Author's POV...

Nirai was going back to her house in the evening she went on a different path today....where there was less crowd at one cross she stopped her Scotty and got down and leaned over it folding her hands in front waiting for that person who was following her for the past one week she is fed up of this hide and seek and decided to finish this today...

As she expected that person came in a Pulssor bike and he was wearing a mask and helmet so she couldn't able to see his face... But once he realized that he was trapped... He took a U-turn but her words stopped him

Nirai: ipo pona thirumba en pinadi varakudathu....

( if you go now then you should not follow me hereafter.)

If you do it again. I have to file a complaint against you...

He stopped and turned back at her... And got down from the bike... She walked closer to him... And stopped when there was a meter gap between them

Niraimathi: who are yon?. What exactly do you want from me? Why the hell have you following me for the past week...

You are frightening me...

I don't know who you are, surely not a chain snatcher. I don't wear a gold chain...... If you are interested in me and scared of saying that please understand I am not ready for it... And staking was and never will be in my good books... If you want to say something, say it directly or you are a Psyco killer I actually bring you to a safe place there is no camera here... Just kill me and leave don't play hide and seek with me...
...

Are you deaf and dumb?

He didn't say anything that irritated her more. She narrowed her eyes at him...

Niraimathi: Remove your helmet and mask......

He finally removed his helmet and then mask... She gasped seeing him surely she didn't expect him there for sure... Her face reflected her shock...

She composed herself and collected words to speak...

Niraimathi : Nenga....inga???
( you.... Here..?)

He still didn't answer he was already dumbfounded Seeing her closer after long years his eyes tried their best to capture all her beauty and seal that moment fresh in his mind... So her last words didn't reach his ears...

Niraimathi : sir..... Are you listening... Sir.....

Nirai was fed up... She prepared herself to give an earful but it was him she couldn't say that all to the collector... Maybe there is another reason that she ignored right now... She fisted her hand tightly took a deep breath and spoke.

Niraimathi: sir... Can you please come out of your dreamland I am getting late...

She said in a louder and firmer voice that brought him out of his daze...

Maaran: Yes.... What did you say......

Nirai rolled her eyes... It's too much......

Nirai: See collector, sir... I know it's not any kind of misunderstanding ... It was you who has been following me for the past week... And it's not good for your reputation nor mine..... I don't have any rift with you...... You don't even know my name then why are you following me..... If it's about the signal incident..... I don't think this district collector is that much free to follow someone for such a silly reason...

Still, if that offended ..you anyways sorry... I hope this ends here...

Maaran: Won't you ever let the other person speak...

Niraimathi: I did....it was you who went to dreamland... Anyways... I think there is nothing more to say... I want to go...

She turned towards her Scotty and wore her helmet.

Maaran: I didn't speak yet...

She signed and looked towards him folding her hands in front...

He took a deep breath...

Maaran: It's not about the signal incident.... Instead about the incident that happened 5 years back at Nilgiri... Don't you want to know the answer...

Niraimathi : Whatttt.... Really... I forgot such a thing happened and I clarified that day itself and I don't want any answer now... Don't think too much collector sir... There is a lot of work waiting for you... You take care of them... I am leaving...

Before he speaks. Her phone rang... it's her mother... She looked at him and then picked up the call.

Niraimathi : sollu kannu...

:
Hmmm, I am on the way Kannu.....
:

Han. Okay... I will buy that... Hmm
:
Anything else...
:
Okay bye Kannu.... I will be at home soon...

She didn't even spare another glance at him and left taking her Scotty... his mind and heart now on the battlefield... His mind asked him to leave this and move on from her... But his heart was stuck to her already and decided that his heart belonged to her......

Nirai was thinking a lot... She didn't expect him again in her life... ....somewhere in the corner of her heart she felt happy, but she was afraid of something else.......that's why she wanted to be away from him... They are no match according to her....

Her mother did notice her confused state and asked about it too but Nirai didn't say anything about him...

The next day...

Inside a library she was arranging the books on their respective racks...that's her work to do before leaving and closing the library.

