NEW FF. UNBREAKABLE BONDS Chapter 43(UPDATED PAGE 44 - Page 14

Originally posted by: JulieD

Vinnie I love these last two chapters. I am so glad that things are looking up for Shanti. That part with Sugni losing her job was really sad. Even if she hadnt lost the job, where would she have gotten the money if she and Vikram had not meet up again? That was really depressing thought that made me feel like crying!

So thank you for making these last two chapters positive for Shanti. Just hoping she makes it through ok in the surgery.

hey Julie,
Thanks for your wonderful review!
Sugni is going through some though times ...it is a sad reality in sometiimes... when one thing goes wrong every thing else seems to follow.
Yes what would she have done if Vickram was not there!
well continue reading to see what is going to happen!!!

Originally posted by: Sandy66

😊 Fantastic chapter 10 VINNIE dear. Sorry about the late review.
After being emotionally and mentally exhausted, Sugni's was drain out, so sleep came naturally and in a peaceful and comfortable surrounding, which's Vickram's room. Vickram's truly a gentleman, and taking advantage of Sugni's Vulnerable situation, is further from his mind.
Sugni should realized by now that Vickram's love is not an obsession or infatuation, so Vickram being there for her is not a pretense to get back into her good grace, but he genuinely wants to take away her problems and troubles.
Love the instant connection between Vickram and Shanti . Taking charge of Shanti"s hospital stay will be a smooth one, cause Vickram will make sure it's possible.
Thank you VINNIE.
Looking forward to reading the next chapter.

Thank you sandy for the wonderful roses...I love them . I am glad that you are enjoying the story.
vickram could never bring himself to actually hurt sugni noi matter how mad he was at her ... he loves her beyond any rhyme or reason as far as I could see. She how ever did not see that ...but hopefully she realized that by now.!!!
Let u see how this realization impacts on her!!!

Originally posted by: croziaxx

nice chapter vinnei i like it..i m so happy that vikram said ki ... i m here only for shanti and after her treatment i would go for ever as u want..i really liked it..😃

i want this time sugani say " vikram don't go, i need u.. 😉😆

love u.. 🤗

Hello Maansi,
I am glad you are enjoying keep on reading and don't worry you will get your ILU soon!

CHAPTER 12

"WOW it took me forever to find here! Nice!" Rita said as she came into the room that evening. As she she placed the small bag she brought with her on the bedside, as she always did bringing Sugni something to eat.

"Oh she is sleeping." She said watching Shanti for a moment softly.

"Yes she had a long day; I guess she was tired out." Sugni said.

"So what's going on?" Rita asked coming to sit next to her.

"Her surgery is in a few days. "

"Thank God. You must be really relieved now." She said.

"I will be only when the doctor says she is healthy again. But yes I am so thankful it is happening now!' she said.

Rita nodded.

"So? What's the deal with you and Mr. Vickram. What's going on with you two Sugni..."

"Nothing now..." Sugni sighed. Rita has been a rock to her through this time, and Sugni knew she owed her. She never talked about her past with any one since leaving Mawhari. Taking a breath Sugni looked at her.

"But at one time we were about to get married." She said. Rita looked at her wide eyed.

"Huh?...you mean he is Shanti's...?" she said looking at the child.

"No ..no he is not." She said noting her confusion. Sugni said.

"I come from a small village called Mawhari... a village of bedni's Thakurs and the ancient practice of raai and Sardakhi..." She began as she told Rita about her life before Shanti, how she met Vickram how they fell in love broke up her Sardakhi and how she got Shanti.

After she finished her story Rita was staring at her in disbelief.

"Hmm...and you meet him again after so many years, that is just...fate. This is really an amazing love story If I ever heard one. You really are lucky." Rita said smiling..

"No...there is no love story, Rita...after she gets better he will go on his way, he said it." Sugni told her.

"What...what do you mean?...You just told me he doing all of this, he loves you...and now he is going to walk away...and you are going to let him. WHY?" She asked looking at Sugni as if she lost her mind.

"It's for the best, what else can I do...!'

"STOP him...Sugni I don't understand this? Is it that you don't love him? Is it you are still hurt and holding it against him?. Look around you Sugni...after everything he has done for you, and what you just told me. it seems to me that he made a mistake yes, but I don't think the reason was because he wanted to hurt you. People in love sometimes dose crazy things. Life is throwing a second chance at you and you don't want to take it?" She asked.

