Chapter 22: chapter 22

Sanyogita was in the office, Arjun[Prithvi’s Secretory] had come to her and given a beautiful flower bouquet to her “Ish ki koi jarurat nahi thi,” she said embarrassingly “No, Mam, thank you, thank you , so much, I will always remain grateful to you!”He replied“It’s okay, but I can't accept this” At first, she was hesitant to accept the bouquet, but after his constant insistence, she couldn't abandon his request. Meanwhile, a girl came and listened to all the conversation between them, seeing her Arjun eyes getting wider,his heart was on his mouthThe girl had gone away from there, and Arjun followed after her” Maya” [she was Maya,Arjun had been dating her for the last month, she was a soft and pretty, kind-hearted girl]During the night Arjun was in a pub, drinking by sitting at the counter. He was looking very sad. Suddenly he saw a girl who was standing a little bit away from him. He felt the familiar shape of the girl, she was Maya.Arjun saw Sanyogita with his Boss, Prithvi, there, along with Maya.“I am sorry, I was scared, and angry at you seeing you give the flower to another girl in my absence. But I know everything has cleared to me”Maya visited her parent's home as she had come to know that her Grandmother wasn't doing well, so she had to leave Mumbai for a few days but Gave her dog to Arjun to take care of him. Arjun didn't know how to look after dogs,but he didn't want to upset her, so he assured her he could do that.When one day he returned from the office His neighbor complaint to him”Excuse me,Mr. Please you should have taken care of your dog,only for him my son can't sleep at night,neither I will have to inform the higher authority of the society of the complex”Arjun was in the bathroom, and when he was going to come out from there, he saw the dog lying there outside the door .He was frightened by his presence when started to bark at him by wagging his tail“Hey doggy, Shuu,shuu,shuu”He tried to drive him away by shaking his legs.When he was sitting on his chair the dog came and started to lick on his body .The next morning,he had a foul smell in his room. Poop was scattered on the floor from the bedroom to the kitchen.  “I'm going to kill you ”he yelled at the dog and ran after him,but couldn't catch him as the dog entered beneath his bed.In the office, Arjun saw a dog in a client's Wife’s arm , and he shouted at the dog.Prithvi was totally shocked by his behaviour that day Then he told everything to his Boss.Prithvi after hearing him discussed this with Sanyogita and told her to help him. That day both Prithvi and Sanyogita visited the apartment of Arjun.Surprisingly the dog was very affectionately attached to her after getting love and care from her.He started to lick her cheeks and hands.Sanyogita advised Arjun,” Never be frightened from him[dog],dogs are as innocent as a child,and they also need attention,care, and love from their owners,I have brought some Dog food,fed him on the bowl,caressed him on his head and body and you must play with him.”End of the flashback“I know Maya,seeing her boyfriend giving flowers or anything in the absence of another girl,any girl should be angry at them but you should also talk to him as you have spent a lot of time with him before,then decide everything,I don't want to say that all men are genuine to her girl,but without knowing full reason never reached to a point.”Sanyogita advised MayaPrithvi embraced Sanyogita in his arms and said”She is my girl,only mine,even as a boyfriend I am also loyal to her”by looking into her eyes“I also suggest you, you should never give any chance to your girl to question you,be friendly with her”Prithvi advised ArjunAfterwards both of them went off the spot.Maya again apologized to Arjun who was also asked sorry for him as if he told her the truth then she would definitely understand him.Prithvi was driving his car , the hum of the engine filling the space between him and Sanyogita, who sat quietly beside him. He turned his head slightly to glance at her.  His expression was a mix of admiration and curiosity. “You know, I've lost count of how many times I’ve seen you reach out of your way to help others,” he began, his voice earnest. “You do it without really knowing them, driven purely by kindness and selflessness.”Sanyogita blinked, momentarily taken aback by his unexpected observation. Encouraged, Prithvi continued, his words flowing with conviction. “At other times, it's as easy as getting a crying child to smile, or kindly assisting someone who has no home to get across the road. And then there are occasions when you've stepped in to save a woman from her battering husband. You always know when someone needs assistance."How did you know?" she asked back, her eyes widening in amazement as she turned her face toward him. As if he had peeked inside her heart and recognized her unvoiced acts.There were so many things I haven't written in my diary," he thought, a mischievous grin spreading across his lips. "Perhaps one day the pages will be exhausted, but your words? They never cease." He laughed softly, the heat of his laughter causing her cheeks to grow a deeper pink.Eventually, hehe slowed the car to a gentle halt directly before her house. Sanyogita's forehead creased slightly as she saw her mother unexpectedly waiting at the gate, her face a blend of puzzlement and alarm as she eyed them steadily. The dawning struck Sanyogita's heart with alacrity, sweeping her briefly from the easy bubble formed between them.