'Sasha' called Priyanka laying flatly on her bed as her best friend was busy painting her nails with so much concentration. Srishti held her hand steadily as she left soft strokes of beautiful purple nail paint,
'Hmm?'
' Epdi oru drop kooda keezha padaama azhaga nail paint panra? ' Priyanka asked her best friend,
' Athu oru art dha.. na apditha paakren ' Srishti smiled softly at her,
Priyanka adored Srishti 's way of looking at the little things in life, and she was truly an artist who sought meaning in everything she did. She closed her eyes once in worry about how the world would treat such a perfect human being of she hadn't been on her side,
Priyanka 's lips curled up on their own remembering a certain professor who'd take care of her precious best friend better than her,
Her eyes fell on Srishti again, and figured what must be running in her mind, particularly, who?
'Sasha.. enna yosana?' she probed,
' Na enna yosikra nu enake purila Priyu… unkita sollava?' she asked her innocently,
Srishti coated her last nail with the nail paint, her heart urged in absolute desperation to tell her best friend everything, to empty her chest and relieve the feeling of keeping it arcane for such a long time.
'Na.. I've.. I've done something stupid '
Priyanka looked into the eyes of her best friend, her eyebrows questioning her, she had somehow grasped what her bestfriend was about to confess,' I doubt that.. '
'I.. I've fallen in love with him, Priyanka, from the first week.. I've.. I'm in love with him.. '
Srishti's eyes teared up feeling the rush of emotions that she felt in her blood, the words that she held back for too long pouring out like the vigorous rain. She closed her eyes once, overlooking two shadows, interlocking their hands, light falling on them from heaven's golden decanter. Srishti opened her eyes, afraid that her dream would stay that way,
'Enaku theriyum… ' there was that calm smile again, restored back in place. Srishti was surprised, not expecting her to be that intuitive, ' Neeya soldriya paakalam nu dha wait panitu irunthen'
'Unaku? -
' Paithiyamae.. ne en best friend.. we've known eachother since you moved here with your brothers.. En appa amma enaku Vera college paakren nu sonnapo.. unkooda dha padipen nu adam pudichi Inga join pannen…
Enaku unna theriyum.. En Sasha epdi yosipa nu enaku theriyum.. Haan , Final start aagi na Professor Adhiran pathi ketapo ne avara maranthuten nu soldrathuku oru nimisham yosicha..
Enaku apovae theriyum … un manasula avaru dha irukaaru nu.. You're so pure with your intentions, Sasha.. Ne perusa pesla naalu orthar mela paasam vechita atha unnala hide pannavo fake pannavo mudiyathu…
Then again, Professor Adhiran ah ne paakumbothu… avara pera sollumbothu.. antha anbu un mohathula oru Prakasam kodnu varum.. trust me.. koduthu vechirkanum avaru.. for you to love him . ' Priyanka caressed Srishti's head softly as she finished her little monologue. Srishti sat there stupefied, afraid that she'd ruin such a perfect moment by saying anything,
' Idhu Vera yaarukum theriya koodathu… periya problem aaghum' srishti bit her lips, holding on to Priyanka 's hand,
' Not a chance, Darling!
Onnu avanga Sasha science la expert ah irukanum… illana oru love guru va irukanum.. illati vaaipe illa!' Priyanka winked at her best friend, feeling her smile after so long,
'Avaruku.. avaruku theriyuma nu therila.. I mean.. I don't hide my feelings that well when I'm around him' she looked down, slowly blowing on Priyanka 's painted nails , they were almost dry,
' Avaruku theriyuma nu enakum therila.. given that he's very professional at college. So avaruku therinjaalu anga kaamichikaama irukalam..
But I know one thing for sure.. That man cares about you so much…. Unakaagha avaru enna vena panuvaaru nu thonuthu' she assured her,
' I'm not sure about his feelings… but unkita sollama ennala iruka mudila.. atha ellamae soliten' Srishti wiped the tears from her eyes as she felt free and relaxed,
' Ne epdi react pannuviyo nu dha konjam yosichen '
'What? You think I won't like you being in love with him?
