Meant to Be note on page 162 - Page 16

Meant to be

part 11

She looked at the gift in utter shock and disbelief...

She was speechless... "how dare he gifted me this?" she was fuming inside..

Once again she looked at the gift which she opened so eagerly and got a big bulb in return...

It was a set of DVDs ..named "The best comedy scenes collection of Vadivelu,Vivek and Santhaanam..."

With a note tagged...

"Pls one small request...

Idhai paarthaavadhu..konjam siringa madam...

Health ku nalladhu..." She was outrageous and threw the parcel in anger...

"Ivanlaaam thirundhave maataan..."she uttered in frustration..

She was very much frustrated and walked here and there like a wounded lioness ... the gift was annoying her very much...whenever she saw that gift, her anger over him increasing...

"Idhukku avan gift ae kudukkaama irundhirukalaam...naan kettaenaa ippadi oru gift..."

She bit her teeth in anger...

"Yenakku sirikka theriyaadhaa...?Naan yenna appadi sirikaama ..oraanguttaan maadhiriyaa iruken...?"she asked to herself..and looked in the mirror..

The mirror reflects her angry face...

It looks like she has forgotten the thing called smile...

"Avan solradhu konjam unmai dhaano...?"she came back to her bed...and stealing glances of the gift..

Finally she gave up...and took that DVDs...and inserted one of them into the player..

Initially she watched the videos without any interest ..but eventually she got involved into the scenes and started enjoying and laughed out loud...

She felt very refreshing and rejuvenating ...At last she fell asleep without her knowledge..with a sweet smile lingering on her lips.. the video was running continuously throughout the night.

Next day morning...

Raji was lazily stretching in the couch...she got back from her sleep fully with the sudden sound of the bell..

First she thought it was an alarm..but after a few rings she realized it was a door bell..

She went to see who it was...

She opened the door and was surprised...

Lakshmi and Vishnu were standing there with a big smile on their faces..

" Hi Raji... happy birthday to u..." both said in chorus... Raji thanked them..

Raji was in her night dress...she was conscious of her dress..Vishnu felt her discomfort and said..

"Birthday baby, ivlo neramaavaa thoongaradhu..?ponga poi ready aagunga...naan adhu varaikkum Karthik veetla iruken..." he moved towards the opposite flat..

Lakshmi came inside..She looked at the tv which was still running.."Hai... yennadi kaalailaye comedy padam paarthutu iruka.."she enquired in surprise..

Raji quickly switched off the tv..

"Adhu onnum illai night tv paarthutae thoongiten...sari Lakshmi yenna saapidura coffee or

tea ?"

She asked like a responsible host..

"Adhellaam onnum vendaam nee seekiram kulichittu kelambu.."

"Yenga Lakshmi.." Raji asked in confusion...

"Hai... inniku Saturday... adhuvum unnoda birthday... celebrate panna vendaamaa..?naanum Vishnu vum full aa plan pannitom..adhellaam nee yedhuvum pesa koodaadhu..seekiram kelambu Raji.."

Lakshmi almost ordered her..

Raji agreed with a smile ...

"Raji unnoda roommate Kavya yenga kaanom..?"Lakshmi asked ..

"Ava oorukku poi irukaa Lakshmi,naallaikku dhaan varuvaa.."Raji replied to her and

went to get ready ..she took a quick shower and had come back in a jiffy..

Lakshmi gave her a appreciating look.. "Impressive ...seekiram ready aagitiye...good.."

Sari vaa polaam...aaang Raji solla marandhuten,nee shower la irukkum bodhu unakku phone vandhadhu...unga veetla irundhu appaa dhaan pesinaaru...unnoda birthday ku wish panradhukku...nee call panni pesidu.."

Raji felt wetness at the corner of her eyes..but she closed her eyes to control her emotions and gulped hard to compose herself...

Her slightly melted heart had become rigid as she recalled of some memories..

She just nodded her head affirmatively,and took out her phone and switched off it immediately ...

Both Lakshmi and Raji came out of the house and Raji locked the door..

Opposite flat door was wide open and Karthik and Vishnu were sitting on the couch and watching tv..

As Karthik heard the sound at outside..he instantly turned towards the door step..

Raji and Lakshmi were coming to his house...suddenly it strikes him that it was the first visit of Raji to his flat...

All of a sudden a thought came to his mind and he automatically looked at her feet...he wished she should put her right leg first,to enter into his home..

There was only 10 or 12 feet distance between two flats ...as she was closing the distance slowly.. his heart beats rapidly..his curiosity reaches its height and he desperately wanted her to step into his home keeping her right leg first..

