This chapter is dedicated to dear Anu :
She yearned in pain,
Her silent cries went in vain...
No one read between her lines,
Just hoping she now got her serene smiles...
Chapter 40
The sudden interruption made Sanyukta break the hug...
...guess who ? or rather what ? Ok I'll give you hints : You constantly look at me, you are totally addicted... and when you aren't around me, you feel anxious, almost like you are naked... and then when you finally have me, I am all you can think about... who am I ?
...Yes, bingo ! Our very dear Smartphone ! ...That ingenious little device that literally holds your life !
Sanyukta took out her phone as it vibrated in her pocket, indicating her she received a message.
Sender : unknown
01001101 01100101 01100101 01110100 00100000 01101101 01100101 00101110 00100000
She frowned seeing the sms. There was only one person who sent her coded message like this, it was his trademark and also a way to ensure privacy... in case you know the guy sitting next to you in the bus had a sudden urge to peep in, well, he wouldn't understand a word you see.
So she knew who sent the message, the question was, why ? It had been quite some time she hadn't heard from him.
Sanyukta took a minute to read and decode the message... Meet me.
Her frown deepened... their meetings happened only once in a blue moon.
"Everything's good ?" asked Randhir, seeing her lost in her phone.
"Umm yeah... yeah... but I... I have to go." She told him quickly, disconcerted by the interruption.
Randhir frowned and loosened his arms from around her. "Go where ?"
"Home" she replied absentmindedly, missing Randhir's reaction to her answer.
His body tensed at her word. Home... a notion he had long forgotten... left behind, years ago. The longing he had suppressed and concealed for years suddenly awakened. The feeling of warmth he felt around Sanyukta could totally be associated with the faint souvenirs he had of home.
"Why ?" he inquired.
"I uhhh...need to see baby Tara ...and Karan... and.. and I need clothes also" she made up excuses quickly hoping he would buy it.
Randhir noticed the uncertainty in her voice, but dismissed it... she was probably missing her daughter.
"I don't mind you wearing nothing..." Randhir smirked at her.
"Seriously out of everything I said this is the only reason that got your attention ?" Sanyukta retorted sounding more like her usual-self... the less sarcastic and bitchy she will sound, the more suspicious she will look... so act cool and bitchy, she told herself...after her it was her trademark !
"Okey... then I guess you don't mind me roaming around in the house naked !" she countered him, trapping him in his own words. ...Not that she will ever proceed with her threat. Granted there was a sense of freedom walking around naked in your house, like you were really the master of the domain, with no weight on your shoulders, no care in the world... but she was no exhibitionist either, what happened in the privacy of her four walls... stayed there !
After a staring contest, Randhir finally gave up... like hell he was letting her go out of his room naked ! The only space she was allowed to be naked was in his room, in his presence !
"Okey fine... am dropping you then" said Randhir after a pause, jumping on the opportunity to spend more time with her.
"Nah, I'll be fine. Besides you are still injured" she told him, dismissing his idea... why was it that every time you were about to do something in secret, everyone and everything around you was hell bent on getting on your way... she sighed.
"I am injured not handicapped" he retorted, irked with her belittling answer.
Great, thought Sanyukta, isski ego ko b abhi tapakna tha.
"Besides I don't want a repeat of what happened last time you left the den on your own" he reminded her of her kidnapping.
Right, thought Sanyukta, there was also that, this is how she ended up trapped in the first place... going alone was indeed risky. Considering his offer for a second she finally decided to let him have his way.
"Fine, let's go" she agreed. ... She will just have to get rid of him at some point !
***
Karan's place, 10 am
Sanyukta got out of the car. Black pumps, navy blue skinny jeans, white lace top, trendy messy bun, light make up... she was the definition of classy, as usual. Randhir, on the other hand, was the epitome of what you could call "wild hotness"... dark washed jeans hanging low on his hips, black tight fitting shirt, tattoo covering his arms...dangerous and scary, as usual.
Seeing these two getting out of the same car was a bit unsettling...like the yin and yang.
