In the evening, Siddhik reached home after his work time in college. Athulya was already waiting for him eagerly with her plans. Siddhik smiled at her and went in. 

Athulya mind voice- "ethir pathathu thaan.. irunthalum oru hi solirukalam..". 

He came out to hall after 10 mins. He was about to move towards the kitchen.

Athulya -"inaiku epadi pochu college?". Siddhik halted for a second. He turned to her and observed her. 

Athulya -"ippo naan enna ketuten nu neenga shock agureenga?"

Siddhik shake his head as no and muttered, "fine..". She just hummed in response. Siddhik went to the kitchen. Athulya followed him. 

Athulya -"naan coffee potu vachuten.."

Siddhik- "thanks", He took that and had. They both came to hall and watched the TV for some minutes. 

Athulya mind voice- "ivaru enna two mark question alavuku kooda pesa matikuraru.. enoda epadi life fulla samaliparu? first enoda valurathuke naan training kodukanum polayae.. ivaru nijamave 45 minutes class edupara? avlo neram pesuvara? vaipu iruka? pesave thonatha ivaru epadi college professor anaaru?"

Siddhik- "enna yosikura?"

Athulya -"neenga epadi college professor aaneenganu thaan"

Siddhik- "what?", she composed quickly and realized that she blurred out. 

Athulya -"Illa, illa, Neenga intha job choose pana reason ennava irukum nu thaan.. epadi ithula ungaluku interest vanthirukum nu yosichen"

Siddhik looked at her eyes and asked, "enna reason yosicha?"

Athulya- "nothing. just, yaravathu oru teacher inspire panirupanganu.. sattai padam mathiri.."

Siddhik chuckled and said, "apadiye vachuko.. enkita irukura reason ah vida un reason nalla iruku"

Athulya- "ethu? nalla iruka?", She looked at him with a confusion. But he looked at her with a smile. His eyes smiled a little. 

Athulya - "samaika solli tharen nu solirukeenga", She changed the topic intentionally.

Siddhik- "ipove start pananuma?"

Athulya  looked at the watch and said, "oru 10 minutes wait panalam.. nalla neram vanthidum"

Siddhik chuckled and got up. Athulya followed him. Before Siddhik enters,

Athulya- "neenga ipadi ninnu solunga naane ellame panren. neenga onume pana koodathu. inaiku samayal naan thaan."

Siddhik- "naan ethuvum panala, but un pakathula nikuren appo than nee samaikuratha paathu corrections solla mudium.."

Athulya -" athuvum correct thaan. ninukonga.."

Siddik- "muthalla keela irunkura shelf la irunthu vegetables edu."

Athulya -" ithuva?", she pointed out a shelf.

Siddhik- "athukum keela.. last one"

Athulya- "enna neenga ivlo keela vachirukeenga? ella vegetables um inga thaan iruka?", she kneeled down and leaned to take the vegetables. 

Siddhik- "konjam fridge la iruku.. athula irunthu 3 vengayam edu"

Athulya -" enaku intha vengayam, vellapoodu vetrathu ellam pudiakathu. atha matum neenga panidunga"

Siddhik - "nana?", he looked at her confused with a mild shock.

Athulya -"amam, naan fulla kathukitu samaika arambicha piragu epadium enaku help panuveengalla, appo enna help pannuveenga?, just vegetables cut panrathu thane.. atha ipove panidunga.."

Siddhik smiled and took it from her. 

Athulya- "vera enna ellam edukanum nu sollunga, naan eduthu tharen..", she stated while he started to cut onions. 

Siddhik- "Fridge la matha ella vegetables um iruku, eduthutu vaa.". She did. 

Athulya -"ithu half circle ah cut panuveengala? illa kutty kutty ah cut panuveengala?", she started to munch a carrot.

Siddhik- "half circle.. carrot ah cut pani tharatuma?"

