Just A Friend?

Chapter Seven

As the familiar hum of a scooter approached, Sridevi's anxiety grew palpable. She exchanged a worried glance with Ragu, and together they moved cautiously toward the door. The air was thick with expectation.

When the door creaked open, they were met with a striking sight-Sweety stood before them, her eyes sparkling with an intensity that was both surprising and enchanting. The moment seemed to stretch, caught between hope and trepidation.

Without a word, Sweety closed the distance and enveloped Sridevi in a warm, unexpected hug. Sridevi stood there, momentarily stunned, her heart racing with curiosity and joy.

"Darling! I love you!" Sweety exclaimed, her voice bubbling with happiness. "I'm thrilled to be your future daughter-in-law!"

The declaration left Sridevi and Ragu momentarily speechless, their eyes widening in astonishment. The weight of their worries seemed to lift, replaced by an overwhelming surge of joy.

"Are you serious, darling?" Sridevi managed, her voice tinged with disbelief as she struggled to contain her elation.

Sweety's cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink, and Ragu couldn't resist a playful nudge. "Look at our darling blushing! I never thought I'd see the day."

Sweety's blush deepened, her face now a radiant shade of red. "Okay, okay, enough teasing!" she said, her voice mingling with a playful irritation.

"Darling, I'm getting late for college!" Sweety exclaimed as she pulled away, planting a quick, affectionate kiss on Sridevi's cheek before dashing toward her scooter.

As she sped away, leaving behind a swirl of excitement, Sridevi and Ragu exchanged looks of both elation and renewed concern.

"Now," Sridevi said with a determined tone, her gaze shifting to Ragu, "we have a significant task ahead-convincing Prabhas to agree to this wonderful arrangement."

Ragu, matching her seriousness, nodded in agreement. "Indeed. It seems our son is the next piece in this puzzle. Let's hope he's as agreeable as his future bride."

As they stood at the doorway, watching Sweety's departing figure, their hearts were light, yet their minds were already at work, plotting their next steps with a blend of hope and resolve.

As Sweety entered the bustling college campus, her heart was alight with the joy of recent revelations. However, that excitement quickly shifted to confusion and sorrow as she spotted Prabhas.

She approached, expecting to find him alone, but what she saw stopped her in her tracks. Prabhas stood before Teju, his expression animated with a mixture of pride and affection. Teju, beaming like a radiant star, was adorned with an opulent diamond chain that seemed to shimmer with its own inner light. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she jumped into Prabhas's arms, enveloping him in a grateful embrace.

The sight was a brutal contrast to the elation Sweety had felt just moments before. It was as though the vibrant colors of her world had dimmed, replaced by the stark, cold reality of her unspoken fears.

Her heart ached, a tangible, raw sensation that urged her to retreat. Sweety wiped away the tears that blurred her vision, her breaths coming in shallow, tremulous gasps. With a resolute determination, she turned on her heel and made her way out of the campus, the vivid imagery of Prabhas and Teju imprinted on her mind.

As she stumbled outside, the weight of the situation hit her with full force. If Prabhas truly intended to be her life partner, why was he so engrossed in showering affection and extravagant gifts on someone else? The realization stung deeply, leaving her disoriented and desperate for clarity.