Please check out chapter 35 (in case you missed it!)

We crossed 56k reads and 6k votes!!!! Thank you so much, everyone.

Sorry for the delay! I was at my sister's home, and my nephew wouldn't let me out of his sight. Taking out my laptop would be a disaster as my sister hadn't introduced him to any electronic gadgets other than a phone yet! He doesn't even know how the video call works. He searches the back of her phone for me whenever I call him. 😭✋

And I started my internship finally!

🙈

Inline comments are love!

Writer's Pov:

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A glimmer of moonlight entered the room through the French windows illuminating the person's silhouette who lay on the bed in an enchanting way. The white sheet contrasted with the darkroom reflected a soft white glow when Harshitha turned on her night lights.

As she rolled on the comfy bed, she reminisced about their schooldays with Vikram. The innocent adoration looks that each other would give when crossing paths in the corridor, trying to go to each other's class whenever they get a chance. The evening snacks that Vikram would buy for her with his pocket money during their special classes. She, skipping classes in the name of helping their PT master fill the sports meet form during Vikram's running practice hour. The deliberate slow walks after school to home just to spend some more time together before reaching home.

Everything about that was endearing. Even the horrible morning assembly became lovely once they started dating. There would be secret conversations between them during the morning assembly as they stared at each other.

Harshitha giggled, rolling on the bed happily as she thought about everything. They have come a long way. It was a bumpy start when she said okay. They were dead afraid to message each other or speak separately on any family occasion, fearing that someone would doubt anything.

Knowing about someone you grew up with was different from knowing them intimately. So, when Vikram asked her to be his girlfriend, she started seeing him in a new light.

Even though she didn't say yes right away, she started observing his every habit minutely and listened to every word that came out of his mouth.

She was first in denial but came to accept her feeling when she started feeling happy whenever he was happy or feeling sad when he was sad. And she fell hard as she discovered about him new every minute while he patiently waited for her to realize and accept.

The buzz of her cellphone ringing interrupted her thoughts. Switching off the charger's switch, she unplugged the ringing device from it. Her lips rose in a smile when she saw the person's name. 'Vikram♡'

'Hey, darling!' His deep voice came through, followed by a loud howl of the wind.

"Hey, babe! Are you out?" She sat up, dimming the light as she waited for him to answer.

'Nah, just walking back to the outhouse after dinner. Did you eat?'

"Yup. Had panner and naan, appa was asking about you to anna."

'Ahaan? What did my father-in-law ask my bro-in-law?' His friend's laughter echoed after he spoke.

"Ena sir, you sound so bold!" She asked as she heard him curse his friend and 'not so respectfully' to fuck off. Her brows furrowed when she heard his nervous laugh followed by Gokul's shout 'We had whiskey and rum'

"Wow, did you drink? Is there anything left? Baby, can you bring some for me?" Her voice gained in volume as she awaited his response.

Vikram's deep chuckle came through her phone in response to her question.

'Are you sure? I don't want you killing me after you taste it.'

"Does it taste that bad?"

'You could never imagine it.'

(don't ask me how I know, I'm so innocent☺- W/N)

"It's up to me to decide. You just bring me some, or else someone is not going to get welcoming kisses and hugs." Harshitha demanded.

'Okay, darling. I'll bring it, you decide and tell me.'

"So, did you enjoy your stay?"

'I enjoyed it a lot, but I'm missing you like hell.' She could hardly control her smile when Vikram's happy sigh came through. 'Can't wait to have you in my arms and smother you with kisses tomorrow.'

"I mis- Harshitha paused when her bedroom door opened suddenly. Her heart increased, and her hold around the gadget tightened when her father's tall figure stood at the door as he stared at the phone in her hand and then the wall clock.

"Harshitha, who are you speaking with in the middle of the night? It's already past 1.30." Krishnan questioned, walking inside the room while Harshitha sneakily hung up his call before her father reached her bed.

"It's Dhanya pa. She was just asking how would I come to college as Hari anna and Vikram are unavailable." She lied, slowly sliding her phone below her pillow without him noticing.

