Chapter 32

Vikram opened the file, his eyes scanning the contents with growing unease. The details were a tangled web of confusion, and his mind struggled to make sense of it all. He skipped over the irrelevant information, his gaze zeroing in on the section about her marital status.

It read: Married, husband unknown, lives alone with her son. His heart skipped a beat. His eyes darted to the details about Kittu: Name: Krishna, DOB: 12-2-20XX, age three and a half.

Vikram's brow furrowed as his mind raced. He had hired a private investigator to clear his doubts, but the report only deepened the mystery. His thoughts spiraled as he began to piece together the timeline.

If Kittu was three and a half years old... could he be the father? His chest tightened at the possibility. But if she was married, where was her husband? Why was she living alone with her son? Why was she working herself to the bone when she supposedly had a husband to support her?

The questions came in waves, each one more unsettling than the last. What about the photo Adharv had sent him? Was she pregnant when she left? If so, why hadn't she told him? Why had she disappeared without a word? Had someone threatened her? The weight of these thoughts pressed down on him, suffocating him with a mix of guilt, anger, and desperation.

He couldn't sit still any longer. He needed answers—now. Just as he rose from his chair, his secretary entered, interrupting his thoughts. "Sir, the meeting at the hotel is about to start.," she reminded him, her tone firm but respectful.

Vikram glanced at his watch, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He didn't have time for this meeting, not when his entire world felt like it was unraveling. But he knew he couldn't afford to miss it. The deal could elevate the company to new heights, and the responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders.

With a deep, resigned sigh, he nodded and grabbed his coat, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand.

As he stepped out of his office, his eyes met Lakshmi's. She was sitting on a stool just outside his door, her expression unreadable.

For a brief moment, their gazes locked, and a thousand unspoken words hung in the air between them. But there was no time. Vikram tore his eyes away and hurried down the hallway, his mind a storm of emotions.

The meeting loomed ahead, but his thoughts remained tethered to the file, to Kittu, to Lakshmi. He couldn't shake the feeling that his life was on the brink of a revelation—one that would change everything. And yet, for now, he had to play the part of the composed CEO, even as his heart screamed for answers.

The meeting dragged on for what felt like an eternity. Vikram sat at the conference table, his fingers drumming restlessly against the polished wood. His eyes kept darting to his watch, the seconds ticking by with agonizing slowness. He felt like a schoolboy waiting for the bell to ring, desperate to escape the confines of the room. But this was no classroom, and the stakes were far higher.

The discussions were critical, the deal pivotal for the company's future, yet his mind was elsewhere—fragmented, restless, consumed by thoughts of Lakshmi and the unanswered questions that gnawed at him.

Meanwhile, Lakshmi sat alone in the office, the hum of the air conditioner the only sound breaking the silence. The clock on the wall ticked steadily, its hands inching toward 5:30 PM. Around her, employees began to pack up, their laughter and chatter filling the hallway as they headed home.

She glanced at the clock again, her heart sinking. Without Vikram's permission, she couldn't leave. But as the minutes stretched on, her patience wore thin. She waited another ten minutes, her anxiety mounting, before finally deciding she couldn't wait any longer. If he scolded her for leaving, so be it.

She grabbed her bag and hurried out, her steps quick and purposeful.

When she reached home, her heart nearly stopped at the sight before her. Kittu lay on the bed, his small frame curled under a thin blanket, a damp cloth resting on his forehead. His cheeks were flushed, his breathing shallow.

Lakshmi dropped her bag and rushed to his side, her hand trembling as she touched his forehead. It was burning hot, like a fire pit. Panic surged through her veins.

Just then, Rashi emerged from the kitchen, holding a glass of hot water. Her face was etched with worry. "Akka, you're finally here," she said, her voice trembling. "His teacher called Amma from the school today. They said Kittu wasn't feeling well. Amma went to pick him up. She bought some syrup from the pharmacy and gave it to him, but his fever hasn't gone down. I've been so scared, Akka. I was waiting for you to take him to the hospital. Please, let's go now."

Lakshmi's heart clenched. "Where is Amma?" she asked, her voice tight with worry.

"Amma had to go to work. There's some function at her workplace, so she asked me to take care of Kittu. She said she'll be back by 9 PM," Rashi explained, her eyes wide with concern.

Lakshmi nodded, her mind racing. She gently scooped Kittu into her arms, wrapping him in a blanket to shield him from the chill. Rashi hurried to pour hot water into a bottle, but Lakshmi stopped her. "No, Rashi, you stay here. If you can, make something light for Kittu to eat. I'll be back soon," she said, her voice firm but kind.

