Marked Mine

Chapter 5

Varshith closed his eyes and took a long breathe, after few minutes he sat silently beside Harshini. She needed his support now more than ever.

He is close to his sister, in their families a girl's wish never mattered which he didn't like. From their childhood he wanted to stand like a shield protecting her, as a wall beside her to keep her strong but Harshini always agreed to their parents wishes. She didn't even speak out what is there in her heart, he couldn't call his sister stupid for being so.

"Harshini if you don't want this wedding it will not happen, I promise. But just share what you feel without any prejudice. In my opinion Abhiram is good, if you have any doubt regarding his character I will try to know more about him" Varshith asked his sister holding her hand.

Harshini remained silent, "Ok then I will inform Dad to reject this proposal" Varshith said moving towards the closed door.

"No" Harshini shrieked making Varshith smile, he knew his sister needed this shock to make her spill the beans. "Abhi is good it's not that I doubt on his character but when I am committing into a long term relationship why should I ignore my doubts. I don't want to regret later by being ignorant now" Harshini said.

"So if I find everything is good about him then we can go ahead. Are you sure about this sis?" Varshith asked with a naughty smile. "Yes, very much" Harshini replied confidently.

"Harshi! You have accepted him as your husband already and gave nickname too" Varshith winked and went out. Harshini smiled to herself thinking how she didn't want to loose Abhi.

Varshith called his friend Rishab who is working in Abhiram's office to get more details about him. He didn't want to take a chance by being ignorant as Harshini. This far sighted vision of his sister is something which he liked most which is distinguishable quality.

Later at night Latha (Harshini's mother) finished all chores and went inside their bedroom but could not find her husband anywhere. Srinivas was standing in the front balcony staring at moon thinking deeply.

"Why are you so dull? Are you worried about Harshini's wedding?" Latha asked thinking how he ate dinner half heartedly. She saw her husband gripping the railing with one hand and releasing then placing other hand in repeat mode. He does that only when he is worried or tensed about some thing important.

"Latha we are not good parents" he said blankly without looking at her. "What?" Latha asked in confusion. "Do you remember Varshith wanted to join army during his school and we denied?" Srinivas asked this time looking at her.

"Of course, from then only Varshith started taunting. So even if I want to forget our son reminds me" she said smiling rewinding all those thoughts. "He never brought that topic again but you think his taunts are his way of expressing his pain. While thinking about Varshith we forgot about Harshini" he said in serious tone.

"From where did Harshini came in this issue?" Latha got stunned with her husband's words.

"We did that unintentionally.. Varshith you are our only support when we become old. If you had a brother may be I would have sent you to army but I am not that patriotic to send my only son. You will not understand it now, when you are of my age then you will get my point ...these are the words said by me to convince Varshith at that time. Unknowingly we hurt Harshini, she thinks of she was a boy then her brother would have his dream career" Srinivas reminded her.

"That's ok let her think, we cannot change what happened" Latha said casually not knowing the storm in her husband's heart.
"This is what we did to Harshini, never cared about what she thinks or wants. She simply does whatever we want. That is why I said we are bad parents" Srinivas shouted in anger.