'Umm...Enna ivaru posukunu ipdi ketutaaru...Naan vera okay nu solleetu vandhuten...endha dhairiyathula sonnen...Adhuvum Dinner...Ayooo thookam poche...',Diya was lost in her thoughts, wandering around the hall.

'Ayooo ipdi artharaathiri la polamba vittutaane paavi paiyan..Dinner dhana kooptrukaaru..Naan yen ipdi nervous aaguren....Just casual ah,oru friendly dinner dhana..Naanga finals ponadhuku treat..Avlodhana..Avlodhan...', Diya sighed in confusion.

'Adi adi adipoli...Tadatan tadatan...',Nila came down,doing the adipoli's hook step with an empty water bottle and scared seeing a figure wandering around.
'Haiyoo thirudan geedhu vandhutaano...Ayyaoo thirudan! thirudan!',Nila started shouting which caught Diya's attention.

'Heyy heyy kathaadha di..Naan dhan',Diya said and Nila sighed in relief.
'Chei..Enna Diya ma nee..Naan bayandhe poiten..Enna pei maari nadandhutu iruka indha raathiri la..',Nila asked walking towards Diya.

'Adhu onnum illa..Aama nee enna pannitu iruka?Thoongala?',Diya asked.
'Nee sollu naanum solren..',Nila said and Diya sighed.
'Apdiye avanga aatha kaari maari..',Diya rolled her eyes.

'Adhu... Adhu onnum illa..Aadhi..Pch..',Diya scratched her temples making Nila frown.
'Yedhuku nee ippo vaaila type adikira?',Nila asked.
'Illa..first nee sollu aproma naan solren',Diya said.

'Ada kappal otravanga lam night thoonga maatanga Diya ma..Yenna Midnight la dha pala meengal maatum',Nila said and Diya frowned in confusion.
'Kappal otriya?'Diya asked.
'Adhu inneram readers ku purinjirukum..Nee sollu Aadhi nu enamo solla vandha?',Nila asked.

'Aa..bha..Aadhi na sonnen?',Diya asked and Nila nodded.
'Ayoo ivalta enna solli samaalikiradhu...',
'Samaalika lam venaam,unmaiya sollu',Nila said folding her arms and Diya widened her eyes.

'Unaku yepdi?',Diya asked.
'Nee mind voice nu nenachu sathama pesitu iruka..',Nila said and Diya sighed in embarrassment.

'Adhuu...Adhu vandhu... Aadhi irukaarula...',Diya stopped.
'Aama irukaaru',Nila nodded.
'Avaru..Enna... Dinner kooptrukaaru',Diya closed her eyes tightly and Nila smiled widely.

'Diya ma.. Date poriya?',Nila squealed in excitement.
'Heyy.. Date lam illa di.. Just dinner dhan..',Diya said and Nila sighed.
'Kashtam kashtam romba kashtam',Nila rolled her eyes, murmuring under her breath.

'Ellarayum kooptrukaara?',Nila asked.
'Illa..',Diya replied.
'Vera yaaravadhu friend ah invite pannirukaara?',Nila asked and Diya nodded a no.
'Neenga rendu perum mattum dhan poreenga apdidhana?',Nila asked and Diya nodded after thinking a while.

'Appo ofcourse idhu date dhan...',Nila said.
'Adhellam onnum illa Nila...Naanga just friends dhan..Nee enna..School ku pora pullaiku pecha paaru..Olunga poi padu poo',Diya scolded.
'Aii unga well wishers uruttu ellam enkitta sellaadhu..Yenna naanga ipdi pala pera paathurukom..',Nila said.

'Enna di solra?', Diya asked.
'Idhuvum readers ku purinjirukum,adha vida nee ena sonna?Varenu sonniya?',Nila asked and Diya nodded.
'Varenu dhan sonnen', Diya said.

'Haannnnnn....Yeppo enga?',Nila asked.
'Naaliku evening..Yenga nu avaru sollalaye',Diya shrugged.
'Cha Aadhi,theriteenga...',Nila chuckled inside her mind.

