Posted:
Hello guys!
It's been months I know, but I'm back.
I promise I haven't abandoned this story and I'll complete it.
Here's the next chapter
Chapter 26 : Heart to Heart.
A slight, dull vibration from her jeans pocket made the hazel eyed girl tear her attention from the door.
She was seething, her hands visibly shaking as she plucked the gadget from the confines of her pocket.
1 new message.
From Renuka Ma'am:
Is Randhir alright? Does he need lunch? Do you want me to bring over yours to his room?
'Hah. Does he need lunch? He's getting some right now.'
She shook her head and moved away from the door.
'You will pay for this.' she grimaced, texting Renuka ma'am that she was returning to the canteen and that Randhir's lunch had been taken care of.
'Taken care of very well. Very, very, very bloody well' her lips curled into a half smile.
And then she turned her back on the door and walked, putting one foot infront of the other, breathing slowly to calm herself down.
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"How much does she know, Mr Shekhawat? How much of this does She know?" Parth's face held a mocking sneer, one that was absolutely foreign.
"She can't know.." Harsh shook his head, his face turning a shade paler.
"She knows their names, she's seen the picture." Parth added, his nostrils flaring "And she wouldn't say anything about them."
"She knows nothing...she knew nothing. Urmila didn't...there's no way Vidushi can..No." Harsh clutched his head, his eyes widdening, the whites slightly red.
"She doesn't. But you do." Parth gritted his teeth "Where are my parents Harsh Shekhawat?"
"Your Parents...Aren't you an orphan?" Harsh retaliated.
"Am I indeed?" Parth frowned.
Something in the younger man's eyes made the hair at the back of Harsh Shekhawat's neck stand.
"You better tell me the truth. All of it. Who are my parents and where are they now? And why don't I have any memories of them?" Parth spat "And how exactly are you involved?"
"Why should I tell you? " Harsh countered, not liking the fact that a man as old as his son was threatening him openly.
"Aren't you tired of keeping secrets? Of covering up your mistakes?" Parth whispered, looking straight into Harsh's eyes.
"Sometimes...it is easier to pretend things did not happen." Harsh Shekhawat sighed. "And in your parents case...it was easier to pretend you did not happen."
"What do you mean?" Parth's tone was sharp, betraying his annoyance."Stop with your riddles. You might have pretended Vidushi did--"
"You don't know a thing you insolent fool!" Harsh hissed "You don't know a thing!"
"How would I when I have never meet my father?" Parth asked "Why don't I have any memories of my real parents?"
"It's not my question to answer kid. You should talk to your father." Harsh shook his head.
"Why should I talk to a man who hasn't contacted me all my life?" Parth hissed "I struggled all my life, a fatherless child, just having their names on my birth certificate."
"Sometimes your parents are not villains, but victims. Talk to your father. You will understand why he did what he had to. Don't judge him too harshly, he had no choice." Harsh's voice had lowered to a tired whisper.
"As you had no choice" Parth's words were as bitter as his heart.
Harsh took in a strangled breath.
The kid had a point.
And a very sharp on at that.
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"She loves me." The certainty in Randhir's voice made Vidushi smile.
She'd seen a lot of Randhir's smiles and heard him speak with confidence many times.
But this was different.
There was not a smidge of arrogance in it.
Just wonder, disbelief and euphoria.
And it was nice to see him like this.
She hadn't known her own brother for long but she knew how tired and sick he was of living in the darkness, anger and frustration crushing him.
"You have to be careful. She's going to get pissed once she finds out the truth." Vidushi took the chocolate from Randhir.
"Hey, my chocolate. Gah Vidu stop acting like a kid!" Randhir growled.
"Nope!" she popped the 'p' and took a bite of the toblererone.
"You'll pay for this." Randhir gritted his teeth.
"Sorry, no spare change." She took another nibble of the chocolate.
"My chocolate!" Randhir pouted.
"Aww...is the big baby going to cry?" Vidushi poked his left cheek.
Randhir took the opportunity to grab the chocolate from Vidushi's hand.
"Hey!"
But before Vidushi could say a word Randhir just stuffed whatever remained of the chocolate into his mouth.
"Myn---Shoco--" he gulped it down "late"
"You---ugh!" Vidushi playfully stomped her foot.
Randhir smirked. "I know I am amazingly hot."
"Not." Vidushi stuck out her tongue.
"Hot!" Randhir yelled.
"Not!" Vidushi gave him a thumbs down.
They looked at each other and laughed like they hadn't laughed for ages.
"I...wish.." Vidushi giggled "We'd have been epic as kids. Always fighting."
"We still kids. Still epic" Randhir winked.
Vidushi sat down on the chair next to the bed.
"Randhir?" Vidushi let out a deep breath. "You have to tell her about us."
Randhir sighed. "I know. Don't worry, she will love you, just like I do."
Vidushi anxiously bit her lip "I hope so."
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'Bitch. Bloody bitch.' she crushed the thermacol cup and dumped it in the trash bin.
'I'll see how she gets to my Randhir.' she forced herself to even her breathing, to quiet the angry thoughts in her head.
All she had to do was tell Parth, and the bitch would get it from him.
