Chapter 7 : "The Room of a Thousand memories"
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“Hey JK, there’s only one day left for the annual day, and you’re still stuck writing that love letter?” Surya asked, raising his brows. “How many days have I been telling you? These days, no guy writes love letters anymore. Everyone just goes straight to dating. They’re all so forward! Why don’t you directly ask her out? What do you say?”
JK smiled faintly. “Not all guys think the same way, Surya. Some just want to enjoy life and date for time pass. But there are others who fall in love because they want to spend their entire life with the person they love. I belong to the second category. The girl I love… I want to spend my whole life with her. That’s why I’m writing this love letter. The happiness I feel while writing it—there’s nothing else like it.”
He paused, a small sigh escaping him. “But I’m confused about how to write it. On one side, I’m excited… but on the other, I’m nervous.”
“There’s nothing to be nervous about,” Surya reassured him, his tone softening. “Swati has known you since childhood. And you know how much she cares for you too. I’m sure she loves you as well. She’s probably scared that you might reject her if she confesses first. Don’t worry—she’ll definitely say yes.”
He added with a playful grin, “Here’s my best suggestion—why don’t you ask your aunt to help you write it? My mom herself will guide you.”
JK’s eyes widened slightly before a smile broke out on his face. “That’s actually a perfect idea, Surya. Sumati aunty is always spot on with these things.”
(Dear readers, the girl JK is in love with is none other than Swati. It’s not something new—he’s cherished her since childhood, but he hasn’t confessed his feelings yet. Only Surya, Karthik, Praveen, JK’s aunt Sumati, and his grandmother Lakshmi know about it. That’s why Lakshmi Granny often teases him about it.)
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Surya looked around JK’s room curiously.
“Why are you so silent? What are you staring at?” JK asked.
“I’ve never seen anyone love like you, JK,” Surya said thoughtfully. “Your entire room feels like she’s here. It’s filled with her drawings. Sure, I learned drawing along with you, but this extra talent you’ve developed—how? And these drawings… they’re so beautiful.”
Just then, a voice called out from downstairs.
“JK… JK…”
“Someone’s calling you,” Surya said. “But only Bhuvan and Madhav uncle are at home. If someone else has come, it might be awkward. You stay here. I’ll go check.”
“That’s Karthik’s voice,” JK said suddenly.
Surya paused to listen carefully. “Oh! You’re right… how did you recognize it so quickly?”
JK : smirked. “We’ve been friends for years, Surya. I can recognize his voice anywhere.”
Surya : chuckled. “True… but I didn’t realize it at first.” He frowned. “What’s Karthik doing here, though?”
“I don’t know either,” JK admitted.
“Fine, let’s go and check,” Surya suggested.
“Why don’t you bring him here instead?” JK said.
“You want me to bring him up? Are you sure?” Surya asked cautiously.
JK : gave him a meaningful look. “Why wouldn’t I be? There’s no secret between us.”
Surya : sighed dramatically. “Not that, but what if he’s shocked seeing your room?”
JK laughed. “Just go.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll bring him,” Surya said as he left the room.
But when he reached JK’s room, Karthik was nowhere to be seen.
“Strange… he was just here. Maybe he went downstairs.”
As Surya started heading down, he spotted Karthik coming up the stairs.
“Hey, Karthik!” Surya called out.
“Surya? I came to see JK, but he wasn’t in his room,” Karthik replied.
“He’s in his room. You go on up.”
Karthik entered the room, scanning it. “You said he’s here? Where? I just checked his room and didn’t see him.”
“Hold on,” Surya said calmly. “He’s in his room, but not this one.”
“What do you mean, not this one?” Karthik frowned.
“Come on, I’ll take you there,” Surya said, leading him towards a small room near the balcony.
“Why are we going near the storeroom?” Karthik asked suspiciously. “Are you taking me there to clean it or what?”
“Just open the door,” Surya replied.
Karthik pushed the door open. “JK, you’re—” He stopped mid-sentence, stunned. His eyes widened as he took in the sight.
The entire room was filled with Swati’s drawings, from her childhood to the present day. Every gift she had ever given JK was carefully preserved there.
JK opened a cupboard and pulled something out.
“Do you remember, Karthik? Back in school, there was a fight between Vishwanath’s team and ours. That evening, I was cycling alone when Vishwanath and his friends surrounded me. One of them hit me hard on the head and ran off. Blood was everywhere. I thought my life was over.
“I kept calling for my mother… but no one came. And then, out of nowhere, Swati appeared like an angel. At that moment, I felt like my own mother had come to save me. She placed my head in her lap, screaming for help. She tore a piece of her own dress and tied it around my bleeding head.
“This… this piece of cloth,” JK said softly, holding up the faded fabric, “I’ve kept it with me all these years.
“You might find it strange, Karthik, but when a boy sees his mother in the girl he loves, she becomes the only one for him. That’s when I started loving her.
“And look at this… Swati’s favorite earrings. She lost them once and searched everywhere, but I found them. I couldn’t bring myself to give them back. I wanted to keep a piece of her close to me.”
The room fell silent. Karthik and Surya’s eyes glistened with tears.
“JK… you’re making me nervous, man,” Karthik whispered.
“Why are you nervous?” JK asked gently.
“I don’t know… I’m scared. What if she doesn’t accept your love? What if she chooses someone else?”
Inside, Karthik prayed silently. “God, please protect my friend’s love. Let no harm come to it. Let Swati accept his heart… that’s all I ask.”
“Why are you scared?” JK teased softly. “I’m the one in love. I should be the one nervous.”
“There’s no need to worry,” Surya said firmly. “Everything will turn out fine.”
Suddenly, Karthik pulled JK into a tight hug.
“What’s this for?” JK asked, surprised.
“Can’t I hug my friend if I feel like it?” Karthik replied with a small smile.
“Alright, sir,” JK chuckled.
“Then what about me?” Surya asked with mock indignation.
JK laughed and pulled both of them into a warm embrace.
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“I told you, JK,” Surya teased. “Karthik is shocked seeing this room. If Praveen ever saw it, your secret room wouldn’t be so secret anymore.”
“You’re right,” JK agreed with a smile.
Karthik shook his head. “This is unbelievable, JK. I didn’t expect this from you.”
“Now tell me honestly,” JK said. “You never come to my house this late. Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing like that,” Karthik said quickly. “I was just feeling bored in my room. I thought we could go out for a while.”
“Are you sure that’s all?” JK asked suspiciously.
“Yes, that’s it,” Karthik replied with a faint smile.
“Alright, let’s go then. I’ll call Swati too,” JK said.
“Good idea,” Surya added. “If we trusted your little sister, we’d be in trouble.”
“I told you already,” JK said. “Don’t fall for that monkey. She’s not right for you.”
Surya smirked. “When the time comes, we’ll see. Everyone talks big before they fall in love.”
“Seems like you have a lot of experience in love,” Karthik teased.
JK chuckled.
Karthik : I’m sorry, but I don’t feel like going out today.”
“Then stay here tonight,” JK suggested.
“Here? No, I should go,” Karthik said hesitantly.
“You’re not going anywhere,” JK insisted. “I’ve decided. That’s final.”
“Come on, Karthik. What’s one night?” Surya said. “Once JK says it, it’s settled.”
“Alright,” Karthik said finally.
That night, Karthik stayed at JK’s house.
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To be continued…
Author’s Note:
JK’s silent love for Swathi hides a world of emotions. 💖 What did you feel reading about his secret room? Share your thoughts and encourage me with your comments. Follow me for more chapters!
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