His Little Bunny

Friday evening had finally arrived.

After a long day at work, Arjun collected his bag, shut down his laptop, and left the office. The roads were busy, as usual, but he drove home without much hurry, his black, sleek car moving through the familiar streets of Chennai.

A few minutes later, he entered his apartment complex and parked his car.

With his bag over one shoulder, he stepped out and started walking towards his block.

"Ajuuuuu!"

He stopped.

A small smile appeared on his face even before he turned around. He knew that voice all too well.

And just as he expected, a little munchkin came running towards him with her tiny arms stretched out.

"BUNNY!"

Before he could say another word, she wrapped her arms around his legs, looking up at him with the widest smile, her little bunny teeth on full display.

Arjun laughed and bent down to pick her up.

He lifted her into his arms and gently swung her around.

"Enna da, enna panra inga?"(What are you doing here, little one?)

Nila giggled, holding his shoulders tightly.

"Unakkaga wait pannittu irundhen, Ajuuu!"

(I was waiting for you, Ajuuu!)

"For me-ah? Enna vishayam, bunny?"

(For me? What's the occasion, bunny?)

She stared at him as though he'd asked the silliest question in the world.

"Unakku nyabagam illaya? Innikku enna day-nu?"

(Don't you remember? What day is it today?)

Arjun pretended to think.

"Hmm... Friday?"

Nila's smile disappeared instantly.

"Friday mattum dhaan theriyuma? Enna marandhuttiya?" she asked, her tiny face scrunching up in anger. "Poo! Naan poren. Enna irakki vidu!"

(You only remember that it's Friday? Have you forgotten me? Fine! I'm leaving. Put me down!)

She wriggled in his arms, trying to get down, but Arjun held her gently, making sure she was comfortable.

"Aiyayo, en chellathukku kovam vandhuduchaa?" he teased. "Naan eppadi en Nila-va marappen? Nee ketta, naan kandippa vaangith tharuven."

(Oh no, has my darling got angry? How could I ever forget my Nila? Whatever you ask for, I'll definitely get it for you.)

Her angry expression vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

"Really-ah, Ajuuu?"

"Really, bunny."

"Appo vaa! Wait pannama vaa! Nee eppavume late dhaan!"

(Then come on! Don't keep me waiting! You're always late!)

Arjun raised an eyebrow.

"Enna ippove enna kalaaikka aarambichuttiya?"

(Have you already started teasing me?)

"Hehehe!"

She giggled, proudly resting her head against his shoulder.

"Vaalu," he muttered affectionately, carrying her towards the lift.

---

A few minutes later, they reached Arjun's apartment.

He shifted Nila to one arm and reached for his keys. But before he could unlock the door, he noticed that it was already open.

Nila's eyes widened.

"Mama vandhuttaangalo?"

(Have the uncles arrived?)

She leaned forward, trying to peek inside.

"Ulla iruppaangala?"

(Are they inside?)

Then, as though she'd suddenly remembered something far more important, she gasped.

"Aiyooo! En cake-u!"

(Oh no! My cake!)

Arjun burst out laughing.

"Adhaan un mukkiyamaana vishayamaa? Vaa, poi paakkalaam."

(So that's what matters most to you? Come on, let's go and see.)

He carried her inside.

The moment they entered the living room, a familiar scene greeted them.

His three friends were sprawled across the sofas, completely absorbed in a PS5 game. The sounds of the game filled the room, accompanied by their arguments over who was winning and who was cheating.

Rakshan was the first to notice them.

"Dei, Arjun vandhuttaan!"

(Hey, Arjun's here!)

Mithun glanced up, while Vetri was too busy with the controller to turn around properly.

Nila, however, had already spotted them.

"RAKSHU MAMA!"

Rakshan immediately paused the game and opened his arms.

"Enna da, en kutty vandhuttaala?"

(Oh, has my little one arrived?)

Arjun placed her down, and she ran straight to Rakshan before greeting Mithun with equal enthusiasm.

"Hi, Mithu mama!"

"Hi, kutty," Mithun replied, smiling.

Vetri finally looked up.

"Enna, enga ellaaraiyum vida Rakshan dhaan mukkiyamaa?"

(What is this? Is Rakshan more important than the rest of us?)

Nila looked at him for a second.

"Hmm... aama!"

(Hmm... yes!)

The room erupted in laughter.

"Dei, paathiya?" Vetri complained. "Indha veetla enakku yaarume mariyaadhai kudukka maatraanga."

(Hey, did you see that? Nobody in this house gives me any respect.)

"Unakku mattum yen ivlo complaints?" Arjun asked, dropping his bag onto the sofa.

(Why do you have so many complaints?)

"Because nobody appreciates my talent, macha!"

