"Good morninggggg." Rakshan's voice appeared cheerful but his eyes glittered with something along the lines of compassion, sympathy and concern towards a mentally dismantled Ashwin.

The look he was getting from his friend in fact reminded him of the time his pet dog of 9 years died. Or the time when he walked in on his ex-girlfriend cheating on him with her colleague. Rakshan was clearly aware that last night was abysmal enough to be categorized under the top 10 tragic moments in Ashwin's life.

For an amiable man like him who lived a simple and quiet life, being awarded with a slap by his best friend's ex girlfriend while his next door neighbours all watched, it was de trop to digest even for Rakshan who usually didn't mind a good drama.

Ashwin reluctantly sat up as a sharp pain acted up on his head. He hissed out loud, burying his head into his hands, wishing he was never awake. Because being awake meant being conscious, and being conscious meant remembering details from last night.

"How are you feeling?" Rakshan softly asked even though he knew the answer already.

"Like shit."

"Okay great, now drink the coffee." Rakshan handed him the hot beverage he had bought on the way to his house.

Ashwin grumbled out incoherent words and plain noises that couldn't be misunderstood for anything other than agony, shutting his eyes momentarily. But nothing, literally nothing could wipe off the image of a tearful, broken Sivaangi. The beautiful brown eyes that drove him crazy have only glowed  angelically until last night. She was crushed. So so crushed.

Because of me.

Ashwin mindlessly uttered. "Pavam da andha ponnu."

(I feel bad for her.)

"Pavam thaan." He sighed softly and added on with judgmental eyes. "Aana unna patha adha vida pavam ah iruku."

(Me too. But I feel even worse for you.)

Ashwin was indeed in a pitiful condition. Not because of the slap like how Rakshan joked but because of all the new knowledge he gained.

First of all, his best friend have been dating his hardcore crush all these days. Well not anymore technically but still, it doesn't change the fact that they were an item.

Then, the best friend that he had trusted the most in the entire world, kept away such a crucial information and made him partake in his misdeeds towards an innocent girl.

And above everything else, his heart still fluttered at the sight of her even after two months of lacuna in their elevator episodes. He knew it shouldn't, especially now that he's aware of the history between her and Dhruv. It's wrong on so many levels, and goes against the basic code of friendship that every civilized person will abide by.

Unfortunately his heart had nothing to do with what's logical or acceptable. It just wants love.

"Yenna adi! Ara adi size la irundhukutu, yevlo power! Chancey illa. Naa lam aranduten da." Rakshan tried hard to lighten up the mood but Ashwin only remained quiet, like he was mentally stuck at last night.

(What a slap! It was so damn powerful for her small size! I was just stupefied!)

He was still hearing the echoes of the slap, her cries, her accusations and her pain.

"What happened last night, it's not your fault Ashwin." Rakshan gently reminded his friend who often had a tendency to feel irrational guilt.

"Why does it feel like it is? Maybe not completely but partially?" Ashwin truthfully told him.

"Adhulam illa, theva illama yosikatha."

(That's not true at all, stop overthinking.)

"She thinks that I knew. She thinks that I ruined her life."

Ashwin was still shaken. The sickening look that Sivaangi gave him, it would certainly keep him awake for countless nights. All these days he thought that the worst thing that could possibly happen was rejection by her. But what happened yesterday was unrivalled. Even rejection wouldn't hurt this much. But being misunderstood as an accomplice in her being cheated by her boyfriend, to unknowingly play a vital role in breaking her heart, Ashwin was abashed.

"But you didn't. If you had known that he had a girlfriend, I'm sure you wouldn't have-" Rakshan stopped himself from elaborating with a distasteful expression. "It's not your fault Ashwin, there's no need for you to feel guilty."

"I need to talk her." He blurted out, like none of what Rakshan just said went into his head.

"Ava adichu vingunadhu kooda innum seriya aagala. Adhu kulla next round venuma?" Rakshan found it completely ridiculous that Ashwin wanted to deliberately present himself once again to the woman who had mercilessly slapped him.

(You haven't even recovered from this slap, you're eager for a second one already?)

"No I really have to talk to her." Ashwin stubbornly insisted.

"About what? Ava kitta pesurathuku yenna iruku? Problem is between Dhruv and her. Let them deal with it. Theva illama pesuranu poyi seruppadi vangitu varadha. Ivlo varushama oru friend ah unna valatha kadamaiku naa solliten."

(What's there's for you to talk about? Don't get unnecessarily involved in their issue. This is my advice as a friend who have raised you for years.)

"Seruppadi lam vaanga maaten. I have an actual reason to talk to her. A valid one even." Ashwin argued back.

(This won't go wrong.)

Rakshan's eyebrows furrowed in curiosity. "What's the reason?"

Wordlessly, Ashwin bent to his left, to reach for the bedside table. He pulled open the tiny drawer and after rummaging through a few things, his finger pulled out something sparkly and flashed it in front of Rakshan who was more confused than ever.

"I'll return this to her. It can be an icebreaker." He gave his friend a sheepish smile, silently hoping that what breaks should be the ice and not his head.

Rakshan almost didn't recognise it, he was about to question why on earth his friend owned a woman's earring. And then the memory of the earring came rushing back to his head real quick.

It was not any earring. It was the earring our Cinderella left behind for her Prince Charming. How could he forget that?

Rakshan put two and two together as his eyes widened. "14th floor...Anamika..."

"Yeah that's her." He breathed out, ignoring an unexplainable aching in his heart that slowly but steadily grew the more he thought about the events of last night.

Ashwin thought that someone was getting slapped again when all of a sudden, he heard an awfully similar sound until he realised that it was Rakshan's palm that made contact with his forehead as he realised the sticky situation his friend had unintentionally landed in.

Worry was written all over his face when he started panicking for his friend. "You liked her Ashwin, you really-"

"It doesn't matter anymore." He immediately dismissed the discussion about his old crush. "She's Dhruv's ex-girlfriend now."

...

When Ashwin came back from the restaurant, he was quite prepared to meet Dhruv in the house because knowing his friend, there was no way he would stay away from him and not speak to him for more than a day.

And just as he had predicted, Dhruv indeed was at home, waiting for his friend though he felt like the friendship was at a questionable phase as of now.

But Ashwin certainly wasn't ready to come home to a tearful, wretched Dhruv who kept begging for his forgiveness instead of his usual capers of justifying his mistakes and defending himself.

"Ashwin-" he pleadingly called out but the man didn't budge.

Instead, he sharply cut him off and was ready to shut the door of his bedroom so he doesn't have to listen to the cries of the cozener.

"Dhayavu senju yedhuvum pesadha. I really don't wanna see you right now. Just get out."

(Please don't say another word.)

Dhruv slipped in a foot between the door to stop Ashwin from slamming it. "I can explain Ashwin! Will you just hear me out? I am your best friend, I deserve to be heard-"

"Best friend? Best friend you said?" Ashwin laughed out loudly like it was the biggest joke he heard this entire year. He laughed like this was a better joke than his own lame dad jokes that he laughed at. But his eyes were enough to tell how much of sarcasm and bitterness were being released through the laughter.

"The last time I checked, your best friend is supposed to know when you're attached! Your best friend is supposed know when you're in a relationship! You hid something so important from me and made me your partner in crime for your bloody affairs!" Ashwin lashed out at him.

"Ashwin, please just listen to me. Please-"

"No! I won't!" Ashwin put up his hand, really not interested to listen to his excuses.

All the anger that he had suppressed in him suddenly rushed in and he stopped trying to close the door on his face. Instead, he opened it widely and yelled out because who else deserves these criticisms if not him.

"You know very well how I feel about cheating, and yet you did this?! Idhuku yenna explanation kuduka mudiyum Dhruv? What are you gonna say?"

(What explanation can you possibly give for this?)

Dhruv was getting frustrated. He already lost a girlfriend, now he certainly didn't want to lose a friend.

