CHAPTER 31 - Goodbye

Yes!!! Two updates in a span of 24 hours.. You love me, right? :p

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Sindhu helped Tulasi in packing her luggage. Now that Tulasi is leaving, she will be all alone in the house and bored to death. She felt sad for parting with a friend.

"What is your husband's name?" She asked her, when she remembered that she didn't know the idiot's name who made her friend's life, a living hell.

"Vinay" She replied with a smile.

"What does he do?" Sindhu asked casually, hoping Tulasi didn't feel like she's prying on him.

"He works in an engineering college as an associate professor"

"Oh great. He is a professor"

Sensing the sarcasm in her voice, Tulasi started awkwardly "Umm Sindhu. I know you hate him for doing this to me but trust me, he is not a bad guy"

"Yeah, right" she replied seriously.

Tulasi sighed "Look he was never the evil husband that you framed him in your mind. He loved me and cared for me in the months we were together. He gave me time to forget my past and only then did he touch me; with my consent. He was a good husband"

"Yeah behind closed doors" Sindhu completed her "But he will be called a man only if he stood up for his wife. Not just against his own mom but also the whole world if necessary"

"He didn't--"

"Please don't tell me he didn't have a choice. He could have fought against his mom or called your parents to know your whereabouts"

"If he is not Karthik doesn't mean he is bad"

Sindhu frowned "What do you mean?"

"I mean if he didn't come for me like Karthik did, travelling all over to Goa for you, doesn't mean he is bad" She explained "There are all kinds of love"

"Somehow that doesn't sound love at all" Sindhu mumbled under her breath.

"What about the love for his mother? He has to---"

"So, you say it's ok if he does anything she asks him to?" she asked, looking at her incredulously.

"I didn't mean it that way. Let's leave it. Please"

"Fine.. But trust me, if I ever meet him, he is going to get a sure shot kick from me"

Tulasi chuckled "I won't stop you"

"Promise?"

This time Tulasi laughed "Yes, I promise"

"So, will you have early dinner or shall I pack for you?"

"When's the train?"

"8:30; which means we have to start at least by 7 and you should have dinner by 6.45"

"I will eat in the train then. Did Karthik say when he will come? He said he has issues at work"

"Yeah. He said he will try. If not, I will drop you at Secunderabad railway station" When Tulasi nodded, she continued "Is Chapathi and Potato curry ok for you?"

"Perfect"

She smiled "I will get on with it then"

After Sindhu left her room, Tulasi sighed worrying about her future. Though her visit to Hyderabad had been fruitless and she didn't find a job, she is glad to have met Sindhu.

When Karthik came back from work, he greeted Sindhu who is working in the kitchen before going to Tulasi's room.

"Everything is set?" He asked her, before sitting on the cot while she was on a chair.

"Yes. I have packed everything"

"Good" After a few seconds of silence, he added "Look, I know you are in tough times. If I can be helpful to you in anyway, please tell me; even if it is about money"

"I am fine Karthik and I have money; may be not enough to buy them a land but enough to get my daughter into this world."

He smiled "Are you sure it's a girl?"

"I hope so"

The two of them sat opposite to each other awkwardly when Tulasi broke the silence "So, happy with your life now?"

He grinned "Hell yes"

She grinned seeing him happy "I am happy that you two are finally together"

"I have to thank you for that"

She rolled her eyes "Like I was the one who advised you to fall in love"

He chuckled "May be not but you were helpful"

A mischievous smile lit up her face as she looked ahead to make sure Sindhu is still in the kitchen "So, when?"

"What when?" He asked, looking confused with the abrupt change in her behavior.

His smile disappeared and he groaned when he heard her "The wedding night"

"Common Karthik. You can tell me" She added when she saw him blush.

"Look. I can't discuss this with you" He replied, trying hard not to be affected by her question.

"Why not? Please tell me about your plans"

"I am not planning anything"

"What? Really? You don't want to—you know?"

