Sanyukta was marching in her room restlessly. She was waiting for a call from Anjali as she didn't receive her calls. She was eager to know about Anjali's father's situation just then her mobile buzzed on flashing Randhir's number.

"Hello Randhir ab uncle kaise hai? Kuch serious toh nahi hai na, aur bhabhi kaha hai? Main kab se unhe call kar rahi hu wo call receive hi nahi kar rahi hai!" Sanyukta asked in a breath.

"Relax Sanyukta, everything is fine. Wo uncle ko minor attack aaya tha he is fine now. But doctors ne unhe under observation rakha hai. Aur hum hospital mein hai toh phone bhi silent par hai issi liye notice nahi kiya." He assured her.

"Ohh okay." Sanyukta said slowly. "Waise bhabhi kaha hai?" She asked.

"Bhabhi hospital mein hai, bhaiya hai unke saath, main medicines lene bahar aaya hu." He replied.

"Ohh, tum sab log lunch ke liye ghar aaoge?" She asked hesitantly.

"No Sanyukta, I don't think so. Uncle ko chhod ke bhabhi nahi aayengi toh phir main kaise aa sakta hu!" He replied.

"Toh phir main lunch leke aau?" She asked next.

"Nahi, iss ki koi jarurat nahi hai. Tum log lunch kar lo hum yahi kar lenge." He replied.

"Nahi, wo mujhe baccho ko lane school jana hai." She replied.

"Ohh thik hai, driver ko school pata hai. Lekin koi problem huyi toh call karna." He said hesitatingly.

"Koi problem nahi hogi, okay main rakhti hu, bye."

"Okay bye." And they hang the phone.

It's the first time they talk normally to each other without fighting. This is the first time when they show a little concern for each other.

Sanyukta was getting ready when her phone buzzed again, this time with Parth's number. She quickly took the phone.

"Hey senorita, how are you, I am getting bored." As soon as Sanyukta takes the phone Parth starts flirting. "Randhir is hopeless, kal raat ko use call karke bola kuch love tips dene ke liye lekin usne diya hi nahi, but you have to help me!" He continued his blabbering.

"Toh iska matlab kaal raat Randhir ko Parth ka hi call aaya tha, Laila ki nahi." Sanyukta thought that.

"Sanyukta are you there?" Parth asked, thus she came back to her senses.

"Umm Parth I am in a hurry, mujhe baccho ko lane school bhi jana hai." Sanyukta replied.

"Lekin tum kyun jyogi?" Parth asked confusingly.

"Wo Parth actually baat ye hai ki..." And she told the truth to him.

"What! Why didn't anyone tell us before?" Parth almost screamed.

"Actually Parth we all are very tense here so dhyan nahi tha." Sanyukta replied hesitantly. "But uncle is fine now, don't worry. Okay now bye mujhe baccho ko lene jana hai." She said and cut the call. Sanyukta got ready quickly and opened the door when she saw Arpita standing there.

"Aare Arpita tumhari toh trip tha na, tum gayi nahi?" Sanyukta asked curiously.

"Haan wo uncle ki health kaisa hai wo janne ke liye wait kar rahi thi, ab jaungi." Arpita replied.

"Hmmm, mujhe bhi baccho ko lene jana hai." Sanyukta said and was about to go when Arpita stopped her.

"Sanyukta mujhe tumse kuch baat karni hai." She said.

"Abhi nahi Arpita. I am getting late, please later." Sanyukta said and about to go.

"It's important Sanyukta, it's about Randhir and you." Arpita said thus Sanyukta stopped there.

"About us!" Sanyukta was surprised to hear that.

"Tum kya bolna chahati ho Arpita wo bhi mere aur Randhir ke ware mein?" Sanyukta asked confusingly when Arpita came forward and took Sanyukta's one hand between her hands and said.

"I am sorry Sanyukta." She pressed her hand slightly when Sanyukta was confused.

"Sorry! Why do you say sorry Arpita?" She asked surprisingly.

"I am sorry for what Randhir did with you." Arpita said, looking at Sanyukta's eyes, she was shocked.

"Arpita tum-tum kya bol rahi ho mujhe kuch samajh mein nahi aa raha hai!" Sanyukta hesitated.