'Pity, I thought she was sweet. Guess leopards may change their spots but a witch will remain a bitch'
"Parth?" Sanyukta looked at the man in front of her.
"Huh? What?" Parth sounded far away, like his mind was someplace else.
Now was not the right time to tell him. But getting Vidushi caught red handed with Randhir wasn't right too. She didn't want Randhir hurt.
Only Vidushi.
"Did you meet Randhir yet?" Sanyukta asked.
"Nope. Let's go" Parth nodded, still looking disturbed.
Has he found out himself? Wow.
Sanyukta followed him silently to RD's room, waiting with bated breath as Parth threw open the door.
"Randhir, I'm taking Vidushi home." Parth's voice was stern, pissed off.
"Woah..Parth what happened, you okay?"Vidushi was off Randhir's bed in an instant.
"Something wrong?" Randhir sat up.
"I...I just need to meet someone. I want Vidushi to come with me. I'll bring her back soon. I'm sorry Randhir, I have to take her. " Parth pulled Vidushi into his arms, locking them around her waist.
Randhir's jaw clenched. "Something you want to tell me Parth? Before you take off with.."
"I'll go. Don't worry RD, I'll call you everyday." Vidushi could sense the fight that would brew up.
"What do you need her for Parth?" Randhir was controlling his temper.
"What does it even matter Randhir? She's his girlfriend and she's ready to go." Sanyukta couldn't control it anymore.
"The hell Sanyukta, don't you dare tell me what to do! She's my..."Randhir bit his tongue "Friend and I'm allowed to care about her okay?"
"Sanyu.."Vidushi began.
"Don't! Just go with Parth." Randhir held up a hand "Message me daily. If you don't I'll call. And Parth, be careful. I'm trusting you."
Parth nodded, taking Vidushi's hand into his large one and practically dragging her out.
"Something is up with Parth. He's acting weirdly. " Randhir observed.
"What? me?" Randhir scoffed
"Yes. You!" Sanyukta was close to sobbing.
"Oh really, what the hell did I do now?" Randhir demanded.
"You are asking me?" Sanyukta scoffed.
"Yes I am, go on tell me what I did!" Randhir yelled
"You and Vidushi!" Snayukta shuddered. "Did it. Behind my back. And Parth's. I'm sure that's why he is pissed. You took her out that day remember? The bet you won and I had to stay and cook?" Sanyu threw her hands up "But ofcourse you remember bloody nothing!"
"It's my fault then that I don't remember what crap you are taking Farzi?" Randhir growled.
Farzi.
Sanyukta froze.
How did he remember that one word?
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"Get in the car. Buckle up. And don't ask me anything till we get home." Parth's tone was sharp.
"But.." Vidushi found Parth's palm on her lips.
"Please Vidu?" Parth's eyes were so sad.
Vidushi trembled.
Had something gone wrong?
She hummed softly to herself to ensure she didn't talk, he was upset enough.
She let him lead her back to the house and into the room they were sharing.
"Pack. Probably for 5 days. Take something warm." Parth was stuffing his own clothes into a duffel sack.
"But..where are we going?" Vidushi put her hand on his shoulder.
"To get married." Parth pecked her lips.
"What?" she pushed him away and crossed her arms.
"I..." Parth sighed "I'll have to show you"
He pulled out the diary from the cover and showed her he picture he had seen almost everyday since it had fallen in his hands.
"Is...is that really you?" Vidushi froze.
Yes, she'd seen the picture and read the words thousands of times.
But Parth was a common name and so was Kashyup.
She told herself it couldn't be him, because as far as she knew about Parth he only had a mother who ran a small business.
"Yes. And now we are going to find my parents...the ones who gave birth to me and decided to toss me away.We...if you want to help me ofcourse." Parth sighed "I'm sorry for dragging you out, but I need you with me."
Vidushi smiled "Ofcourse I'll come with you. But what are we telling Randhir and Sanyukta?"
"The truth. It's time they knew who I am. " Parth sighed.
"What do you mean?" Vidushi ran her fingers through his hair.
"All this time I thought I was a poor orphan raised by his spinster aunt. Turns out I'm Varad Kashyup's son. The industrialist who is one of the richest men in the bloody country." Parth scoffed "My dear Parents owe me a lot of answers."
"Parth calm down" Vidushi kissed his cheek.
"I need you with me Vidu" Parth sucked in a breath "I need to not hate them. How did you do it.?How did you not hate your parents? They hated and abandoned you."
"I don't know. They are mine, my parents. You'll forgive yours one day." Vidushi nodded.
"I hope so. Please keep me sane okay?" Parth exhaled against her neck.
"I will." Vidushi wrapped her arms around him.
She wasn't the only one with problems.
She thought she would feel relieved.
Instead she just felt sad.
Parth hugged her tighly "Promise you will never leave me?"
"I promise"
"Good. Because I'm never letting you go. Ever"
Vidushi nodded and kissed his cheek.
"If you ever let me go Parth, you'll regret it."
Parth tossed in the diary into his bag.
Trust me, I'm done with regrets.
It's someone else's turn now.
Anupamaa
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