The moon hung low in the velvety sky as the night embraced its deepest hours. The air was thick with suspense as Kathir and Jeeva navigated the shadowy landscape.
K (whispered) - Dai..sari idhu onnum sariya padala da..thirumbi poidalam da
Kathir's voice was barely audible amidst the hushed surroundings.
J - Sshh..kathada da..maatika porom..
Jeeva replied, his tone filled with a mix of excitement and caution.
K - Edhu..maatipoma..nee poi maatiko da..enna aala vidu..naan poren
J - Appadi ellam cholla kudadu..eppadiyum bet thothala..polambama vada.. hmmm..ippo indha sevura eppadi eri kudikradu nu yosi..
Jeeva explained, his enthusiasm undeterred.
Kathir hoisted Jeeva up, his movements careful to avoid any unnecessary noise. Following suit, Kathir scaled the wall, their clandestine adventure unfolding under the veiled gaze of the night. They descended a tree on the other side of the wall, each step shrouded in a cloak of secrecy. The distant chimes of a clock struck midnight, adding an air of mystery to their escapade.
Their destination revealed itself — a white building standing serenely in the moonlit night. Jeeva froze, causing Kathir to crash into him. Suppressing a groan, Kathir was about to voice his discontent when Jeeva silenced him with a subtle finger to his lips. Motioning toward something ahead, Jeeva directed Kathir's attention to an old man, slouched in a chair, blissfully snoring away.
With practiced stealth, Jeeva tiptoed past the old man, his every movement calculated to avoid disturbance. Kathir, momentarily dazed, quickly caught up, and together they approached the enigmatic white building. As they entered, the thrill of the night elevated, and somewhere in the corridors of time, a clock struck midnight, sealing their clandestine venture in the tapestry of their shared memories.
Further down the corridor..Jeeva stopped Kathir
J - Dei.. nee ingayae nillu..wardon vara maadiri irundha signal kudu..
Jeeva instructed, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
Kathir, taken aback, raised his eyebrows.
K - Edhu..naan.. ingaya..warden enna paathuta?
J - Paakada maadiri maranju nillu da..ellathayum sollanuma unakku..signal marandudada
Jeeva insisted, a sense of urgency coloring his words
K - Aana eppadi da..enna signal kudukradu..signal kudukum podhu warden kum kekum la..appo naan maatikitena
Kathir reasoned, his skepticism evident.
Jeeva, undeterred and wearing a mischievous smile, grabbed Kathir's arm.
J - University rank vangura un moolaya use panni edachum yosichu pannu da..
K - University rank naan indha maadiri vishayathula vaangalada..ozhunga enna panradu nu sollittu po
J - Ennavo pannu da.. naan poren..signal marandudada
With that, Jeeva dashed away, leaving Kathir fuming with a mix of annoyance and intrigue.
As Kathir lingered in the quiet corridor, the muted atmosphere of the girls' hostel enveloped him in an unfamiliar tranquility. Doors lined both sides of the hallway, standing as silent sentinels to the mysteries concealed within. A chuckle escaped him at the realization of the early slumber that seemed to dominate this side of the hostel. The stark contrast to the nocturnal life of the boys' hostel, where the night truly awakened after midnight, couldn't have been more pronounced.
His amusement, however, was short-lived. A door creaked open, and boisterous voices spilled into the corridor. The abrupt disturbance jolted Kathir from his mirth, replacing it with a tinge of panic. Wide-eyed, he scanned his surroundings, a sudden realization dawning that he needed to find refuge swiftly.
His heart pounding, he hastened towards the closest door, propelled by an instinct to seek sanctuary. With a swift motion, he pushed open the door, darted inside, and closed it silently behind him. A relieved exhale escaped him as he took a moment to steady himself, grateful for the concealment the room provided.
As his eyes adjusted to the soft ambient light, the room revealed itself to him. A massive poster of Vijay adorned the wall, offering a reassuring smile. Over the bed, lighted stars dangled, casting a gentle glow upon a bedsheet adorned with blue and white florals. The room exuded an undeniable feminine charm.
On a desk, a laptop sat with an air of silent sophistication, accompanied by meticulously arranged books. The shelves, adorned with neatly stacked volumes, harbored not only the treasures of literature but also a small idol of Pillayar and a dancing Nataraj. It was a room that spoke of someone with a balance of academic pursuits and spiritual inclinations.
