Having cut Pragya ' s call Kathir came in with a red fiery and tensed face ,with the information Pragya had told , shaking his insides .

He recollected it again ,

Kathir : Ya tell me Prags . What's up dude . Yethuku ivlo calls ?

Though dissapponted with Pragya , for her behaviour ,  Kathir was still associated with her wrt work as well  maintained a healthy friendship too .

That was mainly because , Pragya immediately regretted for her behaviour after Kailesh had scolded her . She called up Kathir and had apologized really . So it was easy for both of them to speak causually .

As well , Kathir had strictly enforced her not to wait for him .
He had made it clear even before his distraction with Mullai ( currently )
So Pragya herself maintained a distance from him .

She very well remembered Kailesh s words _ Men will like only those women who posses self-respect and  who will not throw themselves to us,Prags !!!
You need to know it .

She really understood the meaning of it and stood in her stand .

So their business interactions were going on without any issues .

She called him mostly for business purposes .

So was this call _

But the frequencies now ;  suprised Kathir .

She too immediately came to the point instead of beating around the bush .

Pragya : Kathir ,don't mistake me . Romba importantana oru information vanthuchu . Athan call pannen .

Kathir : It's ok . Go ahead ,

Pragya : Ninhe epo Dubai unit ku kelambringa Kathir ?
Have you booked a chattered one or is it a business class !

Kathir : Dubai ya ? What Dubai unit !

Gosh !

His new venture that was to start shortly _ infact he had tried starting it earlier than planned to mainly clear off from Trichy !!

But now ?

He had totally forgotten that he was to resume a new project in Dubai in a month or so .

These 3_4 days since Murugan' s accident his thoughts were focused and surrounding Mullai and Mullai alone !!!

He himself hadn't realised it !!

He was taking of his business in a Robotic mode .

And had really forgotten about the Dubai venture .

But why does this Pragya enquire about this in detail ?

Not waiting for him , Pragya continued ,

Pragya : Better awoid Chattered one Kathir . Or else if possible cancel the trip itself in the first place .

Kathir :What ? Why ? What s the issue Prags . You sound tensed .

Prayga : Absolutely Kathir !! Business rivalry ...she said in a word which didn't bother Kathir .

Kathir : So what ? Athu yepovum erukrathu thana ?
Infact enoda second project la erunthaae I am facing such issues .
Athelaam paatha ,epadi ithana businesses eh run panna mudiyum .

Pragya : Illa Kathir .It's a more serious issue this time .
M& M nu , ungalku opposition group .
Athulla , rendu partnersum  Northies.
They are dead against you ,

Kathir : Hmm...he listened this time ,

Pragya : Awangaloda yella opportunitiesum unga company just like that ,thattitu poiduthu .
Infact ,I too refused to work with them for a project .
Apovae ...ennaiya kevalama pesinanga , oru south person kooda associate agiriya , aren't you ashamed nu !

Kathir : Kailesh had told me about that issue . That was last year right ?

Pragya : Ama ... athuku apuram enaku awanga yentha offerum kodukrathu illa .
And intha one year eh , ninge Trichy la erunthalum , unga company than leading la eruku .
Plus ...unga Mid _ East project hit aanathullaiyum awanga rombavae vex aagirukaanga .
So ,

Kathir : So ?

Pragya : Cheap fellows !
Straight forward eh ungala yethirkaama , vera vithama ungalku thollai koduka try panraanga .

Kathir : uff ! Enna ....enaku trap set pannitaangala ? Athan nee Dubai pogaathunu solriya ?

Pragya : Apadi illa Kathir . Trap ungalku mattum illainu thonuthu .
Awangala orutharoda wife engalku distant relative than .
Awanga than itha hint pannanga .
Rajasthan la erunthu ,ithu kaagavae B****ya clan ,  eh varavalaikra plan pola Kathir .
And believe me _ those people are absolutely dangerous .
Awangaloda occupation eh " _mass murders"  panrathu than !!
They are such devil like fellows .
Erakaamae illama konnu pootutu poitae erupaanga .

Kathir : What do you mean Pragya ?
Do they still exist ?

He knew about that clan of tribal people of age old Rajasthan who make a living out of sheer robbery and murders alone .

As of now officially that clan doesn't exist in India.

Pragya : Naan maarvadi ponnu , Kathir.  I know them .
They are still there .
And ithulla mukkiyamana vishyam ennana , 
Ungala veeltha , ungala kill pannanum awasiyam illai Kathir .
Their target is _ she paused for sometime letting her words sink in him and then continued
"People around you _ Your family"  !!

Kathir : What the f**k ! His body jerked visibily .

Till now he wasn't tensed nor scared an inch .

He wasn't a coward afterall and had immense courage to face even the deadliest of enemies in the world , One to one !!

But the minute he heard your family , his every fibre bounced with anger and rage along with a helpless fear .

Fear ?

