Anika's POV

I walked out of anirudh's home with lots of thoughts how I'm going to surprise my dad and make shanky come to my house.

I can't do this all by myself making shanky to come to my house is the toughest work to do.He'll bomb with questions. Thinking about ideas I walked down the streets, nearing to my house.

To my surprise and happiness I saw my little cute bunch of chipmunks playing at the park. I walked towards them with a bright smile on my face. I kept the bags aside and jumped onto them.

"Heyy!! Guys." I said, excitedly.

"Nikuuu!! Where have you been??" Vicky asked, opening up his jaw wide.

"Emm-hmm I'm staying in anirudh's house so I have been missing here.But I missed you guys so much." I said, kneeing down on the ground to catch up their level.

"Why do you live in anirudh's house?" Venky questioned like a boss.

"Yes, we missed you so much too." Rishi said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

"And your mom why is she so rude? Whenever we visit your house to check if you're there she whacks us out." Sarath complained

"Deii, leave all that. I'm here now you guys can play, talk and have fun with me till I leave." I said, with a smile on my face.

"Yayyy Anika is back." Everyone chorused.

"Okay shuhh!" I said, keeping my index finger on my lips. "I need a help from you people. Today's appa birthday you guys should go inside my house and bring him out."

"Oh yeah! Anu sis gave us chocolate in early morning now I remember." Vicky said, scratching his head.

"But your evil mom will be there. How are we suppose to go?" Rishi asked.

"And Niku you still didn't answer me. Why are you staying in anirudh's house?" Venky said, crossing his arms.

"Venky, I'll answer to you later. Right now, I need you all to bring my appa to this park. And importantly don't tell him that I called him."  I said, earnestly.

"Niku we don't get anything. Tell us what you have planned with that we will proceed." Sarath said.

So, then we all together formed a circle and I whispered them the plan of the mission today. There wasn't enough time for us to arrange things but we decided to manage with the things we have. I instructed Rishi, Venky and Sarath to go bring my dad while me and Vicky was forming an idea to bring up shanky over to my house as today's his birthday too.

At last, crushing my brain I got a very simple idea and quickly called shanky before I could forgot the idea. As per my plan, everything is going to happen well. Shanky said he'll be here in 15 minutes and I'm dam excited now.

In 20 minutes I heard shanky's car horn. I and Vicky ran up to him, pulled him to the park. We both didn't really bother his questions we just reminded to be calm and cool.

"Niku can you please tell me the reason why you called me here?" Shanky asked, having his arms akimbo.

"Wait! Wait for a while. You'll soon know." I said, calmly.

"Can you stop your craps! I have work now." He said, under his breath.

"Yennaku kagaa wait panna maatiya." I said, with a break voice which sounded like I was about to turn emotional.

"Pavaam anaa munji-yae kaamichi yen vaaiya adakidu." He said, pissed.

I grinned widely.

At my house!

Rishi and Sarath climbed up the stairs to reach 1st floor, slowly.They breathed out for a while and ranged up the bell at anika's house.There was no response from the person inside, they rang the bell again but this time continuously they kept ringing it.

Anika's dad approached them with a stern look.

"Hello Uncle! Happy birthday." They said, chorusly with a flower bouquet.

"Thank you my boys." Anika's dad replied, with a smile. "Come in and have some snacks."

"No thanks uncle! But we need you at the park now please come with us." Venky said, smilingly.

"Oh, I'm sorry Venky. I'm quite busy now." Anika's dad said, in a low tone.

"No uncle! It's an urgent." Sarath pleaded.

"Give me 20 minutes and I will join you ou all at the park. Is that okay ?" Anika's dad, patting sarath's cheeks.

"No it's not okay. Uncle neega vaara poringala illa yaa?" Venky asked, with a stern look. "Machan vaa uncle aah kidnap pandradhuu thaavaraa veraa valli illa."

Rishi, Sarath and Venky pulled anika's dad hand and brought him out of the house. Anika's dad pleaded them to leave him but they were quite forceful.

Anirudh's POV

"Sidyy, where is sreyu and shashank?" I asked.