"There was a time to ask everything. Ask her to refrain from calling you after 10 p.m. It's not healthy to stay up this late, thangam. You said you were having cramps during dinner, so I came to check on you, but you are still awake. Go to sleep, I'll massage your leg." Krishnan sat at the foot of the bed and took her legs on his lap, and started massaging her heels.

"Thanks, pa, good night." Harshitha guiltily gulped as she closed her eyes to her father's soft hum of her favorite childhood song and his warm hands massaging her calf gently.

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The sound of spatulas clanging against kitchenware was accompanied by the sound of Ilayaraja's classic songs on the radio as the ladies prepared dinner.

Vaanam mella keezhirangi mannil vanthu aaduthey

Thooral thantha vaasam ingu veesuthingae~ 

(Song- Neethaane En Ponvasantham) Hear it! It is absolute love❤-W/N

Dressed in red from head to toe, Harshitha entered the kitchen, her long panel skirt swishing behind her every time she moved. She paired it with a beautifully fitted blouse that had a delicate embroidery pattern on the neck and cuff of the sleeves. She styled her hair in a waterfall braid and added heavy Jhumkas to finish off the look. When the female stanza came, she hummed along, startling the ladies, who smiled at her.

Vaasam sonna baashai enna ullam thindaathuthey

Pesi pesi mounam vanthu pesuthingae~

"Harshi! When did you come?" Radha exclaimed, pulling her into a bone-crushing hug, which she reciprocated with a wide smile.

"Just now, athai."

"Where is Hari?"

"Mama asked Hari anna to pick the twins from the temple, so he dropped me off and went to pick them up," Harshitha answered, her eyes flickering from one corner of the room to another in the search for her favorite person. Noticing that she was distracted, Radha nudged her with a knowing look and mouthed. 'In his room.'

While they chattered about her studies and college life, Sakthi carried on her cooking with a smile. It was the twins' 18th birthday, and the twins decided to have a small intimate dinner with only their close family at their home instead of a birthday party.

And they strongly insisted not to exaggerate any dishes or buy cakes. So, both mothers decided that they would make their favorite dishes and sweets for dinner.

Radha urged Harshitha to sit at the dining table. Once seated, she fed her the sweats she had prepared a few moments ago. Harshitha hummed, showing her aunt a thumbs up as she gulped down another mouthful of halwa, and Radha's face brightened with delight when she heard that.

"Anni, please taste this and tell me if the sugar is enough." Sakthi requested, forwarding a spoon of Kesari.

Immediately, Radha hurried inside but stopped halfway and asked Harshitha. "Harshu, can you go wake Vikram up? The guests will arrive soon."

Harshitha nodded and jumped to her feet quickly, but her pace slowed when her mother raised an eyebrow at her enthusiasm. A nervous giggle came from her mouth when her mother did not take her eyes off her.

"I'll be back."

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With her heart hammering against her chest, she opened the door to his room. When she entered the room, she was greeted by the tightly shut curtain, which blocked the evening sun from entering, making it difficult for her to look around. Opening her eyes after closing them for a few seconds, she saw clothes carelessly scattered across his study table, along with his suitcase, which still lay unpacked next to the bed.

When she caught sight of his silhouette lying on the bed, her lips lifted in a smile. He looked so angelic, lying on his side, gently breathing with his hand nestled under his chin. Her feet thumped against the floor as she stepped toward his bed. As she sat beside his pillow, the bed dipped slightly, causing him to stir from his sleep.

"Hey!" Harshitha whispered, leaning against the headboard and running her finger through his hair that had fallen on his forehead. As she ran her fingertips across the contours of his face, his naturally arched brows slightly wrinkled.

"Wake up!" She chuckled, placing a kiss between his furrowed brows. His long lashes trembled when he felt her cold fingertips caress behind his ear. Harshitha ran her fingers across his neck while her other hand caressed his exposed arms, and yet her momentary amusement was cut short when he opened his eyes, revealing his bright chocolate eyes.

"Where is my Whiskey?" Harshitha blinked at Vikram when he stared at her through his heavy eyelids. Grasping hold of her cold hand and placing it beneath his head, he smiled sleepily in return. "Hello to you too, baby."

