Rak: maraikiriya? Enna da maraikura? Unaku yen, Pugazh, appadi thonuthu?
Pug: athan sonanla da someone had blackmailed Keerthi to propose Aakash by threatening her with her family.
Rak: Ram Mehra va than irukum.
Pug: nanum appadi than nenachan. But he wasn't. Ram Mehra wanted to get his daughter, Sunitha, married to Aakash. So, avan kedayathu. Second, ethukaga avala appadi blackmail pannanganu theriyala. But athu ava vazhkaiyaye thalakeela mathiruchu.
Rak: enna da solra?
Pug: ama da. Again and again ava Aakash ah approach pannala. Athellame antha blackmailer nala than. Appo oruthadava ava ivana propose pannum pothu than ava cousin pathu avanga veetula solli avasara avasarama yaro oruthan abroadla vela seiyuranu yosikama kalyanam fix pannitanga. Ava nammala invite pananumnu nenaikave illa. Again antha blackmailer invite panna vachurukan. All she could understand was that someone tried to reach out Aakash through her. Antha timela namma moonu perume onna illa. Antha unknown personala namma moonu perukum prachanai vara koodathuna namma senthu irukanum. Athuku ava unna hurt panna than namma avalukaga yen pirinju irukanumnu nenachu onna irupomnu than ava annaiku unna hurt panra mathiri pesiruka.
A pang of guilt hit both Aakash and Rakshan for different reasons.
Aakash very well knew that who might have blackmailed Keerthi and for what. But at that time, he was very young for his responsibilities. Managing a country along with the biggest MNC in the world without any mentor had put him in much pressure.
Besides, he had to keep track of Shruti and her family by providing them the much needed security. He had failed to notice this girl's struggle, as he instantly got annoyed with her pestering. He was then a little immature guy in controling his emotions unlike now, who he was.
Whereas Rakshan felt guilt for never seen through her trouble and be with her at those times. He didn't try to reach out to her after their bitter last meet. He cursed himself for misunderstanding his sister.
Pug: nammala vitu ponathuku appuramum avala antha unknown manushan summa vidala da. He made her husband bed ridden for got married to him instead of you. She lost financial stability. He didn't let her find any jobs. She couldn't come back to her parents nor reach them. She became a victim to gastric cancer. Now both she and her husband were in government hospital fighting for their life. Naan etho anga etharchia ponapo paathan. Athan anga two days extra stay panni avangaluku thevaiyana help pannitu financiala help panranu sollitu vanthurukan.
Rakshan closed his fist tight, getting grip on his emotions. Aakash rubbed his temple, being lost. Just then his very personal mobile rang. He looked at the caller Id and went away from the duo. Pugazh sighed.
Pug: namma munnadi pesa enna da ivanuku? Ethana varushama ippadi marachu vachurukanu theriyala da.
Rak: vidu athan avane solranu solranla. Namma Keerthi poi pathutu varalama?
Pugazh looked at the pale face of Rakshan. He nodded his head.
Pug: next weekend pogalam. Inbetween unaku Shruti company party irukula.
Rak: ama, company ah naan than represent pannanumnu Aakash sonnan.
Pug: yen da ivan ippadi panran? Ram Mehra vum Sunithavum bankrupt agi abroad poitanga. Inime antha aalunala problem eh illa. Avanuku bayanthutu thana ithana naal Shruti amma appa uyiroda irukuratha marachu vachurunthan. Ippo reveal panna enna?
Chorus: edhey!
Pugazh and Rakshan jerked when they heard the chorus voice and turned to find Irfan and Saran. They both face palmed mentally, looking at each other.
Pug mv: pochu!
Rak mv: sethan antha valanthu ketavankita. Koodave irunthu un pullaiya kaapathiru, Aandava!
Aakash picked up the call after making sure he was away from the earshot.
Aak: Hello, partner! How are you?
Sarath: I am fine, partner. Hope you are doing fine as well.
Aak: hmm. What's wrong that you made a call at this time?
Sar: Laila!
Aak: What did she do now?
Sar: that bloody bitch revealed the fake death certificates of Her Majesty and created an emotional mess among the people. She said that you were living alone all these years and hid about that from everyone for the happiness of the people.
Aak smirked: trying to gain good opinion over her to marry me with my people consent.
Sar: she thinks that you married someone else and cheating our people. So, she is trying to put you in the situation to marry her publicly and keep your wife in secret forever.
Aak: but she doesn't know that whom I had married. That's her minus and our plus.
Sar: so, should I reveal your wedding pictures with her majesty?
Aak: nope. Just arrange a video conference for me. I will talk with my folks. I will show her power of my people.
Sar: but, partner, why don't we reveal about you and her majesty straightaway? None will try to separate you guys once the world knows about it.
