Narmada's POV:

Udhay's eyes are on me as he walked inside the cafeteria. His gaze went from me to Shiva and I could almost see hurt in his eyes. Is he still not over me?
" so, um, can I come to your house in the evening?" Shiva asked. " I really want to see your mom." he added. I didn't say anything as I watched Udhay talking animatedly to his friend. His friend then angrily came towards our direction. I grabbed my bag and stood up. I don't want any arguments in here that too while Shiva is with me.
" um, I got to go now. Urgent work." I said quietly , glancing at Udhay's friend who are walking our way. Udhay following him closely behind. He got so close to us and I thought he is going to lash out at me. But he just walked past me , and I felt like a weight just lifted off my shoulders.
" um, are you okay?" Shiva asked as he walked towards me. I nodded.
" who is that guy?" he asked ,pointing towards Udhay.
" I don't know. A stranger." I lied pathetically.
His eyes didn't leave mine and I looked away in nervousness.
He shrugged and led me outside. I am glad that he drop it.
" so , about meeting your mom?" He started but I cut him off. " yes , you can. " I am really not in a mod to have a conversation. Why can't he get the clue?
" ok, then. I will give you ride back as I don't your address." He replied and went inside the lift.
I went back to my seat and started working.
I am worried about how Shiva will react seeing our house for He still thinks me that I am rich and doing job to be independent. I don't want anyone to know about my past. As he said earlier, Shiva waited for me with his bike when I walked outside the building to the busstop.
" avoiding me? " he asked. I thought for a minute about what to say.
" just joking. shall we leave?" he asked me smiling.
" umm. Ok." I replied and told him directions to my house. Me and my mom live in a small house comprising one bedroom, kitchen and hall. It's a single house and the owner , Narayan uncle lives two street across our house.
" you live here?" he asks shocked as I thought.
" yes.long story. Now , come in." with that I walked in and pressed doorbell. Mom opened the door.

"Hi, mom," I greeted my mom with a big hug. Shiva too came after parking his bike in a corner.
" amma, Shiva, my classmate from high school. Shiva, this is my amma, Pavithra" I introduced eachother.

"Oh, hi dear," amma said, surprised to see me with Shiva. Her eyes lit up. Not again. I sighed.
My mom doesn't even seen Udhay . But She likes him just by his letter. When asked, she replied her instincts is telling he's good for me. She still argues with me for him. I mean , come on I am her kid not him. I don't want her to add Shiva to the list.

" hello mam! How are you?" He asked cheerfully as he sat down in a sofa.
" Kuttima, you both sit and talk. I will be back soon." She walked to the kitchen happily.

" kuttima huh?" he asked playfully.
" it's my petname. she calls me like that eversince I am a kid." I replied as my cheeks brighten.
" hey I forget to ask you. How are your parents? " I asked him. His face expression changed into serious one.
" they're not with me." he replied gloomily.
" oh, I am sorry. " I said and then we just talked about our other classmates. He's still in touch with almost everyone he studied with on Facebook.
I don't have any Facebook account. Maybe if I create one, I will find her. I discard that thought a while later.
Mom returned with a tray of her homemade savouries and two cups of tea.

I drank it while changing channels.
Shiva went on to praise my mom after munching a few chips, "How do you make such delicious snack, aunty?"

My mom shrugged, enjoying the compliment, "it comes naturally. Here, have some more."

Shiva continued his sugary flattery, " aunty seriously, there's magic in your hands. I hope you don't mind teaching me how to make these one day . "

"see Narmada, he wants to learn my recipe unlike you," mom said , impressed by his words.
" Narmada , put that channel back on" Shiva said suddenly. I did as he asked and immediately groaned seeing " Chennaiyil Oru thiruvaiyaru" Carnatic music program .

"you too watch these type of programs?" amma asked, curious to know as she is a big fan of carnatic music.
" yes aunty, it's really soothing and soulful. It also calms down and brings peace to my heart." he said as he starts tapping his thigh.
My mom looks at him in awe. With that, I know for sure that I am in for another night long argument with her.
He mingled well with my mom. They went inside the kitchen to cook dinner. I thought he will ruin our mood asking about our past life in Coimbatore. But , he didn't . So I am thankful for that. He left after having dinner.
After that, I went inside my room to change into my nightgown.
" kuttima, I think he's also a good boy. From the way he speaks, I could see he likes you . That's why he's trying to impress me. What will you do if he says he likes you?" She asked.
" amma, adhu nadakum podhu parkalam( mom, we will see when it happens)"
I laid down on my side of the bed before she starts her tantrums. Seriously, my mom thinks everyone likes me.

