18-03-2026, 06:41 PM
(This post was last modified: 18-03-2026, 06:46 PM by heygiwriter. Edited 1 time in total. Edited 1 time in total.)
Chapter 14: The Neighbor’s Flat – Shadows and Secrets
Jeeva knocked on Suriya’s door — three firm raps, casual enough to seem innocent.
The door opened slowly.
Suriya stood there still in his gym clothes, sweat-dried now, clinging to every ridge of muscle.
His eyes narrowed instantly at the sight of Jeeva dark, assessing, territorial.
“You ?” Suriya’s voice was low, edged with irritation.
“What are you doing here?”
Jeeva kept his face neutral, voice calm.
“I don’t have a key. Anandhi asked me to wait here. She’ll be back in an hour with the kids.”
Suriya’s brow furrowed. “Anandhi asked you to stay here? In my flat?”
Jeeva nodded. “Yes.”
Suriya stared — long, hard — shock flickering behind the suspicion. For a split second his face betrayed something raw: confusion, almost disbelief.
The reaction was subtle, but Jeeva caught it. If Suriya and Anandhi had any real connection — any secret intimacy — this wouldn’t have surprised him. He would have known. He would have expected it.
But he didn’t.
The shock proved something else: Suriy watched her. Constantly. Obsessively.
He knew her routine, her comings and goings, her every move.
he didn't expect a sudden acknowledgement from her.
Suriya's jaw tightened. He stepped aside without another word.
“Come in.”
Jeeva walked past him, pulse steady, mind razor-sharp.
The flat was clean, sparse, masculine, gym equipment in one corner (dumbbells neatly racked, pull-up bar mounted on the wall), a small CCTV monitor flickering on a table showing the corridor feed in real time. The angle was perfect: straight shot of Anandhi’s door. A single sofa, a coffee table, a laptop closed on the side. No liquor bottles in sight no empty glasses, no stale smell. Suriya didn’t seem like a teetotaler, but he kept habits clean. Disciplined.
In one corner: a box of toys, plastic cars, a doll, coloring books. Likely his own kid’s from custody visits.
On the wall: a framed photo, Suriya with a woman (his ex-wife?) and a small boy, smiling in happier days. No recent photos. No sign of ongoing family warmth.
Jeeva’s eyes flicked to the table, a stack of xeroxed papers. Lawyer documents. Divorce decree. Custody agreement. A fresh application for extended visitation, requesting one full day with the child instead of just alternate weekends. Suriya was fighting for more time.
Jeeva felt a flicker of something, not sympathy exactly, but understanding. A man clinging to what was left of his family.
Suriya noticed his glance. “My kid,” he said flatly. “Alternate weekends. Trying to get more.”
Jeeva nodded. “Looks like a good father.”
Suriya’s eyes hardened. “I am.”
He turned toward the bathroom. “I’m going to take a bath. Wait here. Relax if you want you can switch on the TV”
The door clicked shut.
He waited for a min and Jeeva moved fast.
He scanned the flat, quick, silent. No hidden liquor. No women’s clothes.
Especially No traces of Anandhi. Just clean lines and discipline.
His eyes landed on the laptop.
He opened it — password-free screen.
Browser history: gym equipment sites, protein reviews, workout routines. A few pornographic tabs — generic, nothing specific. No Anandhi-related searches.
Desktop folders: “Kids,” “Gym,” “Work.”
Then — one labeled “A”.
Jeeva’s blood surged. “A” for Anandhi? could it be the video of Anandhi like an affair or in sex.. or videos taken without her permission like bathroom videos, his dick raised without asking
He clicked.
Password prompt.
Another folder: “A Target.”
It opened.
Inside: photos. Grainy, taken from distance. John, the politician,walking out of a building. John at a college event. John lingering near the gate. Subfolders: “Action.” Password-protected.
Jeeva’s mind raced.
Why John? What was in “Action”? Recordings? Evidence of John’s harassment? Or something darker?
He heard the bathroom door open.
He closed everything fast, sank onto the sofa.
Suriya emerged.. towel around his neck, fresh T-shirt stretched tight over wet skin, shorts low on hips.
He poured tea from a kettle, handed Jeeva a cup.
“You haven’t been seen around here in years,” Suriya said, sitting opposite.
“None of her relatives except her husband ever came. How are you really here?”
Jeeva sipped the tea — hot, strong. “Did you watch her this closely?
Like an old lady spying on her neighbor?”
Suriya’s eyes narrowed. “She’s got kids. I’m extra cautious. I’m a parent too.”
The answer felt rehearsed half-truth at best. Dishonest. Hiding.
Jeeva smiled lightly. “That’s okay. Our families aren’t on good terms.
I’m the new generation — just starting to patch things up.”
Suriya’s smile was thin.
after a silence he said. Sorry for being hard last day ..
