So far,
Shakthi and Bharathi are talking with Raji on the phone.
Now,
"Hey Shakthi, why do you look upset?" Bharathi asked.
"I feel like I want to see Raji, Bharathi," Shakthi said, his voice breaking as he began to cry. Just then, Shivani's mother came over.
"What happened, Shakthi? Why are you crying?" she asked with concern.
"Nothing, aunty," Shakthi said, quickly wiping his tears.
"Bharathi, you tell me," she said, turning to him.
"It's nothing serious, aunty. We were just talking to Mom on the phone, and the moment he heard her voice, he said he wanted to see her and started crying," Bharathi explained.
"Oh dear, crying like a little boy for that? That's why all of us are here with you, right?" she said kindly, sitting down next to him and comforting him.
Meanwhile, Shivani came in with her medical kit.
"Shivani, take care of him. I'll go and set the food," said Shivani's mother and left.
"Show me your hand, Shakthi," Shivani said.
"Why?" Shakthi asked nervously.
"To read your fortune," she teased playfully.
Bharathi burst out laughing, and Shakthi glared at him.
"I need to remove your stitches, that's why," Shivani said.
"Will it hurt?" Shakthi asked pitifully.
"No, no, it'll feel nice and relaxing," Shivani joked again, making Bharathi laugh even harder.
When Shivani moved closer to hold Shakthi's hand, he quickly pulled it behind him.
"Bharathi, hold his hand steady," Shivani ordered. Bharathi did as told.
"Please, Shivani, don't hurt me," Shakthi pleaded.
"If you stay still and don't move, I'll finish quickly. It'll hurt just a little—close your eyes if you want," she said, carefully working on his stitches.
"Bharathi, hold him tight," she said.
As she slowly removed the stitches, Shakthi couldn't bear the pain and shouted, "Amma!"
Hearing that, Shivani's parents came rushing in.
"Shivani, careful! Do it gently," her mother said.
"Bharathi, move aside," her father said, sitting beside Shakthi and holding his hand.
"Shakthi, don't look there. Look at me instead. Lean on my shoulder," he said softly.
With that comfort, Shivani carefully finished removing the stitches.
"Poor boy, his face is all swollen from crying. If anyone ever makes my Shakthi cry again, that's it!" said Shivani's mother, wiping his tears lovingly with her saree.
"I've treated even little kids with stitches before, but I've never seen anyone like you," Shivani said teasingly.
"Alright, Mom, I'm hungry. Shall we eat?" Shivani asked.
"Yes, everything's ready. You, your dad, and Bharathi go eat first. I'll bring Shakthi's plate," her mother said.
"Aunty, I'll come there and eat with everyone, please," Shakthi said.
"That's right, let's all eat together," Shivani's father agreed.
"Okay then, Shivani, come help me set the table," said her mother.
Everyone sat together, chatting and eating happily.
Later, Shivani's mother watched a movie on TV, while Shivani's father and Sakthi played chess. Bharathi and Shivani had gone to the market and returned.
When they came back, they watched the chess match.
"Pa, Sakthi plays really well, doesn't he?" Shivani said.
"Yes, he's giving me a tough challenge," her father smiled.
"Shivani, Shakthi is actually a state-level chess player," Bharathi added.
"Really, Shakthi?" Shivani and her father asked in unison.
"Yes, uncle, I was first at the state level," Shakthi replied.
"Wow! No wonder. I was wondering how you were able to play as well as Dad," Shivani said.
Then Bharathi's phone rang—it was Kamalamma.
"Hello, Kamalamma, I was just about to call you," Bharathi said.
"How is Shakthi doing, dear?" she asked.
"He's fine, Kamalamma. By the way, Mom called—she said she'll be back tomorrow morning," Bharathi replied.
"Oh, so you didn't tell her about Shakthi yet?" Kamalamma asked.
"No, not yet. I'll tell her slowly when the time's right," Bharathi said.
"Okay, call me once you reach home tomorrow," she said.
"Sure, Kamalamma, I'll call before we leave," Bharathi said and ended the call.
Then, Shivani's father got a call from a client. He handed over the chessboard to Shivani and left.
"Shakthi, I don't know how to play as well as Dad does. I only know the basic," Shivani said. "But I really want to learn. Will you teach me?"
"Of course, Shivani." Shakthi said with a smile.
He taught her while playing, guiding her patiently. In the end, Shivani won the game. Even though she knew he had let her win, she couldn't contain her joy — it was her first victory after learning the game.
Just then Bharathi returned.
"Really, Shivani? You beat Shakthi?" he asked.
"He's the one who taught me," she said proudly.
"I guessed as much," Bharathi said with a grin.
"Shivani, Kamalamma called. Is Shakthi okay now? Shall we leave for home tomorrow? Mom's coming back tomorrow anyway — and the first thing she'll ask is where Sakthi is," Bharathi said.
"Yeah, I'm worried about how to handle Raji," Shakthi said. "If I don't go to the bus stand in the morning and you go alone, she'll suspect something. I'll start babbling and give it away."
"I have an idea," she added. "Bharathi, you go pick up aunty in the morning and then leave for work. If she asks about Shakthi, say he left early for some important work. I'll drop him at your house in the evening by car."
"That's a good idea, "But she'll ask why he went by the car instead of the scooter." Bharathi said.
"You're right," Shivani nodded. "Okay, then when you go to pick her up in the morning, I'll take Shakthi in your car and drop him at your house. You tell Kamalamma to come by morning. Give me your house key, okay?"
"Yeah, that works," Bharathi said.
"But I still think you should tell aunty about this," Shivani suggested.
"No, Shivani. You don't know my mom. She can't handle it if anything happens to Shakthi," Bharathi said seriously.
"You're right. I saw how she was when he got hurt. But Shakthi shouldn't strain his hand for at least two days. And because he lost a lot of blood, he'll feel weak and dizzy if he walks too much. He needs rest, not going to work. How will you manage all that?" Shivani asked.
"Come on, Shivani, don't talk like that. We'll manage somehow," Bharathi said.
That evening, Shivani's mother served tea and bajji to everyone. They all chatted happily as they ate.
"Aunty, your bajji is amazing! I'm addicted to your cooking. I don't know when I'll get to eat it again," Bharathi said.
"Why do you say that, dear?" she asked.
"Mom's coming tomorrow morning, so Shakthi and I are leaving for home," Shivani said.
"Oh, I see. Well then, Bharathi, if you feel like eating something before you go, just call me — I'll make it for you before you leave," said Shivani's mother.
"Thanks, aunty," Bharathi smiled.
"Shivani, how's Shakthi feeling now?" her father asked.
"Pa, tomorrow morning Bharathi will pick up Raji aunty, and I'll take Shakthi to their house in Bharathi's car. But there's another problem—Raji aunty doesn't know what happened to him," Shivani said.
"I don't think it's right to hide it from her," said her father.
"That's what I said too, Pa," Shivani agreed.
"Look at him—while we're all talking seriously about him, he's just sitting there watching TV," Bharathi said with a laugh.
"Let's just go with this plan for now," Shivani said finally. "When Raji aunty calls, you go pick her up. I'll take Shakthi to your house. We can handle the rest later."
To be continued…