Author is obsessed with the above song 💫😌

If you want you can play Manasa from Ye Maya Chesava by Chinmayi Sripada
Devan Ekambaram for this chapter.

Ekantha adored the bracelet which he gave her and walked into her home. She felt it all different, getting gifts from someone wholeheartedly and someone giving them their lucky thing to her was the last thing she expected to happen.

She wore it on her hand and the first thought she got in her mind was a smiling face of the person who gave it to her.

The night passed in a blink, Ekantha wasn't able to sleep for two reasons she was too happy and nervous for the first day of her work also the bracelet she admired it the whole night. The next morning she freshened up and wore a new dress which was formal enough for her first day at work.

"Oh my goodness, you are looking so gorgeous kanna",Kanyaka said and Ekantha smiled.

"Is this your bracelet?",Kanyaka asked suspiciously.

"Ahem, actually maa this is...this is.. Abhimanyu's",she said and a teasing smile formed on Kanyaka's face.

"Ohhh! I see! This is nice actually",she said.

" Today is my first day right? It's his lucky bracelet so he gave it to me",Ekantha said and her face was beetroot red.

"That's amazing! I see you both are progressing. I hope Lord Venketeshwara gives you all the happiness of the world",Kanyaka said and patted her head.

"If Ani and Dikshit come, ask them to wait. I will go to temple and come",Ekantha said and her mom nodded.

She went to the temple and came back in 15 mins. The temple was just adjacent to her home. She was surprised to see Anika, Dikshit, Vennela along with Abhimanyu there.

"What are you all doing here this early?",she asked.

"Just wanted to be here, aren't we invited here?",Vennela asked.

"No, not like that",Ekantha was trying to digest the whole thing.

"Enough of overthinking. Just wanted to surprise you that's all. Also, we are meeting after your shift right? So, I'll pick you along with Abhi and for now you both have to rush! You're getting late",Vennela pushed both of them out of the door.

"All the best Ekanthaa",both Anika and Dikshit yelled and waved to her while her mother just smiled and blinked her eyes in assurance.

"Uh, I hope you didn't have any other plans or feel uncomfortable because I am here?",he asked feeling awkward silence between them.

"Nope, nothing like that",she said smiled a little.

"By the way, white sneakers were good choice",he said and grinned.

"Oh shut! I am really sorry Abhi garu, I forgot to open your gift. I am really sorry",she said and cursed herself internally for the thing which she has forgotten.

"Shush shush calm down Ammu, why are you so worried about such a small thing?",he said.

"But that was your first gift, I became completely mindless. Such a stupid I am",she said still not realising that he called her with a new name.

" Shush, It's fine Ammu, You can always go home and see it. Don't think too much about it",he pressed the word Ammu this time and she looked at him in surprise.

"Ammu?",she asked.

"Yea, felt like calling you that if you aren't comfortable we'll get back with Ekantha. Not a problem at all",he said quickly.

"Uh... We've reached! Bye Abhi garu",she said while opening the car door and meddling with her bag to hang it properly on her shoulder.

"Bye Ekantha",he said and waved to her. She turned back and leaned onto the window.

"I like Ammu better",she whispered only audible to him and rushed away from there.

He chuckled at her words and drove to his office.

Ekantha entered the Principal's cabin and was greeted with a warm smile. She then went to her cubicle in the administration office while the peon guided her there. There were around 4-5 people total in the department.

There was a girl, Asmita who was of her age in her formal saree instructing someone on her phone while the other two were guys who were busy on their desktops working on things.

The peon announced her arrival and Asmita came to her and both of them introduced themselves to each other and a formal introduction with the two others as well. She came to know that Asmita was the senior most and she needs to learn her work from her. She sounded friendly but Ekantha was just doubtful on herself.

"Ekantha, you can assist me till you learn the work and incase I am out and you need something you can always reach out to Navin Or Kiran. Hope we'll work in coordination",she said and gave a warm smile.

"Okay ma'am. I'll keep it in mind",she said.

"Oh Ekantha! Don't need to call me ma'am and I guess we belong to same age group so just call me Asmita Or else I would have to call you Ekantha ma'am too",she said and chuckled while Ekantha just smiled.

"We don't need to head to assembly. But if you want to and you don't have any work you are free to. It's not mandatory for us. For today, you just see what I do and I'll tell you your responsibilities tomorrow. Cool?",Asmita asked and Ekantha nodded.

All the day, Ekantha was observing the way things work. She made a note of important things in her note pad. When she had a few doubts she asked Asmita about it. The day came to an end quickly than she expected. She was surprised herself for being able to mingle with atleast one of her colleague if not everyone.

"And we'll wrap up for today!",Asmita announced and all of them walked out of their cubicles.

"Where do you stay Ekantha?",Asmita asked.

"Nearby Keesargutta",she said.

"Whoa, that's nice. I come from Abids",she said and Ekantha nodded.

"Asmita, Thanks for guiding me today. It really means a lot",she said genuinely. Being a fresher she needed some training and Asmita was a good trainer for her.

"Pleasure is all mine. My husband is here! I gotta go cya, it was great meeting you. Bye Navin! Bye Kiran!",she said and Ekantha was surprised to know she was married.

She pinged Vennela and soon she was there in front of her but Abhi was with her too.

"Work done?",she asked Abhi getting in.

"Yep!",he said.

Vennela clears her throat, "ahem, I am here too".

" Vennu, I know! But how did you meet him?",she asked.

"We went on a date",Vennela said.

"What?",Ekantha's facial expressions changed from jolly mood to serious.

"Kidding, just kidding dear",Vennela said and Ekantha calmed down.

"Ammu, I need to talk to you in private",he said.

"Don't ask me to jump off from here! You guys talk once we reach home in the cellar and then come up. And what's up with this Ammu?",Vennela wiggled her eye brows.

"It's a Nick name Vennu, don't tease me more about it",she said and her cheeks were red as a tomato.

They reached Vennela's building and without a word Vennela ran to her flat leaving them alone. Now came the moment, all kind of thoughts are running in her brain already.

"So actually Ekantha, God! Why is it so difficult",Abhi said.

"What happened?",she asked with tension in her eyes.

"Amma asked me to ask you about your final decision about our relationship today",he spilled the beans.

"What do you want Abhi garu?",she asked.

"I want to give us a chance but I don't want you to think a lot about me being hurt or something if you say a no. As said we can always be good friends if we don't end up together",he said.

Precap : Ekantha's Honest Confession

Heya readers,

I am back with an update.

How are you all doing?

How was the update? Hope you all liked it.

Please do vote and comment your views.

Honest like very honest Ekantha's views on everything are coming out. Stay tuned.

Irregular updates expected 🥲 Studies is the reason.

Thank you for reading.

Take care and stay safe.

- Sakshi Devi