Chapter:19 "Homecoming and Shadows Ahead"
The next day, after finishing their exams, the three boys returned home.
Sundar welcomed them warmly, though his tone carried a hint of sadness.
“Children, your exams are finally over today. But tell me, why are you in such a hurry to leave tomorrow itself? You still have at least a week or two left here in the UK. You could visit the places you haven’t seen yet. Why make it all so urgent? If you want, I can even speak to Shashidhar for you.”
JK smiled faintly, though his eyes revealed a deeper longing.
“No, Uncle… staying away from our families for this long itself has been a big thing for us. We’ve been waiting for this day for so long. I can’t even put it into words, Uncle, sorry. And… why don’t you also come to India and settle there? That way, we’ll always be close.”
Sundar looked thoughtful for a moment, then nodded with a soft smile.
“Yes… that’s what I’ve been thinking too. I’ll surely come, as soon as possible.”
“Alright then, Uncle,” JK said, straightening up with a spark of cheer, “we’ll leave tomorrow. But tonight, let’s have a small party at home, okay? With just a little change—tonight, we will cook. You and Aunty should just sit back and rest.”
Surya joined in quickly. “Yes, Uncle. You and Aunty have treated us like your own children all these days. If we don’t do this much, how could we ever repay your love?”
Karthik looked around. “But Uncle… where are you and Aunty hiding? I don’t see either of you.”
Just then, Leela Aunty came down the stairs, smiling at the sight of their little gathering.
“What’s this? You boys look as if you’re holding some big meeting.”
JK turned to her, his face bright.
“Aunty, we’re leaving tomorrow. So tonight, we’re preparing a small farewell party. And this time, we’ll handle the cooking.”
Leela’s smile faded. “What? You’re leaving tomorrow? I can’t accept that… so soon?”
Sundar sighed heavily. “Yes, Leela… but poor children, they’ve already spent so many days away from their families.” He tried his best to control his feelings, but his eyes betrayed him. Silent tears began to roll down his cheeks.
JK was shaken. “Uncle… you’re crying? But why? Did we… do something wrong?”
Sundar quickly wiped his face. “No, no, nothing like that! You don’t understand. These past two years… they were the happiest in our lives. We never lacked anything, but we were deprived of a child’s love, of their warmth and affection. And then you came into our lives…”
JK’s voice softened. “But Uncle, don’t you have a daughter?”
Leela’s expression grew heavy. “Yes, we do. But ever since she finished her teenage years, our love and concern began to feel suffocating to her. She asked us to leave her alone and eventually left us. We spent years in her memories, aching for her. But in these two years, we lived a lifetime of happiness again. And it’s because of you all. Truly, the parents who gave birth to you are blessed to have children like you.”
Karthik’s eyes grew moist as he spoke with deep emotion. “Not everyone has that fortune, Aunty. To be born to parents and receive their love and affection… one must have done great deeds over seven lifetimes. There are so many orphans who long every day for the love of a mother and father. And I don’t know what good I did in some past life, but somehow, I received the love of parents through my dearest friends. For me… JK is nothing less than God himself.”
His voice broke. JK stepped closer, his chest tightening at those words.
“Don’t say such things, Karthik. I can’t bear to hear it.”
Leela turned, surprised. “What? You mean… Karthik is an orphan?”
JK quickly intervened. “No, Aunty. He is not an orphan. He has a family, a big one… but sadly, he never felt it was truly his. That’s all.”
Karthik lowered his head in shame. “JK, I’m really sorry. Yes, Aunty, I became too emotional and spoke nonsense. Forgive me.”
Before the mood could turn too heavy, Surya’s protective voice cut in. “Karthik, if you ever say such things again, then you’ll have to deal with me.”
Sundar looked at them all with awe. “What a bond of friendship you share! I’ve never seen such loyalty, such love. May no evil eye ever fall upon your friendship.”
Leela added with tears welling up again, “And don’t forget your Uncle and Aunty either. Don’t let us fade into memory.”
JK clasped her hand gently. “Aunty, the moment you come to India, we’ll be the first to meet you. That way, we won’t miss you for long.”
Surya cleared his throat to lighten the air. “If we keep getting emotional like this, we won’t be able to cook tonight. Come on, let’s start.”
Sundar chuckled. “Alright, alright. Do whatever you like. But one request—please don’t make food the way my wife does.”
