Chapter-14
"What?" Parth and Randhir said in unison looking at each other.
"Mrs.Shekhawat is here Sir. She is sitting in the conference room with the others." said David nervously.
Randhir and Parth sprinted out towards the meeting room. Randhir opened the door and saw Sanyukta sitting there.
"Hey" Randhir called her. Sanyukta turned around and Randhir's breath hitched. She was dressed in a black pencil skirt and a white satin shirt with Black pencil heels. She was looking breathtaking.
"Hey Randhir" Sanyukta came forward and hugged him. Randhir placed a hand on her back and gave her a side hug.
"Sorry. Tumhe bina inform kiye aayi, but I heard that tumne press conference rakhi hai, jo bhi kal hua and aaj subah ki news ko clear out karne ke liye. So I had to come. Waise bhi this is regarding me too. So shall we?" said Sanyukta holding his hand.
Randhir nodded and they went into the conference room hand in hand with Parth and some other important people in tow. The room was filled with media. Randhir pulled a chair next to his seat for Sanyukta. Sanyukta settled in and then Randhir and Parth also settled in their respective seats.
"Good morning to all of you. To begin with this morning didn't prove to be a good morning for me. You guys must have heard of the phrase Everything is fair in love and war'. But some people have taken the phrase a bit too seriously. All of you must have heard the news of RS loosing the Congregate Motors tender to Trailer Nationals. But this win didn't come to them on their talent but due to the fact that someone from my company was working for them. That person leaked the quotes that we had put to Mr.Bhatia's company, due to which we lost. But due to the timely intervention of my dear friend and the Vice-President Parth Kashyap, we were able to track that person down. We were able to put our situation in front of the tender committee and they have decided to take quotes from all the companies again except Trailer Nationals."
The hall filled with applause.
"So Mr.Shekahwat, to avoid this kind of a felony, what actions are you going to take?" asked a reporter from the crowd.
"We are pressing charges on Trailer Nationals for the deed they did. Messing with me and my company is not some cake walk and they have to face serious consequences due to this. Also we will be having a thorough background check for all the whos-who of RS for security purposes." answered Randhir.
"Does that mean that your wife is also not spared from this, Mr.Shekhawat?" said a man in his mid 40-s from the crowd adjusting his glasses.
"Can you be a bit more specific?" said Randhir clearly understanding the direction in which the question was turning.
"I am talking about today's front page headlines Mr.Shekhawat. Your wife's meeting with your rival company's CEO behind your back in a coffee shop does not present the company or your interests in a very good light now. Does it? " he answered.
"My wife.." Randhir was stopped by Sanyukta's grip on his hand. Randhir bent towards Sanyukta and placed his hand on the mic.
"I think it's better if I reply to this." said Sanyukta in his ear.
"This is media Sanyukta and you are new to all this. Whatever you'll say will be scrutinized to a huge extent. Are you sure you can handle this?" said Randhir.
"This is regarding my character, Randhir. I don't have to prove anything but I have to make a statement. Mr.Bhatia has to know his place." said Sanyukta in a determined tone.
Randhir nodded and held her hand tightly.
"Hello every one. Myself Sanyukta, Sanyukta Randhir Singh Shekhawat. I would like to answer this question on my husband's behalf since this questions my dignity." Sanyukta picked the newspaper in her hand and saw the picture again.
"My husband is an influential man and I take pride in his success and achievements. But being successful has its own set of setbacks. Out of which one I got to encounter this morning. But Come on people. Don't you all find this piece silly and nave. If I have to deceive my husband behind his back then why the hell will I meet his rival in the largest shopping mall of New York? To showcase the world that I am deceiving him." said Sanyukta in a mocking tone.
The whole hall fell silent.
"This is cheap publicity that people like R.S Bhatia indulge in. When attacking Randhir on the professional front seemed impossible, he thought of this extremely downgrade way of hurting him. Why not attack him personally? Break him from inside so that it gets easy to give him a setback from which he can't emerge." said Sanyukta looking at Randhir.
"But what he is not aware of is the bond that I and Randhir share. We have seen a lot of ups and downs in life together and apart. In the past also, people have tried to separate us, create misunderstandings between us, but this is where we stand now. Together. We share a love which did not fade even after a separation of 8 years. Cheap tactics like these can't break us. People with such shitty and pea-sized brains need to think of some other ways now. Come up with something more sensible the next time. We will be ready." said Sanyukta.
