Finally, they were back home. "Anu squealed, launching herself onto the couch with pure excitement.
"Tera toh man nahi ho raha tha aane ka," Ranvijay teased, pushing her aside as he sank onto the couch, making her whine in protest.
For a few minutes, they playfully shoved each other around, until they finally found a comfortable spot, settling in with a soft sigh.
"Vidyaaa kaki... I missed your coffee," Ranvijay said, his voice filled with nostalgia, making Vidya chuckle warmly in response.
"Bhabhi, aap bethiye, mei sabke liye chai le aati hu," Sanyukta offered to Anjali, who smiled gratefully, nodding in acknowledgment.
Pushpa ji followed Sanyukta into the kitchen, while Pratap retreated to his room.
Ranveer was busy giving instructions to the helpers about the luggage and gifts, while Avu and Aarvi, in their own little world, ran around the hall searching for their toys.
"Maja aaya shaddi mein, but I feel exhausted now," Anjali commented with a sigh, settling into the couch.
"Same here, Bhabhi," Anu agreed, leaning on Ranvijay. He couldn’t resist, pulling her nose, which made her bite down on his shoulder in playful frustration.
With a light slap to her cheek, Ranvijay watched her gasp in mock disbelief.
"Papaaaa..." Anu fake-cried, dramatically seeing Pratap enter the room, which made Ranvijay roll his eyes in exasperation.
Anu got busy complaining about how Ranvijay always bothered her, how he hit her, and how he would never leave her alone.
"Ranvijay... choti hai tumse... ye kya har waqt iske piche pade rahte ho?" Pratap asked, his voice stern but not without amusement.
"Mene kuch nahi kiya hai, Papa! Isse pucho, ki aapse pocket money leke bhi kyun mere card use karti hai, aur har dusre din bheek maangne aa jati hai!" Ranvijay retorted, making Anu’s eyes widen in disbelief.
"Bhaiii... maine ek baar liye the," Anu quickly defended herself, but both of them started airing each other's secrets in front of Pratap, accusing each other of every little thing.
Sanyukta couldn’t help but chuckle, watching the siblings fight over petty matters, and she served everyone their tea and snacks.
She handed Ranvijay his coffee, who was still busy in a heated debate with Anushka, who was now on the verge of tears. And, predictably, Anushka burst into tears, using them as her last weapon to win the argument.
Pratap scolded Ranvijay for making her cry, but he just rolled his eyes at the drama.
"Bas karo tum dono... koi bhala nahi hai dono mein se," Pushpa ji interjected, still watching the two glaring at each other.
Sanyukta sat beside Anjali and called for Avu and Aarvi to finish their milk.
"I want kitee vala sweet," Avu announced, her face lighting up with excitement.
"Me too," Aarvi muttered, joining her.
"Kite vala konsa sweet hai bache?" Sanyukta asked, amused by their innocent confusion.
"Kaju burfi..." Ranvijay chimed in, making everyone burst into laughter at their innocent yet hilarious description.
Ranveer opened the sweet boxes from the wedding and handed them the sweets, while everyone dispersed to their respective rooms to rest.
Ranvijay entered his room, only to find Sanyukta changing the bedsheet. Avu and Aarvi stood behind her, cutely holding pillows in their tiny hands.
"Chachuuu... hum help kar rahe hai," Aarvi said with determination.
"Yessss," Avu backed her up, proudly showing off the pillow.
Ranvijay chuckled, amused by their serious little faces. "You both are the best babies in the world," he praised, causing them to grin with pride.
He walked over to the closet to change and came back, dressed casually in his shorts. He plopped onto the bed beside Avu and Aarvi, who immediately lay on top of him, their little heads resting on his chest.
Sanyukta was still busy arranging the room, but he watched her for a moment, wondering how she never seemed to tire.
"Ye thakti nahi hai kya?" he muttered under his breath.
"Suno... I want to take a nap... abhi ye sab mat kar, and switch off the lights," Ranvijay said, his voice laced with fatigue. Sanyukta nodded in agreement.
Avu and Aarvi, completely content, laid over him, and he patted them gently, telling them funny stories until their little snores filled the room.
Sanyukta, after freshening up, laid down beside them. She saw them sleeping peacefully between them and gently pulled Avu closer when he stirred, patting his head lovingly.
