Chapter - Strings of the heart

Chapter - Strings of the heart

Sanyogita’s step was hesitant while her sandals clicked nervously against the marble as she stepped into the grand lobby.

The building gleam under the warm sunshine. The glass walls , golden plaques, the faint hum of instruments drifting from inside studios.

She was still finding it difficult to admit, “ Virja brought me here ? For me ? But why..? "

A receptionist in a blazer appeared and stood up the moment she saw her.

“Good morning, Mrs. Singhania.” Her tone was polite, but there was a flicker of awe in her eyes. “ It's really nice to see you here . Sir has already informed us. Please, this way.”

Sanyogita blinked. Sir? Her glance darted back to the glass doors.

Through them, she could see Prithvi who was strolling inside the reception. His sunglasses back on , his face unreadable. He took a seat over the plush sofa . Busy on his mobile.

Her breathing hitched.. “Why is this man so complicated ? She thought . He took me here but didn't bother to join me inside. As she spun around, she could feel his gaze on her back .

When she was led into the studio, a few musicians straightened. Someone among the men came forward and his eyes dilated with admiration.

“ I heard your voice last night. And it's amazing"

Her cheeks flash, but then the manager stepped forward, smiling " Ma'am, Mr Singhaniya instructed us to give you full access. This is your space now. Please whenever you're ready"

Her chest rose and fell rapidly. She touched the mic with trembling hands. Her heart is getting heavy with emotions. Even her eyes sting with warm tears , with her index she wiped the eyes. This was real.

Yes, real.

No dream .

Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and began to sing. When the first note filled the room it was rich , soulful, unshaken.

The musicians nodded silently, a knowing glance exchange so their hands glided to their respective instruments.

Slowly the studio filled with melody.

Outside, through the glass window, Prithvi’s jaw flexed. His sunglasses hid the flicker of amusement in his eyes.

When Sanyogita's lids lifted gradually she was startled.

Tears pricked her eyes, everyone clapped for her .

When her eyes search for him she saw him

standing before her , leaning against the wall , crossing ankle over another and his strong arms clasped against his chest.

When their eyes met, his expression was unreadable.

No smile. No nod.

Yet she caught a glimpse of a slight shift in his features. A little smile tugged in his lips.

Her heart swelled with happiness, as she gazed into his eyes she could see beneath that bossy pride feature, something else that had brought her here instead of divorcing her.

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

Prithvi glanced at her, eyes flicking with amusement. “So…where do you want to go? Home or your office or maybe to your father's house?”

Sanyogita nodded her head “ None of it . “ She chuckled , her reply made him raise an eyebrow in surprise. “I want to see your office.”

Prithvi looked at her disbelief , a hint of curiosity flickering in his eyes “Are you serious?”

“ Yes ,” She nodded her head , in a small girl gesture

“ But you'll be bored as I'll be busy with meetings!" He tones was genuine

Sanyogita rolled her eyes claiming “ Viraj , I’ve already experienced working. Don't look at me like I'm some delicate flower "

Prithvi's brow arched and lips curled into a teasing smile “ worked? Or playing guitar at college fests doesn't count as cooperate experience, little fox "

Sanyogita gasped at him with widened eyes then a slow smirk formed in her lips “ Excuse me ! Those college fests had bigger crowds than your boring board meetings .”

His response came immediately “ Touché.”

She laughed..

Their laughter filled the atmosphere inside the car .

Suddenly the air filled with tension as she asked him “Viraj… What will you tell everyone at home? That you brought me to the studio to sing ?”

His tone sharpened “ when you sang at a local function, you didn't flinch. So, why are you worried now ?”

Her heart thudded. She stared at him and asked him softly, “ Because then I thought no-one would allow me . But..today ….you brought me here. It feels different "

He glanced at her then back at the road “ Why do you need permission for the things that make you happy, Sanjh ? Happiness doesn't ask for approval” His reply was immediate.

Sanyogita retorted immediately “Then why did you scold me last night ? Why threaten me about my singing ? If my recording is published openly , won't that tarnish Singhaniya’s pride ?”

Her words hit him deeper, making him taste his own bitter medicine. His grip on the steering wheel tightened.

