Second Innings

Chapter 5

Hey everyone! First off, I want to apologize for the long break and for not updating sooner. Drafts la edume upload panna mudiyama pochu adan update panna mudila, very sorry... Thank you for your patience and understanding—it really means a lot. Stay tuned because there are plenty of surprises ahead, and I can't wait to share them with you all!

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The next day evening, as Arjun rode his bicycle down a narrow path, he heard Sivaangi's voice calling him from behind. He stopped and turned to see her running towards him, a flower in hand.

With a playful smile, Sivaangi called out, "Kalnenjakara. Enga pora?" Her tone was affectionate, yet carried a hint of teasing.

Arjun:  Kalnenjakarana?

Sivaangi: Ama

Arjun: Yean?  (asked, genuinely curious.)

Sivaangi: shrugged. "Yean nu theva illaye, seri enga pora?"

Arjun: Garage ku 

Sivaangi's face lit up with excitement.

Sivaangi: "Semma,Nanum anga than poren.Va va polam!" She hopped onto the front of his  bicycle, grinning.

Arjun:  quickly moved her off the bike. "Eii, Velayadatha Sivaangi"

Sivaangi: "Yean?"  pouted, trying to look innocent.

Arjun: "Idula epdi rendu peru poradu," Arjun pointed out, shaking his head.

Sivaangi:  thought for a moment, tapping her chin. "Ohhh... Apo ipdi pannalm! Na cycle la varen nee nadanthu va"

Arjun: raised his eyebrows, smirking sarcastically. "Ah, vera?"

With a sad puppy-dog expression, Sivaangi pleaded, "Enna, Arjun... Enakum ida ota tha pa"

Arjun: "Bicycle ah?" he echoed, amused. 

Sivaangi: Ama

Arjun: Mamaoda garage la edavadu vandi onnu seri panni otuviya, ada vittutu enna thontharavu pannikitu irruka daily.

Sivaangi:  crossed her arms and replied with a pout, "Appa ku than na bicycle oturadu pudikade."

Arjun:  chuckled mockingly. "Apo venave venam."

Sivaangi: stared at him, her face determined. "Adulma enkitta agathu . Ipo nee erangu, erangu!" She pushed him off the bicycle, handed him her books, and confidently climbed onto the seat.

Sivaangi:  called out as she started pedaling away "Seri, apo namma garage la meet pannalam. Byeee!" 

Arjun stood there, watching her ride off. After some distance, Sivaangi turned to look back at him, smiling sweetly with a faint blush. Arjun, who had already been gazing after her, smiled in return. Seeing him catch her eye, Sivaangi made a funny face, causing Arjun to be momentarily shocked before breaking into a laugh. Without thinking, he started chasing after her.

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The next day at college, the atmosphere was buzzing with energy. Groups of boys gathered in the corridor near the ground, chatting loudly and exchanging jokes. Arjun leaned casually against a pillar, his arms crossed as he waited for his friends to join him. His eyes scanned the area, catching glimpses of the various conversations around him, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

A few feet away, Ashwin and his friends occupied another corner, talking among themselves. Laughter erupted from their group occasionally, but there was an undercurrent of tension that both Ashiwn and Arjun seemed aware of. Although separated by distance, there was an unspoken awareness of each other's presence, an invisible line of rivalry that neither was willing to cross at that moment.