137

Harsh took the microphone from his son and glared at the crowd, as if he was disappointed that his country was reacting this way.

"I am disappointed in the citizens of this country. Do not forget that I still hold the President's chair today. The security guard has already escorted the one who did that out... and if anyone else acts in a distasteful manner, you will be escorted out as well. If you want to support the Padma's then you can go ahead and do so by voting. If you do not believe in empowering your mothers, sisters and daughters, then you may vote for the opposing party. As is your wish," Harsh said coolly.

Sanyukta looked at Harsh - he was a great speaker. Randhir took Vidya from Sanyukta and started to walk off the stage. Sanyukta followed him down and they took their respective seats, with Vidya still in Randhir's arms.

Rehaan didn't even look at Sanyukta... and she didn't know how to face him.

Randhir was smiling. He remembered the encounter with his father late last night.

-- Flashback:

"Dad," Randhir said, entering his father's office. "I need to talk to you about tomorrow's election."

"Randhir you'll know the result tomorrow," Harsh told him.

Randhir took a seat in front of his father's desk and smiled.

"I know I will. And I know you chose me," Randhir said, causing Harsh to look up with shock. "But I just came here to tell you that I want you to choose Sanyukta."

"Sanyukta?" Harsh asked, sounding like that was the most bizarre suggestion.

"Yes, Sanyukta," Randhir said. "Think about it - a lot of the public is opposed between you and Kishore Agarwal. There is a chance we may not win this time. What I'm saying is a big risk, but it will give you an edge. Imagine electing the first female president... and it would bring true change to the country!"

"But -" Harsh started.

"I know you don't want her... and you don't have to end up actually choosing her. Once you win this term, you can appoint me as President and say that you changed your mind," Randhir stated. "I'm telling you this because there is a high chance we may lose this time. Plus, if you decide to keep her, then you know that she's more than capable."

Randhir only knew why he was telling his father this. If Harsh backed out at the end of his term and chose Randhir, he would himself back out and give his seat to Sanyukta.

She would become a better President than he ever could.

"What if I was going to choose Rehaan?" Harsh asked.

"Then choose Rehaan at the end of your term. Your primary priority is to win these elections," Randhir informed. "Please don't waste this opportunity."

Harsh nodded.

"I'll think about it. You go to sleep," Harsh told Randhir.

Randhir smiled.

"You will win all the votes from women and this party will be remembered as the first one to address women rights," Randhir informed. "Don't lose this chance."

Then he walked out of the room, knowing that come what may, he would try his hardest to fulfill Sanyukta's dream.

Rehaan would drive the country to the ground, and Randhir could try to do what was best... but Sanyukta could truly bring a change to the nation. --

After the elections, Rehaan stormed out of the hall angrily, not sparing Sanyukta a single glance, and she watched him leave, a guilty expression on her face.

She didn't deserve this. Rehaan and Randhir both worked hard for the party, but she had done practically nothing. Their hard work had all gone down the drain.

138

Sanyukta wanted to speak to her parents, but her father had escorted Anju out, Ankit in tow behind them, not giving anyone a chance to speak with Sanyukta. Sanyukta then walked up to Randhir and Vidhushi. Vidhushi was holding Vidya in her arms.

She smiled at Vidhushi.

"She's very sweet," Vidhushi commented, passing Vidya to Sanyukta.

"Thank you," Sanyukta said, taking her daughter from Vidhushi.

She walked away from the duo and watched them from the corner of her eye. Randhir seemed to be smiling around her, and Vidhushi too was looking at him with loving eyes... the way she herself used to look at him, and perhaps still looked at him today.

Renuka walked up to her and noticed her staring at them.

"You also think they should be together?" Renuka asked.

Sanyukta nodded.

"He seems happy around her," Sanyukta said with a small smile. "And I think it's time he gets someone in his life too."

"I'll talk to him again then... but I always fail," Renuka said with a sigh. "Maybe... can you talk to him?"

"You want me to talk to him about getting settled?" Sanyukta asked her mother-in-law with shock.

Renuka nodded.

"I'll try... but I don't think he'll listen to me either," Sanyukta admitted.

That evening, they all went home. Rehaan had taken another car home, too upset to even be in the same vehicle as her. Parth was waiting for them at home with a big smile on his face.

