Posted:
65
The night passed before they knew it, and soon Sanyukta was braiding Somya's hair and getting her ready for school.
Somya was awfully quiet the whole time, and Sanyukta couldn't help but feel a familiar ache in her heart, knowing that this morning would be the last time she was seeing her daughter in person for at least a couple of weeks.
After she was done braiding her hair and had packed Somya's bag, Somya followed her down to the kitchen to help her with breakfast.
Even breakfast was prepared with silence.
"Did you wake daddy up?" Sanyukta asked Somya softly and her eyes widened.
"Oops I forgot," Somya admitted.
For the first time, Somya had forgotten to wake up her father.
"This is what happens when you get lost in your own problems, you forget about people you love," Sanyukta explained to her daughter. "Now go and wake daddy up."
Somya nodded and ran up the stairs as Sanyukta served the breakfast. Soon Somya came back downstairs and took her seat.
"He's going to shower then he'll come down he said," Somya mumbled and then looked down at her plate, a painful expression taking over her face.
"Okay," Sanyukta replied softly. "Remember to not trouble your daddy too much. Be a good girl... and... and don't forget the manners that mommy taught you."
Somya just nodded, her eyes filling with tears.
"I - I'll talk to you on the phone and we can Skype call each other," Sanyukta told her, her voice beginning to crack.
"Good morning," Randhir's voice said as he approached the two of them. "Yum, breakfast smells good today."
"Good morning," Sanyukta responded with a forced smile as he took his seat.
They all ate their breakfast in silence, Somya extra slowly. Once breakfast had finished, Randhir wiped his mouth with a napkin and glanced at Somya.
"Somya I'll drop you to school first then I'll come back home and take you to the airport Sanyukta," Randhir decided and stood up. "Let's go Somya."
Somya stood up slowly, and picked up her backpack, her eyes filling with tears and her hands trembling. Sanyukta noticed this and walked up to her daughter, before grabbing her shoulders, and holding her against her tightly. Somya's face was pressed against Sanyukta's stomach and her hands were wrapped around her back.
"Mommy," Somya then said, breaking her silence, "Please don't leave me."
Tears fell from Sanyukta's eyes and she stroked Somya's hair softly.
"I won't leave you," she told Somya, pulling her off gently. "I'll come back very soon."
"Come Somya," Randhir said, taking Somya's small hand in his and taking her to the door, knowing that if Somya were to stay here longer then both Somya and Sanyukta would have a harder time letting go.
"B - but daddy," Somya whispered, tears falling down from her eyes, and Sanyukta felt her heart ache as Randhir dragged her daughter outside the house.
"Bye sweetheart," Sanyukta called out, her body beginning to shake as tears poured from her eyes.
"Bye mommy!" Somya said as she disappeared with Randhir.
Sanyukta held her chest and tried to take deep breaths to calm herself down but it was so hard.
All she heard was Somya's words being played in her mind: please don't leave me.
The night passed before they knew it, and soon Sanyukta was braiding Somya's hair and getting her ready for school.
Somya was awfully quiet the whole time, and Sanyukta couldn't help but feel a familiar ache in her heart, knowing that this morning would be the last time she was seeing her daughter in person for at least a couple of weeks.
After she was done braiding her hair and had packed Somya's bag, Somya followed her down to the kitchen to help her with breakfast.
Even breakfast was prepared with silence.
"Did you wake daddy up?" Sanyukta asked Somya softly and her eyes widened.
"Oops I forgot," Somya admitted.
For the first time, Somya had forgotten to wake up her father.
"This is what happens when you get lost in your own problems, you forget about people you love," Sanyukta explained to her daughter. "Now go and wake daddy up."
Somya nodded and ran up the stairs as Sanyukta served the breakfast. Soon Somya came back downstairs and took her seat.
"He's going to shower then he'll come down he said," Somya mumbled and then looked down at her plate, a painful expression taking over her face.
"Okay," Sanyukta replied softly. "Remember to not trouble your daddy too much. Be a good girl... and... and don't forget the manners that mommy taught you."
Somya just nodded, her eyes filling with tears.
"I - I'll talk to you on the phone and we can Skype call each other," Sanyukta told her, her voice beginning to crack.
"Good morning," Randhir's voice said as he approached the two of them. "Yum, breakfast smells good today."
"Good morning," Sanyukta responded with a forced smile as he took his seat.
They all ate their breakfast in silence, Somya extra slowly. Once breakfast had finished, Randhir wiped his mouth with a napkin and glanced at Somya.
"Somya I'll drop you to school first then I'll come back home and take you to the airport Sanyukta," Randhir decided and stood up. "Let's go Somya."
Somya stood up slowly, and picked up her backpack, her eyes filling with tears and her hands trembling. Sanyukta noticed this and walked up to her daughter, before grabbing her shoulders, and holding her against her tightly. Somya's face was pressed against Sanyukta's stomach and her hands were wrapped around her back.
"Mommy," Somya then said, breaking her silence, "Please don't leave me."
Tears fell from Sanyukta's eyes and she stroked Somya's hair softly.
"I won't leave you," she told Somya, pulling her off gently. "I'll come back very soon."
"Come Somya," Randhir said, taking Somya's small hand in his and taking her to the door, knowing that if Somya were to stay here longer then both Somya and Sanyukta would have a harder time letting go.
"B - but daddy," Somya whispered, tears falling down from her eyes, and Sanyukta felt her heart ache as Randhir dragged her daughter outside the house.
"Bye sweetheart," Sanyukta called out, her body beginning to shake as tears poured from her eyes.
"Bye mommy!" Somya said as she disappeared with Randhir.
Sanyukta held her chest and tried to take deep breaths to calm herself down but it was so hard.
All she heard was Somya's words being played in her mind: please don't leave me.
66
By the time Randhir got home, Sanyukta's suitcases were already by the door, ready to be loaded into the car.
She was taking deep breaths to try and calm herself down, because she really did not want to go.
"Ready?" Randhir asked calmly and Sanyukta nodded, trying to remain equally calm.
With the help of the servants, Randhir's car was loaded. Sanyukta comfortably took her seat in the passenger's side as Randhir slid into the drivers seat and turned on his engine.
The car ride was spent in silence with Sanyukta holding Randhir's free hand, fearing the moment she would have to let go.
Once they got to the airport and she checked in, she gulped, trying to hold back the tears. It was time for her to leave Randhir and go through the gates.
"You'll be fine," he muttered, and Sanyukta could hear the anguish in his own voice.
"How can you tell me that I'll be fine when you're not fine?" she croaked, and let the tears finally fall freely down her cheeks.
Then she threw her arms around Randhir's neck and sobbed uncontrollably against his chest, not wanting to let go.
"It's time for you to board and Parth's probably already waiting on the plane," Randhir murmured, stroking her hair. "Don't do this at the last moment."
