Narayanan, surprised to see Bhadran there, looked at him in shock. But Theeran looked at him normally. His face was as stern as ever. Bhadran, who came straight towards them, his gaze lingered on Theeran's waist for a moment before returning. Turning to Narayanan, he asked, "Haven't you left yet?"
His angry father said firmly, "Hey, you're so focused on driving me away from here. Before, you were alone. That's why I would leave as soon as I arrived. It's not like that anymore. I have two grandchildren. I have a family. I want to be with them. So I'm going to stay in this house."
He further provoked him by asking, "If I stay here, will you tell me to leave?"
Bhadran didn't answer him. He looked at Hari, who was standing in the distance holding a gun and searching for someone, and called out, "Hari!..." The man who came from there asked, "Tell me, Bhadra," and waited for his command.
Turning to him, he began to speak mischievously. "It's not just enemies who shoot. Even those who are with you will shoot. Especially children will shoot. So, instead of acting like a fool and investigating who shot, think a little more intelligently. Only then will the truth be revealed," he said, giving Theeran a pointed look before leaving.
The meaning of that was, not even a fly or an ant moves here without my knowledge. Theeran wasn't afraid that Bhadran had found out that he was the one who shot. Like father, like son, right? Hari was completely confused. "What is he trying to say now? I don't understand anything?" he wondered, scratching his head. Seeing this, Narayanan patted Hari's shoulder and said mockingly, "You still need to grow up, my boy," before walking away.
Hari muttered aloud, "What? I need to grow up even more? Everyone already teases me, saying I'm as tall as a ladder pole, and now he's saying I need to grow even more? Maybe his eyesight isn't very good?"
Dheeran, who was listening to all this, called out, "Uncle!" Hari looked at him in surprise, thinking, "Is that you calling me?" Dheeran came closer and began to speak.
"Uncle, Grandpa didn't say you need to grow taller. He meant your brain needs to develop," Dheeran said, making Hari feel embarrassed.
"Tch! Look at how this old man put it," he grumbled, then turned to Dheeran and asked in surprise, "Hey! Milk carton, why are you suddenly calling me 'Uncle'? You're showing so much respect!" Dheeran replied, "My mother told me to call you that. I won't disobey my mother," and then walked stylishly into the house.
Sharath, who had been standing at a distance and listening to everything, burst into uncontrollable laughter. Annoyed, Hari went up to him and gave him a sharp slap on the back. In pain, Sharath innocently asked, "Ouch! Mom! Why did you hit me, brother?"
Hari asked, "Why were you laughing?" and Sharath began to tell him the truth. "Brother, it was that little monster who fired the gun. You didn't know that and were getting fooled by everyone? That's why I laughed," he said, and Hari was startled.
"What? Did that little brat fire the gun?" he wondered, and then he remembered how Theeran, like a CBI agent, had searched the house they had visited and found and hidden a ring.
"This boy has some secret. I have to find out what it is soon. He can't be an ordinary child," he thought to himself and left the place.
Night fell. Mullai arranged her belongings and came downstairs, going straight to the kitchen. "I can't just sit around and eat in this house. I have to do some work," she thought as she went there.
Ramu was the cook of the house. He cooked only for Bhadran and Hari. Mullai went to him and said, "Father, I'll cook," and without even waiting for his reply, she looked at what vegetables were available and started cooking. She only asked him where certain ingredients were kept and cooked at lightning speed.
Ramu watched her with his mouth open. He liked Mullai too. He could tell just by looking at her that she was quiet and innocent. He had seen so many people in his life. And when Mullai affectionately called him "Father" right away, his eyes welled up for a moment.
He also had a daughter, but by fate, his daughter and wife had passed away. Bhadran had brought him here and given him a permanent job as a cook when he was alone and like an orphan. Before he could snap out of his thoughts, Mullai had finished cooking. Ramu smiled at her affectionately and said, "You cooked so quickly? That's great! By the way, what's your name?"
When he asked, she replied, "Mullai."
She then said, "Dad, please bring all these things and set them up. I'll go and bring everyone," and left. She didn't talk much to him; she spoke with a certain aloofness before leaving.
Before she could call everyone, they had all arrived and sat down at the dining table, and she served them. Only Bhadran served himself. He didn't even look up at Mullai. Mullai didn't notice it either.
Narayanan ate, praising her, "My dear, did you cook this? You must have cooked it... the taste is excellent."
But Theeran and Vaishnavi were just looking at her without eating. When she looked at them questioningly, she suddenly remembered. At night, the children would only eat from her hands. Immediately, she put rice on a plate, poured sambar over it, mixed it, and looked at them.
Even when she was living abroad, no matter how busy she was during the day, she would never change this nighttime routine. It was a way for the family to spend time together.
Immediately, Theeran and Vaishnavi climbed onto the dining table and opened their mouths, saying, "Ah..." Mullai started feeding them. Narayanan watched this with a smile while he ate. But Bhadran couldn't swallow his food.
He kept looking at them. At that moment, his conscience asked, "Why are you looking at them?" Bhadran replied, "Ah... I'm watching how she feeds the children. After she leaves, I'll have to feed the children, won't I? That's why," he said.
His conscience asked, "What are you saying? So, are you really going to send her away?" He replied, "Have I ever lied to you? Or have I ever changed a decision I've made? This will definitely happen, just watch," and he dismissed his conscience. Meanwhile, Theeran and Vaishnavi, who had finished eating, took the plate from Mullai's hand, put rice in it, and fed her with their small hands. Bhadran watched them with a longing he couldn't hide. At that moment, a hand extended towards him with a spoonful of rice, and he turned to see who it was.
It was Hari who had extended his hand to feed him. When Bhadran turned, he replied in a teasing voice.
"No, you were just watching them, weren't you? That's why I thought you had that desire... Just eat," he said. Bhadran glared at him with murderous intent.
Hari, however, said, "If you don't want it, then fine... Eat it yourself," and slowly turned away. Bhadran's longing intensified. Although his face was stern, sadness was evident in it.
Bhadran, who had finished eating first, washed his hands and on his way to his room, passed Janvi's room. After a moment of hesitation, he looked at the door, opened it, and went inside.
It wasn't out of concern for her. She was in his house. Since she hadn't come to eat, shouldn't he check on her? That's why.
There, Janvi was lying down, trembling. As soon as he thoughtfully approached her, he felt the heat radiating from her. "What happened to her? Did she get a fever from the beating?" he wondered for a moment, then quickly took out his phone, called the doctor, and asked him to come.
Since there was a hospital nearby, the doctor arrived as soon as Bhadran called. As soon as he arrived, Bhadran pointed to Janvi and stood aside. The doctor examined her, gave her an injection, and wrote down when to take some pills on a slip of paper, which he placed on the table.
He couldn't give it to Bhadran, could he? He was a monster. He would be afraid to even look him in the eye. He was that cruel. After finishing all his tasks, the doctor simply shook his head and left.
He left with the thought, "How do his family members even manage to be around him? Just being near him for a short time made me feel dizzy. His family members are truly pitiable."
Realizing that the doctor had left, Bhadran picked up a comb lying nearby and used it to wake Janvi. He didn't even want to touch her. Janvi slowly stirred and woke up. Seeing Bhadran standing there, she was momentarily excited. Then, she quickly and deliberately leaned against him.
The next moment, Bhadran's expression changed. Irritation appeared on his face. He quickly raised his hand to push her away, but instinctively glanced towards the doorway. Mullai and Theeran were standing there, watching him. A profound pain was visible in Mullai's eyes, and as he looked at her, he forgot to push Janvi away from him.