The next morning, Rahul's phone rang. It was Krishna.

"Rahul," his voice sounded serious but excited. "Come home urgently. I have something important to announce. And bring Rajyalakshmi amma with you."

Rahul frowned but agreed. "Okay, I'll be there soon nana."

He went to inform Rajyalakshmi, who was sitting in the veranda sorting flowers. Her eyes lit up at the news.
"Oh, Krishna called? Wonderful! It must be something good. We'll all go."

Then she turned to Lasya, who was arranging jasmine strings nearby.
"Lasya, you come too, kanna. You will feel good."

Those few words struck like a blade in Nidhi's chest.
She was standing just a few feet away, her eyes instinctively flicking toward Rahul.

He looked up too — confused — almost guilty, though he hadn't done anything. He hadn't even imagined she would invite Lasya.

But Nidhi didn't know that. Her heart squeezed painfully, mind clouded by the image of Lasya's soft smile and her grandmother's warm tone.

So this was his idea? she thought bitterly. First chocolates to calm me, and now taking her along to make it official?

Her throat tightened, but she said nothing.

Soon everyone gathered near the cars. Rajyalakshmi and vaishnav took the back seat of Rahul's car. Rahul walked around to the driver's side. Nidhi was about to take the front seat beside him, but before she could reach, Lasya came running lightly and sat there.

"Oh, I'll sit in front, Nidhi. You can go with the other car, right?" Lasya said cheerfully, unaware of the storm she'd caused.

Rajyalakshmi nodded approvingly. "Yes, yes, Lasya, you sit there. The front seat suits you."

Nidhi froze for a second, her smile stiff, her eyes burning. She looked once at Rahul — searching for a sign, a word, anything that said this wasn't what it looked like.

But Rahul only looked confused, helpless.

"I can't take stand for you nidhi..otherwise it would look like am giving hope too you......sorry"

That single second broke her all over again.

Before anyone could notice, she quietly turned away and walked toward the second car — Vedansh's — where anu was already sitting in the passenger seat, chatting idly.

Vedansh raised an eyebrow as Nidhi came near. "You're coming with us?"

She just nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah... there's no space in the other car."

He said nothing more, anu knows how much she loves front seat "nidhu come sit in front " but nidhi denied "no i am tierd i will sleep at the back...she sat silently in the back seat, staring out the window, even Vedansh sensed the tension that hung heavy in the air.

Meanwhile, Rahul watched from the rear-view mirror as Vedansh's car started ahead of him.
He didn't know why her sudden distance hurt so much — or why her silence felt like punishment.
He just knew something had changed.

And for the first time, he wasn't sure how to fix it..

.

.

The cars finally pulled up near a small roadside dhaba. The sun was dipping low, painting the fields golden.

Rajyalakshmi was the first to step out.
"Come, let's eat something before we continue," she said, stretching her legs.

Lasya and Vaishnav followed her eagerly toward the dhaba entrance.

Vedansh and Rahul stayed back to park the cars properly. 

Nidhi, meanwhile, stayed seated in the back seat. She looked tired, lost in her own thoughts.

Vedansh came around, leaning on the car door.
"Nidhu, come and eat something. You didn't even have breakfast properly."

She shook her head lightly. "I'm not hungry, annaya."

Vedansh sighed. "I don't want to hear any reasons come and eat...." he said.

Still, no response.

Nidhi's lips trembled, but she didn't speak. She just got out of the car and started walking straight toward the small pathway beside the dhaba.

Vedansh sighed, running a hand through his hair, and followed her quietly — not to argue, not to explain, but simply because he couldn't let her walk away alone.

Inside the small dhaba, the aroma of ghee and fresh rotis filled the air. Rajyalakshmi sat with Lasya and Vaishnav, chatting cheerfully. But at the corner table, Nidhi sat quietly, staring at her untouched plate.

Rahul noticed but didn't say anything right away. He knew her silence was heavy — heavier than her words ever could be.

Vedansh came and sat beside her. "Nidhi, why aren't you eating?" he asked softly.

She didn't look up. "I'm not hungry, annaya."

Vedansh sighed, taking the spoon from her hand. "Enough of this drama. You didn't eat in the morning either. Come on, open your mouth."

"Annaya, please—"

Before she could complete, he gently fed her a bite. "Good girl. Now chew."

Nidhi hesitated for a moment, but the affection in his tone broke her stubbornness. Slowly, she started eating, one bite after another — some by herself, some from his hand.

