தீ வந்தது பூ கண்களில்
தீ வந்தது ஏன் வந்தது ஏன் வந்தது
கண்ணோரமாய் வெப்பம் வெப்பம்
பெண் வந்ததும் பெண் வந்ததும்
உன் சூழலில் சத்தம் சத்தம்

A SHORT CHAPTER ALERT

Sipping onto the semi salty Kashmiri pink tea, he stood with a forlorn look. He turned and glanced at her direction. Seeing her all engrossed with her family, for sure answering his annis and amma, the scene looked too surreal and dreamy.

He had given up the hope of this scene almost more than half a decade ago...

But fate and destiny had some other plan in his life.

"Vaazhka epo nama pecha ketichu" was so true when it came to him.

Nothing ever happened in his life as planned.

If he wished for moon, he was given stars.

So was his personal and professional life.

Sitting in his cabin, going through the file which was written "CONFIDENTIAL" in block letters, he was working like just any normal day.

He read through the entire file and stamped with a seal.

This was going to be a major change he was sure and he was looking forward to it.

"sir, the press is here" came a voice from one of his subordinate.

"Am coming subedar" was his stern reply.

"Pass the file to Major" was his command before going to meet the press. He seriously hoped the press person was someone sensible, and don't point the attack on the poor intelligence information.

He was done answering the same to everyone, all thanks to the attack that happened and martyred 5 soldiers on the very new year eve, and he had been busy with the explanations from so on.

Before entering the room allocated for the press, he took a deep breath and calmed his mind, he didn't want to get his first memo for disciplinary actions.

He stepped into the hall and looked at the hall filled with so many journalist, all ready to scrutinize him.

"Good morning everyone" he greeted everyone in general.

"Morning Sir, but I really don't understand how you could leisurely tell your greeting, when 5 soldiers lost their life due to lack of intelligence report.

How could you sir?" was the very first question he was bombarded with.

Though the question, threw him off the guard, why does the voice sound so familiar he thought"

"Captain, what do we take of your silence" was the next question.

He tried peeping to see who it was.

"Miss?" he started in a doubtful way.

"Miss Mullai from CNN" and he stood frozen.

"What the fuck" came out of his mouth as an involuntary response, which resonated through the mike.

"Mind your words captain" came her voice, joined with other reporters.

But her words couldn't be completed.

She saw the guy who ruled her heart, stand before him in the prestigious Army Uniform.

"Kadhir" the words slipped out of her mouth.

By then, the rest reporters had already made an issue, and his head had been summoned for.

Time almost lapsed in slow motion only for him and her.

A person they never expected, atleast when they stepped into the room.

Colonel Singh had stepped into the room, all thanks to the commotion.

Col: I understand what happened and the words spelt were wrong and I would see that the Captain would apologize to the female journalist and a memo on disciplinary action would be issued.

Captain Kathir, kindly apologize.

Kathir nodded his head.

With head bowed down, he uttered "am sorry miss Mullai" he uttered and excited the press room.

Mullai very well knew why the words had rolled out of his tongue.

Heck even she uttered the very same words when she met Kathir.

Such an unexpected meet, and it for sure didn't end well she was sure.

"please don't make this an issue. He has already apologized. I would do the press meet on his behalf"

"but some journalist were hell bent on having the meet only with him, with the words rolled out of his mouth, they guessed he could be an easy prey if riled up, to blame the other personnel"

Colonel singh had no other go, other than calling back kathir and forcing him to complete the press.

But somehow, all through the meet he had maintained the cool, even when the questions were too tarnishing and degrading.

Though disappointed, the journalist were quite a bit happy with few answers and left the room.

All who were left were Mullai, the cameraman, Colonel and Kathir.

Colonel: this was just not expected of you captain.

He stood with bowed head.

Col: that too to a female journalist, if any mishaps happen in media front, be ready for a court enquiry.

And Mullai was already pushed into guilty mode.

She slowly uttered a "Colonel".

Col: sorry miss, I would make sure he gets the memo.

Mul: no sir, actually.

She didn't what to tell, all she wanted was him to not have a memo, mainly because of sudden unexpected meet of hers.

Col: no no miss, its fine. You wont be troubled.

Mul: nope colonel, I and kathir know each other pretty well. He was may be thrown off the guard seeing me, here.

Am sure he wouldn't have meant it in any other sense.

I can totally understand him, even I was shocked seeing him.

Please Colonel, can this not be escalated.

Col: Miss.

Mul: Mullai

Col: well miss Mullai, if you say so. But I cannot do any such stuffs, because this happened in a official press meet.

Mul: I am ready to give a written statement stating the same. Please avoid any disciplinary action.

All the time, he was busy gawking at her, imprinting her picture into his heart.

She was the first to know about his profession.

Wasn't that how it had been always, she was the one who persuaded him to continue his passion and her he was standing as a Captain infront of her.

Was she proud of him seeing him today.

Col: well miss Mullai. You said you guys know each other well and had addressed him on first name basis.

May I know how are you connected?

Well, she didn't know what to utter.

How would she say they were ex-lovers.

She looked at Kathir.

Kathir locked his eyes with her as well.

"They are cousins" came a voice from another corner.

Col: sorry gentle man, you are?

Man: am Madhan, camera man CNN.

Col: well, then. Miss Mullai, could you please follow me and give the statement.

Mul: sure colonel and followed him along with Madhan.

Kathir marched to his cabin and sat not knowing what to do next.

Will she tell kanna?

He doesn't know a word about his job.

He wanted to meet her and request her not to utter anything to his brother, and walked to the colonel's cabin.

There he saw her exciting the room after her written statement.

Colonel: yes captain.

Kat: I just came to see off her, as its lunch time.

Colonel: sure.

Mullai and madhan excited the room.

Madhan: naan poi room lendu camera lan wind up panren, and he left escorted by another officer.

Kat: veliya pesalama mulla..

Mullai nodded her head.

TBC...

Next part based on votes....😉