Though he knew it was a mere stupidity..at that moment he felt nothing would be more important than this...

He chanted in his mind.. "Right leg vaikanum..Right leg vaikanum..."

But as Raji reached the door step her left leg only coming next and she was about to put her left leg first.. Karthik closed his eyes for a moment in disappointment..

He opened his one eye to see the sight which he doesn't wish to..but instantaneously he had flashed open his eyes in surprise ..

Raji halted for a moment to change her feet and she put her right leg first to enter into his flat...

Karthik's face blossomed in joy..

He smiled at her but she gave an angry glare in return...

He greeted Lakshmi.. "Vaanga Lakshmi welcome to my home for the first time.."

But glancing at Raji..She turned her face angrily..

He thought for a moment, "Whats her problem..?"Then he realized it was the outcome of his gift...

He grinned widely and looked back at her..She frowned at him and turned away in frustration..

After all were seated Karthik brought coffee to them..

Raji drank a first sip..and looked at him ,he was also watching her only..he was eager to know her reaction to his coffee...

She gave a surprised look first and as she looked back at him she instantly changed her expression to frown..

But he captured her moment's surprise and that told him everything..a huge grin appeared on his face ...

Suddenly Vishnu's voice captured their attention..

"Dai machaan,Raji ku nee kudutha gift la yenna irundhadhu..?"he asked casually but karthik was shocked...

"Gift aa yenna gift uu...?both KR said in unison..

"Adheppadi daa.. rendu perum solli vacha maadhiri nadikareenga..?nallaa varuveenga daa..

Dai naan nethe unnoda bag ah open panni paarthuten adhula nee Raji per pottu gift vachirundha..ippo adhu unnoda bag la illai..so nee adhai Raji kitta kuduthita..correct aa machi...? Indha Vishnu va yaarum yemaatha mudiyaadhu..."he said in proud voice..

"Ada paavi ,aduthavanga bag ah open panni paarkuriye unakku vekkamaa illai.."Karthik asked in anger..

"Adhu aduthavanga bag ah dhaane...? but machaan nee yaaru daa yennoda nanbendaa ..yen thalapadhi daa.."Vishnu acted dramatically..

Lakshmi laughed at him and said,"Vishnu,pecha maatharaanga vidaadha,andha gift yennanu kelu.."she brings him on track..

"Adhaane,ketta kelvikku badhil solludaa..adhu yenna gift..?"Vishnu was persistent...

KR looked at each other..

Raji glared at him in anger...But Karthik held back her glare with a naughty smile...

Raji couldn't held back her anger for so long..and finally she laughed...

Both KR were laughing shaking their heads thinking of the gift .while VL were fuming for not knowing the reason...

Outing starts...

KRVL in Vishnu's car..they are heading to the shopping mall...

First they went to purchase dresses...

Lakshmi persuaded Raji to try some western outfits..Raji agreed hesitantly..

They had chosen some dresses and Raji went to the trail room to try them..

Meantime Lakshmi and Vishnu went to the men's section to select something for Vishnu..Karthik stayed back and waiting for Raji to come out...

Raji tried one dress and thought of calling Lakshmi to ask her opinion..She opened the door lightly and peeped out...Lakshmi was not seen anywhere around,so she called a sales girl..

"Excuse me,anga yennoda friend irupaanga konjam koopidureengalaa?"she requested her..

That girl saw Karthik there, whom she remembered had been seen with Raji ..

"Sir ,unga friend ungala koopiduraanga..."she pointed towards the trial room...

Karthik was surprised.."Yennaiyaa?"he asked doubtfully.

That girl..assured him with a "Yes sir.."

He went near the trail room..and knocked softly..

"Hey.. ulla vaa.." Raji's voice came ..

He opened the door and peeked into the room..

Raji was standing in front of the mirror and watching herself in the mirror...turning to either sides to get a clear view .. She was wearing a black slim fit jeans and pink top..

"Yeppadi irukku.."she asked without turning to his side..

"Nallaa irukku..."he replied..

She looked immediately towards the door and her eyes stretched in shock..

"Hey nee yen ulla vandha...?veliya po.."she shouted at him

He came inside very casually as if he doesn't heard her words...and replied

"Needhaane ulla vara sonna.."

"Naan Lakshmi nu nenaichi sonnen...veliya po Karthik.. ..yaaraavadhu paarthaa yenna nenaipaanga...""she was embarrassed

He was not paying heed to her shouting..

He came near her and stood just behind her and watched her in the mirror..she also looked at him through the mirror in shock..

