A/N: Hey buddies! So this is the last chapter of 'Meant To Be'.
Yesterday the story crossed 1000 comments...I am truly and deeply touched by the response all forum readers have given me. Each and everyone who has liked the updates, commented and also those who have been silent readers, my heartfelt gratitude to u all. It has been an amazing journey for me. When I started this story, I didn't have the slightest idea that i would be penning 24 chapters and u guys would give such positive response. So, before I begin this chapter, here are few lines dedicated to all my friends here😳
"The ties that bind us are sometimes impossible to explain. They connect us even after it seems that the ties should be broken. Some bonds defy distance, time and logic. Because some ties are simply 'MEANT TO BE'..."
Thank u all so very much!
Warm regards and loads of love!😊
CHAPTER : 24
"You took my heart away;
When my whole world was grey;
You gave me everything...
And a little bit more!
And when it's cold at night;
And u sleep by my side,
U become the meaning of my life..."
----*----
You never know that the biggest day of ur life is going to be the biggest, until it actually becomes so. The days u think are going to be big never really turn out to be what u presume them in ur head. It's the regular days, the ones that start out normal, that eventually end up being the biggest.
And for Sanyukta Agarwal, today was the biggest day of her life. A realization which was still sinking in on her.
She was now standing near a huge stage that had been decorated in order to felicitate the 'Dream-team' contest winners. Today, she had finally proved her worth as an engineer. And today, she had also found someone to stand by her side through thick and thin. She had found her 'soul-mate'.
But the universe is a funny place. Just when u think that everything is going in ur favour,it throws a curveball and makes u go for a toss.
Sanyukta spotted Karan at a distance, apparently being grilled by Prof Kabir. She always had an inkling that this duo was upto something. And being the 'curious' person that she is, she decided to overhear their conversation.
"I thought u said u made sure that Sanyukta was out of the competition. U failed yet again karan..." Prof Kabir seethed in anger.
Karan looked frightened. When he replied, his voice quivered, "Sir, i promise u, she was disqualified. I don't know how she managed to re-enter..."
"Oh u bloody duffer...I entrusted u with one responsibility and u disappointed me time and again..."
The professor's rage was beyond control and Karan trembled in fear.
Sanyukta stood still, afraid to draw their attention onto herself.
" So karan was the reason why she I was disqualified? Oh shit! Of course...he must have sold me out to Renuka ma'm.."
But Sanyukta also realized something else today. Sure Karan was a bast**d. But not all his actions were self-inspired. He had been manipulated to do things that may be he wouldn't have otherwise done. Of course that didn't mean that she was ready to forgive him. He wasn't a child who could be influenced easily, was he? He was a grown up. And as a matured person, he should made the right choices.
"Randhir trusts him...It would break him to know that Karan is a liar...I can't let that happen...He has suffered too much already...It's time he lived and got the life he truly deserves...Karan Vadra, we need to chat..." thought Sanyukta and waited for Prof Kabir to depart from the scene.
As soon as she saw the professor leave, she chased after Karan.
"Hey...you..." she called out.
Karan stopped and turned to look at her.
"Well well...if it isn't the famous Sanyukta Agarwal..." he taunted.
"Shut up Mr. Jerk and let me speak...I know u were the one behind my disqualification..."
"Oh!! U know?? Hahaha! She knows", Karan continued his jibes, "So?? What are u going to do? Turn me in? Tell the organisors? "
"Tell Randhir", Sanyukta replied calmly.
For a split second she saw fear in Karan's face, before it was replaced by scorn.
"Oh of course...How could I have forgotten?!! U guys are a couple now...It's all sunshine and rainbows in your world...Well miss Agarwal, i hate to break it to u, but Randhir happens to be my best friend...He won't doubt me!"
Sanyukta rolled her eyes and replied, "Looks like u have forgotten...Let me remind u, Randhir had yelled at u in FITE remember?"
Karan pulled a mocking face. But Sanyukta's turned grim. She was determined to shove some sense through his thick head.
"Karan...I am not here to accuse u or to ask u to apologise.."
"Like i would even if u begged me to..." he spat.
"SHUT UP & LISTEN, DAMN IT" bellowed Sanyukta.
Karan looked postively disturbed now.
"You call urself his best friend...His "BEST" friend...but everything u do is always directed at hurting him...Why?? Have u ever reflected on that? U destroyed the project that he prepared with so much care...U created misunderstanding between him and me...U got me disqualified...What next huh? How do u plan on screwing up his life next?? Can't u see Kabir is brainwashing u? Are u that dumb?"
