Chapter 24 : "Unheard Conse"
Mohan Rao’s family was floating in sheer happiness. Laughter, satisfied smiles, and a sense of relief filled the living room like warm sunlight. Yet, amidst all that joy, Mohan Rao suddenly turned to Shekhar.
“Is what you’re saying really true? I still can’t believe this,” he said, his voice carrying both surprise and disbelief.
Shekhar replied firmly, “I’m telling the truth.” As he said this, his eyes instinctively moved toward Sumati.
But Sumati’s face carried traces of unease—anxiety she couldn’t quite hide. Reading her emotions instantly, Shekhar softened his tone.
“Sumati, there’s no need to overthink this. Even if we searched the whole world, we wouldn’t find a boy like Rohan again.”
Sarala (Mohan Rao's mother)gently intervened. “Sumati, we will never force you. Only if you truly like this alliance will we take it forward. Otherwise—”
Before she could finish, Sumati quickly shook her head. “No… no… it’s not like that. I just… if we take such a sudden decision, I don’t know what to say.”
Lucky smiled warmly and said, “My dear child, don’t trouble your mind. My granddaughter is going to a good family.”
Sumati nodded with calm resolve. “Of course, Amma. If all of you agree, then I agree too.”
Shashidhar looked visibly relieved. “Mohan sir, I’m truly happy that our families are building this relationship again.” Then he turned toward his mother. “Amma, you agree too, right?”
Lakshmi grandma responded with a gentle, approving smile. “Of course, my son.”
Shashidhar and Keshav nodded in agreement, and soon, everyone in the house expressed their happiness openly. Smiles bloomed everywhere.
But Surya’s heart refused to accept this happiness so easily.
Slowly, hesitantly, he walked toward his father. “Appa… Jaanu—” he began.
Before he could complete his sentence, Shekhar interrupted sharply. “Enough. Stay quiet. What you’ve already done is more than enough. Don’t spoil this now.”
Elsewhere, turmoil rose silently inside JK.
Why does my heart feel so restless? he wondered. I don’t even understand what’s happening to me.
They were talking about Jahnavi—but somewhere deep within him, an inexplicable agitation had taken hold.
Unable to control himself, JK finally raised his voice. “Uncle, whether Jaanu actually wants this or not… shouldn’t we at least call her and ask?”
Surya immediately supported him. “Yes, Appa. Let’s ask her once. If she agrees, I have no problem at all.”
Shekhar glanced at Shashidhar.
Shashidhar nodded thoughtfully. “He’s right, Shekhar. Call her once and confirm.”
Mohan Rao added calmly, “Yes, Shekhar. That will clear all the doubts everyone has.”
Agreeing, Shekhar dialed Jahnavi and put the phone on speaker.
“Hello, Appa,” Jahnavi answered cheerfully. “How are you?”
“I’m fine, my child,” Shekhar said warmly. “I need to talk to you about something very important. Are you free right now?”
At that moment, Jahnavi was in Germany, at a friend’s house for a party. The place was crowded and noisy, making it difficult for her to hear clearly. Still, hearing the word important, she urged him to continue.
“My dear,” Shekhar said, “I’ve found a very good alliance for you. The boy is well-mannered and comes from a respectable family. You had told me earlier, remember? That you would marry the boy I choose for you. If you want, I can send you his photo. Do you agree? If yes, just say yes.”
But Jahnavi hadn’t heard everything clearly.
“Appa, what you’re saying is—” she began.
Shekhar repeated again and again, “You agree, right?”
Without thinking too much, distracted by the noise around her, Jahnavi replied, “Yes, Appa. I agree. I’ll call you back later.” And she disconnected the call.
She hadn’t fully heard his words. She assumed she could call later and discuss it properly. Without realizing it, she had already given her consent.
Sometimes, situations… and words spoken at the wrong moment… change everything.
Back home, happiness exploded.
Yet JK frowned. “Uncle, Jaanu said it was crowded there. I don’t think she heard everything clearly—”
Before he could finish, Sudhakar interrupted sternly. “She heard it. She said she agrees. Don’t spoil everyone’s happiness now.”
Still, Surya felt uneasy. His sister’s consent only deepened his confusion.
Mohan Rao laughed heartily. “Ah! At last, fate has brought our families together again. Surya, you agree too, right? Looking at your face, it feels like you’re unhappy.”
Shekhar brushed it off quickly. “No, no. He’s always like that. He never shows emotions.”
Surya looked at his mother.
Sumati smiled reassuringly. “He loves his sister more than his own life. We took this decision suddenly—that’s why he’s struggling. But even I feel this is the right decision. Elders never decide without thinking. Leave your worries, Suri.”
Bhuvan added, “When Jaanu herself has agreed, what more is left to think about?”
Madhav hesitated. “But I have one doubt.”
Lucky panicked slightly. “What doubt now?”
Madhav laughed. “Nothing big, Uncle. I just want to know—will Surya–Amrutha’s wedding happen first, or Rohan–Jaanu’s?”
Everyone burst into laughter.
Yashodha joined in playfully, “First, our Surya’s wedding! Who knows—if we delay too much, they might even go for a register marriage!”
“Well said,” Lucky agreed happily.
The heavy seriousness in the room dissolved into light-hearted laughter.
Sudhakar smiled. “Are you planning to leave without eating? Come, let’s have food now.”
Everyone moved toward the dining table, laughter echoing through the house. For a moment, the word home felt complete.
Yet Surya, Karthik, and JK hesitated to leave.
Shashidhar called out, “JK, what happened? Surya, come. From now on, you’re officially our son-in-law.”
Surya forced a smile. Without a word, the three of them walked toward the dining table.
As they ate, Sarala spoke eagerly. “Then we should fix the wedding date as soon as possible. I already feel like wedding preparations should start at our house.”
Lucky nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, Sarala. It’s been so long since there was a wedding in our home.”
Shashidhar hesitated. “But Rohan left the house in anger. Will he agree to this marriage? His decision matters too.”
Mohan Rao replied confidently, “Don’t worry. Rohan will definitely agree. As soon as we reach home, we’ll tell him the good news.”
JK continued eating, but the restlessness inside him refused to settle.
Everything seems right, he thought. Surya’s marriage got approval. Uncle’s promise is fulfilled. Then why does my heart feel tortured?
His thoughts drifted to Swathi.
Is she okay? he wondered.
He quickly typed a message: Swathi, are you okay?
The reply came soon. Yes, I’m fine. We’ll reach home tomorrow. I’ll meet you tomorrow.
Relief washed over him—yet the unease remained.
Then why this anxiety? I’ve never even seen Jaanu Nenap who only saw her when she was young I’ve never spoken to her. And still… why does her marriage trouble me so much?
Questions swirled inside him, emotions he couldn’t name slowly rising to the surface.
As everyone ate quietly, Mohan Rao looked at JK.
He didn’t ask anything.
He didn’t speak.
But his gaze lingered—soft, unreadable.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Not joyful Not mocking It was a silent message.
One that would only reveal its meaning with time.
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To be continued…
🌸Author’s Note🌸
Sometimes, destinies change not because of deliberate choices, but because of half-heard words, hurried replies, and emotions that surface before they are understood. This chapter explores how happiness, confusion, and unspoken turmoil can coexist under one roof—quietly altering lives forever
