18.You & Me - Sandhya
Thulasi was startled for a second but then when she realized that it was Dinakaran she was surprised. She smiled at him and said,
“I didn’t expect to see you here, it’s a surprise.”
Dinakaran smiled back but didn’t reply immediately. He continued to look at her. While she looked pretty with a smile, the rising color in her face due to his gaze made her appear still more beautiful. Thulasi turned her face towards the sea to escape from his eyes. Thulasi in the background of the evening setting sun and the soothing breeze was driving him crazy. It took immense effort from his side to remove his eyes from her. But within a few seconds his eyes automatically went back to her face.
There was an uncomfortable silence between them for a few seconds. Thulasi looked at Dinakaran and asked,
“Are you a regular visitor to the beach Dinakar sir?”
Dinakaran’s expression changed. He stared at her angrily for a few seconds and then turned his face. Thulasi realized that she has angered Dinakaran and she also understood the reason for that. He doesn’t want her to call him as sir… But why can’t he tell that directly? A smile appeared in Thulasi’s face and she continued to chat as if she was not bothered by his reaction.
“I like Marina beach a lot sir. It could be a bit cleaner but the sea, breeze, people… How many type of people we can see here, couples, family, kids, grandparents and so on. Whenever I feel a bit let down, I come here… This place is a boon to poor and middle class people sir… But I am really surprised to see you here…”
Again Dinakaran didn’t reply immediately. He realized the reason for her multiple “sir’s”… His anger disappeared and again a smile appeared in his face. And as always he geared himself to face the challenge.
“Yes Thulasi madam, I am not a regular visitor here. I got a flash news that a mermaid has escaped from the sea and is sitting lonely near this boat. I came here in a hurry to see the mermaid…”
Thulasi's smile broadened…
“Oh that’s bad sir, you should be really disappointed to see me instead of the mermaid… Something is wrong with your news sir. Tell me who the informer is and I can update the person with the latest news for you…”
Dinakar laughed heartily!
“Madam you are very smart… But really speaking, I am not disappointed…It’s true that I came in search of a mermaid, but I got a chance to meet an angel instead! Tell me is there anything for me to complain?”
Again Thulasi's face changed color and a pleasant feeling passed through her heart. Dinakaran looked at her and asked,
“What happened madam, you are not saying anything?”
“….”
“Thulasi madam….”
“…”
“Thulasi…”
Thulasi looked at Dinakaran with a mixture of emotions in her eyes… But Dinakaran’s sharp gaze again made her to turn her face away from him…
“Thulasi, do you have any problem if I address you with your name?”
Thulasi shook her head as if to say no…
“Good! Similarly, you can also get rid of the sir and call me Dinakar right?”
“But…”
“No, ifs and buts, you are calling me Dinakar…”
His tone startled Thulasi a bit and she stared at him and said,
“You can’t command me like that…”
Though her voice was tough, Dinakaran realized that she didn’t address him as sir… So he decided to change the topic...
“Accepted… By the way, why are you here? I thought you will be celebrating with your mother and sister…”
“What’s there to celebrate?”
“Come on Thulasi! Don’t you think you should inform your family about Kumar? Think how happy they will be to know that you have got all your money and properties back…”
“Pch…”
Her somewhat displeasured expression surprised Dinakaran.
“What happened Thulasi? You are not happy with that news?”
“What’s there to be happy?”
“What?” asked a surprised Dinakaran.