The entire move happened so quickly that Sashi gasped in surprise. Even Ram, who had been skeptical earlier, stood wide-eyed in awe. It was swift, clean, and completely unexpected.
Abhi blinked, still trying to process what had just happened. He looked down at Gowthami's sword, then back up at her face. "I'm... surprised," he muttered, still catching his breath.
How did she do that? he thought to himself, his mind replaying the sequence in disbelief. He had never seen anyone move like that.
With a grin, Gowthami stepped back, lowering her sword. "Don't go easy on me," she said confidently. "Give me your best. I'm not one to be taken lightly."
Abhi, still stunned, realized that he had been holding back, thinking he would easily overpower her. But now, his mindset shifted. He wasn't just fighting his brother's soon-to-be wife—he was facing a skilled opponent.
He tightened his stance, no longer willing to treat this as a lighthearted sparring session. His competitive nature kicked in, and his eyes narrowed in determination. She's the real deal. If I don't take her seriously, she'll defeat me.
From the sidelines, Sashi, now fully immersed in the spectacle, called out with encouragement. "Come on, Abhi, you can do it! I know you can—give it your all!"
Abhi glanced at Sashi, nodding, before turning his focus back to Gowthami. His pride was on the line now, and he wasn't about to let himself be bested.
"Alright," Abhi said, his voice steady, the playful edge gone. "Let's do this properly."
With renewed energy, Abhi advanced once again, this time ready to give Gowthami the full extent of his skill.
Abhi rushed back to retrieve his sword, his expression shifting from playful to serious in an instant. This was no longer a simple sparring match; it had turned into a real test of skill and pride.
They engaged in a fierce, intense battle, their swords clashing with sharp metallic sounds that echoed across the field. Abhi, who had always been able to dominate his opponents, found himself struggling against Gowthami. Her movements were unpredictable, her strikes precise, and her defense flawless.
Despite his best efforts, Abhi couldn't seem to gain the upper hand. He was only trying to keep up, feeling the pressure mounting as he realized just how outmatched he was. Never in his life had he faced a sword combatant like Gowthami. He had completed countless challenges, bested opponents in various arenas, but this—this was something entirely different. It wasn't just her skill; it was her calm, her composure. She was in control of every moment.
In a blur of motion, Abhi's sword slipped from his grasp once more, clattering to the ground with a dull thud. He lost again.
Panting, his pride bruised but still burning with determination, Abhi looked up at Gowthami, who stood across from him, her sword still in hand but her expression calm and collected. She hadn't even broken a sweat.
"I want another round," Abhi said through gritted teeth, bending down to pick up his sword once more. He wasn't about to give up. His mind was racing, trying to find a way to break through her defenses, to somehow outmaneuver her.
Gowthami simply nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She didn't taunt him, didn't boast about her victories. She only acknowledged his request with a silent understanding.
Abhi adjusted his grip on the hilt of his sword, the weight of the blade familiar in his hands, but now it felt heavier. His muscles ached, but his will was stronger. He wasn't about to back down. At any cost, he wanted to push his limits, to find a way to defeat her.
In that moment, it wasn't about winning or losing anymore—it was about proving something to himself.
..
Gurdeep called out for Radha as she passed by, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Where are the kids? I continue to fail to locate them anywhere. Did they go shopping?"
"They're in a battleground," Radha replied, pausing before delivering the unexpected news.
Uma and Gurdeep are taken aback. "How can they not be catastrophic when they are still playing, have a marriage approaching, and have a ton of unfinished business?"
" They had just informed me that they were heading there and to not let anybody else go over there, so I have no clue", said Radha.
Uma remarked, "Let's have a look."
Gurdeep said, "Come on, I'm going to teach them a lesson today." He was pretty angry.
" Gurdeep, they seem to be enjoying themselves since they haven't been together in a while". Uma attempted to calm Gurdeep down.
" Remember that marriage is just around the corner."
" Have no fear, I am certain that Ram and abhi won't shirk their responsibilities. Besides, Rajeev is married; do you really think they'll miss any work for his partner? " Uma grinned and said.
Yes, they are devoted to Rajeev and will do all in their power to ensure that their marriage succeeds. They are also excited to see his marriage.
Gurdeep paused to reflect before responding, saying, "Okay, let's investigate what they are up to."
They made their way to the makeshift battleground, their curiosity piqued. As they approached, Gurdeep and Uma were taken aback by the scene before them.
Gowthami was in the air, executing a flawless ninja-style roll, her sword raised high and glinting in the sunlight. Abhi was on the ground, struggling to regain his footing after another fierce encounter. His clothes were completely coated in dirt and dust, and sweat dripped from his brow, revealing numerous scrapes on his arms and legs.
In stark contrast, Gowthami appeared untouched, her attire pristine and her face radiant as she twirled her sword with effortless grace. She glanced at Abhi, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Another round?" she asked, a playful grin spreading across her face.
The two had gone head-to-head in nearly five rounds, and each time, Gowthami had emerged victorious in mere seconds.
Finally, Abhi, panting and defeated, threw up his hands in surrender. "No, I give up," he admitted, a mix of frustration and admiration in his voice.
Gurdeep and Uma exchanged incredulous looks, the realization dawning on them that this was no ordinary training session; it was a true display of skill and determination. Abhi had never been bested so easily, and as they watched the camaraderie and competition unfold, they couldn't help but feel a swell of pride for the spirited young woman who had just bested their son.