52. Blossoming Spring days

Neethu's POV

"No mom, please. One month is more for completing the studies. After that, I need to work for two years, mom. I can't marry anyone now," I pleaded. I can't even imagine anyone in my life other than Rithick. I don't have enough courage to open up about my love. I trusted Rithick that he will help to sort out soon but my mom is compelling me for about two hours to marry a stranger. Nope! I can't.

"Neethu, we have chosen good pair for you. He Is working in BSNL, Central government employee, good character, looking smart, he will allow you to work even after the marriage & what else you want? Think twice Neethu. You have a younger sister too. So we can't delay your marriage, Neethu," my mom sighed.

"Mom, I can't marry anyone now..." almost I cried.

"Ok Neethu! Take your own time. Give me your positive response," mom said and went out. What will I do now? I sobbed. I took my mobile and called Rithick. The call was not reachable. Again I tried him several times, the effort went futile. I threw my mobile in bed furiously. I hugged my pillow and cried a lot.

My eyes started paining and became red due to continuous crying. I wiped off the tears and sit in the bed hugging my knees.

My phone rang, I urged myself to attend the call. It was not Rithick and I cut the call without answering. Again, I called Rithick, this time he didn't pick up the call. I tried more than twenty times. Where did he go? I cursed myself instead of cursing him.

I send a message to him,

"Rithick, my parents have fixed a pair for me. I tried a lot to cancel it but my parents are stubborn. What shall I do now? Reply me or call me at once you see the message. I miss you badly, Rithick," I stopped with few sentences and send the message.

I was looking at the mobile often, half an hour passed by.

"Neethu, Have your lunch" I heard mom's voice from kitchen. My sister went to college. Hopefully, I will become mad now. What will I reply? Tears rolled down from my eyes again. I wiped it away and walked towards the kitchen.

I sat on the chair. My mom gave me the lunch. I didn't feel hunger and my stomach was already filled with lot of emotions. I ate only two spoons.

"Mom! I will ate little later" I said and walked straightly to my room.

"What happened to you Neethu? Be cool for sometime. Trust us and we will do good for you. Only two years are more for your's dad retirement and before that we should finish your's and Geethu's wedding," mom sighed.

Yes! Mom is right. I can understand her feelings but I can't marry anyone other than Rithick.

I turned towards her, "Mom I didn't said that I won't marry. Give me some time at least till the complete of project work," I said genuinely.

"Ok Neethu, we shall arrange the marriage after one or two months as you said but let us keep an engagement function before that," she said shocking me.

What is going on in my life? Nope! I can't do it. What will I do now? Seriously, I am blank and I have nothing to say. I can't control my tears and I blinked my eyes often to control it.

"Give ...me....some.....time...." I stammered and ran towards my room. I closed the door. I pinned myself to the nearby wall and cried my heart out.

My phone rang, I wiped off my tears and took the phone. It was my Rithick. My lips smiled automatically.

"Rithick!" I controlled my emotions hardly.

"I am very busy here, Neethu. Sorry for not attending your call. Riya's marriage is fixed and only two weeks is more for her wedding. So we are busy in Shopping and activities related to Wedding," he said from other side. I could hear Rahul's and others voice too. Yup! He is very busy.

"Aww! Happy to hear about Riya's wedding. I miss you all Rithick. Do you know, here marriage talk is going on for me too? What shall I do now?" I said him worriedly but I didn't show in my voice.

"Neethu, I read your message that is why I called you immediately. No problem, don't worry about it. Try to open up about our love if they forced you a lot or else be quiet and I will convince your parents," he said in concern.

"Nope! I can't open up Rithick. I don't have enough strength to face my parents," I pleaded.

"Ok no problem. Don't stress yourself. I will come there within two days to pick you up. Tell something to skip it at least for a month," he said. His voice is not clear hopefully he was in driving.

"I tried that too Rithick," my voice was quivering this time.

"Try your best to convince them for at least a month. Even if they arrange a marriage for you, I am not ready to give you to anyone. So don't worry Neethu. I am busy now, I will talk to you later. Bye, take care," he said and ended the call.

His words gave me a small peace . My parents already fixed and waiting for me to tell Yes! They didn't give any other options. They are not ready to give me the space to choose my life too. I can't blame my parents too because they trusted me a lot that I will be ok with their decision. Now, what shall I do now to solve this issue at least for a month? I knew that the only way to end this problem is to open up my love but I can't do it. If my parents gave marriage promise to that family, I can't do anything after that. I can't bring down my family reputations. I can't see my parents getting shame and insult by others. The chain of random thoughts occupied me makes my head to spin. I will become mad if I think again and again. I laid in the bed and closed my eyes by without giving ear to my random thoughts.