"Sanyuktaaaa!" Parth said, running up to her and hugging her. "You are successor! I watched on TV!"

Sanyukta smiled and took a step back, feeling Vidya get crushed in Parth's embrace. Randhir took Vidya in his arms and smiled at his younger brother.

"You can hug her now," he said lightly.

Parth threw his arms around Sanyukta again.

"My Sanyukta is going to be president!" Parth said excitedly.

Sanyukta returned the hug and smiled.

"Your Sanyukta?" she asked lightly.

"Yes, my Sanyukta that I'm hopelessly in love with," Parth commented, breaking the hug. "The most beautiful and amazing girl in the world!"

Randhir rolled his eyes. Parth still never left a chance to flirt with Sanyukta. She chuckled and pulled on his cheeks.

"Ouch! Hey!" Parth said with a frown.

Some things never changed.

139

Sanyukta went into her room later that evening, where Rehaan was lying on his bed, pretending to be fast asleep. It was like he was avoiding her. Sanyukta knew he was upset... and he had full rights to be. She got this for free, with no hard work.

Vidya was playing with Parth downstairs.

Sanyukta got into bed next to Rehaan and placed her hand on his head, trying to get him to look at her. He kept his eyes closed.

"Rehaan," Sanyukta said softly. "I had no idea."

Rehaan opened his eyes and glared at her angrily.

"You didn't deserve this," he said, sitting up.

Her eyes filled with tears.

"I know," she agreed.

"How could I lose to you?" Rehaan asked and scoffed as if it was the most impossible thing. "How did this even happen?"

She placed her hand on his shoulder and cupped his face with her other hand.

"I know you're upset. I'm upset too because you deserve it more than me," Sanyukta told him. "But please don't be upset with me."

Rehaan pushed her hand off him and looked away from her darkly.

"Don't come near me. I'm really angry," he told her.

"Rehaan," she pleaded. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," he said harshly. "I just can't tolerate this."

He got up and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. She got up and hugged him from behind, trying to calm his anger down.

"Didn't I say not to come near me?" he asked her angrily.

"Rehaan, I know you're upset but you can't push me away like this. I'm your wife," she told him, her tears falling down her cheeks.

"Get off me or I'll hit you," he threatened. "I don't like when my control is snatched from me."

"I'm not leaving you," she told him, her voice cracking.

"Get off!" he said, struggling, trying to push her arms off.

"No," she denied.

Rehaan then used all his force to push her off. She fell to the ground, tears falling from her eyes.

She got up though, determined to calm his anger and went in front of him, holding his shoulders.

"Look at me," she begged. "I'm not at fault."

"Don't make me do something you'll regret," he threatened. "Didn't I say to get the fuck out."

She cringed at his tone.

"No," she still said firmly. "You can't push me away for this."

Rehaan then brought his hand up and smacked her across the face hard, causing her to fall to the ground.

She felt the most shocked she had been today - she hadn't taken his threats seriously. The man who never raised a hand on her for the last two years, raised his hand on her today? She stood up and stifled a sob.

"This is how you men get control?" she asked him, tears pouring down her cheeks. "If this is the way, then I'm happy I'm a woman!"

She ran out of the room, trying to take control of her tears... but she couldn't help it. She didn't know where to go, so she made her way to her area of escape - Randhir. She ran into his room and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly, and sobbing into his shirt.

Randhir was taken aback, but he hugged her too.

"What happened?" he asked her.

140

Sanyukta didn't say anything. She just pressed her face into Randhir's shirt, trying to run away from the world. He hugged her lovingly, one hand caressing her hair, and the other one rubbing her back.

"Look at me," Randhir murmured, but she couldn't.

She just wanted to get even closer to him... she felt the best she had here in his arms.

Finally she broke the embrace and looked up into his eyes. Randhir wiped away her tears.

"I can't be with Rehaan," she told him painfully.

"Why?" Randhir asked her.

"I just can't. I can't go back there," she told him, and wrapped her arms around him again. "I just want to stay here."

"What are you saying?" Randhir asked her.

Just then Rehaan walked into the room and upon seeing Sanyukta in Randhir's arms, he walked up to them and pulled Sanyukta off.

"What did you do to her?" Randhir asked his brother angrily.

