"Button," Ranvijay said, wearing his shirt while eyeing Sanyukta, who was packing their clothes for the night stay.
"T-shirt pehn lijiye, please," she mocked with a playful smile.
"Thik hai, mei jaa hi nahi raha. Mat kar," he retorted, preparing to remove his shirt. Sanyukta rolled her eyes at his antics but stopped him with a sigh.
"Aaj mere ghar jaana hai, toh jaan bujh ke mujhe pareshan kar rahe ho, na?" she asked, buttoning up his shirt, her fingers working with precision.
"Tera ghar toh yahi hai ab," he responded casually, flicking her forehead lightly. "This is your permanent address now, Mrs. Sanyukta Ranvijay Shekhwat."
Sanyukta hissed at the sudden flick, her cheeks flushing with affection. He smirked, watching her reaction. "Samjhi biwi?" he teased, raising an eyebrow.
She nodded, playing along. "Samjh gayi hoon, aur mujhe pata hai ki agar kisi cheez ke liye mana karungi, toh aap 'mein nahi jaa raha' kar doge."
Ranvijay laughed heartily. "Such an intelligent wife I have," he said, patting her cheek affectionately. She giggled at his playful tone, enjoying the lightness between them.
"Yeh jutte...," Ranvijay said, pointing at his shoes with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Maarne hai kya?" she asked, hands on her hips, giving him a sassy look. He raised his eyebrows in amusement, clearly entertained by her daring attitude.
"Jail jaana hai kya? Domestic violence ka tagda case file karunga tere upar," he shot back with a grin as he wore his shoes.
Sanyukta smirked. "Kar do case file, mei nahi darti. Aise vakil toh maine bohot dekhe hain," she replied confidently.
Suddenly, Ranvijay got up and, with a swift motion, pulled her closer, twisting her hand behind her back. She laughed, caught off guard by the unexpected move.
He applied a little more pressure, and she winced slightly. "Ab kon kar raha hai violence, haan?" she asked, her voice teasing but laced with a hint of discomfort.
Ranvijay leaned in, his lips brushing near her ear. "Main aur bhi bohot kuch kar sakta hoon biwi ," he whispered, sending a chill down her spine, her body reacting involuntarily to his closeness.
She inhaled deeply, closing her eyes for a moment, turning her face away as a flush of warmth spread across her cheeks. She understood the double meaning in his words, her heart racing with the unspoken intensity between them.
Ranvijay placed a soft peck on her nose, turning her face gently back toward him. She smiled at his tender gesture, though her pulse was still quick from his previous words.
"Late ho rahe hain hum log," she whispered, trying to regain her composure, her heart beating erratically as he held her gaze, his fingers intertwining with hers.
"Sanyukta..." he husked, his breath fanning across her face, sending another wave of warmth through her. "Tum kharaab kar rahi ho," he added in his deep voice, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Mere jutte..." he added teasingly, and his laughter echoed in the room as he saw the shocked expression on her face.
She stepped back, realizing she had been standing on his shoes the whole time. Her eyes widened, and she shook her head, a mix of embarrassment and exasperation flashing across her face.
"Chale, ma'am, agar aap ka chupke se blush karna ho gaya ho toh..." he teased, his voice dripping with sarcasm. She took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure before she turned to him, handing him the bag.
"Do your husband's duty now," she said, her voice trying to sound casual, though she couldn't fully mask the flush on her cheeks.
. "Main toh abhi wahi kar raha tha... you know, husband's duty, to satisfy..." he trailed off with a smirk on his face , his voice low and full of implication.
Sanyukta slapped his cheek lightly in shock, her eyes widening at his audacity. "Kuch nahi ho sakta aapka," she muttered, walking out of the room, though her heart was racing.
"Akele ka nahi ho sakta lekin hum saath mein kuch try karein toh kuch ho sakta hai..." Ranvijay said with a smirk, following her as she groaned at his flirtatious remarks.
She knew she could never win against him, especially when he was in one of his witty, teasing moods. So, instead of arguing, she chose to stay silent, her face still slightly flushed from his playful words.
---
She met everyone before leaving, but the moment Aarvi saw them leaving with Avu, she started crying.
She had become so attached to him in just a few days.
"Chachuuu... merkoo aanaa haiiii..." Aarvi sobbed, tears streaming down her face.
Anjali quickly scooped her into her arms, trying to calm her down. "Noo, Aarvi... jaane do chachu chachi ko. I promise, mei aur Daddy aapko drive pe leke chalege , baby..." she said softly, comforting the little one.
