Its been a month since Aadhi's Birthday.Diya and Aadhi's bond grown closer when one was with full of love and another already pushed her in Friend zone.

'Deii..Seekram po da..', Diya nudged Vicky who was driving.
'Thalaivi idhuku mela namma speed ah ponomna Aadhi bro veetukulam poga maatom, straight ah andha Aadhi bhagavan kittaye poiduvomm..', Vicky said which made Diya to roll her eyes.

'Seri seri..Poo', Diya said but she was bit worried because of her last phone call with Aadhi.His voice sounded in worry which is not a rocket science to Diya to understand.He immediately asked her to come and declined the call.

'May be assignment kaga vara sollirupaaro..',Diya looked at Aadhi's file contains with his assignments which was written by Diya.

They reached Aadhi's home and Vicky left after dropping her down.
Diya took a deep breath before stepping into the gate.

'Aadhi..Unga assignment...',Diya didn't complete when she found something was wrong.Aadhi was standing there in a corner, folding his arms and head down.When he heard Diya's voice,he immediately looked at her and Diya raised her eyebrows indicating what.

'Ohh..idhu veraya?Yeppola irundhu nadakudhu idhu?', Venkatesh asked Diya and she gulped.
'Thappana timing la olareetomo..',Diya thought and saw Meenakshi who was also silently standing behind her husband.

'Meenakshi..Idhukudhan naan avana college anupi padika vekkirena?avan vayasu pasanga ellaru velaiku poitu irukumbodhu Avan higher studies pannanumnu sonnaan,panna vitenna illaya?Aana ivan padikkaama dance dance nu suthikitu irukaan..Iniku Diya avanuku assignment ezhudhi kudutha,naaliku ava vandhu exam ezhudhi kudukka mudiyuma?', Venkatesh asked with a mix of anger and disappointment to Meenakshi while Aadhi still stood with his head down.

'Enna nga.. Avan enna solraannu dha..', Venkatesh stopped Meenakshi who was about to support her son with a hand raise.

'Aadhi remember you are not a one who born with silver spoon.Un appa oru company la saadharna Assistant manager and your mom is a house wife..Indha veeda vaanga namma evlo kashtapattom nu unaku theriyum..Naan unta pala dhadava solliruken padippu dhan namaku soru podum vera edhuvum illa..Aana nee panradhu konjam kooda seri illa Aadhi..Dance na unaku pudikumnu enaku theriyum,adha oru hobby ah vechuko aana adhuve un profession ah eduka porennu dheiva senju enta sollaadha..Aadhi Media is not the one for us..Adhu oru nilaya illadha vela da..Un future enna da aaguradhu?Nammala maari middle class kulaam adhu set aagadhu da', Venkatesh let out his words just like a typical middle class father and Aadhi stood still.

'Pa,Please pa.. Enaku dance dhan pa pudichuruku...Innum neraya stages ku talent ah kondu ponumnu nenaikire pa..Please oru chance kudunga..', Aadhi said and Venkatesh sat in silence.

Diya keenly listened and understood what was happening around.She looked at Aadhi and his eyes fell on her.She just blinked at him as an assurance before walking towards Venkatesh.

'Paa..',Diya sat near Venkatesh and held his hand.
'Unga bayam puriyudhu pa, Yenga Aadhi oda padippu idhunaala spoil aagi avaroda future um spoil aagidumonu neenga bayapadreenga..Aana pa Namma poi try panna dhana pa theriyum,adhu namaku set aaguma aagadhanu..

Neenga solra maadhiri padippu dhan soru podum,adha naan marukkala..Aana kedaikira vaaipa payan paduthikitaa,theramai yum soru podum pa...Avaruku vaaipu kedacha correct ah use pannipaaru pa, Enaku andha nambikkai iruku..Please pa give him a chance',Diya stopped for a second and continued.

Pa,Naan summa sollala...Aadhi is an extraordinary performer,enna vida adhu ungaluku nallave theriyum.. Avaru perform pannumbodhu,avaru dance pathi pesumbodhu,yen dance ngra vaarthaiya keta kooda avaru kannula avlo passion theriyum pa..Avlo aasai vechurukaaru pa..

