You guys don't know how much happy you make me! Thank you so much for all your support

இனிய மாட்டுப் பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துகள் 🐄🌾

Inline comments are love!💜

Writer's Pov:

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"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.

The spoon in Radha's hand dropped to the ground, breaking the painful silence. She and Sakthi looked at each other and glanced at Vikram to see him signaling Suganya to speak.

"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.

"So, no one is going to answer?" Krishnan tsked, crossing his arms across his chest as his eyes flickered from one person to another as if observing the culprit.

"Peripa, I was talking about a serial that we were watching yesterday, nothing serious." Suganya smiled nervously when he mockingly raised his brow.

"Oh, is it?"

"Maama H- Vikram squared his shoulder, turning around to respond but got shocked when someone interrupted him.

"Your daughter and Vikram, Krishnan." As soon as the words floated through the air, everyone gasped.

At the threshold of the kitchen, neatly dressed in half white vesti and shirt, Thatha stood tall and proud, his back straight looking nothing like a seventy-year-old.

"Thatha." Feeling betrayed, Vikram bit his lip as he stared at his grandfather, who now stood beside his uncle. His slightly wrinkly face held a look of aloofness as he stared back at him in the eyes without any mercy.

"Appa," Sakthi uttered, passing Devi to Suganya's arm, who struggled, wanting to stay and watch the slowly brewing argument. How would she miss this! Watching everyone speak/argue with an open mouth was a child's favorite thing to do.

"Devi!" Suganya chided, scaring the struggling girl by glaring. Devi hugged her neck when she saw her mom making scary faces, who quickly carried her out of the room before the little devil could disclose any more truth. When she walked past Vikram, her steps flattened, her heart aching for him when he refused to look up as he stared at the kitchen marble.

"You wait, Sakthi. Let our Maharaja answer that. He sure would have an excellent explanation about why they are sneaking behind our back." Thatha mocked, tilting his head to watch his always proud grandson, who now struggled even to meet his eye directly.

Vikram breathed deeply, praying that his darling shouldn't come down at this moment. He knew that there was no turning back, and there was no way they would hide about them any longer. He could only pray that there would be no damage that would cause their family to drift away.

"Krishnan, calm down." Sakthi quickly stepped before Vikram when her husband strode forward angrily. Her hand rested flat against his chest, pushing him back from approaching Vikram.

"Sakthi! Move aside." Krishnan glared at her hands on his chest.

"No, first hear us out before acting out angrily." She shook her head, refusing to step aside. The husband and wife looked at each other challengingly.

"Athai, thank you, but please move aside. I'll handle this." Vikram gave his aunt a grateful smile and moved forward to face his uncle, who turned away, refusing to even at his face.

"Maama-"

"Maa, athai!" A loud voice interrupted, followed by heavy footsteps heading toward the kitchen. Everyone turned around to see the birthday babies running toward them. Vihana's laugh and Vihaan's shouts echoed through the room as she ran behind her mother from Vihaan, who chased her with a bottle of ice-cold water in his hand.

"You witch!" Vihana laughed, her shoulder-length hair swinging side to side as she tried to escape the cold water that Vihaan chucked at her. The half-white shirt he was wearing was wet and sticking to his skin, making it seem like he had taken a shower while wearing clothes.

While trying to catch her, Vihaan's hand slammed accidentally against the counter. His eyes watered, and his palm became red from the impact.

"Vihaan, language!" Radha chastised him but still ushered him to the sink so he would run his injured hand under the tap water. Everyone remained silent, including Vihana, who stood behind Vihaan worriedly as he hissed in pain.

"Can anyone come and help me unload our luggage?" Hari peaked through the kitchen window, breaking the painful silence. Reading the room, Hari understood something might have happened. He glanced at his mother and saw her protectively holding Vikram's arms as he gazed at his siblings while his father stood still as he observed them.

"No need. We are leaving after dinner." Krishnan stated or more like ordered, glaring at his wife and Vikram, whose head snapped in his direction so fast that everyone heard a bone crack.

"Why? Then about the sleepover?" The birthday girl questioned; her ebony eyes flickered around as her pink-tinted lips opened in question.

"Nothing dear," Krishnan shook his head and added "you both look fantastic today! Happy birthday to both of you. May all your wishes come true and have a healthy life." he smiled, blessing and handing them both a five hundred rupee note when they both touched his feet.

"Thanks, maama!" Vihana hugged him happily, shamelessly skipping towards her aunt, who blessed her and gave her another five hundred.

The only ritual/practice she approves of and accepts without an argument. Birthday means blessing, and blessing means money. Ah, what a good tradition!

"Next thatha! Take that money out, old man!" Vihana impatiently tapped her feet on the ground as she waited for him to take out his wallet.

"Nala periya amount ah kudunga!" Her comment caused everyone to chuckle, which eased the tense atmosphere. Even the earlier enraged Krishnan sported a small smile as he looked at her affectionately.

(Give me a large sum of money)

Her shameless cute demands did something within Hari as he gazed at her with a smile playing on his lips, his hand that ached to nestle her into his arms, clenched around the window railing.

"Maama, ple-" Vikram began but was cut off harshly.

