Bittersweet

Chapter- 11

Keeping his face firm Raghu unlocked the door of his parents' house. From yesterday Sathya noticed there is no much excitement in him about coming here. Standing beside him she gazed around, the foggy mist slowly passing over the lands and the sun was nowhere to be found in that early morning. Sathya couldn't bear the coldness and rubbed her palms. Raghu's house was small yet beautiful amidst the estate. She wondered, who on earth will leave this house and everything behind for years.

Raghu has abandoned the house after his parent's death. The last time he came here was when he won the gold medal. He stayed here for some time and left. But the house and the estate was taken care of by an elderly couple, they were his mother's foster parents. He was financially taking care of them after his parent's death. Sathya has seen them at their wedding. They looked pathetic than her parent's.

Raghu entered in carrying the bags. "The house is beautiful," Sathya said.

"Hmm," Raghu just nodded his head and opened the bag to take the sweater. He gave that to Sathya, "Wear it," he told.

"I will get something to drink," telling that, he went out heading into his grandparent's house which is located few steps away.

Sathya examining the house saw an old picture of his parents. His dad looked somewhat similar to Raghu- tall, dark, somewhat handsome too but his face doesn't have that calmness as Raghu. His mom was simple and beautiful.

She then opened the backdoor and sat on the steps. Her eyes could only see green since it's a huge estate located in the interior of Ooty.

"Sathya?"

Raghu came in carrying two glasses, along with him, his grandparents came too.

Sathya stood up and god blessings from them and asked about their health. Holding Sathya's hand his grandmother asked, "Are you pregnant?"

"No," she nodded and her face became dull.

"You will become soon, I can feel it," she immediately said gripping her hand and Sathya blushed.

But Raghu's face didn't show that happiness. "I am preparing for breakfast. Take bath and come there, okay," she told.

"Hmm," Sathya shook her head as yes and they left.

Sathya took that hot tea in her hand and sat on the steps. Raghu sat beside her, "We should go to my uncle's house to get his bike and then to your house."

Sipping the tea, she nodded yes. "Is this all yours?" she asked.

"Yes,"

"Can you see the red line, there," he reached out his hand to point it.

"Till then, it belongs to my dad," he said not mentioning him as the owner.

Having their tea silently, Sathya decided to take a bath. While taking her clothes she saw Raghu preparing for a steam bath.

"You are going to take bath," she asked.

"No, it's for you," he said.

"There's another one at the backside. I am going there," he said and went out.

Sathya with the widest smile looked at him leaving, he is so nice and kind. She can't help falling in Love; she never felt special but when it is around him she couldn't stop feeling that way.

Covering herself in a towel Sathya came out of the bathroom. When she was about to remove Raghu came in.

"Oh," Sathya tightly held her towel hearing him.

"Do you want me to go out?" he asked. She nodded no.

Draping her saree awkwardly in front of his intense gaze has made Sathya cheeks to burn. When she was adjusting her pleats she felt difficult to align it.

"You want some help," rolling his sleeves Raghu asked.

"No..." before she could object he kneeled in front of her and made it look straight.

"Fine?" he asked with a grin.

Oh god, don't do this! She thought when she finds hard to meet his face.

"Thanks," she turned gritting her teeth and he went out.

The house looked pleasant when the morning sun rays graced its presence into the house. Being married to a man like Raghu is so blissful now, how on earth this happened? Sathya questioned walking behind him.

After having breakfast in their grandparent's house, Raghu and Sathya headed to his Uncle's house. They were so happy to see them. But inside Sathya wanted to see her parent's more than anything.

When she entered home, she hugged her mom. "How are you, Amma?"

"I am fine dear," she replied with a smile and then she went to her dad. Sathya's parents warmly welcomed Raghu, he gave the clothes he bought to them and sat on the floor.

Sathya's house was very small and old.

"What you cooked for me, mom?" she asked and looked to find it. When she found her favorite fish gravy she felt so happy like she won something.

After answering her mom's question about how she is managing her life, Sathya was again questioned about pregnancy. She couldn't say it to her mom that Raghu is using protection most of the times and he is fearing to have a child. Putting her in the place that she is incapable to get pregnant Sathya replied, "If God wishes I will become a mother one day, till then don't ask me."Her mother was not happy to hear her reply. She asked her to get pregnant as soon as possible since she believes that's one important asset for a married woman.

