♟️SILENT STRATEGIST-CHAPTER-15

Rudhran pov:

Vishnu is staring at me like I've grown another head. His coffee sits untouched on the table, forgotten, as the shock of what I just told him sinks in. And honestly, who could blame him?

Aaradhya. My Aaradhya. She's our cross cousin. Athai Seetha's daughter. And Athai Seetha... she's gone.

I leaned back in my chair, letting Vishnu process while my mind raced with a million thoughts. We all thought Athai was happy with her family and living peacefully. Turns out, life had other plans. Some twisted, cruel plans.

I pieced it together earlier after talking to Aaradhya. She mentioned her father was a bus driver in some small village. That set the wheels turning in my head, so I pulled some strings. My men did what they do best—quick and efficient. Sandeep just called with the confirmation a few minutes ago. Everything checks out. Aaradhya is family.

"Dei Rudhra!" Vishnu finally exploded, snapping out of his shock. His voice carried enough frustration to make the coffee ripple in his cup. "We have to tell everyone, da! Patti will be so happy to know Aaradhya is part of the family! Just think, Rudhra—Athai's daughter, working as a maid here? The injustice, man!"

I raised a hand to shut him up before he burst a blood vessel. "Relax, Vishnu. Don't act like a headless chicken."

He blinked at me, baffled. "Relax? Dei! This isn't some casual matter!"

"Because, dear Vishnu, you can't charge into a storm without knowing which way the wind blows. This isn't a rush job. First, I need to figure out how that man—" my voice dropped, the anger simmering under my words, "—(my so called father), ended up at their village and brought Aaradhya here. Did he know who she was? Or was it just a twisted coincidence?"

My hands curled into fists, the sharp edge of my anger carefully controlled. The thought of Aaradhya being dragged into this mess, of her working under this roof, made my blood boil. But I couldn't afford to lose my head. Not now.

Vishnu shook his head, exasperated. "So what, da? We just sit on this? Keep quiet while Aaradhya keeps thinking she's some outsider when she's not?"

"Use your brain, Vishnu," I said, "Do you think Patti needs this news dropped on her head out of the blue? Or Aaradhya will accept this like some fairy tale revelation? This isn't a movie. We need to do this right."

Vishnu leaned back in his chair with a huff, "Right, da. We'll do it your way. So, what's the master plan?"

I sighed, rubbing my temple. "First thing tomorrow, I'm talking to Patti. I need to know what's in her mind before making any big moves."

Vishnu nodded, but then his trademark nonsense smirk started creeping onto his face. That's when I knew trouble was brewing. "So... does this mean Aaradhya is technically our murai ponnu now?" The term murai ponnu is a cultural concept common in Tamil Nadu, referring to a cross-cousin, specifically the daughter of one's maternal uncle (mama) or paternal aunt (athai). In traditional customs, such relationships are considered ideal for marriage, as they are believed to strengthen family bonds while keeping traditions intact.

I shot him a glare so sharp it could've sliced through steel. My eyes narrowed dangerously. "Vishnu, you're already married. Don't start your drama."

But the idiot just grinned wider, clearly enjoying himself. "So what, da? How can I ignore my atha ponnu? It's nature's rule to tease them da!"

I wanted to strangle him. He was obviously trying to rile me up on purpose, and I could feel the jealousy bubbling in my chest. Aaradhya is mine. Even the thought of anyone—even Vishnu—joking about her like this made my blood boil.

"Dei, just wait," my voice low and deadly. "I'll tell Priya about your so-called 'nature's rule.' Let's see how nature helps you then."

His eyes widened in pure horror, "Dei, dei, no! Don't bring Priya into this! She'll kick my ass all the way back to Canada"

I leaned back with a smug grin, watching him squirm. "Exactly. So keep your nonsense to yourself, Vishnu."

He muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like, "Sadist," but I didn't care. My mind was already drifting back to Aaradhya.

How she smiled shyly when she spoke, how she looked completely unaware of her own strength and grace. The thought of anyone else, even in fun, claiming her... it set my teeth on edge. Vishnu is annoying, sure, but he's my brother. And as much as I wanted to strangle him sometimes, I knew he had my back. Especially when it came to Aaradhya.

I leaned back on the couch, watching Vishnu try to be serious for once. And believe me, it was a rare sight. His usual nonsense was replaced with something... genuine.

"Jokes apart, da," his tone surprisingly steady. "I'm glad you've found someone like Aaradhya. She's solid—kind, strong, all that. Life's thrown bricks at her, and she's still standing. So, when's the grand proposal happening, huh?"

I couldn't argue "She's opening up, bit by bit. At least she's not bolting out of the room every time I show up anymore. First meeting, she practically ran like I was a ghost. Now, she smiles, she talks..." I paused, rolling my eyes. "But that 'sir' thing she insists on? Drives me mad."

Vishnu's smirk spread like wildfire. "So, what? You want her to call you mama instead?" He burst into laughter like he'd cracked the joke of the century. "Technically, she is our murai ponnu!"

