Hello😀

Long chapter ahead!

Thookam vandhaa thoongunga, guys. Nalaiku padichukonga. Veetla thittu vaangaadhinga. And I'm sorry for the late update:(

Vaanga vaanga story kulla polaa 🚴‍♀️💜🦋

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♡♡

Seetha

How could it even be hard?

How... how could I get wet there?

What was he trying to say?

Oru velai moola kolambiruchaa?

(Is he got crazy?)

Because, how is that even possible?

"Seetha..."

What exactly is he going to teach me tomorrow in college?

Was he talking about the meaning of wet and hard, or was it just the Python task?

Aiyooo!

But, I was pulled out of my spiraling thoughts by a sharp pain in my shoulder. I turned around, startled, only to find Amma glaring at me as she pushed me aside and scolded me for something.

Then, my eyes widened, and my mouth fell open in shock when I noticed the dosa tawa with a burnt, blackened dosa.

I gulped, nervously shifting my gaze to Amma, who yelled,

"Veliya podi modha! Unna dosa suda sonnen paaru enna sollanum! Apdi enna dha nenapula iruppiyo therila! Saaingaalam fullaa thoonga vendiyadhu! Oru velayum seiradhu illa! Senjaalum oru vishyamaadhu urupadiyaa seiriyaa?"

(Get out first! I asked you to make dosa, and look at what you have done! I don't know what's going on in your mind! You had slept the entire evening! Not doing any work! Even if you do, will you do it properly?)

Lowering my head, I quickly wiped my sweaty palms on the track pants I was wearing and hurried out of the kitchen, escaping her wrath. I flopped onto the living room couch beside Appa, who saw me with a warm smile.

I pouted, looking down in embarrassment, but he chuckled softly and said,

"Vidu, paapa. Amma dhaane?"

(Leave it, dear. It's just your mom, right?)

I smiled at him but I thought to myself,

Amma illa, pa. Professor. Avaa senja vela dha ellam.

(Not mom, dad. It's the professor. He's the one who did everything)

Twisting my lips in frustration, I shifted my gaze to the TV, which was playing some random Vijay TV serial. Appa was watching it with great interest, his eyes glued to the screen.

I sighed, grabbed my phone from the teapoy in front of me, and unlocked it, hoping to distract myself. But just as I did, Amma's voice boomed from the kitchen,

"Seetha! Vandhu ellaam eduthu vai! Saapudradhukku ombodhu mani aayiduthu inniku unnaala!"

(Seetha! Come and set everything up! It's already nine o'clock because of you today!)

Is she upset or what today?

Why is she shouting at me like this now?

Ennaachu en amma'ku?

(What happened to my mother?)

Huffing in defeat, I placed my phone back on the teapoy and reluctantly got up. I walked into the kitchen, grabbed the plates and the bottle of water, and brought them to the teapoy. Then, making another trip, I brought the bowl of curry and chutney. Once everything was set, I crossed my legs and sat back on the sofa. Amma served us dinner while we ate, half-watching the serial in between bits of conversation.

But I knew I wasn't really present. My thoughts were elsewhere, preoccupied with tomorrow, making me unusually quiet throughout dinner. Even after saying good night to my parents and heading to my room for the night, my mind was restless.

Plopping onto my bed after quickly refreshing, I grabbed my phone and dialed Kamali, just as I had planned.

She picked up after two rings, her voice full of energy as she exclaimed,

"Soldriii, maamiii!"

(Tell me, maami!)

But I could only muster a soft,

"Kamaliii"

"Enna di voice idhu? Pichakaari maadhiri?"

(What kind of voice is this? Like a beggar?)

She said and I sighed.

"Mch, Kamaliii.. nee nalaiku college'ku varuva dhane?"

(Mch, Kamaliii... you'll come to college tomorrow, right?)

"College'ka? Yedhukku?"

(College? For what?)

"Yedhukkaa?"

(For what, huh?)

I asked her in shock, but she replied,

"Aama. Yedhukku? Nalaiku yedhukku college'ku varanu?"

(Yes. Why? Why do you want me to come to college tomorrow?)

I felt like rolling on the floor and whining in frustration, but I managed to compose myself and said,

"Kamali, nee summa velaadra dhane? Nalaiku naan unkoodaye vandhuren. Bus stop'le wait pannu. Ombodhu manikku naama anga irukka..."

(Kamali, are you kidding me? Tomorrow, I'll come with you. Wait for me at the bus stop. We should be there around 9 o'clo..)

Before I could finish, she interrupted me with an exclamation,

"Hey, loosu! Naan velayaada'la illa. Naan Charan oda veliya poitu irukken. Nalaiku naanga rendu perum namma oorlaye irukka maato!"

(Hey, fool! I'm not kidding. I'm out with Charan. Tomorrow, the two of us might not be in our town!)

I gasped in shock.

"Adippaavi! Nannaa pandra di nee. Ellaa kedi thanamum rendu perum pandringa!"

(Wow! You're both doing so well! Everything is going perfectly!)

Then, I heard Charan's teasing voice saying,

"Hey, hey, maami! Romba nadikaadha. Unna vida naanga onnum kedi vela paakala. Class'ku vandha andha urru moonji professor'aye valachu pottuta'le nee?"

(Hey, hey, maami! Don't overact. We don't do any mischief like you. Didn't you go and make that grumpy professor fall in love with you using your black magic?)

Anger surged within me.

"Yaaru da valachu pottadhu? Kondruven unna!"

(Who used the black magic? I'll kill you, man)

Then Kamali chimed in, her voice stern,

"Charan, enna pesura? Loosu! Ava love evlo genuine theriyumaa? Summa joke'ku kooda ipdi sollaadha"

(Charan, what are you saying? Fool! Do you even know how genuine her love is? Don't ever joke like this again)

"Mch, maami, kochuttiyaa?"

(Mch, maami. Did I upset you?)

Charan asked, clearly amused and frightened.

I rolled my eyes and replied,

"Naan apram koopudren, Kamali. Enna nalaiku Aayush sir college'ku vara solleerkaa. Andha python task start pandren. Nee yeppo variyo, vandhu join panniko"

(I'll call you later, Kamali. Aayush sir has asked me to come to college tomorrow. I'll start the Python task then. Whenever you come, just join me)

Kamali responded,

"Seri, maami. Sorry. Nee nalaiku paathu po..."

(Okay, maami. Sorry. Take care..)

I hummed in acknowledgment, told them to be careful and safe, and ended the call.

Then, placing my phone on the table beside my bed, I switched off the lamp and pulled the bedsheet over my head, cocooning myself completely.

But sleep remained out of reach that night.

His words echoed in my ears with every blink of my eyelashes.

And as usual, for what felt like the infinite time, he had successfully stolen my sleep once again.

Engagement aanaalum vida maatenguraare!

(He is not stopping even after the engagement!)

Perumaaleyy!

After countless twists and turns under my blanket, just as sleep was finally about to claim me, the temple nearby and my own house erupted with the sound of Kowsalya Supraja, jolting me awake.

I groaned, burying my face into my pillow, only to hear a knock at the door, followed by my mother's voice,

"Seetha, naali aaradhu, endhiri. Inniku kovil'ku vera ponum"

(Seetha, it's getting late, hurry up. We need to go to the temple today)

Muffling my complaints against the pillow, I dragged myself out of bed, grabbed my white half-saree with the purple skirt and blouse, along with the other essentials, and headed to the bathroom.

After a long shower to shake off my sleepy face, I stepped out feeling refreshed, dressed in my half-saree, and headed to the backyard. The cool morning mist of Ooty mixed with the soft sunlight as I dried my hair, the chill waking me fully.

