Thoorigai

Falling slowly

"Adhu...nee..Anaiku...", she tried to form a sentence, but her tongue didn't work. She didn't have the courage to talk about the dream with him. She feared he might think she is crazy and even ruin the little development of friendship they shared between them.

Kadavuley, enna kapathu!, she prayed.

Just then, her prayers were answered, and she heard someone open the door.

"Kathiru...", Bhanu's voice echoed in the hall. "Romba amaidhiya iruku. Yaravadhu irukenga la? Bayama iruku", she said, and Kathir shook his head in annoyance at the disturbance.

"Iva irukaley", he spoke as he got up and walked to the hall.

Mullai breathed a sign of relief. She couldn't be more thankful to Bhanu than now. She followed Kathir and went to the living room.

"Mulla akka. Nengalum inga than irukengala?", Nila asked excitedly.

"Unaku paniyaram kondandhu iruka", Kathir said and even before he could finish the sentence, she stormed towards the kitchen.

"Akka. You are the best. Ipadi sapadu podarenga pathengala? Indha manasu than sir kadavul"

Mullai chuckled at her eagerness.

Bhanu countered "Enna Mulla sirikara? Police na rowdya pathu udaney serum singamavavum, sentimenta keta urugara thangamavu irukanum"

"Podhum niruthu. Poi sapidu po", Kathir said as he walked to kitchen to fill their plates.

"College pogalaya?", Bhanu asked Mullai as she started eating.

"Morning project work poi irukanum. Kathir kuda presentation prepare pana vandhean. Panitu afternoon elective class ku polamnu pakarean.Nee?"

"Dho. Kelamitey irukean"

"Oh seri. Apo nee saptu va. Serdhu poidalam"

She turned towards Kathir "Naan library poi idha finish panna pakarean. Aparama will bring it to the hospital to review ", and he nodded in agreement as he knew he was too preoccupied to fully concentrate on the presentation now.

Mullai, inaiku thapicha. Inametu Kathir idha pathi kekama irukanum, she mentally thanked the god and continued chatting with Nila and Bhanu.

**

Later that evening, Harsha and Bhanu were chatting near the car park, when Aadhya and Dee walked towards them.

"Enna nadakudhu inga?", Aadhya asked suggestively.

"Pesitu irukom mama", Bhanu dragged, and Aadhya chuckled and sat next to her.

"Seriously last week nee ilama, it was sema boring. So enna plan today? Coffee shop engavayadhu polama?"

"Illa. Kathir amma va pakka hospital ponum. Aparam presentation work vera complete pananum"

"Seri come. We will also come to the hospital with you. Aparam will drop you home", Harsha suggested.

"Edhuku...", Bhanu started only to be cut off by Harsha.

"Come on. Naanum Kathira pathu pesina mathiri irukum. We can then plan to sit somewhere and do the project work."

Bhanu agreed and they went to the hospital. Once they were in,

"You both go and come. Naan waiting area la irukean", Dee suggested.

"Neum va da", Harsha requested.

"He would already be upset. I don't want to upset him more. You guys carry on", he sat in the nearby chair and started scrolling through the phone.