The bus screeched to a halt near Anna Nagar.
Rilu didn't wait for the doors to fully open—she dragged Vicky out like he was a stolen laptop.
"Wait—wait—slow down—my wrist—"
"No."
She marched him straight to an auto stand.
"Anna, Kodambakkam. Fast."
(Brother, Kodambakkam. Fast.)
Vicky stumbled into the auto beside her, still holding his breath.
As soon as the auto started moving, he leaned forward to the driver, whispering:
"Anna… uh… small doubt… her father… what kind of man is he?"
The auto driver looked at him in the rear-view mirror.
Long. Slow. With the exact expression of someone watching a man willingly walk into a volcano.
"You don't know-aa?" he asked.
Vicky shook his head weakly.
The driver sighed like a man who had already written Vicky's obituary.
"That is Mr. Narayan Arasu."
Vicky blinked. "Who?"
"From Karnataka originally. Runs one of the biggest conglomerates here—Arasu Osbo Group."
He counted on his fingers.
"Automotive manufacturing, agri-tech, EV components, renewable farms… share-holders in Zoho… industrial zones… half the land around here, sir."
Vicky's mouth fell open.
"Half… the land?… of Chennai?"
The auto driver nodded gravely.
"Chennai-la nilam pathi avaroda dhaan.
(Half the land in Chennai belongs to him.)
People don't even argue with him. They just… agree."
Rilu side-eyed Vicky.
"You done asking for spoilers?"
He shut his mouth immediately.
THE MANSION
The auto rolled into a quiet, posh street lined with modern villas.
But her house—no, estate—stood out even among the rich.
Tall gates. Security cabin. A driveway big enough for a small airport.
Vicky swallowed.
"Kiran… I'm going to kill you. Why did you vanish…"
The guards saw Rilu and opened the gate instantly.
They stared at Vicky as if he were a delivery boy who entered the Taj Mahal by mistake.
Inside, she kept marching him forward.
"Hey, listen—maybe we can talk outside—"
"No."
"I just said 'yes' by mistake—"
"Tell that to Appa. Loudly."
They entered the main hall.
Narayan Arasu stood near the dining table, wiping his hands with a towel.
Mid-50s, tall, sharp features, hair peppered with grey.
Calm. Too calm.
He turned as soon as he saw them.
"Riluu… yenna aandava… ippo enna pannittu varre?
(Rilu… oh God… what have you done now?)"
Then he looked at Vicky.
For a long time.
Too long.
"Who is this boy?"
His voice was polite, soft, but somehow more terrifying than a shouting parent.
Rilu crossed her arms.
"He followed me for three days."
Vicky nearly choked on his own breath.
Before he could defend himself, she continued:
"And today he said he wants to marry me."
The towel fell from Narayan Arasu's hand.
A guard outside coughed violently.
A maid dropped a steel plate.
Even the AC made a weird noise.
Vicky raised both hands like a man caught smuggling contraband.
"Sir—sir—sir—listen—I can explain—"
Narayan Arasu held up one finger.
Just one.
And Vicky shut up instantly.
Arasu walked around him slowly, examining him like a jeweller examining fake gold.
"Three days you followed my daughter."
"Yes—NO—I mean—YES—but not for weird reasons!"
"So… good reasons?"
"N-No, I mean—I mean—bad I mean—NO I mean— I was trying to—"
Arasu stopped in front of him, hands behind his back, eyes narrowing.
"You said you want to… what? Marry her?"
Vicky felt his soul leave his body.
"Sir… I—I didn't mean it. It just slipped—"
"So your mouth is faster than your brain?"
"Yes—sir—100% sir—very fast—no brakes."
Rilu rolled her eyes.
Arasu sighed deeply, as if reconsidering his retirement plans.
"Boy. What is your name?"
"Vicky. Vicky Kumar. Sir."
"What do your parents do?"
"Father works in a co-operative bank. Mother runs the house."
Arasu nodded slowly.
"Do you drink? Smoke? Fight? Gamble?"
"No sir. Only… mild stress crying."
Rilu snorted.
Arasu looked at his daughter.
"Why did you bring him here?"
Rilu replied in her usual deadpan tone:
"He grabbed my hand and said yes to marriage. If someone is that confident, Appa should see him."
Vicky almost fainted.
Narayan Arasu stared at him again.
This time… a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Confident… or stupid. Hard to tell."
"Mostly stupid, sir," Vicky admitted immediately.
Arasu nodded.
"Good. At least you know yourself."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"You like my daughter?"
Vicky's heart stuttered.
"Sir I—"
"Yes or no."
"...Yes," Vicky whispered.
He couldn't lie.
Not with Rilu staring into his skull.
Arasu studied him.
Finally he said:
"My daughter is… different. And her world is… complicated."
Rilu's eyes flickered, but she said nothing.
Arasu continued:
"If you ever follow her again without her permission… even God won't find you. Understand?"
Vicky nodded so fast his neck cracked.
"Good. Now go. Before my wife sees you—she is scarier than me."
Rilu smirked.
Vicky stumbled backward, bowing like he was exiting a temple.
"Thank you sir—sorry sir—I mean—bye sir—never again sir—"
As he reached the gate, Arasu called out:
"Vicky."
He froze.
Arasu raised an eyebrow.
"Next time you propose… at least bring sweets."
Vicky ran.
Rilu watched him sprint down the street like a stray dog fleeing fireworks.
She shook her head.
"What a weirdo," she muttered.
But she was smiling.