Sanyukta took a deep breathe as she finished talking. Her fury increased with each word she uttered. And Karan just stood there dumb.
He hadn't realized the extent to which the girl before him cared for his best friend.
Sanyukta continued after a brief pause, "Look Karan, i don't know what ur problem with me is...But I can't let u hurt Randhir anymore. Like it or not, but I love him...and he loves me too. So, I will honor ur friendship with him and keep ur nasty act of disqualifying me away from him. But in return u have to promise me that u won't ever hurt him again...Deal?"
Karan swallowed hard. For the first time he was overcome with guilt at his misdeeds. He hung his head, not meeting her gaze.
Sanyukta realized she had hit the mark.
"I will take that as a yes Karan. I hope for ur sake that u will remember what i just told u...take care.." she said calmly and walked away.
"I am sorry randhir" Karan whispered into the air.
-----
Randhir frantically searched for Sanyukta around the campus. The 'prize-giving' ceremony was about to commence and she was nowhere to be found.
"Randhir bhai sanyukta mili?" asked Jiggy.
"Yeh sanyukta ko abhi hi gayab hona tha kya?" said Vidushi.
"That's her..right there" Kaustuki pointed.
Randhir immediately went upto her and said, "Where were u? Hum yahan pagal ho rahein the..."
"Mere bina do minute bhi nhi reh sakte kya?" Sanyukta teased him.
"Bakwas bandh aur chalo jaldi..." replied randhir irritably.
The stage was set and Renuka Sanyal was ready to give out the prizes. At first, Vardhan sir was awarded the "Dream Mentor" award, which he accepted with grace and poise. The next award was for 'Outstanding' performance in the contest. That went to Randhir Shekhawat, hands down. For Sanyukta and ridhima who stood in the crowd, it was a defining moment when Randhir collected the award from his mother. Renuka bestowed the honor upon him with a huge smile and a hint of pride in her features. Randhir however was nonchalent and barely even spared his mother a glance.
The last award was the most awaited one. The 'Dream Team' award.
Randhir, Sanyukta, Kaustuki, Jignesh, Vidushi and Sahil went up to the stage, all smiles, their heads held high and collected the prestigious trophy along with the cheque and their internship appointment letter at the 'Sanyal Group of Industries". The CITE & RCE teams clapped for the winners. It was a beautiful moment for them, one that they would long cherish.
-----
As they got off the stage, both Renuka and Sanyukta were the only ones to notice that Randhir had torn of the appointment letter and had thrown the bits away. Sanyukta cringed her face at his act. A pang of sadness tugged at her heart. It pained her to see randhir so broken. Renuka Sanyal was almost in tears. She realized she may just have lost her son forever. She wanted to do one last thing for him.
"Sanyukta Agarwal" she called out.
Sanyukta came to a halt and looked behind her.
"Yes ma'm.." she said politely.
Renuka took her to one side and said, "I apologize for disqualifying u without any reason, Miss Agarwal.."
Sanyukta stammered, "M-a'm..I-t's ok..please don't apologize.."
"Sanyukta, i think u know that Randhir and I don't really get along..."
Sanyukta didn't reply because she didn't know what to say.
"All i ever did was try and give him a better life...May be i was wrong...May be my methods were wrong. But i really love my son. And I know, from a mother's instinct that u love him too...Please take care of him...Be there for him. He will be there for u...I know my son...He will always be there for u..."
Sanyukta could see that the woman was in tears. A lump had formed in her throat as she heard Renuka speak. She nodded and smiled. Words failed her for once.
What do u say to a mother who loves her son and yet becomes the bane of his existance? U don't say anything...U keep mum...And that's what Sanyukta did.
------
The FITE team had thrown a party that evening. Ever since they had stepped into Mumbai, all they had time for was 'task', 'task' and more 'task'. But now was the time to party. They had planned a 'winning' bash at a local resturant and had invited the CITE & RCE contestants too.
Sanyukta saw karan congratulating randhir and the two boys hugged and rejoiced. She smiled at the sight. Randhir was happy and that's all that mattered.
Kaustuki and Jiggy were cuddled at one corner, enjoying the delicacies that were on display. Sahil and Vidushi were dancing like crazy!! Even the CITE & RCE students were having fun!
