On a fine day, Athulya is preparing for the seminar. Siddhik is packing the breakfast. Pragyan and Sujan are eating breakfast. Athulya is mumbling her preparation with a note in her hand.

Athulya- "hi mam. good morning. todays topic is fundamental of.. fundamental of.. ", she again looked at the note and said, "systematic.. fundamental of systematic... ipo first la irunthu.. hi mam", she nodded her head as no, "ithu vendam, good morning mam.. today's topic is fundamental of.. vendam.. good morning everyone.. today's topic is the systematic of... illa illa... fundamental of... ", she keeps on mumbling to herself while preparing. 

Siddhik- "Athulya, college ku time aachu sapda vaa.. "

Athulya- "inum konjam iruku pa.. naan anga poi saptukaren."

Siddhik- "sapdaama naan unna kootitu poga maten.. unaku irukura tension ku nee sapdalaina mayangi thaan viluva.."

Sujan- "saptru aththu... unaku kalyanam vera agiduchu, ippo nee mayangi viluntha good news ah thaan kepanga..", he teased. Athulya bite her lower lip.

Pragyan- "nee vera pathil theriama vetkapatu thalai kuniva.. apuram seminar topic maridum.", he too joined him as usual.

Athulya felt embarrassed and beat them. 

Siddhik- "Athulya.. ". He called her again but softly. Athulya sighed and went to have breakfast. Again she started to mumble. 

Athulya - "cha intha fundamental of mattum maranthu maranthu poguthu.. fundamental fundamental fundamental..", Her mind is fully filled with the papers that she is glancing till now.

Sujan- "oru thadava enkita pesu paapom..", she nodded and turned to him. She adjusted her throat, have a chirpy smile and started.

Athulya- "hi mental.."

Sujan & Pragyan- "ethu?". They both jerked, sat up.

Athulya slapped her forehead. They all burst out laughing. Siddhik giggled.

Athulya- "illa illa, athu fundamental.. hi mam, fundamental rendum mix aguduchu.."

Sujan- "enaku ipove un session epadi iruka poguthu nu kannu munnadi theriuthu aththu". Athulya sat with a grumpy and worried face.

Pragyan- " tension aana ipadi than ethayavathu ularuva.. konjam relax aagu aththu. just seminar thane.. its okay", he placed his hand in hers.

Athulya- "pch, ithuku mark iruku da prajju.. enaku intha fundamental, systematic rendume mix aguthu varave illa... topic ae athu thaan."

Sujan- "ellam varum.. mathi sonalum, 'i mean' nu arambichu apadiae correct ah solra mathiri malipidu.. tension agatha. muthalla sapdu apothan puthi vela seiyum". Sujan started to spoon feed her. 

Siddhik- "first board la unnoda topic ah book ah paathu eluthitu apuram start pannu. 'Hi everyone, my topic is' nu solitu board ah paathu kai kamichu read panidu.. tension agatha.. topic matum than nee thenarura. ipo thaan athuvum clear agiduchae"

All the three looked at him with sparking eyes. Athulya smiled widely at him. Siddhik looked at them once and left to his room to get ready. After a while, They all got ready and started their travel to the their offices. 

Once Siddhik and Athulya reached the college via car, Siddhik stopped the car in the parking area. Athulya is tripping her shawl end, looking down. 

Siddhik- "Athulya"

Athulya- "hmm"

Siddhik - "kita vaa..". Athulya neared him. Siddhik hugged her and patted her back. She felt somewhat relieved. 

Siddhik got away from her, cupped her face and kissed the corner of her lips. She closed her eyes and felt it. 

Siddhik- "Athulya". She remained silent. 

Siddhik- "kaana thoranthu enna paru", she did as per his words without even thinking, like sub-consciously doing. They are so close to each other. Their lips are just distanced with a single lean line. 

Siddhik- "bayama iruka"

Athulya- "illa"

Siddhik pressed his lips with hers. He didn't kissed but remained and let the lips feel. They both looked at each other's eyes. he moved a little away.

Siddhik- "Are you alright now?"

Athulya- "hmm"

Siddhik- "Tension iruka?"

Athulya- "illa", since he cupped her cheeks, she didn't to move her head and so answered him in words.

Siddhik- "ipo enna thonuthu?"

Athulya- "ithu mari neraiah seminar avanga vaikalamnu."

Siddhik widened his eyes, giggled loudly and dashed his forehead on hers lightly. Still his hand is cupping her chin. Athulya got her sense, recalled everything and understood the situation. Her eye balls moved here and there. Her cheeks became red due to shy and embarrassment. She moved her eyelids down.

Athulya- "athu vanthu, ithu mari neraiah seminar avanga vaikalam naan bayapadama panuven nu sonaen"

Siddhik- " Enkita malupa theva illa Athulya. nee muthalla sonna pathil, enaku romba santhosama irunthathu.. ", he gently rubbed her cheeks. 