Both headed toward Karan's apartment. Sanyukta opened the door with the set of keys Karan had given her, considering Tara's situation.
"Mommyyy" came running an excited Tara, instantly hugging her mother, seeing her on the door step.
"Awww my baby girl, how are you princess ?" Sanyukta embraced her daughter.
"Fine mommy !" she replied. "I missed you mommy" she pecked her mother.
"Missed you too darling"
"No you didn't !" pouted little Tara." If you had, you would have come earlier." She accused her mother.
"Oh baby, it's not like that, mommy was busy with... " she started, but was instantly cut off by Tara's excited squeal.
"Pwwwiiince !" she ran excitedly and grabbed Randhir's leg, who was standing just behind her.
"Hmmm...Hi Tara" said a stiff Randhir.
Sanyukta turned around and looked at the duo.
The picture made her smile. Randhir was awkwardly standing there, not really knowing what to do while little Tara was working her charms on him. It was clear Randhir was out of his element here... being a gangster you didn't go around showing and receiving affection...
As much as the picture warmed her heart, it also made her sad. It only showed how little Randhir was used to affection...
She approached them and decided to help Randhir out of this situation. Bending down, she picked up little Tara and frowned at her.
"Baby is that how we welcome guest ?" she asked her daughter, playfully scolding her.
"No... sowwy mommy" she pouted, looking own, fidgeting her little fingers.
"Hmmm,... and how do we welcome guest, can you show your pwince ?" she suggested, while Tara's eyes lit up as she nodded excitedly.
"Tea or coffee ?"asked Tara excitedly, clapping her hand.
"Coffee please" replied Randhir, getting Sanyukta's attention back on the duo.
Sanyukta saw Randhir smile a little bit, her heart skipped a bit...she was seeing a different side of him ...he looked smitten by her daughter, she chuckled, no one could resist to the little ball of adorableness.
In that moment seeing her little angel interacting so sweetly with the man that had captured her heart made, Sanyukta emotional... She didn't expected that their small interaction would warm her heart that much... with pride, love and longing. It was on moments like that that she could picture a bright future with Randhir... She could already picture him playing doll with Tara...
Sanyukta was so lost in the cute exchange of the little girl and the gangster that she didn't notice Tara wriggling in her arms.
"Mooommyyy, let me go, I have to set the cups" Tara whined.
Sanyukta chuckled at her daughters eagerness to please her pwince. ...Like mother like daughter, she smiled at her thoughts.
"Ok go sweety" she let go Tara.
Sanyukta then turned toward Randhir, smiling at him. She took his hand in hers, caressing it and led him in the living room.
"Sit I'll be back with coffee" she told him before disappearing in the kitchen.
She was surprised by this new Randhir, he was unusually silent and reserved. For the first time, instead of seeing a powerful man in total control of his surrounding, she saw a normal man... a man uncertain of the behavior expected from him. ...Like a lost little kid, discovering the world around him. She was just beginning to discover the extent of the damage done by his stolen childhood... her heart skipped a bit for this strong yet so vulnerable man.
***
Sanyukta looked amused by Tara's behavior. The little girl was doing everything in her power to get her pwince's attention. Currently her angel was trying to climb on Randhir, while the poor man sat there clueless. Sanyukta saw his hand lift up then go back on his knee two times... the gangster was most probably debating what to do next... help the little girl climb up mountain Randhir as she called it... or gently put her back down...
Sanyukta watched silently the scene unfold in front of her.
Tired by her unsuccessful attempts, Tara changed her strategy and grabbed the first thing that came in contact with her little hand to help her climb up... Randhir's nose.
Sanyukta nearly burst out laughing, while Randhir eyes shot up toward her. She instantly concealed her smile, coughing up. She heard Randhir mutter something about mother and daughter being after his nose.
Sanyukta chuckled internally.
When she looked at them again, Tara was standing up, one foot on Randhir's knee and the other on the couch, her little arms were tightly secured around Randhir neck. She leaned toward his ear and started talking... or rather blabbering, if she knew her daughter well.
