A Family's Unspoken Love - Part 5
Once the exams had concluded, the three of them made their way to the familiar spot beneath the banyan tree. As Hari was about to leave, he exchanged a meaningful glance with Achu, signaling that everything was alright. Achu nodded in agreement.They all settled down under the tree, and Achu asked Deepu with a serious tone, "Tell us, Deepu, what happened yesterday?"
Deepu hesitated, her eyes avoiding theirs. "Deepu, please tell us," Hari urged, a hint of anger in his voice.
Finally, Deepu raised her eyes to meet theirs and began recounting everything with a trembling voice. Tears welled up in their eyes, and Achu held her close.
"I'm scared, Dad. It feels like something ominous is looming," Deepu confessed.
"Don't worry, Dee. There won't be any harm," Achu reassured her, holding her tightly.
"We're all here for you. Nothing bad will happen," Hari added.
"I just have this feeling that something terrible is going to happen. I don't know how they'll turn against me. The exams are over today, and I can't stay inside anymore. You can't come there either. I'll be alone," she said with sadness in her voice.
"If we want to see you, we'll find a way. Don't worry about that. We know how to overcome obstacles when needed. Right, Hari?" Achu said.
"Absolutely. We won't let you down," Hari agreed.
Deepu's face brightened with a small smile. At that moment, Harry approached her, took a box out of his bag, and handed it to her.
She looked at him curiously. "Open it and see," he said with a smile.
Deepu opened the box and found a smartphone inside. She looked at them in surprise. "Do you like it?" Achu asked, excited.
"I bought it for you," Harry revealed.
"And what about me?" Achu inquired.
"That's for you," Hari replied.
"I've set everything up, including the SIM card. Our numbers are saved, so you can reach out to us anytime, even if you're at home," Harry explained.
Deepu's eyes welled up with joy. "Thank you so much," she said, moved by their kindness.
"My dear Deepu, keep those tears for another time. If you start crying now, you'll run out of tears," Hari advised her with a smile.
Deepu wiped her eyes and looked at them. "Dee, keep your phone hidden. Keep it on silent mode, and we'll give you a message or a missed call when it's safe to talk. Is that clear?" Achu instructed her.
Deepu nodded in agreement. "Yes, I understand."
"Be happy, Deepu. We'll have to leave you alone now, but we'll always be there for you," Achu assured her, hugging her tightly.
"Whatever they say, you should stand your ground and make your own decisions. Otherwise, they'll trample over you. You have to face everything on your own," Hari advised her seriously.
Deepu looked at him and nodded determinedly.
"Now, let's grab something to eat. My father gave me a bit more pocket money today," Achu suggested cheerfully.
"You want to spend it all, don't you? Let's go then," Harry said with a smile.
The three of them walked out of the college gate, shared a hearty meal, and then boarded the bus. As they reached the place where they usually parted ways, sadness washed over their faces, and they stood silently, grappling with the pain of separation.
Achu took some money from his wallet and handed it to Deepu. "No, no," she protested.
"Take it, girl. You've got a job now, and you'll have to take care of us. Right, Harry?" Achu insisted.
Harry smiled and said, "I'd love to leave her to work so I can relax."
Deepu, biting her lip, retorted, "Is that why you make your wife work while you stay at home?"
"That's what I meant," Harry muttered under his breath.
"What are you two talking about?" Deepu frowned at them.
"Nothing, just joking. Like this, once we find jobs, we won't even look back," Hari playfully remarked.
Deepu paled at his words. "Just because you found jobs, you shouldn't leave her alone," she said, clearly concerned.
"Don't worry, we were just kidding," Achu reassured her.
"But I was serious," Harry chimed in.
"Go away, you troublemaker," Deepu said, looking at Harry.
"Troublemaker is your husband," Harry retorted.
Deepu gave him an angry look. "Are you trying to provoke me, Bhadrakali?"
Harry just laughed but remained standing, watching her intently.
"I'm leaving. You can video call me tonight," she called back as she made her way across the field.
"Are you sure you want to leave?" Harry called out.
"Go away, you troublemaker," she replied, running across the field.
Harry watched her go, smiling to himself.
