64.“Unbelievable…”

[KRISHNA'S POV]

As I stood by the car, adjusting the last of our luggage, the afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the driveway. Yesterday had been a whirlwind of laughter, dancing, and unforgettable moments. Now that Renuka's marriage was finally over, it was time to head towards Guntur. The weather was pleasant, with a light breeze that made the day feel almost lazy—perfect for a road trip.

After securing the bags, I glanced over and saw Varun, Raju, and Bujji gathered by their car, deep in conversation. Bujji looked especially excited, his face practically glowing with energy. It always felt a little odd calling him by that name, considering it was also Raji's mother's name. I chuckled to myself at the thought.

Curious, I strolled over to them, offering a smile as I approached. "What's up, guys?" I asked casually, as they turned to face me.

Raju, who looked more relaxed than I'd seen him in days, grinned and said, "Nothing much, just packing up. Looks like you're all set to leave, though."

I nodded, glancing back at the car. "Yeah, just finished. Now I'm just waiting for the girls—they went to say goodbye to Renuka and Bhanumati."

Raju nodded in understanding, but before I could say anything more, a thought struck me. I raised an eyebrow and added, "So... you guys are already packing for the U.S.? Isn't it a bit fast? You just got married yesterday, man."

Raju smiled and said, "You're right, but we're not heading to the U.S. just yet. We'll be staying in Vijayawada for a while."

Surprised, I raised an eyebrow. "Vijayawada?"

Varun, standing beside Raju, nodded with a smile. "Yeah, we've got a house there, and a few things to take care of. Plus, this way, Bhabhi can spend more time with her family before we leave. After five days, we'll head to the U.S."

I nodded, returning his smile. "That's great! It'll give everyone some time together."

Just then, Renuka's father called out to Raju. He glanced over, then turned back to me, extending his hand for a handshake. His eyes were warm, a sense of finality in his gesture. "It's goodbye then, Krishna," he said, still smiling. "Hope we meet again. And if you ever find yourself in the U.S., don't forget to come visit us."

I shook hands with Raju, a warm smile on my face. "Of course, I definitely will. We've already become friends, after all."

Raju laughed, his voice light. "Of course."

I turned to Bujji, ruffling his hair with a playful grin. "Goodbye, kiddo. Take care."

Bujji beamed up at me. "Goodbye, Krishna!"

As they walked away, I watched them for a moment before turning to Varun. I smiled, feeling the weight of something unspoken between us. "Hey Varun, I wanted to talk to you about something."

Varun looked at me, curiosity in his eyes. "Sure," he said, nodding.

We walked a little away from the house, the noise of the crowd fading behind us as we stood under the open sky. The afternoon sun bathed the landscape in a golden hue, and the gentle breeze carried with it a sense of peace. As we both gazed at the clear blue sky, I broke the silence, a soft smile tugging at my lips.

"Well, you see, Varun... I know how you feel about Bhanumati."

Varun froze beside me, his eyes widening in surprise. He turned to look at me, shock evident on his face. "How do you know?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I smiled at Varun, not giving much away. "Well, it doesn't really matter how I know. What matters is what I saw yesterday—Bhanumati looked a little upset, so I talked to her. She told me she's worried about her father."

Varun frowned, confused. "Worried about her father? What do you mean?"

I took a deep breath, trying to explain it as gently as possible. "You see, Bhanumati and Renuka are the only children their father has. And as you know, they lost their mother years ago. So, Bhanumati is worried about what will happen to her father once she gets married. She's torn."

Varun looked thoughtful, still not entirely understanding. "But wouldn't it be better if he lived with one of his daughters? So what's she so worried about?"

I shook my head slightly, giving him a sad smile. "That's the thing, Varun. Her father doesn't want to leave this place. It's not just a house to him—it's where he's spent his entire life, where he raised his daughters, and it holds the memories of his wife, their mother. Bhanumati doesn't want to leave him either, but at the same time, she feels the weight of her own future. She and Renuka grew up here, in this home that carries so much of their family's history. You understand what I'm saying?"

Varun's expression softened as he began to grasp the situation, nodding slowly.

"So, the decision is yours, Varun," I continued, my voice quiet but firm. "What do you want to do? I just hope, when you make your decision, you think about the people around you—Bhanumati, her father, and yourself. You've got options, and don't forget my offer still stands."

I glanced at Varun, who was now staring off into the distance, lost in thought as he gazed up at the clear sky. His face was filled with contemplation, as if the weight of the conversation had finally settled in.

I smiled softly, knowing I had said all I needed to. Giving him space to process it all, I turned and walked back toward the car, leaving him alone with his thoughts, hoping that when the time came, he'd make the right decision—for both of them.

