Ennai Maatrum Kadhale...

Paartha Mudhalnaaley...

Episode 8....

FLASHBACK BEGINS....

The morning sun bathed the campus in a soft, golden glow, casting long shadows on the cobblestone pathways..... It was the start of a new academic year, and the college grounds buzzed with energy...!! The trees lining the main avenue swayed gently in the cool breeze, their green leaves rustling like a quiet melody... Students, both new and old, hurried to their classes, their excited chatter filling the air...

The inter-college cultural fest was in full swing, adding a festive atmosphere to the already bustling campus... Colorful banners fluttered in the breeze, and stalls offering everything from snacks to handmade trinkets dotted the wide lawn... The faint sound of music echoed!!! from the main auditorium, where rehearsals for the evening performances were underway..

In the middle of this vibrant setting, the campus café stood like an oasis of calm... Its small, cozy seating area was nestled under the shade of a large peepal tree, its sprawling branches providing a natural canopy... The smell of freshly brewed coffee and hot samosas wafted through the air, drawing in students looking for a quick break...

Ajay, with his usual sense of urgency and a hint of panic!!, was rushing through the garden path that led to the fest's main grounds... His backpack bounced on his shoulders as he darted between groups of students, narrowly avoiding a few mishaps along the way...

As they both unknowingly approached the same junction-a narrow, cobblestone path that connected the academic wing to the fest grounds-the stage was set for their first encounter...

The sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled light on the ground, and the air was filled with the hum of life... It was the kind of day that felt alive with possibilities, where anything could happen...

Ajay was late. As always.

The engineering student sprinted across the crowded campus, his worn-out sneakers pounding the pavement as he muttered to himself.

"ennaku mattum yenda ipdi!" Ajay complained

Today was the inter-college cultural fest, and Ajay's group had volunteered for the organizing committee. But after a late-night study session (read: binge-watching his favorite series), Ajay had overslept and was now desperately trying to make it to the event on time.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the campus, Abi, a third-year medical student, gracefully made her way to the fest... Dressed in a simple yet elegant salwar kameez, she looked every bit the focused, responsible young woman she was known to be... Being from a Orthodox Brahmin family her parents had raised her with strict values, and Abi's no-nonsense attitude meant she rarely strayed from her disciplined routine...

But fate had other plans that day.

As Ajay rushed down a narrow corridor leading to the auditorium, he wasn't paying attention to where he was going... He was fumbling with his phone, trying to reply to a dozen missed messages from his friends, when suddenly-

Crash!!!

Ajay ran headfirst into Abi, sending her books flying through the air. Time seemed to slow down as the contents of her bag scattered across the floor-medical textbooks, notebooks, Ipad and even a stethoscope.

'kanna enga podanilaya vachitu nadakura' Abi was irritated

Ajay, startled, dropped his phone and scrambled to pick up her things. He winced, realizing he had just collided with someone. 'sorry nga na theriyama apdi... I was just' Ajay stammered

As he looked up, his words trailed off... Standing before him was Abi, her expression a mixture of annoyance and bewilderment... Her large, almond-shaped eyes narrowed at him and her long, black nd silky hair which brushed her waist, her jhumka's which danced in her ears and her perfect height which was enough to reach his ears, but Ajay, despite the mess he had just created, couldn't help but notice how strikingly beautiful she was.

'You were just... running a marathon on campus?' she said sarcastically...Ajay blinked, realizing he was still crouched on the floor, holding one of her textbooks upside down. Embarrassed, he quickly stood up and handed it back to her... 'apdi lam illanga, I... I mean yess, i was late and naa paakala nga sorry' Ajay apologised

Abi sighed, her frustration easing just a bit as she took the book from his hand... 'Clearly, you weren't looking... neenga epovume ipdiyaa illa epdi' Abi teased him.. Ajay, despite his nerves, let out a small chuckle... 'I guess I like to make a grand entrance... but ungala ipdi idikanum nu lam nenaikala' Ajay said... Abi raised an eyebrow, still a little skeptical... 'Well, you've certainly made an impression' Abi said 'First impressions are important la ?' Ajay said

Abi tried to suppress a smile, but Ajay's boyish charm was hard to ignore... She knelt down to gather the rest of her things, and Ajay immediately joined her, helping her pick up the scattered items...

As he handed her the stethoscope, he glanced at it curiously... 'heyy neenga medicine ah, I'm guessing you're a doctor-in-training?' Ajay asked 'illa naa maavu mill la maavu araikiren' Abi grabs her stethescope from him...

'nalla joke uh nga nalaiki sirikiren' Ajay teases her... Abi looked at him, mildly surprised at how casually he was handling the situation after nearly knocking her over...

'Anyways i'm Ajay' he says 'ohh' Abi said 'enga na en pera sona neengalum unga pera thirupi sollanum, it is manners' Ajay said 'nan enga en pera solanum, first uh pera kepinga aprom coffee sapda kupuduvingaa enaku ithelam thevaiya sollunga' Abi says making Ajay frown at her

'heyy Abi vaa di time achu auditorium ponnum' Abi's best friend Madhu pulls her 'eii endii' Abi says to Madhu 'enna di' Madhu asks confused as Ajay smirks along with a smile...

'Abiii nalaiki 6 o'clock, oru cup coffee kk ?' Ajay sayss 'edhuku adhelam onnum vendam' Abi chides 'ungala idichadhuku oru apology, idhu coimbatore pasangaloda valakam' Ajay lifts his collar 'mudiyadhu, idhu Chennai ponnungaloda valakam' Abi says

'anna avaluku coffee pudikadhu, icecream nu sollunga varuva' Madhu says receiving a smack from Abi 'apo ok nalaiki 6 o'clock, oru cup ice cream.. vandhurunga.. neenga varuvinga nu enaku theriyum' Ajay smiles as he rushes to the auditorium...

'Enna madam vekkama?' Madhu teases her 'summa irudi' Abi sayss... as they walked toward the auditorium, talking and laughing, Abi couldn't help but feel like something special was beginning. Though their meeting had been chaotic and awkward, it was strangely perfect-funny, simple, and beautiful, in its own way.

Little did they know, that brief encounter would be the start of something far greater than either of them could have imagined...

To be continued...

hope u guys liked it, innum sila chapters ku flashback mattum dhann stay tuned and Kulu kulufied...

Many had felt that Kaveri is only for Vijay, Dw guysss u have a huge surprise in the upcoming chapterss

Anyways I wanted to give a trailer of Vika cuz, I thought of writing a VIKA FF after EMK.
SHOULD I ????

~ Abi