Aadhi was going to place Kumkum on Sakthi's forehead which would conclude the ritual. Both Sakthi and Aadhi were living the best moment of their lives and were too lost in their dream world to notice that Vijay had slipped away.

Vijay was glad that Athreya did not pull any stunt during the ceremony but it also caused an unsettling feeling. He saw that Athreya moved away from the venue right after the marraige which looked more skeptical. He followed Athreya and spotted him at the garden where he was talking to someone over a phone call. It seemed very casual which irked him more.

Why did he not stop the marriage when he was just a few feet away? Why was here? What was he up-to? Was he completely wrong about Athreya?

A whirlwind of questions was messing with his head and made him dizzy. He had a strong intuition that Athreya had something to do with all of this if not all. Their only lead Vishnu was also now missing. He could not think straight given the tangled mess they were in right now.

He jerked when a sudden pat on his shoulder brought him to back to reality. He turned around with caution and sighed in relief to see Sathya next to him. In the past week the best thing that happened was his friendship with Sathya. There was so much ease, comfort and trust between them.

Sathya: What's up? Why are you here?

Vijay was contemplating if he should share his unease about Athreya. He was convinced that he could not possibly solve this issue on his own and needed Sathya's support to end this hide and seek. Confiding wasn't a question but he still wasn't sure about the next step from there.

Finally, he chose to take a leap of faith without over thinking it.

Vijay: I have doubts about Athreya.

Sathya stood in shock at the statement. Perplexed and puzzled by this sudden confession, he stood there processing what just happened.

Athreya wasn't just another friend. He was as close as Aadhi or even more. They had been childhood buddies and continued to remain closest of friends through the years. Athreya was  also a huge investor in his business and when it came to family, he was like his own brother.

But Sathya understood why Vijay had questions and rightfully so. He was in all the wrong places that had access to creating such a havoc but Sathya trusted Athreya more than these plausible explanations.

Sathya: Take my word for it. He has nothing to do with any of it.

Vijay: I can see why you feel that way. But hear me out. Maybe he wasn't the one who created these issues but I somehow think he is connected to it more than what we know.

Sathya: Let's talk about it later. For now, I want you to just believe me.

Vijay nodded in agreement. This wasn't the right time or place to cause a scene. He had to wait to figure this out. Whatever happens, he was going to be with Aadhi, Sakthi and Sathya to protect them.

The two buddies went back into the hall and Athreya who was acting to be on the call was well aware of the suspicions on him.

How was he going to tell his best friend that a singular mistake of being there for Sakthi that unfortunate night was coming back to haunt him?

Even in wildest nightmares he did not anticipate that him helping and saving Sakthi on that terrible night would come back after years and turn his life upside down.

He had received a pen drive with all the complete songs that he recorded for upcoming Vijay's movie that was yet to be released. If that ever got leaked, his career as a music director would come to be ruined. It was the highest budget movie yet and they had only shot songs as of now. The release wasn't until a year later.

He had no clue who this person was or why he was doing any of it. All he got informed was to keep his mouth shut and he would be fine.

Being a single child, Athreya considered Sakthi his own sister. He had to protect her and also find a plan to safeguard his career. Stuck on a double-edged sword, he was breaking apart not having a way out.

When Sathya called to inform about his engagement to Nithya, he was more than happy that finally he could meet with Sathya and Aadhi without any doubts. However, when he knew that he was being followed, he refrained from putting his friends at risk. He stayed put and started the day after to remain under cover.

The timing was just a coincidence that Aadhi and Sakthi were getting married when all he was looking for is to meet with his friends and possibly drop hints to keep Sakthi safe.

***

Vijay and Sathya stayed as close to Aadhi and Sakthi as possible.

The just married couple were too engrossed is their fairy tale moment to ponder over the imminent danger circling over them. Their eyes were radiating love and happiness that flooded across the room spreading smiles all over.

Stealing glances and so-called accidental touches made Sakthi blush profusely. Her own Greek god of a man was enchanted by her and she could not help but feel extremely gratified. The way his heart raced when he leaned on to put the Kumkum on her forehead was stirring up her feminine sensitivities.

How much she wished that everyone vanished for a few minutes to give them the much-needed privacy?

His eyes conveyed all of his cravings that he fancied to experience with her. His wife. The burning passion in them was apparent to their close ones mainly Chitra Ma. She was that mother who was very transparent with kids be it anything including taboo topics.

"Avala kannalaye sapdadha da", she chided her son who was gaping at Sakthi unapologetically.

"En pondatti.. na pakren. Edo elarum irukangale nu pakradhoda niruthren nu sandhosha padu ma", he complained which earned him a glare from Sakthi who a silent spectator to the mother-son teasing session.

The intimidating look might have worked on him on any other occasion. However, right now he knew that she yearned for the same. The unbearable ache caused by the smallest of distance was blatantly visible on her face.

"Two hours dan", Chitra ma appeased.

"Two hours ah?", he argued.

"Aadhi kozhanda madri ipdi argue pannadha. Ozhunga pray pannu", his mom was in no mood to cajole her 30-year-old.

Their painstaking wait had to continue until the Pooja was complete. There was no escaping the responsibilities that came with marriage Aadhi thought to himself and a visible frown set stage on his face.

"En ivlo sogam.. kalyanam mudinju one-hour kooda agala", Sakthi tried to cheer her man-child up who was now acting like a 5-year-old.

"One hour never felt longer. Unna hug pananum, kiss pananum. Ipdi saavadikranga", he grumbled.

"Enakum dan ma... inum two hours dan. Namakaaga dhaney pray panrom."

Her soft voice made him go crazy.

"Unakaaga.. Namakaaga.. wait panren. But two hours dan. Aduku mela..."

She bit her lips to stop herself from giggling at the baby face he was pulling on her whilst flirting. He was cute, hot, sexy, dapper, dashing and what not. He was perfect and hers. Now and Forever.

The spectacular event was coming to a close and the priest handed over the garland from the deity over to Aadhi and Sakthi for them to exchange before taking blessings from all the elders.

Aadhi was waiting for this moment and instantly pulled her close before putting the garland around her neck.

"Can we leave now?", he whispered into her ears which left her flushed.

"Enna ma solran un purushan?", even the priest teased.

Sakthi could not stop blushing and couldn't hide it either. With him in her life, she was always going to be blushing, she thought to herself.

"Maalai ah podu ma... apo dan ingendu viduvaanga", he pleaded.

Each one around them started to laugh at this candid statement while Sakthi managed to put the garland around his neck and place her head on his chest. Her Safe haven.

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Author's Note:

And that's Chapter 49!

Thoughts?

What will happen next? Keep guessing 😉

PS: So sorry for the delay. I was just not finding the right rhythm. 

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