"Don't pretend Sanyukta, you know very well what I am supposed to talk about. I know the truth about your relationship with Randhir." Arpita said that Sanyukta was shocked to hear this.

"Ron was always like this, stubborn and egoistic but apni ego mein woh aisa bhi kuch kar jayega ye maine nahi socha tha Sanyukta." Arpita said when Sanyukta looked everywhere but at her.

"Use ye sab nahi karna chahiye tha uss raat college mein. I am sorry on behalf of him." Arpita said thus she looked at her.

"Arpita tumhe ye sab kaise..." She was short of words.

"Me and Ron are besties Sanyukta, shayad hi aisi koi baat hai jo Ron mujhse share nahi karta." She said proudly when Sanyukta was numb.

"Main Randhir ko bachpan se janti hu, dosti ho ya dushmani wo har rishta apne tarike se nibhata hai! Wo apne dosto par kabhi koi aanch nahi aane deta, ussi tarha apni dushmano kabhi chain se nahi jeene deta!" She said in a raze in her eyes, thus Sanyukta looking at her surprisingly.

"Lekin Ron ne tumhare saath thik nahi kiya Sanyukta! Jiss tarha usne sab ke samne tumhe humiliate kiya, tumhe emotionally blackmail karke tumse shaadi ki wo sahi nahi hai. I always support him for his good and bad sides. But this time I can't. He made a big mistake and he has to rectify this." Arpita said when Sanyukta got confused.

"Rectify, kaise?" She asked confusingly.

"Tumhe divorce deke." Arpita blurted out thus Sanyukta got shocked.

"Kya divorce?" Sanyukta was shocked to hear that.

"Haan Sanyukta divorce. This relationship is meaningless when you guys are used to hating each other. Ron is my friend, I always support him blindly but this time not. I am also a girl Sanyukta and I understand your pain. A girl wants a loving and caring husband who loves her the most not an enemy who used to torture her, insulted her always. You don't worry, I'll help you to get rid of this marriage." Arpita assured her when Sanyukta looked at her with painful eyes.

"Thank you very much Arpita for your concern. Tum Randhir ki friend ho, uski bestie ho, uske liye itna special ho lekin phir bhi mere liye itna socha tumne that's enough for me." She smiled in between her tears.

"But tum jo bol rahi ho wo possible nahi hai. Main ye shaadi nahi tod sakti, main Randhir ko divorce nahi de sakti." She wiped her tears.

"Lekin kyun? Jab ye shaadi, shaadi hi nahi toh iss zabardasti ki rishte mein rehne ka kya matlab, aur wo bhi tab jab tum dono ek dusre se itni nafrat karte ho?" Arpita asked shockingly.

"You are right Arpita we hate each other, main Randhir se jitna nafrat karti hu utna shayed kisi aur se nahi karti, lekin..."

"Lekin?" Arpita asked impatiently.

"Lekin main apne maa-papa se bahut pyar karti hu. Main toh kabhi Randhir se shaadi nahi karna chahti thi lekin mujhe ye shaadi karna pada unke liye aur main iss shaadi ko hamesha nibhayungi sirf aur sirf unke liye." Tears rolled down from her eyes.

"But Sanyukta tum aise kaise nafrat ke sahare apni puri zindagi jeyogi?" Arpita asked shockingly.

"Arpita tum toh samajhti ho na parents ka importance kya hai life mein. Mere liye bhi maa, papa se jyada important koi nahi tha meri life mein, lekin jab maine unke aankhon mein apne liye nafrat dekha toh I just died, main mar gayi thi." Sanyukta was sobbing.

"Toh ab kaun sa zinda ho tum Sanyukta, har roz ghut ghut ke jee rahi ho, isse toh achchha maut hai. Kyun nahi de deti tum divorce Randhir ko. Use divorce deke aazad ho jau aur chain se jeo apni zindagi." Arpita tried hard to convince her.

"Main ye shaadi maa, papa ko ek izzat ki zindagi dene ke liye kiya tha, ab divorce deke unhe phir se zillat bhari zindagi nahi de sakti." She replied sternly.

