Ranvijay was briefing Satyam over a new case when the door suddenly swung open, slamming against the wall with a loud thud. A raging Rudraksh stormed into the cabin, his eyes burning with fury.
Ranvijay barely spared him a glance before signaling Satyam to leave. As the door clicked shut, he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest with an infuriatingly calm expression.
"Done playing around with your cheap tricks?" Rudraksh spat, his fists clenched at his sides.
Ranvijay smirked, tilting his head. "So... what would you like, Mr. Rudraksh? To be insulted in front of my employees when I drag you out by your collar? Or the better and safer option—being kindly escorted out by my security?" He wiggled his eyebrows mockingly.
"Look, Ranvijay, I know you love Anushka. So do I," Rudraksh said, struggling to keep his voice steady. "Vicky is my cousin, and I never supported his wrongdoings. I may not be perfect, but my love for her is real."
Ranvijay let out a chuckle, shaking his head. "I'm impressed. You should consider a career in acting. Might suit you better."
Rudraksh exhaled sharply, reigning in his frustration. "I've said enough. If you don't want to believe me, that's your problem. But I will marry her."
Ranvijay took a drag from his cigarette and exhaled slowly, the smoke curling in the air. "And I will kill you."
Before Rudraksh could react, Ranvijay kicked the chair out from under him, sending him crashing onto the floor. Rudraksh growled, rage flaring in his eyes as he scrambled to his feet.
"I stayed calm for the sake of our fri—"
Before he could finish, Ranvijay's fist collided with his jaw, sending him staggering backward. Blood trickled from the corner of his lips as he wiped it away, his eyes burning with defiance.
"You were never my friend," Ranvijay snarled. "You were always a bastard, and you will remain one till the end of your life. This is my final warning—stay the fuck away from my sister, or I will pluck your eyes out."
Rudraksh's breath came in heavy pants, but he refused to back down. "I've apologized enough for what happened in the past. I know I made a mistake, but I won't sacrifice my love for the only mistake I made in my life."
Ranvijay's lips curled into a sneer. "The only mistake? I see. Let me remind you exactly what you did."
His voice dropped, turning dangerously low. "You came to me like a lost puppy in college, begging for guidance. I treated you like a brother, pulled you into my circle. And how did you repay me? By letting that venomous bitch Naina manipulate you!"
Rudraksh's face twisted with guilt, but Ranvijay wasn’t finished. He stepped closer, eyes blazing. "She had a sick obsession with me, but I never gave her the attention she wanted. And when she saw you—desperate, insecure, willing to do anything to prove yourself—she played you like a fucking pawn. She filled your ears with lies, made you believe I was against you. And you? You let her."
Rudraksh swallowed, unable to meet his gaze.
Ranvijay let out a humorless chuckle. "And then the grand finale—you framed me. You stood in front of the entire university and accused me of molesting Naina. Do you even know what you did to me that day? Do you know what it's like to see everything you built come crashing down because of one filthy lie?"
Rudraksh flinched. "I didn’t—"
"You didn’t what? Mean to ruin my life? You didn’t mean for me to be rusticated? Humiliated? Disgraced? You didn’t mean for my parents to be shamed, for my mother to cry herself to sleep every night?" Ranvijay’s voice was pure venom now.
Rudraksh’s hands curled into fists. "I was manipulated, Ranvijay. I was young and foolish—"
"You were weak," Ranvijay snapped. "And I don’t forgive weakness. I will never forgive you. And mark my words, if you ever come near Anushka again, your past sins will seem like a fucking joke compared to what I’ll do to you."
Rudraksh exhaled shakily, his face dark with regret. "I love her. Nothing you say will change that."
Ranvijay stepped even closer, his voice a deadly whisper. "And nothing you say will change the fact that if you don’t stay away, I will destroy you."
*********
Ranvijay returned home earlier than usual, his mood sour, and went straight to his room.
Sanyukta, who was feeding Avu and Aarvi, sensed that something was amiss.
"I'll see him ... you continue feeding them," Pushpa ji said, making her nod, and followed Ranvijay to his room.
Ranvijay, puffing a cigarette on his balcony, immediately discarded it upon sensing his mother's presence.
"I've told you not to smoke, yet here you are..." Pushpa ji said sternly.
"I'm not a habitual smoker, Maa... I do it occasionally," Ranvijay replied.
"What happened?" Pushpa ji asked, sitting beside him.
"Rudraksh, Maa!" he said, causing Pushpa ji to frown.
"What has he done now? I never liked that boy... Did you find something against him?" she inquired.
