Chapter 15 : "Footsteps Towards Unknown "
Early in the morning, one by one, everyone left for their own homes.
JK lingered at the doorway, stepping in with the caution of someone expecting trouble. His eyes flickered around the house as if he were sneaking into forbidden territory.
Madhav, his elder brother, noticed immediately. “What’s this? You look like a thief caught trying to break into someone’s house,” he teased with a grin.
Without replying, JK quickly crossed the room and clamped his hand over Madhav’s mouth.
“Shh… be quiet, brother. If Big father hears me, I’m done for.”
Madhav laughed softly once JK let go. “You think you can escape him? No chance. Forget sneaking in—tell me, what were you doing? Father was furious with you last night.”
JK gave a weary smile. “That’s nothing new. He’s always ready to be angry at me.”
“Alright,” Madhav said, still amused. “Go freshen up before you get caught again.”
JK started up the stairs, but before he could reach his room, Chandrika—his beloved aunt—appeared, her voice full of suspicion.
“Madhav, I thought I heard JK’s voice… is he home?”
“Yes,” Madhav replied, “he’s gone upstairs.”
Chandrika’s lips pressed into a thin line, though her eyes held a sparkle. “Lately, my son hasn’t shown me any love. I’ll have to deal with him myself,” she muttered, marching up to his room.
Inside, JK had just finished freshening up. “Chikki!” he greeted warmly, using the pet name he’d called her since childhood. His tone was playful, but when he saw her face—expressionless, arms folded—he paused.
“Looks like my Chikki is upset with me,” he said gently.
“Yes,” she replied, her voice tinged with mock sadness. “I am upset. My son no longer shows me any affection.”
“Why would you say that?” JK’s voice softened even more, the teasing fading into concern. “You know your son could never love you any less. Please don’t say such things… it hurts me. If I’ve done anything wrong, forgive me.” His gaze lingered on her, almost as if he feared truly losing her warmth.
Her sternness melted instantly. “Oh no, child… don’t think like that. It’s just that you’ve been so busy, you haven’t had time to talk to me. That’s all. You know me… love you, my dear.”
“I know,” JK said, relief breaking into a smile. “I know exactly how my sweet mother is. Love you too, Chikki.”
“Alright, hurry up and come downstairs for breakfast,” she instructed. But as she turned to leave, JK reached out, his fingers catching the edge of her saree—just like he did when he was a boy afraid to let her go.
“What is it, son?” she asked softly, sensing his hesitation.
“Chikki… Appa was really angry with me yesterday,” JK admitted, his voice low.
“Yes, I know,” Chandrika said, her tone calm and protective. “But don’t worry. Your father anger will have cooled by now. And if anything goes wrong, your younger Father will stand by you. You’ve always had me, haven’t you?” She touched his cheek lightly.
A small, genuine smile returned to JK’s face. “You’re the best, Chikki.”
---
By the time JK finally came downstairs, the family was already gathered around the long dining table.
“Grandson, how much longer will you take? Come, sit,” Lucky, his grandmother, called out with a faint impatience that still carried affection.
“Coming, Lucky,” JK said, taking his place slowly. Maybe today will be the end of my trouble, he thought silently.
On his left sat Mokshit and Suraj, his Brothers son's.
“Why aren’t you boys at school yet? It’s already late,” JK asked, pretending to scold them.
The boys exchanged a mischievous glance before bursting into laughter.
“What’s so funny?” JK frowned.
“Uncle,” Suraj giggled, “it’s Sunday! No school today.”
Mokshit joined in, “You’re so grown up, but you don’t even know what day it is?”
JK bit back a groan. Now Father will hear this and make it into a whole lecture.
To his surprise, Sudhakar, his father, didn’t say a word—just continued eating quietly.
Amruta, always eager to stir trouble, looked between the two of them. “That’s strange. Father hasn’t scolded you yet. So… why didn’t you come home last night?”
(This girl gets her fun only by poking me, JK thought bitterly.) “Just eat your breakfast, Ammu,” he replied, trying to sound casual.
Shashidhar, his Big Father, stepped in with a more neutral question. “JK, how was the function yesterday?”
“It went well, Father,” JK answered politely.
“That’s good. Your exams are starting soon, right? Study well and score good marks,” Shashidhar advised.
“Yes, Father,” JK said with a nod.
Keshav, his younger Father, smiled at him. “Son, when you finish college this year, I’m planning to gift you a car.”
