Adi and Tara served the food
Her parents started eating. He was nervous about their remarks
Tara nudged him
"Neenga ethu panalum super ah irukum. Free ah vidunga"
Adi smiled "Okay ma"
Tara's mom looked at Adi. "Super ah samaikra Adi. Enaku poramai laam ila but light ah poramai thaan" she said making him laugh
He looked at her father
"Adi na vena un veetla vanthu stay panikava. Daily un food sapdanum pola iruku" he said earning a glare from Tara's mom
Now it was their turn to eat
Tara was about to sit
"Sithara balcony polam va"
Tara knew why he called her there but still she asked
"En?"
"I want you to have more happy memories there. First time en cooking try panra la"
"Thanks Adi"
They shifted to the balcony
The weather was perfect. Not too hot, not too cold
Adi let her have the first bite, she signalled "Super" with her hands
Adi started eating
Out of nowhere Tara asked
"Is this a date?"
Adi smiled at her
"Only if you want it to be"
"I do"
"Our first date" he looked down and blushed
"But.." She nervously fiddled with her spoon
"I know ma! Don't worry na ipo solla maaten and neeyum solanum nu avasiyam ila"
She looked at him in amazement
"I'm very lucky. Na solamale elathaiyum purinjikura Adi"
"Ellame purinjipen nu ennala promise pana mudiyathu but if something makes you uncomfortable I promise I'll try my best to put you at ease"
There he goes, and now it is one less fear for her
"I trust you"
"Thank you ma. I know how hard it must have been. Na break pana maaten"
"Okayy. But enna solrathu if someone asks what relationship we share?"
"We know what we are. Mathavanga kita solanum nu avasiyam ila. Our friends and family ku kooda theriyum we share a special equation nu. But namma relationship ah society kaaga oru label podanum nu avasiyam ila. According to them marriage is the ultimate relationship. Athuku munnadi ethayum respect pana maatanga. Apdi pata mindset irukapo why bother fitting into labels. Aniku nee sonathu thaan, what we have now- this is more like us"
"You never fail to surprise me Adi. Ivlo depth ulla oru person ah first time pakuren. And thank you for respecting my fears without making me voice them out"
"I respect you a lot Sithara. Feelings thaandi un mela enaku mariyathai uhm iruku"
"I have a question Adi. Might sound too serious but take it lightly okay?"
"Kelu"
"You said society ku marriage is the ultimate relationship. Namma relationship uhm oru naal antha point ah reach panum la? Isn't that where we are headed?"
"I want to spend my life with you but athuku munnadi there are stages we'll cross la. Ipo thaan first date vanthirukom. You're still 23, nee innum work la mela varanum. Nanum konjam life la innum forward ah move pananum. So to answer your question, yes that is where we are headed, there's no rush. Avlo thaan"
"You make it sound simple"
"It can be simple if we stop worrying about the future so much. Ipo iniku it is our first date, weather is great, balcony la we're eating the food I cooked for us. Someday we'll do this in our own home. Apovum ithe smile nama kita irukum. Believe in that and now start enjoying this moment please?"
Tara smiled widely
He took his spoon and fed him
"Happy first date Adi"
He blushed
He fed her as well
"Happy first date Sithara. Many more to come"
They clinked their water glasses
....
They came back, washed the dishes and Adi sat on the couch.
"Inga va" he called Tara who was drying her hand
She sat by him and snuggled
Adi smirked
"Inga va nu thaane sonen, enna pillow mathiri use panitu iruke"
"Pchh summa iru you're warm and comfortable"
She realized what she said
"Huh maybe you do remind me of my pillow" she laughed
Adi pretended to be angry at that statement
She was looking up at him
"Adi moonja en urr nu vechiruka. Smileeee"
Adi didn't react
Tara said lots of mokkai jokes but he didn't budge
Out of the blue she stood up and started singing
"Sirikadhey sirikadhey siripale mayakathey" she took his hand and twirled herself
He couldn't pretend any longer
He stood up with a smile as she continued to run around him and sing
Tara stopped
"Neeyum paadu"
"Na paadna nalla irukathu"
"Super ah irukum. Paadunga pleasee"
"Okay oru line nee oru line na. Deal?"
"Deal"
He cleared his throat and continued where she left
"Manam vitu unmai mattum unnodu pesida vendum"
"Nee ketkum kaadhalai alli un mel naan poosida vendum" She looked into his eyes
"Naan kanum otrai kanavai un kaathila olarida vendum"
"Ennai meeri unnidam mayangum ennai naan-"
He closed her mouth knowing what the next line is
"Thaduka laam vendam" he said in a quiet voice, almost a whisper
These weren't just lyrics anymore
Tara blushed
"This is our song from now on" she announced
"Okay ma" he gladly agreed
"Pathiya Adi, sirikadhey nu paadi unna sirika vechiten"
"Haha unnala mattum thaan ipdi laam pana mudiyum" he gave her a hifi
....
AN:
A little nervous about this one!
I hope it made sense👀