Chapter 12: chapter 12

"What were you two talking about?  Sanyogita asked "We can't tell you anything about it , it's just between me and Prithvi!""; Aryan replied Sanyogita looked at Prithvi, who shrugged his shoulder by the gesture he wanted to reveal that he couldn't say anything to her about that matterSanyogita again turned back at Ariyan, who was giggling."Okay, don't say."" she gave him a vanilla smile , leaning towards him, giving a peek on his forehead, and patting his cheek. She gave him a bar of chocolate but demanded a kiss instead of the chocolate,Ariyan gave her a sweet kiss on her cheek and said, "I love you, Aunty.""";I love you too beta; she again kissed him and caressed his head.Meanwhile a man had come ,by looking at him, anybody can guess he was in between the age of 30 to 36.Sanyogita introduced the man to Prithvi. The man was Ariyan's father,Mr. Kunal Desai . Prithvi got up from the chair and shook his hand with him.His father had a square shaped face,unshaven, he was at his 5.8 at height ,he was wearing a formal half sleeves shirt and a trouser.He was looking sad which revealed by his tender and aloofness eyes.Ariyan had a mole  exact on the tip of his nose same like his father.Kunal informed Sanyogita about Ariyan conditions , Prithvi listened to all the conversation between them in the courtyard of the hospital.He was feeling miserable for Ariyan.After a few days , Prithvi took Sanyogita at a new place ,They had visited an orphanage. Sanyogita asked Prithvi why he had taken her there. Prithvi replied to her around eighteen years ago his mother died due to blood cancer.Then he was a ten years old kid.His father and mother had shared a beautiful bond and both of them were in deep love of each other.After the death of his mother his father made this orphan along with the cancer charitable hospital beside it in the memory of her.Sanyogita was hearing all the words said by Prithvi attentively .Prithvi turned his gaze at her after finishing his sentences and saw that she was looking at him . You love your mother the most , don't you??" More than anyone else in my life .,after her death, I became full alone,I missed her daily , every minute, and every second. My Grandfather and my grandmother always tried to make me happy ,they played games , told stories to me, in fact they fed me by their hand with a lot of affection and care.His heart became heavy , and his eyes were watery.Sanyogita moved close to him ,aapki Maa aaj janha kahi bhi hogi ho aapo dekh rahi hogi , aapko mehsush kar rahi hogi, and I am sure She feels so much proud of you for what are you today she said with a halved smile in her face.Both of them were looking at each other, nobody did not say anything it seemed as if both of them were talking by their eyes ,words were unnecessary at that moment.They had broken their gazing by the ringing bell of the Orphan .Sanyogita moved away her hand, by which she held his hand unintentionally.She shifted her gaze to the orphan building.When they were about to step inside the area, Sanyogita saw a big playground in front of a huge building which was occupied by a vast area.The whole place was filled with so many trees.There were so many rows and rows of beautiful flowers trees were arranged in flower tubs across the wall.On the other side Children were playing, some were wandering here and there, some were laughing delightfully. Prithvi took her along with him into the caretaker room of the home. He knocked on the room door before entering.Sanyogita saw there was a man at his mid 50s age who was wearing a white clothes which fully cover his body from neck to toe, he seemed like a father from a church.He had white hairs on his forehead, there was a white band around his waist and a black rosary on his neckHello Father Joseph,addressed by Prithvi;He halted his writing and smiled at him. ""Yes ,come,  come, what a pleasant surprise, my child!"" "he exclaimed with full of compassion in his eyes.Prithvi and Sanyogita entered inside the room"Who is this beautiful lady, my son?"Prithvi introduced Sanyogita to Father, "She is my friend's father." Sanyogita glanced at Prithvi with widened eyes , Prithvi raised his eyebrows at her, though she did not get angry at him. Sanyogita turned around at father , she introduced herself to him by her Hindu Cultural way&;Namastey Father; [clasping her both hands together]Good afternoon , myself Sanyogita Sharma''[putting a pretty smile on her lips]I am a Special Assistant at Sir [indicates towards Prithvi by gesture of her hand]company.