The Mehendi function was in full swing. The air was filled with laughter and joy. Kids were running around, their giggles echoing through the hall, while the ladies played the dholki, singing traditional songs.
Anu and Kirti were busy making reels and capturing every memorable moment of the lively celebration on their phones.
Amidst the cheerful chaos, Anjali sat in one corner, gently feeding Aarvi and Avu. Nearby, Dadi was engrossed in a lively conversation with Roshin’s mother-in-law and the other elderly women, their smiles and laughter adding warmth to the atmosphere.
But Sanyukta, dressed beautifully in a green lehenga, sat quietly in another corner. Her makeup was flawless, her smile radiant, but it was all a façade to hide the storm brewing inside her.
The pain in her heart was too raw to ignore. She hadn’t seen him since their heated altercation, and the memory of her harsh words haunted her. She knew she had hurt him deeply, and that guilt was eating away at her.
“Mummaaaa!” Avu’s excited voice broke her train of thought. She looked at him and smiled, her motherly instincts taking over as she wiped his mouth lovingly.
“Dadyyyy ke paas jaana hai,” Avu pouted, his innocent eyes pleading with her.
Sanyukta’s heart melted at his adorableness. “Dady busy honge kahin abhi, bacha,” she explained softly, brushing his hair back. “Mumma ke paas bhi toh raho, nahi toh Mumma sad feel karegi,” she added, planting a kiss on his tiny palm.
Avu, in his signature dramatic style, hugged her tightly and pecked her cheek, making her smile despite the heaviness in her heart. “Hapyy naww… I’m goinggg to Dadyyy!” he declared, already turning to leave.
Sanyukta gently stopped him, pulling him into her arms. “Avuu, aise nahi jaate akele,” she said, her tone firm yet loving.
“Naiii, jaana hai… Mummaaa,” Avu whined, his little arms flailing as he tried to wiggle free.
“Acha, thik hai,” Sanyukta sighed, giving in. “Rona band karo… be a good boy first, then only Mumma will take you to Dady.”
Her words worked like magic. Avu immediately broke into a wide grin, his dimples deepening as his face lit up with pure joy. Sanyukta couldn’t help but chuckle at his adorable antics.
“Com nawww!” Avu chirped impatiently, tugging at her dupatta.
Shaking her head with affection, Sanyukta adjusted her dupatta neatly over her head, picked him up in her arms, and walked outside with him. Her heart ached, but Avu’s innocent charm and boundless energy were a soothing balm to her soul.
“Bhaiya… Ranvijay kaha hain?” Sanyukta asked Ranveer, who had just walked in, his kurta slightly crumpled from the lively Mehendi function outside.
“He might be on the terrace. Main le jaata hoon Avu ko,” Ranveer offered with a small smile, glancing at the little boy clinging to Sanyukta.
“Vo… actually mujhe kuch baat karni thi unse…” she said hesitantly, her voice trembling slightly. Ranveer gave her a knowing nod and stepped aside.
Taking a deep breath to gather herself, Sanyukta made her way to the terrace. Her heart pounded with every step, emotions swirling inside her like a storm. As she reached the terrace, she saw him lying on the cot, scrolling through his phone, lost in his world.
“Dadyyyyyyyyy!” Avu squealed excitedly, wriggling out of her arms before she could stop him. He ran to Ranvijay, his tiny legs moving as fast as they could.
Ranvijay immediately sat up on the cot, catching Avu mid-jump as he launched himself into his father’s arms. A soft chuckle escaped Ranvijay’s lips, the first trace of warmth Sanyukta had seen from him after that incident .
“Careful, champ,” he said, his voice calm as he laid back on the cot, letting Avu settle comfortably on his chest.
Sanyukta stood there, frozen for a moment, watching the tender scene. Her heart ached as she noticed how Ranvijay didn’t even glance at her.
Slowly, she walked toward them and sat on the small stool beside the cot, her hands clasped tightly to steady herself.
“Ranvijay…” she whispered softly, her voice trembling, barely audible. Her eyes filled with tears as she struggled to find the right words.
“Avuuu… have you had your food?” Ranvijay asked, completely ignoring her, his attention fixed on their son.
“Yesssss! Riccc… curyyyy!” Avu announced proudly, his little face lighting up as he shared his accomplishment.
“That’s my good boy,” Ranvijay praised, ruffling Avu’s hair and making him giggle, his dimples deepening with joy.
But Sanyukta couldn’t hold back anymore. Her voice quivered as she spoke, “But Daddy ne nahi khaya hai, Avu… He might be hungry.”