"No Rita, I don't know why he did not tell me , but I don't think it was to hurt me , or because I was just some conquest. I think I realized that after my Sardhaki. Last night when I went to him, he didn't hesitate , not even after..." She wanted to forget her embarrassing proposition. "And he always did that, no matter what I asked of him always he was always there." She said, as tears spilled from her eyes. "He dose love me." She said sadly.

"So what is the problem?" She asked

"The problem is Rita I don't deserve it. Ever since we met, he has always been fighting with every one, his family, my family, the community, always in front of me like some sort of shield. He faced taunts, curses, hatred , bad name all because he refuse to treat me and show me as a bedni. What did I give him in return?, nothing! I even I joined in in humiliating him when I said I would go to the one who bid one cent more than him. I am not worth it, Rita. I feel ashamed of myself. He deserves much more than me, someone who he won't have to defend, someone who he can be proud of. With no trouble. He's had enough." She said. "What do I have to give him except more of it...His family never accepted me then, how do you think they would react to Shanti. No ..." She shook her head.

Rita looked at her for a few moments . then very seriously said. "Do you believe the crap that is coming out of your mouth? Because I sure as hell don't!?"

"What?" Sugni said shocked by her reaction and tone.

"Why don't you just say it Sugni , you are a selfish coward, cause that is what you are sounding like right about now.!" She said.

Sugni stared at her.

"Tell me something Sugni ...six years you've been apart from him right?"

"Yes."

"That is a long time, where is he today ?is he married , does he have kids? Is he living it up?"

"No he is not. " She said. Not from what she has seen.

"And the moment you were in trouble he is here, even though you told him to get lost! He is helping you treat a child that is not his. Clearly, Sugni if he wanted to move on, and start over he could have. If he has not done so yet , I don't think he will any time soon."

She sighed. "What are you afraid of people and what they would say, who cares? Everyone deserves a second chance, so dose he and you. Maybe you did not understood what he meant then, but you do now. Look at her," she said pointing to Shanti " this is a tough world, especially for a single mother you have a man who is willing to accept her and you. She needs a father, and doing this alone is no easy task. "

"Isn't that being selfish...?" she asked

"Maybe part of it is, no more that you asking him to help hmm. You say you have nothing to offer...answer me this, Do you love him Sugni despite everything that happened do you still feel the same way about him."

Sugni nodded. "Yes I do."

"And that is what you can give him, you can be there for him, you can love him, you can give do everything to make him happy. You know there is not a day in the last two years that I don't wish my husband and child were here. That I could see them Hug them cherish them. You are getting that chance and if you waist it by some feeling of unnecessary guilt or because you think you do not deserve it...that is just stupid.' She said frankly.

Sugni looked at Rita. She was right, if she let him go now she would have no one to blame but herself. Slowly her hopes began rising. She nodded.

"You're right"

" I know I am ." She laughed, "Seriously though...don't lose it."

"But Rita what if I already have I mean I messed it up, and now he thinks if I accept him if is only because I think I owe him. He won't believe me, especially not after the fool I made of myself last night"

"What do you mean?" She asked

"Well I went over to his house a-a-nd I "Sugni looked down at her lap as she recalled her indecent proposal. "I sort of told him I would do anything for his help..." She said giving her a knowing look.

"You did not!" Rita said. "Ohh Sugni...!"

"Ok Ok ...all is not lost..." Rita said thinking... She was quite for a few moments. "Well there is only one option. " She said finally

"What?" She asked

"Convince him...you have to convince him that you really do love him and that you are not just doing it out of indebtedness."

"But how he won't believe me now..." she said worriedly.

"Oh he would ...Sugni you just said that he loves you right...well this is your chance to do something to convince him that you feel the same way to. It does not matter what he says, I do not think you will have much of a fight. All he needs is assurance that this is what you want from your heart. Once he sees that he will agree. "

Really?"

"Yes!"

Sugni leaned forward and hugged Rita.

"Thank you so much Rita, you really are a great friend."

"You are welcome, honey.. And you can thank me later when you tell me that you are back with him." She smiled. The ties of friendship grew stronger with this conversation. Sugni now had one other person other than Vickram she could call her true friend.

