chapter 17

YOU ARE THE RHYTHM OF MY HEART!Chapter 17 :Nandu was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected threat. He glanced at Neil, narrowing his eyes slightly. They look older than Aadhya but are still younger than me… and yet, they’re trying to intimidate me? he thought, finding their behavior oddly childish.Before Nandu could react to their statement, Dhanush smacked both their heads from behind and gently reprimanded them,“Don’t be spoiled brats. Who do you think he is? Can you threaten him?”.Scolding them, he then turned to Nandu with an apologetic smile and continued,“They’re both very possessive and protective of her. When she first came to see us, she was just a little doll, with innocence written all over her face. That made them incredibly protective of her throughout her visit. Even though there’s a gap between us, they still keep track of her whereabouts and well-being without letting our grandparents know. They are very fond of her. Please don’t mind their words”. His voice was filled with genuine sincerity.Hearing this, Nandu shifted his gaze to Neil and Pranay, noticing the deep protectiveness in their eyes.With a calm yet resolute voice, he reassured them,“I will take good care of her and never let a single tear fall from her eyes. That’s my promise. Believe me”. His voice carried unwavering determination, and his words held the weight of his sincerity.Both Neil and Pranay’s faces lit up with warm smiles, and they embraced Nandu joyfully before turning to Aadhya, who stood dumbfounded by the sudden revelation.“Aadu! You really won a lucky jackpot. He is truly sincere in his love for you”, they beamed with joy.Shaking her head in disbelief, Aadhya took their hands and implored,“I never imagined you were keeping track of me. My anger toward our grandparents blinded me from reaching out to you. I am so sorry for making you worry. Please forgive me for not staying in contact all this time”. Her voice trembled, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears.The three of them embraced her tightly and reassured her,“Aadu! We understand your grief and anger. None of us had the power to fix the disputes between us, but from now on, we are here for you”.Dhanush gave her a firm nod before casting a glance at Nandu and continuing with a serious yet playful tone,“Don’t think you’re alone. If my brother ever gives you a hard time, just give us a call. We’ll be at your doorstep in no time to make his life miserable”. His voice carried both sincerity and determination.Overwhelmed by their love and reassurance, Aadhya felt tears welling up, her heart filled with gratitude. Nandu, chuckling softly, responded with unwavering resolve,“Brother! don’t worry. If I ever try to hurt her, it will be my last breath in this universe. That’s my promise”. His voice was firm, carrying the weight of his deep love for Aadhya.Parasuram’s eyes glistened with tears upon hearing the determination in Nandu’s voice. His heart swelled with pride—not only because of Nandu’s words but also because he had gotten the chance to know him before he fell in love with Aadhya. That early acquaintance had helped him understand the kind of man Nandu truly was.Setha Ramaiah, too, felt satisfied with Nandu’s response. With a gentle yet firm tone, he reprimanded,“Dhanush! Don’t threaten my grandson as if he were a criminal. Let them freshen up and rest for a while—they’ve all had a long journey.” His voice carried both authority and affection for Nandu.Realizing how exhausted they must be, the family helped Parasuram to his room and showed Aadhya and Nandu to theirs. After placing their luggage in their respective rooms, Aadhya and Nandu returned to the living room, ready to complete their daily routine.Neil and Pranay reassured Aadhya that they would assist Nandu and led him to the backyard, where he could complete his morning activities. Meanwhile, Aadhya accompanied Chitra, the two of them bickering lightheartedly about college and their friends. Dhanush helped Parasuram  complete his activities.-  *KRISH*