The Rebound (A Sandhir FF)

Chapter 29

The dream team felt a mixture of elation and apprehension as the competition neared. On one hand all of them had managed to get placed in reputed multinational companies. Randhir, Parth and Sanyukta had managed to bag offers from more than one company. On the other hand they all realized that these were the last few days they would be spending together.

Meanwhile Randhir became increasingly irritable as the competition approached, spending nearly all his time in the lab. He was hell bent on perfecting the car and worked at it with a fanatical devotion. His anxiety about ensuring that the car was perfectly safe for Sanyukta to drive was sensed by only two people- Parth and Vardhan sir. Both had lost people they had loved during the course of their life and understood the rationale behind Randhir's bouts of panic.

Before long it was time for the dream team to fly to Germany where the dream team competition was traditionally hosted. Rehan's dad had graciously offered to fly the team to Germany at his own expense with the result that the team was hosted in the business class of the airplane.

Sanyukta snuggled closer to Randhir as they tucked into their seats.

"Stop frowning so much Randhir. I really don't want my handsome boyfriend to age prematurely."

Randhir merely passed her a glare and continued fiddling with his phone.

"Why are you so grumpy?"

"Sanyukta go to sleep and stop annoying me," Randhir snapped as he freed his shoulder from her grip, casting a wary glance at Vardhan sir who was busy poring over a magazine.

Randhir and Sanyukta had been careful not to reveal their relationship in public. However Vardhan sir unlike others had caught on easily enough. Randhir had had to endure an uncomfortable lecture from him about the immaturity of throwing away an acceptance from Stanford for the sake of an uncertain relationship.

"Aren't you excited? We are going to Germany after all," Sanyukta said as she scooted closer to him.

"Sanyukta, Vardhan sir is just a few seats away," Randhir said meaningfully as he moved farther away from her.

"You really think he'd mind?" Sanyukta asked raising her eyebrows.

Randhir nodded a yes as Sanyukta sighed and moved away. It had been ages since they had spent quality time together and she had been fervently hoping to snatch a few quiet moments with him at least during their journey.

Sanyukta couldn't help but feel exasperated with Randhir. She had been trying hard to make excuses for his irrational behavior but his refusal to see reason was slowly but steadily getting on her nerves. He didn't seem to realize that a relationship required infinite love, patience and most importantly an investment of time to nurture. Her only consolation were the rare moments when she would spot the tender love he had for her in his eyes or when he would shower her with gentle kisses when he thought she was fast asleep.

Randhir felt a twinge of remorse as Sanyukta turned her face away and put up a great show of trying to fall asleep. He hadn't been ignoring her on purpose. But the physical and emotional workload had prevented him from spending much time with her in recent weeks. Moreover the fear of losing her had haunted him relentlessly. Though Vardhan sir had counseled him to free him from his paranoia, the fear refused to go away. He gently put an arm around her and pulled her closer to apologize, only to realize that she had indeed fallen asleep.

******

"What are you doing here?" Sanyukta asked in surprise as she tightened the hold over the knot of her bathrobe. She had decided to revel in a hot bath before hitting the sack. The bath had stretched longer than she had intended and she had stepped out sleepy and ready for bed only to find Randhir waiting for her.

Randhir's breathing hitched as he took in Sanyukta's form. She looked positively ravishing and Randhir gulped as his eyes followed the path the water droplets took as they trickled down her hair.

"I wanted to say sorry Sanyukta," Randhir whispered hoarsely as he beckoned her to join him.

"What for?" Sanyukta asked softly as she wrapped a towel around her wet hair.

"I didn't mean to push you away Sanyu," Randhir confessed taking her hand into his.

"But that's what you have been doing Randhir," Sanyukta replied looking down.

"I am sorry," Randhir whispered as he pulled her onto his lap.

"I know that you are tensed about tomorrow. But fear is not going to win us the race Randhir."

"I don't care whether we win or lose."

"What are you scared of then?"

"God has a funny hobby of periodically snatching away all that I love Sanyukta," Randhir said, finally confiding his deepest fear in her as he hid his face in the crook of her neck.

"Randhir," Sanyukta whispered as she ran her fingers through his hair. She placed a gentle kiss on his hair as she hugged him closer to her heart.

"I can't live without you," Randhir whispered his voice and eyes both awash with vulnerability.

"You won't have to," Sanyukta said softly as she brushed her nose against his. She cast her mind around for words soothing enough to ease his pain and fears. However her mind failed to provide her with words effective enough. Driven by instinct, she instead captured his lips, funneling all her love and assurance into the kiss.

Randhir responded as he gently unwrapped the towel that held her hair. Her tresses cascaded down his face as they were both engulfed by the delectable smell of her shampoo. Sanyukta deepened the kiss, pushing Randhir into a sleeping position in the process.

"Do you think Vardhan sir would mind if he comes to know that you were cuddling with me instead of devising last minute tactics to win the race?" Sanyukta asked playfully as she broke the kiss.

"I really don't care," Randhir muttered as he flipped their positions, pinning her to the bed before capturing her lips for another kiss. Sanyukta gave in, content that she had helped him let go of his fear at least partially.

******

AN: - Sorry for this extremely late update folks! Hope you will continue showering my story with your love. Do vote and comment! I'll try and update faster this time around :)