A/N: Hey SanDhirians! This one is for all of you to smile. Don't be disheartened coz the CVs didn't fulfil your wishes. We will quench our thirst for SanDhir moments via FFs and OSs!
This one is specially for Safrena (ForeverMine) for all her pestering and being this lovely watsapp buddy with whom I've shared my frustrations!! :D
Safy, I have written it while almost dozing off...It is nothing like my other works. But it is for you to smile!
Excuse the errors. I haven't proof-read it!
Read on...
The Need
He stood outside the palacial mansion, profane thoughts overpowering his sanity. He had been here before, just once though. He still remembered how he had cunningly maneuvered his way into the Agarwal household only to try and take revenge from Sanyukta. He had gone to the lengths of provoking Sameer to give his consent to the engagement with her. And of course, Randhir Shekhawat never failed. Sanyukta couldn't evade the impending union with Sameer and ultimately yielded to her family's wishes. That day he was self-satisfied. He was triumphant. He had won...He had made her pay.
But...Months later, as he stood outside the same house, he couldn't help feel agitated about that same girl whom he had landed into trouble the last time he was here.
"I hope she's safe", he whispered more to himself then to anyone else, "Should I go inside?"
The debate raged on his mind. And ultimately, he decided to take the bold step and went in. This would be the second time Randhir Shekhawat visited the house of Sanyukta Agarwal.
------
He sneaked in, unnoticed, crept past the oblivious members of the Agarwal family and rushed towards Sanyukta's room. It was empty. Where was she? Hadn't she made it home yet? Where was the 'dummy' Parth?
"Couldn't you have told me just once Sanyukta?" he thought. But even as the thought registered in his mind, an inner spoke up, "What would u have done if she did? Would u have helped her like Parth did? No. You would have vilified her yet again..."
Randhir's heart thumped in his chest as he looked around for sanyukta. That's when his eyes fell on her. She was lying on a sofa, her face pale, her eyes closed and lips slightly parted. He made his way towards her, quietly, careful not to wake her up.
She looked fatigued, like someone had drawn out the life from within her. He looked around for Parth, but the latter wasn't there. He knelt beside her and inched his fingers close to her face. He hesitated for a moment before gently brushing a strand of hair from her eyes. She stirred ever so slightly.
He smiled. It came like a reflex.
"Is this how much I actually care about her?" he thought, "Was I really this worried?"
He put his palm on her temple and felt her skin burn his. She was running a high fever. Randhir was agitated. What had happened to her on the way?
He got up and walked towards the washroom. He took out his handkerchief and soaked it in the cold tap-water. He then folded it neatly and pressed it against her forehead. She moaned. His heart skipped a beat at the sound.
"C'mon Sanyukta, you've got to feel better soon..."
He wiped her face and she lazily opened her eyes. At first her vision was blurred. But slowly, she adjusted it and saw Randhir bent over her petite figure, looking visibly strained.
"R-randhir...What the tell h-hell are you doing here?" she asked, her voice croaky.
"Shhh...no talking Agarwal...I'm here to see that you are ok...The dream-team can't afford to have another member down right now..."
"mmm...Where's Parth?" she asked.
His jaws clenched in response, "How should I know?"
"R-randhir...w-water.." she stammered.
He rose up instantly and brought a bottle that was kept on a nearby table.
Sanyukta tried to sit up but he forced her down again.
"How will I drink?" she asked frowning.
"I will make you" was his response.
He lifted her head in his palms and held the bottle to her mouth. She drank in her fill as he held her gently yet firm.
"What are u doing here randhir? How did u find me?"
He rolled his eyes and said, "It doesn't take a genius to track a cellphone Farzi.."
Her eyes widened, "You were tracking me? I mean u-us?"
He bit his lips and lied, "I was tracking Parth because he was missing from the hostel and I wanted to know what he was upto. That's when the tracer picked up your phone's signal as well...So, I realized that the two of u must be...'together'..."
He spoke the last word in disgust and it wasn't missed by Sanyukta.
"What happened then?" she asked.
"I couldn't find you anywhere...so I came here..."
"Here? To my house? How did you know I would be here?"
"You were going to Delhi...where else would you be?"
"Hmm...right.." she said.
"So" he continued, "What happened to you? You look ...pale..."
Sanyukta recalled the happenings inside the jungle...How scared she was.
"A snake bit me..."
"A WHAT???" he yelled.
"Shh...calm down u idiot...Mom and dad will hear you..."
