26-03-2026, 07:56 AM
(This post was last modified: 26-03-2026, 08:02 AM by heygiwriter. Edited 1 time in total. Edited 1 time in total.)
Chapter 42: The Test and TRIO's aggrement
Anandhi stood at the blackboard, chalk in hand, but the words she was supposed to write had long since blurred.
The classroom was alive with the usual chatter of thirty children, but she heard none of it. Her mind was a storm.
Rahul’s sudden disappearance — the note, the 30 lakhs, the claim that he had found someone else — still felt like a wound that wouldn’t close.
Jeeva — the man she had clung to like a lifeline these past weeks — had turned out to be something far more complicated. He looked exactly like the old Rahul and had been doing everything the good old Rahul used to do. He had made her slip, just a little. In almost a decade of marriage, he was the first one to break her boundary.
Sometimes she admitted to herself that what she was feeling was a forbidden thrill. He liked her. She liked him too. But the age gap and her marital status pulled her back. She called it sin. She had already put a full stop when he approached. She had only wanted a deep friendship with limits. Nothing more.
And then there was Suriya.
The complete stranger who had turned out to be her real savior — not Thilaga, not the security officer. He had silently protected her for years. The actual savior now wanted her to seriously consider starting a relationship with him… and to stay away from Jeeva for Jeeva’s own good.
The hug this morning — was it genuine or a bold step to take advantage of her vulnerability? She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t slapped him like she did to Sam. She didn’t know how to thank him back. She realized Suriya did love her and was very careful about their image. His proposal felt genuine and mature. She actually liked how he cared for Jeeva at the end.
What if Jeeva decided to stick to her and spoil his own future? The thought disturbed her.
A sharp, deliberate thought rose.
Let me test Jeeva.
She already knew the answer. But she needed to hear it from his mouth. Like how strong he was. If he was too adamant, too determined to stay here and ruin his future, then she would have to take steps — just as Suriya had suggested.
The college bell rang.
She gathered the kids quickly — Riya and Rohan chattering excitedly about the day — and headed home, her steps faster than usual.
When she reached the flat, Jeeva was in the hall, sitting on the floor with the kids. They were playing with building blocks, laughing as he helped them stack a tall tower. The sight should have warmed her. Instead, it twisted something in her chest.
She forced a small smile.
Minutes later, Riya and Rohan got bored and ran across the corridor to Surya’s flat — they had toys there and knew they were always welcome.
The door closed behind them.
The flat fell quiet.
Anandhi stood near the sofa, heart pounding. She decided to test him.
“Jeeva,” she said softly, “what do you think about Suriya?”
Jeeva looked up from the blocks — eyes sharp, calculating. He knew instantly. She was testing him. The moment had arrived.
He stood slowly, stepping closer to her.
“Suriya?” He let the name hang for a second. “He’s… helpful. But why do you ask about him?”
Anandhi took a breath.
“He proposed to me. He got to know that Rahul left me, and he is open about the idea of marriage with me.”
Jeeva’s expression darkened.
“You deserve better than someone who’s already failed once at marriage.”
Anandhi’s breath caught.
Jeeva took another step — close enough that she could feel the heat from his body.
“I’m speaking facts,” he continued, voice dropping. “I’m saying it because I care about you.”
Anandhi said, “My marriage failed after Rahul left. What’s the difference?”
Jeeva replied, “That’s different.”
Anandhi pressed, “I’m just thinking… he has saved me so many times, been decent, the kids already love him, and he loves them. So I’m thinking of…”
Jeeva cut her off sharply.
“No. Stop those thoughts.”
Anandhi asked, “Why? What’s wrong with him?”
“Because I love you,” Jeeva said, voice intense. “I want to marry you. I only need you. You need me. That’s it.”
The words landed like a stone in still water.
Anandhi’s eyes widened.
Jeeva didn’t stop.
“I know the age gap is there. I know I’m younger. But I’m not a boy. I’m a man who
sees you — really sees you. Your strength, your beauty, the way you put the kids first even when your world is falling apart. I want you. I want to be with you. I want to marry you. I want to be the father those kids deserve.”