"What are you doing here?" Rehaan asked darkly to Sanyukta, ignoring Randhir's question.

"I don't want to talk to you. Leave me," Sanyukta said. "Or I'll tell Randhir what you did."

"Come back to the room," Rehaan ordered.

"No," she denied.

"You never went against me before," Rehaan said sounding angry.

"Because you never raised your hand on me before!" Sanyukta yelled, just as angry.

Randhir felt his blood boil with anger as he heard Sanyukta just confess what his brother had done to her.

"You fucking raised your hand on her?" Randhir yelled, and pushed Rehaan backwards. "You fucking spineless bastard."

141

Rehaan raised his hands and pushed Randhir back. Randhir still took a step forward and punched Rehaan on the face.

"What I do with my wife is none of your business!" Rehaan screamed and raised his hand on Randhir, punching his stomach.

Randhir fell backwards and Sanyukta grabbed his arm, holding him steady. Then she stepped in front of Randhir.

"I know you won't think twice before hitting me, but I will stand by him as a shield, because he stood by me today when you were too busy wallowing in your own misery," Sanyukta yelled. "When the person in the audience threw a shoe at me and Vidya, you didn't step up... Randhir did. Because you're a coward!"

"I'm a coward?" Rehaan asked darkly, and grabbed Sanyukta's neck, making it hard for her to breathe. "I'm a coward? You didn't deserve this and I'm the coward?"

Randhir threw another punch at Rehaan, causing him to fall back against the wall.

"She's just an object for you to throw your frustration on!" Randhir screamed at his brother. "She's not your wife - if she was, you would treat her like one!"

"You know so much about treating a girl right, do you?" Rehaan asked darkly.

"Please stop," Sanyukta then said, and pulled Randhir off Rehaan. "Both of you stop... or you'll both get in trouble by your dad."

Rehaan grabbed Sanyukta's wrist and started to pull her out of the room, but Randhir grabbed Rehaan's hand, stopping him.

"Until she tells me herself that she will go with you, I'm not letting her near you," Randhir said angrily.

"Rehaan, I need some time... please," Sanyukta said. "I'll come and talk to you. First we both need to calm down."

"Then stay away from Randhir," Rehaan said darkly.

"I will," Sanyukta said. "I'll go to the guest room."

Randhir let go of her hand and she disappeared in the room next to his... her old room. She decided that she wasn't going to leave this room until Rehaan calmed down.

142

Later that night, Sanyukta opened the door when she heard a knock. It was Randhir, who was holding Vidya.

"She was crying for you," Randhir said and handed Vidya to her. "Can I come in?"

Sanyukta nodded and let him in, locking the door behind him on his way in. Sanyukta kissed Vidya on the cheek and then laid her down on the bed.

"She's tired," Sanyukta said. "Did she eat?"

Randhir nodded.

"Parth fed her," Randhir said.

"I can always count on Parth," Sanyukta said with a smile.

Randhir sat down on the bed and Sanyukta sat next to him.

"If Rehaan finds out I'm here, he'll take it out on you. I'm sorry," Randhir said. "I just thought you didn't want to be alone."

"It's okay," she said, and rested her head on his shoulder. "You thought right."

Randhir wrapped his arm around her.

"You know I'm here with you," Randhir said to her. "No matter what."

"I know," Sanyukta said softly. "That's what keeps me going. You and Vidya... and Parth of course."

Randhir smiled and she removed her head from his shoulder and glanced down at Vidya, who had fallen fast asleep.

"Where's Rehaan?" she asked softly.

"He went out," Randhir said.

Sanyukta smiled sadly. She knew that going out meant that he was going to be sleeping with another girl.

"Do you like Vidhushi?" Sanyukta then asked him.

"Huh?" Randhir asked, looking at Sanyukta with shock.

"I think you should give her a chance," Sanyukta commented.

"Don't worry about me," he told her softly, and cupped her face in his hands.

"Why? Only you can worry about me?" she asked him.

Randhir smiled at her.

"I can't help it," he told her. "I care about you."

"I care about you too," Sanyukta replied.

There was a few moments of silence between them.

"It would have been so nice if we were together," she told him, breaking the silence.

Randhir gazed deep into her eyes and she thought she lost herself for a moment in his.

