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Vaanga vaanga story kulla polaa 🚴🏻‍♀️💜🦋

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Kamali and a classmate tried to console me, but I was in no mood to listen to anyone, as I was on the verge of losing my control.

I called my parents' number, hoping to hear something from them that could comfort me.

"Seetha chollu di"

(Seetha, tell me dear)

"Amma"

(Mom)

I cried, and I knew my mother could feel panicked.

"Seetha. Yen di alara? Enna di aachu?"

(Seetha. Why are you crying? What happened to you?)

My mom asked hurriedly.

"Amma. Indha sir'uh college bus le poravaalukku seekro sign pottu kuduppo nu irukka maataalaa ma?"

(Mom, why can't this sir give a 'no-due' sign to those who are going home through the college bus?)

I asked her in annoyance, still crying.

"Ennaachu ippo? yen Seetha alara?"

(What's wrong now? Why are you crying Seetha?)

My father asked with concern.

"Mathavaalukku ellaam sign pottu koduthuttaar pa. Naan mattum dhaan innum vaangala. College bus poyiduthu ippo naan epdi aathukku varuven?"

(Everyone else has already signed and left the college. I'm the only one who hasn't gotten mine yet. The college bus has left, so how will I get home now?)

I had a hiccup, and those who saw me crying were unsure of how to react. 

Feeling low and overwhelmed by the fear of missing the bus, my frustration and tears overflowed.

"College bus students ellaarum poitaalaa?"

(Did all the students who takes the college bus leave?)

My father asked.

"Aama pa ellaarum poitaa.. naan dha pogalai"

(Yes dad, everyone has left... I haven't gone yet.)

I cried.

"Seri outbus le vandhuddu. Kaasu irukku le?"

(Okay, then take the outbus. Do you have the money?)

My mother's response only made me more angry. 

I'm terrified here right now, but instead of offering comfort or a solution, she's just telling me to face it on my own.

"Maa. ippo vandhaa koottamaa irukkum ma. Mazha vera peiyardhu"

(Mom, if I come now, the bus will be crowded. Plus, it's raining heavily.)

I shouted at her.

"Mazha peiyardhaa?"

(Is it raining there?)

My father sounded worried about me.

"Aama"

(Yes)

I replied through my tears, and my anger shifted towards the professor, who was the reason I got delayed and missed my college bus.

"Ellaarukkum sign pottu koduthuttaa avaa. College bus ku poravaalukku seekro pottu koduppom nu irukkaa? avaaa poyiruvaa bike'eh thookindu. Oru ponnu naan epdi poven nu irukkaa avaalukku? naan poi kaekka poren paarungo. Yepdi ipdilaa irukkaa?"

(He gives out the no-dues to everyone after signing. Does he think that those going on the college bus will get a seat if we're late? He will just leave taking her bike. How does he expect a girl like me to get home in this climate? I'm going to ask him all these. How can he be like this?)

I wiped my tears and headed towards the faculty room, like I was going to confront that professor and tear his face off. 

But my fellow classmates stopped me.

"Hey iru Seetha"

(Seetha wait)

"Seetha, amma've kaelu. Onnum panna venaa. Nee jaakardhayaa, mazha ninnadhum, porumaiyaa aathukku vaa."

(Seetha, listen to me. Don't do anything. Be patient, despite the rain, and come home safely)

I listened to amma through my phone.

"Mazha peiyardhu ma, naan eppadi varuven?"

(It's raining heavily, how will I get home?)

I yelled, catching the attention of the other staff members inside the faculty room. 

My mother and father exchanged a few words among themselves before...

"Seri nee mazha nikkala'naa sollu, appa vandi eduthundu varen. Ippo nee yedhukku idhukku poi aludhundu irukka? kanna thodachundu amaidhiyaa iru"

(Okay, if the rain doesn't stops, let me know, and I'll take a vehicle and come to the college. Why are you making a fuss now? Wipe your tears and stay calm.)

My father said to comfort me, knowing that I was scared of taking the outbus.

Feeling self-conscious about the attention from my classmates in the staffroom, I walked away and stood beside the lift.

Then, another friend of mine approached with concern.

"Seetha. Nee Kinnakorai dhane?"

(You're from Kinnakorai, right?)

Pooja asked me.