When he exhale his voice become quieter

“ Sanjh, if you were just Sanyogita, people wouldn't care . But now …you are Singhaniya . That changes everything!"

Sanyogita's eyes went narrow " Then what about those who fight their way up? They chase dreams despite obstacles , despite names. Why can't I ?

Prithvi replied after a pause “ Not every question has a neat answer . If you become a true artist, one who touches the soul …the same people who judge you for being Singhaniya will applaud later . Perspectives changes with success "

" But I want people to love me for being Sanyogita not because of Singhania "

He went quiet, then added almost reluctantly.

“ Janta hoon , Sanjh.” he said quietly . “ You told me once, …the very first day when I came to your house to meet you" His expression softened

Her head turned sharply toward him, eyes wide. He still remembered?

Sanyogita’s heart fluttered with an unexpected warmth, surprised — not just by his memory, but by the way he always called her Sanjh , as if it belonged only to him.

Prithvi continued “ for you it's a dream , a life long passion, Sanjh . But for me…it's not just a dream I carry. It's my family's pride . Rishtey , passion and dreams se bhi kabhi kabhi bhaut jada important hote hai !”

“ Why did you bring me here , Viraj ? Despite knowing I'm going against your family pride ? ” Her voice was firm , curious . Her chest tightened.

Prithvi's response was immediate, calm “it's not that your voice is against Singhania family pride . It was the place in which you chose to perform . And I already told you your voice deserves to travel further than you can imagine. The world should hear it "

Sanyogita's expression turned into a mixture of teasing and seriousness. " So..only for the sake of my happiness you cancelled your deal?”

Prithvi smirked, his voice low and taunting “ You think too much, little fox…If I didn't, may be you'd keep hiding your dream to be a singer , and bringing me a new kind of trouble each and alternate day ”

She rolled her eyes, “ Your impossible Viraj !"

“ Maybe ! But you are unbearable" He matched her laughter.

As Sanyogita leaned against her seat, a twinge of guilt formed inside her stomach , Her mind raced: “Is he really telling the truth… or is there something else? Why is he doing this for me?”

His voice pierced the silence, only breaking her reverie.

“ So thik hai little fox ,...we are heading to the office very soon !" He said in a teasing voice " but don't bite me — this isn't your wild forest . The environment might be a little too civilized for you !” He winked, flashing a grinned.

Sanyogita looked at him , dumbfounded. Her lips curled into a mock pout as she crossed her arms dramatically over her chest .

“ Mr. Kharate Singhaniya…” she shot back, narrowing her eyes . " I'll call you by this name in the middle of your big, serious life. board meetings “

Prithvi grinned, transformed into something darker and layered . The car slowed, then abruptly stopped.

He turned slightly toward her his gaze sharp , voice dropping with a dangerous teasing register that made her pulse stumble.

“ Little fox…if you dare to do that " he murmured , leaning closer , " I'll pull you then into the bed and then you'll realise exactly how I snore "

He leaned closer suddenly, his presence overwhelming. His face hovered just inches from hers , the warmth of his breath brushing her skin

Sanyogita’s heart stuttered, her breath catching in her throat. For a moment, as their eyes remained locked, the work outside ceased to exist . Everything blurred until there was only him , his gaze was dark, intense and magnetic, daring her to move , to speak, to break the spell .

His mouth was just a few inches apart, those thin lips glistening softly under sunlight.

Prithvi’s hand slid slowly toward the seat belt, his fingers brushing bare waist , rubbed against the rim of her saree , the touch was deliberate. “Office… aa gaya!” he murmured, still gazing at her, the heat in his eyes making her pulse race.

Her heart hammered violently, she thought if Prithvi heard what he would do!

Suddenly her thoughts drifted back to Yash

When he held her hand nothing like that ever happened. But with Prithvi … even his mere glance was enough to send shivers through her spine .

***********

Sanyogita slipped under the blanket comfortably . She kept the mobile on the bedside table, then froze.

Her brow arched inward as she spotted him casually landing on the bed .

She asked out of curiosity “ Viraj, …why are you sleeping on the bed?”

