25. Blossoming Spring Days

RITHICK'S POV

I came to Bengaluru airport to pick up Nethra. We were meeting each other after two years. We tried to contact her after that heartbreaking marriage incident but it was in vain. In those two years, we don't know any other details about her.

Fortunately, two days back she communicated with Riya through mail regarding her visit in India to pay respect to her Mom's third death anniversary. From that moment, Rahul was behaving weirdly; I could see many changes in his behaviour. He loved Nethra a lot and unfortunately, it didn't end up in a marriage. I believed that Rahul still loves Nethra.

He was not ready to meet her and he hard heartedly told that he was unable to see Nethra with another man as her pair. I understood the emotions and feelings behind his words. I tried to console him but I was sure that I couldn't... unless he believed that Nethra was waiting for him to tie the knot.

He tried hard to stop me from picking up Nethra from the airport but I refused and came here. I wished to give his love back as I had the last hope that Nethra was not yet married and was still waiting for Rahul with the same love.

Rahul was my brotherly love, he used to take care of me when I was not well, advised me when I was feeling down, and pampered me when I felt insecure. He supported me in everything, including my love affair with Neethu. He was the best gift given by God. How could I leave him all alone? The only happiness of Rahul was Nethra. I should give her back to him.

Also, I was sure that he loved Nethra, yet he refused to accept it Why and what was the reason behind it? I knew that something had happened before two years during my absence and Rahul was hiding it from me. He never used to talk about Nethra to me afterwards.

Sometimes, to know about his mindset, I would try to cover the topic of Nethra but at once he would change it. I didn't want to make him uncomfortable about Nethra, so I remained silent these many days. I would never be like that if I got a chance to tear out the fake smile of Rahul and give him everlasting happiness.

I prayed to God for the first time that Nethra shouldn't marry anyone as she had said in the court before two years. Everything should be like a drama. What would I do if Nethra was married as she had said? How could I handle the situation to heal Rahul? It would make the situation worse and hurt Rahul in turn. No! It shouldn't happen.

In case, if she came with her pair, I would leave her at the airport itself and would ask her to go somewhere else. If she refused to do it, she and her husband would be the prey of my anger. I would try to convince Rahul that Nethra didn't come to India as she had said.

Thoughts were playing with my emotions. My head started spinning. The announcement regarding the flight arrival brought me to the present situation.

After some time, a flight landed and I was half-heartedly waiting for Nethra. I was extremely shocked to see her, carrying her baby. I lost my control and clenched my fists. I was walking towards her with frustration. She was walking towards me at the same speed. I was in extreme anger and wanted to slap her as she had cheated my Rahul.

"Rithick..." she called me in her usual tone... the way she used to call me in my childhood.

I didn't respond. I was searching for her husband. He was nowhere. I glanced at her neck, there was no Mangalsutra and no vermillion on her forehead. Shit! She is in the U.S, how would she follow our Indian tradition?

"Rithick..." she repeated.

"Shut up, Nethra! Why did you come to India? Once again, Do you want to kill Rahul? Already he was dead when you left him. Now, he is physically alive and mentally no more. Don't stand in front of me, just go away. Don't make me lose my control."

Nethra remained silent. Her baby cried due to my violent tone. I looked at the baby's face once. She cried louder after seeing me and buried her forehead in Nethra's shoulder.

"Don't cry, baby. It's your Rithick uncle. Don't get scared of him," She patted the baby gently.

Controlling my anger, I asked, "Where is the devil?"

She stared at me.

"I mean your husband ji," I taunted.

"Don't question me, Rithick. Are you willing to take me home or let me stay out?" she asked me. She was not happy; I could guess it from her voice. She seemed to be exhausted. As her cruel Dad was in jail, no one was there to take care of her in India apart from our family. I felt pity for her.

I took a chocolate from my pocket and gave it to her baby. The baby stopped crying and tried to pick the chocolate from my hand. I used the chance to calm the baby down and got it from Nethra. The baby started playing with my hair, eyes, nose, and it pinched my cheeks.

"Let's go, Nethra, ." I had the baby in one hand and took the luggage in another hand. Nethra was so tried and was unable to walk.

After a few minutes, we reached home. The same shock which I had experienced at the airport was experienced by everyone at home. As they were kind-hearted, they welcomed her without hurting her and they took the child from me. The home was filled with complete silence.

I was searching for Rahul and he was not at home. I felt compassionate towards him. How would he deal with this situation? It's the worst situation of one's life to meet their loved one, who got married to another man and to have the Child. I wonder, why my family members didn't react to such a situation? Instead, they arranged a room for her to stay and asked Riya to take care of her.