However, the serenity of the moment was interrupted by the distant sound of a girl's voice outside the door. Kathir, eyebrows raised in alertness, instinctively moved behind the door, adopting a stance that blended with the shadows. The door swung open, revealing a vision that momentarily stole his breath away.
A girl, the epitome of beauty, stepped into the room with a radiant smile that could rival the stars. Kathir, his heart echoing the cadence of her entrance, felt an involuntary skip—a heartbeat dancing to a rhythm only she orchestrated.
Mullai bid farewell to her friend Priya, closing the door behind her as she stepped into the quiet refuge of her room. Little did she know that the tranquility of the night was about to be shattered.
As the latch clicked into place, she turned around, perhaps contemplating the events of the day. However, the universe had a different plan. Her eyes, wide with surprise, metamorphosed into an expression of sheer disbelief. A scream, an unrestrained manifestation of her astonishment, danced at the tip of her tongue but found no escape.
A sudden intrusion silenced her. A firm hand, warm and commanding, enveloped her mouth, and she found herself pressed against the door. It was Kathir, a shadow emerging from the concealed corners of her room.
P - Mullai?
Priya's concerned voice floated in from the other side of the door.
P - Ennadi..enna aachu.. en kathuna..
Mullai, eyes still holding the echoes of her initial shock, met Kathir's gaze. There was a moment—a fleeting second—where their eyes engaged in a silent conversation. Hers, a blend of innocence and magic, captivated him, pulling him into an orbit where time seemed to stretch.
The trance was broken by a blink, and Kathir, catching his breath, inched closer. His heart, an unruly symphony of beats, echoed in the silence of the room. Leaning towards her, he whispered, his words a secret shared between two conspirators.
K - Plz..bayapadada..kathada.. oru nimisham naan solrada porumaya kelu..naan amaithiya poiduven..ippo nee satham pottena..theva illada prachanai varum..oru friend love ku help panna vandu ippadi maatikitten..ippo nee kathunana andha ponnum maatikuva..en friendum dan..plz kathada..ippo kaiya edukuren..katha maatala?
Her response was a tilt of the head, an arch of those expressive eyebrows that painted a question in the air. A silent understanding passed between them. He continued, the words a mere murmur,
K - Hmm..so katha maatenu solra..appadi danae..
He looked into her eyes, at his hand muffling any potential outcry, and back to her. She nodded, a hesitant agreement, and then, as if a sudden realization struck her, she raised her eyebrows again, oscillating between affirming and contradicting her nod. The corner of Kathir's lips twitched, a restrained smile threatening to break free.
As Kathir withdrew his hand, the room seemed to exhale a collective breath, and the fragile equilibrium between secrecy and revelation hung in the air. The subtle click of the door closing amplified the quiet tension, leaving only the echoes of an interrupted scream.
P - Mullai? Ennadi..edhavadu sollu..are you ok?
Priya's voice, a beacon of concern, infiltrated the room from beyond its confines. Mullai, her composure hastily rearranged, turned to Kathir with a fleeting urgency.
M - Ahnn..ahn..Priya..onnumilla..adhu..adhu..roomkulla oru karupanpoochi..adhan..
P - Adiyae..karapanpoochi ka ippadi kathuna..bayandae poiten
M - Adhu onnum illadi..konjam periya size karapanpoochi..adhan bayandhuten..nee po..poi thoongu..late aagiduchu paaru..
P - Hmm..Sari..poren..thirumba kathi andha karapanpoochiya bayamburuthidada..Good night..
Priya's parting words carried a lightness, a teasing giggle. As Priya's footsteps faded, the room returned to its cocoon of secrecy.
Mullai's gaze, now focused on Kathir, carried an unspoken interrogation.
M - Yaaru nee? Inga enna panra..en roomla?
The questions, sharp and direct, hung in the air, demanding answers Kathir wasn't entirely ready to provide.
Kathir, unfazed, folded his arms across his chest, a gesture that mirrored the defiance in his gaze. Mullai, feeling the intensity of his stare, looked away momentarily, gathering her thoughts.
M - Inga paaru..nee yaara vena irundutu po..modhalla inga irundu kilambu..illa kathi oora kootiduven..
Mullai asserted, her voice carrying a note of determination.
Kathir, seemingly amused, smirked in response.
