Chapter 4: A Deal of Wits

                                    

                                          


The streets of Chennai seemed quieter than usual as Kaveri walked back home, her mind racing with questions. Vijay's involvement in her life was a mystery she couldn't unravel. "Ivanukku en life la edhukku interest? Athai vida, aduthu enna problem create panna porano?" she muttered under her breath.
Inside her modest home, Meera was fast asleep, her head resting on the table. A few schoolbooks lay scattered around her. Kaveri smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair away from her sister's face.
"En Meera-ku summa tension kodukka koodadhu," she whispered to herself. Her resolve strengthened. Vijay's cheque might have been tempting, but accepting help from him felt like losing a part of her independence—something she wasn't ready to compromise.

The next morning, Vijay sat in his sprawling mansion, sipping his strong filter coffee. The aroma filled the air as his mother, Janaki, walked in. She was a regal woman, her every movement exuding grace.
"Vijay, naana pesa venamenu pathen irunthalum , nee vara vara veli-la roam panra madhiri theriyudhu," she remarked, sitting opposite him.
Vijay smirked. "Amma, roam panrathu illa. Chennai thaan engaloda battlefield. Athula oru opponent vandhutta, naan analyse pannama irukka mudiyuma?"
"Opponent ah? Yaaru?" Janaki's curiosity was piqued.
"Oru ponnu. Kaveri. Oru chinna ponna than irukka, but ava mental strength romba perusa irukku. Challenge kuduthutu poitte irukka."
"Vijay, indha velaiyellam neram othukurathuku , worth-a?"
"Amma, indha mathiri oru case la worth irukku nu enaku feel aagudhu. Wait and watch."

Meanwhile, Kaveri was seated at her office desk, trying to focus on her tasks. Her colleague, Priya, leaned over her cubicle, a mischievous smile on her face.
"Enna Kaveri, epdi irukke? Weekend la edho periya fight panni thirumbi vandha maadhiri theriyudhu."
Kaveri sighed, forcing a smile. "Onnum illa Priya. Life thaan konjam fight mode-la irukku."
"Adhu naalu perukkum irukkum. Aana nee , ellam ungalukku thaan problem nu nenachu pesariye!" Priya teased.
Kaveri chuckled lightly, but her mind remained distracted. The memory of Vijay and his smirk refused to leave her thoughts.
Just as she was about to lose herself in work, a commotion near the reception desk caught her attention. She heard whispers and gasps, and curiosity drove her to take a look.
Standing amidst the surprised employees was Vijay himself, dressed impeccably in a crisp white shirt and dark trousers. His presence radiated authority and charisma, and his sharp gaze swept across the room.
"Kaveri," he said, his voice firm yet calm.
Kaveri froze. "Ivan inga enna pandran?" she whispered under her breath. Regaining her composure, she walked up to him.
"Vijay sir, inga enna velai?" she asked, her tone polite but edged with annoyance.
Vijay tilted his head slightly, a smirk forming on his lips. "Un kitta pesanum. Private-a pesanum."
The room fell silent as her colleagues exchanged glances, whispering among themselves.
"Fine," Kaveri said, her jaw tightening as she gestured towards an empty meeting room.
Once inside, she shut the door and turned to face him. "Enakku unga help vendam nu clear-a sonnen la? Ippo enna venum?"
Vijay leaned casually against the table, his arms crossed. "Help vendam nu solla unakku rights irukku. Aana naan un attitude la irukkura arrogance-a admire panna vandhurukken."
"Admire panna? Neenga romba free ah irukeenga pola," she retorted, her eyes narrowing.
Vijay chuckled, his laughter low and mocking. "Nee strong nu oruthar sonna, naan pakkama irukka mudiyuma? Nee edho challenge-a accept pannara maadhiri irundha. So, naanum edhirpaaren."
"En life onnum game illa," Kaveri snapped. "Ungalukku entertainment pannitu irukka enakku time illa, Vijay sir."
"Life la elaam game dhan, Kaveri," Vijay said, his tone turning serious. "Yaar game rules change panrathu nu dhaan mukkiyam. Nee un rules-la velai seiyalaam. Aana naanum en moves a stop panna maataen."
Kaveri crossed her arms, her frustration evident. "Un moves na? Indha velai romba childish-a theriyudhu. Naa oru simple middle-class ponnu. Neenga enna vennum nu sonna , odane thooki kuduka naan onnum prize tag illa."
Vijay's smirk faded momentarily, replaced by a flicker of something unreadable. "Nee enaku oru prize nu na ninaikkala. Aana nee edhavadhu unna prove panna mudiyum nu theriyudhu."
Their gazes locked, the air between them charged with tension. After a moment, Kaveri broke the silence.
"Neenga indha theatrics mudichitu unga life-a focus pannga. Naan ennoda life ah handle pannren," she said, her voice firm.
Vijay straightened up, his smirk returning. "Challenge accept pannirukka, Kaveri. Appo naan vera level-lana happiness oda kalamburen. Wait and watch."
He walked out, leaving Kaveri fuming.
Later that evening, Kaveri returned to the community centre. The children greeted her enthusiastically, their bright smiles lifting her spirits momentarily.
"Akka, oru katha sollunga!" one of the kids requested, tugging at her arm.
Kaveri smiled, settling down among them. "Okay, enna story venum?"
"Oru bold akka story," another child chimed in.
"Bold akka?" Kaveri laughed. "Okay, oru akka epdi thannoda kashtathai overcome panni jeyichanga nu oru kathai sollaren."
As she began weaving a tale, her mind lingered on her own battles. The children's laughter reminded her of her purpose—to provide for her family and ensure a better future for her siblings.
Elsewhere, Vijay sat with his trusted confidant Ravi at a rooftop restaurant. The city lights twinkled in the distance as Ravi spoke hesitantly.
"Boss, indha Kaveri mela neenga engage panradhukku vera reason irukka?"
"Reason irukka? Indha ponnu oru enigma. Ivala mathiri Strength ah yaarum dhinam dhinam exhibit panna mudiyadhu. Ivaluku indha kashtam-la irundhu vera story irukku nu enaku doubt," Vijay replied, swirling his drink.
"Avanga pesama thirumbi vandha better," Ravi suggested cautiously.
"Enaku time-a waste panna theriyadhu, Ravi. Ivalukum oru strategy venum nu thaan ippo clarify panna try panren. Ivaloda next move interesting-a irukka pora maadhiri iruku," Vijay said, leaning back with a sly grin.
The days ahead would test both Kaveri's resilience and Vijay's tenacity. Neither of them realised that their battles and interactions were laying the foundation for something far deeper—something they weren't ready to acknowledge yet.

To be continued.....

Thanks for reading
- Mithra