CHAPTER 3: TOO INNOCENT

Sanyukta sat on her cubical and checked the files thoroughly "Poor Raj sir, he got fired!" muttered to herself.

Mia (Co-worker) "Come on Sanyukta...he deserved that" said.    

Sanyukta "What do you mean by that?" asked frowning.

Mia "Sanyukta... honestly your way too innocent. The CEO and COO of this branch use you too an extent, they literally dump all the work on you that they don't even know what project is in what status because you always take care of them perfectly" said the matter of truth.

Sanyukta "Come on Mia...they both are brothers and facing a few problems in their family that is why they asked me to do their work as a favor" defended.

Mia "You really believe that... you're a creature who gets cheated easily in a snap of fingers...you easily believe people Sanyukta. You joined this company 7months back and from the first day to till the day you are taking care of this branch solely with no guidance from those dumbasses, taking it to new heights. In every meeting you put your hard work but they get appreciation and you don't care about such at all you know why because you're so selfless. Being like this is not a good thing in this world Sanyukta" said affectionately touching her shoulder.

Sanyukta went silent as her mind processed the information said by Mia. She knows what she said is right but she feels happiness in them, helping people gives her a pleasure. Different emotions that tell her what she is doing is right and if people call her selfless because of that, she really don't want pay heed to them.

A smile spread over her lips as Mia sighed "You won't change" said as a statement rather than a question seeing her expressions.

Sanyukta shrugged her shoulders and Mia face palmed "God help this girl" prayed in annoyance.

Evening crept in,

Sanyukta completed her presentation as she walked inside Aram's cabin "May I come in Aram?" asked politely.

Aram "Come in" said with a smile.

Sanyukta "Well, the things needed for next two days on my absence are here" said handing the files, laptop, hard disk etc...

Aram smiled "Thanks Sanyukta and yeah please convey my regards to the bride of the marriage" said intact of formality.

Sanyukta smiled too "Sure" said and turned to leave but stopped.

Aram "What relation do you share with the bride?" asked casually.

Sanyukta "She is my cousin sister" said.

Aram "Oh... if you don't mind Can I ask who is the groom then?" asked.

Sanyukta "I have no idea" said shrugging her shoulders again.

Aram "what do you mean by that... she is your sister dude' asked.

Sanyukta "We are sisters but we have loads of differences though...we really aren't that close you know, the thread of our relationship is very formal with hi and bye. And, honest speaking I don't want to attend this wedding at all but dad wants too that is why I am taking this leave" said.

Aram "Oh...I understand" said with a convincing smile.

Sanyukta "Bye Aram" said and gave him a side hug, a friendly hug.

Aram "Bye and enjoy the wedding!" wished bidding her bye.

But, this was witnessed by an of course Randhir from the glass wall "Is anything there between these too?" asked himself frowning.

Aram sighed "Man...Sanyukta took a leave, many meetings are lined up and on top of it boss marriage in two days...great" exclaimed annoyed.

A few minutes later,

Sanyukta parked the car and walked out locking the door silently.

She entered her house and sighed "Hey silence" greeted the silence over her house.

Sanyukta shook her head as she saw the time 7:30pm.

Sanyukta "Dad used to rush home to be with us but now he always comes home around 11pm or 12pm nor he comes in the morning get fresh and leave for office immediately" said sadly.

In a few minutes, Sanyukta got fresh and cooked a small meal for herself alone knowing her father wouldn't be home early and if he is he won't eat.

Sanyukta ate her food with a show on the television and later rushed to her room while packing the dressed needed for her stay over for the next two days in Agarwal Mansion.

Changing into her night dress and hugged her teddy tightly "I wish my life was easy" said as she fell into a deep sleep.

SHEKHAWAT MANSION,

Randhir checked the files which contained the details of the project are handled by Sanyukta Agarwal.

Randhir scrunched his eyebrows "Agarwal... wait?" exclaimed in confusion as he picked his phone and called Ishika.

Ishika "Hey baby" said in a honey coated voice.

Randhir "Ishika...do you know anybody in the name of Sanyukta Agarwal?" asked.

Ishika "Sanyukta...she is my cousin" said as she polished her nails with pink.

Randhir "What?" exclaimed in surprise.

Ishika "What happened baby...Any problem and how do you know her name?" asked.