And Media,Cinema idhellam onnum thappana thozhil illa pa, Adhulayum ethanaiyo peru saadhichirukaangalla?..Avaraala mudiyum pa!Iniku ethana pera media la irundhu makkal kondaadraanga,Adhe pola oru naal namma Aadhi yayum kondaaduvaanga pa..

Television la ethanayo competitions iruku to expose his talent.Adhula ellam participate pannaaru na neraya opportunities varum pa..Naalike Aadhi oru periya choreographer ah varalaam, avaru aasa padra maari oru dance academy vekkalam,avaroda talent ah ellaru recognise pannuvaanga pa..

Ungala paakuravanga lam, Venkatesh oda paiyan Aadhi nu solli ketrupeenga,Aana inime Aadhi oda appa Venkatesh nu solra alavuku avaru periya aala varuvaaru pa..

Oru chance kudunga pa..',Diya finished and everyone went awestruck by her words.

Aadhi's eyes teared automatically when she spoke his mind.Even his parents doubted him a minute but this girl came from no where and supporting him.

'Avan aasai,theramai,media ellam enaku puriyudhu ma..Aana ellaru naalayu easy ah andha edathuku poida mudiyaadhu la..Evlo kashtapattum mudiyaama thirumbi poravangalayum namma paathutu dhana irukom..Avan padippulayum concentrate pannanumla?Paaru ipdi padikkaama practice practice nu odraan..Ipdi irundha enna ma panna mudiyum,naaliku ivanoda indha passion kai vitruchuna, avanuku oru back up venumla?', Venkatesh asked.

'Unga kavalai idhudhana pa,Aadhi is not only a performer pa,He is a brilliant student,naane ethana vaati avaruta vandhu padichurken..Aadhi padipparu,Masters mudipaaru pa..Im guarantee..Aana neengalum unga mudiva konjam reconsider pannunga pa..Please give him a chance', Diya said and looked at Aadhi who was looking at him father with a hopeful eyes.

Venkatesh broke the silence which was prevailed for few seconds with a deep breath.
'1 year dhan time,Aana avan olunga padikanum,Exams Arrear illama clear pannanum..Avanaala mudilenna Avan padippuku etha maadhiri oru velaiku poganum,idhuku seri na,naan othukuren..', Venkatesh said and looked at Aadhi.

'Thank you pa..I accept',Aadhi said.
'Hmmm..', Venkatesh nodded and Diya noticed how both mother and son smiled whole heartedly after Venkatesh's decision.

Venkatesh walked to Aadhi and looked into him.
'Unna namburen Aadhi,Engala ennikum disappoint pannidaadha..', Venkatesh said before moving.

Meenkashi kissed Diya's forehead and pinched her cheeks in happiness.
'Diya kanna,Evlo matured ah azhaga pesuna theriyuma.. Avanga appavaye convince pannita,Naane epdi pesuradhunu theriyaama ninnutu irundhe ma..Aadhi is really lucky to have you in his life..', Meenakshi said and Diya looked Aadhi who was looking at her with teary eyes and a wide smile.

'Seri nee iru,Naan unaku edhavadhu sapda eduthutu varen..', Meenakshi moved to kitchen after kissing Aadhi's forehead.

'Aadhi...', before Diya could finish Aadhi pulled her into a bone crushing hug.
Diya pushed all her turmoil of emotions aside and patted his back.

'Thank you ma..Evlo thank pannaalum pathaadhu unaku..Appa va convince ey panna mudiyaadhu nu nenache..Aana nee pesuna, convince um pannitaa..Thank you maa...En appa va enna namba yosicha appo nee nambuna..Enaku therila ma what good I did to have you in my life...', Aadhi said still in her embrace.

'Aadhi you deserve a chance and I know you're going to rock', Diya said and Aadhi pulled back with a smile.

'Aprom..Appa ungala nambaama lam illa Aadhi..Bayam dhan,Nammala maari ella middle-class parents kum irukura bayam..Avangala porutha vara,Namma nalla padikanum,nalla velaiku poi,kalyanam panni settle aaganum..avlodhan Aadhi avangaloda aasai.. But namma indha maari dream nu vandhu nikkumbodhu, konjam bayapaduvaanga..Ippodhan namma pesitom la Aadhi..Make him proud and enaku theriyum you'll never do something like making him to regret for his decision..', Diya said and Aadhi held her hand.

