Chapter -The Debt of a Breath

Chapter -The Debt of a Breath

A grand reception party was held which was glitter with lights , laughter and clinking glasses . Sanyogita and Prithvi both stood by side , harbouring the main centre of the function .

However, beneath the shimmering surface , a quiet strom blown between Sanyogita and Rishabh. She stayed detached during the party . Her smile was forced, her gaze averting his presence at every turn. Prithvi felt an usual spark , observe the strange silence between father and daughter. For now he chose since , deciding only to ask later . But when he finally confronted her later in the same night she slides away from slipped away from the subject subject by bringing some excuses of tiredness.

There she was , laughing tugging a gusty and radiant smile with his mother while his elder sister Nidhi and Soumya were too sitting on the couch. Priyhvi leaned against the wall , clasping both hands over his chest . As he simply stood still , a soothing smile formed in his cheeks innately. He wondered something about the essence with which she blended into his family.

Time flowed like a river , carrying them along its currents . Sanyogita continued her job at Ahuja Company. When Pranali once suggested she can join the Singhania company, by doing this she and Prithvi can spend time together even during work hours as well .

Sanyogita's jaw tightened, nevertheless she masked the irritation beneath her fake smile.

She told Pranali “ Mom , I appreciate your advice, but I loved my job and I wanted to build my identity on my own ability. “

However, Pranali admitted her determination , also overwhelmed by observing her confidence and faith in herself.

But yet Sanyogita only knew the hidden truth — she wasn’t ready to entangle herself further into the intricate threads of the Singhaniya family. She would end up guilty, as she shows the maternal affection of Pranali, even if she finds a younger brother within Pranav. Some part of her agrees with her father that only burns like an inflamed tissue beneath her skin , — He gave him a family, which she never had when she was in Goel villa .

And then, fate knocked.

An unexpected opportunity arrived aligning with Sanyogita's long-buried dreams . When Mayuri shared about it to Sanyogita, her eyes suddenly framing the scene before her vision, she was singing on the stage ,and the audience erupted with applause . Mayuri urged her to seize it , reminding her that after so many obstacles, perhaps life was finally offering her sunshine.

Sanyogita's memory drifted back to her school days, when dance and music began to form a new heaven in her heart , making her soul set free . Her father agreed with her to participate in an interschool competition; she won the singing competition and got second prize in dancing.

However as the days went on she wanted people to hear her voice, make a soft place in their heart so with this new enthusiasm she uploaded her music and dancing videos on YouTube during her undergraduate years. She started getting views and appreciation and greetings from strangers, , for the first time she felt seen and wanted . But her happiness seemed to like a shuffle of cards shattered in a blink. Her father discovered them and deleted everything . And warn her in a stern voice “ Goel family is a reputable among society, if anyone wants to ruin it he will never spare them “

He clipped her wings before she learnt to fly . Even her freedom was snatched by stationing a bodyguard outside of her college, sometimes outside of her classroom. Her batchmate often used to tease her initially and her friends used to be annoyed by this , she told her of the lavish lifestyle she lived .

But only she knew, she doesn't afford that luxury of freedom which her batch mate has . She wasn't even allowed to see dreams .

Still, her heart yearned for freedom.

She poured herself into studies thinking if she studied in foreign she could lead her life on her terms and conditions but her father never allowed to go anywhere else except Bangalore.

However , During her studies in MBA in IIM Bangalore she got a little freedom. She was in her final year and the season would soon end .

One evening, sitting in a restaurant with Mayuri, her gaze drifted to a young man performing on a stage . He held a guitar, his voice weaving through the air like a spell .

Sanyogita sat mesmerised, the world around her dissolved into the song .

Later, she secretly asked the manager for his contact and discovered his name—Yash.

When they met , it felt as though a visible force pulled her towards him . Yash , from a modest family, had come to Bangalore to complete his dream . He woke up with a local band in which all the members were working hard to shine.

