😃😃😃😃 I won't say anything...just enjoy the update!

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PART 39

He was making his bed ready to sleep, when his cell phone rung. He expected her to be on the line. And he was right about it.

Vardhaan: "Hi. You're still awake? Sanyu, sleep now. It was a tiring event."

Sanyukta: "I suddenly remembered something. Don't you think it was a such a nice co-incidence that we got each other as dance partners."

He started laughing.

Vardhaan: "Sanyu, you still think it was a co-incidence?"

She got curious and sat up on her bed.

Sanyukta: "What do you mean?"

Vardhaan: (laughing)"OK. I think I need to break the suspense. During the event, I saw the dean struggling with some chits. I offered him help and I prepared the chits. You remember the last two chits in the bowl...well, they were blank. Some of the participants who picked up the blank chit put it back into the bowl, thinking that it was some kind of an error. One by one, people came and picked up the chits. Only the blank ones were left at last. The Dean without any suspicion made us partners thinking that our names were in those blank chits. So basically, our names were not in any of the chits."

She was chuckling like a child hearing all this.

Sanyukta: "Really, you actually did that. Shame on you! Being a professor, you cheated."

Vardhaan: "Toh aur kya karta main? Tumhe kisi aur ke saath dance karte dekhta rehta? I am not that strong Sanyu. Behind this strong demeanour, there is a very timid soul. I need you. You're my strength, I find solace in you, in your arms."

She blushed and melted.

Sanyukta: "Vardhaan, I hope you are feeling OK. Something is bothering you, right? Please, tell me!"

Vardhaan: "Umm...Nope...nothing much. Just ... got a bit emotional."

He said wiping his tears. She could easily make out that he was weeping slowly.

Sanyukta: "Vardhaan, I love you. I am always, there for you..I would never leave you. Now, wipe your tears...quick!"

He wiped his tears. All he wanted to do was hug her and feel her soul, right now.

Vardhaan: (smiling) "Thank you Sanyu. I think, you should sleep now. It's quite late."

Sanyukta: (smiling) "Hmm...See you on Monday. Good night..and dream about me!"

They ended the call and were in deep slumber, not knowing what the future holds for them.

Next morning, Sanyukta was alone in the classroom studying. The Dean was passing by the corridor, planning to talk to Vardhaan, when he spotted her. He looked left and right and went to her. He called her and she instantly stood up.

Sanyukta: (smiling) "Good morning Sir."

Dean: "Hey, good morning Sanyukta! So, wasssup? Howz everything going?"

Sanyukta: "Good. I mean, yess...exam pressure..that's it!"

Dean: "Hmm...last exam of your professional life. You're a good student. Don't get distracted. Do well in exams. All the best!"

Sanyukta: (smiling)"I will Sir. Thank you."

He left the classroom without asking her anything. He could not ask her, just directly. He was not even sure of how to put the conversation ahead. "May be she is innocent. She's a student and moreover a girl. I think I should talk to Vardhaan first. But, what and how will I ask him. May be, I should collect some information and facts first", he thought.

She got a message on her cell phone.

"HI Sunshine, where are you?"

She replied back, "In class, studying. There's no place in the library."

He was walking on the corridor, his eyes fixed on his mobile phone, when he suddenly collided with Dean. His mobile phone fell down. The Dean was pushed behind and was about to fall. Vardhaan hurriedly held him.

Vardhaan: "I am so sorry Dean. Did you get hurt? I hope you are alright."

The Dean balanced himself and stood straight. "Yaa, I am fine. I am fine."

His eyes fell on Vardhaan's mobile phone. He bent down to pick it up. His eyes were fixed on its screen. The screen was frozen to the two messages that were exchanged between Vardhaan and Sanyukta a few minutes back, "Hi Sunshine, where are you?" and "In class, studying. There's no place in the library". The dean read the messages in a nano-second and handed over the phone back to Vardhaan. He was shocked and stunned; he was still thinking about the messages that he just read. Vardhaan tapped on his shoulder and he was brought back from his thoughts.

Dean: "I am fine Vardhaan. You tell. Howz everything? You look quite different lately. I mean, you smile a lot now-a-days."

Vardhaan: (smiling) "Hmm...you were right. Smiling is good for health. You used to be the one, who always complained that I don't smile. Now, when I am smiling, you're asking me this?"

Dean: "Nothing like that Vardhaan. I wanted to talk to you, about...about the upcoming exams."

Vardhaan: (hesitantly) "Is it urgent? I am busy with someone...something. Umm...I'll come in your cabin after some time."

Dean: "Hmm..OK. I understand."

Vardhaan left the spot. In his own euphoria, he didn't even realize that the Dean had just came to know about his affair with Sanyukta. He went to meet Sanyukta. The Dean hurried to his cabin.

