Days passed and occasionally she will have the image of Madhan kissing her eyes. She will smile automatically. She is not sure why that moment is repeated by her brain. But her heart and mind stuck to that moment. Radhi completed 10th exams. She stayed in home.

One day, Vinoth and Madhan had a foot ball match in college and so the family planned to visit the match to encourage them. But Ragu had an important work in hospital and so he denied. Rohini too denied stating that she need to be there. So Sathya and Radhi went to college. She sat with Sathya, and waited for the match to start. A girl came at that time. 

Akshaya- "Hello uncle Naan Akshaya.. Madhan oda friend.". Sathya smiled at her. 

Akshaya- "Madhan daddy.. ", she asked like a confusion..

Sathya- "naan thaan ma", Akshaya suddenly fell on his feet and got blessing. Radhi didn't mind anything, she was searching for Madhan and Vinoth munching snacks. She dressed in a very simple manner, since in these two years she didn't went to any shop nor any purchases. Everything was bought to her by her parents, still she used the old one. Akshaya looked at her from top to bottom. It gave Radhi a disgusting feel but ignored it.

Soon, Madhan and Vinoth came towards them. They bought chocolates for Radhi. Vinoth gave that to her. 

Radhi- "eppo start agum?"

Madhan- "inum 15 mins la agidum di .... Hi Akshaya, enna intha pakam?"

 Akshaya- "un parents ah pakalam nu vanthen"

Madhan- "oh okay, appa ithu Akshaya enoda classmate. Akshaya ivar en appa,  iva en mama ponnu, Radhi", While introducing he pulled the snacks she was eating so far now.. 

Madhan- "pothum ma.. avlo thaan sapdanum.. ", Radhi pouted. 

Madhan- "Naan unaku onnu vaangi tharalam nu irunken pogum pothu, itha sapta apuram atha sapda mudiathu... so pothum sariah? ", Radhi smiled at him and nodded at him. He packed the snacks in the bag.

Akshaya- "Hi Radhi". Radhi smiled at her innocently.

Akshaya- "Nee school padikura thaane, unaku ethavathu doubt naa enkita kelu sariah? naan 12th la district first. naan unaku easy ah padika solli tharen.. "

Radhi looked at her with a confusion, went near Madhan and hold his hand. Madhan chuckled.

Akshaya- "enachu? "

Vinoth- "athuku  enaku district first venam naan state first kitaye kathukuren nu artham"

Akshaya felt shamed and glared at Radhi. Radhi hide herself behind Madhan. Madhan and Vinoth noted this and glanced at each other.

Madhan- "Radhi ma, nee enaku inum all the best solave illa.. ", he changed the topic.

Radhi smiled and gave a hand shake to him muttering, "all the best". Madhan kissed her forehead in return. Radhi then went to Vinoth and did the same, Vinoth kissed both her cheeks. Radhi smiled. Boys started to kiss her like before hoping that one day she will change, like walking with Sathya daily. 

But Akshaya hated this act. Akshaya- "rendu perukum sister ah irukurathu kooda nalla irukum la"

Madhan- "enaku sister nu eppo sonen? enaku iva mama ponnu.. avanuku thaan sister.". Radhi felt an unknown relief and happiness. Radhi and Madhan looked at each other once, Radhi blinked her eyes as an appreciation with a smile. 

Madhan was sure that he started to like her and so he denied her to be his sister. When Radhi looked at him with a smile, he conformed that she too wished him to be a friend and not as her brother. 

Vinoth- "nee kavanikalaya? avanuku sister ellam illa, ore payan thaan", he too added knowing akshaya's intension. He also watched the eye conversation between Madan and Radhi. 

Radhi went near Sathya, Sathya side-hugged her and said, "dei, Match ku time aachu ponga rendu perum.. "

Vinoth- "bye mama... Radhi snacks romba sapdatha.."

Madhan- "bye pa... Radhi ma tata.. ", Radhi nodded for both of them. 

Both the boys didn't mind Akshaya and went. Akshaya sat nearby to Sathya and tried to converse with him. Sathya gave his mobile to Radhi. She smiled and started to play games. 

Akshaya- "epadi uncle neenga ipo kooda ivlo young ah handsome ah irukeenga?".

Sathya chuckled and said, "exercises and correct food eduthukita ellarume healthy ah young ah irupaanga.. "

Akshaya- "hmm, Madhan apadiye ungala pola thaan.. "

Sathya- "illa, avan en wife pola thaan irukaan pakurathuku.. "

Akshaya- "irukalam.. but rendu perume sirikum pothu alaga irukeenga.. "

Sathya- "thanks ma."

