Pavithra, Vino and Karthik

Chapter 1

It was 5 a.m., and the early signs of dawn whispered through the city—distant barking dogs, newspaper boys pedaling past, and the low rumble of garbage trucks making their rounds. These familiar sounds subtly announced the break of dawn.

Pavithra lay motionless on her bed, as still as a statue. Sleep had eluded her the entire night, leaving her eyes bloodshot and her body stiff with exhaustion. The bedroom was lavish and spacious, large enough to accommodate at least ten people. The king-sized bed itself could fit five. The mattress was plush, the air cool and crisp, and every inch of the room reflected wealth and comfort. Yet, despite all this luxury, she felt hollow, staring at the ceiling like a ghost while a storm of thoughts raged inside her mind.

Beside her, Karthik, her husband, slept peacefully—oblivious, untroubled. His steady breathing filled the silence, accompanied by his loud snores. To Pavithra, even the pounding headache she had was less unbearable than the sound of his snoring.

She finally got up and walked into the bathroom, her feet dragging against the cold marble floor. As she stood in front of the mirror, she barely recognized the woman staring back. Five years of marriage had changed her. She had gained weight, her once-radiant skin had lost its glow, and her energy levels had plummeted.

Then, she noticed it—a fresh wound on her lip. She reached out and gently touched it. A sharp pain shot through her, making her pull her hand back as if she had touched a live wire.

She stood there, staring at her reflection, her eyes asking unspoken questions only she could understand. Then, out of nowhere, her body started to shiver, her hands turned ice-cold, and breathing suddenly became difficult. She reached out blindly, desperately searching for something to steady herself.

Suddenly, flashes of her son and parents appeared before her eyes. She grabbed onto the door handle, struggling to stay upright. But she had no control left.

A loud thud echoed through the house.

She had collapsed, face-first onto the floor.

The crash jolted Karthik awake. Panicked, he ran toward the sound, spotting the light seeping from under the bathroom door.

He banged on the door.

“Pavithra! Pavithra!” he shouted.

No response.

Frantic, he slammed his shoulder against the door, breaking it open.

There she was—lying in a pool of blood.

Karthik’s heart stopped.

“Pavithra!” he screamed.

“Amma! Appa! Come here, quick!”

His voice was desperate, trembling.

On the cold floor, Pavithra’s eyes fluttered weakly. She could see him, see them all. But she couldn’t move. She couldn’t speak.

All she felt was the sharp, unbearable pain in her head.

2016 – First Day of College

Pavithra was a vision of beauty—her long, silky hair cascaded down her back, her skin was as clear as the morning sky, and her slender frame moved gracefully with every step.

The moment she walked in, every pair of eyes was on her.

The boys stared in awe, like starving wolves catching the scent of fresh meat. The girls—both seniors and juniors alike—watched her with thinly veiled jealousy.

But Pavithra wasn’t shy. Not back then. She knew exactly how beautiful she was, and she loved the attention.

The college building was massive, with corridors stretching endlessly like airport runways. Pavithra held a small slip of paper in her hand—“Raghavan Sir, 5A.” Each floor had classrooms labeled up to S or Q, and the number 5 meant the fifth floor.

As she climbed the stairs, a group of boys ran past, laughing and shouting. Just as they disappeared, she heard a voice—

“Heyy!”

She stopped, looking around. Nothing.

“Heyy! Over here!”

She turned toward an empty classroom. A head peeked out from the window.

“Are they gone?” the voice asked.

Pavithra, confused, asked, “Who?”

“The boys who just ran past you.”

She leaned back, checking the hallway.

“I guess they’re gone,” she replied hesitantly.

“Come here.”

Pavithra hesitated. “Why?”

The voice chuckled.

“I’m not going to bite you.”

Cautiously, she stepped inside.

The guy stood up, revealing himself.

“I’m Vino. And you?”

For the first time in her life, Pavithra was speechless.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She tried to say something, but the words refused to come out.

Inside, she screamed to herself, OMG! and smiled nervously.

Vino chuckled, gently shaking her shoulder.

“Hello? Who are you?”

He took the slip of paper from her hands and read it.

“Hmmm… Pavithra. Take the left from the stairs, fourth classroom.”

She nodded and hurried out, embarrassed. As she walked away, her heart pounded in her chest. She knew she had just messed up the moment.

