Authors pov.....

"Kya hua hai, Sanyukta beta? Tabiyat toh theek hai na?" Indira Devi asked, concern evident in her voice as they sipped their evening tea.

Sanyukta remained quiet, stirring her tea absentmindedly. Before she could answer, Anjali smirked, sensing the reason behind her silence.

"Hona kya hai, Dadi… Isn't it obvious? She’s been missing Ranvijay for the past two days," Anjali teased, making Pushpa ji and Indira chuckle.

Sanyukta pressed her lips together, exhaling softly. She wasn’t about to admit it, but she couldn’t deny it either.

"Aa jayega beta… Pata nahi iss case ke piche itna pagal kyun ho gaya hai… Ab Delhi mein pata nahi kya karne gaya hai… Kisi ko batata bhi toh nahi hai ye ladka," Pushpa ji muttered, shaking her head.

Sanyukta’s grip tightened slightly around her cup. That was precisely what upset her—Ranvijay had left abruptly, barely giving her any details. She understood his work was important, but was it too much to ask for him to at least keep her informed?

Before her thoughts could spiral further, an excited voice rang through the corridor.

"Chachiiiiiiii!"

Aarvi came running at full speed, her tiny feet tapping against the floor, while Avu followed closely, his little legs moving as fast as they could. Aarvi clutched a brown parcel almost half her size, her face glowing with excitement.

"Watchman uncle ne diya hai yeh… Chachu ka pacellll hai!" Aarvi announced proudly, holding out the package like it was the most important delivery of her life.

Avu, determined to be a part of the moment, puffed his cheeks and nodded. "Haan, Mamma! Daddy ka hai!" he added with wide, curious eyes.

Sanyukta softened at the sight of them. No matter how upset she was, their innocence always melted her frustration. She took the parcel from Aarvi and smiled gently.

"Thank you, bacha… Now go and play," she said, running a hand through Avu’s soft hair.

Avu grinned. "Diduuu, chalo! Racing karte hain!" he suddenly declared, excitement shining in his eyes.

Without waiting, he darted off, making Aarvi gasp in outrage.

"Areeee! Avu, cheating mat kar!" she yelled, running after him as their giggles echoed through the house.

Sanyukta shook her head, amusement flickering in her eyes before her phone rang. Her smile faded the moment she saw the caller ID—Ranvijay.

She let it ring twice before answering, her voice quieter than usual. "Jiii…"

She didn’t bother hiding the slight edge in her tone.

Two days ago, Ranvijay had left in a hurry after a call from Satyam, asking her to pack his bags for an urgent trip to Delhi. Since then, he had only called twice—both times just to check on Avu and her well-being. Not once had he taken a moment to truly talk to her, to explain why he had left so suddenly.

"Satyam will come to collect my parcel… Give it to him and make sure the seal is intact," Ranvijay instructed, his tone brisk, as if he was already in a rush.

Sanyukta hummed in response, gripping the phone tighter. Just before he could hang up, she finally asked, "Aap kab tak aayenge?"

There was a slight pause before he replied, "Can't say anything… The work is still in progress. Maybe by tomorrow evening if everything goes well."

Sanyukta’s heart sank a little, but she masked it. "Hmm."

"I have to go now… I’ll call you at night." And just like that, the call ended.

Sanyukta pulled the phone away from her ear, staring at the screen for a moment. She sighed, placing the parcel on the table before muttering under her breath, "Paagal aadmi."

She shook her head, picking up her tea again, but somehow, it didn’t taste as warm as before.

"Baeee Papaaaa!" Avu squealed in excitement as Ranveer’s car entered the house. The moment they spotted him, both Avu and Aarvi took off running toward the vehicle, their little feet barely keeping up with their excitement.

Sanyukta stood at the doorstep, a soft smile forming on her lips as she watched their enthusiasm.

The moment Ranveer stepped out, he spread his arms wide, catching both Avu and Aarvi effortlessly before twirling them around in the air. Their joyous giggles filled the air as they clung to him, refusing to let go.

"Longgg diveeeee!" Avu demanded, pouting adorably as he wrapped his arms around his Bade Papa's neck.

Ranveer chuckled, ruffling the little boy’s hair with undeniable affection.