"I can't help it... I'll miss you and Somya. I can't go!" she cried.
"Don't be silly," he replied, caressing the back of her head gently. "You have to go."
She broke their embrace and wiped away her tears as she looked him in the eye. Then before he could register what was going to happen, she had smacked her lips against his so forcefully, that instead of his eyes closing, his eyes widened with shock.
Finally, he let himself relax and closed his eyes, kissing her back softly.
"Sanyukta, everyone's watching," he whispered against her lips, "This is India, not Canada where everyone does this in public."
"I don't care," she replied against his lips, and bit down on his lower lip, causing him to nearly yelp in pain. "Don't talk or I'll do worse."
Her hands dug deep into his hair as she playfully swirled her tongue inside his mouth.
Randhir knew that if this was to continue, it would be harder for both of them. So he broke the kiss, and pulled back with a stern expression on his face.
"Bye Sanyukta," he told her, and he turned around, "It's time to board."
"What? Look at me," she said, and grabbed his arm, but he pulled away and started to walk.
She ran after him and grabbed his arm again.
"I'm not going anywhere until you look at me!" she demanded, and he sighed and turned around.
"Fine, what do you want?" he asked her.
"You," she let out softly. "Please."
Randhir pulled her close to him in a tight embrace and kissed the top of her head softly.
"I love you," he muttered. "Now I'm going to leave because you have to board."
He broke the embrace and with tear-filled eyes, she turned around and started to walk towards the gate. Randhir watched her go with his heart aching, still feeling uneasy about her leaving him to go to Canada.
She entered the gate, with a zombie like expression on her face.
Sanyukta turned around to look at him one last time, but he had already turned around - for some reason, she had a bad feeling... she felt like she was not going for two weeks, but she was leaving for much longer... for a time that would feel like eternity.
By the time Randhir got home, Sanyukta's suitcases were already by the door, ready to be loaded into the car.
She was taking deep breaths to try and calm herself down, because she really did not want to go.
"Ready?" Randhir asked calmly and Sanyukta nodded, trying to remain equally calm.
With the help of the servants, Randhir's car was loaded. Sanyukta comfortably took her seat in the passenger's side as Randhir slid into the drivers seat and turned on his engine.
The car ride was spent in silence with Sanyukta holding Randhir's free hand, fearing the moment she would have to let go.
Once they got to the airport and she checked in, she gulped, trying to hold back the tears. It was time for her to leave Randhir and go through the gates.
"You'll be fine," he muttered, and Sanyukta could hear the anguish in his own voice.
"How can you tell me that I'll be fine when you're not fine?" she croaked, and let the tears finally fall freely down her cheeks.
Then she threw her arms around Randhir's neck and sobbed uncontrollably against his chest, not wanting to let go.
"It's time for you to board and Parth's probably already waiting on the plane," Randhir murmured, stroking her hair. "Don't do this at the last moment."
"I can't help it... I'll miss you and Somya. I can't go!" she cried.
"Don't be silly," he replied, caressing the back of her head gently. "You have to go."
She broke their embrace and wiped away her tears as she looked him in the eye. Then before he could register what was going to happen, she had smacked her lips against his so forcefully, that instead of his eyes closing, his eyes widened with shock.
Finally, he let himself relax and closed his eyes, kissing her back softly.
"Sanyukta, everyone's watching," he whispered against her lips, "This is India, not Canada where everyone does this in public."
"I don't care," she replied against his lips, and bit down on his lower lip, causing him to nearly yelp in pain. "Don't talk or I'll do worse."
Her hands dug deep into his hair as she playfully swirled her tongue inside his mouth.
Randhir knew that if this was to continue, it would be harder for both of them. So he broke the kiss, and pulled back with a stern expression on his face.
"Bye Sanyukta," he told her, and he turned around, "It's time to board."
"What? Look at me," she said, and grabbed his arm, but he pulled away and started to walk.
She ran after him and grabbed his arm again.
"I'm not going anywhere until you look at me!" she demanded, and he sighed and turned around.
"Fine, what do you want?" he asked her.
"You," she let out softly. "Please."
Randhir pulled her close to him in a tight embrace and kissed the top of her head softly.
"I love you," he muttered. "Now I'm going to leave because you have to board."
He broke the embrace and with tear-filled eyes, she turned around and started to walk towards the gate. Randhir watched her go with his heart aching, still feeling uneasy about her leaving him to go to Canada.
She entered the gate, with a zombie like expression on her face.
Sanyukta turned around to look at him one last time, but he had already turned around - for some reason, she had a bad feeling... she felt like she was not going for two weeks, but she was leaving for much longer... for a time that would feel like eternity.
67
That evening, Randhir and Somya ate in silence. With each spoon of soup she put to her mouth, she would swallow with trembling lips. If Somya wasn't there, then perhaps he would have broken down crying by now.
"Is Mommy there yet?" Somya asked Randhir innocently.
"Not yet, she'll be there tomorrow," Randhir told her softly. "And there's a time difference, so when it's morning here, it'll be the previous day's evening there."
"What if she's sleeping when I want to call her?" Somya asked, her eyes wide. "Will I never get to talk to her?"
"Of course you will," Randhir told her with a light chuckle, "Your mom will make time for you... she'll probably call us before anything else."
Somya nodded and filled her spoon with soup again before putting it in her mouth and gulping.
"I miss mom's food," Somya said, sighing loudly. "Gopal Uncle doesn't match up."
"Nobody matches up to Sanyukta," Randhir mumbled. "Anyways baby, finish your food and then do your homework."
Somya nodded and they silently ate the rest of their dinner together.
That night, as Randhir lay in bed alone, looking at the ceiling, he had a thought that crossed his mind.
All these years, he spent alone without her, but for some reason, today he felt her absence the most.
That evening, Randhir and Somya ate in silence. With each spoon of soup she put to her mouth, she would swallow with trembling lips. If Somya wasn't there, then perhaps he would have broken down crying by now.
"Is Mommy there yet?" Somya asked Randhir innocently.
"Not yet, she'll be there tomorrow," Randhir told her softly. "And there's a time difference, so when it's morning here, it'll be the previous day's evening there."
"What if she's sleeping when I want to call her?" Somya asked, her eyes wide. "Will I never get to talk to her?"
"Of course you will," Randhir told her with a light chuckle, "Your mom will make time for you... she'll probably call us before anything else."
Somya nodded and filled her spoon with soup again before putting it in her mouth and gulping.
"I miss mom's food," Somya said, sighing loudly. "Gopal Uncle doesn't match up."
"Nobody matches up to Sanyukta," Randhir mumbled. "Anyways baby, finish your food and then do your homework."
Somya nodded and they silently ate the rest of their dinner together.