Yes absolutely he feared _ feared harm for any of his family members !!

He yelled ,

Kathir : Noo ....I won't allow it any cost .
No one can touch a fibre of my people .
Bas.***ds !!
I'll teach them a lesson if they dare to ...

Pragya : Calm down Kathir . Ithu enaku antha friend moolama theriya vantha next minute la erunthu ungalku try pannitaae eruken .
But you didn't pick up .
Inum baiyyaku kooda ithu theriyaathu .
Inum awanga TN pakkam varala ,but they may turn up at anytime .
Enaku awanga plan laam mulusa therila Kathir .
But unga kitta info pass pannita ,ninge alert aagi kandippa action yedupinganu than odanae call pannen .
I know you are busy !

There was silence for sometime .

Kathir s face had lost its colour since when she mentioned the target as his family .

How can he afford to loose any of them ?

He had to prevent it at any cost !!

His thoughts were totally occupied with it that , Pragyya had to call his name more than twice to bring him back to senses .

Pragya : Kathir ... Kathir ...are you in there ?

Kathir : Ya ..ya .., eruken Prags . Sollu ,

Pragya : Hmm...ini naan solla enna eruku Kathir .
Be careful .
I sincerely wish for your welfare !!
Anaiku naan apadi nadanthu kittathuku , thirumba sorry Kathir .

Kathir : Shh ..Prags . Leave it . It's done and dusted .
Naan atha maranthuten .
Neeyum vitru Prags !!

An awkward silence followed , after which Pragya asked him in a small voice ,

Pragya : Can I ask you something Kathir ?
Ennaiya mistake pannika maatingalae ,

Her voice was too low and almost in a pleading tone .

She had taken efforts and called him up with a dangerous information for his own welfare .

He found it difficult to be reply in his usual curt attitude !!

From when did he start thinking about others feelings and had levelled down his arrogance ?

Suprised at his own change he said ,

Kathir : Not at all Prags . Sollu !

If it had been the old Kathir he would have cut the call immediately after the news she gave .But now he felt a softness spread inside him .

How come he changed this much ?

Or else who changed him this much ?

Out of blue ,the calm and serene face of Mullai appeared in his inner vision .

A smile bloomed inside him even in that tensed state .

Pragya had to call him multiple times now to bring him back to the current world .

Kathir : Haan ...what did you tell Prags ?

Pragya : Naan inum onumae kekkala Kathir .

Kathir : Oops !  Sorry ,go ahead ..

Pragya : mv : Iwan yepo sorry laam solla kathukittan !!
Hmm...Naan direct ah kekren Kathir .
Shall I wait ?
Naan kekrathu purithu thana ?

Kathir : Ofcourse . Purithu? He replied back with frowns appearing on his forehead .

Pragya : Apo athuku answer yenna Kathir ?
Shal I wait ?
I I'll go by your word .
I won't act cheap once again like that day .

He immediately answered this time .

Kathir : No ...Never ever wait for me !

Pragya : Kathir ?

Kathir : Don't ever wait for me Prags !!
Ipo mattum illa _ life fulla nee wait pannalaam , I think I won't be able to say a " Yes" to you Pragya .
You can never  be " my woman " Prags !  I am sorry for that !!

Pragya : Kathir ! The seriousness and determination in his voice was totally different from before .

Before he hadn't spoken in this crsytal clear tone .

But what happened now ?.

He is single for good !

Pragya was confused now _ she didn't know his changes and perception wrt Mullai now .

She still thought that he was immune to his ex wife' .

May be there is some other woman ?

But Pragya was now mature enough to handle whatever answer Kathir said .

She asked calmly ,...

Pragya : I respect your word Kathir !
But can you tell me the reason for refusing me ?
Ithu oru aaravathulla than kekren ,
Apadi yaaru ...ennaiya vida ungalku  suitable nu therinchukra oru interest la than kekren Kathir .
Ennaiya ninge nambalaam !
Naan onum , cienma _ serial la vara villi kedaiyaathu Kathir !

She said truthfull that made Kathir explain to her as simple as possible .

He still wasn't clear in his relationship with Mullai _ but now he was very much clear that there can't be another woman in his life.

He simply asked her ,

Kathir : Fine ...just answer me Prags .
Oru hypothetical question than !
Naalaikae naan illama poitta ,nee enna pannuva Prags ?
Enkoodavae sithai yeruviya ?

Pragya : Kathirrr .....she screamed aloud with shock . She didn't expect him to ask such a hurting question_ though imaginary ,

Kathir : No sentiments Prags.  Just tell me your stand ,Avlo than !

Pragya : Ninhe yen ipdi kelringanu enaku purila Kathir .
But honestly , I feel it's so absurd !
Life partner ah vaae erunthaalum ,, intha maathri oru mudivu yedukrathu sutha paithiyakaarathanam .
It's nothing but , SATI _ Govt eh antha system eh olichu kati varsham aaguthu .
Ipo poi intha stupidity pathi pesuringa Kathir .
And why do you even ask it now ?
Naan ketaathukum ithukum enna sambantham eruku ?