Ada podi..Aalu semma smart.. nalla padichirkaaru.. nallavara irukaaru.. unna kanmani maathiri bathrama paathukraru.. idha vida Vera enna venu?
Most of all, You're in love for the first time in your entire life.. and you deserve this happiness ' Priyanka told her with a huge smile on her face and hugged her best friend close,
Srishti tightened the embrace, grateful to God for the blessing he has bestowed in her life in the form of her best friend.
'Ahaa ! Madam! Na unga aasa kadhalan illa.. ipdi iruki pudichitinga…
Konjam pasam avaruku vei ma paavam!' Priyanka giggled and teased her best friend before Srishti pulled away, pouting.
'Podi!' She stood up and started running away from her room making Priyanka chase her with sweet teasing.
' Pathu mani aanalu paravala.. na vanthu paakren'
Adhiran dropped Srishti home and insisted that he'd be back later that night after her brother came home from work. Srishti told him that it'd be too much trouble since it'd be past eight when Barath returns home to which Adhiran paid no heed.
Srishti had just finished a couple of assignments and decided to make dinner since Barath would be here soon. She made him a quick meal of peas pulav and chickpea gravy and cleaned up the kitchen.
Right time, Barath was home just in time for dinner.
' En Raajathi! Dinner panitiya athukulla! Bayangrama pasikuthu!' Barath hugged his baby sister close, lifting her off the ground slowly. He made her sit on the table with him ,
'Edho ennala mudinjathu ' she smiled and served them both dinner,
' Idhuvae neraya dha da.. Chandru velila poitaana?' Barath washed his hands quickly and took a bite of the pulav, ' Pramadhama cook panirke da chellam'
Srishti smiled and told him that he had left already.
' College epdi pochu? Kekanum nu nenachen… Bachelor's sikram mudiyuthu unaku' he told her, feeding her a mouthful of pulav as well,
'Ahma… she swallowed the food and fed him some as well before answering, ' College paathutae iruken.. unkita sonnen la … I've applied to Oxford as well.. '
' En thangachi oda arivu ku kandipa kedaikum ' he smiled.
' Athu.. anna.. unkita na onnu sollanum' she started,
' Enna papa?'
' Athu.. ennoda professor unna paaka varaanga.. konjam important… ' she told him,
' Professor ah? Hey, edhum prachanaya da?' Barath was instantly concerned,
' Athu.. prachana dha.. Principal kita porathilla enaku virupam illa.. athu unna paaka varaanga…' she explained him,
Barath had initially thought that it was about Chandru since he was the brat of the family. Something in him intimated that it was sister who was in trouble and not the other way around,
'Ipovae va?' he whispered in question,
'Ipovae' she affirmed.
'Okay.. but enaku pathatama iruku kanna.. neeya soldra oru vishyatha un profesor vanthu soldraangana..it's definitely serious..
Nee en enkita edhumae sollala?' he asked her, his expression immensely troubled,
' Athu… Unna kashta padutha na virumbala.. ipovum virupa padala Anna..
Aana avaru.. athu.. en professor.. avarutha unaku idhu therinje aaghanum nu vanthu pesren nu sonnaru.. unaku okay na… ' she told him, holding his arm,
' Na mothala kulichitu varen.. thala Vera valikuthu.. vanthu namba peslam' he told her before slowly walking away.
Barath came back soon, freshly showered and sat beside his little sister as he kissed her forehead. ' Anna avasara pattu kova patuten da chellam..
Ipokooda paaru.. na dha unna kozhantha maathiri paathukanum.. aana ne.. enna paathukara..
Enaku entha kashtamum vara koodathu nu nenakra.. idhela na seyanum da papa.. un annana naan dha unna paathukanum.. ' he told her, his voice lacing with so much guilt and frustration,
'Anne! Apdila illa.. Unaku already neraya kavala … idhula nanu unna kashta padutha Vanda nu nenachen avlodha
Aana ipo unna kavala pada vechiten' Srishti looked down and Barath pulled her to his heart, kissing her head softly as he clutched his little one close with so much adoration.
The doorbell rang and Adhiran stood there, still in his work clothes. His shirt tucked out of his business slacks and his time removed. He looked so perfectly casual that Srishti forgot herself for a second.