Gathering my damp hair into a low ponytail, I circled the tulsi plant in prayer.

Then, after completing our Friday pooja in the prayer room, Amma and I went to the nearby temple. Once we finished our rituals there, I rushed back home, tossing aside the half-saree and slipping into a sandal-colored kurta and matching pants.

Adding a finishing touch with a bindi, I braided my hair, packed my laptop, notes, and pens into my bag, and collected my lunchbox from Amma.

I stepped out of the house, bidding my parents goodbye as they showered me with their usual advice to be cautious. But we all stopped in our tracks, and I gasped in shock.

There he was. Aayush sir.

Leaning casually against the car door, one hand scrolling through his phone, the other ruffling his messy hair like always. And dressed in a crisp white shirt and blue pants, with the faint glint of a ring on his finger, he looked effortlessly handsome-no, scratch that, irresistibly handsome-against the backdrop of the misty morning.

"Maapla vandhirukkaaru?"

(The man has arrived?)

My father's voice snapped me out of my daze.

I saw my parents were already walking toward him, but his eyes stayed glued to his phone, seemingly oblivious to the world around him.

I slowed my pace deliberately, twisting my lips in annoyance.

Romba dha. Andha phone'le apdi enna irukku'nu adha paathuttu irukkaaru?

(Huff. What was he looking at on that phone?)

Then, I averted my gaze from him as he chatted with my parents, flashing that familiar smile, before briefly glancing my way. Suppressing a blushy smile, I stood between my parents, pretending not to notice him.

My goal was clear: tease him by avoiding eye contact and annoy him a little.

But as I thought about the inevitable revenge he'd plan for this deliberate avoidance, a chill ran down my spine.

His deep voice from the previous evening echoed in my mind,

"I'll teach you tomorrow... in college"

That damn base voice-enough to make my knees weak.

But, I was jolted out of my thoughts when Appa wrapped his arm protectively around my shoulder and pulled me close, saying with a smile,

"Appo neengale kooptu poitu vandhurunga, maapla"

(So, you both go together and come back)

I frowned and looked up at Appa, who was smiling warmly at Professor. Then, I turned to look at him. His eyes locked with mine, filled with mischief, and the corner of his lips curled into a fleeting smirk before he masked it with a polite smile, turning back to Appa.

"Seringa, sir. Appo naanga kelamburo. Innum late aana traffic adhigam aageedum"

(Okay, sir. Then we'll leave now. The traffic will get worse if we get any later)

He replied.

"Aahn, poitu vaanga, maapla"

(Okay then)

Appa said, and I couldn't help but smile slightly, still unsure of what was unfolding before me.

As Professor got into his car, he cast a fleeting glance my way. I instinctively smiled at him and lifted my hand to wave him a goodbye, only to yelp in pain when Amma lightly smacked the back of my head.

Rubbing the spot, I spun around with a pout.

"Yen ma adicha?"

(Why did you hit me, mom?)

"Naethula irundhu yendha ulagathula irukka nee?"

(From yesterday, in which world you are?)

She chided, narrowing her eyes.

Before I could respond, Appa intervened, saying,

"Mch, task pathi nenachuttu irndhiruppaa. Adhukku yen Ananthi adikira? Paapa... maapla dha unna inniku drop panni thirumba kooptum varuvaaru... poitu vaa"

(Mch, she might be thinking about the task. Why are you hitting her Ananthi? Kid... Your man will drop you off and pick you up later today... Go with him now)

I processed Appa's words, my eyes widening in shock as realization dawned. I quickly turned to Professor, who was now on his phone, seemingly uninterested in anything else happening around him.

Biting my lip nervously, I turned back to Amma, gave her a sheepish smile, and quickly bid them goodbye before walking over to the car.

I slipped into the passenger seat beside him. And as he started the car, he gave my parents a quick wave and drove off, still not sparing me a glance.

Frowning, I waved at my parents through the window until they disappeared from view. Turning back, I glanced at him, but his attention fixed on the road.

Kovamaa irukkaaraa?

(Is he mad?)

I wondered.

Aana kova pada naan enna pannen?

(But what did I do to make him angry?)

Fidgeting with the edge of my dupatta, I jumped slightly when his deep voice broke the silence.

"Seat belt podu"

(Put on your seatbelt)

Blinking in surprise, I twisted my lips but obeyed, pulling the seatbelt over me and securing it. Hugging my bag to my chest, I rested my chin on it, stealing glances at him every so often.

His rolled-up sleeves revealed his strong, veined hands gripping the steering wheel with ease. The top three buttons of his white shirt were undone, offering a peek at his chest. When he turned to check something behind the car, my eyes involuntarily followed the line of his neck, landing on the mole on his chest. I bit my lip and inhaled sharply, turning my gaze to his hair, which bounced slightly as he drove, strands falling onto his forehead.

I watched his black eyes flicker with focus, his pointed nose, his parted pink lips, and the way he bit his lower lip before releasing it. His Adam's apple moved subtly with each swallow, and the muscles of his biceps flexed against his fitted shirt.

And then my gaze slowly drifted lower-down to his lap, lingering between his thighs.

Is it hard even now?

My mind whispered, and I immediately felt heat creep up my neck.

But I was snapped out of my thoughts by his voice again.

"No, it is not"

He said casually.

My eyes widened in shock, but when I turned to him, I realized he was on a call, his phone pressed to his ear.

"Naan adha sollala, Elango"

(I was not saying about that, Elango)

He continued, oblivious to my panic.

I turned my face away, flustered, and looked out the window, cursing myself.

Ippo naan enna panneetu irundhen?

(What was I doing now?)

Wiping the sweat from my temple and upper lip with a kerchief, I remained silent, refusing to even glance at him for the rest of the drive. By the time we reached college, my embarrassment was at its peak, and I vowed to keep my thoughts firmly in check.

And as I opened the car door to step out, I hissed softly and sat back down, realizing the seatbelt was still strapped. Sneaking a glance at him through the corner of my eye, I quickly unlatched the belt, murmuring to myself, and stepped out hastily.

Then, without sparing him another glance, I hurried away from the parking lot and made my way to the classroom. It took me five minutes to climb the five floors, and by the time I reached, I was panting and gulping down water from my bottle.

Since our juniors hadn't yet started their classes, the final-year classroom was empty. I slipped into the room and perched on one of the desks, resting my cheek in my palm. The fifth floor was occupied by the second years on one side, but the other side was completely empty. I had no idea why or where they had all gone.

Zoning out, I waited for him to arrive and start the session, but my thoughts were interrupted by the vibration of my phone. Glancing at the screen, a small smile crept onto my lips at the name flashing on it,

Aathukaar 🌹

Answering the call, I heard his familiar voice, calm yet commanding,

"Get the projector ready, Seetha. I'll be there in a few minutes"

And, before I could respond, the line disconnected.

I sighed, shaking my head, and got up to set up the projector.

Logging in and checking the internet connection, I ensured everything was ready by the time he entered the room with his laptop bag slung over his shoulder.

I smiled at him as he walked in, but he averted his gaze, focusing instead on setting up his laptop and connecting it to the smartboard. He placed it on the table in front, his movements swift and deliberate.

Annoyed by his indifference, I glared at him before rolling my eyes and heading towards my usual seat in the second row by the window.

