Ashaangi TS Intertwined Part III - A

Ashwin has been called by many names throughout his life. His grandmother used to call him Achu which made his family members call him the same. He was called as AK in his friends' gang, endless nicknames and endearments among cousins and Ashwin Kumar professionally. But it was Ashwineyy that made him a household name in every house of Tamil Nadu.

Of course, the one who named him as Ashwineyy doesn't talk to him anymore. For days he has longed to hear Sivaangi calling him as Ashwineyy whenever he feels down but that have always ended in disappointments. So, hearing his name from her hits a different kind of feeling this time.

When Ashwin heard Sivaangi uttering his name, his fingers which were playing with the red thread on his right wrist stopped as his whole form stiffened. He fought down the lump in his throat as he slowly lifted his eyes to look at Sivaangi.

"Vaanga Ashwin, cake cut panlam" Sivaangi said meekly, trying not to meet Ashwin's eyes.

The Sivaangi Ashwin knows would never avert her gaze from him. She would always speak to him by looking into his eyes. Usually, he is the one who forget what to say when he looks into her eyes and speak. Now, Sivaangi couldn't bring herself to look into his eyes and speak.

"Va mapla, anga en nikura. Va cake cut panlam" Pugazh said wounding his arm around Ashwin and brought him to the coffee table.

Pugazh received a call which he rejected twice but sighed, excused himself, moved a little away and attended on the third ring. Sivaangi heaved a sigh as she bent down to pick the match box to light the candle on the cake.

Sivaangi could feel Ashwin's gaze on her and swallowed. She picked the match box next to the cake with slightly trembling hand due to nervousness. She tried to light the matchbox but out of nervousness, she ended up lighting the matchbox but it burnt her left finger slightly.

Hearing Sivaangi's hiss, Ashwin got alert and moved towards Sivaangi who looked up when he grabbed her hand. She frowned when Ashwin inspected her finger, his lips formed a thin line before looking up at her with a glare.

"Ethayum pathu pana theriyatha" Ashwin chided "Thankfully it is nothing big this time"

Sivaangi fought down the lump in her throat. Why did his words feel like an indirect jab at her? She pulled back her hand from Ashwin's grip and bent down to pick the matchbox on the floor herself without any word. Her hands were shaky as she collected the match sticks on the ground while her eyes moistened a bit.

Ashwin heaved a frustrated sigh before bending down and picking the match sticks himself making Sivaangi stiffen. She looked up when she heard him muttering something to himself. Taking a sharp intake of breath, Sivaangi said,

"Ashw-"

Before Sivaangi could say anything, Ashwin snatched the matchbox from Sivaangi's hand and stood up averting his gaze. He turned around ignoring her completely and lighted the candle on the cake himself as she stared at him while chewing the insides of her cheek.

A frowning Pugazh came back to the coffee table from the window side. Ashwin noticed Pugazh's face and at Sivaangi's face before fixing his eyes on Pugazh. Ashwin decided that he'll ask why his friend was tensed later and celebrate his birthday first. He wouldn't want Sivaangi's surprise to get disturbed.

"Machan va da cake cut panlam" Ashwin said wounding his arms around Pugazh's shoulders who put on a smile on his lips as he joined the duo.

Sivaangi and Ashwin was at the either side of Pugazh. Sivaangi had a broad smile on her face as she side hugged her brother. She and Ashwin sang the birthday song in which Pugazh joined in and made few fun changes cracking the other two.

Pugazh cut the cake and fed his sister and then Ashwin. He then asked Ashwin to click few pictures of them. Both Ashwin and Sivaangi were reluctant as Ashwin was still mad at Sivaangi and Sivaangi wasn't sure if she could handle Ashwin's anger more. Also, it has been months since they appeared on the same frame together.

On Pugazh's words, Ashwin clicked few pictures of them. On first few pictures, both their smile wasn't reaching their eyes but after Pugazh cracked a joke, they both end up laughing at his words and Ashwin captured few pics.

As they sat down to eat their cake, Pugazh was conversing with both of them but Ashwin and Sivaangi only spoke to Pugazh. The constant buzzing of Pugazh's mobile, his tense face and frustrated sigh caught Ashwin's attention.

"Machan, ena da achu? Mobile adichute iruku. Ethuvum prachana ya?" Ashwin asked concerned.

"Anne, ena ne achu?" Sivaangi asked as she nudged Pugazh with her arm.

"Athu onum ila" Pugazh said but his mobile rang again making him sigh.

"Ena ne achu? Yaru call la?" Sivaangi asked placing her cake on the plate and fixed her eyes on Pugazh.

"Sollu machan" Ashwin pressed.

"Athu enoda inoru movie shooting um inga Hyderabad la dhan pogudhu..." Pugazh trailed.

"Ama ne, Arya sir ooda movie dhaney. Athuku ena ne ipo?" Sivaangi asked.