Sanyukta saw Randhir frown... she smiled knowingly, good luck if he was trying to decipher what her daughter was saying ! Knowing her daughter, she was probably counting him a story her little brain had cooked up on the spot...which basically consisted of existing and non existing words aligned together in a chaotic way !
She saw Randhir look at her confused... silently asking her what to do next... Sanyukta smirked at him, how she was enjoying his discomfort, she leaned back against the sofa and silently watched the entertainment provided by the duo, all that was missing was soda and pop-corn.
Meanwhile, Tara was still mumbling incoherently in his ears. Suddenly, she stopped and looked back at Randhir. Her eyes twinkled as she gave a excited nod... while Randhir frowned trying comprehend what got her so excited... before he had to react, Tara resumed her mumbling, this time putting her little hand near his ear in order to keep it a secret.
Randhir searched Sanyukta's eyes again and mouthed a "What the hell ?"
That was the breaking point, she burst out laughing.
That was epic !
Children... !
***
"Call me when you want to come back, I'll come and pick you up" Randhir said to Sanyukta.
"Okey, probably this afternoon." She told him.
"See ya"
Randhir nodded and turned to leave. He took two steps and suddenly turned around grabbing Sanyukta, locking his lips with hers in a passionate kiss.
Sanyukta almost felt herself misbalanced when he took her in a swift movement, Randhir's kisses and hands on her waist were like drugs, slowly numbing her and depriving her of any rational thought.. Randhir sucked one last time on her lips and broke the lip lock. He could practically notice the crimson rising onto her cheeks.
She didn't break the eye lock neither did he. Sanyukta noticed him opening his mouth to say something but it went unspoken.
"Pwince..." they both heard Tara literally yelling at them. Did she catch them kissing?
Sanyukta's cheeks flushed, while Randhir just saw the little fella approaching him again. "Won't you kiss me good bye?" she pouted crossing her arms. Sanyukta's jaw fell down, she saw them kissing What will she explain to her now? ...go explain to a child why men and woman kissed each other on the lips and why children couldn't do so... good luck !
Randhir bent down and pulled Tara to him, he then placed a small kiss on her cheek. He then got up and caressed at her head. He was finally opening up...
Before leaving Randhir pecked Sanyukta's cheek and hushed, "Don't worry and be back soon"
***
Randhir entered the den to find Vidushi and Sahil sitting over couch, Sahil was looking into computer for some information while Vidushi was just laying back.
"Boss" Vidushi woke up on seeing him enter
"Where' Parth?" Randhir asked sitting across them
"He's at hotel" Sahil told them
"Why?" Randhir was a bit amused with the new unknown progress
"He wanted to make sure if Raghav was surely there or just deceiving us...their attackers" Vidushi told him
"He had been away since morning" Randhir noticed his absence in morning as well
"He's working at the hotel as housekeeping" Sahil told him, "He sent us away a footage from CCTV. We confirmed he was Raghav"
"Basically he's looking into his schedule getting inside information" Vidushi completed
"Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"We didn't want to unrest you" Vidushi told him with concern, while Randhir nodded in silence
"How is your wound now?" He asked after a few minutes putting an end to the awkward silence between them. Things were different now. From years they were chasing the common target, success of which meant new life. Coming this far they discovered so much about each other, earlier they were emotionless, ruthless and inconsiderate. But things were different since Sanyukta had stepping in their small gang now...they started showing more concern toward each other !
"I'm better" she told him with a soft smile. Sanyukta had affected their life more that in one way.
"We better make it work this time" Sahil spoke intently
"We really need to make it work" Vidushi looked at Randhir
"Don't worry... This time we won't let injustice happen" Randhir assured them and walked away
"Parth found out about a few major drawbacks in his security" Sahil spoke looking at his phone
"Bring the laptop to my room" Randhir called out, "We have to plan for action!"
***
2 hours later
Since he had disclosed his past to Sanyukta, Randhir felt more connected to her than ever before. Saying he was missing her would be an understatement. He was craving for her.
