Hello 😀

Everything that appears in this story is fictional !!

Vaanga vaanga story kulla polaa 🚴🏻‍♀️💜🦋

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Paarthiv Raj

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"Paarthiv... Paarthiv..endhiringa thoongunadhu podhum"

(Paarthiv... Paarthiv... wake up, enough of sleeping)

"Jai, please thoonga vidu. Night'laa un paiyan enna thoongave vidala"

(Jai, please let me sleep. Your son didn't let me sleep at all last night)

"Odane en paiyan mela paliya podaadhinga. Endhiringa"

(Don't blame my son. Get up)

I groaned in frustration at the sound of my adorable wife, Jaya, shouting for me to wake up. After a few reluctant twists and turns, I finally stretched and got out of bed, only to find the room empty.

Sighing, I headed to the restroom, went through my morning routine, and enjoyed a refreshing shower. As I finished getting dressed, I suddenly felt small arms wrap around my left leg.

"Hey, thangakatti"

(Hey, baby)

I lifted our little son, who was 5 and a half years old, and smiled as he clung to me.

"Appa"

"Enna thango?"

(What, dear?)

"Appa, Jaya amma aludhu"

(Jaya amma is crying)

I gulped, trying to hide my shock, and looked at him with a slight smile before asking,

"Amma'va? Amma aluga maataale"

(Amma? Amma won't cry, dear)

But he shook his head fast, saying,

"Illa. Jaya amma andha room'le utkaandhu aludhu"

(No. Jaya ma is sitting and crying in that room)

"Illa da. Apdilaa amma ala maataa"

(No, boy. She won't cry)

"Illa, pa. Pomish"

(No, pa. Promise)

"Sheri Sheri. Neenga ippo unga room'le poi velaadeetu Irunga. Naan amma te poi enna nu kettutu varen, seriyaa?"

(Okay, okay. You go to your room now and play. I'll ask Mom what happened, is that alright?)

"Cheri, pa"

(Okay, pa)

I kissed his cheek, but he slid down from my arms, pushing my face away, and ran out.

I stared at him for a moment, then quickly followed, closed the main door, and hurried back to the room attached to ours. I opened the door to find her standing by the window, holding something close to her chest.

I gulped and called out softly,

"Jai"

She stiffened but slowly turned towards me, her eyes glistening with tears.

"Ennaachu Jai?"

(What happened, Jai?)

"Paarthi"

She ran to me, flung her arms around me, and hugged me tightly, crying out loud.

I hugged her back as she mumbled the same words for the nth time,

"Suganya call pannaa, Paarthi"

(Suganya called me, Paarthi)

I closed my eyes and said,

"Suganya is dead, Ammu"

I replied for the same nth time, but she shook her head, without accepting it.

"Illa, Paarthi. Ippo.. ippo dha enakku call pannaa"

(No, Paarthi. Just.. just now she called me)

I gently pulled her back from the hug and cupped her face with my hands, forcing her to look into my eyes.

"Suganya, inga illa, ma"

(Suganya is not here with us, ma)

"Illa, Paarthi. Yen naan soldradha namba maatenguringa? Ippodha enakku ava call panni pesunaa.. en Paarthiv'eh vittu kuduthuru enakku please'nu sonnaaa"

(No, Paarthi. Why won't you believe what I'm saying? She called me now... she threatened me to let go of you, begging 'please')

I shook my head at her.

"Illa, ma"

(No, dear)

She stopped sobbing and stared at me, her eyes filled with anger. Then, she began yelling at me, taking steps back and pushing away my hands that were still cupping her face.

"Aama aama aama. Ava apdidha sonnaa. Yen enna namba maatenguringa? Naan poi sollala"

(Yes, yes, yes. She said that. Why won't you believe me? I'm not lying)

"Unna nambaama illa, Jaya. Aana.."

(I've never said that I don't believe you, Jaya. But...)

"Aana?"

(But?)

She grabbed my shirt collar, her grip tight with anger.

"Aana enna Paarthiv? Aana enna? Enna namba maatinga aana avala nambuvinga'le?"

(But what, Paarthiv? But what? You won't believe me, but you'll believe her?)

She shook me, holding my shirt collars tightly.

"Jai"

I whispered, looking at her, but she pushed me away and stumbled, kneeling on the floor before me, crying. I felt my own tears welling up and let them fall as I kneeled down in front of her, sharing her pain.