"Sakthi, please ask my daughter to come down," Krishnan pressed, emphasizing my daughter while looking at Vikram, and added, "We will speak about everything after dinner."

And then he marched out of the kitchen silently.

"What happened here?" Vihana looked around, but her question went unanswered as everyone slowly carried on their work. Their grandfather shook his head disappointedly when Sakthi comforted Vikram, who smiled slightly and walked out.

"Here, come and taste the Kesari." Sakthi tried to distract them by offering sweets. Vihana's ankle-length Anarkali fluttered behind her as the twins leaped forward to taste it before either of them would.

Sakthi laughed, leaning back against the counter as they fought for the spoon in her hand. There was a utensil full of Kesari, but they refused to eat it but, instead they fought over the spoon in her hand.

Vihana squeezed his injured hand, causing him to yelp and move away. Using his distraction, she leaned forward and ate the Kesari happily.

"Hehe! Loser!" Vihana muttered with a mouth full of tasty Kesari, showing a thumb down, her mesh sleeve covering her hand until her wrist had pretty tiny flower embellishments that looked like diamonds covered with petals that twinkled whenever light reflected on it.

"Maa!"

"Stop fighting like a five-year-old! You both turned 18, for God's sake."

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"Where should I keep this, athai?" Harshitha picked up the vessel that contained the freshly made paratha and asked her aunt, who had been looking off since evening. Not only her, everyone looked quite off when she came down after freshening up in Vikram's room. Besides the twins, who looked like children high on sugar as they skipped from one person to another for blessings. Something was definitely wrong, and no one was ready to tell her.

Not to mention, her father has been acting weird and not leaving her out of his sight at all. For instance, he bombarded her with questions when she came down and ordered her to stay in the living room, not to go upstairs for anything. And also, when their relatives arrived, the youngsters gave up their seats and sat on the floor. So, when she was just about to sit beside Vikram, her father, who had joint pain, got up from his seat and asked her to sit there.

On the other side, Vikram felt like walking on an eggshell. Everyone scrutinized him when he looked or walked in the direction of his darling as if he was going to make a move. And her father's glare is not helping at all. He even frowned when he asked her to pass the water bottle. To be more exact, he didn't even speak to her, he just asked for the bottle, but they had been treating him like a criminal for the last 2 hours!

Having her right in front of him but without speaking or looking at her is killing him. At least it's a good thing they didn't get caught before. If they knew it would turn out this way, they would have been even more discreet.

The doorbell rang, breaking his train of thought. Radha signaled him to open that as she arranged dishes on the floor. Although the dining table could accommodate their two families, there were many guests hence dinner was served in the living room.

Confusion etched across his face as he walked toward the door. Everyone has already arrived, so who is coming now?

"Oh, hi, uncle." Vikram forcefully smiled and greeted, still standing at the doorstep without letting them enter. Dressed in a white dress that was too extra for a simple dinner, Pooja stood with her family. Her short hair was in a stylish bob that highlighted her defined jaw, which suited her, and in her hand was a big bouquet of red roses.

(The girl who was obsessed with Vikram)

"Hi, Vikram!" Pooja squealed, dropping the bouquet on the ground earning a gasp from him. He staggered back when she hugged him and pecked him on his cheek in front of her parents, who stood smiling. Dumbfounded, Vikram shook her arms off him not so gently and took three feet back. His heart hammered against his chest as he stared at the uninvited guests.

"Pooja! Refrain yourself." Vikram gritted his teeth. "Uncle, please control your daughter. My reaction won't be the same if it happens again."

"Vikram! Who's in the door?" Radha frowned when he didn't return. Passing the plates to everyone, she walked towards the door but halted when she saw her husband's business partner's family standing at their door.

"Oh, hello." She offered them a hesitant smile and tugged at her son to step aside, allowing them inside their home. She frowned at the heavy fragrance of their perfume as they walked past them inside the room. Why do people wear this much?!

"Who invited them?" Vikram questioned irritably, turning to face his mother. They already have enough problems in hand— the word hand wouldn't suffice for their problems.

Let's reframe it!

They already have enough problems in their arms to handle, let alone this crazy family.

Nalla velangum!

(Oh, everything will go well - in sarcasm)

"Who else? Obviously your father." The duo stood at the entry as they watched his father, welcoming them with a grin. Vikram narrowed his eyes at the bouquet in his sister's hand that Pooja handed her. If he remembered correctly, she dropped it on the dirty ground where everyone had left their footwear, but she still gave that dirty bouquet to his sister.

No basic etiquette.

"Didn't dad promise if I did well in my career, he would give his blessing to me to marry Harshi. What is he trying to do by inviting them here?" Vikram turned away disgusted when he saw the sickly-sweet smile Pooja threw at him when she caught them staring.

"I know right! What is this man accomplishing by doing this? Only if I had known he was this dumb in love, I would have run away from the alter."

"Maa!" Amused, he chuckled, embracing his mother gently. When Radha saw him smile after the earlier incident, her heart was finally at ease.

