The Sound of Hatred, The Silence of Love – 5
Anvitha remembered the first time Aadhira had said the name "Advaith."
It was the day Aadhira's pregnancy became known in the family—after much chaos and tears, she had finally cried herself to sleep.
That day was one Anvitha could never forget. She had just finished her final year exam at the medical college in Madurai and had come to her hometown, Kumbakonam, excited to see her parents.
As she stepped into the house, Anvitha was surprised by the eerie silence inside.
Their home was always filled with chatter and laughter. She had never seen her parents so withdrawn, each isolated into a corner.
Her mother stood silently in the kitchen, weeping as she worked. Her father sat in the living room on the easy chair, eyes tightly shut—but tears still escaped through the closed lids.
Their house wasn't large, but it was well-built with every comfort. Her father, Venugopal, was a government employee, and her mother a housewife. The two had built this home with love and care.
Looking at both her parents with concern, Anvitha stepped inside, confused.
"What happened? What's wrong?" she asked, walking into the kitchen and placing her hand on her mother's shoulder. Holding her mother's face in her hands, she asked softly,
"Why are you crying like this, Ma? Dad's sitting in the hall crying too. He didn't even notice that I arrived. What's going on, Ma? Is someone unwell?" she asked, deeply worried.
Her mother remained silent.
"Whatever the issue is, please tell me, Ma. Both your daughters are doctors now. So why should you worry?" she said comfortingly.
At those words, her mother, Sakunthala, burst into loud sobs, covering her mouth with the end of her saree.
With no answers from her mother, Anvitha went to her father, Venugopal. Sitting at his feet, she asked anxiously,
"Appa, what happened? Why is Ma crying like that? Why are you so down? I don't understand anything... Is someone sick? Tell me. Let's go to the hospital immediately if we have to."
Venugopal opened his eyes and looked at his younger daughter. Without a word, he silently nodded toward Aadhira's room.
"Oh! So Akka has returned from college too? She said she'd travel with friends for a week after the exams. She came back early?" she asked excitedly as she got up and walked toward the room.
That room belonged to both Aadhira and Anvitha. The sisters were twins—identical in appearance to such a degree that even their parents struggled to tell them apart at times.
After completing high school, both had decided to pursue medicine. But in the NEET counseling, Aadhira got a seat in Chennai and Anvitha in Madurai. It was the first time they had ever been separated for studies. All through school, they had been inseparable.
Yet, for the sake of their medical dreams, they had parted ways.
Every vacation, they would return home and have a blast together. No one could come between their bond.
Though apart physically, they remained emotionally close, constantly sharing college life updates over the phone.
The last time she had spoken to Aadhira, her sister had said she'd return after a week-long trip with her friends post-exams.
Anvitha didn't expect her to come back this soon.
"Hey Aadhira! Why did you come back without telling me?" she called out joyfully as she opened the door—only to be shocked by the sight before her.
Aadhira was lying on the bed, crying uncontrollably, trembling from the sobs.
Anvitha was completely confused. Everyone in the house was crying—what on earth had happened?
She shut the door behind her and walked to her sister, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Who is it?" Aadhira looked up, and upon seeing her sister, broke down completely, pulling her close and wailing, "Ohh!"
Anvitha had no idea what to do. She hugged her sister and tried to calm her down.
"What happened, Aadhira? What's going on in this house? Everyone is crying like crazy. Please tell me, Aadhira! What happened?"
Startled by her sister's questioning, Aadhira couldn't bring herself to speak and just cried harder.
Now Anvitha felt a surge of anger and frustration.
She pushed her sister aside, stood up, and sternly asked,
"Are you going to tell me or not? If everyone in the house is crying like this, how do you expect me to—"
Anvitha asked gently, "Just tell me the truth, Aadhira… what's going on?" She was terrified that someone in the family might be suffering from a serious illness.
Just then, the bedroom door burst open and her mother walked in. Looking at Anvitha, she exclaimed,
"How would she say it? She's become such a grown-up now, hasn't she? Pregnant even before marriage!"
With that, she abruptly turned and left the room crying.
"How will I face our relatives now? What will I even say to them? How will I look anyone in the eye?" Sakunthala muttered as she walked away, sobbing.
Anvitha stood stunned at her mother's words. What? Her sister is pregnant? She couldn't believe it.
She grabbed Aadhira's shoulder and shook her.
"For whom, Aadhira? Tell me who it is! All this time we've been talking on the phone—you didn't say a single word about this!
Did you fall in love with someone? Or… or did someone… did someone take advantage of you?" she asked hesitantly and fearfully.
But Aadhira said nothing—she just kept crying.
After that, Anvitha didn't press her anymore. No matter how much she asked, Aadhira refused to reveal who the father was.
After a long time, once Aadhira had cried herself out, she called Anvitha to her side.
Stretching her hands out, she said, "Anvitha…"
Without hesitation, Anvitha ran to her and held her hands.
"What is it, Aadhira? Just tell me. Whatever it is, speak from your heart," she said softly.
"I just want you to do me one favor, Anvitha," Aadhira said.
"Tell me, Aadhira… what should I do? Do you want me to confront the guy who cheated you? I'll talk to him—I'll tear him apart with my words," she said, burning with anger.
But Aadhira shook her head.
"When the baby is born… I want to name it myself. Just that," she said.
Anvitha looked at her in confusion.
Aadhira then took Anvitha's hands and placed them gently on her stomach.
"If it's a girl, I want her to be named Adhvaitaa. If it's a boy, Adhvaith. Okay? Will you do just this one thing for me, Anvitha?" she asked, her voice trembling.
At that moment, Anvitha thought the best thing she could do was comfort her sister.
"Don't worry about anything, Aadhira. Just like you said, we'll all name the baby together," she reassured her.
"But isn't it unfair to the child? Shouldn't it at least have a father? Shouldn't we know who he is—for the child's sake?" she pleaded, trying again to get the truth out.
But Aadhira didn't open her mouth—not a single word.
Now, as Anvitha sat lost in these old memories, tears silently streamed from her eyes.