"Enna yemaatha maatinga'nu nenachen, Paarthi"

(I thought you wouldn't ever betray me, Paarthi)

She said the words that could kill me alive, but I stayed silent, understanding her.

"Naan azhaga illayaa, Paarthi? Enakku edhaadhu pretchanayaa? Yen enna venaa'nu avala choose pandringa, Paarthi?"

(Am I not beautiful, Paarthi? Do I have any problem? Why are you choosing her over me, Paarthi?)

I gently pulled her face to my chest, holding her nape, and let her cry.

"Enna vittu poidaadhinga, Paarthi"

(Don't leave me, Paarthi)

She whispered.

"Unna vittu naan enga di poven? Nee en uyir, Jai"

(Where would I go without you? You are my life, Jai)

I tightened my hold around her shoulders, and, as usual, she fell unconscious against my chest.

Lifting her gently in my arms, I laid her down on the floor bed, covering her with a duvet. I caressed her hair softly before wiping the dried tear marks from her cheeks.

"Namakku yen Jai ipdi oru life? Can't we just live in peace for once?"

(Why is our life like this, Jai? Can't we just live in peace for once?)

Tears glistened in my eyes as I kissed her forehead, but I straightened up when I heard,

"Mr. Paarthiv"

I turned around to see Dr. Anandh standing at the doorstep.

I wiped my tears quickly, stood up, and gave him a faint smile.

"Hello, Doctor"

He smiled back, walked in, and patted my shoulder.

"Everything will be alright soon, Mr. Paarthiv"

