Author's note: This is one of my favourite songs. This song is available in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kanada. I added Tamil version above.
Would have picked up few words from the song and set a subtitle for the one shot.

Only one request, if you decided to read the story then read fully, don't leave it halfway. Many times you might feel 'this is cheating!', 'this is dominating', 'this is cowardness' but let me tell you, wait till end. Just trust me on this.
I hope things would be better at the end.

Do comment your views.

Pularaa Kadhal (Unawakened love)

"Chandru!!! You know what! my manager is saying that I will be getting onsite offer," Yazhini told Chandru excitedly.

Chandru entwined their hands and kissed her fingers.

"Just 4 months here then I will be traveling with you." She grinned.

Suddenly she heard her phone ringing and saw that it was from her manager.

"Break time is over, that's why she is calling I guess. Will meet you at my place this weekend. Okay?" She asked to which he smiled and nodded his head.

Bidding him bye she left the cafe.

When he was about to leave the place he saw a couple sitting next table to him. He felt that he has seen the girl somewhere but he couldn't pinpoint and tell where he met her.

When the girl stood up and left, he saw the guy who was sitting opposite to her.

He walked up to him and called, "Ezhil?"

"Machan! (Dude) how come you are here?" Ezhil masked his sad face with fake smile.

"Came with Yazh. By the way, who is she?" When Chandru asked about her, his face became dull.

"Sindhu. You know, our college junior. Sadhana ma'am daughter."

When Chandru frowned, "Which Sadhana ma'am?"

"M3, M4 lecturer!!!"

"Oh wait now I remember, Sindhu! Your crush in college?" He raised his eyebrow at him.

He knows that Ezhil was madly in love with a girl but didn't ask further details back then as he didn't propose her.

"I proposed her. But she rejected it saying she doesn't believe in love marriage. She said she will choose a person whom her mother selects only."

"A girl like her in this century!" He asked shockingly.

Ezhilan shrugged and continued, "She has only mother. Her father left her mother when she was a child. So, for her, her mother is everything. So number one she doesn't have trust in men and marriage. If at all she gets married it will be by arranged marriage only seems!"

"So what are you going to do?" Chandru asked.

Ezhil shrugged. "One can't force to love you right? Let's hope for the best!"

Suddenly Chandru remembered where he saw her. He unlocked his cellphone and opened the app.

He smirked at the profile picture where she was standing along with her mother.

Ezhil asked Chandru, "What is with that look?"

Chandru frowned at his comment.

"I know that look. Tell me what is cookig up in your pea sized brain." Chandru glared at him.

"I will tell you once it is done. Till then let it be surprise for you." Chandru grinned.

............

Sindhu looked at her phone when she got notification in her phone. From notification panel she found that it is interest request.

She clicked on the notification which opened the Matrimony app.

Hi this is Chandru, son of Vignesh.
We like your profile. To proceed further please send your contact number. Or you can contact me at this 9xxxxxxxxx or my father's number 8xxxxxxxxxx

She looked the profile and got to know that Chandru is working in some automobile industry. His father, Vignesh is working in some government sector. Then she went through all their family details and what are their expectations for bride.

After looking at his picture, she felt like she saw him somewhere but her poor memory couldn't process the exact information.

Meanwhile she put her stalking hat on and started to search for Chandru Vignesh in Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

She was surprised when she found he was her college senior. She also found that there were 40 mutual friends in facebook and 20 followers common to both in Instagram.

She pinged some of her close friends asking about the senior to get to know about him and his family.

When she received positive response she showed the profile to her mother.

"If you like the profile then accept it. I have no objections." Her mother told her and left to make dinner.

She accepted the interest and replied saying she would call in the weekend.

After few days...

She called his father's number and thought of handing over the phone to her mother, but his father didn't pick up the call.

So she dailed Chandru's number and he picked up in 3 rings.

"Hi Chandru, I am Sindhu. From matrimony... You gave request and I said I will talk to you in the weekend."

"Hi Sindhu. Why don't we meet in person?"

She was taken back by this statement.

"Only if you are comfortable." He added when she hesitated.

She agreed to which he said he will ping the location of where to meet.

She got ready and went to the cafe he pinged and waited for him. When Chandru entered the cafe she waved her hand indicating her place.

"Coffee?" He asked.

She shook her head, "Tea".

After taking note of it, waiter left the place.

"Just like my mother. Myself and my father, we always prefer coffee." Chandru face light up while saying this.

After few seconds his smiled dropped.

"My mother actu...," he hesitated.

"Divorced when you were 7. You mentioned that in the profile." She completed.

"No. I mean yes regarding the divorce part. My mother as in birth mother. She died when I was 3-4 while giving birth to my sister. Then my dad remarried when I was 6 but due to some circumstances they had to part their ways. I mentioned this also in profile." He explained in detail.

"Oh wait, you have sister?"

"No there were some complications during delivery, both couldn't make it. That's why I didn't mention about the sister part in the profile." He said sadly.

"If she had been alive, she would have been of your age." He said with sad smile.

Sindhu didn't know how to react, so she just nodded her head.

Soon waiter placed their order and left.

After brief pause, Sindhu continued,

"My parents parted their ways. He was very abusive person. Beating, kicking and hitting with things on my mother. So my mother filed a case against him and applied for divorce. But both side relatives convinced my mom by asking her to consider my future as well." She sighed.

"Submissive partner tend to adjust more for the sake of child's future right?" Chandru asked with a sad smile. Unconsciously he rubbed his left hand on his right arm.

She nodded. "Yes. They sacrifice themselves for the sake of their kids. Whenever I used to think of her sacrifice, I wished I was not born, atleast then she would have walked away from that psycho. Unfortunately I was born and for me she had to endure all those domestic violence for 6 years.

"One day she couldn't bear it. She escaped from the hell and took me along with her to her parent's home. But they didn't welcome her as they wanted her to stay with her husband. So she went police station again.
Mean time that psycho arranged a lawyer to get divorce. So they parted their ways. After which she did her masters and teacher training and became a college lecturer.

"Many times I wished he would rot in jail, but he escaped using his wealth. Later I heard that he remarried someone else and had a child.

"Because of this divorce, we lost all the support from my mother's relatives. Many started saying that my mom was stubborn that's why she divorced him. Many such rumours were passed within my mother's relatives. So we cut all their ties.

"We are looking for alliance past one year. Because of this reason only many rejected us. So I wanted to tell you this is the actual story. Believing me or not is upto you." She said.

He sadly smiled. "I believe you. Even we had been in similar situation. We lost all our ties with our relatives."

"How long are you looking for bride?" She asked him out of curiosity.

"6 months. No match crossed first level itself. One or the other issues such as caste, location mismatch, difference in status came up. Sometimes bride's family didn't like me or sometimes they didn't like my father. So still searching." He shrugged.

She nodded her head in understanding. Even she came across such reasons.

"Arranged marriage is always like this only. Bride should like the groom, groom should like the bride. Bride should like groom's family and groom should like the bride's family. Groom's family should like the bride and bride's family should like the groom. And finally bride's family and groom's family should like each other. If any one fails them should go for next proposal." She said as if saying a tongue twister.

He laughed. "Very true though."

Both spoke for some time and got to know about their and their family's interests.

"My opinion is that I would be very glad if we proceed this proposal further. Is it okay for you?" He started.

"Everything is for me. But I want to emphasize about the condition I mentioned in the profile."

