The study was a sanctuary of quiet, lit only by the soft glow of a single lamp. Shadows danced across the wooden shelves, where books stood like silent witnesses to Adithya's turmoil. In his hands, he held a worn, leather-bound book, its pages marked with notes in Malini's delicate handwriting.
Each note within was a piece of her heart—quotes she loved, thoughts she'd scribbled, dreams she'd shared only with him. But Adithya, blinded by his infatuation with Riya, had barely noticed its significance. Now, as he sat in the dim light, tears streamed down his face, the weight of his mistakes pressing against his chest.
Nandhu stood by the door, his arms crossed, his expression a mix of frustration and concern. Adithya's voice broke the silence, raw and trembling. "Nandhu, naan eppadi avalai love pannuven? I'm in love with Riya."
Nandhu's eyes narrowed, his patience fraying. "Riya, my foot, Adi. Purinjiko da. What you feel for her isn't love—it's attraction, infatuation. Tell me, when was the last time you thought of Riya when you were with Malini? Never, right? Because that wasn't love."
His voice softened, but the urgency remained. "Look at that book in your hands. Every page, every note—it's her heart, Adi. She's been pouring her love into you, and you've been too blind to see it."
Adithya's gaze dropped to the book, his fingers tracing Malini's handwriting. Shame washed over him, mingling with the ache of Nandhu's words.
"And Riya," Nandhu continued, stepping closer, "she's not who you think. When I told Thatha about your feelings, he asked me to check her background. Adi, I'm not saying this lightly—I have evidence. She's been cheating on you, playing with everyone, warming their beds. She's not worth your heart. Talk to her, end this so-called relationship before it destroys you."
The words landed like a blow. Adithya's chest tightened, betrayal and regret warring within him. He nodded, unable to speak, as Nandhu gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder and left, giving him space to confront the truth.
---Alone, Adithya opened the book, his fingers trembling. A note in Malini's handwriting caught his eye:
"To Adi, my light in the darkest moments. May these words remind you that love is patient, quiet, and always there."
His tears fell onto the page, blurring the ink. How had he missed this? Malini's love had been woven into every moment—her quiet smiles, the way she'd stay up late to make sure he ate, the way she'd listen to his rants without judgment. And yet, he'd chased Riya's fleeting charm, mistaking it for something real.
He stood, his legs unsteady, and placed the book on the shelf, its presence now a beacon rather than a burden. Sinking back into the chair, he dialed Riya's number. The conversation was brief, her voice cold and defensive as he confronted her with Nandhu's revelations. She didn't deny the accusations, and her indifference cut deeper than he'd expected. When he hung up, the finality was both a relief and a wound.
He leaned back, staring at the ceiling, letting the tears fall as he mourned the illusion he'd clung to.
---In the dining room, Nandhu sat at the table, stirring his coffee absently. Malini approached, her apron dusted with flour, her eyes warm despite the faint worry lines creasing her forehead. "Avaru enga, mama?" she asked, setting a steaming cup in front of Nandhu. "List ellam prepare panniyachu?"
Nandhu took a sip, avoiding her gaze. "Illa, maa. He's... got a headache." He glanced up, but Malini was already gone, her footsteps quick as she rushed to the kitchen.
She returned moments later, a bottle of balm and a fresh cup of coffee in her hands, her face etched with concern. In the study, she found Adithya slumped in his chair, his eyes red. Without a word, she knelt beside him, her fingers gently wiping the tears from his cheeks. She opened the balm and massaged his temples, her touch soft but steady, a silent promise of care. Adithya looked at her, his heart swelling with gratitude and guilt. More tears fell, and Malini's own eyes glistened as she noticed.
"Adi," she said, her voice trembling, "naan unga kooda irukurathu thaan ungakku kashtam kudukuthuna, I can leave. Naan poiduren. Neenga happy-a irunga."
Her words were a dagger to his heart. Leave? The thought of a life without Malini was unimaginable. He stood abruptly, his emotions spiraling, and gently pinned her between him and the wall, his hands on either side of her. His voice was raw, desperate.
"Yaen eppovume enna vittu poiduvaenu nikkura? Ethukku ippadi pandra? Evalo kashtapaduthiyiruken naan unna? Ath ellam vittutu, thiruppiyum enna vittu poiduva, enna happy-a vechikanumnu yosikkira? Don't you feel how things have changed between us? Appo kooda unakku enna vittu poganuma? Yaendi enna vittu pora alavukku enna kadhalikkira? Unakku valikkala? Unakku kashtama illaya? En santhoshathukaga ellam pandra, oru vaati aachu, un santhoshathukaga, un love-kaaga sandai podu! Ennakaga sandai podu, di!"
Malini's eyes widened, tears streaming down her face. She placed her palm over his mouth, shaking her head.
"Enakku neenga thaan venum, eppovume. Aana ungakku oru kashtamna, ennala athu thangikka mudiyathu. Athuvum ennala yosikkumbothu, suthama mudiyathu. Athunala thaan velagi valagi nikkuren. Ungala ennaku vittu kodukkura alavukku pudikkum... appadi thaane, sila vishayangal namma santhoshathvida, namma nesikkiraavanga happy-a irunthaalae pothum."
Adithya's breath hitched. He gently removed her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers, his gaze locked on her eyes.
"Ni kashtapatta ellam pothum, Malini. Ennakaga iru, en kooda... please. Vittu pogatha. Enakku nee venum. I'm going through something, but I need to heal. Only you can do this—your love can. Odi pogatha. I want to change for you, for us, for our future."
Malini's lips trembled, a soft smile breaking through her tears. "Ivalo naal nizhal-a kooda irunthen. Inime vazhkka full-a unga kooda iruppen." She leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. They stood there, wrapped in each other's presence, the world fading away.
---
The next evening, Adithya and Malini walked through the park near their home, the air cool with the promise of rain. The book, now a cherished symbol of their bond, rested in Adithya's bag. He'd insisted on bringing it, wanting to revisit the notes Malini had written. They sat on a bench under an old banyan tree, its roots sprawling like ancient promises."Malini," Adithya said, opening the book, "why didn't you tell me how much this meant to you? All these notes... they're you, aren't they?"Malini had tears in her eyes, her book, her love, her cries, now it was in his hands.. tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Ohh, ningae athu padichittingala, I didn't want to push you, Adi. I thought... if you felt the same, you'd see it in your own time."
He turned to a page where she'd written:
"Love is not in grand gestures, but in the quiet moments when you choose someone every day."
His throat tightened. "I was so stupid, Malini. I didn't choose you when you were right there, choosing me every day."
She shook her head, her hand resting on his. "You're here now. That's what matters."
They sat in silence, the book open between them, its pages a bridge to their future. Adithya felt a shift within him—a resolve to be the man Malini deserved, to heal from his mistakes and build a life together.
---
Back at the house, Nandhu watched from the balcony as Adithya and Malini returned, their hands intertwined. He smiled, a weight lifting from his shoulders. He'd always seen Malini's love for Adithya, even when Adithya hadn't. When he'd learned about Riya's deceit, he'd feared for his friend, but now, seeing them together, he felt hope.
Later, over dinner, Nandhu raised his glass. "To new beginnings," he said, winking at Malini. She laughed, and Adithya squeezed her hand under the table, his eyes promising forever.---
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And this chapter is for AmbikaJyothy for asking for the update.
