Aryan took Sanju for a swim in the pool. The water shimmered under the sunlight as the two of them spent some quiet, intimate time together. Banu and Deepa gave them complete privacy, staying away to let them enjoy the moment.
After the swim, Aryan insisted on preparing lunch himself. He served her lovingly and even fed her while eating beside her. Once they finished, he said gently, “Now go take a nap.”
But Sanju shook her head. “No… I don’t want to sleep. I want to spend every moment with you while you’re here.”
Smiling softly, Aryan said, “Alright. But let me help you relax.”
He gave her a foot massage followed by a gentle hair massage. Sanju slowly felt her body giving in to his soothing touch. Her muscles relaxed, and without realizing it, she dozed off. Aryan carefully laid her down on the bed and sat beside her, quietly taking in every detail of her sleeping face, memorizing her presence.
By evening, he brought a mug of hot chocolate and gently woke her.
Sanju stirred and frowned. “Why did you let me sleep?”
“I know you haven’t been sleeping properly,” Aryan replied. “You finally looked at peace. I couldn’t bring myself to disturb that.”
“But I wanted to be with you…”
“You were with me. I sat beside you the whole time. I just left for a few minutes to get this drink for you. Now have this.”
She drank it quietly. Afterward, Aryan took her for a walk. They strolled hand-in-hand through the garden until they returned to the room.
Sanju asked curiously, “Why haven’t you seen any of the other rooms?”
Aryan looked at her with a soft smile. “Not this time. We’ll explore them all when we come back here for a happier reason. Now, promise me—you’ll eat and sleep properly.”
“I will,” she promised.
He sighed. “I think it’s time for me to leave.”
Sanju kissed his forehead. Aryan ran his fingers through her hair and then kissed her lips.
“I love you,” he said.
“Love you too…” she whispered, her voice dissolving into his kiss.
As they stepped into the living room, Deepa and Banu were waiting.
Aryan turned to them. “Banu… Deepa aunty… thank you. Please take care of her. I have to go now.”
Banu nodded. “Carry on. Don’t worry about Sanju.”
“We’ll take care of her, sir,” Deepa assured him. “So stop worrying and carry on.”
Aryan turned to Sanju. “Take care. I may not be able to call frequently, so don’t wait for my calls, okay? It may only put you in danger.”
Sanju nodded silently. She held back the tears that were pressing at the edge of her eyes. Aryan kissed her forehead and left. The moment he stepped out, Banu hugged Sanju—and all the tears she had held back began to flow freely. Deepa consoled her with gentle words.
Meanwhile, at the mansion, Ranjith called the driver and told him to get the car ready to receive Aryan from the airport. He then stepped outside. Rajesh, who had overheard Ranjith’s conversation, rushed to the airport.
At the airport, Pradeep arrived via private jet just as Aryan’s flight landed. As per their plan, they swapped their appearances and left the airport unnoticed.
Rajesh followed Aryan, suspecting he had brought Sanju back with him. But he was quickly captured by Ranjith’s men and taken to Aryan’s underground cell.
Later, Aryan arrived at the mansion. In the garden, he saw Bala and hugged him.
“Sir, what happened?” Bala asked.
Aryan’s eyes softened. “Bala, thank you so much. Your mom is taking such good care of Sanju. I’m really grateful to both of you.”
“Sir, this is nothing compared to what you do for us. You and Sanju deserve happiness. She’s like a sister to me. Please don’t thank me.”
Aryan smiled. “Okay, I won’t.” He hugged Bala again and then went to his room.
Back in the underground cell, Rajesh slowly regained consciousness. The guards informed Ranjith, who soon entered the room.
Rajesh groaned. “Why did you bring me here?”
Ranjith grinned. “Thought of arranging a feast for you.”
“Don’t mess with me, Ranjith. Let me go.”
“You can leave—but be patient. What’s the hurry? I just need one piece of information. Tell me that, and you’re free.”
“You won’t get anything from me.”
Ranjith snapped his fingers and the guards began to beat Rajesh, but he refused to break. Calmly, Ranjith pulled out his gun and placed it on Rajesh’s head.
“I’m ready to die. Shoot me. But I won’t talk,” Rajesh said defiantly.
“Shooting you is too quick. I have another treatment in mind.”
He called out, “Start the treatment.”
The guards returned with utensils—spoons, forks, and other metal tools. As they began scratching them together, a high-pitched noise filled the room. Rajesh clenched his teeth in pain.
“What are you doing?” Rajesh yelled.