That night, as Randhir lay in bed alone, looking at the ceiling, he had a thought that crossed his mind.
All these years, he spent alone without her, but for some reason, today he felt her absence the most.
68
When Sanyukta got home late at night, the first thing she did was dial Randhir's number. He picked up at once.
"Randhir," she cried, her lips trembling. "I miss you."
"I miss you too," he replied, his voice strained.
"How's Somya?" Sanyukta asked softly.
"She's good... she misses you a lot. She only talks about you. She's at school right now," Randhir explained.
"Are you at work?" she asked him.
"Yes," he replied, and she heard his voice crack. "I'm at work."
"R - Randhir, are you crying?" she asked, her own voice quivering.
"N - No, why would I cry?" he replied, and she knew he was probably rolling his eyes right now... his wet eyes.
"You're a bad liar," she murmured into the phone. "I - I'll be back soon."
She held back a sob and tried to breathe steadily.
"Hey Farzi," Randhir said lightly, his voice still shaking, "Don't you know that if you cry over there, I can't come and wipe your tears? Then why're you crying?"
"Idiot," she muttered under her breath, "I can find someone else to wipe my tears."
"Don't dare to do that," he threatened.
"I'll do - do whatever you want!" she sobbed. "You - you won't let me stay peacefully here will you? You're m - making me worry about you."
"Did I promise you peace when I got married to you?" he asked, and she knew he was smiling, "I promised you havoc... remember?"
"Y - yeah," she said, smiling through her tears as well, "I f - forgot, I got married to Randhir Singh Shekhawat, the one guy who always irritated me."
He chuckled into the phone.
"L - listen Farzi," Randhir then said, his voice still hoarse, "I - I need you to do something for me."
"W - what?" she asked him, her heart aching.
"Every night there, before you sleep, you c - call me. Okay? Every morning when you wake up, you call me as well," he told her and she smiled, holding the phone closer to her ear, as if that would bring her closer to him.
"O - okay," she replied. "I'll do that."
"I just want to hear your voice," he admitted. "And if you don't call me I won't be able to sleep that night... so - so don't forget."
"I promise I won't forget," she replied. "I m- miss you so much."
"T - two weeks," he replied. "I'm counting down the seconds."
"I'm thinking about you every second," she told him, "W - when I'm back, I'll trouble you so much... you watch!"
He chuckled.
"I'm waiting for it," he told her with a smile. "What are you doing now?"
"I'm about to sleep. It's midnight here," she replied.
"Okay go to sleep... and finish all your work quickly so you can come back," he said to her.
"O - okay," she told him, her voice cracking. "G - good night Randhir."
"Good night Farzi," he replied hoarsely.
"Why aren't you hanging up?" she asked him sadly.
"You hang up first," he replied.
"No! You hang up first," she told him, "I don't want to press end."
"I'm not hanging up -" he started.
"Fine! I'll do it," she replied, annoyed. "You always annoy me Randhir!"
Then she ended the call and opened up whatsapp, sending him a quick message: but I still love you.
He replied right away: I will always love you.
She blushed and held the phone to her chest as she got ready for bed. Throughout the night, she kept the phone beside her... it was almost like she had her Randhir next to her.
When Sanyukta got home late at night, the first thing she did was dial Randhir's number. He picked up at once.
"Randhir," she cried, her lips trembling. "I miss you."
"I miss you too," he replied, his voice strained.
"How's Somya?" Sanyukta asked softly.
"She's good... she misses you a lot. She only talks about you. She's at school right now," Randhir explained.
"Are you at work?" she asked him.
"Yes," he replied, and she heard his voice crack. "I'm at work."
"R - Randhir, are you crying?" she asked, her own voice quivering.
"N - No, why would I cry?" he replied, and she knew he was probably rolling his eyes right now... his wet eyes.
"You're a bad liar," she murmured into the phone. "I - I'll be back soon."
She held back a sob and tried to breathe steadily.
"Hey Farzi," Randhir said lightly, his voice still shaking, "Don't you know that if you cry over there, I can't come and wipe your tears? Then why're you crying?"
"Idiot," she muttered under her breath, "I can find someone else to wipe my tears."
"Don't dare to do that," he threatened.
"I'll do - do whatever you want!" she sobbed. "You - you won't let me stay peacefully here will you? You're m - making me worry about you."
"Did I promise you peace when I got married to you?" he asked, and she knew he was smiling, "I promised you havoc... remember?"
"Y - yeah," she said, smiling through her tears as well, "I f - forgot, I got married to Randhir Singh Shekhawat, the one guy who always irritated me."
He chuckled into the phone.
"L - listen Farzi," Randhir then said, his voice still hoarse, "I - I need you to do something for me."
"W - what?" she asked him, her heart aching.
"Every night there, before you sleep, you c - call me. Okay? Every morning when you wake up, you call me as well," he told her and she smiled, holding the phone closer to her ear, as if that would bring her closer to him.
"O - okay," she replied. "I'll do that."
"I just want to hear your voice," he admitted. "And if you don't call me I won't be able to sleep that night... so - so don't forget."
"I promise I won't forget," she replied. "I m- miss you so much."
"T - two weeks," he replied. "I'm counting down the seconds."
"I'm thinking about you every second," she told him, "W - when I'm back, I'll trouble you so much... you watch!"
He chuckled.
"I'm waiting for it," he told her with a smile. "What are you doing now?"
"I'm about to sleep. It's midnight here," she replied.
"Okay go to sleep... and finish all your work quickly so you can come back," he said to her.
"O - okay," she told him, her voice cracking. "G - good night Randhir."
"Good night Farzi," he replied hoarsely.
"Why aren't you hanging up?" she asked him sadly.
"You hang up first," he replied.
"No! You hang up first," she told him, "I don't want to press end."
"I'm not hanging up -" he started.
"Fine! I'll do it," she replied, annoyed. "You always annoy me Randhir!"
Then she ended the call and opened up whatsapp, sending him a quick message: but I still love you.
He replied right away: I will always love you.
She blushed and held the phone to her chest as she got ready for bed. Throughout the night, she kept the phone beside her... it was almost like she had her Randhir next to her.
69
"What? A farewell party just for me?" Sanyukta gulped nervously, as Parth told her what the boss had planned. "Why? It isn't necessary!"
"I know, but just be ready on Friday evening. It's in two days, boss is insisting to send you off nicely... he really liked you as an employee," Parth explained.
"I already gave him my resignation! I have my property to take care of now... a farewell party is just more stressful!" she exclaimed. "But I guess to keep Boss's heart, I'll go."
"Alright then," Parth said, "You go and take care of your property, I'll see you at the party."
She nodded and left the office to take care of her assets.
A few days later, as she got ready for the farewell party, she dialed Randhir's number. She knew it was really early in the morning there and he was probably still asleep, but she couldn't help it... she wanted to speak with him.