143

Sanyukta placed her hands around his neck and closed her eyes. Randhir leaned closer to her, his nose touching hers gently. She had no sense that this was wrong, but rather she craved his touch again. She craved to be held by him and loved by him... and Randhir believed she deserved to be loved in a way that Rehaan wouldn't be able to love her.

She could feel his breath on her lips and it was making her stomach roll over with butterflies. Just as he was about to kiss her though, Vidya started to cry hysterically, causing them to break apart.

Sanyukta quickly looked away, guilty, and Randhir turned around to pick Vidya up.

"I think she wants to be fed," Sanyukta said, and kissed her daughter's nose.

"Do you want me to go downstairs and get her food?" Randhir asked.

"No, she wants milk," Sanyukta replied. "My milk."

Randhir looked at Sanyukta, shocked, and then nodded slowly, understanding what she meant.

"I'll leave," he told her. "You can feed her.

"No," she said, and held his hand to stop him. "You can stay here with me. I don't want you to go."

"Are you sure?" he asked her.

Sanyukta nodded.

"I like having you with me," Sanyukta replied. "And Vidya likes it too."

144

Maybe this was wrong. Maybe it was completely wrong to be close with Randhir, to give him hopes, and for herself to get hopes. Their relationship was doomed, she already knew. It had been doomed from the beginning. Their love would never be able to be public, but even in private, was it wrong?

Sanyukta had placed Vidya under her sari and was breastfeeding her. The cloth of her sari was covering her and Randhir was awkwardly looking away.

"Randhir," Sanyukta said softly.

"Yeah?" he asked, trying hard not to turn around and look at her.

"Can you do me a favour and move my hair to the side? It's bothering me," Sanyukta said.

He turned to look at her and noticed that a few strands of hair had covered her eyes. He used his fingers to gently move them to the side, and tucked them behind her ear, causing her to shiver.

She glanced at him and then asked, "So what's wrong with Vidhushi?"

Randhir smiled at her, shaking his head.

"You're not going to stop bothering me about this, are you?" he asked her.

"I just want to know. As your friend, I think I have the right to know," she replied with a smile.

"There's nothing wrong with her," Randhir replied. "I just don't need someone in my life right now."

"So you'll be alone your whole life?" Sanyukta asked, frowning.

"If it comes down to that, then yes," Randhir said.

"That's not good," she pointed out.

"You're planning to stay with Rehaan your whole life?" Randhir then asked.

"Of course," Sanyukta said, looking down. "I can't just end a marriage... and don't forget that the only reason I'm alive today is because I married him."

"What if he continues to abuse you and hurt you?" Randhir asked. "You'll stay here?"

"He won't. I have you to protect me," Sanyukta said with a smile. "And yes I have no choice... because I still think that I will get killed if I try to leave. Anyways, don't change the topic... back to Vidhushi. You should settle."

Randhir leaned into her ear and whispered, "I have settled."

"Huh?" she asked, looking at him.

"I've settled already, and now I don't need anyone else," Randhir said, still smiling.

"Meaning?" she asked.

"Meaning I already have you in my heart... even if we can't be together, I don't need anyone else to make me feel whole," he informed.

"You do," Sanyukta argued.

"I don't," he replied.

"You do!" she pressed on.

"Say it again and I swear I'll kiss you," he warned her, causing Sanyukta's eyes to widen.

145

Sanyukta was flustered by his comment and looked down at her baby. Vidya removed her mouth from Sanyukta's breast and burped, indicating that she was done. Sanyukta removed her sleeping daughter slowly from under her sari and passed her gently to Randhir.

Randhir took Vidya in his arms and placed her on the bed behind them, so she could sleep, as Sanyukta pinned her blouse back. Then she fixed her sari and looked at him.

He held his arm out and she leaned into him again, resting her head on his shoulder.

"How much is too much?" she asked him after a few moments of silence. "I mean how close can we get before we cross the line?"

"It depends on where you draw the line," Randhir informed her.

"If we have feelings for each other, then does it mean that it's already wrong?" she asked him. "I am married and I want to get closer."

"Rehaan will consider this as cheating," Randhir stated. "Just you being in my arms will be cheating for him... but to me, even if you make love to me, you haven't cheated on him... rather, you would be cheating yourself if you avoided your feelings."

