Ennai Maatrum Kadhale...

Kalangal Thedi...

Episode 19...

Abi's eyelids fluttered open, her vision blurry as she struggled to make sense of her surroundings. The soft murmur of voices grew clearer, and she felt Vijay's hand gripping hers tightly, his concern written all over his face.

'Abi, ellam okay va?' Vijay's voice was laced with worry, but there was an edge of anger beneath his words as well. His gaze shifted to Ajay and Shreya, who stood nearby, unsure of how to explain the storm that had just hit them all.

Abi blinked, trying to recall what had happened before she fainted. And then it hit her like a wave, crashing against the fragile wall of calm she had built around herself. **Ajay.** He was here, standing right in front of her-alive. The man she thought she had lost all those years ago.

'Yaaru avanga' Vijay's voice cut through the haze, his tone sharp as he looked between Ajay and Shreya. 'And what the hell is going on?'

Abi held up a hand, urging him to calm down. 'Vijay, please. kovapadathinga, oru nimisham' Her voice was weak, but it carried enough weight to stop him from saying more. He huffed, still visibly angry, but took a step back, his arms crossed defensively as he continued to glare at Ajay.

Ajay stood there, hands clenched at his sides, struggling with his own emotions. His eyes never left Abi, a mixture of disbelief and confusion swirling within them. He had imagined this moment so many times, but nothing could have prepared him for how gut-wrenching it felt to see her again, to see her with someone else-her husband.

Abi's mind raced as she sat up straighter. She couldn't process it all. It felt too surreal. She needed answers, and fast. She grabbed her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed the one person she knew had all the answers.

'Madhu,' Abi's voice cracked when her best friend answered. 'I need you to tell me the truth, ipove.'

There was a pause on the other end of the line. Madhu's breath hitched, as if she knew exactly what this call was about. Abi's tone wasn't angry, but there was an unmistakable demand in her words.

'Abi...' Madhu's voice was filled with guilt, the hesitation in her tone only confirming Abi's worst fears.

'Madhu, please di, enna innum kashta paduthadha' Abi closed her eyes, trying to keep her composure, even as her heart raced. 'Enga appa amma Ajay pathi enkita poi sonangala?'

The silence that followed was deafening, and Abi's heart sank. She didn't need to hear more. The truth had been there all along, hidden beneath the layers of deceit her parents had woven so intricately.

'Ama di' Madhu finally whispered, her voice barely audible. 'Abi, Sorry di. I didn't want to go along with it, ana uncle aunty-'

Abi ended the call before Madhu could finish, unable to bear hearing any more. She felt betrayed, broken, and utterly lost. Her mind was spinning, and she could barely breathe as the weight of the truth settled over her like a suffocating blanket.

Meanwhile, Vijay stood by, his jaw clenched tightly, still eyeing Ajay with suspicion. He had no idea what was going on, but it was clear that whatever had happened between his wife and this man was much more than just an old flame.

Abi returned to her seat slowly, her legs feeling like jelly. She took a deep breath, willing herself to remain calm, though her insides were in turmoil. Vijay watched her, still tense, but sensing that something far bigger than he had anticipated was unfolding.

Ajay stepped forward, his heart hammering in his chest as he finally spoke. 'Abi...' his voice was soft, but it carried years of unspoken pain and confusion. 'En enna vitutu pona? En edhume enkita solala? unaku enna pudikalana, enkita solli irukalame-' He stopped, his throat tightening.