Sometimes you just meet a person and you just click - you are comfortable with them like you have known them for your whole life, and you don't have to pretend to be anyone or anything.

Sivaangi and Mrinalini reach college.

Sivaangi: Hey naama enna ivlo seekiram vantom....

Mrinalini: Madam library books return pannanum, co-curricular events nadakka pogudhe adhuku fee pay pannanum....

Sivaangi: Aama la...

Mrinalini: Aama va illaya ?

Sivaangi: Aama mattum dhaan....

Mrinalini: We were busy in shifting all your belongings to our home, so couldn't pay it yesterday. Adhaan ippove return pannitu pay pannidalam, we may forget it at evening....

Sivaangi: Seri seri. Can you do it for me too please ? I am lazy.

Mrinalini: Mudiyadhu mudiyadhu...

Sivaangi blinks her doe eyes and pulls out the most innocent face....

Mrinalini: Damn puppy eyes and face. Idha kaatiye emathu...

Sivaangi: Hehehe

Mrinalini: Okay then I'll return the books and pay the fee. You stay here. Don't worry no one will dare to come near you, vaanguna adi apdi. So you wait, I'll be back ...

Sivaangi: Okieee. And hey while coming back buy some toffees and chewing gums. Class la use aagum.

Mrinalini glares at her and she again tries to show her puppy face ...

Mrinalini: Stop it right there. Vaangitu varen....

Sivaangi smiles showing her teeth and Mrinalini facepalms. She moves out to the library as Sivaangi waits over there...

Sivaangi: Seri college ah oru round varuvom.

She decides to roam around the college...

Here Ashwin was busy looking around the college's architecture.

There were a total of five buildings out of which two were stone buildings, indicating that they were constructed years back.

The college had a big fountain at the middle surrounded by flowers and plants. Towards the right there was a golden statue of a phoenix bird and to the left was a golden statue of Sadako with a paper crane in her hand.

There were two basketball courts, one football court, a big ground to play cricket, a skating stadium, one tennis court and a store room with all the sports equipments. There was one common ground for athletic activities. Ashwin was thrilled to know that the college was good in providing the space for students to play around.

Ashwin: Hmm not bad. Naanum Rakshan kooda vandhu velayadalam polaye....

He walks further and sees a big auditorium for all the cultural activities. The college had three canteens.

He could see the housekeeping staffs cleaning the path. He was greeting all of them on the way. Though an introvert, he wanted to cheer up them who were working tirelessly.

He finished roaming the college and settled on a bench. He looks at his watch...

Ashwin: Okay forty minutes more....

Sivaangi who was roaming around aimlessly stands rooted as she found a pug infront of her. Anxiety was visible on her face and she tries to cover up.

Sivaangi: Heyy shoo shoo...

The pug doesn't move and stares at her.

Sivaangi: Ayyo bayama irukke. Enna pandradhu. Odana thorathum. Aiii Mrini enga di poi tholanja ?

Then she remembers how "brave" Mrini was infront of animals.

Sivaangi: Animal nu sonna le Olympics la odra maari la oduva. Kooda yaarume illaye kaapatha. Enna panna...

The pug starts moving towards her and she steps back. It increases it's pace and Sivaangi becomes terrified. The pug starts chasing and Sivaangi runs for her life...

Sivaangi: Ayyayo ennaya kaapathunga kaapathunga...

She runs and the pug continues to chase.

Ashwin who was sitting on the bench, stands up to move but saw her running like a mad girl with the pug behind her. He was amused and couldn't control his laugh. Sivaangi who spots him decides to take his help.

Sivaangi runs to him and stands behind him, holding his left arm. Ashwin was shocked when she held his arm but composed himself when he saw the pug. "Bayathula pudichirupanga"

Sivaangi: Senior senior kaapathunga senior....

Ashwin mind voice: Senior ah ??

Then he turns back to look at the PG block and smiles in understanding. He was actually sitting infront of the PG block.

Ashwin chases away the pug and Sivaangi sighs in relief. She slowly leaves his arm and moves front. She blinks innocently at him.

Sivaangi: Thank you so much senior...

Ashwin nods and smiles in response.

Sivaangi: En senior pesa maatingala ?

Ashwin again smiles....

Sivaangi: Mouna viradhama ?

Ashwin nods in denial....

Sivaangi: appo pesa maatingala ?

Ashwin just smiles again and Sivaangi sighs....

Sivaangi: Ohh naa laam oru aala nu pesama irukingala ?

Ashwin: Naa apdi sollave illaye....

For some unknown reason, he utters the above dialogue with a lowered octave tone.

Sivaangi's heart beat increased rapidly after hearing him speak. She was mesmerized with his voice. "Che enna voice uh da"

Sivaangi: Aprom pesala la enna nu soldradhu....

Ashwin just looks at her with a smiling face....

Sivaangi: Neenga smiling doll ah enna ? Sirichite irukinga...

Ashwin: Illa neenga pesite poringa naa neraya pesa maaten adhaan....

Sivaangi: Senior nee vaa po ne sollunga. Ohh introvert ah, maathiduvom.