Aak: Shruti isn't yet ready to identify me, Partner. You know, right, why I am scared of reveal the truth to her.
Sar: I know, partner. But don't let that Oberoi and Laila to take advantage of your situation.
Aak: I will. You arrange for the video conference tomorrow. Also, ask Royal grandmother to acknowledge her grand daughter's ugly mind to the public tomorrow. I will ban Laila's permit from Kandarvgarh as well as Malhotra Groups. She will be no more our citizen.
Sar: Sure, partner.
With that they disconnected the call. Meanwhile, Pugazh and Rakshan gulped, looking at the shocked face of Irfan and Saran. Aakash joined them without knowing what had happened.
Aak: ennachu? Yen ivanga rendu perum selai mathiri irukanunga?
Rak: adhu... machan...
Aakash raised his eyebrows understanding that they had messed up something. They both gave him an apologetic look.
Irf: Shruti amma appa uyiroda irukangala?
Aakash remained silent, trying to calm down his growing temper. Already, Rakshan messed up once. Now again they both played with his life.
Aak mv: unga rendu peraiyum friends ah mathichu ore oru secret ana velaiya paaka vachathuku unganala enna panna mudiyumo atha nalla pannitinga da.
Saran: Aakash bro...
He looked at him questioningly. When Aakash tried to reply something. Others came out of the bus as well. Shruti straightaway came and sat beside him, keeping her head on his shoulder.
Shr: yen enna vitutu vanthinga?
Aak: nee thoongitu iruntha da. Athan. Restroom poriya?
Shr: hmm. Poganum. Naanga poitu varom.
Aak: bathram ma.
She got up lazily and went with girls. Sakthi followed them as well. Irfan and Saran looked at Aakash demandingly.
Aak: ama avanga uyiroda than irukanga. Pugazh and Rakshan kooda Mumbaila irukanga. Unga exams mudinjathum they will come back to Shruti. Athu varaikum don't slip out this to anyone especially Shruti, please.
Irf: and adhu varaikum neenga avala vitu velagiye irunga. Unga mela engaluku entha nambikaiyum illa. You are so much doubtful. Ungala pathi oru vishayam kooda enganala confirm panna mudiyala. Mysterious!
Rak: Irfan, enna pesura nee? Unaku Shruti ah ethana varushama theriyum? I know her even before you know. Naan avala thappanavanuku kalyanam panni vachurupanu nenaikiriya?
Irf: neenga onnum ava sontha anna illaiye. Appuram eppadi ungala namburathu.
Rakshan was furious but controlled himself. Pugazh had an urge to punch on Irfan's face but the sight of girls at distance put him at his place.
Aak: Irfan, look, ava mela iruka pasathula ippadi nee ava mela uyiraye vachurukavana thappa pesa koodathu. Raksha nee avanga rendu pera kootitu poi Shruti parentsku VC potu kudu.
Rak grumpily: naan maatan.
Aak sternly: po da. Shruti varathukulla ponga. Illana ava kelvi keppa.
Rakshan got up and moved away from the bakery. Irfan stood rooted to the ground, glaring at Aakash. Saran dragged him with him. Sakthi and girls came there meanwhile.
Sak: enga poranga avanga moonu perum?
Aak: athu Rakshan mobile ah tower kedaikala mail check panna. Athan appadiye oru walk mathiri poitu tower kedaikuthana paaka poirukanga.
Pug mv: ivan enna ivalo easy ah samalikuran konjam kooda doubt varatha mathiri. Nammata ethana thadava naai ippadi nadichu kotirukumnu theriyala. Evalo periya muttala irunthurukom. Nee unmaiya matum sollu di athuku appuram iruku unaku.
Aak: sari enna venum sollunga vaangitu varan.
Shr: innerathuku tea coffee matum thana, Mi, irukum. Athum irukumane theriyala.
Aak: packet items iruku. Ethavathu venuma?
Vaishu: athellam nammataiye irukula, anna. Vera ethavathu irukanu pathutu naangale vaangitu varom. Neenga ukkarunga.
Aakash nodded his head and girls moved inside the bakery. Whereas Rakshan made a call to Prabhu and asked him to come on video call.
Pra: enna da innerathuku kooptruka? Coimbatore kelambitomnu sonna. Ethavathu prachanaiya? Aakashum Shrutiyum nalla irukangala?
Rak: athu, appa...
Irfan snatched the mobile from Rakshan, making him sigh?
Irf: uncle, are you okay? Aunty enga? Enga irukinga? Yen anga irukinga? Shruti misses you a lot. Ungaluku ethavathu prachanaina bayapadama sollunga.
He glared at Rakshan saying so, making Rakshan roll his eyes.
Saran: avara pesa vidu da loosu payale.
