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Chapter 19

Votes target for next chapter : 70 votes,85 followers.

Kayalvizhi's pov:

It was early morning. The sun hadn't fully risen yet, and the sky still wore that sleepy glow.

Ezhil was going to drop me at the railway station. Appa would pick me up from there and take me home. I was excited, honestly. After all, I hadn't seen Amma and Paati in so long. Home always had a different kind of comfort.

But at the same time, leaving Ezhil behind... it didn't feel right. The flat already looked a little too quiet as I packed the last of my things.

He helped me carry the bag down. The silence in the lift made my heart thump weirdly. Not heavy. Not sad. Just... something in between.

At the station, I turned to him. He looked tired, maybe from all the work he had to do. I brushed my hand against his arm and said softly, "Please eat on time, okay? And don't just drink tea and call it lunch."

He gave me that tired smile.

"I've made idli podi and thakali thokku. It's in the white containers, top shelf. Don't pretend you didn't find it."

He blinked, a little surprised. "When did you make that?"

"Yesterday night. After you fell asleep."

He looked like he wanted to say something, but the train's sound cut through the silence.

My phone buzzed. It was Appa. He was waiting outside the station.

I turned to Ezhil one last time and smiled. "Take care."

"Send me a message once you reach," he said. His voice was soft, like he was trying not to sound disappointed.

I nodded and got onto the train.

The journey wasn't long. Appa was already at the entrance, waving like I was a kid coming home after summer camp. The moment I stepped out, he grabbed my bag and said, "Come, come, first let's go to Janakiraman kadai. I know you didn't eat properly. We'll get your favorites."

Before I could even open my mouth, we were already in front of that tiny old snack shop. He bought a dozen things. Then some more. Mysore pak, mixture, coconut burfi, that green-coloured mint candy I used to love as a child.

I ate hot Halwa.

"Appa, enough," I laughed. "I'm not ten anymore."

"You're still the same to me," he said simply.

By the time we reached home, Amma opened the door, already yelling from inside, "Why didn't you call when you reached the station? " Then her arms wrapped around me tightly. And behind her was Paati, with her half-missing teeth and full smile.

"Ivala paarunga, romba elachu poita," she said dramatically.

(she has become very thin)

"Paati, I'm fine."

Still, she fed me a spoon of hot palkova,which i knew it was made by amma.

After settling in, I walked into my old room, dropped my bag onto the bed, and sat near the window for a minute. My fingers reached for the phone automatically.

Message to Ezhil:

I reached home. Appa fed me like I was a ten-year-old. Amma scolded me like I was five. Paati checked my weight like I was zero years old. Home feels the same. But it's also a little quieter than I remembered.

I didn't send that last line.

I deleted it.

And just sent: Reached safely :) You eat well too.

But I hoped he would still understand what I meant.

______________________________________

After dinner, I escaped to the balcony, phone in hand. Amma was still cleaning the kitchen, and Paati was giving instructions to the cat like it was a human and would understand whatever she tells.

I settled into the swing and dialed him.

Within two rings, he picked up.

"Hey," he said, camera slightly tilted, showing part of his room and a glimpse of the half-open fridge.

I giggled. "Are you standing near the fridge?"

"Because I'm heating leftover rasam. Someone warned me not to skip dinner, remember?"

I grinned. "And did you?"

He held the phone steady now. "Nope. I obeyed, Kayal ma'am. Had dosa with your tomato thokku. And—" he gave a sheepish smile, "I may have finished half the podi already."

I beamed.

"Show me," I said suddenly.

"What?"

"Turn the camera. I want proof."

He turned the phone to show the plate. Rasam, dosa crumbs, and that steel container I packed — already scraped at the edges.

I laughed. "You didn't even take it out properly, Ezhil."

"You didn't label it properly, Kayal."

We were still arguing playfully when suddenly I heard Amma's voice from behind. "Who is talking with you that are you smiling at so much?"

Before I could answer, Paati peeped in, eyes sharp despite her slow steps. "Is that the mappillai?"

(son in law)

I jumped. "Paati!"

Too late. She was already waving at the screen. "Ezhil, saptiya pa?"

(Ezhil ,did you eat?)

I cringed and tilted the camera slightly to show her.

"Hello Paati," he said, looking entirely too comfortable. "sapten,ninga saptingala"

(I finished dinner.Did you eat)

Then Appa came out from the other room, towel slung over his shoulder. "Still on the phone? Your voice is echoing to the street."

I almost dropped the phone. "Appa, I— we were just talking—"

He just smiled and walked away.

The damage was done. Everyone had seen. Everyone had noticed.

I ended the call quickly, face burning.

Later that night...

The roof was quiet. That perfect kind of silence only the mottamadi gives. Crickets chirping, a dog barking somewhere far away, and the slow creak of the old swing hanging in the corner.

I lay on Appa's lap, my hair fanned across his veshti. He was gently stroking my head like he used to when I had fevers as a child.

His voice broke the quiet. "Are you happy, ma?"

I looked up at the stars for a second, then nodded. "I am, Appa."

He didn't say anything.

After a while, he asked, "Does he take care of you well? You're fine, right?"

I sat up slightly. My voice was calm. "It's only because of him I'm doing postgraduation, Appa. I was lost after everything that happened. But Ezhil... he pushed me forward quietly. Gave me space. Gave me strength. Not everyone would do that."

Appa's expression softened.

"And I'll clear CA too. I'll make you proud."

His hand rested on my head again, gently. "You already have."

I blinked quickly. The stars above blurred for a second.

There are some nights you remember forever , not because something grand happened, but because everything felt just right.

This was one of them.

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