K - Oh...appadiya..kathu..ellarum varatum..vandhu enna edhunu kekatum..naanum solren..nee dan enna inga vara sonnenu..eppadi vasadi..
The mischievous glint in his eyes mirrored the subtle twist in his words, and Mullai, initially perplexed, suddenly raised her eyebrows in a realization that bordered on amusement.
A fleeting silence followed Kathir's revelation, and his once-confident smile dissipated. The sudden shift in atmosphere had Mullai instinctively taking a step back, and she retreated until the door pressed against her spine. The subtle sound of her retreat mirrored the unspoken tension in the room.
Closing the physical gap, Kathir advanced, his movements measured and deliberate. He positioned his hands on either side of her against the door, creating a caged space between them. His voice, steady and matter-of-fact, cut through the charged air.
K - Inga paaru..ennakkum inga un roomla vandu maatikanumnu vendudhal illa..en friend avan aala paaka varadukku..ennayum izhuthutu vandu inga vittutu poitan..enakku thirumbi ponomnu aasai dan..aana eppadi poradunu theriyala..inda hostel pathi enakku onnum theriyadhu..inga irundu maatikama veliya poradukku nee dan help pannanum..sariya?
Mullai's response was a raise of her eyebrows, a gesture that captured her skepticism.
M - Enna...appo un friend ah..ambo nu vittutu poiduviya?
She questioned, a subtle defiance threading her tone.
Kathir, undeterred, offered a nonchalant smile.
K - Avan inga regular ah vandu poitu dan irukan..adhellam andha nai correct ah escape aagi vandudum
His demeanor, however, concealed a layer of complexity, leaving Mullai to grapple with a mix of curiosity and unease.
As the weight of the moment settled, Kathir, realizing the proximity was making her uneasy, tactfully shifted away. Mullai, her gaze reluctantly meeting his, observed the subtle retreat. She adjusted her salwar top, a physical manifestation of regaining composure in the aftermath of an unsettling closeness.
In a soft tone, Kathir apologized,
K - Sorry..adhu..naan..avlo kitta nikurenu realise pannala..
His words, a gentle acknowledgment, echoed in the room. Mullai's eyes locked with his deep, brown gaze, felt an unexpected surge of sensations coursing through her. The tingling sensation that enveloped her body was an unfamiliar dance between discomfort and an unspoken connection that defied rationality.
In an impulsive move, Mullai swiftly pivoted, her dark curls cascading around her shoulders, and approached the door. A sense of urgency lingered in the room, underscored by the hushed creak of the door. She glanced cautiously into the deserted corridor, gauging the coast before decisively shutting the door.
Turning back to Kathir, she articulated a solution,
M - Hmmm..corridor la yaarum illa..nee kilambu
Her eyes met Kathir's, an unspoken understanding passing between them.
Kathir reciprocated with a warm smile and, with measured steps, started toward the door. As Mullai opened it, she deftly tiptoed out, a silent invitation for him to follow suit. The corridor stretched before them, devoid of any prying eyes or curious onlookers.
Yet, a sudden shift in Mullai's demeanor disrupted the calm exit scenario. She raised her eyebrows in a gesture that foretold a change in plan. In a swift maneuver, she turned on her heels, her hands finding a place on Kathir's chest, gently pushing him back into her room. The door, a barrier between the outside world and the private tension within, obediently followed her command.
With a decisive click, Mullai sealed them in. The room's muted light bathed them in a shared secrecy. Kathir, momentarily bewildered, raised his eyebrows in inquiry, prompting Mullai to take control. She paced backward, creating distance, her eyes assessing the newfound proximity.
But Kathir, undeterred, ventured closer. Mullai, caught in a momentary lapse of balance, instinctively turned, finding herself standing dangerously close to him. As the edges of her world blurred, she lost her equilibrium, her body falling against his.
In an unexpected ballet, Kathir's arms instinctively enveloped her, both succumbing to the pull of gravity. A moment frozen in time unfolded as they tumbled backward, the bed welcoming their descent with a creak, echoing the resonance of a shared, unforeseen connection.
When Mullai opened her eyes, she realized that she was lying on top of Kathir, her hands around his neck. She looked into his brown eyes again and gulped. She could feel his tight abdominal muscles pressed against her chest and tummy. She hadn't noticed how handsome he was before; his chiseled jaw, his luscious lips, his brown eyes.. yes.. his eyes.. there was something about them; she couldn't stop looking at them.
