Kumkum: Ties of Love and Lies (COMPLETED)

Chapter 18

The days at the Rajasekhar estate were becoming more complicated for Sandhya. Every time she tried to focus on her investigation, Pugazh's love and care pulled her in, distracting her in ways she hadn't anticipated. His warm touches, soft kisses, and playful teasing chipped away at her resolve, leaving her torn between the life she was starting to cherish and the answers she desperately sought.

But her suspicion toward Ezhil remained strong. She began quietly observing him, hoping to catch something that could tie him to Shravani's murder. However, Ezhil was composed and careful, his demeanor giving nothing away.

One evening, as Sandhya and Pugazh sat together in their room, he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

"You've been quiet lately," he murmured, brushing his lips against her temple. "What's on your mind?"

Sandhya hesitated, her thoughts swirling. Finally, she decided to ask something that had been bothering her for days. "Pugazh, why didn't your father make Ezhil the CEO of R-ogya Hospital? He's older, and it would've made sense, right?"

Pugazh's hand paused mid-stroke against her arm. He leaned back slightly, studying her face before answering. "Appa trusted me more," he said simply.

"But why?" she pressed gently. "Ezhil's your older brother. Wasn't he already involved in the business?"

Pugazh sighed, his fingers brushing her hair absently. "He was, but things got... complicated. Ezhil made some bad decisions. Appa asked me to step in and fix them. When I did, he realized the business was safer in my hands."

"What kind of bad decisions?" Sandhya asked, her curiosity sharpening.

Pugazh frowned, clearly not wanting to delve into the details. "It's not important right now. Let's not ruin the evening with serious talks."

He leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead, effectively ending the conversation. Sandhya let it drop, but her mind refused to rest. What messes did Ezhil make? And why is everyone so tight-lipped about them?

The next day at the hospital, Sandhya ran into an old friend, Aravind, who worked as a police officer. They hadn't seen each other in a while, and after exchanging pleasantries, Aravind's tone turned serious.

"Sandhya, I've been hearing things about Shravani's case," he said. "Do you really think it was murder?"

Sandhya froze, caught off guard by the question. "Why are you asking me that?"

"Because it never sat right with me," Aravind admitted. "I wasn't directly involved in the case, but I remember there wasn't much evidence. Still, the way it was closed so quickly seemed... off."

Aravind was one of the few people Sandhya trusted completely. After a moment's hesitation, she decided to tell him everything.

"I believe it was murder," she said firmly. "There's something bigger going on, Aravind. I've been looking into it myself because I don't know who else to trust."

He listened intently as she recounted what she had discovered so far—the evidence Gautham had shown her, her suspicions about Ezhil, and the hints of shady dealings within the family.

"I need your help," Sandhya said, her voice trembling slightly. "I can't trust Gautham, and I don't know where else to turn."

Aravind nodded, his expression serious. "I'll see what I can find. But Sandhya, be careful. If someone in the family is involved, they won't take kindly to you poking around."

A few days later, Aravind called Sandhya with new information. They met at a quiet café, where he slid a small folder across the table.

"I found something," he said, his voice low. "Rekha, Ezhil's wife, has been in contact with a man connected to some suspicious activities in the city. He's got a criminal record—fraud, extortion, and even ties to organized crime."

Sandhya frowned as she flipped through the documents. "Rekha? Why would she be involved?"

"I don't know," Aravind admitted. "But there's definitely something off here. If Ezhil's involved, Rekha could be the link you need."

Sandhya's mind raced. The pieces weren't fitting together, and the more she uncovered, the messier the situation became. She had thought Ezhil was her next target, but now Rekha's name had entered the picture, adding another layer of confusion.

"Thank you, Aravind," she said quietly. "I'll look into this."

"Be careful," he warned again.

Back at the estate, Sandhya tried to process the new information, but her thoughts kept drifting to Pugazh. He had been showering her with so much love lately, his warmth and care making it harder for her to focus on her mission.

That night, as they lay in bed, Pugazh pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her protectively.

"You're distracted," he murmured. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she lied, forcing a smile.

He tilted her chin up, his eyes searching hers. "You can talk to me, Sandhya. You don't have to handle everything alone."

His sincerity made her heart ache. She wanted to tell him everything—to share her doubts, her fears, and the tangled web she was trying to unravel. But she couldn't risk it. Not yet.

Instead, she placed a hand on his cheek, leaning in to kiss him softly. "I'm fine, Pugazh," she whispered. "I just need some time."

He didn't press further, but the worry in his eyes remained.

As the days passed, Sandhya found herself more torn than ever. The deeper she dug into Shravani's death, the more complicated the truth seemed to become. Rekha's involvement hinted at something bigger, but how could she uncover it without arousing suspicion?

And amidst it all, Pugazh's unwavering love and affection were breaking down her defenses, making her wonder if she could truly balance her mission for justice with the life they were starting to rebuild together.

Time is running out, she thought, her resolve hardening. I need answers before it's too late.