"Mmm aam..aama di"

(Ye..yes)

I said, sniffling and wiping my nose with my kerchief.

"Aayush sir'uhm Kinnakorai dhaanaam. Avaru kooda poriyaa nu Keerthi mam kekuraanga"

(Our Aayush sir is also from Kinnakorai. So, Keerthi ma'am is asking if you'll go with him.)

What?!

No way.

I wiped my tears. That question made me realize I was acting like a child and drawing attention to myself.

Stop your drama, Seetha.

I scolded myself and wiped my entire face.

"Illa di vendaam. naan avaa kooda laa pogala. Naan outbus laye poikiren"

(No, it's not needed. I'm not going with him. I'm going to take the outbus.)

I said this to her. I couldn't even imagine going home with someone who's on my annoying list, and it would be kind of, awkward to go with one of our male professors.

"Illa di sir kitta kaettu paakalaam"

(It's okay. Let's ask him)

Pooja said again, but I refused stubbornly.

"It's okay, Pooja. I can go by myself"

I replied with a smile.

"What happened?"

I frowned and turned to see Elangovan sir with Aayush Kumar sir behind him. 

I quickly wiped my tears when Aayush sir gave me a concerned look and I turned away. But, I was sure they both saw my teary face.

"Seetha, are you okay?"

I jerked slightly and turned to Elangovan sir, saying, 

"Ye... yes sir"

He and Aayush Kumar sir left, with Aayush following silently behind. 

I stared at them, feeling more despondent. Why did he not ask me anything? Was he really that stone-hearted person?

Just then, he glanced back at me, and I averted my gaze, wiping away my tears which was flowing for many more reasons now that I couldn't completely understand. 

Pooja too followed them, leaving me alone. I leaned against the wall, watching the rain and the darkening sky. 

The gloomy weather made me shiver a bit.

How was I going to get home in such horrid climate?

Soon, Kamali arrived and glared at me. I simply returned her stare.

"Naan no-dues sign vaangeeten unakkum. Enkitta dha irukku nalaiku tharen. Nee Kelambu modhala ingerndhu"

(I've got the no-dues sign for you too. I'll give it to you tomorrow. You should leave now.)

She grabbed my wrist and dragged me towards the lift. I let her pull me all the way to the entrance of our college gate, despite her scoldings and advice. But I stopped when I saw the rain.

"Enna?"

(What?)

She asked.

"Mazha peiyardhu di"

(It's raining)

"Mazha dhane peiyudhu? Pei aah irukkudhu? Yen ipdi bayapadra? Adhuvum it's just drizzling, Vaa"

(It's just rain, not a ghost or anything. Why are you so scared? Come with me.)

She yelled at me.

"Naan mazhaiku bayapadala"

(I'm not scared of the rain.)

I said softly.

"Apro enna Seetha?"

(Then what's your problem Seetha?)

She looked at me with disbelief.

At that moment, again I realized I was acting like such a fool.

But the fear I felt was real.

"Kamali, I don't want to go in the bus."

I whined.

"Apro yedhula pora?"

(So, how were you planning to go?)

"Kamali nokku theriyum le nekku bus le ponum naa bayam nu? I have to take two buses. Ippo nee yaethi viduva. Then? Then, next bus naan epdi yaeruven? Maathi yaereetaa enna pandradhu?"

(Kamali, you know it's scary for me to go in the bus, right? I have to take two buses. If you leave me now, what will I do next? How will I catch the next bus? What if I take the wrong bus? what will I do then?)

She rolled her eyes at me.

"Maathi yaereetaa anga poi yerangi angerndhu veetukku po. Simple, Seetha. Aana nee yen ivlo periya vishyamaa idha yeduthukura nu enakku suthamaa purila"

(Just get off at the next stop and take another bus to go home. It's simple, Seetha. But I don't understand why you're making such a big deal out of it.)

I know. It's simple for everyone, but not for me.

I fidgeted with my fingers, falling silent as Aayush Kumar sir and Elangovan sir walked past us with smiles on their faces. 

I felt like crying again on seeing them, though I wasn't sure why.

Kamali dragged me away but slowed her pace, comforting me with soothing words to ease my fear.

As we crossed the road to the bus stop, I held onto her hand. When she let go, I grabbed it again, but she gently pulled it away.

