என்னம்மா கண்ணு
சொல்லம்மா கண்ணு

The whole battalion saluted once their captain came in their sight, what the rare sight was that the neutral faced captain did have a full 100 watts smile on his face.

Abhi: Jeez...army....captain....

Ho kya raha hain yahan... (What is happening here)

Kanna...

She shifted her gaze between kanna and kathir.

The way they were standing was like they were in a tiff war zone.

One raising the eyebrow, as if showing who is the elder one, while the younger one was staring right through his eyes.

What the fuck was happening here?

True, she had never met kathir as kanna's brother in person. But, she knew one thing kanna adored kathir, and liked him a bit more than his other brothers.

So, whats up with this behaviour?

And how the hell is her sister's ex- or current boyfriend or her boyfriend's brother based in abroad, standing right before them with an army man's ardour?

Kat: kaisi ho abhi? (how are you abhi)

Ab: never been better jeez...

Kat: hmmhmmm....lets go home...ur sister is waiting for you.

Ab: home?

Kat: yup....home....Well, wait....

Tum aate hi yahan kya kar rahi ho...

(how come you came here right when you reached)

Kisise milne aayi ho kya abhi?

(did you come to meet someone)

Kisi ko jaanthi ho kya?

(do you know anybody here)

Quizzical and surprised would not be the words she would like to use at the present situation really.

Why was kathir acting as if he is amnesic?

And why is kanna boring holes at kathir with just his dagger filled eyes...

Men...

And their weird behaviour....

They seem to be confusing more than the molecular formula and organic chemistry derivation right now.

Alas the irony, guys say women are hard to understand.

Right then, they saw Singh saab and Prabha sir headed towards them.

Prab: who is this girl?

Kat: my sister in law...Mullai's sister.

He said putting his arms protectively around her shoulders, like how an elder brother would do.

Sing: so your cousin.

That's when kathir realized the slip of tongue, he had practically introduced Mullai as his cousin.

He heard a tiny chortle being covered up by his brother.

Kat: not really, she is mullai's maternal cousin sister, while am her paternal side. So technically my sister in law

He could see abhi looking at him like an alien.

Kat: sir, we will get going...Mullai is waiting for us at home.

Singh: sure, and kathir left taking abhi with him.

Letting kanna, gape at his elder brother's audacity.

First, he brings his girl friend to Kashmir, as a surprise and then whisks her away even before he could speak a word with her.

Bloody, his brother.

Now, he knew why his brother was calm right from the morning.

Holy crap..

True, he was a bit pissed at abhi, and was not calling her.

But this was unexpected and unacceptable behavior of his brother, getting on his nerves.

Once his brother whisked his girlfriend away, he saw his fellow mates giving him surprised look. Of course, expected after his brother's stunt.

Sol 1: Kanna, ab samaj mein aya thoo ye captain saab ko maska kyun laga raha tha.....

Unki Sali sahiba se jo tum pyaar karte ho...

(kanna, now I understand why you were trying hard to impress captain...

You were loving his sister in law after all)

Kan: ivanunga vera unma theriyama kadupethranungale...

Sol 2: enna da unma...

Kan: nothing and he left.

He rushed to give a call to abhi, from their metered call connection, how he wished their camp allowed a telephone of their own for even the subedars.

His phones went unanswered, he knew it was his brother's doing.

There is no way, abhi would turn down his call, especially after not talking to him for over two weeks.

Cussing his brother for knowing him quite a bit more, he sat perplexed thinking what to do next.

He knew where his brother stayed, and could anytime go there and talk with abhi, but that would mean he is not being cold with his brother and bestie.

Maybe he could just go visit Abhi and come back.

But heck, he wanted to spend sometime with her. He really didn't know what to do and was in dilemma when he heard he was being called by another soldier, who was on duty in Kathir's place.

Soldier: kanna, my wife is in labour, and I want to go to delhi. When I approached Captain kathir, he said I could go provided I get a replacement. I tried but most ppl already have plan.

Infact, Kathir himself suggested your name, to ask if you are willing to cover.

Could you please be on duty for a couple of days?

Please....

Kanna, didn't know if he should be gruff with his brother or be happy, he arranged this.

If not for the his wife's labor, he knew his grumpy brother would have made some other means for him to reach his house and he was sure.

Kanna: no issues, I will cover up for you...Don't worry...

Sol: thank you so much buddy...and he left happily.

Kanna told his other members, that he had to take up duty at Kathir's house. All of them shook their head as if indicating they knew why he was doing this on his off day.

And he set about to Kathir's house to do about his day's duty.

On the way back home, abhi never kept her mouth shut, she was bombarding him with questions.

Abhi: jeez....eh aap....baath kyun nahi kar rahe hain...(Why are you not answering my questions)

And whats up with di being your cousin.

Kanna, and you staring at each other as if you guys are logger heads...

Am going crazy....

Kat: gosh....wait my dear....

Once we reach home, I would tell you everything.

Abhi saw what kathir meant as home, once he pulled over into the govt quarters.

So, Mullai and Kathir were in a live- in relationship.

