Narmada's POV:

" amma, I am home and I bought a beautiful saree for my beautiful mom!" I said as I entered the house. She glanced at me once and turned her attention towards TV. She's watching Resident Evil.
She's a big fan of horror movies unlike me.
" kutti, first let's talk where we left." She trailed off as I dropped all the bags on the floor.
" yen maa ipadi irukinga? Yeppa parthalum edaiye pesikitu. Enakku nee mattum podhum. Vera yarum vendam, edhuvum vendam." I replied firmly before shutting my room door.
( mom, why are you like this? Always talking about this. I don't want anyone or anything except you )
Soon, she is knocking my door.
" kutti," she was about to say something but I didn't hear her by playing songs at full volume on my mobile.
Yet another argument. I sighed. Why can't she understand me?
After a while,
" kutti, open the door. I promise I won't talk about it again." her voice came from the other side. It doesn't matter as she has been saying it almost every sunday.
"amma, I will come out if you make dinner." I negotiated.
" hey it's not fair. You promised to try and improve your cooking while you're home." She replied.
" but you ruined my mood. Your choice." I replied.
" ok fine. Come out." she said. I opened the door and followed her to the kitchen.
She didn't utter a word. So, I decided to start the conversation.
" mom, instead of IT and other fields,why don't you look for a cook?" I ask her as I gave her the vegetables I cut. She stares at me a few seconds before turning away.
" maybe a cook!"
" Or a waiter!" I added before she takes it serious and starts looking for one.
" are you kidding me?" she asks with a frown.

" amma, you looks cute . Many ask me whether you are my elder sister. So, don't think much . Else you will age quickly with wrinkles in your beautiful face." I said as I pinched her cheeks. A blush lights her face and I chuckle.
Thank god, she dropped marriage subject.
Despite my protest, she started her cooking class. She even made me take notes on the ingredients, how much to add how to make.

After having dinner, We both settled on the couch .
" amma, unaku podavai pidichiruka?( mom, do you like the saree?)" I asked her .
" I didn't see it . Where do you keep it?" she enquired.
Then as if realizing something, " oops! Sorry. You dropped it ." She said as I went on to pick up the bags on the floor.
" I guess these aren't for me!" She chuckled as she hands over my undergarments bag.
I snatched it from her hands and went to place it in my cupboard.

" kutti, saree is beautiful . But this letter is more beautiful." her cheerful voice came.
What letter? I came out to see her grinning ear to ear.
" idukaga thaan naan eppa kalyanam pathi pech eduthalum nee kovapatiya? (so , this is why you're angry whenever I talk about marriage?)" she asked me teasingly while folding the paper .
" Udhay huh? I think I like him. He seems genuine." She asked me.

What's wrong with her? How do she knew him? I took the paper from her and read it.

"I loved you the very first moment I saw you in our office building.

I love you ,Narmada. I've never loved anything or anyone as much as I love you. Well, exception being my parents and sister. Every cell in my body yearns for you, your heart, your soul and your beautiful smile. You're my reason to live.

Every time I think of something sad, I replace the thought - with you!
My mind gets instantly changed and my heart gets filled with gladness in no time.

I love you so much. I will never leave you no matter what happens I'll always be there for you.

I lost my parents when I was young. My sister is my only world. Then, you came . After seeing you, I found a reason to live for myself.
I am not playing with you and seriously I love you.
I mean it.
I didn't study much. B.Com that too 60%.
I am physically well and has no diseases.
I manage my dad's business. I expanded it and I'm getting sufficient income.
I don't smoke but drink occasionally which I will stop completely if you agree.
I know I am not good but trust me I am not bad either!
Please , give me a chance . Will you marry me?

With heart full of love,
Udhay.V"
Followed by his mobile number.

I couldn't prevent the smile that started to make it's way in my face. My mom notices.
" say yes. He seems like a good boy. He asks you to marry him unlike other guys." my mom said.
" amma, nee pattum thiruintha mattiya. Udhayum oru panakaran ma. Avarum antha aalu madhiri thaan irupar. Naan unna madhiri yemara thaiyara illai. (mom, you will never learn. Udhay is also a rich guy like him. He will also be like him. I am ready to get betrayed like you.)" I said . Her face fell instantly.
" ena ma nee vita kapal kauindhrucha!( what mom, the boat you set has sank huh? " I asked her as she placed her hands on her head.
" Kutti, just because he was wrong , doesn't mean every men will be like him. " she replied annoyed.
" yeah, I agree. But why take a chance? Moreover I don't want to marry ever. That too love marriage. It only gives pain. I still remember how you struggled for life when I rushed back from my graduation ceremony. You tried to kill yourself for that unfaithful man. You gave him your everything. But he wasn't even loyal to you. He doesn't even care to know about you. You was living like a queen but the next moment you are thrown out . Many of those type very much exists.." I stopped seeing her tears. she wiped it quickly.

