Chapter- friends

Chapter- friends

The setting sun dipped behind the horizon , spilling the vast sky in its light .

The orange glow filtered through the modern design window, casting a soft golden hue in the corridor.

Workers gaped and exchanged a curious glance as Sanyogita stepped into the kitchen with quiet determination. She announced that she would prepare the night's dinner, and they nearly dropped their ladles.

A little later , Pranav and Nidhi peeked in, their eyes widening, curiosity themed better when they spotted their newly wedded elder sister-in-law stirring spices into a pot .

“Sahee pulao paneer?” Pranav whispered, catching the aroma. “Bhai’s favourite.”

Nidhi leaned closer to him , mischief going lighting in her eyes " Pranav , bhabhi is cooking Prithvi's favourite dishes…doesn't that mean something ?”

Pranav chuckled, elbowing her. “Of course. Today Bhai’s favourites, tomorrow ours. She’ll win everyone’s stomach soon enough.”

Before Nidhi could respond, Soumya, Vikrant and Shanaya’s youngest daughter, still in her school uniform - slapped her forehead dramatically.

“Arey Di ! , which idiot are you asking for! I'm in my high school even though I know what this means ”She whispered and added “ Bhabhi has kuch kuch hote hai wala feelings for Prithvi Bhaiya . He has pulled her heart strings already… “ her erupted with giggles

Nidhi nudged her lightly on her arm " sshhh!!... Don't say it so loudly. Just wait..in the nights how gonna I tease bhai to death ”

Both the girls share a high -fived to each other , while Pranav groaned , muttering “ Great . That means soon I'll be a chachu . Then no one will call me the youngest anymore “ His sulking only made Soumya laugh harder .

Nidhi nodded at her head in disbelief.

Meanwhile, inside the kitchen , the fragrance of roasting cumin and ghee filled the air . Sanyogita's hand moved gracefully, chopping , stirring the spatula . Though she tried to appear calm, her heart fluttered with each dish prepared.

Pranali came to check on her , her eyes soft with maternal concern. “Beta, you’re not well today. Leave this. I’ll do it . Go and take rest ”

But Sanyogita responded with an easy smile, shaking her head " No , Mom .I'm fine now . You’ve been taking care of me since the morning and even Mr.Singhaniya took care of me the whole night…” the last word slipped out of her tongue.

Pranali’s left brow arched in amusement.

Sanyogita, flustered, quickly corrected herself “ I mean … everyone took care of me. And it was a normal fever . I'm fine right now. “ Suddenly she changed the subject." Look Mom, I made the pulao , and also made desserts and other few dishes. Now just a waiting for everyone to come home”

Pranali smiled, silently noting the glow and understood who her daughter-in-law was indicating..

****************

At night, the dining hall buzzed with chatter. The dinner was served. Prithvi came back fresh from his room after changing into a casual outfit.

From the kitchen door, Sanyogita entered with a tray, her face glowing softly in the under the white lights . She was nervous yet excited, her eyes sparkling as she placed the steaming bowl of pulao before him.

Soumya leaned forward, unable to resist. “Prithvi Bhaiya, eat carefully tonight. Someone very special has cooked just for you.”

Prithvi's eyebrows draw together, etching and confusion on his face

Sanyogita meanwhile didn't like the tone of Soumya . She didn't have any romantic intention or interest to grab his attention from Mr.Singhaniya . Nevertheless her deep frown straightened as Prithvi stretched his hand to take his favourite dishes.

Pranav grinned wickedly. “Bhabhi you're an an excellent cooked …bhai aap to bhabhi ki ungliya bhi kha jayenge..as she has cooked all your favourite dishes tonight “

Laughter rippled around the table.

Prithvi's jaw tightened. His hand stopped in mid-air . A flicker of something unreadable crossed his face before he abruptly reached past the pulao to ladle plain daal

onto his plate.

Pranali frowned “ What's wrong , Beta ?”

