Ponnila’s Career Begins

The next morning after the events of the previous chapter

It’s the early morning in which all the members of the Flower Storm wake up, including the little Deepak. All are ready for the early morning workout session.

As usual, the male members, including the little Deepak, wear only sweatpants and sports shoes, leaving their upper bodies exposed.

All the female members, as usual, wear only sports bra, sports pants, and sports shoes.

Nivi is in an orange sports bra, a pitch black elastic sports pants, and sports shoes just like in the pic given below.

DHEENA: Ready to step out and begin our exercises?

NIVI: Yes. 100 percent.

DEEPAK: Yes, Appa.

DHEENA: Good.

NIVI: Wait. Before we go, I want something from our little Deepak.

Dheena knows what Nivi exactly means. And he decides to let both Nivi and Deepak do their things. He responds with a simple smile.

DHEENA: Understood, dear comrade Nivi. You and Deepak can engage in your usual rituals. I won’t interfere. Just make sure to finish it within a short span of time.

Both Nivi and Deepak nod their heads.

NIVI: Okay. Understood. We won’t take too long.

DEEPAK: Thank you, Appa.

Dheena grins and ruffles Deepak’s hair.

DHEENA: Okay. Go.

Deepak then gets to Nivi who smiles excitedly and ruffles his hair.

NIVI: My dear little sweetheart!!!! Ready to kiss your Amma’s thoppul?

Deepak giggles and nods his head.

DEEPAK: Yes, Amma. I am.

Nivi chuckles and pinches Deepak’s nose.

NIVI: Go on. Amma is waiting.

Deepak holds Nivi’s waist with both of his small and soft hands, and plants a kiss right on her deep navel with his little lips.

Nivi closes her eyes and enjoys the navel kiss just like in the gif given above.

Just a few seconds later

Nivi opens her eyes and ruffles Deepak’s hair.

NIVI: Thank you, little sweetheart.

Deepak looks into Nivi’s eyes and smiles warmly.

DEEPAK: You are welcome, Amma.

Deepak and Nivi hug each other for a few seconds and then break the hug. Then Dheena intervenes.

DHEENA: Alright. Let’s go.

Both Nivi and Deepak nod their heads, and they step out for jogging along with Dheena.

Once three of them step out for jogging, they meet every other member of the Flower Storm, including Ponnila who is in a pitch black sports bra and multi colored sports pants just like in the pic given below.

(Note:- She’s wearing sports shoes too.)

NIVI: Hi Ponnila!!!

Ponnila smiles at Nivi.

PONNILA: Hi comrade Nivi.

NIVI: You woke up early today?

PONNILA: Yes. I heard the alarm ringing loud in the early morning. That’s why I woke up.

Nivi nods her head.

NIVI: I see!!!!!!

Ponnila notices Deepak but decides not to disturb him and rather focus on the workout session.

Ponnila watches every single activity during the workout session, including jogging, warm ups, and heavy exercises, as well as training in martial arts such as Silambam and Kalaripayattu.

Ponnila copies every single activity despite finding them challenging because her hope is bigger than her excuse to quit.

The workout session goes on for a few hours.

A few hours later

Every single member of the Flower Storm has had morning shower after intensive workouts. Everyone, except Ponnila and Deepak, is in a Flower Storm uniform.

Ponnila is in a purple blouse and a blue transparent saree with a floral design just like in the pic given below.

Deepak is in a green t-shirt, black jeans, and pair of sneakers, just like in the pic given below.

(Note:- Please ignore the words written on the T-shirt.)

Minutes after having breakfast

Dheena, Nivi, Deepak, and Ponnila are having a private meeting inside their house (house of Dheena, Nivi, and Deepak) within the Flower Storm headquarters.

DHEENA (looking at Ponnila and Deepak with a calm authority): Comrade Ponnila, Deepak might be the youngest in this camp, but we treat him not like a child… but like a seed of the future. Your duty as his tutor is more than just books — it’s about shaping his roots.

NIVI (gently placing her hand on Deepak’s shoulder while talking to Ponnila): We chose you for a reason, Ponnila. You’re not just educated — you carry dignity, clarity, and patience. All we ask is: let Deepak grow in discipline, not fear. Let him question. Let him learn why we do what we do.

PONNILA (smiling softly): I understand, Comrades. I may not be a mother yet… but I will treat him as my own student and kin. With all the care and strength he deserves.

DEEPAK (suddenly raising his hand and his attention is towards Dheena and Nivi): Amma… Appa… can I ask something?

DHEENA (smiling): Go ahead, little soldier.

DEEPAK (seriously): What if I ask Madam some silly questions? Will she get angry?

PONNILA (laughing and leaning slightly towards Deepak): I won’t, dear Deepak. Sometimes, silly questions carry big ideas behind them. As long as you’re sincere, I’m here to listen.

DEEPAK (nodding his head): Okay, Madam. Thank you. Now please move a little backwards.

Ponnila feels embarrassed and a little offended, but she moves a little bit away from Deepak anyway. Deepak then shows thumbs up at Ponnila.

NIVI (nodding with her hand on Deepak’s shoulder): That’s my boy — don’t be afraid to ask. But remember what your Appa always says…

DEEPAK (grinning): “Discipline is stronger than dreams if dreams are to survive!”

DHEENA (smirking): Spot on.

Dheena and Deepak smile confidently at each other and show each other a thumbs up.

PONNILA: I’ll begin with rhymes today, then with stories, especially the ones that teach values. Then slowly ease into reading, writing, and logical thinking. If he enjoys it, learning becomes his second nature.

