She couldn't believe what she heard when he asked, "How is Adhvait?"
"S-sir…" she stammered, eyes widening in shock, and slowly stood up. The old man, seeing her reaction, said, "What, dear? Did I say something wrong? I'm just asking about my grandson Adhvait. How is he? Is he doing well? Where is he staying now? Did you enroll him in Star Plus Play School?" he asked with a series of questions.
She couldn't believe what was happening. He even knew which school Adhvait was in! That could only mean he had been following her. But how? How could he know so much about her? Her head spun at the thought. She couldn't even stand.
As she wavered, the old man quickly stood up and handed her a tumbler of water. "Drink this, dear," he said gently, helping her drink. After placing the tumbler down, she looked directly at him, tears welling in her eyes.
Seeing this, he asked softly, "What happened, dear? Did I say something wrong?"
Shaking her head silently, she asked in a trembling voice, "How do you know all this?"
A storm of questions raged in her mind: How does he know about me? If he knows, does that mean he knows about Aadhira and Saitanya? Then where is Saitanya now? If I came here to take revenge, why is he talking to me like he already knows everything? Confused and overwhelmed, she stared at the old man.
After holding her gaze for a moment, the old man said, "First, sit down, dear." She obeyed, sat down, and after taking a few breaths, looked at him again.
"If you know all this," she began, "then did you all fool my sister on purpose? Don't you feel guilty for deceiving a woman who trusted you? Because of you, my sister's child is an orphan now. What answer do you have for that?" she asked him bluntly.
He smiled faintly at her anger and watched her in silence, which only irritated her more.
"Do I look mad to you? So you already know I'm Aadhira's sister. And you know Adhvait is your great-grandson. Then where is Saitanya? He's the reason for all of this! He owes us answers."
"My sister is no more! My parents are gone too. I have no one left. All because of your Saitanya! I won't let him go without facing consequences!" she cried, her voice choked with emotion and rage.
The old man listened silently, letting her speak until she calmed down. Once she fell silent, he gave her a sorrowful smile.
"Look, dear," he said gently, "Saitanya is my grandson."
"When he was born, he lost both his parents in an accident within a few years. I raised him myself. He was pampered and stubborn... and grew up just like that."
"You say you came here to take revenge on my grandson... but God has already punished him before you could," he said sadly.
Anvitha looked at him, confused. "What are you saying?" she asked.
"Didn't understand? I'll explain," he said, beginning to tell her about Saitanya.
"He loved car racing from his college days. He'd go wherever there was a race. Three years ago, he went for one and met with an accident. He injured his spine and went into a coma. Only two months ago, he regained consciousness... but because of the spinal injury, he can't walk anymore," he said, stopping there.
Anvitha gasped. So there is a God after all. No one escapes justice, she thought quietly. She didn't say anything further, her mind heavy.
What's the point of talking now? she thought. God has already punished him. There's no point in me staying here anymore. She looked up and said, "Alright, sir... I'll leave now."
"What, dear? Why? The interview isn't even over," he said.
Is this man mad? He calls this an interview? she thought.
"What's the use of this interview now, sir? I came here seeking justice for Adhvait from your grandson... but God got there before me. What else is there for me to do here?"
"My sister's child is counting on me. Taking care of him is my responsibility. I'm going back to my town," she said, getting up to leave.
The old man stopped her. "Anvitha, please... just listen to me for ten minutes. After that, whatever decision you take, I'll accept."
Since I've come this far, might as well know everything about Saitanya, she thought and said, "Okay, sir. Go ahead."
The old man began: "Look, Anvitha... I only recently found out that my grandson had been in a relationship with your sister. That too, after he woke up from his coma."
"The first name he uttered after regaining consciousness was 'Aadhira.' That's when I started looking into her... and learned that she's no more. And then I found out her child—my great-grandson—is with you. How could I ignore that, dear?"
"That's why when you applied, I immediately called you for an interview. Now I have one favor to ask. Can you help me?"
"What?" Anvitha asked.
"My grandson has changed a lot, dear. He still can't walk, but all he says is Aadhira, Aadhira... and you look so much like her. If you could act like Aadhira and help heal him... only you can do this. Will you help?"
Anvitha was stunned.
What? He wants me to pretend to be my sister to help his grandson recover? Has he gone mad? she thought.
"Sir, what you're asking is legally and morally wrong. My sister is no more. First, make him accept that. Then if you want, marry him off to someone else with all your money. But don't ask me to pretend to be my sister," she said firmly.