kaaval kaaran

Chapter 9

The next few days passed by quietly, but the tension in the air remained. Siva had started to notice subtle changes in how he felt whenever Dharani was around. It wasn't just their usual banter anymore; something was different, deeper. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more between them. But before he could figure out what it was, his attention was diverted by another pressing matter-Bhava's love life.

One evening, as Siva was sitting in his room, lost in thought, his phone rang. It was Bhava.

"Mama, naa Bhava pesuren (Mama, it's me, Bhava)."

Siva smiled. "Enna bhava enakkum unakkum kalyanam aagura vara wait pannuva pola, veetla solla ? (You don't need to tell me. Are you going to wait until you're married for me to realize?)."

Bhava sighed on the other end. "Siva, naa unkitta serious-a pesanum. Things with Ram are getting complicated (Siva, we need to talk seriously. Things with Ram are getting complicated)."

Siva's smile faded. "Complicated ah? Ennada aachu? Avan enna solraan? (Complicated how? What's he saying?)."

Bhava hesitated for a moment. "Ram oda veetla edho periya prechana nu nenaikira.avanoda family edho periya visiyathula yaarkitayo poi maatikita maari irukku adhunaala ippo avanga Ram ah target pandranga. (Ram is in a tough spot with his family. His family has gotten into some bad business, and now Ram is trapped)."

Siva's brows furrowed. He had always heard about Ram being from a well-off family, but if Bhava's words were true, things were more serious than he thought.

"Enna prechana nu unakku theriyuma? (Do you know what kind of trouble?)" Siva asked, his voice growing serious.

"Avanoda veetla edho serious ah ana prechana nu nenaikira. murder involve aagirukura maari sonna. (There's been a serious issue in his family. A murder got involved)," Bhava admitted, her voice soft, fear creeping in.

Siva sat up straight, his mind racing. "Murder ah? nee yen bhava enkitta idha munnadiye sollala? avan involve aagi irukkan nu naa nenachu kooda paakala (Murder? And you didn't tell me sooner? I had no clue about this!)."

Bhava was silent for a moment before responding. "Naanum konjam confused-ah dhan irukken siva. But Ram kooda naan mattikitten-nu thonuthu. (I'm confused too, Siva. But I feel trapped with Ram)."

---

The next morning, Bhava requested a meet-up with Siva and Ram to clear things out. Siva wasn't fond of drama, but he couldn't let Bhava handle this alone. As they arrived at the café, Ram was already there, his face looking drawn, his usually sharp suit rumpled.

Siva didn't waste any time. "Ram, nee un situation ah pathi konjam theliva explain pandriya? (Ram, can you explain what Bhava mentioned about your situation?)."

Ram sighed deeply, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Bhava sonnathula unmai than siva, naanga nenachadha vida ennoda kudumbam edho periya visayathula maatikichu. en appa oda business edho peria aal kooda serndhu irukku ana adhula ippo edho prechana. yaaro oruthar adhunaala erandhutar nu solranga. (It's true, Siva. My family got tangled in something much bigger than we anticipated. My father's business had ties with some powerful people, and now things have gone south. A person ended up dead because of it.)"

Siva's mind was racing. A murder? Was this connected to the case he had been working on? He had to stay calm, especially for Bhava's sake.

"yaaru erandhu pona?yaaru adhula ivolve aagi irukka? (Who was killed? And who's involved?)" Siva asked, his voice dangerously calm.

Ram shook his head. "Naanum idha ethirpaakale Siva. edho enga veedu pathikitu erira maari irukku. (I didn't see this coming, Siva. It feels like our house is on fire now)."

Siva could see the fear in Ram's eyes. He was in deeper trouble than anyone had thought. Bhava sat silently, gripping her coffee cup tightly, her knuckles white.

---

Siva couldn't shake the feeling that this was somehow connected to the case he was working on-the murder case with powerful people involved. He looked at Ram.

"Ram, nee vera edhavathu per use pandriya veliya ulla visiyatha deal pandrapo? Muthu nu edhachum pera use pandriya(Ram, when you're outside dealing with things, do you use an alias? Like the name Muthu?)."

Ram's eyes widened. "Muthu? ungalukku eppidi theriyum? andha per thaan na use pandra ana adhu ungalukku theriyum nu na nenachu kooda paakala. (Muthukumar? How did you find out? That's the code name I've been using. I didn't think you'd know)."

Siva's suspicions were confirmed. "indha murder un family ah pathi illa, Ram. idhu ippo naanga handle pandra case oda connect aagi irukku. idhula nee nenaikiratha vida periya aalunga involve aagi irukanga. (This murder-it's not just about your family, Ram. It's connected to a much larger case I've been working on.)"

Bhava gasped, looking between the two of them. "Case-ah? Enna case Siva? (What case, Siva?)."

Siva sighed. "Ennala ippo ellathaiyum unkitta solla mudiyathu, Bhava. unnoda safety um Ram oda safety um ippo risk la irukku adhu mattum thaan ennala solla mudiyum. (I can't tell you everything right now, Bhava. But know this-your safety and Ram's safety are both at risk now)."

Ram's face grew pale. "Siva, naa enna panna? Bhava safe-ah thana irukka? (What do I do, Siva? Is Bhava safe?)."

Siva placed a reassuring hand on Ram's shoulder. "unga rendu peroda safety ku naa porupu ana idha namma romba careful ah thaan handle pannanum. Ram unnoda family nee nenaikiratha vida periya prechanaila irukku ana kandippa na unakku help pandra. (I'll make sure both of you are safe. But we need to handle this carefully. Your family is in deeper trouble than you think, and I'm going to need your help to solve this case.)"

---

Later that evening, Siva returned home, the weight of the day's events heavy on his shoulders. As he walked into the house, he heard Dharani's loud voice echoing from the living room. She was arguing with Mani, who was trying to sneak away with some sweets.

"Mani, naa dhaan unna edukadha nu sonna la da? amma adha dhan kekuranga enda thirudna? (Mani, did you sneak away and bring what mom asked for?)."

Mani scratched his head, trying to look innocent. " akka na oru dhava thaana edutha adha yen nee ipdi periya visayam ah aakura? (Sister, I just took it once. Why are you making a big scene?)."

Siva stood by the door, watching the exchange with a small smile. Dharani was always like this-vibrant, energetic, and full of life. As Mani tried to wiggle his way out of trouble, Siva walked in.

"Mani, ennada thappu pannitu thappika paakuriya? naa unna apdiye vitruvanu nenaikiriya? (Mani, trying to escape, huh? You know I can be strict with you, right?)."

Mani's eyes widened. "Ayyo mama! nee eppo vandhinga? neengalum edhadhavathu sollathinga sonna akka kitta naa setha! (Oh no, mama! If you say something, I'm dead!)."

Siva and Dharani both burst into laughter. It was a brief moment of lightness after a day filled with tension.

As the night went on, Siva couldn't help but think about everything that had happened. Ram's trouble, the connection to his case, and Bhava's involvement-it was all complicated. But amidst all this chaos, his moments with Dharani felt like a calm in the storm. And he was starting to wonder if those moments meant more than just cousinly affection.

Maybe, just maybe, the spark he had felt between them was something real.

Harshaangifan this chapter is dedicated for you as i wrote this chapter soon just because of your request.