'Haann appo evening paapom Diya ma..Bye byee..',Nila ran with her empty water bottle.
'Heyy thanni pudichutu podii..',Diya yelled but she vanished from her sight as the water was long forgotten.

'Idhu venaam..',Nila threw the nth outfit making Diya sigh.
'Heyy Yethana dress di..Adhuve nalla dhana irundhuchu..',Diya asked pointing the last dress.
'Diya ma.. Pinna nee first time date pora,Nalla dress ah poda venaam?',Nila asked.

'Date illa dinner!',Diya corrected.
'Nalla uruttunga..',Nila rolled her eyes and picked an outfit.It was a bell sleeved black blouse and golden bottom skirt.
'Perfect!',Nila said.
'Heyyy..Idhellam mudiyaadhu..',Diya yelled nodding a no.

'Yen?Yen mudiyaadhu?Super ah iruku..',Nila asked resting her hands on her waist.
'Indha maarilam naan potu romba naal aagudhu..Po di',Diya said but Nila stood still in her decision.

'Pottu tholaikiren..Kudu',Diya snatched the dress from Nila before throwing her a 'Pulla poochikellam kodukku molaikumnu naan enna kanava kanden' look.

'Yepdi iruku??',Diya asked twirling around and Nila smiled widely.
'Diya ma... Apdiye pathu vayasu koranja maari iruka!!',Nila exclaimed making Diya glare.
'Appo ippo enaku vayasu aayiduchu nu solriyaa?',Diya asked.

'Pinna madam ku enna elamai oonjal aadudho?Unakulam kaala kaalathula kalyanam aayirundha en vayasula unaku innoru ponne irundhurukum..',Nila said.
'Vaai vaai..Unna..',Diya raised her hand but Nila escaped.

'Aana Diya ma,indha ulagathula ye amma dating poradhuku help panra ore ponnu naan dhan..',Nila said.
'Hmmm..',Diya raised her eyebrow.
'Aa..Bha..Relax Diya ma..Less tension more work more work less tension',Nila ran from there making Diya chuckle.

'Vaayadii...', Diya muttered and checked herself infront of the mirror, heaving a sigh.
'Oru friendly dinner avlodhana... Avlodhan..!'.

That's she heard a horn sound which immediately raised her heartbeat up.
'Ayayaoo vandhutaare....',Diya rushed outside.
'Medhuva medhuvaa..Tharai la nadakanum..Parakka koodadhu..',Nila said yearning a glare from Diya.

'Iniku unaku vaai over ah iruku..Vandhu vechukuren unna..',Diya walked away making Nila threw a teasing smile.

'Aadhi..',she called out and Aadhi turned to her direction.Her eyes widened as seeing him.He was dashing in his black shirt and pants and a silver embroidered black blazer.His beard was trimmed and his hair was little messy.

While Aadhi too stood rooted seeing her.She looked ethereal in her outfit,her smoky eyes and her perfect make up made her to look more angelic.His eyes refused to blink at the moment he saw her figure.

'Hii..',she smiled.
'Ahh...Hii Diya',he smiled still having her eyes on her.
Diya looked at the bouquet in his hands which was long forgotten.

'Haan.. Happy Birthday',he gave her and she received the bouquet, muttering a thanks.
'Y..You look beautiful',Aadhi said making her go red.
'Umm...Thanks..And you too', Diya smiled and now its Aadhi's turn to blush.

'Adeiii well wishers..Kelambunga da konjam..Romba vekka padreenga,Thaanga mudila..',they heard Nila's voice and both looked at the direction.She was there up in her room,and peeping out through the window.

'Ulla po dii...',Diya said biting her cheeks inwardly to hide her blush.
'Kelambunga kelambunga kaathu varatum',Nila said.
'Un car la polaam ma..',Aadhi said and Diya nodded.

Aadhi took the driver seat and Diya took the passenger seat.
'Yenga porom?', Diya asked.
'Yenga polaam?',Aadhi asked.
'Hmmm.. Neenga dhana dinner polaamnu sonneenga?Appo neenga dha sollanum...',Diya shrugged.