Athulya- "hmm, ungaluku epadi ithu correct ah cut pana varuthu.. naan cut panathum ellamae thani thaniah vanthidum.. "

Siddhik- "vantha paravalla Athulya, naama enna bajji-ah poda porom.. uthirama irukurathuku.."

Athulya-"oh, bajjiku uthirakoodatha?". Siddhik smiled at the corner of his lips. 

Athulya- "eththana poondu venum?"

Siddhik - "moonu kudu". She gave. Siddhik looked at her. She is sitting in the dinning table beside him munching the carrot. He then continued.

Athulya- "enaku athuku thoal urichu tharanum nu asai thaan, but naan carrot saptutu iruken la athan panala.."

Siddhik looked at her once and continued. After a while, he asked for other vegetables and she gave him whatever he asked with his guidance. 

Once cutting the vegetables are over, they moved to the kitchen. Athulya turn to him abruptly placing her hand on her head. 

Athulya -"haiyo namma maavu pesayave illa.."

Siddhik- "inum time iruku Athulya"

Athulya- "naan puthusulla so enaku time agume nu ketaen..sari vanga vanga, poi samaikalam"

Siddhik- "cooker eduthu adupula vai"

Athulya- "haan next.."

Siddhik- "antha oil eduthu oothu, 3 spoon.."

Athulya- "table spoon ah, tea spoon ah?"

Siddhik- "athe bottle la irukura spoon la eduthu oothu"

Athulya- "haan, next.."

Siddhik- "ennai konjam kaayanum.. nee kaduku dappa eduthu vachuko.."

Athulya- "enga iruku?"

Siddhik- "anga mela shelf la iruku.."

Athulya- "melaya.", she tried, "enaku yettala.. yen ivlo height la vachirukeenga? naan samaika maaten nu mudive paniteengala?", she pouted cutely. 

Siddhik- " ini vera idathula maathi vachidalam. ipothaiku unaku theva padura ella dabbavum naan inga vaikuren."

Athulya -"ithu kaanchiducha?"

Siddhik- "hmm, ipo itha konjama eduthu antha ennaila podu.."

Athulya took some and said, "ithu okay vaa?". 

Siddhik hummed. Athulya distanced herself from the cooker and positioned herself to put it in.

Siddhik- " enna panra?"

Athulya- "kaduku pota vedikumla. apuram athu yen mela therikumla.."

Siddhik left out a breathe and said, " athuku nee etho sandaiku ready agura mathiri pinnadi poi ninna epadi ithula poduva?"

Athulya -"inga irunthu methuva thooki potruven.. "

Siddhik- "apadi ellam poda koodathu. unaku bayama iruntha, intha karandi la pottutu apuram cooker la podu."

Athulya- "hey nalla idea paa", she patted his shoulder with a smile and continued. It exactly looked like she is a teacher and he is a student.  Siddhik looked at her hands once and then looked at her. He automatically smiled.

Siddhik- "aduthu intha onion ah podu"

Athulya -"ipo 'juvaing' nu satham vanthu pugai varumla.."

Siddhik  giggled and said, "light ah than varum.. aduppu sim la iruku.. podu..". She did.

Siddhik- "kindi vidu.". 

Athulya did and said, "anal adikuthu paa"

Siddhik - "karandi ah ipadi pudi appo than kaila soodu padathu..", he touched her hands and guided her. Their proximity affected both. But both ignored that.

Athulya- "itha mattum neenga kindunga.. intha pudgai konjam ponathum naan panren. kai suduthu.."

Siddhik nodded and Within seconds he said, "anga cut pani irukura vegetables ellam edu.."

Athulya- "haan, thallikonga naan poduren"

Siddhik- "paathu podu.." she did. 

Siddhik- "ipo konjam thanni oothu.."

Athulya -"evlo thanni oothanum?"

Siddhik- " nee oothu naan solren.."

Athulya- "haiyo tumbler dinning table la iruku, konjam poi eduthutu vaanga. naan kinditu irukenla..". Siddhik went and took it. 

Athulya- "apadiye thanniah pudichu kodunga.. ". he did. 

