Contract of the Hearts ❤️

Journey to the Heart

The very next day, Kaveri woke up feeling a familiar weight on her left shoulder. Blinking away the last remnants of sleep, she glanced over to find her husband, Vijay, curled up against her, his arm draped over her waist. He looked so endearing, clinging to her like a child seeking his mother's warmth. A soft smile spread across her face, and she gently caressed his hair with her free hand. His face, calm and peaceful in sleep, made her heart swell with affection. The urge to pinch his cheeks was almost overwhelming, but she resisted. Sensing he was about to wake, she closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep.

Vijay slowly opened his eyes, realizing he was nestled against his wife. The warmth of her body and the steady rhythm of her breathing brought a sense of peace he had long forgotten. Smiling, he leaned forward and kissed her cheek softly, a whisper of a touch that made Kaveri’s heart skip a beat. He rose from the bed, his lips close to her ear, and whispered, “I will win you back, Kaveri. Just wait and see.” He slipped into the bathroom, leaving Kaveri to her thoughts.

Kaveri sat up, her fingers brushing her cheek where Vijay's lips had been. A blush crept up her face, and she couldn't help but smile. The tender moment was something she had missed, something she had longed for. As she pondered over these thoughts, Vijay emerged from the bathroom, dressed and ready for the day. Noticing her blush, he couldn’t resist teasing her.

“Enna yosichikitu eruka, Kaveri? Nee tholachiye antha wallet-tu atha pathiya?” he asked, a playful grin on his face.

Kaveri twisted her lips, feigning annoyance. “Oh, please, pothu niruthunga!” she retorted, getting up to freshen up.

Vijay chuckled as he watched her leave, his heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. After getting ready, he sat on his side of the bed, preparing for the day’s work with his laptop. Just then, Kaveri returned, looking breathtaking in a dark blue saree paired with a peacock-blue blouse. Her hair, still damp from her shower, was wrapped in a towel, with a few strands escaping to frame her face. Water droplets shimmered in the morning light, sliding down her neck.

Vijay’s breath caught in his throat. “Ahaa Kalailaye enna oru kaatchi, ithu kuda nalla thaan eruku” he thought, unable to tear his eyes away. He had seen her in sarees many times, but today, there was something different, something more alluring. Perhaps it was the way the saree hugged her curves or the soft glow on her face. Whatever it was, Vijay was mesmerized.

Oblivious to his stare, Kaveri asked, “Enna panitu erukeenga, Vijay?” Not getting a response, she turned, catching him in his daze. A blush spread across her cheeks as she quickly looked away. “Naan...Naan..Naan poi coffee kondu varen” she mumbled, hurrying to the kitchen, her heart racing.

Vijay smiled at her retreating figure, a sense of joy bubbling within him. “Seiyana Kiruku da Vijay nee,” he thought to himself. “pavam arava kolara bayampaduthita , Ava thaan time ketu eruka illa athukula unaku avala apdi paathu bayapaduthanum illaa, Rombaaaa nallavan da nee.”

Later that day, at the office, Vijay was immersed in work when his friend Arjun knocked on the door. “Come in,
” Vijay called out. Arjun entered, a wide smile on his face.

Later that day in office, Kaveri was at her employees desk discussing something with them, when a tall man approached, smiling warmly. He seemed familiar, but she couldn’t quite place him.

“Hello, Kaveri!” he greeted, noticing her hesitation. “Naan Arjun, Vijay-oda friend. Aunga marriage-la kuda Ella velaiyum naan thaan senjan marathuteengala?"

Kaveri’s eyes lit up in recognition. “Amaa aama niyabagam eruku. Vaanga anna. Epdi erukeenga?.”

“Nalla eruken maa. Vijay erukaana?” Arjun asked.

“Haan Cabin-la thaan erukaaru, vaanga naan kuptu poren” Kaveri replied, leading him  to Vijay’s cabin.

As they reached the door, Kaveri knocked lightly. “Ennanga, yaaru vanthu eruka paarunga.” she called out.

