I shakily get up to my feet while Randhir's dad stares me down. Why is this happening? What should I say? Shit shit shit!!

"Toh ye bhi kar leti ho tum?" he asks in anger. What does he mean by that? I look at him in confusion. "Don't try to be all innocent. Chup ke baate sunn rahi thi na tum. Sharam nahi aati tumhe aise karte hue!" he growls and I coward under his gaze.

Does he think so low of me? But why? I am going to cry!

"Pehle toh Randhir ne bike bech di tumhare wajah se aur ab uska career bhi kharab karna hai tumhe. Chahti kya ho tum? Tum jaise gareeb logo ko achhe se jaanta hu mai. Khud toh kuch mehnat karo mat bass ameer boyfriend pataa ke life banaa lo. What a master plan Sanyukta, great!"

What??? He thinks of me as a bloody gold digger! This has gone too far now. I can't take such insult. Now my tears turn into anger. I wipe them away furiously and raise my chin and gaze him in the eye.

"Sir, first of all vo bike Randhir ko maine bechne nahi boli thi. It was his decision and a very good one because it made me fall in love with him. Aur dusri baat, mujhe agar Randhir ko fasaa ke uske paiso pe jeena hota toh I wouldn't encourage him to become a social worker. Gareeb, as you say, ho ke bhi mai iss college me scholarship se aayi hu and I have a good job now. So I don't want Randhir for his money because I can make my own!"

He is taken aback by my answer for a moment but then I see a really furious glint in his eye.

"But mere baad toh sab meri kamayi uski hi hogi. So in one way or the other, bahot paise honge uske naam."

Oh my god!! I am bewildered by his words. But then it's like something inside him clicks because his expression changes from anger to.. wickedness?

"Toh Randhir ko uski dream jeete hue dekhna hai tumhe? Uski bakwass dream jisme vo haath me jhaadu leke gandagi saaf karega. Jagah jagah dusro ke liye donation maangta firega. Charity work mai bhi karta hu but you can't build a career on it. I wonder usko ab tak job kaise nahi mili jab ke his performance is so good in college. I'll tell you a secret now Sanyukta. Maine sab firms ko Randhir ko accept karne se manaa kiya hai."

"No sir you can't..."

"Yes I can and I have. Tumhe usko khush dekhna hai na. I give you two options now. Dhyaan se sunno. Ya toh vo apni dream puri karega of being a social worker ya tumhare saath rahega. He can't have both. Ek baar mai usse ye stupid low class kaam karte hue dekh sakta hu but tumhaare saath.. nahi. I have a reputation to maintain.

Aur ab agar tum usko ye sab bataaogi toh family toot jaayegi humaari. Uska gussa toh tumhe pata hi hoga. Renuka and Vidushi ko bhi suffer karna padega. Jitna mai usse jaanta hu, vo humse rishta tod dega.

Aur family ki value tumse jyada kon jaanta hai. Do you want him to be without a family. Like you? Now his future is in your hands. Kal sab aane wale ho na tum ghar pe. I want the answer by then. I hope you are smart enough to make the right choice. See you tomorrow. Hopefully for the last time."

With that he walks away.

I stand there like a statue not knowing what to do. What the..

"Sanyu! Yaha ho tum. Mujhe aise hi chhod ke yaha aa gayi? Kya hua? Aise kya muh banaya hai jaise bhoot dekh liya ho" daadi asks shaking me.

"Daadi ghar chalo" I say and start pulling her towards the gate behind the college. Here nobody will see us leaving. Hopefully.

"Arre kya hua beta. Aise achanak.."

"Daadi please meri tabiyat kharab lag rahi hai" I say as I call the cab driver near the back gate.

"Randhir ko toh bataa ke jaate hai.. vo tumhe..." she stops speaking when her eyes fall on my desperate face. She just squeezes my hand in assurance and we leave. Just an hour ago I was on top of the world with happiness.. and now..

Sorry Randhir.

The cab ride is silent. Daadi has fallen asleep and I am feeling overwhelmed by my emotions. Anger, worry, sadness, betrayal.. but most of all is helplessness. I am stuck. Very badly. Whatever I do Randhir is going to be very hurt. If we stay together, he will probably lose his dream. Probably.

But family? He will definitely lose them. That I know. Randhir will never forgive his dad and their whole relation will turn bitter. However his dad is, he is his dad after all. I know he wants just the best for his son. But the best that he wants is not right. Should I tell Randhir?

No.

He and his dad are already on bad terms. The whole situation will turn worse. His mom and Vidushi too will face the consequences if their bitterness increases. I can't break his family.

The only thing that his dad said right was that I know the importance and value of a family. I have daadi but my parents were took away from me a long time ago. I still miss them very much. No one ever can take their place.

Randhir loves his family, I know. I can't let him leave them. Also, he will have to leave his passion. His life will become empty. And I am not sure if I'll be able to fill it. I will give him all my love but will that be enough? I guess no.

So now remains the last dreadful option. I have to go away from his life. Just the thought makes my heart ache and my eyes fill with tears. I blink them away, not wanting daadi to worry about it.

Do I want to leave Randhir? No. Never. But I want him to be happy. Even if it means I have to sacrifice my happiness. So I have to.

Sorry Randhir.

___________

I look at my phone for the nth time. It's been 2 hours since I reached home and I still haven't switched it on. Randhir must have gone mad. I have decided to break up with him tomorrow at his parents' anniversary party. Atleast I should inform him that I am fine. Which I am definitely not.