But, just as I was about to settle down, his voice rang out, firm and authoritative,

"Last bench. Left corner"

I turned back to glance at him, puzzled, but his expression remained stoic as he continued,

"You're too much of a distraction. I need to make sure you focus and complete the task within a week. So, go sit there"

I gulped, and opened my mouth to counter back, but his one pointed look silenced me.

And, with his arms crossed over his chest, he stood there firm, daring me to argue.

Muttering under my breath, I grabbed my bag and walked towards the last bench in the left corner, cursing him silently.

Flopping into the seat, I rolled my eyes dramatically.

"But does it always have to be professional?"

I muttered under my breath, hoping he'd catch my words.

But, he didn't respond.

Instead, he logged into his Google account, his focus sharp, and asked in a firm tone,

"Brief me about your task"

Resting my cheek on my palm, I started explaining casually, a smile playing on my lips,

"Adhaavadhu enna naa.."

(That is we..)

Before I could finish, he interrupted, his voice cutting through with authority,

"Is this how you answer your professor?"

I froze as he placed his palms firmly on the table before him, his intense gaze locking onto mine, eyebrows raised, with a sternness that sent my pulse racing.

Gulping nervously, I stood up, trying to regain my composure, and began explaining properly.

I outlined all the details of the task, my voice slightly shaky under his intense, unwavering gaze.

Even, the weight of his focus made me cough awkwardly and stumble over my words at times, but I powered through, desperate to avoid a scolding for not paying attention.

When I finally finished, he nodded thoughtfully and motioned for me to sit.

"Sit"

"Thank you, sirrrr"

I said, drawing out the word teasingly to lighten the mood as I slid back into my seat. I noticed the corner of his lips twitch into a smile for just a moment before he masked it with his usual serious expression.

"So.."

He began,

"What's your current level in Python?"

I instinctively started to stand again, but he quickly said,

"It's okay. You may sit and answer"

Yaaraa ivan?

(Who is he?)

I wondered to myself, perplexed by this unexpected leniency. Still, I sat back down and responded,

"Intermediate"

"Hmm. Alright then. Let's test that. Answer a few questions"

He said, his tone making it clear this wasn't a suggestion.

I swallowed hard, the anticipation of his questions already making my palms sweat.

But, before I could gather myself, he had already begun.

His first question was straightforward enough.

"Write a program to find the factorial of a number using recursion"

I nodded, relieved it wasn't too complex, and began saying the logic.

"Create a function called 'factorial' that takes a number 'n' as input. Inside the function, check if 'n' is either 0 or 1. If this is true, return 1. Otherwise... otherwise, return the product of 'n' and the factorial of... 'n - 1'"

He listened silently, his expression unreadable, and then gave a short nod.

"Okay, good. Next"

Without giving me time to relax, he threw another question at me.

"How do you reverse a string in Python without using a loop?"

I paused for a second, mentally running through the possibilities.

"Using slicing, sir. For example, if s is the string, we can reverse it by s[::-1]"

"Correct"

His tone was neutral, but his eyes carried a flicker of approval. It made me sit a little straighter, feeling slightly more confident now.

"Now, let's see how you do some practical implementation. Come here"

He said, pointing to the place beside him.

I blinked, momentarily taken aback by the change in instruction, but quickly slipped my slippers back on and stood up.

I walked over to him, the familiar scent of his cologne-a blend of musk and citrus-filling the air. I bit the inside of my cheeks, trying to avoid getting distracted.

"Here's the problem statement"

He said, sliding his laptop toward me.

"Write a Python script for it. You've got ten minutes"

"Yes, sir"

I replied, feeling his gaze on me as I positioned my fingers on the keyboard.

My mind raced, trying to block out the weight of his attention on each keystroke.

As I began working, debugging the code, he leaned in slightly, his voice a low murmur.

"Take your time, but don't make mistakes"

The proximity made my heart skip a beat, but I quickly nodded, forcing myself to concentrate on the screen.

Focus, Seetha. This is your chance to impress him.

I reminded myself.

The next ten minutes flew by in a blur. Then, when I hit 'Run' on the script, but the output wasn't quite what I expected.

Errors popped up, and I glanced over at him, noticing that he was watching me intently from where he sat, leaning back in his bench.

My stomach tightened, and I quickly turned my gaze back to the screen to figure out what went wrong.

"What happened? Everything alright?"

He asked, his voice cutting through my concentration.

I blinked, a little startled, but he smiled reassuringly.

"Ennaachu, ma?"

(What's wrong, ma?)

Relief washed over me, and I sighed, trying to focus again.

He stood and walked over, ruffling my hair as he placed a hand on the table beside the laptop, leaning down slightly to examine the mistake.

I shifted closer, and his arm rested around my shoulders as he pointed out where I went wrong.

"Hm, you need to slicing here. Nee dhane konja nerathukku munnaadi sonna?"

(Didn't you mention that yourself?)

He glanced at me with a smile.

I pressed my lips together in embarrassment, cursing myself for missing such a simple mistake. But, he patted my shoulder, his tone soft,

"Po. Poi utkaaru"

(Go on, sit down)

I shook my head and said,

"Naan change panneedren"

(Let me change it)

"Paravala, ma. Idhu mukkiyam illa. Po, poi utkaaru"

(It's okay, ma. This is not important. Go and sit)

He replied with a same smile.

Nodding my head, I took a step forward, only to be suddenly pulled into his chest. Then, I felt his lips brush against the side of my neck, making me clutch his shirt near his chest and swallow nervously, my eyes closing instinctively.

But, he pulled away and raised his brows at me.

I grinned, trying to regain my composure, and quickly ran back to my seat.

And he sat beside me at the other bench, and we began discussing how to move the task forward using Python. I noted down everything he said, while he listened to my points with attention as well, nodding appreciatively.

The morning slipped into afternoon, and as we wrapped up, he told me to meet him at the canteen.

"I'll be there with Elango in a minute"

He said, leaving the classroom with a soft kiss on my cheek and a playful ruffle of my hair.

Smiling like a fool, I packed my things and made my way to the lift, eager to get to the canteen before he arrived. I took the lift down and sat in the canteen, scrolling through my phone, waiting for him and Anna to show up.

Soo, Elango anna and Aayush sir arrived, and I greeted him,

"Good afternoon, sir"

"Good afternoon, ma. Enna, nalla thookamaa?"

(What? Slept well?)

He asked with a grin.

I frowned, responding,

"Thookamaa? Adhuvum unga friend class'le? Nannaa pottu pulunju eduthuttaaru"

(Sleep? In your friend's class? He knocked me out nearly)

He laughed, and I smiled sheepishly at Aayush sir, who pretended to glare at me.

And we shared our food and finished the lunch.

Afterward, we headed back, with Aayush sir walking beside me, his hands shoved into his pockets.

"Oi"

He called.

I lifted my face, smiling and raising an eyebrow, and met his gaze.

He smiled back, then said,

"Next rendu period enakku second year class irukku"

(I have a second-year class for the next two periods)

"Ohh"

I replied. He continued,

"Nee namma discuss pannadha oru paper'le sketch panni vai. Process ellaam step by step'ah. Appodha saaptadhukku thookam varaadhu"

(You sketch it on a paper, about what we discussed, step by step through the entire process. So, you won't feel sleepy after eating)

I grinned at him and nodded, saying,

"Okayyy"

He chuckled, then added,

"Apro class'le thaniyaa irukka venaa. En cabin'le iru"

(You don't have to be alone in the class. You can stay in my cabin)

I blinked at him, surprised.

"Yaaraadhu paathuttaa?"

(What if someone spots me?)

