Third Person's POV:

" what do you mean she left you?" Prasanth asked Shiva who is furiously walking around his room.

" She was distracted from the very beginning of the movie. Constantly trying to call her mom. Then after speaking over the phone , she just left me standing there all alone. " Shiva said angrily.

" Maybe it's very urgent." His friend reasoned.

" so what? whatever it was, she could have atleast told me. I would have gladly accompanied her. But she just took off. She didn't call me till now." Shiva fumed.

" Shiva, you needs to calm down. " Prasanth patted his shoulders. Shiva slumped onto his couch and closed his eyes for a while. His mobile vibrated indicating he got a text message.

It's from Narmada.

" Sorry Shiva, My mom is unwell. So only I left in a hurry."

"what did she say?" enquired Prasanth.

" her mom is unwell. " Shiva sighed.

" Then go and visit her mom. " Prasanth advised him.
"dude, she's like butterfly. Whenever I tries to get near her, she flies away. She's not letting me in her life." Shiva said and sulked .
" relax, man. I heard a lot about her. She's nicknamed as ice queen in that building. She denied every proposal she got. She is a tough nut to crack. You need to get on her mom's good side. Dude, she is very much attached to her mom. That's probably her only weakness. It's the only way at the moment. Time is running out. " his friend told him.
" you're right. I will go now." Shiva took bike keys and walked out. On his way, he bought a dozen of apples. When he went there, Rekha and Brinda are already there and are having sleepover. They didn't even allow Narmada to talk with him. So, he formally enquired Narmada's mom about her health. Knowing he can't do anything, he excused himself and walked out.

He hit the front wheel of his bike once, trying to release his frustration but it didn't help.

****

" unnaku yevlavu dhaireyam iruntha evan companyla irunthu 10 lacham panam edudhurupa?( how dare you are to take 10 lakhs from his company?)" Sundaravalli asked her elder brother angrily.
Unexpectedly, she slapped him right across his face.
" I have told you many times, it is not about his money. I don't want his money. get it in your thick skull. I warned you before not to forge company accounts. But you never listen. Greedy dog. From tomorrow, you are not going to the office. I will appoint someone. "
Her brother looks down in shame as the goons watched the entire thing. He was also angry over his sister for humiliating him infront of their servants.

He makes a vow to himself to avenge this with his sister when time comes.

Udhay's POV:

" seriously anna, you referred her as pumpkin." Rekha asked me for the nth time before burst into laughing again. She clutched her stomach while doing it.

" that's not funny. " I told her . I then smiled remembering the conversation between me and Narmada. She talked with me normally.

" I didn't know it was her." I defended myself.

" consider yourself lucky that she let it go as you helped her mom. " Rekha told me and walked towards her room.
" Rekha, Narmada doesn't know I am your brother , does she?" I asked and she immediately stopped dead on her tracks.
" no, I didn't tell her!" she replied nervously.
" thought so. You better tell her though. " I told her as I don't want any problem between them.
" she will eventually get to know." She shrugged off as if it is no big deal.

Narmada's POV:

Both Brinda and Rekha are sleeping peacefully after watching movie marathon the entire night yesterday. Sadly , they didn't let me sleep whereas my mom slept peacefully in the room.

I woke them up and made them sleep inside the room instead of living room. I made coffee and poured it into two cups. Mom came and took one while I sipped on the another. Her mobile ring.
She started to talk about some gossips . not again, I sighed and didn't pay any heed to her conversation.

After ending her call, amma told me " naalaiku Navin ku birthday. Vanitha voda paiyan. Vanitha unna vida china ponnu. paru avaluku kalyalam aagi ,ippa paiyanu 3 vayasu. ( tomorrow Navin's birthday. Vanitha's son. She's younger than you. But see she's married and now has 3 year old son.)"

" ippa avaluku kalyanam ayiduchinu varutha paduriya?( are you feeling bad for that she's married?)" I asked her , slightly annoyed.

" chi illa. Enaku en ponnuku agalayenu thaan varutham. kadavule, nee thaan evaluku naala boothiya kodukam.( nah, I am feeling bad for you. god, give her good mind.)"

" ok, Doctor told you to rest. So, you stay . I will go and get some gift for him. Then, wake Rekha and Brinda after an hour and send them to their place." I replied and took off in a flash before she starts her marriage talks yet again.

I trudged down the street until I reached the packed mall and started to wander around. I kept my head down and tried to blend in. As I walked past the large toy shop, trying to decide on what a little boy would want for his birthday, I crashed into someone.

I raised my head and automatically stumbled over an apology.

I met the gaze of the person in front of me. Oh, darn. It was someone who I had been hoping not to see. Shiva stood in front of me. Looking down at me expectantly.

"So, why are you out shopping today?"

