Kumkum: Ties of Love and Lies (COMPLETED)

Final Chapter: Chapter 23

The air in the prison visitation room was cold and unwelcoming, but Sandhya sat across from Rekha and Ezhil, her gaze sharp and unrelenting.

"Where is he?" she demanded, her voice trembling with desperation. "Where is Pugazh?"

Rekha leaned back, her face blank. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said coolly.

"Don't lie to me," Sandhya snapped, her fists clenching. "You've taken everything from me—Shravani, my peace, and now him. Where is he?"

Ezhil shook his head, looking genuinely confused. "Sandhya, we don't know anything. We've been in here since the trial. Whatever's happened to Pugazh, it has nothing to do with us."

Rekha smirked faintly. "Maybe you should look somewhere else instead of blaming us for your bad luck."

Sandhya stood abruptly, her tears barely held back. "I'll find him," she said, her voice cracking. "And when I do, I'll make sure you both rot for what you've done."

She stormed out, her heart breaking further with every step.

Back at the Rajasekhar estate, Sandhya threw herself into the search. She asked Aravind to track down every lead, no matter how small, while she combed through old contacts and familiar places for any sign of Pugazh.

But the emptiness of their bedroom was unbearable. Sitting on their bed one evening, her tears flowed freely as Yamuna sat beside her, trying to console her.

"Anni, he'll come back," Yamuna said softly. "Pugazh anna loves you too much to stay away for long."

Sandhya shook her head, her voice breaking. "He was supposed to be here, Yamuna. I had something important to tell him. He was supposed to be the first to know, and now he's not even here."

Yamuna gave her a faint smile, her eyes flickering behind Sandhya for a moment before quickly looking down.

Sandhya continued, her emotions pouring out like a flood. "I've hurt him so much, yet he gave up everything for me—his safety, his peace, his family's legacy. And now I can't even find him. I love him, Yamuna. I can't live without him."

Yamuna placed a comforting hand on her shoulder but then stood abruptly. "I have to go," she said quickly, her tone unusually nervous.

"Yamuna?" Sandhya looked up, confused, but Yamuna hurried out of the room without another word.

Alone again, Sandhya buried her face in her hands, her sobs filling the room. But then she felt a presence behind her. Her heart skipped a beat as she turned, her breath catching in her throat.

There he was—Pugazh, standing in the doorway, his face pale but his eyes filled with warmth.

"Pugazh..." she whispered, her voice trembling.

He smiled faintly, his gaze softening as he stepped closer. "I heard everything," he said quietly.

In a burst of emotion, Sandhya rushed to him, her fists pounding lightly against his chest. "How dare you!" she cried, her voice a mix of anger and relief. "How dare you disappear like that and leave me like this?"

He winced, clutching his side where he had been stabbed. "Ow, Sandhya—easy!"

Realizing her mistake, she gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "Oh no! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

Pugazh chuckled weakly, pulling her into his arms despite the pain. "It's okay. I missed you too."

She hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face. "Where were you? Why didn't you tell me you were okay?"

He brushed her hair gently, his voice calm. "Aravind sent me to another city for treatment. The hospitals here couldn't be trusted with everything going on. He thought it was safer that way." 

Sandhya pulled back slightly, her eyes searching his. "You should've told me! Do you know how scared I was? Atleast he should have told me. He was there the whole entire time."

"I'm sorry," he said sincerely, cupping her face. "I wanted to tell you, but I couldn't risk it. And I told him not to say anything till I come back cause I wanted to surprise you"

She sighed, her anger melting away as she leaned into his touch. "You're here now. That's all that matters."

Pugazh smiled softly. "You said you had something important to tell me?"

Sandhya blushed, looking down shyly. "It's nothing."

He tilted her chin up, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Nothing? After all that buildup?"

She hesitated, her cheeks growing redder. Finally, she took a deep breath and said, "What if I tell you... in around 10 months... you're gonna have to deal with a mini me?" She asked with a smile. 

Pugazh's eyes widened, his face lighting up with joy. "You're pregnant? Are you saying you're pregnant and that I'm gonna be a father? " he repeated, his voice filled with excitement.

She nodded, her lips curving into a shy smile.

In a burst of happiness, he lifted her off the ground, spinning her gently. 

"Pugazh, put me down!" she laughed, her worry creeping back. "You're still recovering—you'll hurt yourself!"

He set her down carefully, pulling her close and kissing her forehead. "You've given me the best news of my life," he said, his voice full of love.

She rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "Now that everything is over, we can finally live in peace."

He cupped her face, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "We've been through so much, but I promise you, Sandhya, our future will be nothing but happiness."

They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, ready to embrace the life they had fought so hard to build together.

The End.

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Hello Guys, 

So we have reached the ending of this story. I was initially planning on writing a sequal for Aravind and Yamuna. I haven't really decided yet. This story isn't really getting the reach my other stories get so I'm gonna hold on it first since I have a busy schedule rn with school and exams. Let me know if you guys want a sequal and make sure to vote all the chapters so that it would help get more reach. Thanks to everyone who have supported me reading this everyday and voting as I post. I would have given up at editing but it was y'all who pushed me through this whole entire story. I'll be back with either a sequal or a completely different story so stay tuned!!