Rashi nodded, though her worry was evident. Lakshmi carried Kittu out into the night, the cool air biting at her skin. She hurried to the bus stop, her arms aching but her resolve unshakable. The government hospital was two stops away, and she clung to the hope that it would be nothing serious.

At the hospital, the doctor examined Kittu, his stethoscope cold against the boy's chest. After a few tense moments, he smiled reassuringly. "It's just a seasonal flu. Nothing to worry about," he said, his tone calm. Lakshmi exhaled, her shoulders sagging with relief.

The doctor administered an injection, and Kittu's cries pierced the air, his small hands clutching Lakshmi's neck tightly. Her heart ached as she held him, whispering soothing words into his ear. When it was over, the doctor handed Kittu a small chocolate, a gesture that brought a faint smile to the boy's tear-streaked face. He clung to Lakshmi, his tiny body trembling, as she thanked the doctor and collected the prescribed medicines.

By the time they left the hospital, it was already 8:30 PM. The night was dark, the air heavy with the promise of rain. Lakshmi carried Kittu to the bus stop, her arms weary but her determination unwavering. She sat on the bench, cradling him close, her mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.

The first drops of rain began to fall, cold and sharp against her skin. She pulled the blanket tighter around Kittu, her heart aching at the thought of him catching a chill. He was already so fragile, so vulnerable.

As the rain intensified, Lakshmi's worry deepened. She held Kittu closer, shielding him as best she could, her mind a whirlwind of fear and exhaustion. The bus was nowhere in sight, and the night stretched endlessly before her.

Lakshmi stood under the dim glow of the bus stop, clutching Kittu tightly in her arms. The rain poured relentlessly, soaking the edges of her thin blanket and chilling her to the bone.

Kittu, though still weak, seemed a little better now, his fever having subsided slightly. He rested his head on her shoulder, his small fingers clutching the fabric of her saree as he watched the rain-soaked road with tired eyes. Lakshmi adjusted the blanket around him, shielding him as best as she could, her heart aching at the sight of his fragile state.

She glanced up and down the road, hoping to hail an auto-rickshaw, but the rain had driven most vehicles away. The streets were nearly empty, save for the occasional car speeding past, its headlights cutting through the downpour.

Just as she was about to give up and start walking, a sleek black car pulled up in front of her, its tires splashing water onto the curb. Lakshmi frowned, her grip tightening around Kittu. She didn't recognize the car, and her first instinct was to protect her son.

The window rolled down slowly, revealing the driver. Lakshmi's breath caught in her throat. It was Vikram. Her heart pounded as their eyes met, but she quickly looked away, focusing on Kittu. She adjusted the blanket again, her hands trembling slightly, though she tried to hide it. Vikram's gaze lingered on her, his expression unreadable. When she didn't react, he turned his attention to the road ahead, his jaw tightening.

The sight of her standing there in the rain, holding Kittu so protectively, stirred something deep within him. The anger he had been carrying since the morning began to dissolve, replaced by an unfamiliar tenderness. Swallowing his pride, he spoke, his voice firm but softer than usual. "Get in."

Lakshmi froze, her eyes widening in surprise. She shook her head quickly, her voice barely above a whisper. "No, it's okay. I'll find an auto." She stepped off the curb and began walking, her steps hurried but unsteady on the wet pavement.

Vikram's patience wore thin. He followed her slowly in his car, honking the horn to get her attention. But Lakshmi ignored him, her focus solely on getting Kittu home.

Frustrated, Vikram pulled the car to a stop and stepped out into the rain. He strode toward her, his shoes splashing through puddles, and caught her wrist. Lakshmi flinched, her eyes wide with shock and fear. She tried to pull away, but his grip was firm.

"Let me go!" she protested, her voice trembling.

Without a word, Vikram opened the car door and gently but firmly guided her inside, his hand cradling her head to ensure she didn't bump it against the frame. Kittu, too tired to understand what was happening, simply watched with sleepy eyes, his small face pale but curious. Once Lakshmi was seated, Vikram closed the door and walked around to the driver's side, his clothes now soaked from the rain.

Inside the car, Lakshmi sat stiffly, her arms wrapped tightly around Kittu. She had never been in a car like this before, and the unfamiliarity made her nervous. The soft hum of the air conditioner, the leather seats, the faint scent of cologne—it all felt overwhelming.

