26. Blossoming Spring Days

Rahul’s POV

My body was aching heavily as I was drunk yesterday. I felt too tired. I didn’t know what happened yesterday but I remembered that I had slept on Rithick's lap. Poor Rithick, his leg would be aching as I had slept throughout the night.

Did Rithick meet Nethra? He hadn’t told me anything about her. Also, I didn’t want to discuss anything about her to anyone because it would hurt them badly that I was worried about her. I had dug a deep hole in my heart and buried everything already. My feelings and emotions were hidden inside and I would never expose them to anyone.

After some time, I came out of my thoughts. I went to the washroom and I ready in a casual outfit.

Rithick and I went to the living room. I got blessings from my mom purposely. I wanted to do that since I had been drunk; I assured myself that I shouldn’t repeat it. I heard the voice of my dad and uncle. They also kept aside their works for today to pay respect to Nethra’s mom. We talked for some time and had breakfast together.

Where was Nethra? Did she come or not? There was no talk about her. I didn’t want to see her as she got married to another man. It would tear my heart and kill me within a fraction of seconds. I didn’t have enough guts to see her with another man. I couldn’t imagine it. How could she do such betrayal to me? She backstabbed me with thousands of sharp arrows. She may have refused to come home with Rithick. She may have gone to her home.

Rithick shook me. “Rahul! Are you ok? Let’s go. They will come a little later.” I went with him.

I heard a baby cry. I turned back to see and I was shocked. Nethra stood there with a baby. At once, my body started sweating and my hands shivered.

“Neth... ra...” I wished to hug her, pull her close into my arms. But my stupid mind didn’t realise that she was married until I saw the child in her arms.

I stared at her, but she didn’t even have eye contact with me. Her reaction made me fall down from the peak of a mountain. I had never imagined Nethra with such an attitude. Did she really have no feelings for me? I was a fool to believe her and get cheated. I cried inside but I didn't show any reaction on my face.

“Nethra, how are you?” Sanjay uncle asked when he saw her.

“I am good,” she replied quietly. Rithick and I came out as I couldn't stand there even for a second. We decided to go by bike.

Rithick didn't talk to me and we both avoided eye contact. He drove the bike and within a few minutes, we reached the memorial spot.

“Rithick... please don’t see me like that. I can’t act anymore," I said.

“I understood that,” he said.

“Why did she do it to me? What mistake have I done? How could she betray me after knowing all about me? Am I cruel or bad, or rude? Tell me, Rithick.” Tears rolled down from my eyes.

Rithick hugged me. “Don’t make me weak by your tears. Please, Rahul, don’t cry for the girl who doesn’t deserve your love.”

“I can’t control myself, Rithick. I don’t want this life and I can’t live anymore.” I sobbed like a child.

“Are you mad? I will kill you if you repeat it again. You decided to end your life for her but think about us once. You should live happily in front of her... that is the punishment you are going to give to her.” Rithick's face was contorted in a frown.

“Seriously, I have love for her before seeing her in the corner of my heart, I believed that she would never accept anyone as her life partner. Within a second, she took away my last hope too. She didn’t bother about me before marrying someone, then why should I bother about her? Her behaviour has changed in these two years. She is no more mine. I hate her! I hate her completely!” I said from the bottom of my heart. Rithick hugged me and I held him tightly.

“Don’t worry, Rahul. You will be happy in your life. We are always with you.” Rithick encircled his right hand around my shoulder.

“Yes, I know that well. Our family is my strength, more than that you are my best. What will I do in return for you, Rithick?”

Rithick stared at me and punched me hard.

“Ah!” I screamed out. This boy was still naughty like he was in childhood.

“I am sorry, Rahul. Is it paining?” he asked softly.

“Nope. Just an act, Rithick," I said, smiling.

He smiled back. “Never leave this smile, Rahul. This smile is my strength, my hope, and my confidence,” he said seriously.

Who would get cousin like Rithick? Everyone would feel proud of our relationship but I feel proud of my Rithick.

Rithick shook me. I was brought back to reality. “What are you thinking about, Rahul?”

“Will you leave me in any situation? I can’t bear even your silence, Rithick” I asked. I knew it might hurt him if he took it seriously.

“What happened to you, Rahul? I will punch you and kill you if you talk stupidly.” He frowned.

I smiled and gave him a light punch.

Meanwhile Rithick's phone rang, he picked up the call. It was Neethu.

“Rithick, why didn’t you and Rahul come to college today? Any issues there? Did Nethra come from the U.S? Did Rahul and Nethra get united?” she asked all the questions in a single breath.

Rithick looked at me weirdly. I understood that she may ask about Nethra to him.

“She knows everything about our family, I revealed everything to her, Rithick,” I said

“Hello, Rithick? Why are you silent? Please answer me...” Neethu said from the other end.

“Nethra came as she had said. It’s not the time to discuss this. I will tell you everything in detail. We will come to college after 2 days, Neethu.” Rithick sighed. He hung up the phone at once without hearing her reply.

