Chapter 19

He tried to act cool, but he was aware, that all his efforts were in vain. His forehead was sweating. And with Sanyukta looking at him with her mesmerising eyes, it wasn't helping at all. He tried to get a smile on his face and hesitantly said, "You are welcome". He moved from her to the kitchen to continue with the cutting.

Demon: (Hitting its head) "No, no, nope. This did not happen. This did not happen. This is just a figment of your imagination Vardaan and nothing else. Stay away from her."

Angel: (whistling) "Wooohooo...I m in heaven baby! Somebody serve me a glass of wine. I need it to absorb that beauty sitting elegantly on that counter."

Vardaan: "Just shut up both of you!"

Sanyukta: "Huhh..Sir, I didn't say anything."

Vardaan: "Umm...not you. I mean..nothing. I am sorry."

He carried on with this work. His mind was constantly rewinding and replaying the incident that just happened. And man, he was blushing too.

Vardaan: "So, looks like you're really not into cooking and stuff."

Sanyukta: (Laughingly) "Nope. Not at all."

Vardaan: "Why did you want to help me, then?"

Sanyukta: "Honestly, maine toh aise hi formality ke liye puch liya. Par aapne toh, chaaku aur pyaaz mere saamne laakar rakh di."

Vardaan laughed her cute response and continued with his work. She tried to get down from the counter. She rested her palm on the counter for support and tried to jump. But, she got cold feet. With a scared look on her face, "OMG, Sir, I can't get down", she told. "How did you manage to get up there then?", he asked her. She pointed towards a small stool that was earlier near the counter. Vardaan had pushed it, as it was obstructing his way, when he had come to dress her wound. He came to help her. He held her fingers to give her support. It pained her coz of the wound, but she kept mum. She was moving forward a bit. The grip on her fingers increased. She could not bear it and hissed in pain. Vardaan realized he was pressing her wound. He was about to say sorry, when she freed her fingers from his grip and immediately held on to his shoulders for support. Vardaan was once again stunned by this gesture. He couldn't understand what to do? He actually forgot that Sanyukta had left sitting on the counter, thinking he's gonna support her. She was about to fall and she screamed. Vardaan came back from his dream and as a reflex held her by her waist completely encircling it. He actually lifter her up and put her down on the floor. Now, it was Sanyukta turn to blush. Thankfully, he did not observe it.

It took one hour for Vardaan to prepare biryani. Meanwhile, Sanyukta was busy studying or rather acting like she was studying. Her brain was constantly thinking about how he lifted her up. The fragrance of Biryani started lingering in her nostrils. She closed her eyes and inhaled it some more. She looked towards Vardaan, who was focussed on the Biryani and nothing else.

Vardaan: (Thinking) "This is almost ready. I've prepared it according to her taste. I hope she likes it. " "It's ready. I'll arrange everything on the table", he said.

Sanyukta washed her hands, sat on the dining table and was ready to pounce on it. She served to Vardaan and to herself. Both looked at each other for some seconds waiting for each other to start. Both gestured each other to start eating. They took a morsel of Biryani and were lost in it. Sanyukta closed her eyes to relish the taste. She found it mind blowing. "Sir, it's awesome. You get 10 on 10 for this", she said. He was about to thank her, when she interrupted him saying, "Now, don't disturb me. Let me focus on this biryani". She took morsel after morsel, enjoying it. She finished it and was ready to eat some more. She again served herself some more. And in a few minutes, even that was in her stomach. But, she was not done yet; she took some more biryani for the third time, and managed to finish it within minutes. Meanwhile Vardaan had not yet finished what Sanyukta had served him for the first time. He was surprised looking at her. "Who the hell will tell that this girl has so much of an appetite," he thought. She put the last morsel from her plate into her mouth.

Sanyukta: (Resting back) "Ooof...This is the best biryani, I've ever had in my entire life. Seriously, you have to give me the recipe for it. I'll definitely try it someday."

Vardaan felt proud and happy that she liked it. Like a child he grinned from ear from ear. "So, where is payment madame?", he playfully asked her.

Sanyukta: "Huhh...oh about that, I was just joking. (Pause) I really don't have any money with me now. OK..you can ask anything apart from money? If it's in my capacity, I will definitely give it to you.

Saying this, she took her plate and proceeded towards the kitchen sink to wash it. Vardaan's evil mind was working overtime now.