She had already spoken to him and Somya a few times since getting here, but she couldn't help but find that it wasn't enough.
"Hello?" Randhir's groggy voice said.
"Sorry to wake you up," Sanyukta said softly. "I just wanted to speak to you."
"I'm always ready to talk to you. What's going on? Shouldn't you be at that party?" Randhir asked, sounding tired.
"I'm just getting ready for it. I'll leave soon... I don't know why, but I've been getting this weird feeling lately Randhir. It's almost a sickening feeling," she explained, "A part of me doesn't even want to go, but my boss is a good man... if he kept this party for me, then I don't want to disappoint him."
"Go," Randhir told her. "Say goodbye to everyone nicely, then come back to me... and don't worry, you're probably just home sick."
"I guess that's it," Sanyukta said with a resigned sigh. "Homesick."
"So what are you wearing right now?" Randhir said playfully.
"Me? Umm a dress," Sanyukta mumbled, blushing. "I was going to try to look hot, take a picture and send it to you."
"You don't need to try," he told her and she knew he was smirking. "But still send me a picture."
"Okay," she said, still blushing. "Anyways, I'm going to finish getting ready, then I'll send you the picture."
"Have fun," Randhir told her. "And send me every picture you take."
"Will do," Sanyukta said, smiling. "See you soon sweetheart."
Then she hung up the phone and smiled, somehow now excited to go to the party and take pictures, just to send them to Randhir.
Somewhere deep inside, a certain discomfort was building up though, and soon she would locate its origin.
"I know, but just be ready on Friday evening. It's in two days, boss is insisting to send you off nicely... he really liked you as an employee," Parth explained.
"I already gave him my resignation! I have my property to take care of now... a farewell party is just more stressful!" she exclaimed. "But I guess to keep Boss's heart, I'll go."
"Alright then," Parth said, "You go and take care of your property, I'll see you at the party."
She nodded and left the office to take care of her assets.
A few days later, as she got ready for the farewell party, she dialed Randhir's number. She knew it was really early in the morning there and he was probably still asleep, but she couldn't help it... she wanted to speak with him.
She had already spoken to him and Somya a few times since getting here, but she couldn't help but find that it wasn't enough.
"Hello?" Randhir's groggy voice said.
"Sorry to wake you up," Sanyukta said softly. "I just wanted to speak to you."
"I'm always ready to talk to you. What's going on? Shouldn't you be at that party?" Randhir asked, sounding tired.
"I'm just getting ready for it. I'll leave soon... I don't know why, but I've been getting this weird feeling lately Randhir. It's almost a sickening feeling," she explained, "A part of me doesn't even want to go, but my boss is a good man... if he kept this party for me, then I don't want to disappoint him."
"Go," Randhir told her. "Say goodbye to everyone nicely, then come back to me... and don't worry, you're probably just home sick."
"I guess that's it," Sanyukta said with a resigned sigh. "Homesick."
"So what are you wearing right now?" Randhir said playfully.
"Me? Umm a dress," Sanyukta mumbled, blushing. "I was going to try to look hot, take a picture and send it to you."
"You don't need to try," he told her and she knew he was smirking. "But still send me a picture."
"Okay," she said, still blushing. "Anyways, I'm going to finish getting ready, then I'll send you the picture."
"Have fun," Randhir told her. "And send me every picture you take."
"Will do," Sanyukta said, smiling. "See you soon sweetheart."
Then she hung up the phone and smiled, somehow now excited to go to the party and take pictures, just to send them to Randhir.
Somewhere deep inside, a certain discomfort was building up though, and soon she would locate its origin.
70
Sanyukta was not one to touch a glass of alcohol, but today she thought it would be safe to have a glass of champagne, because she was surrounded by people she trusted and it was a party for her.
Their party was at a hotel, and although there were only about 30 employees present, it felt like a grand party.
"Farewell Sanyukta," her boss said.
His hand was on her shoulder comfortingly and he had drank a lot more than he should have, because he was hardly walking straight.
"We'll miss you here but I do wish you all the best for your married life!" the boss said loudly and Parth locked arms with the boss with a big smile.
Parth seemed to be out of his mind drunk as well.
"Thank you," Sanyukta said politely.
"Sanyuktaaa," Parth slurred, "Are you okay?"
Sanyukta took a step back, uncomfortable, and nodded, forcing a smile.
"I'm fine, thanks Parth," she told him, and then turned around to go away, but Parth caught up to her and grabbed her wrist.
"Sorry I'm just a little drunk," Parth said.
"Take care of yourself," Sanyukta told him with a smile.
"You take care of yourself," Parth then said, still slurring his words. "S - Sanyukta... Randhir..."
"What about Randhir?" Sanyukta asked him, her heart beating really fast.
"R - Randhir had a plan to break your heart," Parth said, and took a step forward, almost falling down in the process. "H - He wanted to h - hurt you so you would get out of his life."
Sanyukta was not one to touch a glass of alcohol, but today she thought it would be safe to have a glass of champagne, because she was surrounded by people she trusted and it was a party for her.
Their party was at a hotel, and although there were only about 30 employees present, it felt like a grand party.
"Farewell Sanyukta," her boss said.
His hand was on her shoulder comfortingly and he had drank a lot more than he should have, because he was hardly walking straight.
"We'll miss you here but I do wish you all the best for your married life!" the boss said loudly and Parth locked arms with the boss with a big smile.
Parth seemed to be out of his mind drunk as well.
"Thank you," Sanyukta said politely.
"Sanyuktaaa," Parth slurred, "Are you okay?"
Sanyukta took a step back, uncomfortable, and nodded, forcing a smile.
"I'm fine, thanks Parth," she told him, and then turned around to go away, but Parth caught up to her and grabbed her wrist.
"Sorry I'm just a little drunk," Parth said.
"Take care of yourself," Sanyukta told him with a smile.
"You take care of yourself," Parth then said, still slurring his words. "S - Sanyukta... Randhir..."
"What about Randhir?" Sanyukta asked him, her heart beating really fast.
"R - Randhir had a plan to break your heart," Parth said, and took a step forward, almost falling down in the process. "H - He wanted to h - hurt you so you would get out of his life."
71
Sanyukta looked at Parth with disbelief. She grabbed his arm and started to tow him away from the party, deciding that he was out of his senses and needed to rest.
"Come on Parth," she told him, as she continued to drag him. "You need to rest."
"You need to be careful," Parth replied, his eyes rolling back, "Randhir is not good news."
"Parth don't talk about Randhir... let's go," she said, still dragging him.
"I care about you that's why I'm telling you," Parth replied, "Randhir's whole plan was to hurt you b- but."
"But?" Sanyukta asked, but Parth had fallen against her shoulder, half passed out.