In tamil, the word "mama" is versatile and deeply rooted in culture. It commonly means maternal uncle, but it also refers to a cross-cousin male, especially in traditional marriages where a cousin can be a potential spouse (murai ponnu). In some regions, wives call their husbands mama as a term of affection or respect.

Before judging, remember—this term carries cultural significance, symbolizing love, respect, and tradition. So, let's embrace linguistic diversity instead of shaming it! 🌟

I shook my head at Vishnu's antics, but secretly, I couldn't stop replaying the way Aaradhya's voice sounded when she called me mama. Damn it, I liked it more than I should. Of course, she could call me mama—technically, that's tradition.

Vishnu broke my thoughts with a scrunched-up face. "What do you think about Reena? That girl and her attitude—man, I can't stand her."

I raised a brow. "Hate it? Welcome to the club. But let's wait and see what kind of circus Yamuna plans to run with her."with Vishnu's laugh as we headed to our rooms.

Lying in bed, my thoughts naturally drifted to Aaradhya. Her hesitant smile, the way she was slowly warming up to me. She was different. From the girl who ran from me at first sight to someone who now laughed and spoke with ease. I smiled, already looking forward to tomorrow.

The crisp morning air hit my face as I kept a steady pace through the mansion grounds. Running always cleared my head, but today, my thoughts kept straying to Aaradhya. Her hesitant smile, the way her eyes softened when she talked to me—it was addictive. She was addictive. I pushed myself harder, trying to shake off the distraction, but fate, or rather bad luck, had other plans.Yes I love her, My Aaradhya!

Coming from the opposite direction was none other than Reena. And oh boy, she wasn't just jogging—she was making an entrance. Hair bouncing like she was auditioning for a cringe-worthy perfume ad, and a tight, overly flashy workout outfit that screamed look at me. Disgust twisted in my gut.

"Rudhran, Good Morning!"  her voice drenched in fake sweetness, like syrup on an already burnt pancake. She stopped right in my path, flipping her hair as if it was some grand gesture. " What a coincidence! You're running? I'm running too!"

I didn't slow down. Didn't even flinch. Just kept my pace steady as if she wasn't even there. But, of course, Reena wasn't one to take a hint.

She fell into step beside me, panting dramatically but still putting on her version of what she probably thought was a seductive look. "You know, I've always loved fitness. Running, yoga, pilates..." She trailed off, fluttering her lashes. "Maybe you could give me some tips? I mean, a man like you must know all the secrets to staying in shape."

I glanced at her briefly, my expression colder than the morning air. "First tip—don't block the track."

Her fake smile faltered, but she quickly recovered, giggling as if I'd said something charming.

When I kept silent, her attempts got bolder. She jogged ahead, turning to face me while running backward—something she clearly wasn't skilled at. "Oh, you're so serious, Rudhran. I like that in a man. So... brooding, so mysterious..."

Suddenly she  stumbled and tripped over a tree root and hit the ground in a graceless sprawl. My lips twitched, but I didn't slow down.

My gaze locked on hers, cold and unflinching. "And a woman like you should focus on watching where she's going."her face turned a shade paler. Before she could recover, I resumed my run, leaving her in ground and, I hoped, embarrassed.

As I walked into the mansion, Aaradhya's kolam greeted me, just like every morning. My lips twitched into a smile before my gaze drifted toward the Murugan temple nestled in the garden. And there she was, Aaradhya, lighting the lamp in front of the idol.

If my mother were here, she would've loved Aaradhya more than me, no doubt.

I leaned casually against a pillar, watching her. That red saree and her long, neatly braided hair? Perfection. My heart did this weird flip thing again, racing faster as she finished her prayer and opened her eyes. When her gaze landed on me, I swear everything else blurred into nothing.

"Good morning, sir," she said gently.

I smiled back. "Good morning, Aaradhya. The kolam outside—looks good."

Her lips curved into a shy smile, and damn, what was I even saying? Kolam talk in the morning? Great job, Rudhran. Real smooth.

And then, of course, my peaceful moment had to be ruined. Aaradhya's gaze shifted to the entrance, and her eyes widened slightly. I followed her line of sight to see Reena stomping in, her face smeared with mud and her hair sticking out in awkward angles. She looked like she'd survived a tornado—and lost.

Her gaze locked on Aaradhya. "Hey, girl! Come here!" she barked like she thought Aaradhya was at her beck and call.

Aaradhya, being the soft-hearted soul she is, took a hesitant step forward, but before she could move further, I reached out and gently held her wrist.

"She can clean herself," I said, my voice cold and cutting as my eyes pinned Reena in place. "Go do your work on your own. She won't help you now."

Reena blinked, clearly startled, before huffing and stomping off in the opposite direction, muttering something I didn't bother catching.

Aaradhya looked up at me nervously. "Sir, I... I think she needed my help—"

"She didn't ask with respect, Aaradhya," I said, my voice softening just for her. "Don't respond to anyone who can't treat you with it."

She nodded, still unsure, but I wasn't done. "Can you make me a cup of black tea," I asked with a small smile, She nodded again, this time with a soft smile of her own, and started to walk away.

I caught myself watching the sway of her braid again. She took two steps, and something felt off. My ears strained, trying to catch a familiar sound, but there was nothing.

