chapter 4

At night:

Vijay had retired to the next room, as usual, when he heard a soft knock on his door.

Mahalakshmi stood there, hesitant but determined. "Can we sleep together?" she asked quietly.

Vijay was stunned. It was the first time she’d made such a request since their first night together. His heart raced, but he nodded without a word, stepping aside for her to enter.

They settled into bed, the silence between them filled with unspoken emotions. Vijay couldn’t help but glance at her, wondering what had prompted this change.

In the middle of the night, he was jolted awake by her restless movements.

Vijay: "What is she saying…?" he murmured, leaning closer to hear her faint words.

Mahalakshmi: "Help me, Vijay… help me," she whimpered, tears streaming down her face as she cried in her sleep.

Without thinking, Vijay pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

Vijay: "Okay… my chellam. I’m here. Don’t worry," he whispered, his voice steady and comforting.

Gradually, her cries subsided, and she drifted back into peaceful slumber. Vijay, however, remained awake, his mind racing with concern.

"I don’t know what’s haunting you, Maha," he thought, his jaw tightening, "but if anyone is causing you pain, I’ll make their life a living hell."

Before returning to bed, he quietly checked on their babies, ensuring they were sound asleep. Satisfied, he lay down beside Mahalakshmi, wrapping his arms protectively around her.

As he held her close, he silently vowed to uncover the truth and shield her from whatever shadows lingered in her past.

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The next morning:

Mahalakshmi woke up early, her heart set on preparing breakfast for the babies and Vijay. She moved quietly through the kitchen, determined to make something special.

As Vijay got ready to leave for work, she called out to him, her voice soft yet clear.

Maha: "Enanga... eat and go to work."

Vijay froze in his tracks, turning to look at her with disbelief. It was rare for her to address him so warmly, let alone ask him to share a meal before he left.

His mind wandered back to a painful memory—the day he had tried to sit and eat with her, hoping to bridge the growing distance between them. Her harsh words still echoed in his mind.

Maha: "I don't want to eat with you... I feel like I'm going to vomit."

That day, something inside him had broken. He had never asked her to eat with him again.

Now, as he looked at her, he couldn’t help but wonder what had changed.

Mahalakshmi noticed the flicker of pain in his eyes and knew exactly what he was thinking. She clenched her fists, guilt washing over her.

It had all been a misunderstanding fueled by her step-sister Yasmin, who had sent her photos of Vijay with another woman.

The pictures had been taken out of context, and jealousy had clouded her judgment. Only later had she learned that the woman was a wanted criminal and Vijay had been on duty to arrest her.

Maha: "I’m sorry…" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Vijay didn’t respond. Without a word, he walked to the dining table and sat down, his expression unreadable.

Gathering her courage, Maha placed a plate in front of him.

Maha: "I know you like Pongal, so I made it with my new recipe. Eat and tell me how it is."

Vijay stared at the plate, his surprise evident. He hadn’t known she could cook, let alone that she remembered his favorite dish. Hesitant, he took a bite.

Maha watched him anxiously, hoping to see a flicker of approval in his eyes.

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