanyukta narrated the whole story. Vardaan was shocked and dumbfounded hearing everything.

Sanyukta: "Aur mera paas paise bhi nahi hai, meri jewellery bhi nahi hai, mera phone bhi..."

She again started crying keeping her hands on her forehead. Vardaan felt like hitting himself for lashing out at her like this. "Oh my god, she had been through so much trouble. I am such an idiot. That's what I am. Oh no...she looks so disturbed and dishevelled", he thought.

Vardaan: "OK. OK. Stop, stop crying. I am sorry. I shouldn't have lashed out at you like that."

Sanyukta: "It's OK Sir."

There was an awkward silence, when Vardaan broke it and said that he'll switch on the NEWS. There was NEWS being telecasted on the riots and violence that took place today on the highway to Roorkee today. "Oh god, she is right." He turned to Sanyukta and asked her, "Have you seen their faces who had forcefully stopped your bus?" She nodded. He asked again, "And the goons who were outside, have they seen your face?" She nodded and said that she has even heard what they were planning. Vardaan got a tensed look on her face realizing that he has to keep her safe from the goons, who are probably deployed in every area waiting for her.

Sanyukta: "What happened, Sir?"

Vardaan: "Umm..nothing. Nothing. I think it's pretty late. You should sleep."

Saying so, he switched off the TV and walked towards his bedroom. He was interrupted by Sanyukta.

Sanyukta: "But where? Where should I sleep?"

Vardaan: "You see this living room. Sleep anywhere in the living room."

He walked away, went to his bedroom and shut the door.

Sanyukta: "Huhh...How rude!"

For the first time, since she entered, she took a good look of his house or the living room to be precise. It was big and simple with no unnecessary and grandeur furniture. The walls were painted with white. There were some 3 to 4 paintings on the wall. A TV, and a couch was present on which was sitting. A dining table was present with only 2 chairs. The kitchen was connected with the living room separated by a counter. Kitchen was very decent and neat with all the things arranged in proper places. There was refrigerator as well. She was damn hungry. She looked towards the bedroom door, took baby steps and proceeded towards the refrigerator. She opened it and found some apples. She picked one and was about to bite it when she thought, "Nahi, yeh toh chori ho gayi na."

She again kept the apple inside. She drank some more water and went to sleep on the couch. She was sleeping on the couch and thinking, "Sir, ki family kaha hai? Dikhai nahi di?" Thinking so, she slept with her palm under her head. She slept like a sloth, as she was terribly tired from all that running, walking and hiding. Vardaan woke up at 8 AM, took a bath, came in the living room and proceeded towards the kitchen to make some breakfast. His eyes fell upon Sanyukta who was peacefully sleeping on the couch.

Vardaan: (Thinking) "Oh yea...she came her last night. I almost forgot about her."

He proceeded towards her to wake her up. He observed that she had actually worn the dress that he had gifted her. He observed her more closely, from top to bottom. "Hmm, looking pretty", he thought. Her mouth was open and she was snoring. Vardaan angels and demons woke up again.

Demon: "Eeew...god, she snores. How unhygienic!"

Angel: "What is so unhygienic about it? Some people do snore. It is not that she is doing it on purpose."

Demon: "But, women don't snore. I have not seen any woman snoring."

Angel: "For your kind information, you don't know any other woman; except Niharika."

Demon: "Yaa...she never snored."

Vardaan: (In thoughts) "Shut up both of you now."

He bent forward and slightly shook her arms to wake her up. She did not budge. He again shook her this time with a lil bit high frequency and called her out. She lazily spread her arms, and made an action with her fingers indicating 5 minutes'. He couldn't understand it.

Vardaan: "Huhh...what? What are you saying?"

Sanyukta: (Lazily and barely opening her mouth)"five minutes mummy!"

Vardaan: "Mummy!! I am not your mummy, you get that!"

Sanyukta: "Oof oh mummy, ab tak naaraaz ho? Bola na sorry!"

Vardaan: (Raised his voice) "Sanyukta get up now! You are not in your house."

She startled and woke up. Vardaan said, good' and moved towards the kitchen. Sanyukta sat on the couch and lazily stretched herself. Her body was aching intolerably. She realized where she was and was hesitant. She screamed at Vardaan who was in the kitchen.

Sanyukta: "Good Morning Sir."

She did not get any response. After some minutes,

Vardaan: (Hesitantly) "Umm...You can take a bath. The bathroom is there."