Vino was tall, charming, and effortlessly handsome. Every girl in college had their eyes on him, but he carried himself with a natural ease.

He was kind, funny, and, most importantly, had an undeniable way with women.

From that day forward, Pavithra couldn’t stop looking at him.

Whenever he walked past, her eyes followed, filled with something dangerously close to love.

Vino, of course, noticed the way she looked at him.

But he pretended not to.

Even after six months, they had barely spoken.

September 5th, 2017 – Teacher’s Day

On Teacher’s Day, final-year students were assigned to teach a class for 45 minutes. The best student-teachers were awarded each year.

Vino arrived dressed like a gentleman—a neatly ironed sky-blue shirt, navy-blue trousers, and polished brown shoes. His father’s watch glistened on his wrist, and his mother had pinned a cufflink onto his sleeve before he left home.

That day, he looked irresistibly charismatic.

Pavithra, oblivious to the day’s events, walked into class tired.

“Hey, Pavithra, why do you look so dull?” her friend Rathna asked.

“Traffic,” Pavithra groaned.

Rathna giggled.

“Today is a day you’ll never forget.”

“Why?” Pavithra asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Just wait and see.”

The bell rang, and the students stood up in unison.

“Good morning, sir!” they chorused.

Pavithra was so exhausted she didn’t even bother standing—until she caught a glimpse of someone in a blue shirt.

Then, someone in the class yelled—

“Sir, you look so handsome today!”

Vino chuckled, thanking them in his deep, smooth voice.

The moment Pavithra heard his voice, realization struck her like lightning.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She sprang to her feet just to get a clear look.

Unfortunately, everyone else sat down at the same time—leaving her awkwardly standing alone.

Vino noticed.

“What happened?” he asked, amused.

Pavithra froze, blushing furiously.

If there isn’t anything please sit out, said Vino and turned towards the Board to write. Just when he was about to write something on the board.

She blurted out— “Ah….um….You…. You look smart today, sir!”

The entire class burst into laughter.

Vino froze for a moment and smiled and he turned towards Pavithra. His face turned bright red said, Pavithra isn’t it?. Yes, replied Pavithra. Sit down, said Vino calmly with a smile

And that moment sealed their story forever.

Pavithra, overwhelmed with embarrassment, immediately ducked under her desk and mouthed to Rathna, What the hell? What is he doing here?

Rathna smirked. Today’s Teacher’s Day. Weren’t you aware of this tradition?

They both giggled, but Pavithra’s excitement was uncontrollable. The most thrilling part wasn’t just Vino standing there as their temporary teacher—it was how, despite addressing the entire class, his eyes kept finding hers.

Every time their gazes locked, Pavithra’s stomach churned. She squeezed Rathna’s hand so tightly it felt like she might crush it.

The class ended, and Vino casually bid everyone goodbye before leaving. The moment he stepped out, Pavithra practically squealed.

“What just happened? He looked so handsome!” she gushed.

Rathna rolled her eyes. “I can handle a lot of things, but not your theatrics.” Then, her expression turned thoughtful. “I know you’re totally into him, but why the hell was he looking at you all the time?”

Pavithra felt a fresh wave of heat rush to her cheeks. She couldn’t even respond—she just sat there, smiling like an idiot.

Rathna groaned. “Please don’t just blush. Go do something before the train departs!”

The Evening—Teacher’s Day Ceremony

By evening, all the students had gathered in the auditorium for the Teacher’s Day celebrations. There were performances—singing, dancing—but none of it mattered to Pavithra. She was only here for one thing. She wanted to see Vino win the Best Student Teacher award.

As the final event began, Pavithra’s eyes scanned the crowd restlessly. She nudged Rathna every few seconds. Do you see him? Is he here?. Rathna sighed, trying her best to help. Then suddenly, she gasped and grabbed Pavithra’s arm. “Look!” she whispered, pointing.

There he was.

Vino stood among a group of boys, wearing his signature charming smile. His effortless grace made him stand out, even in a crowd. Meanwhile, the host’s voice thundered through the auditorium speakers. The entire hall was filled with claps and cheers—but Pavithra heard nothing. She wasn’t even in the real world anymore. Her mind had drifted into a dream, where only she and Vino existed.

Then—

The auditorium erupted with deafening applause.

Rathna grabbed Pavithra’s shoulders and shook her hard.

“Pavithra! Look!”