"No worries"

He replied,

"En cabin'ku yaarum vara maataanga. Vandhaa enna? Principal kitta'laa naan peseeten. Task'ku avarum help dha panna sonnaaru. So, don't worry. Yaarum onnum kekka maataanga"

(No one will come to my cabin. Even if they do, what's the matter? I spoke to the principal, and he said it's fine if I help with the task. So, don't worry. No one will ask anything)

I smiled and said,

"Okay, sir"

We walked in silence for a few minutes, following Elango anna who was on a call.

But, suddenly, I felt Aayush sir's hand on my waist. I turned to face him, and he smiled before turning forward. I stopped abruptly, and before I could react, he pushed me gently against a tree near the parking lot. His lips were on mine before I could even catch my breath, and he kissed me passionately, completely unbothered by the possibility of someone seeing us.

And when he pulled back, I was left panting for air.

He looked at me, his eyes soft.

"Love you"

He whispered.

Smiling, I replied,

"I love you"

He kissed my forehead and we left the spot.

I sat in another white plastic chair in his cabin, focusing on the work he'd given me. And as he left, he patted my cheek lovingly and told me to be safe, leaving me to continue my work using different colored pens from his pen stand. I couldn't help but smile as I got lost in the task.

But, I really missed him in just those two hours.

As time passed, my phone chimed with a call, and I answered, hearing him ask me to come to the class. I packed everything and headed towards the classroom.

Thank god no one was in the staffroom.

When I entered the classroom, I saw him turning on the projector. I smiled as I walked in and moved towards him, standing behind him and resting my face against his back, rubbing my cheek against him.

"Oi, enna ma, aachu?"

(What happened?)

He asked.

"Door close pannala, ma"

(The door was not closed, ma)

I sighed, shifting away before placing my bag on the last bench. I then moved towards the door, looked outside to check if anyone was around, closed the door, and turned back with a mischievous smile.

But.... he was busy typing something on his laptop.

I huffed and sat on the last bench with a loud thud to get his attention, but he glanced at me for a moment before turning back to his laptop, making me feel like I was seeing a ghost.

Was he always this serious, I wondered?

What had happened in those two hours?

I took out my laptop and notes, and heard him say,

"Get the process diagram"

But I avoided responding or obeying.

And when he glanced at me, I quickly averted my gaze, took my water bottle from my bag, and opened the cap, hearing him say,

"Seetha. I'm asking you something"

Ignoring him, I placed the cap on the desk with a thud and took a sip of water.

I heard him muttering under his breath, and then I felt him walking towards me. I closed the cap of my bottle with a smile and looked away as he stopped right in front of me.

He then grabbed my notes from the desk silently and flipped through the pages until he found the process diagram.

And I avoided looking at him as he went through it, and then he placed the notes back on the desk in front of me, asking,

"You sure? Indha method dha choose panniyaa? Nalla search panniyaa? Process easy dhane?"

(You sure? Did you choose this method? Have you searched well? Is the process easy?)

But I didn't answer any of his questions.

He placed his palm on my notes and leaned down to my level, asking,

"What's with this attitude now?"

I lifted my head immediately and shot him a glare.

"Yaaru? Naan attitude kaamikirenaa?"

(Who? Do I seem like I'm giving you attitude?)

I asked, irritated.

But, his lips curved into a smile, and I gasped when he placed his hand on the side of my thigh, effortlessly pushing me away a little as he took his seat beside me on my bench.

He then rested one of his cheeks on his left hand with his elbow on the desk.

And I tried hard to suppress a shy smile as his gaze lingered over me, scanning from the top of my head, across my eyes, nose, lips, chin, and down my neck.

I pushed his hand away, immediately, making him stumble a little, and he looked at me with an amused smile as I blushed.

"Podhum. Class edunga ponga"

(Enough. Go and take the class now)

I muttered, trying to push his bicep away, but he stayed still, chuckling.

"Epdi epdi? madam mattum car'le varumbodhu enna apdiii paapinga? Aana inga kaluthukku keela paathudhukke thalli vidringa? Appo nee adhukkum keela paathadhukku'laa naan enna soldradhu?"

(How? How? What happened when madam looked at me like that when we were in the car? But now, I'm just looking at you below your neck, and you're pushing me away? Then what should I say about when you looked down at me even more?)

He asked teasingly.

I shut my eyes tight, cursing myself silently.

But, when I felt him pinch my lower lip, I frowned, opening my eyes to look at him.

He was gazing at my lips, and then asked,

"I told you I'd teach you today, right?"

I glanced into his eyes, my legs stiffening as his other hand moved to my thighs, just above my knees, under the desk.

I gulped nervously as he lifted his lashes, looking into my eyes, and whispered,

"Did you try to learn something by yourself yesterday?"

Furrowing my eyebrows, I glanced into his eyes, but quickly stopped his hand from going any further, pressing my own hand down to hold him back.

He smirked.

"You didn't?"

I was completely clueless about what he meant, my mind racing.

But then, he let go of my lips and gently caressed them with his thumb, pinching my chin, making me shiver.

His hand, which was still under my grip, shifted slightly on my thighs, and I braced myself, thinking he would try again, but I was caught off guard when he placed his hand over mine, intertwining our fingers.

He then leaned in towards my lips, and I leaned back against the bench's backrest as he kissed me slowly.

His thumb traced the knuckles of my hand, and his other hand rested behind me on the backrest. He shifted slightly, sitting sideways, and I comfortably leaned back into the kiss, my other hand gripping his shirt near his spine, fist clenched.

There.. his tongue slid into my mouth, and his head tilted as he kissed me thoroughly, sending waves of heat through me.

And I gasped as he pulled back from the kiss, but a soft moan escaped my lips as he kissed down my cheek, jawline, neck, and shoulder.

Then, his lips lingered on a spot at my neck, sucking gently yet firmly, sending shivers through my body.

My toes curled involuntarily, and he released our intertwined fingers. Just as I was about to hug him with that hand, he placed it over my thighs again, guiding my fingers to tickle the sensitive center of them.

I opened my half-closed eyes and glanced at him, but he was utterly engrossed, his lips worshiping my neck.

My hand instinctively moved from his spine to the back of his head, gripping his hair firmly as he continued. A squirm escaped me when his teasing fingers sent ticklish jolts through my thighs, and I struggled to contain myself, afraid of what sounds might escape my lips.

Finally, unable to bear the intensity of his touch any longer, I opened my mouth and called out,

"Prof... professor"

He hummed softly against my skin, his tongue tracing down my neck towards my collarbone.

My grip on his hair tightened as I threw my head back against the wall, my breath ragged.

"Stop... stop tickling me"

I begged, my voice trembling.

In the next instant, my hand was shoved between my thighs, trapped along with his, and my legs stretched out forward as I clenched my thighs in shock.

His lips, however, remained relentless, peppering kisses along my neck before moving to my throat, alternating between slow, deliberate caresses and quick, fervent kisses.

And I felt him guiding my hand to the center of my inner thighs, and my heart skipped a beat when he called my name between hot trailing kisses on my left shoulder.

His voice, low and tender, whispered,

"Seetha"

That single voice sent a rush of butterflies fluttering through my stomach. And I hummed in response, my breath shaky, as his lips lingered on my skin.

"Are you still feeling ticklish?"

He asked, his warm breath brushing against my ear. I swallowed hard and squirmed when my own fingers, under his direction, traced the sensitive side of my left inner thigh.

Even though it was all over my kurta, pants, and panties, I still felt a tingling sensation down there

"Ye...yes"

I managed to voice out, my body trembling under his touch.