"Yellaam ok ..but indha pinnal dhaan idikudhu..."by saying this..he started untangled her single plait.

She closed her eyes with his touch..she got goose bumps in her body and shivered with that delicate touch ..

He let her hair loose.. "Now it is perfect.." he said by looking her like he would swallow her through his eyes..

Her face was all flushed with his intense look and looked down as she couldn't bare the intensity of his gaze..

"Sari nee po,naan dress change panannum.."Raji tried to chase him..

"No Raji,indha dress unakku super aa irukku..nee,inniku oru naal indha dress la ye iru pls..."he pleaded her ..

She was very hesitant at first..but he persuaded her to accept it..

But she was very conscious about her dress, felt little bit of nervous wearing these kind of clothes for the first time..

Vishnu and Lakshmi had come back and surprised to see Raji in a different outfit..

"Hellooo... inga Raji nu oruthanga irundhaangale neenga paartheengalaa..?"Vishnu asked to Raji ...

"Vishnu..." Raji warned him...

"Iyooo Raji neenga laa...? Yennaala nammabave mudiyala..yaaro heroine nu nenaichen.."he said in a serious voice and then laughed in his usual way .

"Neenga ippadi kindal pannuveengannu therinjirundhaa naan indha dress ah pottirukave maaten."Raji was pouting

"No..No Raji indha dress unakku smaiyaa irukku.."Lakshmi complimented her..

Raji gets little comfort with her words..

Movie

They had their lunch...in food court..

Then they were went to watch the movie for which Vishnu had already booked the e-tickets..

As they reached the theatre..

Karthik asked to Vishnu..

"Yenna movie ku daa ticket book panna...?"

"Adhu yedho English horror movie da peru sariyaa niyaabagam illai."Vishnu said casually..

Karthik was shocked .. "Yennadhu horror movie ahh...?Yendaa unakku vera yendha padamum kedaikalaiyaa.."

"Dai machaan,inniki Saturday daa...avanavan pallu velakaraanungalo illaiyo yedho oru padam paarkka vadhudaraannunga...all shows houseful daa...idhukku ticket kedaichadhe adhisayam.."

Karthik was annoyed now.. "Adhukaaga horror movie laam yeppadi daa paarkaradhu.."

"Yendaa unakku pei padam naa bayamaa?" Vishnu asked teasingly ..

"Cha..Cha..yenakku bayam illaidaa..but ponnunga namma kooda varaanga..avanga bayandhutaa..?"he asked in concern.

"Dai ,adhu innum nalladhu daa..bayandhu poi nammala katti pudichikuvaanga.."Vishnu laughed shaking his hands..

Karthik glared at him..

"Chi alppam maadhiri pesaadha daa...idhu sariyaa varaadhu...naama veetukku polaam.."

"Dai kaasu waste aa podium daa..vaadaa polaam..naan snacks kooda order panniten.."

Vishnu tried to convince karthik..

"Yenna inga problem..?" Lakshmi and Raji asked in unison and joined with them..

"Ivan horror movie naa vara maataanaam,kettaa...neenga bayandhuduveenga nnu solraan.."Vishnu complained about Karthik..

"Karthik..no problem..yenakku horror movie naa pidikkum.." Lakshmi said as a matter of fact..

Then he looked at Raji with the hopeful eyes...but she also disappointed him...

"Yenakkum pidikkum..naan onnum bayandhukka maaten.."Raji also agreed to go..

"Appuram yenna daa...vaa polaam.."Vishnu dragged him to the theatre.

Karthik got nervous..actually from the childhood itself he was scared of horror movies..

But he couldn't reveal to his friends..as they will make fun of him..

First half an hour movie goes smoothly without any scary events...

Karthik was seated in the corner followed by Raji,Lakshmi and Vishnu...

As the mood of the movie turned and scary sounds were started coming he got goose bumps on his body out of fear..

He excused himself and went out in the context of buying some snacks..

Raji was waiting for his return for so long..but he was no where seemed to be return even after the interval break also got over..

She was worried and called him..

"Karthik yenga iruka...yen innum varala..sekiram vaa..padame mudiya pogudhu.."

"Mudiyattum nu dhaane veliya nikaradhe.."he muttered in a low voice ..

"Yenna solra Karthik.. sariyaa kekalai..."Raji asked him as she couldn't hear him properly..

"Dho varen Raji..."he replied unwillingly..

"Inniku Raji munnadi yen maanam poga poradhu urudhi..."he made up his mind for that humiliation. And he took a deep breath before he went inside.

