Just A Friend?

Chapter Ten

Two weeks had passed, and the weight of sorrow seemed to have settled heavily on Sweety's shoulders. Each day felt like a relentless drizzle of melancholy, and even the persistent rain outside seemed to echo her inner turmoil. Her once-bright spirit had dimmed, replaced by a pervasive gloom that colored every aspect of her life.

That evening, as the rain lashed against the windows, Sweety trudged through the front door of her home. She was greeted by a sight that momentarily shifted her focus from her despair. There, standing in the dimly lit hallway, was Nassar Appa, her uncle. The sight of him, drenched from the rain but smiling warmly, brought an unexpected surge of joy to her heart.

"Appa! When did you arrive? Why didn't you let me know?" she exclaimed, her voice laced with surprise and affection. She rushed to him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace.

Nassar chuckled softly, his voice rich with warmth. "Did I need permission to come visit my dear Sweety?" he teased, his eyes twinkling with a fatherly affection that instantly soothed her aching heart.

"Appa!" Sweety's smile was genuine as she hugged him again, her heart finding solace in his presence.

"I've been hearing about the struggles you've been facing," Nassar's tone grew somber, laden with concern. "It's truly disheartening to hear, but now is the time for you to muster your strength."

His words, though kind, seemed to puncture the fragile dam holding back her emotions. Sweety's composure faltered, and the tears she had fought so hard to keep at bay began to flow unrestrained. "We miss the vibrant Sweety we once knew. Where has she gone?" Nassar's voice cracked with emotion, reflecting his deep concern for the young woman before him.

Sweety could only cling to him, her tears seeping into his jacket as she wept with an intensity that seemed to cleanse her soul. "Don't feel alone," Nassar murmured soothingly, his hand gently smoothing her disheveled hair. "We're all here for you."

As the storm outside continued its relentless assault, Sweety wiped her tears with trembling hands, forcing a fragile smile. "So, Appa, why are you here today? Is there something urgent?"

Nassar's demeanor shifted, an undercurrent of tension evident in his every movement. His voice, though steady, carried a note of apprehension. "I... I've come to take you both with me," he confessed, his words heavy with unspoken anxieties.

Sweety's eyes widened in shock. "What? But I've already told you, I can't leave," she said, her voice rising in a mixture of disbelief and frustration.

Ramya, who had been a silent witness to the exchange, stepped forward with a firm yet compassionate resolve. "I know this is difficult, Sweety, but this move might be what you need right now. It's a chance to escape the pain and start afresh."

Sweety's gaze shifted between her mother and Nassar, her heart racing with a whirlwind of emotions. "What about college?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"I've already spoken to your principal," he said, his voice carrying a note of reassurance. "They've agreed to transfer all your credits to an institution in Hyderabad. I made sure to request that everything be kept confidential so that no one will know about your whereabouts."

Sweety's eyes widened, her mind racing to process the enormity of the decision being made for her. Ramya nodded, her voice filled with gentle conviction. "Yes, dear. Sometimes, a change of environment is necessary to heal and move past the painful memories. You need to be in a place where those memories can't haunt you."

Sweety's tears flowed freely again, her resolve wavering. The thought of leaving behind her familiar life, her friends, and, most painfully, Prabhas, was almost unbearable. Her heart was torn between the desire to stay and the pressing need for change.