Here is the third part of the SS... I know, I know I am late... 😆 But as I said earlier, it is a double update... 😉 It is to you all for being such amazing readers and encouraging me 😃 and also because I took forever... 😆 So I hope it makes up for it... 😉
You Guys take a shot at it and I will tell the rest at the end... 😃
Part Three A -
"Wh- What??" she looked at him incredulously. He took a deep breath in an attempt to explain his thoughts. "Inga paaru Raji... I really don't- well actually it is that- I mean..." *Ugh* He mentally cursed his bad luck for the words were failing him at the wrong time. He really did not know how to give a sensible explanation to her without making himself look like an idiot. He closed his eyes to calm down and took another try, but this time he took another route as well.
"Raji... Do you trust me?" He stared right into her eyes, looking for the cue that he needed to continue. She slightly nodded a 'yes' and that was more than enough for Karthik. "If you do, then you will accept this marriage without questions..." She stared at him in disbelief, as if he had just lost his mind, and started to walk away. "Raji... Oru nimisham... Please listen to me..."
She turned around and looked at him, her eyes pooled with tears. "Raji... Indha Kovil kku saatchi ah solren, whatever I am saying is true and from my heart... I know what I am doing Raji... Ennala oruthar en kann munnadi kashta paduradha paarka mudiyaadhu... And what I heard from you yesterday is nothing but a description of hell... Edhukku Raji nee seiyyaadha thappu kku kashta padanum? And if you accept right now, you will see the light of your life..." She tried to speak, but he continued without giving her a chance, "Unna kalyanam pannikitta unna indha life la irundhu kaapatha mudiyum naa I am more than ready... It will just be a marriage of convenience... You can live your life as you wish to Raji... I don't expect anything from you except but for a pure friendship... Nalla yosichu dhaan pesuren, and I promise every word I am telling you right now is from my heart and not from haste..." He took another deep breath, "Ippo sollu... Raji will you marry me?"
He looked straight into her eyes, hoping with all his heart that she would accept it. Raji tried with all her strength to not cry, but the tears streamed down her cheeks. She really couldn't think clearly, she was feeling dizzy. "Marriage... Convenience... Heart... Haste... I- I don't understand... I really don't understand Karthik... Neenga yosichu dhaan pesureengala nnu ennaku sathiyama theriyala... Kaalam full ah ennala neenga en kashta padanum? Adhu evalo periyaa thappu... I should not be selfish... Unga parents oda nambikai ah odaichadha aaiyuraadha? You must have lots of dreams about your life, I will never be the reason to shatter it... I am feeling guilty..." "No- no... I can't do this... Please Karthik, it is not at all right..." She started shaking her head frantically.
But Karthik was in no way to back up now. He was determined that if he stepped foot outside the temple, then it will be with Raji as his wife. He spoke in a more firm tone, "Raji... Nee solradhu ellam 100 percent true, anaa if I cared for any of that, ippo inga un munnadi kalyanam panniko nnu ketka maaten... This marriage will work the way you want it to, and I promise to respect your decisions and be a true friend... Please accept it Raji..."
Raji stared at him, right into his eyes, for a long time. She saw nothing but pure sincerity and respect. She did not know if it was right, she did not know what the future will hold, but if this is what God had decided for them in heaven, then she was ready to do it. She took a long deep breath, "I will marry you Karthik..."
It took him a moment to realize what she had just said. "Ra- Raji? Are you serious?" he looked quite shocked not believing that she had just accepted his proposal. She smiled at his reaction, "Yes, I am 100 percent sure... Idhu sariyaa illa thappa nnu laam theriyaadhu... But idhu dhaan fate naa adha accept pannuradhu dhaan sari..."
He never expected her to say yes' this fast, but he felt more than relieved. He did not know how to react or what to say. "Raji... Ennaku enna solradhu nne theriyala... Thank You for this... Also, um mamba conference pola nnu inneram therinchu irukkum... They might start looking for us... So... Uh..." He couldn't figure out why he hesitated to call her inside. But she understood him, "Come let's go..." She held out her hand for him to hold. Karthik looked at her with respect that increased double fold every time she said or did something.
They walked inside the temple where Karthik had arranged the priest for their wedding. The priest had already started the rituals as Karthik and Raji came and sat down. By each passing moment, both felt their hearts thudding. Deep down, Karthik felt more nervous than he had ever in his entire life. But he knew, right now he was the confidence of Raji and he couldn't break it.
After reciting the marriage verses, the priest instructed the couple through the rituals. "Karthik, aathula irukka periyaavaa yaarum varalai nnu sollitel, friends yaaravadhu vaarala illa thaali ah kattidurel ah?" For the first time in life, Karthik felt lonely, his parents or the people he was close to, weren't there in such a huge point of his life, "Illa yaarum varala... Thaali ah kattidalaam..." he had nothing else to say. Raji noticed the evident sadness in his eyes, it pricked her heart to see him like that, but she determined right then, that she would give him the happiness he longed for, even if not now, very soon.
Her heart was pounding as she saw his hands coming towards her to tie the knot. She closed her eyes and thought of her parents, she asked for their blessings. All along, Karthik felt nervous, but when it came to the moment where he was about to tie the knot, his nervousness was washed away with excitement. He couldn't believe he was getting married, everything felt like a dream.
Karthik tied the last knot, with every god from heaven showering the new couple with blessings, Karthik and Raji entered a new phase of their lives as one and together.
Bigg Boss 19