Even Riya didn't show any sign and took the baby from my mom. Riya pointed out a room to her to get freshened up.

Meanwhile, my mom and aunty prepared her favourite supper. After some time, they had supper together. As she was feeling tired, she took her baby from Riya and went to sleep. There wasn't any meaningful communication.

I was waiting for Rahul. I took my mobile to call him, later I realised that my phone was switched off. Immediately, I switched on the phone and called Rahul.

He attended the phone and replied that he would reach home within half an hour. His answer made me calm down. I informed casually to my mom and aunty that he would reach before 11 PM. They went to sleep. My Dad and Uncle would either come home or would stay in their office depending upon the business. Riya and I were sitting in the living room, waiting for Rahul. We both were actually nervous.

"Rithick anna, It is 12 AM. Where did Rahul anna go?" she asked.

"He will come now, Riya. Don't worry."

I contacted his mobile and he attended it after a few calls. He blabbered something. Finally, he told me that he would reach home within two minutes. He came home and that brought relief on our faces. He got down from the car but needed support to walk. I was shocked to know that he was drunk for the first time.

I took his arm, encircled it around my neck and Riya held his other hand. She didn't inform this matter to anyone and we took him to our room.

I forced Riya to go to bed and promised her that I would take care of Rahul. I made him sleep on the bed and removed his shoes. I covered him with a blanket.

He held my hand tightly and blabbered, "Ri-the-ck-kk... pl-please... be with... me."

I patted his hand. "I will never leave you, Rahul. Don't worry. Sleep now," I whispered.

After some time, Rahul slept peacefully. I was scared of tomorrow. What would happen if he knew that Nethra came with her baby? How would he tolerate the situation? Lots of question arose in my mind. I felt dizzy. My head started aching like a thousand pins were stabbed in it at once.

The next morning...

I couldn’t sleep peacefully. My whole night was spent in toss and turns. I looked at Rahul’s face, he was in a deep sleep. He hadn't even changed his position while sleeping. He held my hand tightly. It melted my heart and a lone tear escaped from my eyes.

I was one of the reasons to push him to this situation. I couldn’t allow Nethra to stay all alone in the airport. My humanity didn’t allow me to do that. Why all these bad incidents were happening with Rahul? What was his mistake? His love always forced him to face the most terrible situations.

Suddenly, some questions arose in my mind. Where was Nethra’s husband? Why did she come alone? Whatever may be her situation, I didn’t care for her. It was far better that her husband hadn’t accompanied her. If he would have come, it would hurt Rahul very much.

Rahul slowly opened his eyes. He whispered in a sleepy voice, “Rithick... sorry for yesterday. I don’t remember m-much.”

“It’s ok, Rahul, but promise me that you won’t repeat it again.”

“Ok, Rithick, I won’t,” he said and rubbed his eyes.

Riya entered the room. Her eyes softened as they fell on Rahul. “Anna, are you okay? Don’t Drink. Drinking is injurious to health." Tears rolled down from her eyes.

Riya didn't cry often, but if she did, no one could stop the Nile river flowing from her eyes.

Rahul wiped her tears. “I hate to see my sister crying. It’s because of me, I will never repeat it again, Riya. You shouldn’t cry hereafter,” he said as he hugged her affectionately.

Riya hugged Rahul back, saying, “Ok, Anna.”

“Today we are going out to pay respect for Nethra’s mom death anniversary. Mom asked me to inform you both. Get ready and come to the living room soon,” she said.

Rahul remained silent. His face became dull as soon as he heard the name: Nethra.

“Are you ok, Rahul? If you are not comfortable, we shall stay at home itself,” I said

“It’s ok, Rithick. Nethra’s mom was good-hearted and a trustful person, unlike Nethra and her dad. We knew how much she loved us. If she was alive, she would never allow the situation to become worse like this. She always did good to us and she never hurt us in any situation..." he paused. He was keeping something in his mind about the past. I could see it clearly and the pain in his heart.

“Of course, Rahul. You are right,” I said. His worries were disturbing me. His tears were killing me. I didn't show it to Rahul as it would hurt him.

“It’s our duty to pay respect to her by visiting her memorial spot,” Rahul said. He got up from the bed and went to freshen up.

I felt really sorry for Rahul. I never expected Nethra's return to India. Even in my dreams, I hadn't imagined that after two years, she would come with the baby.  I was worried about Rahul as it affected him mentally like before. I should do something before that. I should find a way to make him happy.