"But Sanyukta tumhara kya, kya tum khush rahe payogi Randhir ke saath puri life?" Arpita asked impatiently.

"Agar mujhe apni khushi ki fikar hoti toh phir main ye zaher kabhi nahi peti. Lekin mujhe apni khushi se jyada apni maa, papa ki khushi pyari hai aur agar unki khushi mere aur Randhir ki rishte ke wajah se hai toh main ye rishta hamesha nibhayungi." Sanyukta said coldly thus Arpita sighed hard.

"I am sorry Sanyukta if my words hurt you." Arpita said slowly.

"No Arpita, I am happy that someone is here for me also. Someone with whom I share my grief, my pain. Yes you are Randhir's friend but the way you show your care for me thank you for that." Sanyukta smiled between her tears.

"I am sorry Sanyukta for all my misbehaviour with you. Jo kuch bhi college mein hua uske liye I was blaming you but kabhi ye nahi socha ke wo sab Ron ka plan tha tumse revenge lene ke liye and I thought you were the guilty. I am sorry, please forgive me." Arpita said, holding her hand.

"No Arpita, please don't say sorry. Iss mein tumhari koi galti nahi hai. Jo kuch bhi hua uske baad mere apno ne hi mujh par trust nahi kiya toh phir tum kaise karti! Tum please sorry mat bolo, main tum se naraz nahi hu." Sanyukta said softly.

"Sanyukta, you are great. Maine tum jaisi selfless girl aaj tak kabhi nahi dekha! Main Randhir ki friend hu, hamesh uski galti par parda daalti hu, har waqt tumhare saath misbehave karti hu phir bhi tum mujhse naraz nahi ho?" She asked surprisingly.

"Nahi, kyun ki tum ne jaan bujh kar kuch nahi kiya toh tum par naraz hone ka sawal hi nahi hai." She smiled a little.

"But I felt guilty Sanyukta and I want to rectify this, will you help me?" She asked.

"Arpita you don't have to be guilty." Sanyukta said.

"Please Sanyukta." She insisted.

"Okay, what can I do for you?" Sanyukta asked.

"Will you be my friend Sanyukta?" Arpita asked forwarding her hand when Sanyukta was shocked, she never expected this from her.

"Friends?" Arpita asked when Sanyukta looked at her surprisingly.

"I know you must be hesitated because I am Ron's friend, I understand." Arpita said and about to take back her hand when Sanyukta held it.

"Friends." She said with a small smile thus Arpita hugged her and grinned devilishly.

"Thank you Sanyukta for being my friend." Arpita said, breaking the hug.

"It's my pleasure Arpita jo mujhe tum jaisi itni achchhi friend mili hai." Sanyukta smiled at her.

"You know what Arpita iss ghar mein tum meri dusri friend ho, Parth ke baad." Sanyukta smiled at her.

"Dusri toh tum ho!" Arpita said thus Sanyukta looked at her confusingly.

"Umm...I mean tum bhi mere dusri friend ho, Ron ke baad." Arpita covers up.

"Umm Sanyukta I know Randhir was wrong, usne bahut galat kiya tumhare saath but still he is my bestie and I can't leave him alone. He is so much dependent on me and wrong or right I always stay beside him." Arpita said slowly.

"Don't worry Arpita, I won't come in between you two. I am happy that at least some one of his friends give respect to the relations and friendship, otherwise Randhir and his friends always made fun of this!" Sanyukta said coldly.

"Sanyukta I am sorry." Arpita said.

"Please don't be, why do you say sorry when you are not at fault." She assured her thus she smiled.

"Okay chalo bye, main late ho rahi hu." Sanyukta said and about to go but stopped next.

"Arpita chalo main tumhe chhod deti hu, tumhe bhi toh college jana hai na?" Sanyukta asked.

"No Sanyukta it's okay, main chali jaungi." Arpita said.

"Aare ab apne friend ko ek lift toh de hi sakti hu, chalo main tumhe chhod deti hu." Sanyukta said thus Arpita smiled.

"Tum kya mujhe chhodogi Sanyukta, chhodega toh Ron tumhe. Kyun ki mere aur Ron ki life mein kisi tishri ke liye koi jagah nahi hai." Arpita said in mind then nodded yes.

