16-04-2026, 01:34 PM
Chapter 110: The Return to the House
The next morning, Rahul sat with Suriya over coffee and said casually, “It would be good if you can move in as soon as possible. The hotel is far, and the work site is only 15 minutes from here. It will save you a lot of time.”
Suriya accepted without much reaction. “Alright. I’ll shift my things today itself.”
By evening, Suriya had moved his luggage into the guest room. Rahul welcomed him with a smile and a firm handshake, but inside he was alarmed. He knew exactly what he was doing — bringing Suriya back into his family circle, into close proximity with Anandhi and the children. He told himself it was only practical, only temporary, until the new gym and house construction were complete.
Suriya was helpful from the very first day. He threw himself into the work with full focus. The gym studio needed at least 40 days to reach the next major phase. Suriya accelerated things — coordinating with contractors, finalising equipment orders, and solving small delays that would have taken Rahul weeks. Rahul watched him and felt a reluctant respect. He is still good at this, he thought.
Meanwhile, Suriya decided to begin construction on his new house on the empty land just a few minutes’ walk from Rahul’s house. The location was convenient: 15 minutes to the gym site and seconds to Rahul’s house. Rahul was cautious. He started leaving the house only when Suriya was heading out for work, and he made sure to return before Suriya came back. He never left Anandhi alone with him for long.
Anandhi stayed quiet and observant. She felt a constant low-level fear, but she hid it well. She focused on the children and the house, playing the perfect wife. Deep down, she was still processing everything — the blood group lie, the files she had burned, the guilt that Suriya was AaRa’s real father.
Over the next week, Rahul gradually dropped his excessive security. Suriya seemed completely absorbed in work. There were no emotional moments, no lingering looks, no attempts to get close to Anandhi. Rahul started concentrating more on the new shop and his own responsibilities. He began to believe Suriya had truly moved on.
One evening, while Rahul and Suriya were returning home together in the car after a long day at the site, a call came in. It was one of the popular tele-call support teams that had been handling customer queries for Suriya’s other branches.
The person on the line suddenly demanded a much higher rate for the next contract.
Suriya denied it outright. “We had a clear agreement. If you want to increase the rate this much, I will cancel the contract.”
Rahul, sitting in the passenger seat, saw an opportunity. “If you don’t want it, I can take the contract for my team. We are already strong in IT support.”
Suriya glanced at him and said calmly, “No."
He didnt explain why and stopped the conversation.
The 'No' was mentally distubring Rahul .. he was just cant understand why he is say ing no, is he hold any grudges deep inside? he could keep it away, the night when they sat for Dinner, while Anandhi was serving the food. Rahul asked
Why do you say no to give the contracts? did you see any flaw with me? dont you have trust on my work
Suriya looked at him and said., I’m not saying no because you can’t do it. You are good at it. But those branches are far away. You already have the shop here, your existing clients, and the franchise work you asked for. Adding this will mean you’ll hardly get two days a week at home. That won’t suit you or your family.”
Rahul insisted, “I can manage.”
Suriya replied, “Okay. But think about your focus. The shop here, your current clients, the franchise, or this additional contract? If you want to try, take just one branch first. No formal agreement, no liability. If it works, we can continue. If not, we’ll move it to someone else. No pressure.”
Rahul agreed. “This works.” Deep down he felt safe to test and trial.
Another 2–3 days passed solidly with work. Finally, on Sunday, both men decided to rest.
Suriya slept deeply until almost 11 AM. When he came downstairs, the house was quiet. The kids were playing in the hall, and Anandhi was in the kitchen.
Suriya greeted the children warmly. Rohan and Riya ran to him excitedly. “Periyappa!”
and he saw her, the little princess Aara, playing with a toy. deeply immersed in toy.
That day was the first time Suriya met AaRa properly since he had arrived.
AaRa was playing on the mat in the hall when Suriya came downstairs after sleeping late. The moment she saw the new person, she got panicked and crawled quickly toward her mother, letting out a small cry.
Suriya smiled gently and knelt down to her level.
“Hello, small princess… I’m your Periyappa. Come to me… come to me…”
AaRa looked at Anandhi’s face for reassurance. Anandhi gave her a small, encouraging nod. Slowly, step by step, the little girl moved toward Suriya. He raised his hand gently. Her tiny finger touched his palm.
Something in Suriya exploded — a touch he could not explain, a wave of happiness and emotion that hit him like a storm. He lifted her carefully into his arms and kissed her softly on the cheek.
Anandhi watched the entire scene and felt a sudden, sharp ache in her chest.
AaRa is finally in her biological father’s arms.
Rahul was sitting on the sofa, watching TV, completely unbothered.
Anandhi knew the pain of that moment deeply… yet a small, hidden part of her was also happy seeing father and daughter mingle for the first time.
