Chapter 17 : " A Family Torn Between Love and Future"
The news spread across the household like wildfire. Every member stood in shock, unable to digest the decision. The air was heavy, hearts restless.
Lucky’s voice broke the silence, trembling with anger and pain.
“How can you even say this, Shashi? No, I will never agree to this. These children are still so young, so innocent. They don’t even understand what is happening, and you want to send them to another country? I cannot allow it.”
Slowly, she walked towards JK , her eyes moist. With a trembling voice, she whispered, “My grandson… how will you go leaving me behind?”
The sight of his grandmother’s tearful eyes pierced JK’s heart like a knife. Overcome with emotion, he pulled her into a tight embrace.
“Darling…” he whispered, holding her close.
Then grany... stepped towards surya, her eyes filled with tears. “grandson, are you really leave us and go away? How could you agree to this, leaving behind you and the entire family?”
“Grandmother…” Surya’s voice cracked as he too hugged her tightly.
At that moment, JK noticed the children standing nearby, their innocent chatter mixing with the tension in the room. He quickly called out, “Ammu, take the kids out to the garden.”
“But I…” Ammu began to protest.
“Shh! Didn’t I tell you? Take them outside now,” JK ordered firmly.
Ammu, stung by his sharp tone, gave Surya a resentful look before leaving with the children. Surya’s thoughts burned in silence. Why is she angry with me when it was JK who gave the command?
Shashidhar tried to calm the storm. “Amma, they are not going forever. Just two years. This is necessary for them to build their future.”
Sudhakar agreed. “Yes, Amma. If you keep crying like this, how will they have the courage to go?”
But Yashodha’s eyes filled with tears. “How can we let the children go so far? Even two years apart is unbearable. I cannot live without seeing them every day. Let them stay here and do something instead. They can even help with the company.”
Sumati joined in, her voice firm. “Yes, brother. We cannot live without the children. Whatever you say, I will not agree.”
Shekhar, Surya’s father, looked at her sternly. “Sumati, what is wrong in what brother said?”
“What! So, you also think they are right?” she snapped.
“Yes,” Shekhar replied calmly. “The world is not what it used to be. Technology has advanced so much. For them to shape their lives better, this is very important.”
Madhav and Bhuvan too nodded in agreement.
Lucky’s voice rose again, filled with defiance. “Of course, the men of this house will support this. But we will not! No matter what you say, I will not let them go.” And with that, she stormed away to her room.
“Amma…” Shashidhar called, helpless. “Please, listen to us for once.”
Keshav turned towards his brother angrily. “Brother, you know very well I cannot live without JK. Why did you still make this decision?”
Sudhakar sighed. “We knew you wouldn’t agree. That is why we told you only now.”
“Why can’t you all understand?” Shashidhar raised his voice. “If you resist like this, how can the children ever leave happily?”
Madhav stepped in, his tone persuasive. “If you mothers continue this stubbornness, the children will never be able to build their lives.”
Bhuvan supported him. “Yes. Supporting them now is crucial. Without our encouragement, they cannot move forward.”
Hearing this, the daughters-in-law—Soumya, Ramya, and Vrinda—softly agreed. “Yes… the uncles are right.”
But Chandrika couldn’t hide her disappointment. “How can you all say this?”
Swathi intervened gently. “Yes, aunty. Everyone is speaking for their good. The love and care you mothers hold is natural, but it should protect them, not restrict them. If you hold them back, they will achieve nothing, wasting their lives roaming without purpose. Then tomorrow, who will want to marry them? If they waste there time lives like rowdies..You love them, yes—but let your love give them wings, not chains.”
JK’s eyes widened at her words. “When did we ever waste our lives like rowdies?” he whispered angrily.
Swathi leaned close, murmuring into his ear, “Just stay quiet. I only said that to convince them. Don’t act foolish now.”
“You’re impossible,” JK muttered under his breath.
“Yes,” Shashidhar smiled. “Swathi is right. Even the children understand, but you mothers don’t.”