"What? Of course I want to" Seeing her smirk, he felt more embarrassed "Please drop this subject"

"Why should I? I am enjoying it too much"

He shook his head smiling when she added "Common. I can help you--"

"Help me with what?" He asked, looking at her incredulously.

She laughed at his double meaning dialogue "I didn't mean it that way"

When he smiled too, she added softly "What's in your head? You can tell me. You know that right?"

He nodded sighing "Sometimes I think it will happen when it has to; you know, without any plans. But sometimes, I want it to be special. I don't know how I am going to do that though"

"Plan something then"

"It's not easy. I don't want to plan everything and make her feel obliged to do it with me. Everything has to go with the mood and not---- Uggh"

She rolled her eyes "Is that your reason? Really? Because I feel you are scared about---"

"I am not scared" He confessed making her smirk again.

With an amused smile, she started "Ok. So, you are looking forward to--"

"Uggh!!!" Karthik groaned hiding his face in both of his hands "Why are we discussing this?"

She chuckled "Ok. No more trying to embarrass you"

He looked at her, removing his hands off his face "Thank you"

"But that doesn't mean the discussion is off" When he groaned again, she continued "I am going to give you an advise though."

"What?" He asked sulkily, looking completely uninterested.

"Plan something special. It would mean a lot to her" When she found him listening intently, she added "Let things work out casually. Don't feel tensed about her reaction because then she will be uncomfortable as well. Be cool and let everything go the way it has to"

"Thanks" he replied shyly.

"You can thank me after--"

"Shut up" he replied, closing his face again making her chuckle.

"What happened?" Sindhu's voice brought him back to reality.

"Nothing" he replied, taking his hands off his face.

"Really? You look like you were blushing" She replied, observing his face before turning to Tulasi "Are you teasing him about something?"

Tulasi bit back her smile shaking her head when Sindhu turned to him with an amused smile "What happened? You are all embarrassed and shy"

"I am fine" he replied, lowering his head.

She sat close to him and pinched his cheeks "You look cute though"

When his eyes met hers, she cleared her throat and looked away.

Turning to Tulasi, she started "I was in the kitchen thinking about you and um I got this idea"

"What idea?" Karthik asked, looking at her suspiciously.

"I think you should leave Karthik. I want to discuss something with Tulasi" she said softly.

"I am not going anywhere" he replied stubbornly.

"Fine. Your wish" she snapped at him and turned towards Tulasi "I was wondering how would it be if we got you close to your husband?"

"How? His mother won't let me--"

"Not his house"

"Then?" Both Karthik and Tulasi asked at the same time.

"At his workplace where his mom won't influence him"

"How can I go to his college? I won't be allowed into the premises" Tulasi said dejectedly.

"Not if you get a job there"

"WHAT?" Karthik and Tulasi yelled in shock.

"Who will give me a job there?" Tulasi asked, looking at her as if she's mad.

"I have a plan. I can't believe I never thought about it but I have a friend who is rich and powerful. His family has political connections and I am sure he will help you"

"Hemanth?" Karthik questioned, though he is almost sure it's him.

She nodded "I will talk to him immediately. He will help you find a job in that college"

"Do you think it is possible?" Tulasi asked slowly, looking hopeful.

"Anything is possible in India with power and money" She replied with a smirk.

"Ok let's say she found a job there. What is she going to do after that?" Karthik asked.

She bit her lip as if wondering if or if not to confess her plans before her eyes lit up with mischief.

"I don't think I will be happy knowing her plans" He mumbled under his breath.

Not bothering him, Sindhu started "You are going to find a handsome man and flirt with him"

Their eyes widened in surprise and Tulasi asked after what felt like an eternity "Why should I flirt with another guy?"

"To make your husband jealous of course"

"This is stupid" Karthik replied, looking at his wife in shock.

"It is perfect" Sindhu defended.

"Where did you get that stupid idea? From films?"

"It doesn't matter where I got it. It always works"

"No.. No.. This is so not happening"

"That's why I told you to get out. I know that you won't---"

"Guys please" Tulasi interfered making their attention shift to her "I think she is right"

"YES!" Sindhu exclaimed, jumping up from her seat.

