Malathi charitham (The history of Malathi) (Kalarikkal series - 2)

7. Together

They went back to the kitchen, already Shivanandan had kept the food for their dinner. They had a quiet dinner and by the time they finished, the rain also had reduced in intensity. They bid good night to each other went to their rooms. But in a few hours the storm again started and the thunder was getting nearer. Malathi who was shaking like a leaf, got up and covered herself in a shawl and went to Vishnu's room and knocked. Vishnu opened the door.

"Vishnuetta, could you sit in the dining room with me?" she asked, her eyes filled with a fear that was unfamiliar to him.

"You are afraid of the thunder?" he asked in surprise.

She nodded her head. He stared at her for a long time and finally said, "I am very tired, I was roaming around in the forest since morning and I want to sleep. If you are afraid, sleep in my bed".

She looked at him in shock. Suddenly there was a loud clap of thunder very near that scared her and she ran and got into the bed and clapped her hands over her ears. Vishnu smiled to himself and closed the door and went and sat on the bed.

"Wait, you are sleeping here?" she asked him.

"This is my bed! Now scoot to the end and sleep there", he said and laid down with his eyes closed.

She too laid at the other end and tried to sleep, but the thunder startled her from time to time. Vishnu could feel her fear and wanted to roll over and hug her, but he knew it won't end with that and she won't like what he might do. He was already wanting to pull this girl into his arms and kiss her.

The morning was cold and pleasant. Vishnu woke up to find his arm wrapped around Malathi and he for a minute did not know what to do. He stared at the sleeping girl next to him, her face so serene and her breathing, so gentle. He wanted to brush back the stray hairs that were falling onto her face, but knew that it would wake her up. He gently lifted his arm and got up, but that woke her up and they both stared at each other in embarrassment. Without saying anything he got up and went to the door.

"Where are you going?" asked Malathi.

"I am going to the kitchen to make some breakfast, would you like some?" he asked her without looking at her face.

"Yes, please" she replied.

Then he stopped and said, "That night when you came to rescue me, it was one of the severest thunderstorm that Kerala ever saw. How did you get to me then, if you are so afraid of thunderstorms that you would rather sleep in a man's bed than be alone?" he was looking at her intently.

"We were responsible for you when you are out tenant", she replied, her voice lacking the usual conviction.

He smiled at her and said, "Malu, you can understand me, but you should not forget that sometimes, I can also understand when you are lying. Get ready and come to the kitchen, I will make some eggs and toast". A tiny spark of hope was lit in him.

He went to the kitchen leaving an embarrassed Malathi. She got up and went to her room and did her daily routine and by the time she had bathed in the cold water, Vishnu had finished making omelette and toast and had taken a quick bath. They both had breakfast silently, too afraid to speak to each other and then went to the kitchen to wash dishes and clear up the kitchen. Malathi's presence was making Vishnu tensed. Her hair was open and the smell of the soap was wafting in his direction whenever she moved around. How someone in a homely nighty could feel so irresistible. He felt his stomach filling with butterflies whenever she pushed some hair behind ear. Finally after finishing the cleanup she flipped her hair and looked up to him and he lost it. He wrapped his arms around her and whispered, "Go to your room and stay there, for your own sake".