ℂ𝕆ℂ𝕂𝕋𝔸𝕀𝕃𝕊 𝕎𝕀𝕋ℍ ℂ𝕌ℙ𝕀𝔻

𝟰𝟱

𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀
>>>>–––– 💘 ––––<<<<

The hospital park was eerily quiet, with only a few people scattered about. Avi stood beside Ananya, the weight of their predicament hanging heavily between them. Ananya crossed her arms, staring at him expectantly, desperation flashing in her eyes. Surely, he couldn’t think this insane plan could actually go on. Her heart raced with hope and exasperation—there had to be another way.

Avi finally broke the silence, his voice steady but low,

Ananya, en family ippo oru romba critical'ana moment'la irukom. You know what's happening and I need your help. I have an idea.

(Ananya, my family is at a very critical moment right now. You know what's happening, and I need your help. I have an idea.)

Yenna adhu?

( What is it?)

Avi hesitated, his words catching in his throat as he glanced at Ananya’s expectant face. He knew what he was about to say was the exact opposite of what she hoped to hear, but he couldn’t avoid it any longer. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to speak, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

A contract marriage. One year, and we’ll divorce. No one has to know, and you’ll be free to go wherever you want after that.

Ananya froze, her mind grappling with the absurdity of what she had just heard.

A contract marriage?

she repeated, her voice rising with incredulity.

Are you serious? Do you even understand what you’re saying? Marriage isn’t a joke, Avi! It’s not something you can just… fake. Just because na adha pannika mattenu sonna'nala ipdhi en belief'ah misuse pannuvenu nenaikadhae!     

(Are you serious? Do you even understand what you’re saying? Marriage isn’t a joke, Avi! It’s not something you can just… fake. Just because I said I wouldn’t do it, don’t think you can misuse my belief like this!)

Avi met her fiery gaze, his own expression resolute.

I don’t even believe in marriage

he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration.

But this isn't about that.

His voice softened, almost breaking.

I'm not just asking this for my father, Mithra kaga'vum dhan. She had thought that… because we’re close, namba rendu perum date panromnu nenachikita. Adhunala dha ivlovum. If we don’t fulfill his last wish, it will break her, Ananya. The guilt will eat her alive.

(I’m not just asking this for my father, but for Mithra too. She thought that… because we’re close, she assumed we were dating. That’s the reason behind all this. If we don’t fulfill his last wish, it will break her, Ananya. The guilt will eat her alive.)

Ananya’s chest heaved as she processed his words.

Appo apdhi yedhuvum illanu ava kitta sollu,
deny it

(Then tell her there’s nothing like that, deny it.)

she shot back.

Tell your father the truth. It won’t change anything—he’s dying, Avi. Marriage or not, it won’t bring him back. We’re the ones who have to live with this.

Avi clenched his fists, his composure wavering.

You think I don’t know that? Idha na pannirukae maaten? I did, and it didn't work. Namba kalyanam panna dha saaven'nu enga appa uyire kaila pudichi irukaru,en thangachi guilt'la alundhutu iruka, un amma'vum avaruku vaaku kuduthutanga. Naanum unna madhiri vera vazhi illama dha nikiren!