Family of Shaows

[sexonmind]

Chapter 9: Family Tides

In the bustling port town of Kakinada, the gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore provided a serene backdrop to the solemn occasion. Venu, Aruna’s younger brother, was hosting a one-year remembrance ceremony for their late father at his modest yet spacious home. The house, adorned with traditional rangoli and garlands, buzzed with activity as family members gathered to pay their respects.

Venu, 35, a hardworking and amiable man, was in his element as he ensured everything was in place. His wife, Rachana, a kind-hearted woman with a warm smile, was busy managing the kitchen, directing the cooks, and ensuring everyone felt comfortable. Their daughters, Kavya, 8, and Harini, 4, played quietly in a corner, aware of the somber mood.

Aruna’s younger sister, Vani, 38, had arrived earlier with her husband, Bhaskar, a reserved but good-natured man in his early forties. Their children, 14-year-old Aditi and 10-year-old Abhinav, were well-behaved and mature beyond their years, offering their assistance wherever needed.

The ceremony went as smoothly as planned. The house was filled with the hum of conversations and the aroma of freshly prepared food. Relatives moved from room to room, sharing stories, offering prayers, and remembering Narendra fondly.

In the corner of the living room, Aruna stood with her maternal uncle, Sundar Rao. Their voices were hushed, their demeanor cautious as they ensured no one overheard them.

“How is your daughter, Uncle?” Aruna asked, offering a polite smile.

“She’s doing well,” Sundar Rao replied, his tone neutral. “She got into medical college. A lot of work ahead, but I’m proud of her.”

“That’s good to hear,” Aruna said, though her tone lacked genuine enthusiasm. She paused, her expression hardening as she leaned in slightly. “Uncle, I’ve been meaning to ask—why haven’t we made any progress? It’s been a year now.”

Sundar Rao glanced around before responding. “Why are you still staying with Sunandha? Shouldn’t you have made your move by now?”

Aruna exhaled sharply. “One of my plans failed,” she admitted, her frustration evident. “She’s more resilient than I thought. I need more time to come up with something new. If I leave now, it’ll look suspicious. Staying there gives me access to information.”

Sundar Rao nodded, but his expression remained wary. “You should tread carefully, Aruna. One misstep, and everything we’ve worked for could crumble.”

“Maybe it’s time we tell Venu and Vani about Dad’s will,” Aruna suggested, her voice firm. “They deserve to know. It could turn them against Sunandha and strengthen our position.” " No, Aruna this is not the right time " Said Sundar Rao.

Sundar Rao placed a hand on her lower hip, his touch subtle yet deliberate. Aruna stiffened slightly but maintained her composure, her expression unreadable. “Patience, Aruna,” he said softly, his voice carrying an intimate undertone. “One wrong move, and it’s all over. Trust me, I’ve handled more delicate situations before.”

She met his gaze, her eyes flickering with both defiance and intrigue. “I’ll wait for now, Uncle,” she replied, her voice low. “But don’t expect me to sit idle forever. When the time comes, I’ll act—with or without your support.”

Sundar Rao smirked, his hand lingering briefly. “That’s the fire I admire in you, Aruna. Just don’t let it consume you.”

Before she could walk away, he leaned in slightly and said casually, “We should talk more later—tonight, in private. There’s much we need to discuss.”

Aruna arched an eyebrow, her lips curling into a faint, knowing smile. “We’ll see, Uncle,” she said, her tone measured, her polite smile concealing the tension beneath. Sundar Rao leanedin even closer , his thoughts a swirl of ambition and the complex history they shared.

"Your pussy must be aching for a good fuck, darling," Sundar Rao murmured, his voice dripping with a mix of lust and authority. Aruna felt a shiver run down her spine, but she kept her smile firmly in place, her eyes locked on his. "It's been a year since anyone's had the pleasure of tasting that sweet nectar, isn't it?" He licked his lips, his gaze traveling down to her curvy figure, his eyes lingering on the swell of her breasts and the hint of her ample cleavage peeking through the neckline of her blouse. She could see his cock twitch in his pants, straining against the fabric as he imagined what lay beneath her sari.