When Rahul saw that, a small smile appeared on his face. The tightness in his chest eased. He leaned back, finally relaxed, and started eating his food too.

For a few moments, the chaos of emotions that had followed them all day faded into a rare calm — the sound of steel plates, laughter from the next table, and the quiet comfort of being together again..

.

.

As they stepped inside, everyone froze for a moment — Kalyani, Vaishnav's mother, was sitting in the living room, her presence radiating warmth and calmness.
Vaishnav's face lit up as he hurried toward her.

"Mom, when did you come?" he asked, his voice filled with surprise and affection.
Kalyani smiled, spreading her arms wide.

"Just now, my dear."

She hugged him tightly, her affection wrapping the room in comfort. Everyone adored Kalyani — her gentle nature made her the heart of every gathering.

Soon, the family gathered in the dining room for dinner. Between the soft laughter and the clinking of cutlery, Krishna suddenly cleared his throat.

"I have an announcement," he said seriously. The room fell silent. All eyes turned toward him.

"I've decided," he continued, "that Anu should marry Vaishnav."

The words struck like thunder. Shock rippled across the table — everyone stared in disbelief.
Only Rajyalakshmi remained still, unaware of the deep bond between Vedansh and Anu.

Anu heat stopped beating...and vedansh is super angry with krishna and just controlling his anger..

"evandi(suniye or listen)," Lakshmi said sharply, "we need to talk. Right now."

Sensing the tension, Kalyani quietly said, "Alright, we'll wait. You two need to talk."

Once the door closed, Lakshmi turned furiously toward Krishna.
"What the hell is this? How could you even think of this? Don't you know Anu loves Vedansh?"
Krishna's tone hardened. "This is for her own good."

Kavitha stepped forward, her voice trembling but firm.
"Please, annaya. You don't understand. Vedansh loves Anu with all his heart. He'll never let this marriage happen. Yes, he's obsessed with her ."

"That's exactly my fear!" Krishna shouted back. "That obsession will ruin her life! Because of your son, my daughter will suffer. I can't let that happen."

Kavitha was stunned into silence.
Then Nidhi, who had been quietly listening from the corner, finally spoke.
"Mamaya, please don't do this. They love each other."

Krishna turned sharply toward her. "You don't know anything, Nidhi. Stay out of this."

"Why should I stay out of it?" she fired back, her eyes glistening. "This is my brother's happiness. I have every right to speak!"

"You're just a child!" Krishna snapped.

"I'm not a child, Mamaya!" Nidhi's voice cracked, but her anger blazed. "I am younger in the house but i am not child."

Krishna's eyes darkened, his voice cold. "Neekem telidhu nidhi rep vadu kuda me naana laga tayr aithe nenu em cheyali."

"You don't know anything. If your brother becomes like your father, what will i do then?"

Nidhi froze, her breath catching. "What... what do you mean by that?"
Krishna took a step closer, his bitterness spilling out.

"Your father left your mother — left you all behind! He didn't care. He walked away for his own selfish reasons. Tell me, what will I do if your brother turns out just like him? After all, his blood runs in your veins!"

The room fell silent. The words hung in the air like knives.
Nidhi's face crumbled, her eyes filling with tears. She couldn't bear it. Trembling, she turned and ran out of the room.

Kavitha's voice broke as she turned toward her brother.
"Enough, annaya. That was too much."
Her tone was filled with pain and disappointment as she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Krishna stood frozen, guilt already clawing at his heart.
I shouldn't have said that... she's just a child... he thought to himself, lowering his eyes as the weight of his words sank in.

Nidhi ran to her room, her breath trembling and uneven. She burst through the door where Vedansh sat on the edge of his bed, fists clenched, eyes burning with silent rage.

"Annaya..." her voice shook, "why did Dad leave us? you and mummy said he died but he left us right?"

Vedansh froze, the question hitting like lightning. His jaw tightened. "Who told you that?"

"Just answer me!" Nidhi cried, her eyes glistening.

"It's none of your business, Nidhi. Leave it," he snapped.

"Why is it not my business?" she screamed, tears spilling down her cheeks. "He's my dad too! I deserve to know!"

Vedansh's patience shattered. "I said shut up and go to your room!"

"Why should I always obey you?" she yelled back. "Who are you to command me all the time?"

Just then, Kavitha rushed in, her heart pounding, eyes wide with fear and fury. Without thinking, she slapped Nidhi hard across the face.

