BLOOMING LOVE FROM HATE

Chapter 46

As Adhitya stood there with a fallen expression, the person before him was even more shocked to see him, especially in his casual wear, which indicated that he was staying here. Nevertheless, he hid his sadness and asked, "Gangamma, when did you come?" Gangamma, who had arrived with vegetables and other essentials as usual, replied, "I just came early this morning, son." Adhitya moved to let her pass as she entered the house and placed all the items she had bought in the fridge.

Noticing the food cooking on the stove, she asked, "Where is Nithya?"

"She is still sleeping, Gangamma," Adhitya answered, moving toward the stove to stir the food in the pan. Gangamma was completely shocked to see him cooking. She wondered whether his grandparents knew about this, but she didn't say anything and left the room. However, she felt happy to see Adhitya making efforts to improve his relationship.

Adhitya was not pleased with Gangamma's arrival because it meant he had to leave his family and return to his house. As he drowned in his thoughts, Nithya emerged from her room after freshening up. She opened the fridge to boil milk for Anith and noticed that there was milk in a vessel. Realizing that Gangamma had returned—since Adhitya usually bought milk in packets—she felt a strange emptiness thinking that he would leave for his home today.

Adhitya made coffee for both of them and handed Nithya her cup. After they finished their coffee, Nithya continued her work while Adhitya got ready for his office. Anith was still sleeping, likely exhausted from yesterday's celebration. Nithya and Adhitya had breakfast in silence.

When Adhitya was about to leave, he sat beside Nithya, who was on the couch, took her hands in his, and said, "Nithya, since Gangamma is back, you don't need my presence anymore. But even if you don't like it, I'll visit you every day to check on you. Take care, and call me if you need anything." He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her forehead before standing up to leave. He grabbed his bag and car keys and exited the house. Nithya remained silent, watching Adhitya leave.

That day, Adhitya's thoughts were consumed by Nithya. His heart yearned to be with her, to care for her, love her, and support her, but he felt he couldn't, as he had broken her beyond repair. Even if she tried, it could not be mended again—all because of his teenage infatuation that he had mistaken for love, his foolishness, his ignorance, his arrogance, and the pain he had inflicted on her. He was suffering for it now.

On the other side, Nithya was feeling low. One part of her was relieved that he had left, but another part was saddened by his absence. She hated herself for being so weak. Yet she didn't want to be, she had to be strong. This wasn't good for her future. She let out a breath and continued her work with determination.

That evening, as she was busy with her tasks, Sri called her and asked if she wanted to join them for a movie, but Nithya declined, saying she had some work.

She had been feeling feverish since the morning, and her headache was worsening. Additionally, Anith was behaving crankily today, he wasn't even playing with Bro. After hanging up, Nithya set Anith on the couch, exhausted from carrying him all day. He refused to get down from her, even after his afternoon nap.

Nithya went into the kitchen to bring him his milk. As she poured the milk into the bottle, her head spun, and she collapsed on the floor. Not seeing his mother return from the kitchen, Anith began to cry, climbed down from the couch, and walked toward the kitchen. Upon finding his mother on the floor, he cried louder, tapping her face and kissing her. Bro came running into the kitchen, barking frantically and licking Nithya's face, hoping to wake her.

Adhitya finished his work early and drove to Nithya's house. As he stepped out of the car, he panicked at the sound of Anith's loud cries and Bro's barking. He hurried into the house, finding no one in the hall, and moved toward the source of the sound. His heart shattered at the sight before him: Anith was lying on Nithya, crying and holding her tightly, while Bro was barking and licking her face.

Adhitya rushed toward them, picked up Anith, and set him aside, but the boy refused to leave his mother. So, Adhitya held him with one hand and gently patted Nithya's cheek. Her body was burning like a volcano, and with no response from her, he grew scared. He took out his phone and called Gangamma, asking her to come to Nithya's house immediately. Meanwhile, he splashed some water on Nithya's face, but it had no effect. Anith's cries and Bro's barking only heightened his fear. Gangamma arrived in just two minutes.

Adhitya handed Anith to her and asked her to take care of him and Bro until he returned. Gangamma was shocked to see Nithya in such a state. Adhitya promised to call and explain everything to her, then carried Nithya to his car and laid her down on the backseat.

He took the driver's seat and drove off to the hospital, checking on Nithya throughout the journey.

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Nithya was taken to the observation room, where the doctor tended to her. Adhitya sat outside the room. He called Prem to inform him of the situation and asked him to send Sri and Diya to take care of Anith. After some time, Nithya's grandparents, in-laws, and Prem arrived at the hospital. The doctor came out, and Adhitya approached him, asking, "Doctor, how's my wife? Is she alright?"

"She is now stable, but we have run some tests. The reports will be ready tomorrow morning, so I suggest she stay until then. Once the results come, we'll decide the next steps," the doctor replied. Adhitya inquired if he could go inside to see her, but the doctor said she was sleeping now and that he could see her once she woke up. 

Adhitya urged his family to leave since it was late and they could come back to see Nithya in the morning. Prem insisted on staying, but Adhitya asked him to leave, explaining that it would be uncomfortable for him to sleep there, and anyway, there was nothing he could do by staying. Prem left with his family.

Adhitya sat down in a chair, took out his phone, and called Sri, asking, "Sri, how's Anith doing? Is he okay?"

"Yes, Adhi. He cried a lot, but somehow Diya and Bro managed to distract him. I fed him some food, and now he's sleeping. Don't worry about him, I'll take care of him. Just focus on Nithya. By the way, how is she? Nothing serious, right?" Sri asked.

Adhitya explained everything the doctor had told him. "Don't worry, Adhi, she'll be alright," Sri reassured him.

"Sorry, Sri, for troubling you. Thank you for being there for Anith," he said gratefully.

"Adhi, what are you talking about? He's just like my son. Don't make us sound like strangers by saying thanks and all," Sri said, her voice raised.

Adhitya felt a surge of gratitude for her care and love toward Anith and ended the call. He leaned back in the chair and pondered what might have happened if he hadn't gone to Nithya's house that evening. The mere thought of losing her made him shiver. He realized how many days she might have spent like this, alone and uncared for, while he had left her with a small baby, thinking he had made some sacrifice. He cried, covering his face with his hands. Everyone in the hospital was looking at him, but he was lost in his own world of agony. After a few moments, he wiped his face with the back of his hands, with a renewed sense of determination.

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