Chapter - The stage and the strom

Chapter - The stage and the strom

He stayed awake through the long , silent night and monitored his mother's every breath , each pulse . The world outside the hospital seemed to vanish , only the soft beeps of machines and the faint smell of antiseptic filled the air .

But tonight, when Prithvi had hugged her and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead she hadn't flinched nor did she find his touch uncomfortable , instead , she found his gesture safe, pure and grounding — like a small island, calm in the storm of evening.

When Sanyogita opened the door of the cabin room she saw him still awake . The clock was displaying two thirty at night. His eyes were fixed on his mother. His hand caressed her hand.

Sanyogita's heart swelled, that night she discovered not a ruthless tycoon, but a quiet, steadfast boy, sitting nearby his mother, looking at her helplessly . A man who carried storms within him yet gave shelter to others.

She stepped closer , placing a hand lightly on his shoulder “ Viraj ...bahut raat ho chuki hai…you need rest ..aap jaiye ..I'm staying here with Mom “

His eyes lifted slowly, swollen and tired with red “ Sanjh ... .I'm sorry ..I ..I was wrong .. I thought you were harming Mom . But …it's only because of you she's safe again ”

Her heart skipped a beat, She felt warmth spread through her chest, then a faint, tender smile formed in her cheeks" Aren't your Mom mine too? " She said softly “ I learnt about CPR in a college workshop . And I used to practice it when I often visited my uncle's hospital and NGO . I've helped people before"

Prithvi’s eyes softened, glimmering with something intense, unspoken. His voice trembled slightly, edged with awe " Sanjh .. you're an angel to me !”

The words twisted Sanyogita's stomach. “ Angel" she thought , and her mind involuntarily flickered to Yash , the way he used to address her .

But the weight she felt in Prithvi's voice , associated with more raw gratitude, …it didn't seem to sound like casual flattery, instead the truth.

Sanyogita swallowed hard, feeling heat creep into her cheeks. “Why does it feel like my chest is squeezing? she wondered. And why does his presence… calm the storm inside me, even as it stirs something I don’t fully understand?”

On the other side his eyes lingered on hers with a vulnerability he rarely allowed anyone to see.

*********

Four days have passed . Nidhi had already returned to the Singhania house to see her mother the same night. She showed her gratitude to Sanyogita for saving her mother's life. Even Pranav also felt as if he owed her more than words could ever repay .

Shanaya smirked, he was glad that Pranali was saved but raising Sanyogita on the pedestal of their head was too much. Ever since the day Sanyogita had humiliated her at the party, she had nurtured a shimmering dislike, now masked neatly behind a sugary smile.

The next morning , Sanyogita's smile faltered when she saw Prithvi was bent over his suitcase packing his bag, a shadow of confusion etched across her face .

“Going somewhere?” she asked.

“London,” Prithvi replied without looking up, his tone casual yet firm. “Three days’ business trip. I’ll be back before you start eating everyone’s head in my absence.”

It was the first time Prithvi said her goodbye before leaving her he was leaving for a business trip of three days in London. He will soon return..

It was the first time Prithvi told her before leaving “ “ Take care little fox …don't miss me so much . No one else here has as patience as I tolerate your tantrums “ He winked , his words teasing, but beneath that mischief tone carried a warmth he didn't let her notice.

Sanyogita rolled her eyes, baffled “ Mr. Kharate Singhania..I'm more glad that I'll be alone in this room . And spare you of your stupid jokes . Eat your head during lunch and dinner as you won't get me there to irritate. So don't miss me much “ She flashed him a sarcastic smile .

Prithvi grinned “ We will see that. Who will miss who more !”

*******

But the moment the door clicked shut behind him, Sanyogita felt hollow. Found herself alone in the room .

However, she needed the silence to prepare for her performance at the function…

A pang of guilt formed in her throat just the mere thought of she would soon deceive the family which showers her immense love and affection even without her asking. Pranali became more fond of her . She treated her like her own daughter. Nidhi and Pranav love and respect her .

And above all Prithvi.. quite care. His smiling face flashed before her vision, making her heart flutter.

Her mind whispered: You don’t belong here. If you stay any longer, your lies will bury you alive.

She determined she would soon move away from them.. perhaps it would hurt them transforming her into a villain in their eyes but if she stayed in his house more one would be more traitor than her.

She shook the thoughts away and threw herself into practice.

Three days later , Prithvi returned . Everyone was happy to see him . But one thing unsettled him .

Sanyogita.

She had grown quieter , almost detached.

Neither she had asked him about his meeting nor she tried to contact him through phone while he was away.

Now when he was back she moved around him like a ghost .

Sanyogita even left for office earlier, Pranali asked Prithvi to drop Sanyogita at her office , he agreed easily , concealing the sting of hesitation and disappointment in his chest.

