Chapter 34: The one where she caught him
Next day morning Madhavi said to the neighbours about result of her kids.
"My daughter Kruthika is standing third place in her college. She has scored 91.5 percentage and Karthik has scored 91 percentage and came first in his college", proudly said Madhavi to the ladies of her neighborhood.
"That's very good. When are you giving us sweets Madhavi", asked one woman Suman who's the head of woman committee in thier locality.
"Yeah we need it in kg's. One or two sweets is not satisfactory though", said the woman beside her Malati.
"Sure I'll give you sweets tomorrow", said Madhavi and left them.
"Look how proud she is about her kids. They haven't scored more than 95 percentage, just 91 percentage both of them. What's a big deal in it?", said Suman after Madhavi's leave. Malati nodded to her.
"Oh. Say me how much did your children score Suman?", asked Hema, "You don't like Madhavi it's fine. But please don't have same feelings for her children. They have studied hard for the exams. And Karthik, he's such a gem of person and Kruthika is also a good girl. Unlike your kids they are not spending money for makeup and bikes. Both of them help their parents."
Hema is around sixty years old woman with grey hairs and black eyes who's bit fat, she's one of the most respected person in the locality. Initially she worked as headmistress for school where Karthik and Kruthika learnt.
Suman who didn't notice Hema being around hung her head in shame and jealousy.
Hema then went to Madhavi's home to congratulate Kruthika and Karthik, they both studied in the same school when she was the headmistress.
"Madhavi", called Hema as she entered their home.
"Come in Ma'am. Mom is in kitchen", said Kruthika as she welcomed her. Kruthika and Karthik were just reading the newspaper, where they found that both of their names came in newspaper. Karthik folded the paper and kept it on the table.
Madhavi came from the kitchen as she heard Hema's voice. Hema was sitting on the sofa in drawing room dressed in white floral cotton saree.
"Good morning Hema aunty. Kruthika just make some tea for Ma'am", asked Madhavi as she sat down on the armchair beside sofa.
"No. That's not necessary. I just came here to congratulate my students
for thier result. Karthik and Kruthika both come here and sit by my side", said Hema, they both came and sat by her side.
"You have scored very well in the exam. So Kruthika say me what do you want to do?", asked Hema.
"I want to be an Aeronautical engineer and I want to join ISRO, Indian space research organisation", said Kruthika.
"But you have to work very hard for it you know that", asked Hema.
"Yeah Ma'am I will work hard for it", said Kruthika.
"Okay that's very good. You haven't changed a bit also. Karthik what do you want to do?", asked Hema.
"I want to be a soldier", said Karthik.
"You both haven't changed since your childhood. I wish you both all the luck from my side to achieve your dreams and have a happy life ahead", said Hema with a smile on her face.
"Thank you Ma'am", said Kruthika and Karthik together.
"So when are you giving me the sweets then?", Hema asked.
"Evening Ma'am. We will come to your home and give it", said Kruthika.
"Okay dear", said Hema.
"What's Sudhir doing Ma'am? Did he complete his education?", asked Madhavi.
"Yeah. Now he got job in Chennai, we asked him to find a job or to get transferred in Bangalore. It's much closer than Chennai. He said he'll try", Hema said. Sudhir was Hema's only child, he finished he's master's in civil engineering in abroad.
"Yeah. Chennai is much farer and it has more humidity. It's difficult to get adjusted for that climate. Bangalore's climate is very nice. Best thing about Bangalore is it rains even in summer", said Madhavi.
"Yeah. Okay then I'll take a leave. I'm having so much work at home I just came here to congratulate them", said Hema.
"Okay. Please do keep visiting", said Madhavi.
"It's your turn to visit us. Karthik, Kruthika bye", said Hema and took leave from them.
"Mom, even I've to give sweets to my college. Yesterday Vedant sir asked me", said Kruthika after Hema's leave.
"Okay. You both go to shop and bring sweets", said Madhavi as she gave them money.
Karthik and Kruthika both went to the sweet shop and bought two kilograms of sweet. They went to their college gave sweets for their lecturers. Everyone congratulated them.
In evening they gave the sweets in their locality to their neighbours and friends. Kruthika's tension was not completely over, she still has her CET(common entrance test) results in next fifteen days.
CET is an examination according to which the students are alloted colleges based on their results. Student may opt for bachelor's in engineering, pharmacy, horticulture or agriculture based on this result.
While Karthik was having his own plans which he never disclosed to anyone. He had not changed from his childhood. He never shared his stories with anyone by himself unless he was asked to do so.
He never talks much with anyone except Kruthika, she was the one who always understood him despite of their silly fights as siblings. She always caught him when he lied but never asked the reason for lying in public but asked it privately. Because she knew very well her brother that must be a reason behind his lie.
Later in evening, Karthik was standing on terrace enjoying the sunset with a disturbed mind.
"Why did you lie?", came a voice behind him.
"It's none of your business", said Karthik without turning back, he knew who asked the question.
"It is. You didn't want to be a soldier..", said Kruthika as she stood beside him and looked into his face, "Oh look at you! Why are so disturbed?"
"Didn't I say you. It's none of your business", said Karthik smirked.
"I'm your sister. I'm much worried about you as much as our parents are. The only difference is they might not notice your words in your silence but I do. You lied about being a soldier. I know it since childhood but stopped myself to ask you. What do you want to be? It's time to take a right step", Kruthika said as held his hand.
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