[Hornytamilan23]

Chapter 20:The Escape

The silence in the room is suffocating. Divya’s words hang in the air like a physical weight. 

Lokesh’s eyes widen as he looks from Divya to the couch, the realization hitting him like a wave of cold water.


Karthik knows the game is up. The moment Divya says his name, the adrenaline completely overrides the alcohol in his system. 

He doesn't wait for the interrogation.

Before Lokesh can even process the betrayal, Karthik bolts from the couch. 

He scrambles to his feet, knocking over a side table, and lunges toward the main door of the house.

"Karthik! Stop right there!" Lokesh roars, his shock turning into pure, unadulterated rage. He lunges forward to grab him, but his alcohol-slowed reflexes betray him. He stumbles over the rug.

Karthik yanks the heavy wooden door open, slips out into the cool night air, and slams it behind him. He runs down the dark street, his heart hammering in his chest, leaving the chaotic aftermath behind.

The Shocking Defense

Inside, Lokesh scrambles to his feet, his face red with fury. 

He grabs his keys from the counter, his hands shaking. "I'm going after him. That bastard... I’m going to kill him!"

"Lokesh, stop!"

The shout doesn't come from Divya. It comes from Shruthi.

Lokesh freezes, turning around to look at his wife in utter disbelief. Shruthi is standing in front of the door, blocking his path, her arms crossed tightly.

"What are you doing?" Lokesh asks, his voice trembling with anger. 

"Shruthi, he was peeping at you in the bathroom! He let me take the blame! Move out of the way!"

"No, Lokesh! Just leave it!" Shruthi fires back, her voice high and defensive.

Divya stares at Shruthi, completely stunned. 

"Shruthi, are you crazy? Did you not hear what just happened? Karthik just ran out of here because he’s guilty!"

Shruthi’s Denial

But Shruthi’s mind is swirling in a dangerous mix of intoxication, embarrassment, and deep-seated marital resentment. 

To admit that Karthik—a friend—saw her naked, and that she mistakenly screamed at her husband, makes her feel exposed and humiliated. 

It is easier, safer, and less painful for her psychological pride to twist the narrative.

"He didn't do anything!" Shruthi lies, her voice rising as she tries to convince herself as much as them. "He was drunk, Lokesh! You guys were forcing him to drink all night. He probably just opened the door by accident to use the bathroom, realized someone was in there, and left! You two are cornering him like he’s some kind of predator!"

"He let me take the fall, Shruthi!" Lokesh screams, heartbroken and furious. "He watched us fight!"
"Because you were screaming like a maniac!" Shruthi barks back, defending Karthik fiercely now. 

"Look at how you're acting right now! He panicked because he knew you'd overreact and try to beat him up over a stupid mistake! Divya dropped a heavy metal cup next to his head to trap him—anyone would run away from this psycho environment!"

The Fractured House

Divya steps back, looking at Shruthi with a mixture of pity and disgust. She realizes that Shruthi is in complete denial, choosing to protect a lie rather than face the humiliating reality of what Karthik did.

"Shruthi," Divya says coldly, her voice cutting through the tension. "Ganesh will be home in a few hours. I suggest you and your husband figure this out in your own car. Because none of you are staying under my roof tonight."

Shruthi grabs her purse, refusing to look Lokesh or Divya in the eye, her jaw set in stubborn defense of the man who just broke their trust. 

Lokesh stands in the middle of the living room, looking at his wife, realizing his marriage just changed forever.