Perfect Strangers ✔

|| 18 ||

At this time Chandra's family make entry into the mandap and are very shocked to see them at this state. They are confused.
Shylok enquiries Nandhini's close relative and gets to know what happened. He explains to all others.

They feel very bad for them... Lalita get near them...

Ravi: Lalita ji... (cries) look at our situation right now! We were all hoping good and thinking everything will be fine but now!
I don't know what to do... all.. all guests are invited and we were expecting to make it in a grand manner and now.....

Lalita: i understand! This is a worst situation ever! I couldn't even imagine these things are happening and your family is really very generous and good to everyone... i too can't accept this....
Please you don't take it so inside..

Ravi: what will i reply to all guests? How will i get Nandhini married at a good place again? Everyone would say whatever they feel.... i can't see that happening! I ruined her life...
He cries bitterly.
Lalita feels sad seeing this state.

Lalita: we will find a solution for it! You.. you please don't feel guilty. Something that needs to happen, has happened. I know we can't accept this... but we should move on...
Lalita tries to console him.

Ashish: appa, please you don't stress yourself...
Gopal couldn't see their state; goes and sit in the chair, keeping hands on his head. Lathika seeing this brings water for Gopal.

Lathika: Thatha, please drink little! Please!
For her sake he drinks.

Nandhini couldn't able to see this..
Nandhini: appa.. (gasps between) appa we will go home...
Ravi gets to feel giddy. He fells down. Everyone comes rushing to him.
Nandhini: (screams) appa!!!

Ashish: (slaps his Ravi's face to regain consciousness) appa! Appa! See me!! (Cries).

Gopal: Ravi dei!! I can't see this happening(cries heart out).
Ratan, Shylok, Chandra seeing the situation react to it.

Shylok: come lets carry him to bed.. get some water.. Ratan come help me...

Ashish, Shylok, Ratan take Ravi and make him rest in a bed.
A close relative of him, a doctor checks him and tells its a mild attack out of stress. He tells them to make him feel better.
Gopal sits near him, holding his hands.

Chandra brings water to Ravi and Durga and Lathika take Nandhini to Ravi.
Lalita couldn't see this. She feels very bad seeing a good family suffering like this... her past memories pass by... how they all were affected and no one was there to stand with them... it was worst situation ever...

Lalita gets near Ravi. Sit beside him. Chandra and Shylok give water to him; makes him feel better.

Ravi again starts to cry, couldn't control himself.
Ravi: what I... will do... My Nandhini... can't su..ffer.. all.. my. Fault... (he gasps in between and speaks).

Lalita makes a decision.
Lalita: our Nandhini's life will not get destroyed. I.. i will get her married to our Chandra. You don't feel guilty! We will take care of her as our daughter! Please don't cry anymore.

Everybody is shocked hearing this but don't react due to the situation.

Ravi: are... are you saying it... for real..?

Lalita: yes! We will get them married today itself! Please you don't worry!

Ravi: i... can't believe... it.. (cries)
Nandhini??
She comes near him.
Is this... ok.. for you?!
Nandhini: ok pa! Ok! Please you don't cry pa! I can't see this!(she busts out crying; hugs him).

Lalita is happy consoling him. She turns to Chandra. Chandra is shocked and worried. She nods her head signaling if he is ok. He gasps and nods. Shylok puts hands on Chandra's shoulders.

The doctor signals everyone to come out except Gopal for someone to stay with him. He informs them that he should not take stress anymore and should be healthy and free, good care should be taken.

Nandhini cries. Ashish and Lathika hug her and consoles.
Chandra watch her, moves away from there. Ratan and Shylok follow him. Durga gets water for Nandhini.

Lalita: my dear! You don't worry for anything! We are here for you! Appa will be better soon! Everything will get good! You go and get ready dear!
Signals Durga and Lathika to get her ready for wedding.

Lalita: Ashish, you look after appa. I will talk with Chandra and come! You don't confuse.. he is very good person and he will look after her at best.. we all are here with her.

Ashish: ok paati!

Lalita goes to Chandra.

Lalita: Chandra... dear I know this a big decision taken without your consent! But their situation is very worst... you did see this... i felt the past memories were we didn't have no one with us and how the pain was.. so i couldn't stop this.. my dearr..

Chandra: paati.. i understand it... you have promised and I will stand by it. I will marry her... you don't need to give explanations. I feel it.

Shylok: i think we are doing a right think.. they need help... let their father get well soon.

Chandra: yes...

Meanwhile Nandhini get ready as she dreamt that night... but her glowing face is dull and stern. She felt lifeless. She couldn't imagine what's happening is this truth or what? Why i am marrying now?...
Thoughts run around..

Lathika and Durga finish decking her up.
Lathika: i will inform them Nandhini is ready and come.

Durga: ok da!
She leaves the room.

Durga: i know what you are feeling like... every girls big day... getting married... living for them everything is special... we want to spend our life with someone whom we love and want to share with... but in this situation... to my conscience, I would definitely say, Chandra will look after you good. We are with you ❤

She hugs Nandhini.. Nandhini hugs her.. tears come out..

Durga: dear! Don't cry! (She takes her hand to wipe but stops) wait i will bring tissues.

Nandhini nods. Nandhini sees engagement ring in her hand... takes it out, rolls in her hand, and throws it in dustbin.
She controls her tears and anger.

Gaurav and Bina waits outside Ravi's room. Gopal sees them; comes out.

Gaurav: i don't know why these all happening! Ayush didn't even tell us that he is against this... we didn't even force him to meet Nandhini or get married to her. It was done with full of his agreement. I am sorry for all these happened... on behalf of my son... i don't know how to pay back but we are extremely sorry. Take care of Ravi's health.

Bina couldn't able to speak. She was filled with regret.

Gopal: whatever happened has happened.. we can't change it or blame each other... its Ayush's fault.. we shouldn't burden ourselves... thats all I can say..

Gaurav: we will take your leave.. sorry once again...

Gopal: ok...

Soon all get ready, leave to temple.