His eyes gleamed with determination whenever he spoke of Mumbai—the city that could turn his songs into stardom.

Sanyogita used to come to any music concert held by him. Gradually they become friends, it was one of live performance when Yash led people delve deeper into his melodious lyrics like a rock star suddenly he offer his hand toward Sanyogita making her startled for a brief moment however she took his hand and as she climbed the stage Yash dance with her, their boys move together in unison, when he gave her the mic audience whistle. Sanyogita's chest fluttered and her eyes brimmed with happiness.

Sanyogita’s heart started to woven dream again. She believed there was a possibility. She enjoyed Yash's company more when he told her about his music and was fond of music .

One afternoon, when Yash was busy chitchatting with his friends, a dairy slipped from his bag . Curiosity led her to peek into his diary . Between pages of lyrics, she found a letter. In it Yash has deeply admired her — to me you’re like a star, too beautiful, too distant , meant only to be cherished from afar . There was a photo of her which he tugged on a page.

Sanyogita's heart trembled, and the very day she confessed her love to him . At first Yash hesitated, torn between passion and practicality . But in the end, he gave in . They hugged for the first time as a couple.

You’re born to shine, Sanyogita,” he once told her that night . “Together, we’ll bring something new to music. We’ll change everything , Sandy .”

His words made her dream again.

That evening, she his guitar , he leaned against her back, their fingers dancing across the cord strings , his warm breathing falling on her skin making her shiver. Their moments were shattered by an incoming call from Sanyogita’s father .

Sanyogita decided to keep her love life a secret until her father got to know about it; he would never appreciate the relationship. But she would have her own life this time if Yash was with her side. She was busy with her exam preparations for job as she was determined she would no longer be connected with her father's luxury.

Yash was busy with his life and concerts . She understood him though at times jealousy stirred when other women hovered around him. Yet she stayed, basking in the fragile happiness they had.

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

Sanyogita's deep reverie shattered with a sudden thud . Her body jolted , and she spun around only to hear a sharp screaming…. hammering her heart

“ Sanyoooo..!!!"

Horror crawled Sanyogita like a second skin ..she stretched out a trembling hand where Pranali stumbled and collapsed to the cold floor, clutching her chest , her face drained of colour.

“Mommmmm!!!”

Sanyogita stood there frozen for a heartbeat, not knowing what to do. Then instinct took over her , she rushed immediately to the side .

“Help! Somebody—!” her voice rang through the hallways, but no one answered. The house stood cold and empty.

It was late afternoon , Nidhi had just left for her in-laws with her husband Nikhil and their four years old son , Neeraj .

And Pranaav is at his college and Soumya had also left for her coaching class . They were alone.

Sanyogita thought to call for Shanaya but her hand trembled as she bent down , checking Pranali's breathing was almost gone . Even her pulse was feeble. Sanyogita didn't know when her eyes grew watery,

“ No ..Noo ..Momm please hold on .I won't let nothing happen to you " Her voice shattered feeling something precious was snatched from his body.

A flash of memory hit her mind. At a first-aid workshop in college, the instructor’s voice rang in her ear “When the heart stops, every second matters… push hard, push fast.”

She took a deep breath, and her fingers laced together and pressed her palm against the sternal surface of Pranali's chest . “One… two… three… four…” Her voice broke , counting over and over again .

Every minute felt like hours. Her arms ached, sweat beaded her forehead, but she didn’t stop. Desperation burned through her tears.

Suddenly , the boot steps voice echoed against the wall . Prithvi's hands froze in the mid-air, the mobile slipped away from his grip and clatter to the floor .

The sight stopped him cold.

His mother… lying lifeless. Sanyogita… pushing against her chest.

Anger exploded before a blink….

“ Sanyogitaaaa!! “ His roar shook the wall. " What the hell are you doing, damn it?? Get away from her ..What happened to Mom?” !!”

As he strode forward, fury blazing in his eyes, ready to yank her away— but then ,

Pranali coughed shattered the tensed atmosphere.

