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Vaanga vaanga story kulla polaa🚴‍♀️💜🦋

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When I reached the staffroom, I set my bag on the table and sat down, stretching my arms to roll down the sleeves from my elbows. I unbuttoned the first two buttons of my shirt, feeling a bit suffocated despite the Ooty chill, then when a notification sound came from my phone in my pocket, I pulled it out to see her messages,

+91 9876543210 : "Good morning, professor"

+91 9876543210 : "Professor, where are you?"

I smiled, typed a quick reply, and sent it.

"Good morning, ma. I'm in college"

+91 9876543210 : "Hey, naanu college le dha irukken. Enga irukkel?"

(Hey, I'm also at college right now. Where are you?)

I am shocked as soon as I see her message; it's only 7 in the morning. 

She comes this early!

"Ivlo seekro vandhuttiyaa? Enga irukka?"

(Have you come this early? Where are you?)

+91 9876543210 : "Classroom"

"Yours?"

+91 9876543210 : "Yes"

I stood up, tucked my phone into my back pocket, and opened my cabin door with my other hand. Leaving the staff room, I ran my fingers through my hair as I entered her classroom.

There she was, sitting on the bench, leaning forward with her elbows resting on her thighs, her bag beside her on the bench.

However, I quickly averted my gaze when it fell on her inappropriate area as she leaned forward. So, I cleared my throat to signal my arrival, and she sat up straight, flashing me a wide smile.

"Hello, professor"

My lips curved at the sight of her excited face and the sound of her chirpy voice as I walked inside, glancing around the empty classroom.

"Yen ivlo seekro vandhutta?"

(Why did you come so early?)

I asked, meeting her gaze.

"Ini next direct bus, ombodhu manikku dha. Adhaa seekro kelambi vandhutten"

(The next direct bus is at 9:00, so I got ready and came here early)

"Outbus'le vandhiyaa?"

(Did you come by the outbus?)

I asked in shock, and she responded with a whiny smile, squinting her eyes.

"Kalaikaadhinga"

(Don't tease me)

I chuckled.

"Illa, ma. Unmiayaa dha kekuren"

(No, ma. I'm just asking for real)

Suddenly, she stood up and replied,

"Aama outbus'le dha vandhen. Neenga yen seekro vandhinga?"

(Yes, I came by the outbus. But, why did you come so early?)

"Enakku 7.30 ku oru meeting irukku, ma. Veetlaye irundhu enna pandradhu'nu therila, adhaa kelambi vandhutten"

(I have a meeting at 7:30, ma. I didn't know what to do being at home, so I came early)

The second reason I mentioned was true in this case. Because, I hurried to college, not in the mood to see that man's face.

"Ohh. Seri seri.. staffs yaarum varlayaa?"

(Ohh, okay, okay... Have no staff members arrived yet?)

"Varla. Nee utkaaru. Yen nikkira? Mariyaadha kudukuriyaa, ma?"

(No one has come. Why are you standing? Are you giving me respect, ma?)

I teased her, and she giggled. Then, with a mock serious look, she replied,

"Enna dha irundhaalum neenga en professor le?"

(No matter what, you are my professor, right?)

I chuckled at her.

"Adhu seri. No-due eduthuttu vandhiyaa?"

(That's fine. Did you bring your no-due)

"Oh, yes"

As she replied, I stood beside her on the same bench, resting my left knee on the seat and the other on the floor. I looked at her as she shifted her gaze from my leg to my eyes.

"Utkaaru"

(Sit)

She smiled, sat down on the bench, and looked at me.

"Nethu neenga message pannumbodhu amma pakkathula dha irundhaanga"

(Yesterday, when you sent the message, amma was right next to me)

She exclaimed with wide eyes, but I replied,

"Ohoo"

Then she began to describe how she escaped, her dramatic expressions adding to the story. My gaze shifted to the jhumka dangling from her ear, swaying back and forth as she spoke, her hands and head moving animatedly while she giggled.

I could feel a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips. Then taking a deep breath, I looked into her eyes, and she paused for a moment before continuing to speak, clearly disturbed by my gaze. But, after a few minutes, she stopped, turned away, and sat up straight, fidgeting with her dupatta on her lap.