———————————

[3RD PERSON POV]

The girls entered Renuka's room, ready to say their goodbyes, but as soon as they stepped inside, they froze. Bhanumati was sitting on the bed beside Renuka, her face buried in her hands, softly crying. The atmosphere in the room was heavy with unspoken emotion.

Anu hurried over, concern in her voice as she knelt down next to them. "Bhanumati, Renuka, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

Renuka looked up, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears, but she forced a small smile. "She's just sad that I'm leaving."

Raji, ever the optimist, sat down beside Bhanumati and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Oh, Bhanumati," she said softly, "it's not like you won't see Renuka again. We understand how hard this is, but don't be sad, okay? Look at Renuka—she's happy. She found someone who loves her. That's what really matters, isn't it?"

But Bhanumati shook her head, her voice breaking as she spoke. "For the first time... we're packing into two different bags. I hate this. I hate it so much." She turned to Renuka, her eyes filled with pain. "You're leaving us. Why do we have to be the ones to leave our home? Why do things have to change?"

Her words hung in the air, raw and heavy. Renuka's hand tightened around Bhanumati's, but even she couldn't hide the sadness creeping into her own heart. This wasn't just a goodbye; it was the end of an era for the sisters. They had always been together, side by side through everything. Now, Renuka was moving forward into a new life, and Bhanumati felt left behind, struggling to understand why things couldn't just stay the same.

The girls fell quiet, each of them feeling the weight of Bhanumati's words. The reality of the situation—the finality of this moment—began to settle in.

After a long pause, Anu broke the silence, her voice soft but firm. "Things are changing, yes, but that doesn't mean you're losing each other. You'll still have your bond, no matter where Renuka goes. And this home... it will always be a part of you both. It's not the walls that hold the memories, it's the love between you."

Renuka wiped at her tears and pulled Bhanumati into a tight hug. "I'm not leaving you, Bhanumati. I'll always be here, even if I'm not physically with you. You know that, right?"

Bhanumati wiped her tears, her voice trembling but determined. "Why don't you ask Jijaji? He's a nice person—he might agree to stay back here."

Ammu, trying to lighten the mood, smiled gently and said, "Bhanumati, those things only happen in stories, not in real life."

But Bhanumati wasn't ready to give up. Her eyes were wide with desperation as she looked at her sister. "What's the harm in asking? Just ask him once, please."

Renuka sighed softly, her heart aching as she reached out and placed her hands over Bhanumati's. "Bhanu, the prince comes and takes his princess away on his horse. But he never stays in her palace. That's just how it is."

Bhanumati flinched, pulling her hands back as if the words had stung her. Her face twisted in a mix of frustration and hurt. "Then go!" she snapped, her voice cracking. "I told you to ask Jijaji, but instead, you're telling me a story. You're not even sad, Didi! You're not worried about us. How can you just go away like this?"

The room fell silent, the weight of Bhanumati's words pressing down on all of them. Renuka's smile faltered, and for a moment, the confidence she had been trying so hard to maintain wavered. The truth in Bhanumati's outburst hit her harder than she expected. She was leaving. She was stepping into a new chapter of her life, but in doing so, she was also leaving behind the world she and Bhanumati had shared for so long.

Renuka's heart tightened. She was happy, yes, but the thought of leaving her sister and father behind was like a heavy stone in her chest. Her eyes softened as she looked at Bhanumati, who now stared at the floor, her hands clenched into fists.

"I am sad, Bhanu," Renuka whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm scared too. But I have to go. This is the life I've chosen. It doesn't mean I don't care about you."

Bhanumati didn't respond, her shoulders trembling as she tried to hold back more tears. The girls around them watched quietly, unsure of how to ease the pain between the two sisters.

Renuka gently stroked Bhanumati's hair as she spoke, her voice soft but filled with conviction. "It's because of my faith, Bhanu. My faith in your Jijaji. No matter where life takes us, no matter what challenges we face, I will stay with him—out of that faith."

Raji, standing nearby, smiled and added, "Renuka's right, Bhanumati. We all have to leave home one day, even if it feels hard now. Look at the four of us." She gestured to the other girls. "We know we're with the same person, but we're still happy because we trust him. We know Krishna loves us and will always think about what's best for us. It's that faith, that trust, that helps us move forward."

Bhanumati, still looking tearful, mumbled, "But what about Papa?"

Anu stepped closer and put a comforting hand on Bhanumati's shoulder. "Bhanumati, remember what Krishna told you yesterday? Just hold on to that, okay?"

