· • ● Poornitha ● • · 

I feel so bad for Deba's loss, I understand the pain of one losing their parents, who else other than me can know it better?? Though adopted and having a family now, the truth is, I am an orphan.. without any knowledge of my family! I don't wish to think about all this but it just comes in my mind these days when I think of Deba's situation. From my childhood as far as I remember, I was with my now parents only. So never I remember being with my real parents and never have I missed their love, as I never remember experiencing their love. But still, at times I yearn for that real love.

"Poovu??" Akka interrupted my thoughts snapping her fingers.

"Yeah... yeah... what??" I asked.

"What are you thinking about??? How long I was talking to you, but you never replied anything!"

"I am sorry. I was thinking about something else."

"What is it about?"

"Ahhmm.. Uff.. I forgot what it was about!"

"Again Poovu..??"

"Yeah AGAIN!" I said stressing the last word. Akka rolled her eyes, and stood crossing her arms.

I made a tongue out face and walked into the bathroom to fresh up.

After sometime, knocking at the bathroom door Akka said, "I very well know whom you would have been thinking about!"

"Akka, I am going to kick you. No more pulling my leg with Rakshan. Ok!!" I said loud enough so that Akka could hear me.

"Rakshan!! Yeah I knew you would be thinking about him, Your so called friend!!!" she said.

I did not speak anything in return. I could not admit what exactly I was thinking about, because Akka would kill me for sure if she gets to know that, but I can't agree upon what she said either. I was actually not thinking about Rakshan, but I could not find any other idea in my mind to justify my thoughts.

"Akka, I was not thinking about Rakshan!! Stop pulling my leg.." I said coming out.

"Ok Ok.. " she said and walked out of the room, giving me some privacy with myself.

I got ready in around 15 minutes and came out of my room, Akka was dressed up already and was waiting for me in the drawing room.

"All done..?? Shall we move..??" she asked.

"Yeah sure.." I said fetching the shopping list's sticky note that was on the fridge. "Here catch the keys.." I said throwing the bike keys towards Akka.

"Yo babe.. that's like my girl!" she said catching them.

It was after a long long time, we were going on a ride in Mumbai. It was happening just as before - I would take sometime in getting ready, Akka would be ready and waiting for me, I would hand her the keys always and then we are off to our own world. Everything was as usual.

 Walking out of the house, I locked the door and went towards Akka. She pulled the cover from the bike and started it. The Fazer roared loud enough to make people around know that it was back on track.

"My Mirchi-Baby!!" said Akka, as the bike roared. Akka loves Biking and I love riding with her. She had once participated in a Bike-Racing contest and won the 2nd prize in it. She prefers keeping Biking as a weekend hobby and nothing more than that.

"Let's leave now, before the sun takes over.." I said.

We wanted to have some fun in the nice chill air of the early morning, that was the reason why we had started so early from home, at around 5:00 AM. We had hardly slept last night planning out what all we would do in the morning, moreover the fear of missing the early morning, by over sleeping was over us.

First we went to the petrol bunk and filled the bike tank, it was 5:47 AM when we left from there. I made a mental note that I will have to call, Rakshan at 6 AM, as I wake him up these days. But with Akka, would that be possible??? She keeps teasing me now and then with him.

Akka, drove the bike on the Highways in the top gear and we had all the fun, once again. It was now that I was feeling lively. She halted all at once in the middle of a bridge, and asked me to get down.

"How beautiful the sight is from here.." she said jumping off the bike.

"Yeah.. you are right Akka.. It's stupendous!!!" I added on.

"Hey come na.. lets have a Titanic Click!!" she said and pulled me towards the bridge wall.

I was already short and Akka, stood one step higher than me and I stood on the flat road. This showed me even more shorter!!!

"You are already tall and want to look more tall uhh..??" I grudged looking at her.

"Ok Ok Chill Shorty..!!!" Akka said that and pulled my nose.

"I am not talking to you.. you are soooooooo mean at times!!"