"Ashwin why are you taking this personally? You're really throwing me out to take the side of some random bitch out there?! Yaaru ava? Yepdi pona unaku yenna? Nee yen friend! You're supposed to be on my side-"

(Who is she? Why do you care about her? You're my friend!)

"I WAS ALWAYS ON YOUR SIDE! Every single time!" The quivers in his voice as he screamed almost displayed the tinge of regret in Ashwin for sticking up for Dhruv all these years despite knowing how awry his decisions and choice were most of the time

He chose to be blind even though he could see how wrong Dhruv was. He chose to be mute even though he knew Dhruv was making not one or two but way too many mistakes.

With heart that overwhelmed with guilt, he spoke words that he could never bring himself to tell his friend all this while. "Yes Dhruv, your parents fucked up! They fucked up big time! But that doesn't give you a free pass to fuck up other people's lives! Especially not an innocent girl! What did she-"

"Why do you care?!" That's all Dhruv had to say.

If Ashwin didn't care about all the women he brought home, why care about this woman? Ashwin disapproved one-night stands but he didn't have a problem with Dhruv having many of them. Ashwin disapproved cheating but why couldn't he let Dhruv be when he cheated?

"You're acting like you're the one who got cheated on! You need to relax man, it's an A and B situation. It's my life, it's my drama! Why are you getting involved?"

"I'm getting involved because you involved me in this! Nee mattum idhulam pannalana-" he didn't allow himself to finish the sentence because he wasn't sure even about the what-ifs. He slammed the door shut, not wanting to continue the futile argument any longer.

(If only you had never done any of these-)

Fate had played a twisted game with the three of them and Ashwin didn't know if he lost his chance because Dhruv intervened or if he never had a chance to begin with.

Tossing aside all the chances he might have lost before, now, this point, was his actual chance. He just hasn't realised it yet.

Or he knew it already and that's what frustrated him because this chance here came with a high price to pay. So high that he would lose a part of himself. Forever.

...

How do I stop crying after an asshole cheated on me?

Sivaangi googled it without knowing what to expect and let's just say she wasn't disappointed at all with the search results.

But nothing caught her mind as much as the one that suggested her to eat her heart out because nothing can comfort a broken heart more than food. At least in Sivaangi's case.

She even found actual research done by people on what are the best break-up food. Scrolling through the list helped her to stop crying for the first time in the past 3 days.

She then surfed the web to find the best restaurant in town and decided to go there regardless of how pricy it may be.

Money, discipline, diet, none of that existed anymore in Sivaangi's universe.

It's not like she had someone to get married to. It's not like she had someone to purchase a dream house. It's not like she had someone who she needs to look beautiful for. She literally had no future to look forward to so she couldn't care less about her image or savings.

This newly single woman attitude was the motivation for Sivaangi to reserve a table at the most expensive and romantic restaurant in the next street where people usually showed up in pairs for an unforgettable date night.

She picked out a nice outfit, brushed through the tangles of her hair and even put on some makeup only because her bare face resembled a sick panda thanks to the dam of tears and sleepless nights that left behind ugly, dark circles all around her eyes.

While she got ready, there were two or three times she had second thoughts about this solo date but she quickly shook it off. Why must she be ashamed to face the world outside when the man who was unfaithful to her would be partying in a club out there?

She told herself that if she survived this one night outside, all on her own, then she can certainly live every other day without him.

With determination, she walked to the restaurant and the judgmental eyes of the greeter at the entrance didn't shake her confidence when she had to correct him. "No I'm not waiting for anyone. I'm on my own. But you can still give me a table for two because that's how much I'm about to order. Now do you have a problem?"

The staff nervously shook his head and forced out the smile he usually saved for problematic, ill-tempered customers who behaved like they came from the prison or asylum. "This way ma'am."

The table she was seated at was soon filled with all the different dishes she had ordered. Overall the date with herself was going much better than she had expected minus the few times she felt slightly self conscious from all the judgmental states she was getting from the disgusting couples as how Sivaangi liked to put it. Then she realized it's probably because of the deadly glares she naturally gave off every time someone held hands, fed each other or worse, decided to kiss because of course they had no space at home and this was the best they could afford.

Sivaangi started feeling better when she forced herself to not focus on other tables and just on her food. For extra precautions, she turned on a nice show on her phone and watched it while eating. That way, it was really her and her food in their own world.

That turned out to be an advantage for Ashwin because if not, she would have totally noticed him darting back to the kitchen he had came from like a wildly terrified bunny.

Standing behind a wall that shielded him from danger, he quickly called the only person who could protect him right now.

"Raksha, you need to get back here. It's an emergency. A terrible, horrible, terrifying emergency."

"Yennada emergency? Naa yen cutiepie Azz kuda outing vandhu iruken." He could hear his friend coolly respond, not understanding the precarious situation he was in.

(What emergency? I'm out on a date with my cutiepie Azz.)

"Deiii! Naa yevlo tension ah sollitu iruken, cutie pie apple pie nu loosu madhri pesitu iruka! Seekiram vaa machan please Machan please Machan! Life matter da!" Ashwin babbled into the phone and ended the call before Rakshan could give him any excuse.

(Hey! Do you even understand how tensed you I am? You're here talking about some cutiepie, apple pie crap! This is a life or death situation! Come here quick!)

By the time Rakshan rushed over to the restaurant, most of the customers except Sivaangi and couple, had already left as they were nearing the closing time.

Rakshan's eyes widened when he spotted her sitting alone, a tall glass of milkshake sitting in front her as she shed tears uncontrollably without making much noise.

She was doing fine and was calmly enjoying a chocolate milkshake for dessert until the man from the table next to hers proposed to his girlfriend. Shortly after that, the couple from the table across her confessed and had their first kiss apparently. The final straw was when a woman from the table behind her announced to her husband that she's pregnant with their first child.

That was it. She burst out into ugly tears and she couldn't even tell why. Amidst the sobs, she managed to finish the milkshake and ordered for a second one. 

Luckily she was too busy with grieving over her pathetic love life that she failed to notice the side character from the iconic breakup scene with her boyfriend 3 nights ago, walking into the restaurant.

"Ava adichu mugam vingunuchu thaan, adhuknu emergency, life matter nu solradhulam over ah therila?" Rakshan questioned Ashwin who was still hiding in the kitchen.

(I know your face was all swollen after the slap given by her but really, you call this life or death situation? Don't you think this is a tad bit overboard?)

Ashwin took a deep breath. "I'm gonna talk to her."

"Okay puridhu, appo naa pakkathula irundha thaan safe." Rakshan nodded in understanding.

(Okay I understand now why it's important for me to be here.)

"Naa lam onnum panna maaten." Ashwin quickly assured.

(I won't do anything to her)

"Nee illa, ava pannuva. Unnoda safety kaga naa inga thaan irupen." Rakshan mockily smiled.

(I'm not worried about her, I'm worried about your safety.)

Right then, one of their staffs walked in with worry. "Sir, she ordered another glass of milkshake. It's the third one now."

"Is she trying to get drunk on milkshake?" Rakshan uttered, finding it completely ridiculous.

Ashwin urged the chef to make one milkshake despite the shift time being over. "Idhu mattum pannitu ponga please, I'll pay your for overtime."

(Just make this last one.)

Thanks to Ashwin, her third milkshake was served too.

It was half past the closing hour, Ashwin had asked all the staffs to get back home even though they offered to stay because it felt wrong to hold them back for his own personal needs. "Naa pathukuren."

(I'll look after this-)

One of the staffs worriedly asked. "Sir neenga yepdi-"

(Sir how could you-)

"Adhulam nalla pathuparu. 1 month full ah lift la pathutu thana irundharu."

(He's used to looking at her for a whole month in the lift. He's experienced in it, he'll do an amazing job.)

Ashwin rolled his eyes, silently begging his friend to put a pause to his mocking and focus on real matters.

