Chapter 18
ENGEYUM KAADHAL ♡(LOVE IS EVERYWHERE)
Recap: Kavin and Yazhini's love proposal â¤ï¸
A/N: Hello, readers! Nowadays, your votes and reads are decreasing. It really makes me depressed! I'm dealing with my semester and also concentrating on the story and I'm working on the next story too. So please vote! I can't concentrate on typing the story while I'm dealing with this stress and I can't update the chapter yesterday. Sorry readers if I made you wait for the chapter.
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Kavin got a phone call and he bid bye to her and left.
Yazhini booked the cab but the cab wasn't available. So she called a number. Nila.. can I stay in your home for tonight? It's getting too late akkaâ¦please come and pick me up at Main Road.
Ok, I'm coming in just five minutes.! Stay still. Nila grabbed her shawl and her helmet, rushing toward the door. "Ammaa! Yazhini is coming to stay tonight. Iâm going to pick her up!" she called out, slipping on her sandals.
Her mother peeked out of the kitchen. "Why so late? Is everything alright?"
"Her cab didnât come, and sheâs waiting on the main road. Iâll pick her up and be back soon," Nila replied, strapping on her helmet.
"Be careful, ma. The roads arenât safe at this hour," her mother warned, concern evident in her voice.
"Iâll be fine, Amma. Itâs just five minutes away," Nila assured her as she stepped out.
--
Yazhini stood nervously on the side of the main road, clutching her bag tightly. The faint glow of streetlights barely illuminated her surroundings, and every passing shadow made her heart race. She glanced at her phone, hoping for a message from Nila.
"Akka, please come soon," she whispered to herself, scanning the road.
Moments later, she heard the distant hum of a bike engine. Her face lit up as she saw Nila pulling up, her figure silhouetted against the streetlights.
"Nila Akka!" Yazhini called out, waving her hand.
Nila stopped the bike and removed her helmet. "Get on, Yazhini! Quickly!"
Yazhini climbed onto the bike, holding tightly to Nila. "Thank you, Akka. I was so scared standing there."
Nila glanced back at her with a reassuring smile. "Youâre safe now. I shouldâve come earlier. Next time, donât even think of waiting alone like this."
When they reached home, Nilaâs mother was waiting by the door, her arms crossed. "Yazhini, why didnât you call us earlier? You should know better than to be out so late," she scolded, though her tone was gentle.
"I didnât want to trouble you, Aunty," Yazhini said, looking down.
"Trouble? Youâre like family. Now come inside," her mother said, ushering her in.
Nila set the helmet on the table and turned to Yazhini. "Youâll stay in my room tonight. No arguments."
"Akka, I can sleep on the couch" Yazhini began, but Nila cut her off.
"No way. Youâre my guest, and youâll be comfortable. End of discussion," Nila said firmly.
Yazhini smiled, a sense of relief washing over her. For the first time that evening, she felt truly safe and cared for.
When Nila left the room, she grabbed her hand. Akka! You didn't ask me why I was standing late there.
Hmm..why da? Why did you stand there in this late night?
Akka.. I was on the first date with ..
What? Did you go on your first date? Wowwww? Who is that lucky man?
Yazhini blushed. He is my client in the gym!
Ohoh! Interesting. She sat on the bed.
Nila leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands, eager for more details. âTell me everything, Yazhini! How did this happen? Who made the first move?â
Yazhini shyly played with the hem of her scarf, her cheeks glowing. âIt just happened, Akka. Weâve been talking during his gym sessions for a while now. Heâs so focused and serious, but thereâs this sweet, caring side to him too. Tonight, he asked if Iâd like to grab a coffee after my shift, and I said yes.â
Nila's eyes widened. âOh my God! Coffee? At night? That sounds so romantic! So⦠what did you talk about?â
Yazhini smiled, her gaze softening. âEverything, Akka. We talked about fitness, life, our dreams⦠even silly things like our favourite desserts. Heâs so easy to talk to. It didnât feel like a first dateâit felt like I was catching up with an old friend.â
Nila placed a hand on Yazhiniâs. âThis sounds serious, Yazhini. Whatâs his name?â
Yazhini hesitated for a moment before answering, âKavin, Akka. His name is Kavin.â
Nilaâs smile froze briefly. âKavin?â she repeated, the name sounding eerily familiar. But she quickly recovered, not wanting to alarm Yazhini. âThatâs a nice name. So, whatâs he like?â
âOh, Akka, heâs amazing,â Yazhini gushed. âHeâs confident, funny, and so respectful. He even walked me home tonight just to make sure I was safe.â
Can you give me your phone for a minute? Do you have his photos?