Sanyukta rolled her eyes and took him upstairs to one of the rooms before laying him down and removing his shoes.
"S - Sanyukta," Parth said out loud, but she ignored him.
She was about to leave when he called out her name again.
"S - Sanyukta please," he said, his eyes were closed.
Sighing, Sanyukta walked up to him. How could she ignore the pleas of an older brother?
"What?" she asked, sitting down next to him and loosening his tie a bit so he could breathe.
His hand held her arm tightly, his eyes still closed.
"Please don't leave me," he murmured.
For some reason, Sanyukta felt herself get dizzy and she fell backwards on the bed, against the headboard, her eyes closing as darkness took over.
Sanyukta looked at Parth with disbelief. She grabbed his arm and started to tow him away from the party, deciding that he was out of his senses and needed to rest.
"Come on Parth," she told him, as she continued to drag him. "You need to rest."
"You need to be careful," Parth replied, his eyes rolling back, "Randhir is not good news."
"Parth don't talk about Randhir... let's go," she said, still dragging him.
"I care about you that's why I'm telling you," Parth replied, "Randhir's whole plan was to hurt you b- but."
"But?" Sanyukta asked, but Parth had fallen against her shoulder, half passed out.
Sanyukta rolled her eyes and took him upstairs to one of the rooms before laying him down and removing his shoes.
"S - Sanyukta," Parth said out loud, but she ignored him.
She was about to leave when he called out her name again.
"S - Sanyukta please," he said, his eyes were closed.
Sighing, Sanyukta walked up to him. How could she ignore the pleas of an older brother?
"What?" she asked, sitting down next to him and loosening his tie a bit so he could breathe.
His hand held her arm tightly, his eyes still closed.
"Please don't leave me," he murmured.
For some reason, Sanyukta felt herself get dizzy and she fell backwards on the bed, against the headboard, her eyes closing as darkness took over.
72
When she woke up, she was under the covers and alone. The last thing she remembered was loosening Parth's tie and him asking her not to leave him.
"What happened?" she murmured, but the room was empty.
Sanyukta got up and put on her shoes which were neatly placed beside her on the bed. She couldn't remember taking off her shoes.
She looked around for her cellphone and found it beside her on the bed.
Was she dreaming that Parth had been here?
It was already the morning. She picked up her bag and slipped out of the room quickly, her heart beating really fast.
Could she have passed out because of the glass of champagne that she had drank? No way... it couldn't be. It had just been one glass.
Sanyukta had a meeting with her real estate broker in an hour, and she couldn't be late if she wanted to return to India quickly.
She managed to get to the office on time, and signed off her property to the broker.
"There is a policy for those who wish to settle out of country sooner. You can sign it off to me, I will give you the payment, but it may be lower than usual," the real estate broker explained.
"Done," Sanyukta said quickly. "I don't care how much payment. I'm willing to give it away for free. I just need to get back to India as soon as possible."
"Okay perfect, just sign here," she said and Sanyukta did as she was told.
Then she went to the bank and closed down all of her accounts, before taking the car to the dealer.
"What else... what else..." she muttered out loud as she gave her car back to the dealer. "Is that it?"
Did that mean she could return to India even today? The excitement was eating her up inside.
Sanyukta picked up her phone and dialled Randhir's number to share the good news.
For the first time since she had come here, Randhir didn't pick up her call.
"What happened?" she murmured, but the room was empty.
Sanyukta got up and put on her shoes which were neatly placed beside her on the bed. She couldn't remember taking off her shoes.
She looked around for her cellphone and found it beside her on the bed.
Was she dreaming that Parth had been here?
It was already the morning. She picked up her bag and slipped out of the room quickly, her heart beating really fast.
Could she have passed out because of the glass of champagne that she had drank? No way... it couldn't be. It had just been one glass.
Sanyukta had a meeting with her real estate broker in an hour, and she couldn't be late if she wanted to return to India quickly.
She managed to get to the office on time, and signed off her property to the broker.
"There is a policy for those who wish to settle out of country sooner. You can sign it off to me, I will give you the payment, but it may be lower than usual," the real estate broker explained.
"Done," Sanyukta said quickly. "I don't care how much payment. I'm willing to give it away for free. I just need to get back to India as soon as possible."
"Okay perfect, just sign here," she said and Sanyukta did as she was told.
Then she went to the bank and closed down all of her accounts, before taking the car to the dealer.
"What else... what else..." she muttered out loud as she gave her car back to the dealer. "Is that it?"
Did that mean she could return to India even today? The excitement was eating her up inside.
Sanyukta picked up her phone and dialled Randhir's number to share the good news.
For the first time since she had come here, Randhir didn't pick up her call.
73
The next day, Sanyukta went to visit Parth before her flight. Randhir wasn't picking up her phone calls, so she decided to just book the flight and surprise him in India.
"Hey," she said as Parth opened the door. "I'm leaving for India today."
"Today?" Parth asked, sounding surprised. "You're done all of your work?"
She nodded with a big smile.
"I can't wait to get back," she told Parth excitedly. "Everything went much more smoothly than I expected."
"Sanyukta, are you sure?" he asked, sounding concerned. "I don't want you to get hurt and not have the option to come back."
"I'm sure," she told him seriously, "And yeah... about that, what nonsense were you telling me that night about Randhir wanting to hurt me?"
"Oh we had an agreement that he would hurt you so you wouldn't want to return to him," Parth said, sounding guilty, "He thought he hurt you a lot... and he loved you, that's why... I still think he might hurt you though."
"Oh," Sanyukta said lightly. "Well, don't worry. He won't hurt me. He won't be able to this time. Anyways Parth, I have to go. I'll keep in touch... thank you for everything!"
"Yeah no problem. Let me drop you," he offered.
"Sure!" Sanyukta said, a smile forming on her lips at the thought of returning to her Randhir and her Somya again.
She picked up her phone and tried to dial his number again, but once again he didn't pick up. She was going to send him a text message, but decided not to.
A surprise would be so much more fun.
The next day, Sanyukta went to visit Parth before her flight. Randhir wasn't picking up her phone calls, so she decided to just book the flight and surprise him in India.
"Hey," she said as Parth opened the door. "I'm leaving for India today."
"Today?" Parth asked, sounding surprised. "You're done all of your work?"
She nodded with a big smile.
"I can't wait to get back," she told Parth excitedly. "Everything went much more smoothly than I expected."
"Sanyukta, are you sure?" he asked, sounding concerned. "I don't want you to get hurt and not have the option to come back."
"I'm sure," she told him seriously, "And yeah... about that, what nonsense were you telling me that night about Randhir wanting to hurt me?"
"Oh we had an agreement that he would hurt you so you wouldn't want to return to him," Parth said, sounding guilty, "He thought he hurt you a lot... and he loved you, that's why... I still think he might hurt you though."
