(This picture is from Rakshan's Point Of View, so please don't confuse yourself with Poornitha's thoughts)

· • ● Poornitha ● • ·

Usually I call up Rakshan in the morning to wake him, but today I didn't. He had his competition, last night and it got over at around 3 in the midnight. He messaged me, soon after his performance got over. I had checked his message in the morning and thought of calling him after 8AM, so that, he gets sometime to sleep. Moreover it was Sunday.

Today's morning walk was with Akka, and we came back home at around 6:45.

As we opened our house door to get in, Deba came out and was in a hurry to go somewhere. 

"Hey where are you off to in such a hurry???" asked Akka.

Deba looked at her as he fiddled with his phone. He just rolled his eyes and looked at her, the next second his eyes were back to his phone. 

"Swadhintha it's a... actually a business call. I got to go immediately!! Will tell you things in detail later on!" he said and ran out to the taxi that was waiting on the road.

"Business call??? All of a sudden??? Akka did you look at him, he looked so tensed and worried about something!"

"Yeah, I know! I felt the same!! Hope everything is good and he remains safe."

"Call him in the evening and get his updates ok! That would be better!"

"Sure Poovu!! I will, don't worry."

When it was around 8, I called Rakshan, but his phone was busy. In no time he called me back, and I attended his call...

"Your phone was busy!"

"Your phone was busy Poovu!"

Both of us said the same thing simultaneously,

"I was trying to call you Rakshan!"

"And I was trying to call you! What a coincidence!"

I chuckled softly, and then spoke up,

"How was last night's competition Rakshu..??"

"Well nothing much to tell about it.. judges were not satisfied!!"

"Why??? What did they tell??"

"They found the connect to be missing .. I was not into the song fully! That's what they said. I mean my involvement while singing was not enough."

"Ohhh my..,"

"It wasn't a soulful performance they all said."

"It's ok don't worry.. it happens at times!! By the way what was the song you sung???"

"You only told na,. That Elay Keechaan song from Kadal movie."

"I..!? When did I tell you?? What are you saying??"

"No no sorry that was here, for Reyan! Not you.."

"Ohh ok... Rakshan don't worry, you practice more and perform with your 100% even more than that in the next level. Ok!"

"Hmm"

"Cheer up Rakshan.. it's not good to hear you like this! It's just a competition dear..-"

Before I could complete my sentence, he interrupted me, "I was one among the last 5 in scores, this time. That's very bad right? I never expected that!"

"Ookk.. I understand! See it's as simply as that, you lost an opportunity which was actually on the list! You have many opportunities coming up to prove your talents!!! There is no use of worrying over the spilled milk, all that you can do now and here after, is be careful when you carry the milk next time! Forget what happened last night, scores are just simple things, nothing to do with your career!! Your real talent matters the most!!! So, start practicing for the next level from now itself!! Get into the song, forget all the other things and just assume that it's just you and the song!!! That's all Juliet!!" as I finished my speech I gave out a heavy sigh. That was really a huge one, anyways the sigh was obvious!

"Yeah I get it Poovu!! Thanks a lot!! I will give my best in the upcoming levels!!!"

"That's th..-"

"Poovu... come here soon!!! Soon ya!!" Akka screamed on the top of her voice.

Panicking what would have happened, I rushed from the bedroom, to the hall! Akka was on the couch and watching TV.

"What happened why did-"

"Poovu look SOS Cats special!!"

I looked at the TV and saw Science Of Stupid show was going on! Manish Paul was talking about the scientific facts that the cats follow unknowingly, but humans, we think ourselves to be Don's and do all funny things which end up in some disaster!

"Akka...!??????"

She looked at me and looked at the TV the next second.

"Akkkkaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" I raised my tone. "Was this for what you shouted on the top pitch of your voice???"

"Poovu sit quiet and enjoy the show!" She said pulling my hand. I gave a 'What the hell?' look and took my hand from her clutch. 

Rakshan was still on the call, I took the phone and said, "Rakshan I will call you later!" throwing the phone on the single sitting couch, looking at Akka I said, "You are dead today -Swadhintha Krishnan!!"

"What!??" she asked, puzzled.

I went over her and holding her hands wide so that she won't be able to hit me I said, "Is this something you scream for??? You scared me, I thought something really big had happened!! You are not watching TV now!!" I said that and snatched the remote from her hand. I switched off the TV and had the remote in my hand and did not give it to her!

