That evening, they all got ready to visit Mani who was in Coimbatore hospital.

Darshan was driving the car with Ashwin in passenger seat whereas Arjun and Sivaangi settled on the back seat.

Throughout the drive Arjun was silent without hearing anyone. Not even his girl's excitement about the child.

His thought struck with one sentence which he heard earlier 'If you were there she wouldn't choose anyone other than you'

'Was that true?'

'If yes what will he do?'

'Could he leave his girl?'

'No.... How can he? She is his... Only his'

He looked at Sivaangi who was speaking about the child whether she will be like her Mani akka or her Hussain anna... And started to describe the moment she felt the baby's kick while she visited Mani randomly, the other day.

His lips curved up looking her explanation by swaying her hands.

'Naanae sonnalum... Don't leave me Chellama' Arjun closed his eyes inhaling sharply.

"Arjunn" He came out of trance when Sivaangi shook him by calling his name.

"Ena di"

"Hospital vanthuruchu pa evlo neram kupudren"

Nodding at her, he got down and started to walk behind them. Ashwin was the only one to notice his actions and he decided to speak with him later.

"Anney pappa enga" Sivaangi squealed as soon as they saw Hussain on the corridor.

"Ulla iruka ma vaa" he replied, laughing at her excitement.

Hussain tilted his head to see some people other than his sister standing there.

"Vanga ellarum" he greeted everyone with a smile, before ushering them inside the room.

"Heyy" Mani got excited on seeing everyone there.

"Mani kaaa" Sivaangi hugged her by her neck swaying left and right while the others shared their wishes to the couple.

"Pappa enga pappa enga"

"Anga thoongura paaru" Mani chuckled pointing the cradle beside her.

Sivaangi hopped towards the little one and smiled widely seeing her. She touched her button nose with her forefinger and traced the little girl's face. While the little girl smiled still closing her eyes.

"Nalla vela Mani ka paapa una mari ila... Ilana annan paavum" Sivaangi commented looking at the child, giggling.

Mani fake glared her before countering back.

"Avanaachum paravala di aana Arjun unga nilama romba mosam... Rendu kolanthaiya samalikanum. Ipove ready aagikonga"

She said it to Arjun, while her eyes didn't leave Sivaangi, who closed her eyes biting her lower lips and gave 'I caught' look. Mani giggled seeing her and turned towards Arjun.

No matter how disturbed he was, the mere thought of having a family with her made him blush. That's how Mani saw him.

"Brother technically ava thaana vekka padanum" Mani scrunched her nose.

"Nengalam vekka padra aalanga" Arjun commented back receiving Hussain's cheer.

"Ayoo brother ena kannadila paakura mariye irukae" Hussain cracked his knuckles while their girls glowered at them, making them to smile sheepishly.

After sometime of chit-chatting, Darshan who was carrying the baby in his arms now announced.

"Chellakutty... Enaku marumagal than venum ipove soliten"

"Athu yen"

"Enaku ivala maari oru thangachi veetula irukanumnu aasai... Ipo ivaluku ponnu porantha avala en paiyanuku katti vachuruvenla.. Apo ivala maariye oru vaalu papa enga veetula irukumla"

"Darshan ena oru planning bale bale" Mani's comment made Darshan to lift his imaginary collar with a tint of blush.

"Aana athuku ne first oru Anni ya paakanumae ney" Sivaangi countered him making him pout.

"Athuthan already paathutarae" Arjun murmured but everyone heard it and widened their eyes.

"Bro" Darshan shouted widening his eyes.

"Yei suma iru (Sivaangi stopped him and turned towards Arjun) Nee solu Arjun... Ena paathutan"

"Athuu" Arjun dragged by seeing Darshan who shook his head negatively, whilst murmuring "Bro bro bro bro" shrinking his eyes.

"Anney apo nijamave paathutya... Enkita kuda solalala nee.. Po Po... Hmm" Sivaangi disappointed.

"Ada yaarukitayumae solala di chellakutty" Darshan try to convince her but she asked "Apo avanuku matum soliruka"

Darshan sighed, while Arjun snickered, receiving a glare back.

"Athu naa solala di"

"Pinna"

"Maatikitaru" Arjun winked at Darshan who pouted at him.

"Epdi"

"A week before, that evening, when me and Ashwin bro went for sightseeing"

Everyone's eyes darted from Arjun to Ashwin who slowly nodded his head with a smile, accepting it.

"Adapaavi intha poonaiyum paal kudikuma ngra mari irunthiye da" Mani said closing her mouth in her palms.

"Epdi ney ellathaiyum pannitu ipdi paavama moonjiya vachukura"

"Yeii chellakutty" he tried to near her.

"Nadikatha konruven.. hmm" she turned away while Darshan pouted.

After a minute of silence, Sivaangi nudged Arjun "Arjun nee sollu ponnu epdi" in excitement.

"Mm professor"

"Professor seriously" Mani asked Darshan while he smiled sheepishly.

"Sirikatha ney semma kovam varuthu (Sivaangi chided him to which his lips lopsided) nee solu Arjun"

"Sema bold nalla ponnu mathiri than terinjithu"

"Super uh (She clapped excitedly but stopped before turning towards Arjun) Aama sir ku epdi ithellam teriyum" Sivaangi asked with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Dha bha dha.. future sister la di terinjikanumla"

She looked at Arjun dubiously before turning her attention towards Darshan.

"Siva annanu ku teriyuma" She asked Darshan who nodded a No.

"Ne vaa di Chennai ku aprom iruku unaku" she warned in a dangerous tone, making him to blink his eyes several times.

"Yei chellakutty sollatha dii... Naanae solanum annan-ta.. Please uh di"

"Athulam enaku teriyathu ne enkita solala so naa poi pottu kudupen... My dear brothereyy" she said pinching his cheeks.

"Bro" he looked at Arjun for help but he shook his head sideways, when his girl glowered at him, making Darshan sigh.

🌿

That was the last day of their shoot and it's been 10 days, they visited Mani in hospital.

In these days, Sivaangi notice the changes in Arjun. He didn't mingle with anyone as he do always, not even with her.

His usual teasings, flirting talks which were reserved only for her, his silly fights with her, him being the reason for her and her brother's silly fights everything is missing.

She missed her Arjun now a days. He was there physically but not mentally.

The encounter they had in the hospital was the one, he talked normally to them.

Now, Arjun literally avoided everyone. He reply in one or two words, he did his act, then he will sit in a place in the name of preparing for next scene. He too didn't know what he was doing.

Both convinced themselves that they were busy with shooting and they will sort out everything, once their hectic schedule got over.

Ashwin who was being the silent spectator these days, made his mind to have a talk with Arjun.

After the wrap up party, everyone started to leave. Sivaangi and Darshan took their flight back to Chennai even before the party, as they had some works over there.

Ashwin saw Arjun coming out of his caravan and rushed to him.

He stretched out his hands infront of Arjun making him to halt and look at Ashwin.

"Arjun ungakita konjam pesanum"

Arjun closed his eyes tightly, inhaled sharply before nodding his head.
______________________________________

Thank you for reading 💖

-- Krithi

Do comment your thoughts 💞💞