Chapter 12

The next day, Lakshmi completed her work and returned to her room. Just as she was about to enter, Raghu stopped her by calling, "Lakshmi, wait. I need to ask you something." Lakshmi turned toward his voice with a smile and asked curiously, "Yes, Anna? What do you want to ask?"

Raghu stepped closer to her so that no one would overhear their conversation. "Lakshmi, what were you doing with Vikram last night?" he asked.

Lakshmi was taken aback by his question. Her face drained of color, and she began to sweat. "A-Answer me, Lakshmi," he repeated, his voice more insistent.

"That...that..." she stammered, not knowing how to respond. She wasn't used to lying, and she began to cry, fearing that she had been caught and that he would think poorly of her.

Seeing her tears, Raghu immediately became anxious. "Lakshmi, stop crying! I haven't asked you anything bad. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Please, stop crying," he tried to console her.

"Anna, please don't tell anyone about this... We both are deeply in love," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Love?" Raghu repeated the word, his heart sinking. He couldn't help but think that Vikram was only using her under the guise of love. His protective instincts kicked in, and he just didn't want Lakshmi to fall for Vikram's sweet words. He knew how rich boys like Vikram often manipulated young, innocent girls like her. Raghu just wanted to make her understand the difference between them, to make her see that there could never be true love between their social classes. Even if there was, it would be nothing more than lust.

"Anna, please, don't tell anyone. He even promised he will marry me," Lakshmi continued, her tears spilling freely.

"Lakshmi, do you really think he loves you?" Raghu's voice was gentle, but firm. "If he truly loves you, I'll be happy for you. But what if he's just trying to use you? What if he does something bad to you? He could have anyone he wants, so why is he after you? Please, just try to understand and stay away from him. I know people like him very well—these rich boys won't even glance at someone unless they have an agenda. So, please, be careful."

Lakshmi shook her head, looking at him with unwavering conviction. "No, Anna, our love is true. He's not like that. He's a good man. I trust him," she said confidently.

Raghu looked at her with a bittersweet smile. How innocent she was, how blinded by her feelings. "If you trust him, then okay. But, please, maintain some distance from him. Don't let him touch you inappropriately. I'm telling you this as your brother. I'll always be there for you," he said, patting her head gently.

Lakshmi wiped away her tears and nodded. "Okay, Anna," she replied, her voice steadier now. "I'll be careful. Thank you."

"Good. Now, get inside and rest. And don't forget what I said," Raghu said, his tone softening.

Lakshmi nodded again and went into her room, her mind heavy with thoughts, but grateful for Raghu's concern.

After completing her night routine, Lakshmi lay on her bed, Raghu's words echoing in her mind. What if Raghu's words were true? What if Vikram is just using me? What if it's not love, but just lust? What if he leaves me after he's done with me? But then, she remembered how Vikram had never behaved with her in such a way. He had never looked at her with those intentions, never tried to touch her inappropriately. Her mind battled between these conflicting thoughts.

She turned onto her side, gripping the blanket tightly as doubt began to creep in. What if Raghu is right? She trusted Vikram. She knew he loved her. He had promised to marry her, to build a future together. But Raghu's concern, coming from a place of experience, made her question everything. Raghu understood the world of the rich far better than she did, and his warnings seemed genuine.

She tried to push the doubts away. Vikram loves me, she thought, but the doubts lingered, gnawing at her confidence.

Sleep wouldn't come easily. The uncertainty swirled in her mind, knowing that whatever decision she made, it would shape her future.

Eventually, exhaustion overtook her, and she drifted off to sleep, but the questions remained, unresolved and lingering.

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A few days passed, and Vikram and Lakshmi's relationship deepened. Vikram always wanted to be close to her, and his attraction toward her was intensifying. Recently, his thoughts had shifted, and he found himself wanting to kiss her, to touch her. But Lakshmi, ever innocent, remained unaware of the changes in his feelings. She continued to see him with the same trusting eyes, oblivious to his growing desire.