He sighed knowing that he lost them.

Tulasi turned to Sindhu with a hopeful look "Do you really think it will work?"

She nodded with a bright smile "Trust me, it will. Men are possessive and they can't stay calm seeing their woman with another guy. You hurt a man's ego and BAM, it will gain his attention"

"Whoa Whoa.. I am still here, for your information" Karthik announced, waving his hand at the two of them who chuckled seeing his reaction.

"It's ok" Sindhu replied, turning back to Tulasi "Try to make him jealous and ignore him as long as possible until he finally bursts out. If possible, tell him about your pregnancy before you begin the game. It will make him more desperate"

"You are evil" Karthik exclaimed, hearing her plan.

"Really?" Sindhu asked him, pouting.

"You don't look evil though" he replied with a smirk.

She scoffed "Seriously, what do you think about the plan? What will you do if you were in his position?"

"Why would I be in his---?"

"Just imagine .. Your mom threw me out of your house and you didn't say a single word against her. Few weeks later, you see me in your office flirting with another guy while carrying your heir. What will you do about it?"

"I will never let my mom throw you out" he replied earnestly.

She gaped at him in surprise and continued to look into his eyes as she added softly "Um, I was just asking what would you do if she threw me--- "

"Then I would have accompanied you" His honest answer brought tears to her eyes.

"Really?" She asked softly, forgetting that they had company.

"Really" he assured with a small smile.

She pressed her forehead to his "Then maybe I should think of a different plan then"

"No, it's perfect" Tulasi's voice brought them back to reality, making them move away instantly.

Karthik cleared his throat "You think it will work then?"

"Chances are high" Tulasi answered with a frown.

After Sindhu packed dinner, the three of them left to Secunderabad Railway Station where the scheduled train arrived by the time they reached the platform.

"Take care" Sindhu said softly, hugging Tulasi "I will miss you"

"I will miss you too" Tulasi whispered in her ear as a tear slid down her cheek.

"Kick that idiot for me" Sindhu said making Tulasi chuckle.

When Sindhu pulled out of her arms, Karthik gave an awkward hug "Call me when you reach home"

"Sure. You remember what I told you"

He pulled back, looking confused "About what?"

She whispered in his ear "Special Plans"

He smiled shyly "Yeah sure. Thanks for everything"

She nodded and got into the train which started twenty minutes late. After the train left, Karthik and Sindhu made their way back to the parking lot.

"I miss her already" Sindhu said sadly, while Karthik drove into the inner roads of Secunderabad instead of going away.

"Give me your mobile" she added.

When Karthik gave his cell phone, she dialed Hemanth's number who cut her call. After a few seconds, he called her back.

"Hey drama queen.. What's up?"

She chuckled hearing his cheery tone "I need your help Hemu"

When she was done explaining, he promised that he will talk to his parents and get it done at any cost.

"Thank you.. And guess where I am going right now?" She asked him cheerfully, looking at Karthik who was smiling himself.

"Where?"

"Paradise" she shouted in excitement making Karthik chuckle.

"Really? I miss the biryani. God!!! I wish I was there" Hemanth whined.

After teasing him for a while, she cut the call and turned to Karthik "I am right. Aren't I?"

"Yes. We are going there" Karthik replied with a smile.

"Why? I mean at this time?"

"Because it's near to the railway station?" he teased. Seeing her pout, he added "Ok fine. Because I know you will be upset about Tulasi leaving us"

"How sweet" she said, pinching his cheek making him smile.

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Thank you for reading. I hope all your doubts are answered through Tulasi's questions :p

Isn't Karthik cute, BTW??

So, when?? (I was asked this a couple of times). And my answer is soon.. Very soon(You're almost there).. It didn't happen immediately because they needed time to adjust.. They've just lost each other before learning their love. So, next chap is going to be fun ;) ;) (If you know, what I mean :p)

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- JANAKI S