"Well I better get going. I will be back tomorrow. You take care Ok...don't worry it will all work out" she said smiling.

"Four and two? Hmmm seven?" he said as he pretended to think hard about it.

"No..." Shanti laughed "six! I win again," She said

Six? You sure?" He said.

"Yes ...see" She put u both hands one upholding two fingers and the other four see six!" She said as she counted.

"Ohh you are good at this...very smart!" he said.

Sugni smiled as she looked on at the game Vickram and Shanti was playing. He was so patient with her and for some reason beyond her understanding, Shanti treated him as though he was a long lost friend. As soon as he walked in the room , she told him all about her day as he listened indulgently , she then insisted that he play a game of sorts, where he came up with the counting game, and let her win all of them, by deliberately " guessing" the wrong answers.

He was really a natural with her. Sugni hardly got a word in to him except when he asked her about Shanti's health and about what the doctor said. She had a feeling he was trying his best to be neutral here, but she could see in his eyes on an occasion where he would look at her he was not as neutral as he was trying to let off. That gave her hope.

It also looked like Rita was right if she wanted a chance with him this time she had to be the one to make the move and convince him. How was she going to do that she had no idea. Vickram was always the one who was better at these things at expressing himself, all she was a fumbling fool especially when it came to him.

Well maybe she would think about it later tonight, she thought. She knew she was procrastinating, but she was sure a few hours alone at home would give her a way to approach this. Sugni got up and started gathering some clothes into her bag. Her movement caught Shanti's attention.

"What are you doing mummy? Are you going ?" She said. She knew whenever her mother started packing her clothes it was because she was leaving.

"Yes baby, you need some clean clothes and so do I" She said.

"You're going now?" she asked worriedly.

"No No..Rita Aunty is coming she will stay with you until I get back alright."

"O.K" She said. "but you will be back to read me my bed time story?"

"I'll try my best." She said.

She could feel Vickram's eyes as they followed her around the tiny room as she painstakingly concentrated on her task.

"Uncle Vickram?" Shanti said.

"huh?" Vickram said looking at her.

"Wanna help me color?" She asked.

"Sure" he said , reaching for the plastic bag with the books and supplies he got her. He picked it up from the wrong end causing the contents to spill to the floor. Sugni and Vickram bent to gather the books , both reaching for the box of color pencils at the same time, grabbing onto the others hand instead of the box. Sugni's breath caught at the unexpected contact she lifted her head to find him looking at her as her eyes made contact with his. For a short moment it felt as though time has stood still as they stared at each other.

"Sorry" he whispered letting go of her hand and picking up the box of colors.

"it's ok." She said as she got up and replaced the rest of the books in the bag. The sensation of her hand tingling still lingering..

Vickram turned back to Shanti as they found a picture from the book to color, Sugni continued to pack the bag. The atmosphere in the room had a tenseness about it, both of them acutely aware of the others presence. The spell was broken by the arrival of Rita.

"Hey Rita!" Sugni said as she went up to her and hugged her. Rita returned the hug them pulled back and looked at Sugni; she looked at Vickram and silently asks if any progress was made. Sugni shook her head no. Rita rolled her eyes giving Sugni an exasperated look effectively saying without words "get on with it already."

"Hey Shanti... hello Mr. Vickram...Sorry I did not get a chance to talk to you yesterday." Rita said as he walked over to the bed.

"Hello, that is ok."

"Thank you for all that you are doing for this precious girl." She said as she caressed shanti's head.

"Oh please no need. I just want her to be well again," he said.

"Well she is on her way there!" Rita smiled.

Vickram looked at his watch noting the time.

"Well Shanti...I think I am going to leave you hmmm so you and Rita aunty can catch up." He said.

"Ohh don't go. Mummy is leaving to." She protested.

"I'll be back tomorrow, promise but visiting hours are over...and my mummy is waiting for me." He said.

Shanti pouted.

"Oh come on, be a good girl smile you want me to come back tomorrow?"

She nodded. "Well?" he said

She looked up at him as she smiled. She Sat up and gave him a hug which he returned more easily this time.

"That is better. Get some rest. Bye bye.' He said as he turned towards the door.

"Sugni "

"yeah?" She said looking at him. "I can drop you home if you like." He said.

"Ummm Well..." She said...