Ashwin chuckles softly and answers, "I think it's not easy"

Sivaangi: Sivaangi nenacha enna venum naalum pannuva. Naa ungala pesa veikiren....

Ashwin mind voice: Sivaangi. Nice name....

Sivaangi: Che enna naa introduce pannikave illa la. Hello, I am Sivaangi. Sixth semester, computer science department.

Ashwin tries his level best to control his laugh as he is going to be in her class as her lecturer in a while....

Ashwin: Hello ma, I am Ashwin. Naanum computer science department dhaan.

Sivaangi was gaping at him as he spoke yet again in a lowered octave tone. "Why is he so cute ? Epdiyachum friend aaidanum. Azhaga irukare..."

Ashwin waves his hand infront of her and Sivaangi comes out of her trance.

Sivaangi: Azhagana name... apdiye ungala maari

She murmurs the last part and Ashwin didn't hear.

Sivaangi: College ku pudhusa ?

Ashwin: Aama inaiku dhaan first day.

Sivaangi: Hey appo neenga fresher. Enna dhaan neenga senior naalum naa ungala rag panna poren ....

Ashwin chuckles out loud and Sivaangi again gazes at him as if she was staring at a candy shop. She saw his dimple that peeped out. "Achoo avaruku andha dimple evlo azhaga irukku"

Sivaangi: Hey enna sirikiringa ? Naa rag pannuven....

Ashwin: Aama neenga old student ah ?

Sivaangi: Che che illa pa. College join panni three weeks dhaan aagudhu. Adhukaga laam panna koodadhu nu solladhinga, three minutes munnadi vandha kooda naa dhaana senior so rag pannuven....

Ashwin again laughs out and she joins him.

Ashwin: Paah pesite poriye ma ....

Sivaangi: Hehehe. Seri seri vaanga naa ungalukku college suthi kaatren.

Saying this, she holds his right wrist and walks front. Ashwin was shocked. The usual Ashwin would have pulled out his hand immediately but he didn't this time....

Sivaangi moves around holding his wrist and explains about the college in her own style. Ashwin was adoring her and couldn't stop laughing when she complained about the pug.

Sivaangi: Paathingala senior andha pug ah. Avlo kutty ah irukku, cute ah irukku aanalum oru rowdy ah thorathudhu.

Ashwin: Rowdy ah ? Adhu yaaru ?

Sivaangi: Naa dhaan...

Ashwin: Ohh apdiya seringa rowdy madam....

Sivaangi: Hey nalla irukke. Ipdiye maintain pannunga...

Ashwin mind voice: Enna class la paatha enna pannuva....

He chuckles and continues to hear her....

Sivaangi: Aama enga pona indha Mrini, romba nerama kaanom...

Ashwin: Yaaru ma adhu ?

Sivaangi: Avala en friend uh senior. En velai ayum sethu ava thalai laye kattiten.

She laughs and continues...

Sivaangi: Varum podhu I asked her to buy toffees and chewing gums. Class la bore adicha naama saapdalam la....

Ashwin raises his eyebrows and looks at her....

Sivaangi: Enna look uh ? Ohh neenga sincere student oh ?

Ashwin nods in response and they walk.....

Ashwin: Aama enna pathi onnume theiyama ivlo pesitu vara ....

Sivaangi: Adhu ungala paatha odane pesanum nu thonuchu adhaan pesa vandhen. Naa kooda you'll not talk and avoid me nu nenachen. Ana paravailla...

Ashwin: Frank ah sollata ? I'll do this when strangers approach me. Ana unkitta apdi panna thonala and I don't know the reason too.

Sivaangi's face lit up and Ashwin smiles at her.

She notices him for a minute before screaming out....

Sivaangi: Senior paarunga we are in same colour dress ...

Ashwin looks down at his shirt and her dress. He was again amused and looked at her who was talking happily about the similarity in the colour of their dresses....

She extends her hand for a hi-fi and Ashwin reciprocates her action. They shared their first ever hi-fi...

Ashwin mind voice: Kozhandha maari pesura

Sivaangi: I didn't have any dresses in onion pink colour. Mrini dhaan avalodadha kudutha, thappana size order pannadhu naala I could wear it. And avalayum adhe colour la poda sonnen. Andha kadhai ya soldren kelunga....

She then narrates the morning incident and Ashwin laughs hard.....

Ashwin: Ma onion pink colour la dress illana college cut adipiya ?

Sivaangi: Hehehe chumma senior....

Ashwin: Romba vaalu polaye..

Sivaangi blinks at him with her doe eyes but smiles mischievously. She goes near him and Ashwin's breathe hitches....

Sivaangi: Aama senior.

She steps back and laughs. Ashwin finally breathes out.

Ashwin shakes his head and smiles muttering, "kozhandha ye dhaan"

She couldn't hear as she was continuously talking. Ashwin focuses back to her.

Sivaangi: Senior neenga eppome ipdi dhaana ?

Ashwin: Epdi ?

Sivaangi: Silent, calm and composed....

Ashwin: Actually yes. Ana kovamum varum and control panna mudiyadhu....