"Ok ok sorry.. not again..!"

"No.. not this time Akka.."

"Sorry Poovu girl!!!"

"Ok fine.. let me stand on top!"

"As you wish to.. but be careful.."

"Yeah ok.." I said and went and stood a step higher.

Spreading my hands as I stood, Akka came and took her Juliet's position. Ufff this Juliet again, reminds me of Rakshan. The way he acted as Juliet that day, in the party.. OMG!!! I laughed thinking about it.

"What happened??"

"Nothing Akka, remember that day in your engagement party, Rakshan acted as Juliet .. how funny it was... Deivame.. I can't forget that day!"

"Yeah I remember!! That was so funny. But now, all at once why are you thinking about him?? What has he got to do here now??"

"You took Juliet's position now na, for this Titanic pose picture, that's why I was reminded of Juliet-Rakshan. You don't even understand this Akka.. How dumb!?" I said hitting my head.

"In Titanic, it's Rose not Juliet. Ok!!" she said crossing her arms. "Romeo-Juliet is Shakespeare's play and Titanic is a real incident that was made a movie, in which Jack and Rose were lovers. You are confusing both of them.." she said, which made me understand the whole stupidity I had done.

"How blah of you Poovu.. How Blah!!" said Akka, putting her tongue out. That was my typical slang that I usually use while teasing anyone.

'Shit on earth.. Why weren't my senses working!!' I said to myself hitting my head.

"Did I hear something from Rakshan's Fan..???"

"No you didn't!! Look Akka, there is nothing that is fishy here. Every thing that's going on is Crystal Clear!!! Rakshan and I are very good friends, we like each other as friends and thus spend time together, share what's going on, care for each-other and a few more common things that usually friends do! See for me, You, Jiju, and Rakshan are the ones I prefer a little bit more than, any other friend or family member. Akka, he is Jiju's close friend, he has helped us a lot during the Engagement and the Party time. Personally he has helped me too. Now what's wrong if we be friends..????"

"Enough. Stop and breath Poovu!"

"Done breathing!"

"Fine! Be friends, I don't mind! I was just pulling your leg." she said.

"Then excuse me, I got to call him and wake him up. I am his alarm clock these days!!"

"Go ahead.. I will wait here!!"

I called up Rakshan and he did not answer my call when called him twice. The third time he attended my call in the 7th ring!

"Good morning Rakshu. Wake up!"

"Ooooo..ooooo..ooo Pooovu!!!!" he dragged my name, as much as possible.

"You are really a bed bug Rakshu!! How much you sleep!!"

"Ohh come on Poovu, 6AM isn't that late ok.. probably it's early! Just because you are used to early mornings, doesn't mean everyone should be!!"

"Ok Ok.. No more lectures early morning!! Get up, fresh up and go in for your practice!!"

"Yeah I will do that, but why are you in a hurry..?? What's happened?"

"Akka is here!!" I said letting out a soft giggle.

"Ohh really..???" he asked.

"Yeah.. she came here 2 days back, and now we are out on a ride!! Morning Ride!!"

"That's fantastic!! Have a great time. I am happy knowing that Poornitha!"

"What's making you happy knowing this..??"

"You are happy, that makes me happy too! I mean, I know how lonely you felt without Swadhu. So now that you are happy, I feel something is down my shoulders!!"

"How sweet Rakshu.. You are so much concerned for me!! I am getting such a lovely friendship feeling from you!!"

"Me to dear!"

"Ok ok.. I got to go Rakshu. Talk to you later. Have a nice day!!"

"You too have a nice day, and both of you be safe!! Don't get into any troubles!"

"Yeah Rakshuuuu!!! We will be..." I turned and walked back towards Akka. "Practice well.. All the best!!" I said and ended the call.

Akka looked at me and smiled. "I am done waking him!!"

"Aright.. can we get back to the Selfiee???"

"Yeah, come come.."

We clicked few selfies, in Romeo-Juliet ... ooops!! Sorry in Jack-Rose's Titanic poses, and a few other random poses.