The match started and Akshaya started to support Madhan and his team. She was shouting Madhan's name to encourage him. But Radhi hated this very much. Her face expressed this as a mirror. Sathya noted this. Even Akshaya noted that.

Sathya- "Romba kathatha ma, en marumagaluku avlova aagathu.. nee venum na un friends kooda poi enjoy panni, kathi cheer up pannu ma.. ", he straight away told that.

Akshaya- "illa uncle unga kooda..", she tried to stay..

Sathya- "paravala maa, I will take care of myself. Enaku help ethuvum theva illa.. Naan paathukaren. Nee poi enjoy pannnu.. ", he said softly. 

Akshaya burned in anger and went from there. she was waiting for an opportunity to defeat Radhi. She didn't liked the way both Madhan and Sathya treated Radhi. She want them to give importance to her. 

Match over. Vinoth, Madhan team won the match. The whole team enjoyed the achievement. Sathya and Radhi went to the team. Sathya congratulated everyone whole heartedly. Radhi just smiled at them with happy eyes. 

Madhan- "nallavela all the best sonna, illaina thothurupen theriuma?", Radhi chuckled. 

Vinoth- "amam, last goal poda evlo kastapatom.. ini ella match um vanthu 'all the best' solidu Radhi chellam". Radhi giggled at them with cute glaring. Boys raised their hands like surrender to her. The trio then giggled.

Akshaya who came to congratulate them hated this conversation. She kept encouraging them, but they are praising the one who said just , 'all the best' and then just stared at the match.

On the other side, They happily started. Vinoth was explaining the match experience to Radhi. Madhan is passing comments to his statement. 

When everyone are walking suddenly someone ran towards them from behind and stopped Radhi by catching her hand. 

Man- "hey enga pora... ipadiye odidalam nu pakuriah? olunga vanthu ground ah kooti peruku.. annama ponnu thane nee, enga naluvura?"

Vinoth- "yara paathu enna sonna?", he slapped him hardly which made him not to hear anything for minutes. Madhan too slapped the Man after Vinoth continuously and pulled aside.

Akshaya rushed to them and stopped him by touching Madhan. Madhan was about to slap her, but put his hand down after watching Radhi, who tightly closed her eyes and ears. 

Madhan- "look Akshaya, enaku thotu pesurathu pudikathu.. athulaium nee thodurathu enaku suthama pudikala.. yerkanave soliten. complaint panra alavuku vachukatha.. "

Akshaya- "hey sandaiah nirutha thaan vanthen.. nee yen enna thapave ninaikura?"

Principal too came at that time as witnessing the crowd. Radhi opened her eyes and observed. She didn't cried.

Madhan- "no thanks nee polam.. "

Akshaya got irritated and turned towards Sathya,  "uncle neegalachum solunga.. Radhi, konjam epavum pola dress panita pola iruku.. athu konjam dull ah iruku.. pavam china ponnu thane, dressing sense pathi enna therium? athaan avaru thappa ninaichutaru.. itha perusaka vendam".

Radhi looked at herself and looked at everyone with painful and guilty eyes. Radhi moved near Sathya and hugged him, hiding herself in him. This hurt Madhan more.

Madhan again slapped the man and said, "annama akka ku ponne kidaiyathu. .. ". Akshaya and the man got shocked.

Principal- "what happened? ennachu?"

Sathya- "I feel ashamed to join my boys here .. ipadi kaiya pudichu iluthu velaiku vaa nu koopdararu, enga ponna vidunga, entha ponna irunthalum ipadi thaan koopduvara?". He explained the things by hugging gently Radhi. His anger is clearly expressed in his face.

Principal felt shamed and with at most anger, "Nee yaru atha ellam kekurathuku? You are dismissed from now on", he shouted at the man and then turned, "Sathya sir, extremely sorry.. papa sorry da ma..", being a father, he understood Radhi state now. 

Principal knows very well about Sathya. He is one who treat Principal's family. Principal is like a friend to Sathya.

Man- "sir, sir.. apadi ethuvum panidatheenga.. intha ponnu thaan 500rs koduthuta intha pesa sonnuchu.. yerkanave intha thambinga vera rendu thadava adichuruchu.. intha maa un kaasu", he forcefully gave the money to her and said, "sir please ena vitrunga.. ", he pleaded. 

Akshaya- "illa, enakum ithukum ethuvum samantham illa.. avan poi solraan."

