Each And Every Crime Has Punishment

Last Chapter

Hours ticked by at a glacial pace as the family and friends sat vigilantly outside Sanyukta's cabin, their anxious eyes fixed on the door, willing her to open her eyes and return to them. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the soft beeps of the medical equipment and the occasional whispered prayer. Every minute felt like an eternity, as they waited with bated breath for any sign of improvement, their hearts heavy with worry and fear.

They stood anxiously outside Sanyukta's cabin, waiting for a crucial decision, when Sanyukta's parents and Kanika emerged. Their faces wore grave expressions, reflecting the weight of their emotions.

"Kaha hai meri Sanyu, kaisi hai woh?" Anju wailed, her voice shaking with despair, as Kishore wrapped his arms around her, attempting to calm her frantic sobs.

"Maa... papa... woh Sanyukta ICU mein hai, behosh hai." Randhir's voice cracked as Anju's grip on his collar tightened.

"Ye sab kuch tumhari galti hai, tumhari wajah se meri Sanyu ki aaj ye halat hai! Pehle usse humse chhin liya aur ab usse uski zindagi bhi chhin lena chahte ho?" Anju's anger boiled over, her words dripping with venom as Randhir stood before her, his head hung in shame. His downcast eyes are a testament to his guilt.

"Kya galti thi meri bacchi ki jo tumne usse aisi maut se badtar zindagi di? Usne tumhare liye kya kuch nahi kiya, apna sab kuch chhod diya aur tumne usse hi chhod diya woh bhi ek dusri ladki ke liye, chiii! Sharam nahi aayi aisa ghatiya harkat karte huye?" Anju's words poured out in anguish, her hands shaking Randhir violently until Kishore intervened.

"Anju, sambhalo apne aap ko! Hum yaha Sanyu ke liye aaye hai, isse baat karne ka kya matlab!" Kishore's stern gaze ripped into Randhir, who stood silently, unable to utter a word.

"Uncle, aunty, please aap dono shant ho jaiye, Sanyukta ki hosh mein aate hi aap dono usse mill sakte hai." Vidushi gently urged, wrapping a reassuring arm around Anju's shoulders as tears streamed down her face.

The moment Sanyukta's eyes fluttered open, Randhir's heart roared back to life, as if an electric spark had reignited his very existence. His chest swelled with a mix of joy and relief, and his entire being felt rejuvenated, like a parched garden suddenly quenched by a refreshing rain. The darkness that had threatened to consume him began to recede, replaced by a warm, golden light that seemed to emanate from Sanyukta's gaze alone. He blinked his tears.

"Rono?" Sanyukta whispered.

"Haan Sanyu! Main yahi hu, tumhare pass." He sat beside her holding her hand.

"Ab kaisa lag raha hai?" Randhir asked worriedly.

"Fine like never before." Came her whisper when Randhir gulped hard.

"Ab tum bilkul thik ho jayogi, dekho kaun aaya hai!" Randhir's words were accompanied by a nod towards the door. As Sanyukta's gaze shifted, her face froze in astonishment, her eyes locking onto her parents, who stood anxiously in the doorway.

"Maa... Papa...!" Sanyukta whispered, her voice barely audible, trembling with emotion.

"Sanyu... meri bacchi!" Anju sobbed, breaking free from Kishor's grasp to rush towards her daughter, enveloping Sanyukta in a tearful embrace.

"Meri bacchi, hum aa gaye hai, ab sab kuch thik ho jayega." Anju whispered, her voice trembling with tears as she tenderly caressed Sanyukta's face.

"Maa, papa, aap dono achanak?" Sanyukta's eyes widened, her voice laced with confusion and surprise.

"Itna sab kuch ho gaya aur tune hume bataya tak nahi? Ek phone tak nahi kiya!" Anju's words trembled with disappointment and anguish.

"Aap dono ko kaise pata chala?" Sanyukta's eyes clouded with worry, her tone hesitant.