In the car, he stole glances at her profile. She didn’t look at him once.

She can feel the growing distance between them , but she was feeling guilty, she can't be betrayed with this family anymore. Can emotionally damage anyone in the family. She would soon leave the house and leave Prithvi.

Her chest tightened.

Prithvi felt something sharp twist inside. Why?

But he masked it well. Singhania never showed weakness. His face wore its usual cool indifference, his voice carried the same teasing lilt, but in the quiet corners of his mind, a storm brewed. He couldn’t understand why her silence pricked him, why her distance felt heavier than any betrayal in business.

Although Prithvi dropped her at her office, Sanyogita hid the truth about him leaving the office . He watched her fade away behind the glass door . When she completely vanished from his vision and his chest heavy with weight .

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

Prithvi sat at his desk in his office cabin while his eyes flicked to the phone very frequently . Each time the blank screen mocked him with its silence.

No call. No message.

He clenched his jaw, flipping the phone face-down on the desk.

“ Why do I even care !"

He forced his gaze back to the contract file — but before he could read a single line, a voice cut through.

“ Bas , bas, Mr. Singhania. If you stare any harder at that phone, it'll start blushing ”

Prithvi’s head shot up. “Yuvi.” His tone was warning.

Yuvraaj grinned, he was sitting in the cabin so long, observing Prithvi's gesture . “What’s the matter? Looking like a schoolboy waiting for a love letter.”

Prithvi’s lips pressed thin. “Don’t talk rubbish. I was checking my mail.”

“Really?” Yuvraj raised a brow. “Strange, I didn’t know Singhania mails arrived with butterflies in your stomach . Tell me honestly—Bhabhi ne phone nahi kiya, right?”

Prithvi’s silence stretched a beat too long. He straightened his tie, voice clipped. “I noticed Sanjh was looking a little uneasy , I was just checking if she is fine , that's all.”

The moment the name slipped out, Yuvraaj’s brows shot up, and a wicked smile spread across his face. “Arre wah! Sanjh? Matlab special name for special wife? Kya baat hai, Mr. Tycoon. Public ke liye Mrs. Singhania… aur dil mein bas Sanjh.”

Prithvi shot him a glare . “Yuvi—”

“No no, don’t glare at me,” Yuvraaj raised his hands in mock surrender. “But admit it, Prithvi. You’ve already made her yours in your mind. Otherwise, why the pet name? People give nicknames only when the heart is involved.”

Prithvi shot him a withering look, but his ears burned. “You talk too much.”

“And you hide too much, Boss” Yuvraaj leaned in, smirking. “Dekha? Even saying her name, your skin glowing like gulab jamoon . Not the usual Singhania bark. Bhai, yeh toh bada serious case lag raha hai. Apko toh Loveria hogya hai , Boss . You need high dose medicine”

Prithvi exhaled sharply, grabbing a pen just to keep his hands busy. “Shut up your nonsense !! You’re imagining things . She’s been distant ever since I came back from London. Didn’t even bother to ask if I reached safely, didn’t call once… and today morning—” He stopped abruptly.

Yuvraaj’s eyes lit up. “This morning… what?”

Prithvi’s irritation slipped. “She didn’t even make my tea. She has so much attitude …I just don't care ” The words left before he could stop them.

For a moment Yuvraaj just blinked—then burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. “Hai Bhagwan ! The great Prithviraj Singhaniya, who closes deals worth thousands of crores, sulks because biwi didn’t serve him chai and he that's why he is fuming with anger …saying " I don't care ”..yet you care a lot" Yuvraj teased was dramatic

Prithvi’s glare could cut steel. “Shut up, Yuvi.”

But Yuvraaj only laughed harder. “You’re gone, Boss. Completely gone. Face it—this isn’t about tea. It’s about attention. You want her to notice you. Bas bol do, yaar—you miss her.”

Prithvi's jaw clenched, he pretended to be serious “ Yuvi…stop it !”"

" Okay fine , serious talk . Boss, Did you at least bring Bhabhi a gift as you return ??”

" No !” Prithvi's response was immediate " she has already had innumerable gifts on our wedding day, what else will she do with extra ? ”

Yuvraj opened his mouth closed , perplexed " Boss , that's why you were single in your life, you don't understand women. Boss women mainly want attention, sometimes they will never ask for it . You have to understand it anyhow "

" I don't have time for this childish nonsense . I already have a lot of work to do ..” Prithvi voice was stern , trying to focus on the papers

Yuvraaj leaned forward, elbows on Prithvi’s desk like he owned it.

“ I have known you for five years, don't use those lame excuses on me. I even heard that Bhabhi has cooked for you. Kabhi toh hume bhi bulaaye dawaat pe nawab shab .. akele akele khayenge toh muh pe keede padenge “ Yuvraaj’s teasing smile widened.

