ℂ𝕆ℂ𝕂𝕋𝔸𝕀𝕃𝕊 𝕎𝕀𝕋ℍ ℂ𝕌ℙ𝕀𝔻

𝟱𝟭

𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗴𝘂𝘆
>>>>–––– 💘 ––––<<<<

601, 403, and Mithra walked side by side along the path, the sun casting a warm golden glow on the paddy fields around them. While the girls were sulking, their expressions mirroring each other in silent protest, 403 was an entirely different story. He strutted between them like he had just solved world hunger, waving his hands dramatically as he walked.

Mithra couldn’t hold back any longer.

Mithra anga paaren, ore pacha pacha’ ya irukulae?

( Mithra look, everything is so green here, don't you think?)

he said, gesturing towards the lush greenery around them.

601 raised a brow and tilted her head.

Pinna yenna pink color’ ah va irukum?

( Did you expect pink ?)

She asked to which 403 deadpanned, unimpressed by her sarcasm. 601 rolled her eyes, clearly done with both the conversation and 403.

Ippo yedhuku enna illuthuthu vandhae? Na thirupi poren

( Why did you dragged me here? I'm going back )

601 said, turning her body slightly as if ready to walk away. But 403 jumped into action, holding up his hands like a referee calling for a time-out.

No, no, no! Nee en kanna munnadhi dha irukanum! Unnalam nambi vidha mudhiyadhu!

( No, no, no! You are not leaving my sight! I can't trust you!)

That did it. Mithra froze mid-step, her jaw dropping as the audacity of his statement registered. She huffed, her frustration bubbling over, and stomped off in the opposite direction.

Aiyoyo! Yedho karugura vadha varudhe!

( Oh, I smell something burning)

403 exclaimed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, completely oblivious to her exasperation.

601 let out a deep sigh and smacked her forehead.

Adei paithiyame, anga paaru

( Idiot, look behind )

she hissed, pointing behind him.

Finally snapping out of his stupor, 403 spun around to see Mithra marching off in the opposite direction, her strides strong and determined. His eyes widened in alarm as he dashed after her.

Mithra! Mithra!

he called out, arms flailing in panic. Mithra didn’t even glance back.

Enna vidhu, Shakthi. Chumma third wheeling madhiri nikkiradhuku na Avi kooda achum iruken

( Let me go Shakthi, instead of third wheeling here, I'd rather be with Avi )

she retorted sharply.

Aiyo, Mithra! Na solradha oru nimisham kelu!

( No, Mithra listen to me please)

403 pleaded, practically stumbling after her.

Mithra came to an abrupt stop, crossing her arms over her chest and raising a skeptical brow at him. He explained,

Avanga rendhu perum thaniya irukanumnu dha na ivlovum panren. Unaku puriyala’ ya?

( I'm doing all this so that they can both be alone. Can't you understand?)

Mithra blinked at her in confusion before quickly turning to glance at Anjali. With a dramatic sigh, Shakthi decided to spell it out.

Ivala angarndhu kutitu vara vera vali illa. Vitta ava Ananya kudiye suthitu irupa. Appo yepdhi unga anna Ananya’va correct pannuvaru? Summa ve unga anna nalla pesuvaaru—

( We have to keep her away from them, or she'll be sticking with Ananya all the time then how would your brother woo Ananya? He already has excellent skills—)

Mithra shot him a deadly glare, effectively cutting him off mid-sentence. Shakthi swallowed hard, realizing he had said a little too much. Despite her frustration, Mithra couldn’t entirely ignore the faint warmth his care for her brother brought to her heart.

As they bickered, 601 saw her golden opportunity. She quietly turned on her heel, attempting to slip away unnoticed. Unfortunately for her, Shakthi had a radar for mischief.

No!

he yelped, sprinting after her.

But Mithra had reached her limit. She overtook him, grabbed 601 by the arm, and spun her around, a determined grin plastered on her face.

Vangalen! Anga yelaneer nalla irukum sonnanga. Try panni papom?

( They mentioned that we can get tender coconuts there, why don't we go try out?)

Illa, enaku venam—

( Actually, I'm good—)

601 started awkwardly, trying to wiggle free.

Ada vange!

( Oh come one!)

Mithra said firmly, dragging her along as though she were a stubborn child.

Shakthi watched the scene unfold, wide-eyed. He couldn’t help but grin as Mithra wrestled 601 towards the coconut vendor.

Yes!

he muttered to himself, a victorious spring in his step as he skipped behind them.

>>>>–––– 💘 ––––<<<<

Selvam, standing by the coconut shop, watched the chaos unfold with the vendor, who was cutting open tender coconuts with precision. They both looked on as Shakthi plopped himself with the girls looking pitiful yet oddly satisfied as he sipped on his coconut juice.

Na kudha chinna paiyan’ nu nenachen,

( I thought that he was just a small boy)

Selvam muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. However the vendor denied,

Che che, illainga ya. Andha pulla mogatha paarunga. Pacha mannu’ ya adhu

( No no. Look at his face sir, how innocent he seems)

he said, pointing to Shakthi’s face, which was lit up with childish glee.

Selvam turned to the vendor with a judgmental stare.

Pacha mannu?

( Innocent?)

Meanwhile, Mithra subtly shifted in her seat between Shakthi and Anjali, ensuring there was no accidental proximity between Shakthi and Anjali. Not on her watch.

On the other side, 601 kept nervously scanning for an opportunity to make a break for it, her body language screaming discomfort.

But Shakthi? He sat on the other end, blissfully unaware of their agitation, humming a tune and keeping an eye onto both of them as if afraid they’d flee at any moment.

In truth, only one thought occupied his mind:

Avan anga indha chance'eh olunga use panran’ ah nu therilaye?

( I wonder if he's using this chance well?)

>>>>–––– 💘 ––––<<<<