Meant to Be note on page 162 - Page 100

Meant to be

part 41

She fainted on the ground like a rootless plant..

Karthik's heart skipped a beat seeing his life sliding down unconscious..he not even thought for a second before rushing towards her in a lightning speed..Dropping the engagement ring to shatter on the floor..

Karthik rushed to Raji with a thudding heart..and an utmost anguish in his face.. he knelt down besides her and gazed her fragile form lying on the ground in shock..he scooped her in his arms and kept her in his lap..and patted her cheeks..

"Raji..Raji.."

Getting no response from her..he looked at VL worriedly..

"Karthik seekiram hospital ku kootitu polaam.." lakshmi said in a hurry

He nodded his head.. "ok.."he lifted her in his arms with one swift moment as if she weighs nothing..and started walking towards the house..not paying heed to the stunned crowd gapping at him..

Karthik's father was shocked to see him running suddenly and his eyes followed him to see where he was heading..he was stunned like a statue seeing him carrying Raji in his arms and walking towards the house..his senses became numb for a moment..when he came out of his shock, reality blows hard on his face..all the crowd witnessing the sight had gapped their mouth in shock ..he couldn't face any of them it was an awkward situation for him and it was damn humiliating ..he felt someone has slapped on his face in public.. the person behind his pathetic condition was none other than his own son..that hurts him even more...

He never felt this much of mortification in his life..he was like a lion in his business world, people would even hesitate to talk in front of him ..but now he has become a material of mockery..it seemed everybody around him was making fun of him..he felt his long built honor had shattered in the dust within a matter of few seconds..his head bent down in shame.. more than that he doesn't know how could he face his partner and how could he justify his son's irresponsible act. ..he never thought Karthik would ditch him this badly.. He hurried to Karthik with a straight face...averting his gaze from the questioning and mocking eyes of others...

Karthik carried Raji to his house and entered into one of the room of the ground floor and placed her on the bed..and fished out his mobile from the packet to call the doctor..

Their family doctor was also in the party he remembered that he had seen him in the party..

While it was ringing on the other side he waited impatiently for the call to be picked up..

"Dai.. Karthik..."

His father's stern voice cut through the air like a sword.

Karthik looked in that direction to be encountered by his outrageous father..

"Yennadaa idhellam...?"

"Appa..Raji mayakkam pottu vizhundhitaa...doctor ku call pannitu iruken.."

Mean time he heard that the call has been answered on the other side..so he ignored his father's glare completely and talked over phone..

"Hello doctor uncle ..i need ur help..yennoda friend mayakkam pottu vizhundhutaa...neenga vandhu paarka mudiyumaa?."

"Car la irukara yennoda medical kid ah yeduthuttu varen wait pannu.."the doctor answered on the other side..

"Ok uncle..i will wait.."

He cuts the call and when he looked back he had to face his wrathful father..

"Karthik..I think we need to talk.."

"Of course I need to talk more than u do..but it is not the right time to talk freely..as of now Raji's health is more important for me than anything else ..."

"Dai anga guests laam wait pannuraanga daa..avanga kitta naanga yenna solradhu...pls konja neram vandhu ninnutu poidudaa.."her mother asked in pleading voice..

"Avanga kitta poi sollunga party mudichadhu veetukku pongannu.."Karthik said recklessly..

"yenna da ippadi pesura.?"her mother was shocked..

"Neenga panna kaariyathukku vera yeppadi pesuradhu? cake vettinadhoda party mudinjadhu..andhukkumela neenga nadathura drama la laam yennaala act panna mudiyaadhu.."he replied heatedly..

While his mother was about to say something his father stopped her by pressing his hand on her shoulder..

"vendaam Sarada..ippo avan kitta pesi oru prayojananum illai..vaa ...anga poi mudinja varaikkum maanam pogaama kaappathuvom.."he said in heavy voice..and he left with reluctant steps..after passing a scornful look at karthik...

For a moment Karthik closed his eyes in regret for giving such pain to his parents..but the next moment his mind went back to Raji.. as of now his first concern was Raji..who was lying on the bed like a withered flower...

After a while Doctor came with his medical kit and checked Raji..

He gave her some injection ..and he scribed something in the notepad then he tore the paper and gave it to Karthik..

Karthik read the prescription..it was written "full meals" there..

He looked back at him in confusion..

"Yes she doesn't need any medicine..all she need is a proper meal..indha kaalathu pillaigal olliyaa irukanumnu diet irundhu ippadi health ah spoil pannikaraanga..being slim and being healthy is two different things..fitness is important than losing weight..mothalla idhai indha ponnukku puriya vai..innum konja nerathula muzhichipaa..saapida yedhaavdhu kudu..nallaa thoongi yezhundhaa sariyaa podium.."he said by packing his stuffs..