"Enough Akka, we need to click lot more the whole day, let's start with our ride!!"

"Yeah ok.. Come!" she said and gave me my helmet.

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· • ● Rakshan ● • ·

When I was done with my morning chores, I got into my Music room. Grabbing my guitar I found the bright sunlight, trying to get in from behind the curtains!! I pushed the curtains aside, and tied them together. The whole room was filled with bright sunlight. That's when I got the real mood to practice, for the night's competition!

Taking my guitar in hand, I played it and hummed accordingly. I was confused what song to choose, and sat down thinking about it. As I thought I simultaneously, played soft music on my guitar.

Suddenly I felt someone brushing my hair, at the back of my head. Scarily with all the effects of Conjuring and Grudge I turned back to see a pretty, familiar face smiling at me. The baby pink lipstick on her lips widened slowly, as she smiled! It's Poornitha!!! I was wondering what she is doing here?? She said Swadhu was in Mumbai, and that both of them were on a ride, but now she is here!! How could this be possible?? And more over.. what is she doing in my house, in my Music room.??

"Poornitha.. You were in Mumbai right?? How did you come here?"

"No Juliet. I had lied. I wanted to surprise you that's why without informing you I came here!!"

"Are you kidding me..?? You just now spoke.!"

"I am telling you that I lied!"

"Ok.. but what made you come here and surprise me??"

"As if you don't know that!! How blah Rakshu..!! I wanted to see your competition tonight!!"

"Competition all of a sudden?? I am confused!!"

"Hell with you Rakshan.. Stay confused.. I am leaving!!"

She stood up to leave, I stood up simultaneously. That's when I noticed her knee length dress in Crimson red color, which looked like it was all made up of velvet roses. She looked like a doll in it.

Moreover without exaggeration, she looked like an English Rose to ME! I still could not believe it, that Poornitha was home and in my room!! Like was it really happening?? She came here to surprise me? To see me perform? But all of a sudden why is she doing all this??

May be she too started to like me and wanted to do something for me. May be something special!! How great it is knowing that! "OMG.. Yesss.. Finally!!! Finally it's all happening!" I exclaimed in joy.

"Rakshan!!!!!" Poornitha called and looked at me with here eyes wide open. "I am walking off and you are happy about it?"

"No no.. I am sorry! I did not exclaim for that. I am sorry if you felt so. Sorry Poovu!" I said and pulled her close by her arm.

"I wanted to motivate you, support you being in your competition and you are like.. how mean Rakshan!!"

"Hey Poovu, nothing like that, I could not believe it that you are here. When I realized it to be real, I shouted! That's all. I am happy that you came! Thank-you!!" I said and hugged her.

"Are you really happy?? I doubt with my decision coming here!!" she asked that whispering into my ears.

"Yes dear, I am very happy!!" I whispered back in her ears.

She shivered and moved slightly, as I whispered, pushing her hair behind her ear.

"Ok now help me out, I am confused on what song to choose and perform on." I said, sitting on my chair. Poovu sat opposite to me on the couch.

"The competition is tonight, and you haven't chosen a song yet??" she questioned me.

"Ahhh.. No!!" I said scratching the back of my head.

"So confident that you will perform well..??" this time she gave an irritated look.

"Not like that, this time I wasn't much interested!!"

"Hey come on.. Don't lose your interest in the Competition Rakshan. Ok wait let me think of some songs!!"

"Hmmm... "

"There is a song in Jeans movie, Anbe Anbe.. that will be good. If not.. some other song from the same movie. You can go in for Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya also.. Kadal also has a good Album Collection!! Which ever you would be comfortable from these, go in for them. That's all I could think of.."

"Hmm sounds like all ARR.."

"Yeah I am an A.R Rahaman Fan man!! What music they have.. the intensity of the lyric!! His compositions are simply awesome!! I like other singers as well, depends!!"

"Hmmm ok ok!"

"So decided what you would sing??"