"Don't worry about that, Uncle," she replied, her voice a seductive purr. "I assure you, it's been more than satisfied." Aruna's smile grew a bit wider, her teeth gently grazing her bottom lip. She knew he was baiting her, trying to gauge her willingness to indulge in the illicit desires that hung heavy in the air between them. But she wasn't going to make it easy for him. She enjoyed the power she held over him, the way his eyes darkened and his breath hitched every time she spoke of her sexual exploits without mentioning the specifics.

In the evening, after the ceremony, the family gathered at the dining table. The exhaustion of the day hung in the air, but the atmosphere was warm as they shared a simple meal.

Venu looked across the table at Aruna, his voice steady but gentle. “Akka, you’ve been away long enough. Come back home. You know you won’t be a burden to us.”

Bhaskar, sipping his water, nodded in agreement. “Venu’s right. You’ve done more than enough to take care of yourself. It’s time you let us take care of you.”

Vani, seated next to Bhaskar, glanced up from her phone briefly and nodded, but her attention quickly returned to the screen. Aruna noticed her indifference but chose to remain silent for the moment.

Instead, she leaned back in her chair, her tone sharp and decisive. “I’m not crazy, Venu. Do you think I enjoy staying with people I despise and being away from the ones I love?”

The room grew tense. Venu opened his mouth to respond, but Aruna continued, her voice firm. “I’m staying there because Sunandha needs to feel the consequences of what she did to our family. She has to suffer, and I will make sure of it.”

Rachana, seated next to Venu, shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Her expression betrayed her unease, but she remained silent, her eyes darting between the siblings.

Bhaskar glanced at Vani, who was still engrossed in her phone, then turned to Aruna. “Akka, I understand how you feel, but holding on to this anger... is it worth it? You deserve peace too.”

Aruna’s gaze softened slightly, but her resolve remained unshaken. “Peace will come, Bhaskar, but only when I’ve ensured justice for what was taken from us.”

The table fell silent. Each of them was lost in their own thoughts, the bonds of family stretched taut by shared grief, anger, and unspoken truths. Rachana reached for Venu’s hand under the table, squeezing it gently, while Vani remained detached, her attention still firmly fixed on her phone.

Aruna, however, was resolute. She had made her choice, and no amount of persuasion could shift her from the path she had set for herself.

The tension at the dining table gradually eased as the conversation shifted to the next day’s schedule. Bhaskar glanced at his watch and sighed. “Unfortunately, I’ll have to leave early tomorrow morning. My leaves are already over, and I can’t stretch them any further.”

Vani looked at him with mild disapproval. “You’re always in such a hurry. At least stay back and spend some time with us.”

Bhaskar gave her a faint smile. “You know how things are at work, Vani. I’ve already pushed it too far. But you and the kids should stay and enjoy yourselves for a couple more days.”

Vani nodded, looking at her son and daughter, who were sitting quietly at the end of the table. “We will. They’ve been asking about the beach ever since we came here. I promised them we’d visit before heading back.”

Venu chimed in, his tone encouraging. “Good. The beach isn’t too far, and it’ll be a nice way to relax after everything. Let me know if you need anything arranged.”

Rachana added, “I’ll pack some snacks for the kids. They’ll enjoy the trip more if they have something to munch on.”

Aruna, who had been listening silently, finally spoke, her voice measured. “It’s a good idea to take a break. The kids deserve some fun. Let them enjoy the beach.”

Rachana smiled politely but couldn’t hide her lingering discomfort from earlier. “It’s settled then. Vani, you’ll stay for two more days, and Bhaskar will leave tomorrow.”

The group exchanged a few more pleasantries about the logistics, and then the conversation drifted to lighter topics. Despite the earlier tension, the family seemed to find a brief moment of harmony as they discussed the children’s excitement about visiting the beach.

Aruna, however, remained quiet, her mind elsewhere. While her siblings and their families planned for the next couple of days, she couldn’t shake the weight of her unresolved plans and the lingering conflicts that bound them all together.

