Dear friends, Sorry to keep you waiting for so long. For the benefit of those who have forgotten what happened a small recap for you.

Recap:

Rahul has finally accepted Nethra's love and has realized that he too had been in love with her for a long time now. Rithick has promised Rahul that he has his full support and that they will disclose of their love to their parents when the time is ripe. Sanjay and Manoj have reached the pinnacle of their business, but Sanjay seems to have made more impact on the people and business alike.

Flashback continues...

Rahul's POV

As days passed by my love for Nethra only grew deeper. It was the most beautiful days of my life. We were the happiest couple in the universe. Nethra was now almost fully out of her misery since her mother's death. I could see the cheerful and bubbly Nethra back after a long time. But I also started to notice that she was somewhat different. One thing was that she seemed to be more beautiful these days. But that was not it. It took me a while to figure out what that was. It was the fact that she was more mature in her activities and attitude. She seemed more like a woman than a girl. I was in awe at how she could have blossomed into this beautiful and sensuous woman. Once again I fell in love with her. It was like this, every single gesture she showed, every word she spoke, every glance she stole made me fall in love with her again and again. Maybe this was real love and I am happy that I got to discover this with her. I wanted nothing in this whole wide world than for her to be ever so happy and also took care to see that she never ever was lonely again!

Rithick's support for our love was more than I had expected. It was like this in every stage of my life. He was with me through thick and thin, rain or shine. People use to say that we were inseparable and that he was more than a brother to me, but as much as I would like to say that he was like a brother I never had, I felt that he was a part of me like we shared souls. I'm sure there may not be many brothers who did share a soul. It almost seems that we compete with each other for showing our love. I trusted him completely without any doubt. That was maybe the reason I went along with his decision to wait until the time was right to tell our parents about Nethra and my love story.

Meanwhile, Nethra's dad, Manoj felt that the time was ripe for his daughter to get married. So, he decided to talk to Sanjay uncle about it. He had been nursing the desire of getting his daughter married to Rithick for a very long time. He tried to have a conversation about the marriage proposal with Sanjay uncle. But Sanjay uncle brushed it away saying that the kids were too young and that there was a lot of time to think about marriage. We were not aware about this incident.

One day Manoj came to Sanjay uncle's home. His unexpected arrival was quite a surprise for us. Rithick and I were just getting ready to leave for a bike race. We just said hi to him and dashed out.

Manoj casually started to talk with our family members throwing the idea of a wedding proposal between Nethra and Rithick. But none of them took it seriously. His attempts at getting everyone's attention towards this marriage proposal were failed. Finally he came out with an idea.

Manoj uncle announced that we had to have a get-together since everyone was so busy with their lives and that it had been ages since everyone were together. Since they had steadily tasted success at new ventures, this get together was also to commemorate their business successes. Sanjay uncle agreed and a date was decided upon for the get-together.

Rithick, Riya, Nethra and I waited for that day to come. Riya and I longed to see our dad after months. The days leading to the function day was filled with enthusiasm and eagerness. The days passed like winds and finally it was D-day.

We wanted to make that day very festive and unforgettable. So we decided to spruce up our home. We decorated with lights and flowers, hung out balloons, helped arrange for dinner, and even set up a DJ station. Riya was in-charge of the music. It was so much fun. We even went ahead and purchased new clothes. It was more like an early Diwali festival.

I was all dressed up and ready and started to pace the corridors waiting for my girl. I was annoyed that she was late. And then it happened, like a bolt of lightning Nethra came in with her dad. I was temporarily speechless. I needed a thousand eyes to catch her beauty. She was stunning in a sandal bright bordered red saree with sequin work.

I never knew she could look even more beautiful than she already is. Her sequins were reflecting the evening light and along with an equally bright smile she just bedazzled me. I had to pause for a second before I composed myself and welcomed both of them. In a flash her eyes caught up with mine and we were lost once again. I didn't want that moment to pass but I broke from my reverie when Manoj uncle asked me about my dad. To this day I can remember that moment when she rendered me breathless.

This family reunion was a big hit with lots of fun filled activities. We all played various games, danced to music, played karaoke. The menfolk went ahead and partied themselves. Even my dad and Sanjay uncle were relaxing with a drink or too. The one who had the most number of drinks was Manoj uncle. He couldn't seem to control and was emptying glass after glass. Anyway we didn't much hold him back since he was stressed out too.

It was dinner time and we decided to have it outside in the yard. We arranged rugs and mats on the ground and everyone sat down to have dinner in the moonlight. I always saw to it that Nethra and I were together. Rithick was having a gala time teasing me and I was thoroughly enjoying it and so did Nethra. The dinner was simply sumptuous and everyone was contended.

Following dinner, we made a campfire and sat around it. Of course I made sure that I was near Nethra! Each one was talking about something to somebody. It was a clear night with the full moon and every star visible. The beauty of the skies was breath taking. A light cool breeze was blowing and it might have been the perfect day if not for the thunderstorm that followed. Everyone was having a good time when Manoj uncle decided he had to spoil it for everyone. He made the day memorable for entirely different reasons.