The whole hall broke into a huge applause. Randhir squeezed her hand and Sanyukta looked at him with tons of love in her eyes. Randhir nodded at Parth and finding his cue Parth took the mic and made the announcement
"To make the slap sound a bit more we make another announcement. We are proud to present to you, the new technical head of RS Automobiles, Sanyukta Randhir Singh Shekhawat. Please give a huge round of applause."
With this the whole team stood up from their seats and Randhir kissed Sanyukta in front of the whole media. Shutterbugs clicked frantically capturing the moment.
"It was awesome Sanyukta. Bolti band kar di tune sab ki. Ab maza aaega kal ki headlines ka." said Parth loosening his tie and slumping on the couch near Sanyukta.
"Hmmm.." Sanyukta murmered sadly. She was gazing at Randhir who was busy on the cell phone with the lawyers regarding the amount they have to slap on Bhatia.
"Kya ho gaya Jhansi ki Rani? Itni udaas kyun ho?" said Parth nudging her shoulder. Sanyukta just looked in Randhir's direction.
"Darr lag raha hai Parth. Aas paas aise bahut log hain jo chahte hain ki main aur Randhir alag ho jaayein. Kahin koi kisi din kaamyaab na ho jaaye?" said Sanyukta keeping her head on his shoulder.
"Oye. Mujhse keh diya hai. Randhir se galti se bhi mat kehna. The love you guys share is epic. Tum dono ke relationship ka sabse bada asset is the transparency that you have with each other regarding anything and everything. Just don't loose that. Rest everything will be taken care by him." said Parth pointing up.
Just then Randhir entered and said "Mere do anmol ratan. Ghar chalein? Tujhe aaj Arpi aur
Nicks ke saath dinner pe bhi jaana hai, agar tujhe yaad ho to?"
"Arey haan yaar. Main nikalta hun. Bye Sanyukta." He said and flew out.
"Chalein?" asked Randhir to Sanyukta.
The drive was silent. They reached home and changed. They had an even more silent dinner. Randhir was trying to find a topic to talk but was failing miserably. After dinner he was sitting in his room looking at Sanyukta doing something on her cell phone. His phone buzzed. Randhir took it from his pocket and was surprised to see Arpita calling. He went to the terrace and picked the call.
"Hey Arpita. Is everything all right? Itne raat kaise call kiya?" Randhir said with a smile.
"Hi Randhir. Kaise ho?" said Arpita in a bit-too cheerful tone.
"I am good. Is everything all right?" he said still puzzled.
"Haan. Main to theek hun. Kyun?" said Arpita maintaining the same tone.
"Arpita, Raat ke 12 baj rahe hain. Aur tum is waqt mujhe call karke mera haal-chaal puch rahi ho." said Randhir.
"Wo..wo..Haan..Din mein time nahi milta na isliye. Hahaha." said Arpita in the same tone.
"Arpita. I am seriously worried now. Parth ke saath jhagda hua kya?" said worried now.
"Wo kya mujhse jhagda karega. Wo to mujhse unchi awaaz mein bhi baat nahi karta."said Arpita.
"To phir?" questioned Randhir.
"To phir?" said Arpita in Randhir's tone.
"Arpita." said Randhir.
"Randhir" said Arpita.
"Pagal ho gayi ho kya? Parth kahaan hai?" said Randhir irritated.
"Mere bagal mein baitha hai." said Arpita.
"Tum log mere saath raat ko mazaak kar rahe ho?" said Randhir.
"Arey nahi baba. Waise hum dono ko baat karte huye 2 minute ho gaye honge na?" asked Arpita.
"Arpi, I will kill you. If you ask me one more stupid question. Sach sach batao tum dono kya karne ki koshish kar rahe ho?" said Randhir in an irritated tone.
"Ghussa mat ho. Wo Sanyu ne message kiya tha ki main tumhe call kar ke 2 minute busy rakhun. Because tum call uthaane ke liye maximum times terrace pe aate ho. So she needed the bedroom free for 2 minutes. And since ab 2 minutes ho chuke hain to Good night. Sleep tight. Don't let Sanyukta bite." With this she hung up.
Randhir was still staring at the cell phone in his hand.
Sanyukta ne kaha tha.
He went inside the room and found a small gift-wrapped box and a huge card with Dear Hubby' lying on the bed. He looked around for Sanyukta but she was no where in sight.
He sat on the bed and opened the card first. It read:
Aaj koi occasion nahi hai. And I know ki tumhe ye sab pasand bhi nahi hai but I wanted to give you something. Tumne mujhe bina maange sab kuch diya hai Randhir. Main ye gift bahut dil se laayi hun so please accept it.
He took the box and opened it. He kept staring at the ring. It was exquisite.
"Pasand aaya?" asked Sanyukta from the doorway.
