25-03-2026, 05:50 PM
Chapter 40: The Big Game of Suirya and Jeeva
The door opened before Anandhi’s knuckles could finish the third knock.
Suriya stood there, shorts slung low on his hips, hair still sleep-rumpled, eyes already alert. The faint smell of brewed coffee drifted from inside — he’d been up, waiting.
He didn’t speak — just stepped aside.
Anandhi walked in, barefoot, yesterday’s saree still on, hair loose and tangled from a sleepless night.
The door clicked shut behind her - soft, final.
She stopped in the middle of the hall, arms folded tightly across her chest, yes locked on him like a blade.
“I want the truth,” she said, voice low, steady, but trembling at the edges.
Suriya leaned against the wall, arms crossed, mirroring her posture. He had been prepared by Jeeva in advance, but he had his own plan today.
he decided to ack like he is not aware of what she actually asks.
He replied, “The truth is, what happened yesterday was an accident.
The thought that you mistook me disturbs me.”
Anandhi asked sharply, “Even pushing me onto the bed was an accident?”
Suriya exhaled — slow, heavy — shame flickering across his face.
“Let me explain once again,” he said.
“It was an accident. The tap breaking — everything. When you got wet, I was worried about how Jeeva would look at you. He is a young man. I hope you understand what I mean.”
She didn’t like how he doubted Jeeva.
Suriya continued, voice rough. “But when you panicked… when you said my intention was bad… I lost control. I pushed you. I pinned you. I wanted to prove I could have taken you a thousand times if I wanted — but I never did. I wanted you to see I’m not a threat. Instead, I became one.”
Anandhi’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t interrupt.
Suriya went on. “The hand on your breast — that was a slip. I fell. I tried to catch myself. I’m sorry. I never meant to touch you like that. I swear.”
Anandhi studied him — long and hard.
Then, quieter, she asked the real question.
“I messaged you in the morning for a private talk, is actually not for this, i realized this was an accident and i overreacted it.
I wanted to know the real truth, the truth about Sam, John, Kiran, and that VIP politician. How do you know about them? Why did you… do all that?”
Suriya’s jaw tightened.
“Jeeva told you.”
Anandhi nodded sharply.
“He slipped in rage. Said you beat them. Blackmailed them. Kept them away from me for years. I want to hear it from you. Frankly. No hiding.”
Suriya looked away, then back — eyes steady.
“Should I be honest with you? Or do you need a pleasing answer?”
Anandhi said firmly, “Please be honest. You never know what I’m going through lately. I’m trying to figure out a reason to live with trust and hope.”
Suriya nodded.
“Okay. I’ll tell you.”
He pushed off the wall, walked to the small table, and pulled out a chair for her.
She didn’t sit.
He said softly, “Please sit. I’m nervous this way.”
She just looked at him ,instead of sitting she came up with next question
“So you admit you are the one who chased away all the troublemakers? Why?”
Anandhi was expecting the answer “I love you” — that’s why. - A random madman's confession. She prefixed what could be reason for the men like them.
Suriya knew if he said “I loved you,” she wouldn’t buy it. So he decided to play a safer, deeper emotional game.
He said, “It’s a way for me to give back your kindness, a way to thank you.”
Anandhi didn’t expect this answer.
She asked, “What? Kindness?
What did I do?”
Suriya smiled gently.
“Do you forget?
Okay, I’ll tell you why — maybe my side of the story. At the end, you will know all the answers..”
“After my divorce… I cried alone in this same room. Files, papers, clothes — everything shattered. My voice echoed down the whole street. Everyone talked badly about me, calling me a domestic abuser and worse. No one cared to check on me. Everyone believed her lies.
That was a rainy day. I remember breaking down on the floor, crying. You came. You picked me up. You hugged me. I know how long I cried, falling on you, my face buried in your chest while you consoled me. That may seem little to you, but you asked me to fight back. Ever since, I’ve been fighting — because that night I found hope. I realized I wasn’t alone in the world.
After you consoled me… I got a new lease on life. After you left, I stopped crying and started fighting seriously to get my kid back legally. But I wasn’t completely recovered. That’s when Riya and Rohan ran to me. You didn’t stop them. It continued for a week. Rohan and Riya became my saviors.