Just then Sanyukta spotted parth and Ridhima entering while holding hands. Ridhima caught Sanyukta's eye and grinned.
"Ahaan!!! Look who we have here!!" Sanyukta exclaimed, "Arey parth, tum toh bade chhupe rustam nikle! Ridhima se itna pyaar, aur humein batayaa tak nhi!! Not fair, haan!!"
Parth smiled and replied, "Tumne kabhi puchha hi nhi Sanyukta, toh mein kya bolta!!"
"Clever!! Very clever!" Sanyukta said and turned to Ridhima, "Toh...Who proposed?"
"I did" she replied, smiling sheepishly,"And he knows about Randhir being my brother."
Just then Randhir appeared there and said, "Hey guys!! Enjoying the par-..."
And his fell on Ridhima holding Parth's hand.
He looked at the two of them. Parth was giving him a nervous glance, while Ridhima simply stared back at him.
"U guys...like...Together?"
Ridhima nodded.
Randhir turned and gave Parth a mock-glare and said, "If u break her heart, I will break ur head."
And they all burst out laughing!
Parth then asked him, "What about u and Sanyukta? had ur first kiss yet?"
Randhir glared for real this time and replied, "I'm out of here. And Kashyap, just because u are dating my sister doesn't mean I'll forgive ur jibes.." and winked at him!
Sanyukta and Ridhima were giggling at the boys.
"Coming Agarwal?" Randhir called out.
And Sanyukta excused herself and followed Randhir outside.
-----
Mumbai's night life was beautiful. It looked like someone had brought the stars down on the Earth surface. And u could truly appreciate it's beauty from the rooftop of a skyscraper. That's where Randhir brought sanyukta.
They stood on the terrace of their 15th floor resturant and admired the city's extravaganza in silence.
"Randhir.." said Sanyukta after a few moments.
"Hmmm?"
"Woh...renuka ma'm..."
"sanyukta...I don't want to talk about her...please.."
"I know...I just wanted to tell u that she called me aside after the prize giving ceremony and asked me to look after u..."
Randhir turned and gave her a sad smile.
"Strange how easily she has dumped what should have been her responsibility on u..." he said softly.
"randhir...she loves u...she really does..."
"I know..."
"U do??" sanyukta asked surprised.
"Of course she loves me...She is my mother...But her love is twisted. For some reason i failed to understand her love for me. To me she has always been an entreprenour first and a mother later. She married dad for the company, severed all my ties with Rids for the company...Tell me Sanyukta, whom does she love more - me or the company??"
Sanyukta heard him speak and all she could think was how much he had endured all his life.
"Randhir, we can never really obliterate our past. But we can make it our strenght and move forward..." she said.
He nodded.
"The problem is she is my mother. She can never really be my 'past'...she was my past, is my present and will be my future..." he sighed.
A lone tear escaped Sanyukta's eyes. He was right. How do u forget ur own mother? Not all wounds are superficial. Some run deep, very deep. Pain - it doesn't go away just like that. All u can do is take a deep breathe and wait for it to subside.
She stepped closer and embraced him, nuzzling her face on his shoulders. He hugged her back. She always managed to calm his raging senses. He didn't need to say those words to her. She understood his silence.
Their's was a love without definition. It didn't need adjectives, it didn't need comforting words. All it needed was two hearts mingled into one soul.
-------------
EPILOGUE
-10 YEARS LATER-
The hall was packed with businessmen from across the globe. It was the day that the 'R & S Foundation' lauched its first ever 'auto-pilot' car. The model had been personally conceived and designed by the co-founder and president of the company Randhir Singh Shekhawat.
As he took to the dias, the hall fell silent.
"Ladies and gentlemen" he began, "I stand here proud of this day as we unveil the very new and exciting model of our first 'auto-pilot' car. I dedicate this special achievement to all the staff of the company and to my beautiful wife, Mrs. Sanyukta Shekhawat, for her unflinching dedication towards this comapny and at the same time being the most caring and supporting wife ever. She couldn't be here by my side today as she is fulfiling her duties as a mother to our beautiful daughter Sara. But she wishes all of u the very best as R&S begins it's maiden venture in automobiles."
The rest of his speech was about the model and its technicalities. The car had received unprecedented biddings, making R&S the top company in the nation and the third largest in the world.
But for randhir, this press-meet was just a formality. He got over with it ASAP and rushed out to get his car. He drove and reached the 'Ryan International School'. It was Sara's first day at school and sanyukta was already there to pick her up.