Kamala, Shashidhar’s wife, also spoke gently. “Yashu, even I feel what they’re saying is correct.”
Yashodha bristled. “Why are you supporting them?”
Sumati too hesitated. “Yes, sister-in-law… but Swathi’s words scared me. Our love shouldn’t become their weakness. It must become their strength.”
Yashodha and Chandrika fell silent, their eyes heavy with thought. After a long pause, both finally nodded in reluctant agreement.
Shekhar chuckled. “Brother- in-law, in this house, until today everyone followed your words without question. But when it came to the children, look how long it took to convince them.”
Shashidhar laughed softly. “That is true. When it comes to the children, no mother will easily agree.”
Keshav frowned. “I still haven’t agreed.”
Shashidhar raised an eyebrow. “Keshav…”
He sighed dramatically. “Fine, fine. I agree now. Happy?”
“Finally!” JK exclaimed with relief. “At last all the mothers have agreed. That’s enough for me. Father, I’ll take care of my darling don'twarry about it.”
“Good, my boy,” Shashidhar replied with pride.
Soon, the tension in the hall began to fade. The family dispersed—some towards the kitchen, others sitting together in the living room, discussing quietly.
Later, in the garden, JK, Swathi, and Surya walked together.
“Swathi, did you inform your uncle and aunty that you’re also coming?” JK asked, smiling hopefully.
She shook her head. “No, JK. I’m not coming with you.”
His smile faded. “What? Why? We thought you were.”
Swathi explained calmly. “When Uncle Shashidhar called me earlier, I had already told him. I will stay here to help my father with his business. He cannot manage a single day without me. But that doesn’t matter—what matters is that you are going. That is enough for me.”
JK’s heart sank. “So I must live without you for two years? That’s impossible for me.”
She teased lightly. “Why are you talking as though I’m your girlfriend? You cannot live a single minute without me?”
“It’s true,” he muttered.
Surya intervened. “he only meant that after being together for so many years, it feels strange that you’re not coming.”
“Yes,” Swathi nodded softly. “But after two years, you will return. Even for me, it will be hard without you all. Still, this is right.”
JK sighed. “Then I won’t go either. Let Surya and Kartik go.”
“What nonsense!” Swathi scolded him. “Don’t act like a child. If you refuse, it will only put the blame on me. Please go.”
Her words struck him. He lowered his head. “Fine. I will go.”
“Good boy,” she smiled.
But Surya noticed the shadow in his eyes. And before long, a storm approached them in the form of Ammu, whose eyes burned with fury.
“So it’s true! You’re leaving us behind and going to the UK?” she snapped. “You kept this a secret from me?”
“Ammu…” Surya tried to explain, but she cut him off.
“I know why you’re going. To chase some foreign girl! Don’t talk to me again.” With that, she stormed away, leaving Surya stunned.
JK chuckled under his breath. “You’d better go calm her down, surya. Or she won’t spare you later.”
Swathi checked the time. “It’s getting late. I should go home.”
“Already?” JK asked, disappointed.
She smiled faintly. “Yes, it’s been long.ok I’ll drop you at home.” Swathi nodded then both will leave
Later that night, JK went to Lucky’s room. She sat quietly, still sulking.
“Darling,” he said, entering with a playful smile. “This anger doesn’t suit you. You look beautiful only when you smile. Please, talk to me.”
“What should I say?” she murmured bitterly. “How can I live without you for two years?”
He knelt before her. “Darling, this is not forever. I’ll call you every single day, video call you, make you laugh. Please understand—this is our uncle’s dream, and I cannot go against his wish.”
Lucky’s heart melted at his earnest eyes. “My grandson…” she whispered tearfully.
“And when I return,” JK added, “I promise you, Swathi will enter this house as your beloved granddaughter-in-law. But for that, I must work hard. Please agree.”
She finally smiled faintly. “If this is your wish, then it is mine too. But promise me one thing—after returning, you will propose to Swathi.”
JK’s face lit up. “That’s a promise. Now come, everyone is waiting for dinner.”