"We will go after dinner, okay?" he promised, his voice gentle yet firm.

Satisfied, Avu grinned and snuggled closer, hugging his Bade Papa tightly as if he never wanted to let go.

Ranveer carried them inside, finally settling down in the garden beside Anjali while Sanyukta served him tea.

Anjali, comfortably seated next to him, wasted no time in asking, "Have you got me the blueberry cheesecake?" She tilted her head expectantly, already knowing the answer.

Ranveer let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head at her impatience.

"Of course… How could I ever forget?" he replied with a fond smile, signaling the driver to bring out the packages from the car.

Anjali’s face lit up instantly, her eyes gleaming with pure delight.

But before even taking a sip of his tea, Ranveer carefully unwrapped the cheesecake and took the first bite—only to feed it directly to Anjali.

"Yeh lo, pehle tum," he said, watching her reaction as she took the bite, his expression full of quiet devotion.

Anjali smiled in satisfaction, savoring the taste, while he continued serving both Avu and Aarvi, feeding them with his own hands.

Only once they were all content—Anjali happily indulging in her dessert and the kids enjoying their treats—did Ranveer finally relax and take a sip of his tea.

Sanyukta watched from a distance, her heart warming at the sight. No matter how busy life got, Ranveer’s love for Anjali always remained the same—unwavering, selfless, and filled with a tenderness that needed no words.

She smiled softly, watching Ranveer dote on Anjali and the kids. Their laughter filled the evening air, a picture of warmth and happiness.

But as she stood there, an ache settled in her chest, pulling her back into the memories she had long buried.

Her fingers unconsciously rested on her stomach as she thought about her own pregnancy—the phase of life she never truly got to experience.

While others basked in the joy of expecting a child, she had been fighting the hardest battle of her life.

She had been heartbroken, helpless, and emotionally drained. The weight of betrayal and loss had crushed her, leaving her physically weak. The doctors had been worried for both her and Avu—her deteriorating mental health was taking a toll on her body, and in turn, on the little life growing inside her.

She remembered the court appearances—standing there, exhausted and nauseous, struggling through morning sickness while trying to hold herself together. There was no time to pause, no moment to breathe.

Nights were the worst. She had cried herself to sleep more times than she could count, whispering silent prayers to a God who never seemed to listen. She had begged for mercy, for relief, for even the smallest ray of hope.

Her family had been there, but even within that support, she had faced taunts—her Bhabhi’s cruel words had cut through her like knives, making an already unbearable situation even worse.

And through it all, she had been terrified. What kind of life awaited her child? Would she be able to give Avu the love and security he deserved? Would she ever find happiness again?

Everything had seemed vague, hopeless.

Her vision blurred as unshed tears pooled in her eyes. Even now, when life had settled, when she was leading a happy life with Avu and Ranvijay, a void remained—one that could never be filled.

She had missed out on everything—the excitement, the cravings, the gentle care of a loving husband. And now, when things were finally better, when she could have had the chance to experience it all, Ranvijay didn’t want another child.

The mere thought made her heart ache.

She wanted to live those moments too. She wanted to feel the joy of carrying life within her, to experience those little cravings and mood swings, to be pampered and spoiled by Ranvijay.

She wanted what she had lost.

Blinking away the tears threatening to fall, she quickly wiped her face and turned away.

She wouldn’t let these thoughts take over—not now.

Without another word, she quietly walked away, letting Ranveer and Anjali enjoy their time together.

But deep inside, a part of her longed for something she feared she might never have.

Sanyukta busied herself in the kitchen, helping Vidya kaki  prepare dinner in an attempt to divert her mind. The rhythmic chopping of vegetables, the aroma of spices, and the warmth of the kitchen should have been comforting, but her thoughts remained unsettled.

Just then, Pushpa ji entered, wiping her hands on her dupatta.

"Sanyukta beta, Satyam aaya hai… koi parcel lene," she informed.

Sanyukta nodded and wiped her hands before heading outside, where Satyam stood waiting. Without a word, she handed over the parcel.

Satyam inspected the seal carefully, then gave her a brief nod.

Before he could leave, Sanyukta spoke up, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Satyam… Ranvijay ka kya kaam hai Delhi mein?" she asked, knowing that if anyone had answers, it was him.

