Disclaimer: This is a piece of fiction based on the author's imagination and has nothing to do with the real life of the characters mentioned. I repeat this again, this is just based on the author's imagination.

NOTE: It was Chef Bhat who tied the red thread. This story is just a fiction. Keep that in mind while reading.

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Ashaangi OS Red Thread in Kadhai

It was the day of finale and Ashwin was having his usual photoshoot before shoot. Dressed in a purple coat suit, he was dashing as always. Just as he finished his photoshoot, he was pulled away from the place by a calm Sivaangi who was waiting to kidnap him the moment he finished his photoshoot.

Ashwin wordlessly let Sivaangi drag him as always. The duo walked to their favorite spot on the set isolated corner of the set away from people's eye. They sat down on their usual stone bench under the shades of trees. Ashwin was actually surprised that Sivaangi didn't utter a word throughout their walk.

"Ena rowdy inaiku romba amaithiya iruka mathiri iruku" Ashwin asked making Sivaangi look at him by nudging her arm with his as they sat side by side on the stone bench.

"Apdilam ilayeh Ashwineyy..." Sivaangi trailed, her voice low and face tensed.

"Ilayeh, etho tension ah iruka mathiri irukey" Ashwin said observing Sivaangi's face.

Sivaangi looked up at Ashwin who was staring at her intently, his one eyebrow raised in question. She held his gaze for few seconds before looking away and heaved a loud sigh.

"Solu ma, ena achu?" Ashwin asked concerned facing her as it was unlikely of Sivaangi to be this way.

"Orey bayama, tension ah iruku Ashwiney..." Sivaangi said looking down at her lap as she toyed with her fingers.

"En ma, ethuvum prachana ya? Veetla elarum nala irukanga dhaney?" Ashwin asked in a concerned tone.

"Haan, athellam nala irukanga, Ashwineyy" Sivaangi replied in a tensed tone.

One thing about Sivaangi. If she's way too happy, it would reflect on her face and if she's way too sad or tensed, it reflects on her face as well. She's very expressive and Ashwin can see that something's troubling her. Her not looking into his eyes is enough proof of that.

"Aprm ena ma achu? Ena paru" Ashwin said studying Sivaangi's face.

"Ila inaiku finale la..." Sivaangi trailed as she finally looked up at Ashwin.

"Show mudiyuthu nu feel panriya ma?" Ashwin asked staring at Sivaangi's face attentively.

"Athu iruku, Ashwineyy aana we'll catch up often nu I know. So, its fine"

"Seri, vera etha nenachu ipdi tension ah iruka? Apdi ena bayam?" Ashwin asked in a concerned tone.

"Athu inaiku finale la" Sivaangi finally opened up, trailing her words again.

"Hmmm" Ashwin hummed urging Sivaangi to go on.

"Top five um tough contestants"

"Ama"

"Athan enaku tensed ah iruku, Ashwineyy" Sivaangi said making a sad face at Ashwin.

"Unaku contestants nenachu tensed ah iruka?" Ashwin chuckled on hearing her words and added, "Yen ma? Sixth finalist ah una select panirukanga la ena?"

"Ada po Ashwineyy" Sivaangi said with a sad pout making Ashwin chuckle.

"Seri enanu solu rowdy" Ashwin said nudging her with his arm again.

"Ongaluku inaiku finale nu nenapu iruka illaya? Naaney nee epdiyachum title win paniranum nu rendu naal ah puja room la suthitu iruke; pray panitu iruke. Orey tension ah, pathatama iruku inaiku onga cooking ah nenacha. Aana neenga ena da na en tension ah iruka nu kekuringa" Sivaangi said in a complaining tone as she sat facing Ashwin while he was amused at Sivaangi's words.

Usually, Ashwin is the one who gets tensed for every single thing as he likes things to be in his control. He has learnt to let loose and enjoy the moment from the girl in front of him who never takes things too seriously. But looking at Sivaangi who was tensed for his performance and victory touched his heart. The genuineness in her face and voice overwhelmed him.

"Athan nee enoda set la irupiyeh ma. Aprm enaku ena tension?" Ashwin said staring at Sivaangi with a soft smile.

