Chapter 31: Skepticism
Randhir: How did it happen? Give her to me I will take her upstairs!
Ankit: Arey! Nahi nahi. She might wake up. I will take her.
Sanyukta had just come there to see why was there such a commotion. Sensing the emergency, she said "Bhai take her to Randhir's room now. After she feels better we can take her upstairs. I will get milk and medicine for her. Parth, Vidu sit down will give your tea in a bit"
Ankit soon took Dhwani to Randhir's room and made her lie down on the bed and randhir helped him by covering her with the quilt. Just as Ankit was about to leave, Dhwani started murmering, "Bitte, lass mich nicht" and held Ankit's hand tightly. Ankit bllinked a few times to know if he actually heard her say Please don't leave me, he looked at Randhir for explanation. Randhir was surprised at this and he informed Ankit that she talks like this when she's not well. But Ankit was not satisfied so he wanted to confirm with Sanyu who had also learnt German. Ankit sat next to Dhwani, while Randhir was looking at the two of them with a smile and confusion.
Sanyu after giving tea to VidArth, took a glass of milk to Randhir's room to give it to Dhwani. She smiled at the sight in front of her, but was tensed at the same time. Gaining composure, she asked Ankit to wake Dhwani up so that she can have milk and sleep. As instructed, Ankit woke her up and took the glass from Sanyu's hands to give it to her. SanDhir were surprised by this act. Soon SanDhir came out of the room to see, Parth leaning on Vidushi's shoulder and sleeping, while Vidushi was just admiring Parth.
Sanyu: Kuch tho hua hai! Vidu itni chup chap aur woh bhi Parth ke saath!
Randhir: Hmmm.. Do you know any doctor? I cant see Dhwani like this.
Sanyu placed her hands on his shoulder and asked him to relax. She informed that she had mixed the medicine in the milk, and by evening she would be alright. Randhir shook his head and went outside. After a while, when he returned, he found Ankit sitting at the hall and chatting with JiKi and VidArth. He went to him and hugged him with full force that they almost landed on the couch. After a few seconds he released him and spoke "Thanks a lot dude!!! I can never see her in pain." Saying this he shed a few tears.
Ankit: Chill dude.. its ok..
Randhir: Where is she?
Ankit: I think she's having bath. Sanyu is helping her.
Randhir: Why? She's not well? Fever might increase na?
That's when the door opened and both the girls came out looking fresh. Dhwani was fresh but tired. Sanyu slowly helped her sit on the couch.
Dhwani: Bhai you know I don't like being dirty!
Randhir: One day nothing is gonna happen
Sanyu: Instead of hugging you are scolding her! Hmph.
As soon as she had uttered these words, Randhir had hugged her sister lovingly - close enough but ensures she didn't have any prob too.
Randhir: Now tell me. What did you do? The other three don't seem to have fever so don't blame it on the weather. Speak up!
Dhwani got tensed and looked at Ankit and VidArth for help. That's when Vidushi spoke up
"Actually, we were coming back from work and it started raining. It was unexpected and hence we got wet. Haan bas yehi hua tha"
Randhir: Hmmm.. Vidushi.. tumne kabhi jhoot bola hai?
Vidushi: Nahi. How did you know?
Randhir chuckled while others slapped their foreheads! "Dhwani sach sach bata ki kya kiya tumne"
Dhwani: Bhai woh actually..
Randhir: the truth sissy!
Dhwani: Hmmm. Ok but promise you wont shout on me.
Randhir: that depends on your explanation. Get to the point at once
Dhwani: Ok.. we had finished our works by Wednesday and so had a day off. We were staying at a resort near the Beas river. You must go there bhai its so amazing. (she received a glare as she was deviating) Haan so the resort prople had arranged for river crossing activity, so I asked all of them to join me, but Vidu was already tired so she didn't, and Parth and Ankit were also not interested. So I went for river crossing all alone.
Randhir: Alone?
Dhwani: Haan! But later these three came, but only Ankit came along with me. Soon we started the game. I had crossed half way, but I slipped and fell inside the water. The current was high and it swept me down the slope. Though the harness was there I still could not get control. Then Ankit started swimming and came to me, meanwhile Parth had tossed a rope to Ankit which he caught. Parth, the instructor and other tourists pulled the rope and brought us out! And I passed out!
Randhir's fists were tightly clenched that his knuckles turned white. He sprang up from his place and banged his hands over the wall. All of them were scared. He immediately pulled out his cell and was about to make a call, when Vidushi spoke. "Randhir! Bhai and Parth have dealt it with the authorities there. They are taking actions against the organisers. Randhir put is cell down and walked inside the room in anger. Soon people outside heard smashing of a lot of things and after a while it stops. Everyone were rooted to the spot and no one moved.
Sanyu asked Jiggy to bring first aid kit from his bag and with it she went inside the room, without knocking it. What she saw made her heart break. She got reminded of Gabbar, who did the same thing when once she was in danger.
Flashback (16 years ago)
WanKit and SanDhir were playing at a playground near their house along with other kids of that area. They were so engrossed in playing that they failed to recognise a mad dog entering the ground. Usually when this particular dog graced its presence, all the kids would stop playing and would climb on the compound walls or trees to escape its wrath. But today, the kids forgot and the dog was elated to see the bunch of kids and started darting towards them.
