HER TRUE SOULMATE

U-Turn

"Everything is fine, Layamma?" he said with a smile, making his wrinkles more obvious. Laya heaved a sigh upon hearing his words. Only she knew how tense she was. She had been wondering what was going on at home, especially since her brother had cryptically told her, "You will know once you reach there." She was also surprised when he and his family didn't join her on the journey. However, she didn't ask him anything about it and just did as she was asked.

Despite trying to stay calm, she felt nervous. Even though she had been away, she made sure to stay in contact and talk with her family from time to time. But when she heard they were conducting a pooja for the well-being of the house due to frequent bad omens, Laya felt shocked and shattered because no one had told her anything about what was going on. She felt betrayed by them. But then again, she understood that no one wanted to burden her with the troubles they were facing. She could forgive them for this small mistake, couldn't she?

"Why didn't you come to pick me?" she asked with a pout putting her list of complaints and thoughts aside.

"You see, I have a lot of work to do. There won't be next time. Sorry ma. You will forgive Uncle, Right?" he asked cutely, making her laugh.

"You just know how to take advantage, don't you?" she glared at him with fake anger.

"Ayyooo... Layamma, Ramu uncle is the innocent one. I am not even educated," he said dramatically. Laya gave a side eye tilting her head. How could she not? He was just acting like a kid.

"You are roaming around with my little brother too much. You have to decrease that," Laya said shaking her head.

"So, uncle is off the hook right?" he asked cutely. "This would be the last time," she said laughing. "Sure sure," he said.

"By the way, what's happening? Didn't they say something happened here and are conducting pooja? What happened? But why are they decorating the house? It's as if a marriage would take place?" Laya asked with furrowed brows.

"Indeed it's a marriage," Ramu uncle said.

"Whose?" she asked, tilting her head while blinking her eyes innocently at him. Laya was more than shocked right now. From the moment she received a call from her mother she was tensed. What exactly was happening with this house?

"You will know when you go inside," he said and led her inside.

"I will keep these in your room," he said walking to her room and putting the luggage there. When he turned around to leave, he saw a wall of pictures filled with her pictures. He went near one and traced it.

"Even though... I am a mere driver, you treated me well, Layamma. Never knew you grew up this big and even going to get ma..." before he could finish his sentence he heard someone calling him. He wiped his tears and went out.

After Laya's parents passed away, her responsibility went to her elder uncle. He himself has children but that didn't make him love Laya any less. She was equal just like anyone. But again... she was not spared from the strict discipline either. Everyone loved and pampered Laya with her children. One could say it's a pity.

Almost all of the relatives, people, and everyone around her had pity for her. Laya didn't understand what it was when she was a kid. But... as she grew up... she understood what it meant. That was also the reason, why she wanted to get out of her house.

Also, despite being a driver the Pasupuleti family looked at Ramu like their own. Just because they were treating him well, he didn't take any advantage of them. He respected them and stayed within his boundaries. The whole family respects him just like how he does. If he were to give the keys to the money locker to get one lakh, he would bring that much money only without taking an extra for himself. That was also why Laya's eldest uncle sponsored the studies of Ramu's son and sponsored his abroad education.

Ramu's uncle looked after Laya like his own daughter. Whenever her youngest uncle tried to be mean to Laya, Ramu used to be her shield. Even though Rama Krishna never harmed her, he made sure she suffered. No one knew why he hated her. He even suggested that she should get married right after she turned eighteen but her eldest uncle stood against. Till data, that day dates to the biggest argument in their family.

Her eldest uncle asked his brother to stay away and out of Laya's life. He took care of her properties and her too. Laya knew her uncle was taking care of it. So, she never asked them how much she was getting from the company. She knew she owed them too much and let them have it. But they loved her like their daughter. Her elder brother, Arjun, who is thirty-one years old treated her like her biological sister. When she got love, why did she need money?

"Laya..." her peddamma(father's eldest sister-in-law) called her. "My baby, take a bath and sleep tight. There is something Dad wants to talk to you, okay?" she said. Laya nodded her head and was about to turn around.

"Baby... don't forget to come down. I made your favorites for dinner," she said to her.

"Okay, Amma (mom)," she mouthed.

"I missed you. You should have visited home more often," she said, placing a kiss on Laya's forehead. Laya didn't understand why they behaved this way. They loved her so much but restricted her, and not just her, but also their own daughters. They faced worse restrictions than she did. She brushed it off, thinking that soon she would spread her wings, take control of her properties, and handle things herself. She didn't want to burden them anymore, as she felt she had burdened them for years.

After freshening up, she went downstairs only to find her mom and others waiting for her at the dining table. Her mom (Peddamma) fed her after she settled into her seat. "Mom, I will be pampered to death if you keep doing this. What if I get married tomorrow and miss you feeding me?" Laya pouted. She didn't notice the little shocked expression on her mother's face. Not only Sharada, but everyone froze at Laya's comment.

"What happened? Why the sudden silence? That's just a joke guys. It's not like I am getting married tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," Laya said blinking her almond eyes. Hearing her everyone looked at her with a stiff expression. Sharada felt like someone had stabbed her. But Sharada quickly covered it with a doting smile.

"Hmm... that's a problem. But until then, let me feed you. After you get married, I will ask your husband to take over this duty. Till then let mom feed you," Sharada said, making Laya puff her cheeks in mock anger. The people around the table laughed at her adorable reaction.

"Layamma, Dad has two things to tell you. I wanted to tell you tomorrow morning, but due to some commitments, I may not be home. So, I'll tell you tonight. Meet me in the study after you finish eating," Raghu said to Laya.

"Can't it wait till you return?" she asked with a pout. "Laya... it's about your life. Don't be lazy," he said seriously. Sensing the seriousness Laya nodded obediently.