"Babe, wake up. Vihaan and Vihana are on their way. And guests would arrive soon." Contrary to her words, she lay down with him when he pulled her skirt like a child.

"Show me!" She whined, turning around to face him.

"In the suitcase."

"Wah! I'm going to see!"

"Not now, lemme hug you," Vikram murmured as he slid his arms around her midriff and held her tightly against him. The moment he rubbed his nose across her neck, Harshitha's breath caught in her throat. Nuzzling even closer to her, he pecked every part of her neck. Goosebumps erupted on her skin when his warm palm made its way to her bare waist, caressing it slightly with his fingertips. Her eyes fluttered shut, and her fingers tightened their hold on his hair as his hand boldly moved across her back, slowly inching towards the hook that held her whole blouse in position.

As his eager lips approached hers, her hands came in between and prevented him from kissing her.

"No, that's not sanitary." Referring to his evening nap breath, she objected. Vikram chuckled at her words; his bare chest vibrated against her clothed one. But soon, he was distracted by the mole near her clavicle.

"Okay, but the mole is tempting and calling my name." And then, he leaned down again; his lips found their way to her exposed skin while his fingers worked on her blouse hooks.

"Doo- Vikram door!" She sucked in a breath when his teeth nibbled the skin under her throat, praying no one would come looking for them.

"Women!" Vikram huffed, giving her a dead stare, and got up from the bed to lock the door while a blushing Harshitha sat up, adjusting her dress and blouse. As a result of his mini-intervention, her neatly styled hair had become tangled and messed up. She narrowed her eyes at him when she felt her last hook unhooked from its eye.

However, Vikram ignored her and walked inside his bedroom to freshen up while Harshitha opened his dresser and searched for a comb.

When Vikram came out, he found his darling standing before his life-size mirror, doing her final touch on her hairstyle. He moved slowly and stood behind her as they stared at each other through the mirror.

"Gorgeous." He breathed, embracing her from behind by wrapping his arms around her hip loosely, keeping in mind not to mess up her hairstyle again. It would have probably taken a solid 10 minutes to brush her long hair.

"You don't look bad yourself," Harshitha replied, staring at his face as he finally took in her appearance.

"I missed you so much." He sighed, turning her around. His eyes slowly scrutinized her face as if he was looking at her for the first time. The moment he arrived today from Bangalore; he went straight to bed after wishing a birthday to the twins. When her family arrived at his house, he was already in bed, deep in sleep. Meeting each other after two long weeks sure left them longing for each other. They can't wait to spend some time together after dinner.

"Missed you more." Then, without a word, she circled her arms around his neck and joined their lips together in a soft kiss. The kiss grew deeper as her fingers caressed his neck while their eyes fluttered shut. He gasped when he felt her pushing him against the mirror. Placing his right arms against the mirror rim, he balanced their weight while his other arm picked her up, to which she tightened and leaned her weight totally against him, evoking something within him.

He traced his tongue across the seam of her lips, urging her to open her mouth. Instantly, she obliged, happily welcoming the warmth that he brought. As his fingers parted her hair off her back and caressed her back sensually, she gasped and kissed him deeper, making him go mad with her passion. Tightening his hold on her hip, he turned them around so her back now rested against the mirror.

"Are you seriously trying to kill me?" Vikram panted hard, his hand unhooking her blouse as she tried to pry open his shirt.

"Huh?" Feeling lightheaded with his kisses, she looked intoxicated as she stared at him with confused eyes.

"Looking like this-" His eyes scanned her, starting from her face and halting at the sleeve that was hanging slightly off her shoulder. "-and entering my darkroom when you for sure know it will drive me mad not to do anything and not to forget we're meeting for the first time in two weeks."

"I'm a hot-blooded teenager di Pondatti." Vikram groaned when she looked at him with that look. Her eyes, hooded with desire, and her lips, red from their kiss that almost caused him to lose control.

"So am I," Harshitha smirked, pulling him by his collar and connecting their lips again. But suddenly, a knock reverberated through the room, and their noses bumped, causing them to break apart with a chuckle.

