✨KNOWING THE BOND-CHAPTER-14

Aaradhya pov:

I felt my stomach twist the moment he raised that question. "You've completed your B.Com? Then why are you working here, ma? You could've gotten a good job with that,"  his voice laced with genuine concern.

I didn't dare look up. Instead, I lowered my eyes to the plate in front of me, letting the spoon in my hand trace idle circles on its surface. What could I even say to that?

But Rudhran sir isn't the type to let things slide.  Then, suddenly, his hand was on mine. Warm, firm. My breath hitched, and my head snapped up to look at him, startled. "S-sir..." I stammered, instinctively trying to pull my hand away. But his grip only tightened—not in a harsh way, but enough to let me know I wasn't going to win this.

"Stop," he said softly,  His eyes, dark and intense, held mine like a magnet. "Don't play with the food, and don't look down like that. Talk to me, Aaradhya. What's bothering you?"

But just the thought of talking about it made my throat tighten, and my eyes burned with tears I didn't want to shed.

I hesitated, but somehow, the words started to spill out. "It's not my decision, sir," I said, my voice shaky and quiet. "It's all fate. I was raised in a small village near Madurai. My parents... they were my whole world. Appa was a bus driver, and Amma stayed at home. We didn't have much, but we were happy, sir. Truly happy."

The memories hit me like a storm—Appa's warm smile when he came home late after his shifts, Amma's soft hands brushing my hair, the laughter, the peace... I blinked quickly, trying to hold back the tears threatening to fall. My fingers fidgeted under his, but he didn't let go. Instead, his thumb started moving, gently rubbing circles on my hand.

He leaned in slightly, his voice softer now, "How did you end up here?"

I swallowed hard, glancing up at him,  his sharp eyes stayed on mine, searching, waiting. Somehow, that gave me the strength to continue. "After my p-parents passed away..." I faltered, feeling the lump in my throat grow. "Rajendran sir... he brought me here. I didn't have anyone else. I didn't even have my degree certificates when I came. Everything was lost in the chaos. All I needed then was a safe place. And... no work is less, sir. I just needed to survive."

I felt his fingers pause against mine, and my heart skipped a beat. When I dared to look up, his expression had shifted—his jaw was tight, and there was something unreadable in his eyes. Anger? Hurt?

But then, his voice softened, tender yet steady. "What are your parents' names, ma? And what... happened?"

I swallowed hard,"My father's name is Mayavan, sir, and my mother's name is Seetha." My voice wavered, "They d-died in a fire accident at our house... but before everything..." My voice broke. "My father pushed me out. He saved me."

It wasn't a story I told anyone. Only Rajendhran Sir knew the truth, and he had asked me to keep my parents' names a secret from everyone in the mansion. I had agreed, carrying that silence like a burden all these years. But now, saying it aloud, it felt like I had finally dropped the weight I had been dragging behind me.

I looked at Rudhran sir hesitantly, unsure how he would react. But I noticed his reaction when I told my parent's name, he was stunned! For a long moment, he didn't say a word. His face was calm, but his eyes were stormy, calculating, like he was piecing together a puzzle.

Then, with a slight shake of his head, he leaned back in his chair, I felt his fingers tighten slightly around mine, grounding me in the moment. His voice softened, "Aaradhya," he said gently, "you've carried so much on your own, ma. But you don't have to anymore. Not here. Not with me."

I blinked at him, There was something in the way he spoke—calm, steady, almost as if he was trying to tell me without saying it outright that I wasn't alone. "And I'll make sure you're always okay. Safe "

For some reason, his words hit deeper than I expected, and I found myself nodding, even as my throat tightened with unshed tears. "I can even threaten escalators for you—I'm here."

I couldn't help but laugh at that. "Threaten escalators?"

"Hey, don't underestimate me," he said, straightening up with mock seriousness. "I have a very particular set of skills.I will single-handedly dismantle an escalator to make you feel safe."

I was giggling so hard now that tears pricked the corners of my eyes. For a moment, it felt like the heaviness in my chest had lifted completely.

"See?" leaning back with a satisfied smirk. " Laughter suits you much better than sadness."

"Thank you, sir," I said softly, feeling a warmth spread through me—not just because of his words but because of the way he said them, like he truly meant them.

