CHAPTER 26
This is what happened after Adarsh reached Chennai.
He was about to knock on the door of Mr. Ramakrishnan's house when someone pulled him from behind.
"What the heck are you doing here?"
Swadheenta asked in a low voice.
"I need to talk to your father"
Adarsh said
"Have you gone out of your mind? Don't you understand the gravity of the situation?"
Swadheenta said in disbelief
"I know and that is why I need to talk. I will tell him everything and leave it up to him to decide. It's okay if he gets mad at me after knowing the truth."
Adarsh said firmly
"He is already mad at you. It will be better for you to leave this place before he sees you."
Swadheenta said anxiously.
"Please Swadheenta , try and understand. I want to clear the air between him and Mom."
Adarsh insisted.
Just then the door opened and out came Mr. Ramakrishnan. He saw the two of them and shouted angrily,
"Swadheenta..what are you doing with that guy?"
Swadheenta and Adarsh were too shocked to react. Mr. Ramakrishnan came and pulled his daughter away. He took her inside the house. Adarsh too followed them.
Seeing him come Mr. Ramakrishnan blasted him,
"Stay away from my daughter. If I see you again near her, I will..."
"Please Sir, listen to me just once. I did not come here to meet Swadheenta. I came to meet you. I wanted to talk about Mom."
Adarsh urged.
"I dont want to hear anything about you or your Mom. Now leave."
Mr. Ramakrishnan said indignantly
"I think you should listen to him once"
Revathy said, coming in.
Mr. Ramakrishnan looked at her. Then he looked at Swadheenta. She was looking miserable.
"Alright, what do you want to say?"
Mr. Ramakrishnan asked Adarsh.
Adarsh then explained everything about how he had planned to separate them. He also revealed what had actually happened on that night when Mr. Ramakrishnan left the Sinha House.
"I am sorry for what happened. Please forgive us."
Adarsh said apologetically.
Mr. Ramakrishnan completely lost his cool. Before anyone could stop him, he slapped Adarsh hard on his face.
"This is the person you wanted to marry? One who plots against his own mother. Not only that he involved you too in his stupid plan"
Mr. Ramakrishnan was fuming
"I am really sorry Appa. We did not mean to hurt you."
Swadheenta tried to explain. She was almost in tears on seeing Appa slap Adarsh.
"But still you did. I was always so proud of you, but this time you have let me down."
Saying this Mr. Ramakrishnan went inside his room and closed the door.
"I think you should leave now Adarsh. Vijay is not in his right mind now. Let him calm down a bit. I am sure he will understand your situation."
Revathy said to Adarsh.
Adarsh nodded. Then he looked at Swadheenta and wished her a silent goodbye. Who knows when they will be able to meet again.
Adarsh was waiting at the airport for his fligt when he got a call. It was Mom.
"Hello Adarsh. Where are you now?"
Suhasini asked
"I...I am not in Delhi. I had some important official work here in ..um.."
Adarsh fumbled
"I know you are in Chennai. Now listen to me. Don't leave from there until I tell you. Do you understand ?"
Suhasini instructed
"But Mom, I have my flight in 2 hours"
Adarsh said
"No need to board that flight. I have booked two rooms in a hotel. I will send you the address. Go there and wait for my next instructions. "
Suhasini said and hung up.
What was the matter with Mom. Why was she speaking like a character of some spy movie? Adarsh wondered. Nevertheless he picked up his luggage and left for the hotel.
About 4 to 5 hours later there was a knock on the door. Adarsh opened it and was surprised to find both his parents standing.
Before he could even react, Suhasini hurried inside followed by Manohar. Behind them was a train of staff carrying colorful boxes and packages.
"Mom Dad..what are you doing here? And what are these?"
Adarsh asked, pointing at the boxes.
"I will explain everything. Let me catch a breath first."
Suhasini said, sitting down on the sofa.
Adarsh looked at his father cluelessly.
Manohar gave him a smile and said,
"Well these are shagun, for your marriage. We have brought this for Mr. Ramakrishnan and family."
"What?"
Adarsh could not hide his shock.
"Your father is right. We have come here to fix your marriage with Swadheenta. Now get ready fast. We have to go and meet the Ramakrishnans"
Suhasini explained
"Now..are you mad? It is 9 O'clock in the night."
Adarsh pointed out
"I don't care. I need to talk to that man right now. Are you coming with us or shall we leave?"
Suhasini asked
"OK..OK..I am coming. Give me two minutes"
Adarsh said and left to get ready.
Mr. Ramakrishnan was still inside his room. He was lost so deep in thoughts that he had not realised that it got so late. There was a knock on the door.
He opened to find Revathy.
"It's getting late. I should leave now. Please take care of Swadheenta. I have never seen her so weak. Poor girl is torn between her father and her..."
She paused
" I will get you a rickshaw."
Mr. Ramakrishnan tried to change the topic
"I think you should give her a chance. Adarsh is not such a bad person. You should have faith in your daughter's choice"
Revathy said as Mr. Ramakrishnan accompanied her towards the exit.
Just then a taxi pulled over infront of their main gate. Another one came and pulled over behind it.
Suhasini and Manohar got down from the first one. They came forward and greeted them.
"Good evening. If you don't mind, can we come in?"