Randhir "She is an employee of mine...wait a minute, you never spoke about her nor introduced me to her which you did for all your cousins and friends in the last party organized?" asked trying the keep the conversation.

Ishika "Ugh...she is a very different person to be specific traditional yet modern! And, her dad is my father's younger brother who wanted a career of his own so he moved out of the house much to my grandparents disapproval and also married a woman who is absolutely not our class...so, they have always force to keep a distance from us except a few important functions like...our wedding and that's why I never got to introduce you to her ever and come on she isn't that interesting" said rolling her eyes.

Randhir "You mean to say...she would be attending the marriage?" asked as he felt happiness surround him just knowing he would meet her again.

Ishika "Yup" said and Randhir hang up the call.

Randhir felt an ecstasy to meet her but reality hit him hard "Your getting married Randhir but your letting emotions for the bride's sister".

Randhir closed his eyes in irritation "Shit" cursed loudly.

A knock on the door divert his attention "Nada aunty" said coldly.

Nada "Hi Randhir!" said.

Randhir "Do you need something from me?" asked.

Nada "You know you're very formal with me...I am like your mo..." stopped hearing his harsh words.

Randhir "Don't you dare to utter that word...you don't deserve it you know" said fritting his teeth.

Nada took a step back at the intensity of his voice "I am sorry...I really am" apologized.

Randhir closed his eyes to calm him down "Nada aunty...please...it is enough please" said.

Nada "Randhir I accept I made that...mistake and I am really sorry for it...can you please for..." said to be stopped again by him.

Randhir "Come on...this is irritating...Aunty I started to accept you as my mother slowly but...you cheated my dad with his driver and also tried to kill my dad twice and you expect me to forgive you?" snapped back in full anger.

Nada closed her eyes "Randhir it happened 18 years back and I regret doing it...your dad forgave me but..." said as her eyes got moist.

Randhir "I can't...don't expect that from me Nada aunty...I saw you (clenched his fists) with that driver on the bed just when I was 8 year old boy...the very time my mom passed away and brought you home as my mother" said as he revived the memory.

Randhir "And, also you gave the poisoned milk for my dad from my hand on the pretense that you were busy doing something else...Dad might have forgave you but I can't...I can never keep you in my mother's position...trust me I can't and I also know you are one of the biggest reason behind my marriage isn't?" asked.

Nada looked down ashamed at her deeds "Yes" answered.

Randhir sighed and Nada "I wanted you to be happy that's why..." said.

Randhir "This is not the first thing you did so that I would be happy...but you know the reality I am not...and in the end you became the villain. I just blame you because it happens to ruin me...so please don't ever do that" said.

Nada stood shocked but she knows whatever she does for him end up bad while hurting him too.

Randhir "You think Ishika is perfect for me?" asked.

Nada initially like Ishika but getting know her enough she regretted being her proposal up for Randhir. But, she saw how Randhir was at ease while being with her so she shut it up.

Randhir "I know you are not happy with her" said with a sarcastic smile.

Nada "But...you like her? And that is enough for me" said honestly.

Randhir laughed sarcastically "I may like her, maybe as a friend but I don't think so she could ever become more than that" said honestly.

Nada's eyes widened in shock "Then...why did you go ahead with the proposal?" asked.

Randhir "Personal reasons" said smirking.

Nada "Your doing wrong Randhir...it is not about you but also her life" said.

Randhir "Really...then I will stop this marriage now, you know I will not have any problem but will you be okay with this or be worried more like to say panicked that your promise to someone will break and someone's life will be at stake?" asked with his hand crossed over his chest.

Nada's face paled as she gulped "What...who else's life and what pro...promise...I...don't get it!" fumbled.

Randhir "Come on...Nada aunty stop this act of yours to show that you're an innocent step-mother who is being not respected by his stepson!" said smirking.

Nada rolled her eyes "You caught me again Mr. Randhir Singh Shekhawat!" chipped angry.

Randhir laughed "Mrs. Nada Singh Shekhawat...when will you stop playing this cruel game of yours?" asked.

Randhir "You have no answer for it, I know that...after all your doing this drama of being a good step mother for a very long time and as usual I caught you" said as he sat on the recliner drinking the water on the table in front.

Nada lips tightened in anger that her game of acting to be good in front that blasted but she gasped loudly when she heard him saying...

To be continued...

What did Randhir say?

Stay tuned to know!