Nila asks with curiosity.
Hmm.. sure! I will show you.. Oh god, my phone is dead. Can I change it?
Sure. Why not?
Ambujam(Nila's mom): Nila! Yazhini! Let's eat dinner.
Yeah, mom! We are coming!
After a few minutes of eating dinner, she looked at her phone. Hmm, do you have his number?
She looked at the numbers and focused on the first three numbers she couldn't remember more numbers but she could identify it's the same first two numbers.
Nilaâs heart skipped a beat. Could this Kavin be that well-wisher? she wondered, but she chose not to voice her suspicion. Instead, she said, âHe sounds wonderful, Yazhini. But just promise me youâll take things slow. Sometimes people arenât always what they seem.â
âI know, Akka. But with Kavin, I feel⦠different. Safe. Happy.â Yazhiniâs voice was dreamy, her face glowing with newfound excitement.
Nila smiled softly, hiding her inner conflict. âIâm happy for you, Yazhini. And whenever youâre ready, Iâd love to meet this Kavin of yours.â
Yazhini nodded enthusiastically. âYou will, Akka. Soon. I just hope he likes me as much as I like him.â
Nila squeezed her hand reassuringly. âTrust me, Yazhini, anyone would be lucky to have you.â
As Yazhini smiled brightly, Nilaâs thoughts drifted. Kavin... could it be the same person?
Ok junioreyy! Now sleep in my room. I'm going to the hall now.
Hmm! Okiee senior! You are still the same as the college! Alwaysss caring! Awww
Nila chuckled softly, patting Yazhini's head. "Of course, junior! Once a senior, always a senior. Now, go to bed and donât stay up thinking about Kavin all night!"
Yazhini smirked, pulling the blanket over herself. "I wonât⦠maybe. But, Akka, thank you for listening. You always make me feel so comfortable."
âThatâs what sisters are for,â Nila said, turning off the lights. âGood night, Yazhini.â
"Good night, Akka!" Yazhini called out, her voice filled with warmth.
As Nila stepped out into the hallway, her thoughts lingered on the conversation. Yazhini is so happy. I havenât seen her like this in ages. But if Kavin is who I think he is⦠She shook her head, dismissing the thought. Maybe Iâm overthinking. Letâs just wait and see.
She walked into the living room, settling onto the couch. The house was quiet, but her mind wasnât. She gazed out the window, the moonlight casting a soft glow across the room. Despite her concerns, a small smile crept onto her face. Yazhiniâs happiness was infectious.
"Still the same from college," she murmured to herself. "Always worrying about everyone else."
Just then, her work- phone buzzed on the coffee table. It was a message from Chezhiyan.
Chezhiyan: "Nila, are you awake? I wanted to discuss something important."
Her heart skipped a beat. What could be so urgent at this hour?
But before she replied the call ended. She again tried but the line was busy.
With a small sigh, staring at her phone for a moment. Why did he sound so serious? she wondered, shaking her head.
Just as she placed the phone down, Yazhiniâs voice called out from the room. âAkka! Who was that?â
âNothing, Yazhini,â Nila replied, walking to the door. âJust a work-related call. Go to sleep!â
âHmm⦠youâre always busy, Akka,â Yazhini teased, her voice muffled. âGood night, senior.â
Nila smiled faintly and stepped back into the hall. The silence of the house felt heavier now, her earlier thoughts returning. Sitting on the couch, she ran her fingers through her hair.
Chezhiyanâs message lingered in her mind. Something personal? What could it be? But her instincts told her to leave it for now. Not every question needs an answer tonight,
As the night deepened, Nila closed her eyes, a small smile curling on her lips. The day had been long, but moments like Yazhiniâs excitement and Chezhiyanâs rare vulnerability brought a strange warmth to her heart. Tomorrow is Sunday! She has to meet the well-wisher. She thought before letting sleep take over.