Most of the children realised that the dog had started creating havoc and soon started climbing trees, compound walls, etc. Out of fear, a boy kicked another boy down from the tree while climbing up as the first boy wanted to reach the top before getting hurt. Seeing the boy fall down, a girl who had safely climbed the compond wall the first time saving a few scratches, jumped down and came running towards the boy.
Girl: Gabbar? Tum teek ho? (Facing the boy who had climbed up) Oye! Andhe ho kya? Didn't you see him climbing. idiot!
Randhir: chodo basanti. Jao, the dog is coming in this direction only.
Just as she turned, she saw the ferocious, crazy lunatic mong dart towards them. She immediately pushed Randhir to a corner, because of which the dog pounced on her and scratched her hands, face and legs. Seeing this Randhir and another set of boy and girl, starte throwing stones on the dog until it left Sanyukta out of its grip.
Sanyukta's whole body was covered in blood and she was rushed to the nearby hospital to give her vaccine against rabies. Sanyukta's parents had called the local muncipal corporation and bashed them out for the lack of responsibility as they had failed to respond to the numerous calls made by the residents of that area. Within an hour, her wounds were cleaned and she was given injection and was asked to rest for about 15-20 days after which another set of injections will be given.
Sanyukta was discharged in the night and the moment she went home she slept. She had been sleeping the next few days too. None of the kids in the locality felt like playing without her and so all of them wer praying for her speedy recovery. All the kids used to come and meet her daily, except Randhir. Out of curiosity, Sanyukta walked up to Shekwats' house and went to Randhir's room. She had tried calling him from her room, which was adjacent to her balcony but there was no response and so she had to do this.
She heard a shattering noise from Randhir's room and instantly opened the door to see the room full of glass pieces and his palms and feet were covered in blood. She wailed out seeing this condition of his "GABBAR. YEH TUM KYA KAR RAHE HO". She was in tears and was about to enter the room, when Randhir signalled her not to.
Randhir: Go down and ask kaka to bring orange juice. I will clean this mess and meet you down. Please!
Sanyukta did'nt move from her place, but on seeing his anger she went down and did what she was asked to. Within a few minutes, Randhir came down limping and sat at the far end of the sofa with his eyes closed. Slowly Sanyukta walked up to him with a box in her hand and sat on the floor. She took cotton and slowly wiped the blood stains on his right foot. He immediately opened his eyes and saw what Sanyukta was doing, he instantly removed his legs from her hands and said "What are you doing?"
Sanyu(softly): I should be asking that? What happened?
Randhir: Nothing
Sanyu: You wont tell your basanti?
Randhir: Rohit was teasing you at school. He said if a dog bites that person will become mad, fear water and...
Sanyu: and?
Randhir: die eventually
Sanyukta meanwhile had started cleaning his feet and palms, but when she heard him utter die she stopped. "itni jaldi tumhe mujhse chutkara nahi milega mere Gabbar" Randhir laughed a little to this and became angry.
Randhir: Kya zaroorat thi yeh sab karne ki?
Sanyu: If I had not then the dog would have bit you!
Randhir: Tho?. Don't do it again please. I cant afford to lose you!
Sanyu: Why didn't you come to meet me
Randhir: I was scared!
Sanyu: scared? Ki I will bite you ;)
Randhir: tum waise hi jungli billi ho. I cant handle a dog too..
Saying this he ran away from the place, with Sanyukta following him slowly.
She came out of her memory when she heard another glass piece shatter.
Sanyu's POV
Ugh! Why does he keep breaking the glasses? Idiot! Agar lag gayi tho? Why am I getting concerned about him. Arey he is your friend. If he's just my friend then why do I at times lose myself when he's around, why did I avoid him for a month? Yeh ladka mujhe pagal kar dega. But he reminds me a lot of Gabbar! I have to find out soon! Maybe today! Chalo yeh sab chodo abhi just stop him from breaking another set of glass items. (end of POV)
Sanyu: I guess you will have to pay a lot to O&S Industries!
Randhir immediately spun around to see her leaning on the door for support so that she does not stamp any of the glass pieces. He gave her a puzzled look and raised his eye brows!
Sanyu: You are smashing all the glass items in this guest house. Should I help you in bringing things from Jiggy and Dhwani's room?
Randhir laughed a little, sat on the bed and then said " If Ankit and Parth were not there what would have happened to Dhwani?" he let out a tear which rolled down his hardened cheeks! Sanyu soon hopped upto him without hurting herself and settled herself beside him on the bed.
Sanyu: Always think good Randhir. If things have to happen then it will. You can never escape fate. Be strong and face reality! Don't think am being paranoid, but it is a fact.
Soon the dam broke from his eyes and he was very vulnerable. Sanyu's heart wrenched seeing him in this condition and did the only thing she knew. She hugged him and rubbed his back to just soothe him and he clung on to her like a small baby, who was crying for his lost toy! While hugging, Sanyu felt a shockwave pass through her body. She thought it would be once, but it lingered there for quite a while, even after they broke the hug, when they heard a knock on the door.
Randhir cleaned his room and came out looking fresh after he poured out his heart to Sanyukta. Sanyukta however was totally dazed. She had a lot of emotions in her head
Happy - as Randhir was happy
Confused - as she didn't know why she had those jittery feelings when Randhir touched her
Pain - as she could not see Randhir in the slightest pain. A drop of his tear tore her heart.
Betrayal - she felt she's falling for another man apart from her Gabbar
Anger - how could she think of falling for another person
Fear - of losing a beautiful friendship
And now she realised eveything had one common thing and that was "RANDHIR" and she had to do something about it!
708