"Un talent-ah?" Rakshan snorted. "Controller pudichittu kathuradhu dhaane?"

(Your talent? Isn't it just shouting while holding a controller?)

Mithun shook his head, laughing.

While the boys continued their banter, Nila had only one thing on her mind.

She looked around the room.

"En cake enga?"

(Where's my cake?)

Rakshan pointed towards the dining table.

"Anga paaru, kutty!"

(Look over there, little one!)

Her entire face lit up.

She hurried towards the table, then turned back to Arjun as though she needed his permission to celebrate.

"Ajjuuu! Cake irukku!"

(Ajuuu! There's cake!)

"Paathen, bunny. Nee poi sapadu."

(I saw it, bunny. Go and eat.)

She bounced on her feet, delighted, while Arjun watched her with an affectionate smile.

There were very few people around whom he could be this carefree.

Nila was one of them.

And she knew it.

---

After the initial chaos settled down, Rakshan tossed his controller onto the sofa and turned towards Arjun.

"Dei macha, oru mukkiyamaana vishayam."

(Hey, buddy, there's something important.)

Arjun looked at him suspiciously.

"Enna da?"

(What is it?)

"Nanga indha weekend inga dhaan stay panna porom."

(We're going to stay here this weekend.)

Arjun stared at him.

"Yaar kitta da permission vaanguna? Idhu en veedu, macha!"

(Who gave you permission? This is my house, buddy!)

Rakshan shrugged.

"Adhaan enna? Un veedu-na enga veedu dhaane!"

(So what? If it's your house, it's our house too!)

"Yaaru sonna?"

(Who said that?)

"Naanga tha!"

(We did!)

Arjun closed his eyes for a moment, trying to gather his patience.

"Mudiyaadhu nu sonna poga poringala ella la aprm enna?"

(If I say no, are you actually going to leave? Then what's the point of asking?)

"Chumma iru da," Mithun said. "Indha weekend engaavadhu veliya polaam."

(Just relax, man. Let's go somewhere this weekend.)

"Aama da!" Vetri joined in. "Eppavum work, laptop, startup-nu irukka. Konjam veliya poi enjoy pannalaam."

(Yeah! You're always caught up with work, your laptop and your startup. Let's go out and have some fun for a change.)

Arjun leaned back against the sofa.

"Enna da, ipdi solreenga?"

(What is this? Why are you all saying this?)

Rakshan grinned.

"Adhaan macha! Oru naalavadhu veliya polaam. Nalla enjoy pannalaam."

(That's what I'm saying, buddy! Let's go out at least for a day and have a good time.)

Vetri immediately added, "Aama da! Enga ponaalum fun erkanum. Ponnunga sight adikkalaam..."

(Yeah! Wherever we go, we should have fun. We can check out some girls...)

Arjun slowly turned his head towards him.

"Dei, unakku vera velaiye illaya?"

(Hey, don't you have anything else to do?)

"Enna da? Unakku interest illana vidu. Engalukku irukku!"

(What? If you're not interested, leave it. We are!)

Rakshan burst out laughing.

"Avan appadithaan da, macha. Vidru!"

(He's always like that, buddy. Leave him!)

"Dei, nee vera!" Arjun muttered.

(Oh, not you too!)

Before the argument could continue, a tiny voice interrupted them.

"Ajuuuuu!"

All four turned towards Nila.

She stood near the dining table, her little hands resting on her hips.

"Namma yen Dandiya-ku poga koodaadhu?"

(Why don't we go to Dandiya?)

Arjun's expression softened immediately.

"Dandiya-va, bunny?"

(Dandiya, bunny?)

"Aama! Anga neraya food irukkum, juice irukkum, dance irukkum! Romba jolly-ah irukkum!"

(Yes! There'll be lots of food, juice and dancing! It'll be so much fun!)

She counted each thing on her tiny fingers, as though presenting an important business proposal.

"Namma ellaarum polaam, Ajuuu!"

(Let's all go, Ajuuu!)

Arjun smiled at her enthusiasm.

He hadn't even answered when Vetri leaned forward.

"Unna yaaru ketta, kutti saathaan?"

(Who asked you, little troublemaker?)

Nila slowly turned towards him.

Her eyes narrowed.

"Naan un kitta onnum sollala, da, periya saathaan!"

(I wasn't even talking to you, you big troublemaker!)

For a moment, the room went silent.

Then Rakshan burst out laughing.

Vetri sat up straight.

"Dei! Yaarai paarthu 'poda' solra?"

(Hey! Who are you telling to get lost?)

"Unna paarthudhaan!" Nila replied sweetly.

(I'm looking right at you!)

She giggled and ran behind Arjun before Vetri could respond.

Everyone laughed even harder.