"He's the same guy who testified against me in that false molestation case," Ranvijay revealed, shocking his mother.
"What?" Pushpa ji asked, needing confirmation, and Ranvijay nodded.
"Let him come near me this time... Forget about the alliance; I won't let him come near our house," Pushpa ji declared, anger and hurt evident in her voice.
"Why didn't you tell us earlier? We would have refused outright," Pushpa ji questioned.
"How could I? Only you, Papa, and I know about the molestation case... Anu and Ranveer Bhai are unaware of it," Ranvijay reasoned, making her nod with a sigh.
"It's okay... Don't worry. I'll inform your Papa about him, and we'll decline the proposal. We will never marry Anu to that despicable boy," Pushpa ji assured, and Ranvijay nodded, looking away.
"Look at me," Pushpa ji said, turning his face toward her and hugging him close.
"Don't dwell on it now... You're my strong son. You've faced everything bravely and look where you stand today. I'm so proud of you, and I trust you completely. I know my child and believe in my upbringing," Pushpa ji comforted, patting his back and kissing his hair.
She knew how much Ranvijay had suffered after that incident and had cried for him day and night, watching her child shatter before her eyes.
It took him years of struggle to rise again and emerge stronger. She could never forgive that girl and Rudraksh for what they did to her son.
Sanyukta entered the room with Ranvijay's coffee, prompting Ranvijay and Pushpa ji to break their embrace.
"Take some rest, and I'll prepare something nice for dinner, okay?" Pushpa ji said, caressing his hair before leaving, giving Sanyukta a small smile.
Sanyukta offered him the coffee and sat beside him.
"Is everything okay?" she asked, noticing his silence.
"Hmm," he murmured, sipping his coffee before placing it back on the table.
"Isn't it good? Should I make another?" Sanyukta asked, and he shook his head.
"I'm not in the mood," he said, resting his head on the backrest and closing his eyes.
"Did something happen at the office, or is it related to Anu?" Sanyukta probed, feeling restless at his tense demeanor.
Ranvijay offered a faint smile and lay on the couch, resting his head in her lap.
"Rudraksh came to the office," he revealed, and she frowned, nodding.
"He must have found out about the phone," Sanyukta said, and Ranvijay nodded.
"I punched him," Ranvijay admitted, watching for her reaction.
Sanyukta sighed, shaking her head while caressing his cheek.
"Fighting won't solve the problem," she said, and he hummed, closing his eyes.
"He was my junior in college," Ranvijay revealed, surprising her, but she remained silent, allowing him to continue.
"He struggled to fit into the new environment, facing bullying, and I helped him. Eventually, we became friends, and I included him in our circle.
I saw him as a younger brother, but he betrayed me," Ranvijay recounted, and Sanyukta frowned, gently caressing his hair.
"What did he do?" Sanyukta asked, already developing a dislike for Rudraksh.
"There was a girl, Naina. She was a spoiled brat who liked me, but I never reciprocated her feelings or gave her attention.
Every boy in the university was infatuated with her, including Rudraksh. She befriended him and turned him against me. Before my final exams, she falsely accused me of molestation, creating a huge scene. The dean called the police, and I was arrested," Ranvijay revealed, shocking Sanyukta.
"Maa and Papa came to the police station and secured my bail by evening. Rudraksh testified against me in the report as an eyewitness. Fortunately, I won the case with the help of CCTV footage, but I was expelled from the university.
Papa and Maa had to endure humiliation; my reputation was destroyed. Papa didn't tell anyone about this and sent me to Delhi with Maa to complete my law degree.
I lost my confidence and slipped into depression. Maa was there for me. We didn't inform anyone at home. Bhai was in London at the time, and Anushka was young; she stayed with Papa and Dadi,"
Sanyukta's eyes welled up, her heart aching for his suffering.
"I hate Rudraksh," she said, tears streaming down her face. Ranvijay sat up, chuckling softly, and pulled her into his embrace.
"How could he do that to you? He's shameless, a coward," she sobbed, and Ranvijay rubbed her back to soothe her.
"I feel like beating him with a stick so he'd remember it for a lifetime," she muttered. He laughed, kissing her nose and wiping her tears.
"I'm serious. Don't laugh," she insisted, looking at her husband, who responded with a gentle kiss on her lips.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Sanyukta asked after calming down, cupping his face.
"I didn't want to remember that incident. It was a long time ago," he said with a shrug, making her pout.
"You can share things with me. I'm your wife; I should know everything about you, from every mole on your body to every scar in your mind and heart. I have the right to know it all. I want to know it all," Sanyukta said, gazing into his eyes. He smiled, pinching her nose.
