Chapter 122: chapter 122

THE SILENT LOVE ...Chapter 121:Balaramaiah, accompanied by the others, arrived at Bhuvaneswari Devi's house after discussing his plan with everyone. His decision left everyone amazed and content, witnessing the depth of his love for his daughter. Despite being a person of great self-respect who never bowed his head for anything, he had humbly come to speak with Bhuvaneswari Devi about his daughter's marriage, despite knowing her temper and arrogance.Taking the initiative, Chandra Mohan directed everyone into the house, asserting his authority as Raghavendar's biological brother as Sreekanth didn’t wish to take the initiative to enter the house first. As they entered the living room, they were met with Bhuvaneswari Devi and Raghavendar, who were being persuaded by Pratap. To announce their presence, Chandra Mohan called out to his brother.“Brother ...!”.Raghavendar, engrossed in his own thoughts and paying little attention to Pratap's words, was startled by the familiar voice. Abruptly, he rose to his feet and spun his head towards the direction of the voice. He couldn't believe his eyes to see Chandra Mohan in his house, standing in front of him. Chandra Mohan, who had never taken the initiative to come to his house before, left him speechless. Raghavendar glanced at his brother, realizing the love he had been deprived of all these years.“Chandu... !”, shrieked Raghavendar, his voice filled with excitement as he hurried towards his brother, feeling ecstatic to see his blood-related brother after such a long time. He embraced him tightly, overwhelmed by emotions.Chandra Mohan reciprocated the hug, feeling delighted by his brother's reaction upon seeing him. He could sense the affection and longing his brother felt towards him, deepening the bond between them.Breaking the hug, Chandra mohan enquired,“Brother! How are you?”.“I have been just living, feeling deserted by my sons. How are you, Chandu? How are the children? When is Rasi's marriage?”, Raghavendar expressed his well-being and inquired about Chandra Mohan's status.“Everyone is fine, brother. Rasi’s marriage will happen soon. Don’t be so downhearted. Everything will become normal. Actually we have come to speak about Sreekar. Can you spend some time with us  if you  are free?”, Chandra Mohan expressed his well being and consoled his brother while enquiring his availability.Raghavendar shook his head negatively and replied,“No! No! I am not busy. Come, Come in’,noticing Sreekanth’s  presence, he immediately shrieked,“Sreekanth! You …”, halted in his words by  seeing Sreekatnh’s  gesture.“Dad! I have come here not as your son but to accompany Balaramaih uncle”, replied Sreekanth without any emotions on his face leaving Raghavendar and Bhuvaneswari Devi in bafflement .Feeling helpless, Raghavendar shifted his    attention towards other people and addressed them in a gentle tone,“I am sorry for not wishing you earlier. I was caught up with my brother as I saw him after a long period. Please forgive me”, Raghavendar apologized for his ignorance and warmly welcomed everyone.Bhuvaneswari Devi stood still in her place upon seeing the arrival of Chandra Mohan and remained quiet throughout their conversation. She furrowed her eyebrows upon hearing Sreekar's name and glanced at the people with her scrutinizing eyes though her heart was downhearted with Sreekanth’s behavior. Pratap also stood beside her, observing the people who had entered the home.Chandra Mohan followed his brother, leading the others to their seats. He guided them along the way and ensured they were settled.  Later he turned towards Bhuvaneswari Devi and wished her for which she just nodded her head as an acknowledgement. Then, he began by introducing the remaining people to his brother, saving Balaramaiah and Ajith for last.“Brother! The main purpose of coming here is because of this person. He is Mr. Balaramaiah, father of Swetha, the girl whom Sreekar adores. And this is Mr. Ajith, Swetha's brother. Though you met them at my house, I would like to introduce them as Swetha’s family once again. They wish to settle the matter by speaking to you”, informed Chandra Mohan, introducing Balaramaiah and Ajith.Raghavendar shook his head while glancing at them and uttered,“It’s nice to meet you again. We couldn’t have much conversation on that day. She is my wife, Mrs. Bhuvaneswari Devi and he is my friend Mr. Pratap. Tell me, what can I do for you?”