As the memory fades, Nadiya stands in the juice bar, her tears mingling with the remnants of her sorrow. The past and present blend together, her emotions raw and exposed.
The flashback of the playground, filled with hope and warmth, contrasts sharply with the harsh reality she faces now. Aiwarya's derisive remark about Arjun's parentage still echoes in her mind, adding to her heartache.
With a deep, shuddering breath, Nadiya wipes her tears away, trying to regain her composure. She takes one last look at the fading images of Aishwarya and her friend, then turns her gaze to the ground, lost in thought.
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On the other side, back at the village ground, Arjun is ready to bowl the next ball. Pughal and Bala walk over to him, with Pughal shaking his head dramatically.
Pughal: Enna da pannura nee? Yedo kakkaku soru podura madiri ball ah podura? Unaku than nalla poda varudula apo poden da (Pughal says with exaggerated flair.)
Arjun and Bala laugh at Pughal's playful scolding. Arjun grins and says, "Iruda,iruda poduren" while spinning the ball in his hand.
Bala taps Arjun on the shoulder, encouragingly, "Va da macha va da."
With a nod, Pughal and Bala move back to their positions, leaving Arjun to focus on his next delivery.
Pughal pretending to be the commentator raises his imaginary microphone once more, his voice filled with excitement.
Pughal: Yes, folks, we all saw what happened a while ago, but we won't give up as a team. They need 12 runs from 5 balls to win this match. And Arjun is ready to bowl, and we only need three more wickets to seal the victory. Here comes Arjun, gearing up for his next delivery.
He lowers his hand and starts clapping enthusiastically for Arjun, cheering him on with fervent support.
Then Arjun ran and bowled the ball. It sped past the bat, and the wicketkeeper caught it swiftly, then hit the stumps. The batsman was out, and the entire team erupted in cheers.
Pughal with the imaginary microphone exclaimed, "Yes, this game's talented batsman is out!"
He ran to Arjun, leaping into his arms with his legs wrapped around Arjun's hip in a jubilant hug. Bala came running up and hugged Arjun from behind, and they all shouted in celebration of their victory.
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On the other hand, Ashwin was ready to bowl his next ball. He ran up and delivered it, but the batsman hit it hard, sending it soaring for a six. Ashwin watched in disbelief as the ball flew over the boundary, and he placed his hand on his head in frustration. The crowd erupted in cheers, celebrating the massive hit.
Up on the podium, Kumar also placed his hand on his head in frustration. The coach glanced at Kumar with a smirk, adding a layer of tension to the moment.
Meanwhile, back on Arjun's ground, he delivered his next ball with precision. The batsman missed, and the ball crashed into the stumps, claiming another wicket. The team erupted in cheers, celebrating Arjun's success.
While on the other side, Ashwin bowled his next ball, only to see it soar over the boundary once again for another six. Frustration mounted as the crowd cheered loudly for the opposing team's impressive batting.
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On the other side of town, in Nadiya's juice bar, a cute and beautiful girl with long, flowing hair walked gracefully towards the entrance, her hands cradling a stack of books. She entered the juice bar with a warm smile and sat down at a table, placing her books neatly on the table in front of her.
Nadiya smiled warmly at the girl and asked, "Juice onnu tharava?"
The girl nodded enthusiastically. "Ah ok, ana enaku strawberry juice than venum."
Nadiya's smile faltered slightly. "Achoo strawberry thavara vera enna vena kelu da, na tharen
The girl's face fell, her excitement replaced by disappointment. "Enna aththa? Epo neenga enaku strawberry juice tharuvinga?
Nadiya sighed, her expression apologetic. "Sivaangi, Adulam epdima thara mudiyum, adu lam romba vela jaasthi la?
Yes that girlis non other than our sivaangi ma.....
Sivaangi pouted, placing her hand on her cheek. "Apo enaku edum venam," she said with a sad face.
Nadiya looked at Sivaangi and said, "Hmm, Seri apo, Na unaku rusiyana avacado juice onnu tharen, okva ."
Sivaangi turned towards Nadiya with a playful smirk and asked, "Ayyo adu na neenga romba santhoshama tharuvingala?"
Nadiya, puzzled, asked, "Yaen?"
As she jotted down notes in her book, Sivaangi replied with a hint of sarcasm, "Yean na avacado konjathuku thanni neraya potu blend panni thara mudiyumla," she said, suppressing a laugh.
Nadiya chuckled, shaking her head in amusement.
Sivaangi began to sing a sweet melody while idly playing with the flowers in the vase on the table, Nadiya listened with a smile.
Engae unnai kooti sella
Solvai endhan kadhil mella
En penmayum ilaiparavae
Un marbilae idam podhumae
Yen indru idaiveli kuraikiradhae
Medhuvaaga idhayangal inaikiradhae
Un kaiviral en kaiviral
Ketkindradhae
The song was gentle and captivating, but midway through, Nadiya couldn't help but interject.