Once. Twice.

Her eyelids fluttered open gradually , a weak gasp escaping her lips.

Prithvi stopped dead , he dropped to his knees on the floor.

Everything surrounding them went silent for a moment.

Prithvi froze. Then collapsed to his knees beside her, lifting her into his arms, cupping her face with trembling hands. Relief washed over him like a tidal wave

Prithvi took his mother on his lap, held her cheeks with trembling hands . A pang of emotions surge through his veins, a nostalgia of giving back something precious which will soon be lost from his life , forever.

Sanyogita was breathing heavily, her body was shaking . She looked at him through her blurred vision .

“She’s breathing… Viraj… She is out of danger now .”

Prithvi when withdrawing his face from his mother to her, his breathing stops for a while . He stared at her still .

Sanyogita gave a small, weary smile and nodded .

Prithvi's chest was getting heavy , but no words came . He just stared at the woman who had brought his mother back from the edge of death .

********

Pranali was hospitalised immediately as Prithvi refused to take any chances.

When the doctor finally examined Pranali, only Prithvi was inside the cabin room as he was, after all, the patient's son.

“Mrs. Singhania is stable,” the doctor finally said, turning to Prithvi. “But she’s alive today only because immediate CPR was given. Whoever did this… saved her life.”

Prithvi’s throat tightened, a sharp pang moved through his skin, His heart slammed painfully against his chest.

A few minutes ago, he had almost ripped her away, driven by fear and fury.

A few minutes ago, he had thought she was harming his mother.

But the truth?

She was the reason his mother was still breathing.

For the first time in years, Prithviraj Singhania felt he owed someone an inescapable debt. If he lost his mother tonight , no amount of money could bring his mother back .

When he came outside, Sanyogita was waiting. Her voice trembled slightly and asked “ Mom aap kaisi hai , Viraj !” Her voice was laced with concern and unspoken longing.

Prithvi's gaze fixed on her for a brief moment, Sanyogita's heart wrenched at the intensity in his eyes that flicker with sight something deeper than gratitude , something raw, almost boyish in its vulnerability.

Her breathing hitched . The air between them felt charged and fragile. Without thinking, he drew her into a firm , grounding hug —as if holding onto her could anchor his world.

She felt his heartbeat against her chest, rapid and uneven, and it reverberated through her own chest.

“ Thank you Sanjh” his warm breath crushed against her temple “ …I know one word can't define what you’ve returned to me tonight. She isn't just my Mom … my world resolves around her”

Sanyogita's heart swelled, slow warmth spreading through her chest . With a hesitant , almost instinctively , she lifted up her hand and rested it on his broad back.

She felt the solid weight of him beneath her palm, steady yet alive with emotion.

When Prithvi pulled back and his hand lingered , sliding gently to cup her face. Leaning down, he pressed a soft kiss on her forehead “ Thank you Sanjh " he whispered again.

Sanyogita shivered. Her body rooted to the spot , her mind a whirlpool of confusion.

Her eyes brimmed with tears . “ What had just happened? Instead of pulling away, instead of feeling distant from Prithviraj Singhaniya, she had let herself lean in . And she didn't find the hug uncomfortable . She felt safe , in his arms she felt like she was at home ..

For the first time, Sanyogita realized that the fear she usually carried with her, the walls she built around herself, was gradually slipping, even just slightly, in his presence. And for reasons she didn’t yet understand, she didn’t want it to return.

*********

As the world slept under the cloak of night , memories flooded her , her eyes sting with warm water .

The aroma of warm coffee and rain mingled in the air. As she saw Yash leaned across the table, his voice low, almost trembling.

She found him struggling with something deeper, so she asked him with concern “ Is there anything you're worried about?”