Demon: "That's it. Here's your golden chance mister. Make her pay for everything. Everything... the help that you are providing her by letting her stay here, selectively teaching her, making an omelette for her, dressing her wound, cooking biryani for her...everything! Look, what she has turned you into"her servant. Oh...and also make her pay for distracting you with her long lustrous hair and not letting you to get lost in them, her long eyelashes, her red juicy lips and not even allowing you to taste them, her soft skin and not even letting you to kiss it, her vanilla scent and not even allowing you to eat it, and of course, how can I forget, the kiss!! Become an ultimate shameless and ask for anything in return to satisfy yourself. Get done with this once and for all. Only then, you'll be able to focus on other things."

Angel: "Have you lost your mind? She is a human being and moreover a girl, and to top it all, Vardaan's student. Vardaan, don't listen to him. Just imagine the consequences, if you choose to do what he's advising. You might lose your self respect. If the other students come to know about this, they would stop respecting you. And most important, do you want to see hatred and disgust in Sanyukta's eyes for yourself. Just in a moment you'll lose her. I am sure you don't want that to happen."

Vardaan: (Thinking) "Yea...you're right. I really don't want to lose her. What!! What am I saying!"

He stood up to put the plate in the kitchen sink. Sanyukta helped Vardaan clean the dining table. She was feeling damn sleepy, which was the effect of biryani. She sat on the couch, taking the books on her lap. Vardaan went to his bedroom saying he has some important work to do. Sanyukta just couldn't resist her sleep. She slept on the couch, holding the book and pencil on her chest. Within seconds, she was snoring. In his bedroom, Vardaan finished his work. He got up from the table and stretched himself. He too was sleepy. He thought of taking a small nap and so he did. After about 3 hours, he came in the living room to check on her. As expected she was in deep slumber and snoring too. He came near her and bent on his knees. He admired the beauty sleeping peacefully. Her flicks had fallen on her face. He carefully put them behind her ears and caressed her cheeks with affection. "Her skin is so soft", he thought. Her mouth was open which he closed with his fingers. Sanyukta in sleep, took his hand, kept it under her head and held on to it. She felt secure. She started smiling in sleep. Vardaan had tears in his eyes at this moment.

Vardaan: (In thoughts) "All this is just a dream Vardaan and nothing else. Face the reality. Look at her; so beautiful, like the morning sun"bright and fresh, full of life. Look at you, you are worse than a nightmare, a doomed person. Everybody who came close to you, lost everything. Your love turned into a poison for them. Do you want her to be the next Niharika?"

Thinking this, he quickly removed his hand from under her head and stood up. She woke up with a start. He excused himself and rushed to the washroom to wash his face. He came into the living room, took his helmet and stormed out. Sanyukta was confused, thinking what happened. She washed her face and came back to study. She finished studying in another one hour and was worried for Vardaan. She didn't even have his mobile number.

Sanyukta: "Ek ghantaa ho gaya hai unhe jaake. Kaha gaye honge. Bohot gusse mein lag rahe the. I hope maine phir koi galti nahi ki. Kya karu?"

She heard the sound of his bike. Excitedly, she opened the door and smiled looking at him. He came in ignoring her. She could make out that something was definitely wrong. He was OK at lunch. He straight away moved into the bedroom and shut the door.

Sanyukta: "Arey? Itna attitude? Abhi puchti hu ke hua kya hai? Nahi, pehle coffee banaa kar lekar jaati hu."

She went to the refrigerator, to take the milk. She searched the entire kitchen to find coffee powder and sugar. Finally, in the last cabinet, she found it. Slowly, recollecting each step how her mother used to make coffee, she finally prepared it. She took a spoon to taste the coffee and it was good. She poured it into 2 mugs. She picked one mug and knocked the bedroom door. Vardaan heard it but did not open the door. He wanted to stay far from Sanyukta at all costs.

Sanyukta: "Sir? I am sorry to disturb you. But, I've made coffee for you; for the first time. I'll be glad if you have it."

Vardaan didn't pay any heed when she spoke. But, he rubbed his forehead when he heard the words ,for the first time'. She thought that he won't come out. So, she turned back. He opened the door. Happily, she gave him coffee and took hers as well. She was eagerly waiting for his response. He took one sip. "It's nice, good", he said. Sanyukta finished her coffee as well.

Sanyukta: "Idea!! Yes, yes!!"

Vardaan: "Huh? Kya idea, kaunsa idea?"

She opened her bag and found the play station in it, gifted by her brother. She showed it to Vardaan who with a confused look asked her, "Yeh kya hai?" Sanyukta was dumfounded hearing that statement from Vardaan.

Sanyukta: "Sir, this is playstation. I'll quickly connect it to the television and then explain you."

She ran towards the television and later realized that she should take his permission.

Sanyukta: "I mean...can I connect it to your TV?"