Chandru frowned trying to remember what the condition was.

"I mentioned that, my mother and myself, both will be staying together after marriage also." She said sternly.

"Oh that one, we have no objections in that. If someone asks me to stay away from my father, even I wouldn't agree. I discussed this with my dad and he also didn't have any issues with that." He smiled at her.

For first time she got this reply.

"Why looking shocked?" He looked shocked on seeing her shocking face.

"Well truth to be told, I didn't expect that reply. Many groom's family didn't agree to that. To quote their words exactly, they said, 'We don't want extra luggage along with the bride.' So this was bit shocking to me."

He looked sad when she said how others commented, for her condition.

"I have only father and I am his only son. We can't stay away from each other and break the ties just because bride's family says so. So I understand what you go through." He nodded his head and smiled at her.

"Then double okay from my side. I will tell my mom. Maybe our parents can decide about further proceedings?" She asked.

"Sure." Saying that both left the cafe.

Evening she started to narrate everything to her mother including how he agreed to the condition.

"He might agree, but his father should also agree right?" Sadhana gave her distrustful look.

"He said he discussed with his father regarding this and said they are okay with it." She beamed in happiness as finally someone agreed to her condition..

"If you are okay with this alliance then we can proceed further." She gave the choice to her mother.

"When they agreed that we both can stay together, I can see how adjustable they are. This one factor itself is enough." Sadhana smiled at her.

"Then I will inform him about our decision."

Sadhana nodded her head and went to evaluate her student's exam sheets.

Punarum Kadhal (Consummating love or new love)

When he heard alarm ringtone from his phone,

"Yazh cut the alarm" he mumbled.

When the alarm kept on ringing, he frowned and patted on the space beside him.

On finding it empty he opened his eyes and cut the alarm.

'How come she woke up by 7 a.m in the morning? That too on Saturday!'

Still yawning he got up from bed. On getting smell of coffee, he smiled and went to kitchen.

He leaned on the wall and admired how she was preparing her morning tea, wearing only his shirt.

"You woke up?" She asked without turning back.

"Coffee smell woke me up." Saying that he back hugged her and kissed soundly on her cheek.

"Dirty boy! Did you brush your teeth?" Saying that she tried to push him, but he took that as a chance and snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her closer and peppered kissed on her face.

"It's time for you to go for jogging" she chided him.

"How can I go when you are wearing my shirt?" He asked innocently

"Give my shirt back, I will go for jogging." He winked.

She gave him a teasing smile and winked at him

"Take it then." Saying that she pushed him and ran, before she could escape he caught her nd lifted her.

"What about the coffee?" She shrieked.

"We can have it as cold coffee later!" Saying that he took her to the bedroom.

.....

Yazh was circling her finger around his scar on his right arm.

"How come I never saw this scar?" She frowned at the scar which was so faint.

"Because we never did it in morning. That why you didn't notice," He laughed.

She bet on his chest, "No filter on mouth! I am serious Chandru."

He lifted his arm to examine the scar which is very faint now.

"It was long back. Got it from her."

Chandru's mind went to 17 years back.

It was very few weeks his father got remarried to his distant relative Chandrika who was a divorcee.

Vignesh took some leave and stayed home till Chandru got used to his new mom.

Later Vignesh had to go to office leaving his son alone with his wife.

For some days it was fine for Chandru. Even though he couldn't accept her as his own mom, he started to like her.

Later slowly Chandrika started to beat him when Vignesh is not around and threatened him that she will throw him out if he complained to his father.

Chandru who was just 6 year old boy believed her words and hide about his step-mom's abuse.

Chandrika who was glad that Chandru didn't reveal anything to her husband started to increase her dose of abuse.

One day Chandru was playing music on small sized keyboard in his room. Chandrika who was sleeping woke up because of this 'noise' and got angry.

So she marched to kitchen and kept a spatula in the burner and called Chandru to come to kitchen.

Chandru thought it was snacks time and happily went to kitchen. Suddenly he felt burning sensation in his right arm and cried out in pain.

"Now you won't play keyboard and disturb my sleep right?"

"APPPAA!!" He cried as he was withering in the pain.

"If you shout then I will do again!" She warned to which Chandru cupped his mouth with his left hand and cried in his palm.

On evening before her husband could come home, she applied ointment at the burn place to cover up.

She was no doctor to treat it properly.

At night Chandru cried in pain as the place where he got the burn started to swell.

On seeing that Chandrika said that unknowingly he touched hot spatula while taking snacks.

But Vignesh was not in mood to listen to her as he was scared on seeing his son crying in pain. For Vignesh, Chandru is everything. He never let anything happen to his son at any cost. Now on seeing his son crying in pain, his heart clenched as if he has got the burn.

He immediately rushed to hospital and got it treated properly. That night when Chandrika was sleeping and Vignesh asked him how the incident happened and Chandru confessed the truth.

Vignesh's anger grew no bounds! He never scolded his son at any situation. On knowing how Chandrika tortured his son, he felt like slapping her. But he didn't confront her that night. He was not sure how she will react - what if she burn the house in anger while they are sleeping. So he controlled himself that night.

Next day Vignesh called both his parents and his in-laws and explained what happened. As expected Chandrika refused to accept his accusations later when her parent's slapped her, she admitted.

They filed a complaint and got divorced.

Again after 2 years, Vignesh parents forced him to get married and set him with an alliance.

Vignesh who thought about Chandru,

"He needs a mom. You are going to office then how are you going to take care of him?" His mother asked him.

"I don't think he has moved past Chandrika's behaviour, now you are asking me to marry again and scare him off?" Vignesh looked irritated.

"Chandrika's behaviour is wrong. But that doesn't mean all are like her. This girl we saw has 2 kids. Maybe Chandru will grow with sibilings also. He won't feel lonely." His father advised.

"Pa, I don't wan..."

"We gave a word to them Vignesh. You know I never break my vow. For that atleast agree to this!" Saying that his father left the room.

Later that night Vignesh spoke to Chandru regarding the marriage. Even though Chandru nodded his head , he unconsciously cupped his right arm where the scar was made.

That's when Vignesh realised Chandru didn't want this marriage to happen even though he agreed for his sake. So Vignesh cancelled the marriage.

That burn not only made a scar on his arm, but also in his memory forever.

On seeing his mood becoming sour, she mentally cursed herself for reminding him of his past.

She kissed his scar as if washing away all his painfull memories. On seeing her attempts to lighten his mood, he pushed back all his painfull thoughts aside and pulled her for tight hug.

Suddenly ringtone of his phone broke their hug.

"Let me check who is it." Saying that he got up and went to pick up his phone.

On seeing 'Sindhu' name on his phone display from truecaller he frowned.

'Sindhu?' he thought.

'Oh shît! Sindhu!!! Alliance! Seriously day by day my memory is getting poor.' thinking that he attended her call.

When she introduced herself and said want to talk regarding the alliance, he walked out of the bedroom, not wanting Yazh to know about this.

After coming to kitchen he spoke again and suggested for a private meet up.

When she agreed to meet, he let out a sigh and went back to bedroom.

"Yazh, I am going out to meet a friend. Mostly will not be coming back today or tomorrow." He said while wearing his shirt.

"I will miss you." She pouted.

On seeing her pout, he cupped her face, "I too will miss you. Only this week. I have an important appointment that's why. Next week for sure I will spend with you only." And pecked her nose.

He got ready and left to meet Sindhu.

