𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕕 𝕀𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕝𝕤𝕜𝕖𝕥

135

Rekindled
>>>>———— ♥️ ————<<<<

It had been a week, and the parents were still staying with Neha and Siddharth, understanding that their children needed their support during this difficult time. Neha and Siddharth had just returned home from the hospital, where Neha had a checkup to monitor her health. After suggesting that Neha get some rest, Vasundhara turned a blind eye towards Siddharth. It was not surprising to him; he wordlessly excused himself from Joseph and Chitti before he followed Neha upstairs. Neha cast a worried glance at her father, who responded with a reassuring blink before she continued up the stairs.

Upstairs, Neha walked slowly to their bedroom, her mind heavy with thoughts. Siddharth stayed close behind her, his presence a silent comfort. As they reached their room, Neha sat on the edge of the bed, her exhaustion evident. Siddharth sat beside her, gently taking her hand in his. The silence between them was filled with unspoken words.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Chitti and Joseph walked over to Vasundhara as she settled on the couch and resumed folding the dried clothes. The air was thick with unspoken tension, each movement Vasundhara made reflecting the turmoil she felt inside. Joseph exchanged a concerned glance with Chitti, who nodded subtly, understanding the need to address the strained atmosphere,

Vasu, nee yen Siddharth kuda pesa maatrae?

( Vasu, why are you ignoring Siddharth?)

Vasundhara looked up with a frown on her face,

Avanga rendhu perum yevlo kashthamana oru vishiyatha kandhandhutu irukanga, indha nerathula nee avan mela kova padhradhu konjam kudha seri illa mommy

( They're both going through something really hard, you being angry at him at this time is not right at all.)

Vasundhara let out a heavy sigh of weariness as Chitti chided her. What could she do? She was only human, capable of making mistakes like anyone else. Over the years, she had become accustomed to embracing misfortune with anger rather than sadness. It had simply become easier to react this way, shielding her heart from the full weight of grief by masking it with frustration.

This pattern of behavior had grown deeply ingrained, a protective mechanism that kept her from feeling the raw pain of acceptance. Yet, as she sat there, surrounded by her family, the cracks in her armor were beginning to show. Vasundhara knew that anger wasn't the answer, especially now when her son and daughter-in-law needed all the support they could get. She just didn't know how to let go of the only coping mechanism she had ever known.

Enna vera yenna panna solrae? Enaku theridhu na panradhu thappunu, ana enaku vera yenna panradhunu therla. Neengalam odhane othukita madhiri ennala mudhila, en pullai'ya nenacha pavama iruku, avan enkitta yedhayum solalanu nenacha kovamavum iruku, ana yenga adha pathi pesuna alundhu avana kashtha padhutiruvenno'nu nenachudhan na ipdhi pesama iruken 

( What else am I supposed to do? I know the way I'm reacting is wrong, but I can't find a better way to react. I can't seem to just accept what happened like you guys. I feel sad seeing my son's state but I'm also angry that he didn't turn to me. Yet above everything I'm more scared if I talk about this, I might end up crying and making him sad, so I'm keeping myself quiet.)

Joseph and Chitti exchanged a concerned glance as Vasundhara continued to fold the clothes, her tears falling involuntarily. Chitti sighed and gently caught her hand, stopping her movements. Vasundhara wiped her eyes, her expression softening as she looked up. 

Adhe nenachu avanga rendhu perum yevlo kashtha padhranganu unaku therla?

( But can't you see how much they both are regretted for doing so?)