SOLLA MARANTHA KADHAL

Hi, I’m Madhu and this is my story. I’m working as an assistant accountant in a small accounting firm. During my lunch, I always go to a Chinese restaurant nearby. Since I’m not quite a friendly person, I didn’t have any friends at my working place. All what I talk is mostly, 99%, about work, so I’ll be alone during lunch, well I’m used to it. After that day I wasn’t alone anymore.

As usual I went for lunch at the restaurant, but that day there were lots of people and no empty table except if someone willing to share table with me. But how to ask them, I’m very shy, since my stomach is very hungry I had no choice.

“May I sit here?”I asked an Indian guy, who was eating alone.

“Sure.” He answered with a smile. “Hi I’m Shravanth, you are?” he introduced himself and hoping that I would do the same.

“Hi, I’m Madhu.” I make it short.

“I notice that you always eat here alone, why not with your friends?”

Always? I thought for a while. I didn’t notice him till that day. “I’m not a friendly person and my job doesn’t require me to talk a lot.” I answer briefly, hoping that he would understand that I don’t like people talk to me when I’m eating.

He didn’t understand.

“Oh, I see. So you are working as?” he asked.

“Assistant accountant at nearby firm.” I answered.

“I’m working as assistant engineer, nearby.” He added.

I look at him and nod my head. Quickly I finish my meal and leave the place, back to work.

Shravanth, taller than me, little bit fairer than me, wearing spectacles, his hair and his structure, just as how I had imagine my life partner should be.

“Hi, how are you?” a voice jerked me when I was having my lunch at the same restaurant. I looked up, it was Shravanth.

“Oppss, sorry I didn’t mean to scare you.” He smiled.

“But you did.” I told him.

He pulled the chair and sits the same table with me. I continue to eat and he just started.

“How old are you?” I know it’s wrong to ask a girls’ age but only if you don’t mind you can answer.

Again he jerked me, but I did answer. He is a year older than me. He started to enquire about my details. I had to do the same, even though I’m not really in to it.

As days pass, we shared lots of things, meet almost everyday (meaning all working days, except Saturday and Sunday). Initially we become friends. He always offers to pay for my meal, but I decline it all the time.

We were getting more close till exchange our number and often sms. Instead of getting more understanding, we had more arguments. All our chat via sms will somehow ended as arguments. But that argument didn’t last for long.

He told his past to me, he was in relationship with a girl, Anu. He and Anu were tuition mate and also living in same area. That girl confesses to him and he just accepted after his mum agreed. During their relationship, he had to spend a lot. During that time, his parents and his parent’s friend have a talk to match make him with their daughter, Anita, 22.

When he was telling this to me I assumed that he and Anita are lovers. He told me that between both of them there were no secret and also they are not lovers just close friends. He showed me her picture, pretty. I have talked to her before, she asked lots of question and one common question whether do I love Shravanth. I decline, she says good because he already attached with someone. As a girl I can feel that Anita loves him, but not sure about Shravanth.

Hmm…

I tried to avoid him after he told his past. I give him lots of excuses, well he always has an answer for that. He asked me whether people in love can’t be friend with other girls? I can’t answer that.

“Do you love me?” asked Shravanth, when we were having lunch. That jerked me out, and I said no. I never thought of falling in love with him. I’m not a fool to love a person that already love by another girl, so that I can be called as snatcher or to accept my friends’ lover who haven’t become her ex. He says he can feel that I’m in love with him.

We had a big argument, few months later. He say I’m not understanding and also scolded me. I was so angry and asked him not to contact me anymore and I also didn’t go to the restaurant we used to go.

A week later he called me, “I didn’t see you at the restaurant, you aren’t going there anymore?”

“Yes.” I answered.

“Can you please come over there tomorrow for lunch?” he asked.

I asked him, “Why, we have nothing to talk.”

“Please.” He pledged.

I went there the next day. He apologised to me, and I did.

Now everything changed. We quarrel less, understanding between us developed. We went to cinema, temple, and for dinner.

Time passes real quickly. In this one year time, we understand each other and my feeling towards him have changed. I decided to confess to him.

The day arrived. I ring him up and say that I have important thing to tell and need to meet him. He also says the same.

We meet and he handed me a wedding invitation. Tears started to roll on my cheek. I expected it, because neither do I nor he express our love. He looked at me with surprise and asks what happened.

I looked straight into his eyes and said, “When you asked me if I love you on that day, I declined. Yes, I didn’t love you that time, but now I am, and when I wanted to express it you are handing me your wedding invitation. Perhaps, I forget to tell that I love you previously. Well, I expected it. Anyway, happy married life and congrats.

He looked stunt, but with a smile. He walked towards me, hugged and kissed my lips. I pushed him away, “Hei! What’s wrong with you? You’re going to wed soon and now what are you doing?” I shouted.

He smiled, and ask me to look the invitation card. I look at it with curiosity. It’s written there, Bridegroom: Prasad & Bride: Priya.

“Priya is my elder sister and this is her wedding invitation. I planned to invite you and your family and introduce to my family and propose you.” He explained.

I blushed. I immediately talked to my parents, so does he. Our family meet during his sisters’ wedding. With all the elders blessings the next wedding will be ours.

Thank God, I almost miss my first love, fortunately I didn’t.