After the meeting he straightaway went to his home to narrate everything to his father.

Soon they got call from Sadhana asking them to visit them the next day.

"Chandru, check when is the auspicious time for tomorrow." Vignesh asked him.

"10:45 to 11:45 in the morning and 1:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon." Chandru replied after checking at the daily calendar.

Vignesh informed to Sadhana that they will come in the morning itself.

Next day both father and son left to Sadhana's house.

"Chandru said about the condition. We don't mind it. I personally feel that marriage is not just about union of bride and groom. It is union of two families. So we would never ask you to separate or stay away from one another. We all can stay as one family under a roof." Vignesh said.

Sindhu sighed in relief after hearing this. Even though Chandru said the same yesterday, she wanted to confirm whether his father also have same opinion.

Soon they started to speak about their work, their extended familes, their habits. Both the family liked each other and decided to proceed further.

"So when can we have the date fixed?" Both Sadhana and Vignesh asked at the same time.

Alaraai Kadhal (Not yet blossomed love)

Two weeks passed since Chandru and his father visited Sindhu and Sadhana. Both were involved in shopping and wedding arrangements.

One day Chandru got message from Yazhini asking whether he forgot about her.

So as soon as his office ended he straightaway went to Yazhini's apartment.

"Finally found a way to this house?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

He gave him sheepish grin and entered her apartment.

"Your roommate left?" He asked when he couldn't find her roommate on Thursday evening. Usually her roommate will go to her native every Friday. So every weekend he visit her apartment.

"Yeah. Her sister's wedding is day after tomorrow. So she left yesterday itself."

"Ahaaa. You could have told me before itself right? I would have stayed here yesterday." Saying that he was about to pull her to him.

She back walk two steps, "As if you would have come when I said this. Where were you for past two weeks. Not even a proper phone call?" She glared at him.

"Yazh I was busy in shopping." He bit his tongue for the tongue slip. He remembered that he haven't mentioned about the matrimonial alliance to her.

"Shopping?" She frowned.

"Wait let me explain from first." Saying that he asked to sit and made himself comfortable on the chair nearby.

"6 months back I told you about creating a matrimonial profile?"

"Yeah. Even I asked what was the need. But you gave some weird explanation which I couldn't still understand."

He shook his head. 'This is going to be difficult then.'

"Well 2-3 weeks back, I came across a profile. Not sure whether you know Sindhu, our college junior. But you might have know our maths lecturer, Sadhana ma'am?"

"Have heard about her as we used to travel is same college bus. Her daughter is Sindhu right?"

He nodded his head. "So I saw her profile and sent request. She accepted it"

Yazhini was waiting for him to continue.

"Then one day I asked Sindhu to come to cafe and had a talk. And later we spoke to our parents and then myself and Appa, went to their home."

"Wait wait!!! These many things happened and you didn't bother to tell me anything?" Yazhini slowly started to raise her voice.

"No no. It wasn't intentional. Just that I was occupied with the events that followed one after another. So only I was not able to tell you." He explained.

Yazhini thought for few seconds and then nodded.

"Then what happened? It got cancelled?" She asked.

He was taken aback by her question. It was as if she was waiting for this to happen.

He shook his head 'no'. "Actually Appa liked that family very much and could also feel that they are also interested in alliance. So I agreed to this marriage"

Yazhini stood up furiously, "Chandru are you kidding me?"

"Yazh, why are you shouting?"

"Then what else should I do?" She asked harshly.

Chandru thought for few seconds trying to analyse why she is react like this.

"You don't like this marriage?" He asked.

When he silence as reply he got up furiously and asked, "Yazh didn't I tell you about this marriage plan when we started our relationship?"

Still he got silence as reply.

"Did I or not Yazh? I was sitting here only while creating the account in the matrimony app." He raised his voice this time.

Yazhini looked at him and sighed.

She whispered yes.

"Then why the hell are you... Wait! did you think of convincing me at later point?"

When he got silence reply for this again, he lost his control.

"I didn't expect this from you, Yazhini! I am very much disappointed! How could you think like that? I thought you know me?" He felt like pulling his hairs in frustration.

"It is not like that. First even I agreed. Later I as thinking how my parents would react if they come to..."

"Why the hell are you bringing your parents here? This had to do nothing with them!"

"Chandru!!! A relationship means everyone will be involved." She tried to explain him.

He shook his head, "No. I still don't understand why and how?"

"Chandru my parents are very orthodox. They won't agree to this relationship of ours if this marriage happens. And I don't think any parent would approve this" she cried.

He walked to and fro trying to calm down.

"Try to understand Chandru."

"Yazh..."

"Listen first. You know about my parents very well. Do you really think my parents will allow to be in the relationship with you after this marriage?"

"What has it..." She cut him off and asked him the same question again.

"No. Knowing your parents they wouldn't." He agreed.

"Then what about 'us'? What happens to us after this marriage? Chandru! I love you. I love you more than anything. I can't even imagine breaking this relation." She said.

"Then don't!" He looked straight at her and spoke to which she gave me 'are you kidding me look?'

"Do you want me to get beatings in broomstick and slipper? Who knows they might even get me married to someone else!"

He was cut off by his phone. He looked annoyed at his phone as it was ringing in middle of important conversation.

When he checked it was from Sindhu, he frowned. 'She never calls me. Why is she calling me now?'

"We are done talking, Chandru. Just leave. We can speak later I have no energy to speak to you."

He picked the call at the same time Yazhini started shouting. As he didn't want Sindhu to hear this he moved to bedroom and spoke to her.

"I asked you to leave! Not to bedroom!" She kept shouting but Chandru went in to speak to Sindhu.

After speaking to Sindhu he came out.

On seeing him so casual she frowned.

"Marrying someone else? No way!
Yazh! Yazh! Why did you think I was forcing you to get onsite offer? How can they force you to marry someone else when you are in abroad. Anyways, let's think about that after some years."

"As much as I love I can't go against my parents Chandru! Please leave. I don't want to talk to you now!"

"Yazh! Please unders..."

"Understand you? Answer me this! Why are you telling about this marriage now? Why don't you tell about it after marriage?" She shouted angrily.

"Yazh..."

"Just leave Chandru. Don't come here after. Stay with yo...!"

"You are not breaking up with me Yazh!" He intervened.

"I will if you don't leave right now!" She shouted.

He shook her head and left.

........

Sindhu pinged her mother saying,

Mom, don't wait for me. Having an experiment to complete. Will come by bus.

By the time she completed her experiment it was 7:30.

She crossed the road and waited for a bus. Two bus passed by, but it was too crowded. So she thought of calling Chandru thinking he might be able to give a lift on the way to his office.

When he picked up, "Chandru, are you in Guindy branch?"

"We are done talking, Chandru. Just lea...." Sindhu heard a girl's voice then followed by door slamming sound.

"Umm sorry for that, what you were asking? Guindy right? No I... I am in OMR branch. Why, what happened?"

"I thought of asking you to pick me from college thinking you are also here. It is fine. I will go by bu..." He cut off her by saying,

"Wait wait, it is already night. I will ask my friend to pick you up. He should be in Guindy branch only." Before she could convince him not to call his friend, he put her on hold and after few minutes he spoke again.

"Ezhil will pick you up. Ping me once he picks you and call me once you reach home." Saying that he cut the call.

She shook her head.

"Sindhu?" Ezhil who came by his bike called her.

