chapter 64

Agathiyan's POV I reached the second floor, where the first room belonged to Thulir and the next to Thalir. Aadhavan headed to his wife's room, giving me a playful "good luck" in convincing her. Though convincing her was my purpose, I felt an odd surge of confidence—a confidence that might border on overconfidence. But as I stepped closer, my mind churned with thoughts of the unexpected argument, one I hadn't been prepared for.Arguments with Thulir weren't unusual. From childhood, our dynamic had been a mix of fiery clashes and relentless teasing. She had a knack for pulling me into petty disputes, often over inconsequential things, and I had an equally stubborn streak that kept the cycle going. For as long as I could remember, we had played the villains in each other's stories, reveling in the drama of it all. It wasn't until much later that those feelings began to shift into something more profound—something I couldn't ignore.I still remember the first time I truly realized my feelings for her. Leaving for college had been a turning point. The absence of her presence left a void so stark that it shook me. Seeing her every day had been such an integral part of my life, and suddenly, that was gone. That emptiness made me realize that my feelings for her went far beyond the surface. During my college break, I returned home for her 15th birthday, a moment I had been anticipating for weeks. But when I saw her, the emotions that surged within me were no longer simple affection. The depth of my attraction, coupled with desires I hadn't faced before, caught me off guard.  Recently when she admitted feeling the same that time, it became clear that we were treading on unfamiliar territory. Yet, instead of embracing it, we both chose to hide behind the facade of our arguments and banter. It was easier to maintain the pretense of being lifelong enemies than to confront the growing tension between us. What followed was a whirlwind—the confession, Aadhavan's sudden disappearance, and the chain of events that shaped us.Through it all, one thing remained constant: Thulir's tendency to provoke arguments. Over time, I came to understand that this was her unique way of expressing love—a love language rooted in playful challenges and fiery exchanges. After her pregnancy, however, everything changed. The carefree arguments dwindled, replaced by discussions grounded in family matters and responsibilities. When she argued with me then, it wasn't about seeking attention or expecting me to convince her. It was simply her way of releasing the pressure. And just like that, she'd return to normal without any intervention from me. But now, things felt different. Her expectation for me to step forward and convince her was something that hadn't happened in years. Strangely enough, it ignited a sense of excitement in me—a chance to revisit the dynamics of our past.Yet, beneath that excitement lay a deeper fear, one that I could no longer ignore. I worried that our relationship might have become a mere obligation for her—a commitment driven by family responsibilities rather than genuine connection. If she felt no need to expect anything from me, no emotional investment, then she might eventually reach the end of her tolerance. And when that time came, I feared she would leave me—not out of spite, but simply because she could. Unlike me, she had the strength to survive without this relationship. But for me, it wasn't just a question of survival. I needed her—her presence, her arguments, her love.This realization, though delayed, marked a pivotal moment for me—a chance to mend the cracks and reignite the bond we once cherished. This incident fills me with hope, reminding me that while we may not return to the way we were, we can venture into uncharted territory and uncover new dimensions of our relationship—a deeper, more mature love.What makes this journey even more captivating is the evolution we've undergone. When our relationship began, it was built on a foundation of playful arguments and endless squabbles. But now, we have an abundance of beautiful memories and shared moments that add layers of richness to our bond. These cherished experiences will serve as the building blocks to not only rebuild but also infuse our lives with renewed excitement and connection, making this chapter even more intriguing and meaningful.With a deep, satisfied sigh, I stepped into the room, the faint creak of the door marking my entrance. As I immediately noticed the door wasn't locked—again—I felt that familiar urge to taunt her rise within me. How many times had I reminded her to lock it? My words escaped before I could rein them in, delivering a playful scolding. Then, with an almost theatrical facepalm, I berated myself for my misplaced irritation. Honestly, I should have been thankful she'd left the door unlocked. If she hadn't, I'd have been stuck out in the pouring rain, scrambling to find another way in. Climbing the pipe wasn't an option—it was blocked. And yet, here I was, fretting over trivialities. What was I even thinking? Clearly, this wasn't going to be as simple as I had hoped. Shaking my head in disbelief, I tried to realign my thoughts.The room was cloaked in a cozy dimness, the gentle glow of the bedside lamp casting long shadows and a serene warmth across the space. My eyes traveled to the bed, where my daughters lay sound asleep. The sight tugged at my heart, and a smile naturally curved my lips as I approached them. The safety rails were securely up, a precaution for their playful, restless ways. Despite the ample space provided by the king-sized bed, their messy sleeping habits mimicked their mother's, creating a tangled tableau. I couldn't help but chuckle at the scene. Malar had sprawled diagonally, with her feet perilously close to Alar's head. Meanwhile, Alar clung to her pillow as if it were her lifeline, her posture resembling that of a determined athlete mid-stride. The absurdity of it all made me shake my head once again, amused and utterly charmed. These little moments reminded me of how much I cherished my daughters. Their quirks and silliness were endlessly fascinating to me—I could easily lose myself in admiration of their antics all day. They were my happiness personified.As I stood there, immersed in a cocktail of love and pride, I found my thoughts drifting to my father-in-law. The prospect of transforming into him as my daughters grew older made me chuckle quietly. Thulir often joked that I was already worse than her father when it came to being overprotective of my girls. And perhaps she was right. But honestly, what's wrong with being a fiercely protective father? My daughters deserved the best, and I was determined not to let them settle for anything less. That future scenario—when their partners might have to endure someone as demanding as me—was a problem for another day. For now, I simply reveled in my confidence that their worth would always be recognized and valued.But amidst my musings, I couldn't help but notice the absence of my wife. My gaze swept across the room, searching for her, until it landed on the faint glow emanating from the bathroom. The light was on. I shook my head in fond exasperation. Her peculiar obsession with nighttime baths was something I had grown both frustrated with and amused by over the years. And of course, given the rain outside, I was certain she was indulging in a full head bath. If she had only just begun, I knew I'd be in for a long wait. She wouldn't even know I was here yet and was likely already rehearsing excuses for her mother in case she caught a cold tomorrow. I could almost see the scenario unfolding in her mind. What was I going to do with this woman? Shaking my head yet again, I felt an unmistakable mix of disbelief, affection, and resignation fill me. No matter how exasperating she could be, she was undeniably mine, and I wouldn't have it any other way.I sank into the sofa, letting its cushions envelop me as I leaned back in complete ease. From where I sat, the bathroom door was perfectly visible, My eyes lingered on it, anticipation quietly building as I settled in, waiting for her to step out.