⏳AWAITED RETURN-CHAPTER-3

Third pov:

Yamuna stood on the balcony, her face twisted in irritation as she stared into the distance. Her anger had a single cause—Rudhran's return. She muttered under her breath, her frustration barely contained.

Ajay, strolling casually into the scene, noticed his mother's sour mood. Before speaking, he discreetly tucked a small packet of white powder into his pocket. "What's the matter, Ma? You look like you're ready to explode."

Yamuna scoffed, with disdain. "That Rudhran is coming back, that's what! And not just him—the whole Coimbatore circus is following to see him. We've been peaceful all these years without him, and now that old woman is stirring up trouble again. I don't know why she doesn't just drop dead already!"

Ajay grinned, leaning on the railing. "Want me to take care of that?"

Yamuna rolled her eyes. "Don't think I haven't considered it, but it's too risky. That old hag has her ways."

As she spoke, Ajay's eyes drifted to the garden below, where Aaradhya was tending to the plants. Her delicate movements caught his attention, and his gaze darkened with lust. Aaradhya, sensing his stare, looked up briefly before retreating uneasily, disappearing out of sight.

Ajay smirked and straightened up, ready to follow her, but Yamuna grabbed his arm."What are you doing?" she hissed. "Why are you eyeing that low-class maid? I've been finding brides for you from the richest families in the country, and you're wasting your time on her?"

His smirk grew wider. "Don't forget, Ma—you were once a maid too."

Yamuna's face turned crimson with fury and embarrassment thinking about the past, Yamuna scowled, "I don't know why, but I just can't stand that maid girl. Every time I see her, it's like she's a reminder of your father's younger sister—so infuriatingly innocent and self-righteous."

Her words were laced with venom"Ajay raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Relax. I was just teasing her, that's all."

But his eyes betrayed him. Deep down, he wanted much more than a tease when it came to Aaradhya.

Ajay leaned back casually, his voice holding a lazy drawl as he asked, "Why do you hate Dad's sister so much, Ma?"

Yamuna's expression darkened instantly, her eyes flashing with anger. "Because of her, our entire family had to face shame. She made us bow down in humiliation," she snapped, her words laced with bitterness.

Ajay frowned, not fully understanding the depth of her anger. He shifted uncomfortably, one hand slipping into his pocket. The small packet of white powder nestled there seemed to call to him, tempting him with promises of escape. His fingers brushed against it absentmindedly,

Yamuna shook her head, muttering under her breath. "We'll have to tread carefully while Rudhran's here. He has a way of sniffing out trouble."

Ajay rolled his eyes. "Don't worry, Ma. He won't stay long. I'll make sure of it. And I'll show him who runs things around here." His bravado sounded hollow, considering most of his time was spent partying, gambling, and indulging in vices instead of managing the office.

"Do you know when Sudharshan Mama is coming back to Chennai?" he asked, changing the subject.

Yamuna's face softened slightly at the mention of her elder brother. "Soon. Once he's here, we'll have the upper hand again," she said with a sly smile.

Sudharshan her elder brother and partner in crime was her ace, Rajendhran's most trusted man and confidant. With him back, Yamuna felt confident their plans would fall into place.

Ajay nodded but didn't reply. The powder in his pocket was calling to him, a temptation too strong to resist. Silently, he left for his room, locking the door behind him.

Aaradhya moved gracefully around the dining table, serving food to Ganga, who seemed more cheerful than usual. Ganga's face lit up as she tasted the food, her eyes twinkling with delight.

"Aaradhya, dear, the kurma you made today is so delicious!" Ganga praised warmly, her voice filled with genuine affection.

Aaradhya smiled faintly, lowering her gaze modestly. "Thank you, Patti."

Ganga wasn't done yet. "You know, my younger son Sathyan and his whole family are coming!"

Aaradhya's polite smile widened just a touch as she replied softly, "Yes, Patti, I know them." She did indeed know and like Sathyan and his family. Unlike most, they never treated her as just a maid. Sathyan, Rajendhran's younger brother, was a successful lawyer with a private law firm in Coimbatore, and his demeanor was the complete opposite of Rajendhran's stoic nature. His wife, Gomathi, was a kind and warm-hearted woman, the stark opposite of Yamuna. Aaradhya had a soft spot for them, especially for their children—Vishnu and daughter in law Priya, who lived in Canada, and Nisha, who was around Aaradhya's age.

