💬BETWEEN THE LINE OF SILENCE-CHAPTER-5

Aaradhya pov:

What just happened? My heart's still thudding wildly in my chest, and my cheeks are burning like anything. The way his eyes held mine... Oh God! What is happening to me?

I shook my head, trying to pull myself together.  His confidence had completely thrown me off, yet somehow, it felt oddly comforting, like he was someone I'd known forever—even though I was certain we'd never met before.

As I reached for the teapot to distract myself, I realized something terrible—I was smiling. A soft, involuntary smile tugged at my lips, and that made my heart skip all over again.

"Aaradhya!" Yamuna Madam's sharp voice snapped me back to reality. My head jerked up, and there she was, standing in the doorway, glaring at me like I'd committed some huge crime.

I gulped, gripping the teapot tighter. "Y-Yes, madam?"

"Don't you know we have guests coming today?" she barked, her hands firmly on her hips. "And you're still standing here like you've got all the time in the world? The breakfast needs to be prepared,  What are you waiting for? start!"

"Sorry, madam," I stammered, quickly setting down the teapot.

"Hurry up!" she snapped, turning away.

I swallowed my nerves and rushed to the tasks she'd rattled off. My hands were moving,The kitchen was buzzing like a hive. Pots clanged, knives chopped, and the sizzle of oil filled the air My fingers were moving quickly, but my mind? Still drifting back to him.

Who was he? Was he Mr. Rudhran? There was something about the way he carried himself—his gaze so sharp, yet oddly warm. It was so... distracting. Focus, Aaradhya, I scolded myself silently, shaking my head.

Today, Patti specifically asked me to make rava dosa, sambar, coconut chutney, coriander chutney, and medu vada. Honestly, I don't mind—cooking is something I genuinely love. It's the one thing that makes me forget everything else, even for a little while. (Medu Vada: Deep-fried lentil donuts, often served with sambar and chutney.)

As I flipped the dosas one by one, their golden edges crisping just right, I couldn't help but feel a tiny flicker of pride.

Third pov:

The morning sunlight poured into the grand halls of the house as Rudhran stepped out of his room, freshly showered and dressed in a crisp white shirt and jeans. His mind, however, was far from the present. It kept circling back to her.

Why did she run off like that? he thought for the hundredth time. He wasn't exactly intimidating—well, maybe a little. But still, her reaction puzzled him. And more than that, it intrigued him. The way she looked at him before bolting, her eyes wide and fluttering like she'd been caught doing something forbidden, played on a loop in his head.

Shaking his head, he sighed and made his way downstairs, only to pause when he heard a familiar, warm voice call out.

"Rudhra kanna!"

A rare smile broke through his usually stoic expression. "Patti!" he called back, his tone softening as his grandmother, Ganga, waddled over to him with open arms.

She hugged him tightly, and he returned the gesture, "How are you, Patti? Missed me already?"

Ganga chuckled, patting his back. "You didn't even visit me yesterday, kanna! Of course, I missed you."

Before he could reply, another voice rang out dramatically from the side. "Oh, now she's happy? What about your most energetic and beloved grandson, Patti?"

Rudhran turned to see Vishnu strutting into the room with a hand on his chest, feigning heartbreak. Priya followed behind him, rolling her eyes. "Here we go again," she muttered, shaking her head.

Ganga laughed,"Oh, stop your drama, Vishnu! You know I love all my grandchildren equally."

"Equally? Equally?" Vishnu repeated, clutching his chest as if he'd been shot. "After all the sacrifices I've made? After all the laddoos I let Rudhran eat when we were little and I starved?"

Rudhran raised an eyebrow, "Sacrifices? You ate the entire box that time and blamed me."

Vishnu grinned sheepishly. "Details, details. The point is, Patti loves me more, right?"

Ganga told in a fake disappointed tone "Oh Priya i dont know how you handle this one?"

Priya chuckled, a playful glint in her eyes. "Oh Patti, it's easy, really. I just feed him regularly, and he purrs like a kitten. Sometimes, I must remind him that he's a grown man and not a spoiled brat."

Vishnu feigned hurt, pouting dramatically. "Aw, come on, Priya! I'm not that bad. I'm just a little... expressive." Ganga burst out laughing, patting Priya on the shoulder. "You're too quick for him, dear. Good luck managing this one."

Vishnu huffed,"I'm seriously underappreciated around here." Rudhran shook his head with a small smile as Ganga clapped her hands lightly. "It's breakfast time, kanna, so come now". she said warmly, She gathered them toward the dining room.

The dining table was already being set by the maids, plates, and glasses neatly arranged. The aroma of freshly cooked sambar and crispy dosas wafted through the air.

Ganga couldn't hide her happiness as she took her seat at the head of the table. It had been so long since she'd had breakfast with Rudhran, and her heart felt full just seeing him there. "You know,"  her voice light with pride, "Aaradhya made everything today. That girl has magic in her hands. Her rava dosa—ah! Perfect every time."

Rudhran's ears perked up slightly at the mention of rava dosa. It had always been his favorite, and the thought of tasting a perfectly made one after ages made his stomach rumble. Of course, he didn't let it show, maintaining his usual composed expression.

Priya, sitting next to Vishnu, leaned in with a knowing smile. "Patti, you're right. Aaradhya is amazing and has done everything with perfection. We met her once when we were in Chennai, remember, Vishnu?"

