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THIRD POV:

Outside the temple road, the driver — battered, blood dripping from his forehead — fumbled with his broken phone. His fingers shook as he tried to dial a number through the pain. Finally, after a few desperate tries, he got through to Vishnu.

"Vi Vishnu thambi!" the driver choked out, coughing hard.

Vishnu, who was just laying little Thanvika down in the cradle at home, froze instantly. "Ram anna? What happened? Why are you panting?"

The driver cried out in pain, "S-sir... some men... they blocked the road... attacked me... they kidnapped Aaradhya madam and Dhivya madam! I tried... I tried to fight... but they—" his voice broke into a sob of frustration and shame.

Vishnu's blood ran cold. For a second, he couldn't even breathe. Vishnu shot up from his seat, his face losing color immediately.

"WHAT?" he barked, his voice thunderous. "Where are you now anna?"

"I'm near the eliot's road... hurt badly..." the driver whimpered.

"Stay there! I'll send help," Vishnu said sharply. He immediately called his trusted men and ordered them to rush the driver to the hospital. Every second mattered now.

Without wasting a moment, Vishnu dialed Rudhran.

"Rudhra..." Vishnu said tightly the moment Rudhran picked up. "Aaru and Dhivya... someone kidnapped them."

A deadly silence answered him for a full beat. When Rudhran spoke, it wasn't a shout. It was something far worse — a deadly, cold whisper.

"Where."

"By eliots road," Vishnu rushed out. "Ram anna badly hurt"

"I'm coming," Rudhran said — voice low, clipped — and hung up.

The phone nearly cracked in Rudhran's hand from how hard he was gripping it. His heart was slamming against his ribs.
Someone have audicity to kidnap his wife and little sister!
Fear twisted inside him, but his face was pure stone as he grabbed his keys and ran out.

Minutes later, He and Vishnu met near the hospital.

The driver, lying on a stretcher, saw them stagger toward him. Blood crusted his forehead and his voice was barely audible, but he still pulled every ounce of strength to tell them, and told the car number he memorized.

Rudhran leaned closer, his hand gripping the driver's shoulder — not roughly, but firmly.

"You did good,anna. Thanks" Rudhran said in a voice that shook only slightly. His eyes, however, were burning with a cold fury.

"Get well. We'll handle the rest."

Vishnu immediately signaled his men to take over.

As Rudhran straightened, Vishnu came beside him, both their faces grim.

"Let's end this," Vishnu said in a low, dangerous voice.

Rudhran didn't answer — he just nodded once, a sharp, curt movement.

Meanwhile, at home, fear hung heavy.

Priya clutched little Thanvika tighter, tears threatening to spill. Gomathi Athai was murmuring prayers under her breath. Ganga Patti fumbled with her prayer beads, her lips whispering non-stop mantras.

The house, once filled with laughter, now seemed frozen with dread.

Priya's voice cracked as she whispered, "Bring them back... please...

IN THE WAREHOUSE.

Aaradhya and Dhivya sat huddled in a corner, their hands and legs bound tightly. The room reeked of alcohol and the walls seemed to pulse with a menacing energy. Aaradhya prayed silently to Lord Murugan, begging him to keep them safe and protect Rudhran.