Chapter 6: Proving Sunita’s Innocence

Sunita Reddy held the warm bowl of chicken soup in her hands, her heart bubbling with excitement. However, she maintained a facade of shyness, lowering her gaze as she said, "T-then… alright. Rajesh, you're such a good person. Thank you. Coming to R.K. Production Team, the luckiest thing for me was meeting you."

Hearing her words, Rajesh Deshmukh's heart soared with joy. He scratched the back of his head, a goofy smile spreading across his face.

Encouraged, he carefully broached the subject, "Sunita, about us… being together…"

The moment Rajesh Deshmukh mentioned a relationship, a flicker of impatience flashed through Sunita Reddy's eyes. But she quickly masked it, turning away with a bashful expression. "Rajesh, I need to write to my parents and ask for their opinion first. So…"

"I understand, I understand! Sunita Reddy, write to them. I'll wait for your reply. I'll wait until Uncle and Aunt approve of us!"

"Mm, Rajesh, you're so good to me." Sunita Reddy responded softly, but beneath her lowered lashes, her eyes were filled with disdain.

She, Sunita Reddy, a proper city girl, would never truly be with a rural man! That would be absurd.

She didn't like Rajesh Deshmukh at all—if anything, she found him repulsive.

If it weren't for food, drinks, and making her life in the countryside easier for both herself and Ashok Kumar, she wouldn't have wasted a single word on Rajesh Deshmukh.

How much longer would this miserable life last? She had already been in the countryside for two years, dreaming of returning to the city every single day.

Yet, looking at the first batch of educated youths who had been sent to the countryside, some had been here for over a decade. Most had lost all hope of returning, eventually marrying local men, settling down, and fully becoming rural folk.

But Sunita Reddy, with her innate pride, refused to accept such a fate. However, she also knew her family's situation.

She had indeed come from the city, and her parents were factory workers, but there were too many children in the family. She had three older sisters and one younger brother.

Her parents doted on her younger brother. Two years ago, when they faced the decision of keeping only one child in the city while the others had to go to the countryside, her younger brother was chosen to stay. She and her three sisters were all sent away as educated youths.

Sunita Reddy thought bitterly—if only her mother had given up her job for her, she wouldn't have been sent away.

But her mother refused.

And her father? He never even considered it. His job was reserved for her younger brother.

Sunita Reddy had harbored resentment towards her younger brother for years, grinding her teeth in anger, wishing he had never been born.

If he hadn't existed, she would have been the youngest in the family, and surely, she would have been the one to stay in the city.

But thinking about it now was useless.

Since she was already stuck in the countryside, she had to ensure she lived well—by any means necessary. Sunita didn't think there was anything wrong with using a few tricks to get what she wanted.

If she truly couldn't return to the city on her own, then she would make sure to marry someone who could take her back.

She wanted to marry Ashok Kumar.

Though they weren't from the same place, she had learned from others that Ashok Kumar was from Beijing, from a very powerful background. He had only come to the countryside for 'experience' and could return at any time.

If she married Ashok Kumar, then when he returned to the city, she would undoubtedly be able to go with him. She might even be immediately assigned a good job.

Besides, Ashok Kumar was handsome, refined, and cultured—the epitome of a gentleman. Sunita Reddy had been smitten with him at first sight.

She had made up her mind—Ashok Kumar had to be hers.

Unfortunately, for some reason, Ashok Kumar seemed interested in that village girl, Nina. The two of them had been acting quite close recently.

That girl, Nina, was just a nobody—a mere villager! At best, she was an orphan of a martyr, but she had no status, no beauty, no elegance! Sunita Reddy couldn't understand what Ashok Kumar saw in her.

No matter what was going on between them, Sunita Reddy wouldn't allow Nina to steal Ashok Kumar away.

Ashok Kumar could only belong to her!

"Sunita Reddy, what are you thinking about?" Rajesh Deshmukh's voice pulled Sunita Reddy out of her thoughts.

"Oh, nothing, just feeling a little hungry."

"Oh! Then you should go back and eat." Though he wanted to spend more time with her, Rajesh Deshmukh didn't want to be inconsiderate. "I'll head back now too."

As he walked away, Rajesh Deshmukh couldn't help but replay their conversation in his mind. When he thought about Sunita Reddy writing a letter to her parents regarding their relationship, a smile spread across his face.

Then, his thoughts drifted to what he had heard earlier—Anaya Deshmukh's thoughts.

He still didn't know how he could hear them. It was bizarre, and for a moment, he even wondered if something was wrong with his own mind.

But more than anything, he was bothered by what Anaya had 'said' about Sunita.

"That little brat, how could she slander Sunita like that? Sunita doesn't like Ashok Kumar or anyone —she likes me! Otherwise, why would she write to her parents about us?"

"And saying that Sunita would give my chicken leg to Ashok ? That's ridiculous!"

But as soon as the words left his lips, Rajesh's steps faltered.

Doubt crept into his mind. "She… wouldn't give it to Ashok Kumar… would she?"

Impossible!

The chicken leg was so delicious. If he hadn't liked Sunita so much, he wouldn't have given it to her!

She didn't even like Ashok, so why would she give him the chicken leg?

"No, that's impossible!"

Though he reassured himself, his feet refused to move forward.

After hesitating for a long moment, Rajesh made up his mind.

"I'll go back and check."

"Sunita definitely wouldn't give the chicken leg to Ashok."

"And if I see she didn't, then I can prove her innocence!" He could then go back and scold Anaya for talking nonsense.

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he was that he had to return. He needed to clear Sunita's name.

Back at the educated youth courtyard, Rajesh didn't call out to Sunita like before. Instead, he quietly crept in—the door wasn't locked anyway.

Inside, he quickly heard Sunita's voice.

His heart pounded as he stepped closer.

"Ashok, just take the chicken soup and the chicken leg. I bought it specially from the state-run restaurant—it's delicious."

"No need, Sunita. You should keep it for yourself."

"I've already eaten. Ashok Kumar, you haven't had meat in so long. Just take it. If you feel bad, you can lend me one of your books in return."

Rajesh stood frozen in place, his mind blank.

She really did give it to Ashok Kumar.