Kumkum: Ties of Love and Lies

Chapter 10

The Rajasekhar estate was ablaze with lights, the sprawling gardens transformed into a spectacle of elegance and opulence. Guests arrived in luxury cars, their laughter and chatter filling the air as they mingled over champagne and delicacies. It was the engagement of the season, and everyone who was anyone in the city wanted to witness it.

For Sandhya, the grandeur felt overwhelming. Clad in a shimmering golden saree, she looked every bit the radiant bride-to-be, but inside, her heart churned with conflict. While her friends stood by her side, their smiles genuine and warm, the absence of her parents weighed heavily on her. She had grown used to their absence, yet on a day like this, the void felt deeper.

"Are you alright?" Pugazh's voice brought her back to the present.

She turned to him, his presence commanding even in the crowd. Dressed in a black designer sherwani, he looked impossibly handsome, his usual air of confidence softened by the way his eyes searched hers.

"I'm fine," she said with a faint smile.

He reached out to take her hand, his touch warm and steady. "Don't worry, Sandhya. I'm here."

The sincerity in his voice made her chest tighten, but she quickly averted her gaze. "I know. just a bit nervous but I got it. Thank you," she said softly gaining a nod from Pugazh.

The engagement ceremony itself was a dazzling affair. As Sandhya and Pugazh exchanged rings, applause erupted around them, the guests showering them with blessings and congratulations. Pugazh held her hand afterward, raising it slightly for the crowd to admire, his smile beaming with pride.

But as Sandhya looked around the room, her mind wandered. Shravani's killers have to be here, she thought. The people in this room represented wealth and influence—exactly the kind of circles Shravani's fears might have revolved around.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Pugazh leaned in and whispered, "You're overthinking again."

She glanced at him, startled, but his teasing smile made her relax—if only for a moment.

After the ceremony, Sandhya slipped away from the crowd to catch her breath. She was standing near the gardens when she saw Pugazh a short distance away, his stance tense as he argued with someone. The man was partially obscured by the shadows, but his body language was just as agitated as Pugazh's.

Sandhya frowned and moved closer, trying to make out their words, but by the time she approached, the man had disappeared.

"Pugazh," she called out, her voice laced with concern.

He turned to her, his expression instantly softening. "Sandhya. What are you doing here?"

"I saw you arguing with someone," she said. "Who was it?"

"Just a business matter," he said quickly, brushing it off with a wave of his hand. "Nothing for you to worry about."

"Well I'm your..." 

Before she could press further, he stepped closer, his hands finding her waist. "Let's not waste this night thinking about anyone else," he murmured, his voice low and intimate.

"Pugazh, I—" she began, but he silenced her with a kiss.

The world seemed to tilt as his lips met hers, his touch igniting a fire that left her breathless. For a moment, she surrendered, her hands gripping his shoulders. But as the intensity of the moment grew, a sense of overwhelm consumed her.

"Stop," she whispered, pulling away abruptly.

Pugazh stepped back, his brows furrowing in concern. "Sandhya, what's wrong?"

"I just... I need a moment," she said, her voice shaky. Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked away, her mind spinning.

She wandered through the estate's gardens, the cool night air doing little to calm her racing thoughts. As she neared a bench, she noticed a man sitting there, his face partially obscured by the shadows. Something about him felt familiar, and she froze, trying to place where she had seen him before. Maybe he was the same man who was arguing with Pugazh? 

"Excuse me," she called out cautiously, taking a step closer.

But before she could reach him, Yamuna's voice rang out behind her.

"Sandhya!"

Sandhya turned to see Yamuna hurrying toward her, her vibrant lehenga trailing behind her.

"I've been looking for you everywhere!" Yamuna exclaimed, grabbing Sandhya's hands. "You were amazing tonight!  I can start calling you Anni not right? ."

Sandhya blinked, momentarily distracted. "Why not?"

"I'm so excited for you to start living in our house." Yamuna said with a wide grin. "Or... I'll just call you Sandhya. It feels more... friendly."

Sandhya couldn't help but laugh at Yamuna's enthusiasm. "Alright, Yamuna. You can call me whater you wish to call me."

Yamuna beamed, launching into a story about how she was already planning surprises for the wedding.

As they talked, Pugazh appeared, his presence making Sandhya's heart skip a beat. He sat down beside her, his proximity making her hyperaware of every movement.

Yamuna noticed the tension between them and smirked. "Alright, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone. But Sandhya, remember—you're mine now, not his!"

With a laugh, she skipped away, leaving Sandhya and Pugazh alone.

"I'm sorry," Pugazh said quietly, breaking the silence.

Sandhya didn't look at him. "For what?"

"For earlier," he said, his tone soft. "I got carried away."

She glanced at him, her resolve wavering at the remorse in his eyes. "I'm not mad," she said after a moment. "But you can't do that again. Not without... asking."

Pugazh nodded, his expression earnest. "I promise."

For a while, they sat in silence, the night wrapping around them like a cloak. Despite her lingering doubts, Sandhya felt herself softening again. Pugazh had a way of pulling her in, and no matter how hard she tried to resist, staying away felt impossible.

HEY GUYS, 

I just wanted to do a shoutout to @mayamadhuvanthi for her likes and comments. Thank you so much for the support for this book!! I'll also try to finish this book before Christmas since it's already finished and undergoing editing.