.Balaramaiah warmly smiled at them and initiated the conversation,“I don’t need to explain everything from scratch. Everyone knows what’s happening here. I will come directly to the point. I know that we don’t match your status in society, but I do have a good reputation and status in my own community. While we may not have equal status, we come from a well-cultured family with good ethics and customs. I have come here to ask for your younger son’s hand for my daughter, as they both like each other. What do you say?”.Before Raghavendar could respond, Bhuvaneswari Devi interjected,“What made you dare to come and ask for our son's hand? You have such audacity to propose an alliance after witnessing our wealth. Do you truly believe your daughter matches our status? How utterly disgusting your proposal is”.Chandra Mohan felt dejected by her words and responded,“Sister-in-law ! Please watch your words before making such comments. He is a well-respected person in his own community and not someone to be degraded”.Bhuvaneswari Devi gave him a mocking smile and taunted,“Why don't you take the honor of extending your son's hand for her daughter if he is such a well-reputed person? My son doesn’t deserve someone who is from the countryside, having no knowledge of this high society”.Infuriated by the degradation of Swetha, Chandra Mohan responded,“My son treats her as his own sister. Otherwise, I wholeheartedly accept that pure and innocent soul as my daughter-in-law, a rarity we couldn’t find in this present society”.Before Bhuvaneswari Devi could respond, Balaramaiah intervened with a calming tone,“Mr. Chandra Mohan, let's not allow simple matters to ignite fury within us”, He then turned towards Bhuvaneswari Devi and continued,“Perhaps my daughter may not possess the societal status to become your daughter-in-law. However, Sreekar firmly believes that she is the one who can truly blossom his life, even amidst the presence of wealthy and high-society girls who may seemingly match your status perfectly”.Balaramaiah's taunting words caused Bhuvaneswari Devi's face to flush with anger as she shot him a piercing glare, rendering her speechless and unable to offer a defense.Observing her helpless state, Balaramaiah spoke in a gentle tone,“Mrs. Bhuvaneswari Devi! Please understand that I have not come here to engage in arguments or conflicts. As a father myself, I empathize with the delicate nature of young love and the potential devastation it could bring if shattered. Despite our reservations about their relationship, I have no desire to shatter my daughter's happiness. I deeply respect their decision to part ways if parental approval is not granted. I implore you to consider accepting their love and welcoming my daughter into Sreekar's life as your daughter-in-law. This is my humble plea to you as a father of the bride”.With sudden force, Bhuvaneswari Devi rose to her feet, her accusatory finger pointing at Balaramaiah as she sharply rebuked,“The woman responsible for disrupting my family's peace shall never set foot in our lives. What delusion led you to believe that I would entertain such a proposal? While I am grateful for your support in guiding my son's path, I cannot fathom accepting the girl, for whom Sreekar pointed his finger at me, tarnishing my dignity forever. I will never forget the disdain with which he addressed me as a vicious woman for that girl”.Raghavendar rose to his feet, his hand gently resting on Bhuvaneswari's shoulder, as he sought to soothe her turbulent emotions with a reassuring squeeze, he spoke,“Bhuvana, please, let us calm ourselves”, he implored softly,“While I understand the pain caused by Sreekar's accusations, now is not the time for disputes. Our son has left us, believing we were in the wrong. Our age should guide us towards the path of forgiveness, not harbor resentment towards our children. Reflect from your heart. Are you not affected by their departure? Do you not long for this home to once again resound with the joyous laughter and conversations of our children?”.Watching her silence, he continued,“Bhuvana! When Sreekar believes that his happiness revolves around that girl, who are we to deny his wish? He is no longer a kid but a grown adult capable of making his own decisions. Don’t you yearn to witness the joy radiating from his smile upon receiving your acceptance of his love? Do you wish to relive the anguish we endured with Sreekanth's abandonment?”