"Well, I'm looking for a birthday present for my neighbour's son. He turns three in a couple of days. Amma is not well , so it's my job to find his gift." I replied with a soft chuckle.

" your laugh is like music to my ears. " he said trying to be cheesy.
" But I'm not having very much luck so far." I said ,trying to change the topic.

"I'll help you, if you want". The words shot out of his mouth without any second thought. "Sure. I'd really appreciate it."

" I knew next to nothing about children but I am certain that there is at least one shop in here that sold kids toys and stuff." he said trying to lighten the mood. I smiled at him.

I found a toy store nearby. There are children running around inside, exclaiming about the various cars or princess dolls they saw. Some of them are screaming because their parents said no to a certain thing.

I remembered how my appa used to take me to toy shops and buy me everything I ask for. This made me kind of hesitant to enter the shop. After bracing myself , I entered the shop.

Shiva walked down one of the isle for toy cars and army men. He picked up a large brightly coloured gun. The packaging proclaimed it was a mini Nerf gun that shot foam bullets. He asked my opinion on it. My thoughts are that why would anyone want a gun that didn't shot real bullets? It was kind of useless without actual bullets in it. But he had this big smile on her face which I didn't want to ruin. So, I just said that I think that Navin might like it.

I returned home.I giggled at the image of Shiva today in the kids toy store.

He had looked scared and horrified at all the children jumping around and begging their parents for toys. It was quite hilarious. Especially when a little girl threw a massive fit when her dad wouldn't buy her a deluxe Barbie dream doll house. She threw herself on the floor and started screaming. With her face beet red, her tiny fists and feet flailing she had screamed one glass shattering scream after another until her father gave in.

Shiva had grabbed my arm and shielded my body against the child as we walked past. As if she was protecting me from a gun. He had edged me around the girl and dragged me away, only relaxing when we are in a different aisle.

I appreciated his effort but it was unnecessary. I loved children, even when they are crying and screaming. They are the joys of this world, so pure, cute and little. You can teach children so much, their minds are always clear.

Obviously Shiva didn't agree with me on this one, going by the look on his face at the time.

**

As the days went on, Shiva and I developed a much better relationship. We are like real good friends now. I told him all about my dad and how me and mom ended up here. He comforted me and encouraged me a lot. He even bought me some useful notes for my M.Phil.

"Wait, you're dating Shiva?" Brinda asked, raising her eyebrows, popping a chicken piece in her mouth. We are eating lunch in the cafeteria.

"Uh no, I don't. He's just a good friend. why do you ask like that?" I smiled. I still don't understand why she and Rekha didn't like him? But the feelings are mutual from both side. He doesn't like them and they doesn't like him.

Rekha too joined us in the table. She played ghost prank on the tenant family who stayed on the top floor of my house and got them to vacate the place. Then she and Brinda took it for themselves. They hardly leaves me alone .

But all brinda did was frown. "What?" I asked her.

"Well, what about Udhay?" Brinda asked while Rekha eyed me curiously. maybe because we are talking about her boss.

"What about him?" I asked her back.

"Come on, he loves you and eventhough you don't agree, you like him not Shiva." Hearing her saying this, I frowned.

"You're totally kidding. He's not my type, Bri. We will never be a couple."

"Whatever you say, " Brinda said, Rekha's eyes widened, I got mad.

"Seriously, you're not gonna be like, happy for me ?" I snapped at Brinda.

"Not really. I am your friend.  I think you and Udhay would be better. There's some things you don't know about Shiva yet. " her eyebrows raised.

"Like what?"

I seriously couldn't believe her. I didn't understand why she isn't happy with me being with Shiva, I mean, he is a great guy.

"You know what, if you're just not gonna be supportive, then I don't want to talk to you." I growled, standing up, and Brinda shrugged.

"Fine, don't believe me, Narmada. Your stubbornness will be your downfall one day." She said simply.

I am about to walk out of the cafeteria angrily when my eyes landed on Udhay. He entered with a girl , laughing to something that girl said to him. I clenched my fists. A pit of jealousy and envy erupted inside me. I don't have any right to feel like that.

He's a good guy. Ofcourse there will be a lot of girls fall in line for him. He's rich and has good looks.

" are you ok?" Rekha asked me with concern when she saw me zoned out. I nodded not believing my voice. I excused myself and came out from there.

I slammed my palm on my face. I groaned to myself. It can't be. This can't be happening.

It doesn't matter how many times I deny it to myself . But the truth is I like him.

This is so wrong.

****

Hi all,

it's been a while since I updated. But I am very busy with my studies.

anyways, here it is. I will try to update soon. but the next chapter update is in my friend's hands. After she post her story, I will update. I hope she get my message.

thanks for all those who read , comment and vote for this story.