Udhay's POV:

I got engrossed with my work in order to avoid thinking about Narmada. I went to my house late after Rekha slept .
I peeked into her room to see her sleeping peacefully. I switched off the lights and walked into my room. I got changed into my track pants and tshirt. I lay on the bed trying to sleep. My mind drifts to what I saw earlier today.
I left the house after Rekha told me She knew about my love failure.
When I entered the cafeteria , I saw Narmada with a guy . They're talking casually as if they've known eachother for long.
Once we are far away from them, Hari said " see, she already got another one. I will go and ask her whether she will atleast keep him or not." I immediately grabbed his shirt collar, " just because she refused my proposal , it doesn't mean you can speak ill about her. She never loved me. It's not her fault that I fall for her. He might be her friend . Whatever it is, it doesn't bother you. So, shut up. Don't you dare to utter a word" I whisper yelled and let his collar.
She looked at me nervously and tried to walk away. She might've thought Hari will create a scene. Hari just glared at her and went past her.
" I am sorry , Udhay. I didn't say it intentionally. It's just I got angry seeing her with someone other than you. It just slipped out. Sorry da."
After Hari repeated this sentence for more than an hour, I got convinced and apologized for my behaviour.
I have never seen her talking with a guy before . I have been seeing her for two years since she joined,that finance company. What if he's her lover who resides in other city for his job. He is tall , handsome and also looks like well educated. Perfect for her unlike me.
I couldn't sleep even a bit . Everytime I closed my eyes, she is all I see.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally managed to sleep around 4 am.

I woke up startled by a sudden knock at my door and Rekha stepped in as soon as I opened the door.
" anna, did I wake you?" Rekha asked.

"What no, yes, well I wasn't feeling well so I slept a little longer." I lied as I don't want her to be suspicious.

"Oh, ok, then take rest. I just want to inform that Hari and me are going to go hit the mall. Also I won't be home until dinner," Rekha said. She's going shopping that too with Hari even after I said I am unwell. Strange.

"I also know you're lying . That's why I am leaving you alone.So, take rest and sleep well. You need to rest else you will fall ill really. Hari will manage the office today." Rekha answered as she walked away with her handbag.
I looks at the clock . It read 9:30 am. Groggily, I walked to the bed and again dozed off.

Rekha's POV:

" so, where are we going?" Hari asked as he started the car.
" office. I want to see that girl who rejected my brother." I replied nonchalantly. He just shook his head.
" hey, what's her name?" I enquire while looking at the window. Too many buildings . My city has changed a lot all these years.
" Narmada " Hari replied in a duh tone. That name brings back memories of my college best friend. Soon , We reached anna's office building. I anxiously waited in the car itself for her to show up. While waiting, I saw a girl walking inside and shocked to the core. It's indeed my friend, Narmada. I can't believe this. It's really her. I found her.
I got down and ran towards her.
" Narmada!" I exclaim loudly , earning looks from people around us.
She turned and equally shocked to see me.
" Rekha, is it really you? Oh my god! How come you are here? " I place my hand over her mouth cutting off her arrows of questions.
" you got to explain a lot of things. I am still mad at you for leaving me without any message." I said icily , pulling her away from there.
" please, Rekha. My situation was like that. Listen, we can talk about this freely in the evening. Now, I got to go for work." She said and left me after giving me her number.

I called the number she give me. Her mobile rings. " just checking" I said as she went inside the building with a sly smile.

Hari tapped my shoulder and asked " I thought you're going to hit or humiliate her . But you're embracing her. Since you don't know, I will tell you . She's the one who broke Udhay's heart?" shocking me further.

What? She's the one. That's Wow!
" let's go to an icecream parlour. My treat" I said while he scratched his head.

" marriage? Are you out of your mind? She rejected him. You're crazy. She will not agree just because you're her friend." Hari screeched in his child like voice causing a few to turn towards our table.
" for him, I will do anything and go to any extent. Since it's my Narmada, I will go to any level ." I replied and slurp melting vanilla icecream with choco chips. He muttered " that's impossible." and fiercely stuffed the scoop of icecream with spoon.
" just wait and see, how I make impossible , possible. She will be my anni (bhabhi/ sister in law)." I smirked while having another bite.

Third person's POV:

" are you sure, Shiva? " my friend Prasanth asked for the hundredth time.
" yes, I am. Now leave. " Shiva send him out . After closing the door, he called someone in Skype .
" hey Shiva, you went to meet your grandma and still haven't returned. When are you coming back?"
" it will take a while. I finally met a girl with whom I can spend rest of my life. I will come after marrying her. " He replied. After talking for some more time, he ended the call.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Puzlal jail,
" Akka, are you sure that guy won't double cross us?" a man behind jail bars asked a woman.
" no, he won't. I checked his background. He's basically poor. He agrees to do this for money. So, Shiva, don't worry. Narmada will be yours to avenge and everything will be ours." that woman assured him.

*****
Hi all,
I hope this chapter doesn't confuse you.
If you do get confused, do let me know. I will explain.
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