Maya's POV:

I entered my house, completely exhausted, every bone in my body begging for rest.

I threw my bag onto the couch and flopped down beside it.
The TV was still on, casting a soft glow across the hall. Amma was half-asleep, her head tilted back, snoring gently.

I sighed deeply.

“Ipdi kadhava thorandhu potutu epdi thoonguranga, paaru. Yarachum vandhu thiruditu pona enna pannuvanga. Just doesn't understand.”
(How can she sleep like this with the door wide open? What if someone just walked in and robbed us? She just doesn’t get it.)

I closed the door and headed to the kitchen.
Opening the fridge, I grabbed a glass of cold water and gulped it down in one go.

"Pasikidhu."
(I’m hungry.)

I searched every shelf, every container, nothing. Not even leftover rasam. Everything was gone.

Disappointed, I walked into my room and changed into a comfy t-shirt and pyjamas. The saree I wore was drenched in dust and sweat. I threw it into the washing machine and shut the lid.

Just then, my ears picked up a familiar tune. My heart leapt.

“Kana kangiren Kana kangiren
Kannalane…
Ore pandhalil ore medaiyil iruvarume…”

The lyrics drifted from the TV in the hall. My legs moved before I could think. I rushed to the living room and sat in front of the screen like a child seeing her favorite cartoon.

That song, my absolute favorite.

There’s something about it. A deep emotion that washes over me. It reminds me of love, of weddings, of lifelong companionship. I’ve always dreamt of singing that song for my future husband…
I don't know who he is and where he is.

Just then, Amma stirred awake, woken by the loud music.

"Nee epo d vandha?"
(When did you come, dear?)

"Epayo vandhuta."
(Long back.)

"Sapadu edhachum saptiya?"
(Did you eat anything?)

"Illa. Edhuvum illaye, naa dha sapadu samaikanum."
(No. There's nothing left. I’ll cook something now.)

"Naane panni tharen, iru."
(I’ll cook, you wait.)

She got up and headed toward the kitchen.

"Indha adhu varaikum indha juice kudi."
(In the meantime, drink this juice.)

She handed me a tall glass of watermelon juice. It was cold, sweet, and refreshing.

"Naal epdi pochu iniku?"
(How was your day today?)

"Nalla pochu epayum pola."
(It went well, like usual.)

I sipped the juice and leaned back. But my thoughts betrayed me.

Images flickered in my mind—Anand, Rohan, the man from that day… my kerchief. Everything came rushing back.

He looked terrifying that day, no doubt about it. Tall, rough features, intense eyes. But I’ve always believed that appearances can be deceiving. So I treated him normally, respectfully. But when he mentioned the kerchief, I was stunned.

Flashback:

I had gone to buy vegetables.

Everything was normal until a sudden commotion erupted. A group of men sprinted down the street, and chaos followed.

People screamed. Some started running. Others froze in fear.

One man accidentally collided with a biker, sending both of them tumbling onto the road.

"Haiyo, parthu ponga."
(Oh no, watch where you're going!)

I helped the biker first, then rushed to the man who had gotten hurt. Blood was dripping from a gash on his arm.

"You're bleeding. Seekiram first aid pannuga."
(You’re bleeding. Please get some first aid quickly.)

Instinctively, I took out my kerchief and pressed it to his wound, tying it tight to stop the bleeding.

Suddenly, a gunshot cracked the air.

I shut my eyes, heart thudding in terror.

When I opened them, the man I had helped was gone.

I stood there, confused, shaken.

More men ran past us with guns.

I returned to the vegetable truck, trying to process everything.

"Indha selvam aalunga tholla thanga mudiyala. Ivanuga saguradhillama public aayum serthu savadikiranga. Ethana peruku adi, epdi thalli vitutu oduranga paaru."
(This Selvam gang is unbearable. They're not dying alone; they’re dragging the public with them. Look how many got hurt, and they just ran off.)

"Yaaru anna adhu?"
(Who was that, anna?)

"Avaru periya rowdy ma. Nee kelvi pattadhillaya? Inga dhane un veedu."
(He’s a big gangster. Haven’t you heard of him? You live here, right?)

"Illa, na. Ennaku theriyadhu."
(No, I didn’t know.)

"Seri, ma. Paavam andha bike kaaran, aprm rendu moonu peru keezha vizhundhu adi patuduchu."
(Okay. Poor biker though. Two or three others also got badly hurt.)

"Ama, anna. Orutharuku ratham vara alavuku adi."
(Yes, one person was bleeding badly.)

"Adhu selvam oda..."
(That’s Selvam’s—)

My phone rang.

"Sollu, ma."
(Tell me, ma.)

"Enga d iruka? Nee pona area la edho rowdy ya throathurangalam? Ozhunga veedu vandhu seru."
(Where are you? There’s some gangster chase happening in your area. Come home safely!)

"Idho ellame vangiten, kaasu kuduthutu vandhuren."
(I’ve bought everything. Just paying and leaving now.)

"Seekiram vandhu seru."
(Come back quickly.)

"Ok, ma."

I paid the vendor and rushed home, hoping the injured people would be okay.

As soon as I stepped in,

"Happa, vandhutiya? Naan kuda bayandhute irundhen, nalla badiya vandhu serndhuta."
(Phew, you're back? I was so scared. Thank God you’re safe.)

"Yen ennachu?"
(What happened?)

"Ennacha? Nee pona area la oru rowdy aa encounter poda thorathittu vandhagalame. Nee parthiya?"
(What happened? A rowdy was being chased near your area. Did you see him?)

"Oh adhan encounter aa? Yaarayo thorathitu vandhaga, yaarunu therila. Neraya peru kuzha vizhundhu adi kaayam."
(Oh, so that was an encounter? People were just running, didn’t know who they were. Many got hurt.)

"Oruthar ku Kai la adi, bike kaaran oruthar kizha vizhundhutaaru."
(One guy’s hand was bleeding, and the biker also fell.)

"Apdiya? Indha rowdy nga thollai ozhiya matengidhu."
(Really? These rowdies are such a menace.)

"Yaaru ma andha rowdy?"
(Who was that rowdy, ma?)

"Hey, unnaku edhuku idhellam? Chinna ponnu unnaku adhellam therijikanum gra avasiyam illa. Po, poi velai irundha paaru."
(Why do you care? You’re a young girl. No need to know all this. Go mind your work.)

That was my brother, Madhan.
I rolled my eyes and walked to the kitchen.

"Enna ma, nee? Chinna ponnu Ava kita enna idhu pathilam pesitu."
(Why are you discussing all this with her? She’s a small girl.)

I sighed, and started preparing lunch.

Flashback ends.

"Hey, enna? Edho azhndha sindhanai la iruka pola? Apo lendhu amma kupudranga po, poi ennanu paaru."
(Hey, what’s up? You look lost in deep thought. Amma’s calling from inside, go check.)

My brother came and plopped down beside me. With no care, he changed the channel.

The beautiful dreamlike visuals of Anandha Thandavam vanished.

Typical. He always ruins my mood.

Today was no different.

Hey, guys.

It's our hero, Daniel Balaji's birthday, today. On the occassion of his birthday, I'll try to give double update, today.