“ Nothing Mom . My stomach has been upset since morning. I'm avoiding spicy foods. " He replied curtly , pushing back his chair. " Actually, I ain't that hungry “

He didn’t touch a single spoonful of her carefully prepared dishes.

Pranali's expression soften" Okay thik hai beta ..take the medicine and eat something else…

“ No Mom I'm already feeling heavy..as I have already eaten at the office" Prithvi said and washed his hand and stepped straight towards his room.

The playful dining table atmosphere suddenly becomes silent .

Sanyogita's smile faltered. The excitement in her eyes dimmed, replaced by a weight she couldn't express.

Niddhi and Soumya exchanged worried glances .

Meanwhile Shanaya smirked from across the table “Vikrant you have missed such a golden scene , our Prithvi doesn't even spare his so-called wife “she said in her mind.

Shanaya’s voice dropped with sarcasm “ Pranali Di , don't get too carried away

your daughter-in-law”

Everyone went silent. Sanyogita's heart grew heavy but she held back her emotions.

Before Sanyogita could shrink further, Nidhi spoke firmly. “Bitter tongues only make everything taste bitter. I don’t know about others, but I loved tonight’s dishes.”

Soumya chimed in eagerly, “Me too! Bhabhi, your hands have magic .”

Pranav nodded in agreement “ Bahbhi pls keep cooking this dish often"

Pranali reached out and rested her hand over her shoulder . But the ache in her heart remained.

***********

Later, when Sanyogita reached their bedroom, found Prithvi was on his bed , working on his laptop. His face was blank.

Sanyogita quietly arranged her bedding on the sofa, her movements brisk, her throat burning with unshed words.

She was chewing within and cursing him silently.

“How easily he ignored me tonight,” she thought bitterly. “Okay I agree I’m no one to him. Yet still, I cooked for him . And he couldn’t even take a single bite.”

Curling into the sheets, she whispered under her breath, “Fine, Mr. Singhaniya.

I'll never cook for you farther and if I do I'll cook for myself only…no no..I'll cook for the entire family but not for you Mr. Akdu..Mr.arrogant …Mr. Kharate Singhana “

“ snoring only fill your appetite" Sanyogita smirked

Just then , his mobile buzzed with an incoming call . Sanyogita heard the door knob opening sound but she pretended not to care, she held her eyes shut.

**********

Prithvi when came outside of his room he was confused to find Nidhi and Soumya both were standing there , with their hands folded close to their chests.

“ What are you doing here?” he asked, confused.

Soumya blurted " Bhaiya, have you had a fight with Gita Bhabhi?”

" What ?” Prithvi's eyes grew widened

" See" Soumya exclaimed dramatically" I knew it “

" Shhh!! “ Nidhi caution" Prithvi “

" Yes Di?”

Nidhi paused and glanced at Soumya's" Go there I need to talk to brother alone "

“ Di, Boliye na perhaps I too get a few tips for my marriage " He eyes turned dreamy

Nidhi pulled Soumya's ear “ You are only sixteen and still you are eager to get tips of marriage"

" Okay di …I'm going “ Soumya giggles while making a face..

As Soumya left , Nidhi turned her gaze to her brother.

Prithvi kept his hands inside his pants pockets while Nidhi crossed her arms. Her gaze hardened

“ I don't know what happened between you two…but tonight…we all saw how excited she was , while cooking for you .”

He stiffened “ She cooked for me??" His hands pulled out instinctively , turned the finger back to his chest, “ and wait .. perhaps she had cook for herself on purpose and take my name to guarded her "

Nidhi's keen gaze stayed locked at her brother “Prithvi . you aren't a kid anymore. And she is your wife…and she is trying her best to initiate a bonding. Women often took help of culinary skills to express their love to their husband”

“ You don't eat anything so she did too as well . She had a fever and you told us to take care of her. And when she was doing the same thing for you you flinched back.

