Abhi kicked Ram without hesitation, frustration etched on his face. "Do I look like an idiot to you? You think I'll just swallow whatever nonsense you throw at me?"
Ram yelped in pain, clutching his side where Abhi had landed the blow. But even as the physical sting throbbed, his mind raced. What am I going to do about this brother of mine? No matter how much truth I give him, he just won't believe me.
It almost seemed like Abhi took pride in his disbelief. The very fact that he didn't accept Ram's story brought him some strange satisfaction. If Rajeev found out Ram had spilled Gowthami's secret, it wouldn't just be a kick Ram had to worry about. Rajeev would kill him.
Sashi, standing nearby, felt her emotions torn in two directions. Her mind was spinning, trying to make sense of it all. Ram's words had unsettled her, and though she couldn't quite put her finger on why, she was... unsure.
Why do I have this strange feeling that Ram's telling the truth? Sashi's thoughts circled endlessly. Could Gowthami really possess those abilities? Could she truly be capable of what Ram says?
Sashi's confusion only deepened as she tried to make sense of the conflicting emotions swirling inside her. Something about Ram's story felt too real to ignore.
Abhi began punching Ram, saying, "You dumb, tell me the truth about everything or I'm going to murder you."
Ram responded right away, "Okay, I give up. I'll tell the truth."
" In reality, Rajeev discovered Gowthami in a bush."
" We acknowledge that all", Abhi said furiously, "Tell me the details of what you guys are up to in the jungle at this late hour."
Ram glanced about, considering what more to say as he grazed on the plumage that are hung on a partition nearby. In his visual cortex, an illumination unexpectedly materialized.
"Rajeev went Gowthami to the bush to validate his suspicion that she was a member of the tribal people that live there."
After giving it some consideration, Abhi asked himself, "Is he delivering the truth this time as well?"
" If that's the real reason he brought her to the bush late at night, they can even make it in the morning."
Ram murmured to himself, 'I anticipate that my older brother Abhi trusts in this narrative, but he got a point. What do I do now?'
"Tell me the reason they drove this evening, hmm." Seeking the truth about something, Abhi is staring into the visage of the ram.
"In their community, they are throwing an auspicious occasion today. As their kiddos are being hitched on the same day as this, Rajeev figured it would be the ideal moment to take her, so he drove Gowthami to the celebration. He is welcome to seek Gowthami's hand on this specific day if she is a member of that community."
In actuality, Ram's statement about the tribe living in the bush was only partially true. It was the full moon day today, and those tribal people marry off their offspring on this special day, which they all rejoice altogether.
Ram was at a loss for words as he helped abhi escape. Suddenly, he thought of the tribal people and made up a narrative. He told abhi that Rajeev had traveled to Gowthami to learn about her and to offer her hand in marriage if she was one of them.
The locals told Abhi in the wee hours of the morning regarding those tribal people and the celebration they celebrate on this day. He thought that Ram was giving him the truth since the narrative he told was closely related to this.
"Are you addressing straight up" , Abhi questioned, casting a suspicious glance at Ram.
"Indeed, I am."
Sashi didn't take Ram's remarks at their value. " If so, he may have notified us ahead of time and asked for assistance when he went alone."
'God, I guess Sashi sister was skeptical that I was capable. I don't know what to do' . Ram was afraid to stare at abhi's suspicious expression.
Abhi regarded Ram with skepticism, believing Sashi to be somewhat correct.
"Why hadn't you people disclosed this to me earlier?"
" Rajeev wanted to make sure she was a member of their community since he wasn't sure. "
As Sashi was geared up to ask another inquiry, she spotted the ram giving her an appealing gaze and asked for her assistance.
Sashi pondered the idea, 'I reckon Ram might have concealed something. Perhaps I have the opportunity to question him in person."
She remarked, "I reckon he was right, abhi. Let's ignore him and patiently await for Rajeev to get back," glancing at the thoughtful abhi.
Abhi responded, "Yes, I am going to penalize him after he returns," while keeping Rajeev in mind.
" I'm a bit fatigued, so let's go back to the room" , Abhi replied, holding Sashi's hand as they did so.
Ram spotted that they were abandoning him alone.
"Hey there, I've revealed the whole truth. Please unfasten the ropes and go."
Ram received a nasty grin from Abhi. " Remain where you are till they come back."
" What? Take me; it's not fair". Ram sobbed.
With a pitying expression, Sashi turned to face Ram and murmured, "Leave him, abhi."
"You referred to me darling before, right?", Abhi remarked, glancing at Sashi.
Sashi knew precisely what was going through abhi's thoughts. Whenever she calls him "darling," Abhi immediately whisks her up to their room so they can spend the whole night making love.
"You said that you're worn out" , Sashi continued, losing her sentences and breaking into a strange grin.
"Be at ease; I'll make you happy" . Without delay, he hoisted her into his arms, led her inside the room, and shut the door.
Ram can see with clarity that abhi picked Sashi up and made his way to their room.
Ram began mentally berating Rajeev and Abhi. "Look at me, I was exhausted from aiding these men, and they were having a great time with their females."
...
Gowthami and Rajeev arrived at Ram's house, their steps quiet in the night air. After casting a quick glance at Gowthami, Rajeev spoke in a low voice, "It's better if you stay here tonight, Gowthami. I'll deal with Ram in the morning." He knew that Abhi would be waiting for him back at his place, and tonight wasn't the right time to face him.
Gowthami frowned, her heart heavy with the thought of Ram. " Poor Ram, I believe his brother Abhi would treat him well for making fun of him."
Rajeev chuckled, though there was a hint of worry in his voice. "Don't worry about Ram. He's a master of slipping out of trouble. He'll probably spin some sweet little story and charm his way out of whatever Abhi throws at him."
"Are you sure about that?" Gowthami asked, her voice tinged with doubt.
"Absolutely," Rajeev replied with a nod. "Ram knows how to handle his brother."
Gowthami sighed, relieved but still thoughtful.
"Alright, good night, Rajeev. I'm off to sleep."
As she started towards the house, Rajeev suddenly called out, his voice sharp and urgent, "Gowthami, get back to your room through the window; don't use the door " .