28. Blossoming Spring Days

Neethu’s POV

After knowing Rahul's story, it was like standing on thorns. Poor Rahul!! Also Rahul told that at any time, anything would happen to Rithick by the known and unknown enemies of Sanjay uncle. I was very much worried about Rithick. I missed him so much. I felt proud of Rahul that he safeguarded Rithick by hiding his love. How could a person be like Rahul? Rithick was more important for him than his love. When Nethra went to the U.S, he could go in search of her and bring her back. But he was thinking only about Rithick's safety.

Why was destiny playing with Rithick? If something happened to him, what would I do? Thoughts started killing him. I kept on calling him often but he wasn’t responding. What happened to him? Why was he behaving insanely?  I guess something had happened between Rithick and Rahul. Why weren’t they responding properly? Rahul told that Nethra was coming from the U.S. Did she come with her family? I was too confused and was waiting for tomorrow. I was a bit happier that I would be able to meet them tomorrow.

My stupid mind went on crazily. The thoughts of Rithick filled in me, making me completely insane. I was smiling stupidly, what had happened to me? Yup, I knew I love him. I would propose my love to him as soon as possible. What would I do if he didn’t love me? How would I face him further? If he considered me as a friend, would he go away from me? Whether he loved me or not, I would never allow anything to happen to Rithick. If anything is about to happen, it should first happen to me. I should protect him from danger. I was thinking randomly like this for a long time and didn’t know when slept overcame me.

Rithick's POV

We were going to college after a week. To be frank, at first I hesitated to join the college. The only reason was to satisfy my dad. I hated co-ed colleges because I hated girls since childhood. I never thought even in my dreams that I would fall for Neethu at first sight. I didn’t have enough guts to propose to her because if she rejected my proposal, it would kill me. Did she love me? I had to find that first. If she thought me as a friend I would never propose to her. I would bury my love within me itself.

While thinking about her, I was driven crazy and reached my dream world. What a beautiful pair of eyes she had! How could she take me away in her every single sight? Her eyes communicated with mine, making me fall for her again and again. I should wait patiently until I came to know that her heart belonged to me. I would propose to her and take her away on a white horse.

Meanwhile, my thoughts landed on Rahul. I felt very sorry for his love. When he said that he revealed everything to Neethu, I didn’t respond much. I acted like I was least bothered about Neethu. When he was in pain, how could I be happy? I felt guilty and assured myself that I shouldn’t show my love out since it might hurt Rahul. He might think about Nethra. So I decided to maintain a distance from Neethu till Rahul became okay. Hopefully, he would be back again and I would wait for it.

“Rithick, I am ready for college. Go and get ready soon,” Rahul said. He was dressed neatly as usual.

“You are looking so smart,” I said. He smiled.

It was like we were going to college after the holidays.

If I hadn’t met Neethu here, I would have discontinued my studies. Rahul would also get benefited. He was also exactly like me; we liked to bunk classes often. What to do now? Everything was fate. Because of this girl, I was going to college and poor Rahul was accompanying me.

After some time, I was ready and we went to college. We reached college early.  A few of the girls and boys in my class had come. Neethu hadn’t come yet

.

“Rithick, I am unable to concentrate on studies now,” Rahul said.

I laughed. “When have we both concentrated? Why are you bothering today? Anyways, we are going to get the least marks. So better cool down, Rahul.”

“Exams are nearing,” he said.

“No worries. Just cool down, Rahul.”

I noticed Neethu through the window. She entered the class.

What a beautiful girl she was! Her beauty was killing me. She looked at me and Rahul with a cute smile on her face.

“Hai, Rithick and Rahul. How are you?” she asked and sat beside me.

“Not bad, Neethu,” we replied.

Meanwhile, the class started. It was a really boring one. For some time, I talked to Rahul in between and admired Neethu. Rahul and I decided to bunk the class. We informed Neethu and came to Green Park, situated on our college campus.

