The Lion and the Rose

Chapter 39

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Manichuuuu, Konjam personal work so I didn't get time to watch the episodes to incorporate in the story. Will try to give two updates per week . Thanks for staying with me.

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Siva

Yet another celebration, Yet another plan to find out who is the link between Devil and V&D Automobiles. As I advised Raghav to take his wife home to celebrate their happiness, we decided for the Pongal celebration.

Before today, we never celebrated any festival other than Diwali, but to find this Devil, I have to do this and I'm grateful that no one questioned why I'm suddenly proposing for new celebrations. On the other side, deep background checking of every employee is going on.

Also there is an investor meeting the coming week for which the company is gearing up and Ashwika has been assisting Bharathan sir for the past two weeks. It was tough for her compared to others, as she committed herself to play a role in the Pongal celebration skit and her college culturals competition. But it actually gave me a chance to spend more time with her.

She requested a change of cab route after office hours until she goes for the competition practice. Raghav suggested that he'll deploy his people to follow her and keep her safe. But I didn't want her to have the feeling of being watched or get doubt when someone continuously followed her. That feeling might trigger her with the memory of the Devil.

Thankfully, there is a football club in her College which allows corporate people to subscribe for a membership and play after working hours. First day I let her go to her college for rehearsal by our office cab and followed her to her college.

By luck, the football court was situated behind the college auditorium and I was able to watch her practicing through the window. I made it look as if I was not aware of her studying in the college and she noticed me first before coming up to talk with me.

"Siveyyy," I heard her voice and knew from which direction it was coming but I turned around pretending to look around searching for her.

"Nee inga enna pandra ma?" (What are you doing here?)

"Aatha naan kekanum, ithu naan padikira college," she says, crossing her arms against her chest. (I should ask that, because I'm a student of this college.)

"Ohh, I have a membership in this college FC. Since it's more stressful these days, I thought of relaxing with what I like."

"Ohh."

"Nee day college student thaane athuvum ipo internship la iruka, ipo inga panitu iruka?" I maintain my act. (Aren't you a day college student and you are doing your internship, what are you doing here now?)

"College culturals ku oru performance pandren athuku rehearsal kaaga vanthaen." (I came to rehearse for my upcoming college culturals performance.)

"Okay," I checked the watch and it's almost eight in the evening, "Veetuku eppadi poova?" (How will you be going home?)

"Thou cab book paniduven." She takes her mobile to check for a cab.

"Intha time la?, naan drop panidren, va," I offer praying she shouldn't reject it. (At this time? Let me drop you home.)

"Illa ungaluku en..." I lift an eyebrow staring at her, "Kastam nu sonna vidava poorenga, neengale drop panidunga."

But before we could get into my car, her brother came in his bike to pick her up, "Dei Vishu nee inga ena panra?" (Hey Vishu, what are you doing here?)