As I sat there, lost in his gaze, Rudhran's words lingered in my mind. "Anytime, Aaradhya," he said softly, his tone almost a whisper, like a promise only meant for me. His eyes held a tenderness that made my heart skip. I couldn't look away. But, of course, reality has a way of ruining these fleeting moments. A loud clearing of a throat snapped me back to the present, and I turned to find Dhivya standing there, her face split into a teasing grin. Her mischievous eyes darted between Rudhran's hand, still holding mine.

"Am I interrupting something?" her tone dripping with mock innocence.

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I immediately pulled my hand away from Rudhran's grip. To my surprise, he didn't stop me this time, though I noticed the brief flicker of annoyance that crossed his face. He masked it quickly, but not before Dhivya caught it. She smirked knowingly.

"Vaalu, don't you have anything better to do than spy on people?" Rudhran said, his voice carrying a faint edge of irritation.

"Not when it's this entertaining," she shot back, I tried to look anywhere but at her, my face still warm.

Before Rudhran sir could retort, Vishnu sir's voice boomed from across the food court. "Ah, there you two are!" He was waddling toward us, struggling under the weight of what looked like a hundred shopping bags. "I swear, these women are trying to kill me!" he grumbled dramatically.

Behind him, Priya akka walked gracefully, holding absolutely nothing, her lips curved in a soft smile and gave him a light pat on his back. "Stop complaining, Vishnu. You'll live."

"Barely," Vishnu muttered, dropping the bags by our table with a loud sigh. "I've been reduced to a human donkey, and for what? A pile of clothes that won't even fit in the wardrobe we already have."

"Then maybe you should stop buying so many shirts for yourself," Priya akka said sweetly, earning a playful glare from him.

I couldn't help but smile at their banter. It was clear they had a dynamic built on humor and mutual respect, and it made me feel a little more comfortable in their presence.

Dhivya leaned closer to me and whispered, "He's been complaining for hours. Honestly, I think he secretly loves the attention."

I stifled a laugh, glancing at Vishnu sir, who was now eyeing Rudhran. There was a silent exchange between the two—Rudhran's expression sharp and purposeful, and Vishnu sir's humor fading as he caught whatever message Rudhran's sir was trying to send. Vishnu's eyes flicked to me briefly, and then he gave Rudhran a small nod, his face now serious.

I blinked, feeling as though I had just witnessed something important, though I didn't understand what. The moment passed quickly, and Vishnu sir returned to his usual animated self.

"Alright, let's move. The car's waiting, and my back can't take any more of this shopping nonsense." He hoisted the bags again, muttering under his breath about back pain and unfair workloads.

We all walked together, and as we reached the car, Rudhran sir took some of the bags from Vishnu sir without a word.

The ride back to the mansion was filled with chatter. Vishnu sir, now free of the shopping bags, complaining loudly about the trials of being a husband while Priya akka rolled her eyes fondly.

"Do you know how much I've sacrificed today?" Vishnu sir said dramatically, "My back, my dignity, and my weekend. All gone in one shopping spree."

"You'll survive," Priya akka said with a smile.

Dhivya turned to me, her grin never fading. "So, Aaradhya, did Rudhra Anna entertain you properly at lunch?"

Before I could answer, Rudhran sir cut in smoothly. "She was entertained, yes, but not nearly as much as she's entertained by you meddling in everything, Dhivya."

The car erupted in laughter, and for a moment, it felt like I belonged, like I was part of something bigger. But even as I laughed along with them, I couldn't shake the feeling that Rudhran sir was still calculating something, in his mind.

Third pov:

As the car rolled up the grand driveway of the mansion,  Rudhran, turned toward Aaradhya and handed her the sleek box containing the new phone. His voice was calm "Keep it safe. I'll activate it for you after dinner," he said. Aaradhya nodded meekly, clutching the bags as though it were a precious treasure.

She made her way toward Kannan and Radha, handing over the dresses she'd bought for them earlier. Their faces lit up instantly, their excitement bubbling over in giggles and gratitude. Watching their pure, unrestrained joy filled Aaradhya's heart with warmth. For a fleeting moment, everything felt right.