He was so drunk by now that his speech incoherent and he couldn't pull himself together. He was going for the next bottle. Now Sanjay uncle was worried and decided that he had had enough drinks for the evening and that he had to go to bed. He tried to persuade Manoj to get up and go with him. But Manoj didn't want to do so. Instead he started talking pointlessly which resulted in an argument between Manoj and Sanjay. My dad was trying to break up the fight between the two.

"I want to give my daughter Nethra in marriage to your son Rithick." Manoj bawled.

I froze. It was like somebody turned off time and space. I could hear nothing, speak nothing or comprehend anything. It was like I was just isn't there.

It took a full moment for everyone to comprehend to what Manoj said. Even Rithick seemed to have lost his composure. Suddenly Riya squeezed my hand. It was only then I realized that I was shaking. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. I couldn't look at Nethra. Her eyes were glassy and lifeless! It was like she switched off herself.

All my family members were in shock. But one thing was sure; no one was in a position to accept his proposal.

All the eyes were now turned to Sanjay uncle. He hesitated, he didn't think that Manoj would take up this proposal so seriously and be there to fight for it. Finally after what seemed eternity, Manoj said that the decision was up to Rithick.

"I'm ok if Rithick is fine with it but I will not force him to marry Nethra. Also I have a condition."

Now Manoj uncle was all eyes and ears!

"Before Rithick gets married, Rahul had to be married." Sanjay uncle spoke clearly.

"Why all this complications Sanjay?" asked Manoj angrily.

"Both Rahul and Rithick are my sons. I have never seen them apart and I don't differentiate them. When I lost my parents only my uncle and brother Rudra were there for me. Rudra took care of me so well by putting me first and giving me these wings to fly. My brother didn't hesitate to make any of my wishes come true from my early childhood. He accepted my dreams and helped me be who I am today. You of all people should know it very well Manoj," said Sanjay uncle emotionally.

My dad broke down clutching his chest. My mom went to hold him. Sanjay uncle embraced him and there were tears everywhere.

This rendered everyone speechless. Even Manoj couldn't speak a word.

Tears rolled down my eyes in torrents. Rithick held my hand tightly. His eyes were red and his lips were curved into the resolve I knew so well.

Nethra was crying into Riya's shoulders. I couldn't bear to see her so sad.

Rithick rose from his seat, "Sorry to interrupt dad. I wish to speak now. Forgive me for my rudeness."

Everyone was watching Rithick talk raptly because he had never spoken like this before. I was broken inside and felt sorry for forcing Rithick into this situation.

Sanjay uncle gave him a nod and he continued.

"First of all thank you for placing your trust in me and giving me my space. I am the happiest son in the world today because of you dad. Yet again you have proved that you are such an amazing person."

"I have only one wish dad, will you give me the wings to fly just as your brother gave it to you?"

Sanjay uncle was speechless. He just gestured with his eyes to continue.

"Dad! Please ask Manoj uncle to give his daughter in marriage to Rahul. Rahul and Nethra make a good pair."

The entire place was electric and eerily silent. Each and every one of my family were shocked and looking at each other.

"What a hell are you talking Rithick?" Manoj shouted for the first time since Sanjay uncle shut him off. His eyes were rolling and about to pop out. The many drinks he had were surely not helping him to stay sane now.

My family was too confused to process all of this happening at once.

I for one regained my composure. Suddenly everything was clear to me. Manoj uncle shouting at Rithick was the last straw. I decided that I had to be my own man and rise up to the situation.

Words started to flow like water from an open dam.

"No one has the right to yell at Rithick. He didn't do anything wrong. Uncle, please do not cross your limits."

I don't know from where I got the confidence to speak to Manoj uncle like that. I just couldn't bear to see anyone insult Rithick nor could I sacrifice the love of my life Nethra.

"Dad, mom, Sanjay uncle, aunt and Manoj uncle, please forgive me for my rudeness. I am in love with Nethra. Please give her hand in marriage to me,"

If the situation was static before it was downright flashing now. The silence was deafening. No one moved a muscle.

Sanjay uncle was taken aback. My parents were bewildered; my aunt looked at me as though I was somebody else. Rithick looked at me with respect, Riya suddenly stopped crying and I bet I saw a glimmer of a smile at the corner of her lips. Nethra jostled back up and she too stopped crying. I was mostly looking at her reaction for having proclaimed my love for her in front of everyone. She suddenly seemed calm, relieved mostly and then the first patches of colour on her cheeks. I knew I had calmed her and gained her trust that I was going to be there for her till the end of my life. That's all mattered to me. I would fight for her till the very end.

I was waiting for the ice breaker, waiting for someone to speak something, at least to scold me. But none of that happened. Instead, a loud slapping noise captured our attention. Nethra was on the ground holding her cheek red with the imprint of her father's fingers on it. My heart shattered into a million pieces.

Before we collected ourselves and ran to her aid, her father pulled her by the arm and led her out of our home thrashing her all the way.

The last thing I saw of her was the pleading in her eyes.

Flashback continues.....

************************************

Hello Friends,
Thanks a lot for your patience and the support for my story. Due to busy schedule, I didn't update for a long,
I am extremely sorry for it...

Suggest the comments about the story. Your comments means heaven to me. Keep on supporting..

With lots of love,
UdhayAkshara.

PLEASE DO VOTE AND COMMENTS IF YOU LIKE MY STORY..IT ENCOURAGES ME A LOT