"Athu na epovum onga kuda irupen, Ashwineyy. Aana win pananum la. Everything has to go right for you today. Athan oru mari tension ah vey iruku" Sivaangi said with a tensed pout that warmed Ashwin's heart.

"Ma" Ashwin said placing his hand on Sivaangi's hand that rested on the space between them and added, "Nee, unoda smile and unoda words dhan ma enoda source of positivity. Na tension aanen na kuda nee vandhu rendu vartha pesuna tension elam poerum. I need you the most today, ma. Neeyeh ipdi irundha aprm na down agiruve pathuko."

"Aiyo venam, venam. Neenga tension agathinga, Ashwineyy. Onga cooking inaiku semaya irukanum. Na seri agiruve, you don't worry." Sivaangi quickly said lacing her fingers in him and gave a small smile as she looked at him trying to convince that she's okay.

"Loosen up, will you, Sivaangi ma? I want to walk inside our CWC kitchen one last time and make some memories for life today. Winning secondary dhan. Nee epovum pola sirichutu irundha dhan nala irukum, Sivaangi ma. That's my strength within the set. Naanum apo dhan relaxed ah cook panuven, enjoy panuven" Ashwin said and added, "Na inaiku un kuda dance vera adalam nu plan la iruken. Nee ipdi face vacha nala va irukum?"

"Ena Ashwineyy solra? Dance ah?" Sivaangi asked with a surprised smile and her smile grew when Ashwin nodded in affirmative.

Within seconds, the duo fell into their normal fun banter as Sivaangi finally laughed whole heartedly and expressed how she's planning to make the most of it in the finale today.

"Seri ma, polam ah? Elarum theda poranga" Ashwin said on checking time.

Sivaangi didn't have the heart to go just yet. But it has been half an hour since they came here and shooting will commence soon. So, she nodded her head halfheartedly and the duo stood up only to be pulled back on the stone bench by Sivaangi.

"Ashwineyy, ongala ethuku kuptu vandhen ney maranten paren" Sivaangi said slapping her forehead lightly gesturing that she has forgot the whole thing.

"Apdi ethuku kuptu vandhinga madam?" Ashwin asked smiling at Sivaangi's antics.

"Iru varen" Sivaangi said searching for something in her sling back.

Sivaangi took out her chocolate bar, coolers, power bank, small diary and dumped it on Ashwin's hand who raised an eyebrow at her with a soft glare. She gave him a sheepish smile before taking out a crushed paper ball.

"Ena ma item elam pakavey balama iruku" Ashwin commented as he placed the things in his hand back into Sivaangi's bag.

"Iru, Ashwineyy" Sivaangi said and opened the crushed paper.

Sivaangi took out the red thread which Sivaangi's cousin from Kerala sent on her request. She has already placed it in the puja room of their house and prayed for two consecutive days before bringing it today.

"Ena ma ithu?"

"Swamy kayaru, Ashwineyy. Ongalukaga special puja pani Kerala la irundhu varuthu" Sivaangi said with a wide smile as she showed him the red thread.

To say Ashwin was touched by Sivaangi's gesture would be an understatement. He was dumbfounded for a second as he looked at the girl in front of him who always goes to lengths to put a smile on his face. His eyes turned glassy on seeing the red thread.

Ashwin couldn't help but ask himself of what he done to deserve this girl. When no one, not his family, not even him placed complete trust on him, this girl announced the world that he'll be a successful actor one day.

When people moved away from Ashwin thinking he has got attitude issues, it was this girl who stood by him and made him the carefree man he is today. She has left no stones unturned to put him in a comfort zone and he was thankful to her for that.

The things Sivaangi does for him, the way she pampers him, the way she cares for him, Ashwin has only received such things from his mother. True to that, he often forgets that he's an adult and behaves as a needy child with her. It can be seen in the way he calls her "Ma"

Trying not to tear up in front of Sivaangi, Ashwin fought down his tears as he looked at her.

"Katti vidava?" Sivaangi asked hesitantly on seeing Ashwin's lost face.

"Huh?" Ashwin asked pulled out of his thoughts.

"Katti vidava, Ashwineyy?" Sivaangi asked again with a small smile.

