"Hatred spreads faster than love isn't it?" Sarita spoke looking at her mobile screen.

"Yes it is, people change like chameleon when a person is facing downfall. Everybody salutes the rising the Sun" Sanyukta spoke out.

"Look wife of traitor is going" A woman murmured in supermarket looking at Sanyukta.

"Maa, let's go home" Sanyukta spoke out with embarrassment.

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

"Maa, we lost this big project! Nobody wants to work with our company. We even can't step out of house, people are talking rubbish" Ankit exclaimed throwing away files from his hand.

"But where will she go?" Anjali remarked.

"Sanyukta return to Randhir. Reconcile for God's sake. Society will eat us alive" Kishor pleaded, joining his hands.

"I will do as you say Papa, please don't join your hands in front of me" Sanyukta cried.

A few hours later, Sanyukta felt uneasiness. She thought to walk a bit, thinking it to be some acidity problem.

"Maa, I am not feeling well. I am going out for a walk" Sanyukta spoke and left the house.

"Madam How much money did you get for the deal? I, too, can give you money, just spend a night with me" A drunkard spoke out to Sanyukta on the road.

Sanyukta slapped the drunk man hard, she looked for Auto rickshaw.

"Sanyukta what are you thinking ? Relish the tea" Sarita Devi spoke breaking the trance of Sanyukta's thoughts.

"Yeah..." Sanyukta spoke out with a smile, Sarita's ginger tea always brought happiness on Sanyukta's face.

"You are a good mechanical engineer. Why don't you seek employment in cooperate world" Sarita Devi spoke out.

"No one would hire me" Sanyukta wanted to blurt out but instead chose better soothing words"Ma'am teaching is the highest profession of all. These children will be future doctors, engineers, scientists. That is satisfactory for me" Sanyukta responded.

"Oh... I see, quite a noble thought" Sarita remarked.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Sanyukta are you alright?" Anjali spoke out guiltily on phone call.

"Don't worry Maa, I have reached Dehradun safely" Sanyukta replied.

"I am sorry, Ankit misbehaved with you. I feel so helpless" Anjali cried over the phone.

"Maa,don't cry, it's not your fault. Take care of yourself. Break Ankit's teeth if he speaks foul about you" Sanyukta joked, making Anjali chuckle through her tears.

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

Sanyukta sat near the window.Jiya waved at Sanyukta. The little family was celebrating the thirteenth wedding anniversary of Jiya's parents.

Sanyukta smiled towards Jiya and her parents, her heart was melting seeing the small yet beautiful family.

For a second Randhir's image cropped in her mind and she thought would her life different if she lived with Randhir.

She then closed her eyes something flashed in her sub conscious, she whispered," I won't forgive you Randhir".

Sanyukta's mobile rang abruptly. She picked up quickly,"Hello, Ma'am".

"Sanyukta I am inviting you to my house on Diwali".

"But Ma'am you know I don't celebrate Diwali" Sanyukta spoke out.

"You have to come, this Diwali will be so exciting for you"Sarita spoke happily.

"Okay I will come but as a family member. Don't treat me as a guest and don't be formal. In fact I will cook dinner" Sanyukta replied.

"See you on Diwali then" Sarita spoke out excitedly.

"Why Sarita Ma'am is so happy and excited? Diwali occurs each year. What will be so special this year" Sanyukta thought to herself.

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

"Sanyukta listen to me, daughter move on now. Don't stay stagnant. Before going away from this world I want to see you happy and settled" Anjali spoke out.

"Maa,don't say like this. Dare not talk about death. It scares me Maa" Sanyukta exclaimed.

"Okay calm down. I am not going anywhere until I see my grandchildren.Sanyu, I am sending you pictures on whatsApp. Check them out"Anjali spoke enthusiastically.

Sanyukta rolled her eyes," Ma'am, I told you I won't marry anymore. I am still..."

"You are still married, really..." Anjali spoke sarcastically.

"Bye,Maa..." Sanyukta spoke out.

"Give Randhir another chance" Anjali spoke out firmly.

"Bye Maa..." Sanyukta disconnected without a proper to Anjali's reconcile suggestion.

"Randhir should be given a chance, why the hell he should be given another chance? He was not there when I needed him"Sanyukta spoke to herself before throwing the cushion of a sofa.

Sanyukta sat in the auto rickshaw, taking a sigh of relief.

"Let me call Randhir, it's my fault. I should have stood by his side" Sanyukta thought to herself.

Sanyukta dialed Randhir's number, the bell rang, making Sanyukta's heart flutter.

Randhir didn't pick up the call.Sanyukta re dialed again, no reply.

Before Sanyukta could dial again, the auto rickshaw halted. The drunkard man had blocked the auto rickshaw's way.

Sanyukta looked at the drunk hooligan in horror. The drunk man hit hard on driver's head,Sanyukta screamed for help.

She called Randhir, this time the call was picked," Randhir, please help me, I am in trouble" Sanyukta pleaded before the phone call got disconnected.

The drunkard smiled, showing his teeth tainted with tobacco.Sanyukta dialed Police's number hastily.

"I need help..." Sanyukta stuttered when the alcoholic threw away the phone.

A shiver ran down her spine, the drunkard hovered over Sanyukta's torso.

Sanyukta kicked the drunkard in his groin. The drunk goon snapped back hard, he kicked back Sanyukta's privates.

She shrieked in agony, the police arrived and arrested the goon. Meanwhile, Sanyukta cried in pain.

Police helped Sanyukta in reaching hospital. The doctors took her into emergency ward,Sanyukta cried like a kid. When she woke up again, her lower body felt sore.

"This can't be true, please check it out again, God can't snatch it away from me!" Sanyukta wailed.

"We are extremely sorry, you have lost your baby" Gynecologist told Sanyukta.

"Maa, I don't deserve it. Lord is too cruel to me!"Sanyukta cried her heart out.

"Keep patience, time will heal you" Anjali consoled Sanyukta.

"Maa...Randhir didn't pick up calls. If he had attended my call earlier,I could have saved my child. I hate Randhir so much. I won't forgive him.I pleaded Randhir for still he didn't help,Maa I curse him to keep burning while he lives on" Sanyukta cried again.

A thunderbolt brought back Sanyukta back to reality. The thunderstorm was getting wild and scary. Sanyukta closed the windows, her heart again wept for her lost baby and miserable life. She cried herself to sleep.

If only had someone
Someone to call my own
If not here with me,then somewhere else
but someone- my own

When sleep eludes the eyes
and only tears float
in dream-filled eyes
someone to stay up the night with
someone to share my woes
if only I had someone...

My loneliness replays
long-forgotten promises
a fistful of memories
all night long
only if I had some hope
someone- my own
if only I had someone...

Reason for Sanyukta not forgiving Randhir is finally revealed. What will happen next? Stay tuned.