' Hello Barath, I'm Adhiran.. Srishti's Literature professor ' He shook her brother 's hands slowly taking in her frame,
Srishti was dressed comfortably in a faded blue kurta matching him perfectly, her hair in a messy bun. Her small bindi caught his attention immediately. She looked so perfectly at home,
A home that he wished he could come to.
'Ulla vaanga' Barath lead him to the living room and sat in front of him with Srishti standing close beside him,
'Firstly.. Intha nerathula vara venditha aaiduchu.. I'm sorry…' Adhiran apologized being the gentleman that he was,
' Na dha ungluku thanks sollanum.. ' Barath looked at him with so much gratitude,
' Athela paravala… Srishti konja naala neraya thaniya kashta padraanga… and she needs your help.. athuku dha na ungla pakanum nu vanthruken' he told him gently,
Srishti shrunk her nose, Such a liar! She thought. When has she ever dealt with anything alone with this man infront of her, he had been her knight in shining armor everything. He was too modest and selfless to deny the fact entirely, she thought,
' Edhunaalu sollunga' Barath sat straight,
' Dinesh nu oru paiyan.. unga thambi oda friend…. Srishti oda permission illama avanga room ku varathu.. avanga porul ah edukarthu..
Avangla harass panrathu idhela vazhakama vechirkan.. it makes me really upset to see her tired and uncomfortable in class.. ' Adhiran's eyes fell on hers, as if he was assuring that he got this,
Barath eyed Srishti with failed authority,
'Athu.. Anne.. unkita na munnadiyae solirkanum.. but idhu ivlo periya issue va aaghum nu na nenakala na.. ' she stretched her syllables anxiously,
'Avan unna enna pannan, Srishti?' Barath spoke in a time that was alien to hers, lacking the usual warmth and humor,
' He hadn't hurt me , Kadaisiya na Avan number ah block paniten nu vanthu psycho maathiri kathitu ponan'.. she assured him,
Adhiran spoke again feeling the need to express himself, ' Idhoda idhu neraya vaati aaiduchu Barath..idhe velaya vechirkan Avan..
Avan unga thangachiya neraya disturb panran.. more than she expresses..
I've a suggestion.. unga kita discuss panrathuku' Barath nodded immediately and paid honest attention,
' Na oru security company vechirken neenga sari nu sonna… Inga veetla oru alert system uhm sila cameras uhm vechikalam..
Enaku panam laam Vanda.. na idha Srishti oda safety kaagha seyanum nu nenakren..
Sari nu mattum sollunga' Adhiran eyed Srishti again before looking at her brother for confirmation,
Barath's eyes looked at Srishti's for a moment, his heart ached that his little angel had to go through so much and he wasn't even there for her to confide in, 'Anne.. athu-
' Na neraya naal veetlayae irukarthu illa.. Dinesh adikadi Inga vanthutu poran..
Ethana naal ne bayanthutae intha veetla irunthrupa.. un pakathula kooda na irunthathu illa… Barath turned to look at Adhiran again, ' Edhumae sollama avale thaniya samalichirka..
She's… she's too strong ' Barath's voice fell into a dull whisper,
'Na paathruken, Barath' Adhiran replied in the same tone,
'Neenga sonna ellathukum enaku samatham..
Cameras ku na panam koduthudren.. Dinesh inime intha veetla kaaladi eduthu vekka maatan' he assured him,
' Apdina sari.. ' Adhiran smiled slowly before standing up , ' Na poitu varen '
Barath stood up as well , offering his hand for Adhiran to shake. He held both of his palms holding his and Srishti adored the sight of two favorite men, finding solace and smiling at eachother.
Adhiran's eyes fell on Srishti again and she didn't need moments to decipher his silent request,
'Athu.. anna.. na.. bye solitu vanthudren' She slowly told him before hopping outside the door .
Barath simply nodded and Srishti felt his eyes on her as he hopped out of the door. But didn't gather the intention that moment as she came to face her professor's moonlit face.