Wowwww...

Well, a news but she was cool about it.

Even before she entered into the house, she was engulfed into a tight bear hug by Mullai.

Abhi: di...

And she squeeshed her in the hug.

Abhi: kaisi ho...(how are u)

Mul: very good...

Abhi: dikh raha hai, after all someone is practically living with their lover.

Mullai blushed and stood a bit embarrassed.

Ab: sharma rahi ho kya....please....di...am happy for you....

Mullai: thanks...

And she pecked her cheeks.

Abhi: well, but I wanna know what the crap is happening...

Him in army?

Kanna in his patallion?

Wait....

And she sat thudded on the steps with teary eyes...

Both of them rushed to her.

Kat: abhi....

Abhi: kanna knows it was you who was her ex right? He is angry and that's why he didn't call me correct?

Both of them hung their head low....

Kat: sorry abhi...both of them hugged her sideways....

They gave a small brief of how they met, and then reconciled, and then kanna meeting them, and being aloof.

Mul: I wanted to tell you the moment I met kathir, but you were responding to any of my calls.

Abhi: makes sense di...

Mul: sorry...with teary eyes...

Abhi: chodo di...its not ur mistake entirely....

Well, but kanna....

Kat: kanna ko hum mana lenge...tum chintha math karo...

Abh; but how?? He is in camp aur hum yahan....

Even before she completed her words, she saw a military jeep entering and kanna getting out of it.

He paraded to kathir and saluted...

Kan: subedar kanna reporting for duty sir...

Kathir nodded his head, indicating him to bring his hand down.

Kat: kanna....you don't have much work...you would have just have to be stationed for our protection...

Chalo guys....

And he ushered the girls inside with him....

Mul: kathir enna panra....u didn't even let us talk with him...

Kat: shhh....I know what am doing.....ipo neeya pesuna avan chumma extra scene poduvan....

Epdiyum 2 days inga dhan sir...

So paathukalam....

Kat: ramu kaka....ye abhi hai....iski behan...

Aap ek kaam kijiye...

Chai aur nashtha bahar rakhiyr...hum bahar peeyenge....(ramu kaka...this is abhi....you do one thing...set the tea and snacks outside we would have it there...)

Kat: n this is ur room abhi....freshen up hoke aa java...

And he went to get freshened up leaving mullai all confused.

She assisted ramu kaka in setting the evening beverage outside and saw kathir and abhi joining them..

Kat: jai....subedar kanna....please come...

Kan: hmkm...adu enna jai...subedar kanna...en engala kanna nu koopta vai sulikumo....

Muttering to himself, he walked towards them...

Kat: join us for tea...

Jai: captain...

Kat: join us man...subedar kanna...what would you like to have ?? Tea?? Coffee or milk???

Mullai and abhi giggled knowing kanna's love for milk more than tea and coffee...

Jai: captain...really milk...

Kat: I donno subedar kanna's choice of beverage...

Kanna rolled his eyes at kathir's addressal...

Kan: sir, tea is fine....he gritted his teeth...and took a cup of tea....the tea looked pink and he was shocked....

Kan: tea enna pink color la iruku.....

Jai: what are you staring at kanna...this is our special...pink tea...have it....

He saw abhi winking at him, and he spit out the first sip in reflex...

Kat: careful subedar....

Abh: u fine??

Kan: thanks....

Mv: kootu kalavani thanama panringa....

Once they were done with their tea,

Abhi; jeez...I feel like roaming around here...

Kat: am too tired dear....

Abhi: shall I go alone??

Kat: why alone?? Subedar kanna....would you be able to take her around??

Kanna merely nodded his head..

Abhi: thanks jeez....

Kat: you can take my jeep...kaka....jeep ki chaabi deejiye inko...( give the keys to him)

Be careful....

Abhi shook her head and joined kanna in the jeep...

Mul: en kathir...avana subedar nu kooptu kadupethura....

Kat: chymma ullulaiku....

Mul: pesi seri pana okey dhan...

Kat: adhelam en thambi gilli...nee vaa namba night grill panlam...

Mul: paara....enna captain sir....thambj vandha kushi pola...

Kat: pondati kalaila thandha kushi um dan...and he winked at her...

Mul: kathir....she hit his arms....

Kat: nee gautam aa yum koopdu....lets have fun.....

Let's get stuffs right....for grill....

Mul: epdi poradhu....he took the jeep la...

Kat: jai oda bike iruke....vaa....

Kathri and mullai left enjoying the bike ready getting things ready for dinner..while at a short distance, his car was pulled up at the side of road...

And abhi kanna were busy letting each other know how much they missed them...

couple of minutes back,

Abh: kanna why r u all silent....I swear I didn't know jeez is in army....

It's a surprise for me as well....

Seeing his silence....

Abh: I didn't want you to feel bad knowing ur bro and bestie were in a relationship and broke up...

Am sorry...

I just didn't wanna hurt you...

And her eyes teared up....

His weakness as always and he pulled up at the side of the road, before pulling her into his embrace and letting their lips share his suffering.

Tbc...