"Poovu please give me the remote, sorry for scaring you!"

"No ways you are not watching TV!"

"The show was going on really well! Please ya Poovu.."

"I need a perfect apology from you!! Only then I will give back the remote to you!!"

"No I am not going to do that.. I will not fall on your feet!"

"Then no SOS!!" I said and showed her the remote.

"Poovu please..." she was on the verge of crying.

"No .. no .. no ..!"

"Somebody save me from this devil!!!" she said spreading her hands and looked on top!!

I got over the couch and standing behind her, said, "God is not on your side this time!"

Suddenly the door banged open and "I've finally arrived!!" said Jiju!!

"Krish!!!!" Akka exclaimed in shock. The very next second she ran towards him. "Krishiiiiiiiii !!!" they both went in for a hug.

"Jiju!!!" I was still shocked to see him here! "How come you are here??" I asked still standing on the couch.

"SURPRISE!!" he said.

I got down and went near them. All 3 of us hugged together!

"How are you both???" he asked.

"We're good!!" Akka and I said in unison. "All of a sudden how.. I mean what's the purpose for you to come here!???" asked Akka in concern. Obviously, she would be as she is his half-wife now!!

"Simply thought of holidaying with you both!" he replied.

"Sweet Jiju!" I said and gave him a shoulder to shoulder hug.

Both of them brought Jiju's luggage in and sat in the drawing room and talked.By then I went into the kitchen and prepared coffee for all 3 of us.

Sipping the coffee, sitting in the balcony, Jiju told us how difficult it was for him to reach here.
He had taken a flight from Coimbatore to Mumbai! Then a train to Boisar, and then struggled to find a means to reach here.

Our residency was around an hour away from Boisar Railway Station! And hardly we have autos coming so long for single persons, usually there are share auto or cab kind of vehicles but today when Jiju came the share autos and cabs were not there it seems. So he got lift from a tempo fellow and reached here.

"But you never knew the address right.. how did you know the flat no. and all???" asked Akka.

"Rakshan told me!" he said.

'But Rakshan never told me about Jiju's plan. He must have been a part of the surprise..!' I thought and smiled to myself.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

· • ● Rakshan ● • ·

'Stupid me.. I was dreaming that day, as if Poornitha was here, but actually she was in Mumbai. I still can't get myself out of that dream. These dreams, are really sweet, everything that happens in dreams, is so good and perfect!! But then in reality?? It's so difficult to accept the reality. Uffff I don't know what will happen if I propose Poornitha! Will I ever do that??? Who knows..'

I thought and cut the call finally. Swadhintha and Poovu sounded really happy on Krish's surprising arrival.

Actually while on the call Poovu said that she would call me later, but she never cut the call. I was on the line listening to all that was happening. When I heard Swadhu scream for Poovu in the background, even I got worried. But then actually everything was alright.

'Oki!!! So I got to work on with all of me for the next competition!!' I said to myself.

~~**~~

It's been 3 weeks since the last levels shoot, and I have been informed that 5 more episodes and then we will have the semi-finals, followed by the Grand Finale!! So far I had been doing excellently superb, I flopped it in the last level alone!! These last 5 levels will be my last chances. I have come so far, I will not give up here! I will do my best and surely rock here after. For my Appa, I will do it!!

In 2 days was my shoot and I had been practicing well or it! I choose a melody song and gave my own little twists in pitches to it. I was satisfied with the song, my family too liked it. Poovu said that my version of the song, was better than the original one.. but I am no good, compared to Harris Jayaraj!! Whatever, hope it comes out well and the judges get impressed.

Apart from the competition, another thought that was going on in my mind was --'Am I, in love with Poovu??'--

All my feelings for her were increasing and it was becoming nearly closer to the thought of --'Yes, I am falling in love with Poovu!'--

Lying on my bed I thought how would I tell her that I loved her. How would she react to my proposal?? Did she have any kind of love feelings for me??? Or did she consider me only as a best buddy??

But then just buddies don't be concerned for each other so much, she wakes me up, she calls up and gets my updates, mentally she supports me a lot, last time she even came for the competition... hey no that was a dream! Uff anyways.. as such she likes me! Hope she accepts to love me too.

I feel so bored to be here all alone. Swadhu, Poovu and Krish are in Mumbai. Naresh is in Deheradum. Abhi is still on his Business Trip. A handful of friends what I have are busy with their own office works. I feel all lonely here.. I am not that close with Sushant and Rigesh to spend time with them. Moreover I am not a social person!