"Sreyu in mumbai for some meeting. And shank i haven't seen him around here." Sid said, with an assuring smile.

"Probably shanky must be busy with his engagement works da. His engagement is tomorrow don't you remember that ?" Iyappan said, wrapping his one arm around my shoulder.

"Oh yeah right." I said, causally.

I got up from the couch and made my way to the porch, dialling anika's number for the 50th time. I placed my phone on my earlobe hoping that she'll attend my call but then what I heard was a recorded feminine voice.

"The subscriber you're calling is currently busy."

Where the hell are you Anika?! I cut the call irritatedly and sat down on the couch tensed. I couldn't be clear in what must have happened to her. I'm sure if anything bad had happened to her then I won't in a situation like how I'm now.

Why is she testing my patience level this much. Why is she not able to understand my pain ?!

I couldn't stay nor concentrate on my works anymore. I decided to go search for her but before I could let me call Anu and ask her if she knows anything about Anika. I thought of it and quickly called Anu.

"Heyy Ani! How are you? All good right?" Anu said, through the phone speaker politely.

"Yeah yeah I'm good! But Anu are you in hospital?" I asked.

"I'm in hospital now ani. Anything wrong? I thought of applying leave but then there's no substitutes for me." Anu said, in a low voice.

"Nothing Anu. I'm just worried about anika. She's not picking up my call. I have been calling for hours." I said, trembled.

"But where did she go?" Anu asked.

"Where else to your house. She wanted to see her dad and I told her to call me once she reach- "

"Oh shit ! God !" Anu interrupted in between, breaking my voice.

"Today's appa birthday. I'm sure she's there with her surprise. I was the one who informed her that amma isn't in town so she can meet appa today." Anu said, earnestly.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked, doubtfully.

"I'm plenty percent sure. She told me about her plan for appa and shanky. I almost forgot about this and sorry on behalf niku ani." Anu said.

"That's fine! Tell me at what time your works ends so that I can pick you up." I said, in despite relief.

"My work ends in 35 minutes. I will give you a call and then we can go." Anu said.

Then, I hung up the call agreeing to anu's words. But niku you gotta pay me something for this.

Anika's POV

"Uncle pesama vangaa!" Sarath yelled.

"Dei pasangala yenna vidungaa da!" Dad pleaded.

I saw my appa coming towards the park with rishi, sarath and Venky. The way they're bringing my appa made me to chuckle to myself.

I placed the cake on the bench which was near to the swing and I went behind having Vicky beside me. I wanted my appa to be so surprised as he's going to see me after many months.

Shanky gave me an unusual stare not getting with my antics. He seemed so doubtful and curious. But to be honest, I'm glad that I'm getting a brother in law who's so dumb to forget his own birthday. Just then, appa came and stood in front of the cake bench still continued to plead at the boys.

"Happy Birthdayyy Appa." I shouted, popping out the birthday wrappers.

Shanky's eyes bulged up, dad stool still and stared at me. Both didn't expect this from me I'm sure about this. I chuckled and my little chipmunks started to jump around in excitement.

"Happy Birthdayyyy Bubuuu!" I said, offering a knife to them to cut the cake.

"Niku ma, when did you come here. What's all these surprise." Dad asked, surprised.

"Appa first cut the cake then I will tell you. Come." I said, pulling my dad's hand.

Shanky and Appa cut the cake together as they both are birthday twins. Shanky fed one piece of cake to appa and then to me. I cut a small slice of the cake and fed appa with a broad smile on my face.

"Happy Birthdayyy appa. I love you." I said, giving a brief hug to him.

"Thank you ma." He said, caressing my back softly.

Then we all started to bump onto shankyy to fed him the cake. He couldn't escape from our trap as we all surrounded around him, applying the cakes cream on my face. Dad just stood in a corner and watched us playing.

Just then, I heard a familiar masculine voice clearing their throat by making some creepy sounds. I turned around causally and looked up at the person in ultimate shock.

Anil ! He stood there hands on his pocket with a devil glare at me and he seemed so mad at me. I just realised that I didn't call him to inform that I reached safe.

