Janani: So, is that why you bought all these things?
Amuthan: No, Akka. I won't touch her until she has fully recovered.
Ajay: Then why did you buy them?
Amuthan: I really love seeing her with her hair full of flowers—that’s all," he said. Soon, they arrived at the house, and all three went inside.
Ramya: "Welcome, everyone. Go freshen up and come back," she said, and then served soup to the three of them.
Janani: "This is really good! I want a healthy drink like this every evening."
Amuthan: He stretched out his arms and legs, shaking off his lethargy.
Ramya: She walked over, massaged his shoulders, and then massaged his feet.
Amuthan: "Ramya dear, here—these are for you, some jasmine flowers."
Ramya: "You put them in my hair yourself."
Krishnavathi: "What is this? Is he not your lawfully wedded husband? Why are you speaking to him with such disrespect?"
Amuthan: "Mother, I was the one who told her to address me that way."
Krishnavathi: "Very well. Ramya, come with me," she said, leading her away. "All the sarees in this wardrobe are yours from now on; you may pick and wear whichever ones you like. Keep this jewelry box as well; wear whichever pieces of jewelry appeal to you," she said, handing them over.
Janani: "We need to visit the temple tomorrow. Everyone, be ready by 6:00 AM tomorrow morning," she announced.
The next morning, after waking up and bathing, Krishnavathi, Janani, and Ramya—the three women—dressed in silk sarees, styled their hair, adorned it with flowers, and got ready.
Ajay and Amuthan arrived, dressed in traditional silk *veshtis* and shirts. They then took the car, drove to the Tirupati temple, and offered their prayers (*darshan*). Afterward, Krishnavathi and Ramya both went to the restroom area.
Janani: "Hey, where is that Moorthy? I don't see him anywhere."
Amuthan: "Just wait a moment, Akka; he’ll be here." Just then, Moorthy arrived with his henchmen.
Moorthy: Looking at Krishnavathi, he said, "Greetings, Mother. How are you doing?" Then, glancing at Ramya who was standing nearby, he asked, "Well, Jilu—how are *you* doing these days?" "I sent you away thinking you wouldn't survive. Yet, look at you—you’ve returned looking so radiant!" he sneered, revealing his hideous, menacing face.
Ramya: Trembling with fear, she clutched Krishnavathi’s hand tightly.
Moorthy: "Alright then, shall I take my leave?" he asked, and walked into the temple.
Ramya: "Auntie, let's leave before he comes back," she urged.
Krishnavathi: "Okay, wait—let me just use the restroom," she replied and went inside. When she returned, Ramya was nowhere to be found. She immediately called Amuthan and explained what had happened.
Amuthan, Janani, and Ajay searched the entire temple grounds, but Ramya was nowhere to be seen.
Moorthy: At his bungalow, he sat sipping whiskey. Kneeling before him—her hands and mouth bound—was Ramya. "Well, well... how are you doing? Once I saw you again, I just couldn't control myself. That’s why I simply snatched you up and brought you here," he said, untying the bonds on her hands and mouth.
Ramya: "Please... let me go!"
Moorthy: He delivered a resounding slap across her face. "What is this? Getting a bit too chatty, aren't we? You are my female slave! Just shut up, come with me, and get into bed."
Ramya: "I am married; I have a husband! I cannot betray him. If he finds you, he will kill you without hesitation!"
Moorthy: "What? Are you trying to threaten me? No one dares to cross the threshold of my domain. Come along quietly, or else I’ll make you the shared wife of ten of my henchmen. Which option do you prefer?"
Ramya: Terrified, she rose and began to follow Moorthy. Just then, the police burst through the door. At gunpoint, they arrested everyone present. Moments later, Amuthan, Ajay, and Janani arrived.
Moorthy: "How did you find this place?"
Amuthan: "Well... Ramya's *Thali*..." He held up the chain he was wearing, revealing a small microphone attached to it.
Amuthan: "Moorthy, I knew full well that the moment you saw Ramya, you would abduct her and take her back to your hideout. That is precisely why I rigged this microphone. It transmits everything you say—as well as your exact location—directly to the police control room."
Janani: "Moorthy, for the betrayal you inflicted upon our family, you will spend the rest of your life behind bars." With that, the police arrested everyone involved and took them into custody.
Amuthan: "Ramya... did you get really scared?"
Ramya: "For a moment there, my heart completely stopped beating," she said, throwing her arms around him and weeping.
To be continued......
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