"Now, that's my boy. Don't sulk. I'm here for you guys. Would I let them separate you two? Tell me!" She responded by wrapping him in her arms tightly as she would when the three-year-old him would come running to her when he got hurt.

"Thanks, ma," Vikram whispered, his voice cracked at the end as he buried his head in her neck. She knew what to tell them when they were sad. No matter what decision they make, she never hesitates to express her approval or opposition.

Any time she thought their decision was wrong, she voiced her opinion without waffling. Likewise, if they are correct, she would be the world's happiest momma and support them even if everyone opposed them.

"Athai! Maama is calling you." A sweet voice called out, breaking their affectionate hug. Both looked over their shoulder to see Harshitha walking towards them with a smile, but her smile disappeared when Vikram failed to return it; instead, he merely stared at her without blinking.

"Yeah, I'll go now. Both of you, please lock the gate, door and come in." Radha walked away quickly, giving them some privacy.

Several seconds of silence passed before Harshitha had enough and spoke. "Why are you being distant? Are you trying to avoid me?"

She sighed, forwarding her hands to hold his arm, but her hand met the thin air as he stepped back and avoided touching her. Her eyebrows rose mockingly. "Oh, the lipstick stain on your cheek explains a lot, anna."

"Harshitha! Now is not the time to play," Vikram looked at the entrance when he saw no one in sight. His arms went around his darling waist, earning a gasp from her with his sudden movement.

"Vik-"

"Shush!" Vikram closed her mouth with his palm and cornered her against the pillar. Her heart hammered against his chest as she gazed at the sweat roll down from his forehead. His heartbeat was unusually fast as he stared down at her without blinking. Her earlier water braid hairstyle was now in a bun with a few strands kissing her cheeks gently. She gasped when her long hair tumbled down in waves across her back as he removed the rubber band holding her hair together.

"How would I leave you, huh? What are they trying to do?" He whispered, gripping her hair gently and raising her head to stare into her eyes. His words left a sour taste in her mouth as her lips parted in shock. Why did he say that?

"Are you okay?" She wiped his forehead with her dupatta, causing him to close his eyes with a deep sigh.

"No." He answered honestly, slowly losing his grip on her hair and arranging neatly. "Your father heard us in the kitchen."

"Oh shit." Her eyes widened, her palms flying to her mouth to prevent the gasp that threatened to leave her mouth.

"He didn't hear entirely, but our grandpa broke the news."

"That old man! What does he think of himself? Breaking our promise after I promised to buy him an album? I thought the army supported each other! I'm not going to gift him the Tiny Tans for his birthday. He dares to demand me to buy it for him this evening after that oldie broke our secret!" Harshitha burst out, hitching up her skirt as if getting ready for a street fight.

"Promise? Army?" Vikram questioned, having no idea what she was talking about.

"Dump people like you don't know about the Army, Vikram. And I didn't break any promise, little girl!" Both of them gasped when they heard a voice behind them.

"Thatha! You broke our promise!" She pointed her finger at him while Vikram looked at them with confusion smeared on his face as he observed their interaction.

"If I didn't, you grandma would have! I only helped you reveal them." He calmly answered as he walked towards them, taking slow steps.

"So, you will help us convince our dads?" Finding the new information that their grandpa was on their side, Vikram hopefully asked.

"I'm not helping a coward couple like you who would keep their relationship secret for five years. When I was your age, I saw your grandmother for the first time, and after two months of love, we approached her parents, but they refused us. Guess what we did?" Ganesh crossed his arms across his chest as he stared at his dumb grandkids.

"You fought against them?" Vikram hissed in pain when his grandpa smacked him on the shoulder.

"Aish! Where did this dumb kid come from? Are you even Radha's son?" Ganesh frowned as he looked at Vikram up and down with a look of disappointment.

"This generation is all about violence." He spoke as if he didn't receive a beating in the coconut grove from her brother for meeting at Lakshmi after they found their relationship. "I solved it with peace."

"Peace?"

"I got her pregnant!" He smugly raised his eyebrow as the couple looked at him, shocked.

"You impregnated her before marriage?" The young couple exclaimed together, their jaws dropping at his words.

"Love is about taking risks and living the life. Not hiding like you two. That's all I can say" With that, the old man departed inside, leaving the couple in a state of confusion.

"Is he saying that I should impregnate you?" Vikram questioned, raising his brow suggestively, partly forgetting about the upcoming confrontation after dinner.

"You pervert! Is this all you heard?" Harshitha smacked him on his head and walked away before he would get any more ideas.

'That was definitely an option if they refused us, darling!'

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To be continued...

Who would have guessed that the tables would turn like that?

Anything you wanna say to me? Hehe, Thatha and Patti were wild in the twenties.

How will the 'talk' after dinner go?

And about 'ARMY' if you don't know about that, you are seriously living under the rock. Wake up!

My 'ARMY' people, where are you at? Drop a purple heart! Borahae!

I finally feel relaxed after making the twins an adult (legal age of consent). I've always felt weird while writing scenes/interactions between Hari and Vihana, but now I don't have to. ☺

I planned to complete this before Pongal but it's not going as planned. It's okay, we will go with the flow.

Vote, comment, and share~

Bye-bye, see you soon!