Rahul’s POV

“Seriously I had love for her these many days before seeing her because in the corner of my heart I believed that Nethra would never accept anyone as her life partner apart from me. Within a second, she took away my last hope too. She didn’t bother about me before marrying someone then why should I bother about her? Her attitudes and behaviour everything was changed by these two years. She is no more mine. I hate her! I hate her completely!” I said from the bottom of your heart.

“Don’t worry Rahul. You will be happy in your life. We are always with you” said Rithick by encircling his right hand in my shoulder.

“Yes I know well about that. Our family is my strength more than that you are my best. What will I do in return for you Rithick?”

Rithick starred at me and punched me hardly. “Ah!” I screamed out. This boy was still naughty as like as he was in small.

“I am sorry Rahul. Is it paining?” he asked me softly with caring in his eyes.

“Nope, Just an act, Rithick” I said smiling.

He smiled at me back, “Never leave this smile Rahul. This smile is my strength, my hope and my confidence” He said seriously with lot of love.

Who will get cousin like Rithick? Everyone will feel proud of our relationship but I feel proud of my Rithick.

Rithick shook me brought me back, “What are you thinking Rahul?”

“Will you leave me in any situation? I can’t bare even your silence Rithick” I asked him weirdly. I know it may hurt him if he took seriously.

“What happened to you Rahul? I will punch you and kill you if you talk like this stupidly” He said strictly.

I smiled and give him a lovely punch.

Meanwhile Rithick phone rang, he picked up the call. It was Neethu.

“Rithick, Why didn’t you and Rahul come to college today? Did any issues there? Did Nethra come from U.S? Did Rahul and Nethra get united?” she asked all the questions in one throw.
Rithick looked weirdly as he was thinking like How Neethu knew about Nethra?

I understood that she may ask about Nethra to him.

“She knew everything about our family, I revealed everything to her Rithick” I said

“Hello, Rithick. Why are you silent? Please, answer me?” said Neethu in other side.

“Nethra came as she said. It’s not the time to discuss. I will tell everything in detail. We will come to college after 2 days, Neethu” replied Rithick. He hanged the hall at once without hearing her reply.

“Rithick! I am sorry for not informing about the matters revealed to Neethu,” I said

“No issues, Rahul” he responded to the least.

“You don’t want to expose that you are Sanjay’s uncle son. I revealed that too” I said

“It’s ok Rahul,” he said and tried to change the topic. I knew that how much Rithick love Neethu and how hard he felt to reveal about his dad to her. He didn’t show any response now, He was not happy about it. I know it this is everything because of me. He was worrying much about me and my love much more than his. I don’t know what to do right at that moment.

We were in the memorial spot waiting for our family members. A lonely tear fell from my eyes. I wiped it quickly before Rithick’s notice. After few minutes, Nethra along with my family came to the place.

Nethra laid her head and hugged her mom’s memorial spot. She cried for long time, it will melt the heart of everyone, even me too as a stranger. Riya and my family members consoled her far better. We pay our respect to her based on our customs and traditions. After that, we offered food to nearby persons who presented there.

Later, Nethra requested my dad to give Tithi or Shraadh (It is a private ceremony performed by the family members of the departed soul. It is typically performed by the eldest son and other siblings join in offering prayers together).

“Ok my child, as you wish,” said my dad. Immediately Sanjay uncle and my dad arranged for the rituals. We went to the nearby seashore to proceed.

There was a Pandit or family priest who will carry out all the rituals. As Nethra had no siblings, she was in the position to do all the customs and tradition. Riya was together with her and supported Nethra.

Nethra sat in front of the Pandit with her baby in one hand. As he was our family priest, he knew well about Nethra that she was the only girl to their parents. Nethra  payed respect to her mother as her wish.

She didn’t have any eye contact with me till now. I was least bothered about it. Already she pierced my heart. Now, I lost my feelings for her. My eyes didn’t became wet when she cried. I felt pity for her more than that there was nothing.

After completing all the customs, Nethra got blessings from Pandit.

