Two days.

That's all it took.

Two days of barely talking.
Two days of forced normalcy.
Two days where Rahul spoke carefully... and Nidhi listened only halfway.

For Rahul, silence was protection.
For Nidhi, silence felt like rejection.

The house felt heavier than usual that evening.

Nidhi stood near the window, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Rahul entered the room quietly, his phone still in his hand. He hesitated before speaking.

"Nidhi..."

She didn't turn.

"Em ayindi?"
(What happened?)

Nothing.

That silence—sharp, accusing—hit him harder than words.

"Natho matladu" he said calmly.
(talk with me.)

She let out a bitter laugh and finally turned.

"Matladatam aa?"
(Talking?)
"Ippudu idhi matladatam antava?"
(You call this talking?)

"Nidhi—"

"Rendu rojulu nunchi idhe kada?" she interrupted, voice rising.
(Isn't this what's been happening for two days?)
"Distance. Control. Care ani cheppi... nannu dooram pettadam."
(Distance, control, care—using these words to keep me away.)

Rahul sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"Bangaram, nenu cheppina kada... exams ayyevaraku—"
(I told you, love... till your exams—)

"Exams?" she snapped.
(Exams?)
"Prathi sari adhe excuse!"
(That's your excuse every single time!)

He stepped closer.

"Nenu calm ga explain cheyyadaniki try chestunna. Please ardam chesko."
(I'm trying to explain calmly. Please understand.)

She shook her head, eyes burning.

"Ardam ayyedi enti, bava?"
(Understand what, bava?)
"Nuvvu nannu avoid chestunnav."
(You're avoiding me.)

"That's not true."

"Then enduku?" she demanded.
(Then why?)
"Enduku nannu touch cheyyavu?"
(Why don't you touch me?)
"Nenu daggaraki vasthe enduku venakki vellipotav?"
(Why do you move away when I come close?)

His jaw tightened, but his voice stayed controlled.

" Because I don't want to distract you. Because—"

"Because niku interest ledu," she cut in cruelly.
(Because you're not interested in me.)

That stopped him.

"Em matladutunav picha?"
(What did you say?are you mad.)

She stepped closer, words spilling—insecurities finally breaking free.

"Interest ledu. Attraction ledu."
(No interest. No attraction.)
"Maybe... nenu sariponu kada."
(Maybe I'm not enough.)

"Nidhi—"

"You don't like my body, na?" she blurted out.
(You don't like my body, right?)
"Anduke bayata affair chestunnav kada rendu rojula nunchi amethone unnav?"
(That's why you're looking outside?you are with her only na form past two days?)
"Anduke mana future gurinchi kuda clarity ledu?"
(That's why you don't see a future with me?)

That was it.

Something in Rahul snapped.

"STOP."

His voice echoed—sharp, loud, unfamiliar.

Nidhi flinched.

"Ee nonsense matladadam aapu," he said, eyes dark.
(Stop talking nonsense.)
"Neeku emaina mind poinda?"
(Have you completely lost your mind?)

"nijam chepte anta kopam aa?" she screamed back, tears spilling.
(So telling the truth makes you this angry?)
"Nuvvu natho future chudale du!"
(You never saw a future with me!)
"Anduke mana pelli gurinchi evariki cheppaledu!"
(That's why no one knows about our marriage!)

Rahul laughed bitterly.

"Future chudaledu aa?"
(I didn't see a future?)

"Avunu avunu nenu pichodni  kada nenu akkada na chelli pelli functions jarugutunte nuvekada okadanve untavemo ikkada neetho unnanu ga avunu nenu  mana future gurinchi em alochinchala..." He said mocking.

"Yes I am the mad one here otherwise who will leave his sister marriage functions just because you are alone .."

"Neeku telusa nenu enduku silent ga unnaano?" He asked 
(Do you even know why I stayed silent?)

"Enduku?"
(Why?)

"Because I didn't want to disturb Anu–Vedansh relationship," he snapped.
"Situation delicate ga undi."
(The situation was fragile.)
"Timing important."
(Timing matters.)

"Andhuku appudu dhaka baitha ame toh tirugutunava?" she screamed.

"that's why till then you gonna hang with that women?"

"Don't twist this," he warned.
"Ala matladaku. That's cheap."

"Cheap?" she shouted.
(Cheap?)
"Aithe ippudu dhaka enduku intlo mana pelli gurinchi cheppaledu?!"
(Then why haven't you told the family about our marriage till now?!)

Her voice rang through the hall.