K - Ei..enna panra..en mela irundhu endhiri modhala..konjam azhaga irunduda kudadae..odanae vizhunduduveengalae
The abruptness of Kathir's voice, breaking through the silence, jolted Mullai's thoughts. She turned toward him, her eyes wide in bewilderment. Pushing herself away from him, she stood up with a mix of surprise and frustration.
M - Aiyae..Azahgana payan?..aala paaru..naana onnum mela vizhala..nee dhan pudichu izhutha..appuram..endhirikavum vidala..ellathayum nee pannitu..ippo enna korai solriya
Mullai retorted, her irritation evident. Kathir, sitting up on the bed, seemed unfazed.
K - Ahn..adhu..nee dhan enna thalluna modhala..
Mullai, now settled on a nearby chair, shot him an annoyed look.
M - Adhu.. Warden rounds vandutu irukanga
Kathir, displaying feigned innocence, raised his eyebrows.
K - Nijamava..naan paakalayae?
Mullai couldn't help but giggle.
M - Adhellam..avanga mohini pisasu maadhiri..kannukellam theriya maatanga..vara satham mattum dan kekkum..adhum hostel la irukum engalukku mattum dan kekkum
K - Summa..Kadhai vidada..
Their exchange was abruptly interrupted by a stern knock on her door. A voice, commanding and unyielding, pierced the darkness.
W - Mullai.. innum light pottu vechi kittu enna panra?
Mullai, shooting a quick glance at the door and then back at Kathir, raised her eyebrows in silent communication.
M (gestured) - Sonnenla..
W - Mullai!!
The authoritative voice persisted.
M - Ahn..yes mam..padichitu irunden mam..ippo off panniduren
She responded promptly. Rising from the chair, she navigated through the darkened room to switch off the light. The room descended into complete darkness. Mullai, now facing a void, turned around, her senses on high alert. She couldn't discern where Kathir was, the unknown adding an element of uncertainty to the obscurity that enveloped them.
K - Ei..relax..bayapadada
Came his voice, a reassurance that echoed in the darkened room. Mullai, still grappling with the uncertainty of the unseen, gulped audibly.
K - Naan..unna onnum panna maaten..naan appadi patta payan kidayadu..naan vena inga thoorama indha oorathula ninnukuren..you relax
M - Illa.. illa..parava illa..nee bed layae okaru..no problem.. bayam lam illa
Mullai responded, her voice a mixture of unease and courtesy.
Kathir, seated on the bed, sought to clarify the unexpected intrusion.
K - Inga paaru..Enna mannichiru..un room kulla ippadi vandadu thappu..sathyama venumnu pannala..veliya ninnutu irunden..thideernu neraya ponnunga vara maadiri satham kettudu..enna panradu nu theriyama..maatikakudadunu padhatathula yosikama indha room kulla vanduten..sorry..
M - Adhu..naanga ellarum Padhu akka room la..next culturals pathi discuss pannitu irundom..meeting mudinju veliya varum podhu dan satham ketrukum..
K - Oh..Culturals..adhan unna engayo patha maadiri irukku..nee dance aadura ponnula..recenta kannalanae ku aaduniyae..un peru Mullai..right?
Mullai, caught in the spontaneity of the moment, smiled and blushed. She raised her eyebrows, a subtle acknowledgment of the unexpected warmth flooding her cheeks. Why was she blushing? She was happy that he recognized her. Why?
K - Nee nalla aadura...
Suddenly, there was a sound of a match striking. In the flickering flame, she saw Kathir's face. Mullai gulped; there was that familiar tingling sensation again. Kathir, too, gulped as he saw Mullai's face, glowing in the soft light; she looked like an angel.
K - Candle irukka?
Mullai nodded and reached for one on the shelf. He lit the candle. She took it from him and placed it on her desk.
K - Ahn..enna sollitu irunden..un performance paathu iruken..supera aadura..semma graceful..beautiful expressions..especially..last week kannalanae vera level..
Mullai, still absorbing the unexpected compliment, blushed deeper. Words momentarily eluded her. Normally, she would have responded with humility, a modest acknowledgment of her skills. But with him, it felt different.
M - Thanks..but naan konjam sumara dan aaduven..school padikum podhu oru summerla edhirtha veetu aunty konjam solli kuduthanga..adha vechi tu edho oppethitu iruken..nee pugazhra alvukku ellam illa
K - Ei..naan summa lam sollala..enakkum konjam dance theriyum..enga amma kuda dancer dan..stage performance lam panni irukanga..avanga dance pathu valandavan naan..so I know..