"Uncle ..saapidaama irundhadhu dhaan problem aa vera onnum illaiye.."he asked in worry..

"She might be going through some mental stress adhuvum oru reason aa irukalaam..but major reason is her malnutrition...inimelaavadhu vela velaikku ozhungaa saapida sollu..appo dhaan ..ippadi nalla kaariyam nadakkum podhu abasagunam maadhiri mayakkam pottu vizhaama irupaa..neeyum ippadi arakka parakka odivara thevai irukaadhu.."he clearly showed his contempt for their behavior in the party...

The doctor felt very bad for Karthik's parents as he was a very good friend to his father..

Karthik bowed down his head as he couldn't face the accusing glare of the doctor ..

Then he said meekly... "Thank u uncle..unga fees.."

"Yenakku thanks um venaam.. unnoda fees um venaam...indha kaalathu pillaigal..ah pathi onnum sollika mudiyala..inga paaru daa karthi..unga appaa un mela avlo paasam vachirukaan..avan manasa nogadikaadha avlo dhaan naan solluven..adhu dhaan nee yenakku tharra fees.."

He left with a disappointing look...

Karthik came to Raji's side and dragged the chair near her bed and sat on it ..he caressed her hair softly..then taking her one hand between his palms..he sat there like a statue staring at her with a concern filled eyes..

He could hear the zooming of the vehicles and the flashing head lights reflecting on the window continuously...he assumed that the guests were leaving.. Karthik stayed quietly hearing all those sounds..after a while the hustle bustle heard from the back yard had subsided that indicated the abrupt ending of the party.. though he looked calm from outside..his insides were like an erupting volcano..

So many emotions dashed on him like crushing waves that evoked restlessness in him...what a choas had been created in this party..?he sighed deeply in grief...

and awaited anxiously for Raji to get back her consciousness..

Finally his long wait has been come to an end while Raji opened her heavy eyelids slowly..as if waking from the sleep..She blinked few times..and looked at Karthik's face which reflected so much of agony..

She tried to get up immediately..but he stopped her by pushing her down over the shoulder..

"Shh...don't move.."he ordered her in a stern voice..and he tried to move but she caught hold of his hand..with a restless eyes..

He pressed his other hand over hers and assured her with a blink of an eye...

"I will be back in a moment.."

As he said he was back quickly..with a tray contained soup and a meal..

He placed the tray on the side table and sat near her on the bed..and made herself sit comfortably leaning on the head post..

First he started feeding her the soup..she took few spoons...but later she denied his help..

"Karthik I can have it myself.."she tried to snatch the bowl from him..but went silent seeing his deathly glare..

"Vaai pesaama saapidu..indha plate full aa saapidaama I won't leave u.."he warned her sternly..

She obeyed his orders silently..in her mind so many questions were oscillating but she was not ready to ask anything dreading of his wrath..

As she finished the whole meal..he gave water to her and wiped her mouth..

After that he gazed her with piercing gaze for a while..her head bowed down automatically..not able to face his intense gaze as it looked like accusing her..

But to her surprise he hastily moved to her side and hugged her tightly with a strong pull..she could feel his heart pounding frantically..his grip was so tight..as if chocking her breath but she didn't complain...because she too needed that hug as of now..after the mental trauma she had gone through..

"Sorry.."he whispered softly..eventually his hug loosened around ...

She was puzzled why he is asking for a sorry..

He cupped her face and kissed her forehead gently..

"Sorry for making u to go through all these..."He apologized again..

She was astonished to see the depth of his love...of all the crisis he had been undergone..all he could think was her pain only..now her act sounded so ridiculous for her..because of her only he had to face all the humiliation and his family faced disgrace above all he had earned the hatred of his parents too..

She never thought her indecisive act would result in such a big tragedy..

"sonnaa problem nu nenaichi..sollama vittu..ippo adhu adhai vida periya problem aagiduche.."she regretted so badly..

"Now How could I tell him that I am the reason for his all miseries.."

Her eyes wavered in restlessness..

Taking it as her fear of losing him..he caged her both hands in his..

"Don't worry Raji..i will fix everything.." he said with so much of love oozing out of his eyes..

And kissed her finger tips softly..

Jitter passed through her thinking of his unconditional love on her...she was dumb founded by feeling the heights of his affection..she hugged him at once..with a groan and cried burying her face in the crook of his neck..

"shhh..Raji pls..azhaadha..naan yellathaiyum paarthukaren..nee feel panandha.."he tried to pacify her by rubbing her back soothingly..but she sobbed heavily...