Ranjith smirked. “What are you looking at, Mr. Misophonia?”
Rajesh froze. “How… how do you know that?”
“If your brain can work that much, don’t you think mine works the same—or even better?” Ranjith said coldly. “Boys, begin.”
The guards intensified the noise, making Rajesh tremble.
“Stop it! Don’t do this!” he begged.
“I’m expecting more, boys,” Ranjith said.
The guards brought the noise closer to Rajesh’s ears. He began to panic, trying in vain to break the ropes that held him.
“Someone shut my ears! Please!”
“Oh, now he’s requesting music close to his ears,” Ranjith mocked. “Give him what he asked for.”
The guards obliged, making the noise right next to him.
“Please, Ranjith! Stop!”
“My boys are experts in stunts, but look—they’re doing kiddie games for you today. I feel ashamed, man,” Ranjith said, laughing.
“What do you want to know?” Rajesh finally broke.
Ranjith activated a conference call to Naren and Aryan. “He’s ready. Listen carefully.”
“The swimming pool,” Rajesh started. “There’s an underground cell.”
“Idiot. Be clear,” Ranjith demanded.
“Drain the water. In the far right corner, there’s a switch. Press it, and the floor opens to the basement.”
“Is there a security alarm?”
“If you press the switch, it alerts Chandrasekar’s mobile. He’ll know someone’s entering.”
Ranjith nodded. “Hmm… okay. You’ll be staying here until we succeed.”
He left the cell and continued the call with Aryan and Naren.
Ranjith spoke into the phone with urgency. “Naren, first you need to go to the hospital and take your father’s mobile from him.”
Naren sounded uncertain. “Hmm… but he’ll get alerted.”
“Then stay in the hospital and handle him. I’ll go with my men.”
“There will be security.”
“I can knock them down in minutes, don’t worry. I’ll call you once I reach, and you handle him until I finish my work. Your father will ask for Rajesh.”
“I’ll take care of that,” Naren assured.
Aryan’s voice came over the call. “Ranjith, call me once you finish.”
“Okay, sir,” Ranjith replied, ending the call.
At the hospital, Naren walked into Chandrasekar’s room, thinking fast.
“Doctor has told that we should keep speaking to Maya and give her hope,” Naren said casually. “I think you need to give her your time now.”
Chandrasekar stood without questioning and walked towards Maya’s room. As soon as he left, Naren swiftly picked up his father’s mobile, switched it off, and followed him to Maya’s room, keeping up the act.
Inside, Chandrasekar asked, “Where is Rajesh?”
“I sent him to collect the reports from the doctor and send those to a doctor friend of mine for a second opinion,” Naren answered smoothly.
Chandrasekar nodded, accepting his explanation.
Meanwhile, Ranjith and his men arrived at DC Residence. True to his word, they knocked out the guards within minutes and made their way to the swimming pool. Without wasting time, they began draining the water. As it cleared, Ranjith took out his phone and messaged Naren.
Receiving a positive reply, he turned to one of his men. “Press the switch.”
The guard obeyed. A soft click sounded, and a portion of the floor shifted, revealing a hidden stairway. The steps led downward, dimly lit but visible enough to proceed. As they descended, one of the guards found the light panel and flipped the switch.
The basement lit up slowly. They walked past rows of cells, each one empty, silence echoing with each step. Finally, they reached the last cell.
Ranjith stopped in front of it and peered inside. What he saw made his breath catch in his throat. He stumbled backward and dropped to his knees, clutching his head in his hands. In a panic, he dialed Aryan.
“Yes, Ranjith,” Aryan answered. “Did you find anything?”
“Sir…” Ranjith’s voice broke. “Please be quick and come over here immediately.”
“What happened?”
“Sir, please come quick.”
Aryan knew Ranjith well enough to understand—he would never panic unless the situation was grave. Without wasting another second, Aryan jumped into his car and drove himself straight to DC Residence.
One of his men was already waiting at the entrance and silently guided him inside. Aryan moved fast, his heartbeat pounding. He reached the basement corridor and demanded, “Where is Ranjith?”
The guards pointed toward the last cell.
Aryan rushed over and stepped inside.
The sight before him froze him in place.
His knees gave way, and he collapsed onto the floor. His eyes widened with disbelief, and his breath caught. His throat refused to form words. Ranjith, who was still on his knees, reached out and placed a steadying hand on Aryan’s shoulder.
But Aryan’s silence shattered a moment later.
He broke down, crying uncontrollably.
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