Whispers Of Love

Mm yes Harini should have accepted. May be she is not ready to meet his parents yet.

 

Yeah he should have the patience and she should look beyond her economic conditions...I really wish Harini meets Jai soon

 

Thanks Deepika. My favorite numbers of Ilayaraja

 

Kaushik will be back soon..
Glad you liked the background songs.

With your bubbly and cheery attitude you will do revolution where ever you are..

 

Thanks for the feedback ammusatheesh..

 

Chapter-30

Srikanth

She didn’t respond and I was not awaiting it. Deep down, I know her stand is weakening. She was chatting about how her mother enjoys the work in Priya’s bakery. I was glad to have made a small difference. We reached office soon despite me driving in my slowest speed.

I saw Sameer’s car entering the parking lot ahead of me and as soon as we got down he asked

‘Good job in convincing the client..’ Sameer told me as soon as I got down from the car.

Harini mumbled bye and went.

‘Early morning date? I’m going to update others’ Sameer said hiding a yawn. ‘Little bastard slept only at two..’ He cribbed. Sameer was blessed with a boy recently and was always sleep deprived. I volunteered take a big chunk of work from him and this drew us very close that I shared about my dad to him. Me, Dev, Sameer and Rajib always hanged out together.

My relationship with Dev was something different. I looked up to him as my elder brother and he reciprocated the same. Overall office environment was great with good set of friends , ample learning and a love. ORK was a pain but I got used to him now.

That day I had an early exit from office. Dad was supposed to have returned from his trip abroad. When I went home I couldn’t find him. House keeper offered me a coffee and I was chit-chatting with him.

‘When was dad back?’ I asked him.

‘Around noon, he came down for coffee and then madam came, I didn’t see him after that…’ he said with a grin.

‘Okay..will meet him in dinner.’ I said.

‘Yeah someone is coming right..north Indian menu I was told..’

‘Who is coming?’ I asked hoping it should not be anyone from dad’s office.

‘Must be your dad’s colleague , north Indian food is for them..Satvik is for madam’s relatives, Italian for your brother’s girl, south Indian for your dad’s brother..Spicy Andhra food for your dad’s boss..’ he went on. If any one from Evolution is coming I’ll better remain in my room and ask somebody to bring me dinner.

I was too tired to workout, took out a book to read. I must have slept till Vivaan woke me up for dinner.

‘Dad is calling you for dinner..’

‘Isn’t someone with him?..’ I asked while washing my face.

‘That’s Mukund uncle…He promised to tell me more about army training.’Vivaan said joyfully. Vivaan wanted to follow his father’s footsteps into army. Priya often told me that Vivaan’s father was equally active in sports like him.

Thankfully Vivaan didn’t allow Mukund to take a breath with his constant volley of questions. Dad and Priya had to pitch in so that Mukund get a gap.

Towards the dinner Sriram whispered ‘Thanks to Vivaan you are spared.’he said and I chuckled. Mukund noticed me that minute.

‘Srikanth..have you updated your father on your efforts to shame the company in social media?’ Mukund asked. He then went on explaining the entire thing to dad and how Virat wanted to fire me.

Before dad could respond Priya said loudly ‘Proud of you Srikanth. Really I’m.’

‘Me too Bro. Though it’s a shame that Dev was announced as winner only after all this.’Sriram added.

‘Looks like your family is united in this Jai.’ Mukund said.

‘That’s another issue. But I didn’t ask you to give any privilege to Srikanth and that’s why I’m taking enormous precaution so that people don’t know I’m related to him.’ Dad insisted.

‘That’s right, I went soft on him on my own.’ Mukund replied.

Post dinner I realized I left my charger in car while I went for retrieving it, I could hear dad talking to Mukund while seeing him off ‘I want to see Padmini out in another three months irrespective of how your investigation goes.’

Dad and Mukund noticed me. As Mukund waved and started his car, I found dad trying hard to balance himself.

‘Are you not feeling well dad?’ I asked helping him.

‘Feeling slightly dizzy ... Sleep should help me’ dad said gripping my hands. I helped him to his room from where Priya took over.

‘Srikanth..I have a lot to speak with you. ‘ Dad said.

‘Some other time dad..rest now.’I replied. Somehow my mind was not ease.

‘What?Are you sure it’s him?He can’t be dead’ I was shouting. I woke up with a thud drenched with sweat.

That was such a bad dream.I couldn’t recollect it apart from the line I shouted. When I came out of the room I was relieved to find dad in garden enjoying his coffee and waving at me cheerfully.