"We alone cannot do this Sanyukta... It's not like refusing a candy or some pizza order... IT's actually informing others that you two don't matter to each other..." Sahil justified...
Sanyukta looked at him in disbelief...Why do all such cranky situations land up in her kitty...Why can't there be an end to a simple thing... Will it end once it comes to page 3 ?... She should actually hire some gossip magazine writer and pour down the news of her break up with the devil into tabloid like the celebrities did... being Falcon she could be considered as a celebrity, couldn't she ?...
Sanyukta crossed her arms... giving Sahil last look...just in case his sane mind helped him to think...Gaining no response and a poker expression from his side she clutched her handbag...
"I don't want to see him..." came her sharp words.
So she did the only thing that could guarantee a devil free life...She then left the den.
***
An unknown number flashed on Karan's phone... Quiet surprised by the timing he picked up at second ring.
"Karan...in case anybody comes asking about me...just tell them I'm out of town" came Sanyukta's calm voice.
"Sanyukta baby how are you, last time we talked you were crying like the Niagara falls" he said concerned.
"Am fine, don't worry" she replied
"Ok... if you say so..." He said not fully convinced. But he knew better thanto insist, if anything she would only snap at him... she will talk to him when she will be ready.
"Ok...But where are you?" he added.
"Humm...Just out of town...I need some time alone... Don't worry about me...i'll be fine" she answered.
"Ok take care baby doll" he said.
"Yeah sure, you too and take care of my baby ! ...I will call you if I need anything" she cut off the line...
***
Sanyukta steered into the highway passing a milestone stating : 25 kms to Lokhandwala. She needed some time out of all this ruckus...
She need time ...and she needed space !
...Things were getting out of hands. She wanted to be alone for some time. ...Totally alone...with herself ! Yes, right now a tte--tte with herself sounded so romantic ! She would take herself out for dinner, she will buy herself a nice and colorful bouquet of flower on the way, she will NOT share her popcorn while watching a movie...hmmm yeah that sounded like a plan ! Only her, her and herself !
...Then later on she would paint her nails rainbow colors... make cookies... sing while taking a bath... then may be read some interesting chick flick over a cup of coffee... And for once feel like a normal human being with a life ! ...She told herself !
Night sky peeped through the dense trees along the road...She parked near a cottage and checked in to her custom accommodation...Finallyalone !
***
Randhir arrived on the table which looked more silent than usual... Vidhushi looked at his confused and couldn't help but put forward, "Where's Sanyukta?"
Randhir looked up to meet her eyes.
Sahil gulped down his bite and nodded in negative... "Hummm... I think she left..." he said quietly.
"She left ?!!" he exclaimed in surprise. "And you didn't stop her ?" he asked Sahil.
"Well... she wanted to... hummm" Sahil didn't know how to finish his sentence without being murdered by his boss.
"She what ?!" barked Randhir getting impatient.
"She wanted to go away...from you..." he said in a low voice no meeting his boss' eyes.
Randhir went silent at his words. ...Stupid irritating woman ! he cursed her in his mind. Could not do one thing straight !!!
"May be we should look for her if we don't want the history to repeat..." Sahil then added, referring to Sameer's kidnapping fiasco.
Foolish woman ! ... Didn't she remembered that her life was in danger ?!... He wanted nothing else to strangle the blasted woman... she had took his peace from the day she entered his life...He clenched his fist.
Leaving his plate untouched he got up.
"Where are you going?" Parth asked him.
"I know where she might be..."
"Shall we come...?" Vidhushi asked softly, asking his boss if he needed assistance.
"No..." saying that he left.
***
When he had heard her phone conversation earlier in the day, he had lost it, literally. He had lost it...and leashed out on her. He had been harsh on her he knew, uttering those really mean words... but it was very little in front of what he had felt. ...Because yes, at that moment he had felt something... something he had blocked out long ago... He had felt pain... he had felt hurt...and in seconds the hurt turned into fury... and he wanted to inflict her the same pain she had put him through... he wanted to see her suffer...
