Kalaba Kadhala | Part 1

Chapter 7

Italics- translation

Anushka was panicking like anything seeing his bleeding hand. And he somewhat felt good about it. But he still felt guilty about lying to her again and again.

"Anushka... Its fine. Don't stress". He said pulling back his hand from her hold and placing it on the steering.

"Are you mad or what?" She said and started opening the dashboard.

"Enna tedurey?" (What are you searching for?) Prabhas asked.

"First aid kit". She said while searching.

"I don't have one".

"Oh good...! Ok!" She said and took a deep breath. "Let's go to the hospital then".

"Huh? Are you kidding? I'm not going to any hospital. Don't overreact". Prabhas said annoying and she somehow got offended by his statement. Maybe it wasn't bothering him as much as it was bothering her.

"Ok then... I have first aid in my room. Let's go there". Anushka said making him huff.

"That's why I'm here dumbo, to drop you". Prabhas said smacking her head playfully.

"But you're not driving". She said with finality making him look at her doubtfully. "Naa otturey...". (I'm driving) She said opening the passenger door making Prabhas do the same.

"Anushka... it's not a big deal". He spoke when she opened the door to the driver's seat, but she got in anyway without paying an ear to him. He huffed in defeat and got into the passenger seat.

The drive was not as graceful as usual. She was stressed about his injury, and he was feeling bad seeing those tension line on her face for him. Only if she knows what he's for real, how would she react? He thought to himself. He tried to ignite some conversation between them but none of them lasted for long. Meanwhile she kept asking him if he's okay throughout the way, which kind of irritated him. He was not used to anyone being so considerate about him and treating him like a glass doll. She pulled off at the sideway, a few feet away from her hostel.

"We are not allowed to bring boys this late... but everyone does. Sattham podame Ye pinnadi mattum vaa". (Follow me quietly) Anushka said undoing her seatbelt and he nodded without any questions.

She called one of her friends and asked to keep the back gate open for her. They waited for the other girl's signal hiding. Prabhas was feeling so kiddish about this, but he obliged whatever Anushka said like a good boy. He could see her nervousness as she has never sneaked anyone into the hostel before. The way was clear finally and Prabhas followed Anushka to the back gate and then inside the hostel. They made sure to watch their steps and not make any noise until they reach her room. It was at the end of the hallway which was dimly lit advantaging them. She fetched the room's key from her handbag and opened the door while Prabhas stood there carefree, not afraid even if he gets caught.

He stepped into a neat cozy room, after her and the first thing his eyes scanned was the wall opposite to the door which had some picture frames. A smile crept on his lips seeing the little Anushka, with piggy tails, ribboned neatly standing beside her mother. He was familiar with her mother's face as it was her wallpaper also. He heard her opening the cupboard and taking out a transparent plastic box with bandages and cottons.

"Sit". She asked him or can say, ordered him pointing towards the bed. He took a seat there and so does she. She wiped off the clotted blood remains from his palm and applied an ointment. She treated his wound very delicately and he felt if he was being tingled by a feather. She was dead serious as if she was performing some surgery over the wound while he kept gawking at her shamelessly, without the fear of getting caught.