Senthil's POV (Few weeks back)

My life was bliss with Ananya. Every morning I woke up with a smile. Even though I was still delivering milk and cleaning sheds it no longer felt like a chore I did to survive.

I was living my dream.

Ananya went to Chennai for vacation. I missed her terribly. She gave me her photo, which I kept in my book and stared at the whole day.

"Mappila*..." my maamaa called as he entered our house 

(Mappilai - Son-in-law)

I scowled at him and didn't welcome him.

"Why are you here?" my mom asked angrily.

"Sister, don't be like this," my maamaa pleaded.

"Oh! Now I am your sister!"

"Please Radha forgive me," he pleaded.

"Where were you all these months when I was sick and in desperate need of help? Senthil had to quit school."

"You know how my wife is. Please... I am sorry."

"I know how your wife is and that's why you should leave."

"Radha, please, I don't want to cut ties with my only sister."

My mom left with a glare. I ignored him and went back to my work of staring at Ananya's photo. My maamaa stood at the door for a few seconds before leaving.

My cousins Priya and Dhivya were good. I knew our parents agreed for me to marry Priya. Yet I don't think for a second my aunt will let that happen. I like them both as sisters. Once I had to threaten Thirumalai to leave Priya alone as he kept stalking her from school.

Ananya surprised me by visiting me on the match day and took me shopping. I had to endure my classmates' mutterings all day.

"What does she even see in him?"

"He is one lucky bastard!"

"She is only using him for doing her homework or else why would a girl like Ananya be interested in a beggar like him!"

"Did you see the other guy who came to get her? He is her real boyfriend, not Senthil."

I called Ananya and asked her not to come to school to pick me. She invited me to Yelagiri. I could hear her blush, is that even possible to hear one's blush? My brain froze for a few seconds before I replied.

"You know how to drive a car!" I exclaimed as I sat next to her tearing through the highway at breakneck speed.

"Yes, but it took me some time to get used to left-hand driving."

"You are wonderful."

She blushed mumbling, "It's just driving. Still, I am not confident driving up the hills. Sai, switch?"

Sai got down and walked to the driver's seat. I no longer thought of Sai as an imbecile. I still hated him, but not enough to call him so.

Ananya pushed a button and the window in the car's ceiling opened, I looked at it open-mouthed. I have never heard of cars having windows on top. Convertibles, I have seen in movies never in real life. With the scorching heat in India, only a fool or filthy rich would buy it.

She stood up, pulling me along. I could never resist her. Ananya's hair tickled my cheeks as the wind blew. During every hairpin bend, she leaned on me for support. I too had innocent reasons to lean back. God! She is the death of me.