Kumkum: Ties of Love and Lies

Chapter 8

The days after Sandhya accepted Pugazh's proposal were both exhilarating and unsettling. Pugazh, who had always been composed and guarded, had transformed. He showered her with attention and affection, sending her flowers to the hospital, surprising her with snacks during long meetings, and finding every excuse to spend time with her.

"Sandhya," he called one afternoon as she sifted through patient files in her office.

She looked up to see him leaning against the doorframe, his smile dazzling and boyish.

"What is it now?" she asked, trying to suppress a smile.

"I've just scheduled the most important meeting of my day," he said dramatically.

She raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"

"Lunch with you," he replied, holding up a packed basket.

"Pugazh, I have work—"

"Work can wait," he interrupted, walking in and placing the basket on her desk. "You need to eat. And besides, you'll hurt my feelings if you say no."

Despite herself, Sandhya laughed. His cheerful persistence was disarming, and she couldn't deny that she enjoyed these moments with him. But every time she found herself softening toward him, the gnawing suspicion about Shravani's death pulled her back.

She couldn't let her guard down completely. Not yet.

Meanwhile, across town, Gautham paced angrily in a dimly lit room. His phone was pressed to his ear, his voice low but furious.

"I told you, I'm in love with her," he hissed. "I can't just stand by and let her marry him."

The voice on the other end was calm, almost mocking. "Then you'd better think about her safety, Gautham. If I wanted her dead, I could've done it the moment she started digging into Shravani's death."

Gautham clenched his fist, his jaw tightening. "What do you mean?"

"She's safer as the daughter-in-law of the Rajasekhar family," the voice continued. "If she's inside the estate, we can keep an eye on her. Control her. If this marriage doesn't happen, there's no guarantee she'll live long enough to uncover anything."

Gautham's breath hitched. "You're saying you'll kill her?"

"Only if necessary," the man replied coldly. "But if you want her alive, you'll stay out of this. Let the marriage happen."

Gautham's shoulders slumped, his rage giving way to desperation. Before he could utter another word, The line went dead.

Gautham stared at his phone, his mind racing. I need to protect her, he thought. But how could he do that without risking her life further?

Pugazh, oblivious to the storm brewing around them, was determined to make Sandhya feel like a part of his world. One evening, he surprised her with an invitation.

"I want you to meet my family," he said, his expression earnest.

"Your family?" Sandhya repeated, her heart skipping a beat.

"Yes," Pugazh said, taking her hands in his. "You're going to be a part of it soon, so it's only right you meet them properly."

Sandhya hesitated. She had agreed to this marriage as part of her mission, but the idea of meeting his family made it all feel much more real. Still, she nodded. "Alright."

The Rajasekhar estate had sprawling grounds filled with manicured gardens and towering trees. As they entered the main hall, Sandhya felt the weight of the family's legacy in every detail—the ornate chandeliers, the marble floors, the portraits of ancestors lining the walls.

Pugazh introduced her to his mother first.

"This is my mother, Latha," he said warmly.

Latha was elegant and graceful, her smile welcoming as she held Sandhya's hands. "You're even more beautiful than Pugazh described," she said kindly. "Welcome to our family."

"Thank you, ma'am," Sandhya said, bowing slightly out of respect.

"No need for formalities," Latha said, her eyes twinkling. "Call me Amma."

Next came Pugazh's older brother, Ezhil, a man who carried himself with quiet authority. His wife Rekha stood beside him, her beauty striking but her gaze sharp and calculating.

"So, this is the woman who's managed to tame our Pugazh," Ezhil said with a chuckle.

"Not sure about 'tame,'" Sandhya replied with a small smile. "He's still as stubborn as ever."

Ezhil laughed, his voice deep and resonant. "You'll fit right in."

Rekha's smile was polite, but something about her demeanor made Sandhya uneasy. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was a guardedness in Rekha's expression that didn't match her welcoming words.

Finally, Pugazh introduced her to his younger sister, Yamuna.

"Hi!" Yamuna said brightly, pulling Sandhya into an unexpected hug. "I'm so glad to finally meet you. I've been dying to know who's stolen my brother's heart!"

Sandhya laughed, charmed by Yamuna's cheerful energy. "It's nice to meet you too."

The evening passed smoothly, with the family engaging Sandhya in warm conversation. They asked her about her background, her interests, and her work at the hospital. Despite her initial nervousness, Sandhya found herself relaxing—at least until Rekha made a passing comment that sent a chill down her spine.

"It must be fate that brought you and Pugazh together," Rekha said, her tone light but her eyes piercing. "Things always seem to fall into place for our family, don't they?"

Sandhya smiled faintly, unsure how to respond. But her mind raced. What does she mean by that?

As they left the estate later that night, Pugazh held her hand, his touch gentle yet firm.

"So?" he asked as they walked toward the car. "What do you think of my family?"

"They seem... wonderful," Sandhya said, though her voice lacked conviction.

Pugazh noticed but chose not to press her. "I know they can be a lot, but they already love you. And so do I."

Sandhya's heart tightened at his words, a mixture of guilt and longing surging through her. She wanted to believe in his love, to let herself fall completely. But the shadows of Shravani's death and the secrets surrounding this family kept her anchored in doubt.

As Pugazh opened the car door for her, she glanced back at the estate, its grandeur looming against the night sky. Somewhere within those walls, she felt, lay the answers she was searching for.

And she was determined to find them—no matter the cost.