It's only when he returned to his room that he questioned his actions. On the moment, the emotions had blinded him so much that he didn't thought about what he was doing... he just reacted out of instinct. But once back in his room, reality of what had happened downed on him... and then the ultimate question raised : why the f*cking hell had he reacted that way ?... why what she did mattered ?... the answer was simple... simple but alarming... he didn't know if he wanted the answer to the question... but he knew that ignoring or disregarding the matter won't help either... hehad to face it. He had to admit it.
From the moment she entered his life, everything went upside down. She came like a tornado and destroyed everything... some days ago he might had thought that it was a bad thing... But not today... for the first time he was seeing it from a different angle... yes the tornado had destroyed everything... but only for a new and fresh start. He sighed.
He had felt different in her presence, she had shown care toward him something no one did without a purpose. Yet she had cared for him... just a tiny second but she had cared... and she had smiled at him... one little smile but that smile had come from within her heart... solely directed at him... for him. And these small gestures had left a huge impact on him. The bliss he had felt those few seconds... he never wanted it to end.
She had reminded him that he had a heart and he was still human.
She was strong headed, fierce, sexy, stubborn, intelligent, sarcastic, determined, hot... And what not...The woman that he had misunderstood as an egoistic b*tch was actually a caring and loving mother... the woman he had misunderstood as a selfish vixen was actually a caring and loving friend... There was no other like her. She had stirred his curiosity in more than one way. She was so different from him... yet somehow they were so alike. She never took sh*t from anyone... just like him. She was a born leader... just like him. She was determined...just like him. And through these similarities, he had seen himself in her. She was the only one daring enough to stand against him, he chuckled as he recalled it. It was such a turn on, the woman had no idea what she did to him when she said no'. Yes she fascinated him. He knew it...It was past only physical attraction. he knew it...and that was dangerous ! Reallydangerous !
...Because for the first time... for the first time he cared...
Snapping out of it, he came back to the matter at hand, taking his car keys, he dashed out toward his black SUV. The guilt and fear dawned upon him...She was once again, open for the world of crimes to take...She might end up again in troubles..., he thought concerned about her safety. She did what she did, it was really mad at her, and truth to be told, he if he could avoid having to face her right now he would, because his wound were still fresh... he might leash out on her again... how could she ?!!! the question came again at the front. ...But whatever she did, he could not let her getting her hurt... There was still that little part in him that cared... he sighed.
She was a certified trouble maker already ! Pulling his car into her building's driveway he walked out making his way to her apartment...
He noticed the lights were switched off... She might be asleep... Entering her floor he found her door locked...obviously ! He started banging his fist on her door, but no response came. Seems like no one was at home...Randhir made his way towards exit...
Where could she be ?! ...If not here she might be with her...her ...her whatever ! He said thinking abt the guy with whom Sanyukta conversed over the phone...His blood boiling at the mention of the blasted man ! He didn't how he would react if he had him in front of him...
He dialed a number and asked the whereabouts of a certain Tara Aggarwal. Just a minute later, his phone beeped with the address of the little girl. Apparently she was living with her dad...Karan ! ...Wasn't it the name Sanyukta uttered over the phone ? He put two and two together. So the guy with whom she had talked was Tara's father. Randhir's blood boiled.
He always thought that Sanyukta being a mother was a bit weird...but he never actually thought about the father of the girl... and now thinking about it... thinking that she had a relation with someone... no he didn't want to know... he didn't want to think about that... his grip on steering wheel increased as he drove toward the new acquired address.
Seems like he was going to meet the basterd sonner than expected... god save him if he said even one wrong word !
***
Randhir pulled outside Karan's house... The clock showed 10 pm...It had been 2 hours he was away from Den...looking for her...while she might just be enjoying her private moments with her...whatever ! he thought angrily. He just check and leave. That's it... but that couldn't be it ! Not when she was with another man...his fist clenched.
Anger rose in him, ringing the bell for 3rd time his mercury soared higher... Why was it taking so much time...? ...His private moments theory making him restless.
