🎭PUPPET MASTER-CHAPTER-12

Third pov :

At the grand Sudharshan Mansion, Ajay sat on the plush leather couch,  His fists clenched tightly, and his mind replayed the embarrassing failure of his plan to eliminate Rudhran. He had thought hiring those three goons would be enough to get the job done, but they had come back battered and bruised, having received a royal thrashing from Rudhran instead. In a fit of rage, Ajay had yelled at them and warned them to stay out of Chennai for a while, too furious to tolerate their incompetence.

Next to him, Reena perched on the armrest of the couch, her soft hands caressing his arm in an attempt to soothe him. Her eyes brimmed with concern, and her voice was honeyed as she whispered, "baby, don't worry about this. You'll handle it. You're smarter and stronger than Rudhran. I believe in you."

She hung onto his every word, always ready to support him, no matter how dark his plans were. She saw only the version of him she wanted to see—a man she believed was her perfect match.

But for Ajay, her devotion and her father's influence were tools he used to further his own ambitions. He leaned into her affection with a calculated charm, giving her just enough hope to keep her loyal.

Sudharshan observed the pair from a distance with a satisfied smile. He deeply admired Ajay's ambition and cunning, believing his nephew would one day rise to great power. It was Sudharshan's dream to see his daughter married to Ajay, and he truly believed Ajay reciprocated Reena's feelings.

Sudharshan walked over to where Ajay was seated, Placing a hand on Ajay's shoulder, he spoke "Don't worry, Ajay. One way or another, we'll make Rudhran pay. We'll stay low for now and strike when the time is right. Remember, you're greater than him, and that's why he's trying to bring you down."

Ajay nodded, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "Yes, Mama. Let him talk all he wants. I'll make him regret every word soon enough. He won't know what hit him."

Sudharshan's eyes flicked toward his daughter, Reena, a silent message passing between them. "Reena, take care of him, da."

Reena's lips curved into a knowing smirk. Sliding closer to Ajay, she gently took his hand in hers. "Don't worry, Dad. I'll make sure he forgets all about Rudhran's nonsense," she said, Her gaze lingered on Ajay with a mixture of devotion and obsession, her entire world revolving around him.

Suddenly, the front doors burst open, and Yamuna made her grand entrance, her presence commanding attention as always. she stood in the doorway with a dramatic flair.

"Ajay Khanna!" she called out, her sharp voice echoing through the room. "Why haven't you been coming home, da?  You're staying here, with your uncle and Reena, while I'm stuck in that house," she continued,"Those people irritate me, da! Why should you leave? You belong there—what's so great about staying here?" Her voice softened just slightly, her eyes searching his face for answers

Ajay's jaw clenched at her words, but he said nothing, his expression turning cold. He couldn't bring himself to set foot in their home ever since Rudhran and Coimbatore family arrived. Watching their happiness, their confidence—it all made his blood boil. He didn't want to face them, didn't want to give them the satisfaction of seeing him unsettled.

"I've been busy, Ma," Ajay replied curtly, though the truth was far simpler—he couldn't stand the thought of being anywhere near Rudhran's smug face.

Sudharshan chimed in, with an ulterior motive. "Ajay, you should go back. If you don't, Rudhran might think you're afraid of him. And we can't have that, can we?"

Ajay's eyes narrowed, his pride pricked. "Fine," his voice cold. "I'll go back. But not because of him. I'll go when I'm ready to make my presence known."

While Sudharshan and Yamuna continued talking in hushed tones, Ajay's mind churned with sinister intent. A sly smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as a new plan began to form. He glanced at Reena, who was standing nearby, her eyes filled with unwavering devotion. "She'll do anything for me,my puppet" he thought, the realization feeding his selfishness. He knew Reena was attractive, the kind of woman no man could resist, and he intended to use that to his advantage.

Without a word, Ajay grabbed Reena's wrist and led her to one of the mansion's side rooms. Reena followed without hesitation, her heartbeat quickening at his sudden dominance. Once inside, he shut the door with a deliberate click and turned to her.