"Oh," Sanyukta said lightly. "Well, don't worry. He won't hurt me. He won't be able to this time. Anyways Parth, I have to go. I'll keep in touch... thank you for everything!"
"Yeah no problem. Let me drop you," he offered.
"Sure!" Sanyukta said, a smile forming on her lips at the thought of returning to her Randhir and her Somya again.
She picked up her phone and tried to dial his number again, but once again he didn't pick up. She was going to send him a text message, but decided not to.
A surprise would be so much more fun.
74
It was almost nine at night when she stepped into Shekhawat Mansion, her heart fluttering with excitement to see her daughter and husband again.
"Randhir? Somya?" Sanyukta called out, and the first thing she heard were footsteps running towards her.
"Mommy!" Somya screamed and threw her arms around her mom. "You came back early!"
"I told you I'll come back as soon as I finished my work, and my work finished early," Sanyukta told her daughter happily.
She fell down to her knees and kissed Somya's forehead.
"I missed you so much," Somya admitted.
"I missed my sweetheart too," Sanyukta confessed. "Now where's your daddy?"
"He went out," Somya said.
"Out? At this time?" Sanyukta asked Somya, sounding concerned. "Who's with you?"
"Hi Sanyukta," a familiar female voice said, and Sanyukta glanced up to see Ishika.
"Ishika?" Sanyukta asked, confused. "Where's Randhir?"
"Randhir? Somya?" Sanyukta called out, and the first thing she heard were footsteps running towards her.
"Mommy!" Somya screamed and threw her arms around her mom. "You came back early!"
"I told you I'll come back as soon as I finished my work, and my work finished early," Sanyukta told her daughter happily.
She fell down to her knees and kissed Somya's forehead.
"I missed you so much," Somya admitted.
"I missed my sweetheart too," Sanyukta confessed. "Now where's your daddy?"
"He went out," Somya said.
"Out? At this time?" Sanyukta asked Somya, sounding concerned. "Who's with you?"
"Hi Sanyukta," a familiar female voice said, and Sanyukta glanced up to see Ishika.
"Ishika?" Sanyukta asked, confused. "Where's Randhir?"
75
"Come here," Ishika said, and she grabbed Sanyukta's arm and pulled her into an empty room before closing the door behind them.
"What's going on Ishika?" Sanyukta asked. "Where is Randhir?"
"Sanyukta Randhir left maybe fifteen minutes ago. He went to a nightclub -" she started.
"What?" Sanyukta gasped, "No way! You're lying! Why would he -"
"Shhh Sanyukta, just listen to me! He said he's going to... to...sorry it's so hard for me to say, he's going to sleep with someone," Ishika replied, and Sanyukta's eyes widened.
"You're joking right Ishika?" Sanyukta asked. "I don't believe you!"
"You have no choice if you want to save your marriage," Ishika told Sanyukta bluntly, "Look I don't want you and Randhir to face any problems, so go and find him and get him."
"Wh - where is he?" Sanyukta asked her fearfully.
Ishika told her the address and Sanyukta rushed out of the room before falling to her knees in front of Somya.
"Be a good girl and go to sleep. Tomorrow I'll spend a lot of time with you okay sweetheart. I have one more thing to do here," she told her daughter and Somya nodded innocently.
"Th - that jerk," she said through gritted teeth, tears pouring down from her eyes as she chose a car and started to drive. "H- how dare he?"
76
How could he? Sanyukta was still having a hard time believing Ishika, but somewhere deep inside, she had already accepted that Ishika was telling her the truth.
Oh how badly she wanted it to be a lie.
She parked outside the nightclub and squeezed her eyes shut. Did this mean that she didn't trust her husband? Weren't these doubts what ended their relationship six years ago?
Was history truly repeating itself?
Sanyukta took a deep breath.
Yes, she was not trusting her husband. She accepted it. It would kill her if she remained still right now.
So she turned off the engine and ran towards the nightclub, horribly dressed for this kind of place. She was in a simple salwar suit.
Sanyukta noticed the odd looks that everyone gave her, but she ignored them. She ran towards the main doors, where the bouncer was asking for cash. She took out a thousand rupee note from her wallet and shoved it in his hand before running inside to look for her husband.
"Where are you Randhir?" she muttered out loud, desperately hoping that she wouldn't be able to find him. "You aren't here right? Please tell me you aren't here."
He was here.
Sanyukta saw him at the bar, holding the hand of another girl.
Her hands balled into fists as she charged towards them, anger taking over her senses.
77
Randhir was sitting at a bar, drinking lots of whiskey, trying to get drunk, to forget her beautiful face. He had done this before, many years ago, but he never got drunk enough to forget her.
He would forget the whole world, but would remember her.
"Sanyukta," he said, looking at the glass of whiskey, "Sanyuktaaa... how could you do this to me?"
Why did he not believe it? Why was he having a hard time trusting something that had been proven to him.
He couldn't get over the text message that Parth had sent him. It was a picture of Parth and Sanyukta lying in bed. The blanket had covered their bodies, but it was easy to make out that Parth was shirtless. She was fast asleep, whereas Parth's arm was raised above them, as he took the picture.
He had written: things that are meant to be will always come together... you backed out from the plan Randhir, I haven't. She came running to me for one night. Don't believe me? See for yourself. ; )
Randhir nearly smashed the glass between his fingers as that horrid picture flashed in his mind.
He needed to take out his anger somewhere, he needed to get over it... he needed to take revenge. So he called Ishika to his place and asked her to take care of Somya.
Ishika was a close friend to him and he didn't ever want to hurt her, so he told her that he was going to sleep with a girl. Ishika told him many times to not do it and how he'd regret it later, but he was stubborn. He had already made up his mind. He left the house and made his way towards the bar.
Now he was here, drinking glass after glass of whiskey, trying to get so drunk that he would be able to forget the pain that she had brought him.
"I don't want to believe it," he muttered under his breath, and then turned around, feeling the effect of the alcohol.
He saw a very beautiful girl. She resembled Sanyukta.
He took her hand in his and rubbed it, as the girl looked at him with shock.
"What are you doing?" the girl asked, sounding surprised.
"I don't want to believe that you would do such a thing Sanyukta," he told her. "I came here to betray you just like you betrayed me... but why can't I even step towards another girl? Please tell me it's all a lie."
"Uh... look... I am not Sanyukta," the girl said, trying to remove her hand from his, but he held on more tightly.
"I love you Sanyukta... why did you hurt me? How can you hurt me?" he voiced out loud, tears filling his eyes. "All I did was want to love you."
Just then, someone reached over their interlocked hands and broke them apart. Randhir looked up to see her, his Sanyukta. Unmistakably his.
She was glaring at him angrily and Randhir wondered if he was dreaming.