.Bhuvaneswari gazed deeply into Raghavendar's eyes, her own thoughts swirling with uncertainty. Though her heart longed to witness her son's happiness, the scars of their disputes because of Swetha left her firm in her resistance to accepting Sreekar's love. She couldn't shake off the pain caused by Sreekar's behavior towards her, fueled by his attachment to that girl.Noticing her inner turmoil, Balaramaih attempted to soothe her heart with words of wisdom, his voice gentle yet firm,“Mrs. Bhuvaneswari Devi! We have passed over through a long life, twisted with multitude experiences of joy and pain. As elders, it's mandatory upon us to empathize with the desires of the young souls yearning to unite in love for eternity. You, more than anyone, have tasted the bitter anguish of losing a son, even if only temporarily. Do you wish to subject yourself to that same torment once again? Sreekar may not proceed with my daughter without the blessings of our elders, but he may never forgive you for the chaos he's endured all these years. I implore you not to endure the heartache of losing both your sons after nurturing them with love and care. Consider the hardships Sreekar has endured in the absence of his brother, and let your decision lead the path to his future joy and contentment. I can assure you, if you grant my daughter a chance, she will not only enrich but also perpetually nurture the life of your son, ensuring it blossoms with happiness and fulfillment”.Bhuvaneswari's gaze shifted to Balaramaiah, who offered advice with the warmth of an elder brother. Yet, his words plunged her into a whirlwind of conflicted emotions. She couldn't shake the memories of Sreekar's distant and cold demeanor over the past five years, ever since his separation from his brother. Recollections of the turmoil they endured following Sreekanth's fake demise flooded her mind, sending a shiver down her spine at the mere thought of history repeating itself.Perceiving the weight of Bhuvaneswari's inner turmoil, Balaramaiah chose to grant her the necessary space to contemplate their conversation. With a gentle tone, he addressed Mr. and Mrs. Raghavendar,“I believe it's essential for both of you to have some personal time to reconsider the circumstances at hand. Allow me to take my leave now. I'll extend my patience for one more week, awaiting your decision. However, if I don't receive a positive response within that time frame, as a father of a daughter, I cannot bear to shatter her dreams. Moreover, I cannot risk losing Sreekar, who has demonstrated respect for my disapproval of their love, refraining from crossing boundaries despite having the opportunity to elope with her”.As Balaramaiah departed with everyone, Raghavendar and Bhuvaneswari Devi found themselves entangled in a pandemonium of conflicting thoughts. Pratap, who had remained silent throughout, couldn't resist the urge to break the silence and initiate a conversation.“Raghu! Bhuvana! What’s wrong with you people? Why were you silent? What are you thinking so deeply?” enquired Pratap.Both Raghavendar and Bhuvaneswari Devi shifted their gazes towards Pratap and heaved a sigh, feeling helpless. Bhuvaneswari Devi rubbed her forehead feeling complicated with the circumstances and glanced at Pratap with a mixed emotions.“Pratap! I find myself lost in a web of conflicting emotions. On one hand, I long to witness my son's happiness, yet my ego stands firm against accepting that girl. But the guilt I feel towards Lalitha weighs heavily on my heart, causing me to reject Swetha. The promise I made to Lalitha, the dreams she nurtured about their future together, it feels as though I'm standing on the edge of a sharp knife’s edge. I can't bear to shatter her dreams, dreams I've witnessed since her childhood. Yet, I can't bear the thought of pushing Sreekar into a loveless marriage. I'm at a loss, Pratap. I can't seem to find a way to decide”, Bhuvaneswari Devi confided, her voice filled with anguish and uncertainty.Raghavendar gazed at Bhuvaneswari with a mix of surprise and concern, his voice filled with urgency as he queried, "Bhuvana! How can you entertain the idea of Sreekar and Lalitha's union when there is no love between them? Are you willing to sacrifice their happiness and jeopardize our friendship with Pratap by pushing them into a loveless marriage? Sreekar's joy lies with Swetha, not anyone else. Have you not witnessed the genuine happiness and smiles that have graced his face recently after years of a robotic existence? If Swetha is the cause of this transformation, then I will not tolerate any obstacles in their path. I have resolved to honor Sreekar's wishes because his happiness is paramount to me. I long for this house to once again be filled with the laughter and joy of our children. If you are still hesitant, do not blame me for not warning you about the risk of losing your children's love." With that, he concluded his words and departed, leaving Bhuvaneswari Devi and Pratap alone to contemplate the weight of his words.After a long silence , Pratap initiated the conversation, slicing the thick silence with his words,“Bhuvana! Don’t strain yourself with unnecessary thoughts. Let fate decide the future of Sreekar. Whatever the circumstances may be, think rationally and take the appropriate decision. I will  take the leave now”, bidding bye to her, Pratap left the place.At Meenakshi’s house ...Learning from Chandra Mohan about their return, Meenakshi rushed towards Sreekar’s room and gave a slight knock on the door receiving an immediate response from the other end.