INSIDE THE MANSION

As Rudhran and others went inside, amused to see, Sitting comfortably with his trademark smug grin was Ajay, Next to him sat Reena, his cross cousin, her sharp eyes scanning the room as if she owned it. Before anyone could ask questions, Yamuna "Raj" she announced,  "my niece Reena will be staying here for a few days." Wihtout a choice Rajendhran nods his head and Ganga who is in stairs looking at the scene belowe and shared a dis approving glance wiht Gomathi.

A brief silence fell over the room. Priya, Dhivya, and Vishnu exchanged glances, their surprise barely concealed. Rudhran looks at them with stoic expression and walked to his room.

Later that evening, the house was quiet, save for the faint hum of the twlight breeze. Aaradhya found herself in the garden, plucking flowers for the tomorrow pooja. The familiar task usually brought her peace.

she flinched hearing a voice "Aaradhya," Ajay called, dragging out her name as if savoring it. She froze, her grip on the flower basket tightening. Slowly, she turned to see him,his smirk as irritatingly smug as ever.

"Missed me, didn't you?"  his tone laced with amusement. Aaradhya's heart raced, and she quickly looked away, trying to focus on the flowers. "Excuse me, sir," she muttered, stepping back.

Ajay took a step closer, "You know," he drawled, "I really missed this little timid face of yours. The way you shrink away—it's entertaining."

Her cheeks burned with humiliation, and she lowered her gaze,and hurriedly ran to the maid quarters leaving him with smirk.

Unbeknownst to both of them, Reena had been watching the entire scene unfold from the shadows.  "Ajay,"  her voice tinged with a mix of annoyance and suspicion. "Why are you talking with that maid?"

Ajay turned slowly, a sly smirk tugging at his lips as he regarded Reena with his dark, calculating eyes. "Reena, baby, you're reading too much into it," he said, stepping closer to her. "You know how I like to mess with people. Aaradhya is just another mouse in my little game."

Reena's  jealousy simmering beneath the surface, she said, her voice shaking slightly. "You know how much I—"

Before she could finish, Ajay grabbed her waist and pulled her closer, his eyes locking onto hers. His voice dropped to a low, intimate tone. "You," he said, tilting her chin up with his fingers, "are the only one I want. You, Reena. No one else."

Reena's breath hitched, her resolve melting under his commanding gaze. Her jealousy dissipated as quickly as it had risen, replaced by blind devotion. "I trust you, Ajay," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'd do anything for you. Jump into fire if you asked me to."

Ajay's tone dripping with false tenderness. "That's my girl," he murmured.

Reena smiled, her entire being consumed by her love for him. She threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly as if she could fuse herself to him. Ajay's arms circled her waist, his grip firm yet calculated. While his face softened into a charming mask, his mind raced with schemes.

As they pulled apart slightly, Reena looked up at him with a determined glint in her eyes. "I'll do whatever it takes to help you, Ajay. Whatever it takes to make this work."

Ajay arched an eyebrow, "And what's the plan, sweetheart?"

Reena leaned closer, her lips curling into a devilish smile. "You bought  me here for a reason. I'm supposed to act like I'm in love with Rudhran. To make him fall for me. And when he finally trusts me..." She paused, her voice lowering to a whisper. "I'll betray him."

Ajay told with smirk and gaslighted her "Rudhran might think he's untouchable, but men like him are all the same. They act stoic, but deep down, they're weak.

Reena's devotion only intensified. "Ajay, I'd do anything for you," she said passionately.

What neither of them realized was that Rudhran was far from the type of man they imagined. Unlike Ajay, he wasn't someone who could be ensnared by cheap tricks or fleeting emotions. While Ajay believed Rudhran could be manipulated as he had been, the truth was far from it.

Reena, blind to Ajay's true nature and drunk on his approval, leaned against his chest, whispering, "I'll make you proud, Ajay."

Ajay's smirk returned, his mind already spinning with the next steps in their plan. But even as he held her close, feigning tenderness, his thoughts remained cold and calculating.

Hey guys! 👋

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FUN FACT : You can't hum while holding your nose. Try it out—your body needs to exhale air through your nose to hum! 🎵🙊

And just out of curiosity... how many of you actually tried this? 🤔😂