So far,
Bharathi explains everything that happened while Shakthi was unconscious.
Now,
"I'm sorry, Uncle, Aunty… I've troubled you both so much," says Shakthi softly.
"That's not a trouble at all, Shakthi. What pains us is seeing you suffer. Shivani, first find the right doctor for this and take Shakthi there soon," says Shivani's father.
"Shakthi, you and Bharathi are like our own sons. We no longer feel the absence of having a boy child," adds Shivani's mother with a smile.
While they are talking, Bharathi's phone rings—it's Raji calling.
"Shakthi, our mom is calling. She called yesterday too, but I told her you were asleep and didn't mention anything else. Here, you talk to her yourself," says Bharathi, handing the phone to Shakthi.
"Hello, Raji," Shakthi says.
"Shakthi, I tried calling your phone—why didn't you answer? Nothing wrong, is there?" asks Raji anxiously.
"No, nothing happened. I just misplaced my phone, so I couldn't answer when you called. Don't worry about me. How's everything going there?" asks Shakthi.
"Everything's going fine. The housewarming ceremony will be over tomorrow morning. After that, I'll visit everyone nearby and come back the day after. Have you both left for work?" says Raji.
"Yes, Raji. Alright Come back safely," says Shakthi.
Just then, the phone slips from his hand and falls right onto his injured hand. Unable to bear the pain, Shakthi yells, "Raji!"
"What happened, Shakthi?" asks Raji, panicking.
Before he can respond, Shivani quickly picks up the phone and holds it to his ear.
"It's nothing, Raji. I just hurt my hand a little," says Shakthi.
"Be careful, Shakthi. You scared me for a second! Anyway, where's Bharathi?" asks Raji.
"Here, I'll give him the phone," says Shakthi.
"Bharathi, are you on your way yet? Don't be late like always—leave early and go straight there, okay?" says Raji.
"Okay, ma. You reach safely too. I miss you—come back soon," says Bharathi, ending the call.
Shivani's mother brings coffee for everyone. "Here, have some coffee," she says, handing it out. They all take it gratefully.
Just then, Shivani's father gets a client call and steps away to answer it.
Because of Shakthi's injured hand, Shivani's mother gently feeds him juice with a spoon.
Halfway through, Shakthi says, "That's enough, Aunty."
Just then, the cooker whistles from the kitchen.
"Shivani, have him finish the juice. The cooker's whistling—I'll go check," she says, handing the glass to Shivani before leaving.
Shivani continues feeding him. "Shivani, please, that's enough," Shakthi pleads.
Ignoring him, Shivani pushes another spoonful toward his mouth.
"Shivani, please stop. I feel like I'm going to vomit," says Shakthi weakly.
"Then let it come; I'll clean it up," says Shivani calmly and keeps feeding him.
"Shivani, he'll keep saying that—don't mind him," says Bharathi. "By the way, Kamala ma called. I'll go tell her what happened and bring clothes for Shakthi."
Just then, Shivani's father walks in.
"Shivani, I'm off work today. I'll take care of Shakthi. You, your mom, and Bharathi go to work. If I need anything, I'll call," he says.
"Okay, Pa. Bharathi, go home, pick up clothes for Shakthi, tell Kamala ma everything, and come back. After breakfast, both of us will leave for work and return this evening," says Shivani.
"No need to trouble yourself, Uncle. I'll take the day off and stay with him," says Bharathi.
"No trouble at all. I'll look after him. You go ahead," says Shivani's father firmly.
"Alright, Uncle. I'll be back soon. See you, Shakthi. Tell Aunty I've left," says Bharathi before leaving.
"Come on, open your mouth," says Shivani.
"Please…" Shakthi begs.
"Just two more spoonfuls," she insists and feeds him again. Having no choice, Shakthi finishes it.
"Very good boy," says Shivani, patting his shoulder. Shakthi smiles faintly.
When Bharathi reaches home, Kamala is sitting near the doorstep.
"Come in, Bharathi. Where's Shakthi?" she asks.
"That's a long story, Kamala ma. Come inside; I'll explain," says Bharathi, unlocking the door.
