There could be no place on Earth with eternal darkness or unchanging light. Every corner of the world has its moments of both, and today, it was Chandrasekar who stood in the shadow of defeat. The once non-conquerable business tycoon felt like the most humiliated man in the universe. He had no choice but to accept every term Aryan placed before him. The words Aryan spoke were laced with such intimidation that they echoed long after he had left.
Chandrasekar alone knew the web of manipulations and deceit he had spun to raise his empire, and the thought of losing it all crushed him. But giving up? That was not who he was.
Almost at midnight, he arrived at his farmhouse, accompanied by his lawyers and Rajesh, desperate to find any legal or strategic stone unturned that could trap Aryan. The humiliation he endured replayed in his mind like a haunting film reel. He had almost felt like he was standing in front of Aryan’s father again — a man who once ruled the business world with such ferocity that even Chandrasekar, proud and calculating, stood tongue-tied before him.
Now, Chandrasekar had carved out his own throne in the industry. He wasn’t ready to surrender. He immediately summoned all his trusted men and ordered them to gather every detail about Aryan’s past, present, and future.
The long night ended without a single plan to break Aryan. Frustrated beyond measure, Chandrasekar began drinking. One by one, everyone left the farmhouse — everyone except Rajesh. The sleepless night, the sting of humiliation, the business loss — everything boiled inside him until it burst into rage, which he now directed toward his daughter. He asked Rajesh to drive him home.
At Aryan Mansion:
The living room was adorned with flowers and filled with the buzz of preparations for the ritual for Sanju. Keerthy, Pavi, and Pradeep had arrived early. Bala and Ranjith assisted Kowsalya with the arrangements. Though Aryan had offered to handle everything, Kowsalya insisted on doing it all herself, pouring her motherly love into every detail. She, with Bala’s help, bought flowers, a simple yet beautiful saree, bangles, and a garland for Sanju. She also prepared a variety of rice dishes for the ritual.
Later, she called Aryan and Sanju down and handed the saree to Sanju. Keerthy and Pavi helped Sanju dress. In a few moments, Sanju came down, glowing in a blue art silk saree. Her little baby bump peeked through the pleats. Jasmine flowers adorned her plaited hair. She walked gracefully and sat on the single-seater sofa placed for her in the center.
Aryan stood overwhelmed. His wife looked divine — radiant with motherhood.
Kowsalya gestured to Aryan.”Put the garland around her neck, sir”
Aryan gently garlanded Sanju, his eyes never leaving her glowing face.
Then Kowsalya started the ritual. She applied sandal paste to Sanju’s cheeks and fed her spoonfuls of lemon rice, tamarind rice, mango rice, mint rice, coconut rice, and a sweet dish. Then she gently slipped bangles onto Sanju’s hands. One by one, Keerthy, Pavi, Aryan, Ranjith, Pradeep, and Bala followed, performing the ritual. Finally, Kowsalya took arathi and concluded the ceremony.
Sanju looked at her hands, now decorated with vibrant bangles, and smiled with contentment. Ranjith clicked some candid shots to capture the moment. They all shared a delicious meal and sat back to relax.
Keerthy kept glancing at Pradeep, urging him silently.
Sanju noticed. “Keerthy, do you have something to share with us? You’ve been quite busy lately.”
Keerthy smiled nervously. “Sanju… I want to say something.”
Aryan joined in.”If you’re finding it difficult, let Pradeep say it. Right, Pradeep?”
Pradeep looked stunned. How did Aryan always know?
Taking a deep breath, he said, “Actually… we wanted to tell you all that we’re in love.”
Laughter erupted in the room.
Sanju teased, “So finally you guys said it! How long you made us wait!”
Keerthy frowned. “What does that mean?”
“It means we all knew already,” Sanju grinned. “We were just waiting for you two to open up. And now we’re so happy for you!”
Everyone congratulated them.
Keerthy smirked. “Why only me? Ask Pavi too!”
Sanju turned to her. “Pavi, when is Anna coming back?”
Pavi rolled her eyes. “Is there anything you don’t know, Sanju? Seriously?”
“Some of the benefits of being Mrs. Aryan,” Sanju replied smugly.
