U And Me Will Always Be Together

Chapter 6

Here goes the next chapter...

After reaching home, Rishika was surprised to find her dad calm and without any complaints against her being late.

They had their dinner in silence and she was more than glad when Rajsekhar told her to go to sleep after the dinner. Infact she was happy as he didn't yell at her. Thanking God, she drifted off to sleep.
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"Santhosh" Raji called his name loud to get his attention. She had been calling him for the past one minute but no response. She switched off the TV, but he kept staring at the blank screen. He jumped suddenly when he was hit at the back of his head.

"Aaahh. Raji. What happened?" he shouted at the top of his voice.

"Santhosh. I should ask that question. Is everything fine? Where are you lost?" Raji asked sitting beside him in the couch in their living room.

Now Raji started worrying as Santhosh was quiet since he reached home. He ate the dinner without speaking much.

He smiled at her, came and sat on the floor, infront of her, with his head in her lap, his back supported by her legs. She understood his gesture and ran her fingers in his scalp slightly massaging it.

He had been feeling a bit restless since the time he saw the tears and pain in Rishika's eyes when she talked about her mother. 'Do I miss my parents?' he asked to himself but he didn't have any answer. 'Or is it because, I was partially responsible for her pain?'

Feeling lightheaded after the massage, he told Raji everything that happened at KIMS– everything he had done.

"But Raji I somehow felt very sorry for her. She misses her mother badly" he said arching his head back in her lap and closing his eyes.

"Santhosh, why do you bother that poor girl? Stop teasing her and get her bike fixed up soon." Raji said pressing her fingers against his forehead. "But Raji, this time she started it" he said feeling dizzy under the soothing effect of fingers on his forehead.

Raji sensed the pain in his voice when talking about her mother. She knew that Santhosh missed his parents, from his childhood, though he won't admit it.

To lighten his mood she said "Santhosh, it's appearing that you like Rishika. Why don't you marry her?" Santhosh jerked listening to Raji's words.

"Like, my foot. I can't tolerate her for a moment. For heaven's sake spare me from your dreams of my marriage." He retorted back walking back to his room, while Raji chuckled.

"Then why did you feel bad when she was in pain?" she asked with a curious face. "It's only because, I know I am its cause partially. I would have felt the same for any other one. Because I know the pain of being away from parents very well.

Good night Raji" he said smoothly and shut the door of his bedroom. "Good night Santhosh" she whispered with moist eyes and retired to her room.
*********************************** Rishika was still confused about her dad's unexpected calm behavior since yesterday's night. She came and sat at the dining table for breakfast.

She looked at Rajsekhar's face. It was still peaceful. She felt restless. Her heart warned her about something.

"Rishika" on hearing her dad's voice, she slightly jumped off the chair at the dining table.

"Yes dad" she turned her face towards him hesitatingly. Her father passed on an envelope towards her. She opened it and saw the photo of a handsome guy smiling profusely.

Though she hated to admit it, she knew what it was all about. She sighed and took a deep breath as if getting ready for something.

Her heart beat erratically. Fidgeting with her fingers, she looked at Rajsekhar, expecting some answers.