Aakash and Meenakshi had become good friends and every night they lay on the bed facing each other. They would talk for hours, losing track of time, until sleep eventually claimed them.
To balance her sleep, Meenakshi would rest for a while in the afternoon. She often wondered how Aakash managed to sleep so late and still go to work every day. On Sundays, she would quietly switch off his alarm and let him sleep peacefully until it was time for his online classes.
That night, as usual they had fallen asleep after a long conversation.
Sometime later, Aakash woke up feeling thirsty. His throat was dry from all the talking. He turned slightly and noticed Meenakshi sleeping close to him.
Her face looked calm and serene under the soft glow of the night lamp. She had always been beautiful but lately, there was something more. A softness, a warmth… and that constant smile of hers, it stayed with him throughout the day.
He loved watching her smile.
The summer heat had made the room warm and feeling uncomfortable, Meenakshi had pushed aside the bedsheet. Her saree had shifted slightly, revealing a glimpse of her waist.
Aakash immediately gulped and shut his eyes. But his mind refused to listen. Slowly, hesitantly… he opened his eyes again.
There was something effortlessly graceful about her, like a sculpture carved with care, something to be admired from a distance.
A strange restlessness stirred within him.
His hands instinctively tightened over the bedsheet as he fought the sudden rush of emotion. His gaze shifted to her face… then to her lips… soft and peaceful in sleep.
And then, just as quickly, the thought struck him.
” What if I fail her… even as a husband? “, he thought and the warmth that had risen within him faded instantly.
He turned away and shut his eyes tightly, as if trying to silence his own thoughts.
” She is happy… and I am happy being her friend. I don’t want to ruin this… not by trying to be something I might fail at. I don’t want her to feel disappointed in me.” he thought and with that, he got up and walked into the bathroom and splashed water on his face to steady himself.
When he returned, he drank some water and wiped the water from his forehead. The room still felt too warm, so he walked to the window and opened it for some fresh air.
As he looked outside, he noticed Rajesh standing near the gate, talking on his phone.
Aakash frowned slightly, then shook his head and closed the window.
” I should get an air cooler for now” , he thought as he walked back to the bed. He lay down carefully beside Meenakshi.
Just then, in her sleep, Meenakshi turned slightly and placed her hand over his chest.
Aakash froze. His eyes moved from her hand… to her face.
“I hardly sleep these days… I might collapse someday. But it’s okay. This gives me a kind of peace… and everything feels worth it. I just hope she never realizes that I hold on to her in my sleep.” he thought with a faint smile.
With that thought, he slowly closed his eyes.
It was a Friday and Aakash returned home earlier than usual.
Meenakshi served coffee and tea to everyone before entering the room with a cup for him. Aakash was in the middle of removing his shirt when he noticed her and smiled.
” Nalla irukkeengala kanakku pulla ? innaikku seekiram veetuku vandhutteenga ? ” ( Are you okay? You are home so early, Accountant Sir) ,” Meenakshi said, picking out a T-shirt for him but Aakash stopped her.
“Do you want to go out somewhere? You might be bored staying at home all these days. How about a movie?” he asked.
Meenakshi stood still with a small smile forming on her lips.
“Have you booked a cab or an auto? I’m sure you wouldn’t want your bike to be wrecked because of me… or feel embarrassed taking me out.” she asked casually and paused.
“I mean… what’s the point of going out if we’re going to behave like strangers? I can just stay home and cook dinner, Accountant Sir.” she said in a slightly playful tone.
Aakash felt a pang of guilt. Her words reminded him of how he had treated her the first time they went out together.
“I’m sorry, Meenakshi, You know I would never feel embarrassed about you. Back then… we didn’t know each other. But now, you know why I behaved that way.” he said sincerely.
“And yes, I did book an auto… but I’ll cancel it. We’ll go on the bike. You can be angry if you want. And if you don’t feel like going, I won’t force you. But I really am sorry.” he said looking at her earnestly.
He sat down on the bed and stared at the floor feeling clearly ashamed. Meenakshi watched him for a moment before her lips curved into a teasing smile.
“Accountant Sir, you should step out if you want me to get ready… or I might assume you are trying to act bold and stay in the room.” she said and whispered the last line to tease him.
Aakash immediately stood up, his ears turning red and hurried out.