Meanwhile, Rekha was becoming restless. She didn't know how to approach Vikram about his marriage, but she decided to talk to her husband once again. It was Sunday morning when Vikram's father returned from his morning walk. Rekha, holding a glass of juice, slowly approached him and began, "What have you decided about Vikram's marriage?"

He took the glass from her and sat down on the couch in the balcony. "I don't think he'll accept it," he replied.

"How will you know without asking him?" Rekha pressed. "Just talk to him once. If he agrees to the marriage, it'll not only improve our family bond but also benefit our business."

Vikram's father nodded. "Okay, I'll talk to him."

Rekha smiled to herself, already planning what she would do next.

At lunchtime, Lakshmi was setting the table when Vikram's father, Rekha, Vinay, and Vinitha arrived. They all took their seats, and just as Lakshmi was about to serve the food, Vikram's father stopped her.

"Wait. First, go call Vikram and tell him to come down immediately," he instructed.

Lakshmi nodded and left to find Vikram. She stood in front of his door and knocked. When Vikram opened the door, he immediately smiled and pulled her inside.

"Thank God! I've missed you so much, and I was cursing my fate, thinking I'd have to wait until night to see you," he said, hugging her.

Lakshmi pushed him away. "Stop it. Your father is calling you. Come downstairs quickly," she said, and without waiting for a response, she left the room.

Vikram was puzzled as to why his father had called him, but he followed her downstairs. When he entered the dining area, Vikram's father gestured for him to take a seat and instructed Lakshmi to serve him first. Lakshmi did as she was told and continued serving the others.

Vikram ate quietly, but the tension in the room was palpable. Midway through the meal, Vikram's father suddenly spoke up.

"Vikram, you know Shreya, right? Rajiv's daughter? We've decided to marry her to you. What do you think?"

Vikram's face flushed red with surprise, and he immediately looked up at Lakshmi, who was frozen in place after hearing those words. Vikram's heart sank as he realized that Lakshmi might doubt him now. He didn't want to cause her any more insecurities, and this would only make things worse.

He quickly turned to his father. "What? I'm still young. Why are you talking about marriage? Especially to her? I don't want to marry now, and I certainly don't want to marry that girl," he said firmly.

Vikram's father became furious. "I was 23 when I got married. As for Shreya, marrying her will help our business grow to the next level. I'm making things easier for you when you take over the business. So listen to me and get ready for the marriage," he said sternly.

Vikram's frustration boiled over. "Who said I'm going to take over your business? I'm not interested in your business, and I don't need you to make things easier for me. As for marriage, I'll marry the girl I love, not some greedy woman you've chosen."

"Are you in love with someone?" Vikram's father shot back, his voice growing colder. "And do you think I'll allow some lowly bitc* to be my daughter-in-law? Dream on. I can make her disappear with a single snap of my fingers, and you know that," he warned, his voice filled with venom.

Without another word, Vikram's father stood and stormed off to his room.

Vikram glanced at Lakshmi, who was struggling to hold back her tears. His heart ached for her, and he desperately wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her. But he stopped himself, aware of his siblings' presence and the cold, calculating gaze of his evil mother.

He knew how far his father could go to get his way, and for a brief moment, a wave of fear washed over him as he thought of his father harming Lakshmi.

Rekha, having finished her meal, quietly excused herself from the table as if she is not involved in this matter, she knew that getting involved would only make Vikram more suspicious and stubborn.

Lakshmi, unable to contain her emotions any longer, quietly left the room and headed toward the kitchen. Vikram watched her retreating figure, his chest heavy with guilt and frustration. He stood there for a moment, paralyzed by the weight of the situation, before he finally turned and walked to his room, his mind racing with uncertainty about what to do next.

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Hey guys!!!

What do you think that Vikram will do next?

comment your thoughts.

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