#7 HEAT

one moment, she was talking to him... and then....

Devi doesn't know what came on to her. Is she really??? Maari is looking at her, eyes wide in shock, but his lips are ever so soft, just like his heart, just like she imagined. She closes her eyes. She is not sure if it's a kiss, but to her it's more than that, just a mere touch of lips it maybe, but... her head is spinning! Time seems to be frozen for Maari too, because he hasn't moved or backed away.

Damn, she can't find the right words to describe what she is saying... what the heck!

She opens her eyes only to realize something. They are outside her shop! In the middle of the street!!

At once, she jumps away from Maari, ducking her head shyly...  did she really kiss him?? Like K.. I... S ... S...???

out of the corners of her eyes she sees that everyone's eyes are on her, on them... A woman, a mother of a little girl among the onlookers has draped her hand over her child's eyes, her other hand is over her mouth. Most of the people there have the same expressions of horror on their faces. To kiss a guy in the middle of a street, in broad daylight is a big thing in there. Especially a Tamil girl like her who is supposed to be all shy and homey... she bites her lip thinking what they might think of her.

Then she looks up slowly at Maari...

There he is, eyes wide, still staring blankly... still frozen in the same spot. He hasn't moved an inch...

Devi tears away her eyes from him, remembering their kiss moments ago. Then she spins on her heel and runs back into her boutique, smiling shyly to herself.

"Ehh!! Shoo!! Go go!!" Adith begins to push some of the onlookers.

"Anna..." Sani emerges, slowly makes his way to Maari.

"Anna... wake up!! Wake up!"

"I'm awake..!" Maari snaps at Sani at once.

The stoic look is back in his eyes within moments. It's as if Sani's insistence shaking has brought back life into him.

"Anna... that's...." Sani trails off not knowing what to say, "are you okay?"

Maari is still staring at Devi... (precisely the door to her boutique, eyes narrowed)

"Why are you here?" asks Maari.

Adith, Sani exchange glances.

"Anna we were walking on the streets when we heard the commotion. So we wanted to take a closer look and-- ahh-" Adith is cut off by Sani who kicks him in the foot.

Sani signals 'shhh' and then goes on to say-

"I didn't see anything anna.. We didn't.... I mean.."

Maari turns around giving both of them a look. "Let's go! How are the arrangements of the tournament going on?"

Adith, Sani gape at Maari as he casually puts back his goggles and begins walking after gesturing them to follow.

What's happening??

With no other choice, they follow Maari to the tea stall.

***

TEA STALL

Maari sits, sipping his chai... looking cool as cucumber.

"Good... It's good you have made all the arrangements."

He praises his goons, smiling as usual.

"Anna.." Sani shakes his head, sighing, "there's something wrong with you."

"What??" Maari is confused.

"How can you be so cool Anna? A beautiful girl just kissed you! She said she loves you and---"

Sani falls silent seeing Maari's glare. "OK Anna, I won't speak. But i don't get it.. How are you so cool?"

Maari sighs. He doesn't answer. He finishes his tea, throws the papercup into a bin and begins to walk.

Adith, Sani follow him silently.

Maari walks along.... And the place they visit is the bar??!!

"Anna? Are you gonna drink? In the middle of the day?" Adith is surprised while Sani wonders if Maari is gonna turn himself into a Devdas.

Maari doesn't say anything.

"Gimme a bucket full of ice!" he shouts.

The owner yells some commands at a server and soon a guy on shaky legs delivers Maari a bucket full of ice.

Adith, Sani look at each other, mouths wide as Maari drops the entire contents of the bucket on his head.

"Whatt?? Anna!!"

They watch in horror, as Maari stands there drenched in ice water, ice cubes rolling down his shoulders onto the floor and steam rising out of his head and shoulders.

"Anna.... Were you that... heated up?" Sani mumbles to himself.

"You were so good at hiding..." Adith is about to laugh but cuts himself.

Maari ignores them.

"Lets go..." he says wiping off water from his face...

With his shirt still sticking to his body, he walks out.

Not even the chill of ice water can cool him now... no way....

Just what is she? Doing this to him... he needs to put an end to that, those silly feelings of hers. he will! his mind made up, he walks on.

now she will know, the extent of pain that comes as a result of falling in love with him.

"I will make you regret it..." he puts his goggles back, switching to Don mode again.

"anna?" Adith, Sani look at each other in confusion.

he shakes his head, "nothing. let's go."

there's no way knowing what really is in Maari's head.

***

that night,

 Devi is still in her boutique, alone, lost in thoughts. Savita has got her dinner despite giving odd looks all the day, she is grateful.

'What did I do? Now I can't step out... how will I face Maari.. How will I face everyone?'

She sighs, 'it's ok... I haven't done anything wrong. It was all Maari's fault.'

She's lost in thoughts when there's a knock on the door.

She checks her watch. 11 PM. she has locked up the door, the boutique is closed for the day and she thought she would sit there working on designs..

That would keep things off her mind.

But now that she's alone and someone is at the door, she begins to panic.

"Hey Sree!" says a cheerful voice.

Heaving a sigh of relief, she heads to the door.

****

FIN!

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NEXT:

who's at her doorstep?

Few guys jeer at Devi... 'will you kiss only Maari?'

She is disgusted. Before she can slap one of the guys someone enters in between-

"To get to her, you have to pass by me first."

Meanwhile, Munna has some sinister plans.
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Short update! More will come. I was bored n just yahi likha... Next chap will be good I promise. Thank you my dear Ruvineet and Sachin Angel for loving this story so much :*

Love ya my sweetx.. Love ya two :*