I bit my tongue and looked at him innocently. Hoping that he would smile but he reminded to stare at me like anything. I'm so dead again! He's going to shout at me till he feels happy with the scolding.

"Urghh!! Niku You've done the stupidest mistake ever. Why you didn't call him." I cursed.

"Machii, yennaku inniki birthday da. Chaa I forgot it see how dumb I am." Shanky said, nonchalantly.

"Happy birthday da machan." He wished him, with a small on his face.

"Thanks da. Come and joint the fun. It's anika's dad birthday too." Shanky said, pulling anirudh's hand.

"You join the fun I'll come in few minutes." He said.

Great! Now, he's going to kill me with his scoldings. Niku be ready to hear his demanding words. Your so called innocent face isn't going to work for him now as he's too heated up.

I stood silently, playing with my fingers in nervous. I can feel his intimacy closeness towards me. I didn't dare to look up at eyes but determined to watch him from corner of my eyes.
There's only a centimetre gap between us and so could smell his strong fog cent which is hitting over me.

"Why you didn't share me all these surprises?" He asked, in a very serious tone.

"I thought of not giving you troubles. And you seemed busy with your work so I didn't want to disturb you." I said, fixing my gaze at the floor.

"At least you could have told me today's your dad birthday right? Why you didn't tell me that?" He said, raising up his voice.

"I forgot!" I said, simply.

"Okay fine! What made you not to attend my call? Do you know how many times I called you and messaged you? Yendi yenna ippdi saavaa adikiraa? Unnaku yedho aiiduchii nu bayandhu naa senththuten theriyum aah." He said, crushing his teeth and shouted under his breath.

Hearing that last phase which hit my heart so deep I glared at him in shock. I was just off with his utterance. I shouldn't have done this. Because of me he's tensed and frustrated. His care and love towards me are just making me emotional.

"I'm sorry!" I apologised, sweetly yet not facing him.

"Can you be clear? Yennaku kekkala konjaam kittah vandhu sollu." He said.

I took a step forward leaving an inch gap between us. I was so close to him barely our body to crush each other but I mainted my distance away from him. Anirudh smirked playfully, smiling to himself. I pressed my lips and slowly looked up at him with dazed eyes.

"I'm sorry! Naa phone attend panni irukunum thaan but yennaku phone ring panna sound kekkala adhaan attend pannala." I said, politely.

"Yen phone ringer vella seiyala naa yenna pannuven summa yennae yelladhukum thittu irukah." I continued to explain my reason.

He bit a laugh hardly at me. I looked at him like what's happening man? He chuckled and laughed at reaction until his stomach could pain.

Slowly my lips curved into a smile seeing him laugh. Lastly, he isn't mad at me, he wasn't actually he playfully acted to see my reaction as I found it just within his laugh.

"Look at the way how my lollypie got scared of me. You're so dam cute when you're scared." He said, cupping my cheeks.

"Loosu" I said, hitting playfully on his waist.

"Okay come let's go see your appa. And more thing I wasn't mad at you at all I was just playing with you." He said, holding my hand.

"I know ! Nee sirikka moodhae naa kandupudichiten nee naadikira nu." I said, with an assuring look.

After a few moments, we all went entered in our house. Anirudh, Anu and appa was having a talk at the master bedroom while me and shanky were discussing about the food menus for engagement.

Though I'm not going to attend the function, I gave all my favourite dishes to order as I got no other work to do. I was bored actually!

Leaving shanky all alone in living hall, I got up from the soft cushion and made my way to appa's master bedroom to join them. I went inside the room silently and stood beside anu, pairing my hands with hers. I had no idea about what they all are talking about so I reminded to be quite.

"Ani, I have never done anything to my daughter Anika. All I was able to do was to make her study well. She got married to you with difficulties and it was so sudden. As you're from a very big family I don't know how to pay you. So, here's some jewels and money that I saved for my daughter Anika. Please take this as a gift." Dad said, presenting him a medium sized box.

I just starred at the box and at appa.

"Uncle, I'm sorry I don't need this.i didn't marry your daughter to get this jewel and money from you.I understood your family circumstances and I loved your daughter truly. I don't wish to get these from you all I wish is a happy life with your daughter."
Anirudh said, in a serious tone.

