"Gautham... what a surprise...", Aadhi stammered.

Sakthi gathered that Gautham was here but did not have much time to react as they both walked in.

Gautham: Sakthi... How come you are here?

Aadhi: She came to get my thoughts on a few costumes and some measurements.

Gautham: Nee ivlo periya workaholic nu theriyaama poche Sakthi... Anu mentioned that you were sick only a week ago. Please take some rest. We will have hectic schedules once the shoot starts next week.

Sakthi: Sure Gautham. I am better now. Don't worry. I am so excited for us to start shooting. I am meeting with Mithila on Monday to finalize her costumes.

Gautham: That makes me remember... actually Vijay is flying in next week as well.

Sakthi had a clueless face just like Aadhi.

Gautham: Vijay Deverakonda ma ... He said he spoke with you.

Sakthi: Oh ... yaa he did. Why is he coming? Is he in this movie too?

Gautham: Signed my next movie with him so wanted to do a photoshoot before we start shooting for Kadhal ondru Kanden Penne.

Sakthi: That's awesome.. congrats Gautham. I cannot wait.

Gautham: Thanks Sakthi. Enakum exciting ah iruku. Aadhi namma photoshoot um adhey time panlam.

Aadhi: Sure... I look forward to meeting Vijay and Mithila.

Gautham: Na solla vandha vishyame vera... finalized the music director for the movie. 

"Who is it?" Aadhi exclaimed with a fake smile which Sakthi caught in no time.

Gautham: Its your favorite, Its Ani. I knew he was your top choice and somehow managed to get him onboard.

Sakthi: That's such great news. The album is going to rock.

Aadhi seemed to be very preoccupied and Sakthi nudged him to make him concentrate on the conversation.

Gautham: Aadhi, Are you ok? You look very distracted.

Aadhi : Adulam illa.. konjam headache. I am super happy with Ani on board for music. It has been a dream to work with him.

Gautham: Take care. Sakthi do you want me to drop?

Sakthi: Illa Gautham. I drove here so I will be fine. I just have to take some final measurements.

She kept up with Aadhi's story and both bid bye to Gautham.

Sakthi: Enna aachu? Why are you so preoccupied? She asked with a concerned look.

Aadhi: Onum illa ma.... 

Sakthi: I can sense that something is not right.

Aadhi: It all seems too much to be a coincidence. Vijay called you and a week later, he has signed a movie with Gautham and is coming to Chennai for a photoshoot to just announce a movie. Not a good feeling.

He was very honest and open about how he felt after hearing the news from Gautham.

Sakthi: Yaruko inga possessiveness madri theriyudu.... She smirked looking at his frowned face.

Aadhi: En nelamaya paatha unaku jolly ah iruka.. inum muzhusa one-week kooda agala adukulla engendu dan varangalo...

Sakthi: Aadhi I will be fine. I know to handle in case I sense anything more than just professional. Also, it's just one photo shoot. You will also be there.

Aadhi: I know ma... still I have a weird feeling. 

She decided to take his mind off of this and make him enjoy their first date as a couple.

Sakthi: Enaku coffee kudikanum pola iruku... shall we go on a drive?

Aadhi: Idulam kekanuma... kandippa. Coffee and then I will take you to your favorite place. Beach.

He started driving when she played his 90's playlist which started with 

"Nenjai poo pol koidhavale"

and there was almost instant glow on his face that made her content.

***

Meanwhile Aadhi's parents reached their home in Coimbatore after their business trip.

Chitra Ma: Aadhi ku ponnu pathachu nu avan kitta epo solla poreenga?

Ganesh Pa: Epdiyum Monday avan veetuku varan la apo avangala vara solalam nu iruken.

Chitra Ma: Enaku andha ponna rombha pudichurku.... Aadhi kum kandippa pudikum.

Ganesh Pa: Unaku pudicha un paiyanuku pudicha madri dane.... Avan eniku un pecha meeri irukan. 30 vayasu agi enna ... inum amma chellam dan.

Chitra Ma: Aama.. idula enna sandegam. Neenga nalla thoongunga. Nithya vum avan kooda vara. Avalukum surprise dan. Ava kita soladeenga.

Ganesh Pa nodded in agreement with a content smile on his face.

***

Aadhi and Sakthi reached the private beach close to his restaurant.

Sakthi started playing in the water and dragged him in as well. He always came to the beach only to listen to the sound of waves which had the power to heal any of his pain. Today, the sound of waves were overshadowed by her presence. He stood mesmerized is her magic.

"I just want you to keep smiling. I want to be the reason for your smile. That is all that I want" he mumbled holding her close and started humming

"Alaiyae sitralaiyae karai vanthu vanthu pogum alaiyae 

Ennai thoduvaai methuvaai padarvaai endraal 

Nuraiyaai karaiyum alaiyae

Tholaivil paarthaal aamaam engindraai 

Arugil vandhaal illai endraai"

Listening to him sing for her would be one of her favorite things forever. His warm base voice that turns husky when he sings evoked so many new sensations in her. 