Ranvijay, already awake, was watching them, and Sanyukta caught his gaze. She smiled softly, but he quickly looked away, resting his arm over his eyes.
Sanyukta sighed, unable to hold her feelings anymore. "I can’t take it anymore," she muttered, getting up and walking over to his side. She sat beside him, looking at him with a seriousness that softened his posture.
"Mujhe baat karni hai aapse," she said, gently removing his arm from his eyes, making him sigh deeply.
Before he could respond, his phone rang, and Sanyukta handed it over to him, seeing that it was Satyam calling.
"What is it?" Ranvijay asked, his voice professional, while Sanyukta sat quietly beside him, waiting for him to finish the conversation.
"Hmmm... I got it. Meet me there only... mei aata hu," he said, hanging up the call with a quick, decisive tone.
"I need to go," he said, sitting up.
"Kab tak aayenge?" she asked, her voice laced with a soft concern.
"Pata nahi," he replied, walking over to the closet.
She followed him, though her heart was heavy. "Mei wait karungi dinner pe," she said, her voice small, but hopeful.
"You need not to," he responded, his tone indifferent as he began putting on his shirt.
Sanyukta, determined, turned him around gently and began buttoning his shirt for him.
He tried to pull her hands away, but she didn’t budge, so he just let her do it.
"Kyu kar rahi ho ye sab?" he asked, his voice a little softer now.
"Because I want to do it," she answered quietly, her voice full of sincerity.
"Of course... jo tum chahti ho, wahi hota hai," he said sarcastically, looking away.
Sanyukta didn’t flinch at his words. Instead, she asked, "Toh aap bata dijiye ki aap kya chahte hai?"
"I want to leave... yaha se," he stated plainly, his eyes avoiding hers as he finished dressing.
Her heart dropped, but she quickly hid her emotions, looking down to mask the tears threatening to spill.
Without another word, he left after getting dressed, and Sanyukta sighed, her heart heavy with unsaid words.
Evening had arrived, and Sanyukta was busy in the kitchen, skillfully preparing various dishes that Ranvijay loved. She moved around with a quiet determination, her hands working but her mind filled with thoughts.
She knew things couldn’t stay like this forever. The rift between them was palpable, and she knew she had hurt him. Now, it was her turn to make things right, to put in the effort and win him back.
"Kya ho raha hai? Kis khushi mein banaya jaa raha hai ye sab?" Anjali asked, raising an eyebrow at the number of dishes Sanyukta was preparing.
"Khushi mein nahi, Bhabhi," Sanyukta replied softly, her voice almost a whisper, "Khus karne ke liye bana rahi hu... kuch zyada hi naraz hai vo mujhse." She managed a small, bittersweet smile as she looked at Anjali, her heart aching with the truth of her words.
Anjali looked at her for a moment, then stepped closer, her face softening. "Let me help you then," she offered, her tone kind and understanding, making Sanyukta smile in return.
"Bhabhi... actually..." Sanyukta hesitated for a second, then continued, "Aaj Avu ko...," but Anjali interrupted her with a chuckle.
"Don't worry about Avu," Anjali said, her voice light and teasing. "I’ll take care of him. Aur waise bhi, he loves sleeping with Aarvi and his Bade Papa. Aap bas apne unpe focus kijiye." Anjali winked, making Sanyukta blush at the gentle teasing.
Sanyukta nodded, feeling a warmth in her chest. She was grateful for Anjali’s understanding. After a quick excuse at the dining table, where she had planned a special dinner for Ranvijay, she quickly fed Avu and Aarvi, changing Avu into his night clothes.
As she entered Anjali’s room with Avu in tow, Anjali smiled brightly, the motherly love in her eyes evident.
"Areyyy, mera beta aa gaya ready hokar!" Anjali cooed, opening her arms, and Avu quickly ran into her embrace, his little face lighting up with joy.
"Aaviii, Diduuu kaha hai? Baiii mumma?" Avu asked with his usual curiosity, making Sanyukta smile softly.
"Your Bade Papa is getting his clothes changed, phir hum log games khelenge, story sunenge, and maybe we can have some ice cream too," Anjali replied, making Avu squeal with excitement.
Sanyukta couldn’t help but smile, watching how comfortable Avu was with Anjali. It was heartwarming to see the bond they shared.
