Chapter 12: chapter 12

Sandhya furiously exited the garden. Ravi saw her walking away, “Something might have happened!” and he waited for her to exit and walked in. Surya was miserable there.“Surya!”Surya walked to Ravi and hugged him without a pause.“Surya, what happened?”“She walked away without even listening to me! I feel ashamed of myself for hurting her so much.”“Surya, let her take her time. She needs some time to accept things. You were Karthik to her till the previous night and all of a sudden, you are Surya. You are her husband! She needs time to process things and adjust herself! She will be alright in some time. You go home and try again. Let’s both go home, come. I will try to convince her if she doesn’t listen to you. Be confident, man”Surya thought it was true and walked with him. Both of them reached the bungalow.Sandhya was miserable and thought to herself, “Why is this happening to me? Why am I always suffering? The one who was a friend to me yesterday is now my husband! This is all my fault!”A doubt arose in her heart, “What if he is furious now and cancels Maggie’s operation? Oh my god! Please don’t let that happen. What was his mistake in this? Nothing! He loves another woman and I’m gonna divorce him after a year anyway. Hell no, I acted foolish. I will apologize to him as soon as he comes home.”Meanwhile, Surya’s car entered the bungalow. Surya was doubtful and Ravi pushed him forward to walk. Shashikala saw Surya coming and was ecstatic, “Brother, How are you? Ravi, come in,” She screamed, “Mother, Surya is here!”Meenakshi was on cloud nine as soon as she looked at Surya, “My son, you have been far away for so long! How are you?”“I’m fine, mom. Please don’t worry,” he said, “Mom, I’m gonna go freshen up,” and looked at Ravi and he signaled Surya to go.Surya walked in doubtfully but he gathered courage and looked at Sandhya standing by the window. He straightened his throat and Sandhya turned to his side. She was nervous. Surya was about to apologize to him but, “Please forgive me. I shouldn’t have behaved that way,” Sandhya spoke. “What are you even saying, Sandhya? It was my mistake. I caused you pain. I broke your mobile to pieces. And that’s the reason I have to apologize to you. I am terribly sorry, Sandhya.”“No, I’m at fault here. I can understand your situation. You are in love with another woman and we will get divorced anyway. There’s no point in having misunderstandings between us. You marry her after a year and I will walk away from your life.”Surya wasn't able to digest her words but somehow hid his pain and said, “ I think the same and I came to the garden to convey the same. But you walked away…We will be separated in a year, why don’t we remain as good friends till then? What do you say?”“I don’t have any issue with that. But I do have a request.”“What is it, Sandhya?”“Can I call you Karthik?”Surya understood that she wasn’t able to accept him as Surya and his heart was at her, “Why Sandhya? Why can’t you accept me as Surya? Why can’t you accept me as me?” but he said, “Sure, Sandhya. Call me whatever you wish to.”Sandhya smiled gently, “Karthik is a good friend of mine. How could I bear it if a good friend of mine disappears all of a sudden? So, we will be good friends from now on.”“Thank you, Sandhya. I won’t trouble you anymore. I will take care of you and you will realize that by yourself.”Both of them smiled. The weights in their hearts dropped to the ground now. Ravi was waiting outside, tensed, and looked at both of them walking out together. He was ecstatic. Meenakshi amma and Shashikala weren’t expecting both of them to walk together. The couple looked adorable. “Didn’t you go to the garden today?” Meenakshi amma asked Sandhya.“I did, Auntie. But I retired home as I was having a bit of a headache. I’m alright now.”Surya interrupted, “Sandhya, he is my best buddy, Ravi,” and introduced her to him.“Hello, brother!” she said and Ravi was delighted because of the call, “Thank you, sister. I don’t have sisters but that gap is fulfilled now.”Both Surya and Sandhya chuckled at it.