Without waiting, she entered her home. It was in Adyar, tucked away in a quiet place amidst the happening city streets. This place had her heart, wherever she was ... this is where her soul was.

Devi ma and Venkat pa hugged Sakthi, and the day went by so fast. Sakthi was talking about her movie project. When asked about her Bombay trip she just brushed it off saying it went well. She did not mention meeting her brother as it was going to be a surprise for her parents. 

After lunch, she went to meet with Anu and then reached the studio after dinner with a plan to work all night. With her favorite playlist on the background, she started sketching a few designs and was interrupted by a call. It was from an unknown number and it was around 2 AM. She thought it might be mis dial did not pick and then she got a call from the same number in 10 minutes.

Sakthi: Who is this?

Unknown: Hi Sakthi! Can you please on the line, I will connect you with Mr.Devarakonda.

Sakthi thought she was dreaming. He was one of the hot sensations across India setting some serious trends amongst youngsters.

Devarakonda: Hey Sakthi! Is this a good time?

Sakthi: Hi Sir.. yes it is.. It's such a pleasant surprise.

Devarakonda: I watched a music video and was amazed by the costumes. Got to know that it was your work. Just wanted to say Kudos. Keep up the great work...

She remembered the song produced by her brother which she had styled before she started working with Anu. She was a free-lancer back then and was working on experimenting Indian designs on western outfits.

Sakthi: Thank you.. it means a lot coming from you. I admire your sense of fashion.

Devarakonda: I am doing a new Tamil movie next. Would you be open to styling me for that?

It was more than a dream come true moment but she was already packed with styling and helping with Art direction for Gautham's movie. This is an impossible situation she thought.

Sakthi: It would be a dream come true. As much as I would love to style for you, I have already committed to work on a movie. I am so sorry.

Devarakonda: It will be just for me. So just think about it. My shoot does not start for 3 months from now.

Sakthi: Sure Sir... I will think about it. But thank you again for taking your time to call. It motivates me to do better and try innovative ideas.

Devarakonda: I will text you from my number so that you can call back when you make a decision. I do look forward to working with you. And call me Vijay. Am not that old. Take care.

Sakthi: Sure Vijay... You too.

Once the call was over, she was over the moon. Not because an uber cool hero called her but because her work was recognized by people she had looked up to when she took up designing and styling as her career.

She wanted to share this news with someone right away and she knew Anu would be asleep. She was still hesitant to initiate a conversation with Aadhi after she had left with him no answer on his dinner invite. After a lot of thinking, she decided to text him.

Text message In Italics

Sakthi: Hey Aadhi! You up?

After dropping her, he was feeling empty at heart but did not want to influence her decision. He asked and she said that she needed time. So, he was giving her what she asked for. It was impossible for him to sleep with thoughts of the last couple of nights still fresh in his memory. Her presence was addictive. He was trying to distract himself by playing video games. Next to cooking and music, that was his way to relax. He was busy trying to score a goal when he received the most unexpected text and he responded almost instantly.

Aadhi: Sollu ma

Sakthi: Can you come by the studio?

Aadhi: Yes. Will be there in 15.

In 15 minutes, he was at the studio. He was in a full white hoodie and joggers. Sakthi was making coffee for both of them when he walked in. He smelled it and got into the kitchen. His cologne with his fragrance made her aware of his presence. He was standing at a distance. She turned around with coffee mugs.

Sakthi: Indaanga...

Aadhi: Thanks ma.

Sakthi: En vara sonen nu keka mateengala?

Aadhi: Reason eh ilama nee kooptalum na varuven.

Sakthi: Mmmm... I wanted to share something with you.

They walked to her work area. It was different from the presentation room. It was filled with Mannequins and lots of clothes. There was an ipad pro with pencil and a huge iMac screen. Nee kavidaigala playing in the audio system. It was a very cozy and stylish space.

Sakthi: Elame Anu and Dev plan pannadhu. I was going to join Sabya's design team but instead came here because Anu wanted me here. And all of this is her way of showing her appreciation.

Aadhi: You are extremely talented, and I am glad you have people like Anu and Dev. They support you with all their heart and you deserve every bit of it. And nice song. Pradeep oda voice at this time is soothing.