"Hey!" she said as soon as she spotted him, "Right in the nick of time...Sara will be out any minute."
As the couple waited, out came a tiny little girl, her hair tied into a pony, her face exactly like her mother's, but her eyes deep brown like Randhir's.
"Daddy!!!!!" she exclaimed.
Randhir's face broke into a beautiful smile, "Hey there princess!!!"
The girl ran into his arms and gave him a kiss on the cheeks.
"She loves u more than she loves me...I can't believe this!" said Sanyukta feigning hurt!
"Mumma...i love u too",Sara intervened.
Randhir burst out laughing at his wife and daughter.
Soon they were settled in the car, with Randhir driving and Sanyukta at the front with him and Sara sat in the backseat, fiddling with Randhir's cellphone.
"U missed the opening...It was so grand...Everybody was all praises for me...U should have seen the ladies..how they were swooning over me!" randhir joked.
Sanyukta rolled her eyes and said, "Randhir Shekhawat...The ladies can swoon all they want, but the fact is, i have ur heart in my clutches!! Besides, I couldn't miss our daughter's first day at school, could I?"
Randhir smiled.
"This is ridiculous...I mean first the 'automobile' opening, then Sara's first day at school and now Ridhima's engagement...Sab ek hi din mein hona tha kya? Goddd!!!!" Sanyukta lamented.
Sara, who until now was totally quiet, suddenly piped up, "Mumma is a complain-box, isn't she daddy?"
Sanyukta's face resembled a tomato and Randhir was in fits!!!!
"Sara...Oh god u little spoilt brat!" scolded sanyukta, "U take after Randhir in every aspect expect ur looks...Snobbish just like ur father..."
"Thank God she takes after me...atleast that means she has inherited my brains!"
Sanyukta gave an exasperated sigh...
"I give up...Tum baap-beti karte raho apna bakwas!"
"awww mom, we love u!!" said Sara sweetly.
Seeing this banter, randhir felt blissful. There in the car were two woman who meant the world to him.
They soon reached their destination.
Hotel Marriot.
A huge hoarding read "Parth Kashyap gets engaged to Ridhima Mukherjee".
As soon as the car came to a halt, Sara got off and ran towards ridhima, her favourite 'aunt'.
Ridhima was clad in a gorgeous pink saree, her hair tied in a neat bun, with a rose on one side. She looked aesthetic.
"Sara!!! How was ur first day at school baby? Made new friends?" asked Ridhima.
Soon they were joined by Parth, who was wearing a black suit that would give even the most famous 'Bolly-actors' a run for their money!
The engagement was almost like a reunion for the college friends. Kaustuki and Jiggy, who were now married for over 3 years and had a son named 'Rahul', were also there.
Randhir and Sanyukta too enterted the hotel and were warmly greeted by their friends. The atmosphere was surreal. They were all successful engineers now. And the bond they shared was stronger than ever.
And as the 'ring-ceremony' began, Randhir and Sanyukta stood side-by-side and watched Parth slide the ring onto Ridhima's hand and vice-versa.
They recalled their own engagement and subsequent marriage a month later. Their lives had now come to a full circle.
The people in the room cheered for the newly engaged couple... Randhir took Sanyukta's hands and their eyes met. He squeezed her fingers and she returned the pressure.
Randhir had never told her those three magical words. And Sanyukta had never made a fuss. They weren't like any other normal couple anyway. They still bickered like children. Randhir still had an ego the size of a mountain. Sanyukta still was a staunch feminist and crazy for burgers. But the difference was that they were no longer two separate individuals. They were now two sides of the same coin.
They had followed their hearts. They had chosen their own paths. They made their own mistakes and learnt from them. And they found that life is beautiful in its own way. It doesn't matter what u look like, it doesn't matter what job u do or how much u earn. What matters is that u are surrounded by the people u love and those who love u back!
And so all was well in "SanDhir-land" 'cause they were always 'meant to be'.
~0~
A/N: There! I'm all done! This was the last part. Thank u so much for bearing with me so long! I hope I could live up to all of ur expectations. I hope to start a new story soon! Until then all i can say is
"Don't be sad that it has ended...Be happy that it happened!!"
Do leave ur final reviews. Silent readers, now's the time to shower ur praises 😉😉
Love each and every one of u very very much!😃
Anuradha😳😳
CID
14