I smirked and bit my lower lip upon seeing her flushed red cheeks.

"Ennaachu ma? Yen pesuradha nirutheete?"

(What happened, ma? Why did you stop talking?)

I tried to ask innocently. She blinked, met my gaze, then averted it again and said,

"Haan? Illa onnula.."

(No, nothing)

She took her bag, pulled out her water bottle, and sipped from it. I smiled widely at her restlessness caused by my gaze, rubbing my beard with my index and middle fingers while pressing my chin with my thumb, controlling my chuckle.

But I suppressed my smile and growing smirk when she stretched her hand toward me with her water bottle, gesturing if I wanted to drink water. I smiled, accepted it, and took a sip while looking at her. But, she averted her gaze again, unlocked her phone, then locked it once more. 

I frowned with a smile at her antics. Then, shaking my head, I handed the bottle back to her. She took it, closed the cap, but due to her restlessness, it slipped from her hand and rolled behind the bench. She turned this way and that, bending over to search for the cap.

I sighed.

"Iru iru"

I moved between her bench and the one behind her, bending down to pick up the cap from the floor. I gripped her bench beside her shoulder with one hand, then straightened up before handing the cap to her. She closed the cap with a faint 'thanks' and placed the bottle on the bench next to her bag.

"Yen restless'aah irukka?"

(Why are you so restless?)

I asked, and she gasped at my question, looking at me before gulping.

I started to panic, seeing her reactions.

"Hey. Yen ma? Thaniyaa classroom'le enkooda irukka awkward'aah irukkaa? naan venaa poyirtumaa?"

(Hey. Why, ma? Do you feel awkward being alone with me in the classroom? Should I leave if you want?)

I asked, and she immediately shook her head, saying,

"Chey, chey. Apdilaa illa. Naan.. summa dha.. seri sol..sollunga first year students'laa epdi padikiraanga?"

(No, no, it's nothing like that. I was just... never mind... Anyway, tell me, how are the first-year students doing with their studies?)

She asked, giving me a smile. I smiled back with a hum and sat on the desk behind her. She turned to her left, lifting her face to look up at me.

"Mmm.. nalla dha padikiraanga.. but innum konjo fast venum"

(Hmm... they're studying well, but they still need to pick up the pace a little)

I replied with a thoughtful expression, and she mirrored it before asking,

"Yedhukku? coding podradhukko?"

(For what? For coding?)

"Coding podradhu yaaru venaa podalaam, ma. Aana indha logic dha indha question ku correct'aah irukkum nu takku nu grasp panna theriyanu. Only then can they score good marks"

(Anyone can write code, ma. But they need to quickly grasp whether the logic is correct for a given question. Only then can they score good marks)

I explained.

"Ohh. Neenga summa earn panna dhane professor work'ku vandhinga? Then epdi python ivlo nalla therinju vachirukel?"

(Ohh. You just became a professor to earn, right? Then how come you know Python so well?)

"Python mela 11th'le irundhe enakku konjam interest jaasthi. So, apdiye adhu puduchiruchu"

(I've had a bit more interest in Python since 11th grade. So, I really like it as well)

I shrugged my shoulders, gripping the edges of the desk with both hands beside my thighs.

"I see. Ungalukku evlo salary varum?"

(I see. How much is your salary)

I furrowed my brows at her sudden question.

"Yen kekura?"

(Why are you asking?)

"Illa.. epdiyum neenga idhula earn panni oru football coaching centre start pannuvinga. Adhukku epdiyum land paathu, equipments vaangi, aal saethu'nu kandippa latcha kanakkaa panam venum. Enna pannuvinga?"

(No, it's just that you earn from this and start a football coaching center. For that, you definitely need to consider land, buy equipment, and hire people, which requires a more amount of money. What will you do?)