They quickly hatched a plan together. Ashwin would ambush her in the table after she's done with her last drink. Rakshan would leave the restaurant by the back door and wait outside in the entrance. That way, even if she angrily storms out after Ashwin approaches her, he'd ensnare her until Ashwin catches up to them.

They just hoped nobody would call the cops on them because from a third person's perspective, the entire scene could come off sketchy and shady. Not to mention, Ashwin's all black outfit wouldn't help to defend their case.

"Okay go. Seruppadi namathe!" Rakshan cheered loudly earning a sharp glare and a smack to his shoulder from Ashwin before running off to the back door to get into position.

(Hard to translate)

Just as Ashwin had wished, she decided that she wouldn't be able to take in one more milkshake for the night. She looked around and her eyes narrowed in confusion when she found the restaurant empty. No customers other than herself. No waiters buzzing around either.

As she kept blinking rapidly like the bewildered kitten she was, Ashwin thought this would be a perfect time to attack. Taking in a deep breath, he walked up to her and she naturally sighed in relief to be assisted but her face scrunched up almost in disbelief. The kitten from earlier was replaced with a lioness, a blood-curdling one at that as she wondered how audacious he was to appear in front of her, with a smile too after everything that happened.

"Hi."

That was it. At the speed she stood up, the chair made a screeching noise before falling off. Wordlessly, she grabbed her phone and purse before heading towards the door.

Panicking, Ashwin loudly. "Yenga! Bill pay pannama poringa!"

(You're haven't paid the bill!)

She stopped dead on her tracks and slowly turned to face him, almost feeling dubious if she heard him right.

His eyes glinting with tease. "Moonu milkshake kudichitu pay pannama poringa."

(How could you drink 3 whole glasses of milkshake and leave without paying?)

Glowering like he was her arch enemy, she furiously opened her purse to fetch her card. Right then, he cleared his throat. "Actually yedhukum neenga pay panna vendam. Orey oru nimisham yenakaga-"

(Actually you don't have to pay for anything. Just give me one minute-)

"Pichai podriya? Sympathy ah?" Now she looked more offended than ever.

(Are you giving me charity? Or is this out of sympathy?)

He started panicking. "Ayyo illa. Its just an offer. A deal. You don't have to pay for anything. Neenga yeppo venum naalum inga vandhu free ah milkshake kudichitu ponga. But ippo yen kooda pesunga please. All I want is 5 minutes of your time. Pesa kooda vendam, naa pesuradha ketaley-"

(No no. You can come and have a milkshake here anytime for free. But just talk to me now. You don't even have to talk, just listen to what I say-)

"No!" She firmly said and took a step towards the door.

But he was persistent. "Please please! 5 minutes kuda vendam, 2 minutes, or 1 minute-"

(Okay not 5 minutes, 2 minutes or just 1 minute-)

"Yenaku ungala paakavey pudikala!" She cried out aloud.

(I hate looking at you!)

Ashwin's heart broke at the way her eyes instantly welled up with tears. "I don't wanna look at you. I can't. Because every time I see you , I just remember what Dhruv did to me. I just remember how much of an idiot I was! Please vitrunga."

(Please just leave me alone.)

She never got to turn and take another step away from him because he came forward and placed his hands on both her shoulders. Before she could even understand what he was trying to do, he gently rotated her body to face the door.

His hands could sense the slight trembles of her body as she asked. "What are you doing?"

"You don't have to look at me."

"What?"

"This way you won't be able to see me. Just listen to me this one time." He explained, the pleading tone of his voice made it harder for her to struggle and resist. His deep, gentle voice was a bonus as it managed to calm her shaking body like magic.

This was easier for him too in a way as he couldn't see her facial expressions and get more nervous as a result. His eyes simply focused on the way her hair kept flowing mildly, making him feel the urge to just run his fingers down the dark brown curls.

Not wanting to get carried away with his thoughts, he decided to be straightforward and blunt. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry for everything that happened that night, for all the misunderstandings."

Not facing him must have really helped as she was able to calmly respond and converse without having to fight the constant urge to rip off his throat.

"Theva illa. You didn't know, you were clueless just like me." She easily said.

(You dot bags to apologise)

Ashwin's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "How did you-"

"Well these were one of the things that asshole told me when he saw me this morning. He specifically explained that you're innocent and asked me to leave you out of this." Ashwin could sense the rage and resentment in her tone. The fact that after wronging her so ruthlessly, Dhruv found it important to defend Ashwin just made her blood boil.

"I'm sorry for slapping you. Now can I leave?" She snarkily asked.

"No." He quickly said.

"What do you want?! I've apologized already! And so have you! What else-"

She was getting exasperated. After watching the live romance of all the disgustingly cute couples since evening, all she wanted to do was get back home and cry on her bed. And this man here was stalling her from carrying out the crucial self-care task.

"I just wanted to tell you that I'm here."

Sivaangi rolled her eyes. "I know you're here, I can literally feel your hands on my shoulder! What's wrong with you-"

"No no no, I mean figuratively." Ashwin did a little frustration dance behind her back and breathed out. "Maybe literally too if you'd like that."

"I don't understand-"

"Okay, this may come off really weird but I am here for you if you ever need anything or anyone."

"W-Why?"

His hands were still softly placed on her shoulders as he explained himself, praying that she would take his offer of moral support in the correct sense. "Because what you're going through right now, it isn't easy at all. And it's even more difficult when you have no one by your side. I guess I don't want you to be alone in this."

She went quiet for a while before slowly speaking as she felt uncertain if it was okay to say it. "You sound like you've been cheated on before."

This time her body felt the slight trembles of his hands. With a small smile, just enough to prove to himself that he was okay now, he admitted. "Found my girlfriend of 2 years cheating on me a day before I was going to propose."

"That sounds horrible." That's all she managed to say.

"It was." He couldn't help but be glad that for a moment, she was not thinking of Dhruv and the horrible break up she went through. Even if it came at the cost of brushing against his old wounds.

"I'm sorry." She suddenly said.

He chuckled lightly. "You don't have to feel sorry, it happened 3 years ago. I'm okay now."

"I was actually apologizing for slapping you."

"Oh." He felt a little embarrassed but still mustered an assuring smile for her even though she wasn't facing him yet. "You don't have to say sorry for that. It was a well-deserved slap for all the things I said. Adhuvum ungala pathi theriyama, full story theriyama, pesunen."

(I badmouthed you without even knowing you or the entire story)

She hummed in response and the atmosphere felt a lot lighter. She found her body increasingly relax under his hands' grip on her shoulder. They both fell into a silence, subconsciously enjoying the flow of peaceful energy between them. But instead of indulging in the silence, she felt the pressure to converse because they are mere strangers, they are not supposed to enjoy silence together. It doesn't work that way.

But she wasn't sure what she could possibly say since everything necessary had already been exchanged. She gave up. "So can I go now?"

"Poganuma?"

(Do you have to go?)

Her breath hitched and she twisted her body now to face him because she had a sudden, irresistible impulse to look at his eyes. To find out how he was looking at her.

But she couldn't read his eyes. Not because it was empty or void. But because it was too full that he had forcefully masked it with blankness.

"Vendama?"

(Should I not go?)

Ignoring the flutters in his heart, he sucked in a generous amount of breath.

"Get back home safely." That's all he could say.

Somehow, she felt like there was more to that line but how would she know? Nodding slightly, she turned to leave and this time he didn't stop her. But before her hands could pull on the door, she suddenly stopped and faced him again.

"Yenaku oru doubt."

(I have a doubt.)

Ashwin anticipated her to continue with anxious eyes.

"The free milkshake offer, is it just for today or everyday?"

Holding back the wide smile that's about to crack through his lips, he tilted his head slightly. "If I say it's everyday, would you come here everyday?"

She didn't need to think to answer that. "Yes definitely for the milkshake"

He finally released his smile that had been restraining. "So milkshake thaan-"

"Venum." Her love for milkshake was apparent at how quick she was to complete the sentence.