They both got jerked when they heard the horn sound from another car which is coming in to park. They both moved away and get down from the car with smiling faces.

Siddhik- "All the best, nithanama pannu..". 

Athulya nodded with a slight blush and went. As, expected she didn't got tensed and didn't called her mam as mental. Seminar completed successfully. 

The day went like that. At night,  Pragyan sat in the middle, Athulya to his right side and Sujan to his left. They are munching snacks and watching a movie in home itself. 

Athulya- "nee inuma da message panra?"

Pragyan- "panalam panalam.."

Sujan- "enna message aththu.."

Athulya- "avanoda anbu tholiku thaan.. message panuvaan nu pakuren but pana matikuraan"

Sujan- "anbu tholiah dei, enna da track ithu.."

Pragyan- "athu enoda program pathi regular ah comment eluthura oru id peru.."

Athulya- "naan aniku sonen la antha id.."

Sujan got interested turned towards him saying, " ipo message pannu prajju "

Pragyan- "summa iru da, naan panala."

Athulya too turned towards him and said, " pannu prajju, summa pannu.. please please pannu. "

Pragyan- "rendu preum vera velai iruntha paarunga.. illaina chumma irunga", he got nervous.

Sujan slowly took his mobile and passed to Athulya. 

Sujan- "aththu seekram message pannu.. quick". He held Pragyan tightly. 

Pragyan- "dei vidra.. aththu no.. athuthu nilly.. aththu.."

She took the mobile and got up quickly and was about to move away but dashed on Siddhik. She quickly composed and sent mail hurriedly. Pragyan pushed Sujan away and rushed to Athulya. 

Pragyan- "Aththu vendam kudu.. aththu.."

Athulya- " anupiten.. "

Pragyan started to chase Athulya. She was running here and there, and then hide behind Siddhik.

Pragyan- " anna, neenga thallikkonga.. ivala inaiku.. "

Siddhik- "iru iru.. ennachu?". The same time they heard a message notification tone. 

Sujan rushed and took the mobile. he shouted, "hey reply vanthachu.."

Athulya started to clap her hands. Pragyan started to chase Sujan. They were running around. 

Athulya- "enkita kodu sujju". she too turned on their path with Siddhik.

Sujan mistakenly placed the mobile in Siddhik hands. Once Siddhik got the mobile all three surrounded him. 

Pragyan- "anna, en mobile ah kudunga"

Athulya- "kudukaatheenga"

Siddhik- "enna nadakuthu inga", he asked them having mobile in hand.

Pragyan- "aana, enaku theriama antha mail id message anupirukanga.."

Siddhik- "unaku antha id ah pudikalaya?"

Pragyan- "athu fake id ah iruka neraiah chance iruku anna. athu matum fake ah iruntha en maname poidum.."

Sujan- " antha id fake na, athoda manam thane pogum. true ah irukura un manam en poga poguthu? ithellam chumma dialogue.. "

Athulya- "avanuku pudichuruku. antha id la irunthu enga official id ku mail varalaina antha naal fulla oru maarri dull ah irukaan. bayanthukitu antha id ku mail panavum matikuraan. neengalae sollunga"

Siddhik looked at Pragyan. Pragyan took a long breathe and looked down not knowing what to do. 

Siddhik- "Prajju, sila samayam manasu solratha kelu.. yenna athuku thaan theirum un nimathi enga irukunu... enthu oru situation vanthalum face panra thairiayatha athu thaan kodukuthu.. just give it a try, if your heart says to.. "

Pragyan smiled and said, "try panren anna"

Sujan and Athulya shouted and hugged Pragyan. Again a message notification tone was heard from his mobile. Siddhik gave his mobile to him with a smile. 

Pragyan took it from him and checked it. Athulya tried to sneak it. Pragyan looked at her via corner of his eyes and moved away slowly. 

Athulya- "dei naluvathaa... dei, dei..". Pragyan walked faster and Athulya too followed him shouting behind him. 

Pragyan and Athulya started to reply her. 

Sujan looked at Siddhik. Siddhik is looking at Athulya. His eyes conveyed something but that is not clearly understood by Sujan. It showed a kind of longingness. Sujan started to doubt whether they are living their life. He felt something suspicious. 

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On next day, In College, Athulya came to Siddhik' s cabin and stood before him. 

Siddhik- "enna venum?"

Athulya- " Malar mam ah veetuku koopdatuma? "

Siddhik chuckled and said, "nee enna vela pakura theriuma?"

Athulya- "naan onum sujju kaga kekala.. enaku shopping ku help pana koopdaren"

Siddhik smiled and said," nambiten.. veetuku koopda enkita ethuku permission kekura, athu namma veedu"

Athulya- " hmm, thanks. ". She left. 

In the afternoon, Sujan came to pick up her, 

Sujan- "ennadi aachu? "

Athulya- " ellam okay da.. intha week saturday". 