Before Rahul could stop her—

"Evari pelli?"
(Whose marriage?)

The air froze.

Vedansh stood there. Calm. Alert.
Behind him—Kavitha, Lakshmi, Anu, Krishna.

Time stopped.

Kavitha stepped forward and gripped Nidhi's arm.

"Samadhanam cheppu, Nidhi," she demanded.
(Answer me, Nidhi.)
"Evari pelli?"
(Whose marriage?)

Nidhi looked at Rahul.

He closed his eyes—not in fear, but anger.

"Naa—"
(My—)
"Nadhi... Rahul bava dhi."
(Mine... and Rahul bava's.)

Silence.

Kavitha—furious.
Lakshmi—shocked.
Anu—stunned.
Krishna—numb, happy and scared at once.

Rahul clenched his fists.

This was exactly what he wanted to avoid.

And rahul explained the whole situation why they got married. under which circumstances.

Vedansh stepped forward.

"Maa," he said calmly.
(Mom,)
"Manaku telisindi kada ye situation jarigindi."
(It happened due to circumstances.)

"I know Rahul," Vedansh replied firmly.
"I trust him."

Rahul finally spoke.

"Nenu responsibility teesukunta, athaya."
(I'll take responsibility, aunty.)
"Nidhi ni nenu hurt cheyyanu."
(I will never hurt Nidhi.)

Vedansh added softly:

"Iddaru try chestunnaru."
(They're trying.)
"Let's not break them maa."

Kavitha stood quietly for a long moment.

Anger had already burnt itself out.

What remained was reality.

She looked at Rahul once... then at Nidhi.

Her voice was firm, but softer than before.

"Jarigipoindi edo jarigipoinid."
(What's done is done.)
"Ippudu mee idhariki responsibility undali."
(Now there must be responsibility.)

Nidhi's eyes filled instantly.

Rahul exhaled slowly.

Kavitha continued,

"Nenu oppose cheyyanu."
(I won't oppose this.)
"Kaani time padtundi."
(But it will take time.)

Relief washed over the room.

Lakshmi wiped her eyes.
Anu smiled softly.
Vedansh nodded, satisfied.

Krishna—who had been holding his breath—finally relaxed.

She's staying... she's safe.

That evening, Lakshmi and Krishna took Nidhi to their house.

Rahul didn't say a word.

Not a goodbye.
Not a warning.
Not even a look.

His silence screamed louder than his anger.

Nidhi noticed.

And this time—
she knew she deserved it.

The house felt warmer... quieter.

Nidhi sat on the sofa, knees pulled close to her chest.

Krishna disappeared into the kitchen.

Lakshmi watched him suspiciously.

Minutes later—

The smell of ghee and spices filled the house.

Lakshmi walked in, shocked.

"Krishna... nuvva kitchen lona funny?"
(Krishna... you?)

Krishna smiled sheepishly.

"Ha."
(Yes, .)
"Nidhi ki istam ani."
(She likes it.)

Nidhi looked up, stunned.

He placed the plate in front of her.

"Thinu thalli."
(Eat sweety.)

Nidhi's throat tightened.

He sat beside her.

After a pause, softly—

"Sorry Mamaya."

She turned toward him.

"Naa valla inta jarigipoindi."
(All this happened because of me.)

Krishna shook his head immediately.

"Ala kaadu."
(No.)
"Overthinking andariki untundi."
(Everyone overthinks.)
"Kaani manam damage ayyevaraku teesukellakudadhu."
(But we shouldn't let it cause damage.)

Her eyes brimmed.

She leaned forward and hugged him tightly.

Her favorite person.

Her mamaya.

Krishna froze for a second... then hugged her back.

Lakshmi watched silently, heart full.

Rahul was already on the bed.

Turned away.

Facing the wall.

Nidhi entered slowly.

She knew him.

Too well.

She went near the bed and sat beside him.

Softly—

"Bava... lei."
(Bava... wake up.)
"Naaku telusu nuvvu inka padukoledu."
(I know you're not asleep.)

No response.

Her voice cracked.

"I am sorry."
"Nenu kavalani analedu."
(I didn't say those words on purpose.)

Silence.

Her eyes overflowed.

She lay down on the other side, turning away.

Tears soaked the pillow.

Within minutes—
her breathing slowed.

Rahul turned.

He looked at her trembling shoulders.

Carefully, gently—

He wiped her tears with his thumb.

For a second—
his hand stayed there.

Then his jaw tightened.

Those words...

He turned away again.