He didn't speak for a long time _ instead he turned around to the glass door ,to see his damsel sitting with a serene and dainty face.

Pain pricked in high!!

He felt his loss !!

Without hiding it he answered Pragya .

Kathir : Sambantham eruku Prags !

Nee ipo sonna paithiyakaarathanatha , enakaaga panna ,oruthi eruntha !!
Awa Arumai puriyaama , unnaiya maathri naan atha foolishness nu solli , en kaiyaalaiya antha paradise eh alichuten !
Inimela athu enaku thirumba kedaikumaanu therila , Prags !!
But I can't .,.....his insides pained at the realisation of having foolishly lost  a heaven which was presented at his foot !! understand Pragya !

His voice was thick and came in harsh grunts as he uttered those words to Pragya .

Pragya was kind of able to read him .

It equally pained her for having to loose such a man !!!

She liked everything about him ,even his attitude and arrogance .

Ofcourse she was calculative about the wealth that was to come along with him .

But now ,

After hearing him declare it in words ,she didn't want to stoop more and loose her respect .

Kailesh s words had brought a change in her too .

She simply answered ,

Pragya : Purithu Kathir .
Enaku enna sollanu therila . No one can replace your place Kathir !!
But ivlo thooram ninge sonna apuram ,naan ungala disturb panna maaten .
Athukaaga life full ah single ah laam eruka maaten.  Paarpoom .
Sorry Kathir !
But take care _ please !

Kathir : Fine Prags ! Thank you !

_______________________________________

He came inside with a tensed face and a burning inside on knowing about the conspiracy behind his back .

He was engrossed deep as to how to awoid it ,that he didn't notice the slight change in Mullai .

Her face had lost its sheen and flush since the second he left for Pragya s call .

Not knowing what they had conversed , she herself had come to a conclusion .

She wasn't to be blamed also .

Only these 3_4 days he is here and had been kind to them .

But aren't they separated for good , officially ?

She had been in a dream world since the night he stepped in her hostel .

And now ,

Pragya s single call , reverted her back to reality .

She just vomitted all what she wanted to tell him ,

Mullai : Chithi sonaanga !

Kathir : Haan ...enna sonna ?

Mullai : mv : Hoom ...anga erunthu orae oru phone vanthuchu . Awlo than , mothama aalaae maaritanga . Naan enna solla varenu kooda nyabagam illaiyaae ...she felt hurt again .
Illa ... thaatha inga than operation pannika poraanganu sonaanga .

Kathir : oh ..athuva ...yeah ,...he was still thinking about those deadly gang Pragya had told him . He failed to notice the minute change in Mullai s expressions.

He obviously looked distracted .

A pinch of jealousy creeped in her .

She even felt low .

Mullai :Ungaluku  thevai illama tholla kuduka virumbala ! 

Naan solla vanthatha sollitu poidren !

Thaatha ennaiya paakanumnu Chennai ku vara sonaaraam .

Koodavae ,inum 2 weeks la inga surgery ku awanga vanthu thangum bothum , chithi ennaiya thirumba anga ....anga ....namma ...sorry , unga veetla vanthu eruka sonaanga !
Thaatha , paatiku divorce vishyam theriyaathu _ ipo poi atha sonna , awanga health eh baathikumnu , Uma chithi itha oru request ah enkitta ketaanga !

Kathir : ......! His heart thudded now at her words . He didn't know about Uma s conversation with Mullai .

And what is she going to say ?

She continued now in a rather emotion less tone ,

Mullai : Unmaiya sollanumna , mothala naan itha othukala !
Ennala thirumba oru poli vaalkaiiya , nadika mudiyaathu !
Aana...aana ...ipo

Kathir : mv : Poli vaalkaiya ? It hurt ...but he calmly asked now , Ipo ennachu ?
What is she going to say ?

And why does his heart race this fast on hearing her words and waiting for her reply .

Why is her tone so plain_ doesn't she like him anymore ?

He had no right to question her now .

He waited with a helplessness ,

Mullai : Appa ku operation , athu ithunu .....ninge kaasa kaaasa paakama , sellavalichu engaluku meetu koduthu erukinga .
Awlo pannatha thirupi thara ennala mudiyumaanu therila .
Aana ... athuku bathila , oru pari ubakaarama , Thaathava paaka naan varen .
Koodavae inga vanthu , thaatha nalla padiya operation mudinchu pora varaikum , anga vanthu thangren !!
She finally said ...not noticing that he breathed relief . She still continued ,
Ithu Uma chithi ketathu than ! Oru vella ungalku athulla ishtam illati ,athaiyum sollidunga !

She said with trembling lips and left .

SOLLUM _ PORULUM !