“Huh?” Pavithra blinked, snapping out of her daze.

“Vino didn’t win,” Rathna said, her voice filled with shock.

Pavithra’s heart sank.

Her eyes darted toward Vino. He was standing there, clapping along with his friends, but something was missing. That usual, easygoing smile was gone. Rathna leaned in, whispering, “He looks disappointed, dude.”

Pavithra didn’t say a word. She just kept looking at him. Vino was adjusting his watch and cufflink looking at the floor without the smile. All around them, the crowd continued to cheer for the winner. The auditorium was filled with applause.

But Pavithra and Rathna sat in silence.

The event was over, and students were leaving the auditorium in groups. But Pavithra sat still, lost in the moment.

Rathna grabbed her arm. “Come on, let’s go.”

Pavithra stood up, blending into the moving crowd, all heading in the same direction—toward their classrooms.

Then, suddenly, she stopped.

Rathna noticed and frowned. “What happened?”

Without answering, Pavithra turned around and began walking backward.

Rathna’s eyes widened. “Dude, where are you going?”

Pavithra took off running. “I can’t miss this opportunity!” she shouted over her shoulder.

Rathna stood frozen, clueless about what was happening.

Pavithra weaved her way through the dispersing students, dodging shoulders and backpacks as she ran toward the backstage area.

It was dimly lit, more like a narrow alley than a proper room. Large speakers, cables, and stage props were stacked messily, casting strange shadows. The only source of light came from a single flickering bulb.

And under that light sat Vino.

His posture was slumped, his hands resting on his knees, his expression clouded with disappointment.

Everything around him was barely visible—except him.

Pavithra took slow, hesitant steps forward.

“Hey,” she said softly.

Vino looked up, startled. “Pavithra? What are you doing here?”

She hesitated for a second before answering, “I… I just wanted to check on you.”

Vino’s lips curved into a faint smile. “I’m good.”

Pavithra cut him off. “Don’t lie.”

Vino blinked.

“I saw you in the auditorium,” she continued. “You looked so down.”

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah… it was a little disappointing.” His fingers brushed against his cufflink—the one his mother had given him. He stared at it for a moment before adding, “I really don’t like losing.”

They fell silent.

Then, Pavithra said softly, “For me, you should have won today.”

Vino raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Oh, really?” His voice turned teasing. “Then tell me—what was my topic in today’s class?”

Pavithra’s face froze.

“Uh… I think it was… about… something important?” she mumbled awkwardly.

Vino just stared at her.

Pavithra looked at him, then at her feet, then back at him.

For a second, neither of them spoke.

Then—
They burst into laughter.

Vino shook his head. “Let’s get out of here before someone sees us.”

They walked out together, side by side.

Pavithra squeezed her hands nervously, while Vino walked with his hands in his pockets.

As they reached the exit, they both stopped.

Vino turned to her. “Are you free this weekend?”

Pavithra blinked. She hadn’t expected that.

She hesitated. “…Why?”

Vino smirked. “I was thinking… maybe coffee?”

Her heart raced.

She thought for a moment, then asked, “Can you pick me up?”

Vino smiled. “Yeah. I can.”

They continued walking down the hallway.

Outside, the sky was painted in hues of orange and purple—the last traces of dusk melting into the night.

Even though Pavithra agreed with some hesitation, she still couldn’t believe that the week had four more days left.

The next day, as usual, Pavithra walked across the noisy lobby filled with chattering students. But the moment she stepped into the classroom, something felt different. The shouting stopped. A pin-drop silence took over, and every eye turned toward her.

For a moment, she felt awkward. Why is everyone staring? She hesitated but slowly walked to her desk, where Rathna was already waiting, her face barely containing her excitement. Pavithra sat down, scanning the room.

“What happened, guys? Why are you all looking at me like that?”

Everyone exchanged knowing smiles before returning to their usual chatter. The noise gradually filled the room again, but Pavithra was still clueless. She turned to Rathna.

“What happened, dude?”

Rathna smirked. “Apparently, the whole college knows you’re dating Vino.”

Pavithra’s eyes widened. “What do you mean dating?” she asked, completely shocked.

“We’re just supposed to go for one coffee. And that too—four days from now!”

Rathna laughed teasingly. “The story going around is that you two went out that night and you got home late.”

“Who even comes up with this nonsense?” Pavithra groaned in disbelief.