"Anga apdi illa da," Nadiya said, gently interrupting. "You should sing it like this,"
Un kaiviral en kaiviral
Ketkindradhae
(She demonstrated, correcting the melody with a soft and encouraging tone.)
Sivaangil looked up, surprised. "Oh, apdiya?" she asked, then began singing again, this time with the adjusted melody. Her voice now flowed perfectly with Nadiya's guidance.
Un kaiviral en kaivira
Ketkindradhae
Yaaro ivan yaaro ivan...
Just as the song reached its peak, the door to the juice bar swung open, and a man walked in with a jovial air. "Vera yaru na than" he announced, heading straight for the counter. Without missing a beat, he started eating grapes from the fruits displayed, completely at ease.
Sivaangi stood up from her seat and walked over to the man, calling out, "Appa?" She then asked him with a playful tone if she could have some grapes as well. Prabhu, smiling, slowly handed her a few grapes.
Nadiya, noticing the scene, took the fruit basket away with a mock-serious expression. "Inda killigaloda na epdi inda juice bar ah nadathuradu?" she said with a hint of sarcasm and a smile.
Sivaangi, munching on the grapes, chimed in, "Aththa romba mosam neenga, illaya Pa?"
Nadiya replied with a laugh, "Oru palam kannula kana koodathe, odane vanduruvinga?"
Sivaangi twisted her mouth in thought and said, "Nanga killi illa, nanga korangu, illaye pa?"
Prabhu hummed in agreement and popped another grape into his mouth, while Nadiya shot them a mildly annoyed look.
After a moment, Nadiya asked, "Edavadu kudika seyyava na?"
Prabhu shook his head, saying, "Na onnum inga kudichitu irruka varala, enga anda payyan?"
Sivaangil responded, "Ah Arjun anga ground la irrundaru."
Turning to Nadiya with a stern look, Prabhu said, " Na masa kadeisila avanuku samblam tharadu avan anga vela pakuradu nala, illati na onnum avan mamanu kudukala"
Nadiya averted her gaze, choosing not to respond immediately. Prabhu continued, his frustration evident, "Vinay Sir oda car ah kondu vandu rendu masam agudu, innum senji mudikala. Saayngalam ahna varuvan edavadu nut ah fix panni escape agiduran. Adukapro masa kadeisila en pocket ku panjiduvan."
Nadiya, with a touch of sarcasm, retorted, "Mamanum marumaganum thane pesikitinga, na onum avana veleikku vechika sollalaye."
Prabhu replied, "Seri seri, amma inga kashta paduralenu na sonnen, college selavuku seri edavadu pannu nu, adu nala thane na apdi sonnen. Ana avan na edo masa kadaisiliya bank ah ataya podura madiri la nenchitu irrukan," his frustration clear.
As the conversation between Nadiya and the Prabhu unfolded, Sivaangi stood nearby, trying hard to suppress her laughter. Her eyes twinkled with amusement as she listened to the back-and-forth, her hand occasionally moving to cover her mouth
As the conversation continued, Nadiya's frustration was palpable. "Anna neenga konjam kandichu sollunga avanuku, ore aatam than," she said with irritation. "Padikiradum illa."
Parabhu exhaled deeply and then turned to Sivaangi, his tone softening. "Inneiku big match thane, paka polaya?"
Sivaangi, trying to hide her amusement, waved her hands dismissively. "Nanga strike pannurom," she said with a dramatic flair.
Prabhu asked confusedly "Yean"
"Nanga eduku Ashwinum avan appanum katura show ah paka ponum, vera vela illa paru enagluku? said irritatedly.
Prabhu raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Yean Ashwin oda appa un maman thane?"
Nadiya and Sivaangi exchanged shocked looks. Sivaangi quickly turned her face away. "Illa" she said, her voice barely audible.
Nadiya's expression fell, her face a mask of hurt. Prabhu, noticing her distress, continued with a sarcastic edge, "Yean illa? Un aththa apdi thane sollikitu irruka. Ava thane un keduketta mamana thedi edutha. Avan parisuku kuduthu ponadu Arjun ah than."
Nadiya looked down, tears welling up in her eyes, struggling to keep her emotions in check. Prabhu's demeanor softened slightly as he noticed her distress. Scratching his head, he said, "Na veetuku poren apo, nee variya?"
Sivaangi shook her head, her voice gentle. "Illa, na aththa kooda irruken."
The man gave a wry smile. "Un aththeike seri patta marumagal than nee," he said, casting a final look between Nadiya and Sivaangi before leaving.
As Prabhu walked away, Nadiya fought to control her tears, her shoulders trembling slightly. Sivaangi, watching Nadiya's reaction, felt a pang of pity, her expression softening as she realized the depth of Nadiya's pain.