It's so boring to be alone, when you don't really wish to be. I walked downstairs, Rakshi was busy with Amma chopping vegetables in the kitchen. I pushed her off, took the cutting board and started chopping vegetables.

"Anna what's happened to you today???" asked Rakshi shocked.

"I am bored!! I don't know what to do!"

"Alright! Be careful don't cut your fingers while chopping the vegetables."

Rakshi jumped and sat on the kitchen platform, "Anna shall we got out shopping today??"

"Great idea. Let's go now itself!!" I had hardly cut a potato and put the knife down.

"Wait.. you took up chopping the vegetables, finish it and then go!" ordered Amma.

"Amma, please let Anna come..." said Rakshi.

"No! If you want to, you go and get ready. He will finish his work and then only come!!"

"How mean Amma, she only was chopping the vegetables, I simply took it from her."

"Whatever. You both already give me a hell of work!! Now quietly finish this and then go."

"Fine!" I said and chopped all the vegetables, quietly.

I was interrupted, with Krish's call, when I was about to attend it, Amma stopped me from and again asked me to finish the work and then talk. I went on chopping the vegetables as soon as I could.

Sometimes the work we take up willingly at first, we tend to lose interest in it, at the end!

"I am done with it. Now can I go??" I asked Amma.

She smiled at me and said, "Yes go. Be safe both of you!"

Rakshita was still upstairs in her room. I stood out and knocked at the door, "5mins Anna!!" she said.

I went to my room gelled and made my hair. Grabbing a Dark Blue Shirt I went out. I wore the Shirt on my Tee and with that I was done.

By the time Rakshi could come, I thought of calling Krish.

"Hey dude wassup??" he asked attending my call.

"What should I tell?? You 3 are enjoying in Mumbai, Naresh and Abhi are busy with their own work. And I.. I have to make my self busy by doing some unusual stuffs!! I was cutting vegetables when you called."

"Dude don't tell me that you have changed your profession from a Singer to a Chef!!"

"Ohh shut up!! Tell me what you called me for??"

"Alright! Well nothing much, I wanted to know what are your plans for Poovu!?? That's why I called you!"

"Ahh I am going to propose her!"

"Rakshan are you serious???"

"Yeah I am pretty sure about it! May be I plan it out well in a few days and propose her. If not soon after my competition I will do it for sure! I should think about my Competition as well."

"If you are sure about it then it's ok!"

"What do you think about it Krish?? Will it be ok??"

"Go in for it, will see to it!! Swadhu and I will support you always! Congratulations Lover Boy!!"

"Thanks bro! You peoples' support matters a lot!"

"Anytime!"

"Anna I am ready!" said Rakshi tapping my shoulder.

"Yeah just a moment dear!" I said showing her that I am on a call.

She did not speak after that, but gestured me that she would be waiting for me out in the courtyard near the car. I gave her a thumbs up sign, telling ok!

"So Krish, I shall talk to you later. I am going out with Rakshita." I walked out as I spoke.

"What I am sorry, I can't hear you properly."

"Tower problem I guess, I am going out for shopping with Rakshi..."

"Ohh ok da!"

"So I will call you later!"

"Yeah ok dude! Have fun! Take care bubyee!"

The way this network got disconnected suddenly, I was reminded of that day when I was on the terrace talking to Poovu! With the headphones, she couldn't hear me properly then she misunderstood me.. and apologized for it later.

'Ohh god that was too much of fun!' I said to myself.

Sitting in the car we drove to a shopping mall and Rakshi shopped apparels for herself. I fiddled with my phone for sometime and helped her now and then in choosing the dress colors, designs, models and all.

She went in for trials with few Kurtis and dresses. I waited out with the other apparels that she had finalized and those she was yet to finalize.

She came out wearing a pink dress which reminded me of Poovu again. The way she was dressed in pink in my dream. How cute she looked.

'But I doubt if she wears, short dresses. She looked extraordinarily pretty in my dream, but would that really suite her in reality?? I mean would she prefer that?? Who knows!' I said to myself and left it.

"Anna.. Tell me na.. Should I take this???"

"Yeah you look good, but why don't you try that black one??? That's even more prettier!!"

"Do you really belong to our family?? Amma will kill me if I buy apparels in black!"

"Ohh sorry sorry I forgot.. in that case you take this one itself!"

"Oki!!" she gave out a big smile and went into the trial room to change.