"Zyada pasand tab aata jab tum khud ye mujhe deti." said Randhir still looking at the ring.
"Wo mujhe laga ki tum ab bhi naraaz hoge. To..." said Sanyukta looking at her feet.
"Come here" said Randhir.
Sanyukta came and sat on the bed in front of him.
"Par ye tum laayi kab?" asked Randhir.
"Kal laaayi thi. Kal hospital se nikalne ke baad I went to the mall with Mike. Wahin pe liya. Mom ne jo ring di thi mujhe ye usi ka pair hai. To socha ki jaise hum dono saath hain waise inhe bhi hona chahiye. Wahin pe I asked for Rajeev's ring for your size since he was almost of your height and build. I am sorry. Aage se main dhyaan rakhungi." said Sanyukta apologetically.
"Tum mere liye ye gift lene gayi thi kal?" said Randhir astonished.
Sanyukta nodded and said "I wanted to surprise you.
"I feel like shit. Pata nahi tumhe hurt karne mein humesha kamyaab kaise ho jaata hun. Aaj tak tumne jo bhi kiya mere liye kiya hai aur main...? Tumhara pyaar kya Sanyu, I think I am not worthy of any relationship." said Randhir disgusted with himself.
"Randhir.." said Sanyukta trying to comfort him.
"No. Don't come near me. I deserve to be left alone. I want to punish myself. So mere paas mat aao. I deserve this. Please leave me alone. I don't deserve your love Sanyu." said Randhir getting up.
"Randhir, stop being so harsh on yourself. Tumhari jagah main hoti to main bhi aise hi react karti. You were not hurt ki maine usse baat ki. You were hurt due to all the stuff jo mere baare mein newspaper mein chapa tha." said Sanyukta keeping her hands on Randhir's chest.
Suddenly Randhir's eyes fell on Sanyukta's arms. Both her upper arms had bluish marks of fingers. He remembered the way he had held her in the morning. He slightly touched the marks and Sanyukta winced in pain. Tears pooled in Randhir's eyes.
"Tum meri jagah hoti to ye karti?" asked Randhir pointing at her arms. Before Sanyukta could say a word.
"Jaanwar hun main. I am an animal. I really am an animal." He murmered to himself and went out of the room.
"Randhir..Randhir..Meri baat to suno. Randhir..." Sanyukta called Randhir several times but he just took his car keys and stormed out.
Sanyukta slumped on the bed and looked at Randhir's life size picture on the wall.
"Arey pagal. Mujhse door reh ke tum apne aap ko nahi mujhe hi takleef de rahe ho." said Sanyukta looking at Randhir's picture. She quickly picked her cell phone and dialed Mike's number.
"He has not left the building, mam. He is in his private parking space." said Mike entering the house.
"What the hell is he doing? I will go" said Sanyukta getting up from the sofa.
"Sometimes it's better to leave things the way they are for sometime, mam. Maybe he needs sometime alone." said Mike to Sanyukta's retreating back.
"Have you ever loved someone more than yourself, Mike?" said Sanyukta without turning back.
"No Mam." answered Mike.
"Then you won't understand why I can't leave him alone." said Sanyukta and went towards the parking. Mike silently followed him.
She tip toed into the already open parking lot and scanned for Randhir.
"Kahaan ho Randhir tum?
She spotted him sleeping on the hood of one of his cars. She smiled on seeing him sleeping so innocently but suddenly her eyes caught red smears on the hood of the car. She ran towards him and found blood dripping from both his hands badly. He was completely unconscious. Thanks to the now-almost empty and broken bottle of whisky lying on the floor.
"Mike, I need your help!" Sanyukta shrieked.
With Mike and Frank's help Sanyukta got Randhir in his bed. After they left Sanyukta took out his shoes and shirt. She bandaged his hands and covered him with the comforter. She slid beside him and was stroking his head lovingly with tear in her eyes.
"Ye kaisi punishment hai jo mujhe hi takleef de rahi hai Randhir." said Sanyukta kissing his forehead. As if feeling her pain, Randhir drowsily opened his eyes and looked at Sanyukta staring down at him.
"I am sorry Sanyu. Aage se aisa kabhi nahi karunga. But please mujhe chod ke mat jaana. Main nahi reh paunga tumhare bina. I won't survive. Meri duniya sirf tumhare aas paas hi ghumti hai. You are my world Sanyu. You are my world. You are my..." saying this he again fell asleep.
"Nahi Randhir. You are my world." Sanyukta said and kept her head on his chest and slept listening to his heart beat which echoed a single name.
Randhir murmered in his sleep "Sanyu"...
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