When starts align

Part 6

Karthik was very stubborn with having his own identity and rarely shared anything about his family or their whereabouts. Dhruv was one of the very few that were purview to his background and in all honestly he could empathize with his friend so much more than anyone.

Tara just nodded in acceptance and as she got out of the car to walk into her home, Karthik's eyes followed in anticipation wishing to see her one last time for the day before they went back to reality.

He sensed her slow down in her tracks as she got closer to the wide black gate and he could feel his insides turning upside down making him squirm.

And a split second later her eyes met his.

He watched her smooth lips curve into a perfect smile. Her bangs slightly obstructing his view of her pink cheeks.

"She is going to be the end of me",he thought to himself as he gulped down his desire to run over to her that very moment.

All of a sudden the car felt too lonely. The gap between the car and the gate felt like miles away.

Dhruv silently watched his friend fight his emotions. He could not help but chuckle at this adorable sight where the guy who never ever spared a moment for a girl was suddenly dumb-founded by one. Not just any girl but his own sister.

Destiny had the most interesting ways of connecting people and this was a perfect example.

Just to put his best friend out of this misery for a little while, he quickly cooked up an idea.

"Machan unaku amma coffee na rombha pudikum la.. Vaa vandhu coffee kudichtu medhuva polam. Epdiyum un veetla nee thaniya dan iruka pora", and got out of the car without giving him a choice.

Karthik was caught off-guard.

To be in Tara's home, yes it quickly went from Dhruv's home to Tara's in his mind, felt exciting and yet nerve wrecking.

He got out of the car, quickly straightened out his pants and shirt, did that thing with his hair and beard and tried to keep a casual face while his heart fluttered with joy of getting to see her once again.

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"Vaa di... College first day epdi pochu?", her mom enquired as soon as she took her place on the kitchen island.

The answer to that question was complicated but she did not want to make her mom worried so she decided to give the basic answer.

"Nalla dan ma pochu. First day so neraya pudusa irunduchu. Semma campus. I met some of my class mates. Next two weeks konjam settle down aganum apram enna jolly dan", she exclaimed which certainly made her amma smile too.

"Apdi sirichute oru coffee podu paapom", Tara pinched her mom's fluffy cheeks before pulling the snack pile onto her lap.

"Karthik ah paatha?", her mom questioned curiously and just a mention of that name colored her face in a deep shade of pink.

She remembered every detail about him from the day and it left her speechless.

"En di ipdi vaayadachu poi okkandhurka?", her mom called bringing her back to reality.

"Adhu... adhulam onum illa. Avara naa .... ",she paused and blinked as his face flashed before her eyes.

"Ei Tara.. nee seriya illa. Avan ippo dhaaney car la ponan... un kannu munaadi nikra madri dream laye irukaadha... loosu", she scolded herself.

But he was still there. Leaning against the door frame. Looking perfect. His eyes boring into hers.

It all looked way too real.

She shook her head and rubbed her eyes to get out of the stupor state that she thought she was stuck in.

"Tara", her mom called yet again.

"Indha ponnuku enna aachu ne therla", she murmured and finally spotted the two guys.

"Vaa paa. Enna angaye nikra? Ippo dan ivalta keten.. Karthik ah paathiya nu.. inum badhila kaanum", she complained and placed a pat on Tara's shoulder which finally did the trick.

"Neenga enga inga?", she quivered.

"En Tara? Karthik inga vara koodadha enna?", her brother asked with a teasing smile earning a stare from her.

If it was any other day she would have quickly walked out of the place without a care in the world. This wasn't unusual. But today was different. She wanted to stay.

His eyes were still very much imprinted on her. They were a good distance apart and yet she could feel his warmth on her. Smell his intoxicating scent.

"Nee en pa angaye nikkara ?! Vandhu snacks sapdu. Adiye andha dabba unaku matum Illa", her mom chided which made her realize that she still held onto the entire snacks tin on her lap.

"Ivlo neram avan inga paatha apove edo seri Illa nu paathurkanum. Aiyoooo ivlo alpama ukkandurkene...", she felt embarrassed at the way she was sitting but it was too late anyway.

As if he was just waiting for someone to initiate an excuse, Karthik instantly moved closer to her.

Although this was all unknown uncharted territory for him, he could sense that he was not alone in experiencing this torment by just looking at her flustered face.

"Indha coffee ah avanta kudu", her mom instructed pointing to the tumbler.

He watched her slender fingers pick it up and move towards him.

"Indhanga", she said gently, passing the cup over to him.

After a momentary pause to gather his sensible self, he extended his hand and leaned forward.

Their fingers brushed for a split second sending shock waves down the spine. They could feel each others' fingers tremble.

She looked at his eyes and quickly passed the cup over, before getting off the island and picking her own cup.

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