A little while later, Meenakshi stepped out, dressed in a beautiful blue saree. Aakash froze for a moment and smiled as he looked at her. He swallowed nervously and started his bike and moving slightly to give her space to sit behind him.
” Oh God… this is going to be torture. How am I supposed to ride without getting distracted? ” he thought gulping nervously.
Meanwhile, Meenakshi stood there, fidgeting with her fingers.
“What happened? Get on, we are getting late,” he said but She gave him a sheepish smile.
“I have only ever traveled on a scooty with Hema. Even Appa only had a scooty,” she said hesitantly and glanced at the bike and then looked away.
“I think we should just book a cab or an auto. I… I can’t get on like this. What if I fall?” she said and her voice softened with embarrassment.
Aakash understood her hesitation and the insecurity she felt about herself. Without saying much, he stretched out his hand toward her.
“Hold my hand and get on. Slowly, you will get used to it.” he said gently.
“I’ll get used to it too…” he muttered under his breath.
Meenakshi held his hand carefully. Aakash steadied the bike with his foot firmly on the ground as she climbed on. She silently thanked God for not losing her balance. Sensing that he might already be uncomfortable, she chose not to hold him and instead gripped the bike for support.
Aakash looked up at the sky for a moment and silently prayed for focus, before starting the bike.
He had barely moved a short distance when the uneven road caused a sudden jolt. Meenakshi was thrown slightly forward and bumped into him.
Aakash immediately stopped the bike. His eyes widened in shock as he felt her pressed against his back. His hands began to tremble and his breathing turned uneven.
Part of it was his usual nervousness around physical closeness. But the other part… was new. Something had changed in him.
His mind was no longer seeing her as just a friend. The nights had already been restless for him and now this closeness, her hand on his shoulder, the accidental contact was stirring emotions he was trying hard to suppress.
He closed his eyes briefly and muttered a silent prayer before starting the bike again. He drove slowly, far slower than usual. Each time he accelerated, even slightly, their bodies brushed again, making him more conscious of every movement.
Meenakshi noticed vehicles overtaking them one by one. Confusion clouded her mind. She had often seen Aakash rushing to work at high speed but today he was unusually slow.
“Is something wrong? I think we might miss the first half of the movie… maybe we can skip the theatre and just go for dinner?” she asked softly.
Aakash stopped the bike at a signal.
” How would you even understand my struggle?”, he thought and he turned his head slightly toward her.
“Nothing is wrong. We’ll reach. Don’t worry,” he said, forcing a calm tone.
Finally, they arrived at the mall where he had already booked tickets. Inside the theatre, they walked to their seats. Meenakshi smiled when she realized he had booked a corner seat for them.
“Uncle said you never go out with friends. What was the last movie you watched before we got married?” Meenakshi asked.
Aakash shrugged lightly. “I haven’t been to a theatre in years. The first movie I watched… was with you, after our wedding.”
Meenakshi chuckled softly. “Oh yes, the first movie. You were sitting there completely lost and I slept through most of it. I was so annoyed. I even felt like crying… or screaming at you, Accountant Sir.” she said and huffed playfully.
Aakash smiled at her words but a hint of guilt still lingered.
“I’ll keep saying sorry for everything, I’m sorry, Meena.” he said quietly.
Meenakshi turned to him in complete shock.
“Meena?” she repeated the name he called her and he gave a small smile.
“Nee enna kanakku pullanu dhana koopudra… adhaan naanum unaku oru nickname vekkalam-nu nenachen. Unga appa, amma, friends ellam unna Meenu illa Meenakshi-nu koopuduvanga. Aana naan un special friend-la? Adhaan unna ‘Meena’-nu koopda poren ” ( You call me Accountant Sir… so I thought I should give you a nickname too. Your parents and your friend call you Meenu or Meenakshi. But I’m your friend so I wanted something special. I’ll call you Meena.), he said with a wide smile that reached his eyes and Meenakshi couldn’t avert her gaze from him.
Meenakshi slowly… very slowly nodded, her cheeks warmed as a shy smile appeared on her lips.
Unlike the first time, they spoke softly during the movie, sharing comments and quiet laughter. At one point, Aakash placed his arm on the armrest. At the exact same moment, Meenakshi did too.
