Nee Thaane (You are the one)

Chapter - 1

In the heart of the city, where lights on the tall buildings were switched off and the clouds made their way to the moon, casting an ethereal glow upon the dark night, there stood a building that shone brightly with lights on only a few floors. 

At the stroke of midnight, when the rest of the city slept, only a single light flickered behind the frosted glass windows of the topmost floor. The tall building, which during the day buzzed with the energy of countless employees, was now silent.

In one of the cabin, a lady sat alone, her straightened hair falling over her shoulders. The rhythmic tapping of her footsteps echoed in the quiet room. Her fingers danced across the keyboard, the only sound echoing in the silent place. It was around 12:30 AM, but still, she was occupied with her laptop, her dedication to her work bordering on obsession.

She heard a small knock on her door cabin. Without averting her eyes from the laptop, she muttered a small yet audible voice.

Lady : Come in.

Her driver came in to her cabin. His name was Mani.

Driver : Kaveri madam, romba late aiduchu. Naan veetuku kelambalama? (Kaveri Madam, It's too late. Can I go home?)

She stopped tapping the keyboard and looked up at him, passing a small smile.

Kaveri : Haan Mani Anna. Neenga kelambunga. Enakum vela mudunjurchu. (Yes, Mani brother. You can go. My work is over too.)

Driver : Apo madam, naan ungala veetla drop panitu kelamburan. (Then I'll drop you at your home and leave, Madam)

Kaveri : Seri Anna. Neenga car start panunga, naan vanthururan. (Ok brother. You start the car, I'll come)

Mani nodded and headed out to the parking lot while Kaveri quickly saved her work and shut down her laptop. She stood up, stretching her stiff muscles after hours of sitting. Exiting her office, she locked the door behind her and made her way down to the parking garage where Mani was waiting beside her car. Kaveri handed him her laptop bag as they got into the vehicle.

Driver : Madam, diesel gaali aiduchu. Pakathula thaan bunk iruku. Naan poi vangitu vanthuran. Neenga wait panreengala? (Madam, diesel is empty. There is a bunk nearby, I'll go and get diesel. Will you wait?)

Kaveri : Seri, Anna. Neenga inge wait pannunga. Naan poi vangitu varan. Romba naal aachu late night la walk poi. Pakathula thana petrol bunk iruku. Naane poran. (Ok, brother. You wait here. I'll go and get it. It's been a long time since I've taken a late-night walk. Petrol bunk is nearby, right?. I'll go)

She said this to her driver, Mani, and started walking with earphones plugged in. Taking a deep breath, she relished the cool night air. She felt very peaceful hearing Ilayaraja songs in the late night after a long time. Reaching the petrol station, she asked the petrol attendant for diesel. He asked her to wait for some time. So she waited there, hearing "Ilamai ennum poongatru" song. 

As Kaveri waited, she gazed up at the night sky, admiring the stars twinkling above. It was a rare moment of peacefulness amidst the chaos of her busy life. After sometime, a car entered the petrol bunk. The driver from the car came out and asked another petrol attendant to fill the diesel. Here, Kaveri was frustrated as her earpods' battery was low. 

Kaveri : chi. Nala paatu ketutu irunthan. Ipothaan battery poganuma?. (ugh, I was listening to a nice song. Now only the battery has to die?)

She sighed, pulling out her earphones and pocketing them. Without the music to distract her, she became acutely aware of her surroundings. The night seemed darker, the air heavier. Just then, her phone rang, startling her out of her thoughts. It was her father who called her.

Kaveri in her mind : Ivaru yen ipo koopuduraru? Athuvum ivlo late night la. Call attend panlama venama? (Why he is calling me now? Especially at this late hour. Should I answer?)

She hesitated for a moment, then decided to take the call. Sighing heavily, she leaned against the car parked nearby and answered the call, unaware of the presence of a driver standing there and people inside the car. Since her earpods were off, she put her call on speaker.

Sundar, Kaveri's Father : Hello Kaveri. Epdi ma iruka? Nala irukiya. (How are you Kaveri? Are you doing well?)

Kaveri : Nala irukan Mr. Sundar. Enna ivlo late night la call panirukeenga? Paati ku onnum ilala? avanga nala irukangala? (I'm good Mr. Sundar. Why did you call me this late night? Is grandma okay? Is she doing well?)

Sundar : Unga Paati nala irukanga. Naan konjam unkita pesanum. Athaan call panan. (Your grandma is fine. I want to talk with you. That's why I've called you)

Kaveri : Enkita pesallam ungaluku time iruka!. Seri. Solunga, ena vishyam? (You have time to talk with me!. Alright. Tell me what's the matter?.)

Sundar : Un Amma nalaiki veetla oru chinna get together vechuruka. Namaloda business clients lam um varanga. So nalaiki konjam attend pana paaru. (Your mother has arranged a small get together at our home tomorrow. Our business clients will be attending. So try to attend the function tomorrow.)

Kaveri rolled her eyes and took a deep breath. 

Kaveri : Mr. Sundar, mothala avanga en amma ila. Rendavuthu, naan unga veetu family get together lam attend pana matan. (Mr. Sundar, First of all, she is not my mother. Secondly, I'm not going to attend your family's get together.)

Sundar : Kaveri ma, What is this "your family" and all haan. Ithu un family. Inga elarum unna miss panranga. Un thambi, thangachi, un paati, un amma aprm naanum thaan. Athu matum ilama nee 6 maasama veetu pakkamey varala. ithelam suthama nala ilama. Atleast paati kagavachum veetuku vaa ma. (Kaveri, everyone is missing you here. Your brother, your sister, your grandma, your mother and also me. Not only this, you didn't even visit home for more than 6 months. At least for your grandma, please come home.)

Kaveri punched the car in anger. 

Kaveri : Suma suma paati pera solli ena emotional blackmail panreenga. Aana intha thadava pana mudiyathu. Naan vara maatan. (You always use grandma's name and emotionally blackmail me. But this time, it won't work. I won't come.)

Sundar : Pothum niruthu Kaveri. Porumaiya pesitu irukan. Sona puriyatha unaku. Naan ethuvum keka virumbala. Nalaiki nee veetuku vara. Elarum unkaga wait panuvom. (Stop it, Kaveri. I'm speaking politely to you. You're not understanding. I won't listen to anything. Come home tomorrow. Everyone will wait for you.)

He said this and cut the call. Kaveri was irritated. She kicked the car tyre in frustration and made payment for the diesel can. After getting the diesel, she moved towards her office. 

The conversation between her and her father was overheard by the two individuals sitting in the car nearby, whose windows were open to let in the cool night breeze. One of them was fuming with anger as he watched Kaveri kick the car tire, realizing it was his favorite car she had damaged. The other person sat beside him, shocked by Kaveri's behavior towards her father.

                              ____ X____

A/N:

This is the first chapter of the story. As I said, this story is already written in  Hindi by Tejran143jodi. As I requested from her, she accepted my request and let me write this story with few changes, that too in Tamil. For other language readers, I have provided translation in English. Do let me know your valuable comments below and also vote. 

Thank you.