Bhanumati looked down, her brows furrowed in thought, the weight of her worries heavy on her young shoulders. Seeing this, Renuka turned to Anu, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "What did Krishna tell her?"

Aamukta, standing by Anu, answered, "Bhanumati's been really worried about your father and how things will be once you're gone. Krishna just helped her see things from a different perspective, helped her understand something she needed to."

Renuka nodded, understanding now why Bhanumati had been so emotional. She knew her sister's heart, how deeply she cared for their father and their home.

Bhanumati's expression softened a little, though the sadness still lingered in her eyes. She knew her sister was right, but the fear of change was a powerful force—one that tugged at her heart even as she tried to let go.

After a few moments of silence, girls stepped in to say their final goodbyes. One by one, they hugged Renuka and Bhanumati, offering comfort and support before heading back to the car where Krishna was waiting for them.

——————————

[KRISHNA'S POV]

I stood leaning against the car, watching as the girls walked toward me. They seemed quiet, more subdued than usual. As they reached me, I gave them a soft smile. "Ready to go?" I asked. They nodded in unison, but there was something in their expressions—something heavy.

I smiled again as we all climbed into the car. The engine roared to life, and we started down the road toward Guntur. For a while, the sound of the tires against the rough village roads filled the silence, and soon we were on the highway. Normally, they'd be chatting away by now, filling the car with laughter and stories. But today, they were quiet. Unnaturally so.

I glanced over at them. All four of them sat with thoughtful expressions, staring out the window or down at their laps. The quiet felt thick, almost suffocating. It wasn't like them at all.

With a smile, I broke the silence. "So, what's the problem? Why are my girls so quiet?"

They exchanged glances, hesitant, as if they were trying to decide who should speak. Finally, Ammu spoke up, her voice soft. "It's nothing, Krishna."

I chuckled, keeping my eyes on the road but letting my voice carry the warmth I always felt for them. "Come on, Ammu. I know you better than that. You think I wouldn't notice when something's off?" I glanced at them briefly, a gentle smile playing on my lips. "I know all of you better than you know yourselves."

Ammu shifted in her seat, clearly unsure how to put her thoughts into words. The others still looked uneasy. Aamukta, sitting beside me, glanced over nervously. Her voice wavered as she spoke. "Krishna, I... I don't know how to say this. I see Renuka upset about leaving her sister and father. She's happy, but Bhanumati is worried about her father. And... well, I've been thinking. What about my parents? After marriage, what will happen to them? You know that you and my father—"

Before she could finish, my surprise took over, and I cut her off, my voice firmer than I intended. "Wait, what? Are you serious right now? Were none of you paying attention yesterday when I was talking with Bhanumati?" I glanced at each of them, the disbelief clear in my tone. "And first of all, how could you even think I wouldn't take care of your parents? And you—aren't you all independent, educated women? How can you doubt me like this?"

I turned to Anu and Raji, my frustration spilling out as I spoke. "Anu, Raji, you've known me since we were kids. How could you think that?"

I looked Ammu, my heart aching that she even had these doubts. "Ammu, don't you believe in me?"

Anu, her voice filled with guilt, immediately jumped in. "Krishna, no, it's not like that…"

Raji followed, trying to calm me down. "Yeah, Krishna, we didn't mean it that way."

Ammu, her eyes downcast, whispered, "It's not like that, Krishna…"

But instead of responding right away, I kept my eyes on the road, swallowing the frustration rising inside me. After a few seconds, I glanced at Aamukta, my tone softening but still hurt. "And Cutie Pie, how could you even think my relationship with Uncle Paani isn't good? He's your father, which means he's mine too. Who told you otherwise? How could you think I wouldn't respect him, care for him, just as much as I care for you?"

I sighed, my chest tightening with a mixture of hurt and disbelief. "Unbelievable…" I muttered, focusing on the road, my hands gripping the steering wheel tighter. For a moment, I exaggerated my expression, pretending to be deeply wounded by their words.

The car went quiet again, but this time the silence was different—heavy with unspoken apologies. I didn't look at them, keeping my eyes fixed ahead. My heart, though, was full of love for each of them, even if they had these doubts. I knew they were just scared—scared of the future, scared of leaving behind the people they loved. But what hurt most was the thought that they didn't fully trust me to be there, for them and for their families.

But I let the silence sit for a while longer, giving them time to think, to understand. The road stretched out ahead, and though the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the landscape, the mood inside the car remained cloudy.

(A/N: If you'd like to support me, please use this UPI: omgadekar29@oksbi "Om Gadekar". If you do, please let me know your webnovel name so I can recognize you.)

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