I pressed my lips together and nodded at her, acknowledging her question. Then, with a smile, I replied,

"Mm, kandippa aagum dha. Ippo enakku salary, 75k actually. But idhuvum varshathukku 9,00,000'aah? Appo naan centre open pandra varaikum idhulaye work pandra maadhiri irukkum. So, vera edhaadhu part time job try panlaa nu irukken"

(Mm, it will definitely need. Right now, my salary is actually 75k. But by the end of the year, it will be 9,00,000, right? So, until I start the center, it will be like I must work here till then. So, I've been planning to try for some other part time job)

"Part time job aah? Adhenna?"

(A part time job? What kind?)

She asked me with a frown. I smiled, feeling excited to share my plan with her.

"You knoww.. naan onnu yosichirukken"

(You knoww... I've planned something)

I leaned down slightly, and she looked at me with a smile, raising her brows.

"Enakku cooking theriyum'le?"

(I know to cook, right?)

"Aama. Solleerkinga"

(Yes. You've said it)

"So, oru restaurant'le cook'aah polaa'nu irukken"

(So, I'm thinking of working as a cook in a restaurant)

Her eyes widened as soon as she heard my plan, and she asked,

"What?"

I felt offended; I had expected her to smile, but she gave me a shocked expression, leaving me insecure about my own plan.

"Yen venaamaa? Seriyaa varaadhaa?"

(Why? Won't it turn out well?)

She shook her head and said,

"No, no.. nothing like that.. I was just... but, ungalukku pudichirukkaa?"

(No, no... nothing like that. I was just... but do you like it?)

I sighed in relief.

"Cooking has become one of my passions, ma. Whenever I'm alone, it feels like I have a companion"

She gave me a dimple smile.

"Appo yen seriyaa varumo, varaadho'nu yosikiringa? Adhellaa nannaaa dha varum. But, part time job'le apdi enna ungalukku salary kedachirum?"

(So, why are you thinking about whether it will be good or not? It will definitely be good. But in a part time job, what kind of salary do you expect?)

"30,000 varum. NAAC works'laa dha mudunjadhu'le? So, 5 o'clock college mudunjadhum, oru 12 varaikum anga work pannaa oru 20 or 25k aadhu varum"

(Around 30,000. The NAAC works are also done, right? So, if I finish college by 5 o'clock and work there until about 12, I could earn around 20 to 25k.)

"Mmm"

She hummed and turned forward. I smiled and glanced around the classroom. Then, noticing that the time had now turned to 7.30, I opened my mouth to ask if we should leave, but,

"Pesaama ipdi panlaamaa?"

(Shall we do it like this?)

She turned to me and asked excitedly. I frowned in response.

"Epdi?"

(Like what?)

"Inga vaangura salary'eh savings'le pottu vachukalaa. Restaurant ponga, anga part time job paarunga, adhula vara amount ungalukku matha selavu'laa irukkum le? Adhuku use pannikonga. But, inga vara salary neenga use pannave koodaadhu enna naalum"

(We will save the salary you earn here. If you find a part-time job at a restaurant, the amount you earn there can cover your daily uses, okay? But you shouldn't spend the salary you earn here carelessly)

I paused for a moment, processing her idea, then nodded, accepting.

"Okay. Nalla idea'aah dha"

(Okay. That's a good idea)

She grinned at me, and I chuckled.

After a minute of silence, she glanced at her wristwatch.

"7 mela aayiruchu. Yaaraadhu paathura poraanga. Neenga ponga"

(It's past 7. Someone might be see. You should go)

"Mmm"

I jumped down from the desk and adjusted my pants. She turned forward, glanced at her phone, and began to flip her hair from her shoulder to her back. But, she stopped midway and hissed, making me frown.

"Enna?"

(What?)

"Aiyo ! en kaadhu"

(Aiyo ! My ear)

She exclaimed, hissing again, and I narrowed my brows.

"Kaadhaa?"

(Ear?)

"Aama engamma poda sonna naala dha indha jimikki pottutu vandhen. Aana idhu yethana dhadava en mudiya puduchu iluthu kaadhu vali vara vachiruchu theriyumo?pch, idhaa.."

(Yeah, I came wearing this earring because my mom told me to. But I've never worn it before, and it's hurting my ear. Do you know how much it hurts?pch, this is..)

She started tugging at her hair, as if ready to pull it out, making me widen my eyes in surprise.

"Hey, enna panneetu irukka?"

