Chapter:3 A fragile Bond
Swati sat alone in her room, staring blankly at the floor. Her mind was replaying that moment again and again like a cruel loop. Why did I say those words? Why couldn’t I stop myself? She pressed her lips together as her heart thudded painfully.
All these years… how many times have I teased JK? Countless times. Even when I got angry at him for silly reasons, he never raised his voice at me. Not even once. But now… over such a small issue, he’s really angry. He didn’t call. Not even a single message. Could I have really hurt him this much?
Tears pricked her eyes as the silence in the room grew heavier, wrapping around her like a suffocating blanket.
Just then, her father, Shivu, walked in quietly and looked at her with concern.
Shivu: “Dear… your mother said you haven’t eaten anything. What’s wrong, with you my girl?”
Hearing his soft voice, Swati felt her fragile wall of control crack. She stood up quickly and ran into his arms, hugging him tightly like a little girl seeking comfort.
Swati (voice breaking): “dad… JK is so angry with me. He didn’t even call… not even once. I’ve never seen him like this.”
Shivu’s heart ached seeing his daughter like this. He gently stroked her hair, speaking in a voice as soft as a lullaby.
Shivu: “Oh, my sweet child… why are you letting this trouble you so much? You know JK, don’t you? He may be silent now, but he can’t stay angry with you for long. He never could. You’re too precious to him.”
Swati’s tears slipped down her cheeks as she whispered, almost to herself,
Swati: “But dad… what if… he really doesn’t forgive me?”
Shivu (firmly): “That won’t happen. Trust me. Now come, let’s eat something. You’ll feel better.”
Swati: “No, dad… I don’t feel hungry.”
Shivu: “If you don’t eat, then I won’t eat either.”
Swati looked up at him, her father’s worried eyes melting her stubbornness.
Swati (softly): “Don’t do that, dad… fine, I’ll eat.”
Shivu smiled gently and led her out of the room, hoping his words had brought her at least a little peace.
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Meanwhile in Surya's House…
Surya sat on his bed, staring at his phone for a moment before finally dialing Amrutha’s number.
Surya: “Hello… madam, are you upset with me? I’m sorry, Ammu. I was a little busy today and couldn’t call or message you.”
(Surya and Amruta had been in love for years. But apart from JK, Swati, Praveen, Karthik, and Surya’s sister Janhavi, no one else knew about their relationship.)
Amruta: “Oh… sorry, sir. If you’re still busy, it’s okay. It’s not like we have anything else to do, so we keep calling and messaging you, disturbing you all the time, isn’t it?”
Surya: “Hey! I didn’t say that. I’m sorry, my love. I promise I won’t do it again. Okay?”
Amruta: “If you ever ignore my calls or messages again, you’ll regret it.”
Surya: “Alright, ma’am. Did you have dinner?”
Amruta: “Yes, but today my brother seemed so dull. He’s never like this. At first, I thought it was because Dad scolded him, but Dad scolds him every day, and he usually doesn’t mind. Today, though… something felt off. Did something happen at college?”
(Surya thought: If I tell her anything now, she’ll spread it all over the house. Better to stay quiet…)
Surya: “No, darling. He just had a headache, that’s all. Why don’t you check on him once?”
Amruta: “Hmm… okay. But you love him more than you love me, don’t you?”
She walked towards JK’s room, opening the door slightly.
Amruta: “Your friend is sleeping peacefully. Satisfied?”
Surya: “Yes… thank you.”
(The two of them chatted a little longer.)
Amruta: “Baby, I’m so sleepy now.”
Surya: “Oh no, sweetheart… I didn’t get to talk to you properly today. That’s why we should talk all night.”
Amruta: “Really? I can barely keep my eyes open. Good night, bye…”
She ended the call. Surya smiled to himself but before he could relax, his phone rang again.
Surya: “Hello… Sweety.”
(Surya always called his sister Janhavi “Sweety” and made it a point to call her every day.)
Meanwhile in Germany…
Jahnavi sat quietly in her room, her mind wandering back to her home in India. Though she had come here for higher studies, her heart had never settled in this foreign land.
(When her father’s closest friend, Rakesh, and his wife had visited India, they had insisted that Jahnavi stay with them in Germany until she completed her education. Since they didn’t have any children of their own, they treated Jahnavi like a daughter. At her father’s request, she had agreed and moved here—but deep inside, Jahnavi missed her home, her family, and the warmth of India every single day.