“Oh God, Sanju!” Pavi laughed.
Aryan smiled. “Soon we’ll have a wedding then.”
Keerthy interrupted quickly. “No, brother! Not before Sanju’s delivery. We want some time for ourselves too!”
Ranjith grinned. “Until then, enjoy your courtship.”
Sanju turned to Ranjith. “We should find a girl for Ranjith bro now.”
Ranjith held up his hands. “Oh my God, no way! I’m happy the way I am!”
“No way,” Sanju insisted. “You can’t expect us to let you stay single.”
“We’ll consider that at the right time,” Ranjith said. “Maybe I’ll meet someone like Sir and Pradeep did.”
Sanju raised an eyebrow. “That might not happen if you keep running behind Aryan all the time.”
Ranjith smirked. “My duty comes first. Everything else comes after.”
“You never listen to me,” Sanju pouted.
Laughter filled the room. It was a moment of warmth and joy. Sanju excused herself to change into more comfortable clothes and headed to her room.
Same morning at DC Residence:
Chandrasekar stormed into his home, rage in his eyes.
“Maya!” he bellowed.
Upstairs, Maya jolted awake. She rushed down to find her father fuming, his eyes bloodshot with fury.
“Dad? What happened? Why are you so furious?”
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done, girl?” he shouted.
“Now what, Dad?” Maya asked, confused.
“Aryan cancelled our partnership!” Chandrasekar exploded. “I lost to a man I taught business to! I let him grow , for your sake! Yesterday was the worst day of my life. He returned your 40% shares like I was a beggar. He handed me back the investment like I was bankrupt. I had to pay him 25 crores on the spot l just to keep you out of jail!”
Maya’s eyes widened, and she froze in place.
“I told you countless times , don’t bring your personal matters into business! Naren was right. I should’ve listened. And now, you’ll leave to Canada in two days. No more interfering in Aryan and Sanjana’s life. Got it?”
“Stop it, Dad! I can’t go to Canada. I won’t leave!”
“Shut up, Maya!”
With a furious cry, Chandrasekar grabbed a vase and hurled it across the room. It smashed against the wall. The sound made Maya flinch, her body trembling. Her breathing quickened… and suddenly, she collapsed.
“Maya!” Chandrasekar’s voice cracked as he rushed to her.
He knelt, patting her cheeks, trying to wake her. She remained unconscious.
“Rajesh! Call the doctor! Now!” he yelled.
Lifting her into his arms, he carried her to her bed and laid her down gently.
“Maya, I’m sorry, child. I shouldn’t have shouted. Please… please wake up, princess. I promise not to scold you again. Just open your eyes.”
But she didn’t.
The doctor arrived quickly. Chandrasekar stepped out as the examination began.
Thirty minutes later, the doctor came out.
“Doctor… how is my princess?” he asked, breathless.
“She’s awake now. You can meet her.”
“But what happened to her?” Chandrasekar asked urgently.
“She fainted due to a sudden spike in blood pressure,” the doctor explained. “She’s pregnant, sir. Please bring her in for a detailed check-up. We need to monitor both mother and baby and confirm the due date.”
Chandrasekar froze. The doctor’s words echoed in his ears.
Rajesh stepped forward quickly, instructing the doctor, “Please don’t reveal anything about her pregnancy to anyone else.”
Just then, Maya stepped out of her room, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Chandrasekar turned to her. “Maya… what was the doctor saying? Tell me it’s not true.”
She kept crying.
“I’m asking you, princess. I’m not angry… please, just tell me.”
“Dad… I just got to know. I’m sorry, please…”
“Who is the father, Maya?”
“Would you believe me if I told you?” she asked hesitantly.
“Princess… I’ve always believed you. I’ve done everything you ever asked. Now, please, tell me. Who is the father?”
Maya’s mind raced,“What happened in Ooty wasn’t a dream like the girls and Vivaan said. It was real. It was Aryan I saw. So the baby growing inside me… it’s his. He won’t reject me now. He can’t. Not when I carry his child.”
Chandrasekar stared at her, waiting.
“It’s… it’s Aryan, Dad,” she finally said. “Aryan is the father of the child.”