His forehead scrunch, his voice calm but sly “ Why not ? It's my room . And also my bed . I have to wake up early ..and tum bhi so jao”

She gawked at him, eyes wide as saucers. Her heart fluttered like a trapped pigeon.

Prithvi stretched out lazily , the soft mattress dipping beneath his weight. “tum mujhe… aise kya dikh rahi ho? Mein bas sone aya hoon… aur kuch nahi.”

Her breath hitched. “Aur kuch matlab?” she stammered , clutching the blanket like a life jacket.

Prithvi’s grin turned wicked suddenly his audacity turned mischieve “ Waise …. newly married couples usually stay up late . You know … as they have other important things to do….”

Her cheeks puffed, eyes widening further. “Viraj! Aap… aap bahut…”

He raised a brow, cutting in smoothly. “Bahut kya?” His lips curled in amusement.

She stuttered “ Aap yahan…kya Sach mooch soyenge ?”

“ Mein sounga toh kya ? Mera room , mere bed ..upar se biwi bhi meri hai !! He smirked, enjoying her horrified gasp.

Prithvi hides his chuckled" stop thinking too much. “ Now it's twelve at night..

You have your recording in the evening, so focus on practice more little fox"

Suddenly her mind shifted back to the moment when he said ,” Little fox…if you dare to do that , then I'll pull into the bed and then you'll realise exactly how I snore

She put her hand over her chest , her ear turned red . She quickly grabbed a pillow in an instinct she started placing it in between them, creating a small barrier.

Prithvi's eyes widened, he was almost curious “ Why are we making a China Great wall between us?"

She flashed him an innocent-sarcastic smile. “Haan. Kyunki mujhe aapke kharate sunna nahi hai .”

He responded in a mock offense. Showing a charming grinned" But what does a wall have to do with my snoring?"

Sanyogita flinched slightly, her cheeks went crimson hue. Her heart raced, … there was a strange, delicious warmth in his tone that made it impossible to argue or move away.

Her heart thudded. Every word, every glance made her pulse quicken. She tugged the blanket closer, as if it was the screen that could hide her – fear , the rules which she had made and something she didn't want to name .

Prithvi said , his eyes were still closed “ Sleep now, little fox. And don't forget..the money you have to return to me. Consider it …motivation "

Sanyogita’s brain instantly jumped back to Mayuri’s teasing words about him.

When she shared with her Prithvi's surprise to take her to the studio and her overwhelming experience there , her heart was swelling with happiness.

“Mayurrrr, you won't believe it . Viraj took me to the studio today…and then I sang in front of that famous music producer Raghav Agarwal . Uff I couldn't explain in words how happy I was then .. Everything seems like magic to me . "

Mayuri clapped on the other side of the phone. " Aye haye , filmy heroine ! Congratulations darling. Abhi toh meri bachhi ka naam ka banner lagne Wale hain”

" Thanks babe… but … he told me to repay him twenty crores as he cancelled his meeting for me ” As she smirked, lines of worries formed in her forehead.

Mayuri's voice came from the other side of the phone after a long pause

“ Wait ,what ?? ..what did you say? Prithvi has taken you there and even cancelled his meeting and asked you to repay his money?”

Sanyogita, pouting like a guilty child nodded her head as if Mayuri could see her “ Haan ,..and that's the thing only makes me worried about."

Mayuri rolled her eyes so hard they might fall out “ Sandy , tu aapna brain kya Agarwal studio mein bhool aaye hai ? Prithviraj Singhaniya is asking for money from you …? Do you even realize how much money he has?”

Sanyogita replied immediately “Yeah…Nishita Aunty told me once .. sixty five thousand crores, ”

Mayuri snorted “ Exactly ! His pen’s nib signs papers worth hundreds of crores everyday , sometimes even in thousands of crores . And he's claiming twenty crores from you! Babe, that's his pocket change.

Even that amount Singhania’s given as a charity. Isn't it strange?”

Sanyogita blinked in horror , her reply only made Mauryi baffled. “ So, you mean Viraj gave me money as a charity?"

Mayuri's facepalming “ Arey arey , charity ka bhi standard hota hai . Yeh toh VIP charity hai , janeman!”