"Bhabhi... can you tell Ranveer Bhai to call Ranvijay and ask about his whereabouts?" Sanyukta requested, her voice filled with a hint of worry.
"Yeah, sure... mei text kar dungi tumhe details. Go and get ready now," Anjali said with a wink, her teasing smile making Sanyukta blush even more.
Sanyukta nodded quickly, feeling a surge of nervous energy. She had a plan in mind for the evening, but the uncertainty of Ranvijay’s response still made her anxious. She hurried to her room to get ready, trying to calm her racing thoughts.
As Sanyukta received Anjali's text, she took a deep breath, her heart racing with anticipation. Without wasting any time, she quickly got ready. She had planned this evening meticulously, and now there was no turning back.
She carefully arranged the dinner in the balcony, placing the dishes thoughtfully, adding a few candles to set a warm, inviting atmosphere. A string of fairy lights twinkled softly in the background, casting a gentle glow on the setting. She wanted everything to be perfect — to create an environment where they could both feel comfortable, where the tension could melt away.
When she saw Ranvijay’s car entering the main gate, her breath caught in her throat. He was here.
“It’s now or never,” she whispered under her breath. "Don’t be nervous... he is your Ranvijay only... You can do it."
She tried to calm herself, but her hands still trembled slightly as she made her final adjustments to the dinner setup.
Inside, Ranvijay entered the room after a long and exhausting day, both mentally and physically drained. The first thing he noticed was the quiet — the room was empty. His eyes scanned the space, his gaze lingering on the untouched bed and the silence that filled the room.
He had hoped to find Sanyukta and Avu waiting for him, but to his surprise, the room was empty.
His gaze then fell on the balcony door, slightly ajar, and his heart skipped a beat. There was something different about this — a strange pull that guided him toward it. He walked toward the door, his footsteps slow, hesitant. He wasn’t sure what to expect, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that this moment mattered.
***
The balcony shimmered under the soft glow of fairy lights, their golden hue reflecting off the carefully arranged table. The air carried the inviting aroma of dal makhani, jeera rice, and freshly roasted tandoori rotis, Ranvijay’s favorite meal.
Sanyukta, dressed in a deep red saree, adjusted the folds nervously. Her heart raced as she heard his approaching footsteps.
Ranvijay stepped onto the balcony, his sharp eyes scanning the setup before landing on her. His expression was guarded, his silence heavy.
"Kya chal raha hai, Sanyukta?" he asked, his tone laced with sarcasm, hands tucked into his pockets.
She gave him a tentative smile, though her nerves were clearly getting the better of her. “I thought… maybe we could have dinner together, talk… you know, like we used to.”
The words were simple, but they carried a weight that hung between them. It was an invitation, an olive branch, but he didn’t know if he was ready to accept it yet.
He stood there for a moment, his eyes studying her, as though trying to gauge if this was real. After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke, his voice low and cautious.
"Why all this, Sanyukta?" he asked, his tone soft but heavy with unspoken words. "Why now?"
She stepped forward cautiously. "Aapko manane ke liye ," she replied softly.
He let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "Tu sochti hai yeh candles aur dal makhani sab theek kar denge? Jo baat boli thi, woh yaad hai tujhe?"
Her chest tightened, but she held his gaze. "Haan, mujhe yaad hai. Aur mujhe afsos bhi hai."
He raised an eyebrow. "Afsoos?" he repeated, his tone mocking. "Jo baat tumne boli thi, woh soch samajh ke boli thi. Toh ab kya afsos?"
Sanyukta stepped closer, her voice trembling. "Mei jaanti hu aap naraz hai ....aur hona bhi chaiye, Dil dukhaya hai mene aur ye bas apni galati sudharne ki ek choti si koshish hai .... Kuki jaha narazgi hai vaha pyar bhi toh hai na "
He sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Hurt kiya na maine?" she asked softly, stepping even closer, her palm resting over his chest, just above his heart.
"Bohot," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, as his eyes locked onto hers that were glistening with unshed tears.
Sanyukta bit her lip, trying to hold herself together. "Mujhe ahsaas hai apni galti ka," she whispered, her voice choking with emotion. "Main maafi nahi chahti... kyunki mujhe pata hai ek simple sorry se hurt kam nahi hoga. Mujhe bas ek chance de dijiye, to mend what I have broken."