The next day it was 5 am and she groggily woke up from the couch as he looked at Yaazhini who stretching and warming up.
Hey junior! Have you started exercising already? Ah girl you are so fine! Why did you exercise?
Yazhini turned around mid-stretch, hands on her hips, a playful smirk on her face. âAkka, Iâm a gym coach, remember? Of course, Iâd start early. Fitness isnât just a job; itâs a lifestyle!â
Nila groaned, rubbing her eyes. âUgh, junior, I donât know how you do it. Waking up at 5 AM and jumping straight into exercise? Youâre like a machine!â
Yazhini laughed, her voice bright and full of energy. âItâs all about consistency, Akka! Besides, how can I motivate my clients if I donât practice what I preach? You should join me sometime.â
Nila shook her head with a chuckle. âJoin you? Please, Yazhini, my version of exercise is walking from the couch to the kitchen. And why do you need all this fitness anyway? You already look amazing.â
Yazhini raised an eyebrow and walked over to Nila, grabbing her hand firmly. âEnough talking, Akka! Come on, youâre joining me for a workout today. No excuses!â
âWhat? No way!â Nila protested, trying to pull her hand back. âI just woke up! Iâm barely functioning!â
âThatâs exactly why you need this,â Yazhini said with a grin, dragging Nila towards the mat. âA good stretch will wake you up. Youâll thank me later, trust me!â
Nila groaned dramatically but didnât resist too much. âYouâre relentless, Yazhini! Fine, but only for a few minutes.â
Yazhini smirked. âA few minutes? Akka, weâre doing a full session. Start with thisâhands up, stretch to the sides. Feel the pull in your waist.â
Nila reluctantly followed, raising her arms and bending awkwardly. âThis feels so weird, Junior. Are you sure I wonât end up breaking something?â
Yazhini laughed, adjusting Nilaâs posture. âNot if you listen to me. And stop calling it weird! Stretching is essential, Akka. Now, touch your toes without bending your knees.â
Nila tried and groaned. âUgh! My body doesnât bend that way! I wasnât made for this fitness stuff, Yazhini.â
Yazhini chuckled, standing beside her and demonstrating. âYouâre doing great, Akka. Just breathe and donât push too hard. See? Easy!â
Nila glanced sideways at her sister, admiring her ease and enthusiasm. âHow do you make this look so effortless? Itâs unfair!â
âItâs practice, Akka,â Yazhini said, smiling warmly. âAnd donât worryâyouâll get better if you keep doing it. Fitness is all about progress, not perfection.â
As they moved into a light cardio routine, Nila found herself laughing more than she expected, her grogginess fading away.
By the end, she collapsed onto the mat, panting. âOkay, junior, you win. Iâm officially impressed. But donât expect me to do this every morning!â
Yazhini grinned, handing her a water bottle. âWeâll see about that. One day at a time, Akka. One day at a time.â
I'm a mess right now and I have to meet someone today too.. how can I walk if I'm so tired huh?
Who? Are you going for a date? Wow!
Hmm.. kind of meeting at 11 am! Business related. Okay!
Mm okay now stand.
Nila stood.
Do you feel good? It's not exercise. We have just done the warm-up.
Hmm.. I feel good.
Okay, it's nice! Drink some water! It would be fine.
And I'm going now. Thanks, Akka!
Ok da! Take care okay and can I wake amma?
No akka! Let Aunty sleep! Just say thanks for the food and love!
Bye, da.. take my bike if you need it!
It's okay akka! Bye⦠she hugged her. I love you to hug you know.. it's so comfy! I want to be your own sister! But um.. at least we met at the college. And we made memories! You are so cute you know. Both inside and outside.
Outside? You must be lying Yazhini!
Heyy senior! I'm telling the truth! She pulled back from the hug.
Ok, it's time! I have to go now..I will miss you so much.
Mm.. Nila bid her bye with a smile.
And after a few hours, she got ready in a kurti and went to the Columbia cafe to meet the well-wisher.
She noticed a man with a mask and coolers waving his hand standing from the seat.
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To be continued....ð
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