"Nooo... I want to go with Avuuu..." Aarvi cried harder, her voice full of distress.
Ranvijay smiled at Aarvi’s attachment, and without hesitation, he reached out to take her from Anjali. "Come, my princess," he said, lifting Aarvi into his arms. "Bhabhi, aap iski 2 dresses laake do," he added, turning to Sanyukta .
"But Ranvijay..." Anjali started to protest, but before she could say more, Sanyukta gently held her hand, stopping her.
"Bhabhi, aane dijiye... I will take care of her," Sanyukta said, her voice filled with sincerity.
"I know... I trust you with her, Sanyukta, but vo pareshan karegi tumhe udhar..." Anjali said, a concerned look in her eyes as she gazed at her daughter, who was still clinging to Ranvijay like a koala.
"Asa kuch nahi hai... aap mujhe uski dress de dijiye," Sanyukta reassured her, her voice calm and confident.
Anjali nodded, still watching her daughter as she reluctantly let her go. Aarvi clung tighter to Ranvijay, but Sanyukta gently took her dress and got ready to head out.
The drive to Sanyukta's home was filled with a light atmosphere, as Avu and Aarvi played with each other, listening to the rhyming songs that played in the car. The kids were distracted, but Sanyukta's thoughts kept drifting toward Ranvijay.
She glanced over at him, noting how his irritation with the traffic seemed to only add to his charm. With his jaw clenched and his hand on the steering wheel, he looked irresistibly handsome. The way he exuded confidence made it hard for her to look away.
"Yeh jo narrow lanes hain, tum logo ko bhi yahi jagah mili thi ghar banane ke liye..." he muttered, his frustration evident. "It feels like a tunnel..."
Sanyukta chuckled softly at his words, the usual sarcastic edge in his voice that she had come to adore. "Issi lane mein hai yeh itni bheed... aage nahi hai," she teased him lightly.
Ranvijay scoffed in response, shaking his head as if not believing that the narrow, crowded streets were his fate for the moment.
Soon, they reached her home, and Ranvijay finally let out a sigh of relief. He grabbed Avu and Aarvi in his arms and walked towards the entrance, his stride relaxed now that the drive was over.
Sanyukta followed behind, her heart warmed by the sight of him. It was clear—no matter how chaotic things got, with Ranvijay by her side, everything seemed to settle into place.
The Singh family was eagerly waiting for them and warmly welcomed them inside.
"Aree, mere bache ko kya hua?" Sudhesh ji asked with a smile, taking Avu into her arms and kissing her all over her face.
"Huttt ho gyaaa, naniii... but Daddy said I'm stonggg like Simbaaaa!" Avu grinned, making everyone chuckle at his adorable antics.
Sanyukta sat beside Pankaj, who lovingly kissed her head. "Kesi hai?" he asked, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
"I am happy, Bhaiii," Sanyukta said, and her eyes flickered briefly toward Ranvijay, who was chatting with the kids and making them laugh.
"Acha kiya Aarvi ko bhi le aaye," Sudhesh ji said, kissing Aarvi's head, making the little one smile.
. "Aap kese ho, beta? Aur ghar mein sab kaise hai?" Sudhesh ji inquired Ranvijay.
"I am perfect till now, Maa, aur ghar pe sab thik hai. But let me tell you, aapki beti ne mujhe bohot pareshan kiya hua hai," Ranvijay said, making an innocent face while secretly winking at Sanyukta, who gasped at his playful behavior.
"Sanyuktaaa... bache, kya hai ye sab?" Sudhesh ji frowned, turning to her daughter.
"Maa, maine kuch nahi kiya," Sanyukta protested, glaring at Ranvijay. "Ranvijay, majak mat kijiye."
"Dekhiye Maa, kaise aankhein dikha rahi hai mujhe... par agar main aapko nahi bataunga, toh kis se bolunga?" Ranvijay said, adding more fuel to the fire. Sudhesh ji nodded at him, casting a disappointed look at Sanyukta.
"Beta, batao mujhe, main samjhaungi isse... thodi ziddi hai ye," Sudhesh ji said to Ranvijay, looking at her daughter with concern.
"Maa, ab main itna kaam karta hoon, aaram karne ka bohot kam time milta hai... par ye meri neend ki sabse badi dushman hai. Nobody disturbs me except her," Ranvijay said, playfully complaining to Sudhesh ji, while Sanyukta rolled her eyes at his dramatics.
