Chapter 112: chapter 112

THE SILENT LOVE ...Chapter 111 :Acknowledging the agony that Sreekar was going through, Sreekanth surged towards him and engulfed him in a bear hug giving him the solace.“Sree! No need to feel downhearted. I expected it from mom. I wish to confront her for her actions and I completed my task. Now I don’t carry any guilt in my heart for not standing up for Shilpa when she was cornered by mom”, broke the hug, crossing his hands around his shoulder and consoled,“I feel very proud of you to see as a mature man that that young innocent playboy. I wish to see you get married soon. Now, give me a wide smile to send me off. I will leave now”.Sreekar held his hand and with pleading eyes, he requested with a croacked voice,“Brother! Please don’t go away from me. These five years were like hell for me. Don’t throw me into misery once again”.Sreekanth was amused to see Sreekar still behaving like a child and while patting on his shoulder, he replied,“I am not going anywhere. I will stay in this city and give my family their identity which they deserve. We will be in touch. Okay?”.Raghavendar stepped in between them and with a quavering voice, he queried,“Don’t you people think of your father? Maybe you people don't need my love but this old man needs your love and support at this age. Don’t leave us once again, Sreekanth”.Sreekar and Sreekanth hugged their father from either side and Sreekanth consoled him,“Dad! Don’t say that? Even if we grew older, we still need your affection. I am not going away from you. We can meet regularly”, his words carrying the respect and admiration towards his father.“What’s the need of leaving the house? You stay here only. Within a few days, I will make your mother change her mind”, persuaded Raghavendar, while his heart was palpitating for departing from Sreekanth once again.Sreekanth gave a faint smile to his father and queried,“Dad! If anyone disrespects Mom, would you like to interact with them? Being her son, I am ready to go through her humiliation. But being Shilpa’s husband, I have the responsibility to protect my wife’s self esteem. I couldn’t let her stay in a place where her identity is not acknowledged. Please dad, don’t compel me to battle between mother and wife. Hope you understand”, poured his inner turmoil.Realizing the struggle that Sreekanth was going through in the process of protecting the dignity, respect and self esteem of both his mother and wife, Raghavendar couldn’t compel him further.“Sreekanth! I can understand your situation. But promise me, you will stay in the city, near to us, in front of us. You will not disappear once again”, pleaded Raghavendar, with eyes full of hope as if he was begging his son.Sreekanth assured him to see him regularly, bid bye to Pratap and his family, took Honey into his arms while crossing his hand across Shilpa’s shoulder, he said,“Okay Dad! Let me leave now. Sree! Take care of them. Don’t worry. I will be fine. We will meet later”, was above to move from there.Sreekar stepped forward, snatched Honey from his hands and rebuked,“Do you think, I will leave you like that. Who said that I am going to stay here. I can’t stay in the house where my sister in law is not acknowledged as the lady of the house which I promised to her. I will return back only once mom accepts her as her daughter in law”, glanced at his father, gestured to him about his departure and strolled towards the exit without further discussion.Shooking his head helplessly, being perceived with Sreekar’s stubbornness, Sreekanth nodded his head at his father and followed Sreekar. They returned back to Chandra Mohan’s house and entered the living room.Sreekar froze in his place watching Swetha whom he was not expecting to see at that time. His heart squeezed with agony remembering his failure in claiming Sreekanth’s rights which he promised to Balaramaiah. Swetha, who was engrossed interacting with Rasi, Rohan and Samyuktha, hearing the footsteps, darted her eyes towards that direction and rose to her feet watching Sreekar. Noticing the astonishment in Sreekar’s eyes by seeing her later which turned to guilt, anguish and helplessness, she instantly understood the situation and his inner turmoil.Both lost in their own world, sharing their pain through their eyes with their silent talks. Sreekar was conveying his helplessness and the weightage of guilt he was carrying for not succeeding in reclaiming his brother’s rights, whereas Swetha’s eyes  held a calm and serene gaze passing the warmth which can give him solace.Their personal moments got disturbed and came out of their own world by hearring Honey’s voice,“Swetha ...!”.Swetha composed herself and darted her eyes towards Honey who was running towards her. She immediately reached the baby girl and took into her arms while kissing her cheeks.“Swetha ...! Why didn’t you come back? You promised to play after returning back”, enquired Honey, while cupping her cheeks with her little palms.Swetha kissed her forehead and replied,“We will surely play. How are you?”.“She is the same mischievous girl making me run behind her around the house”, complained Shilpa who came behind Honey.Swetha held Shilpa’s hand and greeted her,“Sister! How are you? I couldn’t meet you  earlier, not wishing  to delay your  affairs”, turned towards Sreekanth, gave a warm smile and queried,“Brother in law! How are you?”.Sreekanth reached her, gently caressed her hair affectionately and replied,“Fine angel! How are you? Are you not willing to return back home? Did you find your prince charming to delay your return?”, teased her which made her face turn flushed.Swetha blushed with his comments and peaked at Sreekar from the corner of  her eyes who was glancing at them    in amusement watching their closeness and the way she addressed his brother.Shilpa jumped in between their conversation helping her from more embarrassment and taunted Sreekanth,“You and Ajith both stay on high  alert  to chase the person who tries to come near her. Let her find one in this new place where no one is afraid of you. I am eagerly waiting to hear her marriage bells”.