Love Reborn

Chapter 56- the unseen Threads

Sathya sat on the veranda of her Kerala home, the soft patter of rain tapping on the tiled roof. The familiar fragrance of wet earth filled the air, but her mind was far from peaceful. For the past few days, her mother, Lakshmi, had been unusually quiet about a new marriage proposal that had arrived unexpectedly. Normally, Lakshmi shared everything with her daughter, but this time, something was different. She was being secretive-too secretive.

"Amma, why won't you tell me anything?" Sathya's voice cut through the silence, her frustration evident. She had been asking about the details for days, but Lakshmi kept deflecting her questions.

"Sathya, there's no need to rush," Lakshmi replied gently, her eyes betraying a hint of hesitation. "You've only just come back home. I don't want to overwhelm you with too many details at once."

Sathya frowned, folding her arms as she sat beside her mother. "But how am I supposed to think about this proposal if I don't even know who it's from? What's his name? Where is he from? At least give me something to go on, Amma."

Lakshmi smiled softly but kept her gaze averted. "All you need to know for now is that he's from a good family, well-settled in Canada. He has a stable career, and his family has shown great interest in the match. I just want you to consider the proposal with an open heart."

Sathya sighed in frustration. Her mother's vague responses were making her more anxious. "Amma, how can I keep an open mind when you won't tell me anything? This isn't like you. You're usually so open about these things. Why are you being so secretive now?"

Lakshmi reached for her daughter's hand, her touch warm and reassuring. "It's not secrecy, Sathya. It's just... I want you to feel free in making your decision, without any bias. The boy's family has been very respectful, and they've kept things discreet. I think that's a good sign. But trust me, when the time is right, I'll tell you everything."

Sathya didn't feel reassured. There was an odd sense of foreboding growing in her chest. Her mother was hiding something, and she couldn't quite shake the feeling that something important was being kept from her.

"Alright, Amma," Sathya said quietly, her curiosity still gnawing at her. "But I need to know sooner rather than later. I can't make a decision in the dark."

Lakshmi nodded, smiling kindly but still withholding the name that Sathya so desperately wanted to know.

---

In Bangalore, Sidharth Menon stood at the entrance of his sprawling family mansion. The familiar sights and smells of home greeted him as he stepped inside, his parents waiting eagerly for his arrival. The flight from Canada had been long, but the tension in his heart was heavier than any jetlag he felt.

"Sidharth!" Parvathi Menon rushed to greet her son, pulling him into a warm embrace. "It's so good to have you back. We've missed you."

Sidharth smiled faintly, returning his mother's hug. "I missed you too, Mom," he said, though his voice carried a tinge of reluctance. His heart was still with Niyasha, the woman he loved, and the idea of his mother's secretive plans for a marriage proposal had been weighing on his mind ever since he left Canada.

His father, Prakash Menon, approached with a calm smile, patting Sidharth's shoulder. "Welcome home, son. It's been too long."

Sidharth nodded, feeling the warmth of his parents' love, but also the weight of what was to come. "It's good to be home, Dad. I missed you both."

They moved into the large living room, where the familiar comforts of home surrounded him. But Sidharth couldn't relax. His mother had been insistent on him coming back to India, but she hadn't given him any clear explanation as to why. He knew it had to do with a marriage proposal, but she had been mysteriously tight-lipped about the details.

Parvathi glanced at her son with a smile, noticing the tension in his face. "You must be tired from the long journey. Why don't you rest for a while? We have something important to talk about, but it can wait until you're settled."

Sidharth shook his head, determined to get the conversation over with. "I'm fine, Mom. Let's just talk now. You've been hinting at this proposal for days, but you haven't told me anything. Who is she?"

Parvathi's smile widened, but she still didn't give anything away. "You'll find out soon enough, Sidh. We're leaving for Kerala tomorrow. I've already booked our flights. There's someone very special I want you to meet."

Sidharth's brow furrowed. "Kerala? You've planned this whole thing without even telling me who she is?" His frustration was starting to show, though he tried to remain calm.

Parvathi nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yes, Kerala. You'll meet her there, and trust me, you'll like her. I didn't want to tell you too much because I wanted you to have an open mind. Just meet her once, Sidh. That's all I ask."

Sidharth sighed, running a hand through his hair. He had been dreading this moment ever since his mother had first mentioned the proposal. He already had Niyasha in his life, and he wasn't interested in meeting anyone else. But the way his mother was talking, it seemed like there was no way out of this.

"Mom, I've already told you. I'm not interested in any arranged marriage. I have Niyasha, and I love her," Sidharth said firmly, trying to make his stance clear. "I don't want to hurt anyone, but you need to understand that I've made my decision."

Parvathi's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "I know, Sidh. I'm not asking you to change your mind. I just want you to meet this girl. After that, if you still feel the same, I'll respect your decision."

Sidharth's father, Raghav, stepped in, his voice calm but supportive. "Your mother just wants you to give this a chance, Sidh. That's all."

Sidharth sighed, feeling the weight of their expectations pressing down on him. "Fine," he said, his voice resigned. "I'll meet her. But I'm only doing this for you. Nothing will change."

Parvathi's eyes gleamed with hope, even though Sidharth's words weren't exactly what she wanted to hear. "That's all I'm asking, my dear. We'll leave for Kerala tomorrow morning."

Sidharth nodded, though his heart wasn't in it. He couldn't help but think of Niyasha and the promise he had made to her before leaving. No matter what happened in Kerala, his love for her would remain unchanged. But for now, he had to go along with his mother's wishes, even if it meant facing a future he wasn't ready for.

---

As the rain continued to fall in Kerala, Sathya's mind was still tangled in confusion. Her mother had given her no clues about the man behind the proposal, and the mystery of it all was starting to weigh heavily on her heart.

"Who is he, Amma?" she whispered to herself, staring out at the rain-soaked trees.