Dean: (thinking) "What the hell? What the hell is happening in FITE? Yeh sab kuch kab se chal raha hai? Meri hi naak ke neeche? Aur, Vardhaan! Maine kabhi sapne mein bhi nahi socha tha ke, of all people, Vardhaan aisa kuch kar sakta hai. Tum ne theek nahi kiya Vardhaan. And Sanyukta...she's a student! Yeh baat agar baahar aa gayi, toh college ka naam kharaab ho jaaega! Under any circumstances, I will not put the dignity of FITE at stake! Be it Vardhaan or anybody else."

Vardhaan saw her sitting in a classroom and almost ran to her. Sanyukta saw him and read his mind. She immediately stood up and said,

Sanyukta: "Just stop right there! Don't even think of hugging or kissing me. There's a camera here!"

He stopped midway abruptly and was surprised.

Vardhaan: "What!..Umm...how did you come to know that I was gonna hug you? Lady, that's dangerously good!"

Sanyukta: "Dangerously good? What does that mean?"

Vardhaan: "That means, in future, it'll be difficult for me to give you surprises of this kind. You'll always come to know beforehand."

He said with a little sadness in his tone. She laughed and felt like pulling his cheeks in awe.

Vardhaan: "Now-a-days, we don't even meet each other."

Sanyukta: "Err...we just met day before yesterday...at the party!"

Vardhaan: "I mean come on...not like that. That party was an official one. How much time did we spend together?"

Sanyukta: "Umm...vardhaan, we were together almost the entire evening. We even danced together."

Vardhaan: "You've stopped visiting me in my cabin lately. You don't even come home now. We don't get to share some personal moments together, like before!"

Sanyukta: "Yeah..I do understand, but you too need to understand, that now-a-days I am busy with exam preparation. I really want to score well in them. Daddy, needs my assistance too. Only when I am fully knowledgeable, I'll be able to help Dad."

Vardhaan: "Yesterday was a Sunday. You could have come home. But, you didn't.

Sanyukta: "Actually, I was feeling really tired..so I thought of resting or the day! And, moreover Kaustuki wasn't well. She had fever."

Vardhaan: "See. This is what I am saying...Your family, your friends..What about me? What is my position? Where do I stand? His face had gone red due to anger."

Sanyukta held her temples in despair. She breathed deep.

Sanyukta: "Why're you doing this? I accept that I am unable to spend time with you. But, that does not mean that I don't miss you. I really miss you too."

He left the classroom in rage and stormed to his cabin. She was left flabbergasted. She continued studying thinking that she'll pacify him once his anger cools down. She did not meet him the whole day but was seriously missing him. It was 9 PM and he was packing his stuff, ready to head home. She came to his cabin in her pajamas, and was very much hesitant. He eyed her from top to bottom. Even in pajamas she looked damn sexy.

Sanyukta: (hesitantly) "You...you're leaving? I wanted to talk to you."

Vardhaan: "Hmm...ya tell me."

Sanyukta: "I am sorry."

Vardhaan: "Nope...I am sorry Sanyu. I was quite harsh to you. I should've known that you're quite worked up lately coz of the upcoming exams. I am really sorry."

She came close and hugged him throwing her arms on his strong shoulders. He closed his eyes and inhaled her scent, caressing her hair. She slid his collar to the side and kissed him on the neck. His lips automatically parted upon her kiss. She then playfully bit him and he screamed a lil. She broke the hug laughing and clapping like a maniac. He kept a few fingers on the spot where she bit him.

Vardhaan: "You...come here..I'll show you..."

She ran round and round his table until finally he caught her hands. He pinned her to the wall raising her hands up. She was panting profusely. A sweat bead was rolling on her cheeks. He minimized the distance between them.

Vardhaan: "You're breathless."

She nodded.

Vardhaan: "Let me make you some more!"

Saying this he aimed for her lips. She closed her eyes as a reflex and to take in the moment. But, she had no clue what was happening...she felt like she was gonna fall and indeed she fell. Her head collided on his chest. He immediately held her panicking.

Vardhaan: "Sanyu..Sanyu!"

He patted her cheeks. He scooped her up and made her sit on his chair. He rubbed her palms and feet. He sprinkled water on her face and she showed some signs of consciousness. She moved slowly and slowly opened her eyes. She looked at him. He was knelt down, holding her hands and she was sitting on his chair. He looked really worried.

Vardhaan: "Sanyu...u're alright?"

He asked her cupping her face.

Sanyukta: "Hmm. I am fine. Mujhe kya hua hai?"

Vardhaan: "You fell unconscious for a few minutes, just now."