The next morning, Rahul sat with Suriya over coffee and said casually, “It would be good if you can move in as soon as possible. The hotel is far, and the work site is only 15 minutes from here. It will save you a lot of time.”
Suriya accepted without much reaction. “Alright. I’ll shift my things today itself.”
By evening, Suriya had moved his luggage into the guest room. Rahul welcomed him with a smile and a firm handshake, but inside he was alarmed. He knew exactly what he was doing — bringing Suriya back into his family circle, into close proximity with Anandhi and the children. He told himself it was only practical, only temporary, until the new gym and house construction were complete.
Suriya was helpful from the very first day. He threw himself into the work with full focus. The gym studio needed at least 40 days to reach the next major phase. Suriya accelerated things — coordinating with contractors, finalising equipment orders, and solving small delays that would have taken Rahul weeks. Rahul watched him and felt a reluctant respect. He is still good at this, he thought.
Meanwhile, Suriya decided to begin construction on his new house on the empty land just a few minutes’ walk from Rahul’s house. The location was convenient: 15 minutes to the gym site and seconds to Rahul’s house. Rahul was cautious. He started leaving the house only when Suriya was heading out for work, and he made sure to return before Suriya came back. He never left Anandhi alone with him for long.
Anandhi stayed quiet and observant. She felt a constant low-level fear, but she hid it well. She focused on the children and the house, playing the perfect wife. Deep down, she was still processing everything — the blood group lie, the files she had burned, the guilt that Suriya was AaRa’s real father.
Over the next week, Rahul gradually dropped his excessive security. Suriya seemed completely absorbed in work. There were no emotional moments, no lingering looks, no attempts to get close to Anandhi. Rahul started concentrating more on the new shop and his own responsibilities. He began to believe Suriya had truly moved on.
One evening, while Rahul and Suriya were returning home together in the car after a long day at the site, a call came in. It was one of the popular tele-call support teams that had been handling customer queries for Suriya’s other branches.
The person on the line suddenly demanded a much higher rate for the next contract.
Suriya denied it outright. “We had a clear agreement. If you want to increase the rate this much, I will cancel the contract.”
Rahul, sitting in the passenger seat, saw an opportunity. “If you don’t want it, I can take the contract for my team. We are already strong in IT support.”
Suriya glanced at him and said calmly, “No."
He didnt explain why and stopped the conversation.
The 'No' was mentally distubring Rahul .. he was just cant understand why he is say ing no, is he hold any grudges deep inside? he could keep it away, the night when they sat for Dinner, while Anandhi was serving the food. Rahul asked
Why do you say no to give the contracts? did you see any flaw with me? dont you have trust on my work
Suriya looked at him and said., I’m not saying no because you can’t do it. You are good at it. But those branches are far away. You already have the shop here, your existing clients, and the franchise work you asked for. Adding this will mean you’ll hardly get two days a week at home. That won’t suit you or your family.”
Rahul insisted, “I can manage.”
Suriya replied, “Okay. But think about your focus. The shop here, your current clients, the franchise, or this additional contract? If you want to try, take just one branch first. No formal agreement, no liability. If it works, we can continue. If not, we’ll move it to someone else. No pressure.”
Rahul agreed. “This works.” Deep down he felt safe to test and trial.
Another 2–3 days passed solidly with work. Finally, on Sunday, both men decided to rest.
Suriya slept deeply until almost 11 AM. When he came downstairs, the house was quiet. The kids were playing in the hall, and Anandhi was in the kitchen.
Suriya greeted the children warmly. Rohan and Riya ran to him excitedly. “Periyappa!”
and he saw her, the little princess Aara, playing with a toy. deeply immersed in toy.
That day was the first time Suriya met AaRa properly since he had arrived.
AaRa was playing on the mat in the hall when Suriya came downstairs after sleeping late. The moment she saw the new person, she got panicked and crawled quickly toward her mother, letting out a small cry.
Suriya smiled gently and knelt down to her level.
“Hello, small princess… I’m your Periyappa. Come to me… come to me…”
AaRa looked at Anandhi’s face for reassurance. Anandhi gave her a small, encouraging nod. Slowly, step by step, the little girl moved toward Suriya. He raised his hand gently. Her tiny finger touched his palm.
Something in Suriya exploded — a touch he could not explain, a wave of happiness and emotion that hit him like a storm. He lifted her carefully into his arms and kissed her softly on the cheek.
Anandhi watched the entire scene and felt a sudden, sharp ache in her chest.
AaRa is finally in her biological father’s arms.
Rahul was sitting on the sofa, watching TV, completely unbothered.
Anandhi knew the pain of that moment deeply… yet a small, hidden part of her was also happy seeing father and daughter mingle for the first time.
![[+]](https://xossipy.com/themes/sharepoint/collapse_collapsed.png)