Once the cake was cut,Sahoo and David discreetly went up to his room to booze.Few pegs of holy water went in and he began to blabber.

S: Chanchala...chanchala...why are you so angelic...😫

DD: Chanchala?That IAS ammayi?

S: Yes...yes...she only...what a height,what a smile,what an eyes...God must have been in a very good mood while creating her.She is one in a million!!!

DD: I don't get good vibes...the way you're praising her...what about Amrita?

S: That was a mistake!A casual flirting that took a wrong course.She looked pitiful and I too needed a girl so we bonded.When I saw Chanchala I regretted my decision...

DD: So you're going to ditch Amrita for Chanchala?Don't do that...she's innocent and has come trusting you all the way.

S: I know that.Amrita is a poor soul and I've given her hopes that's why I've decided to marry her but not here...I'll take her to Waaji because if I'm here Chanchala messes my thoughts...I want to go far away from her...her parents have named her rightly...she causes restlessness..
Chanchala...Chanchala what have you done to me...😭

He saw her standing near the doorway of the balcony looking at him.Glass in hand,he stumbled his way to her.

S: Chanchala madam...what a surprise!Do you want to drink?

She turned her face away.

S: Sorry,sorry...you're a homely girl you won't like all this...wait...David,get juice for Chanchala madam...

However David was lying on the sofa in an inebriated state.

S: He's unsteady...nevermind I'll only get for you...

He picked the Fanta bottle but instead of pouring into the glass he poured it on the floor and offered the empty glass to her.

S: This is very good.You can drink.I swear I've not spiked it.You can trust me.

She took the glass.He made a cry face.

S: If I'd met you before Amrita I swear I would never have taken a second look at her...I would have married you...fate...the love of my life had to come after the mistake of my life...boo hoo...tomorrow by this time I would have left this place...I don't know when I will meet you next but if I do I want to see you married and settled with many babies...sob...sob...God bless you Chanchala madam...

He kept his hand on her head to bless her then slid and fell on her shoulder.What he didn't realise in his inebriated state was he had mistaken Amrita,who had come in a similar saree to show him,for Chanchala.She was shattered.

Next morning,

DD: Sahoo!Sahoo!Wake up!!Ammu is leaving somewhere I'm telling her to stop but she's not listening...

Sahoo sprang out of bed and hastened to her room.She was ready with her luggage.

S: Ammu,where are you going?

He held her hand.

A: Leave my hand Sahoo!Let me go!

They were in the midst of an argument when suddenly they heard a gunshot.They rushed to the balcony.

Chanchala dropped to the ground.

S: Chanchala!!!!!!😰

The guys who shot her escaped in a white sumo car.Sahoo ran to the spot where she lay and picking her up in his arms he hugged her to his chest.♥️

He took her to the hospital.Tears trickled from his eyes unable to see her hurt and in pain.

S: Chanchala madam...nothing will happen to you!!😢

She was taken to the operation theatre.David called Sampath to inform.

DD: Sahoo,where are you going?

He saw the rage in Sahoo's eyes and stepped back.

S: By the time she opens her eyes,they will shut theirs forever!😡😡😡

True to his words,he tracked and killed the baddies.

***

They were waiting for her to regain consciousness.Sahoo was staring at her room door.Amrita went and sat beside him.She placed her hand on his shoulder.He looked at her.

S: Ammu,let Chanchala madam wake up after that we can leave this place...for good...

Smiling painfully,he entwined his fingers with her.

A: Why are you doing this Sahoo?For whom?If it is for me,then I don't want this.

She paused.

A: Maybe you haven't realised but I have.You are in love with Chanchala.I can see the love you have for her in your eyes.Even now I'm talking to you,you are listening but your mind is all thinking about her.Pls marry her.I am only telling.

The nurse came out.

"She has regained consciousness.Any one of you can go and see her."

Leaving her hand,Sahoo got up and dashed off to see her not minding David who called him to stop.

A: Leave him David...

She picked her bag.

A: I'm leaving...

DD: Where are you going?You don't know anyone or no place to go.You can stay with us here.

A: I once told Sahoo we are like day and night.If one comes,one has to go.It's my time to go.If I'm here he'll be confused and complicate both our lives.Don't worry,this big world will definitely have a small place for me.I'll be fine.Thank you for everything.

