Kalaba Kadhala | Part 1

Chapter 6

Italics - Translation

Anushka was at work the next day, engrossed in the project she is working on right now, when she received a text from an unknown number. She didn't open and check as she was way busy with her work. After a long four hours when she finally got time to take a break to have her meal. She was casually going through the unread texts and emails on her phone when she noticed the unknown number. She wondered who it was and opened it to read the text.

'Hey Anushka!'
'Just got Dhruv discharged'
'Heading home now'
'Have a great day at work'

She froze at her place seeing the texts. She instantly knew who it was, and she regretted not opening it sooner. Her fingers itched to type a reply, but she already dug her right hand in her lunch. She thought of finishing the lunch first and replying back. A smile crept on her face seeing how he kept his word to keep her posted. Now she can't wait to meet and talk to him again.

On the other hand, Prabhas was busy settling Dhruv in his room with his broken limp and between his meetings. But the thoughts of Anushka stroked him from the corner of his heart throughout and he stole glances at his phone screen waiting for her to text back. His attempts didn't go unnoticed by his younger brother. At a point, he felt Prabhas wished to spend time in the hospital more than he wished for his brother to recover.

"Em Jarigindi Annai?" (What happened?)
Prabhas woke up from his trance hearing Dhruv's question.

"Huh?"

"Enna aach?" He asked again.

"Eyy nothing raa..." Prabhas replied.

"Don't you think we should invite Anushka here someday... for dinner?" Asked Dhruv earning a glare from Prabhas.

"Enthuku?" (For what?)

"Arrey! Why not? She had helped me so much... we should at least do this for her". Dhruv said waiting for Prabhas's reaction.

"Dhruv... I know what you are cooking up". Prabhas said after letting out a deep sigh. "Please don't expect anything more than what she had already done for us... we had spent some nice time with her and let it be that way only... I don't want to take it anywhere further". Prabhas said confused as if he actually believes what he said.

"Nēnu ēdō cheppānu kadā?" (Did I say something?) Dhruv sad unaffected making Prabhas huff. "You're just over analysing everything Annai... Just go with the flow. I'm not asking you to date her."
"Antha maatiri ethum thalayil aetha vena...". (Don't put those kind of ideas in your head)
Prabhas said making him roll his eyes. "And she's a really nice girl. I think I should stay away from her... Someone like me wouldn't be even her last choice".

"Eyy... appidi ethum ille Annai". (There's nothing like that)  Dhruv said facepalming.

Prabhas left it unheard as his attention was caught by his phone flashing a notification. An unknown smile took over his lips as he opened it in urgency.

'Hey you!'
'Good to know. Now take care of him well.'
'I'll check with Dhruv whether you're troubling him'.

He felt blissful reading her text and he somewhat liked the authority she was showing towards him. He was smitten by her charms, no doubt in that of course.

Many days passed like that and Prabhas couldn't stop thinking about Anushka. Her laughter, her wit, and the way she seemed to understand him without even trying. He kept on texting her whenever he got free time at work and Anushka, who had been having similar thoughts, felt a flutter of excitement when she sees his message. She will quickly reply and before long, they were texting back and forth, sharing snippets of their days, jokes, and little anecdotes.