Battle of the Heart between Love and Family

Game

Arjun's POV (Flashback)

I woke up hearing my phone ring. It's karthik 

"You need to get ready and be here in 1 hour" he said 

"Oh shit! Missed my alarm. Will be there" 

I woke up Sweety. We both got ready and reached Karthik's home in 45 minutes. Aunty packed breakfast for us since it's already late.

"Karthik, I want to buy the beach home" I said on the way to airport 

I felt it's our first home together with sweet memories. Though we lived for 2 days, I feel attached to it

"I don't know if the owners will be willing to sell" he said 

"I will offer him more, please Karthi, I really want that house"

"Ok, what do you say Mr and Mrs Arjun? Do you want to sell your house to my friend Arjun" he said smiling 

"What?" 

"Dad bought it for you both as wedding gift. That's why he arranged your first night there"

"We can't accept Karthi, it's worth millions" we both said 

"It's his wedding gift to his daughter and son in law. He searched so many houses before finding perfect one for you. He bought it it with so much love. Please don't ruin his happiness " Karthik pleaded

We nodded 

We boarded the flight. Sweety laid on my shoulder holding my arm. We didn't speak. She started to cry when announcement was made for landing 

"What's wrong. Are you not feeling well" I'm scared seeing her cry

"Arjun, I'm scared to go to mom's home. Please take me with you. What if she finds about marriage? She will never let me step out. Please Arjun take me with you" she is crying like a baby

Karthi is looking her with wide eyes 

"No one can separate you from me, don't worry, go home. If you don't go now, your mom will be suspicious"

"Let's go to India now itself" she asked me like a child 

I can see how much she is scared of her mom

I hugged her tightly 

"Let's not do things in haste and spoil everything. Let's do carefully. Please understand" 

She nodded coming back to senses

After landing Sweety excused herself and went to restroom.

"I'm sure she is crying there. What can I do Karthi, I can't see her like this but can't take her with us now. How will I make her understand? We have to proceed carefully otherwise everything will be ruined"

"She understands Arjun, she is scared to face reality. Her mom is nightmare. Can't even imagine how she survived all these years" 

"For some reason her mom trusts me, never opposed when ever I take Neha with me. I helped her escape sometimes because of that but couldn't help her always" he said sadly 

"What about her dad?" I asked. I haven't heard about him from Sweety at all

"He is never been there for her. Can you believe I haven't seen him at all. He performs surgeries all over the world, participates actively in medical campaigns for orphaned and underprivileged kids in undeveloped countries orphaning his only daughter. I don't know what's his problem. Neha never spoke about him. Sometimes she just mentions she misses him"

My eyes welled up hearing

"Arjun, please don't leave her under any circumstances. She will die"Karthi begged 

I nodded not able to get words out

It's been more than 20 minutes. Still no sign of Sweety 

"Karthi, can you please call her mom and ask if Sweety could stay with you tonight" 

He immediately took the phone and dialed 

Karthi :hello aunty

...........

Karthi : it was wonderful aunty. Mom and dad were happy to have Neha. Thank you for sending her

.............

 Karthi : we just landed. Where are you aunty

........

 Karthi : ok. Can you do me a favor aunty, after landing I got call from office, there is some issue. I need Neha's help 

..........

Karthi : Thank you so much aunty. 

"She agreed" he said smiling 

Sweety came after sometime.

"I called your mom and told there is some issue in the company, I need your help. She agreed for you to stay with me" Karthi said 

"Really" Jo asked excitedly looking at me. I nodded 

"Thank you Karthik" Jo hugged him

"Any time for my baby sister"

"Both of go home" he said 

"Aren't you coming with us?" I asked 

"I will stay in hotel, you are newly married couple....Hmm..."

"Karthik, please come, I feel better" Sweety said holding his hand

He looked at me. I nodded 

Three of us went home. We went to Indian restaurant and had dinner after getting fresh up. Sweety seemed lost somewhere.

"Arjun, you sleep with Karthik. I'm going to bed" 

What?

"No way Neha, I'm not gay. Are you gay Arjun? Is that the reason my sister is throwing you out on third night itself" he teased

"No way, my hubby is straight" she said hugging me

"Neha, it's been so long, let's go play tennis, please don't say no" karthik asked 

What's happening. Everything seems odd

We changed into active wear and went to tennis court. 

Karthi and Sweety played first. She is extremely good, this could have been her career. Karthik is good but no match for her. He lost in straight 2 sets

"Play with Arjun" he said 

"Let her rest for sometime" i said. She is sweating 

Karthi looked at me as if warning and said 

"Are you scared of getting defeated by your wife"

I understood he wants me to play with her. I'm good but definitely not match for her

"Please try harder, don't give her easy win" Karthi whispered in my ears 

I don't know the reason but decided to try hard. From watching her game, I see she is too good with backhand than forehand. She won first set and I won second from tiebreaker. It's due to her exhaustion.

I looked at Karthi, he signed to continue playing. Third set I was leading, when she said "I want to sleep"

She sat on the bench after drinking water and slept immediately. I carried her to car made her lay in the back seat with her head in my lap.

I don't know what's happening. But I'm scared. Karthi is focused on driving silently. I placed her on bed, removed her shoe and covered her in blanket and came to living room. Karthi is sitting in sofa looking exhausted 

"Neha is on antidepressants. She attempted suicide twice"