Angel's Brute (Complete✅)

Chapter 30- "I love you the best..."

Some days pass. Day after tomorrow has been decided as the date of Mr Manik Malhotra and his newly wedded wife Mrs Nandita Malhotra's marriage reception. Many business moguls, top politicians, movie and media personalities are invited. Manik wants to show everybody how happy he is with his beautiful wife. On the other side of the city, something different is happening in a family. It is about to become dark all around. Venkatesh Murthy is returning from his press with knackered steps. He approaches his house which is partially shaded because of the perennial electricity crisis in this particular area. Venkatesh sighs with despair and opens the gate. He shuffles at the main door and knocks at it with a fatigued hand. Within a moment, it opens. Jaya is standing with an emotionless face. Venkatesh steps inside and hangs the bag behind the door.

"It's almost 9:30 pm. Will you have tea?"

Jaya asks mechanically.

"Hmmm...I won't have anything for dinner. Make my bed. I will go to sleep."

Venkatesh sounds worn out. With a deep sigh, Jaya tilts her head in assurance.

"Jaya, keep this in the almirah."

Venkatesh forwards a brown envelope towards his wife. With a curious frown, Jaya takes it. The envelope is quite heavy.

"This month salary...along with previous months arrears. Our press has been taken over by some other person. From now, all the workers will get a regular salary. The new owner is going to start the press with new enthusiasm. Some of the workers even have got a salary hike. Hmmm...I am one of them."

Venkatesh scornfully says. Jaya observes her husband for a moment and softly counters,

"Aren't you happy?"

Venkatesh looks at her and gives a pale smile.

"Yes, I am happy. Happy that from now my family and children won't have to sacrifice their happiness for money. I can fulfil their wish, their demands. I have just one regret. I can't fulfil my Nandu's any wish."

His voice becomes choked. Jaya purses her lips and sneers,

"Does she need your money anymore? Now, she has her millionaire husband to fulfil her wishes. Why should she care for her poor father's salary? She even refused to recognise you and you still are thinking about her wish and happiness. She is happy with her new life. Can't you see that?"

Jaya's toxic words bring tears to Venkatesh's eyes yet his jaws get hard.

"Yes, she has forgotten her poor father but how can I forget my daughter? How can I forget that she used to be the backbone of this family? Jaya, how can you forget that you used to call her the angel in our life? My angel is lost. She is trapped in a devil's world. I know that...but I can't do anything...Aiyappa...why did you do this to me?"

Venkatesh palms his face and mouths in a shattered voice. Jaya comes near and places her hand on his bent head.

"Don't lose your hope. I am sure your prayer and love will bring our angel, our Nandu back to our world. My Aiyappa can't do this injustice to us. He has to bring her back to us."

Jaya utters determinedly while pressing Venkatesh head towards her chest. Venkatesh wraps her by her waist and breaks down. Tears are rolling down from his closed eyes as a symbol of his silent prayer.

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The night before the reception. Nandini comes out from the walk-in wardrobe wearing a midnight blue gown. This is the fifth dress she is showing to Manik for his approval. Actually, in the morning they went for shopping and Manik was confused that what dress and colour Nandini should wear in the reception. So, he bought a hand full of options and now it's Nandini's turn to try on all of these. After all, she has to be the prettiest of all at the party. With a tired face, Nandini stands in front of Manik with a hope that if this time her finicky husband will approve this.