"Chandru asked me to pick you up."

She was shocked first on seeing Ezhil. And another shock was that Ezhil was friend of Chandru.

What did you expect? Both are your college seniors and they are from same department. So obviously they must be friends. She thought.

"Sorry to trouble you. I can go by bus." She said.

'It will be very awkward to travel with the person whom you rejected.' She thought.

At the same time another bus came but again it was very crowded.

"Every bus will be crowded especially at this time. Let me drop you, else Chandru will burn me alive." Saying that he started the bike.

Still she didn't reply to his comment. At the same time she got a ping from Chandru asking whether Ezhil came. She replied yes and got into Ezhil's bike.

"So all purchase done for the wedding?" He asked.

"He told you about the marriage?" She looked shocked.

"He is my best friend. Well the only best friend he has, is me. So obviously he is going to share all the updates to me."

She nodded her head.

"Still going on." She said in clipped tone.

He nodded his head.

She was contemplating whether to ask him or not. But finally she decided to ask.

"Does your friend know... Umm that you proposed me?"

"Chandru? Yes. He knows." She frowned at his reply.

Then how come he asked Ezhil to pick me? She wondered.

"But he thinks that I moved on." He answered her unasked question.

She hummed in reply.

He was asking questions about the marriage and she replied in one or two words.

On seeing her tone, "Are you okay with this marriage?"

"What? Why would you think like that?" She was taken back by his question.

He looked at her via mirror.

"Your face says so." He muttered.

She sighed.

"Don't worry. You can share with me. I won't tell Chandru."

She raised her eyebrow at him looking at the mirror.

"Pinky promise"

She shook her head and continued‌, "Suddenly my mind becomes blank thinking about after-marriage. Are we hurrying? Is it right time? Or should we need to wait for some more time? What to do after marriage? Too many thoughts are piling up in my mind." She poured out her fears regarding the marriage but not in detail. She was not ready to share her fears in detail to anyone yet.

"It happens. Why don't you share this with your mom?" He asked. He knows how close she is with her mother. So he wondered why she didn't share with her mom yet.

"If she comes to know 1% of my thought process, she will stop the wedding. That's why!" She shook her head sadly.

"Why don't you discuss this with Chandru?" He suggested.

She gave him an 'Are you serious' look.

"Well, you both are in similar situation. Who will have a better understanding of your thoughts than him?"

She hummed as he had a point.

"But it will hurt him. It will look like I didn't trust him or his family. I don't want to do that." She shook her head.

He sighed and nodded his head in understanding.

Soon he reached her place and saw her mother waiting outside their home.

"Hi ma'am." Ezhil waved his hand at her mother.

"Your student only. He is Ezhilan, classmate and best friend of Chandru." Sindhu clarified when her mother couldn't recognise him.

Can't blame her, she went to mechanical department only for 2 semester. So she is not close to any of her students like other core department lecturers.

"I asked Chandru to pick me. But he was busy so he asked Ezhilan to pick me up." Informing that, she also pinged Chandru that she reached home.

"Oh he is still working?" Sadhana asked.

"Yeah, working at OMR branch."

"No, he is at friend's house in Besant Nagar"

Both said at the same time and looked at each other in shock when they heard what the other person said.

Then only Ezhil realised that Chandru wouldn't have told Sindhu about Yazhini or his stay at her home.

He mentally cursed himself for the tongue slip.

Sadhana looked at both of them and frowned her eyebrows.

"He was on his way to meet his friend soon after his work at OMR branch got over. So he was not able to come and pick Sindhu from college. So he asked me to pick her up on the way to my home." Ezhil made up a story so that it matches both of their explanations.

Sadhana reluctantly nodded her head and Sindhu understood that he is making up lies to save his friend.

Ezhil could feel questioning looks from Sindhu, so he thought of escaping from her and said, "Umm, I will leave. My parents will be waiting for me."

Both nodded and he left.

Sindhu went to dinning room to have the dinner along with her mother.

"Sindhu" she called her to which Sindhu hummed.

"Are you comfortable with Chandru?" She asked.

Sindhu stopped eating and looked at her mom. Maybe she also didn't believe Ezhil's lies?

"I am comfortable with him, Ma"

Sadhana who was still looking at her food, "Let me know if you are not feeling comfortable with him. We can cancel this marriage. Nothing is important to me than your happiness."

"Ma, ma. Stop thinking too much. It is not like I am not comfortable with him. It will take some time to bond like you expect. We are grown ups right? We will eventually get comfortable with each other. This relation, what to say? It is new to me and felt so sudden. Obviously it will be same for him too. Just... just give us some time." She consoled her mother.

"Maybe we can postpone the marriage?" Sadhana suggested.

"No no. Let it be as planned. Chandru was saying that he might be going onsite anytime soon. So let's have this marriage before he leaves."

"Are you sure?" Sadhana asked her with teary eyes.

"You are all that matters to me Sindhu. If you are not happy then need not conduct this marri..." Before she could repeat the same, Sindhu stood from her chair and went to hug her mother.

"Mom, stop thinking about cancelling this marriage or postponing it for my sake. Wait! let me arrange a family date with all four of us. That sounds good?" She moved left and right hugging her mother.

Her mother smiled at her, "Whatever you wish, you do." Saying that she kissed Sindhu's cheek.

Sindhu went to her study room. But she couldn't concentrate on her internal exams.

'Are we hurrying?'

She somehow convinced her mom. But she couldn't convince herself.

'What if history repeats itself?' She thought.

'No. Chandru and his father is not like that. They also faced a similar situation. Definitely they won't treat my mom and me like that psycho did.'

This is what she has been telling herself when this marriage got fixed.

But everytime she thinks about the marriage, her mind takes her back to the period, when the seed of fear was sowed.

"Sadhana, when are your parents going to give money?" Sindhu was shocked on seeing her father speaking in hard tone.

"They don't have money now. Just now my mother's treatment cost them fortune. So they don't have any money right now." Her mother whispered.

"Then why the hell did you come here?" Saying that the psycho threw the plate he was eating.

Both her mother and Sindhu flinched by his sudden outburst.

"I asked you something." He roared.

Sindhu who couldn't understand anything, was silently watching between her mother and father.

Suddenly she heard a slapping sound. When she looked up she saw her mother crying holding her cheeks.

"Why did you come here when you didn't bring anything from your parents?" Saying he caught Sadhana's hair and pulled and pushed her head in circling motion.

She heard her mother scream but she don't know what to do and started to cry on seeing her mother crying.

"Appa, leave mom pa." Sindhu, who barely reached her father knee, hugged his leg, but he didn't bother about Sindhu as he was still pulling Sadhana's hair.

When Sindhu cried again he shouted her to leave his leg. In fear she left his leg but regretted later when her father used the same leg to kick her mother.

"Amma!!!" Saying that she rushed to her mother's side.

"Sindhu go to your room" she whispered. Even at that time Sadhana worried about her daughter.

For first time in 7 years, Sindhu didn't do what her mother said.

She just rushed outside and knocked her neighbours door and asked for help.

She still could remember how helpless she felt when she was begging her neighbours to help her mother from that monster.

That day sowed the fear of marriage in her mind which she couldn't overcome even after 14 years.

She said okay to Chandru's family because she knew Chandru went through physical abuse so she trusted that his family won't do the same to her family as they also have been a victim.

But... her painfull memories is not allowing her to move on.