He pulled up her gently, and together they went to join the family
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The next day, Shashidhar and the rest of the family called Karthik home. With affection and persistence, they urged him to join them on their journey to the UK. Though hesitant at first, Karthik could not bring himself to refuse their request. At last, he gave in and agreed to accompany them..
A week later, Karthik, JK, and Surya stood before the family, ready to leave. One by one, they bent to touch the elders’ feet, receiving blessings whispered through trembling voices. All Mothers held their hands a little longer than usual, unwilling to let go, their eyes glistening though they tried to smile bravely. All childrens clung to them, asking when they would return, their innocent questions piercing deeper than words. Even the elders, who had promised themselves they would not cry, could not hide the mist in their eyes.
Though the three young men tried to keep their faces steady, their hearts were heavy. Every goodbye felt like a thread being pulled loose from the fabric of home, and yet, with folded hands and silent prayers, they gathered the strength to step away.
At the airport, only Keshav, Shekhar, Madhav, Bhuvan, Swathi, and Praveen came to send them
Keshav embraced them warmly. “Listen, don’t ever worry about money. If you need anything, just one call or message is enough. Especially you, Kartik—remember this.”
“Yes, Uncle,” Kartik smiled faintly.
Shekhar with concerned. “Go carefully, and once you all land, call us immediately.”
“Yes, Uncle. And until I return, you must take good care of sumati Aunty, okay?” JK teased lightly.
Shekhar laughed. “Of course I will. But when you return, bring me another Aunt along with you.”
Madhav chuckled. “Uncle, what’s this now? If I tell this sumati Aunt what you just said…”
Shekhar waved his hands in mock panic. “No, I was only joking. You all take things too seriously.” The men laughed, easing the tension for a moment.
But JK’s eyes kept searching for Swathi. He finally found her standing silently to one side, her eyes glistening.
“Swathi… are you crying?”
Before he could finish, Swathi rushed forward and hugged him tightly. Her voice broke against his shoulder.
“How will I stay without you for two whole years? The thought itself makes me want to weep.”
“See? I told you earlier, I wouldn’t go. But you forced me. And now you’re crying?” JK whispered. “If you keep crying like this, then I won’t go even now.”
“No, don’t say that,” Swathi said quickly, wiping her tears. “I won’t cry. You must go bravely. Just promise me you’ll call the moment you land.”
“Swathi,” he murmured, gazing into her tearful eyes, “I’ll come back as soon as I can. Will you wait for me?”
Her lips quivered. “Why do you even ask? Of course, I’ll wait.”
JK smiled faintly but thought to himself, Ahh, this girl… no matter what I say, she will never understand what I truly feel.
Praveen suddenly jumped in, wrapping his arms around all three boys. “I’ll miss you so much, my brothers!”
“Hey! Don’t squeeze us like that, we can’t breathe,” Surya protested, trying to push him off.
“Give us some space,” JK laughed, struggling for breath.
Swathi too joined them in a group hug. For a few moments, all five of them held on tightly, unwilling to let go, their eyes moist with the weight of parting.
Finally, Bhuvan reminded them softly, “JK, it’s time. You need to board your flight.”
JK nodded, his throat tight. All three boys hugged each family member one by one, whispering there farewells.
“Be safe, all of you,” Swathi called after them. “We’ll miss you.”
Praveen put an arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry, Swathi. They’ll return soon. Until then, be strong.”
Madhav added, “Yes, Swathi you come. We’ll drop you home.”
But Swathi shook her head. “No, I’ll go on Praveen’s bike. You all go ahead.”
One last time, she turned to look at the boys as they disappeared into the crowd, her heart heavy with unspoken words.
To be continued
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🌸Author’s Note🌸:
Every farewell leaves behind an ache in the heart… yet it also carries the warmth of memories and the hope of meeting again. The airport is not just a place of departure here—it’s where unspoken feelings, hidden tears, and silent promises come alive.
If this moment touched you, please show your love by giving a comments,rating and following. Your support gives life to this story and inspires me to keep writing more for you. 💖
