The Rebound (A Sandhir FF)

Chapter 2

The early morning rays woke Sanyukta up. She unwillingly opened her eyes cursing herself for not closing the window blinds before sleeping. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the piercing sun rays but that didn't save her from the blinding light. Frustrated, she attempted to bury her head beneath her pillow only to discover someone sleeping next to her. Closer inspection revealed Randhir sleeping peacefully beside her, his head resting on the pillow which she had wanted to use as her shield.

It took Sanyukta a full two minutes to understand why she woke up next to Randhir. Then it all came back to her. Her drinking spree, Rehan and Ishika kissing and finally the kiss she had shared with Randhir. She had kissed Randhir in her drunken state seeking momentary comfort from the anger and hurt that had overwhelmed her. But what she had gotten in return was more than mere comfort.

Randhir had kissed her back with such passion that she had forgotten all about Rehan, Ishika and her break up. What happened before and after the kiss was a faded memory but the kiss itself stood out like a highlight. She could recall every single sensation she had felt when they had kissed.

Sanyukta gazed at Randhir's sleeping form straining to remember what had happened after the kiss. She vaguely remembered Randhir driving her back home. She must have fallen straight into bed after coming back.

Randhir must have been too tired to go back home, Sanyukta thought as she took in his sleeping form.

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"Hey," Randhir said walking into the living room. Sanyukta looked up and gave him a weak smile. She had been curled up on the couch since the past one hour thinking over last night's happenings and trying to ignore her throbbing head. The more she thought about it, the more she realized how reckless she had been last night. She had gone to a night club alone. Something she had never ever done. Then to make matters worse, she had drunk more alcohol than she had ever done in a single night. She shuddered at the thought of what would have happened to her if Randhir hadn't found her there. In all likelihood she would have either passed out in some dark corner of the nightclub or she would have ended up embarrassing herself in front of her ex boyfriend and his current girlfriend. But all this could still be classified as acceptable behavior in comparison to what she had done next.

What was I thinking, Sanyukta thought shaking her head.

"How are you feeling now?" Randhir asked as he settled beside Sanyukta.

"Randhir I am sorry," Sanyukta whispered ignoring his earlier question.

"What are you apologizing for?" Randhir asked knowing fully well what she was referring to. He had been hoping against hope that Sanyukta wouldn't remember last night's happenings but the worry lines on her face and her refusal to meet his eyes clearly indicated that she did remember.

"I shouldn't have thrown myself at you like that," Sanyukta said. Talking about what she had done was even more mortifying than thinking about it.

"If you remember what you did last night then you probably also remember what I did Sanyukta. I kissed you back too."

"But that doesn't change the fact that I was the one to kiss you first. I honestly don't know what made me do that Randhir."

"Sanyukta you were emotionally vulnerable yesterday. Plus you were drunk. You weren't really responsible for your actions. I am not letting you think that you were the only person at fault. It wasn't your mistake. It was our mistake," Randhir finished squeezing her palm in reassurance.

Sanyukta smiled in response. The worry that has been gnawing at her insides abated.

"Why did you kiss me back?" she asked playfulness evident in her tone.

"What?"

"You heard me Randhir. Why did you kiss me back?" Sanyukta asked, trying to feign seriousness but failing miserably.

"I guess because that is the standard response of a guy when kissed by an attractive girl," Randhir replied grinning.

"Oh so now you find me attractive as well."

"You are decent enough I suppose."

"Yeah right," Sanyukta chuckled.

"You want coffee?" Randhir asked getting up from the couch and stretching his arms.

"One kiss and you are already planning coffee dates?" Sanyukta said chuckling.

"Coffee dates are for kids, darling. I favor dinner dates," Randhir retorted walking into the kitchen to make coffee.

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"How is your headache?" Randhir asked as he handed Sanyukta a mug of steaming hot coffee.

"I think I am going to die," Sanyukta groaned cradling her mug.

"No one dies of a hangover headache drama queen."

"Who knows? I might be that one exception who will die and alert people to the dangers of a hangover."

"Yeah right," Randhir said rolling his eyes and proceeding to take a sip from his mug.

"And if I do die I want you to punch that Ishika's stupid face on my behalf," Sanyukta said finally taking a sip from her coffee mug.

"I wouldn't mind doing that at all," Randhir replied patting her head.

"This coffee tastes heavenly. Did you put chocolate in this?" Sanyukta asked surprised.

"Yes. There wasn't any sugar in your kitchen and I knew drinking bitter coffee wouldn't do your headache any good. So I put in some chocolate," Randhir replied.

"Clever boy," Sanyukta said playfully ruffling his hair and smiling.

Randhir couldn't help but smile back. There was something about her smile that made him want to smile too.

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