Aadhi finished his interview which went on until late evening. In the meantime, Sakthi met with a couple of designers and finalized Aadhi's looks for the first schedule.

Sakthi looked at the time and it was already 9:30. She quickly checked her messages.

2 Missed Calls Aadhi

Aadhi (7:30): Interview just got over. So many questions about my look today. All thanks to you my friend 😉

Aadhi (8:00): I just reached the hotel. How was your meet with the designers?

Aadhi calls Sakthi – Missed call 1 – 8:55

Aadhi (9:00): Someone is so busy to even pick my call. Have you slept again? 😳

Aadhi calls Sakthi – Missed call 2 – 9:20

Aadhi (9:25): Sakthi ma... enna aachu? Where are you?

She read the messages and saw 2 missed calls from him and just when she started typing her response, the phone died. It was already late at night. She got in a cab and it was going to take her at least an hour or more to reach the hotel. She felt the worry in his messages. It made her restless.

Sakthi MV: How can I be so careless as not to charge my phone? Loose Sakthi nee.. he is so worried because of you.

Aadhi went to check on Sakthi as he has not heard anything from her since she left to meet the designers before his interview. There was no response to his texts or his calls. He thought she might be sleeping as she was already exhausted on the flight. He tried knocking a number of times.

He had even waited for a few hours, but now he was stressed. It was a new city and it was almost close to 10 in the night. He finally checked with the hotel lobby and they confirmed that she was not back yet.

He tried calling her one more time and it was not reachable.

That was it. As soon as he knew she was not back yet and her phone was not reachable, he started to feel uneasy. He was not sure if he should just call Gautham and check with the designers about her. He just stopped thinking and called Gautham.

Gautham: Hey Aadhi... how was your interview?

Aadhi: I need to know the designers she went to meet with today. Do you have their contact? If not give me Anu's contact I will check with her. I need to know right away.

Gautham: Aadhi calm down. Tell me what happened

Aadhi: Sakthi... Sakthi is not back yet. It's been hours since she went out.

His voice was shaking with fear. He was usually calm under pressure and had great control over his emotions. But today, everything was upside down. He was not able to even imagine anything bad happening to her.

Gautham: I will send you the contact of the designers. Am sure she is ok. She is a bold girl. I understand that you are worried but let me talk to the designers and get back to you. Stay calm. She will be ok.

Aadhi: Just send me the address and I will go there directly. I can't sit here and wait.

Gautham: I understand Aadhi. Ivlo neram wait panta. Give me 5 minutes. I will call the designers and check.

Aadhi: Ok make it quick. Please. I really don't want to waste even a minute. I want her to be safe.

Gautham: Kandippa she will be.

Aadhi was going through a multitude of emotions. From missing her to the fear of losing her, it was painful. He has experienced his share of lows in his life but this was very strange.

Within 5 mins Gautham called back.

Gautham: Hey I just spoke to the designer. The studio confirmed that she left only 45 mins ago. She should reach there in 10-15 mins. Let's wait.

Relief. Though he was not completely ok, this definitely made him feel better.

Aadhi: Ufff... ok. I will call you once she is here.

Gautham: Don't worry. She will be with you any minute.

Gautham sensed that this was not the Aadhi he knew at all. He was never one to panic or break under pressure.

Aadhi MV: Why couldn't she just text me? What's wrong with her? Sakthi please come back safe.

The ride was most nerve-wracking for her as well. She was so scared to be alone, just wanted to see him. She did not even know the local language.

He continued to wait in the lobby. In 15 mins, Sakthi walked in looking exhausted. She saw him in the lobby sitting with his head down. She sensed that he was anxious. She quickened her steps, kneeled before him, and cupped his face with her palms.

For a second, everything froze around him. There was a tear of relief from his eyes. She was shocked at the same time completely moved by his care.

Sakthi: Sorry ma.

There were tears in her eyes. She felt guilty for making him anxious and seeing him in this distressed state was making her ache. Not knowing what else to say, she stammered to come up with any more words.

He wiped her tears and she wiped his.

Aadhi: I thought I lost you.

She could sense his pain. She hated herself for not being more aware.

Aadhi: Room ku poi pesiklam.

He took her hand. They reached her room in silence. It had been a really long day and an emotional roller-coaster for both. They weren't even real friends 24 hours ago and now here they were so affected by each other's emotions.

They went in and he gave her water to ease. He quickly called Gautham.

Aadhi: Hey Gautham... she is back. She is fine. Sorry for making you tensed.

Sakthi made out that he had called Gautham to check on her. What did she do to deserve so much care from him? Was she even worthy of it?

The call went on for a few minutes. By then her heart rate had settled down a bit. She wanted to apologize for the confusion and the stress she had caused. She should have acted more responsible, at least called to inform him that she was running late. So many wild thoughts were daunting her.

Aadhi came closer and sat beside her. Before she could say anything

Aadhi: Na rombha bayandhuten. It was unbearable to even think of anything bad happening to you. Inime enakaga try to keep me posted. I know that we have known each other only for a very short time but I feel connected to you. I have not had a friend in a long time.

Sakthi: The feeling is mutual. It was so careless of me to not check my phone and foolish to not charge it in the first place. I saw your messages just when I left the designer's place and before I could respond, the phone died. Trust me, I was so restless on the ride back here. It was scary to be alone in a new city.

Her voice was shaking, and she was shivering. He noticed that she was more stressed than he was. He just held her hands and sat beside her.

Aadhi: You are with me now. You are safe. My interview is over, and I will come with you everywhere from tomorrow. You don't have to be alone at all. I mean if you want, I will be glad to be in your company.

Sakthi: I feel safe with you and will take you up on that offer. But, I am super hungry right now. Can we order pizza?

Aadhi: Let me show you something. Get ready for an amazing night.

He was visibly excited.

Sakthi: No way. I have no energy. Venam ma. Let's order in and watch something.

Aadhi: You are not doing Bombay the right way if you don't go out for a late-night street food outing. Enna ponnu ma nee? Oru azhagaana paiyan night velila kootitu poren nu sona ipdi venam na solluva? Kashtam.... rombha kashtam... Ippo ne kelambu I will take you to my most favorite vada pav place. Chennai la na nenachalum idulam panna mudiyadu... so enakaga enkooda va ma.

Sakthi: Enda azhagaana paiyan kooptalum velila ponum nu illa 😉 Aana Indha azhagaana paiyan kooda enga ponalum ok dan. Ippo rombha tired ah iruken Aadhi.

Aadhi: You won't be once you have that vada pav. Kelambu ma kenja vekkada.

Sakthi: Ippo na vanda enaku enna kedaikum?

Aadhi: Enna vena kelu.. aana mudhalla kelambu.

Sakthi: Seri Seri... just remember enna ketalum tharanum.

They quickly refreshed and got out on their late-night outing. Their first outing.

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Author's Note:

That's Chapter 7.

Day 1 has been a roller-coaster. What will the next day bring? Come back to know more.

Thank you for taking your time to read and vote! Your votes make me so happy and motivate me to write more.

How is the story so far? Anything you would like more or less of? Look forward to knowing your thoughts.