How could a man be this much self less?thinking always about me rather than caring his own self..? But what I gave him in return was nothing but pain..

She even suspects her own love whether it could match his..do I deserve his love..she felt herself so inferior and timid in front of his immeasurable love..

"What will he think of me .. when he comes to know that I was aware of the truth before itself and I have hidden it from him ...will he able to forgive me..or will he hate me forever..."she dreaded for the consequences...

" Whatever might be his reaction I have to tell him the truth.."

She muster her courage to confess the truth..and called him meekly...

"Karthik..i have to tell u something.."

But he put his finger on her lips.to stop her..

"shhh...yedhuvaa irundhalaum naalaikku pesikalaam..ippo nee romba tired aa irukka thoongu.."he said softly.

"Karthik.."she pleaded him through her eyes...

"pesaama thoongu..."he rolled his eyes glaring at her..and he wrapped the dwelt up to her neck..and switched off the light..after staying in the room quietly until he heard a deep breathing sound of her...then he walked out of the room locking it behind ...and called lakshmi to accompany Raji..

After that he walked towards his parents room with a deep sigh..as he know that he was heading for a very crucial confrontation..

As expected..Karthik's parents and Sumi's parents were waiting for his arrival with stern faces..

"Why they r angry on me..?actually it shouldn't be the other way round right..?"he thought in mind..

"yenna daa nursing velai laam mudinjadhaa illai yedhum baakki irukaa?"his father asked sarcastically..

But Karthik maintained silence..

"Dai Karthik.. yennada idhellam..naanga onnu nenaichaa nee onnu panra..?"his mother asked in disappointed voice

"Amma..neenga yenna nenachingannu yenakku yepapdi theriyum?"he asked in irritated voice..

"Inniku unnaala appavukku yevlo avamaanam theriyumaa?business partners..friends, relations nu yellaar munnadiyum ivlo periya manushan thalai kuninji nikkara maadhiri senjita..idhukkaga naan unnai yeppavum mannikka maaten.."she said angrily..

"Ammaa..idhula yen mela yenna thappu irukku?birthday party nu sollitu..dhideernu engagement party ah mathareenga..yennai yenna naai kutti nu nenaicheengalaa?neenga solra maadhiri yellam aaduradhukku..? Yenakku nu feelings irukaadhaa?"

He reverted back with the same anger..

"Yennada unnoda feelingsuuu...pona vatti nee oorukku vandhappa naanga ketomme..unnoda kalayanatha pathi appo ne yenna sonna?neengala paarthu yaara kattika sonnalum kannai moodittu kattikarennu sonniyaa illaiyaa...?"

"Aamaa sonnen... adhukkaga yen kitta oru vaarthai kooda kekaama ippadiyaa..yellaar munnadiyum nikka avchi ring podu nu solluveenga..?"

"Naanga pannadhu thappave irukattum ..atleast oru courtesy kaagavaadhu nee stage la ninnu irukalaam..annaa nee yenga moonjila adicha maadhiri appadi dhidudhippunnu odi vandhuta...yendaa naanga athanai per munnadi kooni kurugi nippome nu konjam kooda unakku thonalaiyaa daa?"his father asked in rage..

"Appa.. anga yennoda friend ku udambu sari illama mayakkam pottu vizhundhirukaa..naan yeppadi medai mela pommai maadhiri sirichikittu nikka mudiyum..avalukku help panna ponadhu thappaa..?

"Adhu thappu illai daa..anaa yennamo nee dhaan periya ratchagan maadhiri avala kaila yendhittu poniye adhai yedhula serkaradhu..unnoda matha friends kitta paarthukka sollitu nee thirumbi vara vendiyadhu dhaane?"

"Appadi laam avla yaar kitttaiyo vida yennala mudiyaadhu.."he said in stubborn voice..

"Yen mudiyaadhu.."his mother asked with a glare..

"Yaennaa ..I love her.. yennoda life ah naan avaloda vaazha dhaan aasai paduren..podhumaa.."he burst out finally...though they had already guessed it through his actions..but when it comes from his mouth..it was really a great shock for all of them..as it was confirmed that there was no space for the benefit of doubt...they can't convince themselves with false hopes...

A heavy silence prevailed their after his confession..sumi's parents..started to leave silently knowing that there was no use in standing there after the clear confession of Karthik..

Karthik's parents couldn't do anything other than watching helplessly them leaving with hurt.

"Ippo unakku nimmadhi dhaane daa.."his father asked in blaming tone...

"I am not intended to say like this..but indha alavukku yennai pesa vachadhum neenga dhaan pa.."