“Coming …”.Sreekar, enjoying the intimacy with Swetha as she sat on his lap, snapped out of his reverie of happiness and responded immediately. Swetha promptly got out of his lap and rose to her feet, while Sreekar stood up from the bed and glanced at her once before rushing towards the door. He opened it and saw Meenakshi standing outside.“Amma! Is anything wrong?”, queried Sreekar.Meenakshi shook her head and with a gentle smile, she intimated,“Nothing is wrong. Everyone is returning back. Let Swetha return to the living room. If her father finds you both in the same room, he will become mad”.Feeling awkward, he gave a nervous smile while rubbing his neck and glanced at Swetha gesturing to her to leave the room. Swetha immediatly ran out of the room hiding her blushed cheeks by lowering her head.Sreekar kept glancing at her retreating figure while a  small smile appeared at the corner of his lips. Noticing the the love and admiration reflecting in  his eyes, Meenakshi gently squeezed his shoulder to assure him.“No one can  separate you both,Chinnababu. I wish your love to blossom for eternity”, wished Meenakshi.Sreekar felt content with her words and shyly smiled at her while hugging her gently and whispered in her ears,“Thank you Amma”.By the time they both returned to the living room, Swetha had already begun preparing the ingredients that Meenakshi had placed on the kitchen counter for lunch. She worked swiftly, trying to have everything ready before the elders returned. Meanwhile, Sreekar observed her from the hall, while Meenakshi came to help her. After a while, with the cooking completed, the elders returned with gloomy faces, indicating their failure in accomplishing their task.They all settled in the couches and accepted the water offered by Swetha. Sreekar watched them carefully and noticed their gloomy faces, Feeling suspicious he enquired Sreekanth their whereabouts during the time they were away.“Brother, where have you all been? And why do you all look so downhearted?”, inquired Sreekar.Sreekanth cast a somber glance at Sreekar before responding with a heavy heart,“Uncle brought us back home in hopes of having a conversation with Mom and Dad. Unfortunately, despite his efforts to persuade her, she remains adamant about not accepting your love”.Both Swetha and Sreekar were astounded to learn that Balaramaiah had taken the initiative himself to speak with his parents about their marriage. They both gaped at him in astonishment, their jaws hanging open in disbelief at the unexpected turn of events.“Uncle! How could you sacrifice your dignity, knowing full well my mother's temperament and her hostility towards our love? Your actions have left me speechless and only deepen my respect for you”, Sreekar expressed, rising to his feet to convey his heartfelt gratitude.Balaramaiah cast a tender glance at Sreekar, his voice infused with affection and unwavering determination as he replied,“For my daughter's happiness, I would move heaven to earth. I firmly believe that you are the perfect match to bring joy and fulfillment to her life. I am prepared to do whatever it takes for your union, even if it means pleading with her or going against her wishes. Nothing holds greater importance to me than ensuring your marriage”, His words resonated with unwavering belief in Sreekar and his commitment to their happiness.Sreekar stood motionless, his heart swelled with contentment at Balaramaiah's words. He gazed at him, his eyes shining with gratitude, a silent acknowledgment of the deep impact those words had on him. As Sreekar stood immersed in his emotions, Gautham, moved by the scene, rose from his seat. With a gentle smile, he approached Sreekar, extending his arm across his shoulder in a comforting gesture, a silent show of solidarity and support.