I wished to have a friendship with you — nothing too close, just a plain hi-and-bye kind of friend. But an old lady down the street badmouthed us. I realized what society would do to a single woman like you and a single man like me. I decided to stay away. But I realized later with your actions, that you decided the same. I mentally prepared that I had loose you too.
Still, I was grateful when the kids didn’t stop coming. I realized the pattern — you sent them only on Sundays. Even if you didn’t speak with me, the kindness you showed touched me. I decided to be good to Rohan and Riya.
I attended college functions. I used to stand behind you without you even knowing.. i used to wear masks to hide myself to not to bother your or become a talk inside society.. I did all this for kids, like i wanted to appreciate the kids, when they are stage dancing, singing etc..
But some months later, I noticed Sam visiting you and the kids regularly. I didn’t see anything unusual at first, but one day I accidentally saw Sam peeking through the keyhole of your main door. He could have come in or waited outside, but he sneaked and peeked. I doubted his intention.
That’s when I followed and learned their real plan. John, Sam, and Kiran had teamed up against Rahul. Their goal was to bed you — and share you among themselves. It was the cruelest thought.
I wanted to warn you, but I feared you might mistake my intention.
I watched them closer. That’s when I saw Sam get slapped by you. I thought his role was done. Then, during Riya’s dancing competition at the annual day, you went missing when she came on stage. I searched for you and realized John had drugged you and you were unconscious. I chased him away and beat him while wearing a mask.
Then a VIP who visited the college behaved badly with you — he forced you to satisfy his ugly needs. I found his weakness and blocked him.
I know the pain of being wrongly accused by society. I didn’t want you to become a victim. These days, society doesn’t stand with the victim — they tell the victim she should have behaved better. Rohan and Riya are like my own kids. I wanted them to have a safe and better future. I have deep respect for you. That’s why.
Are my reasons fine? Are you satisfied with my answer?”
Anandhi looked shocked. She gulped, staring at the selfless support he had given her all these years.
She asked, “At least you should have told me, right?”
Suriya said, “I wanted to tell you after compiling all the evidence and eliminating all the threats.
But two things happened, and I could not reveal it.”
Anandhi asked, “What two things?”
Suriya said, “Your husband left you…” what if i showed you after this? you might feel im trying to take advantage of you with savior masks. i hate that feeling.
Anandhi saw his eyes and then realisation hits, with a shock and she instantly asked, “How do you know, Rahul left me?”
Suriya said, “I got to know when Jeeva accidentally saw my laptop and figured out I was also a reason why the troublemakers had stopped bothering you.”
Anandhi asked, “What do you mean ‘I also’? Who else?”
Suriya said, “Jeeva too. When he came to town, he figured out their schemes, recorded a video, and blackmailed them.”
Anandhi said, what the fuck, why you men's keep so many secrets, “He didn’t tell me either? And you too?”
Suriya said, “We believed love has to come naturally — for who we are — rather than because of what we did.”
Anandhi was confused.
“Love?”
Suriya said softly, “Yes… love. I love you. And Jeeva loves you too.”
Anandhi said, stunned, “What? You two love me?” you said it its out of respect but you are claiming it as love?
“Yes,” Suriya continued. “I fell in love with you years back.. I don’t know exactly when. But I hid it because I thought it was inappropriate and wrong to get into someone else’s life — especially when you were happily married. I saw the great love you and Rahul shared, even from a distance. I felt jealous, but I never tried to come between you two. I was thankful that I could show my love through the kids and by silently blocking the vultures.
But when Jeeva entered the picture, I got jealous again. I realized you two shared some closeness. When we figured out Rahul was missing, we both thought — individually — it was a bad idea to express our love at such a worst phase. I decided to be your good friend and help you cross this path. He might have thought the same too.
But off late, he has the same jealousy toward me — especially after his accident, when we started getting closer. He feels threatened.
I’m sorry. I cannot carry this weight anymore.” So i decided to come clean with you, I love you Anandhi, i don't want to take advantage of this situation so i stayed silent, i'm okay with whatever decision you take. But there is something disturbs me since yesterday...
There was a silent between them,
Suriya caught her hand, shaking slightly.
“The day when your loved one mistakes you for something disgusting — how would you feel? I felt the same last night. I’m sorry. Don’t hate me. If you had rejected me when i had proposed as a normal friend i would have felt anything. but if you do something now, my mind would pin it to the accident yesterday.