Reena barely had time to react before Ajay pinned her against the wall, his hands caging her in. Her breath hitched, but instead of fear, a smirk played on her lips. She loved this side of him—the power, the control.

His lips hovered near her ear, his voice a seductive whisper for her. "Baby," he drawled, "You'll do anything I say, won't you?"

Reena's eyes glazed over, her obsession for him overriding every thought. "Of course, baby," she replied breathlessly, her voice almost hypnotized. "I'll do anything for you. I'd even jump off a cliff if you told me to."

Ajay chuckled darkly, his smirk widening as his plan solidified. "Good," he murmured, pulling back just enough to look into her eager, worshipful eyes. Reena didn't care what his plan was or what he wanted—she only cared about him. For her, being his was everything, even if it meant being led into darkness.

***

Aaradhya pov :

The kitchen looked like a mini warzone. I swear, it wasn't a battlefield—just Dhivya trying to cook for the first time. Today, we had decided on appam and kuruma for breakfast. Dhivya confidently assured us that she would handle the appam, while Priya akka and I took charge of the kuruma.

Appam is a soft, lacy rice pancake, more like dosa, fluffy in the middle and crispy on the edges. It's typically eaten with coconut milk or a spicy gravy like kuruma.

Kuruma (or korma) is a flavorful curry, usually made with vegetables with peas.

I adore Priya akka so much. She treats me like her own little sister, and I always feel so happy around her. We stood to the side, our eyes glued to Dhivya's appam fiasco, trying our best not to burst into laughter. There was batter on her forehead, a patch of it on her cheek, and quite a bit splattered on the counter. Three appams were already burnt to a crisp—black as charcoal.

Priya akka and I exchanged amused glances, and then it happened—Gomathi amma walked in. Gomathi Amma had asked me to call her "amma," and my heart melted when she did her expression froze as her eyes landed on the chaos that Dhivya had created.

"What are you doing, d?" she gasped. "I thought you'd learn to cook, but this simple appam is defeating you like this?"

Dhivya, whined like a little child. "Ammaaa, I am a great cook, okay? But this stupid aappa kadai is such a low-quality product! Next time, buy a better one, and I'll ace it!" she said, puffing her chest out and pretending to lift an imaginary collar like she was some kind of cooking champion.

I couldn't help but giggle, and Priya akka nudged me, suppressing her laughter. Amma rolled her eyes, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips as she muttered, "Aiyyo! Look at her blaming the kadai for burning the appams!" appam kadai: It's a curved pan used to make appam.

The scene got even more fun when Vishnu sir strolled into the kitchen, casually tossing an apple into the air and catching it. He took one look at Dhivya akka, the chaos around her, and smirked. "Amma, if we let her keep cooking, she'll burn the kitchen down, and we'll be on empty stomachs!"

The room erupted with laughter. Even I couldn't hold back, clutching Priya akka's hand as we bent over giggling. Dhivya  glared at her brother, hands on her hips. "Anna, shut up!" her voice full of mock outrage.

Vishnu sir just chuckled, clearly pleased with himself, while Amma shook her head with mock exasperation. "Next time, let her start with boiling water instead of appam," Amma teased, throwing Dhivya a sarcastic look.

After Priya akka and I finished making appams, I showed Dhivya how to handle the appam kadai. Though her earlier chaos was evident, she eventually got it right after a few tries.

The family gathered at the dining table, except Yamuna ma'am, who rarely joined meals.

Gomathi amma and I worked together to serve the food. As I moved around the table, I couldn't help but observe how everyone interacted. Rajendhran sir was listening intently to Sathyan sir and Ganga patti, who were deep in conversation about something.

Then Rudhran sir entered the room. He wore a casual shirt and pants, his hair slightly messy—a rare sight, unlike his usual neatly groomed self. He looked... different, yet somehow even more striking, he smiled at me before taking his seat near Vishnu sir, I felt my heart skip a beat. I tried to shake the feeling, but it lingered, like a soft hum in my chest.

