HER TRUE SOULMATE

Selfish

Ch-6

Raghuram was shocked. Shocked was an understatement. He was stunned. He never expected Laya to say something like this. He looked at her in shock. He sighed. Just like his children, even she failed to understand him. There was disappointment in his eyes, which he wiped away in few seconds. He smiled bitterly as he stared at her. If his own children couldn't understand him, how could she understand him? But... he was really disappointed. He loved her equally to his children and thought she was different from others. Now, he  was wrong. He wouldn't say anything if those were her thoughts. It's her who failed to understand him, not the other way around. Everything he was doing was for her benefit. 

He let out a tired sigh. He doesn't want her to feel indebted to him or anyone in this family. "I never spent a single penny on you. Everything... I gave you, and you enjoyed it all from your father's shares only. And I took some money from his account when I needed it, and this business needed it. I guess everything got tallied to it. There is no need to give these to me. You don't owe me anything. Go now and rest," he said to her.

What was that look? A disappointment? Why was he disappointed? It should be her who should be disappointed. She was lied and brought here only to be duped into an unexpected marriage. 

That guy came here with a proposal... and they agreed. They made all the preparations. But... they told her now. One thing that was not settling well with her... why had they disregarded her opinion in her life decisions? Did they think that she was not worthy of knowing it? Or did they treat her as a doll? All of a sudden, she doesn't know how to think about the people in this house. 

Did she turn herself in such a way that they thought that they could do anything to her? Where did it go wrong that they all thought that it's okay for them to force her into a marriage like this? 

Laya felt utterly cornered, helpless, ashamed, and bullied by the very people whom she called her family. She never thought she would be mass betrayed by everyone like this. And yes, if she runs away, it's going to change everything. But she was not the kind to run. Despite them betraying her this way, she couldn't do the same to them. 

"You should rest now," she heard her eldest uncle's voice after a long pause.

"I want to ask something," she said finally looking at him. 

"Go ahead," he replied. 

"Dad, I never said anything against your word. I always obeyed you and heeded your words. I never asked for anything from you, even when it was my right. And the most blaring example is these papers, my property, and the calculations. I never dated anyone either. Because I trusted that you elders could do a better job finding a husband for me." Raghuram stayed silent hearing her. Everything she said was true. Even now, despite everything he did, she would never ask him about the details. 

"I always trusted you. Somewhere in my heart, I know that I get more leeway than anyone in the house because I do not have parents. But I never took advantage of it and let you all be in charge of my life's major decisions. " she continued her words looking at him trying to decipher what he was thinking through his reactions. But she failed after all, he was an elder saw a lot life. He's a master of concealing emotions. 

"But... I don't understand what action of mine disappointed you that you all decided to betray me." A tear slipped out of her eyes as she uttered the last line. Raghuram felt his heart clench. 

"I was not informed or told a single thing about what happened here. I was just betrayed by the people whom I trusted the most all my life and whom I considered the most to be my family. How disappointing..." More tears spilled out of her eyes. 

"I really don't understand, Pedananna. What sin have I committed?" she asked him with more tears spilling out of her eyes. 

"Everything I do is for your good. Why are you not getting that?" he yelled at her. Raghuram was surprised to hear himself. He didn't feel good about the way he said that. But the way she put it... it felt like he was punishing her. But Rahul was a gem of a person. Instead of roaming around Laya in the name of love, he came to him with a marriage proposal. How could he say no!? 

"He will leave to Chennai in a month and won't return for the coming three or four months. I want you to get married to him before that. After that, there are no good dates, according to your horoscope. Why don't you understand? Do you think I will ruin you? Do not you trust me?!" he asked. His eyes were blazing with anger as they turned red. He can't understand why she switched from dad to pedananna and was questioning him as if he was some criminal. How dare she!?

"Even Nandini got an alliance. She has to get married after you, too. Do you want to ruin everyone's future for your selfishness? How could you be like this, Laya? I did not expect this from you! I thought you are the most matured one as you are the one with highest education!" he yelled at her. 

Laya took a step back at his last yell. He was really loud. She dropped the things in her hands onto the ground due to fear. 

Even Raghuram was dumbfounded. The thud of things falling to the ground brought him back to reality. He wanted to hug her and say that he didn't mean it, but it's already late. 

"I-I I a-am selfish? So.... th-that is what I a-am...."