Chapter – 4

Aryan Mansion:

Aryan sat at the dining table, waiting for Sanjana to join him for dinner. She descended the stairs slowly and took a seat opposite him. Silence filled the space between them as they ate. Once finished, Sanjana quietly retreated to her room.

Aryan followed her and entered without hesitation. She moved towards the closet, changed into her nightdress, and turned around to find him seated on the couch, waiting.

Why is he still here? she wondered.

“Sanjana…” Aryan began.

She folded her arms. “Can you leave from here?”

“Listen, Sanjana, I truly regret what happened that night. I hope you understand. I don’t want either of us to keep hiding from each other. That won’t happen. So, it’s better if we talk.”, Aryan spoke in a calm and soothing tone.

Sanju’s eyes turned cold. “Mr. Chaitanya, if you’re done with your nonsense, you better leave.” she said pointing to the door.

He sighed. “Don’t keep running from me. The more you try, the closer I’ll be.”

Sanjana clenched her fists. “You know what? I hate you the most, Mr. Chaitanya. You are a heartless beast! How does keeping me in this mansion satisfy you?”

Aryan simply said, “Sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Frustrated, she threw a vase at the door as he left. She sank to the carpeted floor, pulled open a drawer, and took out a photograph. Tears welled in her eyes as she held it against her chest.

What did I do to suffer this much? Is there any way to escape this misery?

She cried herself to sleep.

The next day, Aryan was at his office.

“Ranjith, call Kousalya and check what Sanjana does at home,” he ordered.

Ranjith placed the call and switched to speaker mode so Aryan could hear the conversation.

“Kousalya Aunty, can you talk privately? Move away from Sanjana,” Ranjith said.

“I’m away now. What is it?” asked Kowsalya in a low voice.

“What does Sanjana usually do at home?”  Ranjith asked her and Aryan was curious to know.

Kousalya sighed. “As soon as sir leaves for the office, she spends time in the garden. Later, she stays in her room reading books. She loves music and listens to songs for a while, sometimes, she even sings. She has an amazing voice, but she always seems lost in grief. The only time she smiles is when she’s with the birds in the garden.”

Aryan leaned back in his chair, his mind flashing back to a moment from a year ago.

Flashback – One Year Ago

The sky was fresh after the rain. Aryan had arrived at Emerald Resort for a business meeting. After finishing in the conference hall, he stepped outside for fresh air. The drizzle returned, and a soothing voice caught his attention, sending a shiver down his spine.

He followed the sound and found a girl leaning against a pillar, singing:

Muzhusa unakkena naan vaazhuren
Pudhusa dhinam dhinam ena paakkuren
Azhutha thozhula naan saanjupen
Alavillaama aasai vekkuren

I’m living entirely for you                                                                                                                                                    You are seeing me daily, in a new way                                                                                                                        If I cry, I will lean on your shoulder                                                                                                                                I m falling so deeply

Yeno thaano
Endru pona naalum
Ellaam neeye
Endru maaruthae

Yaarum illa
Neram vandha pinnum
Unadharugil kaadhal ondru
Kanden pennae

For some reason, This day is ending                                                                                                                              But because of you ,This day is changing                                                                                                                    No one was here,  At the moment                                                                                                                                    But right beside you,  I’ve seen the love, my girl

Her voice held him captive. When she finished, a group of girls clapped and cheered.

“Hey, Sanju! You’re an amazing singer! You’re the only one who can entertain us in the rain,” one of them said.

Sanjana laughed. “Stop exaggerating! I’m not that good.”

“Trust us! Your future husband will be a lucky man. He’d want to hear you sing every day.” her friend teased her and bumped her shoulder.

“Nonsense! Shut up!” Sanju  said, shaking her head and walked away from them.

Aryan who had watched, listened her singing and their teasing smiled as he watched her walk away.

Ranjith appeared beside him. “Sir, shall I find out about her?”

Aryan shook his head. “No.”

Present Day

Aryan’s thoughts were interrupted as Ranjith spoke. “Sir, is there a problem?”

Aryan composed himself. “Nothing. Get back to work.”

Ranjith left. Aryan took out his phone and played the video he had recorded of Sanjana singing. A smile crept onto his lips.

No matter what happens, you will stay with me. I will make sure you are happy. I will do anything for that. One day, I hope you will understand.

A knock at the door brought him back.

“Come in.”

Ranjith entered, his face tense. “Kousalya Aunty called. Sanjana has fainted.”

Aryan’s heart pounded. He rushed to the elevator, reached his car, and sped home, calling the doctor on the way.

When he arrived, the doctor was already waiting in the living room.

“How is she?” Aryan asked anxiously.

“She’s fine. It looks like she’s under a lot of stress and hasn’t been eating properly. I’ve given her an injection. She needs rest and care,” the doctor explained.

“I’ll take care of her,” Aryan assured him.

After the doctor left, Aryan entered Sanjana’s room. She lay unconscious on the bed, her face pale. Guilt pricked at him.

I have no choice, Sanjana. I can’t let you go. Aryan thought looking at her.

“Kousalya Maa, get her some food,” he ordered her still his gaze fixed on Sanju.

Once Kousalya brought the food, she left the room. Aryan sat beside Sanjana, waiting for her to wake up.

After a while, she stirred, slowly opening her eyes. Her gaze landed on Aryan.

He held out a glass of water to her and muttered “Drink.”, but Sanju turned her face away from him.

His voice remained firm. “Sanjana, drink the water. Don’t make things worse.”

Reluctantly, she took the glass and sipped the water since her throat was parched.

Aryan then picked up the plate of food. “Eat.”

“I can eat by myself. Leave it and you can leave already”, Sanju said in a clipped tone.

“I know you can eat, but you’ll eat from my hands.” Aryan tried to be gentle in his voice knowing she is hurt and ill already.

She scowled. “Why should I?”

“Because if you do, I have good news for you.” Aryan said in a cool tone.

Her brows furrowed. “You still have the heart to say ‘good news’?”

“I think so.” Aryan shrugged and pointed to the food but Sanju was curious to know the good news he had for.

“What is it?” she asked but Aryan smirked. “Finish your food if you want to know.”

“I can eat on my own.” Sanju said trying to take the plate from his hand and Aryan sighed.

“Fine, but then don’t ask me about the news.” Aryan sighed and Frustrated Sanju opened her mouth, and Aryan fed her.

Sanju ate a little and stopped him. “That’s enough,” she said, pushing the plate away.

“No, finish it.” Aryan said continuing to feed her.

“I’m not a pig to dig through the whole plate.” Sanju said with an irritated face and Aryan chuckled on seeing her reaction. He set the plate aside and handed her a glass of water.

She took a sip and glared. “Tell me what it is.”

“Why so impatient? First, let me get your medicine.”

As he walked away, she muttered, “Irritating moron…”

He turned back and smirked. “I heard that.”

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