I forced a smile at him as he began the regular check-up for Jaya, but my gaze remained fixed on her face. It was calm and peaceful, just like it used to be before she was diagnosed with this evil disorder-schizophrenia.

~~~

Schizophrenia is like living in a world where reality constantly shifts-voices whisper, things appear that aren't there, and believe in things no one else does. Their mind feels like a maze of tangled thoughts, making it hard to know what's real and what's not.

Each day is a struggle.

It all started years ago for her. The strange behaviors grew more intense, leaving me in shock when she began speaking as if she were conversing with my ex-girlfriend, Suganya, who had died in an accident.

I was utterly stunned to the core when I saw her, two days before our wedding, speaking silently to herself as though Suganya was still alive, standing right there beside her.

Without waiting for a second, I rushed her to the hospital, despite her struggles. There, she spoke to a hypnotic doctor, someone who could reach her in the depths of her other world.

She told him that Suganya was blackmailing her, urging her to leave me, not to love me, and not to marry me-crying and screaming as she said it. Hearing her words brought tears to my eyes.

But what broke me even more was what she said there,

"Naan yethanayo dhadava sonnen, aana ava kekka maatenguraa. Enakku avara vittaa yaarum illa'nu solli paathutten. Appovum ava enna avarkitta irundhu po'nu meratraa"

(I've said so many things, but she wouldn't listen. I told her that if I leave him, no one else would be there for me. But still, she kept threatening me to leave him)

She spoke to the hypnotic doctor like a kid, her voice filled with confusion and fear. I struggled just to stay standing, crushed by what I was witnessing.

After the session, the doctor called me into his room and delivered the news that shattered me completely.

"She's diagnosed with schizophrenia"

He said.

"It's a rare condition, which will affect only a very few people in the millions around the world"

The words hit me like a hammer, and I felt the ground beneath me give way. My mind couldn't process it at first, and I sat there, frozen, as the reality of what was happening began to sink in.

En Jai'ku yen idhu varanum?

(Why does this have to happen to my Jai?)

That's the only thing I still think about. The very next day, I married her without informing my parents. But, when they came to know, they lashed out at me and sent us away, considering it a sin to marry an orphan girl or boy in our village at that time.

We started our life together, and for a while, she was quiet and content, enjoying our married life without any tantrums. She even wrote many letters, sending them personally to my office as courier. I smiled and laughed every time I received them, imagining her cute face while reading each one.

But, just when everything seemed to be going smoothly after our marriage, one single day changed everything.

I entered the house, excited, holding some gifts to surprise her. But the sight before me froze my heart with fear. There she was, lying on the floor, unconscious. I rushed to her side, lifted her in my arms, and hurried to the hospital.

The doctor asked me to meet him in person, and I followed him into his cabin. He looked at me seriously and then said,

"Is she stressed about something?"

"No. No, doctor. She's more stable now and was happy with me"

"I'm sorry, Paarthiv. But that was your perspective. She's going through something more. Does she have any past diagnosis?"

I gulped, feeling a lump in my throat, and nodded, saying,

"Yes, doctor, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia, two months ago"

"I see. So, after marriage avangalukku andha schizophrenia symptoms illa?"

(I see. So, after marriage, did she not show any schizophrenia symptoms?)

"Yes, doctor"

"You were stupid here, Mr. Paarthiv"

I was stunned, unable to process his words.

"D... Do... Doctor..."

"Unga wife'eh neenga unga room'le mattum dha paathirukkinga'nu soldren"

(Maybe you haven't seen her in her another, different life)

That left me dumbfounded. I sat there, staring at the doctor as she continued speaking, but I was lost in my own thoughts, unable to fully comprehend what was happening around me.

Reaching the house with Jai, she seemed like her normal self again, but I was already torn as I saw the positive on the report next to the word "pregnancy" She was already clinging to me, smiling brightly, and I sat there, staring at her.

She was so happy, sitting beside me on the couch, speaking to our baby as she gently caressed her tummy.

"Paarthi.. Paarthi.."

She shook me hard, pulling me back into the present. I blinked at her, struggling to return to reality.

"Enna naan peseete irukken.. neenga onnum solla maatenguringa?"

(Why am I the only one talking... are you not going to say anything?)

I stared at her without replying, and her happy, smiling face slowly faded. She looked at me with something and asked,

"Ungalukku naan ippo pregnant aanadhu pidikalayaa, Paarthi?"

(Do you not like that I'm pregnant now, Paarthi?)

And that made me cup her face hurriedly, my hands trembling as I looked into her eyes.

"Ammu, nothing like that. Inga paaru.. namma pregnant, da, thango. Enakku epdi pudikaama pogum?"

(Ammu, it's nothing like that. Look... we're going to have a baby, darling. How could I not love this?)

She smiled and pecked my lips.

"I love you, handsome"

I chuckled and pecked her lips back.

"Love you too, Jai"

She smiled, and to help her sleep peacefully without any unwanted thoughts, I behaved casually around her-talking to our baby, kissing her, cuddling, cooking together, washing the dishes together-until she finally drifted off, resting her head on my chest as we sat on the couch.

I made sure she was asleep, gently lying her down on our bed, covering her with a duvet, and caressing her hair for a while before quietly leaving the room.

I headed toward the guestroom, turing on the lights, only to be frozen in place by what I saw.

The walls were scratched, as if someone had been clawing at them in desperation. Pillows, and clothes were thrown across the floor, scattered everywhere. The iron handlock lay discarded on the floor beside the bed, and letters were lying all over, carelessly thrown near the bed.

My heart stopped for a moment, the sight sending a chill down my spine.

I crouched down on the bed, staring at the handlock, and took the letters one by one. As I read them, I realized that she-my wife, my world-had written as if I had locked her up in the room, calling out for help from her father, who had already passed away, and from her brother Vijayavardhan. He was her twin, but he had hated her and left her, just like that, when she was just 17.

I was stunned, speechless, shattered to the core as I read each letter and took in the mess around the room. My heart sank with every word, but as my vision blurred and I started to feel lightheaded, a sudden thud of a hug from behind startled me. I stumbled for a second before hearing,

"Kaapaathunga, Paarthi. Kaapaathunga!"

(Save me, Paarthi. Save me!)

And the continuous murmurs from her made me turn around, gently removing her hands from around me, and I looked at her.

"Jai"

But she didn't meet my gaze immediately. She looked behind me first, then back at me, gulping hard.

"P..paarthi"

"Enna, ma?"

(What happened, ma?)

"S..Suganya"

I sat there, stunned, before turning around to see that no one was behind us.

When I turned back to her, she was still staring over my shoulder, fear in her eyes, her skin glistening with sweat as if she were suffocating.

"Ammu"

I cupped her face gently, making her look at me, trying to bring her back to reality.

"Enna paaru"

(Look at me)

But she was about to look behind me again, so I pulled her into my chest. She struggled at first, but gradually calmed down, falling silent.

I quickly called Mr. Anandh, the doctor who had treated her months ago, before our marriage, and asked him to come over. When he arrived, after examining her, he said,

"She is completely affected"

~~~~~

The words shattered me, and I cried harder than I ever thought I could, from that day until today. Since then, whenever fear gripped her, she would hide in my arms, in my chest, as if my touch was the only thing anchoring her to reality.