Rahul seemed dull and vexed. To make him relax, I decided to come here. It was just an amazing area. The gentle breeze and cool air refreshed us soon. The trees in the park added additional beauty.

We both had a random talk, still, I couldn't bring Rahul back to his cheerful self.

After some time, Neethu came unexpectedly. She sat with us. She looked us weirdly and she asked Rahul, “What happened next, Rahul? Did Nethra’s arrival hurt you? I didn’t ask to hurt you both.” Her tone was frank.

Rahul told everything to her from Nethra’s arrival to her staying at Mercy Home. I was surprised and felt happy for their bond. Rahul hadn’t share this much to me. Though I knew the full history, I acted like I didn’t know anything about what had happened at Mercy Home? Really, I didn’t know what to do at this moment.

How would I help my poor Rahul to be happy again? I was totally blank, so I didn’t take any topics related to Nethra. But Neethu never bothered about anything and she asked immediately without any hesitation. Would Neethu able to bring Rahul back? I was waiting for what she was going to say?

“Rahul, I can understand your situation. You don’t worry. Rithick and I will be throughout your journey of life. We can’t blame Nethra completely before knowing her situation. Also, I felt sorry for her. How will she handle her child alone? Why has she left home?” she asked

We didn’t have the exact answer for her question. In between, I wondered how this innocent queen was talking this maturely.

“Unfortunately, we don’t know what happened to Nethra. How did her life turn upside down? And finally, why she left home? First, we should know the answers to all these questions and then we can solve the problem quickly,” she said.

“But how do we get the response? Nethra is not ready to talk to us,” I said.

She paused for a while and asked, “Why can’t I try? As Nethra is not aware of me, I could definitely bring out the reasons,” she said with a smile. These words brought back our lost confidence.

“How?” I asked

“Rithick, take me to Mercy Home. I will never tell about you to her. First I have to talk to her and then we can take further steps,” she said.

Really, I had to appreciate her. She lightened up our dark life. I was really happy with her reply. Rahul thanked her and she scolded him for thanking her.

“Of course, Neethu, We shall go tomorrow. Be ready in the morning, but I have one condition,” I said

“What?” she questioned.

"Nethra shouldn’t find about you at any cost. If she came to know that, she will vacate the place,” I said, scrunching my eyebrows.

“Oh, Rithick. Don’t worry. I will find out what is in her mind,” she said. I wanted to hug her tightly but I couldn't even touch her fingers. I was proud to be in love with her. Her helping nature was unbeatable by anyone. Today, I had come to know that Neethu was not only an innocent queen but also a good decision-maker. Neethu was an expert in all matters. She was well versed in handling situations. So, this naughty girl made this pure gold (me) fall for her at first sight.

I could see a smile on Rahul’s face. It made me happy. He was relaxed. We talked for a long time and then reached home.

Neethu's POV

Rithick and Rahul were worried today. They used to enjoy whatever the situation may be but today they seemed to be lifeless. I was sure that something had happened, which broke them completely. They bunked the class in between. I wished to help them to come out of the situation and to see their smiles back. So, I bunked the class and went straight to Green Park.

I felt sorry for Rahul but I couldn't allow him to worry like this. I wanted to help him with the help of Rithick. Tomorrow, Rithick and I decided to go to Mercy Home to meet Nethra.

Would Nethra accept me as her friend and share her personal details? Or would she hate me like the others? Would she come to know that I was helping them?

I was waiting for tomorrow to meet her. What had destiny decided for Rahul and Nethra?

Rithick's POV

The next day,

I was getting ready to pick up Neethu from the hostel to Mercy Home. I was very sure that she would be able to convince Nethra and would find out the reason behind Nethra's

hidden life.

Did Nethra really love Rahul or had she betrayed him? Had Nethra really changed or her life threw her to such a place? What had happened to her in these two years? Who was her husband? The questions would get their answers if only Nethra opened her mouth. I was so happy to see Rahul, he was confident now. I said that everything would be ok soon and said bye to him. He smiled and nodded.