His hand reached out — gentle but deliberate — and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Don’t fall for Suriya,” he said, voice low and urgent. “He’s older. He’s been married. You never know what kind of man he really is behind the ‘nice guy’ act. I’m here. I’m young. I’m ready to give you everything. Choose me. Let me love you the way you deserve.”
Anandhi stood completely still.
Her heart raced.
She already knew the answer — Suriya had predicted it exactly.
Jeeva had just confessed.
He had pushed.
And now she was more confused than ever.
She didn’t speak.
She simply looked at him — eyes wide, conflicted, searching — as the weight of two men’s love pressed down on her from both sides.
She panicked. She didn’t know how to react. She remembered Suriya who warned her about Jeeva, his intention and everything.. Though she liked him, his forcible nature was an alarm ringing in her head.
Unknown to her, Jeeva had already texted Suriya while speaking to her.
A few minutes later, Suriya arrived.
Looking at Suriya approaching, Jeeva said loudly, “Let’s get married next week and start our life.”
A sharp interjection came from Suriya.
“Jeeva, what are you doing?”
Anandhi felt a wave of relief seeing Suriya arrive at that moment.
Suriya looked at Anandhi and signaled with his eyes — asking her to stay calm.
He continued, “I heard what you have been talking about. It’s a decision Anandhi has to take. Don’t force her. She is yet to come out of the betrayal Rahul did to her. Speaking about marriage is not something you should do right now. Just stick to her side.”
Jeeva shot back, “Oh, if what I did is wrong, you did the same in the morning.”
Suriya replied calmly, “That’s different. She wanted some truth from me. I just told her the truth and I wanted to come clean, so I proposed. It’s just a proposal. I didn’t ask her to marry the next day or next week. All I asked was for her to consider me.
There is a difference between ‘consider me’ and ‘let’s do it next week.’ Mine is asking for consideration. What you are doing is forcing her to make a decision.”
Anandhi liked how Suriya was careful and reasonable with his choice of words. He already looked like a better man who could understand her. Unlike Jeeva, who did everything instantly and was forcing her to make a decision
Jeeva: “Whatever. I want her to get married to me. Don’t interfere with that.”
Suriya: “It’s a thing that she has to decide. And moreover, we still don’t know about Rahul’s whereabouts. She can’t decide without confirming Rahul’s true reasons. Remember she don't buy the part that Rahul choose some other women. ”
Jeeva laughed bitterly. “Okay then, let’s just do that first. Let’s go and find out who that asshole Rahul is sleeping with.”
Anandhi slapped Jeeva — hard.
“That’s the limit,” she said.
Jeeva touched his cheek, eyes flashing.
“You got angry because I said something bad about him? Do you still love him after all he did to you?”
Anandhi looked at him, voice shaking.
“We still don’t know the truth… He may be hiding something else.”
Jeeva challenged, “What if he is truly with someone? What will you do then?”
Anandhi said, “He is not that type. I still don’t believe it.”
Jeeva stressed, “What if he is?”
Anandhi looked at him in horror.
“Let’s go in 2 days to Mumbai and search for him. Enquire about him with strangers, roommates, and others. If we don’t get concrete truth, then I will leave it up to you to decide. If the news about him is true — like he is with some woman — you have to choose me.”
Anandhi really looked horrified.
Suriya stepped in, “Stop forcing her.”
Jeeva laughed. “What? You are fearing of losing her?”
Suriya said calmly, “Stop it, Jeeva. I dont need to prove my love to you! Its not what you think, True love is about giving what your loved one really needs."
And i will continue to do that!
Suriya then turned to Anandhi.
“Okay, let’s agree to this. If we get concrete news that Rahul like he had been in an affair, then there is no point in waiting for him and wasting your life. Choose one among us. And it’s your decision.”
Anandhi really looked at his eyes looking for a clue, what all this is about? A question popped in her mind.
Suriya winked at her subtly.
Anandhi quickly bought it. She started believing Suriya could be someone she could lean on. Unlike Jeeva, who did everything instantly, who is forcing her to make a decision. She thought he has a reason to make her get into a challange, may be its for some goods like, it could stop Jeeva?!
Suriya’s calm and composed steps gave her time — and that was exactly what she needed now. Before the storm like Jeeva, Suriya seemed someone she could trust for now. She even felt the urge to stop Jeeva’s stubbornness and forcible nature..