"Mudiyaadhu ma. Nee poi dha aaganum. Enakku Inga en fancy store ku things ellaam vaanganum"

(No, dear. You should go. I have some work to do here; I need to buy something for my store)

She explained to me.

"Appo naanum unnodaye varane?"

(Shall I accompany you then?)

I asked with a hope.

"Seetha Inga paaru, Nammala suthi yethana peru irukkaanga nu konjam paaru"

(Seetha, look here. Check, there are many people around us.)

I looked around and saw many students and people. Then I turned to her and gulped.

"Ippo vara pora bus le nee yaerikko, apro last stop dha unnoda next stop, angerndhu adutha bus yereetu pakkathula irukkavanga kitta kelu idhu Kinnakorai pogumaa apdinu. Avanga aama nu sonnaa nalla puduchu ninnuko, conductor eh solluvaaru idhaa Kinnakorai nu. Sollala naalum you know le? Kinnakorai bus stop kooda unakku marandhu pochaa enna?"

(When the bus arrives, you can get off at the last stop. Then, ask people at the next stop if the bus is going to Kinnakorai. If they say yes, you can take it. The conductor will also tell you if it's going to Kinnakorai. Even if they don't, you know? Have you forgotten the Kinnakorai bus stop too?)

She gave me a serious lecture and asked me. I shook my head slowly.

"That's it. Ovvaru bus maaruna apromaavum. Inform me and your parents. Edhaadhu nadandhaa kooda athana peru unkooda dhane di bus le travel pannuvaanga? Apro yen bayapadra ennamo thaniyaa pora maadhiri. Paathu po seriyaa?"

(That's it. inform me and your parents once you change to the next bus. If anything happens, you should know that people who travel by bus will be there with you. So, why are you so scared like you're going alone? Just go and be careful, okay?)

She patted my cheek, and I nodded, realizing that I needed to take the bus and not make anyone feel obligated to help me or sacrifice their own time for me.

I'm here for myself; I shouldn't depend on others.

I encouraged myself.

"Seri poitu vaa" 

(Okay, go safe)

I said to her.

Kamali smiled pinching my cheek, and left the bus stop, waving a bye. I took a deep breath as the bus arrived, climbed onto the overcrowded bus with my heart pounding, and stood near the handle, gripping it with my arm. 

Easy Seetha. Easy.

Then, I informed Kamali and my parents and bought a ticket while silently reflecting on my earlier childish behavior. I slapped my forehead with my palm but was jolted by my ringtone and frowned when I saw my maami's number.

"Haan maami chollungo"

(Aunt, tell me)

"Enna di enga irukka?"

(Where are you?)

Maami asked, and I knew she must have been shocked to hear my voice instead of my mom's. 

Because, whenever she calls my number, I usually pass it directly to my mom without speaking to her myself.

"Maami, naan ippodha college vitte kelamburen. Aaathukku poyiddu nokku call pandren"

(Maami, I'm leaving the college now. I'll call you once I get home.)

"Seri paarthu po di"

(Okay go safe)

"Seri maami"

I declined the call and looked around for a seat on the bus. That's when I noticed a tall figure and quickly averted my gaze to avoid being seen.

"What the hell?" 

I mumbled, gulping.

Why is he here?

Pooja had suggested that I could go home with him, but I had refused. 

So why is he on this bus? 

Why is he accompanying me? 

Why is he on the same bus I'm on?

Despite the many questions in my mind, I saw him sitting down and took the seat in front of him when an elderly lady insisted me to sit.

I felt self-conscious, goosebumps prickling my skin. My world seemed to stop again, but I tried to push aside my feelings. The breeze tickled my exposed shoulders, making me squirm. I placed my hand on my shoulder, then retrieved it back and rested it on my lap.

The hesitant bus ride came to a halt, and I climbed down to catch the next bus. That was the big task now.

I didn't know the exact routes to get to my house and wasn't sure which bus to take. Kinnakorai, being a major village in the Nilgiris, had many buses, but they had different names, and some only stopped at the center of the route, not going all the way to my house.

Suddenly, I remembered Pooja mentioning that Aayush Kumar sir was also from Kinnakorai. I searched for him in the crowd and spotted him climbing onto one of the buses. I hurried onto the same bus and peeked towards the back, where he was standing near the center against the crowd.