Amruta pouted dramatically. “Chikku, what’s so special about him? I want a car too!”
Keshav laughed. “Alright, I’ll get you one as well my daughter.”
“Thank you, Chikku,” she said sweetly.
“But for my future son in law ,” Keshav continued, “if he wants, I’ll gift him a new house instead of just a car.”
The table erupted into laughter at the exaggeration. Amruta scowled. “I know you’ve always been partial to that monkey JK,” she muttered, though there was no real anger in her voice.
JK, however, wasn’t laughing. Why hasn’t Appa said anything yet? he wondered.
Sudhakar finally spoke, his voice firm and carrying weight. “Some people… no matter how many times you advise them, never learn.”
Lucky glanced at him curiously. “Who are you talking about, Sudhi?”
“Who else? Your dear grandson,” Sudhakar replied. “When he finishes college, he should take responsibility for the company. But if he continues with this careless attitude, I won’t stay quiet.”
“Yes, Appa,” JK said evenly, hiding the small knot in his chest.
“Let him be,” Shashidhar interrupted calmly. “Every young man enjoys his college life. We can’t expect them to be all business now.”
Lucky nodded in agreement, relieved that someone had spoken for her grandson.
Bhuvan then spoke up, his tone lighter. “JK, when I get back from the hospital today—since it’s Sunday—why don’t we all watch a movie in the home theatre? It’s been ages since we’ve spent time together.”
“Sure, bro,” JK replied quickly, grateful for the change in topic. “I’ll pick a good film.”
The children squealed in excitement, already imagining the night ahead. Breakfast ended with chatter and scattered laughter, and soon everyone drifted away to their own tasks.
---
Later, upstairs, JK made a quick call to Surya.
“Hey, bring praveen to kartik room. I’ll bring Swathi. Exams are coming up—let’s do some group study.”
Surya laughed. “Group study, huh? Alright.”
As JK turned to leave, Lucky suddenly appeared before him again, making him almost stumble.
“Jk,” she said suspiciously, “where are you going now?”
“ Darling,I know why you’re upset,” JK replied.
“Oh? You’re going to propose to Swathi? And if she says yes, you’ll be happy, right?”
“Darling,” JK said softly, his tone turning sincere, “your grandson is still young. I need to focus on my career. Swathi will always be mine, whether I propose now or later. Don’t worry—I’ll propose to her soon. I promise.”
Lucky’s eyes softened, but her voice held its firmness. “Fine. But remember—Swathi must become the daughter-in-law of this house.”
“Alright, darling,” JK said warmly. “Now I’m going to Karthik’s for group study. I’ll be home by evening.”
---
Meanwhile, in another part of the house, Madhav entered his father’s room.
“Appa, big Father is calling you,” he said.
Sudhakar walked to Shashidhar’s room.
“You called me, brother?”
“Yes, Sudhi. I’ve been thinking… we should send JK and Surya abroad for higher studies—to the UK.”
“What?” Sudhakar frowned deeply. “Isn’t the education they’ve had enough? We can send Surya if you like, but why JK? He needs to start handling the business.”
Shashidhar shook his head. “It’s not enough. If we want to improve our business, they need more exposure. Besides, he’s too used to staying close to family. If he’s away, he’ll grow independent. I’ve already spoken to my old business partner, Sundar, in the UK.”
“I understand your point,” Sudhakar replied slowly. “But I doubt JK will agree. He can’t stay away from his friends and family.”
“It’s just for a couple of years. If his friends are interested, they can go with him,” Shashidhar reasoned.
Sudhakar sighed. “Alright, let’s wait until his exams are over, then talk to him. But brother… three of our companies are already in loss. If this continues, we’ll be in serious trouble. If JK stayed here, it would help us a lot. That’s why I was against sending him. But if it’s your wish, I won’t stop you.”
That afternoon, the four friends—JK, Surya, Karthik, and Swathi—gathered at Karthik’s room for ‘group study’. But anyone we all knew them well understood how much actual studying would happen.
Days passed, and soon, the exams came to an end.
Would JK and Surya leave their friends behind and go abroad for higher studies? Or would they stay? The answer would unfold in the next chapter.
To be continued…
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🌸Author’s Note🌸:
His heart belonged to his home,
to the people and routines that shaped his every day Yet in the quiet clatter of breakfast plates,
a decision stirred —
one that would carry him miles away
and force him to learn the cost of chasing bigger dreams.