She should have left an hour before, but she was indulged in reading a book trying to divert her mind from thinking about him. But that didn't work... Half of the time she was staring at the book... Realizing that she was getting late by her mother's call... She started doing her routine.

She was indulged in her work till someone blocked her way... She looked up and saw that intruder...

Niraimathi: Library closing time achu ena venum ungaluku.

( it's time to close the library what do you want now)

Maaran: Nenga tha
( you)

She rolled her eyes and said looking straight at him...

Niraimathi: Oh really.... I am not for sale so please leave. Thank you and please don't visit again...

She gave a tight-lipped smile and walked past him. He was smiling like an idiot... Realizing that she went he followed....

Maaran: I am not here to buy you... I came to ask for your hand for marriage.

He said walking behind her... She stopped and looked back at him sideways and narrowed her eyes at him.

Niraimathi: The answer is the same " Not possible ". Please take a U-turn

She said and moved to another rack and with the help of a small stool placed the book in its place. He stood behind her and said

Maara: I Won't accept this denial now... Remember it was you who proposed to me for marriage first

She looked down at him...

Niraimathi: That was years back and I clarified that day itself... That I did that for a dare given by my friends... That ended there at the moment itself right.... And I didn't even see and know you then... Not even your name...

Maaran: Now you know right

Niraimathi: Yeah I know that you are Mr. MAARAN.IAS... Most specifically this district collector.. So what

Maaran: Exactly what is stopping you from saying yes to marry me

Niraimathi: Because I don't want to...simple

Maaran: Why...???? Do you know many were ready to marry me

Niraimathi: If many are willing then marry them leave me alone

She said and got down from the stool and walked past him but he held her wrist and pinned her to the side rack...... Their faces were so close. His eyes were trying to look into her eyes and find the truth but her eyes were too loyal to her he didn't give up anything without her permission...

Maaran: you do love me right ... Don't try to lie......

She closed her eyes Took a deep breath and tried her level best not to be affected by his proximity which made her insane.

Niraimathi: Yes... I...do...love.....you......but love alone is not enough "

She said sternly looking into his eyes straight. She is not lying at all nor are her eyes.

Maaran: Why??

His voice is broken... He asked logging...

Niraimathi: Because I want a peaceful life without a big fuss... I want a life partner who can think about me only when we are together not the District collector who has huge responsibilities and has no time for me

Maaran: That's not true... Am I not with you right now...

Before he could continue his phone rang it was from a sub-collector... He looked at his phone screen and her who was looking at him with a known smile.

Niraimathi: Please pick up the call collector sir

She said and relieved her hand from his hold and moved away from him not before smirking at him but there was some kind of pain in her eyes...He gulped and closed his eyes to calm himself before picking up the call...

She went down towards her table and wrote the details regarding borrowed, renewed and newly arrived books count...

He came there and stood in front of the table... She looked up...

Niraimathi: Didn't you leave yet...

Maaran: I don't think your reason is acceptable.

Niraimathi: What you think doesn't matter to me.

Maaran: can't you give me a chance...

Niraimathi: Why should I... When I know there is no chance for us.....

Maaran: you can't decide before trying right...

She signed and looked at him lazily...

Maaran: Please...

He pleaded. She thought for some time...

Niraimathi : okay..... Fine....

His eyes brightened.

Niraimathi: I will give you a chance... I want the whole day from morning 6 to evening 6 from your time just for me nothing else.....

I won't say which day... Considering your profession... You select one day and I am okay with it...

I will decide if I can spend the rest of my life with you by that one day.....

Is that okay collector sir..

Maaran: Double the yes...

Niraimathi: That's good.... It's done right you can leave now.....

Maaran: You didn't give your number... How can I inform you?

Niraimathi: Oh...... Niraimathitamilselvan@gmail.com

You can mail me.....

She blinked her eyes innocently and gave him a tight-lipped smile which he reciprocated....

He raised his hands... She narrowed her eyes at him.

Maaran: We should seal the deal right...

She shook her head in disbelief and held his hand and shook it.

Maaran : Deal..

Niraimathi : Deal...

Author's Note...

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