"ma, I am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Try to understand. I don't want to be like you were . Do you remember how broken you were . It was terrible. All I could do was watch. I couldn't help you over your heartbreak at all. I still hear your cries at nights" I tell her squeezing her hand softly. Her face still sad .

"Kutti, you did help me whether you want to believe it or not. You are the reason I am still living. You are born from me. " She smiles mildly at me before leaving to her room.

It's going to be a long night.

Udhay, what the hell? Of all ways, you chose this way to confess your love. Idiot. Bacause of you, I reopened the old wounds of my mom. Why can't you be like the rest of men? I hate to admit that you are not what I think you to be.

Udhay's POV:

Normally I never woke up before 9 am. But today is different. I am ready to go. I couldn't control the excitement. Will she agree? Or say sorry.
I looks at my phone every now and then looking for Narmada's call or message.
I received a text from private number.
" meet me at bus stop near our office building in half an hour.- Narmada."
My heart jumps up and down in joy. I looks at the mirror and adjusts my hair. Then , I took my bike and drive towards office.

It's been raining since early morning. I reached the bus stop at 9:20 am itself.

I looked around and saw a flower vendor setting her shop . I helped her and also bought a red rose from her.
" what do you want , Mr.Udhay?" Narmada asked me as She folded her umbrella. She knows what I want . Maybe She wants to hear from me that I want to be with her.
" I love you, Narmada and I want to marry you" I told her . She looks at me and frowned.
My eyes widen in shock as my heartbeat picks up rapidly.
" No. I don't love you nor I have any idea of marrying you." She rejected me just like that. My jaws dropped and a sob escaped my lips.

She turned and started to walk away leaving me more shocked. I ran behind her. I grab her arm and turn her around to look at me. Her tear stained face killed me all over again.

I watch her stiffen , her jaw clenches. Not in anger though but with pain. She glances at me . Her eyes are sorrowful.

" I'm sorry. I didn't meant to hurt you. But it's not possible."She told me . I looks at her shocked. She didn't do anything worth apologizing for.

"Why are you sorry?" I ask her.

"I made you cry." She looks down at me frowning. I can tell that she's mentally berating herself and for some odd reason it makes me happy that she cares.

"Listen Udhay, I have no intention of being with you and I have no intention of breaking your heart. If I hurt you , I am sorry again." She said in a whisper.

"I really do love you . Narmada, just give me a chance." I tell her. She shakes her head no. "Why not?" I ask her frantically .

"I'm not willing to get my heartbroken." She shakes my arm off before walking away. My eyes widen at the implications of what she just said.
"but I'll do anything for you! just one chance." I replied as I looked straight into her eyes.

" I am sorry,Mr.Udhay. But the truth is I don't love you. I never will." She said void of any emotion and walked away.
I got out of cafeteria. I called Hari and told him I am not coming for work today. I ended the call before he asks about Narmada. I then switched it off.

When I got to my house, I ran upstairs to my room. I slammed the door and plopped down on my bed.
I cried silently. Why me?
Why did she reject me?
What did I do wrong?
At night,
I could cry no longer and I feel empty. I slowly fall asleep, with a tear stained face.
The only thing that ran through my mind was her.

Tears are threatening to spill as everything that had happened was slowly coming back. It hurts. Love hurts. She broke it into pieces. But still those broken pieces yearn for her love.

Narmada's POV:

I'm a heartless girl. How can I be so cruel?

I felt so sad. But I can't do anything about it.

I walk away from him, feeling his eyes on me with each step that I took. I enter the office and sit down with a sigh. I didn't have much to do today so I will be able to go to my home early.

Brinda stares at me a few seconds before her eyes flash angrily. She dragged me to the empty conference room. She cups my face.

"What happened to you?" She asks angrily.
" I said no to Udhay." I said as tears rolled down my cheeks.
" what? Why do you do that? I thought you liked him." she asked while calming down a little.
" no, I don't. " I replied.
" then why are you crying?"

"I don't know. The way he looked at me with hurt, it broke me. I never felt like this with anyone before. Normally guys don't take my rejection like he did. He was so broken so dejected. I hurt him badly. I am abad person, bri." I tell her , tears forming in my eyes.

" he will be alright. Ok. Don't worry. Maybe he didn't expect it. He will move on" She said reassuringly.
Hope he does!

******

So, that's chapter three.

I'm sorry if I disappointed you guys!

Tell me what you think in the comments! I want to know. and also what you predict will happen later in the story!