Vishnu nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, I remember. Such a sweet girl. So soft-spoken. Not like Priya here—always ready to fight me." He grinned mischievously, dodging a playful smack from Priya.

Ganga beamed, clearly delighted that Priya shared her high opinion of Aaradhya. "That's why I trust her with everything. She never disappoints."

As the plates of rava dosa, sambar, and chutneys were brought to the table, Rudhran couldn't help but glance at the food with more interest than usual. The golden, crisp dosas looked perfect, and the sambar's aroma made his mouth water.

Rudhran was savoring the homemade breakfast—a rare treat after so many years, his focus wavered the moment Aaradhya stepped out of the kitchen. She carried a plate of freshly fried medu vadas.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade. Rudhran's face brightened, an involuntary smile tugging at his lips. There was something captivating about her—her wide, doe-like eyes that reflected both surprise and innocence, and her soft, parted lips.

Aaradhya froze under his gaze, her cheeks heating up as though the intensity of his attention was too much and unsure why her heart was pounding so wildly.

The silent exchange between them was broken by Priya's cheerful voice. "Aaradhya!" rushing over to hug her. Aaradhya was stunned, standing stiffly for a second.

"How are you? It's been more than a year since we last met!" Priya exclaimed, pulling back to look at her.

Aaradhya offered a shy smile. "I am fine, ma—" She stopped mid-sentence, seeing Priya's playful glare.

"Akka," Priya corrected firmly.

Aaradhya bit her lip nervously and nodded. "I am fine, akka," she replied softly.

Priya beamed at the response, clearly delighted. Ganga, who had been watching the interaction with a fond smile, took the opportunity to step in.

"This is Aaradhya," Ganga said, addressing Rudhran. "She's been helping here for years. Such a sweet, hardworking girl, and oh, what a talent she has in the kitchen! You can taste her care in every bite." Rudhran's gaze lingered on Aaradhya, softening as he watched her nervously fidget with the edge of her saree. Her unease only seemed to endear her further to him.

in his usual gruff yet unexpectedly kind voice, "Patti, I saw this girl outside, near the temple. But she ran away before I could even say anything." His tone carried a playful edge, a rare hint of teasing that made everyone glance at him with mild surprise.

Aaradhya's doe eyes widened in shock, Ganga looked between Rudhran and Aaradhya, an amused smile forming on her face. "Is it true, Aaradhya?" she asked, clearly enjoying this rare moment of her grandson engaging so casually.

Aaradhya's mind scrambled for an explanation. "I-I didn't mean to—" she started, only to trail off, her head bowing as she clutched the edge of her saree tighter.

Across the table, Vishnu silently observed the interaction, a smirk forming on his lips. Knowing his typically reserved brother, Rudhran should have simply shrugged off the encounter. Yet here he was, actively talking about it and, more amusingly, teasing someone. Priya caught Vishnu's glance, and the two exchanged knowing smiles.

The lighthearted moment was abruptly interrupted by Yamuna's arrival. She walked into the dining area with a fake smile, "Good morning, everyone," she greeted, fakely.

Rudhran's playful expression vanished in an instant. His jaw tightened, and his eyes turned cold as he turned his attention to his plate, refusing to acknowledge her.

Priya offered a quick nod accompanied by a similarly forced smile, her expression neutral but distant. Vishnu, on the other hand, leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms and quirking an eyebrow in mild amusement, as though Yamuna's attempts at pleasantries were part of a comedy routine only he could appreciate.

Rajendhran,  entered and silently took his seat at the table. though Rudhran barely acknowledged him, keeping his focus on the food.

Yamuna, tapped her fingers on the table impatiently "Aaradhya!" she called sharply. "Do you expect me to sit here all day waiting for food?"

Aaradhya's hands trembled slightly as she set the bowl down. "I-I'm sorry, madam. I was—"

Before Aaradhya could finish, Rudhran's voice cut through the room, addressing his grandmother. His tone was calm yet firm,

"Patti," he began, not sparing Yamuna a single glance, "the food is perfectly served. Some people should learn to appreciate it instead of finding faults where there are none."

Aaradhya's doe eyes darted toward Rudhran, quickly lowered her gaze, focusing on her work, but the faintest smile tugged at her lips.

Yamuna's expression tightened, her carefully maintained mask of politeness faltering. She despised Rudhran, but she remained silent, She knew better than to cross him openly—not when he was the key to ensuring the success of Rajendhran's business projects. Without Rudhran's expertise, the entire operation risked collapse, and facing his wrath was a gamble she wasn't willing to take.

"Just making sure everything is in order," Yamuna finally said with a strained smile, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

Rudhran's lips twitched in a faint smirk, but he didn't respond. His dismissal of her was clear, and it only added to Yamuna's simmering resentment.

Rajendran, cleared his throat to change the subject. "Rudhra, I wanted to discuss the new office proposal. There are some issues—"

"This is breakfast," Rudhran interrupted coldly, His gaze didn't lift from his plate as he spoke. "Office matters can wait. I'll visit later today, and you can bring it up there."

Rajendhran stiffened, his authority as the head of the family briefly overshadowed by Rudhran's commanding presence. He leaned back in his chair, his lips pressed into a thin line, and said no more.

The momentary peace was short-lived as Yamuna's gaze darkened, her resentment bubbling just below the surface, while Rudhran's sharp focus ensured no one dared mistreat Aaradhya further.

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