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As the evening descended over the cricket ground, Ashwin and his teammates were deep in conversation, discussing their game. Kumar approached, his face a mix of frustration and concern.
"Ashwin," Kumar called, his tone authoritative.
Ashwin, scratching his face nervously, walked over to his father. "Yes, Dad?"
Kumar's eyes narrowed as he questioned, "Enna pannura innum anga pesikitu?"
Ashwin tried to deflect, saying, "Neenga ponga, Dad. I'll come later."
Kumar looked puzzled. "Where are you going?"
"We're going out for a small party," Ashwin replied, attempting to sound casual.
Kumar's frustration mounted. "Party? Yean, thothadu kondada poringala?" he asked sarcastically. "Muttal vela pannada Ashwin. Va veetuku polam."
Ashwin, annoyed, retorted, "Mudiyadu, dad. Neenga ponga na aproma varen."
Kumar, after checking that no one was close by, leaned in closer, his voice filled with anger. "Ennada panni tholacha? Asingama pochu," he said, removing his glasses in frustration. "Ellarum enna pathu sirikiranga."
Ashwin feigned ignorance. "Ennadu?"
Kumar continued, his anger barely contained. "Ennada? You couldn't even stop 18 runs in 7 balls. 7 balls ku adichanga. Na lam final overs la 3 runs kooda niruthi irruken, yean maiden kooda eduthu irruken" he said, glaring at Ashwin.
"Na onum venum nu pannalaye, Dad," Ashwin replied defensively.
Kumar gritted his teeth. "Adu than nanum solluren. You had to bowl the last 6 balls correctly. Avanuku wicket ala enda useum illa. Epdi varudo apdi adika than wait pannuvan. Nee lam laikku cricket adikka illa," he said, struggling to suppress his anger.
Ashwin shrugged, uninterested. "Ippo idu pathi pesi enna prayojanam?"
Kumar's frustration grew. "Ama prayojanam illa than, Ashwin enaku theva pattadu enna mari unnayum national team la play panna vekka. Ineeiku club la ethana per vandu irrundanga pathiya? Inda last over ah nee correct ah potu irrunda avanga kooda pesiyavadu irrundu irrukalam."
Ashwin countered, "Dad, If I play well, I don't need you to get me into the squad. They'll choose me based on my performance, right?"
Kumar's irritation was palpable. "Ama, neengalam nenchitu irrukuradu apdi than, neenga ellam nenechitu irrukinga talent ana podum nu. See Ashwin talent alone isn't enough to get selected. I'm telling you this not just as your father but as someone who played for the country for 12 years," he said, exasperated.
Ashwin, visibly frustrated, caressed his head in irritation. Kumar added, "Go wherever you want and come back quickly. I can't stay here any longer with all this humiliation."
As Kumar stormed off, Ashwin stood still, looking around and ignoring his father's words.
While Ashwin was calming his frustration, Gayathri approached him from behind, calling his name softly, "Ashwin."
Ashwin turned towards her with a disinterested look. "Nillunga," Gayathri began, "Na match ah paka vara than irrunden,ana vara valila bike la irrundu keela vilunduten."
Ashwin looked her up and down, confused. "Vilunditiya? Yean ennachu?"
"Ellam anda muttal nala," Gayathri said irritably.
"Yaru?" Ashwin asked, still confused.
"Arjun," she replied.
Ashwin's face tightened. "Yean?"
"Anga ground la velayaditu irrundan, thidrnu ball ah eduka roatuku panjitan Avana kapatha poi na vilunduten ," Gayathri explained, her irritation evident.
"Enga ippo avan?" Ashwin asked angrily.
Gayathri said uninterestedly. "Avan anga pasanga kooda ground la irrukan. Seri,match enna achu?" she asked eagerly.
"Match ah?" Ashwin replied sarcastically. "Adu pathi ipo pesi enda use um illa. Nee than varalaye?" He glanced at her sideways, sulking.
Gayathri, worried, asked, "Yean? Thothutingala?"
"Nee vandu irrunda apdi nadanthu irrukadu," Ashwin said bitterly and began to walk back to his teammates.
Gayathri called after him, "Ashwin."
He turned to her and said, "Adan veetuku poga sonnenla, po."
As Ashwin walked away, blending into the group of his teammates, Gayathri watched him with a heavy heart. She stood there, rooted to the spot, feeling a mix of sadness and frustration. Her eyes followed him until he disappeared from sight, and she couldn't help but wonder if things would ever change.
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And that's all for this chapter. These chapters are just to introduce the characters and show who they really are. From the next chapters, expect lots of emotions, fights, and the real story between Ashwin and Arjun to unfold.
Stay tuned for the next part, and please give your feedback. If you enjoyed it, don't forget to comment and vote for the chapter.
With love,
Krithidolly🥰