So far:
After office hours, Tamil takes Nila to his house.
Now:
"Nila, are you sure about this? Please… somehow save me from this situation," Tamil said nervously.
"Hmm, let's see. Come on," Nila smiled, trying to sound calm.
"Come inside. Raji, Dad!" Tamil called out.
"Raji, Dad—this is the girl I love, Nila. And this is my mom and dad. You all talk for a while, I'll be back in a bit," Tamil said and slipped away quickly.
After a short silence, Tamil's father called, "Nila, come here, dear. Sit down."
Nila came and sat near them. Tamil's mother shifted slightly away from her seat.
"Would you like some coffee or tea, dear?" his father asked.
"It's okay, uncle. I just had something at the office," Nila replied politely.
"So, how do you know my son?" Tamil's mother began her investigation.
"It's been four months, aunty. I met him after I joined the office as his P.A. I liked his character very much. And he said he liked my sincerity at work," Nila explained honestly.
"I see. So who confessed love first?" his mother continued curiously.
Before Nila could answer, Tamil returned. "Alright Nila, it's getting late. I'll drop you home," he said hurriedly.
"Yes, Tamil. Uncle, aunty, sorry it's late. I'll come again another day. You can ask me anything then, and I'll answer openly," said Nila, getting up to leave.
"Why the hurry? Anyway, you're going to take her along — then why rush?" Tamil's mother said.
"That's not it, Raji, I just thought—" Tamil tried to explain, but she didn't let him go.
"Nila, come here. Do you know how to cook? Will you help around the house? And are you vegetarian like us?" she continued with questions, taking Nila into the kitchen.
Tamil stood outside, worried about how Nila was going to handle his mother.
Meanwhile, his father said, "The girl looks nice, calm, and sensible. I think that's why you like her."
"Yes, Dad," Tamil nodded.
Soon Nila returned with coffee, Raji following her.
"Uncle, here you go. Tamil, this one's for you, and aunty, this is yours. I made it the way we do at home. Please tell me if anything's wrong, I'll fix it," Nila said with a smile.
"The coffee is perfect, Nila," Tamil's father praised.
"Yes, it's good," Raji admitted, then asked, "So, have you told your parents? What did they say?"
"No aunty, not yet. My mom wouldn't agree easily. She always says we shouldn't dream beyond our status. At first, I was hesitant too, but Tamil told me he would explain everything to my mother and make her understand. That's when I felt it was right," Nila said softly.
"So when are you both planning to get married?" Raji continued.
"Raji, Nila's brother still has to finish his studies and find a job. Nila just started working. I also need time to grow our company. So we decided not to rush into marriage. Even in our office, no one knows about our love," Tamil said, sounding like he had rehearsed it.
"Fine, but she must come home once a week," Tamil's father said.
"Dad, but her family—" Tamil began.
"Let her just say what she said today to them too," Raji said firmly.
"It's okay, Tamil. I'll manage at home. I'll come once a week for sure. Okay aunty, uncle, I'll leave now," said Nila politely.
"Alright dear, take care," Tamil's father said.
As Nila bent down and touched their feet, they blessed her warmly.
Tamil stood stunned, thinking, This wasn't in the plan!
"Take her safely home, Tamil," Raji said.
"Okay, Raji," he replied and left with Nila.
"Raji, the girl's beautiful and humble, isn't she? I really like her," Tamil's father said after they left.
"I don't know… They don't look like they're in love. They talk respectfully, not lovingly. I still doubt if Tamil is really in love. But the girl seems good. Let's wait and see," Raji said thoughtfully.
"Whatever Tamil likes, you'll eventually like too. I'm sure of that. Anyway, I'll go watch the news," his father said, leaving.
Raji too went to prepare dinner.
In the car, Tamil and Nila remained silent for a while. Then Nila said softly,
"Sir, I really liked your parents. Even after knowing I'm from a middle-class family, they accepted me so warmly. I actually feel guilty for deceiving them."
"I was worried how we'd get out of there. If we'd stayed a little longer, I might have messed everything up. Dad might believe us, but Raji surely won't. Anyway, thanks a lot, Nila," Tamil said with relief.
"It's alright, sir. But… can I ask something?" Nila said hesitantly.
"You're going to ask why this drama, right? I'll tell you when the time is right," Tamil replied.
"No sir, not that. Why do you call your mom by name?" she asked curiously.
Tamil smiled sadly. "Well, Raji's father passed away just a few days before I was born. She believes her father was reborn as her son — me. So when I called her 'Raji' as a kid, she said it sounded like her father calling her. And it just continued that way all these years."
"Your mom seems very emotional and attached. Your dad is practical. Anyway, thank you for introducing me to them. And I'll never forget the help you've given me," said Nila warmly.
"If Raji said anything that hurt you, please don't take it to heart," Tamil said sincerely.
"Oh no, not at all. If I were in her place, maybe I'd have been just as strict. Don't worry, sir," Nila said with a smile. "Okay, my home's here. You can stop."
Tamil stopped the car, and she stepped out.
"Alright, take care," Tamil said, watching as Nila walked into her house.
He drove away quietly.
The next day at the office, Tamil was working when he got a call from Kavin.
"Hey Kavin, how are you, man? When are you coming back?" Tamil asked.
"I'm good, da! How are you guys? So, heard you're in love now? I should get ready for the wedding, huh?" Kavin teased.
"Who told you that already? You don't even know how much trouble you've caused me," Tamil said.
"What are you saying? Wait—so the love story is fake? I thought it was real! But Yazhini was right about you. She said you'd never fall in love so easily," Kavin replied.
"So it was Yazhini who told you this? I'll talk to her," Tamil said.
"Whatever, but why did you lie?" Kavin asked.
"Because of you, da. My family fixed my marriage with Yazhini, and I had no way to stop it. That's why I had to stage this drama," Tamil confessed.
"Oh man… But you don't have many female friends. So who agreed to act as your lover?" Kavin asked curiously.
"That's a long story. My office P.A.—she needed money urgently, so she agreed to help," Tamil said.
"Did your parents believe it?" Kavin asked.
"Not sure. We'll see," Tamil sighed.
"Okay, da. I'll find a solution soon. Until then, please manage somehow," Kavin said.
"Okay, take care. Bye," Tamil replied and ended the call.
Why did Kavin become the reason for Tamil's problem?
Will real love ever bloom between Tamil and Nila?
To be continued…