Sanyogita ne bhi kuch nahi khaya . Sara din woh puch ti rahi tumhe kya pasand hai , kya nahi …itne sare sawal woh bhi ek hi din mein.. every time the gate creaked, her eyes turned , hoping you'd arrived.

Nidhi's voice dropped with disappointment “And when you rejected her food, do you know what you did? You rejected her effort… her love.”

Prithvi stared at his elder sister then looked away . Sanyogita's morning accusations reverted in his mind. Yet his sister's words hit him deeper than he wished to admit.

“I’ve said what I had to. Now it’s your choice. Continue shutting her out, or try building something real. But don’t ask others to take care of your wife if you can’t do it yourself.”

Nidhi left with stern words.

*************

Prithvi stood there confused. Nidhi's words echoed in his mind, especially one part that refused to leave ….

“ To express their love to their husband”

“This chudail…who always behaves like a fox… who never spared me with her sharp tongue …can she love a person??

Unbelievable..

And if anyone loves this girl , that person will surely be an unfortunate man ” He shook his head .

But some part of him wondered when he heard that “tongue without filter " cooked for him for the very first time.

His steps were hesitant as he closed the door behind . His gaze drifted towards the corner where Sanyogita lay curled up beneath a thin blanket . Only her head portion was peeking outside of the blanket.

“Hey chudail…” The word slipped out of habit, but Prithvi bit his tongue instantly.

A soft chuckle escaped him as he bent near her, whispering, “Sanyogita…”

No response came.

“ Sanyogita?””

No response.

Prithvi's brow drew inward as concern of worry etched on his face . His hands stretched forward instinctively, suddenly he observed her shrouding beneath a thin blanket.

“ Sanyogita…Sanyogita… ! He jerked her to wake her up .

Her eyelids fluttered open slowly, revealing those hazy blue-grey eyes. Something skipped inside Prithvi's chest , whether worrying or something else, he wasn't sure.

He tried again, as he leaned nearer than before . “Sanyogita…wake up ! ”

His concern depended when his hand touched her forehead line “You’ve got a fever! Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice was sharper than he intended.

She parted her lips weakly, but before she could answer he cut in “ Stay here . I'll get the medicine “

As he moved to stand her cold fingers gripped around his wrist . The abrupt touch made him flinch .

“ I don't want the medicine..”

“Why? And if you weren’t well then what's the need to cook dinner at all?”

Her voice trails slowly, fragile “ I cooked…for you . In the morning you left for the office without having breakfast. I thought.. you must be hurt with my words”

For a brief moment second, Prithvi just stared at her, unblinking. Confused, wondering.

Then his expression softened. “You thought I was angry with you , so to make it up you cooked my favourite dish?” He raised an eyebrow teasingly.

Her cheeks flash “I… I was rude. I admit it.”

Prithvi’s eyes sparkling with mischief . However he masked his laughter beneath a serious expression “ For that you can apologise to me by doing Utham bethak for thousands times and I’ll forgive you definitely”

Her eyes flew wide. “Kyaa!! Aapko maafi chahiye ya Olympic training?”

Prithvi erupted in laughter. “Both, actually. It's a good exercise.”

Her cheeks puffed in indignation. “Fine then, Mr. Kharate Singhania! I won't apologise to you anymore. And not even…

He grinned, leaning closer. “Not even , what.. “ little fox”?”

Sanyogita's glared at him with a gap in her mouth “ little fox ??””

“Yes,” he said, nodding like it was the most logical thing in the world. “Sharp eyes, sharper tongue, always sneaky… suits you perfectly.” He grinned

Sanyogita narrowed her eyes, lips twitching despite herself, “ And you ? You love to irritate me on purpose, don't you ?”

“Oh absolutely,” Prithvi replied without hesitation. “It’s my new hobby.”

Her puffy cheeks with a weak gaze almost made him laugh again.

But he sobered, voice gentle. “Alright, Miss Tongue-without-filter, enough fighting. Have some food now.”

