With an angry glare, Abhi took a threatening step toward Ram, who was visibly frightened. Ram's face paled as he quickly realized that their playful prank had backfired.
Ram, terrified, thought to himself, Rajeev is really crafty; he tricked me and ran off with Gowthami. If I catch him, I swear I'll kill him.
Out loud, he pleaded, "I'm sorry, brother! I didn't mean to offend you! We were just having fun. Please, have mercy. You know I'm your adorable little brother, right? I'm small and innocent!"
Abhi, unmoved, barked, "Fun? You call this fun? You had your laugh, now watch how I'll punish you." Without another word, Abhi landed a solid punch on Ram's arm.
Ram yelped in pain. "Please, brother! Don't hit me!"
Perching himself on a nearby rock, Abhi crossed his arms and said, "Now it's your turn. Do 100 push-ups. Right now."
"100?" Ram exclaimed in disbelief. "Please, brother! I can't!"
"Do it now," Abhi commanded, his voice cold, "or else I'll double it and drag you back to the house."
Ram, with no other choice, dropped to the ground and began doing push-ups, groaning in pain and exhaustion.
After a few push-ups, Abhi walked over, climbed onto Ram's back, and said, "Now keep going."
Ram whimpered, "I can't! You're too heavy! My back will break! Please, brother, get off."
Abhi smirked. "If you stop, you'll have to do 200. The count will keep rising." He leaned forward, his weight making it nearly impossible for Ram to continue.
Between labored breaths, Ram muttered, "Please, brother. Let me explain."
"Fine," Abhi said, watching him closely. "Tell me why you two were sneaking around in the jungle at night. What were you really doing here?"
Ram, barely managing another push-up, quickly came up with an excuse. "They… they wanted to spend time together. You know, away from everyone at the house. It's been so busy lately. That's why they went into the forest."
Abhi raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "You expect me to believe that? Who in their right mind chooses a jungle for romantic time together?"
"I'm telling the truth!" Ram lied, desperately trying to sound convincing. "Rajeev's gone mad with love. He wanted to show Gowthami the beauty of the night."
"Whoa, these men have gone insane; it's unsafe to trek through a forest at night". Abhi was extremely nervous about Gowthami and Rajeev.
"Right," Abhi scoffed. "And that explains why you're all wearing masks?"
"So no one would recognize us, of course," Ram quickly answered.
Abhi's eyes narrowed. "Do you think I'm stupid? Tell me the real reason, or I'll make you do push-ups until dawn."
Ram, too exhausted to continue, slumped to the ground and pretended to pass out.
Abhi stood over him, annoyed. "Stop playing dead, Ram. Get up!" But Ram didn't move. Abhi crouched down and shook him. "Ram, get up! I'm serious!"
When Ram remained still, Abhi began to worry. He checked Ram's pulse, fearing that he might've pushed him too hard. "Ram! Hey! Don't do this. Get up!"
Realizing that he couldn't wait any longer, Abhi sighed, glancing toward the path where Rajeev and Gowthami had gone. He shook his head and muttered, " Let me take this ram to Sashi; I'll take care of that dumb later. "
Determined to get help, Abhi hoisted Ram onto the horse they had brought with them and climbed on. As he rode back toward Dharmagiri, Abhi muttered under his breath, "Sashi's going to kill me if something happens to him…"
With Ram unconscious and slumped over the horse, Abhi sped back toward home, unsure of what chaos would greet him next.
..
Rajeev led Gowthami deeper into the dense jungle, his silence unsettling her. As the trees thickened around them, she found herself wondering where he was really taking her. The path was narrow, the air cool and damp, and the only sound was the rhythmic pounding of the horse's hooves against the earth.
Unable to keep her thoughts to herself any longer, Gowthami finally asked, "Where are we going, Rajeev? Aren't we supposed to return to Dharmagiri?"
But Rajeev didn't answer. Instead, he focused intently on the path ahead, pushing the horse faster.
Maybe he's upset with me, she thought. I shouldn't have come into the forest without telling him. He must be frustrated.
"Rajeev," she began again, her voice softer now, "we're getting married soon. I didn't mean to worry you. I just wanted to visit where I grew up, to understand where I come from. I'm really sorry if I hurt you."
Still, Rajeev said nothing, and the silence between them stretched. Gowthami felt a knot of guilt twist tighter in her stomach. She had crossed a line by coming here alone, and now she feared Rajeev was truly angry with her.
They rode through the trees until they finally reached a clearing at the foot of a familiar mountain. Rajeev slowed the horse and dismounted, then turned to Gowthami. "Let's get down," he said simply.
Gowthami slid off the horse and looked around in astonishment. She hadn't realized until that moment where they were. It was the same mountain she had climbed when she first ventured toward her old village, the place where so many memories lingered.
"Rajeev," she said, her voice filled with emotion, "you brought me here."
Without thinking, she threw her arms around him in a tight embrace. "Thank you so much," she whispered.
Rajeev smiled but there was a flicker of worry in his eyes. He hadn't brought her here just for nostalgia's sake. There was something more urgent at play. His father, Rudra, was in danger, and Rajeev had been wanting to return for some time. Despite Rudra's warning not to come, Rajeev couldn't stand the thought of his father being in jeopardy.
As soon as Gowthami mentioned her desire to visit, Rajeev had known what she was after. Her reasons and his had aligned, and now they stood at the edge of the past, about to open a door neither had expected.
"I knew you wanted to come here," Rajeev said with a grin, though his voice carried an edge of seriousness. "I thought we'd make this trip in a few days, but it seems like you were eager to get back."
Gowthami nodded, biting her lip. "I should've told you, Rajeev. I'm sorry I didn't."
Rajeev softened. "Don't apologize. Just promise you'll ask for my help next time. You don't have to do this alone." He touched her cheek lightly, and she leaned in, kissing him on the cheek.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Alright," Rajeev said, stepping back. "Let's go inside. We need to get back to Dharmagiri before sunrise. We'll figure everything out later."
Gowthami, familiar with the place, moved toward the large stone at the base of the mountain. She had been here before and knew how to open the hidden door that led deeper into the mountain's secrets. She pushed the stone, just as she had in the past, but nothing happened. Frowning, she tried again, but still, the door didn't budge.
Confusion crossed her face as she turned to Rajeev. "It's not working. This should've opened by now."
Rajeev approached her, his brow furrowed. "Let me try."
Together, they pushed against the stone, but it remained stubbornly shut. Something had changed.