"I accept what I feel for you. I can't help it, but that doesn't mean we have to be physically close," she told him.

"No. It doesn't mean that... but denying yourself love is wrong, isn't it? Making yourself suffer when your body wants one thing and your heart agrees with it for the sake of what society considers right, is wrong, isn't it?" Randhir asked.

"Are you trying to convince me to have sex with you?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

"You caught me," Randhir teased.

She giggled and picked up a pillow from the top of the bed before smacking him with it. Randhir grabbed the pillow and used it to pull her close to him. Her breath caught in her throat and she closed her eyes.

"I don't want to just have sex with you," he murmured to her. "I want to live every moment with you...even if it means I have to spend those moments apart from you."

Sanyukta smiled, her eyes still closed.

"Are you going to kiss me?" she asked, teasing him and feigning impatience. "I might change my mind if you take too long."

146

She felt Randhir's breath tickle her lips as she anticipated his kiss, her heart pounding hard. He had let go of the pillow and brushed his fingers over her temple, making her shiver.

Randhir smiled, noticing his effect on her. His lips were just an inch away from hers, but he moved his mouth to her forehead and he kissed her there, holding her face steady. He moved his lips to her ear and he whispered, "You deserve to feel loved... whether that's emotionally, soulfully, or even physically."

Then he started to suck on her earlobe, and her hands immediately reached up to grab his shirt. He laid her down on the bed, leaning over her. Thankfully the bed was big enough for the two of them and for Vidya.

His tongue swirled around the opening of her ear, making her shiver with desire.

"Oh," she moaned.

"Oh is right," he whispered seductively. "You don't know how badly I want you."

His hands reached down to hold her exposed waist gently and she shivered some more.

His lips then moved across her jawline, planting soft kisses around her mouth, but not on it.

"Randhir," she moaned, pressing her body up against his.

"I love the way you say my name," he murmured to her and kissed her chin.

"Kiss me," she ordered, wanting to feel his mouth on hers.

"How badly do you want it?" he teased.

"Badly," she whispered.

She was literally aching for him.

"Will you be able to look Rehaan in the eye after doing this?" he asked, and suddenly her eyes sprung open, and she realized how wrong this really was.

147

Sanyukta pushed him back slightly and sat up on the bed, fixing her sari. He smiled... she reacted exactly the way he expected her to. Then her eyes filled with tears and she took his hand. She placed her lips on the back of it and kissed it.

"I hate that I can't do this," she said, her voice cracking.

"I hate that you can't either," he teased and she smiled.

"You're shameless," she whispered and let go of his hand, smacking his chest instead.

"I am?" he asked, and used his hands to grab her arms and pull her close. "I think any man would be when such a beautiful girl comes so close to him."

"Shut up," she whispered, but her breath caught in her throat again. "I know where Parth learned how to flirt from."

Randhir chuckled and held her body to his, hugging her.

"I won't have self-control if you hug me," she warned.

"That's good for me," he teased.

Sanyukta giggled.

He laid back on the bed with Sanyukta on top of him.

"Sleep," he ordered.

"Now?" she asked.

"It's late," he told her.

"Here?" she asked.

"Stop asking questions and sleep," he ordered.

"Okay," she said, and with a small smile she closed her eyes on top of Randhir's chest.

He kissed the top of her head and she soon breathed deeply, having an incredibly easy time falling asleep when she was in his arms. Randhir also slept easily that night.

Vidya unconsciously smiled in her sleep - it was the effect of her mom and dad calmly sleeping next to her.

148

They both woke up to Vidya climbing over them in the morning, demanding attention. Randhir opened his eyes groggily and Sanyukta groaned, feeling too comfortable in his arms to move.

"Vidyaaaa," Sanyukta mumbled.

"Papaaa," Vidya said and grabbed Randhir's nose.

"Mommy's not letting me hold you," Randhir said to Vidya. "She's taken over me."

Sanyukta opened her eyes and lifted her head.

"Hey!" she said with a pout. "Stop blaming me in front of my daughter - I swear you'll make me her enemy!"

Randhir chuckled but Vidya kissed the side of Randhir's mouth.

"Papaaaaa," Vidya said again with a gleeful smile.

Sanyukta rolled off Randhir and allowed Vidya to climb on top of him.