Athulya -"itha ipadiye oothidava? alavu sariah irukuma?"

Siddhik- "kudukurathe naan thane. oothu"

Athulya- "appo okay.. next?"

Siddhik- "cooker ah moodu"

Athulya- "entha plate vachu moodanum?"

Siddhik- "cooker oda moodiya vachu moodu ma, apuram athu mela weight vaikanum"

Athulya- "moodi enga iruku?"

Siddhik- "moodi, antha rack la iruku paaru."

Athulya -"ithula moonu moodi iruku..". Siddhik came and took the right one.

Athulya -"ippo weight enga iruku?"

Siddhik- "iru naan eduthu tharen mela iruku", he gave and she put it in its place. 

Athulya- "Aduthu?"

Siddhik- "5 whistle vara varaikum wait pananum.. correct ah count pananum.."

Athulya -"athellam panidalam.. avlo thana? mudinchutha?"

Siddhik- "maavu pesayanum.."

Athulya -"hey amam pa, athu onu irukulla. maavu packet enga iruku"

Siddhik- "keela iruku"

Athulya -"marupadium guniyanuma? ena paatha pavama illaya? eduthu tharalamla". Siddhik bend down and took the packets. 

Athulya- "ithula evlo eduthukanum? amam, intha maava tabbala potu vaikura palakam ellam ungaluku illaya?"

Siddhik- "namma rendu peru evlo sapduvomo, avlo edukanum. inimel dabba la potu vaikalam."

Athulya- "namma evlo sapduvom? athuku munandi ithula oru chappathi ku evlo maavu-nu first solunga atha vachu naan correct ah eduthudiven"

Siddhik- "muthalla maava kotti pesayurathuku oru paathiram edu"

Athulya- "athu enga iruku?"

Siddhik- "side la paaru, plates pakathula iruku"

Athulya- "ithula ethu?"

Siddhik- "antha peria paathiram.."

Athulya- "inga ellame chinnatha thaan iruku"

Siddhik- "anga irukurathulaye perusu edu Athulya"

Athulya- " itha vachukalama?". Siddhik hummed and she came with that vessel. Siddhik poured the flour in it. 

Athulya- "neengale kotiteengala? okay okay. next time naan thaan panuven sariah? ipo ithula evlo thanni oothanum?"

Siddhik- "light ah, oil illana ghee podu"

Athulya -"ghee evlo podanum?"

Siddhik- "oru spoon ... oil pakathula irukura bottle la thaan ghee iruku."

Athulya- "ghee bottle la spoon illa. ithuku ippo entha spoon podanum? table spoon ah tea spoon ah?"

Siddhik- " normal spoon eduthu podu Athulya."

Athulya- "unga pinnadi thaan iruku eduthu thareengala?". He gave and she took some ghee.

Athulya- "haan, aduthu.."

Siddhik poured some water and said, "nee pesaya arambi. first ivlo oothina pothum. apuram theva padura alavuku oothikalam"

Athulya -"apadiah? sari okay..". she started. 

Athulya -"ipadi kaila oturathuku ellam enna panrathu?"

Siddhik- "athuku ellam onum pana mudiathu Athulya. pesanju mudikum pothu athuvum poirum"

Athulya nodded and did. But she struggled to knead the dough. The flour only sticked to her fingers. Athulya gave a pleading look to Siddhik. She smiled at the corner of his lips and extended his hands for the vessel. She gave it to him happily. 

Athulya -" ippo neenga epadi panreenganu pathutu, next time naan panren deal ah?". Siddhik looked at her with a chuckle and nodded.  The cooker whistled. 

Athulya -"oru whistle aduchuruchu. inum konjam thanni vidatuma?"

Siddhik- "vendam"

Athulya -"ithuve pothuma?"

Siddhik- "hmm, mudinchu.. ipo ithula konjam maavu eduthu chinna chinnatha uruttu"

Athulya -" chinathunna evlo chinathu? onnu senju kaatukanga". Siddhik did and Athulya copied him. 