Wiping her tears she left despite David's pleas.In the room,

S: Chanchala madam!🥲

She let out a half smile.

***

Sahoo was sitting with head bent like a shy bride.Ibrahim and Iqbal were there to represent his family.David was beside Sahoo.

DD: After betraying Amrita how are you able to be so cool?

S: Hey what betrayal?You're speaking as if I gave Amrita a baby and refused to accept her!I've not crossed my limits with her even when she was willing!I was ready to marry her but she left.What am I to do?

DD: After doing everything see him talk like a saint!You ruined one girl's life now you are out to ruin another??I won't let this happen!I'm going to tell everyone about your relationship with Amrita and that she left so that you could get Chanchala.

S: No you won't tell!

DD: Yes I will!

S: If you tell that then I will also tell your brother that you are not working in a company instead a hacker who is illegally helping me.Your brother will lose all the faith he has in you.

David was cornered.He sat silently after that.Vaishnavi was helping Chanchala to get dressed.

C: Why do you want me to go as second wife to this oldie and a step mother to his children??

V: Who gave you wrong info?He is unmarried!

C: But he looks as if he has college going kids.He,his face and his hairstyle...thoo...

V: Ssshh talk softly he might get offended...

C: As if I care....

V: Hmm you didn't refuse him when he saved your honour and life?

C: So?I have to marry him?

V: Not for that.He loves you.He is willing to do anything for you.We are convinced he'll look after you well.If your past life is your concern then you need not worry about that also.Sampath told him and he is fine with that.

Chanchala was still not convinced.

C: Pls akka,just let me be...I don't want to marry anyone.

V: Now you might say no but later you will regret and by then it will be too late.

Neither did Vaishnavi nor Sampath buy her reasons and she was pressurized into agreeing for marriage.

***

Sahoo and Chanchala's wedding was conducted in a temple with only a few close friends and well wishers.Vaishnavi accompanied Chanchala to the dais and made her sit beside Sahoo.

S: Hello Chanchala madam👋🏼

She ignored him.He recalled watching Mirchi the previous night so decided to repeat that little trick Jai played on Vennela on their wedding.Sahoo scooted towards her and discreetly tried to caress her sole with his toe when,

S: Aaahhhh!!!

All: What happened?

S: Huh...nothing...just...

He examined his toe and there was a scratch.

S mv: How is this possible?

He checked her feet.She had rough sandpaper stuck to the soles of her feet.

C mv: I know what you are capable of.😡

She shot him a royal look after that he didn't dare to mess with her.

S: It's ok better luck next time Sahoo.😊

In his urgency,Sahoo tied the thaali around Chanchala's neck before the priest chanted the mantras.

"Ayya...I've not chanted the mantra by then you..."

S: Huh...uh...no problem now you can still tell hihihi...right Chanchala madam?

Chanchala was miffed with him for marrying her.Additionally the anger on Vaishnavi and Sampath for getting them hitched was also directed at Sahoo.She turned her face away in irritation.

"Huh?From the time amma came she's angry?Is she unhappy with this marriage?"

S: That's not anger.She loves me a lot but is shy to look at me...🥰

C: 🙄🤦🏻‍♀️

Later,Ibrahim,Iqbal and Sahoo had a conversation.

IM: We are happy that you got married but you're settling here?

S: Waaji is not the right place for her so I'll be here.

Q: But Waaji needs you anna...

S: Chanchala doesn't know about me and I'm not going to tell her also.We did plan to expand our crime syndicate here anyway so from here itself I'll work.Roy's legacy will continue.

Sahoo was overjoyed as he found his soulmate but also he had a niggling guilt about what he did to Amrita.He hoped to meet her someday and apologize for giving her hopes and causing her agony.

***

Chanchala was dressed in bridal finery.Given a glass of milk,she was led to the room by Vaishnavi.

V: Chanchala...pls forgive me...

C: Why akka?

V: Sahoo doesn't know anything about Shakthi.I lied to you.

C: Akka!What have you done?😰

V: Pls forget the past and start life afresh with your husband.Never ever breathe a word about this to him.

Sahoo was sitting on his side of the flower decorated bed.Feeling hungry,he took a Mysore pak from the sweets platter to munch.When he shifted,he heard the bed squeak.

