Udhay's POV:

I came to the hotel to meet a business client. It's about constructing a new building for their office. After our meeting, we walked down to the restaurant for lunch. That's when the girl who I fired last week for forging office account walked towards us.

" Udhay sir, please give my job back. My family will suffer as I am the sole breadwinner for my family. I won't say a word even if you continue to abuse me. please sir, I did everything you asked me to do. Don't do this to me. please" She cried hysterically.

" what's going on, Udhay?" My client asked me , disappointed by the unnecessary scene .

" what the hell, Reshmi? I never asked you any favour nor did I lay my finger on you. So, stop this drama now. I fired you because you stole money from the company's account." I shouted at the girl .

" how can you be so heartless? You used me and now you're throwing me like a garbage. Now you're accusing me of robbery. " She continue to tarnish my image. Crowd started to gather around .

My client shook his head and took off.

I hold myself back from hitting her for her false allegations. Luckily, the manager came with security and escorted her out . That's when I noticed Narmada watching me . great. That guy what his name, yes Shiva said something which I think is about me as Rekha is clenching her fist angrily. Rekha is also here . She will trust me .

Why are these people looking at me like I am some rogue? Just because I am rich , when a girl sob and make a fake story about me , everyone believe her . What the hell? People judge quickly without thinking or hearing the other side.

From the corner of my eye, I see Narmada wiping a lone tear that escaped from her eyes. Is it for me? As if sensing my gaze, she turned away. After a while, she turned with a hatred look. So, she too believes her. Why should I bother about Narmada and her view about me?

I walked away fast unable to bear her hatred towards me. Once I am near my car,I kicked the tyre in frustration. I know Rekha will come after me. So, I waited for her in my car.

" anna" as expected Rekha knocked my car window. I opened the passenger door and she got in. I drove us away from there.

when I tried to explain," anna, nee edhuvum solla vendam. Enaku unna pathi theriyum.( Bro, you need not say anything. I know about you.)"She replied.

" where is that idiot Hari? he is supposed to be with you." She asked me angrily.

" He took leave. "

" why?"

" I don't know." I said as Hari asked me no literally begged me not to tell her in particular. Rekha looked at me suspiciously but dropped it anyways.

I wonder what is their problem and why he wants to hide his special occasion. I am unable to go due to hectic work.

Rekha's POV:

I can't believe what I saw moments ago. How can someone blame my brother like that? That girl is seriously nuts. How dare she accuse him like that? The nerve of her.

She intellectually got my brother's sign in the cheque and cashed it . When he found out, She throwed herself at him. He pushed her and fired her . He let her go without filing any police complaint for her family.

Now, look where his generousity has landed him. Far worse, Narmada saw it and I think she believes Reshmi. I can't even defend my brother when that long nose Shiva talking ill about him.

" I don't know why these rich guys are like this. playing with girls as if there are toys. Poor girl . " Shiva said to Narmada.

Narmada face is emotionless for a moment. But then, she looked at my brother with rage and full of hatred.

" Rekha, you need to find yourself another job. That guy is sick . " Shiva said in a concerned tone. I feel like I need to punch him straight at his nose and watch him bleed. Narmada didn't pay any attention to our conversation. She looks lost in her own world.

Days rolled on. Narmada started to avoid talking about my brother. She hardly spoke with me. Even when she sees him , she leaves from that place. She ignore his presence like a plague. At the same time , Shiva got close to her.
He took her out to movies , park and beach. She willingly spend time with him.
It's been three weeks since I last saw Hari. I kinda of miss him. I think I am crushing on him. Just thinking about him, brought a smile to my face. I will tell him once he return.

I walked into Narmada's house to talk with her mom about my brother. I saw her talking with a guy. He didn't have his right hand. As soon as he left, she broke down to tears.
I ran to her and comforted her. She is worried about Narmada's future. She wants to get her married soon.
When I asked her why she's forcing marriage on Narmada? She replied with a sad smile" it's for her own good. When the right time comes, you all will know."
She asked me for an idea to make Narmada agree. I told her the first thing that came to mind.
Before I get a chance to tell about my brother, doorbell rang.
I went to open the door. There stood Shiva with flower and sweet box in his head. He smiled at me before greeting Pavithra aunty.

I made her sit with him in the living room and went inside the kitchen to make coffee.

" aunty, I will come straight to the point. I like Narmada. I really like Narmada very much. I want to marry her . My parents are not with me . So, I decided to ask you myself. Please aunty, give me a chance. I promise that I will always keep her happy. " He asked aunty for her daughter's hand politely. I gasped. If it wasn't Narmada, I would have applauded him. Not many guys have guts like him.

"No. why? you should ask Narmada first." I said to him, controlling my anger.

" Well, She always listens to her mom. So, I thought of asking aunty's permission first. what's your problem, Rekha?" He stood up and walked towards aunty. He knelt down and said " whatever you say, I will take it. I won't leave her even if you don't agree. I will stay as her friend. "

"you are a nice guy. I know for sure you will take good care of her. But I think .." she hesitated for a while, then" I agree. " aunty said ,putting her arm on his cheek.

" what do you think, Rekha?" She asked me. Now, she is asking me.