Karan opened 5 minutes later, breathing heavily...only making Randhir rise his brow and scrutinize his antics... why was he breathing heavily ?! thought Randhir, vein popping on his temple.
"Do I know you...?" Karan asked calming his breath...
"Randhir..." he spoke controlling his urge to shove his bullets right into Karan's chest... his fingers were itching to hold his gun.
So this is the guy Sanyukta told him about...hmmm...But before Karan could acknowledge him, Tara came running towards Karan... "Daddy...gotcha..." she announced grabbing her father's leg... "Baby...go to bed... I will be backkk" Kara told her doll...
"Prince..." Tara chipped happily on noticing Randhir at door... While Karan noticed who he was...
Randhir smiled weakly at the little girl.
"Where is mommy Prince...why do you keep her so busy...?" she asked innocently.
Karan bent down and pecked his girl's cheek..."Baby.. prince will send mommy soon...Just go to bed...okay" he shooed her away, glancing back at the men on the doorway.
"Yes daddy..." she nodded and went upstairs...
"Sanyukta isn't here?" He asked in disbelief.
"No..." Karan replied softly admiring Randhir side by side, up and down...Dark brown hair rough style, pretty catchy eyes, straight nose, perfect set of theeth, muscular built, good height... he thought inspecting the merchandise, hmmm everything was at its place, he concluded ! She's got good choice, he had to admit.
"What do you mean?" Randhir words made him come back on earth.
"I mean she isn't here... but don't worry she is safe where she is..." Karan welcomed him in... "She called me sometime ago... She is out of city"
Karan offered him a drink.
"I am not here for chit chat over a cup of tea, just tell me where she is..." he refused rudely.
"Sorry man no can do..." he said eyeing Randhir fist clenching and unclenching...short tempered han. Sanyukta indeed found her match...he chuckled recalling the conversation he had had with her about howinfuriating the guy was.
"Look don't test my patience, tell me now, I need to see her !" he barked, taking out his gun.
At least Sanyukta had not exaggerated on one take, he sure did take out his gun on the smallest thing...
Karan observed his reluctance and rage..."What's the matter...?"
"Nothing..." Randhir said instantly, making Karan suspicious.
Wait ! thought Karan. It was making sense know... !!! Sanyukta had called him in tears...later on she had told him that she was going out of time because she wanted to be alone...and finally this guy came at his place asking for her, looking angry and concerned...the whole situation indicated only toward one thing ! ...They had a fight...Awww thought Karan, the little couple had a fight... Oohhh... he said cooing in his head. These two were way too stubbern for their well being... it seemed like they needed a little push here. And old little Karan uncle was only happy to play cupid !
"Don't tell me you again did something to her...poor girl's gone through enough already... Don't hurt her more..." he said, shaking his head.
"What are you talking about...? and do you mean again ?!" Randhir asked back...this guy was actually telling him to not hurt Sanyukta... who the hell did he think he was ?!!!
"Don't act that way...I know already what's your equation..She's told me much... It seems that she likes you...I hope you didn't mess it again" he talked in riddle...he sure wanted to help but he didn't want Sanyukta to chop off his head when she would learn what he said... he had a life to live !
Randhir was actually confused on what exactly was Karan's point...he was telling him that his wife, or fiance or whatever liked him ?...seriously ?!!! ...and that he should not hurt her...He had heard about open minded people, but that was taking the word a bit too far, wasn't it ?!
"I' m sure the way you're concerned...You like her too" Karan added oblivious to Randhir confusion.
Randhir's eyes widened at his carefree words... "And you have no problem with Sanyukta liking me?" ...Ok that was getting ridiculous first the guy had asked him not to hurt her, then he had told him that Sanyukta may like him... he was totally fine with it. What the bloody hell ?...a rather disturbing thought crossed his mind...may be they were into this weird thing called swingers... No he shook the disconcerting image immediately... open mindness was one thin...swingers was totally another...
"Why would I have problem it's her life..." he said.