S: Sniff...not me this time...it's the bed...if it's like this now then later how much noise it will make...

He picked an oil bottle from her dresser to lubricate the bed hinges.Chanchala came in.He stood like a good boy adjusting his shirt.

She placed the glass of milk on the nightstand and touched his feet.Lifting her by her shoulder,he made her sit on the bed and he took his place beside her.The moment he sat,she got up and stood aside.

S: Chanchala madam,high officials,police officers and dignitaries would have stood up and saluted you no?

She gave a gentle nod.

S: But you don't have to fear me like how they fear you.This is house.Come and sit.

She sat at a distance from him.Propping his head on his hand,he stretched his legs on her lap.

S: My legs are aching...can you press for me?

Pushing her bangles behind,she pressed his legs.Unlike earlier where she dealt with him boldly,her mind was disarrayed because her husband wasn't aware of her past life.

S: (mv:Aaahhh the feel of an IAS officer pressing a don's leg is heaven...)Ok enough thank you..

Pouring little milk into the tumbler he offered her.

S: Chanchala madam,drink this for  stamina.

She shook her head no.He didn't force her and gulped down all the milk.

S: Bbuuurrrrpppp...badam milk is so tasty...

He rubbed the cream off his moustache with the back of his palm.

Taking a jalebi he broke it into half and brought a piece near her mouth.

S: This you like na?Have you watched "Neekunna look-u size sexy ee height weight-u akkaraleni imax-ee,bangaram lanti size sexy nee confidence-u penchuthundi irragadheesi??"It is my favourite song.Here,have...

That also she refused.

S: This also don't want aa?Nevermind...chomp...chomp...chomp...burrrppp...

He shifted towards her.The more he came nearer the more she went farther.

S: Careful,if you move an inch more you'll fall off the bed.

He admired her side view then taking her hand he turned it over and roved his finger across her the mehendi on her palm.

S: Beautiful design...

She flinched to his touch.When he clasped her hand,her mind flitted back to the time when Shakthi held her hand to cross the puddle.She became rigid.

S: Oh I understand now you're a new bride and moreover I am the first man in your life so you're nervous and scared.I'll be gentle...

He turned her to face him.Her gaze was cast down and he lifted her chin to make her look at him.

S: Chanchala madam,I'm so lucky to have you in my life.You're educated,bold,humble and beautiful moreover these days it is common to be in relationships but you never had one and waited for me for these many years.I'm truly gifted.You know like you,I also never got into any relationships not even a kiss before...you are the first woman in my life....(mv:Lying is bad for good boys but I'm a bad boy so lying is good for me..hihihi...)

C mv: Oh god he's such a pure human being and so truthful he got duped into marrying someone like me.I feel so guilty...

She joined her palms before him and tears streamed from her eyes.

S: What happened madam?Why are you crying?

C: Before you there was...

She paused and thought of the aftermath if she said the truth.

S: I've been cheated!!!My life is ruined!!!They got a characterless woman married off to me!!Hey,tell the the truth...only engagement or you slept with him?Any baby formed?You want to give my name to that?That's why you married me?Chi chi you're so disgusting!

C: No no pls don't think that way I promise I've not crossed my limits with him.I've only held his hand and blown the dust off his eyes.Once when we went on bike I kept my hand on his shoulder.

S: Aiyooooo aiyoooo already my heart is broken,life is ruined and she's giving the details!!How many potholes and speed breakers would have been there...while going you would have bumped on him and he would have seen heaven on earth...aiyooo aiyooo nanna...you left me and went after hearing all this I can't live this dishonourable life I'm also joining you!!!

He took the knife from the fruits platter and slit his throat.He lay dead in his own pool of blood.

C: Aaahhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chanchala jerked out of her thoughts.

S: Madam,I'm here only no why you're screaming tell softly I can hear...

She dabbed the beads of sweat off her face.

C: (mv:No I can't do this.I've already murdered Shakthi I can't kill an innocent man too.I won't tell him this!No I won't!)I'm feeling tired...need to sleep...

Chanchala went to her side of the bed.Curling herself like a fetus,she shut her eyes hoping to get sleep.Sahoo switched off the room lights and returned to his place.

S: Back to my dry state...😒😓

To be continued...