Leela immediately flared. “What do you mean by that? Are you saying I don’t cook well?”
JK raised his hands, pretending to surrender. “Aunty, Uncle… before this turns into a fight, we’ll escape to the kitchen. Otherwise, we’ll be the ones to suffer.”
The three of them hurried off to cook. Later, everyone gathered together for dinner, sharing laughter, watching a movie, and cherishing their last evening in Sundar and Leela’s home.
That night, back in their room, Karthik reminded them, “Pack your clothes quickly. Tomorrow we’ll have to reach the airport early. The check-in itself will take so much time.”
“Yes, you’re right,” JK said, neatly folding his clothes. But his eyes fell on Surya, who sat quietly, lost in thought.
“Surya… I know what you’re thinking. We’re leaving tomorrow, right?”
Surya nodded, his heart heavy. “Yes… but Ammu is already upset. Poor girl, she’s under even more tension than I am.”
JK placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Surya, Ammu will always be yours, no matter what. “since Mohan Rao’s family came to see Ammu, after that They haven’t given a single response. Swathi told me everything. That’s enough. Once we reach India, the very first thing I’ll do is tell our family about you and ammu love matter. You don’t have to trouble your heart anymore.”
Karthik chimed in supportively. “Yes, Surya. JK is right. Trust him.”
Surya looked at them both and managed a faint smile. “Alright then.”
That night, with their bags packed and minds heavy with thoughts of tomorrow, the three of them finally drifted off to sleep.
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The next morning, they bid a tearful farewell to Sundar and Leela Aunty and boarded their flight to India. Since they reached late at night, they stayed over at Surya’s house.
When they awoke the next morning, Sumathi stood by their bedside with a radiant smile.
“Good morning, children! Do you know how happy I am to see you all again?”
Her eyes lingered warmly on JK. He rushed to her, his voice choked with affection.
“Aunty, do you know how much I missed your face these two years? I can’t tell you in words.”
Sumathi’s eyes softened. “And I missed your mischief every single day, JK. Every one of your little pranks.”
Surya pouted. “Amma, we went to the UK too, remember?”
Sumathi laughed. “Of course I missed you as well, my dear. Now hurry up and get ready, I’ve prepared breakfast.”
The very mention of food lit Surya’s face.
“Breakfast? Wow! That’s what I was waiting for.”
Karthik leaned closer eagerly. “Aunty, do you know how much I missed your cooking? Nothing in the UK could compare.”
JK added, “It’s true, Aunty. Every single day, we longed for your cooking. Even now, I feel like eating straight away.”
Sumathi chuckled warmly. “Then hurry up and get ready. I’ve made dosa today—your favorite, Karthik.”
Karthik jumped up. “You’re the best, Aunty!” He rushed off to get ready.
JK teased after him, “Relax, Karthik. Your dosa isn’t going to run away.”
Their laughter filled the house again, echoing after so many days of silence.
Soon they were ready and sat down for breakfast with Shekhar, who greeted them cheerfully. The table buzzed with warmth, teasing, and the comfort of being home again.
But then Sumathi suddenly remembered.
“Oh! I almost forgot. After breakfast, we need to go to Amma’s house. Mohan Rao’s family is coming today.”
The three of them froze in shock.
JK’s eyes widened. “Aunty… what are you saying? They came just the other day. Why again?”
Shekhar cleared his throat. “Because… they liked the proposal. So they are coming again to talk further.”
For Surya, it felt as if the sky itself had collapsed onto him. His heart pounded in his chest, and Karthik could clearly see the pain written on his friend’s face.
JK quickly stood. “Aunty, let’s go to our house right now.”
“Why such hurry?” Sumathi asked in surprise. “They haven’t even arrived yet. At least finish your breakfast.”
Shekhar agreed. “Yes, children. Why are you so tense?”
JK forced himself to stay calm. “We’ll explain everything later, Uncle. For now, let’s leave.”
And with that, they all hurried out of the house, unaware of what awaited them next.
To be continued…
🌸Author’s Note🌸:
Thank you for reading this chapter. How did the farewell with Sundar and Leela Aunty touch your heart? Do you think Surya’s love for Ammu will withstand the pressure from Mohan Rao’s family? And will JK’s determination truly change the course of events once they reach India? Share your thoughts—I’m eager to know your guesses before the next twist unfolds!