(Want it.)

"Venuma?" He softly asked, finding her love for little things so adorable.

(Want it?)

"Venum." She finally smiled for the first time since her heartbreak three days ago. Thanks to milkshake. Or than man who was offering it.

(Want it.)

...

The tiny bells that decorated the restaurant's door chimed cutely, catching Rakshan's attention at once. His eyes widened when he saw Sivaangi walking in, eyes scanning the restaurant for a particular person. Though Rakshan wasn't sure if she came looking for the Prince Charming that she recently made peace with or she actually came for the Don Juan she dumped in the streets.

Regardless, Rakshan thought it was only polite to greet her even though they have never officially met. "Hi."

She gave him an awkward smile, trying hard to not think about the animalistic way she behaved that night that he must have witnessed too.

"You must be Rakshan."

He looked pleasantly surprised. "You know my name?"

She shrugged. "Well he has told me about you. If that one is Ashwin, then you have to be Rakshan."

Rakshan looked fascinated at the fact that Dhruv actually cared enough to talk about him to his ex-girlfriend. But then, knowing Dhruv, he could have simply complained and bad mouthed about him to her so he decided to not feel too flattered.

She suddenly stuck out her hand. "Since I'm pretty sure he never mentioned me to you, I'm Sivaangi."

Rakshan was quick to sense the pain that flashed in her eyes when she said that but it was much milder compared to the other night. She was certainly getting better.

He led her to a table as she asked. "So is he here?"

Rakshan froze for a second and was about to ask her who the 'he' referred to, was it Prince Charming or Don Juan?

But he thought it might not be the best idea to ask her that. Since both Ashwin and Dhruv were not in the restaurant, he easily answered. "No...he's not here now."

She pouted slightly but took a seat. "I'll have a milkshake then."

Rakshan left her on her own to tend some matters in the kitchen. She silently enjoyed her drinkn and this time she didn't even cry when she saw a couple kissing in front of her. Just a little but of bitterness and irritation, that too only until she was greeted by a voice.

"Hey!" Ashwin brightly smiled as he walked in and sat on the chair in front of hers.

"Hi." She returned his smile, though the sizes of their smiles were unmatchable.

"So you did come today." He grinned.

"For the milkshake." She shrugged.

"I can see that."

"And for something else too." She sounded serious.

"What is it?" He curiously asked.

"I came to tell you something. I'm actually going to my hometown tomorrow and I might not come back."

Ashwin blinked slowly, not being able to process what she just said. "Not come back? Like forever?"

"Yeah apdi kuda sollalam." She didn't look happy, she didn't look sad. There were no emotions in her eyes.

(Yeah you can say that)

"W-Why?" Not wanting to appear as intrusive, he quickly added. "Only if you want to share of course."

She stayed quiet for a while. He could see that she was thinking, not if she wanted to tell him but more about how she should tell him.

After organizing her thoughts, she put it as simply as possible. "They were never keen about me coming here. But I rebelled my way out. Now I have truly become the mess that they all said I would be. Guess they weren't wrong. This time I won't be rebelling because I'm not even sure if I should be here."

Ashwin stared at her in disbelief. "Wait, you're literally running back home because of one failed relationship? I'm sorry but that's crazy!"

She chuckled humorlessly. "Maybe it is. But I have no choice here. I have to visit my family for my parents' anniversary this week. And I already told them that I'd bring my boyfriend and introduce him to them. Now if I go back home boyfriendless, questions will arise. I don't have much to defend myself if they say I'm an idiot who cannot live on my own. So I'm going to just stay with them like how they wanted."

Ashwin fell quiet, his eyes just staring at the melting ice cream on her milkshake. She cleared her throat and added,"Poradha irundha poga vendiya thana, yedhuku yen kitta vandhu solranu thana nenakiringa. Yenaku inga yaarum friends illa apart from some people I know from work. I had my aunt's family but avanga kuda neraya problems so I actually moved out of her house. I pretty much had no one here except well him. Ippo avanum illa."

(You might think why is she telling me all this when she could just go. I don't have much friends here apart from some people from work. I had my aunt's family but had some issues with them so I moved out of her house. I had no here except well him. Now I don't have him either)

She looked at him in the eye and have him the softest smile. "Then I remembered you. That day, you said you are here for me. Adhaan sollitu polamnu thonuchu."

(Just felt like telling you before I leave.)

That was it. His heart melted and he gained a confidence he never knew was possible. He was not going to sit here and let her walk away to somewhere else, somewhere even she wasn't sure if she liked enough to be there.

Ashwin's eyes brightened as he looked up at her. "I'll go."

"Where?" She was confused.

"To wherever you're going."

"What?" More confusion.

"I'll go with you as your boyfriend."

Her lips parted in shock but before she could start yelling at him, he was quick to explain. "I know, I know it sounds insane but avanga yaarum Dhruv ah pathadhu illa. I'll be the boyfriend you've been telling them about for the past 2 months. It's just a temporary solution to this issue. This way, they'll leave you alone for the next few years. Later on, you can just tell them we broke up or something."

(They don't know how Dhruv even looks like. I can pretend to be him.)

Sivaangi was speechless, she truly did not know how to respond to this offer of his. It was mind-blowing how his offers always had a way to reach her heart and shake it up. First it was the free food, now a pretend boyfriend! What next?

She just sat there for a few minutes thinking hard while he intently looked at her, hoping she would agree.

After about 5 minutes later, she started shaking her head. "Seri varadhu Ashwin."

(It won't work.)

"Seri varum Sivaangi. Please let me help you, its like a chance for me to redeem myself."

(It will work.)

"Its really sweet that you want to help but I don't want your help. I don't know if I want to come back to Chennai, maybe its better for me to just be with them."

He refused to give up. "You're only saying that beause you're obviously very confused and emotional right now. Let me come with you, anniversary celebration lam mudinjitu, you decide if you wanna come back to Chennai with me or just stay back with them. How does that sound?"

(After all the celebration, you can decide for yourself if you want to stay back there or come with me.)

Seeing her quiet form, he put his hands together and begged cutely like the child he was. "Please say yes. Just say yes. You won't regret this, trust me."

After much contemplation, she sighed out. "Fine."

Anyone would have been able to catch the happiness in his eyes. "Are you serious? You're really agreeing to this?"

"I guess there's no harm in flaunting my handsome 'boyfriend' to my family." She held her tiny fingers up to air quote.

He instantly smiled, and did the cutest nod. "Where's your hometown?"

"Ooty."

"Wow semma romantic honeymoon destination la?"

(Wow isn't that such a romantic honeymoon destination)

"Purila."

(I'm sorry?)

"Nalaki morning yethana maniku kelambanumnu ketan."

(I was asking what time we have to leave tomorrow.)

...

As they closed the business for the day, Ashwin handed his friend a bunch of keys. "Avan phone yedukala, veetukum varavey illa. Inga vandha, keys kuduthuru."

(He isn't answering his phone, he hasn't come back home either. In case he comes back while I'm gone, give him the keys.)

Rakshan barely paid attention the the keys. He just kept smiling cynically at him and finally said. "Just oru 3 months before ava kitta yepdi pesurathunu bayandhutu irundha. Ippo yennana ava veetuku ava boyfriend ah-"

(Just 3 months ago you were terrified of starting a conversation with her. Now you're going to her house as her boyfriend-)

He quickly corrected him. "I'm just going to act as her boyfriend."

"Adhu avaluku mattum thana theriyum. According to the family, you are her boyfriend. Ponnu ah correct panrathuku munnadi ponnu family ah correct panna pakura. Nalla thaan iruku sketch." Rakshan felt genuinely proud and impressed with how far Ashwin had come along.

(Only she knows that. According to her family you are the boyfriend. You're literally winning her family's hearts before you win her heart!)

