"What are you doing here, Mr. Narayana?" Vennela was surprised to see her grandfather.
"He's come to talk to you. We heard that you had a tiff with Amar." Her grandmother, Gayatri, answered.
"Tell him that I don't need him." Vennela spoke rudely.
"Yes. You do," said Lasya. "I called them so that they can talk some sense into you. Don't insult grandpa. He traveled all the way from Vishakhapatnam to Hyderabad just for you."
"Then ask him to travel back. I don't need a murderer talking--"
"Shut up, Vennela. How dare you call him a murderer?" Gayatri scolded her.
"He murdered my parents. What else should I call him?" Vennela shouted.
Gayatri almost slapped her when Narayana stopped her. "Vennela, do you know what your problem is? You never look at the issue from others' perspective. You make a lot of assumptions. You think what you feel is right. Ever thought why Amar had to do that? Ever thought there could be more to what you know about Pranav's death? No, you just--"
"There's more? What are you saying?" Vennela was puzzled.
"Nothing. I think you should talk to Amar" said Narayana.
"No. Answer my question first." Vennela wanted to know.
"Tell her. She is old enough to know." Gayatri placed her hand on her husband's shoulder.
Narayana took a deep breath. "You think I've forced your father to quit his job. Yes, I did. But, I did it on your mother's request. He was a strict and sincere police officer. He received many death threats. But, nothing could scare him. One day Geeta received your photograph taken in your school with a note which said - If your husband keeps interfering in our business we may have to kill this little one."
Vennela was shocked. No one has ever told her this.
"The threat was from a gangster. She was scared for you. She asked Pranav to resign. I ordered him to come back. He didn't agree. He was brave and rebellious just like you. He continued to gather evidence against the gangster and got him imprisoned. The death threats increased. Geeta's health deteriorated. He finally quit the job and joined family business."
At this point he couldn't speak anymore. Gayatri continued the remaining story. "The gangster's son sought revenge. He k-killed my son." Her voice shook. "Geeta died a day later. You were the only one left alive. We couldn't afford to lose you. That is why we didn't let you stay with us. We sent you to Prakash. Your grandfather destroyed the gangster's family."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Vennela tried hard to process the information.
"Because you were very depressed after their deaths. You were a child. We couldn't tell you that your life was in danger. It could have worsened your condition. I wanted you safe. I knew you blamed me. Your hatred didn't matter to me because I loved you." Narayana smiled weakly.
Vennela sat down holding her head in her hands. Shruthi offered her a glass of water. Vennela drank it and asked for another glass. "Why did you hide this from me even after I grew up?"
"I tried to tell you. But you never listened." Narayana sat down beside her.
"Akka, grandpa is right. You expect everyone to be as perfect as you. Not everyone is strong enough to tell the truth. You need to understand others' weaknesses." Shruthi spoke firmly.
Vennela looked at her grandfather. "You're right. I make a lot of assumptions. But, when proved wrong, I don't hesitate to apologize. So, are you willing to forgive your granddaughter so that we could live peacefully for the rest of our lives?"
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The Friendzoned Husband
Romance"Are you trying to tell me that she may never accept you as her husband?" asked a furious Anirudh. Amar chuckled at his cousin's anger and answered "It's not her fault. Your mother, my beloved aunt, forced her into marrying me. Remember?" "Forced we...
