First Meeting

The awkwardness in the car didn’t fade easily.

After what happened, none of us said a word.

Aadhya was the first one to break it. She leaned forward and said, "Munnar 10 minutes-il ethum [will reach in 10 minutes]."

Vihaan cleared his throat. "Haan... parking nokkam [let's find parking]."

I just nodded, still looking outside. "Haan... tea garden."

We all pretended like nothing happened.

#### Munnar Tea Garden

The moment we stepped out, cold air hit my face. Fog everywhere.

Aadhya ran ahead with her phone. "Photos edukkam! Njangal rendu pose cheyyu [You two pose]."

Vihaan and I looked at each other. "No."

Aadhya rolled her eyes. "Ayyo drama mathi [stop the drama]." And clicked anyway.

We started walking between the tea plants. The silence was still there, but lighter now.

Then it started drizzling.

Vihaan opened his umbrella. "Varu [Come]."

Our shoulders touched under one umbrella.

He looked down and whispered, "Orma undo? Appol um mazha ayirunnu [Remember? It was raining then too]."

I nodded. "Haan."

This time he didn’t let go. He held my hand properly. Right there in the tea garden.

From a distance Aadhya shouted, "Akka! Vihaanetta! Oru selfie!"

Both of us blushed but didn’t pull away.

#### Top Station View Point

Wind was strong. Clouds were so close.

Aadhya was busy with reels. Vihaan and I stood at the edge, still holding hands.

He turned to me. His voice was soft but firm.

"Tarini, 3 varsham munpu njan bhayapettu [3 years ago I was scared]. Parayan pattiyilla [Couldn't say]."

He took a breath. "Aana ippol bhayamilla [But now I'm not scared]."

And then he said it.

"I love you. And I’m not letting this slip again."

Before I could react, Aadhya’s voice came.

"Ayyo finally! Njan audio record cheythu [I recorded it]!" she laughed.

I turned, embarrassed. "Aadhyaaa!"

Vihaan just laughed. "Avaney vidu [Leave her]."

The day ended with a smile.

Aadhya stretched in the front seat. "Chalo veettil pokam? [Let's go home?]

Munnar kazhinju, ippol mathi. [Munnar is done, that's enough now.]"

Vihaan looked at me and smiled. "Veettil pokam? [Shall we go home?]"

I nodded. "Yeah. Let's go home."

Just one day trip. And now, going back together.

* Driving Back home*

8 hours of road through Kerala.

Aadhya fell asleep in the back within 30 minutes.

Now it was just me and Vihaan.

Soft music was playing. The rain was falling lightly outside.

Vihaan glanced at me. "Tired?"

I shook my head. "Not much."

He smiled and patted his shoulder. "Ivide thala vechu kidannu kolloo. [Rest your head here.]"

Without thinking I rested my head on his shoulder.

It felt so natural.

He took my hand in his. "Njan ivide undu. [I'm here.]"

I squeezed his hand. "I know."

"Tarini," he called.

"Hmm?"

"Today was nice."

I smiled with my eyes closed. "Athu ninnal kond aanu. [That was because of you.]"

From the back Aadhya mumbled in sleep, "Ayyo cute aanu... [Ayyo so cute...]"

We both smiled.

We just let the moment stay.

Suddenly I sat up. "Oh!"

Vihaan looked at me. "What happened?"

I bit my lip. "Today... today my parents are coming home. They are already in Kerala."

Vihaan nodded. "Nallathu aanu. [That's good.] Then we should reach early."

My heart was racing. "Do you want to meet them?"

Vihaan looked at me calmly. "Tarini, whenever you say. I’m here

*Reaching home*

By 7 PM we reached my house in Kerala.

My parents were already at the gate.

Mom came forward. "Entha monu? Trip evide poyi? [What dear? Where did you go for the trip?]"

Dad's eyes went to Aadhya, then to Vihaan.

Both new faces for them.

Dad asked. "Tarini. Ivar ellarum aar aanu? [Who are all these people?]"

I quickly introduced them.

"Appa, Amma... this is Aadhya. Vihaan's younger sister."

"Aadhya, Vihaan... ithu enikku Appa and Amma aanu. [This is my Dad and Mom.]"

Aadhya folded her hands. "Namaskaram Uncle, Aunty. [Hello Uncle, Aunty.]"

Vihaan nodded politely. "Namaskaram. I'm Vihaan."

Mom smiled. "Ayyo, so cute aanu. [Ayyo, so cute.] Vaa mone, ulla kery. [Come dear, come inside.]"

Inside the living room

Mom brought tea and snacks.

Dad sat down. "So... Munnar poyi vannu?"

"Yes Appa. Just for one day. Sudden plan aayirunnu. [It was a sudden plan.]"

Aadhya added. "Uncle, we only went for sightseeing.

We came back safe, I promise."

Dad turned to Vihaan. "And you, mone? Ninte veedu evide aanu? [Where is your home?]"

Vihaan sat straight. "Uncle, naatte veedu Kozhikode aanu. [My hometown is Kozhikode.]

But ippol job und Bengaluru il. [But now I have a job in Bengaluru.]

Right now I'm here in Kerala for a few days."

Dad nodded. "Oh... naattukaaran aanallo. [Oh... you're from our place.]"

Mom also smiled. "Ayyo, nammalude naattukaaran aanu. [Ayyo, he's from our place.]"

Dad's tone was calm. "Next time, Tarini, pehle bata diya karo."

"I'm sorry Appa. It won't happen again."

Dad looked at Vihaan. "What do you do in Bengaluru?"

"Software engineer aanu Uncle. [I'm a software engineer.]"

"Hmm. Nallathu. [Good.]"

Before leaving

Vihaan and Aadhya stood up to go.

Aadhya hugged me. "Akka, I'll call you later."

At the gate, Vihaan stopped.

He looked at my parents. "Thank you Uncle, Aunty."

Dad nodded. "Veettil safe aayi ethu, mone. [Reach home safely, son.]"

Then Vihaan turned to me. His voice was soft.

"Tarini, one thing."

"Hmm?"

He smiled. "Next time... Alleppey boat house pokam? [Shall we go to Alleppey boat house?]

Just you and me."

My heart skipped. "Alleppey?"

"Haan. Backwaters, boat house, whole night. No rush."

He looked into my eyes. "Today was my favorite. Because you were beside me."

My cheeks turned red. "Enthinu nandri. [Thank you.]"

"Shall we plan it?"

I nodded quietly. "Haan. Let's plan it."

"Good night, chechi. [Good night, sister.]"

"Good night."

He left with that smile. And I stood there, still thinking about

"Alleppey boat house... just you and me."

*blushing*

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