Sanyogita gasping, put her hand over her chest “Matlab main ek NGO ban gayi hoon unke liye??”

“Exactly! Singhania Foundation for Bewakoof Biwiyan.” Mayuri giggled

“MAYUR! I’ll kill you!”

Mayuri ignored the threat and said in an anchoring voice “ breaking news, Apke Mr. Kharate Singhaniya ke dil mein bhukamp aay hai . And the epicenter is …You , darling "

" me ”Sanyogita’s cheeks flash , she said so loud she feared if anyone heard her “ I swear, Mayur… tu na, ek din mere liye pitegi”

Mayuri replied in a sing-song tone “Pitega toh tera patidev… tere pyaar ke nasha mein! "

" I don't believe, He doesn't" Sanyogita hissed , firmly

“Trust me, darling,” Mayuri interrupted, lowering her voice for melodrama “Aapke patidev aapse prem karne lage hai…aur aab unka Dil ka condition critical hai…. you need to shift him in ICU " Mayuri tone dropped melodramatically

“Condition critical, my foot. “!” Sanyogita retorted back “MAYUR! I will kill you. Bolke dikha ek aur baar.”

" Mano ya na manoo he’s fallen for you. Unless….just think about it ..you once told me that Prithvi's younger age struggles for his family business. and it's obvious he agreed to this marriage because of his mother's happiness . And he can do anything for his mother. And like the way you save his Mom , It's obvious any guy will fall for you. "

Sanyogita's heart was pumping faster, she was utterly speechless for a moment. “ Then how could he give me divorce?.. Should I turn into a Villain daughter-in-law?”

Mayuri bursting out laughing “Tu aur villain? Arey, tu toh daantne ki jagah ro deti hai! Kaun tujhe bura bolega, Miss Dukhi Atma?”

Sanyogita pouted “ Mayur mein tera sare phod dungi…dubara mujhe dukhi aatma kahan toh!!!…anyway I don't do it on purpose. Mom was really in danger and I can't leave her like that "

" I know I understand. But Sandy ..aur wahi toh baj gayi ghanti Kharate Singhaniya ki dil ki. Tu toh seedha uske heart ka alarm clock ban gayi hai.”

" Mayur…stop it. I don't want to think that " Prithvi's face flashes in her eyes ." I think he did it as a gratitude to save his Mom. He doesn't love me . And I'll never love him…I only love Yash”

Mayur didn't respond.

Sanyogita was so much distracted by the conversation, she didn't notice the slippery polished floor nearby the swimming pool with the Singhaniya office . Her sandals slipped .

“Aaah—!”

For a split second, she lost her balance , arms flailing instinctively.Her mobile clattered to the ground. Just as she braces for impact, two strong arms caught her firmly , pulling her close.

She froze. Her body pressed against his chest. His cologne, intense and intoxicating, filled her senses. Her heart was hammering wildly as their eyes locked for a brief moment.

His lips curved into a teasing smirk Careful, Little fox…this isn't the stage you usually perform on. Next thing I know, you'll be giving the pool audience a live underwater concert "

Her cheeks heated instantly.

She flustered, " I..I just slipped. Leave me”

He raised a brow, deliberately loosening his hold. She squeaked—

Sanyogita: “Not so fast—!”

The next second, she landed on her back with a thud, sprawled on the cold marble

She glared up at him, hair in her face.

“ Itni zaldi kyun chodha ..I fell !" She complained.

His smirk deepened, though his voice stayed cool , “ next time, be cautious…keep your eyes open. I can't always be around to rescue reckless foxes"

Her cheeks flushed.

He arranged his coat and turned to leave.

She muttered, half angry, half flustered “Rescue? hmph! Why did you hold me if he only wanted me to fall !" She shook her head.

Sanyogita returned from the trance of her memory. She turned to look at him , sleeping . No snores, no twitch.

She whispered to herself “ Does he really love me ? But how ? Sometimes he makes me scared as if he will soon kill me by grabbing my throat and other times he cares as if none do for me . Who is this man , God?

She g“ Not even Yash makes me feel like this…but him.. whenever he comes close to me , my CPU seems to hang !”

Her cheeks burned hotter. She groaned, burying her face in the pillow.