“Oh my God! I was just kidding. If  she really find her charming prince, I myself will persue Uncle and Ajith to accept the alliance”, responded Sreekanth,raising his hands in the air in defeat.Sreekar glanced at them very  afffectionately feeling downhearted missing their bickering all these years.Swetha clinged on to Sreekanth’s arm and teased while stucking  her tongue out,“Yu never win any argument with Shilpa sister’.Sreekanth poked on her forehead and retarded,“Because if I don’t let her win, you both will show me hell with your silent treatment”, smiles widely by seeing Swetha’s glaring face and pleaded while holding her chin,“Angel!  Can’t you  bless me with your coffee. It’s a long time  to have your coffee”.Showing her broad smile, Swetha nodded her head while replying,“Yes brother in law. I will bring it within a blink of an eye. Goand speak to  our aunt and uncle. You can  release all your tension and pain with my coffee. Go”, pushed him him towards the living area where everyone was watching their bickering.Later she turned to Shilpa and squeezed her shoulder making her feel comfort with her gesture. Shilpa blinked away her tears while placing her hand on Swethas, nodding her head as an acknowledgment, she followd Sreekanth.Observing the total scenario, Sreekar’s heart was clouded  with sadness once again for his brother and unable to control his agony he lunged towards his room.Swetha heaved a huge sigh noticing Sreekar’s inner turmoil and left to the kitchen to prepare coffee followed by Rasi.While Swetha was engrossed in preparing the coffee, Rasi observed her  facial expressions and carefully directed her questions to her.“Sweths! Looks like my aunty didn’t acknowledge my sister in law as the lady of that house. What will happen now? Are you not afraid of the consequences? How would your father react? Here I am getting tensed and you look very calm”, gushed out all the questions that were swirling in her mind in one go and took in the air deeply.Swetha poured the coffee in all the coffee mugs which were kept in the tray, glanced at Rasi and gave a soft smile while replying,“Whatever the consequences maybe, whatever the circumstances maybe, my heart beats only for him. No one can take his place for eternity. I will remain as his”, her words carrying the unwavering determination and the love for him, took the tray and was about to leave the kitchen.Rasi blocked her way, took the tray from her and with a mischievous smile, she teased,“Someone is waiting for your coffee. You better go and serve him. I will take this tray”, winked at her and left the place.Swetha blushed with her comment, took the extra cup and  surged towards Sreekar’s room without anyone’s notice. She slowly knocked on the door which instantly opened as if waiting for her arrival. She was amazed with the immediate response and glanced at the person who was behind the door and unable to lock her eyes with his tense gaze, she lowered her head while her cheeks turned pink feeling shy.Sreekar retreated to his room, a whirlwind of earlier incidents swirling through his mind. Contemplating the best approach to make his mother recognize Shilpa as her daughter-in-law, he lost in his own thoughts.The melodious sound of anklets echoed, tugging at his heartstrings, and he instinctively knew it was Swetha. Anticipating her arrival , he moved towards the door and swung it open once he heard the knock on the door. As he laid eyes on Swetha's flushed face, a gentle smile graced his lips. He stepped back, creating a space for her to enter. Without meeting his gaze, Swetha extended her hand, offering the coffee which he needed to cool his mind.“Cof ...! Coffee!”, feeling anxious to be near him , Swetha stuttered in her words.Noticing her anxiousness, Sreekar smiled inwardly and reached her after closing the door. Swetha gaped at him in astonishment by hearing the door closing sound and shifted her eyes between him and the door.“Wh ...! What are you doing? If anyone sees ... ”, she abruptly halted in her words by getting grabbed by Sreekar.Sreekar took the coffee mug from her hand while grabbing her hand with the other, pulled her into a bare hug placing the mug on the nearest table.Before she could realize what’s happening, he hugged her tightly and placed his face in the crook of her neck while inhaling her perfume.Swetha's entire body tensed as if frozen in time, caught off guard by his unexpected move, leaving her breathless and bewildered. Like a living statue, she stood in place, her senses heightened, and her breath held unconsciously. His hands encircled her waist, drawing her closer, the connection between them growing stronger.In that moment, Sreekar sensed the rapid pounding of his heart mirroring the intensity reflected in Swetha's own heartbeat. The embrace tightened, providing solace that erased the tension and pressure that Sreekar endured earlier.Sreekar could sense her stiffness, slowly loosen his grip ensuring she remained in his embrace and raised his head to look into her eyes who stood still without blinking her eyes, her face  carrying a mixture of shock and surprise with his sudden gesture,  attempting to process the sudden turn of events.“I am certain that I am the one who invaded your territory. Isn’t it?”queried Sreekar, carrying a mischievous smile at the corner of his lips while his eyes were sparkling with  joy, feeling delighted  to make her experience the unfamiliar foreign feelings and emotions with his mere presence.Swetha slowly lifted her downcasted eyelashes which were heavy with the shyness she was enveloped in his presence. As their gaze met, her eyes revealed the depth of love and affection she harbored for him.Immersed in her fascinating beautiful and innocent eyes carrying the admiration for him , Sreekar found himself drowned in the ocean of mixed emotions that were resonating delightment, satisfaction and joy for the victory of having her in his life.“I’m afraid of losing you if I fail to uphold my promise to your father”, emerging from his dream world, Sreekar expressed his thoughts  coming to reality of the present. His words carry the vulnerability and a sincere expression of fear that enveloped him with the thought of losing her.Witnessing the anguish and apprehension that were reflecting in his eyes, Swetha instinctively lifted her hand and gently caressed his cheek looking deeply into his eyes, she persuaded,“No matter whatever the consequences maybe, my heart is bound to you for my next seven lifes. Despite us staying together or departing from each other, my soul will be yours forever. Our love remains the same for eternity”, the words expressed with unwavering determination as if she was pledging to him her life.