Recently, though, she would often fall unconscious in my arms, and it broke me a little more each time.

"Mr. Paarthiv"

Dr. Anandh's voice snapped me back to the present, pulling me out of the painful memories of the start of our exhausting days. I stared at him, trying to focus, but the weight of everything still pressed heavily on my chest.

"She is highly stressed! Enakku idha thavara enna soldradhu'nu therila. But we'll try.. we'll try with the medicines. Edhaadhu pudhusaa, avangala sandhosha paduthura edathukku kooptu ponga.. keep her in a space where she feels normal most of the time.. avanga kooda time fullaa spend pannunga.. avangaloda andha other world'ku poga vidaama, indha real aana world'le evlo sandhosham thara mudiyumo.. adha thaanga.. basically, make her forget that other world, and help her live in this one"

(She is highly stressed! I don't even know how to explain this properly. But we'll try... we'll try with the medicines. For now, take her to a peaceful place... keep her in a space where she feels normal most of the time. Spend time with her, all the time. Don't let her slip into that other world. In this real world, whatever happiness you can give her, let it be. That's all you can do... basically, make her forget that other world, and help her live in this one)

I stared at him, unable to say a word. I felt drained-physically and mentally-too exhausted to respond to anything.

After offering a few more pieces of advice and leaving a prescription for her medication, Dr. Anandh left the house, leaving us alone.

As I turned, I found my Jai looking at me with those innocent, doe-like eyes.

I walked over, knelt beside her, and laid my head on her lap.

She straightened up slightly, softly whispering "Paarthi" before leaning forward to caress my hair. The gentle touch made silent tears escape from my eyes.

"Paarthi..."

She murmured again, leaning in to kiss the shell of my ear.

"Ennaachu, purusha?"

(What's wrong, darling?)

I buried my face in her lap, letting the warmth of her presence comfort me, even though my heart was breaking.

"Enakku edhaadhu pretchanayaa? Yen indha aaru varshama ithana tablets thara enakku?"

(Do I have any problems? Why am I being given so many tablets for the past six years?)

I stayed silent.

Unkitta naan enna'nu Jai solluven?

(What would I say to you, Jai?)

I thought, but she knew something was wrong around her. This was the first time she asked me, but still, I couldn't bring myself to tell her the truth.

I didn't want to add it to her fears or make her stress even more than she already was.

"Naan unna vitt.."

(Am I going to..)

I straightened up and pulled her into my chest, silencing her words as I muffled my own cries in her hair.

For the next few months, I tried to take her and our son to various places, hoping to lift her mood, to create moments where we could live without any struggles. But even there, her other world would interfere.

She'd come running to me, shouting for me to save her, accusing me of loving Suganya more than her. She would say the medicines I gave her were meant to kill her, that they were part of some secret between me and Suganya to separate her from my life.

It destroyed me each time she said that.

"Nee poi sollaadha, nee enna vittu poiduva. Adhaane unga secret? Unakku past irukku, adhu namma life kulla eppavum varaadhu'nu promise panni dhane Paarthiv Raj enna love panni, kalyanam panna? aana ippo.. ippo adhellaame poi dhane? Un ex-girlfriend yerkanave, ellaame enkitta solleetaa. Nee nadikaadha!"

(Don't lie to me. Is that both of your secrets? Am I right? You promised me that your past relationship would never come into our life before loving and marrying me, Paarthiv Raj. But now... now everything is a lie? Your ex-girlfriend told me everything. Don't act like this!)

Without realizing that my life is an empty heart without her.

Even after more than six years of battling the evil of our life-schizophrenia-she still argued with things that weren't real, cried over things that didn't exist, and sometimes even hit me or slapped me for things that only lived in her unreal world.

Dr. Anandh also told me to take a huge care of her, as she might have suicidal thoughts in this time. And, I saw her walking around the kitchen with a knife for several times, even though it was for nothing but to cook, I kept a closer eye on her.

And not to forget, my Ammu would still be normal around me, loving our son, Aayush, even more than me at times. That never failed to bring a smile to my face.

Even when she slipped into her own world, behaving or speaking as though caught in her delusions, the rare smile she gave me would still make my heart flutter. It reminded me of the woman I had fallen so deeply in love with, and it made me fall even harder for her every single time.