"Okay let's go." Arpita said and they left next.

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

"Okay thanks Sanyukta." Arpita said as they came to the college.

"Aare iss mein thank you kaisi, next time tum mujhe drop kar dena." Sanyukta smiled at Arpita.

"Yeah sure, aaj tumne mujhe college drop kiya kaal main tumhe tumhare ghar drop kar dungi, permanently." Arpita thought and smirked inwardly.

"Yeah why not!" She smiled at Sanyukta.

"Okay bye." Arpita said and came out from the car.

"Bye." Sanyukta bid her a bye when Arpita waved her hand and left.

"Such a nice girl. I wonder how a man like Randhir gets such a good family and best friend when he doesn't even deserve all this!" Sanyukta thought and told the driver to go.

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

"Madam hum bina identity card ke aap ko andar jane nahi de sakte!" The watchman of the school said this as Sanyukta didn't bring the identity card with her.

"Dekhiye main Mrs. Sanyukta Shekhawat hu, Rehan Shekhawat ki chachi. Main Rehan aur uski behen ko le jane aayi hu, aap mujhe andar toh jane dijiye!" Sanyukta said again.

"Dekhiye madam bina identity card ke hum aap ko andar jane nehi de sakte." The watchman said firmly.

"Aap mujhe kam se kam principle se toh milne dijiye, main unse baat kar lungi." Sanyukta said again.

"Maaf kijiye ga madam ji lekin hum kisi bhi ajnabi ke aise andar nahi jane de sakte. Agar kisi bacche ko kuch ho gaya toh principal madam hume nehi chhodengi, upar se police ka mamla bhi ho jayega! Aap maaf karo hume lekin bina identity card ke hum aap ko andar nahi jane de sakte!" The watchman said thus Sanyukta took a sigh.

She called Anjali and told her everything. Anjali said that the identity card was in her purse and she forgot to give it to her. She said that she will send someone with the card, thus Sanyukta took a sigh of relief.

Sanyukta was standing in front of the school when Randhir's car reached there. Sanyukta was shocked to see him there as she thought Rajveer must come to take Rehan. But aside from her thoughts she maintained a straight face when Randhir came near her.

"Wo bhabhi ne bheja, ye raha identity card." Randhir handed her the card.

"Yaha bahar kyun khadi ho?" He asked eyed at the watchman.

"Wo bina identity card ke watchman ne andar jane nahi diya." Sanyukta said hesitantly, thus Randhir gritted his teeth and rushed towards the watchman.

"How dare you, teri himmat kaise hui meri biwi ko rokne ki?" Randhir held his collar tightly when Sanyukta became shocked.

"Randhir chhodo usse!" She held his hand.

"Lekin sir hum kya kare, hum bina card ke kisi ko andar nahi jane de sakte." The watchman said helplessly.

"Wo unn baccho ka guardian hai koi criminal nahi!" Randhir gritted his teeth.

"Randhir chhodo use, wo bass apna kaam kar raha tha!" Sanyukta pulled Randhir, thus he left him.

"Maaf kijiye ga bhaiya, aur ye raha identity card, ab hum aandar jaa sakte hai?" Sanyukta asked, thus the watchman nodded positively. Sanyukta went inside after giving an angry glance at Randhir when he got confused.

"Sanyukta galti uss watchman ki thi aur tum mujhe aankhen dikha rahi ho?" Randhir asked as they entered the school.

"Uss watchman ki koi galti nahi thi, wo bass apna kaam kar raha tha aur kuch nahi." Sanyukta said coldly when Randhir rolled his eyes.

"Can't believe you, maine tumhare liye usse fight ki aur tum mujhe hi suna rahi ho?" Randhir was shocked.

"Maine bola tumse kuch karne ke liye! Pata hai Randhir tumhari problem kya hai, tum apna kaam toh thik se nahi karte aur dusro ko bhi nahi karne dete! Wo watchman aise hi kisi ko andar ghusne dega aur phir kal ko hamare baccho ko kuch ho gaya toh kya tum usse chhod doge?" She asked, thus he looked at her surprisingly.

