chapter 22

Author's POVLet's take a trip down memory lane, folks... The day before Thulir decided to get married and reveal it to her family...Place: AR  Fashions .....Tisya's Cabin "Maa, please stop taunting me. I only wanted to play with him, but Thulir got agitated. It's their issue, I'm not involved. Is their bond so weak that Thulir feels insecure? Doesn't she trust Agathiyan?"Leaning comfortably in her chair, Aadhavan asked his mother a question as he placed his feet on the table...Tisya pushed his feed and narrowed her eyes at him..."what about Thalir??"Aadhavan took a deep breath..."Maa I have no such intentions towards her...She is a child and she would move on from this soon you don't worry Thalir is smart girl ""Don't say you still Love Thulir?....We supported your disappearing stunt for 8 years not to hear a yes for this question "Aadhavan shook his head, prompting her to sigh in relief.Tisya sat back in distress, having been merely a spectator to Thulir and Agathiyan's struggles, while her son was roaming around in Canada, pursuing his studies, and managing the business there after his studies completion....She knows she has been selfish and chooses her son's wellbeing and peace over Agathiyan and Thulir...Her guilt was someway suppressed when Thulir and Agathiyan's marriage fixed but when Thulir called of her marriage it again surfaced...What is hunting her most was the information Thulir tried to kill herself twice in those 5 years and Agathiyan almost lost his life in a case dealing....And they both went through that phase alone; no one stood by them despite having a large family.....because they both prioritize the family's peace and happiness over themselfs.....They are wrong too...Both of them should have expressed and shared their pain with anyone in her family but they choose to go through that phase alone  Amidst all this, Tisya is concerned about Uyir's actions. Uyir is aware of Agathiyan's case but oblivious to her daughter's decision to end her life. What will be Uyir's reaction upon discovering that Aadhavan has also broken his second daughter's heart?.....What would Thulir do if she found out that her mother knew about Aadhavan and pretended not to be aware of it?....Everything is falling apart and becoming more complex... She should have allowed Aadhavan to leave that night... At the very least, she shouldn't have agreed to his request to keep it hidden from everyone....At that time, her sole focus was on her son. She was willing to do anything to see him at peace and joyful once more. The idea of him moving to a new environment, away from all the turmoil, seemed like the ideal solution, and she supported his decision....She overlooked the first child who called her "Amma"... She hadn't been fortunate enough to give birth, yet Aadhavan was the blessing in her life that fulfilled her longing to be a mother. Watching him grow before her eyes and nurturing him, she gave him all her motherly love and care.....What about Agathiyan then.....He was the first baby she held in her arms...he was the first baby to call him "Amma" not Aadhavan....He has been with Tisya more than Innisai his own mother.....Innisai and Aadhiran are aware of Magil and Tisya's desire for a child, so they often let Agathiyan stay with them. He remained close to Magil and Tisya until Aadhavan entered their lives. Even after that, Agathiyan's love and affection for Magil and Tisya were greater than for his own parents....That's how Agathiyan and Aadhavan became closer, They grew up as close to blood related siblings due to the fact they got the parental love from the same couple and it has never been partial...Aadhiran does have a slight longing for his eldest son, who always turns to Magil whenever he needs something, or to share his tales of success and seek comfort in his failures.He was pleased that Agathiyan was closer to his brother than to him, but the longing still persists. Nevertheless, he chose to console himself with the presence of his second son Aadhi and the kids of his other two siblings....Thulir is closer to Magil than any of her uncles. Agathiyan, Thulir, and Aadhavan form a trio that is particularly close and dear to both Magil and Tisya. Meanwhile, the rest of the cousin group maintains a slight distance from Magil and Tisya, partly out of respect, and also because the trio keeps Magil and Tisya so engaged that the others are inclined to choose different elders as their favorites.Once Magil and Tisya choose one from the Trio and this chaos happened.... may be the fact that its Aadhavan who is going to be their successor not Agathiyan overpowered their senses that day....They can't undo anything now......"Siya, calm down, everything will be fine once Agathiyan and Thulir get married. She has only postponed it, not declined. "Magilan said to convince tensed Tisya......before she say something someone else interrupted them.."I don't think so perimama""Thulir!!!!"As Thulir entered the cabin, the trio stood up. Her face was devoid of emotion, leaving them unable to discern what thoughts were running through her mind."You three look shocked... Why? did my presence disturb your happy family reunion? "Thulir asked and walked past them to sit on a rolling chair...She looked up at them.."what happened Perimama aren't you happy seeing me??"Magil signed..."Why wouldn't I be happy? I would love to have you here, and it's lunchtime. Please join us for lunch, Thulir. "Magil invited his Neice....Thulir chuckled ..."I truly wish to erase the information I know and the memories of those five years. Unfortunately, I possess a strong memory, so whenever I encounter you all, it all comes rushing back... What can I do about it now? Periyathe you have any solution for this illness of mine ?"Thulir asked Tisya with a pout....but her tone and her facial