Their hands brushed and both of them froze.
For a second, neither of them knew what to do. Should they move away? Pretend it didn’t happen?
Meenakshi made the first move. Slowly, she let her fingers touch the back of his palm.
Aakash glanced at their hands. Then, after a brief hesitation, he turned his palm upward with an unspoken invitation.
Meenakshi slipped her hand into his. His palm was slightly cold… and damp with nervousness. Their lips curved into quiet smiles and neither dared to look directly at each other.
During the interval, Aakash brought popcorn. Each time they reached for it at the same time, their fingers brushed lightly, sending small waves of awareness through both of them.
Neither pulled away quickly anymore.
When the movie ended, Meenakshi held his hand as they walked out, careful not to stumble in the dim light.
Aakash didn’t let go of her hand, not even after they stepped outside, not even as they walked toward the restaurant.
“Did you enjoy the movie today? I hope there won’t be any complaints next time.” Aakash asked as they sat down.
Meenakshi smiled shyly, her mind replayed the moments, their hands intertwined, the soft touches and the quiet closeness.
“I liked it,” she said softly and Aakash poured water into her glass.
“You have a master’s degree so Why didn’t you think of working?” he said casually.
Meenakshi froze for a brief moment. Before she could answer, their food arrived.
She quickly picked up another topic, asking him about his online classes, gently steering the conversation away.
Aakash didn’t press further, but the question lingered silently between them.
“You must be missing your family. Because of me, we couldn’t stay with them after our wedding. But now, we shall go and meet them. Just tell me when and I’ll plan my work accordingly.” Aakash said softly and Meenakshi nodded happily.
Their ride back home wasn’t as awkward as it had been earlier. There was a quiet comfort between them.
Aakash parked his bike and locked the gate while Meenakshi knocked on the door, waiting for someone to open it.
As she stood there, her eyes fell on a pair of unfamiliar women’s sandals near the entrance. She frowned slightly and looked at Aakash in confusion.
“Looks like we have a guest,” she said, pointing at the sandals.
Balaram opened the door and the look on his face made it clear that something was wrong.
“What happened, Appa? Are you alright?” Aakash asked as he stepped inside with Meenakshi.
But he froze mid-step. A young girl was sitting on the sofa next to Rajesh.
Not just any girl…They looked like a newly married couple and Meenakshi gasped in shock.
Padma hurried to the door and locked it before turning toward Aakash, wiping her tears.
“Look at him, Aakash. This idiot has married this girl and brought her home. He didn’t even think about our family. What will happen to Lavanya now? How will we get her married? What will we tell the neighbours and our relatives? He has brought shame upon us ” she cried.
Aakash clenched his jaw tightly.
“What the hell have you done? Idiot, Do you have any sense or conscience left in you? Who is she? And what about her parents? What if they file a complaint against you at the police station?” he demanded, glaring at Rajesh.
“She is Sharmi, we love each other. Her parents were forcing her to marry someone else, so we had no choice.” Rajesh replied defensively and Sharmi immediately stood beside him, holding his hand.
“Do you even have a job to take care of her? Why didn’t you speak to Uncle, Aunty or your brother? They could have talked to her family.” Meenakshi asked firmly.
Rajesh shot her an annoyed look, clearly offended by the mention of his job.
” Stop glaring at her and behave yourself Rajesh. what she said is the truth.” Aakash snapped at him.
“What do you think her parents will feel when they find out their daughter has married someone who doesn’t even have a job? What will you tell them? And how do you expect us to face them?” he thundered and raised his hand in anger, almost ready to slap him but stopped himself when he saw Sharmi standing beside him.
“What should we do now?” Padma asked, sobbing.
Aakash looked at his father leaving the decision in his hands.
“Let’s call her parents, I’m sure they must already be searching for her.” Balaram said calmly and he turned to Rajesh.
“Give me her phone.” he demanded.
Rajesh hesitated but Sharmi slowly handed over her mobile with her father’s number on the screen.
Balaram dialed her father’s number. As the call connected, Rajesh tried to snatch the phone back but Balaram raised his hand, stopping him and pulled the phone away firmly.
He spoke clearly and respectfully. He informed her parents that their daughter was safe and at their house and invited them to come over so they could discuss everything properly.
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A/N:
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