Episode 33...

That night, after a warm family dinner, as everyone sat together chatting, Ajay cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.

"Appa, naanum Shreyavum nalaiki namba veetuku kelamburom pa," he announced. "Shreya voda leave vera mudinjuruchu, nalaiku ava duty join pananum aprom enakum office la konjam vela irukkula pa."

There was a moment of silence as everyone absorbed the news. Though they knew this day would come, it still felt too soon.

Surya, nodding in agreement, added, "Ama da nee neraiya prepare panna vendiyadhu irukku. Na nalaiki unnoda CEO annoucement pathi oru board meeting arrange panni iruken. We need to make the official announcement to the staff and start the transition process."

Poornima sighed, looking at Shreya with concern. "Thangam unaku thaniya irundhu palakam illa la epdi da, paathupiya."

"illa paati na london la thaniya dhana irundhu padichen, so adhellam onnum illa paati na paathupen" Shreya reassured her, holding her hand gently.

Malini, rocking her newborn in her arms, pouted. "Dei ennada, ellarum poitinga na enaku bore adikumeyy?"

Shreya chuckled, "Ada akka naanga, weekend ana inga kelambi vara porom illati neenga anga vaanga."

Ajay rolled his eyes. "Yabbha unga pasam thangala."

Everyone laughed at his dramatic reaction, but deep down, there was a bittersweet feeling in the air. The night passed with long conversations, occasional teasing, and lots of reminiscing about the past few weeks.

The next day, Shreya and Ajay woke up early to pack up their things. The house was unusually quiet, as if it too didn't want them to leave.

As Shreya zipped up her suitcase, she sighed. "Namba rendu perum anga poi thaniya irukka poradha nenaicha oru madhiri wierd ah irukkula."

Ajay, standing by the closet, nodded. "En ma oorula nadakadhadha inga nadakudhu, ella husband and wife ipadi dhan irupanga, solla ponum na inumey dhan namba actual journey start agudhu as a husband and wife, ivlo naala functions, trips nu adhulaye poiduchu."

Shreya playfully smacked his arm. "I'm actually looking forward to that."

By the time they came downstairs, the entire family was gathered in the hall, waiting to see them off.

Surya handed Ajay a small envelope. "Ajay indha documents ellathayum oru vaati go through pannidu."

Poornima, unable to hide her emotions, held Shreya's face in her hands. "Paathuko, ma. Avan time ku olunga sapda sollu."

Shreya smiled warmly. "Paati unga peran inimey en poruppu ok va?."

Malini sighed dramatically. "Yabbha mudiyala da unga drama, ivaru apdiye kolandha paaru."

Hussain chuckled.

Ajay smirked. "poo porama pudichavale"

Malini scoffed. "po daa.."

The family burst into laughter as Ajay rolled his eyes.

After a final round of hugs, Ajay and Shreya stepped out with their bags. Hussain and Surya helped load them into the car.

Just as they were about to leave, Malini pulled Shreya into a quick hug. "Veetuku adikadi vaa di."

Shreya nodded, feeling the lump in her throat. "I promise."

Ajay smirked at his sister. "Thambi mela konjam avudhu pasam irukka unaku."

Malini scoffed. "peh oru thala vaali olinjudhu nu inimey jolly ah irupen."

With that final banter, Ajay and Shreya got into the car and drove away.

On the way, Ajay glanced at Shreya, who was looking out of the window, lost in thought.

"Enna ma achu?" he asked.

"Konjam nervous ah irukku, romba naal kalichi poren la. Yaarukitayum vambu illukama irundha seri," she admitted.

Ajay chuckled. "Adhu seri."

Within a few minutes, they reached the hospital. Shreya quickly freshened up in the car mirror and turned to Ajay. "Seri bathrama veetuku ponga?"

Ajay smirked. "Naa enna kolandhaiya?"

Shreya laughed, shaking her head. "Na enna pandradhu, neenga apo apo kolandha madhiri dhan behave pandringa."

He leaned closer and whispered, "Ama, adhum unkita mattum dhan."

Blushing slightly, Shreya opened the car door. "Bye, Ajay..."

"Bye da.." He winked before driving off.

Back home, Ajay took a deep breath as he stepped into their house-his and Shreya's home. The silence felt new, but there was also a sense of ownership. He quickly freshened up, set his things in place, and got ready for the office.

At the company, Surya had already gathered the board members for the meeting. As Ajay walked in, all eyes turned to him.

Surya stood up. "I'm pleased to announce that Ajay will officially take over as the CEO of our company."

There was a round of applause, but Ajay could sense the weight of expectations in the room. He took a seat, feeling the gravity of his new role settle in.

The meeting went smoothly, and by the end of it, one of the board members suggested, "We should have a welcome party for Ajay this weekend."

Surya nodded. "That's a good idea. We'll arrange for it."

Ajay, though not a fan of parties, simply nodded. His mind was already on something else-getting back home to Shreya.

By the time Ajay returned home, he was surprised to find the lights already on. As he stepped inside, he was greeted by the warm aroma of food.

Shreya, dressed in a simple cotton kurti, was setting the dining table. She looked up and smiled. "Correct ana time ku vandhutinga."