********Sanyogita’s mother, Nilima, was as surprised as overwhelmed when she welcomed Prithvi into their modest home. She had been well aware of Prithvi’s unwavering support over the years, from offering his assistance in her office when needed to help with the admission of her nephew, Ariyan, into the hospital during a difficult time. However, what she remained blissfully unaware of was the secret relationship blossoming between Prithvi and her daughter. "Beta, I can never, ever be thankful enough for all that you have done for us," she cried with truth in her eyes, aglow with gratitude. "I know I will treasure this goodness in my heart forever."Prithvi, modest as always, replied, “No, Aunty, it was my duty. Everything I’ve done has been solely for your daughter’s sake.” His voice was steady and warm, reflecting his genuine affection for Sanyogita.Nilima's expression changed a bit as worry furrowed her brow. "But beta, we are middle class. If your family finds out about this affair, would they accept it?" she said, her tone filled with apprehension and maternal instinct."Indeed, Aunty, my family already knows about our relationship and they wholeheartedly accept it. They are very pleased for us," he replied confidently, the politeness in his features.Sanyogita's mother, kind and caring, invited Prithvi by saying, "Why don't you have dinner with us? It would be nice to have you with us."As he accepted the invitation, nostalgia swept over him. He felt an instant rush of memories reminding him of his own mother. He remembered taking fond care as she fed Sanyogita and her brother, Aryan, with tenderness. The moment evoked deep feelings within him, bringing him a rush of longing along with warmth.Seeing Prithvi's sudden silence, Nilima, Sanyogita's mother, confronted him with a worried face. "Kya baat hai beta, khana acha nahi laga? (What's the matter, dear? Didn't you like the food?)" she asked in her maternal tone , looking for a reply.He struggled to put on a small smile and responded, "No, Aunty, it is not that. You have reminded me of my mother. She used to treat me like this when I was a kid." He controlled his emotions, but deep within his heart was overflowing with bittersweet memories.Putting a gentle smile on face , Nilima said, "Beta, mein bhi toh tumhari Maa jaisi hoon, tum mujhe bhi Maa bula sakte ho. (Son , I'm just like your mother; you can call me Mother too.)" Her words were sincere, and Prithvi felt his heart warm with it.At that tender moment, she fed him lovingly with her own hands, bridging their families. With the food being shared among them, the air became more heavy with familiar emotions. Nilima understood how Prithvi might find it challenging to grow up without his mother's love, particularly during his early years.  She has seen her own daughter witness her father's death at such a young age. It was really difficult to covered the void in someone's life.Amidst the heavy tension of the room , Aryan's mother, who was also Sanyogita's daughter-in-law, joined playfully. "Mr. Prithvi, you must acclimatize yourself to saying Auntie 'Mother' since she will indeed be your mother-in-law upon marriage, is she not?" She teased him, looking towards Sanyogita, who blushed somewhat.Both Prithvi and Sanyogita shared guilty glances, the pink coloring the cheeks of both, as the implication of the teasing was registered. The sound of laughter echoed in the air lightned the atmosphere. At the same time, Aryan was watching the carefree interactions, couldn't help but giggled showing his tiny teeth . He had only recently been given leave by his doctor to remain at home for the moment, supplied with medication to aid his recovery, but he was aware that a trip to the hospital would still be unavoidable in the event of an emergency. His joyful laughter brought a spark of joy to the atmosphere, eliciting smiles from all who were present.It was another day when Sanyogita didn't come to the office as her best friend Radhika was not feeling well so she had to visit her.The whole day Prithvi became restless ,and couldn't concentrate on anything.He called her many times but she told him not to disturbed her as she had taken care of Radhika the whole day and did not want any interruption between the two besties.His heart swelled with emotions as he took in the scene around him. In the center of the room stood Sanyogita, a radiant smile on her face, with a beautifully decorated cake placed on the table in front of her. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and laughter, surrounded by his loved ones: Ariyan, Radhika, Arjun, and Maya, his beloved girlfriend. Near them were his grandfather, whom he affectionately called DD, his Grandmother, and Anushka. Among the gathering were also Ariyan, his cousin's brother, their Uncle, and his Mumsy, along with his father, who stood proudly at the end of the group.As his eyes landed on his father, his heart became burdensome with thankfulness and affection. He walked over to his father and folded his arms in a fond hug."Happy Birthday, my son," said his father in a proud voice. Reciprocating the warmth of embrace. "Thank you, Dad," he replied, experiencing an overflow of pleasure at the understated yet warm words.Now go and freshen up fast; all of us have been waiting eagerly for you," his father urged, a soft smile on his face.He walked up to his bedroom, a thrill and eagerness churning within him. Inside, he found a wonderful view: the bedroom was filled with hundreds of lit candles that smoldered faintly, emanating a heat, and vivid balloons floating in the air on the walls, giving the mood a celebratory touch.By the bedside table, his attention fell on a mix of tiny, coloured papers playfully spread, with tiny red roses laid across them.Intrigued, he picked up the papers, curiosity coursing through him, and began to read the heartfelt messages written on them, each one a beautiful sentiment from his love , adding to the joy of this special day.“My Dear Prithvi,Happy birthday Prithvi,many many happy returns of the day. I have never written a love letter before,so please forgive me if I fail now.The simple thing would be to say that I love you,but the truth is it’s so much more than that .I Want you,Prithvi,I need you all the time , every minute and every second.You are the only perfect part of my Imperfect life . You have given me millions of reasons to love you . I used to read in novels that love is a magical feeling,but for me it’s only you. You are the secret ingredients of my happiness .All of the people in the world , it’s only you I can't stop thinking about.If I am a lost nomad then you are my polar star who shows me the right direction .If I am a thirsty person in the desert then you are that water who saved my life If I am a soul then you're my love, whatever may be my fate I know you are my Destiny.   Without you my life would still exist but there will be no life remaining inside me. You're not just a part of my heart Prithvi,you are my life ,you are just not my life you are my everything.                                                                         Only Yours SanyogitaHis heart overflowed with a tempest of emotions when he finally finished reading the letter. He had never dreamt that he would be this lucky to get back the love of his life. The idea that she might love him more fervently than he had ever loved her overflowed him with a heat that he could not define. Blinded by affection, he pressed his lips lightly to the letter, relishing each word that she had written.Among the remaining notes scattered across the table, he found chits adorned with smiling faces, each one accompanied by a playful line: “I know after reading these you’ll be getting emotional, but for your birthday, just get ready, because we are all waiting for you in the living room.” The anticipation in her words made him chuckle, a mix of joy and excitement bubbling inside him.Last of all, he gained the strength to leave his bedroom. Entering the living room, the environment was alive with laughter and voices. Each and every one of the group was having fun, laughing and exchanging stories . The all-pervasive feeling of love and happiness enveloped him, making the experience something to be treasured forever.Prithvi's father couldn't help but smile with happiness as he saw his son laugh wholeheartedly, a sound which filled the room with warmth and happiness. The surroundings were light-hearted and festive, so the entire event was made that much more special."Thank you, Sanyogita," Ananya said, her voice brimming with gratitude. "Your suggestions for this surprise party made all the difference. It’s so much better than simply celebrating with a few strangers who only come for the show." Sanyogita smiled lightly, her eyes sparkling with delight. "It's okay, Mumsy . Am I not part of your family now?” she playfully teased, her tone filled with affection.Anushka chimed in, her eyes dancing with enthusiasm. "Why would you think otherwise? You are definitely becoming an integral part of our lives, aren’t you, Bhabi?” she said with a wink, encouraging Sanyogita to embrace her role in their family.Feeling a flush of shyness wash over her, Sanyogita eyelashes cast down for a moment, her cheeks warm. As the evening went on , Ananya and Shambhavi exchanged knowing glances before gently inviting Sanyogita to stay for the night. She hesitated at first, unsure about intruding on their family time, but then Ariyan, Prithvi's younger cousin, spoke up with his innocent appeal."Aunt, please! I want to stay here with Prithvi!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with enthusiasm. His eagerness to spend time with his cousin seemed to tip the scales, making it easier for Sanyogita to say yes.