He pressed a soft kiss to the side of my neck, his lips grazing my skin, and I felt his breath warm against my cheek as he whispered,

"That's not a tickling sensation, ma"

I bit my lower lip as he quickened the motion of my fingers over my inner thigh, his hand guiding mine with deliberate intent. My right thigh unconsciously unclenched from where it had pressed against my left, and I gasped audibly, my eyes wide.

Instinctively, I cupped the side of his neck, my lips parted in shock, when my own fingers moved further under his guidance, cupping my core over my clothes, and I felt heat rush through me as confusion and sensation swirled together.

"What... what are you doing?"

I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.

He leaned back slightly, a soft smile playing on his lips as he looked into my eyes and said gently,

"This is called pressure"

"Pleasure?"

I repeated, my voice barely audible, and he leaned closer, his gaze steady and warm.

"Yes"

He replied softly.

"Pleasure. It's not just sex that can bring pleasure, Seetha"

I blinked at him, realizing he was explaining something I hadn't fully understood before. But before I could process it completely, I felt his hand, the one resting on the backrest behind me, gently grabbed my bicep.

He turned me slightly towards the side wall, leaning in until his chest lightly pressed against my back. His lips brushed against my earlobe, leaving me breathless, and I froze when I felt him guiding my hand once more.

He moved my hand upward, then slid it downward in a deliberate motion.

And my breath hitched as he asked in a low voice,

"What do you feel here?"

My other hand clenched into a fist against the backrest, my knuckles whitening as the weight of his question sank in.

I squeezed my eyes shut, my head instinctively tilting back until it rested against his shoulder, when, he repeated the motion, this time pressing my fingers with a little more intent.

"Okay"

He said, his voice calm and measured,

"if you can't answer that, at least tell me, what is sex? How do a man and a woman..."

Before he could finish, I felt heat rise within me, and I wriggled out of his grasp, standing abruptly. My body moved on instinct, trying to distance itself from the storm of emotions and sensations.

But he was faster.

Gently, yet firmly, he pulled me back to sit beside him. His lips hovered near my ear as he quickly whispered,

"Okay, let me finish. You can touch, Seetha. You can touch yourself. Sex isn't the only way to feel pleasure. You can give yourself that feeling too"

But I froze, his voice calm and sincere, carrying an earnestness that made me both curious and uneasy.

"That's what I meant earlier when I asked if you felt... wet. When you experience pleasure, whether on your own or with me, you'll notice it. It's natural, Seetha. It's called masturbation, and it's something common for both men and women"

His words were unfamiliar yet captivating, drawing me into a conversation I hadn't expected.

"And, you know how to have sex, right?"

He continued cautiously.

"So, you're aware of the male organ... the penis?"

Heat crept up my face at his frankness, and I tried to pull away from his hold. But instead of letting me escape, he gently turned me to face him, cupping my chin.

His gaze was serious-devoid of any lust-more like a teacher ensuring his student understood.

"You know about intercourse, don't you?"

And I blinked, trying to convey my understanding, though I was too flustered to speak.

When he saw my reaction, a soft smile spread across his face.

"Thank God"

He said with a small chuckle, easing some of the tension between us.

"So.."

He continued,

"For a male... I mean.. you don't want to imagine anyone. So, for me.. when the penis becomes erect, it's called being hard. Just like you can experience pleasure, I can too. Masturbation is completely normal. But remember..."

He added firmly,

"It's something you do only if you wish to. There's no shame in it, and you shouldn't feel embarrassed or shy. Also, you must never try to do it without fully understanding how! That's very important. You understand?"

I stared at him, his words sinking in.

Wet. Hard. Pleasure.

Who would have thought such simple words could carry so much meaning and evoke so many emotions?

As I gulped, I felt a strange sense of gratitude in that time.

Lucky-that's what I felt.

Lucky to have him in my life.

He didn't judge me for not knowing things. He didn't get frustrated or angry. Instead, he taught me calmly, ensuring I understood without ever pressuring me to act on anything.

Also, he gave me the choice. He reassured me it was normal. And, in doing so, he made me feel comfortable with things I never thought I could discuss without shame.

Overwhelmed, I suddenly, grabbing his shirt collar, and pulled him close.

My lips crashed onto his, cutting off anything else he might have said.

He stiffened at first, surprised by my boldness, but soon softened. His hands rose, cupping my cheeks as he began to kiss me back.

The world around us faded, and for a moment, it was just the two of us, lost in an intense and mutual connection.

It took me a few minutes to fully grasp his words about self-pleasure and the meaning of being "wet."

My mind was swimming with emotions, new realizations, and his lingering presence.

Slowly, I pressed my hands against his chest, feeling the warmth through his shirt, and gently pulled back from the kiss.

As I pulled back, he let me go, but I instinctively tried to hide my face against his chest. However, he held my shoulders firmly, and before I could whine, he gently grabbed my ankles and pulled me forward.

I gasped, eyes widening in surprise. But, with ease, he guided my legs to circle around his hips, and then, pulling my nape, he brought me close enough to bury my face in his chest.

A wide smile spread across my lips as I threw my arms around his neck and settled my legs around his hips, snuggling into him. Still processing everything he'd taught.

But suddenly the cautious focus about the part between my thighs increased, and I know about this a little, as it's a bad thing to allow someone to touch us down there in my school and college days.

However, I didn't know that part of my body held so much importance, and the connection to pleasure has become more noticeable as time passed.

It made me realize that what once felt like a wrong touch can turn into something pleasurable when it's with someone special?!

That thought made me laugh, but I quickly bit my tongue when I heard,

"Oi, Yedhukku di sirikira?"

(Why are laughing?)

Achacho!

I turned my face to the other side when he leaned in to look at me, and I heard him chuckle before asking,

"Yedhukku ma sirichuttu irukka?"

(Why are you smiling like this, ma?)

I smiled and hugged his neck tighter, making him wince.

"Aahh! Kondraadha di enna!"

(Aah! Don't kill me)

He chuckled again, and I closed my eyes, my thoughts drifting to his body now.

Hard?

When something becomes hard, it's usually painful.

So, if it happened to him down there, would he feel pain too?

Was that the same expression that heroes or comedians make in movies when they get hit down there? If so, it would explain just how painful it could be.

How ridiculous!

How do men manage to be so cautious every minute of the day?

But, I froze in shock as the sound of footsteps reached my ears, followed by a stern voice,

"Jenni, inga enna pandra? Class kulla po"

(Jenni, what are doing here? Go to your class)

My eyes widened as I pulled back from him, glancing at his equally shocked face.

"Vinitha ma'am"

We whispered in unison, panic evident in our voices.

I quickly untangled my arms and legs from him, and he removed his hold on me just as hastily.

Then frantically looking around for a place to hide, I grabbed his nape and tried to push him under the table.

He squealed and yanked me away.

"Enna di pandra?"

(What are you doing, girl?)

"Aiyooo! Professor Vinitha ma'am varaanga! Neenga keezha poi olinjukkonga!"

(Vinith mam is coming! You go and hide under the desk)

I whispered in desperation.

But, he gave me a bewildered look and said,

"Keezha poi olinjukkardhaa? Ennaala'laa mudiyaadhu"

(Hide under the desk? I won't do it)

I sighed in frustration.

"Appo naan olinjukuren. Neenga ma'am'eh edhaavadhu solli samaalinga!"

(Then, I will do it. You take care of ma'am)

As I crouched down to hide under the desk, he grabbed my shoulders and made me sit back up.

