Chapter 192 - Will you let me be that person?

Adam stopped on his tracks and turned around facing her. But when he saw her terrified eyes… all his thoughts of brushing her question off and teasing her further flew off his mind. When he looked into her nervous eyes… he couldn't help but reach out to stroke her cheeks comfortingly.

He then looked straight into her eyes as he replied sincerely, "Because I do not like the role I am playing right now… It is not enough. I do not like being the person who drops you off to your house. I do not like being the person who asks permission to spend the weekend with Akil. I want to be that person who Akil and you come home to. I do not like being an outsider in your guy's life… I don't like the feeling of watching you guys from afar. And most of all, I don't like being questioned who am I to you guys and not be able to say that I am your family… I want to be that one person closest to you and Akil. I want to be that person who can stand up for you and with you… Will you let me be that person?"

His eyes did not waver even for one second as he stared back into her watery eyes waiting for her reply.

He did not ask her before not because he was too arrogant to think that Preethi wouldn't refuse him. But mainly because he was scared and he could not even bear the thought of her refusing… so he did not even want to give her the choice in the first place.

But the thought that his overbearing declaration might have scared her… it left a sour after taste. He did not like it even more. So he swallowed his own fear and humbled himself as he gave her the choice. It almost felt like he was presenting her with his heart straight to her chopping board as he waited for her to decide whether to save him or break him.

He knew that even if she refused him now, he would always wait until she did agree. Even then, it was not a pleasant feeling waiting for someone to decide your fate.

Preethi, on the other hand, choked. Tears spilled down her cheeks on their own accord. Her heart was a mess. Something pressed at the base of her throat painfully preventing her from talking.

His words warmed the softest parts of her heart. His reason… they were not extravagant or overbearing. But it was so humble that it was almost impossible for her not to cry. And knowing that he meant every last word of it… it made her whole being into a chaotic mess. She couldn't be bothered to even breathe properly let alone comprehend a reply. So she just stared back at him with her teary eyes.

Seeing that Preethi was not answering, Adam extended his hands and wiped away her tears gently as he asked in a soft voice, "Can you let me be that person, Preethi? Can you trust me enough to let me be part of your family?" His voice was so soft that it felt precariously close to begging.

Preethi did not know what to say or think anymore. She just straight up plunged into his arms and wrapped her arms around him desperately almost toppling him over.

Adam steadied himself by leaning on the car at first. But then when he was firm on his two feet, his arms subconsciously wrapped around her waists holding her close. One of his hands rested behind her head protectively.

Preethi had no control over her tears whatsoever anymore. She did not even know why she was crying. All sorts of emotions poured out of her making her overwhelmed and breathless. Being in such a chaotic mess, all she could do was let the tears spill down her cheeks.

After what felt like absolute forever, Preethi pulled back and said one single word, "Yes…" She did not elaborate or attach anything to it. But to Adam, it was the one word that brought him an immense amount of joy.

Adam's face lite up like a Christmas tree as he bends down and picked her up off of her feet and swung around joyously laughing out loud.

Seeing him so giddy with joy, Preethi's lips also curved voluntarily.

Once inside the house, she went straight to Akil's room. Not surprisingly… he was actually still awake. It was usual on weekends. He was still very much immersed in his game.

Preethi went and pulled off his headphone.

"Hey, mom…" Akil exclaimed accusingly complaining without words for being interrupted.

"I am going to take off your phones if you are not going to stop doing that…" Preethi said sternly confiscating his phone.

Akil gave her his best puppy dog eyes but kept quiet.

Preethi securely kept the phones on the shelf and said, "Now, get to bed…" But her voice and face were significantly softer. So Akil listened to her obediently and got to bed.

Once tucking him in, Preethi did not leave but instead sat beside him. Her hands caressed on his face as she started talking gently, "baby… Your… your dad is back in the country. He came to meet me today…"

Preethi never really hid anything from him. That was how her parents have raised her. And that was how Charan and Preethi raised Akira and Akil. No matter how bitter the truth was, they told their kids honestly but also as softly as they could.

So, Akil might not know the details but he knew that the relationship between his mum and dad was not that great and that dad had left them. But from when he had matured, he never had any contact with Sridar personally. Whatever he knew was what Preethi told him.

He did not know his own father, so he did not have any attachment to this sentence. So, he remained quiet.

"Do you want to see him, baby? Do you want to meet him? I can take you to him!" Preethi said next.

Akil bit on his lips and thought about it for a second and quietly shook his head.

"You do not have to think about me, Akil. I am okay. If you want to see him, I will take you to him…" Preethi said fearing that Akil might be avoiding Sridhar for her sake. After all, in spite of everything else… Sridhar was still Akil's father. She would not be able to deny that fact ever.

"I do not want to see him, mom. He left us first…" Akil said decisively with just a slight tinch of sadness that made Preethi's heartache.

But she did not dwell on it. But instead, changed the subject and asked instead, "How much do you like Adam? Would you like it if we all became one family? Me, you and Adam?"

Akil's eyes widened in surprise at first but then his lips spread as he nodded enthusiastically.

Preethi smiled back and kissed on his cheeks and said, "Thank you, baby…"

"He asked me before itself…" Akil said beaming.

"What did he ask?" Preethi asked confused.

"The same. He asked me if it would be okay if we all became one family… and I said yes. And he also thanked me just like you did now." Akil said.

Preethi looked at Akil startled at first, but then knowing Adam… she felt this was not really that much of a surprise in the first place.

"He is good to me mom… and you…" Akil said smiling.

"I know baby. That is why I said 'yes'" Preethi replied tidying his blankets. "Now get some sleep. Good night!"

"Good night mom," Akil called out seeing Preethi exit his room.