Episode 8

Aaran was plainly staring and admiring her when Ilakiya was on the call with Jeeva. “I told you many times not to stare at me like this. I get too shy.” She expressed false anger. Aaran smiled. “Is everything fine there? Or should we go there and help them?” He asked with care.

“Jeeva said it’s all been taken care of. We will go and visit the baby tomorrow. Jeeva and Harish would have left by now.” Ilakiya replied. “Fine then” Aaran said and continued his tea. Vasugi, Ilakiya’s roommate was on an official call and she bade them good bye and busied herself in her room.

“I feel guilty on not being there today. At least would have served them a little help.” Ilakiya said. “Guilty to be with me?” Aaran asked. “No, no, never. I just felt I should have been there to give them a little help.” Ilakiya rushed with her reply. “So you are happy to be with me, right?”

Ilakiya blushed. “I cannot answer questions that you already have the answer to.” “I just want to hear it from you”, Aaran protested. “I always want to be with you Aaran all the time. Is that enough for you to hear now?” Ilakiya replied.

“Fine then. Where shall we go tomorrow?” Aaran smirked naughtily. “No way, we have so much to do there. We will go to outings on weekends, not on weekdays. Is that fine?” Ilakiya explained. Aaran imitated a sad look on his face and looked at her. “I badly want to go out with you again.”

“We have a whole lifetime to travel together. Don’t we?” Ilakiya had a great glow on her face as she said that. “This is the happiest day of my life Ilakiya” Aaran too shared her happiness. He held her hands and pulled it gently towards him. He was about to hold her completely when suddenly Vasugi came back. He let go of her and composed himself. Ilakiya laughed wildly.

Vasugi was at a loss to track things. “Hey what happened? Anything so funny?” She asked. “Ah, nothing. Just a joke we shared.” Ilakiya grinned sheepishly. Aaran looked at her lovingly. “Hey can you please finish off that cake batter and keep it for baking in the oven? I have almost completed. You just need to whisk it a couple of times with the hand blender and place it in the oven. I have still an hour of call left.” Vasugi asked Ilakiya.

“Glad to help. I will do it. You don’t worry.” She answered and went off to the kitchen. “Hey maybe you too can go and watch. Or you can watch TV as you wait. I will finish off my work and join you guys.” Vasugi addressed Aaran and hurriedly left for work.” So glad to be with Ilakiya, Aaran went to the kitchen to see Ilakiya using the hand blender and whisking the contents of a big ceramic bowl.

“That looks so yummy. What flavor is this?” Aaran asked as he looked at the batter. “Vasugi loves baking and always bakes a special cake every week. Here have a spoon of this batter and guess the flavor.” She teased him. He tasted and closed his eyes as if analyzing. “Hmmm I get too many flavors in this. The taste is so rich and creamy. I am not able to get the exact flavor.” Aaran gave his verdict. Ilakiya smiled.

“Try again.” She dipped her finger in the batter and held it out to Aaran. He came near, took her fingers and sipped slowly. Ilakiya realized what she had done and started getting red. He sipped all the batter and when her fingers got clean, he looked at her and said,” Now I know the flavor. It is my favorite.”

She was too shy, embarrassed and brimming with emotions and didn’t reply. She merely stared on. “It is Ilakiya.” He smiled. She pulled her fingers and finished the batter and placed it in the oven. They both were silent for a minute. Aaran looked out from the windows and exclaimed,” Hey the rain is bit slow now. I better hurry home.” She looked out and almost cursed the rain with her pretty gaze of making him leave her place soon. He laughed at her. “I have never seen this pretty angry look on you. See, don’t blame the rain. I will come and pick you to office tomorrow. Is that fine? “

She immediately realized she was getting on angry and turned calm. He was about to leave when he got a call from his mother. He answered and talked gently. “Oh when was the announcement done? How many days is it expected? Oh my God. Is it that bad? “He appeared pensive. Ilakiya gave a questioning look and Aaran looked at her convincingly.

As he disconnected the call, she asked, “What happened? “There is a cyclone alert in the city for the next three days. It will be a major one, they had predicted.” “Hey we went to the sea just today and everything was calm except for a heavy rain. What more bad can it be?” Ilakiya asked.

“The Weather forecast report says a major cyclone is entering the city in another few hours. It will be a week till it gets over, they feel. That’s why mom called me to get back home soon.” He answered. “Yes its better you leave soon.” Ilakiya said and hurried.

They both came out and crossed the road to get to the car. There was a slight drizzle and both got a little wet. Aaran got into the car. “Hey a week of storm means we don’t get to meet for a full week right?” Ilakiya suddenly realized. Aaran looked aghast. He never thought of that. “I never put it that way.” He was about to add when suddenly a speeding bike rushed near her and splattered water all over her. He opened the door and pulled her inside.

‘Don’t stand. You sit in here till I leave.” He said and continued, “The mobile networks too will be down and there will be no way to communicate for a week.” Ilakiya looked at him with such pitiful puppy eyes that he fell for her again. She looks so pretty naturally. How did I not notice this all these days? He thought as he came near her. As though the rain had washed away all the inhibitions, they kissed again.

Finally as he released her from his hold, he smiled brightly and said,” I have a plan.”