Mullai's eyebrows ascended in genuine surprise.
M - Appadiya..unga amma peru enna..maybe enakku theriyuma nu paakuren?
K - Lakshmi.. Lakshmi Pandiyan..
Mullai, with an excited smile, exclaimed,
M - Enna..Lakshmi aunty ya..Chennai la..Adyar la irukangalae..avangala?
K - Unakku theriyuma..enga ammava?
M - Unga edhirtha veetla irukangalae..Shanmugam thatha..Vijaya paati..naan avanga loda pethi..summer holidays ku anga varuven..appo dan Lakshmi aunty enakku dance solli kuduthanga..nee dan irukka maata..leave ku unga thatha paati ooruku pova la..Kunnakudi danae unga sondha ooru..un peru Kathir danae..aunty unna pathi neraya solli irukanga..meet pannadhu dan illa
The revelation unfolded a new layer, weaving a connection through shared experiences. In the intimate glow of the candle, Mullai and Kathir found themselves navigating the delicate space between strangers and the unspoken familiarity of shared passions
K - Oh yeah..Shanmugham thatha voda pethi nee dana..amma unna pathi enkittayum niraya solli irukanga..unna rhomba pudikum avangalukku..neeyum naanum kuda nalla..
Mullai raised her eyebrows.
M - Nalla?
Kathir smiled.
K - Neeyum naanum nalla..nalla.. FRIENDS ah irundu irupom nu..amma solvanga..adha sonnen..
Mullai opened her eyes wide. She looked away. An awkward silence hung between them, broken abruptly by a ringing phone.
M - Ssshh...
Mullai jumped up and moved to Kathir. She slipped and fell on him, her face on his shoulder, her arms around him. He put one arm around her while answering the call with his other hand.
Kathir whispered.
K - Ahn..Solra Jeeva..
J - Ennada ragasiyama pesura..enga irukka..
Kathir looked at Mullai, and she looked at him; their noses brushed against each other. Mullai stood up straight.
K - Hmmm iruken..adha vidu..kilambara idea irukka illaya unakku..5 nimishathula veliya irukanum solliten
Kathir stood up. Mullai stepped back and looked away.
Kathir cut the call and looked at her. He said softly, almost hesitantly, Mullai noted.
K - Hmmm..appo naan kilambaren..
Mullai nodded, turned around, and walked to the door. Her back facing him, she opened the door and closed her eyes. Her heart felt heavy. Kathir walked to the door and stopped. He looked at her; she looked at him, their eyes met. He turned around and walked away. She let out a sigh, disappointed, and started to close the door.
Suddenly her eyes opened wide as someone put their arm through the door and pushed it open. Mullai raised her eyebrows as she saw Kathir step in.
M - Enna..enna aachu..Warden thirumba vandutangala?
Kathir shook his head,
K - Illa..illa..adhu..adhu..onnum illa..maranduten..enna na..
Mullai smiled. She took his hand in hers, took his mobile phone, and typed something in it. He looked at her confused. Suddenly a phone rang and stopped.
She smiled, a naughty twinkle in her eye as she handed the phone back to him.
M - Ippo en number unga kitta irukku..eppo nyabagam varudo..phone panni sollu..illa na naalaikku break la canteen la dan irupen..anga nerla vandu kuda sollalam
Kathir smiled and said excited,
K - Sirappu..appo..paakalam.. kandippa paakalam..bye..
He stepped outside the door, stopped, turned around, and said, "Bye," softly.
Mullai felt her knees go weak. She smiled and watched him walk away. He reached the end of the corridor, turned around, smirked, and disappeared. Mullai closed the door and leaned against it. She had a wide grin on her face, which had turned a bright crimson. She cheered!
Kathir jumped down from the wall and landed right next to Jeeva.
J - Adei..nallavanae..enga da ponna..ivlo nerama
Jeeva asked, confused.
Kathir had a wide grin on his face. He turned to Jeeva and threw his arms around him.
J - Elei..ennada aachu unakku..
Kathir pulled away and smiled.
K - Thanks machan..Thank u so much..nanbenda..
He turned around and walked away, with the same wide grin on his face..while Jeeva watched him walk away, confused.