``"Okay , my child , please be seated,"Both of them had taken their seats opposite the table. Sanyogita was looking around the room, which was looking clean, and there were so many piles of files kept in the wardrobe , clearly seen by the transparent glass.There was a picture of Mother Theresa on the walls of the room.A fan was moving on the ceiling . Outside, the temperature was a little bit hot, and air was high with humidity , though the room was comparable.Prithvi told him we had come here to talk to the children and also looked after about the condition of here .Father was feeling glad that he had visited here in spite of his busy schedules.Father advised Prithvi to take Sanyogita with him and saw her all spots here ;"Sure , Father " Prithvi responded with obidientdly Both of them were walking through the terrace of the  second floor of the children's building.Sanyogita saw some pictures on the wall , the ceiling , the floor and the whole wall was very beautifully decorated and painted. Two small children who could be around the age of ten to 10 to 12 were running across the corridor . Suddenly, the smaller boy hid behind her, and the older one was trying to catch him."Suresh and Rajesh,please go back to the main hall. It's time for praying""" Said by a lady who was wearing a black color tunic covered by a scapular and cowl,with a veil which wrapped around her neck, chin and covering the full head of her.They entered the Prayer room. Prithvi and Sanyogita Stood in the middle of the praying room.Everybody closed their eyes.Everyone started praying. ""Dear lord,we feel great that you have given us birth as human beings in this world.So, we are thankful to you for a wonderful opportunity to live this life as a human being."""Sanyogita saw smiles and happiness on every child's face . They were thrilled while praying.Some workers bought a big basket of chapati with some curry in a big bowl. The Father told Sanyogita that ""My child, please distribute these foods among all the children."""Sanyogita glanced at him for a brief moment before parting her lips to speak , " My father was a professor at a college. He was a very decent , good-hearted man. There was hardly a man who didn't respect him. I love him more than anything ,I adore him.My mother is a housewife, a lovely lady.Papa, Maa, Me and along with my elder sister we were a happy family .Everything was going well , and every single person at our locality praised my sister for her behaviour and education, which she had had from our parents. I was very close to my Di from my childhood.She was a very beautiful and brave girl.Then she was only 19 and I was at the age of 15  . One day, I heard the sobbing of my Di when I was passing by her room. She was looking worried and depressed for the last few days. At night I had woken up by some sounds,then I saw my mother was slapping my sister, my mother who did not raise a single hand on us , but that day she had rage in her head.I could not understand what was going on there ,totally confused about the fact. I begged Maa to leave her .That night, I came to know that my sister was in a relationship with a boy who was in the same college at which she read, and my father taught. She had shared everything with me except her relationship with that boy.There were rumours that had spread in our locality day by day.They were gossiping and whispering behind us. In fact a time had appeared when Local men, boys, teased my sister with bad intention.I had gradually come to know that the boy along with his friends trapped my Di,they accused her , blackmail her many times. The boy at first trapped my sister in his fake love, and then he used her again and again.Sanyogita's heart was pounding, aching twisting, sinking down in the ocean of  anguish. She didn't know why she said these things .  She engulfed the lump in her throat and continued "";My sister begged him for a lot of time, but he did not leave her . Students ,teachers ,even the people who respected my father all the time day and night while seeing him walking through the road, they greeted him honourably , and they had also started to mock him.We approached to police at first he said everything would be alright but at the end he was also took side of the boy belonged from a very rich family.A time had come in front of us when my Sister did not had other way except suicide. It was another night when she didn't come out of her room , she had locked herself in there. When we broke the door then we found she was hanging by the ceiling of the fan.Seeing that my father had a cardiac arrest, we were going to hospitalise him but everything had finished in front of us, I was helpless. On that day I lost two most precious people of my life.I have not only lost my father , I lost the roof above my head, my bestie,my sister" Sanyogita eyes were moistened but the tears didn't dare to come out of her eyes. Prithvi tried to console her, Sanyogita was fighting with her emotions as her