Sanyukta: "Really..Ya..my head is aching!"

She said pressing her head with her hand.

Vardhaan: "Did you eat anything?"

She responded in negative and he felt like hitting himself.

Vardhaan: "I am so sorry Sanyu. I should've not blasted you like that. You clearly look so stressed out. Go and have dinner. And then, I want you straight in bed. No studying after dinner. No phone calls. No texting. No gossiping. Just sleep. Got it!"

Sanyukta cupped his face and kissed him. She slightly smiled and whispered, "I got it." They moved out of the cabin and Vardhaan accompanied her till the entrance. He could not go further till the girls' hostel. Nevertheless, he waited for her to reach her dorm safe and sound. As promised to him, she messaged Vardhaan once she reached her room that she was fine. Only then, Vardhaan left for home. He was on his way when his cell phone beeped. The Dean had sent him a message.

"Vardhaan, wanted to discuss something important. Meet me in my cabin tomorrow."

Vardhaan raised his eyebrows remembering that the Dean had wanted to discuss something about exams today. "I'll meet him tomorrow", he decided.

VENUE: DEAN CABIN

Vardhaan as usual in his merry mood went inside the cabin and wished the dean, with a smile plastered on his face. The Dean did not wish him back. He just gestured him to sit down. He took his specs from his eyes on to his hands and was just looking at it blankly, not sure of how to put forth the topic. His years of experience of dealing with so many professionals was proving to be futile, coz this case had to do with his blue eyed employee, Vardhaan. Vardhaan called him, to bring him back to senses. The Dean got up from his chair and moved to the window.

Dean: "Vardhaan, I'll ask you a simple question. If your response to it is a NO, then I promise I'll never bring this topic again. This will be a dead issue and we'll never ever talk about it again."

Vardhaan: "What...what are you saying? Dean, what's the matter?"

The Dean smirked, inhaled deep and looked straight into Vardhaan's eyes.

Dean: "Do you love Sanyukta Agarwal? Are you guys in a relationship?"

The commotion outside suddenly became quiet. He was totally stumped by the Dean. There was pindrop silence, except for only the sound of the ceiling fan. But, there was turmoil raging inside him. His breathing had stopped. His mind panicked thinking and imagining the consequences. More than him, he was worried for her. Hell, he didn't even get any time to have a talk with her regarding this. A few seconds later, his heart indicated that it was finally the time to accept and be prepared for everything that would follow. This had to happen some day or the other. He closed his eyes for a few seconds and then opened. He looked in the Dean's eyes and replied a single but a bold word, "YES!"

The Dean was beyond shocked to hear that "yes" from him. He gritted his teeth in anger.

Dean: "Next, question. Do you love her? Or is it just lust that you guys have got for each other?"

Vardhaan eyebrows furrowed and he fisted his palm in rage. If somebody else had asked him this cheap question, he would have killed him.

Dean: "Tell me Vardhaan. How the hell can you do this Vardhaan? Have you seriously you're your mind. You're not a teenager boy that I need to remind you that you are a professor in this institute and going by that you ought to be in limits. Unbelievable! I still can't believe that of all the people, you would stoop so low...having an affair with a student! Oh God! That's gross!"

He silently and patiently listened to the showdown looking outside the window at some random tree.

Dean: "And that girl, Sanyukta...I mean, I can understand many a times girls of her age do fancy their professors and at times have a crush on them. But, there is a vast difference between having a crush and keeping a love relationship with a professor. What kind of learnings and values have her parents given her. I really pity them! She's one disgustingly cheap girl."

Vardhaan had listened enough. He just could not control his rage when he heard those kinds of statements for Sanyukta. He instantly banged the table and stood up.

Vardhaan: (screaming) "That's enough! Enough, I said. You will not use this kind of language for Sanyukta, ever. Aap ko jitna kuch kehna hai, mujh se kahiye..but not a word to Sanyukta. I wish I could explain to you the bonding that I and Sanyukta share. I wish you would understand. But, that seems to be very distant. And..."

The peon knocked the door and came inside. He reminded the Dean that somebody had come to meet him. The person was the one of the financers to the institute. He didn't want to make him wait.

Dean: "I've not yet done with you Vardhaan. Will talk about this later."

Vardhaan gritted his teeth and turned to move. The Dean called him back.

Dean: "Vardhaan, I hope you know, that I am only the face of this institute. There are other people involved...i mean, the higher authorities."

Vardhaan didn't show it on face, but he was petrified...not for himself or his position. But, for Sanyukta..he feared that being a girl, she might have go through much more showdown and confrontations. He badly wanted to protect her from all this. Without looking back, he simply stormed out of the cabin. He ran to her.

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