I have seen many used to hit on single women's, and as a neighbor i just did what i had to do
Okay now you know me, will you tell me to behave same way like yesterday?
After a silence he said. yes
“You may be their relative, but behave properly.
Especially around Anandhi.. Don't stay too close with her
Society will name a lot for a woman who’s single.”
How dare you to telll me on my face, who do you think you are and what do you think about me.
Jeeva’s jaw tightened. “Remember, she still has a husband. He just doesn’t have enough time to visit.”
that doesnt mean she is single
Suriya smiled, but he had been absent for years, rarely comes here anyone will look out for a chance.
The conversation was brutally honest now, but it brings out the deeper chracter of Suriya
That doesn't mean all can eye her and especially me.. i know what you are suggesting
Im not that type and i no need to explain myself to you..
Suriya said, if that is the case i'm fine,
I'm just worried about your sister in law, many used to follow her, as a neighbor who worried especially about the kids, i wanted to warn you and it was you who asked will you treat me same way, so i just showed it
Jeeva rose up
Suriya leaned forward. “Calm down.
I’m not sure why you look me wrong .. what’s between us. Nothing. You no need to be this tough
then suriya rose up and said
Okay We don’t seem to gel. Leave the place as soon as Anandhi arrives.”
Jeeva stood. “Not necessary. I’ll wait in the corridor.”
He stepped out.
The door shut behind him.
He disliked Suriya — intensely.
The man was sturdy, same height as him, same build — but there was no crack of bond.
Just cold assessment. Mutual distrust.
Jeeva leaned against the wall, waiting.
Minutes later — footsteps.
Anandhi arrived with the kids.
Riya spotted him first — ran straight to him, arms wide.
“Jeeva sithappa!” (uncle)
She hugged his legs. Rohan followed, climbing onto him like a monkey.
Anandhi smiled tired, warm. “Sorry… let’s go in.”
She didn’t even glance at Suriya’s door. No thanks.
No acknowledgment.
Jeeva noticed.
The kids never knew the “uncle” they were hugging was their father.
They bonded fast — laughing, chattering, pulling him inside.
Night fell.
At the dinner table, simple dal-rice, kids eating messily, Jeeva asked casually.
“Who is the lady you visit? Why do you go there?”
Anandhi looked up, fork paused mid-air.
His eyes locked on hers — searching.
She smiled softly — a small, private smile.
And the answer hung in the air.
but before she could say an answer something striked her.
Wait
she asked i just said i'm at a friends place,
how do you know its a lady?
Jeeva knocked on Suriya’s door — three firm raps, casual enough to seem innocent.
The door opened slowly.
Suriya stood there still in his gym clothes, sweat-dried now, clinging to every ridge of muscle.
His eyes narrowed instantly at the sight of Jeeva dark, assessing, territorial.
“You ?” Suriya’s voice was low, edged with irritation.
“What are you doing here?”
Jeeva kept his face neutral, voice calm.
“I don’t have a key. Anandhi asked me to wait here. She’ll be back in an hour with the kids.”
Suriya’s brow furrowed. “Anandhi asked you to stay here? In my flat?”
Jeeva nodded. “Yes.”
Suriya stared — long, hard — shock flickering behind the suspicion. For a split second his face betrayed something raw: confusion, almost disbelief.
The reaction was subtle, but Jeeva caught it. If Suriya and Anandhi had any real connection — any secret intimacy — this wouldn’t have surprised him. He would have known. He would have expected it.
But he didn’t.
The shock proved something else: Suriy watched her. Constantly. Obsessively.
He knew her routine, her comings and goings, her every move.
he didn't expect a sudden acknowledgement from her.
Suriya's jaw tightened. He stepped aside without another word.
“Come in.”
Jeeva walked past him, pulse steady, mind razor-sharp.
The flat was clean, sparse, masculine, gym equipment in one corner (dumbbells neatly racked, pull-up bar mounted on the wall), a small CCTV monitor flickering on a table showing the corridor feed in real time. The angle was perfect: straight shot of Anandhi’s door. A single sofa, a coffee table, a laptop closed on the side. No liquor bottles in sight no empty glasses, no stale smell. Suriya didn’t seem like a teetotaler, but he kept habits clean. Disciplined.
In one corner: a box of toys, plastic cars, a doll, coloring books. Likely his own kid’s from custody visits.
On the wall: a framed photo, Suriya with a woman (his ex-wife?) and a small boy, smiling in happier days. No recent photos. No sign of ongoing family warmth.
Jeeva’s eyes flicked to the table, a stack of xeroxed papers. Lawyer documents. Divorce decree. Custody agreement. A fresh application for extended visitation, requesting one full day with the child instead of just alternate weekends. Suriya was fighting for more time.