Yash sighs, eyes are shallow and “ Sometimes I feel cursed , Sandy …No matter how hard I work , life pushes me down. My father left us nothing but debts, all my money has gone with his illness of cancer, he is gone but I'm still repaying the money. Now Maa is sick . The medicine costs more than I can earn in months. But it's fine … maybe this is my destiny .”

However , she noticed his faint smile, like a martyr. His fingers traced the rim of his cup.

Sanyogita patted her lips , her voice laced with concern “ Yash . Why didn't you tell me before? "

Yash took a deep breath and stared at her , his expression wrenching Sanyogita's heart.

“ I was scared that if I can't provide all the happiness you deserve…Sandy , we used to have a good life in our own house. Soon Dad loses everything in the business and we have to live in a middle class house. He gradually developed an addiction to alcohol and gambling. Even though it was difficult to give our house rent. He even .. sometimes beat Mom and my sister ….” Yash's eyes grew moisten..” I'm sorry Sandy for telling you everything ..but one day I'll prove it ..I'll provide my family a healthy life. You'll see”

He looked away, his jaw tightening, as if fighting back emotion. Sanyogita’s chest tightened , she wanted to consume all his sorrow and give him all her happiness.

She clasped his hand into her “Ssh!!!...You don't have to prove anything to me. I believe in you . And you don't have to carry this alone. I'm with you !”

A soft smile formed in his cheeks , but his eyes flickered with happiness as if he had won a Triumph. “ Thanks , Angel, for understanding me.. and I'm lucky enough to have you in my life.

She put her hand over his shoulder “you don't need to be formal with me .. isn't your struggling is mine as well ?? …if you ever need help , I'm here"

Yash , smile deepens, his eyes crinkle with a mischievous “ careful Angel , …if you say things like that , I might never let you go .”

Her cheeks flushed. “ Then never let me go ” She leaned her head over his shoulder.

Her cheeks flushed, she opened the zip of her hand bag and took a bundle of cash “ Take this , here it's thirty thousand.. next day come to meet me at my hotel I'll give you the twenty lacs money. If you need I can give you more.. but I'll let your mother anything to happen "

Yash's brow frowns with worry and embarrassment. " Sandy,...I can't take this "...

“ Yash,..your mom needs this and when I choose I too choose your family. So I'm helping own family instead"

" I love you Sandy ..” he hugged her tightly.

Yash's lips brushed through her forehead, lingering there for a beat . Sanyogita’s breathing hitched when his hand slid to cup her face, tilting her chin upward. His gaze burned into herself as he leaned closer to bring .His breathing crushed against her..

Her breath caught. For a heartbeat she froze, then her lashes fluttered shut—only for her body to jolt as his lips hovered dangerously close. She pulled back suddenly, her pulse thundering in her ears.

“Sandy…” he murmured, his voice low, almost pleading. “Why do you always pull back? Don’t you trust me?”

She swallowed hard, her pulse racing “Yes… .” Her voice was soft but firm. “I… I’m not ready”

She swallowed hard, her pulse racing. “I… I care about you, Yash,” she whispered, forcing a smile. “But I… I’m not ready.”

He blinked, confused , and stared at her. “Not ready? But , Sandy , you love me, don’t you?”

“I do,” she whispered quickly, almost defensively. “But when you sing… when you talk about your dreams, your music, your life… I feel like I belong there with you. That’s when I feel closest to you. But this…” her voice trembled, “…this, I don’t know why, but I just can’t.”

A shadow of disappointment flickered in his eyes, then he forced a smile, masking it with easy charm. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his thumb brushing her cheek.

“Okay, Angel. I’ll wait for that day… the day you’re ready to be mine completely.”

Her chest tightened. She wanted to believe in his patience, in the promise his words carried. But deep inside, she wondered why her heart had flinched when it should have surrendered.

But her happiness didn't stay longer when her father selected a groom for her, Prithviraj Singhaniya. Initially her resentment towards Prithvi was instant , sharp as a blade . She loathed over him but as the time passed, the more she saw him and learned about him — found a man beyond the intimidating name .