"Comeon Sanyukta...pick up the phone dammit..", murmured a restless Randhir, as he frantically paced in his room from here to there. It had been almost fifty times that he called her up...but not even for once did she pick up his call. Her cell just kept ringing...and all that he got to hear after a prolonged ringing session was- "The number you have dialed is not responding...please try again later..". His heartrate just kept increasing with every passing second...in anticipation of what could possibly have happened to her. Sanyukta did not come to college...and the previous day too he noticed something wierd in her behaviour. He thought of confronting her...but then dropped the idea...as he thought it would be too rash...given the emotional trauma that she was going through.
The past few days had been no less than a storm for her...a storm which came suddenly...and took away her sole support system....her strength...her mother along with it...destroying every happiness and hope that she had. He knew to what extent Sanyukta loved and worshipped her mother....her whole life revolved around her....for it was only her mother in that male chauvinist family...who gave wings to her dream and let her fly....supported her all through and encouraged her to follow her ambition. Whatever she was today...whatever little she could achieve...it would not have been possible...had her mother not been with her. She was her pillar....her inspiration...her pride...her role model. And now that she was gone...forever and ever...she didnt know how she would survive. The very thought of her mother not being in her life was so scary...that she never wanted to imagine it. But now she had to live with it....the whole life. She was all torn and broken....she was experiencing the most difficult and painful phase of her life. And everytime he would see her vulnerable state...his heart ached. It hurt him to see his farzi...his tigress...so devastated and miserable. Somewhere deep within his heart...he somewhat held himself responsible for the mishap. Only if he had taken out just a little time from Ragini....and listened to her...may be things would be different...may be he could have done something...may be together they could have saved her...but no...he left Sanyukta to deal with this alone..and he cursed himself every second for that. But now...all that he wanted was to be with her. He did not want to leave her alone even for a second. Sanyukta's mother entrusted him with the responsibility of her daughter...and he knew how much faith she had shown on him. So there was no way he was going to let her down. He promised her that he would always keep Sanyukta happy and be by her side...and he was going to fulfill that no matter what. Whatever she expected out of him....he promised himself that he would live up to those expectations.
He dialled her number once again...crossing his fingers...and murmuring," please Sanyukta...ek baar phone uthao...please.."..but again it was of no use. He was utterly frustrated now. Something was definitely wrong...and he was sure of it. Else Sanyukta would never do like this. Whenever she skipped college...she always used to inform him..or any of her team-mates or professor about it. But today...she didnt tell anyone. He asked Vidushi if she knew anything...but even she shrugged...indicating that she too had no idea regarding her absence. And to top that she wasn't even answering his calls. His palms started sweating now...and his anxiety level reached its peak. Unable to hold himself back anymore....he decided it was high time to go and find out for himself what was wrong with her, "Bas bohot ho gaya....ab mujhe jaake dekhna hi hoga ki aakhir hua kya hai...". So without wasting any second...he hurridly took his bike keys and headed towards Sanyukta's house....all the while praying for her safety, "God Sanyukta...I just hope u are all fine.."..
It took him 30 mins to reach her place. Once there...he parked his bike at a safe distance..lest anybody would see it..and then as per his famous RSS ritual..he went to the backyard of her house...climbed the pipe that led her to her room....and entered her domain via window. Once inside....he scanned the entire room for her glance....but she was nowhere to be seen. But as he went further inside...towards the other side of her bed...and looked at the floor....the image in front of him made him shiver...and he stopped dead in his tracks...
