Kalaba Kadhala | Part 1

Chapter 23

The sun filtered through the elegant lace curtains, casting an intricate pattern on the breakfast table where Anushka and Prabhas sat, each attempting to uphold a tense silence. Since their last conversation turned into a heated argument resulting in a fight, they started ignoring each other. Each bite of the food felt heavy with the weight of unspoken words, and every time their eyes inadvertently met, the air crackled with unfiltered annoyance.

Anushka, her long hair pulled back in a loose bun, poured herself a cup of steaming coffee, deliberately avoiding Prabhas's gaze. She could feel the heat of his stare on the side of her face, a fiery ember in contrast to the melancholy morning. Prabhas sat across the table, his jaw clenched, trying to focus on the newspaper in front of him, but the printed words blurred as his anger simmered.

Their family, seated comfortably around the table, was ignorant of the storm brewing between the two. Anushka's patience was slowly fraying, and no amount of coffee could quell her rising irritation at Prabhas.

Her chitti Seema return back to the table after her phone call and huffed earning everyone's attention. "What shall I do with this Shoba Akka now?"

"Why? What happened Amma?" Arjun asked munching his food.

"Since the time she heard Anu is back home, avalku mappila paaka arambhichitta". (She's searching a groom for her) Her chitti said making everyone gasp. Anushka felt her chest tight.

"Really? Hasn't she heard that I'm still figuring things out?" Anushka replied coolly, glancing at Prabhas, who had very noticeably stiffened at the mention of a potential suitor. His eyes narrowed, and she could see the tension in his demeanor as he clenched his spoon tighter.

Seema chuckled lightly, "Oh, she has an idea, Anu! But you know how aunties are. They just want to see you settled. Besides, I already told her you're not ready! But you know, it's always a good idea to at least meet someone—who knows what could happen?"

Prabhas shifted in his seat, a frown darkening his brow. His entire being responded to the implied challenge in Seema's words. Anyone else in the room might have missed it, but Anushka knew him too well; he was brimming with possessive irritation.

Anushka, feeling cheeky—and a little wicked—decided to up the ante, spurred by the brewing envy sparking in Prabhas's dark eyes. She put on an innocent smile, feeling a rush of rebellious energy. "You know what Chitti, I've also started thinking about marriage. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to meet this wishful groom your Shoba Athae has in mind," she said lightly, biting back the grin that threatened to leap from her lips.

Prabhas's expression morphed from annoyance to something darker, more intense. His jaw tightened further, and he could feel the blood rushing to his head. Surely, she didn't mean that! Why was she playing games? Arjun and Aditya passed glances at each other and then to Prabhas. They could notice his annoyance.

"Anu...!" Aditya broke in, his voice strained as he invoked the spirit of self-restraint for the sake of decorum. "This isn't the time to joke around," he added, though the emphasis on 'joke' spoke volumes about his rising frustration.

She let out a soft, teasing laugh, the kind that always unsettled him. "I'm not joking, Annai. I think it might be nice to meet someone. Just a casual meeting, you know. What's the harm in that?" Her tone remained light and carefree, but the challenge was clear.

The family continued their chatter, completely unaware of the brewing storm between the two. But Prabhas's focus was solely on Anushka now, his heart racing with a cocktail of indignation and jealousy. He struggled over the thin line between irritation and genuine feeling, knowing that any outburst would make him look like a possessive fool in front of their family.