As I approached to serve him, my hands felt a little unsteady, though I didn't know why. He looked up at me with a gentle smile, his eyes soft and warm in a way they weren't with anyone else. "Thank you, Aaradhya" his voice quiet but sincere. I nodded quickly, my cheeks heating up, and hurried to the next person. Why did he always have this effect on me?

"First attempt at making appams, and she almost set the house on fire," Vishnu sir joked, earning a round of laughter.

"Anna! You're so mean," Dhivya whined, "At least I tried! Aaradhya helped me, and see? The appams are fine now!"

Gomathi amma chuckled. "Fine? Half of them are burnt, and the other half are torn, Dhivya. Be glad Aaradhya saved the day!"

Even I couldn't help but laugh softly as Dhivya glared at them. But, as usual, Sathyan sir came to her defense. "Don't discourage her. Practice makes perfect, right, Dhivi ma?"

"Exactly dad!" Dhivya said, lifting her chin. Then she turned to Priya akka. "By the way, I need to go shopping today. There's a sale, and I have to check it out. Priya anni, you're coming with me, right?"

"Of course," Priya akka said, smiling.

Dhivya's gaze shifted to me. "Aaradhya, you should come too. You've been stuck in the house. It'll be fun!"

I hesitated, unsure. Would it be okay for me to go with them? Before I could say anything, Ganga patti spoke up, her voice kind but firm. "Go, da. You deserve some time for yourself too. You've worked hard today. Enjoy with them."

Her approval made me smile shyly. "Thank you, patti," I said softly. Vishnu sir let out an exaggerated groan. "Why does Sunday always have to be 'ladies shopping day'?"

Dhivya rolled her eyes. "You're coming, Anna. Don't whine. Who will carry our shopping bags?"

Before Vishnu could protest more, Rudhran sir's gruff voice cut in. "I'll join too." His tone was casual, but the glance he shot in my direction made my cheeks warm. Why would he want to come?

As the meal continued, the teasing and laughter around the table made me feel warm and included. As I stepped back toward the kitchen to fetch more appams, I felt Rudhran Sir's gaze on me. When I glanced his way, he was still watching, his expression unreadable but his eyes soft. For a moment, the noise of the dining room faded, and it felt like it was just the two of us.

Unspoken words hung in the air between us, words neither of us seemed ready to say. I quickly looked away, my heart racing. The plan was set. We were all heading out, and as everyone began getting ready, Priya Akka called me aside.

"Aaradhya,"  her voice carrying a hint of excitement. "I got you something."

I blinked in confusion. "For me?"

She smiled, her eyes glinting with mischief, and handed me a kurti set. It was beautifully embroidered, the fabric soft and trendy, I could tell it was new, but for some reason, my mind struggled to process the gesture. I hesitated, looking down at the clothes in my hands, unsure if I should accept them.

But Priya Akka wasn't one to wait for a response. "It's new, Aaradhya. Not second-hand. I want you to wear it today."

I glanced at her. "But, I... I don't know if it's right for me..."

Priya Akka gave me a fake glare. "Wear it, or I won't talk to you"

Her words were playful, but I could sense that she was serious. The thought of Priya Akka being upset with me made my stomach turn.

With a soft sigh,"Okay, Akka. I'll wear it."

Priya Akka grinned, "Good girl. I knew you'd come around."

I quickly changed into the kurti, It was simple but stylish—pastel peach, with delicate embroidery along the neckline and sleeves. It was lightweight and flowed gently around me, comfortable but modern. I paired it with a slim-fit patiala pant, the fabric gathered neatly at the ankle, giving it a trendy touch. The shawl draped over my shoulders.

When I stepped out, Priya Akka looked me up and down, nodding with satisfaction. "You look perfect. Now, no more hesitations."

As we made our way outside, the car waiting for us was unlike anything I had ever seen before—a sleek, glossy luxury vehicle that gleamed under the morning sun. Rudhran Sir was already sitting in the driver's seat, Vishnu Sir sat next to him.

I hesitated for a moment, feeling out of place. It wasn't just the car—it was the whole world they lived in.

