So far:
Shivani went to Shakthi's bank to open an account. Shakthi helped her with the process and got the account opened. After that, the two went to a coffee shop together.
Now:
"So, Shivani, how did you come here?" asked Shakthi, driving his bike.
"Why, on my bike, of course!" Shivani said playfully.
"Where did you park it?" Shakthi asked.
"Near your bank, on the side," she replied.
"Okay," said Shakthi with a nod.
Both of them entered the coffee shop.
"This is where I usually come for coffee — it's really good here," said Shakthi.
"Brother, two coffees," he called out to the shopkeeper.
"Sure, I'll bring it right away," said the man.
"Here you go, brother," the shopkeeper said, handing the cups.
"Thanks, brother," Shakthi said politely.
"Here, Shivani," he said, passing one cup to her. She took it and took a sip.
"It's really good — no wonder you like this place!" Shivani said with a smile.
"Shakthi, I've only known you for a short time, but it feels like we've been close for years. Do you feel the same?" asked Shivani.
"Of course, you came into my dreams long before this," Shakthi thought silently and replied, "Yes, I feel the same way."
"I don't usually get close to people so easily," Shivani continued. "It always takes me time to open up. But once I do, I never let go of the people I trust. But with you… I don't know, it feels like I've known you for ages."
"I thought I was the only one who felt that way," said Shakthi with a gentle smile.
"Shall we go now?" asked Shivani.
"Yes, let's go," said Shakthi.
They left the café and returned to the bank.
"Sorry for disturbing you during work hours — thank you so much for helping me," said Shivani sincerely.
"It's nothing, Shivani. Take care and head back to the hospital safely," said Shakthi.
Shivani started her bike and left. Shakthi stood there, watching her ride away until she disappeared from his sight, then walked back inside the bank.
That evening, Shakthi, Bharathi, and Raji returned home after work. Shakthi and Bharathi were playing chess in the hall while Raji watched her favorite serial on TV. Suddenly, Shakthi's phone rang.
"Bharathi, check who it is. I'll get some water," Shakthi said and walked away.
Bharathi looked at the screen and grinned — the caller ID showed "Ms. Angel." He answered with a teasing tone, "Hello, say something."
"Shakthi, this is Shivani," she said from the other end.
"Hey, shouldn't you first check who's speaking before calling? Don't you recognize my voice?" teased Bharathi.
"Bharathi, is that you? How are you? Haven't seen you in a while — is your boss keeping you too busy?" asked Shivani with a laugh.
"No, it's just that you're so busy at the hospital, I didn't want to disturb you," said Bharathi, joking back.
"You're funny! Anyway, this is Shakthi's number, right?" asked Shivani.
"Yes," said Bharathi.
"Then why are you answering his phone?"
"Why, can't I? He told me to pick it up. Anyway, why did you call?" he asked.
"I went to his bank this morning to open an account — he helped me with it. I just wanted to ask when the ATM card will arrive," said Shivani.
"Wait a second, I'll hand it to him," said Bharathi, walking to Shakthi's room.
"Shakthi, here — your Angel is calling," said Bharathi teasingly. Shakthi quickly covered his brother's mouth, snatched the phone, and walked into his room.
"Tell me, Shivani," said Shakthi.
"When will the ATM card arrive?" she asked.
"It'll come in two days. I'll call you when it's ready — or better, I'll bring it to your house myself," said Shakthi.
"Okay! Did you eat dinner?" asked Shivani.
"No, not yet — what about you?"
"Same here. By the way, how's Aunty?"
"She's fine," said Shakthi.
"Good. Tell her I asked about her. Alright then, good night!" said Shivani, hanging up.
Bharathi grinned mischievously. "Mom, you always say Shakthi is such a good boy. Look what your good boy has done!"
"What did he do?" asked Raji curiously.
Before Bharathi could speak, Shakthi rushed out, covering his brother's mouth again. "Raji, don't listen to him — he's just making up stories as usual. You go watch your serial, okay?"
"Mom, help me!" shouted Bharathi, laughing.
"Shakthi, leave him alone! He didn't do anything!" said Raji.
"You don't know him — he'll confuse you with his nonsense," said Shakthi, still holding him.
"Hey, let him go!" said Raji, pulling Shakthi's arm. Bharathi slipped out of his grasp.