Satyam hesitated for a moment before replying.

"Vicky waale case ko leke hi kuch kaam hai," he said vaguely.

Sanyukta sighed. "Yeh toh mujhe bhi pata hai, lekin waha kya kaam hai aisa?" she pressed further.

Satyam glanced around briefly before lowering his voice.

"Sanyukta, dekho, main bhi zyada nahi jaanta, par Delhi mein ek bohot famous criminal lawyer hai—Sameer Mehra… Unhone ek similar high-profile case pe kaam kiya tha. Unke brother-in-law, Abhimanyu Hooda, waha ke commissioner hain… He can be of some help too."

Sanyukta listened carefully, taking in the information. It made sense, but she still felt like there was more to it.

Then Satyam added something that made her pause.

"Ranvijay sir ke saath Mishka bhi iss case mein help kar rahi hai."

Sanyukta frowned. "Mishka?" The name was unfamiliar.

"Haan… vo bhi ek lawyer hai. Ranvijay sir ki kaafi achi friend hai, aur she’s an amazing person… Sir ki bohot banti hai Mishka ke saath," Satyam said casually, unaware of the slight shift in Sanyukta’s expression.

Her fingers curled slightly at her sides. "Acha? Mujhe toh Ranvijay ne kabhi kisi Mishka ke baare mein nahi bataya," she said, trying to keep her voice neutral.

Satyam shrugged. "I don't know about that… but ab main chalta hoon. Take care."

With that, he left, leaving Sanyukta standing there, her mind now occupied with an entirely new set of thoughts.

Ranvijay hadn’t mentioned Mishka even once.

After dinner, Ranveer took Anjali, Avu, and Aarvi for a long drive. The kids squealed in excitement, and Anjali too was looking forward to the outing.

“Sanyukta, chalo na tum bhi,” Anjali insisted, hoping to convince her.

Even Avu and Aarvi tugged at her hands, pleading with their innocent eyes.

But Sanyukta simply shook her head with a small smile. “Nahi, aap log jaaye… enjoy kariye.”

Despite their insistence, she stayed firm, eventually retreating to her room.

Once inside, she changed into her nightclothes and sat on the bed, staring at her phone for a few moments before dialing Ranvijay’s number.

It rang thrice before he finally picked up.

Before she could say anything, a burst of laughter echoed through the speaker. A woman’s voice.

“Just shut up yaar, Mishka, and get lost… I’m done with your poor jokes,” Ranvijay’s voice came through, laced with amusement.

Sanyukta’s brows furrowed. Mishka.

“Ohhh please! You should be thankful, Ranvijay, that I’m keeping you entertained and helping you with this case.”

Sanyukta’s grip on the phone tightened.

“Kitna besharam hai yaar tu… ek toh main itni mehnat karke ghar se special khana bhi bana ke laati hoon tere liye,” Mishka teased.

“Haan toh tu aayegi Udaipur, toh main bhi khila dunga tujhe,” Ranvijay replied casually.

“Oh really? I even took you to my favorite restaurant! Uska kya?” she challenged playfully.

“Uska kuch nahi. Tujhe khana tha wahan, that’s why I had to accompany you,” he shot back.

“Thankless and mannerless guy! I’m going… Good night, Mr. Rascal Ranvijay,” Mishka huffed, shutting the door behind her.

Instead of being offended, Ranvijay just laughed in response.

Sanyukta's heart clenched. Her stomach twisted in discomfort. Without another word, she hung up, irritation bubbling inside her.

She sat still for a moment, processing everything.

"Mujhe baat karne ka time nahi hai, but uske saath restaurant jaane ka hai? Uske mazak pe hasne ka hai? Uska banaya hua khaana khane ka hai?"

Her frustration grew by the second. The distance between them was already suffocating her, and now this?

With a frustrated sigh, she threw her phone onto the other mattress.

A few seconds later, it rang again. She knew it was Ranvijay.

But she didn’t feel like answering. Not anymore.

Her emotions, already fragile because of the baby issue, now felt completely shattered. Everything irked her—the laughter, the casual teasing, the easy comfort Ranvijay shared with Mishka.

