42 I will come with you. ~Laya

Ch-42

Raghuram was shocked to hear his shouts.

"I don't see anything wrong in Sita Atta's (mother-in-law) words," Rahul said.

"Rahul, don't take these cook's words into your heart. They know nothing," Raghuram tried to intervene.

"Father-in-law, I don't know why… but suddenly and from the bottom of my heart… I pity Laya for being with you all these years and for having so much respect and love for you," he said.

"She loved you and respected you so much… but what did she get in the end? Your spite.

"From what I know… her world is filled with peddananna, peddamma, pinni(wife of father's younger brother), Babai ( father's younger brother), tammudu (Youngest brother), and chelli (younger sister). But now… no one is standing on her side.

"When she was slapped in front of your eyes, what did you all do? Did anyone call me to inform me or to scold me? You guys did nothing and left the place," Rahul said. Raghuram wanted to say something but Rahul showed his palm to him asking him to shut up.

"Father-in-law, don't say that she asked you to leave. She did that because… you did nothing and didn't want to make things complicated for herself and your family. But you never had a proper conversation with my family or me.

"Even now… you are saying you don't care whether she was alive or not. What kind of attitude is that?

"Arjun, I thought we are business partners and good friends along with that. But why didn't you say anything to me?

"Of course, I am a fool to not contact her just because my mother black-listed my number from her phone.

"But what about you people? Huh?

"Now she is injured, you all gather the love from the ends of the world. Then what happened to the same love you held for her when she was beaten up by my mother?" he asked.

"I am such a useless person. I made her health worse, I made her go through this. I can't brush away or wash away my sin just by saying… I know nothing. She is such a pure girl. The fact I love her is… her eyes which were full of life. But now… they are empty. As Sita Atta said… they are hollow without any life," he said as he slumped on the bed. A tear slid down his face.

There was a thick silence in the air. Wiping his tears harshly, he looked at Sita and Abhinav.

Walking towards them, he stood in front of them. "Atta, Abhinav, I am taking Laya to Chennai. Far away from my mother. I saw she couldn't even sleep peacefully because of my mother nowadays. I will make sure she is taken care of well and gets what she deserves.

"I promise this time. I won't break the second time. I will cherish her," Rahul said with strong resolve in his eyes.

Sita turned her head away. Abhinav sighed at her. "Mom, let's give him one chance. I am going to study in Chennai anyway. And going to live in my apartment. If akka (Elder sister) cries. I will take her with me. She will cook for me and take care of me," Abhinav said.

"Fine… Since My son is saying. If I hear anything, I will take her away," Sita said.

"And you Abhinav. Brat! It should be you taking care of her not the other way around," she twisted his ears making him yelp.

"Mom… ouch… ouch… it hurts. No one would marry me in future, If I have big ears," he whined.

"I don't care," Sita said and gave one last hard twist to his ears.

Even though no one spoke, the atmosphere turned lighter.

----

Laya broke down into tears and cried like no tomorrow. What the eye sees is not the truth but what the eye couldn't see is the truth. She felt betrayed when she heard her peddananna's words. Even Sharada amma said nothing. And Arjun Anna… he said nothing. Only Sita amma and Abhinav were on her side. And Rahul… whom she dreaded now was supporting her.

Crying for a while made her dizzy, she walked to the sink with wobbly legs and washed her face. When she tried to open her eyes, she felt the world was turning dark and she didn't know what had happened to her.

------

"Mom, It's been a long time since Akka went inside." Abhinav reminded.

Sita nodded.

Sita went near the bathroom and opened it. After all, Laya didn't lock it. Opening the door, she was shocked.

"Laya!!" she yelled.

Her yell caught the attention of others. Everyone looked at Unconscious Laya. Rahul rushed forward and scooped her in his arms and laid her on the bed. He looked at Abhinav, "Call the doctor!" he yelled at him. Abhinav ran to call the doctor.

The doctor came and checked Laya. "She is too stressed. Don't let her stress," he said.

"You can leave this evening," The doctor added.

After two hours of sleep, Laya woke up. Only Rahul was in the ward beside her sleeping in an awkward position. She doesn't know whether she could trust him or not? Maybe what if it's an act.

Leaning back on the backrest of the bed. Laya didn't know how long it passed. She came into her senses only when she heard Rahul's words.

"You are awake?" he asked.

Laya was shocked to hear his words. But soon calmed down. She nodded at him.

"Are you okay? Do I need to call the doctor?" he asked.

"No, I am fine," he said.

"I will come with you," she said.

"Huh?" Rahul was dumbfounded. But when he understood her words a big smile was carved on his face.

"Hmm…" he wanted to say something but the current Laya was making him feel scared.

"Say it," she said.

"Sleep here tonight. Tomorrow, We will leave for Chennai," he said.

"Will you take me there?" she asked.

"Nope, we will leave from here directly," he said.

"Take me there," she said.

"What?" he asked in surprise.

"Take me to your parents' villa," she said.