Rekha's POV:

It's been two weeks since I started to live on the top floor of Narmada's house along with Brinda. I didn't tell Brinda about Udhay being my brother. Though she support my brother, She's Narmada's loyal friend. The only thing we both have in common is our hate for Shiva.

A week ago,

Hari being a good guy he is, took me to the coffee shop and bought me , my favourite chocolate drink. He then started his free advice. In short, He said that I can't force Narmada to love my brother. I myself give a thought about it and realized I am being selfish. but who wouldn't . It's not like I am going to ruin her life. My brother is a gem of a person. So does Narmada. They will make an ideal couple.

I know about Narmada well. Anna is definitely her type. why she being so adamant and stubborn?

" what if she likes him?" I asked him back.

" if she likes him, then why would she reject him? So stop whatever you're doing before you ruin your friendship with her. " Hari warned me.

" Ok, I will but if I proves that she likes him, you have to help me." I striked a deal with him. We both drank our drink in silence.

When I am about to leave, He asked me to stay. I wonder why . Then, I saw the same girl who left Hari angrily at the coffee shop. Did he sort out the difference between them?

Too bad, now that I am here.

I know one thing about Hari. He praises himself. So, I decided to use it.

" Hari, you know what. The girl who I saw in coffee shop  with you is not upto your level. I mean , look at you. you're smart, intelligent, handsome , good looking. But she is ,you know." I said lowly. My voice barely audible to the others. That girl is fast approaching us.

" I know . She is not upto my level. she's no match to me. She has been behind me for more than three months. I feel pity and thought of giving her a chance. She will show up any time now and please, don't tell her this. She may be annoying but I like her. " As expected Hari bolstered himself. If only He know that I know all about him.

I then counted.

one, two , three.

Thud.

She slammed her heavy book on his head again and again. Poor Hari!

" naana da un pinnadi vandhan. nee thaan en pinnadi naey madhari sothuna. unaku yellavu dhayerium irutha epadi soluva? theru pakam vaa en jimmy ya vitu kadika vaikiren.( I came behind you? No,it's you who followed me like a dog. How dare you say that about me? Come to my street, I will make my jimmy to bite you.)" She took off.

" en?( why?)" Hari asked me sadly.

" just for fun. If you patch up with her again, let me know." I winked at him.

" why? To get me killed by her hands huh? No thanks." He huffed.

" come on, then your love story will be history. What's better way to die then by the hands of your lover. Not only that, You will be the breaking news." I replied for which he snorted.

" If you don't leave, then I'll kill you by this." Hari warned me . His eyes glanced at the flower vase  in the table.

" relax man. I am going. " I walked to the entrance and stopped.

" hey Hari," I called him aloud.

" now what?"

" Don't bother to come. I'll tell anna that you have severe headache." with that I took off ,not waiting for his reply.

I thought about Hari's words and decided to find out whether Narmada likes my brother or not. I called Maya, my cousin sister for help. She's my chithi's daughter, doing B.Tech final year.

No matter how hard I try, Shiva always find a way to be with Narmada. That annoying pest.

The look on Narmada's face when she saw Maya and my brother entering the cafeteria together proved me that she indeed likes him. If looks could kill, poor maya would've died many times. If only she knows the truth about Maya.

Throughout the day, She indirectly asked me many a times who Maya is.

" see, I told you. She couldn't see him with a girl. It's unsettles her which means she do like him." I told Hari while anna went with Maya to help her finding a institute for her project.

" that doesn't mean she love him." He countered.

" ok. You see our receptionist daily. does she speaking with any guy bothers you?" I asked him. He looked at me in shock.

" don't tell me you asked her out too?" I added. But his silence told me he did. God, seriously?

" what happened?" I asked him.

" your brother happened. I took her to a movie . When we're about to sit together, Udhay showed up and exchanged seats with her. Then the guy who sat next to her exchanged his number with hers and they started dating." He replied with a frown. I couldn't hold back my laughter.

"Now let's see whether she does the same with Shiva." I dragged him out and showed him how Narmada remains unaffected all the time when Shiva is speaking with a new girl. As a matter of fact, She doesn't even bothered to look. I can see Shiva getting very tense.

" How do you know Shiva is going to talk with a girl infront of Narmada?" Hari asked me. That's because I heard Shiva talking to this girl in the morning. It's his idea I used for myself.

" I can read people's mind." I replied , keeping my face void of any emotion.

" No way. If so, prove it." He challenged me.

" you really want to know. ok, fine. Don't blame me." I said and saw a man walking with his wife. Idea!

" you thinks his wife is beautiful." With that I escaped from there and hide near the stairs. That guy grabbed Hari's shirt and pushed him off. Poor Hari ran from there.

I went to that long nose Shiva's office to collect some information about him. But sadly nothing. Nobody knows about him much . He didn't even work there . The owner of that concern is his friend. I bribed the office boy for this . My suspicions are proving to be correct. why did he lie to Narmada that he works here?