I safeguarded her, loved her, cherished her, and worried for her-all this time, up until today.

But tonight, after completing the hectic work at the office, when I returned to our apartment and saw Aayush running towards me with his little waddling steps, I felt a warmth in my chest.

"Appa!"

He lifted his little arms towards me. I bent down, lifting him into my arms and kissed his cheek, but he immediately pushed my face away, scrunching his little face.

"Amma"

He said, his voice filled with innocence.

He wriggled out of my arms and ran inside the house. I frowned at his unexpected response, but his word-Amma-pulled at my heart. I felt a pang of fear. Without thinking, I rushed inside, calling out for her.

"Jai!"

I shouted.

"Jai!"

"Ja..."

My voice trailed off as my eyes widened in horror. She was standing near the edge of the balcony slab, looking lost in her own world, unaware of the danger.

Aayush was sitting on the floor beside her.

"Jai!"

She jerked and turned around to look at me.

"Anga enna panneetu irukka, Jai? Pinnaadi vaa. Keela vilundhuru pora, ma"

(What are you doing there, Jai? Come back. You might fall down, come on)

Saying that, I hurriedly took a few steps towards her to reach her, but she shouted,

"Kitta varaadhinga, Paarthi!"

(Don't come near me, Paarthi!)

I stopped in my tracks and stared at her, whispering,

"Jai..."

Her name escaped my lips like a prayer, my voice trembling with desperation.

"Kitta vandhinga'na naan gudhuchiruven!"

(If you come closer, I'll jump!)

The words hit me like a slap, and my entire body froze.

"Unakkenna paithiyamaa, Jaya? Pinnaadi vaa.. Loosu maadhiri pannaadha!"

(Are you crazy, Jaya? Come down... don't act like a mad person!)

I yelled at her in fear and took my steps towards her, but she halted me again, shouting,

"NO. Kitta varaadhinga'nu sonnen. Naan poi sollala, unmaiyaave gudhuchiruven"

(I told you not to come near me. I'm not lying, I'll really jump)

"Aiyoooo. Enna Jai aachu ippo? Yen ipdi panneetu irukka?"

(Oh no. What happened to you, Jai? Why are you doing this?)

My heart broke as I said those words, my voice trembling with the weight of helplessness.

"Nadikaadhinga, Jai. Naan.."

(Don't act, Jai. I...)

She stopped suddenly, her eyes fixated on something beside me. I frowned, confused, and turned to my left, then looked behind me, but there was no one there.

"Oh"

I turned back towards her, only to see her chuckling bitterly with a smirk.

"Rendu perum saendhu dha vandhirukinglaa?"

(Both of you came together?)

I sighed, shaking my head, and opened my mouth to say something, trying to reach her,

"Jai..."

But,

"Oruvaliyaa onnaa saendhu en munnaadi vandhu nikka ungalukku dhairiyam vandhiruchu pola, Mr. Paarthiv Raj?"

(At last, you found the courage to stand before me together now, Mr. Paarthiv Raj?)

I shook my head again.

"Ammu.."

"Enna apdi koopdaadha!"

(Don't call me that!)

She yelled.

"Epdi Paarthi? Epdi enakku ipdi oru dhrogam seiya ungalukku manasu vandhadhu?"

(How, Paarthi? How could you do such a betrayal to me?)

She asked with misty eyes, her words cutting through me, breaking my heart a little more with each passing second. I stood there, frozen, unable to speak, my eyes welling up with tears as I continued to stare at her.

"Oh. Proof? Enkitta kekuriye? Unkitta andha proof irukkaa?"

(Oh. Proof? You're asking me for proof? Do you have that proof yourself?)

She was speaking to someone only she could see, lost in her own imagined world.

"Jai.. naan soldradha kelu.. inga irukka yedhuvume real illa.. naan, nee, namma paiyan mattum dha Jai namma life'le... inga paaru, Jai.. enna paaru, ma, please"

(Jai... Please listen to what I'm saying... Nothing here is real... Only me, you, and our son are real in our life, Jai... Look here, Jai... Look at me, please)

I tried desperately to pull her back to the reality, but her smirking expression slowly faded into shock, and tears began to glisten in her eyes.

I had no idea what the hell that imaginary voice was telling her.

"Jayaaaa..."

I shouted her name, hoping to snap her back to reality again. But instead, she turned her gaze towards me, slowly and whispered,

"Enna vittu epdiyaadhu poganum'ngradhu dha unga viruppam, illa?"