expression didn't matches.."Thulir...let me explain...""Explain what Athae......That your dear son left 8 years back only after seeking your permission and support that you both wouldn't disclose anyone about his whereabouts and act like you are angry at him for leaving abruptly like that.....Actually I want to hear your story please go ahead....but before that I have some disclaimers to say...if you are going to say you felt really bad seeing your son facing his first one side love failure and he couldn't manage his emotions so he decide to leave the place for his mental health and to move on from the heart break and you both supported your son Till there I have zero objection and concern...because every parents wants their child's happiness and you did right thing...That's what a supportive and good parents do...I respect that but the later part of hiding it on his request wasn't.......If you have any other justification apart from your son's demand. Go ahead, I am all ears...."They kept silent...because they don't have answer for that question of her...Thulir chuckled and stood up coming closer to her uncle and aunt waking past Aadhavan.....she don't even want to acknowledge him.."I think I got my answer......now you both are in the position to listen to my demands.....You both acted as your son's puppet for 8 years with the sole reason of his happiness and peace ....That's great actually but now I want you both to be  my puppet once to prevent your join family from breaking.....""Are you going to blackmail us???"Tisya asked in disbelief....Thulir just smiled at her..."If it seems like that then. yes. I am going to blackmail you.....as I said I have a strong memory power and I do remember the last conversation I had with Gowri....Agathiyan was also there...I asked her how despite of being a large family no one have huge disputes......She replied me this "Because I wanted to keep it intact. Remember, Thulir, it's often the woman who holds the family together. If she chooses to break away, it tends to be permanent because men may not easily set aside their egos to repair broken relationships. It has usually been the woman's role. Whether this pattern will change, I'm not sure, but from my experience, it has always been the woman's responsibility. I'm not boasting, but it's a fact—if I had wanted this family to split, it would have happened long ago. It has always been my decision, which is why I wield more power in this family than anyone else... You won't understand what I said now.......but if you still remember this in future it might help you....You can rely me on that"As she said I didn't understood what she meant then but now I do......And I am getting married to Agathiyan which makes me the first and eldest daughter in law of this family.....Like I am the successor of your position in that family.......And trust me I don't have to lie or hide anything or pull up any drama to bring rift between that family....I just have to use the Truth wisely at perfect times and I can easily break each and every relationships in that house....""You won't do such things Thulir" That's Aadhavan's angry words which she didn't mind at all just raised her brows at her Uncle and aunt.......Tisya signed.."What do you want us to do Thulir""See....isn't that tough athai...Okay lets come to the point...I have zero interest in doing all those I mentioned until your dear son don't mess with me or Agathiyan and keep his tail inside his pocket not in our life I won't do anything like that.....I don't want to be a villain but I am not a saint either....I can't forgive you all...Afterall I am human too I do get hurt I do feel pain......I can forgive the fact that you both cared about your son who ran to different nation and ignored another one lived here....You know the main reason behind mine and Agathiyan's guilt and suffering apart from your son's disappearance from our life is....We thought you both would be hurt and we are reason behind that pain you both going through without your son....Now when I realized that was meaningless....because you both were just been away from him not unaware about him......I actually lost every ounce of trust in you both right now...I don't want to forgive you all.....In future I may consider that option but till I reach that point I don't want any interruption in my life with Agathiyan.....I want to get married to Agathiyan tomorrow in Register office....Perimama you take care of the formalities and periyatha its your responsibility to bring all the family members without any fail and convince them.....In anyway it should not look like I made you do all this....it should be as organic and natural just like your acting for the past years......more important than that was after marriage I don't want to stay with you all at that mansion because I don't want to see your son and you both daily and remember the betrayal and turn into revenge mode.....Because I don't believe myself if I get constant reminders of the betrayal I would eventually decide to do all those which I mentioned before....I don't like that idea...I hope you both too wish the same.....Okay, that's it... I'm leaving and will meet you all at the registration office tomorrow. Another black sheep of your gang is waiting for me at home—the most dangerous one who has betrayed and hurt me the most.....I mean how could she do that to me perimama.....seems like your sister loves you more than her own daughter....that's why she left me to die...if my appa didn't called me that night I might not be alive now......"Thulir stopped and took a deep breath closing her eyes to control her tears and the voice that broke at the end...after few second she opened her eyes and smiled at them...."No....I won't cry that to Infront of you.....okay...will meet TomorrowPoitu varen Tata"