Prithvi groaned, irritated, exhaling a sigh “ You're unbearable. Don't you have other things to do today “

“Yes, of course! But right now I'm more interested to give tips to my pati bechara buwi ka mara friend “ Yuvraaj grinned mischievously

Prithvi pretended to ignore , started to go through files.

“Now it's time for you to invest in your married life as well Bhai .. you have to be extra protective. Apne andar ka Majnu Ashiq ko jagaye . Protect her , woo her romantically…. But—” he wagged his hand “—don’t look too desperate. Waise toh you are, but still…thoda careful bhi ban jao. Protect her, keep her happy.”

Prithvi groaned, rubbing his forehead. “Yuvi, tumhari filmy advice mujhe nahi chahiye.”

Unfazed, Yuvi kept going. “Tell me something. Have you even asked Bhabhi what she likes? Dislikes? Her favorite music, favorite singer—”

“Yes,” Prithvi cut in, stiffly. “I know. Kishore Kumar. Mom mentioned it once.”

Yuvraaj’s jaw dropped. He slapped his own forehead. “Wah, Boss ! Yeh bhi Aunty ne bataya. Matlab apni biwi se ek baar bhi poocha tak nahi?” He threw his hands in the air. “Prithvi, you need…a lot of training in husband duty.”

Prithvi’s brows shot up. “Yuvi, stop your nonsense. If you want do the training I don't have time for such nonsense things”

“Haan haan, abhi toh nonsense lagega. Kyuki sara sense toh bhabhi ke pass hi chala gaya hai “ he smirked and added further " …But mark my words…” Yuvi leaned back in the chair dramatically, clasping his chest as if daydreaming. “Apke andar laddoo-phooliyaan phoot rahi hongi Bhabhi ko dekhne ke liye . Take her somewhere…honeymoon, picnic, anything! Remove all barriers, sare gile-shikwe mita do. Imagine…only you, only her…” His voice grew softer, dreamy. “Subha ki mithy dhoop , khilte phool, tum dono ke beech pyaar ki baatein…”

Prithvi’s face flushed red. “Shut up!” He tried to scowl but his lips betrayed him, twitching into the ghost of a smile. Against his will, an image flashed in his mind—Sanyogita yelling at him, her voice sharp but her eyes sparkling.

“Mr. Kharate Singhania!!!!”

The memory made his ears heat up.

“Arre arre!” Yuvi ducked, giggling, and darted to the door. “I told you! Love makes even Prithvi Singhaniya blush!” He slipped out just in time, the paperweight thudding harmlessly against the door.

Prithvi instantly grabbed a paperweight from the desk and flung it at him.

Back in his cabin, Prithvi leaned back in his chair, trying to drown himself in files, but his eyes kept straying to his silent phone.

He clenched his jaw. Why am I even thinking of her like this? She doesn’t care. She didn’t even bother to call me once when I was in London. Not even to ask if I reached safety .Nothing.

And then, unbidden, the morning came rushing back—

He had been lying on the sofa, pretending to sleep, when she emerged from the washroom. A towel was in her hand while her long black hair , water droplets still fell over her back damping her blouse. The sunlight had kissed her face, her lips glistening soft, pink, and wet.

She moved toward the mirror, adjusting the pallu of a gorgeous saree, the silk clinging to her curves. For a moment, the fabric slipped just enough to reveal her ivory waist—smooth, delicate, impossible to look away from.

Prithvi’s breath had caught, his lashes half-lowered, feigning sleep. But his gaze had refused to move.

He dug his nails into the armrest, muttering under his breath, “Focus, Viraj …focus.”

But all he could see…was her.

Then , he realised .

He address himself as “ Viraj”

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

Backstage , while waiting for her call , Sanyogita's palms were damp , her heart rising and falling with nervous breath. Her whole life seemed to have led to this moment. However, she managed to sparkle under the spotlight at the college feast but that was crumpled when her Dad's rigid hand wiped her presence from social media, he was forced to silence her voice

.But tonight… Tonight she would write her own destiny. She was waiting with keen interest for her time to shine on the stage.

She peeked frequently through the curtain. The hallroom glittered with chandeliers, rows of guests buzzing in anticipation. Among them sat a renowned talent scout music lyrics writer, the chief guest of the night. Her heart skipped hoping for if he noticed her …

When the announcement came, Sanyogita's heart felt like thud of hammer smith beating over it

“Now our next participants, Mr. Shakti Nagar and Miss Sanyogita Goel!”

Her legs trembled. Still as she stepped onto the stage.

Mayuri was standing in a wing of the stage , hidden behind the curtain, appreciating her , lifting her confidence.

