Maha and Lathika darted down the corridor, their hurried footsteps echoing against the ancient stone walls of the college. "Lathi, nalla vela, avaru class-ku vara munnadi namma vanthutom. Illena avalavuthaan!" Maha panted, clutching her bag tightly. (Lathi, it's good we came before his class started. Otherwise, it would've been chaos!)

Lathika, trying to stifle her laughter, said, "Nee oduna ottathukku... ithu Olympics-a irundha, gold medal kandippa unnodathu, Maha!" (If running were an Olympic sport, the gold medal would certainly be yours, Maha!)

They slipped into the classroom, managing to sneak into the back row. Their breathing was still ragged. "Habbada! Thappichom da, saami!" Maha whispered, slumping into her chair. (Phew! We escaped, oh Lord!) "Sir mattum irundhurundha, Innaku avalavu than... namma gaali!" (If Sir had seen us, today, we'd be finished!)

They shared a quick giggle, proud of their daring feat. But, as if on cue, the door creaked open, and in strode Yadav Kishore, his piercing gaze scanning the room like a hawk searching for prey. His eyes narrowed as they landed on the pair in the back row.

"Very funny, isn't it? Laughing even before the class begins. Maha, Lathika, class-ku vantha padikanum nu theriyatha? Idhuku mela summa irundha, yen class-ku varave vendam!" he snapped, glaring at them. (Very funny, isn't it? Laughing even before the class begins. Maha, Lathika, don't you know you're supposed to study when you attend class? If you continue like this, don't bother coming!)

"Sorry, sir," Maha murmured meekly, her voice barely audible. Lathika nudged her with a knowing smirk, but Maha shot her a murderous glare, signaling her to zip it. "Vanthodane aarambichutaru!" Maha thought to herself. (He's started the moment he arrived!)

The class droned on, but Yadav Kishore's monotone voice was no match for Maha's vivid imagination. Her thoughts wandered into a romantic montage—running through fields of wildflowers, exchanging stolen glances, and riding into a dreamy sunset. In her mind, she was the quintessential heroine of a Tamil movie.

"Maha!" Yadav Kishore's sharp voice snapped her back to reality. His eyes were fixed on her with a smug look of triumph. "Since daydreaming seems to be your strength, let's test your anatomy knowledge. Tell me—what's the largest artery in the human body?"

Caught off guard, Maha blinked and stammered, "Uh... um... the aorta, sir?" Her voice wavered, unsure if she'd nailed it or completely blown it.

"Is it a question or an answer?" Yadav shot back. "Question-ku question-a?" (A question for a question?)

"Answer, sir," Maha replied, more confidently this time, smirking slightly. "Aorta."

Yadav Kishore's lips curled into a sarcastic grin. "Aiyo! Oru naal athisayama answer sollita! Ulagathaiye jeichathu mathiri nenaikatha! Ukkaru... ukanthu class-a gavani!" (Wow! Miraculously, you answered correctly for once! Don't think you've conquered the world! Sit down and pay attention to the class!)

The class erupted in muffled laughter, and Maha clenched her fists, her cheeks burning. "Aama, answer pannunalum thittunga... pannalainalum thittunga... ennatha solla?" she muttered under her breath, her voice dripping with frustration. (Yes, if I don't answer, he scolds... if I answer, he scolds... what's there to say?)

Her whispered comment didn't go unnoticed. The students near her stifled their chuckles, but the soft laughter caught Yadav Kishore's attention. He turned sharply, his glare slicing through the back row. "What did you say, Maha?" he demanded, his voice carrying a tone of warning.

Maha met his gaze, defiance sparking in her eyes. "Nothing, sir... just scolding myself," she replied with a sweet yet pointed tone, masking the sarcasm in her words. The entire class held its breath, waiting for his reaction.

For a moment, Yadav Kishore stared at her, his expression unreadable. "Hmm... good. Continue that habit. It might help you someday," he said curtly before turning back to the board.

As he began writing notes, Maha leaned toward Lathika and whispered, "Oru naal avan vaaya adaikurathu maathiri, naan bathil sollum naal varum! Appo vachikuren avana!" (One day, the time will come when I'll give him a fitting reply! Then I'll handle him!)

Lathika stifled her laughter, whispering back, "Adhaikku varaikum, nee paavam!" (Until then, you're doomed!)