Perhaps he was... and for some reason, even if she was here to hurt him some more, he didn't want to wake up from this precious dream.
78
Even today, he could get lost in her chocolate brown eyes which were shaped like almonds. Her silky, long hair - even today, he wished to run his fingers through them and bury his nose between the soft strands of her hair, smelling her shampoo. He wanted to caress her soft skin and kiss her pink lips. Despite knowing how she hurt him.
"What is your problem?" she yelled, but Randhir was too lost in her to react.
She was beautiful.
"Randhir, I'm talking to you!" she screamed.
He still didn't respond - a small smile played on his lips as he watched her nose flare with anger. She was so cute.
If he wasn't drunk, perhaps he would react differently, but today all he saw was a beautiful woman. A beautiful lady who he never wanted to forget.
"Are you Sanyukta?" the girl whose hand he had previously been holding said.
"Yes," Sanyukta spat angrily, she was not happy with the girl either.
"He was holding my hand and saying your name... he thought I was you. The guy's gone crazy," the girl said, then she picked up her clutch and left from the bar.
Sanyukta grabbed Randhir's arm and tried to pull him up, but he was too heavy.
"L - leave me," he said, slurring his words. "I want more drinksss."
Sanyukta grabbed the glass he was holding and placed it on the table out of his reach.
"Come with me," she told him. "I'll give you more."
Of course, Sanyukta's was not referring to more drinks. She was about to give him hell, and he was about to wish that he had never been born.
"Promise?" he asked softly, looking up into her eyes.
"Yes, I promise," she said, and he got up, stumbling as she dragged him out of the bar and towards her car.
"You always break your promises," he mumbled, "Every time."
She felt a horrible ache in her heart when he said that, because she knew that somewhere it was true... however, right now he was doing no less.
"Please be quiet or I'll lose all my patience," she snapped, as she slid him into the passenger's seat and buckled his seatbelt.
"Sanyuktaaa," he said as her hair fell over his face. "Don't come so close to me."
"Trust me that isn't my intention right now," she told him bluntly, before closing his side of the door and getting into the driver's seat.
Randhir leaned against the window as she drove him, his eyes closed. Once in a while he would say her name, in almost a longing tone, but then he would go back to just keeping quiet.
Once they got home, Sanyukta helped him get out of the car.
"Shh be quiet," Sanyukta muttered, hoping that Ishika had already put Somya to bed.
To her relief, the whole way to their room was clear.
Sanyukta lay Randhir on the bed, took his shoes off, and pulled the covers to his chin. His snores filled the room immediately.
She closed the door behind them and then sat against the wall, placing her head in her hands, wondering where she had gone wrong.
"Why would you do this to me Randhir?" she whispered out loud, as the first tears invaded her eyes.
Oh how badly she wanted it to be a lie.
She parked outside the nightclub and squeezed her eyes shut. Did this mean that she didn't trust her husband? Weren't these doubts what ended their relationship six years ago?
Was history truly repeating itself?
Sanyukta took a deep breath.
Yes, she was not trusting her husband. She accepted it. It would kill her if she remained still right now.
So she turned off the engine and ran towards the nightclub, horribly dressed for this kind of place. She was in a simple salwar suit.
Sanyukta noticed the odd looks that everyone gave her, but she ignored them. She ran towards the main doors, where the bouncer was asking for cash. She took out a thousand rupee note from her wallet and shoved it in his hand before running inside to look for her husband.
"Where are you Randhir?" she muttered out loud, desperately hoping that she wouldn't be able to find him. "You aren't here right? Please tell me you aren't here."
He was here.
Sanyukta saw him at the bar, holding the hand of another girl.
Her hands balled into fists as she charged towards them, anger taking over her senses.
77
Randhir was sitting at a bar, drinking lots of whiskey, trying to get drunk, to forget her beautiful face. He had done this before, many years ago, but he never got drunk enough to forget her.
He would forget the whole world, but would remember her.
"Sanyukta," he said, looking at the glass of whiskey, "Sanyuktaaa... how could you do this to me?"
Why did he not believe it? Why was he having a hard time trusting something that had been proven to him.
He couldn't get over the text message that Parth had sent him. It was a picture of Parth and Sanyukta lying in bed. The blanket had covered their bodies, but it was easy to make out that Parth was shirtless. She was fast asleep, whereas Parth's arm was raised above them, as he took the picture.
He had written: things that are meant to be will always come together... you backed out from the plan Randhir, I haven't. She came running to me for one night. Don't believe me? See for yourself. ; )
Randhir nearly smashed the glass between his fingers as that horrid picture flashed in his mind.
He needed to take out his anger somewhere, he needed to get over it... he needed to take revenge. So he called Ishika to his place and asked her to take care of Somya.
Ishika was a close friend to him and he didn't ever want to hurt her, so he told her that he was going to sleep with a girl. Ishika told him many times to not do it and how he'd regret it later, but he was stubborn. He had already made up his mind. He left the house and made his way towards the bar.
Now he was here, drinking glass after glass of whiskey, trying to get so drunk that he would be able to forget the pain that she had brought him.
"I don't want to believe it," he muttered under his breath, and then turned around, feeling the effect of the alcohol.
He saw a very beautiful girl. She resembled Sanyukta.
He took her hand in his and rubbed it, as the girl looked at him with shock.
"What are you doing?" the girl asked, sounding surprised.
"I don't want to believe that you would do such a thing Sanyukta," he told her. "I came here to betray you just like you betrayed me... but why can't I even step towards another girl? Please tell me it's all a lie."
"Uh... look... I am not Sanyukta," the girl said, trying to remove her hand from his, but he held on more tightly.
"I love you Sanyukta... why did you hurt me? How can you hurt me?" he voiced out loud, tears filling his eyes. "All I did was want to love you."
Just then, someone reached over their interlocked hands and broke them apart. Randhir looked up to see her, his Sanyukta. Unmistakably his.
She was glaring at him angrily and Randhir wondered if he was dreaming.
Perhaps he was... and for some reason, even if she was here to hurt him some more, he didn't want to wake up from this precious dream.
78
Even today, he could get lost in her chocolate brown eyes which were shaped like almonds. Her silky, long hair - even today, he wished to run his fingers through them and bury his nose between the soft strands of her hair, smelling her shampoo. He wanted to caress her soft skin and kiss her pink lips. Despite knowing how she hurt him.
"What is your problem?" she yelled, but Randhir was too lost in her to react.
She was beautiful.
"Randhir, I'm talking to you!" she screamed.
He still didn't respond - a small smile played on his lips as he watched her nose flare with anger. She was so cute.
If he wasn't drunk, perhaps he would react differently, but today all he saw was a beautiful woman. A beautiful lady who he never wanted to forget.
"Are you Sanyukta?" the girl whose hand he had previously been holding said.