"But it's a formality to give all these. As a father to my daughter I should do something for her." Dad said.

"Just do one thing uncle. Pray to god that we both should lead a happy life. Bless us that's enough." He said, politely.

Quickly, Appa clutched anirudh into a brief. I was so shattered with the scenario that's playing right in front of me. Why's anirudh this sweet?

He loves me so much than everyone else do. This totally made me emotional and just felt like giving a bone crushing hug to anirudh. But then I wasn't ready to do it.

"Uncle I spoke to the catering person about the food menu and I have settled the orders for tomorrow night." Shanky emgered in.

"Okay! So, all others for ready for tomorrow right." Dad asked, in a causal tone.

"Appa everything's ready perfectly. Nothing to worry." Anu said, with a smile.

"Okay anirudh! It's time for you and anika to leave at anytime her mom will reach the house. And you're coming tomorrow for anu's engagement right." Dad said, in a low tone.

"No uncle. I'm sorry me and anika aren't coming. I hope you know the reason why. But always my wishes will be there for my buddy shanky and Anu." Anirudh said, smilingly.

"And my wishes will be there for my bubu only." I said, giving a side hug to shanky.

Everyone chuckled.

"Okay! Uncle even I'll leave now. Gotta give my friends a bachelors party. If I don't then they'll kill me." Shanky said, exaggeratedly.

"Partyyy!! Yayy!!" I screamed, in excitement.

"Hello! Niku, it's a boy's party. You ain't allowed and even your sister isn't." Shanky said, crossing his fingers.

I threw an evil-ish glare at him and pouted my face.

"Ani drop her and reach the party hall okay." Shanky said, grabbing his car keys from the table near by.

"No! I won't allow my anil to attend the party." I said, wrapping my hands around anirudh's waist.

Anirudh didn't respond anything. Shanky shrugged his shoulders and left the house sternly. I and anirudh bid a good bye to anu and appa left the house. I was already tired having a full meals at my house for dinner. I just came silent admiring anirudh while he was driving.

I badly wanted to know the reason why he didn't get the jewel box which my dad offered. I low down the volume of the music player and tuned my body facing anirudh.

"Ani, nee yen yengaa appa kududhaa jewel box aah vangikala." I asked, curiously.

His smiled at my question.

"I didn't marry you to get those from your dad. I know every parents does this for their daughters marriage. If I get those from your dad then its like I got married to you for a business purpose that's what I would feel like.And more over we aren't really living as husband and wife so why do I need it ?" He said, seriously.

"But you could have atleast accepted the money which my appa offered you." I said, trembly.

"Money? I have them. I earn them for my life. Look Niku, I know how your family lives I'm not really interested to get anything from your parents other than you.I just need only you for a happy life. Because I love you that deeply and truly." He said, pulled the gear forcefully.

I realised that we reached home but I just kept staring at eyes as both of our eyes got locked each other. I can feel that I'm getting closer to him, firmly.

"Naa un kittah veraa yedhum kekkala! Yennaku un kadhal irundhaal poodhum." He said, coming closer to my lips.

There was just an inch of movements between us for our lips to collide each other.I could feel his cold breath hitting on my face giving chills down my spine and making my body shiver.

I was so melted with his words, especially the last word un kadhal irundhaal poodhum was a bliss to my ears. What else do I need other than his love? And what else do he need other than my love?!

My love will definitely fulfill all his happiness and his love will definitely guide me to a straight path. I thought to myself as I tilted my head a lower, moving more closer to him, with an intention to taste his lip with all my might.

Suddenly, anirudh's phone ringed, kaththi theme music playing in background. He parted away from me to attend his call. It broke all our interactions and my thoughts. I facepalmed myself and fixed my gazed down.

I opened the car door, expecting anirudh to stop me from going but then he just delivered a assuring smile at me and told me to take rest, bidding a bye to me.

To be continued..

A/N

As you all asked for a sooner update! Here it is, do let me know what you'all thought of this chapter. Wasn't this a surprising chapter ? I hope you'all liked it much.

Thank you ! Do vote and comment.