She nodded.
Jeeva said let's go to Mumbai tomorrow!
Anandhi stood at the blackboard, chalk in hand, but the words she was supposed to write had long since blurred.
The classroom was alive with the usual chatter of thirty children, but she heard none of it. Her mind was a storm.
Rahul’s sudden disappearance — the note, the 30 lakhs, the claim that he had found someone else — still felt like a wound that wouldn’t close.
Jeeva — the man she had clung to like a lifeline these past weeks — had turned out to be something far more complicated. He looked exactly like the old Rahul and had been doing everything the good old Rahul used to do. He had made her slip, just a little. In almost a decade of marriage, he was the first one to break her boundary.
Sometimes she admitted to herself that what she was feeling was a forbidden thrill. He liked her. She liked him too. But the age gap and her marital status pulled her back. She called it sin. She had already put a full stop when he approached. She had only wanted a deep friendship with limits. Nothing more.
And then there was Suriya.
The complete stranger who had turned out to be her real savior — not Thilaga, not the security officer. He had silently protected her for years. The actual savior now wanted her to seriously consider starting a relationship with him… and to stay away from Jeeva for Jeeva’s own good.
The hug this morning — was it genuine or a bold step to take advantage of her vulnerability? She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t slapped him like she did to Sam. She didn’t know how to thank him back. She realized Suriya did love her and was very careful about their image. His proposal felt genuine and mature. She actually liked how he cared for Jeeva at the end.
What if Jeeva decided to stick to her and spoil his own future? The thought disturbed her.
A sharp, deliberate thought rose.
Let me test Jeeva.
She already knew the answer. But she needed to hear it from his mouth. Like how strong he was. If he was too adamant, too determined to stay here and ruin his future, then she would have to take steps — just as Suriya had suggested.
The college bell rang.
She gathered the kids quickly — Riya and Rohan chattering excitedly about the day — and headed home, her steps faster than usual.
When she reached the flat, Jeeva was in the hall, sitting on the floor with the kids. They were playing with building blocks, laughing as he helped them stack a tall tower. The sight should have warmed her. Instead, it twisted something in her chest.
She forced a small smile.
Minutes later, Riya and Rohan got bored and ran across the corridor to Surya’s flat — they had toys there and knew they were always welcome.
The door closed behind them.
The flat fell quiet.
Anandhi stood near the sofa, heart pounding. She decided to test him.
“Jeeva,” she said softly, “what do you think about Suriya?”
Jeeva looked up from the blocks — eyes sharp, calculating. He knew instantly. She was testing him. The moment had arrived.
He stood slowly, stepping closer to her.
“Suriya?” He let the name hang for a second. “He’s… helpful. But why do you ask about him?”
Anandhi took a breath.
“He proposed to me. He got to know that Rahul left me, and he is open about the idea of marriage with me.”
Jeeva’s expression darkened.
“You deserve better than someone who’s already failed once at marriage.”
Anandhi’s breath caught.
Jeeva took another step — close enough that she could feel the heat from his body.
“I’m speaking facts,” he continued, voice dropping. “I’m saying it because I care about you.”
Anandhi said, “My marriage failed after Rahul left. What’s the difference?”
Jeeva replied, “That’s different.”
Anandhi pressed, “I’m just thinking… he has saved me so many times, been decent, the kids already love him, and he loves them. So I’m thinking of…”
Jeeva cut her off sharply.
“No. Stop those thoughts.”
Anandhi asked, “Why? What’s wrong with him?”
“Because I love you,” Jeeva said, voice intense. “I want to marry you. I only need you. You need me. That’s it.”
The words landed like a stone in still water.
Anandhi’s eyes widened.
Jeeva didn’t stop.
“I know the age gap is there. I know I’m younger. But I’m not a boy. I’m a man who
sees you — really sees you. Your strength, your beauty, the way you put the kids first even when your world is falling apart. I want you. I want to be with you. I want to marry you. I want to be the father those kids deserve.”
His hand reached out — gentle but deliberate — and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Don’t fall for Suriya,” he said, voice low and urgent. “He’s older. He’s been married. You never know what kind of man he really is behind the ‘nice guy’ act. I’m here. I’m young. I’m ready to give you everything. Choose me. Let me love you the way you deserve.”
