Broken I

48

ARNA

Maggie has always held a special place in my heart.

But now, standing here with Hridhan, nothing seemed as special as this moment with him. I watched him talk about his day while he stirred the Maggie, his voice a comforting hum in the background.

"Na pesitu irukken madam, entha olagathula irukkinga ?" he asked, pulling me from my reverie.

But my thoughts were elsewhere, lost in a mix of guilt and gratitude.

I should have given myself to him when he had given me his world, but I hadn't. I couldn't. The fear. Memories of pain.

The guilt gnawed at me, even as I felt grateful for his efforts to distract me, to make me smile.

Hridhan wasn't one to speak much, yet here he was, trying so hard for my sake.

"Unga olagathula than," I replied, switching off the gas.

He looked at me, confused, his brows knitting together.

"Na unga wife thana ?" I asked, my voice soft. He nodded, his expression shifting to one of endearing confusion.

"Appo unga ulagathula thana irukka mudiyum," I said, moving closer to him, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Nala pesura," he smiled, transferring the Maggie into a bowl.

I couldn't help but give him a cheeky smile in return.  

🍃

The climate remained moody, with gentle raindrops tapping against the balcony windows. The morning was cozier than ever, wrapped in a blanket of soft grey and the soothing sound of rain.

"Padu," Hridhan said, pulling me close. The balcony railing stood between us and the outside world, creating a small, intimate cocoon.

"Enna pattu?" I asked softly, my eyes searching his.

"Ethavathu," he replied in a deep voice, filled with an unspoken tenderness.

I looked at him, a flicker of understanding passing between us. The rain continued to fall outside, casting a serene backdrop to our moment of closeness.

"Idhazgal poi sollume,
Endral kooda nee solvaye,
Imaigal mei sollume,
Un parvai pothume," I sang, my voice trembling with emotion.

"Nenjam thadumaruthe,
Nee than thevai en mayil irage,
Konjam thadam maruthe,
Nee en paadhaiye."

Hridhan closed his eyes, a smile playing on his lips as I continued.

"Yen kolgiraai ennai kannale,
Nee nirkkiraai ulle kal pole,
Yen kolgiraai ennai kannale,
Nee nirkkiraai ulle kal pole."

Every time I see him, my heart skips a beat. The song was all I could tell of who Hridhan was to me, the way he stayed in my heart, to the way I needed only him.

As I sang, I felt the depth of our connection. His presence was like a balm, soothing the rough edges of my soul. The song became a bridge between us, carrying the unsaid words and the unspoken promises of mine. 

Hridhan opened his eyes and looked at me with such intensity that it took my breath away. In his gaze, I saw the reflection of my own feelings, the recognition of a love that had silently grown between us.

He reached out, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. His touch was warm, sending a shiver down my spine. I leaned into his hand, closing my eyes, letting the moment wash over me.

"Time aachu," I said, my gaze low as I blushed uncontrollably.

"Pattu nala irunthuchu," he replied, smiling softly at me.

"Time aachu nu sonnen," I repeated, the blush deepening as I tried my best to hide it.

"Paravala," he said softly, leaning in to kiss the tip of my nose affectionately.

"Hridhan," I called as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear that had fallen forward.

"Sollu, baby."

"Innaiku KitKat vangitu varingala?" I asked shyly.

"Nethu madam ethana saptinga?" he asked, looking at me with a teasing smile while I gave him a puppy-eyed look.

"Sollu baby, ethana sapta ennaku theriyama?" he pressed.

"Two," I blinked, trying to look innocent.

"Two thana?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Plus one," I added, making a face before darting under his arms to escape.

"Hey, kd fellow, nillu!" he hollered playfully, chasing after me with laughter echoing through the room.

🍃

"Kothamalli," he said, as I searched for it in the kitchen.

"Kothamalli."

"Kothamalli."

He kept repeating it, almost five times now. I turned around, crossing my arms over my chest, staring at him with a mock stern expression.

"Baby, kothamalli," he called out again, turning to look at me, momentarily forgetting his mission for the elusive herb.

"Kothamalli enna vida mukkiyama pochu la, Hridhan ?" I asked, trying to keep my face serious, though I could feel the laughter bubbling up inside me. His eyes widened, and he gulped, clearly taking me seriously.

"Appidi illa, Arna..."

"Vera eppidi ?" I pressed, raising an eyebrow.

"Manichu, baby ma. Ennaku kothamalliyae vendam," he said, his voice almost pleading as I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing at his frightened face.

"Ada enna, Hridhan! Na chumma velayatuku pannen, ithukey bayanthutinga?" I asked, chuckling as I finally let the smile break through.

He pouted adorably, "Velayatuka ?"

"Ama," I giggled more, unable to hold back.

"Unaku KitKat kandippa kedaiyathu po," he declared, feigning a hurt expression.

"Etheeey," I gasped.

"Athu ellam mudiyathu," I said, waving my hands in mock rejection.

"Athu ellam mudiyum," he answered, continuing his cooking with a confident smile.

"No..."

"Yes."

"Hridhan, nenga ippidi panna koodathu," I said dramatically, trying to sound serious.

"Appo nenga mattum pannalama, madam ?" he asked teasingly, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

I tried giving him my best puppy-eyed look, which worked as he ruffled my hair and pinched my cheeks. It wasn't really about the KitKat; it was all about him.

All about him.

I watched him pick up ingredients effortlessly and cook with ease. I'd fulfilled many of his wishes, and now cooking together was another item being checked off his list.

I wanted to do everything for him.

"Na pandren, baby," he said, trying to stop me from helping.

"Namba senthu pannalam, Hridhan," I insisted, meeting his gaze.

"Panna mattingala?" I asked teasingly.

He pulled me closer, his eyes twinkling. "Kanavu la kooda appidi sollu matten."

"Unga kanavu la na yen varen ?" I asked curiously, watching him as he continued frying.

"Nee than sollanu. Yen kanavula vara ?" he asked, looking at me softly.

"Illa ennaku puriyala," I admitted, feeling a bit shy.

He pinched my cheeks again. "Puriyatha verikum nalathu"

What does it mean ? 

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💕