I sighed in relief and took a deep breath, then bought a ticket. Just as I was about to place it in my bag, it flew out of my hand and outside the bus. 

I gasped, slapped my forehead, and widened my eyes as the bus turned around a hairpin bend. I gripped the rod in front of me but couldn't reach the upper handle due to my 5'2" height.

With only my index finger hooked on the handle, I prayed that the ticket checker wouldn't come around. But again, my face turned bewildered as the sudden brake made me sway back and forth. I held onto the rod, closing my eyes tight in fear.

Perumaaley. Enna batharamaa kondu poi veetla vitrunga please.

(Oh God. Please take me home safely without any trouble)

I prayed and opened my eyes to see Aayush Kumar sir signaling something to me with his eyes.

I gasped and turned back to face forward.

Enna yedho kannu kaamikiraa pola iruku?

(It seems like he's calling me to him through his eyes. )

I gulped.

Ivaa ipdilaa panna maataare?!

(But, he won't do such things)

I bit my lower lip and then released it, turning back towards him. This time, he mouthed, "Inga vaanga" (come here).

I carefully read his lips and looked around, averting my gaze from him. Standing here was far better than struggling against the crowd, so I made up my mind and moved towards him, mumbling a sorry to everyone I passed who clicked their tongues in annoyance.

Finally, I stood in front of him.

"Good evening, sir."

He looked at me and nodded slightly. I turned forward with a smile of relief, feeling a sense of safety now.

However, I frowned when the conductor asked me to remove my bag. I looked around for a place to put it, but the passengers were already occupied with several bags in their laps. While I was struggling, I heard our professor's deep voice,

"Bag kudu" 

(Give it to me).

I stared at him, then smiled, realizing he was talking to me. Even if I had tried to refuse again, he took the bag from me and placed it on his arm. I turned forward, wondering what had happened to this seemingly stone-hearted man, suddenly.

He's acting kind. No, not acting. 

He's genuinely being considerate.

After a few minutes of travel against the crowd, I gasped and clenched my stomach with an unfamiliar feeling, as if something was swirling inside. I lowered my head and noticed his veined palm resting on the rod in the side of my waist now.

I turned towards him swiftly, but he was busy scolding the man behind him for pushing him. My lips curved into a smile, but I suppressed it when he turned to me and asked, "What?" in his usual annoyed tone. 

This time, I just nodded and smiled, seeing his palm. I shut my eyes again, clenching my stomach as the sudden brake caused my tummy to press against his firm hand.

Before I could fully recover from the sensation, I felt his warm breath on my exposed shoulder. And he apologized near my ear in his deep voice. 

I asked him if he could give me my bag, thinking it might be difficult for him to carry two bags in this crowd, but he refused. I smiled and stepped back to escape from the press of his palm against my tummy, though I was sure neither of us expected that his front would press against my back in that idea of mine.

Hastily, I took a few steps forward and stood there, blushing. 

Even though I tried to control my blush, I couldn't help but grin.

Aiyo, kannam ellaa valikardhey

(Oh, my cheeks are paining).

I placed my other palm over his veined one, and it felt even harder and stronger against my hand. 

No lies—I liked it.

I liked his large palm beneath my smaller one.

He looked at me, surprised by my action, but then smiled and apologized again. I assured him that he didn't need to apologize, and it wasn't intentional. He repeated that it wasn't intentional. I blushed again and turned back to face forward.

I shifted on my legs but couldn't seem to find a comfortable position. Finally, his palm moved from the rod and rested above his head. I heard a deep breath from him, and I blushed even more, startled when he asked if I knew my stop.

I proudly said I knew my stop but didn't like taking the outbus. He teased me, making me blush again, but I managed to suppress it with a smile. He gently told me to get used to it, and I nodded in agreement.

When he mentioned that our stop was approaching, I asked for my bag again, but he raised his voice, telling me to climb down the bus silently. I followed him without realizing I was exiting from the men's side of the bus.

We ran and stood under the roof, shielding ourselves from the rain.

"Mm neenga epdi povinga?" 

(So, how are you going to get home, Ms..?)

He asked, returning my bag to me.

'Neenga, vaanga' (Ms. ) has returned again, replacing the more casual 'nee, vaa' (Without Ms. ).

I sighed inwardly, got my bag from him, and replied, 

"Naane dha sir ponum. En phone dead appa ku call panna mudiyaadhu" 

(I'll go by myself, sir. My phone is dead, so I can't call my dad).