Randhir wanted to actually pinch himself, was this all fake because he was actually sitting next to a girl's husband/fiance/boyfriend whom he liked and who apparently liked him back according to her own husband/fiance/boyfreind... and above that he had no problem with that... Has he lost his screws...
Karan was actually confused on Randhir who was putting forward really dumb questions...
"But she's your wife and Tara's mother..." Randhir convinced him again... may be the poor man was diagnosed with amnesia...and he had forgot who Sanyu was to him...
Hearing his words Karan broke into fits of laughter... Poor guy...no wonder he was mean to him from the moment he saw him... he actually thought Sanyukta was his wife and above that he actually was worried for them. Aww he is so cute ! Sanyukta hit the jackpot ! He was really a sweetheart, Karan concluded and calmed his laugh looking at a fully confused Randhir blinking profusely at him.
"Okay...let me clear the mess Sanyukta did..." Karan started... "She isn't my wife and Tara isn't her biological daughter..." he told him
Randhir listened to his with his gaze softening.
"My wife died two years ago..." Karan said uneasily.
"She was Sanyukta'as best friend ...Since then Sanyukta takes care of my daughter as would have done her real mother... if not more" he said with a small smile.
Randhir froze on hearing Karan's words...Relief mixed with guilt washing on him.
He was relieved Sanyukta had no other man in her life...but at the same time guilt consumed him recollecting the harsh words he said...How wrong he did.
f**k. He muttered. He had it all wrong, f**k...double f**k ! ...he had said so much...none of which was true... poor girl... he had put her through hell for no fault of hers...
***
Randhir drove off from Karan's place feeling guilty, yet an unknown satisfaction bestowed upon his soul as his heart wandered to all that happened between them so far... They had come a long way...She did possessed a soft corner for him, he had seen it in her eyes...
He returned back with the clock striking it's needles together... The first thing he needed to do tomorrow morning was look for his Sanyukta.
***
One month later
He kept the coffee mug looking out of the window. After she left he made sure to spend some part of his day in her room... Her fragrance still lingered in the corners... Her cutouts pasted over the cupboard flap.
Randhir hadn't expect her to come back with a bang and jump on his arms... he had hurt her...badly... He had crossed his limits... he could not blame her for leaving with not traces.
He looked for her everywhere, every damn street, every damn house, every damn corner... still he didn't find her, she just disappeared... He wanted her back, he needed her back, he was restless, his thoughts drifting back countless times a day... the distance had made him realize how much she meant to him... and that had scared him. He could not afford where his emotions were taking him...it was madness ! He still had his mission to focus on...
And just like that, a week later he himself stopped chasing her...May be she effectively needed time as Karan said..and giving her space...until then all he did was busy himself up with his mission... the earlier the whole thing was over, the faster he could think about Sanyukta... he had decided that he would not seek her when he was still in this mess... he could not involve her in that... therefore he had devoted all his time his mission... They were not looking for anymore upon Raghav...all they did was bait him and free his captives at times... But today was different, today they were planning big ! They were planning to mark some impact showing their presence in his circuit and the preparations were full on for that.
Today was going to be a big day !
***
A week passed, Sanyukta was still in Lokhandwala.. A month in nirvana was enough to refresh her and now it was time to work...
Sanyukta did manage to transfer the funds back for Monica without alerting Raghav but that didn't stop him or her...
Thinking about Raghav she could not help but think about the other link of the chain...Randhir... all these days away from him... although she had been physically away from him but her thoughts never left him. He had hurt her so much... his words had cut her like a knife ! ...More like an axe...or even better a carpenter's saw...yeah she had totally felt like a wooden piece tortured under the repetitive and sharp back-and-forth of the carpenter's saw... that's how deep the words had sunk.
The bloody criminal and his mood swings... one minute he was cuddling her like a big teddy bear, idlying resting over the comfort of her breast while the other he was calling her characterless... Manner less, insensitive jerk... !!! Thinking more closely, she noticed that most of his reactions were based on instincts...just like animals ! That totally suited him !...He might as well puff out his chest and beat his hands on it while he was at it ! ... stupid monkey !