best , she again continued "From that day, I have hated rich people and their sons. Seven years ago when I meet you , I was thinking that You were also that kind of boy, after that incident at Goa, only for you everybody was looking at me their worse.From then I had Started to hate you.In the present ,first day at office when I saw you again those past memories again engulf me, I had felt the same hatred for you";Prithvi looked down at his gaze.He did not say anything.Sanyogita again said"";If I had known your name and identity then I would never did job at your office, I was going to resigned but for Ariyan I couldn't did that.On the day in the shopping mall when Trisha tried to dismiss me from the office , I was trying my best to say that I was innocent, I Tried to protest , but You had come there , started to scold me , I was very angry at you then,I was thinking that you tried to take revenge from me.When you said that to leave the office ,so I had made the decision to left the job. But you exposed Trisha with full evidence.At last, you saved my life from that evil manager , and then you proved me wrong. On that day I have realised you are different , I will always remain grateful to you, from that day my heart has started to grow huge respect for you.'"Prithvi looked up at her , there was silence at that moment, The sun was setting on the western sky which became orange , gradually pinkish.Both of them were gazing at each other,neither of them spoke nor blinked their eyes for once. The street light had been starting to lighten up one by one across the footpath.Cool wind touched her flawless skin ,she closed her eyes and it gave her disheartened mind some kind of peace.Prithvi's eyes rested on Sanyogita's downtrodden face, his heart feeling the pain hidden deep inside her. He wished to comfort her, to calm the tempest raging within.His fingers ached to hold her face, to brush away the unshed tears. He yearned to wrap her in a comforting hug, to comb his fingers through her hair and soothe the tempests within. A soft pat on the back, a comforting touch, something to ease her grief. But he held back, lest she misinterpret. It was too soon, and he didn't want to spoil this moment.Instead, he chose words of consolation. His voice, gentle and low, pierced the stillness. "Sanyogita, you're not a loser. You're a fighter."His eyes found hers, full of certainty. "You've overcome every obstacle, and that's the biggest strength you have, Harbour . “Sanyogita's eyes found their way up, her gaze seeking truth. Prithvi's face was full of compassion, understanding and empathy. Her lips quivered, and for an instant, Prithvi believed she'd shatter. But she took a deep breath, her shoulders bracing."Thank you, Sir," she whispered, her voice dripped with gratitude. Prithvi's smile was gentle. "You're welcome, Sanyogita. Don't forget, you're not alone."Sanyogita's unwavering gaze met Prithvi's, the intensity of her look piercing.He went on, his tone filled with belief. "Not all warriors require weapons. You've been battling for your family, for Ariyan. Losers and cowards take advantage of honest and innocent people, unaware that honesty and truth are the strongest weapons possessed by mankind."Prithvi's eyes smoldered with truth. "I'm privileged you think I'm worthy of your trust, trusting me. Sharing your hardships with me."Sanyogita's glare softened, her features shifting from guarded to exposed."I'm sorry," she breathed, her voice low as a whisper. "I think I was mistaken. I misunderstood."Prithvi's features eased, his face warming with a smile. "We all make errors, Sanyogita. It takes a strong will to own them."He leaned in, his eyes fixed on hers. "I'm glad you think of me differently now."Sanyogita's face colored, her eyes falling to her hands. "You're not what I imagined, Sir."Prithvi smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "I'll accept that as a compliment."Sanyogita's mouth twitched into a soft smile, her face relaxing.Prithvi's smile grew wider. "Leave those things behind. I've already forgotten that day's incident. Now, forget you too!" He teased, his voice was playful banter.Sanyogita nodded her head, a smile flickering on her cheeks."When we meet again," Prithvi went on, his eyes locking onto hers, "we can make a fresh start. can't we be friends again? " His voice was low and inviting.Sanyogita's eyes glinted, her look wavering for an instant before she looked at him. A gentle smile crept onto her lips, and she nodded."Thik hai," she breathed, her voice full of affirmation.Prithvi's face lit up with a warm smile. "Thik hai, then."The tension between them broke followed by a feeling of possibility took hold.His countenance brightened with a mischievous boyish grin. "By the way, I'm