"Now tell me, Bharathi," said Raji.
Bharathi said dramatically, "He claims he has no special feelings for Shivani, but he's saved her contact as Ms. Angel! And today, he opened a bank account just for her! But he pretends to be innocent in front of us!"
"Is that true, Shakthi? I'm so happy — Shivani is a lovely girl! You have my full approval," said Raji, her eyes lighting up.
"Oh, come on! Don't get emotional, Raji. I just named her Angel because she saved me that day — nothing more. And she didn't even know it was my bank when she came. I only helped her because she looked familiar, that's all. Anyway, it's getting late, and I'm starving! Kamala Ma, what's for dinner?" said Shakthi quickly, walking to the dining table.
Raji and Bharathi exchanged amused looks and joined him for dinner.
The next evening:
Raji and Bharathi went to the temple they often visited. Coincidentally, Shivani was passing that way after finishing work and came to the same temple.
Seeing her, Raji called out, "Shivani! Shivani!"
Shivani turned at the familiar voice. "Aunty! How are you?"
"I'm fine, dear. How about you? How are your parents?" asked Raji warmly.
"We're all good, Aunty. You came alone today?" asked Shivani.
"No, I came with Bharathi — he went to buy some pooja items," said Raji.
"Oh, do you come here every week, Aunty?"
"Yes, whenever possible. Sometimes I bring both my sons, or if they're busy, I come alone. But Shakthi doesn't like me going alone," said Raji fondly.
"I started using this route after joining the hospital, so I got used to stopping by here, Aunty," said Shivani.
While they were talking, Bharathi returned.
"Hi, Shivani!" he said, waving.
"Hi, Bharathi!" she replied cheerfully.
"Come on, let's go inside for darshan," said Bharathi. The three of them went in, prayed, and came out.
"Where's Shakthi, Aunty?" asked Shivani.
"He got busy with work. He told us to go ahead without him," said Raji.
"Oh, I see. I just asked casually," said Shivani, smiling slightly.
Bharathi teased, "Why, Shivani? Did you have something to tell him?"
"Nothing like that — I just asked!" said Shivani.
"By the way," said Raji, "tomorrow is the 30th anniversary celebration of our textile shop. We celebrate it grandly every year. You must come with your parents tomorrow morning. From our house, we'll all go together to the shop. You don't know the way, right?"
"Okay, Aunty. I'll definitely come," said Shivani. "Alright, I'll get going. Bye, Aunty. Bye, Bharathi — see you tomorrow morning."
After Shivani left, Raji said, "Bharathi, don't tell Shakthi that we invited her. Let it be a surprise."
"Okay, Mom," said Bharathi with a grin.
They returned home, where Shakthi had already arrived.
"Oh, you both are back! Come on, let's eat — I'm starving. Kamala Ma cooked dinner and went home," said Shakthi.
"We just came back from the temple," said Raji, washing her hands.
The three sat together and ate.
"Raji, are all the arrangements done for tomorrow's function? If anything's pending, we'll wake up early and finish it," said Shakthi.
"All the workers have finished their duties. I told them to pick whatever dress they like as a gift. Everything's set — we just need to leave early tomorrow," said Raji.
"I've already applied for leave — what about you, Bharathi?" asked Shakthi.
"Same here," said Bharathi.
"Then we'll wake up early and check the decorations and pooja arrangements at the shop," said Bharathi.
"Okay, I'll set the alarm for 5 a.m. What time is the Iyer coming, Raji?"
"He said he'll be there by 7 sharp," said Raji.
"Alright, then. Let's sleep early — we have to get up on time," said Raji. The three went to bed.
That night, at Shivani's house, she finished seeing patients and locked up her clinic before heading home.
"Ma, hasn't Dad come home yet?" asked Shivani, sitting at the dining table.
"He just called — he'll be late. He said we should eat and sleep," said her mother, serving dinner.
"Ma, I met Raji Aunty and Bharathi at the temple today. Their shop's 30th anniversary celebration is tomorrow morning. She invited all three of us to come," said Shivani.
"Oh really? That's nice! It's Saturday anyway — I'm off from college. You attend the function in the morning, then head to the hospital. Ask your father when he gets home if he's free. Now come, let's eat and sleep," said her mother.
Both of them finished dinner and went to bed.
To be continued…