Avu’s innocent eyes darted toward her, concern quickly replacing his playful expression. “Daddyyyy… hungyyy?” he asked, tilting his head to look at Ranvijay.
Ranvijay shook his head with a faint smile. “Ask your mother not to worry about me, baby. I can take care of myself.” His words were calm, but they carried an undercurrent of pain that stung Sanyukta deeply.
Avu frowned, not understanding the tension between his parents. Sanyukta swallowed hard, her guilt threatening to overwhelm her.
She reached out and gently stroked Avu’s cheek. “Avuuu… Daddy is angry with Mumma because Mumma said bad things to him today…”
Avu’s lips quivered, his wide eyes glancing between his parents. “But now I’ve realized my mistake,” Sanyukta continued, her voice breaking. “Mumma is so sorry.”
Avu pouted, his small face scrunching up as he clutched Ranvijay’s shirt tightly. “Dadyyyy… Mumma is sryyyy,” he said in his tiny voice, his sadness evident.
Ranvijay sighed deeply, looking away as if to gather himself. For a moment, he stayed silent, but then he smiled faintly—only for Avu. “It’s okay, baby… but where is Aarvi Diduuu? Aap unko toh saath nahi laaye. She’ll feel sad if she’s left alone.”
Avu’s eyes widened as if he had just remembered something very important. “Aarvi Diduuu!” he exclaimed, nodding eagerly.
“Shall we go to Aarvi Didu, then?” Ranvijay asked, sitting up and balancing Avu in his arms.
“Com Mummaaa!” Avu chirped, turning to Sanyukta with his little hands reaching out to her. His innocent excitement tugged at her heartstrings.
Sanyukta managed a weak smile, shaking her head softly. “Aap log jaao, baby. I’ll wait for you here.” Her gaze lingered on Ranvijay, silently pleading for something unspoken.
Ranvijay hesitated, his jaw tightening for a brief moment before he nodded and walked away with Avu. As their footsteps faded, Sanyukta’s composure broke, tears spilling over as she sat on the stool, feeling the weight of her mistakes and longing for the warmth they once shared.
Sanyukta sat on the cot, her head buried in her palms. A sad smile played on her lips, but the silent tears that flowed down her cheeks betrayed the pain she could no longer hide. She made no effort to wipe them away; it felt pointless.
How do I even ask for forgiveness from him? she wondered, her thoughts echoing in the stillness around her. Bina maange itna diya hai unhone... but what I did...
Her heart ached as her guilt consumed her. I’ve broken the man who used to make everyone smile... Aaj maine ussi ki hasi cheen li hai. Her chest heaved as she began to cry bitterly, cursing herself for the hurt she had caused.
Under the open sky, Sanyukta let her emotions pour out until her tears dried up. Exhaustion replaced her anguish, and she lay back on the cot like a lifeless body, staring aimlessly at the stars above. The vast, unending sky only deepened the emptiness she felt within.
Meanwhile, Ranvijay kept himself occupied with Arnav, Ranveer, and his cousins. His laughter mixed with theirs as they talked, but it was hollow, a façade he wore to mask his own turmoil. He didn’t want to think about her or the unresolved tension between them.
Avu and Aarvi played nearby with the other kids, their laughter and giggles filling the space. Ranvijay occasionally glanced their way to ensure they were safe, but his focus remained on the conversation with his brothers and cousins.
The discussion took a darker turn as they ventured into the world of mysteries—paranormal activities, unsolved crimes, and the chilling tales of twisted serial killers.
Ranvijay, trying to distract himself, took the lead in narrating stories of mind-boggling crime cases. His voice grew intense as he described the bizarre and horrifying details of some cases that left everyone hooked.
The conversation, though fascinating, was a stark contrast to the storm brewing in his heart.
Even as he spoke, a part of him couldn’t help but feel the weight of the unresolved tension with Sanyukta.
Her words, her tears, her presence—they lingered in the back of his mind like a shadow he couldn’t shake. But for now, he buried it all, hiding his pain behind the stories and the company of others.
“Arnav Bhaiiii… it’s past 11 now! At least get a little mehendi applied for shagun,” Kirti said as she and Anu approached the group with mischievous smiles.
“Haan Bhai, thoda toh karwana padega. Nahi toh main Bua ko bula ke le aaungi,” Anu added, playfully blackmailing him.
Arnav sighed in defeat, raising his hands. “Fine, go ahead. Do whatever you want.”
Kirti and Anu quickly drew a simple yet elegant design in the middle of both his palms, giggling all the while.