"Shut up Sanyukta...tell me what happened..."
"I told u what happened...a snake bit me...i was losing consciousness...Parth took me the hospital...And after taking the antidote we came here..."
"So Parth is here?" Randhir asked, slightly irritated.
"I don't know...maybe he has left...and you should leave too...If mom & da-..."
"I'm not leaving...Don't even try to force me..." he intervened.
"What do u mean you're not leaving? This is my house.."
"And I'm your guest.."
"GUEST? My foot...Out...Now..."
"Really? Is this how u thank me for treating you?" he said taking a step closer to her.
"Treating me? Oh hello...U didn't do anything...It was Parth..."
But as Sanyukta said those words, she saw a flicker of hurt pass through Randhir's eyes. But it was gone as soon as it appeared.
"You never asked for my help..." he said with contempt.
"So you help only when asked? Parth helped me voluntarily..."
"Parth helped you because you shared your problem with him..."
"No he helped me because he is a true friend..."
"A true friend huh? What kind of friend leaves another friend to be bitten by a snake?"
"That wasn't his fault...He was just.."
"Just what Sanyukta? Where was he when u got hurt? U could have died..."
"Why are you suddenly so concerned? You hate me...You would rather i die...You..aaahhh" she yelped as he twisted her wrist causing her to tumble and bump again his chest.
"What did you say?" he asked, his eyes suddenly demented, his face awefully close to her, his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing her soul.
"I...I...nothing..." she gulped.
"U think i want to see you die? You think I am that disgraced? Is that really your opinion about me?" he continued in a low, husky voice.
"No..No..i mean..ye-.."
"Is it a no or a yes...I want an answer Sanyukta...Is that what u think i am?" he reiterated.
She licked her dried lips, lowered her gaze and replied in a whisper, "No...You're not..."
He released her harshly and turned away.
"You could have told me..." he said.
"You would have taunted me...That's what you always do..."
"I helped you when you needed it the most...the factory model..."
"Yes, but at what cost Randhir? You're the reason I'm here today in the first place...If you hadn't told dad..."
And sanyukta couldn't go any further. She felt weak and used.
Randhir turned around and was giving her a pained look.
"I messed up..." he said after sometime, "I always mess up...That's what i do best.."
He expected her to agree and bash him some more...But to his surprise she merely looked down at her feet and said in sorrow, " I hurt u too...You helped me and I took revenge..."
He looked at her to see if she wasjoking. But she wasn't. Sanyukta Agarwal looked genuinely apologetic.
"We always create problems for each other..." he said, "We are bad companions... "
"No Randhir, we let ego get in the way..."
He didn't reply.
So she continued, "I didn't expect u to come...But u did..."
"I was doing it for the team.."
"There u go again...why can't u admit that u care randhir? U have a heart that beats..."
He looked away.
"Look at me..." she urged, "randhir we need to clear this air between us..."
"What air?" he whispered.
"The air of uncertainity...The air of ...not knowing what we feel..."
"Feel? Where did feel come from farzi?"
"Randhir, please...you and I both know that we work best when together...We are strong together,,,we are unbeatable together..."
"i know the facts Sanyukta...What are u trying to imply?"
This time she went quiet. What was she trying to imply?
They both knew the answer to that, but chose not to voice it.
Randhir looked at her and saw her conflicted look. He sighed.
"Sanyukta, you are at home now...You are safe. I should get going..." he said and started walking away.
She watched him leave and felt restless. It felt as if she had to stop him here and now or else she would lose something forever.
"Randhir wait..." she called out.
He paused at the door and turned, his face impassive. He had put the mask back on.
But sanyukta wasn't ready to give up.
"I ...I need you..." she blurted before she lost her confidence again.
He went rigid. Did she really say that? Just like that?
"Say it again..." he urged.
"Again? Umm..."
"Go on... say it..."
"I need u..."
His eyes softened. His heart beat wildly and his spirits rose.
He closed the gap between them and came close to her...
"Randhir...I..." she said, backing away shyly.
But he kept approaching and stopped right when his lips were almost touching her ears.
"The next time, please replace the 'need' by 'want'..." he said and moved away.
A small smile played on his lips as he took her hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeez.
Sanyukta couldn't hold back her smile as well. Suddenly the impending 'family fued' didn't seem so gloomy afterall.
Randhir was there for her at every step of the way. Together they were unstoppable!
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Love,
Anuradha❤️
Arjun
Jhanak
Tum Se Tum Tak