That night, after putting their daughters to bed, Rachana hesitated before sitting down beside Venu on the edge of their bed. The dim light of the bedside lamp softened her features, but her expression was serious.

“Venu,” she began, her voice quiet but firm, “I’ve been thinking about something... about Vadina.”

Venu looked up from his phone, his brow furrowed. “What about her?”

“She’s wasting her life on this idea of revenge against Sunandha. Don’t you think it’s time someone talked to her about moving on? About... getting settled again?”

Venu sighed, leaning back against the headboard. “Rachana, you know Aruna. She’s not the kind of person who listens to anyone. She’s stubborn, always has been.”

Rachana pressed on, her tone growing more urgent. “I understand that. But she’s 40 now, Venu. I know it’s not easy to find a match at her age, but she’s still beautiful, healthy, and capable of starting over. She deserves a new chance at life, away from all this bitterness.”

Venu shook his head, frustration evident in his voice. “You think I haven’t tried? I’ve talked to her countless times. She brushes it off every single time. Aruna’s mind is set on making Sunandha pay for whatever she thinks she did to our family. Until she lets go of that grudge, she won’t move forward.”

Rachana sighed deeply, her eyes glistening with concern. “I just feel bad for her. She’s wasting her best years consumed by anger. And what’s worse, this revenge she’s chasing—it’s not bringing her any peace. It’s only isolating her from everyone who loves her.”

Venu nodded, his expression softening. “I know. Believe me, I know. But you’ve seen how she is. She’s convinced this is what she needs to do.”

Rachana hesitated, then placed a hand on his arm. “Maybe it’s time to try a different approach. Not as her brother, but as someone who genuinely wants to see her happy. Maybe she needs to hear that from someone who doesn’t criticize her choices but offers her hope instead.”

Venu looked at her thoughtfully, considering her words. “You might be right,” he admitted after a long pause. “I’ll think about how to approach her. But don’t get your hopes up. Aruna doesn’t let go of things easily.”

Rachana smiled faintly, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. “That’s all I ask, Venu. Just try.”

As the night deepened, they both fell into silence, the weight of their concerns lingering in the quiet room.

As the conversation shifted, Venu leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Rachana, there’s something else I’ve been meaning to talk to her about. I want to bring up selling Dad’s property. If I could convince her to give me her share, it would be a huge help for our business.”

Rachana nodded, her expression turning thoughtful. “You’re right, Venu. It would really make a difference for us, especially with the expansion plans you’ve been talking about. But... even if she agrees, you know selling a property like that takes time.”

Venu sighed, his frustration visible. “I know, but I don’t see another way out of this financial strain. The market’s down, and our cash flow is tight.”

Rachana hesitated, then spoke softly, “Listen, Venu, I’ve been thinking... maybe you should consider taking a loan from my father. He’s always willing to help, and it could buy us some time until the property is sold.”

Her suggestion hit a nerve. Venu straightened up, his voice tinged with irritation. “How many times do I have to tell you, Rachana? I don’t want to take anything from your family. I’ve already told you this.”

Rachana looked startled but quickly composed herself. “I’m not saying we rely on them forever. It’s just a temporary solution, Venu. You know how generous my father is, and he wouldn’t think twice about helping us.”

Venu shook his head firmly, his voice steady but firm. “That’s exactly the problem. I don’t want him thinking he’s doing me a favor or that I can’t handle my own responsibilities. This is my family’s business, and I’ll manage it on my own terms.”

Rachana sighed, disappointment flickering in her eyes. “I understand your pride, Venu, but sometimes we have to set that aside for the sake of our family. Think about our daughters. They deserve stability, and if this can provide that...”

Venu cut her off, his tone softening slightly. “I know you mean well, Rachana. But this is my decision. I’ll find another way. I just need to convince Aruna first.”

Rachana nodded reluctantly, realizing the conversation was at an impasse. “Alright, Venu. But promise me you’ll consider every option carefully. For all of us.”

“I will,” he said, his voice quiet but resolute. “I always do.”

The tension lingered as they both prepared for bed, each lost in their own thoughts about the challenges ahead.

Continued in part 2