I felt a touch of mischief as I lied to him about my phone being dead.

"Ohh thaniyaa poringlaa?" 

(Oh, are you going alone?)

He sounded genuinely caring.

How sweet!

I grinned at his concern, touched by his gesture.

"Aama sir. Poyiruven. Neenga epdi poringo?" 

(Yes, sir. I'll go. How will you be going?)

I asked formally, suppressing a grin as he looked at me with raised brows.

"Naanum nadandhu dha ponum" 

(I'll walk too.)

He ruffled his hair, and I stared at him, wondering how it would feel to ruffle those hair myself.

"Seri neenga kelambunga" 

(Alright, you go then.)

He said, breaking my thoughts.

"Okay sir" 

I replied.

I took out my umbrella from my bag with a pout, opened it, and thanked him before taking a step forward to leave. But then I stopped, turned back, and rushed to stand in front of him, raising the umbrella over both our heads and asked,

"Nadandhu epdi povingo? Koda irukkolayo?" 

(How will you go walking? you have an umbrella with you, right?)

I was puzzled. He shook his head after a few seconds of thought, lowering his head as I couldn't reach his height even with the umbrella.

"Illa... naan poipen neenga ponga" 

(No... I'll go somehow, you can go.)

He said. I narrowed my brows.

"Adhepdi povingo? Vaango, namma en kodailaye poyidlaam"

(How will you go? Come on, we can share my umbrella.)

I danced inwardly at the excitement of sharing an umbrella with him.

"Adhellaa venaa ma" 

(No need for all that, ma.)

He refused. I clicked my tongue.

"Ada sir, vaango. Mazhaila nenajutte povelaa? Vaango, namma poyidlaam." 

(Come on, sir. Are you going to walk in the rain? Come on, we can go together.)

"Il.. " 

(No...)

"Vaango sir. Naan onnum nenachukka maaten." 

(Come on, sir. I won't think anything of it.)

I tried to tease him. 

He smiled, shook his head, and stretched his bag towards me.

I raised my brows in confusion.

"Bag eh pudinga. Naan kodaye puduchukuren. Height pathaadhu le?" 

(Take the bag. I'll hold the umbrella. Your height doesn't suit, right?)

I nodded and we exchanged the items before heading towards the way to my house.

"Yen anga apdi aludhinga?" 

(Why were you crying like that?)

I felt embarrassed by my earlier dramas and slowly explained the issue. 

He chuckled manly, when I finished.

"Sirikaadhingo. Enakku bus naale avalo bayam" 

(Don't laugh. I'm so scared of taking the outbus.)

"Adhaa yen?" 

(Why?)

He asked with a smile.

"Adhu oru past sambavam naale" 

(It's because of a past incident.)

I shrugged my shoulders, and he chuckled.

"Sambavam aah? Enna sambavam?" 

(An incident? What happened?)

I took a deep breath, preparing myself to share my past with him.

"Naan chinna kozhandhaiyaa irukkumbodhu, engayo bus le ponomaam. Naan appo chinna kozhandhai illayo? So, restroom poradhukkaaga anga enna vittutu veliya ninnutu irundhaango en amma, aana naan thirumbi paakumbodhu amma ve kaano"

(When I was a little child, we used to take the bus sometimes. But as a child, whenever we had to stop for the restroom, my mother would leave me outside and wait for me. But one day, when I looked around, I couldn't see my mother.)

"Ohhh"

He responded, biting his lower lip as I looked up at him.

I averted my gaze to the front and continued with my story.

The real-life story of me.

"Aahn apro naan seri bus ulla yereerpaangalo nu nenachu enakku pinnaadi irundha bus dha naan vandha bus nu nenachu yereeten. Bus uhm eduthuttaanga apro dha appa, amma varla nu conductor te sonnen avanga nee indha bus layaa vandha nu kettaango? Nekku aluga vandhuduthu. Apro conductor bus'eh nippaata sonnaaru. Naan keela yerangi paapo nu thirumbunen paarungo, amma apdiye enna vandhu alleendaa.. alleendu romba aludhaa.. naanu aludhen aprothula irundhe enakku bus le thaniyaa poradhey pudikaadhu, enga aathulayum ellaarukkum bayam enna thaniyaa anuppa"

(Then, thinking that she might be inside one of the buses, I got on a bus behind me, but she wasn't there either, and the bus had already started. I told the conductor that my mom hadn't returned yet, and he asked the driver to stop the bus. I hurriedly got off, and my mom arrived just then. She carried me and cried, and I cried too. Since then, I've been scared of taking the bus alone, and my parents have never let me travel alone on the bus.)

