chapter 16

Author's POV That was a busy cafe cum bakery.....Thulir was sitting inside the cafe's owner and chief chef's cabin with all her favourite foods lined up waiting for her to relish them in order to calm her down....The chef returned and set his special pineapple pastry in front of her, then took a seat opposite her. She was on her second Egg Puff, taking sips of her milkshake between bites, eating messily like a child, unconcerned with the possibility of being judged for not eating in a sophisticated manner.He tapped the table to catch her attention. She looked up and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. He raised his eyebrows, silently asking her what happened. Thulir gestured in response."I want another pie that's tasty "Thulir said, prompting him to roll his eyes in response, and he sent a message to his staff to bring another pie....she was now eating the pastry and looked at the man staring at her with narrowed eyes....."Don't worry man, I'll finish all of this and pay the bill as well. Trust me, the only thing I've inherited from my Ammu is her eating habits, so I never waste food, no matter what. And I'm extremely upset, as upset as one can be at the peak of the Himalayas upset, so don't be surprised if I order even more items after finishing everything that's already on the table."Thulir assured him as she finished the milkshake and set the glass aside. He sighed again and enquired "What is the reason behind you being this angry ""who else it will be ....your dear Anna only....he doesn't get the simple thing I am trying to make him understand.......Naa pudicha muyal ku moonu kal nu avan soluranu nanum amaa sami poda mudiyathu "(Just because he believes he is right does not mean I will agree with him.)she said and took another bite from the cupcake..."What he did now?"He enquired again...Thulir took a deep breath getting ready for a long speech she was going to give..."I'm at a loss for where to begin... Over the past month, our arguments have revolved around a single issue: Aadhavan. Despite my repeated requests to avoid the topic, your brother falls silent whenever I bring it up. Now, with Aadhavan's arrival, he expects me to invite him back home. Why should I do that? I've already expressed my disapproval of pleading with Aadhavan to return, as if he's unaware of the way home....I didn't ask him to leave, so why should I have to talk to him about returning?...along with that our family is talking about Agathiyan and my marriage as Aadhavan is back as per your nonnan's wish....Agathiyan acts like Aadhavan came back for him but that's not true and he won't accept that fact......if he came back with a girl moving on in his life I would have been at somewhat peace but no...he returned as single piece and he is no more the Aadhavan we know.....Now your elder brother wants to become a Mahan by reuniting Aadhavan with his family Waah..... and wants me to involve in that mission reuniting Aadhavan with family.....he is right here now and if he cares about his family he would come to them on his own.....Now he is going to meet him in the apartment Aadhavan stays and wants me to accompany him to plead sir to come home as our engagement date is next week and I am not happy about it...Agathiyan says this crap to convince my concern that Aadhavan was like Rudra Thatha in Gowri and Shiva's life....but that's not true .....in Gowri's case Rudra did have the upper hand his and her whole family was in his side and he clearly knows if he asked Gowri to marry him she would have accepted it without second say......yet he choose to let go of his love for her.....because from the begging he knows them ending up together was impossible considering their nature....still there was a slight hope as she wasn't in love as per his knowledge.....and when he gets to know Gowri loves Shiva he was hurt yes...but he accepted that moment itself because its somewhere easier for him to move on from the fact that Gowri is never going to be his......because he knows that from long back.....we can't say the same in our case....I literally saw the pain in Aadhavan's eyes when he asked me why I didn't loved him instead I choose Agathiyan...he is broken and he loved me believing I would be his one day there was no doubts in his mind or heart...so when that broken he can't be the same Aadhavan again......and Agathiyan and Aadhavan are brothers after our marriage we literally have to stay in the same house and every time me or Agathiyan see him and he still single we are surely going to feel guilty....I fear that his continued presence will ultimately impact our relationship, as it is already happening. It's been a month since Agathiyan and I had a conversation that didn't