"Thikshitha!" A voice way too familiar shouts, and instantly we both freeze in realization. Uncle didn't even inform he would arrive here this soon. The plan was for two weeks, ain't it? Well, contemplating all the various dangerous things that took place the past day, I can comprehend why uncle decided to make his presence here today. But wait--how did he enter,? We had the door closed!!

Damn it, he has a spare key.

Splendid.

Hurriedly pulling away from the kiss, Thikki and I divert our gaze to the entrance of the main door belonging to the living room where uncle is standing, dressed up in formal attire, a skyblue button-up shirt, and white pants. His face is crammed with resentment, and his line of sight is focused only on Thikki. He even has his fingers balled up in a fist. What would happen now? Will he beat me up?

Uncle is a fit man. Even though he is in his 50s, he has a good-looking aged face with white hair and is an unbelievably muscled monster.

I'm dead.

Beside me, I can feel Thikki tensing up. And the way uncle approached her didn't help her condition any further. Once he reaches in front of her, he didn't even hesitate a bit before slapping Thikki right across her cheeks. She already has an injury there!

"Uncle" my tone, to my shock, comes out in a low octave.

He loans me a cold gaze, prompting me to gulp in fear. On the other hand, Thikki's tears have initiated to spill down as she rests her palm over her left cheek where uncle has slapped her.

I felt a sting in my chest beholding her in tears. "Since how many days has this been going on?" Uncle questions Thikki, completely ignoring me.

She doesn't respond to him.

"Uncle..." I attempt to call him once again and this time, he grants me a more serious look. "Be quiet." He orders sternly and again proceeds to hurl cutlasses at Thikki with his eyes.

"I did not expect my daughter to do something like this." The disappointment in his voice is definite. "I don't understand Thikshitha...he is too young for you. Haven't you once thought about your future before getting yourself involved in this kind of relationship? I thought my daughter was finally able to seek out her life for herself. But you proved me wrong." Thikki lifts her head and stares at her dad, confidently.

"I have thought about it, dad. I know what I want. I love Vicky." Uncle glances at me, from bottom to top, and lingers his regard in my eyes for seconds that are more than necessary. All the while, I showcased my best innocent expression as he retains on surveying me.

"You love him? This kid?" Uncle stuck his forefinger in my chest as he enquires Thikki. His unsure gaze is still racing over my face. "I'm nineteen..." I murmur quietly.

"Just nineteen and you don't have a job! Plus you can't even handle your financial needs yourself then how will you look after my daughter? Well, forget it, she had already begun to earn for herself. But then again! you are still immature. That's the sheer point why I can't accept you. Believe me, Vicky, your age isn't my biggest concern but your personality is. I know you too well than you could ever know. Which is why I can't approve this."

I don't have a clue what to reply to him. In a way, he is right...

"Look, dad, I can take care of Vicky. I earn an adequate salary to fulfill his and mine financial requirements."

I don't want to be a burden on Thikki.

"No Thikshitha. Why can't you understand what I'm trying to tell you? He isn't ready for relationships. Especially with you." Uncle states firmly.

"But I love him, dad." Thikki retorts desperately.

"I love her too," I say loudly but my confidence evaporates into thin air when uncle throws me a frosty glance. Uncle is scaring the shit out of me, honestly!

He stands silently for a minute, then two, then three, then four, and his lips part as he utters, "Then there's only one way..." uncle trails off and switches his stare between me and Thikki.

"You both should reside far away until Vicky finishes his studies and packs a job for himself. During that period, you should not contact each other nor should attempt to meet up by sneaking around"

My mouth ever so slightly divides at uncle's rules...that's not possible!

"Uncle I love Thikki...I can't sta--" Uncle provides me another hard glare.

"Why not Vicky? I'm not standing against your love. I'm just asking both of you to live separately."

"Why should we...?" Thikki trails off.

"Cause firstly, I don't wish to walk in on something like that again..." Uncle grunts and seats himself on the couch.

"Besides, If your love is true *mockery cough* you will be together in the end. *Another mockery cough* I mean, only after Vicky gets a job."

Is this his trick to break us? Being away from Thikki for so long without even being able to contact her...that's weird. What If she loses her interest in me? Even If she doesn't, I'm not certain about me. I mean, that's too long for god sake! Dual years for me to complete my studies and another year or two might be spent in my quest for a good job.

Almost four years without seeing or talking to Thikki!! What If my feelings for her fade away? In such an extremely extended period, many things would alter, I can't decide anything now...

"I agree" Thikki nods to uncle, determination evident in her voice. Both of their attention then fell on me. I'm still having a battle with myself!

"Having second thoughts Vicky? If you wish so, It's not too late to cut your relationship, " Uncle cajoles me, with a shrug of his shoulder.

I meet Thikki's eyes at his words and every single prior thought of mine extinguishes.

She is my Thikki!

"No uncle, I agree wholeheartedly" I slightly nod, and uncle gets up from the couch with a sigh.

"Then...it is what it is. Well, Thikshitha, pack your things. I will have a job assigned for you in one of my company branches in Bangalore. You can depart the next day morning. And Vicky, after completing your college studies, try to grab a job as quickly as possible...Thikshitha will be soon twenty-seven. I hope you understand?"

"Understood uncle" I nod my head busily. Thikki will be in her 30s after four years. I don't really care. But other people will. If I'm not wrong, people have already started bombing her with questions about her not getting married. I wouldn't want to make it worse...I will try my best to settle down as earlier as I can.

"Good. Now you go upstairs." Sparing a glance at Thikki who was looking directly at me with the same emotion as mine, that is, yearning, I started to my room. I wanted to hug her so badly but I can't...

"Sorry, ma. My anger got out of control. Are your cheeks hurting? I will apply oint...." Uncle's voice completely blocked out of my ear once I climb the top stairs.

Entering my room, I passed my time playing video games. I don't know why but suddenly I started to miss my parents. Those humans who I don't even remember much about are tormenting my thoughts...

It's frustrating!

A few minutes later, uncle called me down to have dinner and no meal I had ever had was this awkward. Thikki wasn't there. When I asked about her to uncle, he said she already had hers.

Done with dinner, I greeted uncle good night and went upstairs to my room, after staring longingly at Thikki's closed room door.

I miss her...

She must be packing now, she will be going too far away from me.... leaving me.

My eyes welled up but I restrained myself from crying.

That night was horrible. I couldn't sleep. Couldn't stay awake either. And I have no idea when I dozed off! However, when I woke up, It was eight already...Thikki wouldn't go without meeting me, right? Of course, she wouldn't!!

Apprehensively, I descended downstairs and was met with uncle who was sipping tea while working on his laptop.

Sensing my presence, he turned to me. "Good morning." My eyes were only on Thikki's shut off room. She wouldn't have gone...please no.

"Uncle, what exact time would Thikki leave for Bangalore?"

Please...she shouldn't have departed.

"6 am"

That was it. I bit the inner side of my lips to stop breaking down. She had gone...so far away.

Acknowledging the fact that I couldn't contain my tears, I swiveled around to rush to my room. But uncle stopped me. "Don't try contacting her. She has already changed her number"

And for the first time ever, I cried.

I felt utterly sad.

I went to my room and cried, cried, cried, cried, cried...

I really really love her. I recognized it now.

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

Very few chapters to go💗