Kittu, however, seemed fascinated. He lifted his head from her shoulder, his eyes wide as he took in the car's interior. Despite his fatigue, a small smile tugged at his lips. He reached out a tiny hand to touch the seat, his fingers brushing against the smooth leather.

Vikram glanced at them, his chest tightening at the sight. There was something about Kittu—something familiar, something that tugged at a part of him he couldn't quite explain. He tore his gaze away and started the car, the engine purring to life. He knew where Lakshmi lived; the details from the report were fresh in his mind. It was only a 15-minute drive, but he wasn't ready to let her go just yet. He took a longer route, the car gliding smoothly through the rain-soaked streets.

The silence inside was heavy, broken only by the soft patter of rain against the windows. Vikram's mind raced, his thoughts a chaotic mix of anger, confusion, and an inexplicable longing. He stole another glance at Lakshmi. She was staring out the window, her face pale and drawn, her arms still wrapped protectively around Kittu.

Kittu, still clutching the chocolate the doctor had given him, began to nibble on it, his curious eyes fixed on the world outside the car window. The rain streaked down the glass, creating a mesmerizing pattern that captivated his young mind. Slowly, he leaned closer to the window, his small hand pressing against the cool glass. Unbeknownst to him, the remnants of the chocolate on his fingers left faint smudges on the pristine surface.

Lakshmi's heart skipped a beat when she noticed the marks. Her eyes darted to Vikram, fearing his reaction. She knew how particular he could be about cleanliness and order. Without a second thought, she pulled Kittu back into her arms, her movements quick and protective. She reached for the edge of her saree pallu, intending to wipe the glass clean before Vikram could notice.

But Vikram had already seen it. His eyes flicked, catching the brief moment of panic on Lakshmi's face. "It's okay," he said, his voice calm but firm, his gaze still fixed on the road ahead. "Don't worry about it. The cleaner will take care of it later. Leave it."

Despite his words, Lakshmi couldn't shake her unease. She quickly wiped the glass clean with her pallu, her hands trembling slightly. She held Kittu tightly, even as he squirmed in her arms, trying to lean back toward the window. She couldn't risk Vikram's anger, not now, not here. She had seen his temper before, and the last thing she wanted was for Kittu to bear the brunt of it.

Vikram, however, was far from angry. His attention was entirely on the two of them, though he tried to hide it. He stole glances at Lakshmi, noticing the way she held Kittu so protectively, the way her eyes darted nervously to him whenever Kittu moved. And then there was Kittu himself—his small face, his innocent curiosity, the way he nestled into Lakshmi's embrace as sleep began to claim him.

Vikram's chest tightened with an emotion he couldn't quite name. It was a strange mix of longing, guilt, and something else—something deeper, something he wasn't ready to confront.

The car ride continued in silence, the only sounds were the soft hum of the engine and the rhythmic patter of rain against the windows. After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached Lakshmi's house.

Vikram's heart sank as he took in the sight of the small, weathered building and the narrow, dimly lit street. This was where she lived? This was where she raised Kittu? The reality of her struggles hit him like a punch to the gut.

Lakshmi struggled to open the car door, her arms still wrapped around the now-sleeping Kittu. Without a word, Vikram stepped out of the car and walked around to her side. He opened the door for her, his movements deliberate but gentle.

Lakshmi hesitated for a moment before stepping out, clutching Kittu to her chest. As she moved, the half-eaten chocolate slipped from Kittu's hand and fell onto the car seat.

Lakshmi murmured a quiet "thank you" without meeting Vikram's eyes, then turned and hurried toward her house, her steps quick and purposeful. She didn't look back, her focus entirely on getting Kittu inside and out of the rain.

Vikram stood there for a moment, watching her disappear into the house. The rain soaked through his clothes, but he barely noticed. His mind was elsewhere, replaying the events of the evening, the way Lakshmi had held Kittu, the way she had looked at him with such fear and uncertainty.

Vikram returned to the car and slid into the driver's seat. His eyes fell on the half-eaten chocolate still lying on the seat. He picked it up, turning it over in his hands. A plan began to form in his mind. He had intended to confront Lakshmi tomorrow, to demand answers, to understand the truth. But now, holding this small piece of evidence, he realized he needed more than just words. He needed proof.

As he drove away, the rain continued to fall, washing away the traces of the evening but leaving behind a storm of emotions that neither he nor Lakshmi could escape.

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