chapter 9

Author's POVThe sound of sea waves filled the silence between them. Aadhavan and Thulir were sitting on the beach sand, leaning back against an old boat. Neither spoke. Thulir wanted to, but she waited patiently for him to speak first. When Aadhavan is silent, he doesn't like to be disturbed until he speaks up. So, she kept him company, knowing the support of presence was more effective than conversation at that moment...Her mind was preoccupied with the moment she shared with Agathiyan. She was uncertain about her feelings, should she be happy that he didn't hate her, but he didn't declare his love either? What did that kiss signify, and what might have unfolded if Thalir hadn't interrupted? If, by chance, he had confessed his love, how would she have responded? Would she have acknowledged her love as well? And what did he mean when he said he had been visiting her without her knowledge? Should she be pleased to know that she wasn't the only one who missed him and thought of him constantly?"Why not me?"His voice interrupted her thoughts, and she looked at him, puzzled by his question..."Aadhava??""I am not asking about the chaos that happened in the hall but inside my room when I left"he explained very calmy, Thulir gulped she didn't expect that for sure but what she should say now....she took a deep breath"Aadhava....that....I don't know when....but...it happened.......I started liking Agathiyan....and""Just liking??? Are you sure about that Thulir""Aadhava...that.."He laughed, further bewildering her. As he continued to laugh, he looked at her and spoke."How naive I was to believe that I was an integral part of the trio, only to realize that I was being used to conceal your secret affair. You knew that just the two of you together might raise suspicions, so you involved me in your feigned arguments to maintain the illusion of discord when in reality, the situation was quite the opposite........"Thulir stood in anger..."What are you talking about, Aadhava? There's no secret affair or anything of the sort. In fact, it's only today that I realized Agathiyan doesn't hate me. Yes, I did have feelings for him, and yes, I love him, but it was never mutual; neither of us confessed until now. No one has ever used you. How can you say such things? I understand you're hurt and disturbed by today's events, but that doesn't give you the right to make these kinds of allegations against me or Agathiyan. Thank god he wasn't here if he hears this you have any idea how hurt he would be "Aadhavan chuckled, further infuriating her. He stood up, dusted off his hands, and looked at her."You know what I badly want to believe your story but nope......I had enough....I am not going to waste my time thinking about those who don't value me.....Just answer this single question that's enough for me ...."he paused and looked straight into her eyes ....she could see him breaking inside through his eyes still he managed to not break in front of her " why not me?..... even I was with you from the day we remembered why you only have feelings for him not me......not even once have you seen me in such a way why? Is it because I never fought with you like he does ....because I don't argue with you......or because supporting you in your decisions and stood for you every time till now.........you love him, not me is it because I am adopted who doesn't know who is my biological parents and don't share your bloodline because as far as I remember the only person who constantly reminds me that I am adopted is you .....I don't care what was your true intention behind that.... maybe you just said inflow and didn't mean it.......that wasn't my concern....but this  ""what you want me to say right now huh???.... Do you want me to agree with all your assumptions ???  but before accepting let me ask you one thing when did you come to me and say you love me huh? when huh?"Thulir inquired, tears streaming down her face, which she harshly wiped away with the back of her hand."It happened, and I don't have control over it. Isn't that how love works? We can't control our feelings. The same happened to me, and I tried—truly, I did my utmost not to fall for him, thinking he despised me and that harbouring feelings for him would only bring me pain. But I have no idea of your love. How can you blame me for that? Do you realize how much it troubled me that I was concealing something from you? Because I've never hidden anything from you, except this. How could I come to you and confess that I love Agathiyan, who seemingly hates me when I'm uncertain about the future of these feelings? I didn't know how you would react. But the idea of you loving me never crossed my mind, Aadhava, because I've never seen you in that light. Maybe you're right. Perhaps I developed feelings because he never showed his care openly, unlike the rest of our family, like you. He's different, and that might have compelled my mind to constantly seek his attention. I resorted to picking fights and arguments as a means to draw his gaze, and I have no idea when that morphed into love. This is the truth, whether you believe it or not....but hurting you is impossible for me .....I don't even think like that in dreams ......You are my best friend and I don't want to loose you but trust me I can't love you in the way you expecting.....You are best in every aspect but I am incapable of giving my heart to you  it doesn't belong to me anymore........sorry..."The next second he hugged her tightly, She didn't tried to push him instead cried in his embrace..."Shhh... I'm sorry... I was an idiot... I spoke in anger and caused hurt... Please don't cry... Calm down....." Aadhavan was uttering calming words to soothe her.....After sometime Thulir broke the hug wiping her tears.....Aadhavan took a deep breath..."Naa inga irunthu poren"(I am leaving from here..)He said .....Thulir thought he was speaking about leaving from beach to home she still needed some alone time ...."I will stay here for some more time you go...""It's late night..... ""I understand, but I need some time alone. Please, I'll be back soon, I've come on my scooty ""But...""Please Aadhava.."She pleaded with him. He let out a deep breath, nodded, and turned back.....he walked for few meters but leaving her alone didn't settled well with him ...he was about to go back to her he saw Agathiyan coming from far....he immediately hid behind the Karl Schmidt Memorial.....Aadhavan saw Agathiyan going towards Thulir. who's eyes were now fixed on the sea waves..........Aadhavan looked at them one last time before leaving from that place and their life........He is leaving the two most important persons in his life.........Author's NoteHello People.....How was the chapter.....I know it bit more emotional so to compensate that lightly let's go to info box....Its about Edward Elliot beach Also known as Bessi beach or Besant Nagar beach...many might know few don't so lets dive into the info....The Edward Elliot Beach was named after an erstwhile Chief Magistrate and superintendent of Police, Edward Elliot. He was the son of Governor of Madras, Hugh Elliot. The beach was often visited by the Britishers during the colonial era.and you might find a memorial on the middle of the beach sand and that's called Karl Schmidt MemorialKarl Schmidt Memorial was built on the beach in honour of the Dutch sailor, Karl Schmidt who is believed to have lost his life while saving the life of a drowning girl in 1930.The only architectural monument built on the beach by the then Governor of Madras, Lieutenant Colonel Sir George Frederick Stanley was damaged badly due to its weak foundation and the effects of the ocean water.It was renovated in 2014, giving it a stronger base built of granite and bricks. The memorial stone has the inscription "To commemorate the Gallantry of K A J Schmidt who was drowned near this spot on December 30, 1930 while helping to save the lives of others."I hope it helps.....Happy Reading 📖📖📖📖📖Thank you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️