Jahnavi was breathtaking. Her large, expressive eyes held a sparkle that could captivate anyone who looked at her. Her straight, delicate nose and soft, flawless features gave her an air of elegance. Long, silky hair cascaded over her shoulders like a flowing river.
✨She was so beautiful that any boy who laid eyes on her would be left stunned, unable to resist her charm. Truly, it seemed impossible for any boy to remain unaffected by her enchanting beauty.
Yet, her magic wasn’t only in her looks. Jahnavi had a personality that drew people in like a magnet. She spoke with such liveliness and warmth that those around her couldn’t help but smile. She had a rare gift of making others feel important, and she always found her own happiness in the joy of others.)
Janhavi: “Hello, bro! What were you doing? Why didn’t you call me until now? You know I wait for your call every single day…”
(Her voice carried a soft warmth, and even from across continents, Surya could hear the longing in her tone.)
Surya: “I’m sorry, Sweety. I was talking to Ammu for a while… that’s why I couldn’t call earlier.”
Janhavi: “Oh… you were talking to Ammu? That’s okay, bro. If you’re still busy, should I hang up the call?”
Surya (immediately): “Hey, don’t say that! Talking to you is never a disturbance for me. You’re my little sister… and no matter what, I’ll always make time for you.”how is your college going dear??
Janhavi (her voice turning tender): “Hmm… college is okay, bro. But… I miss you all so much. Every day feels incomplete without seeing you all.”
Surya (softly): “I know, Sweety. I miss you too. But be strong, okay? Just a little longer… then you’ll finish your studies and come back home.”
Janhavi: “Hmm… okay bro. It’s time for my class now. I’ll call you again later.”
Surya: “Alright, take care Sweety. Good night from here.”
Janhavi (smiling): “Good night for you… and a good morning for me, bro.”
Surya chuckled softly and ended the call. He placed the phone on his bedside table and lay down, staring at the ceiling for a few moments. The quiet of the night wrapped around him as he slowly drifted into sleep
The next morning, Swati arrived at JK’s house.
As she entered, Yashodha (JK’s mom) greeted her warmly.
Yashodha: “Oh, Swati! You’ve come so early today?”
Swati: “Just like that, aunty. Why? Can’t I come here?”
Kamala (JK’s aunt): “Hmph… for you, this house is always open, isn’t it?”
Swati: “Of course! Even if you tell me not to come, I won’t stop coming.”
Yashodha: “Alright, dear. I’ll make you some tea.”
Swati: “Okay, aunty.”
(Just then, Lakki granny entered the hall.)
Swati: “Hi, granny! Good morning. 😊”
(She greeted everyone else in the house and then went back to Yashodha.)
Yashodha: “Swati, here, have some tea.”
Swati: “Thank you, aunty. Drinking tea made by you feels like a blessing. You make it so perfectly. Love you! ❤️ By the way, who’s this cup for?”
Yashodha: “😊 Oh, this one is for your uncle.JK seemed a bit down yesterday. What happened? He never listens to me anyway…”
Swati: “Nothing like that, aunty. I’ll go and check on him. Please, let me take this tea to uncle.”
Yashodha: “Alright, dear. Go on.”
(Swati carried the tea straight to JK’s room. She found him on the balcony, doing his workout. To grab his attention, she coughed dramatically, but he didn’t even turn around.)
Swati: “Good morning! Here, I brought tea for you.”
JK continued his workout, ignoring her.
Swati: “Hello? I’m talking to you.”
JK: “I don’t drink tea. You know that. Why did you bring it?”
Swati: “I know… but I needed an excuse to make you talk to me. JK… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said yesterday. I won’t bring up that topic again. Please… talk to me. Whatever you ask, I’ll do it.”
(She hugged him tightly. JK, though happy inside, kept a stern face.)
JK: “Oh? You’ll do whatever I ask?”
Swati: “Of course!”
JK: “Then lift those dumbbells for me.”
Swati: “That’s all? Okay!” (She tried to lift them but struggled with the weight. Seeing her efforts, JK finally smiled and chuckled softly.)
Swati: “They’re a bit heavy… at least our JK smiled now.”
JK: “I didn’t smile!”
Swati: “Don’t act smart. I saw you! Anyway, it’s already late. Hurry up and get ready for college.”
JK: “Alright, madam. I’ll come quickly, wait for me.”
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Author’s Note:
Thank you for reading! 💕 Your support means the world to me. Please follow the story, leave a comment, and share your thoughts—I’d love to know how this chapter made you feel. ❤️