Meanwhile, Anjali appeared, calling out to the kids. “Avuuu, Aarviii… come, let’s go inside now!”
The little ones giggled, their laughter echoing in the night as they held her hands and skipped along with her back into the house.
“Chalo, ab hum sab bhi chalte hain,” Ranveer said, stretching. “Kal subah Haldi function hai aur phir shaam ko shaadi.”
Everyone nodded in agreement, their excitement for the big day palpable as they began to disperse.
Ranvijay returned to his room, exhaustion from the day finally catching up to him. He changed into his nightwear and laid on the cot, scrolling through his phone to unwind. But his mind remained unsettled.
As the minutes ticked by, he realized something and cursed under his breath. Tossing his phone aside, he got up and hurriedly left the room, heading straight to the terrace.
There she was. Sanyukta lay on the cot, staring at the night sky, her expression lost and distant. He groaned in frustration, running a hand through his hair.
“Get up and come to the room,” he said, his voice firm as he stood at the entrance.
Sanyukta sat up at his words, her tear-streaked face turning toward him. “Mujhe aapse baat karni hai,” she muttered, her voice trembling.
“Niche chal,” he replied curtly, his tone cold. “Faltu baaton ke liye mere paas time nahi hai.”
“Please, ek baar mujhse baat kar lijiye,” she pleaded, her tears spilling again as she stood up.
Ranvijay’s jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “Rone jaisa kuch nahi hai isme,” he snapped, his frustration evident. “Tujhe jo bolna tha, tu bol chuki hai. Mujhe jo kehna tha, main keh chuka hoon. Nothing else matters now.”
Sanyukta sobbed, her voice breaking. “Main jaanti hoon aap hurt hain mujhse…”
Ranvijay snickered bitterly, crossing his arms. “Then you know very little, Sanyukta,” he said, his voice low but laced with anger. “It’s true that whatever you said has hurt me. I won’t deny that.”
She looked at him with tearful eyes, guilt consuming her.
“But uski zimmedar tum nahi ho,” he continued, his tone softening but still distant. “I gave you that right to hurt me… and you did it.” His words sliced through her, making her sob harder.
“You know what I hate the most?” he asked, his gaze piercing into hers.
She shook her head, unable to find her voice.
“I want to hurt you really badly for doing this to me… but I can’t,” he said, his voice cracking with the weight of his emotions. “That’s the biggest problem when you love someone. You give them the power to hurt you, to make you vulnerable… and you can’t even hate them for doing it to you.”
He chuckled bitterly, looking away as if trying to mask the pain in his eyes. His words hung in the air, raw and heavy, leaving Sanyukta standing there, her heart shattering further with every passing second.
Sanyukta looked at him, stunned. She had always dreamed of hearing him say he loved her. Yet today, when those words finally escaped his lips, they brought more pain than happiness.
“What should I do to ease your pain?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Please tell me… I don’t know what to do. I hate myself for saying all those things…” Tears streamed down her face as she cried, holding his hand tightly. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor, unable to stand under the weight of her guilt.
“You don’t need to do anything,” he said coldly, his voice void of any softness. “You’ve done enough for today.” He bent down and helped her up, his touch firm yet distant.
Holding her hand, he led her to the room. Sanyukta followed him silently, unable to utter a word, her heart breaking with every step.
Once inside, he let go of her hand and shut the door. Walking to his cot, he laid down and pulled the quilt over himself, not sparing her another glance. “Get changed and sleep,” he said curtly, closing his eyes.
Sanyukta stood there for a moment, her tears refusing to stop. She quietly changed into her nightwear and lay on the cot beside him.
The room plunged into darkness as she switched off the light, but the silence was quickly filled with the sound of her muffled sobs.
Ranvijay lay still, his jaw tightening as he heard her soft hiccups. He cursed internally, trying to suppress the storm of emotions raging inside him.
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he snapped, “For God’s sake, stop crying! Mera dimag kharab kar rahi hai tu!”
His sharp words only made her sob harder, her cries growing louder and more painful.
Frustrated, Ranvijay switched on the light and turned to glare at her. She immediately buried her face in the pillow, her shoulders shaking violently as she cried.
Unable to watch her like that, he pulled her up , making her sit on the cot. Her body trembled as her sobs grew uncontrollable.
“Puri raat rone ka plan hai kya?” he asked, his voice dripping with irritation.
Sanyukta didn’t respond, her gaze fixed on the floor.
“Mann toh kar raha hai tujhe do thappad maar doon,” he muttered, his anger barely restrained.