Arjun shook his head, trying not to smile.

"Bunny, periyavanga kitta ippadi pesa koodaadhu, seriyaa?"

(Bunny, you shouldn't talk to elders like that, okay?)

Nila immediately pouted.

"Aana, Ajuuu... avan dhaan first start pannaan!"

(But, Ajuuu... he started it first!)

"Seri, seri. Nee ippadi pesakoodaadhu-nu dhaan solren."

(Alright, alright. I'm just telling you that you shouldn't speak like that.)

She thought about it for a moment before nodding.

"Seri, Ajuuu."

(Okay, Ajuuu.)

Vetri folded his arms.

"Paathiya? Enna mattum dhaan ellaarum thittuveenga. Indha kutti saathaan enna enna pannudhu!"

(See? Everyone scolds only me. Look at all the things this little troublemaker does to me!)

Arjun turned towards him.

"Dei, enna da nee? Chinna kozhandhai kooda sandai poduviya? Summa iru."

(Hey, what's wrong with you? Are you going to fight with a little child too? Just leave it.)

"Appo naan dhaan eppovume thappaa?"

(So I'm always the one who's wrong?)

"Aama," Rakshan answered immediately.

(Yes.)

Mithun nodded solemnly.

"Definitely."

Vetri looked between them in disbelief.

"Ungalukku ellaarukkum enna aachu da?"

(What's wrong with all of you?)

Nila peeked out from behind Arjun and giggled.

"Vetri payya!"

Arjun laughed and gently pulled Nila closer.

"Seri, kutty. Po, naa akka kitta solluren. Timing-ku nee ready-ah iru. Namma poi enjoy pannalaam, okay?"

(Alright, little one. Go on, I'll tell your mother. Be ready on time. We'll go and have fun, okay?)

Her face lit up.

"Okayyyyy, Ajuuu!"

She threw her little arms around his neck.

"YOU ARE THE BEST, AJUUU!"

Arjun chuckled and kissed her forehead.

"Theriyum, theriyum."

(I know, I know.)

Nila planted a kiss on each of his cheeks before slipping out of his lap.

Then she suddenly remembered something.

"Ajuuu..."

"Enna, bunny?"

(What is it, bunny?)

She leaned closer and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"Anga neraya girls iruppaanga. At least ippavaavadhu yaaraiyaavadhu correct pannu. Illana romba kashtam!"

(There'll be lots of girls there. At least now, try to win someone over. Otherwise, it'll be very difficult for you!)

For two seconds, Arjun simply stared at her.

Then all three friends burst into laughter.

"DEI ARJUN!" Rakshan shouted between laughs. "Unakku advice kudukka aarambichutta!"

(HEY, ARJUN! She's started giving you advice!)

Vetri slapped his knee.

"Indha veetla chinna kozhandhaikkukooda un love life pathi kavalai irukku!"

(Even the little child in this house is worried about your love life!)

Arjun rubbed his forehead.

"Cha! Enna kodumai da idhu!"

(Good grief! What a situation!)

Nila, completely pleased with herself, waved at them.

"Bye, Rakshu mama! Bye, Mithu mama! Bye, Vetri payya!"

She giggled at Vetri's offended expression and ran towards the door before he could catch her.

"Dei, nillu! Unna vida maatten!"

(Hey, stop! I'm not letting you get away!)

But Nila was already out of reach.

Vetri slumped back onto the sofa.

"Oru naal illa oru naal, indha kutti saathaan en kai-la maattuva!"

(One day or another, this little troublemaker is going to fall into my hands!)

"Seri, seri. Nee poi avala pudichu enna panna pora?" Mithun asked.

(Alright, alright. What are you going to do after catching her?)

"Apa paaru macha."

(Just you wait, buddy.)

Their laughter followed Nila into the corridor.

---

Nila's home was only two doors away from Arjun's apartment on the same floor.

Arjun walked to the doorway and watched her disappear inside her home.

A small smile lingered on his face.

"Vaalu," he murmured, shaking his head fondly.

(You little rascal.)

Behind him, Rakshan's voice rang out.

"Dei, Arjun! Dandiya-ku porom. Ready-ah iru!"

(Hey, Arjun! We're going to Dandiya. Be ready!)

Arjun turned back towards his friends.

"Neenga moonu perum serndhu enna plan pannirukkeenga-nu enakku theriyala..."

(I don't know what kind of plan you three have made together...)

"Adhellaam apram paathukkalaam, macha," Rakshan replied with a grin.

(We'll deal with all that later, buddy.)

Arjun sighed.

Somehow, his peaceful weekend was already looking very different from what he'd planned.

