chapter 86

YOU ARE THE RHYTHM OF MY HEART!GChapter 86 :As the figure stepped into view, Parasuram, Nandu, and Aadhya stared in stunned silence. Their eyes widened, mouths parted slightly in disbelief and shock.“Nandu!”, Yeshwanth said hesitantly, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “Your mother wants to speak with you”.As Saagarika appeared at the doorstep, Parasuram quickly stepped forward. With a humble and respectful tone, he welcomed her,“Madam! Please come in. It’s our pleasure to have you in our home”, his face warm with genuine happiness.Lifting her head, Saagarika looked at Parasuram, then shifted her gaze to Yeshwanth. He nodded reassuringly and, placing a comforting hand behind her, guided her inside and helped her settle on the couch.Akhil and Sruthi, who had been waiting behind their mother, rushed forward as soon as she entered. With delighted exclamations, they hugged Aadhya from either side.“How are you, Aadhya?”.Chuckling at their excitement, Aadhya wrapped her arms around them and replied,“I’m fine”. Turning to Sruthi, she gently touched the bandage on her forehead and asked,“Are you okay?”. Her voice was filled with concern.Waving it off, Sruthi replied,“It’s nothing—just a small injury”. Then she added,“Are you okay?”.Aadhya nodded before guiding them toward the couch and gesturing for them to sit. She then returned to stand beside Nandu.Saagarika sat still, her eyes fixed distantly on the cupboard across the room, her gaze vacant, as if her mind were far away.The air grew thick with silence—tense and heavy, pressing on everyone in the room. Trying to ease the awkwardness, Aadhya spoke up,“I’ll get coffee”.Before she could move, Saagarika responded,“No need! We’ve already had coffee”. Her eyes shifted from the cupboard to Aadhya, and finally to Nandu.Nandu met his mother’s gaze. Their eyes locked, a silent conversation passing between them—questions, regrets, and the space of unspoken emotions.Clearing her throat, Saagarika finally spoke,“Nandu, I’m here to invite my son back home. I wish for you to return”.Though her voice remained calm and composed, it carried the weight of pride—and something deeper: vulnerability.Nandu’s eyes widened in disbelief. Taking a step forward, he exclaimed,“Mom! What are you saying?”. His voice was laced with amazement.Rising to her feet, Saagarika turned to him and implored,“I know I shouldn’t have let you leave. But today, I stand at your doorstep asking you to come back. Will you, Nandu?”. Her voice trembled ever so slightly, filled with hope and anticipation.Nandu stood there, gaping at his mother in astonishment. His eyes sparkled with excitement and happiness as he glanced at Aadhya—until reality sank in. He fixed his gaze on her, noticing the pride in her eyes—pride that Saagarika herself had come to invite him back into the family. But Aadhya hadn’t yet realized what this decision meant: accompanying him to his home meant departing from her father.Turning to his mother, Nandu implored, his voice filled with overwhelming emotion,“But Mom, I would have accepted your offer if I were only your son. But now, I’m also Aadhya’s husband, and I need to respect her self-esteem. Without her consent, I can’t make any decision”.His voice carried no pride or arrogance—only humility and respect, careful not to offend anyone.Looking at her son for a long moment, Saagarika then shifted her attention to Aadhya before speaking,“I know, Nandu! I know what you're implying”.Taking a step forward toward Aadhya, she asked softly,“Aadhya! I am inviting both of you to return to our home. Will you step into our house as the daughter-in-law of that family?”.Her voice, usually steady, elegant, and firm, now trembled with gentle uncertainty.-  *KRISH*