"I'll go down first. Once you're ready, come down." Vikram placed a kiss on her crown and moved towards the door. Taking a minute to tame his curly hair and button his shirt, Vikram opened the door to see no one standing there. Shrugging, he closed the door and moved to sit on his bed but was again interrupted by the knocks.

Grinding his teeth, he opened it but again met with thin air. Just as he was about to smack the door shut, a giggle came from below him.

A grin spread on his face when his eyes met big bright eyes. Dressed in a cute rainbow-themed gown and hair styled carefully in two ponytails, that person only reached up to his knee height.

"Devi!" Vikram exclaimed, leaning down to scoop up the little devil into his arms, who giggled when he spun her happily. Her sweet giggle echoed through the hallway as he peppered kisses on her cheeks in adoration.

(That little girl who exposed them at prathy's wedding)

"Where is mommy?" He bounced her in his arms as he climbed down the stairs. Her small dainty arms wrapped around his neck tightly while her head rested on his shoulder.

"In d chicken." She mumbled shyly to him, her arms tightening when she met the eyes of someone sitting in the living room.

"In the kitchen?" He laughed as he nodded at his neighbor in greeting, who came over to wish the twins a happy birthday.

"-and that man has the nerve to not apologize to my darling daughter!" The duo entered the kitchen to see the little devil's mother, Suganya gossiping about their trip to the grocery store that morning.

"Then what did you do?" Sakthi looked amused as she kneaded the paratha dough and passed it to her sister-in-law, who placed it inside the refrigerator.

"Viduvana nanu? I scolded him left and right and only left him after he apologized to Devi!" Suganya exclaimed proudly with her hand on her hips. When her eyes caught the figure standing at the threshold of the kitchen, a smile bloomed on her face. "Vikram! My baby brother! How was Bangalore?"

'Would I leave that?'

"Hello, to you too, Akka! Bangalore was spectacular, and your friend was sweet and welcoming. She even cooked us a farewell meal on the last day." He entered the kitchen and passed Devi to his future mother-in-law's awaiting arms, who patted his arms fondly.

When they were in Bangalore, their hotel booking got canceled at the last minute, so Suganya helped them by contacting her friend and asking her to rent her outhouse, which was near their internship office, for the boys to stay for a couple of weeks.

"That traitor! She didn't cook for me when I went there last month." Suganya ranted about her friend while the ladies busied themselves with the cute devil who acted shyly and refused when one of them gave her chocolate but accepted once her mother turned around to converse with Vikram.

"Um, where is Harshu?" Radha questioned, raising her brows at Vikram, who opened his mouth to answer, but Devi quickly cut in, making him choke at her answer.

"Chiti and Chitpa were in his room, Chiti was dressing, but before I would enter, Chitpa brought me here."

Radha stared at him, astonished, while Sakthi glared at him, although her eyes still held a shred of doubt in them.

"Ladies, ladies! Don't get any wrong ideas. She wanna freshen up, so we both came down to give her privacy. And she was just adjusting her hair in front of my mirror." Vikram raised his hands in defense as if saying, 'I'm innocent' when they kept staring at him suspiciously.

"Okay, calm down. We know that they both wouldn't do anything that would disappoint us. They are just young in love, leave them to be." Suganya thought this was the time to interrupt, but it backfired when suddenly a new voice spoke.

"Who is in love?"

Everyone became still, their heart palpitating as they waited for one another to answer. However, no one spoke.

"Vikram? Would you answer?" Harshitha's father questioned as he walked inside the kitchen. The super spacious kitchen now felt congested as everyone refused to acknowledge the elephant in the room.

Sakthi's hold tightened on Devi when the little girl mumbled 'Chitpa and Chiti are in lub' in her ear and giggled. She thanked God that she didn't say that loud.

Vikram squared his shoulder, turning around to answer but got shocked when another voice answered.

"Your daughter and Vikram, Krishnan."

'Well, that's a very nice welcoming gift ever.'

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To be continued!

Hehe, not me giving you guys a sweet scene🙈 and leaving you in a cliffhanger!!😂😂

Ahh, I feel so much alive, giving a cliffhanger after so many days!

How is it?