Wiping the tears that fell from her eyes she picked up her phone and pinged Chandru whether they could go out as family to get to know each other.

When she got postive response she smiled, 'History doesn't need to repeat always. Maybe this is a new beginning afterall.'

Few days later all went out like family date every weekend, where each one got to know more about each other. Sindhu and Sadhana could feel the barrier between both the family getting vanished.

One evening she got a message from Chandru,

Are you free this evening?

Yes.

Then will pick you up from college. Wait for me.

As soon as college ended she rushed out and saw Chandru waiting for her in his bike.

She got into his bike and asked, "Where to?"

"To Adyar" saying that he started his bike.

She thought he was taking to some cafe but to her surprise he parked in front of an apartment.

She raised an eyebrow at him.

"I thought Adyar would be center point of your and my place. After marriage we can shift here so that it will be equal travel distance for work and college."

"Chandru we are fine by staying at your home itself. Mom said that she can travel by college bus. For me college will end in 6 months. So it won't be an issue travelling from Perungudi."

He shook his head. "Mom is also getting old. For our age we will be comfortable with travelling. But for them it will be very tiring. That too on daily basis it will be very difficult. Imagine same in Summer time. One will get fed up soon on travelling up and down for work."

She was genuinely touched by his concern for her mother. She smiled at him and went to look at the flat he booked.

"I spoke to Ma first, she said she is fine with the house you pick." He informed.

"Did dad approve the house?" She asked.

"He is fine with any house as long as it has balcony." He grinned.

She smiled and entered the empty flat. It was duplex flat.

"3 BHK duplex house. Is it fine? I didn't feel like having 4 BHK considering there won't be any visitors from my side. Do you need any guest room?" He asked.

"No no. We also don't expect any guests. 3 should be fine. How much is the rent?"

"Why are you bothered about that. Leave it to dad." He said and gave her tour.

"Chandru, it is not fair. 50/50 share for rent." She stood stubbornly.

He raised an eyebrow at her. "I thought we are going be one family."

"Yea..." But he cut off her.

"Then no 50/50. Rent is not going to be the only expense. Depends on situation we can can share the expense. Okay?" Saying that he ruffled her hair.

She puffed and went to check each and every room. She really loved the house, it was spacious compared to hers. Previously they didn't want to have a spacious house as only Sadhana and Sindhu were staying. So they chose 2 BHK house and converted one bedroom to study room.

On seeing th bedroom of the flat her smile dropped. She no longer sleep with her mother like she used to. She sighed. Situations like this made her to think about why to have this wedding. But then she shook her head remembering why she wanted this marriage in first place.

When she entered the kitchen she remembered something.

"Mom knows to cook. But I... I don't know to cook, nor interested in cooking," she said slowly.

"No issues. Dad and I know cooking. Only we were there at home. So I learnt cooking, actually I love cooking." He grinned.

"I am complete opposite to you. I hate cooking. I just couldn't remember what ingredients to put and how much to put. Very difficult." She shuddered at the thought of composition and ingredients.

He raised an eyebrow at her.

"I thought for a biotechie, composition and ingredients would be like cup of coffee." He teased.

She sheepishly grinned but mentally she had another fear which she refused to share it with him or her mother.

"Why is the chutney so spicy?" The psycho barked.

"I used only 2 chillies like usual one. It is not even spicy. Ask Sindhu." Sadhana said slowly so that her reply doesn't rile him up.

"So what? If I say it spicy it is spicy! You both eat this sh!t" saying that he pushed the plate.

Other times if she make less spicy food, the psycho will throw the plate again saying it is too blunt.

She flinched when she remembered all those days where there wasn't one day without her father commenting bad about her mother's cooking.

Unknowingly she started to fear of being complained no matter how good one cooks.

She shook her head to remove those thoughts.

She smiled at Chandru. The one who knows to cook wouldn't complain about the food. They know the hardship of making a dish. Even if they complain we can ask them to cook. So no problem.

"You like this house or you want to check two more houses which I kept as back up plan?"

"No, I love this house. Mom will also like this. Spacious and very bright with good ventilation." She smiled.

"Can I ask mom and dad to check this house?" He asked.

She nodded.

"Then I will bring them here tomorrow." He said.

When they were about to leave Chandru got a call from Ezhil.

"Got the invitations ready. When can we meet?"

"Can you come to Adyar?" He said a restaurant where they could dine together.

When they reached the venue, she saw Ezhil. She smiled at Ezhil.

Ezhil's heart skipped a beat. 'She smiled at me for first time!!!' He mentally jumped up and down.

All three went in, meanwhile Sindhu pinged her mother that she will be having dinner with Chandru and Ezhil.

Ezhil and Chandru sat side by side and Sindhu sat opposite to Chandru.

"These are the invitations you asked." Ezhil passed the printed invitations to Chandru.

He opened one and saw the contents.

"It is awesome. Especially the caricature part." He smiled and passed one to Sindhu.

"Caricature images of we four!!!" She smiled.

"All credits to Ezhil. It was his idea." Chandru patted his friend's shoulder.

When she smiled at Ezhil with gratitude, his heart skipped again.

'I am definitely going get a heart attack today if she keeps on smiling at me like that.' He enjoyed getting her attention.

He smiled at her. He didn't notice waiter coming to their table and taking order.

"I will have honey chicken as starter." He heard her ordering from a starter.

Oh honey is ordering honey dish ? He was thinking in his mind.

When he got sudden punch in his left arm, he came to reality and saw Chandru raising his eye brow at him and Sindhu waving her hand in front of him.

"Sorry I was zoned out." Then he ordered his dish.

Sindhu frowned but then concentrated on her food.

"Chandru, did you apply for leave?" She asked.

"Yes. You?" He asked back.

"Just got two days leave." She shrugged.

"Seriously?" He looked shocked.

"Her department is like that only" Ezhil added.

"Bunk the class." Chandru suggested to which she pouted.

"I will speak to your HOD. Oh wait your mother is lecturer there right? She can convince them." Chandru asked.

"She is also supporting my HOD." She pouted.

'How cute she is looking right now!!! Why do I feel like pulling her cheeks!' Ezhil wondered.

"Wait guys, why didn't you choose a wedding date during her semester holidays?" Ezhil asked.

"Because Chandru, will be getting onsite anytime after this month. That's why." Sindhu spoke for Chandru.

Ezhil nodded his head.

"Wait, are you addressing him by name?" He raised his eye brow at her and gave teasing look at Chandru.

Sindhu felt fake glare from Chandru.

"Umm, till marriage. After that I will not call him by name."

Ezhil nodded and Chandru grinned.

"By the way, why so many cards?" Sindhu asked them.

"Need to give to my colleagues and my father's colleagues then to my college friends. What about your side?" Chandru asked.

"Oi, I said before right? Only me and my mom." She said.

Both were shocked on hearing her reply.

"Your friends?" Chandru asked.

She shook her head 'no'.

"They will tease me. I haven't said anyone about the wedding."

"Come on Sindhu. Let them tease or speak whatever they want. Don't let their words affect you."

"But..." He cut off her saying,

"It is your choice whether to invite them or not. But not inviting just because they will tease is not going to take you anywhere. After some days they will come to know. Then they will tease you even more for having this secrecy." Chandru said.

She felt like he has a point. But she was thinking how her classmates will react to this big news.

She sighed and said that she will think about it.

Suddenly she felt someone's gaze on her. When Sindhu looked up, she saw a girl's glare on her.

