Chapter 3

Welcome back, guys! Let's dive into Chapter 3. Today ❤️

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...Madhavan’s POV...

Vikram barged into Madhavan’s study room, completely uninvited as usual, carrying a box of pizza. He kicked off his shoes and sat on the sofa, watching his best friend.

"Madhavan, enna da ( Madhavan what man), you are staring at your phone like it's a top secret government file."

Madhavan sighed, turning his phone screen off. "Vikram, amma oru ponnu paathurukaanga (Vikram mom has found a girl for me)."

"What? Really?!" Vikram almost dropped his pizza slice. He rushed over to the desk, his eyes wide. "Yaru da andha punniyavathi (Who is that blessed soul)? Show me the photo!"

Madhavan hesitantly unlocked his phone and showed the picture his mother had sent. It was a candid photo of Meenakshi in a simple cotton saree, holding a chubby baby boy at a park, both of them laughing.

"Her name is Meenakshi. She is a pediatrician at the Government Hospital," Madhavan said softly. "But... she is divorced, Vikram. She has a one year old son."

Vikram stared at the photo, his playful expression softening into something genuinely warm. He looked up at Madhavan. "Sari,( okay) now tell me. What do you think?"

"Arun anna and Deepika are making a huge scene about family status," Madhavan murmured, looking down at his desk. "They say a bachelor IAS officer shouldn't marry a single mother."

"Hey, delete those two from your head first," Vikram said, tapping the desk firmly. "I am asking you, Madhavan. You are thirty three. You spent your whole youth studying for the UPSC exams. You never dated, you never went out. Now, looking at this girl... what does your heart say?"

Madhavan paused, his eyes drifting back to Meenakshi’s smiling face on the screen. "She looks... very peaceful, Vikram. I don't care about her past or what society says. I just want a simple, happy home. And her little boy... he looks so innocent."

Vikram grinned widely, slapping Madhavan’s shoulder. "That’s my boy! Apdiyenna (Then what)? Send a WhatsApp message to your mom right now and say okay. Let's move to the next stage!"

Madhavan smiled shyly, his fingers typing out the message to his mother.

...Meenakshi’s POV...

​"Meena, if you keep pacing up and down like this, the floor tiles will break," Priya said, sitting on the edge of the bed while feeding little Aadhav a piece of apple.

Meena stopped walking, her hands folded tightly. "Priya, I am losing my mind. My parents are seriously asking me to consider this proposal. Do you know who it is? Madhavan. The District Collector!"

Priya chewed on an apple slice, looking completely unfazed. "Yeah, I know. Your mom told me."

​"And you are sitting there eating calmly?!" Meena gasped, sitting next to her. "Priya, he is an elite bachelor. Why would an IAS officer want to marry a divorced woman with a one year old baby? Enaku puriyala (I don't understand). What if it's just pity?"

​"Listen to me, Meena," Priya said, her voice turning serious as she wiped Aadhav’s sticky hands. "Your ex husband was a toxic loser who didn't respect you. That doesn't mean every man is like that. Have you actually seen or heard anything bad about this Collector?"

​"No... everyone at the hospital says he is very strict but a very good officer," Meena admitted softly.

"Exactly. And Vikram the IPS officer who visits our station is his best friend. Vikram always says Madhavan is a total opposite at home. A quiet, deeply respectful guy who doesn't care about societal drama," Priya nudged her elbow. "Unaku dhaan pidikume (You like that type only), grounded and decent."

Meena looked at Aadhav, who was now happily trying to crawl onto her lap, babbling his baby language. She lifted him up and kissed his cheek.

​"I am just scared for Aadhav, Priya," Meena whispered. "I don't want anyone to look down on my son."

"He is a District Collector, Meena. If he accepts Aadhav, no one in this city will dare to point a finger at your son," Priya said gently, putting a hand on Meena's shoulder. "Don't say yes to the marriage yet. Just say yes to meeting him once. See how he behaves with you. What do you say?"

Meena looked at her son’s innocent face, then took a deep breath. The fear was there, but for the first time in years, a tiny spark of hope felt stronger.

"Okay," Meena said, a small smile appearing on her face. "Tell Ma and Pa... I am ready to meet him."

...Author's Note 📝...

Yay! They both said YES to the next step! 🥳 Vikram is truly the best wingman, and Priya is the ultimate friend everyone needs in their life.

​Hit that Vote (⭐) button if you loved the easygoing vibes of this chapter! like & comment subscribe the story read more updates See you all in Chapter 4! 👇✨

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