That night

"Kanna, you should get good grades in your finals to apply to a good college. We can only survive with the earnings that we get from the restaurant. So, it is your duty to study and find a good job to atleast save yourself," Pushpa was advising her son while tying her daughters hair. Pradeep was paying zero attention to his mother's word and eating his food.

Pushpa understood his behaviour and thought that she should have not pampered him so much. Now, he has no idea of the hardship that his parents were going through.

Pradeep wiped his hands and mouth with the towel and went to sleep in the attic of the house. Pushpa continued to scold him for not studying and directly going to sleep.

Pradeep put the music on the radio on full blast trying to avoid his mother's words.

His sister was sleeping in the bedroom downstairs.

Pushpa finished the kitchen work and was about to shut the back door when

Some goons caught hold of her and tried to cover her mouth.

She screamed to wake up her son to save her.

But the music from the radio was too loud that he couldn't hear the pleas of his mother.

The goons then shut her mouth with the cloth and picked her up to their boss's place.

The next day

The restaurant was closed. The house abandoned. Two souls were sitting outside the house in front of the calm and cold body trying to understand the cruel fate that had played on them.

The villagers could only sympathise with the siblings who lost their mother to the lust of the devil.

Pradeep was able to only pacify his sister who was crying continuously looking at the cold body of her mother lying in front of her.

"Child?" Pradeep looked up to see an old man who had a smile and hope in his eyes.

The old man could only hold the siblings in his care and give them the support and protection that their parents failed to give.

Pradeep was silent the whole day after he came back from the cremation.

Grandpa Menon looked at the fiery eyes of the young lad who had determination and the thirst to avenge his mother's death.

He knew that he need to train Pradeep to master the art of silician to skilfully handle his enemy.

Five month later,

"Sire, you have become the most feared man in the whole town," Swami laughed at the remark made by his men.

He was sitting on his throne and watching his glory over the frightened faces of his victim.

"This is what I own! Your fear! Your dread! And your hate for me! Don't think that I would spare any one of you *evil laugh*"

"But, Sire. You should careful. There is a new opponent who had dared to set his foot in your land," Swami grabbed the man's neck who spurted the nonsense to him.

"Who?!!"

Grandpa Menon bid bye to his grandchildren as they left the ancestral house. He then ordered his men to take him to the training center as he wanted to monitor Pradeep who had picked the pace pretty fast.

The training centre.

The men were fighting hard to block the goons who had managed to enter the dwelling of the mafia don.

The goons were successful to kill most of the men who threatened them.

At far they saw a boy training with the urumi (Kalarippayattu whip sword) to perfect its mastery.

He paid deaf ears to the call made to him and continued his practice.

"Boy! I have come to take you with me," Pradeep stopped the practice and turned to look at the owner of the voice.

He walked towards him maintaining a ten-foot distance between him.

Swami smiled at the boy and signalled him to come closer. Pradeep didn't move and gazed at his desperate face, asking him.

"What is your name?"

Swami smiled at his question and answered proudly

"The mafia don, Swami!"

Whip!!

The head rolled down the body and went near the boy's feet colouring the barren land red.

The horrified goons looked at the boy who had the calm face of the still water.

The boy then turned his gaze to the frightened goons who were terrified at the 15-year-olds tranquil yet fiery face.

They tried to run out of the dwelling not before being caught by Grandpa Menon's men.

Grandpa Menon witnessed the scene that had played few minutes back and saw the serenity in the boy's face after a long time.

Pradeep let go of the whip and walked towards the tap and poured the entire water content over his head.

He then chanted a mantra that can be heard to clarify his mind and soul of the dirty deed that he had done, few seconds back.

He closed his eyes and muttered Om.

He walked towards Grandpa Menon saying

"My deed is done. Help me to get back on my feet to protect my sister. She need not know the evilness done here. I will take her with me and give her the education, life and happiness that she deserves,"

Grandpa Menon nodded his head and agreed to his terms, patting his shoulders proudly.

End of Flashback.

The Family members looked at the man who had witnessed such cruelty at such a young age.

Sharanya caught hold of Pradeep's hand who caressed it looking down.

Sonia told them to enjoy some dessert to distract their sad mood.

Just then Prisha arrived with the kids and smiled at the mention of desserts.

"Sanal! Where are you? The guest are about to leave. Please come on time to meet them!" Latha told her son who had no wish to come home.

Sanal said that he would reach only after midnight as it was his friend's farewell party.

Latha tsked and kept the phone. She so wanted Sanal to meet Prisha. As she knew that her son would definitely agree to marry the humble and sweet Prisha.

As the Varma's were preparing to leave the Menon house, Latha gifted a saree to Prisha who refused but was encouraged by Sharanya to accept it. 

Latha hugged Prisha tightly who was clueless at the teary eyes of Latha.

