"So, please think about what I said and give me a response. No need to rush, I know you are confused. So take as much time as you need.", Deepti states, giving him a shy smile before walking away.
Gautham barely remembers nodding, as he sits on the canteen table alone, contemplating the confession he received from Deepti. No doubt, she had become one of his closest friends here. But was he willing to risk friendship, to give love a chance? Moreover, was she the person? He had no clue.
***
Nithya stood far away from the table, staring at Gautham. She was pondering whether to approach him or not.
"Inga yen di nikkura, va avan kittu polam.", Vishnu exclaims starting to drag Nithya towards Gautham's table.
[Why are you standing here? Come on let's go to him.]
"Illa Illa, na varale. Nee po.", Nithya responds frantically pulling her hand away.
[No no, I'm not joining. You carry on.]
"Sure ah? Nee ok dhana?", Vishnu asks, concern creeping into his voice.
[Are you sure? You're fine right?]
"Ama da. Ah our nimisham.", Nithya says, opening her bag and shuffling through it. She pulls out a pack of caramel flavoured alpenliebe and gives a candy to Vishnu.
[Yes, I'm fine. Oh wait. Just a second.]
"Hey! How did you get this flavour? It's rare to find it. Thanks di.", Vishnu grins, ruffling her hair.
"Dei, unakku illa. Gautham ku. He looks sad, so give him this. Marakkama kudu da. Ana nee kudukara madri kudu.", Nithya replies, glaring at him and patting her hair down.
[Hey, It's not for you. It's for Gautham. He looks sad, so give him this. Don't forget, but give it to him as if you bought it.]
Vishnu sighs shaking his head, but says nothing as he waves to her and walks away. Nithya sighs, her attention shifting to Gautham once before turning and walking away.
***
"Machan, All fine ah?", Vishnu asks, sliding in next to Gautham.
[Machan is a term used to address friends. However it literally translates to 'brother-in-law'.]
"I'm fine. Just have a lot on my mind.", Gautham replies.
"Indha.", Vishnu says handing the chocolate to Gautham.
"Dei, idha yenga irundhu vangunen? Adho Indha flavour?", Gautham smiles, surprised as he unwraps it and pops it into his mouth.
[Hey, where did you buy this from? That too this flavour?]
"Adhulam apdi dhan. Nee sapdu.", Vishnu replies, diverting the topic.
[I just found it. You eat, first.]
***
A few days passed and Nithya did not make any efforts to talk to Gautham. She hoped to god, that he somehow misses her and would come up and talk with her. However, that didn't happen either. Gautham on the other hand, was confused as to what to say to Deepti. This occupied all his time.
It was lunch time and classes had just finished for the day. Nithya was seated in the canteen along with Pooja and Shreya. Rashmi had gone home since it was a Friday.
"Ayy Nithya, do you feel alright?", Pooja inquired worriedly, as she checks her friend's temperature.
Nithya passes a weak smile and shakes her head, "I'm alright. Just tired. Mentally. Wow look at me di. All bothered for a guy."
"Nithu ma, shut up. Yen ivlo overthink panre?", Shreya scolds her friend.
[Nithu, shut up. Why are you overthinking so much?]
"Po di", Nithya grumbles, plopping her head on the table and closing her eyes.
[Literally translates to 'get lost'. However, here it is used as a friendly way of chiding someone.]
"Hey, kuttachi. Yenna achu? Odambu yedha seri illaiya?", Vishnu inquires shaking Nithya by her shoulders as he arrives to their table.
[Hey shorty, what happened? Are you sick?]
"Dei, nee vera yen da? Nimmadhiya kanna kooda muda vida matiya? Aavuna neeyom un friendum vandhu torture panringa.", Nithya whines looking up, before biting her tongue as she notices Gautham there.
[Dude, you too? Why won't people let me close my eyes peacefully. You and your friend, are always disturbing me!]
Gautham gives her an amused smile before saying, " Aiyoo madam, apdi yenna torture paniten?"
[Oh ho madam, how did I torture you?]
"No, I didn't mean you. I was referring to Kaushik and Vishnu.", Nithya responds hastily, trying to clear the air.
"Adhu seri. Nambitom.", Gautham smirks, sitting Infront of her.
[That's right? As if I believe you!]
"Sathiyama illa pa.", Nithya replies shaking her head vigorously.
[Promise, I didn't mean you.]
"Hmm", Gautham responds, teasing her.
Nithya begins responding again, before pausing. Her eyes widen as she realizes.
"Neenga yenna tease panringa!", Nithya accuses Gautham, her eyes narrowing at him.
[You're teasing me!]
Gautham tries controlling his smile at her nose which turned red with anger, he fails however. Nithya pouts, crossing her arms and looking away. Shreya and Pooja say nothing looking at each other and hiding smiles of their own. Vishnu on the other hand, looks done with the conversation.
"Oh! Silent treatment ah?", Gautham asks, his eyebrows raised in amusement.
Nithya does not respond, deciding that she won't utter another word to him.
"Seri, ok. Yennaku yendha problem um illai. Na jolly ah irrupen.", Gautham smirks, shrugging his shoulder and leaning back on his seat.
[Oh that's great then. I have no problem. I'll be happy, actually.]
Nithya snaps her head to look at him, before giving him a death glare.
Nithya's eyes widen as she hears Gautham whistling a song and drumming his hands on the table.
"You! Y-you, how dare you?", Nithya utters in shock before smacking his arms.
Gautham starts laughing, making the others join in as well.
"I don't like any of you!", Nithya pouts, slumping in her seat. However she had to hide her smile at the scene in front of her.He had been distracted the past few days and she was glad, she could make him laugh.
***
The next few days, Pooja, Shreya, Vishnu and Kaushik noticed a considerable change in Nithya's mood. She was her usual happy and dramatic self. It was Monday morning again and Nithya was walking to breakfast when she spotted Gautham hurrying out of the canteen.
"Hi Gautham", Nithya greets him, making him brush her off as he responded hastily.
"Hmm, Nithya. Konjam urgent ah Deepti ah paka poren. Apron pesalam.", Gautham replies walking away.
[Nithya, I'm in a hurry to meet Deepti now. I'll talk to you later, yeah?]
Nithya stands there stunned to silence, feeling her heart drop.
"Nithu, what happened?", Vishnu asks coming to stand in front of her.
Nithya controls her tears by taking a deep breath before forcing a smile. She rummages through her bag and pulls out the same chocolate again.
"Here you go. Onu unnaku, innonu Gautham ku. Good morning.", Nithya passes two candies to Vishnu successfully distracting him, before hurriedly walking to her class. Great, she had lost her appetite!
[Here you go. One candy is for you and the other is for Gautham.]
***
Enjoy!
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Unexpected Encounters
Romance"Unexpected Encounter" is a captivating collection of love stories that draws inspiration from real-life experiences. Written in a unique fusion of English and Tanglish (for which I will be providing the English translation), each story unfolds unpr...