But can't say whether it is directed only to her or to the entire table.

"Look casual. Someone behind you is just glaring at our table." Sindhu whispered slowly.

As an instinct both the boys turned behind. Sindhu slammed her head with her hand. 'This is not the casual I meant!'

"Yazhini?" She heard Chandru whispering.

He turned back, "How come she knew I am here? Did you say to her?" he whispered to Ezhil.

"No. Oh wait, did you turn off your WhatsApp location sharing?" Ezhil asked.

He remembered Chandru asking Yazhini to come to a place so Chandru shared his location via WhatsApp. And considering poor memory of Chandru, Ezhil was sure that he wouldn't have turned it off.

Chandru slammed his forehead. "Anyways let me console her. You take Sindhu along with you and drop her." He whispered to Ezhil so that Sindhu doesn't hear.

"Sindhu, Ezhil will drop y..." Before he could complete Yazhini came to their table.

"You are Sindhu, right?" Yazhini asked Sindhu who was sitting opposite to Chandru.

Sindhu nodded her head.

"I am Yazhini. Well Chandru's girl friend. Or rather I would say ex-girl friend." She added last part by glaring at Chandru.

"We just had to break up because of this mar..." Before Yazhini could tell Chandru got up.

"Ezhil, drop Sindhu. Sindhu I will talk to you later." Saying that he dragged Yazhini away from the table.

Sindhu paid the bill and left with Ezhil.

"Chandru had girlfriend?" She asked when he was driving her back to home.

Ezhil was trying to silent during the drive, but Sindhu was not ready to leave him.

"I asked you something." She stressed.

"Well, yes. They were dating. Recently they had a misunderstanding. Chandru told me that she broke up with him."

She nodded and was silent for few minutes.

Ezhil relaxed as she stopped her questioning session.

"When they had misunderstanding?" She asked.

"Before this marriage got fixed or after that?" She added.

Ezhil thought for a second. He didn't want to lie to the love of his life. But he understood the intensity of the situation.

Keeping fingers crossed he lied for thr first time to her, "Before marriage got fixed."

Again she nodded and was silent for few minutes.

'Please don't ask anything' he thought.

"But why did she say that because of marriage only they broke up?"

'Chandru!!! Why did you ask me to drop this queen of doubts???' he mentally cursed Chandru.

"Don't know. Maybe Yazhini was not okay with the fact that they had misunderstanding or broke up. So she is trying to divert it on something else?" He blabbered whatever came to his mind.

He mentally apologized Yazhini. She is like a sister to him. But had to put some blame on her.

Ezhil knows that if he had said that they broke because of Sindhu, then Sindhu will call off the wedding. He also know how much Chandru is looking for this wedding to happen.

'Sorry Yazh. Will definitely clear up your name after wedding.' he mentally promised to Yazhini.

Again she was in silent mode. Ezhil was scared of her silence. It was like silence before storm.

"Do you... Do you still lo... like me?" She asked.

Ezhil for first time felt that answering about Chandru was very easy than this question.

"What made you think like that?" He questioned.

"The way you looked at me." His look didn't make her uncomfortable, but made her to doubt.

When she got his silence as reply she felt bad. 'Maybe he really moved on and I am here digging up things unwantedly' she thought. She mentally cursed herself.

When they reached their house she got down.

"Yes" his reply made her to look up at him.

Looking at her eyes brought some unknown confidence in him and made him to tell further.

"I still love you." He winked at her.

"You said you moved on that day?" She threw accusing glance at him.

"I didn't. I said Chandru thinks I moved on. I didn't correct his assumption. That's all." He shrugged.

"Are you for real?" To which he grinned at her.

"Ezhilan! Did you think about your friend and how will he react when he comes to know that you still have feelings for me?"

"Why does he have a say in this? I have a feelings for you. Did I trouble you in any way or force you to reciprocate the love?" He asked.

She shook his head 'no'.

"So why will it bother him?" He asked.

"He is your best friend. You can't do this!"

"Moreover, why are you still having feelings towards me when you clearly know that I won't reciprocate?" She threw his words back at him.

"Hoping that one day you will change your mind." he winked again at her.

She glared at him.

"What about the 'bro code' between best friends? Isn't it wrong to have feelings for best frien..." He cut off her by saying,

"Yes, it is wrong. Going against the so called bro code. But I didn't develop this feeling after coming to know about you both. I started loving you long back. So he chose the girl whom I had been in love not the other way. In simpler terms, I was the first. Then only he came into your life. So no harm done to bro code."

"Seriously? Do I look like hotel food order where you can claim first come first serve?" she gave him irritated look.

"Well I didn't say like that. But yeah that's how you can put it in other words."

"YOU!" she got tensed and felt like strangling his neck.

"Cool down Sindhu. I am not forcing you to like me. I just informed you about my feelings, that too only when you asked me only I am saying. Else I would have locked up my feelings to myself."

She looked dejected, and continued, "Ezhilan, It would be better if you move on. I would never have feelings for y... " He cut her off,

"Yes, I know. I am not asking you to reciprocate it. I understand. But please don't ask me to move on. I will not disturb you. Anyways will meet you on the day of wedding" saying that he started his bike.

"Ezhilan, don't wait for m..." Before she could complete he left.

She shook her head and walked back to her home.

'His zodiac-sign must be Leo! That's why he is this stubborn!!!'

Later at night she called Chandru and asked about Yazhini.

"I... I don't want to speak about Yazhini now." He hesitated while speaking about Yazhini to Sindhu.

Sindhu didn't know what to ask, so she said okay and hung up the call.

Alarum Kadhal (Blossomed love)

Sindhu felt her phone vibrating she looked down and saw that Chandru is calling her.

She cut the call and typed saying that class is still going on.

She patiently waited for her profesor to wind up the class even though he took the half of the lunch period to teach food processing and not thinking about student's lunch processing.

As soon as he left, she took out her lunch box and started texting Chandru.

Just now class got over. What happened?

Just thought of asking you to which place to book for vacation?

Family trip?

She messaged him with eye heart smiley. In reply she got eye rolling smiley from him.

What?

Only for two. Will include family trip when you complete your college or when I return from onsite

She sent him sad smiley. Later she understood what vacation he meant. She mentally facepalmed.

Srilanka? My mom once said to me about this country after seeing a tourism show. So it has been in the bucket list for a long time.

Okay done. Will book tickets.

Tell me the amount. This time I will pay.

She waited for few minutes but didn't get any response. Knowing Chandru, she knew he is not ready to use her pocket money until she starts to earn.

One week later...

It was drizzling outside.

Chandru held the invitation card in his hands on which he had written Yazhini's name on it.

Just one day left for the wedding and hoped he could talk to Yazhini. But she was not picking up her phone.

'Why not meet her directly?'

He got on to his bike and drove to her apartment.

Yazhini used to love to ride with him when it is drizzling. He missed those days. He accelerated his bike and reached her apartment.

He had keys to the apartment so he opened the lock and entered her flat.

He knew she wasn't in the mood to talk.

"I would be very happy if you come to the wedding." Saying that he kept the invitation on the table and left.

He knows she didn't mean when she said she is going to breakup.

5 years of love!!! Neither he nor she could part away from each other for a small misunderstanding.

He knew about her more than she knew about herself. And he also believed that she will come tomorrow.

Next day early morning around 3 a.m, he took the bangles which his mother wore, from the jewel set.