Sivaangi: Ohhh

Ashwin: yeahhh

Both laugh....

Sivaangi: Neenga cute ah irukinga senior...

A tint of pink colour raises on his cheeks and he couldn't stop smiling. The Ashwin before meeting her would have felt uncomfortable for open complimenting. But in this case, he was enjoying it, maybe he'll be expecting more from her in future *winks*

Ashwin: Maa enna ma takkunu pesura ....

Sivaangi: Naa apdi dhaan senior.

Ashwin: Semma ma ...

Before Sivaangi could continue, her phone rings. Sivaangi picks up the call....

Mrinalini: Baby where are you ? I am done with all the works. Class attend pannanum la....

Sivaangi: Mrini, I am at the backside of college. Five minutes varen.

Mrinalini: Okay

She cuts the call and turns back to Ashwin.

Sivaangi: Senior enakku class irukku at 9. Class attend panna poren. Neengalum class ponga. Mudinja break time or evening meet pannalam. Take care. Tata.

Ashwin: Seri ma, you too take care. Bye...

The bye was in a hushed tone and he spoke like that unknowingly. But Sivaangi felt different when she heard it.

Sivaangi: okiee tata again...

She turns back and hops like a bunny. Ashwin was smiling from heart.

Ashwin: Class la enna reaction kuduka pora nu paakalam.

He chuckles and moves to the staff room to collect his text book and notes for the class.

Here, Sivaangi saw Mrinalini waiting at the corridor....

Mrinalini: Enga madam poninga ?

Sivaangi: Enna neeyum madam nu kupudra ?

Mrinalini: Naanuma. Appo who called you before ?

Sivaangi: Senior kuptaru...

Mrinalini: Yaaru adhu ?

Then Sivaangi narrates whatever happened before to her.

Mrinalini: Ma, you have told many things about you and us to an unknown person. Nallavaru dhaan okay, ana what if he isn't ? Next time ipdi laam pannadha ....

Sivaangi: Romba nallavar Mrini. His eyes spoke truth. Kavala padadha inime apdi panna maaten....

Mrinalini: You know la ? The world is not what you think. Adhaan sonnen illana solla maaten....

Sivaangi: Puriyudhu di....

Mrinalini: Ana oru pre-nursery baby maari ellathayum andha anna kitta opichiruka nee....

Sivaangi: Hehehe chumma

Mrinalini: Seri va class polam...

Sivaangi: Mrini avara break time illana evening appo meet pannalama ?

Mrinalini: Seri ma

Sivaangi: Nee en avara maariye pesura ?

Mrinalini: Loosu, this is not the first time I am talking like this. Nee senior nenapu la irukama va...

She pulls Sivaangi and goes to the class.

The class was filled with students and all were in their own world. Sivaangi and Mrinalini took their seats at the middle column, third row. Both got settled.

Mrinalini: Sivu new lecturer will be coming today it seems. And that's going to be a male lecturer.

Sivaangi: ohh apdiya ? Paapom epdi pattavanga nu. Epdiyum middle or old aged aala dhaan irukum....

Mrinalini: Maybe may not be. Youngsters are taking up the teaching job nowadays. Adhuvum lecturer nu sonandhu naala he can be young. Chances irukku ....

Sivaangi: Laa paakalam.

The noises come down as a person enter the class. The front benchers thought him to be their classmate, but from the rope of his identity card, found out that he is the lecturer. All stood up to wish him.

Sivaangi had removed her heels and the front one was a bit tall so couldn't see him. But Mrinalini saw ....

Mrinalini: Sonnen la. He's so young. Chinna paiyan maari irukaru. Smart and handsome um. Ivara vidava un senior young, smart and handsome ?

Sivaangi who was standing, wore her heels and tried to see. When she couldn't she peeps to her left.

She was hell shocked to see her senior standing their as her lecturer. Ashwin too was searching for her and saw her peeping out. He smiled at her teasingly.

Sivaangi gasps and looks away. Ashwin was trying his level best not to laugh.

Ashwin: Good morning all. I am Ashwin Kumar and I'll be handling Computer Graphics for your semester. Please do take your seats.

All the students were pleasantly surprised with his polite manners. They sat down.

Mrinalini: Hey nalla aalu pola pa. Evlo humble ah pesuraru.

Sivaangi just nods still in shock.

Mrinalini: Ennachu Sivu ? Why are you like this ? Innuma andha senior ah pathi yosichitu iruka ?
Seri enakke curious ah irukku, tell me about him.

Sivaangi gasps again hearing senior....

Sivaangi: Naa paatha senior ey ivaru dhaan.

She points out at Ashwin and Mrinalini looked at her wide eyed and turns front.

Both the girls were trying to process the truth.

Mrinalini: Choli mudinchi !

Sivaangi pouts and looks at her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bonjour babies ! Here is the next chapter. Hope you like it. Please do share your feedback.

Pudichi irundha sollunga pudikala naalum sollunga.

If this update satisfies your expectations please do vote and comment.

Thank you and love you all.

Anbudan,
Mrinalini 💗