“Please, aunty, I really want to stay here,” he implored, his eyes wide with hope.Sanyogita glanced over at Prithvi, who silently pleaded with her through his gaze, sharing the same desire for Radhika to remain with them. With the promise of laughter and cherished memories ahead, Sanyogita’s initial reluctance melted away, and she smiled, feeling welcomed and loved in their warm and bustling home.After a moment of contemplation, she finally relented.“Okay,” she said softly, a smile spreading across her face. Sanyogita  proceeded to call her mother and her brother and sister-in-law, explaining the situation. They, too, joined in the request, encouraging Radhika to stay with Sanyogita. Prithvi, feeling a surge of excitement, took the opportunity to introduce Ariyan to all his family members, his chest puffed up with pride.When introduced to Anuska, Ariyan immediately took a liking to her, especially when she handed him a small stash of chocolates. His eyes sparkled with delight as he unwrapped one and popped it into his mouth. Meanwhile, Ariyan, Prithvi’s cousin, was brimming with curiosity.“Kya aapka bhi naam Ariyan hai?” he asked innocently, tilting his head slightly, clearly fascinated by the similarity.“Yes,” came the simple reply, a grin forming on the young boy’s face.“But I am a superman, Ariyan . And I know one thing—I am much cuter than you!” he giggled, the innocence of childhood radiating from him.With a chuckle, the other Ariyan replied, “Okay, dude! You are Superman Ariyan, and I’m just a regular Ariyan.”The exchange continued, full of playful banter. “But do you have video games?” the younger Ariyan asked, his eyes gleaming with excitement.“Yes, I have some,” the older Ariyan admitted, “but first, you have to be my friend, okay?”Superman Ariyan responded with a big grin, making imaginary rings with his fingers above his head. “Okay!” he affirmed enthusiastically.Just then, Ananya’s voice rang out from the dining area. “Bate bad mein, pehle khana khalo!” she called, summoning everyone to join her for a meal. The aroma of food wafted through the air, enticing everyone to gather around the table, their conversations mixing with laughter, filling the room with warmth and cheer.The dining table was filled with laughter and chatter as the family gathered for dessert. Prithvi, his eyes locked on Sanyogita, asked, "Todhara Halua idhar milega, please?" Sanyogita, serving alongside Maya and Radhika, blushed at his request.Anushka, always ready with a tease, chimed in, "Bhaiya, Gajar ka halwa achese kahiye, kyu yeh Sanyogitaji ne bade pyar se banaya hai!" (Brother, try the carrot halwa, Sanyogita made it with so much love!)Sanyogita's face turned bright red as she stopped serving and rushed to the kitchen, her hands covering her face. Prithvi couldn't help but chuckle at her shyness, his own face growing warm.Maya and Radhika burst out laughing, "Sanyogita di, kya hua? Prithvi bhaiya ne toh bas naam liya!" (Sanyogita di, what happened? Prithvi just mentioned your name!)As the laughter died down, the family dug into the delicious halwa, savoring the sweet, comforting taste. But amidst the joy, a hint of melancholy settled over Prithvi. He knew that life was fleeting, and moments like these were precious.After dinner, the family retired to their rooms, exhausted but content. Superman Ariyan snored softly in his room, his video game marathon finally over.As Prithvi drifted off to sleep, he smiled, thinking of Sanyogita's shy smile and the warmth of the evening. The darkness of the night enveloped the house, the only sound the soft hum of crickets outside. Sanyogita made her way to her room, her footsteps quiet on the carpeted floor. But just as she reached the door, a hand shot out from the shadows, catching her wrist in a gentle yet firm grip. She spun around, her heart racing, and found herself face to face with Prithvi."Tumne toh mujhe dara hi diya tha," she whispered, her voice barely audible. But Prithvi didn't respond. Instead, he leaned in, his lips brushing against her neck in a tender kiss. Sanyogita's pulse quickened as she felt his warm breath on her skin."Kya kar rahe ho, Prithvi?" she asked, trying to pull away. But Prithvi held her fast, his arms wrapping around her like a vice."I want my birthday gift," he whispered, his voice husky."But I've already given you the wristwatch," Sanyogita protested."I know, but there's one thing left," Prithvi said, his eyes glinting in the dim light.Sanyogita tried to ask what he meant, but Prithvi didn't give her a chance. He sealed his lips against hers, the kiss deepening as they stood there in the darkness.They broke apart for a moment, gasping for air. "Prithvi, do you think if anyone sees us here, what will they think?" Sanyogita asked, her voice trembling.Prithvi grinned mischievously. "Maybe it will be better. Then they'll quickly set up a marriage for us."Sanyogita rolled her eyes, trying to free herself from his grip. But Prithvi held her fast, his arms tightening around her."Prithvi, leave me," she implored, fearing they'd be caught.But Prithvi just chuckled. "What about a goodnight kiss?" he demanded, his eyes sparkling.Sanyogita hesitated, then gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Prithvi released her, and she ran from the room, her heart pounding in her chest.