Even after so long, Randhir knew the way to the place he had called his second home. A small smile appeared on his face as he recollected his childhood and teenage days here. More than his own home he had spent his days here; learning and getting motivated towards engineering.

Randhir had tears in his eyes as he looked around the old garage. There were few bikes and cars, some old and rusty and some new. One or two mechanics worked on some of them. Nostalgia hit him bad as he reminisced his past. Everything seemed like a distant memory.

'Arey, Randhir Bhaiya?'

Randhir looked up. A young boy wearing a vest and denim jeans came up to him. His face was very familiar. He smiled widely at him. Randhir took a second to recognize the familiar young teen.

'Chotu?' He asked and smiled at him. The guy nodded.

'Yes, Randhir Bhaiya. You recognized me?' He asked happily. Randhir nodded and placed his palm on Chotu's shoulder.

'Yup,' - He looked at him from top to bottom and then at his face, - 'You have grown so much.' He complimented him.

Chotu smiled, - 'Thanks.' - He leaned and hugged Randhir, - 'so good to see you.' He said. Randhir hugged him back.

'Good to see you too.' He said, and they parted. Then, Chotu held his hand and eagerly took him inside the garage. Randhir also got excited to meet Iqbal and Feroz Chacha.

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

Sanyukta felt restless as she paced beside her car. She kept glancing at her watch and cursing Randhir. She began wondering if he fooled her.

'Why did I trust that man.' She said bitterly. She bit her lips and began walking away from the car when she saw a scooter and a car crane coming towards her. She frowned as she looked on while fidgeting with her mobile. As the scooter came near she realized Randhir was riding it. He had a wide grin. She made a face and looked away.

Randhir stopped his scooter in front of her and the car crane stopped in front of Sanyukta's car. She watched a man and a teenage boy climb down the car. The boy smiled and nodded her. She smiled a small smile.

'See.' Randhir twirled the keys of the scooter in his index finger. Sanyukta rolled her eyes and walked past him. His smile dropped.

'Um, Uncle, this is my car.' Sanyukta said to the man.

He straightened and smiled placing his palm on the back bonnet of the car.

'We know, beta. Don't worry we will repair your car in no time.' Feroz Chacha assured her. Sanyukta forced a smile and looked away. Her gaze fell on the young boy who was eyeing her suspiciously. She frowned and looked away.

Feroz Chacha and Chotu hooked the car to the crane and then walked back towards their car.

'Beta, I and Chotu will come by my car you come with Randhir.' Feroz Chacha said. Sanyukta's eyes widened and she turned to look at Randhir. He kept a straight face. Sanyukta looked back at Feroz Chacha and shook her head.

'No.' She said instantly. Randhir felt offended but doesn't say anything.

'Then how will you come, beta?' Feroz Chacha asked looking confused. Sanyukta bit her lower-lip and clenched her phone tightly. She looked down and stared at the ground. A moment later, Feroz Chacha suggested once again that she come with Randhir on the scooter. Unwillingly, Sanyukta nodded.

She turned around and Randhir looked away. He sat on the scooter. Hesitatingly, Sanyukta began to take small steps towards the scooter. Randhir clenched the handle tightly as he grew impatient with Sanyukta walking so slowly. Finally, she stood beside him. Purposefully, she avoided his gaze as she sat behind him. Randhir wore his helmet and straightened. As she was wearing a dress, Sanyukta placed both her legs on one side. Randhir ignited the engine and she grasped the handle on the back of the seat. She kept her other hand on her thigh. This was super awkward for her which was very strange. Slowly, Sanyukta looked at the back of Randhir's head. It is so strange that once this man was the love of her life and now she was feeling uneasy with him. Sanyukta looked away. Randhir glanced at her in the rear-view mirror. He noticed her expressions and felt her stiffen behind him. He looked away and started his bike.

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Luckily, the distance from the hospital to the garage was hardly ten minutes. Sanyukta was relieved as Randhir parked the scooter in front of the garage. As soon as he stopped the scooter, Sanyukta climbed down. Randhir removed his helmet. She checked her mobile and looked up. She saw Randhir toss his hair and then adjust it while staring at his reflection. When he looked at her she fixed her expressions and looked away. Randhir eyed her as he climbed down the scooter.

The two walked towards the crane car. On the way, Sanyukta felt anxious looking at all the mechanics and machines. Randhir noticed her strange behavior but doesn't say anything.

Feroz Chacha and Chotu had unhooked the car. Chotu looked at them and hurried. Sanyukta felt awkward with him looking so intently at her. He stopped right in front of her.

'Sanyukta?' The young teen asked her.

'Yes.' - Sanyukta replied awkwardly, she noticed the guy wink at Randhir and then look at her, - 'And you are?' She asked hesitantly.

The teen grinned at her, - 'Don't you remember me?' - He asked and Sanyukta shook her head.