Principal- "both of you, meet me tomorrow morning, Akshaya come with your parent.. now go..", they moved and the crowd too moved. 

Principal- "Sathya sorry.. naan itha pathukaren. please relax. I am responsible. ini ithu mari nadakathu..". He took a chocolate from his pocket, "sorry ma, itha vangitu en sorry ah accept panipeengala?"

Radhi looked at Sathya, he nodded and then Radhi smiled at the Principal and took the chocolate. 

Sathya- "sir, It is clear. Antha ponuku en paiyan mela interest iruku. but athukaga ava ipadi ellam nadanthuka koodathu. please avanga parents ah kooptu konjam solli puriavainga.. athe mathiri en paiyanuku ithu pudiakala.. I don't want him to get into trouble."

Principal- "sure, enakum puriuthu.. I will take care.". They left from there and went home after conversing with the principal.  

She went to her room and looked at her image on the mirror. She didn't wear bindhi, chain or bangles. She wore only stead in ears which is very small. Her hair is not neatly combed. Her dress had a faded color. The dress she is wearing is her birthday dress, but that is took before 4 years.

Vinoth and Madhan observed her and tried to move towards her. Sathya stopped them. 

Madhan- "appa ava feel panra pa.."

Sathya- "illa, ava ipo thaan avalaye mulusa paakura.. "

Vinoth- "puriala mama.."

Sathya- "iniaku avlo nadanthathu aana kuttyma alugave illa.. "

Madhan and Vinoth looked at each other and widened their eyes. 

Sathya- "ava konjam konjama maranthu sagachama maaritu iruka.. neenga poi aruthal solren nu aani pudunga vendam, poi first kulinga...". Boys giggled and went. 

The next day, Radhi changed her dressing style. She wear new earring, bangles, bindhi and after these many days, she neatly dressed her up. Rohini and Ragu was shocked to see her like this. 

Rohini hugged her and kissed her. Radhi smiled at her. Boys surprised at her change and looked at Sathya happily.

Radhi then went to Ragu, looked down and said, "appa, enaku oru teady bear venum, ena kootitu poi vangi thareengala?"

Vinoth- "appo naanga ellam vara vendama?", Radhi smiled and nodded.

They all went for shopping. After two years of struggle, Radhi came out for shopping. Vinoth and Madhan, in the name of selecting things played with Radhi. Radhi was laughing with them while choosing the items. 

Ragu with tear willed eyes, "itha paaka evlo naal kathiruka vendiatha pochu.. aana, inume sariah pesa matikurale daa.. "

Sathya- "Ragu, ithu nee ninaikura mari operation kidaiyathu daa... ava china ponnu da.. ava kannu munnadi oruthan avaluku pudicha miss oda udambula ulla urupa aruthu eduthu irukaan.. ithu evlo peria paathipa kodukum? athulaium antha miss ah iva amma mathiri papalam. avala porutha varaikum nadanthathu avaloda amma ku nu thonum da.. athula irunthu velila varathu peria visayam daa.."

Ragu- "puriuthu.. thanks daa.. nee oru psychiatrist ah mattum nu illama  avaluku oru..."

Sathya- "dei nee adivanga pora.. ava namma kuttyma.. "

Rohini- "mulusa gunam agitala anna?"

Sathya- "illa ma, avan antha miss rape panirukaan nu anaiku sonanga.. atha iva pakum pothu pannana nu theriala... oru vela iva kannu munnadi nadanthiruntha... "

Rohini- "ayyo... ipo athunala ivaloda kalyana valkaila ethavathu problem varuma?"

Sathya- "un ponnukum una mariye love marriage nadakanum nu vendiko.. love makes impossible to possible. antha oru visayatha mattum iva husband thaan cure pana mudium.. Always think positive Rohi ma.. apadi oru paiyana paathu katti vachudalam.. "

Sathya told and went to the attend a call. Ragu and Rohini looked at their children. 

Vinoth gave Radhi a chain to wear before the mirror. Radhi struggled to tie it and so Madhan came near to her and helped her to pin it. It looked like, before Vinoth, Madhan is tying chain for Radhi. Vinoth gave a super sign to them with happiness. Ragu and Rohini looked at each other. They made silent prayers.

Another day, They planned to go a trip for this holiday Radhi had. Radhi too got ready for that. They all planned for a hill stations. Madhan, Vinoth and Radhi are packing things. 

Radhi without knowing the fate, smilingly packed her things. She is unaware that this trip will completely turn her intentions towards Madhan.

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Parvathi Suresh Sharma.