"Un Ullam Naan Kaana Ennaayul Poadhaadhu
En Anbai Naan Solla Un Kaalam Poadhaadhu
En Kaadhal Inaiyenna Un Nenju Kaanaadhu
Aanaalum En Muththam Sollaamal Poagaadhu
Kondaalum Konraalum En Sondham Needhaanae
Ninraalum Senraalum Un Sondham Naandhaanae
Un Vaetkai Pinnaalae En Vaazhkkai Valaiyumae
Nagila Nagila Nagilaa Oa Oa Oa Vilagidaadhu Nagilaa Oa Oa"

Could a first date get any better? They were alone in a private beach, completely drenched in water, wrapped in each other's warmth with him humming poetic lines from Alaipayuthey.

She did not quite understand when he said "Be ready to experience romance". Today he was just showing her what he meant by it. Overpowered by her emotions she quickly pecked his dimple that was clearly visible in the moonlight and managed to hum back her response with 

"paadhi jeevan kondu dhaegam vaazhndhu vandhadhoa
meedhi jeevan unnai partha poadhu vandhadhoa
aedhoa sugam ulloorudhae aenoa manam thallaadudhae (2)
viralgal thodavaa virundhaith tharavaa
maarboadu kangal moodavaa

malarae mounamaa mounamae vaedhamaa
malargal paesumaa paesinaal oayumaa anbae

kanavu kandu endhan kangal moodik kidandhaen
kaatru poala vandhu kangal mellath thirandhaen
kaatrae enaik killaadhiru poovae ennaith thallaadhiru (2)
uravae uravae uyirin uyirae
pudhu vaazhkai thandha vallalae"

That was their perfect first date, breaking each others insecurities in discovering their love . They reached home and dozed off on the couch.

***

On Sunday, Aadhi met Sakthi for lunch at his restaurant while she was busy sketching looks for Mithila. He was leaving to meet his parents.

He made a got plate of mushroom pasta that she started munching on it.

Sakthi: I cannot wait for you and Mithila to rock the screens with amazing chemistry. Unga pair rombha semmaya irukum nu oru feel. Make sure you watch her little things show, might be useful for you to build rapport with her quickly.

Aadhi: Girlfriend madhriya pesara? Elarum possessive ah irupanga.. ne matum dan na vera oru ponnu kooda romance panraduku wait panra. Rombha perumaya iruku...

Sakthi: That's because I trust you and I know that you love me. Apram eduku na possessive ah irukanum?

Aadhi: That's true.. Enna madri unna yarume love panna mudiyadu Sakthi. I love you the most.

Sakthi: Why not? En annan dan enna rombha love panran. Sathya idha ketan na... nee avlo dan.

Aadhi: Avana na pathukren.. Sollanum nu irunden. I think Sathya knows.

He said casually. Sakthi stopped eating and glared at him.

Sakthi: Enna ma solra? Why do you think so?

Aadhi: Avan namma Bombay trip ku apram birthday ku invite panna call panan. Appove neenga friends madri therila nu sonan. I tried my best to tell him otherwise. Aana enaku strong feeling iruku that he did not believe me. Did he ask you anything?

Sakthi: Enkita eduvum kekala.. avan busy ah irukan with the Music school work. He wants to open it in a few months. Ketaa enna solradu? Should I tell him?

Aadhi: Avanta solradu better. At least one less person to hide it from. He is my best friend, na pesinale he will figure out if I am lying.

Sakthi: Hmm ok. Ketaa solalam. But sendhu irukum bodhu. I don't want him to know it from you.

Aadhi: Sure Sakthi. Iniku veetuku poren. Unna pathi atleast oru intro kudukanum la... future marumaga vera. He winked.

Sakthi: Aduku lam time iruku. Rombha aasa padaadha.

They had their cute couple banters before he dropped her home and left for the airport.

Aadhi: Reached airport, my love. Will be back before you know. Miss me.

Sakthi: Love you Aadhi. Will miss you so much.

Aadhi: I will video call from there to show your future home. You are going to love it.

Sakthi: Can't wait. Travel safe.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author's Note:

And that's Chapter 17! This chapter is a segway into the next phase of this story. Let's spice things up.

Thank you all so much for taking you time to read. 

Please vote if you liked the chapter and comment your thoughts. Constructive feedback is always welcome.

What is Aadhi going to do when he knows his parents plan? Who is the girl? What does life have in store for this new couple?

Keep guessing and come back to know more 😉

Have a busy week ahead at work. Updates may be delayed but I am going to try my best.