13-04-2026, 05:41 PM
(This post was last modified: 13-04-2026, 05:51 PM by heygiwriter. Edited 1 time in total. Edited 1 time in total.)
Chapter 102: The Expo
An Year Later... It was AaRa’s second birthday.
Rahul had planned a grand celebration in Mumbai. The family flew down together — Rahul, Anandhi, Rohan, Riya, and little AaRa. Life had become significantly lighter for Rahul. The business was stable, debts were under control, and the constant shadow of Suriya had finally faded from his mind. He felt burdenless for the first time in years.
Anandhi, on the other hand, had spent the last two years running behind AaRa — sleepless nights, unpredictable feeding schedules, and constant care. Now that AaRa was sleeping through the night and following a proper routine, Anandhi finally felt a quiet sense of relief. She had returned to being the calm, composed wife Rahul loved.
Madhavan had arranged a luxurious stay for them in a premium serviced apartment. While settling in, Anandhi looked around the elegant space and recalled how Madhavan had once searched desperately for “Jeeva” — the young man who looked exactly like Rahul in his prime. She still didn’t know that Jeeva and Rahul were the same person.
Rahul noticed her thoughtful expression and teased her with a playful smile.
“You still don’t look like a 33-year-old, you know. You look 25. Let’s leave the kids with Madhavan for a few hours and go for a proper date tonight — just you and me, romantic dinner, long drive… maybe even a night away.”
Anandhi smiled softly and nudged him. “Behave. The kids are right here.”
They both laughed, the moment light and warm.
Later that evening, Madhavan arrived with specially cooked South Indian food. After dinner, Anandhi took the children to bed. Once they were asleep, the conversation between the two men naturally turned to business.
Rahul sighed. “The business has been dull for almost a year now. Its adequate for now but declining. We don’t have our own gym studios anymore. We’re just supplying to others.”
Madhavan nodded. “Exactly. Earlier we had our own unit. Now we’re only offering services and products. It’s limiting our growth.”
Rahul added, “I tried partnering with a few gyms, but they’re placing other products. We’re just one among eleven. And the IT solutions side is dying — everyone says AI has replaced customized software.”
Just then, Rahul’s phone rang. It was his subordinate, Madhan.
“Sir, there’s a big Fitness Expo happening in Mumbai tomorrow. A lot of new gym outlets are participating. I’ve shortlisted a few promising ones — KKE Enterprises, SAN Fitness, and XMAN Gym. These are new players looking for similar partnership models. Especially SAN Fitness — they started just six months back and already have 10–15 branches. They’re looking for IT modules and supplement suppliers.”
Madhavan looked impressed. “Ten to fifteen branches in six months? That’s serious dedication.”
Rahul’s mind flashed back to Suriya — how he had pushed him to open 3–4 branches in four months and then three more franchises. For a brief second, both Rahul and Madhavan remembered the old days, but neither spoke about it. The vengeance and revenge had spoiled what could have been a top-tier empire. They both knew it, but kept quiet.
Madhan continued, “XMAN is very new, sir. They recently closed one branch due to poor maintenance. SAN Fitness has a manager named Xavier — 10 years in the industry. KKE is asking for the cheapest price. You’ll meet all of them at the expo tomorrow. Try to focus on SAN or XMAN.”
Rahul nodded. “We might need to take a loan if things don’t improve after the expo. Otherwise, we’ll have to rethink our entire strategy.”
The next day, the entire family, including the kids, went to the Expo.
Madhan met them at the entrance and introduced the representatives from KKE, SAN Fitness, and XMAN.
Rahul quickly eliminated KKE — their terms were ridiculous. He focused his pitch on XMAN and SAN Fitness.
Xavier from SAN Fitness was clearly impressed by Rahul’s proposal. During the conversation, he casually mentioned, “The area where your current operations are located has no good gym right now. My previous partner had a gym there but gave it up on lease. Now that gym has also closed for unknown reasons.”
Xavier smiled. “If that’s the case, let’s open one there. You procure the land or get a good shop for rent — we’ll pay upfront. We can work on partnership remuneration.”
Rahul liked the straightforward approach. Several competitors were already showing interest in SAN Fitness. He hoped onboarding them would secure a better future. SAN was currently working with several industry leaders, and Rahul aimed for them to take at least five new branches per year under partnership.
While the men discussed business, Anandhi wandered around with the children, looking at colorful posters and demo equipment.
Suddenly, Rohan tugged at her hand.
“Amma! Appa!”
Anandhi smiled. “Your Appa is right here, see — he’s speaking with the uncle.”
Rohan shook his head. “No… Suriya Appa.”
Anandhi froze. Her heart skipped a beat. Her eyes rapidly scanned the crowded hall, searching desperately for any sign of him.
After a few tense seconds, she asked, trying to sound casual, “Did you see him somewhere?”
Rohan shrugged. “No Amma… I saw Suriya Appa in the paper once.”
Anandhi let out a shaky breath and relaxed her shoulders. It must be an old newspaper. Or the kids misunderstood.
But her heart continued to race. Her face dropped suddenly.
Rahul, who had just finished his meeting, noticed immediately and walked over.
“What happened?” he asked, concerned.
Anandhi forced a small smile. “Nothing.”
Rohan and Riya ran off to a colorful car module nearby. The children quickly forgot the moment.
But Anandhi’s mind refused to forget.