NIVI (smiling at Ponnila): Good choice. Don’t overload him — he’s young. But don’t underestimate him either — he’s got his father’s will.

DEEPAK (in a sincere tone): I’ll be a good student and make Amma and Appa proud.

PONNILA (smiling with warmth): And I’ll do my best to guide you, my dear Deepak, my little soldier.

DHEENA (looking at both Ponnila and Deepak): Remember — education here isn’t about ranking. It’s about becoming stronger — in thought, speech, and action. Ponnila, teach him to question, to think, and to stand for what’s right, even when it’s hard.

NIVI (softly, to Ponnila): And don’t forget to let him smile, laugh, and feel loved. That’s how warriors are built inside.

PONNILA (smiling at both Dheena and Nivi): Sure, comrades. I’ll remember this.

DHEENA: Then, shall we leave?

DEEPAK: Sure, Appa. Good luck with your training.

DHEENA (smiling and patting Deepak’s head): Thank you. And good luck with your schooling.

Deepak hugs both Dheena and Nivi tightly, and after a few seconds, the hug breaks.

DHEENA: Focus on the class.

DEEPAK: Sure, Appa

NIVI: Bye, Deepukutty.

DEEPAK: Bye, Amma. Bye, Appa.

Nivi kisses Deepak’s forehead before she eventually leaves to the training ground along with her husband Dheena.

After Dheena and Nivi leave, only Ponnila and Deepak are at home.

PONNILA: Shall we begin?

DEEPAK: Sure, Madam.

PONNILA: We will bein with rhymes.

DEEPAK: Of course, Madam.

Ponnila sings rhymes and Deepak sings along with her.

A few minutes later

The rhymes session ends. And Ponnila smiles warmly at Deepak, patting his shoulder.

PONNILA: You sang well, my dear Deepak.

DEEPAK (smiles at Ponnila but hides his anger behind): Thank you, Madam.

Deepak’s hidden anger subsidies the moment Ponnila takes her hand out of his shoulder.

Ponnila then begins to tell some inspirational stories and Deepak listens intently. Deepak finds some of the stories to be relatable to his adopted parents which is why he intently listens.

30 mins later

Ponnila finishes telling her story.

DEEPAK: Madam, loved your stories. Some of them are relatable to my father.

Ponnila smiles with her eyes widened.

PONNILA: Wow!!! Really????

DEEPAK (smiling warmly): Yes, Madam. Indeed very much relatable to my dad Dheena.

PONNILA: Wow!!!! Is that why you were intently listening?

DEEPAK: Yes, Madam. You are 100 percent right.

PONNILA: Well. That’s all for today.

Deepak looks surprised.

DEEPAK: Really? Ending in the midday?

Ponnila grins.

PONNILA: Yes, dear Deepak. Since today’s the first day, it ends early today.

Deepak nods his head.

DEEPAK: I see!!!!!!!!

PONNILA: So, shall we leave?

DEEPAK: Sure, Madam.

Ponnila and Deepak exit the house and lock it with the former having the key in her handbag. They then go to the canteen where all members of the Flower Storm have gathered to have lunch.

Nivi is seated immediate left of Dheena and the little Deepak is seated immediate left of Nivi. Ponnila, on the other hand, is seated opposite to them. And while having lunch, they begin a conversation.

NIVI (poking Deepak’s cheeks): How was your first day, Deepukutty?

DEEPAK (chuckling): It was fun, Amma. Madam sang rhymes and I sang along with her.

NIVI (chuckling along with Deepak): Really?

DEEPAK: Yes, Amma. It was really fun. And she also narrated some inspirational stories. Most of them reminded me of Appa. (shifting his focus towards Dheena)

Dheena looks amazed on hearing what Deepak just said and shifts his focus towards him.

DHEENA (smiling warmly): Deepukutty?????

DEEPAK (smiling back at Dheena): Yes, Appa????

DHEENA: Did Ponnila Madam tell stories?

DEEPAK (nodding his head): Yes, Appa.

DHEENA: You found them relatable to me?

DEEPAK (chuckling and nodding his head): Yes, Appa. Absolutely. Ponnila Madam told me stories of great leaders. You too are a great leader. That’s why I found the stories relatable to you.

Dheena’s eyes widen along with his smile. He gets up and pulls Deepak into a tight hug.

DHEENA: My little soldier!!!! My pride!!!!!! Loving your Appa this much?????

DEEPAK (hugging Dheena back): Yes, Appa. Love this family. I love both my Appa and Amma equally. No compromise. No partiality.

Dheena feels humbled and continues hugging Deepak. Nivi gets up and she too hugs Deepak along with Dheena. The little Deepak hugs both back, with one hand wrapped around his adopted father, and his other hand wrapped around his adopted mother.

Ponnila watches the family bonding and she caresses her own tummy. Not because she is pregnant. Not because she is hungry. But because she wishes she too had a family like that of Dheena, Nivi, and Deepak right now. In other words, she eagerly wants to have a family like that.

A few seconds later, the hug breaks and they return to be seated at dining the table.

NIVI (grinning at Ponnila): Sounds like Ponnila is off to a great start.

PONNILA (modestly): Deepak is quick and curious. He asks smart questions and listens very deeply.

NIVI (ruffling Deepak’s hair): Seems like my little one is learning from the best.

DEEPAK (silently enjoying the hair ruffles): Best? Most likely.

Nivi and Deepak hug each other. After a few seconds, the hug breaks and they continue having lunch, along with Dheena and Ponnila.

After having lunch, Dheena, Nivi, Deepak, Ponnila, and other members of the Flower Storm wash their hands and exit the canteen.