Rahul's POV

It was vacation time. Rithick, Riya, Nethra and I were together all the time. They accompanied me everywhere. Even though I was ashamed of admitting that I needed someone to babysit me, I was grateful that my best friends were with me at this point of my life. I couldn't imagine myself otherwise. We spent our time going to the park, beach, temple and the movies. They tried their best to cheer me up. No one spoke about Swetha to me. Slowly, my thoughts about her were becoming less painful. I was trying to focus my thoughts on things other than Swetha. Somehow I felt more at peace with Nethra around. I dare not imagine what kind of a relationship existed between us but she was soothing to my sore heart.

Weeks passed by and I could recognize myself more these days. I was more and more bearable to be around and was feeling light and happy after many many days. Nethra and I had become very close over these past weeks. The vacation was almost over with just two days remaining.

Rithick, Riya and Nethra were all set and ready to go to their higher classes but I was not. I was adamant and did not want to go to school. Everyone compelled me since I was entering my 12th standard and supposed to be a very important juncture in one's life. I hesitated. My parents were worried about me. There was yelling and fighting and drama at my home until the day of the reopening. I did not give in. I made up my mind and that was it. I hated that school and the bitter memories it held for me. My dad even agreed to switch schools though it would be very difficult to get admissions in any of the good schools at this point of the year, but I simply refused.

Finally, it was Rithick who came up with an idea. He suggested that I do a diploma course instead of going to the 12th standard. He convinced me that I had to continue my studies in any one field. He spoke to my parents and made them understand that I wouldn't study otherwise. My parents half-heartedly accepted the idea. I was not much into it, but that idea seemed to solve the present problems for all of us.

Two weeks later I joined a college to pursue my diploma. I got in using my 10th marks. My parents felt I was degrading myself, but I convinced them otherwise.

Initially I thought I would hate the course and college, but I was wrong. I loved it. I worked hard and got good grades. Life seemed to have settled back to normal. The laughter and fun had returned to our homes. I was very happy. Only I knew the reason for that new found happiness. Nethra.

Days pass by and everyone is busy with their lives, studies and businesses.

Sanjay uncle flourished in his business. His partnership with Manoj (Nethra's dad) goes very well. They came within the top 10 business men in the country. With money came fame. They were featured in a lot of interviews in the magazines and television. They appeared in the TV news almost every week. Everyone was talking about them, discussing them and idolizing them. They then ventured into international projects and every one of them was a success. We were proud of them and respected their hard work. They were the perfect example of the saying that hard work never fails.

Though initially, they were regarded together, slowly the focus was shifted to Sanjay uncle alone. People invited him to many events including college fests, school functions and other organizational events. His speech was highly regarded by everyone. He had motivated many students and budding entrepreneurs. He was regarded as a role model by many. In spite of all the fame and power he had, he was always a simple man. He did not have a bit of attitude or spite. He was always respectful and mindful of everyone.

Since everyone started to pick Sanjay uncle alone, Manoj was sort of sidelined. He felt that he was being ignored by everyone. He felt a twinge of jealousy towards Sanjay uncle. But Sanjay uncle was always on the lookout for Manoj. He always took Manoj also along with him to any event or function. He made him feel welcome and wanted everywhere. Such was the concern of Sanjay uncle.

Years passed by,

Their business was at its heights. Sanjay uncle and Manoj became the top two businessmen in the country. Other business tycoons and celebrities were all inspired by them. They had made a mark in the business sector. Sanjay uncle was always busy and running around. Even in that busy schedule, he never forgot to take care of his family. He gave surprises to Kalpana aunt and Rithick. He even came by and gave us surprises.

All in all, we were a happy family.

Rithick completed his 12th std with good marks. As per his wish, he joined one of the top engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu. A year passed by. I completed my diploma course. I selected to study the same engineering course and college as Rithick. Since I had completed my diploma, I got a lateral entry and joined in 2nd year directly. We never expected that we would be studying in the same class. We were not like this then. We were a wild pair. We both bunked classes often and partied every other day late into the night.

Meanwhile, Rithick developed a passion for bike riding. He won many championships. He had lot of fans. Girls in particular. They fell for his style, smartness, and his status. But he didn't give a damn to any girls in his life.

Our life goes on smoothly. It was the golden period of our life time.

As days passed by, the competition in the business became tough but Sanjay and Manoj uncle worked even harder and held to the same place. During the course of time, Manoj had nursed a secret wish of marrying his daughter Nethra to Rithick. He hadn't expressed it to anybody until one day he revealed his wish to Sanjay uncle. But Sanjay uncle brushed it aside saying that he would go only with the decision of Rithick at the time of his marriage. We were also unaware of it until much later.

