THE VILLAIN

ARJUN |REDDY

The flight landed in Hyderabad airport. My cousin Varun and I came out of the airport 15 minutes later. We were coming back to our home after completing our masters in business from NYU stern school of business,New York. Our friend Robert was waiting for us outside of the airport as there is no one in my home could come and receive us.

My Father Vishvam Reddy was a famous businessman across India. Each seconds are important for him. He never waste a second for anything which doesn’t give him money. My mother Abhirami never stepped out of our house as she was scared of my Dad’s angriness. My sister Anjali was a final year journalism student.

Robert threw himself on us. We hugged him back. “Welcome back,buddies.”

“Thank you. ”

“Did mamayya sent them with you?” Varun asked pointing to the two body guards.

“Yes. Let’s go..I have another plan,too.”

We got in to our car. The body guards put our luggage in the trunk. I was exhausted. I just wanted to sleep.

————-

“Arjun..” Varun shook my shoulder.

When did I sleep?

“We are home.” Varun said. We got out of the car.

“Guys,I have to go now.” Robert said.

“Have lunch with us,dude.” I said.

“Next time. I have to take mumma hospital. Sorry,guys.” He apologized.

” okay,buddy..” Varun and I hugged him.

Amma was waiting for us on the door with arti plate. She did our arti.

“Where is Nanna?” I asked.

“As usual in his office.” Amma replied.

“Where is anju,amma?” Varun asked hugging amma.

“She went to college. It’s her final year so I told her to not skip her classes.” Amma hugged Varun back.

Varun was my paternal aunt’s son. His mother died when he was four. After his mother’s death my parents took care of him. My mother never did any differentiation between I and Varun. Varun even calls my mother amma.

“I am hungry..” Varun cried.

“You are always hungry.” I poked on his head.

“Go and freshen up first.” Amma said.

I went to my room. I wasn’t in a mood to take a shower. I lay down on the bed. Soon I drfited to sleep.

—————-

“Arjun..Arjun…” I heard amma’s voice. I opened my eyes to see her standing with food tray. I sat on the bed.

“Varun had his lunch and you weren’t coming downstairs. So I thought to take it here.” Amma put the food tray on the table.

“Did Nanna come?”

“Yes. He is in his study.”

I want to talk to him before he leaves home.

I took a shower and wore sweatpants and a T-shirt. I had the food amma brought for me. I went to Nanna’s study room. Thank God! He was there. I opened the door and popped my head inside.

“May I come in,Nanna?”

“Oh,Arjun. Come.”

“I want to talk to you.”

“Sit.”

“I..I want to join our business.” As I said he looked at me in disbelief. Then said,

“This is the good decision you ever made.” He said in a business tune.

“Mamayya..” Varun entered Nanna’s study. Nanna smiled seeing him. Nanna was always sweet to varun.

“Ela unnav,Varun?” Nanna and Varun hugged.

He never hugs me. He never asks how am I doing.

“Bagunnanu,mamayya.”

I left the room when they started talking. I was a stranger when they talk to each other.

“Hey,Anna.. When did you come?” My sister Anjali just entered to the house after her college.

“We came at lunch time.”

“Where is Varun Anna?”

“He is with Nanna. I have something for you.come.” I said walking to my room. She threw her college bag on the sofa and came after me.

“What did you bring for me,Anna?”

I took a small box from my bag and placed it on Anjali’s hand. She opened it and hugged me. It was her favourite watch.

“Thank you so much ,Anna.. I love you.” She kissed on my cheek and ran to her room.

Varun and I pamper her a lot. She was quite good in her studies,too. Nanna wanted her to get married when she completed her school. But Varun had convinced him to let her do graduation. Nanna doesn’t like girls studying. He says girls are mean to take care of home not to work in companies.

“Arjun,mamayya told us to join the new company tomorrow.” Varun said entering to my room.

“Anjali asked you.” I said.

“She came?”

“Yeah.”

“Let me meet her.” He shouted while hurrying to Anjali’s room. I lay on the bed dreaming of tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be a new day in my life.I will make Nanna proud. I will work hard to earn his love and affection.

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Glossary

Nanna- father

Mamayya -maternal uncle

Anna – elder brother

Ela unnav? – how are you?

Bagunnanu- good

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter..