Ranjith and Bala stood in the porch, their eyes scanning the driveway, waiting for Aryan and Sanju to arrive. Moments before them, Pradeep reached the mansion along with Keerthy and Pavithra. After hearing the shocking news about Chandrasekar’s death and learning that Naren was at Aryan’s mansion, they had rushed over without a second thought.
Pavithra approached Ranjith, her voice laced with concern. “How is Naren now?”
“He is shattered,” Ranjith replied, his tone somber. “Right now, he’s in the guest room.”
Pavithra’s eyes turned misty. “How is Sanju?”
“Sir has left to bring her back,” Ranjith said softly. “They’ll be here anytime now.”
Pradeep placed a comforting hand on Pavithra’s shoulder. “Pavi, go check on Naren first. We’ll meet him later. He needs you now.”
Pavithra gave a silent nod and walked inside.
In the guest room, Naren sat by the window, his gaze lost in the nothingness outside. The stillness around him matched the chaos within. The door stood slightly open, and a soft knock pulled him out of his trance. He turned to see Pavithra at the entrance.
She didn’t wait for words. She stepped in and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly as she whispered soothing words, her hand gently rubbing his back.
“I’m sorry, Naren. Please stay strong. We are here for you.”
Naren’s voice was heavy with grief. “I know he was very bad and all his karma will hit him back one day… but I couldn’t accept it. After all, he’s my dad. It hurts that everything is happening at the same time. I can’t tolerate it.”
“Maya will be fine soon, don’t worry,” she said gently. “You need to be strong to take care of her.”
She pulled back, wiping the tears off his face, and held his hand firmly.
“Come out. Don’t get locked inside.”
With a soft tug, she led him back to the living room, where everyone was waiting. Pradeep immediately embraced Naren, offering silent strength. Kousalya handed out coffee to each of them, trying to bring some comfort through the familiar warmth.
Naren looked up. “Did Aryan call you?”
Ranjith nodded. “He did, Naren. They are on their way back home and should be here anytime.”
Naren’s eyes betrayed his worry. “How is Sanju?”
“She is fine.”
Just then, the sound of a car horn pierced the silence, and they all rushed to the entrance. Aryan and Sanju stepped out, and in a heartbeat, Keerthy and Pavithra enveloped her in a tearful hug.
“How are you, Sanju?” Pavi asked.
“I’m fine, Pavi,” Sanju replied softly.
Keerthy wiped her tears. “We were so scared.”
“Nothing to worry,” Sanju smiled faintly. “I’m back now. Relax.”
Ranjith side-hugged her, and Pradeep affectionately caressed her hair. Sanju’s eyes landed on Naren, who stood with his head lowered, guilt weighing him down. She walked up to him and embraced him.
“Sorry, bro. Stay strong. Maya needs you, so for her sake, stay strong.”
Naren’s voice cracked. “You suffered so much because of my dad… still you’re comforting me. I’m sorry for everything he did to you. Please forgive me.”
Sanju pulled back and looked into his eyes. “Bro, please stop talking such words. What is your fault in all this? Don’t worry about anything. We’re all here for you and Maya. Better days are coming.”
“No one else would have reacted this way except you. Aryan is lucky to have you. Stay happy forever. You don’t have to worry about anything from now on.”
“Let’s let go of all that and go inside,” Sanju said with a smile.
They walked in together, and Kousalya rushed forward, hugging Sanju and sobbing uncontrollably. Bala, too, was emotional, his eyes wet.
“Please,” Sanju said gently, “why are you all crying so much? Bala bro, Deepa mom took care of me like her own daughter. I love her a lot.”
Bala chuckled through his tears. “She has no better job than taking care of you. You’re the angel in all our lives.”
Sanju turned to Aryan. “Aryan, everyone’s getting so emotional… I feel like crying too.”
“You must be tired from the travel,” Aryan said, wrapping a hand around her shoulder. “Refresh yourself and we’ll have dinner together.”
He led her to their room and once inside, closed the door behind them. He hugged her from behind, resting his face in the crook of her neck.
“Do you know how much I missed you?” he whispered. “I hated being in this room without you.”
“Let it go,” she murmured, “I’m here now.”
“I missed you a lot.”
“Everyone must be waiting for us, so we’ll talk later.”
They got refreshed and joined the others for dinner, eating together with a rare sense of unity and peace.
“Naren,” Aryan said after the meal, “stay back for the night. In fact, all of you can stay here today.”
Everyone agreed. Ranjith helped assign rooms to them, while Pavithra lingered longer with Naren, not wanting him to be alone in his most vulnerable moment.
Later that night, Aryan and Sanju returned to their room. Aryan knelt in front of her, kissed her baby bump, and rested his palm on it.
“Baby, we are back together,” he whispered with reverence. “And I promise to stay together and protect you and mommy always. I love you, baby.”
Suddenly, he felt a tiny kick under his palm. Sanju gasped, eyes wide.
“Aryan…”
Both of them were teary-eyed, their hearts racing with joy. Aryan leaned in and kissed the bump again, and another kick followed.
“Did you feel it?” Sanju asked, her voice trembling with wonder.
“Yes…” Aryan whispered.
“First kick we felt together, Aryan.”
He looked up at her, his heart full. “Love you, sweetheart. Thank you so much for giving me this happiness.”
They curled into each other’s arms, hearts finally at peace, and drifted into a restful sleep — home, together, and safe.
The next morning, Naren and Pavithra left early for the hospital to be with Maya. At the same time, Aryan requested Pradeep to manage the office in his absence.
“Pradeep, I still have a few things to take care of. Please handle the office for a few more days,” Aryan had said.
Keerthy, ever responsible, offered her help too, and began assisting Pradeep at work.
Three days passed. The chief doctor overseeing Aryan’s parents finally received the antidote. Aryan, along with Ranjith, waited anxiously at the hospital for the doctor’s report after beginning the treatment.
After nearly three hours, the doctor emerged from the ICU.
“Sir,” he said, “there are no side effects until now. Hopefully, they should be able to give little movements in the next three to four hours. By the next shot, we can see better improvement.”
“Thank you, doctor,” Aryan responded sincerely.
He then walked into the room where his parents, Mr. Vishnu Chaitanya and Mrs. Devika Chaitanya, lay. Their eyes were open, watching him.
“Amma, Appa… don’t worry. You will be fine and normal soon.”
They blinked at him in response, and Aryan’s heart lifted. The antidote was working.
After spending some time with them, Aryan left as they fell asleep and returned home to see his wife — who was waiting, having not eaten yet.
“Sanju, why do you have to wait for me? You should have food on time,” Aryan said as he entered.
“I had been eating alone for the past few days,” Sanju replied softly. “So I don’t want that anymore. Come, let’s eat together.”
Aryan smiled, quickly freshened up, and sat beside her, feeding her lovingly.
As they ate, Sanju looked at him curiously. “Aryan, do you have to say anything to me?”
“Yes, Sanju. But it’s good news. Just wait for two more days and I’ll let you know.”
Sanju hummed in response and leaned against him. Aryan took her to their room for a nap.
“Maya’s operation is planned tomorrow,” he said gently.
Sanju nodded. “Hmm… she should get well soon. It hurts to see Naren bro suffering from everything.”
“She will be fine,” Aryan reassured her.
“What if she comes again between us?” Sanju asked quietly.
“She will not.”
“How are you so sure?”
“Wait and see,” he said with a mysterious smile.
“Too much suspenses,” she muttered, closing her eyes.
After Sanju fell asleep, Aryan moved to his study where Ranjith was waiting.
“Ranjith, did you get the photos like I asked for?”
“Done, sir.”
“Meet Vivaan and get him to the hospital tomorrow. I’ll speak with Naren.”
“Okay, sir.”
The next morning, Aryan reached the hospital and met Naren privately.
“Naren, I will tell you something, and I hope you’ll understand,” Aryan began carefully.
“Tell me, what is it?” Naren asked, confused.
Just then, Ranjith and Vivaan arrived.
“Why is he here?” Naren’s expression turned sharp.
“Listen, Naren. Vivaan still loves Maya. He is ready to marry her, and I think this is the right time. We should let him marry Maya before the operation. Believe me, she will have a happy life.”
Naren turned to Vivaan, narrowing his eyes.
“Sir,” Vivaan stepped forward, “I really love her. What I did may be wrong, but I love her with all her flaws. Please believe me. I will take care of her.”
“What if she rejects you after her operation?” Naren asked, still unsure.
“Don’t worry, she will not,” Aryan answered calmly. “We can take care of that and do the needful for her happiness.”
Naren nodded after a long pause.
They all walked inside Maya’s ward. Ranjith handed Vivaan a nuptial chain, and with solemn hands, Vivaan tied it around Maya’s neck while Ranjith quietly recorded the moment. Later, they stepped outside the ward.
“You can trust me,” Vivaan said to Naren. “I will take care of her even if she hates me.”
Ranjith handed a file to Naren.
“According to Maya, they had registered their marriage almost three years ago, since your father didn’t accept Vivaan. She lost her memory and their unborn child in the accident.”
Aryan added, “We can even say she had a business partnership with ARC and we cancelled it later due to losses. Naren, she will not have any memories of me. She will only remember you, Vivaan, and your father. I think you’ll understand — this is for the betterment of all of us.”
“I can understand,” Naren said slowly. “I want her to live a normal and happy life. And if this is the only way, then I agree to it.”
“I’ve already informed the doctor,” Aryan said. “So you can strongly believe she will wake up as the same Maya — the one you knew before she met me.”
“Thanks, Aryan.”
“Ranjith, call her friends and warn them to stick with what we’ve decided,” Aryan instructed. “Or they shouldn’t appear in front of her. Any misguiding from them — the consequences will be severe. Tell them clearly.”
Soon after, Maya was wheeled into the operation theatre. Everyone waited outside as Aryan’s trusted doctor entered to perform the surgery.
Naren was visibly restless. Pavithra held his hand and gently comforted him.
The operation lasted nearly six hours. Finally, the doctor stepped out, removing his gloves.
“Doctor, how is my sister?” Naren asked quickly.
“The operation is a success,” the doctor said with a reassuring smile. “She will regain consciousness, but it will take at least eight to ten hours. Once she’s conscious, I’ll address her. Until then, she will be in ICU. Only her brother may visit her — no one else. And no talking to her until I test her.”
“Sure. Thank you, doctor.”
Naren quietly walked into the ICU. Maya lay there, her head bandaged, unconscious and fragile. He stood beside her in silence, watching her breathe, his emotions swirling within. After a few moments, he stepped out — without saying a word — just as the doctor had instructed.
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