"Indha paaru, avaluku oru friend ah I'm going to help. That's all." He kept up his poker face as he dismissed Rakshan's theories.

(I'm just helping her as a friend)

Rakshan grabbed him by his shoulder, forcing him to face him. "Ava un friend uh? Yen moonja pathu sollu da ava unaku friend nu!"

(She's your friend? Look at me in the eye and say that she's your friend!)

With the blackness that he had mastered over the last few days, he faced Rakshan and uttered those words. "Yes, ava yenaku friend."

(Yes she is my friend)

His friend was still not buying it. "Adhavudhu, 14th floor la irundha Anamika unnoda friend. Apdi thana?"

(So the Anamika that lived in the 14th floor is your friend? Am I understanding you correctly?)

Ashwin managed to shut his friend up with what he said next.

"Illa. Dhruv oda ex-girlfriend, Sivaangi yennoda friend."

(No, Dhruv's ex girlfriend, Sivaangi is my friend.)

...

In a climate that wasn't too warm or cold, with the rays of natural orange from the sun that entered the SUV through the open roof on top, speeding along the clear highways while shaking a leg to a playlist of upbeat love-lilt songs, and taking a glimpse of your beautiful girlfriend who sat by your side every few minutes just to remind yourself how blessed you are.

This kind of experience definitely would go in the bucket list of most young man out there.

Ashwin was not an exception.

He generally enjoyed long drives even with friends and now a 10 hour trip by road to Ooty with the woman of his dreams was a jackpot he never knew he could ever hit.

Except she wasn't his girlfriend. She was just going to pretend as one.

A little fact that Ashwin had to constantly remind himself each time he turned to her sleeping from and got lost in her.

No matter how convoluted his heart felt with all sort of emotions, he just couldn't look at her without smiling. Just looking at her, feeling her presence, it made him happy.

The wind blew her hair gently, and every time the wind hits her face strongly, even in her sleep her nose would do a little scrunch that just made Ashwin coo softly to himself.

Staring at her in the elevator and staring at her in his car, the process, methods and results were very different.

It was like from rich to rags. Or like from a studio apartment to a penthouse. That's how drastically the quality of life or in his case, view, had improved.

In the elevator, it was a race against time because all he had was 20 seconds. The small, confined space would even trigger his claustrophobic senses. He would never be able to look at her and admire her in peace as he was always afraid of getting caught.

But in the car, it was a whole different experience. For starters, she fell asleep as soon as they started their journey which worked to his convenience as he didn't have to worry about being caught. Even though she was sitting close, right by his side, it somehow didn't make him feel nervous. The roads managed to calm him down.

Not to mention, from the particular angle and distance in the car, he managed to see things that he hadn't noticed before. Like the tiny brown moles on both her cheeks that wasn't easily visible to the naked eye unless one focused on her the way he did. Or the obscure pockmarks slightly below her right eye that one would easily miss. Her olive skin just glowed under the sunlight, highlighting the little bumps and scars
on her face to him.

And Ashwin just loved it, he loved it all. Her soft features simply melted his heart.

When she slept, she looked serene. The absolute calmness of her tranquillity captured his entire soul. He became mesmerized by the incredible spectacle before him. His mind entered a state of supreme gratitude. He was filled with a sense of pure privilege because being with her seemed like an incredible miracle.

He pondered the odds. The odds of being this lucky, to be lucky enough to have experienced this with her - the most beautiful woman. Technically it should be his mother but he had never known what his mother looked like so to him, Sivaangi was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and known on earth.

He suddenly felt like there must be a God. And that this God does in fact love him contrary to what he used to think. God loved him so much that the vision he saw before him, a sleeping Sivaangi, proved that he was sent an angel.

Her existence best testified the magic in his world. He adored her the most a man ever could.

Suddenly two vehicles behind him almost collided and a loud horn went off, staring her awake. Blinking continuously her large doe eyes that only reminded him of Bambi, she turned to ask him how far they were.

His answer was standard. "Still far."

Rubbing her eye tiredly, she sat up straight and started gathering all her hair to put them in a ponytail. A few loose strands found it's way out and framed her face perfectly.

Swallowing away the thoughts that urged him to just stare at her neck which was now on a direct display, he turned to focus on the road.

After a few minutes of silence that filled in the air between them, she again felt the pressure to converse because feeling the comfortable silence with a stranger she barely knew just felt wrong and illogical.

Sivaangi ended up suggesting to play 21 questions. It started off with lame questions like favourite colour, birthdates and zodiac signs. But when they both started forgetting about the reality they were in or the pressure they unnecessarily felt and genuinely started getting curious about the other, they lost count of the questions and continued shooting one after another.

"Would you rather date someone smart or sexy?" Knowing her history with Dhruv, Ashwin was completely expecting her to pick the latter.

"Being smart is sexy." She cleverly pointed out.

That unconsciously boosted his self-esteem because being a top-tier student back in school or college always earned him titles like nerd, geek and dork. It was thrilling to know that a girl might actually find him attractive for his high intellectual potential.

He was too distracted with his thoughts, so she decided to ask another question even though it was his turn. "Your body count?"

He almost bumped into the car right in front of him, and would have caused an accident upon hearing that question. "Excuse me?!"

She thought her question wasn't comprehensible so she decided to be explicit. "How many people have you slept-"

"I understand what body count is! I just can't believe you asked me that."

"Why not? I'm just curious." She shrugged.

"None. Zero." He finally said.

She giggled, shaking her head. "Come on Ashwin, we agreed not to lie when we started."

"I am telling the truth!" He was getting offended now.

"Are you telling me that you're on your thirties and still a virgin?" She turned her entire body towards him, feeling intrigued and fascinated like he was a the rarest creature she had ever seen.

"Are you virgin shaming me?" He asked with a straight face even though he was feeling insulted by her judgmental tone. "I just want to wait for the right person and right time."

She wanted to point her finger at him and accuse him of lying, she really wanted to. But she couldn't. Because there was something she could see in his eyes that usually showed nothing but blankness. Something that reflected his heart and mind of candour. It almost reminded her of someone. Someone she was very close with.

But she couldn't tell who.

"It's just shocking to hear this, knowing that you're Dhruv's best friend." She simply said.

Ashwin didn't enjoy the way he was being compared to Dhruv but he couldn't complain because in her eyes at least, he was after all a friend that only encouraged Dhruv to continue his hedonistic ways.

"We have different lifestyles. We have different morals." When she scoffed, he quickly corrected himself. "Okay fine, maybe he has no morals."

That earned a chuckle from her but it didn't feel like a heartfelt one. And the look in her eyes told him that she was definitely pondering about the debauchee now.

While Ashwin was still trying to figure out a way to swiftly change the subject and lighten the mood, she looked down with a sad smile and told him. "Sometimes I can't help but think that he wouldn't have done what he did if I actually slept-"

"No. Don't lie to yourself." He cut her off firmly, not even wanting to hear her complete that agonizing statement.

"What do you mean?"

"He would have done what he did regardless of whatever you do. He cheated not because of you but because of him. Nee yepdi irundhurdhalum, he would have still cheated. He's the one with issues, not you."

(No matter what you do, he would have still cheated on you-)

She fell silent. The rational part of her mind already knew this but the emotional part, the heart that was still struggling to forget him, that still couldn't stop loving him, was making up all sort of excuses for what he did even if it meant to put herself down.

And it hurt to hear the blunt truth from Ashwin that she chose a wrong person to love.

Ashwin tried to sound as gentle as possible so he doesn't end up causing more damage. "He lost someone who truly loved him, but you lost a cheater. Ippo sollu yaaru feel pannanum, avana neeya?"

(Tell me now who should be feeling more miserable, you or him?)

She didn't answer that. But they both knew the answer very well.

"I know it hurts but I think losing someone who didn't stay loyal and value you is actually a gain, not a loss." Ashwin decided to stop his unsolicited therapy right there.

"Do you still love her?" She suddenly asked.