"OF course...that would be perfect with all the bags. Hmm? Sugni that is great! " Rita jumped in giving Sugni a loo k that said go.

"Ok ..can you give me a few minutes." She said.

"Sure"

Sugni gathered her bag and wished her daughter farewell, with hugs and kisses, promising to be back soon.

Before she could leave however Rita , took her out of earshot of Vickram. "Listen this is your chance, make the most of it. Don't worry about Shanti I am here with her everything will be fine. There is no need to hurry back. ! " She said.

"Rita!" Sugni said.

"Hey you are working against time here, if the surgery gets done and she is home, it will be more difficult. So you don't have time to dilly dally. Ok go go!" She smiled as she shooed her out.

Sugni walked out staring at Rita, who was looking at her as though she was that child being sent off to face the world by her mama!. She had to smile at Rita's tenacity.

"is everything alright?" Vickram asked as they walked down the corridor towards the elevators'

"HuH !? Yeah." She said "Why?"

"Nothing, She just seemed a bit worried about something is all?" he said.

"Oh no she is ok. She was just telling me I don't have to hurry back"

" Ohh that is sweet of her."

"Yes...she has been a great friend and support to us." Sugni said fondly.

The ride home was spent in silence, both lost in their own thoughts. Soon she was home and she did not realize it. "Would you like to come in?" She asked

"No...I need to go home, mother will be waiting for me" he said.

"Ok..." She said. She could here Rita in her head urging her to do something but she had no idea what.

"I'll come back in a few hours to take you to the hospital if you don't mind." He offered.

"Sure...I mean if it is not too much trouble." She said

"Not at all...Well I'll see you in a few hours?"

"ok"

Sugni stepped out the car and watched as he drove away. Now what?

Hey Vinnie

one day she will prove it to him.. that she loves him and wants him back not because he helped but because she feels its time to them to get back together

You know that was one of the thing in PHS that I always found a little strange. Sugni never said or did anything that showed that she cared about him except for the one time when she defended him to Jiji. But I think that was Sugni - very practical not emotional.

Chapter 13

Sugni went inside and started her laundry, as she looked for a fresh blanket and some clean clothes for Shanti. She straightened up her apartment for a while until she began to feel hungry.. Since she skipped dinner, she decided to see what it had to eat.

For the past week Rita had been the one doing the cooking, for Sugni as well as herself since Sugni was not at home much. So naturally, her fridge was empty. Deciding she would have to make do with coffee, until she could get the canteen and the vending machine at the hospital Sugni pot of coffee to brew.

The knock on the door came indicating Vickram was back. Sugni answered the door.

"Hey!" She said

"Hi...Am I early?" he asked. He had been gone for two hours.

"Not at all the laundry is done. I just need to grab quick shower and I'll be set." She said as he came in sitting in the living room.

He placed a small bag on the center table.

"This is for you." He said indicating the bag.

"Me? What is it?" she asked looking at the bag.

"Dinner. I know you are hardly at home and I was not sure if you had anything on hand." He said

Sugni stared at him. Speechless it was as though he read her mind. He always did know her better than she knew herself.

"I am sorry" he said when she did not respond. "I just figured you did not eat!."

"No No...Thakur Mallick Thank you, you were right...and I am hungry!...excuse me." She said as she went into the kitchen and brought two cups of coffee and some plates. She handed him one of the cups then began dishing out the food.

"Oh Sugni I already had dinner at home." He said before she could dish out the second plate.

"Oh."She said a bit disappointed.

"You go ahead...I'll have the coffee." He said.

"Sure?" She asked..."This is way more than I can eat." She said.

"I am sure. You can leave the rest in the fridge. It'll keep." He said

Ok." She said as she sat and began on her meal.

The meal was finished in silence as they were both lost in their own thoughts, there was so much she wanted to say to him but she had no idea how to start, least he think worse of her again.

Afterward Sugni got up and cleared away the dirty dishes and placed the left overs in the refrigerator. "I'll be right back Just let me change". She said.

"Take your time" He said .

What are you doing Vickram? He asked himself after she went to get dressed. Why did he offer to come pick her back up.? Like a drug addict, he kept coming back for more even though he resolved to stay away from her after this was over. He should be putting distance between them, but he could not.