I waited for her out and then paying the bill we moved out. On the way back home, we had ice-creams at Ibaco. When we reached home, she gave a trial for all the apparels that she had shopped and it was literally a fashion show home.

~~**~~

Days passed on soon and the competition as well. I performed well in the next level. The judges were impressed to some extent. But still something was lacking in me, they said. The pitches that I had changed, were excellent according to them, but again it was not a soulful performance.

So now it was 4 levels more, the semi-finals and then the Grand Finale. I had to put in even more efforts and practice very well for the competition.

Hoping I do well at-least this time. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 Month and 24 Days Later

· • ● Rakshan ● • ·

I have nobody around me to see how bad I am feeling right now. I don't know what to do. Ms.Poornitha Krishnan is leaving to Mumbai all of a sudden. Why is all this happening?? Why is God doing this to me?? I had planned so much for both of us and all of a sudden if Poovu leaves like this what will happen?? And my Finals, what about that?? I wanted Poovu to see me perform live in the Grande Finale on that big stage. I wanted to look at her and sing, I wanted to feel her presence, and what not. And what about the surprise I had planned??? I worked on it for almost a month, and finally it was done. But now, everything has gone. Within a second everything has been taken away.

'Why is God doing this to me???? Why in the hell is this happening to me.' I screamed sitting in my car and banged the steering.

Well I was on the way to the Airport to bid Poovu my byees. But this traffic, as always is sucking my blood. I just hope I am not too late to miss seeing her tonight, most probably I would get the opportunity to see her only after my finals then, which is actually worse.

Beeping into the traffic some how, I managed to reach the Airport exactly on time. Parking my car, I ran with the bouquet in my hand. So far the worst part was that I would be able to see her only after the competition, but now something even more worse was, she had already gone in for the security checking, and I missed see her.

"Late man! You missed her this time." said Krish.

"Where were you??? Why did you come so late??"

"I actually go-gota-got stuck up in the traffic" I said looking around, my eyes were searching for my princess. I found her walking near the luggage checking counter, and ran in.

The guards stopped me, but I pleaded to them and got in somehow. "Poornitha!!!" I shouted.

She looked back and gave out the most prettiest smile she had ever stored. Excusing myself through the crowd I reached her panting of my breath.

"Finally you came.. I was worried leaving without wishing you!" she hugged me.

"Yeah!" I said hugging her back. " And this is for you!" I said giving her the bouquet.

"Thank-you so much they are lovely." she said smelling the roses.

"Ok listen, perform well in your competition, don't get worried, everything will be alright, nothing will go wrong, it's all in your hands, OK! Be confident and think of your Appa. It's for him you are doing all this. It's for him you have come so long. Picture him in your mind and perform, you will get more confidence." she went on advising me. I listened to her calmly.

"Listen to me, just trust yourself, don't do anything else just trust yourself. Rest God will take care. OK!" she said and held my hand in hers. "All the Very Best dear!! I was so eager to watch you perform live, but now... all this would happen I had never thought."

"Thank-you so much for your wishes, I will keep all that you said in mind. Even I wish you were here for the finals. No problem dear, Krish will send you the videos." I said.

"Poovu, I actually.. I-had-.. I had planned something for you, but then all of a  sudden this happened and everything was flopped."

"Ohh really?? What was it??"

"OK, straightaway coming to the point-" I held her by her shoulders and looking straight into her eyes, do you think I would make it to her?? I really, never knew, I loved her so much until I looked into her eyes. Her eyes were so deep, that I really could not come out of them. I could see how deeply I was in love with her. She brought me back to conscious and I got back to the words that I was actually trying to bring out,

"So coming to the point- Poornitha, I Love You!" I said. The smile on her face started reducing slowly. She was shocked hearing me, and not a minute she took to respond me. She pushed my hands from her shoulder and she handed me the bouquet.

"Not the time to joke Rakshan!! I got to go." she said and turned to leave.

"Poornitha, I am serious, I Love You!" I shouted. She did not pay attention to my words, but went on walking away from me.

"Poornitha. Listen to me. Wait. Pooooornithaaaaaa." I went and stood in front of her blocking her way.

"Please Poovu. You need not give me your answer now. Don't leave like this. Please."

"Rakshan I would miss the flight, I need to go now. Will talk on call about this"

"No Poornitha, not on call. We will talk about this only after you come back not before that. But you be normal and leave, don't have such a confused face."

