Chapter 1
It was a rather chilly evening with a soft breeze blowing around the FITE campus. The sky was dark and cloudy, with no sign of clearing up any soon. The students had all retreated to their hostels, thanks to the cold, damp weather. But Randhir Singh Shekhawat sat on the hostel roof all alone pondering.
"Randhir", came a soft voice.
He didn't turn around, but knew the owner of the voice very well.
Sanyukta Agarwal.
It had been almost a month since they stopped 'hating' each other. They weren't exactly bosom buddies, he didn't think they could ever be that. But they were close to being what he defined as 'friends'.
"This is the boys' hostel Sanyukta. What are u doing here? Rules break karne ki aadat par gayi hain tumhe", he muttered, still avoiding eye contact with her.
He wasn't in a mood for chit-chat, especially not with her. He wanted some time alone to think about what had happened the day before.
- 1 day ago -
Randhir's phone never rang in between classes, because people rarely called him. All the people he interacted with belonged to FITE.
So, when his phone suddenly rang, he was surprised.
Prof Vardhan told him to go outside the class and take the call. He did just that. He didn't recognize the number but picked up anyway.
"Randhir Singh Shakhawat?" spoke a female voice.
"Randhir speaking", he replied.
"I am calling from the central hospital Dehradun. Your friend Karan has been admitted to our ICU after he was involved in a car accident and sustained severe aneurism. His family could not be contaceted, so we decided to call the first number in the speed dial of his phone. It was urs."
Randhir was speechless...Karan, his best buddy, was in ICU.
"I will be there ASAP", he told the lady and hung up.
-Present scene-
"What do u want Sanyukta?" he spoke rather coldly.
"Randhir, how is...how is Karan?" asked Sanyukta rather timidly, afraid to flare his temper.
"Why do u care?", came his reply.
"Randhir please we had decided not to bicker anymore remember? I have noticed how strained u looked in class today. I just want to know if everything is ok. So just..."
She couldn't complete the sentence as Randhir's voice cut her across harshly, "No Sanyukta, everything isn't ok... Karan is in the ICU, battling for his life. So for God's sake, please leave me alone."
But he should have known better. This was Sanyukta he was talking to. Stubborn as ever, she simply went near him and said, "Let's go visit him. U haven't visited him today, have u? Come on, let's go."
He looked her like she was kidding him. But her face showed no trace of sarcasm. It portrayed a strange feeling of care, a genuine concern for him. And he agreed to her proposal.
-HOSPITAL-
Karan was still on the ventilator. He was due to be operated the next day. It would be a long, risque operation. The chances were high that the aneurism could rupture causing haemorrage and lead to death. But the doctors were hopeful.
Randhir had entered the ICU and stood near Karan's bed, silently watching him. And sanyukta noticed a lone tear make its way down Randhir's face. She had never seen him lose his composure before. She has always treated him like a cold MCP. But as she stood observing him in the hospital, it was as if she was looking at a new avatar of Randhir, a softer, more caring version. And without thinking about it, she took his hand in hers and gave it a small reassuring squeeze. He looked up and saw her, his eyes tear stained and she felt a soft pressure on her own hands.
They came out of the ICU after sometime.
"He will recover, i am sure he will Randhir", she spoke softly.
"I hope u are right Sanyukta", he said, "He is my best friend. He is the only one i have."
Randhir said those words with so much sorrow that like a reflex Sanyukta retorted, "That's not true. U have me."
And she bit her tongue. Did she just say that? God, she was losing her mind. Even randhir had missed a step and paused, looking towards her.
They had an eye-lock, which Randhir broke, "Really now Miss Agarwal. I have...you? Are u certain about that?" smirked Randhir, trying to ease the air.
"God, u are such an MCP", Sanyukta replied pretending annoyance.
As they came out of the hospital they realized it had started to drizzle.
"I love this weather", said Sanyukta, a big smile plastered on her face.
"Girls", muttered Randhir,"U girls love cheesy things don't u?" came his remark.
"Oh shut up Randhir! Enjoy the weather for once will u?"
"Oh I am enjoying...I mean, here we are, on our way back to FITE, just the two of us...what a better opportunity to annoy u than this", said Randhir sarcastically.
And what he got as a response left him amazed. She stuck out her tongue at him and ran ahead, her arms spread out, her stance sort of like performing a rain-dance. And despite himself, randhir couldn't help but smile.
"So much has changed. This is the same girl whom i hated. And now, somehow her company is my solace."
He couldn't pin-point what had changed between them and neither could she. But they were both aware that it was a beginning of something new.
~0~
Author's Note: This is a multi-chaptered fic! Will update ASAP.
Hope u guys will enjoy it! 😊
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Kumkum Bhagya
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
Hindi TV Shows
59