Ankit fisted his fingers tightly and took a step towards Randhir when Kishore extended his arm and he stopped. Kishore then looked at the family and walked up to them.

'Please excuse us. Prakash.' Kishore said humbly. Hari's father took a step and held Kishore's shoulder. He shook him little and smiled.

'Take care.' He said softly and then looked at Sanyukta. He looked back at Kishore and smiled again. Kishore doesn't even bother forcing or faking a smile. After the family left. Randhir turned to Sanyukta and kneeled beside her. Just then Ankit held his collar startling him. He made Randhir stand and glared at him. His eyes blazing.

'You rascal, it is all your fault.' He yelled. Randhir doesn't react. Right now, he is more concerned for Sanyukta.

He held Ankit's hand and moved it away from his collar, - 'Listen I know you are mad. But right now, Sanyukta is more important.'

Ankit clenched his fists tightly, - 'It is all because of you. Disgusting,'- Ankit grabbed his collar again, - 'How dare you make my sister pregnant. I won't spare you.' He raised his hand and was about to punch Randhir when Kishore booming baritone made him stop.

Kishore stepped in and separated the two, he looked sternly at Ankit, - 'He is right, our priority should be Sanyukta. You go call the doctor.' He said. Ankit hesitantly nodded and glared at Randhir before walking out of the room. Kishore then looked at Vidhushi.

'Vidhushi. I am sure what you are thinking is wrong. My Sanyukta is my pride and she will never shame me.' Kishore said with confidence. Vidhushi nodded and quickly left.

Randhir looked at Kishore silently asking if he could take Sanyukta. Kishore simply nodded. Without wasting any more time, Randhir bent down and picked up Sanyukta in his arms.

Just then, Sanyukta opened her eyes and Randhir is surprised.

'What the-' He placed her on the ground and looked at her surprised. Watching Sanyukta stand on her feet, Kishore is surprised and baffled.

'Beta?' His stern expressions turned soft.

Sanyukta smiled meekly. Randhir felt annoyed, he held her arm and turned her to face him.

'You are alright?'

Sanyukta nodded

Randhir frowned, - 'You scared the heck out of us. I was like numb. You gave me a bloody heart attack.' Randhir scolded her.

Sanyukta knew it is his love and so she smiled. This annoyed Randhir further and he continued lecturing her, - 'Here, I am scolding you and you are smiling...'

As he spoke Sanyukta wanted to just hug him but knowing her father is here, she controlled her urges. Watching Randhir scolding Sanyukta and her smiling, Kishore smiled too.

But within a minute, Kishore quickly composed himself and cleared his throat. Randhir stopped talking and looked at his Sasurji before looking back at Sanyukta. When she looked at him, he glared at her and looked away.

'Beta?' Kishore called Sanyukta softly.

'Ji, Papa.' Sanyukta said in a small voice.

'I am glad you are alright. But I am very disappointed in you.' He said and Sanyukta lowered her head feeling ashamed.

You had left her with no other option- Randhir thought bitterly.

'Papa, I am sorry.' Sanyukta walked up to her father and held his arm.

Kishore looked at Randhir and then at Sanyukta, he held her hand and said, - 'I want to talk to you, alone.' He sounded stern and so Sanyukta didn't argue and nodded. She looked at Randhir and gestured him to leave. Randhir sighed and was about to leave when Kishore interrupted.

'Not here. Come.' He said and began walking.

Sanyukta followed him without any questions.

Before she walked out of the room she glanced back at Randhir, who made a face and looked away. Sanyukta sighed sadly- she will have to coax him later.

******************************************

Once in the room, Kishore looked seriously at his daughter. Sanyukta gulped.

'First, tell me,' – He began sternly, - 'Are you...pre-preg-pre...' Kishore felt awkward and couldn't complete his sentence. Sanyukta got a hint; she was awake and had listened to Vidhushi, that time all she had wished was to get up and slap her face.

Sanyukta held Kishore's arm. He looked at her holding his breath. She smiled shaking her head and Kishore found his heartbeat returning to normal.

'No, Papa. I am not.' She confirmed, and Kishore exhaled loudly. He felt like an immense boulder has been lifted off his chest.

'But, Papa. I am also very disappointed with you.' Sanyukta said sadly. Kishore turned to look at her. He felt guilty looking at her sad face. Sanyukta lowered her head.

'Papa. You know I love Randhir and I want to marry only him.' Slowly she looked up at her father and feeling guilty Kishore avoided her gaze.