"But you know what makes me happiest?" Ganga continued, "My elder grandson is coming home after ten long years—"

Before she could finish, Rajendhran's voice rang out from the hall, calling for Aaradhya.

"Go, dear," Ganga said with a gentle pat on Aaradhya's arm.

Aaradhya nodded and quickly walked to the hall, where Rajendhran sat on the grand couch, a file in his hands and his usual serious expression in place. She approached him "Sir, did you call me?"

Rajendhran glanced up and nodded, his tone firm but kind. "Yes, Aaradhya. As you know, we'll have guests arriving soon. I trust your work, but this time, make sure everything is spotless—especially the first-floor third room. Clean it thoroughly."

Aaradhya, her voice soft yet steady as she replied, "I always clean every room, sir. So, the third room shouldn't be in a bad condition either. But I'll ensure it's spotless as you've asked."

Rajendhran's stern expression eased for a moment, and a faint flicker of approval crossed his face. He gave her a small nod, acknowledging her diligence. "Good. I appreciate your effort. Carry on."

"Yes, sir," Aaradhya replied, She felt a sense of satisfaction that her hard work was recognized, even in small ways.

Rajendhran nodded, eyes returning to the file in his hands, but a trace of longing flashed across his face as he watched Aaradhya go upstairs. A pang of regret tightened his chest as he thought of Rudhran. Years apart had created a silence that now filled the house, a silence that echoed the mistakes he could never undo. He longed for the chance to set things right, to bridge the distance he had let grow between them.

Aaradhya pov:

As the guests are arriving, everyone is busy preparing the guest rooms. I walked towards the room Rajendhran sir had asked me to clean. The moment I stepped in, I froze for a second. It was one of the biggest rooms in the mansion, but it clearly hadn't been used in a long time. Even cleaning it seemed to be a rare event.

The air inside was heavy with a faint mustiness, and a thin film of dust cloaked the furniture, making the room feel untouched by time. Whenever I came to this room, My eyes were drawn to a photo on the wall—a woman cradling a baby in her arms. Her smile radiated warmth, and the baby, plump and joyful, stretched a tiny hand toward her. Something about the image tugged at my heart, an odd sense of familiarity lingering in the baby's innocent face. All the time I wonder who the baby is, Could that baby...be Mr. Rudhran?

I blinked, shaking off the thought as my fingers grazed the frame lightly, almost reverently. Whatever the answer was, it wasn't my place to wonder. With a deep breath, I tightened my dupatta securely around my waist and prepared to tackle the work ahead.

While cleaning, my thoughts drifted to Sathyan sir and his family. They were good people, always treating me kindly, never making me feel like I was beneath them. Unlike some others in the house, they saw me as a person, not just a maid. The thought of their arrival brought a faint smile to my face and gave me a little extra energy to keep going.

As I wiped the shelves and polished the furniture, my gaze returned to the photo. The woman's smile was so warm, almost like she could reach out and comfort anyone who looked at her.

With a final sweep of the cloth over the desk, I straightened up and looked around the room. It was spotless now.

Once everyone had finished eating, I cleaned the dining table thoroughly and made sure everything was in its place. Kamala akka and I ate our dinner quickly in the kitchen, just the two of us, in between cleaning up the last of the dishes. By the time we were done, my hands felt like they weighed a ton, but we finally headed to the servants' quarters.

Our quarters are simple—a small portion of the house with a common toilet. It's nothing fancy, but it's not unbearable either. At least it's a place to rest after the day.

Once inside, I pulled out my mat and spread it on the floor. Changing into my old nightgown, I sank down with a tired sigh. My body ached from head to toe—my feet felt swollen, and my arms felt as if they were made of stone. I reached for the small tin of balm I kept at my bedside and began rubbing it on my legs, arms, and forehead. The strong, minty smell filled the room, making my eyes water slightly.

As I lay down, my head heavy against the pillow, I whispered to myself, Muruga, just once in my life, let me sleep without this smell clinging to me. A soft laugh escaped me, though it was more tired than amused.

I clasped my hands together, my nightly prayer whispered under my breath. "Muruga, thank you for today and for being with me. Please make tomorrow just as smooth." With that, I closed my eyes, the balm's overpowering scent fading into the background as sleep finally pulled me under.

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