Mayuri and Sanyogita of them had studied in the same school and also did their graduation in the same college. But in the latter stage Sanyogita was selected for IIM Bangalore while Mayuri after graduation kept herself occupied to prepare for the UPSC exam. When Sanyogita was in Bangalore Mayuri used to come to meet her , but very seldom as she too was busy with her studies. On her second attempt she had cleared the exam and got selected for IPS.

The music began.

Shakti’s deep baritone carried the first verse , steady and powerful. Then Sanyogita's melodious voice spread through the air —soft at first, then soaring .

Each note quivered with something deeper than melody —her yearning, her rebellion, her dream finally unleashed before a crowd.

People shivered whenever she took any high note. A deep tranquility stretched the ballroom.

When the final note ended , the room erupted with applause like a wave crushing against the stage .

Shakti bowed while Sanyogita’s lips curved into a radiant smile.

Her beautiful smile vanished when her eyes collided with a familiar gaze .

Tiger’s eyes.

Her breath hitched. Standing just a few feet from the stage, Prithviraj Singhania was standing , his psychique demands attention and authority.

His sharp gaze —dark , unblinking , and by burning, locked in to her , felt like a sting on her skin.

Her knees threatened to give way. That gaze had once soothed her, warmed her. But now, under the golden lights, it scorched.

______________________

Prithvi adjusted the cufflinks of his tailored suit as he strode out of the glass doors of the five-star hotel. His meeting had been smooth, numbers precise, deals sealed.

Everything about the evening screamed order and control until a shrill giggle from the road side cracked through.

“Arre, you saw that? The girl inside the community hall – what a voice Matarani has given to her ! The way she sang , people forgot their food. “ One of the women amidst the crowd said, adjusting her shopping bag .

Another man smirked, “Haan, she’s some Sanyogita… poor thing, but talent like that doesn’t stay hidden. Wait till the big shots notice her.”

“She's not poor at all! She is the single daughter of a rich businessman. And also the wife of a business tycoon.”

"Don't speak on the verge of alcohol. If she was, what is she doing here in a cheap hotel? If she has that luxury and she also seems talented, why is she not in Bollywood music?” One of a woman question

His first clenched, He true dto pay not attention until another voice fell into his ear , making her veins pumping against his temple.

“She is Mrs Sanyogita Singhania… the wife of Prithviraj Singhania. Top ten richest men in the world!””

Everyone gasped at the man who continued “ I know of her because my wife also worked in the same company. She was even unaware of her family status but it was until her wedding when others were forwarding the photos of her wedding on WhatsApp. My wife along with other colleagues were curious as we all wanted to see Mr. Phrithviraj Singhaniya as he rarely came into public. We weren't invited, but when we saw the photos on WhatsApp status …my wife was stunned so I. "

Prithvi’s jaw tightened . For a moment, everything around him blurred—the neon signboards, the honking traffic, even the voices. Singhania. My wife. On the lips of strangers… like gossip for street-corner entertainment?

His angry eyes hidden behind the black sunglasses. And idle curiosity gripped him . His stride quickened . When his bodyguard followed him his hand raised as a gesture to stop.

Ahead, the peeling paint of the community hall came into view, strings of fairy lights attempting to add glamour to the otherwise modest building. Crowds gathered at the entrance, whispering, craning their necks for a glimpse inside.

When he stepped through the side door, the first notes of music wrapped around him like a chain he couldn’t break.

Sanyogita stood on the stage, radiant, microphone in hand. Her soft, soaring melody that immediately silenced the crowd. Each note shimmered with confidence, rebellion, and the dream she had fought years to express.

Prithvi froze his tiger’s eyes. Piercing, unblinking, fixed on her.

Suddenly the crowd around him blurred . The chandelier, the whisper of people all vanished into the air. There was only one glued to his eyes.. he removed his sunglasses and stared at her straight. He noticed the way her hair swayed, every note hitting him like a spark , every line igniting something fierce and uncomfortable inside him.

He told himself to tear away his gaze and leave . But he couldn’t. Not when she was here, in his vision, stealing the attention of everyone around him—and yet, unknowingly, she belonged to him.

For a man who controlled empires, whose word moved billions, his heartbeat had never felt so completely out of control.

……….

Prithvi's eyes never left her. He didn't even move an inch. Nor his hand lifted up to applaud as if they were stiffened in the moment.

Each muscle in his body taut . Anger , pride , betrayal and admiration all battling for dominance behind that composed facade .

Every molecule of his body barking to rush into the stages, grab her hand and demand why she had kept him in shadows..but his pride was too stubborn , wouldn't allow it

Sanyogita was trying to calm her breathing down . Her mind raced “ Why is he here?? Did he know? Did he follow me? A pang of guilt mixed with something else — she couldn't want to imagine.

Seeing him standing there just before her made her heart both tightened with guilt and flutter .

_____________