"Kadal>>Elay Keechaan!! That song would do na? What do you think??" (Kadal is a Tamil movie and Elay Keechaan is a song from that movie)

"Hmm... " she hummed the song for sometime and then spoke, "That will be superb man.. Go in for it!!"

"Alright .. Thanks Poovu!!"

"Why are you thanking me? Anyways, start the practice I want to see you practicing!"

I downloaded the karaoke of the song, in my lap, connected it to the speakers and with the lyrics in my phone I started the practice. 3 times, I practiced with the karaoke, and then I took my guitar and practiced with it.

"You really have a good voice Rakshan!! I always admire you singing."

"Awww Thanks!"

"Can you teach me to play on the guitar??"

"Yeah sure why not!!" I was celebrating in my mind for all that was happening. "See hold it this way, take this pick, and then put your left had around this, and you will have to press the strings in order to make music!"

She was literally pressing the strings with her left hand and telling the music is not coming! How would it, the music would come only when she plays on the strings with the pick in her right hand!

"Teach me properly idio!!"

"Get up then and turn around!!"

"I don't want to learn dancing!! Why are you asking me to turn around??"

I pulled her close and placed the Guitar in front of her, asking her to hold it! She went on talking something or the other, I hardly heard them!

"Now see, with the pick strike the strings!"

When she did that a soft sound came and then immediately she started striking the strings again and again! Slowly, though not music exactly, she was some how playing on the Guitar!

She needed some sort of encouragement for playing on the guitar, I whistled and clapped, for which she dramatically bowed and gave Thanks!!

"Ohh Poovu.. you are too cute!!"

"As if you are not!" she said pulling my cheeks. "Thank-you so much!"

"Poornitha!!" I said and cupped her face brought it close to mine.

"Rakshan!" she whispered softly.

"I got to tell you something.. It's that... Aaauch!!!" I winced in pain.

My head all of a sudden hit a hard surface and it gave me a sharp pain. Slowly I felt some pain in my knee bones as well! That's when I realized I had fallen on the floor.

'Ohh Gosh!! How did I end up here?' I thought and stood up, gaining my balance I looked around but, could not find Poornitha!! Rubbing my head to get relieved of the pain I was thinking where Poovu went all of a sudden. She was here so long, all at once where has she gone?? Did I make her angry because of which she left the place?? What has happened? I was so confused!

I walked out of my Music room and looked for her in my Bedroom, if she was somewhere there. But she wasn't.

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· • ● Poornitha ● • ·

"Alright.. then lets...-" before I could complete my sentence, Akka, interrupted me.

"Lets go buy some jewelry for the new sarees that we bought in Coimbatore. In case if we need to wear them, we wouldn't have any difficulty in searching for the accessories."

"That's a good idea Akka! Let's go to Dadar, to that bhaiya's shop!!"

"That's so far from here, are you mad?? On the bike all the way from Virar to Dadar!! I can't drive so far!"

"I was kidding!! There are many shopping malls near by, let's go there! When we go to Dadar we will check Ankit Bhaiya's shop!!"

"Ok!!" she said and drove to D-Mart, where we decided to buy all the stuffs we wanted.

~~***~~

We reached home exhausted, after the whole day's shopping. Saturday was well utilized, some how.

We had shopped lots, accessories, I got a new sandles, Akka bought a few Kurtis and she even bought a mobile back case. She was going crazy about these minions, and wanted a back case with minion's image, so finally her wish was fulfilled. And of course we bought the accessories needed for our sarees as well.

We had our lunch at around 12:45, at a restaurant in Borivali, and after that we went to a Hospital where one of Akka's old colleague was working and met her. That took around, an hour and I sat ideal, in the hospital, not knowing what to do. I played Word Rush on hike, and went on challenging my friends there. On the way back we bought the necessary grocery items for the house!

When we reached home, we were so tired, that we did not even open our shopping bags that we usually do. All we did was got in, and dropped ourselves into our beds to sleep.

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