"Alright! I am normal and not at all confused. Let me go now."

"Poornitha, you think I would believe you. I know you very well, OK! Don't lie I can sense all that is going on in your mind right now." I tried looking at her face, but she kept changing her angles and avoided to look at me. The announcement went on, asking the passengers travelling in the Flight from Coimbatore to Mumbai to board the flight.

Ignoring my words she walked in front. "Poornitha please. If you walk away like this, it will keep disturbing me, I will not perform well then. Do you want that to happen." I did not know how to stop her, but I knew she would calm down only if I brought my competition into the scene. And it worked correctly. She stopped and turned towards me.

"Rakshan I..- like..- I do understand what you are telling. I am fine now. We will talk soon after I come back."

"Are you sure..?" I asked cupping her face. "Take care, be careful and be safe. OK! Come back soon Poovu!" I added.

"I will! You also take care and-"

"If you are ok, I will be ok always." I sensed what she was about to tell and completed her sentence. "Please don't deny this." I said and gave her the bouquet.

"Ok! Byee..." she said and left getting the bouquet from me and trying to give out a smile.

I looked at her till she went out of my sight. She walked off quietly, she did not even turn back to look at me. I walked out as well.

At the entrance I saw Krish and Swadhu waiting for me. Seeing me come out they came to me, "What happened??? Did you see her??" they both asked almost in unison.

"You couldn't right?" asked Krish.

"I told her..-"

"What?!" they both asked curiously.

"I told her, that I love her!"

"Dude, are you serious??? That's really great." exclaimed Krish.

"What is going on??? You proposed her and Krish you knew about it??" asked Swadhu puzzled not knowing what exactly was going on. "Did you propose Poovu??"

"Yes Swadhu. I proposed your sister Poornitha Krishnan."

She dropped her mouth open on hearing me.

"That's actually a long story going on since a long time. I will explain everything to you later Swadhu." said Krish and made her head rest on his shoulder.

"What did she tell?? All OK! uhhh?? Did she reply you anything??"

"No nothing. I just told her that I love her. I let her go telling that we would discuss it later when she comes back, from Mumbai." I said rubbing my hands and cracking my knuckles restlessly.

"Ohh ok. Don't worry dude. Everything will be alright soon. Let her have some time to think."

"Hmmm yeah!! I thought the same."

"What is going on????" asked Swadhu.

"I love Poornitha. I just proposed her now. I am sorry we kept it from you Swadhintha." I said.

"He told this to me long back. We discussed a lot about it, I was also shocked to know about it at first. I asked him to think properly and then come to a conclusion."

"Yeah Swadhu. I proposed her today after thinking many times. Now I am sure that I love her whole heartedly. So please don't take me wrongly." I said.

"Ok!!" she said and let out a sigh. "Don't let anyone else know about this. I will talk to you about this later. Let me think about this for sometime." she said, and went, sat in the car.

"Take care of yourself Rakshan. Don't worry and confuse yourself about all that happened tonight." said Krish.

"Hmm ok! See you tomorrow man. Good night!!" I said and walked towards my car.I drove back to my house after that.

It's so difficult to sit calm after proposing her. 'She will love me or not???' Oh God. It's so difficult to handle myself now. I feel like my brain would burst now.

Quietly, I walked into the house, opening it with the spare keys that I already had. As I walked towards the steps to go on top to my room, I peeped into the prayer room, and made a small prayer asking god, to help me with my love.

"Deivame please, I don't know what's going on in Poorinitha's mind, about my proposal. But you would know it right. If it's a positive thought then it's good, let it go on. If not, then please get into her brain and heart, and change some connections, and slip out. Somehow make her love me. I know this is not just, asking for her love like this. But you know what, actually she will love me. I know that. The Devil in her will tell her that - No Rakshan is not worth you love, he is mad, crack and what not. But the Angel in her is very sweet like her, the angel will finally make her firm with the decision that she loves me. All that I want you to do now is, just reduce her tension, worries, and thoughts. She thinks too much. And now after hearing me propose her, she would think even more. I don't what that to happen. She is mature enough to handle situations, proposals as well I know. But still she is a kid to confuse herself on certain things for time being, and make herself stressful as well. I don't want that to happen. She won't act maturely at times. So you just see to it that she never gets into any trouble in her mental state. Otherwise she wont get into troubles I know, and even if, you will take care of her without me asking you to. Kadavule.. Please take care of her ok! She's my princess!!" I said and came out.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------