chapter 5

YOU ARE THE RHYTHM OF MY HEART!Chapter 5 :Recognizing the old man, Aadhya swiftly rose to her feet, ran toward them, and stepped between Nandu and the old man, prying Nandu’s collar free from his grip.“What the hell are you doing?”, Aadhya snapped, her voice firm and resolute. “You have no right to behave so rashly with my husband. You were not welcome here. Please leave!”. Though her tone carried determination, Nandu could discern the underlying hurt and pain.The old man staggered back, his gaze fixed on Aadhya. Shock flickered across his face before giving way to affection, care, love, and admiration.“Aadu!”, the old man murmured, his voice tinged with anguish. “You’re just like your mother, defending the man who thrust you into torment”. His words dripped with disappointment.Ignoring his remark, Aadhya turned to Nandu, scanning him from head to toe before her eyes met his.“Are you okay?”, she asked, her voice laced with genuine concern.Though Nandu was stunned by the sudden arrival of these strangers demanding to see Parasuram, he was even more baffled by the old man’s anger. The old man seemed ready to lash out, blaming him for Aadhya’s torment. But what shocked Nandu most was Aadhya stepping in to defend him as her husband, after ignoring him for the last 24 hours.When Aadhya asked about his well-being, he could only stare at her, his eyes reflecting a mixture of bewilderment, astonishment, and puzzlement, though a faint happiness simmered beneath the surface.“Yes! I’m fine”, Nandu finally replied, nodding. “This old man and his family came to see Uncle. Who are they?”. His curiosity was evident in his voice.Shaking her head, Aadhya implored,“You don’t need to concern yourself with them. Go and rest”. Her voice carried an edge of indignation toward the unexpected visitors.“Aadu!” came an affectionate voice from behind, interrupting. “How can you not introduce my grandson to me?”.Aadhya froze at the familiar voice. Slowly, she turned to face the speaker, her body stiffening as her gaze locked onto the old woman.The elderly woman approached her, gently caressing Aadhya’s head. “We know you’re very angry with us. But now, as we stand at your doorstep seeking forgiveness, can’t you find it in your heart to forgive us and accept us? At the very least, shouldn’t you show some respect for our age?”. Her voice was laced with love and affection, tinged with a hint of guilt and remorse.With a mocking smile, Aadhya shot back,“Do you even know what it truly means to be an elder? It’s not just about growing older, it’s about the experiences you’ve endured, the moments you’ve witnessed, and the wisdom those moments have instilled in you. True elderliness is the ability to act with thoughtfulness and grace, responding to life’s challenges with understanding and wisdom. Until you embody that essence, how can you expect me to offer you the respect you claim to deserve?”. Her voice was laced with bitterness with a tinge of pain and hurt.“Aadu!” the old man snapped, his voice sharp with anger. “Is this how you speak to your elders?”.Turning her piercing gaze toward him, Aadhya retorted, her tone dripping with mockery,“Oh! So this isn’t the right way to speak to elders, is it? Then tell me. Did you take the right approach when your daughter expressed her wish to marry my father? Didn’t you humiliate him, accusing him of using my mother for her wealth? Didn’t you insult him while my mother lay on her deathbed, blaming him for failing to protect her? Didn’t you call him a murderer, claiming he was responsible for his own wife’s death? And let’s not forget, didn’t you try to take me away from my father, accusing him of planning to remarry and neglect me?”.Her voice trembled with raw emotion as she continued, the agony, anguish, and fury she’d carried for years pouring out. “Did any of you behave properly then, to now lecture me on how to respect my elders?”.The elders stood frozen, unable to muster a response to defend themselves against Aadhya's piercing words.Watching the storm of emotions brewing within her, a pang of pain swirled in Nandu’s heart. Until now, he had only seen her as a cheerful, jovial girl, never imagining the deep pain and agony she carried beneath that bright facade. He had never delved into their past or inquired about their family background. But witnessing this moment, Nandu realized the elders’ long-standing disapproval of Parasuram’s love for his wife and their lingering hostility toward his uncle.Resolute in his decision to stand by Aadhya, Nandu stepped closer, gently draping an arm around her shoulders, offering the support and solace she so desperately needed. Feeling his touch, Aadhya turned toward him, her eyes brimming with conflicted emotions she struggled to contain.With a reassuring smile, Nandu glanced at Aadhya before facing the elders and spoke with steady determination,“I understand that you are her maternal family. From this conversation, it’s clear you’ve harbored resentment toward Parasuram Uncle. While I’ve only known him for a short time and was unaware of his past, I do know this. He is a man of integrity. After his wife’s sudden passing, he dedicated his entire life to her memory, never letting another woman enter his life. He raised his daughter with unwavering love and care, ensuring she never felt the absence of her mother. You lost a kind-hearted, noble son-in-law, and that is truly your loss”.His voice resonated with respect and admiration, a testament to the esteem he held for his uncle.Aadhya's heart swelled with pride and happiness as she watched Nandu passionately defend her father, showcasing his humility, greatness, and kindness. Her eyes brimmed with gratitude, and for a moment, the room felt charged with a sense of justice.Before the elderly couple could respond to Nandu's words, a faint, wavering voice broke through the silence.“Aadu…, Nandu…!”.-  *KRISH*