Pra: Irfan, Saran, ennachu pa? Travel ah ethum prachanaiya? Yen midnightla call pannirukinga? Mathavangalam enga?
Irf restlessly: uncle, naan ungaluku ethavathu prachanaiyanu ketan. Aunty enga?
Saranya: inga than da irukan. Eppadi irukinga ellarum? Innum Shravnithava pinnadi alaya vitutu than irukiya illa unga veetula pesitiya?
Irf: naan evalo serious ah pesitu irukan. Neenga kindal pannitu irukinga.
Sar: paatha nadu katula iruka mathiri iruku. Serious ah pesurandra hospital ah admit ayiruka mathiri.
Rak: enaku ippo puriyuthu enga irunthu intha Aakash payaluku mokka joke podura palakam vanthuthunu.
Saranya twisted her lips. Prabhu chuckled at her pulling her cheek. Irfan and Saran were confused.
Irf: neenga yen inga varala. Nalla thana irukinga.
Pra: athu Aakash than engala konja naal inga iruka sonnan. Engala yaro kadathirukanga. So, issues ellam solve pannitu Shruti ah inga kootitu varanu Rakshan kita sollirukan.
Irf: paithiyama, uncle, neenga? Munna pinna theriyathavara nambi ippadi mudivu eduthurukinga. Ungala mathiri than unga ponnum. Avaraye kalyanam panniruka yaaru ennanu kooda theriyama. Ungaluku theriyuma athu?
Sar: yara da munna pinna theriyathunu solra? Aakash yarunu theriyuma unaku?
Pra: Saranya, tension agatha ma.
Sar: pinna ennanga ivan paithiyam mathiri pesitu nammala paithiyamnu solran.
Pra: avanuku Aakash pathi theriyathula. Namma mela iruka paasathula appadi pesuran. Nee tension agi avana hurt pannatha. Irfan, Aakash vera yarum illa Shruti oda mama than. Ithu Shrutiku theriyathu. Ithuku mela unkita ennala ethuvum share panna mudiyathu. Neeye paakurala naanga pesum pothu ethavathu nadikura mathiri iruka? Aakash namma veetu paiyan da. Avana thappa nenaikathinga sari ah?
Irf: ana avar work panra company vachu paatha avaroda real identity ennanu kandupidikave mudiyalaye, uncle.
Sar: Irfan, nee en ponnu nallathuku than yosikiranu puriyuthu. But nee Aakash pathi therinjukanumnu nenaikirathe vitru. Naangale avana nambunu solromla. Engala vida yaru enga ponnuku nallathu nenaipa? Avane avana pathi solra varaikum avana force pannathinga yarum. Avlo than solluvan.
Irfan nodded his head and they headed back after disconnecting the call.
Irf: Sorry, Rakshan anna.
Rak smiled: vidu da. Ava mela iruntha akkaraila thana pesuna. Naanave irunthalum ippadi than react pannirupan. Aakash pathi matum thappa nenaikatha. Avan entha intentionkaga venalum Shruti parents ah avakita irunthu marachu vachurunthalum, avan avala eppadi thaanguranu paakurala. Avana vida vera yarunalum avaluku ivalo love kuduka mudiyathu da.
Irf: avangala paathale puriyuthu, na. But avaru mysterious ave irukuratha paakum pothu than enga Shruti ku heartbreak agidumonu bayama iruku at the end.
Rak: athellam onnum agathu. Restroom poitu fresh agitu vaanga.
They both nodded and left to restroom. Rakshan joined others.
Shr: enna, thangam, inga vanthum office work ah. Rendu naaluku mobile switch off pannidunga.
Rak smiled: ama, Pavithra, yen varala?
Shravs: Pugazh anna varalala. Athan avangalum varala. Velila than pidikatha mathiri nadikurathu. Ullukula ore loves than.
Pug: naan than vanthu...
Everyone glared at his mokka joke, making him shut. Akhila excused from them and moved to the bus, leaving Pugazh in sigh.
Shr: ama, Mi, kekave maranthutan. Namma stayku arrange pannitingala?
Aak: hmm. Athellam pannitan ma.
Shr smirked: angayum unga hotels iruka. Anga than room book pannirukingala?
Aak: hotels iruku than. But anga kedayathu. Ithu surprise.
Shr: surprise ah? Appadi enga stay panna porom? Anga ungaluku guest house ethavathu iruka?
Aak: athan surprise nu solranla.
Shr: thala vedichurume. Ippave sollunga. Please please.
After Irfan and Saran came back everyone started moving towards the bus. Aakash pulled back Shruti and whispered in her ears.
Aak: rendu naal enna alaya vidalamnu plan pannala. Anga poi unaku miga periya surprise kathutu iruku. Unaku moochu vida kooda time irukathu paru nalaiku inneram.
TBC...💖