Chapter 3: chapter 3

THE SILENT LOVE Chapter 2,, : Sreekar, who went abroad to expand the business in different countries, returned back to India after a long trip around the world. His parents felt very delighted seeing him after one year. They gave a warm welcome to him by arranging all his favorite dishes for lunch along with other close relatives.They had a happy lunch chit chatting with each other. Both father and son duo discussed business matters whereas his mother queried about his health. His sister Samyuktha queried about the gifts he brought for him. “Samyu, you are only concerned about your gifts, not for your brother who missed you all these days”, sulked Sreekar.Samyuktha, who had completed her lunch, rose from her chair and went near him. She hugged him sideways and spoke, “You are my most lovely brother. How wouldn’t I miss you? But you took a long time for your work. I am very mad at you, you know! I thought of not speaking to you unless you apologize for the delay in your return. How can I keep quiet after seeing my charming brother. I kept all my promises aside and spoke to you. Is this not enough to acknowledge my love”.Sreekar laughed out loud and teased her, “You are still the same drama queen who exaggerates things. Okay! Okay! I realize your love for me and understand that you miss me. Sorry for being away for so long. I will compensate for my delay. Go, go to my room and check the pink bag lying on the bed. All your favorites are there in it”.“Oh really! Thank you, brother! I love you!” Samyuktha kissed on his cheek and ran to her room. Everyone laughed out loud by seeing her childishness. Samyuktha is doing her fashion designing and is in second year. Sreekar loves her a lot and pampers her to the extreme. Whenever he goes out on business related work, he makes sure to buy  the things which are famous at that place.They all moved to the living room after their lunch. Their relatives spoke for some time and bid bye to them. Sreekar, who was about to leave the living room, stopped in his way by hearing a familiar voice.“Hello young man! How are you? Sorry for the late”.“Hello Uncle! I am fine and how about you? Hello aunty!”, greeted sreekar.“Hello Pratap! Came so early! You should have come in the evening”, countered Raghavendra. “Hahahah! You don’t need to taunt me for my late arrival. I was supposed to come in time. Unfortunately, one of my relative’s got admitted in the hospital and my presence was required there. I complete the formalities and rushed here”, explained Pratap.“It’s okay uncle. We know how punctual you will be. No need of giving explanations. Please come and have a seat. Come aunty!”, welcomed Sreekar. Poornima, wife of Pratap gave a warm smile and sat on the couch along with Pratap. All took their places and started chit chatting.Pratap and Raghavendra were childhood buddies and are still continuing their friendship. Lalitha is their only daughter who was Sreekars' childhood friend. As they have the equal status with Raghavendra, Bhuvaneswari Devi went along with Poornima in their friendship.Both families have an idea of tying the knots between sreekar and Lalitha. Even Sreekar and Lalitha were aware of their wish but never opened up. Sreekar treats her as a friend and is not against his parents wish as he believes that they will take the correct decisions. But after his brother’s death, everything has changed and he never thought of marrying in his life. Though he didn’t continue his friendship like earlier, he never ill treated her. But Lalitha never fails to meet him frequently. Though she is acquainted with his feelings brought on by the effect of his brother’s death, she believes that the time brings the change in him.After chit chatting for a while, Sreekar excused himself and went to his room to rest for a while. Later in the evening, he went to see his uncle, biological brother of his father, Mr. Chandramohan, who is not much close to his family because of his mother’s arrogance being wealthy by birth.