Athulya -" enaku ungala mathiri round ah vara matikuthu"

Siddhik- "first ipadi eduthuko, apuram ullangaila vachu ratate pannu. nee viragallayae vachu rotate panra.."

Athulya -" vachen... paarunga varala.."

Siddhik- "inga vaa, kaiya kodu". Siddhik pressed with dough in her palm and rotated it. 

Athulya stopped him in the middle and said, "haan, naan ippo". She did and it collapsed again. Athulya looked at him and blinked. 

Siddhik- "paravalla, ipadi vanthalum okay thaan.."

Athulya- "illa enaku solli thanga. irunga unga ullankaila vachu naan panren..". 

Siddhik showed his hand. Athulya took some dough, pressed in his palm and started to rotate it. 

Athulya -"ippo konjam paravalla la.."

Siddhik- "hmm, ithu better thaan"

Athulya- "kandupudichuten.. en kai kutti kai athaan varala.. neegna unga kai ah kudunga, naan panidaren.."

Siddhik smiled and gave his hand having his eyes fixed on her. Athulya started to take dough and involved herself in preparing little balls. The cooker whistled. 

Athulya -" rendu."

Siddhik- "illa moonu"

Athulya -" Moona? enaku kekavae illa. eppo whistle adichathu?", she didn't looked at him. She was fully involved in preparing with his palm.

Siddhik- "naan un kaiah pudichu senju kaatum pothu adichathu.."

Athulya- "enaku theriamalayae whistle adichuruchu.. neenga ethukum konjam atha gavanichukonga".

Siddhik giggled looking at her. 

Athulya -"seekram  paanum la, neengalum senthu panalam la"

Siddhik- "en kai unkita iruku Athulya. naan epadi panna mudium?"

Athulya- "appo antha maavu konjam pichu kodulam la". Siddhik smiled and took it for her. After finishing that,

Athulya -"habbada oru valiah paniten.."

Siddhik- "ipo okay, ini Chapathi seiyum pothellam, enna ipadi nikka vachu, kaiah pudichukitu pana poriah?"

Athulya- "epadium naan samaika neenga help panuveengala? athula ithuvum onnunu vachukonja.", she shrugged her shoulder. 

Siddhik raised his eyebrows in amusement. he didn't expect this kind of answer. he then chuckled. 

Athulya -"haan aduthu.."

Siddhik- "inum oru whistle vanthathum, adupa off panidu.. naan chapathi kallu, kattai ellam eduthu tharen"

Athulya did as per his words. 

Siddhik- "chappathi ku thechutu iru.. naan adupula pan vachidaren.. konjam soodanathum, poda arambichudalam.."

Athulya started. She rubbed the small dough and Siddhik make everything ready to roast it to make chapatti. 

The round shape is not coming for Athulya. She tried and it ended in a star.. 

Athulya- "round shape la saptu saptu bore adikumla.. oru change ku star potu tharava.."

Siddhik giggled and said, "sari kudu.."

Athulya- "haan naan than panuven..". She placed it in the pan and was about to pour oil.

Siddhik- "udane oil ootha koodathu, athu konjam vaeganum.."

Athulya- "evlo veganum?"

Siddhik- "ipadi nee ipadi karandi aala thirupum pothu otama irukanum, antha alavuku veganum. apuram oil vidalam."

Athulya -"oh okay.."

Siddhik- "athu vegurathukulla nee aduthu thaeka arambichudu."

Athulya- "haan", she did. but again the round shape didn't came..

Siddhik- "Athulya, appapo adupaium pakanum.. illana karugidum.. ippo oil oothu.."

Athulya- "kai ellam maava iruku, inaiku matum neenga atha paathukonga.". Siddhik smiled and took care of. 

Athulya- "enna pa ithu varave matikuthu, solli thanga.."

Siddhik-"thalliko..", he casually rubbed the chapatti to the round shape and moved taking that. 

Athulya then tried with the next one, again it went to the other shape. 