'Iniku romba kulurthu.. he huffed again, ' I don't want to keep you here for long' he mumbled,
' Na ungluku thanks solla vanthen' she looked into his eyes before fiddling with her tiny palms, ' And.. I'm sorry.. ungluku sapudrathuko kudikarthuko onnumae thara mudila.. anga iruntha situation la.. ' she bit her lips softly,
' Evlo pasi la vanthen theriyuma.. verumna anupra enna.. ' he took a step forward, his warm palms rubbed her cold forearms letting her borrow his heat,
Srishti's doe shaped eyes widened in response and Adhiran chuckled , removing her spectacles as he let her hold it,
'Na soldratha kelu.. Cameras ku enaku panam laam Vanda …As I mentioned… I have my own security company…
Poems and literature weren't my only strong suit ' he smirked in a way that made Srishti 's senses dilute and disappear for a moment,
'Amma oda Bakery la unga card paathen.. College layum neenga dhaana cameras vechinga?' she let out the question that occupied her,
'Naan dha vechen.. Unna paathukarthu kaagha' he smiled at her and Srishti melted right there,
' Thank you' ,He had no idea how much that meant to her,
' Unga anna romba nallavaru.. he's expecting you to trust him.. prachana na avaru kita sollanum nu edhirpaakararu' he slowly smiled,
' Unga shift ah avaru edukitaara enna' Srishti smiled hesitantly,
' Shift relieves panidlama ,madam?' He teased her, in mock seriousness,
' That's not what I want ' She whispered as she gazed at him with those eyes that begged him to come closer and conquer her all to himself. He must've gotten the gist as he stepped forward to cup her cheek,
" Stars azhaga irukula iniku.. they make the night sky so unbelievably beautiful." She whispered Trying to steady herself as she visibly drank in his proximity. Adhiran sighed, 'Sasha?'
' hmmm?' she was still looking at the night sky,
' This isn't about the stars, Sweetheart .. his thumb let it's soft caress on her spongy cheek again, his index finger rising up to fix her little bindi properly, ' This is about the moon ' he breathed and came closer to kiss her forehead tenderly,
Adhiran rested his forehead against hers and slowly moved downwards , his nose tracing the side of her nose bridge, coming to her cheek before pulling away, 'Un Anna theduvaanga… he got the glasses from her hands and made her wear it again, ' Ulla po, Sasha' he whispered.
Srishti nodded before walking back into her home , afraid that her naive little heart would turn into a covet wanting more if she had stayed in his proximity any longer. He must've read her eyes so closely as he chose to leave a kiss on the most innocent surface of her face instead of her wanton lips,
How will she look into his eyes the next day?
'Unaku avara pudichiruku ' Echoed Barath's voice as she entered the living room slowly,
'Anna.. avaru en professor.. na-
' Idhuku mela enkita edhum sollama maraikaatha Sasha.. ' his face didn't hold anger ,but patience. 'Sollu.. unglukulla?-
'Avaru romba nallavaru na.. he's very professional… avaru enna thappa oru paarva kooda pathathu illa..' she defended him, every word from the bottom of her heart,
'Na unna nambaren da chellam.. ' Barath sighed before talking again, ' Na ketathuku bathil sollu please'
' Athu oru vishayama enna?' she smiled sadly, ' Ne kavala padra alavuku onnu illa na..
Enaku avara pudichiruku… but avaruku Athela theriyaathu … neeya kekara apdina athu velipadaya theriyuthunu artham…
But he doesn't notice it … and it's probably for the best ' she hugged him one more time before heading back to sleep.
Outside, in the lonely streets of Boston was Adhiran's car as he sat there in the driver's seat, clutching a book of Donne's poems. The radio in his car played the exact song that they danced to that night.
Kannodu thondrum siru kanneeril aadum
Kai serum kaalam adhai en nenjam thedum
Idhudhaanae en aasaigal
Anbae…
He eyed the moon outside, clutching the book close to his heart, his chiseled fingers tapping along the song as he mumbled the words, confessing his heart's deepest desire to the lone moon.
Tbc
Hey guys!
Posting the next chapter as I've finished writing already!
I hope you'll like this one!
And yes, It's my pleasure to read all the comments you left me in the previous chapter! Thank you darlings!
Sending love!!