ℂ𝕆ℂ𝕂𝕋𝔸𝕀𝕃𝕊 𝕎𝕀𝕋ℍ ℂ𝕌ℙ𝕀𝔻

𝟳𝟮: 𝗛𝘂𝘀𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝗳𝗲

>>>>–––– 💘 ––––<<<<

Avi and Shakthi were tangled in a full-on wrestling match across the bed—pillows tossed aside, limbs flailing, and an occasional yell echoing through the room. Shakthi, in full rage mode, was trying to pin Avi down but mostly just flopping around.

Yen bro yeppa paaru yellam work out agumbodhu yedachum pannirringa?! Yen bro yellathulayum ipdhi avasara padhringa? Yen bro?! Yen?!

(Why do you always have to ruin everything just when it starts working, huh?! Why are you always in such a hurry in life?! Why bro?! Why?!)

he yelled, arms swinging wildly. Avi, caught between confusion and concern, was barely dodging the strikes.

What the hell, Shakthi!?

he shouted back, breathless and baffled.

Shakthi groaned dramatically as he tried and failed to trap Avi’s legs.

Yedhuku bro ippo poi divorce ku apply panninga?! Ippodhane olunga pesave arambichinga rendu perum?!

(Why did you have to go and apply for divorce now of all times? Just when you two are finally getting along!)

he huffed, falling flat on the mattress in exhaustion but still glaring up at Avi like he committed a sin. Avi paused mid-scuffle, his brows furrowing, slowly sitting up like the information just smacked him in the face.

Wait... what?

In one smooth move, Avi suddenly overpowered Shakthi with ridiculous ease, catching him by the collar and half-locking his neck in one arm.

Unaku yepdhi theriyum?

(How do you know?)

he asked, voice lower now, eyes narrowed. Shakthi struggled under his grip, both surprised and mildly panicked at Avi’s strength.

B-bro, enna konnuradhinga! Anjali dhan sonna

(B-bro! Don’t kill me! Anjali told me okay?! She told me!)

Avi held his position for a second longer before scoffing and letting go. Shakthi rolled away, coughing dramatically like he just survived a war.

Pinna yenna bro, neenga rendu perum onna poradha paathu yevlo happy aanen theriyuma?

(Seriously bro, do you know how happy I was seeing you both going together?)

he whined. Avi looked away, jaw tight, but didn’t say anything—because the silence that followed said enough.

>>>>–––– 💘 ––––<<<<

Ananya!

She heard Avi’s voice echo sharply through the hall, cutting through the quiet clatter of the kitchen where she was talking to one of the maids. Her brows furrowed instantly—he sounded irritated. She excused herself quickly, wiped her hands, and stepped out, wiping them on the edge of her kurti as she walked toward the sound.

Avi was already coming down the stairs, his strides brisk and full of purpose. One hand was placed firmly on his pocket, the other swaying with tension.

Shakthi knows where we went today

he declared flatly. Ananya’s expression turned from surprised to confusion.

Yepdhi?

(How?)

she asked, tilting her head, confused. Avi let out a breath and stared at her like she just failed the world’s easiest math question. And then—like a delayed lightbulb—realization dawned on her face.