“Come on, Pavithra! This is college. People make up stories all the time. Don’t take it seriously,” Rathna reassured her. “I know you’re probably annoyed, but just ignore it.”

Pavithra sighed. “Yeah…” she muttered before pausing for a second. Then, almost absentmindedly, she whispered, “I wish it were true someday.”

“You bloody rascal!” Rathna exclaimed, nudging her playfully.

For Pavithra, four days felt like an eternity. She couldn’t wait.

The Day Finally Arrives…

The D-Day was here. Pavithra had barely slept the night before, her eyes glued to her phone. Vino had already texted: “See you at 4 PM.” It didn’t matter how much sleep she got—her skin was glowing like freshly polished pearl, her eyes bright with anticipation. The excitement was hitting her so hard that she was pacing around the house like a restless cat.

Her parents exchanged confused glances.

“Is something wrong with her?” her dad asked.

Whenever he tried to ask Pavithra directly, she would just giggle, her cheeks turning even redder, before hopping away like a bunny.

Her dad, utterly clueless, turned to her mom. “What is happening?”

Unable to contain herself, Pavithra grabbed her phone and called Rathna.

“Hey, Rathna. I don’t know what’s wrong with me—I’m excited, but also nervous.”

Rathna giggled. “Don’t be! It’s completely normal. And listen, if anything goes wrong, call me. I’ll rescue you.”

“Okkkaaayyy…” Pavithra sighed.

“By the way, have you decided what to wear?” Rathna asked eagerly.

“No, not yet.”

“Make sure it’s something nice and comfortable. Don’t go too traditional. Just wear jeans, a cute top, and sneakers. And most importantly—be confident!”

“Got it!” Pavithra smiled.

The Meet-Up

As the sun began to set, its heat softened into a warm glow. A gentle breeze rustled through the trees that lined the street, casting flickering shadows over the pavement. Vino parked his bike under a tree and glanced at his phone. 4:05 PM. They were supposed to meet at 4. He called her.

The phone rang twice.

“Hey! I’m so sorry. I’m almost there!” Pavithra’s voice came through, slightly breathless. “Look to your right.”

He looked to his right, but the fading sunlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves blurred his vision, making it difficult to see. Then, from the golden haze, she emerged—his angel.

For the first time, he truly saw her. The way she walked toward him—her hips swaying effortlessly with each step, her eyes glowing like embers in the evening light—made everything around him fade into the background.

About 30 to 50 meters away, walking toward him, the sunlight filtering through the trees behind her. For the first time, Vino really looked at her. The way she walked, the way her hips swayed with each step, the way her eyes sparkled with excitement. Everything about this moment felt surreal. Pavithra smiled. “Hi,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of nervousness. Still caught in his daze, Vino finally managed to reply. “Hi.”

“Shall we go?” Vino asked. “Yes, please. Before someone sees us together,” she replied, her lips curling into a mischievous grin.

Vino started his motorbike, the revving sound of the engine echoing in the distance. Pavithra flinched for a moment, quickly looking left and right to make sure no one had noticed her. She pulled up her scarf to cover her face before getting on the bike.

As they rode along, the bike picked up speed, making it difficult for Pavithra to maintain balance, especially with the high seat. The bumpy road only made things worse—each time she felt like she was losing balance, her hands instinctively reached for Vino. And every time she touched him, a strange sensation, almost like electricity, passed through her fingers.

Vino noticed this and mischievously pulled the bike over to the side of the road.

“What happened?” he asked, teasingly.

Pavithra smirked. “Your bike isn’t meant for pillion riders, I guess.”

Vino chuckled, took her hand, and placed it on his shoulders. “Hold onto me—you’ll be fine now,” he assured.

Pavithra was speechless. Her stomach churned, her face flushed, and she smiled before turning away, pretending to watch the passing traffic. She extended her other arm into the air, feeling the cool breeze against her skin. This might be the best ride of my life, she thought to herself.

As they continued riding, the breeze grew cooler and stronger. Suddenly, the bike came to a halt.

“Get down,” Vino said.

Pavithra, puzzled, asked, “Where’s the coffee shop?”

Vino laughed. “Well, I changed my mind. We’re at the beach!”

Pavithra’s eyes widened in surprise. “Honestly? I’ve always wanted to come to the beach with you. I’m so glad you brought me here.”