(Hey, what are you doing?)

"En mudi, kammal'le suthikichu, professoreyy. Irunga idha pichi vitturen.. cheyy.. idha pottutu vandhadhu thappaa pochu"

(My hair is tangled with this earring, professor. Just let me pull it out; I've gone crazy over this. It was a mistake to wear this)

She whined, using both hands to free her tangled hair from the earring.

"Unakku adha seriyaa edukka therila nu sollu. Jimikki, pottu'laa dha ponnungalukku azhagae, adha poi ipdi soldra? Wait.."

(You should say you didn't know how to handle it properly. Earrings and bindis look beautiful on girls; but look at how you're talking about them? Wait...)

I moved behind her to her left, lifting my hands toward her ear to gently remove the hair tangled in her jhumka, doing it with utmost sincerity. But just then, I noticed her eyes were shut tight, one hand clutching her bag while the other held the bench. So, clearing my throat, 

"Mu..mudunjadhu.. idhukku poi"

(It's.. it's done... just like that)

I replied casually. She opened her eyes, her cheeks flushed, and I smiled as I can feel her soft shoulder and neck beneath my fingers even now. I rubbed my forehead, slightly embarrassed for what I had done, but I wouldn't regret it.

Her flushed cheeks and trembling form made me feel happy, tempting me to tease her playfully.

"Ennaachu, Seetha?"

(What happened, Seetha?)

I asked her, standing behind her.

"Haan? On..onnulaye"

(Nothing)

She replied and hurriedly packed her water bottle into her bag, but when I placed my hands on either side of her on the bench behind her, she froze. The bottle slipped from her grip and rolled onto the floor. I smirked, leaned down beside her ear, and whispered her name.

"Seetha"

She visibly shuddered and I glanced down at her hands, which were clutching her bag on her lap.

"Naan inniku evening restaurant choose panna poren. Enkooda variyaa?"

(I'm going to choose a restaurant this evening. Will you come with me?)

I could see her eyes grow wide in shock.

"Naan..naanaa?"

(M.. me?)

I hummed, feeling the strands of her hair brush against my face as they danced in the air.

"Naan yedhukku.. neenga.. "

(Why me? You..)

But I interrupted her, saying,

"Please. I want you by my side"

"Haan?"

She stood up, turning to face me with wide eyes. I lifted my gaze to meet hers, processing my own words again, and let out a sigh.

"Yaar kittayum idha pathi sollala, ma. Unkitta dha solleerken. Adhaa variyaa'nu ketten. Avlodha"

(I haven't told anyone about this, ma. I've only shared it with you. So, I just wanted to know if you would come with me. That's all)

I explained to her as I straightened up.

But deep down, I knew my thoughts were a bit different from what I had just said.

As I moved towards her, she asked,

"Ohh. Yen enkitta mattum sonninga?"

(Oh, why did you tell me and no one else?)

"Yen?.."

(Why?)

Leaning my face down to her height, with my hands clasped behind me, I asked,

"Naan solla koodaadhaa?"

(Am I not allowed to say like that?)

She shyly lowered her head and replied,

"Ungalukku ennamo aayiduthu. Naan kelamburen"

(You seem to have some thoughts. I'm leaving now)

She walked to my left, trying to pass me, but I stopped her by holding her wrist.

Before she could say anything, I pulled her closer, twisting her hand behind her while locking my eyes with her wide, and shocked eyes. 

Then my gaze started wander over everything about her—her startled eyes, pointed nose, flushed cheeks, and the delicate strands of hair framing her face. Those jhumkas, that swayed gently as she moved, and her jawline flushed pink with shyness. She shivered slightly, attempting to free her hand, but I tightened my grip, drawing her closer. Her free hand pressed against my chest, trying to create distance between us, which felt crucial in this moment.

"Pro..professor"

She wriggled again, but,

"Iru. Varuviyaa maatiyaa?"

(Stay. Will you come or not?)

"Eng..enga?"

(Wh..where?)

"Restaurant?"

She gulped, beads of sweat forming on her forehead and rolling down near her left ear, making me realize the fan wasn't twirling. A quick glance at the switch box showed the fan switch was on, but there was no power. I glanced back at her; she was biting her lips but released them as soon as my gaze fell on them.