(Isn't it what you wanted, to get rid of me somehow)

I quickly shook my head, my voice shaking as I shouted,

"NOOO. No, Jaya, ma. Unna vittu naan enga di poven?"

(NOOO. No, Jaya, ma. Where will I go without you?)

But her eyes once again drifted towards the imagined person beside me.

In an attempt to stop her from listening to the voice or seeing the figure, I quickly moved and stood in the spot where her gaze had been.

"Jaya. Look at me.. enna paaru.. I'm here. No one is around us except we three. Try to understand. Enna paaru, Jai. Naan soldradha kelu konjo.. you're suffering from schizophrenia Jaya. Adhaa nee ipdi nadandhukura. Namma counseling panlaa, meditations, medicines ellaame eduthuttu unna thirumba naan batharamaa paathukuren ma. Please enna nambu"

(Jaya. Look at me... look at me.. I'm here. No one is around us except the three of us. Please try to understand. Look at me, Jai. Don't act like this, ma. Listen to me. Okay, I'll tell you.. you're suffering from schizophrenia, Jaya. That's why this is happening to you. We've done counseling, meditation, and you're on medication. I'll keep taking care of you, I promise. Please, trust me)

But she raised an eyebrow at me, her gaze dropping to the side of my arm. After a brief gulp, she met my eyes again, her voice trembling slightly as she asked,

"Are you protecting her from me, Paarthiv?"

"What?!"

"Are you protecting her from me?"

"Loosu maadhiri pesaadha, Jai. Nee yendha person pathi pesura'nu kooda enakku theriyaadhu. Andha person un kannula mattum dha ma theriyuraanga. Adhulaye therilayaa unakku? It's all part of your delusional world, Jaya. Now, please.. just.. just come over to me.. pinnaadi vaa..please.."

(Don't talk nonsense, Jai. I don't even know who you're talking about. That person only exists in your eyes, in your mind. Can't you see that? It'' all part of your delusional world, Jaya. Now, please... just... just come over to me... step back.. please)

But, she stared at me, her eyes filled with confusion, and then shook her head slowly, asking,

"Enna paithiyam maadhiri portray pandringlaa, Paarthiv?"

(Are you portraying me like I'm insane, Paarthiv?)

"Aiyooooo, Jaya ma.. iru.. naan sonna namba maata'le? Wait.."

(Oh no, Jaya... please... you won't believe what I'm saying, right? Wait..)

I shoved my hand into my pants pocket, pulled out my phone, and dialed Dr. Anandh's number.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Doctor..."

I explained Jaya's words, actions, and threats to him.

"Damn! Put it on speaker"

He urged.

I switched the phone to speaker mode and said,

"Paaru.. namma doctor Anandh pesuraaru neeye kelu"

(Look... our doctor Anandh is speaking, you listen)

She looked at me and then shifted her gaze to my phone as Dr. Anandh began speaking,

"Mrs. Paarthiv, unga husband soldradhu ellaame unma dha. Neenga dhayavu senju pinnaadi vaanga. You cannot just take your life like this. Think about your husband, think about your little son, think about yourself. Mrs. Paarthiv, you're suffering from schizophrenia. It's treatable, and we can help you overcome it. Please, think about your family and come back to your husband. Please, Mrs. Paarthiv... try to..."

(Mrs. Paarthiv, your husband is telling the truth. Please listen to him. You cannot just take your life like this. Think about your husband, think about your little son, think about yourself. Mrs. Paarthiv, you're suffering from schizophrenia. It's treatable, and we can help you overcome it. Please, think about your family and come back to your husband. Please, Mrs. Paarthiv... try to...)

But as she listened intently to the doctor's words, she glanced at me briefly, before her gaze shifted to Aayush, who was standing beside her, crying. Then, she turned back to me, and I caught her whispering something through her lips, which said,

"Ennaala mudiyaadhu. We're leaving. I love you, Paarthi"

(I can't do it. We're leaving. I love you, Paarthi)

We? Leaving?

When I was trying to process her words, she yanked Aayush towards her by his arm, and I shouted in shock,

"Nooooooo!"

I left my phone on the ground, ran towards them, grabbed Aayush's free hand, which was in the air, and pulled him back. But in the process of balancing him and grabbing Jaya's arm, I stumbled, and Aayush fell to the floor. And, I managed to catch Jaya's hand, but she was smiling at me, hanging from the 15th floor of the apartment.