Vickram wandered the room looking at the few pictures she had of her and her daughter. They were both beautiful, and the more he was around Shanti he could see she was a lot like her mother. He could not help but enjoy her company. He could see that Sugni was doing a good job in raising the child. She was polite, smart, respectful and good-natured child.

Oh how he wished he were the one to share this with her, a bond of a child, a life together. He thought sadly, there was so much he wanted to do with her, for her and none of it happened. Life really was cruel sometimes.

Sugni came out of the bedroom with her bag in tow. She looked at Vickram who had his back to her apparently staring at her picture. This was her chance. They were here alone. Sugni could not remember the last time she felt this nervous. How do you start a conversation like this? She opened her mouth to say something but shut it again having no idea where to start.

"Sugni?" Vickram said taking her out of her thoughts. "Ready?" he asked

"Umm..ye..yeah..." she said as she stepped forward, flustered. For some reason she was shaking. She walked over to the shelf where she kept her house keys, Vickram was standing right there , as she reached for it Vickram turned to step aside when his hand accidently tipped over a vase to close to the edge as it came crashing down to the floor, shattering into pieces.

"Oh I am so sorry..." He said,

"It's ok Thakur Mallick..." Sugni said as she bent to start clearing the shards of glass.

"Careful!" Vickram said. "Where is your scoop?" he asked

"It's Ok I'll take care of it!" She said as she got up. She turned to make her way to the kitchen; she returned with the boom and scoop and cleaned up the pieces.

"I guess we should go now." Vickram said when she returned.

"Hmm" She said. She grabbed the keys and began following him out.

"Ouch!" She exclaimed, as her bare foot met a hidden piece of glass from the broken vase. "Oye Maaa! " She said.

"Sugni!" Vickram turned as she exclaimed.

"What happened?"

"I got stuck by a broken piece of glass," She said. Hopping to the chair where she sat.

"Let me see..." Vickram said as he knelt in front of her. Taking her foot he saw that indeed there was a fairly large piece of glass embedded in her foot"

"Oh Lord! " He gently pulled it out.

"OW!" She said

"Sorry...you have a first aid box?" he asked.

"I'll get it" She said as she made to get up.

"Stay...where is it? ...I'll get it." She pointed to a shelf in the corner.

Retrieving the box Vickram came back as sat on the floor and began to tend to her foot.

"Thakur Mallick I can..."

"Shh..sit!..." He said as he applied the antiseptic to the area. "I always told you don't run around barefooted, but you never listen do you, see..."

"It's comfortable! "she said.,

"hmm it's comfortable... having glass stuck in your foot is very comfortable I am sure."He retorted.

"hey I was not the one who knocked it over!" She said. "Ahhh!' She said as the liquid began to sting.'

"Easy ..Easy.., shhh its comfortable..!" he grumbled under his breath.

Sugni stayed quite as she looked at him, she had to fight the urge to giggle. How easy it was falling into that old banter pattern they both shared once, without either of them even realizing it.

"There all done...but stay off it for a while!" he said as he closed the box.

Vickram turned to look up at her she was staring at him with a slight smile on her face.

Thank you!" she whispered.

"Welcome!" He said softly as he looked at her. Their eyes connected as they stared at each other for moment, each lost in the other, and slowly as though pulled together by some invisible force they both leaned forward as their heads coming together, as their lips met in a kiss that was as natural as breathing.

Vickram wrapped his arms around her neck as he deepened the kiss, as she returned the gesture running her finger though his hair. It was a kiss filled with passion, longing, and love. Everything that words failed to express was said at that moment.

The beeping of Sugni's phone broke the moment, as Vickram's brain kicked in. What was he doing?

"Sugni I am so...sor..." He bagan as he moved to back away.

"Shhh! ": She said placing her fingers on his lips; her other hand still around his neck unable to let go. Not that he put up much of a fight to move. Her eyes was closed as she said... " love you." She finally said a silent tear running down her cheek, "I love you !" Finally she said it, after all the contemplating she was doing on how to say it, it was now out. A part of her was relieved, but another part of her was scared of his reaction.

Vickram looked at her, her eyes were closed those were words he dreamt of hearing for six years now. Words he said he would give anything to hear again. But no, he did not want words that were compelled or forced. He knew she was running on some sort of emotional trip right now, and when it was over a she would go back to hating him. He did not want that.