"Athu andha shooting spot la enaku birthday ku surprise ready pananga pola. Ena oruthan vara sonan etho reason soli. Na maplai ah pathathum marantu inga vanten. Aprm una pathathum enaku sandhosathula ethuvum nyabagam ila papa. Ipo dhan solran ela wait panranga surprise panlam nenachom athu ithu nu. Na varala nu sonen, atha kuptute irukanga"

"Athuku ena ne, neenga poetu vara vendiyathu dhaney. Kochuka poranga, poetu vanga ne" Sivaangi said nudging Pugazh to go.

"Nee iruka apo na epdi papa pove. Enaku edho surprise nu nee ivlo dhuram vandhruka. Naaney una romba naal aduthu pakure. Enaku en thangachi dhan mukiyam" Pugazh refused to go.

"Athunala ena, naan inga dhan irupen ne. Neenga poetu vanga. Morning pesikalam" Sivaangu urged her brother to go.

"Athu ila papa-"

"Machan, un pasa malar sentiments ah niruthitu poetu va machan. Un thangachi inga dhan irupanga. Morning pathukalam" Ashwin said urging Pugazh to go.

Pugazh looked unsure. His mobile rang again and so, Sivaangi made a speech urging him to go. She made sure he got ready and stopped pestering him only after they walked out of his room.

Pugazh left half-heartedly after bidding bye to Ashwin and Sivaangi who stared at each other awkwardly, standing in front of Pugazh's room. Ashwin pursed his lips into a thin line while Sivaangi played with her finger.

Ashwin cleared his throat gaining Sivaangi's attention.

"Na en room ku poren. Neengalum onga room ku ponga Sivaangi" Ashwin said starting to walk towards his room. He needs to be alone now to collect his thoughts together.

Sivaangi blinked back the tears that threatened to slip out of her eyes. Ashwin spoke to her as if he will speak to any normal person. His voice lacked the warmth with which he speaks to her. Sivaangi ma has changed to Sivaangi. The respect in his words made her feel like a stranger.

"Ashwin, please..." Sivaangi trailed her words as she saw Ashwin stopping on his track but didn't turn back "Let's talk?"

Sivaangi heard a sarcastic chuckle as Ashwin turned around to face her. His face had a sarcastic smile that didn't reach his eyes as he eyed Sivaangi before saying,

"Let's talk?" Ashwin chuckled and added, "You know this phrase sounds familiar. I wonder from where" Ashwin made the thinking gesture which Sivaangi usually makes and said, "Oh yes, why don't you check your inbox? It must have endless 'Let's talk' texts from me" Ashwin fought back his tears as he cleared his throat and added, "Damn. How can I forget that you don't check them anymore?"

Sivaangi was dumbstruck. She gasped as each word of Ashwin felt like a slap. Tears crashed down her cheeks as she stared at the guy in front of her. His cold behavior towards her made her feel more and more guilty as each second passed.

"Ashwin en ipdilam pesuringa?" Sivaangi asked trying to swallow her tears.

"Vera epdi pesanum nu nenakuringa, Sivaangi?" Ashwin asked pressing his lips into a thin line on seeing her cry.

"Etho moonavathu manushanga ta pesura mathiri pesuringa..." Sivaangi trailed her words as tears slipped out of her eyes.

"Neenga ena apdi dhaney treat paninga, Sivaangi" Ashwin said giving a bitter smile and added, "I'm just returning the favour"

"Ipdilam solathinga, Ashwin" Sivaangi said trying to grab Ashwin's hand.

Ashwin stepped back before Sivaangi could hold his hands making her frown with tears. He looked away as he couldn't handle watching her cry. It wasn't Ashwin's intention to make her cry but pent-up frustration of six months got the better of him.

Ashwin knows he'll eventually forgive his Rowdy Don but he must make sure she doesn't repeat such thing again. His cold behavior would make sure of that. Also, to be honest, he's displaying his anger, frustration and disappointment.

Ashwin heaved a frustrated sigh as he ran his fingers through his hair trying to compose himself before looking up at Sivaangi who was staring at him, waiting him to speak.

"6 maasama onum pesala. Enoda endha texts, calls kum reply panla. Na attend panra events attend panrathu ila. Veetuku thedi vandha irundhum ila nu sola solrathu. Ipdilam panitu ipo ena pesanum ongaluku?"

"Neenga nenakura mathiri ila, Ashwin" Sivaangi tried to say her part but Ashwin cut her in middle.

"Ena pathi nenachurundha neenga ipdi paniruka matinga, Sivaangi" Ashwin said as he stepped back further creating more space between them. He wanted to leave before he could hurt his Rowdy more. This isn't the right time to have this conversation.

'Ongala pathi nenacha naala dhan ipdi panen' Sivaangi wanted to scream but she couldn't. She stared at Ashwin helplessly as tears slipped out of her eyes.

'Aiyo alatha ma' Ashwin thought wanting to comfort Sivaangi on seeing her tears but composed himself.