"Akka, why are you sleeping earlier? Are you feel boring without me?" I heard my sister's voice. I looked around, darkness surrounded the room. I switched on the light. It was 7.15 p.m. I rubbed my face with my palm and gave a fake smile to Geethu who was standing in front of me.

I didn't tell anything to Geethu. Sometimes later, We had our dinner together with our dad. I didn't talk with anyone and ate silently.

"Neethu! Did mom inform you about the marriage proposal?" My dad started the topic again. I kept the food down in the plate.

"Yes dad," I told without looking him.

"Ok Good" my dad said with smile.

My sister looked at me blankly. I averted my gaze because tears occupied my eyes. I looked down to control it. My mom didn't talk to me much. After sometimes later, I and my sister came back to my room. I sat in the bed and my sister sat besides me.

"Akka! Did your presence is here?" She brought me back from my thoughts.

I gazed at her without replying.

"Akka! Why can't you at least try to stop the marriage? If our dad took a decision he will be stubborn. No one can change it. So that it is better to tell him before taking a decision" She asked me straightly. Yes! She said correctly. There is no more tears to shed in my eyes too. I sobbed. I told her everything that happened today.

"Akka! We didn't grow in a family to come up with our decision though our parents are liberal in other moves. They are strict when it comes up with our personal life. From your words it is clear that they took the decision already and for the sake they are informing us. Ask help from Rithick (brother in law). Don't worry akka. Your love is true. True love never ends," she tried her best to comfort me.

She slept after sometimes later. I was completely blank and gazing at the phone. This is the worst moment in my life. As my sister told, my parents are liberal in everything even choosing a career etc but when coming to marriage they are very strict. Hopefully, my dad gave marriage promises. What will I do next? Though Rithick stopped everything afterwards. How can I make my parents shame in front of others? How can I make my family's reputation under stake?

My phone buzzed many times. Without looking at the number I ended the call. I couldn't open my eyes, I sensed irritation in my eyes due to continuous crying last night. I don't know when I slept. Again my phone buzzed disturbing my sleep. Hardly, I opened my eyes to look at the number. I threw away my bedsheets and sat on the bed with folded legs by seeing Rithick's number. It was 3 a.m.

"Sorry Rithick, without seeing your number I have ended the call," almost I whispered that My sister couldn't hear who is sleeping beside me.

"No problem, sweety. Sorry for disturbing you. Just now I have completed all the works and free now. I wish to hear your sweet voice. Yesterday I was upset after hearing your worried voice," he said beautifully.

I don't know how his voice or presence makes to forget everything including my worries? I smiled listening to him.

"Sweet voice?? Sorry Rithick I didn't add sugar to my voice," I kidding him.

"Good joke 2017th," he said casually.

"Lol!"

"Neethu, Are you ok? Did you open up our love to your parents?" He asked caringly.

"Nope! I didn't have that much courage to talk about it, Rithick," I said genuinely.

"Then, you are going to marry that stranger?" He asked with bit serious tone.

"Nope! That won't happen in my life time," I said seriously.

"Listen to me sweety, Love is not a sin to get stress. It doesn't requires any courage to tell about your wishes to your parents, it is better to convey at the beginning to avoid chaos. Without taking any step, how can you exaggerate the situation and allow it to spin up your head? Either to your mom or dad, to whom you feel comfort more try to convey it at least a bit. If you are scared to start, ask Geethu to help you. If your parents ignore your choice I will come to talk with my family. So don't worry dear," he said caringly.

Yes, he is right. He makes me to understood the situation. His words gives me strength and new hopes. He makes my mind clear. I should at least inform to my dad, who loves me more..

"Ok Rithick," I signed.

"Then, Did you miss me?" He asked with bit romance in his voice.

"Nope!" I said for fun.

"Isn't?"

"Are you insane to ask me such question, Rithick? I miss you a lot, your love, your eyes, smile etc etc. I want to see you now. I can't wait for one more day. Come tomorrow to pick up me. Now, you come to video call, Rithick" I begged him.

If I talk about him, I will go on crazy. I miss him very badly. I want to see him immediately.

"Aww, my heavenly angel. Ok come out!" He said amusingly.

"What?" I chuckled.

"I am standing outside your home, my sweetie pie," he pouted.

"What! I can't believe. Don't say lie, I will kill you if you are not there," I warned him sweetly.

My heart raced faster. I opened the nearby window and looked through it. I could see no one.

"Rithick, Are you lying?"

"Ok don't want to trust me, I am going. Bye," he said a bit seriously.

"Nope! Rithick I will come now," I said. I looked myself in the mirror and adjusted my hair. I smiled at me. Then, I opened the door slowly. My parents were sleeping peacefully. Then I walked towards the main door and opened it.

I came out of my home. I opened the front gate and he was found no where. I called him in phone, "Where are you Rithick?"