I stammered, "W-w-well, It's Narmada's life. Her call. "

"I will talk to Narmada when she comes back from work today." Aunty assured Shiva as he left after ruining my brother's chances.

" He seems to be a good boy. I wish Narmada accepts his proposal." She sighed. I squeezed her arm gently, "You are welcome to do as you wish, but I suggest you let her do what she wants. It's ultimately her life." I suggested.

"I don't know,. She doesn't even want to marry citing my life. I don't want to leave her alone in this world. Shiva is her friend . He knows her and understands her well."

I sighed. ergh! of all time , why now? when My brother is in mess. this has to happen.

"Well think about it, aunty." I said, returning to my house. I informed Brinda that I will not be coming to the room.
When I entered , I saw anna is on call talking with someone. He has his back towards me. I moved slowly towards him to surprise him but stunned when I heard those words.
" ok. Once again, happy married life, Hari. Enjoy your trip. No need to rush back. I will take care. Bye."
I feel like crying. I think I just did cry. I hugged him when he turned so that he can't see my tears.
" hey what happened?" he asked me while caressing my hair.
" not nothing . Just missed you a lot. " I replied wiping my tears.
" hmm. Come let's go inside. " he said and we both went inside.
" anna, That Shiva guy came to Pavithra aunty to ask for Narmada's hand in marriage." I paused as I felt his body stiffens. " that's good. They both will make a nice couple." He gives me a sad smile.
We both just sat holding eachother. After two odd hours, he left saying he need to oversee a building construction which is to be delivered within two days.
I took my car Hyundai i20 and drove aimlessly around Chennai. I put my mobile on silent mode.
My car stopped somewhere after petrol ran out. I got out of my car and looks at the surroundings. I saw I am near my chithi's place. I called her and she came to pick me up. She doesn't ask anything seeing my state. After a silent drive, we reached her house, once she showed me a room, I cried myself to sleep.

Narmada's POV:

While I am in office, I noticed that Rekha is not there in her office today which is odd as she hardly takes leave. Did she quit like shiva said? That seemed unlikely, but the more I learned about Rekha the more the unlikely seemed likely.
I kinda avoided her as she works for Udhay. I don't want to hear about Udhay.
I so hate him. He is just like my father, playing with innocent girls lives. I regret for feeling guilty on rejecting him. I hate myself for part of my heart still thinks he might be innocent.
Not everyone are heartless like him. See Shiva. He is a nice guy. I feel safe and happy whenever I am with him. He is so protective and always thinks about my liking before doing anything.

I need to make amends with Rekha. She might be mad at me for ignoring her.
Exhausted, I went home and texted her.

Where are you?

The reply came three hours later while I am in call with Shiva.

Getting out, I gasped when I saw the answer.

Somewhere. Still alive. I just want to be alone.

I instantly texted back.

What happened? Why?

I laid myself on the couch and flipped on the television waiting for a reply. Strangely, My mom is also not in my house. She left without even telling our neighbours. Wait till she comes back, I will lecture her.

Nothing. Don't disturb me. Go and have fun with Shiva. It's not like you care about me. Noone does other than my brother.

Rekha replied back. I couldn't believe what I read. What's wrong with her?

Fine. Have fun! Don't do dare to say that I don't care again. because I do. I always do,idiot!

She didn't respond back.

I looked at the clock . It's 7:30 pm now.

amma, enga ponna nee?( Mom, where you went?)

I called her mobile nonstop but to no avail. She isn't picking my call. I went inside my room to change my clothes.
That's when I spotted her mobile on the nightstand. Below it was a piece of paper.

" kuttima, I tried everything to make you understand about my wish of getting you married. But you're not paying any heed to it. As long as I stay with you, you will never think about it. So, I am leaving you. Take care."

Tears welled up in my eyes and I fought to keep them back. I couldn't understand why my mom didn't understand me.
I pushed all the contents on the table to the floor and started screaming in tears.
Hearing my loud noise, Brinda rushed from upstairs. On seeing me on the floor crying, she immediately came towards me and hugged me.
" Bri, amma amma enna vitu mm poitanga amma ( mom mom, she left me . ) " I cried on her shoulders. She took that paper slip from my hand and read it.
" don't worry. She will be somewhere near and safe. We will find her. Who knows, maybe she will return herself. " she consoles me.
" but what if she does something " I asked , images of her lying unconscious somewhere flashed in my mind.
" don't think like that. She's strong woman." She said still comforting me. I then went through my mobile and called Rekha . But Rekha didn't answer . So, I called Shiva. As soon as he picked up, I told him about my mom missing. He ended the call saying he will be here in 15 minutes.
As he said , he arrived sooner. Brinda went to enquire our neighbors about my mom. But she returned empty handed. Nobody knows where she went. He then took me with him on his bike to search for my mom . He assured me throughout our ride.
After looking out for more than three hours, we end up near our local police station. I filed a missing complaint . After dropping me home, he left half heartedly . Brinda stayed with me the entire time.
It's all my fault. Had I agreed , none of this would've happened. Mom, please come back to me. I can't live without you.
I will do whatever you ask me. Please come back .
*****
So, how is the chapter?
Sorry guys , when I published it first, I didn't check. Then when I read it, I realized some parts aren't there. So, I unpublished it and added it.

Lastly, Don't forget to vote and comment.