He pointed towards his bedroom. She looked there, got up, took her bag and proceeded to the bathroom. He avoided looking at her and acted as if he's busy preparing the breakfast. But, only he knew what kind of awkwardness he was going through. She quickly went to the bathroom without wasting any more time. Warm water fell on her body from the shower which soothed her body ache to some extent. After some minutes, she came in the living room. She saw Vardaan arranging the breakfast on the table. She thought of going and gulping it down. She hadn't eaten since a long time. But, she hesitated thinking this is not her home. Vardaan saw her and was lost in her beauty. She was wearing a baby pink color kurta and a white patiala salwar. She was looking so fresh. Not an ounce of make up on her face. Her damp hair made her look even more sexy. The flicks were falling on her face which she was trying to put behind her ears. "How can anyone look so beautiful and sexy in such simple clothing", he thought.

Vardaan: "Come. Have some breakfast."

That was enough for Sanyukta. She almost ran to the dining table, pulled a chair out and immediately sat. She eagerly waited for the breakfast to be served. Vardaan smiled looking at her antics. He poured milk for her in a glass. He also served sprouts in a bowl and kept the bowl near her. He then took his seat, served sprouts for himself and started reading the newspaper. After some minutes, he observed that she had not touched anything.

Vardaan: "What happened sanyukta? Have your breakfast?"

Sanyukta: "Umm...Do you have Bournvita?"

Vardaan: (Amused)"What? No, I don't have it."

Sanyukta: "Oh...actually, I hate plain milk. I can only drink it with Bournvita."

Vardaan: (In thoughts) "Itni badi ho gayi hai, ab tak Bournvita leti hai." Breaking his thoughts, "OK. At least have those sprouts."

Sanyukta: (Twisting her face) "Hmm...I hope you know that, I generally don't like such healthy and tasteless stuff."

Vardaan then recollected the hospital incident. "She really didn't like nutritious food. She is total pizza girl. In fact, Pizza Hut should hire her as their brand ambassador", he thought.

Vardaan: "What do you want to have then?"

Sanyukta: (After thinking for a while)"Umm...bread and omlette."

Her face lighted up, as if she was imagining munching on her bread and omelette.

Vardaan: (Smiling) "OK. I'll make it then."

She saw Vardaan going to the kitchen and starting with the preparation.

Sanyukta: (In thoughts) "Should I go and help him? But, what will I do? I don't even know how to make tea. Moreover, he might not like it."

She saw the water jug on the table. It was empty. She thought, "At least, I can fill water in this." She picked it up and proceeded to the kitchen. She raised the jug in front of Vardaan's eyes and asked,

Sanyukta: "Sir, where is the water filter?"

Vardaan: "There it is."

She went towards the water filter attached to the wall. She saw some 3 to 4 buttons on it. She didn't know which one to switch on. She was fidgeting with the buttons, when she noticed a hand coming from behind her onto the filter. She got scared and as a reflex, she immediately turned back. Her damp hair hit his face. Her flicks stuck to her face. He raised his hands to move them. But, he looked in her eyes. They had so much intensity. He thought that her eyes were a masterpiece. Only, an artist can do justice to them. He was standing really close to her. She tried to move back but was obstructed by the kitchen platform. He tried to come closer, but the water filter beeped. They both came back to reality. She felt awkward. Vardaan excused himself saying that the omelette would burn. She nodded.

The omelette was done. Bread slices were toasted. Vardaan served it to her, who was waiting like a fox for some food. She quickly grabbed the plate and started munching on it. She finished it within a few minutes. She even burped. She realized what she had done,

Sanyukta: (Keeping her palm on her mouth)"Oops...sorry!"

Vardaan: (Smiling) "It's OK. I think you were hungry. Sorry for not offering you something to eat last night."

Sanyukta: "Sir, please. Don't be. By the way, the omelette was superb. You cook better than my mom."

Vardaan: "Talking about Mom, I think you should call home. They might be worried for you."

Sanyukta: "Hmm...I should call them. But, what will I tell them. Agar main unhe poori ramayan bata dungi, toh woh tension ke maare yaha aa jaaenge."

Vardaan: "But then too. You should call and inform them. They're your parents. Take. Here's the phone."

She took the phone. But, she had no clue, about what and how much to tell. What if, they come to know, that she is staying in her professor's house. How would they react? "But, then it was an emergency. I had no choice", she thought. Vardaan took the empty platters from the dining table to keep it in the sink. He saw Sanyukta dialling the number from the phone. He made an action with his fingers telling her she can go to the balcony. She got up.