Sakthi: Avar songs keta peaceful ah irukum. Also, I got a call from Vijay Devarakonda.

She explained the conversation.

Sakthi: What do you think?

He was really happy that she trusted him enough to ask for his thoughts. He thought about it for a few minutes.

Aadhi: Can you tell me yours before I share mine?

Sakthi: I do think it's a great opportunity, but I don't want to rush into committing two movies and then not be able to do justice to either. It's also a lot of work and will leave me with absolutely no personal time. Enaku therla Aadhi enna panradu nu... Maybe it's too much too fast?

Aadhi: Purely my thoughts. Maybe do a couple of trial shoots with him and see how easy or hard it will be. It might give you a good idea. Also, in three months, our shooting will be well underway. You would have gotten a hang of the scenes and mood.

Sakthi: Epdi ipdilam idea kudukra? This will be a great first step. 

Aadhi: Now that your situation is sorted maybe I should get going.

Sakthi: Ohh ippove kelambanuma? she sounded disappointed.

Aadhi: I would be happy to stay as long as you want but I did not want to disturb in case you wanted to work. Seri sollu enna panlam?

Sakthi: I am super hungry. Can you cook something for me?

Aadhi: Yes I can but I can't cook much with nothing. He smirked

Sakthi: Ha.. Ha... very funny. I know that you cant cook here. My place is only 5 mins away by walk. We can go there. I just stocked my kitchen.

Aadhi: So you want me to come to your place at 3 AM in the morning to cook food for you because you are hungry. Nice... 

He was sarcastic. Sakthi pouted and she looked like the cutest doll in the world.

Aadhi: Seri moonja apdi vekada.... You look too adorable to say no to. Let's go. Lead the way.

He had a mischievous smirk on his face that made him sexier by the minute.

There was a separate conversation going on between her mind and heart.

Mind: Well done Sakthi. You just invited him over to your place. Great. Do you even remember you did not want to meet him until you sorted your emotions? What happened to those?

Heart: What do I do? He is my friend and friends hang out.

Mind: Oh, now you have a friend who makes you weak on your knees? Have you lost it?

Heart: I feel safe with him. I trust him. I will go with my gut.

Mind: Hope he does not hurt you yet again... fair warning.

She shut her mind and went with her heart.

Aadhi: Enna ma yosichtu iruka? Shall we go? I am hungry too...

They reached her place. It was the perfect mix of traditional and modern just like her.

Sakthi Living Room

Sakthi's Kitchen

She went in to take a bath and he started cooking for her. He cooked vegetable lasagna and a pasta salad with Italian seasoning.

Aadhi MV: This girl my God. Unbelievable. Her heart so pure and innocent should be treasured like the most precious thing on earth. I may have met her by coincidence, but I choose to stay with her through all her ups and downs. She makes me the best version of myself even without realizing it. Everytime I meet her, I feel more connected to her. I don't think I can imagine a life without her. This is crazy.

Sakthi walked out in wet hair and PJs. She looked hot as hell and it was truly testing his self control.

Aadhi MV: She is a dangerous combination of cute and hot, beautiful and sexy, and maturity and innocence. There is no wonder my heart is racing. Sakthi please stop torturing me like this. I want to be a friend I really do but I want to be much more than that.

Sakthi was going through a similar feeling which is why she had locked herself up in the bathroom for 30 minutes. She had to change 3 sets of PJs before deciding on this one. She made up her mind to behave.

Aadhi: Dinner is set. Are you ready to eat?

Sakthi: Can't wait.

They had a peaceful dinner with Manirathnam - ARR songs as company. They settled on the couch to watch OK kanmani. Within a few minutes both dozed off. 

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Author's Note:

That's Chapter 11! 

Thank you so much for taking your time to read. Please do vote if you like and comment your thoughts. 

After the Feedback, I have decided to add pictures of some places/locations when possible. I will continue adding songs, but if you can please do comment the songs you think of when you read through. I will be sure to listen to those. 

I did not get a lot of inputs on cast. So I am planning to not add right now but you all know who the leads are anyway 😍.

What happens next? Will they realize their feelings for each other? 

Come back to know more.