He had been chained by his pain and grudge against his past for so long that he had forgotten how to live... but now with her at his side, he could see a future, he could envision his life... life was now worth living.
One thing was certain now, he was never ever going to let her leave him, no matter what !
He decided to call her... just hearing her voice made him feel better, as f*cked up as it sounded, it was the truth he couldn't escape from anymore. He had come to term with the fact that he needed her with him... she belonged to him now ! he concluded.
He called her.
"Are you done sexy ? want me to pick you up ?" he asked directly, skipping formalities.
"This is not sexy, this is Tara" came Tara's voice from the other side of the phone. Crap ! muttered Randhir.
"There is no sexy here, it's momma's phone" she added cutely. Randhir chuckled at the child's remark.
He heard her run away calling her momma.
"Mommyyy ! mommy ! Someone is asking for sexy... But I told him there is no sexy here" Randhir heard Tara say proudly to her mother.
"What the hell, who is this idiot who says such words to a child ?!" he faintly heard Sanyukta curse in the background.
"Sweety give me the phone" Sanyukta said on the other line.
"No mommy, first tell me who is this sexy ?" Tara insisted, making Randhir chuckle. He could really picture a frustrated Sanyukta, pinching the bridge of her nose, trying to stay calm.
"Tara baby, there is no sexy, the man on the phone must be stupid" Randhir listened Sanyukta reason her daughter.
"But momma, why do you talk to stupid people ? You shouldn't." she lectured her mother.
Randhir couldn't help but laugh at the other end of the line. That was almost better than talking directly to Sanyukta.
"You are right sweety, we shouldn't talk to stupid people" said Sanyukta cutting the call.
Randhir smiled looking at his phone, this woman had him whipped around her little finger no matter what she did. She never failed to entertain him. And there was this satisfaction he got every time he irritated her... he could even picture it, her hand on her hips, her eyebrow raised, her finger pointing at him... looking sexy as hell.
Who would have believe it that the gangster that never felt anything, the gangster that never cared for anyone, was totally gone for this girl.
But now that he had tasted the feeling, he was not going to let it go. He had took a lot of time hesitating, running away, he was done. Now She was his, whether she likes it or not, whether she agrees or not, she was his. He was not letting her go no matter what.
He smirked at the thought... You don't know what you have gotten yourself into love...
***
Next day morning, 8 am.
She had waited for him the whole day yesterday but he didn't show up... but then again, it was not unusual... after all, like her, he was also an highly wanted person... he never stayed long at one place... his schedule was made on the spot.
She was going to wait for him at least today, see if he shows up... before going back to the den. Randhir had called her yesterday night asking her when she was coming back, she had told him that she had something to do and said she will be back the next day. She knew her behavior was becoming suspicious now. Besides, she couldn't waste more day, They only had three days before Raghav flew out of the country, counting today. She sighed. The saying time is money, had never been more true !
Just when she was about to pour coffee in her mug, someone knocked on her door.
Finally ! she thought.
She went to open the door and as expected Vardhan Sir was standing in her doorway in all his glory. Sanyukta got excited seeing her mentor after such a long time !
"Sir ! It's been a long time sir ! How are you ? how is everything going, are you still in FITE ? wait why are you here ?" she asked him all of it at once.
"I see you didn't lose your eagerness Miss Sanyukta, interesting." He simply replied.
"But do you mind letting me in before showering me with countless questions" he asked sarcastically.
"Oh ! Of course Sir come in, sorry Sir" Sanyukta apologized.
"Good to see that you are doing good." She added with a smile.
"Yeah... yeah...We will exchanges politeness another time, right now we have some urgent matters to take care of." He dismissed her, coming straight to the point.
"How is randhir ?" asked Vardhan sir.
Sanyukta frowned, caught completely off guard by Vardhan Sir's inquiry... surely he couldn't have said what she heard... "Sorry sir what did you say...I think I heard wrong..."
"No you didn't Miss Sanyukta, I asked you how is randhir ? is his injury better ?"
Sanyukta's eyes grew wide... Vardhan had effectively said what she thought she had heard ! "But Sir... you...you know randhir ?!" she questioned Sir, shaken by the news.