"Walk ten steps ahead, Neethu," he said happily. I was happy at the same time I was nervous too.

Due to Christmas week, there found colours, stars etc that adds additional beauty.

Yes! I saw my Rithick. I ran towards him and hugged him tightly "What a Surprise! Oh God, Is it my dream?" How can he give such surprise to me? When did he came? Butterflies started flying around me. He hugged me back and kissed my forehead.

After a long time hug, "Now, tell me Neethu. Is it dream?" He asked cupping my face.

"Nope, thanks a lot Rithick," happy tears rolled down from my eyes.

"How can I stay there after hearing your dull voice? I can't concentrate in my work after that. I said everything to Rahul about the marriage talk. He comfort me and helped me to meet you,Neethu," he said lovingly.

"So sweet of you Rithick. I am happy a lot to see you," I jumped out of happiness.

"Me too, my deary wife," he held my hand tightly.

"You are looking handsome," I pouted looking into his eyes. He smiled at me.

"Neethu, Are you coming together with me today?" He asked strangely.

"Why Rithick? Any problem?" I asked with confused look.

"I came here a day before so did you face any problem in coming with me?" He said. He cared me a lot. His words are so sweet. I was melted by his caring and loving nature.

"If there is no problem in your home then i am ready to come with you, Rithick. I will manage it in my home,"

"No problem sweety, mom knew everything. Do you know what mom said on that day?" He chuckled

"What?" I asked surprisingly.

"Mom asked me to bring you back to home thinking that you are not safe,"

"Really, so sweet of her. I am very lucky to get you all," I said from my heart

I hugged him happily without replying him, "Neethu, go back to home before getting in someone's eyes. Come to airport at 9.00a.m. I will make everything ready before that,"

"Nope! I can't leave you,"

"You became too naughty nowadays, my innocent queen," he chuckled.

I punched him slightly. I left him there and went to home.

I was shocked to see switched ON lights in my home. I was scared to enter in. Getting some courage, I entered.

Rithick's POV

I didn't know that the love have the superpower in bringing people together even when they are in distant apart. After hearing Neethu's sobbing, I was blank totally and I can't do any work. I said everything to Rahul and he helped me to come here. So cute my Rahul is!

I came to Nagercoil in Midnight. I thought not to disturb Neethu but I lost my patience. I wished to see her immediately. So I called her, she attended the call hardly after a long time. I wished to give her a surprise visit. At first, she didn't believe my presence.

At the time, she confirmed my presence. I could see her love for me in her eyes. It was flawless. She hugged me at once. I knew she missed me a lot as like me. After a long time hug, I cupped her face. Her eyes were swollen hopefully she cried fully today but she didn't show it off anything to me before and even now. How did she forget that I can find anything regarding her?

"Neethu, Are you coming together with me today?" He asked her to know about her views. If she wish to stay with her parents for one more day, I will definitely leave her here for one day.

"Why Rithick? Any problem?" She asked with confused look.

"I came here a day before as I said earlier so did you face any problem in coming with me?" I asked her straightly.

"If there is no problem in your home then i am ready to come with you, Rithick. I will manage it in my home," she replied makes me happy. She belongs to my family. I am happy to take her to home.

"No problem sweety, mom knew everything. Do you know what mom said on that day?" I chuckled.

"What?" I asked surprisingly.

"Mom asked me to bring you back to home thinking that you are not safe," I said. Yes! She will be happy to see Neethu again after knowing the incident that happened in Malaysia.

"Really, so sweet of her. I am very lucky to get you all," Neethu said from my heart

"I am happy Neethu, if your presence is with me in home. I can't concentrate anything leaving you here. Together we can enjoy our Riya's marriage. After that, I will ask my parents to talk to your parents. Are you happy?" I asked excitedly. Riya is our little girl. She will also be happy to see Neethu. The marriage function will change to festival if Neethu's presence is there.

I hugged him happily without replying him, "Neethu, go back to home before getting in someone's eyes. Come to airport at 9.00a.m. I will make everything ready before that," I said caringly because she shouldn't caught in anyone's eyes. From her words, it was clear that her family trusted her a lot. She should maintain that level always. After Riya's marriage, I should arrange for Rahul's marriage and in between I should make marriage promises between our families.

She went from the place after sometimes later. After that, I came to our guest house and spend my time there. Rahul called me in between, I talked to him and informed him that I will come to home before evening.

Two hours passed slowly, I came to airport and waiting for Neethu's arrival. Time was ticking slowly to 9.00 a.m. She didn't come yet. I was waiting for her presence. Time crossed to 9.15 a.m, I tried to call her phone but the call was not reachable. I was walking here and there looking at my watch often. I was tensed. Will she come now? Did her parents oppose her to come to Bengaluru? I was standing there blankly.