I’m okay if you want to stay away from me, but I have one request.”
Anandhi shakingly asked, “What?”
“Unlike us, Jeeva is young. He has a life. He needs to go abroad. He needs to marry someone new. I’m not speaking out of jealousy — I’m speaking like a dutiful brother. He is at least 12 years younger than you. If he gets stuck here in the name of love, will it be fine? Will your kids be okay knowing their father figure is younger and in love? Won’t it be odd?”
Anandhi said, “Wait a minute. I never said I’m going to marry him.”
Suriya said, “I know, but he lacks maturity. He is pushing you for that. He casually informed me that he loves you. That accident that day — he went to get a refund for the admission fee he paid through a consultancy. Glad he got into that accident.”
Anandhi was shocked and asked, “What?”
Suriya said, “Yes, he is that serious. He was telling me that if you guys could not find Rahul back, he was going to push you into marriage with him.”
Anandhi was shocked. She didn’t know what to do.
Suriya said, “Don’t worry. Tell him I proposed love to you. He will be furious. He will convey his love. Tell him you can’t choose anyone until you find Rahul. He will then arrange a trip.
Use that, Go and find Rahul. Get him back — all would get solved.
If you cannot get him back, you will reach home and decide on it. On decision day, just choose me. he was actually telling me he gonna corner you one day when you could not find Rahul. Lets turn the scenario, you take the control.
If you are not ready to choose any of us, still choose me , just before him... — that will push him to focus on his education.
But if you like him and choose him… it’s your choice.
But if you choose me willingly, we can get married. Our five-member family — we four and my kid from my ex-wife. We all can live under one roof.
Even if you are not okay with marriage publicly, worried about society, worried about kids calling me in different name.. let’s have it under your agreement.. All i need is one hope of having a family again, in some way..
(A tempting offer Suriya placed, exactly as Jeeva had asked.)
Anandhi was tired from everything she had heard. All at once… exhaustion. Gratitude. Confusion, Proposal.
Suriya didn’t move — didn’t touch her — just let her stay.
His heart thundered.
The plan was alive — barely.
But it was no longer his to control.
It belonged to her now.
And Suriya had to play once she took it.
The door opened before Anandhi’s knuckles could finish the third knock.
Suriya stood there, shorts slung low on his hips, hair still sleep-rumpled, eyes already alert. The faint smell of brewed coffee drifted from inside — he’d been up, waiting.
He didn’t speak — just stepped aside.
Anandhi walked in, barefoot, yesterday’s saree still on, hair loose and tangled from a sleepless night.
The door clicked shut behind her - soft, final.
She stopped in the middle of the hall, arms folded tightly across her chest, yes locked on him like a blade.
“I want the truth,” she said, voice low, steady, but trembling at the edges.
Suriya leaned against the wall, arms crossed, mirroring her posture. He had been prepared by Jeeva in advance, but he had his own plan today.
he decided to ack like he is not aware of what she actually asks.
He replied, “The truth is, what happened yesterday was an accident.
The thought that you mistook me disturbs me.”
Anandhi asked sharply, “Even pushing me onto the bed was an accident?”
Suriya exhaled — slow, heavy — shame flickering across his face.
“Let me explain once again,” he said.
“It was an accident. The tap breaking — everything. When you got wet, I was worried about how Jeeva would look at you. He is a young man. I hope you understand what I mean.”
She didn’t like how he doubted Jeeva.
Suriya continued, voice rough. “But when you panicked… when you said my intention was bad… I lost control. I pushed you. I pinned you. I wanted to prove I could have taken you a thousand times if I wanted — but I never did. I wanted you to see I’m not a threat. Instead, I became one.”
Anandhi’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t interrupt.
Suriya went on. “The hand on your breast — that was a slip. I fell. I tried to catch myself. I’m sorry. I never meant to touch you like that. I swear.”
Anandhi studied him — long and hard.
Then, quieter, she asked the real question.
“I messaged you in the morning for a private talk, is actually not for this, i realized this was an accident and i overreacted it.
I wanted to know the real truth, the truth about Sam, John, Kiran, and that VIP politician. How do you know about them? Why did you… do all that?”
Suriya’s jaw tightened.
“Jeeva told you.”
Anandhi nodded sharply.
