chapter 78

Author's POV Thulir glanced up from her book as Innisai walked into the living room, filling a water bottle."Thulir, Appa said Aaghu left a while ago, so he should be here soon. You go and sleep, ma," Innisai said, her voice gentle.Thulir shook her head. "Ah, Athee, he called me too... I’m not waiting for him, but the kids.""The movie hasn’t ended yet?" Innisai asked."Hmm... Gowri fell asleep halfway, so Aadhu took her to their room. But Aaru, Maaran, Malar, Alar, and Yazhu—along with Shiva—are still wide awake, refusing to move. So I’m waiting for them to come out.""They’ll sleep there itself, right? They rarely come to your room to sleep."Thulir sighed. "Hmm… but—"Before she could finish, Agathiyan entered the house, his brows furrowing as he saw his mother and wife still awake."Maa, it’s late. Appa hasn’t come home yet? Aadhi said he came back with him already… Did an emergency case come up? I’ll go pick him up. You don’t worry, go get some rest."Concern laced his voice, making Innisai’s eyes well up with unshed tears. She shook her head and reached up to pat his cheek."He’s inside the room. I just came to fill the water bottle. You go sleep, Aaghu."She gently squeezed his arm before retreating, her movements carrying the quiet contentment of a mother who didn’t want her tears to overshadow the rare ease in her son’s voice. Agathiyan watched her until she disappeared into her room.His gaze then shifted to Thulir, who had already taken the bag from his hand and headed to the kitchen. She knew exactly what was inside—the expected cakes and snack items lovingly prepared by his grandmother. Without hesitation, he followed, helping her unpack."Where are the kids?" he asked, placing the boxes in their proper places."Watching the movie," she murmured."They haven’t slept yet?""Hmhmm," she shook her head, watching him lift the rose cookie box."No, wait, Agathiya—"She moved to the upper cupboard, stretching to grab another container. Agathiyan rolled his eyes and, without hesitation, stepped behind her, casually spanked her ass before grabbing the box she had been reaching for.Thulir gasped, glaring at him as she rubbed the spot where his palm had landed. Not one to let things slide, she grabbed his arm and bit his bicep, hard enough to leave an imprint.Agathiyan winced. Satisfied, she pulled away, took the box, and returned to her task, transferring the rose cookies into a larger container before sealing it shut."Hmm… now keep it there," she ordered, shifting her focus to the rest of the unpacked goods.Her gaze flickered toward the sheer number of snacks his grandmother had packed, and she scoffed."Nandhu thinks she’s a young woman or what, huh? Seems like from the moment you arrived, she devoted herself solely to the kitchen. Who asked her to make all this? And you let her work? Did you ask her to prepare all this?"Agathiyan sighed, shaking his head. "Amma Thaiyee… I didn’t ask for anything. She knew I was coming through Appa, so by the time I arrived, she had already started making everything I’ve ever eaten at her house. Chithi even took leave to help her, and of course, Thatha handled all the kneading and frying."He leaned against the counter, watching her with amusement."I helped too," he added. "She just supervised, gave instructions. I told her not to pack everything, but she just said, ‘My grandson ate all this, but my great-grandkids haven’t. So give it to them.’ And I couldn’t deny her puppy eyes. I mean, no one can."Thulir shook her head in disbelief but smiled nonetheless."All that is fine, but why did sir suddenly visit his grandparents’ home?""It’s not like I never go there," he defended himself."Yeah, but I usually have to remind you, or they have to call you asking for a visit. So?"Agathiyan sighed. "I went to drop Appa at the hospital, right?""Hmm.""Appa mentioned that he would deliver their medicines in the evening, so I figured I’d take them myself and visit them too.""Ohh," Thulir hummed, nodding."What ‘oh’?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.She chuckled, shaking her head as she washed the empty boxes, while he wiped them down before arranging them back into place."Nothing…" she mused. "Earlier, the news predicted rain today and see—can you hear the thunder? It’s raining just as they said,"she continued, glancing at him playfully. "I was wondering what caused this rare event, but now I know—it’s because my husband is acting out of character today."She laughed, nudging him.Agathiyan narrowed his eyes at her"Ena dii You are making fun of me?""Does it look like that?"Thulir blinked her eyes innocently and he is not the one who falls for that...he pulled her towards him by her waist she dashed into his chest....before she could react he captured her lips in his devoring her lips hungrily she didn't protest instead took part in the kiss with equal passion and hunger....his hand which was around the back of her waist slipped down and started kneading her ass....her fingers slipped into his hair as he didn't cut his hair for a month that helped her to get a grip his other hand gripped her neck as he continued to suck her lips.....He left her lips after sometime and buried his head in her neck.....Thulir bit her lower lips to control her moan.....her eyes roled back as he started sucking and licking her skin....but she brought back from the pleasure world to real world when a glass fell down on the floor...Thulir’s eyes widened as reality settled in—the kitchen, the kids stirring awake, the possibility of someone walking in at any moment. Yet Agathiyan seemed oblivious to the risk, his hands roaming on her body kneading each curve, his lips tracing possessive marks along her neck and collarbone. His one hand kneading her ass while other hand fondling her boobs.She swallowed hard, her breath uneven as she patted his shoulder, urging him to stop. But he was lost in the moment, his grip firm, his touch unyielding.  