“Rithick... I am sorry for not informing about the matter revealed to Neethu,” I said.

“No issues, Rahul,” he responded.

“You didn’t want to expose that you are Sanjay’s uncle son. I revealed that too...” I said.

“It’s ok, Rahul,” he said and tried to change the topic. I knew how much Rithick loved Neethu and how hard it was to reveal about his dad to her. He didn’t show any response now. He was not happy about it. I knew this was because of me. He was worrying more about me and my love rather than his. I didn’t know what to do at that moment.

We were in the memorial spot waiting for our family members. A lone tear fell from my eyes. I wiped it quickly before Rithick noticed it. After a few minutes, Nethra along with my family came to the place.

Nethra laid her head and hugged her mom’s memorial spot. She cried for a long time. It melted the hearts of everyone, even mine. Riya and my family members consoled her. We paid our respect to her based on our customs and traditions. After that, we offered food to nearby people.

Later, Nethra requested my dad to give Tithi or Shraadh (it is a private ceremony performed by the family members of the departed soul. It is typically performed by the eldest son and other siblings who join in offering prayers).

“Ok, my child, as you wish,” my dad said. Immediately Sanjay uncle and my dad arranged for the rituals. We went to the nearby seashore to proceed. There was a Pandit or family priest who would carry out all the rituals. As Nethra had no siblings, she was in the position to do all the customs and traditions. Riya was together with her and supported her.

Nethra sat in front of the Pandit with her baby in one arm. As he was our family priest, he knew well about Nethra that she was the only girl to their parents. Nethra  paid respect to her mother.

She didn’t have any eye contact with me till now. I was least bothered about it. Already she had pierced my heart. Now, I lost my feelings for her. My eyes didn’t became wet when she cried. I felt pity for her... there was nothing more than that.

After completing all the customs, Nethra got blessings from the Pandit.

“Nethra, I feel very happy for you, beti. Finally, you rejoined and married Rahul. I am happy to see your baby. What is her name?” the Pandit asked with a contented expression on his face?

My family members and I had never expected this from the Pandit. I was looking forward to Nethra’s reply. She glanced at me with no feelings in her eyes, but she hesitated.

She held a breath and released it deeply. “No, Panditji. You are mistaken. I didn’t mar-marry.... Rah-Rahul.The child doesn’t belongs to Rahul.” Her voice quivered.

“What do you mean, beti? I didn’t get you.”

She looked at my family members with guilt. . None of the.family members wanted to hurt her, so they didn’t ask anything about her life. They treated her as their own daughter, who came from the U.S after two years. We didn’t know exactly about what had happened before two years, even my family members didn’t question her, but we couldn't stop our family priest from questioning.

“Pandit ji...” something stopped her from saying. I couldn't understand what had happened to her. And why wasn't she ready to talk?

“Tell me, beti. Are you ok?”

“My child lost her dad in a bomb blast. I lost everything Pandit ji. Now, I am only living for my baby,” she cried.

We never expected this from Nethra. We were in shock. We felt sorry for her situation. Even Panditji didn’t talk after that. He consoled her.

“We are there for you, Nethra, don’t tell that you don’t have anyone again,” aunty said as she hugged her.

“Poor Nethra,” Rithick said. We had ignored her for a long time but we didn’t want to hurt her again, though she had hurt us. I was unable to see her in such a situation. Why was her fate always playing with her? She lost her mother, her cruel dad was imprisoned, and now she lost her husband too. My anger slowly faded away. I wished to protect her in my arms. Everyone felt sympathetic.

“Ok, Nethra, I know it’s very tough to bear this. Life shall move on. Come on, let us go to home. Stay with us, Nethra,” Sanjay uncle said.

“I am sorry, uncle. I can’t come with you. Please arrange an orphanage for me,” she said.

I felt like slapping her right now. How dare she talk like this? Was she an orphan until we lived?

“What do you mean, Nethra? We are there for you,” my dad said.

“Uncle, please don’t ask me anything. Do this favour to me or else I will go out,” Nethra said.

“Ok Nethra, I will arrange it for you by tomorrow. I can see you aren't feeling comfortable in staying with us,” uncle said.

“Thanks uncle.”

We reached home. Nethra had lost her husband. I cursed the fate. She didn’t even look at me for once though she got a chance to. She had probably taken me away from her life completely. I didn’t bother but I worried about why she wanted to leave home? It was her home too. If she was not comfortable to stay, I was ready to go out. I didn’t want to be a burden for her. I could move out tomorrow but I didn’t know how I would convince Rithick. He wouldn’t leave me if he came to know so I had to plan some other idea.

I should go out without Rithick's knowledge, but how would I safeguard him?

Should I stay or move out? Rithick or Nethra?  The alternate questions striked my mind repeatedly. Meanwhile Rithick came to sleep. He talked very less to me because he was very tired as he hadn't slept yesterday.

After several hours of thinking, I came up with a decision.