Along the Lines of Love | ✓

Chapter 42 : Harmony

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Tere hathon ki taraf, Mere hathon ka safar...

♪

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Sharanya had to take in deep breaths to sink in the overwhelming feeling that rippled through every cell of her. She leaned her head back against the door inhaling sharply. He fingertips slightly caressed her right cheek where he had kissed.

Maybe it was a little bit initiation that he needed to understand she was willing to step into the next phase of relationship with him. Although, she wasn't absolutely certain how far she was ready for.

Everything apart, it was this crazy response of her heart that made her anxious. Maybe it was just the first time she was being intimate with a man. It couldn't possibly be anything more than that, could it?

Her lips curled up, reminiscing his beautiful smile as he walked away.

Damn, he was cute!

Smiling to herself, she decided to start with the daily chores and also think in the lunch.

* * *

"Rajeshwari," Senior Mrs Kumar called her daughter in law as she slowly stepped inside her room.

Nikhil's mother looked up, "Yes Amma,

"Have you finished the packing?" The order woman asked.

"Yes, everything is packed. Saahil said we'll leave soon after lunch."

"Hmm, good. I wanted to talk," the other woman said sitting on the bed next to her. "About Sharanya."

"What about her?" Rajeshwari Kumar asked referring to her daughter-in-law.

"You don't like her?" Nikhil's Ajji asked.

"Why this question Amma?" She asked offended.

"I have seen you around Sharanya, you become uptight. Is there something about her that's bothering you?"

Nikhil's mother sighed looking away. "It's nothing like that, Amma."

"There is something. I have enough experience to say that. Look, I have had two sons too. I have been throughout this phase of having another woman come into your son's life. After a man marries, it's natural for him to drift a little away from his mother and seek affection from his wife. You've been a wife and a mother both. I know you're very protective about Nikhil, you've always been. But ...your behaviour towards Sharanya makes me worry. Is there something that troubles you about her?"

"No, Amma. She's a nice girl."

"Say what's in your heart. I am asking as a mother. Ever since Nikhil's marriage you're not happy. You should be elated that you have a daughter-in-law now. Do you fear that Nikhil will stop loving you the way he does?" Ajji asked with concern lacing her voice.

"No, Amma. I am just worried about him." She answered looking at her mother-in-law. "Sharanya lied to us, she didn't tell us the whole truth about her family. Nikhil, he has always been the aloof kind. He's never really been the one to make friends, go out. His circle of trust is very very small. Even as a kid he used to only be around Saahil and Shreya. He's had his share of hurt from relationships. I am worried about him getting hurt again. He chose Sharanya for himself. I was actually happy that he made a choice. But I don't know about Sharanya..."

Taking a pause she went on, "She comes from a struggling family, she lied to us about her sister.... and then all the drama that happened at the wedding reception. How do I trust my son with her? What if she ends up hurting him somehow? I am not saying she's after his money, but we can't run away from the fact that she comes from a family that struggles to make the income last. Even during the wedding Nikhil made so many payments for the day they were supposed to pay for. And her sister is behind my other son. I am just scared that my sons won't be happy again. Money makes the best people also weak and selfish. She was the provider of her family. I am just scared to trust her fully. What if Nikhil is just a means to an end?