The tears were flowing down from my eyes as I gripped her hand tighter, fear gripping my heart. She held on just as tightly, and I could feel the tension in her fingers, the weight of the moment pressing on both of us.

I was terrified-held by the thought of losing her, held by the fear of losing my life, held by the fear of losing my love.

Groaning in desperation, I pulled her closer, trying with every ounce of strength to keep her from slipping away, saying,

"Kaiya vitraadha Jaya, ma. Please, ma. Enkitta vandhuru please Jai"

(Don't let go of my hand, Jaya. Please, please come to me, Jai)

But,

"Paarthi"

She looked into my eyes, a faint smile on her lips, and then, with one final, heartbreaking motion, she let go of my hand.

"Jaaaaaaiiiii!"

There, my life ends.

She is-gone?

In that moment, my world shattered.

"Jai..."

I whispered to the empty air, the name a prayer, a plea.

But there was no response.

No echo of her laughter.

No soft brush of her hand against mine.

Gone.

Seetha

I sat there, my tears soaking my cheeks, as I stared at the one person who had suffered more than anyone I had ever known.

"Ellaame adhukkapro en kai'le irundhu poyiruchu"

(After that, everything has slipped away from my hands)

He whispered through his tears.

"Aana, naan panna moonu thappu enna theriyumaa, ma?"

(But, do you know the three mistakes I made, ma?)

He asked, looking at me. His words came heavy with regret and guilt.

"Indha disorder Jai.. Jaya'ku irukku'nu naan avakitta sollaama marachadhu, marriage apro ava seri aageetaa'nu nenachu careless'ah irundhadhu.. apro, Aayush'eh paathukkaama ponadhu"

(I chose not to tell her about her diagnosis. After marriage, I thought she was fine and became careless, and ultimately, I neglected Aayush)

I looked at him in silence, unable to find any words to respond.

"Avan ellaathayum paathirukkaan, ellaame avanukku therinjirukku. Aana avan amma mela irundha paasathula, ava pesumbodhu'laa naan silent'ah irundhadha vachu.. naan dha avala konn..konn..konnen'nu nenachuttu irukkaan"

(He saw everything, he knew it all. But in his love for his mother, he blames my silence whenever she yelled, thinking... that I... I k..killed her)

He buried his face in his hands, his body trembling with sobs, while I sat before him, my own tears falling in shared grief.

Suddenly, a soft thud sounded from behind. Startled, I turned around and saw Aayush sir on the floor, his back against the wall, his expression blank.

Shocked, I rushed to his side, kneeling down and gently cupping his face.

"Professor... professor..."

I called out softly, tapping his cheeks, trying to bring him back. But his gaze was locked on the floor, unblinking.

It was then I realized-he had heard every word his father confessed. Yet, no tears fell from his eyes, and that silence... it scared me more than anything.

"Professor, ena paarunga.. inga paarunga.. prof.."

(Look at me..)

"Aayush"

He froze in my grasp, his face going rigid as his father's voice sank in.

"Professor.. inga paarunga.. enna paarunga.."

(Look at me..)

But he brushed my hands away, leaving me rooted to the spot, swallowing back my words.

Rising from the floor, he kept his gaze fixed downward, silent and unmoving.

"Professor"

I murmured, stood up, reaching to touch his cheek once more, but he shrugged it off and strode past me.

And, without a glance back, he grabbed the bike key from the table near the door and left.

I chased after him, calling his name over and over, but he started the bike and rode off without a word.

"Professor"

I whispered, defeated. But then, clicking my tongue, I turned back towards the house, only to pause in the doorway as I saw his father emerging, his steps shaky and unsteady.

"Mama"

I called, hurrying towards him as he steadied himself.

He looked at me, his voice trembling,

"I... I didn't mean for him to hear all that"

I gulped.

"Nee kavala pad..padaadha, ma. Naan poi paakuren"

(You do..don't worry, dear. I'll go and search for him)

I gulped again, my heart racing as he walked past me. But then he stopped, causing me to frown in confusion.

"Mama"

I called out, my voice trembling.

Suddenly, he stumbled and collapsed, making me gasp in shock. I rushed to him, trying to steady him, but he fell to the floor beside the main steps of the house. I sat down on the step beside him, helpless, my tears flowing as I stared at him.

"Mama.. mama.. ennaachu?"