Ashwin's face broke into a wide genuine smile as he extended his hand forward. Sivaangi's smile grew into a bright smile as she was about to tie the red thread but stopped at the last moment puzzling Ashwin.

"Irunga, Swamy kumbudanum first uh" Sivaangi said closed her eyes and joined her hands with the thread in prayer.

Ashwin felt an overwhelming feeling on seeing Sivaangi's gestures. He can tell in a heartbeat that she's doing all these for him genuinely expecting nothing in return. He admired her silently, his heart brimming with an unknown feeling while she prayed for him.

"Okay, ipo kai kudunga" Sivaangi said finishing her prayer and reaching out for Ashwin's hand.

Ashwin wordlessly extended his hand and Sivaangi tied the red thread around his wrist. She had a content smile on seeing the red thread on his wrist and it reflected in her whole form as her face brimmed with happiness.

"Ma" Ashwin called Sivaangi in a soft voice as his fingers toyed with the red thread, a sense of care and comfort seeping inside his heart.

"Solu Ashwineyy" Sivaangi said looking up at Ashwin.

"Enoda nature therinchum ena da ivan nu nenakama ena vitu pogama ena thalageela mathi ena elarukum matum ilama ena enakey pidikura mathiri mathita...En vazhkai la nee enaku romba mukiyam aana person, Sivaangi ma. Thank you for being in my life" Ashwin said overwhelmed with feelings as he took her hand in his.

"Ada ena Ashwineyy neenga, enaku thank you lam solringa! Ipdilam solathinga, shy aguthu" Sivaangi said with a shy smile as she tightened her grip on their joined hands and added, "Inaiku neenga nala cook pananum, Ashwineyy. Dishes lam semaya varanum. Dhamu sir top notch, top top notch nu solanum. Aprm neenga cooking panra apo tension agathinga. Cut panra apo, cook panra apo lam careful ah irukanum, seriya. Adi padama pathukanum"

Sivaangi lectured him while Ashwin nodded obediently like a child feeding on her care and concern.

"Ma, na ena Kolandha ya ma ipdi tuition edukura" Ashwin remarked with a chuckle yet his heart warmed on the way Sivaangi is pampering him.

"Neenga Kolandha dhan, Ashwineyy" Sivaangi said grinning at Ashwin and added, "Ena koncham Valarndha Kolandha"

The duo broke into laughter as Ashwin gave Sivaangi side smile while rolling his eyes at her.

"Indha purple suit la vera level handsome ah irukinga, Ashwineyy. This got to be my second favorite costume of yours" Sivaangi complimented Ashwin making him slightly blush. He can never get used to her open compliment.

"Apdiya" Ashwin said with his signature shy smile and added, "Apo first enathu ma?"

"Athu va" Sivaangi said shifting on her place and faced Ashwin, "Guess panunga papom"

Ashwin looked at Sivaangi as he put his finger on his chin imitating the way she thinks putting a smile on Sivaangi's lips. She smacked a punch on his arms making him chuckle at her.

"Solunga Ashwineyy" Sivaangi said nudging Ashwin's arms.

"Hmmmm" Ashwin hummed on seeing Sivaangi's reaction and said, "Stripes coat suit dhaney?"

"Epdi Ashwineyy" Sivaangi said bouncing in excitement and held onto Ashwin's arm and shook him, "Andha stripes suit la epdi irundhinga theriyum ah...."

Sivaangi went ahead and continued with her description of how handsome and dashing Ashwin looked in the suit. She expressed what she felt while Ashwin listened to her silently, a constant shy smile adorning his lips.

Shaking their head in laughter, the duo got up after a hearty conversation of ten more minutes and walked towards the set for the much-awaited final shoot of Cook with Comali 2.

THE END.

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Hey guys, hope you all are doing good. I hope you enjoyed reading the story. This OS is just a piece of my imagination and I have no clue how that red thread ended up on Ashwin's hand between the gap of photoshoot and finale shoot.

So, how was the story? Any comment on whether you liked the story or any places for me to improve?

Also, I have the plot ready for my Ashaangi book which I'll post once I'm done writing few chapters. Can anyone help me with the cover for my new story? If yes, please text me.

Thank You.

Nan ~