Jeeva felt a flicker of something, not sympathy exactly, but understanding. A man clinging to what was left of his family.
Suriya noticed his glance. “My kid,” he said flatly. “Alternate weekends. Trying to get more.”
Jeeva nodded. “Looks like a good father.”
Suriya’s eyes hardened. “I am.”
He turned toward the bathroom. “I’m going to take a bath. Wait here. Relax if you want you can switch on the TV”
The door clicked shut.
He waited for a min and Jeeva moved fast.
He scanned the flat, quick, silent. No hidden liquor. No women’s clothes.
Especially No traces of Anandhi. Just clean lines and discipline.
His eyes landed on the laptop.
He opened it — password-free screen.
Browser history: gym equipment sites, protein reviews, workout routines. A few pornographic tabs — generic, nothing specific. No Anandhi-related searches.
Desktop folders: “Kids,” “Gym,” “Work.”
Then — one labeled “A”.
Jeeva’s blood surged. “A” for Anandhi? could it be the video of Anandhi like an affair or in sex.. or videos taken without her permission like bathroom videos, his dick raised without asking
He clicked.
Password prompt.
Another folder: “A Target.”
It opened.
Inside: photos. Grainy, taken from distance. John, the politician,walking out of a building. John at a college event. John lingering near the gate. Subfolders: “Action.” Password-protected.
Jeeva’s mind raced.
Why John? What was in “Action”? Recordings? Evidence of John’s harassment? Or something darker?
He heard the bathroom door open.
He closed everything fast, sank onto the sofa.
Suriya emerged.. towel around his neck, fresh T-shirt stretched tight over wet skin, shorts low on hips.
He poured tea from a kettle, handed Jeeva a cup.
“You haven’t been seen around here in years,” Suriya said, sitting opposite.
“None of her relatives except her husband ever came. How are you really here?”
Jeeva sipped the tea — hot, strong. “Did you watch her this closely?
Like an old lady spying on her neighbor?”
Suriya’s eyes narrowed. “She’s got kids. I’m extra cautious. I’m a parent too.”
The answer felt rehearsed half-truth at best. Dishonest. Hiding.
Jeeva smiled lightly. “That’s okay. Our families aren’t on good terms.
I’m the new generation — just starting to patch things up.”
Suriya’s smile was thin.
after a silence he said. Sorry for being hard last day ..
I have seen many used to hit on single women's, and as a neighbor i just did what i had to do
Okay now you know me, will you tell me to behave same way like yesterday?
After a silence he said. yes
“You may be their relative, but behave properly.
Especially around Anandhi.. Don't stay too close with her
Society will name a lot for a woman who’s single.”
How dare you to telll me on my face, who do you think you are and what do you think about me.
Jeeva’s jaw tightened. “Remember, she still has a husband. He just doesn’t have enough time to visit.”
that doesnt mean she is single
Suriya smiled, but he had been absent for years, rarely comes here anyone will look out for a chance.
The conversation was brutally honest now, but it brings out the deeper chracter of Suriya
That doesn't mean all can eye her and especially me.. i know what you are suggesting
Im not that type and i no need to explain myself to you..
Suriya said, if that is the case i'm fine,
I'm just worried about your sister in law, many used to follow her, as a neighbor who worried especially about the kids, i wanted to warn you and it was you who asked will you treat me same way, so i just showed it
Jeeva rose up
Suriya leaned forward. “Calm down.
I’m not sure why you look me wrong .. what’s between us. Nothing. You no need to be this tough
then suriya rose up and said
Okay We don’t seem to gel. Leave the place as soon as Anandhi arrives.”
Jeeva stood. “Not necessary. I’ll wait in the corridor.”
He stepped out.
The door shut behind him.
He disliked Suriya — intensely.
The man was sturdy, same height as him, same build — but there was no crack of bond.
Just cold assessment. Mutual distrust.
Jeeva leaned against the wall, waiting.
Minutes later — footsteps.
Anandhi arrived with the kids.
Riya spotted him first — ran straight to him, arms wide.
“Jeeva sithappa!” (uncle)
She hugged his legs. Rohan followed, climbing onto him like a monkey.
Anandhi smiled tired, warm. “Sorry… let’s go in.”
She didn’t even glance at Suriya’s door. No thanks.
No acknowledgment.
Jeeva noticed.
The kids never knew the “uncle” they were hugging was their father.
They bonded fast — laughing, chattering, pulling him inside.
Night fell.
At the dinner table, simple dal-rice, kids eating messily, Jeeva asked casually.
“Who is the lady you visit? Why do you go there?”
Anandhi looked up, fork paused mid-air.
His eyes locked on hers — searching.
She smiled softly — a small, private smile.
And the answer hung in the air.
but before she could say an answer something striked her.
Wait
she asked i just said i'm at a friends place,
how do you know its a lady?
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