The name “Suriya” — which she had tried so hard to bury — had resurfaced, bringing back a flood of memories, guilt, and unspoken longing.
An Year Later... It was AaRa’s second birthday.
Rahul had planned a grand celebration in Mumbai. The family flew down together — Rahul, Anandhi, Rohan, Riya, and little AaRa. Life had become significantly lighter for Rahul. The business was stable, debts were under control, and the constant shadow of Suriya had finally faded from his mind. He felt burdenless for the first time in years.
Anandhi, on the other hand, had spent the last two years running behind AaRa — sleepless nights, unpredictable feeding schedules, and constant care. Now that AaRa was sleeping through the night and following a proper routine, Anandhi finally felt a quiet sense of relief. She had returned to being the calm, composed wife Rahul loved.
Madhavan had arranged a luxurious stay for them in a premium serviced apartment. While settling in, Anandhi looked around the elegant space and recalled how Madhavan had once searched desperately for “Jeeva” — the young man who looked exactly like Rahul in his prime. She still didn’t know that Jeeva and Rahul were the same person.
Rahul noticed her thoughtful expression and teased her with a playful smile.
“You still don’t look like a 33-year-old, you know. You look 25. Let’s leave the kids with Madhavan for a few hours and go for a proper date tonight — just you and me, romantic dinner, long drive… maybe even a night away.”
Anandhi smiled softly and nudged him. “Behave. The kids are right here.”
They both laughed, the moment light and warm.
Later that evening, Madhavan arrived with specially cooked South Indian food. After dinner, Anandhi took the children to bed. Once they were asleep, the conversation between the two men naturally turned to business.
Rahul sighed. “The business has been dull for almost a year now. Its adequate for now but declining. We don’t have our own gym studios anymore. We’re just supplying to others.”
Madhavan nodded. “Exactly. Earlier we had our own unit. Now we’re only offering services and products. It’s limiting our growth.”
Rahul added, “I tried partnering with a few gyms, but they’re placing other products. We’re just one among eleven. And the IT solutions side is dying — everyone says AI has replaced customized software.”
Just then, Rahul’s phone rang. It was his subordinate, Madhan.
“Sir, there’s a big Fitness Expo happening in Mumbai tomorrow. A lot of new gym outlets are participating. I’ve shortlisted a few promising ones — KKE Enterprises, SAN Fitness, and XMAN Gym. These are new players looking for similar partnership models. Especially SAN Fitness — they started just six months back and already have 10–15 branches. They’re looking for IT modules and supplement suppliers.”
Madhavan looked impressed. “Ten to fifteen branches in six months? That’s serious dedication.”
Rahul’s mind flashed back to Suriya — how he had pushed him to open 3–4 branches in four months and then three more franchises. For a brief second, both Rahul and Madhavan remembered the old days, but neither spoke about it. The vengeance and revenge had spoiled what could have been a top-tier empire. They both knew it, but kept quiet.
Madhan continued, “XMAN is very new, sir. They recently closed one branch due to poor maintenance. SAN Fitness has a manager named Xavier — 10 years in the industry. KKE is asking for the cheapest price. You’ll meet all of them at the expo tomorrow. Try to focus on SAN or XMAN.”
Rahul nodded. “We might need to take a loan if things don’t improve after the expo. Otherwise, we’ll have to rethink our entire strategy.”
The next day, the entire family, including the kids, went to the Expo.
Madhan met them at the entrance and introduced the representatives from KKE, SAN Fitness, and XMAN.
Rahul quickly eliminated KKE — their terms were ridiculous. He focused his pitch on XMAN and SAN Fitness.
Xavier from SAN Fitness was clearly impressed by Rahul’s proposal. During the conversation, he casually mentioned, “The area where your current operations are located has no good gym right now. My previous partner had a gym there but gave it up on lease. Now that gym has also closed for unknown reasons.”
Xavier smiled. “If that’s the case, let’s open one there. You procure the land or get a good shop for rent — we’ll pay upfront. We can work on partnership remuneration.”
Rahul liked the straightforward approach. Several competitors were already showing interest in SAN Fitness. He hoped onboarding them would secure a better future. SAN was currently working with several industry leaders, and Rahul aimed for them to take at least five new branches per year under partnership.
While the men discussed business, Anandhi wandered around with the children, looking at colorful posters and demo equipment.
Suddenly, Rohan tugged at her hand.
“Amma! Appa!”
Anandhi smiled. “Your Appa is right here, see — he’s speaking with the uncle.”
Rohan shook his head. “No… Suriya Appa.”
Anandhi froze. Her heart skipped a beat. Her eyes rapidly scanned the crowded hall, searching desperately for any sign of him.
After a few tense seconds, she asked, trying to sound casual, “Did you see him somewhere?”
Rohan shrugged. “No Amma… I saw Suriya Appa in the paper once.”
Anandhi let out a shaky breath and relaxed her shoulders. It must be an old newspaper. Or the kids misunderstood.
But her heart continued to race. Her face dropped suddenly.
Rahul, who had just finished his meeting, noticed immediately and walked over.
“What happened?” he asked, concerned.
Anandhi forced a small smile. “Nothing.”
Rohan and Riya ran off to a colorful car module nearby. The children quickly forgot the moment.
But Anandhi’s mind refused to forget.
The name “Suriya” — which she had tried so hard to bury — had resurfaced, bringing back a flood of memories, guilt, and unspoken longing.
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