The guy looked disappointed, - 'I remember everything about you,' - He looked at Randhir, - 'Randhir Bhaiya isn't she the same Sanyukta whose voice you were hearing over the radio. The one who was getting engaged? And you were upset about it. She is your that friend, Sanyukta. Right?'

Randhir's eyes widened and Sanyukta looked sharply at him. He kept looking everywhere else. Sanyukta folded her arms and glared at him. But before she could say something, she was interrupted.

'We will fix your car in a while,' - Sanyukta and Randhir looked at Feroz Chacha, - 'till then please have some tea and snacks.' He said sweetly. Sanyukta smiled awkwardly and shook her head.

'No need Uncle. I am fine.'

'No, Didi. I make excellent tea.' Chotu said excitedly. Sanyukta wanted to refuse but he pouted and looked at her with sad eyes. She sighed and nodded.

'Okay.' She said. Chotu smiled brightly and happily ran into the garage. Sanyukta watched him go and smiled.

'Arey, Randhir beta. Why are you-'

'It is okay, Feroz Chacha,' -Randhir pulled his sleeves up to his elbows, - 'It's been long.' He smiled at him. Feroz Chacha smiled and patted his shoulder. Sanyukta watched Randhir working on her car. Involuntarily, a smile appeared on her face. But quickly, she dropped her smile.

Randhir wondered why hasn't Sanyukta tried to act over-smart and join them. Now he realized she didn't even bother to work on the engine and chose to wait for them. He frowned. Something was definitely off with her.

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

As the men worked, Chotu got two white plastic chairs and Sanyukta took her seat. She watched Randhir work and felt envious. Once there was a time when she used to get excited and find peace while working on machines and now, thanks to Randhir, his words and that incident Sanyukta has distanced herself from the only thing she was very passionate about. Many times, she wondered if she was affected by the accident or by Randhir words. And if it's Randhir's words that affected her so much then why?

Sanyukta's reverie was broken when Chotu got a glass of tea for her. She looked at him and took the glass.

'You are very beautiful, Didi. No wonder, Bhaiya likes you so much.' He said and blushed. Sanyukta pressed her lips tightly and looked at Randhir. She shifted and looked back at Chotu.

'And what else your Randhir Bhaiya,' -She looked at Randhir for a moment and then back at him, - 'said about me?'

Chotu thought for a while, - 'He didn't say anything but the way he was listening to your voice and getting restless said everything. I also have a friend, pinkie, and even I get envious when other boys give her attention. Day and night, he was listening to your voice. He was hurt also,' -Chotu paused as he thought and then continued, - 'but he wasn't bothered about that. He was more interested in you. Also, one time he suddenly left and when he came back he looked disturbed.' Chotu finished talking.

Sanyukta looked away, she moved her hand and looked at her palm. She recollected how Randhir had come into her room and provoked her to break the engagement. He had scribbled SR on her Mehendi. A small sad smile appeared on her lips as she finally understood what it had meant.

'Didi, what are you looking at? Your Tea is getting cold.' Chotu pointed out and Sanyukta fixed her expressions. She leaned back in the chair and took a sip of tea.

Chotu ran to Randhir and said something to him. Randhir shook his head but Feroz Chacha insisted and handed him a hand towel. Randhir exhaled loudly and wiped his hands. Sanyukta kept watching him as she sipped the tea but when he turned to face her she straightened in her seat. She rested her elbows on the armrest and looked away. Randhir walked to her and sat beside her on the other chair. He looked at Sanyukta, she doesn't turn her head to look at him. He frowned.

'Bhaiya? Shall I get you tea?' Chotu asked. Randhir looked up at him and nodded. Chotu smiled and hurried off.

Randhir looked at Sanyukta, - 'What happened?' - He tried to sound cool, - 'You didn't come to poke your nose?'

Sanyukta shifted and looked at him, - 'Excuse me?'

Randhir smirked and looked away. Sanyukta shook her head.

'At least, I am not like you.' She said sharply. Randhir looked at her.

He frowned, - 'Excuse me?'

'What the hell were you teaching small kids?' Sanyukta hissed at Randhir. For a moment, Randhir was taken aback. Sanyukta pressed her lips and kept looking at him, waiting for an answer. Then he realized she was talking about what Chotu said earlier.

'I don't-don't know-what-what you mean?' He said looking away.

Sanyukta folded her left arm and placed her right elbow on the arm-rest, she clenched the glass tightly.

Randhir looked embarrassed but was saved from answering her when Chotu appeared beside him. He looked gratefully at him and took the glass. He straightened and began drinking his tea whilst staring at Feroz Chacha working on the car. He could feel Sanyukta's piercing gaze on him and he gulped.

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How was the Chapter, guys? Sandhir interaction and their bike ride *_*

Please, drop your thoughts in the comments *smiles*. Since it's a long chapter, me want long comments *sunglasses emoji*