"Who?"

"Your ex-girlfriend."

He pursed his lips tightly, thinking hard for a moment probably because he was aware of how impactful his words might be to her since now she was looking up to him as an inspiration to get over her heartbreak.

"I don't have a lot of people in my life to love and get love from. So naa oruthavanga mela anbu vechitana, I can never take it back. Yenaku adhu varadhu. Ava mela vecha love, adhu vechadhu thaan. I can't undo it, I can't just kill it." He honestly spoke.

(If I start loving someone, I just cannot stop. I cannot take back that love.)

Now she was confused. How could he still love the woman who cheated on him? Yet, he claim that he's over her already? That's contradicting, isn't it?

"If you still love her, why did you break up with her? Why not forgive and accept her?" She openly asked.

Ashwin laughed lightly. "Trust me, I ran back to her not once but twice after breaking up because that's how attached I was. But I realized that love isn't always enough and to be in love doesn't always mean you're happy."

She stared at him like he was a mathematic problem sum she couldn't solve. Except instead of giving up like she always did with arithmetic, she was determined to discover and understand him. It just felt essential to figure him out no matter how complex he appeared to be.

"I still love her even after she hurt me so badly but deep inside I know it won't ever be the same again. And at some point, I had to let go." He continued.

He then turned to face her with a poignant smile, that did something to her heart. Something unexplainable.

"There is love in letting go too."

He shared with her the most priceless lesson life had taught him not once but twice, which he hoped she would learn soon as that was the only way for her to truly heal.

...

The unforeseen heavy rain that came pouring out as the sun started setting left them with no choice but to pause their journey at least for the night. Stuck in an unfamiliar town was not an ideal adventure at all unlike what Rakshan had commented when Ashwin updated him through a secret call he made in the petrol station.

There were not much options available for them except a few motels.

Before Ashwin could say anything, Sivaangi was quick to blurt out. "Don't say anything. Its only awkward if you make it awkward."

He couldn't disgaree so he slowly nodded and kept mum. Mutually refusing to acknowledge the uneasiness they felt, they both put up unbothered faces as they got their bags and walked into one of the motels.

Ashwin walked to the counter to be greeted by a man that seemed young enough to be in college. He smiled warmly, in fact a bit too warm that it made Ashwin feel slightly uncomfortable even.

Before he could ask for anything, the man eagerly offered. "Sir oru room podhum thana?"

(One room is enough right?)

With a stern face, he shook his head. "We need 2 rooms."

Ashwin's eyes subconsciously moved to Sivaangi who was standing not too far from them, admiring the fishes inside the filthy tank.

The man caught Ashwin's gaze and grinned at him."Avangaluku kekura madhri orey oru room mattum thaan available nu naa kaththi sollava?"

(Sir do you want me to loudly say that there's only one room available?)

When Ashwin gave him a murderous look, the guy who simply wanted to earn some extras for his pocket money, assured him. "Sir don't worry, I always do this for people who come here. Works like magic I'm telling you."

Making sure she doesn't overhear this highly inappropriate conversation, he lowly spoke through his gritted teeth. "Unna konnu podhachiduven. Olunga 2 rooms kudu da!"

(I would bury you alive. You better give me two rooms now!)

Even though she couldn't excatly catch every word exchanged between the men, Sivaangi was smart enough to make out what the overly-friendly conversation could be about. She rushed to the counter and made it clear. "Oru room podhum."

(One room is enough)

"What?!" Ashwin was the only one shocked. Even the man behind the counter was smiling from ear to ear.

"Yeah we will share a room. It's just for a couple of hours. I don't wanna pay for two rooms." Sivaangi nonchalantly said, not complementing the amount of shock and panic Ashwin was experiencing at all.

Ashwin insisted. "I can pay for my own room."

"Yenna sir, akka vey okay solliduchu, neenga yennana-"

(Even she seems to be fine with it, why are you making a scene-)

'DEI-" He was ready to jump to the other side of the counter and punch the living out of the man.

(HEY-)

"Room key kuduka poringala illaya?" Sivaangi interrupted.

(Can I get the key or not?)

She snatched the key from his hand and turned to Ashwin. "Stop creating a scene and come up."

Ashwin stared at her walking away, utterly confused until the man cheered for him. "Yedhavudhu venumna sollunga sir, we provide everything you could possibly need."

(If you need anything, let us know)

The suggestive smile and wink the man gave told Ashwin exactly what he was referring to. He could not even blame him because what else would he offer after the stunt she had just pulled?

Grabbing his bag, he walked up the staircase and opened the door to their room to find her lying on the bed while scrolling thrrough her phone withut a care in the world.

"What the hell was that?" He ended up sounding much angrier than he intended. But its not his fault, that was only a natural reaction.

Putting down her phone, she sighed while sitting up. "What if all this was part of some sick drama and you never wanted to help me? What if you leave me alone here tonight? I need you in this room so I know you won't run off or something."

Ashwin had never been more frustrated. He folded his arms against his chest, unable to comprehend the amount of absurdity in what she just said. "I told you that I want to help you, to redeem myself. I am voluntarily doing this. Naa sonnadhulam poi nu nenachiya?"

(You think everything I said was a lie?)

She grabbed a towel and walked to the washroom. Right before going in, she looked at him and pointed out something that pissed him off so badly that he never spoke anther word with her that night. "Well you're Dhruv's best friend. I don't think you're incapable of lying. Why would I trust you?"

Tossing aside the gentleman in him, he didn't bother taking the couch and offering her the bed. He pettily slept on the bed, leaving her to decide wherever she wanted to sleep. She could sleep beside him on the bed, or on the little couch, on the floor or in the filthy bathtub in the washroom. He couldn't care less as she brought this upon herself when they both could have slept comfortable in separate rooms.

The tensed silence between them lasted for the entire night and to Sivaangi's surprise it continued even in the morning as they resumed their journey. She almost decided to apologize but stopped herself.

Why should she feel sorry for saying something that she honestly felt, which was not even unreasonable considering everything that had happened so far.

To her annoyance, he didn't participate actively when she had a final run over with him about the details of their act as a couple for later. Except for a few uninterested'hmm' and 'mhmm', he never said a word.

Needless to say,  his silent treatment went on even after they reached her house. They were both great actors so they easily put up a show like they were so in love and crazy about one another as she introduced him to her parents and elder sisters.

After the formal greetings exchanged, they were left to rest and hang around the house until the special anniversary dinner that night that was being arranged at the rooftop of the massive villa.

Ashwin refrained from giving even a friendly compliment when she showed up in a simple but beautiful maroon saree for the dinner regardles of how stunning she looked.

Instead, he listened intently to one of her sister's husband who was bragging about his investments and kept offering financial advice that he never asked for. Ashwin felt like his ears were going to bleed if he heard him say 'profit' one more time but he managed to wear the biggest smile on his face and nodded along.

Thankfully once everyone were seated, the man finally quiet down and started eating. Ashwin thought he could eat in peace, but not too fast because the real trouble was just about to begin as Sivaangi's father enquired about his job and earnings.

Putting down the fork that never reached his lips even, he politely smiled at the older man. He realised that all eyes were on him. Even though the event was about her parents, people were certainly more interested in the boyfriend their youngest daughter had brought home.

When Ashwin told them about the restaurant he owned along with Rakshan, he could see some sour and distasteful faces on the table. Sivaangi coughed uncomfortably as she could read their minds very well.

Her mind went back to the eve of her sister's wedding when they were trying to get her engaged to a man who was attending the wedding. He was a young surgeon who belonged to a blue-blooded family. Sivaangi's parents really couldn't believe how fortunate their little daughter was when the man had approached her parents and expressed his desire to marry her.

But everything was in shambles when Sivaangi unabashedly refused to get engaged or married to anyone.