Ranvijay looked away, trying to mask the pain in his eyes. "You were the last person I expected to say those things to me," he said, his voice strained.
He let out a bitter laugh, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Sahi kehte hain log... jo dil ke jitna paas hota hai, woh utna zyada hurt karta hai."
Her breath hitched at his words, guilt crashing over her. She bit her lower lip, fighting back a sob. "Main kya karu ki yeh dard kam ho jaaye?" she asked, her voice trembling with desperation.
Ranvijay exhaled deeply, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his pain. "Mujhe pata hota toh main kab ka kar chuka hota," he replied, his voice heavy with emotion.
Sanyukta stepped even closer, her eyes searching his for a sliver of hope. "Let me try then," she said softly, her voice carrying both a plea and a promise.
For a moment, he said nothing, his gaze fixed on hers. Then, with a quiet sigh, he nodded, the walls around him crumbling just enough for her to slip through.
"Kya chahiye..." he asked, his gaze locking with hers, the exhaustion in his eyes clear, as though tired of running away from her.
"Jo mera hai, bas vahi," she whispered softly, her voice steady as she met his eyes, unblinking.
Her words hung in the air between them, simple yet profound, and it was as if something shifted in him. It was like a soothing balm had been applied to his wounded heart, easing the tension, the hurt.
He let out a quiet sigh, his gaze faltering for a moment as he looked away. "Dialogue achha hai..." he murmured, trying to brush off the effect her words had on him, but deep down, he knew they had struck a chord.
"Agar kaam kar raha hai toh mei kuch aur bhi bolu?" she teased, a soft chuckle escaping her lips, her playful tone contrasting with the depth of the moment.
Ranvijay couldn’t help it. A small, reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Despite everything, despite the weight of the unsaid words between them, there was something in her that made him feel lighter.
Ranvijay looked at her for a long moment, his sarcasm softening into warmth. "Vaise, dal makhani ki smell toh acchi hai. Lekin taste kharaab hua, toh punishment ready rakhna."
She laughed, the tension finally breaking. "Mujhe apni cooking skills pe pura bharosa hai."
He leaned in, his forehead resting against hers. "Let's see it then ."
Sanyukta carefully served him each dish, her heart swelling with hope as she waited for him to take the first bite. She had spent hours preparing this meal, every detail crafted with care, all for him. Her eyes were fixed on him as he picked up the first morsel. But to her surprise, he didn’t eat it himself. Instead, he extended it toward her, his gaze playful, making her pause.
"Khaa le," he said, his voice light yet tinged with a teasing edge, "I need to confirm kuch milaya toh nahi hai tune."
Sanyukta blinked, caught off guard, and then let out a soft giggle. It was such a simple gesture, but it carried so much warmth, so much affection. She took the bite from his hand, her eyes welling with unshed tears as she looked at his calm, serene face, the one she had missed so much.
His voice broke through her thoughts, the warning clear, yet there was tenderness in it. "Agar ab rona dhona kiya... I won't even touch this food."
She shook her head with a soft smile, wiping away the mist in her eyes. "I won’t cry," she promised, her voice barely above a whisper. But the emotions were still there, bubbling just beneath the surface, threatening to spill over.
"Khila mujhe," he said, his tone taking on a slight pout, "Mei hurt hu... You need to pamper me."
Sanyukta couldn’t help but smile at his playful tone. It was a far cry from the distant, guarded Ranvijay she had seen over the past days. He was still the same, the Ranvijay she knew, the one who always had a way to make her laugh even in the most awkward of moments.
She fed him with her own hands, the intimacy of the moment wrapping around them like a warm embrace. In between, as she took bites of her own food, he gently guided her hand to her mouth, urging her to eat as well.
The soft click of their spoons against the plates was the only sound that filled the space between them, but it was comfortable, easy. He looked at her after a moment, his gaze sharp but softened by the quiet intimacy of the moment.
"Khana acha tha," he said, his voice steady, as he studied her, his eyes keen. "Kuch aur bhi hai ab ya yahi tak ka program tha?"
Sanyukta bit her lower lip nervously, her stomach fluttering under the weight of his gaze.
"Kuch or bhi hai....."she whispered shyly not meeting his intense gaze ...
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