He went to bride's section and knocked on the room.

Sindhu opened the door thinking it was makeup artist but got surprised on seeing Chandru.

She closed the door behind her and asked him to move to secluded place.

"What?" She whispered.

"I wanted to give this." He opened his palm showing his mother's bangle.

"My mother's. This is passed from generation to generation. This is given to the daughter in law of this family. So wanted to give thi..."

"Chandru you need not do this. This belongs to your mother. After her it should be given to Yazhini. Not t..."

He shushed her, "I am giving this not just because of tradition, I am giving this as a sign of acceptance of the bride into the family. So let it be. Coming to Yazhini, don't worry I will give this to her after few years. As I said daughter in law of this family will and should have this." Saying this he extended his hand towards her.

Because of the love and care Chandru always displayed, she couldn't control the tears.

She hugged him. "Thanks a lot. It means a lot to me."

He didn't expect this hug, he just patted her head. After few seconds she pulled away from him.

"Will the bangle fit?" He asked.

She looked at the bangle size and nodded 'yes'.

He wiped her tears and ruffled her hair. "Come on cheer up." He said.

Suddenly a flash fell upon them. Both flinched because of sudden light.

"Woah!!! It was so emotional!" Ezhil exclaimed and clicked another picture.

Chandru groaned at Ezhilan for ruining the perfect moment of bonding.

"What is he doing?" Sindhu asked Chandru.

"He loves photography. So I asked him to take pictures of the wedding. That's why he roaming with the camera." Chandru rolled his eyes.

"Taking photo at this time?" She rolled her eyes.

"Anyways I think make up artists have come. Got to go. Bye!" Saying that she rushed to her room.

Both Chandru and Ezhil retreated to groom's room and started to get ready.

Soon guests started coming and when it was time for muhurtham (auspicious time for tying knot) priest called the bride to come to stage.

Ezhil was busily taking candid shots and two of his friends were covering the stage.

When he saw Sindhu coming down along with her mother, his heart started to flutter.

This is the first time he was seeing her in saree.

"Have this." Chandru gave his kerchief to Ezhil.

"Huh?" Ezhil frowned at Chandru for disturbing him gazing at his angel.

"You are drooling that's why" Chandru shrugged.

Ezhil scratched his head and gave him sheepish grin.

"I thought you moved on." He raised his eye brow at him.

"I didn't say like that. You assumed." Ezhil commented and clicked picture of Sindhu, ignoring the burning gaze of his friend.

Soon bride was brought to stage and priest started with the rituals.

When the priest said ketimelam, all started to throw the archathai (Akshata) on the newly married couples.

"Welcome to the family, Anna (elder brother)!!!" Sindhu smiled at Chandru.

Chandru grinned at her as she finally called him Anna.

"Welcome to the family thangachi (younger sister)!"

Both turned towards the stage and looked happy as Chandru's father and Sindhu's mother were now going around the agni as it was one of the marriage ritual!

Chandru's eyes welled up in happiness on seeing his father finally getting married.

"What if he doesn't accept her as his mother? I agreed to this marriage for him and not for me. If he doesn't want mother then I don't want a wife." Vignesh questioned his mother.

"We will keep him with us." His mother suggested.

Vignesh scoffed. "My son stays with me till I die." Saying that he lifted his son to his level.

"Appa, when I grew up I will get new wife for you." Saying that Chandru kissed his father's cheek.

His father lovingly ruffled Chandru's hair.

"I will. Pinky promise?" Chandru extended his little finger towards his dad.

"You are enough for me da." His father caressed Chandru's cheek.

"Pinky promise!!!" Chandru glared.

"Fine fine. When you grow up into big boy then we can search for new mommy." Vignesh laughed and hugged his son.

He arranged this marriage not just for the pinky promise he made when he was 9. Somewhere in the corner of his heart he carried the guilt for 14 long years that his father didn't remarry for his sake. Many times he noticed the longing in his father's eyes.

Each time he thought of suggesting his father to remarry, the scar made by his step-mother made him to keep to not voice out.

'Sorry for taking these many years appa.' he mentally apologized to his father.

Suddenly he felt someone squeezing his right hand. He turned to find Yazhini by his side.

"You came?" He tighten the grip on his hand.

"How can I not when this day means so much to you?" Saying that she turned towards the stage where her future father in law was holding Sadhana's ankle to put meti (Toe ring).

"Sorry I shouldn't have shouted at y..." Chandru cut her off by saying, "You came. That's all it matters".

Yazhini looked for Sindhu, when both of their eye contact met, Yazhini mouthed 'sorry' to her also.

Sindhu smiled and showed thumbs up.

Chandru got a call from unknown number and attended it. After few seconds,

"One sec." Saying that he pulled away, "Sindhu, call from Remarriage matrimony. After knowing about this marriage they are asking for their picture so that they can put it in the advertisement of success stories. Is it okay for you?"

She nodded and frowned at the same wondering why he is asking her permission.

"Well you didn't prefer informing your friends about this marriage right? This is like advertisem..." She cut him off saying,

"I moved passed that. I don't care about what others think. Moreover if giving picture for successful stories would encourage other people out there in the app then I would be very happy to do so. So I am hundred percent sure." She smiled.

Chandru nodded and replied that he will send their picture as family together via WhatsApp.

As soon as rituals done guests were asked to have breakfast and both bride and groom went to get ready for the reception in the afternoon.

So both Chandru and Sindhu went to help their parents, and Yazhini was sitting in the chair placed in front of the stage for guests.

"Do they really need to get married at this age? I thought Sindhu was joking and came here to confirm. Is she for real?" Yazhini heard a girl whispering from the row behind her.

She turned back to see two girls gossiping about her future in-law family.

She observed her college identiy card around their neck and found that both are from same college as Sindhu is studying. Probably Sindhu's classmates, she thought.

"You have both parents at home?" She asked both the girls.

Both of them looked stunned and nodded their head.

"Are they happy in their married life?" She asked them again.

Both looked each other and nodded their head.

"Just because your parents are happy with their marriage life doesn't mean all are happy with their marriage life. Don't mock at the other's decision when you haven't endured their pain." She sternly said and turned front.

"Woah! That's nice." Ezhil said, while sitting next to her.

"Don't give me too much credits. To be frank I was thinking like them only few weeks back." Yazhini looked down in embarrassment.

"But you came today." Ezhil appreciated her.

She nodded her head. "But I hurt Chand..." He cut her off,

"Trust me, he knows that you didn't mean them. But what made you realise this?" He asked.

"I was thinking only about how my father would react when he comes to know that the father of the boy, whom I love, got married recently. As I was thinking of different ways of defending Chandru and his father's decision, I started to put myself in Chandru's shoes. That's when I realised why he wants his father to get married.

"If I had been in his place definitely I would also have taken this step. That's when I realised how wrong I was and wanted to come here. I am glad that I came here today. In the past 5 years, this is the first time I am seeing Chandru this happy." She explained to Ezhil.

He smiled and nodded his head.

"By the way, what are you doing here? I thought you were the camera man." She remembered how he was taking photos when she entered the mantap.

"Please ask your lover boy about that." He rolled his eyes.

"He took the camera from me!" He furrowed his eyebrow.

"Why did... wait, what did you do that made him to take the camera from you?" She raised her eye brow at him.

"Well I was just taking candid shots." He defended himself.

"Chandru would be happy only, if you capture the candid shots. Tell me fully, of whom did you take candid shots?"

