Hey Guys 😃
Here is the second part of the SS... As promised on or before Friday... It is still Friday here, so I did it... 😆
You Guys take a shot at it and I will tell the rest at the end...
Part Two -
After she came to know that Karthik and family were staying there for another four days, she managed to keep herself out of their sight. She would hear them inquiring about her once in a while, but it was not a big deal that she was not outside.
On the other hand, Karthik left no ends in attempting to see Raji at least once. He really didn't understand as to why he longed to see her, but somehow, something bothered him to know if she was okay. Most of the day, he would be occupied with his dad in client work, and at night, it seemed too awkward to go and meet a girl, with whom he had not talked beyond a couple of words. He wasn't very fond of Manoj either, to hang out with him as both really did not get along. It wasn't long before Karthik started to regret coming here.
As any other day, Raji was inside her room while she heard a loud bang on the door. Although she was startled for a split second, she knew it was Manoj. In all these years, if there was one thing that Raji learnt, it was to get accustomed to Manoj and her aunt's dramatic behavior. At times, it would seem funny to her as how she used to get frightened to even see them.
She heaved a big sigh as she got up to open the door. He barged in and started screaming as a maniac while Raji stood patiently until he actually addressed her. She was so much used to it that it would seem peculiar to her if he did not behave like a monster once in a while. "Ey, keela poi fridge la irukka beer bottle ah eduthuttu terrace kku vaa..." he coerced her as if to do a slave. Usually, as such times, Raji would outrightly refuse earning herself a few slaps and pushes. She strongly believed that it's much better to get abused rather than giving in to his horrible demands. But today, something told her to consider the guests that were at home. She did not want to create chaos in front of them. But why? What was so different in these guests that she thought for them? Raji reluctantly agreed, giving a bare nod. Little did she know that her heart actually paid heed to Karthik without her knowledge.
"Why the hell couldn't he pour this crap by himself? Why do I have to stand here and bear this torture?" her mind was becoming quite restless. She completely despised the odor of alcohol, it made her gag. While she couldn't even stand for a little while, it always took her by surprise to how people could binge drink. She looked at Manoj with nothing but pure disgust. "I really hope he goes and rots in hell..." she cursed him for not having a common courtesy for a girl.
As she leaned away from him, her hand slipped without balance making the bottle crash on the ground. She stepped backwards as a reflex when she felt a sudden stinging sensation on her cheek. It took her a second to realize that Manoj had slapped her across the face. "You fool... Unnaku arivu illa? Evalo expensive bottle ah odaichutta paaru... What the hell were you thinking you piece of trash?" he reviled in between his slurred speech. Raji held the side of her face and looked up not knowing how to react.
In the state of shock, she did not notice Karthik standing behind her in nothing but pure rage. He stormed up to Manoj and held his collar and smacked him in the face just as he passed out. Raji stood there staring blankly, it took her moment as things started to register in. Karthik shoved him on the wall, anger still evident in his face.
He turned around to see Raji standing with her head down and eyes welled up. His eyes immediately softened looking at her innocent face, but deep down, his heart constricted to see her in pain. He walked up to her "Raji..." That was all it took for her. His soft caring voice, made her break down. She started crying, and instantly Karthik took her into his hold. He let her cry as much as she had to. It hurt him to see her like that, but he remained quiet, he knew that was best.
Gradually as her sobs subsided, he called out to her "Raji..." She sort of felt embarrassed to face him now, but she felt safe while he was near her. The unease that she felt when she first met him had gone, she felt more at ease and calm now. Gathering up all her strength, she looked at him "I am sorry Karthik... I am not sure what got into me... Ennoda thappu dhaan..." He was more than annoyed to see her speak in a formal tone that too after so long "Raji... Neenga--" She interrupted "Vaa po nne sollalaam... No need for such formality..." He slightly smiled at her "Fine... Actually, nee ippo edhukku ippadi yosikura nnu ennaku theriyaadhu, but I know one thing for sure... You believed in me... And adhu illa nnu mattum solladhe... It is quite evident in your eyes..." She instantly looked down, she knew he was right and there was no way to escape now.
After a moment of silence, she took a deep breath "You want to hear about my life?" Karthik nodded as if to say 'yes'. "Come with me..." She took him to her room and started off from there "This is my room... Ennoda little shell, almost like the only place that I would feel safe to be in..." She narrated everything from as long as she could remember. Every time she mentioned her parents, her eyes would well up. To anyone who sees her from outside would think her life is very simple, but there was so much to her existence.