"Apdi ila, Ashwin. Neenga na solratha kel-" Sivaangi started but Ashwin cut her in middle again making her frustrated.

"Neenga enoda text, calls lam return paninga la, Sivaangi? Enaku oru closure kuduthinga la ipdi vitutu pogurathuku munadi? Neenga patu dhaney poninga. Aprm ena ongaluku Sivaangi?"

"Ashwin na elam oru reas-" Sivaangi started but Ashwin again cut her in middle testing her patience.

"Ongaluku epdi nu therla aana enaku tired ah iruku Sivaangi. Na thoonga poren" Ashwin said starting to walk away. His resolve to be cold with her has started to melt and he doesn't want to see her cry. So, it is best if he goes to his room now.

"Ashwin, nilunga. Na panathu thappu dhan, seriya? Atha namma pesi sort panikalam. Motha ninnu enta pesunga. Ena pathu pesunga. Vandhadhu la irundhu mogam dhan katringa. Athuvum en ipdi Sivaangi Sivaangi nu kupduringa? Sivaangi ma nu dhaney kupduvinga? Ena ithu neenga nu lam... Ashwin ipdi irukathinga, Ashwin. Please, namma pesi sort panikalam"

Sivaangi reached for Ashwin's hand again. This time he didn't step back and didn't pull his hand out of Sivaangi's grip either giving her a hope. He just stood there blankly fighting within himself.

Sivaangi have managed to stay away from Ashwin these months. Only she knew how tough it was for her. She would have probably stayed that way had she not met Ashwin here. Being in the same room as him after months made her realized how much she missed, his warm voice calling her Sivaangi ma, the way he acts as if he's hurt when she punches him or throw a hi-fi, the way he cares for her, his protectiveness... Above all, she just missed his presence.

Only after seeing Ashwin in person and the way he behaved with her, Sivaangi realized that she has messed up big time and now when she's trying to fix things, she's finding it difficult to handle Ashwin.

"Sivaangi kai ah vidunga. Na thoonga ponum" Ashwin said making more tears spill out from Sivaangi's eyes. He clenched his fist trying to control himself but couldn't on seeing her cry.

"Ethuku aluguringa ipo? Setha poeten?" Ashwin asked out of frustration on seeing Sivaangi cry.

Sivaangi was taken aback by Ashwin's choice of words as she tightened her grip on his hand unconsciously. She was okay with his cold behavior but the word he used made her anger flare up but she wiped her tears with her other hand and remained mum. She knows she's the one at fault and she doesn't want to say anything in anger, fearing that she'll break whatever that's left between them.

"Sorry" Ashwin said in a soft tone on seeing Sivaangi's disturbed face making her look up at him "Enala neenga ala vendam. Thoonga polam ah?"

Sivaangi heaved a defeated sigh as she released Ashwin's hand from her grip and stepped back. She nodded weakly at him before walking past him without another glance. She's emotionally overwhelmed and she needs time to compose herself. She can't look clingy or desperate in front of Ashwin. Her self-respect wouldn't allow her to be so. So, she needs to be composed before meeting Ashwin again.

Ashwin watched as Sivaangi walked in front of him. He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration as he followed her. As Sivaangi stopped in front of her room, she noticed that Ashwin is walking towards the room opposite to her.

Sivaangi fought down the lump in her throat as she inserted her room key. On the other side, Ashwin's back was facing Sivaangi's direction. He watched as Sivaangi opened her room door by arching his neck and waited till she stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

After making sure that she's inside her room, Ashwin stepped inside his room. The dark room stared back at Ashwin as he leaned back against the door not bothering to illuminate the room.

Images of Sivaangi crying played in front of Ashwin's eyes as he felt a sting in his heart. When Ashwin saw Sivaangi crying, he wanted to take her in his arms and comfort her. He could never stand her crying and today he has made her cry.

Ashwin's resolve grew thin as he clenched his fist. A lone tear escaped from his eyes followed by more as he recalled their conversation. He realized that he got carried away in anger and hurt his Rowdy; her crying face wouldn't leave his mind.

Ashwin took deep breaths, trying to compose himself but couldn't. He knows Sivaangi isn't someone who cries easily. So, if she has cried then she must be hurt a lot.

'Ava anga aluthutu irupa' Ashwin thought to himself, his heart twisting with unknown pain.

That very thought broke Ashwin's resolve to giving cold shoulder to Sivaangi. He would hate to be the reason for her tears. Heck, he hates seeing her cry! He wiped his tears frantically before rushing out of his room to meet Sivaangi, determined to fix things between them.

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Hey guys, hope you all are doing good. I hope you enjoyed reading the chapter. One more chapter and this TS would be done. Please do vote and leave behind a feedback. I have some OS concepts on mind which I would pen down and post once this TS gets finished. Proud max on seeing the professional growth of Ashwin and Sivaangi. Damn excited for them. I'm sure they'll reach great heights.

Thank you for reading.

Nan ~