“He slipped in rage. Said you beat them. Blackmailed them. Kept them away from me for years. I want to hear it from you. Frankly. No hiding.”
Suriya looked away, then back — eyes steady.
“Should I be honest with you? Or do you need a pleasing answer?”
Anandhi said firmly, “Please be honest. You never know what I’m going through lately. I’m trying to figure out a reason to live with trust and hope.”
Suriya nodded.
“Okay. I’ll tell you.”
He pushed off the wall, walked to the small table, and pulled out a chair for her.
She didn’t sit.
He said softly, “Please sit. I’m nervous this way.”
She just looked at him ,instead of sitting she came up with next question
“So you admit you are the one who chased away all the troublemakers? Why?”
Anandhi was expecting the answer “I love you” — that’s why. - A random madman's confession. She prefixed what could be reason for the men like them.
Suriya knew if he said “I loved you,” she wouldn’t buy it. So he decided to play a safer, deeper emotional game.
He said, “It’s a way for me to give back your kindness, a way to thank you.”
Anandhi didn’t expect this answer.
She asked, “What? Kindness?
What did I do?”
Suriya smiled gently.
“Do you forget?
Okay, I’ll tell you why — maybe my side of the story. At the end, you will know all the answers..”
“After my divorce… I cried alone in this same room. Files, papers, clothes — everything shattered. My voice echoed down the whole street. Everyone talked badly about me, calling me a domestic abuser and worse. No one cared to check on me. Everyone believed her lies.
That was a rainy day. I remember breaking down on the floor, crying. You came. You picked me up. You hugged me. I know how long I cried, falling on you, my face buried in your chest while you consoled me. That may seem little to you, but you asked me to fight back. Ever since, I’ve been fighting — because that night I found hope. I realized I wasn’t alone in the world.
After you consoled me… I got a new lease on life. After you left, I stopped crying and started fighting seriously to get my kid back legally. But I wasn’t completely recovered. That’s when Riya and Rohan ran to me. You didn’t stop them. It continued for a week. Rohan and Riya became my saviors.
I wished to have a friendship with you — nothing too close, just a plain hi-and-bye kind of friend. But an old lady down the street badmouthed us. I realized what society would do to a single woman like you and a single man like me. I decided to stay away. But I realized later with your actions, that you decided the same. I mentally prepared that I had loose you too.
Still, I was grateful when the kids didn’t stop coming. I realized the pattern — you sent them only on Sundays. Even if you didn’t speak with me, the kindness you showed touched me. I decided to be good to Rohan and Riya.
I attended college functions. I used to stand behind you without you even knowing.. i used to wear masks to hide myself to not to bother your or become a talk inside society.. I did all this for kids, like i wanted to appreciate the kids, when they are stage dancing, singing etc..
But some months later, I noticed Sam visiting you and the kids regularly. I didn’t see anything unusual at first, but one day I accidentally saw Sam peeking through the keyhole of your main door. He could have come in or waited outside, but he sneaked and peeked. I doubted his intention.
That’s when I followed and learned their real plan. John, Sam, and Kiran had teamed up against Rahul. Their goal was to bed you — and share you among themselves. It was the cruelest thought.
I wanted to warn you, but I feared you might mistake my intention.
I watched them closer. That’s when I saw Sam get slapped by you. I thought his role was done. Then, during Riya’s dancing competition at the annual day, you went missing when she came on stage. I searched for you and realized John had drugged you and you were unconscious. I chased him away and beat him while wearing a mask.
Then a VIP who visited the college behaved badly with you — he forced you to satisfy his ugly needs. I found his weakness and blocked him.
I know the pain of being wrongly accused by society. I didn’t want you to become a victim. These days, society doesn’t stand with the victim — they tell the victim she should have behaved better. Rohan and Riya are like my own kids. I wanted them to have a safe and better future. I have deep respect for you. That’s why.
Are my reasons fine? Are you satisfied with my answer?”
Anandhi looked shocked. She gulped, staring at the selfless support he had given her all these years.
She asked, “At least you should have told me, right?”
Suriya said, “I wanted to tell you after compiling all the evidence and eliminating all the threats.
But two things happened, and I could not reveal it.”
Anandhi asked, “What two things?”
Suriya said, “Your husband left you…” what if i showed you after this? you might feel im trying to take advantage of you with savior masks. i hate that feeling.