Aadhi even wondered where the courage came up,he just thought that minute and he didn't even think a second to ask her.But for what they are going?Just a dinner or date?May be a friendly date.

It was an beautiful terrace moonlight restaurant.
'Its looking beautiful..',Diya muttered and Aadhi smiled.
'Come..',Aadhi held her hand gently and they both walked into the private table he booked.

Aadhi pulled a chair for her and Diya sat with a smile.
'Nice place',Diya complimented and Aadhi smiled.
'Ma..What you want to have?',Aadhi asked.
They both ordered mushroom pasta, Aubergine pistachio pesto, chicken roulade and a blueberry pie for dessert.

An un usual silence prevailed them but that wasn't awkward.Their orders were received except the dessert.
'Maa..Idhudhan first time..', Aadhi broke the silence.
'Enna?',she asked.
'Illa..Indha maari dinner lam varadhu first time',Aadhi said and Diya chuckled.

'Nee?',he asked.
'Haann...Naa neraya vandhurukene..',Diya shrugged.
'Ahaan?ethana time?', Aadhi asked.
'Umm...Oru 9 to 10..Ellam unga friend panra vela idhula amma appa support vera',Diya chuckled.

'Purila', Aadhi said.
'Illa.. Alliance paapanga,vandhu idhu maari oru restaurant la pesa solluvaanga..Naanum poi set aagala nu solliruven',Diya said casually.
'Oruthar koodava set aagala?',Aadhi asked and Diya shrugged.

'Yen?', Aadhi asked and Diya just looked at him.
'Yennu keta enna solradhu..Set aagala..Summa summa poi ukaaradhu,pesuradhu..Bore uh',Diya rolled her eyes.
'Appo idhum bore adikudha enna?',he asked.
'Ahn mathavangalum,neengalum onnaa?',Diya asked and she realised the next second that he has blurted out.

'Ah..Bha..Dessert vandhuruchu..',Diya said receiving the dessert while Aadhi just shrugged his thought.
'Nalla place,Nalla food!Thanks Aadhi,Romba naal aachu..Indha maadhiri peaceful ah veliya vandhu..',Diya smiled making him glare.

'Oops,Vapass vaangiten', Diya said and he chuckled.
'Aana innum konja naal aprom lam indha maadhiri neenga free ah veliya vara mudiyaadhu,Unga fans kootam, selfie, autograph nu neraya peru suthi irupaanga... Celebrity aayiduveenga',Diya said.

'Haann..Neenga dhan already celebrity aache,Oru production company oda CEO..',Aadhi said and Diya chuckled.

'Umm..Diya',he removed his blazer and made it hang on the chair and stretched his hand infront of her.
'Would you dance with me pretty lady?',he asked and Diya could'nt just understand what's happening.She grabbed his hand with a smile and Aadhi pulled her gracefully.

He pulled her more closer,she held his shoulder with one hand and held his hand in another while he held her waist.

Its not that Aadhi held her waist before, They've practiced dance and performed but this was different.The feel surrounding,the lights,her and him was different.The mild music in the background made the surrounding more romantic while they both didn't have any idea about it.They finished dancing after some twirls and moves.

'Diya..I have a gift for you..',Aadhi handed over her something which made her eyes go wide.
'Aadhi..Idhu..Yepdi?Yeppo vaanguneenga?',Diya asked.
'Idhu unakaga dhann ma vaangunen,But kudukka mudila..Akka ku naan promise pannirundhen,Unkooda irupen,unna veliya kondu vara help pannuven,Un talent ku support ah iruppennu..Appove vaangunadhu,unta correct aana time la kudukanumnu thonichu..And I felt this time is perfect..Konjam pazhasu dhan,pudichuruka?',Aadhi asked and Diya looked at him with glassy eyes while caressed the guitar he gave.

'And sorry for not being with you..Inime poga maaten..', Aadhi said and Diya chuckled in tears.
'Romba azhaga iruku Aadhi..',Diya smiled wiping her tears.
'Haan..then play it now',Aadhi said.