"Unnai pethu, valarthu ,aalaakinadhukku yengalukku nalla mariyaadhai senjita daa..manasu kulirndhu pochi.."he said with utmost aversion..

"Appa...Neenga oru business man...funny ah pesaradhukkum unmaiyaa pesadhukkum vitthiyaasam ungalukku theiryaadha?naan velaiyaataa sonna oru vaarthaiya pudichikittu neenga ivlo arrangements ah yum pannitu..ippa yennai mattum kurai solreenga?neenga nenaichirundhaa yen kitta munnadiye solli irukalaam..aanaa neenga sollalai..yaen theriyumaa..unagalukku theriyum naan kandipaa othukka mataennu..adhaan yellar munnadiyum yennai nikka vachi..unga ishtathukku yennai thalai aatta vaikalam nu nenaicheenga ...adhu nadakaadhadhaala yen mela dhaan thappungara maadhiri drama podureenga.."

"Drama poduromaa?yendaa..pethavangala paarthu yenna pechuda pesura..yaenga ivan namma karthi ye ilainga..ivan vera yaaro..aarumaasam munnadi varaikkum ivan ippadi illai..indha aarumaasathula ivana ippadi yedhirthu pesuravanaa maathi irukaannaa ava yeppadi patta ponnaa iruppaa..ava veetukku vandhaa indha veedu velangumaa.."his mother taunted Raji in hatred..

"Amma pls..yennai pathi mattum pesunga.. Raji ah pathi thappaa pesaadheenga..ava romba nalla ponnu.."

"Paartheengalaa..ivana ava yepapdi mayakki vachirukaanu.."

"Podhumaa.. pls..."he pleaded in fed up voice..

"Sarada nee chumma iru."his father silenced her and turned towards Karthik..

"Karthik sari daa..naanga pannadhu dhaan thappu ne vachikalaam..ippa un kitta naan kekuren..sumi ku yennada kuraichal avala vida best aana ponnu yaaruda unakku kedaipaa..?azhagu ,arivu,andhasthu yelaathulaiyum ava unakku yetha ponnudaa..konajm yosichi paarudaa.."he tried to convince him..

"Appaa..sumi romba nalla ponnu dhaan..neenga sonnadhu yellaamae unmai dhaan..naan kooda ok solli irupen...naan Raji ya love pannaama irundhirundhaa..but ippo yennala vera yaariyum nenaichi kooda paarkka mudiyaadhu pa..."he tried hard to make his parents to understand his feelings...

"Yengalukkaga unnoda mudivai maathika koodaadhaa daa..?"his mother asked with hopeful eyes..

"Sorry maa..naan yaarukaagavum yennoda mudivai maathikkara maadhiri illai..i love Raji..avala dhaan naan kalyaanam pannipen..irrespective of ur consent..

Naan yennoda love ah solli unga sammadham vaanga dhaan inga vandhen..annaa adhai ippadi oru nilamaila solla vendi varum nu naan ninaikave illai..."

At that time..They heard a whimper followed by a chiming of payal at the door step..all three of them looked in that direction in unison..they could only see the retreating back of sumi...

"Dai ...ippa indha ponnukku yaaru daa padhil solradhu?'his father asked in sorrow...

"Appa.. Sumi kitta naan pesuren.."Karthik followed her with determined steps..

Sumi was standing on the terrace..staring at the sky with tears flowing continuously..

Disappointment and distress making her feel miserable.. ..the dream castle she had been built in her heart had been destroyed completely..she felt that her future has been ruined forever...

Karthik looked at her silently for a while.. felt very sad seeing her disoriented state..

He cursed his father yet again for his heedless act making so many people to suffer..

Especially he didn't like the way his best friend got hurt by this broken engagement..

"Sumi.." he called her in heavy voice..

She hurriedly wiped her eyes and said..

"Karthik pls.po..yenna konja neram thaniyaa vidu.."she said with nasal tone..indicating her constant crying..

"Sumi pls try to understand..idhula yen mela yendha thappum illai..yaen yellarum yennaiye blame panreenga..?yennoda parents yennadaannaa yennai oru culprit maadhiri treat panraanga.."he said in frustration...

"Thappu dhaan china vayasula irundhu pazhagura friend mela nambikai vachadhu yennoda thappu dhaan.."

"Pls sumi..neeum appa amma maadhiriye pesaadha..yennoda nilamaila irundhu yosichi paaru..ippadi sudden aa engagement ...marriage naa yenakku yepapdi irukkum?"he asked in exasperated voice..

"But uncle unakku indha kalyanathula interest nu dhaan sonnaaru.."