"Loosu, engayaadhu poi iduchukkaadha! Un bag inga dha irukku. And, nee inga dha irukka'nu avangalukkum theriyum. So, let me continue teaching you"

(Fool, don't get hit on somewhere. Your bag is here. And she already knows you're here. So, let me continue teaching you)

He leaned closer to me, and I gasped.

"Modhala irundhaa?"

(Again, from the start?)

I whispered accusingly.

He gave me a scrutinizing look, sighed, and rolled his eyes.

Then, standing up, he buttoned his shirt and muttered,

"Un aasa! Nee draw panneerka method pathi mattum naan question kekkumbodhu olunga answer pannala'nu vai. Avlodhan!"

(Your wish! If you don't answer properly when I ask you about the method you drew, that's it!)

He gestured towards my notes on the desk, a subtle warning, before picking up my dupatta lying beside them.

Gently, he wrapped it around my neck, letting the ends drape over my shoulders on either side.

I couldn't help but smile. And as he stepped back, I quickly adjusted my hair and straightened my dress, my heart skipping a beat at the sound of the door creaking open.

Aayush sir grabbed my notebook, pretending to explain something, leaning slightly closer as he stood beside me. I bit my lip, struggling to stifle a laugh.

But I gulped when I heard,

"Seetha"

We both looked up to see Vinitha ma'am standing at the door, smiling at me.

I smiled back nervously, and Aayush sir straightened up. I stood and greeted her,

"Hi, ma'am"

She walked over, her eyes darting between us. Meanwhile, Aayush sir quietly moved past her to stand by his laptop.

I caught his glance before focusing on Vinitha ma'am.

"Epdi da irukka?"

(How are you, dear?)

She asked warmly.

I smiled.

"Naan nannaa irukken, ma'am. Neenga epdi irukkeenga? Thambi epdi irukaan?"

(I'm fine, mam. How are you and thambi?)

She returned my smile and replied,

"Naan nallaa irukken. Thambi'uhm nallaa irukaan. Enna task-ku oru class'aah?"

(I'm good and thambi is doing fine as well. What? A class for a task?)

She asked, her gaze shifting towards Aayush sir.

I nodded.

"Yes, ma'am. Epdiyum idha mudichaa dhaan job confirm aagum. So... appa dhaan ivar kitta kaettu saethu vittaa"

(After all, completing this task would secure my job confirmation. So, my father reached out to him and arranged for me to join)

She smiled knowingly.

"Ohh, seri. OCD aalu romba torture panraaraa?"

(Oh, I see. Is the OCD guy causing you any trouble?)

She whispered with a teasing smile.

Lowering my gaze, I suppressed a blush and,

"Yes, ma'am. Romba torture panraar"

(Yes, ma'am. He is torturing me a lot)

I said, glancing at him.

He raised his brows at me but quickly looked back at his laptop as Vinitha ma'am turned to glance at him as well.

I averted my gaze from him and looked back at her with a smile.

"Seri, enakku class irukku. Yethana naaliku indha class unakku?"

(Okay, I have class. How many more days do you have this class?)

She asked me.

"Nekku mattum illa, ma'am. Nalaila irundhu Kamali'uhm varuvaa... next oru two weeks ku irukkum, ma'am"

(Not just me, ma'am. Kamali will also be coming from tomorrow... it will be for the next two weeks, ma'am)

"Oh, seri. Appo nalaiku paakalaam"

(Oh, okay. Then we can meet tomorrow)

"Sure ma'am. Bye"

"Bye, da. Take care"

I smiled, nodding, as she turned to greet Aayush sir before leaving the classroom.

Once she exited, I packed up my things and walked over to him.

"It's time, professor. Inniku namakku part-time job irukku. Marandhutte'laa?"

(It's time, professor. We have a part-time job today. Did you forget?)

He glanced at his laptop with a smile, then turned it off. I switched off the projector, and we left the class together.

Reaching the parking lot, he gestured for me to wait at the college entrance. I nodded and walked to the gate, calling my mom to let her know about the coordinator work.

While speaking with her, I heard the honk of his car.

Quickly ending the call after her usual advice-Be careful, don't go anywhere alone, grab some snacks, and take the bus or call appa or Aayush sir if needed-I got into the car and smiled at him.

"Ennaachu?"

(What happened?)

He asked, his eyes flickering with curiosity.

Shaking my head, I said,

"Paathu irukkanum, snacks vaangi saaptukanum, engayum thaniyaa poga koodaadhu, edhaadhu venum'naa appa'ku illanaa..."

(Must be careful, grab some snacks, shouldn't go anywhere alone, and if needed call appa or..)

I playfully patted his shoulder, mimicking my mom's words,

"Aayush sir'ku call pannanu"

(Should call Aayush sir)

He chuckled.

"List'le ippo naanum saendhuttanaa?"

(Did I also make it to the list now?)

"Kandippa. Neenga illaama epdi, professor?"

(Ofcourse. How it go without you?)

He smiled, shaking his head.

"Adhu seri"

(That's okay)

I turned forward with a smile, looking at the road, but frowned as I noticed the route.

We had driven past the restaurant where we were supposed to start work today. I turned to him accusingly.

"Don't be silly, sir. Romba naal aachu, inniku dhaan first day work. Inniku epdi leave podradhu?"

(Don't be silly, sir. It's been a long time, and today is the first day of work. How can we take leave today?)

He smirked and said,

"Inniku first day illa. Nalaiku dhaan work start aagudhu. Inniku unna veliya kooptu poga naan summa solli paathen... adhayum en student nambeerchu. I pity you, my beautiful woman"

(Today is not the first day. Work starts tomorrow. I just casually said to take you out today... and my student believed it. I pity you, my beautiful woman)

I glared at him but felt my face flush and he caught on, pinching my cheek playfully.

"You're so cute when you blush. Theriyumaa?"

(You know that?)

Swatting his hand away, I smiled despite myself and turned forward. He chuckled and continued driving, clearly enjoying the teasing.

After a moment, I turned back to him.

"Seri, ippo namma enga porom?"

(Okay, so where are we going now?)

"Real estate kaaranga oruthara meet panna porom, ma. Nethu dhaan Raman call panni vara sonnaaru"

(We're going to meet a real estate person, ma. Raman called yesterday and asked us to come)

He said and my eyes widened with excitement.

"Nejamava?"

(Really?)

He placed a reassuring hand on mine, giving it a light squeeze.

"Finalize aaganum"

(Should get finalized)

He said. Placing my other hand over his, I replied,

"Kandippa aagum. Aana, aagalanaalum we have time. Idhu illanaalum innonu seriyaa?"

(It will definitely happen. But even if it doesn't, we have time. If not this, something else will work out, okay?)

He gripped my hand firmly, smiling as he focused on the road ahead. For a moment, I studied his face, confused by his silence.

"Enna?"

(What?)

I asked softly.

Without a word, he blew me a kiss, making me glare at him playfully.

"I love you"

I whispered.

He laughed.

"I love youuu!"

I chuckled, and soon we reached the place. Within minutes, we were out of the car and walking into the office.

Mr. Raman greeted us, shaking our hands warmly.

"Mr. Aayush and Ms. Seetha, meet my uncle, Mr. Vedha"

We exchanged pleasantries with Mr. Vedha, an older man with a kind demeanor. He began explaining the details of the plots he currently had available, and we listened attentively, taking mental notes of the options.

