Ennai Maatrum Kadhale...

Naan Aval Illai!..

Episode 12...

BACK TO THE PRESENT..

The air in the room was thick with tension as Ajay finished telling his story. Shreya's face was flushed with emotion, and her tears had slowed but not stopped. Everyone present—Malini, Amirtha, Naren, and Rakshan—sat quietly, giving Shreya the space she needed to process everything. The weight of Ajay's confession hung in the room, and no one dared to speak, not even Ajay, who watched Shreya with a mixture of fear and regret.

Shreya sat silently, her hands trembling slightly as she wiped away the remaining tears. The betrayal she had felt when she first found out about Abi still stung, but as Ajay spoke, she realized just how deeply wounded he had been. She could see the pain in his eyes, hear the sorrow in his voice.

The love Ajay had for Abi wasn't just a fleeting crush—it was something profound, something that had shaped him. Shreya wasn't sure how to feel about it at first, but she knew one thing: if Ajay could love Abi that much, then he was capable of loving her just as deeply.

'You really loved her, didn't you?' Shreya asked softly, her voice breaking the silence

Ajay nodded, his eyes filled with guilt.

'I did. I won't lie about that. Ana enaku unna romba pudikum, Shreya. I never wanted to hurt you, and ennoda past unna affect panna kudadhunu nenachen' Ajay said barely above a whisper 

Shreya bit her lip, taking a deep breath. Her heart was still heavy, but clarity began to set in. She looked around at the people in the room—Ajay's family and closest friends. They had all been with him through his pain, through his struggles, and now they were here, silently supporting him. She could feel their quiet encouragement, as if they were willing her to see past the hurt.

Malini, sensing Shreya's hesitation, spoke up, her voice gentle but firm.

'Shreya, en thambi romba kashtapatutan, but he's not the same person he was. You've helped him heal in ways none of us could. He cares for u. We can all see that.' Malini said

Amirtha nodded in agreement, her eyes soft with understanding.

'Ajay doesn't want to live in the past, Shreya. Avanuku idha epdi covey pandradhunu theriyama bayandhutu irundhan. But you're the one who he cares for right now. I know it's hard to hear all of this, but you have to trust that his affection for you is real.' Amirtha added

Naren, always the voice of reason, leaned forward slightly, looking at Shreya with sincere eyes.

'Avan ipo munna madhiri illa avan ipo maritan papa. Ajay avanoda past ah thooki poda evlo kashtapatan nu engaluku theriyum. But now he's your husband, and he cares for you more than you realize.' Naren said

'Nee avana kandipa nambalam da' Keerthana said 

Shreya listened carefully to their words. Slowly, she began to understand something that had eluded her in the storm of emotions she had been feeling. If Ajay could love Abi so deeply, even after all the pain, then how much more could he love her, his wife, who had stood by his side?

'Avaru love panna ponnu melaye avaru ivlo pasam vachi irundharu na, then I can only imagine how much he'll care for his wife but it has to given whole heartedly la.' Shreya said

Ajay's head snapped up at her words. He looked at her with a mixture of surprise and hope, unsure if he had heard her correctly. Malini and the others exchanged small, relieved smiles, sensing that Shreya's heart was beginning to heal.

Shreya met Ajay's gaze, her voice stronger now.

'enaku neenga innoru ponna love panninga nu kovam illa, Ajay. I'm hurt because you didn't tell me, but I can see now that it wasn't because you didn't trust me—it's because you were afraid. Afraid of bringing back that pain.' Shreya said

Ajay's eyes filled with unshed tears. He had been bracing himself for her to leave, to walk out of his life, but now... there was hope.

'enaku ipo puriyudhu. I really do. But you have to do something, Ajay. Neenga ipdi yelarukagavum neenga move on pannita madhiri nadika vendam. You need closure with Abi. You need to confront her and let go of the past. It's the only way we can move forward together.' Shreya said

Ajay blinked in shock, shaking his head.

' Shreya illa idhu othu varadhu. It's over between us. I don't want to dig up the past and hurt everyone even more.' Ajay said

Shreya stepped closer to him, her hand gently resting on his arm.

'You're not hurting anyone, Ajay. Not anymore. But if you keep carrying this with you, adhu ellarayum affect pannum . You need to confront Abi, not because you still love her, but you have to know what happened. You can't build a future if you're still tied to your past.' Shreya said

Ajay's heart pounded in his chest. He had been avoiding this confrontation for so long, afraid that seeing Abi again would reopen old wounds. But Shreya's words made sense. He needed to let go, for her, for them.

'I... I don't know if I can. and ava anga enna situation la irukka nu kooda namba luku theriyadhu, It's too much, Shreya.' Ajay said reluctantly

Shreya smiled softly, her eyes filled with a deep understanding.

'Na ungaluku help pandren, Ajay. We'll do it together. You don't have to face this alone.' Shreya said

Ajay stared at her in awe. Despite everything, Shreya wasn't pushing him away. She was offering him a lifeline, one that would pull him out of the past and into a future with her.

Varun, who had been listening quietly, cleared his throat.

'Thangam soldradhu correct dhan. Unaku unmai enna nu theriyanum la, enaku theriyum nee evlo naal ah indha question un manasula vachi kulapittu irukka nu. And  naanga epovume unkooda irupom, just like we've always been.' Rakshan said

Karthik nodded in agreement, giving Ajay a reassuring smile.

'We've been through this with you from the beginning, da. If you need us, we're here. Always.' Rakshan said

Shreya looked at Narenn and Rakshan with gratitude in her eyes.

'Romba thanks enakum seri avarukum seri ungaloda support engaluku romba mukhiyam' Shreya said

Naren and Rakshan both nodded firmly.

'unaku illadha papa' Naren said

Ajay felt a surge of emotion rise in his chest. Here was his wife, the woman he thought he had betrayed, standing by him with more strength and compassion than he ever deserved. His friends, who had been with him through every heartbreak, were offering their support once again.

'Thank you... ellarukum. I don't even know if I deserve this.' Ajay said with deep emotion

Shreya squeezed his hand, her voice tender.

'You deserve love, Ajay. And na engayum poga maten. But you need to take this step, enga ellarukagavum. Confront Abi, and let's not leave the past behind affect us' Shreya said

Ajay nodded slowly, finally accepting what he had to do. It wouldn't be easy, but with Shreya by his side and the support of his family and friends, he felt like he could finally take that step toward healing.

'Okay... I'll do it.' Ajay said

Shreya smiled, her heart full of hope for the future they would build together.

To be continued...

Hope you guys liked it, vote the chapter if you'd really liked it

Do u think that Shreya has taken the right decision?
Let's see what's awaited for them in the future...

Do comment ur opinions, which helps me alot....

Stay Tuned
~Abi