"avaru sonna..nee yen kitta oru vaarthai ketka vendaama?unakku oru murai kooda thonalaiyaa.yen kitta confirm pannanumnu?"He asked in disbelief

"Uncle surprise aa irukattum nu sonnadhaala..naan...ok forget it..

Ippo naan kekuren sollu..un kitta ippadi sudden aa kekaama..munaadiye kettirundha unnoda padhil yennava irundhirukkum?

"apapvum yennoda padhil No dhaan...but we could have avoided the embarrassment and humiliation in front of others..."

"Yen Karthik unakku naan thagudhi illai nu nenaikiriyaa?"she asked in hurtful voice..

"appadi illai sumi ..unakku naan dhaan thagudhi illai..unnoda nallah manasukku unnai yaaru kalyaanam panninaalum avanga lucky dhaan but naan andha lucky person aa irukka mudiyaadhu.."

"Yen ..ungappa amma selection mela unakku nambikai illaiyaa?

"Avanga yenakku ponnu paarkaratha vida yennai inga katti podanumngaradhu dhaan avangaloda unmaiyaana nokkam..naan velaila serndhadhe avangalukku pidikai..ippo unnai yenakku katti vachi..ingaiye thanga vaikkanumgaradhu dhaan avangaloda plan..appuram business la yum izhukka paarpaanga.."

"Idhula yenna thappu irukku..ivlo periya sothukku nee ore vaarisu.. avanga yosikaradhu natural dhaane.?avanga unaku kettadhu seivaanganu nenaikariyaa?

"u know what Sumi..avanga yedhu yenakku nalladhunu nenaikiraangalo adhai dhaan naan seiyanum nu yedhir paarpaanga..but adhu yenakku pidikumaanu yosikka maataanga...China vayasula irundhe avanga ippadi dhaan ...ippo marriage vishayathula yum avanga idhiye dhana follow panraanga.."

"avanga un mela vachirukka paasathinaala appadi seiraanga.."sumi defended them..

"Ippadi avanga virupatha yen mela thinikaradhukku per paasam illai dominance..pure arrogance...

How selfish they r..?he said with bitterness..

Sumi smirked mockingly

"Nee nalla irukanum nu nenaikaravanga kettavanga ..selfish..aanaa nee avamaana pattalum paravaillai ..unnai pethavanga thalai kunijaalum paravaailainu neinaichi un kitta unamiya sollama maraichavanga nallavanga appadi dhaane Karthik?"she asked sarcastically..with fiery eyes..

"Nee yaara solra sumi."he scrunched his brows..

"Nee yaara uyirukku uyir aa nenaikariyo..yaarukkaga unnoda pethavangaliye yedhirka thunijiyo..yaaru unnoda life nu nee perumaiyaa sonniyo.. yaaru romba nallaponnunu certificate kuduthiyo..adhe Raji ya dhaan solren.."

"Raji aa?ava yenna panaa.."

"Avalukku indha engagement pathi mudhallaiye yellam theriyum..naan vandha annike ava kitta solliten..

Avala oru nalla friend aa nenaichi dhaan yen manasula irukaradha yellam sonnen..annaa badhilukku ava yen mudhugula kuthita.

Ava oru naalla friend aa irundhirundhaa yen kitta appave solli irukalaame neenga rendu perum love panreengannu...sari yen kitta solla vendaam atleast un kitta yaavadhu solli irukalaam..

Yenga appa amma avamaana padaamalaavdhu irundhirupaanga..ippo paaru inimel yenakku kalyaanam nadukkumaangaradhe kelvi kuri aagiduchi...appruam unga appa ammavoda vedhani..unnoda vali..idhu yedhuvume nadandhirukaadhu...ava un kitta oru vaarthai solli irundhaa..aanaa ava sollalai..yen Karthik sollalai...?unnai unmaiyaa nesichi irundhaa ava solli irupaale..unnai ipapdi avamaana pada vittirupaalaa?

Ippadi yendha relationship kume unmaiyaa illadha oruthiyaala unnoda vaazhkaila mattum yepapdi unamiyaa irukka mudiyum sollu Karthik..?sumi asked furiously...grabbing his collar ..but he looked back at her blankly..

Sumi smirked as she had executed her plan well..seeing the astonished face of Karthik..she had realized that her last weapon had hit the target perfectly..

Karthik was stunned by this revelation..he couldn't believe his ears what it had just heard..he cannot suspect sumi in this as he himself knew that Raji was hiding something from him..but he never ever thought even in his wildest of dreams that Raji would hide such big issue from him..atlast it was turned out to be Raji who was the reason for all his pain and the disgrace of his parents..

"Raji.."his mouth uttered in shock...

To be continued..