"Mommy doesn't give me kissies but you do... so I love you more," Randhir told his daughter with a smirk.

"First thing in the morning you're so shameless," she reprimanded, "And you're teaching our daughter shameless things!"

"I'm just being truthful. Right baby?" Randhir asked his daughter.

"Papaaaa!" Vidya said again, as if she agreed with him.

"Say mummaaaa," Sanyukta ordered to her daughter.

Vidya turned to glare at Sanyukta.

"Papaaaaa!" she said frowning.

"You've brainwashed her!" Sanyukta gasped.

"It's my effect. You can't blame me," Randhir said, smirking. "Okay Vidya baby, say mumma okay?"

"Mumma?" Vidya said as if she was asking a question.

Sanyukta picked up Vidya, pulling her away from Randhir but she started to cry.

She reluctantly put her back down.

"She's going to stick to you like glue," Sanyukta said with a sigh.

"She'll forever be daddy's princess," Randhir commented, caressing his daughter's hair. "If mommy gives daddy a kiss, will you kiss her too?"

Vidya started to giggle, as if she was in agreement.

"See. Mumma give papa a kissy now," Randhir ordered.

"What?" Sanyukta gasped.

"Do it or your daughter won't kiss you," Randhir teased.

Sanyukta breathed sharply and then forced herself to smile.

"I don't believe her. She hardly understands a word we say," Sanyukta replied.

"Do it," Randhir ordered with a playful smile.

Sanyukta pressed her lips together firmly and then leaned towards Randhir, kissing him on the cheek, her heart beating rapidly and her stomach performing somersaults.

Then all of a sudden, before she removed her lips from Randhir's cheek, Vidya kissed Sanyukta on the cheek, making her eyes go wide.

Did she really understand and agree?

Randhir laughed.

"That's my girl," he said with a smirk.

"I hate you," Sanyukta said grimly, and then she smiled, her heart feeling warm, really enjoying the way Randhir bonded with their daughter.

It almost felt like the three of them were together, like a happy family.

149

Rehaan hadn't returned home from last night and Sanyukta went to help Parth with his studies. She was expecting the President to speak with her ever since he announced that she would be successor, but he hadn't said a word to her. It was like she was just expected to accept it.

Randhir was with Vidya, spending time with his daughter... it was like he never got bored of spending time with the one year old.

The election results were to be announced at the end of the day today and Harsh seemed to be upset with Rehaan that he left the family on such a crucial day.

After she finished with Parth, Rehaan stumbled into the room, causing Sanyukta to look up with shock.

He was drunk.

"Rehaan," Sanyukta gasped and stood up.

He fell forward by Sanyukta's feet and he grabbed her legs tightly, sobbing into them.

"I'm sorry," he cried. "I am sorry."

She leaned forward and touched his head gently, trying to get him to stand up. Parth got up and grabbed him from under his shoulders, standing him up.

"I'll get him to his room," Parth said.

Sanyukta nodded. Yesterday's results seemed to have taken a huge toll on his mental health.

She went to her bedroom after him, and Parth left them alone.

Rehaan was lying face forward on the bed.

"Sanyuktaaaa," he was slurring. "I am sorry."

She fell on the bed next to him and gently touched his face, trying to get him to look at her.

"It's okay," she told him. "Don't drink like this again, okay?"

"Okay," he said, and reached up to hold her hand. "I won't."

Sanyukta stayed with him until he fell asleep. Then she went downstairs to join the family to find out the election results.

The Padma's won as expected and Harsh was ready to serve the next four years as president. It would be his final term before the successor took over.

After the results, everyone headed to bed. As Sanyukta was going to enter her own room though, Randhir grabbed her wrist to stop her.

"Rehaan's in there?" he asked, sounding protective.

Sanyukta nodded.

"He came home drunk and was begging for forgiveness," Sanyukta replied.

"Okay," Randhir said and took Vidya from her. "I'll keep her with me. I don't want her around Rehaan if he's drunk."

Sanyukta nodded and smiled at him.

"Thank you," she told him gratefully.

"Don't forget to come and kiss me good morning," he teased.

"Stop flirting with me," she said, feigning irritation. "That's Parth's job!"