Summoning the last of her strength, she pushed against his chest, breaking free of his hold. Sensing her resistance, Agathiyan exhaled a frustrated groan, his reluctance clear as he pulled back, his gaze dark with longing.  "Ena diii?"Thulir chuckled softly, shaking her head.  "Not now, Agathiya... not here," she whispered.  He rolled his eyes, his reluctance clear."Yeah like we never made love in this kitchen right "he muttered, frustration threading through his voice.  Thulir’s mind replayed all those stolen moments—quiet nights, the warmth of his touch, the thrill of secrecy humming beneath every whispered breath. The fear of being caught had always lingered, just enough to heighten the experience, never enough to make her stop. Until now.  Her daughters came into their life, their presence shifting something within her. It wasn’t shame; she had never been one to hide from the truth. But they were too young yet, too unaware of the complexities that came with intimacy. She wasn’t ready for that conversation—not now, not like this.  That moment would come, and when it did, she wanted them to learn from her—not from careless whispers, not from distorted perceptions that could plant the wrong ideas. She knew how easily misunderstandings shaped minds, how fragile that knowledge could be.  So, for now, she was careful. Drawing boundaries where once there had been none, shifting the rhythm of a life that had always been just a little reckless.  Agathiyan understood her perspective, but that didn’t make the frustration any less. Their time alone was rare, often interrupted before they could fully lose themselves in each other. When they did have a moment, there was no build-up, no lingering touches—just urgency, a routine that felt more like fulfilling an obligation than truly being together.  It didn’t sit well with him. The quiet frustration crept into his gestures, his silence, the way he sometimes pulled away without meaning to. Maybe that was why he seemed indifferent at times—why he stopped fighting for stolen moments when they kept slipping away anyway.  And when it became too much, when the weight of it all left him restless, he would take leave just for her. A whole day with no interruptions, no limits—just them. Those rare days brought them back to what they once had, made everything else fade for a while.  But they didn’t happen often enough.  He couldn’t blame himself, nor could he blame her. It wasn’t just one thing—it was everything. The moments lost, the stolen time that slipped through their fingers, the quiet ache that lingered between them.  With a sigh, he leaned in, resting his head against hers, letting the warmth of her presence ground him.  "I miss us," he murmured, voice heavy with longing.  Thulir lifted her gaze, her hands finding his cheeks, her touch both familiar and reassuring. She studied his face, the weight in his eyes, and exhaled softly.  "I miss us too, Agathiya,"she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. A pause, then the faintest hint of resolve in her tone. "Maybe we just need to find new ways… ways to love quietly, hidden from everything else."A soft chuckle escaped him, easing the tension just a little. He nodded, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead—a quiet promise, unspoken yet understood.  "I thought we resolved everything," Thulir murmured, searching his gaze for certainty.  "Maybe… maybe not," Agathiyan said, his voice low, contemplative.  "Huh?" "Maybe there's more to say. Something deeper. Something raw,"he murmured, His fingers traced along her cheek, grazing her neck—a touch both familiar and searching. Thulir inhaled, steadying herself against the emotions stirring between them.  Thulir inhaled, steadying herself against the warmth of his presence.  To divert him she asked"You're leaving for Salem tomorrow?""Hmm… tomorrow night."  "Car?""Flight."She hesitated, watching him carefully, sensing something else beneath his clipped answers.  "Huh…"The pause stretched between them, charged with the quiet weight of unsaid words.  "I need my Theeni tonight," Agathiyan finally said, his voice quieter now, but heavy with meaning."All of her."Thulir’s breath hitched slightly.  "Agathiya…""I mean it," he murmured, sealing his words with another kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering just a little longer than usual.    And then, without another word, he pulled away and walked out of the kitchen.  Thulir stood there, watching his retreating figure, something unspoken settling deep within her. She inhaled, then slowly exhaled, pushing aside the ache of longing before slipping out of the kitchen to check on her daughters.Â