In the garden, Anand Rao was reading a newspaper when Kousalya walked in, looking annoyed. She sat down beside him and snatched the paper.
Anand Rao, confused, looked at her and asked, “What happened?”
Seriously, Kousalya asked, “Have you thought about Arjun and Priya’s future?”
Anand Rao, relaxed, took the paper back from her. “Is that all? I was worried something serious had happened,” he said, and went back to reading.
Just then, Ashok came in and said, “Dad, I’ve settled the amounts with everyone.”
Still reading the paper, Anand Rao said, “Alright. Oh wait—today is Ramakrishna uncle’s car delivery, right?”
“Yes, Dad,” Ashok replied.
“Okay, go and make sure it gets delivered on time,” Anand Rao instructed.
Ashok agreed and left.
Kousalya, looking concerned, said to Anand Rao, “Look, if they stay here, Arjun will never get closer to Priya. Let’s send them somewhere for a while. If they live alone, they’ll understand each other better.”
Anand Rao, happy to see Kousalya care about Arjun, said, “That’s a good idea… but will Arjun agree?”
“He will, if you tell him,” she replied mischievously.
Anand Rao, shocked, said, “Me?” and folded his hands in mock surrender. “Don’t trap me in your schemes.” He went back to reading.
Kousalya pulled the paper away again and said angrily, “Will you tell him or not—right now?”
Realizing this would become a bigger issue, Anand Rao sighed. “Alright, I’ll talk to him when he comes back.”
Kousalya, happy, asked, “Where should we send them?”
After thinking for a moment, Anand Rao said, “Let’s send him to our Kakinada showroom. If it’s work-related, he’ll go.”
“I knew you’d agree!” Kousalya said, pinching his cheek, giving him a kiss, and walking off quickly.
Anand Rao looked around to make sure no one saw, smiled to himself, and resumed reading.
---
That night, at the dining table:
Everyone was eating dinner. Kousalya, along with the cook Radhika, was serving food.
While serving chicken fry to Anand Rao, Kousalya made a secret gesture, reminding him to talk to Arjun. She then sat next to Subhadra, sneaking glances at Anand Rao.
Subhadra, confused, watched both of them.
Anand Rao looked at Arjun, who was sitting opposite him next to Priya, eating with his head down.
Arjun looked up and said, “Yes, Dad?”
“Our showroom in Kakinada isn’t doing well. Why don’t you stay there for a while and see if you can improve sales?” Anand Rao said.
Seeing this as a chance to escape the tension with Priya, Arjun said, “Okay, Dad.”
“Alright, I’ll tell the housemaid there, Ganga, that you’re coming. Priya, you and Arjun should leave tomorrow,” Anand Rao said.
Arjun, shocked, asked hesitantly, “Priya too?” Priya was equally surprised.
“Yes, you’ll have to stay there for some time. You’re newly married—why live separately? Priya, your office work won’t be a problem, right?”
“No problem, uncle,” Priya said. “I can work from there. If it’s urgent, I can come back—it’s not far.”
“Good. Take Ashok along as well. He can help you,” Anand Rao added.
Arjun, having no choice, nodded.
As Anand Rao left to wash his hands, Subhadra looked at Kousalya and said, “Was this your idea?”
Hearing that, Arjun looked suspiciously at Kousalya. She nervously glanced at him, but seeing his angry stare, quickly looked down.
“mom…” Arjun said sternly.
“What?” Kousalya replied in the same tone.
“This is your plan, right?” he asked angrily.
“Yes! So what now?” she retorted.
Arjun stood up in frustration. “You’ve really changed lately,” he said, and walked away to wash his hands.
Kousalya and Subhadra laughed. Ashok, still clueless, just looked around.
After dinner, Kousalya told Radhika to clear the bowls.
When Radhika was taking them to the kitchen, she saw her daughter Jyoti standing outside the main door, crying. She quickly set the bowls down and rushed to her.
Seeing Jyoti cry, everyone gathered around, worried. No matter how many times they asked, she didn’t answer.
Radhika, now scared, begged her to say what happened.
At that moment, Arjun came forward and said, “Radhika, wait.” He held Jyoti and asked gently, “What happened, dear?”
Still crying, Jyoti didn’t speak. Arjun stroked her head and said, “You call me ‘brother’ right? Trust me—tell me whatever happened.”
Through tears, Jyoti said, “For a long time, Bhargav, the corporator’s son from Gajuwaka, has been harassing me… asking me to sleep with him. I didn’t tell anyone because I was scared Mom would make me quit college. Today, there was a farewell party, and I went. When I went to the washroom, he and his friends came, locked me inside, pulled down my pants, and no matter how much I begged, they… touched me one after another.” She broke down and hugged Arjun tightly.
Arjun closed his eyes in rage.
Radhika collapsed, crying. Priya sat beside her, trying to console her. Everyone was in shock and sorrow.
Arjun asked Jyoti angrily, “Do you know the corporator’s name?”
Still crying, she said, “Suryanarayana.”
Without another word, Arjun grabbed Jyoti’s hand, took Ashok’s car keys, and said, “Come on.”
Kousalya, worried, called out, “ Arjun!” but he didn’t stop.