He gulped. Why both the lovers are behaving in same way? He mentally scolded both.

He scratched his head.

"Dai, you are facing opposite direction of the stage."

"My focus is audience Machan."

"Ahaan. I saw which audience you were focusing, you stand with me. Did you forget the bro code?" Chandru reminded him.

'Like brother like sister. Both are asking same question in same tone. Or did they discuss beforehand?' Ezhil thought.

"Best friend's sister is also like a sister." Chandru raised an eye brow at him

Ezhil rolled his eyes at him. "Machan, that is right. Best friend's sister is like a sister. But code is not applicable if the girl we love, all of a sudden becomes sister of the best friend. So bro code becomes bro-in-law code. So now we are Mama-Machan"

"Moreover you picked the girl as your sister, even after knowing that I was in love with her. So it is you who broke the bro code." he shrugged.

Chandru glared at him.

"She is just 20!"

"As if you were 30 when you fell in love! You fell in love when you were just 18!" He raised his eye brow at Chandru.

Chandru mentally facepalmed. "Get lost. Wait! no camera for you! Else you will be going behind her only." He muttered and took the camera.

"Ahaan" she laughed at him

"Come on. She was beautiful in that saree. And each pose, it was photographic you know. But that jerk ruined it."

She cleared her throat, "Enough enough. He was just looking after his sister. You know he always wanted to have a sister when his sister passed away even before entering this world."

He sighed. "Yeah true. But why did he have to choose my love as his sister. Even if had to choose her as sister, shouldn't he play cupid in our lives" he pouted.

"Ahaan. I will give you the same reply I gave to those girls. You are the only child of your parents. You will know the pain of other boys running behind your sister only if you have one. So don't blame him." She winked.

"You too, Taking his side? Oh wait, let me adopt you as my sister. Then I will ban him from seeing you." He joked to which both laughed.

"But you know what, I know that he also wants me to be his brother in law. But he is just worried for Sindhu. And I understand that. And Sindhu! she is not interested in love. She clearly said to me that she will go by her mother's decision. Guess I have to wait for some years to ask her mother for marrying Sindhu." Ezhil said.

"You coming to their home for evening function?" He asked Yazhini.

"No. No one knows about our love. I think Chandru is planning to tell about our love after going abroad. So I don't want to come now and create confusions." She explained.

Ezhil frowned, "You are thinking that he didn't tell your love matter to his father as he is waiting for onsite offer?"

She frowned and nodded.

He shook his head, "Well that's not the reason. He thinks that if he opens about his love matter to his father, his father would not have accepted for his marriage. Vignesh uncle still thinks Chandru as small boy. If he comes to know that his son is in love, first thing he will say 'Why do I need to get married when I have son of marriageable age?' so that's why he kept his relationship secret." Ezhil revealed.

"He told you this?" Yazhini looked shocked at his revelation and felt bit sad that she was unnecessarily getting paranoid about how his father would react.

"Nah. But I just know. I noticed the same thing in Sindhu. She used to share everything with her mother, but she didn't tell about my proposal to her mother. Again same thoughts. She didn't want her mother to think she is grown up."

Yazhini nodded her head in understanding.

"So you can also come home." He smiled.

Soon afternoon reception started.

"Who invited him?" Sindhu muttered.

"Who?" Chandru looked at the direction of her burning gaze and noticed that she was looking at his father's colleague.

"Dhanasekar uncle? He is my father's senior at Coimbatore. Wait! You know him?"

"Partially. He is widow and has two sons right?"

"Yeah, how you know?"

"We have spoken before for the alliance. He was the one who said me as 'extra luggage'" Sindhu puffed.

"He asked you to cut ties with your mother?" He let out an exasperated sigh.

"Not completely. He said I can stay in hostel. Soon after college I should get married seems. For him, he needs a mother to his son. But I should not stay with my mother. So we rejected the proposal. Looks like he is coming this way. I don't even want to talk to him. I will go to stage." Saying that she moved away from that place.

When Sekar uncle came to him, "Sekar uncle" he gave tight-lipped smile.

"That girl, she is also staying with you?" That uncle asked in jealousy.

"She is my sister. So obviously she is going to stay with me." He said in clipped tone.

Sekar uncle shook his head in disappointment.

"I think dad needs me. Will talk to you later uncle." Saying that he left the place not wanting to talk to him.

....

Later in the evening all four entered their new home they rented in Adyar.

"Mom, dad we want to give you a surprise!" Sindhu gave them mischievous look.

Chandru extended an envelope towards his parents.

Vignesh and Sadhana took the envelope and opened it. Both hid their blush and cleared their throat.

"Seriously? A trip to Srilanka? What is the need for this kanna?" Vignesh asked.

"You both can get to know about each other well. Right Ma?" Chandru tried to take support from Sadhana.

"Kedi" Sindhu muttered when she understood what he was trying to do.

"That's also correct but I didn't apply for leave." Sadhana said as she didn't to oppose, Chandru's words.

"Don't worry, it is taken care of. I spoke to the H.O.D and principal." Sindhu informed.

"You what?" Sadhana glared at Sindhu.

Sindhu bit her tongue.

"Why did you speak to them regarding thi..." Before Sadhana could go mad, Sindhu looked at her father and pretended as if she is about to cry.

"See Pa. Ma is scolding me." Sindhu pouted to which Vignesh heart melted and consoled his wife.

Chandru laughed at her antics and muttered, "Kedi"

"Say cheese" Ezhil exclaimed.

That time Sindhu kissed her mother's cheek at the same time Chandru kissed his father's cheek.

"Perfect!" Saying that Ezhil clicked a picture.

Author's note: It is song about love at older age. Will place the translation in comment section.

*****************

Hi guys!!! Long time no see!!! How are you all? Hope you all are fine!

Coming to story, how is it? How many of you found that it is proposal for Sadhana and Vignesh before it was reveal? If yes then which point of the story did you find out?
Because I wanted you guys to figure out when she calls him as Anna. If you had found it earlier then I really need to improve element of surprise in my writing so do let me know which point of story you found out the twist.

And extremely sorry for long chapter. I really couldn't break this into small chapters, it would break the flow. That's why made you you to read this looooonnnnggg story.

Regarding the concept of the story, I don't know what to say. There are many things I wanted to convey via this one shot. I am not sure whether I was able to convey it. Be it friendship or mother daughter bond or father son bond. I am not sure whether I brought in right emotions without exaggerating it. Flaskback scenes yes it has happened and is happening in many familes. Just that wife or husband doesn't break their marriage and tend to adjust with their sponse thinking about children's future.

Moreover I wouldn't have brought in Sadhana or Vignesh POV much here. Wanted to express their thoughts via Sindhu and Chandru. But again not sure whether the story came as it is in my mind. Feeling something lacking. Maybe word limit was making me to cut short many scenes. I had to trim 3-4 scenes where if included we could have got more insights to their life.

Maybe one day will rewrite this story that time will include it.

BTW any questions? I mean first if you thought it is proposal for Sindhu and Chandru, after knowing it is not like that, you might have found some scenes that is not matching on comimg to know the truth. If there is anything like that do comment or ping in private, will clarify your doubts.

Do comment your views about the story or about the characters or their relationship. Whatever comes to your mind, do shoot it in comment section.

You can find Yazh and Chandru's one shot in my another one shot from my profile named - Shoulder to cry on.