The rain began suddenly that afternoon, covering the courtyard with a silver curtain.

Laxmi stood near the doorway while Arun and Tharun watched the rain with excitement.

"Amma, come and play with us," Arun said, pulling her hand.

"Yes, Amma, please," Tharun added, already stepping outside.

Laxmi shook her head and gently pulled them back.

"No, Arun. No, Tharun. You will both catch a cold if you stay outside in this rain. Come inside, my babies."

The children refused to listen.

"Please, Amma. Just for a little while."

Laxmi tried to remain strict, but the moment the rain touched her face, her resistance slowly disappeared.

She laughed when Arun splashed water toward her.

"All right, only for a few minutes."

The children cheered.

Soon all three of them were running around the courtyard, laughing and splashing through the rain. Laxmi forgot about the cold, the wet clothes, and all the work waiting inside. For those few moments, she felt like a child herself.

Then a voice thundered across the courtyard.

"LAXMI!"

She immediately stopped.

Raghunath stood at the entrance, his face dark with anger.

"What are you doing?"

Laxmi opened her mouth.

"Raghunath, the children wanted to-"

"You are a grown woman, Laxmi. Have you forgotten that?"

His voice became louder.

"Look at them. They are completely soaked. What will you do if they fall sick tonight?"

The children stood quietly.

"Arun, Tharun, come inside immediately."

The boys obeyed.

Raghunath looked back at Laxmi.

"And you. Do not stand there like a child. Come inside."

She lowered her eyes and followed them.

He helped the children dry themselves and change into warm clothes. Even though he was angry, he carefully dried their hair and made sure they were comfortable.

When he was finished, he looked at them seriously.

"From now on, you will not go into the rain without asking me or your mother first. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Appa," they answered together.

"And you," he said, looking toward Laxmi, "I should not have to explain this to you. You are responsible for them. If they become sick because you allowed them to stay outside, you will answer to me."

Laxmi remained silent.

"I am not saying you cannot enjoy yourself with them," he continued. "But there has to be some sense. You cannot forget everything simply because the children are excited."

She nodded quietly.

"I understand."

Later, after making sure the children were settled, Laxmi went to the bedroom to change into dry clothes.

She had just begun changing when Raghunath entered.

He noticed her wet saree and reached toward the loose end of it.

Laxmi suddenly stepped back.

Her heart raced.

The movement reminded her of another rainy day from years ago.

She had been a student then.

She and her friends had been playing in the rain after school. A few boys from their class had been with them, laughing and running through the water.

She had thought nothing of it.

But Raghunath had seen them.

He had taken her home, furious.

"What were you thinking?"

Laxmi had stood frightened in front of him.

"We were only playing."

"Playing?"

His voice had become harsher.

"Do you even realize how you looked standing there in those wet clothes?"

She had tried to explain herself.

He had interrupted her.

"I don't want to see you behaving carelessly around other men. Do you understand me?"

She had nodded quickly.

"And don't make me repeat myself, Laxmi. I will not tolerate it."

That warning had remained in her mind for years.

Now, standing in front of him again, she instinctively held her saree closer.

Raghunath noticed her expression.

His hand dropped.

"Laxmi?"

She didn't answer.

"You're remembering that day, aren't you?"

Her eyes became wet.

He was silent for a moment.

Then he stepped back and gave her space.

"I was angry then," he said quietly. "But I meant what I told you about being careful."

Laxmi looked at him.

"I was scared of you."

The words came out barely above a whisper.

Raghunath's expression changed.

He had expected many things from her, but not that.

Outside, the rain continued beating against the windows.

Inside, the two of them stood silently, surrounded by memories neither of them had ever tru

ly forgotten.

Guys please do comment and let me know how is the story 💕❤️💐