Her tear-streaked face turned to him as she whispered, “Maar lijiye… agar aisa karne se aapko better feel hota hai toh…” Her voice broke with every word, and fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.
He rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Bakwas band kar aur chup chaap so ja,” he scolded, his tone harsher than he intended.
But she couldn’t stop herself. “Please… mujhe ek chance de do,” she begged, her voice desperate. “Mujhse galti ho gayi hai… I didn’t mean anything I said. It’s just that… logon ki baatein sun-sun ke mera dimag kharab ho gaya tha… aur maine aapko vo sab bol diya.”
Ranvijay huffed, running a hand through his hair. “That’s excellent,” he said sarcastically. “Log kal kuch aur bolenge, toh puri zindagi yahi karti rahegi? Logon ke kehne par apne hi rishton ka tamasha banaogi?”
His words cut deep, but she couldn’t deny the truth in them.
“Bloody idiot…” he muttered under his breath, struggling to keep his anger in check. “You know what? Mujhe lagta hai ki main life mein kuch bhi kar loon, teri insecurities kabhi mei dur nahi kar paaunga .”
Sanyukta’s heart clenched at his words. She opened her mouth to say something, but he wasn’t done.
“Aaj toh Avu chhota hai… but one day, he’ll grow up. And if he ever falls apart from me, tum iske liye zimmedar hogi,” he said, his voice laced with pain.
Her eyes widened in shock, and she shook her head vigorously. “Aisa mat kahiye…” she whispered, her voice breaking.
“Why not? Ab bura lag raha hai?” he asked, his tone sharp. “When I’m showing you the reality, it hurts, doesn’t it?”
Her tears flowed freely as she looked at him, her heart aching with every word he said.
“Dusron ki baaton ka asar tab hota hai, Sanyukta, jab tumhare andar khud doubts aur insecurities hoti hain,” he continued, his voice steady but cold. “Jab tum divorce le rahi thi, sabne tumhe characterless bola tha. Tab tumhe pata tha ki tumne kuch galat nahi kiya hai. You fought for yourself back then .
“Lekin ab log khoon ke rishton par baat kar rahe hain, toh tum aake mujhe suna rahi ho? Tum mujhe bata rahi ho ki main sautela baap hoon? Ki mera haq kya hai aur kya nahi?” His voice rose slightly, the hurt evident in his tone.
Sanyukta shook her head desperately, her sobs growing louder. “Aap galat samajh rahe hain…”
“Samajh main bilkul sahi raha hoon,” he cut her off, his voice firm. “You know what, Sanyukta? Tumhe dusri shaadi karni hi nahi chahiye thi agar tumhe kisi pe trust karna hi nahi tha.
“Back then, you just wanted to escape the taunts of your family and relatives. Tumne unka muh band karne ke liye shaadi ki thi. Tumhare decisions hamesha logon ki baaton par dependent rahe hain,” he finished, his harsh words piercing her like daggers.
Sanyukta broke down completely, her hands covering her face as she cried. “Main insaan hoon, Ranvijay,” she sobbed. “Main bhi galti kar sakti hoon… aur main maanti hoon ki mujhe nahi kehna chahiye tha. “Main thak chuki hoon, Ranvijay. Mujhe khush hone se bhi darr lagta hai ab.”
Ranvijay’s chest tightened as he watched her crumble before him. A heavy silence filled the room, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to say.
"What should I do then? Main aur kitna sahoon? Main bhi insaan hoon na," Sanyukta cried, her voice trembling with exhaustion and pain. "Meri bhi ek limit hai kuch sehne ki. Main bhi ek normal life deserve karti hoon..."
Her words were laced with heartbreak, and each one seemed to weigh heavier on her shoulders. "Insecurities ke saath jeena mera shauk nahi hai. Main ne kabhi yeh zindagi choose hi nahi ki..."
Her voice cracked as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks. "Main maan rahi hoon meri galti hai. Mujhe nahi kehna chahiye tha woh sab... Main sab karne ko tayar hoon, jo aap chahte hain, bas please, aap yeh mat kahiye..."
Sobbing uncontrollably, she whispered, "Main thak chuki hoon zindagi se... khush hone se bhi darr lagne laga hai mujhe."
Ranvijay’s chest tightened, and for a moment, he stood frozen, watching her unravel before him. Seeing her like this hurt more than he was willing to admit. Taking a deep breath, he finally said, "Get up."
His voice was softer this time, though still firm. He gently held her arm and guided her to the bathroom.