"Sanyukta beta, ye koi tarika hai? Kyu nahi soone dete unko? Ye bilkul galat hai," Sudhesh ji chided her, making Ranvijay smile with satisfaction.
"Itna hi nahi, Maa, baatein chhupati hai," Ranvijay added, throwing in another mischievous comment.
Sanyukta sighed in disbelief, knowing exactly where this conversation was headed. "Iski taraf se main maafi maangti hoon, beta," Sudhesh ji said apologetically, looking at Ranvijay.
"Aree nahi, nahi Maa, you don't have to say sorry. Aap bas isko samjha dijiye, I’m sure aapki baat maanegi ye," Ranvijay teased, making Sanyukta groan. He was clearly enjoying the moment, especially knowing how much it annoyed her.
Sanyukta shook her head, her gaze meeting Ranvijay’s with an exasperated look. She knew his mischievous mind all too well.
"Arey Pooja Bhabhi, kesi hai aap? Sanyukta bada yaad karti hai aapko," Ranvijay said with a teasing grin, while Pooja faked a smile, clearly not liking him.
After chatting and laughing, Sudhesh ji, noticing the time, asked Pooja and Nisha to set the dinner, as it was already past 8 pm.
Sanyukta expected to help in the kitchen, but to her surprise, Pooja insisted that she sit and relax while she and Nisha would take care of the preparations.
Sudhesh ji personally served the dinner to Ranvijay, telling him that she had made kheer especially for him, which made him smile. "Thank you, Maa, kheer is my favorite," he said, appreciating her effort.
Pooja came in with the bowl of kheer for Ranvijay and handed it to Sudhesh ji. After dinner, Ranvijay shared a drink or two with Pankaj and Sudheer, diving into a lively discussion about politics, while Sanyukta sat with her mother and the kids, enjoying the calm and warmth of the evening.
The house was filled with laughter, chatter, and the comforting hum of family—a perfect moment for Sanyukta to enjoy the simple joy of being surrounded by loved ones, even as Ranvijay continued his playful teasing, keeping her on her toes.
After a while, Ranvijay began to feel uneasy, and Sanyukta quickly escorted him upstairs to her room. She handed him his clothes, and he entered the washroom to freshen up. However, she soon heard him vomiting, which made her tense with worry.
"Kya hua? Thik hai aap?" she asked, concern evident in her voice, as he stepped out of the washroom.
"Pata nahi... ajeeb sa lag raha hai... I even vomited..." he said, looking pale and exhausted.
"Pina jaruri tha kya?" she asked gently, offering him a glass of water.
"Tumhare Bhai ne insist kiya toh maine le liya..." he replied, taking a few sips of water.
He then laid down on the bed while Sanyukta folded his clothes neatly, still keeping an eye on him. "Mei Maa ke paas jaa rahi hu... kuch chaiye ho toh call kar lena," she said, about to leave the room.
"Ek nimbu paani laa de..." he requested weakly, and she nodded.
Sanyukta went to the kitchen to prepare fresh nimbu paani. Just as she finished, she heard a small voice behind her.
"Chachiiii... mujhe washroom jana haiiiii," Aarvi said, looking at her with big, innocent eyes. Sanyukta smiled and helped her to the washroom in her mother's room, taking care of her little needs and even changing her clothes.
Afterward, Aarvi joined the other kids, and Sanyukta took the nimbu paani upstairs to Ranvijay. As she entered the room, she heard him vomiting again. Her heart sank as she saw him step out of the washroom, looking even more exhausted. His eyes were red, and his hair was disheveled. The sight worried her more than before.
"Jayda tabiyat khrab hai kya?" she asked, handing him the nimbu paani.
"I don't know... my head feels heavy, and I’m vomiting continuously..." he said, his voice hoarse.
"Have this nimbu paani... better feel hoga. Let me give you some medicine too," she suggested, and he nodded weakly.
After taking the medicine and sipping the nimbu paani, Ranvijay laid back on the bed. Sanyukta sat by his side, gently pressing his head. But it was hardly five minutes before he got up again and rushed to the washroom.
Sanyukta immediately followed him, anxiety rising as she saw him vomit again, his body wracked with discomfort. She patted his back, her heart breaking at the sight.
Once he finished, he looked at her with hazy eyes, clearly drained.
"Let me ask Bhai to call the doctor," she said, her voice filled with concern, and he nodded, resting his head on her shoulder. She rubbed his back, holding him close in her arms.