Athulya- "enaku solli thanga pa..". 

Siddhik looked at her. She too looked at him. Siddhik left out a breathe and moved behind her. he tried his best not to brush her body with his. He placed his hand on her hand and guided her to rub the chapatti. They both started to rub the chapatti. They both are affected by this proximity. It ended in a round shape. 

Athulya tilted her head towards him facing upwards. 

Siddhik- "enna... enna aachu?", he almost whispered. His heart beats faster. 

Athulya- "first oru 3 chapatti matum ipadi soli thareengala , please.. enakum round shape la varanum". Siddhik nodded and moved from her taking the chapatti. 

Once he placed that in a pan. he moved back to her and guided her in the same way. He also took care of the roasting the chapatti. At first he hesitated but then he is now used to it. They both are now used to that proximity. After 3, he casually came behind and placed his hand on hers. They both started to rub the chapatti. 

When she started to rub without him. he knocked her head a little. 

Siddhik- "naan than varuvenla, athukulla enna avasaram? apuram round shape la varalainu feel pana vendiathu.."

Athulya -" haan, romba panatheenga.. oru naal nanum..". he abruptly stopped her in the middle by stating,

Siddhik- "atha anaiku pakalam.. seekram thirumbu, apuram chapatti karugidum"

Athulya -"karugina thirumbi podalam.."

Siddhik- "ipadiye panitu iruntha eppo sapdurathu? unaku pasikalaya?"

Athulya -"illa pasikala,.. ipadi samaikurathu jolly ah iruku.. morning um samaipoma?"

Siddhik- "ipadi samachutu iruntha apuram naan college poga mudiathu. week end la samaikalam"

Athulya -"morning naan help panatuma?"

Siddhik- "panalam panalam.. ipo aduthu edu.. ",  he smiled without his knowledge. Both their faces brightened due to the happiness.

After a big process they finished preparing the dinner. They arranged everything in the dinning table and started to eat. 

Athulya -"happapapapaa, samachathu tired ah iruku". Siddhik laughed at her. 

Athulya -" apadi sirikatheenga. naan samachathu nalla iruka?", she asked.

Siddhik- "haiyo romba super ah iruku Athulya. chance ae illa. first time mathiriye theriala"

Athulya looked at him without blinking. This is the first time he spoked a little more than needed. He slowly crossing his line. He is coming out of his zone finally. 

Athulya - "nalaiku enna solli thara poreenga?"

Siddhik- "atha nalaiku decide panalam. ipo nee sapdu". She nodded and started to eat. Both are sitting opposite to each other. 

She shouted after biting a chilli. He moved hurriedly and gave her the water. he gave her some curd. he then gave her his plain Chapatti from his plate to reduce the spiciness. Athulya had some tears brimmed in her eyes. 

Siddhik- "paathu sapada koodatha? inum karama iruka?"

Athulya- "illa ippo okay.". He then sat near to her and they had dinner. Slowly the distance between them reduced. 

They finished their dinner. Spent some time in the hall, watching tv and often had conversation about the scenes that they are watching. 

At night, they both moved to the bed. At first they both lied in opposite corners. Athulya sat up, thought for a little and hugged her knees. Siddhik noticed this. 

Siddhik- "ennachu Athulya?"

Athulya -"onum illa, enaku thookam varala. avlo than. neenga padunga.". 

Siddhik looked at her. Her eyes are filled with worries and sadness with little hesitation. He left out a long breathe and moved to the center of the bed. 

Siddhik- "kaila paduthuko. thookam vanthidum"

Athulya looked at him with hesitation. They both looked at each other. Athulya couldn't able to understand anything from his eyes, but unable to avert the gaze from his eyes. Siddhik extended his hand towards her and invited her. 

Athulya slowly moved towards him, lied on his right arm and smiled. She understood how to deal with him. All her plans worked out very successfully. Siddhik automatically started to pat her. They both slept peacefully.

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How is it?

Next update will be on Monday.

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Parvathi Suresh Sharma.