Once inside, he turned on the tap and splashed cool water on her tear-streaked face. She flinched at the touch of the cold water, but he wiped her face carefully with a towel. Her face was swollen and red, her eyes puffy from all the crying.
"Rone se kuch nahi hoga. Samjhi?" he said, his voice steady, yet carrying an undertone of concern. She nodded slightly, her lips trembling.
As they returned to the room, he asked, "Kuch khaya tha?"
"Bhook nahi hai," she replied, her voice faint, avoiding his gaze.
"Bhook ka maine pucha hi nahi," he snapped, his patience wearing thin. "I’m just asking ki dinner kiya tha ya nahi."
She shook her head silently, not wanting to argue further.
Ranvijay sighed and pointed to the cot. "Sit here. Main leke aata hoon."
"Please… nahi," she murmured, almost pleading. She didn’t want to trouble him more.
"Shut up," he said firmly, cutting her off. "Jitna kaha hai utna karo. Dimag mera pehle hi kharab hai, Sanyukta. And you better not mess it up anymore."
Without waiting for her response, he walked out of the room, leaving her sitting silently on the cot. She pressed her palms to her forehead, feeling the weight of her emotions pressing down on her. The guilt, the regret, the pain—it all consumed her.
Ranvijay entered the room holding two plates of food and handed one to her. She accepted it silently, her hands trembling slightly, and they ate in complete silence. The clinking of utensils was the only sound between them, an echo of their unspoken emotions.
After finishing the meal, he reached for something in his pocket and extended it toward her. "Yeh le," he said, handing her a mehndi cone. Sanyukta looked at him, surprised by the unexpected gesture.
"Dekh kya rahi hai… laga le. Aaj mehndi function tha, kal shaadi hai," he said casually, his tone betraying none of the storm brewing within him.
She nodded, her eyes lingering on him for a moment before she quietly took the cone and began applying a simple design on her left palm. Ranvijay lay back on the cot, his thoughts distant, his gaze fixed on the ceiling.
"Ho gaya," she murmured softly, breaking the silence, and turned her palm toward him.
He glanced at her hand and then back at her face. "Idhar de apna dusra haath… main lagata hoon," he said, catching her off guard. She hesitated for a moment before placing the cone and her other hand in his.
Ranvijay leaned forward, concentrating as he drew an irregular shape on her palm. Sanyukta couldn’t suppress a small smile as she watched him, amused at his clumsy effort.
"Daant kya dikha rahi hai? Flower hai yeh," he said, defending his uneven attempt while still focusing on the design. She bit her lower lip to stifle her laughter, her heart aching with the bittersweet warmth of the moment.
"Aap mujhe maaf kar dijiye na, please," she whispered, her voice barely audible but heavy with emotion. Her eyes searched his face, hoping for a flicker of forgiveness.
"Hmmm," he hummed, not looking at her, his attention still on the leaves he was attempting to draw.
"Ek last chance de do mujhe… aap jaante hain I don’t mean it. Aap mujhe ussi waqt daant diya karo jab bhi main aisi faltu baatein karoon," she continued, her voice shaky. "Mere control mein nahi hai yeh overthinking. Main jitna bhi try karoon, I end up hurting myself and others because of it."
He frowned as his hand slipped, smudging the leaf design. "Jaa, dho ke aa ise… main second try mein accha banaunga," he said, shaking his head in mock frustration.
Sanyukta sighed deeply, knowing there was no point in arguing. "Nahi… ab yeh lag gayi hai, aise hi theek hai," she said, hoping to avoid further hassle.
"Ek baar mein kyun nahi sunti hai? Main bol raha hoon na… wash it. Be fast, mujhe sona bhi hai," he said, his tone firm and unyielding. She groaned in defeat and got up to wash the design, returning with only the faint orange print left on her palm.
Ranvijay picked up the cone again and started applying mehndi all over again. Sanyukta sat quietly, letting him do as he pleased. She knew he wasn’t ready to listen to her yet, and it would take time for him to move past his anger and hurt.
"Avu ka naam likh doon?" he asked suddenly, raising his brows at her. A small, genuine smile tugged at her lips.
"Apna bhi likh dijiye," she replied softly, her eyes hopeful.
He paused briefly, glancing at her, but chose not to write his name. She understood why. It was his subtle way of expressing his hurt, of reminding her that things weren’t mended yet.
Sanyukta felt a pang in her chest, but she didn’t push further. She knew he needed time, and she was prepared to endure it all—every little wound he would inflict in the days to come—if it meant earning back his trust, his love, and his old self.
Write a comment ...