Varshith closed his eyes and took a long breathe, after few minutes he sat silently beside Harshini. She needed his support now more than ever.

He is close to his sister, in their families a girl's wish never mattered which he didn't like. From their childhood he wanted to stand like a shield protecting her, as a wall beside her to keep her strong but Harshini always agreed to their parents wishes. She didn't even speak out what is there in her heart, he couldn't call his sister stupid for being so.

"Harshini if you don't want this wedding it will not happen, I promise. But just share what you feel without any prejudice. In my opinion Abhiram is good, if you have any doubt regarding his character I will try to know more about him" Varshith asked his sister holding her hand.

Harshini remained silent, "Ok then I will inform Dad to reject this proposal" Varshith said moving towards the closed door.

"No" Harshini shrieked making Varshith smile, he knew his sister needed this shock to make her spill the beans. "Abhi is good it's not that I doubt on his character but when I am committing into a long term relationship why should I ignore my doubts. I don't want to regret later by being ignorant now" Harshini said.

"So if I find everything is good about him then we can go ahead. Are you sure about this sis?" Varshith asked with a naughty smile. "Yes, very much" Harshini replied confidently.

"Harshi! You have accepted him as your husband already and gave nickname too" Varshith winked and went out. Harshini smiled to herself thinking how she didn't want to loose Abhi.

Varshith called his friend Rishab who is working in Abhiram's office to get more details about him. He didn't want to take a chance by being ignorant as Harshini. This far sighted vision of his sister is something which he liked most which is distinguishable quality.

Later at night Latha (Harshini's mother) finished all chores and went inside their bedroom but could not find her husband anywhere. Srinivas was standing in the front balcony staring at moon thinking deeply.

"Why are you so dull? Are you worried about Harshini's wedding?" Latha asked thinking how he ate dinner half heartedly. She saw her husband gripping the railing with one hand and releasing then placing other hand in repeat mode. He does that only when he is worried or tensed about some thing important.

"Latha we are not good parents" he said blankly without looking at her. "What?" Latha asked in confusion. "Do you remember Varshith wanted to join army during his school and we denied?" Srinivas asked this time looking at her.

"Of course, from then only Varshith started taunting. So even if I want to forget our son reminds me" she said smiling rewinding all those thoughts. "He never brought that topic again but you think his taunts are his way of expressing his pain. While thinking about Varshith we forgot about Harshini" he said in serious tone.

"From where did Harshini came in this issue?" Latha got stunned with her husband's words.

"We did that unintentionally.. Varshith you are our only support when we become old. If you had a brother may be I would have sent you to army but I am not that patriotic to send my only son. You will not understand it now, when you are of my age then you will get my point ...these are the words said by me to convince Varshith at that time. Unknowingly we hurt Harshini, she thinks of she was a boy then her brother would have his dream career" Srinivas reminded her.

"That's ok let her think, we cannot change what happened" Latha said casually not knowing the storm in her husband's heart.
"This is what we did to Harshini, never cared about what she thinks or wants. She simply does whatever we want. That is why I said we are bad parents" Srinivas shouted in anger.

"We did not do anything wrong, we gave all values and good upbringing. Are we considered good parents only if we fulfill children's wishes? I don't think so, you are taking unnecessary tension. Calm down" Latha said but Srinivas stormed inside with whirlpool of questions in his head.

. . .

Abhiram and his parents reached home late night, tired with the full day journey Raghuram and Nandini took rest but Abhiram freshened up to call his cousin, best friend, secret keeper Dr. Vinay.

His phone was not reachable, so he thought of calling his sister Divya but decided not disturb her.

. . .

Next morning before having breakfast Srinivas wanted to know Harshini's opinion. "Do you like Abhiram?" he asked his daughter directly without any hesitation. Varshith was shocked to see his father asking her opinion for the first time, even Harshini is in daze.

"What is this new thing dad? You never ask opinions, it doesn't matter to you right" Varshith taunted. "Even I am shocked" Latha said equally stunned like her kids.

"You didn't answer me Harshi, tell me whatever it is. If you need time just let me know" Srinivas's words were new to his family. Yes.. always orders are passed, opinions or discussions had no place.

Harshini looked towards Varshith tensedly, "Harshini it's your life so your decision" Srinivas said sternly observing Harshini depending on her brother.

"You never gave her opportunity to decide now suddenly how can she take this decision without hesitation. We both discussed yesterday and that guy is good. It's yes from us" Varshith said making Harshini happy.

It clearly meant that Varshith got all information regarding Abhiram. "I want to hear it from you" Srinivas stressed. "If Varshith says yes then how could it be no from me" she said shyly.

Srinivas didn't understand her words but by seeing their smiling faces he understood. All of them had breakfast happily teasing Harshini how she will be at her in-laws home.

Varshith felt happy for the new change in his father, he thanked God that it happened now. Life decisions can't be imposed, both of them would agree to their father anyway but this little acknowledgement of their opinions mattered a lot.

"Why don't you both go to our village? Varshith you will leave soon and Harshini may not get chance after her marriage to spend time there with our relatives" Srinivas suggested.

Varshith and Harshini always loved to go there that too without their parents. Their uncles, cousins, farms everything related to their native village seemed heavenly.

. . .

Abhiram woke up with the sounds outside his room. "Nandini why don't you understand that Abhi likes the girl we saw yesterday. Without asking Abhiram how are you fixing his marriage with Mytri?" Raghuram shouted on his wife

"What's wrong in this? That family is good, we liked her. Tell me why shouldn't I fix this match?" Nandini responded in equal high pitch like her husband did.

"It's Abhi's life, let him decide" Raghuram said in finality. Abhiram got shocked hearing his parents fight. "Abhiram tell your mother what you want" Raghuram said noticing him.

With no other option left he came out of his room, he cannot postpone this. "I like Harshini mom, call them and inform" Abhiram said confidently looking at his mother.

"Abhi! What's wrong with you? Why can't you choose Mytri? Yeah, even Harshini and her family are good but this match is in our city. It will be easy for you after marriage too" Nandini tried to convince her son.

"Are you crazy Nandini? Just because we are in same place doesn't mean you overrule your son's happiness. Don't be selfish, Don't spoil our son's life. I know why you are choosing this match" Raghuram accused.

Nandini got shocked with her husband's words, she wants her son to be with her always. For his career they sent him far but now Mytri's family has a huge business which they want their son in-law to handle. She didn't want to miss this golden opportunity but her son likes Harshini. She mentally cursed herself to select that match.

Abhiram understood that his mother is not ready to accept Harshini for him. He didn't expect that a problem like this would arise in arranged marriage. He needed help to convince his mother... "Who will help me now? Divya, dad or my cousin?" Abhi wondered.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .

A/N : Sorry for late updates

Now who will help Abhiram? Will Nandini agree?

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