“Sree! If my uncle likes anyone from the bottom of his heart, he will go to any extent to give his support. You both were lucky to get along with each other as your attitude resembles him. I am very happy and looking forward to hearing your wedding bells”, Gautham said, his words a mix of consolation and playful teasing.Sreekanth, Rohan and Ajith joined in, adding to the teasing, their playful banter causing Sreekar to blush. Their companionship was a joy to behold, and everyone around couldn't help but smile at the bond forming between the boys. Meanwhile, Rasi and Shilpa surrounded Swetha, joining in the teasing with their own mischievous remarks. Laughter filled the air as the group enjoyed each other's company, relishing in the warmth of friendship and companionship, while Sreekar and Swetha steal glances in between.Amidst the cheerful chaos, Meenakshi's voice rang out, calling them all to lunch. With smiles and laughter, everyone made their way to the dining table. The elders led the way, setting an example by enjoying their meal first, followed by the youngsters who eagerly dug into the delicious spread. After the satisfying meal, the group rejoined in the living room, finding comfortable spots to settle down. The room buzzed with the lingering warmth of shared moments and the anticipation of more to come.In the cheerful atmosphere, Gautham, wishing to tease Sreekar, inquired,“Uncle! When can we expect the marriage”.Balaramaiah cast a gentle smile upon the gathering before speaking,“If I don't receive any response from his mother within a week, I will proceed with the marriage arrangements and find an auspicious day”, His words carried a sense of determination and optimism, signaling his commitment to ensuring the happiness of Sreekar and those around him.Upon hearing Balaramaiah's announcement, the boys gathered around Sreekar, teasing him repeatedly and demanding for a bachelor's party before the wedding. Sreekar, good-naturedly, agreed to their demands without hesitation.Meanwhile, Swetha, sensing the impending chaos, tried to slip away quietly to avoid being drawn into the playful banter. With careful steps, she made her way towards the door, hoping to escape unnoticed. However, just as she was a few steps away, Rasi spotted her and let out a playful scream, calling her name and alerting the others to her attempted escape.“Swetha! Where are you escaping?”, shrieked Rasi.All eyes turned towards Swetha as she stood there with a cheeky smile, her attempt at escape foiled by Rasi's playful call. Caught in the spotlight, she found herself surrounded by the boys, who bombarded her with questions about her expectations from the groom-to-be.“Hey Sweths! How do you envision the groom on the big day?”, Rohan's question cut through the air, filled with anticipation and curiosity.“Swetha, do you think Sreekar is the charming prince you have been dreaming of?”, Sreekanth chimed in, his tone teasing yet lighthearted, adding to the playful atmosphere of the moment.“Sister, you have got Sreekar wrapped around your finger completely. Will you allow us to have a party before the wedding?” Gautham's playful remark added to the chorus of teasing voices, drawing laughter from everyone present.Amidst the playful teasing and laughter, Swetha felt her cheeks flush crimson with embarrassment. Glancing sideways, she caught Sreekar's gaze, his eyes filled with a tender affection that made her heart flutter. At that moment, it seemed as though they were the only two people in the room, their connection palpable amidst the jovial atmosphere.“Hey, you two! Lost in your own little world despite us being here? Just wait until the wedding, and we will make sure to leave you both alone without any interruptions”, Rohan teased, a playful smirk on his face as he observed Sreekar and Swetha, caught in a moment of shared affection, oblivious to their surroundings. His words elicited laughter from the group, adding to the lighthearted atmosphere of the gathering.Feeling the weight of the teasing spotlight, Sreekar shifted uncomfortably, running a hand through his hair as he averted his gaze, while Swetha, her cheeks ablaze with embarrassment, lowered her head shyly. With all eyes on her, Swetha, adorned with a graceful smile, made a swift move towards the door, her heart racing with the need for escape. With a quick dash, she fled the room, leaving behind a trail of laughter and fond memories.As Swetha dashed out, escaping the mischievous banter of the boys, she hurried through the gate, her heart still racing with the excitement of the moment. However, her escape was abruptly interrupted as a van screeched to a halt in front of her with a sudden jerk, startling her. Before she could react, two burly men emerged from the vehicle, their intimidating presence sending shivers down her spine as they forcefully pushed her into the van. Swetha's screams of fear echoed in the air as the van sped away, vanishing within seconds, leaving behind an eerie silence as if nothing had happened moments before.