I can't tell her that I am snooping on her friend. I don't have any proof either.

Third Person's POV:

" dude, Narmada doesn't seem affected by me talking with other girl like you said." Shiva told Prasanth.

" I had a doubt. Now it's confirmed. She took a liking to Udhay . She got jealous over the girl with whom Udhay came on that day." His friend said.

" who is this Udhay?"

" hmm, the last guy Narmada rejected. He own this building and his office is in fifth floor. UVR constructions. He is quite a big shot in Chennai." Prasanth explained.

" why did you not tell me this before?" Shiva yelled at Prasanth .

" relax, man. I thought it's not important with her rejecting him. But looks like she hasn't. She likes him. That's why your efforts are not helping you. " Prasanth explained.

" then, do something. I don't want to lose her. Time is running out. We need to do something. Her birthday is in three months. They will try something if I didn't make her to fall in love with me. "

" We need to tarnish Udhay's image then. Make Narmada hate him. I have an idea." Prasanth said and he narrated his plan.

Pavithra (Narmada's Mom) POV:

I woke up with a start, panting as usual, sweating profusely. It was another nightmare. I saw Narmada peacefully sleeping on the bed and got out and walked to the bathroom where I washed my face and stared into the girl who had rings under her eyes, showing the lack of sleep.

I lay back on the uncomfortable couch and stared up into space. A voice came from the bed and I snapped my gaze there to see Narmada tossing around in bed.

"kutti ma?" I asked gingerly as I walked next to her.

"Please... Don't take me away." she whispered softly, on the brim of crying. My heart broke and I looked around thinking of a way to help her.

"Shh! It's ok, I'm here. Nothing has happened. No one will take you away." I comforted her.

"She... The woman in silk saree with evil eyes." she muttered and I don't knew what she meant. Maybe the scary movie we saw last night with her friends as she has been afraid of it since.

"I'm here kuttima. She'll have to get past me," I soothed her, patting her arm. I got off the bed about to go back to the couch when her hand gripped tightly on mine.

"Don't leave me Udhay..." she murmured and her grip loosened slowly. I unwrap her fingers gently from my arm and went back to the couch.

Udhay? sounds interesting.

<Next Morning>

I am awake and making breakfast for us. I saw a tired Narmada groggily enter the kitchen.

"Morning sleepyhead" I teased and she groaned placing her head on the counter.

"URGH!! Why are you a morning person?" she grumbled.

"Because I am one. Now eat" I ordered pouring the milk in her glass. She fiddled around with her food as I took a seat from across her.

"Rough night?" I asked her and her head snapped up.

"What?" she asked in shock and confusion.

"I saw you tossing and turning and being really bothered." I told her.

"STALKER!! You were watching me sleep?" she screeched melodramatically and I rolled my eyes and her childishness.

"Yes . I was watching you sleep like the creep I am. What are you going to do about it?" I asked and she rolled her eyes not answering. I smirked and drank my coffee.

"My friend's moving here today. I might go and help her out with the packing and stuff. Her son is coming back from Bangalore. Mind joining me?" I asked, hoping she'd say yes.

"Mom, I am not a kid and I'm smarter than you. You and your matchmaking.  I am not interested. You carry on." she replied smugly.

"True. You are witty and twisted enough to escape everytime. But my dear daughter, don't underestimate me. I am your mom after all. I won't relent . If you like someone, tell me. " I retorted for which she glared and kept quiet.  I expected her to say about  Udhay but she didn't.

" I wonder who discover this marriage concept. "she muttered under her breath and I chuckled at her words.

Narmada's POV:

" hey , shall we go for a restaurant for lunch? My treat." Shiva asked me with pleading eyes. I really need a distraction with Udhay clouding my mind. So, I agreed.

At the restaurant,

 We both sat next to eachother as we watched some funny scenes on restaurant television. We ordered our food and chatted a while waiting for it. Shiva moved close to me and I moved a bit as I  started to feel uncomfortable.

" Narmada, what a surprise? we thought of having lunch here but looks like you beat us to it." Rekha sounded as if she is surprised to see me here. Had I not knew her, I would've believed her.

" if you don't mind, can you move over? I want to sit next to Narmada." Rekha asked Shiva . Brinda sat next to my left side. They're here not by coincidence.

Shiva sighed and moved to the next chair. Rekha grinned and thanked him. He took a glass of water and drink it.

" so Shiva, what is your designation in your concern?" Rekha asked sweetily and Shiva choked .

" er sorry. I am software designer. " he replied .

"where are your parents? " Rekha asked him and looked at him accusingly. He gulped and shifted in his seat uncomfortably. He said his parents are not with him. are they dead? I feel bad for him.

Now, Brinda joined the conversation.

" where were you all these years? any siblings?"

He starred at her blankly and excused himself to restroom.

" you both are making him uncomfortable. Just give him a break." I told him. But they chose to ignore me.

****

Hi all,

I know it's been a while I last updated.

anyways, here is the next chapter.

do let me what you all think.

lastly don't forgot to vote.