Upon arriving home, Adhidheeran instructed all of his employees to relocate to his farmhouse, expressing his desire to spend some time alone. He assured them that he would summon them back when necessary. Consequently, all of his workers moved to the agricultural area. Despite being a business magnate, he holds a strong belief in the importance of agriculture. He primarily distributes his crop production to those in need and has a passion for floriculture. Even within his villa, he engages in gardening, cultivating flowers, fruits, and essential vegetables for his household. After sending everyone away, he requested Vinay to thoroughly inspect the entire building for any suspicious items.
Vinay promptly entered the residence and meticulously examined every nook and cranny. As Adhidheeran had indicated, Vinay discovered several microphones and miniature cameras hidden throughout the premises. Vinay approached Adhidheeran in a state of urgency, exclaiming, "Boss, it is there. What should we do now?" Adhidheeran responded with a knowing smile, indicating his awareness of the situation, which left Vinay astonished. He inquired, "How did you discover this, boss?"
Adhidheeran explained, "I have been away for the past few months, leading my adversaries to believe I would not return. If I were to come back, they would need to devise a strategy to deal with me, which would require the assistance of spies. I have recently come to learn of their plans, Vinay."
Vinay then asked, "What shall we do with this information, boss? Should I remove everything?"
Without hesitation, Adhidheeran replied, "No need for that, Vinay. Just remove all the cameras, but leave the microphones in place for a few days. Let us relish the presence of these third-party devices in our home, as they will provide us with a thrilling opportunity to track our enemies more effectively."
Vinay questioned, "You mentioned keeping all the bugs, but why remove the cameras?"
Adhidheeran responded, "Everything has its purpose. One of our enemies may have learned of my return and is likely in the process of removing these devices. I want to ascertain their next move." As he spoke, his demeanor shifted dramatically, his expression transforming into one of intense fury, reminiscent of Lord Shiva, the god of destruction.
Witnessing this anger, Vinay felt a surge of fear and urged his boss to calm down. He understood the gravity of Adhidheeran's temperament; once he set his mind on a course of action, he would not rest until a solution was found. Moreover, if he suspected anyone, it could very well be their last day on earth. Thus, Vinay implored his boss to regain his composure.
Vinay's words brought a sense of calm to Adhidheeran. Together, they entered his home, where Adhidheeran stood up from his wheelchair, placing his hands in his pockets. He addressed Vinay, saying, "You may leave now; we will reconvene in the morning."
Adhidheeran's stature and demeanor made him appear quite charming and handsome, prompting Vinay to think that if he were a girl, he would undoubtedly be attracted to Adhidheeran.
Vinay's astonished expression elicited laughter from Adhidheeran, who playfully remarked, "Stop staring at me; I am your girlfriend."
"You look incredibly smart and handsome. If Niharika were here, she would surely fall for you all over again," Vinay commented.
Upon hearing Vinay's words, Adhidheeran's smile faded. He pondered, "Why Niharika? Why not that girl with the greyish eyes?" His thoughts then shifted to Sastika. He had not anticipated meeting her under such circumstances, yet he found it difficult to suppress his thoughts about her. He wondered if she would remember him, regretting that he had not asked for her name that day. A multitude of thoughts flooded his mind, causing him to lose focus on Vinay's conversation.
Vinay, sensing a lack of response from his superior, ceased his conversation and observed his boss, who appeared to be preoccupied with his thoughts. Gradually, he called out to him and waved his hand in front of Adhidheeran's face. However, there was still no reaction. Consequently, Vinay resolved not to disturb his boss further and quietly departed from Dheeran's residence.
*******
Sastika, persuaded by Dinesh, agreed to join him for dinner. A multitude of events unfolded in a single day for Sastika; however, Dinesh remained indifferent to her feelings, merely pretending to persuade her. Sastika shared this sentiment, questioning how Dinesh had changed so significantly and wondering about Diya's involvement, especially since Diya typically avoided joining Sastika for any pleasant occasions. Diya's unexpected appearance to meet Dinesh raised suspicions for Sastika, although she chose not to voice her concerns and simply enjoyed her meal. Meanwhile, Dinesh harbored intentions of revenge for a prior incident at the office. He remarked to Sastika, commenting on her eating habits in the upscale restaurant, suggesting she was consuming her food as if she had been starving for a year, all while laughing at his own joke.
Despite Dinesh's remarks, Sastika remained unfazed and continued to eat. She responded by explaining that eating with one's hands is a cultural practice in many Asian countries, emphasizing that it fosters a deeper emotional connection with the food—an understanding that Dinesh, she believed, would not grasp. Dinesh did not appreciate her immediate retort, but he felt compelled to manage the situation nonetheless.
Sastika remained silent, concentrating on her meal. She pondered, "God, I still do not know how many more months my love life will endure, but grant me the strength to confront it all." Taking a deep breath, she observed Dinesh, whose expression had transformed entirely; the joy he had displayed upon arriving at the restaurant was now absent from his face. Dinesh felt a sense of inadequacy in Sastika's presence, though he was unwilling to acknowledge it. He was anxiously awaiting a promotion related to an upcoming project, for which both he and Sastika were qualified. However, Sastika was more than qualified, and if she demonstrated her creativity and capabilities in this project, she would likely receive a higher position than Dinesh. This prospect troubled him, as he preferred Sastika to remain subordinate in her career, believing she should not advance. He realized that if she continued to excel, his chances for promotion would diminish. Suppressing his frustration, he forced a smile and said, "Dear, you made a valid point. I agree with your concerns regarding tradition. Now, let us discuss our future; I do not wish to squander this opportunity."
Sastika furrowed her brow in confusion. "What are you talking about, Dinesh? What opportunity?" she inquired. He replied, "It pertains to our marriage, dear. You mentioned previously that I should discuss our marriage with our parents. When shall we arrange to meet yours?" Your parents and your sister Diya will undoubtedly be pleased with our decision to marry. He began to mention Diya's name with every word he spoke. Sastika reflected on this.
At that moment, she found herself less impressed by Dinesh and increasingly suspicious of his words. Having never received support, love, or care from her family, she questioned how he could assert that they would be happy about her marrying him. What connection could there possibly be between Dinesh and her family, particularly with Diya?
Dinesh observed that Sastika was not responding to his questions. He inquired, "What is troubling you, dear? Is it your parents' approval for our marriage?" He then shifted to a more pleasant tone.
Sastika chose not to respond to any of his questions. She gracefully took out some money from her purse and handed it to Dinesh, saying "Here is my contribution for the meal. Thank you for dinner. " With a gentle smile, she expressed her departure, mentioning that she needed time to reflect on the discussion they had just had. Wishing Dinesh a good night and safe journey, she gracefully left the place. This is another activity of Sastika that left Dinesh stunned. He took the money she left behind, crushed it, and exclaimed in disbelief at her audacity. His anger level surged like a mountain. But he is unable to take any action.