"Yes," Sanyukta spat angrily, she was not happy with the girl either.
"He was holding my hand and saying your name... he thought I was you. The guy's gone crazy," the girl said, then she picked up her clutch and left from the bar.
Sanyukta grabbed Randhir's arm and tried to pull him up, but he was too heavy.
"L - leave me," he said, slurring his words. "I want more drinksss."
Sanyukta grabbed the glass he was holding and placed it on the table out of his reach.
"Come with me," she told him. "I'll give you more."
Of course, Sanyukta's was not referring to more drinks. She was about to give him hell, and he was about to wish that he had never been born.
"Promise?" he asked softly, looking up into her eyes.
"Yes, I promise," she said, and he got up, stumbling as she dragged him out of the bar and towards her car.
"You always break your promises," he mumbled, "Every time."
She felt a horrible ache in her heart when he said that, because she knew that somewhere it was true... however, right now he was doing no less.
"Please be quiet or I'll lose all my patience," she snapped, as she slid him into the passenger's seat and buckled his seatbelt.
"Sanyuktaaa," he said as her hair fell over his face. "Don't come so close to me."
"Trust me that isn't my intention right now," she told him bluntly, before closing his side of the door and getting into the driver's seat.
Randhir leaned against the window as she drove him, his eyes closed. Once in a while he would say her name, in almost a longing tone, but then he would go back to just keeping quiet.
Once they got home, Sanyukta helped him get out of the car.
"Shh be quiet," Sanyukta muttered, hoping that Ishika had already put Somya to bed.
To her relief, the whole way to their room was clear.
Sanyukta lay Randhir on the bed, took his shoes off, and pulled the covers to his chin. His snores filled the room immediately.
She closed the door behind them and then sat against the wall, placing her head in her hands, wondering where she had gone wrong.
"Why would you do this to me Randhir?" she whispered out loud, as the first tears invaded her eyes.
79
The next morning when she woke up, still against the wall, with dried up tears on her cheeks, her eyes landed on Randhir before anything else.
He was still sleeping.
Sanyukta desperately wanted to believe that last night was a dream, a horrible dream... that Randhir really hadn't gone to a nightclub to get a girl, to cheat on her, but she knew that the reality was that he had.
She couldn't help but wonder why - was there something she was missing? Was he tired of her? How could that be possible when she knew he loved her so much... or was all of that just her imagination?
Sanyukta slowly stood up and went into the bathroom, before turning on the shower. She removed her clothes and stood under the freezing cold water, trying to numb her body... perhaps, it would numb her broken heart as well.
Her body went numb after a few moments, but her heart was still beating, still hurting. Her love was not dying. Her breaths were not slowing. Her memories were still vivid.
"Why," was all she said, over and over again, with chattering teeth.
Finally turning off the water, she stepped out of the shower shivering. Drying herself with a towel, she entered their room again. Sanyukta slowly dressed herself, while Randhir stirred in bed.
She had to wake up Somya, but today was the weekend. Somya would be home today. Today she was allowed to sleep in.
Randhir's eyes opened just as she finished zipping up the zipper on the back of her kurti top.
His eyes landed on her, and he looked at her with shock.
"What are you doing here?" he asked her, almost accusingly, sounding shocked.
It was like she had committed a crime by being there.
80
She had returned early to give him a surprise, but she didn't detect happiness that she had come back early. In fact, he sounded the complete opposite of happy.
"I... I came back early," she told him, lowering her gaze, feeling like a criminal for wanting to surprise him.
"I can see that," he said coldly, getting out of bed. "But why?"
"I finished my work there and you weren't answering your phone so... so I thought I'd surprise you," she mumbled.
"Who gave you permission?" he asked her, his words cold as ice, and she looked up at him with shock.
"Permission?" she asked.
"Yes, if I haven't answered your calls, then that doesn't mean that you can just come into my house whenever you want," he told her, and the remains of her heart shattered as well.
"R - Randhir?" she asked, feeling tears sting her eyes. "What happened? Why are you talking like this?"
Why did she feel bad? Why was she feeling guilty? Why wasn't she yelling at him for almost cheating on her last night? Why was she keeping quiet and just taking in everything he was saying?
Was she really at fault?
"I am not answerable to you. I don't want to talk to you. Now please, pack your bags and leave," he told her coldly.
"L - leave?" she repeated, as tears fell from her eyes. "What are you saying?"
"Have you gone deaf?" he asked her harshly, and she started to shake from the severe blow of his words.
"Randhir, I can't leave," she gasped. "We have a child, Somya... how can I just leave? Let's - let's talk about it."
"Take Somya and get lost," Randhir spat then grabbed his towel from the wardrobe and disappeared into the bathroom.
Sanyukta stood there shaking as he closed the door behind him.
81
Sanyukta lifted her arm so she could hold on to the wall for support, because her legs were about to betray her.
Randhir had just asked her to leave. How could he do that? She couldn't leave. It wasn't that easy. She had to figure out what happened. If she made a mistake, she would rectify it.
But what had she done?
Sanyukta tried to remember... he was fine before she went to the farewell party. It was only the next day that he stopped receiving her calls. What happened overnight for him to change his mind about her?
Randhir came out of the bathroom, his towel wrapped around his waist, and as his eyes landed on her, he looked angry.
"Didn't I tell you I don't want to see your face anymore?" he spat.
Sanyukta approached him slowly, reaching out to touch him, but he walked the opposite direction.
"Don't you dare come close to me," he warned.
"Randhir, please tell me what I've done," she begged, fresh tears filling her eyes. "Please Randhir."
"Disgusting," Randhir muttered under his breath. "Stop wasting my time and leave."
"No! I'm not going anywhere," she replied painfully. "I'm not leaving... you can't force me to leave."
Randhir grabbed his clothes from his wardrobe and disappeared into the bathroom again. Sanyukta's heart stung because he didn't even find it appropriate to get dressed in front of her anymore.
Why had she turned into a stranger for him all of a sudden?
When he reappeared, all dressed up, he walked up to her and grabbed her wrist tightly, causing her to gasp.
"No Randhir," she warned. "Don't do this."
He had already started walking to the door, not saying a word or even sparing her a glance.
"If Somya sees, it'll hurt her. At least for her sake stop," she begged.
He didn't stop.
She was shaking as he wrapped his hand around the doorknob and opened the door.
As he was about to drag her towards the stairs, she squeezed her eyes shut before painfully telling him, "Randhir, I'm pregnant."
Those words acted like magic - for he had not only stopped in his tracks, but he had softened his grip on her wrist, and instead of dragging her away, he had pulled her back inside their room and locked the door.
"What?" he then asked, almost with disbelief.
She looked into his shocked eyes with her tear-filled ones and nodded slowly.
Financial markets and global economy
Book Talk
Sensational South
Bigg Boss 19
