Ennai Maatrum Kadhale...

Neethaanae Neethaanae...

Episode 17...

The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft golden hue over the snow-capped mountains surrounding Zurich. The air was crisp and refreshing as Ajay and his group gathered in the hotel lobby, ready for a full day of exploring Switzerland's most famous spots. There was an unspoken excitement among them, a mixture of the anticipation of sightseeing and the underlying emotions that simmered, particularly for Ajay.

As the group piled into the van, Zaara, was the first to express her excitement. 'Ma, enga poomm' (enga porom) she asked, her little face lighting up with curiosity.

Keerthana smiled down at her daughter. 'Inaiki namba super ana places ku lam poga porom, thangam,You'll get to eat chocolate too!'

At the mention of chocolate, Zaara clapped her hands in glee, her joy infectious. Shreya, sitting next to her, chuckled and looked over at Ajay. 'Naanum Zaaravum inaiki oru full kattu katta porom' Shreya said

Ajay smiled softly, leaning back in his seat as the van began to move. 'Therinja vishyam dhana' he said, his voice lighter than it had been in days. 'inaiki unga rendu peru mela oru kannu vachikanum'

Narenn glanced at Ajay through the rearview mirror. 'Ama macha. Shreya vayum Zaara vayum inaiki kailaye pudika mudiyadhu'

---

Their first stop was the iconic Lindt Chocolate Factory, where the air was filled with the rich, sweet smell of chocolate the moment they stepped inside. Shreya and Zaara were practically bouncing with excitement, their eyes wide as they took in the rows of chocolates on display.

'This is HEAVEN!' Shreya exclaimed, turning to Ajay with a playful grin. 'Ajayyy, inaiki oru pudi pudika poren'

Ajay laughed, feeling a rare sense of lightness as he watched her enthusiasm. 'Yemma chocolate paithyam ingaye arambichidadha va'

Zaara, meanwhile, was already tugging on Keerthana's hand, pointing at the chocolate fountain. 'Maa, chociiii'

Keerthana lifted her daughter up, both mother and daughter captivated by the sight of the cascading chocolate. ' Vaa Appa will buy you some.'

Varun, never one to resist spoiling his daughter, smiled. 'en thangathuku vangi kudukama enga poga poren'

As they toured the factory, sampling chocolates and learning about the history of Swiss chocolate-making, everyone felt a sense of joy. The atmosphere was light, filled with laughter, especially as Zaara's face became smeared with chocolate from all the tasting.

Even Malini, who had been feeling the weight of her pregnancy, found herself indulging in the treats with a childlike smile. Hussain, always attentive, made sure she was comfortable and took plenty of pictures to capture the moment.

Ajay, however, found himself more focused on Shreya than the chocolates. There was something about the way she lit up in moments like these that stirred something inside him. As they reached the gift shop, she turned to him, holding a large box of chocolates. 'Ajay idha veetula irukka ellarukum vangitu polama'

'seri ma' Ajay replied, his voice softening.

Shreya smiled, her eyes locking with his for a brief moment, and Ajay felt a strange warmth settle in his chest. It was as if the walls he had built around his heart were slowly beginning to crumble, bit by bit.

---

After leaving the Lindt Chocolate Factory, the group made their way to Zurich, Switzerland's largest city and a hub of history and culture. They strolled through the cobbled streets, taking in the stunning architecture, from the ancient churches to the modern buildings lining the Limmat River.