end in an argument, and this is causing me to feel insecure about our bond..... I accept that I am being selfish here.....but still I understand Agathiyan's point of view....I am not objecting him from having a conversation with Aadhavan when he literally ignores her all the time in the past one week of him trying to bring back his brother home....That's between Brother's I don't want to be involved in that....I have problem when he tries to make me involve in this whole drama.....he is free to patch up with his brother but him trying to make peace between me and Aadhavan is not something I would appreciate and we had a huge fight yesterday and in anger I said I want to break up and your dear brother agreed...Can you believe it ...and till now he didn't he even tried to contact me....I am going insane here and your brother easily gave up on me for Aadhavan.....because he now prioritize convincing Aadhavan more than convincing me.....My head feels like it's going to burst from the pressure it's enduring right now."The man chuckled and passed the pie in front of her....Thulir glared at him yet picked up the pie and took a  large bite....."You care deeply for both and fear that intervening and speaking with Aadhavan may lead to hurt their feelings once again. Therefore, you are choosing to maintain a distance from meeting Aadhavan...Give it a try once.....what worse would happen if you go and meet him.....Anna is asking you to ask Aadhavan because we all know no men in our family can say no to your request.....you are dearest of all and you know that "Thulir looked at Amuthan pointedly and he just shrugged his shoulder.....Thulir took a deep breath and nodded her head......"I will go and meet him today....."Amuthan showed thumbs up in both smiling at her brightly....Thulir left the cafe paying the bill and waving bye to the staffs there with a smile which  they reciprocated.....That's Amudhan's happy place....Did I mentioned anywhere that Amuthan can't speak...Time skips....."Alright, bro, I'll listen to you and come back, but what will I get in return?" Aadhavan inquired, leaning back on the sofa with a smirk on his face.Agathiyan took a deep breath before asking him"what do you want Aadhava??""Oh, so you are up for negotiation.....Alright, nothing big yet significant one.......I want Thulir in Return can you give me "Agathiyan clenched his fists and gritted his teeth... Aadhavan took pleasure in seeing his brother seethe."I do love her bro more than you did...even before you realized yours.....I left everything for her and didn't want to disturb her life when she clearly rejected me...... After all these years you want me to come back for what........My deal for you is very simple...I want her or nothing at all...."There was no answer from Aghathiyan......Aadhavan signed"You've already ended things with her, and I have no intention of being cast as the villain, especially without my consent. The decision is yours. If you're considering giving your love another chance or have plans to reconcile, then please leave right away, I would like to go to sleep."Aadhavan said pointing to the door.....Agathiyan took a deep breath controlling the inner turmoil he said"Fine!!"Aadhavan's eyes widened in amusement and asked him again for clarification"Wait you are agreeing to give her to me???"Agathiyan closed his eyes and nodded his head trying his best not to break down..."And you chose him over me, Thulir... so sad."Aadhavan spoke in a feigned sad tone. Agathiyan was shocked hearing that and turned back only to see Thulir standing there with tear-filled eyes...none of them spoke........Aadhavan is surely not in the mood for drama..."okay even though seeing you both argue over who is hurt most is a tempting offer.....I would like to have my privacy....can you guys please go out of my flat and bark at each other... And I hope you guys abort the mission of "convincing Aadhavan " and look after the mess in your own life......"Thulir dashed out the door with Agathiyan running behind. Aadhavan chuckled upon seeing them, shaking his head in disbelief, and closed the door, only to be met with the glare of the devil of his life."Aadiye naa onum panala dii "(Adiyee...I didn't do anything dii)"Yeah I saw what you didn't do "She said still glaring at him....Aadhavan signed and shook his head and fell back on the sofa lazily...."I didn't asked them to fight over me....I just took advantage of their vulnerability once....just to show them how betrayal feels like...and they will sort out this soon on their own...they have to learn to solve issues without dragging me in-between them as they always did from childhood .....there is no other intention behind it...you can trust me on that Thalir... "