Agree?

Chapter 9

The storm passed,
Everything was opening back up,
Maybe even her heart.

While Sithara was returning from her office, she stopped at the super market.

She saw Adi's friend from the gym walking with a girl, hand in hand.

And then she remembered Adi telling her that this guy got married recently.

She saw the couple and smiled

Arjun recognized her and walked over.
"Hi, Sithara right?"

"Yess. And sorryyy aniku unga name kekave ila"

"It's fine, I'm Arjun and this is kirthi, my wife"

"Hi Sithara!" Kirthi smiled.

"Ipo thaan kalyanam aacha?"

"Ama 2 months thaan aaguthu" Arjun looked at Kirthi with a blush

"Congratsss cute ah irukeenga rendu perum"

"Thank you tara. Apdi kupdalama?"

"Sure. En friends apdi thaan kupduvanga"

She smiled at Kirthi

Arjun left to bill their cart

Tara was curious about them so she asked

"Love marriage ah?" She looked at kirthi expectantly.

"Ama. 3 years love panom. Ipo kalyanam aaiduchu. Feels surreal actually"

"How did you know? Ithu love thaan nu?"

"First bayama irunthichu, to just open your heart to someone. As it went on, I forgot what life felt like before meeting him. And that made it more scary. But the only thing that mattered was- a future without him seemed more terrifying than all my little fears. So I took the risk. And it is the best decision I've ever made. I don't think I'll ever regret it"

"Apo the fear- is it gone now?"

"Fear iruku. When he falls sick, when he comes home late, when his phone gets switched off, when he doesn't eat well, apo laam bayam varum. Munnadi i feared love. Ipo I fear because of love. There's a difference."

"Na innum love experience panathu ila but there's always a hesitation when it comes to opening up. Athaan ellarayum anna nu kuptruven yosikama. It always seems like the easy way out"

"Hahha nalla strategy. Don't worry. When love comes your way, antha paiyana anna nu kuptra maata!"

A face flashed in her brain.

She knew. But she couldn't accept it. At least not yet.

Arjun called out from the billing counter

Kirthi hugged Tara

"Don't complicate it before it even arrives. Save all the complications and over-thinking after you fall in love. Munnadi eh potu kolapikatha"

"Okay" she took a breath

"Ohh and you don't have to call me and Arjun as akka or anna. Think of us as your friends okay?" 

Kirthi said just before leaving

Finally, Tara smiled

"Sure kirthi. Thanks a lot!"

She saw them walking out.

Their hands finding each other by default.

Kirthi was talking about something, and Arjun was looking at her with awe. And he booped her nose. She hit his hand lightly.

They did all that as if it was the most natural thing ever.

And Sithara wondered

"Maybe love isn't a saga involving huge romantic gestures, dramatic breakups, cheesy dialogues or eloping to a different city.

Maybe love is just a simple chapter that carries the whole book."

And all this meant only one thing.

An obvious conclusion.

Sithata Krish isn't afraid of love anymore.