I switch it on and in just 3 seconds my phone rings flashing Randhir's face. It's a candid pic that I took when he was laughing while watching SpongeBob. I smile and sigh. Just be normal, I remind myself and pick up.

"Pick up pick up pi.. Hello? Shit! Sanyukta! What the.. where the hell are you? Maine pure college me dhunda. Tum thik toh ho na baby?" He sounds angry and worried at the same time.

"Randhir I am ok. I was just.. not feeling really well. And phone bhi switch off ho gaya. Jaate hue maine tumhe dhunda but tum kahi nahi dikhe. Sorry" I lie to him swallowing the lump in my throat.

"I'm so sorry.. mai abhi aata hu tumse milne, tumhara favorite soup leke" he offers but I quickly deny.

"Nahi nahi.. mat aao. I mean.. I just need rest. Aur tumhe waise bhi tayyari karni hai na kal ke party ki. Tab hum mil lenge."

"Umm okay. You just take care baby. Kuch bhi chahiye ho toh call me ok?"

"Ya okay. Um then bye good night"

There is a pause but neither of us hang up. After a few seconds he says, "Sanyukta?"

"Ha?"

"I love you"

My eyes fill with tears and I put my hand on my mouth to control my sob.

"I love you too Randhir" I say and hang up just as the tears start falling freely. That night I cry to sleep preparing myself for the worst day of my life.

__________

The day has finally come. Parth picked me up from my place and we are driving towards Pali hill road, which is one of the richest areas in Mumbai. No wonder Randhir's dad has a good reputation to keep. How can a poor girl like me belong here.

Stop that self pity Sanyukta. It is not necessary to be rich to be a good person. It's the heart that matters. Which Randhir's dad doesn't have, I think sourly.

Parth gives his car keys to the valet for parking and we head to Randhir's house which is on the 20th floor.

Parth is talking about how his and Vidushi's family have approved their relationship. He is going to ask Vidushi to move in with him today. It's a surprise for her. I know she will say yes and be very very happy. Even I have a surprise for Randhir. A different one. Very different. I sigh as we enter the house.

The house is very modern with all the latest furnishings. It is decorated elegantly and only a few people are invited. Only around 30 I guess. Most of them are middle aged. Just the aura around them screams money.

Parth leaves to find Vidushi. I see Randhir's mom and go to her to wish her a happy anniversary. She tells me I look beautiful and I give her a small smile.

I am already feeling lonely. I look around to find that one face which I love. He is nowhere to be seen so I go and stand in the balcony with a glass of champagne in my hand. The cool wind hits me and a shiver runs down my spine.

"Already feeling out of place?" There is a voice behind me. I know who it belongs to so I just sigh. Randhir's dad stands beside me. When I turn towards him, he is eyeing my dress with suspicion.

"Nahi sir. Chori ka dress nahi hai" I say giving him a tight smile. He looks at me with a 'how- do- you- know- what- I'm- thinking' look.

Wow.. he was not joking when he said that he thinks of me as some poor useless girl.

But I didn't buy this costly dress. It was Randhir's gift to me on my 21st birthday. It's a gorgeous peach coloured, sleeveless, floor length gown.

Princess. Randhir had called me his princess when he saw me in it. After gawking at me for a solid 15 minutes that is.

I shake my head to clear my thoughts and face his dad. Raising my chin I say, "Give Randhir what he deserves. I want him to get his dream job even if it means that I have to leave".

He looks at me with a blank expression. After a moment he removes his phone and dials a number. Again his eyes are on me with the same blank expression and he speaks, "Randhir Shekhawat ka letter abhi ke abhi bhej do... Right now!.. Aur jo maine mere 3 lakh rupees withdraw kiye the, I will pay it now.. actually, make it 5 lakhs. I'll send the money right after I get the letter... Good." And he hangs up.

Oh. So that's how they agreed to him. For 3 lakh rupees. Well it's a large amount and no institution can decline it. Especially a social service one. This man has a lot of power.

"Good choice. Tumhare account me bhi.."

"No sir. I am not doing this for money." I say and again my eyes fill with tears. I have done it.

"Well then Miss Agarwal. Enjoy the rest of the evening with my son. For the last time." With that he turns and leaves with a satisfied smile on his face.

I just stand there. Feeling numb. After some minutes, I step out and see Vidushi and Parth. Vidushi looks like.. well Vidushi. The navy blue dress that she is wearing is like a second skin on her body and flaunts her model like figure. She herself has designed it. She will become the best fashion designer in the country. No.. in the world.

Parth is saying something and she is giggling in his arms. I'll have to leave them too. I will be leaving the best people of my life today. I blink back my tears.

Suddenly she looks at me and rushes towards me to hug me. "You look gorgeous!" We both say together and she laughs. I have lost the capacity to laugh so I give her a smile. She eyes my face and frowns.

Before she asks me anything, I ask her about Randhir. She tells me that he was finding me and just now went to his bedroom because he got some letter.

So soon.

Randhir's dad is a man of his words. Now it's my turn to do as I promised. I go to his bedroom following Vidushi's direction and knock.

____________

Sorry that the updates take time. I'm very busy nowadays :(

About the chapter.. I know.. even I hate his dad. So you can remove all the bhadaas in the comments section.

And what do you think about Sanyukta's decision???

Um also I wanted to ask.. do you like the outfits that I select for the characters? I spend a lot of time finding the correct one.