"Biwi , where were you earlier, pehle mil jaati mujhe ?" he said, hugging her close and nuzzling into her neck, making her wrap her arms around him.
"You didn't search for me; how would you have found me?" Sanyukta replied with a giggle. He smiled against her skin, planting a soft kiss.
At the dining table…
"Daddyyyyy......I learn a new poemmm......" Avu announced, his big eyes sparkling with excitement, his tiny hands clapping together as if sealing his proud achievement.
Ranvijay, already smiling at his son’s enthusiasm, gasped dramatically. "Wowww Avuu.....A new poem? I am sooo excited to hear it!" He cheered, making Avu giggle and nod eagerly, his little curls bouncing.
"Helppp me standdd, Mummaaa......" Avu demanded, reaching for Sanyukta with his chubby hands, determined to perform his poem with full effect.
Sanyukta chuckled, shaking her head fondly. "Accha baba, aa jao..." She carefully helped him stand on the chair, holding him steady as he wobbled a little before finding his balance.
"Ittsssss a frutttt poemmmmm, everyyyy bdddyyy……!" Avu announced grandly, spreading his arms wide, making everyone at the table smile in anticipation.
"Okayyy, let's hear the masterpiece!" Ranvijay said, leaning forward like an eager audience.
Avu cleared his throat like a true performer and began:
"Banana slip, 'Ohhhhh noooo, oh dear!'" He gasped loudly, pretending to slip, his tiny hands flailing in the air dramatically, making everyone chuckle.
"Aple laughhhhh, 'Ha-hahaha , com hereeee!'" Avu clutched his belly and wobbled with laughter, imitating an apple giggling, making Aarvi giggle along.
"Grape said, 'Stopppp, don’t be rudddf!'" He pouted and wagged his tiny finger like an elder, trying to look serious, but ended up looking extra adorable.
"Orange rollllll in, 'Let’s be dudeeeeee!'” He hifived with his Daddy, making Ranvijay laugh out loud. "That’s my boy! Full swag!"
"Stw bery blushhhhhhh, 'This is funnnnn!'” Avu suddenly turned to Sanyukta and poked her cheek, making her giggle as she hugged him from the side.
"Pin apple waveeddd, 'Hi, everyone!'" Avu waved both hands at everyone excitedly, nearly toppling over before Ranvijay caught him, making him squeal in delight.
"Watrrr meln, big and rounddddd...." Avu puffed his cheeks adorably and made himself look ‘big’, making Anushka giggle.
"Said, 'Let’s all jump up and down!'" And with that, Avu did a tiny bounce on the chair, making everyone gasp.
"Beta, sambhal ke!" Pratap warned, but his lips twitched in amusement.
"Kiwi tripppp , 'Ooooops, I’m shy.....'" Avu quickly covered his face with his chubby hands, peeking through his fingers, making everyone laugh at his cuteness.
"Mango dancccc , 'Let’s rechhh the skyyyyyy!'" Avu lifted his arms, trying to ‘reach the sky,’ but ended up wobbling again.
Sanyukta held his waist. "Arre mere chhote mango, sambhal ke na!"
And finally, he finished, "Now the frutss r alllll in lineeeee, Danciiin tugthr, filing fineeeeee!"
He took a deep bow, placing one hand on his tiny chest, the other raised proudly in the air. "Thankuuuuuuuuuu!"
A huge round of applause filled the room, and before Avu could react, Ranvijay picked him up in the air. "Wooooooow! I have never heard such a WONDERFUL poem before! Absolutely amazing, my champ!" He showered kisses all over Avu's face, making him giggle and squirm.
"Daddyyyyyy....stoppy....ticklishhh!" Avu whined between his giggles, making everyone laugh.
Others clapped too, showering him with praises, and Avu beamed, his small chest puffing with pride.
Then suddenly, he clapped his own tiny hands. "Clappp forrr Aarviiiii Diduuuuu asooo.....Diduuuu teachhhh meeeeee!"
Aarvi, who had been giggling beside him, gasped in surprise as everyone turned to her.
"Ohhhhooo, toh teacher ji yahaan hain?" Ranvijay teased, scooping Aarvi up in one arm and twirling her around. "Best diduuuu ever!"
Aarvi giggled happily, hugging Ranvijay. "Avu made it cuteeeeee and more funnyy " she giggled .
Avu nodded eagerly. "I makkk cuttteeee evythinnnggg!" He declared proudly, making the whole family laugh.
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