He tells her everything that happened. Kamala listens with teary eyes.
"Why does this kind of thing always happen to our poor Shakthi? If Raji madam knew, she'd be terribly worried," she says.
"Yes, Kamala ma, that's why we didn't tell her," replies Bharathi.
"Bharathi, can I come with you when you go back? I really want to see Shakthi," she asks.
"Of course, Kamala ma. I'll go bathe, get ready for work, and take two sets of clothes for Shakthi. We can leave together," says Bharathi.
"Shall I make you something to eat?" asks Kamala.
"No need, Kamala ma. Shivani's mom said she already prepared food there," he says and walks past Raji's room.
There, he notices that his father's photo frame is broken, with shards of glass scattered on the floor.
"Kamala ma, could you come here a moment?" he calls.
"What is it, son?"
"Could you please clean this up?" asks Bharathi.
"Yes, I'll do it," says Kamala gently.
While she cleans, Bharathi picks up his father's photo, thinking he'll have the glass replaced later. He takes it quietly to his room, hides it in a safe place, and goes to bathe.
After getting ready, Bharathi picks two sets of clothes for Shakthi and heads downstairs.
"Shall we go, Kamala ma?"
"Yes, let's go," she says.
They lock the house and head to Shivani's home.
"Come in, Kamala ma," says Shivani warmly as they enter.
When Kamala sees Shakthi, she bursts into tears and hugs him tightly.
"Pa, Ma, this is Kamala ma," Shivani introduces her to her parents.
"Don't worry, ma'am," says Shivani's father kindly. "Shakthi will recover soon."
Shakthi adds softly, "Kamala ma, it's nothing—just a small injury."
Kamala, still emotional, says, "Shivani ma, we owe you so much. You always appear like a guardian angel whenever something bad happens to our Shakthi."
"Please don't worry, Aunty. He'll be fine soon," replies Shivani reassuringly.
"Come on, everyone, let's eat," calls Shivani's mother.
"Yes, you'll all be late for work otherwise. Eat and leave," says Shivani's father.
"Come, Kamala ma, let's eat," says Shivani.
"No, dear, I'll eat later. You all go ahead," says Kamala.
"I've packed lunch for you and Shakthi in a hot box. Shall I take the day off?" asks Shivani's mother to Shivani's father.
"No, Nandhini, I'll manage. You go and eat, then leave with Shivani," says Shivani's father.
The three of them eat and leave for work.
"Alright, we're off," says Shivani's mother.
"Kamala ma, shall I drop you on the way?" asks Bharathi.
"Yes, son. Take care of Shakthi. I'll come back later," says Kamala sadly, leaving with Bharathi.
Shivani and her mother also leave. Shivani's father stays behind, caring for Shakthi.
That evening, the three return home from work.
Shakthi and Shivani's father are playing chess. Seeing that, Shivani teases,
"Pa, when I ask you to play, you say you're too busy, but now you're playing with Shakthi! Not fair, Pa!"
Shivani's father laughs. "Shakthi said he was bored, so I joined him. By the way, where's Bharathi?"
"He's home, talking with Mom. Pa, did Shakthi eat properly, or did he trick you again?" asks Shivani playfully.
"He ate—but just a little," says her father.
"What's this, uncle? You've got me caught by Shivani like this!" says Shakthi.
"Did Shakthi trouble you too much, Uncle?" asks Bharathi.
"Hey, do you two think I'm a little kid? You keep interrogating me one after the other!" says Shakthi, pretending to be annoyed.
"Even kids behave better sometimes!" teases Bharathi.
"Exactly!" joins in Shivani, laughing.
"See, Uncle?" says Shakthi in mock protest, making everyone laugh.
"Alright, I'll go to the clinic for a bit," says Shivani, leaving.
After finishing her work at the clinic, she returns home.
"Shivani, freshen up and come eat," says her mother.
"Did everyone else eat already?" asks Shivani.
"Everyone except us," her mother replies.
"Okay, Ma. I'll be back in ten minutes," says Shivani.
After freshening up, she returns. The two sit together and eat, then head to Shakthi's room.
To be continued…