Chanakyan's love

Thirteen

Chanakyan

She looks extraordinarily beautiful today. She has worn a purple churithar that blends elegantly with her wheatish skin tone and her hair streams freely over her back. Those dense and murky tresses has grown past her hips now and within a few days, they would cover her bum.

How am I going to survive that appearance of hers? And it's going to be even more hard to control myself. But I won't stumble. I don't want her to think that I lust her. It's a shame to the love my heart holds for her. Hence I'll stay low until she lets me have my way with her...

A heavenly fragrance enters my senses as Gowthami seats herself in the passenger seat of the car. I'll be driving her to the college from now on to provide her protection from potential dangers.

"Morning Chanakya," she says in English and I nod my head at her in acknowledgement.

Then I start the car and depart from the house premise. Gowthami was gazing out silently and the wind caused her hair to waft with it. I had to pull my stubborn eyes to focus on the road. Why does she have to be so beautiful? It's extremely difficult to keep myself in check.

"Chanakya," I hum to her calling without glancing her way. "Do you think my father will agree to our marriage?" She questions, worriedly.

"Of course not," I respond indifferently. "Aren't you distressed about that then?" She booms, sounding quite displeased by my answer.

"Why should I be? I'm going to marry you Gowthami, not your father. Your consent is important, not his," I shrug slightly, earning a playful hit on my arm from her.

"What If I refuse to marry you without my father's permission? What will you do then?" She asks challengingly.

"I'll abduct you," She gasps at my words. "Porukki..." (Scoundrel) She trails off in surprise while I chuckle at the shock on her face.

"Be serious Chanakya...how can I marry you without father consenting to the same?" Her voice goes gentle.

"I am being serious. I know he wouldn't want me to be your life partner. He's looking for a wealthy man and someone who is well-educated. I wouldn't even fall under his consideration. Even so, I'll ask him for your hand in marriage. If he refuses, I'll take you away. Will you come with me Gowthami?" I query, staring at her quiet self. A few strands of her bristles flee across her countenance and I retract one of my hands from the steering wheel to tug those strands behind her ear.

So smooth, that one wouldn't want to stop touching such delicate skin.

With my eyes on the road ahead, I put my utmost effort into constraining myself and retreating my hand back to the steering wheel.

"I'll Chanakya..." I was amazed by her words. She's okay with going against her father's wishes!?

"Let's not rush, Chanakya. Let some time pass. It wouldn't take Father long to understand that you are the only one suited to be my husband and the next Village head," I smile as she finishes.

"Okay, we'll wait then," I state and Gowthami just nods her head.

For the rest of the ride, Gowthami maintains quietude and I do the same. Once we attain her college, Gowthami slings her backpack onto her shoulder and unexpectedly plants a kiss against my cheeks before hopping out of the car.

I was stunned. A bomb blast occurs inside my chest and I take some time to revert to my normal self. Throughout the ride back home, I was in a daze...

She says I shouldn't touch her but she kissed me today. Does that mean I can kiss her too? But what If she becomes resentful by it?

"Un nelama romba mosam da Chanakya," (Your condition is miserable, Chanakya,) I mutter to myself as I exit the car upon reaching the house.

There I witnessed three rowdies tied up and receiving punches from our men. Another attack?

"Who sent them?" I ask to Hari who was standing by the side with rage.

"Gurumurthy, I guess. These guys were hired to kill Ayya and his family for money. We derived the contact number of the man who negotiated with them to proceed with this but couldn't reach out through it. It seems that he has deactivated his sim," as he ends, I frown at the information.

The longer the time we take to find our foe, the safer we should be. It implies that more attacks are on the way.

"Ennanga!!" (Husband) Heeding the panic voice, our attention lands on Amma who comes running out of the home with Ayya's mobile in her hand.

"What happened?" Ayya holds her by her shoulder while she cries out, looking terrified.

"Someone contacted you. I attended the call and a man spoke...he threatened to kill our family. And he claimed he would...our Gowthami..." She stutters and shivers. My brows furrow at the mention of Gowthami's name.

"Ganga," Ayya calls her, appearing as scared as her. "What did he say!?" He shakes her by her shoulder.

"He said...he would let each one of his men assault her and will humiliate her before...killing you and me," Amma weeps harder while I become enraged.

"I'm off to her college," I inform as I quickly back off and enter the car to reach her. I thought she would be safe in there but after listening to such a threat, I can't be careless.

"We'll come with you," Shakthi and Hari say and join me. I drove at full speed to the car and Hari contacted Gowthami to check in on her.

"Are you safe!?" He queries her immediately as she attends the call. As he clicked on the loudspeaker, we could all heed her reply from the other side.

"Yes...I'm in class now..." She answers in a low voice and disconnects the call.

My nerves cool down a bit but until I see her with my own eyes, safe and well, I cannot be in peace.

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