Her eyes burned with unshed tears. She clenched the blanket, trying to hold herself together, but it was futile.

She buried her face in her pillow, muffling her sobs.

"Nobody loves me… nobody cares about me…" she whispered into the darkness, her chest heaving with each painful breath.

And just like that, exhaustion overtook her.

Tears still clinging to her lashes, she drifted into a restless sleep—her heart heavier than ever.

Next Day…

Sanyukta tried to behave normally, plastering a smile on her face as she moved around the house, pretending everything was fine. But deep inside, her heart was still heavy.

Just then, a small voice tugged at her attention.

“Mummaaa… mei bhi Diduuu ke saath skol jaaungaaa…” Avu muttered, rubbing his sleepy eyes, his tiny arms wrapping around her waist.

Sanyukta looked down at her little boy and smiled, cupping his chubby cheeks.

“Abhi nahi jaa sakte, bacha… abhi aapka admission nahi hua hai na. Jab new session start hoga, tab you can join your Diduu.” She kissed his cheek, making him giggle softly.

But Avu was not ready to give up so easily.

“Mumaaa plsss… olyyy fr todayyy… lemee goooo…” he pleaded, his big, innocent eyes shining with hope, lips forming the cutest pout.

Sanyukta chuckled, shaking her head.

“Bina admission ke entry nahi milti school mei, Avu… aap kaise jaoge, bacha?” she tried to explain gently.

Before Avu could argue further, Aarvi chimed in with her own bright idea.

“Chachiii… Avu ko dress pehna do aur usko mera dusra bag de do… phir ye bhi aa jayega mere saath… easyyy!” she said excitedly.

Avu’s eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly in agreement.

“Haan… pleaseee chachiii…!” Aarvi requested, her hands joined together in an exaggerated plea, and Avu quickly copied her, looking at Sanyukta with his best puppy-dog eyes.

Sanyukta burst out laughing, shaking her head at their adorable antics.

“Agar itna easy hota na, toh I would have done it, my cuties! But aisa nahi hota hai… Aarvi ke paas school ka card hai, par Avu ke paas nahi hai… Aur school mei ma’am toh sabko jaanti hai. She will know ki Avu is not a regular student… then she might punish Avu.”

Hearing this, Aarvi and Avu exchanged a quick glance, their excitement fading slightly. But Avu, being his curious little self, wasn’t done yet.

“Mummaa… aap bhi tohhh ma’am hooo… you tak to ma’am…” he argued, tilting his head adorably.

Sanyukta chuckled, ruffling his soft curls.

“Ufff… I just can’t explain to you two now!” she said, throwing her hands in the air, making both Aarvi and Avu giggle mischievously.

To distract Avu, she told him that his Daddy was coming back soon and that he should stay home to welcome him. The moment he heard this, his eyes sparkled with joy, and he instantly agreed, forgetting all about school.

Once Aarvi left for school, Avu trailed behind Sanyukta like a little duckling, tugging at her dupatta.

“Mummaa… Daddy kab aayenge?” he asked, his tiny fingers curling around the fabric.

Sanyukta bent down and pointed at the big clock in the living room.

“Jab chhoti sui five pe aayegi, tab Daddy will be here, okay?” she told him softly.

Avu gave a serious nod as if committing it to memory.

A while later, he settled beside Indira Devi on the couch, his little legs swinging as he kept an eager watch on the big clock. Every few minutes, he would glance up, then back at Indira Devi, as if confirming he was tracking it correctly.

Time passed, and when the minute hand finally landed on five, Avu’s patience ran out.

“Mummaa… fiv pe aagyaaaa…!!” he squealed happily, jumping off the couch and running straight to the kitchen, where Sanyukta was preparing tea for Dadi and Pushpa ji.

Before she could react, he wrapped his little arms around her legs.

Sanyukta smiled, picking him up effortlessly and kissing his chubby cheeks.

“Avuuu… baby, vo badi sui hai… maine chhoti sui ke baare mei bola tha. Chhoti sui jab five pe aayegi, tab evening hoga, tab Daddy aayenge,” she explained patiently.

Avu blinked at her, then pouted dramatically, resting his head on her shoulder.

“But evening toh shaam ko hoti hai na…?” he asked in confusion, his tiny fingers playing with her hair.