Years passed by, and we completed our college. Nethra and Riya now joined the same college we had completed our degrees.

After our degrees, we decided to explore our options and joined one of Sanjay uncle's businesses as trainees. We had so much fun learning what was out in the real world.

One day Riya gave me a surprise and told me that Nethra had feelings for me. I was in shock. I had not expected this. I was actually annoyed with Riya and scolded her for jumping into conclusions. I made it very clear to her that we were just friends. I took this incident very lightly and forgot about it a few days later.

Then, out of the blue, a sad incident occurred in our family. Nethra's mom passed away. It was great shock to all of us. Nethra was inconsolable. She was so depressed and no one was able to reach to her. Somehow I was able to get her feelings; it must have been because of my grievance to the death of my love for Swetha. I could not bear to see Nethra in pain. I slowly reached out to her. Just like how she did to me. But I did it almost involuntarily. I began to see her in a new light. I did not want to put a name on it but I knew I liked her more than I did before. Again Riya was always there for Nethra. I keep wondering what I would have done without Riya. She was the sweetest sister anyone could ever have.

Everyone at home decided that Nethra should stay with us at Rithick's home. Nethra had retreated into a shell of her own. She stayed in her room the whole day and cried. Any time we saw her, she would be clutching her mother's photo with tears streaming down. She did not eat nor did she sleep. It was a tough time in our family. If losing Nethra's mom was a blow, seeing Nethra like that was devastating.

I could not face Nethra in this situation but the only thing I did was wanted her to be happy again. I started spending time with her. I could see the difference in her activities. She responded to me more than she did to the others. Slowly I started to remember what Riya said about Nethra's feelings towards me. I also started to realize that they might be true. Her lifeless eyes begged me to be with her always. Her shivering hands often embraced my hand in fear. I could understand her situation, but the grief was totally unbearable. I didn't lose heart. I was with her whenever she needed me. I offered myself as her shoulder to cry upon.
Slowly she started to come out of the shell she had created. Few days later, she started to recover. Her dad then took her back to her house. She was disappointed and was extremely lonely. Rithick and I often visited her at her home. She gave us fake smiles and assurances that she was fine but we knew that she was only pretending to be happy.

Then I knew very well that she had feelings for me but she did not explicitly express that to me. I was in a dilemma. I did not know if I had that kind of feelings for her. Only thing I was damn sure was that I liked her a lot and that I wanted her to be happy.
Later that day Rithick said he wanted to talk to me about something and I met him in his room. Rithick then opened the topic on Nethra. He first asked me about how I felt about her. I was taken aback. I did not expect this question from him. We both sat in silence. I saw Rithick smile at me after some time. I hadn't realized that I did not give him an answer. "You too like her don't you?" was his remark. It was then that realization dawned on me. "Perhaps I did!"

He then launched into a conversation that he had with Nethra that day. She had confided in him about her feelings for me and that she did not tell me about it since she thought I would mistake her and would move away from her. Partly that was because I had scolded Riya regarding that issue. She also told Rithick that she was now ready to face whatever consequences were to arise if I were to reject her and also that she couldn't live without me.
I was catching my breath by the time he finished telling me everything Nethra told him. I was totally confused with what my feelings were for her. And it was my turn to talk to him. I started to tell him everything I felt for her genuinely. By the end, he was convinced that we both should be together. He said that we both would be very happy together. We discussed about it late into the night.

He convinced me that Nethra had no one else to take care of her and that she was madly in love with me, and I too liked her. She would be very happy and in return would make me happy too. So in the end a sense of clarity came over me. "Nethra", she was the one for me and me for her! I was ready to welcome her into my life as my life partner. I felt as though a knot had been released in my heart. I was very, very happy.

I wanted to meet Nethra. I decided to do it the following day. For the first time in years I was a bit nervous. I took time to dress and went on to meet her.

Rithick diligently sent me with his blessings. On my way to her home, I stopped to pick up some flowers. I knew pink roses were her favorite, so I got her a bunch. The moment she saw me at her door with those roses in my hand, she knew. Her eyes smiled for the first time since her mother died. It was priceless. Her face glowed with genuine happiness and at that moment I knew she was everything to me. We accepted each other in an embrace with not a word was spoken yet everything was told there.

Rithick helped us come together. He promised that he would support us in every situation. Our family was not aware about our relationship and Rithick convinced me that we could inform our parents when that time presented itself.

Flashback continues...

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Hello Friends

How is the chapter?

This chapter I have opened the secret of Nethra....How is the relationship between Rahul and Nethra?

Such a lengthy flashback. Thanks for your amazing support friends. I'm grateful to all those who comments and vote the previous chapter.

Stay tuned for upcoming chapter..

with lots of Love,
UdhayAkshara.

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