Retributed And Redempted Love

Chapter 46

The evening carried a warm glow. In the living room, laughter was soft and scattered — the kind that belonged to children.

Shivu sat curled in Saakshi’s lap, his little hands clinging tightly around her as though afraid someone might take him away again. Aaru, with her usual excitement, trotted over carrying a basket of toys.

“Look, Shivu!” she said proudly, laying out her collection of dolls, blocks, and a little stuffed bunny.

Shivu turned to Saakshi, hesitant. She kissed his forehead and whispered,
“See? Your sister bought you many toys. Which one do you like?”

Shivu looked at the toys, then back at Saakshi, as though waiting for her nod. She smiled encouragingly.

Just then, Shravan came and lifted Shivu gently, placing him beside Aaru on the floor.
“You two play here,” he said softly, his voice warm.

He sat down with them for a while, watching as Aaru tried to build a small block house and Shivu copied her movements clumsily. His tiny hands stacked two blocks, and his eyes shone with pride.

That was when Mugen swooped in with a mischievous grin, holding a remote-control car.
“Let’s see if my racer can enter your city!”

The little car zoomed forward and crashed right into the block house. The carefully stacked walls tumbled down in seconds.

Aaru gasped. Shivu blinked at the mess, then turned toward Mugen with the fiercest little frown his two-year-old face could manage. His tiny fists balled up, and he tried to crawl toward Mugen, stretching his hands to pull at his hair.

Mugen laughed, leaning back dramatically.
“Aiyo, ayyo! Appa na mariye irukan!”
(He is exactly like his Dad)

Saakshi covered her mouth, laughing quietly, while Anjali shook her head, unable to hide her smile.
“Serves you right, Mugen. Stop teasing them,” she scolded lightly.

But Shivu was determined, reaching again, his pout deep and his brows furrowed in the cutest way.

“Okay, okay!” Mugen surrendered, placing the car aside. “No more racing! Shivu boss is strict!”

The room filled with warmth, children’s giggles mixing with the adults’ soft laughter.

---

Later, in the side hall, Shravan sat with Aadhi and DSP. Rhagavan’s voice was steady but serious.
Rhagavan: “Shravan… how did you adopt Shivu? What’s the legal ground?”

Shravan froze. His eyes flickered toward the living room where Shivu’s laughter mixed with Aaru’s. He hesitated, then swallowed hard.

Shravan (softly): “Sir… can we talk inside?”

They stepped into Shravan’s room, closing the door quietly.

For a long second, Shravan stood near the window, his back to them. His hands trembled slightly before he finally turned. He started narrating how and when he met Shivu.

Neither Aadhi nor Rhagavan interrupted. Only the weight of Shravan’s confession filled the room.

When he finished, silence stretched.

Aadhi’s eyes teared slightly, and he tried blinking it away. He stepped forward and gripped Shravan’s shoulder tightly, saying nothing.

Rhagavan exhaled, the stern lines on his face softening with unspoken understanding.

Shravan quietly opened the drawer of his cupboard and pulled out a neatly tied folder. His fingers lingered on the edges for a moment before handing it to Aadhi.