"Aaradhya," I called out, and she stopped, turning back to me.

"Where's your anklet?"  my voice low but genuinely curious. Her anklet's gentle jingle had always been like music to my ears, and its absence felt... wrong.

She looked down, almost shyly, and said softly, "It broke, sir. so I removed it."

The absence of those anklets felt like a void. I nodded slowly, my gaze lingering on her retreating figure, already making a mental note to fix this.

I was lounging on the couch, sipping the black tea Aaradhya had brought me, and let me tell you—it wasn't just tea. It was pure magic in a cup. I shot her a smile as I took another sip, savoring it like it was the last drop on Earth. She walked off, and I couldn't help but watch her for a moment before snapping out of it. Focus, Rudhran. You've got a task.

I made my way to Patti's room, where the atmosphere already felt charged. Gomathi Chithi and Sathyan Chitapa were there, whispering like they were plotting a heist or something. Perfect timing, I thought. I cleared my throat dramatically. "So, Patti, does your favorite grandson get an invite, or should I wait for a special occasion?"

She chuckled. "Come in, da kanna," she said warmly.

I slid onto the seat next to her, side-eyeing Chithi and Chitapa. They looked suspiciously serious,  "I need to talk to you, all," I started, trying to sound casual.

Before I could dive into it, Patti nodded. "We were just talking about you, pa."

My brows furrowed. "Me? What about me?"

The three of them shared a look that screamed we're up to something, and right on cue, Vishnu waltzed in, plopping himself down next to Chitapa with his signature smirk. Great. Reinforcements.

Patti leaned forward, her voice soft but sharp. "What do you think about Aaradhya?"

My heart skipped a beat, "She's... sweet. Innocent. A good girl who respects everyone." Damn, my voice went all dreamy without permission, and I realized I was staring into space like a lovesick fool. I could feel Vishnu's teasing gaze drilling into me, but I ignored him.

Chithi's smile widened. "Exactly, da. She's such a nice girl. We want her to have a secure, happy life. So, we were thinking you could help us find a good groom for her."

Wait. What? What?!

I shot up from the seat, heart racing like a Formula 1 car. "Hold on! What are you even talking about? Another guy for Aaradhya? No. No way. That's not happening."

Chitapa raised an eyebrow, all calm and collected. "Why are you getting so worked up, da? Don't worry. We'll find a good match for her. We'll even take care of the wedding expenses."

Oh, so they were trying to act all noble now? My blood boiled. "Another guy?" I scoffed. "Listen carefully. Aaradhya isn't marrying anyone else. She's mine. I love her, and I'm going to marry her. End of story."

The room went dead silent for a moment, and I looked around, expecting protests or maybe some long-winded lectures. But no. Instead, they burst into laughter—all three of them. Even Patti was chuckling, while Vishnu's expression matched mine: confused and borderline annoyed.

"What the hell is so funny?" I finally asked, crossing my arms.

Patti wiped a tear from her eye, still laughing softly. "Glad you like her, da."

Chitapa leaned back with a smug grin. "We knew, Rudhran. We've been watching you. The way you look at that girl—it says everything. So, we decided to test the waters. And now, it's confirmed."

Chithi nodded in agreement, and Vishnu, catching on, patted my shoulder with a chuckle. "Poor Rudhra, they played you good!"

I shot him a glare. "Don't act like you didn't enjoy the show, Vishnu."

Patti's laughter faded, replaced by a soft, emotional tone. "At first, I was scared, kanna. I worried that maybe you'd look down on Aaradhya. But she's a gem. When your Chitapa and Chithi brought this up, I started praying to every god that this would happen. And now, I'm happy. I don't know what it is about her, but she's different. She's special. And I'm glad you like her."

Her words tugged at something deep in me. I reached out and held her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Of course, she's special, Patti. She's not just different—she's already family." The thought came naturally, but I didn't say it aloud. Not yet. I'd save it for the right time.

I squeezed her hand gently, my smirk softening into a smile. "Of course, she's special, Patti"

I added with huff "Glad to know everyone had a good laugh at my expense. But let me make one thing clear—this stays between us. Nobody says a word to Aaradhya until I figure out how to handle it. Especially not that lady and her husband. Got it?"

The mention of my stepmother and father wiped the smiles off their faces. Patti nodded solemnly. "Don't worry, kanna. Your secret is safe with us."

Chithi leaned forward, her voice soft but firm. "We'll keep quiet, da. But don't take too long. Aaradhya deserves to know how much you care for her."

Chitapa chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Alright, alright. We'll play along. But make it quick, Rudhran. You're not exactly subtle when she's around."

I smirked, rising from my seat. "Subtlety's overrated, Chitapa. I'll handle Aaradhya my way. Just don't ruin it for me." With that, I walked out, leaving them behind with amused smiles and shared glances. Little did they know, the clock was ticking. Soon, there would be no secrets, no games—just truth and the promise of a future that belonged to me and Aaradhya.

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Turtles can breathe through their butts, my stupid brain is imagining what if Humans do that in Yoga classes?