'Illa... Birthday girl oda wish onnu iruku..',Diya said.
'Pah..Vaaya thorandhu ketiye ippovaachu,sollu enna venum?', Aadhi asked.
'Paadunga..',Diya handed over the guitar to him.

'Maa..Paata?Nalla irukaadhu ma', Aadhi denied.
'Naan solli kuduthuruken la.. Paadunnga',Diya said.
'Maa..Adhulam eppo, college days la..Ippo varuma nu thrla', Aadhi said.

'Enakaga paada maateengala?', Diya now used his technique and made him to nod.
'Super uh appo paadunga',Diya said and he started looking into her eyes.

Netru naan unnai paartha paarvai vere
Neengadha ennam aaga aanai indru
Unnodu naanum pona dhooram yaavum nenjile
Neengadha ninaivugalaga anaiyai inge minjudhey

He himself know that Diya wasn't just his friend to him now,but the person who added meaning to his life.All their memories flooded infront his eyes which made his lips curve.

Noolarundha pattam pole unnai sutri naanum aada
Kaigal neeti neeyum pidikka kaathirukiren
Idherkellam arthangal enna
Ketka vendum unnai
Kaalam kai koodinaal....

He stopped and she smiled and asked him to continue.

Kadhaippoma Kadhaippoma
Kadhaippoma ondraaga Neeyum naanum dhan
Kadhaippoma kadhaippoma
Kadhaippoma nee pesa pesa kaayam aarume..

Adhikaalai vandhaal azhagai en vaanil nee
Anaiyaadha sooriyam aagiraai
Neduneram kaaindhu kadhagadhappu thandhavudan
Nilavai urumaari nirkiraai

Unnai yendru paartheno ennai naane ketkiren
Vairam ondrai kaiyil veithu yenge thedi alaindhaaiyo
Unmai yendru therindhume nenjam solla thayangudhe
Kaigal korthu pesinaale
Dhairiyangal thondrume..

Kadhaippoma Kadhaippoma
Kadhaippoma ondraaga Neeyum naanum dhan
Kadhaippoma Kadhaippoma
Kadhaippoma nee pesa pesa kaayam aarume..

He meant each and every word he sang.He just let out the words which was ringing inside his mind and the song suited well.

Diya just looked at him with eyes full of admiration and love.His music notes weren't perfect but had a soul in it.His hands did its magic on the guitar which lead her to some where.She smiled widely and clapped her hands for him while he blushed profusely.

'Seri ma..Appo naan kelamburen..',Aadhi said standing infront of her house.
'Paathu Aadhi,Poitu text pannunga',Diya said and Aadhi nodded.

'Oru nimisham',Diya stopped him and he turned towards her.Diya hugged him while he reciprocated it after few seconds.
'Thank you..Thank you for giving my birthday back and my happiness..',Diya said.
'Naan unkitta kudukala ma,adhu unkitta dha irundhuchu,nee dhan marandhuta,naan just nyabaga paduthune',Aadhi said and Diya pulled back while both of their eyes still on eachother.

The road was empty but for them tension was built up inbetween the air.Aadhi tucked her few hair strands behind her earlobe while Diya closed her eyes in reflection.

They both knew what was going to happen,the tension multiplied more.His hands moved to her cheek while she gasped in a lower voice.

His thumb caressed her lips while she closed her eyes more tighter.She didn't stop him neither he.Aadhi slowly neared her lips but both came out of their trance hearing a horn.

'Excuse me bro..Vandiya edutha naanga poiduvom...',a guy peeped out from the window while Aadhi rubbed his nape in embarrassment,while Diya was a blushing mess.

He nodded and moved his bike, leaving the space which the car wants.The car moved and Aadhi looked at her.

'Kelamburen Diya..',he said taking his bike and she nodded.
'Bye..',he smiled with a tint of blush.
'Bye',she nodded with the same smile and soon he disappeared from her sight.

Both of them moved to their respective places without knowing what was going to happen further!

TO BE CONTINUED..