Chapter 21: chapter 21

THE SILENT LOVE ...Chapter 20 :Sreekar lips parted slightly giving a small smile after observing Swetha. He entered the car. He drove to his house and went inside while speaking on the phone. Deepak was informing him about the update of the meetings and their requirements. Sreekar had instructed him about everything and warned him to be careful with each and every step they take.After disconnecting the call, Sreekar glanced at the people sitting in the living area and was astonished. Pratap along with his wife Poornima and daughter Lalitha has come to see them. Lalitha, after seeing Sreekar glancing at her, immediately rose to her feet, went near him and hugged him.“Hai Sreekar! How are you? You didn’t expect me here, right? Did I give you a good surprise?”, queried Lalitha.Sreekar reciprocated the hug and left her immediately asking, “Hey Lalli! How are you? I am really not expecting you here? When did you return?”.Lalitha gave a broad smile and replied, “I returned last night. I thought of surprising you. I came here without calling you but you disappointed me with your absence. But I am very lucky you returned back. Aunt told me that you went to your uncle’s house for the weekend”.Sreekar nodded his head and replied, “Yes! I was supposed to be there for the weekend. Suddenly an emergency came and I returned back”.Lalitha gave him a teasing smile and queried, “Uncle was saying that you are visiting them frequently after your return from foreign trip. What's the matter? You used to visit them once a month. But you are visiting them frequently. Did you find any treasure there?”. Started wiggling her eyebrows.Sreekar gaped at her bewildered for her question. The thought of Swetha came into his mind and suddenly he swallowed the lump formed in his throat. He faintly smiled at her and turned towards Pratap to wish him, ignoring her question.“Hai uncle! How are you? How are you Aunty?”, wished Sreekar, moving towards them ignoring Lalitha’s suspicious looks.“Hello young man! I am fine. How are you doing?”, queried Pratap.“Hello Sreekar! How are you?”, queried Poornima.“Fine uncle. Fine aunty. I am doing good”, replying to them Sreekar sat beside his father.“Dad! The project which I was looking for a long time from Switzerland is about to get in my hands. I am very delighted to hear the news”, informed Sreekar.“Oh my god! Really! It’s really good news. Here we were discussing the rituals to be performed in the ceremony and you are going to get the dream project. I am sure that Lalitha will be a lucky charm for our family”, stated Raghavendar.Sreekar was perplexed by hearing his words and queried, “How is this project news connected to Lalitha. How is she a lucky charm for our family”.“Hahaha! Just now we were discussing the marriage proposal between you both. Pratap doesn't want to wait any longer for this marriage to happen. We were discussing when we should speak to you regarding the dates”, said Raghavendar.Sreekar felt like a huge atom bomb fell on his head and looked at his father unbelievably. He shifted his gazes to his mother and again darted to his father.“Dad! I told you that I am not interested in getting married soon. I don’t want to get stuck in a marriage. I am fine to be alone”, stated Sreekar, rising to his feet.“How long will you be stuck with your brother’s death? It has nothing to do with your life. He made his own decision without thinking of us. Now we have only you. All our dreams and hopes are on you. Don’t you want to give happiness to us”, queried Bhuvaneswari Devi, who was silent all the time.