"Ab mera muh kya dekh rahe ho, apna galti toh kabhi manoge nahi, chalo principle ki office jana hain." She said and went towards the principal's office when Randhir was in a daze.

"Hamare bacche! Lagta hai Sanyukta ko Parth ka hawa lag gaya hai jo aise ulti seedhi baat kar rahi hai!" He murmured slowly then followed her.

Randhir and Sanyukta came to the principal's office. Randhir told her about the crisis and she grunted a half day for Rehan and Mishti. They came out from the principal's office when Mishti and Rehan came there.

"Mimiii!" Mishti got excited to see Sanyukta and rushed towards her when Sanyukta took her on her lap.

"Mimi aap yaha?" Mishti asked and placed a kiss on Sanyukta's cheek.

"Haan main, main apni mithu ko lene nahi aayungi kya!" Sanyukta said when placed a kiss on her cheek too.

"Sshhhh...mimi call me Rohini, warna sab hasenge!" Mishti said with her cute accent.

"Aawww my baby, aare main toh aap ko pyar se mithu bolti hu jaise aap mujhe pyar se mimi bolti ho." Sanyukta again kissed on her chubby cheeks when Rehan started laughing.

"Aare chachi mithu toh chidiya ko bolte hai toh ye Mishti kya chidiya hai?" Rehan laughed again when Randhir chuckled also. Mishti frowned at Rehan when Sanyukta glared at Randhir hard.

"Huhhh, mimi mujhse jyada pyar karti hai iss liye bolti hai!" Mishti said proudly, thus Rehan's face fell down.

"Chachi aap Mishti se jyada pyar karti ho, mujhse nahi?" Rehan frowned.

"Aare main toh aap dono se hi pyar karti hu." Sanyukta smiled at Rehan.

"Toh phir aap sirf Mishti ko hi godi mein kyun lete ho, mujhe bhi aana hai." Rehan said thus Sanyukta's eyes widened. He is heavier than Mishti so she can't take him on her lap.

"Umm beta baad mein, abhi Mishti hai na meri godi mein!" She tried to convince him.

"Toh aap Mishti ko niche utaro aur mujhe lo." Rehan instead thus Sanyukta felt helpless.

"Umm champ Mishti toh bacchi hai issi liye chachi ne usse godi mein liya hai. Lekin aap toh big boy ho na toh phir aap thodi na god mein uthoge, aur phir yaha school mein kisi ne aap ko chachi ki god mein dekh liya toh phir aap ko chidayenge baad mein!" Randhir said thus Rehan thought something.

"Yeah chachu you are right, I am a big boy toh phir main sabko uthayunga. Chachi main aap ko abhi uthau?" Rehan asked, thus Sanyukta's eyes widened again when Randhir face palmed in mind.

"Na-nahi abhi nahi, jab aap bade ho jaoge tab, okay?" Sanyukta forced a smile, thus Rehan nodded positively.

"Okay baccho ab ghar chale?" Sanyukta asked, thus all nodded. Rehan went along with Mishti when Sanyukta came with Randhir.

"Thanks but I can handle Rehan." Sanyukta said coldly, thus Randhir looked at her.

"Mishti tumhe mimi bulati hai?" He asked normally.

"Why, do you have any problem?" Sanyukta asked sternly.

"Nahi, wo mujhe pata nahi tha!" Randhir said hesitantly.

"Family ke saath rahoge toh family ke ware mein janoge na!" Sanyukta taunted him when he kept mum.

They came out when the watchman got up. Randhir was about to go to his car but stopped next and came back when the watchman stood up again.

"I am sorry." Randhir apologized, thus the watchman got surprised, so did Sanyukta.

"Ji sir wo..." He hesitated when Randhir said.

"Aap achchhe kaam kar rahe ho, ab main tension free hu kyun ke hamare bacche iss school mein safe hai, thank you." Randhir said thus the watchmen got shocked.

"Thank you sir." He said and Randhir came back when Sanyukta looked at him confusingly.

"Chale, late ho raha hai?" He asked, thus she nodded. Randhir sends the driver to hospital and takes the kids into his car.

"Tum drive kar paoge, wo tumhare haath?" Sanyukta asked hesitatingly.

