𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕕 𝕀𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕝𝕤𝕜𝕖𝕥

35

Building Bridges
>>>>———— ♥️ ————<<<<

Chechi!

Startled by the sudden intrusion, Neha swiftly turns around to find her cousins barging into her room. Despite the unexpected interruption, Neha remains composed as she hums a tune, resuming her task of wiping her wet hair, her gaze fixed on the reflection in the mirror.

Unna'yum Siddharth etta'va yum town'uku poga sonnanga

( They wanted you and Siddhath to go to the town)

Yen?

( Why?)

Neha asks, puzzled.

Avarkku athaazhathinu kurachu saadhanangal vaangannam

( They need you to buy some things for dinner)

They handed her a piece of paper with a list of ingredients written on it. Neha couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off, especially when she noticed the mischievous looks on their faces. 

Ee veettil tāmasikkunna irupāṭōḷaṁ āḷukaḷilippōḻum athu ñānum siddhārtthum āyirikkanaṁ?

(Why is it still me and Siddharth in this house out of almost twenty people?)

An entire troupe rolled their eyes at Neha, 

Ningal ethra romantic aanennu ningalkku kaanaan kshamikkanilla? Namukku athu kandu nilkaan polum kaariyilla!

(Can't you see how unromantic you guys are? We can't even stand to see it!)

Neha furrows her brow, unable to comprehend. 

Athinal, this is your chance to spend time with him. Ningal ee listu eduthu ellāvarōṭuṁ parayū, ningal siddhārth etta ṭaunilēkku koṇṭupōkunnuvennu. Ningal raṇḍuperum āgrahikkunna muḻuvan samayavum chelavazhikkuka. Achammaykkum bandhukkalkkum ithu ningalude marayānu.

(So, this is your chance to spend time with him. You take this list and tell everyone that you are taking Siddharth mama to the town. Spend all the time you both want. This is your cover for grandma and relatives)

Neha's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the eager grins on their faces. She couldn't help but wonder how she had ended up in this situation. Her mind raced with thoughts, questioning herself about the choices that led her to this moment. She felt a mixture of surprise, confusion, and a tinge of unease as she tried to comprehend the implications of their proud expressions. It was as if they had concocted a masterplan.

Ippo idhu romba mukkiyam-

( Yes, that sounds very important-)

Before Neha can even finish talking, she is tossed around, someone grabs the towel from her hand and starts drying her hair harshly so that she can get done quickly and move on to the next part of their plan.

>>>>———— ♥️ ————<<<<

Yeah!

Neha finds Siddharth playing with the kids by the pond. She looks behind, fidgeting with the hem of her shawl and finds her cousins giving her their thumbs up and encouragement. Neha let out a weary sigh, realizing that if she didn't comply with their demands, they would prevent her from reentering the house. Frustration and helplessness washed over her as she hissed under her breath as she approached Siddharth.