I finished shaking my head.

How scary, right? 

I looked at him for a response. He smiled, showing a dimple, and nodded his head, saying,

"Mmm.. adhunaala dhaanaa.. seri"

(Mmm.. that's why... Okay.)

I smiled back at him, and we continued walking beneath the same umbrella, finally reaching my house.

"Sir. Idhaa ennoda veedu"

(Sir, this is my home.)

He stopped walking and stood in front of me.

"Ohh seri ma paathu ponga. Indhaanga"

(Ohh, okay. Take care, then... here)

He extended his hand to return the umbrella.

"Aathukulla vandhudu polaame?"

(Why can't you come inside?)

I asked.

"Adhellaa venaa ma. Indhaanga"

(It's okay ma. Here.. your umbrella)

He refused again, handing over the umbrella to me, as if it were his primary task.

Naan inga oruthi peseendu irukken. Ippo indha koda dha romba mukkiyam ivaalukku.

(I was speaking to him here, and right now, this umbrella was very important to him.)

I narrowed my brows and shook my head with a tight smile.

"Neengale vachukongo. Neenga poganum le?"

(Keep the umbrella. Aren't you going to leave?)

I asked him. He smiled again.

His smile is so cute. 

I could see the wrinkles near his eyes whenever he smiles, which was both manly and endearing.

"Illa innu rendu veedu thalli dha en veedu, naan poipen Indhaanga"

(No, my home is just two houses away. I can go without the umbrella. Here...)

I sighed, feeling like shouting at him. 

But I held back, knowing he's my professor. 

He would be the one to shout at me, not me.

I took a deep breath and told,

"Paravala sir.. neengale.."

(It's okay sir.. you..)

"Seethaa"

Professor looked behind me, over my head, and I turned to see my parents making their way towards us with two umbrellas.

Upon reaching, Appa pulled me into a hug.

"Ennamaa mazhaila nikkura?"

(Why are you standing in the rain, my dear?)

That's when I realized I was not under the umbrella but only he was. I looked at him, who scratched his beard with a sigh.

I chuckled softly at him.

"Appa, idhu enga college le vela paakura oru professor."

(Appa, he's one of my professors in our college)

I introduced Aayush sir to my parents.

"Oh, vanakkam sir."

(Hello)

Both Mom and Dad greeted him, and he greeted back awkwardly with a warm, slightly embarrassed smile.

So cute !

"Seri naan appo kelamburen"

(Okay. I take my leave then)

He said.

"Thambi eh engayo paartha maadhiri irukke"

(I had seen you somewhere)

My mom asked him.

"Enga veedu Inga dha. Rendu veedu thalli dha nga irukku"

(My home is just two houses away from here)

He replied to my mom.

And he was talking to my mom.

Aww...

I felt an unexpected joy.

"Ingayaa? Yaaru paiyan pa neenga?"

(Two houses away?Who are your parents, dear?)

My father asked him. And I saw his smile suddenly fade, so,

"Appa avaa pogattum neram aayiduthu ungala maadhiri avaa parents uhm wait pannuvaangalo illayo? Sir neenga pongo, naan nalaiku kodai vaangikiren"

(Appa, leave him. Like you both, his parents may also be waiting for him. Sir, you should go. I'll take my umbrella back from you tomorrow.)

I said to him with a smile.

"Seri ma. Naan varen"

(Okay ma. I'll leave then)

I nodded, he smiled slightly, and left after greeting my parents once more. 

I watched his disappearing figure, forgetting to blink or breathe.

What's happening to me, professor? 

What did you do to me?

The words from my parents faded into the background as my lips curved into a smile. 

I lifted my phone and took a picture of him who is walking away, without my parents noticing, as they were busy arguing about my health.

"Mazhaila dhaane ippovum nikkiraa? ippo edhaadhu chonninglaa neengo?"

(She's still standing in the rain? Why didn't you say anything?)