Anandhi stood completely still.
Her heart raced.
She already knew the answer — Suriya had predicted it exactly.
Jeeva had just confessed.
He had pushed.
And now she was more confused than ever.
She didn’t speak.
She simply looked at him — eyes wide, conflicted, searching — as the weight of two men’s love pressed down on her from both sides.
She panicked. She didn’t know how to react. She remembered Suriya who warned her about Jeeva, his intention and everything.. Though she liked him, his forcible nature was an alarm ringing in her head.
Unknown to her, Jeeva had already texted Suriya while speaking to her.
A few minutes later, Suriya arrived.
Looking at Suriya approaching, Jeeva said loudly, “Let’s get married next week and start our life.”
A sharp interjection came from Suriya.
“Jeeva, what are you doing?”
Anandhi felt a wave of relief seeing Suriya arrive at that moment.
Suriya looked at Anandhi and signaled with his eyes — asking her to stay calm.
He continued, “I heard what you have been talking about. It’s a decision Anandhi has to take. Don’t force her. She is yet to come out of the betrayal Rahul did to her. Speaking about marriage is not something you should do right now. Just stick to her side.”
Jeeva shot back, “Oh, if what I did is wrong, you did the same in the morning.”
Suriya replied calmly, “That’s different. She wanted some truth from me. I just told her the truth and I wanted to come clean, so I proposed. It’s just a proposal. I didn’t ask her to marry the next day or next week. All I asked was for her to consider me.
There is a difference between ‘consider me’ and ‘let’s do it next week.’ Mine is asking for consideration. What you are doing is forcing her to make a decision.”
Anandhi liked how Suriya was careful and reasonable with his choice of words. He already looked like a better man who could understand her. Unlike Jeeva, who did everything instantly and was forcing her to make a decision
Jeeva: “Whatever. I want her to get married to me. Don’t interfere with that.”
Suriya: “It’s a thing that she has to decide. And moreover, we still don’t know about Rahul’s whereabouts. She can’t decide without confirming Rahul’s true reasons. Remember she don't buy the part that Rahul choose some other women. ”
Jeeva laughed bitterly. “Okay then, let’s just do that first. Let’s go and find out who that asshole Rahul is sleeping with.”
Anandhi slapped Jeeva — hard.
“That’s the limit,” she said.
Jeeva touched his cheek, eyes flashing.
“You got angry because I said something bad about him? Do you still love him after all he did to you?”
Anandhi looked at him, voice shaking.
“We still don’t know the truth… He may be hiding something else.”
Jeeva challenged, “What if he is truly with someone? What will you do then?”
Anandhi said, “He is not that type. I still don’t believe it.”
Jeeva stressed, “What if he is?”
Anandhi looked at him in horror.
“Let’s go in 2 days to Mumbai and search for him. Enquire about him with strangers, roommates, and others. If we don’t get concrete truth, then I will leave it up to you to decide. If the news about him is true — like he is with some woman — you have to choose me.”
Anandhi really looked horrified.
Suriya stepped in, “Stop forcing her.”
Jeeva laughed. “What? You are fearing of losing her?”
Suriya said calmly, “Stop it, Jeeva. I dont need to prove my love to you! Its not what you think, True love is about giving what your loved one really needs."
And i will continue to do that!
Suriya then turned to Anandhi.
“Okay, let’s agree to this. If we get concrete news that Rahul like he had been in an affair, then there is no point in waiting for him and wasting your life. Choose one among us. And it’s your decision.”
Anandhi really looked at his eyes looking for a clue, what all this is about? A question popped in her mind.
Suriya winked at her subtly.
Anandhi quickly bought it. She started believing Suriya could be someone she could lean on. Unlike Jeeva, who did everything instantly, who is forcing her to make a decision. She thought he has a reason to make her get into a challange, may be its for some goods like, it could stop Jeeva?!
Suriya’s calm and composed steps gave her time — and that was exactly what she needed now. Before the storm like Jeeva, Suriya seemed someone she could trust for now. She even felt the urge to stop Jeeva’s stubbornness and forcible nature..
She nodded.
Jeeva said let's go to Mumbai tomorrow!
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