Ajay raised an eyebrow. "Wow. First day ve samachitiya?"

Shreya shrugged. "Chumma dhan, ungaluku en kaiyala samaikanum nu thonuchu."

Ajay softened.

They sat down to eat, discussing their day-the little hospital dramas, Ajay's first meeting as CEO, and the upcoming party.

As the night deepened, they sat on the couch, sipping tea.

Ajay stretched his arms. "Unaku onnu theriyuma... today felt different."

Shreya tilted her head. "Yen?"

Ajay thought for a moment. "Enaku ipo dhan namba kalyana vazhkaiya ye arambicha madhiri oru feel . Namba rendu peru mattum, namba veetula, handling work, eating together."

Shreya smiled, leaning into his side. "la... naanum adha dhan yosichen."

After finishing their tea, they turned off the lights and went to bed, wrapped in each other's warmth-finally embracing the life they had built together.

The next morning, Ajay woke up early, feeling refreshed. He stretched his arms and glanced at Shreya, who was still curled up under the blanket, sleeping peacefully. Smiling to himself, he quietly got out of bed, changed into his gym wear, and headed to the gym.

The cool morning air hit him as he jogged to the fitness center nearby. As he started lifting weights and running on the treadmill, he felt the tension from the past few weeks melt away. The transition from a carefree younger brother to a married man and a CEO had happened so fast, but for the first time, he felt in control.

After finishing his workout, he wiped off the sweat, drank some water, and walked back home. As he entered their bedroom, the sight before him made him freeze.

Shreya was standing in front of the mirror, adjusting the pleats of her light blue cotton saree. Her long hair was still damp, droplets of water trailing down her back, soaking the fabric. The fresh scent of her jasmine-scented shampoo filled the air. She had just applied a small brown bindi between her brows, and her face had a soft, natural glow.

Ajay leaned against the doorframe, watching her with a lazy smirk.

Shreya, startled, turned slightly, catching his gaze in the mirror. "Ajay! nee epo vandha?"

Without answering, Ajay walked towards her, his bare feet silent against the floor. Before she could step away, he snaked his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. His lips brushed against her wet hair as he whispered, "You smell amazing."

Shreya bit her lip, her hands resting on his arms as a shiver ran down her spine. "Ajay... enaku late agudhu," she said, but her voice lacked conviction.

Ajay, ignoring her words, traced a finger along her waist where the saree was tucked in. "Inimey nee adikadi saree kattu ma . You look..." he trailed off, his voice thick with admiration.

Shreya turned in his arms and placed her palms on his chest. "You should stop distracting me."

Ajay smirked. "I should, but I won't."

She pushed him away playfully, laughing. "Modhella poi kulinga ponga, na vera enga veetuku poi ennoda car eduthutu hospital kelambanum."

Ajay groaned. "Edhuku ma? naaney unna drop pandren."

Shreya shook her head. "Naa aasapatu ennoda savings la vangunadhu, adha epdi vitutu vara mudiyum. Adhu mattum illama enaku en car irundha vasadhiya irukkum la, ellathuku ungala depend panna venam. Adhuvum illama, sir vera periya CEO ungala na edhuku disturb pannikitu"

Ajay sighed dramatically but nodded. "Adhu seri, paathu po."

She smiled, picking up her handbag. "Neeyum dhan"

With one last glance, she walked out of the room, leaving Ajay standing there, watching her like a lovestruck fool.

After getting ready in a crisp white shirt and navy blue pants, Ajay reached the office. Surya was already waiting in the boardroom with the senior staff.

Once everyone settled, Surya stood up. "Good morning, everyone. As you all know, today marks the beginning of a new chapter for our company. I'm officially handing over the CEO position to Ajay."

There was a round of applause as Ajay gave a confident nod.

"I'm looking forward to working with all of you," Ajay said. "We have some major plans for the company's growth, and I hope to lead us into an even better future."

The staff nodded, and soon the meeting transitioned into a discussion about upcoming projects. At the end of it, Ajay made another announcement.

"As a small welcome, I'd like to host a party this weekend for the entire office. Everyone is invited."

There were excited murmurs among the employees, and Ajay noticed that many of them looked thrilled at the idea.

Meanwhile, in one of the corners of the office, a new recruit, Priya, was whispering to her friend.

"Azhaga irukkaru la?" Priya asked, completely mesmerized. "He looks so young and charming."

Meera laughed. "Yaara di soldra"

Priya, still refusing to believe it, shook her head. "Andha white shirt, height ah, maanarathukum kooda irukkarey..."

Meera, misunderstanding, thought she was referring to another new employee in the finance department. "Ohhh, Rohan ah! avan single dhan."

Priya's eyes lit up. "Oh, I knew he couldn't be married. Thanks, Meera!"

Meera just smiled, not realizing the huge misunderstanding she had created.

Meanwhile, Ajay, oblivious to the fact that someone in his office had developed a interest on him, was busy wrapping up the day's work.

Little did he know that this small misunderstanding was going to stir up some unexpected drama in the coming days.

To be continued...

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Stay Tuned! ~ Abi