Episode 24...

Ajay stirred from his sleep as he heard a faint noise coming from downstairs. He squinted at the clock beside him, noticing that it was still dark outside. The digits on the screen flashed 5:30 AM. Though he tried to close his eyes and drift back to sleep, the noise downstairs tugged at his curiosity. His sleep was gone. Reluctantly, he rolled out of bed, freshened up quickly, and headed down the stairs.

The closer he got, the more he could make out the silhouette of someone standing in the kitchen. The lights were off, and the figure seemed to be moving about quietly. Ajay's heartbeat quickened as he cautiously approached. 

As he got closer, he called out softly, 'Yaaru adhu?'

The figure spun around in surprise, 'AAAHHH...' both of them shouted at the same time, startled by each other's presence. Ajay quickly fumbled for the light switch, illuminating the kitchen. The mysterious figure turned out to be Abi, standing by the counter, clutching a bowl, trying to catch her breath.

'En ipdi bayamurthura' Abi exclaimed, a relieved smile on her face.

 'Yaaru nana, nee enna indha nerathula pannitu irukka' Ajay exclaimed, still catching his breath from the scare.

Abi chuckled, a little embarrassed. 'illa ellarum tired ah irundhinga adhunaladhan disturb panna vendame nu..'

Ajay's gaze shifted to her outfit—she was already dressed in her uniform, ready for the hospital. He raised an eyebrow. 'Innum vidiya kooda illa adhukula hospital ku kelambitiyaa?'

She nodded. 'Seekiram pona veetukum seekiram varalam la, adhum ellarum irukingala I don't want to miss spending time with them.'

Ajay nodded thoughtfully. 'Seri apo naanum varen, enaku Akkavayum papavayum paakanum'

Abi hesitated for a second but finally smiled and agreed. 'Seri, ana Shreya kita oru vartha sollitu va'

Ajay quickly went upstairs and to inform Shreya, who was still half-asleep. 'Ma' Ajay whispered as there was no response 'Maaa' he said a bit more louder, still there was no response 'MAAA' he shoutedd 'Yovvv ennaya chumma kalangathala vandhu maadhu madhiri maa maa nutu irukka, enna thoonga vidu Ajayeee' and then he told her about him going She murmured, 'Seri nee po Ajay, na aparam varen enaku thoonganum' 

After ensuring everything was fine at home, both Ajay and Abi were ready to leave. Before stepping out, Abi quietly peeked into her bedroom, where Vijay was still resting. She gently nudged him, and he stirred awake.

'Boss' she whispered, leaning over him, 'Na duty ku kelamburen'

Vijay smiled groggily, pulling her down for a brief kiss. 'Seri da, naa oru 9o'clock ah varen' he said, his voice heavy with sleep. 

As the car engine hummed softly on the quiet roads, Ajay leaned back in his seat, feeling comfortable in the stillness of the early morning. The streets of Switzerland were serene, with only a few other vehicles on the road.

Ajay's curiosity grew as the car glided through the quiet early morning streets, and he asked Abi, 'Seri unnoda marriage life lam epdi?'

Abi glanced at him with a soft smile before focusing back on the road, her thoughts drifting back to the beginning of her life with Vijay. 'It's been a journey' she began, her voice carrying a mixture of fondness and reflection. 'Vijay... he's always been my rock. But ithellam easy ah nadakala. Avaroda kudumbam, especially avaroda thatha patti, they were everything to him.'

'Vijay nalla vasathiyana family lerndhu dhan vandhurukaru, ana avaroda appa amma avaru chinna vayasa irukumbothe erandhutanga oru accident la, apolerndhu avaroda thatha patti dhan avara valathanga' she started

Abi's face brightened as she spoke about Vijay's grandfather. 'Avaroda thatha, he's the person I admired the most. Romba pasama, buthisaliya and he always had this way of making me feel welcome, even when others in the family didn't, solla ponumna enaku Vijay pudikiradhuku munnadi enaku thatha va dhan romba pudichipochu'

She paused, her tone growing more thoughtful. 'Aprom avaroda patti. Romba sweet, in her own way, but fragile. Avangaluku Vijay na uyir uh, but she always felt caught between trying to be kind and her possessiveness towards her peran' 

Ajay listened intently, but he could sense there was more to the story. 