"Yen ivlo neram..?"Raji asked him..

"Oru important phone call adhaan.."he replied half mindedly as he was dreading for some mysterious sounds to come in any moment ...

"Sari popcorn yenga..?" she noticed his hands were empty..

Then only he remembered that he had left with the excuse of buying popcorn..he hits his forehead mentally ..

"Vaanga marandhuten.." he replied apologetically..

Raji looked at him weirdly absorbing his strange behavior...then she let go of it and started watching the movie..

After sometime as she turned to his side,she saw he has closed his ears with both his hands.his eyes also tightly shut..

Raji was surprised to see this sight...

"Pasanga kooda pei padam paarka baya paduvaangalaa?"she wondered in her mind..

"Karthik yenna idhu..?"she asked with a mocking smile at him..

Karthik understood that he was caught red handed..

"Adhu onum illai,romba sound aa irundhadhu adhaan.."he defended with a meek voice..

Raji's smile grows bigger and she raised her brows to show her disbelief..

He looked at her with a grumpy face..

She found it so cute,and felt like pulling his cheeks..

"Sari bayamaa irudha yen kaiya pudichiko..."she teased him

"Bayamaa adhellaam onnum ..."he couldn't complete the sentence as he heard the creepy sound..Which chilled down his spine...he instantly grabbed her hand tightly...

She was astonished..

She never thought he would be this much scared of ghost movies..

But she found it very cute..a sweet smile appeared on her lips..seeing the unexpected nature of him...

She didn't want to ask anything further which would increase his embarrassment.

She hadn't protested for his tight grip on her hand...and he leaned slightly closer to her..though she was feeling uncomfortable she gave into his demands considering his need at that time..

Suddenly she felt that his grip on her hand was loosened..and she looked back at him immediately..

Her eyes widened in shock...he was fast asleep snuggled to her side like a cute little kid.she smiled at his innocence..

As the movie ended ,she tapped his shoulder to wake him up...he got up with a jerk...

She gestured him to see the screen .. he saw that end title card was playing there..he released a sigh of relief..and she smiled at him teasingly...

Dinner

They went to have their dinner in a restaurant

Karthik was looking Raji now and then ,as if appealing her to not tell others of his fear...

Raji smiled inwardly at his plight...

Karthik went to wash his hands..as he returned from washing his hand...he saw all three of them were laughing loudly..

He got tensed and he was sure Raji might have told the truth to everyone and they were making fun of him.

He never expected this from Raji..with a defeated face he sat in his chair..

But he noticed that they were talking something else..not about him.

"Appo Raji yedhuvum sollalai.."his tensed nerves were relaxed now..and he looked at her with a thankful eyes..

She raised her brows in surprise..and smiled at him comfortingly..

She was very much delighted that she knew his secret..which even Vishnu doesn't...

Didn't know why but this makes her feel special..

When they were heading towards the car park..

Karthik and Raji walking slowly side by side..

She asked him "Naan yellaar kittaiyum sollitennu dhaane nenaicha?"with a smile..

"Cha..cha..unnai poi naan appadi nenaipenaa?"he was covering up for his misjudgment...

"Poi sollaadha... adhaan un mugatha paarthaale therinjadhe.."she smiled teasingly..

"Yevlo dhadava yenna tease panni irupaan,this is time for me to give back..."

She thought in mind..but when she had seen his grumpy face..her heart melted ..

"sari naan yaar kittaiyum solla maaten..it will remain as a secret between two of us...

podhuma ?"

His face lit up immediately...

Returning to home

Vishnu and Lakshmi were sitting in the front, where KR occupied the back seat..

It was heavy traffic due to some road construction work..so the car moves only inch by inch..

Raji was very bored and she fell asleep..her head was wavering here and there in sleep..

Karthik noticed that and moved slightly towards her side and adjusted his shoulder to support her head..

Raji found a comfortable place to sleep...and fell into deep sleep ...

As the traffic was cleared Vishnu accelerated the engine and drove fast...

He applied sudden brake unexpectedly..no one was ready for that sudden jerk...Karthik hold the front seat to balance himself..as Raji was in sleep she was almost about to hit the front seat hard,but Karthik cupped her head at the right time and caught her by waist to hold her in place..

She got up from her sleep with the sudden jerk , at first she couldn't fathom anything..as she came back to her senses fully she realized that she was almost sitting on his lap and he got hold of her tightly to himself...

She moved aside in a jiffy muttering a "Sorry..."

"Sorry sorry...oru dog dhideernu kurukkula vandhudichi.. adhaan sudden brake pottuten.."Vishnu apologized for his mistake..