“Hey, Vijay!” Arjun greeted him.

“Arjun! Long time, no see! Enna intha pakamlaam unga kaathu visuthu?” Vijay asked, genuinely surprised.

“Actually Vijay, Namma college friends ellam senthu oru reunion party onnu plan panni erukom, Rendu naal Coorg-laa” Arjun explained. “Nee vera Namma college-oda sweetheart. Nee illama reunion epdi, athaan unnaiyum un wife-aiyum invite panitu polamnu vanthen.”

Vijay hesitated. After everything that had happened recently, he wasn’t sure if Kaveri would be comfortable. “Illa da athu vanthu...Haan, intha week office la konjam Vela jaasthi, athaan vara mudiyuma-nu therila” Vijay replied, glancing at Kaveri, who was standing nearby.

Noticing Vijay’s discomfort, Kaveri stepped in. “Naanga varom anna, neenga aga vendiyatha parunga” she said, smiling reassuringly.

Vijay looked at her, surprised and touched. “sure ah, unaku okay laa?” he asked once Arjun had left.

Kaveri nodded playfull " Ennaku enna enakulam okay thaan paa, aana ungalukaagalaam onnu illa, Naan en wallet-ta Theda thaan varen” she teased, referring to their search for the deeper meaning of her love for him referring it as wallet.

Vijay chuckled, understanding the hidden message. “Avlo thana vidu Coorg porom un wallet-ta kandupidikurom ” he agreed, a newfound excitement in his voice.

That evening, over dinner, Vijay announced their plans to visit Coorg for the reunion. His family members were intrigued, especially Ragini, who smirked and said, “Naanum solla marathuten paarunga thatha, Naanu ajay-um kooda anga porom!”

Everyone turned to her, confused. Ragini explained, “Athu enna naa thathaa, en best friend-oda husband kuda Vijay college met thaan and avaru thaan avaroda resort la intha reunuin-aiye hist pandraru. En friend enga wedding gift-ah Coorg invite pana and apdiye athey time la ivanga reunion kuda varathunala engalaiyum mudinja join panaika soli ketanga.”

Kaveri felt a twinge of annoyance at the thought of Ragini and Ajay joining them, but before she could say anything, Vijay squeezed her hand under the table, giving her a reassuring look. His eyes said it all: “I’m here for you.” Kaveri relaxed, feeling a wave of relief wash over her.

The following day, Kaveri and Vijay finished their work early and packed their bags. They were eager to start the journey to Coorg. As they prepared to leave, Ragini insisted that she and Ajay travel with them in the same car. But Vijay, not wanting any interruptions, politely declined. " Illa soory if you don't mind, engaluku konjam privacy venum” he said, his tone firm.

Kaveri couldn’t help but laugh at Ragini’s indignant expression. With everything ready, both couples started their journey to Coorg that evening, the cool breeze lifting their spirits. Vijay drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on Kaveri’s hand, his heart full of hope and anticipation for the days to come.

As the car sped down the winding roads, Kaveri looked out at the lush greenery, her mind replaying the morning’s events. Vijay’s kiss, his whispered promise, the way he looked at her—it all made her heart flutter. She turned to him, catching his profile against the fading light, and felt a surge of affection. Perhaps this trip would be the beginning of something new, a chance to rekindle what they once had, to find their lost wallet.

Vijay glanced at her, sensing her gaze, and smiled. “Enna aachu Kaveri enna yosikitu eruka ?” he asked, his voice gentle.

“Chumma thaanga” she replied softly. “pothuvaathaan”

Vijay nodded, his eyes focused on the road ahead.  “Let’s make this trip memorable, Kaveri. Let’s find what we’ve lost.”

Kaveri squeezed his hand, her heart brimming with hope. “Hmm” she whispered, “let’s do that.”

As they drove into the night, the future seemed brighter than ever, filled with possibilities and the promise of rekindled hearts.

~~•°•~~

With Love,
Until the next one,
Meenakshi 💗.