Raghuram knew he cannot live without saying a single thing to his wife.
"Hubby… you can still stop this, you know this right?" Sharada said to Raghuram.
"Wifey… you know I won't stop this, right?" he said to her.
"I just hope you won't regret this," Sharada said her last piece of thing and closed her eyes.
Raghuram wanted to hug Sharada in his sleep but she didn't let him touch her. Sharada knew very well that Raghuram cannot sleep without hugging her. In the past, they used to make love almost every day. Even though he was rude many times, she kept her self-respect aside and gave importance to him. Slowly… he fell for her. There was a woman in his life… but he never said anything about her to Sharada. She never asked him, as it turned into his once upon a time story.
They grew closer and their relationship turned pure. But no matter what and how much she tried even after these many years… she felt she didn't know him. And that pure little girl's life became a deal to him. She just hoped that Laya wouldn't become another her.
[My Dear God, Hope she will get a good husband and a family, unlike ours. Give her the happiness she deserved, she faced enough. Even if it's time for you to stop. If you want… give all the happiness to her and sadness to me.] she prayed in her heart with her closed eyes. Even though she closed her eyes… sleep was far from her.
Raghuram felt wronged. His brother was eyeing Laya's property, getting her married would relieve his tensions. Why does no one understand this? Even he loves her! She grew up like his own daughter! But… where did it go wrong? Why did everyone hate him?
He did nothing wrong. There was no need to feel guilty. Realizing this… a small smile formed on his lips, he closed his eyes to invite sleep. But he couldn't sleep. Maybe it was excitement that made him like this. His daughter was going to get married. Even though the groom asked for a destination marriage, he planned to invite a lot of people. He will make sure… they would even get the train tickets.
The night passed… with prayers, tears, and excitement.
Next day…
Laya woke up... to the welcoming warm sun rays falling on her face. A small tired smile played on her lips when she heard the chirping of the birds. [These birds were still there!?] she thought and got up from her bed. She walked near her balcony with her puffy eyes, barefoot, and her thin clothing. It's summer so… it's warm enough unlike the cold winter mornings.
Before she could see those birds… she saw something was happening inside her house.
She quickly freshened up and went down to know what new drama was happening in the house. Before she could ask someone she found her brother, Arjun pasupuleti!
"Brother!" she called out as she jumped on him.
"How is my little sister?" he asked as he pecked her forehead.
"Very bad," she said as her smile disappeared.
Arjun felt a pang in his heart when he heard her words. She may lie to others, but she would never lie to him.
"Laya sweetie, Didn't you still get ready? The groom's family is coming. And the muhurat (auspicious time) for your engagement has only one and half hours left," Sharada came and said to her.
Laya was too shocked when she heard her mother's words. No wonder, her brother was here. Suddenly, she felt all the world around her was spinning, her legs turned to jelly, all the images around her blurry, the voices faded away soon. Soon, Laya's body landed on the ground with a thud, making everyone worried.
"How will she attend the engagement ceremony in this state?" Raghuram said worriedly, instead of worrying about Laya.
"DAD!!" Arjun almost yelled. He wanted to know… how the hell his father's brain worked. Instead of his daughter's health, the meaning ceremony became important to him. He called the doctor home and made her check Laya.
"Too much stress and lack of food made her like this. And something is bothering her, try talking with her. She needs at least twelve hours rest, don't wake her up," she said after prescribing what they should do.
Arjun walked the doctor out. He saw the groom's already coming their way. He felt a headache coming his way. He invited them and made them sit.
"Rahul… Once come with me," Arjun said.
Rahul went with Arjun without saying a single thing. "This is…" Rahul trailed his words when he noticed his friend was taking him to a room.
"This is Laya's room," he said. They stepped inside and saw a cleanroom. The walls were filled with her photos and her childish drawings from her childhood to now. When Rahul saw his soon-to-be wife's room he felt happy.
But… his breath hitched when he saw her unconscious body on her bed.
"What happened?" he asked clenching his fists.
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Author's Notes:
Check the first comment!