Chapter 2

Welcome back, guys! Chapter 2 is here, and things are officially moving forward. Today, we are entering both of their households to see how the topic of marriage gets brought up. Don't forget to Vote (⭐) before you read!

...Author's pov...

​Inside the sprawling dining room of the Sundaram household, the atmosphere was lively. Madhavan's mother, Saraswathi, was busy serving hot dosas straight from the tawa.

"Madhavan, innaiku dhaan unaku leave (today only u got leave ). Sit quietly and eat properly," Saraswathi chided gently, placing another dosa on his plate.

Madhavan smiled, adjusting his casual spectacles. "Ma, pothum (enough) Ma. I'm already full."

"Let him eat, Ma. Our District Collector works so hard, he needs the energy," Deepika, his Anni, remarked as she walked into the dining room. She was looking at Madhavan a little too intently, her eyes tracing his sharp features before she quickly sat down.

Deepika had married Arun because of family arrangements, but her eyes had always secretly been on Madhavan. He was thirty-three, extremely successful, handsome, and carried himself with so much dignity. She had always nurtured a hidden, toxic crush on her own brother-in-law, always trying to find excuses to be around him.

Arun walked in next, buttoning his formal shirt. He offered a tight, dry smile, completely oblivious to his wife's thoughts. "Of course, Deepika. He has the entire district under his thumb. Why would he talk much at home? Nammalathaane corporate-la adimai madhiri vela senju thondai thanni vatha pesa vendiyiruku (We are the corporate slaves who have to yell until our throats dry up)."

Madhavan felt a bit uncomfortable but chose to remain silent, gently tearing a piece of his dosa. He was used to Arun's subtle digs.

Sundaram, sitting at the head of the table, folded his newspaper. "Arun, there is dignity in every job. No need for comparisons." He then turned his sharp, warm gaze toward his younger son. "Madhavan. Your mother and I were discussing something last night."

Madhavan looked up. "Yes, Pa? Is everything alright?"

Saraswathi sat down next to him, her voice turning soft. "Kanna (Dear), you are thirty three now. You've settled incredibly well in your career. It's time to think about your personal life. We found an alliance."

Madhavan instantly froze, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. "Ma... now? Ipo enna avasaram (What's the rush now)?"

Deepika's smile vanished instantly. Her heart sank, and a sharp spike of jealousy shot through her. "Marriage?" she cut in, her voice sounding a bit too high pitched. "Auntie, who is the girl? Is she from an IAS family too? Our circle will look so grand!"

Saraswathi looked directly at Madhavan, ignoring Deepika's sudden intensity. "The girl is a pediatrician at the Government Hospital, Madhavan. Her name is Meenakshi. She is highly educated, independent, and a wonderful person. But... there is something you should know."

Madhavan looked at his mother, listening intently.

"She was married before, pa. It was a very difficult, toxic relationship, and she walked out of it. She has a one year old son named Aadhav," Saraswathi said softly, checking her son's reaction.

Arun immediately frowned. "What? A divorcee with a child? Ma, are you out of your mind? Madhavan is a District Collector! Match ae illama enna pesuringa (What are you talking about without any match)?"

Deepika felt a wave of anger and relief at the same time. A single mother? Madhavan deserves the best, he shouldn't go to someone else, especially not her!

She gasped dramatically to fuel the fire. "Exactly, Auntie! What will society say? A bachelor IAS officer marrying a single mother? Our family status will go down! Madhavan, you shouldn't say yes to this!"

Sundaram raised his hand, his authoritative voice instantly silencing the room. "We are asking Madhavan, not you two. Status is built on character, not on past baggage." He looked at Madhavan. "Take your time, Madhavan. No pressure. Think about it."

Madhavan looked down at his plate, his heart beating a little fast. He didn't say yes, but surprisingly, he didn't say no either.

Meanwhile, in a much cozier, warmer house, Meenakshi was trying to feed a giggling Aadhav while her mother, Kalyani, helped clean up the high chair.

"Aadhav kutty, olunga saptraanum, illena (eat properly, otherwise) doctor mommy will give you a big injection," Meena cooed, mimicking a funny face. Aadhav just clapped his tiny hands, smeared with cerelac, and laughed.

Viswanathan, Meena's father, walked into the kitchen, looking at his daughter with a look of hesitation. "Meena, ma. Can you come to the living room for a minute? Put Aadhav in his playpen."

Meena wiped her hands, sensing the serious tone in her father's voice. She walked out and sat on the sofa. "What happened, Pa? You look worried."

Kalyani sat beside her, gently taking Meena's hand. "Meena... a very good marriage proposal has come for you."

Meena's smile vanished instantly. She pulled her hand back slightly, her expression hardening. "Ma, I already told you. I am done with marriages. Enaku adhellam vendaam (I don't want all that). I just want to focus on Aadhav and my career."

​"Listen to who it is first, di," Kalyani pleaded softly. "It's Madhavan. The District Collector."

Meena blinked, caught completely off guard. "The Collector? As in... the IAS officer? Why would someone in his position even look at my profile? Pa, are you sure they know everything about me? About my past? About Aadhav?"

Viswanathan nodded gently. "They know everything, Meena. In fact, his mother is the one who initiated this through a common family friend. They are highly respected people. His father is a retired High Court Judge."

Meena stood up, shaking her head. "No, Pa. It doesn't make sense. Rich, powerful families care the most about society. I've already been through hell once. I cannot put myself or worse, my son through that kind of judgment again. They might accept me now, but later they will look down on Aadhav."

"Meena," her father said, his voice laced with pure emotion. "I am your father. After what that monster did to you, do you think I would ever push you into another trap? I checked about Madhavan personally. Everyone says he is an absolute gem. A quiet, deeply respectful man."

Meena looked toward the playpen, where Aadhav was happily babbling to his teddy bear. Her heart felt heavy.

​"Think about it, Meena," Kalyani whispered. "We won't force you. But Aadhav deserves a father who loves him, and you deserve a life where you are respected."

Meena stared at her son, her mind a chaotic storm of fear, doubt, and a tiny, hidden spark of curiosity about this arrangement

Author's Note:​📝

Oh my goodness! Deepika's secret is out! She has a crush on her own brother-in-law? No wonder she went completely crazy hearing about the proposal! 😱

Meena is rightfully scared, but Madhavan's quiet reaction shows he is definitely intrigued.

Hit that like (👍) button if you loved this chapter, and I'll see you all in Chapter 3! 👇✨

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***