Abi sighed. 'Avaroda chithi-chithappa, chithi romba nallavanga Vijay mela romba pasam ana avaroda chithappa... well, let's just say he wasn't exactly thrilled about me entering the family. He's the type of man who believes in status and power, and he saw me as an outsider. Avaruku Vijay enna kalyanam pannadhula ishtam illa and he tried more than once to put me in my place. There were moments I felt so small, like I didn't belong.'

Abi's voice faltered slightly, and Ajay could sense the pain she was recalling. But then her expression softened, and she smiled again. 'Ana Vijay—he never let me feel like that for long. Avanga chithappa enna avamana paduthanu ndra podhellam, avaru enakaga ninnu irukaru. He never let anyone speak down to me or treat me like I wasn't part of the family.'

Ajay nodded, appreciating the strength it must have taken for Vijay to stand up against his own family for Abi. 

'Sila nerangalula anga irundhu poidalam nu thonum, just to make things easier for him. But every time I felt like giving up, Vijay reminded me that I was his choice. He never let me doubt my place beside him.'

Ajay felt a sense of admiration for Vijay, understanding now why Abi spoke of him with such respect and love. 'He really has your back, la?'

Abi nodded, her eyes glistening slightly. 'He does. Always. He never let me feel small, no matter how hard his uncle tried. That's why I love him so much. He stood by me through every challenge, and I knew that as long as we were together, I could face anything.'

Ajay thought for a moment before speaking again. 'You know, Shreya and I have a complicated story too.'

Abi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. 'Nijamava, sollu'

'Ama, you know la enga appa and Deva mama, are childhood best friends, na kooda solli irukeneyy...' he said 'Ama' she replied

'Avaru vera yaarum illa Shreya voda appa dhan' He said making her excited 'heyy semma' she said

'They've been business partners for as long as I can remember. Konjam masam munnadi, mama oda business hit a rough patch. When he got a contract with appa's company, it was a huge relief for him. Around the same time, appa found out that Deva mama was looking for a groom for Shreya, and appavum enaku ponnu pathutu irundharu.' Ajay paused, smirking slightly at the memory. 'Adhunala avanga contract sign pannumbodhu, Appa casually suggested that they seal the deal by getting us married.'

Abi laughed softly. 'Typical Dad move.'

'Yeah. Mamavum odane okay sollitaru. Avaruku enna porandhadhula irundhey theriyum, and Shreya and I—well, we were basically like Tom and Jerry growing up. Epome sanda potukitu, never agreeing on anything. And now...' He trailed off, his voice softening.

'And now?' Abi prompted, sensing there was more to the story.

Ajay sighed. 'Now, engaluku kalyanam agi moonu masam aga pogudhu, but we haven't really... started our life together yet. I've been thinking about it a lot. I want to make her feel special, you know? I have a plan.' His eyes brightened as he spoke, clearly excited about what he had in mind.

Abi's face lit up. 'Nijamava, enna plan?'

Ajay grinned mischievously. As he told her the plan

Abi beamed at him. 'Of course! Whatever you need, count me in.'

They spent the rest of the drive discussing the plan, which they agreed to execute in two days for Ajay and Shreya's third-month anniversary. 

As they pulled into the hospital parking lot, Abi parked the car and sat for a moment in silence. She turned to Ajay with a reassuring smile. 'Nee edhum kavala padadha. Vijay and I have got this. Nee Shreya va mattum pathuko'

Ajay, always the stubborn one, shook his head. 'I can't let you guys do all the work. It's my proposal.'

Abi crossed her arms and gave him a playful yet stern look. 'It will be our wedding gift to you. Now stop arguing and let us help.'

Ajay sighed but finally relented. 'Fine. But don't go overboard.'

Abi smiled, satisfied with his answer. They stepped out of the car and walked toward the hospital entrance...

Just as she reached her cabin, Abi's phone rang. It was Vijay.

'Reach aiyutiya Abi' he asked, his voice warm and full of concern.

'Haan aiyutenga, papa endhurichitala' Abi replied. 'Adhellam illa ma' he said 'By the way, Ajay's planning something special for Shreya. We'll help him out.'

Vijay's voice instantly brightened. 'That's great! I'm excited already.'

After the call ended, Abi leaned back in her chair for a moment, a wave of fulfillment washing over her. She felt like everything was finally falling into place—for her, for Ajay, and for the family they were all building together.

To be continued....

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Stay Tuned!                                                                                                                                                                                ~Abi