Kumkum: Ties of Love and Lies (COMPLETED)

Chapter 4

The hospital lobby was alive with activity as doctors and patients moved through the halls. Sandhya tried to focus on her work, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Over the past few days, her interactions with Pugazh had become... different. She wasn't sure when it had started—maybe it was his quiet concern for her well-being, or the moments when his guarded demeanor slipped, revealing something softer underneath.

She felt drawn to him in a way she hadn't expected, but it only complicated her purpose. Shravani's death remained her priority, and she couldn't let anything distract her.

That evening, Sandhya found herself once again working late in Pugazh's office. The moonlight filtered through the tall windows, casting a silvery glow over the polished surfaces. She was reviewing a stack of documents when Pugazh walked in, his tie loosened and his expression tired yet amused.

"You really need to learn how to go home, Sandhya," he said, his voice laced with teasing warmth.

She smiled faintly. "Says the man who's here just as late."

He shrugged, pulling a chair to sit across from her. "Truee... But I'm the boss. I don't have a choice. What's your excuse?"

"Efficiency," she replied with a smirk, earning a chuckle from him.

For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the hum of the city below filling the room. Then Pugazh spoke, his tone softer. "I admire your dedication. Not many people would put in this much effort."

Sandhya glanced at him, her defenses weakening. "I just... want to do my best."

"You're doing more than that," he said, his gaze locking with hers. "You're exceptional, Sandhya."

Her heart skipped a beat at the intensity in his eyes, but she quickly looked away, focusing on the papers in front of her.

"You don't have to say things like that," she muttered.

"It's not flattery if it's true," Pugazh said, leaning back in his chair. "You're one of the few people here who doesn't try to impress me, and that's why I trust you."

The sincerity in his voice made her chest tighten. She didn't know how to respond, so she stayed quiet, pretending to read.

The following week, Gautham showed up unexpectedly at the hospital, catching Sandhya off guard as she stepped out of a meeting.

"Gautham?" she asked, surprised.

"I was in the area," he lied, flashing his usual easy smile. "Thought I'd check on you. How's it going?"

Sandhya hesitated, unsure how to answer. She hadn't told him much about her work at the hospital, especially not about her growing connection with Pugazh.

"It's... fine," she said, her tone guarded.

Gautham studied her for a moment before changing the subject. "Listen, I was thinking we could grab dinner tonight. You've been so busy lately; it'd be nice to catch up."

Sandhya hesitated. She appreciated Gautham's concern, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his sudden interest than he let on.

"Maybe another time," she said gently. "I still have a lot to do here."

Gautham's smile faltered, but he recovered quickly. "Sure. Another time."

As he walked away, Sandhya couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Gautham had been a steady presence in her life, but something about his recent behavior felt... different. She brushed the thought aside, refocusing on her mission.

One evening, Pugazh invited Sandhya to accompany him to a charity gala the hospital was hosting. The event was elegant, filled with influential people from across the city. Sandhya wore a simple yet stunning blue saree, her hair pulled back in a graceful bun.

When Pugazh saw her, he paused, his expression softening.

"You look beautiful," he said simply, his voice sincere.

Sandhya felt a blush rise to her cheeks but quickly pushed it down. "Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself."

He chuckled, offering her his arm as they entered the hall.

Throughout the evening, Sandhya couldn't help but notice how effortlessly Pugazh moved through the crowd. He was charming and gracious, but every so often, his attention would drift back to her. When they danced, his touch was gentle yet firm, and for a moment, Sandhya forgot everything—her mission, her suspicions, even her grief.

But the moment didn't last. As they sat at their table, a comment from one of the guests brought her back to reality.

"Shravani was one of our brightest doctors," the man said, raising his glass. "It's such a tragedy. We all miss her."

Sandhya's smile froze. The pain of Shravani's loss hit her all over again, and the questions she had been avoiding flooded her mind.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, excusing herself from the table.

Pugazh followed her outside, concern etched on his face.

"Sandhya, are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.

She nodded, though tears threatened to spill but she couldn't. Not now or ever till she knew for sure that he has nothing to do with this. "It's just...It's nothing..."

Pugazh placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "If there is anything you need to talk about, just know I'll always be here for you."

Sandhya looked at him, searching his face for any sign of deceit, but all she saw was sincerity. It made her chest ache.

"Thank you," she said softly.

For a moment, they stood in silence, the night air cool against their skin. Pugazh's hand lingered a moment longer before he stepped back, giving her space.

"Again, just a call away."

Sandhya nodded, her heart conflicted. Pugazh was everything she wanted to distrust, yet he had a way of making her feel seen, understood. But she couldn't let herself get too close—not when there were still so many unanswered questions.

Back in her apartment that night, Sandhya opened Shravani's diary again, her resolve hardening. She couldn't afford to let her emotions cloud her judgment, no matter how much she felt drawn to Pugazh.

And then there was Gautham. His sudden attentiveness, his insistence on spending time with her—it felt out of character. Was it grief? Guilt? Or something else entirely?

Sandhya closed the diary with a sigh. Her heart was caught between two men—one who stirred emotions she didn't want to face, and another whose intentions she no longer trusted. But she reminded herself of her true purpose: finding the truth about Shravani.

No matter what, she wouldn't stop until she had answers.