They decided a name for her, they picked out the clothings for her, they always had a say in who she should befriend, they determined everything pertaining to her education from which elementary school she should be enrolled into until the degree she should take up. Sivaangi never resisted any of their decisions or wishes because she was always told by them that they knew the best for her, only they knew what's the best for her.

But when they brought out a stranger and asked her to get engaged because he would be the best for her, everything came crashing down to her. She realised that she had never lived her own life. It was always them living it for her. And if she let this one major decision to be taken by them, her life would never be hers again. That felt like the last chance to get ownership over her life and start living it the way she wanted.

Her family was shaken to witness their youngest daughter, the apple of their eyes, put up a fight against them. She blatantly said that she wanted to leave home and work in Chennai like how many of her friends did. They agreed because they were confident that she wouldn't last long on her own without their guidance.

They were surprised enough when she said she got a boyfriend recently and immediately asked him to be brought home. Some of them genuinely wanted to see the man Sivaangi he picked out after rejecting a surgeon while other simply wanted to find faults in him and reject him to protect their daughter.

But since the moment they saw Ashwin, they couldn't bring themselves to execute any plans or schemes against him. He was a very well-behaved, sweet, soft spoken man. He talked to them with so much of respect, he even bought a gift for her parents' anniversary and he managed to build a really loving and warm rapport with the kids even.

But now, after learning that the man was merely a restaurant owner, her sisters who had been burning in jealousy over the fact that Sivaangi managed to get her hands on such a handsome man who put their own husbands to shame, they didn't feel terrible at all. At least their husbands were wealthy enough for them to never work again in their life. Isn't affluence the most important quality for man?

But Sivaangi's father got more curious, what was there in the man for his daughter to be head over heels over him? He genuinely questioned him further, trying to get to know his thought processes and mindsets.

"Starbucks, Subway, Dominos madhri worldwide neraya branches expand pannanum. That's my dream." Ashwin passionately shared when asked about his ambitions.

(I want to expand my restaurant all over the world, make it big like Starbucks, Subway and Dominoes)

"That sounds amazing. What else?"

"Adhuku aprom yenna Uncle? Unga ponnu ah kalyanam pannanum." He eyed her with a tiny smirk just to see the shock on her face when he said that.

(What else would it be Uncle? Of course to marry you daughter)

That earned several laughters in the table. It was her mother's turn to ask now. "Unga parents, family, yenga irukanga? Avangala pathi sollunga. You would need their permission right if you two want to get married? Pesitingala unga veetula?"

(Where are your parents, family? Tell us about them? Have you told them about the two of you?)

Ashwin again put down the fork without taking any bite. "Yenaku parents, family lam illa. Ever since I can remember, I was in the orphanage. That's where I grew up. I did well in school so thankfully I earned a few scholarships and supportive friends that brought me till college. Friends, aprom business...life apdiye poiduchu."

(I don't have parents, family and all that. My life pretty much revolves around my business, friends and so on.)

Ashwin uncomfortably looked around as all of them stared at him like he was the most tragic film of the century.

These pitiful looks were not something new to him. He had always seen it whenever people get know his story. He pulled a difficult smile and tried to wrap up his answer so they could move on to the next topic. "So naa kalyanam pannanumna, yenakunu irukura rendu friends kitta thaan permission kekanum. Rakshan and -"

(So if I want to get married I only need permission from my two friends, Rakshan and-)

Now they were confused as to why he abruptly stopped. He awkwardly looked at his plate, hating himself for even bothering to state their names when he could have ended with simply friends.

Sivaangi stepped up for him, knowing well what was stopping him from continuing his sentence. "Rakshan and Dhruv, his best friend who grew up with him in the orphanage."

Ashwin stared at her, uncertain about how to feel. He refrained from saying his name because he didn't want to remind her of him and possibly hurt her. But she said his name because she knew how much that man meant to him regardless of what he had done to her.

Their intense eye contact was cut short when her father spoke up with the warmest smile. "Appa Amma influence vechi, neraya privileges kedachu kuda life la neraya challenges papanga. But you were on your own from the start. You managed to study well, get a good job, save up and start your dream business. You are the definition of self-made. I've lived  many more years than you Ashwin, but today you inspired me."

(Even people with influential parents and privileges struggle to make it.)

Ashwin's ear turned red as he smiled at the older man. The man gently reached for his head and patted it with pride and love. He never had a son and he never had a father. That particular moment, they both felt like they got something very close to what they have always yearned for.

"I'm not sure what the future beholds for the both of you but I'm extremely grateful that I met you today. And it makes me feel content that my daughter is with you." Sivaangi's father later said when the 'couple' explained that they do not wish to get married right now.

"I think iva life la yedutha olungana decision na, it has to be you. I'm glad there's at least one thing she did correctly." The tone of Sivaangi's mother undeniably stung her but she did not make a sound and kept eating quietly. This was a norm after all.

(I think one proper decision she ever took in her life would she have to be you)

That's why nobody in the family bothered defending her either because it was a shared belief. She had always been labeled and treated as the incapable, immature, youngest daughter who was too pampered and spoilt.

But the person who was yet to officially join the family had different opinions.

"Life la right and wrong decision lam illa Aunty. Because every decision has its pros and cons. It's all about the experience we gain from each decision and how it shapes us. Every decision she took all her life are the best decisions because those made her who she is today." His eyes moved from Sivaangi's mother to Sivaangi who was watching him with her lips slightly apart. "And I love this Sivaangi here. I love her."

(There's no right or wrong decisions aunty.)

His eyes reverted back to the older woman. "Neengalum konjam thalli irundhu parungalen, you won't see the spoilt daughter. You will see the courageous woman who's trying hard to break out of her shell and be independent even though she could just rely on people and live easily."

(Just take a few steps back and look at her. You would see more than your spoilt daughter.)

The older woman shook her head with a sigh. "It's really heartwarming to see you loving her so much but come on, we all know how impulsive and irresponsible she is. Oru nidhanamey irukadhu. Takku takkunu oru vishyam pannuva without even thinking about the consequences."

(She has no composure. She impulsively makes decisions without weighing the consequences)

"Yes she can be impulsive, she can be unpredictable. But that's the beauty of it. She is truly living her life. Namma naalu choices paathu, analyse panni, yedhu best nu choose panrathukulla, ava pudichatha senju vazhndhu muduchiduva. We can never live the way she does. What she has is a gift."

(She would completely live her life to the fullest while we sit here analysing our choices to pick out the so called best one)

Sivaangi dropped the spoon on her plate and turned to look at this stranger she met a few days ago, standing up for her to her family who's known her all her life.

"She is not meant to be tied down or tamed. Just let her be her, free and wild. She'll fly high." Ashwin's lips curved into a small smile as he gazed back at her.

She was wild. She was outrageous. She was anything but normal. She was a sea of magic in a world full of deadened eyes. She speaks with her own voice. She walks her path fiercely. She talks with grace and dignity. She dances to the rhythm of her own drums.

He was right. Sivaangi was just not meant to be tamed, she just had to run freely until she finds someone just as wild to run with her.

The sisters started gushing about how protective and defensive he got for Sivaangi, followed by a comment from her father that he needs to careful on what he says to his own daughter form now on when Ashwin is there.

He bit back an embarrassed smile and looked away. Sivaangi on the other hand could not bring herself to utter a word. What shocked her wasn't the way she was put down by them, but the way she was being defended by him.

Maybe he was just trying to play the 'boyfriend' role so well.

Yes, thinking that way will be better than to assume other possibilities. Because why would a mere stranger stand by her?

Her train of thoughts were interrupted when one of the sisters asked. "So unga love story sollunga. She never gave us any details. Tell us, how you met, who confessed first...yellamey sollunga."

(So tell us your love story. Tell us everything.)

Even the parents looked at them with interest. They came quite prepared for such questions. At least she did. She gulped down some water, ready to narrate a cute story she made up when Ashwin beat her to talk.

He started narrating about how he lived in the 7th floor and she lived in the 14th floor at her aunt's house before she moved out. And how everything began with their little feud over the elevator.