As she went along, Karthik could not help the tears that formed in his eyes. He really couldn't make out his feelings, at one point, he even thought she was crazy to have endured all the torture. On the other side, he was furious at all the people who caused her so much misery in life. He wanted to go up and strangle Manoj to death.
In contrast, Raji felt so much better after confiding in Karthik. She did not understand how she trusted a complete stranger with whom she had not talked more than formal greetings. The more she thought about it, the more it got complicated. But deep down inside, she felt lighthearted in a long time, in fact, that was something that she could not remember feeling at all. It was new and she liked it. "Oh my gosh, kaalaila aaiyuduchu already... Karthik neenga kelambunga... I don't want anyone to find out... And company kuduthadhukku romba thanks... I am feeling calm after a long time..." He smiled lightly as if to acknowledge what she said and walked out.
As soon as he stepped out of the door, he felt a new responsibility take over him. "You cried enough on your part Raji... It is time that you are free and live your life as you wish..." He had a plan in mind and that was exactly what he was going to do. He was determined to show Raji the real world, show her what it means to live happily, to show what is love.
Still in thoughts, he walked out when he saw his mother coming. "Amma, naan oru velai ah veliya poittu varen... It is a big decision that I have took, and I need your blessings..." His mother looked at him puzzled, but knew whatever her son did, it was the best for everyone. She wholeheartedly blessed him and exactly that gave Karthik more strength.
Karthik came back after a couple of hours, having everything laid out according to his plan. His father called out to him "Karthik, nee innaiku conference kku vara la?" Karthik inwardly smiled and thought "Exactly what I needed..." He responded "Yes Appa, kandipaa varen... Innum one hour irukku la? I will go get ready..."
Karthik went up to his mother and asked her if they could take Raji to the conference. "Amma please maa please maa..." She smiled at his son's request "Raji dhaane, we will take her as well... Eppodhum veetu la dhaan irukka la, it will be a change for her too..." Karthik gave himself a mental 'Hi5' and grinned wide at his mother... "Thanks maa!!" he ran to get ready...
"Illa Aunty... You go, I don't want to come..." Raji politely refused to Karthik's mother. "Adhu illa maa, nee veliya vandha naa unnakkum change ah irukkum la..." "But Aunty..." "Adhellam no more talking... You get ready and come down... You are coming with us today..." Raji could say no further and agreed. Karthik stood outside her room awaiting her response, and when she agreed, his reaction was priceless.
Manoj and his mother were less than pleased to send Raji out as they never wanted her to be part of anything that goes on beyond her room. But because Mr. Rajkumar was an important partner, they could only say so much. Manoj was extremely annoyed to send her, but his mother fakely agreed.
Karthik was waiting outside for Raji, he made up an excuse to his parents saying that he will bring Raji on his bike. As she walked out, he looked at her without the blink of an eye. She truly looked beautiful in the simple black and silver salwar. She politely smiled at him, and that's when his trance broke. He mentally kicked himself for his thoughts as he started the bike, and she got on.
He drove her to the temple and seeing him park the bike confused her. "Karthik, namba conference kku dhaane poganum?" He smiled and instead of giving a reply to her question, he said "First, let's pray..." She agreed and walked inside the temple with him.
After going around the temple a few times and feeling content of seeing the gods, both came to sit down for a while. "Innum neenga en inga vandhom nnu sollave illaye..." she asked him again. He took a deep breath, it was evident that he was nervous... He closed his eyes "Ippo naan panna poradhu periyaa vishayam... Naan pannuradhu sariyaa thappa nnu kudiyum ennaku theriyaadhu... But God, I want you to be with me in every step of my- no our life from now on..." he silently sent a quick prayer up.
"Raji... Will you marry me? Right here.. Right now??"
To be continued... Author's Note -
Hey Again Guys 😃
I just have to mention a few things more...
Yeah, a lot had happened in this update... You may feel it is a bit rushed... But as I said earlier, this would a short SS and that's why... 😛
I was really elated in reading all your comments... Thank You so much !!! 😃
Again... I am too lazy to color the update, so if you Guys wish for it then let me know and I will...
Also, I will not be able to update the whole of next week... I will be on vacation... Once I come back... I promise to update soon... 😛 Maybe two updates if I am happy with the response I get from you all... 😉
That's it... And... Leave me a comment, at least a like won't hurt to do... Thanks 😃
-- Sush 😉
Edited by SushK16 - 9 years ago
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