Angry.
Hurt.
Missing her.

Nidhi finished her online exams. It's been 1 week.

Rahul still didn't talk.

Not one word.

She tried smiles.
Food.
Care.

Nothing.

That evening—
Rahul came home late.

Very late.

Nidhi rushed to him.

Eyes full of worry.

"Ekkadiki vellav inta sepu?"
(Where did you go for so long?)

He removed his shoes calmly.

Without looking at her—

"Naa girlfriend degariki vella."
(I went to my girlfriend.)

Her heart shattered.

Tears spilled instantly.

"Please."
(Please.)
"Sorry cheppan kada."
(I already said sorry.)
"Natho matladu.lekapothe mamaya ki chepta"
(Talk to me otherwise i will complain to mamaya.)

He walked forward.

She stepped back.

Back.
Back.

Until—

Her back hit the wall.

Rahul placed his hands on either side of her.

Caging her in.

Eyes dark.

"Cheppu."
(Say it.)
"Em cheptav?"
(What will you say?)
"Haan?"

His tone teased.

Her cheeks were wet.
Nose red.
Eyes swollen.

He leaned forward suddenly—

And bit her cheek hard.

Claiming.

Missing.

Possessive.

She gasped.

Held her cheeks.

"Nuvu natho matladatla."
(You're not talking to me.)
"Nuvu nannu korakudadu."
(You shouldn't bite me.)

She said it cutely, pouting even while crying.

He smirked.

"Avna?"
(Oh really?)
"Em chestav?"
(What will you do?)
"Malli Mee mamaya ki cheptava?"
(Will you again complain to your mamaya?)

He leaned again.

"Naa istam."
(My wish.)
"Naa rasagulla. Nenemaina cheyachu."
(My rasagulla. I can do whatever I want)

He bit the other cheek too.

Then chuckled.

But she didn't smile.

She sniffed.

Lower lip trembling.

Still crying.

Rahul froze.

That broke him.

He pulled her into his chest tightly.

No words.

Only regret.

Rahul still held her against his chest.

Her sobs slowly softened, but they didn't stop.

She gathered courage and whispered—

"Sorry."
(Sorry.)

He didn't respond immediately.

His jaw tightened.

After a long pause, he spoke.

"Enduku ala annav, Nidhi?"
(Why did you say that, Nidhi?)

She stiffened.

Her fingers clutched his shirt.

Voice trembling—

"Naa friend..."
(My friend...)
"Aame natho ala matladindi."
(She spoke to me like that.)
"Abbaila manasu easy ga marchipothundi ani cheppindi."
(She said boys' hearts change easily.)
"Nenu bhayapadda."
(I got scared.)

She looked up at him, eyes swollen.

"Nenu tappu ga anukunna."
(I thought wrongly.)
"Nenu tappu chesanu."
(I made a mistake.)

Rahul closed his eyes.

Not in anger.

In hurt.

He loosened his hold slightly and looked at her properly.

"Nenu nee kosame time teesukunna."
(I took time only for you.)
"Neeku adjust avvadaniki."
(So you could adjust.)
"Prathi step slow ga teesukundam ani."
(So we could take every step slowly.)

His voice dropped.

"Neeku safety kavali ani."
(So you would feel safe.)
"Neeku pressure lekunda."
(So you wouldn't feel pressured.)

Her lips trembled.

"Kaani nuvvu..." he continued quietly,
(But you...)
"Nannu doubt chesav."
(You doubted me.)
"Naa love ni question chesav. You insulted me..."
(You questioned my love.)

Her tears fell freely now.

She shook her head repeatedly.

"Sorry, bava."
(Sorry, bava.)
"Nenu bhayam tho matladanu."
(I spoke out of fear.)
"Nenu ninnu nammalekapoyanu."
(I failed to trust you.)

She slid down slightly, holding his wrists.

"Nannu kshaminchu."
(Forgive me.)
"Please."

Rahul looked away.

Silent.

The kind of silence that hurts more than shouting.

Then—

He lifted her chin gently.

Not harsh.
Not cold.

Just tired.

"Nuvvu nannu ala anappudu..."
(When you said those words...)
"Chaala baadha vesindi."
(It hurt me a lot.)

He rested his forehead against hers.

So guys how's is the chapter and are you guys excited for #radhi romance in next chapter...so for that vote and do comment and tell me about your opinion....and guys I have started a new book Lust stories 21+ one shots in scroll stck and it is paid each 10₹ only please visit if you are interested and stck link in my bio