𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕕 𝕀𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕝𝕤𝕜𝕖𝕥

43

The night before
>>>>———— ♥️ ————<<<<

Siddharth's gaze remained fixed on the extravagant decorations adorning the bungalow, the visual spectacle intended for his upcoming wedding the next morning.

It was a union born from his mother's feigned illness, a deceptive ploy that had convinced both him and Neha to agree to this arranged marriage.

Yet, now that he had unraveled the falsehood, Siddharth couldn't fathom why this elaborate charade was persisting.

His mind raced with doubts and uncertainties. What if Neha discovered the truth? What if she felt deceived, her trust shattered? What if she started resenting him, and their relationship spiraled into the same misery that his mother endured?

The fear of replicating his parents' unhappy marriage gnawed at him, casting shadows over his own impending union.

As Siddharth grappled with his inner turmoil,

Siddharth thoongala?

Siddharth pivots to see Joseph making his way towards him, a familiar figure in the midst of his contemplation.

Illa, thookam varla uncle

Then Siddharth notices Joseph holding something.

Yenna adhu?

Oh idhuva, I got this for you, chinna gift uh.

Joseph states, holding out a package toward Siddharth with a warm smile. Siddharth hesitates to accept it,

Yedhuku uncle idhellam?

Na en Paiyan'uku'nu aasai aasai'ya vangunen. No sollakudhadhu

Siddharth was taken aback and stunned by Joseph's words. He is not used to being referred to as a son other than his mother.

He smiles and takes the package from Joseph and opens it under Joseph's words. He was even more surprised that it was the second shirt that Siddharth had laid to choose at shopping the other day when Joseph offered to help.

Joseph sighs softly fumbling with his wedding band that helped calm his nerve and spoke,

Neha....

Siddharth looked up.

Avlovo pesa matta, ana ava romba sensitive. Romba chinna vayasulerndhe avunga amma poita naala, avaluku yedhuva irundhalum adha veliya solla theriyadhu. Ana na avala pathukitadha vidha, ava dhan enna adhigama pathukuva.

Joseph smiled sadly reminiscing how his daughter learned cooking at a very young age, so they won't have to spend too much money on outside food, when children's her age were socialising.

Part of him has always been guilty that he is reason to why Neha is so lonely.

Naanum illana yevlo kashtha padhuvanu neraya bayandhuruken, ana 

Joseph smiled at Siddharth, the person who will from now on support, love, and stay with his daughter as he'd always been.

Inimel illa

Siddharth felt even more guilty and touched as these two people trusted him more than he could ever provide. What if he never brings himself to love Neha? Does she deserve to experience such pain? Does her father, especially a good father, deserve to see it?

Siddharth forced a smile to hide his thoughts. Joseph patted his shoulder,

Seri sikkiram thoongu, appodhan nalliki Neha pakathula azhaga therivae, ava moonji full'ah makeup'ah vera potrupa, namaku powder kuda thara mattanga.