As Shourya descended the staircase, Srinivas's gaze naturally gravitated toward him. He noticed Shourya's presence instantly-his tall, broad-shouldered frame, the gentle yet serious expression that sat on his face, and those dark, almost joined eyebrows that gave him an air of quiet intensity. Even though Shourya wasn't smiling, there was an underlying warmth in his demeanor that struck Srinivas. In that moment, a silent hope bloomed in his heart. He would look perfect next to Jagathi, Srinivas thought. This is the kind of man I'd want for her-a strong presence, but gentle beneath it all. And the family...they are wonderful too.
Srinivas gave a soft nod of approval to himself as he greeted Shourya with a respectful "Namaste," and took his seat on a single-seated sofa. Just then, little Karthik, with all his energy, bounded over and climbed onto Srinivas's lap, bringing a lightness to the serious mood.
Breaking the silence, Srinivas spoke warmly, "I know Panditji has already shared much about me and my family. But if there's anything else you'd like to ask, please don't hesitate."
Rajendra gave Srinivas a reassuring nod, signaling that they were all comfortable enough to speak freely. But it was Shourya who leaned forward, speaking up first. His voice was calm but carried a note of curiosity. "I hope you don't mind me asking this, but... why did you stay quiet when you found out that your daughter was spoiling all her alliances, and that her brothers and their wives were helping her?"
A ripple of anticipation washed over the room as everyone grew quiet, waiting for Srinivas's response. Even Karthik, perched on his lap, seemed to sense the moment and sat still, wide-eyed.
Srinivas smiled, that same pleasant, unshakable smile that never left his face. His eyes twinkled slightly, as though what he was about to say was a truth he had held in his heart for years.
"I understand your curiosity, Shourya," he began gently. "The truth is, I love my daughter deeply. And when I say deeply, I mean... more than I could ever put into words. You see, I once lived in a grand mansion, far from the simple life I have now. But when Jagathi was about ten years old, she wrote an essay on village life-about how she dreamt of living a simple, peaceful life in nature. She was so innocent, but determined. She told me with those bright eyes, 'Papa, I want such a home.' That's when it all changed."
Srinivas's eyes softened as he recalled those moments. "My own parents had passed away long ago, and I hadn't stepped into our ancestral village for years. But for Jagathi, I reconnected with my roots. I built two traditional homes-one for myself, and one for my brother-right in the heart of our village. And that's where we settled. Jagathi loved it, and that made me happy."
Everyone listened intently, especially Shourya, whose curiosity seemed to grow with each word.
"I've always given Jagathi every bit of importance in my life. She is my heart and soul. I don't know how much joy King Janaka must have felt having a daughter like Sita, but I can tell you-having Jagathi is the greatest joy of my life. She's playful, full of life, and quite the entertainer. I can't help but smile whenever I think of her."
Srinivas paused for a moment, his smile widening as he glanced around the room before continuing. "From the very beginning, I knew what she was doing. She was sabotaging every marriage alliance I brought her. And her brothers? Well, they were right there with her, helping her every step of the way. They're protective of her-always have been. I knew it wasn't just a phase, but I let it go on because... she's my daughter. I wanted to give her time, space to grow and come to her own decisions. After all, one day or another, I will have to give her hand in marriage and send her off to her new family. But I thought... maybe she'd meet someone I chose and take a liking to them."
Srinivas sighed lightly, his tone turning a little more serious now. "Recently, I asked her outright why she's been doing this, and she finally told me-she's simply not interested in marriage, at least not now. She asked for time, and as her father, I thought it best to give her that."
He leaned back, a hint of sadness in his eyes, though his smile remained. "Her brothers-they'll do anything for her. They know what she's up to, and they're just trying to protect her from any harm.
"Why hasn't she pursued higher studies after her BTech?" Shourya asked, his tone curious rather than judgmental.
Srinivas, still with his calm and pleasant demeanor, responded thoughtfully, "Don't misunderstand, Shourya. Jagathi is far from an average student. In fact, she was the topper of her entire university." His voice held a note of pride as he continued. "She developed a device that can predict plant diseases just by scanning the affected plant-something that has been a game-changer for farmers. She didn't stop there; she made sure this device reached as many farmers as possible, helping them improve their livelihoods.
"And that's not all. She also created software that can automatically edit novels, articles, and various written content with ease. It's something that many in the literary world have come to rely on. She's brilliant, creative, and driven when it comes to making a difference."
He paused, smiling softly as he spoke of her. "But the decision not to pursue higher studies? That was hers, and I respected it. Jagathi believes in living her life on her own terms, and she chose not to pursue further education because she felt it wasn't necessary for the path she wanted to walk. I've never believed in forcing her to do anything she doesn't want to. And as long as she's happy, enjoying her life in front of my eyes, that's all that matters to me."
Srinivas's words carried a deep affection, a father who valued his daughter's happiness above societal expectations.
As Srinivas's phone rang, his face lit up with a warm smile as he saw the name flashing on the screen: Jagathi.
Shourya, noticing the name, asked with curiosity, "Is that your daughter?"
Srinivas nodded with a gentle chuckle.
A thought seemed to cross Shourya's mind as he said, "If you don't mind, can you put the call on speaker?"
Keep smiling
Chandanakshi
YOU ARE READING
Misty Rain
Romance"Oye, Miss Universe," he teased, a playful grin dancing on his lips. She shot him a fierce glare, determination etched across her features, and turned away to walk forward. "Lucky!" he called after her, quickening his pace. She continued to ignore h...