She felt so gloomy and had lunch. Raghu was awkward with his parent's but he didn't fail reply to their question with a charming smile on his face. They stayed till evening, before leaving Raghu took some cash from his wallet and gave that to Sathya's mom. She hesitated to take it and Sathya was surprised.

"If I were your son, wouldn't you take it? Please," Raghu said with a smile and took her hand and gave the money. Sathya's eyes welled in tears but she didn't cry in front of them.

Sitting behind on the scooter Sathya's eyes started shedding the controlled tears, those tears for happiness, for getting a man who's so compassionate and kind-hearted. From the day she met him and until now he is so caring. Am I worthy for him? She asked and looked at his frame.

Even if I am not, I can do anything to be with him, she told herself and smiled.

Before going home, Raghu stopped before a tea shop. For this coldness, the hot tea served a perfect match.

"Why you are silent?" Raghu asked when she didn't meet his eyes. She doesn't know how? But when the moment this love entered her heart she couldn't speak to him normally, she couldn't meet his eyes and she couldn't bear her trembling heart when she is near to him.

"Nothing, I was thinking something,"

"Oh, I thought you are angry with me for giving money to your mom. I did that because I felt I need to help them and I wanted to help you," he said hesitantly.

"I am not angry, I never could do that. Actually, I don't know what to say, I was so grateful for whatever you are doing." Her voice cracked and she turned to the other side to hide her tears.

Raghu didn't talk to her until they reach home. She walked into the house rubbing her arms since it's too cold and he followed her to their room locking the door behind. She wore her sweater and sat on the bed, she looked at him, he has something to say but he was jumping in.

"Sathya shall we go upstairs," he asked.

"Hmm? Okay," she nodded.

It was a wonderful view from there, the mist was covering the entire land and she couldn't see anything. He took her hand suddenly and Sathya bites her lower lip.

Is he going to confess that he is in love with me? She thought.

"Talk something?" he told.

What? You only asked to come up and I have to talk? She rolled her eyes and smiled.

"What you want me to talk?" she blushed.

"Whatever? I am so bored?"

"Umm?" shrinking her eyes she thought for a minute.

"If we aren't married what were your plans? I mean if you are still unmarried?" she asked and sat on the water storing tank with Raghu's help.

"I always wanted to run a business on my own than being an employee to someone. If I didn't marry you then I would have started the primary steps for it since I was planning to leave my job that time. Even when I came to meet you I supposed to reject you telling some reasons but I couldn't." Raghu said sitting beside her.

Ah... Every time you are saying that you couldn't reject me but you are not telling the actual reason. Sathya mentally asked him.

"Now you can continue it right?" I asked.

"I can but before I was single now you are with me. I am afraid, what if I fail everything?" he told and it felt so bad.

"No, you don't have to worry about me, I am not depending on you for everything right? You should never leave your dream, it will haunt you for a lifetime." I said seeing his stupid thought.

But from his perspective, he is right. He has worked hard to earn everything and he can't just loose as it is nothing.

"I know. But I am not sure,"

"Sometimes you have to follow your heart instead of your domineering brain,"

"Decide slowly, you still have time," she smiled and patted his shoulder.

Raghu intently looked at her even after their ambiance started getting weird.

"What was your ambition?" he asked her the same question when she turned to breathe.

"My aim was to open a coffee shop before I turn twenty-five and then a restaurant before thirty. There is still time, I am having little confidence," she laughed.

"Your dream will definitely come true, I can feel it now itself," Raghu smiled.

"Thank you," she blushed and looked at him.

That moment she had a strong urge to kiss him. She looked around, there is no one watching, and grabbing all her courage she pulled his collar without proper initiation.

He was staggered. "What?" he asked.

Disgusted by her failure to kiss, "Nothing, your collar.... Was not.... Strai..." before she could complete her blabber their lips intertwined in a kiss, Raghu kissed her passionately under the moonlight. She tightly gripped his shirt collar whenever he nibbled her lips hard. She never wanted this feeling to end.

He loosed his grip and looked at Sathya. She was still closing her eyes, when she opened to meet him Raghu felt his heart racing, it reminds that he is in love. This love has grown too much in him...

"I think we should go to bed," he smirked.

Sathya nodded looking down, she smiled closing her face and Raghu smiled seeing her adorable expression.