(What happened?)

But his eyes were tightly shut, as if in pain.

"Mama..."

I whispered.

But, I froze when I noticed his hand, clenched into a fist over his shirt, right above his heart.

My breath caught in my throat as realization hit me like a wave. Panicking, I quickly ran back into the house, grabbed my phone from his room, and hastily scrolled through the contacts, desperate to find the number I needed.

"Enna pandradhu.. enna pandradhu.. theva illaama ellaathayum kaettu, naane ipdi panneetane"

(What to do... what to do... I asked everything without any reason, and now everything has ended up like this)

I cried, blaming myself for the situation. But I composed myself, tried to think calmly, and then suddenly had an idea. Without wasting another second, I dialed Elangovan sir's number.

"He.."

"Elangovan sir"

"Yaaru?"

(Who is this?)

"Sir, naan Seetha pesuren. Passed out final year st.."

(I'm Seetha)

"Theriyudhu, Seetha. Sollunga. Ennaachu? Yen indha nerathula call panneerkinga?"

(I know, Seetha. Tell me. What happened? Why are you calling at this time?)

"Sir neenga odane kelambi Aayush sir veetukku varel'aah?"

(Sir, will you come to Aayush sir's house immediately now?)

"Aayush veetukkaa? Yen ma ennaachu?"

(Aayush's house? Why? What happened, ma?)

"Sir please naan ellaame ungalukku nerla soldren. Neenga odane vaanga please"

(Sir, please, I will tell you everything in person. Please come immediately)

"Seri seri neenga padhatta padaadhinga, naan vandhuren"

(Okay, okay, you don't worry, I'll be there)

I declined the call with a hum and then dialed for an ambulance.

Soon, Elangovan sir and the ambulance arrived at the same time.

Elangovan sir rushed over to me, his breath catching as he saw Paarthiv mama.

"Appa. Seetha, appa'ku ennaachu?"

(What happened to appa?)

"Sir konjo thallikonga"

(Sir, please move)

The ambulance personnel carefully laid mama on the stretcher, and Elangovan sir and I assisted them. We followed the ambulance on his bike, and I explained everything to Elangovan sir as he rode.

We rushed to the hospital and admitted mama as quickly as we could.

"Sir... Aayush sir..."

"Avan number'ku dha ma try pandren. Aana edukka maatenguraan"

(I tried calling his number, ma. But he's not answering)

He said and sighed, while I gulped in fear.

"Enga, sir poyiruppaaru..? nekku romba bayama irukku"

(Where has he gone, sir..? I'm really scared)

"Nee bayapadaadha, ma. Naan.."

(Don't worry. I..)

But he stopped midway upon hearing a phone ringtone.

"Aayush dha"

(It's Aayush)

He murmured and answered the call.

"Enga da iruka?.. Deii, loosu maadhiri pesaama modhala kelambi namma veetu pakkathula irukka private hospital'ku vaa da.. onnu illa, nee vaa, naan soldren..mmm.. paathu, da.."

(Where are you, ma?.. Hey, stop talking like a fool and hurry up to the private hospital next to our house... Nothing. You just come here soon, I'll tell you.. careful..)

He then ended the call.

"Ennaachu, sir?"

(What happened, sir?)

"Veetukku dha poyirukkaan... neenga anga illanadhum call pandraan.."

(He went home... since both of you weren't there, he called me)

"Oh"

I muttered, standing there, my face filled with fear, disbelief, and sweat, until I heard his voice.

"Seetha"

I turned around to see him rushing towards me, and instinctively, I opened my arms slightly as we collided in a tight, stumbling hug.

"Seetha"

He whispered again, his voice shaky.

"Mama'ku heart attack, professor"

(Mama had a heart attack, professor)

I managed to say.

He cried out loud, his tears soaking my shoulder, trembling in my embrace. Meanwhile, I stood there, frozen, not knowing what to do or how to comfort him.

In one night, everything had turned upside down.

But if this was meant to happen, then it had to. So, I silently prayed to my Perumaal, hoping for a good outcome.

As I gently smoothed his back with my hands, I allowed him to cry his heart out in my embrace.

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

TBC..

Epdi irundhuchu?

There are still a few more details left, which will be revealed by the father and son duo themselves 🌝

Thank you for 100k reads, makkaleyy! Love you all! ❤️

See you all in the next update, bubyee🚴‍♀️💜🦋