"Enna da, Arjun? Un chinna bunny-kke un love life pathi ivlo kavalai irukku. Nee mattum eppo dhaan oru ponna paakka pora?"

(What's this, Arjun? Even your little bunny is so worried about your love life. When are you going to find a girl?)

Arjun walked towards the sofa and picked up his phone.

"Dei, aarambichitiya? Konjamavadhu amaidhiya irukka maatiya?"

(Hey, have you started again? Can't you stay quiet for even a little while?)

"Enna da, unmaiya dhaane kekkuren!" Rakshan said, laughing.

(What? I'm only asking something that's true!)

"Office, veedu, startup plans. Idha thavira un life-la vera enna irukku?"

(Office, home and startup plans. What else is there in your life apart from these?)

"Enakku idhellaam podhum da."

(All of this is enough for me.)

Vikram immediately shook his head.

"Adhaan problem! Unakku ellaathukkum oru plan irukku. Aana love-ku mattum enna plan vechirukka?"

(That's the problem! You have a plan for everything. But what plan do you have for love?)

"Adhukku plan pottu enna panna mudiyum?" Arjun replied casually. "Love-na adhu nadakkumbodhu nadakkattum."

(What's the point of making a plan for that? If love is meant to happen, let it happen when it does.)

Mithun, who had been listening quietly, glanced at him.

"Appo love mela nambikkai irukku, aana theda maatiya?"

(So you believe in love, but you won't go looking for it?)

Arjun paused for a moment, his eyes resting on the phone in his hand.

"Love mela nambikkai illanu sollala, macha. Aana ippo adha thedi poganum-nu thonala. Enakku neraya responsibilities irukku. En startup dream-ah achieve pannanum. Adhukku dhaan ippo focus panren."

(I'm not saying I don't believe in love, buddy. I just don't feel like going after it right now. I have a lot of responsibilities. I want to achieve my dream of building a startup. That's what I'm focusing on right now.)

Rakshan leaned back against the sofa.

"Seri, adhellaam puriyudhu. Aana oru naal un life-la oruthanga vandha, avangalukkum konjam time kudukkanum da. Ellaathayum work maadhiri schedule panni handle panna mudiyaadhu."

(Alright, I understand all that. But if someone comes into your life one day, you have to make some time for them too. You can't schedule and handle everything like work.)

Arjun let out a quiet laugh.

"Dei, naan love panna maaten-nu sollave illaye. Aana summa yaaraiyaavadhu love pannanum-nu love panna mudiyaadhu. Enakku oruthanga mela feelings vandha, adhu genuine-ah irukkanum. Illana vendaam."

(Hey, I never said I wouldn't fall in love. But I can't just fall in love with someone for the sake of it. If I develop feelings for someone, they have to be genuine. Otherwise, I'd rather not.)

For once, Rakshan didn't tease him immediately.

"Adhu mattum podhum da, macha. Aana nee oru vishayam purinjikko. Life-la ellaame namma plan panna maadhiri nadakkaadhu."

(That's all that matters, buddy. But understand one thing. Not everything in life happens the way we plan it.)

Vikram grinned again, unable to stay serious for long.

"Correct-ah sonnaan! Adhaan indha Dandiya-ku vaa-nu solrom. Anga poi konjam sirichu, pesi, enjoy pannu. Yaarukku theriyum?"

(He's right! That's why we're asking you to come to Dandiya. Go there, smile, talk to people and have some fun. Who knows what might happen?)

Arjun gave him a warning look.

"Vikram..."

"Seri, seri! Onnum sollala!" Vikram raised both hands innocently.

(Alright, alright! I won't say anything!)

Mithun chuckled.

"Avana vidu da. Naalaikku Dandiya-ku varradhu mattum confirm pannu."

(Leave him alone. Just confirm that you're coming to Dandiya tomorrow.)

Arjun sighed, looking at the three faces waiting for his answer.

"Seri da, varen. Ippo sandhoshamaa?"

(Alright, I'll come. Happy now?)

"Romba!" Rakshan replied instantly.

(Very happy!)

They returned to their game, their conversation shifting to something else as easily as it had started.

Arjun settled into the sofa, listening to their arguments over the game.

Love.

He wasn't against it. He had simply never felt the need to make room for it in the life he was building.

He believed in hard work, in keeping his promises, and in creating a future he could be proud of. Those were things he understood.

Love was different. He couldn't plan for it, couldn't measure it, and couldn't make it happen just because the people around him thought it was time.

So he left the thought where it was and reached for the controller.

Tomorrow was just another evening out with his friends.

At least, that's what he thought.

Until the next chapter, ❤️

Some plans are made by us, while some moments arrive when we least expect them. What do you think awaits Arjun at the Dandiya night? 👀✨

Until we meet again on the next page,

~Nilaezh