Anandhi saw his eyes and then realisation hits, with a shock and she instantly asked, “How do you know, Rahul left me?”
Suriya said, “I got to know when Jeeva accidentally saw my laptop and figured out I was also a reason why the troublemakers had stopped bothering you.”
Anandhi asked, “What do you mean ‘I also’? Who else?”
Suriya said, “Jeeva too. When he came to town, he figured out their schemes, recorded a video, and blackmailed them.”
Anandhi said, what the fuck, why you men's keep so many secrets, “He didn’t tell me either? And you too?”
Suriya said, “We believed love has to come naturally — for who we are — rather than because of what we did.”
Anandhi was confused.
“Love?”
Suriya said softly, “Yes… love. I love you. And Jeeva loves you too.”
Anandhi said, stunned, “What? You two love me?” you said it its out of respect but you are claiming it as love?
“Yes,” Suriya continued. “I fell in love with you years back.. I don’t know exactly when. But I hid it because I thought it was inappropriate and wrong to get into someone else’s life — especially when you were happily married. I saw the great love you and Rahul shared, even from a distance. I felt jealous, but I never tried to come between you two. I was thankful that I could show my love through the kids and by silently blocking the vultures.
But when Jeeva entered the picture, I got jealous again. I realized you two shared some closeness. When we figured out Rahul was missing, we both thought — individually — it was a bad idea to express our love at such a worst phase. I decided to be your good friend and help you cross this path. He might have thought the same too.
But off late, he has the same jealousy toward me — especially after his accident, when we started getting closer. He feels threatened.
I’m sorry. I cannot carry this weight anymore.” So i decided to come clean with you, I love you Anandhi, i don't want to take advantage of this situation so i stayed silent, i'm okay with whatever decision you take. But there is something disturbs me since yesterday...
There was a silent between them,
Suriya caught her hand, shaking slightly.
“The day when your loved one mistakes you for something disgusting — how would you feel? I felt the same last night. I’m sorry. Don’t hate me. If you had rejected me when i had proposed as a normal friend i would have felt anything. but if you do something now, my mind would pin it to the accident yesterday.
I’m okay if you want to stay away from me, but I have one request.”
Anandhi shakingly asked, “What?”
“Unlike us, Jeeva is young. He has a life. He needs to go abroad. He needs to marry someone new. I’m not speaking out of jealousy — I’m speaking like a dutiful brother. He is at least 12 years younger than you. If he gets stuck here in the name of love, will it be fine? Will your kids be okay knowing their father figure is younger and in love? Won’t it be odd?”
Anandhi said, “Wait a minute. I never said I’m going to marry him.”
Suriya said, “I know, but he lacks maturity. He is pushing you for that. He casually informed me that he loves you. That accident that day — he went to get a refund for the admission fee he paid through a consultancy. Glad he got into that accident.”
Anandhi was shocked and asked, “What?”
Suriya said, “Yes, he is that serious. He was telling me that if you guys could not find Rahul back, he was going to push you into marriage with him.”
Anandhi was shocked. She didn’t know what to do.
Suriya said, “Don’t worry. Tell him I proposed love to you. He will be furious. He will convey his love. Tell him you can’t choose anyone until you find Rahul. He will then arrange a trip.
Use that, Go and find Rahul. Get him back — all would get solved.
If you cannot get him back, you will reach home and decide on it. On decision day, just choose me. he was actually telling me he gonna corner you one day when you could not find Rahul. Lets turn the scenario, you take the control.
If you are not ready to choose any of us, still choose me , just before him... — that will push him to focus on his education.
But if you like him and choose him… it’s your choice.
But if you choose me willingly, we can get married. Our five-member family — we four and my kid from my ex-wife. We all can live under one roof.
Even if you are not okay with marriage publicly, worried about society, worried about kids calling me in different name.. let’s have it under your agreement.. All i need is one hope of having a family again, in some way..
(A tempting offer Suriya placed, exactly as Jeeva had asked.)
Anandhi was tired from everything she had heard. All at once… exhaustion. Gratitude. Confusion, Proposal.
Suriya didn’t move — didn’t touch her — just let her stay.
His heart thundered.
The plan was alive — barely.
But it was no longer his to control.
It belonged to her now.
And Suriya had to play once she took it.
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