“I’m not hungry,“ Hume bhook nahi hai ?”

” she muttered. She turned her face and smirked.

However Prithvi found her expression unexpectedly cute.

He sat on the same couch and leaned back with a smirk. “ Sach mein ( Oh! Really!) , on the wedding day you were eating as if you hadn't had food for ages !” He jabbed only heighten her irritation

Her jaw dropped. “Mr. Singhaniya! Aap phir se mera khoon khol rahe ho!”

“Good for your fever,” he teased, before his voice softened again. “Now Come on. Eat, then rest.”

“ I’m fine “ She replied , voice appeared stubborn

“ Sanyogita, if you don’t eat , then I'll drag you to the hospital right now . Then they'll put you on IV drip. And you can only imagine what will happen to you !”

In jolt of wave her reply came “ Mr Singhaniya , aap bahut bure ho ”

Prithvi laughed a little "Relax, fake threat ! Just stay here I'm coming"

Prithvi stood on his legs and stepped out of the room .

Sanyogita's mouth parted to speak but he had already left ." Where are you going?”"..

When he returned, Sanyogita saw a worker came and uncovered the food trolley and neatly arranged the meal over the small table and left the room immediately.

“ Why did you tell the worker to make soup for me at such late night ? "

“ workers didn’t, I cooked the soup “

That silenced her. “You… what? You cooked?”

She huffed , staring at him for more than a brief moment, Pranav words were replaying back in her head.

“Why so shocked? I’m not completely useless.”

But she stared at him unblinking. She had never realised the man who chasing after money can have that nice guy side as well.

“ Why are you doing this?" She asked , her voice barely above a whisper.

" You asked so many questions!” He quipped “ stop giving extra stress to your tiny brain ..and start sipping the soup. "

With the gesture of his brows he indicated to her to start sipping the warm soup .

Seeing her difficulty holding the bowel with her hand properly as she was shivering due to fever .

He stopped her and picked the bowel and asked her to open her mouth .

He held up the spoon and leaned in. “Open your mouth.”

She blinked at him, stunned, then slowly obeyed.

As he stretched his hand and the warm tasty soup touched her lips . Her chest tightened . She barely blinked. It reminded her of her mother's care , something she had missed deeply.

Her eyes darted over the food she had made for him, she whispered, “If you keep feeding me like this, the dinner would be cold.”

“ You don't need to worry about that , I'm used to cold dinners" he replied lightly, but his eyes stayed fixed on her.

Sanyogita's heart swelled at the softer side of him .

**********

Later, when they finished their dinner and Sanyogita's medication for fever.

Prithvi said “ You take the bed . I'll sleep on the sofa .."

She blinked and was startled . " No, then your amplifier snoring will keep me awake for the rest of the night " a light chuckled form in her lips

He laughed a little . “Don’t worry...aab nahi aayenge !"

Her eyes narrowed. “Matlab… wait—you were acting? You deliberately snored to irritate me?”

Her puffy , fake angry expression only made him laugh harder.

“Maybe,” he admitted. “What’s mine is mine anyway.” His voice carried a teasing authority.

She shivered at his words , but quickly trapped his wrist before he could walk away.

Prithvi turned back only to feel her hand gripped around his wrist

“ Friends?" she asked softly, her eyes shining with something new

He paused, his gaze travelling from her hand to her face. Slowly, a smile spread. “Okay. Friends.”

"Sandy !” She said as if she was giving her introduction for the very first time" My friend calls me with it”

He tilted his head. “Hmm. Little fox suits you more.”

“Mr. Singhaniya!!” she groaned, though laughter slipped out with it.

He laughed back, and stood straightened. “Then you can call me Prithvi. No need for ‘Mr. Singhaniya’.”

She shook her head “ No .. It's too common. Nothing special . Let me think..I'll call you “Viraj “?

Prithvi froze hearing his short nickname.

“Viraj??”

