Unexpected Encounters

From Campus to Forever ~ 14

Raghav and Nandini made their way to his car without a backward glance. Once inside, an awkward silence enveloped them. Raghav sat with one hand on the steering wheel, staring ahead, while Nandini sat with her hands clasped in her lap, fidgeting. Her face flushed as Pooja's words echoed in her mind.

Finally, she exhaled sharply and turned to him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Pooja... wasn't lying."

Raghav turned his head slowly, his brows furrowing. "Why didn't you ever tell me?" he asked, his tone a mix of confusion and curiosity.

Nandini hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her pallu. "Because... it didn't matter then," she began softly. "You were with someone else, Raghav. Ungala disturb panna or unnecessary drama create panna enakku pudikala. You were happy, how could I say anything?"

Because it didn't matter then. You were with someone else, Raghav. I did not want to disturb your relationship or cause unnecessary drama. You were happy, how could I say anything.]

He stared at her, the weight of her words settling in. "You thought your feelings didn't matter?"

Her gaze dropped to her lap, and she nodded slightly. "I just didn't think it was worth complicating things. Appo edhuvum solla venam nu nenaichen."

[I just didn't think it was worth complicating things. So I didn't bother confessing.]

Raghav blinked, taken aback. "Wait... you're serious? You liked me? Like, actually liked me?"

She nodded, her cheeks heating up further. "Yes. And... the watch," she added hesitantly, her voice soft. "Pooja didn't pick it. I did. She saw me in the store and asked for suggestions. I chose that watch for you."

Raghav sighed softly, running a hand through his hair, "Yepdi di unnala sollama, ivlo varusham ah? Apo naan una ponnu parka varalena?"

[How have you kept it inside for so long? What if we never met again? What would you have done?]

Nandini's heart clenched at the regret in his voice. She reached out tentatively, her fingers brushing his. "Unga thappu illa nga. Neenga varalena kalyanuthuku venam sollirpen. I don't want to make you feel any more guilty, but... Yennaku ungala yeppavum pudikkum. It didn't stop when college ended. And honestly, I was okay with my feelings being hidden. I never expected you to come to my house, that too with a marriage proposal. Ana oru varam kadacha madri oru feel. Romba sandhoshama irunden indha few weeks.

[It's not your fault. If it was anyone else who had come to my house to see me, I would have rejected the alliance. I don't want to make you feel any more guilty, but...I've always liked you. It didn't stop when college ended. And honestly, I was okay with my feelings being hidden. I never expected you to come to my house, that too with a marriage proposal. It felt like a miracle, honestly.]

Raghav's lips parted slightly as he absorbed her words, his expression softening. "Chellama," he began, his voice tinged with both regret and awe, "Nan oru loosu.I've been walking around completely clueless all this time."

[I've been such a fool not to realise. I've been walking around completely clueless all this time.]

She gave him a teasing smile, "Neenga loosu nu theriyum, ana ipdi othukuvinga nu theriyadhu."

[I'm aware that you lack brains. But I did not expect you to accept it as well.]

Raghav huffs, glaring at her, "Yen di ipdi serious ana moment le kalaikirey?"

[Why are you making fun of me at such a serious moment?]

Nandini grins slightly at his affronted look before sobering up, "Unga answer yenna?"