Vardaan smiled and said yes. It took 10 minutes for Sanyukta to connect and arrange all the stuff. She sat on the couch in front of the TV. She called Vardaan to come and play, which he obliged. She showed Vardaan each and every game. Vardaan listened carefully. He was no doubt everybody's teacher, but when it came to gaming, she was his teacher.

Sanyukta: "So, sir? Which game you would like to play?"

Vardaan: "Umm...Anything that you like."

She selected a car racing game, which she knew she was an expert in it. She taught Vardaan all the controls of the game. The voice from the screen said, "Wecome. You have 15 minutes to finish the first lap. So, on your marks, get set and go." Sanyukta vroomed her car and in no time she was much ahead of Vardaan. Vardaan's car was constantly hitting the boundary wall.

Sanyukta: "Sir? What happened? You have to press the top button for speed. And keep your car at the exact centre of the road. "

Vardaan: (Trying hard to focus) "Yaa...yaa. I am trying."

After some minutes, Vardaan got comfortable with the controls and was enjoying it.

Sanyukta: (Laughing and looking at the TV screen) "No matter how hard you try Sir, you will never be able to get ahead of me."

Vardaan: "Oh really? Just wait and watch Miss." Both gave each other tough competition. Sanyukta's car was ahead of his car. The finish line was approaching. Both of them were completely engrossed in the game. Sanyukta managed to look at him. He had that determined look on his face. It was as if he wanted to win the game at all costs. She was lost in him. She smiled. Slowly, Sanyukta released her finger from the speed button. Her car slowly stopped. Vardaan's car crossed the finish line. She allowed him to win.

Vardaan: (Fisting his palm)"Yess! Yess...see I told you...I will definitely win."

Sanyukta: (Smiling) "Congrats!"

They played some more for another few hours. Both of them enjoyed playing. It was dinner time. He again asked if she would like to have anything for dinner. She replied that she wanted to have the same morning biryani. Dinner was eaten in silence.

Vardaan was tired after all he had long day being a servant to Sanyukta. He got a phone call from the Dean informing him that the curfew was over. It was now safe to enter college. Instead of being happy, his face fell.

Vardaan: (In thoughts) "What happened? You were waiting for her to go. So, now the time has come. Come on tell her, that she can leave tomorrow morning. Why the hell are you sad?"

Vardaan: "Umm...Sanyukta? Dean called me just now. The curfew is over. The college is starting from day after tomorrow. It's now safe to enter college."

Sanyukta: (Happily) "What!! Seriously? I don't believe it. Woww...finally, it's over. Sir, can you please lend me your laptop for some time. I want to book a cab for tomorrow morning to FITE."

He gave his laptop to her.

Vardaan: (In thoughts) "See, she's happy. She really considers you as just her professor and nothing else. Come out of your dream land soon."

Vardaan: "Umm..Sanyukta, you can sleep in the bedroom tonight. I know the couch is really uncomfortable. Don't worry, I'll sleep here. Mujhe toh aadat hai."

Sanyukta: "Oh no Sir. Don't bother. I don't mind sleeping here."

Vardaan raised his voice and ordered her to sleep go to the bedroom and sleep on the bed. She obliged. Vardaan watched the news for some time and went to sleep on the couch or to be precise pretended to sleep. Thoughts about Sanyukta were hovering in his mind. Next morning, Sanyukta woke up early and packed her bags. She came to the living room to find Vardaan preparing the breakfast. Without looking at her,

Vardaan: "Hmm..good morning. The breakfast is almost done. I'll get freshen up in 10 minutes." He rushed to the bathroom saying this.

Sanyukta could clearly make out, that something was not right with him. They had breakfast in complete silence. After breakfast, she went to the balcony to see whether her cab had arrived or not. Cold wind was blowing which soothed her. Vardaan came and stood next to her. He had two cups of ice cream in his hands. Her face lighted up looking at the ice cream. She instantly took one from his hand and looked at it.

Sanyukta: "Woww...how did you know, that I like butter scotch flavour."

Vardaan: "Just guessed it."

They spoke about totally irrelevant things like weather, politics in India etc etc. She gobbled up the ice cream within minutes. There was some ice cream on her lips. He thought of telling her that, but instead came close to her and looked deep into her eyes. She stopped speaking, looking him so close to her. He raised his hand, put his finger on her soft lips. She quivered under his touch. He carefully wiped it. Even after the traces were gone, his hands were still on her lips. He raised her head, holding her chin and came very close to her. Her hands were shivering. He immersed his hand in her hair from under her ear. She had gone cold. She closed her eyes. He was may be just a centimetre away from her. She could feel his breath on her. He leaned forward and gave her a kiss on her soft lips. She couldn't understand if this was right or wrong, nor did she respond to his kiss. She just stood there, frozen and too shocked to react.

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