11-06-2025, 07:10 AM
The Journey Begins
The air at the Salem Junction railway station crackled with a mix of anticipation and unspoken tension. Dinesh and Pugazh exchanged bewildered glances as they spotted Sriram, his usual innocent smile broader than ever, with Janaki by his side. She was indeed 'neikozhundhu' – a vibrant presence in her bright saree, her eyes scanning the platform with an almost proprietorial air.
"Janaki also insisted on coming," Sriram announced, oblivious to the carefully packed alcohol in the boys' bags. "Said she hasn't had a proper trip in ages! And since it's a government holiday, why not?"
Dinesh managed a tight smile, his mind racing. This was not the 'boys' trip' he'd envisioned. Pugazh, who had only seen Janaki in passing at the shop, now found himself awkwardly staring at her, a strange mix of curiosity and discomfort bubbling up. Her reputation for being outspoken preceded her, and even from a distance, he could sense her dominant presence.
The train, the Chennai Egmore - Ernakulam Superfast Express, pulled into the station. As they boarded, Sriram, ever the accommodating husband, insisted Janaki get the window seat. Dinesh found himself opposite her, while Pugazh took the berth above, his eyes occasionally darting down.
The initial hours of the journey were filled with Sriram's chatter about the shop and Janaki's surprisingly detailed questions about their destination, Kochi. She seemed genuinely excited, pointing out landmarks as the train chugged along. Dinesh, however, was acutely aware of her every movement, the subtle scent of her jasmine-scented hair, the way her saree dbangd. He knew his attraction to her was inconvenient, especially now. He also knew that acting on it was out of the question – not just because of Sriram, but because of Janaki herself. Her sharp tongue and commanding presence were enough to keep anyone at bay.
As evening approached, Sriram, tired from the day, began to doze off, his head lolling against the seat. Janaki pulled out a small book and began to read, her focus absolute. This was Dinesh's chance, he thought, to at least gauge the situation.
"So, Pugazh, this is your first time to Kochi, right?" Dinesh said, trying to sound casual, glancing at Janaki as he spoke.
Pugazh, still a bit overwhelmed by Janaki's unexpected presence, mumbled, "Uh, yeah, Anna."
Janaki looked up from her book, her gaze direct. "First time for all of us as a group like this. It'll be fun. Sriram always says 'next time, next time' for trips. Glad I put my foot down this time." She gave a small, firm smile, and a shiver ran down Dinesh's spine. This trip was definitely going to be different.
The air at the Salem Junction railway station crackled with a mix of anticipation and unspoken tension. Dinesh and Pugazh exchanged bewildered glances as they spotted Sriram, his usual innocent smile broader than ever, with Janaki by his side. She was indeed 'neikozhundhu' – a vibrant presence in her bright saree, her eyes scanning the platform with an almost proprietorial air.
"Janaki also insisted on coming," Sriram announced, oblivious to the carefully packed alcohol in the boys' bags. "Said she hasn't had a proper trip in ages! And since it's a government holiday, why not?"
Dinesh managed a tight smile, his mind racing. This was not the 'boys' trip' he'd envisioned. Pugazh, who had only seen Janaki in passing at the shop, now found himself awkwardly staring at her, a strange mix of curiosity and discomfort bubbling up. Her reputation for being outspoken preceded her, and even from a distance, he could sense her dominant presence.
The train, the Chennai Egmore - Ernakulam Superfast Express, pulled into the station. As they boarded, Sriram, ever the accommodating husband, insisted Janaki get the window seat. Dinesh found himself opposite her, while Pugazh took the berth above, his eyes occasionally darting down.
The initial hours of the journey were filled with Sriram's chatter about the shop and Janaki's surprisingly detailed questions about their destination, Kochi. She seemed genuinely excited, pointing out landmarks as the train chugged along. Dinesh, however, was acutely aware of her every movement, the subtle scent of her jasmine-scented hair, the way her saree dbangd. He knew his attraction to her was inconvenient, especially now. He also knew that acting on it was out of the question – not just because of Sriram, but because of Janaki herself. Her sharp tongue and commanding presence were enough to keep anyone at bay.
As evening approached, Sriram, tired from the day, began to doze off, his head lolling against the seat. Janaki pulled out a small book and began to read, her focus absolute. This was Dinesh's chance, he thought, to at least gauge the situation.
"So, Pugazh, this is your first time to Kochi, right?" Dinesh said, trying to sound casual, glancing at Janaki as he spoke.
Pugazh, still a bit overwhelmed by Janaki's unexpected presence, mumbled, "Uh, yeah, Anna."
Janaki looked up from her book, her gaze direct. "First time for all of us as a group like this. It'll be fun. Sriram always says 'next time, next time' for trips. Glad I put my foot down this time." She gave a small, firm smile, and a shiver ran down Dinesh's spine. This trip was definitely going to be different.


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