Once they finished explaining, Aayush sir began,

"But idhu romba interior aana place'ah irukku, uncle"

(But this is a very interior place, uncle)

The old man smiled gently, saying,

"Ippodhaiku en kai'le irukkardhu ivlodha, kanna. Neenga venaa oru two to three months wait pannunga... naan epdiyaadhu ungalukku yerpaadu panna mudiyudhaanu paakuren"

(Right now, this is all I have in my hands, dear. You can wait for two to three months if you want... I'll see if I can manage to get something for you)

I sighed softly, gripping his elbow as he shook hands with the two men. Then, we left the place, walking in silence.

Leaning against his bicep as he dialed mama, I listened as he explained the situation over the phone.

When we reached the car, I waited for him to finish the call. After a few moments, he hung up, turned to me, and smiled. I smiled back, but deep down, I knew he could sense my disappointment.

However, stretching out his hand, he took mine and kissed my knuckles softly. I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could say a word, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to my forehead.

That simple gesture broke me into a smile, finally, like how he wished.

"Idhudha nallaarukku"

(Only this is looking good)

He said, pointing at my smiling lips with his other hand.

I chuckled and held onto our intertwined hands.

"Ippo enna pandradhu?"

(What should we do now?)

I asked, seriously.

"Enna pandradhu?"

(What should we do?)

But he asked me back, feigning seriousness, making me click my tongue and respond,

"Mch, professor! Avanga sonna cost'uhm romba over. Ipdiye ponaa epdi kedaikum?"

(Mch, professor! The cost they mentioned is too high as well. How will we manage if it goes on like this?)

"Idhu illanaalum innonu seriyaa?"

(If not this, something else will work out, okay?)

He asked with a teasing smirk.

I squinted at him, realizing he was throwing my own words back at me from earlier.

Rolling my eyes with a laugh, I muttered,

"Very funny, professor"

He chuckled, reaching out to ruffle my hair.

"Kedaikum, ma. Enakku ipdi oru azhagaana, arivaana ponnu kedaikkum'nu naan nenachanaa? Andha maadhiri, idhuvum Namma nenaikaadha nerathula thaanaa kedaikum"

(It will happen, ma. Did I think that I would get such a beautiful, intelligent girl? Just like that, this too will happen when the time is right)

I raised my brows, fighting the blush creeping onto my face.

"Enna oru cheese'uhhh"

(So cheesy)

I dragged out the word dramatically.

He gasped in mock horror, saying,

"Adipaavi! Naan evlo serious'ah soldren, nee 'cheese'uh' ngraa?"

(Wow, girl! How seriously I'm speaking, and you're saying 'cheesyy'?)

I burst out laughing.

"Set aagala boss ungalukku idhu. Vandiya edunga, veetukku polaa!"

(This won't work with you, boss. Start the car, let's go home!)

He shook his head, twisting his lips in playful annoyance, before starting the car.

Smiling, I leaned back, gazing out the window with a mix of thoughts swirling in my head.

I knew he was trying to cheer me up, but I could sense the faint traces of doubt and insecurity he carried deep within him.

I have to do something

I thought, the determination settling in my mind.

Suddenly, the car came to a halt.

Startled, I looked outside to see the supermarket.

Turning to him in question, he simply said,

"Appa order"

A smile spread across my face.

We got down from the car and headed into the supermarket together.

As we entered, I wandered to the snacks rack in the first row. My eyes immediately caught the Lays packets, and without a second thought, I grabbed a couple.

Then, turning around, I found him wheeling the shopping trolley towards me, his lips curling into a small smile.

But that smile quickly turned into a disapproving shake of his head. He opened his mouth, probably to tell me to put them back, but before he could say a word, I swiftly dropped the packets into the trolley and darted away, laughing to myself as I heard him mutter something about staying put.

Hehe!

And I caught up with him moments later, watching as he carefully collected cooking essentials-vegetables, masalas, and other items.

I trailed behind him, beside him, and occasionally even in front of him, my eyes fixated on his sincere and focused expression.

His long fingers picked out items with precision, his scrunched eyes scanning labels attentively.

Oorla oru paiyan namba maataan indhaalu oru professor'nu sonnaa. Evlo young'ah irukkaaru. Chey!

(No one would believe that this guy is a professor, seeing how young he looks)

Kuduthu vachava di seetha nee.

(You're a lucky girl di Seetha)

I grinned shyly.

And then, there was the ring on his finger. That tiny detail tugged at my heart, and I found myself smiling wide even more.

Placing my hand on the trolley beside his, I looked at our rings together, feeling a warm sense of contentment wash over me.

"Good"

He said, breaking my thoughts.

"Puduchukko. I'll go get some dals"

(Hold it)

With that, he walked off, leaving me standing there, stunned.

My smile faltered, and I let out a small huff of annoyance. Rolling my eyes in the direction he disappeared, I tried to turn the trolley on my own.

It wasn't as easy as he made it look, but I managed to turn it towards the dals section. I glanced around, hoping to spot him, but no matter how many racks I rounded, he was nowhere to be seen.

I sighed, gripping the trolley handle tighter.

Indha manushan enga kaanaama ponaaru ippo?

(Where did this man vanish now?)

I mumbled under my breath, my frustration growing as I continued to search.

But, my mouth fell open, and my eyes started to sting with heat as the scene before me unfolded.

There he was... in the vegetable section, talking to a young woman.

She smiled at him with twinkling eyes filled with admiration, and he-my man-was saying something with a polite smile on his face.

The sight made my blood boil.

My teeth gritted, and I was ready to march over and pull him away from her, but I stopped when a better idea struck me.

Glancing up, I spotted a surveillance camera nearby. Ensuring it was pointed elsewhere, I muttered under my breath,

"Invisibley Mieru Maai"

And I turned invisible.

The fear of being stuck invisible forever bubbled up for a moment, but my rising rage shoved it aside.

I focused on the woman, who now held up a carrot, smiling brightly at him. My gaze darted around until I found my weapon of choice-a lady's finger sitting on the nearby vegetable rack.

With a swift motion, I grabbed it and hurled it at her.

She shrieked, startled, and looked around wildly, but of course, she couldn't see me.

A triumphant smirk spread across my face.

But, the woman shook her head, nervously laughing it off, and tried to continue her conversation with him.

Oh no, not so fast!

This time, I picked up a handful of lady's fingers and flung them one by one at her.

Her shrieks grew louder, and she ducked, spinning around to find her invisible tormentor.

My smirk widened as she finally broke and ran off, clearly horrified.

I stopped my antics, dusting my hands, and glanced at him.

He stood there, staring at the empty space in front of him with wide eyes.

Of course, he knew who was behind this-his beautiful woman-that's me.

But, shaking his head, he looked directly at where I was standing and blew out a breath of disbelief. While I blew him an invisible kiss in return.

Before I could bask in my success, he suddenly reached out beside me, his hand brushing against my right bosom in the process, making me gasp.

My eyes widened, but his smirk deepened as he caught hold of my right hand.

"Not sorry"

He said smugly. I glared at him and tried to wriggle free, but his grip tightened. And, he chuckled darkly, saying,

"Ippo visible aagaadha naan sollumbodhu aagu. And..."

(Don't get visible until I say so. And...)

His tone dropped, sharp and commanding.

"You will pay for this"

He glared at me. I whined, trying to pull back, but he dragged me effortlessly to the back corner of the supermarket, where the shelves of stationery and cardboard boxes stood.

"Turn visible"

He ordered, his tone brooking no argument.

I hesitated, twisting my wrist in his grasp, but his hand squeezed mine, making me wince.

Pouting, I muttered,

"Visibley Mienai Maai"

And I reappeared.

He let go of my hand immediately, crossing his arms over his chest. One brow arched intimidatingly as he stared me down.