“Nethra! I feel very happy for you beti. Finally, you rejoined and married Rahul and I am happy to see your baby. What is the name of your baby?” asked Pandit contentedly.

I and my family members never expected this from Pandit. I was looking forward for Nethra’s reply. She gazed at me with no feelings in her eyes but she was hesitated to reply.

She was relapsed. She held and released the deep breath “Nope! Panditji. You are mistaken I didn’t marrrr....ryyy.... Rah..ul...The child doesn’t belongs to Rahul” said with wavering voice.

“What do you mean beti? I didn’t get you” he asked again.

She looked at my family members with guilty conscience. None of my family members want to hurt her so they didn’t ask anything about her life. They treated her as their own daughter, who came from U.S after two years. We don’t know exactly about what happened before two years even my family members didn’t question her but we can’t stop our family priest from questioning. 

“Pandit ji...” something stopped her from saying. I can’t understand what happened to her? and why wasn't sheready to convey?

“Tell me beti. Are you ok?”

“My child lost her dad in bomb blast. I lost everything Pandit ji. Now, I am living for my baby,” tears busted out and she cried.

We never expected this from Nethra. We are in shock. We felt sorry for her situation. Even, Panditji didn’t talk after that. He consoled her. My mom, aunty, Riya gave confidence to her.

“We are there for you Nethra, don’t tell again that you don’t have anyone,” said aunty and she hugged her.

“Poor Nethra,” said Rithick. I and Rithick ignored her for a long time but we don’t want to hurt her again though she hurt us. I was unable to see her in such situation. Why was her fate always playing with her? She lost her mother, her cruel dad was imprisoned and now she lost her husband too. My angry on her fade away. I wish to protect her in my arms. Everyone felt sympathetic towards her.

“Ok Nethra, I know it’s very tough to bear. Life shall move on. Come on let us go to home. Stay with us Nethra,” said Sanjay uncle.

“I am sorry uncle. I can’t come with you. Please! Arrange an orphanage for me uncle,” said her.

I felt to slap her right now. How dare she was to tell like this. Is she an orphan as we were living?

“What do you mean Nethra? We are there for you,” said my dad.

“Uncle, please don’t ask me anything. Do this favour to me or else I will go out,” said Nethra.

“Ok Nethra, I will arrange for you by tomorrow. Hopefully, you are not feeling comfortable to stay with us.” said uncle hardheartedly.

“Thanks uncle” said her.

Later we reached home. She lost her husband in early age, I curse the fate. She didn’t even look at me for once though she got chance to look. I think, she took me away from her life completely. I didn’t bother for that but I worried about why did she want to leave her home? It’s her home too. If she was not comfortable to stay, I am ready to go out if I was the reason for it. I don’t want to be burden for her. I will move out tomorrow but I don’t know how I will convince Rithick. He won’t leave me if he came to know so I have to plan some other idea.  Without Rithick’s knowledge I should go out but how I will safeguard him, another question arose in my mind.

I should stay or move out? Rithick  or Nethra?  The alternate question strikes my mind repeatedly.

Meanwhile Rithick came to sleep. He talk very less to me because he was very tired as he didn't sleep yesterday.

After several hours of thinking, I came up with a decision.

************************************

Hello Friends

How is the chapter?

I updated as I said. I feel so connected with my wattpad friends and sis. Your encouraging comments makes me to write faster. Thanks a lot friends.

Thanks to my lovely sis Chasnidear, who makes a cover for my book.

She makes first cover for my book, she tired for me without my request. Really, I am happy about it sis. She will always motivate me to write. (No! I will keep everything as suspense like my story. I will write about my lovely supporting friends and sis in Epilogue)

New cover without cast

I felt like cast in cover will attract only Hollywood lovers. So tried without cast. What do you feel friends?

My first cover, I used before months

With cast

As per the current story I have selected pictures of cast. My friend asked me to use smiling Rahul's picture, so I made this cover...Anyways I love this cover.

Select a cover friends...I will use the cover as per your wishes.

Without cast, if possible try it friends...

As a token of gratitude please vote and comments my story if you like it