BLOOMING LOVE FROM HATE

Chapter 22

Adhitya arrived at the office, but his mind was consumed by thoughts of Nithya. He never imagined she could behave in such a way. He had known her since she was a child—an obedient girl who always listened to her elders, submissive and shy in his presence. This new side of Nithya was completely unexpected.

Nithya spent her day cooking and arranging the house according to her preferences. After lunch, she took a brief nap, while Gangamma periodically checked on her as per Adhitya's instructions. Although Nithya didn't express any concerns, Gangamma sensed that something was amiss between the couple. However, she kept her observations to herself, acting as if she was unaware of any issues.

At 5:30 PM, Gangamma returned with some jujube fruits she had picked from the farm, tied up in her pallu. Just then, Nithya emerged with two cups of tea on a tray, searching for Gangamma. Upon seeing her, Gangamma smiled and took the tray from Nithya, setting it aside. She guided Nithya to sit on the portico and handed her a cup of tea, encouraging her to relax.

After they both enjoyed their tea, Gangamma removed the pallu tucked around her waist and revealed the fruits. Nithya's eyes lit up with excitement as she reached for one, but Gangamma stopped her, reminding her that they needed to be washed first. Gangamma moved into the kitchen, transferred the fruits to a bowl, and washed them thoroughly. She then took a small bowl and mixed some salt and chili powder before bringing it back to Nithya. Just the sight of the fruits made Nithya's mouth water, and she eagerly began to eat.

As Nithya savored the jujubes, Gangamma remarked, "Your mother used to love these fruits. Whenever she visited the farm, she always asked me to bring them." Nithya paused, tears welling in her eyes. They talked about her mother—sharing stories about her personality, her likes and dislikes, and reminiscing about cherished memories for a while.

As evening fell and darkness crept in, Nithya returned inside to prepare dinner for herself. While cooking, her thoughts drifted to Adhitya and whether he had eaten. She wondered if her mother-in-law was cooking for him or merely feigning illness. Regardless, she told herself it was no longer her concern. She served her food and sat at the dining table to eat.

Despite her efforts to avoid thinking about Adhitya and his family, she found it impossible to suppress those thoughts. Just two days ago, her entire world revolved around them, forgetting them in a matter of hours felt like an insurmountable task. A single tear escaped her eye as she pondered her situation. After finishing her meal, she washed the dishes, cleaned the kitchen, and headed to her room. Lying down on her bed after taking her medicine, she found sleep elusive as worries about her and her baby's future consumed her thoughts.

Meanwhile, Adhitya was also tossing and turning in bed, unable to find rest. He was anxious to know whether Nithya had eaten, this was why he had bought her a phone, hoping to communicate with her. Unfortunately, she had thrown that phone away in anger. Gangamma had informed him that when she offered to cook for Nithya, she had refused and was handling the household chores by herself. Adhitya felt an overwhelming mix of anger and admiration toward her stubbornness—angry for her defiance, yet impressed by her strength.

The next day, Nithya woke up with a mild pain in her belly, and a wave of fear washed over her as she realized that her labor might have started. Slowly, she made her way to the bathroom to complete her morning routine. After her shower, she went to the kitchen for a drink of water, but as time passed, the pain intensified. Struggling to stand, she leaned against the kitchen counter for support and made her way to the living room.

Just then, Gangamma entered the house with a vessel of milk. Upon seeing her, Nithya's eyes filled with tears as she cried out, "Gangamma, my stomach is hurting! I think the baby is coming. I'm scared, please help me!" Gangamma, alarmed by Nithya's distress, quickly made her sit on the couch. "Don't worry, Nithya. Just wait here, I'll go call Thatha (Gopaiyya)," she assured her before rushing out to find her husband.

Sitting on the couch, Nithya closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face. The thought that something might happen to her, leaving her child an orphan like herself, sent a chill down her spine. Just the mere idea of her baby living a life devoid of parental love and support was unbearable.

Meanwhile, Gangamma dashed out of the house, searching for Gopaiyya. She found him working in the field and ran toward him, breathless. "Nithya's in labor!" she exclaimed. Gopaiyya immediately left his work, washed his hands at the nearby pump, and went to a tree where he hung his shirt before retrieving his mobile phone.

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Second update !!!

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