I gulped, lowering my gaze, and mumbled,

"Sorry"

When he didn't respond, I peeked up at him, only to find the same stern expression fixed on his face.

Pouting, I grabbed one of his forearms and blinked up at him.

"Hey, sorry, professoreyy. Manichirungo"

(Forgive me)

I said sweetly.

Still, no response.

He didn't even flinch.

I sighed, growing desperate, and grabbed his shirt collar to pull him down to my level.

But he swiftly removed my hands and walked past me without a word, leaving me fuming.

What did I do wrong now?

He was the one smiling and chatting with another woman while leaving his fiancée alone!

Turning around, I spotted him picking something off a rack.

Frustration bubbled over, and I shouted,

"Dei, Aayush!"

Startled, he dropped the item and spun to face me, his mouth and eyes wide open in shock.

I crossed my arms, glaring at him with an unbothered expression.

"Ippo enna da nokku? Avlo kovam varumaa? Naan dha kova padanum nee avaloda sirichu pesunadhukku! Nee yen da kova padra?"

(What's wrong with you now? Why are you getting so angry? I should be the one getting angry since you were talking and laughing with her! Why are you angry?)

His lips moved silently as he mouthed,

What the fuck?!

I shook my head, refusing to back down.

"Ippo enna da? Pesave maata? Avlodhaane? Seri, pesadha da, Aayush Kumar. Naan poren. Nee medhuvaa ellaam vaangeetu vaa. BYE!"

(What now? Are you not going to speak? Is that it, right? Fine, don't speak, Aayush Kumar. I'm leaving. You come home after finishing your shopping. BYE!)

I spun around dramatically, ready to storm off, but before I could take a step, his hand shot out and grabbed my wrist.

And in one swift motion, he twirled me around, making my other hand in air stumble into a pile of cardboard boxes, in our left side.

In the chaos, my foot landed on his, and before I knew it, we both went crashing to the floor-with me landing right on top of him.

He groaned under the weight, his face scrunched in discomfort. I blinked, staring at him for a moment, then glanced behind me to see the fallen boxes.

When I looked back at him, his glare was intense, but I couldn't hold it in any longer.

I burst into laughter, throwing my head back at the ridiculousness of the situation.

"You think this is funny?"

He growled, still glaring.

But his state-his ruffled hair, annoyed expression, and the way we were tangled-only made me laugh harder.

And even after we left the supermarket, loaded with our purchases, and reached his house, I couldn't stop laughing.

My cheeks ached, and my stomach hurt, but I just couldn't hold it in.

Meanwhile, he kept rolling his eyes, huffing, and glaring at me, which only fueled my laughter further.

"When do you plan to stop?"

He asked, exasperated.

"Na... Naan paavam paiyan vitruvo'nu dhaan nenachen. Aana.."

(I even felt sorry for you. But...)

I managed to say between fits of laughter.

"Aana andha perumaal vachirundha twist'eh paathe'laa"

(But did you see the twist from the god?)

I laughed even more, clutching my sides.

He made a face and walked towards the kitchen. And I couldn't resist shouting after him,

"Naan idha mama kitta, Elango anna kitta sollaama vida maaten!"

(I'm going to say this to mama and Elango bro)

He spun around with a sharp warning,

"Don't you dare!"

I chuckled mischievously.

"Oh, Then, I'm definitely telling them!"

And with that, I sprinted off, hearing him shout behind me,

"Seetha, stay right there!"

Turning back, I saw him chasing me, and I shrieked, running around the living room couch where mama sat, amused, with his laptop.

We dashed around him as I laughed uncontrollably.

"Seetha, kammunu vandhuru!"

(Come here)

He warned, his tone mock-serious now.

"Mudiyaadhu, Mr. Aayush"

(I won't)

I teased, dodging him effortlessly.

Mama sighed, finally looked up and asked,

"Enna da aachu? Yen da en marumagala thoratittu irukke?"

(What happened, da? Why are you chasing my daughter-in-law?)

Laughing, I answered,

"Mama, innikku enna aachu theriyumaa?"

(Mama, do you know what happened today?)

"Seethaaaa..."

Aayush sir tried to stop me, his voice a mix of irritation and amusement.

But, ignoring him, I stuck out my tongue playfully, only to squeal in shock when he grabbed my wrist, leaning in against the couch.

"Maatniyaa?"

(Caught you)

"Mama! Vida sollunga!"

(Mama, tell him to leave me)

I whined, wriggling in his hold.

Mama smiled and turned to Aayush sir.

"Aayush, enna aachu?"

(What happened?)

"Paa, she turned invisible today. Naan sonnadha meeriyum, indha maadhiri nadandhaa naan enna pandradhu?"

(Dad, she turned invisible today. What should I do if she keeps doing things like this without listening to me?)

He complained, glancing at me with frustration.

Mama turned to me, I looked at Aayush sir and quickly lowered my gaze, biting my lip to suppress my laughter.

His glare only made it harder to keep a straight face. But, when he continued to glare, I placed a finger on my lips, shaking my head to indicate I was totally 'innocent'.

Mama chuckled and told Aayush sir,

"Seri, vidu da. Idhu dha last, Seetha, ini ippadi panna koodadhu"

(Okay. Leave her. This is final, Seetha. You shouldn't not do like this again)

I nodded enthusiastically.

"Promise, mama!"

Mama smiled and turned back to Aayush.

"Vidu da. Ava pogattum"

(Leave her, da. Let her go)

But instead of letting me go, Aayush sir shook his head, still holding my wrist. And before I could react, he reached beside me, and lifted me in his arms in a bridal style.

I gasped,

"Yovvv!"

Looking at me with a mischievous glint, he said,

"Let me handle her, appa"

My eyes widened, and I glanced at mama, silently pleading for rescue, but he just shook his head and left the living room.

Before I could process it, Aayush sir adjusted his grip and threw me over his shoulder like a sack of rice.

"Hey!"

I protested, punching his back lightly, but he ignored me and strode towards his room.

However, just before he stepped in, he suddenly stopped.

"Samandhi!"

(Paarthiv, sir)

The voice froze me.

Appa! Oh no!

Aayush sir quickly helped me to my feet and took a few steps forward, noticing my parents standing at the entrance. I followed him, and together we greeted them before positioning ourselves behind them as they conversed in front of Mama, who had just emerged from his room to join the discussion.

I then glanced up at Aayush sir, who smirked and glanced down at me. But, when he winked, I blushed and turned away quickly.

"Seetha, poi dress change pannu"

(Go and change your dress)

Amma said, her tone affectionate but firm. I told them about our shopping trip and then left the house to return home.

As I opened my room door and stretched my hand towards the light switch with a blushy smile by remembering our moments, I suddenly felt my arm being twisted behind me.

And before I could even try to process, my cheek was shoved roughly against the closed door of my room, making me wince in pain.

But, I froze as a voice growled from behind me, near my ear,

"Shizuka ni shiro, koukai suru koto ni naru zo"

(Keep quiet, or you'll regret it)

I was in no state to comprehend the meaning of the words or even identify the language.

Shouting wasn't an option either, as a strong hand clamped over my mouth, silencing me.

My eyes shut tightly as tears spilled, stinging my cheeks, while the pain from the unrelenting grip on my wrist grew unbearable.

That was the last thing I remembered before everything faded into darkness.

In the haze, fragments of my happiest memories surfaced-moments with Appa, Amma, Mama, Kamali, Elango Anna, and... him.

"Aayush"

I whispered faintly in the echoes of consciousness, his name anchoring me amidst the engulfing void.

**********

TBC..

Epdi irundhuchu?

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