Then smiled faintly . “ Yes ..Viraj means radiance, brilliance..just like that sun that always shines bright . "

He arches a brow. “Hmm… So I blind people now ?” A light chuckled crept up in his lips

She laughed gently and shook her head “No… you guide people. Like the sun. Harsh sometimes , however, even its presence irritates people in hot summer. The same Sun feels like a haven on a chilly day. In its absence there is no light.

You don't need to show it as you carry strength in everything you do. . That’s why this name suits you ”

He kept his head titled for a few moments, his eyes flickering with amusement.

“ Viraj'" He whispered in his mind …The name fit him too well, almost as if she has always meant to call him that. ” He thought

They forgot that their hands still remained locked , while they were busy talking to each other, more comfortably.

He kept his head titled for a few moments, his eyes flickering with amusement.

“ Okay then…” He said in a low voice, a playful smile formed in his lips . " I too have to give you a unique name.. something that only suits your personality…”

She raised her brows. “And what would that be?”

He pretended to think, his thumb unconsciously brushing against the back of her hand. “Sanjh,” he finally declared.

She blinked , startled “Sanjh?”

“Yes,” he replied firmly, his voice deeper than before . “Like twilight. A fragile hour people wish to hold on longer. It doesn't shout like the sun , or hide like the night. It just …exists in between quietly, yet changes the whole sky . Soft , calming and breathtakingly beautiful… That’s what you do too, even when you don’t notice.”

Sanyogita's heart was suddenly hammering . She pulled her hand back immediately.

Prithvi bit his tongue. He hadn’t meant to let that slip, but for once, he didn’t regret it.

Sanyogita turned her face to the side as she tried to hide the faint blush formed in her cheeks.

To avoid the sudden awkwardness she said instead , “Good night, Viraj,” but her voice betrayed a softness even she didn’t recognise.

Prithvi didn’t move immediately. His eyes shamelessly over her face , under the soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminate the curve of her lashes.

He forced a smile, masking it all before walking towards the couch “Good night, Sanjh "

She covered the blanket around herself completely leaving her face peeking outside only . But her thoughts refused to let her rest tonight .

Prithvi turned to leave for the couch, but her voice stopped him. “Wait.”

He looked back , “ what?"

“Don’t… don’t switch off the light completely,” she said quickly, fumbling with the edge of the blanket. “I… I don’t like too much darkness .”

His lips twitched. “ Fox eyes lighten within darkness !”

“ Viraj!" “ She laughed . Her head popped out from under the blanket and looked at him with a narrow gaze “I am not scared! I just…don't like it.”

Prithvi’s chuckle was low, almost fond. “Fine. Half light stays.” He dimmed the lamp, enough to cast a warm golden glow.

She watched him spread the blanket on the couch. His tall frame bends awkwardly in the small space.

“You’ll be uncomfortable,” she blurted out.

He glanced at her over his shoulder. “I’ve slept in worse places.”

“That’s not the point.” She shifted, propping herself up slightly. “If you wake up with a sore back tomorrow, I won’t massage it.”

Prithvi smirked, stretching out lazily as if to provoke her. “You thought of massaging me already? Wah, Sanjh. Progress.”

Her mouth fell open. “Viraj!” She grabbed the pillow and hurled it across the room. It landed right on his chest.

He caught it effortlessly, laughing. “Careful, little fox. Attack karogi toh main bhi palatwar karunga.”

“Then sleep quietly , Viraj ” she smirked and sank back under the blanket.

The silence spread inside the room broken only by the ticking of the wall clock.

Sanyogita's voice whispered into the stillness, “Viraj?”

He hummed in response, eyes half-closed. “Hmm"

“Do you always take care of people like this… or only the ones you fight with all the time?” She asked , her tone was curious

His lips curved into a faint smile. Without opening his eyes, he replied softly, “Only the ones worth fighting with.”

Her heart thudded in her chest. She turned away quickly, biting back a smile that refused to leave her face.