Kalaba Kadhala | Part 1

Chapter 9

Italics - translation

Between Shadows and Light

In the bustling streets of Chennai, where dreams intertwine with harsh realities, Prabhas and Anushka found each other in a world that seemed determined to keep them apart. By day, the city was alive with the rhythm of the mundane—honking cars, street vendors shouting their wares, children playing in the dusty lanes. But as night fell, a different world emerged, one that Prabhas was deeply entrenched in—a world of shadows and violence. He was a man who had earned his reputation as a gangster, feared and revered in equal measure. Each time he donned the dark cloak of his criminal life, a part of him felt he was slipping further and further away from Anushka.

Anushka was the light which even he didn't know he needed, a beacon of hope in a murky existence. With her vibrant spirit and unwavering ethics, she challenged the very fabric of his world. They were two souls entwined in a love that transcended the chaos around them. Yet, the disparity in their lives was a constant tug-of-war for Anushka. She loved Prabhas deeply, and every moment spent with him was imbued with a serenity that felt almost magical. But as she stood on the precipice of his world, the violence and darkness surrounding him filled her with dread. She couldn't reconcile her love for him with her aversion to the very essence of his life.

"What am I doing?" Anushka whispered to herself, her heart heavy as she sat on a park bench, replaying the scene of him walking with police hand cuffed. She could still see the pain in Prabhas's eyes as he looked at her, how badly he wished to convince her that there was more to him than the life he led—the side that loved and cherished their stolen moments together. The laughter they shared over coffee, the long walks under the stars. Yet, after knowing his truth she couldn't help but feel the weight of his actions pulling her away. "How can I love a man who thrives in chaos?"

Prabhas who was sitting in the police station, stared into the abyss of his own despair. He was seated in a dimly lit room, the air thick with smoke and tension. He police officials around him took care of all his need and ensured he's free to go in a few hours but he found himself both physically present yet emotionally absent. His mind drifted to Anushka, perfectly encapsulated in memories—the way she laughed, the light that danced in her eyes when she spoke of her dreams and aspirations. "She deserves so much more than this," he thought, clenching his fists as dark shadows of guilt overshadowed his heart. "Why did I even meet her?"

Unlike the other men who revelled in this life, Prabhas understood the price he was paying. Each illegal deal donned layers of blood, sweat, and regret. Yet, to walk away would mean losing Anushka, and the thought twisted a knife in his heart. He often found himself grappling with a feigned indifference, convincing himself that it was better this way. "She can have a life without worrying about violence," he mused during the bleak nights. But how could he let her go?

His thoughts were disturbed when the CI came to inform him that Dhruv is here to get him and he's free to go. He walked outside the station and proceed towards his car like silently without speaking a word. Everyone felt suspicious and shocking seeing his behaviour and they couldn't figure out what was going on inside him. The drive to home was an uncomfortably silent one for Dhruv as he couldn't bear to see his brother so broken. Prabhas who was staring out of the window, occupied by his stressing thoughts, when he saw Dhruv forwarding his phone from the passenger seat.

"Yaaru?" Prabhas asked seeing there's a call progressing on the phone.

"Anushka... Talk to her". Dhruv said looking at straight.

"What? No... call cut pann". Prabhas said sternly.

"Annai... she deserves an explanation. Talk to her please". Dhruv requested turning to him. He sighed in defeat and took the phone from him and placed it on his ear. He felt his heartbeat was getting louder that the ringtone of the call. What was he going to tell her? Will she even want to listen to him? He thought to himself.