After helping him lay back on the bed, she sat beside him and immediately called Pankaj, asking him to get a doctor as soon as possible.
Sudheer, Sudhesh ji, Pooja, and Nisha quickly arrived in the room, all looking worried , when they saw Ranvijay's condition.
"Ekdum se kya ho gaya beta?" Sudhesh ji asked, her voice full of concern.
"Bohot vomiting kar rahe hai... aur sar bhi dard ho raha hai..." Sanyukta informed them, still trying to stay calm.
Pooja smirked internally, but everyone else looked tense, their worry growing by the minute.
Before the doctor arrived, Ranvijay vomited a few more times, leaving Sanyukta on the verge of breaking down. She couldn’t bear seeing him in so much discomfort.
The doctor finally arrived and quickly assessed the situation. He injected Ranvijay, took some blood samples, and attached a saline drip to his hand.
"I guess food poisoning hai... baaki toh reports dekh ke pata lagega," the doctor explained. "Don't give him anything heavy to eat and keep him hydrated. Paani ya juice dete rahiye," he prescribed, offering some much-needed advice.
Ranvijay finally dozed off, his body exhausted but feeling a bit more relaxed under the effects of the medication.
Sanyukta looked at her mother, who was still incredibly worried. "Maa, Avu aur Aarvi..." she said softly, glancing at the other kids.
"Mei dhyan rakh lungi beta... tu bas Ranvijay ka khayal rakh. Kuch bhi chahiye toh hume bata dena," Sudhesh ji reassured her before leaving the room with Sudheer and Pankaj.
Sanyukta remained by Ranvijay’s side, her worry not fully eased, but knowing that he would rest for now. She stroked his hair gently, praying that he would recover soon.
Sanyukta gently caressed Ranvijay’s hair, tears silently falling from her eyes as she gazed at his pale and exhausted face. The sight of him in so much discomfort broke her heart.
Mei hi jabardasti laayi thi idhar... pata nahi kya ho gaya achanak se, she thought, her lips brushing against his head in a soft, soothing kiss.
Unable to bear seeing him in this state, she laid down beside him, covering both of them with the blanket. His breathing was slow and labored, and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt deep within her.
As he stirred in his sleep, she gently held him, mindful of the saline drip attached to the back of his hand. He opened his eyes with difficulty, his face contorting in pain as he scrunched his nose. His gaze met hers, and despite his weakness, he smiled faintly.
"Kuch chaiye?" Sanyukta asked softly, cupping his face, her eyes filled with worry and tenderness.
"No... my head feels heavy..." he muttered weakly, his voice barely audible.
Without hesitation, she shifted closer, carefully sliding her arm under his head and resting it on her chest. She held his saline-attached hand with the utmost care, ensuring it wouldn’t move in his sleep.
Ranvijay smiled weakly, his eyes closing again in exhaustion. Sanyukta, with great affection, began massaging his scalp gently, her fingers weaving through his disheveled hair. She continued until he drifted back into a deep slumber, his breathing becoming steady once more.
Sanyukta stayed awake, watching over him as the saline drip slowly emptied. Her heart ached, but she knew she had to stay alert. When it was finally finished, she carefully removed the needle from his hand , taking care not to cause him any discomfort.
He stirred slightly, but thankfully didn’t wake up. Sanyukta smiled softly, kissing his head, noticing how he had unwittingly caged her under him, his body nestled so securely against hers.
She didn’t realize when sleep finally took over her, her eyes closing as she continued to caress his head, lost in the serenity of the moment. She admired his peaceful face, the worry and exhaustion from earlier replaced by a quiet calmness. In that moment, all she could do was be there for him, holding him close.
The next morning,
Sudhesh ji knocked softly on the door, wanting to check on Ranvijay's condition. When she received no response even after a few knocks, she hesitated for a moment before gently pushing the door open.
What she saw inside was enough to make her face flush with warmth, but at the same time, her heart felt contented. Ranvijay was still asleep, nestled comfortably in Sanyukta's arms. Sanyukta had her arms protectively wrapped around him, and he was lying with his face buried against her chest, both of them tangled in the covers in an intimate yet peaceful way.
Sudhesh ji quickly averted her gaze, not wanting to intrude on their quiet moment. She couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction, knowing how deeply they cared for each other. With a soft smile, she quietly left the room, deciding not to disturb them.
As she left, her thoughts were filled with happiness for her daughter. It was clear that Sanyukta had found someone who made her feel loved and secure, and that thought comforted Sudhesh ji as she went about her day.