"Just tell me that you'll come with me, Seetha"

She blinked at me.

"Enakkaaga?"

(For me?)

Her cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red, and I leaned in to gently brush my finger against her cheek. My grip relaxed, but she gently pushed me away with one hand on my chest and stepped around me, standing behind. I swallowed hard, wondering if I had made her uncomfortable, just in the thought of teasing her.

"Naan varen"

(I'm leaving/ I'll come)

She said, grabbed her water bottle from the floor, slung her bag over her shoulder, and walked out, leaving me alone in the quiet classroom, my heartbeat loud in the stillness, her lingering fragrance filling the air.

Running my fingers through my hair, I couldn't help but wonder,

Did her "naan varen (I'm leaving/I'll come)" mean she was leaving the classroom right now?

Or did it mean she would accompany me to the restaurant in the evening?

I don't know.

But I didn't feel like I was invading her personal space, even though I probably should have. We've been closer before—her standing right next to me, me scolding her, standing closer to her when we discovered the invisible words, and the moment I realized I had fallen asleep on her shoulder.

So, even though brushing her cheek is a new desire I've found today, it doesn't mean I've crossed any boundaries. And I'm not the type of person to do that either. It feels natural, from both of our sides.

From both sides? Really?

What if she felt uncomfortable, bro?

My overthinking mind mocked me, making me swallow hard. Next second, I rushed out of the classroom to search for her, but she was nowhere to be seen. So, I hurried down the stairs, checking each floor, but still, no sign of her.

A rush of emotions surged through me as I quickly assigned a few tasks to the first-year students, grateful that I only had lab sessions today. I also asked the watchwoman near the lift on the ground floor to inform me if Seetha passed by, and she agreed. Settling into the chair in front of the computer, I tried calling her, but her phone was switched off, and that only deepened my worry.

Fine. She's going to leave me too, now.

Everything had turned upside down. Letting out a long-held breath, I felt like screaming, but I couldn’t.

I made another major mistake in my life.

First, I couldn't save my mother from that murderer.

And now, I couldn't save myself—the life that had just started to feel meaningful and beautiful in her eyes.

Swallowing my tears and anxiety, I headed towards the staff parking lot in the evening, alone since Elango was absent today. Shoving my hand into my pocket, I pulled out the key, but as I moved to unlock the bike, it slipped from my grasp and fell to the ground.

Groaning in frustration, and cursing something under my breath, I bent down to pick it up but froze, squinting as I noticed a familiar pair of feet standing in front of me. I grabbed the key and looked up, only to see someone with a shawl wrapped around their face and head. I squinted again, trying to make out who it was.

"Yaaru neenga? Enna venu?"

(Who are you? What do you want?)

I could hear the person's gasp, even through the shawl that covered their face, leaving only their eyes visible. I gulped hard, realizing who it was, but,

"Aiyooo. Naan yaaraa ungalukku?"

(Aiyooo. Did you just ask who I am?)

The person pulled off the dupatta draped around their face, revealing Seetha, who is glaring at me. My breath caught in my throat as I met her piercing gaze.

I don't know what came over me, but in the next moment, I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, pulling her into a tight hug, nuzzling into her embrace without a second thought.

"Vittu poitiyo nu nenachen, ma"

(I thought you left me alone, ma)

I murmured, and the long-held tears flowed from my eyes in relief.

The one thing today's incident taught me was that I couldn't be normal without her. The only person who can make me feel vulnerable, just like I became vulnerable after my mother’s death, is Seetha when she leaves me without giving me that eye contact and a warm smile.

She's becoming both my weakness and my strength in two different ways.

But, now, I got her back. I got the eyes that make my life beautiful. I'm not going to lose her.

I'm not going to lose you, Seetha. And, I won't let anyone else have you too.

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TBC..

Epdi irundhuchu?

Next chapter odane kuduppen nu sonnaa dha, vote pannuvinglaa? Please vote and comment, guys 🙏🏻❤️

See you all in the next update, bubyee🚴‍♀️💜🦋