Sonia understood the behaviour and looked at Sharanya who nodded her head smilingly.

Varma Residence

Sharanya saw that her husband had been silent since they left the Menon's house.

She approached him who was standing near the balcony gazing at the moonless night sky.

"Sharu, I think you are right. Kanna will be very happy in that house. I have seen the way she blended with all of them. She has never been so close to anyone even our own relatives. Yes, we can consider this alliance for our daughter," Pradeep smiled at the happy tears of his wife who put her relaxed head on his shoulders.

Menon residence

"Sam, I think we can proceed with the alliance. But I want you to talk to Sanal first. Coz, I don't want him to back off at the last moment," Vinay told his views while sipping his green tea.

Sonia and Veena agreed to his point.

"I will take care of it. My Sanal will not say no to me. He will definitely agree with this marriage," Latha convinced Vinay who pursed his lips at the fake hope that Latha had on her son.

"Chech, I know he will not disagree with you. But...*inhales deeply* we can't risk the life of an innocent child like Prisha. She is not aware of the unrequited love that Sanal has for Amritha. We don't want to keep her in the dark. So, I think we should tell her about them," Latha widened her eyes at his words. She shaked her head and backed a little for air. She tensed at the possibility of her son not getting married to Prisha. She was hyperventilating badly which scared the people in the room.

Sonia saw a sudden change in her and rushed to her. Latha just fell on her hand, fainting.

The ER

The doctor came out little tensed. Sameer asked him about Latha to which the doctor replied

"She is still little weak. It seems she is little malnourished too. I advise to keep her here for the night, just for observation. But mind you, she should not endure any kind of stress further or it might be dangerous for her," Sonia teared up at the doctor's words.

Vinay calmed her and told Trishna to take care of her, while they discuss the further treatment for Latha.

Menon residence

Around 1 am

Sanal entered the house to utter silence. He thought that the family members would have slept off so he retired to his room to sleep off.

The next day

"Aunty, you should not worry so much. The doctors are here only to scare you," Prisha was peeling the orange and making Latha have the peeled orange wedge.

Veena smiled at the attempt Prisha was making to calm Latha with her talks.

Prisha and Sharanya landed in the hospital first thing in the morning after hearing the news.

Sonia was explaining to Sharanya about the agreement that the Menon's have given to the marriage but were waiting for Sanal to give his take of the same.

After Sonia and Sharanya entered the room, Prisha and Veena came out.

Veena was finding it difficult to converse with Prisha after the garden incident.

As she was about to speak

"Chech, you don't need to tell me anything. My only concern is that I don't want you to lose yourself in the process of making someone else happy. Coz, that is the worst punishment you can give yourself. If you are happy, everyone around you will be happy," Veena smiled at the words spoken by the mature but childish Prisha.

Veena nodded her head and hugged her in a way to thank her for keeping the secret from her family.

Sanal reached office to see that neither his father nor uncle had arrived.

So, he and Dino presented the final design of the website to the investors.

Sanal screwed his eyes seeing his l'art at the opening page of the website. He was puzzled as he couldn't remember casting her as one of the models.

Dino smiled at him mischievously making Sanal realise that it was his doing. Apparently, Sanal skipped the photoshoot file sent by Dino the other day for his final approval. So, he missed the fact that Dino had taken Prisha as one of the models for the website cover. 

Prisha used to model for her friend who was also the photographer in an advertising company approached by Dino for models. By chance, he got to meet Prisha and viola! She was the official model for Sovin Industries Ltd. (as announced only by Dino!)

After the meeting, the members agreed to upload the website.

Sanal was trying his father's and Uncle's number. Both did not pick his call.

It was late afternoon by the time he reached home.

He saw that his mom was busy in the kitchen and not mindful of his presence in the house. After some time, Latha came out of the kitchen to move to her room when,

Latha saw Sanal and she approached him.

"Child, where have you been? Anyway, I have something important to discuss with you," Dino saw that his Latha aunty was rather desperate to speak to Sanal.

So, he sat on the couch alongside Soumya who was typing on the iPad ignoring him.

"Mom! for the last time "No' how many times do I have to tell you that I am not interested in marriage!" Sanal got up frustrated at the repetitive words of his mother.

Dino got startled at his friend's anger and got tensed at the situation. He asked Soumya about the sudden marriage alliance. Soumya explained to him the last night's event including the visit to the hospital.

Dino approached Sanal to tell him the fragile condition of Latha. But he was adamant to negate the decision taken for his life.

Finally, out of irritation, he spoke

"Coz, I am...I am in... love with someone else!" Latha looked shocked at his words. Dino and Soumya looked at Sanal who blurted out the fact which seems impossible.

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Author's note :

The song in the chapter cover 'Kangal Irandhal' speaks about 'Love at first sight', which might be confusing yet mesmerising...❤️❤️❤️

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