Rahul's anger.

Ch-41

After getting discharged, Rahul asked her to go with him. Laya's family said nothing. As she expected, Raghuram and Sharada came to her.

"Beta, We talked to your in-laws. From now on they will take care of you," Sharada said.

Raghuram nodded his head agreeing with his wife. Arjun said nothing. He let out a helpless sigh. Abinav was angry at his parent's words. Sitamma was looking helpless too. Laya said nothing, just nodded her head.

"Sita, you say to her," Raghuram said finally as the final resort.

"Laya…" she called.

"Amma…" Laya responded.

A smile formed on her face. She looked around with a big smile as if to say that Laya didn't hate Sita. Sharada was dumbfounded at Laya's action too. Even Raghuram, Arjun, Abhinav, Durga and her cousins too.

"Mom… you don't want me to go there, right?" Laya asked with tears in her eyes.

Sita's expression stiffened. She gulped the lump that formed in her throat and looked at her with a hardened, helpless expression.

"Layaamma, Go only for once. If they mistreat you, just let me know or Abhinav knows. I will come or I will send Abhinav to take you from there. Let's give them only one chance. No… No… No… Last Chance. One last chance. Your husband is here. Let's see if things go well. Only for once," Sita said.

Laya looked around, her eyes landed on Rahul. He stood there with a nervous expression. All these days, he tried his best to take care of her. He never got angry with her no matter how angry she got, how sarcastic she commented. As the memories of flashes passed through her mind, her eyes dilated.

"I need to use the washroom," she said and went to the restroom.

Laya closed the door nearly but didn't lock it. She wanted to see if everyone meant her good or not. She was not in a position to believe or trust anyone.

"Take good care of her. If I find her being mistreated. I stand by my words. I will take her away," Sitamma said. Laya smiled a bit. Her Sita amma was being real.

"Sita, you can't be serious. She is already married. Even if she has to die, she has to stay there!" Raghuram said.

"Peddananna (Bade pa/ Father's elder brother), Can you be serious? She is in the hospital for fifteen days! I already hate the fact that she has to go and give this scummy man a second chance. My sister doesn't deserve this!" Abhinav said.

Raghuram raised his hand and slapped Abhinav, taking everyone by surprise.

"How dare you brat!" he yelled.

"Brother-in-law!!" Sitamma yelled.

"Don't raise your hand to hit my son! And what's wrong with his words? Does this guy deserve my daughter? What did she do? She was informed about her engagement on the very day of her engagement day! And you lied to our so-called in-laws that she was sick! But not because she was shocked and fainted.

"All these years, the poor one never asked a single question about her father's finances. She slowly endured the physical abuse my husband did to her to get her property. I tried to stop him but he used to beat her and me more when I spoke up for her or about her. That is the very reason I strongly supported her to leave Vanasthalipuram to Chennai to study.

"Now… Right after she came you fixed her marriage! I tried to stop you! Didn't I? But what did you do!?" Sita shouted at him but kept her voice minimal.

Laya, who heard her words, was shocked. She didn't expect this would be the reason for Sitaamma's hot and cold behavior. No wonder she acted like she hated Laya when she proposed to study in Chennai. Tears formed in her eyes. Sitamma was a good person. She always supported her during crucial times.

"And you Arjun, you say you like her. But… look at yourself. What kind of man did you get to her? He can't even take care of her. And his mother… She made my daughter live a horrible life.

"Did you see her body? It's so thin, her eyes are hollow, her lips are as pale as ghosts, her eyes have dark circles. Do you know what the doctor said? She is having a trauma with her mother-in-law and her stomach has problems from not having food. And he said she was not even having it properly once a week.

"You complained saying that you got a young wife. And your wife complained… that she needs to study and doesn't want to give birth to children right away. But still, you have children after a year.

"Do you think we don't know you are letting her study and pursue her career? Then what about your sister? It's only been three months, see how she is right now. And I thought this guy was good. He took a stand for Laya during the engagement party. I even said to her, this guy is a good guy and I asked her to cherish him. Now I regret myself for advising her to cherish him. I seriously don't want her to go there and don't want her to be here. My husband is persuading me right now to weaken her resolve and get her to sign the property name under him or Abhinav.

"Tell me what shall we do? Huh? And your father says… live or die she has to stay there.

"Indeed… she is right. You all turned her into an orphan. Sometimes… I regret why she is not my biological daughter. If she is, I could do many things to protect her," Sitaamma said as she slumped on the chair as sobbed hard.

"Mom… Don't cry. These people only care about reputation, prestige only." Abhinav tried to console his mother.

"Abhinav… because of your peddananna, I couldn't let my daughter study further. She will have to get married next year and another abusive husband will come into her life. I prepared myself for it. I thought at least Laya could escape it. But… see… all she met was animals." Tears spilled out as she tried to not make sounds.

"Sita! What is there to feel bad about? He is her husband. He can do anything to her and they are her in-laws. Even though I feel bad, what can we do? That's her life. She has to accept it!" Raghuram said.

"Rahul… just don't let things out on the roads. I don't care how you treat her. I married her off to you. And she is your responsibility. Don't make us feel guilty by taking them out of the four walls!" Raghuram said.

"Shut up!" Rahul yelled for the first time in the whole while. The Volcano burst out for the first time which was hidden inside Rahul.