BLOOMING LOVE FROM HATE

Chapter 12

Flashback

Adhitya was in the 12th standard, while his older brother, Prem, was pursuing his master's in London. Today marked the end of Adhitya's board exams. After getting ready for school, he made his way downstairs and went straight to the pooja room to pray for success in his exams.

Meanwhile, Nithya, a bright-eyed third grader, was also preparing for school as her annual exams were underway. She emerged from her room, dressed in her uniform and carrying her school bag.

After the tragic death of her parents, Nithya had been taken in by her grandparents. Initially, she shared their room, but as time passed, they decided it was time for her to have her own space, believing she needed to learn to take care of herself. In the beginning, the transition frightened her, she had always slept nestled between her parents and often cried herself to sleep. However, she gradually accepted her solitude, realizing that she had to find a way to survive on her own.

Though her grandparents loved her, their affection was not the same as what they had reserved for their own son's children. They had once doted on Nithya, but that love seemed to have waned since her parents' passing. Adhitya's mother often taunted her in private, forbidding Nithya from sitting on the sofa or eating at the dining table when no one else was around. Yet, in public, she wore a mask of sweetness.

Nithya walked into the kitchen, took a tiffin box, and stood near Adhitya's mother, asking for food. Distracted and busy packing for her son, Adhitya's mother shot her an angry look, placed three idlis in the box, and tersely instructed her to get the chutney herself.

Nithya left the kitchen and joined the dining table, where her grandparents and Adhitya's father were having breakfast. Seeing her, her grandmother called her over, made her sit beside her, and began serving breakfast with warmth. Nithya ate her food in silence, grateful yet aware of the unspoken tension around her.

Adhitya, feeling possessive of the attention his grandparents showered on Nithya, couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. When he heard about his uncle and aunt's tragic deaths, he was devastated, just like his grandparents and Nithya. He didn't eat for an entire week, struggling to return to normalcy.

When his grandparents brought Nithya into their home at the age of five, he initially felt pity for her loneliness. However, as time passed, the attention his grandparents gave her stirred jealousy within him. He sometimes noticed how his mother treated her differently but never dared to voice his concerns.

After breakfast, Adhitya hopped on his bicycle and pedaled off to school. Nithya joined a group of girls from her street, chatting as they walked together.

Having completed his last exam, Adhitya emerged from school, eagerly waiting behind the building for someone special. After ten long minutes, his heart raced as Swetha appeared. Just a glance from her sent butterflies fluttering in his stomach.

Swetha was a 9th grader at the same school. Adhitya had first seen her three months ago on his family's farm when she brought lunch for her father, who worked there as a daily laborer. Captivated by her beauty, he couldn't stop thinking about her. When he later spotted her at school, his heart danced with joy, realizing they were schoolmates.

From that moment, he found ways to interact with her, creating silly opportunities to strike up conversations. After the annual day celebration, he finally made friends with her. As the school pupil leader, it was easy for him to connect with her and other students.

The day after the annual day event, he mustered the courage to confess his feelings. Upon hearing his declaration, she smiled and ran away, leaving him scared and confused. But the next day, while waiting at the school gate, he saw her approaching, talking with her friend. As soon as she spotted him, she gave him a shy smile and hurried into the school, her head down.

In that moment, Adhitya understood her answer. He felt as if he were on cloud nine. From that day forward, they met behind the school daily, cherishing their time together. On holidays, he often went to the farm, hoping to see her when she brought food for her father. Their love blossomed over the past two months.

Today, as Adhitya waited impatiently, Swetha arrived, looking downcast. She stood before him without meeting his gaze. Sensing her sadness, Adhitya gently urged, "Swetha, look at me. Don't you believe my words?"

The weight of unspoken emotions hung heavily in the air between them, a mix of hope and uncertainty.

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Flashback will be continued...

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