"Paavam kozhandha, unkitta peseendu irundhaa ipdidha aagum" 

(If I talk to you, my child will get sick standing in the rain.)

I chuckled and snuggled my face into my father's chest, feeling a new and unfamiliar warmth. 

I was blushing, and the sensation was new to me.

Thinking about him made me blush even more, so I hurried to my room. Standing in front of my dressing table mirror, I touched my flushed cheeks, marveling at the rosy glow.

"Enna di Seetha panneetu irukka? Mudiyellaam paaru evlo nenanju poi irukku nu"

(Seetha, what are you doing? Look at you, your hairs are completely drenched)

Amma came into my room with a towel, unbraided my hair, and started drying it. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but blush again.

"Enna Seetha pudhusaa enna ennamo pandra?"

(Seetha, what's with this new behavior from you?)

She teased me. 

"Ammaaa... "

I dragged the word out with a sheepish smile.

"Enna di?"

(What?)

She gave me a puzzled look.

"Amma avaa nalla professor aah irukkaarolayo?"

(Amma, he's a good professor, right?)

She raised her brows with a smile.

"Purilaye ma amma ku"

(Your mother couldn't understand, my dear)

I sighed.

"Mch amma..Inga vaa"

(Come with me)

I led her to the bed, making her sit down, and then I sat beside her, taking her hand in mine. She placed the towel on the bed and smiled at me.

I grinned back at her.

"Amma inniku enna nadandhadhu theriyumo?"

(Do you know what happened today?)

I crossed my legs and began recounting the events of the day to her, describing Aayush sir's seemingly arrogant behavior towards me in detail.

"Ohooo konjo arrogant dha le?"

(Oh, was he a bit arrogant, right?)

She asked me, but I shook my head in response.

"Naanu kooda apdidha ma nenachen"

(I too thought that way, ma)

She smiled.

"Ohh apdiyaa"

(Oh I see)

"Mm.. aana avaaa romba reserved type amma. Kozhandha pola ma avaaa. Nekku enna choldradhu nu correct aah therila. Aana romba nallavaa ma. Naan dha thappaa nenachutten. He has some yearnings in his eyes ma. But veliya pesa maatenguraa. Yedho thayakka padraa. Naan thappaa nenachutten ma avara"

(Mm.. but he's very reserved, ma. Like a child. I couldn't figure out what I'm really trying to say. But he's really good. I must have misunderstood him. There's something in his eyes, like he's yearning something. I was wrong about him, ma.)

I pouted at her. She smiled warmly, cupping my face in her hands.

"Seri theriyaama dhane apdi nenacha? Vidu.. ini apdi nenaikaadha. Pesaadha. Ennavaa irundhaalum avara paaka nee sonna pola laa illa"

(Okay, don't worry about it. Forget it. Don't think about him like that anymore. Whatever it is, he's not like how you're imagining it.)

Yes, my mom said the same thing Kamali did.

Initially, I refused to believe it, but now I agree.

He's not arrogant.

He's caring and has something within him that he keeps hidden. His outwardly rigid behavior is just a shield to keep his true feelings and vulnerabilities safe.

"Mm."

I hummed in agreement with my mother.

He's genuinely sweet—sweeter than me, sweeter than anyone.

I suddenly recalled how he had apologized for his every touch, even though it wasn't intentional. 

A gem of a person !

I grinned as Amma said something and left the room. I grabbed a towel and stood in front of the mirror, drying my hair and placing it over my left shoulder, admiring myself.

Within a day,

I'm admiring myself.

I'm feeling like blushing.

I'm experiencing the thrill of crush'ing on someone with such eagerness for the first time.

And what more?

He has awakened a set of strange, yet captivating feelings within me.

I bit my lip, realizing I had developed a new crush.

Now that my list of arrogant people has dwindled, my crush list has grown, with our new professor added to it.

I grinned before rushing to the restroom to get ready for bed, to dream about my new crush.

**********

TBC..

Epdi irundhuchu??

Arrogant list ❌ Crush list ✅

And who has all experienced the missing bus ticket right after getting the ticket?

Me: Thrice. Aana maataama thappichitten pa 🚶🏻‍♀️🙂

Please vote and comment 🙏🏻❤️

See you all in the next update bubyee 🚴🏻‍♀️💜🦋