"I'll stop flirting with you when Vidya tells me to," he said with a smirk. "Vidya orders me around you see."

Sanyukta laughed and held his hand, gently squeezing it, before kissing her daughter on the cheek, and letting go of him, to enter her own room.

Rehaan was still unconscious, and she got into bed next to him, falling asleep easily with a smile on her face.

150

In the morning, Sanyukta woke up to Rehaan's lips on her forehead. She slowly opened her eyes and he smiled at her, his hand on her cheek.

"I am so sorry," he apologized.

"It's okay," she mumbled drowsily.

She sat up on the bed and he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her.

"I took out my anger on you. I promise I will never do it again," he said.

Sanyukta hugged him back.

"Okay," she said with a small smile. "So we're back to normal?"

"Of course. I want to be normal with you again," he told her. "I don't want to hurt you... I really don't. I really love you Sanyukta."

Tears filled her eyes. He had never properly confessed to her that he loved her before.

"Really?" she asked, her voice cracking.

"I realized last night when I wasn't with you... I don't know why but these last few weeks have made me feel a lot for you. I don't want to lose you," Rehaan confessed. "I really don't. I want to be the ideal husband for you and the ideal dad for Vidya."

"Okay," she said with a smile, and then broke the hug.

"I won't ever disappoint you again. I promise," he said to her.

"Thank you," she said softly, and then stood up. "Vidya's with Randhir. I'm just going to go and get her."

"Why's she with Randhir?" Rehaan asked, sounding confused.

"You were drunk last night so Randhir offered to watch her," Sanyukta explained.

"Oh," Rehaan said. "I don't like that she's always with him. I feel like she's starting to believe that he's her dad."

Sanyukta bit down on her tongue. How could she tell Rehaan that Randhir was actually her dad?

"I'll go and get her," Sanyukta told him, and then left the room to enter Randhir's.

When she entered, she saw that Vidya and Randhir were still sleeping soundly, with Vidya lying on top of her father. Sanyukta closed the door with a smile and got into bed next to them.

She leaned into Randhir's ear and whispered, "Good morning."

Randhir opened his eyes right away and smiled at her.

"If you always wake me up like this, my morning will always be good," he told her.

"You're such a big flirt," she said with a small smile.

"I'm not flirting... I'm being honest," he said to her.

"Right, that's what they all say," she teased and then gently took Vidya from Randhir.

Vidya placed her head on Sanyukta's shoulder and continued to sleep.

"She gave me lots of kisses last night," Randhir said with a smirk. "Are you jealous?"

Sanyukta laughed.

"Jealous? Of you? Never," she retorted, rubbing her daughter's back affectionately. "I'll get as many kisses as I want. Just wait for her to wake up."

"Where's my kiss?" Randhir then asked. "If you give me my kiss, she'll give you yours. That's how the condition works."

"As if you know my baby more than me," Sanyukta scoffed.

"I do," he teased.

"You do not!" Sanyukta argued.

Just then Vidya started to cry, upon realizing that she was not in her father's arms anymore.

"Papaaa," she cried tearfully, making Sanyukta frown.

151

Sanyukta reluctantly gave Vidya to Randhir, who was now sitting up on his bed. He took Vidya in his arms and kissed her forehead. Vidya leaned towards Randhir and kissed him on the cheek.

"And mumma gets nothing," Sanyukta said, sounding irritated.

Randhir leaned towards Sanyukta and kissed her on the cheek, catching her by surprise.

"I gave it to you on her behalf today," he said with a smile.

Sanyukta couldn't help but smile back at him, except her heart was aching slightly this time.

"Rehaan apologized to me," she confessed. "He said he loves me and the last few weeks taught him that."

"He told you he loves you?" Randhir repeated, as if he was clearing his own doubts.

Sanyukta nodded.

"He wants to make the marriage work," Sanyukta said. "And I do too."

Randhir smiled at her.

"I'll give you space," he said to her.

"Thank you," she said appreciatively.

He handed Vidya to her and Sanyukta stood up. As Sanyukta was walking away from Randhir, tears in her eyes because her heart ached, Vidya reached over and kissed the corner of Sanyukta's lips, healing her heartache.

Sanyukta smiled at her daughter and kissed her cheek.

She had to choose between marriage and love, and Sanyukta chose marriage.