"I am fine, thanks for asking." He smiled a little when Sanyukta's face got stiff.

"Maine ye tumhare liye nahi pucha, apne aur baccho ki safety ke liye pucha!" She said coldly when Randhir got a little hurt.

"I know, but kya abhi hum matura behave kar sakte hai please, at least baccho ke samne?" He asked slowly, thus she looked outside when Randhir started the car. On the way Sanyukta called Anjali and assured her about the kids.

"Sanyukta, wo Randhir school chala gaya toh use lunch karne ka time nahi mila, tum use lunch karwa dena." Anjali said.

"Ji bhabhi." Sanyukta stole a glance of Randhir and cut the call.

Soon they reached the house and Sanyukta helped the kids to freshen up. Then she came to their room and saw Randhir was fidgeting with shirt's buttons as his palm was wounded.

"Lunch ke liye aa jana." She said avoiding the gaze with him.

"Hmm, tum chalo main aata hu." He said thus she left.

Sanyukta was serving food to the kids when Randhir came down.

"Hi kids." Randhir smiled at them when they started laughing at him.

"Chachu aapke shirts ki buttons!" Rehan said in between his laugh when Sanyukta saw that Randhir's shirt buttons were not buttoned in an appropriate way.

"Ek shirt ki buttons toh thik se lagana nahi aati aur mujhe advice de raha tha, huhhh!" She said in mind.

"Chachu aap itne bade ho gaye ho lekin abhi bhi aap ko shirt ki buttons lagani nahi aati?" Rehan laughed again.

"It's a style you know!" Randhir smiled and sat down.

"Fake!" Sanyukta murmured under her breath.

"Wow fish!" Mishti gets excited to see the dish.

"Haan mujhe pata hai ki mithu ko fish curry bahut pasand hai, issi liye toh maine banaya." Sanyukta smiled brightly.

"Yeahhh!" Mishti gets excited and shows her tongue to Rehan thus he frowned.

"Huhhh, mujhe bhi fish curry pasand hai." He also showed his tongue to her.

"Baccho khate waqt nahi ladte." Sanyukta said and served them.

"Lekin chachi, chachu ko toh fish nahi pasand." Rehan said as she was about to serve Randhir.

"Wo, I am sorry, mujhe nahi pata tha!" She replied hesitantly.

"It's okay, main kha lunga koi problem nahi hai." Randhir replied.

"Koi jarurat nahi jabardasti khane ki, main kuch order kar deti hu." Sanyukta said coldly.

"No it's okay, mujhe koi problem nahi!" Randhir said and started eating.

Sanyukta was helping the kids to remove the fishbone when she noticed Randhir. He was eating with a spoon and it's difficult for him to remove the fishbone with that spoon only. Sanyukta came and stood beside him and started helping him to remove the fishbones. Randhir was shocked by that.

"It's okay Sanyukta, I can manage." He said.

"Haan dikh raha hai kaise kar rahe ho manage!" She said coldly.

"You must be happy na to see me like that!" He smiled at her.

"Huhhh, aur koi mujhe bol raha tha maturely behave karne ke liye!" She said slowly yet sternly and removed all the fishbones when Randhir kept mum.

Kids went back to their room after finishing their meal when Randhir and Sanyukta were eating.

"Thank you." Randhir said after finishing his lunch.

"Iss mein thank you bolne ki koi jarurat nahi hai. Kyun ki meri maa ne mujhe sikhaya tha ke khate waqt dushman ko bhi nahi tokte. That's why I helped you, but you don't understand such things cause you don't have any feelings Randhir!" She said and left when Randhir stood there numb.

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

So friends, how was the part? What do you think will be Arpita's next step?

What will Randhir do to get Sanyukta's forgiveness?

Do you people like both kids Rehan and Mishti? Do you think that the kids will play a vital role to get them closer?

And one more thing friends, though Rehan is a fictional character but not Mishti. I have a 5 year old niece and her name is Mishti. We have a great bond and she is very fond of me. So I made this character of Mishti thinking of her. I called her "Mithu" and she called me "Bui" She is the sole reason of my life. 😍

Keep commenting, sharing your views, keep voting.

Thank you.

Words: 3914

#Bandita 🌹🌹