'Enaku therila ma..Yennu sathiyama therila..Indha vishayam appa ku therinjuruchunu therinja appo..Enaku vera yaarum mind ku varala..Nee mattum dhan vandha..Nee dhan enkooda irukanumnu thonichu..Yenna enaku theriyum enmela enaku irukura nambikkaiya vida unaku enmela nambikkai adhigam nu..

Nee vandhu support pannanum, pesanum adhellam enaku thonala..I just want you to be my side..Unna pola yaarume illa Diya.. You're my strength...Unna maadhiri oru friend, ethana peruku ma kedaipaanga..Thank you Diya..Very very thank you..', Aadhi said sincerely and Diya smiled at him.

The 'Friend' has hurt her a little but she know that she can't expect him to have the same feelings as her and still they had time and being friend zoned is not so bad.Her poor mind convinced herself that he might develope his feelings later or once she expressed.

She just shrugged her thoughts and settled with Aadhi.

'Maa...Oru periya trp ulla channel la oru dance competition,oru reality show start panna poraangalam..So Im just gonna give a try..idha naan innum yaarutayum sollala..You are the first one to know..', Aadhi said and Diya squealed in happiness.

'Semma Aadhiiii...Kandippa try pannungaa..Aana yeppo?',she asked.
'May be innum oru 1 or 2 months la..Auditions ku munnadi,namma dance clip,namma details oda mail panna sollirukaanga..And adha paathutu dha namaku call pannuvaangalam..Angeyum select aayita,then we'll move to selection round..Which means I'll perform in television...Adhulayu select aayita, I'll be the part of this competition...', Aadhi said and Diya patted his shoulder.

'Super ah panniruveenga Aadhi.. You're going to rock..Naalike periya celebrity aayiduveenga,engala ellam nyabagam irukuma?', Diya asked throwing a teasing smile at him.
'Evlo heights ponaalum marakka maaten ma..Mukkiyama unna..', Aadhi said and Diya's heart fluttered.

'But do concentrate on your exams..Appa sonnadhu nyabagam irukulla..',Diya said and Aadhi nodded.
'Seringa madam..Neenga solliteengalla apdiye pannirlam..', Aadhi said bowing his head and Diya chuckled.

'Innum 3 months dhana ma..Avlodhan namma rendu perukume college mudinjurum..Next enna plan?', Aadhi asked and that's when Diya's mind striked.She can't see him regularly after the college's farewell.She can't spend time with him like before,she can't steal glances of him at canteen and breaks..

'Maa..are you okay?', Aadhi asked patting her arm which made her to came out of her trance.

'Umm..Onnum illa Aadhi..Plan..Therila..Oru nalla job poganum,paavam akka thaniyave romba kashtapadraa..Naanu avaluku help pannanum..Vera onnum en mind la illa..Ava evlo kashta patta nu kooda irundhu paathe Aadhi..

Amma,appa,mama erandha appo..I was just 16 and Nila 1 1/2 vayasu dhan.. Adhuku apro la irundhu ava engalukagave vazhra Aadhi..Naanu oru nalla job ku poi konjam avaluku nalla help ah irukanum..Ivlodhan en plan..',Diya said and Aadhi patted her shoulder.

'Good,Akka vukum ava life ah thirumba kudu, Neeyum un life ah edhukagavum vittu kudukaadha..', Aadhi said and Diya nodded.
'Seri Aadhi, time aagudhu kelambatuma?', Diya asked standing up and Aadhi too stood along with her.

'Yepdi pora?', Aadhi asked.
'Vicky ah vara solli dhan ponumm..',Diya replied.
'Yedhuku avan,Naan drop panren..', Aadhi said and Diya smiled before nodding her head.

They both left after bidding bye to the parents and Aadhi took his bike.
'Polaam ma..',Aadhi said and Diya took her seat.

They both reached Diya's home and she got down.
'Kelamburen ma..',Aadhi said and Diya glared him.
'Olunga mariyaadhaiya ulla vaanga..',Diya said and Aadhi chuckled.

'Enna ma meratura?',he asked.
'Naangallam rowdy theriyum la?',she asked lifting her imaginary collars.
'Seri nga rowdy madam..',Aadhi too walked with her inside her home.

TO BE CONTINUED...