"Paarthu podaa.".Karthik said in irritation as he had spoiled the beautiful moment of Raji sleeping on his shoulder...

Raji felt ashamed to sleep like a kid before him ..she tried to avoid the eye contact with him as she was very much embarrassed...

Vishnu dropped them in front of their apartment gate..and VL bided good bye to KR ...

They had reached their flats and went inside their flats without a word..as they were very tired and wanted to hit the bed as soon as possible..

Raji was knocked off as soon as she hit the bed ...

While she was in dreamless deep sleep..she heard a ringing sound...at first she thought it was her dream..with the continuous ringing of her phone her sleep was disturbed and she opened her sleepy eyes with difficulty and watched the time in the digital clock..it was only 12.30...am

"Indha nerathukku yaar phone panraa...?"she wondered and even scared..

She took her phone instantly and looked at the display..it was Karthik's call..

"Ivan yedhukku indha nerathula phone panran..?"

She answered the call with confused mind..

"Hello..."

"Hello Raji..thoongitiyaa..."

she inhaled in frustration... "Idhai kekka dhaan phone panniniyaa..?"

"Illai .. adhu vandhu...yenakku thookam vara maatenngudhu.."he said reluctantly..

"Adhukku ippadi dhaan thoongaravangalukku phone panni ezhuppi viduviyaa..?"she was getting wild..

"Sorry Raji..andha padam paarthadhula irundhu..kanna moodinaa..kadhukkulla yennenamo sound laam kekkudhu..."he said slowly

Yenna ivan ippadi irukaan..?she couldn't believe he would be this much scared..

"Ivlo bayamaa irundhaa yen andha padatha paarkanum..?mudiyaadhunnu solla vendiyadhu dhaane..?"

She asked in irritation..

He went silent..no reply from him for a second..

"Sorry naan unnai romba disturb panrennu nenaikaren..naan phone ah vachidaren..."

He had cut the call at once..

She felt terrible.."Omg I have hurted him.."

She called him back immediately...after a few rings he picked up the call...but remained silent...

"Sorry Karthik ,naan thooka kalakathula irundhen adhaan kobamaa pesiten..sorry..ippa sollu unakku yenna problem? Nee yen ivlo baya padura?"she asked him softly..

Karthik also not hesitated to tell anything actually he needed an ear to listen it seemed...

"Naan china paiyanaa irundha pa,"Evil dead" padathukku ponom andha padatha paarthu bayandhu poi yenakku 3 naan fever ae vandhudidhi..appa irundhu pei padamnaa bayamaa irukkum nu yenakku mind set aagiduchi...

Scary faces and Scenes kooda onnum problem illai..but andha mysterious creepy music ah kettaa dhaan naan oru maadhiri aagiduven..kai yellaam shiver aagum, nauseated feel vandhudum..its a kind of phobia.."

"Ippa kooda music ah mute pannitu paarthaa yeankku oru bayamum irukaadhu.."

He had revealed everything without even hesitating for a second..

He had no ego with her to share his weakness...it was quite unlike him ..because he never let others to know of his weakness...in fact Raji was the first person who had come to know of his phobia other than his parents...

Raji was really feeling very sorry for him.. "Ivana poi erinji vizhundhome.."she was regretting for her rude behavior..

"Sorry Karthik.. ippo naan yenna panannum?" she asked in real concern..

" Kannai moodi paduthaa,manasukkulla andha scary feeling irukku..romba nervous aa irukku..adhaan un kitta pesinaa andha feeling pogumnu nenaichi call panninen.."

"sorry unnoda thookatha disturb panreen.."he asked sorry in a genuine voice..

"Its ok ...ippo yeppadi feel panra?are u feeling better...?"

"Ippo konjam ok...but phone ah cut pannaa thirumba andha feeling varumonnu bayamaa irukku.."

"Adhukku naan yenna panradhu?" she asked in confusion...

"Yen kitta yedhaavadhu pesikittae irukanum...naan thoongara varaikkum..he said

"Iyooo avlo neram naan yenna pesuradhu...?"

She was shocked

"Sari naan pesuren nee kettu "um" kottinaa podhum.."

She said.."Um.." indicating her consent..

He smiled at her naughtiness..

He started to talk anything and everything comes to his mind..Raji was saying "um" at a regular interval..eventually her voice stopped and a deep breathing sound was heard at the other side of the receiver.

He realized that she had slept.her deep breathing sound was soothing to his heart..with a contented smile on his lips he too immersed in a sound sleep...

To be continued...