“Really?” Vino asked.

“My dad never lets me go out much. He says the beach isn’t safe for women.”

They walked towards the shore, taking in the serenity. The cool breeze welcomed them as the scene unfolded before their eyes—carts selling snacks, mangoes, roasted corn, and peanuts; little children carrying kettles of tea, nagging couples seated on the sand; families spread out on bedsheets while their kids ran along the shore, playing catch. Some people were collecting seashells, while others, wrapped in scarves, hid behind boats for privacy.

Pavithra pointed at one such couple and laughed.

As they strolled toward the water, she turned to Vino and asked, “Have you been here before?”

“Of course,” he answered without hesitation.

“I mean… with a girl.”

Vino frowned. “Obviously, I would have.”

Pavithra raised an eyebrow. “So, how many times have you come here with someone?”

Vino laughed. “Probably a hundred times. Including you—101.”

Pavithra shot him an annoyed look. “I see.”

“I was just kidding,” Vino said, grinning. Then, in a softer tone, he added, “I did have someone in my life. But she left for her studies abroad. She’s a good person… but our stars never aligned.”

Pavithra let out a relieved breath.

Vino smirked. “Now, your turn. How many times have you been here before?”

Pavithra laughed, instantly catching his meaning. “Once. My ex was from school—such a pain in the ass. Had serious FOMO issues. I’m so glad that’s over. Please, don’t ask about it.”

Vino chuckled. “Don’t worry. We are never talking about that again.”

They exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

Suddenly, Pavithra gasped. “MASALA MANGOES!”

Vino turned to her. “You want one?”

“Yes!” she said, her face lighting up like a child’s.

They walked over to the mango cart, bought a portion each, and sat down on the sand, facing the ocean. The cool breeze brushed against their skin, and tiny droplets of seawater occasionally sprayed them as they savored their tangy, spicy mangoes.
Vino continued, “Thanks for coming!”

Pavithra frowned. “This isn’t something you need to thank me for.”

With a low voice, still looking at the ocean, Vino said, “You know, the ocean always seems to offer something new. It never stays the same, always changing. Life is the same—people change, situations change, and you can’t win every time. It was really hard for me to accept losing the other day. I felt so low… and you were the only bright thing that evening. I would have been fine even without you, but it would have taken a week of sulking, which I honestly don’t like. So, I should thank you—for saving me from sulking for a few days.”

Pavithra’s eyes widened. “You seem like a strong-minded person. I can’t believe you’d sulk over some stupid competition.”

Vino let out a small chuckle. “Well, I don’t come from a family where losing is an option. My parents work hard to provide for me, so the least I can do is give them what they expect—success. There were times when we didn’t have proper food or money, but they never let me feel that hunger or poverty. In return, they only wanted me to do well in whatever I chose. So, winning became a habit. When I lose, it’s hard to digest… and even harder to explain.”

Pavithra gazed at him for a moment and said softly, “I understand. Truly.”

Sensing the shift in mood, Vino suddenly broke the sad vibe. “Shall we go for a walk?”

“Why not?” Pavithra smiled.

They both got up, removed their shoes, and carried them in their hands. As they strolled along the shoreline, the cold water lapped at their bare feet. Pavithra playfully ran away each time the waves neared her, laughing as she played catch with the water. Vino walked beside her, watching and admiring her carefree antics.

They talked, laughed, and for a while, it felt like everything else around them disappeared.

Suddenly, Pavithra glanced at her watch and gasped. “It’s late! I need to go—my mom will be expecting me.”

Vino smiled. “Come, let’s go.”

As they walked side by side, shoes in hand and feet muddy from the wet sand, their hands brushed against each other by accident. Pavithra felt a wave of emotions surge in her stomach but didn’t react. She stole a glance at Vino from the corner of her eye—still, their hands kept brushing with each step.

They both slowed down, then stopped. Face to face, their eyes locked.

Pavithra saw something in his eyes—trust, safety, and something deeper… maybe love.

Slowly, Vino reached out and placed his hand over hers, holding it firmly.

They smiled at each other.

Vino felt the slight shiver in her body and teasingly asked with a smirk, “What happened?”

Pavithra, with a shy smile, whispered, “Butterflies.”

Hand in hand, they walked away from the beach, their fingers intertwined, the ocean waves retreating behind them.

To be continued.....

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