"How dare you raise your voice at your brother?" she shouted. "Don't you even know how much he loves you? He stayed up all night when you had a fever, terrified you wouldn't wake up! And this is how you repay him?"

Nidhi's lips trembled. Tears poured freely. She looked at her mother — hurt, confused, broken — and then turned and ran out of the house into the cold night.

Moments later, the house was no longer quiet.

Vedansh, consumed by rage, stormed into the hall. His blood boiled as he saw Krishna standing there, pretending as if nothing had happened.

Without warning, he grabbed Krishna's collar, his voice erupting like thunder.
"You were not supposed to drag my sister into this mess!" he shouted. "She's just a child! How dare you!"

The entire family turned in shock.

At that moment, Anu, unaware of everything that had happened, rushed into the hall — and froze.
All she saw was Vedansh, furious, holding her father by the collar.

"Vedansh!" she screamed, pushing him away. "Are you mad? What are you doing? How can you talk to my father like this?"

Vedansh turned, still shaking with anger. "I should talk to him like this! He deserves it! you don't know what he did." and pulled his collar.

"Vedansh, stop it!" she yelled. "He's my father! He has every right to decide what's best for me!"

"Best for you?" Vedansh growled. "How can he decide your marriage without even asking us?" 

"vedansh remove your hold.." but still he didnt.

"She is my daughter and she will marry whoever i say.." krishna said with a smirk which was not noticed by anu.

Vedansh's fury peaked. "she will not she loves me.." and he got angry and still didnt leave krishnas collar.

"I will marry whomever nana say.." anu said with tears

 In a moment of blind emotion, he stepped forward, but firmly, pulling her close.

"What did you just say?" his voice was low, trembling with hurt.

Everyone froze, fear flashing across their faces.

Anu, angry and trembling, met his gaze. "Yes! Because of your anger issues, everyone fears you! I thought you'd changed, Vedansh — but no, you haven't. You'll never change!"

Her voice cracked, but she didn't back down. "And you know what? I regret loving a guy who can't even respect my father, now I will marry whoever my father says!"

Vedansh's face darkened. His hands fell to his sides. Pain, betrayal, and rage twisted together in his chest.

"Fine," he said coldly, his voice breaking slightly. "Go. Do whatever you want. But I will also see how you marry someone else.....it will happen only over my dead body..." 

He turned away, his eyes wet, his chest heaving with silent heartbreak.

And for the first time, Anu felt the weight of her words crush her — but it was too late. The storm had already shattered them both.

Kavitha found nidhi was missing, panic flooding her chest. "Nidhi?" she called out, but there was no response. Her heart raced. She rushed down the hall and seen Rahul.

"Rahul!" she cried. "Please, go find Nidhi!"

Rahul immediately stood. "What happened? Why did she go out?"

"Please... just bring her back, I will explain everything later." Kavitha begged, her voice shaking.

Without another word, Rahul dashed out into the street. The night was quiet, the air heavy. He ran down every lane, calling her name until finally — he saw her.

There she was — sitting at the corner of a dimly lit street, curled up on the pavement, sobbing uncontrollably, her body trembling with pain and exhaustion.

He slowly walked up to her and knelt beside her. "Nidhi..." he said softly.

She looked up — eyes red, cheeks wet. The moment she saw him, she broke down completely, throwing herself into his arms.

Rahul wrapped his arms around her tightly. "It's okay," he whispered, brushing her hair gently. "I'm here... I've got you."

He pressed a soft kiss on her forehead, holding her as she cried her heart out. Under the pale streetlight, the world seemed to fade away — just her quiet sobs and his soft, steady heartbeat.

Eventually, Nidhi's sobs slowed, her body relaxing in exhaustion. She fell asleep in Rahul's arms. Gently, he lifted her up and carried her home.

When Kavitha saw them at the door, tears welled in her eyes. "Thank God..." she whispered. She guided Rahul to her room and watched as he laid Nidhi carefully on the bed.

Kavitha explained everything to Rahul..even he got angry on his father how could he behave with her like that.. he shouldn't drag her in this. she don't deserve anything that happened today.

Kavitha sat beside her, brushing the tears from her daughter's cheek, her heart breaking with guilt. Vedansh entered quietly, eyes heavy with regret. He walked over, knelt beside the bed, and kissed Nidhi's forehead.

"I think..." he murmured softly, "we should tell her the truth, Amma. She deserves to know everything."

Kavitha looked at him — torn between fear and love — and simply nodded, unable to speak.

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