famished. The rats are dancing inside my stomach. Let's have food before they call a strike."He put  his hands over his stomach and dramatized his hunger.Sanyogita's giggle welled up, impossible to suppress, and contagious. Her eyes crinkled and shone; her face lit up.Prithvi's eyes absorbed the sight, his heart bursting. When had he last seen her smile like this? Her laughter was music.."Okay, okay," she said, smearing away tears from her eyes. "So, let's feed the rats for now ."Prithvi chuckled, relieved. "I know, just the place."Sanyogita's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Lead the way, rat feeder."Prithvi chuckled, unlocking the door of his car . "Okay , then let's go"As they strolled out, the evening sun casting a golden glow, Prithvi pointed out his favourite eateries. Sanyogita listened intently, her laughter echoing through the streets.They settled on a cosy rooftop restaurant . Over steaming plates of food, their conversation flowed effortlessly. Prithvi shared stories of his childhood, making Sanyogita giggle. She spoke of Ariyan, her eyes shining with love.The stars began to twinkle above, and the city lights flickered to life.☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆It was a business party which was held by one of the famous companies who wanted to grow their emperor by making a partnership with the Malhotra Emperor .Prithvi, for the first time, attempted a party by the command of his father and also the other reason which he had known .As it was a simple business party so basically, most of the employees and businessmen joined it . hardly any family members had come.Prithvi was talking with the CEO of the kapoor company, MR.Vishal Kapoor, a handsome , charming, dashing young man, in his 30s with 6 feet height the same height as PrithviVishal was still a bachelor as he was not able to find the girl of his dreams.Arjun and Sanyogita both were present there with their boss, they shook hands with them. Vishal was staring at Sanyogita in the middle of the conversation frequently , Prithvi did not like this. Moreover, he was feeling jealous.The party had started, everyone was talking with each other by holding a glass of wine, some with juice and some with soft drinks. Vishal Kapoor was taking a sip of his wine and keeping his gaze continually at Sanyogita, who was busy gossiping with her colleagues .Prithvi's eyes darted briefly toward Sanyogita, his gaze lingering for a fraction of a second before he refocused on the Chairman of Kapoor Company. The elderly gentleman's words droned on, discussing quarterly profits and market trends.His eyes returned to Sanyogita, who stood still, her beauty glowing like an inner aura. Prithvi's eyes tracked the soft curve of her neck, his mind caught off guard.He dragged his eyes away, focusing them on the mango juice glass placed on the table. Sanyogita had left it there, condensation forming on the surface in beads like small diamonds. The rich yellow color appeared to glow with the soft lighting, bringing summertime and chuckles to his mind."Excuse me," Prithvi whispered, breaking away from the discussion with the Chairman. His gaze fell on the glass of mango juice, still warm from Sanyogita's caress. He raised it, his eyes attracted to the bright red lipstick mark on the rim, a faint reminder of her presence.A warm, decadent smile crossed his lips as he held the glass up to his lips. He kissed the imprint of lipstick, his spine shivering with an electric charge. The juiciness mixed with the slight taste of her lipstick only made his long-buried hunger all the more real.Although he was drinking, pretending to be interested in conversation, he never took his eyes off Sanyogita, who giggled and talked to her colleagues,  unaware of his stare. The melodious sounds of the live music swirled around the partyzone , the skilled fingers of the musicians weaving across their instruments.Vishal Kapoor, Kapoor Company CEO, reached Sanyogita with an optimistic smile but Prithvi quickly stepped in, his deep voice slicing through the music."May I have this dance?" he asked, his eyes aflame with passion, their dark depths glinting with a touch of possessiveness."I," She asked , surprised""Yes,my daughter. You are our guest today;we would be honoured if you distributed these to all the children.Sanyogita turned around at Prithvi, who blinked his eyes once at her assured her that please do that.She agreed with the Father and gladly distributed the foods.Every kid said "";Thank you"" to her.There was innocence and happiness on their face .She felt very happy for the joy which she had seen on their smile.It was priceless,indeed.Prithvi told Sanyogita that after meeting Ariyan, he had a feeling to take her here with him.He was feeling bad for him.