Sanyukta couldn’t hold back her laughter. "Haan, bacha… shaam ko!"

She kissed the top of his head, her heart swelling with love for her little boy and his innocent ways.

Sanyukta fed Avu lunch and decided to skip her bakery classes for the day. Avu had his arms wrapped around her, not letting her go, and she couldn't resist cuddling him.

Both of them ended up dozing off, enjoying the rare peace of an afternoon nap.

She had told herself she would ignore Ranvijay when he came home. But as the evening passed, she realized he hadn't come back yet. She felt an ache in her heart but pushed it away. Should I call him? she wondered, but decided against it. She didn't want to seem too eager.

As the night grew late, her thoughts shifted again, and she found herself checking the clock. Then, around midnight, the sound of the door opening caught her attention.

She froze for a moment, hearing Ranvijay enter the room. It had been almost four days since he left, and she had been counting the days in silence.

He moved quietly, unaware that she was awake, walking to the closet without a word. Sanyukta was too tired to move but felt a strange sense of relief wash over her as he was finally back.

Moments later, Ranvijay came out of the bathroom, his hair still wet from a quick shower. He was in his shorts, his skin still glowing with the warmth of the water. He threw his towel at her playfully, not noticing how she tensed at the familiar gesture.

"You’re up?" he asked with a small, tired smile, sitting beside her. He didn’t wait for her reply and plopped down on the bed, gently placing his head in her lap.

Sanyukta’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t expected him to be so close, and as he relaxed against her, she instinctively started drying his hair with the towel.

The intimacy of the moment, the way his head rested against her, made her heart flutter, but there was also a tightness in her chest. A sharp breath escaped her as he nuzzled into her stomach, his warmth radiating against her skin.

He was right there—so close. It felt like everything she’d been wanting for days had suddenly arrived in this one moment.

But with it came a wave of conflicting emotions: frustration, longing, and an undeniable sense of love. She let out a quiet sigh, unsure of what to say or how to feel.

"Dinner?" she asked, trying to sound normal.

Ranvijay looked up at her, his lips curling into a teasing smile. "Only you," he said, his voice low and intimate.

The words sent a shiver down her spine. Her breath hitched, but she tried to ignore the fluttering in her chest.

He reached up, gently holding her hand and placing a soft kiss in the middle of her palm. It was a simple gesture, but it meant everything in that moment. His touch was tender, yet there was an underlying need for her presence. He laid back again, his head resting in her lap as she continued to dry his hair.

"Soo jaaye... you must be tired," she murmured softly, her voice laced with the weight of the last few days.

Ranvijay shook his head, his eyes never leaving hers. "I missed you a lot, biwi." His voice was sincere, but there was a playful glint in his eyes, a reminder of the wit he always carried with him.

Sanyukta couldn’t help but look away, feeling a mix of emotions. The warmth of his words collided with the coldness she had been holding in her heart. She didn’t want to give in just yet.

"Are you angry with me? Haan?" Ranvijay asked, now sitting up and gently holding her hand, pulling it closer.

Sanyukta pulled her hand back slightly, avoiding his gaze. "No... why would I be angry?" she said plainly, though the tone of her voice betrayed her inner turmoil.

"I know you are. Juth mat bol mujhe," he teased, but there was a vulnerability in his voice as he pulled her closer, brushing his lips against her cheek.

Sanyukta tensed, her heart heavy. "Mujhe lagta hai hume soo jana chaiye... kaafi raat ho gayi hai." She tried to withdraw her hand from his grip, but his hold tightened.

"Bol, kya hua hai?" he asked, his voice softer now, though still firm.

Sanyukta felt the tears rising, her emotions threatening to spill over. "Kuch nahi hua hai... I just want to sleep," she muttered, her voice barely audible.

But Ranvijay wasn’t having it. He looked at her seriously. "Sanyukta..." His tone was gentle but stern, as if he knew something was off.

Before she could stop herself, the tears began to fall. "I just hate you so much, Ranvijay... I don’t want to talk to you." Her words were broken, muffled by the sobs that racked her body. She couldn’t hold the pain in any longer.

Comments please 😉 😁 😁 😁
I hope you guys know who Mishka is ????😉😉😉