"Are you going by bike or car?" Rahul asked.

"Car" I replied

"My poor Rithick. You are going out with Neethu for the first time, my option would have been a bike," he teased.

"Are you sure? Will she feel awkward?" I asked.

"Nope. She never thinks like that, Rithick. In fact, she likes you a lot. She cries for you when she came to know that you are..." he paused, a strange nervousness overtook him.

"What? Why did she cry for me?" I questioned.

He paused and tried to change the topic. I was too confused about his behaviour.

"Why are you remaining silent? Tell me, Rahul," I asked

"Rithick... I told everything about our family to Neethu. I said to her that you had met with an accident. She cried for that." I was sure that he was lying. He seemed a bit nervous and didn't meet my eyes. There must be some valid reason because I trusted Rahul more than me. I didn't ask further to make it complicated.

"Ok, Rahul. No problem," I said and kept my hand in his shoulder.

"Rithick, go soon. Neethu might be waiting for you. After meeting Nethra, go somewhere else and enjoy with your girl. If you get a chance, propose your love to her," he said.

"Wh-What? No! Never. I am scared of that girl." I pouted.

He laughed loudly. I was happy to see his smiling face.

"Seriously, Rahul, I am not joking."

"I know about you, Rithick. You are scared because of the fear of losing her. Before you behaved rudely with girls even when they uttered a word. But now, see fate. That rude Rithick has fallen for a girl. No one will believe it if they came to know. Don't worry, Rithick, God has a clear plan for you. Just enjoy it, my dear," he said, motivating me.

"But I won't propose her unless she loves me. First, I have to find out whether I am in her heart or not?" I said.

"Rithick, don't confuse yourself. It's time to say goodbye," he said.

He compelled me to go on a bike. I drove it very slowly because of my unexpressed feelings for Neethu. It was such an amazing feeling that couldn't be expressed in words.

I reached and called Neethu. She attended the phone on the first ring. She asked me to wait for five minutes.

I was ready to wait for years for my angel if she said yes to my love for her. But these five minutes were really irritating. I wished to see her immediately.

She stood at a distance. Her cheerful smile and attractive face were killing me already. I lowered my head as I was unable to meet her eyes. I was trying hard to control myself.

"Ri... thi... ck!" she called out

"Nee... thu" I called her back.

What a beautiful pair of eyes she had. She was using some makeup to make her beautiful eyes seem like heaven.

"How long will you keeping seeing me like this, Rithick?" she asked.

Her words shook me and brought me back to the present.

I had no answer for this tough question. I was helpless. I changed the topic. "Let's go, Neethu. Are you comfortable to sit on the bike with me?" I asked gently.

She looked at me for a while. Was she was not okay with it?

"I am ok, Rithick." She blushed. I badly wanted to kiss her cheeks.

We walked together to reach the bike parking area. It was a slope-like area. I asked her to walk slowly. She also walked slower than usual. Unfortunately, her foot slipped and she held my right hand tightly. We both tumbled and fell down. As it was a slope, I was unable to keep my balance. We were rotating, she was lying above me and I was down, and vice-versa. We screamed. We both hugged tightly. A tree was there in between and it saved us. I was lying down on the ground and she was above me. She hides her face in my chest and held my collars tightly. I held her waist.

"Neethu! Are you ok?" I asked. She was hugging me tightly.

"Neethu!" I called out. I was scared that she might be injured. My leg was burning.

"Rithick, I'm sorry... are you ok?" She loosened the hug and tried to get up, but she couldn't.

"Rithick..." She pouted.

"What is it?" I sighed

"My chain is entangled with your shirt's button." She blushed.

What was this girl doing to me? I couldn't control myself by seeing her blushing.

"Wait for a second, Neethu. I will help you." I took her chain out from my shirt's button. Finally, she got away from me and I got up. Our eyes met each other's and finally, she broke the eye contact. We decided to go to Mercy Home. I walked slowly as my leg burned with each moment.