"Yes" was a sole his reply.
"You know who he is ?" asked Sanyukta stressing on the word know...
"Yes" he repeated.
"No Sir, do you really know who he is ?" insisted Sanyukta ...there was no way Vardhan Sir just knew Randhir... I mean come on, Randhir was a gangster for crying out loud !
"I believe I already replied to your question two times now" deadpanned Vardhan Sir... you knew from where she got her sarcasm.
"But... he is a gangster dammit !" she exclaimed raising her hand sin the air. "How do you know him ?!"
"He is indeed a gangster, and ?... are you saying that him being a gangster means that I should not know him..." Vardhan Sir asked her.
"Come on sanyukta, you out of all people should know that you should not judge someone based on his looks..."
"True" admitted Sanyukta. Who would know that the classy looking Sanyukta was actually a geek and India's best hacker at that...
"But still sir how do you know him ?"
Before Vardhan Sir could reply realization drowned upon her...
"it was you...!!!...It was all you !!!... it as you from the beginning" she exclaimed.
" it was you who helped him when he was younger..." she recalled Randhir's words.
"He told you ?" asked a surprised Vardhan Sir "hmmm... interesting."
She realized something else at the same time... With this new piece of info, everything fell into place.
"It was not a coincidence, was it ? ... that they found me" she wondered out loud.
Vardhan Sir looked at her former student with a side smile.
"It was you !!! ...You told them about me, and where to find me" Sanyukta put the pieces together, she had wondered back then how the hell did Randhir's gang found her...there was no way in hell they could have just tracked her by themselves !
"Yes indeed, but I must say you became really good at hiding... took me some time to figure it out."
"Omg not fair sir !!! why did you do that ? ...and why didn't you just ask me to help them out ?"
"Come on sanyu if I told you a gangster needed your hacking skills, what would you have said ?"
"Yeah well...when you put it like that..." she scratched her head. "But still sir it was not fair" Sanyukta pouted, if there was one person she could never win against it was Vardhan sir !
"Life is not fair sanyukta, you have to work for it to make it happen !...This is how it has always been and how it will always be."
"Now if you are done chit chatting can we discuss about more pressing matters" Vardhan Sir said seriously.
"Yes Sir, what matters Sir ?" she asked.
"Raghav gosh" Vardhan Sir said.
Just as Vardhan Sir uttered the forbidden words, Sanyukta's phone vibrated, informing her of an incoming call. She looked at the caller's id, Randhir. She contemplated picking up or not... if she did pick up, he was going to ask her the reason of her disappearance ...and fed up by her excuses he will eventually come to get her... on the other hand, if she didn't pick up, first he will keep on calling and interrupting her and then, here also, fed up by her lack of response he will eventually come to get her... cruel dilemma you see, it was either cut your right eye or your left...choice is yours...
Finally she settled for facing the beast on the spot and picked up...right eye it is !
"Hello" she started.
"Where the hell are you ? what is taking you so long ?" Randhir voice blasted from the other side of the phone. She was supposed to come yesterday...
"I...umm...I'm busy" she stammered. She face palmed herself...way to go Sanyukta.
"Busy doing what ?! we have matter to discuss, we don't have time Sanyukta !" he scolded her.
Sanyukta was about to concoct another lie when Vardhan Sir cut her.
"Hurry Sanyukta" he said, looking impatiently at her.
"Ummm..sorry Randhir I have to go bye" she hurriedly cut off the call, and started discussing with Vardhan Sir.
Something told her that Randhir would be a fuel mood on their next meeting...
Hope you guys liked this chapter, where you got to see some Randhir Tara bonding 😉 All thanks to doodh aka holysoul because it was on her demand, so you can thank her 😊
...so what happened at the end ?...😈 Randhir's not gonna be happy... 😉
Guys sorry too tired for pmzzz.lol plz read and your buddy TMG's new chapter has been posted... hahaha such lazy writers, readers pe kam karva rahe han ^^
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Seerat n Zubi
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