Sujan- "paravallaye mudichutiyae.."

Athulya- "paravallaya? dei oru varama malar mam kita kenjiruken.. kalula matum thaan vilugala" 

Sujan- "vidu vidu.. naan unaku ice-cream vangi tharen.. " He happily dropped her in the FM station. 

Pragyan was eagerly waiting for her. once she came, he hugged her happily.

Athulya- "enna aachu prajju?"

Pragyan- "unaku thaniah oru program koduthurukanga aththu.. "

Athulya- "enna da solra.. naan thaniah va?", she asked him with utter shock. 

Pragyan- "yes. ippo perusa mails varathu illa aththu. so antha nigalchiku pathila, Diary nu oru show panna pora.. night 10 ku thaan poduvanga.. but atha nee munnadiye pesitu poidalam. night varanum nu avaisyam illa. ithu live show illa"

Athulya- "naan epadi daa thaniah?", she asked him with astonishment.

Pragyan- "athellam panalam aththu.. naan koodave iruken.. ithu 3 years palaya show thaan. ithuku munnadi oru sago panitu iruntharu apuram avaru tv ku poitaaru.. ipo intha show va thirupi poduranga.. nee thaan pesa pora aththu.. athuvum unna makkal select panirukanga"

Athulya- "makkala?", she was beyond shock.

Pragyan- "amam, nee namma fm kekurathu illaya? 2 weeks ah Diary nigalchiya yaaru host pananum nu neenga asa padureenganu  ketu, voting poll vachirunthangalla athula nee than win paniruka"

Athulya is unable to believe anything.

Athulya- "nijamave naana? naan pana porena."

Pragyan- "yes. nee than aththu.. already diary show start panum pothu sila mails vanthathu, athula intha show famous aga karanama irukurathu 'kathalin kaathalan' nu orutharoda letter thaan. ipo first one week or so , nee atha thaan padikura mathiri irukum.. oru centiment kaga.."

Athulya nodded her head. She was so much happy and out of the world. once she entered the office, everyone congratulated her. Then they gave her the details and some letters. Those letters are hand written. It came by post. These are not mails. 

Athulya returned home with Pragyan enthusiastically. She happily placed everything in the desk and moved away. Suddenly something strike her.  She halted and returned to the desk. She looked at the opened note which has Siddhik' s hand writing. She opened her bag and took the letters out. She compared the hand writing in the letter with the note and it looked alike. Those hand writing are same. 

It looked like those letters are written by Siddhik. Athulya started to think, whether two person will have the same hand writing.  This thing is continuously running in her mind. She packed her bad again and moved it aside. 

Siddhik came after a while and they all had dinner. While having dinner, 

Pragyan- "anna treat eppo vaika poreenga?"

Siddhik- "ethuku treat?"

Pragyan- "Aththu thaniah show pana porale athuku.. inaiku than confirm aachu"

Siddhik looked at Athulya. Athulya was glaring at Pragyan. 

Sujan- "yen aththu avana moraikura.. nee thaniah solanum nu irunthiah? ivan keduthutana?"

Pragyan- "appo nee inum solalaya?", he asked with a fake shock. 

Athulya- "ipo thane vanthirukaaru. refresh agitu sapda vanthachu. enga da time irunthathu?", she started angrily and ended with a pout.

Siddhik chuckled and said, "Congratulations Athulya."

Pragyan- "athuvum ava thaniah show panna pora... oru palaya show ku aththu uyir koduka pora..  entha show nu theiruma anna?"

Siddhik- "entha show?"

Pragyan- "Diary". 

Siddhik started to cough badly once he heard that word. He even shed tears while coughing. He even struggled to breathe. Athulya rushed to him and gave him water. She patted him tightly clutching his hands. Siddhik gets normal within minutes. Tears are still in his eyes. 

Pragyan- "ippo okay va anna"

Siddhik- "yeah, sorry enaku thalai ellam valikuthu.. enaku sapadu pothum.. you guys please continue.. sorry, sorry.. Sorry Athulya". He left to his room after washing his hands. 

Athulya confirmed that there is something behind it. A lone tear fell from her eyes unknowingly since she witnessed his tears. 

Sujan- "athuthu, ipo ethuku alugura?"

Athulya touched her cheeks and realized. She rubbed it and said, "theriala sujju, avar kannula kanneer ah pathathum enaku vanthiduchu..". She wiped her tears. 

Pragyan- "hey just poraiyeriduchu avlo thane. food struck agirukum athan thalai valikuthu pola.. nee sapdu... konja nerathula sariah poidum"

Athulya -"hmm, ellam sariah poidanum"

Sujan felt a difference in the environment. Siddhik' s tears, Athulya's tears, sudden change in the environment everything hits him hard. 

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How is it?

Next update will be on Monday.. 

One thing i want you guys to remember that it is just a short story, not a full story.

Please do vote and comment. 

Parvathi Suresh Sharma.