Sanyukta knew he was soft inside and wore a mask of hardness... He was emotionally vulnerable... she knew he was not that bad ...she knew there was a lot to him...but this time he had crossed the limits and she would be damn if she took the first step... She would rather dance over dead monkeys rather than going to him... he had to learn that everything could not always go his ways.
She looked in the plate in front of her... the half dismembered broccoli was lying there lifeless...she imagined it being Randhir, dismembering him slowly. She wanted to hurt him, the way he had hurt her... a foot here she said pushing a piece on the side... a finger there, pushing another piece...she dived forcefully her fork into the broccoli, aiming at Randhir's eyes. Bang on ! Minus one eye, she said satisfied with her work ! ...but truth to be told, she had been rather lenient and had left him one eye, not making him completely blind...she had such a nice heart...she sighed...even when she was furious at him...she could not make him completely blind.
Finishing her lunch, she tried to drift her thoughts to something else...she switched on the tv... The first thing that caught her attention was the headlines...
"Raghav Ghosh...To be provided with z+ security cover... An appeal has been made to the court... Following the nearly deadly attack upon the Human welfare Minister Mr. Raghav ghosh..."
Sanyukta eyes grew wide at the news...What the boiled macaronis ?!!!
Carefully she searched all the channels looking for bits and pieces in the stories running as a breaking news on the screen... "A shootout that took place last week... Men on a bikes almost shot Raghav ghosh...while he was travelling back from party meeting..."
What the bloody hell !
"Sources claim the attackers were not there to kill anyone... but the authorities denies the facts... calling it a rival party's murder strategy..."
Sanyukta switched off the tv...holding her head in palms...
"I hope it's not Ranhdir..." was the first sentence that escaped her mouth...
"I hope he isn't a part of this..." she brushed her fingers through her hair...in disbelief...what if he was...
***
5 hours passed ever since she heard that news, still leaning over the couch and struggling to find her answers over the ceiling, she could not take it anymore, she needed to know ! ...she decided to call and confirm...
"Sahil...it's me Sanyukta..." She told over the phone...
"Sanyukta..." she could imagine him chipping... "Where have you been?"
"Forget that..." she sighed framing her words... "Please tell me it's not you guys who shot Raghav..." she demanded praying that it will be false.
Sahil gulped at her dominating voice, but she ought to know... "Hmmm it was us actually..." he said confirming her suscpicions.
"what...what is this way to take him down...? what exactly were you thinking...? Who initiated this thought?" she bombarded them with questions... That was not the plan...if there was still a plan...
"Actually we wanted to make an impact...It was Randhir's idea... but it didn't turn as we expected..."
"How can I forget him...Why does he think so high of himself...Where is he...?" she questioned him. She was going to have a word with the devil. He always looked down at her for her so called stupid ideas, his eyes belittling her as if saying "shut up insignificant little worm, your stupid ideas and opinions don't hold any value"... she was going to tell him now who was the insignificant little worm !
"Actually while we shot him one of his guards shot landed on him..." his words caught her attention.
"Whaaat..." Sahil heard her shrill cry over the phone...she yelled at the top of her voice, "How is he??!!!! "
"He got shot in his abdomen...Hopefully the bullet didn't injure his organs. Finally, he is recovering, he was unconscious for 5 days, he came back to his senses just two days ago... He's on bed rest for another week" he informed her.
The line went dead...
***
Sanyukta collapsed on the couch... Tears drenched her cheeks... He was hurt, in pain and unconscious for a week...a bullet had hit him... he could have died... she wanted to go and have a look at him... she needed to check on him...she wanted to scold him for his reckless act... the things she wanted to do to him...
But she was mad at him... she had promised herself not to go...and still her heart pulled her toward him...despite everything that he put her through... she didn't even know if he wanted to see her... but she wanted, needed to see him...to make sure he was ok. Because his safety, his health was more important to her than her ego.
She quickly packed her things and rushed toward her car.