But Priya Akka and Dhivya were already in the back seat, smiling warmly at me. They made sure to include me as if I belonged there, as if I wasn't just a maid, but a part of their little group. I slipped into the car beside them, trying my best to hide my discomfort.

As the car pulled away, I couldn't help but marvel at the smoothness of the ride, the leather seats, and the sense of wealth that surrounded me. The city's towering buildings and pristine streets seemed like a dream, a world I had never truly seen up close.

And then, I caught a glimpse of Rudhran Sir in the rearview mirror. His gaze was fixed on the road ahead, but for a split second, his eyes flickered toward me, meeting mine through the mirror. My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly looked away, my face flushing with warmth.

But as we drove, I noticed that this wasn't the first time he had glanced at me. Every now and then, his eyes would meet mine in the reflection of the mirror. It wasn't a harsh, indifferent gaze like the ones I often saw from Ajay ir. No, it was different—softer, warmer, and filled with something I couldn't quite place.

There was something in his eyes, something that made my chest tighten and my thoughts swirl. But I didn't dare ask, didn't dare question it.

Dhivya and Priya Akka were talking animatedly, their voices filling the space in the car, and for the most part, I just listened, occasionally adding a comment here and there. They made me feel at ease, never once treating me as though I was just a maid.

As we reached the mall, I was in awe of the grandeur of it all—the marble floors, the sparkling lights, the shops lined with things I could never dream of owning. It was a different world from the one I was used to, but for a brief moment, I felt like I belonged.

As we stepped out of the car, the grand entrance of the mall loomed before us, and I couldn't help but feel a little out of place. The sleek glass doors, the glittering chandeliers, and the polished marble floors felt like a world I could only dream of being a part of. Priya akka and Dhivya made me feel comfortable, like I wasn't just someone who was here to serve, but part of something larger.

Rudhran Sir, turned slightly toward Vishnu Sir, speaking softly into his ear. I couldn't hear what they were talking about, but Vishnu Sir's smirk and the way he winked at Rudhran made me wonder if it was something playful, and he told something to Dhivya and Priya akka, their eyes darting between Rudhran Sir and me. There was something about their hushed conversation that made me uneasy, but I couldn't quite place it. Their smiles were knowing, as though they shared some secret that I wasn't in on.

Dhivya and Priya Akka suddenly turned down a different path, their heads low as they exchanged quick, quiet words. Vishnu Sir, who had been walking with them, raised an eyebrow, and with a wink to Rudhran, he fell back to join the others. Dhivya declare with small smile "I need to get something with Priya anni and Vishnu anna. We'll be right back, Aaradhya," she said, her tone light. Before I could fully process her words, she waved her hand, subtly nudging Priya Akka and Vishnu Sir along with her as she disappeared around the corner. I stood there, my heart pounding in my chest, feeling a mix of emotions flood through me.

I had been left alone with Rudhran sir. My heart skipped a beat at the realization.

Hey guys! 👋

So, how's the chapter going? 😅 I can already hear your thoughts... "Author, where are the Aaradhya and Rudhran moments? Why are you giving us Ajay and Reena's toxic romance instead?" 😬

Well, here's the deal, folks – trust me, it's all part of the plan! 🙏 These toxic couples are playing an important role in the story (I know, I know, they're a pain to watch 😜). But hang in there, I promise you, Aaradhya and Rudhran will have their time to shine very soon! 💫

I can already hear the collective groans from those waiting for them to finally share a moment – just a few more chapters, and you'll get all the feels! 😍 No spoilers, but things are definitely heading that way. 😉

So, I'm begging you... vote, comment, share this story with your friends, and let's keep this rollercoaster going! 🎢💖 Trust me, it'll be worth the wait – Aaradhya and Rudhran moments are coming... just a bit of patience, okay? 🙃✨

Thanks for sticking with me! You all are awesome! 🙌

FUN FACT : Cows have best friends. 🐄❤️ Research has shown that cows form strong bonds with other cows and can get stressed when separated from their "BFFs"!