'Why did you get some guy's family and embarrass everyone.' She said softly. Kishore sighed and blinked back his tears. He turned looking at Sanyukta and held her shoulder.

'They weren't some random guy's family. They were the Guptas. Remember Gupta Uncle?' Kishore said. Sanyukta recollected how one night before Kishore had suddenly remembered Gupta Uncle and wanted to contact him. So, it was for this?

Sanyukta looked at her father, - 'But Papa, still, I love Randhir. You know that but then-'

Kishore looked ahead and hesitated before saying, - 'Their son, Hari is married also he has a three-year-old daughter.'

Sanyukta gasped. She is stunned. Her father wanted her to marry a man who is married and a father.

Kishore sighed, - 'It was just a set-up, beta. I just wanted to see Randhir's reaction. I wanted to see if he, like before will he create a scene, or will he care about you and our reputation. I wanted to see how he reacts to someone else has come to marry you.' Kishore confessed not meeting his daughter's gaze.

'So? That means they hadn't actually come to see me? It was just a- test?' Sanyukta spoke slowly as she tried grasping everything. Kishore nodded

Sanyukta is relieved. She is also disappointed at herself for doubting her father.

She then looked worriedly at her father, - 'So? Did Randhir pass?' She asked uncertainly. Kishore looked at her, - 'Somewhat.' He said and then looked at his daughter with a smile.

'Wow!' Sanyukta clasped her palms tightly and smiled brightly. She then hugged her father and gushed happily, - 'I am so happy.' She pressed her cheek against her father's shoulder and squeezed his waist tightly.

'Arey, beta. Are you planning to strangle your Papa?' Kishore joked and Sanyukta smiled. She shook her head and loosened her grip. Kishore tilted his head and admired his daughter with pride.

'Beta,'- He separated their frames and held her chin, - 'I know what I am doing is hurting you, but I just can't help it. You are very, very precious to me. You are my princess, my pride. I can't let you be with just anyone. Considering Randhir's history I don't want to take any chances.' He confessed. Sanyukta's heart dropped seeing tears in his eyes. Kishore sighed and held her shoulder, he looked away blinking his tears and then back at her, - 'After the dream team competition, I thought I had lost you. Those two years, when you were like a zombie. Those dark days were unbearable. I felt like God was punishing me for everything wrong that I did to you. That incident opened my eyes, beta. I don't want to repeat the same mistake again. I can't afford to lose you, again.' He confessed.

Sanyukta shook her head and wiped his tears with her palm. She hugged her father, resting her head on his chest. She closed her eyes and smiled sadly.

'No, Papa, you won't lose me.' Sanyukta looked up at her father, - 'Papa, do whatever you think is right. I am with you. But please, Papa don't be harsh on Randhir. He has truly changed. And he really, really loves me.' Sanyukta said.

Kishore nodded and hugged her. Sanyukta smiled closing her eyes. She is glad that things are sorted.

Outside the room, Vidhushi heard everything.

*********************************************************

Awww, Mr. A is just being a protective father :) seriously, what plan he made to test Randhir. And good news, Randhir somewhat passed *Yaaay* *jumps up in the air* 

But, guys, seeing his daughter living like a zombie must be so painful for Mr. Agarwal, haina? And that feeling of being helpless as he couldn't do anything to make her smile. I believe, guys, even though he was mean and selfish and arrogant before but, Mr. A has redeemed himself by trying to motivate Sanyukta and supporting her later. Those two years were his redemption period. So much changed after DT competition, but Mr. A's transformation was the only positive thing that happened because of it. What are your thoughts on this?

And the father-daughter bond *_* Beautiful, isn't it?

Precap:

'Please Randhir, eat.' Sanyukta forwarded spoonful of rice towards Randhir angry pout. He didn't look at her and slapped her hand away. Sanyukta gasped as the morsel of food dropped on the floor. She then glared at Randhir. He kept sitting with his back pressed against the bed post, arms folded, a scowl on his face and an angry pout.

'Last time, I am saying Randhir, eat.' Sanyukta said sternly. Randhir shook his head. Sanyukta pressed her lips tightly and moved front. She held his cheek and forcefully made him open his mouth.

'What the' Randhir protested as she stuffed a spoonful of rice into his mouth. He glared at her as he chewed his food. Sanyukta smiled victoriously. 

 Awww, Randhir has become angry bacha again *laughs* *laughs* Excited for the precap, guys? Stay tuned :*

How was the Chapter, guys? Drop in your comments :*

Thanks so much for your love, guys :* Please, don't forget to vote and comment *flying kisses*