kaaval kaaran

Chapter 10

It's a double update day guys read chapter 9 before starting this chapter.

The next few days were a whirlwind for Siva. Balancing the ongoing murder investigation and the complications of Bhava and Ram's situation left him feeling stretched thin. Yet, amidst all the chaos, his moments with Dharani felt like a refuge. There was an undeniable chemistry between them that he could no longer ignore.

One evening, after a long day at the station, Siva returned home exhausted but with a heart full of thoughts about Dharani. He stepped into the living room to find her sprawled on the couch, her head buried in a pile of books, her dark hair cascading around her like a halo.

"Dharani, nee engalukku indha book la vachi virundhu vaika poriya enna? (Dharani, are you preparing for a feast with all those books?)" he teased, trying to lighten the mood.

She looked up, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Mama, ithula panna thaan engineering exam la pass panna mudiyum. (mama, this is to pass my engineering exam). Na adhukaaga thaan kasta pattu kavala pattu thukka pattu thuyara pattu padikra (I’m just working hard)."

Siva chuckled. "Seri, ithana pattum nee innum padicha maari illaye? naa vena edhachum help pannava? (Okay, but what can I do? What are you studying?)."

Dharani smirked, leaning closer. "Naane romba kasta pattu padikira mama venuna nee vandhu help pannu mama. (I’m struggling, so maybe you can help me out)."

Siva raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Help? In which way? naa enna pannatum? (Help? What should I do)?"

Dharani grinned, sitting up straight. "nee enakku oru cup coffee eduthutu vandha konjam helpful ah irukkum. (You can help me by getting me a cup of coffee!)."

Siva laughed, shaking his head. "Fine, fine! Coffee thana venum! I’ll get you coffee! (Alright, alright! The coffee will come!)."

---

As he made his way to the kitchen, he felt an electric energy in the air. Every playful exchange with Dharani seemed to intensify his feelings. He prepared the coffee, trying to push aside the thoughts of the case and the responsibilities that weighed on him.

When he returned with the steaming mugs, Dharani was flipping through her notes, clearly frustrated.

"Aioo padikirathuku romba bore adikuthu, mandailaye era maatikithe. (This study is so boring, I can't even keep my mind on it)."

Siva handed her a mug. "Dharani, nee sonna maari roma kasta pattu kavala pattu thaan padikira pola apdi enna kasta ma irukku unakku! (Dharani, what do you need to study? You seem to be struggling with this!)."

She pouted dramatically. " idhu dhaan mama ennoda exam oda kadha, avungalukku engalukku ellam theriyum nu oru nenappu ! (This is the story for our exams, and they expect us to know everything!)."

Siva leaned back against the counter, taking a sip of his coffee. "Dharani yaala mudiyathathu edhavathu irukka enna! (I’m sure you can handle it!)."

Dharani smirked. "Ipdi usupethi usupethiye odamba ranagalamaa aakitingale da? (Looking at you, I feel like it’s all going downhill!)."

Siva felt a warmth wash over him. He liked this banter. He leaned forward slightly, enjoying the closeness." Ana naa summa thaan irukkan nee thaan enna usupethura maari irukku! (I feel like I’m getting closer. You make it interesting! )."

Dharani’s cheeks flushed. "Edhu naa unna usupethurana? (Am I just a distraction for you?)" she asked playfully.

"Sari, seri othukira nee enakku distraction thaan (Okay, I admit you might be a little of a distraction)."

---

Later that night, after a long study session filled with laughter and jokes, they both settled onto the couch, surrounded by books and empty coffee mugs. The room was quiet, the only sounds being the distant hum of the night outside.

Siva turned to look at her, the soft light casting a warm glow on her face. "Dharani, enna chinna vayasula irundhu vambu pannikitu irukura adhe chinna ponnu thana nee? (Are you still that same girl who used to annoy me as a kid?)."

Dharani's laughter was infectious. "Aama, naa adhey chinna ponnu thaan ana enna ippo unnavida konjam alagavum arivavum aagitan. (Of course, I’m still the same! But now, I’m taller and smarter!)."

Siva chuckled, but there was a seriousness to his tone. "kandippa nee munna vida ariva aagita aana yenna epdi usupethanum nu unakku thaan nalla therinji irukku. (You’re definitely smarter. But you also know how to get on my nerves.)"

Dharani leaned in closer, teasingly. "Naa unna romba usupethurana mama? (Am I getting on your nerves with all my jokes?)."

Siva took a breath, sensing the moment. "Naa unkitta unmaiya enakku epdi thonuthu sollanum nu nenachirukken... (I was thinking to tell you the truth…)."

Dharani’s teasing smile faded. "Enna solla varra? (What do you want to say?)."

"Dharani, namma rendu perukku naduvula edho irukku nu thonuthu.... (Dharani, I feel like there’s something here between us)."

Her eyes widened. "Enna irukku nu nenaikira mama? (What do you mean?)."

"You make me laugh, you make me forget my worries. Naa evlo tension la irundhalum unna paatha manasu oru maari lite aaguthu (You make everything feel lighter)."

Dharani’s heart raced. "unakku unmaiya ipdi thaan thonutha mama? (Is that really how you feel?)."

Siva took a deep breath, leaning in slightly. "Ama ma, oru mama ponna pudikiratha vida dhigama pudikuthu. (Yes, and I like you, more than a cousin should.)"

Dharani felt a warmth spread through her, and before she could respond, Siva gently placed his hand on her cheek.

"Namakula enna iruku nu therinjikanum ana adhukaga namakulla irukura friendship ah keduthuda koodathu. (I want to explore this, but I don’t want to ruin our friendship.)"

Dharani smiled, her heart fluttering. "Enakkum adhe dhaan mama thonuthu idhu enga poi mudiyuthu nu paapom. (Let’s not ruin anything, then. I feel the same way)."

In that moment, as they looked into each other's eyes, the world around them faded away. Siva leaned closer, their breaths mingling in the air.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and in walked Mani, a big grin on his face. "Akka! Mama! Rendu perum sernthu enna kadha pesuringa? (Sister! Uncle! What story are you two telling?)."

The moment shattered, and Siva pulled back, pretending to busy himself with the books scattered around. Dharani’s face flushed crimson.

"Dei Mani, unakku ottu kekuradha thavira vera endha velayum illaya da? (Mani, don’t you have anything better to do than eavesdrop?)."

Mani laughed. "idha vida vera enna vela irukku enakku, summa neenga rendu perum apdi endha raanuva ragasiyam pesuringa nu kekka vandha! (What else, I just thought I should hear!)."

Siva shot a glare at Mani. "Idhuku naa unna summa vida maatan da,ippo just get lost! (I’m going to make you pay for that!)."

Dharani burst into laughter, trying to recover from the unexpected interruption.

"Mani, podhum da niruthu. (Mani, stop it!)."

As Mani scampered away, Siva couldn’t help but laugh at the situation. "Aana, namma mani kitta irundhu mattum maraikka mudiyathu la! (But you can’t hide it from Mani)"

Dharani shook her head, her cheeks still flushed. "Siva, ippo avan ellarkittayum namma pesunatha sonna enna pandrathu? (What if he tells everyone?)."

"Avan solla maatan adha naa paathukura. (I won’t let him.)"

As they both settled back into the moment, Siva realized that whatever happened next, they were in this together. The spark was undeniable, and he felt a connection with Dharani that he couldn’t ignore anymore.

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Their journey was just beginning, filled with laughter, confusion, and a love that neither of them expected but were more than willing to explore.