"No Sugni! You.. Don't do this...I should not have done that...I...I..." He stood up turning away from her...

Sugni held on to his hand before he could walk away.. He stopped but did not face her.

"Thakur Mallick ...Please...I do mean it...I swear..." She said

Do you?" he said as he finally looked back.

Sugni bent her head as she nodded. "Yes I do."

"No Sugni, you probably think you do but you don't. All of this is just your emotional stress talking..." He said. She shook her head.

"Sugni...look at you, you can't even look at me. No Sugni...this is not what you want and I don't want to be a compromise for you. I can't do that." He said. As the words came out of his mouth , a part of Vickram was asking him if he was crazy! He could finally get what he wanted. In the end though he knew if he looked at her and saw her unhappy being with him well that would be worse than if they were separated.

Sugni looked at him. Wondering what she could say or do to convince him she meant it. Gingerly she stood up in front of him.

"Don't stand!" Vickram said she ignored him.

"You are right! I can't look at you." She said. "Because when I do, I am reminded of how unfair I have been towards you, of all the mistakes I made. I know I am not worthy of your love. I can't look at you because I am ashamed of myself." She said as she stared at the front of his shirt, her tears falling as she said what she was feeling . "Thakur Mallick you tried everything to stop me, but I did not listen. You always saw more in me than I saw in myself. I know I am probably all wrong here again for saying this, but I also know that I don't want you to go away..." She finally looked up at him as he was staring at her, as she looked into his face, "I don't know how else to say it that would convince you that I mean it with everything in me except..." She looked towards the shelf where she had pictures of Shanti and looked back at him. "I swear on Shanti that if I loved any one it is you, it has always been you and it always will be." She stood there quite, there was nothing more to say now. If he did not believe her, she had no idea what would make him.

"Oh Sugni!!!" Vickram said as he gave into her words and his heart. He enveloped her in a hug. " I love you so much" He said his own voice cracking with emotion.

"I am sorry" She said hugging him.

"I am sorry to!" he said . They stayed there just holding each other for a few minutes. He took a seat on the couch as he remembered her foot. They sat facing each other as he wiped her tears, shaking his head silently telling her not to cry.

Unable to stay apart from each other she hugged him again.

"I missed you so much " he said

"I missed you too!" she replied.

Sugni noticed the blinking of her phone and remembered she got a message a few minutes ago. Taking the phone, she checked the message. It was from Rita hoping everything was going well and informing her that Shanti was asleep after receiving her medication.

"Everything OK?" he asked after she read it.

"Yeah, it's just Rita saying she is asleep." She told him.

"Hmm...we should go and relieve Rita." Vickram said.

Yeah." She said getting up .

Vickram picked up the bag as Sugni locked up the apartment and made her way out to the car. Reaching over he took her hands in his as he drove to the hospital. He looked at her as he smiled slightly.

It began to sink in that they were back together, in each other's lives. Sugni knew there was a lot for them to talk about and resolve but for now she just wanted to savior this moment. They would deal with the rest as it came.

They made the drive in silence just enjoying the others company, for once not feeling awkward or uneasy with each other. They got to the hospital , where Rita was reading a magazine as they walked in.
She looked at them, Sugni knew trying to figure out if they made any progress in their situation.

"You are back already...I told you you did not have to rush." She said to Sugni.

"I did not...besides I did not want to keep you long." She said.

"Hmmm. Ok Well I'll leave you then." She said. "Good night"

"Good night!" they said as she walked out.

"Is she always that busy?' Vickram asked as he noted the speed with which she made her exit. She was weird that was for sure.

Sugni smiled, as she walked over to check on Shanti. She was sound asleep.

"No...she is just trying to give us time alone." She said.

"Really?" he said.

She nodded. "She knows about us, in fact she said I would be crazy if I let you go." She explained.

"She did...hmm smart woman." He said taking a seat on the couch. Sugni joined him. Reaching over he took her hand in his again, just to reassure himself she was actually there with him and this was not some dream.

"You should get some rest," He said

"Hmmm I will. Will you stay for a while?" she asked not wanting him to leave yet.

"Of course ." He said as he settled more comfortably on the couch.

Sugni leaned back as she rested her head on his shoulder; he placed his arm around her as she sighed. She closed her eyes for the first time in a long time she felt complete.