She got Avu and Aarvi ready and made sure they had their milk, all the while keeping her usual cheerful demeanor.
"Dadyyyyy ke paas janaaa hai," Avu announced, eager to see his father.
Sudhesh ji smiled warmly. "Par mujhe laga ki Avu aur Aarvi mere saath mandir jaayege... nahi chalna kya?" she asked, wondering if the kids would prefer to accompany her.
Their faces lit up with excitement as they heard about going to the temple. Both squealed with joy and eagerly agreed, and Sudhesh ji took the kids with her to the nearby mandir.
Meanwhile, in the room upstairs, Sanyukta woke up to the sounds of chirping birds and the commotion downstairs. She glanced at the clock and saw it was already 7:30 AM. Looking to her side, she saw Ranvijay, still fast asleep and practically crushing her under him. Her cheeks flushed at the intimate position they were in.
She tried to free herself, but he snuggled more into her, clearly disturbed by her movements. Her heart raced as she felt his breath against her chest.
Knowing she had to wake him to free herself, she softly whispered, "Ranvijay," patting his back. He only groaned in response, clearly unwilling to wake up.
"Subh ho gayi... uthiye," she tried again, gently caressing his hair, but he didn't respond.
"Thik hai, aap so jaye... but leave me at least," she said, trying to push him away. He hissed, rolling over to the other side and grabbing the pillow, clearly wanting to sleep some more.
Sanyukta smiled in amusement but let out a sigh as she decided to take a bath. After a warm shower, she felt more relaxed and got ready for the day.
When she returned, she sat next to Ranvijay, gently patting his cheek. "Ranvijay... ab kaisa lag raha hai?" she asked softly, combing his hair back with her fingers.
He just hummed in response, clearly still exhausted.
"Come on, get up then... hume apne ghar bhi toh jaana hai," she said, trying to wake him up again.
Finally, he opened his eyes, letting out a sigh. "Pehle yaha aana tha, ab tujhe yaha aake bhi problem hai... chahti kya hai yaar tu?" he asked, stretching his arms.
Sanyukta chuckled, "Haan toh, mil liye na ab hum log... ab jaana bhi toh hai." She pinched his nose, and he swatted her hand away irritably.
After a bit more playful banter, Sanyukta managed to get him out of bed. She went downstairs to prepare some light breakfast for him, including juice and sandwiches.
Ranvijay came down soon after, looking more awake but still a bit sluggish. Avu immediately leapt into his arms, making him chuckle. He sat down, holding both Avu and Aarvi in his lap, tickling them and asking about their day.
As the kids ran off to play with the others, Sanyukta served Ranvijay his breakfast. He looked at the glass of juice, frowning. "Ye kya hai? I need coffee," he said, not particularly impressed.
"You are not well, so you will get this only," Sanyukta replied firmly, sitting beside him to have her own breakfast.
"Mei nahi khaa raha ye sab," Ranvijay muttered, but Sanyukta didn't back down.
"Ranvijay, doctor ne kaha hai light cheeze dene ko... kyu pareshan kar rahe ho mujhe?" she said, her tone patient but firm.
He sighed. "Thik hai, tum khaa lo... mein ghar jaake khaa lunga kuch," he grumbled, trying to get up. But she stopped him, holding his hand.
"Mei bana rahi hu coffee," she said, getting up to prepare it. He nodded in resignation, leaning back in the chair.
Just then, Pankaj and Sudheer entered the room, both asking how Ranvijay was feeling. Sudhesh ji, always the loving mother, circled his head with dry red chilies to ward off the evil eye. Ranvijay smiled at her antics, clearly amused.
Sanyukta returned with his coffee, handing it to him with a sigh knowing how stubborn he is . As Sudhesh ji finished with the chilies, Pooja entered the kitchen, but as soon as the smell of the red chilies hit her, she began coughing uncontrollably.
She hurried out of the kitchen, but in her haste, she slipped on the mat and fell with a loud thud. Everyone gasped in shock as Sudheer rushed to help her. Pooja cried out in pain as her foot swelled up quickly.
Sudheer immediately sprayed her foot with pain relief spray and bandaged it.
Ranvijay couldn't help but smirk as he sipped his coffee. "Karma is a bitch after all," he thought, remembering how Pooja had spiked his kheer the previous night, separating his portion from the rest. It didn't take him time to know what might have happened to cause him this level of discomfort.
The family bid their goodbyes, and Sanyukta and Ranvijay finally left after a long but eventful morning.
Write a comment ...