Sivaangi's eyes widened as the story unlocked a memory that she never knew existed. A memory from 2 months ago.

The weird but cute guy from the 7th floor!

It hit her like a pile of bricks so without considering the situation they were in, she grabbed his face and turned it to her direction so she can look at him. To really confirm it was him.

No wonder he looked so familiar!

She stared so intently, all the pieces of puzzle slowly forming in her head. Ashwin uncomfortably laughed before shaking her hand away from his face and turning back to rest of them to continue his story.

"I just loved to see her. Pesala, palagala but paathen. Pathutey irundhen."

(I didn't talk, I didn't say a word but I watch her. I kept watching her)

The family went aww at that and he just chuckled. "There was a time when I was sick and was supposed to stay back at home. But I didn't want to miss the 20 seconds with her in the lift so I remember waking up, dressing up and taking the lift with her only to ride it back up again and get back to bed. Avlo paithiyama irundhen."

(That's how crazy I was.)

"Andha 20 seconds ah I wasn't ready to compromise for anything else in the world." His eyes briefly landed on her before looking back at them.

"Yenaku poyi pesurathuku avlo bayam. Casual ah pesa varala yenaku. Appo thaan oru vaati she dropped one of her earrings. Kadavuley pathu kudutha madhri oru chance kedachathu. She dropped one of her earrings."

(I was very scared to approach her. I just couldn't make a causal conversation. Then God himself gave me a chance.)

"Pesuningala?" Her sister excitedly asked before turning to Sivaangi. "Hey nee sollu, yenna sonnaru?"

(Did you talk to her?) (tell us what he said!)

How would I know?

She blankly stared at Ashwin, the way his eyes stared back at her disabled her from functioning.

Ashwin took in a breath and volunteered to continue since it was his story anyways.

"So the next day, I went up to her and said: I have something that belongs to you. And when she asked what is was, I handed back the earring to her. Then I remember saying something like: you have something that belongs to me, can I have it back or are you gonna keep it?"

The sisters squealed in delight and one of them excitedly said,"I think I know where this is going."

Ashwin shrugged. "I mean it's quite an overused dialogue in movies, not hard to figure out."

"Still romantic when a cute guy walks up to you and say it." The sister insisted.

"Okay okay, we all know where it's going but we still want to hear you say it." The father laughed heartily.

Sivaangi blinked rapidly as the only one who couldn't happily take part in the storytelling session. She was confused, shocked and most importantly scared. Scared that this might not be a made up story like the one she had in mind, it might be an actual anecdote.

"When I said that, she was obviously confused and asked what was it." He then turned to face her with those dark brown eyes filled up with unexplainable emotions as he finally let out the words he always practiced to tell her, just not under this circumstance.

"Unga kitta thaan iruku. Thedi parunga, kedachathuna, inniki night pakkathu street la irukura restaurant ku vaanga."

(It's with you. Look for it. And if you find it, come over to the restaurant in the next street.)

Ashwin ignored the squeals of excitement from the audience and smoothly wrapped up his story.

His eyes still etched on her, a heart-rending smile formed across his face as he said. "As expected, she came that night. And that's how it all started."

Except it never did.

Shortly after dinner, when he excused himself to answer a call, he didn't notice Sivaangi coming right after him into his room.

She patiently waited while Ashwin kept giving out some instructions to his partner on the other end. His eyes did some movements as he silently questioned her, she remained quiet because she needed to properly have this conversation with him. So she waited for him to be done.

But when 5 whole minutes passed and Ashwin still kept going on and on, she couldn't take it any longer. She stood up from the bed, walked to him and snatched the phone out of his hand.

"Hello Mr Rakshan, orey oru naalu Ashwin illama manage panna mudiyatha? You're the owner too so act like one!" And she ended the call before a flabbergasted Rakshan could give her a piece of his mind.

(Can't you handle one single day without Ashwin?)

She handed back the phone to Ashwin who was just as taken aback. "Yenna aachu? Is there any problem?"

(What happened?)

"Neenga..." Sivaangi swallowed harshly, and took in a deep breath before asking. "Neenga sonnadhu, ivlo neram avanga kitta sonnadhu, adhulam unmaiya?"

(You...all that you said, are they true?)

"Illaye. I just have a creative brain and was coming up with stories on the spot." He easily answered before walking off to put back his phone on charge.

(No...)

She looked at him in disbelief, once again confused with her emotions that were all over the place. "Nejamavey unmai illaya? It sounded so real, so true...indha madhri lam yepdi poi solla mudiyum-"

(Are you sure it's not the truth? How could someone lie this well-)

He smiled at her, his eyes oozing with mordacity. "Well I'm Dhruv's best friend. I don't think I'm incapable of lying. Why would you trust me?"

Tilting his head to the side, he asked in a tone that made her regret."Marandhutiya?"

(You forgot?)

"Maraka vechitinga." She breathed out and helplessly looked at him, wishing he could say something that would make her understand better. "What was that even?"

(You made me forgot)

Her lost form did something to his heart. Putting aside wherever grudges he had against her, he faced her with an unreadable expression.

Lowering his head generously to match her eye level, he held her face gently. "Like I said, just some tales to make dinner interesting. Nothing for you to worry over. Go flaunt over your cute 'boyfriend' while you still can."

...

That night when they were supposed to leave, Ashwin had already packed his bag and was all set for another long journey back to Chennai.

But he kept pacing around the room, worried about what she had decided. Now that he had personally met her family and gotten to know them, he was more affirmed that she should definitely leave.

Ashwin could see that they were great people generally but they had their flaws like every other parents out there. They tend to underestimate her and even belittle her when they made her the way she was. How could they put her down for being spoilt, naive and unworldly when they were the ones who over parented her, pampered her too much and shielded her from the world?

It was not fair to her. And Ashwin could only hope she realised it.

"Olunga decide pannu, Chennai, independent life, pudicha job, freedom to make choices for yourself. Or here in Ooty, a safe and protected life. You live under their roof, and make them happy. Marriage with a man of their choice, love iruko illayo, manasuku pudichiruko illayo, stability and security irukum. Yedhu venum Sivaangi unaku?" He remembered asking her earlier when she seemed to be in a dilemma.

"Nee thaan decide pannanum." He had gently told her.

(You should be the one to decide)

At that moment, she liked the fact that she had the right to decide, and she didn't want to give away this right for anyone or anything. Staying here, listening to them and fitting herself into the life they craft out for her, all these might lead her to giving away her rights completely.

Yes, Chennai gave her a heartbreak that she had never experienced before. Had she never attained her independence, she would have never met Dhruv and she wouldn't have gone through any of this pain.

But what Ashwin said to her parents in the dining table came to her mind suddenly. This pain, the consequence of a decision she took that is to love Dhruv, might not be the best decision but it's still hers. It made her stronger. She learnt not to put up with nonsense and walk out when necessary. She've mastered self-worth and knows what she deserves.

It's not the end of the world or her life. She can start over. And she will start over. Just looking at the man in front of her now gave her a different kind of energy, a different kind of hope that she's not completely ruined.

Ashwin noticed her luggage in her hand, a smile slowly started forming over his face. "So Chennai thaan-"

(So Chennai is what you-)

But he never got to complete his sentence as her body came crushing into his.

Hope comes in different form for each person. For her, hope was Ashwin. Her ray of hope that she can move forward, that she can survive and make it. How could she see her hope right in front of her and not hug it?

With arms that gently wrapped around his back, she softly completed his sentence. "Venum."

(I want it.)

He was still in shock, he detached himself from her, not completely but halfway just to take a look at her face. "Venuma?"

(You want it?)

She nodded with a smile that was unreadable for Ashwin this time. "Venum."

(I want it)

~~~~

How was it?

The final part will be up tomorrow after I finish editing it.

Sorry for the delayed updates, had a minor accident a few days ago and I'm still recovering from it.